Chapter Eleven

"What about you?" Buffy looked up at Spike's question. "What?" she asked dazed a little - she had almost drifted off to sleep. "You were hurt in the fight. You need stitches?" She grimaced as she looked at her arm. "Maybe. But I can live with it - benefit of being the slayer remember? Super healing powers". He nodded. "Handy skill that".

"So, we're covered on the fact that evil has feelings and that it can love," she sighed, her voice slightly sarcastic on the last word. "But it still doesn't count because you don't understand right or wrong. Or you do - but you choose not to act on it".

"Right, because that's the way of nature Buffy. You good guys do everything by the book, you're forthright and noble and heroic. You think of others before you, and you save lives. On the dark side of the force we do everything to prevent that because it goes against everything that we are. We live to bring about chaos and destruction in your lives. It's the rules. Or - it used to be the rules for me.

"But why does it have to be the rules Spike?" She asked him. "I'm so sick and tired of the God damn rules. Why can't good and evil work together for once? Why can't we all call it a truce so I can have a life?" Spike smiled slightly. "And once again we're back to the point. Maybe we can pass the council's little test after all. It seems like we're agreeing with each other".

Buffy also smiled. "Well…maybe a little bit. I don't know what the others will think though. But you know what I think?" He shook his head. "Given half the chance, from what I've seen tonight, you could be a good man Spike. I just don't know if this is going to last that long - or even if you want it to". Spike didn't have anything to say to her last remark. "Ok," she murmured. "I know that it's like the ocean and the sky's decided to swap places out there - but if we don't move now we never will. You think you're strong enough to make it back to my place?" He nodded. "A bit better. That sleep I had earlier helped. Is my invitation still available though Buffy?" Her eyes met his and for no reason at all she felt very nervous. "It will be".

She reached forward to help him up. Big mistake. The feel of his skin brushing against hers made her feel weak. He stumbled slightly as he rose, and it bought them closer together. Once again they made eye contact. Ok, thought Buffy, this isn't what I had in mind when I was told I had to work with Spike. Not at all. She felt his grip on her hand tighten slightly and she saw his eyes roam over her. She had never felt so exposed in that moment, not even when she had been with Angel. This was different to anything she had ever felt or experienced. "Buffy…what's going on?" he whispered. "I….." her voice trailed off as they moved even closer. In that moment she was completely helpless. She didn't care about anything except that she wanted to feel Spike's arms around her. She didn't care she was being a hypocrite, going against everything she had ever believed in. In that moment, she truly felt his soul. She finally believed.

The sound of thunder made her jump and she and Spike pulled away from each other quickly. "We should go," he told her. "Yes. Ok . This is it. This is me totally going". He gestured toward the door of the crypt. She started to walk forward and then hesitated. "Spike…." he raised his eyebrows. "I was only going to say that…it's weird how many things can change in one night isn't it?" A grin appeared on his face - a weak one - but it was there. "That's one way of putting it!"

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"I'm really worried Giles," said Willow, who was standing by the window. "What if something's happened to her? What kind of friends would we be if we just sit here? I'm starting to think Xander had it right after all. You know - the whole going after her thing?"

"What about …." started Giles. " I haven't seen anyone out there in a while. I know that it could be a trap, that they could be in hiding waiting for one of us to slip and do something supernatural. But to be honest I don't care. It's Buffy. We need to make sure she's ok. even if it's only to find out what's wrong with her at the moment. I know she can handle herself - but…."

"We get it Will," said Xander, standing up. " I say that we head out. We start looking in all the deserted buildings, warehouses…….."

Sudeenly the door crashed open. Willow, Oz, Giles, Xander and Joyce all turned to stare at the sight of Buffy and Spike. They were both soaked. They both had several deep cuts on their arms, and Spike had a nasty cut on his forehead. They could all see that he had no shirt on - but willow placed an arm on Xander's arm before he could make a point. Buffy was supporting Spike - who was about ready to collapse.

"Buffy, are you ok?" said Joyce rushing forward. "You've been gone nearly all night!"

"What happened?" asked Giles. Buffy helped Spike over to the couch. "We were ambushed by about thirty odd vamps. Said they were lead by some Queen of the dead chick. Spike's never heard of her, so I guess we should do some research. But we need to get Spike to remember a spell that's going to help us. We don't know how yet though".

"So that's why we have to work with him," muttered Xander. Buffy nodded. "Yep. It's the council's twisted sense of humor. It's the test we have to pass".

"Well, I'm glad you're ok," said Willow, coming to stand by her best friend. Buffy glanced up at her friends then. Her family. And she remembered how she had left things with them. "Listen, I'm sorry you guys. I didn't mean to say all those things. You know that right?"

Willow smiled. "We know. You've had a lot to deal with. Don't worry. We forgive you - it's what we're meant to do right? If we want to work together". Xander nodded reluctantly. "It would help if you talked to us more though Buffy," he added. She sighed, knowing that it wouldn't be that simple. "The time for talking is past Xander," she said. Spike looked at her sharply, sitting up slightly, his hand covering the wound on his chest that was still bleeding. "You stealing evil's lines now pet?" She chose to ignore him. "Ok. Let's get to work".

TBC