Chapter 7

Buffy hadn't slept at all last night, her mind was running with what was to come. She dressed early and went off in search of Illeria, leading her to the training room. She stood watching Illeria beating up the practice dummy. Buffy couldn't help but notice how bored she looked.

"Want a sparring partner?" Buffy quipped, Illeria nodded surprised to have a volunteer.

Buffy walked into the room and immediately took a defensive stance as Illeria approached her. Illeria swung at Buffy, who quickly dodged the blow. It looked like a dance, one stepped forward and would swing or kick while the other blocked or glided out of the way. Finally they both seemed to increase there efforts, both seemed to be enjoying the workout. Illeria finally was able to grab Buffy and threw her across the room. Buffy immediately jumped to her feet, her features had changed fully vamped out she ran toward Illeria and hit her twice. Illeria stood up slightly fazed and reached out for Buffy, who in turn grabbed her and returned the favor, throwing her to the other side of the room.

"You are different from the others." Illeria stood and looked at her.

"How so?" Buffy asked waiting for another attack.

"You are stronger, you fight with everything. I respect this."

"Glad to hear it. Wouldn't want you on the opposing side." Buffy smiled at her.

"Humor." Illeria looked at Buffy thinking about her comment. "I still do not understand your humor." Buffy chuckled in response.

"I actually came looking for you to ask if you would come with us tomorrow? We could use a warrior like you." Buffy position relaxed as they continued to talk.

Illeria's head turned to the side. "Why do you need me?"

"We have rebuilt the council, which is who originally "Trained" the slayers." Buffy rolled her eyes, slightly annoyed at the description, but it would have to do. "We need someone to help train them and also I know we will be having more battles and I would like nothing better then to have you fight with me."

"More battles. More bloodshed. I would enjoy this. I will go with you."

"Cool, we leave tonight."

"I will prepare." Illeria turned and left.

Chapter 8

The cars arrived to take everyone to the airport, Giles had the jet standing by. We arrived at the airport and security was taken care of, Giles had a few friends there who let us slide by with a weapons trunk, which was in the cargo area anyway, but still nowadays you never know. Everything was running smoothly, although Illeria looked apprehensive having never flown before. The plane took off and if all went well 17 hours from now everyone would be in London.

A few hours into the flight everyone was asleep except Buffy, she was wide awake he thoughts running ramped over the events of the last few days. She turned in her seat and looked back to see Spike staring out the window into the night sky. Buffy got up and walked over and sat next to him. He didn't stir.

"Spike?" she whispered not wanting to wake up everyone. He turned to her startled.

"Buffy. Sorry I wasn't paying attention. Haven't flown in a long time, the view is great." His voice turning to a whisper as he noticed the slumbering group, he turned his head back out the window nervous as to why Buffy was there.

"I'm sorry if I was bothering you." Buffy got up to leave, thinking he didn't want to talk to her. Spike quickly reached for her hand.

"No, no bother, stay." His eyes were locked on hers. Buffy's mind was spinning those eyes of his could make her forget anything. She sat down and they both sat their silently, unsure of what to say.

"Spike." "Buffy." They both called in unison, they smiled. They knew they were acting like school children but didn't know how else to be with each other.

"Pet...I was sitting here thinking about our fight before." Spike paused unsure of how to continue.

"I thought we agreed to forget about it." Buffy said trying to avoid the conversation.

"I know but you said you love me." He looked at her intently his head cocked to one side. His eyes showing every emotion he had in the past wanted to be rid of. "Did you mean it?"

She didn't know what else to say to that. She looked at him, her eyes softening at his soft spoken and heartfelt words; she placed her hand on the side of his face, her thumb stroking his check and slowly leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. The kiss was soft and hesitant at first, then more passionate as he wrapped his arms around her. She pulled away gently, her forehead was leaning on his as she gasped for unneeded breath and huskily replied "Yes Spike, I still love you."

Spike's eyes closed tight as he felt his heart swell at her admission. He kissed her again and then finally she rested her head on his shoulder and he pulled the window shut and they both fell asleep.

The dream began as soon as Buffy closed her eyes, the Hellmouth in London opening, the earth shaking as the ground broke way, hot fires breathing through the newly formed crevasses. The ubervampire she had fought in Sunndydale covered the ground by the thousands and at the front of them was a women, who was staring directly at Buffy as though a mirror. Buffy walked closer to the onslaught ahead of her and saw that the woman was her. She stopped and whispered two words "The first." The scene went black and then she was on the ground her body tied down, struggling with her bonds. Her body coursed with pain as the blood flowed from her as she looked to see the earth open wide, she screamed.

Buffy shot up from her seat and she was fully vamped out her eyes red. Spike woke as soon as Buffy moved. He jumped up next to her and grabbed her arm. Buffy on instinct grabbed him and pushed him against the wall of the cabin. Everyone on the plan woke up startled by the noise.

"Buffy! Pet it was a dream." Spike strained to speak under her arm on his throat. Her eyes unchanged but she released him and backed away. She turned and everyone on the plane was staring at her. Buffy turned and went to the back of the plan to get away from them.

"It's ok everyone, go back to sleep." Willow announced to the group before walking back to Spike. "What happened?"

Spike looked at her unsure and the two of them walked back to check on Buffy. She was sitting on the floor, her features had calmed but her eyes were still flowing red, her hands were balled tightly over her knees and they crackled with magic. Spike looked on surprised and unsure of what to say or to even approach after her last reaction.

"Buffy?" Willow walked over and sat down beside her. "What happened in there?" Spike took the witches lead and sat down in front of both of them.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake the whole damn plane." Buffy's voice still seethed with anger. "Slayer dream...startled me." Her voice sounded more like Illeria.

"S'ok slayer. Care to share?" Spike asked hopeful. Buffy closed her eyes and sat there for a few minutes, when she finally opened them they were back to normal. She told them as many details as she could remember from her dream. When she was finished Spike couldn't hide his concern.

"We will talk to Giles as soon as we land. Research this requires oodles of research." Willow said to her trying to be confident. "We'll figure this out." Willow got up and went back to her seat.

"Pet? Do you want me to leave you alone?" Spike asked her hesitantly.

"No, I'm ok. I'm sorry about before, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Forget it." Spike smiled at her and pulled her up and they went back to their seats.