TITLE: Blaze Of Glory; Come Back To Me

RATING: R
PAIRING: Angel/Spike
SUMMARY; Sequel to Blaze Of Glory.

SPOILERS: Buffy Season 5, Angel Season 2 episodes 19 to 22 didn't happen, sorry no Fred. Also Joyce did not die.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these characters; they belong to Joss
FEEDBACK: Always wanted and adored.

WEBSITE:

PREQUEL:

A/N: Cause you all asked so nicely, many moons ago, and Setting Things Straight is kicking my arse and I've got itchy fingers!!! Thank you to Belle for giving me the idea for this fic. Thank you to Mera Haven for all her advice and badgering without which this fic would still be sitting in my head, and thank you to Ely my beta for all her hard work she is the queen of commas. Poem originally by Wilbur Skeels, adapted by Mary Frye and adapted again by me!!!

A/N 2: I wrote this a while ago and have only just started sorting it out not stuck on StS any more and I would like to thank the queen of commas my beta Ely.

Part 5

The days and nights passed quickly after the service. The L.A crew and Angel left Sunnydale and went back to L.A. The Scoobies carried on with life much as if nothing had happened, except for Dawn who slowly started to sink into herself. The only time she would come alive was when Angel paid his weekly visit and they would disappear for hours Angel not saying more that a polite 'hello' and 'goodbye' to anyone else as he came and went.

The L.A crew didn't fare too well either. Angel became unbearable to be around and would lock himself in his room, appearing only if they needed his help with a case or when he was off to see Dawn.

Weeks turned into months, but there was no improvement on either front.

Cordelia was idly leaning on the counter thumbing through a fashion magazine when the phone rang. Cursing, she picked it up. "Angel Investigations, we...hey Willow, how's things on your front?"

"That good, huh."

"No, no change here either."

"Sure, we can come over with Angel next time he comes to Sunnydale. Why?"

"Arrrhuh, okay – see you then. Bye." Cordelia put the phone down and walked into the office where Wesley and Gunn were chatting. "That was Willow. She wants us all to come with Angel next time he goes to Sunnydale. Apparently, they have an idea to make everything all right again, what ever that means."

"Umm, I wonder. When's Angel going next," Wesley asked thoughtfully.

"Tomorrow I think."

"If that's the case, then I think it calls for an early night," Wesley said as he gathered his things, Cordelia and Gunn nodding in agreement.

Following night – (insert dash) Xander and Anya's flat.

"I'm sorry, but could you please repeat that," Wesley asked in shock.

"Willow has found a way to bring Spike back, but we need all of you in order to do the spell," Buffy said with a smile.

"Forgive me if I sound a bit dumb here," Cordelia said "but HELLO people – this is Spike we are talking about."

"Why exactly do we want to bring him back," Gunn asked.

"Yes, please explain to me as well. Why do we want the Blond Menace back in our lives," Xander asked.

"It's not for us; we are doing this for Angel and Dawn," Willow said quietly.

Silence descended on the group.

"Alright," Wesley said with a frown, "Let's say we accept the reasons why you want to do this. Why do you need us?"

Willow straightened. "It's a very powerful spell."

"Yes, I can imagine," Wesley muttered.

"I'm not prepared to put myself through the snakes coming out of my mouth and the like, but I found out a variation of the original spell which allows me to share the tests with all those involved. Obviously, the more people involved, the less burden the others have to share."

"I am sooo not having snakes coming out of my mouth! It was bad enough being pregnant that time," Cordelia said shaking her head.

"You were pregnant," Xander yelped.

"Mystical demon pregnancy thingie, long story and only for a day," Cordelia explained.

"Off topic guys," Anya butted in.

"How long before you have everything you need," Wesley asked

"Got most everything – all I need now is some blood from all of us," Willow said smiling.

"Whoa there. Let's put on the brakes and check the rear and side mirrors," Cordelia said standing up "This is deep stuff Willow. We are talking about bringing back the dead, well, the dusted dead anyway Cordelia shook her head and gave up trying to find the right words. "Whatever The point is – this is big, really big."

Willow stood also and faced Cordelia "The point is we are doing this with or without you for Dawn's sake. She is so deep in depression that she is walking around like a zombie half the time and the other half of the time she is crying and I can't take much more of it. If bringing Spike back is the only way to stop it, then that's what I'm going to do."

Cordelia stood there arms crossed. "When," was all she asked.

"Tomorrow night," Willow answered. Cordelia nodded.

"You can't be serious girl," Gunn said looking at her.

Cordelia turned and looked at him. "I'm deadly serious. Angel needs him back more than Dawn and we need Angel back."

Gunn reluctantly nodded his agreement; Cordelia turned to Wesley and raised her eyebrow questioningly.

"This feels wrong. We are going against the laws of nature here and it's practically impossible to do," Wesley said quietly.

"I can do this, Wes, but not without you," Willow said.

"What does Giles think," Wesley asked

"He doesn't need to know, what with him being back in London and all," Buffy said

Wesley nodded thoughtfully. "What if it doesn't work?"

"What if it does work and we raise Spike from the grave and he starts sucking our brains out," Xander asked fidgeting – he really wasn't happy with this.

"Spike doesn't suck brains, he only sucks blood," Anya said giving Xander a reassuring pat on the knee, "Besides, he's more likely to smash your brains out all over..."

"Thank you Anya," Xander interrupted, "You really know how to make a guy feel safe."

"I know," she said smiling as she pecked him on the cheek.

"That's why I'm going to be there," Buffy said, "If we have a problem, then I can deal with it."

"And that's why we are not telling Dawn or Angel, isn't it.?" Wesley looked around the group before settling his eyes on Willow. "In case this goes wrong."

"Yes," Willow said lowering her head.

Tara, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, "We have done the research. There is no reason why this should go wrong. Buffy is just insurance."

"Look, you are either in or you're out. I say a show of hands," Buffy said impatiently.

Everyone nodded.

"Okay, all those in favour raise their right hand," Willow instructed as she raised her hand.

Slowly, everyone in the room raised their hand except Wesley. Wesley took a deep breath and raised his hand saying, "Tomorrow night it is then."

Across town in an abandoned warehouse, a vampire was on his knees with his head to the floor in submission.

"Well," came a seductive voice from the shadows.

"It's true Mistress. The Slayer is on her own. The one known as Spike is dust. She is vulnerable."

"And Angelus? Is he in town?"

"Yes Mistress, he is at the mansion as you said he would be," the minion replied.

"Good, tomorrow night we bring the fires of hell to the Hellmouth and kill the Slayer. Gather the Hellions. We attack tomorrow at dusk," the voice said as its owner laughed from the shadows.

TBC