All Buffy characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me. All non-Buffy characters are my own.
Spike tried to hold back his own tears as he felt Buffy's soaking up his shirt. His heart – which hadn't been beating for over a century – was now rapidly going "thump thump, thump thump." He was surprised that Buffy didn't jump from the sound of it.
She stepped back and looked at him. "There's something different about you. What have you been doing this past year?"
"What?" he wondered. "The past year I was getting used to my soul, the First tortured me, then I got that bloody chip out of my head, and then we saved the world. You were there, Buffy."
"Spike, it's 2004. You don't have any memory after the whole blowing-up-Sunnydale thing?"
"2004? You must be kidding me, luv. All I remember is wearing that Champion Charm, and you told me that..." he paused for a moment, "that you loved me, and then I remember burning up – it hurt like hell – and then... there was a bright light."
Buffy stared at him as he continued.
"I heard a voice that said, 'What are you doing here, demon? You belong in Hell!' And I said, 'No I don't! I saved the world, there's a place here with my name on it.' Another voice said, 'Not yet, William. You've got things to do before you can enter here.' And I said 'Yeah? Then why am I here now?' I heard nothing after that. Then, I felt something getting sucked out of me, and I fell, and then I realized I was looking at Sunnydale."
"And then?" Buffy asked.
"Then I walked to L.A. and met up with your dark-haired lover boy – he's an ass, but he got me a plane ticket out here. So I guess he isn't all that bad."
"I still can't believe you're here. Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of saving the world. I guess for you it was shorter, huh?"
"It's weird alright. I don't think it was heaven though. I wasn't happy."
"Well, I don't think they let vamps into heaven."
Spike laughed. "But I'm not a vamp anymore."
"What?" asked a surprised Buffy.
"Feel my chest, Buffy. Touch it." She did, and was shocked at the vibrations of his heart. "I don't know why you didn't notice it before, when I hugged you."
"I guess I was so shocked to see you alive that I didn't notice," she replied. "It's amazing, Spike... you got your humanity back?"
"Looks like. So where are all your Scooby friends? No, wait, lemme guess. They're inside trying to figure some demon out. Red's researching it online, Xander's making jokes about it, and Rupert is trying to get everyone to be serious. Dawn's probably mad about something, and you're out here by yourself to think. Am I right?"
"Far from it," she replied solemnly. "Anyway, you forgot Robin, Faith, and Andrew."
"And Anya. What's she been up to lately?" Buffy stared at him like he said something wrong. "What?"
"She died that day too. She saved Andrew's life."
"Oh... poor Xander. He still loved her."
She looked into his eyes. "And I loved you. Actually... I still do."
Spike was speechless.
"Anyway," she spoke up in a louder voice after clearing her throat, "you asked about the gang. Robin and Faith lived together in New York for a while, but they broke up."
"What happened?"
"He wanted to get married, she didn't."
"She doesn't seem the type to settle down."
She laughed. "Yeah. Andrew and Willow became Watchers. They go around the world finding Slayers and training them. Giles too."
"Andrew? A Watcher?"
"He's one of the best. Xander, Dawn, and I lived in San Diego for a while. Then I hung out with Willow and Giles before going to L.A. with Angel."
Spike sighed. "So who lives here at this house?"
"Me – but I just moved in today. Xander and Dawn. I think Xander mentioned Faith drops in occasionally, but usually she's spending the night somewhere else."
"Is there room for one more?"
Buffy smiled softly. "I think we can handle it."
...
Dawn was frustrated beyond words. She had blasted her music on maximum until Xander screamed up some curse words in between the phrase "Turn it down!" Now he was really mad at her. What the hell?
So she connected the headphones into the stereo and turned the volume up as high as her ears could handle it. She'd just ignore the world and be in her own universe and she wouldn't care. No one else cared about her, why should she do the same?
As she was absorbed into the music she had the urge to look out the window. She didn't know why, but she felt the need that she should. She reluctantly paused the music and took off the headphones and walked to the window.
She saw Buffy sitting on the steps, looking sad. She was always sad. Ever since she came back from the dead the second time, she was distant. She got better about it for a while, then there was the big battle. She was initially happy about being victorious, but then the reality of Spike being gone sunk in. Things were never the same for Buffy. She probably kept moving to different places every few months so she didn't have to dwell on losing Spike.
As Dawn was lost in her thoughts watching her sister, she noticed a figure emerge from the bushes. She could recognize that bleach blond hair anywhere.
"It can't be!" she thought to herself in a mixture of confusion and extreme giddiness. She froze as she watched them talking. Buffy looked angry, then Spike – it had to be him – gave her a hug.
Dawn continued spying on the two outside for a couple of minutes when she heard a knock on her door. She turned to see Xander.
Quickly she stepped away from the window and sat on her bed. "What's up?"
"We need to talk, Dawn."
"I know," she sighed. "Look, I should've told you about Willow. I made a mistake... I'm sorry."
He sat next to her on the bed and looked her in the eyes. "And I'm sorry for yelling at you. Are we cool?"
"More than cool," Dawn smiled, hugging him tightly. He kissed her sweetly on the cheek. "So... where's Buffy?"
Before he could reply the person in question yelled up the stairs, "Guys? Where'd you go?"
"I think that answers my question," Dawn giggled as the two went downstairs, holding hands.
As they neared the bottom they saw a grinning Buffy.
Xander smiled in return. "Buffster! You sure are in a perky mood now. What happened?"
"Me." Spike walked in from the living room, surprising the one-eyed man.
"Whoa," he exclaimed, "you died back in Sunnydale. Don't tell me the First is making a comeback..."
The Slayer looked up at Xander. "He's corporal, so he can't be the First. It's really him. It's just one of those weird things, like Angel coming back."
"But Angel went into a Hell dimension. His body didn't burn up like Bleach Boy's."
Buffy sighed. "Look, I can't explain it. But Spike's back. He's real."
Dawn stared at him and smiled. "I knew you'd find a way to come back. But it took you long enough."
"Good to see you, Nibblet." He curiously moved his eyes to Dawn and Xander's linked hands, but decided to say nothing about it for the time being.
Buffy cleared her throat. "I know I haven't even lived here one night, but I told Spike he could stay here."
The long-haired teenager nodded. "I'm okay with it." Xander elbowed her. "Oww!"
"But you don't own the house," he said. "Buffy, I don't know..."
"I'm not a vamp anymore so you don't have to worry about me biting the lot of you." Dawn's jaw dropped open while Xander tried to keep from choking on his own spit. "What?"
"How the heck did you get de-vamped?" Dawn asked.
"I don't know exactly. But it's kind of nice. Now I have to get used to eating real food. What tastes good nowadays?"
...
On the other side of the world, a young man was walking alone in a Russian cemetery. He was caught up in playing an old video game on his GameBoy.
"Come on Mario! Watch out for Goombas! Oooh, coins!"
He was lost in the game so deeply that he didn't notice the vampire sneaking up behind him, preparing to attack-
"Got ya!" yelled a young woman who pushed the vamp over just in time. She raised her stake and stabbed him in the chest – moments later all that remained was dust. "I got him in the heart this time!"
"Uh huh," said the young man, still playing his game.
"Hello? Andrew? I dusted the vamp. He was going to kill you, you know. And I saved you."
Finally the Watcher paused his game and turned to the teenager. "I knew you could do it, Mary. You're a Slayer, it's what you were born to do."
The auburn-haired teen sighed as she put her stake back in her fanny pack. "So, are we done for the night?"
"I guess so. I think in a few weeks you'll be ready to do this without me."
Mary rolled her eyes. "I'm ready to do this on my own now!"
Andrew stuck his tongue out at her before continuing conversation. "So, how long have you been here?"
"Forever, it seems. I wish I could go back to Virginia. But my parents are missionaries here, and until I turn eighteen..."
"You're stuck with them. I understand. I was under eighteen once too, a long time ago..."
"More like a few years ago," she giggled.
"Whatever. But hey, you're kind of like, a missionary too. You help people by killing bad guys and stuff."
"And you help people by teaching me how to do it," she smiled. "I wish you could stay..."
"Well, I have a job to do," he said nervously, "so I can't. I'm like... James Bond, going from country to country, helping rid the world of evil, one hot babe at a time."
Mary burst out into laughter. She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek, causing him to blush. "You've got to be the coolest Watcher ever," she grinned.
"If you say so," he replied with a geeky smile.
...
"I'm warning you, Spike, it's really sweet."
Dawn handed him a Hershey bar. He sniffed it, grinned, and took a big bite out of it.
"Very good," he said in between bites. "This is the stuff!"
The teenager smiled. "Chocolate is the ultimate food. I told you it was good."
Xander cleared his throat. "I'm going upstairs to check on Buffy, I think she's unpacking." The other two watched him as walked out of the kitchen.
Spike licked the chocolate off his teeth. "So, you and Pirate Boy are an item?"
Dawn nodded. "Yeah. He's really nice. Although he'd kill you if he heard you call him that."
The former vampire laughed. "Well, I'm happy for the two of you. You look good... together, I mean."
"Thanks," she replied with a smile. "Okay, how about you try... potato chips!"
"Chips?"
"Now these things are salty," she stated as she pulled out a bag of Ruffles. "Different from sweet. But still really good."
He took out a chip from the bag and ate it. "I like chocolate better. But not bad." He then looked at his greasy hand. "Bugger."
...
Robin Wood, former principal of Sunnydale High, was roaming the streets of New York City. He was thinking of Faith, wondering what she was doing.
"Probably slaying vampires," he muttered to himself.
Even though it was midnight, the sidewalks were alive with people. As Robin passed one couple, he could sense the man was not a man. He turned around and began to follow the couple to an abandoned alley.
As he rounded the corner, the vampire punched him in the face, knocking him down.
"Good job, sweetie!" exclaimed the blonde as she hugged the vamp. "What do you want to do with him?"
"It's my gift to you, Harmony," he smiled as his face reverted to its human form. "Do with him as you please."
"Oh, you're the best!" She giggled as the two of them dragged Robin further down the alley.
...
There were only three bedrooms in the Cleveland house, so Spike offered to sleep on the couch.
"No," Buffy replied firmly.
"Well, you're not sleeping on the couch."
"And neither are you. You can stay in my room... with me."
Xander put his hands up. "Wait a second here. I don't like where this is going."
Buffy smiled. "Fine. He can sleep in your room."
The former vampire tried to keep from laughing while Xander looked back and forth at the two of them. Then he grabbed Dawn's hand and they retreated to the kitchen.
"I guess I'm staying in your room, then."
"You'll have to sleep on a cot, if that's alright," she stated.
He nodded his head in understanding. "I see how it is. You don't trust me."
"It's not that, Spike... All this time I thought you were dead. I don't want you to be alone, but I wouldn't feel comfortable being close, if you know what I mean."
"How about this: You keep the room to yourself, and I'll see you in the morning."
"Spike," Buffy pleaded, but he was already gone, slamming the door on his way out.
...
A dark-haired Slayer was in one of the Cleveland cemeteries, fighting two vamps at once. She kicked the one behind her while staking the one in front of her. Before the other one could stand up, he was dust.
"Something's up," she remarked. "Five vamps in one night?"
She sighed and put a cigarette in her mouth, lighting it and breathing in the toxic yet gratifying smoke. It was a bad habit, but slaying always put her in the mood for food, smoking, or sex. There was no one around to bang and nothing to munch on either.
After putting out her cig she made her way out of the graveyard, deciding to go to Council Central. She hadn't been there in a while, and she was starting to get kind of lonely. Anyway, she needed to let Xander and Dawn know about the suspicious vamp activity.
As she walked towards their neighborhood, she saw a bleach-blond man pacing angrily on the other side of the street. He looked familiar... but it couldn't be.
"Spike?" she yelled curiously.
The man turned around, giving the Slayer a shock. His eyes widened before he walked towards her. "Faith!"
She stared at him as he met up with her. "What are you doing here? Better question, how are you here?"
"Everyone's been asking me that last question. The answer is, I don't know. But I'm in Cleveland because of Buffy."
"B? Is she here?"
"She flew in earlier today. I guess Xander wanted to get her away from Angel."
"Does she know... you're alive?"
He laughed. "Yeah. Made me mad, though. Even though I'm not a demon anymore, she still doesn't trust me."
"Wait wait wait... not a vamp? Wow. What demon granted you that wish?"
"I didn't ask for it, luv. I burned up, I got sent back, and found out my heart was beating again. Funny thing is, for me it was yesterday that we defeated the First. I was surprised to learn that a year has gone by here."
Faith was listening intently. "That's weird. So, what did B do to make you mad?"
"You know what? It's not even that important. It shouldn't have made me mad, but it did. I should get on back..."
"Hey... I was actually on my way over there. I'll walk with you."
"Alright, then."
...
A redheaded woman sat impatiently in her new home – a prison cell. She rubbed the spot on her head where it had come in contact with a swinging baseball bat. Even though it had been a few days since she was attacked and captured, it was still sore.
"Hello? Can I get an ice pack here? Or some Tylenol? Or a key out of this place?"
She heard a sinister laugh. "You were always amusing, Willow."
"Do I know you?" the witch asked.
The voice avoided the question. "You have great power, Willow. And it's a power that I want. It's a power that I need."
"Well my power's not for sale. You can't just take it. This kind of thing is something gained with years of learning. And it can be abused. I killed someone. I almost destroyed my friends. I almost destroyed the world!"
"I know," the voice snickered. "It's a shame you were stopped."
"Who are you?" she wondered angrily.
The voice was silent, then a figure stepped close to the cell, causing her to gasp.
"Don't act all surprised, Willow. That hurts my feelings."
...
Faith and Spike returned to the house. Buffy was watching television downstairs when she turned to see them as they closed the front door.
"Faith," she smiled. She got up and looked between the two of them. "It's been a while."
"Didn't know you were moving up here, B. Just in time, though. Something's going down."
Buffy laughed. "It's a Hellmouth, what's new?"
"I dusted five vamps tonight. I think something bad is coming."
The blond-haired Slayer groaned. "And I was hoping the lack of a super villain was permanent!"
Spike spoke up. "Want me to investigate? Ask the local demons?"
Buffy rolled her eyes. "I don't think that'll work. They'll smell your humanity the second you talk to them."
"I keep forgetting. Sorry. Was just trying to help."
"I know," she sighed. "Let me talk to Xander and Dawn, see if this whole increase-in-evil is just Hellmouth-y or if it's something bigger. Faith, round up the other Slayers and find out if they've seen anything weird lately. Spike... wait here."
Buffy went upstairs, Faith left the house, and Spike was left standing with nothing to do. "I guess I'll just stand here then."
Suddenly the phone rang. The bleach-blond let it ring three times, then decided he should answer it before it rings one more bloody time.
"Hello?" he said.
"Hi. Who's this?" asked a British-accented man on the other side.
"Rupert? Is that you?"
"Yes, yes it is... Spike?"
He laughed. "Good guess. Yes, I'm alive, no, I'm not a vampire anymore, yes, Buffy knows I'm back. Any questions?"
"Xander already emailed me mentioning your... return. I was calling to talk to you, actually."
"About what?"
Giles sighed. "I wanted to find out what happened to you, why you came back. What do you remember?"
Spike recalled to him the events that followed that last battle. The Watcher listened and jotted down some notes.
"Is that all?"
"That's all I remember. Why?"
Giles cleared his throat. "I guess I thought there would be more. But this is most interesting. Take care now. And Spike?"
"What?"
"Uh... never mind." And then Spike heard the dial tone.
...
Upstairs in the guest bedroom, Xander and Dawn were putting sheets on the bed. Buffy had come in to tell them what she heard.
"So Faith thinks the Big Bad is making a comeback?" asked Xander.
"Well, weird stuff has been going on lately," said Dawn. "I mean, for one thing, Spike's back from the dead. And he's not a vampire anymore. That's mucho weirdo."
Xander nodded. "And Willow's missing."
"And lots of slayage," the teenager added. "Slayers all over are reporting increased vamp activity. It's not limited to Cleveland."
"Damn," stated the blond-haired Slayer. "This is not good. Not good at all. I should call Giles."
"Too late," Spike said as he entered the room.
"What?" asked a confused Buffy.
"He just called, didn't the lot of you hear the phone ring?"
Xander cleared his throat. "There's only one phone in the house, and it's downstairs, so we knew you'd pick it up."
"Oh," Spike replied. "Anyway, it was Rupert. He didn't say anything about Big Bad, but he wanted to know what happened to me."
"Well I still need to talk to him," Buffy said. "You guys can just... I don't know, talk or something." Then she ran downstairs to get on the phone.
"She certainly likes to be in control," Spike mused.
...
Giles wiped his glasses for the fifth time in three minutes. The prophecies were starting to come true – all the signs pointed to it. The former librarian was very worried, and made some tea to try to relax. Before he could his phone rang.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Giles! It's Buffy."
"It's, uh, good to hear from you. Is everything alright?"
He heard the Slayer sigh. "Something big is coming, I can feel it. Weird things are happening. What's going on?"
"I'm... not entirely sure," he replied. "I'll have to do some research. What kind of things have been happening?"
"Let's see... a vampire came back from the dead, except he's not a vampire anymore. Apparently Slayers all over have been fighting more vampires than usual. And Willow..."
The Watcher feared the worst. "What about Willow?"
"She's missing. Hasn't checked in for a few days now."
"Oh my..."
"I know. I'd imagine if someone tried to kidnap her or something, they wouldn't succeed. I mean, Willow's a pretty powerful witch, I think it'd be hard to attack her."
"Unless..."
"What, Giles?"
"I must... consult my books. I'll get back to you. Goodnight."
This was not good. He reread the prophecies again, making sure he was translating the text right. He took off his glasses and looked out the window. "It's happening," he said with fear in his voice. "We're doomed."
TO BE CONTINUED...
One Year Later
II: Big Bad
by Zzilly14
II: Big Bad
by Zzilly14
Spike tried to hold back his own tears as he felt Buffy's soaking up his shirt. His heart – which hadn't been beating for over a century – was now rapidly going "thump thump, thump thump." He was surprised that Buffy didn't jump from the sound of it.
She stepped back and looked at him. "There's something different about you. What have you been doing this past year?"
"What?" he wondered. "The past year I was getting used to my soul, the First tortured me, then I got that bloody chip out of my head, and then we saved the world. You were there, Buffy."
"Spike, it's 2004. You don't have any memory after the whole blowing-up-Sunnydale thing?"
"2004? You must be kidding me, luv. All I remember is wearing that Champion Charm, and you told me that..." he paused for a moment, "that you loved me, and then I remember burning up – it hurt like hell – and then... there was a bright light."
Buffy stared at him as he continued.
"I heard a voice that said, 'What are you doing here, demon? You belong in Hell!' And I said, 'No I don't! I saved the world, there's a place here with my name on it.' Another voice said, 'Not yet, William. You've got things to do before you can enter here.' And I said 'Yeah? Then why am I here now?' I heard nothing after that. Then, I felt something getting sucked out of me, and I fell, and then I realized I was looking at Sunnydale."
"And then?" Buffy asked.
"Then I walked to L.A. and met up with your dark-haired lover boy – he's an ass, but he got me a plane ticket out here. So I guess he isn't all that bad."
"I still can't believe you're here. Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of saving the world. I guess for you it was shorter, huh?"
"It's weird alright. I don't think it was heaven though. I wasn't happy."
"Well, I don't think they let vamps into heaven."
Spike laughed. "But I'm not a vamp anymore."
"What?" asked a surprised Buffy.
"Feel my chest, Buffy. Touch it." She did, and was shocked at the vibrations of his heart. "I don't know why you didn't notice it before, when I hugged you."
"I guess I was so shocked to see you alive that I didn't notice," she replied. "It's amazing, Spike... you got your humanity back?"
"Looks like. So where are all your Scooby friends? No, wait, lemme guess. They're inside trying to figure some demon out. Red's researching it online, Xander's making jokes about it, and Rupert is trying to get everyone to be serious. Dawn's probably mad about something, and you're out here by yourself to think. Am I right?"
"Far from it," she replied solemnly. "Anyway, you forgot Robin, Faith, and Andrew."
"And Anya. What's she been up to lately?" Buffy stared at him like he said something wrong. "What?"
"She died that day too. She saved Andrew's life."
"Oh... poor Xander. He still loved her."
She looked into his eyes. "And I loved you. Actually... I still do."
Spike was speechless.
"Anyway," she spoke up in a louder voice after clearing her throat, "you asked about the gang. Robin and Faith lived together in New York for a while, but they broke up."
"What happened?"
"He wanted to get married, she didn't."
"She doesn't seem the type to settle down."
She laughed. "Yeah. Andrew and Willow became Watchers. They go around the world finding Slayers and training them. Giles too."
"Andrew? A Watcher?"
"He's one of the best. Xander, Dawn, and I lived in San Diego for a while. Then I hung out with Willow and Giles before going to L.A. with Angel."
Spike sighed. "So who lives here at this house?"
"Me – but I just moved in today. Xander and Dawn. I think Xander mentioned Faith drops in occasionally, but usually she's spending the night somewhere else."
"Is there room for one more?"
Buffy smiled softly. "I think we can handle it."
...
Dawn was frustrated beyond words. She had blasted her music on maximum until Xander screamed up some curse words in between the phrase "Turn it down!" Now he was really mad at her. What the hell?
So she connected the headphones into the stereo and turned the volume up as high as her ears could handle it. She'd just ignore the world and be in her own universe and she wouldn't care. No one else cared about her, why should she do the same?
As she was absorbed into the music she had the urge to look out the window. She didn't know why, but she felt the need that she should. She reluctantly paused the music and took off the headphones and walked to the window.
She saw Buffy sitting on the steps, looking sad. She was always sad. Ever since she came back from the dead the second time, she was distant. She got better about it for a while, then there was the big battle. She was initially happy about being victorious, but then the reality of Spike being gone sunk in. Things were never the same for Buffy. She probably kept moving to different places every few months so she didn't have to dwell on losing Spike.
As Dawn was lost in her thoughts watching her sister, she noticed a figure emerge from the bushes. She could recognize that bleach blond hair anywhere.
"It can't be!" she thought to herself in a mixture of confusion and extreme giddiness. She froze as she watched them talking. Buffy looked angry, then Spike – it had to be him – gave her a hug.
Dawn continued spying on the two outside for a couple of minutes when she heard a knock on her door. She turned to see Xander.
Quickly she stepped away from the window and sat on her bed. "What's up?"
"We need to talk, Dawn."
"I know," she sighed. "Look, I should've told you about Willow. I made a mistake... I'm sorry."
He sat next to her on the bed and looked her in the eyes. "And I'm sorry for yelling at you. Are we cool?"
"More than cool," Dawn smiled, hugging him tightly. He kissed her sweetly on the cheek. "So... where's Buffy?"
Before he could reply the person in question yelled up the stairs, "Guys? Where'd you go?"
"I think that answers my question," Dawn giggled as the two went downstairs, holding hands.
As they neared the bottom they saw a grinning Buffy.
Xander smiled in return. "Buffster! You sure are in a perky mood now. What happened?"
"Me." Spike walked in from the living room, surprising the one-eyed man.
"Whoa," he exclaimed, "you died back in Sunnydale. Don't tell me the First is making a comeback..."
The Slayer looked up at Xander. "He's corporal, so he can't be the First. It's really him. It's just one of those weird things, like Angel coming back."
"But Angel went into a Hell dimension. His body didn't burn up like Bleach Boy's."
Buffy sighed. "Look, I can't explain it. But Spike's back. He's real."
Dawn stared at him and smiled. "I knew you'd find a way to come back. But it took you long enough."
"Good to see you, Nibblet." He curiously moved his eyes to Dawn and Xander's linked hands, but decided to say nothing about it for the time being.
Buffy cleared her throat. "I know I haven't even lived here one night, but I told Spike he could stay here."
The long-haired teenager nodded. "I'm okay with it." Xander elbowed her. "Oww!"
"But you don't own the house," he said. "Buffy, I don't know..."
"I'm not a vamp anymore so you don't have to worry about me biting the lot of you." Dawn's jaw dropped open while Xander tried to keep from choking on his own spit. "What?"
"How the heck did you get de-vamped?" Dawn asked.
"I don't know exactly. But it's kind of nice. Now I have to get used to eating real food. What tastes good nowadays?"
...
On the other side of the world, a young man was walking alone in a Russian cemetery. He was caught up in playing an old video game on his GameBoy.
"Come on Mario! Watch out for Goombas! Oooh, coins!"
He was lost in the game so deeply that he didn't notice the vampire sneaking up behind him, preparing to attack-
"Got ya!" yelled a young woman who pushed the vamp over just in time. She raised her stake and stabbed him in the chest – moments later all that remained was dust. "I got him in the heart this time!"
"Uh huh," said the young man, still playing his game.
"Hello? Andrew? I dusted the vamp. He was going to kill you, you know. And I saved you."
Finally the Watcher paused his game and turned to the teenager. "I knew you could do it, Mary. You're a Slayer, it's what you were born to do."
The auburn-haired teen sighed as she put her stake back in her fanny pack. "So, are we done for the night?"
"I guess so. I think in a few weeks you'll be ready to do this without me."
Mary rolled her eyes. "I'm ready to do this on my own now!"
Andrew stuck his tongue out at her before continuing conversation. "So, how long have you been here?"
"Forever, it seems. I wish I could go back to Virginia. But my parents are missionaries here, and until I turn eighteen..."
"You're stuck with them. I understand. I was under eighteen once too, a long time ago..."
"More like a few years ago," she giggled.
"Whatever. But hey, you're kind of like, a missionary too. You help people by killing bad guys and stuff."
"And you help people by teaching me how to do it," she smiled. "I wish you could stay..."
"Well, I have a job to do," he said nervously, "so I can't. I'm like... James Bond, going from country to country, helping rid the world of evil, one hot babe at a time."
Mary burst out into laughter. She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek, causing him to blush. "You've got to be the coolest Watcher ever," she grinned.
"If you say so," he replied with a geeky smile.
...
"I'm warning you, Spike, it's really sweet."
Dawn handed him a Hershey bar. He sniffed it, grinned, and took a big bite out of it.
"Very good," he said in between bites. "This is the stuff!"
The teenager smiled. "Chocolate is the ultimate food. I told you it was good."
Xander cleared his throat. "I'm going upstairs to check on Buffy, I think she's unpacking." The other two watched him as walked out of the kitchen.
Spike licked the chocolate off his teeth. "So, you and Pirate Boy are an item?"
Dawn nodded. "Yeah. He's really nice. Although he'd kill you if he heard you call him that."
The former vampire laughed. "Well, I'm happy for the two of you. You look good... together, I mean."
"Thanks," she replied with a smile. "Okay, how about you try... potato chips!"
"Chips?"
"Now these things are salty," she stated as she pulled out a bag of Ruffles. "Different from sweet. But still really good."
He took out a chip from the bag and ate it. "I like chocolate better. But not bad." He then looked at his greasy hand. "Bugger."
...
Robin Wood, former principal of Sunnydale High, was roaming the streets of New York City. He was thinking of Faith, wondering what she was doing.
"Probably slaying vampires," he muttered to himself.
Even though it was midnight, the sidewalks were alive with people. As Robin passed one couple, he could sense the man was not a man. He turned around and began to follow the couple to an abandoned alley.
As he rounded the corner, the vampire punched him in the face, knocking him down.
"Good job, sweetie!" exclaimed the blonde as she hugged the vamp. "What do you want to do with him?"
"It's my gift to you, Harmony," he smiled as his face reverted to its human form. "Do with him as you please."
"Oh, you're the best!" She giggled as the two of them dragged Robin further down the alley.
...
There were only three bedrooms in the Cleveland house, so Spike offered to sleep on the couch.
"No," Buffy replied firmly.
"Well, you're not sleeping on the couch."
"And neither are you. You can stay in my room... with me."
Xander put his hands up. "Wait a second here. I don't like where this is going."
Buffy smiled. "Fine. He can sleep in your room."
The former vampire tried to keep from laughing while Xander looked back and forth at the two of them. Then he grabbed Dawn's hand and they retreated to the kitchen.
"I guess I'm staying in your room, then."
"You'll have to sleep on a cot, if that's alright," she stated.
He nodded his head in understanding. "I see how it is. You don't trust me."
"It's not that, Spike... All this time I thought you were dead. I don't want you to be alone, but I wouldn't feel comfortable being close, if you know what I mean."
"How about this: You keep the room to yourself, and I'll see you in the morning."
"Spike," Buffy pleaded, but he was already gone, slamming the door on his way out.
...
A dark-haired Slayer was in one of the Cleveland cemeteries, fighting two vamps at once. She kicked the one behind her while staking the one in front of her. Before the other one could stand up, he was dust.
"Something's up," she remarked. "Five vamps in one night?"
She sighed and put a cigarette in her mouth, lighting it and breathing in the toxic yet gratifying smoke. It was a bad habit, but slaying always put her in the mood for food, smoking, or sex. There was no one around to bang and nothing to munch on either.
After putting out her cig she made her way out of the graveyard, deciding to go to Council Central. She hadn't been there in a while, and she was starting to get kind of lonely. Anyway, she needed to let Xander and Dawn know about the suspicious vamp activity.
As she walked towards their neighborhood, she saw a bleach-blond man pacing angrily on the other side of the street. He looked familiar... but it couldn't be.
"Spike?" she yelled curiously.
The man turned around, giving the Slayer a shock. His eyes widened before he walked towards her. "Faith!"
She stared at him as he met up with her. "What are you doing here? Better question, how are you here?"
"Everyone's been asking me that last question. The answer is, I don't know. But I'm in Cleveland because of Buffy."
"B? Is she here?"
"She flew in earlier today. I guess Xander wanted to get her away from Angel."
"Does she know... you're alive?"
He laughed. "Yeah. Made me mad, though. Even though I'm not a demon anymore, she still doesn't trust me."
"Wait wait wait... not a vamp? Wow. What demon granted you that wish?"
"I didn't ask for it, luv. I burned up, I got sent back, and found out my heart was beating again. Funny thing is, for me it was yesterday that we defeated the First. I was surprised to learn that a year has gone by here."
Faith was listening intently. "That's weird. So, what did B do to make you mad?"
"You know what? It's not even that important. It shouldn't have made me mad, but it did. I should get on back..."
"Hey... I was actually on my way over there. I'll walk with you."
"Alright, then."
...
A redheaded woman sat impatiently in her new home – a prison cell. She rubbed the spot on her head where it had come in contact with a swinging baseball bat. Even though it had been a few days since she was attacked and captured, it was still sore.
"Hello? Can I get an ice pack here? Or some Tylenol? Or a key out of this place?"
She heard a sinister laugh. "You were always amusing, Willow."
"Do I know you?" the witch asked.
The voice avoided the question. "You have great power, Willow. And it's a power that I want. It's a power that I need."
"Well my power's not for sale. You can't just take it. This kind of thing is something gained with years of learning. And it can be abused. I killed someone. I almost destroyed my friends. I almost destroyed the world!"
"I know," the voice snickered. "It's a shame you were stopped."
"Who are you?" she wondered angrily.
The voice was silent, then a figure stepped close to the cell, causing her to gasp.
"Don't act all surprised, Willow. That hurts my feelings."
...
Faith and Spike returned to the house. Buffy was watching television downstairs when she turned to see them as they closed the front door.
"Faith," she smiled. She got up and looked between the two of them. "It's been a while."
"Didn't know you were moving up here, B. Just in time, though. Something's going down."
Buffy laughed. "It's a Hellmouth, what's new?"
"I dusted five vamps tonight. I think something bad is coming."
The blond-haired Slayer groaned. "And I was hoping the lack of a super villain was permanent!"
Spike spoke up. "Want me to investigate? Ask the local demons?"
Buffy rolled her eyes. "I don't think that'll work. They'll smell your humanity the second you talk to them."
"I keep forgetting. Sorry. Was just trying to help."
"I know," she sighed. "Let me talk to Xander and Dawn, see if this whole increase-in-evil is just Hellmouth-y or if it's something bigger. Faith, round up the other Slayers and find out if they've seen anything weird lately. Spike... wait here."
Buffy went upstairs, Faith left the house, and Spike was left standing with nothing to do. "I guess I'll just stand here then."
Suddenly the phone rang. The bleach-blond let it ring three times, then decided he should answer it before it rings one more bloody time.
"Hello?" he said.
"Hi. Who's this?" asked a British-accented man on the other side.
"Rupert? Is that you?"
"Yes, yes it is... Spike?"
He laughed. "Good guess. Yes, I'm alive, no, I'm not a vampire anymore, yes, Buffy knows I'm back. Any questions?"
"Xander already emailed me mentioning your... return. I was calling to talk to you, actually."
"About what?"
Giles sighed. "I wanted to find out what happened to you, why you came back. What do you remember?"
Spike recalled to him the events that followed that last battle. The Watcher listened and jotted down some notes.
"Is that all?"
"That's all I remember. Why?"
Giles cleared his throat. "I guess I thought there would be more. But this is most interesting. Take care now. And Spike?"
"What?"
"Uh... never mind." And then Spike heard the dial tone.
...
Upstairs in the guest bedroom, Xander and Dawn were putting sheets on the bed. Buffy had come in to tell them what she heard.
"So Faith thinks the Big Bad is making a comeback?" asked Xander.
"Well, weird stuff has been going on lately," said Dawn. "I mean, for one thing, Spike's back from the dead. And he's not a vampire anymore. That's mucho weirdo."
Xander nodded. "And Willow's missing."
"And lots of slayage," the teenager added. "Slayers all over are reporting increased vamp activity. It's not limited to Cleveland."
"Damn," stated the blond-haired Slayer. "This is not good. Not good at all. I should call Giles."
"Too late," Spike said as he entered the room.
"What?" asked a confused Buffy.
"He just called, didn't the lot of you hear the phone ring?"
Xander cleared his throat. "There's only one phone in the house, and it's downstairs, so we knew you'd pick it up."
"Oh," Spike replied. "Anyway, it was Rupert. He didn't say anything about Big Bad, but he wanted to know what happened to me."
"Well I still need to talk to him," Buffy said. "You guys can just... I don't know, talk or something." Then she ran downstairs to get on the phone.
"She certainly likes to be in control," Spike mused.
...
Giles wiped his glasses for the fifth time in three minutes. The prophecies were starting to come true – all the signs pointed to it. The former librarian was very worried, and made some tea to try to relax. Before he could his phone rang.
"Hello?" he asked.
"Giles! It's Buffy."
"It's, uh, good to hear from you. Is everything alright?"
He heard the Slayer sigh. "Something big is coming, I can feel it. Weird things are happening. What's going on?"
"I'm... not entirely sure," he replied. "I'll have to do some research. What kind of things have been happening?"
"Let's see... a vampire came back from the dead, except he's not a vampire anymore. Apparently Slayers all over have been fighting more vampires than usual. And Willow..."
The Watcher feared the worst. "What about Willow?"
"She's missing. Hasn't checked in for a few days now."
"Oh my..."
"I know. I'd imagine if someone tried to kidnap her or something, they wouldn't succeed. I mean, Willow's a pretty powerful witch, I think it'd be hard to attack her."
"Unless..."
"What, Giles?"
"I must... consult my books. I'll get back to you. Goodnight."
This was not good. He reread the prophecies again, making sure he was translating the text right. He took off his glasses and looked out the window. "It's happening," he said with fear in his voice. "We're doomed."
TO BE CONTINUED...