Gadzooks! I've been forgetting the disclaimer. Ahem, these characters are not mine, (though I one day hope to clone Spike,) they are the prorety of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

Chapter 8: Technicalities

"Spike's back." The group seated around the dining room table glanced up in startlement at the Slayers sudden appearance. Dawn looked up at her sister in excitement, "He's awake?"

Buffy smiled serenely back at her, setting a stack of bedding on the table. "Yeah, he's awake." It had been more than a bit awkward when the Slayer had come back down the cellar stairs. It's a little hard when holding out a pile of clothes to a gorgeous vampire who's half naked already, to keep from thinking about the other half. She had stayed long enough to make Spike agree to let her warn the Scoobies of his return, before beating a hasty retreat as the air in the cold cellar seemed to get very warm. The Slayer shifted, it suddenly seemed to be getting very warm in here as well. "What?" She asked her watcher, realizing he had just asked her a question. A question that Dawn, Willow, and Xander all seemed to very much want the answer to.

"Then he has his soul?" The older man repeated. At Buffy's blank look Giles felt the stirrings of familiar irritation begin. "Buffy does he have his soul?"

Buffy blinked. "I never thought to ask." A strange half smile appeared on her face. "It didn't seem important."

"It didn't seem important?!" Giles almost squeaked.

"No." She looked up at her Watcher steadily. "It's Spike."

"Yeah, Buffy it's Spike." Xander stated grimly, "and the last time you saw him when he was souless...."

"Don't." Buffy's voice lashed out like a gunshot. "Don't even say it Xander. If you ever, ever, mention that again then we are no longer friends." Xander bit his cheek, a muscle in his jaw twitching as his eyes lit up with anger and hurt. The Slayer sighed. "Xander, after everything that's happened....can't we move past this. Don't you think he's earned the right to a clean slate?"

"Anya–"

"Died a human death." The Slayer said as gently as possible.

The young man looked down, throat working as he swallowed. "I know. I just...."

Hesitantly Buffy held out her arms, sighing in relief as Xander gave her a brief warm squeeze. "We good?" She whispered in his ear.

"Yeah we're good." The carpenter sighed. "It just...."

"Hurts." The Slayer finished quietly for him.

"Yes, well," Buffy stepped back to see Giles busily polishing his glasses. "How did you manage to "wake" him?"

The Slayer nervously opened her mouth, wondering what she should say, but Dawn's quiet exclamation of "Buffy." decided for her.

The Slayer glanced up to find the room's eyes riveted on her neck. Crap.

"Jesus Buffy." Xander exclaimed, his previous calm forgotten. "He's back for ten minutes and he's already bitten you!?"

Dawn's face too, was hard. "Did he hurt you Buffy?"

"No." The Slayer resisted the urge to cover the marks on her neck. She wasn't ashamed of them and she refused to give any implication that she was. "He didn't hurt me. It was—" she stopped herself a slight blush tinging her cheeks. "He didn't hurt me."

"So he comes back, he bites you, and you think he's soul having?" Xander demanded incredulously.

"He was in his demon form Xander, it wasn't like he was conscious of the implications."

Her friend began to get very red in the face but was stopped by Willow's gentle hand on his shoulder. She had been quiet, not really sure who's side she was on, now she felt she had better head off one doozy of an argument.. "I think what you're trying to say Xander, is that everyone would feel a lot better if we all know that Spike's soul is intact." Glancing at Buffy's stubborn face where she stood arms crossed, and just behind her at Gile's dower one Willow sighed, getting the feeling that if she didn't act quickly there was going to be a major fight. "We know how you stand on the subject Buffy, and I respect that." As Giles opened his mouth to protest the witch quickly continued. "But I think for everyone's piece of mind it would be better if we checked." Willow sighed in relief as Buffy nodded sheepishly and relaxed her stance.

"What will we need, to tell I mean." She looked expectantly at Giles.

"I'll check." Willow said calmly. "It would just be simple reading, Lorna's been teaching me." She added to quell Giles protest. "If you'll just go get Spike, I'll check."

"No need Red."

Everyone jumped as Spike walked around the corner into the room. He was clothed in a pair of old blue jeans and a signature black tee. Dawn could,'t help but wonder where the had come from. Looking at her sister's downcast eyes she had her suspicion.

Giles glared at the vampire. "Have you been eavesdropping?"

"Well, yeah." Spike glared back, annoyed with the Watcher but to pleased with his own entrance to let the man bother him much. "Heard every word." His eyes turned to Buffy, searing her with their intensity. "Every word." The Slayer flushed looking down at the floor, even as her insides warmed.

"Spike."

The vampire's attention sifted apprehensively to the young teenager who was standing before him.

"Nib–Dawn." He corrected himself, eyeing her somewhat apprehensively, as he wondered if there was fire in his near future. He was thoroughly flummoxed when the young woman stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist giving him a small squeeze.

"I'm glad you're back." The teen said quietly.

Spike blinked rapidly, hoping desperately that he wouldn't break down and cry like a git in front of the Scoobies. "A'right Bit," He said gruffly, returning her hug. "me too."

The girl nodded, slightly embarrassed and stepped back as Spike gained control of himself, pointedly refusing to look at anyone.

"So Red." the bleached menace said, bravado firmly in place as he leered at her. "How we gonna do this."

Buffy rolled her eyes as the witch blushed. "Um, we are not going to do anything. You just stand there and stay quiet while I run a check. I'll have to put my hand on your chest—"

"Really?" The vamp wiggled his eyebrows. "Thought you said–"

"It would help if you would close your eyes and concentrate." Continued Willow a trifle desperately. Now shush!" She commanded, slapping the vampire with her resolve face. It seemed to have the desired effect, for Spike closed his momentarily fighting off a smirk before his face relaxed into still expression. When Willow was satisfied that the vampire was focused she closed her own eyes, taking a deep breath as she placed her slim hand on the dark fabric of his tee-shirt, just below his breast bone. For a moment nothing seemed to happen, then Willow frowned, and tensed. Buffy tensed too, even though she had been firm in her support of Spike there was a part of her that desperately hoped that the beautiful light she had touched last year was still there. She held her breath as Willow's head tilted back slightly, a growing look of wonder and euphoria on her face. The slayer shifted, suddenly feeling a bit jealous as the redhead finally stepped back, dropping her hand from his chest.

Giles harrumphed, his face a bit red. "I take it this means his soul is intact?" he asked resignedly.

"Wow." Willow whispered softly her eyes still closed.

Spike smirked, "Always do m'best to satisfy a lady."

"Oookay," Faith's curious voice drifted intruded into the awkward silence in the room. "What'd I miss."

"Faith?" Willow yelped in surprise, stepping quickly Spike.

Faith however was staring very seriously at the vampire, hesitating on the bottom step of the stairs.

"Is he safe." She asked, looking questioningly at Buffy, as Spike shifted his weight uneasily, uncomfortable with the look he was getting fromm the brunette.

"He's safe Buffy confirmed.

With a nod Faith stepped cautiously into the room. "Hey guys. How's it hangin," she grinned, attempting some bravado.

"Faith." Giles nodded, a puzzled but welcoming smile on his face.

"Hey Xanman," Faith smiled at the carpenter. "Like the eye, very non patchy."

"Hey Faith." Dawn gave a small wave as the Slayer looked at her. "Where's Robin." The teen had a bit of a soft spot for her ex-principal, she hoped he was also there.

Faith's smile immediately shut down. "I'm gonna go get some breakfast." She stated, stalking off to the kitchen. Buffy just shook her head at the gang's curious glances,

"She got in last night, don't ask." There was a nodding of heads, Faith pretty much breezed in and out as she pleased. The look she was getting from her younger sister however, told Buffy that matters were far from over.

"Well, well, well." Spike said, a little miffed that the attention had so quickly shifted from him. "Looks the gangs all here." His brow creased in frown for a moment. "Oi, where's the demon bird."

Buffy's cry of "Xander!" was all the warning Spike got before he was slammed roughly into the wall, a very angry carpenter's hands fisted into his shirt.

"Don't you ever call her that!" Xander snarled. "Ever! She was not a demon!"

Seeing the fire coming into Spike's eyes at Xander's rough treatment Buffy stepped forward.

"She didn't make it Spike." She said, her eyes sending him a so back off message. The vampire froze, a look of true regret stealing across his face. "Damn." Xander glanced up, startled, into a pair of surprisingly sincere blue eyes. "M' sorry, I didn't know."

The slightly taller man glared at him, tears leaking out of the corner of his eye. "She should be here." He whispered harshly, pushing Spiked into the wall. "She should be here." With a final shove he turned and staggered, drunk with grief out the back door. Willow, tears on her cheeks, quickly hurried after him.

"Well Spike," Giles remarked sardonically, "good to know you haven't lost your touch."

"Oh can it Watcher." The man looked at Spike sharply, startled by the seriousness of his tone. "I didn't know all right. As much of Git as I can be, I wouldn't disrespect her memory. She was my friend." Giles looked down, chastened, then meeting the vampire's gaze he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

"Spike." The Slayer stepped forward placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Giles watched fascinated as the anger radiating off the vampire seemed to shut off at her touch. "Are you okay?" The blonde asked, surreptitiously looking for injuries.

"M'fine pet. It was just the whelp after all, give me a little more credit than that."

The Slayer smiled, slapping him lightly on the shoulder.

"Did anyone else not make it out?" Spike asked, almost too low for Giles and Dawn to hear.

Buffy swallowed. "Amanda, Jane," she started, then swallowed. The list was so long. "A lot of the girls died. There's a garden the Coven is working on, with the names."

"Andrew?" Spike queried.

The Slayer rolled her eyes. "Yeah, he made it. Anya saved him."She finished in a quieter tone of voice.

"Revenge?" Spike asked lightly, past the sudden lump in his throat. Poor girl.

The Slayer smirked. "Possibly."

The back door slammed loudly, as Willow and Xander came rushing into the room.

"Someone's watching the house!" The witch gasped breathlessly.

The Slayer's head snapped up sharply. "What?"

"In the grove of trees, just beyond the house. I saw the light reflecting off the binoculars." Xander proudly held up the pair dangling from his hand.

"Could you tell who it was?" Buffy asked worriedly.

"No," the redhead frowned apologetically. "They got away."

Giles, looking deeply troubled, reached for his coat. "I think I'd better alert Lorna, I don't like the idea of someone being able to get through the Coven's alarm spells." He quickly strode for the door.

Taking the binoculars from Xander Willow gave them a speculative look. "Maybe I can do a trace spell, get some info on who was holding these last, Dawnie will you help me."

The teen's face lit into an enthusiastic smile. "Sure thing, Watcher Junior to the books."

"What about your homework." Buffy asked pointedly.

Dawn rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'll also make sure to do some research in my textbook." Buffy and Xander smiled fondly as the two bookworms left the room, heads together as they whispered ideas. Xander glanced up in surprise as he felt Spike move closer to him, looking up he found his gaze met with a pair of serious blue eyes.

"I am sorry about your bird." Spike said quietly. "She was a fine woman. I'm sorry, Xander."

The carpenter looked at the offered, then back at the vampires serious face. Slowly he put out his hand giving the cold one before him a firm shake. Buffy resisted the temptation to roll her eyes at the drama of the two men looking each other in the eyes for the first time. It would have been a moving sight, if they hadn't been exerting so much willpower to keep from turning the handshake into a grip contest. As it was she felt an enormous sense of relief, it would make things so much easier if those two were at least trying to get along.

Xander smiled slightly letting his hand drop. "This doesn't mean I like you, alright fangbreath?"

The vampire grinned, thankful to have the serious moment over with. "A'right whelp."

"Hey, B!" Faith's strident voice yelled form the kitchen. "Wanna tell me what the hell's going on out there?"

The Slayer looked wearily at Xander. "Could you Xand? I think I've reached my exposition quota for the day."

The shaggy haired man smiled. "Sure thing Buff, I was gonna head in for a snack anyway." He walked off whistling, leaving Buffy alone with Spike. Damn. The Slayer thought, I didn't think of that. There were so many questions still unvoiced between them, and she really hoped he wasn't going to start asking because she sure didn't have any answers.

"So." She smiled nervously at him, "I found somewhere for you to sleep."

"Yeah." The vampire asked cocking his head to one side. "Where would that be pet."

"Well um, it's a small room, actually it was closet. But a very big, now empty walk in closet. And, it'll protect you from that suntan you're always trying to avoid."

She was nervous, Spike could tell. She had walked to the table and was agitatedly loading a pile of bedding into her arms. He decided not to push her, much. "Well I can think of better places," he began, "but I can think of worse too."

Buffy quirked an eyebrow at him. "Like say the basement. Watch it Spikey, you could still be downgraded." Her stomach was fluttering slightly. Somehow Spike seemed to have regained his sense of humor, she loved it, and it was much better than the serious alternative, which was that she wanted to share his bed very badly. In what way she wasn't entirely sure yet. Hence the nifty closet idea.

"Basement to closet eh?" Spike asked, blue eyes twinkling. "Guess a bloke moves up in the world after he saves it." Smiling he reached out to tug playfully at her hair.

"Yeah, yeah bleachboy," the Slayer snarked easily sidestepping his touch. The vampire let it go, once her evasion of his touch would have hurt and angered him, but now he had something he hadn't felt in a rather long while. Hope.

Buffy walked quickly, ahead of the vampire, his presence a warmth against her back. Faith, Spike, and some creepy surveillance guy, the living room was destroyed and her house was filling up, both very bad signs. Boy did she need a good sleep tonight.

She found herself in a long corridor of her sand castle, staring at the walls where the crumbling sand was covered with lines and lines of writing.

"What language is it?" Buffy asked the dark woman next to her.

The First Slayer traced jagged nails over the wall. "Death, sacrifice, pain."

"I'm not very good at studying."Buffy frowned.

"You already know this language." She gestured to the slanting script. "It is time you learned to speak it correctly."

The blonde Slayer sighed. "I guess school's back in session. I really wish I was done."

The First Slayer looked at her with expressionless eyes. "You've barely even begun." There was a harsh caw, and the Slayer gasped as a great black crow flew at her face, stabbing viciously with its beak, around her the lines in the wall began to glow a deep blood red.

"It is time!" The Slayer rasped in a harsh command, and before the red light erupted throughout the hallway Buffy became aware of a pair of startled blue eyes.
Buffy jerked awake, her small form shaking uncontrollably in it's cocoon of blankets on the couch. She moved her fingers frantically over her face, searching in vain for the marks she felt sure must be there from the cruel slashes of the bird's beak. In his small room Spike jerked awake as well, eyes wide. "What the bloody hell?"

That took way longer than I expected. I somehow got landed with a ver stubborn case of writers block. Anyone still with me?