Buffy found her sitting on a swing, rocking gently back and forth. She had been thinking about Spike; going over and over their kiss in her head. It had been so short but it felt like forever. She didn't hear Buffy approach; she had her iPod blasting music in her ears. Buffy tentatively placed a hand on her shoulder, and soon found herself flat on her back on the ground, pinned down. The red head jumped up when she saw who it was. "Hey Buffy." She grinned sheepishly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Buffy smiled back and then grimaced as she pushed her shoulder back into its socket. "Sorry," she said, "thought you were attacking me. Force of habit." Buffy shook her head, remembering the number of times she had mistook her friends for attackers. "We have to talk," Buffy told her, " Spike came to see me." Chi shook her head and rolled her eyes, looking away, " Oh yeah?" Buffy nodded solemnly. "Chi, don't leave. We need you. This is important. It's your fight. " Chi turned to face her, looking at her curiously and at the same time, with suspicion. "What do you mean?" she demanded. Buffy sighed, recalling Giles' words of warning. "Sooner or later, Buffy. Chi must know." Buffy walked over to a swing and perched on the edge. She pointed to the one next to her. "Sit." She commanded.
"Giles and I have gone over this a million and one times, trying to figure out what to tell you; how to tell you. You see, you aren't supposed to be a slayer. There is only supposed to be one. However, it turns out that, when I was a toddler, one followers of the Hell God Inak-Ur got blood from me. I remember it. I cried and cried for hour, but I couldn't find the words to tell my mom what had happened." She shook her head at the thought. "Inak-Ur took my blood, and merged the power of a slayer with his own, forming you, and with his own breath he gave you life; a life as a slayer. He sent you to earth and he has lay in wait all these years for a time when your heart becomes so cold and empty, filled with pain and sadness, that you give up, and embrace darkness. The tears you have cried over Ben, that bastard, have been heard by Inak-Ur, and now it is his intention to take you, marry you, and warp your mind, moulding it in blackness, and use your power to inflict pain and destruction." Chi exhaled heavily, " Wow, way to break the news gently."
Buffy and the Scoobies sat together in the kitchen. "I don't know. She took it well, too well, you know?" she sighed. Giles removed his glasses and rubbed his forehead, "I believe I do. But maybe she can handle it. She is full of surprises."
She could hear them talking about her. She knew what she had to do. She packed her possessions in her bag and climbed out of the window. She crept down the drive. She reached the street, looked to her left, then to her right, and ran.
Spike had to talk to her, to explain himself. He climbed up to her window and pulled himself inside. One look told him everything. In shock, he pulled open her door and bolted down the stairs. He found Buffy and the gang in the kitchen. Buffy saw the fear in his eyes and stood up. "What is it Spike?" she asked anxiously. Two words set the gang into immediate action: "She's gone."
Buffy turned to Giles as they left the house. "What was that you said about surprises?" she asked worriedly. Giles couldn't hide his fear. "If Inak-Ur finds her…" he broke off, unable to bring himself to consider what would happen.
The gang split and went in separate directions to search. Xander made his way to the edge of town in his car. He knew where she would have gone. The same place he used to go when he was running away from his problems.
She splashed the cold water on her warm face. She turned off the tap and left the bathroom and pulling off her dusty clothes. The motel receptionist had told her that the bus stopped outside first thing in the morning. She needed a one-way ticket out of the Hellmouth. She yanked on her pyjamas and lay down on the bed. She didn't hear the car pull up outside.
Xander managed to get a key from the greasy haired receptionist, who he was sure was coming on to him. He dispelled the thought and let himself into the room. She was lying on the bed, not moving. "Oh God!" he thought. He ran over to her and began to shake her. "Oww!" she yelled, " Xander, quit it!" He continued to shake her, not listening. "What the hell're you doing?" she growled. Xander let go sheepishly. "I could ask you the same thing." He looked directly into her brown eyes. "Come back. He wants you. Why'd you think the Trio brought you here? It doesn't matter how far or how fast you run. He will find you." Her eyes began to fill with tears. He placed his hand gently on hers. "I know you're scared, and the old cliché is that it's okay to be. Well, I'm here, as living proof, to tell you that it's not ok." He said forcefully, "You can't be scared. You must be terrified." She collapsed into him, sobbing pitifully. "I am!" she wept, "I am."
Xander wrapped his arm around her with brotherly affection as he led her back into the Summers' home. Buffy, Dawn, Giles, Anya, Willow and Tara stood on the sunlit porch to greet them. Buffy ran out to her and hugged her, in a surprising burst of warmth. "Thank god you're alright." She whispered. The gang took it in turns to hug her. Giles was last. He held her to him like a father, "You're ready now." He smiled proudly. She looked around in wonder at the scene unfolding in front of her. "Am I dreaming?" she asked. Willow shook her head, smiling, "We've all tried to run away from our problems. What's most important is that you came back." Xander squeezed her hand and told her sincerely, "We'll be with you."
The next night, Chi decided to go out and patrol. Despite the presence of her new 'family', she still felt a sad absence in her heart, which she knew wasn't good. The dull pained called to Inak-Ur like a piercing scream. "Something's coming!" her mind warned. She spun round, stake in hand. Spike was standing casually behind her. "Alright?" he asked cockily, putting his tongue behind his teeth in that cute way of his. She turned and started to walk away. "No." she said. Spike went after her and caught her round the waist. "Wait, you gotta talk to me luv." She turned on him angrily, "I don't 'gotta' do anything! What the hell do you want Spike?" He stared into her eyes, seeking her warmth from them. He wrapped his fingers around hers. "I want you, Slayer." He said sincerely. She cringed at what he had called her and pulled away her hand, before punching him. "I am not Buffy! You can't use me as a replacement for her. Another Slayer." She spat. Spike wiped the blood from his nose. "I don't want you to be!" he snarled. She rolled her eyes. "I want you." He said simply, "You're constantly on my damn mind!" She spun round; facing him, "Yeah," she laughed sarcastically, "You must have been thinking real damn hard about me when you ran to tell your precious Buffy that I was gonna run! How co-incidental! It was her you went to!" He grasped her arms tighter looked deep into her eyes. "I. Love. You." He said, slowly and deliberately. She looked back into his cerulean eyes. "No you don't; but thanks for saying it." She shook herself free of his grip and walked away.
Buffy surveyed her reflection in the full-length mirror. "Not half bad." She thought to herself. She was dressed for the Halloween Ball, as an Angel. She turned sharply as she heard someone enter the room. Chi stood in the doorway, twisting her hands anxiously. "Do I look ok?" she asked cautiously. She dressed as a mediaeval princess. "Look," Buffy guided her in front of the mirror, "You look incredible." She smiled softly at her reflection. "Thanks." She murmured.
The rest of the Scoobies arrived, all dressed up. Xander's eyes widened when he saw her. He and Anya were dressed as Batman and Batgirl. Giles; who was dressed as ancient Roman scholar, held her to him briefly, telling her that she looked "simply beautiful." She smiled bashfully as the whole gang took turns to compliment her. Dawn came dashing down the stairs in her mermaid costume and grabbed her hand. She led her out to the car where Willow and Tara were waiting; dressed as Faye Valentine and Julia from Cowboy Bebop. "Hey! I love Cowboy Bebop! Dontcha just love Spike…" her voice trailed off, and she thanked god that the car was dark enough to hide her furious blushes. Willow looked out the window absently, "I think it might rain." She observed, changing the subject. Tara started the car, and they drove off.
Spike arrived at the ball, unsure of why he had come. He had even dressed up! Ok, granted, he had just thrown on some of his old stuff and come as a Prince, but still. "This is bloody stupid!" he snarled to himself as he ascended the steps, "Congrats Spike, you're a sodding fool. Lettin' this girl drive you crazy!" The doors opened and he was greeted by thumping music and hazy lights. His ears quickly caught on to the song and he grinned. It was one of his favourites, "White Wedding" by Billy Idol. As more people surged through the doors, he found himself pushed into the heaving room. He looked around, seeking her out. When he finally caught sight of her, he felt as if he had been kicked in the head. She looked bloody beautiful! She had a long off the shoulder dress on, with draping sleeves and a form-fitting bodice. It was made from blood red silk. A tiny gold crown had been placed on top of her shining auburn hair, which had been curled, and the ends lay softly about her pale, exposed shoulders. A gold cross hung from the chain about her neck. Time seemed to slow as he watched her dance, watched her laugh. Her hair stirred softly like spun gold as she moved. Xander, Anya, Giles and the Little Bit were dancing with her, and for the first, and thankfully the only time in his unlife, he wished her were one of them. The music moved with her, in her. It was part of her.
She found herself standing alone as the next song began, Giles had offered to dance with Dawn, and Anya had dragged Xander off to dance. She listened intently to the first few lines:
"It's
just a simple line
I can still hear it all of the time
If I
can just hold on tonight
I know that nothing,
Nothing
survives,
Nothing survives…"
Suddenly, she felt a strong, yet gentle arm around her waist, and another reach over and bring her arm up to rest on his shoulder, around his neck.
"I think
I'm turned around
I'm looking up
Not looking down.
And
when I'm standing still
Watching you run
Watching you fall
Fall into me…"
He whispered the last line into her ear, and she slowly looked up. Despite the clear warmth in those blue eyes, she pulled away. "Spike! What are you doing?" she asked uncomfortably. He looked away, embarrassed. "I'm… um… I'm sorry." He turned and walked away. She cursed herself for loving him. "You can't! You'll only put him in danger. Leave him for Buffy…" her bitter mind told her, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She sat down at a table by herself. "Aww, poor baby, why're you crying? Did your boyfriend break your heart?" She shivered at the faintly familiar, icy voice coming from behind her. "Actually, he was my fiancé." She turned to face the arrogant newcomer. She stopped dead when she saw said fiancé grinning down at her nastily, newly turned, and sporting dirty blond hair. She felt herself jolt with shock as she stared into the eyes of the vamp from her dream.
Ben smirked down at her. "Hey Chi, how are ya kitten?" She stood up slowly, and began to back away. "Hey! Where d'you think you're goin'?" he growled menacingly. He grasped her shoulder and shook on his game face. "Unarmed, are we?" he asked, baring his fangs. He pointed her in the direction of the door. "Shall we?" She winced slightly as she felt him draw blood as he gripped tightly on her shoulder. "Let's go."
As he steered her towards the door, she saw Spike come striding over. "What's going on?" he asked angrily. "It's fine," she said pleadingly, "It's none of your business. Just leave us, Spike." She watched in agony as his blue eyes filed with hurt and concern. "I'm fine." She said, tightening her jaw. "Yeah, Spikey. She's fine." Ben smirked at him, and continued pushing her to the door, red blood dripping down her shoulder and staining her dress. Spike watched them leave, the fear in his head making him retch.
She sat down on the edge of the sofa. He had brought her back to her room. "Have you been following me?" she asked. He grinned, "I would say no. But then, I'd be lying." She rolled her eyes. "Aren't you afraid of me?" he enquired, "I could kill right now you know." She raised her hand sarcastically, and simply said, "Slayer?" Ben laughed. "So that's what you were doing all those nights." He pouted. "I must say, I'm a little relieved. I thought you were cheating." He laughed at his own joke. "God, you know what was great about it though?" He paused. "The fact that it was right… under… your… nose…" He had crawled up close to her now, their lips almost touching. He smiled, "You want me." He stated matter-of-factly. She smiled coquettishly. "You know what I really want?" she asked, stroking the back of his neck, "I want you, to get out of my face." She gripped the nape of his neck and yanked backwards. He snarled and pulled away from her. "God! Look at you! Prancing about with your little slayer and her buddies, and lets not forget… Spikey." He smiled sarcastically. "Something's coming Chels!" he declared in a singsong voice, using her real name. "And you know what? It won't be the 'something' that brutally maims and kills all of your silly little friends. It will be you!" he breathed headily. She shot up off the edge of the seat. "Get out!" she growled in a low voice, "Get out NOW!" He started laughing again, "You foolish, ignorant, stupid little girl!" He moved against her, pinning her against the wall. He pressed his lips harshly to hers. She slid the stake from the folds in the sleeves of her dress. As he moved towards her neck, she whispered in his ear, "I'm not a little girl!" She thrust the stake into his chest, twisting it for good measure. He gave a pained look of surprise, before turning to dust. A gust of wind from the open window carried his ashes past her, dusting her with his remains. She slowly sank down onto the window seat. She slumped her head against the cool glass, and for the first time, she didn't cry…
