A/N: Oh my goodness that took forever. I've just been a busy little beaver.
I started writing another story and got sidetracked. Not to mention the
vacations and the tedious family stuff they force you to do over the
summer. I'll try harder to update with this story and my other story. So
sorry for being so long.
Chapter 4:
Buffy had just finished telling everyone what had happened last night. She had called the gang early this morning to tell them about doing a guest spot in Spike's dream. She had told them all the information that Spike had told her and how she had promised him that she would pick him up in San Francisco. They were interested at the events that Buffy had told them.
"So you're saying that you and Spike were in the same dream?" Giles asked Buffy. He had only heard about things like that happening. Of course he did remember that one time that Buffy and Angel were in each other's dreams, but Buffy had actually had a conversation with Spike in this dream.
"Yeah Giles. It was sort of weird, but I got some information about what's going on. Most of it was the same as from my dream, but he said that in his dream they told him that he was one of two champions and that somehow that would help him."
"Champions?"
"Yeah is there something weird about that?" Everyone looked at Anya waiting for her to explain.
Anya thought about how to phrase what she was about to say. She didn't doubt that Spike could very well be the second champion, but she was sure that Xander, Giles, and Buffy would. She looked over at Dawn. She too was waiting for an answer, but Anya knew that she would stand behind Spike. Dawn would believe Spike was a champion.
"Well, champions are. well they're two people or demons for that matter that are chosen to help defend the world."
"Yeah so what's so outrageous about? I may not like Spike, but he does help us save the world." Xander said. He knew that Anya wasn't telling them something.
"Well you see champions are chosen because of certain qualities that they posses." Oh come on Anya just spit it out. You know for a fact how champions are chosen and they needed to know to . "They have to be very powerful. More powerful then just a regular human. They also have to have a soul."
Everyone looked at Anya in total confusion. Spike didn't have a soul so what was the deal here? "Spike doesn't have a soul. Does he?" Xander said.
"Unless he was cursed, but then I don't know. There could be covens that give souls to people they deem worthy." Giles said.
"His quest. That's where he was going on his quest. It was a journey to find someone to give him his soul back." Dawn said excitedly. She knew that Buffy wouldn't have any excuse not to admit her feelings for Spike now. Spike could finally be happy.
"Buffy did he tell you anything about wanting to get his soul back. I mean this is some new information that we need to consider. Spike may not be the most stable person right now. He is probably still reliving his crimes." Giles said as he looked over at Buffy.
Buffy sat down on one of the chairs in the living room thinking about this new information. He got his soul. Why didn't he tell me that was what he was doing? He probably didn't want to tell me because he wasn't sure if he could get it back. Or maybe he didn't tell because it was supposed to be a surprise. Great Anya just ruined the surprise. He has a soul now. Things can be different. Fresh start. That's how he put it. He got his soul back for. me.
"Buffy!" Xander said loudly.
"Huh?"
"Giles was just asking if you knew that he was getting his soul back." Xander saw the look on Buffy's face and knew what she was thinking about. Now it was okay for her to be with Spike all because he had a soul.
"Uh, no he didn't tell me anything. He just went on and on about having to do something that would benefit both of us and that when he got back there would be a fresh start."
"Well I guess that we will just have to wait to confirm that he has a soul. When does his ship get to San Francisco?"
"In about two days. We'll have to hurry if we want to get there."
"Will it be in the day or in the night?"
"Night I think. I mean it would be the safest and I think that he was thinking safety first."
"Well I think that Buffy and I should go and Anya, Xander and Dawn should stay here. Look up some more stuff now that we have this new information. Also someone has to watch Dawn."
"Why can't I come?" Dawn said in a pouty voice that made her sound like a two-year-old.
"Because there is school and it will be boring."
"You're going to get Spike. I'm the only one here that cares if he comes back. I should be able to go."
"Dawn you haven't seen him in three months. A couple of more days won't hurt." Dawn crossed her arms in front of her chest, but remained quite. She knew when she had lost a battle and she also knew when to keep her mouth shut.
"Alright. Now that that is settled I think that Giles and I should leave some time this afternoon. Probably after Dawn gets home from school. Will that give us enough time?"
"Yes I think it will."
"Good so, Xander take Dawn to school. The rest of us should get started on the research."
"Right, Buff we're off right Dawnie?"
"Right." Dawn picked up her book bag and made her way outside. Xander followed close behind.
"I did the right thing right? You know not letting her come with."
"Yes she does have school tomorrow and shouldn't be allowed to get away from that."
"Okay as long as I did the right thing."
"You did the right thing Buffy. Dawn has school and she was to work at the Magic Box tomorrow. She needs to stay home and learn some more responsibility." Anya chimed in. "Now I think that we should start looking for this information."
"Yeah lets get started reading these boring old books."
"Well at least you get a break from them. I still have to look through them when you go to pick up Spike." The three people made their way into Buffy's dining room and started to look through the books.
"I mean is it at all fair? I don't think so. I'm the only one who admits to giving a crap about Spike and yet the one who won't even say that she has feelings for him gets to go. I know Spike would probably want to see her more then he will me, but I could tag along. Is that so much to ask for?"
Dawn had been ranting for a good three minutes after leaving the house. Xander let her say what she needed to even though he wished that Dawn wouldn't care about Spike this much. It was like a genetic trait with the Summers women to give a hoot about poor defenseless vampires. Joyce always liked Spike and Dawn seemed to share that same liking. And Buffy, well she more then liked him. She had had sex with him. She obviously cared about Spike, but wouldn't admit it. She didn't have to, Xander knew.
"Dawn I think that maybe you're being a little harsh on Buffy. I. she does. I mean she has to. she has to have some feelings for Spike."
"Sure she does, but she won't admit them. Xander she used Spike to make herself feel better. She pretended like she didn't care, but she did. She won't even give him the decency of telling him that."
"Dawn I'm sure Buffy didn't mean to use Spike. And I'm sure that Spike wasn't the helpless creature in this situation. He obviously wanted to and did because he was a soul-less creature."
"Xander I know that you don't like Spike. Not even a little. And I know that you don't view him as a person, but he loves Buffy. I know that. He can't say no to her no matter what she asked of him. Think about it this way. If Anya offered you even the littlest chance to be in her life wouldn't you take it?"
Xander thought about that. He would most definitely take any chance that was presented to him. Even if it meant cleaning her house. Just to be close to her again as part of her life would be enough for him. Was that how Spike had felt? He just wanted to be part of Buffy's life so badly that he took any chance he got. Dawn could see that Xander was thinking about it. She also knew that he would be stubborn on the matter and eventually pull out the 'then why did he have sex with Anya card.' She would just have to wait for him to use it. Xander had had enough with thinking about it. Spike and him could not think the same way. Spike was a monster and Xander was a human. He had to convince Dawn that that couldn't be true.
"Then why did."
Dawn cut him off. "He have sex with Anya. God Xander so predictable. He slept with Anya because Buffy told him that his feelings were made up and in his head. He was angry and hurt. He wanted to be comforted and guess what Anya needed it just as much as he did. She needed some to make her feel special just like he did. You left Anya and Buffy started to shut Spike out and they needed each other's comfort to feel better. Does that mean they don't regret it? No not necessarily. That might not fully regret it, but they feel bad that it hurt the people they loved. They can't go back in time and change things just as much as you can't. It was something they needed at the time."
When Dawn was finished with her speech, Xander didn't know what to say. Some part of him knew that Dawn was right, but he couldn't just change his view about Spike. Spike was a vampire. A demon and had done unspeakable things. He didn't deserve a second chance. He didn't even deserve a first chance. Now though he had a soul and for some reason that made a huge difference. He would be guilty about the things he did and that would change everything for some insane reason. Xander knew human emotions well enough to tell that Spike was guilty without a soul. So why did it change anything? And why do I still doubt that he's a good guy if I've seen it with my own eyes?
The rest of the way to Dawn's school was made in comfortable silence. Xander was thinking about this vampire-trusting problem that he had and Dawn was just hopping that they hurried back after getting Spike. She was excited that he would finally be coming home. She did really miss him and she wondered if he would be the same. Giles had mentioned that he might be a little insane for awhile, but he still had to be the same Spike. He couldn't change that much. Dawn remembered Spike telling her a few stories of his life as William. He couldn't remember that much, but he told her things he did remember. A mixture of Spike and William would create the perfect guy. He would be sweet and sensitive, but tough and confident. Kind of like a big teddy bear that looks intimidating, but is soft and mushy on the inside. Dawn looked up and saw that they had arrived at her school.
"Oh we're here already?"
"Yeah, well Dawn have a good day at school. Try not thinking about the whole Spike thing to much." Dawn leaned over and gave Xander a quick peck on the cheek and then said,
"Bye Xander. See ya later." Dawn then jumped out of the car and made her way to school. Xander watched her walk away and knew that she would think of Spike all day at school, but decided that he should just let her. She really did care about the annoying bleached blonde vampire.
Books were thrown and scattered all over the dining room table and floor. They had been looking for hours for something relevant at all. Xander had come over to Buffy's during his lunch break, but had to leave to finish up the job at the Magic Box. Giles had found some more books on prophecies and brought them over for them to research. It was almost three o'clock now and Dawn would be home any minute. Buffy and Giles had packed some stuff and where getting ready to leave as soon as she got home.
Anya put down another huge book that she was reading that had nothing to do with what they were looking for. Nothing seemed to have the information that they needed. The books were like trying to read the sun and she would have to look through them while Buffy and Giles played 'go get the vamp'.
"Uh! I really wish I could just give this up. That has to be like the hundredth book I've looked through. Nothing! There is nothing on this stupid prophecy." Anya said as she threw her hands up in the air and lowered her head.
"I think Anya has a point. There seems to be nothing in these books. We have to keep trying thought. It's not like these books are our only resource. Let's just keep looking until our eyes fall out and then we'll look at the vengeance demon files." Buffy said.
"Easy for you to say. You get a break from your eyes falling out to play rescue hero."
"Anya we are coming back and when we do we'll help. This is just something I have to do. I have to make sure that he's safe. You know because I might need his help in protect this savior person." Buffy added. She didn't want Anya thinking that she needed to know that Spike was safe, even though a little part of her did.
"Yeah pull out the Spike needs to be saved card. We all know about your not so secret relationship with him. We all know that somewhere deep inside that heart of yours you care about him. Some of us just don't like to admit it," Anya said obviously referring to Xander. Buffy sighed. Hadn't she just had this conversation with Dawn last night? Sure she cared, but that didn't mean anything like love.
"Yes Anya. I do care about Spike, but I also need his help. I have to make sure that he is safe from these 'wind' people."
"Sure you only need him for slaying. Typical Buffy."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Look I don't know Spike that well. Besides the fact that I slept with him, but that isn't important because you slept with him and you seem to not know that much about him either. My point is you left him out in the cold and said that you didn't care about him, but what was with the mixed signals? Let him help you slay and prove right in front of your eyes that he had changed, but never admit to it. What is that? You gave him false hope."
"What do you know about the situation? You think that because the two of you did it you think that you know him."
Giles saw that this wasn't going to be pretty. He wanted to side with Buffy, but Anya had a point. Buffy let Spike in, but she never admitted that he had changed. Giles was surprised that he hadn't gone of the deep end already. Giles knew what love could do to a guy and he couldn't image how it must be for Spike how was in love with someone who refused to admit that she obviously needed him. Giles knew that Spike loved Buffy. He could see it in Spike's actions. He didn't jump on the bandwagon that said that Spike could never love Buffy because he was a monster. Giles didn't like Spike as a person, but he had earned respect and that was what Giles had for Spike. Respect.
"Ladies don't you think that we are getting off track here. We aren't here to argue whether Buffy sent Spike mixed signals or not. We are here to research until Dawn gets home and then Buffy and I are leaving." Giles said in a neutral voice. No need to take sides.
Buffy sighed and then said, "Giles is right. We aren't to argue we are here to research. Sorry Anya."
"It's no big deal. You have your opinion and I have mine. Of course I'm not the one riding on a river in Egypt, but I see your point and respect it."
"Thanks."
Buffy wasn't sure what to say to that. Anya was the second person to tell her that she was Miss Denial. Maybe they had a point, but if Buffy admitted that she wouldn't have an excuse to say that she didn't have feelings for Spike.
"Alright so where were we?" just as Giles was about to answer Dawn came walking in the door. She looked mildly upset and sort of stressed out. She sat down on one of the dining room chairs and started flipping through a book.
"Rough day?" Buffy asked. Dawn looked like she wanted to hit something or maybe throw something against a wall by the way she was treating the book she was looking through.
"Same old, same old. Boring day at school with boring people. Why aren't you guys on the road yet?" Dawn asked looking at Giles and purposely not looking at Buffy. Even though Dawn knew her sister was right to not let her go, Dawn was stubborn and not ready to forgive and forget. It was a Summers trait.
"We were actually waiting for you to get home." Giles said. He could see that Dawn was still angry at Buffy or at least pretending to be. "Well I'm here so go. The sooner you get on the road the sooner you get back with Spike."
"So no 'goodbye' or 'have a safe trip'?" Buffy said. She was trying to get her sister to not be angry with her, but she knew that she and Dawn were very stubborn people.
"Goodbye and have a safe trip. Remember to come back in one piece." Dawn said not even looking up from the book she was looking through.
"Okay I guess that we should be leaving now. Besides we should go to the butcher shop to get some blood."
"Already done." Dawn said surprising everyone in the room.
"What when Buffy told me about her first dream I decided to stock up. There is some in the freezer. Don't bother trying to keep it cold, because Spike likes his blood a little warm." Dawn said. It took Buffy and Giles to realize what Dawn had said, but as soon as they did they got up, got the blood, and left.
"Dawn be good and don't give Xander and Anya a hard time."
"Yeah yeah yeah." Buffy knew that she would have to make it up to her sister later and then she and Giles left.
Dawn heard the door close and put her book down. "How long have you guys been researching for?" "It feels like forever. Let's take a little break. We can keep looking later." "I'm on that bandwagon. So what was going on before I walked in?"
"Nothing much. Buffy and I were arguing over this whole 'Buffy-Spike thing'."
"Really? What did you tell her?"
"That she is in denial of her feelings for him and that she was leading him on." "That pretty much sums it all up. She just can't see that Spike really does love her and that she really likes him a lot more then she lets on."
"She can't admit it Dawn. That would make everything that she knows wrong. Vampires are evil and that is such narrow thinking that the Council instills in their slayers so that they kill without prejudice."
"But that's wrong right? Not all demons and such are evil?" Dawn was asking more then she was saying. She didn't think that all demons were bad only the ones that she had seen Buffy slay. Clem and Anya were proof that not all things that looked like they went bump in the night did. And then there was also Spike who had been the Big Bad but had changed.
"That's right Dawn. Not every demon is bad. There are some that are just demons and then there are actual demons that work for the Powers. Of course not all demons are bad." "So then why does everyone think that way?"
"When you are told something over and over again. well it sticks. When you were little you have to remember being scared of the monster under your bed. Humans learn at an early age that monsters are bad and evil, but they aren't always like that."
"Yeah I see your point. You know Anya you're smarter then people give you credit for."
"Thank you Dawn."
"No problem."
They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Anya said. "Well I think that we should go do something fun. I mean to get away from all of this research and blah. Let's go out for ice cream or something."
"Sounds great. Let's go." Both women got up and made their way outside and into Anya's car.
A/N: Oh how cute. Dawn and Anya are bonding! Anyhoo, so whattcha think so far? Send me a review saying how much you love it or hate it. Should I continue or is it crap? Sorry for the oh so long wait as I've stated before. Oh and I just wanted to tell you that Spike is probably not coming back for another two chapters. I know everyone wants the Spuffy, but good things come to those who wait. Just be patient.
Chapter 4:
Buffy had just finished telling everyone what had happened last night. She had called the gang early this morning to tell them about doing a guest spot in Spike's dream. She had told them all the information that Spike had told her and how she had promised him that she would pick him up in San Francisco. They were interested at the events that Buffy had told them.
"So you're saying that you and Spike were in the same dream?" Giles asked Buffy. He had only heard about things like that happening. Of course he did remember that one time that Buffy and Angel were in each other's dreams, but Buffy had actually had a conversation with Spike in this dream.
"Yeah Giles. It was sort of weird, but I got some information about what's going on. Most of it was the same as from my dream, but he said that in his dream they told him that he was one of two champions and that somehow that would help him."
"Champions?"
"Yeah is there something weird about that?" Everyone looked at Anya waiting for her to explain.
Anya thought about how to phrase what she was about to say. She didn't doubt that Spike could very well be the second champion, but she was sure that Xander, Giles, and Buffy would. She looked over at Dawn. She too was waiting for an answer, but Anya knew that she would stand behind Spike. Dawn would believe Spike was a champion.
"Well, champions are. well they're two people or demons for that matter that are chosen to help defend the world."
"Yeah so what's so outrageous about? I may not like Spike, but he does help us save the world." Xander said. He knew that Anya wasn't telling them something.
"Well you see champions are chosen because of certain qualities that they posses." Oh come on Anya just spit it out. You know for a fact how champions are chosen and they needed to know to . "They have to be very powerful. More powerful then just a regular human. They also have to have a soul."
Everyone looked at Anya in total confusion. Spike didn't have a soul so what was the deal here? "Spike doesn't have a soul. Does he?" Xander said.
"Unless he was cursed, but then I don't know. There could be covens that give souls to people they deem worthy." Giles said.
"His quest. That's where he was going on his quest. It was a journey to find someone to give him his soul back." Dawn said excitedly. She knew that Buffy wouldn't have any excuse not to admit her feelings for Spike now. Spike could finally be happy.
"Buffy did he tell you anything about wanting to get his soul back. I mean this is some new information that we need to consider. Spike may not be the most stable person right now. He is probably still reliving his crimes." Giles said as he looked over at Buffy.
Buffy sat down on one of the chairs in the living room thinking about this new information. He got his soul. Why didn't he tell me that was what he was doing? He probably didn't want to tell me because he wasn't sure if he could get it back. Or maybe he didn't tell because it was supposed to be a surprise. Great Anya just ruined the surprise. He has a soul now. Things can be different. Fresh start. That's how he put it. He got his soul back for. me.
"Buffy!" Xander said loudly.
"Huh?"
"Giles was just asking if you knew that he was getting his soul back." Xander saw the look on Buffy's face and knew what she was thinking about. Now it was okay for her to be with Spike all because he had a soul.
"Uh, no he didn't tell me anything. He just went on and on about having to do something that would benefit both of us and that when he got back there would be a fresh start."
"Well I guess that we will just have to wait to confirm that he has a soul. When does his ship get to San Francisco?"
"In about two days. We'll have to hurry if we want to get there."
"Will it be in the day or in the night?"
"Night I think. I mean it would be the safest and I think that he was thinking safety first."
"Well I think that Buffy and I should go and Anya, Xander and Dawn should stay here. Look up some more stuff now that we have this new information. Also someone has to watch Dawn."
"Why can't I come?" Dawn said in a pouty voice that made her sound like a two-year-old.
"Because there is school and it will be boring."
"You're going to get Spike. I'm the only one here that cares if he comes back. I should be able to go."
"Dawn you haven't seen him in three months. A couple of more days won't hurt." Dawn crossed her arms in front of her chest, but remained quite. She knew when she had lost a battle and she also knew when to keep her mouth shut.
"Alright. Now that that is settled I think that Giles and I should leave some time this afternoon. Probably after Dawn gets home from school. Will that give us enough time?"
"Yes I think it will."
"Good so, Xander take Dawn to school. The rest of us should get started on the research."
"Right, Buff we're off right Dawnie?"
"Right." Dawn picked up her book bag and made her way outside. Xander followed close behind.
"I did the right thing right? You know not letting her come with."
"Yes she does have school tomorrow and shouldn't be allowed to get away from that."
"Okay as long as I did the right thing."
"You did the right thing Buffy. Dawn has school and she was to work at the Magic Box tomorrow. She needs to stay home and learn some more responsibility." Anya chimed in. "Now I think that we should start looking for this information."
"Yeah lets get started reading these boring old books."
"Well at least you get a break from them. I still have to look through them when you go to pick up Spike." The three people made their way into Buffy's dining room and started to look through the books.
"I mean is it at all fair? I don't think so. I'm the only one who admits to giving a crap about Spike and yet the one who won't even say that she has feelings for him gets to go. I know Spike would probably want to see her more then he will me, but I could tag along. Is that so much to ask for?"
Dawn had been ranting for a good three minutes after leaving the house. Xander let her say what she needed to even though he wished that Dawn wouldn't care about Spike this much. It was like a genetic trait with the Summers women to give a hoot about poor defenseless vampires. Joyce always liked Spike and Dawn seemed to share that same liking. And Buffy, well she more then liked him. She had had sex with him. She obviously cared about Spike, but wouldn't admit it. She didn't have to, Xander knew.
"Dawn I think that maybe you're being a little harsh on Buffy. I. she does. I mean she has to. she has to have some feelings for Spike."
"Sure she does, but she won't admit them. Xander she used Spike to make herself feel better. She pretended like she didn't care, but she did. She won't even give him the decency of telling him that."
"Dawn I'm sure Buffy didn't mean to use Spike. And I'm sure that Spike wasn't the helpless creature in this situation. He obviously wanted to and did because he was a soul-less creature."
"Xander I know that you don't like Spike. Not even a little. And I know that you don't view him as a person, but he loves Buffy. I know that. He can't say no to her no matter what she asked of him. Think about it this way. If Anya offered you even the littlest chance to be in her life wouldn't you take it?"
Xander thought about that. He would most definitely take any chance that was presented to him. Even if it meant cleaning her house. Just to be close to her again as part of her life would be enough for him. Was that how Spike had felt? He just wanted to be part of Buffy's life so badly that he took any chance he got. Dawn could see that Xander was thinking about it. She also knew that he would be stubborn on the matter and eventually pull out the 'then why did he have sex with Anya card.' She would just have to wait for him to use it. Xander had had enough with thinking about it. Spike and him could not think the same way. Spike was a monster and Xander was a human. He had to convince Dawn that that couldn't be true.
"Then why did."
Dawn cut him off. "He have sex with Anya. God Xander so predictable. He slept with Anya because Buffy told him that his feelings were made up and in his head. He was angry and hurt. He wanted to be comforted and guess what Anya needed it just as much as he did. She needed some to make her feel special just like he did. You left Anya and Buffy started to shut Spike out and they needed each other's comfort to feel better. Does that mean they don't regret it? No not necessarily. That might not fully regret it, but they feel bad that it hurt the people they loved. They can't go back in time and change things just as much as you can't. It was something they needed at the time."
When Dawn was finished with her speech, Xander didn't know what to say. Some part of him knew that Dawn was right, but he couldn't just change his view about Spike. Spike was a vampire. A demon and had done unspeakable things. He didn't deserve a second chance. He didn't even deserve a first chance. Now though he had a soul and for some reason that made a huge difference. He would be guilty about the things he did and that would change everything for some insane reason. Xander knew human emotions well enough to tell that Spike was guilty without a soul. So why did it change anything? And why do I still doubt that he's a good guy if I've seen it with my own eyes?
The rest of the way to Dawn's school was made in comfortable silence. Xander was thinking about this vampire-trusting problem that he had and Dawn was just hopping that they hurried back after getting Spike. She was excited that he would finally be coming home. She did really miss him and she wondered if he would be the same. Giles had mentioned that he might be a little insane for awhile, but he still had to be the same Spike. He couldn't change that much. Dawn remembered Spike telling her a few stories of his life as William. He couldn't remember that much, but he told her things he did remember. A mixture of Spike and William would create the perfect guy. He would be sweet and sensitive, but tough and confident. Kind of like a big teddy bear that looks intimidating, but is soft and mushy on the inside. Dawn looked up and saw that they had arrived at her school.
"Oh we're here already?"
"Yeah, well Dawn have a good day at school. Try not thinking about the whole Spike thing to much." Dawn leaned over and gave Xander a quick peck on the cheek and then said,
"Bye Xander. See ya later." Dawn then jumped out of the car and made her way to school. Xander watched her walk away and knew that she would think of Spike all day at school, but decided that he should just let her. She really did care about the annoying bleached blonde vampire.
Books were thrown and scattered all over the dining room table and floor. They had been looking for hours for something relevant at all. Xander had come over to Buffy's during his lunch break, but had to leave to finish up the job at the Magic Box. Giles had found some more books on prophecies and brought them over for them to research. It was almost three o'clock now and Dawn would be home any minute. Buffy and Giles had packed some stuff and where getting ready to leave as soon as she got home.
Anya put down another huge book that she was reading that had nothing to do with what they were looking for. Nothing seemed to have the information that they needed. The books were like trying to read the sun and she would have to look through them while Buffy and Giles played 'go get the vamp'.
"Uh! I really wish I could just give this up. That has to be like the hundredth book I've looked through. Nothing! There is nothing on this stupid prophecy." Anya said as she threw her hands up in the air and lowered her head.
"I think Anya has a point. There seems to be nothing in these books. We have to keep trying thought. It's not like these books are our only resource. Let's just keep looking until our eyes fall out and then we'll look at the vengeance demon files." Buffy said.
"Easy for you to say. You get a break from your eyes falling out to play rescue hero."
"Anya we are coming back and when we do we'll help. This is just something I have to do. I have to make sure that he's safe. You know because I might need his help in protect this savior person." Buffy added. She didn't want Anya thinking that she needed to know that Spike was safe, even though a little part of her did.
"Yeah pull out the Spike needs to be saved card. We all know about your not so secret relationship with him. We all know that somewhere deep inside that heart of yours you care about him. Some of us just don't like to admit it," Anya said obviously referring to Xander. Buffy sighed. Hadn't she just had this conversation with Dawn last night? Sure she cared, but that didn't mean anything like love.
"Yes Anya. I do care about Spike, but I also need his help. I have to make sure that he is safe from these 'wind' people."
"Sure you only need him for slaying. Typical Buffy."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Look I don't know Spike that well. Besides the fact that I slept with him, but that isn't important because you slept with him and you seem to not know that much about him either. My point is you left him out in the cold and said that you didn't care about him, but what was with the mixed signals? Let him help you slay and prove right in front of your eyes that he had changed, but never admit to it. What is that? You gave him false hope."
"What do you know about the situation? You think that because the two of you did it you think that you know him."
Giles saw that this wasn't going to be pretty. He wanted to side with Buffy, but Anya had a point. Buffy let Spike in, but she never admitted that he had changed. Giles was surprised that he hadn't gone of the deep end already. Giles knew what love could do to a guy and he couldn't image how it must be for Spike how was in love with someone who refused to admit that she obviously needed him. Giles knew that Spike loved Buffy. He could see it in Spike's actions. He didn't jump on the bandwagon that said that Spike could never love Buffy because he was a monster. Giles didn't like Spike as a person, but he had earned respect and that was what Giles had for Spike. Respect.
"Ladies don't you think that we are getting off track here. We aren't here to argue whether Buffy sent Spike mixed signals or not. We are here to research until Dawn gets home and then Buffy and I are leaving." Giles said in a neutral voice. No need to take sides.
Buffy sighed and then said, "Giles is right. We aren't to argue we are here to research. Sorry Anya."
"It's no big deal. You have your opinion and I have mine. Of course I'm not the one riding on a river in Egypt, but I see your point and respect it."
"Thanks."
Buffy wasn't sure what to say to that. Anya was the second person to tell her that she was Miss Denial. Maybe they had a point, but if Buffy admitted that she wouldn't have an excuse to say that she didn't have feelings for Spike.
"Alright so where were we?" just as Giles was about to answer Dawn came walking in the door. She looked mildly upset and sort of stressed out. She sat down on one of the dining room chairs and started flipping through a book.
"Rough day?" Buffy asked. Dawn looked like she wanted to hit something or maybe throw something against a wall by the way she was treating the book she was looking through.
"Same old, same old. Boring day at school with boring people. Why aren't you guys on the road yet?" Dawn asked looking at Giles and purposely not looking at Buffy. Even though Dawn knew her sister was right to not let her go, Dawn was stubborn and not ready to forgive and forget. It was a Summers trait.
"We were actually waiting for you to get home." Giles said. He could see that Dawn was still angry at Buffy or at least pretending to be. "Well I'm here so go. The sooner you get on the road the sooner you get back with Spike."
"So no 'goodbye' or 'have a safe trip'?" Buffy said. She was trying to get her sister to not be angry with her, but she knew that she and Dawn were very stubborn people.
"Goodbye and have a safe trip. Remember to come back in one piece." Dawn said not even looking up from the book she was looking through.
"Okay I guess that we should be leaving now. Besides we should go to the butcher shop to get some blood."
"Already done." Dawn said surprising everyone in the room.
"What when Buffy told me about her first dream I decided to stock up. There is some in the freezer. Don't bother trying to keep it cold, because Spike likes his blood a little warm." Dawn said. It took Buffy and Giles to realize what Dawn had said, but as soon as they did they got up, got the blood, and left.
"Dawn be good and don't give Xander and Anya a hard time."
"Yeah yeah yeah." Buffy knew that she would have to make it up to her sister later and then she and Giles left.
Dawn heard the door close and put her book down. "How long have you guys been researching for?" "It feels like forever. Let's take a little break. We can keep looking later." "I'm on that bandwagon. So what was going on before I walked in?"
"Nothing much. Buffy and I were arguing over this whole 'Buffy-Spike thing'."
"Really? What did you tell her?"
"That she is in denial of her feelings for him and that she was leading him on." "That pretty much sums it all up. She just can't see that Spike really does love her and that she really likes him a lot more then she lets on."
"She can't admit it Dawn. That would make everything that she knows wrong. Vampires are evil and that is such narrow thinking that the Council instills in their slayers so that they kill without prejudice."
"But that's wrong right? Not all demons and such are evil?" Dawn was asking more then she was saying. She didn't think that all demons were bad only the ones that she had seen Buffy slay. Clem and Anya were proof that not all things that looked like they went bump in the night did. And then there was also Spike who had been the Big Bad but had changed.
"That's right Dawn. Not every demon is bad. There are some that are just demons and then there are actual demons that work for the Powers. Of course not all demons are bad." "So then why does everyone think that way?"
"When you are told something over and over again. well it sticks. When you were little you have to remember being scared of the monster under your bed. Humans learn at an early age that monsters are bad and evil, but they aren't always like that."
"Yeah I see your point. You know Anya you're smarter then people give you credit for."
"Thank you Dawn."
"No problem."
They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Anya said. "Well I think that we should go do something fun. I mean to get away from all of this research and blah. Let's go out for ice cream or something."
"Sounds great. Let's go." Both women got up and made their way outside and into Anya's car.
A/N: Oh how cute. Dawn and Anya are bonding! Anyhoo, so whattcha think so far? Send me a review saying how much you love it or hate it. Should I continue or is it crap? Sorry for the oh so long wait as I've stated before. Oh and I just wanted to tell you that Spike is probably not coming back for another two chapters. I know everyone wants the Spuffy, but good things come to those who wait. Just be patient.
