A/N: 'Lo everyone! Well the moment everyone is waiting for. Spike is coming
back. Also in this chapter there will be some about crazy Willow and her
gang of misguided witches. Read and enjoy. Please review cause you know
that I LOVE it when you do.
Chapter 6:
Buffy woke up to the sound of her name being called. It was a voice with a British accent, but not the one she was hoping for. It was Giles. There was also some pounding going on. Buffy got up and realized that she was still in the ship. How could I still be here when Spike isn't? What the hell is going on here? Buffy tried to concentrate on getting out, but she didn't know how.
She could hear Giles calling her name, but she had no way of answering him. Crap how am I going to get out of here? Just when Buffy thought that she was out of ideas she found herself in the dingy hotel she had been in last night.
Buffy didn't know how it happened, but decided to take it as a blessing. Giles was still loudly knocking on the door.
"Buffy! Buffy wake up and open the bloody door!" Buffy got up and opened the door. "
Hey Giles." Buffy said in a sleepy voice. Giles looked at her. She looked worn out still, possibly more then she did yesterday.
"Dear Lord! Did you sleep at all last night?"
"No, Spike and I played lets be in each other's dream again and this time I couldn't get out. I woke up and I was still on the ship in the dream. Spike was able to leave hours ago when he heard someone coming. I think that is how I came back. I heard you and I realized that I was needed so I some how got back here."
"Fascinating."
"You wouldn't find it so fascinating if you were the one being kept up all night. I think we should go. We are supposed to be at the docks by nine tonight. What time is it?"
"Almost noon."
"Well then we better hurry. Did you find out where the docks are?"
"Yes I think that we will manage to get there on time."
"Great then let's go." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Spike was hiding behind a big box of cargo. He had almost been caught last night. He had tried to sit down and rest, but his mind kept working and he couldn't seem to sit still. He kept seeing things about his life that disturbed him. He couldn't help, but shutter at the memories of all the bad things he had done. He just wanted to go back to Sunnydale and hide in his crypt forever.
He knew that he couldn't. He knew that he had to help save the world and prove himself to Buffy. He couldn't just sit back and watch her suffer. He would just have to suck it up. He would only be on this ship for a couple more hours and then it would be back to Sunnydale. Back to his home.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- - -- -
Willow sat on her chair looking at all the witches that were under her control. She couldn't believe that she had influenced so many good witches to the dark side. She had taken control of Rack's customers and made other good witches realize that the good way wasn't the best way to go. They were misguided fools who believed that the fight between good and evil was best fought on the side of good.
"Willow there is a rouse in the seeing area of the sanctuary." Amy said bowing to Willow.
"I thought that I told you never to call me that again. It's dark mistress and what is the commotion about?"
"There is a rousing that concerns them about our cause." "
Amy just spit it out. I'm really getting very bored with your incessant talking."
"The seers detect a force that well blast us down. Something about there being a prophecy to stop you with your powers."
"So I was prophesied. What was this prophecy about?"
"Something to do with the savior and the slayer."
Buffy! Of course it would have something to do with Buffy. The great force of good that would try to foil her plans. I will definitely enjoy taking her down. Who does she think she is? She'll never be able to take me down. Willow thought.
"So Buffy and her gang are going to try and take me down. They are one short considering that they don't have the vampire."
"The Seers have actually seen something about the vampire's situation."
"Yes?"
"He is rumored to be coming back. Our witch on the inside at Dawn's school has informed us that the vampire is going to show up soon."
"Oh poor Dawnie thought that she has a friend. I almost feel bad about exploiting her. Good thing that it's almost. The vampire won't make things that much harder then they already are."
"If I may speak frankly the Seers said that the vampire might cause a problem considering he is involved in the prophecy. Should we send an assemblage to take him down?"
"I think so. See Buffy might be there to get him and will have to see how powerful she is. Just to scout. Will have to make alliances with some quite hairy people. After all we are evil. Taking down evil just doesn't seem right anymore."
Amy nodded her head.
"I mean this whole good against evil vengeance against evil doers is getting old fast. Killing bad people is just. boring. I think it's time to really show them how much of a terror I can be."
Amy nodded again. She was just in it for the magick it offered to her. She had heard about Rack and what Willow did and immediately joined forces with her. It was all about the magick for Amy. Of course she did feel above everyone, but she hadn't actually participated in killing a human. Vampires and demons were fair game, but Willow was soon letting the magick corrupt her. Not that Amy complained about it. As long as she had magic.
"So we will just wait and see what happens. That's good."
"Do you doubt that I'm going down the wrong path? Are you questioning me?"
"Stop reading my mind. I have doubts, but I know that you will lead us down the right path."
"I hope that you believe that. But for me reassurance," Willow put her hands to Amy's head,
"This won't hurt a bit." Willow said as she gave Amy a jolt of pure black magic.
The jolt was over and Amy opened her eyes. They were all black.
"So why do you live?"
"To serve you," was Amy's monotone response.
"Good no more doubts. Now please go check how my assembles are doing." "
Yes my dark mistress." Amy left and Willow had a satisfied smile on her face. She dared for Buffy to make a move when her forces were so powerful. She may have Spike, but she had almost fifty troops at her disposal.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"His boat should have been here by now. Giles he said that he heard a noise last night. What if he was caught and something happened to him?" Buffy said not able to hide the worry in her voice. She had a right to be worried. There was history there and she didn't have to say that she had feelings for Spike.
"Buffy will you stop pacing. It's very irritating." Giles said as he took of his glasses and rubbed his head. He was also worried that something might have happened to Spike, but he thought that Buffy could at least contain her worry a little better.
"Sorry Giles. It's just that it's almost ten. Spike's boat was supposed to be here at nine. I'm just wigged a little what with Wills being the big bad and her little gang of witches."
"Well a certain level of paranoia is good to have in these situations. You just have to calm down. Boats are late all the time."
"Okay just chill."
Buffy sat down on one of the many crates that could be found on the dock. So she was a little anxious to see Spike. That was the understatement of the year. It seemed that she kept making understatement after understatement. She wasn't exactly sure she could just sit there and not know what happened to him. What if something had gone wrong? She would just have to sit tight and wait.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - Spike made his way to the deck. He could smell that it was night and that he was close to home. To Buffy and everything else he held close to his heart. He had hoped that Buffy would bring Dawn, but he figured that that probably didn't happen. It had to be a weekday. He wanted nothing more then to go back to his home and see everything that he claimed to hate about Sunnydale, but really loved.
It was all waiting for him to come. He slowly sank in to the shadows that were on the boat. He was on the deck and the ship was being tied to the dock. So it would only be a few minutes before he got to see Buffy. He was a little scared that he might go insane guy on her, but he had to try and be strong for Buffy.
The boat was docked and Spike practically ran off of it. He glanced through the shadows to see if he could find Buffy. He searched for her until he came face to face with someone he didn't know or recognize. He figured that it was just some dockhand.
"So this is that vampire. The Dark Mistress didn't say that you were so. weak. This should be easy to get information out of you."
"Sorry Mate, but I don't know what you're talkin bout."
"Please don't play dumb. I know that I was just supposed scout things out, but I couldn't help it. Just couldn't resist getting some information out of you."
"Mate I know that you think that you are going to get information out of me, but you're wrong."
"I have other ways then asking you." The man stuck out his hand and a jet of white light came out.
"No this isn't supposed to hurt, but then again I've never been on the other side of this spell. Oh nice tidbits of information that might help." The man said as he sucked the information from Spike.
Spike stood motionlessly while he could feel important stuff was sucked from his brain. This guy obviously didn't know how this felt. It was like he was being drained of all his energy which wasn't that much to begin with.
"Hum that is some interesting stuff you have stored in your brain. Lots of crap about the slayer and how beautiful she is and her favorite places to be touched, but there is some interesting things that the Dark Mistress will want to know. Like the soul thing. Thanks." The mysterious man let go of his control on Spike and Spike fell to the ground.
"I guess that I took a little more then I should have. It's okay. Your precious slayer is here and she'll find you. Maybe she'll nurse you back to health and you'll get to touch her again. That is if she isn't repulsed by you yet." The man said as he left leaving Spike to lay on the ground unmoving.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Well I was just saying that nothing could be more boring then research and you go and rent a stupid Star Wars movie." Anya said as she munched on popcorn.
"A New Hope is a great movie." Xander said trying to defend himself.
"Xander I have to admit that Anya has a point. I'd actually rather be reading those boring books." Dawn said.
"I wouldn't go that far. I hate it all. Hopefully the covens will come up with something to do." Anya said.
"Yeah we need to help Willow go back you her original ways. This is our only chance." Xander said with a hopeful tone in his voice. Truth be told he was the only one that had hope that Willow would return to normal. He had kept the hope and it never faltered. Anya and Dawn had their doubts about everything concerning Willow. She had killed people. Maybe not that innocent, but they were people. You don't come back from something like that easily.
"Yeah I just hope that Spike gets back." Dawn's sentenced had been cut short by a loud thunder-like noise. The front door flew off its hinges and Dawn was glad that she wasn't in its way. Willow came in.
"Willow what're you doing."Anya started.
"Save it demon. We've come here for the knowledge that you've obtained about the prophecy." Amy said.
"Doesn't she do her own talking." Dawn said with a hint of venom.
"Dawnie don't interfere in matters you know nothing about. Know the information will be sucked out of you even if I have to have magical assistance."
"Willow please listen to me." Xander tried.
"Bored now." Green light shot out of Willow's hands and she sucked the information from the three people's brains. After she was done the Anya, Xander, and Dawn fell to the ground just like Spike had done when the information was sucked from his brain.
"Sorry to hurt you guys, but I really needed that information." Willow said as she left the house with Amy following close behind.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- -
"Oh for God's sakes we have to search the docks for him. This just isn't like him." Buffy said as she got up and started to walk around the dock.
"Yes I think that you're right." Giles said as he followed her.
She was vigorously searching the docks on one side and Giles started searching the other side. Desperation was coming off Buffy in waves and Giles knew that it just wasn't because Spike was a good fighter. Although there was nothing that he disapproved of more then his slayer falling in love with another vampire there was nothing that he could do about it. Buffy was an adult. She was twenty-two know and could make her own decisions. He had to stand back and realize it some time.
Although sometime hadn't occurred yet and he was hoping that Buffy would not have feelings for Spike and he could just be an ally. That would never happen though. Buffy had strong feelings for Spike and even though she tried to squash them down they would eventually come to the surface.
Giles was looking with less reverence then Buffy when heard her call his name. He rushed over to her as quickly as he could manage. Buffy had been searching all over the dock for Spike. It wasn't like him to just not show up on time. She found him in a crumpled pile on the dock. He looked kinda of like he was in a tortured sleep. Like he had been drained of all his energy and he was sleeping to try and gain it back.
Buffy picked him up and called out to Giles. He wasn't as heavy as she remembered him being. It might have something to do with the fact that he was very skinny and sickly looking. None of that usual cocky badass persona was left or at least not resurfacing.
Buffy felt Spike stir in her arms. She was carrying him like a newly married man would carry his wife over the threshold. Buffy started to make her way back to where Giles and she had waited for Spike's ship to come when Giles came running over to them.
"Dear lord what happened to him?"
"I'm not sure. He's very sick looking though. Not at all as heavy as he used to be." Spike stirred again and a loud moan was heard from him.
"I think that he's waking up." Buffy said to Giles.
"Let's get him to the car." Giles said as he made his way to the SUV and Buffy followed behind him. Halfway to the car Spike tried to open his lazy eyes. He could tell that he was being carried and he knew who was doing the carrying.
"Buffy." Spike said with hoarse voice. His throat was very dry.
"Spike are you okay?" Buffy said as she looked down at him. His eyes were partially opened.
"This a dream?" Spike asked.
"No this is the really thing. Can you tell me what happened?"
"Magic. Some bloody wanker came outta nowhere and sucked some information outta my brain."
"Yeah well it must have been one of Willow's guys."
"Still hard to believe that Red has guys."
"Believe it. She has a whole bunch of diluted witches going along with her. Must have seen that you were coming."
"Yeah." Spike was cut of from his sentence by another memory.
This one was one that he knew to well. It was when he had killed his first slayer. He saw himself searching for her and goading her on until that final battle where he bit into her neck. If he hadn't been disgusted already he was disgusted when he saw what Dru and he did after he killed the poor girl.
"No! Stop it! I didn't mean it! I was animal! Please just stop! 'M sorry!" Spike started shouting.
"Spike what's wrong."
"Get away from me! 'M a very bad person. All those things that I did. How could you still be near me? All those people I killed." "That is in the past. You're better now. You've been fighting on the side of good for along time now and you help out." Buffy said trying to calm him down.
"It hurts. It hurts too much." Spike said in a barely audible voice. He sounded so small.
"It's going to be okay. Everyone is going to help you get through whatever it is that is bothering you." Buffy said. She held him closer to her as she walked to the SUV. Spike felt safe and comforted. Until another memory popped up.
It was of him killing his second slayer. He saw as he fought the woman on the subway and how she had lost. He could almost feel it when he snapped her neck.
"Ah!" Spike said his scream muffled in Buffy's clothes.
"What is it?" Buffy said.
"No I shouldn't be near you. I killed two slayers and I shouldn't be near you."
"Shhh it's okay. I know that you won't hurt me."
"No you don't know that. The monster has tried to hurt you. I can see it. You shouldn't be near me."
"Spike everything is going to be okay."
"This is okay! How is this okay?"
"I'm saying that it'll be okay." Buffy said as she finally made it to the car. She put Spike in the back seat and sat down next to him. She opened the ice chest that they had brought with blood in it and took out a packet. Giles got in the front and started the car.
Buffy opened the packet of blood that was in her hand.
"Drink this."
"What is it?"
"It's just blood. Come on you have to drink it in order to get healthy again." Buffy said when Spike refused to drink the blood. She put it right in front of his mouth. Spike could smell the blood.
Nothing special about pig's blood at all. In fact it had the weirdest smell and tasted a little funny, but to a starving vampire it was everything. Sure Spike drank pig's blood instead of human blood, but he usually mixed in some alcohol and some herbs that he found in the Magic Box. He couldn't resist the smell though.
He subconsciously liked his lips and Buffy pushed the packet closer to him. He finally opened his mouth and Buffy stuck the packet in his mouth. The coppery fluid filled Spike's mouth and he tried to lap up all of it in one big gulp. He drank from it until all of the blood was gone and then tried to drink more.
"There's more if you want some." Buffy said when she saw that Spike was obviously still hungry. "Some more would be good."
Two packets of blood later Spike was satisfied and actually trying to rest his mind. They had been driving for about only an hour now. Memories did keep popping up in Spike's head but he tried his hardest to ignore them.
"You look tired, Slayer." Spike said.
"Yeah well I haven't been getting that much sleep."
"The dreams leavin ya feelin less then refreshed?"
"That's it exactly."
"Get some sleep. Don't think that the dream thin will happen tanight."
"Yeah I could use some rest. Although I don't know how I'm going to sleep in a car."
"Lay down like 'm doing, but in the other seats."
"You okay?"
"Yeah. 'M gonna get some rest or at least try. Get some rest."
"Okay."
Buffy said as she climbed into the third row of seats and lay down. She tried to get some rest, but her mind was all over the place. Spike was back and things would at least be a little bit better then they were before. She closed her eyes and thought about what had happened during the three months he was away.
All of the pain that had accumulated while he was away seemed to wash away right now as she tried to get some sleep. He was very strong and always had been the stronger one when it came to emotions. He would help her out of this pit of doom and she would help him regain his sanity.
Spike listened to Buffy as he tried to rest. Every breath that came out of her mouth was like a gift to Spike. Her heartbeat was like a song that sang out to him. He tried to focus on her rather then the nagging feeling that he was evil and had done so many evil things that he didn't deserve to be this close. He was here and damn it he was going to enjoy this moment.
For three months he had been around the world and had suffered a great deal of pain. He went to Africa to get his soul. For her; it was always for her. Although he benefited from it as well. Okay so that remained to be seen, but it was supposed to. He knew that things would turn out all right. She was a strong person and would help him become who he used to be before he left except a little better. He would help her too. He problems had to weigh on her and he would gladly take that burden off of her. They would help each other through this.
Giles drove in complete silence. What do you say to someone who most likely one his soul? Had fought for it with all his might and won. He had so many questions for Spike about how he had gotten his soul, but the poor vampire had looked quite ill. Buffy had been right about him not looking like his usual self. He was probably reliving painful memories as well. He would just have to wait to grill him.
He saw how Buffy had taken care of him and knew that any bad feelings about his slayer and a vampire being together were going to have to be kept to himself. Buffy cared about Spike and it was obvious over these past three months that he was the only person that she felt she could talk to.
His disapproval would only make Buffy isolate herself more. That wasn't what they needed right now. Buffy couldn't shut herself down. No if Spike was the person that Buffy needed then Giles would let it be. He would just except that Buffy needed someone that wasn't him. Besides Spike wasn't a bad guy. He was a really good guy nowadays. He had proven that he deserved their respect. And he had a soul now.
Chapter 6:
Buffy woke up to the sound of her name being called. It was a voice with a British accent, but not the one she was hoping for. It was Giles. There was also some pounding going on. Buffy got up and realized that she was still in the ship. How could I still be here when Spike isn't? What the hell is going on here? Buffy tried to concentrate on getting out, but she didn't know how.
She could hear Giles calling her name, but she had no way of answering him. Crap how am I going to get out of here? Just when Buffy thought that she was out of ideas she found herself in the dingy hotel she had been in last night.
Buffy didn't know how it happened, but decided to take it as a blessing. Giles was still loudly knocking on the door.
"Buffy! Buffy wake up and open the bloody door!" Buffy got up and opened the door. "
Hey Giles." Buffy said in a sleepy voice. Giles looked at her. She looked worn out still, possibly more then she did yesterday.
"Dear Lord! Did you sleep at all last night?"
"No, Spike and I played lets be in each other's dream again and this time I couldn't get out. I woke up and I was still on the ship in the dream. Spike was able to leave hours ago when he heard someone coming. I think that is how I came back. I heard you and I realized that I was needed so I some how got back here."
"Fascinating."
"You wouldn't find it so fascinating if you were the one being kept up all night. I think we should go. We are supposed to be at the docks by nine tonight. What time is it?"
"Almost noon."
"Well then we better hurry. Did you find out where the docks are?"
"Yes I think that we will manage to get there on time."
"Great then let's go." _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Spike was hiding behind a big box of cargo. He had almost been caught last night. He had tried to sit down and rest, but his mind kept working and he couldn't seem to sit still. He kept seeing things about his life that disturbed him. He couldn't help, but shutter at the memories of all the bad things he had done. He just wanted to go back to Sunnydale and hide in his crypt forever.
He knew that he couldn't. He knew that he had to help save the world and prove himself to Buffy. He couldn't just sit back and watch her suffer. He would just have to suck it up. He would only be on this ship for a couple more hours and then it would be back to Sunnydale. Back to his home.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- - -- -
Willow sat on her chair looking at all the witches that were under her control. She couldn't believe that she had influenced so many good witches to the dark side. She had taken control of Rack's customers and made other good witches realize that the good way wasn't the best way to go. They were misguided fools who believed that the fight between good and evil was best fought on the side of good.
"Willow there is a rouse in the seeing area of the sanctuary." Amy said bowing to Willow.
"I thought that I told you never to call me that again. It's dark mistress and what is the commotion about?"
"There is a rousing that concerns them about our cause." "
Amy just spit it out. I'm really getting very bored with your incessant talking."
"The seers detect a force that well blast us down. Something about there being a prophecy to stop you with your powers."
"So I was prophesied. What was this prophecy about?"
"Something to do with the savior and the slayer."
Buffy! Of course it would have something to do with Buffy. The great force of good that would try to foil her plans. I will definitely enjoy taking her down. Who does she think she is? She'll never be able to take me down. Willow thought.
"So Buffy and her gang are going to try and take me down. They are one short considering that they don't have the vampire."
"The Seers have actually seen something about the vampire's situation."
"Yes?"
"He is rumored to be coming back. Our witch on the inside at Dawn's school has informed us that the vampire is going to show up soon."
"Oh poor Dawnie thought that she has a friend. I almost feel bad about exploiting her. Good thing that it's almost. The vampire won't make things that much harder then they already are."
"If I may speak frankly the Seers said that the vampire might cause a problem considering he is involved in the prophecy. Should we send an assemblage to take him down?"
"I think so. See Buffy might be there to get him and will have to see how powerful she is. Just to scout. Will have to make alliances with some quite hairy people. After all we are evil. Taking down evil just doesn't seem right anymore."
Amy nodded her head.
"I mean this whole good against evil vengeance against evil doers is getting old fast. Killing bad people is just. boring. I think it's time to really show them how much of a terror I can be."
Amy nodded again. She was just in it for the magick it offered to her. She had heard about Rack and what Willow did and immediately joined forces with her. It was all about the magick for Amy. Of course she did feel above everyone, but she hadn't actually participated in killing a human. Vampires and demons were fair game, but Willow was soon letting the magick corrupt her. Not that Amy complained about it. As long as she had magic.
"So we will just wait and see what happens. That's good."
"Do you doubt that I'm going down the wrong path? Are you questioning me?"
"Stop reading my mind. I have doubts, but I know that you will lead us down the right path."
"I hope that you believe that. But for me reassurance," Willow put her hands to Amy's head,
"This won't hurt a bit." Willow said as she gave Amy a jolt of pure black magic.
The jolt was over and Amy opened her eyes. They were all black.
"So why do you live?"
"To serve you," was Amy's monotone response.
"Good no more doubts. Now please go check how my assembles are doing." "
Yes my dark mistress." Amy left and Willow had a satisfied smile on her face. She dared for Buffy to make a move when her forces were so powerful. She may have Spike, but she had almost fifty troops at her disposal.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"His boat should have been here by now. Giles he said that he heard a noise last night. What if he was caught and something happened to him?" Buffy said not able to hide the worry in her voice. She had a right to be worried. There was history there and she didn't have to say that she had feelings for Spike.
"Buffy will you stop pacing. It's very irritating." Giles said as he took of his glasses and rubbed his head. He was also worried that something might have happened to Spike, but he thought that Buffy could at least contain her worry a little better.
"Sorry Giles. It's just that it's almost ten. Spike's boat was supposed to be here at nine. I'm just wigged a little what with Wills being the big bad and her little gang of witches."
"Well a certain level of paranoia is good to have in these situations. You just have to calm down. Boats are late all the time."
"Okay just chill."
Buffy sat down on one of the many crates that could be found on the dock. So she was a little anxious to see Spike. That was the understatement of the year. It seemed that she kept making understatement after understatement. She wasn't exactly sure she could just sit there and not know what happened to him. What if something had gone wrong? She would just have to sit tight and wait.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - Spike made his way to the deck. He could smell that it was night and that he was close to home. To Buffy and everything else he held close to his heart. He had hoped that Buffy would bring Dawn, but he figured that that probably didn't happen. It had to be a weekday. He wanted nothing more then to go back to his home and see everything that he claimed to hate about Sunnydale, but really loved.
It was all waiting for him to come. He slowly sank in to the shadows that were on the boat. He was on the deck and the ship was being tied to the dock. So it would only be a few minutes before he got to see Buffy. He was a little scared that he might go insane guy on her, but he had to try and be strong for Buffy.
The boat was docked and Spike practically ran off of it. He glanced through the shadows to see if he could find Buffy. He searched for her until he came face to face with someone he didn't know or recognize. He figured that it was just some dockhand.
"So this is that vampire. The Dark Mistress didn't say that you were so. weak. This should be easy to get information out of you."
"Sorry Mate, but I don't know what you're talkin bout."
"Please don't play dumb. I know that I was just supposed scout things out, but I couldn't help it. Just couldn't resist getting some information out of you."
"Mate I know that you think that you are going to get information out of me, but you're wrong."
"I have other ways then asking you." The man stuck out his hand and a jet of white light came out.
"No this isn't supposed to hurt, but then again I've never been on the other side of this spell. Oh nice tidbits of information that might help." The man said as he sucked the information from Spike.
Spike stood motionlessly while he could feel important stuff was sucked from his brain. This guy obviously didn't know how this felt. It was like he was being drained of all his energy which wasn't that much to begin with.
"Hum that is some interesting stuff you have stored in your brain. Lots of crap about the slayer and how beautiful she is and her favorite places to be touched, but there is some interesting things that the Dark Mistress will want to know. Like the soul thing. Thanks." The mysterious man let go of his control on Spike and Spike fell to the ground.
"I guess that I took a little more then I should have. It's okay. Your precious slayer is here and she'll find you. Maybe she'll nurse you back to health and you'll get to touch her again. That is if she isn't repulsed by you yet." The man said as he left leaving Spike to lay on the ground unmoving.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Well I was just saying that nothing could be more boring then research and you go and rent a stupid Star Wars movie." Anya said as she munched on popcorn.
"A New Hope is a great movie." Xander said trying to defend himself.
"Xander I have to admit that Anya has a point. I'd actually rather be reading those boring books." Dawn said.
"I wouldn't go that far. I hate it all. Hopefully the covens will come up with something to do." Anya said.
"Yeah we need to help Willow go back you her original ways. This is our only chance." Xander said with a hopeful tone in his voice. Truth be told he was the only one that had hope that Willow would return to normal. He had kept the hope and it never faltered. Anya and Dawn had their doubts about everything concerning Willow. She had killed people. Maybe not that innocent, but they were people. You don't come back from something like that easily.
"Yeah I just hope that Spike gets back." Dawn's sentenced had been cut short by a loud thunder-like noise. The front door flew off its hinges and Dawn was glad that she wasn't in its way. Willow came in.
"Willow what're you doing."Anya started.
"Save it demon. We've come here for the knowledge that you've obtained about the prophecy." Amy said.
"Doesn't she do her own talking." Dawn said with a hint of venom.
"Dawnie don't interfere in matters you know nothing about. Know the information will be sucked out of you even if I have to have magical assistance."
"Willow please listen to me." Xander tried.
"Bored now." Green light shot out of Willow's hands and she sucked the information from the three people's brains. After she was done the Anya, Xander, and Dawn fell to the ground just like Spike had done when the information was sucked from his brain.
"Sorry to hurt you guys, but I really needed that information." Willow said as she left the house with Amy following close behind.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- -
"Oh for God's sakes we have to search the docks for him. This just isn't like him." Buffy said as she got up and started to walk around the dock.
"Yes I think that you're right." Giles said as he followed her.
She was vigorously searching the docks on one side and Giles started searching the other side. Desperation was coming off Buffy in waves and Giles knew that it just wasn't because Spike was a good fighter. Although there was nothing that he disapproved of more then his slayer falling in love with another vampire there was nothing that he could do about it. Buffy was an adult. She was twenty-two know and could make her own decisions. He had to stand back and realize it some time.
Although sometime hadn't occurred yet and he was hoping that Buffy would not have feelings for Spike and he could just be an ally. That would never happen though. Buffy had strong feelings for Spike and even though she tried to squash them down they would eventually come to the surface.
Giles was looking with less reverence then Buffy when heard her call his name. He rushed over to her as quickly as he could manage. Buffy had been searching all over the dock for Spike. It wasn't like him to just not show up on time. She found him in a crumpled pile on the dock. He looked kinda of like he was in a tortured sleep. Like he had been drained of all his energy and he was sleeping to try and gain it back.
Buffy picked him up and called out to Giles. He wasn't as heavy as she remembered him being. It might have something to do with the fact that he was very skinny and sickly looking. None of that usual cocky badass persona was left or at least not resurfacing.
Buffy felt Spike stir in her arms. She was carrying him like a newly married man would carry his wife over the threshold. Buffy started to make her way back to where Giles and she had waited for Spike's ship to come when Giles came running over to them.
"Dear lord what happened to him?"
"I'm not sure. He's very sick looking though. Not at all as heavy as he used to be." Spike stirred again and a loud moan was heard from him.
"I think that he's waking up." Buffy said to Giles.
"Let's get him to the car." Giles said as he made his way to the SUV and Buffy followed behind him. Halfway to the car Spike tried to open his lazy eyes. He could tell that he was being carried and he knew who was doing the carrying.
"Buffy." Spike said with hoarse voice. His throat was very dry.
"Spike are you okay?" Buffy said as she looked down at him. His eyes were partially opened.
"This a dream?" Spike asked.
"No this is the really thing. Can you tell me what happened?"
"Magic. Some bloody wanker came outta nowhere and sucked some information outta my brain."
"Yeah well it must have been one of Willow's guys."
"Still hard to believe that Red has guys."
"Believe it. She has a whole bunch of diluted witches going along with her. Must have seen that you were coming."
"Yeah." Spike was cut of from his sentence by another memory.
This one was one that he knew to well. It was when he had killed his first slayer. He saw himself searching for her and goading her on until that final battle where he bit into her neck. If he hadn't been disgusted already he was disgusted when he saw what Dru and he did after he killed the poor girl.
"No! Stop it! I didn't mean it! I was animal! Please just stop! 'M sorry!" Spike started shouting.
"Spike what's wrong."
"Get away from me! 'M a very bad person. All those things that I did. How could you still be near me? All those people I killed." "That is in the past. You're better now. You've been fighting on the side of good for along time now and you help out." Buffy said trying to calm him down.
"It hurts. It hurts too much." Spike said in a barely audible voice. He sounded so small.
"It's going to be okay. Everyone is going to help you get through whatever it is that is bothering you." Buffy said. She held him closer to her as she walked to the SUV. Spike felt safe and comforted. Until another memory popped up.
It was of him killing his second slayer. He saw as he fought the woman on the subway and how she had lost. He could almost feel it when he snapped her neck.
"Ah!" Spike said his scream muffled in Buffy's clothes.
"What is it?" Buffy said.
"No I shouldn't be near you. I killed two slayers and I shouldn't be near you."
"Shhh it's okay. I know that you won't hurt me."
"No you don't know that. The monster has tried to hurt you. I can see it. You shouldn't be near me."
"Spike everything is going to be okay."
"This is okay! How is this okay?"
"I'm saying that it'll be okay." Buffy said as she finally made it to the car. She put Spike in the back seat and sat down next to him. She opened the ice chest that they had brought with blood in it and took out a packet. Giles got in the front and started the car.
Buffy opened the packet of blood that was in her hand.
"Drink this."
"What is it?"
"It's just blood. Come on you have to drink it in order to get healthy again." Buffy said when Spike refused to drink the blood. She put it right in front of his mouth. Spike could smell the blood.
Nothing special about pig's blood at all. In fact it had the weirdest smell and tasted a little funny, but to a starving vampire it was everything. Sure Spike drank pig's blood instead of human blood, but he usually mixed in some alcohol and some herbs that he found in the Magic Box. He couldn't resist the smell though.
He subconsciously liked his lips and Buffy pushed the packet closer to him. He finally opened his mouth and Buffy stuck the packet in his mouth. The coppery fluid filled Spike's mouth and he tried to lap up all of it in one big gulp. He drank from it until all of the blood was gone and then tried to drink more.
"There's more if you want some." Buffy said when she saw that Spike was obviously still hungry. "Some more would be good."
Two packets of blood later Spike was satisfied and actually trying to rest his mind. They had been driving for about only an hour now. Memories did keep popping up in Spike's head but he tried his hardest to ignore them.
"You look tired, Slayer." Spike said.
"Yeah well I haven't been getting that much sleep."
"The dreams leavin ya feelin less then refreshed?"
"That's it exactly."
"Get some sleep. Don't think that the dream thin will happen tanight."
"Yeah I could use some rest. Although I don't know how I'm going to sleep in a car."
"Lay down like 'm doing, but in the other seats."
"You okay?"
"Yeah. 'M gonna get some rest or at least try. Get some rest."
"Okay."
Buffy said as she climbed into the third row of seats and lay down. She tried to get some rest, but her mind was all over the place. Spike was back and things would at least be a little bit better then they were before. She closed her eyes and thought about what had happened during the three months he was away.
All of the pain that had accumulated while he was away seemed to wash away right now as she tried to get some sleep. He was very strong and always had been the stronger one when it came to emotions. He would help her out of this pit of doom and she would help him regain his sanity.
Spike listened to Buffy as he tried to rest. Every breath that came out of her mouth was like a gift to Spike. Her heartbeat was like a song that sang out to him. He tried to focus on her rather then the nagging feeling that he was evil and had done so many evil things that he didn't deserve to be this close. He was here and damn it he was going to enjoy this moment.
For three months he had been around the world and had suffered a great deal of pain. He went to Africa to get his soul. For her; it was always for her. Although he benefited from it as well. Okay so that remained to be seen, but it was supposed to. He knew that things would turn out all right. She was a strong person and would help him become who he used to be before he left except a little better. He would help her too. He problems had to weigh on her and he would gladly take that burden off of her. They would help each other through this.
Giles drove in complete silence. What do you say to someone who most likely one his soul? Had fought for it with all his might and won. He had so many questions for Spike about how he had gotten his soul, but the poor vampire had looked quite ill. Buffy had been right about him not looking like his usual self. He was probably reliving painful memories as well. He would just have to wait to grill him.
He saw how Buffy had taken care of him and knew that any bad feelings about his slayer and a vampire being together were going to have to be kept to himself. Buffy cared about Spike and it was obvious over these past three months that he was the only person that she felt she could talk to.
His disapproval would only make Buffy isolate herself more. That wasn't what they needed right now. Buffy couldn't shut herself down. No if Spike was the person that Buffy needed then Giles would let it be. He would just except that Buffy needed someone that wasn't him. Besides Spike wasn't a bad guy. He was a really good guy nowadays. He had proven that he deserved their respect. And he had a soul now.
