A/N : Yeah so this fic is headed for the finish line, but it ahs a little way to go yet, few more chapters. I want to thank the reviewers of the previous chapter; Mistik07, libraflyter, Arisluv, Moonjava, Daniel Wesley Rydell, sheilamarie, DGtek-CrazyaboutAngel, SlaYeRGiRLkaL, Moluvsnumber17, kargrif, zanthinegirl, buffy crazy, CrazymySpike, DemonicaMills, Spuffy6, pixiecorn, Anyank0705, Pulchra Nex, Freezyboncoolipants, Charmed-angel4, Time Rowanwood, lil-leti, velja, pixysticks666, hmm, Rowan Rice, VaMpYrE-bUnNiEs04, Bridge, funkydevil206, Wolfram and Hart TTB, Celestia Nailo, courtney37, Lindsay, Kandis Briggs, MaidenRo, Spuffyfan4eva, Mastermind, Xtremely-Canadian, Jen, Magick, Aliiegirl, spikespet2002, Archnemeses, Ape18, Susan, spuffy4eva, Lady Nightspike, Brunettepet, Miss Edith. My God that took a long time to type all those names, but I am grateful to each and every one of you for taking the time to write a comment for me. Sorry for leaving you hanging so long. Now where were we with this fic? Oh right I remember, Buffy and Spike all grown up again, and sharing a bed...
(For disclaimer, etc. - see chapter 1)
Chapter 14
Spike awoke with a strange mixture of thoughts in his head, none of which seemed to fit too well. Something was different, familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. He was in a bed which made sense, he did seem to remember getting put to bed a few hours ago, but then why did he need help with that? He was quite capable of going to bed by himself, but it seemed he was far from alone as he realised something soft and warm was pressed against him. His arms were wrapped around the form of a woman, the back of whom was pressed flush against the front of his own body. She smelt familiar, sweet but strong, and it took him just a few more moments to realise it was Buffy, the Slayer.
As much as he wanted to be disgusted at the idea of being close to the enemy in this way, he couldn't help but love the feel on her in his arms. Memories jumbled around in his head, and he desperately tried to make sense of what was going on. Childhood memories mixed in with adult ones, those from his human life and others from his vampiric existence.
He and Buffy had been children together, and though he couldn't remember how it had happened, he remembered almost everything else. Calling Joyce Mum and watching cartoons with Buffy. Sitting beneath the dining room table colouring pictures and...oh God, promising to marry the Slayer!
"My Slayer-Bint" he whispered in the dark, a slow smile spreading across his lips as he pulled his woman closer to him, careful not to wake her. She was beautiful and she was his. He ran his fingers down her arm, taking her hand in his and feeling his ring on her third finger. It had really happened, he'd fallen in love with the enemy of all the ridiculous things, but it was true. Better yet, she had loved him too, cared about him like no-one else. Joyce had been his mother and cared for him too and together they were a family for a while.
As insane as it was, Spike had never felt as content as he had when he was that five year old boy, running around with the mini-Slayer, tying up the baby-sitter and getting a hug from his temporary Mum. Whatever had made that life happen had taken it away, they were back to their full-size adult selves and there was no way anyone would want him around now, but for a couple more hours at least, whilst Buffy slept, he could live the dream.
She turned over in her sleep though she never left his arms and smiled from an apparent pretty dream. Spike only hoped he was there and that he was making her this happy, then maybe in the morning she would be less disgusted by the situation she found herself in. He had no doubt she'd be less than thrilled to wake and see his face on the pillow next to her, but she had loved him before, he knew she had. If his love had sustained the transition back to adulthood, it was not ridiculous to think her feelings might remain too, but he doubted it somehow.
Her leg crossed over his as she shifted closer still and Spike did his best not to react to the feel of her body so near to his. The T-shirts Joyce had dressed them in now barely reached their waists and left little to anyone's imagination. Spike closed his eyes briefly, and let out a sigh of relief when she stop wriggling against him. He lay there and watched her taking even breaths and knew it would be impossible to sleep. He must enjoy this moment for as long as it lasted, because he had a definite feeling it would not last long.
Buffy had a hard time keeping up her facade of being asleep, but she knew she must. When she'd first woken up and her mind had processed what had happened she didn't know whether to laugh of cry. Something about a spell that Willow did had been mentioned but she was just a child when they talked about it and she hadn't been paying much attention. Just a child, it seemed odd but she and Spike had been children. Her memories had got so muddled up and even now it was difficult to keep them straight. One thing she knew for certain was that she had very strong feelings for a certain vampire, who held her in his arms right now.
He'd said he loved her, she'd said it back, and on her hand she wore his ring, a symbol of their promise to marry each other one day. It was ridiculous and she knew it, but he'd been her best friend or possibly even more than that, and she knew in the morning it would all have to end. He wouldn't want to be her friend anymore, he'd go right back to wanting to kill her and she must do the same. The spell had ended and that meant their relationship must too. He's evil, she reminded herself, but it was difficult to convince herself after all they'd shared. In their child form, they were different people in some ways, but in others they were just little versions of their actual selves. He was still Spike and she was still Buffy, both with their super-strength, and yet they cared for each other in a way that was new and strange to the Slayer. She didn't want it to end, if it was anyone but Spike this had happened with she wouldn't let it stop now just because their time as five year olds was over, but he wouldn't want her now and she shouldn't want him.
He pulled her tighter to him, she assumed wrongly it was a subconscious act he performed in his sleep and she shivered in a glorious way when his cool fingers ran over her skin. She swore she heard him repeat words he'd said before, calling her that ridiculous name his child-sized version had made up, but she decided she must be wrong.
Wanting to get closer, she turned around in the circle of his arms, feigning sleep the whole time just in case she woke him. She dare not open her eyes in case he saw, she couldn't stand the confrontation right now. Just for tonight she wanted him to hold her and love her, for as long as possible. In the morning she would deal with the whys and wherefores and the big fight she knew was inevitable. She'd have to play the part of the disgusted, high and mighty Slayer, and pretend it didn't hurt when the sight of her appalled him. She could cry when he was gone and start to get over him as he walked out of her life, just like every other man she'd ever cared about had done. At least for a couple more hours though, they could be happily in love.
The sun-light shone through the gap between the drapes, getting Giles right in the eyes. He squirmed to get away and found it impossible and he realised why when he looked down. Curled up beneath his arm, head resting on his chest was Joyce, fast asleep as he had been a moment ago. After a brief moment of wondering at how peaceful and beautiful she looked it occurred to him that he could actually see her. He grinned at the realisation, and eager to share the good news with Joyce, he jostled her shoulder slightly in an attempt to wake her. It didn't work, and believing he'd never get another opportunity like this he followed his instincts and put his lips to hers.
Joyce slowly awoke, opening her eyes and feeling a little startled to realise the dream she'd been having had crossed over into reality. Rupert was kissing her and it was just as wonderful as she remembered it being last year when he'd leaned her back over that cop car and...
"Good morning" he smiled when he finally pulled away slightly.
"Hi" she replied softly, feeling quite breathless but perfectly happy.
"I must say you are a beautiful sight to wake up to" he told her, "and yes, that does mean my eyes are fully functional once again"
"Oh, that's wonderful Rupert" Joyce grinned, hugging him and suddenly realising how close they'd become again. He moved to kiss her again but she quickly pulled away, realising what had happened.
"Oh, goodness" she gasped, scrambling from the couch. Giles looked quite hurt that she appeared to be running away but she quickly explained, "If you're sight is back, then the kids..." she left the rest of the sentence unsaid as she hurried up the stairs, not entirely sure when she got to the door whether she should just barge in or knock. The decision was about to be made for her.
Buffy stirred as she woke up, opening her eyes and seeing Spike laying beside her, watching her. She fought the smile that wanted to form on her lips and sat up sharply, pulling the covers tight around her.
"What the hell is going on!" she acted like a pro and the vampire followed suit, looking suitably disgusted by their current situation.
"How the bloody hell should I know!" he yelled back, "Just woke up, saw you there and...what did you do to me?" he accused, knowing full well she'd done nothing at all. Nothing but love him of course.
"You think I want to be within ten feet of you?" Buffy asked incredulousy, knowing she wanted to be so much closer and yet something made her deny it all, "Get out" she said, hoping it came out nastily as she pulled the bed clothes tighter around her.
Spike couldn't help the smirk that formed on his lips as he leaned towards her.
"Look at you, all defensive, like a bloody terrified virgin" he told her, making her squirm.
"I'm fairly certain" she said, leaning in also, "that I told you to get out!"
"Where would you have me go, pet?" he asked, getting out of the bed but making no move to leave the room, "In case you didn't notice, daylight outside" he pointed out, though her eyes didn't turn to the window, just stayed on his body, showed off by the T-shirt that was tight on his chest now. The fact that it was all he wore except his underwear was something to hold her attention too.
"Whats up, Slayer?" he smirked, "Seen something you like?" he leered.
There was something about the way he looked at her, like it wasn't as simple as it seemed. Maybe he was acting as much as she was, she couldn't tell, but all this innuendo and the way he stared too much, it gave her an idea.
"That all depends" she said, surprising him, "You see anything you want, Spike?" she asked innocently, letting the covers drop from her body.
The vampire took his time looking her up and down before climbing back onto the bed beside her and answering her question in a soft voice.
"Yeah, I see something I want" he told her, running his fingers down her arm and picking up her left hand as he had done earlier whilst she slept, "I think this is mine" he said, pushing her own hand towards her face till she realised his ring rested on her finger, "Be a luv and give me the soddin' ring back, eh pet?" he smirked evilly, "'S the best one I've got"
He climbed off the bed, taking the comforter with him and wrapping it round his waist. He had enough respect for Joyce that he didn't want to embarrass her if they met in the hall. She'd always been decent to him, even before the child-making spell.
"You bastard" Buffy sneered as she tried to pull the ring from her finger. It was much more difficult that she anticipated and after several attempts she was practically growling at the confounded item of jewellery that flatly refused to come free from her finger.
"Stuff the bleedin' ring, Slayer" Spike shook his head, "I'm outta here" he said, reaching for the door knob. As he opened the door, Joyce practically fell through it, looking more than a little embarrassed.
"Spike, Buffy, you're back" she smiled nervously, unsure as to what exactly had been happening before she arrived.
"Hello Joyce" the vampire smiled amiably, "Was just wonderin', any chance of a cuppa?" he asked with a tilt of his head.
"Oh, yes, absolutely" Buffy's mother nodded, backing out of the room once again as the Slayer got off the bed, taking the covers with her and wrapping them round her body, "Did you want anything, Buffy?" Joyce checked.
"Two minutes alone with Spike and a pointy stick?" she suggested, immediately regretting her choice of phrasing when his eyebrow raised in a suggestive manner.
"Now, now, Slayer" he smirked, "Not in front of Mum" he said, slipping by the two women and heading downstairs.
Joyce sighed from both relief that neither of them were dead, and because she knew despite appearances the love they'd had for each other as children had not been completely extinguished by the reversal spell.
To Be Continued...
A/N2 : Well, I hope the recations post-spell didn't disappoint anyone. Please give your opinions in the good old-fashioned reviewing type way and I'll update when I can.
