"Spike, just go!" The blond vampire shrugged and walked out the door, leaving an irate slayer and two of her slayerettes behind him. They had been talking about the weird vibe Buffy still got from Gypsi when Spike got bored and began acting up. The vampire walked down the street, hands in pockets and head down. He turned a corner to cut through an alley and saw a group of about seven teens.
"Crap…" Spike muttered under his breath as the humans walked up to him menacingly. With that chip in his head he was helpless against these idiots. The truth of that was literally pounded into him within the next few seconds. Even vampire speed won't save a person when he's cornered.
… … …
"C'mon Gypsi! Get out here!"
"Not a chance!"
"It's not that bad!"
"Says you! I'm the one who has to wear it!"
"You know that if it was my color I'd wear it!"
"Yeah right!"
"Is she always this stubborn?"
"Nope. This is a special occasion."
"What's so special about it?" Xander asked, leaning against a doorpost.
"She just learned that Spike might like her."
"So she has to be picky about her outfit?"
"Yep. If she dresses to impress, he'll get ideas. If she dresses grunge, she'll stick out in the crowd."
"It's just the Bronze."
"Not the point." The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Raven raised her eyebrow and went to the door to investigate. She pulled it open and let her mouth drop open in shock. "Spike?" she asked, not sure that the person in front of her was really the vampire.
"Could you… invite me… in, luv?"
"Right! Come in, Spike." The vampire collapsed and fell through the doorway. Xander, who had followed the pale girl out when he heard the vampire's name, caught the bleached male and carried him over to the couch.
"What happened?"
"Group of about… seven teens…. bloody chip…"
"What's going on?" Gypsi asked as she walked into the room. She had finally decided on her regular clothes: tight T-shirt and baggy jeans. She gasped when she saw the bruised and beaten vampire, rushing out of the room and returning with a damp cloth.
The dark girl knelt next to the sofa, gently cleaning the blood off of Spike. His eyes stayed on her the entire time, confusion evident in the bright blue orbs. "We need to take care of this…now. Izzy? You and Willow…"
"I could ask… And if Tara helps too it would be easier."
"Would someone mind explaining?" Xander asked. Spike showed his agreement by a soft grunt.
"Not right now. I have a phone call to make, and you need to stay in here with Gypsi and Spike."
… … …
The vampire sat in the center of the circle, biting his lip nervously. Around him stood three witches. Willow, Tara, and Raven held hands around him and began to chant. Spike glanced nervously at the Scoobies gathered in the room, and the dark girl sitting in a corner, smiling knowingly.
"All done," Willow announced.
"What? That's it? All of that prep work and three words later it's finished?" Buffy ranted, smiling broadly to take the sting out of her words.
"No offense, Red, but shouldn't I have felt something?"
"Do you even know what we just did?"
"Nope."
"Hit me," Tara ordered. Spike's eyes widened in shock and he began shaking his head and backing away from the witches.
"And have everyone else in this room attack me? I don't think so. I may be rash, but I'm not stupid… all the time."
"Then pinch me," a soft voice spoke up. Spike turned and blue met amber. Gypsi was standing up and moving closer to him. "It won't really hurt me, and it will show you what was done."
"Why not just tell me?"
"You wouldn't believe me." Spike sighed deeply and walked forward. He held his hand out to the girl's arm and pinched, wincing as he waited for the migraine. His eyes widened once again when it didn't come.
"You got rid of the chip?"
"Uh-huh."
"Why? I mean… what's to stop me from hurting someone?"
"You need to be able to defend yourself, and the soul will stop you," Angel answered for everyone.
"Saying thanks right about now would be a good," Xander whispered theatrically, causing the entire group to laugh.
A/N: Sorry this took so long! I was working on my Senior Exit Portfolio, and then waiting to get the internet in my room... Woohoo! Anyways, here's the thank you(s):
sheilamarie - Thank you somuch for the review! You are the only person who reviewed chapter three! I hope you liked this chater!
