A/N: Thanks to JayeMaru for the comment, I'm glad you like the talent mingling idea! Also, just informing any of you that like spike x reader stories, I have a tumblr account (prose-for-hire) and I take requests on there for short little stories in case waiting for the next chapters of this has you longing for more Spike content. I also take requests for most other buffyverse characters too! So, this is tabula rasa - hope you enjoy ! xoxo

Chapter 47:

It had been a few weeks since the spell Saffron was painting her room to hide the water damage. Saffron had fastened her hair back with a black bandana, keeping it off her face and in a low ponytail so it was out of her way. She was wearing a large light-coloured man's shirt, with the sleeves rolled up as if she were an extra in an eighties coming-of-age drama. All she needed was some shoulder pads and a chunky belt to complete the look. She didn't know who's the shirt was and she was hoping against everything that she wasn't wearing something Riley had left. She had taken all of her jewellery off, except her hoops, to save them from any stray paint as she started to roll a thick coating along the walls. She was painting the room a boring white, not really caring for what colour it would be as she would have her posters up soon enough. It was the cheapest paint she could find and she had used a fake employee discount voucher to buy it considering they had no money. She decided it would be worth it to have somewhere permanent to live again.

Spike had been extra attentive since she revealed what had happened last summer. He was always with her during the little time she had off, offering small reassurances and holding her extra close during the hours that their sleep overlapped. She enjoyed living with him and decided they could either take turns in living in either place or she would try again, in vain, to convince him to move out of the crypt he was so fond of. She loved the crypt and living with Spike but she really did miss the home comforts.

The door slammed and she heard heavy foot-fall descending down the stairs. She whipped around, to see a man wearing a grey tweed suit, complete with elbow patches. Her jaw dropped in shock. It was Spike.

"They're after me love!" he shouted, clutching his chest as if he was getting his breath back, "Loan shark – 40 siamese"

"Shit!" Saffron muttered, closing all the blinds at the top where the ground level was, "You can't have Angelina!" She squints at him and points dramatically as he straightened up.

"No, I can't. Does she look sodding Siamese to you, love!?" he rolled his eyes.

"Hey! Calm it!" She said, moving to him and checking him over, noticing a graze on the size of his face that she stroked softly, "You're safe now, no need to panic! I'm right here" she whispered as he wrapped his arms around her. He felt so lucky that he had her. She accepted him, all parts of him. They were in it together. They held each other in the middle of the half-painted room for a moment before Saffron had an idea. Something to take his mind off everything.

"Well, the sitter's got Angie so maybe we could… relieve you of your suit? You've been working awful hard this month" She change her accent as she slipped his suit jacket off, letting it fall to the floor as she smiled up to him. Her hands resting on his chest.

"Mm, yeah… All for you, uh, dollface" Spike went along with her act. He couldn't think of a pet-name and this was definitely the wrong one. Saff shook her head, telling him to cut it out. It reminded her too much of Graham. She wanted a fun little roleplay not to be reminded of the most boring sex of her life, "Uh, I meant sweetness…" He replied smoothly, they were using old-fashioned American accents, spike humouring her as she enjoyed the theatrics. She stared up at him, a glint in her eye at his bad mock-American accent.

"Well, it's a mighty fitting suit for such a handsome husband" She loosened the tie, slowly unbuttoning his under-shirt, "I can fix you some dinner" She mumbled into the side of his neck as she trailed soft kisses on his skin.

"You tellin' me dinner's not already on the table? What have you been doing all day?" He purred, pulling her chin up to face him as if he was chastising her.

"Staring out the window, with no company except my cigarettes and coffee" She explained, an overexaggerated pout on her mouth, "I've been waiting, pining, the whole day long until my man returned to me" She explained, putting the back of her hand to her forehead in mock despair. He met her pouting lips, kissing hotly. He loved it when she was playful like this, expressing his passion and thanks to her for standing by his side. They were starting to get into the kiss, he slid his hand expertly unbuttoning her shirt.

"Mm, I can cure you of your loneliness, love" He smirked, his accent slipping through as he dropped the act, took her hips firmly and pushed her up against the wall. She knew she would get bruises there in the morning, sometimes Spike forgot she was human in his desire. He started to leave hot, sloppy kisses up her neck, dragging his blunt teeth along the mark on her neck and sucking slightly. She moaned, unable to bite it back making him smirk, she started to fumble with his suit pants, trying to figure out how to undo them but Spike removed himself from her neck for a second, shaking his head and moving her wrists and holding them firmly by her sides. She moaned again, making Spike smirk cockily at the way he barely had to do anything without her responding so well.

Saffron woke up on the floor, her legs tangled between Spike's. They were wrapped in a paint splattered sheet that was meant to be protecting the room, not them from the cold. Saffron stared at the wall and rolled her eyes, the paint she had taken ages in applying (with no help from the others, she might add), was all scuffed from someone pressing her roughly against it. She could feel annoyance from the people above her. Crap. She was late. She woke Spike up and told him to grab his blanket, they were going to the Magic Box. He mumbled something incoherent and rolled over. She dressed back in her painting clothes and rushed upstairs to the bathroom to clean the paint that was splattered across her skin.

Saff was wiping off the paint quickly, having shouted her apologies to everyone as she ran up to the bathroom.

"You missed a bit" Buffy said from the doorway. She was pointing at her upper arm.

"Oh, thanks" She smiled at her cousin, "It's, uh, messy business… the painting… you know" Saffron rushed out. She wasn't sure why she felt so awkward. Maybe it was because she couldn't feel Buffy's emotions properly, it made her feel as if she was at a disadvantage.

"You were loud last night and even if you weren't, I felt what you were feeling. Have you, um, always been able to feel it when I-"

"Had an orgasm in the house? Yeah, unfortunately, you never get used to that. Sorry" Saff shrugged, back to feeling more herself now that Buffy was being honest with her. There was a pause as Saff finished washing off the paint the best she could. She'd have to shower later when she wasn't ridiculously late. Buffy stared at the ground and the brunette decided it had to be said, "So, uh, heaven then?"

"Yeah, that's where I went"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Won't help" Buffy shrugged, not looking Saff in the eye.

"Look, we both died Buff. If anyone understands, it's me. Please stop shutting me out…" Saff pleaded, "is that why you feel lost? You're not alone, I'm here"

"It's okay, Saff. We don't have to do this" Buffy pulled on her sleeves, as if she was cold as she spoke.

"I know I never went to heaven, but, just talk to me… please?" Saffron considered asking why she couldn't feel her emotions, wanting to know if it was on purpose, but Buffy could tell what was coming.

"You fell in?" Buffy suddenly asked, distracting her with a hint of a smile. It was typical Saffron.

"Don't start Buff! It was slippy up there!"

"I knew it wasn't supposed to happen but I didn't realise that you-" Buffy started before grinning, "You always have to be like me! My clone all young and copying-of-me" Buffy teased, knowing Saffron was finally able to see the humour in it rather than the guilt. She was a bit sore that Buffy had been to heaven and she had been, well, nowhere but she decided not to dwell on it. After the reassurance from the others, she had more faith in herself. Dawn was just pleased she was back and she felt that everyone genuinely had faith in her that even if she hadn't fallen, she wouldn't have thought twice about sacrificing herself with Buffy.

"Give it a rest, Buff! We're the same fucking age!"

"You keep telling yourself that and I'll be waiting by the front door because of your youthful lateness" Saff rolled her eyes and threw a towel at Buffy who ran downstairs too quickly for it to hit her. Was it an act or was her cousin's mood improving?

Saffron finally descended the stairs after a quick change of clothes, "Ohmygod, you are, like, blind blind!" Dawn shouted, having taken and tried on her glasses. Saff snatched them back and put them on her face, having to wear her thick-rimmed glasses as she couldn't find her contacts. There was no time as she was already late, "Can you guys come in here?" Dawn asked.

"Dawn, we're late. Saff decided to be paint-girl and she's made us hours late for the magic box – Giles needs us all there" Buffy's previous good mood was gone. She knew Giles was leaving. She resented him for it.

"It'll only take a second!" She insisted as her older sisters followed, "Look!" she smiled handing the pair matching silver chains, one had a purple stone, amethyst and the other an opal with a silver tint running through it. No guesses who got which. Dawn pulled her own from round her neck to show them, hers a jade green.

"Did you pay for these?"

"Janice's Mom makes them, I totally spent all my allowance on them, but you're back and I thought we could all wear them" Dawn smiled as Saff grinned and even Buffy had a smile on her face for once.

"I still feel the connection, I love you both" Dawn revealed as the three girls smiled, and they swore they could all hear a slight crackle of electricity around them as they held their respective necklaces.

"I feel it too" Buffy said, smiling tightly.

"Dawn surprise! This is the coolest!" Saff grinned, fastening the necklace on her adding it to the collection around her neck.

"Thanks, Dawn, we need to go" Buffy said. She smiled, side hugged the girl and then walked through the front door leaving the other two trailing behind her.

They walked to the Magic Box in perfect weather. The kind where blue skies looked like a painted canvas and clouds like candyfloss. There were mowers sounding all around them and everyone they passed seemed to be in a good mood. Probably because there was little chance of coming across a demon in the middle of such a glorious day. Willow stayed behind to 'get ready' insisting she would at the Magic Box soon and Spike had to go and steal another suit, the other he had stolen somehow had paint staining it. He needed the disguise.

Saffron was slowly shuffling her Tarot cards, not really thinking much about anything. She was trying to focus her mind, the voices had kind of been flaky on her recently and she was trying her best to reconnect. Tara walked up to Saff in the corner, she had been stood on her own and Willow was staring at her from across the room which made her sad. So she went to speak to Saff instead, having to double-take when she saw her wearing glasses.

"Hey T, you want a reading?" she asked, moving her glasses back from where they had slipped using her middle finger. I fucking hate glasses, she grouched.

"I've done one myself this morning, Saffy. It wasn't great"

"Three of swords?" Saff asked, guessing it would be. Tara nodded, the typical despair after a breakup card. The card reflected the pain inflicted by words, actions and intent on the emotional and physical self which was basically everything Tara was struggling with right now. It didn't take an empath to figure it out. Saffron's face snapped up to Tara's, she grabbed her hand, bracing the cold feeling as she started to speak.

"Your heart has been driven so wild that every insignificant thought vanished and left only fractures of memories. The steamy romance of your youth would in time become a love crossed, do not allow it to be a love lost. Do not take the blame upon yourself. This is what must be done, do not fret or tremble for the decision was clear"

"That's exactly what I felt when I picked the card…" Tara said, wide-eyed. She didn't get a voice, more of an abstract feeling when she read the cards. But Saffron's words echoed the exact feeling it had conjured up. Saffron just shrugged at how impressed Tara was, letting go of her friend's hand and relieving them of the cold feeling.

"Hey, at least the powers are talking to me again. It was kinda lonely with my own thoughts rattling about by themselves"

"The words, they're kind of familiar… don't you think?"

"What I have to memorise all of the power's words now? It's bad enough pretending to care when one of their messengers interrupts my day. Maybe you've had a similar card before? Maybe you were warned before it happened?" Saffron offered. She didn't recognise the words even a little bit. She decided to change the subject as she shuffled her cards again, "So, any joy on the cold front?"

"Well, other than packing us matching mittens in case we have to touch, Zilch" the quieter brunette shrugged, "It doesn't help that you always seem to take my hand without warning, Saffy"

"I don't bloody do it on purpose! Are we sure it even has to mean anything? Maybe it's just like a reminder we're alive? Keeping us young, you know?"

"I'll keep looking" Tara said, unconvinced as Saff shrugged. She was sure things would be okay.

xoxoxo

They were all finally in the Magic box, just in time for Giles to reveal his big news that Buffy had already found out about. She had told him to tell them, clearly annoyed about it.

"I am, ah, returning to England" Giles revealed and everyone was in shock, except Buffy who already knew. Saffron walked up to him and hugged him. She knew he was feeling apprehensive about letting her out of everyone know, but she wasn't letting him off that easy.

"Why in the fuck would you wanna go back to that ugly little rock?"

"Saffron, I have a house, a life and a job to do there"

"Sold your soul for a little Watcher lovin' then?" She chided with a wink as Giles rolled his eyes and looked around awkwardly.

"You have told me before that you have many fond memories of England, you must know that I was not always going to stay"

"So, I'm Karate chopping the Corrupted myself?" She raised an eyebrow before smiling, showing she wasn't being serious.

"It can only be you" He said, hugging her again warmly, "I'm only a phone call away and you could visit if you ever needed to" He was used to her act by now and they knew they cared for the other as a father and daughter would. Saffron was unaware that Buffy was mad, the Slayer felt his emotions the same, although less so than Saffron, so she didn't understand why Saffron was being so understanding. Especially because she had a prophecy coming up.

Buffy didn't have time to say what she was feeling on the matter because Spike rushed in, out of breath despite not actually needing to breathe, and pleading asylum from the group. He already knew Saffron would plead his case, but he thought he might as well. He hauled himself up to sit on the counter and Saffron sat up next to him just in time for everyone in the room to collapse.

The pair both rolled off the counter, the bleach-blonde haired man screamed, landing on top of the woman. They stared into each other's eyes. A moment that they were sure to remember, if they could only figure out who they were and how they managed to get so lucky as to fall into the other's laps. It was as if destiny had brought them here.

"Your beauty it… glows"

"Oh, uh, thanks. You're, uh, good to look at- I mean I wasn't really looking-" she moved her glasses back up the bridge of her nose, that had slipped as they fell, looking away slightly, feeling naked to his gaze.

"Sure you weren't" He said, shaking his head a fraction, knowing that she definitely was. He bit his lower lip and raised his eyebrows as he watched her trying to formulate words from under him.

"Okay, I was definitely looking. Do we know each other?" she asked, propping herself up using her elbows on the floor. Meaning their faces were closer than ever.

"Think I'd remember stumbling into someone like you"

They could hear voices. They had been down there a long time. Just staring. They popped up to find a room full of strangers. American strangers. Everyone seemed confused, trying to figure out who everyone was. The man in the corner started to panic, despite insisting that he wasn't panicking. There was a petite red head, a brunette that made her shiver and an older man with a younger blonde woman nearest her. The man that had landed on her couldn't seem to take his eyes off her and she found herself blushing. She didn't usually do that… did she? She felt herself glancing at him every so often and smiling. They all realised they were in a magic shop, but none of them knew how they had got there or who they were. Weird. The older man started to speak, she hadn't really been listening until the bleach-blonde man next to her spoke up.

"Oh, listen to Mary Poppins! He's got his crust all stiff and upper with that nancy-boy accent. You Englishmen are always so- Bloody hell. Sodding, blimey, shagging, knickers, bollocks. Oh, God. I'm English!"

"Welcome to the Nancy tribe"

"Some of us are nice" the only English woman in the room added, "A really, really small minority" She shrugged as she could feel suspicion surrounding her in the room towards the two Englishmen. Did she always feel everything so much? She leaned against the counter, trying to prop herself up as everything descended on her at once. It was almost debilitating. Feeling.

"You don't suppose you and l - We're not related, are we?" The man beside her asked the older man.

"There is a ruggedly handsome resemblance"

"And you do inspire a well, a particular feeling of familiarity and disappointment."

"Father. Oh God, how I must hate you. What's with the trollop? I saw you. Sleeping together."

"Resting together! And anyway, you and this, ah, young lady appeared to wake up in a rather compromising position"

"Look! It's OK. We're engaged. Oh, it's a lovely ring" the blonde woman said excitedly to her fiancée.

"Great. A tarty step mum, half old Daddy's age"

"At least she has a rock" Saffron said playfully, pouting. She held her hands out, showing her hands had a ring on every finger except the left ring-finger.

"I'm wearing a suit ain't I? how do you know I'm not about to propose?"

"I don't and neither do you!" she laughed. I joke when I'm uncomfortable, noted. The bleach-blonde man stared, a smile playing on his lips. He really would marry this woman; he could feel it in his bones. Fate or destiny or any of that bollocks. They all realised that they could look at their ID's to figure out who they were, and everyone that had one quickly introduced themselves. They tried to remember each other's names and how they might be connected. The woman found a small card in her pocket and held it up to the light so she could see it.

"I'm… Cleopatra Summers" She read out loud, trying to get used to her name, "Uh, you can call me Cleo if you like" She whispered to the bleach-blonde and he smirked, eyeing her slowly. She did a little wink, clearly becoming more confident in his presence. She looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to introduce himself. He started to check his pockets for ID and then checked in inside of his suit.

""Made with care for Randy." Randy Giles? Why not just call me horny Giles, or desperate-for-a-shag Giles? I knew there was a reason I hated you." Cleo couldn't help sniggering at the way he spoke. He was funny and his accent was nice, a mix between North London and American. She could listen to him speak for hours.

"Randy's a family name, undoubtedly"

"It's, uh, not that bad" She said as he glared at her, sulking, "It's… unique" she offered. An unspoken feeling told him it didn't matter to her what he was called, she felt it too. She felt their connection. The brunette looked over to the two girls in the corner, they seemed to be talking amongst themselves. She felt something familiar about them, but it just wouldn't come to her head.

"Joan? I like it. I feel like a Joan" The blonde woman, Joan, said as Cleo approached.

"Are you- are you sure?" Cleo asked, pulling an identical face to the one the younger brunette, Dawn, was pulling.

"What? We can't all be the Queen of the Nile" Joan teased.

"Fine. Let her. That's your purgative"

"Prerogative"

"Whatever, Joan"

"Whatever, Umad" Joan retorted, referring to Dawn's original joke about her possible name. Cleo rolled her eyes and sighed, this seemed familiar too. Dawn and Joan realised they must be sisters, and excitedly hugged. They looked back at Cleopatra, realising they felt the same connection with her.

"Uh, maybe you're our cousin or something?" Dawn offered kindly as they both included her on the hug.

"Oh, yeah. Your English cousin? Don't be bloody ridiculous!"

"It could be true"

"I mean, imagine! Unless I had a complicated but ultimately believable backstory, I suppose…" Cleo tailed off, seemingly in deep thought. The English cousin was usually evil and she didn't feel evil. Well, she felt everything else from the rest of the room, so maybe she was hiding something?

"You're family. I can feel it" Joan said with conviction.

"Well, you also feel like a Joan, so I'll just wait for the DNA results on that one" Cleo joked, smiling at the two girls. She turned to look at the rest of the group in their own conversations, but he wasn't speaking to the others. Randy was staring at her, a glint in his eye. She could feel his presence wherever she turned. It was as if they were meant to be together. But how could she know that when she wasn't even convinced about her own name?

"Look! Our necklaces! They match!" Dawn said excitedly, pointing out Cleo's and her own. Joan pulled the necklace from under her shirt as she showed hers matched too. The three smiled at each other and hugged.

They sat around the table in the centre of the room, trying to figure out what their next steps should be. All the seats were taken and Cleo stood awkwardly at the back of the room. Did she always feel like she stood out this much? Randy was sat on one of the wooden chairs around the table and turned to look at Cleo, he patted his lap and raised his eyebrow, as if to offer her a seat. She looked around the room and shrugged, they seemed to know each other intimately so she sat cautiously on his lap. He grinned, pulling her in close and holding her, one hand on her waist and one on her thigh to support her as she moved her arm behind him and rested it softly on his shoulder. They could get used to this. The rest of the group started discussing going to a hospital, seeing as they had no memories. But Cleo and Randy weren't listening. Randy had started to purr suggestions into her ear and she laughed in response. He loved that sound. He decided it was his favourite sound, he wanted to never stop hearing her laugh. Someone cleared their throat, the older man, Randy's dad, gave them a disapproving look. They both shrugged and turned back to their whispers. Rupert rolled his eyes, cleaning his glasses. Cleo giggled again, pulling the bowtie and undoing it and his top button as she whispered something back. He ran his hand along the side of her cheek, trying to memorise every inch of her. Randy thought he must have flushed slightly at her words; he was smitten with her. Falling in love.

Joan and the others started to get up and walk to the door and Cleo reluctantly slipped from Randy's grip and they followed the rest of the group. Someone asked how they would get there and Randy replied, "Dad can drive. He's bound to have some classic midlife-crisis transport. Something red, shiny, shaped like a penis" which made Cleo the only one in the room to laugh. He turned to her and clasped his hand in hers as they made their way to the exit. When they pulled the door open, however, everyone's heart started to race. Something horrible was waiting for them. Two somethings. Contorted, ridged faces with piercing yellow eyes. Their sharp teeth protruding from their mouths as they snarled at the group. Everyone screamed at the top of their lungs and Randy moved Cleo behind him to protect her from the horrible beasts. Joan shut the door quickly and everyone scattered and ducked to the floor.

xoxoxo

They had all gathered, kneeling on the floor as they heard the monsters outside shouting about spikes. Willow and Alexander walked to block the doors and check for any other exits. Randy returned to Cleo's side and brought spikes, deciding they should just give them the spikes seeing as they keep mentioning them, "You're really smart" Cleo smiled dreamily as she adjusted her glasses and Randy ducked his head at the compliment. They didn't know if it was the heightened adrenaline or something cosmic, but they leaned in, their lips meeting in the perfect first kiss. His hands weaved into her hair as her thumb ran over his jawline. They were perfectly in-sync, their lips moved more hungrily, starting to become more passionate. Her lips were addictive, he never wanted them to part. Unless it was to allow his tongue further entry to her mouth.

"Will you two bloody focus!" Randy's dad shouted, grabbing Randy by the shoulder and pulling him from Cleo. She whined slightly, holding onto Randy's arm still. She didn't want to be without him for long. There was crashing outside as the monsters continued to try and figure out what to do. They all decided to make their way to the exit, running to trapdoor Willow and Alexander found.

When the group looked back over, Randy was on top of Cleo, pulling her to him kissing her with an unrivalled passion. Her back against the floor as Randy kissed her with fervour. They had never felt anything like it, well, they thought so anyway. They would remember this. The attraction was magnetic and the feelings were quickly revealing something deeper, even in this short time. Randy slid his hand up her thigh as he continued to kiss Cleo, who was sighing contently. Hell to the current threat. Hell to the others. He needed her. There was some embarrassed glances around the room, but they had to break them up. Quickly. Before they got eaten and they were forced to watch Randy's hand get any higher up Cleo's thigh. Rupert and Alexander pulled Randy to his feet and Willow helped Cleo up.

"Well you are living up to your namesake – Now hurry up! We're under attack!" Rupert added, ushering the breathless pair to the trap door they had located.

Too late. The monsters came crashing into the shop and everyone screamed again, Randy grabbed Cleo's hand as they both shook with fear. They all backed away as Alexander started to pray to every God he knew of. One of the monsters grabbed Randy by the shoulders and threw him into the bookcase, leaving Cleo screaming his name in horror. She couldn't lose him, she had just found him. She started to run forward but Alexander pushed her back, standing in front of her to protect her as Joan got taken by the other vampire. Randy gave them their spikes, but that wasn't what they wanted. The monster started to talk about kittens, and while he was distracted Cleo started to run for the man and jumped on him, bringing him crashing to the ground. Joan started to fight. She was good. Really good. Cleo wasn't as polished, but she was clearly strong. They took out their spikes at the same time and struck the monsters in the chest. Muscle memory. Both Joan and Cleo were now showered in a fine-powder, the monsters that had been there only moments before had now vanished. Everyone else was staring at them wide-eyed. Randy ran and closed the door and pulled the shutters down so nothing else could come for them. Joan realised, "I'm like a superhero or something… and you're my trusty sidekick" she added, turning to her possible cousin who was cleaning her glasses on her t-shirt, trying to remove the dust. She fucking hated wearing glasses.

"Watch it, Joanie" Cleo warned, not liking the idea of following Joan around, holding her coat whilst she took all the credit for saving the world. Why didn't she get some big, cool destiny to live up to?

"Why don't I get superpowers?" Dawn whined, crossing her arms over her chest.

Joan decided what needed to be done. Her, Cleo and Randy would make a run for it whilst the others got themselves out. Cleo watched Randy and his dad awkwardly hug each other before the three of them left. They managed to get past the vampires waiting outside the shop and could slow to a brisk walk, looking over their shoulders every few paces. They weren't out of the woods yet. They could feel it.

They walked in silence for a little while, trying to get their bearings in such a strange town. The place crawled with fear and obliviousness at the same time. Almost as if the population of the town was in a constant state of fear masked only by the wilful ignorance they possessed.

She was also recovering from the onslaught of confusion she felt back in the magic shop that Randy's dad owned with the chatty woman. It was an unusual mix of emotions and it was even weirder that Cleopatra found herself feeling it all so clearly. There was something not right about her. She was feeling things that weren't hers and it was starting to give her a headache. Was this normal? Has she always felt like this? Cleo felt another surge of fear from the pair as they heard some trees rustling, she almost fell to the ground at the feeling, opting to steady herself against a fence.

"Can, uh, can we stop for a moment?" She said, holding her head slightly as she leant against the fence. The others nodded, Joan keeping an eye behind them. It was as if she could sense the strange creatures coming, but she allowed them the break to catch their breath. Cleo seemed to be ill, her already pale skin turning paler the further they walked through the streets. Joan asked her if she was okay and Randy put a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.

Cleo was starting to recover slowly but she wasn't ready to walk further. She felt something in her back pocket. A pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She looked at it… did she smoke? She pulled a small tube out of the pack and stared at it for a second, putting it to her lips. She was aware that both Randy and Joan were watching her as she flicked the side of the lighter that she had clearly borrowed as it had been engraved. Or maybe she was a part of a super cool secret society, she wondered. Awesome! She shakily put the flame to the end of the cigarette, worried that she would make a fool of herself in front of Randy. He seemed so self-assured. She inhaled the smoke from the cigarette as the end lit up, breathing in the smoke as easily as she breathed in oxygen. She did smoke then. She didn't know if she was pleased to learn this about herself or not. She offered the pack to the man whose hand lingered on her shoulder. She could feel that he was conflicted, maybe arguing between two aspects of his personality.

"Oh no, that's a nasty habit… I'll stick with breathing my nice clean air thank you very much" Randy said, but didn't appear to be put off my Cleo. In fact, she knew he wasn't put off her. When his hand had landed on her shoulder all she could feel was adoration. She offered the pack to Joan instead and Joan decided she would have one. She needed it, she couldn't imagine having to face this kind of thing ever again. Worrying for her life? Being some extra strength superhero? No thanks. She was hoping that this would be a dream. Joan took the cigarette from her tentatively and held it between her thumb and forefinger. She stared at it for a second, putting it to her mouth and lighting the end the same way she had watched Cleo do. She inhaled, letting the smoke into her lungs before she started an almighty coughing fit, clutching her chest and throwing the cigarette to the ground as Cleo rushed to slap her on the back.

"I don't think you smoke Joan" Cleo said in case it hadn't been obvious. She continued to slap the girls back to try to help her cough subside. Joan thanked her, looking a bit sheepish, saying they should walk on now to get ahead of the scary creatures. They all agreed and kept walking on. She stared at the girl, she seemed accustomed to the leadership role. And she felt… Weird. Cleo could feel emotions from everyone but she couldn't feel anything from Joan. Maybe that was another one of the girls powers. Joan looked uncomfortable under Cleo's gaze and subconsciously pulled one of several layers further around her small frame as if she was trying to hide from her.

They walked on; Cleo now jealous of the amount of layers Joan had on as she realised she didn't even have a jacket on – just a t-shirt of a band she didn't recognise. Randy had an arm slung around her shoulder, he had been slowing them down by distracting Cleo by kissing her every now and again. Joan was about ready to up and leave them both there, but she felt a connection to Cleo, so she reluctantly stayed.

"Are you not cold?" Cleo asked the man as she hugged her arms around herself, shivering. Randy shrugged, he hadn't noticed the cold at all. Odd.

"Oh, uh…" He took off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders. She smiled, thanking him, but the moment didn't last. As they were about to round the corner, several of the creatures jumped out in front of them. They tried to run in the opposite direction but there were more behind them.

Joan threw a few punches and managed to stake a vamp trying to protect the others. Cleo tried to land a punch but overbalanced and fell into Randy's arms. They wanted to stay in that position, but the evil creatures had another idea. One took Cleo from Randy's arms and the other hit Randy hard in the face but he still managed to dust them both.

"Hey! I'm a superhero too!"

"Shit!" Cleo muttered, looking in horror at his face. Amber eyes. Bumpy forehead. Fangs jutting out of his mouth. He was one of them. Joan saw it too and they looked at each other and both screamed. Joan grabbed Cleo's hand and pulled her into a sprint. They didn't look back, not realising what Cleo had inflicted on all of the creatures with bumpy foreheads, leaving them clutching their heads in pain.

"Hey! Cleo! Joan! Wait up!" Randy shouted after them, clutching his head and running in the direction they had gone.

"I-I kissed him!" She shouted, wiping her mouth on her sleeve and noticing she was still wearing his jacket. She had trusted him and he was one of them! She dramatically pulled it off and threw it to the ground, shivering, as if it had vampire germs before muttering, "Man, I need a drink. Is there a pub around here anywhere?" Joan shrugged, she wasn't sure.

xoxoxo

"Cleo, love! Wait up!" he said catching up with the pair who had slowed to a walking-pace. He took her arm and pulled her to face him, a pleading look in his eyes as he tried to make her understand he would never harm her. He would do anything for her, he could never imagining hurting her.

"L-leave me alone!" She shouted but faltered as she felt his intentions were kind. He wasn't trying to eat her. They stared into each other's eyes as if they were both the only ones in the universe. Their eyes telling stories, communicating in ways that nobody else could begin to understand. Joan punched him hard on the nose, breaking their gaze.

"Ow what the bloody hell are you doing Joan! I get it, she's your family, but what we have… it's destiny. Fate… maybe even love" Randy finished, creeping closer to Joan who was in his way. He was then flipped by Cleo because of the way he was going towards Joan, but Randy pulled her on top of him as they both tumbled. Cleo was now straddling the vampire as she was silenced by his words, "Don't tell me you don't feel it too, Cleo" He said, bringing her hand to his heart.

"I-I-" She started, she did feel it too.

"Cleo, look at him!" Joan started, pulling her off him, but Randy set her firmly in place, giving Joan a confused look. Was she always caught in the middle like this? Cleo cringed slightly when she realised she couldn't feel a heartbeat.

"You-you don't know do you?" Joan said, swearing she could almost feeling his confusion, "Check the lumpies" She motioned to her face as Spike felt his own. Bloody hell.

"I must be a noble vamp, on a quest for redemption! A vampire with a soul – I help the helpless!"

"You do feel like a good guy…"

"A vampire with a soul!? How lame is that!" Joan called from above them, not convinced by the scene before her.

"Maybe it's a forbidden love story" Cleo said quietly as they stared longingly into each other's eyes. Their hands were now interlaced as Cleo started to lower herself to kiss the man, despite the vampire face he still had. They closed their eyes, willing their lips to meet but Joan had other ideas. She pulled Cleo up by her t-shirt as if by the scruff of her neck and pulled her to her feet.

"That's enough of that! Not in our family, kiddo!" Joan warned.

"Uh, I am so not a kid! You're shorter than me, you're probably younger!" Saffron turned, pointing a finger at Buffy as their memories finally returned. They were themselves again.

Everyone had their memories back but they all felt a distance between the group. They realised it was Willow's spell gone wrong to get them to forget about everything that had been going on. Spike and Saff seemed to be the only ones able to stay in the same room as the others without it being awkward (Spike only because he had practice having to spend time with the others despite not really liking many of them).

"Admit it love, you were scared!" Spike teased, they were sat in their crypt, curled together on the sofa with Angel (the cat) on Saff's lap.

"I'd never seen one before, of course I was going to be frightened! I fainted the first time I really saw a vamp, so at least that was an improvement"

"Oh of course you did, you're always fainting Honeysuckle, it's your defining-sodding-trait!"

"All right, make fun of the girl that's made to feel everything"

"You know I meant nothing by it, Honey" He shrugged, pulling her in close, "Just pointing out the obvious, beautiful women like you don't usually go for monster's like me"

"Hey, it was a shock… you screamed when you saw the other vamps. It doesn't change how much I love you… with or without the bumpies" she assured him, stroking the side of his face before resting her hand on the side of his neck and rubbing her thumb ever so softly to show him how genuine she was being.

"I know, love… you were gonna kiss me despite having seen the creature features"

"You're not a monster. You're a good man… I won't deny you're a vampire, that you've been involved in things I'd rather not think about. I know that part of you exists, but I can't stop myself loving you. Because I know you so intimately. Some call me naïve, stupid for being so in love with you but I want you to know that I could meet you in a hundred ways and you would always be my soulmate"

"I like this version of you, Honey. I love it when you tell me what's going on in there" he tapped her head with two fingers, "I don't find you naïve, love. I see you and you see me. I could go centuries or more and never find a love like this again. Almost makes me sodding glad I stuck in SunnyHell so long" He mused, leaning against her. He stroked the cat slightly as he leant against her. Both felt the others emotions. The love. The trust. They fully knew each other. He loved her and he saw her as an equal in a way that he had never been able to do in past relationships. She moved her hand and threaded her fingers through his hair, landing some soft kisses every so often. Angie started to stretch and move to sit on the arm of the chair nearest Spike, allowing Saffron to switch positions and tuck her legs under her, moving in closer to Spike. He had closed his eyes at the sensation of her touch, leaning into the sofa and exhaling. He loved being like this with her, in the crypt. Only them and the furball. It was special.