A/N: Thanks for the comment Aaliyah, here is your update (finally)! Funnygal: Nice to hear you've been following along, we meet Oleander first (briefly) in chapter 44. They figure out that he is also known as 'Lee' (Willow's friend) in Chapter 46 and he is alluded to throughout as the Corrupted. There will be more revealed in this chapter but I'd start from chapter 44 if you want to re-introduce yourself !

Tw for threat/torture from Oleander at the start of the chapter. Derogatory terms (same as Spike uses on the show).

Reading all your comments has been so great, thank you all - I'm glad you all like the story! xoxo

Chapter 49:

Saffron woke up chained to the wall. There was a lot of people forming a circle around the room, they were all wearing white and they were staring at her. Classical music was playing, Oleander closed his eyes, feeling the music before he turned to his captive audience. It was Bach's toccata in fugue in d minor. Even Saffron recognised the start, but it didn't mean she was at all enjoying herself.

"Hm, I'm still not convinced. This is a child, darlings" He rolled his eyes with an over-exaggerated disgust at his captive.

"I'm 20" she spat, her voice just audible over the collective laughter of the excitable audience.

"An ignorant child at that" He said, gesturing to her as the others smiled wide, "Well this will be like taking candy from a baby. Except, that was a metaphor, darlings, for taking the life straight from her body" The room erupted in laughter and clapped at what he said.

"I've been dead before, I bounce back, babe. Just call me the comeback kid" she winked and then winced as his hold on her tightened.

"In another universe perhaps we could be friends… you've got spunk, kid" He repeated, which bit almost as bad as his painful influence.

"Gross" she muttered, out of her dislike of the man before her.

"Don't act like you're so innocent. I hear you're Sunnydale's bicycle, darling. Everyone's had a ride…" He smiled, satisfied with himself. He hoped to elicit some shame, perhaps a little hatred for herself but continued when this wasn't the first natural emotion that came to her mind, "Everything with a pulse has had a ride… hm, some even without a pulse…"

He started to influence her when he didn't feel the emotion he wanted from her. It was as if an invisible hand were tightening around her throat, her vision fuzzy and the pain unbearable. Instead of panicking, as she had been, this time she focused. The same way she would for a reading. A frown lined her face as she fought through the pain, her will against his. She suddenly managed to reduce his influence to a dull ache. No longer the deep cuts of pain he had been inflicting before. It was sudden, a new discovery the pain thankfully ceasing.

"Ooo, she's learning" Oleander teased, becoming amused with her. He felt her surprise as she blocked him from causing her more pain. He can see her recovering, but his persistence continued. He moved his neck to each side, a cracking echoing through the great hall as the order were influenced into a silence, "Honey, honey, honey…" he shook his head with a sickening smile, "You think being pals with the Slayer will let you off? You deserve this pain. You deserve to feel worse"

"Why?" she asked, why would he possibly want to do this to her? Why would he blindly follow a prophecy

"if you have to ask, maybe you're not ready for the answer…" He laughed, "You think this isn't about you! How precious… you're the root of it all"

"Wh-" her confusion meant her blocking powers started to weaken, she wasn't used to it.

"You seem tired… and oh! You're hungry! Steak dinner, darling? I have some very talented followers, they come to me and for me from all manner of occupations" He whispered the second part, a glint in his eye as Saffron held back an eye-roll.

"I don't eat meat" She hissed, another spike of pain had managed to slide through her weakening barriers. Oleander knew this about her, she could tell that much from him.

"Oh! Are we sharing?! How fun! I'm a Cancer, I enjoy long walks on the beach and I'm partial to the occasional square of chocolate. Although, I prefer dark chocolate if you were planning on getting me a little gift to thank me for your stay" Saffron sighed, of course he would be the same star sign as her, "Your turn!" he asked pleasantly but he dripped with insincerity.

"Makes sense, with the chocolate, you're bitter" she said, not offering anything more about herself. She didn't want him to know anymore. She wanted to cling to the few things she could keep to herself. Things he hadn't managed to take from her yet.

"As bitter as that coffee and nicotine addiction" he quipped, apparently enjoying the back and forth.

"You already know me, why are you pretending to do introductions?" He closed his eyes before staring up at the ceiling as if asking for strength from the Lord himself, although he didn't believe in a cosmic entity. The cruelty was something so entwined with human nature, he was sure the world had been abandoned long ago. Saffron felt this, and his annoyance as she realised, "Oh, you want me to know you"

"Well, you have to play the game, kitten! It wouldn't be so fun if you saw me as a two-dimensional faceless evil that merely wanted you dead"

"But you are a two-dimensional, faceless evil that merely wants me dead" She muttered, hissing as he twisted an invisible knife in her gut.

"You use humour as a defense. It's a little sad" he pulled a fake-pout before his face snapping back to his resting face, everything about him was constructed.

"You don't find it sad"

"What do I find it? Go on, try it… entertain me, darling" his eyes lit up, eyes boring into hers as he waited excitedly for her to play the game. She focused, trying to prove herself for some reason unknown to herself.

"You find it, uh, you find it…" she started, but he had blocked her off,"You're not playing fair"

"No, you're not trying hard enough" he shrugged, turning from her, apparently bored. His latest second-in-command walked up to the front, head bowed. She was new to the role and trying to keep it for as long as possible. When you lost the role, you lost your life too.

"My light, O Leander!" she recited respectfully as he rested his hand on her forehead. She closed her eyes, Saffron could feel her euphoria from where she was chained. His touch was all that it

"You think our girl's attractive, Sister Bernadette?" he asked as he turned her to face Saff. She thought it over for a second, before replying.

"Oil painting" She shrugged as Oleander smiled wide, he liked a little personality in his followers. Only a little, mind. Saff rolled her eyes - she was so over being a hostage.

"Pretty enough far away, but up close… what does he see in you?" He chuckled as she did. They kissed before she returned to the crowd. It was an unacceptably, in Saff's opinion, long goodbye. Saff felt that she worshipped him in the same way the whole room did. The unquestioning worship was suffocating her slowly.

"Now that was totally inappropriate, you got me chained up all sitting – well, standing – pretty with my full attention and what? I gotta watch you suck the face off one of your little creeps"

"Aw do you not like pda? Could have fooled me, the amount of time you and your-" He winced, smiling as he feeling her anger burn like a welt when he had mentioned Spike. She was a quick learner, shame she's so far behind. instead, he steered the conversation back, "You want to hear my life story? So, I met a guy, crazy for me. Then met his girl, she was cute as can be" he winked, opening his mouth to continue but she cut him off.

"Oh God. Please don't start singing" Saffron muttered and he frowned at her apparent disinterest.

"Oh, we just fucked for hours, it wasn't no summer romance baby"

"You're happy to label me a 'slut', but your promiscuity is what? A fun anecdote to humanise yourself? How can you get away with that logic?" Saffron asked, before righting herself, "Oh, right you're a man"

"Gender hasn't got anything to do with it, darling. I'm comfortable in my sexuality, with any such label. You, however, don't enjoy the label. Any label. It makes you squirm and I enjoy feeling the regret of some of your past encounters…" he surprised her, entering her mind once more. Her emotions. Memories. "She was a big mistake wasn't she? But that kiss, though… sexy"

"Fuck off you idiot! You know that was- I was drunk!"

"And angry… what a beautiful combination… most people experiment in college but you… you were ahead of the curve. Maybe that's why we're connected. We knew we were destined from a young age, we were always above the others. Ahead of them"

"I'm nothing like you!" she shouted, snapping him back out of her mind. He had touched a nerve and he had been enjoying plucking it like a guitar string. He stood close to her, their bodies almost touching.

"Now that's what I call ignorance: Volume one!" He sneered, rolling his eyes at her. He smoothed down his outfit, checking it was still perfect. He had selected a different shirt for their meeting but he had a bit of blood spilt on it so he had to make a quick change. He moved in, taking her hair in his hand, winding the brunette strands around his hand and pulling her back to face up to him.

At this moment, Spike was pulled into the hall, flanked by two Order members. He shoves them away from him and catches Saff's eye. He sees how close Oleander is to her, how familiar he is and instantly thinks the worst.

"Fucking get off her you great poof!" he shouted, a gasp echoing from every mouth in the hall, except the three in the conversation.

"Spike don't-" she tried to warn but she was influenced into a brief silence as Oleander whipped around and stalked towards Spike. Spike was all too happy to posture.

"Did you just… I'm a poof?"

"Spike he's gay, he-! He's getting mad!" Saffron shouted, trying to appeal to her vampire.

"Well I am evil!" He shouted, turning to Oleander, not willing to take it back. He hated him and in his mind, anything was fair game.

"Spike-!"

"That's a slur"

"Well, where I come from, it's a handy little descriptive term that the yanks don't mind so I can just about get away with it" He said, pushing the man's shoulders, "If it's all the same to you – Bugger off!"

"Look, mate, he doesn't mean nothing by it - it's how they spoke in the olden days right?" saffron felt the spike of anger at the disrespect from Spike, "He's called me a bint before if that's any consolation… and he loves me"

"You are a bint" Oleander snapped at her, not looking away from Spike. She could feel his anger and it was roaring around them like a fire. She flipped him off, her gesture just about understandable as she twisted her hand that was still shackled to the wall. He wasn't looking though.

"Oi! It's only alright when I say it" Spike pointed threateningly at Oleander before his face dropped, head cocked to the side. Saffron frowned. Then she felt it, he was influencing Spike. Spike dropped to his knees as the anger bubbled to a slow simmer. This made Saffron go cold, despite the temperature in the room. That kind of manageable anger was dangerous. Oleander turned to face Saffron and his intentions were bad. They made her want to scream before she even knew what was going on. Oleander started to unbuckle his white trousers, maintaining eye contact with Saffron as he did. Her eyes started to water as he felt his intentions and the feeling from Spike, the feelings he was being made to have made her jump into a fit of rage. He smiled at her reaction, enjoying her fear and anger. She was physically shaking as she watched him.

Don't fucking touch him! She screamed at him, but only the pair could hear it. It was in his head, rattling around his brain. He smiled, his caricature villain smile - things were getting more interesting. She would rather die than watch Spike be tortured this way. The vampire was her weak point. Very interesting.

"Isn't he a bit old for you anyway, kiddo?" He said, stroking Spike's hair from his position on his knees. Spike looked blankly up at the man, not able to feel emotions that weren't forced on him by Oleander.

You fucking bastar-

Saffron's thought communication to Oleander was cut short, she had snapped her restraints from the wall, forgetting about her convenient super-strength. She looked down at her hands with a grin, at least it was good for something. Everything happens for a reason and all that. Oleander just stared in shock. They were supposed to be equal, how did she have the power to snap through steel? While he was staring at her evidently appalled that he didn't have super-strength, he had forgotten to continue influencing Spike and the vampire was pissed. He got up from his position on the floor and landed a hard punch to the side of his face, not bothered if it would give him a headache or not. It didn't, though. Saffron snapped the shackles, fashioning herself some chic bracelets so she could use her hands. She ran at Oleander, thumping him on the other side of his face before Spike grabbed her hand and they ran out of there before Oleander or his followers could get their bearings back. They had rushed him and run for it faster than he could formulate his thoughts to influence anyone.

"That's… cheating" Oleander said slowly, holding his jaw and moving it around to check it was working. He stared at the empty doorway the pair had run out of, a scowl settling on his features as he wondered what else the little bitch was hiding from him. The pair had clasped hands and ran out of the great hall, through the plush, decorated corridors that held the rooms of all the order members and out of the front gate before any of them had chance to react. Oleander looked around the room at the many followers copying his facial expression and shock, who evidently hadn't thought to subdue the pair themselves. He raised his eyebrows, looking around at them all, "Is nobody going after them?" He looked around as the order stared blankly, waiting for further instruction, "Do I have to start cracking skulls? Go!" he screamed, flinging his arms out towards where the pair had just run off.

Saff and Spike made it home to Revello Drive by late morning, Spike had run through the town under a blanket. They ran into the kitchen, not realising nobody else had been home that night either, except Dawn and Tara. Spike and Saff burst in, explaining what had happened. Saff felt worry from room and tried to her best to calm them despite everything. In her effort she started to fall in exhaustion, spike having to hold her up. Bloody caring for the rest of them when she should be saving the comforting for herself.

Willow, Amy, Dawn and Buffy were all in the kitchen as they explained where they had been. The tortured pair had interrupted Buffy's excuse and Willow asked again where she had been, much to Buffy's annoyance. She thought she had gotten away with it.

"I was just ou-out, slaying. All night" Saff squinted. She wasn't slaying all night. It was something else. Buffy was lying, at least she could still feel that. But She was too tired to confront her in front of everyone. Spike was still holding her up as Amy left and Willow and buffy went to bed. Dawn was disappointed and lonely so Saff smiled at her, hobbling to the middle of the room with Spike's help.

"We can stay up with you if you like, Dawny" Saff yawned, leaning against Spike.

"No, that's okay, you're all tortured and tired – I'll find some awake people" she shrugged, walking up to her room, thanking her for offering.

Saff and Spike managed to get to the basement room. They had managed to get a bed in there now although most of her stuff was still at the crypt. They collapsed into bed together, not bothering to take their clothes off. They were exhausted and clinging to each other tightly.

"Are you okay? What he was going to-"

"Don't sweat it, love. Been in my fair share of scrapes"

"But this was-" She started, frowning, he appeared to be more worried with the way Oleander had been with her but she couldn't be sure, "Show me how you're feeling?" They clasped hands with the intent to share, Spike's feelings and hers as the scene played. He had wanted her to be okay just as she was feeling the same about him. Worrying about the other so fiercely. It was enough for Saffron to comfort him in the way she knew he needed.

"I love you" She whispered, pulling him into her. He nodded softly, both were extremely tired. He moved his hands to caress her skin ever so lightly as they settled comfortably against each other. It was as if they were made to fit together so easily. As they started to doze off in bed, Spike thought out loud about their day, both of their eyes closed.

"I've never been more grateful for that bloody jar in my life… didn't realise the pansies now were so precious about sodding words!"

Saffron opened her eyes a fraction to allow herself an eye-roll at Spike's sentiment but she was too tortured and tired, as Dawn put it, to say anything. She knew, despite his supposed 'evil' nature, he had no malicious intent behind his phrasing. Even so, she decided she'd have to remind him, "Yeah I'll write you a cheat sheet another day" She sighed into his side, "Thanks for coming to get me" she whispered, moving onto her side facing away from Spike as he adjusted his position so he was flush to her, wrapping a lazy arm over her. They enjoyed spooning like this, but they would threaten anybody that walked in and saw it happening. Saffron felt Spike's mood shift, he was feeling lighter now after everything and she smiled softly, glad he was able to move on but then rolled her eyes when she realised he was teasing her.

"You cut down a bloody alleyway didn't you?" He chided her softly, remembering where her scent had disappeared, "How many sodding times do I have to tell you? Alleyways are a big bad's paradise – stay a-bloody-way!" he continued, before bringing his arms to wrap around her tighter, telling himself he would be there next time to watch out for her.

xoxoxo

Everyone, minus Willow, was researching Oleander and why the three would burgle the museum in the Magic Box. Spike had snatched up the papers that were hidden behind the couch with their robes and laid the plans over the table, "Oh, uh, I pocketed these before I made a run for it" he gestured at them as Saffron gave him one of those smiles he revelled in.

"You had to run from the three nerd-stooges?" Xander piped up.

"They were doing the mind-prayer and I wasn't planning on sticking around"

"He ran to come and get me. If he hadn't come, I would be dead. Or at least, waiting to die. So don't start alright? Just read the papers and give us the long and short of it" Saffron stated, turning back to the plans laid on the table.

"My leftover soldier senses tell me this is some kinda gun"

"Yeah, my state-the-bleeding-obvious senses felt that one" Spike muttered, looking over Tara's shoulder at the papers littering the tabletop. Everyone was just staring.

"I know this. It's a full moon ritual, detailing the use of diamond for purity. But as for this, it does seem to be some kind of gun or a homemade device like that…"

"It also seems really…"

"Lame?" Anya offered as the others nodded. Trust the nerds to even make evil plots appear feeble.

"Shame Will isn't here, she'd know exactly what the blueprints meant" Saff spoke out loud without thinking. Tara looked around uncomfortably and Saff sent her an apologetic look and a little comfort which the girl accepted, shaking her head to show she understood. Talk then turned back to Will's addiction again as the others explained to Tara, Saff (and Spike who they didn't figure would have an interest) that Willow had used magic to access police reports instead of hacking.

"And bringing Amy back? More like making herself a playmate to do magic with. Y'know someone who won't monitor her like… well, like Tara…" Xander finished, sending an apologetic look towards Tara, telling her that he was on her side. She nodded, understanding. She wished everyone wasn't so awkward around her and Saffron felt bad when she sensed it.

"No, Willow's a grownup. You know, maybe she doesn't need to be monitored" Buffy said and Xander stared at her in disbelief, as did the rest of the room.

"You know, she's going through something, but we're not her. I mean... m-maybe she has reasons for acting this way…" Saff frowned at Buffy and the slayer could tell that she was going to get caught out, "And, so what if she crossed a line? You know, we all do stuff. Stupid stuff. But, then we learn. And, and we learn, and, and we don't do it again. Okay, so, you know, who are we to get all judgey?"

"Buff, when was this attitude when I was drinking? You people were judge-city" Saff stared at Buffy, feeling hurt from the others, "I, uh, appreciated the concern though…"

Saffron was staring at Buffy who didn't seem to want to continue this conversation. Buffy started to shift awkwardly under Saff's blank stare as the others continued to discuss Willow but it dawned on her that Saff wasn't blinking. Her eyes had glazed over and she fell to the ground. Another excruciating memory that wasn't hers played out before her.

xoxoxo

"You really can't go through a sodding day without landing yourself flat out can you?" Spike chided her softly, but the concern was evident as he guided her towards the sofa. She was okay now, the fainting had happened hours ago, but Spike was still acting as if she was about to drop at any moment. The care he had for her was unmatched and he wouldn't let anything happen to her. He was adamant he was going to be there if anything happened after last time. She had a knack for getting herself into untold peril, sometimes he was scared to blink in case something happened in that split second.

"Yeah well, with the pain and all it's more fun to be unconscious for most of it" She smiled, launching herself overdramatically to sit on the old sofa to prove how okay she was.

"You want anything? I think there's some off milk in the back of the fridge?" gesturing towards the mini-fridge in the corner or the crypt.

"That's okay. I'll grab some pop or juice on the way back from work tomorrow so I'm not stuck drinking your sorry excuse for human beverages"

"Do you mind if I-" He shook the bottle of Jack in his hand, not quite looking her in the eye.

"Now we're talking – mine's a double"

"Love…"

"Joking! Joking, go ahead. I'll nurse my headache with a good old fashioned temple rub and hope it helps" Spike turned around. Pouring himself a drink. Spike had been thinking while he poured. He wanted to take all of her pain away. All of her anxieties and destinies and squash them into nothing.

Sometimes he wished she could drink with him again, like they used to. Just to take the edge off. It was what had brought them together, but he could never allow her just as she could never allow herself. He cared too much about her and getting drunk was something she just couldn't do. It just wasn't healthy for her, she didn't know how to stop.

He decided he had something better. He was going to save it for the perfect moment, but quickly decided that every moment with her was perfect. He set down his glass and shifted a stone lid to a coffin, reaching in and taking a small box from in there where he had been hiding it. Saffron was watching tv, not paying attention to him rooting about in the coffin. He came and sat next to her and turned off the tv.

"Hey- I was enjoying that!"

"I, uh, have something for you, Honeysuckle…" he said, handing her a small box, "I was gonna wait until your Birthday but you need it sooner than later"

He opened the box, revealing beautiful ring. It had a silver band with a pensive purple stone that seemed to move around like an aura or a dreamscape. She gasped lightly, her eyes gleaming as she looked up at him, crashing her lips into his, "Fucking hell it's beautiful!" she breathed when their lips finally parted.

"Cost a pretty penny but you're worth it" He shrugged as she turned her attention back to the ring. She wasn't necessarily materialistic, but the thought that goes into a gift like this, it definitely made her feel loved up.

"How could you afford it?" She asked, it looked expensive and it was almost humming to her, as if she was always meant to have had been doing a lot of reading lately. Spike had been working, and it involved a lot of waiting around, so while he was waiting he decided to make himself useful. Reading up on the prophecies. The myths and legends, even whispers of whispers that may not pan out. He had found it, the gem. It had been kept in the same underground treasure trove that kept the gem of amara for centuries and he knew it held importance for her, both in their relationship and in the wider context of her destiny.

"I have my ways" He said but she was too pleased to question him further. She could feel only good intentions from her man. She wrapped her arms around Spike, hugging him close to her. Whispering thank you over and over. She kissed him softly, tiny excited kisses as she squeezed him closer to her. Her strength was starting to get to him but he couldn't complain. He hadn't seen her this happy in such a long time, it was such a treat. He moved her back slightly, so he could explain the gift further.

"That ring is important, it'll help you love. It's the Jewel of Aspectus… or you can call it fàinne de shealladh purpaidh, if you're being a toff" He winked after he pronounced the last phrase perfectly, "Some believe it's a mystical mood ring, some a myth cooked up by Gaelic prophets but I think it's the perfect romantic gift for my favourite girl"

"You're too good to me, Spike" she sighed, stroking his face as he continued to explain, holding her off from shutting him up with the kisses she desperately wanted to land on his moving lips.

"It's, uh, meant to have mystical touchy-feely properties and well, you seem to like purple so… It'll help with your head hopefully pet"

"Would you-would you put it on me?" He nodded, smiling, looking into her eye as he slid the ring onto her left ring-finger, the only one that didn't already have a ring on it. She smiled, instantly having felt a tension rise and dissipate from her. It had been as if she was walking around and an invisible hand was pressing down on her hard, but she had only noticed it once it lifted. How long had she been walking around like that?

"You are my soul, Honeysuckle" he admitted softly, tenderly stroking her cheeks as he cupped them with his hands. She smiled at him, kissing him softly as his lips caught hers and they embraced. Saffron slid a hand up his chest and sighed into the kiss. Their lips moved together, an expression of gratitude and love and so much more.

"Don't play yourself down. You're a good man, soul or no" She finally said as they managed to break their soft kiss. She knew he had meant it in a romantic sense, but she also felt his insecurity was bubbling below the surface, "Thank you for this – it's… it's as if I was meant to have it"

"You deserve all the good in the world, Honeysuckle, this is only a small part of that" He admitted, looking down slightly as he said it, "You belong in the light" This was a familiar conversation they had had before. He had admitted that he felt bad for making her stay in the shadows with him.

"It's a good job I have you then, isn't it?" she replied, without missing a beat. She wouldn't let him do this to himself again, "Why would I want the light when you're not able to walk into it with me? I'm by your side, always, some ugly metaphor equating goodness and light won't change that. I'm yours, and if you don't mind, you're mine" She grinned up at him, landing a chaste kiss on his lips.

The pair cuddled up to each other, with Saff's hand on Spike's thigh showing off her ring. She couldn't stop looking at it and then up at him. Her eyes glistened she was so in love with this man. Spike slid his hand under hers, clasping his fingers between hers. He looked down, enjoying seeing her wearing a ring on that finger. One day, he told himself. He vowed it.

They stayed together like that for a long time, watching the tv but being hyperaware of the other next to them. They could stay like this forever, entwined together. But, this was Sunnydale, and that was never going to happen. Buffy had rushed in, not lowering herself to bother to knock, and moving to switch off the tv and turn to face the pair, hands on her hips.

"Dawn and Willow – they're gone"

"what do you mean gone?!"

"Missing" Buffy stated, trying to stay calm.

"Again?!"

"Anyone thought of getting the chit a bell?" Spike muttered as they both moved from their place on the sofa.

"Buy her one for her Birthday" Saff offered, pulling her boots back on.

"If we don't go, there'll be no birthday" Buffy said, a sense of urgency as the pair guessed Dawn had followed a butterfly into a meadow and forgot to leave a crust of bread behind her.

"Wait, if she's with Will what's the big?"

"She's got herself into trouble. There's a guy – Rak and-"

"Rak? He's bad news. A dealer in the dark magics" Spike spoke up, shaking his head his jaw tensing that Dawn had been brought into all that.

"A fucking dealer?! Fuck I knew it was getting bad but… shit! And she's taken Dawn to score?"

"You need a big bad – to feel out the energy… but that's why you're here isn't it?"

"We-we need to get to them – Now!" Buffy said, adjusting her scarf around her neck, itching to leave.

"Alright, let's roll then" Saffron muttered as she shrugged on a soft grey hoodie and tied her hair back. Before she started to stalk to the door, Buffy stopped her and took her hand down to look at the new addition to her jewellery collection.

"Wait… are… are you engaged!?" Her eyes widened. Spike and Saffron looked at each other a glint in their eyes as they shook their heads, but they could have fooled Buffy. They looked like they were. She felt the love around the room and it made her happy but also lonely. They didn't falter when she asked. The pair just clasped hands and stalked off to find Dawn leaving Buffy confused and on their heels.

xoxoxo

Buffy ran ahead, starting to slay the demon as the lovers ran towards the saw the crashed car and thought the worst. They ran into the abandoned building the apprehension from her own worry giving Saffron a headache, never mind the others' anxiety too.

They saw Willow and Dawn and stopped dead. Buffy got rid of the demon and rushed towards Dawn. Spike was angry, ready to tear Willow apart but Saffron set a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Dawn" She whispered, her safety was the most important thing right now. They moved towards her as Willow started to cry, begging Dawn to forgive her. Buffy defeated the demon, moving the scarf back in place self-consciously as she joined Saff beside Dawn. The sisters checked Dawn over, inspecting her arm. She would have to go to hospital. Saff's first reaction, along with the others, was anger. How could Will do this? That's why nobody did anything when Dawn turned and slapped Willow with force.

Willow sunk to the floor, a crying mess. Saffron felt her emotions so acutely, she felt like crying too. The addiction, the pull was so strong. Even now, she wanted to be back with Rak, no matter how guilty and horrible she felt over what had just happened. She would need to turn to something else when she felt this way. She couldn't go back to Rak.

Saffron hugged her cousin as gently as possible, allowing Spike to walk her to the hospital. He was confused at first, he had expected her to at least get a slap in herself, but this was something she understood. She knew addiction, she knew the hold it could have. How embedded in your brain it could become if you didn't have the support. And she no longer had Tara, so Saff knew they needed to be there. Her and Buffy. She hoped buffy was on the same page, she could feel Will's emotions too after all.

Buffy started to lay into Willow and Saffron stayed silent, knowing she needed to hear it. Buffy shouted, telling her how reckless and stupid she had been and Saffron couldn't disagree.

"It was reckless and dangerous-" Buffy continued her speech, ensuring she was tough on Willow. Buffy rubbed her neck and Saffron felt something unusual from her cousin. She looked as if she was in her own head whilst she spoke on something else.

"I can't do it" Willow sobbed, clinging to Buffy who just stood there, "I can't! I can't, I ju-"

"You can, Will" Saffron finally said sincerely, which surprised Buffy, "You have to"

"God, I need help. Please! Please... help me, please...I need help" she continued, wiping her eyes as Buffy opened her arms to hug Willow. Saffron joined the pair, wrapping her arms around both of them, hoping that the three of them could get through everything that was coming next, "We've got you" she whispered.

Usually, the strength of Will's addiction would have hurt too much to bear touching the girl. But the ring, it was helping. She could feel it all still but it wasn't hurting so much. A tiny twinge here and there. Her mind cast back to Spike as she twisted her new ring. He was so thoughtful, she didn't know but he hadn't stopped looking through that dusty tomb until he had found the ring. No object was left un-turned until it was found, this time for entirely selfless reasons.

They had returned from the emergency room with Dawn's arm now in a sling. When everyone was back, Buffy and Saffron had set Willow up in her room. Saffron made some soup (Willow hadn't eaten) as Buffy kept Willow's company. Spike went to the basement, not able to stay in the same room as Willow. He was ready to risk a headache for what the witch had done. They explained to Willow that Dawn's arm was fractured, but the doctor had said that it could have been a lot worse.

The cousins sat on the edge of Willow's bed, she was wrapped in a blanket her eyes staring a little as she tried, and failed, to relax. She zoned back into the room, her eyes now on the girls that were trying their best to support her despite Dawn's sulking that they were.

"Will, there's nothing wrong with you. You don't need magic to be special"

"Don't I? I mean, guys, who was I? Just... some girl. Tara didn't even know that girl…" Willow sighed.

"You are more than some girl and Tara wants you to stop. She loves you"

"We don't know that"

"I know that. I promise you" Buffy insisted and Saff nodded along in agreement.

"I just... it took me away from myself, I was free"

"I get that, babe - really I do, but this… this has to stop. You have to want to change" Saffron offered, the only advice she could give. Kicking a habit this strong was hard. Buffy was frowning, apparently in deep thought as Saffron rested a comforting hand over Willow's hand.

"I understand. More than you-" Buffy stopped herself from continuing, making Saffron frown further, "But it's wrong. People get hurt" Saffron nodded along, making a mental note to ask Buffy later.

"If something had happened to Dawn tonight... something worse…"

"I know"

"No, I don't think you do. I-I ... I was out of my mind, I ... I did things I can't even…"

"We know" Saffron nodded, seriously. She knew how she felt, not just because she had her abilities.

"It won't happen again, I promise. No more spells. I'm finished"

"Good. I think it's right - to give it up… no matter how good it feels" Buffy looked in deep thought as Saffron frowned at her cousin. Things weren't going to be easy. Not for any of the women in this room.

"It's not worth it. Not if it messes with the people I love" Willow continued, but Buffy didn't appear to be in the room. She was in deep thought about something else as she

"I'm proud of you for making the decision, Will. But the change won't happen overnight. It just won't" she continued to hold Will's hand, willing her to understand, "You might struggle, want to do it again, you might even do magic again… but if you ever do, come and talk to me. Either of us"

"I will"

"I mean it, I'm not going to judge you. You just can't let it get out of control again… just talk to me. I'll be here" Saffron said, squeezing Will's hand. She nodded, the first trace of a smile since everything. She didn't feel she deserved Saffron's care, her genuine concern but she really appreciated it. Buffy was more reserved with her support and Saffron decided the pair needed to talk alone, so she got up and said her goodnights before leaving.

Saff left them to continue talking, feeling they needed it. She checked in on Dawn's room, who was knocked out with the meds from the emergency room. before slowly padding down the stairs to her basement room. She had allowed Dawn to have Angelina (the cat) sleeping in her room Saffron slipped into bed beside Spike late into the night, she was exhausted. Both by her own emotions and everyone elses. Buffy felt how Saffron was feeling and only wished that she could influence her to feel better the way Saffron had for her many times before. Saffron didn't know that she felt like this, Buffy's blocking skills had only become stronger as she became used to the powers.

"You okay, love?" He asked, knowing the answer. He wrapped his arms around her middle and rested his head on her chest. Saffron closed her eyes, a hand resting on Spike's head.

"Just… everything's coming at once"

"Way I see it, Red's fate's in her own hands" He warned, still unable to hide the bite in his voice as he thought about the recent events, "Can't do much more for her now. You need to stop takin' on the troubles of the world when you have your own worries"

She shook her head. It wasn't just that, it was everything descending on them. It was worrying about the safety of those she loved, everyone's emotions were all over the place at the moment and she was scared that Oleander would use Spike to hurt her, as he knew how deeply she cared for him. Because he felt how she did in a way that, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't ever quite reach him with the same intensity. And she wasn't sure she wanted to have the ability to be that cruel - even to him.

"Buffy isn't talking to me and I think she's hiding something. I don't feel any emotions from her, it's as if she were… blocking me" She sighed, nestling into Spike as he switched positions to hold her into his chest, "You know what she's like - I can't force her to talk to me" She muttered, twisting the ring that Spike bought her around her finger. It really was helping, although at times like this it is hard to recognise. The one constant was that she was reminded of Spike's love and the strength she had when he believed in her any time she saw it.

"I know now, for sure, that Oleander is the Corrupted. He's not going to stop until he's killed me and by the looks of it, everyone I care about…" her voice wavered,

"You can do this, Saff. I've got you, love… I'll be right here, fightin' by your side but I'd be a fool to think when you kill the bastard it would have anything to do with me" he said sincerely. He would be there, but he knew it wasn't necessarily his fight. But he was determined to support her in any way he could.

The entire house into a collective sleep. A breath of relief for each of them as they were able to unshackle themselves from their worries for even a brief moment. Even Spike fell asleep despite that it was the middle of the night. They could only hope that with the dawn of a new day would bring a better tomorrow.