A/N: Thank you to Dreaming Haven for taking the time to read and review. You have no idea what it means to me! Here's an extra long chapter for your reading pleasure. I hope you enjoy it!
Spike pulled the car up in front of the castle and the two of them got out. "Doesn't look like the girls are back yet," he observed.
Buffy nodded as she finished up her conversation on her cell phone. "Thanks again Wil, let me know ASAP. I'd like to get started this week. Talk later, bye!" Buffy had called Willow and Dawn on the way home to fill them in on Giles' accident and explain that it would be delaying their trip.
"That went better than expected…" Buffy said as she looked at her phone after hanging up and then up at the dark castle. "Wil said she'd get right on the mapping thing and let me know when she had something. They both seem oddly cool with the idea of us staying longer. Willow says Xander is planning on visiting them really soon." She grabbed a flashlight from under her seat and the two of them made their way over to the duplex.
"You know, I'm really starting to wonder about them. Almost seems like there's something going on doesn't it?"
Buffy chewed her lip, "I'm glad Xander is going to be there, he would let me know if it's something serious."
"What are you thinking, Buff?"
She shrugged, "I'm thinking I'm probably paranoid."
"To quote a new favorite book of mine, 'Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face'."
"God that's a cheerful thought, what the hell have you been reading?"
"The Dresden Files by an American bloke called Butcher, they're about a wise-ass professional wizard in Chicago. Only thing is that the vampires are nothing like the real thing, but still. The bloke is pretty brilliant. I've read the first five. I can't wait for the next one to come out next month."
"Oh my God, you actually are a geek!"
"Hey now!"
"It's actually kinda cute- hot, I definitely meant hot."
Spike narrowed his eyes at her, "Not sure how to take that one, Pet."
"It's a good thing, it means you have layers. Just accept it," she grinned as she opened the door to the entryway, "Here we are!"
"Right, let's test this out, ladies first," he gestured towards the door. Buffy went in and stood waiting.
As expected, Spike was able to step right in, "Alright then, let's see it."
"We'll be over here on the right," Buffy opened the door stepping into the dining area, "Can't you just see it?" She grinned.
"Didn't expect this."
"I know right? I think most of the crown molding is in good condition and the wainscoting in the kitchen is alright. The breakfast nook is going to need some help…"
"Should look into that Nacro-tempered glass Wolfram and Hart loves so much. Got to say, that stuff is bloody brilliant. I found out it's actually a spell on the glass, bet Willow could pull it off."
"That's a good idea, Honey. Ready to check out the upstairs?" She asked as she pulled out a stake. Spike nodded as he did the same.
The two of them went up to the bedrooms, "What's with the hotel setup up here? Are these rooms the same?"
"I know right? But still, that means Dawn gets her own bathroom over here and you and I get our own-" she walked over to the second bedroom, "I figured this would be our room," she continued walking through the spacious bedroom and into a little hallway of sorts that separated the dual closets and lead into the large bathroom.
"Privacy is the key here."
Spike gave her a wolfish grin, "A new bathtub would be good in here."
"See, now we're on the same page," she smiled.
"Out of curiosity, what would be the first thing you would do to really claim this place as 'home'?" He asked her.
"Oh, that's easy, I'd get rid of the dead critters. Then I'd get the leaky fireplace and the water damage fixed. And the bathrooms, then I would rip up the carpeting in the bedrooms. But first," Buffy pressed Spike to the wall and started to unfasten his pants, "I'd give my boyfriend a good shag in our own private bathroom because the carpeting in the bedroom is seriously nasty."
"Picking up on the lingo now are you?" he murmured as he kissed her neck and pulled her shirt off, "You know I'm always up for a good shag."
In a matter of seconds half their clothing was littered around the dank and dirty bathroom but neither of them cared. They were too engrossed in each other. Buffy screamed as Spike held her pinned her to the wall, he held both of her hands with one of his. She relaxed as she wrapped her legs around him and allowed him to drive into her, sending her over the edge. Spike released her hands as he felt her shudder. Buffy grabbed his shoulders and tore at his back as he continued on. She kissed his neck and found his earlobe taking it in her mouth. Spike let out a moan that was more of a growl as Buffy spurred him on to completion with a gasp and another little scream of pleasure.
Spike kissed her tenderly as he released Buffy from the wall. She slid down still holding onto him as she found her feet. She kissed him again, "We still have a house to explore," she teased.
"Should I bother with clothes or are you planning on claiming every room like that?" He grinned as he reluctantly let her pass him.
Buffy smirked and slipped on her jeans and underwear, "It was just an idea, don't know if it worked," she looked around at the bathroom, "In spite of the ugly tile, it does feel more like home," she laughed.
"Hey, whatever it takes, Love. I'd be happy to repeat as often as necessary."
They dressed quickly and continued on through the house as she had with Giles just that morning. As they walked through they discussed all the work that would need to be done and the things they would like to do. They spent some more time in the kitchen and living room going over ideas. Spike had some surprisingly good ones Buffy liked.
"I think when Callum comes to look at the elevator I'm going to ask him to come take a look over here."
"Good idea, you can always call Xander to come take a look too. At least he's going to be on this side of the pond now."
"Oh I was already planning on doing that," She said as she opened the basement door, "Ready?"
"Lead on, Slayer."
However, the basement was empty this time. Buffy shrugged her arms, swinging them around her, "Well it's not like we didn't get a vamp tonight."
"More ways than one for you, Love."
"Rolling in the laughter here. So what do you think about the basement?"
"Let's see this passage."
Buffy went over to the lever, "Here we go," she said as she flipped it.
"Sweet little addition, too bad it's not a wardrobe."
Buffy smirked, "We could always replace the shelves."
"What do you want to do down here?"
"I was thinking it could be your 'Spike-Space'. You know, a day time hangout complete with tunnel access."
Spike made a circuit around the large space including the bathroom and utility/laundry room, "Needs some work, some comfy furniture, TV, put a fridge down here. Be almost like my crypt in Sunnydale."
"Except with a bathroom and laundry!"
"Yeah what's with that anyway?"
"Oh come on, laundry in the basement isn't that weird."
"I'm used to that. Bloody hell, I slept in close proximity to your little Fluff-n'-Fold for weeks. I'm talking about the full bath. Other side the same?"
"Pretty close, it's arranged a little differently because of the tunnel but it's basically the same."
"Wonder if they put it in because of the tunnel. You know, kill a baddie, get all nasty and have a shower waiting right here next to the laundry."
"Makes sense. Then they just did the same thing over there for symmetry? Then why isn't it symmetrical?" Buffy shook her head and shrugged, you know what, it doesn't matter. It's awesome and had I known what it looked like in here to begin with, I'm not sure I would have ever gone to Rome."
"Now she says," Spike rolled his eyes.
"So are you in?"
"Course I am. Clearly you love it and I couldn't hope for anything better. We're going to be here longer than expected now so we might as well get started on it."
Buffy beamed at him.
"God I love that smile, I'd do anything to make you happy," he said softly as he cupped her cheek in his hand.
"You deserve to be happy too."
"I really don't, but thanks for saying it, Love."
When Spike and Buffy returned to the castle that night, only Faith hadn't returned yet. Most of the girls had already turned in for the night but a few, all four of the Level 4 girls that is, were still up.
"Uhh oh, what's going on here?" Buffy asked when she saw them huddled in a corner.
"Everything alright?" Spike asked.
"Hey, Buffy, Spike…" Zari hedged, "We just wanted to touch base with you. How's Mr. Giles doing?"
"He's going to be fine, he should be home tomorrow, depending on some test results. Faith and I will go get him."
She nodded, "Glad to hear it."
"How did it go tonight? I didn't get any calls so I'm guessing it went ok," Buffy said as she and Spike sat down on the couch together. Buffy absentmindedly rested her arm on his leg as she leaned over in her seat. Spike sat back relaxed and placed a hand on the small of her back.
"Yeah, kinda slow actually. My group got two," Zari offered.
"Three," Wendy said, holding up three fingers for emphasis.
"Two for us," said Addison.
"Two for us too," Ursula added.
"See, including the one Spike and I got at the hospital that makes ten, total."
"Not such a slow night after all," Spike drawled.
"We'll have to see how things went for Faith."
"You got one at the hospital? While you were there with Mr. Giles?" Zari asked.
"Down in the morgue, it happens," she rolled her shoulder tensely and Spike moved his hand to start massaging it for her, "Any injuries or anything weird to report?"
"Nothing any of us haven't all had in training," said Ursula.
"And your thoughts on team building?"
All four girls looked around at each other, "It was alright," Ursula said.
"The girls are so— headstrong," Wendy blurted out.
"I didn't have any issues with Ava, Cora, or Aretta," Addison countered.
"That's good, I'm glad things went well for you tonight, but you don't learn from smooth sailing. I'm planning on continued group sessions like this. We've been teaching you how to be individuals, the way we were taught. But I think this is important too. According to the records, I was the first Slayer to really have a group of friends working by my side. I can honestly tell you that I would have been dead a long time ago if it weren't for my friends."
"Would have, Love?"
"Spike is right. In fact I have died, twice. Both times my friends brought me back. The first time with CPR, the second time— well that was more—-"
"Devastating? Heart wrenching?" Spike offered.
"I was going with 'complicated'."
"Well yeah, it was that."
"You were there?" Addison asked Spike.
"Tried to be, wasn't."
"You were there when it counted," she patted the inside of his knee, "The point is, that without my friends, I would have just been one more dead Slayer. I wouldn't have gotten to the point I am now in my life. You girls wouldn't have gotten your power if I didn't have these amazing people by my side."
"So what's next in our training?"
Buffy glanced at Spike, "It's sort of a project. I have our witch working on the safety angle now and we'll let you know soon."
"In the meantime, you should probably work on getting to know your teammates a little better. What do you think, Pet, a little community service project?" Spike suggested.
Buffy smiled, "I like the way you think. Smart and sexy."
"Dunno about smart, Love."
Wendy and Zari snickered.
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Anyway we have a few things we could use help with, and I think this might be a good non-slayer way for you to get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses and how to control your power in everyday situations."
"What are you going to have us do?"
Buffy grinned as she straightened herself up, pressing into Spike as she did so, "You're going to help us start our home renovation project."
All four of the girls looked at them like, "What?" They said at once with very different inflections.
Addison and Zari both looked as though Christmas had come early. Ursula seemed utterly disinterested until she caught sight of her girlfriend's face beaming back at her, "Oh all right, she mumbled."
Wendy on the other hand, "You must be joking. You're going to have us do physical labor? Slaying is one thing but labor…" she scoffed.
"No, I'm not and yes, I am. Slayers often find themselves in unfamiliar situations. Either on the job or helping out a friend. It's important for you guys to get outside of your comfort zones and create these lasting relationships. Spike and I have friends around the world. If one of them calls needing help we would be there, no questions asked, because we know that they would be there for us too."
Spike coughed dramatically, "LA!"
Buffy glared at him, "That was different, I thought Angel had gone all dark-side and I didn't even know you were alive."
"Peaches was playing it pretty close to the vest on that one."
"I would have answered the phone for you, you know."
"Paris…"
Buffy sighed, "Vacation… I was screening calls… and you're not helping," she glared at him. Spike ignored her. "Ok so yeah sometimes people have stuff going on and sometimes you have to make a judgement call, and it's not always the right one. That's also why it's important to have a seriously long contact list. When you leave here, I want you to know you have people here you can rely on when things get tough, like apocalypse tough. Because we've seen a few. I really want you guys to still think of this castle as someplace you guys can come back to for help or to continue training. So yes I am going to have you doing a variety of things in your groups starting with cleaning up the house on the edge of the property."
"When are we going to start this?" Wendy asked.
"Tomorrow morning. I think we'll split you up. Two groups in the house and two in the training rooms. That way you're all set when Faith and I have to go get Giles. Spike will be around but you know, sunlight is kind of a problem. So he won't be making any outside trips."
"Too right."
"I thought vampires were supposed to sleep during the day."
"Sleep when I can get the bloody kip."
Buffy patted Spike's leg, "Speaking of, time for bed, all of you."
Soon the girls were upstairs and Spike and Buffy were alone. Buffy leaned back against Spike getting comfortable, "Spike?"
"Humm?"
"Think we should wait up for Faith?"
"Could watch some telly."
Buffy reached for the remote, "Here, you pick."
"Tired, Pet?"
"Long day."
"Come here, Love," he murmured as he readjusted on the couch so they could both lay more comfortably.
"Don't mind if I do," she said, curling up close to him. He turned on the TV and started searching for something to watch.
"Thank you."
"What for, Love?" He asked absentmindedly.
"Being here, with me."
He stroked the hair from her forehead, "No place I'd rather be, Pet. Now get some sleep, I'll wait up for Faith."
It was almost two hours later before Faith returned to the castle. Spike was watching an old horror film when she walked into the living room.
"Spike? You in here?"
Spike pulled himself up a little on the couch trying not to disturb Buffy, "Yeah, how was your night?" He asked in a hushed tone.
Faith came around the back of the couch they were on to sit down on the other couch. "Oh hey man, I didn't realize Buffy was down here."
"No worries, she was doing a mother-hen when the day caught up to her."
"Figures."
"Bag any monsters?"
"Two, you?"
"One. Makes a round dozen for team Slayer tonight."
"Girls did good huh?"
"Yup. Went so well Buffy is keeping them in their groups for other stuff too."
"Nice," Faith looked around the room and glanced at the TV, "What's this one?"
"What, this? 'Horror of Dracula', stumbled onto a Christopher Lee marathon."
"So what, is this like nostalgia for you or more like a cooking show?"
"Sort of lost the thrill for the kill… mostly. More like a reminder of how much I hate that wanker Dracula, but yeah I am getting a wee bit peckish now you mention it."
Faith gestured towards Buffy laying practically on top of him, "Looks like she's got you pretty well pinned down."
"Except she weighs about nothing," Spike nudged her awake, "Up you get, sweetheart. Faith's home safe and sound."
Buffy mumbled "Oh good…"
"Hey there sleepyhead," Faith chuckled, "Probably going to be another long one tomorrow."
Buffy shook her head sleepily, "Got it covered, got a set-it-and-forget-it plan for the girls tomorrow."
"Crock-pot teaching?"
Buffy yawned, "Ahh huhh…"
"That's enough of that, let's get you upstairs, Love." Buffy groaned in protest as Spike gently pushed her up to stand. "You'll thank me in the morning, Goldilocks."
"I know…" she groaned again.
"I'm down for some serious sack time for sure," Faith said standing up, "but I need food."
"You hungry, Love?"
"Need…sleep…" Buffy said in a zombie impression.
Spike chuckled, "Bed it is for you then, I'll see you up."
"I can find our room all on my own, you stay. Eat."
"Yeah alright, night, Beautiful," he kissed her, "I'll be up in a bit."
"Night," she replied, yawning.
The three of them walked together as far as the entryway, Buffy broke away from them and went upstairs while Spike and Faith went into the kitchen.
"She ok?" Faith asked as she dug around in the fridge for some leftovers. She set a couple of beers and a container of blood down on the work table in the kitchen.
"Ta, love," he said, pouring some blood into a big mug. He popped it into the microwave for a few seconds and cracked open the beer Faith had set out for him. "Yeah, she's just… she says she's all healed up but I think the ribs are still a little sore. You know slayers. She just isn't quite back to full strength yet."
"Sure you didn't knock her up, screwing like bunnies since you got back."
Spike sipped his beer, "You off your trolley? Hello, vampire. Dead man walking. Blanks only. Not going to happen."
"Seen stranger things."
"Not that, can't happen," He said, taking a drink of blood.
"It's happened before," Faith shrugged, "Course that was one vampire knocking up another, not a slayer," she said, taking a drink of her beer.
"What are you on about?"
"Thought you knew. You mean you don't know?"
"Clearly not."
"Shit… I just thought..."
Spike finished the blood in the mug and set it down, "What's this bollocks you're on about, out with it…"
Faith took a deep breath, "Angel, has a kid…"
"Bollocks- If Angel had a kid I'd know about it."
"Kid's only about two or something but he looks like a teenager."
"I just left him in LA…hang on…" Spike took a long drink switching back to the beer. Thinking, he shook his head, "That just can't be right… how the hell could that even happen?"
Faith shrugged, "All I know is what Wes told me just before I came back to Sunny-D. Some kind of prophecy BS I guess."
"Who the hell was the mum?"
"Some vamp, name a Darla."
"Oh I know Darla alright. Angel's sire. My great-grand-sire, if you will. We all ran together when I was young… Angel staked her once. They brought her back as human and got Drusilla to re-vamp her."
"Yeah we'll apparently after that she and Angel got busy and then she staked herself so Connor could live."
"Connor… Connor… I know that name… there was something about a kid at Wolfram and Hart… what was it?" He paused thinking, "I wasn't really around much for that, but I did overhear something. I didn't understand what it was all about at the time, but now… I bet that's what they were talking about. Does this have to do with the soul? What is he anyway?"
"Near as I can tell… Well I don't really know what the hell he is."
"Human?"
"Ish… seems so. Definitely alive. Kid can fight, track like a vamp, seriously strong. Don't know much else about him."
"And just because Mr. Forehead knocked up Darla, you think- no, no, no… Not possible… I don't know how the bloody hell he has a kid, but no. It's not… I'm not… I can't… Buffy— Oh hell. Does Buffy know about this?"
"Hell if I know. Willow met the kid so I assume Buffy probably does. But then if you didn't… Dude, I didn't mean to cause trouble in paradise."
"Bloody hell."
Faith shook her head, "Not like it makes much difference does it? I mean you two got the mutual crazies going on. If you're worried, talk to her."
Spike grunted non-committedly.
"So run me through this training plan you two got going on?"
Spike proceeded to fill Faith in on the last minute training plan Buffy came up with.
That night after finishing his conversation with Faith, they each went up to their respective bedrooms. Spike stood for a long moment watching Buffy sleep. His head hurt from the earlier conversation with Faith. He went over to the roll top desk and poured himself a drink. Then sat down on one of the chairs in front of the fire facing towards the bed and Buffy.
He was having trouble getting his head around the idea that Angel, his grand-sire and the only other vampire with a soul, had a kid… what if somehow having a soul made it possible… but how? What if it had something to do with their vampiric bloodline? That thought really hurt his head.
It was insane to even consider, he was dead after all. But so was Angel and Darla… and that hurt his head even more, especially Darla. Whereas Buffy was right in front of him, full of breath and life. Did that make it more or less possible? He didn't know.
He finished his drink and got up to pour another. The other thing that was bothering him was the idea that Buffy might have known but hadn't said anything to him about it. He needed some air.
Spike grabbed his long leather jacket and the new MP3 player Buffy had got him and headed out into the orchard for a smoke. It was a clear warm night, the stars were out. Spike laid down in the grass and took a long drag of his cigarette taking the time to clear his head. He put the earphones in and cranked up the volume on Sid Vicious singing 'Pretty Vacant'
The fact was that vampires couldn't reproduce, not like humans. How many years had Angel been with Darla and nothing of the sort ever happened. Because it just isn't possible. Same with him and Dru… something that had continued to twist Drusilla's mind long after she had been turned. Clearly something, or maybe a lot of somethings, must have been going on to make Angel's son even remotely possible. He laid there in the grass listening to song after song letting the words and music roll over in his mind.
The Ramones, 'I Wanna Be Sedated' came on as he took another drag of his cigarette. That had to be it, there had to be other factors involved, he thought. Surely it couldn't just 'happen', that was just crazy. Then again… what if? He rolled his eyes at the thought, "Bloody hell, what am I doing?" he swore to himself as he got up.
Spike continued walking around the orchard and the large area they used for training grounds. 'Are Everything' by the Buzzcocks came on next. He lit up another cigarette as he continued to listen. The song ended and he dropped the cigarette butt, stomping it into the ground under his boot. "Oh sod this rot," he said as he made his way back into the castle and upstairs to their bedroom. He stood in the doorway watching her. Buffy was still curled up on her side, fast asleep.
Spike sighed as he shoved the MP3 player into his jacket pocket and threw his jacket down on the back of the chair he had sat in earlier. He walked around to his side of the bed and stripped down before he climbed in. Pressing in close to Buffy, he wrapped an arm around her holding her to him. Chances were that he was just getting worked up over nothing. The whole thing was just stupid.
In the morning Buffy gingerly slipped out from under Spike's arm. She felt like crap as she started getting dressed for the day. She made her way into the bathroom and took a couple of pain relievers for her pounding head. Maybe breakfast would help.
Buffy went downstairs to grab something to eat and was surprised when Faith came in shortly after her.
"Morning," Buffy yawned just as the coffee pot made a beeping sound.
Faith only waved sleepily and staggered over to the coffee pot. She poured them each a cup, threw some bread in the toaster and sat down across from Buffy and her bowl of cereal. They sat in silence for several minutes. Buffy finished her cereal and turned her attention to her own cup of coffee, drinking it slowly. After a few sips she broke the silence, "One of us should stick close to a phone today. I already told the older girls the general plan."
"Spike filled me in last night."
Buffy nodded and sipped her coffee.
Faith eyed her, "How you feeling?"
"Me? Fine now, little rough getting up this morning. Stupid headache. Think I hit my head harder than I thought I did last night when that vamp knocked me down."
Faith nodded, "Been there."
There was a wave of commotion coming from the main staircase. Buffy stood up, "For the love of all things holy, here come the locust."
Faith chuckled, "Damn B, you're savage this morning."
"Nothing another cup of coffee can't fix."
Shortly after breakfast, Faith and Buffy ushered the girls out the back door off of the kitchen into the training grounds behind the castle. It was a nicer day than either one of them had expected so instead of starting out in the training rooms they decided to complete morning exercises on the grounds before splitting the girls up into their teams as Buffy had originally planned. This way at least they were able to leave the kitchen door open so they could hear the phone ringing in case Giles or his doctor called from the hospital.
After the morning exercises Buffy took Addison and Wendy's groups over to the duplex. Buffy was eager to get the girls started on getting the place cleaned out. First she had a couple of the girls go into the small stone garden-shed just off of the castle where the lawn equipment such as the tractor and other supplies were kept. She was really hoping they would find some extra cleaning supplies in there. Fortunately she was not disappointed. The girls came back with two large buckets, a couple of brooms, a pair of dust pans and a large paper grocery bag full of rags. It was enough to get them started at least.
Buffy gave the girls a cursory tour of the building, going over what she expected and set a team up on each side of the house. She had planned on having them start in the attic and work their way down, thus getting them started on cleaning out the worst of the dirt and debris. There were some complaints at first from some of the younger girls but Buffy shut them down quickly.
Buffy, for her part, split her time between the two sides keeping tabs on what was going on while simultaneously checking to see if Faith was still outside with the girls. Faith had her two groups , headed by Ursula and Zari, in the training ground splitting off into pairs practicing moves. After several minutes of that she had the girls practice fighting in different configurations to get them accustomed to taking on multiple opponents at the same time.
It wasn't until after 11:00am when Giles called. His doctor had been in to discuss his test results. He was sending him home that afternoon with a prescription for blood pressure medication. As well as strict instructions to rest with his leg elevated as much as possible. With the phone call, Faith called the girls and Buffy in for an early lunch break and to get the groups switched. Addison and Wendy's groups were now practicing taking on multiple opponents and Ursula and Zari's groups picked up where the first groups had left off in the duplex.
Before they left for the hospital Buffy went upstairs to wake Spike and let him know they were going. She was surprised to find he wasn't in bed. Buffy opened the bathroom door, the shower was running.
"Spike?"
"Who else would be in here?" He grumbled.
"No need to get all pissy, just letting you know Faith and I are heading out to go get Giles."
"Yeah alright, Love."
"What's up with you? Did you sleep okay?"
"Not particularly, Pet."
"That sucks."
Spike pulled the shower curtain aside to look at her, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine, you?"
Spike turned off the water, grabbed this towel, stepped out of the shower and glared at her but didn't argue. He shrugged one shoulder as he started drying his hair with the towel, "Sure you're feeling alright?"
"If I had the time I would be…" Buffy mumbled as she watched him. Spike looked up into the bathroom mirror to see her staring at the blank spot where his reflection should have been. He grinned as she shook her head, "What was the question?"
He let out a low chuckle, "I was just asking if you were feeling alright, nothing out of the usual?"
"I woke up with a headache and starting to get a little crampy if you must know, but other than that I feel great, why?"
He looked at her, "Forget it, Pet, I'm alright."
"Get some clothes on. The girls are all either outside or in the house so really not much you can do. Just go downstairs, stay close in case anybody hollers," she shrugged.
"Yeah, alright. Doubt they'll be much trouble though. Probably just watch some Telly."
"Laundry is a good option too, you know. Could seriously use some clean underwear."
Spike grinned, "I don't mind the alternative."
She swatted him playfully, "Gross. Now come on, it's not like you don't know how."
"Yeah, yeah. No worries I'll take care of it."
"Thank you." She gave him a quick kiss, "You better."
Spike was lying on the couch watching 'The Comedy of Terrors', starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, and Boris Karloff, when they got Giles home from the hospital. Spike paused the movie and helped gather some pillows while Buffy set him down on the second couch. Giles gritted his teeth as Buffy stacked some of the throw pillows Spike handed her and tried to help him get comfortable. "Is that better?" She asked.
"Yes, thank you," he said with a pained sigh.
Faith stood off to the side reading a paper from the hospital, "The nurse did say he'd be due for his pain meds when we got home. How ya feeling G?"
"I believe the young lady was quite correct."
"I'll get you some water," Faith said, exiting the room.
"I do wish I were in my own bed," Giles said a little grumpily.
Buffy sat down at the end of the couch by Giles' feet, "It's not going to be for long. We'll get the elevator fixed. It won't eliminate the stairs for you but it will cut them down and make things a little easier. So for now, you are just going to have to stay right here."
Faith came back in with a glass of water and a little bell she found in the kitchen, "Here ya go, in case you needed anything. We'll make sure someone is around. We were planning on taking the girls out, Wednesday but we can reschedule, it's not like it's a big deal."
Giles laughed weakly as he accepted the bell from her, "I'm not an invalid you know. I can give Zara a call, her daughter often watches the store for her so there's a good chance she can come over if needed."
"I'd feel a lot better having someone here, since I'm going to be out too," Faith reassured him. She handed him his medication and a glass of water, "Take those."
"Now you get some rest, watch the movie with Spike. That's an order. We have to go to check on the girls to see how they're doing," Buffy said as she patted him on the knee.
"Aww but mom!" Spike moaned mockingly as Buffy passed him.
She rolled her eyes, "Play nice with the other Englishman. If you're a good vampire maybe you'll get a cookie."
Spike grinned and laughed, "We'll be fine, Pet. Although I wouldn't say 'no' to that cookie."
"No clean socks, no cookies."
"Load in the dryer and one in the wash."
"Cookies it is."
"Please let that not be a euphemism," Giles said, removing his glasses.
"You've been through enough lately, we'll spare you the naughty talk. This is seriously just about laundry."
"Thank goodness," Giles mumbled.
"Play nice you two," Buffy said before heading out of the room with Faith.
Giles turned to the TV for the first time, "What monstrosity are you watching anyway?" He asked, "Good lord, is that Basil Rathbone? I loved him as Sherlock Holmes."
"This 'monstrosity' as you put it, is a classic. Are you seriously telling me you've never seen this?" Spike asked incredulously.
"I— I might have years ago."
"That's it, I'm starting it over! I'm not that far in any way. And you call yourself an educated man," Spike said, shaking his head.
Buffy and Faith made their way out to the training grounds. The girls were still hard at work.
"Addison, Wendy, front and center," Faith called. The two girls broke away as the mock fight they were currently conducting ended.
"What do ya need?" Wendy asked.
"Has everybody gone through all the fight configurations?"
"We have two more left," Addison answered.
"Okay good, you guys finish up those two configurations and then hit the showers. Call it a day."
The two Level 4 girls ran back to their groups and got back to work.
Faith turned to face Buffy, "They're looking good. I think splitting them up in groups like this was a good idea. I had my doubts at first but it seems to be working out alright."
Buffy put her hands on her hips and turned towards the duplex, "I guess you're the only one that hasn't seen it yet, huhh?"
"Guess so."
"Alright let's go fix that. I wanna see how far they got anyway."
As they walked over to the duplex Buffy continued talking, "So what do you think about having Callum take a look at this project while he's here tomorrow?"
Faith nodded, "I kind of figured you would. I'll give Callum a call and see what he says. It might depend on how long the elevator takes but if it's just a walk-through it should be okay."
"Thanks, tell him I'd appreciate it."
"Will do," Faith hesitated a moment, "About Callum…"
"Yeah, what about him?"
"He knows… about us, Slayers…"
"He knows? You mean you've barely started dating the guy and you told him?"
"It sounds a whole lot worse than it is."
Buffy stopped walking and looked at Faith aghast "Get explainy then."
Faith went on to explain about Callum's Aunt and how his mom overheard the conversation at the store.
Buffy's jaw dropped a little, "You're kidding me."
"Nope, I'm afraid not. Guess we need to be more careful talking in shops. Who knew the acoustics were that good?"
Buffy let out a little whistle, "I guess it could've been worse, could've been a bad guy."
"Yeah I think we lucked out on that one. From the sound of it Callum's mom has protected her sister's secret all these years, even from his dad."
"We might need to go back to her shop."
"I was kind of thinking the same thing, but probably not for a while."
Buffy started walking again, "How are things going with you and Callum anyway? You never said how your date was."
"We made plans for tomorrow after they finish with the elevator."
"Nice."
"If he screws half as good as he kisses we might be there all week."
Buffy looked at her again, "Surprised you haven't done it already. Thought that was kinda your thing."
"It is, for both of us… but we kind of decided we want to go slower with this one," Faith added a little sheepishly.
Buffy grinned, "Yeah?"
"Third date rules."
"So here's the question, is this date number two or three?"
Faith couldn't suppress her grin and bit her lip uncharacteristically, "Oh, we're definitely calling tomorrow night date number three. I am going over to his place. As long as you and Spike are going to be okay with Giles. Are you still planning on taking the girls into the tunnels?"
"Yeah that's the plan. Wil should have something for me by tonight and as long as Giles is comfortably squared away it should be alright but I think I'll call his maybe-girlfriend Zara and see if she can check on him while we're gone. Are you spending the whole day over there?"
"He has to work in the afternoon."
"Playing on a school night, better not keep him up too late, he might have to call in sick." Buffy teased.
Faith grinned, "Pretty damn sure he's going to need to anyway," she laughed.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I've locked lips with a lot of guys, a lot… but damn, that boy…"
"That good huh?"
"I can't even describe it B, it was super intense, like-"
"Electric?"
"You and Spike?"
"Oh yeah, big time. Not our first time around though… I think a soul is kind of a prerequisite for that kind of connection. First time we kissed post-ensoulment was…"
"Electric?"
"Still is."
"Are you talking like soulmate type stuff here?"
"I dunno, maybe… I guess it would sort of make a kind of sense. I'm not really sure… I know I didn't feel like this until after he got his soul, so yeah maybe that's exactly what it is," she jerked a shoulder.
"So you think this 'electric' thing means Callum and I are soulmates?" She asked doubtfully.
"It's gotta mean something right? I mean in my case I've been in two VERY different relationships with basically the same guy. The first time was seriously toxic for both of us; this time… if I had to call it something; 'soulmate' would definitely be high on the short list. Spike says we're 'bound to each other', I can see that too."
"I'm just not sure if I believe in that kind of stuff. It just seems so—"
"Just give it a chance. If you two are anything like Spike and I, you'll know pretty damn quick. I knew less than two days after we ahh, 'reconnected' in Sunnydale, but by then he was already gone and the dust had settled. That's why things moved so fast between us in Paris after he came back."
"Whatcha do, jump his bones the minute you saw him?"
"We talked first…" Buffy said, opening the door.
Faith walked inside, "Smart ass." The entry had been swept out and the cobwebs were gone. It was already starting to look more like a home.
"If you think the electric kiss thing is good, just wait for the sex. I mean, seriously."
"Well yeah, have you seen him? Can't wait to see the rest of him, see what he's hiding underneath it all. Kinda like this place, damn this is nice."
"I'm serious. I have the benefit of a before and after comparison with Spike. Sex with soulless-Spike was… insane, super intense and seriously addictive. We'd go for hours, but it still doesn't come close to what we have now. Now we have this… it's like a visceral connection."
"Don't tell me that, I'm hanging on by a thread as it is. I haven't been freaky with anyone since Robin. Then there's you two going at it like animals in heat. I'm dying over here. Which side first?"
Buffy went to the right side she and Spike had already claimed as theirs, "Yeah, well pace yourself."
"I think I know my way around a guy, thanks."
"I'm not just talking about sex, not the physical. It's way more than that. It's emotional too. Not the same thing, but I guess you'll find out the hard way."
"Thanks for the concern and the sex lecture but I think I got this, B."
"Fine, you do what you want. I just don't want you freaking out when you figure out what it's like when you go beyond just sex."
"Can we just drop it? Let's look at this love shack of yours."
Buffy shrugged, "Here we go."
The two of them spent almost an hour talking, discussing the house and the projects that would need professional help and the ones they might be able to do themselves. They checked on the girls and their progress. The initial cleaning was coming along really quickly. If the girls kept up this pace Buffy might be able to have them rip out the old carpeting before the end of the week. Faith found the tunnel in the basement just as fascinating as Buffy had. The tour of the other side went much faster and by the time they were finished Buffy was ready to call it a day. She sent all the girls to get cleaned up. The day seemed to fly by and by the time they had all showered and ate dinner, Buffy was ready for patrol with Spike that night.
A/N: For those of you who don't know the audio books of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, mentioned in this chapter, are brilliantly narrated by none other than James Marsters himself. And for those of you who already knew that, this is a little Easter egg for you. I highly recommend the books, especially the audio books!
As always, please read and review!