Chapter 22: Hello, Spike
HP-BTVS-HP-BTVS
"So…" Joyce started, late one evening a few weeks later, "I thought a lot about your request on Spike." She sat next to him on the couch in the 'house'. She turned slightly to make sure they were facing each other.
Xander groaned as he turned off the TV. He almost regretted asking for that little favor, but the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of having someone on the payroll to do all the dirty work. He had the goblins, but they were too tied up with treaties. Bringing in someone who had no ties to anything in this reality was a better idea. "And?" he questioned.
"I'll bring him, but…" she said, holding up a finger to stop him from talking, "there will be stipulations. One, he cannot roam the castle during the day. As much as I like Spike, he would be too much of a distraction. He can help Filch at night. That'll free up the teachers."
She remembered what Spike looked like when he was evil but had no clue if him having a soul changed his looks. It had for Angel, she could tell the difference in stance and the manner of which he talked. Evil Angel was far more attractive and surer of himself. While good Angel was insecure and feeble. Though, Spike, for all his bluster, was never completely evil. He was quasi-evil. More along the lines of trying to impress his sires. There had always been something that made Spike different.
"That's a good idea," the wolf-eyed man said, thinking hard on that. Either the two would get along, or they'd kill one another. He knew Argus was all talk and no bite, much like Spike. Well, Spike did bite, literally. Still, the two men might just work out.
"Two, I want you to remember he'll be here all alone, like we were in the beginning, so we should at least give him somewhere to go now and then. That means you are to invite him into your house, and your rooms here," she stated firmly, giving him an 'or else' look. "We can set him up in the basement. It will be easy for me to do," she added after a thought.
"Ah, Joyce, do I have too," the grown man whined, not wanting the vampire around the children. He might teach them bad habits.
"Yes, you're magical now, and can do an uninvite spell if you have to. I don't think it will come to that though. Spike was a strange vampire before he got his soul. So, you should be fine," she said with a small smile.
"Strange is right. Batshit crazy, like his sire," Xander mumbled, then waved her to continue.
"No one was as crazy as Drusilla," she countered, and then tilted her head. "I don't understand, didn't he live with you for a while? In your parents' basement?" she remembered hearing that story before she died.
"Well, yeah, but he was tied to a chair," the man said, blushing a bit at that.
Joyce gave him a look, like 'do you really believe that?'.
Xander just blushed more. He knew that Spike probably could have escaped anytime he wanted. He just waved her on.
"Three, you cannot ask him to kill anyone. He earned his soul, so don't ask him to lose it. Four, you will pay him for any task you give him," she listed, with another 'don't mess with me' look.
"Those are reasonable. I wouldn't want him in the school during the day anyway. Can you imagine the fan clubs that would pop up? I know the slayers had some. For both Angel and Spike. It was disgusting. Girls…" the wolf-eyed man shuddered.
"Excuse me?" Joyce said, raising an eyebrow.
"You're a grown, intelligent woman and not likely to fawn over the over-charismatic asshole, but can you really see the girls not fawning over him. Sure, he's an asshole, but he's got a certain… je ne sais quoi," Xander stated quickly, hoping to appease her enough she won't do that mom eyebrow thing that made him feel five.
"Got that right," she smirked. "Five, you will provide him with blood. That means you get the potion used by vampires here, or you donate," she added, knowing what the answer to that ultimatum was.
"I'll see if Nicolas can make some," he agreed quickly. He wasn't opening his veins for anyone. He had gotten out of Sunnydale without donating, he wasn't about to start now. Heck, even Buffy had fed her beaus.
"And last, I want you to try and get along with him," she added, with another look.
"I don't know if I can do that, but I'll try. Afterall, it's me asking him to come. I just remember we clashed for no reason at all. Just rubbed each other the wrong way," Xander said, thinking on all the fights he and the vampire had had. Some were stupid as hell, others were epic.
"All I ask is that you try," she said, putting a hand on his arm in a motherly fashion.
"How do vampires differ here, again? I mean, Spike can pass as a human, can they?" Xander asked, changing the conversation a bit.
"No. The vampires of this reality have long fangs, are really pale, and have gaunt faces. They cannot pass as human," she replied. "I know Spike has a 'gameface' as you used to call it, but they do not."
"Can you kill them with a stake?" he asked, thinking that he might have to brush up on his stakage ability.
"You can kill them anyway you can a regular human. They don't have many metaphysical powers, not like those back home," she answered, thinking on the differences.
"So, no one like Drusilla popping up?" was the hopeful question. "Her and her freaky mind control." He had researched all of this but wanted a more insightful review.
"No, no Drusilla." She smiled at him knowingly. "However, they can thrall the willing. There are those that like to donate blood for them. It's easier to make them happy while doing so." She shuddered at that. Like Xander, she would never willingly open a vein to a vampire.
"Whew," he said, sagging into the couch in relief. The last thing they needed was that crazy kind of vampire running around. "Still, it's creepy that people volunteer to be meals on wheels, as Spike used to call them." He did a full body shudder.
"According to what I've read, and what I know of the suck-houses back home, it's supposed to induce some sort of euphoria," she said, making him wince again at the thought.
"Are you going to make him magical?" Xander wanted to know, hoping not.
"No, he has enough of an advantage without giving him extra powers," she answered, making Xander exhale in relief. "Though, I might give him some ability that will help as well. Like a sixth sense or something." She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
That was something she would have to think on. The sixth sense is what drove Drusilla crazy, well partly. It was Angelus that used that sixth sense that did the driving, but if she hadn't had it… Still, she didn't need a crazy vampire that very few would be able to handle, running around. However, magicals have a few things that would protect them. Maybe instead she'd give him the sun. He might like that better. Hmmm…
"So, when will this happen?" he promptly changed the subject.
"During the summer. That way none of the kids are here. And I can make sure that I don't upset the other reality too much. I want to make sure that he is willing. Unlike you, I can't justify just snatching him up. I have to see if bringing him here will make things worse for Buffy, or anyone that relies on Spike. I know he was working with Angel, and I don't want Wolfram and Hart coming after me," she said with caution. That was one group she never wanted to even glance in this direction.
"How do you know this? I mean, all that went down after you… died," he asked, leaning forward a bit as if to catch the answer quicker.
"Whistler," was all she said.
"Damn Balance Demon," he grumbled, sitting back and folding his arms.
"I wouldn't put him down too much. He is the reason we're all here. Albeit because the Powers-That-Be tell him to. Still…" she chided, wagging her finger playfully at him.
Just then Luna drifted in, half-asleep, and sat on Joyce's lap. "There's going to be a major battle, one that will change that reality. The LA part, anyway. You can snatch him right after he's injured. I'm sure he would appreciate your intervention. He really doesn't like spending time with the blue goddess," she said dreamily as she snuggled into Joyce's shoulder.
"Why not before he gets hurt?" Joyce asked, fretting over the fact that Spike would be injured.
"He needs to kill the demon. Only then can the battle be won," the sleepy girl stated as she burrowed into her foster mother's shoulder. "It's a very important demon. It has to die, or all will be lost." Her dreamy voice caused them to shiver with foreboding chills.
The two adults shared a look of concern. They didn't know what she was talking about, but they felt that she was telling the truth.
"Luna," Xander said cautiously, "how do you know all this?" He reached over and stroked her long soft hair. Worry etched his face as he looked at the fragile girl.
"The nargles told me. They said that the blond souled vampire should appear at the end of June. They said that a big battle would be taking place and that you should have a healer ready. One that can help your friend," she stated, sleepily. Her eyes fully closed now.
"He's not my friend," Xander grumbled, letting his hand fall to his lap.
"What of those he leaves behind?" Joyce asked, hugging the girl to her anxiously, gently nudging the head of the tiny girl to her shoulder, and holding her there as if to shelter her from the pain of being a seer.
"They all live. Well, all the non-humans. Though, Gunn won't like being a vampire. Angel will be fine, even though he loses his second face. Anyway, Spike will do his part and you will grab him when he kills a grey three-armed demon, and they will all live. The non-humans," the blonde girl answered, her eyes at half-masts.
"Okay, honey, we'll plan for it, but don't think we're not going to talk about this gift of yours," Xander stated as he reached over and rubbed his foster daughter's back.
Luna drifted off to sleep and Joyce took her to bed shortly thereafter. "I'm worried," she stated as she came back and settled on the couch, turned slightly so they could face each other.
"Me too, but what can we do? You know that seer gifts are unstoppable," the worried man stated as he ran a hand down his face.
"Trelawney?" was the skeptic question.
"Great Zeus, no," came the quick answer.
"Who then?"
"Does she need a teacher? I mean, isn't the gift instinctive?" Xander wondered out loud.
"Hmmm, I will feel better if she has some guidance," Joyce answered, thinking hard. "That and we need to keep this a secret as long as we can. Her 'crazy' persona will help. Remember, Angelus had used Drusilla's seeing ability to make her insane," she said, voicing her thoughts from earlier.
"Yeah, but according to Buffy she rejected the visions and was sent to a nunnery," Xander rebutted, thinking on the story about those two vampires, and how Drusilla was turned.
"But, there are those that will use this against her," Joyce stated, looking in the direction that Luna had left.
"Oh? Do you think people will try and kidnap her and use her for nefarious reasons?" he asked, more concerned than before.
"Yes," came the blunt answer.
"We'll do our best not to let this get out. Until then, we start with books, and work our way up from there," he replied. "Do you think she even realizes what she just did?" he asked, perplexed. He really didn't know much about seers.
"I don't think so," Joyce answered thoughtfully, her brow scrunched in thought.
"I'll ask her tomorrow. It's late and I'm bushed. So, I will bid you goodnight." He gave her a hug and went to bed.
Hpbtvshpbtvs
The next morning Xander took Luna aside and asked if she remembered anything from the night before. When she answered that it was a dream that she could vaguely recall, he patted her on the head and sent her on her way. He then hit the books and studied all he could on seers, but there was little there. There was a note that the best seers were the centaurs, but they tended to keep to themselves. Since there was a herd in his forest, he'd see about getting Luna a tutor.
The rest of the year passed without issue. Xander talked to the centaurs, and they said they would send one of their own, Firenze, to come and talk with Luna during the next school year. He was a strange centaur anyway, a horseman that liked humans. So, he was almost an outcast in his own herd. They would have to meet outdoors, but Luna didn't have a problem with that.
Xander had to threaten them with removal to get them to comply. He thought saving the unicorn would have made it easier, but it didn't. Threatening them did not make them happy, but Xander owned the forest, and they were at his mercy. He did say he'd make it up to them, but they really needed to learn to play nice.
After the exams, which had Hermione in fits, the school was gathered for dinner. Xander stood, and said, "Alright you little cretins, I have an announcement to make. We're going to have a parent/teacher day. It'll be next Saturday. All day long. That means all of your parents have been invited to come and speak with the professors. All of your parents," he emphasized. "Yes, the non-magicals too. If I hear one word of disparagement, you will be punished. That is your one and only warning. Keep your thoughts to yourself." He then sat down and watched those that were mumbling.
There were a lot of excited kids, and a great many unhappy ones. Draco Malfoy could be heard that his father would stop this. Xander figured the kid didn't know there was no Board yet. Or at least he was in denial, since Fudge came and announced it to the whole school. Perhaps, Lucius told the child that it was all a mistake and would be fixed soon. Times like this, he couldn't wait to have someone to send Lucius' way. That guy needed to be brought down a peg or five.
"How are you planning to get them all here?" Dumbledore asked, peering at Xander over his glasses.
"I have someone who can shuttle them over," Xander said, in a vague tone, waving his hand in the air in a careless manner. Harry was going to bring everyone non-magical. He was going to do it under his invisibility cloak. The parents would just brush it off as magic.
"Do I know this person?" Albus asked, looking around like said person would just pop up.
"Maybe, and that's all I'll tell you," the yellow-eyed man stated.
"Harry should spend some time with his family."
"They are in jail," Xander said dismissively.
"The prophesy…" was as far as the headmaster got.
"Is bullshit," the younger man snapped. "You have no idea who it is pertaining to. The only reason it is even remotely valid is because you made it self-fulfilling. If you had left good enough alone, then all of this would have been avoided. Don't talk to me about prophecies. You don't know Jack shit." He threw down his napkin and stormed away from the table.
The next Saturday saw a mass of non-magicals in the castle for the first time ever. They all came in groups, having been told to be at King's Cross for someone to pick them up. Sure, the Grangers had been there over Yule, but this was a horde. They wandered around in wide-eyed wonder. Taking in all the things their child/ren had told them about. It was quite a reality check for most. The magic in the air seemed to welcome them.
The magical parents were in a bit of awe of the non-magicals roaming about the place. They were torn in many groups; the purebloods, who were being held back from speaking by the wards and the fear of Xander, who had warned them all in a letter, and in person when they came into the school. Then there were half-bloods who either liked non-magicals, or just didn't care. Then there were those like Arthur Weasley, who were enchanted with the novelty.
The Grangers went from teacher to teacher, like they would in the non-magical world, with Hermione. They would ask questions and got to see their daughter perform her magic. The other non-magical parents did the same. The rest of the parents took their cue and followed suit. Many were happy to hear how well their child/ren were doing. Though there were those like Molly who either didn't believe that so-and-so was doing well or were upset on how poor such-and-such was doing. There was a lot of yelling coming from her that day.
Still, all-in-all, it went well.
The rest of the week went by quickly and soon everyone was on the train heading home. It had been a good year, barring the short time Lockhart was there, and, well, the basilisk, but, still, Xander handled it all. So, everyone went home happy. Maybe not Dumbledore.
Xander instructed Remus into setting up a werewolf village in the Forbidden Forest. He wanted to test his theory that all werewolves would be affected by him being there on the full moon. Remus was all for the idea, knowing there were many wolves that had no homes.
Harry and Xander did nothing but relax for the first week of summer, then it was training and chores. Dobby was with them, so Xander had to put his foot down and told the little guy that Harry would do his own chores. He explained that it gave the boy a sense of responsibility. Dobby reluctantly agreed.
Then it was time to bring Spike. Joyce was readying herself, and Salazar and Nicolas were waiting with blood and replenishers. Everyone was on tenterhooks. Dumbledore was at the ICW meeting, so he wasn't there to interfere. The rest of the staff were home for the summer. Joyce had told them that it was time for a complete cleaning, and they needed to leave. It was true too. The fact that it was helpful was just a coincidence.
Xander was pacing, having second and third thoughts about what they were doing. He was worried. He never really liked Spike, but had to give the guy credit, he was tenacious. Xander never got over what the vampire tried to do to Buffy, but Buffy had explained that Spike had gone through Hell to get and cleanse his soul as punishment. So…
Joyce was ready, she placed her hand on the wall, and a portal opened. The fight going on the other side was brutal.
There were demons everywhere, and Spike, Angel and the gang were fighting for all they were worth. Angel had just felled a dragon, and Wesley had just fallen to a red demon. Illyria's screams of denial chilled everyone to the bone, as the goddess unleashed mass destruction on the enemy. Joyce didn't know Wesley well, but still felt a pang of sadness that the man didn't make it.
Spike was fighting for all he was worth. He was a blur of fist, teeth, and leather.
The gang readied themselves. Spike was approaching the demon that Luna warned them about. It seemed to be high up on the hierarchy. There were many bodyguards around it, and they all deferred to him. Spike went through them like toilet paper and was soon facing the head honcho.
"So," the blond vampire said, sneering at the demon, looking like he was ready to light a smoke, "you're Wolfram, then," he stated, looking the being up and down like he was less than impressed. "Not sure what all the fuss is about, but you'll fall like any other demon."
"Spike, William the Bloody. Just because you have a soul, boy, doesn't mean you are equal to me," Wolfram sneered, readying himself for a fight.
"No, you're right about that," Spike said, twirling a steel pole he had just kicked into his hand. "Means I'm better," he added, swinging for the fences.
The two fought a bloody battle and in the end, Spike drove that pole into the demon's head, killing off one of the most powerful beings in existence. As he pulled away, and gloated, as he was wont to do, the demon's third arm shot up and impaled him in the stomach.
"Now," Joyce said loudly, causing the men to jump.
Xander made a grabbing motion and pulled Spike through the portal. Salazar and Nicolas were ready with the blood and potions. They quickly spelled the blood into Spike's system and started casting what healing spells worked on vampires.
Spike groaned and laid still. He must have noticed the lack of fighting. He turned his head and saw Joyce. "Joyce?" he croaked out.
"Hello, Spike," she answered with a smile.
"I always hoped I'd go to heaven," the blond said with a sad smile. "Good to see you, Joyce. We missed you," he stated, and then passed out.