Immortal, Chapter 2

She couldn't move her eyes, completely transfixed. Studying every detail, every minor feature of his face. Buffy couldn't believe how much she had forgotten. It had been so long since Spike was in front of her. The feelings she had didn't falter or wane with time, but the edges of her memories had blurred and frayed without her being aware. She forgot about the way he moved his lower lip slightly when he was deep in thought, the way his brow would furrow slightly when doing the same. His eyes and their specific shade of blue, the exact shape of his cheekbones.

Giles cleared his throat. "Buffy, if I may…"

Xander said something as well, but she didn't catch it.

She glanced over at her friends. For a brief second, she forgot they were even in the room. She tried to reply, but gave up after a second as the lure of Spike was too strong. She couldn't help but smile as she met eyes once more with the vampire.

His face wasn't as kind. He shifted uncomfortably against his restraints.

"You're creeping me out Slayer. You gone barmy, eh?" He asked, narrowing his eyes.

Buffy jumped slightly from the flash of light to her left. Willow and Xander both exclaimed from the opposite end of the room. Standing upright, she turned her body towards the appearance of her own personal Santa Clause. The one that had given a gift that meant more to her than he could possibly imagine.

Oruvai.

It was the second time in the last ten seconds that Buffy's smile and happy expression was met with disdain. He was less than pleased.

"Enough." He commanded in a low tone. The distance was closed instantly as he wrapped his hand around Buffy's closest arm. They both vanished.

IMMORTAL

Buffy gasped. Torquing her arm to free herself from Oruvai's grasp, her momentum carried her away from Oruvai before she caught herself. She spun around to face him. "Hey! What gives?"

Oruvai clenched his jaw, shaking his head as he stared at her with a look that could kill.

Buffy's eyes bounced between her kidnapper and the surroundings she was dropped into. She knew the area. It was at the edge of Restfield cemetery, a relatively secluded section with more trees and vegetation than gravestones.

She tensed up as Oruvai walked quickly towards her. "What did you do?" He seethed, reaching out with his hand. She didn't have time to react, nor stop him.

She felt his fingers against her hair, thumb on her forehead. Memories flooded her brain. Not of her own volition, as if she was pulling them up herself, but more like they were being ripped out of her. All of them. Her entire life, fond memories and ones she had all but forgotten, flashing through her consciousness in milliseconds.

She stumbled backwards a step as he released his hand from her forehead.

She knew what he did. She was there when Oruvai did it once before. To a demon they captured, one that refused to give up the master he served and the plot they had planned. One touch and he knew everything the demon refused to tell him.

Another thing dawned on her at that moment. This wasn't her Oruvai. She hadn't even met him until 2006. Apparently, pre-2000 Oruvai was a dick. Maybe only because they weren't friends anymore and she was a complete stranger to him.

Well, not anymore at least.

She watched him. His head dropped towards the ground as she saw him silently mouthing words to himself. It was a shock to her, and she had lived through it once. They were memories...not new experiences. She imagined he was trying to sort through and understand what he saw. She gave him time and he didn't need much.

His face rose, with the stern expression still adorning it. He sighed. "I stand by my decision. This is going to be unbelievably messy, at least on my end, but I agree. You deserved a choice."

"How did you know?" Buffy asked.

"Hmm?" was his only reply.

"How did you know you sent me here, to this moment? Not you...not you you...how did you…" Buffy couldn't put her words together. Her brain hurt. She tried one more time. "How did you, the current you, know that you sent me back to this moment. Not you, but the other you…"

Buffy gave up with a huff. Luckily, Oruvai seemed to understand.

"The Witnesses." He replied.

Buffy stared at him blankly. Whoever they were, and whatever they witnessed, she didn't know. It was the first she ever heard of them. "Huh?"

"Sorry," He said, trying to explain. "Prophets of sorts. The prophecies? Witnessed and then passed down from the Powers to mankind. They witness the shifts in the timeline. Every wonder why a lot of prophecies don't come true?"

Buffy shrugged. "Not really. The only time I was worried about a prophecy not coming true it still did. I died, briefly."

His stone-cold expression was cracked by a smirk. "Yes, it does seem to be a habit of yours."

She shrugged. Couldn't really argue with him on that one. "So, anyways," Buffy started. "About witnesses, witnessing things…"

Oruvai continued, "Some come true, some don't. One prophecy being fulfilled can render a hundred others obsolete, no longer possible. Do you know there were almost eighty prophecies about you fighting The Master?"

The question seemed rhetorical, but it warranted a response.

"No, there was one." Buffy said in a snippy tone. "I died. Briefly."

He shook his head. "No, there were seventy-six. Eleven of which you died in…and a few, really weird ones. Too many, doesn't matter what the prophecies are about. There's always too many so we don't even pass along the low probability ones."

"What?" She exclaimed. Her brain was hurting again, she wouldn't be surprised if she started smelling copper at any second.

"There are millions, Buffy. There's a prophecy right now about a master vampire that builds an army of over 500 fledglings. In the year 2209." Oruvai said. "Highly unlikely, because humans will probably kill the planet and each other before then. But still…"

"Okay, so we have it all wrong about prophecies." Buffy huffed out. She felt something she hadn't felt in years, sort of like she was trapped in one of Giles' Slayer history lectures that went on too long. "They aren't certainties, more like possibilities?"

He nodded. "More or less."

"Coolio. So, what's your point?" She huffed.

Oruvai smirked again. He could tell why a future version of himself considered her a friend, beyond her memories which gave clarity. He found his small sampling of her edginess, spunk, and personality quite enjoyable for some reason.

"It's not uncommon for a singular event to cause a ripple effect. Hundreds of new prophecies created in a single moment from something that occurred. Typically, the more unlikely the event was that transpired, the more severe the changes."

"Okay," She said.

"I don't even fully understand it. There are already highly unlikely prophecies, ones that are dependent on other, equally unlikely events occurring to even be possible. Despite that, when a one in a thousand type event or prophecy occurs, it births new prophecies into existence."

Buffy nodded. For some reason, it was comforting to know it was a lot even for a member of the PTB. She didn't feel as foolish.

"I've seen it once." Oruvai continued. "A Slayer, Katherine, back in the 1600's. She was supposed to slay a master vampire, that was the outcome that was most likely. Instead, she joined him and let him turn her. In that moment, four hundred and seventeen prophecies were witnessed, including the one that came true. A girl Chosen a few steps down the Slayer line killed Katherine's master and her five years later."

Buffy started. "Oka- "

"New possibilities and outcomes literally snapping into existence. I had never seen anything like it, it was incredible. Until today." Oruvai finished.

"Today? What happened today?" She asked.

"Over thirty thousand prophecies...31,047 to be exact. Every single one about you, either directly, or dependent on a series of events falling into place that could trace its way back to you."

"Oh, wow." was all Buffy could manage.

He shrugged, shoulders dropping back down with a flair of self-pity. "Little did I know it was my fault. I apologize for my earlier anger. I should have known something of this magnitude wasn't caused by you."

"Oruvai, what you did for me. You can't imagine how- " Buffy tried.

"I'm lucky Buffy." Oruvai said. "I'm lucky that you matter so much to them. That everything you've done for them made them agree you deserved this. Most importantly, and the only reason I think I'm still here to speak to you know, they can use this for the greater good."

Buffy shook her head, "What do you mean?"

"You're their Champion, Buffy." He explained. "One of thousands so far with more to come, but one of their best and longest tenured. You get a second chance to do things differently, how you want...to find happiness...to be with him again. That's wonderful for you, but they don't particularly care. They have decided their Champion being better equipped, more knowledgeable and prepared for the battles that will come to be agreeable enough to let my actions stand."

Buffy scoffed. For how badly she despised what the original Watcher's Council had done to her, to all Slayers, the Powers did the exact same thing. Used her as a pawn, or some other more important chess piece she didn't know the name of. Their intent was better. It wasn't for control and power like with Giles' cohorts. Their intentions were pure. It was for the greater good.

But one thing pissed her off. Something she knew was true with absolute certainty. Manipulating and adjusting a grand plan for the greater good of the world didn't take people's happiness into account. They would let a demon burn down an orphanage with the children inside, allow atrocities to occur every day, let their Champions lose the people and things that mattered most to them. They allowed all sorts of horrible things to happen, as long as it kept the path heading towards something good, something better happening later.

They would sacrifice pawns for more important pieces.

They would let hundreds die without a second thought if it meant they could save thousands later.

Buffy was back where she wanted to be, only because it was beneficial in some way to the PTB. If it wasn't, they already would have whisked her away or never let her come back in the first place.

It was for the greater good. She knew that. She believed it in her heart. What she didn't understand…

How could the greater good end up being so cruel at times?

Oruvai letting out a pain-filled yell grabbed her attention. He threw his head back, eyes glowing brightly. Eventually, it subsided. He let out a few uneven, ragged breaths as he looked at her. It would have shocked her if she didn't know what caused it.

The Powers.

"Great," She said. "Well, what did the good-ole PTB have to say?"

"You won't like it, I'm afraid." He replied.

She stared at him, hands dropping to her hips as she waited for him to fill her in.

"This is a second chance. You can change things, fix what you feel deserves to be altered. They know you will be here to call on when needed, like you always are. They don't care if you make changes, and for the most part they will allow you the freedom to do that as you see fit."

Buffy's eyes narrowed. There it was. The catch. "For the most part?"

"Be with Spike, save Tara, Anya, your mom. Save Spike too. Make savvy, well-informed investments. I doubt they would care if you accrue wealth or fame, that doesn't matter to them." He said.

"Oruvai," Buffy replied. Her voice was stern. He was avoiding her question.

He let out a sigh. "Buffy, you can't tell them. Anyone. Not Spike, the Watcher, Willow...no one can know. If you tell them what happened, where you come from, what's coming next...any of that. They won't let you. They will reset the day."

"Reset the day?" She exclaimed. Was that even possible?

"Yes, if you have a sit down with Spike and the- what you call them, the Scooby Gang?" He asked rhetorically. "You try to explain the truth to them, they will snap you back before you tell them. Erase it from happening. They made that painfully clear to me, and wanted me to make it clear to you."

"Why?" She asked. She wanted to tell them. She hadn't thought about it until Oruvai brought it up, but they deserved to know. They deserved honesty. There could be other benefits to explaining things as well.

"Buffy, back to prophecies for a moment," Oruvai trailed off as he took a step closer to her.

"Great," She huffed out.

"In almost every one...in all the possibilities that could happen, you almost always tell them."

Buffy nodded. "Yeah, because I wanna."

"Within the first week or two usually," Oruvai clarified. "Sometimes guilt drives you to tell them. Sometimes your actions. You act so differently than their Buffy...the original version of yourself...that it raises suspicions. You act differently, you treat people differently..."

Spike.

He meant Spike.

"Spike?" She said.

"Yes, but no…" He pursed his lips, trying to find the right words. "The fact you go from hating him to hopelessly in love the next second doesn't help, and if your actions match your emotional change that would no doubt cause suspicion. It's much more than that though. Of all the things that happened, all the bad and things that I think you want to change, there is one thing, by far the most important to The Powers, that you got right flying blind the first time through."

"And that is?"

"The New Council and the Slayers. Your actions led to the Powers finally being able to do more than pick and choose the most important moments to intervene in. They had the resources, they had an army. They could finally win. They could make things better, take a more proactive approach in how they wanted to steer the- "

"Make things better?" Buffy exclaimed. "I know you aren't from then, but you saw it! The world was going to shit. We weren't winning."

"We were." He said. "I know it was hard to see, you were too close to it all and things were far from perfect. We may not have won every battle, definitely not. But we were winning the war. That is what the Powers care about. The thing they care about most. Giles is crucial to that, at least making the New Council into what it needs to be. Willow is crucial for obvious reasons. Telling your friends the truth could set off a chain of events that prevents what must happen from occurring. They won't allow it. Don't try."

"Fine then!" She replied. "Why don't I just go grab the scythe, have Willow work her magic, and be done with it? The Powers get what they want, and then I can tell them the truth."

Oruvai let out a sigh. He could sense the rage coming off of her. If there was one thing a Slayer didn't like it was being controlled or feeling powerless. "I wish you could, but you can't. You can't skip steps, the threads must be followed. A myriad of events have to happen for the desired result to come to fruition. Yes, ultimately Willow activating the Potentials is paramount, at the right time...not that she's even capable at this point in time...but it's only one of many things that must happen, as intended, in the correct order."

"Ugh," She spat out. She paced a few steps to her left, pivoting on her heels and heading back towards Oruvai. "The Powers are lucky!" She roared. "Lucky it means so much to me. That my mom means so much, that Spike means so much. That this all means so much!"

"I know," He agreed, his tone trying to offer condolences. "And for what it's worth, The Powers are grateful."

"Well, I'm not grateful to them!" She roared. "I'm grateful to you. And I'm trying not to kill the messenger, but I'm pissed at you too!"

"I know." He replied.

"Send me back, now." She said. "I want to see Spike, and I don't feel like walking halfway across town."

Oruvai seemed tense and didn't immediately reply.

"Don't worry, I won't tell. Not even worth trying." Her words dripped with disdain.

"One more thing," Oruvai noticed Buffy's look, making sure to adjust his words in a way to make her more likely to listen. "And this isn't from the Powers, this is from me. Advice, not an order or an ultimatum, okay? I thought of you as a friend. I saw it in your memories, and I feel a need to tell you this now."

"Okay, I'm listening."

"The big things are all but guaranteed. The First will rise. Even if you are never resurrected, it will find another opportunity. Glory will rise. Allure will kill Slayers and Watchers, try to destroy the Council again. That is almost guaranteed but maybe this time you can save more of them."

"Well," She huffed out. "It's good to know my schedule is booked for the- Oh, I don't know, next ten years!"

"What I'm saying is," Oruvai continued, doing his best to quickly work towards the point. "Your friendships, your relationships." He stopped for a moment for emphasis. "And your love life. Those are not critical aspects of this timeline, of the path we are on. In the grand scheme of it all, a lot of things that are very important to you, personally, don't matter. The First is guaranteed to rise, all prophecies and possibilities and potential directions lead to that moment. It's solidified, guaranteed. Spike falling in love with you is not."

Buffy's eyes grew wide. Panic. Immediately settling in and refusing to go away.

"I only say this because I gave you a choice." His tone grew more serious as he said, "Between Heaven, peace...and coming back to a world full of pain, suffering, hardship. But a world with him. You choose Spike over Heaven, and while I lack the capacity to understand that decision, I understand the significance."

"What do I do?" She asked. Her voice trembling. "I can't let things happen the same way. I can't. There's too much- "

"I know," Oruvai said. "I know. I would recommend caution, too much and-"

Buffy didn't hear the tail end of his statement as possibilities ran through her head. Her admitting she loved Spike and him running away forever. Her telling Spike about him getting a soul, not that the Powers would let her, and him finding a way to kill her, even with a chip. To prove he was still the vampire he saw himself as. He would be filled with the immediate need to prove her wrong. Even worse, if he already had the slightest feelings of warmth or affection towards her, even if buried deep in a place he refused to acknowledge, at this point it time he would want to extinguish it. Harshly, and that included her. A hundred different ways she could come on too strong, or incorrectly, and somehow ruin what they had from ever happening flooded her mind.

"I don't know what to do." She whispered.

"Well, you got a second chance to change things." He said. "So, I would change things."

"But what if I mess it up, what if I- " She gave up on her statement.

"Well, I wouldn't tell him you love him tomorrow, or the day after, or the week after. That would end badly, perhaps tragically."

She often wondered if Oruvai could read minds, even without his hand trick. She knew that probably wasn't the case and he was only incredible perceptive. This was one of those moments as his recommendation so closely mirrored her innermost thoughts and worries it was scary.

Oruvai said, "But you showing him kindness or treating him better isn't going to ruin what you two become. Choosing to be polite instead of punching him in the nose one of the numerous times- I mean, you really punched him in the face a lot around this time."

Buffy managed a soft laugh at Oruvai's statement. It cut through the worry and fear a little. She knew that was the intent, he didn't joke much, and she appreciated the gesture.

"But choosing a pat on the shoulder or a hug," He finished, "Instead of a punch to the face or a kick to the shin isn't going to make him not fall in love with you. Relax."

She nodded. "Okay."

"Okay?" He asked. "Do you believe me or are you just saying that?"

"I have too. Because I can't treat him like I treated him before." She couldn't help her eyes from falling down towards her feet. "And I'll lose my mind if every time I treat him right I worry that it will…" She didn't have the strength to put her fears into words, stating, "I believe you. I have too."

He nodded. "Okay then, are you ready to go back?'

IMMORTAL

Oruvai opted for transporting them outside of Giles' apartment instead of in the living room. After a brief farewell, he disappeared again leaving her alone in the small courtyard with only her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself about the major points from their discussion.

Caution. Restraint. Don't spill the beans. The beans can't be spilled, but don't hint at any beans.

It was a little wordy and needed fine-tuned but could quickly become her mantra. Her feet felt like they were stuck in cement. Fear fought against desire, and desire won. Needing to see Spike overpowered being afraid she would immediately ruin things between them. For a split second, she felt guilty that she seemed to only care about Spike and her mom, being with them. Then again, her friends weren't dead in the future she came from.

The door swung open before her knuckles were able to make contact for a second time. They swarmed her. A dozen questions from her concerned friends and Watcher, partially blocking her path as they barely gave her room to enter the apartment. Even Anya, usually not too worried about things not involving her, had a few questions.

She tried to explain quickly, deftly deflecting and only giving information that was needed. He was Oruvai. He worked for the PTB. She had to improvise when they asked what he wanted. She quickly said it was about an upcoming apocalypse. She used the next upcoming big one, Adam, as a reference without giving too many details or actually disclosing anything about the Initiative or their sick experiments. Giles was not a fan of hearing some vague warning about an all-powerful monster that was built and created from parts and pieces of demons.

Another volley of questions.

Was she okay?

Sort of like a demon Frankenstein? That one came from Xander, which was no surprise.

When?

She quickly grew frustrated, not wanting to answer and questions as she caught a couple glimpses of Spike in between her friends every time Xander nervously swayed side to side. He was sitting there, still restrained, a look of boredom and frustration on his face.

"Guys," She finally stated. "I don't know! He didn't have a lot of details and it's been a long, long day. Can we just eat, please?"

"Well, of course," Giles said. "It's Thanksgiving after all."

Xander and Willow both mumbled apologies, feeling bad for overwhelming their friend.

"I've been hungry for hours," was Anya's only contribution to the conversation.

She followed her friends as they dispersed, using them as cover to get closer to Spike. It was obvious as Spike stared at her the entire time. She took a quick breath in.

Caution. Restraint. Spill the - No, do not eat the beans- spill the beans

She couldn't remember the bathroom. No, she couldn't remember the words of the mantra. She had to go to the words, lock the door and regroup before everything went wrong. She meant bathroom, not words.

Spike's jaw clenched, tilting his head as the crazy bint started staring at him the same way again. What was the bird's problem?

"Bathroom!" Buffy exclaimed. "Got to use the bathroom."

"Okay, I'll set the table." Xander replied, turning and realizing she was already out of sight.

IMMORTAL

She regrouped. Pulled herself together. All of that. It took some self-help pep talking, mixed with berating herself internally, half a cup of pacing back and forth in the small bathroom, with a little bit of reminding herself about what Oruvai said sprinkled on top. Calm down, she told herself, and she did. It was like he said. As long as she didn't go crazy, ranting about the future or professing her love to Spike or- No, that was about as crazy as she could get to everyone right now. Ranting about the future and professing her Spike love.

Whatever she did would be fine, as long as she thought for a second before acting or speaking to filter out the bad stuff. It was like not swearing in front of grandparents.

Dinner was already underway by the time she returned to the dining room.

"Oh, dear," Giles mumbled through the turkey and mashed potatoes that were in his mouth. "We should have waited."

Two slight variations of 'whoops' were said by Xander and Willow.

"No, it's fine guys, really." Buffy said as she hesitantly sat down at the table.

She looked at her plate, holding her fork and taking a few small bites. She wasn't hungry but it was something to do with her hand, and something to keep her eyes fixed on that was safe. Wow, that pep talk worked wonders and lasted five whole seconds. She was disappointed with herself.

She listened to the chatter at the table, not fully absorbing and comprehending the words as her mind was in overdrive.

Her eyes drifted across the table. She couldn't help herself. Spike wasn't looking in her directions, his head hanging down slightly, torso leaning forward as much as the rope would allow. His face was somewhat solemn.

Hungry.

He was hungry. Just like last time. They were eating a Thanksgiving feast, in front of him, while he was literally in the early stages of what could be considered starvation for a vampire. God, she wished the other Buffy, the original, shitty and downright rude version was here right now so she could bitch-slap herself.

She should have brought blood. She could have strong-armed and guilt tripped Oruvai to transport her to a butcher that was open on thanksgiving, grabbed some pig or cow blood, and had him transport her back here. It was better than nothing. She hadn't even thought of it. It turned her guilt up from ten to the hypothetical 11.

This wasn't happening again.

She got up from her chair and headed into the kitchen. She didn't notice the chatter stop at the table as they looked at the direction he headed in. She quickly grabbed a plate from the cupboard. She was almost out of the kitchen when another thought hit her.

"Giles, do you have any hot sauce?"

"Uhhh, no," Giles replied. "I do believe there is some tabasco in the refrigerator though."

"Thanks," She called out.

She quickly flug the fridge open with her free hand, locating the small bottle that was in one of the drawers on the back side of the door.

She reached the table quickly, putting down the tabasco bottle along with another fork she grabbed. Without a word, she loaded up the plate with turkey and a scoop or two of everything else at the table. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, some sort of green bean thing she didn't put on her plate. She kept going until the plate was full.

Only Xander was still eating, shoving his face full while the rest of the table watched her with curiosity.

"Buffy, is there something wrong with your plate?" Giles asked, looking in confusion at the plate with food that belonged to her. The one she was currently leaning over with no regard as she loaded up another. The thought it was for Spike didn't even cross his mind.

"What? Oh, no." She responded.

She balanced the fully loaded plate in one hand, grabbing the tabasco and fork in the other hand. She placed everything in front of Spike once she reached his side of the table. She stood behind him, quickly untying the ropes.

"Sorry we didn't get to the butcher for blood. Today got kind of crazy." She said. She dropped the ropes on the floor by the wall behind Spike before turning back towards the table. She noticed as he immediately rolled his shoulders, working out the kinks and tightness being bound all day. "Hot sauce is there in case it's bland."

He met eyes with Buffy. Per the usual, her heart fluttered for a second. She hoped it wasn't significant enough his enhanced hearing noticed. He didn't offer any words, flashing a small smile that disappeared so quickly she almost missed it. A small nod was given as well.

She returned to her seat. She felt better, and she didn't acknowledge all the eyes that were on her.

"Uh, Buffy," Xander said. "He's not people. He doesn't eat food."

"Can too, you daft- " Spike didn't get to finish his insult as Buffy interjected.

"Xander, it's Thanksgiving." She put down her fork and turned slightly in her chair to look at him. "He's half-starved and we're sitting here eating Thanksgiving dinner in front of him." Xander's blank stare caused her to shrug her shoulders in exasperation, adding, "Common courtesy?"

Xander pushed his fork around in his food for a second. Under his breath, he said, "Where was the common courtesy when he kidnapped Willow and me. Tried to- "

"Xander!" Buffy exclaimed, loud enough awkwardness fell throughout the room.

"I think," Giles said in a hesitant voice, jumping to defuse the situation. "That was nice of you Buffy. I think we should keep eating, yes?"

Everyone mumbled in agreement, including Xander who was now solely focused on his plate of food and wouldn't look up.

Buffy felt it, noticing the look on Spike's face when their eyes met. It was hard to read, but he could tell he was analyzing her, intuitive and ever the thinker. After a pause, he broke eye contact. She watched as he unscrewed the small cap of the bottle next to him, generously dumping most of the remaining contents of the tabasco bottle on top of his plate. Without a word, he picked up his fork and began eating.

Buffy fought back against a smile, turning her attention back to her own plate and trying to avoid any more awkward eye contact for the evening. She felt a little bit victorious. One small wrong put right. It wasn't much, but it was something.

They said food was the way to a man's heart. She doubted turkey doused in tabasco sauce was the way to a vampire's, but it was a start.

IMMORTAL

A/N: I've noticed a lot of the time-travel fics that I've read end up hitting the same note at some point, where Buffy ends up telling the gang, or at least Spike, she's from the future and knowledge dumping. A lot of these fics are excellent and executed well, but I've noticed I'm almost a little disappointed when "the talk" finally happens.

My thought process was the exact opposite when coming up with this story. It seemed too easy. Spike knows now, his path is straight forward. He has to push her away initially, work though his shit, then eventually the inevitable yes, I love you too, I always have.

My thoughts were always how would this play out if she couldn't tell them the truth? What if she didn't have the ultimate "I'm from the future" trump card she could play at various points and whenever needed to defuse or improve a situation? How much harder would this make things for her? For Spike and her? Would she mess things up?

That's all. Hope you enjoyed.