Disclaimer: I own nothing of the characters.

A/N: I was trying to utilize the four character selection feature that Fanfiction has just implemented but I can't get it to work properly for me. So this story will be staying in the Buffy/Spike category for now, although if I can change it so it is searchable by Xander/Spike or Buffy/Spike, I will.


Olive Branches


'So, let me get this straight.' Spike sighed. 'I turned up at your school, hit you over the head with something heavy and then kidnapped you and your friend, Willow – the red head? – and then tied you up in a burnt out factory so she would do a love spell for me to get my girlfriend, Drusilla, back?' He raised an eyebrow, clearly thinking the story was beyond believable. Xander nodded his head, a small curl on the side of his mouth. Spike shook his head. 'So, I'm basically an idiot?'

Xander laughed heartily at Spike's interpretation of himself. He could honestly say it was the first true laugh he had expressed in a year. And to think, it was Spike and his weird situation that had caused his mirth.

Would probably do him good not to think about that for too long, lest his brain implode.

'It's still hard to believe this is all real. I was a bleached blonde punk vampire, notorious for a hundred years and then I come to your hometown, cause havoc, get "neutered" as you so tactfully put it, and fall in love with your best friend.' He shook his head again. 'Funny thing is, I find it hard to believe that after all this, you're the one helping me. I'm gathering from my sordid past that I was not one of your favourite people.'

'You weren't exactly "people" to be fair, Spike.' Xander said, leaning forward.

'No but…from what you've said, I'm still me, just minus the memories.' Spike looked at his hands. 'And these hands still caused so much suffering and death. I feel sick just thinking about it. Fair enough, I got a soul and all that other crap you said. But I just want to know; why me? Why have I been given a second chance? Not that death is oh-so-appealing, but you get my drift right? Why am I being helped by people that I've put through the mill?'

Xander sighed heavily and rubbed a hand over his face. Then he looked Spike dead in the eyes, seeing the emotions rolling through those stormy depths.

'Way I see it, we've had our differences. I've never liked you, Spike,' He felt bad for saying it, but now was the time for honesty and Spike didn't react to what he said, 'and I've had more injuries at your hands than I care to think about. But I watched you change; I saw everything you went through. And you died to save the world all for the love of my best friends. She told me how you helped her believe in herself again, even when we wouldn't. So yeah, I hate the guy you were. But the guy you became? We could get on. The guy you can still become? I figure he deserves the chance of a friend. No one deserves to be alone in this world. I've learnt that the hard way.'

Silence fell after his impassioned speech and Xander leant back in his chair, feeling slightly drained after letting it out there. Spike's mouth formed into a thin line as he contemplated Xander's words, and then he looked at the one-eyed brunette.

'I have a feeling you're a better man than I was.' He said, a smile pulling at the side of his mouth. Xander grinned in return.

'You weren't a man. But you're on your way now.'


Buffy pulled the blinds shut, closing out the failing evening light from her apartment living room. She turned and tripped over Dawn's schoolbag, scowling at it and picking it up with one finger before tossing it into an armchair. The troublesome owner of the bag was currently in the shower, singing away to her. Sounds like she's been listening to that damn Beach Boys album again. The Slayer shook her head and promptly threw herself on the sofa and exhaled deeply as she fumbled in her jeans pocket for her cell. She pulled it out and flipped it open, frowning at the lack of messages. She couldn't deny she was getting concerned about Xander. And the niggling feeling that had been tickling her brain all day was not making things better.

The shower shut off and Dawn wandered into the room, enrobed in a fluffy dressing gown and rubbing her hair dry with a towel. She was still humming, but stopped abruptly at the sight of Buffy, startled by her sisters appearance.

'I thought you weren't home until later?' Dawn asked, and Buffy turned to her with a bemused expression.

'Nah. Got bored, came home early.'

'Paolo not doing it for you?' Dawn winked, taking a seat next to Buffy.

Her sister raised an eyebrow and grinned a little. 'Paolo never did it for me, Dawn. We were just friends. Not for lack of trying on his part. I'm just still…not ready.'

Dawn smiled gently. 'I know. I'm just teasing. Still, he did have impeccable taste in shoes.'

Buffy nodded enthusiastically. 'Yeah. But those Manolo Blahniks were not the best thing to patrol in.'

'But still,' Dawn bent her head in that way that reminded Buffy of…no, she wasn't going there, 'free shoes, Buffy.' Her elder smiled tightly, ignoring the tears that were threatening to rear up and nodded again.

'Yes, free shoes.' The brunette Summers noticed the mood dip and frowned.

'Buffy, you seem kinda funked. What's wrong?'

Buffy chewed her bottom lip and looked at her cell again. 'Xander hasn't called. We usually talk every day, but the last three days, I've not had more than a text saying "I'm okay" from him. It worries me. He was going back to Sunnydale, to…' She stopped, swallowing back tears again. 'It's been a year. It was the anniversary a couple days ago. Xander went for Anya. He wanted me to go to, but I couldn't handle it.'

'No one blames you for that Buffy.' Dawn said, taking her sister's hand. 'I miss him too. I don't think I could go back.'

'Xander said he'd call me. That he'd be back in London soon. That was three days ago. And I can't shake this feeling that something is wrong. Willow hasn't been returning my calls and Giles is being…weird.'

'Weird?'

'Evasive.' Buffy clarified. Dawn nodded and they sat in silence for a moment.

'I know you don't want to speak to him, but maybe you should call Angel. He's in LA, he could find out if Xander is still there?' Buffy frowned and chewed her lip, tapping her finger on her cell and then glaring at it.

'I guess. Xander did say he was checking in with Faith and her slayers, and they set up camp at Angel's old hotel. As long his evil company doesn't cause trouble…sure. I guess I can give him a call. At the very least, he can make sure Xander hasn't been eaten by something ishy.'

'Or lost his phone.' Dawn smiled, rubbing her sister's shoulder encouragingly. 'I'm sure everything is okay, Buffy. He's probably just taken this anniversary thing hard.'

Buffy smiled a little and nodded. 'You're probably right, Dawnie. You're probably right.'


'You sure you're up to this, Blondie?' Faith asked, circling the topless ex-vamp as he grinned.

'Why not? Like to see how far this whole thing goes. I'm not great with the idea of fighting a lady-'

Faith interrupted and smirked back at him. 'I'm no lady.'

'-Girl then.' Spike returned, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Xander and Willow observed from the side lines, the witch commenting on how like normal Spike he was, even without memories of the past. They decided to test out his boundaries, now that his injuries were mostly fully healed. Willow had surmised that he had superior healing abilities, although his wrist was still in a support bandage and he had complained of some tenderness in his ankle still. They'd decided not to take him back to the fracture clinic lest they ask any questions as to how his broken ankle had healed in two days. Faith had removed it with a knife and Spike had promptly asked if they could take him for a test drive. Faith had been more than willing to get her hands on him. The thought made Willow wrinkle her nose.

'Give me your best shot, blondie.' The slayer darted towards him and popped him in the nose and his head snapped backwards. When he looked back down, a slight trickle of blood was oozing from his face but he was laughing all the way up to his eyes. It became clear to both Willow and Xander than these two had no interest in going easy on each other.

'Let's just remember this is a test, yeah?' Xander called. 'We don't need anyone dead. Again.'

Spike threw him a grin and then weaved behind Faith and planted his foot in her lower spine, sending her tumbling. She tucked and rolled, coming back up on her feet, a smile gracing her features as she somersaulted over her opponent and sent a sharp kick to his head. He grabbed her legs in mid-air and slammed her to the mat, earning a grunt from the brunette who snaked her hands around his neck and threw him over her head and straight into a concrete pillar. A fine covering of dust shimmered from the basement ceiling, coating the bare chested vampire as he got to his feet, laughing wildly.

'He's definitely still got the Spike personality and style.' Willow commented, her eyes never leaving the blonde's form.

The four were so engrossed in the fight, they never heard the lobby doors open or the heavy footfalls across the front of the hotel. They didn't hear the indignant yelp of a younger slayer, followed by a "Hey!" from another. They didn't even notice the basement door open.

They finally caught on when Spike was tackled to the ground by a blur of leather. His yell of surprise was followed up by a swift kick and a punch to his new opponent, as Faith tried to drag his assailant off of him. Eventually she was able to restrain the angry party and both spectators blinked in surprise at the furious countenance of Angel as he struggled against the slayer's grip.

'Let me go Faith, he's dangerous. He was attacking you!'

'We were sparring!' Faith yelled back, just audible over Spike's angered voice.

'Who the bloody hell are you?' He was rubbing his jaw where Angel had landed a solid punch.

Angel stopped struggling, confused by the lack of recognition in Spike's eyes. Faith let him go as he cocked his head to the side, sniffing the air slightly.

'You're…you're not a vampire.'

'Not anymore.' Willow stepped forward, and Angel seemed to notice her and Xander for the first time.

'Xander.' Angel said. 'Buffy asked me to check you were okay. She was worried.'

'I'm fine Angel. I meant to ring her, I just got caught up.' He looked at Spike who was grinning.

'You're Angel?' Spike said, a hint of mirth in his voice. He looked at Xander. 'Yeah, I see what you mean!' He chuckled and retrieved his shirt.

'What's going on here?' Angel asked, a slight tone of annoyance returning to his speech. 'Why doesn't he know who I am?'

'He doesn't remember anything.' Willow explained. 'Xander found him in a hospital. He was badly injured and a little bit out of it. But he healed really quickly so we brought him back here to help him. He's human now.'

'Been told everything though mate. I know I was a vampire. Know the things I did.'

'Buffy doesn't-'

'Buffy doesn't know a thing. Giles thinks we should wait until we've figured this out to tell her.' Xander said, catching the dirty look on Faith's face. Angel nodded, his gaze flitting back to his former Childe.

'That's probably for the best.'

'I can't believe you people!' Faith nearly shouted, throwing her hands up in the air. 'Doesn't B deserve to make that decision herself? What about Spike ay? Doesn't he deserve to make the choice whether he wants her here or not?' She looked towards the ex-vampire expectantly and he held his hands up in surrender.

'I don't remember the girl. They know her better than me.' He was lying. Even the slightest mention of her name was sending a twinge through his gut, but he didn't recognise it well enough to mistrust the people who were her friends and remembered being so.

'Bull. You knew her better than any of these.' Faith spat, glaring at Angel as if daring him to challenge. 'She told me so. I've a mind to get her phone number and tell her exactly what you're all hiding from her.'

'It wouldn't do her any good to be taunted by this! Faith, it'd tear her up knowing he was here but not entirely here.' Willow said, not noticing the uncomfortable look on Xander's face. He'd been funny about keeping it from Buffy all along, not liking lying to her again. He never liked it when he was lied to, or when the truth was omitted. But he could see the sense in both arguments. He waited as his best friend put on her resolve face, prompting Faith to flip her the bird and storm out of the basement, slamming the door on the way.

'So we're still not telling Buffy right?' Angel asked, his features carefully composed as he eyed Spike. 'She'd only come running. Maybe it's best to wait until he's better?'

'I'm leaving it up to you lot. What am I supposed to say; "Hi love, I've been told I love you but don't remember a bloody thing about it."' Spike looked at Angel. 'I say go with his plan.'

'You sure that's Spike?' Angel asked, inclining his head toward the blonde. Xander grinned, scratching at the edge of his eye patch. He stretched and looked to Willow.

'I'm guessing we're done with the sparring for the day?' He asked and Willow nodded.

'I think we've ascertained that he has superior abilities. He held his own against Angel well enough. And he's healed all those injuries in two days.' Willow sighed. 'I'll tell Giles. What are you going to tell Buffy?' She asked Angel.

'I'll tell her that Xander is fine and dandy. Maybe you should call her though?' He asked Xander, who nodded in response before leaving the basement. Willow smiled in their direction and then left the vampire and his former protégé alone. Spike eyed up the vampire and raised an eyebrow.

'So, word on the street is you know a fair bit about me?' He sat down on a crate in the corner. 'Fancy filling an ex-vampire in?'