Spike had spent a large majority of time in his crypt in deep thought. The more he pondered, the more Spike realized and figured out. However, there were things no amount of thinking could help him understand. For one, he couldn't grasp the meaning or reasoning behind the visions. He didn't really believe he was clairvoyant. Furthermore, he had received warnings about potential pitfalls and what he could expect from the witches. None of these warnings or precautions said anything about him being able to see in the future. Well, honestly it was the past. Still, they had not told him anything about being able to see things he wasn't present for the first go.
The list of unknowns went on in Spike's head. The list of problems he had yet to solve was also long. He continued to train, and he no longer let his severely overmatched victims escape. Truthfully, there were horrors and evils the world needed rid of. Still, it was beyond cat and mouse anymore. His massive jump in strength, speed, agility, and basically every measurable physical attribute would help with things like Glory. Anymore, Spike honestly felt he was more God-like than Glory. Spike wouldn't stand a chance in Glory's hell dimension. However, Glory was just too human when she was sharing a body with Ben in this dimension. Unfortunately, things like Joyce's rapidly approaching aneurism weren't solved by the fact he was now "super" Spike.
Things were still complicated. Regardless, Spike had time to think and realized one truth. He couldn't lie to Buffy, or the Scoobies forever. He had to pace himself. He had to take small steps, but he eventually had to tell them about the things that changed about him. The obvious things he had to tell them was about his nonexistent chip and his now existent soul. He could figure out how to explain the truth, or how not to. Still, he had to take baby steps. As he grew the trust and relationship between Buffy and himself, Spike would have to slowly open up to her.
Sunnydale, 2001
Spike grew anxious as he waited for the bartender. Looking through the crowd, he saw Buffy sitting alone like before. Looking harder, he managed to pick out Xander and Anya on the dance floor. "Looks just as awful the second time," Spike muttered to himself in regards to Anya's pink dress. Spike was brought back to reality by the sound of his beer hitting the countertop. Spike quickly handed the barkeep his money.
As he approached Buffy, Spike took a deep breath. "Bleeding crime is what it is." As before, he sat his beer on the small table and sat across from Buffy. "Jacking up the bar prices to fix up this sinkhole. Not my fault the insurance doesn't cover troll." Spike held his breath as he waited for Buffy to reply.
"Geez," Buffy started. "If it isn't Spike, our friendly neighborhood vampire."
Spike scoffed. Her mood was about as chipper as before, but at least she wasn't blatantly telling him to leave again. This was a test he could actually gauge. His conversation went horrible with Buffy before, even when he attempted to be nothing but nice. She was already responding better on the second go, but Spike wanted to see to what extent. Spike wanted to keep their conversation as close as possible.
Thinking for a second, Spike finally said, "I have half a mind to find a new hole in the wall, especially since the flowering onion got remodeled right off the menu. It was the only thing this place had going for it."
Spike stared at Buffy. Her body language wasn't as cold, but her response was the same. "What are you doing Spike?" Before Spike could think of a response, Buffy continued. "I mean…what are you doing here?"
"I thought we were talking buddies now Slayer." Spike replied, taking the words out of Buffy's older mouth. "And I saw you alone. I thought you could do with a bit of company." Spike turned his attention towards the dance floor. Once he spotted Xander and Anya still dancing, he turned his attention back to Buffy. "Unless your social status is so blimey high you can only talk to me in my crypt where no bloke will see us."
"Spike," Buffy replied in a slightly agitated voice. Spike waited for further amplification but there was none.
"So sorry Slayer," Spike replied as he stood up. "Didn't realize that reformed vampire was the bloody same as band geek in primary."
Before Spike got far, Buffy grabbed onto the arm of his coat. "I guess that makes me a cheerleader then, huh?"
Spike met eyes with Buffy and offered her a small smirk. "Sit," she said.
Spike did as he was told. Shifting his weight in his seat, Spike rested one leg on top of the other. Spike replied to Buffy's rhetorical question once he took a swig from his beer "Definitely not a cheerlead love. You're the Slayer. That's more like the cute girl who beats the boys at ball."
Buffy shook her head as she let out a short laugh. Smiling briefly, Buffy crossed her legs. "Is that so?"
"Yeah love, not that it's an insult or-"
"Hey uhh, evil dead you're in my seat." Xander said as he approached.
Spike turned his head to look at Xander. "Right then," he replied.
Even though Spike knew he should leave, he didn't take the opportunity to exit. He quickly grabbed his beer, and moved to the opposite side of the table. Sitting beside Buffy, Spike made brief eye contact with Xander but refused to look at Anya.
"Spike, what are you doing?" Xander questioned in a clearly annoyed tone.
"Ain't it obvious mate?" Spike replied. For further emphasis, Spike grabbed his beer and held it up slightly in Xander's direction.
"Okay," Xander replied. "And there are plenty of seats at the bar."
"That there is…" Spike replied as he stared fiercely at Xander. After a few seconds, Spike opted out of the staring contest as he brought his beer to his lips.
"Whatever," Xander spat as he rolled his eye.
Spike made brief eye contact with Anya and rolled her eyes. He was trying to say "you're boyfriend is an asshole" with body language, eye contact, and facial expressions. Anya stared at him blankly as Spike twisted his lips into an even bigger frown. Still, Anya did nothing as she stared through him.
"Spike," Anya in an curious tone as she leaned forward in her seat. Xander looked over at his fiancee as Buffy looked over at Spike. As quickly as possible, Spike shot his eyes down to beer in his hand.
"Spike?" Anya repeated.
"What love?" Spike muttered, meeting eyes with Anya for half a second again. As quickly as before, Spike took a swig of his beer and returned his eye sight to his lap.
Without warning, Anya got up from her seat and approached Spike. When she was directly in front of him, Anya bent her knees to kneel in front of Spike. Spike turned his head and avoided the first few attempts Anya made at looking in his eyes. Buffy stared at Anya and Buffy with a confused look. "Anya, what are you doing?" Xander questioned in a concerned voice. Finally, Spike gritted his teeth as anger boiled up inside of him.
"Bloody hell woman!" Spike spat as he stared directly into Anya's eyes. "What?!"
Spike was panicking. Deep down, he hoped that Anya was only able to see his soul last time because she has returned to her demon state. Spike knew he was only hoping and bargaining with powers that were never fond of him in the first place.
Anya's eyes grew wide as she moved more of her weight to the heels of her feet. "Oh my God!" Anya exclaimed as rose to her feet. "Oh my God!" Anya continued with excitement.
"Shut…up!" Spike spat as he got out of his seat. Less than a foot was separating Anya and himself as Spike continued staring at her.
"How did you do it? I can-"
"Not again!" Spike spat, as he shot his right arm out in front of him. Xander barely had time to duck as Anya flew past him and into a table behind the group.
"Spike!" Buffy screamed as she jumped out of her seat.
Reacting only on instinct, Xander hopped over the table as he grabbed Spike by his shirt. Spike grabbed Xander's hand. Before Xander could react, Spike twisted his body and arms to his right and sent Xander flying into the wall. Quickly, Spike made his way past the table and seats. As he approached, Anya finally rose to her feet.
Spike intentionally held back, not wanting to hurt Anya, but still threw a right jab at her face. Slightly surprising Spike, Anya caught his punch with her left hand as she prepared to swing her right. Before Anya could retaliate, Spike threw a straight kick into her abdomen. Spike stood silently as he watched Anya crash back into, and over, the table nearest to them.
"Spike!" Buffy screamed from behind him as she grabbed his arm and turned him around. Spike sent his free hand smashing into Buffy's face as she stumbled over the chair Xander and himself had been sitting in. As Buffy crashed through the table, Spike contorted his face into a pain expression, quickly starting to regret his actions. "Ohhh…" he muttered, but it went unheard by everyone.
Spike glanced around as he saw everyone in the crowd looking at him. He had a hard time looking at Buffy, who was the first to get back to her feet. Turning his attention behind him, he saw Anya slowly getting to her feet. Turning back around, he saw Xander struggling to stand back up.
Spike shook his head as he snapped himself out of thought.
That option was a bad one. It resulted in him physically hurting people he loved or cared about, even Xander to some extent, and had a higher probability for a dusty ending than he liked.
"How did you do it? I can-" Anya started before Spike cut her off.
Grabbing Anya's closest arm, Spike leaned forward until Anya and his own upper body were almost touching. "Yes, I have a soul." Spike whispered when his mouth was only an inch from Anya's ear. "I don't know how in bloody hell you can tell but you can!" Spike's whispered became somewhat of a growl as he continued. "I will tell you whatever you want woman…but do not bring this up now!"
Anya moved her head back a few inches to look into Spike's eyes. Self preservation came to mind when she saw the look in Spike's eyes. Spike look petrified and nervous, but he also looked as if he might rip her limb from limb if she didn't change the subject. Chip or not, Spike could probably get the job done before he got hit with an excruciating migraine. "Okay…" Anya whispered back.
Buffy swallowed back hard as she looked from Anya and Spike to Xander. She expected Xander to feel jealous or uncomfortable, which he did as he slowly stood up from his seat to match Anya and Spike. Buffy neglected to allow jealousy to register in her brain. The only thing she could be feeling was residual jealousy from Xander. In fact, the reason she slightly wanted to punch Spike in the face also had to be because she felt bad for Xander. That was the only possible explanation.
Not knowing what else to do, Spike turned and walked quickly towards the exit of The Bronze. He wanted to run, but he wouldn't allow himself. Buffy or Xander on a chivalrous and jealous streak were more likely to follow behind him if he sprinted away. Spike did his best to avoid eye contact, even though everyone was looking at him.
Thanks to enhanced hearing, Spike was still able to make out Xander saying, "What was that about?" Spike slowed down briefly. Once he heard Anya make up and excuse and change the subject he returned to his escape. Without giving it a second thought, Spike passed by male and female patrons alike. Spike focused in as he saw Ben staring at him from his seat against the wall.
Quickly, Spike knelt down in front of him. He needed to leave. Regardless, he wanted to make his point known. Not making eye contact, Spike looked towards the door. "Sorry mate."
"Uhhh…" Ben stuttered as he looked around in panic. "Sorry for what?"
"You are a nice enough kid." Spike paused as he finally looked directly at Ben. Standing back up, Spike put his closest hand on Ben's shoulder. "But the whole…I house a hell god inside of me doesn't bode well for you mate."
Ben shrugged off Spike's shoulder. Staring up at Spike, Ben's eyes held a mixture of anger and fear. Still, he couldn't form word and couldn't find the strength to move from his seat.
Spike gave Ben an insidious smirk. In half a second, Spike had his hand wrapped around Ben's neck as he pinned the young doctor against the wall. With little to no exertion, Spike held Ben against the wall as he looked him up and down. "When I strangle the life out of her…well, both of you mate…I just want you to know it's not personal." Spike stared at Ben for slightly longer than necessary as he held the grip against his throat. Knowing the limitations of the human body, Spike let go and allowed Ben to crash back into his seat with a few seconds to spare before he became unconscious. Satisfied with the look of terror on Ben's face, Spike focus returned to his retreat away from Buffy and the gang. He let out a deep sigh as he walked into the night air and left the bar. He felt bad for the kid really. Still, he didn't feel too bad. He was just rather lucky slaughtering him this early would cause unknown consequences.
Australia, Early 2008
"I feel disgusting!" Faith yelled in the direction of Spike, who was about twenty feet in front of her.
Spike rolled his eyes. Turning around quickly, Spike exclaimed, "Will you stop? It's not that bad!"
"Bullshit Spike, I need about nine showers, now!" Faith spat back as she rested both hands on her hips.
"First of all," Spike started as he took a step towards the Slayer and pointed his hand towards her. "Quit acting like a prissy girl!" Spike scoffed. "The shoe doesn't fit. It's hot as bollocks yeah, but it's definitely cooler now than it was during the day."
"I don't care!" Faith screamed as she cut the distance between Spike and herself in half. "I'm done with this!"
"Ughh!" Spike screamed as he threw his hands out to his side. "You think I'm enjoying this. Yeah, you've been along for the ride for a while…but before you joined up…" Spike took another step towards Faith. Tripping over an uneven patch in the desert dirt, Spike regained his balance before continuing. "I had to go all the way back to sodding Africa, which didn't help! Then, i had to go to New York, just so Willow could tell me she couldn't help me and to go to bloody London. Now, I'm on another sodding goose hunt…and the bloody bitches still haven't told me if they can even do it or not!"
"Just stay," Faith said in a low voice.
"What?" Spike replied in a harsh voice. Spike took another step towards Faith as he closed the distance to a few feet between them.
"What are you even going to do Spike?" Faith replied as she looked up and meet eyes with her friend.
"Oh, figured the like," Spike said as he shook his head. Spike knew he wasn't the most intelligent being in the world, but he knew without a doubt where Faith was going. "I already-"
Faith cut him off. "Get back with the Slayer? Look, I get it, okay?" Faith's voice held a hint of compassion mixed with disapproval as she stared at Spike. Faith shook her head before she continued. "It doesn't matter! You know how it ends…even if you change things. It ends up with you dead and Sunnydale a big hole! The only other endings are much worse!"
"It doesn't have to end that way." Spike replied as he stared at the ground. All of a sudden, the lightbulb clicked as he snapped his head up to look at Faith. Spike's eyes grew wide as he recognized the betrayal from Faith. "You're trying to stop me…aren't you love?"
"You go back," Faith started as she pointed her right hand out in a random direct. "On some get the girl, save the world mission. You change things…even the wrong way a little…and the whole world's hell! Not just LA Spike!"
"Bloody hell!" Spike screamed as he spun his body around. After a few seconds of pacing, Spike returned to his previous position in front of Faith. "You think I don't get that love?"
"I didn't-"
"You didn't have to," Spike replied. He knew what Faith was going to say. He would feel creeped out, but they had been traveling the globe and spending entirely too much time together as of late. "Listen love," Spike continued, "I just want to do things better, that's all. I know I can't go back and tell Buffy I love her, I got my chip out, and I got a soul all at once! I know I cant go back and just jump into the Hellmouth and try to kick the First's ass when it's years-"
"When are you even going back?" Faith questioned.
"What?" Spike spat, more in confusion than anger.
"If we can even get what we need…WHEN are you going to get sent back to?"
"I'm done." Spike said in a definitive tone.
Faith grabbed onto Spike's arm as he began to turn around. "What do you mean?"
"I don't need your help," Spike said in a low voice. Spike made eye contact with Faith as she dropped her arm back to her side. "I appreciate it love, but I'm doing this one way or another." Again, Spike held his hands out to his side for effect. "Unless you want to dust me."
Faith rolled her eyes as she looked off into the wasteland all around them.
"And you know what?" Spike continued, "We keep sitting here and arguing…the sun will do the same thing. I don't got time for this pet."
Again, Faith rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms.
"Well," Spike unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt to expose his chest. Faith gave Spike an angry stare. After a few seconds of silence, Spike nodded his head. "Right."
"Spike!" Faith yelled as Spike began walking away from her.
Spike didn't look back or reply.
"Spike!" Faith screamed again. Jogging to catch up to Spike, Faith yelled. "You know it would be a lot easier! You're a pain in my ass."
Spike turned around to find Faith directly in front of him. He let out a small laugh, knowing Faith was talking about staking him. "It would be a lot easier."
Faith nodded her head as she rested her hands on her hip. After a second, Faith gave Spike a stern look. "We going or what?"
Spike smiled at Faith. "Yeah…and I promise I'll get you ten showers when we get back pet."
Sunnydale, 2001
"Spike," Dawn said in an irritated voice. "You're totally zoning out."
Coming back to reality, Spike only caught the tail end of Dawn's statement. He knew she was interested in the story. He knew Buffy would walk through the door at any moment, and that was also the reason his mind kept wandering. "Sorry niblet."
Dawn nodded and smiled at Spike. She shifted her weight underneath her, readjusting her body weight on top of the granite coffin. Spike knew by the way Dawn stared at him she wanted him to continue the story.
"Right so ummm…" Spike swallowed back hard as he thought he heard a sound. Letting out a short sigh, Spike tried to relax and continue the story. "I got real quiet…and I heard a little sigh."
Again, Spike's eyes wandered towards shadows on the other side of his crypt. Last time, Buffy was leased than thrilled that Dawn was hanging out with him. Sadly, he prayed the conversation would go as badly as before. Things between Buffy and himself were improving. Still, he was changing the past and Buffy was extremely protective of Dawn. Assuming that without a doubt he would escape with nothing more than a harsh tongue lashing from Buffy was dumb. He wouldn't leave himself vulnerable. Buffy had a track record of finding enjoyment from using his face as a punching bag.
"Spike!" Dawn exclaimed as she threw her hands out to her side.
Spike jumped at Dawn's outburst as she brought him out of his own reality once more. Before he had the chance to apologize, Spike heard the door to his crypt swing open and slam shut. "Bloody hell," Spike exclaimed as he jumped down off the coffin.
Buffy appeared as quickly as she had before. "Spike I need your help! Dawn is…here." The panic immediately fell of Buffy's face as she looked between Spike and her little sister.
"Spike was just telling a story." Dawn quickly explained as she turned to look at Buffy. "And he was just at-"
"What the hell is this?!" Buffy spat at Spike as she stepped in his direction.
"Quicker than last time love." Spike replied in reference to how quickly she cut off Dawn.
"Buffy," Dawn started as she hoped down from the coffin and landed a few feet behind her sister. "What is y-"
"Shut up!" Buffy yelled without looking towards Dawn. Turning her attention back towards Spike, Buffy picked up her train of thought. "I swear to God Spike," Buffy said seething with anger. "If you ever come near my sister-" Buffy gave up on her threat as she changed her focus suddenly. Turning around to face her sister, Buffy grabbed Dawn's arms as she gave her a serious look. "Listen to me Dawn. Go outside and wait."
Spike continued staring at Buffy even though she wasn't facing him. Spike shook his head as a mixture of worry and confusion hit him simultaneously. Buffy was overreacting more than last time. He really had cursed himself. This occurrence wasn't identical or almost identical to the first time, it was somewhat similar with a more angry Buffy.
"Buffy!" Dawn screamed back. "Quit acting like this. Spike was just telling me a-"
Dawn's words fell on deaf ears as Buffy silence her. "Dawn," she screamed, her protectiveness and worry coming out as anger. "Go outside and wait, now!"
Dawn rolled her eyes and let out a scoff. Looking away from her sister, Dawn shook her arms free of Buffy's grasp and crossed them over her chest. When she had thought of something rude to say to her sister, Dawn looked back towards Buffy. Dawn's eyes grew as she saw Buffy pull out one of her stakes. Spike took a step back as he saw the look on Buffy's face and readied for an attack. He really had cursed himself.
"Buffy," Dawn exclaimed as she grabbed onto Buffy. Immediately, Buffy shook free. Buffy gave Dawn a stern look as she reiterated herself. "Go outside…and wait." Unlike before, Buffy didn't scream at her sister. However, the seriousness in Buffy's tone made up for the volume.
"No, I won't let you!" Dawn screamed as she started crying. The hormones of a 14 year old girl mixed with her sister about to kill her newest crush made Dawn immediately break down. "He's harmless Buffy!" Dawn continued before Buffy could interrupt. "And he helps out…he's a good vampire!" Dawn continued with haste when she saw the look her sister was giving her. "For real Buff. Angel had his soul and Spike has his chip. It's the same thing! He's-"
"He doesn't have a chip." Buffy replied in a low voice as she looked from her sister to Spike. "Not anymore…"
Spike was unable to reply as he stared at Buffy. At least now he had an explanation to why Buffy was acting this way. Still, Spike wasn't sure why. The only thing he worried about was Anya running her mouth about his new soul to everyone. Clearly, Anya did not considering Buffy wouldn't be seconds away from staking him.
"Ahhh…" Spike mumbled only loud enough for himself to hear as he remembered the previous night. He really should have strangled the life out of Glory's little puppet. Without a doubt Ben had ran to Buffy, hoping to turn her against him to save his sorry ass. Without a doubt, Buffy believed Ben and deducted that a chip was no longer in his brain.
Finally, Spike was able to close his jaw and form words. "I can explain." Spike said as he held his hand out in front of him.
Dawn eyes darted between Spike and Buffy. "He doesn't have-"
"The vampire that hurt Ben last night," Buffy said as she stared at Dawn. "It was Spike."
Simultaneously, both females stared at Spike. Spike twisted his face in frustration for a brief second. Next, he let out a sigh. "I said I can explain Slayer. Besides, I barely left a scratch on-"
"Enough," Buffy spat at Spike, refusing to let him continue rambling.
"Ummm…" was al that Dawn could manage as she took a backwards step towards the door. Taking a few uneven breaths, Dawn finally decided to listen to her sister. "I'll go outside and wait."
Buffy and Spike stared at each other, remaining motionless. Once they heard the crypt door slam, Spike took a small step towards Buffy. "Don't do it love." Spike said as he stared at the stake in her hand.
"Why not?" Buffy questioned with no emotion in her voice. "I knew it was just some game Spike. It's always some plot with you."
"Bloody hell! It's not some plot. You want to talk about plots Slayer? Then go talk to Ben…or Glory." Spike spat out.
Buffy shook her head at him. "What…what do you mean?"
"They're the same bloody person Buffy." Spike retorted. "You don't know it yet…and Glory worked some little…" Spike let out a sighas he raised his hand and wiggled his fingers. "Hocus pocus to make any human that sees them change forget…"
Buffy remained motionless as she broke eye contact with Spike briefly. The intensity of the stare was too much for her.
"Being that I'm all undead and such love…the little spell doesn't really affect me."
A few seconds of silence passed. Spike begged Buffy with his eyes to understand. Finally, she took a small step closer. Spike could tell Buffy was letting her guard down. Regardless, she was still unsure and her grip on the stake hadn't loosened.
"Are you serious?" Buffy questioned.
"Yes," Spike said as he refused to break eye contact with Buffy.
Buffy stared off at the nearest wall. After a moment, she looked back at Spike. "Then we should go find him."
"As if," Spike stopped speaking as he let out a scoff. "It was dumb…he's bunkered down somewhere now hiding like a little school-Wait!"
"What?" Buffy questioned in a confused voice.
Spike's jaw literally dropped as he stared at Buffy.
"What?" Buffy asked again.
"You believe me!" Spike replied with a smile on his face.
With stake still in hand, Buffy crossed her arms as she took a step towards Spike. "Should I or shouldn't I Spike?"
"You should pet."
"Then," Buffy said slowly. Shaking her head from side, Buffy let out a sigh. Looking back up at Spike, she finished her sentence. "I don't know why…but I believe you."
Spike nodded his head. "Ok…" Spike shot Buffy a small smile which she didn't return. After it began to grow awkward, Spike let the expression fall of his face. "Right then, so we should start-"
Buffy cut Spike's words and advance off as he took a few steps towards her by uncrossing her arms and raising the stake.
"Easy Slayer." Spike said quickly as he raised his hands up in defeat.
"That's not the problem Spike."
Spike kept both feet planted as he stared at his love. Spike closed his eyes as he let out a grunt. "It alway comes back to the chip."
Buffy's face remained stoic as she replied, "This time yeah."
His deep thought sessions came in useful as Spike immediately started to lie. "Buffy, Ben and Glory share a body. That's the main reason she's here…not…there."
Spike paused for a moment to gauge Buffy's reaction. It was still unreadable yet Spike could tell she would allow him an attempt at an explanation.
"Even when Ben is…Ben…he's not human. He's no different than a demon…he still has her evil inside of him."
Buffy raised her chin up as she looked at Spike. "Kind of like…how a vampire is really just-"
"Just a human with a demon inside of it?" Spike said as he attempted to finish Buffy's statement. "Yeah it is."
"I was gonna say a body with a demon inside of it." Buffy replied.
Once Spike realized Buffy's was done talking he rolled his eyes. "Right…because I'm not a human being…I'm an evil, evil thing right?"
Buffy dropped her head. Unsure of the reason behind it, Buffy sidestepped the insult to Spike he set himself up for. "I understand…you can hit Ben because he's not human. Not completely at least?"
Buffy waited for a reply from Spike. However, Spike refused to look at her. "Right Spike?"
Spike let out a deep breath. She believed his lie. His plan had worked. He was going to completely avoid the chip and soul subject, silence Anya by hopefully answering her questions, and wait for the perfect time to tell Buffy.
Spike raised his head and made eye contact with Buffy. "Right?" Buffy asked again, growing concerned and worry by his delays.
Again, Spike dropped his head. Even if he swore Anya to secrecy how long would it last? That woman was over a thousand years old but kept a secret worse than a five year old child. Furthermore, when was the perfect time to start telling Buffy the truth? It didn't matter if there was a perfect opportunity, which there probably wasn't, this was probably the best opening he was going to get. He didn't know how Buffy would react to the soul. He knew she would react badly to the chip being removed. He could just tell Buffy she was the one that had it removed. However, she wouldn't believe it and it would only confuse her.
"Spike!" Buffy exclaimed.
"I don't have a chip." Spike replied as he looked up at Buffy. "I'm not going to lie love. It's gone."
Buffy's voice got caught in her throat as she stared at Spike. Instinctively, the stake in her hand returned to a more suitable position for an attack. In a low voice, Buffy managed to say, "I knew it."
"You had to know sooner or later Buffy. Why not now?" Spike said.
Unsure of what to do, Buffy remained silent.
"Either way…you're the Slayer. You're gonna do what you think is bloody right…what you have to do…" Not looking up at Buffy, Spike grabbed his shirt with both hands as he raised it over his head. Throwing it down to the floor, Spike cautiously took a step forward.
Buffy knew what Spike was doing. "Stop!"
Spike didn't listen and before Buffy knew it he was less than a foot in front of her. Grabbing her right hand, Spike maneuvered the stake until it was touching his chest. Looking deeply into her eyes, Spike pled his case. "If you think you have to do it…I can't stop you. I'm telling you love…I'm not a threat and I'm bloody serious."
"I will do it. What, you don't think I will?!" Buffy replied tightening her grip on the stake that rested on Spike's chest.
"I didn't say that pet. I said I'm not going to stop you and-" Spike's words froze in his chest as she raised the stake. Spike jumped as the stake approached. Spike let out a breath as Buffy stopped the stake only an inch from his chest.
"I-I…." Buffy stuttered as she maintained eye contact with Spike.
Spike could no longer think. Like usual, his only thought and concern was the woman in front of him. Buffy dropped the stake as Spike grabbed both of her upper arms and crashed his lips onto hers. Buffy's eyes grew but quickly fluttered shut. In less than a second, Buffy's mind fighting the kiss was overpowered by her bodies' will to mold to Spike's and deepen the embrace.
Spike released Buffy's arm from his grasp. His right arm naturally landed on Buffy's hip as he wrapped his left arm around her back. Buffy let out a moan as she broke the kiss for an instant to breath. Just as quickly, Buffy reinitiated the kiss as she moved both hands up and grabbed Spike's neck.
Spike landed on the ground, in the seating position as his back rested against the coffin. Slowly, Spike pulled himself out of the indent he had made in the coffin as granite chunks fell of the coffin that broke during the impact. Leaning forward, Spike let out a grunt of pain as he grabbed his side. After a few seconds taking note of his relatively minor injuries, Spike looked up at Buffy.
Buffy stood there motionless as she held her right hand up to her mouth. It didn't take much for Spike to tell how confused Buffy was from the look on her face. Buffy opened her mouth as she attempted to speak. Regardless, no words came out. Spike watched as Buffy turn and ran out of his crypt.
Spike let out a sigh as he leaned back and rested his body against the damaged coffin. Spike recounted the last few minutes in his head. Finally, he shrugged as he let a small smirk fall on his face. Thinking back to a rather erotic dream from years prior, Spike laughed at the similarities between the two. The inner poet that still remained in him could appreciate the irony. Spike slowly got to his feet. Taking a few steps forward, Spike bent down as he held his side. Picking up Buffy's stake, he put it in his pocket.