Ring on her Finger

By Nickeltaffy

Disclaimer: I would like to thank Joss for the use of his characters. They are still his and will never be mine. (heavy sigh).

Synopsis: Anyone ever notice that Buffy never returned Spike's ring from when they were engaged? What if Willow's reversal of the Will Be Done spell from the Something Blue episode was not exactly 100% effective? What if Buffy was still under a spell and still considered herself engaged to a horrified Spike?

…

Chapter 22

Bracing himself, Spike stepped into the darkness that lay beyond the open doors. As soon as he was inside the doors closed behind him, sealing him off from the brilliance of the blue skies Unfortunately, in this realm, the lack of his demon meant that he did not have the advantage of the increased night vision. For a few moments, Spike was totally still in the pitch black as he waited for his eyes to adjust. After a while, Spike was able to discern a glowing light that emanated from the walls of the room. He was able to detect a trench in the walls that seemed to be holding glowing coals that cast a warm half light over the hall. Following the line of the trench with his eyes, Spike saw that it extended far beyond his line of sight, indicating that the space he was in was much bigger than he imagined at first. His eyes still not having completely adjusted, Spike looked around him to see what he could make out in the near vicinity. He could just make out the large cut stones that he was standing on and a nearby huge column. With his hands before him, he made his way over to column where he strained his eyes to look further into the room. He began to cautiously move forward into the nebulous expanse in front of him, slowly dragging his hands away from the pillar. He managed to navigate his way around the hazy silhouettes cast by the low uneven light coming from the glowing channel in the wall with halting ungraceful steps. Suddenly, he hit an incense burner with his thigh which he felt tumbling to the floor. Reaching out, he caught it before it went down but burned his hand in the process. With a soft grumble under his breath and shaking his hand to disperse the pain, Spike again started his forward projection into the obscure space. When he finally caught his toe on a small protrusion on one of the stone slabs in the floor which caused him to drunkenly stagger a few steps before he was able to catch himself, Spike's temper finally got the better of him

"Bleedin Hell! Would someone please turn on the bloody lights or kindly bring me a seeing eye dog!" he called out to anyone in particular.

At that moment, the trench with the coals flared up as great flames reached almost five feet, filling the room with light. Spike stood stock still where he was, astounded at what was before him. He was inside an immense ancient temple. Spike theorized that it was probably from one of those forgotten cultures that appear on one of the more popular scientific magazines. There were giant stone pillars covered in what looked to be some ancient symbols that went on forever. They went so high up, that they disappear beyond Spike's sight. Spike spun around, the temple was made out of polished iridescent stone, that shone against the light. In the center, was a dais which held what could be described as an altar. It was made out of a veined crystal. The crystal seemed to be spun colors of gold, purple and clear crystalline with lines of silver running through it. In the center of the altar was a glowing red crystal that seemed to send a vibration out into the space. Spike narrowed his eyes as he looked toward it. What he had first assumed was a figure, was a smaller dark purple altar standing to the side of the larger. Spike could see no one in the temple. Stretching his neck, he looked for someone who could clear up this mess he had found himself in. Seeing no one, Spike let out a heavy sigh while rolling his eyes. His patience was running thin.

"Hello! Anyone home? Oh , come on. It is not like you weren't expecting me!" Spike called out with irritation evident in his voice

"It is good that you are so eager. It will make things much easier." A gentle, but commanding voice said from beside Spike.

Spike wheeled about and looked where the voice came from. There stood a slight figure of what could be termed a man, but the power generating from it gave notice that it was much more. The man seemed to be glowing as well. Spike had difficulty looking directly at the man.

"Who…What?" Spike said, taking a few steps back before finally catching himself and standing still.

"Your questions will be answered in time." The supernatural being cocked his head as he regarded Spike. Walking slowly around him, he continued. " You are much different from many of your predecessors. A vampire. Interesting choice. I believe that you are much like the first paladin I chose for this quest."

"Paladin? Quest?" Spike said, wincing as he closed his eyes for a moment and turned his head away.

"Yes, you have many questions. Oh, your eyes.. I keep forgetting. Is that better?" The glow significantly lowered, so Spike was once again able to bring his eyes up to the slightly built man standing next to him. Looking at the man, Spike noticed that the man's eyes were a vibrant, brilliant blue, so much so that it was unearthly. A memory flashed in Spike's mind of his grandfather's eyes that dreadful night battling the creature.

"Yeah, cheers, mate. Please explain to me what bleedin want from me?" Spike asked.

"You are to represent me in a battle against an old foe. An ancient evil is reaching out to destroy your world." The glowing man answered, resolutely.

"Look, I think you got the wrong party here." Spike said as he pointed to his chest. "I'm a vampire, mate. I'm evil and all that. I should probably be on his team, you know."

The strange being seemed to entertained by Spike's response and smiled at that comment.

"You're being a vampire is not a concern." The man said, dismissing Spike's argument and continued. "I see that you've already saved your world once. You have a love for your world buried deep inside you. I think you are reticent to admit it to yourself. Did you ever wonder where that came from?"

"No. I am not one who goes in for self reflection." Spike said as he pulled up his chin in a defiant manner. "I like a little mindless violence, blood and sex. I am not that deep, so don't get all fruity on me with the inscrutable edicts. You got the wrong party, bloke."

The being broke out into laughter in the last few comments. His laughter bounced around the hall, making Spike a more than a little uncomfortable. Spike raised an eyebrow at the man. He was not expecting a supernatural being to have a sense of humor.

"I see you know yourself very well." The being smiled. "Let's get to the base of the matter then. I need you to defeat the creature that you know as the Diye Cagiriyor."

"Wha? Why me? It looks like you got a sweet set up here." Spike proclaimed as he held up his arms indicating the hall. "You must have got some power sweeping me here like such. Why don't you do it?"

"Unfortunately, I am barred from your realm. More than three thousand of your years ago, there was an epic battle between the creature and I. He was about to destroy your world in an effort to escape me. Your world is under my protection so I set up a barrier to protect your world and chose a paladin to maintain it." The being explained. "I chose a defiant young warrior whose ferocity in war and love gained my notice . He was escaping with the intended bride of a neighboring ruler with whom he had fallen in love. I approached both of them, offering them sanctuary and benevolence from their current situation in exchange for their allegiance of themselves and their bloodline to act as my champions in your world. The barrier weakens when the Arxik comet appears, so the creature has been able to periodically punch through to your world and grab magical energy. My champions stand to defeat the creature and close the portal."

"So, that's a nice little fairytale. So, what has that got to do with me?" Spike said slowly, as he gritted his teeth, fearing to hear the answer.

"William, you are the end of the bloodline. You must finally defeat the creature and banish him from your world forever." The being proclaimed.

"ME? I can't soddin believe this! I wish people would quit dragging me into thing without consulting me first!" Spike yelled out, stamping around in a small circle, displaying his aggravation at the situation. "I can just see, three thousand years ago, my ancestor saying 'Sure, I'll have a kid named Spike. He'll take care of it.' Well, I am not doing it! I am tired of doing the cleanup work!"

Watching the display for a moment, the being continued. "Regardless, how much you rant, the obligation is yours. The safety of your world is relying upon you. I bestowed the ring of the heart of two stars upon your ancestors. It is a fragment of the large stone in the altar there. That is the heart of the two stars, a source of great power. When the ring is given in true love, a mighty weapon is unleashed. It is only that weapon that can destroy the creature. From your memories, I see that the creature is already stalking you and your love. The ring by itself is only able to deflect him only temporarily. You and your love must access the weapon to begin the final battle and save your world once and for all."

"The ring? True love? I gave that ring to Buffy….Hey wait a minute. Are you saying that I love Buffy? That's soddin preposterous! She's a bloody Slayer! We're direct opposites." Spike said backing up and waving his hands. Then upon reflection, he stated, "I will say she has been acting off her nutter lately…but that doesn't mean she loves.."

"The ring only clarifies. The ring act as a balance between the two extremes of male and female. It does not create emotions, especially such deep heartfelt emotion. No, only true love would generate the power necessary to defeat the creature. I felt the power of the ring being unleashed and I know the creature has." The glowing being stated.

"Nah! You're just playin me. It couldn't possibly be…" Spike contemplated out loud, scratching his head.

"It is, however, how much you both try to deny it. It is time that I sent you back to your realm. You are complete now. You will easily dominate the demon part of yourself." The being announced.

"Wait, you haven't told me what I need to do." Spike said, puzzled.

"No, I don't need to. Your blood will tell you." The slight man stepped toward Spike and holding up his hand, pointing a finger toward Spike. The hand began to glow and a bright light began to gather at the fingertip pointing at Spike. "Once you return to your realm, all you need to do to is say my name."

"Wait a bloody minute. You didn't tell me your name!" Spike exclaimed.

"You already know it." The man said softly as he touched Spike over his heart.

…..

As Buffy and the Scoobies watched, a glow began to encompass the unconscious vampire. It became more dense and brilliant, The color changing from red to red hot to brilliant white. It almost obscured the vision. Buffy squinted her eyes, as she held up a hand to her forehead, willing her eyes to see Spike despite the pain. Then all of a sudden, the haze disappeared. It was like it had been absorbed into Spike. Quietly and smoothly, the vampire got up and sat on the floor, his eyes closed. He was eerily still and reserved, quite unlike Spike's natural exuberant self.

"Spike?"

He did not respond. He continued to sit there. Buffy turned her head to look over her shoulder at the Scoobies gathered together. She slowly brought up her hand and gave his shoulder a gentle poke. His body seemed to reverberate with the motion, like a drop of water sending out rings of disturbance. Spike eyes remained closed and he didn't react to the motion. He continued to sit there unaware of the presence of the surrounding humans as the tension filled the room.

"Hey Bleachboy! Wake up!" . Finally getting fed up, Xander called out to the still vampire.

"Xander! Empathy much?" Buffy admonished Xander from where she was sitting next to Spike.

"Oh come on, Buffy. It's Spike!" Anya interjected, defending Xander.

With an air of dismissal, Buffy turned back to her vampire. She had laid her left hand on Spike's shoulder as she addressed the group. Without her noticing, the stone in the ring had begun a subtle vibration. A hum seemed to emanate from it, as it came in contact with Spike. Very deliberately and slowly, Spike hand came up and gently closed over her hand. Buffy turned her head back to the vampire feeling her hand being held. Spike gently drew her hand from her shoulder, bringing it in front of him.

Spike slowly opened his eyes. Looking down, he saw that he had Buffy's hand clasped in his own. He slowly turned his head toward her and sheepishly raised his eyes. He looked at her with a mixture of disbelieving wonder and trepidation. Buffy looked back at him, the emotion in her eyes moving from concern to sheer love as she gazed at Spike. She noticed that Spike's eyes had never looked bluer than when they were looking at her right now with such vulnerability. She leaned closer to him.

"Bu..Buffy?" Spike said softly. He was looking deeply into her green eyes as if she was his salvation.

"Hmmm?" Buffy whispered to him, as she drew closer.

A cough interrupted the intimate moment between the two. Spike's eyes darted around the room and noticed the Scoobies standing there watching the interaction between Buffy and himself. Pulling his head back, and sniffing, he let go of Buffy's hand. Wiping his hands several times over his thighs in a quick manner, Spike pulled himself together and announced.

"Okay. Time to go!"