Warnings and disclaimer in Chapter 1. Enjoy.
"Lunch," Dawn announced loudly as she started her trek down the stairs. She carried a tray with several sandwiches for her and her mother and a mug of the broth Andrew had made the night before. Joyce looked up as Dawn thundered down the stairs. She placed the tray on the empty wheelchair and ran up the stairs once more, returning a few minutes later with several bottles of water and a bottle of ginger ale. "Do you mind if I join you?" she asked, already making herself comfortable on the other side of Buffy.
"Not at all," Joyce replied, shifting so she could free up her arms.
"Is Buffy asleep?" Dawn asked, frowning slightly. Joyce shook her head.
"Just dozing," she said. "She'll probably wake up in a few minutes." Dawn nodded, handing her mother a sandwich and bottle of water while she started munching on her own sandwich.
"So how's it going down here?" she asked, eyeing Spike carefully. "He looks more in control now. Maybe your presence is a good thing."
"I don't know," Joyce countered. "He looks more predatory to me, likes he's thinking of a hundred different ways to kill us. To be honest, it's kind of frightening. If I didn't know him like I do, I would probably ask someone to come take care of him."
"And they probably would too," she said, taking a bite of her sandwich while she eyed the vampire. "But they didn't immediately jump to the 'dust Spike' plan, so I think that's improvement." Joyce smiled and they ate in companionable silence for a few minutes until Spike sat up straighter. A minute later Buffy started waking up. "He always was obsessed over her, even before it turned to love," Dawn said, causing Buffy to glance up at her and smile. Her smile faltered when she saw the lunch Dawn brought. She turned, seeking her mother desperately.
"Remember what we talked about," Joyce told her, putting down her sandwich and picking up the mug of broth. Buffy nodded resignedly. "I promise if you start feeling sick we'll stop, but you promised to try." Buffy nodded again, shifting so she was leaning up against her mother.
"Here," Dawn told her, handing a small towel to Joyce. "Just in case," she said as she moved the food safely to the side. Joyce rolled her eyes but took the towel, draping it over her shoulder like a burping rag.
"Do you feel sick right now?" Joyce asked, as she checked the temperature of the broth. Buffy thought for a moment then shook her head. "We'll take this one sip at a time. If you ever start to feel sick, or just feel off, just squeeze my hand or rap your knuckles. Okay?" Buffy nodded, bringing her hands up on top of her mother's. Joyce brought the mug up and Buffy took a hesitant sip. Joyce lowered the mug right away and both Joyce and Dawn studied Buffy intently. Buffy closed her eyes, but whatever Ben gave her obviously was working. Her eyes opened in relief. "More?" Joyce asked. Buffy nodded, and the three of them continued their lunch as they kept vigil. Finally, Buffy signaled an end, but Joyce was happy to see she drank almost half the mug. "One more sip," Joyce encouraged, but Buffy shook her head, a death grip on her hands. She looked to her mother fearfully, fully expecting to get punished for disobeying, but Joyce just smiled and nodded. "Are you sure?" she asked once more. Buffy nodded, her eyes bright with relief when Joyce put the mug aside and pulled Buffy closer to her.
They leaned back and watched Spike again. Dawn and Joyce chatted quietly while Buffy dozed. When night came they saw the change in their friend. He started struggling and growling, scratching anything he could in any attempt to get away. Joyce tried to bring Buffy upstairs, but she refused to go. Eventually Giles joined them in the basement. Buffy looked over when he opened the weapons cabinet, but he only shrugged as he pulled out the tranquilizer gun and loaded it.
"Just a precaution," he said as he joined the family, the gun draped casually across his back. "This is the night of the full moon. The spell should be at its apex, which means Spike should be more feral than ever before."
"But that's still a last resort," Dawn asked hesitantly, "right?"
"Of course," Giles stammered as the rest of the group came down the stairs. "Do I have to remind you to be careful?"
"Nope," Xander answered. The four core Scoobies were going out on patrol with the rest of the fang gang. "We are all full of the care right now."
"It appears our theory was correct," Giles said, gesturing to the vampire straining to get out of his chains. "Spike is definitely at his worst, so the rest of the demons will more than likely be too." He stopped as he noticed a figure hiding in the doorway. "Just where the bloody hell do you think you're going?"
"Out to patrol," Ethan said, flashing his mischievous smile. "To save the huddled masses from the bogeymen under their beds and all that. It's what you heroes do."
"You are hardly a hero," Giles hissed. Ethan shrugged.
"I'm not exactly a villain anymore though," he said. Giles growled, pulling of his glasses and polishing them furiously. "I've passed all your tests, done everything you've asked of me, even spent days of tedious research when I could have been burning down the town. I don't know what more I can do to prove myself, except to actually help where it's needed, which right now is out there."
"Fine," Giles growled, smashing his glasses back on. "But if you hurt any of these people I will hunt you down and kill you." Ethan grinned.
"There's the Ripper I know and love." He turned and headed back upstairs.
"Don't worry about him," Xander said. "We'll keep an eye on him."
"It's not him I'm worried about," Giles said, looking at the group fondly.
"Be extra careful tonight," Joyce said, shifting Buffy so she could stand up and give each of them a quick hug. "I don't want to make any late night trips to the hospital."
"Better than the morgue," Anya added, causing the group to stiffen uncomfortably.
"And on that optimistic note we better be off," Willow said, trying to put on her cheerful face. She held out one of the baby monitors. "Andrew has the twins upstairs. He's going to spend the night in the nursery, just to make sure nothing gets in."
"How heroic," Joyce said, flipping it on in time to here Andrew start a lengthy debate about the virtues of the Justice League. She quickly flipped it off. "Stay safe," she told them once again.
"Always," Xander answered for the group. "Ladies." He held his hand out to the open doorway, letting the women leave first. Joyce watched them go sadly.
"They'll be fine," Giles said, resting a hand on her shoulder as he too watched the young group depart. "They have been doing this for a long time."
"That doesn't mean I won't worry about them until they're safely back in the morning."
"Of course," he said softly, smiling at her gently. "It is bound to be a long night. Perhaps you would rather go to bed then spend it here?"
"No," she turned to face him. "Spike is a member of this family, and when someone in the family is in trouble we don't sleep until we figure it out."
"But Buffy," Giles started. "And Dawn?"
"Buffy made it clear that she doesn't want to leave, and until it gets too dangerous I'll honor her wishes. And Dawn…"
"Is staying right here," Dawn interrupted them. "Until Spike is back in the living, er unliving, with us, I'm staying right here."
"Fine," Giles conceded, "but be prepared for a long night." Spike accentuated that statement with a loud howl, rattling the chains with such force that Giles thought they might break. Buffy reached out for him, but both Giles and Joyce quickly pulled her back to the couch. Joyce sat down and pulled her daughter into her lap, holding her securely while Giles double checked the tranquilizer gun.
"Joyce?" Joyce blinked groggily, struggling to get her mind to work. "Joyce?" She turned her head to see Spike staring at her through the bars. Only it wasn't crazy Spike any more.
"Spike?" she asked quietly, quickly checking her watch. It was just after sunrise. The night was over.
"Hey mum," Spike answered, aiming for casual but falling short. Joyce shared a quick look with Giles before she shifted Dawn off of her side.
"How do you feel?" she asked quietly, kneeling down next to the bars. Sometime during the night Spike had broken the chains, but thankfully the bars were able to hold him.
"Like something you should have dusted," he answered truthfully. He looked behind her to the couch where Buffy and Dawn were sleeping. His eyes widened and he looked to Joyce pleadingly. "Dust me now luv, like you should have done then." Confused, Joyce looked behind her. Buffy had shifted in her sleep, revealing her neck and leaving the bandage clear to see.
"You saved her," Joyce told him. He shook his head, not believing what she was saying.
"I wanted to bite her. Kill her." He looked at her seriously. "Turn her."
"But you didn't," Giles stepped up to the pair. "Drusilla nearly did, but you saved her. Thank you." Giles's thanks was enough to shock the vampire into reality. While they had moved beyond hatred and through tolerance, this was the first time Giles had ever really thanked the vampire for anything. Spike's shock slowly changed to a grin.
"Don't mention it," he said, gaining back his cocky attitude. "Seriously. I have a reputation to protect." Giles rolled his eyes.
"I take it you have escaped this situation intact," he mumbled before staring at the vampire intently. "How do you feel?" he asked, and this time Spike knew he was in Watcher mode. He closed his eyes and really thought about it for a minute.
"I'm not entirely sure," he started. "It's like the demon is still in control, but at a distance, like an echo. It wants to hurt you, but at the same time I remember why I don't and am able to fight it. Does that make any sense?"
"You were under a spell," Giles told him, "to bring out your most animalistic traits. The spell just broke, but you will probably feel the effects for a few days as it gradually wears off."
"Great," Spike huffed, as he stepped back to the cot and draped himself over it dramatically. "Locked in the basement through no fault of my own. I am the victim here people."
"We can probably unlock you now," Joyce said, reaching for the key. Spike bound off the cot and sprinted to the door, stopping her hand shy of the lock. She looked up in confusion, but couldn't stop the gasp at the fear she saw in his eyes.
"Don't," he whispered. "There are things in my head, things I desperately want to do. To you, to Buffy, to everybody. I don't think I am strong enough to fight them." She smiled.
"I know you're strong enough," she said, "but if it will make you feel better we can keep you locked up."
"Thanks luv," he said gratefully, squeezing her hand gently. At that moment Dawn woke up.
"Spike!" she squealed, running over and giving him an awkward hug through the bars. He hugged her back just as tightly.
"Hey Niblet."
"Oh I missed you," she said as she pulled back. "I'm so glad you are okay. You are okay, right?"
"I'll be as right as rain in a few days," he told her as the rest of the group came trudging down the stairs.
"Man what a wild night," Willow said, sinking onto the couch in exhaustion.
"It was glorious wasn't it?" Ethan said as he sat next to the witch. They inadvertently woke Buffy, who stared at them for a minute before crawling over to snuggle into the side of the chaos mage. He was shocked for a minute before grinning and putting his arm around her. She put her head over his heart and watched Spike contently. Spike stared back at her as he made himself comfortable again. "So much chaos just running around town," Ethan continued as he pulled her close. "It makes me wonder why I ever bothered creating chaos in the first place when I could have simply had chaos come to me."
"What a dilemma" Giles said sarcastically as he and Joyce ran a critical eye over everybody.
"We're fine," Tara told them. "Just scrapes and bruises. It could have been a lot worse if it wasn't for Ethan."
"What?" Giles asked as he pulled out the first aid kit. He turned to his friend. "What did you do?" Ethan shrugged.
"I just told them when something big and powerful was coming. And maybe did a few tiny spells to keep teeth and claws out of human flesh."
"He was actually pretty helpful, except with the actual fighting part," Xander conceded, just as Wesley ran down the stairs.
"Did Spike return too normal?" he asked. The vampire in question just raised an eyebrow. "Good. Good. I just got a call from Cordelia. Angel also has come back to us." Spike snorted and Wesley frowned before continuing. "He was quite concerned with everyone's wellbeing here, especially Buffy."
"He probably felt the need to turn her just like me," Spike said. "Probably every demon in Sunnydale felt it."
"Yes, well like you we had him securely locked up so he couldn't act on his urges," Wesley said. "But he did feel Drusilla's attack on the Slayer and is quite enraged."
"He's not the only one," Spike said softly.
"He's going after her," Wesley said quietly. "Once the sun sets he's leaving to stop Drusilla once and for all."
"Does he need help?" Giles asked. Wesley shook his head.
"He only needs us to return. We'll be leaving in a few hours."
"Thank you," Joyce said, giving him a quick hug. "For everything you did." He blushed, but nodded and headed up the stairs. Joyce turned to look at the group. "Who's hungry?" The group trudged up the stairs noisily, discussing the virtues of different breakfast items. Joyce looked toward Spike. "Would you like some blood?" He shook his head, his eyes showing fear for a split second.
"Not quite yet, but thanks." She nodded and followed the group up the stairs. Giles sighed and turned to Ethan.
"So now that the crisis is over what will you do?" Ethan thought for a minute, before pulling Buffy closer to him.
"Do you really think it's over Ripper?" he asked. "We thwarted Willow's plan this time, but we saw no sign of her. And if there's one thing I know about evil. They don't give up easily."
"Not Willow," Giles protested, "but I agree we haven't seen the last of her. But one thing I know about evil. Between defeats there is a period of calm. And we should take full advantage of it."
"Fine," Ethan sighed dramatically, causing Buffy to turn her head slightly to watch him. "You have twisted my arm enough. I will stay."
"What?" Giles asked, flabbergasted.
"But I can't take living here anymore," he continued. "Too much goodness around me. I don't know how you can stand it. I have to get a place of my own."
"Yes," Giles agreed. "Away from here. Far, far away."
"Nonsense," he stood, gathering Buffy in his arms as he carried her over to Giles. "How am I supposed to enjoy the chaos that inherently finds its way here if I'm not here? But don't worry. I promise I won't be up to much mischief." He smirked and placed Buffy in his arms. She smiled at him, while Giles stammered unsuccessfully.
"Wait," he called out as Ethan strode out of the room. Spike erupted into laughter.
"Guess we have a new player in town," he said jovially. Giles glared at him. "Now if you don't mind, I haven't gotten a good night's sleep for a while now. Think I'll turn in." Giles stared before sighing and making his way upstairs, Buffy firmly in his grasp. He entered the kitchen to find someone had brought up her wheelchair. She happily pointed at it, and within seconds she was zipping through the house.
"What just happened?" Xander asked, a piece of toast halfway to his mouth. Tara smiled.
"She's finally being herself," Tara said, as they all watched Buffy push open the back door and wheel herself onto the deck. She just sat there, soaking up the sun. "She's finally free."
The end… for now.
AN: We finally have arrived at the end of the line. Once again I am incredibly sorry about the sporadic posting schedule. But it looks like real life is starting to settle down again, so hopefully I'll be back to a regular schedule for the next one.
A few more ramblings. My original idea didn't end here. This was about the halfway point in the story, but as I was writing it, everything wrapped up so well while leaving room for more that I knew it had to end here. Plus, there is a gap of a month or so between this point and the next and you can only say they're researching so much before Anya will drive you crazy and curse you. And what if she cursed you with writer's block? That would have been a tragedy. Anyway, I have started writing the next story, where everything will be wrapped up in a nice, tidy bow. Well, almost everything.
Once again, thank you for reading. I sincerely hope you enjoyed the story and hope to see you around for the next one.