Warnings: mentions of sex and swearing.
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Chapter 3
It was just after sunset when Buffy got back home from school. She had been trying to get everything organized for the next semester. Her school counselor wanted to talk to her about her attendance and her focus. Buffy hated it, but she had to go through it. She still didn't know what she wanted to do, so she figured she would take a few different business courses and see if any of them interested her. She hadn't seen Spike before she left and she was hoping he was feeling better. She knew he wanted to show her around the demon community, but Buffy didn't know if he should be moving around that much after being so close to dying just less than a week ago. She would see how he was feeling before she decided to go with him to the demon community.
Buffy walked inside and headed into the kitchen as she called out.
"Mom, I'm home."
"Hello Honey, how was school?" Joyce asked as she was in the kitchen with Dawn getting dinner ready.
"It was long. I spent like three hours with my guidance counsellor going over options. I've decided to take more businessy courses over the other ones. If nothing else maybe I'll find something I'm good at besides killing things." Buffy said as she sat down on a stool next to Dawn.
"You will find something. Spike said other Slayers have had other normal lives outside of the Slaying duties. You'll find something and you can't go wrong with business courses you can take them anywhere." Joyce said.
"Ya I know. What about you two? What did you do today?"
"I went to the Gallery to help get a few things in order. Being back at work even if for just a couple of hours felt good." Joyce said.
"I was stuck at school learning about World War Two. I'm hoping Spike will be able to help me understand it more." Dawn said with a shrug.
"Well he did live through it. How is he?" Buffy asked her mother.
"He's fine." Spike answered as he walked into the kitchen and went over to the fridge.
"Oh I already warmed some up for you it's in the microwave. I heard you moving around I figured you would be hungry." Joyce said with a warm smile.
"Ta Mum." Spike said with a smile as he went over to the microwave.
"You're still looking banged up. Are you sure you're feeling alright?" Buffy asked doing her best to keep the concern from her voice.
"I'm fine. It's just bruising. How was school Lil Bit?" Spike asked as he went over to see what she was reading with his mug in hand.
"Boring, but that's the life of a thirteen year old girl these days. You know I remember when school used to be interesting and at least worth something. Now it's all, you have to write this paper and remember this random date. Ya because I'm totally going to need to know about epic battles or the quadratic formula for my life." Dawn said as she rolled her eyes.
"The point isn't that you might need it the point is you have to pass it to move forward towards things that you will need for your career. You just have to get through all this other fluff first." Spike said.
"Well it's good that you say that, because I need your help. I have to write this report on World War Two, but my teacher is nuts. She wants us to write it on rumors that were going around that time that were out there and never proven. I don't suppose you heard anything back then?" Dawn asked.
"As a matter of fact I do have something for ya that no one else will have." Spike said with a look that they could tell he was having a memory.
"Spill I need a good grade." Dawn said with a smile.
"She really does." Joyce said with a smile to Spike.
"Alright. Back then the Nazis were messing around with having the ultimate army. They were doing experiments on vamps and demons to try and make a super human. They wanted to have soldiers that could fight without feeling pain or even thinking. They would just follow mindless orders. I was in Germany and I got captured along with two another blokes who I can't remember their names. Anyways I wake up on this submarine and the two other vamps had already killed everyone. They were sending us somewhere, but the Americans wanted to negotiate to have us released so they couldn't try and perfect their experiment. They actually sent in the Great Poof." Spike said as he rolled his eyes.
"Wait, Angel was there?" Buffy asked now more interested in the story.
"Yup. He popped down, but the crew was already dead, except for this one human. Anyways long story short the Americans wanted the research and they sent Captain Broody down there to get it and to eliminate anyone in the Sub. He ended up Siring the other human before he destroyed the controls for the Sub and took off for the American Sub that was waiting for him. We sunk down to almost the bottom and he left us there to die including his new Childe. We got out obviously, but we were in the middle of the ocean so we had to swim to the shores. It took three months and the other three idiots were long dead. I would have to hide under the water during the day in little caves living off of fish blood. I finally made it to the States and the rest is history." Spike finished.
"So the Nazis were basically doing the same thing as the Initiative weren't they?" Dawn asked slightly confused.
"Yup they were, same as the Americans. Looks like over the decades they finally figured some of it out. Now they are back up and running again isn't that lovely." Spike said sarcastically.
"Apparently they are just looking to hunt down dangerous demons according to Riley. They are under a new Director and no enhancing drugs are involved." Buffy said.
"Sure they have that big laboratory and Government funding to just hunt down dangerous demons and kill them humanely. Then they are going to adopt a whole bunch of puppies and give them to poor children." Spike said sarcastically.
"Hey you don't know they haven't changed the way they operate there. And Riley wouldn't lie to me about it being different. He wouldn't go back there if they were doing the same things." Buffy said.
"Ya Captain Cardboard who joined in on torturing helpless and harmless demons would never go back to a place like that. He wouldn't lie about what it is really like to his woman. He doesn't lie after all." Spike said in a condescending tone as he pushed away from the counter top and went over to the sink to wash the mug.
"Spike." Buffy started, but Spike cut her off.
"I'm going to the demon community, you coming or not Slayer?" Spike asked with a tightness to his voice.
"Ya I'm coming." Buffy said clearly knowing she was in the dog house.
"I'll be outside when you're ready. Have a good night Mum. I'll see you around Lil Bit." Spike said with a warm smile before he headed out of the kitchen and grabbed his coat before he headed out the front door.
"You are so stupid." Dawn said annoyingly.
"Dawn do not talk to your sister like that." Joyce said.
"Why not? It's true?" Dawn said back.
"How am I stupid this time Dawn please enlighten me on your vast knowledge of life." Buffy said back.
"Riley was here this morning when I woke up so he spent the night. He slept in your room, the room right next door to where Spike was sleeping. You know that whole vampire can smell you thing. Did you just not think about how Spike would feel knowing Riley was here while he was still recovering. How someone who hurt him badly was in the house and you were playing nice with him? Spike has every right to be mad at you. You are sleeping with the enemy." Dawn said.
"I am not sleeping with the enemy." Buffy said.
"To Spike you are. How do you know that Riley didn't help torture Spike while he was in there? You spent a week worried about Spike sleeping beside him and then once he's awake you go right back to sleeping next to Riley. How do you think he would feel about it?" Dawn said.
"I think what your sister is trying to point out is that you left out very important information from Spike that got him seriously hurt. You say you trust him now and that you want him around, but how can he trust you when you are with Riley, someone who may have very well tortured him or was around and did nothing to stop it? It puts Spike in a hard position Sweetie." Joyce said calmly.
"Ok, but it's my life and not Spike's or anyone else's. I don't know just what is going to come from my relationship with Riley, but that's for me and Riley to figure out. I need to get going don't wait up." Buffy said to her mother as she got up from the stool.
"Be careful out there please. I can't take anymore injured parties in this house for a little while." Joyce said with concern.
"We will be careful I promise." Buffy said as she gave her mother a kiss on the cheek before she headed out of the house and out front.
Spike was leaning against the tree out front as he finished his smoke. Buffy walked over to him and he finished his smoke as he spoke.
"Ready Slayer?"
"So you're back to Slayer? What happened to Luv or Buffy?"
"I've called you Slayer before. Don't see what the problem is."
"The problem is you only call me Slayer anymore when you are angry at me. You were fine last night and now you are angry, why?"
"I'm not angry. I'm frustrated and cooped up. I'm not angry why would I be? It's not like I had to listen to the world's most boring sex for all of twenty minutes last night with Cornfed who laughed while torturing me. Nope can't think of a single reason why I would be angry." Spike said in a dead tone as he pushed off the tree and headed down the street.
Buffy rolled her eyes in frustration before she turned and went after Spike.
"Spike wait up." Buffy started and Spike stopped and turned around to face her. It was clear that he was upset and not angry with her.
"What?" Spike asked tightly.
"I'm sorry you heard us last night. I didn't think you would. I forget that you have vampire hearing and all of that. I'm sorry if you think my being with Riley is a betrayal to you or something, but it's my choice who I date. Riley and me are still together and if the time comes when we break up then it'll be my choice too. I know you don't like him and he doesn't like you either, but there's not much I can do about that. I know he hasn't come after you at least since you've escaped. I don't know what happened while you were in the Initiative. You don't talk about it and I know I haven't asked either. That's my bad. I don't want to fight over who I am dating though so if you can't get along then don't be in the same room as him. I have bigger problems right now then you two fighting every chance you get." Buffy said in a serious voice.
"I won't eat your precious boyfriend Slayer. But if I were you I would pay more attention to who you are dating. That boy has done more evil things than I have and he's the one with that all mighty soul you keep going on about. I may have killed innocent people, but I never played with my food. That boy of yours has helped to torture innocent, harmless creatures. Living and breathing with a heartbeat people. They might not have a soul, but does it really matter if they are innocent and harmless? Does a soul really matter if the person who owns one can still inflicted unbearable pain onto someone who is helpless and innocent? You start figuring that out, then you'll truly be what a Slayer is supposed to be and not some girl playing dress-up with super powers." Spike said calmly.
"I thought you said God himself picked me." Buffy said softly.
"He did, but that doesn't mean you are living up to the name and the potential within you. You have a lot to learn and you'll only learn it when you truly want to. Assuming you ever do." Spike simply said.
"I do want to learn what I'm truly supposed to be. I don't want to kill anyone innocent or harmless even if that is a demon. Will you help me learn?" Buffy asked calmly.
"I'll teach you a lot of things Luv." Spike said with a flirty smirk and Buffy just shook her head before she spoke.
"You just can't help yourself can you?"
"Not after that sex you just had last night. You know you can't even call it sex. Sex isn't supposed to make you depressed." Spike said as he started to walk down the street and Buffy walked beside him.
"It doesn't make me depressed and my sex life is none of your business."
"It became my business when you were doing it next door to me. And it made me depressed I can't understand how you aren't suicidal from it. It was the most boring sex I have ever heard in my entire existence and I came from Victorian England where a man and a woman couldn't be alone in the same room together until married. The women didn't even show her ankles out in public. That is saying something Luv."
"Ok we are not talking about my sex life. And it is not depressing or boring." Buffy said defensively.
"Sex is a natural thing and you shouldn't be all ashamed to talk about it Luv. And twenty minutes? Hasn't he heard of foreplay? You know touchin', lickin', kissin' something to build up to the sex part. And how stupid of a git is he that he couldn't even notice that you faked that whole orgasm."
"Ok I do not fake anything and we are so done with this conversation." Buffy said embarrassed that someone had heard them.
"You did fake it. I hope like hell you faked it and not that you have no idea what a true orgasm feels like. Because that wasn't it. Sex isn't supposed to be one position and you just go for it. It's supposed to leave your legs all numb and your body tingling all over for hours afterwards. It's not supposed to be just a one and done for your lady. Bloody bloke has no manners."
"Please can we stop talking about my sex life. Please." Buffy pleaded clearly uncomfortable about it.
"You need to get over that bashfulness Pet. Sex is a natural thing and it's okay to talk about it. Especially with someone my age and experience. Just sayin' Luv that what you did last night was not sex. That was just motion until Captain Cardboard got off. Bloody selfish."
"Ok this conversation is beyond over. You are supposed to be teaching me about demons so teach."
"You know there is nothing wrong with talking about sex. You should talk about it. You need to talk about it. That's what females do you talk about boys and sex with each other. At least you're supposed too. You can talk to me about it or ask your questions."
"I am so not talking to you about this." Buffy said horrified.
"Why not? You need to talk about it. It's natural to talk about sex. Who are you gonna talk about it to? Your mum? Naïve Red who has only been with one bloke and now a female. You aren't going to ask your Watcher or Captain Cardboard about it. Why not me?"
"Because you will just make fun of me for it later or bring it up to embarrass me."
"Fine, I give you my word I will never bring it up again unless you bring it up to me in private. I won't poke fun, I won't hold any of it against you. I will be honest and kind and afterwards we can never talk about it again. I give you my word." Spike said honestly.
They walked in silence beside each other for a block or two before Buffy finally broke the silence.
"Ok fine, but you can never bring it up to anyone or I will kick your ass." Buffy said in a deadly tone.
"Be more threatening if it wasn't for the fact that I could fight back. I already gave you my word I wouldn't embarrass you, bring it up again or poke fun. Ask your bloody questions and I'll tell you honestly."
"Ok, do all guys not like going you know down there?" Buffy asked awkwardly with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Wait are we talking like digits or mouth?" Spike asked slightly confused.
"The second one." Buffy said awkwardly again.
"Cornfed doesn't do that?" Spike asked shocked.
"No one ever has ok. Riley doesn't like doing it he said so we don't do that."
"But you do it with him right?" Spike said already knowing the answer.
"Ya that doesn't bother him. We don't really do much in the foreplay department. Normally there's kissing and a little touching then the main event. We only do the other when I can't have sex."
"So you have never had a guy go down on you? Ever?" Spike asked still stuck on that.
"No I've only really been with three guys remember. Not a lot of vast knowledge or experience."
"Wow, I thought all guys loved doing that. It's one of the best parts aside from the actual shag." Spike said shocked.
"Really? So it's not all guys then?"
"No the ratio is definitely the other way around Luv. Peaches I can understand it was heat of the moment weakness for him. The one night stand bloke alright heat of the moment from a man whore. But Cornfed that is just bloody stupid of him. There is nothing that tastes more sweeter than a female and I mean absolutely nothing, blood included. You have been robbed Luv." Spike said with complete seriousness to his voice.
"Huh. Ok, is it true that if you do it doggy style that means the female is kind of a slut?" Buffy asked getting more comfortable now.
"Where did you hear that?" Spike asked amazed at the questions.
"Lots of girls used to talk about it and they used to make it seem like the girls who did it like that were slutty."
"No that has nothing to do with it. You've had sex in more than one position right?"
"See I know you want me to say yes to that, but I really can't say yes. It's always the same one with the guy on top."
"One position the whole time, no foreplay, faking orgasms, how do you not fall asleep?" Spike asked amazed.
"Almost fell asleep once actually, but I had been up for two days and just got back from patrol."
"There are like hundreds of different positions some more creative than others. Most popular ones are missionary, the guy is on top. The cowgirl, the girl is on top that could go where she faces you or she faces away from you. Doggy style. That one is one of my favorites because you can go in deeper and it hits your sweet spot. You can also get to the girls neck easier for little kisses and nibbles no fangs involved. Also frees up a hand so you can rub the clit at the same time. Definitely not a position for a slut. The fourth is when you are spoonin' each other and you do it that way. Also like that one because it frees up a hand and the girl's neck is right there."
"Vampires and their necks." Buffy teased.
"The neck is actually very sensitive for humans missy. Not just a vampire thing. The back of a girl's neck can be very sensitive and a major turn on. Hence why hickies are always on someone's neck or their inner thigh that one is also good. No position labels you as a slut or provocative. What labels you a slut is if you have slept with two hundred guys. The position is about feeling and how good different ones feel. Some of them you will hate and some of them you will love. Sex isn't supposed to be all modest and kept in one position. You're supposed to be exploring your sexuality. You should be having sex everywhere and in the shower. Sex can be in the heat of the moment and still passionate and pleasurable, even if it's a quickie."
"Ya, but it can still be all of those things even if there isn't much chemistry between people."
"No it can't be Luv. You need that chemistry, that spark between you and someone that's what makes the sex amazing. That heat between you and someone that you just can't wait to make the other moan and scream in pleasure. That's the whole point in chemistry. You don't even have to really like the guy for there to be a sexual chemistry between you two. More times than not what starts out as just sex turns into a great relationship. A relationship doesn't always come first."
"Just having sex doesn't that just make someone you know a little loose and slutty?"
"I'm not talkin' about standing on a street corner giving it away for five bucks a pop. It's not unheard of to have a sexual relationship with someone and not be exclusive or even go out anywhere. Friends with benefits and all that. Slutty would be if you slept with everyone in your school, which I know you wouldn't do. There's nothin' wrong with a healthy sexual relationship Luv."
"Says you. I'm pretty certain my mom would have a heart attack at the thought."
"Your Mum wants you to be happy and alive more than anything in the world. She would rather see you happy in some sexual relationship then you being miserable in a traditional relationship Luv. She doesn't want to hear all the details, but she just wants you happy. It's not easy for her. Parents want their children to live longer than them. The last thing they ever want to do is bury their own child. She's tryin' to come to terms and cope with her own dreams for you not comin' to reality. I think she's handled this whole situation pretty well especially when you factor in the fact that she just found out a few weeks ago that her other daughter really isn't her daughter."
"She didn't even think twice about it. She just said that Dawn felt like hers so she was hers. And you're right she is doing really well with the whole my daughter is a Slayer and the other one is some green ball of energy thing. She deals with a lot with my life and the damage on the house. God I don't know how she does it."
"She's a Mum it's what she does. She's a great woman your Mum. You are lucky to have her in your life." Spike said sincerely.
They arrived to the outskirts of the demon community and Buffy looked around. She could see some people that were sending her some vibes letting her know that they were demon or part demon anyways. They looked afraid to see her, but they also appeared calm that Spike was there.
"So can all demons use magic to hide their true faces?" Buffy asked.
"No only the ones that have magic within them. It's a family trait. Some have human faces because they are half-breeds like vamps are."
"Vamps are considered to be a half-breed? And is that like a cross-breed like in puppies?" Buffy asked confused.
"Half-breed is part demon and part human. Vamps aren't pure demon so they are classified in the half-breed category. It's one of the main reasons pure demons hate vampires. They see our blood as unclean because of the human within us. A lot of demons wars have started because of half-breeds and the need pure demons have on killing us all." Spike explained.
"Really? I would have thought that wouldn't have mattered. I mean a demon is a demon."
"First off, not all demons are the same. Some are pure evil and others have more humanity in them than your humans do. Demons get a bad stereotype to them. The same could be said for humans though with your prisons filled with criminals and killers. You don't say all humans are bad, well not all demons are bad. Like I said a lot of demons hold down normal jobs and have a house and a family. They are born that way just like you were born human." Spike stopped and he could see the wheels in Buffy's head turning as she digested the information. "Second, demons hate half-breeds, the ones that are violent anyways the ones that are harmless don't care. Even back when I was first sired there were rumors of this Scourge of demons that went around the world killing every half-breed they could find. There's been a lot of wars in the demon world, a lot more than your human wars."
"Ok so not all demons are bad. It's just hard to believe. I mean since I was fifteen I've been taught that vampires and demons are all bad and need killing. Vampires were just demons walking around with the face of their victim. Yet here you are all with humanity in you without a soul. It's confusing and now there are all these breeds of demons and half-demons that are able to hold down a job and work with humans and no one even notices it. You're kinda blowing my world apart here."
"I know Luv and I'm sorry about that, but this was supposed to have been taught to you already. Council of Wankers decided they wanted to control everything and ignore what the purpose of a Slayer truly was. As a result you get Slayers just killing anything that isn't human and getting killed by their own Watcher once they turn eighteen. I don't want to confuse you or make you question every vamp or demon you fight. If you don't want to do this then you don't have to Luv. We can walk away anytime."
"No I need to do this. I don't want to be killing anything or anyone that is innocent. That's not what the purpose of Slayers when they were first created and I don't want to be someone that I'm not supposed to be. I only want to kill those that are dangerous. It's bad enough that I'm a killer I don't want to be feared by innocent people too."
"You're not a killer Luv. You're a warrior there's a difference. I'll teach you everything I know if you want. It's up to you when we stop Luv just say the word at any time." Spike said honestly.
"Ok. So where are we heading?"
"To a demon lounge. I can find out about any houses that are up for sale and it's a chance for you to get mixed into the community."
"It's not like Willie's right?"
"No that place is a dump, but it's a good place to go if you just want to get pissed and not have to deal with anyone tryin' to get into your business. This place is a classy lounge with live music."
"So like the Bronze?"
"Kinda, but more upscale. You'll see."
"Ok, is it far?"
"Not that much further. These places all look taken." Spike said as he looked around on the street.
"Lights are on for most of them so that is a safe assumption."
"Maybe on the outskirts there will some places."
"Do you want to be on the outskirts?"
"It's not a bad idea. There's usually some land with the house too which is nice. I'll ask when we get to the lounge."
"So do you know a lot of demons here?"
"Quite a bit ya. I help them out when they have a problem. I do some work for them when it comes up. It's right here." Spike said as he nodded his head at the building with the neon lights coming out from the windows.
"I've never been in this area before. Never had a reason to be." Buffy said as they headed over to the door.
"Most people don't. This area is all run by demons. Humans don't tend to have much of a reason to be here unless they are looking for something specific. Demons come from all around the city to shop here."
"Really why?"
"Because this is the only demon community for those that are harmless to go outside of L.A until they go further north or south in the state. They get a lot of business to make up for the lack of human business."
"So they don't get any humans down here?" Buffy asked as Spike held the door open for her.
"No they do, but only if the human is looking for what they are selling. Otherwise they normally don't come down here or they are just passing through." Spike answered as they walked into the lounge.
Buffy looked around and she was surprised to see how nice it was here. The place smelt great, the lights were low, but it wasn't too dark. They had a few lights for the dance floor. There was a stage with a band and a female singer. The music was in English which surprised Buffy she thought it would be in some demon language. There were booths all around the place in a nice red silk that looked very comfortable. There was a large bar at the end of the room and it was backlit with high stools that looked like small chairs. The place looked very high end and Buffy was amazed by it. She let Spike lead her over to an empty booth that was facing the stage. They both sat down and Buffy sat down beside Spike on the inside so she could still see the stage, but she kept enough room between them so she could turn to talk to Spike properly.
A waitress came over to them and gave Spike a huge friendly smile as she gave Buffy a cautious eye.
"Spike, long time no see."
"Maddie how have you been?" Spike asked with a smile.
"I've been good. Who's your friend?" Maddie asked with a tight smile.
"This is Buffy and you already know who she is. Play nice kitty cat she's learnin'."
"Well that would depend on what she is learning if the claws come out or not." Maddie said with a smirk.
"I'm learning which demons are good so I don't hurt them by mistake one night." Buffy answered honestly.
"Well then welcome and I can tell you any demon in here tonight is harmless. We don't let the bad ones in. We don't like fighting, but we will to protect our own. Can I get you both a drink?" Maddie asked with a smile.
"Whiskey for me kitty." Spike said with a smile.
"I'll just have a club soda thanks." Buffy said with a smile herself.
"Coming right up."
Maddie headed to the bar to get their drinks. Spike turned to Buffy as he spoke.
"Maddie is a tiger-shifter. She was born that way. She's twenty-one and has worked here for three years."
"Tiger-shifter? What like a werewolf?" Buffy asked as she had never heard of that before and she doubted Giles had either.
"Sort of. Werewolves get bit and can be turned into one. Shifters are born that way. They can also call upon the animal inside of them at any time and they transform completely into that animal. If Maddie transformed she would look just like a Siberian tiger they have at the zoo."
"Really? How does that work?" Buffy asked now really interested.
"The same way all half-breeds call upon their demon. It's inside of her and she went through some troubles when she was younger. The older she got she learnt to have better control of the tiger inside of her when she let it out. Now when she is in her animal shape she can control it and still have her own mind."
"That's amazing and unbelievable. Are there others like her?"
"There are packs all over the world. Some are more rare than others. Tigers, birds, coyotes and even some fox shifters exist in the world. They are more common in Africa or South America than here in the states."
"So her family moved here then?"
"No she did. She came from a small pack of just twenty. Her mother was shunned because she got pregnant by an outsider. In order for her mother to be accepted back into the pack she had to give Maddie up when she was just a baby. Maddie grew up in Africa in the foster system. It was horrible on her and when she was thirteen she ran away so she wouldn't be sold off to be married. She made it all the way over here when she was found by her current mum and dad. She was fourteen and they found her on the streets trying to get some money for food. They took her in and helped her get control of the animal spirit inside of her. They are both werewolves and they own this lounge." Spike said.
"That's really cool and amazing that they would just take her in like that." Buffy said amazed at the humanity within this community.
Maddie came back over with their drinks and some papers under her right arm.
"Whiskey on the rocks for you and club soda for you." Maddie said as she placed the drinks down.
"Thanks." Buffy said.
"And these are for you. Mom thought you might need them." Maddie said as he gave Spike the papers.
Spike looked down and saw that they were listings. He let out a chuckle before he spoke. "And how did she know? Just wishful thinking?"
"We've all heard about what happened between you and a Hell God. Honestly Spike you would think you would know better than that." Maddie said with a smirk.
"Guilty as charged, but in my defense didn't know what she was. Thank your mom for me eh? I am in the market for a new digs."
"That's all that's available right now. Some need more work than others. Do you have a safe place to stay until you find a place? You shouldn't be staying at that crypt now that she knows where you live." Maddie said with a slight worry tone to her voice.
"I'm staying with a friend. All safe and sound I swear it." Spike said reassuringly.
"Good. A lot of people would be very upset to lose you. If you need any help just let me know."
"I appreciate it kitty. How's school goin'?"
"It's going well. I'm in the hospitality course on campus here." Maddie told Buffy.
"Oh really? I'm on campus too. I'm in some business courses right now." Buffy said.
"No way? Well maybe I'll see you around campus when it starts up again next week." Maddie said with a smile.
"Ya I'll keep my eyes open." Buffy said with a smile back.
"Crystal is going to be playing here soon tonight and you know she is going to make you collect on that debt." Maddie said to Spike with a smile.
Spike groaned and Maddie chuckled.
"Just a head's up." Maddie said before she turned and left to go to another table.
"Who is Crystal and is this debt going to be bloody?" Buffy asked with worry.
"Not at all Luv. She's a singer here. I haven't seen her since I asked for a favor a year ago. There won't be any blood at all." Spike reassured Buffy as he picked up the listings and started to flip through them.
Buffy looked over at them as well and she couldn't help but be shocked by the low price for the size of the house and land.
"Wow those are cheap."
"They are, but you also have to pay to have them repaired. Well you don't have to, but it's nice to have a nice place to live. I'll go through them all later and see which one I like then I'll come back tomorrow and buy it. I can have a crew start working on it within two to three days. Think Harris is going to have a problem working around demons?"
"If you pay him I don't think he'll have an issue and if he does then Anya will fix it I'm sure. You know I never realised it before but Oz was a werewolf."
"Technically he still is Luv and ok what's your point?" Spike asked confused.
"Well he was part demon technically right? I mean that's how it works. But he still had all of his humanity and his soul. He was still the same old Oz he had always been. I never realised that before. It was right there in front of all of our faces and yet it was so easy to forget what he is."
"You knew him before you found out what he was. You let yourself forget that he had a demon inside of him because you didn't know that when you got to know him. The same as Peaches. You didn't know he was a vamp until after you got to know and trust him. You all let him in just like you let Oz stay around after you found out. Not all demons are bad or soulless Luv. You need to work on remembering that. Not everything is black and white and not everyone fits into this box that you make."
"I know that and I'm trying. Maddie seems really nice and she has great fashion sense. How long have you known her?"
"I've known her parents for sixty years now. Shifters will live a longer life than most people same as werewolves. They still age, but not as fast something that Oz will find out one day if he doesn't already know. I met her a few months after they took her in. She was guarded and was having trouble keeping her animal under control. Shifters tend to have more problems when they reach their teenage years as the animal inside of them grows more powerful. I helped her with a few techniques to keep the animal in check that worked for me and my demon. Every time I was in town I made sure I stopped in to check in on her."
"That's really cool. So your demon, Angel once said that most vampires can't get control over their demon until they are hundreds of years old. That if it hadn't been for his soul he wouldn't have been able to control his demon. Yet you're not even two hundred and you seem to have great control over your demon. How is that?" Buffy asked with genuine interest.
Spike took a drink from his glass before he answered.
"I don't know. I've always had control over my demon ever since I was turned. I don't know why. When I was turned I went and got blood from the butchers and I went home. I took care of my Mum for a month before I even first killed anyone. Afterwards being with Angelus, Dru and Darla I let my demon out to play, but I always had control over it. I didn't torture or kill any children. I never raped anyone. My kills were clean, a lot, but clean. When I felt the demon getting out of line I would meditate and keep it in check. I've never felt like both halves of myself are fighting against each other they just live in harmony. Why I don't know. Maybe I was made wrong I don't know. Normally though, it does take a long time before a vamp can have complete control over their demon. Angelus doesn't even have complete control. The guilt that the soul brought keeps him in check now, but it doesn't take away the urges or the cravings. And he was killing with us after his soul, right up to the end of the Boxer Rebellion when Darla kicked him out for been too broody."
"Wait hold up. He was still killing after he got his soul? He told me that he stopped because the guilt was so much it consumed him. He said he spent a century living underground eating rat blood until he was told by Whistler to come and find me."
"He did end up living underground eating off of rats until he found you. And that was from the guilt and loneliness of not bein' in the family. But he still killed for a while afterwards with us. He didn't torture, but he killed. It wasn't a hundred years he spent underground."
"Bastard lied to me." Buffy said angrily.
"He lied to you often you just refused to see it Luv."
"Ya I'm starting to see that a bit here. What's with the name Angel anyways? Who names their kid that?" Buffy said as she rolled her eyes and took a drink from her glass.
"His name was William. Used to call him Liam, because well William and William gets old and annoying as fuck at times. So I called him Liam and he used to call me Willy drove me bloody nuts. Then he started callin' me Will or my boy. Anyways, he was a drunk and a man whore even by today's standards. He slept with the servants who were barely thirteen, hence why the gypsies made it so he couldn't have sex for all eternity. When Darla found him she didn't hide what she was. He knew exactly what was going to happen and he willingly got turned. The second he came out of the earth he was a killing maniac. Killed his whole family, his friends, he even killed his sweet nine year old sister. Its why I hate when people compare me to him, because we are nothing alike."
"Wow didn't know any of that. Didn't you kill your family or get turned willingly?" Buffy asked calmly.
"No I bloody didn't. I got murdered in a side alley. I love Dru, I always will we have a bond I can't change that. She's not the love of my life, but she will always have a spot in my heart. Doesn't change that she killed me when I was alone and vulnerable. She used her thrall on me to keep me from fighting her, not that it would have been much of a fight. I wasn't a fighter. Afterwards like I said I went and got blood and then went home. I didn't want to be turned and he did. I didn't come out killing from bloodlust. We're not the same at all and I hate when people compare us, because he could never be me even if he was human all over again."
"I'm sorry for comparing you to him so much. You're right you both are different you can tell that even when he didn't have his soul. I trusted you enough to hold your word in that truce. I left you alone with my mother and you didn't even hurt her. I couldn't trust him with Willow's goldfish. I'm sorry you were killed that couldn't have been easy to deal with." Buffy said sincerely.
"Demon makes it easier. But it was hard and weird grieving your own death. I never really lived when I was human. I always did what I was told and expected to do. In death I found life. I got to explore the world and try different foods. I took in plays and musicals. I went to concerts and learned how to drive a car and other vehicles. There was a lot of fun and good things I did that didn't involve killing. What about you? What were you like before the sacred call?" Spike asked looking to get the conversation off from him and focused on her. He was going to take advantage of the rare opportunity that Buffy was in a talking mood.
"I was Cordelia." Buffy simply stated and Spike groaned. "I know right? I was a young teenager I had no idea anything like this even existed. When I was fifteen I got called and my first Watcher Merrick came and told me what I was. I thought he was a looneybin escapee. But then out of nowhere vamps and demons started trying to kill me and my powers came in. I was supposed to have had a Watcher before I was called, but I was missed in the roaster. That first year I was in my freshmen year and the night of the end of the year dance a pack of vampires attacked along with Lothos a master vamp. It was a total mess. Merrick died and I burnt the school gym down just to get rid of all of the vamps. I was expelled, my parents got a divorce and we moved here while my dad stayed in L.A."
"That had to of been hard on you Luv. To go from being a normal everyday girl and turn into something else overnight. Fighting for your life all of the time. It's not easy to adjust to. You've lived longer than most of the Slayers do and you have your family and your friends to help you it's what will keep you alive longer. It gives you something to ground you and keep you fighting even when your body and mind are screamin' at you to just quit and take the death."
"You said all Slayers have a death wish though."
"They do, they have to in order to do what they do. If you didn't have a death wish you would be curled up in the corner of your room refusing to go anywhere. There's a difference between having a death wish and wishing for death. Slayers get old and they get tired. They go through this life alone and it's a hard road to go down alone, especially when those Wankers are controlling everythin' and tryin' to kill you off. When the end finally makes an appearance they start wishing for it. With you though, you got your friends and your family that is what is going to keep you pushing through. You've had struggles and you will again, but they have always been there for you."
"Ya they have been. They've been great I could never have expected to have friends like them in my life."
"I don't like em too much, but a bloke has got to respect em. They didn't have to go into this life, they chose it and they keep choosing it every single bloody day knowin' they could die at any moment. You gotta respect em for that." Spike said honestly.
"Ya they are pretty amazing." Buffy said with a genuine smile.
"Do you see your pop?" Spike asked as he took a drink and sat back and put his left arm over the back of the booth.
"Nope not since I've moved here with Mom. He used to call and when I was sixteen it was hard to not have him around. He got with someone else and has his own life. He doesn't call anymore." Buffy gave a shrug before she continued. "Whatever it's his loss."
"That it is Pet. You, your Mum and the Niblet are three amazing women. Take it from someone who has lived as long as I have and seen a lot of women. You three are amazing and any bloke would be the luckiest man in the world to have any of you three." Spike said honestly.
Buffy gave a smile as she spoke. "Thanks Spike."
Another woman came over to them and Spike gave her a smile as she approached them. She was human looking aside from the slightly purple tone to her skin in a few spots. She was very attractive. She had black hair that was shoulder length, she was five foot five with an hour glass figure. She had on dark purple leather pants and a dark purple sparkle halter top on that showed off her pierced belly button and tight abs. She was very sexy and Buffy couldn't help but wonder if Spike knew any unattractive women. The woman leaned her right hip against the table top as she smiled and spoke to Spike.
"Long time no see stranger."
"That it has Pet. How have you been?" Spike asked with his flirty smirk.
"Good. I've missed you. Who's your friend?"
"This is Buffy. Buffy this is Crystal."
"It's nice to meet you." Buffy said with a friendly smile.
"You too. Be careful of this one, he ruined men for me."
Spike let out a laugh at that.
"What can I say Pet I'm just that good." Spike said with a cocky smile.
"You really are. Be careful one night with him and sex will never be the same again." Crystal said to Buffy.
"Oh no we're just friends. No sex between us I have a boyfriend." Buffy said automatically.
"Well that might be a good thing. You'll never know just how amazing it can be with him. It won't ruin men for you."
"Like you would change a thing." Spike said with a smirk.
"Not for all the money in the world. It was one hell of a night and day for that matter." Crystal said with a smile.
"It was very good thirty-seven hours." Spike said with a smile back.
"You owe me still from last year. I plan on collecting tonight mister." Crystal said.
"Really? Tonight?" Spike asked with a groan.
"Oh right now. Come on it'll only take a few minutes and then you'll be done."
"Does it matter that I don't want to at all?"
"Not in the least. Get up you." Crystal turned to Buffy. "Don't worry you can see him the whole time. You'll enjoy this he's very good."
"Ya I don't know how to take that." Buffy said completely unsure of what is going on.
"You'll see. Come on Spike up, up, up." Crystal said as she turned and walked towards the stage.
"What is going on?" Buffy asked with concern.
"Nothin' to worry about Luv. I'll be right back." Spike said as he got out of the booth and headed towards the stage.
Buffy didn't know what was going on so she turned her attention to the stage and watched Spike and Crystal talking softly to each other and the band members on the stage. Buffy didn't understand what was going to happen, but at least she could see Spike. After a moment Crystal picked up the mic and began to speak.
"How are you guys doing tonight?"
Buffy heard as everyone cheered and they all looked ready for some more music.
"We got a special guest for this first number. Some of you have heard him before so you know you are in for a treat. Let's get this party started." Crystal said before she turned to her band and they began to play.
Buffy was now very interested as she saw a mic in Spike's hand. He was going to sing and Buffy couldn't help the smile on her face as the song began.
Crystal
I know there's something in the wake of your smile
I get a notion from the look in your eyes, yeah
You've built a love but that love falls apart
Your little piece of heaven turns too dark
Listen to your heart
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart
There's nothing else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before you tell him goodbye
Yeah, yeah, yeah-eah
Spike
Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile
The precious moments are all lost in the tide, yeah
Spike and Crystal
They're swept away and nothing is what it seems
Spike
The feeling of belonging (Crystal Belonging to your dreams)
Spike
Listen to your heart
Spike and Crystal
When he's calling for you
Listen to your heart
There's nothing else you can do
(I don't) know where you're going
(And) I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before (you) tell him goodbye
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And there are voices
That want to be heard
So much to mention
But you can't find the words
Crystal
A sense of magic
The beauty that's been (Spike Beauty that's been)
When love was wilder (than the wind)
Spike
Listen to your heart
Spike and Crystal
When he's calling for you
Crystal
Listen to your heart (Spike Listen to your heart)
There's nothing
Spike and Crystal
Else you can do
I don't know where you're going
And I don't know why
Crystal
But listen to your heart (Spike Listen to your heart)
Spike and Crystal
Before, oh
Listen to your heart
Spike
Listen to your heart
Crystal
Take a listen to it
Spike and Crystal
Whoa
(I don't) know where you're going
And I don't know why
But listen to your heart
Before you tell him goodbye
As the song ended Buffy couldn't believe what she had heard. She had no idea that Spike could sing like that. She never even imagined that Spike could sing at all let alone sound so good. She found herself clapping and smiling as Spike got off the stage and the next song began. She watched as another demon came over to him, but a male this time. He pulled Spike into a hug and spoke into Spike's ear. She watched as Spike spoke back calmly. After a moment they broke apart and Spike headed over to the booth again. He sat down and Buffy could see he was looking a little shy. She just smiled at him and gently punched his arm.
"Why didn't you ever tell me you could sing?"
"When exactly would that have come up in conversation?"
"I don't know, but my point still stands."
"It's not something I advertise. I'm supposed to be the Big Bad I can't be caught singing."
"Ya I don't believe that at all. You got this shyness to you right now. What's the real reason?"
Spike downed the rest of his drink before he left out a sigh before he turned to face Buffy.
"When I was human I was really shy and quiet. Like I said I went all the way to University and that wasn't common if you were from a wealthy family. Ever since I started school when I was a young lad I had been shy and awkward. People didn't like me because I only had a mum and not a mum and a pop. I was small too and that didn't help anythin'. I got bullied a lot, beat up a lot. I used to play the piano and violin for my Mum and sometimes I would sing for her. One of the kids over heard one day and that made the bullyin' even worse. When I was eight we went on this end of the year class trip to the local zoo. It just opened up a few months back and we were all excited little kiddies to go and see it. The teach left to take the girls to the Lou. The eight other boys were with me and they pushed me into one of the pens. It was the bear pen. They took off runnin' and left me there with this mamma black bear and her cubs. She kept growling and snapping at me. Scared the hell out of me. I was trapped there for bout twenty minutes before someone who worked there got me out. She swiped out at me a few times and I had to go get stitches from it. Everyone said I must have fallen in. No one believed me when I said that I was pushed in. I stopped singin' after that and almost never played any instruments either. So I don't really sing unless I have to. On the occasion I need a favor from Crystal and that's what she expects as payment."
"That is really horrible. Is that why you freaked at Thanksgiving last year when the Indian turned into a bear?"
"Native American and yes I am terrified of bears. I used to have nightmares about it even years later. I hate bears."
"I'm sorry that happened to you. You have a great voice you don't have to be shy about it."
"Thanks Luv."
"You are really screwing up my world here. I've always been told that a vampire is just a demon wearing the face of their victim. They don't have emotions or feel anything, but the urge to kill. Yet here you are with a fear from when you were human and emotions. Really screwing up my world here." Buffy said with a small smile.
"Kinda the point isn't it Luv? To show you that the world you have been believing and taught isn't the world at all. Vamps and demons have emotions and memories. I remember being human. I remember being turned. I still feel everything that I did when I was human. Some vamps are too young to be able to control their demon so it comes across that they don't have emotions. Some have no desire to control their demon so they let it do whatever it wants. I have control over my demon. My demon and my human half live in harmony. I don't fight my emotions or try and pretend like I don't have a demon in me like Angel does. I'm just me Luv."
"You know I'm starting to see that. I shouldn't have been judging you for so long. You really are a good man Spike. When you want to be." Buffy said with a smile.
"With people who don't judge or make assumptions about me. I can be. It's why I love this demon community. There's no judgements or assumptions about people. They go off of what they have seen with their own eyes. I've never harmed a demon that is innocent or harmless. It doesn't matter how many people I have killed to them, because I've always been there for them. I'm not the only vamp in the community or the only demon that has killed someone before. It's not about your past here it's about who you are and who you have been with the community. You can just be yourself here and no one looks at you like you're a monster."
"Ya I can see how that would be nice. The chance just to be yourself without judgement sounds really nice. For the longest time I wanted to be normal. Just a normal girl all over again. Then I lost my powers when I was eighteen thanks to Giles and the Council and I was helpless all over again. I hated being weak and not being able to defend myself. Still though once I got my powers back I still wanted that normal life. Just to be able to go out on a date and not have to worry about some vamp attacking me. At least with Riley I don't have to worry too much. He already knows about the whole Slayer gig so that helps to be somewhat normal."
"That's what I don't get bout you. Why do you want to be normal? You were destined to be something so much more than normal. You were chosen to be a warrior, a goddess of light. A protector of innocent and defenseless beings. You were hand chosen out of the entire world. Why the hell would you want to be normal?" Spike asked amazed.
"When you say it like that, it sounds pretty stupid wanting to be normal. Maybe that's my problem. I spend so much time and effort on wishing and wanting to be normal when I'm not meant to be. It's not easy though accepting that I won't have a semi-normal life. I'm taking these business courses but I don't even know why I'm even bothering with college. It's not like I can actually be anything besides a Slayer."
"But you can be. Other Slayers have worked and owned their own businesses. You can own your own business Luv."
"In what? Killing 101?"
"You could open a martial arts studio. Teach self-defence to people. You could work in security. You could own your own shop. There's a lot you could do Luv and still be a Slayer. You get some business courses under your belt and you can take what you learnt and start your own business."
"Ya I guess. I never thought of it like that. I could open some martial arts studio and teach people."
"Being a Slayer doesn't mean your life has to end. Your life is just beginning Luv and as long as I am around no nasty is going to be gettin' it's one good day. You're like Peaches constantly fighting what's inside of you. Puttin' both halves against each other when you need to let both parts of you live in harmony. You'll always be a Slayer no matter what you do, but you will also always be a woman. As long as you make sure you get the best of both worlds you'll be truly happy and not just half way there. Accept who you are Luv because you are an amazing woman and you're only going to get more amazing." Spike said honestly.
"Thank-you Spike that is really sweet and actually really helpful. You're right I need to take a page from your book and find a way to have both parts of who I am live in harmony together. Hopefully I can figure that out."
"You will. I believe in you. You've managed to save the world how many times now? You survived all of that and you can survive this."
"Assuming I can survive a Hell God." Buffy said with a slight worry tone.
"You will. We will kick the bitch's ass."
"Well I'm glad one of us is feeling confident in that. It does make me feel better knowing you were able to hurt her."
"Ya it worked out real well for me." Spike said sarcastically.
"I know, but now you know what you are up against so you'll be more prepared. We both will be."
"Too right we will be. I plan on workin' you hard. In a day or two me and you are goin' to start training. I'll make a fighter out of you yet."
"Oh you're going to teach me? Alright bring it on and we will see who learns something." Buffy said with confidence.
"Oh you'll learn plenty from me Koro." Spike said with a flirty smirk.
"Koro? What does that mean?"
"You'll find out one day. Now Crystal is full demon, she's a Knficker. She can fight pretty good and has a slight psychic ability."
"Nice change of subject. What is slight psychic abilities?"
"She can see flashes of memories if she touches something of meaning of someone else. She can control it now, but when she was younger it was over powering and at the worst she couldn't even touch anything without getting visions from it. The older the article the more the visions flash at her. She's able to control it now though, age has a lot to do with it."
"How old is she?"
"Just over three hundred."
"And when did you meet her?"
"I first met her just after the Boxer Rebellion. She was getting attacked by a pack of demons. They wanted her for her psychic abilities. I helped her out and brought her back to my place to help patch her up. We became friends and saw each other over the years."
"And Drusilla didn't mind you bringing home a woman?"
"She wasn't there. There were a lot of times when she would go off on her own. She normally hooked up with some other demon or Sired someone and she would be gone for a few days to a few months before she came back. Usually resulted in her killing her play toy before coming back to me when she couldn't take care of herself on her own. She always came back starving and her mind was unstable even more than usual. It always took me a few months to get her back to a more stable level."
"How many times would she do that?"
"About a hundred or so."
"And you always took her back. Why? I mean I get the whole Sire thing but still." Buffy asked confused.
"Because I loved her and she needed someone to take proper care of her. She turned me, but she wasn't my Sire. Angelus took that place it's his mark on me not hers."
"Ok now I have two questions. How is that possible and second why would you keep taking her back no matter how much you loved her? You knew she was going to do it all over again."
"First, Angelus didn't know Dru sired anyone. He had always killed the people she Sired because she was too unstable to take proper care of them, to teach them. Most of the time she forgot all about em and Angelus would find out later and go and kill them. He didn't with me he wanted to make me one of his own for reasons I don't want to talk about right now. He made a Sire claim on me taking the responsibility for me and severing the bond between me and Dru."
"Right that whole adoption thing. I just don't understand why Angel or any vampire would do that. Seems like a lot of responsibility just for the hell of it."
"He had his reasons. Second, I loved her, but I was also very loyal to her. She was completely innocent before Angelus got his hands on her. She was a Seer and back in our days that could go either way. People either believed it was a gift from God or they thought you were possessed by a demon and was doing the Devil's work. Dru got more of the later than the former. Angelus found her and killed her whole family and had her believe that she was at fault. As a result she went to a convent and wanted to take her vows. Angelus found her again and made her watch as he killed every single Sister there. It made her insane and then instead of killing her and letting her be at peace he Sired her and the grief and guilt made her even more insane. Sometimes she would have moments where her mind was completely clear and she swore she was right back there surrounded by her fellow sisters and their bodies, covered in their blood. She used to beg me to kill her. A few times I caught her outside waiting for the sunrise."
"That's horrible." Buffy said with disgust at what had happened to someone that had been innocent before being murdered.
"That was your true love. Dru killed me, but I could never hate her for it. No matter how many times she would cheat on me. No matter how many times she lost it and attacked me thinking I was trying to hurt her. Nothing ever mattered because she was innocent in her mind. She wouldn't have survived on her own. She doesn't know how to love because she was never in love when she was human and Angelus has twisted her mind into believing pain is love and the more physical pain they put you through the more they love you. I could never turn her away. Even if she showed up at my door I would still let her in and take care of her. I'm not in love with her anymore, but I do love her and I'll always be there when she needs me."
"I get that. I'll always be there for Angel. I'm sorry she kept leaving you and cheating on you. Most men would never take someone back after the first time, but you did and kept doing it because she needed you. Why didn't you go to her once you got the chip in your head? Wouldn't she have been able to bring you bodies?"
"She isn't one to help Pet. I was in that wheelchair a lot longer than I had to be cause she wouldn't bring me anything to eat for days. She could have just given me her blood, but that was never an interest in her. She had no problem takin' mine though. If I had made it all the way to South America she wouldn't have been any help. It doesn't matter it's all in the past. There's a lot I would have liked to not have experienced, but if I hadn't come to you I wouldn't have known the Niblet. I wouldn't trade knowin' her for the world Koro."
"Good. I'm glad you are here for all of this too. So back to demons. Is Crystal rare like Maddie?"
"She's not rare, but her kind are far and few between. They're more like endangered then almost extinct like Maddie. There are thousands upon thousands of breeds of demons. Some are really common like vamps and others are almost completely extinct. With so many different breeds the numbers are always shifting. One breed could have a thousand members within it and be considered almost extinct. It depends on that breed of demon and their history."
"Like different nationalities. So who is here tonight?"
"Well that blue demon with the small red horns, he's a Dmispher."
"And what does that breed do?"
"Not much actually. They are mostly lawyers and accountants. They have strength and can fight, but they don't tend to unless their family is being attacked. If you see them in a fight they have a good reason for it and they will listen to reason."
"Good to know. Who else?"
They spent the next few hours just sitting there talking about different types of demons there was in the lounge and in Sunnydale that were all innocent and harmless. Buffy would still need to study the books so she could really see what they looked like and memorized them all, but it was a good start at least. They headed back to the house and they got back just before eleven. They headed inside and they made sure they whispered.
"That place was actually a lot of fun. I should bring the gang there if you think we wouldn't get kicked out." Buffy whispered to Spike as he closed and locked the door behind him.
"No you should be fine as long as the Whelp doesn't cause any trouble."
"He should be fine, if not it can be just a girls night out. I'm not really tired do you want a cup of cocoa?"
"I never say no to cocoa." Spike said with a smile.
"Why is that?" Buffy asked as they headed into the kitchen.
"My Mum used to make it for me. It was one of the very few things she would ever make for me. Normally it was the cooks or the servants that did."
"I didn't even think there was cocoa back then." Buffy said as she turned the kettle on and got down two mugs, the cocoa and a part bag of little marshmallows.
"They didn't have it like they do now. Back then you had to melt these bars of pure chocolate on the stove and then add in cream or milk. It took a little bit to get it ready."
"So the powder stuff doesn't even compare?" Buffy asked with a smile.
"Still tastes good. I'll make you some the old fashion way one day and you can tell me."
"Deal. I will never say no to chocolate."
"Just don't take any from a stranger." Spike joked.
"I heard that a lot when I was a kid. I swear it was like my parents thought I would walk off with anyone holding a chocolate bar." Buffy said as she got the cocoa ready into mugs before she added some little marshmallows to each mug and set them down in front of her and Spike as they sat down on the stools.
"Did you ever go off on your own?"
"Not when I was a kid, but once I found out about being a Slayer then I snuck out a lot at night."
"Why didn't you ever tell them?"
Buffy took a small sip of her cocoa as Spike did the same waiting for her answer.
"I actually did. It was just after I burnt down the gym. My boyfriend and me at the time went out to Las Vegas to hunt vampires that summer. When we returned I told my parents what happened to the gym and that I was the Slayer. They thought I was crazy and they committed me to an insane asylum. I was there for a few weeks and only because I told the doctors that I was just crying out for attention. After that my parents divorced and my mom and me moved here. I never mentioned it again until that night of our truce. My dad still doesn't know and I don't care if he does or not."
"I'm sorry Koro that happened to you. You and your Mum are good now though."
"We are, but there were some hard feelings at first. I mean I get it. If it was my daughter telling me those things I wouldn't believe it either. I would now, because hello lived it, but my point still stands. She did what she thought was best and I know she feels bad about it. Did other Slayers have family members that knew?"
"I don't know about that one. Most fought alone and didn't live long. The few that did fought alone outside of their Watcher. Your friends and family is what will make you live a very long life."
"Well considering I've already died once it would be nice to live until I'm ninety, but I won't hold my breath on it."
"As long as I'm around you'll live a very long and happy life."
"We'll see if I make it passed the Hell God."
"We'll figure it out. Red will find that book and we can see if there is a weakness in there. You and your lot took down Machine Man you can take down this Hell Bitch."
"We need to the world and Dawn's life are at stake. We can't lose this one."
"And we won't. We'll figure it out. That's what you hero types do, you save the world."
"I hope so. It just seems like a lot this time around. The other times it was straight forward and uncomplicated. This time around though it's my sister's life on the line. Plus my mom is just fresh out of brain surgery. Not to mention this whole Initiative thing and Riley is going back to work for them."
"It's more personal this time around. The memories are there, but you know they aren't real. It hasn't changed how you felt about her so of course it's personal. Apocalypses come all the time to you. It's just one more, but this time around it's your little sis that holds the key to it. If it wasn't personal to you, I would be worried."
"She feels like my sister. I know the memories are monk made, but she still feels like my sister. Even mom said she feels like hers. Its all that really matters. People get amnesia all the time and they still love their family because they feel it towards them. It's the same thing just with memories that never happened."
"That's all that matters Koro. As long as you love her the rest doesn't matter. We'll keep her alive. My Niblet isn't gonna be dyin' before me."
"I believe you. If there is one thing I know about you it's that you will do anything you can to protect someone you love. I know you love Dawnie."
"That I do. You Summers women seem to be getting under my skin. You're killin' my reputation."
"Like you care about that. And please it was ruined a long time ago." Buffy said with a smirk.
"It was not and I only care about my rep with the right people. As long as the demon community knows they can trust me and they respect me that's good enough. The rest I'll just kill. Not that I'm complaining here, but why didn't you tell Captain Cardboard about the Bit?"
"I trust him, but I don't know if he will see things my way. I know arguing that if you kill the human host of this Hell Bitch that it would end things. But I know you could argue that if you kill the Key then the portal will never be able to open and it will stop this whole mess."
"Over my dead body." Spike growled.
"That's why I told you and not Riley. I know if it came down to it he would rationalize Dawnie's death. He probably would even try to convince me that because she was never truly alive during my memories that her death won't affect me."
"Bullshit it won't. Niblet's death won't change how you feel about her magically. You and your mum would still grieve her death. Besides with the Key dead Hell Bitch doesn't die. You would still have to figure out how to kill her. It doesn't solve anythin'."
"Ya you see it that way and I see it that way, but there's no guarantee that he would see it that way. I told Angel as a backup just in case one of us dies. He's got the best chance after us of protecting Dawnie and killing Glory."
"I get that. End of the world would get in his way of redemption." Spike said as he half rolled his eyes.
"I get that you both don't like each other, but he Sired you. He didn't have to do that, claim you as his own. So there must have been a liking between the two of you at some point right?"
Spike let out a small sigh and Buffy could see him trying to figure out what to say. After a moment Spike spoke.
"I didn't see him or any other vampire for that first month. I took care of my Mum from the moment I crawled out of the ground. I would hunt for animals at night in the woods to get blood. When I died she got rid of the servants and the cooks. She couldn't deal with it anymore. When I came back she didn't question anything. She thought God was giving her, her son back. I didn't even know what I was. I just knew I needed blood and the sun hurt my skin. I had no idea vampires even existed. I heard rumors about killers in the streets that were biting people, but I had never thought it was anything more than insane people. After a month Dru must have remembered she turned me and told Angelus. He came looking for me and he obviously found me. I came back from hunting that night to find him in my house. He was standing over my mum's body, he killed her. He was going to kill me like he did to all of Dru's other childes in the past. I didn't even know I could fight, I had no idea about anything that I could do. He had me up against the wall with a leg of the chair in his hand over my heart. Then all of a sudden he stopped. He stared into my eyes for a few minutes before he dropped the leg."
"Why didn't he kill you?" Buffy asked softly.
"He said he saw something in me that was too special to kill. He had only ever sired two people before Penn and Dru. Penn had left him long ago before he sired Dru. He said that they were both disappointments, but he believed I wouldn't be. He told me that I was gonna be his and I would never feel alone ever again. He claimed me right there and I claimed him back. I didn't even know I was doing it, the demon took over. It was like the demon knew there was something important missing and Angelus was giving it up. He brought me home with him and I met Darla and Dru. He taught me how to fight. He showed me how to kill a human. He didn't like it too much that I didn't have much of a bloodlust or desire to kill. The demon in me though wanted to make him proud so I pushed the more human side of me down to let the demon out more. There were a lot of bad things that happened between us. He used to get bored and just torture me for days until something else entertained him. There were a lot of bad times enough to anger the demon and hurt it."
"There must have been something good though right? I mean decades you were together there must have been a good time somewhere along the way."
"There were. He was like a big brother to me. He taught me how to live. It's ironic that I never lived until I died. He taught me how to fight, how to survive. We were really close so close that Darla used to get pissed off because she thought he cared more for me than for her, his own Sire. I still don't know what it was that he saw in my eyes to make him think I was special, but he always fought to keep it. Whatever it was. He told me a few times that he wasn't going to let anyone take it away from me. He taught me how to draw and I taught him how to play the piano. On a lot of nights we would get a fire going and take our shirts off and just lay down in front of the fireplace feeling the heat. We would stay up all night just talking about nothing or everything. He was my big brother that saved me from a pain that I didn't even know was there. I love him and I hate him at the same time." Spike admitted.
"Why the hate though? Or is it because of the horrible things he did to you?"
"I wish I could say that was why, but it's not. We're demons, half-demon, but still a demon. Demons can be violent and they associate caring and love with pain. My demon can understand that what Angelus did was his demon's way of making me stronger and bonding with me. It's twisted, but I can understand it. It's not just the demon in me, the human part of me is hurt by him. He abandoned me when he left after the Boxer Rebellion. His soul made it so he couldn't keep living that life. I lost my Sire and my big brother that day and that hurt turns into hate. He hates me because of the guilt he feels when he looks at me. I'm a reminder of some of the horrible things he did."
"He came down here to give you his blood though. He obviously still cares about you."
"He does and I would have done the same to him."
"Why didn't you go to Angel when you got the chip? He would have taken you in."
"He would have, but it would have caused problems for him with his humans. I didn't want to put him through that and I didn't know how he would react to it. At least with you and your lot I knew the Watcher would be more interested in the Commandos and how the chip worked. You wouldn't hurt anyone that couldn't fight back. Red is too sweet to say anything and Demon Girl wouldn't have care. You could handle the Whelp. Going to you was a better gamble. Are you wishing I went to him instead?"
"No I was just curious why you didn't. It makes sense though, I mean you guys have been a family for a century. Dawnie and me have only been sisters for fourteen years and we have had plenty of fights. It makes sense that you both would love and hate each other at the same time. You have a lot more years together than most families ever get."
"That we do Pet." Spike said with a smirk.
They spent the next two hours just talking about life and past experiences. Buffy found herself enjoying the time and company with Spike and learning more about the better part of his existence. It was just after one in the morning when they finally decided to head up to bed. Spike was still healing from his attack with Glory and he needed to rest just as much as Buffy did after being up all day. Buffy's room was right next to the guest room where Spike was sleeping in. They both leaned against the door frame to each of their rooms and made sure to keep their voices barely a whisper.
"I had a good time tonight. It's been a while since I've had that much fun and never around demons. Thank-you for taking me there and teaching me."
"Anytime. I had fun too. Turns out you're not so horrible when you're not punching me in the nose." Spike said with a smirk.
"Ya I'm sorry about that it's just so punchable. You're not so bad when you aren't trying to be evil and just being yourself." Buffy said before she let out a big yawn. Spike smiled at her as he spoke.
"Get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night Spike."
"Good night Koro." Spike said with a warm smile.
Buffy gave Spike a warm smile before she headed into her room and Spike did the same. He was tired and his body was still working on healing himself. He felt good and he loved every moment he got to spend with Buffy tonight and got to learn about her. They weren't dating, but they were at least friends and for Spike that was good enough for him.
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It wasn't until four the next day did Buffy walk into the Magic Shop. She had slept until eleven and then got up to clean the house up a bit and help her Mom out. Now she was going to see everyone and pick up Dawn. She knew that Dawn was going to come here today after school to get Willow to help her with some math homework. Spike was still sleeping when she left and she figured that if he wasn't up by the time her and Dawn got back that she would wake him up to get him to drink some blood. Rest was good to help him heal, but he also needed the blood to get him the rest of the way.
Buffy walked into the Magic Shop and saw that everyone was already there including Riley. He was in some army pants and an army green t-shirt so she figured he had been at work today. They hadn't actually talked about him going back to work at the Initiative, but she knew he was going to. She wasn't happy about it and she was upset that he didn't seem to care what she thought of it. At the same time though, they weren't married so it wasn't like she really got much of an opinion in the matter anyways. He smiled at her and came over to give her a hug. Buffy hugged back as he spoke.
"Hey babe. I missed you."
"Hey. I missed you too." Buffy said as she pulled back and walked over to the table as she spoke to the others. "Hey guys. What's up?"
"Homework right now. I'm helping Dawnie with her math homework." Willow said.
"And I'm trolling for jobs in the paper to see if there are any new sites coming up that I can get on." Xander said clearly not too happy that he wasn't working with the same company.
"Oh Spike will have something for you in a day or two probably if you don't mind working for him." Buffy said as she sat down in a free seat.
"Defend work for?" Xander asked.
"Well not so much as work for, but on his house." Buffy explained.
"Who sells a house to a vampire?" Riley asked disgusted at the idea.
"There are lots of vampires that live in houses. Mostly in the demon community." Anya said as she looked up from her paperwork.
"There's an actual community for demons?" Riley asked.
"Of course there is. It's made up of harmless and innocent demons. They own businesses and homes there." Anya simply said.
"And why have we not gone down there and killed them?" Riley asked annoyed that they had allowed this to continue.
"Because they are harmless and innocent." Anya said back not liking what Riley was saying. She had been a part of that community for over a thousand years and she knew a great deal of demons within it.
"No such thing where demons are concerned. Did you know about this?" Riley asked Buffy.
"I just found out two days ago. I went there last night." Buffy answered.
"With Spike. I don't know when they got in, but it was late. I heard them still talking just after midnight downstairs. Must have been a lot of fun." Dawn said not knowing that it wouldn't have made things better.
"You went with Spike to a demon community last night when you told me you were going to stay in with your mom and sister. That's why you couldn't come over. You lied to me." Riley said with anger in his voice.
Dawn looked over at Buffy and gave her an apologetic look and mouthed sorry at her sister. She didn't know that Riley had no idea what she was doing last night or that she was with Spike.
"It's not that big of a deal Riley. I didn't tell you were I was going, because I knew you would overact and not understand."
"Understand what? That you went into a demon community with Spike, a soulless thing. What the hell is it even doing in your house still? It should be dust or the very least in its crypt where it belongs." Riley said with disgust.
"He's not an it Riley. Spike is male and isn't some thing." Willow said disgusted that Riley continued to refer to Spike as an it, something that didn't even deem worthy of mention.
"It stopped being a he, a person when the demon took over. You should know that with as long as you have been dealing with those creatures." Riley said condescending to Willow.
"Hey don't talk to her like that. Like it or not Spike is male and even though he is a vampire we don't call him an it or a creature. He's been helping out a lot lately and he's the one that almost died to protect Joyce and Dawnie." Xander said.
"Quite right. Spike is going to be a very strong asset to have, especially in this upcoming fight we have on our hands with a Hell God. If we act like the demons and vampires we slay then we are no better than them. You want to be a part of this team you need to start to remember that and change your way of thinking." Giles said sternly.
"Ya I'm the one that needs to change my thinking. You're the ones with demon friends all over the place. You didn't even answer my question why you were with Spike last night? Why would you let it take you anywhere?" Riley asked Buffy with anger in his voice.
"Because they are all harmless and innocent and I wanted to see them and get to know that community so I don't kill any of them. I'm not here to kill every demon and vampire there is. I'm here to protect the innocent, even if that is a demon. Spike is helping me learn the difference and what it means to be a true Slayer." Buffy said back not even wavering slightly.
"Giles is your Watcher, he should be the one teaching you these things. A vampire doesn't know anything about what it means to be good and to be a Slayer." Riley said back.
"Actually, Spike knows a great deal about Slayers, more so than me. He has knowledge that has been blocked from the Watcher's Council for political reasons. He has books that he is going to give to me so I can read them and better understand the Slayer myself. He is more intelligent than he comes across something we should be using instead of ignoring. Spike has a vast knowledge of demons and their customs. He is the perfect teacher in this situation." Giles said.
"He's also going to start training me and teaching me how to fight Glory." Buffy said.
"Really?" Giles asked shocked, but very interested.
"It'll just try to kill you Buffy. Have you lost your mind? If you need help training I will help you. It shouldn't even be in your house and around your family. But letting that thing train you is stupid. It'll just mess around so you can get killed easier." Riley said with anger.
"Stop calling Spike an it!" Dawn yelled clearly getting upset at Riley.
"Riley, Spike and me are friends. We hung out last night and I didn't tell you because this is how you react every single time I tell you about Angel or I mention Spike. Spike is going to help me train. He's not doing it so I'll die he's doing it because he wants me to live. You are not strong enough to spar with me and he has literally a century of fighting experience and knowledge I would be stupid not to take him up on the offer. If that is a problem for you then you don't have to be there. I'm not fighting with you over Spike anymore. He is my friend and he is part of this team. If you don't like it then don't be here when Spike is around. I'm not going to keep fighting with you over Spike." Buffy said clearly having enough of this argument with Riley.
"It's going to get you killed. I don't trust it and I don't see how you or anyone could." Riley said angry that Buffy was once again picking a vampire over him.
"That's your opinion, that's how you see it, but we don't. We knew him before he got the chip in his head. We see how much he has changed and we know that there is always an exception to every rule. Spike cares whether you want to admit it or not he does and he is going to help me train. When this fight comes down he will be the one at my side fighting right alongside me. You need to accept that and get over it because I am not going to risk the fate of the world on this vendetta you have against Spike and all demons." Buffy said in a serious voice.
"Ya I'll just get use to the idea of you having a pet vampire and letting demons roam free because a vampire says they are harmless and innocent. I thought you were smarter than that." Riley said before he headed out of the shop and slammed the door behind him.
"What a jerk. Why are you dating him seriously?" Dawn asked with anger.
"He's just still thinking like he had to when he was in the Initiative. It's going to take some time for him to get a full view and understanding of this world." Buffy said in Riley's defense.
"He's still in the Initiative though Buff. What if that opinion of his only gets worse?" Willow said gently.
"Innocent demons could get hurt or killed." Tara said with worry.
"I know and if it comes down to the Initiative is back to their old tricks then we'll shut them down again. We'll keep an eye on it. Hopefully Riley cones around. If not then that just might be the end of us. I don't know, but it's not what I came here for." Buffy said trying to change the subject.
"Right, back to Spike buying a house. Did he find one?" Willow asked trying to help Buffy out.
"He's got a few options that he was going to go over today and decide which house, but they are all in bad shape and need to be renovated. He won't be leaving for about a month. Houses there are really cheap and they come with a few acres of land too." Buffy said amazed.
"Oh yes the demon community always has cheap housing for demons and their families. They operate differently there. The land isn't owned by an owner, the land is owned by the head builder. The demon or vampire in this case always pays everything right out so the land ownership is transferred to them. The houses are so cheap because most have to be renovated so the base price is around fifty thousand dollars. If the house is already existing or has been abandoned for some time then that money goes to the community so they can use it to build new houses or to help families in the community in need. The rest is the renovation cost and that is decided between the owner and the head builder, so it could be anywhere between a hundred thousand or up depending on what they want done to the house and how bad it is." Anya started.
"Wait it doesn't cost that much to build a house from the start let alone renovate it." Xander asked confused.
"No see that's how it works. So its normally a minimum of eighty grand and up depending on the house and what the owner wants done to it. The head builder then buys the supplies and they renovate the house. Once the cost of the materials are taken out of the final price then ten percent is taken out of that and put back into the business of the head builder and the rest is divided up among the men depending on their seniority within the company. So on average the new guy will make about twenty-five to thirty grand a job and the head builder could make over fifty thousand depending on the initial price." Anya explained.
"Wait what? Are you telling me that I could make twenty-five grand on a project that could last anywhere between two weeks to a month? On one project?" Xander asked shocked.
"That's correct. That's how it works in the demon community. How else do you think they are all so rich? Spike works for them doing translations and protection. Sometimes he deals with crimes against one of them done by a violent demon. He's very rich you know, like in the triple digits in the millions rich. You really should work for the demon community, you could be building your own house by the end of the year. It's very smart money." Anya said.
"So when is Spike picking out that house?" Xander asked Buffy with a smile.
"He said today he was going to decide. And I think he would let you in on the crew if you don't mind working with demons." Buffy answered.
"I could make some serious money so ya no I'm good with working with demons. Apparently I already have so why the hell not?" Xander said with a smile.
"Well come back with us and you can see which house he picked. He wasn't up when I left, but like Dawn said we were out late."
"Yes let's discuss that shall we. How was the community? Were there any problems?" Giles asked more interested in the demon community then Spike's living arrangements.
"No everyone was really nice. At first they weren't too sure, but they really warmed up to me and being with Spike helped. He took me to this lounge, which we have to go next Friday to. It's nicer than the Bronze and cheaper. They have a band and there are these fancy booths and even some really good food. And everyone is really nice and sweet. We are so going there." Buffy said.
"That sounds like fun." Willow said.
"It would be nice to try some place different." Tara agreed.
"Can I come?" Dawn asked.
"Maybe. I don't know though how mom would feel about it, but maybe." Buffy said
"I'm down. I miss the demon bars. They are much nicer and more comfortable to be in." Anya said.
"Ya why not? I'm dating an ex-demon and I am going to be working with a bunch of them so why not?" Xander said with a smile.
"What demons did you see?" Giles asked once again more interested in the demons than the bar.
"Ok, ok, there were a bunch of them, but the ones you are gonna be more interested in are the Knficher."
"A Knficher? Really? They are very rare. They are demons with a purple tint to their skin otherwise they look human. They have the ability to see memories from touching an object of a person. Most have died out or been killed."
"Yup that's what Spike said. She was over three hundred years old. Her name was Crystal. Spike met her about eight decades ago when she was being attacked by other demons. He helped her out. He said that she had problems getting used to the power, but she was able to master her power and now she is fine. She's a singer at the lounge, she sang last night."
"That's fascinating. What other demons did you see?" Giles asked.
"Oh you know the same old same old ones. Oh I did meet this girl Maddie, she goes to our school in the business department actually. She's really sweet and only twenty-one." Buffy said to more Willow and Tara than the others.
"Really? What kind of demon is she?" Willow asked.
"She's not a demon. She's actually a tiger shifter." Buffy said with a smile to Giles and she could see his eyes lighting up at the mention of a different specie that he knew nothing about.
"A what?" Giles asked amazed.
"A tiger shifter. Apparently, there are other species out there that can shift into an animal, they're born that way. Spike said they are very rare and some are more rare than others. Tiger-shifters are pretty high up on the rare scale." Buffy said.
"This is amazing. I've never even heard of such a thing." Giles said amazed still and excited to learn more.
"Oh shifters aren't well known, at least not anymore. Back when I was demon and first starting out they were more common than a vampire or a demon. Humans were born with an animal spirit inside of them. Over the centuries they have been killed off or died out. Hunting accidents or being killed by an enemy. There used to be bear shifters, tiger shifters, wolf shifters, bird shifters, snake shifters, almost every animal there was a shifter for it. Now in the last three centuries they are slowly becoming extinct. Tiger shifters are the last of the cat breeds, the lion shifters died out a century ago and now there are less than a hundred tiger shifters in the whole world. Most shifters live in South America or Africa. It's unheard of for one to be in the States. Did Spike say why she came here?" Anya asked.
"Ya her mother got pregnant by an outsider and the pack leader told her she had to get rid of the baby before she could be let back into the pack. She put Maddie into the foster system in Africa. She ran away when she was thirteen when she was to be sold off to be a bride to someone. She came all the way here to Sunnydale and when she was fourteen the owners of the lounge found her and took her in. They are both werewolves and they knew what she was. She calls them mom and dad now and Spike has even known her since she was fifteen. He helped her get control of the tiger spirit inside of her. Now she has control over it completely and going to school." Buffy said.
"Outstanding. Does she change with the moon cycle?" Giles asked.
"No shifters can change anytime they want. They just call upon the animal spirit and they make a complete transformation, you wouldn't even know the animal was a human inside." Anya explained.
"That is so cool." Dawn said with a smile.
"This is blowing my mind right now. There are actually people out there that can change into a physical animal. How can someone be born with an animal spirit in them though?" Xander asked.
"It goes back to the beginning of the Earth. It's like with vampires. Originally they were pure demon and then over the centuries they have evolved into taking on part of the human DNA making them look human and turning them from a full demon into a half-breed. Shifters were around not long after humans were. Showmen wanted to give the humans a way to fight back against the animals and to survive so they infused the animal spirit into them and that was passed down to their children and so on. Now they are almost completely all gone." Anya explained.
"That's really sad that most of that race is completely wiped out." Tara said.
"That is really sad. Maybe we could meet her and be friends?" Willow suggested.
"Ya she's pretty cool and she has great fashion sense. Spike also said she could fight like hell so that's a bonus." Buffy said.
"I'd imagine having a tiger coming after you would be one hell of a problem for a human." Xander said.
"And for some demons. That animal ability of fighting and the kill would be very difficult to fight against." Giles said.
"Spike said she knew how to control it so that when she does change then she is in control of the animal and not the other way around." Buffy said.
"I would very much like to meet her and the other demons in this community." Giles said.
"Well talk to Spike about it. If nothing else you could just come with us on Friday to the lounge and meet some for yourself." Buffy said.
"Are you sure it would be okay for us to be there? As we are human?" Tara asked not wanting to upset anyone or demon with their presence.
"Spike said as long as we don't cause any problems they would be fine with it." Buffy said.
"Oh we wouldn't cause any problems." Willow said.
They all looked over at Xander as he was the last one of them to fully come around to the idea of this whole demon community and demons that are harmless. He seemed to be doing better with it though.
"Hey don't look at me like that. I'll behave. If they don't want to hurt anyone then I don't see why we can't live in harmony right?" Xander said as he held his hands up in a surrender gesture.
"It really is a great community and you could be a millionaire from doing jobs for them. Think of all the money you could make." Anya said.
"A millionaire? I should go work for them and not go to school." Buffy said.
"I wonder if they need a witch." Willow said as she thought about the money herself.
"They have plenty of witches. But they could use more muscle. You really should think about it Buffy. It would make more sense financially speaking. You could make more money working for the community then you could with a college degree." Anya said.
"Ya somehow I don't see mom going for that." Dawn said with a smirk to Buffy.
"I don't either, but a part-time job couldn't hurt right?" Buffy said with a smile.
"Maybe they need a babysitter?" Dawn suggested for herself.
"I really don't see mom agreeing to you babysitting demon children. Nice try." Buffy said with a smirk.
"It was worth a shot." Dawn said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"Alright we need to get going. Mom is expecting us to be there for dinner tonight."
"Oh you are leaving so soon?" Giles asked disappointed in not being able to ask more about the demons.
"Why don't you just come back with us and you can ask Spike all about them. He would know their names more than me." Buffy said with a smile.
"Yes I think I will thank-you." Giles said as he got up to grab a notebook.
"You coming Xander?" Dawn asked.
"Ya I need to see if I can get Spike to give me a job. A sentence I never thought I would ever say." Xander said as he stood up.
"Have fun." Willow said with a smile.
"What are you guys up to?" Buffy asked Willow and Tara.
"We are going to have dinner out before we go back to the dorms to work on some reading we have to finish before the next semester starts." Tara answered.
"Oh fun. Get home safe." Buffy said.
"We will. Have a good night guys." Willow said with a smile.
"Goodnight Will, Tara. Ahn, I'll come back here once I'm done so we can go home together." Xander said as he went over to Anya and gave her a kiss goodbye.
"Ok, but hurry I want to have sex tonight." Anya said with a smile.
"I'll hurry back." Xander said with a smile before he headed to the door with Giles, Dawn and Buffy.
They all headed back to the house and once there they headed inside.
"Hey Mom." Buffy called out.
"In the kitchen sweetie." Joyce called back.
They all headed into the kitchen to see Spike sitting down on the stool at the island with Joyce working on making pasta. She turned around to see everyone was there behind her.
"Oh hello Xander, Rupert." Joyce said with a smile.
"Hey Joyce." Xander said with a smile as Dawn went over to Joyce and gave her a hug.
"Hello Joyce. I hope you don't mind us stopping by." Giles said politely.
"Not at all. How was school sweetie?" Joyce asked Dawn.
"Boring as usual, but Willow helped me get my Math homework done so yay." Dawn said with a smile before she headed over and gave Spike a hug.
"Ello Niblet. Did you write your History report?"
"Almost finished with it. Can you read it over when I'm done?"
"Sure Bit."
"Would you both like to stay for dinner? It's spaghetti and I made plenty for everyone." Joyce said with a smile.
"That would be great thank-you." Giles said with a smile.
"So Spike, did you pick a house yet?" Buffy asked as she went over to look at the house listings he had in front of him.
"Narrowed it down to two. Care to offer up a builder's opinion?" Spike asked as he looked at Xander.
"Sure." Xander said as he went over and picked up the two listings Spike pushed over to him.
Xander looked at both and both would need a lot of work to get ready, but they seemed to have a good structure from what he could see in the picture.
"Really depends on how much space you want and what you want done with them. These both are huge houses they have over five thousand square feet plus ten acres of land. It's a lot of work to repair them from how old they are. This one though has some foundation problems. You can see the house is slanting and if it's really bad you would have to tear the whole place down just to put in new foundation. I would go with this one based on pictures." Xander said as he pointed to the one house that had a more solid foundation.
"Ta mate. I didn't even notice the house was slanting. I'll go see em tonight and then I can figure out which one would be better. I'll need to watch out for that. Care to tag along?" Spike asked Xander.
"Ya sure I can do that."
Spike looked at Xander for a moment and he couldn't help, but feel like Spike was looking into his soul. After a moment Spike spoke.
"You are very willing to go into a demon community when you don't like demons or vampires."
"Anya told him how much he could make." Buffy said with a smile.
Spike let out a chuckle. "Ah there it is. Found out you could make millions building houses for demons instead of pennies for the humans." Spike said with a smile.
"There's nothing wrong with making money." Xander said in his own defense.
"Not at all. I love makin' money and I don't mind sharing the wealth. You want a job I can get you on a construction crew where you will be working on multiple houses a month. You'll make a killing. But you will be working with demons or half-demons. You will be the only human on the crew and they won't tolerate any bigoted opinion or comment from your mouth. Just one and they will kick you out and you will never get another opportunity to work for them again or any other demon community. And there are hundreds all around the world. If you aren't shy to travel you could make billions of dollars building houses for demons and their families. You want a chance then I can give it to you, but you run your mouth off not only are you screwin' around with your life and future but mine. They trust and value my opinion and I'm not gonna have you makin' me look bad because of your bigoted views." Spike warned.
"I get that. This is all very new to me. I'm trying to come to terms with it all I really am. You said it yourself that I've worked with demons already I just didn't know it. Anya said they were all harmless and they don't hurt humans and I believe her. I won't be disrespectful or make any comments. I'll just be one of the guys. I want to give families their dream home and if I can do that and make good money then I don't see why not."
"Alright. This is your one chance don't screw it up you could make some serious dosh with them. It's not just building homes for families. The demon community builds safe houses and transition houses for demon refugees that are able to escape a bad territory. You would be helping them do good for other harmless demons and their children. It can be really rewarding for the right person."
"I think it would be. I'm good with the whole demon thing. I'm working on being completely fine with it. I'm dating an ex-demon and it's not fair for me to deny her something that was apart of her for over a thousand years. I know she misses that community and being able to talk about it. I'm trying to be more open."
"And that is really sweet. You should be more open to it. After all if they are harmless then why not let them co-exist? That would be like never having any pets because one or two have been dangerous in the past. They are demons, but they must wish for acceptance within the human community." Joyce said.
"They were really nice to me last night and it wasn't because they were afraid I would kill them. I might even have a new friend out of it." Buffy said with a smile.
"Good for you sweetie. You are learning what your true gift is all about and you are accepting new friends that you would have thought twice about before all of this. I'm proud of you." Joyce said with a smile.
"Yes you have done remarkably well with this situation." Giles agreed.
"Thanks. I feel good about it. I don't want to hurt anyone that is harmless. Riley just wants to kill very demon, but I don't want to be like that. If they aren't going to hurt someone then why not let them live their lives. It's like what you said Mom, we don't kill all of the dogs because a few attacked a human. That would be wrong and killing these demons would be wrong too." Buffy said.
"That's why God chose you himself. A heart of pure light." Spike said with a smile.
"Awww." Dawn said with a dreamy smile.
Spike just rolled his eyes at her, but he had a smile on his face as well. Seeing as dinner was done they all went and set the table and grabbed some food. They went and sat down at the table to eat. After dinner Buffy decided she would go out and do a quick patrol and Giles said he would go with her so he could speak to her more about the demon community and her plans for the Initiative. Spike and Xander were heading into the demon community to look at the two houses. They walked by a few demons before Xander spoke.
"They don't seem too comfortable with humans."
"They don't trust humans very easily. This community is made up of harmless and innocent demons. In the demon world they were the minority and have been hunted, tortured and killed because of it. Communities like this they do what they can to rescue fellow demons out of bad areas and give them safe homes. Humans don't understand them and instantly fear them based on how they look. These demons are exiles from the demon world and from the human world. You wouldn't trust outsiders that easily either." Spike calmly explained.
"Ya that makes sense. I had no idea that demons hated each other."
"There have been hundreds of demon wars since the beginning of time. I've fought in ten of them myself for the community. Some demons spend their whole existence tryin' to kill as many of these demons and half-breeds as they can."
"What's a half-breed?"
"Half-demon, half-human. To some full demons they think half-breeds are impure and lower than dirt. Most spend their lives hiding underground hoping their children don't get killed."
"That's horrible. I never even thought that demons could have kids. It must be hard for the parents having to constantly worry about what could happen to their child. So these homes they build them to take in families that are in danger?"
"They do. Each community has a set number of homes that are used to bring over a rescued family. They get set up in the home until they find a job and are able to pay for their own home. They then move out and a new family moves in. Construction workers in each community will go around the world and build homes in smaller areas as transition houses. The demons can take a break at night or for a few days to figure out where to go from there. It's a strong community and they do everything they can to look out for each other."
"It sounds like it. They act better than most humans do. It'd be nice to give back and build safe houses for families." Xander said as they arrived at the first house.
Spike opened the door and they walked in. They could both tell that the house was a little slanted and Spike knew it wouldn't be a good one to purchase.
"Definitely foundation problems." Xander said as he looked around.
"Seems like. Gonna have to go with the other one. Not lookin' to deal with that problem."
"It's in some rough shape. They would be better off tearing it down and starting fresh. There are cracks all up the walls. This place could come down." Xander said as he looked in the living room.
"Let's see the other one."
They both headed out and made their way down the street to the next one. Once there they walked in and it wasn't in great condition, but it was at least on solid foundation.
"It's rough, but no cracks anywhere in the walls so far. What do you want done with the place?"
"Not too sure yet. I'll get the blue prints once I buy it then I can play around with it. I'll have a design by tomorrow night and then the building will start the next mornin'. Nice amount of room."
"There's like twelve bedrooms, a huge basement and ten acres of land. Lots of space to do anything with. What are you gonna do with all this space?"
"Extra bedrooms are helpful in case of emergencies. Space is good to have. The basement will make a great workout area."
"Ya it would. What are you gonna do about the windows?"
"There's a special glass that they make that stops the UV rays from coming in. The sunlight won't bother me inside."
"Oh cool."
"Let's go, I'll sign the contract and get the blue prints to this place. I also need to get those books for Watcher."
"Ya Gils is pretty excited for those books. He's really excited to go to the lounge and see all the different demons." Xander said as they headed out of the house.
"He's a learner that one. As long as he doesn't offend anyone with his questions and proddin' I think it'll be fine."
"He'll know when to stop. I thought his head was going to explode when Buff told him about the tiger-shifter." Xander said with a smile.
"Thought he'd like that one." Spike said with a smirk.
"Ahn helped to explain how it works. It made me think about Oz. I know he's a werewolf, but it didn't really click in my head until earlier that he was part demon. I know it only came out three days in the month, but still."
"Werewolves can learn how to control the demon so the demon comes out on demand and not just on the moon cycle. The owners of the lounge are both werewolves and they don't change on the full moon. They have complete control over the demon. Wolf boy will learn one day how he can master it. He'll also age slower resulting in a longer life assuming nothing kills him."
"Really? Damn I didn't know that and I doubt he does."
"He'll figure it out. Somethings you just have to learn on your own."
"That's true."
They arrived at the builder's office and they both went in. After thirty minutes Spike had the ownership papers and the blue prints in his hand. Xander had been able to get on the crew with the word from Spike that he wasn't a trouble maker and a good man. Something Xander never thought would happen. He was due at the house the day after tomorrow to begin the work on the house. He warned Xander that they worked hard and fast and didn't like to push projects on longer. Xander understood and he didn't mind the quick work. He would be getting one hell of a pay cheque so he was good with the fast pace environment. They would know he was human so he knew they wouldn't push him to lift something that they knew he wouldn't be able to. He wouldn't be as strong as the demons, but he could hold his own and he was going to prove that he belonged here. Once they left the office they headed to a storage locker that Spike had kept the books in for Giles.
"Not that I mind, but why did you come around so fast? It can't be just for the dosh." Spike asked.
"The cash helps. Would love to shove it in my parents' face, but that's not why. I figured with me dating an ex-demon and after what happened with the Initiative that maybe it was time I grew up and left some beliefs behind." Xander answered honestly.
"Where did the beliefs come from anyways? Most people hate vamps and demons, but they have a reason for it usually."
"My ah… Jesse, he was my best male friend. Really the only male friend I had. I didn't have much in the way of friends I was an outcast and all I had was Willow and Jesse before Buffy came. It was our second year in High School and he was killed by a vamp, he was turned. I had to stake him. After that I just wanted all vamps and demons dead. Then Angel went evil and that made it even worse. Then you got that chip in your head and that made me even madder. You were different. You didn't have to help out when you found out you could hit a demon, but you did. You made me start questioning if I did the right thing or not. Maybe he would have been like Jesse if I had given him some time to adjust to being a vampire. I could have chained him up somewhere to help him through it. Instead I just killed him." Xander said with hurt in his voice.
"You did the right thing."
Xander looked like he was going to argue against that point so Spike continued to speak.
"No listen to me you did the right thing. I don't know why I'm different, but I am. Always have been from the moment I crawled out of the earth. I didn't kill a human for that first month. I went hunting wild game in the woods and went home to take care of my sick Mum. I don't know why I'm so bloody different, but I am. Your friend, the friend you cared about and knew died that night. Not gonna lie, part of your friend would have still been in there right alongside the demon, but you don't know what parts there would have been. Fresh vamps are uncontrollable unless it is by an older vamp or their Sire. There is nothing you could have done for him. Chaining him up wouldn't have made a lick of a difference. Vamps Sired that young always are uncontrollable. The rebel in the teenager gets even worse once a demon is introduced. Your friend would have continued to kill people until someone dusted him. You did the right thing by your mate. His soul is in Heaven and if he is as good as a bloke you think he is then he wouldn't have wanted his body goin' around killin' people. You did right by him. You need to forgive yourself." Spike said calmly.
"You really think he's in Heaven?" Xander asked with a thick voice.
"I do. Young ones always get a pass. He's in Heaven probably gettin' laid more than you." Spike said with smirk to ease the tension.
Xander let out a chuckle to that. "He was always a horn dog. He hit on Cordelia and Harmony so many times. They always shot him down."
"Trust me Harm is not worth all the talkin' she never shuts up."
"Are you still seeing her?"
"Fuck no. We were never datin'. That's why you don't date the young ones they never understand that a fuck is a fuck unless stated otherwise. She thought we were in love and soulmates. Don't get me wrong she's a good bird just needs some growin' up and someone deaf to be with."
"I heard Cordelia is doing better in that growing up department. It's crazy to think how I used to be in love with her. It seems like a lifetime ago."
"A lot has happened since then. You've grown and see a different side of the world with responsibilities from havin' to work. It happens, it's not a bad thing."
"No it's not."
They arrived at the storage unit and Spike used his key to unlock the lock before he pulled the storage locker door all the way up. Xander was shocked to see a car in the storage locker with boxes and a safe in it. Spike went over to the safe and he put in the combo to open the safe where the books are kept.
"What's in the boxes?"
"Really? I thought for sure you would have asked about the car first." Spike said with a smirk as he grabbed the books.
"Well it seemed more rude to ask about the car than the boxes." Xander said with an awkward smile.
"They have some things I've collected over the century. Some pieces of artwork, records, things like that. I also have another locker with another car in it. That one has to get worked done on it to repair it. It's in rough shape, but given the time I can make it look better than new."
"What is it?" Xander asked interested.
"A 1969 ZL1 Camaro." Spike said with a smirk.
"Seriously? That's one of the rarest cars out there and fast as hell. How bad of shape is it in?"
"Can't drive it the engine is too dirty and it'll need parts to run properly. I'm thinkin' I'm gonna work on it after the house is finished. This baby though is all complete and just waitin' for the right time to get out of here." Spike said as he pulled the car cover off to reveal what the car was underneath.
"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Xander asked amazed and in awe at the car in front of him.
"This one fetched a pretty penny when I bought it. It's not normally my style especially with the red paint, but it was too good to pass up." Spike said with a smile.
"You have a fucking 1961 Ferrari Spyder. This thing could go for ten million dollars you do know that right?" Xander asked still in shock.
"Only thirty-six were ever made and I got mine the day it came out. Paid a million for it. I'm thinkin' of paintin' it a darker red."
"Why haven't you driven it?"
"I have, but don't like to do it when I'm drunk and Dru hated this thing."
"See that's why she's crazy. Who could hate something as beautiful as this car? I feel like I'm cheating on Anya just by looking at it."
Spike let out a chuckle. "Well I ever dust you can fight Angel for it."
"You dust I am coming down here and breaking in and stealing it before he even gets here." Xander joked.
Spike let out a chuckle. "I got Watcher the books so if you are done drooling over my car we can leave."
"You gotta let me ride in this at some point." Xander said with a final sigh at the car before Spike went and put the cover back on.
"I'll see what I can work out Mate."
"That's an amazing car." Xander said as they left the storage locker.
"She's a beauty. You do right with this construction crew and one day sooner than you think you'll be able to afford a car like that."
"Anya said that you can make millions working for the demon community. All the more reason to make sure it works out here. Have a nice house and a nice car. Be successful in life before I get horribly murdered by some vamp or demon."
"Money doesn't bring success in life Mate. If you find a woman you love and want to spend the rest of your life with. If you have a purpose in life then you will be successful. Money is only a bonus."
"Says the guy who has it." Xander said with a smirk.
"I would give it all up in a heartbeat if it meant I would find a woman who loved me and wanted to be with me until we die. I wouldn't even hesitate."
"That's really all you want in life? To find someone to be with forever?"
"It really is. All I have ever wanted was to find a woman to love and who loves me and wants me. Over a century later I still want the same thing. I've loved others, but never had anyone love me outside of my own Mum and that's not the same. I'd like to know what that would feel like before I dust." Spike said honestly.
"I'm sure you will. I don't have money, but at least I know what it feels like to be loved by someone. I hope you get to experience that feeling too." Xander said honestly back.
"Ta Mate."
Spike walked Xander back to the Magic Shop before he headed back to the house to wait for Buffy and Giles to return so he could give Giles the books. Spike went over the blue prints and started to figure out what he wanted to do with the house while he waited for when Buffy and Giles would return. He never thought he would ever be making a life here in Sunnydale, but he was now and he was going to make sure it was the life he wanted to live. For once in his existence he was going to live for himself and follow his own heart and his own dreams starting with his house. Spike went to work on the blue prints while he listened to the sound of Joyce's and Dawn's heartbeats giving him comfort that he wasn't alone in the world anymore.
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Listen to your heart by Roxanne.
