A big thanks goes out to my amazing Beta Geliot99 who gave me the courage to follow this particular story arc. If you haven't read any of her work I strongly suggest you give it a try, she is amazing!

Third Time's a Charm

When they returned to the castle that night it was to find Faith and Callum in the living room with a movie playing. Buffy was still getting used to the idea of Callum being around more. If nothing else, he seemed to be adjusting to the castle fairly well and quickly too. That was both comforting and a little jarring at the same time.

Faith had apparently just been checking on the prisoner and had left the door to the utility room open as a courtesy to Ruby so she could hear the movie. They had done that a couple times already just to give her some source of entertainment since she had started to calm down. As it turned out, she wasn't that bad of a captive as captives go. It was true that she hadn't been exactly courteous or polite, precisely, but she hadn't been particularly difficult the past day or so.

Faith turned to look at Buffy when she came into the living room, "Hey B, what's up?"

"We wanted to have a chat with Ruby. We're giving her a choice. Either Willow is going to ensoul her or I'm going to stake her. Either way it ends tonight."

Faith clapped her hands grinning, "Finally! I'm getting tired of vamp-sitting!"

"Yeah I think we all are."

"So this little ginger lass is just going to pop in a soul and that randy little hell-bitch in there will be just like Angel and Spike?" Callum asked.

"More or less. That's the general idea at least," Willow answered as she came around the corner into the living room. She had her arms laden with all of the supplies she would need for the spell, "sorry we interrupted movie night."

"Don't be. Pretty sure we've both seen this movie like six times. It's no big, Red," Faith answered as she turned off the TV.

"Oi!", Ruby shouted from the utility room, "You lot might have seen this film, but I haven't! What's going on out there?"

Buffy turned towards Willow, "So what do you need from us?"

Willow shrugged her shoulders, "Not much of anything really. I can do it on the coffee table right here. I'll do my set up thing. You do your life or death choice-y thing. Then hopefully I'll get to do my magic thing and we can cut loose the blood sucking fiendish-y thing."

"Everyone got their things?" Xander asked, raising a hand with a smirk.

"Bloody hell…" Spike rolled his eyes, "Anyone think about where she's going to stay after we do this? She can't just stay in there forever, a day or two, fine, but we're going to have to move her. I don't see the girls taking kindly to her kipping in Deloris's bed."

"What about your place? In the basement," Faith asked.

"Not exactly the Four Seasons over there" Buffy said dubiously.

"It'll be quiet. She'll need that. Not really gonna need a lot of creature comforts, Pet. Some blood and a bed would be good."

Buffy nodded, "Xan, you think you can handle that?"

"Humm… Sure, yeah. Sure I can. But one question."

"Yeah?"

"Where am I going?"

"Callum, can you help him out?"

Callum and Xander glanced at each other and Callum nodded, "Sure, I can. You want her on your side or the other?"

"I'm thinkin' the other side, for now. We don't need her wandering off."

He nodded, "Consider it done. Mr Giles got the utilities turned on for me and Angus to get started in there but I'll need to turn the water main back on. After that, I think I know where to find a camp bed on short notice. Just need to make a call in the morning. See if Gemma still has her old camping gear," he directed the last statement to Faith and gave her a quick kiss.

"Think this girl has a mini fridge we can put in there?" Xander asked Callum as the two of them headed out.

Faith cleared her throat as she shot a furtive glance towards them, "B, I think maybe I–"

"Go on, play bodyguard. Do a sweep and make sure the boys are safe. Maybe you'll finally get to meet the best friend!" Buffy teased.

"You know that's right!" Faith laughed and followed after the two men.

Buffy watched her go, then turned to Spike, "Satisfied?"

He raised an eyebrow, "Most nights, and a couple days a week normally."

Buffy gave him an exasperated look, "Ass."

He grinned and curled his tongue sensually, "I'd love some."

"Hey! Standing right here," Willow scolded.

Buffy gave an amused little huff, "Down boy. If we're doing this tonight we better get moving. Are we sure we even want to do this tonight? Even if Callum's friend does have a cot she can use, it might take a while for the guys to get it set up down there."

"Good chance she'll want to just sleep or have a good cry. Probably both. The utility room will be fine until they get that set up," he said and started towards the room in question, "Coming, Pet?"

"Right behind you."

Ruby was lounging in the chair as much as her bindings would allow, "I was beginning to wonder when you two would show up again. To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked silkily.

Buffy shifted her hands to her hips, "Drop it, Ruby, the ice is already pretty thin. We have a proposition for you."

Ruby rolled her head back with a grin "Sort of like the sound of that. What's this about?"

"Good news, Rubes. The little Mrs and I finally decided what we're going to do with you."

"And that is?"

"You have a choice to make. You can either let our mega-witch restore your soul and you come work with us, or I can stake you. The best part is that it's totally up to you!" Buffy said brightly.

"What exactly is this 'mega-witch' going to do to me?'' she asked, a doubtful tone in her voice.

"Hey, if that's your choice I can have her come in here and explain it to you. Otherwise, we can just get on with the slayage," Buffy emphasized the statement by twirling a stake in her hand, "Tick-tock."

Ruby eyed the stake and licked her lips. It wasn't a sensual action this time.

Think we got her nervous, Pet— Spike thought to Buffy as he continued to watch Ruby closely.

"Is that even a real thing? Putting a soul into a vampire? Just pop! It's back like a bloody rabbit in a sodding hole? Sounds a bit far fetched," her voice rose gradually, growing slightly hysterical. Buffy was momentarily reminded that less than two weeks ago, Ruby had been an average university student.

"Not exactly, Luv. Feels a bit more like settin' your body on fire from the inside, although that part doesn't last long."

"Is— is that what's wrong with you?" she asked looking at Spike aghast, "I knew there was something about you. You just seem off— not like the others."

"What can I say, I wasn't like the 'others' when I was one of the others."

Buffy snorted a small laugh, "Got that right," she murmured.

Spike looked at her, "Oi! Who's side are you on here?"

Buffy raised her eyebrow, "Go on, this is your dog and pony show anyway. I wanted to just do it and get it over with."

"Damn right. I am the qualified party here," he turned back towards Ruby, "I know what I'm talking about, and if that's your choice, then I will be here to help you where I can."

Ruby huffed out a laugh, "Right and what exactly would you be helping me with?" she said sarcastically.

"Well Deloris, for starters. Any others you might've killed in the last few days."

"What, like I'm supposed to be all weepy about any of that?" she asked.

Spike grinned wickedly, "Yeah, well you're young. Actually plays in your favor. So what do you say, soul or stake? Makes no difference to us, does it, Love?" he said, glancing at Buffy.

"Nope not to me, might make a difference to your parents and Sheena if she ever wakes up… something to think about."

"If I agree to this, are you gonna let me go?"

"You'll have to stay with us for a while. We're working on temporary living arrangements for you."

Ruby licked her lips nervously again trying to look around, "Do I get to talk to this witch of yours first?"

"Sure can, if that's your final decision I'll get her and she can walk you through it so you'll know what's going to happen and we're not wasting time here."

Ruby nodded glumly, "Alright. I'm ready. Send in your witch. Let's get this over with," she said decisively.

Buffy nodded once and turned towards the door, "Hey a, Wills? I'm gonna need you in here for a minute, you got everything set up?"

"Yeppers! What do you need Buff?" she asked as she came towards Buffy in the utility room.

"Ruby here wants to have a chat with the witch who's going to put her soul back in."

Willow grinned broadly as she took a step inside addressing Ruby, "Good decision. This isn't my first soul installment, you're in good hands."

"I can see that," Ruby looked at Buffy and Spike, "This pretty little thing is your mega-witch?"

"You got a problem with that?"

"Sassy one too," she breathed, "You sure did a number on this guy here didn't you?"

Willow looked towards Spike with mild confusion, "Eh… No, actually... He did that all by himself."

Ruby's eyebrows went up looking at Spike again, "Okay— so again, I say: you're definitely kind of a weird one."

"Oh come on. It was supposed to be a grand gesture— an act of love," Spike complained with a slight whine to his voice.

Buffy patted him on the shoulder, "Yes, much better than flowers. You did it for love and honor and all of those good— very chivalrous things, and definitely a few not so chivalrous reasons too."

"I— Humm— well, yeah, alright I'll give you that. That's fair. Not exactly selfless," he nodded, "Look Ruby-red-shoes, the only reason I insisted on asking at all is because I believe you should have a choice. These two are all for just shoving your soul right back in without asking. They've done it before. I know it's a personal matter, so that's why I thought you should have a say."

"What do I have to do?" Ruby asked, looking at Willow.

Willow cleared her throat nervously, "Humm, nothing. I do it all. You just sit there."

"Will it hurt? He said something about fire."

Willow looked questioningly at Buffy and Spike.

Buffy shrugged and shook her head, "I'm not sure, maybe a little. Angel just seemed way confused and his memory was all wonky— of course then I… well you know…" she grimaced at Willow.

"Yeah, way bad example…" Willow turned to Spike, "How about you?"

"Felt like having lava poured into my head and chest. So yeah, it hurt. For about a minute. But I'm not cursed. I got mine a different way so it might not be the same. Either way, you're a vampire, you'll be fine. You'll live, well sorta. It's the guilt and remorse afterwards; that is what'll get ya."

"Cursed? This is a curse? You want to curse me?"

"That's what you heard?"

Willow stepped in, "Ruby, I promise, it's not as bad as it sounds. Ok so maybe the original version was because it's a super big, no-happy deal, but that's why I changed it. This one I'm doing for you should be loads better."

Ruby visibly relaxed as she watched Willow, "Alright, you got me, I'm listening."

Willow brushed her hair back nervously and cleared her throat, "Hum, yeah, ok so. You will be cursed with a soul as long as you never experience the true joy of sunlight."

"You do know I'm a vampire right?"

Willow grinned, "Yeah, I caught on to that. That's why it's such a great loophole! You can still love and be happy and have an unlife, just like Spike, and you don't lose out on anything that you're really going to miss because of the whole vampire flambé thing!" Willow said very excitedly in her usual bubbly way.

Ruby's light gray eyes sparkled as she watched Willow, "Brainy, beautiful and powerful; the perfect combination… Do you always glow like that when you get excited about something?"

Willow cleared her throat again, "Humm– Ok then, I'm just— yeah… I'll just humm… go get started."

Ruby watched her with amusement as Willow went back out into the living room. Then she turned back to Spike and Buffy, "She seeing anyone?"

"Aren't you done with the super-sex-vamp thing yet?" Buffy rolled her eyes.

"That wasn't what that was. She's just really… and the smell of her…" she groaned.

Spike growled, "That's my girl's best friend you're talking about there. Got to teach you some etiquette. Just because someone smells like dessert, it don't mean you have to comment on it. It's not polite."

Buffy and Ruby both looked at Spike questionably. "Polite?" Ruby asked.

Buffy didn't comment but she did give Spike an annoyed glare at his blatant hypocrisy. He was constantly telling her how her scent drove him mad. Of course that was usually when they were alone so maybe he had a point. She sure didn't mind him defending Willow; that part was actually sort of sweet.

"Yeah I got a question about that, what did you guys do to me anyway? What was that sex thing? I'm not usually so… well like that. Not even now," she glanced up at Spike, "I don't even know why I was hitting on you, that was just weird. You're definitely not my type…"

"You fed off of a Slayer, you killed her, that's what happened. It was her blood that did it."

"Weird… knew she was tasty but that was just… incredible… freeing."

"Yeah well there won't be anymore of that."

"Right, this soul thing… Still sounds daft, even after talking with Pretty-Red-Riding-Hood, out there, " she rolled her eyes, "Suppose that means I'll be living off of that sodding pig's blood you've been bringing me then?"

"Yup," Buffy answered absently as she watched Willow start chanting the spell in the living room.

Spike kicked Ruby's shin lightly, drawing her attention back to him, "You'll have a new appreciation for it when Red's finished. You'll need some time and I'll be around. Don't worry 'bout the blood thing, I'll show you some ways to make the blood taste better. Wont be Slayer blood but you can't be an annoyingly horny mess all the time now can you?"

Ruby choked on a laugh, "No, I guess not."

"Trust me, restraint is your friend. It will keep you alive and keep your head in the game."

Buffy's eyebrows furrowed, there had been times in the past when he seemed like restraint wasn't a word in his vocabulary and yet she knew he must have it in spades. Whether it was something he exercised over the course of his life at key moments or if it was a lesson he learned more fully when he had been chipped, he had proven it was a part of him as much as his love for / killing demons with feral abandon.

Spike turned towards Buffy, "Can you quiet that down there, Pet. Trying to have a serious conversation with my new student here."

Buffy hadn't even realized she had been projecting her thoughts that forcefully, "Sorry, babe."

"S'alright."

"What is going on with you two?"

"Long story. Right now let's work on some ground rules. I'm the teacher, you're the student. Got it?"

"You?"

"Well yeah, part of the deal is we'll be working together."

"Are you going to like Obi-Wan me?"

"Sure, if that helps. I can teach you the ways of the Force," he rolled his eyes and glanced at Buffy, "Why do we always seem to find the geeks?"

"Beats me."

"So what if I like Star Wars?"

"Films are fine and good, it's the obsession I don't get."

Buffy turned to him, "You, William the Bloody Slayer of Slayers doesn't understand obsession?"

"That was different. I'm talking about all this geeky stuff. You Know the sort that Xander and Andrew are into. Geek stuff."

"I have two words for you: Classic Horror," she smirked, "Don't even try to deny it. I know you're a classic horror junky."

He shrugged, "Yeah, maybe a bit…"

Ruby watched them both critically, "Are you two always like this?"

They both shrugged.

"Pretty much"

"Yeah."

"Is it too late to choose the stake?"

Buffy pulled her stake back up, "It's never too late for a good stake."

Ruby recoiled with wide eyes, "No, no. I'll stick with my original decision. I'd rather hang out with you nicey nice types than be a pile of dust thank you."

Just then Willow came back to the door. "What's up, Will?"

"Sorry for the delay guys, I had to make a few adjustments to account for the changes I made. I need to grab a few things and we'll be back on track."

Buffy nudged Willow out of the door, back into the large living room, "Everything ok?"

"Yeah, it's fine. Just a little over compensating I think. The spell didn't want to work before but I think it will now I got the block figured out. Do we think she's related to Angel? I just–"

"Ehh, I don't know how many in their bloodline are left now but I don't think Spike is out turning people again if that's what you're getting at."

"No, no, that's not what I meant. I mean that the original spell was made specifically for Angel. Meaning that they did their research on him and made his bloodline part of the spell. I tried to make it more general so the bloodline thing wouldn't matter. That's what I need to adjust, I need to switch it back because it's not working for her. Either I goofed, or she's related."

"Will, if you need more time– maybe we should do this in the morning?"

"No Buffy, I really want to do this tonight. She's going to need some time to adjust and I want to make sure she's going to be alright before I go back to Rome. A lot of it she is going to have to do on her own but I think I have a few spells that might help her through the worst of it too."

"I don't want you overdoing it, Will. Ruby will still be here in the morning."

Willow shook her head, "There's something about her Buffy, she deserves better. I can feel it. I think she's going to be a good one. I just have to grab a few we'll be back in business, okay?"

"Okay, and the flirting doesn't have anything to do with it? Because she's been hitting on everyone."

"Wha– No, no Buff, it's not like that– okay, she's humm intriguing.. She's– humm."

"Humm?"

"Don't go getting me all confused. I'm trying to get out of a deadend relationship not get into one with a–"

"Drop-dead-hottie?"

Willow glared.

Buffy gave her a bemused grin, "Who said anything about a relationship anyway?"

"I am not having this conversation."

"Huh right…"

"Getting what I need and getting Ruby souled so she can work through this while you still have magical backup– that's all this is."

"Yup– Got it," her tone was a little too knowing.

Willow was really getting annoyed now, "Buffy– I'm not–"

"Relax Will. I'm only joking. Aside from liking Star Wars we really don't know what we're dealing with. Who knows how this soul thing is going to work out for her anyway. Angel is a totally different person without his, whereas Spike is more or less the same just with a working moral compass and a renewed love for poetry. I'm just messing with you."

"Not flustered. Just— ok focusing time."

"Sure thing Will. I'll let you have your space, I know you know what you're doing."

"You bet I do."

When she returned to the utility room, Spike and Ruby were deep in an animated conversation. They seemed to be getting along relatively well all things considered. It took her a moment to realise they were talking about Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. She knew it was one of his favourites but to hear him arguing points of the book with Ruby was throwing her for a loop. Not to mention the fact that a couple of vampires were now discussing physical manifestations of sin. Buffy blinked a few times before turning back towards the living room. Willow was back and looked like she was writing something down in a notebook. She nodded once and looked up to find Buffy still watching her.

Willow threw her a thumbs-up and grinned, "Should be good to go now!"

Buffy turned back towards Spike and Ruby, "Heads up, Willow's ready to get chanty."

"Yeah alright," Spike answered her before resuming their conversation.

Buffy rolled her eyes at the two of them. Priorities.

After several minutes the two of them were still arguing over some of the more philosophical points of the book when Ruby let out a huff, "So when will this–" She gasped suddenly.

Her chest heaving against her restraints and her hands gripping at the arms of the chair. Ruby's eyes suddenly glowed with a bright white-gold light. She threw her head back, her face contorted in pain. She tensed against her restraints, the ropes biting into the skin on her arms. She let out a howl of pain as the light from her eyes intensified. The shackles had cut into her wrist as she pulled at them in her agony.

Buffy shot a glance over to Spike, he looked like he wanted to run screaming. His hands were gripped at his sides, knuckles popping. His jaw was clenched against the roiling emotions coming off of him. Buffy gasped as an odd mix of pain, rage, concern and self loathing hit her coming off of him and he caught her eye. He snapped his head back to Ruby just as she screamed again in excruciating pain.

Then without warning the bright light faded and she collapsed in the chair, head lulling down and her hair obscuring her face.

Spike reached out a shaky hand to gently pull her chin up, "Ruby? You alright there?"

Ruby didn't seem to hear him. Her eyes were wide like a scared animal, gasping and panting like her lungs didn't get the message that her body didn't need oxygen. She was starting to panic, "W- where, where am I?" she gasped, she struggled against her bindings. "Please, please don't! Hurt me! Don't kill me!"

"Ruby, you're safe, don't you remember–" Buffy started but Ruby just became more agitated.

"Oh God it hurts, it hurts… What are you doing to me?" she wailed and tears started to streak her face, "Where's– where are Meg and Dylan? Who are you? Where are my friends? Where is—" she shrieked hysterically, dissolving into tears. She thrashed harder and let out an ear splitting scream.

"Buffy, the keys. Get these shackles off of the girl," he growled as he started working on the ropes holding her down.

Buffy pulled the keys off a hook on the wall, "Willow!?" Buffy called to the living room.

"What's wrong?" Willow quickly strode over to her looking worried.

"She's having a panic attack— is there anything you can do?"

"There's a calming spell but it's– I don't think it will work for this–."

Buffy tossed the keys to Spike, who caught them one handed, "Bloody hell…" he murmured as he freed her. Ruby slumped down onto the floor and Spike caught her.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry… I shouldn't have… I'm so sorry…it hurts…burns… God it burns…" Her head slumped, "Oh God, oh God, oh God…" she started muttering over and over again. Ruby shook all over as she kept sobbing, "W– w- where am I? I—- was with—" Ruby tilted her face up towards Willow. Her face streaked with tears, "La—Lauren?" she asked weakly before gasping in horror. She suddenly surged towards Willow. She grabbed onto Willow's long skirt, "Oh God Lauren… I'm so sorry…" she wailed, still clutching onto her. Startled, Willow tried pulling away but Ruby's grip was strong. Spike grabbed Ruby, pulling her back and forcing her down to the floor. Ruby made one more feeble reach for Willow as he jerked her back towards him and fell on his butt with Ruby more or less in his lap. She clutched at Spike's shirt again, dissolving into fresh sobbs, "Ohh– oh no. no. no. no. no. oh— Ohh no, no— what have I done?… what– oh God– it hurts— oh God– what– what have I—"

"What do we do now?" Buffy asked, concern etched on her face, "Spike?"

"What?" He seemed rattled, "J-just give her a bit."

"Well what do you think, should we get her anything or just leave her here? Is it safe?"

Spike had turned his attention back to Ruby who had her face hidden in his shirt. Still sobbing and ranting incoherently.

"Spike, honey, snap out of it."

"Right, eh what was the question?"

"Do you think it's safe to leave her in here alone? And should we get her anything? How long do you think she'll be like this?"

Her questions didn't seem to be registering in his brain, "Things are pretty rough for the first— well, a while."

"Humm, okay…"

"Course, might not take so long for her since she's so young."

"Spike has a good point. Her body and soul haven't been separated long… She'll need some rest for sure."

Spike looked up at Buffy, still cradling Ruby to his chest. She was quietly sobbing into his shirt but she was much calmer. He shook his head, coming back to the situation at hand, "Right. Rest. Buffy, you mind fetching a sleeping bag, a couple of blankets and pillows. She can kip in here today. Probably best if we leave her, but keep someone close in the living room to keep an eye on her when she's ready to come out. Make sure you don't leave that stake of yours behind."

"Got it. You want to take the first shift?"

"Be daylight soon."

Buffy checked her watch, he was right of course. She knew it was late but with everything going on she hadn't even thought about sleep. Now she was suddenly feeling very tired, "Maybe one of the girls—"

"Dunno if that's wise. Few of 'em have been taking things pretty personal."

"You mean Zari."

"Especially Zari, my money is on her for knocking Rubes here about."

"Well, we could—"

"I'll do it."

Buffy turned to Willow, "Oh no, that's alright. We can totally—"

"No it's ok, really. I slept most of the way here. All I'd have to do is just hang out on the couch right?"

"Yeah basically but really, Wil, Spike and I can handle it. We've slept down here before."

Willow eyed Ruby, still quietly crying, "No. I'll stay. I know it was her choice but I still did this to her… I sort of feel— responsible for her I guess."

"You win, Red."

"I'll get the bedding," Buffy said quietly as she headed out of the cramped room.

"Do you think she needs anything? Tea, blood, anything like that?"

"Doubt it, I didn't eat for a couple of days after the fact. Couldn't. Then when I did… Even then… well— small animals, goats and rats and such were pretty much it- well until the First got its hooks into me— course I didn't know it… far as I knew that was all I'd had before Buffy found me."

Willow nodded, "Yeah, I have a pretty good memory of that, well the part I was around for anyway."

Spike looked down at Ruby. Her hand had relaxed and her face was hidden behind her hair, but she had nearly stopped shaking now, "Think she's nearly out."

"I'm sure the snuggles help."

He huffed out a little laugh, "Hardly, what I'd call a snuggle. I pulled her back and she just sort of latched on."

"Who do you think Lauren is?" Willow asked softly.

"No idea, I'd say a ginger if I had to guess."

"Yeah… probably… do you really think she would try to hurt herself?"

"Why not? I did… didn't go so far as to stake myself; obviously— would have been nice to have someone take the sharp objects away from me before I tried to slice my chest open a few times though."

"Oh my God, Spike, I—"

"Water under the bridge now."

"Does Buffy know?"

"Course. Few things she doesn't. Think we've both put the whole death-wish thing behind us finally. Well it's always there a bit for a Slayer of course but she's a hell of a lot better these days."

"What did you say?"

"Well not that it's all blood and peaches but we're both doing better. Mostly. This thing's got my head spinning a bit o'course," he explained, gesturing towards the vampire still curled against his chest.

"You said death-wish. Why say it like that? Specifically."

"You're hung up on the phrasing?"

"Yes, why say 'Death-wish' and not suicidal or depressed?"

"Cause that's not what it is. They just have this— it's like they're just programmed to accept death when it comes for them. It's just something about Slayers; they've all got it."

Willow gaped at him.

"You want to tell me what the goldfish act is for?"

"I humm… just an idea— Brain is a little slushy too so it might not be anything."

"Right, like I'm going to believe that one."

"What's taking Buffy so long anyway?"

"All the extra stuff is in the closet on the fifth floor."

"Oh… Right."

Spike shifted Ruby in his arms. She had started muttering again, "Hurts— it hurts—"

"Shhh… I know it does. It'll pass."

"Why does it hurt so much?"

"It's just part of the deal… you're in the worst of it now, it'll get better, little at a time."

Ruby cried harder as Willow continued to watch the two vampires huddled on the floor. The last time she had restored Angel's soul he had been a little shaky but otherwise fine, probably because he had been used to having a soul by then. Ruby hadn't been dead long but she had clearly done things that were causing her pain now. The whole thing was hard to watch and even worse to hear as Spike tried to keep her calm.

Buffy returned about a minute later with a sleeping bag, some pillows and two extra blankets. They got Ruby situated on the floor against the wall as comfortably as possible. Aside from a few whimpers and a renewed round of quiet sobs, she barely stirred as Spike laid her down like a child. He stood up stiffly as Willow laid the blankets over her. The three of them backed out of the small room to leave her alone in the quiet space.

Buffy turned towards Spike, his face was unreadable, she pushed her awareness towards him and his head snapped towards her, "Buffy—"

She narrowed her eyes at him, he was blocking her out. Spike took a deep breath, "I'm alright. Girl will be alright. It's fine. Would you bloody well stop looking at me like that?" he groused.

"Why are you blocking me?"

"I'm sorry, Love. I think I just need a minute— sort things out a bit— it's crowded enough in here without you poking round too," he tapped his temple, "Just need a bit of quiet— I'm gonna grab a smoke."

"Sun will be up soon."

"Go on, Pet. I'll be up; right now I just need a breather—"

"Spike—" she pleaded as he walked away towards the kitchen and the back door.

Buffy turned back to her friend looking worried.

"What's up with him?"

Buffy shook her head, "I'm not sure, but I think seeing her like that is just reminding him of what he went through."

Willow shook her head and scoffed, "No not that, of course it does! He hasn't opened up that much in front of me since the whole chip thing."

"Humm okay…"

"I meant the part about you poking around in his head."

"Just a figure speech—"

"This is me, Buffy. It's Willow."

Buffy shrugged one shoulder, "You're right. It wasn't a figure of speech. He means literally. Well sort of— it's mostly just surface thoughts and emotions. He can do it to me too… We haven't tried going deeper than that, because you know— kind of rude right?"

"You wouldn't actually push further right, Buffy? Because that's just— I learned my lesson with that kind of stuff and goddess Buffy just trust me. You don't want to push or take advantage of that."

"It's not like that. I was just trying to get a read on his surface emotions. We do it all the time. I just don't like seeing him like that, that's all."

Willow looked at her friend critically, "So you gonna tell me what's going on? Does this have to do with Paris?"

"It seems like everything goes back to Paris."

"Well I'm not totally surprised. Again, I kind of had my suspicions."

It was Buffy's turn to raise an eyebrow, "And you didn't think it was worth mentioning?"

Willow shrugged, "I didn't have any proof to back it up and I figured that you guys would say something! I mean I am your trusty dial-a-witch, right? I'm like your personal physician— you're supposed to tell me things! Something mystical is going on: I'm supposed to know. Does Giles know about this?"

Buffy shook her head, "Oh god no! No, no, no, no. I really, really don't think he could handle being in the same room with us knowing that we share a psychosexual-mental-linky thing."

Willow's eyes widened, "Oh wow. It's like that, huhh?"

Buffy nodded "Well sort of how it started—" Buffy moved over to the couch and they both sat down. Buffy cleared her throat, "We've been working on it. I've been using some of those meditation techniques you taught me and we've been sort of— honing it into a more reliable psychic connection. We can kind of do that walkie-talkie mind thing you do but just with each other and only if we're pretty close, like touching or at least in the same room."

Willow nodded her understanding. She could see how that could happen, "Well, now your dial-a-witch is on the case. Maybe I can help you with that."

Buffy nodded and then glanced towards the direction Spike had left, "I appreciate that, Wills; but this has him really rattled. He might need a little time."

Willow shrugged, "Xander and I are going to be here for as long as you need us… ok no, we're not, I told the library that I'd be gone for a week. So yeah, you have me for a week," she laughed. Buffy chuckled too. "All right, if nothing else, I can show you a few more techniques and maybe a spell or two, you guys can try on your own. Simple stuff you guys can handle when you're ready, seriously no rush, okay? I can't leave my bestie high and dry!"

Buffy smiled at that, "Thanks. You know, it's funny, even with this connection— Sometimes he can still be… really guarded."

"Oh and I bet you're just an open book all the time."

"He can usually read me like one. Even before this," she smiled, "But no, I guess you have a point. We're both sort of like that, aren't we? Just in different ways," she sighed a little, "Hell, anyway, it's been a seriously long night. I think sleep is in order."

Willow nodded in agreement. Pulling the blue and green tartan blanket off of the edge of the couch she settled down facing towards the utility room, "I'll be fine down here, no big, Buff. Spike will be fine; you'll be fine. You'll see August will be a fresh start."

Buffy slapped her face, "Oh God— the shopping trip."

Willow looked at her curiously, "Shopping trip? I thought you said you guys were going to cancel that."

"Not officially. We were going to ask the girls and see if anybody was interested. We thought maybe a few of them might still wanna get out for a bit— get away from things. I completely forgot to even ask them about it. We'll have to do that like— yeah, I don't know… Brain hurts, I don't even want to go there right now. We'll just have to get it sorted out tomorrow…"

Willow smirked, "Sort it out, huh? I think you've been hanging out with your British boyfriend a little too much."

She grinned at that, "Shut up, Wills. Yeah I probably have. I have him, Giles and Faith and that's about it. So yeah I guess I am starting to pick up on a few things. Haha. What has he done to me?"

"What, indeed?" Willow giggled, "Alright you get some sleep; maybe we can do a late afternoon trip or something. I could totally do some shopping. I think you could too… retail therapy could be a good."

Buffy gave her friend a sad smile, "Yeah maybe. We'll see. Spike can stay here with Ruby. He seems really protective of her."

"Yeah I noticed."

Buffy shrugged, "He's close to Sheena, I think he's feeling guilty. I know I am. I don't know… that's part of what he's blocking from me so really I don't know."

"Definitely sounds like you two need to have a talk."

"Yeah, I know. We have a lot of those," Buffy laughed darkly.

"Yeah well I imagine with the amount of ground you two have to cover you could probably have those heart-to-heart chats for the next hundred years."

"Ha ha, now there's a thought!" Buffy stifled a yawn and Willow mimicked her.

"Gahh! Stop that!"

"Yeah I should probably head upstairs, Spike will probably be up soon he's cutting it close. I'm just gonna wait for him and get some sleep. Then I guess we're gonna see if the girls wanna go shopping. Not really the first thing I wanted to do but…"

"If it's late enough I'll go with you, sounds like fun."

Buffy shrugged a shoulder, "The only reason I'm even thinking about going is because I need to get Spike a birthday present. I have no idea what to get him."

"Yeah good luck with that."

"All right… night or morning or… yeah I think I'm on vampire time. Okay, I'm gonna go to sleep. See you later!"

"Later!"

"Oh, Will?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't let Ruby into the kitchen for now, ok?"

"Sure, Buff."

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