A/n: Super long chapter, I almost cut it up into two but decided against it when I realized I was posting it on my birthday. My present to you, faithful readers. I love you all! Although this chapter isn't all sunshine and rainbows sadly.

When they made it to the cemetery they didn't have any more time to talk. There were vamps everywhere. Buffy almost thought that they happened to break up a ritual or something. It took about 20 minutes to dust them all, without any of the normal quipping or fun that both usually have while fighting. No, it was straight staking as many as they could as fast as they could. It was rough and dangerous and both had some scratches and bruises by the time they were done. Spike had a particularly bad gash on his face, going from his eyebrow down to his nose. They were breathing hard and exhausted from the fight.

"Are you okay, Spike? That looks painful."

"I'll be fine luv, don't worry about me. I saw you take a nasty hit on your stomach from that ugly vamp with the weird nose, are you good?" Spike walked up to Buffy and lightly touched the place where she was attacked. She flinched away. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you but nothing feels broken."

"Yeah, I'll be fine after some rest. That might be enough patrolling for one night even if we've barely entered one cemetery."

"Okay, let's get you home." They start walking back to the car but don't even take three steps before hearing a roar coming from behind them. They turn around and see a humanoid demon with reptilian skin and long skewers coming out of its wrists.

"Eww, that thing is much with the ugly."

"It's a Polgara demon, they're nasty buggers. We'll have to double-team it, are you up for it or are you too roughed up?" Spike was honestly worried about her, she was favoring her right leg. Buffy just glared at him in response though. So even though he wanted to dote on his girl while she was injured, he knew better than to argue with a Slayer when she wanted to fight.

"Right then, you go right and I'll go left, we'll take him from both sides. I know I don't have to say this but watch out for those skewers, they're more than just big things that can kill you, if they get into you then then the Polgara releases a poison into the body through them."

"Okay, got it. Stay away from sharp pointy things that can be used to kill you." Buffy said sarcastically.

They separated and moved to opposite sides of the demon. He knew that they were there so there was no chance of sneaking up on it. They didn't have weapons that were very long-range either. They both just had stakes and swords but the swords weren't longer than the skewers that the Polgara had, unfortunately. So they had to be smart about the fight.

"I got some weapons in the boot if you want to go get them. I'll hold him off till you get back."

"Boot? But you're already k bf tgi43nujmct 9fi ws wearing them? I don't think anything in your boots will really help us h…" She didn't get to finish because they had to avoid the demon that had made its way to them while they were talking. It didn't really matter, she supposed, she was almost done talking anyway.

"Slayer, I'm talking…. About the boot of my car. You…. Americans call it a trunk."

"Well, why didn't…. You just say so?… Learn to speak English."

"Pet, I'm from England… I'm pretty sure out of the two of us… I'm the one speaking English… you know what? Sod this, I'm getting the weapons, you fend him off."

That conversation took way longer than it should have because they were fending off attacks from the Polgara demon and trying to get some good hits in themselves. It was easier said than done though, the demon was very adept at using his skewers and they just couldn't get close enough with the weapons they had.

Spike was back from the car in less than a minute and had two long swords with him, one looked older while one was shiny and new. They both looked to be of good quality and probably worth a good bit of money if sold. He threw the newer one to Buffy and now they could actually hit the demon without getting sliced up themselves. They fought together better than they fought as enemies, they moved so smoothly it was almost as if they could read each other's mind.

Spike went in front and distracted it while Buffy hit it from the side, they went on and on like that for about five minutes until Spike had the opportunity to cut its head off. Even with their super strength and super stamina, both of them were tired and breathing hard after the fight, especially after the vamps they dusted right before the demon. Buffy was starving.. She couldn't help but think about Faith saying something about being 'hungry and horny after a fight'. She was just about to suggest getting something to eat when a chaos demon and six more vampires came from behind a crypt. Spike flinched at the reminder of Dru being unfaithful but that cemented it for him. He now knows Angelus is trying to taunt them, to weaken them, maybe even kill them.

"Slayer, this has Angelus written all over it."

"Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. What the hell is that? Eww!" She asked, nodding at the demon.

"It's a chaos demon, looks a lot bloody like the one that I caught Dru with before the last time I came to town."

'Eww, Drusilla was sleeping with that? How could she leave someone as hot as Spike for someone like that? She's crazier than I thought. Poor Spike, Angelus obviously chose that demon on purpose to hurt him.'

"At least chaos demons aren't hard to kill, we just have to get to him before the chaos starts." Spike said and didn't wait for a reply, he just attacked. It didn't take long for them to take that round out. It was quiet for a little while after that.

"Do you think that's it?"

"Doubt it, Angelus has a thing with the number four. Part of the reason there were four of us in the Scourge. There was someone before me that got dusted, it's why most books think I'm older than I am, they're mistaking me for the bloke that was before my time. Dru made me without Angelus knowing, he was waiting till he found the 'perfect protégé', he wasn't too happy with Dru after that. Might be part of the reason he never liked me much either, now that I think about it.I don't think he's trying to kill us, he wouldn't have sent a Chaos demon after us if that were the case but I bet there will be one more round, and that round will be a doozy."

"Maybe we should just get out of here and not wait for the final show."

"Good idea, that. Let's get outta here."

They turn to walk to the car but three demons were already surrounding it, Spike let out a hiss of distress when one hit the hood really hard. Buffy didn't get why the old car was so special to Spike but she knew he really cared about it. The demons had green scaly skin with long arched ears and hair that was more like thick ropes, could probably use them as a weapon if needed. Their eyes were blood red and their teeth were sharper than the blades Buffy and Spike were currently holding. They also had long nails that might be sharper than their teeth.

"Do you know what these ones are?"

"Yeah, they're Vahrall demons. Fought a nest of them once back with the Scourge, now that I think about it, we fought a nest of Polgaras too. We didn't spend much time fighting demons, I'd go out on my own and fight demons to test my skill, but the rest were never interested. In fact, those might be the only two times we did. Both times the demons caused problems with us first, or else the rest wouldn't have bothered. Which, means this is a big fuck you to me for choosing you over them, over family. Can probably already tell but watch out for their bite and their scratch. Their skin is thick so go for their neck or their eyes."

"Okay, got it."

Buffy felt bad that Spike lost his whole family because he saved her, then again, if he didn't she'd have to stake him because he'd be with them eating the populous. So she's glad this was his choice, she just feels bad that it leaves him with pretty much no one. No, she thought decisively, he has me and the Scoobies. Well, most of the Scoobies, and even Xander seems to be coming around.

They both attacked and it was going well but these demons really knew how to fight as a team, which made it hard for Spike and Buffy to take even one of them down. When Buffy would focus on one Spike would try to keep the other two off her but it seemed no matter how hard he tried, they knew what he was doing and would get to Buffy before she could make the killing blow. They were already tired after fighting so hard with the rounds of demons before them, so neither were at their best.

Eventually, Buffy took the first one out by using her sword to take off its head. So they were able to each focus one on one with the two left. It was going well until Spike took his out by stabbing it in the eye right through to the brain, which eww. It left him open for attack and the one Buffy was fighting, tried to take advantage. The only living Vahrall demon left evaded Buffy and lunged to take Spike's head off with a short sword she didn't know he had. It must have been hidden in his weird baggy clothes, Buffy thought.

She knew she only had one chance to stop him or Spike would dust right in front of her. Buffy knew she couldn't let that happen, so she used every ounce of Slayer speed and strength she had to shove him, so his aim would be bad. Thankfully, she made it just in time. In fact, Spike still got a cut on his shoulder, it was deep but nothing he couldn't recover from. With the time it took the demon to regain his footing after the shove, Buffy had time to get the upper hand. By the time the Vahrall turned around, he had a second to look surprised before he met the same end as the first demon did, getting his head cut off.

The first thing she did after the battle was done was turn back to Spike to check to make sure he wasn't too injured, then walked up to him, grabbed his head, and pulled it down for a kiss. Spike was shocked, he didn't think there was any way Buffy would feel the same way he did, but this kiss sure was encouraging. After another stunned second, he joined in enthusiastically. Buffy realized this was the best kiss she's ever had, and Spike was the best kisser, he almost made love to her mouth and they moved so well together. Better than how well they fought together, even. She just let herself get lost in the kiss. She started moving her hands around his body, she told herself she was checking for hidden injuries but she was spending a lot of time on his abs and his butt.

When he let out a groan and pulled her closer to him she felt his erection pressing intimately against her. She let herself enjoy it for a little while until he pulled back and muttered her name. The way he said it, so full of something, something she didn't want to put a name on. It made real life come crashing down on her.

'What am I doing? I can't get involved with another vampire! This one doesn't even have a soul. I can't put the people I love in danger like that again. It doesn't matter what I might feel for him, this can't happen. I have to shut it down and make sure he knows this will never happen again.' Buffy thought.

Spike saw the change in her eyes and knew whatever this was, was over. So he sighed, stepped back, and waited for whatever was coming. He had a feeling he was about to get hurt again, just like always, no one ever chose him. He didn't even want to fall for her in the first place but she didn't really give him a bloody choice with her shampoo commercial hair, and how she was so sodding bright and good, like a Golden Goddess made to walk the earth. She'd do anything for those she loved. And Christ the girl could dance, it was like she was made for him or the other way around, he didn't bloody care. He knew this wasn't going to end well but love's bitch that he was, he had to try anyway.

"Buffy, don't. I know you don't think this is a good idea, but I think we could be bloody magnificent together if you gave us half a chance. I won't hurt you, you see what I'd do for someone I'm dedicated to. I lo… care about you and I think you care about me too. I'll fight by your side and I won't ever leave if you'll let me stay with you."

"Spike, you're wrong, that was just the heat of the moment. I don't care about you as more than an ally and that's all you'll ever be to me. It can't be more, and it'll never be you, you're beneath me."

She felt something close to heartbreak when she said it but she had to make sure he knew it could never happen. She had to be strong, it was hard though when she saw his face. He was always so expressive; right now, she wished he wasn't because she could tell her words hurt him. More than hurt, he looked heartbroken himself. She had to get out of here now or she was going to change her mind, so she didn't say anything else, she just walked away.

Spike stood there for… well he didn't know how long, actually. She couldn't have known what those words meant to him but it didn't make it hurt any less. After a while of standing there feeling upset, suspiciously close to brooding like a certain ponce he knows, the anger started to kick in.

'Beneath her, am I? Well fuck that, I won't let any woman treat me like that again. I'm done being love's bitch, never again. Won't go chasing after her either. Fuck her and her little white hat cause, don't need any of it. I'll just get the sodding hell outta town like I should have in the first place. Just gonna smash and bash my way down south till I feel better. Leave her to deal with this mess.'

He lit a cigarette and nodded his head, decision made. He started walking toward the car when he heard a sound he was hoping not to hear again. And isn't that a mind fuck, a few weeks ago hearing one of Dru's little songs she only sang when she's happy would usually make for a right good day for him, or night as it was. Now though, he was just done with it all, he didn't want Dru or Bu… the Slayer to come for him. He just wanted to leave. Couldn't just ignore her though, she's still his sire, still saved him from a life of mediocrity, and he still has love for her. So he turned around to face her. When he did, he felt a longing he didn't expect. He thought he was over it and moved on, maybe he was wrong or maybe he was just hurting from the most recent rejection in a long line of them, Dru giving most of them in their time together.

"Lo' poodle, fancy meeting you here."

"Poor sweet William, you deserve better than what that mean Slayer did to you. My knight deserves mountains of kiddies to play with at his leisure and drain dry when he's done."

"Dru, sprogs are your, Angelus, and Darla's thing, don't really fancy them myself. You know that."

"You're right, it all gets jumbled up here my Spike, you know this." She said, making motions around her head.

"Know that ducks, it's not your fault. You getting treated right over there? They taking care of you?"

"Not like you do Spike, I miss getting my hair brushed every night, I miss the baths with all the pretty scents you made for me, it's not the same without you there to take care of me after all the fun with whips and knives." That made Spike flinch, he didn't miss that, the caring for her after her 'daddy' tortured her the way she liked, the way he made her like.

"Not too fond of the whips and knives portion of that Dru, I'd imagine it's in full effect right now with Angelus in town."

"Oh yes, and how I've missed it so, I'd have to beg you to use them and you never did it hard enough or go elsewhere to find someone who would when daddy was away. But you my Spike, you live by fighting, loving, and draining your way through it, not so much the last one anymore though. You've lost your way my black knight. Come back to mummy and I'll help you get it back. I've seen it, you can be happy again and eventually, you'll forget all about the sunshine and the pain she's brought you."

Spike took a long drag of his cigarette so he'd have a few seconds to think it through. This was one of the more coherent conversations he's had with his sire in a while. It would be easy, going back to the way things were, it's what he's known for over a century after all. The problem is, things couldn't just go back to the way things were, hadn't he just decided he wasn't going to be treated like that anymore? Angelus was there so there was no way Dru could be dedicated to him so long as she had her daddy.

This was Dru though, and he needs to know she's being taken care of at the very least. So he guessed he couldn't really leave right this minute anyway. Plus he realized Lawson is still coming, and he'd have to stay to at least introduce him to the white hats. Guess he'd be staying for a little longer, where would he stay though? No way he'd be staying with Buffy after that, so why not with Dru? Didn't matter what Buffy thought now anyway, so why not have a good send-off before he leaves for good?

Buffy made it about two minutes before walking home became pacing back and forth. She couldn't leave it like that, she felt horrible for the things she said to him, and didn't mean them at all. She's known to say mean things when she feels backed into a corner. In this situation, she backed herself into one by kissing him and then feeling bad about it.

Why should she feel bad though? It was just little smoochies and it's not like she's doing anything wrong. Spike isn't hurting anyone and he's working with her to save the world again, why is she so against giving him a chance? She started walking back to where she left Spike but stopped five steps in, she realized she'd have to apologize now, and she was really bad at that. No matter how much she wanted to, she always had a problem getting them out. She spent another few minutes talking herself up, and when she felt ready she walked back to the cemetery.

When she got there she heard singing and knew that voice, she felt dread hearing it. Was he working with them the whole time? Was this all a lie to him? She decided she couldn't jump to conclusions and listened. She felt disgusted hearing how all but Spike liked eating children, jealous that Spike still worried about how Dru was being treated, and even more jealous at how much care he gave to her when she was with him. 'Would he do that for me too?' She idly wondered while listening. Angered on his behalf about the fact that Dru would cheat just because Spike didn't like hurting her and hopeful dread waiting for his response to Dru about going back. She didn't know she could feel both at the same time but you learn something new every day she supposed.

"Don't you still love me, all of me, all my insides and outs? Why are you fighting so hard?"

"Eyeballs to entrails poodle, always. But I'm not in love with you anymore and don't want to go through that again. Not with Angelus, not just taking whatever you have left for me after him. You should leave too Dru, Slayer isn't just going to let you guys keep wreaking havoc around here, don't want to see you dust. Leave Angelus, I'll make sure there's someone taking care of you, and live your unlife the way you want." He knew it was useless before he even finished talking, she was never going to willingly leave her sire. Then again, he thought the same thing about himself a month ago, and look at him now.

"I cannot do that, you know I am not built that way. I was made to need him and so I shall." She said stoically. Spike had a feeling Miss Edith told her things weren't going to end in her favor and Spike let out a sigh of resignation.

"Take care of yourself luv, I'll find someone to take care of you while you're there. A princess deserves to be pampered."

Buffy felt even more jealousy because of this but also was happy that it didn't seem like Spike even considered going back to her. Maybe she had a chance to fix what she messed up.

"The pixies lied to me," Drusilla said sadly and Spike felt alarm. In the century plus that he'd been with Dru, the pixies have never once lied to her.

"What do you mean, Dru?" He asked cautiously.

"They told me if I came here tonight I could bring you home. They told me the mean old Slayer would hurt you and you'd come back. She cares but the Angel that wears Daddy's face ruined her like Daddy ruined me for others. It'll always be him, for her, for me."

Spike scoffs in self-disgust. "Just my luck, innit? Fall for another one of his cast-offs, I don't get what's so great about the guy, he's just a poofter if you ask me. Doesn't matter anyway, it's too late, already fell for the bird, no going back now. Can think about leaving all I want, but it's not gonna happen, I'm just not built like that." As he said it, he knew it was true. He wasn't going to be able to leave, he'd have to stay just to help her, even if she wanted nothing more from him.

"My poor sweet loving boy, it's not too late, you can still come home, you'll forget about her after a while, what's a few decades to us immortals?"

"It's not gonna happen, Dru. I'm not gonna leave her." Spike said with finality, Dru knew her knight was lost to her now and wanted to weep. Not often did she wish to lose her lucidity when she had it, but now was one of those times. It's better to feel pain of the heart when she can talk to her dollies about it. Spike walked up and cupped her cheek. "Sorry Dru, don't like to see you hurtin', like it even less when I'm the cause." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Let me know if you change your mind about getting outta dodge, I'll make sure to get you somewhere safe and have someone to take care of you."

"You're too good to me but no, I shall see this through to the end as you are."

Spike sighed as he stepped back. "Right, figured as much. Jus' hoped you wouldn't. I'll see you later Dru, I need a drink or ten after tonight."

"Goodbye, my sweet. Do not fret, I think this night will end better than you expect it to." She said and looked right at Buffy, they made eye contact for a few seconds which held a whole conversation. In it, Drusilla asked Buffy to take care of him, and she agreed. Dru warned about his hard outer shell hiding the sweet poet inside, scared of being hurt again, and Buffy promised not to purposely be the cause of more pain. Buffy didn't know how she knew this is what the look from Drusilla meant, but she was sure it was. Spike didn't notice though, he was already walking away.