Chapter 25

Revelations

The next evening, Willow, Xander and Buffy were wandering the streets of Los Angeles as night had just fallen. This first patrol since her return, surrounded by her two best friends, allowed the Slayer to feel almost calm despite her obvious anxiety about facing her disorder. They had not yet encountered any enemies, and Willow and Xander took the opportunity to summarize their discoveries.

"Giles and I deciphered the code of the scroll about the necklace," the witch said. "Then we figured out that it acts as a door to balance the forces of Good and Evil. If one becomes more important, the other is allowed to spread its power to tend towards balance. It makes sense actually…"

"So it's thanks to the imbalance that the First had created that Spike was able to use the necklace," the blonde woman understood and Xander nodded. "The problem is that we also activated all the new slayers and now, the imbalance has allowed the First to also regain fighters," he added with a sigh.

"We recovered the necklace to try to prevent the demons from multiplying as many as the slayers but I don't know if we did it in time," Willow continued, "The cavern seemed almost abandoned before the First realized that we were trying to steal the necklace."

"Shouldn't we destroy this necklace?" Xander suddenly asked. "That way, we'd stop racing with the First to see who can create the largest army."

"That's an idea worth exploring," Willow agreed.

Suddenly, four vampires emerged from the adjacent street and approached the group, snickering. Buffy felt her breathing quicken and her hand closed on the stake she had hidden in her jacket. She gestured to her friends to stay behind her for support if needed, even if the young woman was determined not to be intimidated. She was the Slayer and she had decided to stay that way so she was going to show them that she was still capable of it.

Seeing her come closer, the leader of the gang spoke. "Didn't your mother ever tell you that it was dangerous to wander the streets at night?" He whispered to her.

Buffy remained focused on her enemies and did not answer back like she used to. She just planted the piece of wood she was holding firmly in the heart of the vampire who looked at her in disbelief before evaporating into thousands of dust grains. Buffy immediately turned her gaze towards the rest of the group who were approaching threateningly. She noticed the vampire on her left and punched him. He staggered backwards and she took the opportunity to grab the other vampire on her right to get rid of him in an instant in a new cloud of dust. The one she had pushed away pounced on her then and wrapped her arms behind her back while the last one approached. He was growling with pleasure, thinking the young woman was definitely immobilized.

"Thanks for getting rid of them, young lady. I was just planning to do that," he sneered as he approached the Slayer.

Willow took a step forward to help her friend but Xander's arm held her back and she looked at him worriedly to let him know that she was not at ease. "She'll be fine, Will. She doesn't need us," the young man said with conviction.

The witch resigned herself to listening to her friend's advice. After all, Buffy was the greatest warrior of their time and four vampires had no chance against her, even if she was a little weakened right now.

Xander quickly proved that he was right to trust the Slayer when she used her feet against the vampire who was heading towards her. Her movement unbalanced her attacker who let go of her while she grabbed the second vampire to send him rolling on the other one. In a movement of pure instinct, she threw her stake in the heart of her enemy and made him explode. The last vampire, finally understanding that he had no chance against this strange woman, tried to escape towards the dark street but Buffy caught up with him in an instant and got rid of him just as quickly.

Her two friends immediately joined her and congratulated her warmly. Slightly out of breath, the Slayer smiled. "I feel a little rusty but I'm fine," she assured them.

"How was your patrol?" The Slayer asked when they had all gathered at her place later that night.

"I think the only quiet time we'll soon have left will be during the day," Robin said.

"That's for sure because demons and vampires are roaming most neighborhoods without even hiding," Faith continued, yawning. "It's not gonna be patrols but commandos that we'll need!"

"Same thing for our part," Angel said, nodding at Spike since they had been patrolling together. "There really have been a lot of demons in town since we retrieved the necklace. We heard about a demon bar though. A bit like Willy's bar in Sunnydale. It's a sign that there's activity."

"As if we had any doubt," Xander grumbled.

"We'll take a look," Buffy decided, "It's often the best place to get news of demonic activity. Anything else?"

"Andrew and I noticed that demons of the same type are gathering around the campus," Dawn told them. "It looks like they're the only ones who stick together…"

"Do you know who they are?" Willow asked her.

"Yes, they're Furik demons," Andrew replied.

"What's that?" The Slayer asked, frowning.

"Demons from the ice age," Giles explained. "They can hibernate under the ice for a very long time. It's the place they prefer."

"Well, the climate isn't the best for them here," Faith pointed out.

"They may have come at the request of the First and now they're grouping together to find a cool place," Spike suggested.

"That's what we thought," Dawn agreed. "There are cold rooms to preserve bodies for the forensic students on campus. And that's exactly where they were."

"That's good work," the Slayer congratulated her sister and her boyfriend. "Keep watching them and we'll intervene in the next few days."

The Scoobies quickly leave then, each eager to enjoy a few hours of well-deserved sleep.

The next morning, Buffy was putting her clean clothes away in her closet after folding them carefully. She was feeling in a good mood because her patrol the day before had given her back some confidence despite the increasing number of demons in the city.

"Buffy, come help me! I can't do it!" Dawn suddenly shouted from the next room.

The Slayer's blood ran cold when she heard her sister and she rushed into the hallway, a stake in her hand.

Yet she didn't notice anything unusual when she entered the room. Actually, she just noticed a mountain of clothes scattered on Giles' bed while he had gone out with Willow to look for ingredients. The Slayer also noted that several other clothes were lying on the floor and her sister was standing in front of the mirror. Dawn was living on campus but for some obscure reason that still escaped the blonde woman, she had decided to unpack all the clothes she hadn't been able to take over there due to lack of space.

Dawn turned to face her sister and rolled her eyes when she saw the weapon she was holding and her worried face.

"Relax, Buffy! I just wanted to ask your opinion," the young girl mocked her.

"But… you screamed like someone was cutting your throat!" The Slayer replied. Dawn shook her head. "I didn't scream like someone was cutting my throat. I screamed in frustration, that's different," she said.

Buffy shrugged and put her stake on the desk before approaching the pile of clothes. "So? What do you want my opinion on?" She asked.

"On my outfit tonight," her sister answered, turning back to the mirror.

"Huh?"

"What outfit should I wear for the student party tonight?" Dawn specified while examining a dress with black and white prints.

"What party?" The Slayer asked, stunned. "Dawn, we are at war with the First and you're thinking about hanging out with your friends?!"

"So what?" She retorted, grabbing a classic purple skirt that she placed on her hips in front of the mirror to test its elegance. "The earth isn't gonna end tonight! At least, I hope so…"

"Dawn, you can't be serious." Her sister sighed.

"Oh, Buffy! This is gonna be a great party with all the interesting people to meet! Andrew promised he'd wear a costume and not talk about Star Wars all night!"

The Slayer couldn't help but smile. Dawn reminded her of her student years at Sunnydale College and her vital need to maintain a social life despite her mission. Besides, her sister was right. The end of the world wasn't planned for tonight and in case of an attack, Dawn knew how to defend herself. She had already seen it.

"All night long?" She gave in, "Are you sure he can do it?"

"He better!"

The two sisters smiled at each other and Buffy sat on the bed to help Dawn choose her outfit. "Okay. What kind of party will it be?" She asked, "Like Dancing the Night Away or Talking with Friends?"

"More like Dancing the Night Away," Dawn replied, "And I'd like something purple or burgundy…"

"Purple or burgundy," Buffy repeated as she rummaged through her sister's countless outfits. "Here, you have a burgundy scarf…"

"No, wait!" The young girl gasped, "Maybe it's better for me not to wear purple or burgundy!"

The Slayer frowned. "But you just told me-

"I know." Her sister sighed as she sat down on the bed, "It's just that… Andrew asked me if I could wear one of those colors because he thinks it suits me but…"

"But?" Buffy encouraged her.

"But if I do as he asked, he might think that I'm the kind of girl who just obeys! And he'll think that he can always do what he wants and he'll find it boring and…"

Buffy felt moved by her little sister's turmoil. She hadn't noticed how much she was in love and she was happy to witness her happiness, even if it meant racking her brain with little details like the color of her evening dress to please her boyfriend. She knew that these moments were irreplaceable in life and that all her agitation was a sign of how important it was to her. For this moment alone, Buffy was immensely glad to be back home.

She then pushed back the hair that had fallen in front of her sister's eyes because of her emotion. "This is serious between you two, isn't it?"

Dawn began to blush and grabbed a tee-shirt. "I know he's not the kind of person you thought I'd want to date. Me neither, by the way," she acknowledged as she fiddled with the garment, "And I wanted to tell you but it's just that…"

"You don't need to justify yourself, Dawn," Buffy reassured her while she placed her hand on hers. "I don't really know Andrew and he hasn't always been good at choosing his friends, but I trust your judgment. Everyone deserves a second chance."

"It's true that he hasn't always done the right thing and that he can be annoying with his geek language but I know that he cares about me."

"And he knows that you're the sister of the Slayer and that I'll kick his ass if he doesn't behave!" Buffy joked. "What I want is for you to be happy and if you're happy with him, that's all that matters," she continued more seriously. "Just promise me to take care of yourself. Being in love is such a strong feeling we can easily hurt each other, even without wanting to."

"I know, Buffy. Don't worry about me."

"I'll always worry about you, Dawn. You're my little sister and I'll never let anyone hurt you," the Slayer said firmly.

Dawn thanked her sincerely before hugging her. "So, what do you think about the color?" She asked her next. "Hm." The Slayer thought for a moment, "You said he was gonna try not to talk about Star Wars, right?"

Dawn nodded and watched her sister grab her black dress with thin straps and the burgundy scarf. "If he doesn't keep his word, you take off the scarf," Buffy suggested, handing her the outfit. Dawn's face lit up and she threw herself into her sister's arms again. "You are the best big sister anyone could ever have!"

Buffy burst out laughing.

"We were starting to get worried." Willow greeted the blond vampire with a smile when she opened the door.

"Am I the last?"

The witch nodded as they headed to the living room where Buffy and Giles were waiting for them.

"Faith, Robin and Xander just left. There was nothing special," the Slayer explained because she had heard the vampire's question. "Angel has an appointment with one of his informants in the police to get information about the region, he couldn't stay long. Any news on your side?"

"I took a look around the demon bar. It was really busy."

"Anything interesting?" The Watcher asked and Spike shrugged, "I met several Woarlock demons. They confirmed that the First told them to come back when we took the necklace. For now, they're waiting for further instructions."

"If the First is communicating with them, it's because it's taken shape again!" Willow worried.

"Not necessarily," the vampire replied. "The First is also an immaterial power. Any evil or demonic being can feel it."

"How is your connection with the First going?" Buffy asked.

"It's getting stronger," Spike admitted with a sigh. "I got quite precise visions of several different places. Three or four."

"Were you able to recognize these places?" Giles asked.

"No, I don't know them. All I can say is that they are places in the city but they could be different cities."

"No cavern or underground?" Willow asked, surprised.

"No, I haven't seen any," the vampire acknowledged. "It's kind of weird…"

"Perhaps the First is testing new potential vessels," Giles suggested. In front of the questioning gaze of the three people at his side, the Watcher explained. "Caleb was a vessel that the First sought to embody. I think the First is testing several in order to choose the one that will suit it best."

"That would explain why Spike sees several different places," Willow agreed.

"What can we do?" The Slayer asked, turning to her friends.

"We need to identify the human personalities most likely to obtain this… privilege," her Watcher suggested. "We'll start with the United States and then expand the search. Willow, I'm going to need your help."

"No problem," the young witch said, "I have everything I need in my room."

While Giles and Willow both went upstairs to begin their experiment, Buffy got up and went to get herself a glass of water. Her friends didn't need her right now given her poor theoretical and magical skills, so she returned to Spike in the living room.

"You want something?" She asked the vampire when she came back to sit next to him on the couch, her glass in her hand. He shook his head. "I won't be long."

"You look tired," the Slayer noted, observing his tense face.

"The First's visions are quite… physical."

Buffy frowned. "What do you mean? They're not just visions?"

"I'm also starting to feel the emotions that go with them," the vampire chuckled darkly.

"What kind of emotions?" Buffy asked, curious.

"The emotions that fit the First package: fear, death, screams, absolute evil..."

"Is it… painful?"

"It's just strange to feel these kinds of things again. I'm not used to it anymore…"

The Slayer fell silent when she understood that he was referring to his long years spent as a bloodthirsty vampire. Feeling the emotions of the First probably awakened his demonic nature and called him to remember his barbaric and uncontrollable instinct. On the other hand, his soul was likely torturing him by reminding him of how he had behaved despicably in the past. Buffy shuddered as she imagined the moral dilemma in which the vampire certainly was.

"I'm sure Willow will find a way to break this bond," she assured him with conviction. "But in the meantime, the information you can give us will be very useful. See, it has already given Giles an idea for finding the next vessel!"

The vampire nodded and took a few moments to rest before leaving. They stayed like that for several minutes in silence, just enjoying each other's company. Then, Spike looked around the room, surprised.

"Dawn wasn't here tonight?" He asked.

Buffy shook her head and took another sip of water before setting the glass down on the new coffee table Xander had brought to replace the table he had broken in his fight with Spike.

"She went to a party with Andrew."

Spike raised an eyebrow. "You let her go with him? With whatever's lurking outside?"

"Dawn's not a child anymore," Buffy said, "She can take care of herself."

"I know, but… him. I don't know if he can protect her." The vampire sighed, shaking his head.

"I talked to Dawn this morning. I know she'll be careful."

"That half-wit boyfriend of hers is insufferable," he muttered. "She literally jumped off the roof to get him! She could have died there…"

"No, she couldn't have. You were all there," the young woman reminded him.

"She was still very reckless," the vampire growled.

"She's in love, Spike. We all tend to act recklessly when it comes to the people we love," Buffy noted.

"Still, if she comes home with the slightest scratch, he'll regret it!"

"Are you a doting father with my sister?" The young woman teased him, amused by the vampire's reaction. Spike sighed and rested his head against the back of the couch. "Well, I like her," he admitted. "She always knew what she wanted. And I gotta give her credit for a lot of courage to achieve her goals. As reckless as her sister," he added while smiling in the direction of the Slayer who smiled back.

"I know. She's grown up and matured. I'm really proud of her…"

"Yeah, well, as far as her romantic choices go, I wonder if she's in her right mind," the vampire pointed out again grumpily.

"Look who's talking," the young woman chuckled. "Between Drusilla, the diabolical madwoman and Harmony, the brainless girl, you're in no position to lecture anyone!"

"You can't brag either with your uptight and depressed vampire and then Captain America!" Spike sneered in turn.

Buffy started laughing. This burst of cheerfulness did them both a world of good in the middle of these distressing events and played down the rather unpleasant revelation that Spike had made earlier.

"Then we just need to hope that Dawn will have more luck than us," the Slayer continued, trying to sound serious.

"Above all, let's hope that he will rise to the occasion for his part."

Buffy turned towards the vampire, surprised. Spike had spoken seriously and almost regretfully when she was joking. His head was still resting against the back of the couch and he had his gaze lost in the distance. He didn't seem to be aware of the tone he had used, but the Slayer figured out confusedly that this remark was actually somewhat intended for her. She remained silent for a few moments, the good mood giving way to a heavier and more intense atmosphere.

The young woman wondered if the moral tension imposed on him by the First did not bring out the more serious part of the vampire's personality that he had carefully kept at a distance since his resurrection.

"I'm sure he has doubts but Dawn will be there to reassure him," she said.

Spike straightened up and turned towards her in turn, surprised by this strange answer that he only understood partially. "What if his doubts are too strong?" He murmured, fixing his indecisive gaze on that of the Slayer.

"He'll need to trust her," she answered softly. "Because he knows it's the only right thing to do."

"But what does she find in him that's worth all this trouble?" He asked her then.

Surprised by the question, Buffy let a few seconds pass. It was clear now that they were no longer talking about Dawn and Andrew but rather about their relationship and their conversation two days before during which Spike had agreed to stay and help them. At that moment, she had promised him her help so that he could allow himself to live despite the guilt stemming from his past actions and he would support her while she learned to accept her status as a Slayer again. To keep her promise, Buffy needed to be honest and explain why she believed in him at a time when he doubted he could ever be a better man.

Despite this realization, the Slayer decided to continue using the analogy of her sister and her boyfriend so that the weight of the words seemed less important.

"She just thinks that he is the only person on Earth who could have supported her the way he did when she needed it."

Spike tore his gaze away from the Slayer's captivating eyes and sighed. "He only did what he knew how to do. Nothing else. Because he… will never be able to do anything else and he will never be able to forget her."

At these words, the vampire closed his eyes and fell back against the couch, grimacing at his own stupidity. He couldn't believe that he had just revealed to the Slayer once again after promising himself to keep her at bay. Fatigue and his new emotions confused him and considerably reduced the strength of his precautions. Buffy behaved decently with him. Why couldn't he do the same and regain some dignity?

"Maybe she doesn't want him to forget her."

Spike instantly opened his eyes, in disbelief, and straightened up towards the young woman who was watching him attentively.

As she measured the meaning of the words she had let slip without even realizing it, Buffy had figured it out. She had figured out why she had rushed to him after being attacked, she knew why she felt more peaceful in his presence and the reason why she wanted him to stay with her. No one else but Spike could make her so unique and serene at the same time. With him, her difference did not matter. He had this gift of making her more important in her own eyes. And she wanted to return the favor.

Before she could analyze what that meant any further, Buffy felt like she was irresistibly drawn to the vampire and she naturally leaned towards him. As her warm hand was already approaching his face and her lips were about to meet his, she felt a resistance that prevented her from coming closer. She then noticed that Spike had put his hands on her shoulders, carefully keeping the few centimeters between them.

"What are you doing?" He whispered in a hoarse voice.

"I-

A loud noise was suddenly heard outside the house and Buffy immediately stood up, on alert. Spike stood up in turn and heard Giles and Willow running down the stairs towards them.

"Did you hear that?" The witch asked them.

Buffy nodded. "We got company."