"Buffy the Vampire"

Author: Ashlee
Contact: ashlee_999@hotmail.com
Notes: For the purposes of this story, vampire slayers can be both male and female. Also, the events of "Angel" didn't occur as they did in the series. All will be explained soon.

1

2

Old Friends

Buffy left the bus station in Los Angeles and hailed a cab.  Sunrise was approaching, and she really didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.  Giving the cab driver directions, Buffy stared out the window as the buildings whizzed by.  Paying the driver as he arrived at her destination, Buffy gathered her luggage and made her way to the door of the hotel.  As Buffy passed through it, she noticed that the lobby was empty.

"Hello?"

Turning in a circle, Buffy set her luggage down on a nearby couch and pulled the cap off her head, letting her hair spill out around her shoulders.

"Anyone here?"

Seeing a movement out of the corner of her eye, Buffy turned and offered a sheepish smile to the confused man in front of her.  "Angel."

"Buffy…what're you doing here?"

"I, uh, I kind of need a place to crash…for a while.  Was hoping maybe you could help me with that."

"Of course.  I'm sorry, I just haven't seen you in so long and…is something wrong?"

"It's a long-"

"Buffy!"

Buffy turned to one of the staircases and saw Cordelia Chase rushing down.  "It's been forever!  How are you?  What's wrong?" she asked as she got close enough to see her swollen eyes and give her a hug.

Buffy was taken aback by Cordy's friendly demeanor.  This was definitely not the same girl she'd last seen prancing around, pretending to be Angel's secretary all those years ago.  The years had aged her into a beautiful woman, and she seemed to have more compassion than she had ever shown Buffy in high school.

"It's a long story."

"Buffy needs a place to stay," Angel spoke up.

"Well, of course you're staying here.  Angel, take her things up to a room."

Buffy had to smile at the bossy demeanor- some things never change.

"Is something wrong with Angel?" she asked Cordy once Angel was out of hearing distance.

"Oh, you know Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broody.  He always has to find something that's bothering him.  You're usually number one on the list of things to brood about, so seeing you in the flesh after so long…" Cordelia trailed off.

"Me?  Why me?"

"He killed you.  Well, technically, anyway.  And then he sired you, and he's scared that you hold it against him."

"I don't," Buffy replied, shaking her head.  "It wasn't him…it was Angelus.  I've figured out the difference between the two."

"Could you please tell him that?  Because he's been moaning about it for the last decade."

"As soon as I get a good opportunity.  So, how are things between you two?"

"Great," Cordy said as she broke out in a bright smile.  "Having the soul anchored is a major plus, and he tells me he loves me every chance he gets.  A girl never gets tired of hearing that."

"Yeah," Buffy said, looking down at the floor.  "I know."

"Oh, Buffy!  I'm sorry!  I didn't mean to practically rub it in your face about me and Angel. It's just been so long since you two were together, and I just forget sometimes."

"Cordy, it's okay.  I-I wasn't thinking about Angel.  There's someone else."

"Well, that's great, but…wait.  If there's someone else, why are you here?"

"That's what I was wondering," Angel said, reemerging from upstairs.  "What's going on, Buffy?"

Buffy took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves before beginning.  "I went back to Sunnydale a few months ago.  I-I thought it would be a good idea to…help out the new Slayer.  I met him, and we started patrolling together.  Wesley is his Watcher, by the way," she said with a small smile.

"Wesley!" Cordelia cried.  "Oh my God, I haven't thought about him in years! How is he?"

"He's good.  Much more laid back than he used to be.  He's definitely a much better Watcher now."

"Anyway…" Angel prodded, trying to steer the girls away from the boy-talk.

Buffy and Cordy shared a small, knowing smile as she continued.  "We got really close after a while...really close," she said, emphasizing it the second time.  "And another girl came along.  Claims she's a vampire with a soul," she said, sharing a knowing look with Angel.

"But that's impossible," Angel said in disbelief.

"That's what I said.  I asked Wes to do some research on her and came up with a big zero, except for her age.  She's not a Slayer, and she claims she was cursed…though we don't know by who, and apparently, neither did she."

"Sounds a little out of the ordinary," Angel said.

"My thoughts exactly.  Earlier tonight, the three of us split up when there were two vamp attacks in different areas.  I got a group of five and was barely holding on.  That's when the vamps said the strangest thing.  They said they were doing what they were paid to do, and that was to take out the Slayer…me…not Spike."

"Spike?" Cordelia asked.

"He's the new Slayer."

"Hottie?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh yeah."

"Can we get back on topic please?" Angel interrupted.

"Sorry.  So anyway, I stake the vamps and go and punch this Cassidy chick, who, by the way, really deserved it since she can't keep her hands off Spike, but he gets all defensive and doesn't believe me when I tell him what I found out.  So there I am, standing there in obvious physical pain, and he just…he just…" she trailed off as her emotions caught up to her.

"Buffy," Angel said softly.  "I'm sure that he just didn't know what to believe.  You've only known him a few months, and-"

"Angel," Cordy cut him off as she wrapped an arm around the tearful Slayer.  "She loves him," she said quietly.

"Oh," he said with raised eyebrows.

"I just couldn't stay," she said in a strained whisper.  "He was being all protective with her, just because I hit her. And I was standing there with broken bones, and he barely even looked at me."

"You're hurt?" they both asked simultaneously.

"I don't know.  My back still hurts, but that's normal considering how recently it happened."

Both Cordelia and Angel turned her around. She felt Angel gently probing her back.  As Buffy hissed in pain when he got closer to her hips, Cordy went to get a first aid kit.

"I think it's fractured.  Looks like you'll be fine in a day or two with the accelerated healing, but it'll probably swell later today."

Cordelia reappeared with the kit and pulled out some cotton and alcohol.  "You've got a cut on your head."

Buffy reached up to her forehead and felt the gash that resided there.  "Great," she mumbled.  "Just add to my night."

"Let Cordy clean that up, and then I'll show you to your room."

"Thanks, Angel," Buffy said with a soft smile.  Wincing in pain as the alcohol burned her skin, she exhaled as the butterfly strips were put in place.

"All set," Cordy said, cleaning up.

"Thanks, guys.  And I promise not to be here very long. I just need to figure out what to do next."

"Buffy, you're welcome here as long as you want," Cordy said.

"Thanks," she replied with a grateful smile as she followed Angel up the stairs.  Following him to a suite at the end of the hall, Buffy gasped when he opened the door.  "Angel, it's beautiful," she said, taking in the room.

"Pretty much the only one that's fit for staying in."

"It's perfect, thank you!" she said, turning and giving him a hug.  She felt Angel tense at their close proximity and pulled away to look up into his eyes.  "Angel…I want you to know…I don't blame you for what happened."

"For what happened?" he repeated.

"The whole happiness clause.  It's not like you let Angelus come out and play," she continued as she went to sit on the bed.

Angel followed her, sitting down beside her. "Buffy, I never meant-"

"I know," she said, cutting him off.  "I know it wasn't you. You had no control, and I'm really not mad.  Besides…it's not all bad being a vampire.  I mean, the whole drinking blood thing still kind of wigs me out, but that's life…or unlife, as the case may be."

"Buffy, I tortured you-"

"Again, with the not being you that did it."

"I…he raped you," he said quietly, looking down at his hands.

"He did…but I'm strong.  I healed, and I know that there's no chance of him doing it again.  I forgive you, Angel.  I figure I'm going to know you for the rest of my unlife.  I need you as my friend…not as a stranger."

"I still love you, Buffy," he said softly.  Buffy stayed quiet as he continued, "Not in the same way it used to be, but it's there.  I'm in love with Cordy, but I do still love you."

"I know…believe me, I know."

"Do you think you did the right thing?  Leaving town, I mean?"

Buffy looked into his eyes. "Did you do the right thing when you left me?"

"Different situation, Buffy."

"Yeah.  I don't have an answer for you.  I couldn't stick around.  He was the only person keeping me there, and the thought of losing him to her…I just thought it was better to be the first to let go."

"You can stay here as long as you need to, Buffy.  Whenever you feel up to it, maybe you could help Cordy and me with some cases," Angel said, standing to leave the room.  "And Buffy, if you love this guy, maybe he is worth it."

"Thank you," she said with a grateful smile.  "Good night, Angel."

"Good night, Buffy."

---

Spike stood outside Wesley's house, banging on the door.  When the door opened to reveal a very irritated man, Spike didn't even pay attention to him.  "Buffy's gone, Wes."

"What are you talking about, William?"

"Gone…packed up her stuff and left!"

"Left town?"

"Bloody hell!  I don't know!"

"Calm down and tell me what happened."

"I don't know, Wes," Spike said, dropping down to sit on the couch.  "She got really paranoid about Cassidy planning an ambush on her and then got mad at me for defending her and took off.  But, you wanna know the real kicker?  I don't know why I defended her.  Every part of me wanted to chase after Buffy, and I couldn't.  I physically couldn't, Wes, and I didn't even realize something was wrong until about an hour ago.  I need to know what's going on."

"Oh dear, I was afraid of this."

"What do you mean you were afraid of this?" Spike yelled, rising angrily from his position.

"Will, Buffy's been worried about how close you've been getting to Cassidy.  She doesn't trust her, and she asked me to do some research on her. 

"And?"

"Nothing came up.  And believe me when I say nothing.  She's about sixty years old, give or take a few years, and other than that, it's as if she doesn't exist.  I don't think Cassidy is even her real name. I think she may be using some type dark magic to get you to trust her...to build some type of relationship with her."

"Are you saying I've been under some kind of spell this whole time?"

"No.  Not necessarily the whole time, just whenever you're in close proximity with Cassidy.  You still want to be with Buffy, don't you?"

"You know I do," Spike growled.  "She's gone, Wesley, and it's all my fault, because I'm not strong enough to tell this chit to bugger off."

"William, you wouldn't have control over your actions.  You need to be very careful.  This kind of magic is what got the slayer, Kendra, killed.  Although, the vampire that used it on her appears to be much more advanced than Cassidy, since you were obviously alone with her last night and you're still alive."

"She tried to get me to stay," he mumbled softly, before turning his eyes to his watcher's.  "Last night, she tried to get me to stay longer, but I knew I had to get to Buffy."

"She's a novice.  If it is a thrall, she can only hold on to it for short periods of time.  It was probably fading at the time she asked you to stay."

Spike collapsed on the couch again, his head falling into his hands as he tried to keep control over his emotions.  "I have to find Buffy, Wesley.  She thinks I willingly picked Cassidy over her.  Bloody hell, I need some kind of resistance to this magic, Wes," his muffled voice said.  "Whatever mojo she's worked on me, I defended the bint for crying out loud," his voice getting louder as he looked up with bloodshot eyes. 

"I think you already have a resistance."

"What's that?"

"You're in love with Buffy.  No matter what you might be saying out loud, you know that you're in love with her and that helps protect you."

"I can't lose her."

"William…she may already be lost," Wesley said gently.

"She bloody well is not!  Find her, Wesley!"

"Will, if she doesn't want to be found-"

"I don't soddin' care what she wants.  She has to know what really happened.  I need her Wesley…find her."  Storming out of the house, Spike slammed the door behind him.  He felt lost without Buffy, and he had only been without her for a few hours.

---

Conversations

Buffy had been at the Hyperion for a week.  Her back had healed nicely, and now she was going out at night to help Angel and Cordelia.  She knew they appreciated the extra assistance that she gave, but she couldn't help feeling like a third wheel.  She was currently debating the idea of staying in L.A. and finding an apartment.  She would still be able to help Angel and Cordy when they needed her, but she could also give them a little more privacy at the same time.  Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard Angel's footsteps walking down the hall.

"Buffy?" he asked, lightly knocking on the door.

"Yeah, Angel?"

"You have a phone call."

Buffy froze for a minute.  The only person who knew where she was was Dawnie, and she was sworn to secrecy.  "Who is it?"

"You should take this, Buffy," Angel said as he walked away.

Buffy looked at the phone sitting on her nightstand and stared at the flashing light for a minute before picking up. "Hello?"

"Buffy?  Thank God!"

"Giles?"

"Yes, Buffy, it's me.  I just got a phone call from Wesley, who was very worried about you.  He said you'd disappeared about a week ago, and he was trying to locate you."

"Giles, you can't tell him where I am."

"Buffy, he's very worried about you."

"Tell him I'm safe, but Giles, you can't tell him I'm here."

"Is there something I should know?"

"It's a long story, ends badly. Just please trust me on this."

"Buffy, Wesley's a smart man, much as I hate to admit it.  He'll figure it out eventually."

"Please?"

"Are you in trouble?"

"No.  Not the kind you're thinking of.  I just need a little time to myself."

"Alright, but please let me know where you are from now on."

"I will…I'm sorry for scaring you, Giles."

"It's alright, just don't let it happen again.  I'll talk to you soon, Buffy."

"Bye, Giles."

Buffy hung up the phone and bit her lip, not sure what to do now.  She couldn't keep running away from her problems, but she wasn't ready to face them yet either.  Deciding to wait it out a few days before she came to any major decision, Buffy got up to begin her daily training session with Angel.

Staring at the phone before she left the room, Buffy let out a deep sigh.  "What the hell," she muttered.  Picking up the phone, she dialed a number she recalled from memory and listened to the ringing tone.  When she heard the voice on the other end, Buffy took a deep breath.  "Wesley?"

"Buffy, is that you?  We've been worried sick!"

"I'm sorry, Wes.  I just wanted you to know I'm okay."  Buffy stopped and listened as Wesley spoke softly to someone in the background before she heard the receiver begin moving.

"Buffy?"

"Spike."

"Luv, where are you?"

"That's not important.  Tell Wesley I'm okay."

"Buffy, please don't hang up!  I miss you, baby."

Buffy felt her throat close up as she talked to him. "Why don't you visit your new girl?  She's obviously more important than I am."

"Buffy, don't say that.  She's-"

Spike stopped as he heard the click of the phone.  "Damn it!" Spike yelled as he threw the phone against the wall.

"I expect you to pay for that," Wesley said calmly, never looking up from his inventory papers.  "I take it she wouldn't talk to you?"

"What gave it away?" Spike asked sarcastically.

"Perhaps it would be better if you were to have a face to face confrontation."

"Well…that's just splendid, Wesley.  And how am I supposed to do that when she won't even tell me where the hell she is?"  his voice going from frighteningly calm to yelling.

"It might be plausible for you to check the caller ID."

Spike froze for a moment before lunging for the small box sitting on the desk.

" Los Angeles ?  What the bloody hell is she…Angelus," he said, his voice dripping with hatred.  "Wesley, I need an address."

"The Hyperion Hotel, leased by Cordelia Chase for the management of Angel Investigations."

Throughout the entire heated conversation, Wesley never once looked at Spike, which he was beginning to find very annoying.

"And you know this how?"

"It's my job to know.  Angel fights on the good side.  One of the few that still does. It's handy to know who your allies are and where they're located."  Finally looking up, Wesley made eye contact with Spike. "Are you going or not?"

Wesley smiled as the young man practically flew out the door.

---

Buffy and Angel trained for over three hours, Angel letting her take out a lot of her aggression from the conversation she'd had with Spike.  It had taken him nearly an hour to get that piece of information from her.  Now as she was taking out her frustration on a punching bag, Angel left the training room and headed for the lobby to regroup and hopefully begin to heal some painful bruises she had accidentally inflicted on him.

Angel turned when he heard the door open and encountered a man he'd never seen before.  A man that exuded power.  "May I help you?"

"Yeah, I'm looking for someone, and I'm hoping she's here."

"Spike," Angel practically growled.  This man was the reason he was going to be sore for the next twenty-four hours.  He was also the reason a woman he cared about was in pain.

Spike took in the man in front of him.  Tall and broad-shouldered, he felt his jaw tense as he took in the shirtless form and loose-fitting black sweat pants.  "Angelus."

Before Angel could respond, both men turned at the sound of a door shutting. Spike stared as Buffy walked out, dressed in a pair of tight black cotton pants and a tiny white tank top.

"Angel, I'm sorry if was too hard on you in-"

Buffy froze as her eyes came to rest on Spike before turning and rushing out of the lobby.  Spike took off after her, catching her as she came to the end of a long hallway.

"Luv, please wait."

"Why?" she cried, whirling around to face him.  "Why should I listen to anything you have to say?  You don't want me, remember?"

"I never said that, Slayer," Spike said, his temper rising. "I never thought it, not for a moment."

"Oh no…you didn't have to.  You don't want to be with me, Spike.  You don't trust me, and you don't believe me, so why should I listen to anything you have to say?

"I love you."  The admission was so quiet, Buffy thought she heard wrong.  "I'm sorry, luv.  I do trust you.  I believe you and I've missed you so much this week, and I want you back.  Please, baby," he whispered as he took a step closer to her.

"Spike, you don't have confidence in me-"

"I never said that," he replied fervently.

"You didn't have to.  You were too busy chasing after a new girl.  Is this some kind of pattern I should

know about?  Get someone to be your girlfriend and then blow them off when the better specimen

comes along?"

"Buffy, I was under some kind of spell!"  At Buffy's skeptical look he continued, "If you don't believe me, call Wesley.  He's the one that realized it.  Cassidy's got this mind-control that she's been using on me.  Whatever she's worked on me, I was incapable of doing what I wanted, which was going after you.  Buffy, whatever you want me to do, I'll do it.  Let's find out who this Cassidy really is and get rid of her."

"She's like Drusilla," Buffy mumbled, before shaking her head to get back on track.  "It still doesn't change us, Spike.  You were ready to abandon me for your precious Cassidy!"

"Buffy," Spike said in a pleading voice.  "That wasn't me, pet.  I was under a spell.  This is me…I am the same person you first met…I'm the same man who fell in love with you and I promise, she will never do that to me again."

"How do you know that?" she asked as his arms wrapped around her waist.

"Because I have you," he whispered into her ear.

Buffy relished the feel of his arms, but shook her head anyway.  "It doesn't matter.  It still won't work between us, Spike."

"How do you know that?" he asked, becoming exasperated, throwing his arms into the air.  "Because I'm the Slayer?  Because you're a vampire?  I love you, Buffy and I know you care for me, so why don't you tell be what it is, luv?"

"It's both…we're too different, and-"

"And we're exactly the same," he said, cutting her off.  "The only difference is our life expectancy, pet."

"That's not the only difference-"

"So kill me."

Buffy gaped at him as he said it.  "Wh-what are you talking about?" she asked anxiously.

"Kill me." He said it as if they were talking about the weather.  "Turn me…make me into a vampire."

"You have NO idea what you're saying.  You've known me for a few months, and you want to spend eternity with me?"

"That's the idea."

"You don't even realize what you're asking me to do." Buffy spun around and angrily began to walk away, only to be pulled back and pinned to the wall by him.

"We could be together, Buffy.  Forever.  That's what you want, isn't it?  That's what I want."

"Spike, you can't ask me this.  It's not fair."

"Why?  It's better all around, luv.  I die…another Slayer is called, and we get to be together.  It's the best way."

"You're asking me to kill you!  Can you even comprehend what that would do to me?  To watch your life slip away because of me?"

"Buffy, I wouldn't be gone.  My soul would be anchored.  You're proof of that."

"I refuse," she said, shaking her head violently.  "I couldn't do it, even if I wanted to, which I DON'T!  I wouldn't even know how.  It's not like I've ever done that before, and call me crazy, but I wouldn't want the man I love to be the guinea pig for my first experiment."

"You love me?"

"You know I do," she whispered, looking up into his eyes.

Spike leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on her lips before pulling back to look at her. "This conversation isn't over, luv."

"It is for me.  I can't do it, Spike.  Please don't ask me again."

---

Forever

Buffy sat in the lobby of the hotel in the pre-dawn hours, watching through the windows as the sky began to lighten.  Spike had let the subject drop when they went up to her room, quickly falling asleep with his arms wrapped tightly around her.  Buffy had stayed awake, listening to the comforting sounds of his breathing and heartbeat.  She didn't want to be the one to take that away from him.  He deserved to live a normal life, or at least as normal as a Slayer could have.

After an hour, Buffy had gotten up to go sit in the lobby.  Moving away from the window, she went to sit on a couch, curling her legs up to her chest and resting her chin on her knees.  She felt lost.  She also felt more alone now.  Knowing that Spike was willing to give up everything to be with her, but she couldn't take it, made the lifetimes she would have to live after he was gone even more lonely and full of despair.

"Buffy?"

Buffy looked up with sad eyes and saw Angel standing in front of her.

"What's wrong?"

Buffy shook her head and her chin went back to her knees.

"Is it Spike?"

"He wants me to turn him, Angel," she said quietly, almost to herself.

Angel stood in shock for a few moments before sitting down next to Buffy. "He told you, straight out?"

"Yeah," her voice barely above a whisper.

"What did you say?"

"I told him I wouldn't.  I can't kill him."

Angel nodded. "Did he agree?"

"He dropped the subject, but I don't think the conversation's over."

"That's a big sacrifice, Buffy."

"You think I don't know that?"

"I never said that.  How do you feel about it? I mean, really feel?"

"I wanted to," she whispered softly, looking tearfully at Angel.  "I want him.  I don't want to be alone forever…but that's just me being selfish."

"That's not selfish, Buffy.  You love him, and I know how you feel.  I feel the same about Cordy, but your decision is more difficult because he would keep his soul." Angel paused to wrap a comforting arm around the small girl. "And you won't be alone.  I'll be here for you."

Buffy managed a weak smile before hearing a noise and turning to look up into the infuriated blue eyes of Spike.  She stood and made her way over to him, wrapping her arms around his lean waist and resting her head against the strong muscles of his chest.

"What're you doing up, baby?" she asked quietly.

Spike never took his eyes off of Angel as he spoke. "I was going to ask you the same thing, luv.  You weren't in bed.  I got worried about you."

"I'm fine.  Let's go back to bed."

"You go on.  I'll be there in a minute."  Buffy looked worriedly into his eyes. Spike silenced her fears by kissing her tenderly on the forehead. "Go on, luv. I just need some water."

Buffy nodded and made her way up the stairs.  When she was out of sight, Spike turned on Angel.  "Don't think I don't know what you're doing, Peaches."

Angel's gaze turned livid as he stared at the Slayer. "And what would that be, boy?"

Spike took a few steps closer to him. "You have your fun now with the new girl.  In a few years when she's gone, you'll turn back to your first love because she'll always be here."

Angel clenched his jaw tightly as he looked at the young man. "Watch your mouth, bleach boy.  I love Cordelia, and I would never use her that way just to go back to Buffy."

"I have no doubt you love her, mate.  But an eternity is a long time to be alone.  Might as well strengthen those bridges while they're around instead of burning them, eh?"

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Angel said, pushing past Spike.

"No?" Spike asked, turning to face him again.  "So you're not still in love with Buffy?"

Angel turned and stared at him for a few moments.  "I love her…but not in the way you think."  Without another word, Angel walked out of the lobby, leaving Spike to stand and reflect over what he'd said.

"Spike?"

Spike turned at the sound of the soft voice from the stairs.  Seeing Buffy standing there, he felt himself relax at the sight of her.  "Yeah, pet?"

"Is something wrong?"

"No," he said, shaking his head and walking toward her.  "Nothing's wrong.  Let's go to bed, luv."

Buffy smiled as he guided her back to their room and shut the door.  Leaning back against it, Spike admired the woman in front of him as she prepared for bed.  Turning toward him, she smiled.  "What?"

"You."

"Me?"

Spike nodded, pushing away from the door.  "Just watching you, pet."  Wrapping his arms around her waist, Spike pulled her closer and buried his face in her hair. "I missed you, baby."

"I know…I missed you, too."

"You didn't have to leave," he said, pulling back to look at her.  "I came back.  I probably would have caught you if I hadn't stopped to buy those soddin' flowers."

Buffy's face brightened. "You bought me flowers?"

"Like the bloody ponce that I am.  I knew I had to do something to make it up to you."

"What kind?"

"What…oh, roses…I think."

"You think?" she asked with a smile.

"I've been a little preoccupied with trying to find you, baby.  I don't really remember what I bought for you a week ago."  Buffy pouted, causing Spike to smile. "Now, pet, you know I can't resist that lip."

Buffy didn't respond, just jutted her lip out even further, causing Spike to lean down and press a gentle kiss to her lips.  Buffy moaned as the kiss slowly became more passionate, allowing Spike to lead her over to the bed and slowly begin undressing her.  Once her clothing was a pile on the floor, Spike lovingly picked her up and placed her on the bed before shedding his sweatpants and crawling on top of her.

Buffy was more than a little surprised by the tenderness of his actions.  Their lovemaking had always been raw and passionate- Spike had never treated her to this mellow, slower pace that he was currently using as he kissed his way down her body.  Buffy suddenly became nervous as he began lavishing kisses against her thigh, slowly trailing upward.

"Wh-what…what are you doing?"

Spike looked up into her eyes with a raised eyebrow. "Surely you know what I'm doing, luv."

Buffy nodded nervously. "It's just…I've never…"  Spike smiled in understanding.

'So,' he thought.  'The great poofter never did this, huh?'

"Relax, baby," he whispered huskily.  "You'll love it."

Before Buffy had a chance to react, she felt his tongue slide along her opening and arched off the bed when the jolt of pleasure hit her body.  Spike smiled, enjoying the reaction he was rewarded before continuing his ministrations.

Buffy felt his tongue softly trailing almost lazily over her sensitive areas.  Moaning as he nipped lightly at her most responsive flesh, Buffy felt her fingers winding through his soft hair, urging him to continue as a tingling sensation began in her stomach.  She felt his tongue bathe over her vulnerable bundle of nerves before latching on and sucking hard.

Buffy's hands abandoned his hair as she grabbed the covers to each side of her and arched into his face with a shuddering scream of climax.  Spike continued to hold her hips and draw out her maximum pleasure as Buffy began squirming as the feeling became too much for her.  Spike let her go to crawl up her body and look down at her.

Buffy smiled up at him with lust-filled eyes as he kissed her deeply.  She moaned and felt her arousal grow even more when she tasted herself on his tongue.  Buffy gasped as she felt his hardened length probing at her opening before slipping inside of her.  Buffy arched into him again as her fingernails dug into his shoulders.  Spike met her lips in another searing kiss as he began rocking slowly against her.  He smiled as he felt Buffy try and speed up the thrusts only to groan in frustration as he kept the same pace.

"Just relax, baby.  This is all for you," he whispered as he looked deep into her eyes.  Spike continued to move his hips as their hands entwined, relishing the feel of the woman beneath him as they fell into the rhythm of their bodies moving as one.

Spike watched as Buffy's body began to shake with another impending climax he was causing.  Speeding up, he plunged harder into her body, watching as she involuntarily squeezed her eyes shut.  Her body began to quake as it shook with a powerful orgasm, gasping a second before her inner muscles began clenching around Spike as he continued his thrusts.

"SPIKE!"

Spike felt his body trembling as her nails dragged along the length of his back before spilling himself deep within her.  Collapsing next to her on the bed, Spike pulled her to him and kissed her lightly on the top of her head.

"I love you, baby," he whispered hoarsely.

"I love you, too."

Spike watched as Buffy fell asleep a few minutes later before whispering, "Forever."

---

Surprises

The next night, Buffy dressed in a pair of white dress pants and a black long sleeve V-neck shirt.  Buffy and Spike would be leaving for Sunnydale the next day, and Spike wanted to take her out for a night in L.A. before they left.  Buffy stared at the where her reflection was supposed to be and let out a sigh.  Brushing her hair and putting on some lip gloss, Buffy headed out the door.  When she saw Spike standing in the lobby, she had to smile.  He looked as nervous as a schoolboy, wiping the palms of his hands against his black pants.  Buffy looked at him hungrily, dressed in a black dress shirt and his duster. He let the natural curl come out in his hair and was currently pacing the length of the lobby.  When he heard Buffy approaching, Spike spun in a circle to look at her.

"You look beautiful, luv," he said, walking toward her.

"Thanks, you don't look half-bad yourself," she replied, straightening the collar of his shirt and smoothing her hands over the strong planes of his chest.  Spike wrapped his arms around her and felt the nervous jitters leave him.  This would technically be their first date since their dates in Sunnydale usually consisted of them patrolling.

"Hey, guys!  You ready?" Cordy asked as she and Angel walked into the room.

Spike and Angel glowered at each other, still not thrilled with their respective women for planning this night without consulting them.  Buffy playfully smacked Spike on the chest, getting him to focus his attention away from Angel.

"Yeah, Cordy," she said.  "We're ready."

"Let's go then," Cordelia said.  "You boys play nice now," she said, linking arms with Buffy and giggling like they were the best of friends, leaving the men to walk behind them.  Actually, they were hoping that the two could work out some of their differences but didn't want to tell either about it.

Both Angel and Spike trailed after the girls, shoving their hands in their pockets as they followed.  Walking to the restaurant, Angel shot a glance in Spike's direction. "I heard what you asked Buffy to do."

Spike's eyes snapped up to look at the larger man. "What of it?"

Angel shrugged. "It's a big deal…shows that you really love her.  You're willing to die for her, even if it wouldn't technically be dying."

"I'd die for her," Spike said softly, staring at the woman in front of him.  "In a heartbeat."

"You know she can't do it."

Spike sighed. "And what would that be, mate?"

"Turn you.  She's never even sunk her teeth into somebody, much less turned anyone.  She's not capable of finding that fine line where the turning is possible.  She doesn't have a demon in her to give her that instinct."

Spike stayed quiet as they walked for a few more minutes.  "And you?"

Angel turned to face the Slayer.  "I have too much to pay for as it is.  One of which is walking about forty feet away," he said, watching as the girls turned a corner.  "I don't need to add to the body count."

"But that's just it, isn't it?  You already have a death toll, so what's one more?  Especially since it's for the greater good."

"What do you mean?"

"I die and a new Slayer is activated.  I come back, and that's one more person to fight the good fight.  Better every way you look at it."

"Maybe, but it's not for me to decide."

"Oh, come on, Angelus.  I know you could do it, you could just…"

Both men stopped as they turned the corner, and Buffy and Cordelia were nowhere to be seen.

"Something's not right," Spike muttered as they slowly advanced on a darkened alley.  Neither man heard any fighting, but both were cautious anyway.  Slowly turning a corner, Angel shifted into game-face to see better.  Both men ran to the back of the alley as they saw Buffy and Cordy surrounded by a pack of vampires, managing to fight their way through to get to each other.  Everyone went into fighting stance as over a dozen vampires dropped from the top of the building to surround all of them.  Angel and Spike both gripped their stakes harder as Buffy and Cordy reached for theirs.

They watched as the mob parted, and Buffy clenched her teeth as the woman walked toward them, ten more vampires behind her.

"Cassidy," Buffy growled low in her throat.

"You know, Spike," Cassidy said.  "It wasn't very nice to leave town and  not tell your slaying partner."

Spike narrowed his eyes. "My slaying partner is the reason I left town."

Cassidy leveled her gaze on Buffy.  "Ah yes, Miss Summers.  You were a surprise.  You know, it is hard to get this guy alone, and then when I'm finally able to, all he talks about is you.  The original plan would have been much easier if you had died when you were supposed to.  Well, at least one of the times you were supposed to."

"So this is the plan, Cass?"  Buffy asked.  "Same thing as the cemetery, only you add more vamps to your ambush?"

"Cliché as it is, yes.  You know, all I wanted to do was get to the Slayer.  You just had to get in the way, and then when you finally do leave town, he runs off after you like a lost little puppy."  Spike glared as Cassidy continued, "I've been waiting to get you alone, and since you obviously can't go anywhere without these two," she gestured to Angel and Cordy.  "I have to do this with them present.  Which isn't so bad really.  Take out the Slayer and the two vampires with souls…not a bad deal if you think about it."

"Who put you up to it?"

"Nobody put me up to it.  This is my revenge on that horrible Watcher's Council for holding me prisoner for the last few decades.  Oh, I heard plenty about the legendary Angel, how he was cursed with a soul and now helps the hopeless.  Sounded like a good story, so when that dreadful Quentin Travers retired and was replaced with that bumbling idiot Nigel, I was able to put my escape plan into action.  I figured, what better way to take out my revenge than to kill the Slayer?"

"Why now?" Spike spoke up, subtly closing in on his companions, feeling Buffy's tensed shoulder on his arm and Cordy's back against his.  Angel had the opposite position with his back to Buffy, each rigid and ready to spring at the same time.

"Why now?  Well, I'm not stupid enough to believe I could bring down a Slayer on my own.  I would have rather done it in more intimate circumstances, but you weren't as responsive to that as I'd hoped, so Plan B went into action," Cassidy said, waving a hand in indication of her gang.

"You know," Buffy said.  "I'm getting really sick of you."  As the words barely left her lips, Buffy attacked.  Three vampires blocked her way to Cassidy, but Buffy began fighting them off.  She could hear the others behind her and quickly staked two of the vampires in her way.

'Where's a sword when I need one?' she thought as she pulled another stake from her shoe and let it fly into one of the vamps that was trying to sneak up on Cordelia.  Buffy knew they were gaining a slight advantage, but as she staked another one, she could feel her strength slowly fading.  She and Angel were taking the impact of the full attack, both trying to protect the more vulnerable humans behind them.

Buffy lost track of Cassidy and turned to look for her, realizing her mistake a second too late as she felt her head crack into the brick wall of the building next to her.  Seeing stars, she tried to shake off her disorientation and felt her arms seized in strong hands on each side and groaned in frustration as she struggled to get free.  Pausing when she realized the vampires holding her captive weren't trying to hurt her, she got confused.  Still struggling, she looked and saw Angel being cornered.  Cordy was holding her own against the two that were attacking her, and Spike was fending off four at the same time.

Buffy did a quick count and saw eleven vampires but no Cassidy.  A scream ripped from her throat as she saw Spike collapse on the ground after a rough kick to his head.  Buffy watched as he shakily made it back to his feet, only to be grabbed in a similar hold as Buffy.

"That's more like it," Cassidy said, coming out of the shadows.  "Watch closely, Slayer," she said to Buffy, seconds before sinking her fangs into Spike's jugular.

Buffy screamed as she saw Spike's jaw tighten in pain before appearing to relax.  Buffy renewed her struggle as he was dropped to the ground, blood pooling out of the gaping wound in his neck.  Suddenly, the vamp next to her exploded in ashes.  Buffy's head snapped around to see Cordelia before spinning and flipping the other vampire still holding her.  As she ran to Spike's side, she saw Cordelia dusting the vamp as Angel worked on the four that had been holding Spike.

Buffy fell to his side with tears in her eyes as she cradled his head in her lap.  "I'm here, baby.  You're going to be okay," she whispered as she traced the sharp contours of his cheekbones.  Buffy leaned over and let the tears fall as his eyes slowly closed.  Buffy's body shook with sobs at the pain in her heart.  She could hear the soft thumping of his heart as it strained to keep beating, getting slower every second.

"Buffy, now!"

Buffy raised her watery eyes to look at Angel in confusion as he battled the few remaining vampires.

"NOW, Buffy!"

Comprehension dawned on her features as she realized what he was saying.  Quickly lengthening her fangs, Buffy sliced open the delicate skin of her wrist, watching for a second as the blood poured from the gash before pressing it to Spike's lips.  Waiting for a few seconds, Buffy felt the tears fall again as nothing happened before she felt a light suction against her wrist.  Holding it closer to his mouth, Buffy watched as he drank from the wound before his jaw relaxed.

Buffy looked up into the anxious eyes of Cordelia and Angel as they watched tensely.  Meeting Angel's gaze, Buffy felt her chin quiver as she opened her mouth. "D-did…did it w-work?"

Angel nodded. "He should be fine, Buffy.  This time tomorrow, he'll be fine."

"You're sure?"

Angel nodded again. "You did everything right."

Buffy sniffled as she looked at Spike's peaceful face.  "But did I do the right thing?" she asked quietly, almost to herself.  Angel heard the soft question and understood the turmoil she was in, but stayed quiet.

Cordelia bent down to sympathetically rub Buffy's back.  "We should get him back to the hotel, Buffy."

Buffy nodded and released her hold on Spike as Angel walked over and picked him up.  Cordelia slipped an arm under Buffy's shoulders and helped her to her feet.

"Cassidy?" Buffy asked.

Cordy shook her head, "She got away, Buffy.  I'm sorry."

Buffy nodded. "Don't be.  I'll find her."

---

Nervous

Buffy was on pins and needles for the next twenty-four hours. She had refrained from calling Wesley or Spike's friends because she was terrified. She was scared that he wouldn't wake up, but she was also scared that he would. Angel told her it was ridiculous to be worried, that he wouldn't be mad at her for doing what she felt should be done, but Buffy was still anxious. She had been pacing the room for hours. The time that Spike should have woken up had come and gone, and Buffy chewed on her thumbnail as she stared out the window, into the night.

"Buffy?"

Buffy spun around to face the bed at the sound of the weak voice. "Spike?"

Rushing over to the bed, she practically threw herself at him. "Oh God, I was so worried," she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Spike pulled her away to look into her eyes. Noticing how puffy and red they were, he became worried. Tilting his head to the side, one hand stretched up and tenderly traced the dark shadows that tinted the delicate skin under her eyes. "What happened, luv?"

Buffy sniffled as she looked at him. Spike stared at her, realizing she looked about fifteen years old with the fresh tears flowing. "You're okay," she whispered, gently touching him to make sure he wasn't a figment of her imagination.

"I'm okay, pet. What happened?"

He watched as Buffy got a panicked look on her face and jumped off the bed to begin pacing the room again. Spike groggily sat up and swung his legs over the edge, trying to stand. He soon found that he was too weak.

"I thought I lost you," she whispered as she stared out the window. "You were gone and…and it was all my fault. I should have been quicker, I should have warned you to get out of there…but I didn't."

"Buffy, pet, what are you going on about?"

Buffy turned to face him, distress evident all over her features. "I did what I had to do…what I thought I had to do, anyway." Buffy paused, contemplating her next words. "I turned you, Spike."

Spike stared at her in shock for a full minute while Buffy nervously fidgeted under his gaze. Misinterpreting Spike's look, she began pacing again. "I'm sorry," she cried as the tears started all over again before the babbling began. "I shouldn't have done it! I-I just didn't have time to think, and now you probably hate me, and I think maybe you should. I didn't know what else to do, and the only thing I thought of was the fact that I couldn't lose you, not yet, not like that. But I know you won't want to be near me any-"

Buffy was cut off by the weakened Slayer, summoning all his energy to smash his lips against hers. Pulling away, Spike looked deep into Buffy's eyes. "Luv, do us a favor and shut up, okay?" Buffy saw the smile playing on his lips and began to relax a little.

"I didn't know what else to do, Spike."

"I know," he said as he sat down in a nearby chair. "I'm happy you did it, Buffy. I just need a few minutes before I get used to it."

"Blood!" she practically yelled.

"What, luv?"

"Blood. You need blood to get your energy back. I'll be right back."

Spike smiled as Buffy nearly flew from the room as he leaned back in the chair, shutting his eyes.

'Well,' he thought. 'You got your wish, mate. Now you have to pull it together before she gets back or she'll think she did something wrong.'

Taking a few deep, unneeded breaths to calm down his jumbled emotions, he looked up to see Buffy entering the room with a mug in her hands.

"It might seem a little strange at first, but you get used to it."

Spike watched Buffy pace the room again as he drained the contents of the mug. It really wasn't that bad. Sitting it on a nearby table, he already felt a little stronger. At least he wasn't dizzy and disoriented anymore. Standing up, he made his way over to Buffy while her back was to him. Slowly wrapping his arms around her waist, he rested his head on her shoulder as they stared out the window in silence.

"Do you hate me?" she asked quietly.

Spike wasn't surprised by the question, but he still wasn't happy that she could think he would hate her.

"No, baby," he said soothingly. "I get to be with you forever. I could never hate you."

Buffy felt relief wash over her at his softly spoken words.

"Was it Cassidy?" he asked.

"You don't remember?"

"I remember feeling like a two by four crashed into my skull. After that, everything's a little bit hazy."

"Yeah…it was her. I tried to get to you, but I was too weak to get away. Cordy managed to help me while Angel held off the rest, and Cassidy was already gone by the time I got to you."

"So we find her," Spike said as he burrowed more into her shoulder.

"That's the plan. Angel and Cordy are planning to come to Sunnydale with us for a few days. I doubt Cassidy's the type to just walk away. Knowing that she left at least three of us standing has to be bugging her."

Spike nodded. "Strength in numbers then. Did you call Wes?"

Buffy stayed quiet for a minute before swallowing hard. "No, um, I couldn't…I didn't know what to tell him…I wasn't sure it had worked."

"You thought I died," Spike commented casually as Buffy snapped around to look at him.

"Don't sound so disappointed that you're standing here, Spike!"

"Buffy, I didn't mean it like that. I was just saying what I knew you were trying to say."

Buffy visibly calmed at the admission but still felt guilty. Spike gently tilted her chin up to look into his eyes. "Do you love me?"

Buffy looked at him incredulously. "How can you ask me that? Of course I love you. I've never loved anyone more, Spike."

"Just wanted to hear you say it, pet," he said with a smile as his lips descended to hers, brushing against them softly. "I love you, too," he whispered before deepening the kiss. Buffy wrapped her arms around Spike's neck, relaxing for the first time in hours. She felt the tension leave her body as he proceeded to reassure her with his gently probing kisses that she had done the right thing.

---

A few hours later, Buffy and Spike left the room and made their way down to the lobby of the hotel. Angel and Cordy sat behind the reception area, going through files as they came into view.

"So, he's up," Cordy said with a smile. "How are you feeling, Spike?"

"Like my blood was drained and I was hit by a truck."

"That about sums it up," Angel said, never looking up.

"What are you two working on?" Buffy asked, walking over and hopping up on the counter as they worked.

"I called Giles and told him what happened," Angel said. "He was able to get some older files about Cassidy from some contacts at the Watcher's Council."

"Anything useful?" Spike asked, leaning next to Buffy.

"Not really. She was captured about forty years ago and kept in a controlled area for experimental purposes."

"Like what?" Buffy asked.

"Testing her strengths," Cordy said. "Her reflexes. Up until about twenty years ago, she was used to train all the potential Slayers. They would have crossbows trained on her as she was fighting the potentials."

"Explains why she has such a hatred for Slayers," Spike replied.

"More like the Council," Buffy mumbled, picking up a file.

"You don't think she'd go back to England, do you?" Angel asked her.

"Not yet. I think that she considers us to be unfinished business. She's probably somewhere regrouping before she comes after us again."

"Yeah, she didn't seem to be much for the fighting," Cordy commented.

"Nope, she likes to sit by and watch everyone else do the work.  It's more fun if she can work her mind control and get what she wants," Buffy said. "So we catch up to her before she can find some more lackeys to do the work for her."

"And how do you propose we do that, luv?" Spike asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Bait," Buffy said, looking him right in the eye.

"I know you're not talking about yourself!" Spike exclaimed.

"Who else? She hates me, she knows I'm still standing, and she wants me to suffer. I don't see many other options, do you?"

"Buffy, I'm not risking you getting staked because some psycho Council experiment has it in her head to come after you!"

"You really don't have a choice, Spike."

"I bloody well do!"

"Buffy's right," Angel spoke up, watching the pair argue. "Cassidy will want to come after her, and chances are she's got some reserve vampires waiting in the wings to take her out. All we have to do is build our own reserves."

"Like who, Angel?" Cordy asked.

"We could find the new Slayer."

"That could take weeks," Spike said.

"No…I've got it!" Buffy said excitedly. "Spike, call Wesley, explain everything that's going on…but don't be dramatic about it. We don't want to give him a heart attack. Tell him to call Gunn and Fred and give them a vague description of what's going on. We'll get back to them later," she said as she jogged up the stairs. "You three work out some of the details- I'll be back down in an hour."

The three remaining looked at each other before each giving a shrug and returning to their work. With a heavy sigh, Spike picked up the phone and dialed his Watcher's number.

---

Plan B

The next day, the four met in the lobby again. Spike's conversation with Wesley had gone better than expected. He was obviously shocked that his Slayer was now a vampire, but surprisingly, he was happy with Buffy's decision to turn him. Spike had been shocked at the relief in his voice, but he shook it off.

"So when are we leaving for Sunnydale?" Angel asked as he gathered some weapons together.

"Whenever we find out if Cassidy is there."

"Hate to break it to you, pet, but if she is there, she's not going to walk up to Gunn and Fred and announce her presence," Spike replied. "How exactly are you planning on finding her?"

"I'd have to say whenever I pinpoint her location."

All four turned at the voice in the doorway before Buffy let out a squeal and went running for the woman standing there. "Willow!"

The women hugged for several minutes while the others watched. Buffy was the first to pull away. "You made it! I wasn't sure when I left that message yesterday if you got it, but here you are, and you look great, by the way."

Willow smiled at the friend she hadn't seen in years. "Of course I made it, Buff. Nobody messes with my best friend and gets away with it."

The two women walked toward the group where Willow and Cordy shared a friendly hug. "How've you been, Cordy?"

"Oh, you know, run a business, slay some demons…the usual. You?"

Willow laughed. "Not nearly as busy, but I'm good."

"Where's Tara ?" Buffy asked.

"She couldn't make it, but she sends her love," Willow said before turning to Angel. "Angel, it's been forever."

"Yeah…over ten years. I'm glad you've been doing okay."

"You, too," she said with a friendly smile before turning and facing the last man in the group. "And you must be the newest Slayer/vampire to our group. I'm Willow ."

"Nice to meet you, Red. Buffy's told me a lot about you."

"Really? I was beginning to think she had forgotten about me," Willow said, shooting a look at her friend. Buffy looked down sheepishly as Willow stared at her.

"So, you're going to help locate our troublesome vamp?" Angel asked.

"Yep. Normally I need something of hers for the locator spell, but we'll just have to make do. It may take a little longer, but we'll find her," she said as she began pulling objects out of her bag to begin the spell.

After several minutes of chanting, Willow stared at the map in front of her as a bright light began shining on it. "Yep, she's in Sunnydale…and it looks like she's not alone."

"How can you tell?" Spike asked, looking over her shoulder at the light.

"It's a lot brighter than it's supposed to be. It's also a little bit bigger, indicating she's planning something or assembling something."

"Great," Spike muttered. "So it's back to Sunnyhell then. Bloody priceless."

"I thought you wanted to go back?" Buffy asked.

"Not if Miss High and Mighty is assembling the troops, waiting for a massacre."

"Yeah, but you're forgetting something," Buffy said. "We have a secret weapon."

"And what's that, luv?"

"You," she said casually.

Spike raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Yeah, that's right," Angel agreed. "Cassidy took off before she saw that you were turned. She'll never be expecting you."

"Yep," Buffy said proudly before turning to Willow. "What about you, Will? You heading home now?"

"What? And miss my friend kick some serious butt? Not likely, missy."

Buffy smiled. "Great! Let's head out, then."

After the bags and weapons were loaded into Angel's convertible, Buffy snuggled into Spike's side. They were sharing the backseat with Willow and  some crossbows. Spike eagerly put his arm around Buffy and pulled her closer, kissing her temple. "I don't know if I like this, luv," Spike whispered as Angel started the car.

"Don't like what?"

"I don't want to risk losing you."

"You're not going to lose me, Spike. I can handle whatever she throws my way. Besides, I have you and the gang watching my back. Plus," she added, looking at Willow . "A mega-strong witch. So you see, nothing to worry about."

Spike clenched his jaw but didn't say anything else as they left the city.

---

Sunnydale

Two hours later, Angel pulled the car into the driveway of the mansion on Crawford street . He hadn't sold it after all these years, so it was decided that the group would stay there. They quickly unloaded the car and made their way into the front room of the mansion.

Buffy helped Willow set up her supplies as she prepared to do a location spell to pinpoint Cassidy's location. As Willow worked, Buffy watched Spike pace the length of the room. When he started to become distracting to everyone else, Buffy got up and led him out the front door. "Okay, spill it."

Spike resumed his pacing in front of her. "Something feels off, Buffy. I don't like this."

"Spike, we went over this no more than two hours ago. Everything will be fine-"

"Everything won't be soddin' fine!" he yelled. "Buffy, last time we went up against this chit and her minions, I died!"

Buffy stayed quiet for a minute as she stared at the ground. "And you're still here."

"Yeah, and that's turning out bloody wonderful," Spike said sarcastically. Buffy looked up at him with wide, watery eyes as he realized what he said. "Buffy, luv, I didn't mean it that way. I just-"

"Forget it," she said with a wave of her hand.

"Buffy, I-"

"No, i-it's okay. I understand."

"Then why won't you look at me?"

Buffy swallowed hard before looking up with a fake smile. "See, it's fine."

"Buffy, I just meant I haven't felt useful the past couple of days."

"I know," Buffy said as she nodded. "I, uh, I'm going patrolling."

"I'll go with you."

"No, it's not safe."

"And it's so safe for you, luv?"

"Spike, if Cassidy or one of her followers sees you, it will blow your cover. On the other hand, if they see me alone, it will get back to her that I'm back in town."

Spike clenched his jaw as he looked at her. "One hour."

"Okay," Buffy said with a genuine smile at his concern. Walking over to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a tender kiss good-bye. "I'll be back in an hour."

Spike nodded and watched her walk out of sight before turning and heading back in the house.

---

Buffy had been patrolling for forty-five minutes and had only staked one vampire, so she decided to call it a night. At least Spike would be happy that she would be early. Buffy turned and cut through the cemetery when she heard a noise behind her.

"Well, if it isn't the infamous Slayer."

Buffy turned around to face the large vampire behind her. "Do I know you?"

"Oh, no. Not yet. You see, we have a friend in common."

"If you're talking about Cassidy, we really don't."

"That's not the way she tells it. I hear the two of you did quite a bit of patrolling over the past few weeks."

"Yeah, the most thrilling nights of my life," Buffy said mockingly.

"Well, here's the thing," the vamp said as he advanced on her. "She has requested the honor of your presence. So if you wouldn't mind coming with me-"

"Well, thanks for asking so nicely," Buffy replied, her voice dripping with false delight at the request. "You see, the thing is, I don't really feel like walking into a lair and facing the end of my immortality, so if you don't mind, send her my regards."

Buffy had to smile at the look of confusion that crossed over the man's face before he shrugged. "Well, I preferred to do it this way anyway."

Buffy watched as he withdrew a gun from his pocket and aimed at her. Before she could react, two tranquilizer darts were shot into her stomach. Buffy swayed slightly, trying her hardest to remain upright and coherent, but found that she was fighting a losing battle. Before long, everything was black.

---

Buffy woke up, groggily trying to shake her head and clear it of the fog that resided. Focusing her eyes, she surveyed the tiny room she was in. A thick, metal door was directly in front of her, and the walls appeared to be all cement blocks. She could feel the shackles of heavy chains connecting her to a wall behind her. Coming to her sense a little more, Buffy noticed the two vampires standing to her left and immediately jumped to her feet.

Buffy scowled when she saw Cassidy standing next to the male vamp that had pulled the dart gun on her. "You know, if there's anything I hate worse than a cheater, it's someone who has to use toys to beat their opponent. Couldn't take me in a fair fight, huh?"

Buffy smiled as the man advanced on her, only to be interceded by Cassidy. "Well, Buffy," she said. "I wanted to be nice and ask you to come here, but you decided to play hardball."

"And you do realize that I have mobility in these shackles, right?" Buffy asked with a raised eyebrow. "You're not coming anywhere near me with a stake."

Cassidy smiled. "Don't need to. You see, we have that problem covered. I wanted to see you die, maybe not necessarily cause it, but I do want to see it. So, on the other side of that rather thick metal door is a sheet of mystical glass. I get to watch your horrible, gruesome death with no worries of you getting loose."

"And just what is my horrible, gruesome death going to consist of?" Buffy asked, still maintaining her confident disposition.

"Oh, did I forget to mention? I'm sorry, you see, it involves that."

Buffy looked up and felt a trickle of fear as she noticed the panes of glass about fifty feet above her that lined the ceiling of the room.

"You see," Cassidy continued. "In about two hours, I thought that meeting the sunrise would be a fitting end to the vampire with a soul. Maybe the same fate will meet Angel."

Buffy suddenly remembered her friends. They had to be looking for her. Willow must have done a locator spell on her, and they had to be on their way. Buffy watched as Cassidy shut the sliding door with a reverberating slam. She stared at the other vampire in the room, debating her options. She could feel her gag reflex when she decided on her best one.

"You know," Buffy said in a sickeningly sweet tone. "These cuffs are awfully tight. I guess there's no way you could loosen them a little bit?"

She saw the vamp swallow as she gave him a bright smile. "Um, no, there's, uh, there's really only the two positions."

Buffy nodded. "That's too bad. Listen, I didn't mean what I said about the tranquilizers earlier. I was just trying to get under her skin, you know?" Buffy leaned forward slightly and bit her bottom lip.

"Yeah," he said, getting closer to her to get a look down her shirt.

'God, you'd think after so many years of living, vamps would learn a thing or two about the opposite sex,' Buffy thought. Outwardly, she gave him a shy smile as he advanced on her. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor?"

"Sure," he said, sounding like an eager schoolboy.

'I really am going to throw up when I say this.'

"Well, it's just, I don't let myself get close to a lot of people," Buffy said, looking up at him through her lashes. "Physically, I mean. And I was thinking, since, well, I only have a few hours left, maybe you and I could…"

'Yep, here it comes- up-chuck reflex.'

"…get a little more intimate." Buffy breathed out a sigh as she was able to say it as provocatively as possible while still not choking.

"Well," he said. "I'd love to, it's just Cass-"

"And here I am, all chained to a wall and restricted."

'Okay, Buff,' she said to herself. 'Keep laying it on this thick, and I'll stake you myself.' As it was though, Buffy smiled as he got within touching distance of her. Buffy slowly reached out and ran her hands up the larger man's chest.

"Well, since it's your last request," he said. Buffy had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. As she felt his roaming hands harshly squeeze her butt, she felt rage fill her. In less than a second, she had a chain wrapped around his neck and jerked it towards her until she heard a satisfying snap.

"On second thought," Buffy said as she dropped the incapacitated vamp to the ground. "I don't think my boyfriend would like it very much," she said with false sweetness. Quickly rifling around in his pockets, Buffy made sure he was unconscious as she came across the key to the shackles and unlocked them. Rubbing her sore wrists, Buffy ran to the heavy door and pulled on it.

"Damn it," she said softly when it wouldn't budge.

"Buffy!"

Buffy spun around in a full circle as she heard her name.

"Buffy!"

" Willow ?"

"Yeah, Buff, it's me. Are you okay?"

"Where the hell are you?"

"At the mansion."

"Okay," Buffy replied. "Thoroughly confused now."

"Telepathic link. Now where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm okay, a little hazy from the drugs they gave me, but okay. I just got out of the restraints they had me in, but I think I'm trapped in a warehouse. Can't you do a spell or something?"

"Something's blocking it. I almost couldn't get through on the link. Spike's freaking out, by the way."

Buffy smiled at the casual tone of her friend. "Tell him I'm fine. Wills, I'm stuck in a room with a glass ceiling. Cassidy wants the joy of watching me go up in flames at sunrise. I need to get outta here!"

"Okay, we have a little longer than sunrise, before the sun reaches the top of the ceiling, unless there's windows in the room."

" Willow , if there was a window I could reach, don't you think I'd be through it by now?"

"Good point. Okay. Angel and Cordy are out looking for you right now. I'll get in touch with them, and we'll head to the warehouse district. Anything else you can tell me?"

"Um, heavy walls. Sliding metal door that leads into the main part of the building. Ceiling's about five stories up."

"Okay, we'll be there soon. Hopefully I can do a spell when we get there and get a better location on you."

"Okay, and be careful, Wills. I don't know how many vamps Cassidy has this time. I've only seen one, and he's currently paralyzed on the floor. Oh! Don't let them see Spike. She's still after me and Angel."

"Will do! We'll be there soon, Buff. Don't worry."

Buffy let out a sigh as she slid down the wall. Nothing to do now but sit and wait.

---

Rescue

Forty-five minutes later, Buffy was nervously hugging her knees and rocking back and forth on the hard floor. She was becoming increasingly edgy as the minutes ticked by. Hearing a noise, Buffy looked up and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Spike looking down at her. Holding up a hand to signal he'd be right back, Spike disappeared as Buffy stood up and anxiously rubbed her hands over her arms.

A minute later, the sound of glass shattering filled the room as Spike jumped through to land on the floor, close to Buffy. He held the end of a rope as he looked at Buffy with anger and love shining through in his eyes. "Tell me, luv. Is there a reason I shouldn't say 'I told you so'?" Before waiting for a response, Spike lunged at Buffy, pulling her close to leave a searing kiss on her lips.

Buffy felt the fatigue set in as Spike pulled away from her and went to check the rope. Feeling tears fill her eyes, Buffy wrapped her arms around Spike's waist, telling herself not to cry. Spike hesitated for a second before wrapping his arms around the woman he loved in a strong grip, burying his face in her hair. He breathed in her scent as he felt strong emotions come over him. "I almost lost you, baby," he said in a choked whisper. "I can't lose you!" Pulling away, Spike cupped her face in his hands. "I won't lose you!"

Buffy reached up to put her hands over his. "I'm still here."

"Another few hours and you wouldn't have been. What if Willow hadn't been here? What would we have done?"

"Spike," she said softly. "You can't say 'what if' to everything. You're here, and I'm okay. I'm okay," she repeated with a nod.

"We need to get out of here, luv."

"Yeah, where is everyone?"

"Angel and Cordy are standing watch about two buildings over. Willow's on the roof with Wesley. Gunn and Fred are across the street, making sure we don't get any company. We figured it was best if they got the closest position since they're not as recognizable."

"Okay. Do you have a stake on you?"

Spike pulled one out of his back pocket. "I'm guessing our unconscious friend on the floor did something you didn't like."

"Grabbed my ass, that's about it," Buffy said with a shrug.

Spike growled as he stalked over to the vamp and plunged the stake into his heart. Tossing the stake to Buffy as the dust settled, he walked back to the rope. "Right then. Ready to go?"

Buffy laughed as she grabbed the rope. "Now, Spike, that wasn't very nice. I was responsible for leading him on." Before waiting for a response, she began scaling the rope, laughing as she heard Spike growl again.

"And just what the bloody hell does that mean?" Spike asked as she got to the top of the rope.

Buffy swung her legs onto the roof and turned to look back at Spike, who was right behind her. "It means I had to use some feminine wiles to get what I wanted."

"And what, pray tell, would that be?" he asked as he pulled the rope up with him.

Buffy bit her lip as she walked over to Spike and seductively ran her hands over his abs and chest. "What do you think?" she asked suggestively. She laughed at the raised eyebrow he gave her in response. "It means I wanted the key to unlock those shackles. You don't trust me?"

"No," Spike said with a smile as he walked past her. "No more than I have to."

"Hey!" Buffy cried indignantly, smacking him on the shoulder as he passed. Spike laughed as she followed him to meet Willow and Wesley on the other side of the roof.

Buffy gave her friend a hug as she got close to her. "Thank you, Wills. I don't know what I would have done without you."

"Don't mention it. But I think it's time we got outta here. There's a lot of undead activity, and I don't really feel like facing them with just us. Strength in numbers, and all that."

"Yeah, I'm hoping we have weapons," Buffy replied.

"What do you take us for?" Wesley asked with a smile.

Buffy smiled and followed the others over to the ladder, built in to the side of the building. Spike headed down first, making the ten-foot jump from the end of the ladder to the ground below as he skillfully caught Willow and Buffy, taking the impact of their landings. "Sorry, Wes, you're on your own."

"Why, thank you," Wesley said as he jumped the remaining distance.

The three slowly made their way down the long row of buildings, seeing Angel and Cordelia up ahead as Gunn and Fred met up with them.

"You okay?" Angel asked Buffy as they got within hearing distance.

"Right as rain," Buffy said with a small smile. "So, what kind of weaponry are we talking about?"

Angel reached into a rolled-up blanket and extracted a sword, which he tossed to Buffy. Catching it in a firm hold, Buffy tested the weight and gave it a few practice swings. "Nice," she said with a nod of her head. "Wouldn't have said no to the rocket launcher, though."

"You have a rocket launcher, pet?" Spike asked as he saw the smiles on the girls' faces.

"Actually, it's been misplaced," Buffy said, looking sheepish.

"I think Giles has it," Willow spoke up.

Spike turned to Angel. "You wanna tell me, or should I guess?"

"Long story. Involves the time I turned evil and tried to rid the world of humanity. Buffy was there to stop the demon I assembled."

"Assembled? No, never mind. I don't want to know."

The group laughed as Spike began unloading a duffel bag. Tossing various weapons to his companions, Spike tucked away another stake for himself and straightened to his full height. "Well, kiddies, time to make an entrance."

---

Confrontation

Willow led the group to a side door of the factory. The rest stood watch as Willow did a spell to unlock the door while Spike stood further away, the shadows of the night concealing him from prying eyes. Buffy could hear his grumbling about not being the first to go in and had to smile.

As Willow got the door unlocked, she carefully opened it and let the others go in first. Giving Spike a nod, Willow followed them and quickly scaled a ladder to the balcony with Fred, wanting to have an advantage over Cassidy. Willow was busy performing a spell to counteract the thrall with Fred's help. Though Spike was immune to it now that he was dead, it could still cause trouble for the rest of the living members of the group. Spike slipped through the door and stayed close to the wall of the tiny hallway.

"Okay, anyone see Cassidy?" Buffy asked as they looked at more than fifty vampires milling around the main floor. Most were napping or playing cards while a few walked the perimeter of the building.

"I don't think she's in this part of the factory, luv," Spike whispered.

"Makes sense. I don't think she'd want to lower herself to talking to her workers. As long as they take orders, she's probably holed up in a more luxurious setting," Buffy commented.

"I don't think anything in this neighborhood would be considered luxurious," Cordy said, wrinkling her nose.

"Second," Gunn agreed with a nod.

The group froze as a vampire walked by the small entrance. Before he could turn and check the hallway, the blade of Buffy's sword flew through the air, turning him to dust before he knew what happened. Buffy looked up at Willow, who was ten feet above them, and received a thumbs up that they hadn't been noticed.

"Okay, guys. I think we're just gonna have to jump in and do this," Buffy said, looking at the group.

At her nod, Angel and Cordy followed her out of the hall, and each immediately were thrown into a fight. Gunn, Fred, and Wesley took the opposite end of the building as Spike watched, frustrated that he couldn't come out of the shadows. He kept a careful eye on his friends, but his attention was focused on Buffy as she fought.

'If she gets in trouble, sod the plan,' he thought as he gritted his teeth and watched Buffy elegantly swing the sword at two vampires. As the group began to thin to two dozen vampires, Spike saw a door swing open to his left. He watched as Cassidy emerged and felt like his jaw was going to break as he held himself back from attacking her himself.

"Well, this is a surprise," Cassidy said as she watched the group attack her minions. The remaining dozen quickly made their way over to their leader as Cassidy stared at Buffy. "I'll give you credit- I never thought you would escape, but now that you have, you shouldn't have come back."

"Go shove it, honey. I don't run away from a fight," Buffy replied with a falsely sweet smile.

"Oh," Cassidy replied. "So that's why you ran away to L.A."

Buffy smile broadened at Cassidy's weak attempts to get under her skin. "Everyone needs a vacation."

"You don't seem too upset that your lover died."

Buffy shot a quick glance at Spike's hiding place, giving a small smile as she saw him smirk and wink at her. "What can I say," Buffy said with a shrug. "You win a few, you lose a few."

The six quickly rushed the group of vamps as Cassidy stood stunned at the words that came out of Buffy's mouth. Buffy watched as Spike came up from behind and staked two vamps before they knew he was there. As the group dwindled, Spike staked another as Buffy fought off four, and the others quickly worked on disbanding another three.

Tapping Cassidy on the shoulder, she turned and was met with a fist to the jaw. Cassidy quickly got to her feet and stood in shock as she stared at Spike. "You're dead."

"You're a clever one, pet," Spike said as he hit her again. "I could have staked you already, but I wanted to make sure you knew it was me that was turning you to dust. Kind of poetic, don't you think?"

Cassidy began to fight back as Spike landed a kick to her side. Feeling someone come up behind him, he turned and began fending off another vampire. Quickly staking him, Spike turned to face Cassidy again and looked around the room, confused that she wasn't there. Catching a glimpse of movement, Spike turned and saw Cassidy holding Buffy with a knife to her throat. Running over to the pair, Spike heard the anger in Buffy's voice. "That won't kill me."

"No," Cassidy said. "Maybe not, but it will incapacitate you long enough for me to stake you. Or I could simply keep cutting until you're dust. Which do you prefer?"

Spike rushed them as Cassidy pulled a stake out of her pocket and held it to Buffy's heart. "Uh uh, Spike. You don't want me to do something impulsive now, would you?"

Spike stared at Buffy, who looked up to the next level and gave a brief nod.

"Separate!"

Spike heard Willow 's voice and smiled as Buffy and Cassidy were propelled twenty feet apart. Spike rushed to Cassidy, not wanting her to get away again, and landed a level kick to her head as he brought his stake out and plunged it into her heart. "How's that for dramatic irony," he said to her shocked face just before she exploded into dust. Rising from his kneeling position, he brushed off his hands and turned to face the group. Frowning when he saw Buffy still laying on the floor, Spike ran over to her.

"Buffy, are you-" Spike cut himself off as the blood pooled on the floor around her. "Buffy!" At Spike's shout, the others ran over to the couple. Spike gently raised her head and saw the gash that covered more than half her neck. "Buffy! Answer me, baby!"

"Spike, we need to get her out of here," Cordy said gently from behind him.

He heard Willow gasp as she came up behind them. "Oh goddess! The knife must have gotten her anyway. I'm so sorry," she cried as tears streamed down her face.

"Okay!" Angel shouted. "Everything is going to be okay- she just needs blood." Turning to Willow , he continued, "Willow, I need you to go get some blood. It'll help her heal faster. We need to-" Angel cut himself off as he noticed everyone staring behind him.  He turned to see a semi-conscious Buffy propped up by Spike and sinking her teeth into his neck. Everyone watched entranced at the intimate display as Buffy sucked hungrily on his neck, taking in several swallows of blood before slowly pulling away and reverting back to her human features.

Spike breathed unneeded gulps of air as he pressed his forehead to hers. "You're going to be okay, baby," he said in a weakened voice.

"Spike, you shouldn't have done that-"

"Shhh," he whispered, looking into her eyes. "I'll be fine."

Buffy watched groggily as Spike took off his duster and ripped the long sleeve off the shirt he was wearing. Folding it over, Spike pressed it against Buffy's neck and held it in place.

"Come on, guys. Let's go," Cordy said, helping Spike to his feet and bracing him between Wesley and herself as Gunn helped Angel pick up Buffy.

Once they were all safely in the car, Buffy snuggled closer to Spike, even though she was sitting in his lap. "I love you," she mumbled as her eyes closed.

Spike wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he kissed the top of her head. "I love you, too. Get some rest, luv." Spike smiled as she burrowed closer to him and yawned. A minute later, as Buffy drifted off to sleep, Spike pulled the cloth away from her neck to inspect the damage and breathed a sigh of relief that it was already starting to heal. Putting the fabric back in place, he wrapped his arms around her. "You're going to be just fine, luv."

---

Together

Buffy slept through much of the day and into the night. Spike woke her up in separate intervals to make sure she was okay and give her some blood. She was exhausted after being kidnapped, fighting, and getting injured, but she was strong. Spike stayed in the room with her while Willow and Cordy brought them blood. Now, as Spike lay next to Buffy, he watched her begin to stir from her sleep before sleepily opening her eyes. "Hey there, sleepy head," he said softly.

"Hey," Buffy replied in a hoarse voice.

"How are you feeling, luv?"

"Like I had my throat slit."

Spike smiled at her mild attempt at humor. "You're going to be fine, luv. The wound's already closed."

"Compliments of the Slayer/vampire healing package. Super-speedy recovery time."

"Yeah," Spike mumbled as he gently brushed her hair off her face. "It's over. Nothing to worry about anymore."

Buffy sighed. "There's always something to worry about…but at least Cassidy's out of the way."

"And we're together."

"And we're together," Buffy repeated with a smile.

"So what now, baby? Move back into your place?"

"You want to live with me?"

"Well…I've thought about it…and considering I'm stuck with you for eternity, I figured we might as well learn to live in the same place-" Spike broke off as Buffy's lips assaulted his. Wrapping his arms around her small waist, Spike pulled her closer as they devoured each other. Breaking away, Spike tenderly tucked a long strand of hair behind Buffy's ear. "I'm here, baby. For the long haul. I'm not leaving, and I'm not letting you leave again."

"So what's the final verdict? Did you kill her?"

"You know it, luv," Spike said with a smile.

"Everyone's okay?" she asked. "Everyone got out alright?"

"Yep, all safe and accounted for. Willow's hanging around for a couple of days. Cordy and the poof-"

"Angel," Buffy corrected with a smile.

"Right…him…they're heading back to Los Angeles in a few days. They wanted to make sure you're okay. Oh, and you wanna know the weird thing? Gunn and Fred are going with them."

"What?"

"Yeah, apparently the…Angel…was impressed with Gunn's fighting the other night and offered him a job in the agency."

"How does Fred fit in?"

"She's the brains. Works out prophecies, does some research, things that are right up her alley."

"But what about her helping out Wesley?"

"Wesley's not a Watcher anymore, luv," Spike replied. "A new Slayer is being tracked down, and Wes is technically retired. He's still got the store."

"But they're your friends, Spike. Won't you miss them?"

Spike shrugged. "Sure I'll miss them, but I'll have you." Buffy giggled as he pulled her into his lap. "Besides, they'll only be two hours and a freeway away."

"That's true," Buffy said with a smile as he kissed her neck.

At the knock on the door, both turned to see the entire group standing in the doorway. "Sorry to interrupt," Angel said.

Buffy smiled at her friends. "Hey, guys. Sorry I've been so out of it."

"Well, I think we can forgive you, what with having your throat cut and all," Fred replied with a smile.

"We have some more news on Cassidy," Wesley said.

Buffy and Spike both froze. "But she's dead. I staked her myself," Spike said as he stared at the older man.

"Yes, but I'm talking about her," Wesley replied as he handed a file to the couple. Buffy and Spike flipped through it as Wesley continued, "Her name's not even Cassidy. It was changed when she was turned, much like Angel's was. Her real name was Rose, and she was the typical vampire until she was captured by the Council. Unfortunately, they were not the only ones to do the studying- Cassidy studied them as well. She learned a lot of tricks of the trade while she was imprisoned, including the magic she would need to perform to put someone under a mild thrall. Since she only tested this when she escaped, Spike was her next target."

"But since she was an amateur, she was never able to build the advanced skills to completely entrance him," Buffy said with a nod of understanding.

Spike glared at her. "I already told you that's what happened, luv."

"I know," she said with a smile. "But it's nice to hear if from a different source, that's all."

"Anyway," Wesley continued. "Before she got to Sunnydale, she used another trick she picked up, which was to perform a glamour and appear as Spike's true love."

"The doppelganger effect," Buffy said with a smile to Spike.  "That means, it's me!  I'm your true love."

"You just now figuring this out, luv?" Spike asked with an amused look.  Buffy silenced him with a quick kiss.

"And because glamour's are easy to perform, she was able to keep the spell going with a simple charm," Willow broke in. "When the charm breaks, she would have returned to her natural looks. Which explains why she never appeared as herself, because the charms are hard to come by."

"But after she knew we were looking for her, why would she still be walking around looking like me?" Buffy asked.

"Guess she wanted you to find her, pet," Spike said.

"Well, that's not too bright," Buffy mumbled.

"No one ever said she was bright, luv."

"So that's it?" Buffy asked. "A few magic tricks, a few lies, and her vampire minions, and that was her big plan?"

"Apparently," Wesley said. "She was probably planning on returning to England and killing off members of the Council, but she never got that far."

"How did you find this, Wes?" Buffy asked, referring to the file of information in her hand. "Did the Council actually get off their butts and help you for once?"

"No, Mr. Giles was kind enough to do a little digging for us. He heard you might be in danger and was more than happy to lend his services."

Buffy smiled. "That's Giles alright. Always comes through."

"Well, we'll let you get some more rest," Wesley said as he ushered everyone out the door. "We'll see you when you're feeling better."

"Thanks for the help, Wes. Couldn't have done it without you. Without any of you," Buffy added as she smiled at her friends.

"Anytime," Wesley said as he shut the door.

Buffy turned to face Spike and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. "I'm thinking it's time for a vacation," she said as she pulled away to stare into his deep blue eyes.

"Where to, baby?"

"I don't know. Nowhere too sunny," she said with a smile. "I was thinking maybe a trip to England ."

Spike smiled. "That can be arranged."  Spike flipped Buffy to land underneath him, smiling at the giggle that erupted from her.  Leaning down to leave a searing kiss on her lips, Spike pulled back to look in her eyes, "You're mine, Buffy."

"Yours," Buffy finally agreed with a smile.

 

The End?

Note: Well, that's it.  I'm sorry to see this story end, it was a lot of fun to write, but hopefully I got them where they needed to go.  I don't have any immediate plans for a sequel, but you never know, maybe in the distant future.  I have a few ideas I could use, that would need to be fleshed out to make a productive story, but only time will tell.  Big thanks to Allison and everyone who read and reviewed (especially those who reviewed)!  I hope you liked it!

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