Title: Father Knows Best (Chapter Four of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: A surprise visitor drops in on the Windsor's Christmas festivities. But why is he there? And who knows the real reason? How will the Scoobies handle his return?



Father Knows Best





"O. Oz?" Xander stood, staring at the man standing next to Buffy in the entryway. "That you, man?"

He took a step forward as Willow's head turned in what seemed to be slow motion, her eyes wide and shocked. "Yeah, hey, long time," Oz answered, smiling softly at the group sitting in front of him.

"I see the wolf man's back in town," Anya commented, looking out into the living room and munching on a celery stick.

Giles snagged the waist of her skirt, pulling her back into the kitchen. "He is, dear. Let's just let them catch up a moment before we bombard him, shall we?" He muttered, turning towards Spike. "Does he know why he's here? Or, at least, why you invited him?"

"Yeah, why did you?" Anya asked, leaning her hip against the counter and staring at Spike curiously.

Spike shot Anya an eye rolling glare, then turned his attention on the Watcher. "Actually, contacted him for help with the Bronze, but yes, filled him in on my little idea."

"What idea?" Anya whined, completely frustrated that the other two seemed to know what was going on and all she knew was that there was a Werewolf in the living room with the Witches, the demon, the Slayer and the regular old guy.

"And Willow? Tara?" Giles asked, ignoring her glare for the moment and continuing his interrogation of his surrogate son-in-law. "Have you filled them in?"

The Vampire sighed, leaning down and opening the oven. He grabbed the pan absently, nearly dropping it before shoving it back to the edge of the door and shaking his thoroughly singed hand. "Bloody, sodding, stupid."

"Turkey?" Anya snarked, rescuing the bird and pulling it to the range top while simultaneously shoving Spike's hand into the sink and running water over the burn. "Idea?" She asked again, raising an eyebrow.

"Thought Buffy and I'd have a sit down with the birds and Oz and suss things out. Possible course of action, and all that rot. 'Course, I need to find a moment to fill in Buffy." Spike began, still whimpering at the feel of the cold water on his mottled skin.

"You haven't told Buffy?" Giles gasped, shaking his head.

Spike smiled slyly. "Didn't know if he'd actually show until I got to the Bronze last night. Bit preoccupied after that, Mate."

The Watcher blushed. "Spare me the details. Please."

"What.Idea!?" Anya finally snapped, pulling Spike's hand from the water and wrapping it in a clean dish cloth. As she wrapped it, she put just a little too much pressure on the singed bits.

"Ow," Spike whined, snatching his hand away.

Her eyebrow rose, grabbing his hand again. "Vengeance demon. All about the torture. Start singing, hot Vampire man."

Giles and Spike both raised an eyebrow at that. "You know," she continued. "Hot, like oven burned hot." They still stared. She sighed. "Aw, Rupie. You know I love you."

"I know dear," he commented, leaning back against the wall. "Tell her your idea, Spike."

"Yeah," another voice said from the dining room entrance to the kitchen. Buffy leaned against the frame, staring at the three inside. "This I'd like to hear." ~~~~~

Willow stood, her eyes still as wide as saucers. "Oz. you. you're back. When? Why?" She stuttered. Tara watched her, torn between curiosity and jealousy. It had been a long time since she didn't know what was going on in her lover's mind.

Oz came slowly into the living room, scanning the occupants as if the entire world had changed in the time he had been gone. It had and it hadn't. Everyone was a little older, a little more. settled. But they looked the same. Willow was just as cute as she always had been. Xander still had the same goofy charm, even if he had picked up a few pounds.

He looked at the quiet, pretty girl sitting on the floor watching Willow. That was her. Oz hadn't had much of a chance to notice her the first time they met, what with the sudden bloodlust. Hopefully, the forgiving nature that they had seemed to extend to Spike might flow his way as well. Willow had always had good taste, Oz mused. The shy one turned to look at him, desperation and a tinge of anger in her pretty eyes. "Spike found me. He needed some help with some. stuff. I figured, hey, nothing better to do. Why not cruise back to Sunny Hell for the holidays," Oz answered, watching Tara's face relax just a bit. "I really hope you don't mind."

"No," Willow said quickly. She turned again looking at Tara. "No," she said again softly. "Um, Oz."

Oz looked at her compassionately. "Spike filled me in," he began again, nodding. "This must be Tara. Sorry our last meeting wasn't quite. um, you know, civil."

He extended his hand toward the woman and she rose to her feet, long skirt brushing against her ankles gracefully. "H.Hi. No. no problem. I. I understand."

"Hi," Oz answered a charming smile on his face. 'It's nice to formally meet you. You're as lovely as Spike said."

"Spike said she was lovely?" Willow asked, furrowing her brow.

Oz chuckled. "In a completely Buffy-whipped sort of way," he answered, making both women smile.

Xander cleared his throat, bringing their attention back to him and breaking the awkward moment. "Lot's changed since you've been gone, Oz."

"So I've heard," Oz commented, looking down at the couch. "Pretty baby," he said, leaning down to stroke the girl's cheek.

"This is my wife, Takina," Xander began. The beautiful woman wedged a hand free from under the baby and found Oz's.

"Nice to meet you," she said, her full red lips spreading into a warm smile. Oz couldn't help but notice how incredibly pretty she was. Xander had done well for himself. "This is our daughter River," she continued.

"Wow," Oz joked. "Who'd a thought you could have such a pretty kid?"

Xander punched his arm, chuckling. "Got lucky."

"Seems so," the wolf answered, scanning the room again. "Heard there is a lot of the reproducing thing going around."

"Really," Willow sighed, happy that all of her friends had settled into family life, but acutely aware of the fact that it was the one thing missing from her relationship with Tara. "Have you seen Buffy's kids yet? I think they're downstairs with Dawn. um, Buffy's kid sister. Not sure if. nevermind." Tara settled back down on the floor in front of the couch.

Oz shook his head, a look of confused wonder on his face. "I just. ya know, I'm having a lot of trouble with the whole Buffy has kids, bit."

"It's the 'with Spike' part that got me," Xander added, smiling ruefully.

"What's up with that?" Oz asked, settling into the arm chair. Xander flopped back down on the couch. Willow stood a minute longer while the shock died down, and then lowered herself next to Tara, taking her hand.

"Spike has. Spike has changed," Willow answered. "A lot."

"No more blood-sucking, evil, Big Bad?" The Werewolf asked, a smile breaking on his face. Tara giggled.

"More like diaper changing, dog walking, evil fighting, handyman," Xander answered, hating to admit it. Even if he managed to get along with Spike, even *like* him sometimes, there would always be room for condescending humour. It's what made their relationship bearable.

"He's really nice," Tara said softly. "And he loves Buffy. And. and their kids."

Oz nodded. "I got that impression," he said, reflecting Tara's softness. "He told me about them for about an hour when he called for help with his present. I can't believe they have a five year old. Wow. Weird."

"You're telling me," Xander said. "So, just in town for the old Spikey surprise and a little holiday visit, or do you have other plans?"

A sly smile broke on Oz's face. "I think I may stay a little while. We'll see." He looked at Willow and her lover, watching the way they held hands. The gentleness that surrounded them both. It was nice. Comforting. "Seems I may be of assistance here." ~~~~~

"So," Buffy asked, walking the rest of the way into the kitchen. Giles backed against the wall, out of her way. Anya smiled smugly. Didn't matter how, she just wanted an answer.

Spike looked at Buffy a moment, tiny frame still managing to be imposing as she walked towards him. "Pet, I think you'll approve of what I have to propose."

Buffy stopped, smirking. "Your plans. not of the good."

"This one is not that bad," Giles interjected, trying to save Spike from the third degree. The glance Buffy shot his way was enough to convince him that Spike was a full grown. Vampire and could handle himself.

"Spill," Buffy continued, reaching her target. As she stared him down, she took his burnt hand into hers, unwrapping the cloth and sizing up the wound. Second degree. Nice blisters. She reached into the cabinet next to her and grabbed some antiseptic and gauze, tending to the burn as she stared at him angrily. Spike had to smile. Girl was full of dichotomies. With one hand she'd kill you and the other she'd save your life.

"Right then," Spike said, watching her eyes as she worked on his hand. "The birds have a little problem."

"What problem?" Anya interrupted, backing up against Giles and feeling his arms wrap around her waist. She sighed, instantly becoming docile at his touch. Another one full of opposites. No wonder they got along so well now.

Buffy taped gauze over his hand. "Not sure I follow," she said, stowing the first aid supplies and hopping onto the counter. Spike turned towards her, positioning himself between her knees, his hands absently stroking over the outer parts of her thighs. Even that made Giles blush. Made Anya want to find a room.

"Look around you, Pet. What does everyone have that they don't?" Spike asked, watching the wheels working in Buffy's head. Feeling her mind inside his, searching for the answer.

A light bulb went off. Slayer was quick, Spike thought. "Kids?" She gasped.

He nodded. "Cupie doll to the prettiest girl in the house," Spike joked, letting his lips brush her fingertips.

"Hey!" Anya exclaimed, offended. She stomped her foot. "What am I, chopped liver?"

"Darling, it's all relative," Giles comforted, squeezing her tighter to him. "Personally, although it would be quite a close contest and such things matter not to."

"Shut up, Rupert," Spike complained, turning back towards Buffy. "We both know that they want to have a family. Think they'd be good at it, really. Also know that they'd rather have their own lot than adopt."

Buffy followed him with her eyes, part of her agreeing and part of her really concerned that what he had in mind might backfire painfully. "Takina has talked to them about artificial.. Spike, I don't know."

"What fun is that?" He asked, mostly serious but partly just to get a rise from her. As if on cue, Buffy slapped his shoulder, a grin spreading across her face. "Might as well get the package deal," he continued, warranting another swat. That one hurt a bit more.

She sat on the counter, lost in thought. It really *wasn't* a terrible idea, but Willow had changed quite a bit since then. Ok, completely. "Spike, you know that she, those they."

"Not big on the penis," Anya interjected. Giles gasped, almost involuntarily. Would have thought he'd have been used to that by now, Spike thought. "I mean, not everyone likes the penis. Personally, I am quite fond of."

"Anya," Giles said, obviously forcing himself to be calm. "Please don't say penis again."

"But the point stands," Buffy commented. "Or the tip."

Spike chuckled at her little joke, kissing her chin. "S'up to them, Love. But I thought, of anyone, they'd be most comfortable with him. If not, then maybe he can just supply a little donation."

"What makes you think *they* would want him to be the father?" Buffy asked, tilting her head to study her lover.

He sighed. "Well, you know them better than I, Pet, but it seems to me, they'd want him to be someone they know. Not like they've really expanded their circle of friends above the age of five since your cheerleader days. Don't think Takina'd been too fond of Xander offering his services and didn't think you'd love the idea of me offering mine, not to mention that there's no guarantee it would work. What with the whole prophesied One bit. Think I'm only meant for you."

She grinned, letting her knees hug against his sides. "No Spike services. No service of Spike. No." Buffy chanted, wagging her head. "There will be no Vampire loaning program."

"What about Rupie? He has sperm," Anya contributed, turning her head to look up at her mate.

His eyes grew wide and embarrassed. "Anya?"

"What?" She whined, studying him. "Randy's a healthy, studly little guy."

Buffy had to giggle at that one. Spike just watched in amusement. Always fun to watch the Watcher get his knickers in a twist. "It would be. wrong. She. she's like a daughter to me."

"It is kind of. ewww," Buffy said, crinkling her nose. "Sorry, Giles."

"No apology needed," he corrected, looking at her briefly before turning his gaze back to Anya. "That is not an option."

Anya sighed. "Fine, fine. More sperm for me."

Spike had to turn away to avoid giggling like a kid. Buffy bit her lip to stop chuckling. "I mean, I guess we could talk to them about it. Or get them to talk. But, I mean. isn't this kind of sticking our nose in where it doesn't belong?" Buffy asked, catching Spike's gaze in hers.

"Suppose so, Pet," Spike answered, sighing again. "Just know that's what they want. They've been talking bout it since Emma. Thought maybe it was time for someone to nudge them in the right direction, is all. Up to them. Completely. But I thought."

Buffy looked at him, watching his face. He really was trying to help them. It was thoughtful, and sweet, even if it was a little boundary pushing. It wasn't like he was forcing them. Just giving them another option. Not really *that* bad an idea. Softly, she smiled. "It was a good thought, Spike," she whispered, raising his chin so that his eyes met hers. His were soft, gentle, and full of love.

"Just want them to be as happy as we are," he said quietly. Then, realizing what a giant sap he had become in front of others, he corrected himself. "With the demon killing and fighting on the side of the right and protecting and grr.," Spike growled.

Buffy chuckled. "I'll help you talk to them later. But we have to leave it to them. No pushing."

"Hadn't planned to, Pet," he answered, his voice becoming soft again, his mouth brushing hers.

"Can I be sick?" Dawn asked, coming into the kitchen, a niece and nephew clinging to each leg and Randy balanced on her hip. "When's dinner? The brats are whining."

"And here I thought it was your job," Buffy joked, jumping off the counter. "Round 'em up. We're ready."

To be contd.

Title: Between Us (Chapter Five of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Christmas dinner at the Windsor's is winding down, but there are a few things left to discuss. Buffy and Spike find a moment to sit down and launch Spike's well-meaning plan. The others decide to leave them to it. A visitor comes to Sunnydale, but what are her intentions? Are they voluntary? Spike and Buffy coerce Dawn into staying with the kids while they patrol, but this might be another long night.

Between Us

"And that, my friends, was an excellent meal," Xander sighed, leaning back into his chair and pushing an empty pie plate out in front of him. Takina laughed, patting his belly with one hand.

"Looks like one you're going to pay for," Takina smiled. Xander groaned. She'd been forcing him to go the gym. If he was going to fight demons with Buffy, he needed to be fit. More than that, she loved him and didn't want him to have a heart attack at forty. Xander looked at her and smiled, draping his arm over the back of her chair.

"All right. Forty lashes on the treadmill," he agreed, making her pretty smile broader.

"Now that's love," Oz commented.

Buffy scanned the table. "Anyone for seconds? Uh, I mean, thirds? Or fifths or something?" She collected empty plates, Spike standing immediately to help her out.

"Couldn't eat another bite," Giles moaned, leaning back. "It was wonderful, dear," he commented to Anya.

Anya smiled brightly. "Spike did most of it, but thanks."

Oz shot a glance. "He cooks too? What happened to you, man?" The wolf's face was torn between shock and pleased amusement.

Buffy shot a look at Spike. Spike had this odd mix of embarrassment and pride in his eyes. She decided to answer for him. "Necessity. I . well, I ."

"She burns macaroni," Dawn contributed. "And I'm not much better. So, if they want Will and Emma to grow up on something more good for them than cereal and hot dogs, Spike had to step up."

"Dude," Oz chuckled. "Anything you don't do?"

Spike thought for a moment, searching for the proper remark. "Not that I can think of."

Buffy had to laugh. "Um, hello, black jeans all over the floor. Oh, and let's talk fashion sense. You have barely changed your style since Billy Idol. That was what, like when I was three? And how about the whole."

Spike silenced her by pressing his lips against hers, feeling her melt under the touch of his skin to hers. She stood, barely holding onto the stack of plates in her hand. As he pulled away, he grinned. "S'quite enough from you, Pet. Or have you changed your mind about dessert?"

Buffy looked at him for a second, blinking. She knew either way she'd get whatever she wanted, but she wanted this badly. Last night had set a fire in her again. Not that it ever really went anywhere. But she couldn't get enough. "Ummm, sundaes," she hummed.

"Then be nice, Love." A wicked grin broke on his face as he took the stack of plates from her and sauntered away, his walk as delicious as the rest of him.

Buffy turned back to the table, flushed. "Plates?"

~~~~~



Buffy sat at the table. Her body was tense, nervous, one hand wrapped around a mug of cocoa and one wrapped in Spike's, laying across his thigh. This was a conversation they had decided to have in relative privacy. Takina and Xander had to leave, as they needed to visit Takina's sister's family. It hadn't even occurred to Buffy that she might have a family. It didn't seem that the rest of the . non-humans of the bunch still did. But then again, nothing should really surprise Buffy about the humanity of certain demons anymore.

Giles, Anya, Dawn and Cyrus had taken the rest of the kids downstairs. Xander and Spike had made a sort of guest room, living room combination in the basement, as they were running out of places to put people. It had a TV and toys, a bed and a bathroom. Actually, Dawn had sort of adopted it as her room so that she didn't have to kick Emma out of the room to which she had grown accustomed. Even on nights like last night, when the basement room was taken, Dawn usually just climbed in with Emma rather than kick her back into the spare bed in Will's room. She was good about that.

Tara and Willow sat directly across from Buffy and Spike, mirroring their positions. Each holding a mug in one hand and each other with the spare. Oz sat at the head of the table, looking at both sets of them awkwardly. He'd been willing to hear Spike out, and thought he owed Willow at least the opportunity to say yes or no on her own before nixing the idea himself. When he'd asked Spike about the possibility of him passing on the wolf, Spike had only laughed. Not a one of the litters was human, he explained. Their own being half vampire. River part demon. Randy the son of a fully activated Vengeance demon. What was a little wolf in their henhouse?

"Wh. What is it you wanted to talk about, Buffy?" Willow asked, her eyes a little nervous. The air was full of tension. Willow automatically assumed something bad was coming. It usually was when Buffy and Spike were all serious and hadn't kissed in at least twenty minutes. The apocalypse must be coming. again.

"Um," Buffy began. "I. I'm not sure where to start."

"Want me to give it a go, Pet? Not fair you get stuck 'splaining my idea," Spike interrupted, squeezing her hand. Buffy looked him, her eyes nervous and unsure. Slowly, she nodded.

"Your idea, Spike?" Tara asked. She'd always trusted the Vampire. Even before Buffy had. But his plans were not always the best thought out.

"Yeah," Spike answered softly, turning his attention to the two women across the table. "And you don't have to do a thing about it. Wanna make that clear up front. Just trying to help, is all."

Willow studied him for a moment, concern watching her features. "What idea, Spike? What's wrong?"

"No. Nothing's wrong," Buffy interjected. "Actually, it's not. it's one of his better plans."

Spike smirked at her, nodding his head. "And I am ever so grateful for the ringing endorsement, Pet," he quipped.

"Look," Oz sighed, getting the attention of the whole group. "Any way you put this, it's going to be awkward up front. But I wouldn't have come here if I didn't think that Spike was trying to help. I'd have no reason to think you'd want me around. And maybe you don't. But, Will, I owe it to you. and to Tara. to at least give you that option."

"What option?" Willow said, swinging her gaze back to Spike.

Spike shifted in his chair. For all his bravado and ability to melt small Slayers in a single kiss, he was uncomfortable talking about this. Still, he took a breath and began. "Know you've been pining over the fact that . Well. since Buffy and I had Emma, you've been talking about."

"Kids," Buffy completed, trying to bail him out. Really, she was no more comfortable, but it wasn't quite right to leave him foundering. Kind of like watching him get his butt kicked. Fun on one level, but she could only let it go on so long.

"Not sure I understand," Tara said, her voice soft. Her gaze flitted between Buffy and Spike and Oz and Willow like a butterfly searching for the right petal.

Spike sighed again, searching for the words. "What I had thought, and I know that I'm sticking my nose in where it doesn't belong, but you birds have done a lot to help Buffy and me. I guess." He paused, regaining his thought. "Don't want to see you feeling like you're missing out. If you want something, go for it. Least that's always been my theory."

Buffy chuckled, squeezing Spike's fingers. "Uh, that's an understatement."

He smirked at his love again before turning back to the girls. "What I'm trying to say is that while I was talking to Oz here about helping me out with Buffy's Christmas present, I got to thinking that you might. this might be. an. option for you."

"An option?" Willow asked, furrowing her brow and staring at the Vampire. Suddenly, a light bulb went off and her face flushed, her cheeks turning as red as her hair. Tara watched her, catching on a moment later.

"You. you think that." Willow stuttered. "That I? That we?"

"Nothing as presumptuous as that, Pet," Spike answered. "What you do or don't do is none of Buffy's and my business. But I know you want a tot. And I know that you'd rather produce your own rather than adopt, if possible. And I know that you'd rather it be with someone you know. Someone you trust. Since Harris is a bit out of the picture now, not that I can understand why anyone would want to reproduce with that git."

Buffy nudged him hard enough with her knee that he nearly toppled off the chair. "And as annoying as he can be, I kinda like Spike all to myself. And Giles."

"Ewwwww," Willow groaned. "No. no. ewwww. Spare me the visual."

Spike recovered his balance. "So, I thought that Oz might be another option for you, is all. Handle it anyway you like."

"Spike, if you haven't noticed, we sort of. Gay now," Willow retorted, trying to wrap her mind around this. Anger was the first thing she felt. Anger that they would intrude on their lives. But in a way, Spike was right. They needed to fish or cut bait. They wanted a child of their own, but hadn't ever really discussed it. Just always got too. squicky.

"We don't have to sleep together," Oz said quietly. "I don't want either of you to be uncomfortable. I mean, I'm not here to get in between the two of you."

It took a second for that one to settle in before Spike had to bite his lip to avoid chuckling. He turned his face away, only to see Buffy with her eyes squeezed shut and her teeth firmly buried in her bottom lip, trying not to laugh at an inappropriate and inadvertent joke. But when a soft, lyrical giggle rose up from the other side of the table, they couldn't stop. It had surprised Spike at first that it was Tara that had found the remark too funny to resist, but he was glad it had broken the tension. Before long, all five of them were laughing so hard that tears were streaming down their faces. It hadn't been *that* funny. But it had served to release some of the tension in the air.

"I really didn't mean it that way," Oz muttered over the laughter. He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand. "All I meant was that there are other ways to go about it. I mean, if you are even serious about this. If you even want. me.involved."

The laughter died down as he returned the conversation to the point, but the mood was a little lighter now. Buffy was curled in a ball on the chair, her head resting on Spike's shoulder, his arm wrapped around her, stroking her hair. Tara and Willow were both more relaxed, realizing that the conversation was not world ending. Even if it might change their lives. Oz was taking it all in stride, even if it was sort of an odd thing to be thrust upon him from out of the blue. But he and Willow had meant a lot to each other once. If he could do her this favour and repay half the hurt he had caused her, then it was good for him too.

Tara was the one to finally speak. "Oz, I think it's . nice . what you are offering to do. Um," she paused, looking at Spike, and then over at Willow. "It's really. I know that you are trying to help, and I'm not saying no. But I'd like to talk about this with Willow. In private. Is... Is that okay?"

Buffy furrowed her brow, looking over at Tara. "Of course, that's okay. Nobody expects you to just up and make a decision like *now*. And ... and don't feel like you have to... you don't have to explain, whatever you decide. But I think they were just trying . it was a good thought," she finished, looking up at Spike.

He kissed her forehead gently, and then regarded Willow and Tara with soft eyes. "I honestly didn't mean to intrude," he said in his most polite manner. It always amused Buffy that he had two such vastly different sides. "But if I hadn't at least asked, I would have felt like I'd. let you down or something."

Willow watched him for a moment, still a little put off that Spike and Oz had discussed what she and Tara needed behind their backs. But part of her knew that Spike meant well. Tara was just soft, like she always had been. The anger was not there for her. Regardless of what they decided, she could only see the good intentions behind Spike's idea, and the kindness behind Oz's offer. It was just her nature to see the good side of things.

"Daddy, daddy, come look! Uncle Giles showed me how to make paper hats!" Emma's voice squeaked as her footsteps thundered up the stairs. She tore around the corner from the kitchen and nearly tackled her father in his chair, wrapping her little arms around his neck. A small pirate hat made of construction paper bounced off her head and onto Buffy's lap. "Will you come see?"

Spike chuckled, retrieving her hat and putting it back on Emma's head, kissing her temple softly. "A' course," he answered her brightly. "Gone from princess to pirate, have we?"

"Unhunh," Emma nodded, looking around the table. She'd been quiet at dinner. Now she was in full Emma mode, which meant she would crash hard in about an hour. Bully for them, Buffy thought.

Emma regarded Oz for a moment. She had stared at him on and off through dinner, but now she really looked at him as if she was searching for a word. "He's a wolf," she said, pointing her little finger. He cocked his head, a smile breaking on his face. Emma turned her head, looking at the stunned expression on Buffy's face.

"Yes, Emma," Spike said, picking her up. "But he's ..."

"A good wolf?" She asked, her arms wrapping around his neck again.

"Less the moon's full. You remember what the moon looks like when it's full?" Spike asked, brushing the little girl's ringlets off her face.

"Like a pearl," she answered, smiling. "And the stars are diamonds. But none are as pretty as mommy," Emma completed, kissing her father's cheek.

"Or you, Mite," Spike finished, starting out the door. Buffy watched, shaking her head in amusement. "Coming, Love?" Spike asked, looking over his shoulder at his world.

Buffy sighed, standing. "See ya," she said at the table. "Come down when you feel like it." She turned back towards the doorway and caught up with Spike. "Did you really tell her that? About the sky?"

"Only told her the truth, Pet," Spike answered, wrapping his free arm around Buffy's waist.

~~~~~

The woman awoke, curled in a ball. It was dark outside now. And the place was different. Not as awful. Not as dank and dark and horrible. She looked around, smelling the grass. It was cold outside, but she barely felt it. After the sweltering heat of the dungeon, the cold was welcome.

She sat, pulling the white cloak around her and trying to get her bearings. There was something familiar about the place. Something she felt she should know, but she couldn't place. In front of her was a playground with a sandbox and a jungle gym and swings. Around her were trees. To her side was a big, brick building. Maybe a school? It didn't seem familiar.

The woman didn't feel like herself. Like she was numb to the core. In a daze. Dead. That made sense. She was dead. She knew that. But the world around her was alive. Didn't matter. She was so cold and so numb and she couldn't bother feeling anything but lost.

A glow captured her attention. It was really rather a small glow, but it nearly burnt her skin. Slowly, she lifted her hand, regarding a small silver dragon. It glowed a strange red, in startling contrast to the white of her cloak and the gown she wore underneath of it. Like blood. Blood. It's always about the blood.

The glow, the dragon tugged at her. Somewhere, she knew she shouldn't go. If she didn't follow the dragon, everything would be all right. But it was strong. Pulling at her wrist. She looked inside herself for the will to fight it, but it seemed like her insides were gone. Just empty. The glow pulled her to her feet, pushing her in staggered steps towards the sidewalk.

It occurred to her as she walked where the dragon was leading her. Home. A part of her screamed that she couldn't go there. She couldn't go home again. She'd been given her chance to live in this world and it had been revoked. Eternally. Going home was bad. Going home would upset the balance. But her body wouldn't listen. It took slow, unsteady steps, leading her back to where she once belonged.

She didn't belong anymore.

~~~~~

"It's getting late," Buffy said, eyeing Spike stretched out on the couch watching the Charlie Brown Christmas with Will curled in front of him. Will was snoring. It was actually kind of cute. The little boy had fought sleep with all his might, but once his father stretched out beside him, Will had crumbled into a limp noodle and passed out like a little drunk, pressed to Spike's chest.

"That it is, Pet," Spike responded, his voice hushed. Anya and Giles had left an hour or so before. Dawn was sitting on the recliner that had once been in Emma's room, brushing her niece's hair and generally fussing over the girl.

"Don't tell me, let me guess, 'Dawn, will you watch the kids, because you have no life and me and Spike want to go fight evil when really all we're going to do is." The girl began, smirking at her sister.

"That's enough," Buffy snapped half-heartedly. "Would you watch the kids while we patrol? I promise that if you do, then we will get someone else to do it the next few nights while you go out with that little boyfriend of yours."

"Boyfriend?" Spike asked, sitting up and raising an eyebrow at Dawn. "What's this about?"

Buffy smiled, getting back at her sister. "Dawn's got a boyfriend," she teased.

"Not without bringing him round here," Spike growled, looking at the two women as if he'd been betrayed. "Planning on telling me at any point, Niblet?"

"Spike," Dawn sighed. "I'm almost twenty. I'm in college. I can date."

"Never said you couldn't," Spike shot back. "But the men in this town are menaces. Gotta be careful."

"Oh, and I bet Buffy never dated anyone," Dawn retorted. "And mom didn't ask about them."

Buffy blushed. "She did, but I just didn't answer," her sister countered. "Spike's right, though. I mean, you've been dating him for a while now. Isn't it about time you brought him over?"

Dawn flopped back in the recliner. "Argh. You guys are horrible. Maybe he's not ready for the whole Meet the Parents bit."

"We're *not* your parents," Buffy complained. "But we are your family."

"And how do I know that Spike won't go all fangy grr on him," Dawn asked, her face a mixture of fear and aggravation.

"You know he does a pretty good human impression," Buffy answered, trapped in her conversation with Dawn.

"I'm right bloody here," Spike snapped. "And I'm not your sodding father. Taken care of you better than that, Pet. So, don't think it's too much to ask for you to bring the bloke by for an inspection."

Dawn sighed. He was right. Officially, he was her brother in law. But effectually, he and Buffy had raised her. At least when it was important. And she knew he was a little hurt that she didn't tell him. But this guy. This one was. special. Dawn wasn't quite sure if she was ready to tell him about her sister being the Slayer and her brother in law being a Vampire and their daughter being a chosen saviour. It was all... a bombshell. But now's as good a time as any.

"All right. I'll bring him over before break ends. But *please* don't act all save the world-y around him," Dawn sighed. "Oh, and don't make out in front of him. *Normal* old married people don't do that."

Spike stood, tugging Buffy up with him and immediately pulling her against him for a kiss. "Like that," Dawn sighed. "You people need to get a clue on what the whole grown up thing is like."

"Jealous?" Buffy asked, trapped in Spike's eyes, studying his features and tracing him over and over in her mind.

Dawn was caught there. She didn't think it was possible to ever find what Buffy had. "Would you just go already? And remember, you owe me one."

"Right, Niblet," Spike answered, taking Buffy's hand and leading her to the stairs. "As for you," he continued, catching Buffy's chin with his fingers, "I think we need to make a stop at the fridge on the way out, Pet."

Buffy's tongue shot out, licking her lips sensually. "Yummy."

"Would ya just be gone?" Dawn whined, turning up the TV.

"Be back in a little while," Buffy said over her shoulder as she followed Spike up the stairs.

"I won't wait up."



To be contd.

Title: Et Tu, Brute? (Chapter Six of The One)

Author: Nimue

Rating: PG -13

Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.

Feedback: Yes, please

For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday@yahoogroups.com

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)

Summary: Willow and Tara discuss Oz's proposition. Buffy and Spike go on patrol and something unusual happens. The mystery woman is involved, but how? Why?

Et Tu, Brute?



"I can't believe that *Spike* thought that.Argh." Willow muttered as she unlocked their apartment door. "I mean, so none of his business. And Buffy. Buffy wouldn't have ever agreed to this if Spike hadn't. He's such a bad influence." The door squeaked open and Willow walked into the entryway, Tara following silently on her heels. Willow had vented about eighty distinct emotions on the way home as she wrapped her mind around the proposal on the table. But most of the confusion had been disguised as anger at Spike.

"Do.Do you really think that? That Spike is a bad influence?" Tara asked, disguising a shy smile.

Willow stopped, tossing her keys on the table and peeling off her coat, hanging it on a hook. "Well, not a *bad* influence." She paused a moment more. Spike had been the glue that had kept them all together in the last few years. And definitely the armour that had kept Buffy alive. Not to mention, multi-purpose handyman, shoulder to sob on, baby-sitter, daddy, and husband of the year. He fought with Buffy, pretty regularly, but he never held a grudge. He never let even her most venomous attacks change what he felt about her or their life. Even when she was in full bitca mode, he'd toss a barb at her, turn on a booted heel, take off into the night with that lummox of a dog and come back with a dozen roses and kisses for his woman. Okay, he wasn't a bad influence.

"No," Willow sighed, flopping down on the couch. Tara settled down next to her. "I guess not. I mean.Just.where does he get off sticking his nose into our personal lives?"

Tara's eyes flickered to the floor. "Well, we talk to him, Will. I mean, we've both talked to him. Probably me more than you. But we're the ones that told him that we were having a hard time with."

Willow turned, looking at Tara. "With the decision."

Tara nodded. "Right. And you know how Spike is." A grin spread across her face. "He's not big on the whole debate until the end of time way of dealing. He.he found an answer. I mean, I.I guess we should have known when we talked to him that he would do it.sooner or later."

"But we weren't asking for *help*!" Willow whined. "Venting. It's about the venting."

Tara chuckled. "Women vent just to vent. Men vent to solve problems. He's a guy. To him, problem solved."

The redhead had to chuckle at that. "So not in like of those man-ways." She looked at Tara and watched her face soften. How much she loved the girl was.unquantifiable. Tara was her world. Her everything. The look on Tara's face, though, was unreadable. "What.whatcha thinking?"

Tara stared back at Willow, suddenly confident. "I.I think that Spike helped us. I.I think I'm glad."

It took a second for that to register in Willow's mind. "You...you mean you.want to do this?"

"I think," Tara began, "I. I think we need to think about this. I.Spike.I think he's right. I mean, we both obviously want our own baby. And there's no reason why we shouldn't. Out of all of them, we've been together the longest."

It hadn't occurred to Willow that her relationship with Tara had predated even Buffy and Spike. It had been too long to remember orders at this point. And what with the whole One thing, it was like Buffy and Spike had been together for eternity. But in this life, Tara and Willow had been happily together since even before that. "Yeah," Willow smiled. "We have."

"And we know we're not going anywhere. I think.I think we're happy here," Tara continued, leaning forward and softly kissing her lover's cheek.

Willow smiled, feeling the brush of silk to her skin. "I know that."

Tara's face was still so close to Willow. Her breath blew softly on Willow's soft skin. "And Spike was right. We would rather have our own. We've both said that. And we.well, we can't quite do that .you know.like we are."

The feelings of confusion were mixing with the soft, warm feelings of desire as Tara's gentle mouth caressed her cheek, her ear. "No. One of the few things we *can't* do."

"We can't," Tara agreed, rocking back and smiling gently at Willow. "And neither of us liked the idea of going to the hospital and taking what we get. I mean there's nothing.there's nothing wrong with that. But in Sunnydale, who knows.I mean, a high school drop out with bad skin is the least of our concerns."

A picture of Clem flitted through Willow's mind, tearing her between a giggle and running for her life. "Agreed. So, not wanting the anonymous donor in Sunnydale."

"And, well, Spike...he was right. It's not like any of us have a lot of outside friends anymore. I mean, you have your friends at the hospital. And I know some people at the school. But. but no one we'd want."

"To have a baby with," Willow sighed, slumping into the couch. "I...ugh.I don't want to be talking about this."

Tara put her hand gently on the side of her lover's face, turning it towards her. "We have to."

The redhead sighed. "I know, baby. It's just. "

"Uncomfortable?"

"Yeah," Willow answered. Tara always could read her mind. "I mean, it just seems.I don't know."

"Do you want a child of our own?" Tara asked, making sure this wasn't Willow's way of backing out. She didn't think it was, but felt like she owed her the opportunity to change her mind.

"Yes! Of course I do," Willow answered, taking Tara's hand again. "I.I just am not liking the detail part."

Tara sighed, "Well, I think once we make a decision, then maybe it will all be.less to deal with."

"Until the throwing up and the mood swings and the cravings and the.." Willow stuttered.

Tara smiled softly. "You're scared."

"Am not," Willow answered, furrowing her brow. "I'm .I can.Oh, fine, yes."

"Me too. But look, Buffy and Anya and Takina all made it. And except for William, none of them even had that hard a time. I mean, you'd think Anya was happier being pregnant than not."

"Anya also gutted people for a living. Her tastes, not good," Willow answered, chuckling.

Tara blushed a little. "And...And it doesn't have to be you. I mean.I would.I kind of want to know."

The implications of that were astounding to Willow. "But I thought you didn't want to go with the hospital and the turkey baster of love?" She stuttered. "I mean, unless we have to."

"I don't," Tara answered. "And don't get upset, I don't plan on going all.straight...on you now."

"Then... then what?" Willow asked. "I mean, right now, we have limited men in our lives. And all of them are taken. Except.Except Oz."

Tara nodded. "Right. And you loved him once. You .you even."

She stopped, not able to complete the thought. Willow squeezed her hand. "I did. I mean, yeah, but it was a long time ago and so not feeling that way anymore."

"But he is a good option. I mean, it's not like the wolf thing matters. In fact, it would probably help. And entire generation of Scoobies with enhanced strength and healing and." Tara reasoned.

"And fur!" Willow joked.

Tara smiled. "I think it's a good plan. We just have to decide if it's what we want and if it is, we need to decide how. And .and who."

Willow thought for a long moment, her eyes searching the floor. "I don't.I don't want to just.I dunno. I don't want to be with anyone without you there. And it's not like a spectator thing... and...Unless.."

Tara looked up, eyes saucer wide. "You think?"

Willow smiled, "It might just work."

The woman stopped at the edge of the sidewalk, under the shadowy cover of trees. This place, this place was more familiar. It was dark, and cold, but familiar. The stones. She knew them. And the buildings. She knew them too. She'd stayed in one. And she was put under one of the stones.

Footsteps echoed in the crystal clear winter air, clacking along the sidewalk. Two sets. One heavier than the other. Murmurs and giggles drifted like mist. The low base purr of a man. The higher, lyrical sweetness of a young woman. She backed under the trees and out of the line of sight of the sidewalk.

A couple walked towards her, and then veered off through the gate towards the stones. They were holding hands. Something about them was so familiar. It tugged at her dead heart. Her mind searched the emptiness for the answer, but they had taken her mind away. Or at least the part that remembered and felt. She couldn't see them enough to tell for sure. But the way they walked, hand in hand was making her lonely. The way that he looked down at her with eyes that could hold nothing but love. And the way she smiled back. Home.

The glow on her wrist became intense. It was burning her. She shook her arm as if to quell the rising flame, but it wouldn't stop. The dragon glowed like a growing ember in a fire and then exploded, a ball of red light escaping. It was the size of a plum. Dancing in front of her, making her eyes hurt and her body want to catch it and take it far away.

It was bad.

The glow hovered in front of her and then took off, blazing at an alarming rate towards the couple. She stepped around the tree to see it, somewhere hoping it would flicker out along the way, but it didn't. It found the man from behind, passing through his chest, his heart, like an airborne dagger, and then circled like lightning, passing through the girl's from the front.

The couple stopped. The woman waited for them to fall screaming to the ground. But they just looked at each other with furrowed brows, each rubbing a palm to their chest. The girl shrugged. The man moved her hand and looked. He shook his head.

They started to walk again.



"God, what do you think they're saying," Buffy asked, walking next to Spike along the sidewalk towards the cemetery. "I mean, we sort of just dropped it out there."

He shrugged. "Dunno, Pet. But I imagine they need to suss it out on their own."

"Oh, like they found this solution on their own, because we're so not all about the sticking our noses in," Buffy answered sarcastically.

"Hey! I was doing the birds a service, Love. And without offering myself up for the cause." He smirked. She knew he had *no* intention of being that helpful, but he also knew that she'd become quite the possessive one and even the thought would put a twist in her pretty knickers.

"I told you before, no Vampire Loaning Program," Buffy huffed. He wrapped his hand around hers, squeezing it.

"Wouldn't be able to anyway, Pet."

Buffy furrowed a brow. "What? I mean, you're kinda.able."

"Kind of?" Spike gasped insulted. He opened his jacket a little, giving her a glimpse of the can of Ready Whip. "Kind of able?"

Buffy shuddered with delight. "Okay, you're able. You're more than able. You're a regular able bodied seaman." She stopped, thinking for a moment. "Okay, that came out wrong."

Spike chuckled. "Just don't want you getting all disappointed in old Spike," he answered. "Means I have to teach you something new again."

"Teach me!" Buffy gasped, giggling. "I mean, I think I .after these last few...you can't possibly have."She stopped, watching the cat ate the canary grin on his face. Her voice became soft and amazed. "You mean, there's more?"

"Volumes, Love," he answered, winking.

She thought about that a moment as they rounded the corner into the cemetery. "Really? You're holding out on me?"

He stopped, turning her towards him. "Not holding out. Just pacing ourselves."

A sly smile broke on her face. "Feel like taking a giant leap for man...or Vampire...kind tonight?"

His wicked grin responded. "In the mood for a lesson, are we?"

Her eyes sank closed and a small hum escaped her lips. As they flickered open again, she answered. "Yeah, I think I'm up for that."

Just then, a surprised look crossed his face, and he jerked forward, his hand slapping to his chest. Buffy looked at him a moment, her heart skipping a beat. He looked lost. Afraid. But as she reached forward, a searing pain burned through her ribs, singing her heart and exploding from her back. She felt her palm raise, cupping her hand over her heart, her eyes shocked and afraid as she looked back up at Spike.

His expression had changed. Now he was no longer concerned about what had happened to him, rather, he was terrified that it happened to her. Spike's blue eyes swam in horror as he moved her hand from her chest, looking at her shirt and then pulling that away to expose the soft skin of the top of her breast. No holes. No burns. No marks. Buffy breathed, standing in front of him, none the worse for wear, even if her heart was racing at an alarming pace inside her chest.

"Love, you alright?" He asked, his hand sliding from her heart to cup her cheek.

She shrugged, a bit dazed and nodded. "Yeah, I mean.are you?" He dropped his hand and looked down. She leaned closer to inspect the spot on his perfect chest. "It looks okay."

Her eyes flickered back to his. "What just happened?"

"Dunno, Love." He straightened, pulling her sweater back over her shoulder. "But looks like were none the worse off."

Buffy frowned and then shrugged. "Now, about that lesson."

~~~~~

They made their rounds of the graveyard in record speed. Regardless of what they wanted out of the night, she.no, they.had a duty first. It was silent. Looks like even the Vampire world was staying in on Christmas night.

The mood had lightened as they walked. It became clear that whatever had happened was not the end of the world, nor even the end of them. Probably just a bad case of heartburn from Anya's spicy stuffing. The fact that they both had it at the same time didn't surprise them. Sometimes the connection ran so deep that they could tell when the other one needed a drink of water or wanted to go outside to watch the moon.

She was laughing as he scooped her up, carrying her the last bit towards the crypt. It was still early. They had a lot of time before having to run back home to save Dawn from the smaller demons. His kisses peppered her cheeks, his words igniting fires underneath her skin. Lessons from Spike were like fiery walks in Heaven. Like a little bit of wickedness and a whole lot of wonder. It used to bother her that he'd collected so much knowledge on how to make her body sing, but now all she cared about was the fact that she was the sole benefactor.

As Spike planted a hungry kiss on her swollen lips and lifted his booted foot to kick in the door to his crypt as she had so many nights past, something made him stumble. Her head spun from her comfy perch in his arms. His followed. A pair of Vampires that wanted to play. A wicked grin broke on Buffy's face as he settled her to the ground. A little sparring always got the blood pumping and made her all the more in the mood for Spike's kind of battle. Not that she needed much help with the mood.

"Now, that's just rude," Buffy complained, taking a step towards one of the Vampires. Spike just crossed his arms, watching her with a sly grin on his face. His girl was all the more beautiful when she fought. Graceful and fluid and deadly, her body a perfect dichotomy of frailness and brute strength.

She shot a look back at Spike, warning him to stay back. He would. She preferred to take out the Vamps herself if she could. Didn't bother him to watch her. He knew now when it was time to step in. Until then, he'd kick back and enjoy the show. Not that there'd be much of one. They looked young and stupid. Spike nodded his agreement and Buffy turned back towards the Vampires.

"I cook and clean and raise a family all day long," she complained. "Okay, so I don't cook, but I do spend all day with diapers and toys and Disney movies and I *finally* get a night alone with him and here you are, trying to interrupt. Rude," Buffy continued, stalking towards them. They backed up a bit, partially out of fear, but more because they weren't sure if she was all that sane.

"Buffy?" Spike said softly.

"What?" She growled, turning around.

He raised an eyebrow. "They don't know."

"Know what?" One of the Vampires asked, flicking out a knife and taking a step towards the little blonde.

"That's she's the Slayer, Mate," Spike answered, amused, leaning back against the wall of the crypt. He watched the Vampire's faces go blank. "Should do your research before you come out here flashing knives, you git."

"The Slayer?" The other Vampire gasped. "So you.you're.You're one of us."

Buffy chuckled. "Spike, are you a Vampire?"

Spike chuckled, shaking his head, his game face appearing as if out of thin air. "Shudder, gasp! My secret's out, Pet."

"I had heard there was a Vampire who'd made all nice with the Slayer," the bolder of the two Vampires replied, still standing his ground. The other one looked as if he wanted to run, but was trapped by the fact that he couldn't remember how his feet worked.

Buffy chuckled. "Yeah, we made nice," she answered. "And you're interrupting more nice for me. So put the knife away and I might get all Christmas spirit-y and kill you later."

The bolder one leered at her. "Not on your life. I've always wanted to taste a Slayer."

Spike stiffened, hearing his own ancient thoughts rattle through someone else's lips. Guilt and then anger crashed through him. But Buffy stood her ground. Better just to let them find out what a Slayer really was. He'd make those words up to Buffy somehow. Some day.

The Vampire came closer, the weaker one following. "Go ahead," she seethed. "Try me."

The bold one lunged and she spun out of the way, a stake appearing from the sleeve of her coat. Spike had made her a nifty sheath that could carry two and put them just where she could access them, pushing them into her hands as she flexed her wrist. And she had a back up.

Buffy dropped, rolling away from a clumsy jab and hopped up, in front of the weaker one. Spike leaned back, watching her toy with them. The weak one look terrified for a moment, and then produced a knife of his own, which she promptly knocked from his hand with a spin kick. The Vampire looked startled as her foot made contact with his head, knocking him back into a tombstone, dazed.

She turned back to the bolder Vampire. He grinned wickedly, sizing her up. "You sure you want to do this? I mean, I am feeling charitable and I have better things to do," Buffy reasoned as he ran at her.

"I want to kill you," the unimaginative Vampire hissed, making Spike chuckle.

"At least get some more creative prose, Mate," he quipped from the sidelines. Buffy began to battle him, hand to hand, punching him several times before the knife was knocked loose by another spin kick combination. Poetry in motion, Spike thought, watching her wrist twitch and the stake appear. Spike was too caught up in watching the artfulness of her maneuver to notice the weaker one begin to stir.

Buffy spun again, avoiding a lunging tackle, and caught the bolder one's shoulder, tossing him against a tree. "Don't interrupt my nights out. Spread the word," she said as she jammed the stake into his chest. "Okay, well don't then."

Spike saw a blur out of the corner of his eye. "Buffy, watch out. Behind you."

He began to race towards her, but the weaker one was too close, lunging at her with the knife he found along the way. Spike reached forward, barely missing the jacket of the Vampire. Buffy turned, seeing the Vampire on her and shifted to the right like lightning.

The Vampire didn't miss. But it didn't hit as it wanted either. Her eyes were shocked as her one hand clapped over her side. "I ...I like this shirt," Buffy stuttered, raising her stake and plunging It through the Vampire's heart before dropping to her knees to the ground.

Spike stared at her a moment, his human features returning. He had fallen to the grass as well trying to catch the weaker Vamp. A miscalculation. It hadn't killed her, or even hurt her seriously, but it was too close. He wasn't going to stay out of it anymore. It had been a long time since he'd let her get hurt and he didn't like remembering how it felt.

"Buffy, you alright, Love?" Spike asked, pushing himself to his feet. Her hand cupped over her side and blood trickled down her white blouse. He winced, looking at her.

"Yeah," she answered, still a bit dazed. "Just.it's not bad."

Spike dropped to his knees in front of her, moving her hand and pulling up the tattered remnants of her shirt. There was a gash in her side, but it was fairly shallow. Bled like a paper cut. Lots of blood for what amounted to more of an annoyance wound. But still, he hated to ever see her with even a bruise.

He straightened again, staring down at her. "Pet, you alright?"

Buffy looked confused a moment, her eyes flickering down the length of his torso. "He...he got you too?"

"No, Love, I was standing over there," he answered, his head nodding towards the crypt entrance.

Buffy's brow furrowed, her hand sliding down his side. She reached the same spot on his body that would have marked her wound. Her hand felt sticky. She pulled it away and looked at her fingers, raising them in front of him. Blood. They were covered in blood.

"Spike?"

A confused look crossed his face and he tugged his shirt up. They couldn't have stabbed him. Too far away. Never even touched the blokes. Yet under his t-shirt, in the same spot as hers, there was an identical, bleeding gash, burning with freshness and fire. "Buffy?"

"What happened?" She asked her eyes still dazed.

"Can you walk, Pet?" Spike asked, pulling himself to his feet. She nodded, taking his hand as he pulled her up. "I think we need to go home and clean you.clean us up... Call the Watchers."

Buffy looked longingly at the door of the crypt a moment, then back to Spike. "But..."

He smiled, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. "Thousands more nights, Love. I'll make it up to you."

She felt a twinge of pain and nodded. "Promise?"

"Always."

To be contd.

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