Title: The Ghost of Stone Mountain (Part 1)
Author: Joyce
Rating: PG-14
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel the Series characters. They belong to 20th Century Fox, and Joss Whedon. Also I am making no profit off this story. Please don't sue, I'm just a poor college student.
Background: Anything up to Buffy season 4 / Angel season 1 finals is fair game. Also this is a sequel to The Emerald coast, you should really read it first, or this one won't make sense.
Author note: This is Buffy/Spike! It also has a little Anya/Xander and a bit of Cordelia/Angel. Riley? Who's Riley? ;-)

The click of her shoes on the stone basement floor echoed through the house as she ran. Her heart was beating so fast, surely it would burst. Her long skirts swirled around her legs, and she lifted them high as she hurriedly made her way up the narrow wooden staircase. She could hear him close behind her, the monster! His face had ugly ridges, and the blood of her younger siblings dripped from his long fangs. She flew out the front door into the late evening humidity, sweat beading on her brow as she chanced a glance over her shoulder. Yes, he was still there. She felt her legs hit the railing on the front porch and stopped. Praying a silent prayer she pulled the stake from the bodice of her dress, and turned to face this enemy of humanity. He knocked the stake from her hands, and grabbed her in a head lock .

"Please, God, don't let him turn me!" The vampire stopped mid-bite, seeming to ponder her words.

"All right." he said before throwing her over the railing. As the ground rushed up to meet her, she could almost hear her Watcher's words, "Another will be called."

Buffy Summers sat up in bed, gasping covered in sweat. This was the third time she'd had that dumb dream! It was just determined to ruin the rest of her trip to the Florida Gulf Coast. She felt cool arms circle her waist, and instantly the irritation left her.

Spike looked up at the Slayer with sleepy eyes. She must have had that damn dream again! It was only 3 am. No way was he getting up yet!

"Do you need to talk, pet?" he asked her. All she did was yawn in response. He smiled at her, then stretched out on his back pulling her down with him, so that she was lying with her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head, and started running his fingers through her hair. She immediately drifted back to sleep.

Spike watched as the young Slayer smiled in her sleep. He took the moment to think about everything that had occurred in the past few days.

After Buffy and Angel had gotten him back into the condo, Spike had wept. He couldn't help himself. He felt like a pansy, but no one had made fun of him. While Buffy took him to his room, Angel had told the others what had happened out on the beach. Everyone knew how much he had loved Dru and decided to leave him alone. Everyone except Buffy and Angel, that is. The dark haired vampire practically ordered the others to leave, so they could rest. No one had to be told twice. Now that the prophecy had been averted, they couldn't wait to take advantage of the beautiful beach that lay waiting for them right outside the door.

Angel had entered his room to check on the two blondes. They were curled up together in the middle of the bed. Spike was still sobbing, holding onto Buffy like a lifeline. The Slayer was cooing and making comforting noises trying in vain to calm him. She raised her exhausted, desperate eyes to Angel, and without a word, he climbed in bed behind Spike wrapping his arms around his childe.

Spike felt so protected and loved, despite the fact that he would never again lay eyes on his dark princess. The sobs had finally stopped, and he drifted into a deep, healing sleep.

Spike felt like an idiot when he woke up but a happy idiot. He hadn't felt that good since before he'd been captured by the Initiative. When Angel noticed that Spike was awake, he asked the blonde if he was ok now. Spike told him that he was fine and tried to push himself away from the older vampire. Angel tightened his arms around his childe, dropping a quick kiss to Spike's temple before releasing him and climbing out of bed. The commotion caused the Slayer to wake up, and Angel left the room, deciding that the two of them needed some time alone.

Buffy and Spike decided not to let the others in on their new relationship; both were still trying to figure it out for themselves. They had spent the rest of the day in bed, 'getting to know each other better.' That night, at Buffy's insistence, the whole gang had gone out to eat to celebrate their victory. That had been two nights ago, and the first time Buffy had had the dream.

No one seemed to notice Spike and Buffy getting along better. Angel had reluctantly agreed to keep quiet about it for now. He knew that secrets in such a tightly knit group were a bad idea. Cordelia had also figured out what was going on, but Buffy wasn't worried that she'd tell anyone. In fact the Slayer and May Queen had been getting along very well. And Buffy had to admit, it was nice being able to talk to another girl about what was going on with her and Spike. At first she had felt guilty about confiding in Cordelia, and not Willow, who was supposed to be her best friend. But Willow was so caught up with Tara, Buffy hadn't had a chance to talk to her alone since before they left home. Buffy wasn't jealous of Tara, though; she was just glad that Willow was happy.

Now it was 3am, and Spike was watching the Slayer, no, his Slayer sleep. Today would be their last day at the condo. As soon as the sun set, they'd be leaving for Sunnyhell. Spike wasn't ready to return home. His fingers ran through Buffy's hair one last time, before he joined her in sleep.

Cordelia Chase tossed and turned in the bed she was sharing with Anya. She felt uneasy about something but couldn't figure out what it was. She rolled over onto her side, determined to go back to sleep. Just then Anya, murmured Xander's name in her sleep. That was it! Cordelia quickly got out of bed and left the room heading for the balcony, were Angel was staring off into the ocean.

She slipped outside inhaling deeply. He acknowledged her with a slight nod in her direction.

"Angel, you're brooding again!" she teased her boss. He gave her one of his very rare, very small, smiles.

"I was just thinking about Buffy and Spike. I'm glad they're happy, but ..."

"You feel left out." she finished for him.

He nodded, "It's making me finally face the fact that Buffy and I are not meant to be. I'm just glad that it's Spike and not one of those commando guys. But I can't help but feel lonely."

"I'm here." Cordelia took his hand, but continued staring off into the distance.

"I know." Angel looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. "But for how long?"

Cordelia smiled up at him, "For as long as you need me-owe!" Cordelia clutched her head in her hands, and Angel caught her as she fell forward.

"Has anyone seen my toothbrush?!" Willow hollered from the bathroom. It was about an hour before sunset, and the gang, who'd spent practically the entire day at the beach, with the exception of Spike and Angel, were frantically packing their things.

"It's in your hand!" Anya snapped at her. The ex-demon was upset because of the change of plans that had been made that morning.

Xander had told her that it would be inappropriate to have sex around the others. They hadn't had sex in an entire week, and Anya had been looking forward to going back home were she could have Xander to herself. But no, Cordelia had had a vision of a mountain made out of stone with three horsemen carved in it.

After consulting with Wesley, Giles had determined that the vision was of Stone Mountain, located in North Georgia. Since they were already in Florida, it wouldn't be too much trouble to drive on up to Atlanta for a couple days. Cordelia had then called David Nabbit, who'd been more than happy to fund their trip. He even got them reservations for three hotel rooms at The Stone Mountain Inn. Maybe she could get Xander alone at Stone Mountain.

"The Citizens Of Georgia Welcome You To Their Park!"

"The Stone Mountain Inn offers you the finest in southern hospitality. Located in the heart of the park, the Inn offers 92 spacious rooms, a Southern Style Restaurant, an elegant colonial atmosphere, and banquet and meeting rooms for any group." Willow read the brochure out loud.

"Would you just tell me how to get there already!" Xander snapped at her. The redhead reluctantly turned back to the map on the first page.

"Left on Jefferson Davis Drive, and it's on the left." she told him. Willow was not about to let Xander spoil her good mood. Stone Mountain was any Civil War History buff's dream. And Willow loved history.

Unfortunately the park didn't open until 10 am, so the group had had to put up blankets over the windows to shield the back of the van from the sun. Angel had driven the entire eight hours while the rest of the gang slept. Spike had sat next to him to keep him company after Buffy had fallen asleep. Angel had pulled off to the side of the road when he realized that the gate wouldn't open until 10 am. When the gate finally opened, Xander had taken over driving. Willow had eagerly taken every brochure available from the lady at the booth when they'd paid to get in.

Xander parked the van in front of the inn. It looked like a huge colonial two-story mansion with its long white columns and about twelve wicker rocking chairs sat out on the front porch. On the second level, center was a veranda with tables where a few hotel guests were currently eating breakfast.

Everyone, with the exception of the sleeping vampires, crawled out of the cramped van. While Giles walked quickly into the building to check-in, everyone else turned to admire the view of the mountain across the street. And what a view it was! Buffy gasped at the sight of 583 acres of exposed granite that seemed to come from the middle of nowhere. But the thing that was so impressive about it was the 90 by 190 feet carving of three southern Civil War Heroes. Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson with hats in their right hands covering their hearts, looking off into the North on their horses.

They were assigned room numbers 211, 212, and 213. To their enormous relief each room had two double beds. Buffy, Cordelia, Spike, and Angel took 211. They got some weird looks from the others, but just shrugged them off. Tara, Willow, and Anya got 212, while Xander and Giles took 213. All three rooms had connecting doors, so 212 was decided to be the meeting place. Each of the rooms had 19th century style furniture and pictures. They were actually quite elegant.

Using thick dark blankets to shield themselves, Spike and Angel made a dash for their room. Luckily the roof over the room jutted out to cast a small area of shade just outside the door. Spike slid the keycard through the scanner four times before Angel finally snatched it from him and opened the door on the first try. He sent his childe a smug look before entering. Spike just stuck his tongue out at him until Buffy smacked him on the back of the head causing him to bite his tongue, as she ducked passed him into the room.

Cordelia laughed at him as she passed to check out the room. Spike growled as he quickly shut the door, before grabbing the Slayer and catching her mouth in a passionate kiss. They were so caught up in the kiss that they didn't even hear the connecting door swing open until it was too late.

"Oh, my God!!"

Xander stood in the doorway, his chin practically on the floor. His mouth opened and closed several times as his brain tried to process what his eyes were telling him. Finally he got an idea, and started to panic.

"Willow! Have you been doing spells again?" he hollered causing everyone to come see what all the commotion was about. In the mean time, Buffy and Spike had jumped apart guiltily.

"What are you talking about?" the bewildered witch asked him. Anya had been right behind Xander and, as soon as she saw what was happening, quickly got her video camera.

"I'm talking about Buffy and Deadboy Jr. playing tonsil hockey!" the brunette huffed.

"Deadboy Jr.?" Spike didn't get it.

"I swear. Buffy, are you some kind of necrophiliac?"

"Xander!" Buffy was exasperated.

"Buffy can't help it if she has an undead fetish!" Cordelia stood up for her.

"Cordy!" Angel just knew this was going to happen. But does anyone listen to him? No, what does a vampire with a soul know anyway?

"What? I was trying to help!" the May Queen said indignantly.

"Deadboy Jr.?" Spike directed his question at Angel this time, who just shook his head.

"Xander Harris, it's none of your business who I sleep with!" the Slayer was livid.

"YOU SLEPT WITH HIM?!" Xander and Giles yelled at the same time.

The whole gang was arguing , trying to talk over each other. Spike was chewing his lip, trying to figure out what they meant by Deadboy Jr. Suddenly, it came to him. The blonde vampire was angry, Deadboy Jr. indeed! He marched right up to Xander and punched him in the face.

Quiet fell across the group as Xander slipped into unconsciousness. Then they all started talking again. Spike was ecstatic.

"It didn't hurt!" he exclaimed, "The chip in my head is gone! " The room fell silent again as he started hopping around the room giving everyone, including Giles, a kiss.

"I can kill again!" he proclaimed causing the Slayer to give him a look.

"But, of course I won't." he added sheepishly, then he grabbed Buffy for another kiss, which Xander woke up just in time to see.

"Spike!" Xander growled holding the tissue that Tara had gotten him to his nose.

"That was for calling me names!" the blonde vampire told him smugly.

Buffy frowned at him, slapping his shoulder. "All the mean things Xander said to me, and you hit him because he called you Deadboy Jr.?!"

"I can hit people, luv!" Spike tried to change the subject as he picked her up and spun her around.

The group stood looking at them, unsure of what the hell was going on.