Spike groaned as he threw back the last swig of his "potion." After seeing the slayer alive and well, he thought it would be the best way to outlet. Although, now it seemed very stupid, now he was stumbling around like a bloody drunk.
"I thought you were supposed to have some restraint, you know being what you are." Spike's head turned to find the slayer attempting at dry humor.
"Buff- Slayer." Spike hardened his voice quickly, too quickly.
Buffy noticed this and looked away in discomfort.
"I just didn't know where else to go..." Buffy's eyes began to moisten. Spike came to her side.
He began to brush aside her soft blonde hair. "It’s still so-" Spike tried to restrain himself, he really did.
"amazing..." He finished with a touch of vulnerability.
"Spike-"
"I know! I bloody well know Slayer. I am sorry she did it..." Spike stood up, facing away from the still, disorientated girl.
"Me too." Buffy's voice was soft and almost inaudible.
Spike felt the effects of his "poison" begin to wear thin. That happens when serious things interfere. As he sat down next to the girl, once again. He felt a hand reach out, embracing his own. The warmth alone made Spike shiver. This was real, real affection from a slayer. *You are twisted William.* Spike smiled to himself.
"You know... I know your still trying to get over all of this. But, when you're ready... I'll be here." Spike's tone would have surprised Buffy, if only she hadn't been thrown with enough of those.
"I know. It's just hard... If only someone knew-but they can't, they can't ever know. It would kill them..."
Spike sighed with the breath he didn't have. "I know... But I guess that's not enough." Spike stung all over, if he had a heart he swore she could have heard it breaking.
Buffy didn't seem to notice though, too caught up in whatever thought her head was occupying now.
"Slayer." Spike said firmly, as if to snap her out of her trance. It only seemed to stick her further in.
"That's me. Hunt. Kill. Maim." Buffy stood up, giving Spike the fakest smile of her lifetime.
"I better get going... Dawn will be home from school soon." With that Buffy walked out of Spike's life, once again.
"I swear, sometimes I miss the old days... At least we talked." With that Spike began to dig through his liquor cabinet, one more time.
~-~
"I just don't see why you think rushing into the arms of death, is the answer Angel!" Cordelia's voice rang through the hotel lobby.
"Look, I don't have a choice. I know you understand, just... trust me."
"Trust you?! That's easy for you to say. You know ever since miss slayer is back in the breathing category you have carried on with the brood mode... and I thought we got rid of that." Cordelia's head was spinning. Didn't he understand that she cared about him, almost more than she cared about herself?!
"Cordelia, you might as well save yourself the breath... because I'm going." With that Angel shut his suitcase, packing all of his three outfits. (lol, sorry couldn't resist *g*)
"You might try letting him pass, Cordelia."
Cordy rolled her eyes heavenward as Wesley's voice rambled into *their* conversation.
"You know of all people, I thought *you* would share my opinion. I mean, every time he gets near her bad things happen."
Angel in full brood mode looked up at Cordelia with hurt eyes. She sighed giving into his plea.
"Look, I know you love her. We all do. But- I just don't want to see you get hurt again. We care Angel... about you." Cordelia let her soft side show to the vampire.
Angel's smirk gave her little confidence, but it did however ease her mind a little.
"You better go say goodbye to Fred, she'll miss you." Cordelia's statement was almost an "ok" for Angel. He kissed her on the cheek and ran off to find the "eccentric spirit."
~
"Well, I understand... You know, you have things you need to do-and it’s not like... its not like I need a babysitter... I can care for myself..." Fred's mumbles, seemed to be for her benefit more than the vampire's.
"Listen Fred, I am not moving to Asia... I just need some time with-... I'll be back, I promise." Angel wiped away the tears that fell from the vulnerable girl’s face.
"I don't know why I get this way-" Fred let a few more tears fall before composing herself and putting on the "brave" smile.
Angel smiled endearingly at the girl, the girl who would in no time be part of this team. And that was something he couldn't wait for.
Angel hugged her one last time reassuring his return. Then he worked his way to the others, Wesley gave a manly goodbye. "Don't forget to send my best to everyone." Cordelia was less uh manly. "Don't go getting yourself killed, I would hate to pay for this hellhole by myself." As she laughed she began to cry, Angel held her now reassuring *her* he would return.
At the end of the line stood Gunn, worlds apart yet in the same space. Angel nodded politely and Gunn smiled. "Take care of yourself man." With that an unexpected Angel was tackled, hugging really wasn't his thing, if he did say so himself... and he did.
"Now, go on get out of here... you know there is such thing as too long of a goodbye." With that Cordelia pushed the vamp out the door.
As she closed it she felt the tears began again, "I hope he'll be ok."
~-~
"Dinner's ready!" Willow yelled up the stairs. A smile appeared as she heard the troops rummaged through the halls.
Dawn. Tara. Buffy. Buffy... She had seemed to be getting better, adjusting as best she could. Willow vowed never to let her suffer like that... ever again.
As the four girls sat around the table, something warm in Willow's heart began to beat. Family. We are finally all family. Like we all should have been.
The door sprang open as Spike walked, more like stumbled into the room. "How are my favorite ladies?" Spike sat down at the table and began to dish up, he then stopped himself as everyone... but Dawn, looked at him strangely. "Sorry, forced habit."
Spike glared at Dawn, for laughing. She quickly shut her mouth, knowing the look on his face and knowing the consequences.
"So Buffy, what did you do all day?" Dawn asked curiously.
Buffy's eyes looked slightly at her sister's then directly into Spike's.
"Uh, not much... shopping. Around." Buffy's voice stayed aloof, just like any other day.
Dawn noticed the look and gave an icy glare to vampire at her side.
The five some sat through dinner quietly. And when the doorbell rang, it was Spike who decided to risk getting it. Afterall, who rings the doorbell anymore, anyways?
Now, if Spike though it was possible to feel like dying, when he was already dead... then this was the only time it had ever happened. Standing in front of him, stood the man he thought he would never have to lay eyes on again...
"Angel."
::UNDECLARED::SPLASH::END PROLOGUE::ONE::TWO::