The week had past and Spike awoke like clockwork to see if his third wish had arrived.
It hadn't.
Spike glanced around the room. No blue boxes or envelopes.
"Maybe I got the wrong day." Spike got up and got dressed.
He took the sewers to the mansion and entered through the basement doors. The noise that was coming out from up stairs rooms was booming. Spike walked up the stairs to see Inga, his interior decorator.
"Mr. Montgomery, we are almost finished. I found this in your room this morning, when we moved in the bed." Inga handed him a metallic blue piece of paper and small box.
Spike took the box and walked over to the stair case, he opened the letter hand written in gold pen across it William.
'What was once yours is now has been returned. Open the box.'
Spike did as the note said and slowly opened the box. Inside the box was a little blue velvet box.
A smile beamed across his face, opened it.
"Dawn why did you agree to this? And agree *us* to this?" Buffy asked walking toward Spike's crypt. Tara and Willow decided to tag along.
"He bought me what I wanted for my birthday. And I just wanted to say thank you," Dawn stated stepping ahead of them.
"I think she has a crush on him." Tara whispered to Willow.
"I think so too. That puppy is so cute." Willow said smiling. "But not as cute as Miss Kitty, of course."
"Of course." Tara smiled.
Spike put a box of books in his new car. He went back into his crypt and came back out with another box.
"Where you going?" Dawn asked.
Standing in front of Spike was Dawn, Buffy, Tara, and Willow.
"I'm moving." He said flatly. Dawn blinked and Buffy looked shocked.
"You're leaving Sunnydale?" Tara asked.
"No, just moving in to nicer digs that's all." Spike walked past them to a large vehicle. "Plus I wouldn't give the slayer here the satisfaction."
Buffy scowled at the vampire.
"He has a Expedition? Since when?" Willow asked Buffy.
"Something is going on Will. We are going to find out." Buffy went into the crypt.
Spike turned back to see Buffy, Willow, Tara and Dawn each carrying a box, "What are you doing?"
"Helping you move." Buffy stated readadjusting her grip on the box.
"So now I got my own personal harem helping me. This is priceless."
A couple of more boxes and they headed to Spike's new house.
"This is your new place." Dawn asked looking at the mansion in awe.
"Yup. Come in." He offered.
The girl's were amazed at the size of the place, about the same size as the mansion Angel had used on Crawford Street but with a much more modern interior.
"I've just had the place decorated." Spike explained as they gazed in amazement at the hallway. "Let me show you around."
After a whole tour of the mansion. The girls were reeling with questions but decided to leave them for another day. Tara and Dawn were talking and laughing, which left Buffy and Willow to a have their discussion.
"So where do you think he got the money to live in a place like that?"
"Who knows but I am going to find out Willow."
"And you plan to do that how?"
"I've got my charms." Buffy joked. Willow raised an amused eyebrow at her friend, "What?"
"I think you kind of like Spike."
"I SO do not."
"I know that you don't want me to do a truth spell on you."
Buffy couldn't help but laugh, "Actually no witchcraft for you I still remember a little engagement to that vampire from the last time you tried a truth spell."
"Hey that was a while ago. Plus I having a feeling it wasn't as torturous as you made me believe." Willow smiled not waiting to here Buffy's response she ran to catch up with Dawn and Tara.
Part 11
Buffy was lying curled up on the couch flicking through a magazine when there was a gentle knocking at the door. She climbed to her feet with a sigh. Spike was standing on her doorstep.
"What are you doing here?" She asked as she opened the door.
"I was about to ask you the same thing." He replied. "Shouldn't you be out patrolling?"
Buffy shrugged. "I got an early class in the morning. I never patrol on Tuesdays."
"Oh."
Spike's shoulders slumped. He'd been hoping to spend some time alone with Joyce to talk things out about what was going on in his unlife. Things were definitely better between he and Buffy, but sometimes there was that tension in the air. Something holding the Slayer back.
"I should have gone though, with this new vamp in town and such." Buffy sighed.
"What new vamp?"
"There were some guys on the news killed, and one of them was drained. And for the last couple of days some vamp has been feeding off young girls but leaving them alive." Buffy sighed.
"Well those guys were probably bad news, and the girls well alive is the key word here right." Spike replied strained, trying to deflect attention.
"Well not really. He could be some vamp creating a harem." Buffy smirked using back Spike's word, "I remember when Dracula wanted me under his thrall he bit me first. This new vamp can be doing that."
"Interesting."
"Why are you here?" Buffy abruptly changed the subject.
"To see your mum."
"She's having a shower."
"Well, I'd best be off then." He sighed, turning to leave.
"Wait!" Buffy called.
Spike stopped and turned back to face her.
"Would you like to come in? I can fix us some hot chocolate."
Spike smiled. "Sure."
He took a seat in the kitchen and watched as Buffy switched the kettle on and got the hot chocolate ready.
"We've got some of those little marshmallows." She said without turning to face him. "Mom said you like them."
"Did she?" Spike asked, barely hiding a grin. They'd obviously been talking about him.
"You want?" She asked as she filled the mugs with hot water.
"Yeah, that'd be nice."
Buffy plopped a few into his mug, handed it to him and took a seat beside him.
"This is new." She said as she sipped her drink. "Never thought I'd see myself having a drink with a vampire."
"You never did this with Angel?" Spike asked with surprise.
Buffy shook her head. "He always made a big deal about 'pretending to be what he's not'. He hardly ever drank regular drinks or ate regular food.
"Poof doesn't know what he's missing out on." Spike muttered.
For once Buffy couldn't come up with an answer to that. Spike and Angel were so different from each other it was unreal. Spike was as much a part of the human world as Angel was apart from it. Spike ate and drank like a human, kept up to date with what was popular, in fact aside from physically being a vampire he could easily pass for a human. It puzzled her.
"I don't understand why you and Angel are so different." She finally admitted.
"Why?" Spike grinned, "Because I'm so much better looking that he is."
Buffy glared at him and then smiled. "You know what I mean."
Spike sighed. "You want to know the truth?"
Buffy nodded.
"The truth is, I like people in a more than just a source if food type of way. I told you this before remember, when we made that truce to stop Angelus. I don't see why I should miss out on all the good stuff just because I'm a member of the undead."
"But Angel was never interested in that stuff. I don't think he's ever owned a TV."
"That's just the way he is, pet. He's into fine art and poetry and the likes. It's nothing to do with the fact that he's a vampire, it's just the way he is."
With almost a pang Buffy realised how utterly different she and Angel really were, vampirism aside. She shook her head.
"I never thought about it like that before."
Spike drained the contents of his mug and stood up.
"Well, as nice as this has been I really should head off. I need to get something to eat. Are we ever gonna talk about what happened the other night?"
"No." Buffy replied quickly, walking him to the door.
"But pet, we kissed."
"Ahhhh. Didn't I just say no? There will be no talking about that. Let's pretend that it never happened. I know that you must want to forget like I have."
Spike opened his mouth to say something but quickly swallowed it, "Goodnight Slayer, thanks for the drink."
"Night Spike."
She watched as he disappeared into the night. She breathed a huge sigh of relief and closed the door, heading back into the kitchen to wash up.
"Was that Spike I heard?" Joyce asked as she walked down the stairs.
"Yeah." Buffy replied. "He just came in for a drink." Joyce took one look at her daughter's flushed cheeks, and the fact that she was focusing intently on the washing up. It was time for them to have the little chat she'd known was inevitable.
"Buffy, I want to say something to you and I want you to promise not to interrupt me until I've finished."
Buffy gulped, this sounded serious. "Ok."
Joyce took a deep breath. "Alright, I never thought I'd hear myself saying this but here goes. I think Spike is in love with you." Joyce winced as the sound of a cup smashing resounded through the kitchen. Buffy was staring at her with wide eyes and she opened her mouth to speak. Joyce raised a hand. "I haven't finished and you promised not to interrupt me."
Buffy's mouth closed.
"Now, I'm not telling you that you should return his feelings, but what I am saying is that if you do feel anything for him, that you have my blessing. I know I didn't approve of Angel, and I wish I could explain why Spike is different. I don't know, he just seems morehuman. And you know I liked Riley, but I also saw how he wasn't enough for you. Buffy, I know Spike would do anything for you, I can see it in his eyes whenever he mentions your name or sees you. I'm not sure he'd ever admit it himself though. I just want you to know my thoughts before anything happens. Alright, you can speak now."
Buffy stared at her mom for a moment, trying to take in what she had heard and think of something to say at the same time. "MomI don't know what I feel for Spike. It's confusing."
Joyce kissed her on the cheek. "I know, and I know that whatever choice you make will be the right one. Well, I'd better get some sleep, there's a new dealer coming to the gallery tomorrow. Goodnight Buffy."
With that Joyce left her stunned daughter standing alone in the kitchen.
Part 12
Buffy woke up the next morning still thinking about what her mother had said. She was still thinking about it at the end of her Anthropology class.
"God A three hour break between classes. What am I going to do?" She examined her watch, "Play station at Spike's."
Spike's house had become a second home to Buffy and the gang, well except for Xander, they used his computer equipment and watched his satellite T.V. all the time. He had an amazing gym which he and Buffy sparred all the time.
She reached his place in fifteen minutes. She knew the security code to get in and the front door was never locked. She stepped inside.
"SPIKE?" Buffy waited, "SPIKE?"
She walked up the stairs, she remembered from there original tour that his bedroom was the first on door on the left. She slowly opened the door. The room was dark but the light from the door way filtered in. Spike laid down sprawled out across his bed wearing only a pair of black silk boxers. He was laying on his stomach his head turned sideways facing the door. She walked closer to him extremely happy that he was on his stomach because she was afraid of the things that she might think. She stepped closer to him and examined his face. Of course she had always thought that he was good looking, but he was still a vampire. And she was never going there.... Again.
Buffy looked at him carefully, then remembered what happened the last time she'd woke out of his sleep. She stepped back a little bit with that thought in mind. Spike rolled over grabbing a pillow to his chest.
Thanks for obstructing the view, Buffy shook her head and headed for the door.
"Buffy."
The Slayer spun around as she heard her name faintly leave his lips.
Buffy's eyes widened. He was dreaming about her. The Slayer decided that she'd seen enough and turned, running from the room as quickly and as quietly as she could. Before she even reached down the hall she heard him again.
"Buffy!"
A soft light filled the Bronze as Spike scanned the crowd. He could feel the demon inside him, calling him, telling him it was time to feed. All he needed to do was select a victim. It didn't matter whom, as long as they were young and healthy.
A girl approached him, smiling shyly.
"Umwould you like to dance?"
Spike smiled and inside him the demon rejoiced.
The girl let out a muffled cry as Spike buried his fangs in her throat, drinking deeply.
Well, if she was going to let some guy she barely knows walk her home then what did she expect?
He continued to drink until a startled gasp caused him to stop. He raised his head and let the body drop to the floor.
Buffy was staring at him, tears in her eyes and anguish etched onto her face.
He morphed back into his human visage and opened his mouth to try and offer her some sort of explanation. "Buffy I"
No words came.
As the tears rolled silently down her cheeks, Buffy kept her eyes locked on his as her hand reached slowly down and pulled a stake from her pocket. Spike knew he should run, fight, anything, but his feet stayed still. Buffy raised the stake.
And plunged it into her own heart.
"BUFFY!!"
Spike bolted upright in bed, sheen of sweat covering his body and unneeded breaths coming in short gasps. He ran a trembling hand through his hair. A dream, it had all been a dream.
The sun was just setting so he decided he might as well get up. As he pulled his clothes on his stomach began to growl. It was time to feed.
As he made his way through town Spike let out every curse he had ever learnt. Every time he had even thought about feeding on someone he'd seen Buffy's pain filled face looking at him and he'd stopped. He just couldn't do it.
Muttering some more curses he wandered into the butcher's bought some pig's blood and headed home.
He looked at the picture he kept hidden of the Slayer. And practiced many times trying to calmly tell her that the chip was gone, but somehow even in his own fantasies she ended up staking him. It had been almost two weeks since he had last seen her. The vampire could tell that she was avoiding. He chalked it all up to the brief kiss they shared.
"God if she avoids me like this for a kiss what is she going to do to me when she finds out."
"Finds out what?"
His body stiffened as he heard her voice. "Nothing Slayer."
"Where have you been?"
"Around."
"I uhmm need to talk to you?"
"About?"
"I need to stay with you for a while." Buffy answered ackwardly.
"Excuse me?" Spike raised his scared eyebrow in surprise.
"I got gooped by a Ouroles demon"
"Ahhh I get it you don't want mum to get infected."
"Exactly. Giles said it's highly contagious to humans so I figured that you are the only person that I can stay with."
"Have you started to show any signs?"
"Nope but Giles said it's kind of like chicken pox with extra added itch if that's possible."
"It's worse then that luv."
"So can I stay?"
"You never have to ask, Slayer. Of course you can stay."
"Just one thing. This is purely out of necessity. No other reason." Buffy wanted to make herself very clear.
Spike held back a smart retort and opted for an, "Right. I understand completely."
"Good." Buffy smiled, "Ehmm do you have any extra clothes? I didn't get a chance to pack any."
"Sure I still think I have some of Harm's stuff lingering around." Spike walked toward the stair case.
"Perfect." Buffy gritted through her teeth.
The week that Buffy stayed at Spikes turned out to actually be quite pleasant. They watch television and played video games but there was little to no talking unless it was about getting the calamine lotion for Buffy's pox's or getting food. Buffy was getting tired of it, so she decided to take matters into her own hands.
Spike was drinking a cup of wamred blood when she just decided to blurt it out.
"Do you normally dream about me?"
Spike almost choked on his last gulp, "Pardon me?"
"I asked if you normally dream about me? I know you do."
"I do not. Why would.."
"I caught you sleeping the other day. You were dreaming and you said my name. What was it about?"
"Slayer you shouldn't be spying on people."
"Spike I have an all access pass to your house. Courtesy of you. I came over to play some games and instead you were sleeping. And don't avoid the subject."
"And so what if I was dreaming about you. You can't regulate my feelings Slayer, conscious or subconscious." Spike set down the cup in the sink and rinsed it out before putting it in the diswasher.
"I know that, it's just."
"Just what that you might actually believe that I truly love you and it isn't because of the chip in my brain?"
Buffy remained silent.
"I am unlike anyone you have ever been with. For them it was all about the heartache and pain. You know I won't do that to you, so something has to be worng with me right? Love doesn't always have to hurt or end up hurting you Summers?" Spike walked out of the room leaving Buffy stunned silent.
Part 13
Spike was getting utterly impatient. By tomorrow all of Buffy's symptoms will have vanished and she would be going home. Although he had apologized for what he said acouple of days ago. They seemed to be getting along better afterward. They talked and joked and actually had fun playing video games and watching movies. But an underlying feeling was still nagging at him and he knew by the end of the day what he had to do. He was just waiting for a perfect time. And that time seemed to be now.
"Buffy, there's something I need to tell you." Spike said seriously one evening as they two of them sat watching a movie on satelite.
"Uh huh." She said absently, focusing more on what was happening on screen.
Spike picked up the remote and switched it off.
"Hey!" Buffy protested, but stopped when she saw the seriousness in his eyes. "What is it?"
Spike took a deep breath. He'd been thinking about this ever since his dream, debating whether he should tell her or not. Finally he'd come to the conclusion that he's rather that she heard it from him than any other way.
"The chip's gone." He said softly, making a point of not looking at her.
Buffy stared at him in disbelief. "What?"
"The chip." Spike repeated. "It's gone."
A look of pure nausea crossed Buffy's features. It felt as though someone was twisting her stomach inside her and she didn't know where she wanted to scream, cry or throw up.
"How long?" She finally managed to choke out.
Spike shrugged. "About three weeks. Ever since you found me lying on the floor of my crypt."
Silent tears began to roll down her cheeks. All this time and he hadn't said anything. All this time he tried to convince her that he was the perfect man for her and he was hiding the truth from her.
"Those vamp attacks." She finally whispered. "That was you, wasn't it?"
As Spike nodded she let out a muffled sob over her hand.
"I haven't killed anyone." Spike tried to explain. "Those men that died were trying to kill me, it was self defence. I made sure all the girl's I drank from lived."
Buffy's eyes raised so that they met his. "Why now? You've been feeding all this time, why tell me now?"
"Because I care about you." Spike said softly. "And I hated lying to you."
"You hated lying to me. I've been hear nearly two weeks. You have fresh blood in your fridge. Was that all pretend, just there to fool me."
"No. I've stopped. I couldn't drink from humans anymore because I knew what it would do to you. I knew"
Buffy got to her feet. "I have to go. I need to think."
Spike wanted to convince her that he was sincere but instead just nodded and watched with a heavy heart as Buffy ran out of the room. There was a chance he'd just ruined any chance he would ever have with Buffy.
"What did you do to her?" Spike opened his eyes as an accusing voice woke him out of his sleep. He blinked his eyes open to see a very annoyed Dawn standing over him. "And you better not be naked underneath that sheet either."
Spike laughed at the young Summers nerve. "What are you doing here Nibs? Shouldn't you be in school?"
"I skipped. I needed to talk to you about Buffy. She's gonna stake you."
Spike was completely awake now. "What?" He sat up Dawn turned around squealing. "Nibblet I have on jogging pants."
Dawn exhaled a sigh of relief. "Cause seeing my sis' boyfriend naked is not exactly my idea of fun." She turned back around to face him.
"Boyfriend?"
"Well yeah. You two are so gonna hook up I know it."
"You just said she was gonna stake me."
"Well that's Xander's idea. She told everyone that you are now chipless and about all the stuff you did."
"Just swell." Spike grumbled as he jumped off the bed.
"But she isn't going to do it. I heard her talking to Giles. She is torn about what to do and Giles asked her straight out if she was in love with you. And she totally froze. And then Giles cleaned his glasses for like ever. She totally wants you. And we all know how you feel Spike. So just talk to her or something. And stop eating people." Dawn advised and warned at the same time.
"Nibblet it's more complicated then that."
"No it's not, you two just make it that way. Ever since Buffy came home from her stay with you she's been sad, she finally was beginning to think that maybe there was something between the two of you. She has for the last couple of weeks and then you drop this on her that you got the chip out."
"I didn't get it out. It's a long and complicated story."
"Spike, she's been hurt by Angel and Riley, and now she thinks that her judgment was wrong again. I haven't seen her this mopey since Angel left. She blames herself. She thinks she's a horrible slayer for not seeing the truth about the chip not working. Deep down I know that you are good even if you don't want to admit it. You have to talk to her. Tell her how you feel, for once and for all. I know she loves you. It's almost like the return of Angelus at our house. Jeesh she's all conflicted and emotional. She loves you Spike. I know it."
"Nibb.."
"No! No 'Nibblet it's complicated and you won't understand'. I understand completely and you better go to her. She needs to hear the truth. She needs to trust you." With that Dawn turned and left the vampire's bedrooom.
Days later, as Buffy sat in her class, the words of her professor drifted over her and she barely took them in. Her mind was still reeling. She couldn't believe what he'd told her, or the reason behind his admission
"Buffy? Are you OK?"
Willow's voice cut through the haze in her mind and she nodded numbly in reply. She just didn't know what to do about Spike now or her feelings for him.
The Slayer was dimly aware of a bell ringing in the background so she gathered her things and stood up.
"Buffy, are you sure you're ok?"
She forced a smile, knowing Willow was worried about her.
"I'm fine, Will. I'm just tired. I think maybe I'll take a walk before next class."
Willow nodded and headed back to the dorm, while Buffy headed out into the quad.
She shook her head, trying to clear it. I have to stop thinking about Spike. She was going crazy wondering why his revealing the truth had hurt her so much. "I think I love him that's why." She whispered to herself as she continued out through the doors.
"Buffy?"
The voice that called her name was soft and unmistakable; the British accent could belong to no one else. She stopped and slowly turned to face him.
For a split second she thought she was dreaming, he was standing in the middle of the quad, looking intently at her while the sun shone all around him.
"Spike?" She finally managed to stammer. "How?"
Raising his hand he revealed a small green ring on his finger.
"The gem of Amarra." Buffy breathed. "But"
"I know you probably don't want me near you after what I told you." Spike said softly. "But I just wanted to hear you say it. Tell me you don't want to see me again. Tell me that you don't have feelings for me and I'll be out of town before the sun sets tonight."
Buffy stared at him for a moment. He was serious.
Stepping closer to him she reached up and brushed her fingers over his hair, amazed at the way the sun shone on it. It didn't take long for her to realize what she had to do.
"Stay." She whispered. "I want you to stay."
As a smile spread over Spike's face, Buffy wondered if it was possbible for anyone to look that happy. It was also contagious because she felt herself grinning too.
"God I love you." Spike said finally, pulling her into his arms and kissing her with everything I had.
"I love you too, Spike." Buffy gasped when they eventually parted. "I love you too."
The End
Special thanks to our beta's on this chapter, Raven, Sab, Shadowlass & Nephalim. Plus thanks to Wyrdin for betaing the first three chapters. All of you have been more help then you can know and we truly appreciate it.