When You See Me Again

Chapter 12

“This is it! I told you to stay away from my family!”

That was all Spike heard before he was thrown out the back door and onto the deck. His head cracked on the wood and he shook it off. Buffy straddled his chest and started punching him in the face, repeatedly. He laid there and took it, just like before.

And just like before, when she was done, he croaked out, “You always hurt the ones you love, pet.”

Disgusted, she shoved herself off him and walked inside.

He got up slowly, brushing himself off. And then without a fight he headed to Giles’ apartment to recuperate.


The next morning, he was woken up to being slapped in his already bruised and blackened face. “Get up, Captain Peroxide! Rise and shine!” He opened what he could of an eye. Xander knelt in front of him, a goofy grin on his face.
“Giles wanted me to tell you that he needs you to finish whatever you started. I wanted to make sure you got that message before I left for work.”

Spike mumbled something and rolled over to face the couch.

“You’re welcome!” He got up to leave and yelled before he hit the door, “Why he always sides with the crazies—nah never mind.”

The door closed behind him. Spike fell back asleep.


Lunch wasn’t particularly sitting well with the Slayer. Musta been the tuna, she thought to herself. She headed down to the basement to switch around the laundry. Taking the clothes from the washer, she noticed when a little scrap of fabric fell to the floor. Part of Spike’s shirt laid on her big toe, and all she could do was look at it.

The dream last night had been bad enough, but not this too.

She had been near a crumbly tower somewhere in Sunnydale, when Tara had grabbed her and pulled her behind a dumpster. The witch shushed her and told her to watch as two wrinkly demons tied Dawn to a plank at the top. Trying not to scream, she saw Spike walk up and talk to her, and an old man follow him up. After a small struggle, the man stabbed him in the back, and Spike fell to what she presumed was his death, for she wasn’t sure.

That was when she woke up, shaking and crying. Deciding then and there she needed Giles’ help with this one, she vowed to get over there this afternoon.

Apparently, her slayer dreams were wanting to kill Spike, but she wanted to be sure before she saw him again.

Sighing, she grabbed the scrap off the floor and walked upstairs. As she went to the dining room to fold the load of clothes, she grabbed the phone to call Giles. No answer. She called the Magic Box.

“Thank you for calling the Magic Box. We value your patronage!” Came Anya’s voice.

“Hi, Anya. Is Giles there?”

“Yes, Buffy, he is. Giiilllleesss!” She boomed in a loud voice.

Clatter, and clang, the phone fell to the floor. She sighed and a rushed Giles answered. “H-h-hello? Buffy?”

“Yeah, hi. Do you have time to talk to me about a Slayer dream?” Good job of getting right to the point.

“Yes, but can it wait until later? I have to run out of town until this afternoon.”

“Um, yeah, sure.” Frowning, she hung up.

Giles went home shortly after to see him now-room mate just waking up.

“Hello, Rupert.” He winced and headed into the kitchen for some blood.

“What happened, Spike?” He went to look over his face.

“A real nasty Slayer decided to kick my ass for being in her kitchen with mum and little sis. That’s what.” Leaning into the fridge, he pulled out a bag. “Today’s the big day, you know. Lot’s of things to do.”

“What exactly are we going to do today?” Giles started sifting through the ever-growing pile on the table.

“We need to track down a medical student. Goes by the name of Ben. Gonna need the glowy ball for tommorow’s big finale too.”

“What exactly do we need this gentleman for?” Giles sat down.

“We need to kill him.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, why?”

“Because he’s the reason I lose my job, of protecting the girl until the ends of the Earth.” He smiled, taking a drink of the blood. “Was a promise I made to a lady.”

“Who?”

“Buffy.”

“Oh.”

The next morning, nurses rushed about, tending to the various emergencies that popped in as the day went on. Trauma was full, and who could have guessed, because after all, it was Sunnydale. The waiting room was full of police harboring some insane people, chained to the chairs they were sitting in.

Giles sat down in one of the chairs after being directed by the triage nurse. Grabbing a men’s health magazine, he slowly scanned over the articles, paying more careful attention to the door to the actual emergency room. Back there, he would find the person he was looking for.

Few people went in, a few came back out. A young dark haired man in blue scrubs walked out following a man of larger size and his family. The man was rambling, and it looked like the man in the scrubs was reassuring those taking care of him.

Giles took his chance then, heading for the would-be doctor. Catching him as soon as the others left, he quickly took him by the hand. “Say, excuse me, but I think you are just the man I’m looking for.”

The younger man flashed a friendly smile. “Hi!” He was totally taken off guard. “Do I know you?”

“No, but I believe you know a friend of mine. Joyce Summers.” Rupert flashed him the most eager glance.

“Sure! What is it that you have for me?” He placed his hands on his hips.

“Well, I want to thank you for all the help you did with her the other day. Seems as though you took care of her here and I wanted to thank you so much for all you have done!” Giles knew he was laying it on a little thick, but apparently Spike was right, this boy was very kind and could be maneuvered easily.

“You’re welcome. It is kind of my job!” He started to turn back to the swinging door.

“Wait! I wanted to know if you want to come to supper tonight. We’re having it at my house, in your honor.” He paused, “Unless your schedule is too busy.”

“No, I think I can come, what time would you have it at? I won’t leave here until 7 p.m..”

Giles thought for a moment, already knowing the answer. “Not a problem, how about 7:30?”

The med student shook his head, “Great, when and where?”

He was given the information. “Thank you, Mr. Giles! See you tomorrow then!”

Giles gave a little wave, “It will be a pleasure having you, Ben.”