Family of Eternity

Chapter 11

Eventually Buffy forgave the man but their relationship was never the same. It was a stroke of genius that inspired Giles to buy the old magic shop, converting it enough for his wares as well as a secret training area. Everyone had come over for the grand opening, getting a laugh at the ex-watcher’s costume before he changed. He’d dressed as a wizard in the hopes of attracting customers. Complete with hat and stars all over the fabric. It was hysterical.

With a secret smile he’d escorted Buffy into the back room, presenting a training room fit for a queen. The blond was in awe, “Wow. Giles...this is...wow...”

He smiled at his protégée, hoping that this might finally mend the rift between them, “I thought perhaps after classes you could come here to train. A basement is too small for proper mobility.”

Spike stopped the small smile tugging his lip, hearing the subtle jibe in the observation. He wasn’t the only one who’d heard it for Buffy’s eyes ignited in anger, “Giles, you know he’s my hun-...patrolling partner. If I can’t train with Spike then I won’t train.”

The vampire’s smile returned with a vengeance. First that she had called him her partner and second was the Freudian slip. She’d meant to say hunting partner. It honored him that she would feel he was that much of an equal. The watcher treading carefully, “Buffy...your feelings aside...he isn’t a proper partner. He can’t even leave the house without a babysitter...”

Spike snarled at the man, “I don’t need-...”

“Shut Up! No one was talking to you!” Giles’ voice was loud, making everyone jump except Spike who didn’t even flinch. The victorious smile aching to grow on the man’s face fell. He’d been hoping to scare the vampire to prove his point. He’d obviously failed. Deciding to lay out all of the cards once and for all, “You’ll never be a proper partner because as long as that chip is in your skull you’ll be a good little puppy. But what happens once it’s gone? Technology fails eventually. How long will it take before you’re back to your old ways, destroying us along with everyone else?”

Silence descended over everyone in the room. While the ex-watcher’s eyes shown with victory, Spike’s held only disgust. Disgust with the man and with everyone else. He’d deluded himself into thinking he could earn their trust as they had earned his. While everyone around him took an unconscious step back, Buffy took one forward protectively, “You lot really believe that, don’t you?” He looked to Buffy expectantly but she remained silent, as if torn about what she should believe. To him it was obvious she didn’t trust him and he couldn’t be with someone who didn’t trust him. It cut him deeply but he wasn’t about to beg. He wasn’t that pathetic demon anymore. There was an uncomfortable silence and he found his answer. He shook his head, deeply disappointed in all of them as he allowed the cold mask to descend over his face. Just like old times. “Guess you haven’t learned a thing, then.”

***

Spike ignored the closeness of the walls and the familiar smell as he traveled swiftly through the sewers. He carefully kept his mind concentrated on thoughts of home. Home. Would he still be welcome there? Would Buffy ever come near him again or would she just stake him? The thought of death didn’t hold the same fear it once had. What he feared most was the look of disgust in her eyes or disappointment in Joyce’s. Then of course there was Dawn, his little Nibblet, who felt like the little sister he’d had as a human. Would she fear and mistrust him like everyone else obviously did?

A sharp noise focused his attention on his surroundings. Hearing soft growls Spike quickly ducked into one of the side tunnels. The sounds grew louder, before they stopped altogether and a new sound filled the walls, “Well, well, well...what have we here?”

With daring he didn’t know he still possessed, he peaked his head out enough to see the back of a demoness that had a real reputation with the demon community. They were all scared spit-less of her and he had to respect that. It’s obvious she got around. Funny how she’d never confronted the slayer considering her obvious power. The vampires all growled at her, “We know you.”

“You’re the one that goes around killing demons for fun.”

The female shook her head and made a buzzer sound, “Wrong...I kill vampires for food...like that one...” She was pointing to an orange haired male hiding behind one of his taller brethren, “Here’s the deal, boys... you give me that one and walk...or...”

Spike’s eyes widened as he watched. He recognized that carrot top freak. His mind flashed back to that night of his attack as he realized it was one of them. Anger and hatred began to curl in his gut. He felt his face shift as his demon asserted itself. < No one gets to kill him but me.>

“Well...if you insist, William.” His head shifted around to see the demoness looking at him with a wide grin on her face. She quirked one eyebrow at his shocked state, “What, haven’t heard of telepathy?”

Blanching and backing away, he heard the vamp shout, “Hey, he’s supposed to be dead!”

Another growled, “After we take care of the bitch you can have him.”

Dien looked back slowly at the group of vampires before her. She raised an eyebrow as if to sound casual but her voice was anything but, “Bitch?” Her eyes started to glow silver as her ire grew, “Someday soon you fools will understand not to mess with him...or me. But until then I guess we’ll do this the hard way.”

***

Buffy paced the living room by the phone. Willow and Tara were looking over a map, hands clasped to use their combined magic as a tracking system for Spike. So far, no luck. Giles was at his shop, being smug. Mental tally over, she turned her attention back to her own blunder. She couldn’t have handled that worse if she tried. Dying by his hand wasn’t exactly appealing but his reaction alone proved he had no intention despite the watcher’s words. Everyone had felt terribly for not having faith in the blond but they had all planned to make it up to him. Even Xander was on the bandwagon of ‘make Spike feel better’. Cursing softly, “Damn you Giles...and damn me, too.” This was getting old. When the hell was she going to trust him? She sat down heavily in the sofa, glancing as her sister walked through the door. Sighing softly, “How was school?”

Dawn shrugged, “Okay, I guess. It was school. Nothing to really write home about. Thank God winter break’s
coming up.” Putting down her book bag and rummaging through it, “Is Spike downstairs, I got something for him?”
The blond Slayer looked on with interest as her sister pulled out a small glass. It was filled with different colored sand, “It’s one of those sand level thingies.”

Rolling her eyes at her big sister, “Yeah, different colors to show different levels. You take a toothpick to let them swirl together...I thought he might like it.”

Looking at the different levels, her voice soft, “I think he’ll love it...and no, he’s not downstairs.”

Dawn frowned before sitting down, “What happened? Where is he?”

Smiling weakly, “We all went over to the Magic Box for the big opening and...”

Scowling, “Let me guess...Giles did his usual thing and Spike took off.”

“With a little help from me and everyone else not being supportive, too.”

She sighed softly, her good mood dampened, “You two are together, aren’t you?”

Not really comfortable talking about this to her baby sister, who hadn’t even turned thirteen yet, “In that, kissy-feely way...”

“C’mon Buffy, be real for a sec.”

It was more complicated than her sister realized. She had fallen in love with the vampire but she was the Slayer. How could she be with him and still kill his kind night after night? Then there was the little comment that worried her. What if the chip ever stopped working? Would he resist the enormous temptation? Was he even capable?

She knew the answer to that. He wasn’t the same vampire he once was. After what had been done to him he’d started all over, with everyone in this house as a part of his family. It wasn’t possible for him to turn on them any more than the possibility of her mother killing one of them. And the world? She snorted to herself in self-loathing. He was scared to death of being alone. Secretly always had been. That’s why he’d jumped from Dru to Harmony so fast. Not for the conversation, granted. And the thought of feeding still didn’t sit well with him.

She caught him watching a vampire flick on TV about a week back. Since Dawn knew how vamps really were she’d laughed through most of it. Spike was exceptionally quiet and a little pale. Perhaps even a touch green. As soon as the ‘vampire’ had started to chow down on his victim the blond had bolted. It hadn’t clicked in her mind until now. Chip or no chip, Spike was probably never going to be able to feed off another living being again.

So. The big question. Did she wish they were together? Whispering, “I hope to.” Joyce came storming into the living room, keys in hand, “Mom, what are you doing here so early?”

“Anya called me. She said Spike is missing, is this true?” Buffy nodded but didn’t even get a chance to reply, “Okay, everyone in the car.”