Then there were Three

PART 13

Mistress Lilliana was a white haired rather plump woman who had obviously been quite a buxom beauty in her day. Now in her mid sixties her eyes still danced with a hint of mischief and love of life. She was both healer and seer, and one had the sense that despite her motherly nature and natural calm, she would be an awesome opponent if ever crossed.

The Mistress knew of Margaret’s draining, not so much as it affected her, but that it tore down the ward she had on her room – the coven’s inner sanctum.

As she saw the state of panic on Xander’s face and the overly thin utterly unconscious figure in his arms, there was no need or time for formal introductions.

“Take him through here, quickly.” She ushered them into a small space with a bed behind an overly embroidered curtain then turned as Xander settled Spike onto the silk covers, “Kaila, ask cook for the fresh coven blood we have gathered. It’s in the cold room. And have Gillian attend us immediately, tell her we will need to feed him manually a la coma patient – she will know what to bring.”

She turned back to Xander who was obviously exhausted and was stroking his dear heart’s hair and begging him to hold on. He looked up teary eyed as the mistress addressed him, “You have done the right thing to come here. The Battle Brand has informed me of your friend’s plight – and of your relationship with both Willow and the vampire William.

“This day and three to come will be long and harrowing there is no doubt, but we will have your partner on the mend by then. As far as his long term full recovery? That vision has not yet been afforded me. I have seen Margaret and he seated studying together some time in the future – she is around ten I would suggest, so I surmise things will improve. That is all the hope I can give at this point.”

“So… no dust?”

“Not if we act quickly. We have collected blood from all the coven members – a mere bag each – over the last seven days, well since we knew you were coming. They are here because of their magic so their blood is likewise blessed. It will help, but we will have to insert a feeding tube it is why I called for…”

“Gillian… Hi” The young woman was atypical in the coven. A trained doctor she had come to magic late but was an absolute gift to the coven, treating ailments from carbuncles to cracked bones, but it was her knowledge of trauma surgery that was most useful. After four years in the emergency at Manchester Hospital she had a knack of knowing what to do – and the contacts if she didn’t.

Xander watched her unpack some sort of kit, scrubbing her arms and hands furiously in the small sink in the bathroom and nodding to the Mistress who pulled the gloves onto sterile hands. She then moved to the bed and opened a strange looking pack containing a tube around a centimeter wide.

Xander was a little unsure of his role so stepped back and looked on helplessly as various items were placed around his lover and the blood delivered in a large cooler.

Gillian looked up and smiled sympathetically, “I wonder could you hold his head Xander, I need it angled back a little while I push the tube to his stomach. There may be a moment as I pass his gag reflex.”

All Xander could think was “If only this were easier!”

Xander held his head at the appropriate angle and watched as the tube was fed skilfully down his partner’s oesophagus and into his stomach. Spike was so deeply comatose that the warning regarding any convulsions was utterly unnecessary. The tube was attached to the first blood bag but for Xander nothing changed.

He sat with his dear friend as seven bags of magically infused coven blood were gradually emptied into the vampire’s stomach. The only time Xander moved from his place holding the vampire’s hand was to go to the toilet once and to visit the children twice. The latter being easy, they had all settled including Margaret and were sleeping through the jetlag under careful scrutiny of coven members. This time Nurse Susan too was able to snooze.

After seven half litre bags of blood Spike stirred a little and opened his eyes, his dear Xander was there but his head was on the bed, the man asleep seated. He squeezed the hand that held his own, then realized he had no voice, the feeding tube taking that from him.

Xander roused slowly then realized his lover was awake. “Gillian? Nurse? Oh Goddess *someone*!”

He need not have panicked. A smiling Gillian attended and gently eased out the tube, with a quiet pat as it came out completely.

Xander was instantly at his side and all but tearful as Spike again coughed a little, but this time it was reflexive. His throat was sore from the treatment, but the cough had no indication of illness anymore. The magic within the blood seemed to have done what Xander could not.

He was thrilled as his loved one took his wrist and actively sucked then licked the cut closed, then pulled the still too pale and thin blonde to his chest to hug him soundly.

“You *never* do that again… please! I can’t lose you… I can’t lose you!!!!”

“She’s yours Xan… chit deserves a chance… last bit weren’t my choice anyway – she just got what I couldn’t provide.”

“*She* a one and a bit year old girl, nearly brought down the coven! And you were daring to feed her!”

“Never said I was clever did I… Little un needed it, she’s your’s and Red’s what’s a bloke to do?! She’s alright though… now I mean…”

Xander moved to the bed then lifted his recovering partner into his lap, stroking his hair and encouraging Spike to snuggle into his chest he said quietly, “She’s fine… better than ever… She’s sleeping with her sisters tonight.”

It seemed as much as Spike could manage to answer, “Right then”, before he fell into a deep sleep. Unlike the coma, however, he pushed into the man holding him, tried to edge closer to lick and suck at the flesh in front of him in his human guise, much like a tiny child might, a tease that had Xander contemplating just how long it had been since they last coupled.

Mistress Lilliana smiled as the vampire rallied a little then slept. “There he is… Hold him tonight Xander as both of you will need that… but tomorrow with more of the coven blood he should begin his recovery.”

“But Margaret?”

“I will instruct her personally. She must learn to draw from the earth, not just from those around her. For one so young, it will not be words but tapping into her instincts that will adjust her actions. William here cannot continue to feed her. It *will* dust him.”

“He was prepared to do so… I knew… he said…”

“Xander you hold a most extraordinary individual in your arms. A true noble. He would go into battle to defend you without thought for his own safety, Angel knew that, Illyria knew and rewarded him for it (or cursed him, that is yet to be determined), and Margaret feels it. This beautiful soul strives always for others… though he may protest the contrary – even soulless he protected and adored his challenged Sire.

“Be at peace Xander. The wiccans of this coven will care for your dear children, indeed we have both crèche and kindergarten on site, and more young mothers from our county than you care to count assisting. Nurse Susan has been bedded down with Margaret and your dear one will be well enough in the afternoon, to drink for himself I am sure.”

Lilliana then laid her hands on both men and invoked a healing spell then a prayer to Gaia herself. Xander didn’t miss the kicking off of shoes and solid planting of feet as she lay her hands on both men’s foreheads.

Xander felt suddenly warm and also began to cry without conscious thought. Spike was likewise in tears even though barely rousing from sleep.

Lilliana simply said, “Do not be distressed by your tears, nor those of William’s, you have been so strong for the children, but here you are permitted to grieve for her… Now… join your dear one on my bed and… sleep”

It was literally hours before he roused again.

He was in Spike’s arms – this time arms that seemed stronger, that held and caressed. He worried that he was imagining it. Then he heard the strong beloved baritone…

“Fed me again whilst you were sleepin’ Can’t say as I c’n ever repay ‘em. Pins still not workin’ but least I c’n work me chin and…” He tried to sit up a little but failed dismally, “Oh Bugger.”

Xander was just thrilled there was *any* improvement. “Shhhh It’s fine – just think how good you will feel in a few days.”

Spike relaxed back with a heavy sigh, “Yeah, but played this game before haven’t we. Ol’ Spike the yo-yo…”

Two days later saw Spike sitting up in his and Xander’s own bed, and well enough to see the children.






Part 14

The little ones hugged and snuggled and warmed… It was the salve Spike needed beyond anything… The children were his too… Xander knew that, Willow had known it in her own way, the Battle Brand knew, and the Mistress Lilliana knew… so did (thankfully unbeknownst to William) the whole coven.

A month on, Xander had taken sabbatical (leave without pay) from the college. The management knew of his deceased wife’s challenges and were genuinely saddened by her demise, but also understood that grief took time to resolve.
Hearing his daughter’s latest health challenges and need to seek assistance in the UK was… there were no words. The Chancellor of the college worried that there might be no return of their best lecturer, but HR was adamant that it was worth admitting the time off without loss of tenure.


Xander was amazed by the disciplined approach of the coven. He always assumed ‘new agey’ equalled free and easy… but it could not have been farther from the truth.

The children were organized, fed, dressed and schooled and all of them revelled in their respective groups. His girls all found friends within days… Sadie particularly quick to find Magenta, a magically gifted girl who’s mother was from Kenya, whilst Maisie hooking up with a young lad, Dajev from the Ukraine. Lucy too eventually found a little blonde local girl called Tracey to associate with - the two were both terribly shy, and sat aside from the others, usually giggling and ‘sharing secrets’. Lucy was Spike’s favourite of the three… he somehow saw himself in the nervous, intelligent little girl.

The boys were in their element – a large group of exuberant boys and girls their own age. They played and ate and snoozed and played again – a complete delight. They regularly visited Spike, accompanied by Nurse Susan, of an afternoon and were both just walking and at the beginning of the ‘babble’ stage. Sometimes Nurse Susan brought their playmates also, and noted the extra spark of pleasure in the Vampire’s eye – it was nothing to do with feeding and everything to do with being a father.

But again it was Xander who needed help. His dear one was still *so* slow to mend and the coven was really struggling.

Spike slept almost all day everyday and now it seemed almost all night as well. There was no real explanation but eventually something *did* seem to be healing and two weeks later, he asked to be helped to stand.

They were reasonably strong legs that bore him up and a perfectly delighted grin that accompanied the event, sadly his back still felt like it was on fire, that he would keep to himself if he could, as he observed the wide smile of his lover.

“See Pet? Just needed a bit of time.” The comment garnered a relieved slap from Xander – there was no weight in it – but was then accompanied by the catching of the vampire as he began to lose balance and collapsed.

He sat on the ground with the vampire over his lap stroking a very pale vampire obviously in pain, “Geez Spike I’m sorry … I’m so sorry!”

Spike took an unnecessary breath then whispered “Not your’s t’ be sorry about Pet, back’s just a bit sore is all.” It was the first time he had admitted it.

Mistress Lilliana was informed immediately and the MRI revealed three badly compromised disks and three cracked vertebra in the lumbar region… and the magical scan pulsed at the same point. Something had been taken from him in the blast that was not letting his own healing abilities ‘kick in’.

A day later, Spike was flat on his front in a full spinal bed. Three of the best coven healers had been focussing on his back and chanting but it seemed that a long struggle was to come.

His solace was being visited by their girls who were pleased to ‘cheer up Unca Spike’ and did as instructed by Nurse Susan. The three sat on the floor under him and showed their latest creations from the nursery school they were now attending at the coven, then each dutifully knelt or stood, and kissed him on the forehead.

Xander entered as the girls were leaving, they all received a hug from Dad, but as the last, Lucy, departed Xander saw his partner once again in game face and dripping blood tinged tears onto the floor below. He flew to his side.

“Talk to me… Can you talk to me… Come on please, Spike. Are you hurting? Shall I get the healers again… Oh please! Tell me what I can do?! I can’t stand seeing you like this… We’ll fix this… We’ll fix you.”

The affect of the words were only to make the injured vampire cry even harder. He remembered the original injury.

He had watched Gunn then his Grandsire die before being launched by the blast, and at the same time drained of his magic, before being slammed against the edge of metal industrial bin. Any human would have been permanently disabled or dead from the impact but his vampire system struggled to recover once Clem took care of him.

He struggled to stay conscious, “’S OK Luv… ‘S OK… Maybe had me time… ‘n if ya can’t fix… Pull out that wood and give me a permanent rest, yeah?”

Spike’s eyes closed and Xander went from concerned to frantic.

The healers were all called back but their ministrations seemed to have little effect, even their laid on hands gave no improvement and little relief. Spike would die in agony or drug induced oblivion if possible and no-one at the coven could reassure Xander.

The magic was one thing, but at this stage drugs were the best option, morphine the drug of choice as it usually affected heart and lungs… the latter not so much a problem with vampires therefore the dose could be ‘upped’.

Xander returned to the girls’ room kissing them all and lying through his teeth as he told them Unca Spike was ‘just fine… but a bit sick at the moment’. Even at four the girls weren’t fooled and all asked for a ‘special bottle’ that night – these days, sadly (but thankfully) it was from another wiccan at the coven.

Gemma had lost her second boy twin to natural causes he (Thomas) died in-vitro, the cause a suspected heart problem. Hence her lovely Lance was born too early at 32 weeks. She continued to express for two and caressed Xander’s darling boys along with her own, realizing that without the intervention she might have lost her firstborn and her own life, and appreciated even more what Xander was trying to do.

Gemma gave up her milk willingly… her Lance had no hope of consuming her supply, so it was cherished and frozen for him and the other boys (and of course Margaret) that she now fed.

Her supply was ample and regular, except on the day they buried Thomas, Lance’s twin.

There had to be an autopsy, and he had to be named, then the tiny casket was buried… The whole coven grieved – many of them mothers sending blessings to aid the grieving parents…

Perhaps as a consequence – no-one knew - three days later, Gemma’s partner renounced his Coven vows and walked out, never to return.

Xander visited and helped settle all the children, checked his patient, then went to watch some television… something mindless… anything mindless. He would never be able to thank Gemma and her partner… never… to lose a child and then help others? He was so humbled by their generosity.

What he didn’t notice, nor anyone else apparently, was the tiny girl who was now toddling, had toddled to Unca Spike’s sick bed.

At two the next morning, a regular check time, Nurse Susan looked in on Spike, only to see, once again, that Margaret had fed of him. Mistress Lilliana came on the run. The little Miss had snuck in and taken of him, but this time there was something different.

Margaret was asleep on Spike’s chest. He was grey and drained as ever, but something about his magical signature was stronger. It was unprecedented, but for Xander, the news was wonderful.

Spike could have pushed away the little Margaret, but chose to pull her onto his chest, scored it, and let her take her fill. But somehow she had registered her ‘obligation’ to return the favour and swung to the side so she could touch the floor. The near two year old instinctively planted her feet and despite continuing to feed, this time gave back far more magic than she took.

And unbeknownst to Xander, Spike’s back began to heal.

Xander was just about to enter and pull Margaret away but paused as Mistress Lilliana arrived and opted to say, “Why would he?... Goddess Why?? He’s already weak!”

Mistress Lilliana turned on him, “Would you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Give up everything… for you children?”

“G#$%!!!! Of course!”

“So you are denying William the same right?”

“What?? No!! Oh G@#$ But he *has* to be OK!!!”

Mistress Lilliana levelled dark green eyes on him, “I think you will find that the combination of the Battle Brand and the ensouled Vampire will provide quite a unique young woman.”

“But how does that work?? what about Spike?!!!… He is *dying* F#@$ sake! I *can’t* do this alone!!!”

Xander was genuinely frantic. This was ridiculous – they were postulating and predicting and his lover was… *dying*, *dusting*, or even *leaving the realm*??!!!!

In the end there was no rational thought, Xander tried to get to his partner for minutes, which could have been hours… only to be held back and watch him feeding Margaret again and again, as she rested and latched back on… but through tearful eyes he eventually saw the truth. Spike had been placed on the floor, she was feeding from his breast much as any child would a mother, and had her tiny hand wrapped around Spike’s thumb. But she was kneeling, connected to the earth.

And when her father entered, she stretched out her other arm instinctively and drew him down to comfort, first her then his own partner.

She had few words yet but ‘Da’ and ‘hug’ were two of them…

Xander dismissed Nurse Susan – the happy youngster on one hip, but was utterly distressed so rushed to his partner’s side. The last time this had occurred Spike was down for weeks!

He was most definitely drained but had been given back something...

“Chit gave of herself… didn’t have to… but right nice. Look! She’s on the shy side of two but knows how to pull from the earth!”

Xander had seen it too. Margaret clearly had bare feet planted as she suckled, and had crawled up afterward to lie with her game faced ‘uncle’.

…………………………

Part 15

Spike began to improve slowly but something else was happening and it was Margaret again.

She seemed to want to be with him almost constantly. For some reason she knew to pull from the Earth as she drank, but also knew that Unca Spike needed rest and comfort.

After each feeding she cried because Unca seemed not able… and Nurse Susan would come on the run and her dear Unca would be fed again with the bottles like they gave her but a little bigger… and as he drank, she would relax on his chest and lick the place he always made for her to drink.

Her next best hugger was Daddy, but she seemed know that he had others too, her brothers and sisters were all there.

Even at just coming up for two and a half she *knew*, she could bring every member of the coven to its knees, but Unca told her… and she listened… she listened as he asked to be rolled onto his side “You don’t hurt thems as what helps you! Family! Family is all Pet, you need to *protect* them That afternoon whe had donated from her ‘special chair’ before he read her some, ‘Can you say this’ by Dr Seuss *again* and always ended up tossing it against the wall before continuing with Christopher Robin… even at two and a bit she was torn between liking Piglet or Owl the best. Owl seemed so much like Spike.

It was twelve weeks of extreme worry for Xander as he saw his dear heart undulate between health and dusty death. Twelve weeks of terrifying ups and downs, but at the end of week eight a momentous breakthrough, Spike had stood without pain for the first time to the cheers of members of the coven, and was hugged by all the children. And that was when Xander cried as he realised that he needed the vampire as much as the children… no… or rather his need for the blonde one went so much farther…

By week twelve Spike was again walking with a cane but this time knew that he was returning to full health, he felt strong and had taken to exercising his arms again – something he had been unable to do for some time.

The three girls were a joy and quite settled at the coven. Space was short and they still all slept in the one double bed which could be either blissful or a bun fight! The latter always sorted if father had to come in. They were already reading and apparently had their mother’s mind for studies and for magic – which they were being slowly encouraged to explore. They were loving to a fault and Xander delighted in late afternoon strolls with the three as they chatted away about all the things they had learned that day.

The boys were now in ‘sub-junior’ soccer and seemed to lean toward anything physical as a habit. The encouraging thing was that their magical signature too was strong, even at such a young age. The idea of two junior male wiccans with their heritage caused a ripple through the coven and beyond, it had been too long.

But Margaret was something more. She should still have been too young to understand her power, but somehow she did. She was allowed to visit Unca Spike ‘for a drink’ once a day but only if he had already drunk his limit in blood and had his special bottle on the side of the bed. She would always wait for that to be placed before wandering in.

These days she liked to wait until he was a little propped up by pillows and had time to read to her. She quite liked Winnie the Pooh and hugged her own teddy to her close every time Unca read another chapter or a poem… she even contemplated finding the North Pole herself one day.

And Spike improved and was back in a normal but specially low bed. Now whenever the little love fed, she slid down, planted her feet on the slate floor and drew from the earth. Spike giving back as much as he was able – as he always had, but now realising, this was a being so powerful that the whole spectrum of magic was hers to play with.

Xander saw it, the whole Coven did. Margaret may have been his by birth but she was also acting like… Lilliana said it first… increasingly like a fledgling vampire Childe whenever around Spike.

A very worried father stood at the door and stared, then, feeling the Mistress behind him, whispered, “But she’s not being turned… is she? Oh G$#% she’s not… I should…” He was about to move but felt the presence of the Mistress and the quiet word, “Don’t.”

“You know this is right. You know she will not be harmed by Spike, just as you would not harm her. She drinks of him and in turn, now imbues a little of Mother Earth’s strength each time she does so. She will be changed by the blood, but only that it makes her stronger, more bound to family, and to the ‘other’. When old enough she will return here to take my place – or to command a coven of her own that is clear. And the Battle Brand has seen it. She will have physical abilities at the extreme end of human, but family will train her and ground her. Do not fear for her, rather, let her be your littlest one Margaret. She needs you too… Her father is loved… precious… and so is the Mate of Spike.”

Lilliana’s quiet words meant everything. Xander wandered into the room and eased himself onto the bed behind his lover whilst the little one continued to feed from Spike’s wrist this time.

It had been weeks since Xander had touched Spike in such a way, previously simple petting or sympathetic touches to face or hands was the limit, now Spike felt it. His wonderful human was spooning him from behind, and he could feel every inch of the much loved warm body touching him. And then a wrist came around. His demon was already aroused so the bite was both gentle and painful for Xander and now three were joined in blood.

Margaret felt the love flowing between father and Unca and was not so much confused but incredibly excited. She stamped her feet and planted them as she took one last suck from Unca then toddled off to have Nurse Susan feed her the very last of Willow’s milk. Her joy was evident as she finished the bottle and planted her feet on the ground again – this time to send her happiness to Gaia and anyone connected to Mother Earth.

The ripple was not just evident, it was crippling. Every magical creature and most animals stopped for a moment and felt odd as the small girl once again touched their beings. Anyone with their feet to the floor dropped to their knees. Mistress Lilliana was a powerful witch, but she too paused as the little one took and gave. Her coven could not be compromised in such a fashion so regularly, but the Battle Brand had said that it was Spike who needed to school the little girl, and Lilliana knew that it would be in her coven, she had seen that much.

Xander worried that they would be banned from the Coven, and began to pack the children’s things but was staid by the Mistress’s hand, “You must not go and try to do it alone, it will dust your partner and possibly kill your other children.”

“But… I am so sorry!...”

Lilliana saw a man in distress as Xander dropped to his knees in front of her.

“I just… I don’t know what to do! Willow was my best friend… she was the mother of all my children and now she’s gone… [hic] and Spike is my partner, my lover, my mate… please don’t make us leave… Please! At least take the other children… I [hic] I will try to be here as many days as I can.”

Mistress Lilliana turned on her best motherly tone, “There is no need to leave. We will deal with this issue – just as Spike will. The little girl is simply ‘finding her feet’ and she *needs* to interact with other people.”

Xander was holding his still incapacitated friend’s hand tightly with one hand and was literally begging…

“Please! Mistress… How can we fix this!?”

The Senior Wiccan simply took both his hands in hers and asked, “Please focus, my eyes won’t tell all but they *will* inform to some degree.”

He saw Margaret running with other children; he saw Spike standing at the winter solstice some time in the future; he saw his teenaged girls all decked out for winter solstice and his tall handsome sons for summer some years later. There were no words… except… “Where’s Margaret… later? Please does something?...!”

Mistress Lilliana turned a learned gaze on the worried father.

“She is not truly ours. Xander you knew this from the beginning, hers is a destiny that is well beyond mine. Her power outstrips mine and yet she is *so young* I will train her for as long as I can – as will her *other* father… and together perhaps we will combine to save Gaia who *is* struggling. She is the next Mistress, and none have yet seen her true power.”

Xander rallied a little, “I think I might have had a feel before… Her Mother… her mother…”

“Marked you… and though you don’t seem to feel it at the time, we all can… Indeed we all did the instant she was sentient again. But your love brought her back.

“And your love rescued her and gave her peace and joy in the last years of her life… And as you were for your friend, the mother, now you are for her children. Their rock, their stability… You are as you have always been, but now are more. Your children are growing, and the product of love, despite their beginnings. And you have an almost recovered…”

Xander turned, only to see Spike slowly pulling the ‘Little Miss’ up for a hug after feeding then miraculously, he wiggled pale toes and for the first time in weeks pushed week legs up a little more. It was the first true sign of recovery Xander had seen.

The little one was gently removed by Nurse Susan and Xander bared his neck, easily taken, and for the first time in months, they moved together and when Xander lifted and shifted over him, Spike was able to happily drew his legs back with weak arms and joyfully invited the feeling as his lover sank down easily into his adored form.

Xander cried as he completed. There were no words but his partner was in game face and crying as he too released… there were no words.

Spike was on the mend.

The following day a bevy of tiny children joyfully rushed to his bedside. He was so loved and they had all worried, even though so young… especially the girls. Their father hugged them hard as they entered the sick room.

On her way out Maisie could not help herself. “Papa why is Uncle Spike so very thin? I heard it was… Sorry Papa, just curious?” The five year old saw the distress on her father’s face and accepted the rather shaky hug… and knew there was something amiss. It was only the “We have worked a deal that will heal” that gave her hope. Maisie was ever the optimist.

Indeed Spike did improve. After two months he was well enough to celebrate the boys’ fourth and shortly after even walk (with cane) to the girls’ entering their first year of school. They were in a ‘posh’ area so the school was tremendous. Teachers called themselves by their first names and the children were encouraged to explore their strengths in all directions. The three girls *loved* school, particularly as all had arrived there with their wiccan buddies. The Head of School was himself a private practiser of the art… and very aware of the community in his midst.

He interviewed a very nervous Xander (never one for schools!) then reassured the poor man that his girls would be well looked after. Knowledge of the family loss was almost too much but there were other relatives helping… at least a little. The principal Gerard made a note. The girls would be seen soon into the new year by the school psychologist and monitored. The loss was not to be discounted should they show ‘issues’ – particularly as triplets…

Xander provided all the paperwork and filled out so much paper as to kill five trees… then they… went home.

And Spike was standing, with Margaret at his side. The two year old grinning and said clearly “Look… Unca… Me… Unca!!!”

Xander congratulated and kissed all his girls (including Margaret) and ushered them all into the arms of Nanny Susan.

After they were inside he fell to his knees at his wonderful partner and began to drop heavy then copious tears of relief, or thanks, or grief… he was no longer sure… If his partner was truly on the mend, they were also one of… then he felt it… the link… It was all that was needed. Love… The Beatles had said it before he was even born… “Love is all you need”.

And Margaret? The connection with Spike was unmistakable and The Mistress had booked a meeting with both ‘parents’ the next day. She needed more magically and they needed a solution.