Family of Eternity

Chapter 5

Spike sat up slowly, wincing to himself to see the contented slayer curled up on the floor. He fairly stumbled to his coat and shook out a cigarette and his lighter, his thoughts in turmoil as he made it to the door and stepped out onto the porch. Fag in mouth, he tilted his head and lit it, pulling in a deep breath of nicotine before expelling it with a sigh as he felt his body tingle.

He sat down on the bench against the side of the cabin with a sigh, staring out into the slowly fading
dark as dawn beckoned. His cock was happy, but just about every other part of him was a whirlwind of confusion. He’d pretty much sussed out that the girl in there was Buffy, but just the slayer aspect of her. So, instinctively she wanted him. But it wasn’t enough. He loved all of her, the slayer and the girl. And nothing less would satisfy him.

Ghost Buffy sat down not far away, watching him think. It was actually one of her favorite past times. She loved to catch him in one of his reflection type of moods. He’d get all quiet, his inner thoughts all he was focused on. It was actually rather sexy to her.

“What happened, luv?” Buffy blinked for a minute, looking around to be sure he wasn’t talking to someone else and jumping when his eyes locked on her, “I can’t see you, but I know you’re there.”

“...how...” He tapped his nose, gaze not wavering. His super sniffer, of course. Nibbling on her
lip, “I don’t know...” He nodded a little and went back to thinking. Apparently he could hear her just fine. Swallowing thickly, “Spike-...”

“Just an accident. I get it. You wouldn’t be here otherwise.”

Buffy closed her eyes and let her head fall forward. But then she collected herself once more. He deserved the truth, and his resentment. She’d been a selfish bitch, “I was actually on my way. Mom was giving me a lift. Then wham, I’m suddenly Casper and watching my body attack you.”

He jumped to his feet and started pacing, puffing along in agitation, “I couldn’t stop her-...dammit I didn’t want to, Slayer.”

“I know.” She was actually rather glad of that fact. It told her, reassured her, that no matter how mad he might be right now, she was still what he wanted.

He snarled in agitation even as she jumped to her feet and approached him. He didn’t see her of course and walked right through her, both of them jerking and gasping with the contact. He backpedaled in shock, tripping over a step and sprawling on the ground, “What the fuck was that?!”

Panting in what she could only describe as extreme want, “You walked through me. Sorry. Um, actually I’m not but sorry I startled you.”

He panted for breath himself, his eyebrows furrowed. When he’d walked through her he’d felt her desire for him and it was staggering, “You want me?”

Blushing, “What?”

He sat up, quickly getting to his feet, “You desire me?”

Glaring, “You’re gorgeous, of course I...want you.”

Shaking his head, “I’m not talking about slayer girl in there. You. Buffy Summers. You want me?”

He got up and walked up the porch steps, even as the sky started to lighten and the dawn arose behind the cabin. And with each moment of more light, more of Buffy started to reveal itself, even as the slayer in the cabin started to disappear, “Of course I want you, you idiot. You’re...you’re funny and loyal and you don’t take my shit. You’re perfect for me it’s...I...I just...Giles has always told me how it’s supposed to be. Demon on one side, humans on the other and...and you’re not. You’re in the middle. You’re not evil like them but you’re not all good either... you’re like me. Too much like me. And that scares me. Because what if Giles sees that? Sees me like that and decides I need to be put down or something...”

Frowning, kneeling before her, “What?”

Closing her eyes, “I was tested when I was eighteen. They said it was tradition, but I know it’s because I wasn’t their perfect little drone slayer. I snuck in and read Giles’ watcher diary.” A tear slunk down her cheek as she finally allowed the truth to be heard, “He’s there to help me with the research...but he’s also there to make sure the demon inside doesn’t take over.” Spike tilted his head in growing understanding. Of course he’d known slayers were different for a reason and he suspected demonic influence. He’d just had no idea that Buffy also knew the truth, “I’m not even 20, Spike. This isn’t supposed to happen until I’m 24. But it is. And I’m changing. I can feel it. I’m stronger, faster...and I know it’s everything that they fear. I have to hide it. If they see...see me...they’ll kill me.”

Without thought he wrapped her in his arms. And she didn’t pass through him, solid once more, “I’ll protect you.”

Sniffling a laugh, “How? When they want me dead, I’ll be dead.”

Snarling, “No.” He jerked back and cupped her face, staring into her eyes, “I’ll kill them, first. Trust me slayer, death can come with a bomb or a favor from me. If I truly want someone dead, I can make it happen.” Her brow furrowed, thinking about that. Really thinking about that. All this time as her mortal enemy, and she’d never considered him a true threat with the chip in his head. But the simple fact was he could have gotten her and her friends killed a long time ago. He saw the wheels in her head turning and gave her a small smile, “Luv, I never really wanted you dead. After our first fight, I found fighting you far more enjoyable than the glory of your kill ever could have been.”

Buffy traced his cheekbone in awe. He would kill for her, and not in the fatalistic because of her way but to protect her. And the slayer in her purred in contentment with that thought. She felt the echo of words, the want and need to make this vampire all her own. And she would someday. Maybe someday soon.

***

Giles glared at Halfrek, even as Xander and Anya reappeared. Only Dawn noticed a serenely sitting Dien in the back and she went over to her as the four of them squared off. A hint of Ripper below the surface, “What is going on?”

Xander’s jaw tightened, standing in front of his girlfriend. He trusted her, more than anyone. And more importantly she had never lied to him, “What are the wet works team?” And he caught it. The barest of flinches. She hadn’t been lying then.

Shaking his head, “What does that-...”

Dien gave Dawn a wink, even as she subtly gave the child a deck of cards to practice with. She’d been teaching the preteen how to play poker and the girl was good, “Answer the question, watcher.” Eyes turned to her as she crossed her legs on the table she was balancing on, “I’m sure we’re all curious about them.”

Willow raised an eyebrow, glancing at Giles who was busy polishing his glasses, “Giles?”

Rupert sighed, “They are an unfortunate necessity when a slayer goes out of control.”

Anya rolled her eyes, “Stop beating around the bush. They kill slayers that show independence-...”

“That are dangerous-...”

“Think for themselves-...”

“Enough!” Heads swung around as Joyce pulled herself to her full height, glowering, “Are you trying to tell me that there are people that work with the council that could kill my little girl?”

“Joyce-...”

“What happens when she turns 24, watcher? Why don’t you tell the girl’s mother that. Or maybe I should.”

Joyce crossed her arms while Giles looked down in shame. He’d never been proud of that aspect of the Council. His voice quiet, “It’s to ensure our safety.”

“What is?”

Glaring at the demoness for bringing this up, “If she becomes unstable, it is their duty to do what is necessary. No slayer has been able to handle their abilities after they turn 24. They do what must be done for protection.”

“For who? The Council?”

Glowering, “Everyone. She would become impossible to restrain should something corrupt her. A being of such abilities, trained by us no less...is it not reasonable-...”

“Enough!” Eyes once again on Joyce before she sighed. Her little girl had enough to worry about. She fought demons and saved the world, now she had to hide from Council supremests who were ready to...kill her if she stepped out of line. She glanced at Halfrek and nodded to her, “Take our memories.” Giles’ jaw dropped open and she snapped at him, “I would rather remember none of this and give my daughter a chance to live than to have her life constantly in danger because of you.”

Halfrek smirked, “Don’t worry. This isn’t a memory spell of forgetting. It will simply be impossible for him to connect anything about her potential as a danger...and that includes any future bonding with a demon.” Before Giles could reply a light encompassed him and he slid to the ground in a unconscious heap.

Everyone in the room blinked a few times, their thoughts fuzzy. After a moment everything seemed to fall into place, all right in their world once more. Tara frowned, “Mr. Giles?”

Lying smoothly, “He just fainted, little witch, he’ll be fine.” Xander glanced at the demoness but held
his tongue. Unlike everyone else, he still remembered everything.

Willow raised her hand, “Any ideas on a spell so we could go home. Some demons sealed us in-...” The shop door creaked open suddenly, the bell overhead ringing a little, “Never mind.”

Dien nodded, “That you, Cecily.”

Groaning, the brunette pouted, “Will you ever stop calling me that?”

Raising an eyebrow, “When you apologize to William for being a heart breaking bitch, maybe.”