His Gift

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His Gift_3


Giles returned back to Sunnydale. After picking up his car at the airport car park he dropped his belongings into the trunk and made his way to Revello Drive.

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Not realizing it Buffy was becoming more and more primal the longer she stayed in the dimension she found herself in. With her ever-expanding stomach she had taken to wearing the ‘turtle shell’ as she liked to call it, strapped around her stomach. She was very protective of her growing child. It was the only thing she had left of Spike.

She adjusted the straps before making her way out into the night. It really was a neat piece of protection, the bottom of it rested against her hipbones, dipping low in the center so it didn’t touch her stomach, the sides rested against the sides of her body and the top of it rested against her sternum. The shell absorbed any blows she took to the stomach, so she could fight, and hunt without worrying about the life growing inside of her.

Spotting a lumbering demon a few feet away she stealthily followed it. Gripping the hammer in one hand she got close enough to bring it down on the short little demon’s head. With a growl of satisfaction she kicked it viciously, grinning.

She was walking away when she felt it. A sensation she hadn’t ever felt before. Quickening her pace she made it back to her cave. Her safe haven, nothing ever came near her cave. It was as if they could sense her presence.

Buffy removed her protective shell, lay down on the ground and placed her hands on her belly. There it was again, a fluttering sensation, her baby. Moving. Alive. Inside of her. She didn’t feel the tears as they fell. She closed her eyes and thought about him. Spike. ‘I love you so much. I need you Spike…please…I need you so much…’ With those final thoughts she drifted off to sleep.


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“Rupes. Glad you’re back mate…” Spike said motioning for the watcher to follow him.

“What happened Spike?” Giles asked. He could see dark circles under the vampire’s eyes, he looked much like he did right after Buffy jumped, gaunt, emotionally drained, and tired.

“I think…we need to talk.” He sat on the couch, glancing nervously at the older man. “Remember the night she…Buffy, when she jumped?” Spike asked.

Giles nodded pensively. “Right well…when we came back here…we that is to say that I…”

“What is it Spike?” Giles asked.

“I claimed Buffy.” Spike growled. “And now…I can feel her…she needs me and I don’t know what to do…”

“What?” Giles roared. “You claimed my slayer?” All camaraderie with the vampire momentarily forgotten. “How could you do that?”

“I…I loved her Rupert, truth be told I still do…but that’s not the point. I…I don’t think she is dead. I she needs me and I don’t know what to do…how to find her…I can’t open that bloody portal again and go after her…”

All color drained from Giles face, as if everything that Spike said just penetrated. “Alive? You…expect me to believe she’s alive ?” Giles asked. “She was a slayer Spike. She went to heaven.” Giles almost whispered. “I’m sure of it…”

“You don’t know…you didn’t feel…” Spike closed his eyes and sighed. “I’m connected to her, weather you like it or not t’s the truth. I need to find her…”

“What kind of sick twisted game is this?” Giles growled.

“S’not a game…” Spike said softly.

“There hasn’t been another Slayer called.” Quentin said quietly.

That took the wind out of Giles’ sails. Instant watcher mode. “Have you researched? I don’t…why wouldn’t…”

“It’s Faith…She is the one who was called the most recently, and it wasn’t her who died…”

“What do you propose we do?” Giles asked, his whole body rigid with tension.

“I trust the hellmouth is secure?” Quentin inquired.

“Yes Quite.” Giles nodded.

“Then I propose we do nothing, give it a little more time. If activity increases there…if there is need…we will decide what to do then…” his conversation with Quentin played over in his head. ‘Maybe there is another explanation to why there wasn’t another called. In truth it has never happened before that there have been two slayers…maybe…just maybe…’ Giles Glanced at Spike. “Are you certain?” He asked.

“More than anything I’ve ever known, I know that she’s not dead.” Spike said honestly.

“I’ll call Willow. Have her meet us here to discuss what we can do.”

Spike didn’t hear his last words, he suddenly felt Buffy, her need and desperation coming through the claim loud and clear.


“Spike? What is it?” Giles asked when he noticed the vampire wasn’t paying attention to him.

“It’s her…she needs me…” He choked back a sob. “She‘s calling me through the claim…”

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“You want me to bring Buffy back?” Willow squeaked.

“She’s alive.” Spike said flatly.

“How would you know?” Xander asked snarkilly.

“Spike has a link to Buffy…” Giles said softly.

“Yeah…kind of stalkery…and he wants us to bring her back from the dead. I can’t believe your gonna let him talk you into this…” Xander said angrily. “She’s at peace! Can’t you just leave well enough alone?” Xander screamed pointing his finger at Spike. “Buffy was a warrior of the people, but she is dead now…I think we’ve all been through enough…think about Dawn…let’s say it does work…but what we bring back isn’t Buffy? What’s Dawn gonna say then?”

“Xander you dolt shut up. Spike claimed Buffy before she jumped. She has been using his claim to call to him…”

“You believe this crap Giles? I can’t believe you’d fall for one of captain peroxide’s evil plans…”

“What if I can’t do it? What if I’m not strong enough?” Willow asked calmly, ignoring Xander’s ranting.

“I’ll be right by your side to offer any assistance you may require…” Giles said softly.

“So will I sweetie…” Tara said softly, placing a hand on Willow’s shoulder. “You can do this, I know you can…”

“Are you people even listening to me?” Xander screamed in outrage.

“No, frankly we are ignoring you.” Giles glared at him. “If you are not going to be of any help I would suggest you leave.” He said coldly before turning his back on Xander.

Disgusted Xander got up from his perch on the couch. “I don’t want to have to tell you I told you so. I hope you’re doing the right thing.” He fumed.

“I love her Xander. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.” Spike said softly.

“Okay. We need to research…” Willow murmured. “We should head over to the magic box.”

“I’m gonna wait here for Dawn. I need to talk to her about this when no one else is around…she’s gonna be upset.” Spike said softly.

“We’ll come by when we’re ready okay?” Willow asked placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

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Waitng until everyone left Spike went down into the basement. He only had an hour till Danw would be home so he needed to move quickly.

Lying on his cot he closed his eyes and concentrated on Buffy, on the claim and how much he loved her, sending the feelings through was hard.

For a long while there was nothing, then suddenly he felt her love, filling him up, calling to him. Spike sent all of his need to her, his desire to find her, his longing for her. He was elated when he felt the return of her feelings for him.

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Buffy was lying on the cold hard ground, calling to Spike. ‘Please Spike…I love you. I need you so much, need to feel your arms around me, holding me tight.’ Tears rolled down her face when finally, finally she felt him. She felt his love.

When the feelings subsided she quickly donned her shell again. She needed to hunt.

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Spike came up from the basement and sat on the couch to wait for Dawn. He was getting impatient because she was a few minutes late.

“Hey Spike. Why are you all bad moody?” Dawn asked plopping down on the couch with a sigh.

“We need to talk bit.” He said softly turning to her so he could look into her eyes.

“You’re not leaving are you?” She asked tears rapidly spilling over her cheeks. “Please don’t…”

“It’s not about me…Dawn I have to tell you something…I don’t know how you’re gonna react…but please know I would never lie to you…I’d never make something like this up…”

“What is it Spike? You’re scaring me..” Dawn said trembling.

Spike pulled her into his arms and sat her on his lap. “Dawn I…there’s no easy way to say this so I’m just gonna come out with it…please let me get it all out, then I’ll answer any questions you may have.”

Dawn nodded and waited for him to continue. “You know I love you sister…more than anything in this world…” Dawn nodded and Spike continued. “Well before she jumped…I claimed her, took her as my mate…well the other ngiht when I had that dream…it was her calling me…she’s alive somewhere and she needs me. Needs us…the scoobies are gonna try to bring her back.”

Dawn waited for him to continue. He didn’t say anything. Resting her head on his shoulder she closed her eyes. “When?” It was the only thing she said.

“Don’t know. They’re researching it right now…” Spike said softly. “They’re gonna stop by when they know something more…I don’t want to get your hopes up bit but I figured you had the right to know her bein’ your sis and all.

“Thanks for telling me…” She sat there in his arms, neither of them moving until the scoobies arrived later that night.

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“We’re ready…” Willow said softly. “We’re gonna try this way first…if nothing comes of it we have other things to try…” She said handing candles out to the assembled group.

”We have to wait until exactly midnight. Then all of the candles need to be lit.” She said glancing around the group.

“We’re gonna do it here? In the livingroom?” Dawn asked looking around.

“No. We’re gonna go out into the back yard…” Willow said softly. “I just want everyone prepared.

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Buffy was getting thrashed, two demons held her arms while two more punched and kicked her.

Her legs were throbbing, her face was bloodies, her hair was a tangled mess, and sill she was trying to fight.

They were screaming something at her in a demonic language she didn’t understand.

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“Are we ready?” Willow asked knealing in the dewy grass.

“I'm trying, my lighter won't stay lit.” Anya said franticly flicking the bic she was holding.

“Well, hurry, it has to…” Willow glanced at her, She watched Spike calmly lean over and light her candle with his zippo.

”What time is it?” Tara asked.

“A minute till midnight.” Giles said softly.

“Thanks Spike.” Anya shot him a gratefufl smile. “I got it, I got it. I got it.”

“Okay. Start the circle. Now.” Willow spoke with authority.

They all knelt, in a circle, everyone holding a white taper candle.

Willow leaned over and lit the bunch of herbs resting on a ceramic plate Buffy used all the time. “Osiris, keeper of the gate, master of all fate, hear us.”

She dipped her finger into the ash the herbs created and marked her forehead and both cheeks.
“Before time, and after. Before knowing and nothing.” She dumped the plate full of ash on the ground. “Accept our offering. Know our prayer.”

Suddenly she was jerked backward, panting, and her arms went out to her sides. Deep ugly gashes appeared on her arms.

“Willow!” Dawn screamed reaching for her.

“No!” Giles said placing a restraining hand on her arm. “She told us...at the magic box, she would be tested. This is supposed to happen.”

“Osiris! We need the warrior of the people. Let her cross over.” Willow shouted, wincing in pain as blood ran from the cuts on her arms, round shapes were moving under her skin. She moaned in pain.

They were moving up her arms and over her chest toward her neck.

“She needs help!” Dawn cried out.

“Dawn, she's strong! She said not to stop, no matter what. If we break the cycle now, it's over.” Everyone turned anxious eyes to Willow, she continued gasping for breath. Suddenly there was a loud rumbling, everyone glanced around nervously.

“Oh god, what is that noise?” Anya asked, suddenly scared.

“Osiris, let her cross over!” Willow screamed eyes turned up to the sky. “Aah...” She choked, as the things under her skin got closer to her throat.

“Oh my god, oh my god.” Giles said softly, mesmerized by the sight of the tiny witch.

Willow leaned forward placing her hands on the ground, as she gagged. A snake head appeared in her open mouth. She clutched the grass. The snake slithered out her mouth and onto the ground.
Everyone was watching horrified, except Spike. He looked like he was in pain, eyes closed he was panting heavily.

“It's a test. It's a test. Willow...” Giles said anxiously.

Willow was still leaning over the ground, mouth still open. Suddenly an orange light swirled around Willow, She raised her hands from the ground, panting loudly. “Osiris, release her!” She shouted one final time as a portal opened in the middle of the circle.

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