Once and Again

Chapter Seven: A New Beginning

Ravyn and Spike sat, still holding on to each other, neither one wanting to let go. They had been sitting there, just looking at each other as the world around them slowly moved forward.

"We can't sit here all night you know." Ravyn told him as she lifted her head.

"Why not?"

She grinned at him as she spoke. "Because the sun will pop up and fry us to a crisp...that's why."

Spike sighed lightly. "Suppose it will." he said as Ravyn pulled away from him and started to stand. He watched her as she righted herself, and reluctantly stood himself.

"So, go show me the house, has to be better than that smelly ole crypt you use to call home." Ravyn said as she dusted the sand from her pants.

Spike rolled his eyes as he dusted himself off. "There was nothin wrong with the crypt."

"Sure...whatever you say." Ravyn said smiling as she turned and started for the path, Spike following right behind her.

Ravyn picked up her sandals and started for the house. "So, how long you been living here?"

"Bout eight years now. Stayed with the poof once I moved to town but his brooding was starting to depress me." Spike told her smiling.

"Why do you always call him names?" Ravyn asked as she gave him a disapproving look.

"Cause that bloody soul of his makes him a whiny Nancy Boy. Just to much fun gettin under his skin not to." Spike told her chuckling.

Ravyn walked up on the back deck, shaking her head at Spike while she did. "Well, I think you're to hard on him. He's really nice."

Spike stopped. "Nice?..." he said laughing at her comment. "You have no idea what he's like."

"Then tell me."

"Why?" he asked curious as to why she wanted to know about his annoying grand-sire.

"Just curious. You obviously have some dislike for him, yet you work for him. Just don't see why you stay around him is all."

Spike walked around the side of the house, taking Ravyn's arm as he did. He stopped near wat water faucet and turned it on after grabbing the water hose.

"Lift your foot up." he told her, washing the sand off her feet as she did.

Ravyn could tell he wasn't going to answer her questions about Angel so she dropped it. Lifting her other foot, she looked around and saw the garden.

"Since when did you take up gardening?"

Spike turned the water off and looked over at his garden. "Since I moved here." he told her as she walked over to the edge of the porch and looked at all the flowers.

"There really beautiful. Didn't take you as the Roses kind of guy." she said smiling as she took in the site off all the different varieties that were growing there.

"Well...I'm not actually. Well, wasn't I'll say." Spike told her as he walked to stand beside her. "They were Buffy's hobby. Couldn't leave them."

Ravyn looked up at him and could see the same look on his face that he had had when he told her he had bought the beach house because of her. She smiled, knowing as long as he existed, he'd never forget those he loved.

Looking back over at the flowers she leaned her head sideways when a pale purple rose caught her eye. "What's that one?" she asked as she pointed. "Never seen a purple rose before."

"Couldn't tell ya. Buffy knew them all by name." he told her, looking over at the Roses she was looking at.

Ravyn studied all the flowers. They were bright with color and she wondered how he kept them all alive. They were every color of the rainbow and the breeze carried there scent through the air.

"I think I like the purple best." she stated, more to herself.

"Why's that?" he asked as he turned to look at her.

"Well.... never seen another like it, makes it special I guess." she said shrugging her shoulder slightly, noticing there were many plants of the same color...except for the purple. It was alone, a single plant, perfect and beautiful. "Kinda makes it stand out against all the other's."

"Just like you." Spike said quietly, knowing her statement was how he had always felt about her.

Ravyn turned and lookedhim,him, smiling slightly at him as she did. "Well come on, show me the house before we have to get back." she said taking his arm so he would move.

Spike walked to the door, removed his keys from his pocket and unlocked it. Walking inside, he flipped on the light and held the door for her as she walked in.

Ravyn was surprised at what she saw, it was really nice, homey looking. Much better than that dingy crypt he had lived in.

As she stepped through the door she looked around as he close the door behind her. There was a cream colored sofa directly in front of her, with a small coffee table sitting in front of it. Two matching chairs sitting at either side of it with a intriquentaly detailed Asian rug in rich greens, blacks and burgundy tones under the table.

The walls were in a tan, complementing the furniture. Bright throw pillows littered the sofa and chairs, picking up colors from the rug.

"Wow Spike...tell me someone else decorated this for you or I'm gonna start thinking you actually have taste." she said grinning at him.

Spike smiled back at her as he walked towards the kitchen which was located directly behind the living room. It wasn't that large, but what did a vampire need with a large kitchen anyway.

Ravyn walked to her right towards the hall. She turned left and started down it, being a little nosy as she did. He had pictures of all the Scoobies hanging with their families along with older ones. The way she remembered them looking. There were pictures of everyone. Lots of Buffy and Dawn and....even one of her.

She looked at the photo and realized it was one of hers. She was on the beach, sun shining brightly.

"Nibblet had that blown up for me." Spike told her as he walked in behind her. "It always was my favorite." he said as she turned to look at him.

"Really?"

Spike smiled. "Yeah, sght ght does you good." he said handing her a beer.

Ravyn took the bottle and took a drink before making a little face. "Did this stuff always taste like this?" she asked as the liquid left a foul taste in her mouth.

Spike laughed at her. "Yeah, it always tasted like that."

"Huh....guess I really didn't need to miss it then." she said grinning before continuing her look through the house.

Spike just watched her from where he was standing. He had to keep reminding himself she was 'really' there. He would see her and talk to her, but then the images of that warehouse would come back and he would start to doubt what he was seeing.

Looking up at his photo's, Spike smiled at his life as it was displayed on the wall before him and grateful he was able to spend it surrounded by people he loved...and who also loved him back.

Ravyn peeked into a bathroom, still in muted tans and cream colors except for the occasional splash of color and smiled as she realized he 'did' have taste after all.

There was a spare bedroom, decorated in cream and dark burgundy with heavy drapes on the windows. Simple furnishings made her know, no one had ever called it 'home'.

Making her way to the end of the wall, she opened up the door to Spike's room. It was also in the same creamy colored walls as the other two rooms. A large four poster bed sat against the wall directly in front of the door with the dark forest green comforter covering the bed. It was silk and she smiled big, remembering how much he liked the way it felt against his skin...even though he would 'never' admit it to anyone.

The closet was off to the right and with a master bath off to the left. She peeked inside, same color scheme as the bedroom and she had to admit, this 'new' Spike was slowly going to blow her mind.

Walking back out of his room she walked back into the living room and found him on the couch, feet propped up on the coffee table. Sitting in the chair she looked over at him and smiled.

"Well Spike, I'll have to admit...I'm impressed." she said giggling softly. "You've come along way from that ugly dank tomb you lived in."

Spike grinned at her. "Must have been all those bloody home shows Buffy and Dawn subjected me to over the years." he said laughing slightly. "Hard to get a 'good' show on the telly with those two around. Especially when they canceled Passions."

Ravyn rolled her eyes as she continued to smile at him. Looking around the room again, she leaned her head to the side as she looked at him. "So, where's it at?"

"Where's what?"

"Your 'telly'?" she asked grinning, noticing she didn't see one.

Spike grinned. "In the bedroom."

"Figures. Now you don't ever have to move, do you?"

The wall clock chimed and Ravyn looked over at it when it did. "It's getting late. Better get me back." she said, not really wanting to leave, but not wanting to stay either. Not yet.

Spike looked up at her when she stood and gave her a little nod of his head. "Right then." he said as he stood, taking there beers to the kitchen before returning.

Locking the door behind him, Spike followed Ravyn off the deck to his bike.

"You are soooo gonna have to get a car." Ravyn told him as he sat down, grinning at her as she cautiously approached.

"But it's more fun to travel this way." he said as she sat down and placed her arms around his waist.

"For you maybe." she told him, her fear starting to surface again.

Spike turned slightly and looked over his shoulder at her. He smiled and reached his hand up, holding her head while he leaned back, giving her a small kiss.

"You'll get use to it." he told her as he turned back around and started the bike.

Ravyn held on tight as he backed up and started for the road. The 'only' thing good about the motorcycle was being able to be close to him. As they took off, heading back to the hotel, she shut her eyes and tried not to think about how bad she wanted to hurl. Tightening her grip on him, she laid her cheek against his back and concentrated on him instead of her fear.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Angel was pacing the hotel lobby as Rob, Jesse and Blake sat around discussing a plan of action against finding the last two pieces of The Star Of Rameur. They wanted to head off for Brazil to retrieve the Blood Stone but Angel wasn't so sure that was such a good idea. If Ravyn knew where it was, she'd have to go with them. Keeping her safe from Trull was going to be hard enough without taking her into the jungles where he knew Trull would be heading soon.

"Well, we can't just wait around to see if Trull is going to make a move. He 'will' come after this piece. If we have both pieces...his chance to create the completed medallion are greatly decreased." Rob told Angel as he continued to pace around.

"I know that Rob.....but we can't risk putting her in any danger by taking her with us."

"Then what do you suggest we do then?"

Angel stopped and ran both hands through his hair. "I have no clue."

"Why can't we just go find this Trull guy and get rid of him. No Trull, no problem." Blake said, looking for a good fight.

Angel shook his head no. "Not a good idea. You don't know what that guy's like. He'd cut us down before we even made it to his door."

"He that bad?" Jesse asked.

"Yes...extremely bad." Angel answered him. "Nicholas Trull is the most dangerous vampire I've ever known. Well, heard of that is, never was crazy enough to go looking for him."

"So, you've never actually seen him then?"

"No"

"Then.....he could walk right in the door and we'd never even know it was him?" Blake asked, getting concerned.

Angel looked over at Blake, his eyes wide as he realized that Trull could do just that. All four men looked at each other as that concern washed over them and knew they'd be dead in minutes if that ever happened.

Everyone jumped as the front door flew open and Spike and Ravyn walked in.

"Gettin jumpy now are we?" Spike asked them smiling.

"Spike! can't you ever walk in like a normal person?" Angel asked, growling lightly.

"Well, if I 'was' a normal person I guess I.....would still do it that way." he told him smirking at their stunned faces.

Angel sighed and shook his head before glancing over at Ravyn. He smiled at her before looking back over at Rob.

"Look through Wes' old journal's...see if you can find a picture of him. We all need to know what to look for in case he comes himself instead of sending other's."

Ravyn knew immediately who they were talking about. Trull. She looked around the lobby, almost sure he'd pop out of the walls like some invisible demon, waiting for the right time to reclaim her.

Everyone saw her nervous behavior and instantly felt for her. They didn't know exactly what she had been through, but they could only imagine.

Spike walked closer to her and took her hand in his, entwining their finger's together. "He won't find you." he told her quietly.

"You don't know that." she said, her voice a little shaky as she did.

"Ravyn, we'll do everything we can to see that you're safe." Blake told her. "He'll have one more fight on his hands if he barges in here." he said smiling, trying to calm her fears.

Ravyn couldn't speak, just shook her head a little as she looked at him. She wanted to believe that they could protect her, but knew they'd all be dead for even trying.

Looking over at Spike, she knew 'his death' would be the one Trull wanted and she wondered if it were safe for 'them' if she stayed. She had alot to think about. She almost died once protecting him...and she'd do it again. Without him, life wasn't worth living.... she had thirty years of proof to that.

"Ravyn, can you tell us where the fifth piece is?" Rob asked, hoping a slight change of subject would help calm her.

"Yeah, a church." she said trying to remember exactly where. "Old, somewhere away from town I think."

"You remember the name of it?" Jesse asked her.

Ravyn looked over at Jesse and tried to recall the name. "Not really. Started with an 'A' I think."

"An 'A'.....was it Altona?" Blake asked happily, knowing exactly where that was.

Ravyn looked over at him and smiled. "Yeah, I think that's it. They said something about it having old..."

"Catacombs under it." Blake finished her sentence smiling. "Yep...that's it."

"So, did they say where in the catacombs it was?"

"No" Ravyn said shaking her head.

"Well, it's a start I guess." Blake said looking over at the other's.

As the guy's started talking over plans to go to Altona, Ravyn pulled on Spike's hand a little to get his attention. "I'm going on up." she said smiling as she released his hand. "I'll see ya tomorrow." she added as she turned and hurried up the steps.

Spike watched her quick retreat and knew that all the talk of Trull had her freaked again. Sighing lightly he turned and looked over at Angel, motioning him away from the other's.

Angel followed Spike into the kitchen and shut the door behind him.

"Are we going to be able to handle Trull's men if they show up here?" Spike asked, getting concerned. "He had nearly fifty men when he was trying to open the Hellmouth, hard to tell how many he has now.

Angel leaned up against the counter as he looked at Spike. "I don't know. Depends on how many he sends. Maybe we should send her to Dawn's."

Spike looked at him and shook his head. "No, if he finds out where she is, they'll be sitting ducks over there alone. I'd feel better knowing she at least had some protection with you lot being here."

Angel gave Spike a nod, completely agreeing with him. "Dawn said she was a good fighter, think she's still able to hold her own?"

"Don't think so. She said she hadn't been in a fight in a while. If Trull wanted her weak, she's probably more out of shape than you are." Spike said, grinning at being able to get a jab in.

Angel rolled his eyes. "You just don't know when to give up do you?"

"You make it to easy." Spike said, giving him that irritating smirk Angel always wanted to smack off.

"Well, I guess I could train wher.her." Angel stated.

Spike leaned his head over to the side as he looked at Angel. "That's s'alright...think I can manage that." he told him, not wanting to let Angel near Ravyn any more than he had to.

Angel looked up at him, knowing full well that Spike could tell he had feelings for her. Sighing lightly he glanced down briefly before looking back up. "Look Spike, you don't have to worry, I'm not about to come in between you two."

Spike let out a small chucklAs iAs if you could. She's completely out of your league peaches. You'd never be able to give her what she needed."

"And you can?" Angel asked him defensively.

"You damn well right I can and did!"

"You sure about that?" Angel asked him, knowing about the whole Spike/Buffy/Ravyn ordeal from Dawn. "Seems you never did give her your undivided attention."

"Look, you sodden ponce, I don't need you to tell me how I treated her!" Spike yelled, getting pissed Angel even brought up the subject.

"All I'm saying is as long as Buffy was around, I know you didn't think of Ravyn and only her. Did you even stop to think about how she felt when that was happening?"

Spike clenched his tig tight as he glared at Angel. Why he was being so defensive of how his and Ravyn's relationship was, was beyond him.

"Oh, I see....You think that she was just something to tied me over till Buffy finally came around?"
ell,ell, wasn't she?"

Angel never even saw Spike move before his fist connected with his face. "You have NO idea what you're talking about!" Spike yelled out at him hatefully. "Stay away from her!" he added as he stormed out, leaving Angel holding his now bloody nose.

The guys looked up as Spike stomped through the lobby and headed for the stairs. They had heard all the yelling and knew it was only a matter of time before that conversation was going to take place. Giving each other a quick glance, they decided to leave their discussion of it to a later time.

Spike made it up the stairs and paced around before going to Ravyn's door. He wanted to kill Angel for his remarks. Who did he think he was anyway? He had no idea what he and Ravyn had had.

*And what was that exactly?* he asked himself as he made long laps in the hall. *She loved me...I loved her* What more was there?

Ravyn could hear someone outside. Closing and tying her robe tightly, she walked to ther anr and cracked it open, peeking out a little.

She was surprised to see Spike pacing around like a caged jungle cat, talking to himself as he did. She wondered what had got him so worked up.

She opened the door wider and leaned up against the door frame, arms crossing over her chest and watched him. She couldn't make out what he was saying, but he was apparently having anenseense conversation with himself.

"You know that will eventually cause you to go senile?" she told him smiling.

Spike stopped dead in his tracks when he heard her. He looked at her and could tell she had been there watching him longer than he would have liked. Walking over to her, he looked her straight in the eyes before finding the words to speak.

"Ravyn, did......" he started not sure of how to word his thoughts. "Well, before...when we were together.......did you ever feel....."

Ravyn looked up at him and could tell he was struggling with what he was trying to ask her. "Did I feel what?" she asked him softly.

Spike sighed and ran a hand through his hair, looking down the hall briefly before looking back at her. "Did you ever feel...like you weren't really wanted, or that I didn't love you?" he asked, knowing it wasn't really what he was trying to say.

Ravyn looked down briefly before looking back up. "Not all the time." she told him, almost whispering as her 'revelation' came back to her.

"When?" he asked her sadly.

Looking back down, Ravriedried to get this all out. "When we were together....alone, I never felt it, but...."

"But what?" Spike asked, knowing where this was heading.

Ravyn looked back up at him. "But, when she was around, I knew. I knew I wasn't the one you really wanted." she said, fighting back her tears as she did. SpikSpike sighed and walked closer to her, laying a hand on the side of her face. "I'm so sorry Ravyn. I never meant to make you feel like that."

Ravyn smile weakly up at him. "I know......I understand now. Took me a while, but I finally realized it."

"Realized what?"

Ravyn swallowed the lump in her throat and wiped her eyes before the tears started. Looking up at him, she was determined to get this out.

"That you were never in love with me." she said quietly.

Spike stared at her. He didn't know what to say. What could he say.

"I spent alot of time thinking about what we had after I saw you and her in that cemetery. I wanted to believe it was just because I was gone, but deep down I knew better." she told him, her tears finally coming forward. "I was just something you needed in your life at that time."

"I did love you Ravyn, don't say that I didn't." Spike told her, his heart aching as he did.

Ravyn looked at him. "I know you did. But you 'weren't' in love with me Spike. You were 'in love' with the way I made you feel....You were 'in love' with the idea of...'me'...being in love with you. You were hurt and confused and you needed me."

Spike let her word's sink into his head. Was what she was saying real? Is that how he had felt?

"And as much as I 'still' love you Spike....I can't be something that you just need in your life." she told him, finally unable to control the flood of tears. "I need to be something you can't live without."

Spike looked at her face, saddened by her realization. He wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead before wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her tight. He buried his head in her shoulder as her arms went around him and she softly cried. All he ever wanted to do was take her pain away, but all he ever managed was to cause her more.

Running his hand up her back, he lifted his head and looked at her. Leaning down he kissed her. She had loved him and still did...even though he 'wasn't' in love with her. What kind of a person did that make her, to still love a man, who didn't return her feelings as strongly as she felt them?

The same kind he was, only instead of him and Buffy....it was him and Ravyn. He knew exactly what she was feeling...he had lived it.

As he broke the kiss, he smiled before laying his forehead against hers. "So, what now?"

Ravyn shrugged her shoulder slightly. "Depends."

"On what?" he asked, scared of her answer.

"On whether or not you could ever love me as much as I love you." she said, through her tears.

Spike smiled and placed his hands on either side of her face. "Ink Ink I could. Unless you're some deranged psychopath, only luring me in for the kill." he said, trying to lighten the mood.

Ravyn giggled at his statement. "You're the deranged on. I was just along for the ride." she told him smiling.

"So...you still willing to take the trip with me?"

Ravyn grinned up at him, "Yeah.....as long as it aint on that damnedorcyorcycle."

Spike laughed as he once again wrapped his arms around her. "You're gonna learn to love that bike. Might even teach ya to drive it."

Ravyn's eyes went wide. "I don't think so....to either. I'll never like that thing."

"We'll see." Spike said, smiling at her. "Guess I better go then...unless...you want company?" he said, raising an eyebrow at her.

Ravyn giggled at him. "Yeah.....guess you better....GO!" she said before laughing as he stuck his lip out, trying to pout. "If we do this...we'll do it right this time."

"And shaggin's not the right way?" he asked her with that cute smirk she loved.

"NO...I want dates. Real ones, and romance. All the good stuff we skipped the first time."

Spike rolled his eyes. "Women" he said with a sigh. "What is it with you girls and all that mushy stuff anyways?"

"If you want me...you're gonna have to prove it...ith'ith' all the mushy stuff."

"Fine.....romance and 'mushies' on the way." he said with a grin.

Ravyn smiled back at him. "Good...now go home." she said as she pulled back away from him.

Spike grabbed her before she got to far away. "Not so fast." he said as he pulled her back into his arms. "Not done with you just yet."

Ravyn grinned as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Glad to hear it" she said before leaning up, kissing him softly.

Spike returned the , ho, holding her tightly as he did. He was sure everything would be perfect this time. She still loved him and that was a start....only thing left to do, was figure out his 'true' feelings for her.

As the kiss ended, they smiled at each other, both being happy for the first time in more years than either wanted to remember.

"I'll see ya tomorrow then." Spike told her, still holding her tight.

"Yeah"

"Goodnight." he told her, giving her another quick kiss befoulliulling away from her.

"Night" Ravyn told him, smiling as he turned and walked down the hall. She watched him until he was out of sight before going back into her room, shutting the door behind her. Leaning up against it, she couldn't control the grin on her face as she turned and ran, jumping on the bed and buring her face in the pillow. *What a night* she thought, as she giggled quietly to herself.

~*~*~*~*~*

Angel watched from his perch, leaning against the wall as Spike bounced down the steps, big smile on his face as he walked to the door and left. He had heard almost all of the conversation he and Ravyn had had, not really intending on listening, but his enhanced hearing aided him without having to try to hard.

He knew Spike well enough to know that he'd go all out to make Ravyn happy. But, just being happy wasn't what she wanted. She wanted someone to 'love' her completely and wholly and Angel wasn't so sure Spike was going to be able to do that.

As he heard Spike's motorcycle crank up... he glanced up the stairs briefly before turning, heading for his office. He had a lot to think about.

___________________________________________

Chapter Eight: Inner Demons

Spike growled loudly as his phone continued ringing. He was trying his best to ignore it, but with no luck. Reaching out, he snatched the receiver up.

"WHAT!"

"I need you over here. We're going to Altona." Angel said as Spike rolled his eyes. "Now! Spike"

"Sod off peaches....it's barely even dark yet!"

"And we're leaving...now get out of bed and get your ass over here!"

Spike slammed the phone down without saying another word, still pissed at Angel over their conversation the night before. He rolled over and looked at his clock before burring his head back in the pillow....fully intending on getting more sleep. Angel could wait.

Spike no sooner got the thought out of his head, when the phone rang again. Throwing his pillow across the room, he sat up snatsnatched the phone up, yelling as he answered it.

"Listen you bleedin ponce, I'll be there later, no go play Rambo with the other's till I get there!"

"Well, guess you're still not a morning person are you?" Ravyn said giggling.

Spike smiled when he heard her voice. "Sorry luv, thought it was the poof again."

"Obviously. What's got you in such a foul mood?"

Spike laid back down and ran a hand over his face. "Nothin...just wanted more sleep." he told her, tired from sitting up thinking of her and 'them' most of the day.

"Well, don't think that's gonna happen. Your cowboy's are saddling up down there, headed out to that church I think."

"Yeah, so I've heard."

Ravyn curled up on the bed and smiled as she thought about Spike, and the time they spent together the previous night. She hoped everything would work out this time, and was willing to do anything to see that it would...but she couldn't make Spike fall in love with her...that was all up to him.

"Well, Dawn asked me to go shopping with her, so I probably won't be around when you get here." she told him, a little sad she would have to wait to see him.

"You two can't wait till I get there to leave?"

"Well, she wanted to leave twenty minutes ago, but I stalled long enough to call you."

Spike sighed lightly as he looked back over at the clock. "It's hard tellin how long we'll be gone."

"I know....but the sooner you get here, the sooner you can get back."

"Right, well hopefully I'll see ya later."

"Okay...bye." Ravyn said smiling.

"Bye luv."

Spike listened for her to hang up before he laid the phone down. Looking around the room he sighed before crawling out of the bed, making his way to the shower.

Once dressed and out the door, he went to give the Roses a little water when a thought came to him. Grinning, he walked back in the house to prepare the 'mushies' Ravyn said she wanted.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ravyn bounced down the stairs giving Dawn a sheepish grin as she stood there, looking a little more than anxious.

"Bout time, I was about ready to come drag you down here." Dawn said as she started walking to the door.

"Sorry" Ravyn said quietly, trying to hold back her grin.

Dawn looked at her over her shoulder and smiled. "Just couldn't leave without talking to him..huh?"

Ravyn giggled as the two went out the door. "What can I say...he kinda grows on ya."

"Yeah, like a fungus." Dawn said laughing as they made their way to her car.

Ravyn laughed and shook her head. "Well, where we going?"

"To spend all this money I have." Dawn said, BIG smile on her face. "I don't know 'what' got into Angel but he can give me big fat bonuses and the day off anytime he wants!"

"Maybe he finally realized how valuable you are." Ravyn told her, as she pulled the car door shut.

"Yeah well, he's never done it before, not that I'm complaining. We ready?"

"Ready." Ravyn said as they drove away.....to spend Dawn's bonus.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Spike walked into the hotel, and went up the steps to Ravyn's room, bypassing the other's in the lobby as they all watched him.

"Where the hell is he going?" Blake asked as he watched Spike run up the steps, not even looking at them.

"To sevyn vyn I guess." Jesse said shrugging his shoulder as he continued to load weapons into a bag.

"She's not there." Blake said as he rifled through more weapons.

"Nope...that she's not." Angel said quietly...little smile on his face.

Spike walked into Ravyn's room and went to the bed, laying down her 'surprise'. He smiled big as he looked at it. "That orta work" he said to no one, as he turned and headed back downstairs.

"Okay...what we got?" Spike asked as he walked back into the lobby. He glanced over at Angel and almost wanted to laugh at the almost faded bruise on his face. *Stupid git* he thought as he headed for the other's.

"We're ready to go." Rob said as he hoisted the bag and started for the door.

Everyone followed, leaving Angel and Spike to glare at one another a few seconds before they to followed the other's outside.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So you had a big wedding then?" Ravyn asked Dawn as they sat and talked over their ice cream.

Dawn smiled big thinking of her wedding. "Yes...It was ...perfect. Spike gave me away."

Ravyn grinned. "Really?"

"Yeah, and complained the whole time about having to wear a tux." Dawn said laughing. "Buffy was about ready to rip him a new one for all his complaining." she added giggling before she realized she had just mentioned Buffy. She looked up at Ravyn, worried that she had upset her.

Ravyn smiled at Dawn. "It's okay...you can talk about her. She was your sister."

Dawn smiled back at her. "So, what were you like...before you were turned?"

"Average girl....nothing special."

"What did you want out of life that you didn't get?"

Ravyn looked down and played with her melting Mint Chocolate Chip, before looking up smiling. "The usual...a man who loved me, big wedding, kids...house.. the stuff all girls want." she told her, a little sad.

"You ever wish you could still have those things?"

Ravyn smiled and looked back down. "Doesn't really matter now...does it?" she replied, shrugging her shoulder.

Dawn watched her as she sat there staring at her ice cream. She had always taken things for granted, she knew that now better than ever. Ravyn would never have a normal life.

"So" Dawn said trying to lighten the mood. "How'd your 'date' go last night?"

Dawn grinned when she saw the big smile appear on Ravyn's face. She was still looking down but Dawn could almost see the 'sparkle' Spike always talked about in her eyes. "Well...come on...don't leave me hanging."

"It was.....nice."

"Nice? That's all?" Dawn asked chuckling at her.

Ravyn felt like if she could still blush, she would be. "Yeah, we walked on the beach, talked..looked at the roses....It was nice."

Dawn grinned at her. "So.....did he kiss you?" she asked giggling.

Ravyn looked up and Dawn could tell by the look on her face that he did.

"Let's go" Ravyn said smiling as she stood and tossed her ice cream in the trash.

Dawn stood and followed Ravyn laughing as she did. "You are sooo gonna tell me what happened!....Ravyn, get back here!" she yelled, still laughing as Ravyn walked faster.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel and Spike stayed behind as Rob, Jesse and Blake looked for a way to the catacombs without having to go through the church.

Spike was leaning up against the SUV, smoking and glaring a whole in the back of Angel's head.

"You can stop with the looks anytime now Spike." Angel said as he looked towards the church.

Spike just rolled him eyes and tossed his cigarette down, crushing it under his boot.

Angel turned, finally looking at Spike and smiled. "I've been meaning to ask you Spike...did you ever claim Buffy as a mate...cause if you did, that would make your claim on Ravyn...null...wouldn't it?"

Spike looked over at Angel, wanting nothing more than to ram a stake in his heart. "What I've 'done'...is know of your business."

Angel shrugged his shoulder as he looked at Spike. He could tell he was getting to him, and it felt good. "Come on William...you can tell me. What are families for?"

Spike turned, walking towards the church. He knew Angel was just messing with him and he wasn't about to let him ruin his good mood.

Angel chuckled at Spike as he turned and followed him. There wasn't nothing better in the world than finally getting one over on Spike for a change. Served him right for all the crap he put him through all the time.

As they approached the church, Rob came out. "Sorry guy's....no other entrance, you'll have to suffer through it and come this way."

Spike hurried past him, entering the church. He could feel his skin crawling the minute he did. Wasn't that they 'couldn't' go in a church....just gave him the twitchies and he hated the feeling.

Making his way over to Blake, he avoided looking at to much and hurried past him to where Jesse was waiting at the entrance to the catacombs. Taking a lantern from Jesse, he bent down and looked through the small entrance, carved from solid stone.

"Well, let's go." Spike said as he crawled through, able to stand completely up as he came through.

He waited for the other's and tried to decide which way to go. There were three intersecting tunnels. Which one to chose was the big question.

"Which way?" Rob asked as he saw the tunnels.

Spike was looking at the entrances and swung the lantern. "This way." he stated as he walked to the left, taking the far tunnel.

"How do you know?" Angel said sarcastically.

Spike turned and looked at Angel. "Well, let me see. " he said, "Maybe because this is the way the 'other' footprints are heading." he added just as sarcastically before turning and starting back down the tunnel.

The other's looked at Spike before turning another lantern towards the ground and saw the footprints in the dirt floor.

"This can't be good." Jesse said as he saw how many people it looked like had been down there.

They all followed behind Spike, quietly, making their way down the long dark tunnel. It smelled of dirt and the stone walls were littered with drawings of ancient prophesies, yet to pass.

As they approached the end, a faint light was seen. Stopping, Spike held up a hand to warn the others.

Blake came forward quietly, crouching down close to the ground as Spike himself did the same. "Someone up there?" he whispered.

Spike just shook his head and turned to look for the others. "Turn down the lanterns." he told them quietly as he lowered his. Listening, he heard the voices of other's before motioning for Angel.

Angel crept quietly along the wall to where Spike was waiting. "How many?" he asked as they looked towards the entrance to a large chamber.

"Not sure. Let's go." Spike told him as he stood and silently made his way forward.

"Stay here till we call you." Angel told the other's before following Spike.

As Spike and Angel made it to the entrance of the large cavern, they peeked inside. Eight vamps...not what they were expecting.

"Figured there'd be more." Spike said quietly as he watched them just sit around.

"Well, let's go play." Angel said with a grin.

Spike walked into the chamber, pulling a smoke from his duster pocket. As the flame from his lighter lit up the dark entrance, all eyes in the room turned to them.

"Well, what d'we have here?" Spike asked as he took a draw off his smoke.

A low growl could be heard as the occupants in the room instantly because aware they had visitors.

"Now, is that any way to treat a guest?" Spike asked, giving them all a little smirk as he sauntered into the room.

A big husky guy stood and watched as Angel and Spike walked slowly inside. "You have no business here. Leave while you can." he told them.

"Is'at right?" Spike asked, leaning his head to the side.

Four other men stood, glaring at Spike and Angel as they stood, side by side. They approached slowly, stopping a few feet away.

"Looks like you two have a little problem hearing." the big guy said, smiling as he cracked his knuckles.

Spike watched his movement and smiled, ready for a little blood and violence. "Well now...if that's the way you wanna play...." he said as he tossed his smoke to the ground, "let's play." he added as he jumped, tackling the big guy to the ground.

"Great" Angel growled. "NOW!" he yelled back at the other's as all eight vamps inside the chamber charged.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"What about this?" Dawn asked as she held up a dress in front of her.

Ravyn turned and snarled up her nose. "It's a little to...pink. Doesn't go with your color."

Dawn frowned and hung the dress back up. "Can't you find anything?" she asked Ravyn as they walked through the store.

"Not in here....this stuff has to many frills on it." she said giggling as they headed out of the store.

"Well, things have changed since you've been....."

"On vacation?" Ravyn said, grinning.

Dawn looked over at her and smiled. How Ravyn could joke about it, she didn't know. Probably made it easier than dwelling on it.

"Oh yesss." Ravyn said, smiling big as she headed for the store that caught her eye. "Why did we NOT see this the other day?" she asked as she hurried inside the store.

"Probably because no one can afford this stuff anymore." Dawn told her as she followed her inside the store.

Ravyn inhaled deeply as the smell of the leather assaulted her senses. Picking a pair of pants from the rack she held them up to her and smiled. "You know how long it's been since I've had leather on?"

"Probably as long as you're gonna have to still go without it. Have you seen how expensive this stuff is now?"

Ravyn glanced down at the price and shrugged her shoulder. "Wonder if they have this in red?" she asked as she strolled in the shop.

"Can I help you ladies?" a tall thin man with a long, scraggly beard asked. He looked at Dawn and Ravyn, smiling as he did.

"Yeah, you have these in red?" Ravyn asked as she handed him the pants and looked through the shirts on another rack.

"Yeah, over here." the man said, showing Ravyn where to look.

"Oh man Dawn...check this out." Ravyn said grinning as she held up a pair of red leather pants, held together on the sides by criss-crossing strands of leather.

Dawn's eyes went wide. "You can't be serious."

Ravyn grinned as she picked up a red leather sleeveless shirt that buttoned up the front.

"Is that even a shirt?" Dawn asked as she saw Ravyn hold it up. "Looks more like a vest."

Ravyn turned to the man still standing there. "Changing room?"

"This way."

Dawn followed as he led them to the back of the store. Waiting outside the door as Ravyn went in, she watched the man, wondering how he walked around in public smelling that way.

"Ah....now this is what I've been missing." Ravyn said from behind the closed door. She adjusted the top and wished she had a reflection as she opened the door.

"Well...what'da think?" she asked as she stepped out smiling.

Dawn's eyes went even wider. "You so cannot wear that in public." she told her.

"Why?" Ravyn asked looking down. "Look that bad?"

"No, it looks that good." the clerk said smiling, his half rotten teeth showing as he looked lustfully at Ravyn.

"Spike will have a hissy if you wear that." Dawn told her, crossing her arms over her chest.

Ravyn looked down at the outfit and grinned. "Yeah...that he would."

"So...put it back."

Ravyn looked up at the still grinning man and rolled her eyes. "Red pants....not slits."

"Those look perfect sweetie. Don't listen to your friend. If your man don't like you in those, something's seriously wrong with him."

Ravyn sighed as she looked at him. "I'm sure he would love them..as long as I didn't come out of my room, now go get me some regular ones." she said as she turned and headed back for the changing room.

Dawn let out the breath she was holding in. "Thank god" she whispered to herself.

The clerk returned with another pair of pants and started for the changing room.

"I'll take those." Dawn said as she pulled the pants from his hands.

"Hey, just doing my job." he said grinning.

Dawn rolled her eyes at him as she approached the door. "Here Ravyn." she said as she stood, blocking the entrance as the door cracked open.

Ravyn handed out the other pair and quickly changed. Once dressed again she exited the changing room. "This better?" she asked.

Dawn smiled. "Much" she said smiling. Dawn was almost envious of how curvy Ravyn was when she herself was more straight. She looked Ravyn over and wondered why some girls had all the luck.

"So, this is a keeper then?"

"Yeah, it's a keeper." Dawn told her grinning..."but you may want to get a bigger top, that one's a little.....umm, revealing."

Ravyn grinned. "I know"

Dawn chuckled at her. "Your funeral...not mine." she said as Ravyn went to change.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike kicked and punched as he pummeled the vamp he was fighting. The other's were busy with their own and only five remained. He was having the time of his life. Been a while since they had gotten into an all out brawl.

As he landed a gut punch, his burly opponent ran forward, knocking Spike off balance. Standing quickly, 'burly' landed a high kick to the side of Spike's face, landing right on his cheek. Spike growled loudly as the guy's boot felt like it had just broke his face. Tired of this guy, Spike pulled a stake, twisted his body as the guy charged him and ran the stake home.

He felt his cheek and pulled his hand away, seeing blood when he did. "Bastard" he said as he felt the cut.

Spike quickly forgot his own pain and ran, helping the other's. The fight was fast and bloody as he and Angel took the blunt of the hits. The other three were just back-up and there for the actual kill. Tossing another beaten down vamp to Blake, he was quickly disposed of.

"Won't...You...Die...Already..." Rob said breathless as he kicked and punched right along with Jesse to the hulk of a man, still barely even hurt. "Spike!..Angel!..we could use your help over here!" Rob yelled as they were having no luck.

Angel staked the vamp he was fighting and ran, helping Rob and Jesse.

The fighting continued, everyone having some of their own blood shed as the brawl slowly came to a dusty end. As the last vamp fell...so did the other's. All breathless.

"Now THAT was fun!" Spike said, grinning big.

Everyone looked over at him like he had grown another head.

"What?"

They all rolled their eyes as they slowly stood, trying to get their air back.

"Well, let's see if we can find the fifth piece." Rob said as he began to look around the chamber.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Where are you going to wear this?" Dawn asked as she handed Ravyn her bag from the leather shop.

"Anywhere I want." she told her grinning.

Dawn smiled as Ravyn headed for the stairs. "Well, I still think the plain black would have been fine."

"Yeah, but why get only black when they make it in so many colors?" Ravyn asked smiling big as she topped the stairs.

Dawn just shook her head.

"I'll see ya tomorrow Dawn."

"Yeah...goodnight."

~*~*~

Ravyn made her way to her room, throwing her bags down on the floor as she entered. She flipped on the light and headed straight for the bathroom.

After a long relaxing shower, Ravyn sat, drying her hair as she brushed it. It was alot longer than it had ever been and she wondered it if wasn't time to cut it. As the last strand dried, she tied her robe and headed for the closet to hang up her newly purchased leather goods.

She smiled as she placed them in the closet. It felt good having it on again. They made her feel 'normal', something she hadn't felt in to many years to count.

As she turned she glanced over at the bed and froze when she saw it. A slow smile played on her lips as she walked slowly over to the bed and sat down facing the headboard.

Reaching out, she picked up the pale purple rose from Spike's garden, bringing it to her face, inhaling the sweet smell of it. She closed her eyes briefly and images of Spike filled her mind. Opening her eyes again, she reached for the cream colored paper that was laying on her pillow that had been held down by the rose.

She studied it, and noticed the beautifully scripted letters. She had only seen writing like that in books, not something someone actually wrote. It was elegant and beautiful, even though it was just letter's on a page. Bringing it up closer she smiled as she held her rose and began to read what Spike had wrote.....

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meets in her aspect and her eyes,
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.


One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace,
Which waves in every raven tress
Or softly lightens o'er her face,
Where pure, how dear their dwelling-place.


And on that cheek and o'er that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent.

'George Gordon..11 June 1814'

Ravyn sat there staring at the words on the page. Never in her life had anything touched her the way that had. She wiped at her tears as they slowly feel, her smile, she was sure would never fade away.

She said she wanted 'romance and mushies' but never expected this. This was something out of dreams. Poetry and roses....not the sort of thing she thought Spike knew anything about. She wondered for a moment if she even knew him at all.

She couldn't take her eyes off the parchment paper or the words it contained. Her heart was fluttering in her chest and she felt like he had touched a part of her, even though he wasn't there.

Taking a deep breath, she laid down, holding the rose close to her face, still smelling it's sweet aroma and smiled bigger as she closed her eyes. She couldn't wait to see him again. He was going to make her fall more in love with him than she already was.....if that was even possible.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It's not here." Rob said turning to the others.

Everyone turned and looked at him as he held a small box.

Spike sighed and shook his head. "Then where the hell is it?" he asked, as he walarouaround the room. "If one of those git's had it, then it should be 'ere."

"Maybe someone had already taken it back." Jesse said as he looked the floor over.

"Had to be the case." Rob said as he dropped the box.

"What now?" Blake asked.

"Make sure they don't get their hands on the piece we have." Angel told him. "Let's go...no reason to stay."

They all left, beaten and empty handed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dawn looked up from the couch as she heard the guy's enter. Glancing over at the clock, she groaned as she saw the time. "You should have told me you'd be gone all night and I would have found a more comfortable place to sleep." she said as she sat up.

"Sorry Dawn....didn't realize we'd be so long." Angel told her. "Why don't you go on up, it's to late and you're to sleepy to try and drive home."

Dawn shook her head at him as she stood up. "Did you get it?" she asked as she neared the steps.

"No"

Dawn looked worried but was to tired to really get into it. "Well, I'll talk to you in the morning. Night guy's" she said sleepily as she went upstairs to crash.

Spike followed her up and watched as she entered the room across from Ravyn's. Turning to Ravyn's door, he turned the handle and quietly opened it. He smiled when he saw here, curled up in the sheet.

Walking inside, he closed the door and made his way over to the bed. He saw the poem and rose on the bedside table and smiled, wondering what she had thought about it.

Sitting on the side of the bed, he looked at her. She was on her stomach, sheet pulled down to her waist. She appeared to have nothing on and Spike grinned, looking her over. She had one leg thrown out to the side, exposed all the way up to her thigh.

Reaching out, he lightly ran his hand up back, leaning down and kissing her shoulder as he did.

Ravyn stirred and opened her eyes. "You're not trying to take advantage of me are you?" she asked him smiling.

"Maybe" he replied softly.

Ravyn rolled over, holding the sheet close to her as she did. She leaned up on her elbow and looked at him, her smile was again returning.

Spike grinned and looked down at her. "Are you naked under there?" he asked with a smirk.

Ravyn giggled at him and shook her head. "None of you business." she said leaning up, giving him a small kiss. "I love your mushies." she told him, smiling once again.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah" she told him, leaning her head over on her shoulder.

Spike reached a hand up, pushing her hair away from her face. "Thought you might." he said as he traced a finger down the side of her neck. He felt the scar he had given her, although it couldn't be seen.

"It's still there." she told him quietly.

Spike lifted his eyes and looked at her as he laid his hand on her neck. He smiled, remembering when he had given it to her. "Can't see it."

"I can feel it...that's all that matters." she told him. "Unless you've changed your mind?"

Spike smiled at her. "Not likely." he said, leaning down, placing his lips over hers.

Ravyn returned the kiss, leaning up as far as she could without losing her hold on her sheet. Her mind drifted back to the poem and she felt like she was melting in him as he extended his tongue, tracing her lips.

Opening her mouth slightly, she waited for his entrance and moaned when he found her own tongue. Stroking each other, they danced, playing with the soft , lo, loving the way it felt.

Spike reached around with his free arm, running his hand up her back, feather light touches on her bare shin as he traced a line up her spine.

Ravyn arched into him, wanting to feel him against her. Her skin was tingling where he was gently running a trail up and down her back. Reaching up with the arm holding the sheet, she wrapped it around his neck, the need to touch him, greater than her need to cover herself.

Spike held her tighter, pulling her up straight as she wrapped her arm around him. He ran his hand around her neck, running it up the back of her head, holding her closely to him.

Probing her mouth, he sucked on her tongue, before pulling back slightly, taking her lip in-between his teeth. Sucking and licking at the soft skin, he was lost in her. She felt like silk under his hands, pure and soft, like....heaven.

Ravyn wrapped her other arm around his neck, clinging to him as she felt her body burn with desire. She felt like he was consuming her as he devoured her mouth, her lips stinging from his assault on her. She moaned softly as she heard him make small growling noises, low in his throat, knowing 'she' was what caused it.

She ran her finger's through his hair, holding him to her, not ever wanting to let go as her body slowly began to heat up. He made her feel alive.

Spike leaned down, laying her down as he did. The hand on her head he brought around tracing a line back down her neck to her shoulder.

Ravyn gasped for unneeded air as he pulled away from her mouth and kissed down her jawline, making a fiery trail as he continued down her neck, licking and kissing at her flesh. She moaned as his hand wandered down her side, while he nipped at her neck with his blunt teeth. She was panting for air as he ran his hand over her hip, and down her thigh. She held his head to her, slowly losing herself in the feel of his hands roaming her body.

As his hand traveled to her inner thigh, her mind drifted as it made it's way up, towards her sex.

Spike heard her noises and was encouraged to go further, reaching the junction between her legs as she moved, squirming on the bed as he ran his hand over the coarse hair that covered her.

Ravyn clinched her eyes shut, trying to drown out the images that were flooding her mind. The feel of his hand on her felt foreign and rough. Pulling her hands away from his head, she let them fall to her side as her tears stung her eyes.

As she moved her head, Spike kissed his way across her collar bone, making his way down her exposed chest.

"Stop...stop...stop" Ravyn whispered softly as her tears fell from her closed eyelids. She saw the faces of men laughing as they pawed at her, pulling and biting at her skin. "No...please...stop" she cried out. Bringing her hands up she pushed, trying to free herself from the restraints she was held down with only to hear the laughter and mocking of those next in line.

Spike raised his head and looked at her, as she moved her head back and forth on the bed, whispering frightened words as tears rolled down her face. He pulled his hands away from her and sat up, looking wide eyed as she slowly thrashed against the bed, her cries becoming louder as she did.

"Ravyn." he said as he grabbed her head, trying to get her attention. She was flinging her arms and legs, babbling incoherently, as she cried out to stop. Spike pulled her up quickly and shook her. "Ravyn....look at me. Look at me" he yelled as he shook her. Her cries were bordering on hysterical as she was lost in the nightmare of years gone by.

Not knowing what else to do, Spike grabbed her, holding her closely to him. "Shhhhh....it's okay. It's okay...I've got ya." he whispered in her ear as she cried. His own tears coming forth as he realized what was wrong.

Ravyn did the only thing she knew how to do.....she shut out the laughter and taunts, until there was nothing left.

Spike felt her body go limp and fear coursed through his body. He pulled her back as she made no sound, and watched as her eyes stared off into nothing.