Nocturnal Bravura Book Two: The Healing

Hope


Spike sat across from Dalton as he furiously wrote notes on a pad of paper. Dalton’s hand shook madly.

“Time’s a wastin’, Dalton.” Spike said, looking up at the ceiling.

“I may have found so..something.” Dalton said.

Spike cocked his eyebrow up. “Really? Care to share with the class what that might be?”

“Please sir, if I had another day...” Dalton whispered.

Spike slammed his hand down on the table, making Dalton flinch. “You’re really starting to piss me off, mate!”

The large double doors swung open. Spike looked up, his rage fading as he watched as Buffy walked in.

A brilliant smile lit his face.

Immediately, Dalton was relieved. When the tortured girl was around The Master seemed to be a bit calmer.

Buffy danced in playing with the music box The Slayer had given her. The music tinkled sweetly around her and her expression was happy and relaxed.

Spike remembered how Lizzie had loved the little box. Sometimes, when they were still alive, he would slip into her window and see her sitting there, winding the crane and humming along with the song as it played.

At times, he was jealous that he had not the one that gave it to her, that he was not the one that had taken her to that damned Faire.

Damn Slayer duties.

He hated that part of his life even more because it took time away from her. More time they should have had together. More memories she should have been making with him.

Then he would see the look in her eyes when she played with it and his anger would fade. His heart always felt like it would explode. She always looked so peaceful, happy.

She would always look up, smiling, and reach out to him.

Spike would join her on her bed. He would wrap her up in his arms, close his eyes, and fall asleep to the lullaby.

Feeling complete again.

The demon inside raged at the sight of it. It was something that his mate shared with someone else. The demon wanted to rip it to shreds and establish it’s claim over her all over again.

Spike, however, knew it was easing her tortured mind. Because of that he let her keep it.

Anything to keep that look on her face....

Buffy smiled at Spike and ran to climb onto his lap.

Spike kissed her lightly on the lips. “Did my Princess sleep well?”

Buffy nodded and then pouted.

“What’s that about now?” Spike asked.

“The Princess is hungry.” Buffy said, glancing over at Dalton.

Dalton gulped. In a split second his relief at the sight of the girl turned into fear.

“Well, my little Luv, let’s see what we can get to fill that cute tummy of yours.” Spike announced.

Praying that it wouldn’t be him, Dalton stared down at his notes.

“Yes, I think this is it.”

Spike glared over at him. “You wouldn’t be pulling my leg now, would you? I don’t have a very good sense of humor when it comes to this matter.”

“Daddy does like it when people laugh at him.” Buffy explained, shaking her head.

“So what do you have?” Spike asked. He sat Buffy down on the table and walked over to Dalton.

“Th..this is the Statue of Aradia, the guardian of the lost.” Dalton showed him a picture of a statue.

“And what does it do?” Spike asked.

“It was used in ancient times. People lost in their travels would come and pay homage to it to try to find their way out of the darkness. If Aradia accepted, the traveler would always find their way home.” Dalton explained.

Spike sneered at the man. “THIS IS THE BEST YOU COULD COME UP WITH!!” he yelled, dragging Dalton to his feet.

“No, no sir please listen.” Dalton pleaded.

Spike released him. “You have the floor.”

“Your, friend...” Dalton started.

“My friend?” he said, incredulous. “Look at her!” Spike grabbed Dalton by the collar.
“LOOK AT HER!” He screamed again.

Dalton looked at the girl, quivering with fear.

“Friend? That is my Princess. My love, my blood, my world. She is everything to me! If you insult her with such a trivial title again, I will make you her next meal!” Spike hissed savagely.

“You’re a bad man for always making Daddy so mad.” Buffy giggled, wagging her finger at Dalton. “Shame on you!”

Spike smiled wickedly over at Buffy and let out a lustful growl. He loved when she was like this. His partner in fear and torture. Co-signing on his bloodlust.

Spike pushed the man back into his seat, smoothing out Dalton’s lapels and smiling.

“Now get on with it. I’m getting tired of your whimpering.”

Dalton gulped hard. “My point is that with the right spell and a powerful wizard, per..perhaps we can call on Aradia to restore her mentally. Being lost does not always necessarily mean in a physical sense. You..Your Princess seems to be lost in her mind. Perhaps if the right sacrifice is offered, then Aradia will bring her out of her darkness.”

Spike looked at the text and the statue. The idea was the best one he had heard in a long time.

Spike looked over at Buffy. She sat there on the table, oblivious to everything around her. She is lost. If there was a way to find her inside, if this could make her whole again, Spike would have his Lizzie back.

There was always hope.

Buffy sensing Spike looking at her. She lifted her head and met his eyes with a smile.

“Daddy looks happy!”

Spike walked over to her and picked her up. “Daddy just got some good news, Luv.” he said, spinning her around and making her giggle.

“Sir, the spell should be easy. But the wizard will have to be someone with great power. Someone who’s energy force is very strong.” Dalton explained.

“Wizard huh? How about a witch? I think I know just the person.” Spike said, smiling wickedly.

**

Across town the Scoobies were assembled in The Giles living room researching the best way to attack the den of Pargo demons that had settled in Sunnydale. Much to the Scoobies shock and amusement, a Pargo demon could only die from being drowned.

“Why don’t we just send Willow. She can do a tidal wave or something.” William kidded.

Rupert Giles laughed. “I don’t think that is a practical solution, son.”

“Sure, with my luck I‘ll do the spell and it will rain macaroni or something lame like that.” Willow sighed.

Rupert walked up to the young witch and smiled. “Willow you have amazing
power. You just need to learn how to harness it.” He reassured her.

William frowned for a moment.

He hated when Willow underestimated herself. She was a truly talented witch.

On more than one occasion Willow’s magic was so strong that she had cast spells without even knowing she had.

Something William was always mindful of. He was careful never to get too emotional around the young women knowing that Willow could pick up on his thoughts if he did.

Afraid of what she might see..

There were just some things he was not ready for her to see.

On cue Dawnie smiled and took Willow’s hand.

It amazed William how Dawn always knew how to reassure people.

“Still, it’s gotta be cool to be a witch.” Dawn said.

Willow smiled at her. “Yeah, I guess there are worse things to be than a
witch.”