Doppelganger

Disclaimer: Blah blah blah i own nothing blah blah blah

Spike repeated everything he knew that had happened to him so far. Willow, Giles, and even Xander asking the occasional question. Unfortunately for them most of the question Spike had no answer for.

It wasn’t long however before Emily appeared at the door ready to shoo away the offending visitors. She was beginning to feel especially protective of Spike, a fact her boyfriend had not failed to notice, and she had no desire to see him overwhelmed with emotion.

In the last three days she had spent at Spike’s bedside she had found him to be interesting and flirtatious even if arrogance was mixed into his demeanour. Although he looked no older then 30, he claimed to not remember his age, Spike had the aura of someone who had lived a long time, and had seen many cruelties. When Emily asked about his life she could get only snippets and he refused to talk about anything in great detail. She wished she had more time to get to know him before he was sent home, but she knew he was being released the following morning. After waking up he had healed at a super human rate.

It took Emily nearly 10 minutes to convince the three to leave Spikes bedside saying they would see him all they wated the following day. None of the scoobies were happy about it though, they still had questions that weren’t answered and Willow had a feeling that the more was left unanswered, the more unexpected surprises they were going to get.
***
As luck would have it both Buffy and Spike were released from the hospital late the following afternoon. Both of them leaving doctors and nurses confused at the rate of their ability to heal. By all accounts both should have had a much longer hospital stay, but there was nothing to be said for it, all their blood work appeared normal and both parties seemed to be in excellent health.

“So,” Willow said as she pushed Buffy’s wheelchair down the corridor towards the main entrance Giles was waiting “Shall we go and get our customary ‘yea, Buffy was released from the hospital’ ice cream?”

“Only if we don’t have to bring this freak of nature” Xander grumbled as he pushed an equally happy looking Spike. Spike had fought with Emily about taking the wheeled chair for almost a full hour. In his opinion if he was well enough to go home, he was well enough to walk to the front doors. In the end Emily had won by threatening to keep him for testing. When he had found out who would be doing the pushing he had almost decided that the extra hospital time was worth it. Buffy was leaving however and there was no way he was going to be stuck in a coma ward when he could be fighting at her side. She had gone long enough without him.

Buffy hummed happily as she pretended not to notice the strain between the former vampire and her friend. “of course we are all going for ice cream” She said as she gathered her bag a little closer to keep it from falling off her lap. In truth Buffy would have much rather walked as well but she had been in the hospital enough times to know that it was a losing argument to be allowed to walk to the front door. She had suggested that Willow push Spike simply to relieve some of the tension, but Willow had refused insisting that the only person who would ever get to push Buffy out of the hospital was herself.

As Willow helped Buffy move from the chair into the car Buffy couldn’t help chuckling about the much better treatment she was receiving. Spike had been practically thrown into the car by Xander who was still grumbling about having to have Spike in the same car. If Xander hadn’t hated Spike before he had “died” at the hell mouth, he sure as hell would have now. Not only had he watched one of his best friends mope around for months after Spike died thinking it was her fault, but she had then pushed herself towards even more unsuitable companions. The immortal for example. Xander didn’t care what she said about not really dating him, even a few dates was too much for him.

“Ok,” Giles said as they all piled into his car. “ I suppose that we are going to be discussing our next move over ice cream”

“Of course,” Willow grinned. “Ice cream and Buffy-out-of-hospital always go together.”

“When don’t ice cream and Buffy go together” Giles chuckled as he shifted into drive “We’ll just swing by and pick up Dawn first, I have no intention of being yelled at by a teenager.”
***

Spike paced the crypt he was using as a home for the time being. He had never felt so restless. Damn that girl was going to be the end of him. He was even becoming willing to brave the sunlight to get to her. He had gone back to the hotel but she was gone. He should have known she would move.

Every night he had been out prowling the cemeteries looking for her. Her scent. Her taste. After his searches had turned up nothing he had finally paid a witch to do a locator spell but her signal was blocked, likely that damn powerful red head who followed her around like a puppy.

He had to have a challenge. Tonight he needed to feed off something more then whimpering school girls. He decided that tonight he would take a stroll downtown away from the cemeteries and the bars.

As he headed down a rather busy street he suddenly felt it. Her presence. Her scent. Desire moved through him, not just the desire to feed, but the desire to possess. At last he was going to have that girl all to himself.

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A/N ok so i did it again a REALLY long break in the writing and then a short chapter (that yes still needs to be edited.) But hey i couldn't let you guys off the hook and know what was coming next. I have the hospital excuse again though so you will just have to forgive my long pauses. Not to sound desperate but Please Please Please review i really love getting them!!