Nocturnal Bravura Book Two: The Healing

Chapter Seven


Windows

Willow stared out the small window of the room she was being held in. She was trying to make sense of the last few days.

Spike was the Master, Buffy was Lizzie but not really, and William… William had known this all along. She really wanted to be angry about that but found that she couldn’t. Not after feeling William’s pain and torment.

She had agreed with very little resistance to help Spike, trying to convince herself it was because she knew if she did not she would die, but that wasn’t the truth.
It was because of Lizzie.

Poor, fragile Lizzie. She had lost so much and Willow always felt guilty for not being a better friend.

Willow heard the door open and saw Buffy walk in holding the small silver box.
She knew that box. William had given it to Lizzie as a present two and a half years ago.

How could two and a half years seem like a lifetime ago?

Buffy wound the tiny crane in her hand. She looked up at Willow and gave her a shaky smile. “It makes the pictures stop.” she whispered, sitting on the floor Indian style.

Willow walked over and sat carefully across from her, sensing that she shouldn’t make any sudden moves.

“Pictures?” Willow asked.

Buffy looked up and pointed to her head.

Willow nodded, suddenly understanding.

“Um…Buffy? Maybe I could help with the pictures?” Willow asked.

“NO!” The both jumped and Willow’s head snapped up. Spike was standing over them glaring at her.

“What are you trying to pull Red?” Spike said his voice unsteady.

“No..nothing Spike! I swear! I just thought maybe if I saw...”

“I SAID NO!” Spike yelled.

Buffy giggled. “Don’t make Daddy mad.” She said shaking her finger at Willow.

“It’s too much for her.” Spike said, reaching out for Buffy.

Buffy slipped easily into his embrace and buried her head in his chest.

“When she sees those bloody pictures, she gets so confused.” Spike said quietly, kissing the top of Buffy’s head.

Willow looked at Spike.

“What is it Red? I know you’re dying to ask something.” Spike said, rolling his eyes.

Willow gulped, but continued with determination. “I just never knew that… you know… after a vampire becomes a well...a...vampire. They can still feel...”

“Love?” Spike supplied.

Willow nodded.

Spike looked down at Buffy. “Bit strange innit? I’m an evil soulless monster. I would think nothing about ripping your head off. I would really feel no remorse. None whatsoever.” Spike said matter of factly.

“I think I get the point.” She muttered, eyes wide.

“Ah...right, sorry. I was merely sayin‘, everything I used to care about no longer means anything to me. Except for her.” Spike said tipping Buffy’s head back to stare into her eyes.

She looked into her mates eyes and smiled. Spike gently kissed her lips he stroked her cheek. There was silence for a few moments.

“I shouldn’t have been able to kill her you know?” Spike said abruptly.

“Kill who?” Willow said.

“That daft bird that turned me. Technically she was my Sire. I should not have had the strength to kill her.” Spike explained.

“You killed her?” Willow asked surprised.

Spike raised his eyebrows. “Did I stutter?”

“Um, right. Moot point. So you killed your Sire and you shouldn’t have been able to but some how you could and did.” Willow repeated.

“You’re part of the crack team that foils my every plan? I am deeply ashamed.” Spike said, shaking his head.

“There’s no need to get snippy!” Willow said crossing her arms.

“Damn it Red! You haven’t changed a bit!” Spike groaned.

“You haven’t either, that’s for sure!” At his glare she feigned contrition.

“I’m sorry, please continue.”

Buffy wrapped her arms around Spike and purred.

“Like I said, I shouldn’t have been able to do it. Sire/Childe bond and all. But she said something. It completely pissed me off.” Spike chuckled.

“What did she say?” Willow asked.

“Said I belonged to her. I looked in her eyes I knew she was wrong.” he said, holding Buffy tighter.

Buffy stroked Spikes cheek as he closed his eyes and kissed her hand. It was the same love and devotion they had shown when they were alive.

“I only belong to one person. Always had me in the palm of her hand, this one did.” Spike said.

“I know I’m a monster. But even like this, in this state, she treats me like a man and that’s....” he stopped, getting choked up as Buffy gazed up at him with complete adoration.

He lifted his eyes to meet Willow’s and she was shocked to see his were filled with tears.

Suddenly his face hardened once more. “Get ready. The statue will be here shortly.” He ordered, setting Buffy on her feet and pulling her behind him.

Willow nodded and watched the dark couple leave the room.

**


William stared out his window at Lizzie’s window across the way. Sometimes, if he concentrated really hard, if he allowed his emotions to surface, he could see her. Dancing to music only she heard. Smiling at him. Waving at him.

Sometimes, she would blow him a kiss and close her curtains like she had done so many times before. A lifetime ago. He sat at his desk trying to stop the world from spinning.

It wasn’t fair. He was the one left with all the memories. Guardian of the Secrets. Keeper of the Betrayals. It seemed an impossible task, yet somehow he did it. Night after night.

“You’re the strong one.” He heard Lizzie’s sweet voice in his head.

But he was so very tired of being strong.

There was a light tap on the door and William smiled. “Come in, Bit.”

Dawn came in, a disgruntled expression on her face. “Hey, everyone is downstairs waiting for you. Even Mr. Tall, Dark and Foreheady.” She sniped.

“You’re not easily won over are you?” William chuckled.

“It just sounds so lame. A vampire cursed with a soul?” Dawn said, rolling her eyes.

She suddenly crossed the room and wrapped her arms around William in a fierce hug.

“What’s this about?” William asked, concerned.

“I don’t know. Something just feels wrong, William. I don’t want you to go. I know you have to because of Willow, but it just feels like there’s this huge piece of the puzzle none of us know about.” Dawn said quietly.

William felt his knees start to shake with nerves. He knew Dawn would sense things about people that others couldn’t.

“Dawnie, you know I would do anything to protect you. You’re my sister. Maybe not by blood, but you are no matter what.” William said.

Dawn nodded. “I know that’s why I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you. Not like I lost Mom, Lizzie, and Spike. You guys are my family. Please Will, be careful.” She cried.

Just then William saw his father standing at the door and nudged Dawn.

Dawn looked at Giles and smiled.

“Must be time for the Slayer/ Watcher chit-chat.” Dawn groaned.

She began to walk out of the room and was stopped by Giles who kissed her on top of the head.

Dawn smiled, looked back at Will, and walked out.

William turned back to the window.

“You don’t think I know how much you miss her do you William?” Rupert said. He came to stand next to his son.

“I always thought our family was complete. We never said it, but while your mother and I decided we could not in good conscience have any more children, we longed for a daughter. Not just for us, but for you and Spike. Someone the two of you could dote on. Protect. I never felt our family was complete until The Summer’s moved across the way. Jenny missed Janna so much and Joyce seemed to fill that void. And those two little girls…they crawled into my boys’ hearts so quietly. So easily.” Rupert said, shaking his head in amusement.

William sat quietly, listening to his father.

“You should have seen the both of you. When they came into our lives it was like a light turned on in both of you. When Jenny died, if Joyce had not been there being so supportive. I don’t think I could have gotten through it. So yes son, I understand how much you miss her.” Rupert explained.

He looked at William with a strange expression.

“It must have been incredibly hard for you.”

William looked at his father, confused at the sudden turn in the conversation.

Rupert chuckled. “It was never my business, but I am a Watcher. Not only of Slayers, but also of my sons. I saw the look in your eyes when Lizzie was around.”

William looked down, embarrassed.

“You were very admirable and very brave. Lizzie always said you were the strong one.” Rupert said.

Tears began to spill out of William’s eyes.

“Da, I have been keeping something from you. Something you should have know about from the first. Something that may make you hate me.” he whispered.

“You are my son. Nothing you say could ever make me hate you.” Rupert said, rubbing his son’s shoulder.

William took a deep breath.

“Sit down Da, there’s something you need to know about Spike...”