The Key

Spike walked Layla downtown. He didn't know why his apartment had to be all the way across town. Layla stopped. Spike looked at her. "What's wrong?" he asked. "Do you feel that?" she said. He stood there. The nerves in his body started screaming. The hairs all over his body stood up. All of a sudden the ground started shaking. He looked behind Layla. The road was cracking and the crack was headed straight for them. Spike grabbed Layla's hand. "Run?" he yelled. They both took off running. He guided them off the road and through the trees. He knew a shortcut and hoped that the crack couldn't follow on the grass. He looked behind them. He was right so far the crack wasn't following them. He didn't want them to slow down. They ran all the way to Buffy's. On the porch Layla bent over to catch her breath. "It was them," she said. "They were trying to get to you," Spike said. "I promise you as long as I am around they will not touch you," he said kissing her. Their moment was interrupted when yelling began inside the house. Layla and Spike entered the room.

"Take your voodoo junk and get it out of here," Anya yelled at Andrew. "Why don't you just leave the room. It's not like you have to be here anyway," he replied. "I bet you don't even love Xander. You are just using him so you feel human," he said. "That's not it," Anya said. "Stop it you two. You are both giving me a headache," Willow said. "And who are you to tell them to be quiet?" Dawn asked. "Guys I'm back," Layla said among the bickering. "Hey guys," she said. Spike whistled loudly and everyone stopped and looked at Spike and Layla. "Just calm down everyone," he said. Willow looked at Layla. She noticed that both Spike and Layla looked different. Willow smiled because they looked happy. Giles came running out of the kitchen. "It is about time you got here. We have to get you ready," he said. Giles went to grab Layla's hand but she pulled away. "Don't touch me," she said walking into the kitchen. Spike followed her. Giles went behind him. "What is wrong with you?" Giles asked in the kitchen. Spike stepped up in front of Layla putting himself between the two. He didn't like Giles taking that tone with Layla. "I know you didn't kill my mother or my father but you still work for those who did so I don't want you laying one finger on me," she said. Giles looked at Spike then backed away. "Fine but I still need to teach you how to use your powers," he said. "No you don't. I know how to use them," she said. "Not very well from what I heard from Buffy," he said. Layla put her hand on the counter. "You..." She got a vision. Buffy was confused and upset. She knew Layla was Olivia. Buffy was scared for Layla. Layla pulled her hand off the counter. "You told them. You told Buffy I am not her cousin," Layla said angry. "Yes I told them the story," he said. "That wasn't your story to tell," Spike said speaking for Layla. 'Spike I want to get out of here,' Layla thought to Spike. Spike turned and looked at her. "Your wish is my command," he said putting his hand on her back and leading her out the kitchen door. Giles stepped in front of them. "Where do you think you are going??" he asked. Spike pushed him out of the way harshly. "We are leaving," he said going out the door. Giles stood straight. 'If she will not cooperate then we have a major problem,' he thought. He got on the phone to his superiors. "Giles reporting," he said. A few beeps occurred and then he was patched through to Mr. Carter, his overseer. "Giles? What is it?" Mr. Carter said. "We have a problem with the oracle," he said. "Is she there?" Mr. Carter asked. "No she has just left with someone. I think they have fallen in love," Giles said. "That is no good. We needed you to keep her away from him," Mr. Carter said. "I tried but she is stubborn just like her mother," Giles said. "Fine I will take care of this personally," Mr. Carter said hanging up. Giles hated that tone but he had no choice. If Layla wasn't going to cooperate with him maybe others could get her to cooperate.

"Where are we going luv?" Spike asked Layla. "Giles said I needed practice. So what better way to get practice than out in the field," she said. "I don't like that idea," he said. She stopped and took his face in her hands. "I know baby but I have to be prepared when the battle really begins," she said. He leaned in and kissed her. "Fine I am not leaving your side though," he said. "I would have it no other way," she said. "Okay so where do the bad ones hang out?" she asked. "Let's try the park first," Spike said leading her down one of the deserted roads in Sunnydale. Layla saw the street was nothing but cracks. 'I hope there will be something left of this town to save once these demons get here,' she mentioned. 'I know what you mean,' he thought back. Spike took Layla's hand as they crossed the street to the park. Layla's necklace was going crazy. Just then out of the shadows a man walked up to them. "What do we have here? Dinner?" he said showing his teeth. "Not likely," Spike said turning into a vampire himself. Layla watched the man she loves turn into a vampire. She actually found it fascinating. She would have to remember to ask him to do that for her later. Spike and the man charged each other. Layla flexed her fingers. They were itching. She turned and saw two more vampires headed for them. 'Maybe this wasn't such a good idea,' she thought forgetting Spike could hear her. He turned and looked at the two running for them. He didn't have time to do anything. The first vampire grabbed him and threw him into a tree. He ran for Layla. 'Now is a good time as any,' she thought. She opened her palms and shot electrical bolts out of her fingers. She threw them first towards the two vampires and then at the one that hurt Spike. All three of the vampires flew backwards. "I've got it," she said. The three vampires stopped and looked at her waiting on her next move. She turned and looked at them. They got scared and began running off. "Not so fast," she said holding her right palm towards them. They all stopped. They were unable to move. She was stopping them from running. She felt Spike near her. 'Get em luv,' he thought. She used her other hand to send enough voltage towards them that they blew into dust particles. She looked at her hands. "Spike. I think I am finally learning how to use these bad boys," she said. He was smiling at her. He put his arms around her waist. "That is an amazing gift you have there. Just never use it on me," he said. "No worries. Just don't make me angry," she said. They continued there hunt for more demons.

Near the school they ran into Buffy. She was caught between to orange looking guys. Layla went to help but Spike grabbed her arm. 'Wait,' he said pulling Layla off to the side. Buffy dropped her bag. "Okay so you guys want to play. Let's play," she said. She got into her fighting stance. One of the orange guys jumped towards her. She ducked which sent him flying into the other man. They tumbled to the ground. "Come on give me something to work for here," she said. She pulled out an ax. Layla's eyes grey wide. 'She has everything in there doesn't she?' she thought. Spike shook his head. Buffy started swinging the ax. She hit one of the guys in the back. He burst into flames. The last one took off running. Buffy was on his heels. She hit him making him explode. Buffy wiped her hands on her pants, put her ax away, and picked up her bag to leave. Spike pulled Layla with him. "What were those things?" Layla asked. Buffy turned and looked at her. "Those were what I like to call pop exploders. You pop them they explode," she said. "What are you guys doing here?" Buffy asked. "Getting in a little bit of practice," Layla said. "We need to be getting out of here," Spike said. His senses were telling him that the school was being surrounded. They left.

Outside on the way back to Buffy's all of the demons died down. They were not attacked once. "Giles told us your story," Buffy said. "Yes, he didn't give me a chance to tell you," Layla said. "Would you have told me?" Buffy asked. "Told you what?" Layla said. "That you and me were not really cousins," she said sounding upset. "Buffy all of what happened to create me doesn't matter. What matters is that you and I were raised together. Which in my mind makes us real family. Got it cuz?" Layla said poking at Buffy. Buffy smiled and some of the tension left her body. "Got it," she said hugging Layla. "So what do I call you now? Since your name is Olivia and all?" Buffy said. "You can keep calling me Layla. It is my name after all," she said. 'I'm saving my real name for only you to call me,' she mentally spoke to Spike. He smiled.

Layla hesitated going into the house when they had made it back. She did not want to see Giles again. 'We are just going to get you things and then we are outta here,' Spike said mentally. She gave him a weak smile and then let him lead her into the house. They went up to her room and started packing her clothes. Willow walked into the room. "You guys did it, didn't you?" she asked. "I don't know what you are talking about," Spike said innocently. "I knew it. When you walked in I saw it on your face. So you two love each other?" she said. "With all my heart," Layla said looking at Spike. He got embarrassed. "I'll take this bag and be waiting downstairs," he said leaving the room. "So what's it like? What is it like to have sex with a vampire?" Willow asked as she plopped down on the bed. Layla sat beside her. "I guess it is much like a real man. I wouldn't know. Before earlier I was a virgin," she said. Willow's mouth fell open. "You love him that much? Wow that is awesome," she said. "Willow I gave myself to him tonight," Layla said. Willow sat up. "You exchanged blood with Spike? No wonder he was acting all possessive of you," she said. "Was it wrong? Should I not have done that?" Layla asked. "On no. If you followed your heart you did the right thing. What you and Spike did was like wedding vows only with a twist," Willow said. "But I know you love him and even though Spike is so tough acting I can see it in his eyes that he loves you too," she added. "Yeah. He is great. He sure curled my toes in bed," Layla said. "Now I'm jealous. Are you going to be staying with him from now on?" she asked. "Yes. I can't stay here with Giles in the same house," Layla said. "Why not?" Willow asked. "He must have left out the part where the handlers killed my mom and dad," Layla said. "He conveniently left it out. I am so sorry," Willow said. "It's alright. I must be going," Layla said standing up and taking her bag. "But I will come over every night and you can come and see me anytime," Layla said. Willow hugged her. "Good luck," she said. "Thanks," Layla said heading downstairs. Spike had done made himself comfy on the couch. He stood up when she came into the room. "Ready?" he asked. "Yes," she replied. "Where do you think you're going?" Giles said. "I am going to live with Spike. Got a problem with that?" Layla asked. "As a matter of fact I do. I need you here where it is safe. I need you focused on what is at hand," he said. "I will keep her safe," Spike said. "Let's go," he said guiding her to the door. Layla tried to leave out the door but Giles grabbed her arm. "No," he said. Layla sent the electricity out of her body and down her arm. Giles pulled his hand away. She had shocked him. "Next time I won't be so nice," she said. "Let her go Giles," Buffy said from the hallway. She had watched the whole thing. "Thanks cuz," Layla said as she and Spike left. "How can you let her go just like that?" Giles asked. "Because I love her. She is my family and I trust her decision," Buffy said heading to her room. Mainly for the fact that Layla had finally found love for herself.