Lovers Walk

Chapter Twenty-Four: Love and Betrayal


Spike rolled over in bed and opened his eyes as he heard Ravyn moving about the room. She was digging around in her bag as he sat up.

"What are you doing?" he asked, startling her as he spoke.

"Shit Spike! Don't do that!" she yelled, glaring at him.

Spike chuckled at her as she stood up and walked over to the chair and sat, putting on her boots.

"Where you going?"

"Shopping" Ravyn said, as she slid her boot on and stood up. She walked over to the bed and leaned down giving him a quick kiss before turning to leave. Spike grabbed her arm and pulled her back, causing her to fall on the bed.

"You just gonna up and leave me, just like that?" he asked her as she sat up on the edge of the bed and looked at him.

"Yeah, didn't know I needed permission to leave the bat cave." she said smiling.

"That's not what I meant." Spike said smiling at her as he reached up and pulled her head down and kissed her. Ravyn smiled against his lips as his free hand slid up under her shirt. She pulled his hand away and bit his bottom lip lightly before pulling away from him.

"I have to go, stores don't stay open all night you know." she told him as he pouted. "And pull that lip in" she added, smiling at him.

"Fine, leave me then" Spike said as he laid back down.

Ravyn smiled at him and leaned down, giving him another quick kiss before getting up. "I'll see you later." she said as she walked towards the ladder.

"Might not be here, patrolling with the Slayer." Spike said as Ravyn turned the corner.

"Okay" she yelled back to him over her shoulder as she climbed. She rolled her eyes as she thought about him being with Buffy. She `hated' him going with her, but wasn't about to say anything to him about it. She worried about how things could get real bad, real fast between them if he started spending to much time with Buffy. Shaking her head to clear her depressing thought, Ravyn exited the crypt and headed for town.

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

Buffy walked into the cemetery and smiled to herself as she saw Spike. She didn't know for sure if he would want to patrol with her again, but knew she had to ask him. She smiled at him as he approached her.

"Hey" she said, glad Ravyn wasn't with him.

"Hey Slayer" Spike said smiling back at her. "You ready to find out what's going on down at those warehouses?"

"Yeah, I'm sure whatever it is can't be good." she said as they turned and headed out of the cemetery.

They both walked quietly for a while talking occasionally about vamp activity in the resent weeks when they were both surprised by a short, stumpy demon that ran past them. Both stopped and watched it run and turned to look at each other before they smiled at took off after it.

Buffy was the first to reach it and jumped, tackling it to the ground. As she rolled and stood up, she noticed it just laid there not moving.

"Jeez Slayer, you kill it that easy?" Spike asked smiling as he stopped beside the little demon.

"I didn't mean to." Buffy said as she walked closer to it. "Takes all the fun out when they die fast."

Spike prodded at it with his foot and moved back when the creature stirred.

"He's not dead...just stunned." Spike said as the demon slowly started moving. It rolled over and looked up at them, with purple eyes glowing.

Buffy was shocked by how gently the creature looked. She almost felt sorry she had jumped it now. Moving to stand beside it so she could see it's face, it looked up at her and smiled....well, she thought it might be a smile, hard to tell with all the teeth.

"No harm I mean" the creature said in an almost childlike voice.

Buffy looked over at Spike and exchanged glances with him before she crossed her arms over her chest and looked back down at the little demon.

"What are you?" Buffy asked as she took in it's appearance. It's skin was a pearly white with arms that hung slightly longer than normal. It actually had on clothes...well it looked like some type of garment, but Buffy noticed it's feet were bare and really large.

"Moashag" the creature said.

"Huh" Buffy said scrunching up her nose at it as it stood up.

Buffy looked over at Spike. He looked over at her and shrugged his shoulder. "Got me Slayer, never seen one of these before." he said, cocking his head to the side as he looked at it.

"Well, you got a name?" Buffy asked the creature.

"Pratt" the little demon said, as he looked up at her.

Buffy had to hold back her smiles as she looked at it. It was kinda cute, in a demony kind of way, she thought. It only stood about four and a half feet tall and was almost completely round.

"So...Pratt...what's the big rush?" Buffy asked as she studied the little demon.

"Me run...they catch if don't" Pratt said looking around worriedly.

"Who" Buffy asked him, looking around to see what it was looking for.

"Master wants." he said looking back up at Buffy. "Go...must hurry." it added as he started backing away from her.

"Not so fast." Buffy said laying a hand on it's shoulder to stop it. "What master? What's he want with you?"

The little creature looked over at Spike nervously before looking back at Buffy.

"Vampire Master." he said, glancing once again at Spike.

Buffy looked wide eyed at Spike as he looked at the creature.

"A Master Vampire...here in Sunnydale?" Spike asked wondering who it was.

"Be so" Pratt said looking over at Spike. "Hell he brings"

"Hell he huh...Are you talking about the Hellmouth? This Master is going to open the Hellmouth?" Buffy asked not sure if that was what he meant.

"Yes. Soon. Need blood. Hurry must" the creature said quickly.

"Who's blood?"

"Pratt blood." the demon told her.

"Where is this Master Vampire and who is he?"

"Master Trull"

"Bloody hell" Spike said rolling his eyes as he heard the name.

Buffy looked over at him when he spoke and saw the look on his face. "I take it you know this guy?"

"Yeah...well, I know of him. Bad new, that one is." he answered her.

"How so?" Buffy asked, not liking the look on his face.

"Been around forever. At least the past four hundred years, or so I've heard. Cruel sick bastard. Has a like for torture and eyeballs." Spike said looking disgusted.

Buffy made a eww face before turning back around to Pratt who was fidgeting around as she still held on to him. "Where's he at?"

"Buildings many..old"

"The warehouses" Buffy and Spike both said in unison.

"Well, guess we have an idea of what's going on down there now." Buffy said. "Pratt, what does he need your blood for?" she asked him, remembering he had mentioned the Master needing his blood.

"Spell. Hell opens." he replied.

Buffy looked over at Spike. "Think we should let him go?" she asked referring to the creature.

"Depends on if he knows anything else."

"Pratt. Do you know what kind of spell the Master is using?" Buffy asked him.

"No. Blood he needs. Only much Pratt knows."

Buffy looked back over to Spike. He shrugged his shoulders at her. "Your call Slayer."

Buffy looked at the little demon and saw the fear in it's eyes. She felt sorry for it. "Go...get away if you can." Buffy told him as she released her hold on him. Spike and Buffy watched as he turned and ran.

"Well, guess we have a Master to stop." Buffy said looking over at Spike. "Let's go" she added as they turned and headed for the warehouses.

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

Ravyn stood in the small shopping mall looking at a display window. She had no clue as to what `actually' classified as `in style' clothes. She had been wearing her leather's for so long she felt almost overwhelmed at all the choices. She was amazed at how similar the clothes looked to what she wore as a teenager. She turned and started into the store when she heard someone call out her name.

"Ravyn" Dawn said with a smile as her and two other girls approached her.

"Hey Dawn" Ravyn said smiling at her.

"Hey...Where's Spike?" Dawn asked her, looking around.

"At home, when I left him. Think he was meeting your sister."

"Oh" Dawn said, wondering how Ravyn really felt about Spike and Buffy patrolling together. "So, you out for something special?"

"Spike said I needed something `other than leather'. Girlie clothes I think is what he called it." Ravyn told her smiling slightly.

"Oooo..clothes shopping. My favorite!" Dawn said, grinning big.

"Yeah..well, you think maybe you could help me? Been a while since I bought regular clothes" Ravyn said giggling.

"I'd love to" Dawn beamed. "Shopping I can do. How much money we talking here?"

"As much as it takes."

Dawn's eyes widened as she looked at Ravyn, "Well what are we waiting for?" she said as she grabbed Ravyn's arm and drug her into the store.

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

Spike and Buffy walked quietly around the back of the warehouse. Climbing up on some crates, Buffy peaked inside a window and looked back down at Spike. "Coast is clear" she said grinning as she climbed up and went through the window.

Spike watched as her feet cleared the window and he jumped up on the crates. He looked inside the window and saw Buffy crouched down near the wall before he climbed in. He crawled over to her before they peaked over the railing at the vamps below.

"Any luck with the demon?" the Master asked the mass of Vamps that were assembled before him.

"No Master Trull." a minion said, looking nervously to his fellow comrades.

The master stood from his chair and walked over to the vampire that had spoken. "And why is it taking so long to find him?"

The vampire swallowed the lump in his throat as the Master towered above him. "He got away Master. We almost had him."

"Well almost isn't good enough. I can't perform the spell if I don't have him." the Master said smiling. "If you are incompetent to do your task, I shall find another."

The vampire took a step away from his Master, fear in his eyes. The Master grinned at him, fangs shinning before shooting his hands out, grabbing his head and ripping it from his body. He smiled as he watched as the dust settled before addressing the others.

"Well, seems I need a new leader for this merry gang of men. Who's up for the challenge?" the Master said smiling as he rubbed his hands together.

No one moved. They had seen many fall as `leader' in the past few days and no one was eager to join their fallen friends.

The Mastalkealked around the room, looking at his small army of men before stopping by a big vamp with a smile. "You...you can find my demon...can you not?"

"Yes Master." the vamp replied.

"Good...now go. I want him back here before sunrise."

Buffy and Spike watched as the Master returned to his seat. Spike grabbed Buffy's arm and motioned back towards the window before turning and heading back out. Once they were both outside they walked in the shadows of the warehouses before stopping.

"Well, way to many in there to just bust in." Spike said as they both looked back towards the warehouse.

"Yeah, there had to be at least thirty or more in there." Buffy said looking up at him. "We should have stayed so we could find out when this spell is taking place."

"He can't do anything without the demon. I think we're okay till tomorrow. We need to go find out all we can about that demon, see what's so special about his blood. Then maybe we can find the spell." Spike told her as they started walking again.

"Yeah, let's head over to the shop and see what Willow can come up with."

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

Ravyn walked out of the dressing room, a frown on her face as Dawn and her friends smiled at her. "Well, what you think?" she asked them.

Dawn smiled big. "Oh man...Spike's gonna flip when he sees that!" she said giggling.

"You think?" Ravyn said looking down at the dress she had on.

"Oh yeah, trust me." Dawn said shaking her head.

Ravyn looked down at the light blue sundress and wondered what she `really' looked like. All she had was Dawn's word. She hadn't worn a dress since the Initiative party, but that was hardly everyday wear. Ravyn looked back up at Dawn and her friends and smiled before she went back into the dressing room to try on another outfit Dawn had helped her pick out.

Ravyn slipped on a pair of blue jean hip huggers and smiled as she remembered wearing them way back when. Grabbing a small shirt that hung off the shoulders and rested just below her breast, she smiled at the way the clothes felt. *much more comfortable than leather* she thought as she adjusted the shirt. Turning, she exited the dressing room again and looked for Dawn.

Dawn saw her and smiled. "Man, you look good in everything. I don't even know why we're bothering having you try this stuff on." she told her as she took in the site if Ravyn's new outfit. "Just buy it all!"

Ravyn laughed at her and returned to the dressing room. After she was dressed in her leather's she exited once again, arms full of clothes. "Well, guess I'll get them all since they have the Dawn seal of approval." Ravyn said smiling. "How about shoes. Don't think these boots will go with everything."

"Right this way" Dawn said smiling as she led Ravyn to the register to pay for her new wardrobe. "Next stop....shoes and accessories."

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

Buffy and Spike walked into the Magic Box and moved towards the research table as Willow smiled at them.

"Hey Buff...through with patrol already?" Willow asked as they sat down.

"For now. We need info on a demon. A Mo ag something another." Buffy said.

"That's Moashag Slayer." Spike said smiling at her.

Buffy smiled over at him before looking back over at Willow.

"Yeah, what he said."

Willow got up and walked to the bookshelf and grabbed a few books. She brought them back to the table and handed one to each Buffy and Spike before sitting back down.

"Ah, Will...you know I'm not research girl." Buffy said scrunching her nose up at the book.

"Yeah well, I can't go through them all by myself."

Spike grabbed a book and started flipping through it as Buffy gave Willow a description of the demon. He looked up at Buffy as she giggled softly. He was having a hard time being around her without thinking of all the time they had spent together in the past. He tried to think of Ravyn whenever thoughts of Buffy came to mind, but was having trouble as he was constantly surrounded by her scent. He shook his head and took a deep unneeded breath and let it out slowly as he returned to his book.

Buffy smiled to herself as she saw Spike looking at her out of the corner of her eye. She was glad they were able to talk like nothing had happened. She still felt hurt when it came to Ravyn and knew what her and Spike were doing, but she really couldn't blame him. She's the one that let him get away in the first place.

Spike glanced up as Xander walked in. He wasn't in the mood for his jabs today and almost considered letting him know the chip was out. He was worried what Buffy would think when she found out, so maybe now wasn't a good time.

"Hey Spike...ladies" Xander said as he sat at the table.

Spike looked up at Xander, surprised he was actually talking to him. "Hey"

"Ravyn not with you?" Xander asked looking around.

"No...she went shoppin"

"Oh...so you helBuffBuffy with the patrol?"

Spike looked at Xander like he had grown another head. Why he was being `civil' to him he had no clue. He shook his thoughts from his head as he answered. "Yeah..ran into a demon. Need to find out something about it."

"Yeah, what'd it look like?" Xander asked as he grabbed a book and starting flipping through the pages.

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

Ravyn struggled with all her packages as she tried to get inside the crypt with them. She had no idea why she had bought so much. She lugged the bags in and threw them down the opening to the bottom level and took a deep breath before climbing down the ladder. Grabbing a few at a time, she carried them into the sleeping chamber and starting unpacking them. She smiled as she took out a few and examined them. *Let's see if Spike likes this* she said to herself with a smile as she stripped off her clothes and put the hip huggers and top on. She separated the clothes and looked at her watch and frowned as she noted the time. *Where is he*

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

Spike stood up from his chair and stretched his legs. They had been looking for anything on the Moashag demon without any luck for hours now. He was beginning to wonder if they would find anything at all.

"I'm going out for a smoke" Spike said as he headed for the door.

Buffy looked up at him as he opened the door and left. She looked over at Willow and smiled as her friend did the same.

"So?" Willow asked her quietly so Xander couldn't hear.

"So what?" Buffy said smiling as she looked back down at her book.

"Oh, come on Buff. You've spent all evening with him. Anything to report?"

"No not really. He hasn't mentioned Ravyn...that's a good, right?"

"Definitely." Willow said smiling. "Go out there with him and talk to him."

"What? No....what would I say?"

"Jeez Buffy...it's Spike. Talk to him. How often are you gonna get a chance to talk about normal stuff with Ravyn not around?"

Buffy thought about it and smiled before standing. "Think I'm gonna get some air." she said, not wanting to let Xander in on the whole `Spike' thing yet.

Buffy walked outside and saw Spike sitting on the bench and smiled at him when he looked up at her.

"Hey. Find something?" Spike asked her as she came towards the bench.

"No...just wanted some air. It's getting stuffy in there."

Spike smiled at her as she sat down beside him. Buffy sat back and felt like a silly teenager as she suddenly felt nervous. *jeez Buff...it's only Spike* she said to herself.

Spike took another draw off his cigarette before crushing it under his boot. He looked over at Buffy and noticed her heartbeat was slightly elevated. He wondered for a brief second if being out there with him was why, but shook off the thought.

"So what you want to do about that warehouse?" he asked her as he leaned forward and rested his arms on his legs so he could see her face better.

Buffy looked over at him. "Not sure. We could burn it down I guess. It's about the only thing I can think of and not actually have to go in."

"Yeah. I would like to meet Trull though." he said smiling at her.

"What in the world for?"

Spike shrugged his shoulder at her. "Guy's a legend. At least like to talk to him before we burn him out." he said smirking at her.

"You're crazy" Buffy said laughing lightly at him. "What are you gonna do, talk about the weather?"

"No" Spike said smiling back at her. "He's been around for a long time Slayer. Be right interesting bloke to talk to I imagine."

Buffy shook her head at him. "If you say so."

Spike sat up straight and leaned back against the bench. He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. Buffy's scent was starting to get to him. He had missed the sweet vanilla scent that always surrounded her. He glanced over at her and stood up trying to get away from his distracting thought. "I guess I need to get going." he said as he looked at her.

"Oh....yeah, sure" Buffy said disappointed as she looked up at him. "Guess we can figure out what we want to do about the Master later." she added as she stood up.

"Yeah." Spike said as he looked at her. "Well, see ya around Slayer."

"Okay. Bye" Buffy said as she turned and slowly walked back to the store. She turned her head as she reached for the door knob and smiled at him as he stood there looking at her. "Night Spike"

"Night luv" Spike replied with a small smile.

Buffy opened the door and sighed as she closed it behind her. She walked back over to the table and smiled weakly at Willow who was smiling brightly at her. She slowly shook her head `no' and frowned as Willow's smile faded.

"It'll get better." Willow told her quietly as she sat down.

"I hope you're right."

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

Spike walked slowly back to the crypt. His mind was going in a hundred different directions. He didn't know what he was going to do. He almost wished there was someone to talk to about what he was feeling. He loved Ravyn, that much he knew. But he also loved Buffy..and wanted her. How could he want them both? How could he need them both? He knew he was hurting Buffy, he could see it in her eyes. He also knew she felt something for him. He could see it now, which only made this whole situation harder. Sighing heavily he shoved his hands in his pockets as he neared the crypt. *Gonna turn into that soddin' peaches if I don't stop with the brooding soon* he said to himself as he walked up on the landing to the crypt.

Straightening himself up he opened the door and walked in. Shrugging off his duster he made his way to the lower level and smiled as he saw Ravyn.

"Did you leave anything for the rest of Sunnydale." he asked, looking at all the bags and clothes strung about the room.

Ravyn turned to him and smiled. "Not much....you like?" she asked holding out her arms and turning for him, showing off her new outfit. "Not leather and Dawn said it was `hot'" she added laughing softly.

Spike walked over to her smiling. "I like a whole lot." he told her as he wrapped his arms around her. "You look good in girlie clothes" he said kissing her on the head.

"Dawn helped me pick everything out"

Spike leaned back and looked at her. "Dawn?"

"Yeah, she was there with her little girlfriends." Ravyn told him as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Huh...well, nibblet was nice to ya then?"

"Yeah, think she had as much fun as I did." Ravyn told him. "She made me try on almost everything seeing how I couldn't exactly see what I looked like."

"Well, this is much nicer than all that leather. Not that the leather is bad. This is just more soft looking. Makes you look completely different." Spike told her as he looked down at her. "Except this top maybe. Is it suppose to be that short?"

Ravyn laughed at him. "Yes, it's suppose to be this short" she said as she nuzzled her face into his neck kissing him softly. "I got you a few things to."

"Really? Like what?"

"Colored clothes." she said giggling. "I'm tired off all the black."

"Nothing wrong with the black"

"If you say so. I even bought a few naughty underthings just for your viewing pleasure." she said smiling as she licked her way up to his ear.

Spike closed his eyes and ran his hand up her back, holding her head to him as she started tracing the lines of his ear with her tongue. "When do I get to see those?" he asked her, moaning softly as she was slowly starting to drive him crazy with need.

Ravyn pulled his shirt out of his pants and ran her hands up his chest as she continued to lick and nibble on his ear. "Soon" she answered him softly as she pushed her hips forward into his.

Spike grabbed her ass with his free hand and massaged it lightly as Ravyn wrapped one arm around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. "I want you" she whispered in his ear as she bit his earlobe softly.

Spike reached down with both hands and picked her up, carrying her over to the bed. He put a knee down and laid her down and settled on top of her before crushing his mouth to hers. Ravyn held on to him, wrapping both arms and legs around him. She gasped for unneeded air as he pulled away from her lips and kissed a line down her throat, before making his way to her neck.

"I love you Spike" Ravyn whispered to him. "Always"

"I Love you to" Spike replied as he found her lips again.

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

Spike and Buffy spent the next week eavesdropping on the Master at the warehouse. He had recaptured Pratt and was almost ready for the ritual to open the Hellmouth. They only had two more weeks till the new moon, which was when the ritual was to take place.

"Is everything in place?" the Master asked his `new' leader as he sat on his `throne'.

"Yes Master Trull. The creature will be bleed."

"Bring him" the Mastered ordered.

A big vamp brought Pratt forward in chains to stand before the Master as Spike and Buffy watched from the second story loft. Buffy wanted to bust this little party up and help the little demon but Spike insisted they remain unnoticed until it was time to make their move. As the Master stood from his chair and approached the demon, Buffy watched wide eyed as Trull slowly sank his teeth into the demon and glowed as his blood flowed into him.

"What is he doing?" Buffy asked shocked as Spike grabbed her and clamped his hand over her mouth.

"Quiet Slayer" he whispered in her ear as he held her.

Buffy reached up and removed his hand from her mouth and stared down at the scene before them. She didn't understand what the Master feeding off the demon had to do with the spell.

"What is he doing?" she turned her head and whispered to Spike.

Spike rolled his eyes at her. "How the hell am I suppose to know." he answered.

Buffy looked at him for a few seconds as he turned his attention back to the floor below and she realized he still had one arm wrapped around her and his hand was still in hers. She smiled to herself and remained still, as she let herself enjoy the feeling.

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

Ravyn was laying on the couch, trying `not' to look at her watch. She had been cooped up in the crypt all week as Spike and Buffy went out everynight looking for information on the Master's activities. She sighed as she rolled over and looked up at the ceiling. She had been wondering what it was they were `actually' doing and even had a notion to follow them, but decided against it. She knew Spike loved her and she wasn't acting like a jealous girlfriend by spying. Still, she did on occasion have her doubts. He was acting kind of distant the last few days. Always seemed to be lost in thought. She knew he was thinking about Buffy. She could always tell. He got the same look in his eye everytime.

Rubbing at her face with her hands, she turned back to the TV and tried to focus on something other than her insecurities. *He loves you stupid! Stop being so paranoid!* she yelled at herself as she rolled over on her side and sighed as she flipped through the channels.

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

Spike leaned over to her. "Let's get out of here" he told her quietly as he took her hand and led them back over to the window. Climbing out he waited on the ground and watched as she climbed out the window onto the crates. As she stepped down, her foot slipped on the edge and she fell back. Spike caught her just before she hit the ground.

"Are you okay?" he asked her, worriedly.

"Yeah" Buffy said shakily. She looked back up at the crates. It was a good drop. Not enough to kill her, but enough to feel for a few days. "Lost my balance"

Spike sat her feet on the ground but Buffy kept her arms around his neck as she looked up at him. Spike looked at her as he held her. She was looking at him and what he saw made his heart jump for joy and break at the same time. He saw everything he always wanted to see in her. He saw the same look in her eyes as he saw when he looked at Ravyn.

Buffy's heart was beating so fast she felt dizzy. She knew this was her one and only chance to make him see and she wasn't going to waste it. Raising her hand up the back of his neck she pushed herself up against him as she leaned up and touched her lips to his. She closed her eyes as she felt his arms tighten around her and he leaned down and returned the kiss.

Spike didn't know what was happening as he was getting lost in her. He opened his mouth and covered hers before licking her lips lightly. Buffy grabbed him and held him as she felt his tongue on her lips and she opened her mouth. As his tongue slipped inside, she moaned at the taste of him. She had missed this. His lips were so soft. As their tongues fought, Spike grabbed her and held her tightly. He held the back of her head to him, wanting to savor the taste of her. As the kiss intensified, Buffy pulled away, gasping for air as Spike planted small kisses across her face down her neck.

Buffy was panting and moaning softly as Spike licked and kissed her neck. She held his head to her as she nuzzled her face in his shoulder.

"I love you Spike" she whispered to him as she turned her head slightly and kissed his neck. "I love you so much" she said as tears came to her eyes.

"God Buffy...I love you to" Spike said as he buried his face in her hair as Buffy gently placed small kisses on his neck. "I've always loved you" he told her softly as he brought his head up and captured her lips again with his own. As they kissed Buffy's tears rolled down her face. She had said it. Finally...she had said it. And he `still' loved her.

Spike slowly ended the kiss as he realized what he was doing and pulled away from her slightly. He placed his forehead against hers and tried to clear his head. He was panting as he opened his eyes and looked at her. His heart was breaking. He loved her and wanted her, but he was betraying Ravyn. She didn't deserve to be treated like this. He slowly pulled away from her and stepped back and looked at her.

Buffy looked at him, worried at the look on his face. "What?" she asked him quietly.

"I'm so sorry Buffy. I can't do this." he said as he felt the tears stinging his eyes.

Buffy stared at him wide eyed not believing this was happening. It wasn't suppose to happen like this. "Spike?' she said as she looked at him.

Spike bowed his head slightly and sighed. "Buffy...I love you." he said as he raised his head back up to look at her. "But...I can't do this. Not to Ravyn. She loves me Buffy. She doesn't deserve this.." he told her sadly.

Buffy couldn't stop the tears as they flowed down her face. "Spike....please. I'm sorry. For everything. I Love you. I always have, I just didn't realize it until it was to late." she cried.

Spike felt like someone had pushed a stake through his heart. He closed his eyes and tried to stop his tears from falling. He had waited to hear her say she loved him, and now that she had...he felt powerless to do anything about it. He slowly opened his eyes and could barely look at her. Shaking his head slightly, he straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Buffy. I do love you...I just can't, not now. I'm sorry." he told her softly as he slowly turned and walked away.

Buffy stood there watching him leave. She felt like she couldn't breath. She blinked a few times before she moved her legs to try and walk. As she slowly started walking she felt her whole body go numb. She walked several blocks, trying to focus on anything but the pain she was feeling. She slowed her pace as she felt her world fall down around her. As she stopped completely, her slow tears clouded her vision and she slowly sank to the ground, crying the heart wrenching tears of a love she had waited to long acknowledge.

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

Ravyn heard Spike walk up on the landing and stood up from the couch. She walked over to the door as he opened it and she smiled when she saw him.

"It's about time you got back....I missed you" she said smiling as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I missed you to" Spike said softly as he hugged her tightly. He closed his eyes, willing the tears away. How could he have done this to her. She loved him, trusted him. He buried his face in her shoulder and inhaled her scent and he hung on to her.

Ravyn's smile widened as she felt him squeezing her. *All those hours spent worrying were for nothing*. She leaned her head over and kissed his neck. "I love you" she said softly as she nuzzled her face in his neck.

"I love you to" Spike said.

Ravyn's smile slowly melted away and she froze as she caught the scent that covered him.

Spike felt her body tense up. He clenched his eyes shut tightly. She knew.

Ravyn sniffed at his neck and brought her head down slightly and inhaled deeply. She leaned back and pushed Spike away from her as a pure red hot anger started to boil within her.

"You stink of the Slayer" she said, venom dripping from her words as she looked at him. She could see it in his eyes the minute he looked up at her. She felt her whole body tingle with hatred as she realized the Slayer's scent covered him. Her mate!

Spike watched her as her eyes flashed from yellow back to a dark, cold, almost black color. He could see the anger flowing off of her. He could also see the pain of his betrayal in her eyes.

Ravyn gritted her teeth together as Spike stood there looking at her. Closing her eyes briefly to hold back her tears, she moved and walked to the door only to be stopped by Spike grabbing her arm.

"Ravyn....wait, please let me explain" Spike said softly as he held her arm.

Ravyn turned slightly and glared at him. "If you think I want to hear anything you have to say, then you're a bigger `FOOL' than I am!" she spat out at him as tears rolled down her face. "Now get your hands off me." she told him through clenched teeth.

Spike looked at her, tears filling his eyes as he slowly released her arm. "Ravyn...please don't go. I love you.......Let me explain." he said softly, begging her to listen.

"Fuck You Spike!" she yelled as she turned and stood right in front of him. "Go tell your precious Slayer!" she said hatefully at him before turning and slamming the door open, hitting it against the wall when she did. Spike watched as she stepped outside, in only a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

Spike walked to the door and leaned his head against it as he watched her walk away. He had managed to hurt the two most important people in his life in one night. As his tears once again fell, he sank against the door frame and slid down to the floor.

"Ravyn" he whispered as he watched her walk away. *What have I done*

_____________________________________

Chapter Twenty-Five: Aftermath


Ravyn walked slowly through the streets of Sunnydale, her body felt like it was on fire. She had never felt any emotion this strong. She had hated Victor for what he had done to her and she had paid him back for his betrayal...but this was different. She loved Spike. He was everything to her. The thoughts of hurting him sickened her. No er wer what he had done.

She wiped at her tear streaked face angrily, trying to stop them from falling. They fell silently, not a sound could be heard from Ravyn as they fell. She wondered how a dead heart could feel so much pain. She could still smell the vanilla scent that covered Spike. It was on her now. She was surrounded by the thoughts and scent of what he had done. The more she thought of the two of them, the angrier she became. She knew that this would happen. Coming to this place was becoming a nightmare she couldn't seem to escape.

Ravyn stopped and looked around. She had no idea where she was. Spotting a small little bar, she walked purposely towards it and entered.

"What can I get ya?" Willie asked as Ravyn sat down on a stool.

"Strongest thing ya got." she said, her words barely being audible.

Willie gave her a hard look before setting a glass in front of her and pouring her a drink. He watched as she swallowed the foul liquid and motioned for another.

"Everything okay?" he asked, wondering about her mental state. She had a funny `look' in her eyes. He wasn't sure if she was even stable enough to be out and about. "You do realize you forgot your shoes, don't you."

Ravyn looked up at him, not interested in any form of conversation. "Just pour the damn drinks, not in the mood to talk."

Willie gave her a sideways look and shook his head before pouring her another drink. "Alright...but be warned, this stuff will kick your ass if your not careful."

"Can't hurt any worse than I already feel." she whispered more to herself than him.

Ravyn sat and contemplated her situation. Did she go back and let Spike try and talk his way out of this?.....Did she just leave and never look back?.....Or...did she do the one thing that would solve all `her' problems?....Kill the Slayer.

"Now why such the long face?" a smelly guy asked as he sat down beside Ravyn. "Pretty thing like you shouldn't have such a frown."

"Piss off" Ravyn said without even looking over at him.

"Well, beautiful and bossy...my kind of girl." he said grinning. "I bet I can cheer you up." he whispered as he leaned closer to her.

Ravyn turned her head to look at him. She rolled her eyes at him and swallowed her drink and motioned for another. She watched as the amber liquid flowed into her glass. The constant chatter of the drooling vamp beside her was bringing her rage to the forefront again as his voice was beginning to grate on her nerves. Turning her head she looked at him and smiled.

"Now see...I knew I could do something for you." the guy said as Ravyn smile lightly at him. "I know whatever is bothering you, I have something to make it all better" he added licking his lips and looking at her from head to toe.

Willie watched, stunned as Ravyn shot her hand out and imbedded it in the vamps chest, pulling his heart out as she withdrew her arm. She smiled wickedly before she spoke.

"I'll take this....someone broke mine earlier." she said as his ashes settled around the stool he once occupied.

"Wow...calm down there missy." Willie said, amazed at what he had just saw. "That's some temper you got there." he said nervously. *this girl is insane* he thought as she dusted off her hand and picked up her glass.

He laughed slightly, getting a little skittish as she just sat there staring at her glass, no emotion showing on her face. "You know....I bet I know someone you'd get along with just great. You have alot in common. He's short tempered to. Short fuse just like you." Willie rambled on nervously, fidgeting as he poured her another drink. "Goes by the name of Spike, ever heard of him?"

Ravyn looked up and flashed yellow eyes at Willie. She stood and snatched the bottle out of his hand and rammed her fist into his face causing him to fly back against the wall shattering the mirror that hung there. She grabbed her head as the pain from her chip coursed through her skull. Shaking her head, she looked down at Willie before grabbing her glass and walking to the back of the bar and sitting in a back booth. Tipping the bottled, she poured another drink, ready for all the pain to be erased and chased away by the only thing that helped at the moment.

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

Spike slowly lifted himself up off the floor and made his way over to the couch before sitting down. He stared at the TV screen as the picture was blurred from his tear soaked eyes. Reaching for the remote, he flipped the TV off and stared at the black screen. Images of tonight's events played over in his head. He wasn't sure what hurt worse, the look on Buffy's face, Ravyn's face, or the knowledge that `he' was the one that had caused it.

Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes, willing the images to go away only to be bombarded by more. *What am I going to do* he asked himself as he heard someone approaching outside. He opened his eyes and turned his head. Who he saw, he wasn't expecting.

Willow walked in and looked right at Spike before walking over to him. She stopped at the end of the couch and immediately felt for him. He looked as bad as Buffy did. Worse even. She had intended on giving him a piece of her mind after Buffy had came home, barely able to tell her what had happened. Looking at him now, she knew he was in just as much pain as she was.

"Where's Ravyn?" Willow asked as she looked around the crypt.

Spike chuckled sadly as he looked at her. "Gone" he said shaking his head slightly. "Seem's this is my night to shine Red. Evil soulless demon..two...women who seem to love him...zero."

Willow slowly sat on the end of the sofa and stared at him. She had never seen him look so `empty'. There was something in his eyes that was missing. That something that always seemed to give him life. There was nothing left. It was as if his whole life force had been sucked away. All that remained was a empty hollow shell.

"What have I done?" he asked her softly as his tears once again fell. "Why do things always go so wrong for me? Is this my punishment for all the wrongs I've done?"

Willow leaned back against the couch and watched him. She was having a hard time staying mad at him. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly before letting her anger fade away.

"Spike...I know were not good friends or anything...or maybe not friends at all...but I'm here, you know..if you want to talk about it. It helps." Willow told him as he stared off into space.

Spike slowly turned his head to look at her. He could see the sincerity in her words. "I don't even know where to begin." he told her quietly.

"Start at the beginning."

"Is Buffy okay?" he asked her, concerned about how she was.

"She's been better. She's really hurting. I don't know what happened exactly. She was kind of hard to understand. Just said that you couldn't be with her."

Spike closed his eyes for a minute before opening them back up to look at her. "I can't be with her Red. I claimed Ravyn as a mate. I can't leave her."

Willow's eyes widened a little. She wasn't expecting that. She knew about the claiming rituals and what they meant. She had read enough of Giles' Journals to know why he had rejected Buffy now.

"Why would you claim her as a mate, if you loved Buffy, Spike...I don't understand."

"I left here because Buffy didn't want me. I never intended on things going anywhere with Ravyn, I had every intention on returning. Ravyn just...kind of happened."

"Do you love her...Ravyn I mean?"

"Yes" Spike said. "I don't know how or why...but I Love them both. Buffy and Ravyn."

Willow looked at Spike and ran what he said through her head. How he loved them both..that she didn't understand either. "Spike....can you break the claim?"

Spike looked up at her when he question hit his ear. "No....not really...not sure I would if I could. Mates are taking for life Red. "

"Then why did you claim her if you loved Buffy?"

"Because I love her Red.....because she loved me. Without me asking for it, without me begging like an idiot, she loved me long before I ever knew it."

Willow smiled sadly at him. She understood. He was accepted by Ravyn. She loved him and he needed it at the time, but....were his feelings `real' love or something else? Willow thought hard as she watched him. Her limited knowledge of love and relationships was enough to show her a few things. She leaned her head sideways and looked at him hard as a thought came to her.

"Spike...you love Buffy right?"

"Yes, you know I do."

"Are you `in love' with her?"

"Yes"

Willow smile before she continued. "Are you `in love' with Ravyn...or do you just `love' her?"

Spike looked at Willow and pondered her question. "I do love her Red. I need her and want her in my life as much as I do Buffy."

"That's not what I asked you.....are you `in love' with her? There is a difference Spike...you can love someone and not be `in love' with them."

Spike looked at Willow as his eyes started to fill with tears again. He had never even thought of this. Was he `in love' with Ravyn? How could he even question his feeling for her? She meant more to him than even he wanted to admit. Blinking his tears away, he smiled weakly at Willow and said the only word his heart would let him.....

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

Ravyn felt the morning sun approaching as she walked slowly into an abandoned warehouse. She shut the door behind her and welcomed the darkness that surrounded her. She made her way to the room that was off to the right of the building, her whole body numb from to much alcohol and the aching pain in her heart. Opening the door to a small office she walked inside and shut the door behind her. She scanned the dark room before leaning against the wall and sliding down to the floor. She sat, thinking off all the things the consisted of her un-life and wondered what she should do. Spike was the only thing she had that meant anything to her. How could things ever be right between them again? Did he still want her...or did het tht the Slayer?

Hugging her knees close to her chest, Ravyn buried her face into her knees and cried. Her life had ended a second time, only this time....she was able to feel the loss of it.

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

"Hey..where's everybody at?" Xander said as he walked into the Summer's home.

"In here" Willow said from the Kitchen.

Xander made his way into the Kitchen where Willow was and smiled as he entered.

"Well, hello ladies...what's the plan for this beautiful day?" he asked happily.

Willow gave him a little smile before looking over at Buffy. She was sitting at the island bar, staring at the breakfast Willow had made her.

Xander looked over at Buffy. Her head was hung down and he could tell by her appearance, she hadn't slept. He walked slowly to the bar and sat beside her.

"Buff...what's wrong?" he asked her softly before looking up at Willow.

Buffy didn't answer. She just sat there, staring at her now cold food.

Xander looked back over at her. He didn't know what was wrong but knew whatever it was it was big. The look on Willow's face was enough to convince him of that. He took a deep breath before leaning over and wrapping an arm around her, hugging her tight to him.

"Whatever it is...it'll get better" he told her softly.

Buffy lo up up at him, tears in her eyes. "No it won't." she choked out as her tears rolled down her face.

Xander wrapped his other arm arouer aer and held her tightly to him as she cried. He looked over at Willow, who now had her own tears shinning in her eyes for her friends pain. He stroked her hair as she softly cried into his shoulder.

"I love you Buff..you know that right?" he asked her.

Buffy shoer her head yes at him, unable to form any words.

Xander held Buffy as she c. He. He didn't know what was wrong and Willow wasn't saying. He was starting to worry. He had never seen her like this. He watched as Willow smiled weakly at him and wiped her face before leaving the room. He sighed heavily before Buffy lifted her head a little and wiped her tears away.

"Hey...you gonna tell me what's wrong, or is this a girls only kind of thing?" he asked her smiling.

Buffy looked at him. He was always there for her. Always. She smiled the best she could before straightening up.

"I'm in love with Spike." she said, looking strastraight in the face.

Xander thought his heart had stopped beating for a minute when her words reached him. He looked at her and could tell she was dead serious.

"Buffy, I think I really don't want to hear this" he told her as he slowly stood.

"You need to hear it" she told him. "You need to know, I'm in love with Spike and I also know the `only' reason your being nice to him right now is because of Ravyn."

Xander felt sick, he felt sicker than sick. He stared at her as she looked up at him and closed his eyes briefly before taking a deep breath and sitting back down.

"Okay Buffy...let's hear it...all of it." he told her, knowing he wasn't going to be happy with the outcome.

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

Spike had walked half of Sunnydale, and still no sign of Ravyn. He wondered briefly if she had left town, but her clothes and money were still back at the crypt. Deciding to try the local demon haunts to see if anyone had seen her, he entered Willies and was shocked at what he saw.

"We're closed" Willie weazed out as Spike walked to the bar.

"What the hell happened to you?" Spike asked as he took in the site of Willie. His face was swollen up, and three shades of purple.

"Don't even ask" Willie said as he continued to sweep up the broken glass from around the bar.

"What happened in here. Looks like a gang of Polgara's ruffed the place up a bit."

Willie laughed at Spike's comment causing him to wince as pain shot through his face. "Yeah, looks like it...would you believe me if I told you one person did all this." he said as he motioned around the room with his arm.

Spike turned his head and gave the room a good look. There were broken chairs and tables everywhere. Glass littered the floor along with trash, blood and what looked like some sort of yellow goo he couldn't make out.

"One person did this?"

"Yeah, craziest bitch I've ever seen. She killed everybody who was stupid enough to step in front of her. What is it with vamps and the whole fighting thing anyway. Everybody thinks there the strongest."

Spike looked at Willie as he rambled on. "Who'd you say did this?" Spike asked interrupting his ramblings.

"I don't know. Never got her name. She did give me a great reminder of her though." he said pointing to his face. "That's the last time I mention `your' name in a conversation."

That got Spike's attention. "What was that?" heed, ed, leaning his head to one side.

Willie put his broom down and walked behind the bar. "This girl comes in, asks for a drink....some guy hits on her, she rips his heart clean out of his chest...damnedest thing I've ever seen, didn't even know that was possible..."

"Out with it..." Spike yelled, tired of his ramblings.

"Oh, right...well, after that I said I knew someone she'd get along with...I mention your name, and she broke my face."

Spike knew he was talking about Ravyn right then. "Was this girl barefoot?" Spike asked him.

"Yeah..that was her. Really messed up. Took a bottle to the corner and sat quietly until a couple guys started messing with her. She went crazy on them. Killed everyone of `em. And anything else that got in her way. Busted my place up and walked out like nothing had happened."

"Which way did she go?" Spike asked as he stood up from the bar stool he was sitting on.

"How the hell should I know. You looking for her?"

"Yeah" Spike said as he turned and started for the door.

"Yeah, well if you find her, tell her she owes me for the damage to my bar....and my face" he said as Spike walked out the door to continue his search..

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

Xander sat at the research table at the Magic Box staring at BufShe She had seemed to be alot better after telling him everything. He was still having trouble processing it all. He couldn't believe she had been `seeing' Spike all that time with none of them ever knowing. The fact that she was in love with him, that was the hardest part.

"Xander, did you hear what I said?" Willow asked him, after kicking his foot under the table.

"Huh..what was that Will?" he asked as he looked over at her.

"I said, what kind of fire power can you get a hold of."

"Just about anything you need."

"Good. Now we need to figure out when we're going in there. Or how we're going in there. I guess Spike's out since we haven't seen him in the last two days." Willow said before giving a little smile to Buffy for having to mention Spike's name. "Any idea Buffy?"

"Not really. We never got that far into the plan."

"Okay...I guess we can sneak in and plant the explosives...not really crazy about that idea though."

"I can do it." Spike said as he walked into the room.

All three heads turned at the sound of his voice.

Spike walked slowly towards the table, never taking his eyes off Buffy. He could still see the pain in her eyes. It matched his own. As he approached the table Willow gave him a smile before getting up and walking behind the counter. Xander stared at him for a minute before rolling his eyes and also walking away.

Spike watched them leave and knew they all knew what had happened. He wasn't sure if he was glad she had told them all or not, he just knew he needed to talk to Buffy.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked her softly.

Buffy looked at him for a minute before shaking her head and standing. "We can go in the back." she said before standing and walking to the training room.

Spike followed her in and shut the door behind him.

"How are you?" he asked as he walked inside the room.

"Just peachy...and you." she said sadly.

Spike sighed lightly and put his hands in his pockets. "I'm really sorry Buffy. I know you probably don't believe that...but I am."

Buffy looked at him and knew he was. She could see it in his face. He was hurting to. She smiled weakly at him before looking away. "I believe you." she said quietly. "I don't blame you for anything."

Spike took a couple steps closer to her. "I do love you. You know that..right?"

Buffy looked up at him again. "Yeah I know. Still doesn't make it any easier."

"I know."

"So, what now?"

"I don't know." Spike said as she sat on the sofa.

"Where's Ravyn?" Buffy asked quietly.

Spike looked down at his feet a minute before bringing his head back up. "Haven't a clue where she is. She left when I got back the other night."

Buffy looked up at him, surprised that Ravyn had left. "What do you mean..why'd she leave."

"She smelled your scent on me" he told her quietly.

Buffy's eyes widened as she looked at him *this is a good thing, right* she asked herself as she stared at him.

"She showed up at Willies, broke his face and destroyed the bar...other than that, no ones seen her."

"So, I take it she was pissed?"

Spike chuckled at her. "Pissed doesn't even begin to describe it. Surprised she hasn't came back to torture me yet."

"She wouldn't do that, would she?"

"After what she did to her sire...I'm betting she wo"
"

"That bad?"

"Let's just say ole Victor was in a world of pain before she put him out. Not looking forward to that one."

"You don't `really' think she would...do you?" Buffy asked him.

Spike sighed before shaking his head. "No...not really. Think she actually likes me more than she did him." he said with a small smile.

Buffy smiled at him before looking down. She took a deep breath before letting it out and looked back up at him. "Are you going to try and find her?" she asked him softly.

"Yeah" he said quietly. "I have to. Knowing her she's got into trouble by now. Can't just leave her out there."

Buffy looked back down and smiled weakly. "Guess not."

"Well, guess I better go then. Don't go after Trull till you hear from me..okay?"

`Yeah" Buffy said looking back up at him.

Spike smiled at her before turning to leave. Buffy watched as he left the training room and she leaned back on the couch. *Now what* she asked herself as she closed her eyes and tried to figure out what to do next.

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

Spike walked the streets for the second night in a row in search for Ravyn. He had checked every demon haunt and abandoned house he found. No one other than Willie had seen her. He was beginning to worry. The thoughts of something happening to her were beginning to creep into his mind. He knew she could take care of herself, but after what Willie had told him, he was worried about where her head was. She acted before she thought and that could get you real good and dead around here.

As he approached the warehouse district, he walked cautiously. The vamp activity was increased due to Trull's presence. The last thing he needed was to run into any trouble there.

Searching the warehouses, he stayed clear of Trull's men and was beginning to believe this was also leading to a dead end. He had three more to check and only a few more hours till sunrise.

Opening the door to the smallest warehouse, he caught the scent of blood. Not strong, but enough to let him know someone had been there. He shut the door and walked slowly, not sure of who or what had been there. Stopping in the middle of the room, he inhaled deeply and turned quickly to his right when he caught Ravyn's scent.

Opening the door to the small room, he peaked in and saw her. She was laying on the floor, motionless.

"Ravyn" he said cautiously as he approached her. Last thing he needed was to be surprised by a pissed off mate. Bending down he moved her hair away from her face. He looked her over and saw her bloody feet. The small cuts had healed, but the dried blood remained. She looked pale and he figured she hadn't eaten by the way her face had thinned out.

Spike bent down and picked her head up. She opened her eyes slightly, and looked at him briefly before closing them again. "Head hurts" she whispered to him as a tear fell from her closed eyelids.

Spike wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead before placing his arm under her legs and picking her up. Cradling her body close to his, he carried her out of the warehouse and back to the crypt.