Once and Again

Chapter Seventeen: Crash and Burn


The gang sat and looked back and forth between Ravyn and this man, to the others sitting around the table. Ravyn was clinging to him crying as he ran his hand down her back. He looked as if he were also crying.

No one knew what to say or do, but questions were mounting in everyone's heads as the minutes past by.

Ravyn slowly lifted her head and smiled as she looked up at Phillip. She removed her arms from around his neck and wiped her face.

"How are you?" Phillip asked her, concerned for her as he always was.

"I'm good. Great actually." she replied softly, glancing over her shoulder at Spike.

Spike gave her a little smile when she turned to look at him. He didn't know who this man was but knew he must have been someone Ravyn cared for judging from her reaction to seeing him. But anyone associated with her, couldn't be trusted....not now.

Ravyn looked back over at Phillip after returning a smile to Spike. She stared at him for the longest time. She wasn't sure what to say. She had so many questions for him.

"Spike...do you know who that is?" Dawn whispered over to him.

Spike never took his eyes off Ravyn but shook his head 'no' in reply to Dawn's question.

Dawn looked at the others around the table. Everyone was wearing the same questioning faces as she was.

"Can we sit and talk for a few minutes?" Phillip asked her quietly. "Privately...if you don't mind." he added glancing over at the table.

Ravyn glanced back over at Spike briefly before turning back to Phillip. "Yeah...sure." she told him as he stood there smiling at her.

"This way then." he said as he motioned her away from the others.

Ravyn turned and walked back over to Spike. "I'm going to go talk to Phillip. I won't be long." she whispered in his ear before giving him a kiss on the cheek and turning, following Phillip to a table a few tables away from the others.

Spike watched her walk away and sit. He also watched Phillip. He wasn't sure what it was they were talking about and strained his ears to listen without much luck.

"You think he's up to something?" Angel asked quietly as he also stared at Ravyn and this new stranger.

"Not sure." Spike answered him, with little or no emotion showing on his face, wondering that exact thing though.

"I'm going to give the club a walk, see if anyone else here is interested in those two." Angel told him as he stood, casually making his way around the room.

Ravyn sat beside Phillip, smiling as he looked at her.

"How are you...really Miss Ravyn...is everything okay?" Phillip asked her, taking her hand.

"I've been good." she answered him, still a little in shock at seeing him. "It took a while to feel normal again but...everything's good now."

Phillip smiled at her best he could. He was glad she was doing well, but he had missed seeing her. He also hated himself at this moment. He promised never to hurt her....but that is what he was going to do, betraying her trust in him.

"Are you safe? Trull is still looking for you. Are you with someone who can protect you?"

Ravyn stared at Phillip for a minute, the shock finally wearing off. She was becoming cautious of everything she said...and everything he said. He was the only person she had trusted for over twenty years, now she wasn't so sure she could do that.

"How did you get away?" she asked him. She needed to know she could still trust him.

Phillip smiled nervously at her. No matter how much he hated deceiving her, for her own safety...he had to. "After you made your escape, the house went a little...hysterical I guess you could say. Trull was in a rage. There was so much chaos. I was able to slip by everyone and make it off the grounds."

Ravyn smiled. "Trull was pissed then?" she asked, wishing she could have seen his face.

"Yes...extremely." he told her smiling, not able to tell her Trull had taken out his anger out on him for it.

Ravyn's smile widened. "Good"

Phillip glanced over at the table the others were at before looking back at Ravyn. "Are your friends taking care of you? Seeing to your needs?"

"Yes" Ravyn smiled. "I would be deader or back with Trull without them."

Phillip gave her another smile. "Where are you staying now...are you still at Spike's?"

Ravyn smiled back at him. "I'm completely safe, don't worry." Ravyn turned her head to look at Spike and could see the concerned look on his face. She gave him a big smile and waited for his in return before turning back to Phillip. She had a few question's for him....and she wanted answers.

~*~

Angel returned to the table and sat, looking towards Ravyn. "No one here looks interested in them but us."

"He's up to something." Spike said quietly. "Looks a little nervous to me."

Spike leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, watching every move Phillip made. He had never heard Ravyn mention him and wondered what was so important that couldn't be said with the others around.

~*~

Dylan reached out, grabbing Dawn's hand, smiling at her when she looked over at him.

"I must be going." he told her, happy when the disappointment showed on her face. "Can I see you again?"

Dawn's disappointment turned into a happy smile. "Yes...I would like that." she said, then second thought herself as she remembered....vampire.

Dylan smiled. "Great...Tomorrow?" he asked, hopeing she would say yes.

"Tomorrow would be great." she replied. *No one this fine can be all that bad* she thought as she looked at him.

"So..I can pick you up...where?"

Dawn giggled a little. "Sorry...here. This is where I will be." she said writing down the hotels address.

Dylan looked at the address and smiled as he read it. "I'll see you there then...after sunset." he told her, giving her hand a small kiss before standing. "It was nice meeting you." he told the group as he stood.

Spike never looked up at him, just growled softly, only Dylan and Angel able to hear.

Saying his good-byes, Dylan turned and left, Dawn watching his retreating form as he walked out the door.

"Poof" Spike mumbled under his breath as Dylan left.

"I heard that." Dawn said smiling, eyes still glued to the door Dylan had just walked through.

~*~

Ravyn turned and looked over at Spike, motioning for him to come over.

Spike tried to hide his joy at being included, but the smile on his face gave him away as he stood and walked over to Ravyn, sitting down beside of her.

Ravyn smiled at him as he sat. "Spike...this is Phillip. He was....my care taker I guess you could say, when I was at Trull's."

Phillip reached out his hand in which Spike shook hesitantly. "It's a pleasure to meet you Spike. I've been hearing your name for as long as I've been with Trull. It's nice to put a face with it after all these years."

Spike gave him a smile, not really feeling it though.

"I'm really glad Miss Ravyn was able to locate you again." Phillip said, flashing a smile to Ravyn.

"So am I." Spike told him. "How long were you with her?" he asked, curious about their relationship.

Phillip looked at Spike briefly before turning back to Ravyn. "Twenty-four years. I cared for her every need." he replied, a sadness falling over his features.

"And...what exactly did you...do for her?"

Phillip looked back over at Spike and saw something in his eyes. He could tell Spike didn't trust him. "Well, I clothed her, feed her, tended her wounds.." he said, the last part said with a hint of pain. "Everything she needed. She wasn't able to care for herself."

Spike stared at Phillip for a few seconds before glancing over at Ravyn. Her head was hung slightly. Reaching out he took her hand in his and gave it a light squeeze and smiled as she looked up at him.

"I'm greatly surprised she was able to find you. In twenty four years she only spoke to me once. I wasn't completely sure she would be able to function outside the complex." Phillip said looking at Spike. "I'm happy to see she's proved me wrong."

Spike smiled big. "Never underestimate this one." he said smiling at Ravyn. "She surprises me every two seconds."

Phillip watched as Spike and Ravyn stared at one another lovingly, relieved to know that Spike would protect her from Trull. He could tell just by the look in Spike's eyes as he looked at her. He hoped and prayed to whoever was listening that Trull was never able to capture her again. Her heartache of losing Spike again would surely kill her before Trull ever had the chance.

Ravyn looked back over at Phillip and gave him a big smile. "I'm really glad you were able to get out okay Phillip, and I can't ever repay you for what you did."

"No thanks is required Miss Ravyn. Knowing you are safe is enough."

Ravyn leaned over and hugged him. "I'll never forget you Phillip." she whispered to him.

"Nor I you Miss Ravyn. "

Ravyn sat back and looked at Spike before glancing back at Phillip. "We really need to be going Phillip. You take care of yourself?"

"You know I will."

Ravyn and Spike stood as did Phillip.

"Goodbye Miss Ravyn."

"Goodbye Phillip."

Ravyn turned and pulled Spike along with her back over to the table with the others. "We need to get out of here...now." she whispered to Spike as they walked away from Phillip.

Spike reached for his keys, saying a quick goodbye to the others and giving Angel a look before he and Ravyn started for the door. Once outside, they hurried across the street for the bike.

"Phillips up to no good." Ravyn said, as she climbed on the bike behind Spike.

"How can you tell?"

"Because he asked me if I were 'still' staying with you..and he said 'your' name. I never mentioned you until later in the conversation. He knew you were here before we ever sat down." she said as Spike pulled away from the curve.

~*~

Neither Spike nor Ravyn saw the car pull out behind them as they speed down the street towards the beach house.

Randall and two other of Trull's men sat quietly in the car, following at a safe distance. Phillip wasn't able to find out anything they needed....but that really didn't matter now, as long as they were able to keep up, they'd have her before the night was out.

~*~

"What was with the rush?" Blake asked as the gang all sat around the table.

Angel was looking around the room, trying to see which way Phillip had went. Spotting him in the corner with another man, he stood.

"Follow me." he told Blake as he slowly made his way around to where Phillip was stand


Blake was close behind Angel as they neared the two men. Moving quickly, Angel grabbed the other man as Blake grabbed a shocked Phillip.

"Well, how about we have a little chat?" Angel asked the man he was holding. "Who are you?"

The guy growled, struggling to free himself as Phillip remained calm in Blake's grip. "Fuck you" he guy hissed.
gel'gel's grip on the guys neck tightened. "Not tonight. Now...tell me what I want to know, or...I'll kill you."

Phillip cleared his throat. "You might as well kill him now. He'll never go against Trull." he stated.

Angel looked over to Phillip. "And you will?"

"For Miss Ravyn...I'd do anything."

"Alright....talk." Angel told him, still holding a squirming vampire tightly.

"Trull will not rest until he has her back. He will search for her until he has found her. She is not safe here." Phillip told them.

"What about Brazil? Is he not still planning on going?" Rob asked as he walked in behind the others.

Phillip turned his head and looked at Rob. "He is still planning his trip, but not until Miss Ravyn is returned. He won't make a move without her."

Rob looked over at Angel. "Makes our job easier. If Trull isn't there, we will have more time to search."

"We can't leave...not as long as she's in danger." Angel told him. "Spike can't fight an army of Trull's men alone."

"So what do you suggest we do then?" Rob asked him.

Angel looked over at Phillip. "You care for her?"

"Yes"

"Then you'll help us?"

"I'll do anything"

"Take him back to the hotel." Angel told Blake. "Search him and tie him up."

Blake gave Angel a nod then turned, leading Phillip out of the club.

"Well...looks like this is your un-lucky night." Angel told the guy he was holding, before dragging him out the backdoor.

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

Ravyn had her head down. The speed they were traveling was beginning to make her wish she'd stayed at home.

Glancing up, she saw the buildings of the city whiz by and quickly ducked her head as they took a corner, the bike leaning farther than she would have liked. As they came to a stop light, she felt Spike tug on her hand.

Ravyn lifted her head and looked at him.

"We have company." Spike told her as he turned his head to look at her. "Hold on."

Ravyn gripped Spike with everything she had as he took off through the red light, the car behind them doing the same. Her fear was mounting as they were exceeding speeds even she wasn't aware the motorcycle was capable off. The car following them was slowly falling behind, but not far enough for her liking.

As the city was slowly growing in dis distance and the road was open, Spike opened the bike up, getting as much distance between them and the car as possible. He knew he couldn't lead them to the beach house and wasn't sure exactly which way to go. Slowing his speed, he decided a trip through the winding roads of the housing develots wts would be enough to loose them....he hoped.

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

Angel walked into the hotel and spotted Phillip tied to a chair, making not efforts to struggle. He ed sed slowly over to him and pulled a chair over to him, sitting as he did.

"Okay....who are you?" Angel asked him. "And if you're not straight with me...then you'll meet the same fate as your friend did."

"He was no friend of mine." Phillip told him. "No one in that place is worth the skin on their backs."

Angel sat up straight in his chair. "Okay then. Start talking."

Phillip straightened himself best he could and looked at Angel before giving the other three men in the room a look. "My name is Phillip Reynolds. I was assigned to care for Miss Ravyn after she.... after she took ill." he told them. "I cared for her for twenty-four years."

"How did she manage to get free?" Angel asked him.

"The night she escaped was the first time I had ever heard her speak." Phillip said, glancing down in silent pain as he did. "She asked me to kill her."

Everyone in the room looked at the other, shock written on their faces.

"She cried that night...and spoke. I knew of the cruelty Trull had subjected her to. I was the one who picked up the pieces when they were through with her." Phillip told them quietly. "She was so beautiful...." he whispered more to himself than the others. "They destroyed her."

The guys in the room sat silently as Phillip silently cried. No one knew what to say and could only imagine what things were done to Ravyn.

Composing himself, Phillip cleared his throat. "I told her I could not grant her request, but I would help her. I gave her the key to her shackles. If she were to die...it would not be by my hand."

"So, she freed herself?" Blake asked him.

"Yes." Phillip answered him. "There was a banquet that night. The fifth point to the Star was to be collected. It was a big day for Master Trull. He wanted everyone in attendance...even Miss Ravyn. She was to be...." Phillip paused, unable to get past the lump in his throat.

"To be what?" Angel asked him quietly, not sure he really wanted to know.

Phillip looked up at him, with tear soaked eyes. "She was the nights entertainment."

Everyone in the room knew exactly what he meant. They knew now why Ravyn was so frightened of Trull.

"Is that why he wants her back?" Rob asked him quietly.

"Mostly." Phillip answered. "The main reason is to punish her for escaping again."

"Again? She's escaped before?" Angel asked him curious.

"Yes. Three times." he told them. "The last time she actually made it home, to Sunnydale, I believe it was. He found her shortly after she arrived."

Angel leaned forwarightightly. "What happened?"

"He found her in the cemetery, watching her vampire. Spike. Master Trull hated Spike because she loved him so and never returned any affections to him. He always let Miss Ravyn know Spike no longer wanted her, that he had forgotten about her and moved on with the Slayer. She never spoke again after they returned."

Phillip sat and answered every question Angel and the others had for him. Many things they wished they never would have asked, let alone knew the answers to. The one thing they did know.....there was nothing any of them wouldn't do to see that Trull never laid a finger on Ravyn again.

~*~*~*~~*~*

Spike was running out of ideas as to where to go, and fear was creeping up on him quicker than he liked. The car trailing them was fast and was still following. Heading back out onto the highway, he decided on trying to outrun them.

As he speed down the road, Ravyn's grip on his waist was getting tighter. He knew she was scared. The speeds they were going was alot of it he knew...but being caught again was her major anxiety.

Turning to a side road, Spike quickly speed down the road, pushing the bike as fast as it would go.

Randall smiled big and as they followed. "We have them now." he laughed, after seeing the 'dead end' sign that had falling by the road side. "Let's slow this puppy down a little, give them time to find out their mistake."

Spike's eyes widened as he saw the road just stop up ahead and was barely able to get the bike to stop in time. As the wheels came to a complete stop, he looked down into the deep ravine that lay in front of them. Closing his eyes, he knew he had messed up.

Ravyn lifted her head when they had stopped and looked over her shoulder, relieved when she didn't see the car following them. "I think we lost them." she said with a shaky voice.

"Good thing" Spike said, opening his eyes back up and looking at the black hole in front of them.

Ravyn turned and looked forward and gasped slightly. "No shit." she whispered as she saw the nothing that lay in front of them. Letting out a deep sigh, she laid her head on Spike's back, relieved the ordeal was over.

They both sat there...unaware that Randall was slowly creeping his way up the road, headlights turned off as he did.

Ravyn ran her hands up Spike's chest, resting them on the front of his shoulders, hugging him close to her. "He's never gonna stop" she said quietly, pressing her cheek to his back.

Spike raised his hand, laying it on hers before pulling it to his mouth and kissing her palm. "And we won't stop looking for him either." he told her before turning.

Ravyn lifted her head and slid her arms down as he turned. He looked as scared as she felt.

"I won't let them take you." Spike told her with a little smile.

Ravyn wrapped her arms around him best she could with the awkward position they were in. "I love you Spike."

Spike smiled against her neck as he wrapped his arms around her. He kissed he neck and took in her scent before looking over her shoulder. "bloody hell" he whispered.

Ravyn lifted up. "What?"

Spike was staring behind her as the car that had been following them sat down the road. Ravyn turned her head, just as Randall flipped the headlights back on. She felt her stomach twist in a knot....this was it.

Spike watched the car for a few seconds before turning to Ravyn and taking her head in both of his hands. "Ravyn....do you trust me?" he asked as he looked at her.

Ravyn looked at him, fear was rendering her speechless.

"Do you trust me?" Spike asked her again. He could see the fear in her eyes.

"Yes" Ravyn managed to whisper.

Spike leaned in, kissing her hard. He smiled at her when he pullway.way. "Do exactly as I tell you to...do you understand?"

Ravyn shook her head 'yes' at him as tears filled her eyes.

Spike smiled at her before giving her another quick kiss. Turning, he backed the bike up and faced the car infront of them.

Randall opened his car door and got out, a smile on his face. "Well, at last. Are you going to play smart this time...or are we going to keep up this chase all night?" he asked as two more men exited the car.

Spike looked at all three men. He knew he couldn't outrun them all night. Turning the ignition switch, he killed the engine.

Ravyn looked wide eyed at him, not believing he had turned the bike off. "What are you doing?" she asked him, looking from him to Randall.

Spike never answered her just propped the bike up instead. Reaching into his duster pocket, he pulled a cigarette from it's pack and lit up.

"Your smoking?" Ravyn asked him unbelieving. "That's your brilliant plan?"

"Quiet luv.......give me a minute."

Randall took a few steps forward, motioning for the other two to follow him. "Well...I would ask you nicely to just get in the car....but I don't do nice." he said grinning as he and the other two men approached them. "So, I guess well do this the fun way.

"Don't fight them." Spike whispered to Ravyn.

Ravyn sat, shocked as Randall approached the bike. She didn't know who she was more afraid of...Randall or Spike. His plan wasn't exactly what she had in mind.

"Well, nice to finially see you again Ravyn." Randall said as he neared them. "The Master has missed you...as have we." he said with a grin. "Now let's go."

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

Angel was pacing his office. They had listened and questioned Phillip for over an hour. He wasn't one hundred percent sure he trusted him, but he seemed to be telling the truth. He also picked up on a few things he was sure the others hadn't.

Sitting down hard in his chair, he leaned his head back and tried to figure out a way to get to Trull. Phillip knew where Trull was....but also knew there were at least sixty men going in and out of the complex. He knew there was no way to fight that many. It would take a small army to do that.

"Angel....got a minute?" Rob asked him from the door.

Angel turned to look at him. "Yeah"

Rob entered the office and sat next to Angel. "What should we do with Phillip?"

Angel sighed heavily and shook his head. "I don't know. Keep him here I guess."

"Do you think he can be trusted?"

"Yeah...I think so."

"How can you be sure. This could very well be all of Trull's plan."

Angel shook his head no at him. "I don't think so....Phillip would never do anything to hurt Ravyn."

Rob gave Angel a questing look. "How can you be so sure?"

Angel looked at Rob and smiled. "Because he's in love with her."

"He's....he never said...."

"He didn't have to."

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

Ravyn sat quietly in the back seat beside of Spike, as tears silently rolled down her face. She had a firm hold of his hand and her fear was causing her whole body to go numb.

"You two comfy back there?" Randall asked, chuckling softly. "I'd hate to think we weren't good host."

There was one man up front with Randall and one sitting beside Spike. He had placed Ravyn by the door, as far away from the others as possible. She was squeezing his hand tightly as Randall started the car.

"Hey Randall....do we have to take her back right away?" the guy up front asked. "I mean, the Master won't let us play with her right away." he said looking back at Ravyn.

Spike glared at the man as he looked back at them.

"You don't mind, do you there buddy?" the guy asked Spike grinning. "I'm sure you know how much fun she can be. Well.....that is until the Master broke her. Have you been able to get her to scream yet? Man I loved it when she'd scream." he said laughing.

Spike growled softly as he looked at the guy. Ravyn had let her head hang down, unable to look at anyone knowing what they had planned.

"So what do you say Randall? Play time then take her home?"

Randall smiled big. "Yeah...I think I might be able to do that. It's been a while. What you say Ravyn? Care for a little party before we head back?"

As the car hit the main road, Spike rubbed his thumb against Ras has hand, trying to reassure her everything was going to be okay. She hesitantly looked up at him, knowing her time with him was short.

Spike reached his right hand out, taking hers in it, freeing up his left. He looked at her and smiled before giving her a wink.

Reaching into his duster slowly, Spike grabbed the stake he had in his inside pocket, gripping it firmly.

In one quick movement, he pulled it out and turned, staking the guy beside of him before turning and quickly opening Ravyn's door as Randall and the guy up front started yelling.

"Run" Spike yelled as he pushed Ravyn from the moving car.

Ravyn rolled across the pavement, coming to a hard stop against the guard rail on the side of the road. She looked up quickly as the car flew down the road.

"Spike!" she screamed as she tried to stand, only to fall when her leg gave out on her.

Spike watched out the back window, seeing if she were okay before turning to the yelling men in the front seat. Bringing both legs up, he kicked the seat in front of him, causing both of them to slam hard against the dash of the car.

Ravyn watched as she finally stood as the car started to swerve on the road. She was breathing hard and took a step forward, limping as her leg throbbed. Looking down, she saw the blood pouring from her leg from a large gash on her right thigh. She looked back up when the sound of screeching tires and metal against metal rang through the night.

Ravyn tried to run, the pain in her leg making it impossible as she heard the car crash through the guard rail. He fear covered her throbbing leg pain as she limped as fast as she could down the road towards the sounds. She could hear the car rolling. The bright flash of red fire shot up into the night sky as an explosion was heard and Ravyn froze in her tracks and watched, her eyes wide as black smoke and red hot flames lit up the hillside.

"Spike" she whispered as she watched, not believing what she was seeing. "Spike!" she screamed as she started to run. Ravyn ran as fast as she could, seeing the tire marks on the road up ahead. Reaching the place where the car had crashed through the barrier, she ran over to the edge of the road and looked down on the burning car. Her breath hitched in her throat, watching in horror as the car burned along the hillside below.

Her whole bohookhook uncontrollably as she watched. She jumped when another explosion sent flying pieces of metal into the air. Falling to the ground as her legs gave out on her, her vision was clouded as huge tears filled her eyes. She could feel the heat from the road as the car burned. Gasping for air, her chest tightened as a finial explosion rocked the valley.

"Spike" Ravyn whispered as sobs racked her body.

_______________________________________

Chapter Eighteen: Love ons ons (pt. 1)


Ravyn sat watching as the car burned. She had finally cried every tear she had in her out and was now just sitting on the ground, her body completely numb. She blinked repeatably, trying to moisten her eyes as the heat from the fire still rolled up the bank.

She had no idea how long she had been sitting there....could have been minutes or hours. She couldn't tell. Time was moving in slow motion for her. She had yet to take her eyes off the car as the bright red blaze it was creating had her hypnotized.

She just couldn't accept the fact that Spike was in that car, the same car he had thrown her out of. No matter how long she sat there watching it burn, the concept of him being 'gone' was something she wouldn't let her self believe.

Ravyn looked down as a pain shot through her leg, she saw the large gash in her leg. She reached out a shaky hand, wiping the blood away to look at it. She stared at the gash, not really registering anything in her mind. She lazily looked down her leg, wiping at the blood that had ran down to her foot. She sat there in a daze as she tried to clean herself.

"My shoe" she whispered to herself as she noticed one was missing. She looked around her, not seeing it anywhere. Staring at her bare foot for several minutes, Ravyn finally looked back down the hill to the crumpled mass of burning steel.

A breath hitched in her throat as the impact of what she was seeing came to her. Spike was there...in that car, and now...he was 'gone'. She leaned her head to the side slightly, looking like a lost child as she watched. There was nothing but pain, the loss of Spike had paraylised her to everything...except the tremendoues aching hurt in her chest, where a heart consumed with love for him was slowly crumbling into nothing. Without him....there was no reason to exist.

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

Angel replaced the phone back in it's cr and and looked at the clock again. He had been calling Spike's for over an hour with no answer.

"Still nothing?" Rob asked as he saw Angel sitting on Dawn's desk staring at the phone.

"No" Angel sighed as he stood. "Their probably just not answering." he said, thinking they were probably just to 'busy' to bother with it.

"Well, Phillip is up in a room. I handcuffed him to the bed to make sure he didn't try to leave." Rob told him. "Hopefully he'll be able to tell us more about Trull's operation tomorrow."

"Yeah....sure" Angel said absently as he walked back into his office.

Rob watched him go before sighing lightly and shaking his head. He knew Angel was stressing over Spike and Ravyn, he had been quiet..more so than usual...ever since they had returned from the club. *love sick fool* he thought as he turned, heading up the steps for much needed sleep.

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

Ravyn blinked and peered forward, thinking she saw movement on the hillside below. Her unnecessary breathing became faster as she looked down the hill.

"Spike" she whispered as she stood and looked over the edge of the road. Taking a step forward, she landed hard on her un-shoed foot causing another pain to shoot up her leg.

She watched.....hopeing her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. Reaching down, she discarded her other shoe, throwing it to the side as she grabbed the side of the crumpled guard rail, stepping into the grass.

"Spike" Ravyn said loudly as she started climbing down the hill. She looked in every direction as she descended the hill. She never even noticed the stones or twigs that were cutting at her bare feet and legs. The only pain she was feeling was centered around her heart.

As hope that he was still there came rushing back at her, Ravyn scurried down the hill, looking frantically as she searched for Spike. She was screaming his name with every step, falling and tumbling as the rough terrain and wiry grass and brush was tripping her with almost every step.

Her head snapped quickly to the right as she heard something. "Spike!" she yelled as she hurriedly scurried to the sound. "Spike....I'm coming" she yelled as she almost crawled across the hill, tears finally coming to her again. She saw movement and cried harder when she saw someone laying there on the hill.

"Spike!...Spike...oh my god!" she cried harder as she made her way over to him. Finally reaching him, she couldn't even see him for her tears. Grab him him, she pulled him close to her and hugged him tightly.

Ravyn cried uncontrollably as she clung to him, rocking his body back and forth. Finally pulling him away from her, she wiped the tears from her eyes, and smiled...happy and relieved. As she laid him back down and looked at him, her smile fell away.

"No...no...no...no..." she chanted quietly, still crying and shaking her head as she did. "NOOOOOOOO!" she screamed, horrified at the site before her as she hit and punched the man that lay there. She let every ounce of grief and rage out on the man responsible for this.....Randall.

Ravyn beat and punched on Randall until her blind rage at him had completely left him unreconcilable. Her hands were bloody and aching as she finally, slowly stopped her assault on him. Looking around she hardened her features and scurried up the hill a ways, retrieving a stick and hurried back down to him, plunging it into his heart as she did. She stabbed at him, repeatably, hitting nothing but dirt as she screamed.

"Burn in hell you bastard." she said as she stopped her movements, looking at the ashes that remained.

Ravyn stood after wiping her face and looked around the hillside. She climbed down further, searching. "Spike!" she yelled as she scurried down the hill. "Spike! Where are you!" she screamed.

Ravyn searched and looked everywhere. Making her way as close to the car as she could, she looked, hopeing he was there. Her grief over losing him had turned to hatred towards Randall. Her features had hardened, determination to find him driving her own. She would find him, if not on this hill, then where every 'dead vampire' goes after their undead lives had been destroyed. She wasn't leaving this hill without him.

Standing now at the bottom of the hill and looking back up at the now barely flaming car, she looked. Morphing into her demonic features, she set her eyes in search for him. "Spike!........Spike I know your here!" she screamed back up the hill. "Answer me!......Spike!.....Answer me goddamit!"

Ravyn let her eyes roam every section of the hill. He anger slowly dissipating the longer she stood there as hope was also slowly leaving her. "I know your here." she whispered with a small sob as she continued to stare up the hill. Bringing her hands up over her face, she cried for a few minutes before composing herself again and looking back up.

Making her way back up the hill, she yelled as a large rock cut into her foot. She ignored the pain and continued to make her way back up the hillside. Half way up she stopped, looking with yellow eyes into the darkness. Glancing into the undesh osh on her right, she let her eyes scan the area and followed the path the bushes made up the hillside.

Her breath caught as she saw a flash of white and quickly looked back futher into the bushes. Quickly running over the the edges of the bushes, she got down on her knees and peered under. Spike's shirt was what had caught her eye. She smiled as she looked at him. "Spike" she whispered relieved, as tears once again caught in her eyes. Reaching out she grabbed his hand and crawled under the brush to where he was laying. He was on his back, head turned away from her.

Grabbing his torso, she pulled him out from under the bushes. As she finally cleared the brush she sat down, leaning him up agaisnt her and turned his head, looking at his face. He was bruised and bloody with a few cuts. Nothing that wouldn't heal in a few days. She smiled bigger as she laid a hand on his face. It was him...he was there.

Ravyn cried as she looked at him. She leaned down, placing small kisses on his head whispering 'I love you' over and over again as she did. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against his, crying hard as she held him.

Ravyn sat there a few minutes, letting her fear finally wash away. Raising her head, she looked at him before glancing at her watch. It was getting close to sunrise and she knew they needed to be getting home.

Laying him down gently, she looked him over, noticing that the lower half of his left leg in an odd angle and knew it was broken. He looked to be okay. No major damage other than the leg. He was filthy dirtd bld bloody. Nothing a bath and bandages wouldn't take care of.

"Spike....Spike...can you hear me?" she asked, trying to wake him. She had no idea how far from home they were and wasn't sure if she could carry him home and beat the sunrise.

Looking back up the hill, Ravyn stood, and reached down, grabbing Spike's upper body as she did. Sitting him up, she grabbed his arm and bent down, hoisting him over her shoulder.

Ravyn trudged up the hill best she could, falling several times as she did. Finally making it to the road, she shifted Spike's body weight and started walking.

She walked for what seemed like hours, having to stop several times as Spike became to heavy to carry. She was tired. Physically and emotionally. She knew she was in for one good, long, hard cry when all this was over.

As she continued on her way....her mind wrapped around the thought's of Randall. She was relieved he was gone and a small smile played on her lips knowing she had had the chance to kill him...*to bad the bastard wasn't awake for the pain* she thought as she had to stop again.

Bending, Ravyn sat Spike down, leaning him against the guard rail. She sat next to him to rest a few minutes. Turning her head to look at him she smiled as she saw him. "I love you" she told him as she stared at him. "And you really need to go on a diet...all that human food you eat has you weighing a ton." she said jokingly. She stared at him a few minutes, bringing her hand up to cup his cheek and leaning up, she placed a kiss on his lips. "Well, were not getting anywhere by just sitting here" she said as she stood back up, lifting his body and hoisting him back over her shoulder.

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

Angel stared at the phone...wanting to call Spike's again, if nothing more than to irritate his childe while he and Ravyn 'enjoyed' themselves. A slight smile curved Angel's lips as he once again picked up the phone and dialed the number. Letting it ring forever, he replaced the receiver and glanced at the clock again. It was almost sunrise. He had been calling off and on for hours with no response. Sighing heavily, Angel leaned his head back against his chair and stared at the ceiling. *I probably wouldn't answer either* he said to himself as he thought of Ravyn .

Standing trying to regain enough strength to stand.

Knowing the sun was coming, she finially stood and walked to the side of the house to the flower garden. Picking up a potted plant off the rail, she picked up the key hidden under it and walked back to the door.

Ravyn finally unlocked the door after several attempts, and walked back over to Spike. She tried three times to lift him, but just couldn't. She was just to exhausted and was barely standing herself. Letting out a small strangled cry, she let his arms fall back down before standing and walking into the house.

Picking up the phone, she dialed the number and waited.

"Hello"

"Angel?" Ravyn said, her voice shaky and barely audible.

"Ravyn?....Ravyn is that you?" Angel asked, barely able to hear her.

"Angel...I need you." she whispered out. Her body swaying back and forth as she stood there.

"Ravyn what's wrong?" Angel asked, worriedly. She sounded weak, her voice strained.

"Spike's hurt" she managed to say. "I need you."

"I'll be there in twenty" Angel said quickly as he stood from his chair and grabbed his keys.

Ravyn hung the phone back up, walking back outside to Spike. He was still out cold. Slumping to the ground and sitting on the deck beside the lounger, Ravyn laid her head on Spike's right leg and laid her arm up on his chest. She was relieved that Angel was on his way and let her eyes close, hopeing to catch her 'second wind' before he got there. Her exhausted worn out body fell into a deep sleep soon after.

~*~*~*

Angel didn't know what was wrong, but knew by the sound of Ravyn's voice that whatever it was...it was bad. He hurried along the beach side road, pushing his car as fast as it would go. He could feel the approaching sun and didn't know what he'd find when he got there.

Pulling into the driveway, Angel parked the car and jumped out, running up on the deck. What he saw immediately sent him into a panic.

"Ravyn" he said, breathless as he looked at her and Spike. He wasn't sure who had more blood on them...him or her.

Reaching her, he lifted her head. Ravyn opened her eyes a little as Angel started talking to her.

"Ravyn...what happened?"

"Spike's hurt" she whispered out, fighting to keep her eyes open.

Angel bent down, picking her up and stood. He carried her into the house and noticed the bloody footprints trailing from the door to the phone and back. He laid Ravyn down on the sofa, pushing her hair away from her face as he looked at her.

"Ravyn...wake up...tell me what happened."

Ravyn slowly opened her eyes to look at him. "Trull's men." she whispered out. "Go help Spike"

Angel looked at her. He saw the large gash on her leg that seemed to already be healing. She was dirty from head to toe. She had grass in her hair and she was covered in blood. Her leather skirt was ripped up one side and her feet....Angel closed his eyes as he looked at them. They were completely raw with large cuts on the bottom, covered in blood. Opening his eyes back up, he laid his hand on her cheek.

"Ravyn....everything's going to be just fine. I'm gonna get you fixed up."

"No..." Ravyn whispered. "Go help Spike....he's hurt." she said as she began to cry. "He won't wake up."

"Shhhh...he'll be fine. Don't cry." Angel told her as he rubbed her cheek as she cried.

"But he won't wake up." she whispered, her eyes still closed, crying harder.

Angel wiped at the tears that spilled from her closed eyelids and smiled. "I'm going now. I'll get him cleaned up. He just needs some sleep is all. He'll be fine." he said, trying to reassure her.

Angel stood and walked back outside, lifting Spike up off the lounger. Walking back inside, he shut the door and carried Spike into the bedroom and laid him on the bed.

Angel removed Spike's clothing, checking him for injuries and only found the one broken leg. The rest were just minor cuts and bruises. Walking into the bathroom, Angel ran a bath and went back into the bedroom, retrieving Spike from the bed.

Placing Spike into the tub, Angel washed him free of the blood and dirt that caked his body. Draining the tub once he was finished, Angel dried him off and carried him back into the bedroom.

Angel gathered up everything he needed to splint Spike's leg and bandage his cuts and spent the better part of an hour doing just that. The thoughts of Ravyn laying in the living room in her condition had Angel working quickly. She was in just as bad a shape Spike was in. Spike would still be out on the deck if she hadn't insisted on Angel helping him first. Once he was finished, Angel put Spike in bed and pulled the sheet up over him.

Walking back into the bathroom, Angel rinsed the tub and prepared another bath for Ravyn. He gathered up all of Spike's dirty clothes, taking them to the laundry room and going back into the living room.

"Ravyn...lets go get you cleaned up." he said softly as he gently lifted her from the couch.

Ravyn opened her eyes briefly and laid her head against Angel's shoulder as he carried her. She was so tired she couldn't move, she wasn't even able to open her eyes more than a few seconds. She couldn't even tell where her pain started or where it ended.

As Angel walked into the bathroom, he pushed the door shut slightly as he carried her over to the cabinet and sat her down on top of it. Her feet were to messed up to stand her up and by the looks of it, he didn't think she'd be able to anyway. He leaned her body back against the wall, as he tried to wake her again.

"Ravyn...I need you to wake up." Angel told her softly as he lifted her head.

Ravyn opened her eyes and looked at him. "I'm tired." she whispered to him.

"I know you're tired, but we need to get you in the tub, wash this blood off of you. Can you wake up long enough to do that?"

Ravyn just sat there, her eyes had falling back shut and Angel sighed heavily as he looked up towards the ceiling.

"Ravyn..."

"I can't....just want to sleep" she said, falling asleep again.

"How do I get myself into these situations" he asked softly as he looked at her. "Ravyn, you need to get these clothes off."

Ravyn's head fell to the side as she was coming in and out of sleep. Angel looked at her and knew he'd have to do this. *Please don't let this give me a happy* he thought as he looked down at her.

Taking a deep breath, Angel sat Ravyn up straight and grabbed the hem of her blouse. He pulled it up over her head and threw it to the floor. He tried not to look, but knew he couldn't bath her without looking at her. Taking several deep breathes as he stared at the ceiling, Angel finally looked down.

He almost groaned as he looked at her. Reaching behind her, he grabbed the zipper to her skirt and unzipped it. He pulled her forward slightly, raising her up off the counter and pulled the skirt down over her hips with one hand before he sat her back down. Pulling the ripped material down her legs, he had to shut his eyes a minute as it fell to the floor.

Getting himself in control of his now raging hormones, he lifted back up and looked at her. Her light pink panties and bra were enough to make any man crave what they hid underneath...not that they hid much.

He couldn't stop staring at her. Her breast were full and round. Her skin tone was like nothing he had ever seen in a vampire. She was almost golden. She didn't look dead at all. Taking another deep breath, Angel reached out a hesitant hand to the front clasp of her bra, flipping it open. He stilled himself and took several breathes before grabbing the material and pulling it away from her breast. He slid the straps down her arms and threw it to the floor.

"So beautiful" he whispered as he looked at her. Bringing himself out of his daze, he reached for the sides of her panites, sliding them down her hips as far as he could before he lifted her bottom up off the counter and pulled them down to her thighs. He sat her back down, pulling the small pink material the rest of the way down her legs.

Angel wrapped his arm under her legs, quickly picking her back up and taking her to the tub. He sat her down in the water and leaned her back against the body pillow as he sat down on his knees and grabbed a washcloth.

Grabbing the body wash he assumed was hers from the shelf, he poured it onto the washcloth and looked at her. *Now the hard part* he thought to himself as he began to wash her.

Angel washed the dirt from her face then ran the cloth up and down her arm, washing the dirt and dried blood from it and moved to her neck. He washed her, avoiding her breast as he reached for her other arm. He looked at her as she lay there and closed his eyes a few minutes, trying to get a grip on the situation. Opening them back up, he ran the cloth to the top of her breast, stilling his hand for a moment before bringing it down.

He washed the rounded globe, feeling the weight of it under the thin material in his hand. He was having trouble concentrating on his task as her nipples slowly peeked and he felt them through the materail of the wash cloth. Slowly moving the cloth to her other breast, he gave it the same attention as the first, spending more time on them than he needed to.

Slowly moving down her body, he ran the cloth across her taut stomach, then to the curve of her waist. He admired her body as he lightly washed her. He was lost in his own little world. Bringing the clothe to her hip, Angel ran it over the rounded curve of her, almost groaning as he did. She was all curves, sexy and tantalizing. *No wonder Spike won't ever answer his phone* he idly thought as he ran the cloth down her left thigh. Bringing it back up, he pressed against her inner thigh and was surprised when Ravyn moved her leg to the side, spreading her legs open.

He stilled his hand for a second before continuing his way up. He paused at the junction between her legs before running the cloth back up to her lower abdomen and working his way down to her sex. As he brought the cloth between her legs, he shut his eyes as he felt her through the material. He slid the cloth all the way down her length and had to fight the urge to 'explore'. *Oh man...I'm in trouble* he thought as he stilled his hand.

Taking a few deep breathes, he sat up straight and grabbed the cloth. He washed the rest of Ravyn's body quickly, avoiding all 'off limit' zones and drained the tub.

Turning her in the tub, he turned the water back on and grabbed the body sprayer, and washed her hair. Getting her completely clean, he grabbed a towel and dried her off.

Angel lifted her from the tub and carried her to the bedroom. He looked guiltily at Spike as he laid her naked body down and went to the dresser and grabbed her a pair of panties and a night shirt. Sliding the panties up her legs quickly, he grabbed the shirt and slipped that on her as well. He positioned her on the bed beside of Spike and grabbed the first aid kit. After tending to the cut on her leg, he started bandaging her feet, which looked worse now than they did before. He didn't know why they had looked like that and knew he wouldn't find out till one of them woke.

As he was bandaging her foot Ravyn stirred. Angel looked up at her and smiled when he saw her look at him.

"Hey" he said softly. "Almost through here."

Ravyn smiled at him. Thank You Angel." she said smiling.

Angel just smiled up at her before he went back to his task. Ravyn rolled her head over to look at Spike. She reached her hand out, placing it on the side of his face.

"Is he gonna be okay?" she asked, never taking her eyes off of him.

"Yeah, he should be." Angel told her as he looked back up at her. He watched her as she stroked Spike's face, her eyes full of love just for him. "You really love him don't you?' he asked quietly.

"More than anything in this world." she said smiling as she looked at him. "I'd rather die than be without him." she whispered.

Angel sat and stared at her as her eyes filled with tears while she looked at Spike. He knew Spike had found something no demon or man he had ever known had ever been able find.

"Ravyn...what happened?" he asked as he turned his attention back to her feet.

"Trull's men followed us from the club. We outran them for a while, but they caught us."

Angel looked up shocked. "Caught you? What happened?"

Ravyn looked back over at Angel. "Spike let them take us."

"He did what?" Angel asked a little more loudly than he wanted to.

Ravyn chuckled. "That was exactly my reaction." she said giggling softly. "Once we were in the car and headed out onto the highway, Spike pulled a stake and killed the vamp in the back with us. He opened the door and threw me out."

"From a moving car?" Angel asked, not believing what he was hearing.

Ravyn giggled again. "Yeah...remind me to kick his ass for that one too."

Angel laughed with her. "I will. I'm sure he needs a good beating by now anyway."

"Well, after I hit the guard rail I looked up and the car started swerving. It crashed through the guard rail up the road a bit. I didn't see it but I heard it rolling and then I heard an explosion and saw the fire."

"Spike was still in the car?"

"Not sure. I ran when I saw it. I've never been so scared in my life." Ravyn told him. "I sat there watching for a while then I heard something and climbed down the hill. I found what I thought was Spike, but it was Randall instead. He's so dead now." she said with an evil little smile. "Anyway.....I searched and finally found him under some bushes."

"Was he unconciense when you found him?"

"Yeah." Ravyn said as she brought her hand down from Spike's cheek and grabbed his hand.

"How did you get home?" Angel asked her confused.

"I walked."

"You walked...but how.....did you carry Spike all the way back home?" he asked unbelieving.

"Yes....and he so needs a diet, please tell him that in case I forget." she said, chuckling softly as her eyes started to get heavy.

Angel stared at her for the longest time. He couldn't believe she had carried him....and from where? Spike wasn't a large man, but Ravyn wasn't that big either. She was athletic sure, but she looked small compared to Spike. Angel knew vampires had more strength than the average person.....but from the way her feet looked, she had walked some distance.

Finishing up her bandages, he smiled at her as he stood. "Well, you're all fixed up." he said as he grabbed the sheet and pulled it up over her. "You get some sleep."

Ravyn gave him a nod of her head and rolled over to Spike, laying her arm over his stomach and resting her head on his chest. Angel watched as she snuggled up close to him as he pulled the door shut behind him.

Walking down the hall, he noticed the sun had risen andsighsighed. Opening the door to the spare room, he entered and walked to the bed, flopping down face first into the pillow. Angel groaned lightly when Ravyn's scent engulfed him from the pillow.

He had finally let all lustful thoughts of her vanish, but the sweet wildflower scent that was only her caused every square inch he had touched of her body to come flooding back. As he inhaled deeply, he shifted on the bed as he was quickly getting aroused as images flooded his brain.

Standing, he walked to the hall bathroom and stripped his clothing after turning on the shower. If the shower didn't rid him of thoughts of her.......then was going to have a imitate moment with his hand.

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

Angel had been sitting in Spike and Ravyn's room for several hours. It was almost midnight before Spike finally stirred.

"Bloody hell" Spike groaned as he lifted a hand to his head.

"That's the same thing I thought the first time I saw you." Angel said grinning.

Spike opened his eyes and looked over to his left and saw Angel sitting in the chair. "What are you doing here peaches?"

"Playing nursemaid." he answered him. "You hungry?"

Spike stared at Angel for a couple seconds until the events of the previous night came flooding back to him. He snapped his head to the right quickly, letting out a relieved sigh when he saw Ravyn.

Leaning over, he reached for her, only to hiss in a breath of air as a pain shot up his leg.

"She's still out." Angel told him.

Spike looked back over at Angel. "You still 'ere?" he asked sarcastically.

"Well, I could go.....but I'm not sure how either of you would fair seeing how neither one of you can get around to good."

Spike looked down at his leg. "Broke?" he asked as he took in the splint.

"Yeah...very. Should heal up okay though."

Spike sighed and looked back over at Ravyn. He leaned over and placed a kiss on her head. Her back was to him and ovedoved her hair away trying to see her face, but moving caused a pain to shoot up his leg.

"She's okay.....couple cuts. Her feet are pretty messed up though. I think exhaustion was her biggest problem."

Spike rolled back over, sitting up as he did. He leaned his left leg down and shut his eyes as the pain shot up his leg again before placing his right foot onto the floor.

"I could help if you'd just ask." Angel told him as he watched.

"Don't need your help poof."

"Spike you're such an ass. You'd be dust out on the deck if I weren't here, so get over yourself already."

Spike glared at Angel for a minute before he remembered the car crash. "How'd we get home?" he asked more to himself than Angel as the nights events were starting to come back to him.

"Ravyn carried you."

Spike's eyes went wide as he looked at Angel. "She carried me!"

"That's what she said, and from the looks of her feet, she did it barefoot."

Spike couldn't believe what he was hearing. He shook his head as he thought about it. "We were every bit four...five miles out. How did she carry me that far?"

"Don't know....but she did." Angel told him. "She called me, I came over and found you both out on the deck."

Spike looked back behind him at Ravyn. He couldn't believe she had carried him all that way. Being thrown out the back glass of the car was unbelievable enough, but for her to have found him and carried him all the way home...........

"Come on" Angel said as he stood and walked over to the bed. Angel helped Spike stand and helped him hobble to the living room. Once Spike was seated on the sofa with his left leg streghted out, Angel fixed him something to eat.

"Here you go." Angel said handing him the mug. "Oh, and Ravyn wanted me to tell you to lay of the human food." he added with a chuckle."Said you needed to go on a diet"

Spike grinned around the edge of the mug as he looked at Angel.

Angel sat and stared at Spike while he drank his meal. He wasn't sure how long he could stay there with them. Maybe Dawn would be better at playing nursemaid than he was.

"So....you set this leg right?" Spike asked as he sat his now empty mug down and looked at his leg.

"Yes I set it right. You don't think I'd purposely make you a gimp do you?" he asked grinning.

Spike raised an eyebrow as he looked over at Angel. "You bloody well know I do."

Angel shook his head as he looked at him. "Don't worry. You'll be good as new in a week or so."

"Good...Can't be hobblin round on this thing forever."

Spike and Angel both turned their heads towards the hall when they heard Ravyn spikepike's name.

Angel looked over at Spike and smiled slightly as he stood. "I'll go get her.....gimpy"

Spike rolled his eyes at Angel as he turned down the hall. "wanker" he muttered to his retreating back.

Angel smiled as he walked into the bedroom. "Hey....how you feel?"

"Where's Spike?" Ravyn asked worriedly.

"He's in the living room." he told her as he approached the bed.

Ravyn threw the sheet back and swung her feet over the bed. She let out a small curse as her feet hit the floor.

"Hold on" Angel told her. "You can't be walking around just yet." he said as he walked over to the bed and bent to pick her up.

Ravyn leaned back from him slightly as he reached for her. She relaxed a little when he lifted her off the bed. Her only concern was getting to Spike. If this was the only way she was able to do that.....then so be it.

Spike glared hard and almost growled when he saw Angel carrying Ravyn, but soon smiled as she looked over at him.

"Hey baby." Spike said softly as he looked at her.

Ravyn smiled big when she saw him. He was awakd shd she felt like a huge weight had been lifted as she looked at him

Angel carried her to the sofa as Spike put his right leg on the floor. Angel sat Ravyn down on the couch with Spike and stepped back.

Ravyn smiled as she looked at Spike and laid her hand on the side of his face. "I love you" she said as tears filled her eyes.

"I know you do.....I love you too." Spike told her as he leaned forward and kissed her softly.

Angel quietly stepped over to the door and walked outside, giving them time to be alone.

Spike pulled back away from Ravyn slightly and looked at her. He smiled as he reached up and wiped her tears away. He wrapped his arms around her and heer ter tightly to him.

Ravyn's tears came harder as she laid up against him. The thoughts of almost losing him again flooding her memory. She was soon crying, unable to stop.

"Shhh...don't cry luv." Spike told her softly as he ran his hand down her back.

Ravyn wrapped her arms around Spike's waist and hugged him tight as she cried. She was glad he was there...but more scared than she had ever been in her existence. She knew now that she would never be able to go on without him. She loved him so much.....it scared her more than Trull did. Was it even healthy to love someone that much?

Spike kissed the top of her head, lingering there a few minutes as he took in her scent. Bringing his arm down he placed it under her legs, lifting her up as he brought his other leg up on the couch and sat Ravyn down on his lap.

Ravyn lifted her head to look at him and smiled. Spike smiled back at her and leaned his head to the side slightly.

"So...you think I need to diet 'eh?" he asked grinning at her.

Ravyn laughed as she looked at him. "Definitely." she said through her tears. "You weigh a ton."

Spike reached his hand out, wiping her remaining tears away before cupping her cheek in his hand. "I'll keep that in mind." he said smiling before he leaned in, kissing her again.

Ravyn leaned into him, as she kissed him. She sighed lightly as she let herself get lost in the taste of him. Bringing her arms up, she wrapped them around his neck, hugging him tightly to her as he wrapped his tightly around her. She was blissfully happy to get another chance to be in her favorite place on earth.......his arms.