Second Chances

Series: Second Chances
Author: Princess Joyce
Rated: Strong T for blood play and Buffy’s slight case of nudity.


A/N: Don’t expect updates to always be this fast. I just thought you guys deserved a little treat for hanging in there so long. This one has a lot more of the original episode in it, so it’s easier to follow if it’s been a while since you’ve seen it. I apologize for any mistakes. I look over it as best as I can, but I don’t have a beta…


Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

Buffy stared at the golden heart pendant that Xander was dangling in front of her face.

“So, what do you think?” He asked, anxiously.

Buffy shifted position on the headstone that she was currently using as a seat.

“It's nice,” she said, wishing not for the first time that night, that Spike had come with her.

When they parted ways a few days ago, Spike had said he had some business to take care of, and that he needed to beg off slaying for a few days. She wondered if he realized that Valentine’s Day would be one of those ‘few days’.

Determined not to feel sorry for herself, Buffy had decided to take the opportunity to spend more time with her friends. Due to their new significant others they hadn’t had a night out, just the three of them, in a really long time. However, Willow had begged off to go watch Oz rehearse with his band, and all Xander could talk about was Cordelia, and what to do for Valentine’s Day.

“But do you think Cordelia will like it?”

Case in point.

“I don't know,” she said and took it from him to study it closer.

“Does she know what one of these is?” Buffy asked, teasing.

Xander yanked it out of her hand and put it and his hands into his jacket pockets.

He chuckled.

“Okay, big yuks. When are you guys gonna stop making fun of me for dating Cordelia?”

Buffy gave him the most sympathetic look she could muster.

“I'm sorry. But never.”

He nodded, smiled and looked down.

Buffy winced, sensing that the comment hurt him a little. That really wasn’t her intent.

“I just think you could find somebody more... better,” she offered, lamely.

“Uh, parallel universe, maybe. Here the only other person I'm interested in is, um... unavailable. Besides, Cordy and I are really getting along. We're not fighting as much, and yesterday we just sat together, not even speakin'. You know, just, uh, enjoying comfortable silence.”

He grinned and laughed, then frowned and sighed.

“Man, that was dull.”

Buffy smiled at him.

“I'm glad that you guys are getting along. Almost really. And don't stress over the gift.”

“Well, this is new territory for me. I mean, my valentines are usually met with heartfelt restraining orders.”

“She'll love it.”

Buffy wondered if she would be doomed to forever reassure her best friends as they fretted over their romantic relationships. It seemed that the only thing Willow and Xander wanted to talk about lately was their insecurities of their relationships. At least Willow had been considerate enough ask about Spike. Xander preferred to pretend the peroxide blonde vampire didn’t exist.

“I wish dating was like slaying. You know, simple, direct, stake to the heart, no muss, no fuss.

A vampire suddenly emerged from the fresh grave they had been standing over. It went after Xander, then Buffy got it’s attention and they proceeded to trade blows and kicks. This vampire had obviously known something about fighting when he was alive. It took much longer for Buffy to stake him that it usually did for fledgling vampires. She was slightly out of breath when it was over.

“Sorry to say, Xand, slaying is a tad more perilous than dating.”

They started walking out of the cemetery.

“Well, you're obviously not dating Cordelia.”

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Buffy sighed in relief when the bell finally rang, signaling the end of her American Literature class.

“Papers on my desk. Anybody tries to leave without giving me a paper is looking at a failing grade,” the professor said sternly.

“Ha, ha, ha. This time I'm ready for you. No 'F' for Xander today. No, this baby's my ticket to a sweet D-minus,” Xander said gleefully as he, Willow and Buffy gathered their things and stood.

Buffy was glad that she had taken the time to complete the paper. Spike had helped her, or she probably wouldn’t have done it. At least not right.

“Hey, Amy,” Willow said to a girl who was also getting ready to leave the classroom.

“Hey. Are you guys going to the Valentine's Day dance at the Bronze? I think it's gonna be a lot of fun,” Amy said, looking at Willow and Buffy.

Willow turned to look at Buffy with a huge smile on her face.

Buffy rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help but grin at her friend’s happiness.

“Go ahead. You know you wanna say it.”

Willow faced Amy again, grinning broadly.

“My boyfriend's in the band!”

Amy smiled and laughed.

“Cool!”

Willow looked back at Buffy.

“I think you've now told everybody.”

“Only in this hemisphere,” the redhead responded, pulling her backpack on.

“What about you?” Amy asked Buffy.

“Oh, Valentine's Day is just a cheap gimmick to sell cards and chocolate,” Buffy said, with false enthusiasm.

“Bad breakup, huh?” Amy asked, sympathetically.

Buffy glanced at Willow then back at Amy with a smile.

“Yes and no,” she said vaguely and began walking to the front of the room.

They all walked up to the teacher's desk, and Buffy handed in her paper.

“Thank you,” the teacher said.

Buffy headed out of the room as Willow held up her paper as well.

The teacher thanked Willow, and the redhead followed Buffy out the door.

It was Amy’s turn next. She stopped and stood in front of the teacher, staring her down. There was a long silence as Amy concentrated on staring into the teacher's eyes.

Xander, standing behind Amy, slowly started to frown as he began to understand what was going on.

A moment later the teacher smiled at Amy and gestured as though she accepted a paper from her.

“Thank you, Amy.”

Amy smiled and started out of the classroom. Xander came up to the desk staring open-mouthed after Amy and handed his paper in as well.

Buffy and Willow walked slowly down the hall, so that Xander could catch up with them when he was finished.

“I just hate to think of you going solo on Valentine's Day,” Willow said, giving her a suspicious look.

“I'll be fine. Mom and I are gonna have a pig-out and vid fest. It's a time-honored tradition among the loveless,” Buffy said, ignoring the skeptical look Willow gave her.

“And, what does Spike think of this?”

Buffy shrugged and looked away.

“Did you guys see that?” Xander asked as soon as he caught up with them.

He pointed at Amy who was walking a little ways ahead of them.

“See what?” Buffy asked.

“In class. I think Amy just worked some magic on Ms. Beakman.”

Buffy frowned.

“You mean like witchcraft?”

“You know, her mom's a witch,” Willow said thoughtfully.

“And an amateur psycho. Amy's the last person that should be messing with that stuff,” Buffy added.

“Maybe I should go talk to her,” Xander said with an odd look on his face.

“Buffy! Buffy... Might I have a word?” Giles asked hurrying over to them.

“Have a sentence, even,” Buffy teased

Her watcher looked confused for a second then chuckled, “Oh. Good. Well, uh...”

Suddenly, Jenny Calendar was in front of them.

“Rupert,” the computer teacher said in acknowledgement.

“Ms. Calendar,” he answered, not making eye contact.

“I'm glad we ran into each other, actually. I was hoping that we could, uh... Do you have a minute?” She asked, gesturing to her empty classroom.

“Um...Actually, not, not just now. Um, I, uh, have a matter to discuss with, with Buffy.”

“Right. Let's go,” Buffy said calmly.

Buffy and Giles headed quietly into the library.

“Are you okay?” She asked him, taking a seat at the table.

“Me? I-I-I'll be fine. Um, I was more concerned about you, actually,” he said.

Buffy arched an eyebrow in question.

“Uh, since Angel, um... uh... turned...I've, um, been reading up on, on his earlier activities. Y'know, uh, feeding patterns a-and the like,” he said, sitting down across from her.

“And?”

“Around Valentine's Day, he, he, he's rather prone to, uh... well, um, brutal displays of, uh... He would think of it as affection, I suppose.”

“Like what?” Buffy asked, getting a sinking feeling in her stomach.

“No, no, uh, no need to go into details,” he said quickly standing up and stepping away from her.

“That bad?”

Giles sighed and turned back around to face her.

“Suffice it to say I, I think it would be best if you stayed off the streets for a few nights. I-I-I'll, um I'll ask Spike to patrol and keep an eye on things. Better safe than sorry.”

“It's a little late for both,” Buffy said, looking over at him.

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Spike took a cigarette out of his mouth, dropped it to the ground and put it out with his foot exhaling a cloud of smoke as he turned to peer into the window of the abandoned factory.

He had a lot of really bad memories in this place, most of them in a wheelchair. He wiggled his toes inside his boots just to reassure himself that he could.

A door inside the factory flew open with a flourish and Angelus strutted in carrying something in his hands that was dripping blood over to where Dru was sitting staring off into space in a wheelchair.

Buffy had told Spike that Drusilla had returned to full strength. Apparently, it hadn’t took. Her minions must have screwed up.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Dru,” he said, plopping what Spike now recognized as a human heart in her lap.

“Oh...Angel!” She sighed delightfully as she held her hands over it.

“It’s still warm,” Dru purred with a grin.

“I knew you'd like it. I found it in a quaint little shop girl,” He gloated.

Drusilla’s smile slowly became a pout.

“What’s wrong Dru? Don’t you like your gift?” Angelus asked when he noticed her forlorn expression.

“It’s lovely. But I miss my Spike. This is our first Valentine’s Day apart,” she whined.

Angelus made an irritated sound in his throat.

“I gave you a present, Dru. I’ve been taking care of you since I came back. What more can I do?” He demanded angrily.

Dru started crying, which started her coughing.

The heart slid from her lap, and fell to the floor with a loud squelch.

“You need to rest, Dru,” Angelus said picking the heart back up and handing it to her.

He held his bloody hand up to her mouth and she eagerly liked his fingers clean.

“I am not going to stop looking for your cure,” he promised.

She stopped licking and glared up at him.

“You have already found my cure. You just won’t do it!” She accused with his finger still in her mouth.

“I’ll find another!”

Drusilla gave the finger a sharp nick with her fangs, and Angelus quickly pulled it from her mouth.

The tears and coughing started again.

“I’ve had enough Dru, you’re going to bed.”

He whistled and an older woman who had been a nurse when she was alive came hurrying out of the shadows.

She quickly rolled Dru out of the room.

“Will you visit me later?” Dru called back, desperately.

But Angelus pretended like he didn’t hear her.

Spike turned away from the window in disgust. He was angry with Angelus for treating Dru the way he was. No one would take care of her like Spike would. But he couldn’t concern himself with her, no matter the pain that went through his heart when he saw her in such a sickly state.

He lit another cigarette as he walked home.

Tonight had been a bust. When Buffy had begun to whine about not spending enough time with her friends, Spike had decided to spend a few nights doing reconnaissance at the warehouse to see if he could get any hints as to what Angelus was planning. Unfortunately it seemed as if the newly soul-less one wasn’t as forthcoming with Dru as he was when Spike had been there.

Spike didn’t dare tell Buffy. She would have insisted on going with him, or worse. She might have got in her head to go there by herself.

He had gotten nothing out of his surveillance. Nothing but an ache in his chest from witnessing the suffering of a woman he had once loved more than anything. The little scene he witnessed had also reminded him that today was Valentine’s Day. Buffy was going to kill him.

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Buffy stuffed another handful of buttery popcorn into her mouth and tried to focus on the movie. She and her mother were lounging back on the couch, eating junk food, and attempting to watch a romantic comedy.

Buffy’s mind kept drifting to Spike, big surprise. The whole bath thing the other night had been romantic, though she did wonder what would have happened if she hadn’t fallen asleep. All week she had been hoping for some word from him. A card or something. But as it was now past eight, she realized that Spike had really and truly forgotten.

“So, are you going to tell me what’s going on, or are we just going to sit here and pretend to watch this stupid movie?” Joyce asked, startling Buffy from her thoughts.

“W-What do you mean?” Buffy asked, keeping her eyes on the TV.

Her mom studied her for a moment.

“Are you and Spike fighting?” She asked, finally.

Buffy shook her head.

“Then why are you here with me, and not out with him?”

The slayer sighed and decided to confide in her mother. A little bit of truth wouldn’t hurt.

“Spike left to do something, he wasn’t specific. He said he’d call when he got back.”

“And you think that he’s avoiding you?”

Buffy shook her head.

“No, I think he really had something he needed to do and he honestly forgot that today was Valentine’s Day.”

Joyce nodded in understanding.

“So, you’re mad at him,” she said.

Buffy tilted her head as she thought about it.

“No. I’m not mad at him. I’m disappointed, but I’m not mad. And he did give me a nice surprise the night before he left,” Buffy admitted with a dreamy smile.

“What kind of surprise?”

The slayer failed to notice the disapproving tone her mother’s voice had taken on.

“Oh, he finished his bathroom. He’s been putting down tile and making it look really good. He has a Jacuzzi bath tub, and he had bubbles and chocolate covered strawberries, and w- uh, diet coke…” Buffy trailed off, suddenly realizing who she was talking to.

“Buffy, be honest with me. Are you sleeping with him?”

Buffy looked her mom straight in the eyes.

“We aren’t having sex. And while we did enjoy the bath together, we were both wearing swim suits the whole time.”

Joyce sighed in relief.

“He’s a good guy, Mom. We- we have talked about it… sex, I mean. And he has made it very clear that he will wait until I’m ready.”

“That’s good to hear, Buffy,” Her mom said, sincerely.

They were quiet for a minute, turning back to the TV.

“You know, you can talk to me about these kinds of things. I won’t promise that I’ll always be pleased with what you have to say, but I do remember what it’s like being seventeen. And I’ll always be here to listen if you need to talk.”

Buffy had tears in her eyes when she gave her mom a tight hug.

“Thanks, Mom.”

Their ‘moment’ was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Maybe he didn’t forget,” Joyce murmured and took the popcorn bucket out of Buffy’s lap.

Buffy got up and headed toward the door, unable to shake an easy feeling that had come over her when she heard the knock.

Bracing herself, she pulled the door open and saw…nothing. The porch was empty. She stepped outside and looked around at the darkened yard. Still, nothing. She shrugged and went back inside.

“No one was- Mom?”

Her uneasy feeling was quickly turning to panic.

“Mom, where did you go?” She called out walking through the empty living room and into the kitchen.

Suddenly the kitchen door opened and Joyce stepped in from outside holding a long black box. Buffy jumped.

“It’s just me, Buffy,” He mom said handing the box to her.

“Yeah. You just startled me a little.”

“I was just checking the back door. It looks like someone left these for you.”

Buffy opened the box to find a dozen long stemmed red roses and a card bearing a single word: Soon.

Joyce looked at her daughter with a smile that quickly turned into a frown when she saw how Buffy was just staring down at the card without saying a word or reacting in anyway.

“I thought you’d be happy that Spike remembered,” Joyce commented.

Buffy looked at her mom and knew that the time for honesty was over.

“I am. I’m just surprised. Actually, I’m kinda tired, do you mind if I just go to bed?”

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Buffy crept quietly from her bedroom window onto the roof then dropped silently to the ground. She took a minute to survey the perimeter of her house, wanting to make sure that Angelus, or whomever he might have had deliver the flowers for him, were gone. Satisfied that they were, and that her mother was not in danger, Buffy headed for Spike’s place.

He wasn’t there.

Buffy sighed and headed for Spike’s bedroom, her mind troubled. She knew Angel’s handwriting so there was no doubt in her mind that he had sent her those flowers. She remembered her discussion with Giles earlier that day. Angelus was planning something, and in his own words, soon.

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Spike knew as soon as he opened the door that she was there. Buffy had a very unique smell, one that set his blood on fire. He was surprised that she had sought him out until he reminded himself that today was Valentine’s Day and she was probably here to yell at him for forgetting it.

Holding on to what little patience he had left after his wasted efforts that night, Spike entered his bedroom.

Buffy was lying on her back, sideways on the bed and staring at the ceiling. She was holding a card in her hand. A card that smelled of roses, and Angelus.

All irritation left him as he shrugged out of his duster and crawled onto the bed next to her. He took the card from her hand, reading the single word that had been written on it.

“Are you okay? What did he do?” He asked stretching out beside her,

She rolled toward him and placed her head on his chest.

“The card came with roses. Giles was trying to tell me earlier about how Angelus never missed a Valentine’s Day,” she said, burying her face in his shirt.

“No, he never did. But it seems I do.”

Buffy raised her head so that she could see his face.

“It’s okay.”

“No, I should have…” She placed a finger on his lips to silence him.

“Spike, you have given me so much more than anyone ever has. Every day with you is like Valentine’s Day. Really, the fact that you’re here is all I need today.”

Moved beyond words, Spike kissed her and felt a tear roll down his cheek. Just when he believed he couldn’t love her anymore, she’d go and remind him he could. Soul be damned, he did the right thing coming back.

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Early the next morning Buffy hurried into the library to see Giles looking through an old book. She walked over to him and placed Angelus’ card over the pager he was reading.

“'Soon' what, Giles? You never held out on me until the big, bad thing in the dark became my ex-honey.”

“Where did this come from?” Her watcher asked, looking closely at the card.

“He said it with flowers. Look, this isn't the time to start becoming Mr. Protective Guy. I can't just hang around, and I can't prepare when I don't know what's coming.”

Giles sat up straight in his chair and put the book down.

“N-no, of-of course, you're right. Uh, s-s-sit, sit down,” he said gesturing to the seat next to him.

They spent the next hour going over the disturbing Valentine’s Day gifts Angelus had given in his past.

“Look, here's another. Here. Um, 'Valentine's Day.' Yes, uh... 'Angel nails a puppy to the...'” Giles began, but Buffy cut him off with a wave of her hand.

“Skip it.”

“Uh, but it...”

“I don't wanna know. I don't have a puppy. Skip it,” Buffy commanded.

Giles closed the book.

“Right you are. I'll get another batch.”

Buffy sighed and put her hands to her temples. This was just too much…

“I have a plan: we use me as bait,” Xander announced as he came through the door.

Buffy looked up at him with a frown, and felt her breath catch at the sight of him.

“You mean make Angel come after you?”

He shook his head.

“No, I mean chop me into little pieces and stick me on hooks for fish to nibble at 'cause it would be more fun than *my* life!”

When had Xander become so hot? Buffy had heard that Cordelia had broken up with him the night before, but why? She felt a familiar burn flare up low in her belly.

“Yeah. I heard about you and Cordy. That's her loss,” she said, in a low voice.

She stood up and leaned on the table attempting to give the boy a better view of her slight cleavage.

“Yeah. Not really the popular theory,” he said, completely oblivious to her actions.

“You know what I'd like? Why don't you and I do something together tonight? Just the two of us,” she said moving closer to him.

Xander did a double take.

“Really?”

“Yeah. We can comfort each other,” she suggested coyly.

“Well, would lap dancing enter into that scenario at all? 'Cause I find that very comforting,” he teased with a grin.

Buffy moved to stand directly in front of him and stared into his eyes.

“Play your cards right...” she said, with a sexy smile.

The grin dropped from Xander’s face and he held up a hand as if to shield himself from her.

“Okay, uh... You do know that I'm Xander, right?”

“I don't know, I just... heard that you and Cordy broke up, and I guess I was just surprised how glad I was,” she said, reaching forward to play with his shirt.

“It's funny... how you can see someone every day but not really see them. You know?”

Xander smiled and chuckled nervously.

“Yeah, it's funny. And it's just gettin' funnier,” he said, laughing nervously again.

Buffy put a finger to his lips, and was startled by a sense of déjà vu. That’s right, she had done that to Spike last night. So, why was she doing this with Xander? Oh, he was just so hot…Slowly she leaned toward him for a kiss. Behind them Amy walked into the library.

“Xander, can I talk to you for a minute?”

Buffy pulled back slightly.

Xander looked at Amy, back at Buffy, then at Amy again.

“Um, yeah, okay.”

He left the library and Buffy stared after him, confused. She was doing something important before he came in. What was it again?

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Xander ran into the library, looking desperately for Giles. He would never ask Amy to cast another spell for him again. It had seemed so simple: Make Cordy fall for him, so that he could humiliate her the way she had him. But the magic had backfired, like magic always seemed to do, and now every girl he came across found herself madly in love with except for Cordelia. Oh, the irony!


“Xander. What is it?” Giles asked when he saw the desperate expression on the boy’s face.

“It, it's me... throwing myself at your mercy,” he said.

“What? Why?”

Xander took a deep breath. It was time to confess.

“I made a mess, Giles. See, I found out that Amy's into witchcraft, and I was hurt, I guess, so I... made her put the love whammy on Cordy, but it backfired, and now every woman in Sunnydale wants to make me her cuddle monkey, which may sound swell on paper, but...”

He was interrupted by Jenny Calendar coming into the library.

“Rupert, we need to talk. Hey, Xander. Nice shirt,” she said, and began distractedly rubbing the boy’s arm as she spoke to Giles.

“Look, Rupert, I know that you're angry at me, and I don't blame you, but I am not just gonna go away. I mean, I care far too much about you to...” She stopped and turned to Xander.

“Have you been working out?” She asked, suddenly eyeing him like he was a piece of chocolate.

Xander gave Giles a 'see what I mean?' look. Giles, suddenly comprehending the seriousness of the situation, grabbed Jenny by the arms and pulled her away and behind him.

“Oh!” Jenny cried.

She stared at Xander with a look of desire in her eyes. Giles looked at her, at Xander, back at her, and finally back at Xander.

“I cannot believe that you are fool enough to do something like this!” Giles said, angrily.

“Oh, no, I'm twice the fool it takes to do something like this,” Xander said quickly.

Jenny kept staring at him while she playing with her necklace.

Giles shook his head as if he could shake the madness before his eyes away.

“Has, uh... Has Amy tried to reverse the spell?”

Xander shook his head.
“I get around Amy and all she wants to do is talk honeymoon plans,” he said, grimacing.

Jenny stepped toward Xander.

“ Rupert, maybe I need to talk to Xander alone.”

Giles pushed her back, and turned to Xander, furiously.

“Do you have any idea how serious this is? People under a-a love spell, Xander, are-are deadly. They lose all capacity for reason!”

He looked at Jenny who had begun rubbing her hands over her face and neck, then down her body.

“And if what you say is true and the entire female population is affected, I...Don't leave the library. I'll find Amy and see if we can put a stop to this thing.”

Giles started to leave but then turned back and grabbed Jenny’s hand, pulling her along after him.

“No!” Jenny moans reaching out for Xander as Giles pulls her out of sight.

Realizing that he was finally alone without any girls around, Xander quickly pushed the mobile card catalog in front of the doors in an attempt to keep it that way. Nodding in satisfaction, he turned to sit at the table. Suddenly Buffy pulled the door out and open and stepped in wearing only a short black raincoat that reached barely down to mid-thigh and black high heels.

When Xander heard the door swing shut and smack the card catalog behind him he spun around and stared at Buffy in shock.

“Alone at last,” she said, hands playing at the tie on the coat.

Xander’s mouth dropped open.

“Buff, give me a heart attack!” He exclaimed, putting a hand to his chest.

“Oh, I'm gonna give you more than that,” she said grabbing the belt to untie it.

Xander quickly backed away.

“Buff, for the love of God, don't open that raincoat,” he pleaded.

“Come on! It's a party! Aren't you gonna open your present?” She asked, undoing one of the buttons.

Xander kept backing toward the stairs nervously.

“It's not that I don't want to. Sometimes the remote impossible possibility that you might like me was all that sustained me. But not now. Not like this. This isn't real to you. You're only here because of a spell.
I mean, if I thought you had one clue what it would mean to me... But you don't. So I can't.”

Buffy got upset.

“So you're saying this is all a game?”

“A game? I... No!” Xander said, seeing that Buffy was not going to take this well.

“You make me feel this way, and then you reject me? What am I, a toy?” Buffy demanded angrily.

Unfortunately Spike chose that moment to enter the library.

“What the hell have you done, boy?” The vampire demanded upon seeing his distressed slayer.

Xander started getting real scared.

“Spike! Buffy, please calm down!”

“I'll calm down when you explain yourself!” Buffy cried, shrugging off the comforting arm Spike had put on her shoulder.

Spike was beyond confused.

Amy came through the door behind Spike.

“Get away from him. He's mine!” the witch called to Buffy.

Spike did a doubletalk. What would such a cute little girl want with dork like Xander? What did Buffy want with him? Especially after the moment he had shared with her the night before.

Buffy took a menacing step toward Amy.

“Oh, I don't think so. Xander, tell her,” Buffy commanded looking back at him.

“What? I, uh...”

“He doesn't have to say. I know what his heart wants,” Amy said, smugly.

“Funny, I know what your face wants,” Buffy said, walking up and slugging the girl in the face.

“Buffy no!” Spike yelled and watched in horror as the girl was thrown to the floor.

Buffy ignored him and turned to confront Xander.

“What is this, you're two-timing me?” She demanded, hurt.

Xander didn’t know what to say.

Spike helped Amy to her feet, then she shrugged him off. Her nose was bloody and her eyes had become pitch-black. She began to weave a spell with her hands.

“Goddess Hecate, work thy will!”

“Uh-oh,” Xander groaned.

The spell's energy swirled around her.

“Before thee let the unclean thing crawl!” Amy cried, thrusting her arms out at Buffy.

The power of the spell leapt from her hands and enveloped the Slayer. The energy soon dissipated.

“Buffy!” Xander and Spike both cried in disbelief.

Buffy had disappeared leaving only her coat and heels behind.

Giles came back into the library with Jenny.

“What, what just happened?” He demanded seeing Spike and Xander staring in horror at the raincoat on the ground.

“Buffy,” Xander said, pointing at it.

Jenny smiled broadly when she saw Xander and tried to go to him, but
Giles held her back.

“Where is she?” Giles asked eyes searching the pile of coat.

“There!” Spike said, pointing at a rat crawling out of a sleeve.

“Oh, my God!

Amy glared at Xander.

“Why is she here?” She demanded, pointing at Jenny.

Xander was too freaked out to take her seriously.

“Can you focus for a minute? You just turned Buffy into a rat,” he said. They all followed rat Buffy with their eyes as she scampered across the floor.

Amy shrugged.

“Buffy can take care of herself. Why don't we go someplace private?” Amy suggested, taking a hold of his arm.

Jenny put her hands on her hips and gave Amy a haughty look. Giles and Spike kept their eyes glued to Buffy, not wanting to lose sight of her.

Xander jerked his arm away Amy.

“Can you... I'm not going anywhere until you change her back,” he demanded.

You heard him. So why don't you undo your little magic trick and get lost?” Jenny said, snottily.

“Who made you Queen of the World? Well, you're old enough to be,” Amy smirked at her.

“Well, what can I say? I guess Xander's just too much man for the pimple squad.”

Amy once again prepared to cast a spell.

“Goddess Hecate, to you I pray, with this...”

Xander put his hand over her mouth.

“Would you quit with the Hecate?!”

Giles had had enough and talked sternly to Amy and Jenny.

“You two, sit. And be quiet. We have to catch the Buffy rat.”

He and Xander proceeded to corner the small rodent while Spike just stood there, still trying to wrap his head around the situation.

Xander was finally in reach of her.

“Good Buffy. Just...” He stopped and looked up when Oz suddenly appeared beside him.

Everyone watched in shock as the normally mild mannered young man punched Xander in the face, knocking him into the bookshelves.

Oz shakes out his hand. And rat Buffy makes her escape from behind a bookcase and goes out of the library doors into the hall.

“That kinda hurt,” Oz said, still shaking his hand.

“Kinda?! What was that for?” Xander demanded, rubbing his sore cheek.

Oz shrugged.

“I was on the phone all night, listening to Willow cry about *you*. Now, I don't know exactly what happened, but I was left with a very strong urge to... hit you,” Oz said offering his hand to help Xander up.

“I didn't touch her. I swear,” Xander said as Oz pulled him to his feet.

“Xander! Where's Buffy?” Giles demanded, looking around anxiously.

“Amy turned her into a rat,” Xander explained to Oz.

“Oh,” Oz said, looking around.

Giles and Xander got on their knees and looked around while making squeaking noises. Oz crouched down to look as well.

“I don't see her. If anything happens to her, I'll... Oh, just go home. Lock yourself away.
You're only going to cause more problems here. Now, Amy, Jenny and I will, uh... try and break the spell. Oz, if, if you could aid us in, in finding, um... Buffy…”

“Sure. Absolutely,” Oz said.

Giles turned to look at Spike, but the vampire had left.

Xander started to say something, but Giles cut him off before he can even get out a word, doing his best to control his anger.

“Just go. Get out of my sight!”

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Spike caught up to her before she could enter the boiler room.

“I don’t think so pet,” he said, then laughed at how the nickname had taken on a new meaning.

“Let’s get you back to the watcher. He can fix this,” Spike said, then snatched her up using his vampire speed.

He held her up to look into her eyes.

“Stay where you’re put. I mean it slayer!”

Then he slipped her into his coat pocket.

Before he reached the library, Xander and Cordelia ran past him, followed by a mob of girls, some carrying weapons.

Spike stared after them for a moment, then groaned and gave chase. Buffy would hate him forever if he allowed her friends to get hurt.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Spike followed the mob all the way to Buffy’s house. Xander and Cordelia must have barricaded themselves inside. He was slightly amused to see that even Joyce Summers was outside, banging on the door to get in.

He reached into his pocket, and gently pet Buffy as he tried to decide what he should do. The mob was finally able to get the door open, and Spike moved to follow, but the stopped when he noticed a familiar dark shadow on the roof.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Inside Buffy's room, Cordelia and Xander slammed the door shut. Xander went over to the window and checked outside.

“Good. The mob still hasn't found us. We should be safer up here,” he said.

Just as he looked back from the window Angelus grabbed him from outside.

“Works in theory,” the vampire said, pulling him out onto the roof.

“Xander!” Cordelia cried, terrified.

“Where's Buffy?!” Angelus demanded giving Xander a rough shake.

Cordelia came up to the window and looked out at them.

“Cordy, get outta here!” Xander called.

Angelus threw him off of the roof to the lawn below. He leapt down after him and stood over him.

“ Perfect,” the vampire said, grabbing Xander and pulling him up.

“I wanted to do something special for Buffy, actually to Buffy, but this is *so* much better!”

Xander kneed him in the crotch, but Angelus wasn't fazed. He flipped Xander over backward onto the grass again. He bent down grabbed Xander's hair and liftted his head up.

“If it's any consolation, I feel very close to you right now,” Angelus said, preparing to sink his fangs into Xanders’s neck.

A hand suddenly grabbed Angelus by the shoulder, pulled him up and threw him aside into a tree. He hit it hard and slid down to the ground. Xander jumped to a conclusion and looked up at his savior.

“Buffy, how...”

However it was not Buffy, but Spike that was staring down at him.

“No. Thanks to you, Buffy is a soddin’ rat! Get your ass in the house and make sure that mob doesn’t kill your girl. I can’t deal with them and him at the same time,” he growled, hauling Xander to his feet and shoving the boy toward the front door.

“I don't know what you're up to, Spike, but it *doesn't* amuse!” Angelus said, then jumped on the younger vampire.

The fight ensued, each giving as good as they got. Spike was relishing every second. Fighting Angelus was almost as much fun as fighting Buffy. The difference was that Angelus went straight for the kill. Spike soon found himself in a headlock, his sire was straining to physically remove Spike’s head from his body.

Stars had began to appear in front of Spike’s eyes when he suddenly felt a tickling sensation on his wrist. He looked to see Buffy climbing from his sleeve toward Angelus’ arms that were wrapped tightly around his neck.

Angelus suddenly cursed and let go when Buffy sank her sharp teeth as deep as she could into his hand. He flung her off of him, sending her flying to the bushes.

Spike punched him in the face, and the fight resumed.

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Back at school in the science lab, Giles and Amy have a beaker of brew going over a Bunsen burner. Giles checks everything and is satisfied.

“Right. Go on. You first,” he commanded.

Amy sighed and began to chant.

“Goddess of creatures great and small, I conjure thee to withdraw. Hecate, I hereby license thee to depart!”

Giles sprinkled a powder into the beaker and it sparked.

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Angelus and Spike were moving a lot slower now. Both were covered in blood and missing teeth. Spike’s left eye was swollen shut, and he was pretty sure that he had a couple of broken ribs. Angelus’ left arm was hanging at an odd angle and from the way he was wincing with every move, Spike was pretty sure he’d broken a couple of his ribs as well.

A bright light flashing within the bushes momentarily distracted the fighting vampires.

Disoriented, Buffy slowly stood up and stared in disbelief at the two bloodied up vampires.

Angelus, realizing he was in no state to fight both Buffy and Spike turned and ran off into the night. Buffy would have chased after him. If she had been wearing clothes.

Spike smiled a bloody smile at her, and was about to comment on her state of dress, when the door to Buffy’s house opened and the mob started filing out looking dazed and confused.

As quick as his injuries would allow, Spike shrugged out of his duster and tossed it to her. Buffy had enough troubles at school, he didn’t want her to have to suffer the taunting of her female peers for being caught naked out in her front yard.

The slayer quickly put on his coat, then hurried over to him.

“So, I guess this is Angelus’ Valentine’s gift huh?” She asked, running a finger over some of the wounds on his face.

“No, he was going to turn Xander…”

“But Spike stopped him,” Xander said, as he and Cordelia walked toward them.

“Your boyfriend saved my life.”

He nodded at Spike and the vampire nodded back.

Buffy looked down to hide the grin that refused to be suppressed. Spike had protected her friends when she couldn’t, and Xander had acknowledged him as he boyfriend. Perhaps she should send Angelus a thank-you note…

“I gotta get Cordy home, I’ll see you tomorrow, Buff.”

Spike and Buffy watched them leave.

“Give me a minute to get dressed, and I’ll walk you home.” She smiled and started walking to the door.

“C’mon, Slayer. I was heroic tonight. Don’t I at least get a kiss?” He teased.

Buffy looked at his blood-smeared mouth and grimaced.

“No kisses, but maybe…” She trailed off and looked at him consideringly.

Was she brave enough? She almost did it in front of Xander earlier, surely she could do it for Spike…

Gathering her courage she turned to face him.

Spike frowned at the serious expression on her face. But his eyebrows lifted when he saw her hands go to the belt of the duster. Was she really going to…

Yes, yes she was.

Buffy’s courage lasted all of fifteen seconds, before she wrapped the coat back around her and darted inside the house, face flaming.

“Hey! Slayer! That’s not fair! I couldn’t see outta this eye. You hear me? You gotta do that again!”

End chapter 9

A/N: Okay, next up is ‘Passion’, and I want to do a poll. In a review, let me know if you think Jenny Calendar should still be killed off…

Until next time,
PJ