Lovers Walk

Author: Zarrah

Rating : NC-17 (in later Chapters)

Spoilers: Set after "As You Were" but, goes on it's on after that.

Disclaimer: All Characters belong to Joss Whedon and ME except "Ravyn". She belongs to me.

Summary: When a beautiful new vampiress shows up in Sunnydale and catches Spike's eye, Buffy realizes what Spike means to her, but will it be to late?

Pairing: S/R....S/B


Chapter One: Discovery

The sounds of fist against flesh broke the silence of the once peaceful cemetery as Buffy was making her nightly patrol. Stopping to judge which direc the the fighting was coming from, she took off running only to run head-on into the one person she didn't want to see.

Spike! Shaking the dizzying effects from her head-on collision, she picked herself up and took off in the direction of the fight with Spike following close behind. What they see stops them both dead in there tracks.

Three vampires fighting amongst themselves, only this is no ordinary fight. After what seems like only minutes, only one vamp remains. The other two, only piles of dust to even prove they were even there.

Buffy and Spike both stare in disbelief as the remaining vamp slowly turns to face them. What they see takes them both by surprise.

Standing there completely covered in white leather...duster, shorts, halter top, and high heel knee boots.... Buffy and Spike could only stare for completely different reasons.

The vampiress parted her full red lips and gave them both a smile before turning, her long dark brown, waist length hair flowing as she starts to walk away.

Buffy's mind ran rampant looking at the new vamp, knowing Spike was undoutabley enjoying the view. Although she had broken up with him, the thoughts of him being attracted to someone else was making her feel...what...jealous? Fearing what she'll see, Buffy glances over at Spike only to see what she expected. Spike was looking at the vampiress with lust filled eyes and a cocky smile on his face making Buffy know exactly what he was thinking. At that moment Buffy knew she wanted this new vamp out of her town. Snapping out of her stupor, Buffy calls out to the vampiress to stop.

"Hey wait, I want to talk to you" Buffy yells, only to have her words fall on deaf ears. Before she can move an inch the vampiress steps into the shadows and is gone.

Buffy turns to Spike and smacks him hard to snap him out of his lust filled daydreams of the mysterious vampire.

"Who the hell was that?" Buffy screams trying to get some kind of reaction out of Spike who still hasn't said a word.

Spike, taking a cigarette and lighting it looks at her smiling "Not sure Slayer, but I fully intend on finding out."

Spike walks off in the direction the vampiress went leaving a confused and stunned Buffy standing there gap mouthed wondering what had happened and why watching Spike go after this woman left her with a strange pang in her heart.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Chapter 2: Questions

Spike's mind was racing as he walked the streets of Sunnydale looking for the woman whose beauty surpassed any he had ever seen. Yes, his Slayer was beautiful, pure golden sunlight, but what he had just seen was something out of the deep recesses of every man deepest darkest desires. Never in his 130 plus years had he ever saw a woman with beauuch uch as what he just witnessed. Especially in a vampire. Although Spike had always thought his dark princess Drucilla was a rare beauty with her long dark hair and pale skin, this new vampiress was something he had never seen. Her skin was sun tanned brown giving her the appearance of the someone living-not the pale white skin of the undead he was use to seeing on vampires.

He wasn't sure what he was going to do if he ever found her, he only knew he wanted to see her again and find out who she was.

As he crossed the street near the Magic Box, he heard footsteps off in the distant behind him. Turning to the sound he saw her. Just down the street walking as casually as anyone would. He started to follow hopping to catch her without having to run to catch up. As she reached the corner, she turned and saw him before continuing on her way. Spike quickened his pace. As he reached the corner to follow...she was gone. Searching every possible way she could have gone, he couldn't find her. Getting frustrated he decided to head to Willies to see if anyone there had ever seen her or heard of her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy was replaying the events of the evening over in her mind as she lay in bed. Her mind kept going back to the look on Spike's face as he looked at the mysterious new comer. Although she hated to admit it, this vampiress was beautiful. Much more than she was willing to actually admit. `Why are you so bothered by it?' she asked herself. `You broke up with him, You don t want him in your life, Spike is BAD!' she kept telling herself. So why did the thoughts of Spike going after this beautiful stranger bother her? `It doesn't..He can chase anyone he wants.' she finally convinced herself before vowing to find out exactly who this woman was and why she killed two vamps. Finally deciding to give her mind a rest, she tried to clear her head and sleep only to be plagued with dreams of Spike like she had most nights.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next evening had all the scoobies lazing around the research table at the Magic Box listening to Buffy recount the events of the previous night. All were present, except Spike.

"Who was she" Xander asked looking more than interested as Buffy retold her account and of the vampires beauty earning him a glare from Anya.

"I don t know Xander, she disappeared before I could talk to her" Buffy said.

"Did the bleached wonder not know her?" Xander asked looking at Buffy.

"No" Buffy answered "but I'm sure he will before to long" she muttered under her breath.

"Well, it'll be kinda hard to find any information on her if we don't at least have a name to go on" Willow said looking up from one of the many books on the research table. "I mean, I'm sure there's something in the watchers journals, if we had a name to go on, unless she's like a really new vamp, but if she's staking vamps, then she can't be to new Willow rambled on not seeing the amused faces of her friends as she dug through the many volumes in front of her.

"Well, the only vamps we know that actually kills there own kind are Angel and Spike, but we know why they do it" Willow added before looking up again.

"Hey, maybe we could call Angel and ask him if he knows her?" Xander asked before getting a very stern NO! from Buffy.

"I'll just keep an eye out for her when I patrol, maybe I'll run into her again" `or better yet-she left town' Buffy added to herself before grabbing her bag to leave for patrol.

"Well, see if you can round up Spike, maybe he got lucky and found her last night" Willow said as Buffy made her way to the door.

'That's exactly what I'm afraid of' Buffy thought as she opened the door and said a quick goodbye to her friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy was in the last cemetery on her patrol route-Spike's cemetery to be exact- when she got the tiny prickle in the back of her neck letting her know a vamp was near when she saw him casually sitting on a grave marker smoking, looking completely lost in thought.

"Hey Spike!" Buffy said a little to enthusiastically. Great Buffy, act like a total moron and he'll see right through you she thought to herself as she approached him.

"Slayer" Spike said as he turned his head to look at her. "Out for the nightly patrol I see" he added before taking another draw off his cigarette.

"Yeah, not much action tonight though, what about you?" she asked. "Thought you might be at the Magic Box tonight or meet up for patrol" she add.

"Didn't think you wanted my help Slayer, or at least that's what you said last time I came to help" he ground out before tossing his cigarette butt to the ground and hopping off the gravestone. "Besides, kinda had something to do tonight" he said looking at her.

"Oh, and what was that, another rousing game of kitty poker" Buffy asked looking at him, hoping it wasn't what she was actually thinking.

"Why do you care" Spike asked cocking his head to the side while looking her. "Thought my comings and goings were the last thing on your mind pet he added."

"I don t care" Buffy lied, "Just curious"

"Oh I see" Spike said "Well, gotta get going Slayer, smokes to buy, people to find" he added with a smile knowing she was wondering about the new vampiress and if he had found her. "See ya later Slayer" he said as he turned to walk away.

"Spike wait!" Buffy said. Spike stopped and turned to her. "Um, I was just wondering if you found that vamp last night?" she asked, dreading to hear his answer.

"Yes actually" he replayed. Buffy's heart lurched in her chest at his response. "But, she disappeared before I could catch up with her "

"Oh" Buffy said relieved "We tried to find out anything we could about her, but without a name it's really gonna be hard. "

"Yeah well, WHEN I find her I may let you in on it pet, but until then, I can't help you." With that Spike turned and left Buffy standing alone AGAIN in the cemetery to go looking for the vampiress with more questions running through her mind. Not only about who this woman was but why Spike was so determined to find her and what he was going to do when he did.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Chapter 3: Encounter

Spike sat holding his now warm beer watching all the people dancing around wondering why he even came to the Bronze. This is where `SHE" always came to hang out. Thinking of Buffy was all Spike did lately. Everything seemed to remind him of her. There seemed to be no place on the Hellmouth that didn't remind him of her.

`And why do you put yourself through her constant on again, off again mood swings' he asked himself for the millionth time. `Why do you let her treat you the way you do' he shook his head trying to get her out only to be plagued with more of the same questions he asked himself everyday. `Your the `Big Bad' and shouldn't be letting on bitchy little human girl ruin your unlife' like the Slayer always seemed to do.

Although loving every minute of there time together in the past, especially the knock down, drag out bouts of sex, he always wanted more from her, something he knew she'd never give him...her love in return.

After ordering another beer to drown his sorrows in, Spike made his way up the steps to the catwalk to get a better view and to hide away incase the Slayer showed up. Reaching the top he leaned on the rail to watch all the mindless college kids dancing.

Spotting a flash of red out of the corner of his eye, he was shocked to turn and see the object of his latest obsession standing there looking at him. Searching and questioning every vamp he could find for two days with no results and she had found him.

"Who are you and why have you been looking for me" she asked him. "Seems every vampire I've run into in this town says someone fitting your description is looking for me." Giving him a good look from head to toe she adds "Not that I mind you looking, but who are you and what do you want?

"Spike's the name, and you are?

"And your looking for me... why? she asked.

"Saw you kill 2 vamps the other night, looked like you were having a bit to much fun to be fighting for survival. Just wondering what your story is and why your here" he told her as he casually leaned back against the railing. "So what gives"

"Just passing through and those vamps were rude, smelly and...they pissed me off."
"Besides, most vamps are annoyingly stupid and give use more intelligent ones a bad rap, so who's gonna care if I dust a few for my own amusement?" she answered with a smile.

Spike just smiled at her, amused at her reasoning for killing her own kind. The thoughts of him killing vamps because he couldn't harm humans always made him feel good..in a way... but to do it because some were "to stupid to exist" had never crossed his mind, and he had meet many that fit into that category.

"So, tell me pet, what's your name?" he asked taking a cigarette from it's pack and digging for his lighter.

Giving him her sexiest smile, she walked over to him and put one hand on the back of his head running her fingers through his short hair and pressed her body fully against his which made Spike take an unneeded breath as his body reacted with a small bulge growing in his jeans.

Leaning in close to his ear she softly whispered "If you really want to know, I'm sure you'll figure it out" before giving his ear a small lick and biting his ear lobe. Stepping back, she looked into lust filled eyes staring back at her. "See ya later Spike" she said and turned and was gone before he could get his now raging erection under control to see which direction she had gone.

Getting his emotions in control, he rushed down the stairs and scanned the club before heading outside. Looking down the street and the back alley he realized she had gotten away again. "Bloody Hell!" he screams "How does she do that?" he asked himself before stalking off down the street.

From the shadows across the street she watches him walk away `Don't take to long Spike, this is one game of cat and mouse I'm looking forward to ending' she thought to herself with a smile before disappearing once again.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Chapter 4: Good-byes

"Hi, Welcome to the Magic Box" Anya said as she heard the door to her shop open. "Oh, it's just you" she told Buffy as she saw her.

"Wow, nice to see you to Anya" Buffy said as she entered and made her way to the table. "Where's everyone at?"

"Xander is out on a food run and Willow is downstairs looking for some musty old book. She's still trying to figure out something on this new vamp you saw." Anya replied while dusting the shelves.

"Anya, wasn't there more than just three boxes in storage, I can't find the book I'm looking for" Willow asked as she came into the room. "Oh, Hi Buffy, any luck last night?"

"No, but Spike said he saw here a couple days ago, but didn't actually get to talk to her, he went looking again last night though" Buffy said.

"And I found her..or rather she found me" Spike said as he entered the shop and sauntered to the table.

"Really, what did you find out?" Buffy asked.

"Not much I'm afraid. Incredibly beautiful, smelled real good" he said with a smile "but I already knew that. She wouldn't tell me her name, said for me to figure it out on my own." he added with a smirk.

"Huh, why all the secrecy , I wonder what she's hiding" Buffy asked looking confused as to what this woman was up to.

"Don't know..she did her disappearing act again before I could get any info out of here." Spike replied. "but I did get a glimpse of a Polgara Demon on the way home."

"And you killed it ,right?" Buffy asked

"No, wasn't much in the mood for the chase last night, besides you've been complaining of not getting any ACTION lately so I left him for you to hunt." Spike said with a smirk . Knowing the kind of action he'd rather be giving her.

"Gee, thanks..so you gonna help me track him?" Buffy asked sarcastically.

"You asking for my help Slayer" Spike asked her.

"No, I don't need your help, just thought you might be up for a fight is all."

"Oh, I see..well in that case ...no. I'm sure I can find something to occupy my time." Spike replied a little hurt he wasn't needed.

"Well, I guess I'm off then. I'll catch up with you guys later" Buffy said as she left the shop mad at herself for brushing Spike off again. `why do you keep telling him no when you actually want to say yes' she asked herself as she made her way down the street.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Combing the woods in search for the Polgara demon seemed like a good idea to Buffy at first, but now she was having here doubts. She had forgotten how dark it was away from the lights of town and was having trouble seeing very much.

`flashlight..need to start thinking ahead Buffy' she told herself as she made her way up a small hill. Once she got her bearings back and figured out where she was, she heard a noise off to the left. Thinking it was probably the creature she was looking for, she slowly made her way in the direction of the noise. What she saw surprised her. Standing at the back entrance to the old `Initiative Complex' was the vampire they had been looking for.

`Well, well, what do we have here' Buffy thought as she watched the vampire enter the complex. `What are we looking for in there' Buffy's mind was reeling as she made her way to the entrance. Thinking she would just do a little following instead of calling out to her, Buffy proceeded into the complex only to find herself in complete darkness. `vampire sight would be good about now' she said to herself as she stood just inside the entrance unable to see anything. `Damn, I really should have brought Spike along with me. I need to learn to keep my thoughts to myself more often.' she thought as she headed back out to wait for the vampire to come out and question her then.

An hour later...she was still just sitting there waiting. "Man, what is she doing in there" Buffy asked to no one in particular. "Well, this is getting me no where. Maybe I should just go get Spike and ask for his help..ugh..that'll make his night I'm sure" she thought as she got up and made her way out of the woods.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heading through the cemetery towards Spike's crypt, Buffy heard the sounds of fighting and took off running in the direction the action was taking place. There she saw Spike as he cut the head off the Polgara demon she had spent the night searching for.

"Why is it I spend half the night looking for demons and they just flock to you like bees on honey?" Buffy asked Spike as he wiped the blade of his sword.

"Don't know Slayer..maybe it's my sexy good looks, or my ability to...."

"Get over yourself Spike!" Buffy said rolling her eyes at him.

"Oh, what's wrong pet, feeling inadequate in the demon killing area of your otherwise wonderfully fulfilling life." Spike asked sarcastically.

"Shut up Spike!" Buffy spit out completely irritated at him now. "I WAS gonna ask for your help, but if your just going to be your usually annoying self I think I'll just go get Xander."

"Oh, well, I guess that just makes all the difference in the world now doesn't it. The Slayer needs my help and here I've gone and pissed her off..AGAIN... now Spike won't get to play." he told her getting angry himself . "Well, I'm sure the whelp can be off some use to you..can't for the unlife of me figure out what that might be though." he said stalking up to her and standing with noses almost touching. "Why can't you just admit you need me. Is it so hard to put your pride on a shelf long enough to ask for someone's help?"

Buffy stood there looking up at his now anger filled eyes knowing he'd never help her now. "You know Spike, if you weren't such an ass 90% of the time...then maybe I would ask for your help more often."

"Oh, please...like I need to get my ass kicked only to get knocked down by you and your scoobies for my trouble. Thanks, but your gratitude is lacking lately. You know...NOT ONCE has any of you said a simply "Thank You" for all I do for you. I'm beginning to wonder why I even bother with the lot of you anymore."

"Oh, we all know why you BOTHER Spike...but it's not gonna happen again." Buffy spat out at him.

"Yeah, well if I'm not mistaken, YOU were the one who jumped me...YOU! I just sat back and enjoyed the ride." Spike replied with a smirk.

That did it, before Spike could even blink he was on the ground holding his bloody nose.

"You are a pig Spike!" Buffy screamed. "If I never see you again it'll be to soon! How about doing all of us a favor and...and...get dusty!!"

Spike just laughed at her from his position still on the ground. "Wow Slayer...How your words hurt. If you really wanted me all dusty...then you'd do it yourself!" Spike ground out as he picked himself up off the ground and brushed off his duster.
"You are the most infuriating, ungrateful little bitch I've ever known"

"Yeah, and you just keep coming around for your next beat down" Buffy said ready to strike again.

Spike cocked his head to one side and gave her a good long look before reaching for his cigarettes and lighting one. "You know Slayer...I've done everything you've ever asked of me. I've help you and your scoobies, I've protected Dawn like you asked, hell I even kill my own kind to please you and all I ever got from you was what exactly....a little rough and tumble, getting my ass kicked by you on an almost daily basis. I'm having a hard time remembering why exactly I even put up with you. Oh, I remember...because I was stupid enough to actually fall in love with you." Spike calmly told her with a sadness falling over his features. "I've really had enough Buffy. I can't do it anymore. I'm through being your whipping boy. I said I'd never leave you...and I won't, I'll be here if you or the nibblet ever need me, but I can't keep living with the delusion that you'll ever except me for who and what I am. All I ever wanted for you Buffy was for you to be happy and I thought I made you that way at one time, I see now how wrong I was. You can't be happy..you enjoy the misery to much. Good-bye Buffy. You know where to find me If you ever need me." and with that, Spike walked slowly away towards his crypt.

Buffy just stood there watching his retreating form knowing she had finally pushed him away just like she did ever man in here life. Blinking back the tears that were forming in here eyes, she realized she had just destroyed the one thing that had actually gave her any peace of mind since being brought back from the dead. Why was it so hard to admit she had feelings for him, and what exactly were those feelings...love.? Those were questions that didn't really matter now. She had once again pushed away the one thing that made her life worth tolerating.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Chapter Five: Help

"Here you go ladies" Xander said as he placed everyone's drinks down on the table. "You know, I hate to be a party pooper, but Spike's at the bar. Two weeks without seeing him and it just wasn't long enough."

Spike's here?" Buffy asked looking towards the bar.

"Yeah, poor guy looks like he just lost his best friend, oh wait...he doesn't have one." Xander chuckled as he sat down.

"Xan, that was just mean" Willow said giving him a disapproving look.

"Oh come on Will, you have to admit not seeing him has been a blessing. I know it has been for me." Xander replied.

"I wonder what's he's been doing?" Willow asked glancing in Spike's direction.

"Who cares as long as it's not around us."

Buffy sat there listening to her friends conversation while never taking her eye's off of Spike. "I'm sure he's found something to keep him busy." Buffy said. `or someone'

"So, Buff, tell me what you said this time that finally made him listen and stay away." Xander asked.

"Nothing I haven't said a hundred times." she answered not telling them it was `him' who decided to stay away.

Spike sat at the bar, knowing he was being watched and really not caring. He was serious about what he had told Buffy even though it was killing him not to go over and talk to her. It had been the longest two weeks of his life. At first he would just lurk in the shadows watching her, then finally realizing that was only making his situation worse, he found other things to occupy his time. Willies bar to be exact. Once he sobered up after a week long drinking binge he decided to get on with his life ....without the Slayer consuming every minute of his thoughts.

That's why he was here. Looking for "her". She was something that eluded him and it was driving him crazy. Weeks of searching and he still didn't know who she was and neither did the scoobies. Eavesdropping at the Magic Box was something he did nightly. He may have cut himself out of the group..not that he really belonged in the first place..but he knew they were pretty resourceful when the set their minds to something.

Buffy seeing her enter the "Initiative Complex" really got his curiosity up. He'd been there several times hoping he would catch her. All he ever found was the scattered remains the soldier boys left behind. He thought maybe that's where she had been staying after not finding anything useful, but there was no evidence of anyone actually `living' there. So, he looked in every abandoned warehouse and graveyard in town and still no sign of her.

That's why he was here. If she had came here once, then maybe she'd come back. Running into the scoobies was the only thing he wasn't looking forward to in his `stake out' of the Bronze.

Being this close to Buffy was starting to be to much for Spike to handle, so paying his tab he got up and made his way out without even looking over at her.

"You know guy's, I think I'll go patrol for a while. Not much in the party mood tonight." Buffy told her friends after seeing Spike get up and leave without even acknowledging her being there.

"You want some company?" Xander asked her as she got up from the table.

"No, it's been really slow lately. I'm sure I can handle it. You guy's stay here and have fun." she said then left for the exit hoping Spike hadn't gotten to far.

Once outside she hurried down the street in the direction she thought he would have gone. Sure enough, as she turned the corner, he was there. Luckily for her he had stopped to light a cigarette.

"Hey" Buffy said as she walked up behind him.

"Hello Slayer" Spike said as he turned to her and blew out a puff of smoke.

"I haven't seen you around lately" she told him hoping he wasn't still mad at her.

Spike stood there looking at her like she had just grown a second head "I've been around pet, just not around you. That's what you've always wanted innit?" Spike told her. `what game is she trying to play now' he wondered to himself.

`Guess he's still mad' Buffy thought, `Damn, now what'

"So" Buffy said looking around as if something interesting was about to happen.

"So" Spike replied before an awkward silence broke between them.

They stood there looking at one another, waiting for the other to say something when they heard a strangled scream.

Buffy and Spike took off down the street and could hear the sounds of a struggle in an alley way a few blocks down.

"Hold still you bitch and I won't have to hurt you!" a male voice was heard saying as they approached the alley.

"Get off me!" a female yelled before another small scream escaped her throat .

Buffy and Spike saw a man fly across the alley way and was back on his feet with a knife in one hand and was on his victim before they could make it to where the attack was happening.

Spike grabbed the man off the woman and tossed him to the side, yelling as a griping pain coursed through his head. Realizing he was human, Buffy punched the man knocking him out cold.

"Are you okay?" Spike asked in a hushed voice as he slowly approached the woman. "We're not going to hurt you" he said as he realized the woman was the victim of an attempted sexual assault. Her shirt was practically falling off, only being held by her hands. Her hair was everywhere and her skirt was ripped all the way up one side. Her Knee's and hand's bloody and a cut was evident on her right shoulder.

Spike motioned for Buffy, knowing another man touching her now would probably scare her more after just being attacked.

Bending down to be eye level, Buffy gently moved the woman's hair away from her face and said "Let me help you, I'm not going to hurt you."

What Buffy saw once the woman lifted her head to look at her caused a small gasp to escape her lips. She turned to look at Spike who had the same stunned look on his face.

Sitting there bruised and bloody was the vampire they had both been looking for.

"Leave me alone! I don't need or want your help!" she spat out while trying to stand. Anger and pain shining in her tear soaked eyes.

Buffy stood and backed away, not sure what was happening. Why was this vampire so beaten. She could have easily killed that man in a matter of minutes. Why had she not?

"It wat want to help you. Please your hurt. I promise we won't hurt you." Buffy told her as calmly as she could.

The vampire, now standing, briefly glanced at Buffy seeing the pity on her face and not being able to keep eye contact with her said in a clipped voice "I don't need your help or your pity. I've managed to get along just fine by myself for a long time now.

"Yes, but every once in a while, everybody needs help. It's not wrong or going to make you look weak if you let someone help you." Buffy told her.

Spike stood watching the exchange between the two women with one question on his mind. Why had this vampire not defended herself? Seeing that Buffy wasn't getting anywhere he decided to jump in and see what he could do if anything.

"Look pet, how about we go and get you cleaned up and then you'll be free to go." he told her as he took a couple steps closer to her. "You need to get that cut cleaned and you need something else to wear. 20 minutes and you'll be on you way." he finished with a small smile.

The vampire, barley able to look at Spike asked "you're a vampire, why do you care and why are you with the Slayer and not dust?" glancing over at Buffy as she finished.

"Long story" they both replied in unison.

"So what do you say? We can go over to the Magic Box, it's not far from here, get you a change of clothes and washed up and you can tell me what happened." Buffy asked hoping she would come with them.

The woman gave them both a skeptical look not fully trusting the Slayer but, figuring if she was with another vampire it might be okay, giving a small nod with her head she turned to exit the alley with Buffy leaving Spike to follow along behind the two women.

Entering the store through the back door the trio made there way into the training room.

"You can sit there" Buffy told her pointing to the couch.

"I'll go get the first aid kit" Spike said as he headed out into the store.

Buffy, finding only a pair of sweat pants and a T-shirt, turned to the vampire sitting on the couch looking like a frightened child and gave her a small smile. "This isn't as nice as what you had on, but it's all I have here."

"It'll be fine" the vampire said.

"How did you know I was the Slayer" Buffy asked.

"What vamp in this town doesn't know your the Slayer?" she replied.

"Guess you have a point there" Buffy said sitting the clothes on the arm of the sofa and taking a seat beside her.

"Here you go Slayer" Spike said as he reentered the training room and handed the first aide kit to her.

"I'm Buffy and this is Spike" Buffy told her as she started to clean her wounds. "What's your name?"

The vampire just looked at Buffy not sure she should tell her anything. "Does it matter?' she asked Buffy getting more irritated by the minute.

"No, I could just call you ...hey you...all night, but I thought a name would be better." Buffy said sarcastically.

Knowing the Slayer didn't have to be helping her and still wondering why she hung around with vampires while she was suppose to kill them, she finally gave a small sigh and said "Ravyn" glancing over at Spike not really wanting to tell them anything.

"Well, Ravyn, you want to tell me what happened in that alley" Buffy asked. "I know you could have killed that man, so why did you let him beat you so badly."

"Are you a Slayer or a social worker?" Ravyn answered not wanting to let them in on any of her business. "I don't remember agreeing to any friendly chat, just clothes and cleaned up. Besides my life is no concern of yours. I'll be leaving your town soon enough anyways. I'm not wreaking havoc on the population and I'm not planning on any nasty hellmouthy adventures. So hurry up so I can leave."

Buffy sat there looking shocked at her ungrateful guest. Hearing Spike snicker in the back ground she turned and glared at him before returning to her task.

`Well, vampire, why did I expect her to be nice and tell me anything.' she thought to herself.

Buffy finished dressing Ravyn's wounds while the three sat in silence giving each other awkward glances.

"There, all done." Buffy said as she put the last bandage on. Picking up the clothes she motioned for Ravyn to follow her and she showed her where she could change.

"So, what do you think?" Buffy asked Spike once Ravyn had left the room.

"Not sure what to think. Seems odd she didn't kill that guy. I would have." Spike told her.

"Maybe she didn't get a chance to before we showed up" Buffy said not really believing her assumption.

"No, she was to beaten up not to have been struggling for a while. She could have snapped that wanker's neck in a second. She didn't kill him for a reason." Spike told her. He had a pretty good idea as to why she didn't fight back but kept his thoughts to himself.

"What's taking her so long?" Buffy asked. "She's had plenty of time to change." Rolling her eyes she darted from the room to where she had sent Ravyn only to find her gone.

"Damn! She's Gone!" Buffy yelled. "Now we'll never find out what's up with her."

Buffy returned to the training room a few minutes later only to find it empty as well. Buffy let out a long sigh before going to clean up the mess that was left behind. `Well, at least I know her name . Maybe Willow can find out something about her now.' she thought as she turned out the lights and headed home.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Chapter Six: Revelations

Ravyn walked as fast as her bruised beaten body would go. She hated the fact that she needed help...especially seeing as the help came in the form of the Slayer of all people. What made it most distressing was the fact that Spike had seen her in that condition and it wouldn't be long before he figured out her secret.

She had gotten all the information she could on Spike after there first encounter. It was apparent, the demon community here had no use for him. Spike, AKA William The Bloody, was mocked and loathed by every demon she had asked about him. He killed his own kind, for fun, or so most thought. The most intriguing information she received, came from a sniveling little bar owner. Seems Spike had other problems, which lead to his assault on the demon population of Sunnydale. The Initiative had gotten him and chipped him. But that's not what really held her interest. The fact that he was associated with the Slayer was what had her curiosity running wild. Ravyn figured he did this to keep himself `dust free', not because he actually wanted to. What possible motive would he have to help anyone besides himself?


Spike saw her not far from the Magic Box after following her scent. He saw her slowly making her way a few blocks down the street. He followed at a close distance. He wanted to see where she had been staying and also see that she made it back okay. He knew he defiantly wanted to talk to her, he just wasn't sure this was the best time. He knew what she was going through emotionally, having been attacked by a human and unable to defend himself. The demon in him was outraged at the thought. His chip made him `harmless' and that alone was enough to make any vamp want revenge on all humans. They were on the bottom of the food chain as far as his demon was concerned, so being attacked and unable to fight back was eating him up inside. He couldn't even begin to imagine what she was feeling. Her attack was more `personal' than hinghing he himself had ever had to undergo. She was being sexually assaulted. Far worse than any beat down he had ever received. He still wondered why it had happened. He needed to know why.


He watched as Ravyn crossed the street and made her way into the park. She was moving a lot slower now than she had been and was limping slightly.As she made her way to a park bench and sat down he decided that now was as good as any to approach her. She probably wouldn't be willing to tell him anything anyway, so it wouldn't hurt to at least try and get some answers out of her.

He walked quietly, still unsure of how to begin his questioning.


"So, do you actually want something, or are you just going to follow me around all night?" Ravyn asked as she looked in his direction.

"Wanted to talk is all." he answered as he walked towards the bench.

"Not in the mood, so go away." she said flatly glaring at him.

Spike sighed and pulled his cigarettes from his pocket while he looked at her. `This is going to be harder than you thought' he said to himself pulling a cigarette from the pack and lighting it.

"So" he started "Want to tell me what happened?"

"No" she replied looking at the ground.

"Okay then, tell me why you didn't kill that wanker the minute he touched you?"

"Look, Dear Abbey, I don't need any advice or a little demon pep talk to cheer me up or boost my self esteem, so how about doing us both a favor and get lost!" she yelled getting frustrated.

"Well, you're just a bitchy little thing aren't ya pet?" he said giving her a smirk knowing he was starting to piss her off.

Rolling her eyes at him she started to get up to leave only to get a shooting pain up her leg. Sighing heavily she sat back down and motioned for him to sit.


"Okay, tell me why you're so interested in my dysfunctional little unlife and maybe....MAYBE... I'll answer your questions." she told him as he sat down beside her.


"Simple, I believe we have something in common more than just sun allergies and I want to know for sure." he said giving her a serious look.


She just stared at him, noticing the concerned look in his eyes not really sure if she wanted to confirm his suspicions. She had never told anyone besides those she personally knew about her problem and wasn't completely sure she wanted to start telling now. Something in his eyes made her feel like she could trust him, something she had only done with one other person. Trust issues with her were important but always brought her only heartache.

"Yeah we do" she reluctantly answered looking back down at the ground.

Spike was speechless. He had thought long and hard about her not defending herself and the fact that Buffy saw her snooping around the Initiative Complex made him wonder about the possibilities of her also having been an unwilling participant in the governments little science project as he was. But to actually have his suspicions confirmed was something he wasn't really prepared for.

"How long?" he asked quietly.

"About five years." she answered. "You"

"Three" he said.

They both sat there quietly not speaking lost in there own thoughts.

Spike finally looked over at her and could see the sadness that had falling over her face. He wondered how she managed to survive 5 years on her own. Not that female vamps were any less deadly than there male counterparts were, but he had just witnessed one aspect of the chip he had never encountered. Deciding to break the silence he quietly spoke..."Have you had to deal with that sort of attack before?" referring to the alley.

She looked at him and he was taken aback with the grief and dispair he saw in her eyes. At that moment, he knew nothing he had experienced since being chipped even came close to what she had gone through and he felt ashamed of himself for thinking his life was so unbearable when she had delt with her situation alone. He had had the scoobies help after being chipped, albeit reluctantly, he still had help. She had had no one.

"This was the third time." she answered not able to look at him. "At least someone was able to stop it before it got to bad."she added with a small smile glancing at him for a brief second with tears in his eyes.

Spike gave her a tiny smile and placed his hand on hers. "Glad I could help pet." he told her deciding she had more than answered enough questions for one night. "So, you want me to help you home?" he asked as he stood up and helped her to her feet.

"Sure, that would be nice." she answered, glad she had finally found someone she could actually talk to.

Spike and Ravyn walked silently down the street not sure what to say to one another after all they had just shared. For the first time since being captured by the Initiative, Ravyn felt like there was someone she could trust.

"What are you thinking?" Spike asked her after seeing her features relax since there talk.

" I'm thinking about how much my damn leg hurts and how much pain I can inflict on that bastard if I ever catch him." she said with a slight chuckle.

Spike laughed at her answer. "You do remember he's human right? Don't think there's to much revenge in your future as far as he's concerned."


Ravyn just looked at him and smile brightly . "Boy, do you have a lot to learn." she said amused at his comment.

"What's that suppose to mean?" he asked not sure of what she meant.

Ravyn laughed for the first time that night. "You're kidding me right?" she asked. "Please don't tell me you've spent the last 3 years just mopping around because you thought you couldn't hurt humans anymore?"

Spike stopped and stared at her. "What do you mean `thought' I couldn't hurt humans anymore. Not sure how your chip works, but mine is pretty damn painful when activated." he said wondering how her chip differed from his.

Ravyn continued walking laughing a little harder now.

Spike jogged to catch up with her. "Hold on there" he said taking her arm to stop her. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Ravyn just continued smiling at him. "Well Spike, as much as I'd like to explain the fundamentals of the chipped and challenged, I'm in desperate need of a bed and much needed sleep right now. So, if you really want to know, come see me tomorrow and I'll explain the facts of life to you, but right now I'm to tired and want to go home." she said as she continued to walk leaving him standing there looking totally confused.

Making her way up to a small deserted house, Ravyn walked up to the door and looked back at Spike who was obviously lost in his own thoughts.

"Spike.....Spike....yoo-hoo...earth to Spike" she said amused at the far off look on his face. Finally getting his attention "Thanks for walking me home, If you want to talk...you know where to find me now. Good night." and with that said, she quietly entered the house and closed the door behind her.

Spike stared at the door she entered for a few minutes before shaking his head and turned to leave. All the way back to his crypt he repeated what she had said over in his head. `What had she meant' `Was here chip different or was he just not looking at the whole picture?' Whatever it was, he was defiantly going to find out.


~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Chapter Seven: Power


Spike was pacing his crypt chain smoking and cursing the sun for taking it's sweet little time to set. He hadn't been able to sleep very much that day wondering what Ravyn had meant. He was going to find out, that much he knew.

He was startled from his thoughts by a small knock on his crypt door. Stepping back as the door opened, he was shocked to see Buffy enter.

"Hey" she said quietly as she entered.

"Slayer" he replied wondering what she was doing there and knocking when she usually just busted in when ever she came."What can I do for ya pet?"

"Oh,..um, nothing much. I was just wondering why you took off last night?" she said almost shyly.

"Oh" he said thinking maybe she had finally actually wanted something other than information. "Went looking for Ravyn." he answered coldly.

"I see" she said looking at her shoes. "So, did you find her?"

"Yes, why"

"Really" she said looking up at him. "Did you find out anything? I mean about what happened to her and why?"

"Yeah, found out plenty" he answered taking a seat on his sarcophagus.

"So, what's her story?" Buffy asked moving closer to where he was.

"Well Slayer, seems our new vamp has a nasty little chip in her head just like yours truly here." Spike said lighting another smoke.

Buffy was shocked to say the least. "What..how..I don't understand?" she said looking confused. "I've never seen her here before, how could she have a chip?"

"She didn't go into it Slayer. All she said was that she has had the chip for 5 years and you and I both know they didn't show up here until a few years ago, so that leads me to believe Sunnydale wasn't there only stop."

"I can't believe this." Buffy said before scrunching up her forehead as if thinking hard. Looking back at Spike, she asked, "Do you think they're still out there somewhere still operating?"

"Good question" Spike said. "Might be. Maybe that's why she was in the old Complex? Looking for something to tell her where they went."

"But why would she want to know that? It's not like they're going to take it out for her." Buffy said

"Couldn't tell ya Slayer" Spike said hopping down from his seat and grabbing his duster. "I'd love to stay and continue our little chat but I have someplace to be right now" Spike said noticing the sun had finally set and ready to find out some answers to the questions that had plagued his mind all day.

"Oh, yeah..sorry. Didn't mean to keep you" Buffy said a little put off by his lack of interest to talk to her. "I need to go anyway. Just wanted to know if you had found anything is all.

"Sure Slayer...knew you weren't here on a social call." Spike said getting upset that the reason for her visit was business and not personal.

Making his way to the door he opened it and walked out. "Make sure you shut the door on your way out" he called over his shoulder as he left her standing in his crypt. "Wouldn't want any of my `not burnt' possessions to get gone while I was away" he said as all the inner torment he had been feeling where she was concerned came flooding back to the surface.

Buffy stood there watching him walk away knowing he was still upset with her and not knowing how to make it right. She couldn't give him what he needed, not that she didn't want to, it was just to confusing to her right now. She wasn't even sure of her feelings for him so how could she express them to him. Deciding that standing in his crypt all night wasn't going to help any, she left pulling the door closed behind her.

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

Spike walked as quickly as he could to where he had left Ravyn the night before. He had so many questions to ask her and now since his visit from Buffy he had more. Where did he even start. What did he want to know more and would she answer all his questions?

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

Ravyn sat on the old sofa that was in the abandoned house waiting for Spike. She knew he would come. The confusion on his face last night was enough proof for her to know he would be back looking for answers and that's what she intended on giving him. Besides, she had a few questions of her own. If he was forthcoming with her then she would know if he could be `completely' trusted. Her motives for visiting Sunnydale were simple and the more she found out the better her chances of getting the information she needed.

She felt him approach before she even heard his feet hit the porch. Getting up from her seat, she made her way to the door. She snatched it open as he lifted his hand to knock.

"Bloody hell woman!" Spike said startled when she yanked the door open. "Give a bloke a heart attack will ya" he said glaring at her.

"You have to have a beating heart to have an attack Spike" she said laughing at his stunned face. "Or have you forgotten?"

"Think you're funny don't ya" he asked finally smiling at her.

"Well, if the look on your face was any indication of how `scared' you were...then yeah." she said stepping aside so ouldould enter.

"I wasn't scared I have you know" he said as he stepped inside.

"Yes you were"

"Was not"

"Was to" she said still smiling as she shut the door.

Spike just rolled his eyes at her as he took a look around. He wondered how she had found this vacant house `with' some furniture when he had to live in a cemetery and steal almost everything he had. There were candles lit , sitting on every flat surface giving the room a soft warm glow. It was much cleaner than his crypt. Dusted and free of spider webs and didn't smell of dirt and decay. It was actually kinda nice, for a derolic building. He wondered if she had found it like that or if she had made it `her home away from home'.

"Nice place" he said turning to look at her. Much better than that musty old crypt I've been calling home."

"Yeah well, I forgot to thank the homeless for there generous donations of furniture when I chased them out of here." she said walking over to the couch and sitting down.

Spike smiled. "So, scaring old `down and out on there luck' homeless people is how you came about this place?" he said as he continued to explore the house.

One bedroom, nice size...with bed he noticed. Small kitchen, not of any use. Windows painted black. One sofa, coffee table and a non-functional fire place.

"So, how long have you been here exactly?" he asked coming back into the living room where she sat.

"Not long...a month, maybe less. Why" she asked.

"Just curious" he said as he sat on the sofa beside her. "I see your bruises are almost healed up. How's the leg?"

"Better..gotta love the excelerated healing. Only advantage I've ever seen to being a vampire" she said. "Well, except for the living forever part" she added with a smile.

Spike smiled back at her. She really had a nice smile. Made her look `normal' almost human. It was as if she had no cares in the world. It brightened up her whole face and made her eyes sparkle.

"So, was there something in particular you wanted to know or did you just come over to look at me" she asked when he just sat there staring at her.

"Huh..oh right" he said snapping out of his daze. "Well, not sure where to begin" he stated turning slightly side ways so he could see her better.

"Well, I have a few questions for you, so why don't I start and you can jump in when you can get a clear thought organized" she said amused at how easily he was distracted.

"Sure...ask away" he said surprised she had questions for him.

"Okay...I guess the most intriguing thing I guess is, why do you help the Slayer" she asked him.

Spike just stared at her not ready to tell her he was in love with Buffy. That bit of information already cause him enough grief in this town. He especially didn't want to tell her. So he lied. "Better than being on the receiving end of her wrath" he stated hopping his answer would satisfy her.

"I see" she said looking him in the eye. "So, you kill your own kind, and help the slayer with her job just so she doesn't dust your ass" she asked not totally believing his answer.

"Yeah, what other reason would I have" he asked knowing she wasn't buying it.

"Don't know...that's why I asked" she said smiling at him again. "Why not just leave town?"

"Well, not that simple. The Slayer and I have a history..complicated as it is...it's there. I've been helping her and her little Scooby gang for a couple years now...no need to move on. At least here I feel like I'm doing something other than just sitting around feeling sorry for myself"

"So you like helping her?"

"Sometimes. Guy's gotta get his kicks somehow. If killing demons is the only way to accomplish that, then so be it." he said with a shrug of his shoulder.

"I guess, but you can kill demons in any town." she said knowing he was hiding something. She could see it in his eyes.

Spike started squirming in his seat. She knew he was lying. `How was he going to get out of this one' he thought.

Seeing his discomfort at her questioning she decided to change subjects before he refused to answer any more of her questions.

"Well, how long has it been since the Initiative cleared out of here" she asked seeing his features relax as she switched subjects.

"Couple years now" he answered relieved she had changed the subject."The Slayer found them out and after there half human/ half demon Frankenstein project went all haywire on them and killed the project leader..they packed up and left."

"Huh..well, this is no good. They've got to big of a head start on me now. It'll be almost impossible to find them" she said staring off into space thinking.

"Find them. You think they're still in operation somewhere?" he asked wanting to know if what He and Buffy discdiscussed earlier could be true.

"Hell yes there still operating!" she blurted out. "And I'm gonna find them if it takes me the rest of my unlife." she said, her words full of hate.

"So, what...you think they're gonna take that chip out if you find them? he asked her puzzled.

"Oh, I know that'll never happen. I'm not stupid" she said getting up from the sofa.

"Then why go to all the trouble of tracking them?" Spike asked watching her as she started to pace the floor deep in thought.

Ravyn stopped and stared at him. The once bright smiling eyes he had been looking at had changed. Replacing them were cold, dark, hate filled eyes of a killer. He knew the look all to well, and the emotion behind them.

"Simple" she said "I'm going to kill them"

Spike gave her a long hard look as he stood up from his seat. "And how exactly are you planning on doing that pet? I was there. Don't remember seeing anything but humans on the payroll." he said as he took out a cigarette and lit it.

She gave him an evil smile that made him almost fearful to cross her on a bad night. "Did that hurt?" she asked

"Did what hurt?" he asked confused at her question.

"Lighting that cigarette" she replied as she turned to him.

"No ...why" he answered confusion clouding his features.

She kept smiling as she slowly approached him. "Didn't think so." she said "You have no idea how powerful and destructive you are...do you? You think you can't hurt humans? Your so wrong. You have more power over them than you think. You're Slayer thinks your as harmless as a puppy. Doesn't she?" she said moving directly in front of him. "How do you suppose your Slayer would feel if she knew your smoking habit could kill humans, other than just the usual second hand smoke? You are just as dangerous now as you ever were." she continued giving him an appreciative look from head to toe. "William The Bloody, tame pup to the Slayer...I think not." her words slipping out seductively as she ran her hands up his chest. "You could burn this whole damn town down with the flick of your wrist and all she could so was stand back and watch."

Spike's demon was rejoicing . The implications of what she was saying was like a weight being lifted. He wasn't as harmless as he thought, or as `they' thought. The desire to kill humans had decreased since having to spend so much time with them, but the demon in him craved the chaos and destruction of his pre-chipped days. No more was he the laughing stock of the Hellmouth. He was William The Bloody, the Big Bad, feared the World over, and now, thanks to this beautiful creature before he he had a way to get it all back.


Ravyn smiled up at him. She could see the predatory look in his eyes. She knew she had giving him something he was longing for. She herself had had the same feelings he was having when she realized what she could still do. The power alone was intoxicating.

Licking her lips she pressed herself against him. "So, tell me Spike" she purred. "How do you feel now that you know `who' and `what' you are again?"


~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.