Born to Die

Chapter One: Prologue

Something has to change,
Un-deniable dilemma.
Boredom's not a burden,
Anyone should bear.

Reece Myers stepped out of the ladies bathroom slowly, holding onto the wall for support. Four beers, three shots of vodka and a line of coke. She was seriously fucked.

Anything to numb the pain though.

"Hey.. I thought you were out whoring around."

She turned to her flavor of the week and smirked, wincing as he grabbed her by the arm and tugged her towards the dance floor. His finger's pressed deep into her skin, causing little red moon marks from his nails to appear. Sadly, he was the best one she had found yet.

"Come on.."

He jerked her violently towards the crowd, causing her to yelp out in pain as he grabbed her - holding her tightly against him as they moved to the music filling the room. She was obviously uncomfortable but danced none the less, moving her body with his and the slow rhythm.


Constant over stimulation numbs me,
and I would not have you,
any other way.

It's not enough,
I need more.
Nothing seems to satisfy.
I don't want it,
I just need it.
To feel, to breathe, to know I'm alive.

Spike peered out onto the dance floor from the rim of his shot glass, scanning the room filled with underage drunkards, college students and the few older men trying to pick up young blonds. He took in a quick, unneeded breath before tilting his head back to accept the warm, burning liquid.

After a moment, he sat the shot glass down in front of him and turned back to the dance floor. That's when he spotted her, entwined with the crowd, dancing like a goddess among men.

Finger deep within the borderline,
Show me that you love me and that we belong together.
Relax, turn around and take my hand.

I can help you change,
Tired moments into pleasure.
Say the word and we'll be,
Well upon our way.

His pale blue eyes watched her move, hands above her head - dancing as if she were alone in the building. No realization of the world around her except for the soft, slow beat of the music. The man that was dancing with her previously was now standing on the opposite side of the club, hidden in the darkness with a tall red head.

The girl noticed this and stopped dancing, watching as her 'boyfriend' disappeared out the exit with his new found friend. She took in a breath and ran her fingers through her dark hair, turning towards the bar.

In the end she was always alone.

"Evening, love."

Reece turned her head to the side and focused on the man beside her; white-blond hair, amazing blue eyes, leather and British. Nice.

"Hi."

"The names William but everyone calls me Spike."

She smiled, ordering a shot.

"What's your name, love?"

"What do you want it to be?"

Spike frowned, shaking his head. He wasn't trying to play games.

"You don't even look old enough to be at this bar, let alone ordering drinks, so cut the show and just tell me your name before mum dearest barges in and gives you a thrashing."

Reece raised an eyebrow, sliding her second shot over to him.

"Reece, and if you think you know anything about me you're wrong. My mom's dead and I can drink, whenever and whatever I want. Plus, only hot guys with nice bodies give me thrashings and I like it."

Spike smirked and took the offered shot, lifting his head with her to swallow down the dark liquid in one hard gulp.

He liked this bird already.

Blend and balance,
Pain and comfort,
Deep within you,
Till you will not have me any other way.


Chapter Two: Potential

One year later.

Spike leaned against the side of a large brick building and searched for a cigarette - nearly disappearing into the darkness that surrounded him. The click of his Zippo lighter echoed through the dimly lit street, illuminating his face with the soft glow of the flame.

His keen senses detected the girl long before she entered the alley - dressed in a short black mini skirt and a low cut lacy red top that left nothing for the imagination. She moved easily through the darkness, not the least bit intimidated by all the dangers running about.

Most twenty-year-old females wouldn't be caught in this part of New York when the sun was at its fullest, yet she walked with a confident stride towards the vampire.

"..'bout bloody well time you showed up."

Reece smiled wickedly, plucking the newly lit smoke from Spike's fingertips and placing it between her own, taking a long - needed drawl.

"I was a little tied up."

The air between them tensed as Spike narrowed his eyes, "When are you going to leave those soddin' ponce’s alone?" He demanded, pulling another cigarette from his duster.

"Hey they give me sex, their bodies... everything."

"Not their heart."

Reece met his eyes, "Don't start on me again tonight, Spike. Jason's just some guy. They are all just some guy remember? Love 'em and leave 'em. I'll probably never see him again."

Spike shook his head and sighed, "Not a very good motto to have, love."

Reece shrugged, studying her friend for a long moment. "I don't need you telling me how to live my life." She bit her tongue, watching one of his eyebrows arch.

"You call this living, pet? More like dying, real slow."

She sighed, leaning against the building beside Spike. "When did you start caring so much anyway?" Her voice was softer now, less demanding.

Spike thought for a moment, moving down the alley without an answer.
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Why was he here, standing in this club - off to the corner with all his attention on this one girl. Reece. Such an eccentric name for a unique girl.

It had been over a year since he had last seen Sunnydale or.. her. Buffy Summers. He missed her - every second he was awake he wished things would have been different. He loved her but he couldn't bring himself to return to that place - the mouth of hell consumed him and if he returned, things would just fall back into place. He didn't want that.

He couldn't survive that again.

He had wanted Buffy to get what she deserved - a railroad spike in the chest from all the pain she brought him. Someone had other plans though; Spike clutched his chest looking up at the woman standing across from him at the pool table.

Reece.

She stood with her hands on her slender hips staring at him - looking like a fish with her mouth opened, gaping at him to take his shot. Spike grinned, leaning down onto the pool table and lining his cue up with the 8 ball.

"Girl, I told you I've been playing billiards since before they called it billiards - yet you challenge me."

With that said Reece leaned down, exposing what little cleavage she had with her elbows rested on the edge of the table. Spike took his shot and missed, glaring at her.

"You cheating bint." She smiled that radiant smile that brought the room to life. It had been over a year since they had met - at this very bar.

She had been overly thin, frail and broken by the world. Only drinking what burnt going down - doing any kind of narcotics that she could get her hands on, and sleeping with anything with two legs.

Spike smiled over at her as she lined up her shot, concentrating.

She wasn't as thin, and her hair was cut short - just past the nape of her neck. Her eyes seemed brighter and full of life from the first time he had looked into the dull gray hues.

Spike watched as Reece sat down her pool stick and took someone's offered hand, being swept away towards the dance floor.

She moved sensually to the music, turning to face her dance partner. Eye's closed. She hardly ever looked at them. Didn't want to know details about them. The color of their hair, or eyes. They got to close that way. Her malnourished body moved slowly to the offbeat music that filled the club, delicate hands moving above her head. Dark black make up covering her eyes, crimson lips puckered as she sang quietly with the song.

Spike watched her move - she was beautiful, and at that moment he realized he wanted to be the one dancing with her.

"Bleedin' trollop." He shook the thought from his head and turned back to the pool table.

At least she was smarter now. They had lived together for nearly five months, and she was finally becoming smarter.

-flashback, one year prior-

"You know this place is dangerous."

"What? New York? Damn were you born yesterday?"

Spike smirked at his cocky new friend's attitude. Attitude like that would get you killed.

"I'm not talking muggers and pickpockets, love. Something dangerous."

Reece laughed his warning off, turning to the first hand offered to her. A tall, lanky man. "You're beautiful." He hissed, grinning at her as they moved towards the dance floor.

Spike rolled his eyes, lifting a beer bottle to his lips as he watched the couple dance. Soddin' trollop. The man leaned his head down and whispered something in her ear, causing her to laugh and turn to face him.

She grabbed him forcefully by the lapels of his coat and walked backwards towards the exit of the club. Just as the door opened, flooding the dark room with streetlight - Spike stood to his feet. The man that Reece was leaving with had just bared his fangs.

"Bloody hell.." He growled to himself, pushing through the club. Why was he fighting off a mob just to save this girl? One less trollop to worry about - she'd more than likely be dead in less than a year anyway.

Shaking the thought - Spike burst through the club's exit and grabbed the vampire that was attacking Reece, pulling him off her and throwing him into the building. The vampire snarled and turned to face Spike - lunging for him.

Reece stared in horror as Spike fought off her attacker, bringing her fingers up to her neck and looking at them. Blood.

"Vampire?" The word had came out in a whisper as she watched Spike's face morph into something demonic and grab the other man by the head. With a sickening twist - Spike had decapitated him and the man exploded into dust - leaving a thickness in the lingering air.

"I told you this place was dangerous." Spike growled, shaking his head and returning to his human guise.

"Vampire.." Was all Reece could manage before she passed out from the shock of it all.

-end flashback-
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"Hey. Let's get out of here - this place is getting boring." Reece called, quickly bringing Spike from his trance. He sat his pool stick down and watched as she gathered her coat, her dance partner now practically shagging a blond woman on the dance floor.

Spike pulled on his duster and followed her quickly out of the nightclub.

"You know I've been thinking about what you said.." She started, pushing her hands down into her short leather coat. "What's that, love?" He asked, lighting a cigarette before handing her the pack.

Reece remained quiet for a long moment, fishing out a smoke from the almost empty pack.

"About this lifestyle.. maybe I am tired of being so cold." Her bony shoulders went up in a shrug before she reach into his duster pocket and fumbled for the Zippo lighter. Spike took this in, keeping his eyes on her as they walked. He never thought he'd see the day when she was tired of her wild lifestyle.

"I don't know maybe it's just not in me anymore." She muttered, holding the cigarette to her lips. Spike’s thoughts went to a few months ago, standing in this very alley.

-flashback-

"Why are you trying to destroy your life?"

"This is all I know. If you think you can just walk into my life and change things your wrong, beautiful stranger."

"I'm not trying to change it. Just wondering why you want it so numb."

She had laughed. "I like it numb. Where I'm at - there is no pain."

Spike turned his attention back to his friend, who was staring at him with vacant eyes. She was wrong. There was pain. He could sense it on her - the tension in her body when she moved. The crack of emotion in her voice when she'd come home alone - dumped by yet another unworthy maggot she declared a boyfriend at the time.

The crying.

Although he blamed it on the soul - Spike's heart broke every time he laid awake in his bed, listening to her gut wrenching sobs through the paper-thin walls of their apartment.

"Don't tell me there isn't pain, love. There's always pain."

Yet the next night she was at it again, partying until nearly dawn.

"If I didn't bloody well know better I'd think you were a vampire."

That smile. She'd flash it and all would be right in the world again until the next time she stumbled in at five in the morning, half drunk and broken.


-end flashback-

"Spike?"

Spike shook his head, focusing on Reece now.

"Yeah, love?" He murmured, searching her face with his eyes.

The horror in her eyes caused him to look towards the opening of the alley, watching as nearly seven men dressed in brown robes stalked towards them carrying long knives.

Chapter Three: Under The Surface

"Bloody great." Spike muttered as the Bringer's advanced towards them quickly. He turned to Reece and took her by the shoulders, "Stay back."

She watched in horror as Spike turned towards the group of thugs and the fight began. In seconds he was in the middle of the crowd of attackers, taking them each on one by one. Two of the Bringer's moved quickly past Spike, snarling and hissing as they went towards their target - Reece.

"Spike.." She muttered, backing up towards the alley wall as the men stalked towards her, holding up their long shiny blades. Reece took in a breath and reared back her fist, punching the first hard in the face. She kicked at the second one, slamming his face into the asphalt.

The first Bringer to attack her snarled and grabbed her by the throat, plunging his dagger blindly into her chest. Reece let out a cry and fell to the ground, clutching her upper chest in pain as she looked up - waiting for the final blow.

Spike suddenly vamped out - grabbing one of the Bringer's by the throat and snapping its neck quickly. He pushed past the other two and went to Reece, kicking her attacker into the alley wall. He lifted her to her feet gently and examined her wound.

"Come on, love. We've got to get out of here."

She nodded, wincing in pain as he wrapped a strong arm around her waist and helped her down the street quickly.
---------------------------------------------

Spike opened the apartment door and ushered Reece inside, closing it with his foot as they made their way into the bathroom. The wound on her upper chest had finally stopped bleeding a few minutes ago; yet he still wanted her to go to the hospital. She had nearly fallen twice from loss of blood.

"Reece.."

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, trying to be strong as he helped her onto the bathroom sink.

"Are you going to be okay?"

She nodded, "I think so., What were those things?"

"I don't know, pet."

He watched as she lifted her arms above her head and carefully removed the blood soaked t-shirt from her body - now wearing a lacy red bra and leather mini-skirt.

Reece grinned at Spike's dumbfounded expression and handed him the alcohol from behind her.

"Pretend I'm in a bikini top."

He nodded slightly and turned to the closet, pulling out a washcloth. He faced her again, noticing the dry blood that had ran down her chest and between her breasts. He stared at her for a second then returned to soaping the cloth.

"I really think you should go to the hospital, love."

Reece ignored his protest, watching as he placed the cool rag against her skin, gently washing away the blood. “..and tell them what? The boogeyman attacked me?”

"I'm tough."

Spike smiled, "You are tough."

"Tougher then you."

He stopped his movements for a second and narrowed his eyes, looking up to meet her gaze.

"Don't push it."

Reece smirked, smiling down at him as he continued his task. He was so gentle with her, amazing that a vampire of all creatures could be kind and caring. Her eyes never left his hands as he worked, concentrating on cleaning her wound. She could feel the need in his touch as he caressed her; his hands rough yet soothing.

Spike dabbed at the deep wound on Reece's upper chest, causing a hiss of pain to escape her as the soapy cloth touched her skin. He gave her an apologetic look, searching her eyes for a moment.

That's when he sensed it. A look of lust in her eyes so slight that he wasn't even sure it was there. Reece took in a shallow breath, looking down at him.

His hands stopped their task for a second, not even a second - so small a pause that Reece almost missed it, if it hadn't been for the look in his eyes. Confusion with a bit of... what was that?

She took in another shallow breath, leaning back against the sink for support as Spike continued, returning his eyes to her chest to finish his job. He ran the cool cloth down her stomach, causing a slight moan to escape her throat.

Spike assured himself that the thickness in the air was because of the adrenaline coursing through his body mixed with the blood-covered girl in front of him.

Reece cleared her throat slightly and sat up straight on the sink, "I think I'm going to survive."

He let his hand drop from her chest as her voice broke the silence in the small bathroom, echoing through his ears as he stood up examining her.

"Let me get a bandage."

Reece nodded and watched as he opened a pack of gauze and gently finished tending to her. She smiled thankfully and slid off the sink in front of him, standing closer then she had imagined. Her chest touched his slightly as she slid past him.

"Thanks Spike... for everything."

He nodded and watched as she disappeared down the hall to her own room.
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Spike turned off his bedroom light and moved to sit on the edge of his bed, holding his head in his hands. Those Bringer's worked for evil far greater then anything he had ever known before.

The First. The purest form of evil and those Bringer's wanted Reece. Only days after he had won his soul The First had visited him, tormenting him day and night until he thought he was going to go insane. The guilt and heartache of just having his soul was enough to kill a man, but The First had been persistent.

Reece was the only reason he wasn't dust. The night that she sat down beside him at that club - he had planned on killing himself as soon as the first ray of sun peeked over the horizon. She gave him hope though, hope that maybe he could make her life a little less miserable and he had. They had become friends and were now living together. They gave each other hope.

Spike sighed and lifted his head, laying back on his bed and staring up at the ceiling.

Buffy. She had once gave him hope... hope that he could be a better man for her. He loved her. He wanted to give her everything that she needed; he wanted to make her happy but that was impossible. Her friends had ripped her from heaven and taken away her joy. She had told him that she was only using him and that he was nothing to her.

He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering the sound of her voice when she told him it was over. Not Spike, the evil soulless monster.. but William, the man. "Goodbye, William." He had left only hours after she had left him and his crypt in pieces - never to return to Sunnydale again.

Now that The First was back to its old tricks though, Spike feared that he would have to take Reece there to keep her safe. He would do anything to keep her safe, even if it meant going to Sunnydale.

A scream echoed through the small apartment, causing him to jump to his feet and make his way down the narrow hall to Reece's room. She ran out of her bedroom and right into Spike, screaming when he grabbed her by the arms. She continued to scream until he shook her - bringing her back to reality.

"What's wrong, love? What happened?" He demanded, peering into her silent bedroom. She was shaking in horror as she clutched his chest, trying to find the words. Spike pulled her into his embrace and held her as she slowly calmed down, taking in large gulps of air.

"Tell me what happened." Reece nodded and held her chest. "A dream... It felt so real... but.. I must have had a bad dream."

Spike took this information in, searching her bedroom again to make sure everything was alright. "Do you want me to get you something?" He asked, looking into her fearful eyes. She shook her head no, still holding onto his black t-shirt for dear life.

"I don't want to be alone.."

Spike nodded and walked her down to his bedroom, letting her crawl into one side of the bed. He studied her for a minute and sat down on the opposite side as he wrapped his arms around her and held her until she fell asleep again. He placed his lips gently on her forehead and closed his eyes.

In the morning he would tell her they were leaving for Sunnydale, California.

From the darkness of Spike's bedroom, Buffy/The First appeared, wearing an evil grin.

Chapter Four: Territory

The Summer's living room was filled with twenty nameless girls, surrounding Buffy and her team - Willow, Xander, Giles, Dawn, Anya and Faith.

"This is a war.. we aren't just fighting some random fledgling vampire. We are fighting a war against the purest form of evil. I need everyone's help to defeat this thing, or the fate of the world is hopeless." Buffy turned to Willow slowly, handing her the heavy axe she had found the previous night.

"Willow is the most powerful person I know. She is going to use the power of this axe to change our destiny. When we go in to fight the last battle we will all go in as slayers."

The potential slayers gasped in fear and excitement - by the end of next week they would all be slayers. Willow nodded, holding the axe in her hand as she turned towards their army.

She handed the axe back to its owner and smiled confidently, going with Xander and Dawn to find everyone a place to sleep for the night. Buffy studied the axe in her hand for the hundredth time that night, moving her slender fingers down the beautiful handle.

"We are going to change the world. Potential slayer’s will awaken everywhere and know her destiny.”

She took in a breath and turned towards the front door, "Caleb will be taken out of the picture. He will pay for what he has done to our troops. I'll make sure of it. Some of you aren't going to survive and things will become even more complicated... but..."

Suddenly there was a knock at the front door, causing several of the potentials to scream out in fear of The First.

"I seriously doubt it's going to knock on the door before it comes in.." Anya muttered, disgusted at the 'lack of bravery' in the room.

Buffy jerked the battered door opened quickly, dropping the axe in surprise at her company. On the other side of the door stood Spike, casually smoking a cigarette.

"Evenin', Slayer."
---------------------------------------------

Giles closed the spell book in front of himself - causing the small form of light above Reece's head to vanish as quickly as it had appeared.

"That's why the Bringer's attacked you the other night, you have the potential to become a slayer. The First Evil has sent his group of minions around the world to destroy the slayer's line so that no other slayer may be called and the world will go unprotected from evil."

Reece turned to Spike, her eyes pleading for him to take her back to New York. It was obvious that she didn't want to be here a second longer. He didn't blame her but he had to protect her.

He lit a cigarette and handed it to her, along with an apologetic frown.

Reece just sighed, inhaling the cigarette deeply.
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"Spike I don't know about this.. this doesn't make any sense to me... pure evil and people dying..." Reece whispered, watching as Spike knelt in front of her.

They were in Buffy's living room, surrounded by sleeping potentials on the floor and in chairs. Reece had claimed a small lounge chair as her bed for the night, sitting up with her arms rested on her knees and her head in her hands. Whatever was coming - she wasn't ready for it.

"Listen to me, pet." Spike placed his hands on Reece's arms, making her look down at him. "I will do anything I have to just to make sure you're safe. No matter what, you'll get through this. I promise you."

She nodded slightly, taking in a breath to calm herself. Spike leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead, causing her to smile. "Okay.."

Buffy stood at the top of the staircase looking down into the living room, watching Spike comfort Reece. He ran his hands down her arms one last time before standing to his feet and shedding his duster, nodding for her to lay back in the chair as he covered her with the leather coat.

Buffy frowned slightly and turned back into her room.
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Spike sat down on a stool at the center island in the Summer's kitchen, sighing deeply as he ran a hand through his hair. He needed a beer, or a stake in the heart - whichever came first.

Seeing Buffy after all this time was painful, she was still so beautiful - and so dependent. At least she seemed to be better then when he had left. She seemed more alive.

"Hey."

He turned quickly, watching Buffy walk into the kitchen.

"Hello, Slayer. Can't sleep?"

"Not with everything that's going on. I don't know how anyone can."

"You'll beat this thing. You always get the bad guys."

Buffy just nodded, opening the refrigerator. "Would you like something? There are probably a few bags of blood left over... from..." Her voice trailed off suddenly, as she closed the door.

"I'm alright."

They stood in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, each taking in their own thoughts before Buffy cleared her throat and turned to face him.

"I'm glad that your back, Spike. When you left.. things just got worse... I really needed you."

Spike sat speechless just listening to Buffy's words, taken back by the honesty. Really need him? Oh, I hate you I don’t need you, Spike - a wonderful way to show she cared.

"I'm glad I'm back too, Slayer."

Buffy smiled and poured a glass of milk, searching his face as he fished out a cigarette and placed it between his lips.

"I better take this one outside, love... if the 'bit gets a smell of my fag she'll be in here in a second."

She nodded, watching him stand to his feet and turn towards the back door.

"Spike..."

"Yeah, Slayer?"

"Are you and Reece... together?"

"No. She's just a friend.." He assured quickly, almost to quick for Buffy to really believe him.

Spike took in an unneeded breath and looked at Buffy, studying her for a long moment.

"It's always been you, Buffy."

She simply nodded and allowed him to disappear out the back door, taking her glass of milk back into the living room and up the stairs to her bedroom.

In the dark hallway, Reece pulled Spike's jacket closed and wiped at her face - smearing hot tears down her cheeks as she returned to her makeshift bed.

Chapter Five: Jealousy

"Psst.."

Faith turned on her side and growled, covering her head with a thin uncomfortable pillow.

"Hey.."

The annoyance that had been pestering her for the past five minutes was about to get a stake in the heart, whether it be man, woman or beas--- Reece?

Faith sat up quickly and looked around the room, surrounded by countless sleeping potentials. She looked over at Reece and peered through the darkness, making out the girl with short black hair and fiery blue eyes. She was wearing familiar looking leather pants and a sleeveless violet top.

"What the hell are you doing?" A beat passed between them, “..and why are you wearing my clothes?”

Reece placed a finger over her crimson lips and smiled, nodding towards the front door.

"You wouldn't make it ten seconds out there on your own."

"That's why you're coming with me."

Faith glanced around the room again, noticing no Buffy with her prying eyes. Once she realized the coast was clear she stood up, careful not to wake any of the others.

"What about your vamp toy down stairs?" She asked quietly, pointing to the basement door where Spike had been sleeping for the past two nights.

"He's out on patrol with Buffy.. I watched them leave about an hour ago. He's to busy drooling after blonde to even care what I do.. so lets go have some fun."

"I sense some hostility with the prom queen. Nice."

Reece grinned as Faith gathered up some 'party' clothes and agreed to go out with her, "Give me five and were out of here."
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Spike pulled out a half empty pack of cigarettes and scowled, retrieving one before returning it back to his duster. He lit it quickly and turned to meet Buffy's gaze.

"That girl.. always smoking up my bloody fags.."

"Where did you go?"

"When, love?"

She continued to look at him as if he should know the answer, watching as he blew a thick stream of smoke into the air and nodded in realization.

"I went on a trip to..." He stopped, trying to decide if he really wanted to mention anything about being brooding and soul bearing.

"..be a better man."

Spike bit his tongue, he wasn't a man - not to Buffy at least.

A soulless monster that could never know how to love.

They continued walking down the street towards the alley - deciding to sweep through the Bronze once and make sure everything was uber vamp free.
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Reece and Faith danced feverishly to the up-beat, loud music that filled the Bronze - the lights flickering and moving above them as two nameless guys danced along - moving perfectly with their bodies.

The playing song turned from fast tempo to a slower, mellow song and before she could protest Reece was swept away in one direction as Faith lead her guy into the darkness. At least it was fun - being in Sunnydale was nothing she had expected.

Potential slayers, Indestructible evils and Buffy Summers. The slayer. The one who Spike loved. Suddenly, Reece turned to her dance partner and smiled, wrapping herself around him as she moved slowly to the music, feeling the guy’s arousal become apparent very quickly.
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Spike looked around the dark alley, remembering the first time he had ever been there. To meet 'the infamous slayer'. To threaten her life and assure the world that he would taste her.

He had gotten to taste her in this very alley, several times. Shaking the thought from his head he sniffed the air, catching the hint of jasmine that clung to the walls.

Reece.

Out of nowhere - she was everywhere. Surrounding and choking him with her intoxicating smell.

Spike raised an eyebrow and glanced towards the entrance of the Bronze, before turning to Buffy - catching her in mid yawn.

"You should get back to the house, pet. I can finish up here." He assured, gesturing towards the Bronze. Buffy took this in for a moment and nodded, realizing she was to tired to argue with him now.

"Alright, watch your back though.."

A beat passed between them. Why did she care if he watched his back? A stake in his heart would be a job well done and slight regret that it wasn't, 'Mr. Pointy'.

Spike raised an eyebrow and nodded, seeing her off towards her house before turning back to the alley and entering the Bronze.
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Spike entered the Bronze quickly, scanning the club for the dark haired girl. It was painfully obvious that she was there - the unmistakable smell of jasmine becoming stronger as he moved through the building.

"Bloody hell.." What he saw instantly made him furious. Reece was rubbing against some guy who couldn't seem to keep his hands off her - both hands firmly placed on her ass, giving it a rough squeeze every other second.

The 'gropers' face was buried in the bend of Reece's neck, causing Spike to narrow his eyes and walk forward - pushing thought the crowd of people. He couldn't tell if the guy was actually kissing her or not - but from where he stood it sure looked that way. Soddin' bint!

Reece smiled as she ground her hips into her dance partner's crotch, moving seductively to the music that played over them.

The more Spike watched... the madder he became.

Once he had emerged through the crowd of dancers, he grabbed Reece forcefully - pulling her out of the other mans embrace and holding onto her protectively.

"Back off!" The vampire spat through clenched teeth, eye's threatening to flash yellow.

"Who the hell are you?!" The man demanded, half staggering from previous beers.

"This ones mine." Spike assured in a dangerously threatening tone of voice, getting right up in the other mans face.

"Is that right?" The drunkard asked, not willing to let Reece get away that easily.

Spike let his features change briefly, flashing fangs as he growled - causing the other man's eyes to widen and back away instantly from the demonic guise.

"Ss..orry man, didn't know she was taken.." He lifted his hands in defeat and started backing off into the crowd, stumbling over dancers before he took off running.
-----------------------

Reece jerked herself away from Spike, glaring at him with wild blue eyes.

"I didn't know I was taken either!" She growled, walking off the dance floor. The enraged vampire stalked after her - walking out into the now deserted alley.

"I don't belong to anyone! Not you, or your little slayer of any of those other shit heads in that stupid house! So I can dance with whomever I want!" She yelled, turning to face Spike now.

"You call that dancing!" He yelled back, clenching his jaw tightly. A look of rage fell onto his features as he backed Reece against the alley wall.

"Looked like more than dancing to me! You were practically shagging that bastard right there in front of the whole bloody world!"

Reece's eyes narrowed, "I can shag whomever I want! You are not my chaperone! So back the fuck off!"

Spike grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her up against the side of the building, holding her squirming form in place with his own body.

"Don't make me hurt you, Spike." She hissed, as he held her down.

Spike was seeing red. He was so mad at her, almost ready to snap her neck. She had no clue what kind of danger dwelled in Sunnydale and yet she went to the Bronze alone, in the middle of the night to dance with some slacker, drunken slob!

Suddenly, he grabbed Reece by the back of the head, crushing his lips to her with such force it would have bruised a normal human. He forced his tongue into her mouth and kissed her with every bit of pent up emotion he had inside.

It wasn't long before Reece was returning the kiss in exactly the same manner, teeth nipping at each other as their tongues danced and explored the other's mouth.

He moved his hands down her shoulders and onto her waist, grounding his whole body into hers as she started to make small moaning noises in the back of her throat. The kiss was hard and exciting - becoming more intense as the seconds passed.

Spike grabbed her ass and lifted her onto the wall, grinding his fast growing erection into her, letting a quiet moan of pleasure past his lips as Reece wrapped one leg around his waist, pulling him closer.
---------------------

Reece's mind was spinning from the consumed alcohol and the kiss she was experiencing - her thoughts slowly drifting away into a hazy fog. This wasn't supposed to happen, she knew he was only kissing her because he was angry.

Another soft sigh escaped her lips as Spike leaned into her, moving his tongue expertly with her own. Buffy. He had been on patrol with Buffy, yet the slayer was nowhere to be found.

Reece placed her hands on Spike's chest, shoving him away from her with everything she had. He staggered back and looked up at her with confusion and lust in his eyes - unsure of what had just happened.

Spike could see so many emotions running across Reece's face as she stared at him for what seemed like ages. She wanted to know why he had gotten so angry with her and why he had kissed her. In all their years together he had never once kissed her.

The exit door of the Bronze opened slowly, exposing them to the harsh club lights for a moment before it slammed shut and Faith appeared in the alley.

"Yo, Reece. Those guys are asking about you... you comin' back in or what?"

Faith studied Reece for a second, watching her stare off into the darkness like she wasn't there at all. She turned her head and noticed Spike, backing off slightly.

"Spike.. listen we were just having some fun.. you know what that's like..."

Faith stood witness to the vampire and the potential's stare down. Their eyes never dropping or looking away as they stood in silence, trying to figure out what had just happened between them.

After a moment, Reece turned her head to look at Faith, studying her for a long moment before she spoke.

"Let's get out of here... this party is dead."

Faith nodded her head and jogged towards Reece, who left Spike standing open-mouthed in the alley.
--------------------

Chapter Six: Acceptance

Reece threw a wild punch, catching Spike hard in the chin. He staggered backwards and growled, now bearing full vamp mode. He lunged towards Reece - only to be drop kicked hard on his back.

"Bloody hell, bit!"

Before he could get a good look at her she was in the air, straddling his mid section and punching him hard in the chest.

"You're dead."

Spike looked at her wide-eyed, holding his chest in slight pain as she moved away from him and towards Faith, who was sparing with a few other potentials.

"Hey.."

Buffy jogged towards her with Willow, Xander and Dawn in tow - causing Reece to stop mid stride. She turned her head and raised an eyebrow, waiting for whatever Buffy had to say.

"Good job, you showed real leadership and skills out there."

Reece studied Buffy for a long moment before she nodded and continued on her way.

"Thanks.." She assured, waving her hand in the air nonchalantly.

Buffy turned to Spike who lit a cigarette; dirt still covering his clothes from the training.

"Is everything alright with Reece? It's like something's bothering her."

He shrugged, blowing smoke from his lungs as he scanned the cemetery. Reece was training with Faith, mimicking her every move as she showed the group how to flip vampires into the air.

"You know when I asked you the other night if there was anything going on between you and her?"

Buffy crossed her arms in front of herself as Spike shook his head yes, turning his attention to her. His eyes held the same look of confusion and betrayal that Reece's did.

"I see the way she looks at you, Spike. There's something there."

"She's just a friend, pet. There's never been anything there with us..." The memory of last night slowly flooded back into his mind, remembering the taste of her kiss, the feel of her body against his.

It had been so long since he had experienced that, the way her body curved into his... ever since the last time with...

"Buffy.."

Spike's voice came out harsh, causing him to clear his throat before he continued.

"...It's always been you, slayer. Since the day I realized that I was in love with you.. its been like that ever since. I left Sunnydale to give you what you deserved and now.. I have my soul."
--------------------------------------------

The sun peeked over the horizon slowly, casting a soft orange glow on the silent town of Sunnydale. Buffy and her troops all piled into the Summer's residence before the first harmful rays exposed themselves.

"Alright everyone try to get some sleep. Tomorrow we'll do some training in the backyard and then the first stages of the war will start. Caleb has to be stopped."

The potential's and Scooby gang all agreed and went their separate ways, finding any open place to get in a few hours of sleep.

Buffy watched Spike disappears down the basement steps as sunlight filled the living room. She yawned slightly and turned to go up to her room. Spike having a soul was to much for her to take in right now - she would get some sleep and then try to understand the how and why of it all.

Reece took one last drawl from her cigarette and flicked it out the front door, closing it quietly as Buffy went into her bedroom and closed the door. She watched the other's gather around to sleep before moving towards the basement.
-------------------------

Spike sat down on the worn-out bed cot, running a hand through his hair. Drama. It was always something - he had told Buffy about his soul, only to have her stare through him with those beautiful green orbs and walk away. After everything he had done to get this soul - for her - that was her reaction.

Sighing to himself he stood again and began pacing the room. Not only was Buffy completely dumbfounded by his newly given information - Reece had been ignoring him since the first night they got to Sunnydale. Maybe he had been wrong about everything and they should have stayed far away.

He heard her long before she even opened the basement door - creeping down the stairs like a mouse. Holding her breath from the front door until she stood in front of him, letting it out in a small gasp.

"Hello, pet."

She stood in silence, her breast rising and falling with quiet breaths. Her eyes piercing in the darkness, the soft glow of the hidden sun casting a warmth on her skin. Dark, mysterious, beautiful.

Reece moved forward slowly, looking into Spike's eyes for a spilt second before she kissed him - pressing her mouth gently to his as she parted his lips with her tongue.

It was so different from the previous night - like a first kiss should be. Innocent and slow. She brushed her tongue against his slowly while he moved towards her, deepening the kiss passionately.

Then it was gone. The warmth of her body - the taste of her in his mouth and he was left cold.

Reece stood back on the heals of her boots and searched his face for any sign of acceptance. Anything that could prove to her that he cared.

"Did you feel anything?"

He didn't answer - standing in awe. He had never been kissed like that before. With Drusilla, Harmony or Buffy it was always demanding and raw, craving the demon within but Reece, she saw the man that he could be. She kissed him like he was more than a soul-bearing demon.

They stood in silence for the longest time, causing Reece to narrow her eyes and turn to leave. She had came down there to find out if he could ever see her as anything but a friend, and it was apparent that he couldn't.

"Okay. You didn't. I understand that... but what I don't understand is this is the same girl that had you broken when I met you. The same person that brought you so much misery and all it takes is for her to smile at you and all is forgiven!?"

"That's bullshit, Spike. You're better then that."

She walked towards the basement stairs, folding her arms over her chest. He watched as her fingers dug into her sides, a small - muffled whimper escaping her throat. She was crying. All the men that had came and gone from her life - using and abusing her, making her sob every night - he had turned into one of them.

"Reece, love. It's more complicated than that.."

She spun around and glared at him, "No, Spike! It's very simple. You either care about me or you don't."

"I do."

"Bullshit. You're just like everyone else. I'm nice to have around for a while but when someone else who's better comes along just forget I even exist."

"I do care about you, Reece." Spike assured, listening as her heartbeat increased quickly.

She was becoming very angry with him.

"I heard what you said about me the other night. 'She's just a friend, it's always been you Buffy.'"

Reece shook her head sadly, moving to go up the stairs again.

"Don't go." Spike begged, making her to turn around to look at him. He was standing dangerously close; a hand linking with hers.

He leaned forward slightly and kissed her again, holding her against him with his free hand. Their tongues meeting passionately, causing a soft moan to pass between them.

Spike ran his hands through her hair, deepening the kiss as he pressed her against the basement wall - his hands moving down her sides and to her hips.

"Reece.." He whispered, hard-unneeded breath passing between them. He moved his head back slightly to look into her eyes, searching her face before kissing her again.

Reece pulled away from Spike, large tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"I don't want this... not if I'm not the one you’re kissing."

She took in a breath, blinking as the first of many tears fell from her eyes. Spike watched her stare at him, letting her body fall from his grasp as she turned and moved up the stairs quickly.


Chapter Seven: Ether

"Buffy, get down!"

Faith hit the floor as the bomb exploded - sending potentials and scoobies alike flying through the air. Buffy dropped down into the lower section of the vineyard, hitting the bottom with a hard thud.

She shouldn't have lead them out into the night unprepared but they didn't have much of a choice. Time was quickly coming down on them - and The First had to be stopped.

A quick flash of the world being taken over by uber vamps passed before her eyes, causing her to run into the darkness. She -would- stop this.

"Willow?! Reece!!" Faith pushed herself onto her feet and took off down through the vineyard, searching frantically for her lost squad. Potential's that she had trained were now lifeless at her feet, others crying for help and wounded.

"Oh god.." She muttered, covering her mouth in horror at the vision before her. Caleb stared through her with demonic eyes, snarling his lips into a taunting grin.

He held Reece by the throat, her blood soaked body squirming to get free from the hold.

He turned to face Reece. His face mere inches from her own, his hot breath cutting off her air supply. Reece continued to pull at his fingers in hope to loosen his hold but it was no use.

"She's as good as dead."

Suddenly, Caleb cried out in pain - letting Reece fall to the ground gasping for air. Faith went towards her, only to be scolded by the distraught priest.

"Not so fast little missy.." He growled, turning around to find his attacker.

Spike stood with a large wooden beam in his hands, ready to swing again. Before Caleb could make another witty comment the vampire smacked him hard across the face with the beam, sending him staggering back.

Caleb kicked Reece hard in the stomach, causing her to cry out in pain.

"I've seen beautiful women in my days, vampire... but this one..this one reeks of sin. She's gorgeous."

He turned to Faith slowly, the same wicked grin covering his bloody features.

"I think this belongs to you..."

With that said, he swung his leg back and kicked Reece as hard as he could - sending her crashing into the wine barrels. She fell lifeless to the ground, covered in red wine.

Spike stared in horror at Reece's broken body, feeling his legs become weak as he pushed past Caleb and went to her.

Faith started after the evil priest only to watch him disappear down to the lower half. Feeling defeated she took in a breath of smoke and turned back towards her fallen group. This battle was hopeless. Buffy had lead them all to their deaths.
--------------------------------

Chapter Eight: The Warmth

"I know how to defeat Caleb. We will win this war."

Buffy looked over her living room, standing in front of her troops with confidence. She smiled brightly before disappearing up into her room, causing Reece to roll her eyes at a few other slayers in training.

She winced in pain as she moved, holding onto her side protectively. Caleb had sent her home with a sever bruise on her side - but at least she had her life. Some potentials didn't make it out of the vineyard with that. Poor Xander hadn’t made it out with his eye.

Buffy stood at the top of the staircase, now holding the long gold axe in her hands. The few remaining potentials looked at her in amazement as she carried the large weapon down the steps and towards Giles.

"This will kill Caleb. I'm going back into the vineyard to find him myself and only one of us is walking out."

"Buffy.." Giles protested, standing to his feet quickly. She would surely die if she fought against Caleb alone.

"I'm not going to die, Giles. Been there, done that.. twice. This time it's someone else's turn."

She moved towards the front door, saying her goodbyes to the Scoobies.

"I'll be back soon."
------------------

Spike slipped into the cemetery without a sound, keeping a respectful distance from The Slayer. He didn't know if she knew he was there or not, but he stood back in the shadows just incase.

Faith had the group with her, training against whatever baddies had decided to stay back and watch the show. He watched as Buffy disappeared towards the vineyard, giving her a few minutes to find Caleb and start the battle.

~

Reece stepped back into the darkness of the cemetery, lighting a cigarette. The others were a few feet ahead of her, searching for anything with fangs. Spike had decided to follow Buffy as 'back up' but for all she knew he was giving her a good hard shag at that very moment.

Wonderful.

She stood to her feet quickly - scanning her surroundings. Nothing but dirt and dead bodies six feet below. Turning on her heals she jogged in the opposite direction of Faith and the massive amounts of potentials, leaving them in her dust.

~

"That bitch."

Spike held onto the wall for support, returning to the shadows as he watched Buffy and Angel kiss passionately.

"You'd think she'd give a demon a chance wouldn't ya? I mean Angel's soul is a curse he holds but you.. noble vampire went and fought for yours to make her happy, how could she do this to you?"

The First in Buffy's form turned to Spike and grinned, enjoying the look of pure hate mixed with a bit of confusion and betrayal. He had told Buffy of his soul only days before and already she was back in the arms of her first lover - without giving Spike a chance at anything.

The blond vampire growled, watching the couple break apart. They took in unneeded breath and smiled, exchanging hellos and bullshit small talk as he handed her a necklace of some sort, vaguely explaining it to her before they kissed again.

"Poor helpless Spike, you should have killed me when you had the chance. I tried to warn you and you got away but the weak always return. It will never be you, Spike."

The First/Buffy's chilling words haunted him, causing him to clutch his fists at his sides. Buffy was right when she said those words before, it would never be him.

Spike could hear their murmurings as they talked; Buffy explaining the newly gained information of his soul to Angel, as his sire laughed and commented on 'it all being some sick joke'.

"I missed Spike being around this past year, I needed him during the fight... but now that he's back I have this feeling that things might fall back into line and I don't want that Angel."

"Spike makes me weak and that was the old Buffy, the new Buffy is strong."

A beat passed between them, causing Spike to turn and stalk out of the vineyard quickly. He could hear Angel's last comment before entering the cemetery.

"A warrior."

Spike kicked a nearby tombstone, ripping through the cemetery as fast as his legs would carry him. Being in love with Buffy had always been a mistake and he finally after all these years understood - it would forever be Angel.

She could only love Angel.

He growled again, kicking another tombstone in half as he continued through the maze of graves.
----------------------------

Reece looked up from her seat on the front of the Summer's porch.

Everyone was gone - out in some cemetery, somewhere in Sunnydale California., protecting people who had no clue of the evil surrounding them or the hero's that tried so desperately to protect them.

No one cared.

Spike stopped walking, taking in a breath of air. Jasmine.

"Bit?"

He spotted her sitting on the top porch step, holding one of his missing cigarettes between her fingers.

"Hey.." She took a long draw from the smoke before handing it to him as he sat down beside her and placed the gift at his lips, inhaling deeply.

"Where are the others?"

Reece shrugged her shoulders and leaned forward, rubbing her arms slightly from the chill in the air. "They went one way, I went another - sorta ended up back here."

A moment of silence passed between them, causing Reece to shiver.

I'd like to close my eyes, go numb.
But there's a cold wind coming from,
The top of the highest high rise today.
Its not a breeze 'cuz it blows hard,
Yes and it wants me to discard,
The humanity I know,
Watch the warmth blow away..

Reece brought her knees up to her chest and leaned over towards Spike, resting her head on his shoulder. She didn't know exactly what was bothering him but when he was quiet it meant not to ask. Anyway - she had her own troubles to deal with.

She took in a breath as he flicked the cigarette butt into the damp grass, causing the small flame to dwindle away into smoke.

"I think I'm going to die."

The words passed Reece's lips before she even realized it - making her sit up again and turn to look at Spike, who was staring at her as if he were seeing her for the first time.

"You won't die. I promise you that."

"You can't know that. I might not even make it past this week, Spike. That scares me. Untouchable evil in its purest form and superman priest's scare me..."

Her voice trailed off for a moment as she stared at the smoking cigarette butt, trying to collect her thoughts yet the words poured freely from her lips.

"Dying without knowing what it's like to be loved scares me."

A beat passed between them, causing Reece to stand up and move away from the silent vampire. If only she'd learn to keep her stupid mouth shut.

"Reece..."

She stopped in her tracks, surprised at the emotion and heartache in his voice.

"I want to know what it's like to be loved, too.."

Before she realized it Spike was standing at her back, running his hands down her cold bare arms.

Reece turned around to face him, searching his eyes as he leaned down and kissed her, moving his tongue against hers. Gentle fingertips slid around his neck, playing with the soft locks of his hair - causing him to deepen the kiss.
-----------------------

Reece lifted her arms up over her head and quickly removed the thin material of her t-shirt, now standing in front of Spike wearing a smooth black bra and dark blue jeans.

"Touch me.."

The need in her voice made the Summer's basement thick with passion as Spike went to her - placing his hands on either side of her face as they kissed deeply.

In moments his strong hands were moving down her back, causing a whimper of pleasure to escape her as she leaned into his embrace.

"Spike.. please.."

He returned to her mouth, kissing it hungrily as his fingers worked at the zipper of her blue jeans, sliding them down her thighs. Reece slid her hands up Spike's chest, removing his t-shirt as quickly as she had her own.

His lips found hers again, pushing her gently down to the small bed as he advanced on top of her. His movements were gentle and loving, but with a restrained yearning behind them that she felt and needed.

Spike's cool tongue traced a wet line from Reece's neck to her collarbone, down the valley between her breasts and to her navel. She let out a quiet moan as his fingers ridded her of the black silken panties and disappeared inside her - moving tormentingly slow against her soft skin.

Her back arched as his fingers were replaced with the coolness of his tongue, running just the tip against her clit before delving between her slick lips and tasting her. The real Reece. Her cries of passion rang loudly in his hears, causing him to moan against her as his tongue worked feverishly, probing deeper into her soft core as he swallowed the wetness of her passion.

Reece's reaction was so powerful, her pleasure so intense she tried to squirm away, but instead of allowing it, Spike gripped her tighter, holding her in place as he gave her the most oral attention he could muster. Her fingers were tangled in his hair, begging him - pleading for this wonderful torment to never stop.

He could feel the heat of her once cold body now, warming him as his hands freely roamed her sides, pulling her down to meet his mouth again as he worked his magic.

Without warning, Reece let out a low howl of passion - her back arching as she climaxed hard, eyes closed. She felt as if she had been torn from the world - her body humming quietly as she fell back down to reality. She opened her eyes to see Spike hovering above her, watching with a fascinated look in his eyes.

" You're beautiful..." He murmured, more to himself than her as he nuzzled his face against her neck, feeling the rise and fall of her chest as she tried to breathe.

He felt her hands begin to work at the buttons of his pants, her breath shallow and demanding against his skin as the teeth of the zipper echoed through the small room. Spike's eyes closed tightly as her hands found the growing hardness between them and pressed it against her, allowing the tip of his dick to enter her.

He let out an unneeded breath, his arms becoming weak as he crushed her breasts beneath the wall of his chest, panting against her neck as she worked him between the folds of her silky core.

Spike found her fingers with his own and slowly moved it up her bare stomach and to his lips, kissing them softly as he continued to move her arms above her head and hold her there. "I can't take much more of that, love.." He assured, before pushing himself forward and entering her hot burning core with one long thrust.

She cried out with the shock and pleasure of it all, feeling herself become weak with the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins.

He kept his eyes on her, rocking back and forth slightly as her breath escaped her and she opened her eyes and locked them with his own. They were so intense, knowing that the other was completely there. With Buffy she had always been somewhere else - with someone else but Reece was exactly where she wanted to be.

He leaned down and placed a few small kisses on her lips, "Are you okay?" She nodded as he leaned back and watched her, small beads of sweat forming on her brow as she moved with him - creating a heavy pressure between them.

Reece turned over quickly, causing Spike to fall flat on his back - never breaking their connection. His eyes closed tightly as he slipped further into her depths and she arched her back - grinding against him as he held her hips, digging his fingers into her soft skin as he moaned from the pleasure of it all.

She leaned down and kissed his neck, running her tongue towards his ear as he panted, working her hips against him. His hands were strong and skillful, rocking her back and forth on top of him.

"You feel so good inside me, Spike.."

"Reece... oh god, Reece.." He moaned, holding her against him as she moved - quickening her pace as his nails scraped at her back, demanding more.

She squeezed his length tightly with her muscles and there was no choice but to follow her lead - forcing his mouth onto hers with near brutal intensity, his fingers kneading into her hips as he finally allowed his own release in perfect rhythms with hers.

Their combined orgasm sent them both flying into deeper pleasure that either had experienced as the world shattered around them.

Reece's body fell with complete satisfaction onto Spike's chest, resting her head in the crook of his neck as his hands entwined in her hair. They laid in silence - taking in what had just happened as they slowly came off their own high.

Don't let the world bring you down,
Not everyone here is that fucked up and cold,
Remember why you came and while you're alive,
Experience the warmth, before you grow old.

Chapter Nine: War

"Did you find out anything about the scythe?"

Buffy closed the front door quietly and looked up at Willow and the others, all-waiting for the slayer's next move. She turned her head and saw Spike sitting with Reece and Andrew on the couch, then to Dawn, Xander and Anya.

"I found out it slices, dices and makes julienne preacher."

"Caleb?"

Giles stood from his seat, taking the blood-coated axe from Buffy and studying it.

"I cut him in half. I'm not going to lie, it was cool."

Willow and the others all congratulated her on the defeat as she retrieved the information Angel had given her - turning to Giles.

"Angel.." A beat passed between the room as Buffy's eyes met Spike's, yet his emotion was unreadable. "..gave me these files that might be helpful on The First... and he gave me this.." She pulled the amulet from her pocket and handed it to Giles. "He said that only a true soul baring warrior could wear this into battle..."

Suddenly, Spike stood up and went to Buffy.

"I think that's mine."

"She said a warrior, Spike. WITH a soul."

Xander laughed quietly to himself, catching the look off Buffy.

"He has his soul now."

"You need someone strong to bear it, slayer. You were planning on giving it to the wanker?"

Buffy shook her head no and handed him the necklace, "Be careful.."

Spike looked up at her with a nod, feeling the amulet in his hands.

It was powerful.
--------------------------------------------

Reece pulled a long shiny sword out of Buffy's box of tricks, moving it between her hands in wonder as the others collected their own weapons. She didn't know if she could do this - fight against evil and more importantly.... win.

"Hey.."

She turned slowly, looking up to meet Spike's gaze. He smiled, causing the nervousness to melt away from her as she smiled back.

"Hey."

"Are you ready for this, pet?"

"As ready as I'll never be." She assured, returning to the weapons chest. She picked up a small dagger and strapped it tightly against her lower leg. "What about you? You've got that fancy made for Liz Taylor herself trinket there." She nodded towards the amulet around his neck, causing him to touch it gently with his fingertips.

"Now that d-day is here.. I'm not ready, love. I don‘t want to lose you, or the world.. I‘m falling in love with you."

Reece looked up at him, standing slowly to her feet. "You're not in love with me, Spike. Last night was... it was amazing, but... it was just sex.. I know where you're thoughts were and I'm... okay with that."

Suddenly, he reach out and grabbed her arm - causing her to stop in her tracks as she tried to find another weapon.

"You're wrong, bit. I was with you last night.. and it meant everything to me."

A beat passed between them as Reece took his words in, "No regrets?"

Spike shook his head no and smiled at her, letting her hand fall back at her side. She searched his face, smiling at the honestly she saw there.

"Alright troops.."

Buffy's soft voice broke their moment, causing them both to turn and face the Slayer - ready to take in her plan.
----------------------------------------

"I hate being here. I hate that you have to be here. I hate that there's evil, that it's growing and I hate that we were chosen to fight it. I wish it could be different but this isn't about wishes, this is about choices. I never had one. I was chosen and I accept that. I'm not asking you to accept anything I'm asking you to make your own choice. I believe we can beat this evil --- not when it comes, not after its army is ready, but now. In a few hours, I'm going to open the seal. I'm going down into the mouth of hell itself and I will finish it once and for all."

The potentials listened to Buffy's every word, looking around the room at each other. This was it. The final show down.

"We are going to change destiny of every potential in the world, and when its time.. you will all be slayers."
-------------------------------

"Nice.."

Faith marveled at Sunnydale High School, now deserted and trashed.

"Potentials follow me, Faith and Spike down towards the seal. Xander, keep a look out here in front. Giles, Robin... go into the back of the school. Let NOTHING get past you."

Anya looked towards Andrew slowly, "You're leaving me with him?!" She demanded, holding onto her sword tightly.

Buffy guided the others down towards the seal, turning to face her sister.

"Don't.. anything you say it just going to sound like goodbye." Dawn assured, following Xander towards the front of the building.
"I don't know if I can do this, Buffy. What if I..."

"You won't. You're strong Willow. The strongest one of us all. Kennedy and Reece are up here to make sure everything goes according. I know you'll do this." Buffy hugged her friend tightly and smiled, watching the last of her team find their places.

"This is it.." She assured, disappearing down the hall.
----------

Spike fell back against the stone walk, clutching the amulet around his neck - only to be burned.

"Buffy..."

~

Willow opened her glowing eyes slowly, letting go of the golden axe at her fingers. She scanned the room, noticing two very wide-eyed slayers staring back at her.

"Get this to Buffy.." She ordered, handing the axe to Reece who then took off down the hallway towards the seal.

"You're a goddess.." Kennedy murmured, going to Willow. "And you're a slayer." The Wicca assured with a smile.

~

"Buffy catch!" Reece yelled, tossing the axe towards the slayer. She could feel a power surging in her veins, giving her remarkable strength. Uber vamps were coming towards her at all angels, snarling and growling and she did what came natural - fight.

The other slayers were standing opposite of her - fighting off their own battle of vampires. She noticed Buffy on the ground, obviously wounded but Faith was helping her.

"Spike?!" Reece yelled, searching her surroundings for the vampire. She spotted him against the wall, holding onto his chest - a look of panic on his face. Suddenly, Spike gasped and a strong light emerged from the amulet around his neck. He hissed in pain - his arms shooting out beside him. "Spike!!"

Reece snapped an uber vamps neck and turned towards Spike, running full force towards him. "Spike.. what's happening.." She asked, reaching out to touch him.

"I can feel it... it's really there.." He whispered, standing completely still. Reece reach out and linked her hand with his, looking at him in surprise as a small flame appear between their palms.

"I don't understand..." She whispered, searching his eyes. The ground beneath them started to shake, causing Reece to stumble backwards.

"Let's get out of here!" Faith yelled, helping Buffy towards the opening of the seal. Reece watched the slayers retreat from their fight - running up to the basement of the school.

"GO." Spike growled, closing his eyes in pain as another surge of light pasted through him.

"No.. come on, I'm not leaving you here!" Reece yelled, grabbing his hand - only to be burnt. "Please, Spike.. you have to come with me.." She pleaded, tears welding up in her eyes. The ground shook violently again, causing rocks to fall from the walls.

"Reece, come on!" Faith demanded, helping Buffy up into the basement. Reece looked towards Faith then to Spike.

"I need you.." She whispered, trying to convince him that he didn't have to stay.

"If I don't finish this then The First will rebuild his army.. I have to do this Reece.." He assured, letting out a cry of pain as the sunlight consumed him. Reece looked in horror as he began to crumble to dust in front of her. "Oh god.." She whispered, backing away from him slowly. Before she realized it he had completely vanished and the hell mouth was crumbling around her.

Reece stood in complete amazement. Spike had sacrificed himself so that she would be safe from The First... just like he had promised.

"Reece!"

Faith grabbed her by the arm and jerked her towards the basement, pulling the silent slayer down the hallway quickly. They made it to the bus, leaping into the back of it just as Wood pulled out of the school, zooming down through Sunnydale as quickly as possible.

Once they had cleared the now destroyed town Buffy stood up from her seat, trying to see who had survived.

"The war is over." She said happily, turning to a few wounded slayers. She looked through the bus, noticing Willow, Xander, Dawn, Giles and Andrew. Anya hadn't survived.

"Where's Spike?" She asked, looking through the bus quickly. Reece looked away from her window slowly, her face streaked with tears.

"Gone." She muttered, whipping her face with the back of her hand.

"Gone?" Buffy looked towards Faith who nodded. "It was the amulet around his neck that destroyed the hell mouth." She murmured, tending to another slayer's wounds.

Reece turned back to the window and remained silent. As far as she was concerned, her life was over.
-----------------------------------------------------

Chapter Ten: Time

Five months later.

Faith tackled a man to the ground, delivering his face into the ground several times as Reece ran towards them. She leapt into the air and implanted a stake deep into the man's back, causing him to explode to dust.

"Tag team slayage. Good work, chick." Faith assured, dusting herself off.

Cleveland, Ohio was the lucky owner of its own hell mouth, filled with nasty demons and vicious vampires. The First had yet to be seen but everyone could still feel its presence.

"Yeah, I guess." Reece assured, brushing back her silky black hair that now fell just to her shoulders. She had a long deep scar on her shoulder from a demon attack and her once bright blue eyes were now a dull gray color. She was truly a slayer now.

"It's been five months, Reece.. I know Spike was your friend and everything but.. he would want you to move on."

Faith put her hand on her friend’s shoulder and forced a smile, only to watch Reece jerk away from her.

"He was more then that, okay. The night before he died we.." Her voice trailed off as memories from their night together flooded back into her mind. She went to sleep crying and woke up screaming every night because of his death. "Just forget it." She muttered, turning and walking out of the graveyard.

~

Spike opened his eyes slowly, lost in a vast area of white light.

"You are very brave."

A deep, yet pleasant voice assured him as he turned towards the sound; the bright light slowly melting around him. He stood in front of a robed man holding the amulet he had wore to save the world.

"I'm not putting that bloody thing back on... burning to death, not a great feeling."

The faceless man laughed heartedly, handing Spike the amulet.

"This is your reward, William. Because you gave your own life to save another soul The Powers that Be are allowing you to return to the world you know if that is your wish."

Spike took this information in, suddenly remembering Reece. Of course he wanted to go back.

"So let me get this right, you're giving me a choice in the matter?"

The robed figure nodded, pointing to the amulet in Spike's hand.

"You're choices are as followed yet I advise you to make them wisely. We are offering you Nirvana as a choice. You gave up your own soul that another may live, so Heaven is yours if you choose that path. If not you may return to your world, Earth either as a vampire or a human. The decision is yours, yet you must choose quickly."

Spike sat back on his heals, this sprit was offering him his humanity. He could be a real person and be with Reece. A smile slowly crept to his lips.

"I want to go back... and I want to be a human."

The man nodded in acceptance to his answer, lifting his hand in the air.

"You are sure of this? Five months has passed in your dimension since your demise and your loved one has suffered greatly from her loss."

Spike nodded, watching as The Power That Be reach out and placed his palm against his chest. Suddenly the blinding light was back - coursing energy through his body. Spike closed his eyes and took in a breath - the first real breath he had inhaled in almost 200 years.
--------------------

Reece looked up from her book slowly, turning to glance at Faith's closed bedroom door. They had been roommates for nearly three months now - deciding that living with Buffy and the others in their new house just wasn't going to work for them. She returned to her book again, flipping through the pages.

It was obvious that she wouldn't be getting any reading finished tonight. She contemplated waking Faith up to go on patrol but once that girl fell asleep it was no use trying to bring her out of the eight-hour coma. Deciding that she would just go alone - Reece stood up and stretched, grabbing her trusty stake from the counter and exiting the apartment.

She walked down the deserted street slowly, thinking about her life in New York before slayers and hell mouths were real to her. She could remember being that trashy little girl who thought she knew everything - destroying her life the best she knew how until Spike came along. He was her redemption.

He was her everything.

An icy wind blew past her, causing an array of goose bumps to form on her pale skin. She could feel the warm tears begin to fall down her cheeks as she walked - wrapping her arms tightly around her thin frame.

"Slayer.." A demon suddenly hissed, appearing out of nowhere. Reece rolled her eyes and pulled the stake from her thin jacket. "Slayee."

The vampire attacked, punching Reece hard across the face. She countered with a low kick to his stomach, throwing a wild punch that caught him in the ribs. She held the stake firmly in her grasp and implanted it into the vampire’s chest, causing him to scream just as he exploded to dust.

Reece leapt to her feet and spun around to meet her silent attacker, gasping as she stood face to face with none other than Spike.

"Reece.." He whispered, reaching out and touching her face as she stared at him in disbelief. Her forgotten tears suddenly returned at full force, causing a sob to escape her throat as he touched her.

"You're not real.." She finally muttered, backing away from the mirage.

Spike moved towards her, letting his hands fall on her slender arms.

"The Powers That Be sent me back, luv. I am real." He assured quietly, looking into her dark eyes. He was feeling ever emotion at once.

"You're... back.." She whispered, touching his arms with her fingertips. Spike nodded, smiling as she smiled. Before he realized what was happening she was kissing him - wrapping her arms around him as if she would never let him go.
--------------------------------

He had been back for three days. Three wonderful days that the God's have given her to be with him. She smiles coyly, knowing all to well that he's standing at the door watching her - the way her fingers are gently running through her hair. His breathing is steady but there - needed for him if he wants to survive and he's beautiful.

He's coming towards her now, shedding the long leather coat, which has become his trademark.

Before she can take a breath to speak he's there - holding her head gently in his hands as he kissed her.

Reece welcomed his weight on her body as he moved, feeling his erection pressing against her thigh - never saying a word as their kisses deepened and he leaned her back on the couch in her bedroom. His hands roamed skillfully down her body, caressing her breasts through the fabric of her clothes.

She felt as if she was in a dream - that this wasn't really happening. Since the first time they had made love she wanted more - dreaming about this very thing since the day she lost him.

Spike's breath caught in the back of his throat, his lips trailing down Reece's neck to her collarbone. He had been out on patrol, talking with Buffy and Giles about his new humanity and what had happened - but all he could seem to think about was Reece. Every time he felt his heart beat he knew it was for her and only her. She was the reason he was there now.

Just the thought of her wriggling beneath him now made a soft moan escape his lips, feeling her nipples harden at his touch as she licked a trail up his neck, resting her lips against his ear. Her warm breath tickled his neck, causing him to bite her neck in anticipation - finally feeling her tongue dart in and around his ear lobe.

"Soddin hell, Reece.."

Suddenly he was alive - really there, his words seeping into her skin - causing her back to arch into him as his lips trailed her neck.

"You are magnificent..." He breathed, moving his left hand down her thigh and against the thin material of her pajama shorts. Two digits gently slipped past her panties and inside her, his lips never moving from her neck.

"I never got to tell you how good it felt being inside you... feeling you all around me.." He whispered, moving his fingers slowly with the rhythm of his voice. Reece captured his mouth with her own and kissed him passionately, moaning against his lips as his fingers slipped deeper inside.

She sat up slowly, never breaking her kiss as he removed her t-shirt; running his hands down her chest to cup her breast in each hand. She was so warm against his flesh - not scalding hot against his once cool skin.

This had never happened before. He had only had sex when he was a vampire but now... now things were so much different. The thought alone almost sent him over the edge - knowing that Reece would be the first person he was with as a human.

"I need you.." Spike murmured suddenly, looking into Reece's lust filled eyes as she searched his face.

"Core, luv. I want to feel you... so bad..."

She kissed him again, slowly standing to her feet - now in front of him - giving him room to remove the rest of his garments. Spike looked up in amazement, never taking his eyes off Reece as she slowly slid her panties down her legs.

He stared at her body for what seemed like an eternity before he stood and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him as flesh met flesh. Reece fell into his embrace as he returned her to the couch and moved over top of her again.

In one quick movement he was inside of her - his face buried in the bend of her shoulder for support as she moved her hips against him, causing his breath to become shallow and demanding in his lungs. He could feel his heart beating now, loud in his chest as she moved beneath him - their eyes locked in a passionate stare.

Spike pressed his lips against Reece's slowly, barely touching her tongue with his as he thrust inside of her - moving at a painfully slow pace that left her begging for more. She was so close - he could feel her tightening around him.

"I want you to come for me, luv." Her body tensed at his words, causing her to cry out his name repeatedly once his fingers found her core again, working with his dick to bring to the most pleasure possible. "I want to feel you..."

Reece opened her eyes to look at him, moving her hips with his as waves of pleasure enveloped her body. Her fingers were digging into the muscles of his arms, causing a moan to escape him as he slid his arm beneath her and lifted her hips.

The sensations of him being so deep within her core caused Reece to slip over the edge, holding onto him for dear life as wave after wave of release passed through her. Spike bit into her shoulder roughly, stifling a loud moan as his own orgasm took over his body.

~

Reece laid quietly beside Spike, gently taking her nails down his bare chest as they basked in the after glow.

"I feel you here beside me, underneath my fingertips when I'm touching you.. but I don't understand it. I watched you that day in Sunnydale.. you were gone, so quickly... but now your here."

"This is where I want to be.." Spike murmured, taking her hand and placing it over his beating heart. "Do you feel that? My hearts beating because of you."

Reece smiled, keeping her eyes on her hand.

"You gave up being immortal for me.. that's..."

"I had a choice. I chose to be human so that I could give you the kind of life you deserve. You deserve to be in the world, and in the sun and I want to experience that with you. I love you, Reece."

She looked at him now, feeling his fingers brush away the strands of hair in her face.

"I love you too."

Spike smiled, for once in all the years he had known - he was happy.

"We have forever to spend together." Reece assured, cuddling up into his embrace. He placed his lips on her forehead and closed his eyes. "Yes, we do, love."
------------------------------

Chapter Eleven: Fate

Reece stepped up beside Faith, scanning the area with the senior slayer. Three uber vamps stood off from them, snarling and hunting through the cemetery. It was obvious that The First was back in business.

Buffy gathered the rest of the Slayer's and pointed to the cemetery.

"We stop this before it starts. We'll show The First that it has no chance of rebuilding its army."

The slayer's all spoke quietly among them, fear - excitement running through the crowd.

"Faith, Reece and Kennedy. You will lead the rest of our army into the cemetery. I'm going for the one in the middle. There's only three of them and over twenty of us. This will be easy."

Reece turned her head slightly, smiling as she felt Spike's hands on her waist. He pressed his lips against her hair and took in a breath, "Be careful.." assuring. She nodded and motioned for the rest of the slayer's to follow her lead.

Spike dipped into the cemetery, slinking silently towards the three-uber vampires. He might be human now - but he had a lot of experience with the living-dead.

Buffy ran up to the largest uber vamp - delivering a spinning kick to it's abdomen as the rest of her team piled in - punching and kicking the other two demons.

"Watch your backs!" Faith demanded, elbowing the second largest vampire hard in the face.

Reece spun around on her heals, gasping in horror as a hidden fourth uber vamp grabbed her by the neck - lifting her into the air. She let out a strangled scream, catching Spike's attention from across the graveyard.

"Reece..."

His voice came out only a whisper as he turned away from an uber vamp and took off towards her - running as fast as his legs would allow, yet he wasn't quick enough. Reece was trying desperately to pry her attackers fingers away from her neck - only allowing it better access as he leaned in and sank his fangs into her flesh.

She let out a loud howl of a scream, kicking out with her left foot. The uber vamp stumbled backwards, dropping her to the ground. He snarled and looked up at Spike, grinning wickedly. This demon had a vendetta.

Spike fell back on his heals in shock and anguish as he watched the demon before him lift Reece back into the air, sinking his fangs back into her neck to finish her off.

Reece let out a small whimper as the vampire's eyes shot open - feeling the cool hands against his neck as it snapped violently. Faith stood in the ashes, kneeling down towards the fallen slayer. "Reece..." She whispered, brushing back the hair that had fell in her friends face. Her gasps were quiet and fading, causing Spike to find his legs as he went to her.

"Reece, love.. you're going to be alright.." He whispered, leaning down to her chest. He listened for what seemed like forever before he sat back up, the slight color completely vanishing from his face. He could hear the blood filling up in her lungs, causing her to choke and gasp as she grabbed at his t-shirt.

"I.. I love you... bit, please.. god.. no.."

Her hands suddenly went limp at her sides, her breath becoming slower and shallower. The uber vamp had left only enough blood in her body to cause her to suffer... Spike blinked back his tears, remembering the times he had done the same to his victims.

"If you would have chosen to remain a vampire, you could save her now.. make her like you once were."

A cold hiss of wind sent a shiver down Spike's spine; The First now standing at his side in Drusilla's form.

"The kiss of a vampire can kill a mortal you know, but it can also bring life... to taste her blood, to return to her what my minions have stolen. I guess what they say is true..."

Spike felt the hot tears pouring down his face as Reece's eyes closed slowly and she sucked in her last breath of air - her head tilted to the side, causing Faith to let out a small cry as the girl lying on the ground went completely still.

The First suddenly morphed into Reece's blood soaked form, her smirk changing to an evil grin.

"...good guys always finish last."
-------------------------------

It wasn't supposed to be sunny.

He could feel the warm sting from the sun covering his skin. The sun shouldn't have came out today, as if the world just continued on with one less person in the world. One less slayer from a million. One less girl... yet she wasn't.

Reece was everything to the world - a strong slayer coming to deliver innocence from evil. She was everything to him and now she was cold - as cold as he had been only months ago.

Spike bit his tongue, filling his mouth with his own bitter blood at the thought of his misfortune. The Power's had given him a choice, knowing that Reece would die only days after his decision.

If only he had chosen to remain a vampire, they would be together now, he would have burned the chip inside his head happily to give her life. To make he like him - a creature of the night.

She didn't deserve that.. her forever spent in darkness. She deserved every ray of light that the sun held.

Now he didn't know where she was, lying unanimated inside a small wooden box. Her hair was down, falling against her bare shoulders. Faith had decided on a simple lavender dress. Faith.

Spike turned his head to the side, watching Faith unnoticed as she held a tissue against her nose - trying so hard to control the sobs that threatened to fall. She wiped angrily at her tears, demanding to know why it had been Reece instead of her.

Reece deserved to live.

Faith turned her eyes to the ground and let the sob she had been holding escape her throat, weeping into her tissue as the others gathered. The almighty slayer - Buffy walked slowly towards the casket, turning towards the others.

"This is never easy. Reece... she was special. She had power inside her that none of us could touch. I pray that her soul is resting."

Spike narrowed his eyes. He had known the power within Reece - felt it course through his body when they made love. Felt it all around him when she was there. Fists formed against his sides as he took in a breath, trying to control his own emotion.

"I didn't know it would hurt so much..."

He turned his head, noticing Reece standing beside him - the blood from two nights ago still fresh on her skin.

"..feeling the air slip from your strangled lungs..."

"Shut up." Spike growled lowly, clenching his jaw.

Reece/The First grinned, moving her lips just inches from his ear.

"This is gonna be.. so much fun.."

Spike glanced towards Reece's coffin one last time before turning towards the darkness of the street - disappearing into the abyss without a trace.


The End