Past Glory (Chapters 1 - 5)

[sandyfic]

Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Spike/Buffy
Word Count: ~68,000
Spoilers: S5 up to Tough Love, AU after that although elements of S6 will appear throughout the story.
A/N: For the purposes of this story, the Knights of Byzamtium, although suspecting that the Slayer is protecting the Key, are not aware that Dawn is the Key.
A/N 2: The beautiful graphic was made by Silke.


Chapter 1

When his door slammed against the wall, he opened his mouth to give the Slayer hell. Bint never knocked, just busted in as if she owned the joi... One look at her face and he was hopping off the sarcophagus, going up to her and grabbing her shoulders.

"Buffy, what's wrong?"

She was frightened. No, it was more than that. She was terrified. He'd known Buffy for four years now, and he'd never seen her terrified. Angry, confused, tired, sad, scared, sure he'd seen all those emotions and more. But never terrified.

"She knows, Spike," Buffy whispered. It was as if she were incapable of drawing enough air into her lungs to form words.

Spike felt fear clench at his gut. "What?"

"Glory. She knows Dawn's the Key."

"How? How did she find out?"

"She found us. Me, Dawn, Willow and Tara. Tara started going on about green glowing energy, looking at Dawn." Buffy managed to pull in a gulp of air. "Willow had developed a spell. A way to suck energy out of Glory and feed it back into Tara. She weakened Glory enough that we were able to escape from her, but she knows, and she'll come after Dawn, and I can't protect her, Spike. I can't fight Glory; she's too strong."

Buffy was beginning to hyperventilate, her words rushing out of her almost too quickly to understand. Spike began running his hands up and down her arms in a soothing manner. "Shhh, Slayer, calm down. We'll figure something out. Have you told Giles?"

"Of course I have. But he can't fight her any more than Willow or I can. Willow only weakened her temporarily. She'll get strong again. We have to get away, Spike. I have to take Dawn and leave town. Now."

"Right then. The DeSoto's not running, but I can steal a car and you, me and little sis will hit the highway. Get away from Sunnydale and the Hell Bitch. We'll be fine, pet. I'll take care of you. Both of you."

Buffy was shaking her head. "No. It has to be all of us. Don't you see, Spike? If I just take Dawn and run, she'll come after the others. I have to keep them safe too."

Spike sighed. He'd known as soon as he said it that she wouldn't just go off with him. Of course she'd want her little gang of Scoobies with her. Well, so be it. She'd come to him for help, and he'd help her even if it meant having the entire lot of them tagging along. His mind was already racing, considering and then rejecting one idea after another. When he finally came up with one that he thought would work, he looked down into the tiny Slayer's large, wild eyes.

"So we'll need something bigger than a car, but without too many windows. Wouldn't do for the car thief to burst into flames during the big getaway now would it?" he joked lightly.

"Spike," Buffy started hesitantly.

"Listen to me, Buffy," he said seriously. "We need to get out of town now. That means we steal something fast and leave. No time for moral qualms, pet. We take what we need and we go. Right?"

Buffy bit her lip but nodded her head. She wasn't exactly sure why she had turned to Spike in this moment of crisis. She had just known instinctively that he would know what to do. After all, he had over a hundred years' experience in making a fast getaway when things got too hot. Spike moved away from her grabbing up his duster and flinging it on. Going to a chest he began removing various items and shoving them into his pockets. Tossing a short sword and a crossbow back to Buffy he said, "Just in case we run into any of Glory's scabby little minions." Once he had everything he needed, he led Buffy to the trapdoor that led to his lower chamber.

Buffy was amazed at the sudden change in him. He was acting assured, in charge. It was rather unnerving. She was seeing a Spike she hadn't seen in over a year. The Big Bad in action. Without hesitation she followed him. Once they were in the lower level, he headed for the tunnels that ran under the entire city. "I have an idea of where we can find a getaway vehicle, but we need to make a couple stops first."

"Spike, we don't have time to make stops. Let's just get the car and get out of here, okay? "

"We have time to make these stops, Buffy," he insisted. "In fact us being able to stay hidden from Glory depends on them." Stopping he turned to Buffy and once again held her gently by her shoulders. "You need to trust me, pet. I know what I'm doing."

Buffy looked solemnly at the vampire and nodded. "All right, Spike."

He gave her shoulders a brief squeeze and then turned to lead the way again. At last they came to a door that he opened and entered. Buffy was surprised to find herself in the basement of The Magic Box.

"Spike, what the hell are we doing here? This is one of the first places Glory will look for us."

"We won't be here long, luv. Just need to pick up some things." He quickly climbed the stairs and entered the shop. "You got any money on you?"

"No, but I hardly think Giles will expect us to pay for anything under the circumstances," Buffy snapped. She was agitated, wanting to leave Sunnydale, to get as far away from Glory as possible as quickly as possible.

Spike just walked over to the cash register and gave it a good thump. The cash drawer flew open and Spike pulled money from the till. "How long does Giles think we need to hide out until the Bit's safe?"

"Until after midnight on the twenty-second."

"Okay, while I'm getting the things here we need, you run down to the market and get some other things we'll need. Blood for me, enough for a couple days, a carton of cigarettes, five or six large rolls of aluminum foil and a couple rolls of duct tape. We'll have to stop somewhere on the way and buy the rest of the supplies. Take the tunnels so that anyone watching the store won't see you." Shoving the money into her hands he gave her directions through the tunnels telling her he'd meet her there as soon as he was finished here. Buffy was going to ask him about the aluminum foil, but instead of wasting time she took the money and returned to the tunnels.

As soon as Buffy left, Spike ran up the stairs to the restricted section of the shop. This was where Giles kept the most powerful grimoires and spellbooks. Casting his eye over them, he quickly found the volume he as seeking. Opening it up, he flipped through the pages until he located the proper spell. Reading the archaic language as easily as if it were English, he sighed in relief. Yes, that was exactly the spell he had in mind. Noting the ingredients the spell required he returned to the main floor and began gathering the needed items placing them in a large Magic Box shopping bag.

Buffy was waiting for him surrounded by bags holding the items he'd told her to purchase. Spike gathered them up leaving her unencumbered in case of attack and once again began leading the way through the sewers. After what seemed to Buffy like endless miles of twisting and turning he stopped and set his packages down. Lifting up his hand, he cut her inquiry off before it had even left her lips. Standing taut, it was obvious that he was listening for something. Breathing in through his nose, he sampled the air for scents.

Assured that he could detect nothing he turned to Buffy and said softly, "Wait here, pet." Silently as a ghost he entered an underground parking garage. Buffy watched as he made his way up to a large RV. Reaching into his coat pocket he removed something and then began poking at the door. Seconds later the door was open and Spike was hurrying back to Buffy. Picking up the packages again he told her, "Come on, Cinderella, your carriage awaits."

Buffy quickly found out what the aluminum foil and duct tape were for when Spike began covering the front windshield and side windows. With Buffy helping him, they soon had the front of the RV sun proofed leaving only a space large enough for Spike to see through as he drove. Once they had finished, Spike's head disappear under the steering wheel of the vehicle. She heard a couple clicking sounds and then the motor started. Spike leaned back up with a triumphant grin on his face. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the most outlandish pair of goggles Buffy had ever seen. Placing them on his
face he turned to Buffy and asked, "Where to, pet?"

For the first time that day Buffy smiled. She couldn't help it; he looked so ridiculous. Taking the seat next to him she gave him directions to where the gang was no doubt impatiently waiting.

When the RV pulled up to the curb where the Scoobies stood, Buffy exited the vehicle giving Dawn a hug and ushering everyone inside. Giles stopped when he saw who was sitting at the driver's seat. "What's he doing here," he growled.

"He's helping me."

"We don't need his help," Giles insisted coldly.

Buffy looked at her Watcher and said calmly, "Spike is a member of this team. He's helping me protect Dawn. He stays. Deal with it."

"And I suppose it was his brilliant idea to get this monstrosity as an escape vehicle?"

"We needed something that would carry all of us."

"Might I suggest a van?"

"Tight squeeze for eight people to live in a van for three nights, don't you think, Rupert?"

"I wasn't talking to you," Giles snapped. "Buffy, we might as well have a neon sign flashing over us telling Glory where we are. We need something inconspicuous, not a bloody great motor home."

"Doesn't matter how big something is if no one notices it," Spike smirked.

"And you think no one's going to notice the Sunnydale chapter of On the Road?" Xander asked.

"Not once the witches get done they won't."

"What are you blathering on about?"

"Cloaking spell, Giles."

Giles hesitated for an instant and then said grudgingly, "Yes, well they could probably cast a cloaking spell long enough for us to sneak out of town and get a few miles between us and Sunnydale. The problem arises when the spell wears off. We don't know how many minions Glory has or where they're situated."

"Don't matter how many she has. We stay cloaked until it's too late for her to use the Bit to open that portal."

"Spike, Willow has grown in strength considerably this past year, but she still isn't strong enough to maintain a spell this powerful for over forty-eight hours. I would never even ask her to try."

"Don't need her to maintain it by herself," he answered with as much patience as he was able to muster. "She has her girlfriend there..."

"Who has just recently recovered from one of Glory's attacks and is hardly in any condition..."

"I can help Willow," a soft voice chimed in. "I know I'm not as strong as she is but I'm fine, Mr. Giles, really. I c-can help her."

"There see, she's all better and willing to aid in the cause."

"Even is she is, it's still too..."

"For fuck's sake, Giles, I thought you were the one here with the big Watcher Academy brain. Think outside the box, man. We have Willow, we have Tara, we have you - and I know you've dabbled in the occult even if you aren't very good at it what with botched up truth spells and all." This earned him a glare that he answered with a smirk. "We have demon girl there who knows a thing or two about magic, and we have me. I'm a vampire, Giles, in case you've forgotten. I don't particularly like magic, but I use it when I need to. Between the five of us, we have more than enough power to keep that spell going long enough to hide from that tarted up cunt of a god."

Giles looked around and then slowly nodded his head. "Perhaps you're not the complete waste of space I always thought you were, Spike. Very well, we need to stop by The Magic Box..."

"No, we don't," Spike told him smugly. "Have everything we need here already." Looking at Buffy he said, "Pet, get the bag I stashed under the table and give it to Willow. The spellbook and everything she needs to cast the spell are in the bag. You start the spell, Red, and I'll get this puppy going."

Lowering the goggles into place, he gave them all a wicked grin. "Buckle up, kiddies. Daddy's puttin' the hammer down."

Chapter 2

They drove for several hours on a seldom-used state route that led into the high desert. Spike kept a close eye on the fuel gage. The tank had been full when he started the RV and they had several gallons stored in gas cans in the storage compartment of the coach, but he didn't want to put them in the position of running low on fuel if they needed to make a run for it.

He was sure the cloaking spell would work just as he imagined it would. However since coming to Sunnydale he'd learned never to take anything for granted. His plans always seemed to get fucked up somehow. He could only hope that this plan would work since he was on the side of all that was good and pure this time.

And wasn't that a thought to make a strong vamp cry, he sighed.

"Just where are you taking us?"

"There's a turnoff not too far from where we are now. Leads to what used to be an old mining town. Not much left now, but a couple miles farther on there's an old mine. Mine entrance's boarded up, of course, but I figure we can break it open easily enough. Should be enough room there to park the RV inside out of sight of anyone. We keep hidden and keep the cloaking spell going, we should be fine."

Giles peered ahead though the tiny opening the vampire was using. The desert was starting to dry up now that the first blush of spring was over. Cacti, rocks and sand were the only things visible for mile upon mile. "How do you know about this old mine?" he asked suspiciously.

"Not the most popular bloke in Sunnydale, am I?" Spike shrugged. "Come out this way sometimes when I get fed up getting punched in the nose by the Slayer or dodging demons that got it in for me for killing my own kind. Found this place on one of my trips. Kept it in mind in case I ever needed a hideout from you lot. Course now I'll need to find a new hideout," he grinned.

Giles looked coldly at Spike then turned to join the others filling them in on the information he'd just obtained from Spike.

He was aware when she moved from her seat the instant her butt left it.

"How much longer, Spike?"

"Almost there, Slayer. Turnoff's maybe five miles from here. Then it's another fifteen or twenty miles to the old town and couple miles to the mine. We'll be there in less than an hour."

"Good."

She stood beside him for a few minutes. "Spike?"

"Yeah, pet?"

Buffy remained silent and then said, "Nothing," and moved back to her seat.

Can't say it, can you, luv? he sighed to himself. Can't tell old Spike thanks for helping you save your kid sis. But that's all right, Slayer. I know how you feel even if you can't say the words.

The road they turned off onto was little more than a dirt track. Ruts and rocks caused the RV to sway like a ship on a tempest-tossed sea. Xander began to complaint almost immediately.

"Oh god," he moaned. "Oh, this isn't good." Holding his stomach, his complexion turned a sickly shade of green and cold sweat started to bead on his brow. "Did I ever tell you guys I get motion sickness?"

Willow calmly handed him one of the empty plastic bags that had held groceries. "Here, Xander, just in case."

By the time they finally reached the mine entrance, Xander had thrown up into the bag three times. Everyone was exceedingly happy to leave the confines of the motor home for the fresh air of the desert. The mine entrance was in deep shade so even Spike was able to exit the vehicle and stretch his legs. When Xander went to throw the plastic bag on the ground, Spike snarled, "Bury it, Harris. We don't need anyone spotting your bag o' puke and sussin' out where we are."

Xander glared at the vampire but covered the white bag with dirt and rocks until it was completely invisible.

Going up to the mine entrance, Spike began to pull the boards away. It wasn't as easy as he hoped, but between his and the Slayer's strength, it was soon uncovered. While everyone moved out of the way, Spike backed the huge vehicle into the mine and out of sight of interested eyes. It was a tight fit and there wasn't much room left, but they all heaved a sigh of relief when the motor finally turned off.

Exiting the vehicle once again, Spike went over to Willow and asked, "How's the spell holding out, Willow?"

"Okay for now," she answered checking the crystal that pulsed in her hand. "I think if we give it a boost after we eat dinner we'll be okay again until morning. It'll be easier now that we're not moving."

For the first time that day, Spike really looked at Dawn. She looked worn out, poor kid. Wandering over to where she and Buffy stood he asked, "How you holdin' up, Niblet?"

"Okay, I guess. You sure she won't be able to find us here?" Her voice trembled a little, a combination of fear and fatigue.

"Yeah, we'll be snug as bugs here. No hellgods, no scabby minions, maybe a few mine rats but you're too tough for the likes o' them, so you got nothing to worry about, right?"

Dawn smiled at him and stepped forward as if she were going to give him a hug. Spike stepped back in panic. He was the Big Bad, damnit! He did not get hugs from little girls.

Buffy smiled as if knowing what was going through his mind. Running her hand through her sister's hair, she said, "I'm hungry. How about you?"

"Yeah. I think I could eat something now."

Willow handed the cloaking crystal to Giles and she and Tara went with Buffy to help prepare something to eat. Everyone else wandered around stretching legs and just enjoying the chance to relax for the first time in what seemed like years.

"Be careful you don't step too far away from the entrance," Giles called out to Anya and Xander as they began exploring the area. The cloaking spell only has about a fifty-foot range from where the crystal is located. As long as you stay within the spell's parameters, no one or nothing will notice us." The couple nodded being careful not to step too far away. Dawn sat down on a rock beside Giles and leaned against him. Giles automatically wrapped his arm around the girl allowing her to lean into his side.

Glancing over to where Spike stood smoking a cigarette, he told the vampire, "This is a good place, Spike. I think we'll be safe here."

Spike merely nodded to Giles being very careful not to show how pleased he was at the Watcher's words.

A few minutes later Buffy stuck her head out of the RV to let them know that the food was ready. The meal consisted of sandwiches, chips and bottled water. They had made one stop on the way up here so that they could purchase groceries, a Coleman stove and lamps and several ice chests and ice. It was impractical to keep the generator going in order to use the RV's appliances. When Spike joined the others, he was surprised when Buffy handed him a plastic cup of blood. He hadn't expected her to fix him his meal too. They share a brief smile before Buffy turned away to join her friends at the table.

"We'll have to carefully ration our food and water the next couple of days," Giles was telling them. "And I'm afraid that means there will be no extra water available for washing up."

"Okay, can I be the first to say 'ew'?" Xander quipped.

Spike snorted, "Yeah, well just be thankful you don't have vamp senses, Harris. After two days of you lot stinkin' up the place, I may be ready to take a walk in the sun."

"Okay, now can I be the first to say 'yay'?"

"Bite me, Harris."

"You wish, Spike."

"Xander, are you developing sexual feelings for Spike?"

"Anya!"

Spike just shook his head and turned to leave the vehicle. He had brought them here because it was the only place he knew of that was isolated and hard to find. He was sure that Glory or that group of Monty Pythonesque knights wouldn't be able to track them here, that Dawn would be safe. But by all the evil powers of the universe, he just didn't know how he was going to be able to stand being confined with the lot of them for the next two days.

He was smoking yet another cigarette when Buffy came and stood by his side.

"Eastern exposure," she said quietly.

"Yeah."

"Giles tore the aluminum foil off the windows so we could keep an eye on the mine entrance. You'll need to make sure you're not near the front of the motor home come morning."

"Yeah. I can go back into the mine a ways. No sunlight will hit me there while I sleep."

"I guess." She was silent for a minute then said, "Dawn and I are going to use the bedroom in the back of the RV. You could sleep there too, if you wanted. If you don't mind sleeping on the floor, that is."

Spike looked at her in surprise. She shrugged and blushed a little. "You saved us, Spike."

"Haven't saved you yet, Slayer. Don't get too complacent and don't forget how many times you and your Scoobies foiled my every plan since I came to Sunny soddin' dale."

Buffy grinned and said, "Yeah, but that was me and my friends, not some, how did you put it? Oh yeah, tarted up cunt of a god."

Spike looked at her in surprise. It was the first time he had ever heard her use a word stronger than "hell" or "damn". Giving her an evil grin, he teased, "That's it, pet. Stick with me and I'll give you a whole new vocabulary."

"Great," Buffy said dryly. "Does that mean I'm going to start saying "soddin" this and "bloody" that?"

"Oh, I know more words than that, luv."

They continued smiling at each other until Willow stuck her head out of the door. "Uh, Spike, we could use you for the spell boost now."

Glancing at the redheaded witch he answered, "Be right there." Turning back to Buffy, he said, "Duty calls. You staying out here?"

"For a while."

"All right, but stay close to the mine entrance. Don't want anyone spotting you while we're doing the spell."

"Okay."

Spike looked at Buffy for a while longer wanting so badly to take her into his arms, hold her, both give and take comfort.

Instead he turned on his heels and went to help Giles with the spell.

Unsurprisingly there was an argument when Buffy announced that Spike was to join Dawn and her in the bedroom that night. Buffy however was firm. "He can't stay up here because we're facing east. He could get caught in the sunlight. He'll be safer in the back with me and Dawn."

"If he's afraid of the rising sun, he can sleep in the mine itself, Buffy. There is absolutely no reason why he should share quarters with you and Dawn."

"I'm not having him sleep in that filthy mine, Giles. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be here. Glory may already have found Dawn. He's sleeping with us and that's final!"

Looks of consternation were exchanged all around, but the argument was dropped. Everyone recognized the voice of Stubborn!Buffy. No amount of argument would dissuade her.

He waited until the girls had changed into their sleepwear and then joined them in the bedroom. A murmured threat from Giles was brushed off with the contempt it deserved. Did the pillock really thing he would try to do something to Buffy with her little sister sleeping beside her and all her friends only a few feet away? He may be evil, but he wasn't completely stupid.

Normally he wouldn't have considered going to bed this early, but with everyone else preparing to turn in, he knew that he really had no choice in the matter. He didn't want to hang around outside all night and watch the stars. And he was tired enough that he figured he'd be able to fall asleep fairly quickly.

Entering the bedroom, he saw that both girls were in bed with the covers pulled all the way up to their chins like virgins in a Victorian romance novel. Lying down on the floor at the foot of the bed, he listened to the rustling as the girls got themselves settled and then turned out the Coleman lamp."

"Good night, Spike."

"Good night, Niblet. Good night, Slayer."

"Night, Spike."

He lay there for several hours just listening to the steady heartbeats and regular breaths of the two most important people in his world. At long last sleep overcame him.

Chapter 3

It was late the next morning before he finally awakened. The bedroom was empty and he could hear small sounds of activity coming from the living area of the RV. Standing up and smoothing the wrinkles out of his duster, he left the bedroom. Dawn glanced up at him from where she sat alone at the table playing solitaire. "Nice hair," she grinned.

"What?" he asked, anxiously raking his hands through the unruly mop of curls.

"We didn't bring any hair gel. You're going to look like a poodle before we leave here, you know that don't you?"

Spike flashed her some fang and Dawn laughed. Getting up she rummaged around in a bag and pulled out a toothbrush. Taking up a half empty bottle of water, she poured a measure into a cup and handed toothbrush and water to Spike.

"Here. You can brush your teeth in the bathroom. There's some toothpaste already in there."

"What makes you think I want to brush my teeth?"

"Okay, ew, Spike. We may not be able to wash with anything but Wet Ones, but we don't need stinky breath adding to the smell. Especially blood breath. Go. Brush."

Sighing as if he were being sorely put upon, he entered the tiny bathroom and proceeded to brush his teeth. Opening a package that contained a pre-moistened towelette, he wiped his face and hands.

Using the tiny bit of water he saved from the cup Dawn had given him, he tried to smooth down his hair. He was pretty sure it hadn't worked. By the time he left the bathroom, Buffy was sitting beside her sister. She smiled when she saw him. "Hi. Did you sleep okay?"

"Fine, Slayer. Uh, where's the blood?"

Getting up, Buffy went to the ice chest that held the blood, removed one of the containers and handed it to Spike. There was just enough blood left to make one meal so Spike drank directly from the container. No need to use up their limited supply of plastic cups.

"We checked around this morning a bit," Buffy was saying. "Just to make sure there weren't any signs of anything snooping around. It looked clear."

"That's good, pet."

"The entrance is still too sunny for you right now, but it should be in shade in another hour or so. Maybe you can sniff around then. Make sure you don't smell anybody but us."

"Yeah. Good idea."

They fell silent, just looking at each other, suddenly shy. Dawn rolled her eyes. Honestly you'd think that they'd never been mortal enemies, they were acting so lame. Deciding to break the weird mood, she said, "So Spike, you gonna leave that gross blood container right there on the table?"

He jerked as if being brought back to reality. "Uh, no, 'course not. I'll just put it..." Twisting around, he tried to find someplace to throw the used container.

"Here, give it to me," Buffy smiled. "Giles has ordered us to put our trash in a bag located back in the mine a ways. We get to walk past it on our way to the latrine he's designated. And can I just say that is by far the grossest thing ever?"

"See, luv," Spike smirked. "That's the advantage of being a vampire. Eternal good looks, super strength and no latrines."

Buffy rolled her eyes, "And of course the whole bursting into flames if the sun hits you is not a disadvantage?"

"More an inconvenience than a disadvantage, I'd say," he joked. "'sides, I'd probably just freckle anyway."

"Yeah, too bad I kicked your ass and took away your ring before you had a chance to find out, isn't it," Buffy snorted. Turning away from him, she left the RV and headed to the trash bag.

Spike sighed and sat down beside Dawn. There was just too much history between them. Most of it bad. He should just give up any hope at all that she'd feel for him what he felt for her.

"Jeez, are you going to get all lovesick and mopey now? 'cause really? I don't want to see it."

""m not lovesick," Spike protested.

"Sh'yeah, right. God, Spike, for a monster, you're pathetic."

"Hey!"

Dawn just smirked at him, and then suddenly she grew serious.

"Spike?"

Spike was instantly aware of her mood change and tilting his head asked, "Yeah?"

"This, what you did, getting this RV, bringing us here, thinking about that spell, just everything. I..."

"Don't worry about it, Niblet. I needed to get out of town for a while anyway. Gamblin' debts, you know. This just gave me a good excuse, 's all."

Dawn smiled at him and blinked back tears. Spike felt his unbeating heart give a little lurch. Shit! What was it about these Summers women that made him love them?

The mood was broken when the Scoobies decided it was time to troop into the RV and eat lunch. Spike retreated into the back bedroom; both to give them room to eat and to get away from them. Even if he no longer hated them, a little of them went a long way. Sitting down on the bed and leaning against the headboard, he could hear the murmur of conversation coming from this strange group of humans that had inexplicably become such an important part of his life.

Strange how things worked out. Just a year ago he'd been trying to kill the lot of them. Well, not Joyce or Dawn, strangely enough. But the others? Yeah, woulda killed them all without a second thought. And now here he was, the Slayer's pet vampire. And she'd come to him for help. He'd never have believed that would ever happen. Especially after what he'd done when Dru came to town.

And now that he thought about it, he could see where he'd really buggered things up royally. Funny to think that the thing they were all hiding from now was the very thing that had brought Buffy back into his life. If Glory's minions hadn't snatched him believing him to be the Key, if Glory hadn't tortured him to get him to tell her who the Key was, if Buffy hadn't rescued him--to keep him quiet, not to save his hide; he was well aware of that--if she hadn't pretended to be the 'bot and found out that he would have died rather than reveal that Dawn was the Key, if none of that had happened, he wouldn't be here now. She wouldn't have come to him for help. She wouldn't have smiled at him.

She wouldn't have asked him to sleep at the foot of her bed like her favorite hound.

Spike closed his eyes and shook his head. Dawnie was right. He really was a pathetic git. But it didn't matter. Dawn and Buffy were his girls. They may not know it. They may not want it. But there you were. They were his and he would protect them with his unlife if need be.

While he was deep in his thoughts, the door opened and Dawn stuck her head in. "You sleeping again?"

"No. Lunch over already?"

"I'm done. Not hungry much. I thought maybe you'd like to play a game of Gin Rummy while everyone finishes eating." She held up the deck of cards she'd been playing with when he gotten up earlier. He looked at her and could see the tension behind her eyes. She was trying so hard to be brave. Once again he felt that pull at his heart he just couldn't explain. Sometimes he wondered if the monks were responsible. Maybe. Didn't matter really.

"Yeah, all right."

She smiled and settled crossed-legged on the bed. He sat up and mirrored her, took up the cards, shuffled and dealt. The door opened again a while later and Buffy entered. "What're you guys up to in here?" she asked with no concern in her voice at all.

"Gin Rummy," Spike answered not looking up from his hand. "Your sister owes me twelve hundred dollars so far. She says you're good for it, Slayer."

"Uh huh. How about I don't stake you for teaching my sister to gamble and we call it even?" she said dryly. Spike gave Dawn a stern look. "You see?" he said in mock seriousness. "I told you she'd welsh out of it." Dawn stuck her tongue out at him and then grinning at Buffy said, "Everyone done eating now?"

"Yeah." Buffy couldn't help but notice that Dawn looked more relaxed than she had in days. Addressing Spike she said, "The mine entrance is in shade now if you want to go out." Spike nodded, laid down his hand and went out to check for any hint that they were being watched.

He smelled nothing but Scoobies and animals. No demons, no strange humans. Everyone relaxed just a bit more. The cloaking spell was working perfectly. Anya and Willow had renewed it that morning. He and Giles would renew it that evening. Then one more day and night and Dawn should be safe. He hoped.

The following twenty-four hours got to be a little rough. Too many people in too close quarters with little to do. Tempers began to flare. Spike and Xander sniped at each other, Anya was petulant because Xander wouldn't go with her deeper into the mine so they could have sex, Buffy was getting restless and wanted to kill something, Giles was bored and snapped at both Spike and Xander to please, for the love of god, just shut up, Willow studied the spellbook Spike had brought and wanted to try different spells and pouted when Giles refused to allow her to experiment and Tara tried to keep everyone calm and occupied, which just irritated everyone even more.

Surprisingly the only one who didn't cause disruption was Dawn. But then she was just so scared that all her energy was focused on not falling apart. She and Spike retreated periodically to the bedroom to play cards. When Giles questioned Buffy about it she simply told him that being with Spike calmed Dawn down. He wasn't happy with it, but he had to admit the vampire was helping her keep her spirits up.

As the time came closer to Glory's deadline, everyone became silent and edgy. Spike was outside the motor home, crouched down and hidden, watching for any signs that someone was approaching the mine entrance. Buffy had remained inside to guard Dawn. As midnight approached, Spike felt as though his nerves were thrumming. He couldn't remember ever being this tense. He and Giles had once again renewed the cloaking spell after everyone had eaten dinner. The crystal pulsed with the magics passing through it, alerting everyone that the spell was indeed working. Midnight came and went and they were safe. An hour passed and then another. There was no sign that anything had located them. It was well into the third hour of the morning when Buffy came to the motor home door.

"Spike?" Her voice was inaudible to anyone not having vampiric hearing.

"Yeah, luv?" he murmured.

"Anything?"

"Quiet as the grave."

"Giles says it's over. The window of opportunity has passed and there won't be another one for a thousand years. Dawn's safe." Spike lowered his head into his hands. He was trembling with relief and quickly wiped away the tears that threatened to fall. He was an evil vampire, and evil vampires did not shed tears over the safety of little girls.

Standing up, he drew in a calming breath and then walked over to join the others in the coach. As soon as he entered the RV, his arms were full of weeping girl.

"Thank you, Spike," she sobbed.

Disconcerted, he nonetheless clumsily patted her back. "Shhh, Niblet. None of this now."

Buffy gently pulled her sister away from him. "Come on, Dawnie. I think it's time we went to bed, okay?"

"Okay. You coming, Spike?"

He knew he couldn't stand to be with them right now. He'd want to join them in the bed, hold them close to him while they slept. Better he waited until they were asleep and he'd bested these strange unwanted tender emotions that the girl's hug had filled him with.

"Not yet. I'm going to keep watch until daybreak. Just to be sure. But you go ahead and get your beauty sleep."

Turning around he went back to his place of concealment. He was surprised when Giles joined him shortly thereafter.

"You've done very well for yourself, Spike. I congratulate you on your planning and foresight."

Spike turned his head and looked steadily at him. "I know you think I'm nothing but a fuck up, Giles, but I'm not nearly as incompetent as you'd like to think."

"Yes, I'm aware of that. Thank you for reminding me." And with that the Watcher returned to the motor home to prepare for bed.

Chapter 4

Spike awakened when the motor home hit one of the deep ruts on the road that led from the mine. He had silently entered the bedroom shortly before first light. Buffy and Dawn slumbered peacefully in the bed and Spike had stood watching them for several minutes until Buffy had rolled over muttering in her sleep. He wasn't sure if her slayer's senses were warning her that she was being watched by a vampire, but he didn't want to get caught staring at her either so he quickly settled himself on the carpeted floor. As had happened the night before, he allowed their heartbeats to lull him to sleep.

When he awakened his sense of time informed him that it was still day, early afternoon probably. Rising from the floor he exited the bedroom to see Giles at the wheel with Xander sitting beside him. Keeping well back from the streaming sunlight he nodded greetings to the women and headed into the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. When he returned, he found a cup of blood waiting for him.

Dawn was glowing, all smiles and good cheer. It made Spike happy to see her so joyful again. As she bounced around, talking a mile a minute Spike raised an eyebrow at the Slayer and asked, "What'd you do, Slayer? Shoot her up with sugar?"

"Hey!" Dawn cried, smacking Spike on the arm. "I'm just in a good mood."

"I'm sure you are, snacksize," he grinned taking a drink of blood. "So Rupert decreed it was all right to head home, did he?"

Buffy nodded her head. "Yeah, since Glory's window of opportunity has passed, he figured there was no need to wait any longer." Spike was sure the Watcher was right. He only hoped the Knights Who Say Ni gave up searching for the Key too. Glory's minions he could fight but the Knights were human.

Giles had had Willow and Tara recast the cloaking spell before they left the mine. "There's no need to get arrested for driving a stolen vehicle," he had pronounced. After dropping off everyone but Willow, Tara and Spike he drove the motor home back to the underground garage. They had cleaned out the RV as best they could at a truck stop outside of town. Now Giles had Willow cast another spell to remove the remaining traces of their occupancy. The owner would have to have the ignition fixed and the fuel tank filled, but otherwise the RV was no worse for wear. Giving Spike a cursory nod, Giles walked towards the entrance of the garage. Willow quickly handed the cloaking crystal to Spike. "Here Spike, we need to be visible. Giles is calling a taxi to take us home." And then with a wave goodbye the two girls ran after Giles.

Spike stood there alone watching them hurry away from him. Well what did you expect, mate? he mused to himself. Did you really think they'd be all over you with gratitude? You're still just the evil undead. Swinging around, he headed into the sewers.

With any luck he'd run into a demon or two. He felt like killing something.

***

He hadn't expected her that night, so when his door banged open he looked up in surprise. "Slayer. Something wrong?"

"Yeah, I haven't patrolled in almost a week and the monsters are taking over the town. Wanna go kill something?"

His answer was a huge grin. Grabbing duster and weapons, he followed her out into the night.

"Where's Dawn? You didn't leave her home alone did you?"

"Nah. First thing she did when she got home was call Janice. Janice invited her to spend the night." Buffy tossed Spike an ironic grin. "I figured she pretty much had her fill of me and the gang, so I let her go."

"Good thinking, pet. Any signs of scabby minions or knights?"

"Nope. Looks like everyone left town. I thought that maybe we'd take a pass by Glory's penthouse. Check it out for occupancy."

"Fuck, Slayer. If I'd known you were going to suggest that, I'd have charged up that cloaking crystal."

Buffy grinned at him. "Not scared of a little hellgod, are you, Spike?"

"Yeah, go ahead and laugh, Summers, but if you'd had that skank's finger digging into your vitals, you wouldn't find it so funny."

Buffy winced a little at the description. "Spike, I..."

"Now don't get all maudlin on me, Slayer. It hurt a little, but I'm a big vamp. I got over it."

Buffy drew in a big breath, "Yeah, okay."

They were silent after that, dusting a few vampires they came across and checking out strange noises that turned out to be a couple of necking teenagers. After giving them a lecture about the foolishness of hanging out in cemeteries after dark, Buffy ordered them to go home. Spike was pretty sure they obeyed her command. The double-headed axe she carried may have had something to do with it.

It was while they were headed in the direction of Glory's lair that they came upon the tower. Buffy's neck hurt from tilting it back far enough to see to the top.

"What is this thing? I don't remember ever seeing it here before."

Spike stepped into the area around the bottom of the tower. Sampling the scents that remained there he told her, "I smell humans, Glory's minions and Glory herself. Old smell. Almost twenty-four hours. I think we've found where Glory was going to bring Dawn."

They climbed to the top of the tower and stood gazing at the platform that jutted out into nothingness. Buffy cautiously walked out to the end of the platform closely followed by Spike. She thought she would throw up when she reached the end. Straps hung down from posts on either side of the platform and a hole strategically cut in the decking made it obvious that this was where Dawn was to have been sacrificed, where her blood was to have been drained from her body so that a portal to Glory's home dimension would open. A low moan escaped from Buffy's throat and she felt strong hands holding her
tight against a firm body.

"It's all right, Buffy. We saved her from this."

Buffy suddenly tore herself from Spike's grasp. Dropping the axe, she reached out and grabbed the straps ripping them free and flinging them away from her. Lifting up a leg, she kicked at the bars, knocking them loose. The tower began to sway as she mindlessly ripped away at the steel. Spike reached forward and grabbed onto her, pulling her away from the rapidly deteriorating edge of the platform.

"Buffy! Buffy, stop it!"

She fought him, pushing him away, hitting out at him. Spike held onto her, desperately pulling her after him as he made his way to the stairs. The tower creaked and groaned, the swaying increasing as it began to tear apart more and more. Grabbing onto her shoulders, Spike shook her mercilessly, her head snapping back and forth as he called her name.

"Buffy! Listen to me! This thing is falling apart. We need to get down. Now!"

When it was obvious that she wasn't hearing him, he pulled back his fist and delivered a hard blow to her face. The chip fired immediately, sending wave after wave of pain through his brain, but the punch brought Buffy back to her senses. Finally realizing the danger they were in, she helped Spike stand upright as he recovered from the shock.

"Come on, Spike," she cried out. "Let's get off this thing."

As quickly as they could they ran down the steps dodging falling pieces of tower. As soon as they reached the ground they ran into the street stopping only when they were far enough away to avoid the now collapsing tower. With a groan of steel the tower tilted over and died.

"I don't think Xander would have approved of the workmanship there," Spike joked weakly.

"I want to kill her, Spike. I want to destroy her."

"I know, pet. Come on. Let's make sure the bitch has left Sunnydale."

The penthouse was empty of habitation although closets and drawers overflowed with expensive clothing.

"She left all her stuff. Do you think she's coming back?"

"The beast is contained."

Buffy and Spike swung around to face one of the knights that had been dogging Buffy's footsteps for weeks now. He was a middle-aged man with the same tattoo prominently displayed on his forehead as the other knights she had faced.

"What do you mean?"

"When she was unable to complete the sacrifice, she lost the power to escape her host."

"Host? What host?"

"When she was ousted from her dimension, she was placed in the body of a human child. We have never been able to discover who this child is. The child had complete control over Glorificus until recently when the time came near that the portal could be opened. Now that that time has passed, the human host has again regained sovereignty. When the host dies, so will Glorificus."

"You're sure about this?"

"It is our duty to be sure."

"And your search for the Key?"

"The Key is the link. The link must be severed. Such is the Will of God."

Buffy stepped forward, a cold, hard light in her eyes. "You can take your religious war and leave Sunnydale now."

"We believe the Key remains here."

"I really don't care what you believe. Glory's gone. Whatever the Key is it doesn't matter anymore. I want you out of my town."

"You are a foolish girl. The fact that Glorificus has missed this opportunity does not negate the power of destruction the Key holds. It must be destroyed."

"The Key's only power was in opening that portal. The portal cannot now be opened. Leave."

"We will leave, but our search for the Key will continue. It is a force of chaos that must be destroyed. Eventually we will find it. When we do, we will do our duty."

"And if I see any more of your Knights hanging around Sunnydale, I may just forget I don't kill humans."

The two adversaries stared at each other for a long while until the Knight turned and marched out the door. Buffy stood stiffly, hands clenched into fists, gaining control over her emotions. When she had calmed down, she turned to Spike.

"Let's get the hell out of here."

Chapter 5

"Dawn, get your butt down here! Giles is waiting." Turning to her Watcher Buffy said, "Thanks for going to the lawyer with us, Giles. I've been putting this appointment off because of Glory and everything, but I guess it's time to get all the legal business over with."

"Yes, you really need to get your financial affairs in order. I'm happy to help."

When Dawn finally came down the stairs, the group left the house. Joyce's lawyer had attempted to make several appointments with the Summers girls since the death of their mother. Buffy hadn't felt able to deal with it, still reeling from Joyce's death and the discovery that her little sister was actually a mystical Key. She still wasn't sure she could have handled it if Giles hadn't agreed to come with them

They were ushered into the lawyer's office after only a short wait. Walter Weston was a middle-aged man of average height, graying hair and gold-rimmed glasses. He smiled warmly as his secretary announced the two girls. When he looked inquiringly at Giles, Buffy explained,

"I hope you don't mind Mr. Weston, but I asked Mr. Giles to come along. He's a family friend that's been helping me deal with everything since mom died."

"Ah, of course. Please everyone have a seat. Do you wish anything to drink? Coffee? Soda?"

All three declined and after the secretary left, Mr. Weston opened a file in front of him. "First of all, please accept my sincere condolences on the death of your mother. I found her to be an admirable woman."

Both girls gave him watery smiles, unable for the moment to verbalize a reply.

"Yes, well, I'm glad you were able to make the appointment. We have a great deal of business to discuss. First of all there is the probate of your mother's estate. I've filed the Will already, but we need to make an appointment to get her personal effects appraised. That would be the house and furnishings, car, clothes and jewelry, artwork, et cetera. I've a list from her of all her financial assets. I believe this list is up-to-date as your mother came to me to update her Will shortly after she learned she had to have surgery."

"Mom came to see you?" Buffy asked surprised.

"Yes. As I said, an admirable woman. She wanted to make sure everything was in order should the worse happen. So as far as the probate goes, if you will permit, I will make arrangements with her executor to schedule the appraiser."

"Okay, I guess?" Buffy said, looking at Giles for guidance.

"The appraiser will be bonded, I presume?" Giles asked.

"Yes, of course."

Giles nodded and Buffy turned her attention back to the attorney.

"Excellent. Now that we have that taken care of, let's move on to more important matters shall we? Mainly the guardianship of the younger Miss Summers."

"Dawn stays with me," Buffy stated emphatically.

"And that was your mother's wish also," Mr. Weston stated. "However, your father is still alive and competent to assume guardianship should he decide to sue for custody."

"Since we haven't seen him in over a year, haven't even been able to get in contact with him since before mom got sick, I hardly think he'll care enough to sue for custody," Buffy said coldly.

"Yes, well, be that as it may, it is still something you must keep in mind. We will use that argument should it become necessary, but I must warn you Miss Summers, the law would be on your father's side."

Buffy had plans on how to deal with that eventuality.

"However, at this point Mr. Summers has not answered any communications sent to his Los Angeles office. We have been informed that he is in Spain and that our letters have been forwarded to him. If he does not wish to exercise his parental rights, you should have no problem receiving legal custody of you sister."

"Good."

Weston gave Buffy a kindly smile. "And now for the final piece of business. Your mother also left a life insurance policy that names the two of you as beneficiaries. I need you to sign the forms so that I can make the claim for the proceeds. Your half, Miss Summers, will come to you directly since you are over eighteen. Dawn's must be put into trust."

Turning to Giles, he said, "Mr. Giles, if you don't mind, I would like to speak to the Misses Summers in private."

"Of course," Giles said beginning to rise from his seat.

"No," Buffy insisted. "Whatever you have to say to us, I prefer you say in front of Giles."

Weston looked uncomfortable for an instant, but conceded to his young client's wishes. "Very well. Mrs. Summers named you as one of the Trustees to be in charge of your sister's money. She named Mr. Giles as the other. However, if you do not wish Mr. Giles in that position, we can petition the court for a change in Trustee."

"No, that's great. Giles? Is that okay with you?"

"Yes, of course, Buffy."

"Excellent. I'll have the papers drawn up and you both can return to sign them. Now if you'll sign these documents I can forward the claim."

As the papers were signed, Buffy asked, "Can I ask how much the insurance is and how long it will be before we get it? Things are kinda tight right now, and we could use a little extra cash."

Weston looked at her in surprise. "Your mother didn't tell you how much life insurance she carried?"

Buffy shook her head. "Uh uh. I knew she had some, but not how much."

"Miss Summers, your mother's life insurance policy is for one million dollars."

***

"Wow, a million bucks!"

This was the third time that Xander had made the same observation in fifteen minutes. She was still a little overwhelmed herself. Everyone had dropped over that afternoon to offer Buffy moral support after the emotional strain of the visit to the lawyer. They were all reeling from the news.

"I never even knew," Buffy said softly. "Mom wanted to discuss all this stuff before she went in for the surgery, but I just didn't want to hear it. It was hard enough when she told me what she wanted for her funeral." Buffy's voice cracked at the remembered pain of those days just a few short weeks ago. "I guess that's why she went to see the lawyer. I didn't want to talk about it."

Everyone made sympathetic noises. They all loved her dearly, but knew quite well that Buffy had never been talky girl.

"This means you can go back to college in the fall, Buffy," Willow said with a smile. "You could even take some courses this summer to catch up."

"Yeah, I was planning on looking into that. Dawn's gotta take some summer classes too to make up for the incompletes she received after Mom died. Giles says that'll look good to the court when I petition for custody."

Dawn had made a face when Buffy mentioned summer school but didn't say anything. She was willing to do whatever was necessary to make sure she stayed with Buffy.

The gang hung around talking about Buffy and Dawn's plans for the future until it was time for Buffy to get ready for patrol. Willow and Tara offered to take Dawn with them to spend the night, so Buffy didn't have to worry about leaving her alone. That was a problem that needed to be solved. Dawn insisted that she was old enough to stay by herself while Buffy patrolled, but Buffy noted Dawn's look of relief when the girls had invited her to stay over. After everyone left, Buffy changed clothes and gathered her weapons.

She had meant to patrol alone tonight, but somehow found herself standing in front of Spike's crypt. Shaking her head at where her subconscious had led her, she opened the door and walked in.

Spike was sitting in his chair reading a book. He looked up with a guilty expression on his face and quickly slipped the book under the chair cushion. Buffy decided she didn't want to know what he'd been reading.

"Want me to patrol with you, Slayer?" Spike asked, trying to sound nonchalant. "Just let me get some weapons." After he had armed himself, the two left the crypt and starting walking through the cemetery. Spike glanced at Buffy out of the corner of his eye. She was unusually quiet this evening.

"Something bad happen at the solicitor's today, pet?"

"Mom left Dawn and me a million dollars," Buffy blurted out.

Spike whistled appreciatively. "No money problems, then. Good on Joyce. Smart lady, your mum."

Buffy gave Spike a small smile. "Yeah, she was. I didn't even know about it. She tried to talk to me before she..." Buffy's voice trailed off. "I didn't want to hear any of it," she finished softly.

"Not easy when your mum's sick-like," he said in a way that made Buffy give him a sharp glance. "Still," he continued, "it's always best to know what's what, Buffy. Can't ignore something just 'cause you don't want to deal."

"God, Spike, now you're starting to sound just like Giles."

"No need to get insulting, Slayer," Spike said in an affronted voice.

That got a real smile out of Buffy and Spike hid his own smile. They walked along in silence for a while, stopping once to dust a fledgling rising from his grave.

"The lawyer said Dad could take Dawn from me," Buffy said suddenly.

Spike stopped and stared at her. "Not if I bite him first."

"Spike, you can't bite my dad," Buffy told him calmly. "Your chip would go off."

"Yeah, well I could probably bite him enough before my head exploded to keep him from taking Dawn from you."

Buffy smiled and said, "I don't think we'll need to do anything that drastic, but I may need your help if he does try to get custody."

"Whatever you need, Buffy, you know that. All you need do is ask."

Buffy nodded. It was something she was beginning to understand. It was something she was beginning to depend upon.

She just wasn't sure how she felt about it.

continued