Buffy found herself in a dark room, just inside a ring of candles. In the middle of the ring, was a bed. Laying in the bed was the very familiar form of a certain peroxided vampire.

She approached the bed quickly and placed her warm hand on the muscles of his cool chest, giving him a gentle nudge. His eyes drifted open and she found herself getting lost in a sea of blue. His hand reached out and gently cupped her cheek, his thumb outlining her mouth. Buffy sighed, savoring his touch. Spike slipped his other hand into the silken texture of her hair, pulling her to him.

Their lips met, barely a caress. Spike ran his tongue across her lip, seeking entrance. Her lips parted eagerly, and their tongues battled in a kiss that was filled with passion, fire, and fear. He explored her mouth slowly, memorizing her taste, the texture, breaking away only so she could breathe.

She said nothing as stripped her shirt of and slipped into bed with him., sliding her warm body against his cool one. Holding him close, she studied his features, taking in the beauty that was him. She lightly traced her fingertips across the sharp plane of his cheekbone and down the strong edge of his jaw. He watched her silently, running his hands down her small frame, molding her curves.

Spike rolled onto his back, sliding Buffy over him to straddle his hips. He slid his hands up her rib cage and cupped her breasts. His thumbs ran lazy circles around her nipples, teasing them into hard peaks. A small gasp escaped he lips as she ground her heat against his erection. She leaned down and kissed him as his strong hands gripped her hips. He raised her off of him enough to position himself at her hot opening. He slowly lowered her, and they both groaned as his cool shaft penetrated her heat, searing them both.

She rose above him, setting a slow, torturous rhythm. The candlelight played against her skin, reminding Spike of a Goddess. Her golden hair flowed across her shoulders, and her eyes were glazed with passion. Spike rolled them over until she was beneath him, then captured her mouth once again.

He thrust his hips in long, steady strokes, his tongue setting the same rhythm in her mouth. Buffy buried her fingers in his soft hair as his mouth left hers and trailed kisses down her neck, stopping to nick the skin above her pulse point. He lowered his head to her breast, swirling his tongue around one swollen peak and then the other.

He never wanted it to end, but he felt his climax approaching, instinctively knowing she was close as well. With a cry of each others name, they followed each other over the edge and into peaceful oblivion.

PART 9

"I don't want you to come after me, Buffy." Spike said, a short time later. He had pulled out of her and lay on his side, pulling her close.

"Too bad. I've gotten used to saving you. It's like my second job." She teased.

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

"Bloody hell, woman!" Spike said, tilting her chin to look into her eyes. "I don't want you hurt, luv."

"I am hurt." She sat back. She raised herself on her elbow to see him more clearly. His eyes were stormy, flashing yellow as his temper flared.

"Do you have any idea who she is? What she is?"

"Lilith, Queen Vamp" Buffy answered.

"More like Mother Vamp, Pet." Spike corrected, staring intently into her eyes. "After Peaches had his little run in with her, I decided to find out little more about her myself."

"And?"

"The legends say she was made by God . . . " Spike began, only to be cut off.

"I know. Angel told us. She was supposed to be Adams' first wife, but she was messed up for some reason."

"But did Angel tell you the legends are true. And since she was made by God, she is immune to Holy water and crosses." At Buffy's wide eyed stare Spike gathered he had not. "Her blood is pure vampire. She is not a combination of human and demon like the rest of us. She is as old as time, and you can't kill her."

"Why, every other Big Bad has a weakness. Why not her."

"She's not every other Big Bad, Pet. Don't you get it? GOD created her. And for some reason he made her immortal. If you could get close enough to stake her, the wound would heal as quickly as I would turn to dust. Nothing can touch her, Buffy. Nothing. Don't you think it's odd that Giles never told you about her?" When Buffy numbly nodded her head, Spike continued. "They've always known about her, but have never dared to challenge her. The Council faced extinction if anyone even attempted it. Lilith would systematically hunt down and wipe out each Slayer and watcher, working her way up to the Council until there was nothing left."

"I don't understand. What's the point of having a Slayer then, if not to take out the mother of them all?"

"It's all about balance, luv. Good versus Evil. Can't have o many of us been running around, can you? Te only thing they can do is try to keep the amount of Vamps down so we don't take over/ That is the job of a Slayer. Because until God sees fit, his first mistake isn't going anywhere."

"But, Dracula and Angel survived. How did they do that if she can't be hurt?" Buffy asked, grasping at straws.

"Did the poof tell you that he never laid a bloody finger on her? The way she threw him about was embarrassing. And Dracula survived because she liked him. Got 'er all hot and bothered."

"You're a pig."

"It's true. She was looking for a lover. Dracula appealed to her. He's just as conniving and crazy as she is."

"Was, I killed him, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember." Something about his expression made her nervous. She decided to ignore it for now.

"Then why did you want me to get Angel, if this is all so hopeless?"

"The poofster was supposed to tell you to stay away. I never thought he'd actually help you on this suicide mission."

"I'm not gonna just sit and let her waltz in and mess with my life, Spike. Nobody's gonna kill you but me." She teased, trying to ease the scowl on his face. He obliged her with a slight smile.

"I don't think that's in the cards, luv. I'm begging you, stay away."

"I can't."

"Dammit, woman." He cried, gripping her upper arms and pulling her against him. "Why do you have to be such a stubborn bitch?"

"I've been around you to long." A shaky laugh escaped his lips and he rested his forehead against hers.

"I'd stake myself before I let anything happen to you."

"I know. But I can't just sit still and let you die. Martyrdom doesn't look good on you. And I'm not going to change my mind." She said as he opened his mouth to protest.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I know."

The Slayer and the Vampire woke up with tears streaming down their faces.

PART 10

Angel and Cordelia approached the old warehouse in silence. They did a quick run of the perimeter, noticing nor guards on any of the three entrances. The exchanged a confused look before ascending a fire escape on the south side. Once on the roof, the crossed to an open skylight. They cautiously looked over the edge, being careful not to be seen. What they saw made Cordys' stomach turn violently.

Spike lay in the middle of a huge wooden table. He had deep gouges and burns on his chest that were crusted with blood. His usually handsome face was marred by cuts, and he had a violent bite mark on his neck.

"Oh my God!" Cordelia whispered, gripping her head and backing away from the scene.

"Cordy?"

"Ohmygodohmygodohmygod. I saw this. Angel, I'm so sorry." Cordy had a glazed, panicked look on her face. Angel walked over and gripped her arms to steady her.

"What do you mean you saw this? Did you have a vision and not tell me?" He shook her a little to try to snap her out of her daze.

"No, that's why I didn't tell you. It was a dream. I. . .I just thought it was leftover anger on my part from when he kidnaped Xander and Willow. I never thought it was real. You know, torture the person who brought about the first major life changing moment. I'm so sorry." Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Cordy, it's okay."

"No, it's not. They've changed the rules. No out of nowhere, no migraine from hell. I could have stopped this. I could have stopped this." Angel gathered Cordelia up in his arms as she continued to whimper, stroking her hair and talking softly to her.

Angel felt Cordy fight for control. When she was calmer, she stepped out of his embrace, although her eyes were still swimming with tears.

"I'm okay." She said with a sad smile. Angel reached up and ran a thumb across her cheek. They were within a breath of each other, and Angel heard her heart start to beat faster at his gentle touch. They haven't spoken of the night they'd spent together before leaving L.A. But looking at her now, the images came flooding back. Before he could think twice, he lowered his mouth to hers.

A soft moan escaped Cordelia as she opened her mouth to hi. They stood there, lost in others taste, oblivious to the potential danger they were in. Angel broke the kiss so Cordy could breathe, and gently placed a kiss on her forehead.

"We need to get back." He said. Cordy just nodded, not trusting her voice to speak. She turned away from him and started toward the fire escape. Angel looked back into the building and saw that Spikes' eyes were open and tars were streaming down his face. Their eyes locked and Spikes' widened at the sight of his sire. All of a sudden, Spikes' voice was in Angels' head.

"Don't let her come. Please, don't let her come."

Angel staggered back at the force of his childes' projected thought. He could feel the other vampires' anguish and fear. And his hunger. Lilith was starving him as well as feeding off of him to keep him weak.

"Angel, don't let her come." His childe repeated.

"I'm not going to be able to stop her. And I don't think that I want to. We don't want you to die."

"I'm already dead, Peaches. She's made sure of that."

"Spike. You have to hold on." Angel waited for Spike to answer. When none came, he looked inside again. What he saw would have made his heart stop if it beat. Lilith was standing at Spikes' feet, staring up at the skylight, a lethal smile spreading across her face.

Angel did the only thing he could think of. He turned and ran.

PART 11

Buffy was up pacing again when Angel and Cordelia walked through the door.

She took in Cordy's tear streaked face and Angels' paler than usual pallor and pounced.

"What happened? Did you see Spike?"

"Yeah, we saw him." By the look they exchanged, she knew it wasn't good.

"What?"

"He's pretty messed up, Buffy."

"Well, I didn't think she was going to serve his tea and cookies. He'll heal."

"She's draining him. Slowly." Angel said. Buffy paled, her heart clenching at what Spike was going through.

"Why?"

"To keep him weak, I suspect. He's convinced he's going to die." Angel said weakly, sitting at the kitchen table. He rubbed his hand wearily over his face, taking the mug of blood Cordy pushed on him. "Find something to eat." He told her, before turning his attention back to the Slayer.

"How do you know that? You didn't talk to him did you?" Buffy asked, sinking into the chair next to him.

"No, not exactly."

"Than, what exactly?" Buffy asked, impatient.

"It was strange. When we first got there, he was passed out. After a few minutes, he was awake, crying. He saw me, then it was like, his voice was in my head." Buffys' hand clenched into a fist, digging her nails into her palm.

"What did he say?" she already had a pretty good idea.

"Don"t let her come. Please don't let her come."

"Damn him!" she exclaimed, slapping her fist on the table. "He couldn't convince me, so he sics you on me."

"What do you mean?" Angel asked, grabbing her wrist.

"I had my own experience with him in my head while I was asleep."

"I take it he told you to stay away."

"Mm, huh. Stupid bleached blond vampire. I ought to just leave his ass there." She mumbled.

"I didn't know Spike could project his thoughts." Cordy said sitting in the chair across from Angel. She took a bite out of the sandwich she had made.

"It hasn't happened since I was cursed. We used to be able to do it all the time, we were so close. And he's out of practice. He nearly split open my skull." Angel explained, rubbing the tension in his temples.

"Maybe he was just making sure he had your attention." Cordy suggested.

"Then how could he contact me? I'm not a vampire." Buffy asked.

"I don't know. I've never heard of it before. It's usually only sire/childe that can do it. Unless the vampire was a psychic or empathic before they were turned." Angel said, rising to rinse out his mug in the sink. He turned and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms at his chest.

"Lilith helped him." Cordy stated, staring down at her plate. She began to systematically shred her napkin.

"How do you know that?" Buffy asked quietly. Cordy raised a shoulder in a shrug.

"I just do. I can't explain it." Buffy nodded, not really wanting to push the girl, who looked so. . . . what? Afraid. Buffy was about to ignore her earlier decision when a loud crash resounded from upstairs.

"BUFFY!"

All three sprang into action, racing up the stairs to Willows' room. The three stared in confusion at the scene before them. Anya was picking herself off the floor, brushing food off of her clothes. Willow was on the floor, writhing and in apparently in pain.

"Willow!" Buffy called, rushing to her friend.

"Blood . . . pain. Got to stop her. NOOOOO!" The witch screamed, sending a punch to Buffys' jaw that normally wouldn't have fazed her. It sufficiently knocked the slayer on her ass.

Buffy righted herself and grabbed Willows' shoulder, shaking her violently. The red heads' body stiffened once, then relaxed. Weary green eyes blinked in confusion.

"Buffy?"

"Yeah. What happened?" She asked, helping her friend to her feet and over to the bed.

"I don't know. I was just sitting here, and the next thing I knew all these horrible images rushed into my head. Spike, you and some dark haired woman were all in a twist of limbs. Blood was everywhere. Then all I could think was that I had to stop you." Realization washed over the girls face. She gripped Buffys' arms, panic widening her eyes. "Buffy, you can't go there. She'll kill you."

"I can't not go, Will. He needs me."

"WE need you!"

"Not as much as he does." She saw Willows' look of confusion and turned away. She couldn't explain. Not yet.

"What happened?" Xander asked from the doorway.

"Willow had a dream. It's over now." Buffy turned back to her friend. "We're going back downstairs now. Will you be all right?" The red head nodded her head looking disturbed as they walked out of the room.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Buffy explained what Willow had seen to Xander.

"And you're still willing to do this?" he asked.

"Yeah." Buffy answered. "Did you bring the dart gun?"

PART 12

"Everybody ready?" Buffy asked, looking at each of her companions in the car. They all shook their heads in affirmation. Xander looked pale, Cordy looked nervous, and Angel was in full brood mode. Buffy's face was set in grim determination.

"Alright, let's go over the plan again."

"What plan?" Xander questioned. "I thought it was just play it by ear."

"Well. . . it is. But we don't want it to look like it is." Buffy replied. Since they had no idea what to expect, it was decided that Buffy and Angel would go first, followed by Cordy and Xander. They carried their usual weapons of vampire destruction for whatever minions Lilith decided to set on them. The exception being Xander, who was carrying the tranquilizer gun that was leftover from Oz days.

They chose the front entrance, knowing that catching her by surprise was impossible. They felt, rather than saw the presences around them. Angel and Buffy exchanged confused glances. Why weren't they attacking? Their eyes asked each other. Buffy guessed that Lilith wanted save all the fun for herself.

As they moved into the huge room, Buffy saw Spike, still laid out on the table. Her heart nearly stopped at the sight of so much blood. She scanned the room quickly then seeing nothing, rushed forward. Her Slayer sense was telling her they were surrounded, but so far none had tried to stop their advancement towards Spike. As Buffy reached the table, the three behind her fanned out in a defensive stance, protection her back.

"Spike?" she whispered, gently laying a hand on his cheek, mindful of his gashes. His eyelids fluttered, and his blue eyes sought hers.

"Buffy?" His voice was a hoarse whisper. Buffy held her tears at bay as she inspected his face. His eyes were sunken and his cheeks seemed more hollow than normal. The rather large twin puncture wounds on his neck were still slightly oozing blood, and his skin had turned almost gray. His eyes seemed faded, not as intense or blue as she was used to. He was dying.

Buffy pulled a bag of blood out from underneath her shirt where she had stored it to keep it at body temperature. Unfortunately it was the only one she'd brought.

"Spike, drink this." She held it up so he could see it. His game face immediately slipped into place, and she held it to his mouth. His sharp teeth ripped through the bag and drained it quickly.

"Not enough." He whispered.

"I know." She said, rubbing a hand across his ridged brow. "I'll give you more when we get out of here."

"Not gonna get out of here." He murmured, his eyes drifting closed. They snapped oped again after Buffys' hand connected soundly with his cheek.

"Don't talk like that. Get your dead ass off this table and start walking towards the door. I am NOT going to let you die." She grabbed him by the arms and pulled him into a sitting position, wincing at his hiss of pain. Angel stepped forward to help Spike stand, slipping his am around the younger vampires' waist. Buffys' arm wrapped around his other side as Spike slipped off the table.

That's when they heard the clapping.

"I knew this was too easy." Buffy grumbled.

"Told you, luv. Shoulda just left me here."

"Shut up Spike." Buffy relinquished her grip on Spike and turned to face Lilith.

"So, you're the Slayer? I thought you'd be bigger." Lilith said, stepping into the light.

"I get that a lot."

Lilith started to chuckle, then proceeded to do a perfect back flip off the platform she had been standing on. She walked, more like glided, across the floor to where the small group was standing. Liliths' eyes skimmed over Angel, then away. They quickly went back as she recognized him.

"Angeles. What are you doing here? It's not your turn yet." She asked, sounding genuinely pleased to see him.

"My turn?"

"Oh, never mind. I'm getting ahead of myself." She waved a hand and the table slid out from between them. "So, this is where we fight. Right?" Buffy really wanted to smack the smile right off the bitch's face.

"Leave her alone Lilith." Spike said, raising his head to look at her.

"Why? We're going to have such fun." Lilith said, pulling he bottom lip between her teeth.

"I SAID, leave her alone." Spike ground out, mustering the strength he had left to push his sire away. Then he turned to face the Mother of all Vampires.

"Spike." Buffy started, clutching his hand. He laced his fingers through hers and brought her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles.

"Come on, Lilith. You wanna fight? Fight me."

"Spike!" Angel grabbed his childes shoulder, but Spike shrugged him off.

"Why?" Lilith asked, sliding up to him.

"You're NOT going to hurt her." He hissed through clenched teeth.

"What kind of challenge would you be? You can barely stand on your own." Lilith purred. "Why is so important to you that I don't hurt her, Slayer of our kind?"

"I love her." Spike hissed.

"That's one?" Nobody had time to be confused by her statement because Lilith waved her hand and sent Spike and Angel flying back into Cordelia and Xander. Angel quickly regained his feet, and with a growl rushed at Lilith. With a flick of her wrist, Angel was sent crashing into a wall. He slid bonelessly to the floor.

"ANGEL!" Cordy disentangled herself from Spike and Xander, then rushed over to him.

"Oh, isn't that cute?" Lilith said, chuckling. Buffy had enough. She drove her fist into Lilith's jaw. She was only a little surprised to see that Lilith didn't even flinch.

Lilith turned her glittering green eyes on Buffy.

"So, you do want to play." Lilith backhanded Buffy, sending her sprawling to the floor. Buffy was up immediately, casually dusting herself off.

"Is that all you've got? I expected more from a vampire who's older that dirt."

"Now, now. You know a lady never admits her age." Lilith admonished as they began to circle each other.

"I guess that's true. Especially when said ladies age is well beyond six digits." Buffy smirked. The two femme fatales had been sizing each other up as they traded insults. Buffy's only advantage was that she was small and quick. And since Lilith had vampire speed and agility, things didn't look good for the Slayer.

Buffy was the first to attack. She aimed a succession of jabs and kicks at Lilith's face and torso. She missed every one. Lilith swung, and her fist connected with the underside of Buffy's chin. The Slayer flew across the warehouse, crashing into the far wall. She landed on the floor in a heap, dazed.

"That was easy." Lilith said, shrugging an elegant shoulder. She watched as Buffy climbed slowly to her feet, shaking her head to clear it.

"Tell, me something. Why is a Slayer here to rescue a soulless vampire?" she asked conversationally, crossing her arms over her breasts.

"I'm used to him." Buffy answered non-commitedly. Lilith arched an eyebrow.

"You're 'used' to him? Honey, you get used to an ugly shower curtain. Not a man." Lilith walked over to where Spike was laying on the floor and buried her fingers in his hair. She fisted her hand in the soft tresses, dragging him up to his knees. She knelt next to him, and pulled her hand to bare the side of his neck she hadn't fed off of.

"And this man, has admitted his love for you."

"He's not a man, he's a vampire." Buffy answered automatically, knowing she didn't feel that way anymore.

"Doesn't he have all of his working parts?"

"Yeah. I mean. . . well. . .uhm." Buffy stammered when she saw Xander blanch.

"Oh, would you just quit worrying about what other people think and look inside yourself for answers for once." Lilith spat, finally losing her smile. She tightened her hand in Spike's hair, baring his neck further. She leaned towards him until her lips were a breath away from his skin. Her eyes met Buffy's.

"Tell me why he is so important? Why did you come? I know he told you to stay away?" Lilith watched as Buffy struggled to answer.

"I need him in my life." Buffy said finally, taking a step forward. She watched as Lilith's fangs grew. Buffy had a second to wonder why Queen Vamp didn't go all bumpy like Angel and Spike before Lilith spoke again.

"Not good enough." she growled, sinking her fangs deep into Spikes neck. A hoarse scream wrenched from his throat.

"NOOOO!!" Lilith retracted her fangs when Buffy screamed. What the hell do you want from me? What is this all about?" Lilith released Spike and tossed him against Xander.

"This is about the truth. Let me tell you something, out of all my children, these," Lilith motioned towards Spike and Angel, " are my favorites. They are special. I knew, when Angeles came to visit me that his life was going to take an interesting turn You really should have taken more care with who you fed off of, dear." Lilith spared a glance at Angel. "And then, there is William, who, even without a soul, managed to love one woman, faithfully, for over a century. There is no other vampire on this planet that has done that. NONE. Hell, there are very few human men that can manage it for a year."

"And what does this have to do with me?"

"Everything. You are on special Slayer. You have had the love of not one, but two vampires'. The first you welcome with open arms, ignoring his past and your calling, and embrace the man. Then, you get the opportunity to love another. What do you do? You freak. Worry about what everybody is going to think. Make excuses. He's a soulless demon, he can't love, even though you had evidence to the contrary. He's chipped, which makes him equal to a serial killer in prison. Once released, he'll go back to killing. You don't think he's capable of change, because he's a 'thing'." Buffy's eyes widened. How could Lilith have known about that?

"Oh, I know everything about my boys. And I know a thing or two about you."

"You don't know anything about me." Buffy said defiantly. Lilith walked up to her quickly, stopping within an inch of the smaller woman.

"You came back wrong." She whispered, in a perfect imitation of Spikes' accent. Buffy staggered back a step, her face paling. "And you're terrified because he's your equal again. No more rounds of 'kick the Spike'." Buffy attacked, plowing her fist into Liliths' face. Lilith just smiled. Buffy swung again, only to find her hand caught in a vice like grip. Lilith wasted no time whipping the Slayer around and pulling her flush against her. Lilith caught Buffy's other arm and pinned it behind her, applying pressure until her shoulders threatened to break.

"You know, I don't usually feed off women. Too many lesbian overtones. But, in your case, I'll make an exception." Lilith reared back, fangs glistening in the light. Buffy closed her eyes, praying it would be quick. But the bite never came.

When Lilith had gone for Buffy, Angel had tried to get up, only to sink back into Cordy at as the pain ripped through him. A deep, animalistic growl drew their attention to Spike. The blond vampire was standing, demon on the surface. A howl escaped his throat as he lunged for the vampiress.

"SPIKE!" Angel yelled, struggling to his feet. His childe didn't hear him as he ripped Lilith away from Buffy, mimicking the grip she'd had on HIS Slayer.

Rage clouded his vision as he sank his teeth into the surprised mother vamps neck. Lilith howled, clawing at Spike, but his rage was too strong.

"SPIKE, NO!" Buffy screamed, surging to her feet. She watched in horror as Lilith's claws found purchase in the knotted muscles of Spike's back. She flipped him over, screaming as Spike's fangs ripped her skin, leaving a gaping hole in her neck Lilith stood, blood pumping out of the wound. But instead of finishing off the younger vampire, she backed away, blood pouring down her body.

Nobody paused to wonder at her actions as the madness overtook Spike.

"Angel, grab him." Buffy said, springing into action. "Xander, get the gun ready."

"What about the chip?" He asked, realizing what she was going to do.

"We don't have to worry about that."

Angel fought for a hold on Spike, who was writhing and growling on the floor. Every time Angel would try to pin him, Spike would throw him off. Spike reared up to his knees, and Angel took a chance. Finally, Angel had him in a tight grasp, fighting the pain that he was feeling.

"Buffy." he said in a strained voice. Buffy dropped to her knees and clawed closer to Spike. His gold eyes were wild, and he was making odd half screaming sounds.

"Xander, wait for my signal." She said.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Angel asked her, one last time.

"Very sure. SPIKE!" Buffy slapped him, trying to draw his attention to her. She knew the minute she got it. Spike lunged out of Angels' grip and grabbed Buffy. As soon as his fangs savagely pierced her flesh, she climaxed. The orgasm hit her so hard and so quick, she almost lost consciousness. Buffy raised her hand to the back of his neck, cradling him to her.

"Buffy?" Xander started, sounding nervous.

"Not yet." Her voice was husky. The three waited anxiously. Buffy felt her vision start to blur as her arousal became unbearable. She knew that if she didn't stop him now, when she came again she would die.

"Now." She said, her voice barely a whisper. Xander fired the dart, then a second. When they pierced Spikes' skin, the vampire released Buffy and sprang towards Xander. He collapsed before he reached him. The remaining three acted quickly, Angel grabbing Spike in a fireman's carry, Xander scooping up the barely conscious Buffy. They walked out, Cordelia in the rear. None cared where Lilith had gone.

PART 13

In the alley behind the warehouse, Lilith watched as the trio transferred the vampire and the slayer into the car and sped away. The hole in her neck had already healed, and she had killed one of her minions to replace the blood she had lost.

She was chuckling quietly to herself when she felt his presence.

"Hello my king." She said, turning to face him. She could tell he was angry. She'd try to remember to care later.

"What are you up to Lilith?" He asked, stepping out of the shadows. She looked at elegant face of the man who had been her lover for over three centuries. Vlad Dracul. Dracula.

"Just playing with my two favorite children." She said, shrugging. Lilith started to walk past him, when he grabbed her arm.

"That's not part of the plan." He hissed. Lilith's eyes glittered dangerously until he released her.

"You told me to distract them. What better way than with affairs of the heart?"

"The Slayer is mine."

"I'm growing bored with your little obsession, Vlad." She said, walking towards the car. "It would serve you to remember wh you are dealing with." Lilith finished, sliding in to the dark interior.

"Oh, I remember, my dear. I remember." Dracula said, before following her.

PART 14

An exhausted and weak Buffy walked into her house, supported by Xander. She had just spent a long night at the hospital getting blood pumped back into her. Angel and Cordy had dropped her and Xander off at the hospital before bringing Spike back to Buffy's house to deal with his wounds. Cordelia had gone back and helped Xander sneak the Slayer back out again. Luckily, the hospital staff, much like the Sunnydale police department, didn't ask to many questions when Xander explained she "fell" on a piece of glass.

Angel walked out of the kitchen, shirtless. White gauze was wrapped around his chest and abdomen, keeping his ribs in place.

"Where is he?" Buffy asked.

"Your room." Angel answered.

"Has he woken up?"

"Not yet."

Buffy nodded her head and started to walk up the stairs. She stopped at the door and just stared at him. The gash's on his face already started to heal, and he looked so peaceful. Buffy entered the room and closed the door, stripping as she approached the bed. She stopped and put on an old t-shirt of her father's before sliding in next to him.

She slid closer to him, and mindful of his bandages, rested an arm across his waist. He turned towards her, moving his arm until it pillowed her head, using his other arm to pull her closer. Buffy reached up and gently stroked his cheek.

"Spike?" She whispered. Emotions rolled through her as she looked at him. She was finally ready to admit her feelings for him. She just needed him to wake up so she could tell him.

"Spike." She said a little louder.

"Yeah, Pet." He opened his eyes to look at her. He studied her face, his eyes moving lower until they rested on the bandage at her neck. "Why'd you let me do that, luv? I was outta my head. I coulda killed you."

"I made sure you couldn't." She looked deep in his eye, saw the pain etched there. "It's okay. I knew what I was doing." She slid her thumb across his cheek to catch the tear that fell.

"Where did Lilith go?" he asked.

"We don't know. She just let us go." Buffy thought for a second. "You know, even with all the damage she caused, I never really got the feeling that she wanted to kill us. It was like the undead version of the Dating Game."

"Yeah. I guess we won."

"I guess we did." She snuggled closer to Spike, and sighed when he kissed the top of her head.

"I love you, Buffy." He whispered. Buffy took a deep breath, inhaling his scent. It's now or never.

"I love you too, Spike." She felt his arm tighten around her, and the hand that had been playing with her hair, stilled. She raised her head to look at him, and he captured her lips in a soft kiss.

"I expect, when we're both feeling better, for you to show me how much." Spike told her, a touch of cockiness back in his voice.

"Oh, I will, Spike, I will."

EPILOGUE

L.A. -2 weeks later

Cordelia Chase was having a hell of a nightmare. Her thrashing on the bed had pulled her sheets into a tangle around her long legs. The dark images in her mind pulled at her until she sat up screaming.

Eery laughter echoed around her as her screams penetrated the night.

~FINI~

Hell Hath No Fury