Supernatural Separation

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By Catseyes

In her dreams, Buffy crept through the dark cemetery. Something was stalking her. She approached a large mausoleum and paused, listening for the creatures’ breathing. Lightly, Buffy sprang up to stand on the flat roof of the tomb. She scanned the surroundings with a smile on her face and drew a long, wicked-looking stake from the secret pocket in her jacket. Holding her breath she waited for the creature to venture out from the shadows that hid it. Nothing. A light breeze lifted her honey blonde hair. Then she heard it. A deep, menacing growl that made her blood run cold and the hair on her arms stand up. It was evil, primal and coming from behind her. Startled, Buffy spun round to see it leap for her throat. Screaming in terror, she fell under its weight, feeling it’s teeth tearing in to her and it’s fingernails scraping her arm…

Buffy sat up with a jolt. Sweat was running down her face and she was trembling. The same nightmare twice in one week? She thought I gotta stop eating before bed. Glancing at her clock she saw it was 6am. Sighing she swung her legs over the side of the bed and pulled the covers back. After waiting for her breathing to return to normal, she headed for the shower.

“How many times have I been wrong?”

“It could be nothing.”

“It could be something. Look, Giles, how many times do you say that and how many times are you wrong?”

“You’re sure it’s not just a bad dream? That it’s meaningful?”

Yes! It scared me. It wasn’t just a slayer dream. It was a warning. Something’s up.” Buffy was seated at the table in the front of the magic shop with Willow and Tara. Giles was doing his patented thinking-pace by the counter. In about three seconds he’s gonna suggest research. She mused. One…two…thr-

“I suppose I could look into the date, see if we’re due an uprising.” Score!

“Thanks, that would be great.”

“Hey guys! What y’all up to?” Xander loped in through the door and half-raised a hand in greeting.

“Buffy’s been having wacky dreams.” Willow offered.

“The vampire kind,” explained Tara with a sullen smile “you know, with the slow murdering of Buffy.”

“Oh. Don’t you just hate those?” Xander settled himself in one of the other chairs and pushed it back, propping his legs on to the table. “So, we researching?”

“No,” Buffy countered, “we’re Bronzing. You guys still on for tonight?” she asked hopefully, scanning the group.

Oh, Buffy I’m sorry!” Willow gushed. “Tara and I are having dinner with my folks.”

“How ‘bout you Xand?” Buffy said, turning to her friend.

“Girlfriend stuff. You know how it is.” He noticed Buffy’s crestfallen statement and shook his head. “Or not. Look, Buff if you want to come I’m sure Anya-”

“Forget it. I guess I’m patrolling tonight then.” She sighed as Giles began to protest.

“Buffy I feel perhaps I should accompany you, I mean if these dreams-”

“Giles,”

“-you wont be at your best-”

“Giles,”

“-far too dangerous-”

“GILES!” He turned to glare irritably at Willow.

“What is it?”

“Giles, she’s gone.”

“What? Oh…”

Xander walked out of the shop a couple of minutes after Buffy left. Damn it! I’m late to meet Anya again, she’s gonna kill me… He ducked round the corner and collided in to Spike.

“Ow!” Xander clutched at arm and glared at the blonde vampire, “What the hell are you doing here!”

“I was looking for Buffy. She wanted to see me to discuss patrolling so here I am.”

“Well you missed her,” Xander spat venomously, that guy really bugged him. “You know Spike, I used to respect you. I was even afraid of you. We all where. But now.. you’re nothing more that Buffy’s lapdog.” Spike stared at him in silent hatred for a moment, before pushing past him and continuing down the street. Xander sighed and watched him go.

Sighing to herself, Buffy examined the underground crypt she had just discovered in the cemetery nearest her home. She had just been on her way home when she noticed that the door had been opened. Vampires. Don’t you just love’em? She descended a dark staircase and found herself in a pitch-black room. Standing completely still, she let those blindfolded training sessions pay off. Use your senses, Buffy. She could still hear Giles comments to her. She allowed herself a small smile as she remembered her own comeback. Sure you’re not just doing this to take funny pictures of me? Some how down here it didn’t seem half as funny. Buffy concentrated, clearing her mind and focusing on the question in hand. Am I alone down here? Images streamed through her mind. This tomb, herself, a stake in her hand, a scream, blood… Buffy’s eyes snapped open and her breath caught in her throat. Ohmygodohmygodohmygod, it’s down here. It’s the thing from my dreams!

“Buffy…” a voice that dripped evil whispered her name, like the rustling of ancient paper. “Buffy. I’m glad you’re here. I’m so very, very hungry…” Buffy backed away towards the stairs, mesmerised by the unseen speaker, just as she had been by The Master and Dracula. She gasped, like a rabbit in headlights waiting to die. Her foot hit the bottom step and the trance was broken. Whirling round, she scrambled up the steps in a desperate bid to escape and heard the creature moving behind her, felt a withered hand tighten on her ankle and twist. As she fell to the dusty floor, Buffy whimpered and kicked out. Feeling the pressure lessen, she raced for the door of the crypt…

Spike sauntered through the cemetery in the direction of home. The place was oddly quiet tonight. He was notorious amongst demons as well now. He grinned. Definitely still the Big Bad. A twig snapped to his right. Spike turned in the direction of the sound, sniffing the air. A bush rustled as he squared up to it, waiting. Suddenly it exploded in a shower of foliage as a panic stricken Buffy thundered straight into Spike. She began hitting out at him franticly and struggling to escape. Spike took hold of her firmly by her shoulders and pushed her off him.

“Buffy?” She screamed at him, her hair in her face, obstructing her view.

“Let go of me!” she threw her head forward and Spike heard a sickening crack as her skull connected with his nose, pulping bone and sending blood pouring down his cheeks.

“Bloody hell, Buffy! It’s me you stupid girl.” He shook her hard. Buffy peered at him from behind her straggled hair. She stopped and stood still, head low. “What the hell’s wrong with you!” he shouted, angrily. Then he noticed she was bloody and crying, with dirt on her clothes and streaked across her skin. Somewhat mollified, he gently pushed her hair from her face. “What’s wrong?” he asked softly, tilting her chin and examining her with concern. Her large, frightened eyes studied his face for a moment, then she collapsed in his arms and pressing her face against his chest, began to sob.

In the darkest corner of its crypt, the demon smiled. The blood of that stupid slayer would make him whole, allow him to live on the mortal plane unchecked, without his useless human vessel. He was weak. His strength residing in the body of his human half, but soon he would harden and develop. He would become twice as strong as the shell in which he had resided all these years. He smiled, no one would be able to stop him, the most frightening monster of all. A true vampire. Pure demon.

“I know what did this.”

Spike sat on Giles’ couch next to a sleeping Buffy with Giles himself rooting through his books for a lead. At the sound of Spikes voice, he looked up.

“You do?” Spike picked up the book Giles was holding and flicked through it until he found what he was looking for. He silently passed it back to Giles. “Involuntary vampire separation?” He looked at Spike questioningly. Spike nodded for Giles to continue. “If a vampire is rendered unable to kill, by magic or by some other means, the demon will become hungry and vicious and will, in some cases separate itself from the human body it inhabits. If the two become completely severed by the demon killing a supernatural human and drinking of their blood, the demon will be able to walk the earth alone, unchecked by its human host.”

“It gets worse,” Spike said seriously.

“The human vessel retains its vampire strength but the demon half possesses strong magic of its own and often terrifies its victims in their dreams to make them easier to destroy.” Giles looked up at the sleeping slayer. “Buffy’s nightmares.”

“Got it in one.” Spike looked uncomfortable. “How do we stop it?”

“The demon can be destroyed in one of three ways. The first option is that the human side can kill its demon, freeing itself to live as a mortal whilst retaining its vampire strength. Another possibility is that a spell can be performed to combine the two again if that is preferable, although the previous restrictions on the vampire that prevented it from killing will be destroyed.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad.” Spike reasoned. Giles scowled.

“The last way is to behead the human side and both parts will die. Hmm.” Giles turned and pulled an axe from his leather bound chest. Advancing on Spike he said “We can finish this now if you want.” He brought the axe up high above his head and swung it in a perfect arc. Spike glanced at Buffy, and then shut his eyes tightly.

And opened them again. Buffy was standing next to him, firmly holding the axe by its blade. She pushed it and Giles staggered a little. She let go.

“Put it down.” She ordered. Obediently Giles threw it to the corner of the room. She turned to Spike. “Why didn’t you move?” she asked. “Where you just gonna let Giles decapitate you?” Spike smiled sadly.

“I guess I really am your lap dog.” Buffy and Giles looked at each other. Giles stared at Spike before turning on his heel.

“I’ll go fetch that book. Option one was it?” he called.

Spike smiled at Buffy.

“Yeah, lets slay that demon.”

It was the following morning and Spike was listening to the birds from the sanctuary of his crypt. Sitting in his recliner, he considered the previous nights events. More than ever, he knew that he was in love with the slayer, but one thing bothered him. After he staked his demon, he would be what? Human? Vampire? Or a little of both? He’d have his vampire strength and that would be it. He’d tried human and it hadn’t worked out. Why would it work now. His passion for evil would still remain. Spike sighed. It was all just too complicated. On the plus side- a reflection, and none of that annoying daylight combustion that made tanning so very difficult. And he could be the man he knew Buffy needed. That’s why she and Angel had never got it together. How could you build a life with someone who was dead? How could you grow old with an immortal? But a normal man would never do for the slayer either. Spike smiled ruefully. Poor sod would be dead within a week. Who was he trying to fool. Buffy had told him herself. She could never love him. I’m a monster however hard I try. Groaning, Spike lowered his head to his hands. He was getting such a headache.

“Wow,” Willow sighed with a dreamy smile on her face. “He was ready to die for you? That is so..”

“I know. I could hardly believe it myself. And it wasn’t all bravado. I mean, they thought I was asleep at the time so I know he was actually-”

“Gonna go through with it? That is just so…” she caught sight of Tara approaching across the crowded coffee house they were eating breakfast in. “repulsive and completely unadorable. Hi!” As Tara settled herself down beside her and tucked in to a large croissant, Willow quickly filled her in on their discussion.

“Wow,” Tara mumbled through a mouth full of buttery pastry.

“Yeah, that seems to be the response of the day.” Buffy joked.

“But how do you feel about him?” Tara asked, swallowing. “I mean do you feel the same way?” Buffy looked puzzled.

“I don’t honestly know any more.” She sighed. “It’s all so confusing!” Buffy sighed again and dropped her head to the table. “Does anyone have an aspirin?”

Buffy arrived home at around midday to what appeared to be an empty house. Standing in the hall Buffy felt slightly nervy. “Dawn?” she called. There was no reply. She looked up at the stairs and noticed a large, heavy blanket hanging from the banisters. “Dawn?” she called again. Louder this time.

“Buffy! In the kitchen!” Buffy walked into the kitchen to find a disastrous sight. The place was in ruins. There was dirty water all over the floor in big puddles. Dawn was standing in the middle of it all forlornly mopping it up. She was soaked, streaked with dirt and shivering slightly, but she grinned at Buffy when she saw her. “Pipe burst.” She noticed Buffys’ gaze shift to the legs protruding from under the sink. I recognize those boots…

“Spike?”

“Xander was at work.” Dawn offered by way of explanation. There was a muffled

“Hey!” from beneath them.

“Well he is a handy man you know!” Dawn reasoned.

“Carpenter,” Buffy corrected distractedly.

“Whatever. He knows how to fix stuff. But, well he wasn’t home so I called on Spike and he came over.”

“Spike can fix burst pipes?”

“Don’t sound so surprised,” Spike grunted pushing himself out from under the sink. “I’m a man of many talents. All fixed now Nibblet.” He sat up and grinned at Dawn who sheepishly returned his smile. Buffy almost laughed aloud as she watched her sister blush as a result of his attentions, but when she looked at him she too was struck dumb for a second. His hair was tousled and his shirt had fallen half open, exposing his torso. His cheeky statement and twinkling blue eyes gave the impression of a renegade knight, well practised in rescuing his damsel in distress. He turned to her and his statement softened. She thought he was about to say something but instead he offered her his hand and she pulled him to his feet. They stood for a moment, looking at each other, until he began to lean forward towards her. Buffy shook herself free and took Dawn’s arm.

“Come on Dawn, Let’s get you dry.” And with that she swept out of the kitchen leaving a speechless Spike alone.

“What was that?”

“What was what?” Buffy was handing Dawn clothes from the closet.

“That moment you and Spike just had!”

“We did not have a moment!”

“Did!”

“Did not!”

“Did!”

“Di- ooh look, I can’t ever be with Spike! It just wouldn’t work out! So drop it!”

“Why not? I mean I know you like him…”

“I do not! Besides he’s evil, you know that. I know he doesn’t kill at the moment but that’s because he can’t, not because he won’t. That’s important.” Behind the door, Spike sighed, and moved away.

That night, Buffy paced up and down in front of the gang who were seated in the Summers living room.

“What do you mean, he’s gone?” Giles asked her tiredly, cleaning his glasses on a tissue taken from a box on the coffee table.

“I mean he’s gone! Poof! Here one minute, gone the next! Dawn and I were upstairs and he was in the kitchen, and when we came down he was gone! He’s not at his crypt and he’s not at the bar and there’s no where I haven’t looked! Guys, we need him to kill the demon!” Buffy exclaimed angrily.

“Maybe he’s taken his duster to the dry cleaners?” Anya offered. Buffy glared at her. “I was just trying to help.” She said huffily. Xander sheepishly raised a hand.

“Uh, Buff? If I may speak without getting slain?” At a vicious look from Buffy, he continued. “We need Spike to kill this demon and save your life, right? Well remind me again why that’s a good thing if you’re an evil blood-sucking fiend?”

“What?” Buffy spat.

“Well, he tried to kill you and you stopped him, then he got a chip in his head which means he can’t kill you, then he fell in love with you and you scorned him which, in my view, is gonna make him even more ticked off.”

“But, why wouldn’t he wanna help us kill his demon? He’d be mortal then.”

“You’re forgetting Wil,” Xander went on, “Spike isn’t Angel. He likes to kill. And the Slayer… well that’s just the ultimate prize. My guess is he’s gone to find his demon and-”

“Combine with it.” Giles finished dryly. “He’ll once again be the monster he longs to be.” Buffy sat down heavily and sat staring at her feet with unseeing eyes.

“You’re right,” she whispered. “Given the choice, Spike prefers evil. I just didn’t want to believe it.” She stood up and pulled a double headed axe from behind the sofa. “It’s time to do something I should have done a long time ago.”

“What’s that?” Willow stammered, eyes wide. Buffy just turned and gave her a rueful smile, then left.

“So this is how the other half lives. Hmm. I’ve never really been one for dank hovels myself.” Spike ran a hand along the top of a nearby tomb, holding it to his face to examine the dirt. His demon turned towards him, snarling. “Not much of a conversationalist are we?” Spike mused, “Let’s get this over with.” Before he could move, the demon had shot towards him, grabbing him by the throat and pinning him to the wall. For the first time Spike could get a proper look at it. It was hideous. Green leathery skin hung off it’s face in patches. It’s hands as they tightened around his throat where wrinkled and dry and it’s eyes where just burnt holes. It’s features were encompassed by skeletal ridges, topped by blood red horns. It’s muzzle was smeared with gore. It registered the surprise on his face.

“You expected me to be weak.” It was a statement. Spike managed to choke out a few words.

“The…book said…” He spluttered.

“I have fed.” It replied laughingly as it shoved it’s face closer to his and blew a breath heavy with the stench of human flesh towards him. Spike cringed and gagged. What’s happening to me? He thought, since when am I repulsed by human blood? The demon laughed. “I can read your thoughts you know,” it murmured. “I know everything there is to know now I am no longer tapped in your useless dead body. I am flesh. I am alive!” Spike wriggled in the demons grip.

“You know what else?” Spike spluttered and pushed both legs hard in to the demons stomach. It flew backwards and hit the crypt wall. Spike stood up and adopted a fighting stance. “I don’t breathe.”

The demon spun to look behind it as the door to the crypt exploded in a shower of wood splinters. As the dust settled it saw Buffy standing in the doorway. She ran towards it and launched in to a flying kick which the demon easily dodged, grabbing her in mid-air and flinging her on to the lid of the nearby tomb. Buffy winced as her back collided with the stone lid. Spike ran towards her and had almost reached her when she swung her axe at head height. “Whoa there slayer, what are you doing?”

“Stopping you both.”

“What the-?”

“The book said I had to behead you to kill you both right. And as you obviously were going to join with your demon so you could kill again-”

“That book didn’t tell you every thing,” the demon hissed as it approached them. “That,” it tried the foreign word, “chip in your head stopped functioning the moment we separated.” Spike looked puzzled.

“You mean…”

“Yes.” Spike turned to look at Buffy.

“I can kill.”

“Oh my god,” at the sound of Willows voice, Buffy turned to see the entire gang standing in the wrecked doorway of the crypt.

“Guys,” Buffy breathed, taking a step towards them before recovering her senses and shouting, “Get out of here. Now!”

“No.” Smiled the demon. “Let them stay and watch.” He held out a hand and flexed his long fingers, sending a stream of black energy towards them, freezing them to the spot. “There.” It paused for a second to admire it’s handy work before turning to Buffy and capturing the slayer with the same vile magick. Then it turned to Spike. Without looking it yanked Buffy’s axe from her grip and held it out to him. “Take it, brother. And free yourself.” The demon stood behind him as Spike moved to stand in front of Buffy. He studied her for a moment. She was completely still. Nothing moved, not even her eyes. He waved his hand in front of them.

“Can she even see me?” He asked.

“Oh yes. And hear you. She can feel too.” It reached out and dragged a scaly finger along her cheek, producing a thin line of blood. “Believe me,” It added. “She’s writhing inside.”

“Then listen to me, slayer.” Spike hissed, “I love you. And I know there’s no chance you could love me back, but I-” he swallowed hard, holding back the tears that threatened to come. “If I don’t do this I’ll never be free. I’m making my choice. Remember that.” He drew back the axe, and swung it in a wide sweeping circle over Buffy’s head and straight in to the demons neck behind him. A swirl of black mist swept up from the feet of the demon until he was wholly enveloped. It spread down the length of the axe and swallowed Spike up in to it’s ebony folds as well. More mist unwrapped itself from around Buffy and the gang and joined the spiralling tower. Then as suddenly as it had appeared it vanished leaving only the axe, and an unconscious Spike lying on the floor.

Buffy could move again. Her hand went to her cheek, feeling the blood mingle with her tears as she approached the blonde vampire. She knelt beside him and laid a hand on his chest. She looked up at her friends standing near by.

“Buffy, what is it?” Giles asked with concern.

“His heart.” She replied “It’s beating.”

It was early morning when Buffy and Spike finally arrived at the Summers house. Standing outside, Buffy watched Spike turn to where the sun would be rising in a few moments.

“No more hiding,” he breathed, almost to himself.

“Spike?” Buffy asked softly. He turned to look at her. “What you did today… it meant a lot to me.” Tears started to flow down her cheeks, “I was so unsure about my feelings for you but today… I just…I,” she struggled for the words as Spike watched her intently. “I love you.” He smiled and drew her close and they kissed as the sun rose behind them.

The End