"Fine. If you don't want me as a leader then find somewhere else to stay." Buffy noticed the look on everyone's faces. "If you change your minds, the door is always open."
Xander, Dawn, Willow, and Giles stood behind Faith and the five of them headed to the door. Everyone else soon followed.
When her house was empty, she tidied and curled up on the couch. She was still sore from her fight with Caleb, so she winced a little as she sat down. She fell asleep, hoping Spike and Andrew would be back soon and agree with her.
Faith and the gang found an abandoned house across the street and they set up base. Faith tried to figure out if they were doing the right thing as everyone else fell asleep.
Spike and Andrew arrived and Spike entered cautiously because it was strange for the house to be so quiet already. When he saw Buffy asleep on the couch.
Andrew went upstairs and Spike crouched beside Buffy. He could see some new bruises and wondered what happened. He shrugged off his coat and draped it over her. He stroked her hair, accidentally waking her.
"Sorry Luv. Didn't mean to wake you," he said, with a genuine smile.
Buffy just smiled back and brought her hand up to his.
"Where is everybody?" Spike asked, softly
"Don't worry about it. I'll tell you tomorrow. Just wanna sleep and you should too. Where's Andrew?" Buffy asked, trying to sit up.
"Upstairs," Spike said, helping her off the couch.
Buffy groaned in pain and collapsed back on the couch.
"Pet?" Spike asked.
"I got in a fight with Caleb. I'm just a little sore," she said, wincing.
"Come on," Spike said, carefully lifting her in his arms and starting for the stairs.
"Where are the girls?" Andrew asked, coming out of the bathroom.
"I'll you both in the morning. Right now just get some sleep," Buffy said, snuggling deep into Spike's arms.
"Okay. Good night you guys," Andrew said, going downstairs.
Spike carried Buffy into her room and got her comfortably in bed. He kissed her forehead, said good night, and headed to the door.
"Spike, please stay. I wanna know what happened to you and Andrew," she said, fighting sleep.
Spike smiled. "Tomorrow. Go to sleep, Pet," he said, softly.
"Will you stay with me?" Buffy asked, moving over a little.
Spike removed his boots and laid next to her. She curled up in his arms, and fell asleep clinging to him.
In the morning, Buffy woke and smiled at Spike who was already awake. "Morning."
"Morning Pet," Spike said.
Buffy stretched but instantly regretted it. Her bones cracked from the bruises and she hissed in pain.
Spike extracted himself from her. "Buffy, do you want me to look?" He asked, trying to make sure he didn't sound too pushy.
Buffy carefully laid on her back and Spike lifted her shirt over her head. Her ribcage was black and blue. Gently he caressed it, checking for broken bones.
"You've got quite a picture, but no broken bones," he said, tense."I'll be okay, just hurts to breathe," she said, panting lightly.
"Relax, Luv. I'm gunna go see if I can find you something comfortable to sleep in," he said, going toward her dresser.
"Spike, third drawer," she said.
Spike pulled out a tank top and pants. Gently, he eased her into a sitting position and eased the shirt over her head. He laid her back down and she groaned as the pain began to subside.
Spike quickly took off her jeans and slid the pajama pant up her tan legs.
"That's better," Buffy said, snuggling into the covers as Spike place them over her.
"You to get some more rest. It's safer if you stay in bed for a while. I'm gunna go get something to eat. Be right back," he said, heading to the door.
"Spike, could you bring Andrew when you come back?" She asked, sleepily.
"Sure," Spike said, heading downstairs for blood. He finished his meal and found Andrew asleep on the couch. He crouched next to him. "Rise and shine sleepy head," he said. Andrew stirred. "Buffy wants to talk to us."
Andrew raised an eyebrow but followed Spike upstairs.
Spike sat next to Buffy and Andrew pulled up Buffy's desk chair. "What's up?"
"Last night, the potentials decided that Faith would be the better leader. So I threw them out. I told them the door was always open if they wanted to come back. I won't hold it against you if you wanna leave too," she said, bowing her heads.
"Buffy," Andrew said. "I haven't seen Faith in action but every decision I've seen you make, I've supported you 100%. I'm staying."
''Thanks Andrew," Buffy said, softly.
"You know I'll be here," Spike said, with a smile. "We found some stuff out also."
Andrew and Spike filled Buffy in on the mission. When they had finished there was a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Andrew said, going downstairs.
When he came back up there were two people with him.
Buffy saw Spike tense once he saw Riley come into the room. She laid a hand on his leg and he looked at her. He seemed to relax once his eyes met hers.
"Hey Buffy," Riley said.
"Hey Riley. Hi Sam. Nice to see you guys," Buffy said. "New demon cause I'm temporarily out of commission."
"We heard about the First and came to see if you needed any help," Riley said.
"Spike, Sam, why don't we go downstairs and let Riley and Buffy talk," Andrew said.
Riley started to protest but Sam gave him a glare. He raised an eyebrow at Buffy once they had left the room.
"Andrew lives here," Buffy explained. "He's an ex villain. Spike has a soul. We had the chip removed and he also lives here."
"That's nice," Riley said, sitting next to her. "Why are you out of commission."
"I got in a fight with Caleb who is really strong. He threw me through a window. I've got a lot of bruised ribs and I couldn't walk last night. Other then that, I still feel crappy." She began filling him in on everything, including her relationship with Spike.
After Buffy told Riley he and Sam could stay, he went downstairs just as Spike came up. "You okay?" Spike asked.
"Sleepy. Riley and Sam are staying her tonight so I was hoping you would stay with me again," she said, blushing.
Spike smiled and climbed in next to her. She was asleep as soon as her head hit his chest.
The next morning, when Buffy woke, she felt better. Spike was awake and running a hand through her hair.
"Morning Luv," he said, softly. "Feeling better?"
"I'm ready to get out of bed," Buffy said, and they both climbed out of bed.
"Pet, don't you wanna take a shower first? You still look really sore," he said, looking at her with concern.
"You're probably right." She leaned up and kissed him. When she pulled away, his eyes were wide with wonder. "Join me." She pulled the protesting vampire into the bathroom.
It was almost an hour later before Spike and Buffy made it downstairs. Riley and Sam were drinking coffee while Andrew was looking for something to eat. The three of them seemed engrossed in their conversation.
Buffy gave Sam a hug and everyone headed into the living room.
Spike gently grabbed Buffy's arm. "Luv, we're gunna have to explain what's going on," he said.
"If he asks, I'll tell him but for now can the two of you at least try and get along?" She asked, sliding her hand into his.
"Do I have to like him?" Spike asked.
Buffy laughed softly. "No," she said, joining Andrew, Riley and Sam in the living room. Spike sat in the chair and Buffy sat in his lap. Spike wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her hair.
That night, Buffy, Riley, Sam, and Spike, went patrolling. Buffy and Riley took one side while Sam and Spike took the other.
After some time, Riley couldn't take it. "Buffy, no offense but, have you totally lost your mind?!" He flared.
"What do you mean?" Buffy asked, looking up at him.
"Spike. He an evil bloodsucking fiend. I thought you hand more sense than that," he said, not seeing Sam and Riley approaching.
"That never bothered you. If I'm not mistaken, you're jealous. Well guess what? How do you think I felt when you stopped by my work and said you needed my help. Then you tell me you have a wife. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like Sam, I really do, but I felt a little jealous when I found out. Riley, you left me. You lied to me, almost got yourself killed, almost killed Spike cause Spike was honest with me. Then you gave me an ultimatum. You said you loved me but never looked back. I screamed myself hoarse for you, but it didn't work.
"Then I defeated a hell god. Spike fell off a 100 story tower for Dawn after he promised to keep her safe. So he feels guilty about my death. You and Angel both say you love me, but not enough to stay. Spike did. He has been through hell for me for 2 years, mostly because I put him through it.
"I don't wanna lose someone I love again. Spike and I are partners, friends, and equals. I hope he keeps on loving me so I can meet him 1/2 way." She approached him and stopped an inch away from Riley's face. "And I will meet him 1/2 way. So save your..."
Riley cut her off by kissing her. Spike's eyes widened and tears flooded Sam's eyes.
Buffy slid her arms up his chest but grabbed his shirt collar before flipping him over her back. Sam started forward but Spike stopped her.
Buffy wiped her mouth. "How dare you?! Did you not just hear me? You moved on. You're married. Sam's gunna have a fit."
"She'll understand. What about Spike? He's a stubborn vampire who will drop you like a sack of potatoes," Riley argued.
"You're wrong! I love him and he loves me! And I'm not letting him walk away from me!" Buffy yelled. Neither of them knew Sam and Spike were still there.
Spike had climbed on top of the crypt right behind Buffy and Sam was on the far side crying.
"Buffy, he's gunna leave you. He's so pig headed, he don't love you enough to get past that," Rile said, going toward her.
Then Spike jumped off the crypt and landed in front of Buffy facing Riley. He landed gracefully on his feet and when he stood up he was in no mood for bullshit. "You don't know anything about me," he growled, vamping out.
"Spike... you have to let me explain," Buffy began, tears running down her face.
"You don't need to Buffy. I understand," Spike said, not seeing her tears.
"See Buffy? Told you he wouldn't let you explain," Riley said with a grin.
Spike growled and stalked towards Riley. "Spike please," Buffy whimpered.
"Sam and I saw the whole lovely show and she's more upset then I am. Buffy not yours anymore."
"She's not yours either!" Riley spat in Spike's face.
"Yes, I am!" Buffy flared, tears still in her eyes as Sam emerged from behind the crypt.
Spike turned and frowned at Buffy's miserable face. He quickly ran over to her and took her into his arms. He picked up Buffy and headed toward the house as she continued to sob.
At the house, Buffy was still crying. Upstairs, Spike was holding Buffy as she cried her heart out. Spike was trying to get her calm down, but it was useless.
"Buffy... shh. It's gunna be okay. I saw the whole thing and I'm not mad. Stop crying." If he held her any tighter, her bones would break.
Slowly she calmed and managed to pull back enough to look at him. "You're not mad at me?"
Spike put his hands on her face and stroked her cheeks. "No. I'm not. Come here." He pulled her into his arms and settled them both under the blanket. He held her while she drifted off and he wasn't far behind.
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