Chapter 8: Heaven
As Buffy climbed back into Spike’s Desoto, her whole body sagged.
“Well? How’d it go, pet?” Spike looked at her with concerned eyes.
“Terribly,” She saw Spike look at her with raised eyebrows. “Ok, not terribly. He freaked at first, but that was to be expected, wasn’t it? I managed to calm him. He understands my decision, I think. At least I hope he does.” Sighing she sank further into the seat.
“Is that all you talked about?” Spike was eager to know if Angel had picked up on his scent. He knew it must have been intoxicating to him, just like Angel’s scent was on her now. Hell it was drowning her. If Angel did know, Spike knew he should maybe start considering leaving the country. He knew of Angel’s wrath, and it could be fierce if provoked.
“No, that’s all we talked about.” Buffy wasn’t ready to tell Spike about the last thing they had spoken about.
Unable to tell if she was lying, Spike let the subject drop. “Well then, should we get you home?”
“Yes please!” It was the best suggestion that she had heard all night.
Starting the engine, they silently drove back to Sunnydale.
***
Spike watched her sleep the following day. She had curled up into a little ball on the settee and was snoring gently. Despite looking so weak and frail she still looked like an angel in his eyes and he knew she always would.
As she tossed and turned slightly in her sleep, Spike could see that she was pouting and was curious as to what she was dreaming of. Leaning back in his seat he took out the list that he carried faithfully with him at all time now.
He had several items still to accomplish. Namely number five, Buffy longed to travel. He knew that since she had become the slayer she had hardly ever left Sunnydale and never once gone further than Los Angeles.
All that was left was to decide where he was going to take her. He knew that her stamina would not allow her to travel too far. However he wanted to take her to Europe, he knew she had never been and he longed to show her.
Taking the blanket of the back of the settee, he placed it gently over the sleeping slayer. She sighed in pleasure and snuggled up deeper into the blanket.
Walking up the stairs two at a time he walked along the landing and knocked lightly on Dawn’s door. He waited until he heard her call him in before opening the door.
Dawn was sat at her desk studying for her school work. Her hair was pinned up on her head and she was studying intently. Putting her pen down, she turned towards the door when she heard it open. She looked at Spike as he entered the room.
“I’m going out for a little bit, Niblet. Big sis is asleep downstairs, keep an eye on her will you? Red said she would be round soon. You’ll be ok?”
Dawn just sighed. “Spike, I’m 15-years-old. I can be alone in the house. Anyway I’m not alone, Buffy is here. Where are you going though?”
Spike just smiled at her, “Can’t tell you that, Pigeon, it’s a secret.”
Dawn was intrigued, jumping up from her desk she went to stand in front of Spike, hoping that he would tell her. “Does it have to do with Buffy?”
Spike gave her a cheeky smile and tapped his nose, before walking out the room and closing the door behind him.
“Spike!” Dawn sighed and sank down onto her bed; Spike could be so secretive when he wanted to be.
Walking down the stairs again, Spike glanced again at the sleeping slayer. Pulling the blanket up closer to her chin, he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead before walking out of the house and into the chilly night air.
***
Walking down the main street, Spike contemplated his choices. Earlier he had gone to see his contact, the one that owed him a favour—the last one that owed him one. Spike had spared the guys life once, or at least that’s what the guy thought. The truth was the night he had stumbled across Spike, Spike had just eaten a whole pack of tourist and couldn’t have eaten the guy even if he had wanted to. The guy thought, that Spike was letting him go and had offered him a favour in return. Spike was now ready to collect on that debt.
However the snivelling little weasel had told him that he could only take Spike and his girl as far as Canada.
Spike was now very confused as to what to do. He knew he wanted to take Buffy further than Canada, but he didn’t know how to get her there. That was his last favour that he had left.
Sitting on the bench outside the local club he watched as the bouncers asked the cute girl for her I.D. Suddenly it hit him, if he couldn’t take Buffy away mystically he would just have to do it the old fashion way.
Standing up, Spike wrapped his duster tightly around himself and strode of in the direction of his contact for the second time that night. For once he was grateful he had kept a check on his temper and hadn’t killed the guy when he had wanted to. Buffy would be proud.
***
An hour later and Spike was now the proud owner of three pieces of fake ID. He possessed a birth certificate, a passport and a driving license all announcing him as Mr. Sanguinante, all he would ever need to get him out of the country legally.
“So umm, Mr Spike,” Spike glanced up from his passport to look over his shoulder at the guy hovering behind him. “This makes, us… umm… you know, equal… umm yes?”
Spike just stared at the short guy, making him feel uncomfortable. The guy was stick thin yet wore a large baggy jumper and baggy jeans. He seemed to have a permanent runny nose and choppy ginger hair. He looked like the geek that he was. Staring at him Spike remembered the other reason he hadn’t eaten him in the first place, the guy was the most unappetising thing possible.
As he started to shift from foot to foot, getting more and more nervous the more Spike stared at him, Spike finally looked back down at his passport, effectively dismissing him. “Yeah mate, makes us even. You can push off now.
The geek laughed nervously as Spike gave him an evil look as though he wanted to eat him when he didn’t move straight away. “Ok, well I’ll… umm… get out of your way… umm Mr. Spike. It was good doing business with you.” With that the guy turned away from Spike and walked in the opposite direction at a very fast pace.
Spike chuckled at the guy’s actions, humans could be so pathetic.
Staring at the picture in his passport, Spike wondered if his hair actually did look as gimpy as it was being portrayed, and why no one had ever told him as much. The picture on his driver’s license had been digitally altered to make him look like he was much younger than what he was now. The picture made him laugh; he knew that he had looked nothing like that when he was actually that age. The picture made him look like an even bigger punk than he was now, as apposed to the Victorian boy he had been at that age.
Slipping the three items into his duster pocket, he stepped back out in to the cool night air.
So now he had the passport and identification, only one more thing stood in his way. Money.
Spike knew he had enough set aside to take one, possibly two people, but not accommodation and the likes as well. Slumping down on the nearest bench, Spike considered his options.
He could try his hand at a game of poker for the money, but he knew that there was no way that Buffy would approve of him gambling, even if it was for her. She especially wouldn’t be thankful for his gambling given the way he gambled, he wasn’t exactly fair to the other players. The other minor flaw in that plan was that most of the ‘people’ he played poker with played for kittens and they weren’t much use when it came to paying for hotels in Europe.
He could always scare people for the money; he had gotten good at that when he had first been chipped. However he had a feeling that Buffy wouldn’t approve of that way of gaining money either.
Sitting on the bench, he spread his hands in front of him. Suddenly his attention caught on the ring on his finger. The ring had belonged to Billy Idol, and could be seen in numerous photo shoots the singer had attended, the pictures were worldwide. Spike had stolen it off him as penance for stealing his look. He knew it would be worth a lot of money to collectors and fans alike these days.
That’s it!
Spike stood up with flourish, he knew exactly where to get the money. Standing up he walked back to Revello Drive, or more specifically, his car.
***
Pulling his keys out of his pocket he was about to unlock his boot, when Dawn darted out of the house.
“Hey Spike. Where have you been? You have been gone ages.”
“It’s a surprise Niblet, so you go back into the house.” Sighing Spike turned back to the car.
Dawn suddenly turned serious, “Buffy was asking for you.” Stunned Spike turned back to face her. “She can sense when you aren’t there, Spike. She cried when we said we didn’t know where you had gone. She can’t seem to function if you aren’t by her side. She’s a mess Spike, she needs you.”
Abandoning his car, Spike strode past Dawn and into the house. Taking the stairs two at a time he stopped in front of her door. Lightly knocking on it, he gently pushed it open.
Buffy laid on the bed; her body covered in a fine layer of sweat, the sheets twisted around her legs. Her arms where thrown above her head as she tossed about on the bed.
Shocked by what he saw, Spike threw off his duster and went and kneeled by the side of the bed, placing a cooling hand on her burning forehead.
“Shhh, love, I’m here now.”
Turning her head, she slowly opened her puffy eyes and looked at him. A thin tired smile graced her lips.
“Spike?” Her voice sounded exhausted.
Brushing the hair that was wet from sweat away from her face, he looked at the girl in front of him, with love in his eyes.
“Yeah, pet, I’m here. What’s wrong, Kitten? What’s brought all this on?”
“Where did you go? I couldn’t find you.” This Buffy was so much like a little child it broke his heart.
“I’m sorry baby, I had to go out. I’m here now though, not going anywhere. You get some sleep. I’ll still be here.”
“Okay.” Although she noted the affectionate pet name he had called her, Buffy didn’t call him on it. She liked the way it sounded coming from his lips. Rolling over she closed her eyes; finally able to sleep now that her Spike was at her side.
As Buffy was just on the threshold of sleep, Spike leant over and whispered in her ear. “I’ll just be downstairs I won’t be far away. I’m here if you need me Kitten.” Leaning slightly further over he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and another on her shoulder before silently leaving the room.
Back downstairs Spike got back to his task at hand. Dawn hovered behind him like a fly that wouldn’t go away. Spike knew he wouldn’t be able to get rid of her, so he let her stay, with the promise that she told no one.
Standing behind his car he slowly lifted the lid of his boot. Dawn squinted hard to look over his shoulder, standing up on tiptoes to get a better view. However she saw nothing of importance in there. All that was in Spike’s boot was a few old empty oilcans and a bottle of whiskey. Pulling a face she stared at Spike’s back.
“Spike, there’s nothing there, not anything that’s going to make you lots of money, anyway.”
“Patience Niblet.” Staring intently at the boot, he placed his hand in and fumbled about a bit, before he found what he was looking for. Suddenly a compartment lifted up, revealing to Dawn’s astonished eyes a collection of items Spike had collected since becoming a vampire.
“Wow!”
Spike looked over at the shocked Dawn, amused. Finding what he was looking for, he leaned over and pulled out a rectangular shaped parcel wrapped in one Drusilla’s old shawls.
Placing it carefully by his feet, he shut the boot again covering his treasures from the world once again, effectively snapping Dawn out of her trance.
Looking at Spike, she saw him walking back to the house carrying the thing that he had removed under his arm.
“Spike what’s that? Spike?” Trailing after him he just carried on walking. “Spike!”
“Shh, pigeon, you’ll wake big sis.”
“I’ll be quiet if you show me what’s in there. Well will you show me what’s in it?” Dawn looked at him with pleading eyes.
“Fine,” Stopping he turned to look at her, “It’s from soon after I was turned. I’d do anything to please my dark goddess. Well she had a thing for having her portrait painted. I’d threaten, they’d paint, it was a good deal.”
Slowly moving back the shawl, he revealed to Dawns wide eyes a fabulous painting, of what she could only assume was Drusilla.
“She particularly liked this artist.” Spike turned Dawn’s attention to the signature at the bottom of the painting, causing her eyes to open wider.
“Picasso.”
***
The following day after assuring Buffy that he wouldn’t be long, he walked out of the house with the parcel under his arm and a blanket over his head. He didn’t want to burst into flames half way there after all, that would really put a dampener on the trip.
An hour later Spike stepped out of the art dealers’ auction and into the shade sans painting, but $496,000 richer. He knew that he could have gotten more for it, as other Picasso paintings had sold for millions, but at the moment he needed the money; he had another one in his boot anyway. He knew the buyer as well, so he could easily just steal it back, if and when he needed to.
Looking at his watch he knew that he had time to go and buy the tickets before he promised he would go back to Buffy. Throwing the blanket over his head he ran to the travel agent’s a few doors down.
***
That night Spike surprised Buffy with the tickets; she was over come with emotion. It was the most amazing thing anyone had ever done for her. She didn’t know how he had gotten the money, but she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
“Thank you Spike, this means so much to me.” Spike was slightly taken aback as she hugged him tight, tighter than he would have thought her capable of. Pulling back she looked at him. “When do we go?”
“Tomorrow, pet. Thought the sooner the better. Niblet will be okay here with Red, I checked. Glinda is going to take care of her as well.”
“Oh Spike you have taken care of everything. Thank you so much! I have always wanted to go to Europe.” Standing up she started to dance round the living room, clutching the tickets to her chest.
She looked more full of life than she had in a long time. “Dawn!” Spike flinched at the loud yell that emitted from her. As Dawn came trundling down the stairs, Spike vanished into the kitchen to fix himself some blood.
“Dawnie, honey. I need your help to pack. Spike is taking me away.”
“Really!” Dawn could see her sister’s excitement and couldn’t help getting excited too. “Where’s he taking you?”
“Europe!” Buffy couldn’t help the little excited squeal that came out as she said it.
“Really? Wow. For how long?”
“Oh” Buffy got a puzzled look on her face, she hadn’t asked Spike that. “Spike! How long are we going for?”
“Ten days.” Came the call back from the kitchen.
“Cool!” Both girls spoke in unison. “Dawn will you help me pack?”
At Dawn’s nod, both girls headed back up the stairs, and the downstairs was left in peace and quiet again.
***
Spike hadn’t had any problems getting through customs with his fake ID, and they had now been in Italy for nine days and Buffy was starting to re-pack her things to go home. She had really enjoyed her holiday, and though it had been tiring and had really taken it out of her Buffy had had the best time she could possible imagine. They had done all the conventional tourist things, as well as some unconventional things. Buffy really had fulfilled her wish to travel.
When they had got there, Spike and Buffy had had separate rooms, as that’s what Spike had thought would be best. However Buffy soon found that she couldn’t sleep without Spike near by. So on the second night he had slept in her room on the settee. They had had this arrangement for two days. However on the third night she had taken pity on him, and he had slept in her bed. He had acted like a perfect gentleman and had kept to himself and Buffy had had the best night’s sleep.
Packing the last bag, she zipped it up and turned to look at Spike who was sat on the edge of the bed, reading one the travel leaflets.
“Well then sir, what shall we do for our last few hours here?”
Placing the leaflet down, Spike looked at Buffy with a smile on his face. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Taking hold of her hand, he picked up her coat from the bed and led her out of the hotel. Buffy never once uttered a word of complaint.
***
Two hours later, Buffy and Spike were alone stood on top of Mount Blanc. Up there Buffy felt so at peace, as though none of her problems existed.
Spike looked at her sheepishly as though gauging her reaction. “It’s the closest I could do to heaven I’m afraid.” Looking down at the floor, Spike kicked at the snow. “You hate it, its lame I know.”
“Spike,” Reaching out her hand, she held his face so that he had to look at her. “It’s wonderful. Thank you.”
As she looked at the serene world around her, the tears began to fall. Spike watched as she started to crumble and held her in a tight hug, holding her close to him.
“Hey now, pet, don’t cry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“Spike, I’m scared.”
Holding her closer to him, he soothed her. “What’s got you scared baby?”
“I’m scared of all of this Spike, I’m scared of dying. What if I don’t go back Spike?” This was the first time she had told anyone of her greatest fear, and she was telling it to her mortal enemy. Except he wasn’t her enemy anymore. Buffy knew deep down he hadn’t really been her enemy for a long time now, he was something more to Buffy, she just wasn’t sure what.
Spike didn’t need to ask to know what she was talking about. Buffy was scared she wouldn’t go back to heaven. “Buffy, you listen to me,” Holding her at arms distance he looked deep into her eyes, making sure she knew he meant the truth. “You are the most amazing person I have ever known, and I have been around a long time. I have seen your strength and your kindness. It shines through in everything you do. The light coming from you is so bright it burns. Though you don’t realise it, you bare your heart and soul, and hope it doesn’t get bruised. You’re the woman I love Buffy. You’re one hell of a woman. As for whether you will go back. I have no doubt that you WILL go back to heaven and you shouldn’t doubt it either Buffy. You’re an angel already; you just haven’t been given your wings yet.”
The tears started to fall again, except this time they fell from her being overwhelmed and not through fear.
Placing a kiss to her forehead, he pulled her towards him to give her another tight hug. Buffy didn’t try to pull away from him she just hugged him back.
As they pulled apart, Buffy looked into his eyes. Looking at him she told him exactly what her heart was telling her, what it had been telling her for some time now. “Spike, I love you.”
Spike heart swelled as he heard her. He knew she spoke the truth, he could see it on her face.
Turning away from him, they both just stared out at the world below them, dreading going back to Sunnydale, yet at the same time, both just filled with a sense of love and tenderness. Silently they just stood there, holding hands. Buffy was finally ready to let go.
***
It was late on the Sunday night when Buffy and Spike arrived back in Sunnydale. Quietly so that they didn’t wake anyone they entered the house. Leaving the suitcases downstairs they quietly climbed the stairs together, still holding tightly onto each others hands.
Letting go of Spikes hand, she quietly opened Dawn’s bedroom door. Her sister was fast asleep on her bed. Tiptoeing over to her, Buffy leaned over and placed a kiss on her sister’s forehead making sure that she didn’t wake her. “I love you, Dawnie.”
She then quietly went back out to the hall, where Spike stood waiting for her.
“Well I should get going back down to the basement, you should get some sleep.”
“Yeah” Buffy looked down at her feet.
Trying not to look downtrodden Spike turned and walked away.
“Spike,” Hearing Buffy call his name he turned back to her.
“Would you stay with me?” Buffy looked shy to ask.
“Sure.” Smiling, Spike took her hand once again and together they walked to Buffy’s room. Once the door was shut she turned back to him, “Spike? Would you make love to me?” Buffy looked into his face with big saucer eyes, which brimmed with tears.
Instead of answering her, Spike leant down and placed a kiss on her lips.
That night, Buffy made love with the man she loved. It was sweet and tender and everything she had always wanted. Their movements were slow and it reflected the love that they felt for each other. Buffy got what she had always wanted; she’d fallen in love with the perfect man.
As they drifted off to sleep, it would be the last night anyone would see Buffy alive. As she lay tranquil in her lover’s arms, she finally gave up the fight her body had been waging for the last few months. She was finally at total peace. A sense of calm washed over the house.
Spike felt as her soul left her body. Buffy was at peace and was going back to where she belonged, she was going home. Kissing her forehead one last time, he gently laid her still body down next to him.
Looking at her list one last time before tucking into her hand, he knew he had helped her to accomplish all her dreams. A single tear fell down his face, as he said his final goodbyes to the woman he loved.
The End (Except for the epilogue)
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Sorry this has been so long since I posted, real life has got in the way. This is the last chapter, however it isn't 100% complete yet as there will still be an epilogue!! Please please please review, I am very precious about this work, and mildly worried about posting it in case no one likes it!! Thank you.