Chapter 32: About that Claim…
“How’re you feeling now?” he asked, rubbing her shoulders, as she sat between his legs on the floor.
“It’s funny. I feel fine now. Like nothing happened. It was kind of like a wave hit me, and I went under. But then it was gone. I don’t…”
“They’ll be back soon with the books.”
“You haven’t heard of anything like this after a claim?”
“I’ve heard a lot of tales, pet. Some tall, others pretty spot on, but it’s hard to separate fact from fiction when you don’t see claims very often.”
“We had to live on the wild side, didn’t we?” She turned in his arms, seeing the worry in his eyes. “I’m not saying I regret it. So don’t think that. I’ll just feel better when we know what’s going on. If only Giles were…”
The front door swung open, and in walked Giles with Willow and Tara. Buffy’s eyes widened.
“Speak of the Watcher,” Spike pointed out. He and Buffy stood together and faced the three standing in the foyer.
“What…I didn’t…you guys are back?” Buffy asked with surprise. “I didn’t know that…wow. Hey, Wil…”
“Hey,” Willow said awkwardly, but she smiled and let a breath out when Buffy rushed over to hug her. Buffy then proceeded to hug Tara and Giles.
“I’m glad you guys are back.”
“What’s he doing here?” Giles asked uncertainly, staring at Spike, who stood a few paces behind Buffy. Buffy turned to Spike and sighed.
“Better tell him, pet. He’s probably our best chance of figuring this all out.”
“Right. Um…Giles? We have…a lot to tell you. You might wanna sit down.”
“Um, I think I know most of this. The rest, you can fill me in on later, ok, Buff? I have something I have to do. Um, Tara? You want to, uh, do it…with me?”
“If you’re going to shag, you don’t have to sneak around like a couple of teenagers,” Spike said with a shrug.
“It’s not that. Giles…you said we should…”
“Right. Go on. You remember the way?”
“Yeah. C’mon, Tara. Let’s go. Buff, we’ll see you in the morning. Bye, Spike.” Tara waved sheepishly, piling the rest of her luggage by the staircase before rushing out the door with Willow.
“Where…?” Buffy started.
“That’s no matter right now. What is it you have to tell me?”
***
It was quiet enough to hear a pin drop. Buffy and Spike sat next to one another on the couch, looking up at Giles who paced before them and cleaned his glasses like a parent who’d just found out his daughter was carrying on a sexual relationship with an older man. Well, it wasn’t that far from the truth.
“So let me get this straight,” he said, replacing his glasses and rubbing his temples. “Spike went to Africa and got his soul back. He returned here, where the both of you resumed…dating…and…there was a claim.”
“That’s pretty much it,” Buffy said with a nod. “But you left out the trip to L.A., which is where it happened.” She frowned. “I guess that’s not very important, huh?”
“And now…you’re experiencing strange side effects?”
“Well, not at the moment. It just happened before you got
here. It’s over now, whatever it was. I feel fine.”
“So, you two…you…you know a claim is irreversible, don’t you?” Giles wondered with astonishment.
“Yeah, that’s kinda the point,” Buffy said with a nod.
“Do you…have any idea how irresponsible it was to do something like that without knowing the consequences? These…these attacks that you’re having, Buffy, might be permanent. Is that really something you want to live with for the rest of your life? There could be any number of consequences to suffer because of this.”
“Hold on, Giles,” Buffy defended. “This is the first time I’ve felt anything other than the normal, ok? If something was seriously wrong, don’t you think I would’ve noticed before now?”
“How long ago was the…uh, the claim…performed?” Buffy glanced at Spike.
“Few days before Christmas, right? The night we got to L.A. Just over a week ago,” Buffy suggested. Giles furrowed his brows.
“Yes. You’re right. You would have experienced something much sooner. At least in theory.”
“What is it with you guys and the ‘in theory’ talk?”
“You did tell her that claims aren’t as common today as they used to be?” Giles asked, glancing at Spike.
“I did. It wasn’t exactly a planned thing. It happened in the spur of the moment, Jeeves,” Spike pointed out, getting a glance from Buffy. “But we talked about it after, and there are no regrets.”
“Maybe not on your parts, but this is…this…”
“Guess you’re gonna be stuck with me a lot longer than you wanted, eh?” Spike wondered.
“Wonderful,” Giles muttered.
“Giles, I know you don’t like Spike very much, but you know he helped you guys out while I was gone. Even Xander’s starting to come around.”
“Xander? Really?”
“Well, I locked him and Spike together in the basement.”
“Felt like we bonded down there,” Spike replied half-heartedly with a slight roll of his eyes.
“It’ll take some time, but I need you guys to accept it, because Spike’s here with me, and that’s not gonna change…unless the theory about one of us dying if the other dies pans out.”
“There you go, Watcher,” Spike said, patting the older man on the back. “All you have to do is wait until the Slayer bites the dust, and then you’ll be rid of me.” Giles gritted his teeth.
“Sweetie, I think this is why they’re not so up on the Spike love,” Buffy said matter-of-factly.
“Can’t help it. They bring out the worst in me, pet.”
“I thought I used to do that.”
“You bring out the animal in me, that’s for sure,” he murmured against her lips. She smiled, pulling her arms around his neck, and Giles was brought back to a time when they acted quite similar, though that was only under the influence of a spell.
“Alright. I’m going home,” he muttered. “Buffy, do get some rest, and I’ll call you if I find anything.”
“Ok. Thanks, Giles.” Buffy separated herself from Spike and escorted her Watcher to the door. “Please, just try to understand. I love Spike. It’s not a spell. It’s nothing like that. I just…love him, ok? Try to accept that.”
“Yes, well, seeing as the two of you are bonded through at least your lifetime, I don’t see I have any choice in the matter, now do I?” Buffy couldn’t help but smile, and she pulled her arms around him. He hugged her a bit stiffly, but he patted her back.
“I’m glad you’re back, Giles. See you tomorrow.”
“Yes. Well, goodnight, Buffy.” Giles made his awkward exit, and Buffy shut the door. As soon as Buffy turned around from closing the door, Spike was there with her, pressing her back against the solid oak.
“Feeling alright now, pet?”
“I…Spike!” she laughed, as his lips trailed down her neck. She pushed him away. “Oh my God! Is that all you ever think about?”
“It’s all you ever think about,” he teased, wiggling his eyebrows at her. Buffy rolled her eyes.
“They’ll be home soon.”
“A quickie then. No foreplay?” Buffy sighed, but she couldn’t deny the twinkle in her eyes.
“C’mon.” She took his hand and dragged him up the stairs.
***
The next morning, Buffy, Xander, and Giles were seated at the research table, while Anya stood behind the counter. Buffy couldn’t help but notice that Anya was wearing her engagement ring again. Guess she wasn’t that hard to please after all.
“Where did Wil and Tara go last night?” Buffy wondered, looking at the door. Giles cleared his throat.
“About that,” he said quietly, “I suppose I’ve been keeping something from you as well.”
“Great. What is it? Let me guess. It’s evil.”
“Not…necessarily.”
“Oh. OK, what is it?”
“Remember me telling you about Dana?”
“How could I forget? The girl who was in prison for murder. The one that became a Slayer after I died last time. Kinda hard to forget.” She cleared her throat. “Does the Council need my help? Because I thought about it, and I think I was too quick to say no. I mean, if she didn’t remember doing those things…I guess I could try to give her a chance…”
“Buffy. That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. Mr. Travers had a drug he administered to her, and…to all appearances, she seems to be a completely rational human being. Though she may be starting to recall the reasons she was put in prison.”
“You mean the brutal murders?”
“I’m not sure. Buffy, when she was arrested for those murders, she was…there was no way to get anything out of her. According to her charts, this is the most lucid she’s ever been.”
“Are we getting somewhere, Giles?”
“Yes. She’s here. In Sunnydale.”
“She’s…huh?”
“Another Slayer on the prowl?” Xander asked.
“A Slayer who was imprisoned for murder. Is she even allowed to be here? I mean, prison? Hello?”
“The Council took over, and she’s here under my…watchful eye.” Buffy’s eyes widened.
“You’re her Watcher, too? What’s she doing here, Giles?”
“She seems completely cured and ready to train.”
“Seems? Giles. What if she’s…”
“What happened to giving her a second chance?”
“I know, but…”
“He’s got a point, Buff. We told you we’d give Spike a chance,” Xander pointed out.
“Whoa. That’s so not even the same thing.”
“Buffy, I understand your apprehension. I have the same worries. That’s why I’d prefer her to be here where I can keep an eye on her. If it turns out that she’s truly not safe to have out on the streets, we’ll take care of it.”
“I guess,” Buffy said quietly. “I just don’t want another little fiasco like we had with Faith.”
“We’ll all do our part to keep an eye on her, right?”
“Right,” Xander offered. The door opened, and Tara came in, a worried look in her eyes.
“Giles? Come quick. It’s Dana. Something’s…just hurry.”
***
The group piled into the small living room of the apartment the Council had acquired for the new Slayer. Dana was sitting on the couch, arms wrapped around her knees. She was rocking.
“Dana? What is it?”
“She was remembering something again…I think,” Willow whispered. “She won’t talk to me.”
“Dana?” Giles asked again, placing his hands on her arms. “It’s Mr. Giles. Can you hear me?”
“Needles. I remembered needles,” she whispered. “And darkness.” Buffy and Willow exchanged bewildered glances.
“It’s alright now,” Giles assured her. “You’re safe. There are no needles.” Dana shook her head a couple of times.
“Was she asleep when she remembered?”
“No,” Willow said, shaking her head. “I was just putting some stuff into this bag. And she started mumbling something about somebody taking a needle out of a case. Out of a bag like this.”
“Do you remember anything else, Dana?” Giles wondered.
“No. I’m sorry. I…” Tears flooded her eyes. “I did something bad, didn’t I?” Giles looked at Buffy for interference. They couldn’t outright tell her the things she’d done. They had to be careful with her. She obviously wasn’t strong enough yet.
“Dana,” Buffy said, clearing her throat and moving into the position Giles was in. He scooted over so she could get in front of Dana. “My name’s Buffy.”
“The other Slayer.”
“Yeah. Listen. If there’s any more of the dream that you can remember…”
“I can’t. I’m sorry. I’ll try harder,” she said with a frantic nod. “I just can’t go back to that place.”
“It’s ok,” Buffy assured her. “Giles is the best Watcher around. If there’s any explanation for what’s going on with you, he’ll find it. Ok?” Dana nodded. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, and after a moment, her eyes snapped open.
“You’re human.” Buffy looked around, startled.
“Yeah. I’m…a Slayer. What’s…”
“You have the blood of a demon inside of you.” Buffy stood up quickly, and Giles did the same. Dana looked up at her with wide eyes. “I can sense it. I can…” Buffy’s neck began to burn again. She placed her hand there.
“Uh…Giles…” She grew faint and fell backwards against Xander.
“Whoa, Buff. Come on. Sit down.” Buffy sat down on the couch next to Dana, and immediately the attention turned to her.
“Did she just say Buffy’s a demon?” Anya asked, intrigued.
“No,” Tara said with a shake of her head. “She said Buffy has demon blood inside of her.” They all looked at Giles who was already thumbing through one of the books Willow had borrowed from the Magic Box last night.
“Ah, right here,” he said quickly. “Claims…claims…yes. Here. It says that the vampire-human claim transfers blood to both parties…I already knew that. Yes…yes. Ah…here. The blood of the demon, however small in amount, may pulse at the claim site.”
“That’s it?” Buffy asked as the stinging subsided. “Well I could’ve come to that conclusion. It’s just Spike’s blood.”
“Buffy has a little Spike blood inside of her,” Xander said thoughtfully.
“And Spike has Buffy blood,” Willow pointed out.
“Creepy,” Xander shuddered.
“The book says it’s only until your body adjusts. The burning is your body’s way of rejecting the blood, and it’s seeking a way out. Which would be the site of the claim.” Giles examined the two pink dots on Buffy’s neck. “The burning attacks should go away with time.”
“Ok. So what about the passing out and the…”
“That, I’m not sure of.”
“Research mode. Got it,” Xander offered.
“Yes, we all should get back. Though I think someone should stay with Dana.”
“I’ll do it,” Buffy offered. “Just for a while. I wanna get home before Dawnie gets out of school.”
“I have some errands to run,” Tara spoke up. “I can come back when I’m done.”
“Great. Thanks, Tara.” Everyone filed out of the apartment, and Buffy sat down on the couch awkwardly with Dana. The funny thing was that this girl didn’t look like a killer. She looked like any normal…Slayer. She was beautiful with dark hair and deep, mysterious eyes. However, right now, the way she was looking at Buffy made her a tad uncomfortable. “What?”
“You let a vampire claim you?”
“Well…it’s more complicated than that…”
“But Slayers are supposed to fight vampires. Kill them.”
“Not my vampire,” Buffy replied with a shake of her head.
“What makes him different than others?”
“You want a list?” Buffy asked with a slight smile as she thought about him. “First of all, he has a soul. When a person dies, their soul goes to whichever heaven or hell dimension it was destined to go. So when they rise from the dead, the soul’s already on a one way trip with no return flight.”
“Oh,” Dana said quietly. “So he’s like a human.”
“Except he has no pulse, can’t go out in the daytime, can’t fix his hair in the mirror, and he drinks blood. Other than that? Yeah, pretty much.” Dana looked away, thoughtfully.
“It’s all so new,” Dana admitted. “I started having the dreams about vampires and demons, and I thought I really was insane. Maybe…maybe I really was. Maybe that’s why I was locked up the way I was.” Buffy felt a shiver run up her spine, memories from her own past coming back to haunt her. “Did I say something wrong? I didn’t mean to…”
“No, it’s ok, Dana. It’s nothing. Why don’t you tell me about yourself. What you can remember, anyway.” Dana smiled gratefully at her fellow Slayer, and Buffy sat in silence, half-listening to the girl, her mind wandering to a place in time she hadn’t thought about in years.
***
“What’s wrong, pet?” Spike asked, as Buffy came through the front door that afternoon with a paper sack in her hands.
“I met the new Slayer today.”
“What? She’s here? In Sunnydale?”
“In the flesh,” Buffy remarked, heading into the kitchen. She put the sack down on the counter and pulled out a few containers of pig’s blood. Spike went over and put them away in the fridge.
“So what’s she like? She off her rocker like they said?”
“No,” Buffy said quietly. “She seems normal, but I think she’s starting to remember things about her past. And who knows if that’s a good thing or not? I mean, on the one hand, she might be able to face what happened, or she might freak out and start going after people.”
“What do you think?” Buffy shrugged.
“She’s not cold. She’s not angry. She’s afraid, but she seems nice enough. She’s just worried that she’s crazy. The Slayer dreams aren’t helping matters any.” She frowned and headed back into the living room.
“What’s bothering you? Is it her being here?”
“Not exactly,” Buffy said quietly. “It’s…well, it’s something she said. It just took me back to when I was first called. Well, before I knew I was called, I guess.” She sat down on the couch, and Spike sat down in a seat across from her. “I would wake up screaming in the middle of the night. My mom and dad thought it was stress from school, but the dreams kept coming. And then I found out who I was, and the big mistake was trying to talk to my parents about it. They put me in the hospital.” The look on Spike’s face was nothing short of surprise. “They thought the stress of school and my bad grades was getting to me and that I was acting out. I don’t really remember how long I was there, but it was awful, Spike. I had to…to pretend to be somebody I wasn’t so that I could get out. My parents’ divorce was finalized right before I got out, and it wasn’t long before me and Mom came to Sunnydale.”
“I never knew.”
“You’re the first person I’ve ever told,” Buffy admitted. “Dawn doesn’t even know. They told her they sent me to camp.” Buffy laughed dryly and rolled her eyes. “Worst camp ever.”
“I’m sorry you went through that, pet. Must’ve been hard.”
“Yeah. When I came to Sunnydale, I told myself I was done with Slaying. But, as you know, that’s not the way the story went.”
“Not even close,” Spike replied quietly. “Why’d you tell me?”
“I dunno,” she admitted with a shrug. “I guess I just let myself think about it too much, and I had to tell someone.” It warmed his unbeating heart to hear her say such a thing. She leaned her head on his shoulder and laced her fingers through his. “I do have good news, though.”
“What’s that?”
“Giles found out that the burning at the claim site is your demon blood trying to get out of me.”
“That’s…good news?”
“Well, yeah. He said it’d go away on its own. He said you have some of my blood in you too.”
“Wonder why it doesn’t burn?”
“Maybe ‘cause I’m not a vampire,” she teased, lightening the mood.
“So…that’s the reason for the headaches and the passing out?” He saw Buffy tense a little.
“No,” she said quietly. “He’s still looking into that.”
“So there could still be something wrong?” Spike asked standing up. “Fucking hell.” He paced for a few moments. “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.”
“Shut up, Spike. Whatever it is, we’ll fix it. No regrets, remember?” she asked, taking his hand and yanking him back down onto the couch.
“No regrets,” he said slowly. “But the Watcher better find out what’s going on soon. Can’t stand this happening to you ‘cause of me.”
“Don’t worry,” she assured him, kissing him softly. “Come on. We have some time before Dawn gets home…”
“You’re feeling up to it?”
“Mmmhmm,” she murmured, kissing his neck. Her hand moved to cup the bulge in his jeans. “And so are you.”
“Bloody hell,” he murmured, eliciting a giggle from her. With that, he stood up, threw her over his shoulder, and rushed her up the stairs to ravage her for the next hour.
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Chapter End Notes:
Hey guys! I'm feeling almost 100% better, but I don't want to speak too soon. I'm glad you're all enjoying the story, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Let me know what you thought!