S3 Helpless: Spike saves Buffy from the Cruciamentum. Lets her heal at his underground apartment

I know I read this fic MANY years ago. I think it starts with Spike saving Buffy from her 18th birthday Council approved gift. I remember that in this fic Spike never left after Lover's Walk and had secretly built an undergound, nice apartment, has been feeding on bagged blood, and keeping a very low profile so that none of the Scoobies or Buffy knew he was still there.

He takes her back to his place to help her heal. I think the serum they gave her were more incapacitating than they were supposed to be, or some kind of poison, because the Council wanted her dead. After Buffy is conscious and doing better, they bring in Giles and the Scoobs, quietly so the Council doesn't know Buffy is still around, to form a plan. There is a build up to some good Spuffy romance as well.

I can not remember how long the fic was, although I think it was more along the lines of a 20,000 or a little more word type. Not really long, but not a short fic either. I am almost positive I read it on Sinister Attraction, but over these many years the site has had some issues which included lose of some of the fics and a revamp. I have searched for the last 3months and have been unable to find it there. I have literally gone through every fic. I've also searched other older sites and have not found it.

The concept of this very old fic has been nagging at me and making me want to read it again very badly even if I can't remember who wrote it, the name of it, or if it was very well written or not.

If anyone out there could help me I would much appreciate it.

It really sounds like The Reluctant Hero by Dreamer

The Reluctant Hero

Summary: Spike helps Buffy out. NC-17

It's set post Helpless, but Buffy's attacked by a rogue watcher. Spike does rescue her and helps her get better. He does bring Giles and the Scoobs in later to help.

If this is the one that you want, the reason you can't find it is because it is on the old, old Vamp Kiss archive. Unfort., it's a WIP.

http://web.archive.org/web/20050108025430/vampires-kiss.net/fics/reluctanthero.html

If this isn't it, I'm really sorry for answering the question, Pari. It was one I looked for for ages until someone posted a link for the ancient Vamp Kiss archive. I'm pretty sure this is the original from before they got hacked again. Again, if it's not the right fic, I'm sorry and please delete my post.

maryperk
I guess I must have mashed two or three fics together in my head, because although this one has some of the things and I know I have read it before a long time ago there is still more missing. Thanks so much for all of your help, because in reality you did find part of what Iwas looking for. I hate it when I get two or three fics stuck in my head as one.