Written as a Long Stand Alone (Was written so it can be read with out reading the first story).

Sequel to Dream Once More (Archived at the Sand lot)

Author: T. Claybourne  (t.claybourne@yahoo.com)

AU And Crossover

Rating: NC-17 for sexual content but only in a few chapters mostly it is R for language

Pairings: Spike/Buffy Spike/female? Original Character/Male.

I'd like to thank my Beta Reader Hawera And muses Michelle Branch, Robbie Williams and Evanescence

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Afterglow Chapter 13 Unseen Forces

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I'm scared So afraid to show I care Will he think me weak If I tremble when I speak what if There's another one he's thinking of Maybe he's in love I'd feel like a fool Life can be so cruel I don't know what to do I've been there With my heart out in my hand But what you must understand You can't let the chance To love him pass you by Tell him Celine Dion

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Buffy watched as Xander answered the phone. From his broad smile she knew it must be Mia. She supposed that she ought to feel happy for him. She heard him suggest they head to the pub for a drink later, then play some Xbox: it was all very cute.

Buffy mused about Spike. She hadn't heard from him yet. Xander came back to the table, his spirits fully restored.

"Mia says she's fine except for a black eye. And she's upset about the extra time she will have to spend putting make-up on it tomorrow"

Buffy smiled then, thinking of her many black eyes and the make-up over them. "Been there, done that."

"Yeah, but Buffy, you didn't have a bunch of new Watchers and Slayers to train. I bet she's nervous about what they'll think," said Willow.

"True, but I was trying to keep some semblance of a rep at school. Just think, if I had gone with no make-up how bad the rumors would have been."

"God, are we lucky we don't deal with that crap any more," added Xander.

"Yeah." Willow and Buffy agreed together.

The phone rang then. Willow answered it, and handed the phone to Buffy,

~

"Hello, Buffy."

"Spike, where are you? How are you? When will you get here?"

"I'm fine, had a little difficulty in Ireland which I'll explain when I get there, but I'll be there tomorrow."

"What time? I'll meet you at the airport."

"I'm not sure, pet, so I'll get a car. I have the address. How are things with you?"

"Good, just hanging with Xander and Willow today, but I guess you figured that out. Hey, you might run into Robin and Faith: they are due in tomorrow. They are coming for the big meeting."

"Different terminals at the airport love, remember?"

"Oh, right."

"Well then..." he paused purposely

"I miss you."

"Right then, see you soon." He hung up. ~

Spike got off the phone and glared at Mia.

"I heard her say she misses you."

"Told me about Faith and Wood, but not a word about you."

"Maybe she wants to do it in person."

"She'd better."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Buffy dressed particularly carefully for Spike's arrival. Dawn was at the house so there would be no sexy home-coming, but maybe later, in the middle of the night, she could sneak to his room. Her nerves were a jangled mess. She would have to tell him about Emma today. Everyone was urging her to tell him as soon as he arrived. Buffy planned to keep him at home tonight so she would have more time. The others would all be coming over later, so keeping him in would be no problem. Buffy reasoned that if he didn't go out, there was no chance of him running into Mia: that would be a complete disaster. Buffy had come to terms with Emma being there: well, almost. She could see that Xander and Mia, as she liked to be called now, were already good friends and might possibly become more. Certainly Xander had it bad, but Mia seemed a little more detached. But then, Mia seemed a little detached from everything. Giles said she worked hard, and was excelling with the teaching gig but the only friends she had were Xander and Willow, and even then Willow said they didn't share that much.

The morning was dragging by. Finally, at two in the afternoon, the doorbell rang. Dawn yelled and ran for it before Buffy could even get up from her chair.

Spike walked through the door, with Dawn attached around his neck and waist. They were both laughing. Dawn kissed both his cheeks and then jumped down.

"I can't believe it's really you. I mean, I believe it, Buffy talked about you, it's just seeing makes it all so..."

"Real." grinned Spike. "I'm real, and happy to see you too, niblet."

"OK, Buffy," started Dawn. "I remember what we talked about. If you need me I'll be in my room."

Spike looked at Buffy. He was angry with her, but.... "Buffy, you're a sight for sore eyes"

They walked towards each other, embraced, and began a deep passionate kiss. Forgotten was the secret that needed telling. Spike lowered her to the sofa, probing her mouth. As he cupped her breast he began to work his lips down her neck, but then the door opened and they pulled apart.

Giles stood in the doorway. "Spike, welcome. I see my personal invitation from our time in Los Angeles still worked well."

Spike stood and crossed to the watcher. "Yes, Rupert, thanks for the digs."

"Has Buffy settled you into your room?"

Buffy jumped up then. "I was about to."

"You get him settled, and give him a tour, meanwhile I'll pour us both a single malt."

Buffy showed Spike to his room and pointed out where she had put his large duffle bag. They were able to snatch a couple of kisses before they quickly continued on and Buffy gave him a quick tour. When they got downstairs Willow and Xander were there. Buffy started to worry about how she was to tell him. It didn't help that the others were constantly mouthing,' tell him' at her. Buffy wanted to get him alone, so she would wait until the others had left. Food and drinks were brought out, they all began reminiscing and loud laughter reverberated around the house. Buffy watched Spike closely. He was in his element, retelling past adventures. Later, as the others were leaving and Buffy was seeing them out, Spike and Dawn sat together.

"There something I want to tell you but I'm sworn to secrecy"

"Well now, pet, should I guess that it is Buffy who has imposed this vow of secrecy?"

Dawn shrugged, not committing herself one way or the other. "It's something you need to know, and she needs to tell."

"Something about my recently tragic past, is it?"

He saw the surprise on Dawn's face.

"Your sister never could keep much from me, but she does need to tell me this."

"We told her that two weeks ago."

Spike shook his head. This was worse than he had thought. Two weeks; she had had two weeks to tell him. She had even known when Mia had made her ghostly appearances. Spike felt betrayed. The others had all known too, and had even encouraged her to tell him.

"This might be an important test for big sis. It might change some things if she doesn't pass."

Dawn sucked in her breath. "I hope she tells you."

"Me too, Dawn, me too"

Buffy returned and Dawn excused herself. Buffy sat down on the couch, with Spike across from her. They sat in silence. Spike waited for her to say something.

"That was fun, but I was hoping it would just be us on your first night here," said Buffy.

"Wanted me alone, did you?"

Buffy smiled. "I was so sleepy on the plane that we didn't have much time to talk."

"True."

Giles wandered, in looking for something. "Buffy, have you seen papers for tomorrow's meeting. I was going over them earlier, and now I can't find them."

"Did you look in your office?"

"Of course I did."

"Your room? You like to read at night."

"Ah ha, that's the place. Thank you."

Spike stood. "It's been a hectic few days. I'm off to bed."

"Spike, wait."

"Yes?"

She froze. He saw it: Buffy looked like a doe caught in headlights.

"If you need more blankets they are in the hall closet."

"Vampire here, love, extra blankets not really an issue."

"Right, sorry. G'night"

.............................

Spike undressed and slipped between the covers. He stared at the ceiling, mulling over everything. He'd been really angry to find out that she'd known for two weeks that Mia was here. It made him think about her attempt early on to develop the physical aspect of their relationship.

It was some time during the night when he realized he'd never been without someone. There'd been Drusilla, then Harmony, then he'd begun the obsession with Buffy, and as soon as he'd become corporeal there had been Emma. Maybe he should try being on his own for a time. Do as Emma had, get his head straight first, then face it all.

If Buffy didn't tell him, then that was it: he'd go it alone. Maybe he could even stay on here in England and work for the Council. He'd have to find something to do if he wasn't going to follow Buffy back to college. He'd give Buffy every opportunity in the morning to tell him, but if she didn't have enough faith in the strength of their relationship for this, things would have to change.

~ ~ ~

Buffy tossed and turned, angry at herself for not having been able to tell Spike about Mia. What was wrong with her? She went through all the different scenarios of what might have happened if she had told him, and none were so bad that she might have faded away or have died, so what was her problem? She looked at the clock: 3:30 am. God, she needed to get some sleep so she could tell him in the morning.

She woke to a pounding on her door.

"Buffy get up, you'll be late. The meeting is in about an hour," yelled Dawn

Buffy shot out of bed, grabbing the only suit she possessed that was suitable for a business meeting, and got ready as quickly as she could. When she got downstairs, Spike was there, talking with Giles over a cup of tea.

"There's time for some breakfast if you want. Dawn was being a bit over-dramatic, the meeting's not for an hour and half," said Giles.

"Sleep well, love?"

"I'd love some toast if you're making some, Giles, and as you might have guessed I slept a little too well."

Buffy knew that she absolutely had to tell Spike now, but as much as she willed herself to do it, it wasn't happening. She kept hearing him that day in the Hyperion, saying 'I'm with Emma, Buffy, she makes me happy.'

Dawn joined them and they continued chatting until it was time to leave. Spike went off, telling them he'd just grab his jacket. Buffy followed him into his room.

"Spike, we need to talk."

Spike had waited all through breakfast and now she came, just as they were leaving.

"We have to go, Buffy. This is an important meeting, we can't be late for it." He put on his suit jacket and strode out. If she wanted to tell him it would have to be on the way.

She was silent in the car, and it wasn't until they had passed through all the security checks and headed towards the conference room that Buffy pulled him to one side.

"Spike, please, you need to know that Emma is here. She'll be at this meeting."

Spike looked at her, no emotion showing, and then continued walking into the meeting.