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: Rated R most chapters for violence and Language, some are NC-17 for sexual content

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

Afterglow Chapter 19 Quintessential

Giles rushed in. "I'm sorry. I know I promised I'd be here earlier but I got a phone call from an instructor just as I was leaving."

Buffy moved to the stove and began dishing up the food. "It's OK, Giles; I know always to add 45 minutes on to any time you tell me."

Giles chuckled. "You do, do you? When did you get so smart?"

"Well, my time away at college had to be good for something."

Buffy had already set the table and now she put the food on it. She walked over to the foot of the stairs and yelled,

"Dawn, come on: dinner."

Moments later they were all seated.

As Giles passed the potatoes to Dawn, he smiled. "Dawn, I was informed that you had a visitor to your Watchers' Hands-On training class today."

Dawn grinned. "Yes, none other than the Spike who saved the world. That's a quotation from another student who didn't know that Spike was sitting right there. Did you know that our teacher knows him, and that he trained her?"

Buffy fought to keep the smile on her face.

"Yes, Dawn, I do believe I was aware of that. Tell me about today's class."

"It was so cool. Well, not the first part. Most of the class are idiots and won't listen, or have learning disabilities or something, so we have to spend forever on these defensive techniques. Miss Taylor told them she was frustrated with them and that at the rate they were going they would never get to work with any of her Slayers. The cool part came when she called me and Spike up to demonstrate. She was so funny asking Spike, "William would you be comfortable simulating a vampire", he was all "Sure, I'll do my best". At the end I even made him fall on his butt. He acted all surprised but I'm pretty sure he did it to make me feel good."

Buffy spoke up then. "Spike fell on his butt?"

"Yeah, but like I said..."

"Dawn, one thing about Spike, he's not going on his butt to make anyone feel good. You put him there all by yourself."

"It would appear that these methods Mia is teaching are effective, even dealing with someone like Spike."

"So... I.... knocked Spike on his ass."

"Dawn, we're at the dinner table."

"Ok, butt. No wonder he was grouchy when I teased him later. You see, after we did the demo Miss Taylor gave a little speech and said that if William had been a genuine vampire my life would have been in jeopardy. It was all about how the moves had to be ingrained and become instinct. She explained that Slayers have to depend on instinct and that it is the Watchers' job to make sure the training was there to back it up. She said Mr. Giles was an example of one of the best Watchers ever."

"She did, did she?"

"Giles, let me finish. She told us how you had one of the oldest living Slayers, and it was because you trained her so well and also trusted her instinct. Miss Taylor said, and these are her exact words, "Mr. Giles and Buffy Summers are the quintessential Watcher-Slayer team." But that's not why I told the story: it was the first part of what I was telling you. You see, after class I turned to Spike and said, "William, if you had been a genuine vampire I would have feared for my life." Funny, huh! But he was all like, don't start with me I had to spend all day in the house with Mia. He was seriously grumpy: she must have been mean to him, or something."

Buffy couldn't help it. She was actually smiling as she asked Giles, "Quintessential, as in ultimate right?"

"That is pretty much correct."

"I didn't know she felt that way."

"Nor did I, but she has been doing research and reading the Watcher journals so one would have to acknowledge that she is basing it on fact."

"But she never had a Watcher."

Giles looked at her very seriously. "Unless you count Spike."

"And I guess there was Wesley for the book stuff."

"So I would say she had Watchers, wouldn't you?"

"She did, and she didn't even know it."

"I wager she did, Buffy. If you and I sit down with her and ask her where she got her ideas of what a Watcher and what a Slayer should be, it would come out then."

"Maybe we should. She's working closely with both."

Dawn cleared her throat. "Can I say something? Miss Taylor is like no teacher I've ever had. I know she's a vampire because you guys told me, and she's only a little older than me but she knows a lot. If I was in the field with her I would feel safe and that I would come back alive, not just because of her being there, but because what she will have taught me. I know stuff from watching Buffy, of course, but in three days I have learned to put a real vampire on his butt. And, may I add, a vampire who has killed two Slayers."

"How long will we have to go on hearing about this?" asked Buffy with a grin.

"Just until I throw him over my shoulder," beamed Dawn.

"I will be on tenterhooks until then, Dawn," added Giles, laughing.

Buffy looked at him. "Was that a joke? Did you just make a joke?"

"Buffy, you have been away; it has been known to happen a time or two." Giles said in a matter of fact way.

"Yes, sometimes my sides hurt so bad I have to go do homework to make it stop," Dawn added with a deadpan face.

"Thank you, Dawn," Giles replied with just the slightest of smiles.

Dawn mimicked his slight smile, and answered, "You're welcome, Giles."

Buffy laughed then. She had to admit that she loved her family, strange as it was.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Spike watched as Mia jumped up and reached Harris in what seemed only nano seconds. He stayed on the mat, trying to ignore his demon. Damn demon, making him want.

"Xander!"

"Looked like I was interrupting something."

"Only me getting ready to tell Spike why we couldn't do the things some vampires do after a fight. You see, our demons start to play and they start wanting other things, but there are reasons we can't do that any more."

Spike closed his eyes. There it was: she was as good as telling Harris she loved him. Even though Spike knew they weren't meant for one another it was going to be hard to see her with someone else, especially Harris. The boy didn't have a stellar record in the relationship department. Well, on second thoughts, maybe they were perfect for each other.

Spike heard Xander whisper, "And you were going to tell Spike that I am the reason."

Mia whispered back, "Well, you are. But whispering isn't really effective with a vampire."

"I was kind of hoping he'd ignore us," Xander whispered.

She answered in the same low tone. "Who, Spike? Not really in his nature."

"Oi! I heard that!"

Mia got a great big grin on her face. "See."

Spike stood up and walked over. "You think you know me so bloody well, don't you?"

"I bloody well do."

"Well, woman, remember that I know you too."

"Right, so we really know one another. Aren't we so lucky, and ahead of the curve."

"So, if you know me so well, what am I thinking?" asked Spike.

"It's a toss up. On one hand you want to piss me off and tell Xander that I said I was tempted by my demon, and on the other, you want me to remember just how much I owe you."

Spike just stood and stared at her. He answered flatly, "I wouldn't have told him."

"No, but you were thinking it."

Xander looked from Spike to Mia. "Mia, how did you do that, and did she get that right, Spike?"

"She bloody well did." Spike shook his head back and forth then looked at Mia, "Bitch."

Mia smiled at him.

"Maybe it isn't that she knows you. Maybe it's the psychic stuff she's been experiencing."

"No, not with a vampire of her own blood. We were both sired by Drusilla, so it's not possible." "But Dru could read you." Xander said.

"She was my sire, that's a little different. Mia is simply drawing on Emma's knowledge and using it as if I were an opponent. Her demon is always on guard against mine and is constantly aware of what my next move will be. It is an admirable, but bloody infuriating skill."

"So do you know what her next move will be?"

Spike closed his eyes a moment, and when he opened them again he stared at her. "Besides standing there in all her smugness, she'll be asking you if you went home and ate yet."

Xander looked at Mia. She smiled, put one finger to her nose and pointed the other at Spike. He had hit it just right.

Xander looked back and forth between the two of them. "This is freaking weird."

"Well, did you?" Mia asked

"What?"

"Eat, you moron," supplied Spike.

Mia glared at him. "Don't call him that."

"Or what? I only have one nose."

"Which can easily be broken again."

"Will you two knock it off? It's like your brother and sister always bickering."

Spike's eyebrow went up. And Mia cocked her head and then started to laugh.

Mia tried to stop. " It's absurd but oh..."

"The boy is right. Dru is mommy," chuckled Spike.

This started Mia laughing again. Then she quieted down and stood straight. "OK, Xander, that's it. Realizing this new family connection is too much for me, stake me now."

Xander looked confused.

"No, I'm the oldest. If any on gets to get out, it's me. Stake me."

Xander smiled and pulled out his stake.

"Bloody hell."

"Oops, should have told you big brother, Xander always carries one of those."

"You're not going to start calling me that!"

"Am to. I'm going to introduce you Friday as my big bro."

"You do that, and I'll start telling them the kind of things you did with your brother just a few months back."

Mia got serious. "Spike, we were having fun and you have to go say something creepy like that. What's wrong with you?"

Spike gave her a sheepish grin. "I'm out of practice."

"Well, you better get in practice or you will be sporting more broken bones. Bring that time up to zing me again and I won't let it go," she snapped.

"Oh, yes, Miss high and mighty. It's all right for you to pull things out from the past, but the minute I do it's all 'watch out or bones will be breaking'. Who left whom? Who is now in love with someone else? Who is happily in another life now? Well, it sure as hell isn't Spike, so I'm bleeding sorry if I spoke out of turn. I'm the one just dangling here, with no life or love right now."

It went quiet then and they all stared at one another. The tension was very high until Mia spoke.

"You're right."

"What? "Asked Spike.

"You are right, and I'm sorry."

Xander smiled at the look of confusion on Spike's face. He had to admit the guy didn't usually get apologies.

"I think it grossed me out what you said, the incest thing, and I overreacted."

Spike cocked his head and searched her eyes. "Did you just apologize?"

"Yes, do you accept?"

He straightened. "I guess.....yes, I do."

"So let's get going. Xander, I never found out if you ate."

"Yes and that Jambalaya was a little spicy but really, really good."

"Thanks, the recipe was from my landlady in New Orleans. I have a huge favor to ask. I need you to drop me at home so I can get started on some work I didn't finish, and Spike needs a ride to Giles' to get his stuff, and then to the new apartment Giles arranged for him today. I promised to do it but you know how much I love to drive here on this different side of the road to ours in the states. I'm thinking that's why you're here, to drive me home."

"You'd be right. I kind of figured you'd get Spike to drive you both here this afternoon. Did you?"

"Yes, she did. But about the ride, I can call a cab, Harris," said Spike as they headed to the door.

Mia looked at Xander, who nodded and replied. "No, Spike, I'll drive you. It's what Mia wants."

Spike mumbled, "Yes, and what Mia wants, Mia gets."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ They dropped Mia at the house and for the first few moments after that they rode in silence.

It was Xander who spoke first. "You said she was in love with someone."

Spike just groaned. This was all he needed before a confrontation with Buffy. No booze today, his broken nose, Mia all day, and now after everything there would be... this. His life was almost shittier than when he had the chip.

"Spike?"

"Harris, do you carry any tools in that toolbox you call a brain? She's in love with you, you dolt."

"But we've only kissed a little. How can..."

"It's the way she bleedin' looks at you." Really quietly he added, "I've seen those same eyes look at me in the same way."

Xander didn't say anything for a minute. He didn't know what to say. Of course, he knew he had strong feelings for her. He even thought it might be love and that he just hadn't admitted it. Being in love again was scary after everything that had happened.

It was Spike who spoke. "She doesn't know. She'll have mentally glossed over that comment."

"What?"

"Em. She'll blank out what I said. She won't admit she's in love. She would be too afraid of it, afraid that she might hurt someone else. She can't deal with the fact she hurt me, that, and she doesn't feel she deserves it."

Xander glanced at Spike who was slumped in his seat, suddenly looking very defeated.

"But on some level she still loves you."

Spike cleared his throat. "And I her, but not in the way you are thinking. We went through a lot, we shared so very much. Bloody hell, I don't want to talk about this... with you of all people. You see, Em and I, we were friends before we were..."

"...lovers. You can say it. I'm big boy. I've even done it before."

Spike chuckled.

"Right then, we were shagging before we were in love, well at least before I knew we were. It seems that Em knew we were in love before I did."

"That's because of you and Buffy, right?"

"Bollocks! I never bloody thought of Buffy while I was with Emma that way," snapped Spike.

"OK. But I didn't mean it that way, I meant...."

"When I did know, I fell so hard I can't even begin to explain it."

Xander pulled the van over to the side of the road. He turned and looked at Spike. "I think I might understand."

"You've only bleedin had a few kisses, and barely a couple of weeks. Harris, you can only see the tip of the bloody iceberg."

Xander's eyes got big. "So there is more and better come." Xander's brows raised once very quickly. "I mean besides the obvious."

"If you're a lucky enough bloke to be let in."

"But she's different now, right? You said so yourself."

"Yeah, but ... and heed my words, Harris... if I felt any of what I did before and she gave me the chance to finally be let in, I'd take it."

"You're saying... wait, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I successfully mourned and moved on from Emma. I accept that Mia is a different person, and that neither of us feel what was there before: but if we did... I... she's still very much...."

"The bickering: isn't that sexual tension?"

"Aha, that would be very astute of you, Harris, if it wasn't completely off base. This morning your girl and I shared a kiss... a deep, tongue-filled kiss, and you know what we felt? Nothing. Well, OK, a little bit of blood lust, which was the demons talking, but on the whole nothing. So nope, no sexual tension there. And I'll tell you, I wanted to feel something. She had said that she'd come back, try again and I thought that would be the cure for all my problems."

"Nothing?" Xander grinned.

"Don't go and gloat. I could drain you and leave you at the side of the road, then act all surprised when they find you."

Xander chuckled. "She'd know somehow."

Spike looked out of the side window. "The really infuriating thing about her is that she's a good vampire. I mean, she is only a few months old but already she has the skills of a much older one. I'm not sure if that is Dru's blood, her Slayer blood mixed in or what, but you are right, she'd know. Tonight you live, but I'm crafty so I could devise a plan to make your life hell, so if you ever bring up anything we spoke of tonight I will.

Xander started the van and pulled out, "Crafty, huh. Is that like with yarn, as in knitting, or maybe scrapbooking?"

Spike growled and Xander chuckled again.

Xander glanced in the vampire's direction and back at the road. "I'll divert Giles and Dawn tonight so you can have alone time with Buffy. Just give a holler when you are ready to leave."

Spike's only acknowledgement was a raised eyebrow, but the gesture was noted.