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 24 The Big Day Part 4

Here in my life, Yeah in heaven and hell, Baby you're heaven and hell Heaven and hell, Oh, heaven and hell, All the time...Want a chance to hold you Want a chance to kill, I want a chance to keep you awake at night When the sunlight burns through your love, But you cant always get, Everything you want You take cards from all under the table, You're heaven, heaven and hell U2

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Chapter 24 The Big Day part 4

"This report says they were all desanguinated," announced Giles

"Vamp M.O.," stated Spike.

"Yes, but each time on the same night a female victim has gone missing as well. There is something sinister going on in Amsterdam. That's why I want to send Mia to investigate."

"When?" asked Mia.

"Tomorrow morning. I acquired special air transportation to guard you against the sun. I want you on the streets on Saturday night. Willow has been on the phone with the coven and they have come up with a glamour that draws from your soul and covers any trace that you are a vampire. To everyone, demon or not you will appear perfectly human."

Mia groaned lightly.

"Is there a problem?" asked Giles.

"It just that I had plans for this weekend."

Giles grinned and glanced at Buffy. "I am just trying to recall where I have heard that before."

"Well, not from me this time. I'm a Slayer and I have no plans for this weekend so I can go," volunteered Buffy.

"I left out the fact that all the victims' heads appear to have been ripped from their bodies. As you know, this is an unprecedented show of strength even for a vampire and I..."

"I'm going. That's the kind of thing I came here for. I just don't want to have to explain this to Xander."

Willow gave a snorty type of laugh. "That's funny: so, not afraid to go face a head-ripper-offer vampire, but telling Xander you have to cancel a date, that instills fear in you."

"Rupert, this air transportation: will she be able to carry heavy weapons aboard?" questioned a concerned-sounding Spike.

"Yes, the only problem I can foresee is that our only Dutch-speaking operative is deep in the Amazon in South America. If I recall, Mia you can speak German?"

"Well that was in my first year of college so I am probably real rusty, but I can read it just fine. I might be able to scan newspapers etcetera. I know on the surface the two languages are different but they also have some similarities, they are both Germanic languages. That's what you're getting at right? I used to be pretty good at picking up on that kind of thing so I might manage. I don't know how long it will take me though."

"Wesley has told me of your abilities with languages, I feel confident you will be fine. Most Dutch people speak English anyway. I can get a non-Dutch operative there, but not until Monday. I have contacted a well trained German Slayer and Watcher who are on assignment in Poland right now. We are lucky to have them; they barely survived an attack by the bringers. She lost her whole family that day. I know her Watcher. They are a good team. If anything they can do daylight work for you."

"My classes?"

"I'll take those. We can't let the little wankers think they're off the hook," smiled Spike.

"Well, here I come, Amsterdam."

7:10pm

"Ok I've got everything. I left lesson plans out, but I don't care if you follow them, I know they aren't really your style."

Spike used his head to motion to the weapons bag. "What are you taking, pet?"

"Two swords, broad axe, two knives and about twenty stakes."

"That ought to do it. How about you ride the Harley to the house, I'll follow and the we can come back for your car. Then you and I can swing by, pick up Xander and Willow and head for the pub. I need a drink."

After taking care of the motorcycle and car transfer, Mia walked into the house: everything was dark. She went up the stairs and caught Xander's scent just as the light came on and they yelled:

"Surprise!"

Her smile showed how pleased she was. Streamers and balloons decorated the living room. Drinks, and food were distributed and everyone mingled. Spike watched as, after a while, she pulled Xander to the side and told him about the assignment. Spike thought Harris handled it pretty well.

The time came for presents and Spike saw a side of her he hadn't seen before. She seemed much younger. Emma and he had never exchanged gifts. At Christmas it had been she who had suggested they should not bother with them. She had said something about their relationship being all so new that picking the right thing would be stressful. Truthfully, he was glad then; he hadn't given any gifts to a human since he was one himself, so he had agreed. Watching her now, Spike wished he hadn't. Giles gave her an eight by ten sized book on medieval weaponry. Willow gave her a gift certificate to a home décor store. Buffy and Dawn gave her a gift certificate to a shoe store. Andrew came a little late and brought a gift from Robin and Faith: Both had decided that it would be best for everyone if they did not attend. Andrew gave her a thirty two ounce travel mug.

"I thought it would hold more blood for you so you won't have to keep refilling."

Mia gave him a kiss on the cheek that had the boy blushing.

Mia started opening the gift from Faith and Wood.

"Oh," started Andrew. "I forgot to say what she told me to. Faith said that this is her favorite and she hopes you like it as much as she does."

Mia pulled back the box lid to reveal a cross bow and about twenty arrows. Pulling out the bow, Mia admired it.

"Giles, I say it's sixteen-fiftyish, wouldn't you? Look how they modified it." The back, which rested against the arm, was whittled to a sharp point. It would be perfect to stake a vampire in a fight.

"Why didn't we ever think of doing that?" asked Buffy.

"I think you are spot on with the date. You have been studying," said Giles.

"Not surprised are you, Watcher. Girl bleeding loves to study," Spike commented.

Xander gave her a thick, sturdy chain, explaining that it was for her locket. She took off the locket and handed it to him. Xander began to take the thinner chain off.

Spike walked over and dropped into her hand a key ring, inscribed with the words 'next best thing.' Then he handed her a three inch black square rectangular object. "That's to go on it," he said. Mia pushed a button and the front part of a key came out.

"No way! This is a key to your Vanquish. What exactly does that mean?" Mia jumped up with excitement.

"You can drive it when ever you want, just sodding tell me first."

"You are kidding me, but you said... "

"I bleeding well know what I said, woman. I lied. Been known to do that a time or two."

Mia leaned and kissed him on the cheek.

Buffy would have laughed, watching Spike try to keep up his tough guy exterior, but it bothered her to see him so affected.

Xander said in a stage whisper to Willow. " Look at that, one got her a cup and the other a key and they both got a kiss. Me, I go for jewelry and what do I get?"

Mia turned, leaned over and gave him a real kiss. "Better?"

"Much" ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Well, time for us to head home," announced Buffy.

Giles stood up and Dawn followed, saying as she went, "Mia, you know what the best thing about today was, besides your birthday? It was seeing you make Vince pee in his pants."

Mia started to laugh, but stopped with the pain in her chest.

Giles asked, "Are you sure you'll be a hundred percent by tomorrow evening?"

"I'm fine. I just need a good night's sleep."

"What's he talking about?" asked Xander.

"I'll explain later."

Spike stood to follow them out of the door. Mia stopped him at the front door. "You did this, right?" She motioned to the living room and its decorations.

"Me? You know that I forgot about today. When did I sodding have time to plan this? Not really my style either, pet. I'd best be going."

"Wait." She touched his shoulder. "Come and tell Willow and Xander what happened today. You're better at that than me."

"You got that a bit twisted, didn't you, Miss? 'It's always a pleasure to read your essays: they read more like a story'."

"That's writing, not telling."

Spike came back in.

"I'll just get more drinks. Who wants what?" Mia asked

Xander stood up and offered to help. Spike took the chair.

10:30 pm

Spike was telling the others about his fight with Faith. It was then that he remembered what Faith had said about the coat.. He looked toward the coatpegs in the front foyer, and there hung the vinyl long coat Mia used to wear. He continued his story, but seemed to be more subdued. After telling them how Mia had been staked, Xander looked at her with concern.

"You said you were fine but..."

"Yeah," said Spike as he pulled her shirt down. " Let's give it look."

The actual hole had closed up, but an angry, oozy circle remained.

"Doesn't sodding look fine to me," stated Spike as he put his finger on it.

Mia pulled back with a hiss. Spike stayed leaning forward in the chair, with his arms on his thighs.

"Mia, dear, please tell a fella, why that ugly vinyl coat hanging on that hook by the door? Shouldn't your leather one be there?"

Xander looked from Mia to Spike.

"Willow, how about you and me go rearrange the kitchen cupboards.... right now!" He took her hand and dragged her to the kitchen stairs.

"Xander, wait, I don't know what's..."Willow started.

"I'll fill you in downstairs where it's safe, and we can contemplate how smart we were to cover the furniture in our 'home owner's insurance package'."

Mia sat back. "Why does it matter?"

"Tell me where the bleeding thing is, and I'll explain it to you. Did I mention that vinyl thing is ugly and looks a bloody sight on you?"

Mia rolled her eyes.

Spike grabbed her arm and pulled her forward.

"Enough of that. Now, where is it?"

"I gave it to Robin Wood."

Mia watched as his lips got smaller, cheeks drew in and his jaw got tighter.

"Care to share your reason for doing that?"

"It was his mother's: she died in it. You might have given it to him if he hadn't tried to kill you."

"The fact that the tosser tried to kill me and take the coat was reason enough never to give it to him."

"Yes, you two were even, but it wasn't your coat any more."

Spike closed his eyes slowly and then reopened them. "So, explain how you came to your decision to give it to him."

"I thought about how Nikki died in it, and then how I did. I felt as if by giving it to her son, that had completed a circle. It ended things for everyone. He'd lost some one and then..."

"I had."

"Maybe...yes...sort of...ah..."

"So... you decided give my coat away as closure."

"You make it sound much too simple, but I guess so."

"Do you remember what I said to you the day I gave it to you?"

"I remember telling you not to, that it was unlucky for the last Slayer who wore it."

"Yes, you did and after what happened, don't think I bleeding didn't regret it. The day I gave it to you I said to wear it so you would always have... a piece of me. And then you just up and give it to one of my enemies, the very one that let this happen."

He stood and pulled her up with him. Spike shoved the heel of his hand right into her wound.

Mia flinched with the pain. "I can't get the coat back. I knew you'd be upset and I apologize for that. It's just that I ..."

"No, you , you're... just... bloody sorry... a real sorry piece of work. I can't do this, and I bleeding won't. This thing between us, the thing I said I wanted, I take it back. I want you out of my life."

"You may be right about me but you inserted yourself into my life. I'm not leaving. Not now."

"That's bleeding fine with me. I'm sure if I ask Giles can find a way around you and it."

He turned and pulled his coat on and was at the door.

"Spike."

He turned toward her; she approached slowly, looking him in the eyes. He wanted to look away, but held fast. Mia held out the key and dropped it in his palm; she closed his fingers around it with her own hand covering his.

"Giving the coat away wasn't about giving a piece of you away. I'll always have that. It was about giving away a piece of me that I needed to let go."

She released his hand, slowly turned, and walked towards the kitchen stairs. Spike opened the front door and then slammed it so hard that the reverberation broke the front window.

Xander came up and met her on the stairs. "What happened?"

"Well, let's just say that Spike has decided his friendship with me is too much of a pain, that and you get to replace the front window."

"And you...are you alright? I mean I can't dust him or anything, but I could key that car."

Mia smiled, "I'm fine. And you will not touch his beautiful car. I told myself I was done crying and I guess it worked."

She rubbed her locket. "I love the new chain."

1:00 am

Mia turned over again. She hadn't handled the coat situation well, but that was no surprise. She really hadn't handled anything well apart from killing vamps and a few demons since she'd become a vampire. She wondered if she ever would.

She felt a strange need to call Angel, but disturbing him two days in a row was enough. She got up and drank some blood, then she wandered upstairs and picked up her crossbow. It would be just the thing for taking out a nest. She flipped through the book of weapons that Giles had given her. She felt so alone in the dark with just the weapons.

She walked up the stairs and sat on Xander's bed next to him.

Shaking him, she called his name, "Xander?"

He turned and his eye opened. "Mia?"

He sat up quickly. "What's the matter?"

"Can I sleep, you know, just sleep, next to you? I'm feeling a bit lonely and out of sorts. I need you."

He pulled the blanket back. "Anytime."

Mia wore her 1800 camisole and knickers pajamas. She crawled in next to him, her bare shoulders and back touching his bare chest. He warmed her immediately.

"Thank you Xander."

"No, thank you for coming to me," he said. He pulled her hair back and kissed her shoulder. "Good night"

Xander ran his hand through her hair. He watched as she settled into what her kind considered sleep. He realized now how much the friendship with Spike had meant to her, and he knew he should feel jealous on some level but he didn't. He just felt bad for her. Mia had suffered a lot of loss over the last few months even if some of it was of her own making.

He remembered the pain he had felt after leaving Anya on their wedding day, and he hoped that Mia and Spike would be able to repair their relationship like he and Anya had. No, wait: on second thoughts he didn't want them to go that far. NO, definitely not as far as he and Anya had gone. NO, never that far. Just to be able to talk to each other in a friendly way, that would be far enough. Xander shook his head at his own thoughts. Why was he thinking of Anya now anyway, with Mia right here. But still for Mia's sake, he wondered what would happen with her and Spike. He moved up the pillow so he could see Mia's face and lay, watching her until he too fell asleep.