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.

Summary: Following his time as a ghost, Spike met and fell in love with a newly empowered Slayer. Although Buffy returned to Los Angeles to find Spike alive, Spike remained with his new love. Together with Buffy and others, they all had to fight against a plot involving Angel, and a group trying to raise the Master with in him. During the fight Spikes love was turned into a vampire by Drusilla but Angel's team was able to put a soul in her. Now changed and not her former self the Slayer left Spike. Buffy consoled him after his loss and they came together. But will their relationship survive when his past love comes into their lives again?

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

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After Glow Chapter 4 Do You See Me

Turn it inside out so I can see the part that is drifting over me and when I wake you're you're never there when I sleep you're every where, You're every where. Please tell me how I got this far? Michelle Branch

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Xander stood in the doorway to the small dusk-filled room. It caused him pause, finding Mia busy writing now in the dark. Of course, she unnerved him in other ways too. It was hard to see her as a vampire; she had never killed any human. Mia when alive had been called Emma and had been madly in love and intimately involved with Spike. Of course, that alone would be enough to make any normal person ask questions. She was absolutely beautiful, but he had to admit that Spike had good taste in women, at least so far as their looks were concerned. And she was easy to talk to. Xander had liked her instantly, and that hadn't happened with any woman in over a year. The night he met her, the look in her eyes had compelled him to tell her that Spike and Buffy were coming. There was a strange mix of confidence and vulnerability in her. Her reaction, or rather lack of it when he'd told her about Buffy and Spike's visit, had surprised him.

After he had told her she had simply looked up at him, her brows slightly knitted together, and had said," That'll be a bit awkward."

He shook his head, thinking of it. That evening, when they had all gone to the pub and talked about the arrival of Buffy and Spike, it was just business as usual. Mia seemed unaffected. It really seemed as if she had moved on in her life, and as if the pain of the past didn't bother her. He felt a little envious because there were days when the simplest thing, like the color of a sweater, reminded him of Anya, and the pain seemed overwhelming. Sometimes he missed Anya so much.

Mia looked up and smiled at him. Her smile had an effect that he didn't understand. It felt as if she could see right through him. How a woman, a vampire no less, could do that he didn't understand. Maybe it was like the Dracula thing; maybe he was in her thrall; times like this made him vow to ask Willow about it.

"Hey, just exactly how long have you been standing there?"

"Seconds. You were pretty engrossed and I didn't want to interrupt you."

"Silly, I don't think of you as an interruption; a pleasant distraction at the most."

"Pleasant, huh?"

"Xander, are you looking for a compliment today?"

"Every day, but a small 'you're my hero' will do."

She cocked her head.

He pulled an XBOX Box from behind his back.

She jumped up and gave him a quick hug.

"You are my hero!"

Turning, she pulled an Xbox controller out from under her bed together with several games.

"This is the one thing Spike got me addicted to that I wish I had avoided. I left mine in the States because of the power conversion."

Xander watched as Mia's eyes widened in excitement. It made him smile.

"There isn't much chance for you to win. As a vampire my hand-eye coordination is better than you mere mortals."

"Right, whatever, big talker. Prove it!"

She laughed as she pushed him out of the door and they headed upstairs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They sat in front of Halo watching the start up story.

"What were you so involved with down there, anyway?"

"Giles has asked me to document my reactions to becoming a vampire and the enhancements. It made me think that writing a journal might help me to work things out. I mean, as a vampire I find that I can do almost everything better, but if I make notes of them while I record my everyday life then it will be easier for me to write an account for Giles later.

"I distinctly heard you say that you didn't want any homework yet."

"True, but writing is therapeutic: I can work through feelings and things."

They started to play the game and were silent as each tried to outdo the other.

"From where I stand you seem to be well-adjusted."

She was silent for a moment. "Well, I guess that acting class paid off. Xander, I'm still struggling with what I am. Before this happened I had just about everything I wanted. Before that my life had been a struggle, but that no longer mattered and I could finally say that I was happy. Then suddenly I experienced hatred and had dark ugly feelings like never before. To say I was lost is an understatement; I was gone, missing in action. It felt like I'd fallen overboard and was drifting. There were only sharks out there, but I wasn't afraid of them. I could rip them apart with my bare hands and that is what scared me. I literally frightened myself. It took me months to conquer those raw urges and find my balance again. So when I experience something now I really have no idea how I might react. I knew before. By writing about it I can analyze my reactions so eventually I'll know again. Does that make any sense?"

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten so personal."

"If I didn't want to share my feelings with you I wouldn't have. I know I've only been here five days, but I feel like we might be friends."

"You get that feeling too?"

That made her smile and Xander was enjoying seeing it until she killed him on the game a second later.

"You killed me?!"

"Vampire here. What did you expect?"

"To win, 'cause you may be a vampire but you are a girl too."

That made her laugh out loud.

"Oh no, Xander, your chauvinist self is peaking through," Willow said from the front door.

"Hey, Will."

"Shopping time, Miss Mia, if you can pull yourself away from all the death, mayhem and destruction."

"Yea! A really girly thing. I was in danger of becoming one of the guys if I don't get to spend some grazing time and then money at a store soon."

"Hey! You can't just kill me and go shopping!"

"Yes she can," smiled Willow

"Don't worry, it's supposed to be sunny tomorrow so you'll have all day to try and kill me, and I emphasize the word 'try'."

Xander waved them off. "Whatever. Go be girls. See if I care."

~ ~

The girls returned, sack and shopping bag laden about five hours later. When they came through the front door they found Xander sitting on the couch right where they had left him except that Andrew sat next to him, holding the game controller abandoned by Mia.

"Hey, look who showed up and volunteered to be my practice dummy," said Xander.

"Hi, Andrew," smiled Willow.

"Hey Willow, Mia."

"Andrew, how are you? I haven't really seen you since that night at the ship."

"Good, good. Busy with the training to be a Watcher, but we have the whole day off tomorrow something about learning to balance a Watcher's life with a real life... as if that would really happen. I mean, look at Mr. Giles. The Council is his whole life. I don't think he ever takes a day off now that Buffy isn't around and slaying."

"Giles loves his work. You will need to as well if you are really going to be a Watcher." Xander snapped.

"Ouch," said Mia. "I don't think Andrew meant anything by that, just that Giles could..., wait a minute, that wasn't about protecting Giles, was it? Did Andrew kill you too?"

"Only once."

"Twice," grinned Andrew.

"The second time did not count. I had to answer the phone."

Willow's eyebrows went up.

"It was the contractors working on that south London house. They re-scheduled the meeting to Monday, so I get an entire Saturday off."

"Not me." said Willow. "Marianna, of the coven, scheduled a conference call for seven a.m., of all times. I will need to get up way too early for a Saturday. I remember when Saturday meant sleep in, pancakes for breakfast, and a trip to the mall."

"So, all of us but Willow have no plans for tomorrow. We could go out." suggested Andrew.

"I've got nothing after the conference call. Going back to bed is a definite option. I can go out."

"I'm not really up to doing much, maybe a trip to the pub for a few drinks. It's already late." Mia said.

"Are you tired ? I thought you had slayer and vampire strength?" commented Xander.

"Okay, I have to admit the shopping was tiring. I'm out of practice."

"Sounds like a pub night it is then. I haven't eaten. How about you guys? We can grab some pub grub. I love saying that," smiled Willow.

"I'll meet up with you then. I want to change into patrolling clothes. I have an idea I should do a quick patrol before and after. Besides, got to have a little of my own liquid nourishment."

"I'm sorry I forget sometimes, I mean Spike used to..."

"Eat real food. I know. It made going to dinner with him fun, but I am only up to a couple of bites before the food wants to leave the way it came in."

"Eew," moaned Andrew.

"Yep, my feelings exactly, so I'll just work on the liquids tonight. I miss some of that stuff, though. I'd love some chocolate or even McDonald's French fries."

With a look of sympathy, Willow said. "So see ya in, what, about an hour?"

"Yeah. I'll get 10 blocks in, then after we finish tonight I'll do a bit more."

As the others left Mia heated herself some pig's blood in the microwave. After changing into clothes that would work if the patrol resulted in any action she threw her leather duster on and headed out. The first few blocks were devoted to the longed-for cigarette she only smoked when she was out of the house. None of the others knew she had that particular vice and she didn't mind keeping that knowledge to herself.

With her hearing, smell and speed she covered the ten blocks quickly. In the last five nights not one vamp had shown its fangs within a 40 block radius. Of course, there was a house of Slayers not far from theirs. Only a few Council houses were so near to each other. It was a rule that all the eggs...or rather team... be not kept in the same basket. The Council didn't want anyone to be able to do what the First had done when it blew up the Council last year.

The waitress was just picking up the plates from their table as Mia breezed in. Xander saw her and signaled to the waitress. It was only moments after Mia sat down that a Vodka tonic was delivered.

"I can't believe you remembered," smiled Mia

"Of course I did. Probably because you are the only one in our age group I know that drinks those, but still, I remembered."

"Well, it happened on the trip. I asked the bartender what kind of drink he would suggest; I wanted something I could get in most pubs that wasn't ale, but still had a kick."

Mia shrugged out of the coat and laid it over the back of the bench.

Andrew asked, "Is that Spike's coat?"

"It was," answered Mia.

"He just gave it to you?"

Willow started to say something but Mia stopped her with a hand signal.

"Do you think I stole it?" Mia smirked.

"Sorry, it's just that he wouldn't even let me touch it except that one time when we were on his motorcycle, and even then he said I could only touch it with my arms."

Mia chuckled. "That sounds like Spike, but he gave it to me before we went to rescue Angel and never asked for it back."

"Cool. You changed it though, made it more yours. I like that. Of course... you don't really have to worry what he'll do if you make him mad."

The night went quickly even though they just sat talking. Andrew was the first to give up.

"I should get back. That Roland loves to tell tales if any of us don't keep to 'proper' hours, whatever those are."

He stood and dropped money onto the table. After taking a couple steps he turned back, a nervous look flitting across his face.

"Anyone want to walk with me?"

Mia stood. "I'll walk you home. Besides, I think Xander and Willow could use some time without my great vampire hearing listening in on their conversation."

They walked out and headed the five blocks toward the house Andrew occupied with five other Watchers-in-training.

"Ok, how'd she know that?" Xander asked Willow.

"Might be you saying, 'not now, vampires hear real good, Willow', every time I start a conversation you think she shouldn't hear."

"I just think she doesn't want to hear all that Spike and Buffy stuff."

"I think that too, but she's not the eavesdropping type."

"I know. Or really, I don't but I like to think you're right. So, got anything we ought to talk about while she's gone?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Thanks for walking with me. I know I am in training and that I did alright against the Bringers, but I still feel ..."

"Andrew, you are smart to have a little fear with everything that happened."

"Thanks."

They walked in silence for a while until Mia heard Andrew shiver. Glancing in his direction she saw that he was cold.

"Are you cold?"

"No, I'm a guy we don't.... OK, yes, a little. June in England is like February in sunny California."

"Got to say, I don't miss the weather affecting me. Here, take my coat. Sleeves might be too short, but it's got to be warmer than you are now."

"Me, wear that coat?"

"That's what I said. Come on, Andrew, I had it dry cleaned."

"You dry-cleaned Spike's coat?"

"Had to. After a while if I put it on and even caught a little scent of him I'd get all depressed."

"You really loved him, didn't you?"

"Emma loved him; me, I just remember how Emma felt."

"I get that. He is the coolest."

"Here's your place, Andrew. Better head in or else Roland will inform someone you are fraternizing with the vampire."

"They are all afraid of you, ya know?"

"You aren't?"

"Not sure yet, but tend to sway to the not-too-much side of things."

She smiled. He handed the coat back, then he hugged her quickly.

Mia flashed him her amber eyes and demon face, startling him a bit.

"As a Watcher, Andrew, it is your job never to trust anyone after only meeting them twice. I don't think Giles trusts Angel or Spike even with their souls and probably never will."

"You wouldn't hurt me."

"Even with a soul I have a demon side."

Andrew narrowed his eyes. "You are testing me, huh?"

"Do you have a stake on you?"

"No. I went out in the daylight, and just over to Xander's."

"And what lives there?"

"You, I mean a vampire, I see what you mean."

"Guess I was testing you. But will you remember that stake on your next outing?" Mia grinned.

Andrew shook his head. "Yes, but you know the evil eyes and the bumpy face thing, that wasn't funny."

"Effective enough though, right?"

"Yes." He paused a moment. "You Mia Taylor are going to be a good teacher for the Watchers."

Andrew paused and was obviously thinking. "I have to tell you something." He had a very serious look on his face. "Xander went through hell last year, lost everything. Be careful with him."

"Andrew I ..... Why, we aren't ..... I wouldn't...... Xander and me, we are just becoming friends."

"I know, but he is..... I think he...... oh, never mind."

Mia nodded silently. She turned back towards the pub. Andrew's warning: she wondered what it was about. Maybe it was just because she had scared him or maybe he did care what happened to Xander. She'd be careful though because Mia felt she had to work at controlling that part of her that seem to make it easy to hurt someone, and in this instance she was determined no one would get hurt.

As she arrived back at the pub Xander sat at the table alone.

"Where's Willow?"

"Headed home just about 5 minutes ago."

"You ready, then?"

"Thought you wanted to patrol."

"Yeah, but you know I didn't catch the scent of anything while I was out there. If there are any other vampires in London they are at least a tube ride away."

"Sure. Let me just finish this one and I'll walk with you."

Mia ordered a vodka tonic and told him about how she had scared Andrew. "I know it wasn't nice, but if he is going to be a Watcher he will run into a lot worse."

"No, you were right." He reached into his jacket and put a stake on the table.

Mia cocked her head. "Should I worry?"

"Not unless you try to bite me."

"I'll try to refrain."

Xander leaned in close. "Mia, I may only have known you for the last five days, but Giles and Willow believe in you, and I have to tell you, I get a good feeling from you. Although I am usually wrong about these things, Willow and Giles aren't."

Mia leaned in close enough to whisper in his ear. "I get a good feeling from you too."

Once they were outside and on their way back to the house Mia looped her arm through his in a friendly gesture. As they went up the stairs Xander tripped.

"Damn one eye, depth perception is off."

They stood in the doorway. Xander was looking for his keys. Mia handed him hers, but he turned toward her instead of the door. He leaned in real close.

"Mia, I don't know why, but I have the biggest urge to kiss you."

Mia heard Andrew's words again. She moved her head so he couldn't reach her lips. If her heart could have pounded it would have. Damn, but it took her by surprise how she was feeling rather the same way.

"I think you might be drunk." she whispered.

"So, even if I am, isn't that supposed just to lessen your inhibitions?"

"We can't, Xander. We are roomies and that could only lead to awkwardness."

He pulled back. "You're right. It wasn't a good idea. Sorry."

He let himself in and took three steps towards the next floor. "We're still good?"

"Still great." Mia smiled, a little worried that it might not be true in the morning.

~.~.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mia crawled under the covers and snuggled down. She would not think about what had just happened. It was just the strength of the ale that the British made and in her case the letting loose of her demon moments before. She had been right to refuse, they were roommates and so far they had had fun together. Andrew had warned her, but she was upset that one of those irritating flashes hadn't warned her as well. Where were those things when you really needed them? She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Tomorrow she'd write it all out in her journal and then talk to Xander; everything was going to be fine. A few moments later she was asleep.

The images flashed past quickly, as all her dreams did now. It was as if the vampire stuff increased the speed she dreamt at. Images of Los Angeles city buildings and lights flashed by, and even sound asleep she tried to direct them away. It wasn't working as she saw she was at the front of the Hyperion. She felt she was being strangled, and she clawed at her neck. Suddenly she was walking down the hallway towards the rooms that she, as Emma, and Spike had shared and the feeling of being strangled had gone. Mia surprised herself as she walked past, went down the hall and stood in front of a different room. Suddenly she was inside that room.

There, on the twin bed, she could see him, his back to her, and his white hair mussed the way she used to love to see it. She froze as he turned facing the ceiling. Mia shouldn't be here she knew, but she couldn't move. She didn't need to breathe so she didn't even draw breath.

Spike's face was different: he had a few more wrinkles around his eyes and his cheeks seemed more hollow somehow. His eyes moved under the lids as he dreamed. His t-shirt lay on the floor. Kneeling, she thought of picking it up and smelling it. The shirt appeared in her hands without movement on her part. Slowly, and as quietly as possible she breathed in, deeply relishing his familiar scent. Suddenly she sensed his eyes open, and dropping the shirt she stood. His head turned and their eyes locked. The shock and surprise in his eyes told her that he had seen her. He blinked hard as if to clear his vision. Mia hadn't been breathing, so she couldn't speak. He blinked hard again and sat up. The covers dropped revealing his bare chest, but also that he still wore his jeans. That surprised her. She cocked her head a bit, only the slightest of movements. He glanced down and then quickly back as if he feared that looking away might cause him to lose sight of her. Mia watched as he swallowed and took a breath.

"Emma?"

His voice and her old name shot through her like an electric shock and she felt something squeeze her heart. Trying to take a breath so that she could reply proved difficult. Mia felt tears welling up. The love Emma had for him seemed to hang around her as Mia like a weight. She couldn't move. She strained to hold back her tears, but she felt one lone tear drop from the corner of her eye. Her chest felt on fire with emotion.

He moved towards the edge of the bed staring into her eyes.

Finally she managed to take a breath.

"Spike?" Her voice came out in a hoarse whisper.

"What the bloody hell?"

That made her smile; the saltiness of her tear touched her lips and tongue.

He swung his legs over the bed, placing his feet on the ground.

"I don't know what the bleeding hell is going on but..."

Reaching out it seemed like trying to move in some viscous substance. It was slow and almost painful.

"You can't haunt me, woman. You are undead now, and the undead don't get ghostly, well not without..."

"Dustiness or amulets and some magic?" Mia said, answering with a question and a smile.

"Are you?"

"No, still undead."

"Where?"

Looking around she knit her brows together. What did he mean, she was in the hotel. Then she remembered that she was sleeping in England. Fog started to form in her eyes and Spike got blurry.

"Spike, I'm, I'm"

Mia shot up; she was in her room in England. It had been over six weeks since she had last dreamt of Spike, and it had never before been that real. The urge to run water over her face made her move and she felt something cold on her thigh. Looking down, she saw that the chain on her locket had broken. Picking up the locket she was reassured by its weight in her hand. She put the locket and the broken chain on her nightstand.

She got up and padded into the bathroom. Washing her face, she was again surprised that she had no reflection in the mirror. She was glad that Spike's suggestion, from months ago, of a digital camera worked for make up and vanity checks. Heading back to her room she looked at the clock: 8.00 a.m. Willow must have already made her call and gone back to bed. Mia knew she would have to get up. The dream haunted her and she didn't want risk falling asleep and going back there.