A Love As Strong As Death

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Everyone knows that not all these characters are mine, and I'm not making money off the ones that are. So there.

Archive: Anywhere that already has my stuff. Anywhere else, ask and it shall be given to you.

Summary: Set after the end of Cast Me Not Away and its follow up stories. This sequel is longer and darker than the intervening short stories. It deals with family, children, immortality, life and death, and making amends. We will also be jumping around in time a bit, so look sharp.

A/N: I debated for a long time before writing this one, although the idea was there before I even finished CMNA. Some of you will believe that I have ruined the previous stories, which is fine. All I ask is that if you're unhappy with where this goes that you'll go back, re-read Cast Me Not Away through Silver Bells, and then you can flame me if you'd like. I'll calmly pull out the fire-extinguisher and ignore you, but that's alright. The themes have been there; I just hadn't quite managed to elaborate on them yet. (Oh, and before anyone screams Nika, Wesley, Spike and Buffy will survive. More than that I won't promise.)

Chapter 19: October 2014

"Are you sure you're okay?" Buffy asked as she supported Spike into their house.

He sighed. Spike was getting really tired of the mother hen act. "I'm fine."

"Do you need blood now, or do you want to wait?"

"I ate before we left for the airport, Buffy."

"I know, but you're still looking kind of pale."

"I'm a vampire." Spike raised an eyebrow and glanced over at her. "Buffy, really, I'll be fine."

She was quiet. "I worry about you."

"And it's appreciated, but not necessary," Spike insisted. "I'll be just fine in a few days."

Buffy paused. "Couch or bed?"

"Couch," Spike said firmly. "I've been in a bloody bed for too long. When is Xander bringin' Meg over?"

She hesitated. "In a while. I told him I'd call."

"There's no reason for Meg to stay away, luv," Spike replied. "She'll worry." When Buffy was silent, Spike frowned. "You told her why it took us a bit longer to come home, didn't you?"

The Slayer wouldn't meet his eyes. "She would have worried."

Spike shook his head. "Buffy, she probably knows. Knowin' Meg, she's probably worryin' herself silly tryin' to figure out what Xander's not tellin' her. Harris never was very good at lying."

"They were at Disneyland," Buffy replied. "I'm sure they haven't had time to think about it."

Spike shook his head, knowing that there was no arguing with his wife sometimes. "Fine, pet, but give Harris a call. It's better if Meg knows what's goin' on."

He watched as Buffy opened her mouth to say something and then changed her mind. "I'll call as soon as I get you settled."

Spike wanted to tell her that he didn't need her help to get settled, and he only wished it was the truth. It had been five days, and he still wasn't healed. Even a vampire had to take some time to recover from a hole in the chest, and having everyone poking around his insides hadn't helped matters any.

The truth was that it would be at least another week before he was ready to see action. It was probably going to be months before Buffy stopped her hovering. Her worry combined with her guilt wasn't making things very comfortable for him.

Spike let her fuss over him because it made her feel better, and then he watched as she went off to call Xander. He could hear her side of the conversation quite well from the living room. Harris was asking her what had happened, and she was giving the short version of it.

"Spike wants to see Meg," Buffy said. There was a pause. "How did she find out?"

Spike smirked as he leaned back into the cushions of the couch. Not that he was happy to have worried Meg, who seemed to be afraid that one or both of them wouldn't come home someday, but it was nice to be proven right occasionally.

No sooner had Buffy put the phone down than it rang again. Spike could tell it was Angel on the other end immediately. The older vampire had come back the night after the big battle, not wanting to be away from the business for too long. He'd stopped in to see Spike before departing, and Spike had had a hard time biting back his laughter.

Buffy had been right. A shaved head didn't suit him.

The Slayer came hurrying back out into the living room. "I've got to go," she said, sounding worried. "Cordelia just had a vision, and they're going to need me." Handing him the phone, she said, "Xander should be here in a little while. Maybe you could call Wesley to come over, or Nika."

"Slayer, I don't need that much looking after. I'll be fine." Spike rolled his eyes. "Get out of here already."

"Love you," Buffy said, pausing to give him a quick kiss on the lips, and then she was dashing out the door.

As much as Spike loved her, he gave a great sigh of relief to have her gone for a while. "Finally, some peace," he muttered, turning on the TV and beginning to flip through the channels.

~~~~~

Meg didn't waste any time heading up the walk, not even bothering to wait for Xander. Disneyland had been fun, but it had been tainted for her. She'd seen the look on her uncle's face, and she could tell that there was something he wasn't telling her.

She unlocked the door with her key and rushed towards the sound of the television. "Dad!"

"Wait, Meg!" Xander warned from behind her, but it was too late. She'd already flung herself into her father's arms, burying her face in his chest.

She didn't see the look of pain on his face, nor did she see him shaking his head at Xander, warning the other man not to say anything. "How was Disneyland, luv?" Spike asked when Meg finally pulled back. He managed to keep the strain out of his voice with some effort.

"It was great!" she replied enthusiastically, then her face fell. "Did you get hurt?"

Spike made a face. "A bit, moppet, but I'll be fine in a few days. Until then, I expect you to keep me company, yeah?"

She nodded, looking around. "Where's Mom?"

"Went out with Angel and his crew," Spike replied. "Peaches needed her help."

"And you couldn't go 'cause you're hurt?" Meg asked, frowning. "Did I hurt you?"

Spike hastened to reassure her. "No, luv. You won't ever hurt me just by givin' me a hug."

She looked doubtful, but then she nodded. "Okay." To Spike, at least, Meg appeared adorably determined. "I'm gonna draw you a picture. Will that make you feel better?"

"Absolutely, moppet," Spike replied, watching her dash off. He looked over at Xander. "Thanks, mate."

"It was my pleasure," Xander assured him. "You've got a great kid."

"I like to think so." Spike waved him into a seat. "You want to stay for a while?"

Xander shook his head regretfully. "I don't think I can. Teri's coming home tonight."

Spike smirked. "You'd better get goin' then. We'll see you soon, though?"

"Yeah, of course." Xander frowned. "You sure you're okay here on your own, Spike? I can't stay, but I could call someone for you."

"I'll be fine," Spike insisted. "I need people to stop flutterin' around. I'm in one piece, an' that all that really matters, yeah?"

Xander finally nodded. "Yeah. Take care, Spike. I'll bring Teri by when you're feeling better."

Spike watched as the other man left, letting out a deep breath. His chest was throbbing, the pain radiating through his limbs as well. It had been a long time since he'd been hurt this badly, and he didn't like it. He didn't like feeling this helpless.

He let his eyes drift shut as sleep overcame him.

~~~~~

Enid let herself into the house quietly, knowing very well that Spike was probably sleeping. She'd heard enough about his injuries to send her over as soon as Buffy had called. Nika was working and Wesley was with his new Slayer, and so the task fell to her.

Not that Enid minded. She had always had a soft spot for William.

"Nain," Meg greeted her in a loud whisper. "Dad's sleeping."

"That's as it should be, cariad," Enid assured her. "People who have been injured need lots of sleep. They heal faster that way."

Meg nodded, although she still looked doubtful. "Is he going to be okay?" Meg had absolute confidence that Enid would tell her the truth. The older woman had a tendency towards frankness that some of the other adults found alarming, but Meg liked it.

"He's going to be just fine, Margaret Joyce," Enid assured her. "No matter who you are, healing takes a bit of time. You'll have to be extra helpful the next few days."

"I can do that," Meg replied confidently.

Enid smiled, patting her cheek. "Of course you can. Now off with you. I'll start dinner soon, but until then I'm sure you have something you're working on."

"I'm drawing Dad a picture," she replied. "He said that would make him feel better."

"I'm certain it will." Enid watched the child dash off, smiling to herself. Meg was a sunny child, but she had the feeling that Spike and Buffy would more than have their hands full when she reached adolescence. Spike, at least, would have to beat the boys off with a tire iron.

Enid went to the kitchen, setting the bag she'd brought down on the counter and starting to pull out various ingredients. The older woman was quite certain that the coven in Cleveland had done all they could for the vampire, but she had a few more tricks up her sleeve. Nika, of course, knew most of her secrets.

Getting remedies to work on a vampire wasn't easy. Technically, a vampire was dead, as was the flesh. Most covens were comprised of humans, looking out for human welfare, who had no compelling reason to find remedies for demons' problems.

Enid, on the other hand, had worked with a number of different species. She had a few potions that would work even on a vampire.

Once she had prepared the tonic, Enid warmed up a large mug of blood and brought both over to the couch where Spike was sleeping. "William," she said softly. "I've got something for you."

Without opening his eyes, he murmured, "Buffy put you up to this."

"She's concerned for you," Enid said with some amusement. "Women fuss when they love a person. You'll just have to get used to it, I'm afraid."

Spike cracked one blue eye. "What do you have?"

"Blood and something that should help you heal." Enid waited as he pushed himself into a sitting position with difficulty. "Would you like me to take a look at that?"

Spike hesitated. "May not be a bad idea," he allowed. "Not while Meg's around, though. Don't want her seein' it."

"Of course," Enid replied, handing him the mug of blood.

Spike drank it down quickly. He'd been starving and he hadn't even realized it. He drank the other mug she held out just as fast, raising an eyebrow. "That's not too bad," he allowed.

"Medicines do not always have to taste bad." Enid smiled at him. "Now, I told Buffy that I would stay here until she returned. She thought this little job might take longer than expected."

Spike frowned. "I'll be fine, Enid."

The older woman chuckled softly. "And how will you make dinner for Meg, my lad?" At his grimace, she nodded. "Just so. There's no shame in accepting help."

"I've been doin' nothing but accept help the last few days, Nain," Spike replied. "Buffy's been hoverin' like a bloody mother hen. It's a bit much."

Enid smiled and kissed his forehead. "She will relax as her fear of losing you passes. Don't you worry."

Spike sighed. "Right. I guess I can put up with it for a while longer." He raised an eyebrow. "How's that new Slayer of Wesley's doin'?"

"She's fine," Enid replied, a thoughtful expression on her face. "The girl has had a difficult time of things, however."

Spike nodded, his blue eyes sympathetic. "Thought so. Girl's eyes were too old."

Enid nodded. "They are." She hesitated. "Your wife may present a bit of a problem as to her settling in."

"Tell me about it," Spike muttered. "Hopefully, now that Buffy's worked some of her anger off staking that bitch, she'll settle."

"I wouldn't hold my breath."

"I'm undead, Nain," Spike replied with some amusement. "I can hold my breath indefinitely."

Enid shook her head at him. "Smartass," she reproved, although with no heat. "Hannah will need you."

"Me?" Spike asked, surprised. "She's got Wesley an' Nika, and it looked like she was getting on just fine with Connor and Dawn. Not that I won't help, mind you, but Wesley—"

"Is her Watcher," Enid replied easily. "Hannah will need you in much the same way that Dawn needed you."

Spike frowned and then shrugged, wincing when the movement sent a flash of pain through his chest. "I'll be around."

"Good," Enid replied, standing. "Then I will start dinner for your daughter, and you can get some more rest. I'll take a look at your injuries later."

Spike didn't think he'd be able to sleep again so soon. After all, sleeping was about all he had done for the last few days. Something in Enid's concoction seemed to have a soporific effect, however, and he drifted off, dreaming about Slayers and the scent of wood and blood.

~~~~~

Wesley knew that Nika was keeping a careful eye on Hannah. The girl had just returned from her first day of school and had spent the afternoon training. When asked, she'd said that school was fine, but hadn't offered more information than that.

Davey was talking a mile a minute about the pick-up football game he'd played after school, and the winning goal he'd scored. When the boy finally ran out of gas, Wesley looked over at Will. "How was your day?"

Will shrugged, much as Hannah had done. "It was okay."

Wesley and Nika exchanged looks. "Those boys aren't coming after you any more, are they?" Nika asked.

Will wouldn't meet her eyes. "It's okay, Mum. It's like you said. I've just got to ignore them."

Nika made an unhappy noise, but didn't say anything. Wesley caught her eye and just shook his head slightly. They both knew that there were some battles their son would have to face alone; if they intervened, there was a strong possibility things could get worse.

"What about the other students in your class, Hannah?" Wesley asked. "Were they friendly?"

Hannah hesitated slightly before answering, "I guess. I mean, I am the new kid."

"Just know you're always welcome to bring guests here, cariad," Nika said.

"Thanks." The gratitude was sincere, but both adults caught the doubtful tone that seemed to indicate that she didn't think she'd have much opportunity for it.

As dinner was finished, Wesley stood, fully intending on cleaning up the kitchen. Nika started to protest, but he shook his head. "Let me take care of you," he scolded gently. "You know the doctor said it would be better if you took it easy."

"You're too good to me," Nika replied, raising her face for Wesley's kiss. While the boys groaned in disgust, Hannah watched intently. She couldn't quite figure it out. Everybody was so nice to each other—and not fake-nice either. It was like they really liked being together.

It was weird, was what it was.

Hannah stood with Wesley and started helping him clear off the table. "You don't have to do that," he said. "If you have homework—"

She shook her head. "I don't have much, and I want to help."

He smiled warmly at her. "Then I'll be happy to have your assistance."

Hannah glanced towards Nika, who was also smiling her approval. She couldn't help but wonder how she could keep those expressions on their faces all the time.