Subject: [SpikesSalvation] Phoenix Dreams- Epilogue Date: Sat, 1 Nov 2003 10:42:06 -0800 (PST) From: Jerusha Hancock Reply-To: SpikesSalvation@yahoogroups.com To: SpikesSalvation@yahoogroups.com Epilogue "This is ridiculous, you know that right?" Spike asked from his position on their bed, watching Buffy put the finishing touches on her hair and makeup in the master bathroom. She made no reply, having heard this particular argument a hundred times before. "I mean, I go to Africa in the cargo hold of a bloody ship, by myself, win my soul back and then make my own solitary way back to Sunnyhell half-crazy." Spike was just warming up at this point. "The poof, on the other hand, goes already souled, in first class, gets his soul anchored, and has himself some honeymoon time in the wilds of Africa with his girlfriend. Meanwhile, I'm stuck here, mindin' the farm. And he's the one who gets the party. Tell me it isn't ridiculous, luv." Buffy gave her lover a fond smile. She knew very well that Spike didn't begrudge Angel or Emmie their happiness, but with the return of his memories, he had become much more Spike-like. Not mean or evil by any means, but sarcasm was definitely a service he offered now. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A large part of it was probably to mask how much he had missed them both, and how much he didn't like being in charge of Wolfram & Hart, since it left him very much unable to do his own thing. "This is also a 'good-bye, Angelus' party, Spike," she reminded him. "And I think I speak for everyone when I say good riddance." He sighed, and gave her a reluctant smile, his expression sweet. "You don't need to remind me, pet. It's just—" "Honey, I think we all know, that of the two journeys made to Africa, yours was the more heroic." Buffy grinned at him, half-teasing, half-serious, and his look turned sheepish. "You know me too well, luv," he said. "You 'bout ready, then?" She stood and looked him over. He'd started wearing a little more black, but not so much that she'd had to say anything to him about it. And she knew he was trying desperately to find some kind of balance between what he had been and what he was, and as she knew, that was never easy. "Sure, let's go." ~~~~~ Ty took off the minute they got to the hall Angel had rented for the occasion. And to be fair to the big vampire, the gathering wasn't all about the fact that he'd just gotten his soul anchored. It was also a chance for a reunion of sorts for Buffy's old gang, and Angel's relatively new one. The presence of the former was what was truly making Spike itchy. Having Buffy and Dawn back in his life was a completely different story than seeing the rest of them. While he'd made a peace with Willow, and reconnected with her on a superficial level at least, he'd never had a true bond of any sort with the rest of them. It felt odd digging up that part of his past. But he knew Buffy was looking forward to it, so he hid his nervousness behind sarcasm and snarky comments about Angel's posh trip to the dark continent. Spike watched his son fondly as he ran up to Dawn and Wesley, chattering excitedly about learning Latin and having his first real lesson in magic with Willow. They had made the difficult decision to pull him out of public school for the time being, letting him take lessons with Wes and Fred, with additional subjects in magic and fighting skills with Willow, Angel, and him.Both he and Buffy had decided it was safer that way, and the Slayer had assured him that she would call him on it if it looked as though he were smothering his son. Later, when he was better able to take care of himself, there would be opportunity enough to put him back in the school system. He watched as Buffy made her way over to a dark-haired man with an eyepatch, and he knew it to be Xander. However, he wasn't quite ready to throw himself into the lion's den yet, so he made his way over to Wesley and Fred, Dawn having deserted them to join Buffy. "That's enough of that, Ty," Spike said gently. "'m sure your Uncle Wes has heard enough 'bout your lesson with the witch." "I don't mind really," Wesley replied mildly. "Though I'll bet Angel wouldn't mind hearing about it." Ty's eyes lit up. "Uncle Angel? Where?" Wes pointed to one side of the room where Angel stood with Emmie and gave the boy a gentle shove. Ty was off like a shot, having had very little opportunity to spend time with the vampire or Emmie since they'd gotten back a week before. "It's good to have them back," Wes said, and Spike could read the emotion in the other man's words, even though little actually showed on his face. "It seemed weird without him here," Fred agreed. Though she quickly hastened to add, "Not that you weren't doing a great job, William." Spike smiled at her. He genuinely liked Fred. They tended to get on quite well. "Don't tell anyone I said it, but it's nice to have the old man back," he admitted. "Was getting a bit tired of bein' in the driver's seat. Too much responsibility." Wes resisted the urge to roll his eyes, knowing the other man meant it left him much less time for fun with Buffy and his son. "Well, I must tell you that Ty is doing quite well. I knew he was bright, but he's really like a sponge." Spike smiled proudly. "No surprise here." Then, more seriously, he went on. "Have to thank you, Wes. I don't think I got the chance really before, but if you hadn't taught Ty those tricks..." "We all love him, Will," Wesley reminded him gently. "As I believe I've mentioned before." "Yeah, well, thanks." The two men looked one another in the eye, and Wesley nodded. Spike suddenly broke out in a grin. "You know Man U's playin' Spain in a couple days. You up for a bit of footie then?" Wes returned the grin. "Of course." ~~~~~ Buffy was grabbed into a bear hug by Xander, and they were soon joined by Willow. "Wow, it's good to see my two favorite girls again," he exclaimed. "It's been way too long." "I'm not your favorite?" Dawn asked from behind him, and he turned to embrace her as well. "Okay, so make that my three favorite girls." They all laughed. Xander was looking good in a nice suit and tie. He'd done well for himself in the construction business, even with an eye gone. With his experience as a supervisor, he'd managed to move up the ranks quickly, and then begin his own business where he was doing much less of the work and much more of the ordering about. "I thought you were bringing someone," Buffy said, peeking behind him to see if he had his date hidden. "Naw," he replied. "I thought it would be nice to see everybody myself. And besides, it's a little hard to discuss old times with a stranger around." "So she doesn't know about Sunnydale?" Willow asked with some surprise. "She doesn't know the truth about Sunnydale," Xander said. "And believe me, I would like to keep it that way. There is weirdness that doesn't need to be explored." The dark-haired man looked around the room. "I thought Giles was going to be here." "Tomorrow," Buffy replied. "Something came up while he was in England and he had to postpone his flight. But he's really looking forward to seeing everybody. At least, that's what he told us to say." Xander shrugged. "Well, since he's the head of the Council now, I guess I shouldn't be surprised." There was some hesitation in his voice when he asked, "And what about Spike?" Buffy stepped aside and pointed. Her boyfriend was talking to Angel and Emmie now, with Fred, Wes, and Gunn standing around in a loose semi-circle. The vampire was holding Ty on one hip, and the boy had his head resting on Angel's shoulder. An unbidden smile came to the Slayer's lips as she watched them. Really, they were all part of her family now, and that knowledge kindled something inside of her. "Wow," Xander said again. "I can't believe he's actually alive. And the kid?" "Ty's his," Buffy said, and she and Dawn shared a look. Ty was hers now too. "You should come say hello. He's really a pretty special kid." Just then Spike turned his head to look at the Slayer, and their eyes met from across the room. There was a wholeness there that had been missing for a long time for them both. A sense of shared family and connection that they'd never had before. It seemed for both of them that all the pieces were finally falling into place. And best of all, they were happy. Fin A/N: Thanks to everyone who sent reviews and made comments. They are all much appreciated. ---------------------------------