Under the Sun

Author: enigmaticblue

Rating: PG-13

Archive: Sure, if you already have my stuff. If not, just ask.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters herein; Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and other lucky folks do. Of course, I'm not the one making money off of them.

Summary: Set after Avocation in an alternate S4 where many events of canon get thrown out the window. This one won't make any sense if you haven't read the previous story.

A/N: The title comes from Ecclesiastes, which most people know from the phrase, "A time for everything, and a season for everything under heaven." Really, this story is based on the entire book, which is probably my favorite in the Bible. It talks about making the most of what one has now, and while some find it depressing, I love it. If you've got the time, I'd really recommend you read the whole thing.

Chapter 11

"Those who wanted to wound me wounded you,/and the dose of secret poison meant for me/like a net passes through my work—but leaves/its smear of rust and sleeplessness on you...Bitter footsteps follow me;/a hideous grimace mocks my smile; envy spits/a curse, guffaws, gnashes its teeth where I sing./And that, Love, is the shadow life has given me:/an empty suit of clothes that chases me,/limping, like a scarecrow with a bloody grin." ~Pablo Neruda, "Sonnet LX"

Spike hid a smirk, sensing Wesley's nerves as they walked into Willy's bar. "No one's going to mess with you," he said in a low voice.

Wesley simply shrugged, not bothering to respond. How was he supposed to tell Spike that it wasn't this trip that worried him, but the next? The entire reason that the vampire had asked Wesley to accompany him to the demon bar was so that he could meet Spike's contacts. The idea being that Wesley could take over some of the information gathering duties.

Or, if the worst were to happen, Wesley knew where to go for information.

Spike spotted Rof at a table with several other demons and quickly made his way over. He could sense Wesley close on his heels, which was probably a good place for the man. There were a few vampires in the crowd tonight who would be more than happy to make the ex-Watcher into a meal.

"Rof," Spike greeted. "How are the spawn?"

"Well," Rof replied.

One of the others demons at the table snarled. "You talk to this traitor? This vampire scum?"

Rof turned cold eyes on the other demon. "If you like it not, you may leave."

Three of the demons got up, muttering imprecations as they went. Wesley thought it was interesting that they didn't try to harm Spike, seemingly content with threats. Spike took a seat at the table with Rof and two other demons he seemed familiar with since he greeted them by name. "This is my associate, Wesley. He can be trusted."

Rof turned his searching gaze on Wesley. "May you have many offspring."

"And may your offspring be strong," Wesley replied with the formulaic greeting.

Rof made a sound that could probably have passed for a chuckle. "Most humans do not learn our language."

"Most humans aren't Wesley," Spike replied. "You think I would work with someone who had no skills?"

"Assuredly not," Rof said. "You come for information?"

"About the soldiers running around the campus," Spike replied. "You warned me that demons are going missing over there. The Slayer is wondering if they're going to be a threat to her."

One of the other demons, a black-skinned Krell demon, clucked his tongue. "They don't trouble humans. Just demons, and only the unwary."

"Only those who cross their paths," Rof was quick to correct him. "There have been many."

"How many?" Spike asked.

Rof waved a three-fingered hand. "It is unknown. When it began, those who knew passed the word, and we avoided the place. We found new dens, new places to lay our young."

"Some thought they could avoid trouble," the Krell said.

Wesley leaned forward. "You haven't been able to?"

The Krell shrugged, a curiously human gesture. "Those of us who don't want trouble know to avoid the Slayer," he replied. "You don't bother her or start eating anybody, she doesn't mess with you. Same way with Spike here. It's only the jokers like Freddie who have a problem with that." He motioned in the direction the departing demons had gone.

"There is balance," Rof added. "Most prefer it so. Some do not."

"And these soldiers are disturbing the balance," Spike commented.

"The Slayer is human," the third demon said, his accent so thick Wesley could barely make out the words. "They will not bother her."

Spike caught the bitterness in the demon's tone. "You don't know that," he replied. "They might decide she's not human enough for them."

"It is a concern," Rof stated. "Here is our home, though. Where else do we go?"

Spike nodded. "Look, we're going out of town, but I'll check into things when I get back. It might be that I can dig something up. The Slayer's not real happy with them, that's for sure. One of them nearly got in her way the other day, and you know what a cranky female is like."

All three demons made various sounds of assent, and Wesley figured that was one thing that all males in every species could probably agree about. None of them would ever understand women.

~~~~~

"You sure you can stay tonight?" Spike asked. "Willow doesn't need you?"

Buffy raised an eyebrow. "You know, I'd almost think you didn't want me here," she teased. "That's only the third time you've asked me that."

Spike gave her a sour look. "I saw her the other night, Buffy. I know what kind of state that wanker left her in."

"Wanker, huh?" she asked. "I thought you liked Oz."

"I did like Oz," Spike replied. "Suppose I still do. That doesn't mean he's not a wanker for leaving her like he did."

"Can't argue with you there." Buffy leaned back against his chest contentedly. They had spent the earlier part of the evening patrolling and working up an appetite, then had returned to Spike's place with takeout. Now they were sprawled out on the couch, just talking, enjoying the other's presence.

The Slayer almost felt guilty for spending time with Spike, even though she had asked Xander to stay with Willow for the evening. It somehow felt wrong to be so content when her best friend was so miserable.

"Xander's with her tonight," Buffy said. "Besides, she was the one who told me to stay. She said there was no point in both of us being miserable."

Spike placed a kiss on her neck. "She's got a point there."

"How long is this trip?"

"A week, give or take," Spike replied. "I'm going to try to get back early, but no promises."

"And after that?" Buffy asked, her tone plaintive.

Spike nibbled on her shoulder, making her gasp. "No trips planned after that. Not with the holidays coming up, and the rumors that are flying around. Told some of the demons in town that I'd look into things."

Buffy twisted around to face him, frowning. "You're helping demons? Isn't that sort of counter productive?"

"These aren't the demons you're out there saving the world from," Spike replied patiently. "These are the blokes that deliver your pizza after dark and work sewer maintenance. Most of them are harmless unless you threaten them, and they're going to stay out of your way."

She grimaced, going over the idea in her mind. It still didn't seem quite right, but she couldn't disagree with Spike's point of view. It wasn't like she believed that all demons were bad per se, it was just that she hadn't run into any nice ones in her line of work.

Spike sighed. "Look, Buffy, I know you don't like it, but—"

"I didn't say that," Buffy said, cutting him off. "It's just a weird idea to get used to. It's not like I think that human equals good or anything, but..."

"It's probably better that you don't see the shades of gray most of the time," Spike said. "You can't afford to hesitate, and I've been around a long time. I know who's going to pose a threat before they offer one."

Buffy sighed. "I guess so. Just promise me that you'll be careful. I mean, if they're taking out random vampires, I can't really be sorry about that, but I have a strong interest in keeping you in one piece."

"Do my best," Spike promised.

Buffy twisted to face him fully, running a hand down his face. "Because I think I'd be in worse shape than Willow's in right now if something happened to you."

"Then we'll just have to make sure nothing happens to me." Spike's mouth met hers, and they tumbled together on the couch, each trying to outdo the other with their hands and mouths.

Not all their desperation was due to the upcoming separation, though. They could both sense the danger building.

~~~~~

"I'm here to help."

Giles turned to see Joyce standing in the doorway. She'd obviously changed out of her work clothes already, since she was dressed in jeans and an oversized t-shirt, her hair pulled back with a bandana. "You don't have to do that," he replied. "You've been on your feet all day."

"You're scheduled to open in a week," Joyce pointed out. "You're going to need a hand with everything if you want to be ready in time."

Giles sighed, looking around at the half-built shelves. His stock was coming in, and it all needed to be inventoried and shelved. Of course, the shelves needed to be finished before the books could fill them, and the sign on the door needed to be painted. Then he would have cleaning to do, and there were still fliers to pick up at the printer's, although the advertisement in the phone book and newspaper had been scheduled and paid for.

In short, there was too much work for one man, and Giles hadn't felt comfortable asking either Buffy or Willow to assist him. Willow was still grieving over Oz's departure, and Buffy was trying to be there for her. Xander was working full time at one of his many jobs—Giles could no longer keep straight what exactly he was doing—and Spike and Wesley were out of town.

Joyce really seemed to be the only person available for the moment, but Giles hated asking for her assistance after she'd put in a full day at the gallery. "If you're certain you don't mind," he finally said. "I don't want you overdoing it."

"Rupert, I want to help you. I know you'd do the same for me if I needed help at the gallery." She raised an eyebrow, looking at him much like Buffy did when she felt that he was being obtuse. "In fact, I remember you helping to unpack a shipment last week."

Giles knew when to give up. "Very well. As long as you tell me when you get tired."

"When I get tired, we can both go home," Joyce replied. "This weekend, I'll make some phone calls if it looks like we're not going to get done. I know Spike comes back this week, and I'm sure he and Wesley would be happy to help. They're both such good boys."

Giles coughed to hide a laugh, partly because to hear Joyce call a century-old vampire "a good boy" was rather amusing, and partly because she and Wesley had hit it off better than he'd expected when he invited the other man over for dinner.

Of course, Wesley had complimented her cooking profusely and had taken two helpings of everything, so that might have had something to do with it.

"I can call Buffy and Willow, too," Giles said. "Perhaps it would help Willow get her mind off Oz leaving, although I don't want to push her just yet."

Joyce shook her head. "Poor girl," she murmured, a wealth of knowledge in her voice that only experience could bring.

It drew Giles over to her, and he brushed a hand along the side of her neck before gripping her shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. "If I haven't mentioned it before, let me say that he was a stupid sod to leave you. Although, selfishly, I can't be sorry that he did so."

Joyce smiled, turning to brush a kiss across his lips. "With you here, I can't say that I'm sorry either."

~~~~~

It had only been a little over a week since Oz left, but it felt like a lifetime. Willow wondered when things were going to start to get better. The pain might be a little easier to deal with if she had some kind of a time frame.

Everyone had been great. Buffy had stuck by her side, trying to cheer her up as best as she could. Since Spike was out of town, it definitely made things easier. They could be single together, although Willow knew that was only going to last as long as the vampire was gone. Not that Willow begrudged Buffy her boyfriend. Spike had been really sweet, too. The night after Oz had left town, he'd shown up at the dorm with three pints of Ben and Jerry's and had spent the entire evening telling tall tales.

It was hard to be sorry that your best friend was dating a guy who cared about her friends so much.

Willow hugged her pillow closer to her chest. Buffy was out patrolling, and Xander was working, and so she found herself alone. A couple of weeks ago, she would have been with Oz on a date, probably at the Bronze or the movies. How could things change so quickly?

The knock that came at the door was rapid, and Willow frowned as she sat up. She really didn't feel like talking to anybody right now. On the other hand, if it was an emergency of some kind, it wouldn't do to pretend to be gone.

When the knocking resumed, Willow definitely could hear the urgency, and she moved to open the door quickly, seeing Wesley standing there, his fist upraised to knock again. "Wesley?"

"Have you seen Spike?" he asked quickly.

Willow shook her head. "No, I thought he was with you on a trip. Buffy said something about Spike getting back today or tomorrow, but he hasn't been by."

Wesley cursed, the heat and the creativity causing Willow's eyebrows to go straight up. She noticed for the first time that Wesley looked disheveled, his oxford shirt rumpled, his face covered with several days' worth of stubble.

"Why don't you come in?" Willow invited, standing to one side. "What's going on?"

"I don't know," Wesley admitted. He took a deep breath. "Spike left me in Portland to finish up our first job, and he was going to fly to Dallas to meet with the other client. He called a few days ago to let me know that he was finishing early and would be heading here. I was supposed to check in when I got back into town, but he's not here."

Willow sat down on her bed. "What do you mean he isn't here?"

"He isn't here," Wesley repeated irritably. "I went by his townhouse today, and Spike wasn't at home. His car wasn't in the garage, and when I checked the fridge, there wasn't any fresh blood. I don't think he ever made it home."

Willow thought about that. "Spike hasn't been by, Wes, and that isn't like him. The first thing he does when he gets back into town is to call or come by. He hasn't done either."

Wesley ran a hand through his hair. "Bloody hell. What do we do?"

"I don't know," Willow said. "You're the ex-Watcher."

"Perhaps a locator spell?" Wesley asked. "Or should we wait for Buffy?"

Willow shook her head decidedly. "Big no on that. There's no sense in making Buffy worry if she doesn't have to. I mean, what if Spike just got caught up in a new job and forgot to call?"

"I called his cell phone, and there was no answer," Wesley said. "I don't think that's the problem."

"It could happen," Willow insisted. "The point is, there's no reason for Buffy to worry until we know there's a reason."

Wesley sighed. "Very well. Where do you suggest we do this spell?"

"Spike's place," Willow said. "I'll need something of his, and I think that'll be the easiest place. We shouldn't be interrupted there, unless, you know, it's by Spike."

"Let's hope for that, then," Wesley replied. "From what I've been hearing, I don't think we want to find out that Spike has disappeared in Sunnydale."

~~~~~

Buffy still couldn't quite get over the sight she'd walked in on while stopping by her mother's house to pick up her mail. Her mom and her Watcher had just been sitting down to eat dinner.

What had made it so strange was Joyce insisting that she stay and eat with them. Not that eating dinner at home was weird, but eating dinner at home with Joyce and Giles together—and them acting like a couple—was.

It had been a good weird, though, not like it had been when Ted was there, trying to act like they were a family. That had been uncomfortable and wrong, and not just because the very thought of her mom dating anybody had squicked her out. Most of the discomfort had come from Ted.

Honestly, Buffy was trying very hard not to think about her mom and Giles together. The idea of them as a couple was okay, but she didn't like thinking about what it meant for Giles to obviously be living there pretty much full time at this point.

Other than the weirdness, though, Buffy had noticed that it was good to be with them. It was like having a family again, like having a mother and a father who asked her about college and Spike and how Willow was doing.

She made a mental note to go over there more often.

When she got to her dorm room, Buffy was a little surprised not to see Willow there. She'd expected her friend to stick around, since Willow was still in full-out mope-mode. Not that Buffy could blame her, but it tended to make the other girl hesitant to leave the room for anything other than class and mandatory Scooby meetings.

Buffy checked her messages to make sure Spike hadn't called. It had been a few days since she'd heard from him, which was odd. Typically he called every day, but there had been a couple of days in the past when he had been working on a sensitive project that had precluded contact with her.

Spike hadn't left a message, but Willow had. "Buffy, I'm with Wesley over at Spike's place. We think you should get over here right away. Something bad has happened."

Buffy grabbed her keys and took off as fast as her feet would take her.

~~~~~

Harmony watched the soldiers dump the still body in the cell across the way with little interest. They were always bringing new demons and vampires in, and then they would take them out again. She was just waiting for the day when they decided to take her. It would almost be a relief at this point.

She was just so hungry...

Harmony sat up a little straighter when she saw just who the soldiers had brought in, however. The blond head was familiar; she remembered seeing Spike with Buffy last year, and he'd been there during the fight with the Mayor. She knew that he was supposed to be a really good fighter, and she wondered how the soldiers had managed to capture him.

More than that, she wondered why they had taken his shirt. Not that she minded the scenery, of course, because it was a lot better than unbroken white.

Harmony moved forward, closer to the electrified barrier. "Spike!" she called softly. Then, raising her voice, she called again. "Spike!"

He rolled over with a moan, and she could see his chest. Harmony drew back with a gasp when she saw the Y-incision that marred the skin, deep crimson against alabaster, held closed with dark, uneven stitches.

Harmony retreated to the back wall of her cell, suddenly grateful that the soldiers hadn't shown any interest in her.