Title: Past Glory
Author:  Sandy <sp23twop@yahoo.com>
Rating:  NC-17
Pairing: Spike/Buffy
Spoilers:  S5 up to Tough Love, AU after that although elements of S6
will appear throughout the story.
Disclaimer:  Alas, not mine, I just borrow them occasionally
Feedback:  Gives me the warm fuzzies
A/N:  For the purposes of this story, the Knights of Byzamtium,
although suspecting that the Slayer is protecting the Key are not
aware that Dawn is the Key.


All things must end and this is the final chapter of Past Glory.  I
want everyone to know just how much all the wonderful feedback I've
gotten has meant to me.  This has been such a joy I hate to leave it,
and it's not because I've run out of ideas.  But I don't want this to
run into sixty or so chapters...that's just wrong. <g>

I do have several ideas I'm working on to continue the story in a
sequel - a season 7 as it were, but I want time to work them out and
write without the pressure to post until I've got a nice cushion of
chapters.

I hope you all like the conclusion of Past Glory.

Hugs,

Sandy


Chapter 37

As everyone left the crypt, Buffy unlocked the second manacle
attached to Spike's wrist and sat back on her heels.  "Now, Spike,
about this killing people you think need killing..."

Spike straightened up and lightly rubbed his wrists.  "You might as
well stake me now, pet, 'cause that point's non-negotiable.  Anyone
threatens you or the Bit or the girls or that prat Xander or, god
help me, even Rupert, and his life belongs to me.  I'll let you
decide when it's some stranger involved, but I *will* protect my
family."

"Spike..."

"There's a stake in that chest right over there, love."

"I can't let you kill people, Spike."

"So what you're sayin' is, those bastard knights find out about
Dawn.  They come back with the intention of killing her.  I have a
choice, kill or let her be killed and you say, what?  I let her die
because they're human?"

Buffy stared at him silently.  She opened her mouth then closed it
again.

Spike cupped her face in his hand.  "I am what I am, Buffy.  I'll
control the blood lust the rest of the time, but the muzzle comes off
when it comes to you lot."

Buffy looked at him helplessly.  She couldn't condone his killing a
human, but under the circumstance he'd just outlined, she couldn't
condemn him either.  Not willing to actually concede the point, she
decided to avoid it.

"You hungry?" she asked, changing the subject.

"That I am," Spike grinned grabbing Buffy and flipping her under him.
He knew she'd decided to avoid the issue for now and he was going to
take full advantage of it.  Lowering his head he began nibbling at
the soft skin of her neck.  Buffy shivered as tiny electric shocks
passed through her body from his touch.  Wrapping her arms around his
bare back, she gasped, "Don't you want to eat?"

Spike raised his head and lowered his hand to the button of her
slacks.  "Yeah, I do," he said.  Getting her slacks unfastened, he
began to push at the waistband.  Buffy raised her hips to allow him
to slide them down.  He stopped only long enough to remove her shoes
and then yanked her slacks the rest of the way off.  Buffy felt
wanton with her bottom half exposed to him while she remained fully
clothed on top.  She soon felt nothing but intoxicating pleasure when
he pushed her legs apart and put his mouth on her.  He brought her to
climax three times before pulling back and removing his jeans.
Kneeling over her, he removed her blouse and bra as well.

When she was as nude as he was, he bent down and took a swollen
breast into his mouth.  He sucked and nibbled and lashed his tongue
over the hardened peak and when Buffy thought she could stand no more
pleasure, he switched breasts and started all over again.  Finally
lifting his mouth to hers, he settled between her thighs and entered
her.  Buffy wrapped her legs around his back and met him thrust for
thrust.  They came together, perfectly synchronized, and Buffy
welcomed the weight of him as he collapsed on top of her.

Buffy hadn't slept well the night before for worrying about Spike and
Spike hadn't dared sleep at all.  With Spike as her blanket and Buffy
as his mattress, the two drifted asleep.

Buffy awakened when Spike's weight finally became uncomfortable and,
regretfully, she woke him.  He rolled off her onto his back and she
curled against him, her hand running up and down over the firm
muscles of his abdomen.  The cut he'd received was now only a faint
thin scar that would soon disappear completely.  "I brought some
fresh blood," she said in a lazy murmur.  "You want me to go fetch
you some?"

"No, I'm okay.  The Bit brought some with her too and I ate while we
were playing cards."

Buffy leaned her head back with an amused looked on her face.  "No
wonder you were so frisky."

"'m always frisky around you, love," he grinned.  "You know that."

"Mmmmmm," she agreed, her hand dipping lower and lower with each
pass.  His body responded as she'd expected and Buffy brushed the
head of his cock on one of her passes.  "Looks like you're frisky
again."

"I feel frisky again," Spike groaned as she took him into her hand.
She squeezed him tightly as he'd taught her he liked and pumped him
with slow, long movements.  Spike closed his eyes, threw back his
head and enjoyed the sensation, his hips thrusting in time with her
hand.  He came with a cry, spilling his seed all over his belly.

"Now you've made a mess," Buffy teased.

"You made it, Slayer.  You should clean it up."  His waggling
eyebrows left no doubt about the means she should use.

"Okay, ew and no," she said.  Rolling off the bed, she found a clean
cloth and wiped the sticky mess from his stomach.

"One of these days, I'm going to talk you into it," Spike said.

"Don't hold your breath," she said throwing the cloth onto the
floor.

"Can hold my breath till dooms day, love,"

"And that's when it'll be," she quipped back.  Kissing him lightly on
the mouth, she got back off the bed and began to gather up her
clothes.  "Well, you may not be hungry, but I'm starving.  Want to
come to the house with me?  We can take the tunnels."

Spike yawned and stretched watching her dress through slitted
eyelids.  "No, thanks, pet.  I think I'll get some more sleep.  I'll
meet you for patrol later though. How's that?"

"You sure you're up for that?"

"I think I just proved to you I'm *up* for most anything."

With lightening fast speed, Buffy pulled something from her jacket,
vaulted onto the bed, straddled him and held a stake against his
chest.  "You'd best only be *up* for me, mister."

Spike grabbed her by the back of the head and pulled her mouth down
to his.  Buffy quickly pulled the hand holding the stake away from
his body.  Their tongues waged war and when they broke apart, Spike
said, "Only you, Buffy.  Always you."

Buffy smiled in satisfaction.  "Love you."

"Love you too."

Two more quick kisses and she rolled off the bed once again.  This
time she went straight to the ladder.  "I'll come get you at dusk,"
she said and then she was gone.

Spike stretched with feline grace, smiled and closed his eyes.  He
felt better than he had in weeks, the Slayer was finally admitting
that she loved him, and the soddin' chip was out of his head.

The Big Bad was back.

***

Spike kicked at the larger vampire and quickly twisted around, his
duster flying dramatically around him, before dancing back out of the
way of the creature's meaty fists.  It felt so bloody good to be back
in the game, and he was enjoying every bit of the fight.  Buffy was
fighting her own foe and as she ducked out of the way of a punch she
said, "Spike?"

"Yeah, love?" Spike answered swinging his leg around to trip up his
opponent.

"That doctor said he'd send a bill."  Punch, dodge, kick.

"Yeah."  Jab, leap, twirl, skip, punch.

"So how much do you think the bill will be?" Spin, kick.

"Dunno, love.  Demons usually deal in babies."  Punch, punch, skip,
twirl, kick.

"What?!  Oof."  Irritated that the vampire had suckerpunched her when
she'd been momentarily distracted, she whipped out her stake and
dusted him.

"What do you mean demons usually deal in babies?!"

"Yeah, but you bein' the Slayer and all, I doubt he'll ask for a
baby."  He took a blow to the head, which he answered with a blow of
his own.  Catching sight of Buffy's face, he realized his fun was
over for the time being.  Taking his stake from his pocket, he
twisted around and stabbed the stake into the vampire's heart.
Walking through the dust cloud, he went up to Buffy and said, "Look,
I was just jokin'.  I'm sure the bill will be for dollars, just like
a normal doctor."  Spike stopped and considered a moment.  "Although
come to think of it, I'd probably be able to get him a baby easier
than I could pay a big doctor's bill."

"Spike!"

Oops.

"For god's sake, Slayer," he covered quickly, "will you lighten up?
I'm just havin' you on."

"You think that's a joke, Spike?" Buffy asked incredulously.

Spike sighed and tried to take Buffy into his arms, but she stepped
back away from him, arms crossed over her chest.  Running a hand
through his hair, he said, "I'm sorry, love.  I'm a demon and
sometimes what I think is funny, well I guess 't's not."

"Well, that certainly was not funny."

"Right, baby jokes not funny.  Got it.  Never do it again."

Buffy just shook her head.  Sometimes Spike could be the most loving,
most gentle, most insightful and sensitive man she knew and sometimes
it was like being with a pack of adolescent boys at their most
immature.

"Come on," she said, "let's finish patrol."

***

Patrol was unusually busy that night and Buffy could tell that Spike
was reveling in it. Their final battle that night took place on one
of the hills that surrounded Sunnydale and when they'd dusted the
last vamp, they followed the footpath back down to the valley.  A
break in the trees caught Buffy's attention and she stopped.  "Oh,
Spike, look."  Moving through the trees, she came to a lookout.  The
lights of Sunnydale spread out like a blanket at her feet.

"What is it, love?"

"Doesn't Sunnydale look pretty from up here?" she asked.

Spike stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her.  "Yeah, it
does."

They stood there gazing down, relaxing and just enjoying being
together.  Spike's chin rested lightly on the top of her head and she
leaned comfortably back against him.

"You looked like you were having fun tonight," she said softly.

"Yeah, I was.  You know me, Slayer.  Love a good fight."

She was silent again for several minutes and then she said in voice
barely above a whisper.  "Do you miss it?"

"Miss what, love?"

"Being the Big Bad?"

"I still am the Big Bad," he smirked.  "Just ask all those vampires
we took out tonight.  Oh wait you can't, 'cause they're dust now."

Buffy's lips curled into the smallest of smiles.  "Yeah, but what I
meant was, do you miss having minions, going where you want to go,
doing what you want to do?"

"Killing people?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah," she whispered.

Spike turned her around until she was facing him.  "All that I did
before... at the time I was doing it, I didn't know any better.
Didn't care either.  It was all fists and fangs and sod all else.
And yeah, I loved it.  Loved the glory of my name bein' in the books
of the mighty Watcher's Council.  William the Bloody," he said
dramatically, "Slayer of Slayers.

"But that's the past, love," he said in a quietly sincere voice.
"You and Dawn, you mean more to me than anything else I've ever
known."

"But now that the chip's out?"

He traced his hand down her face, "Don't start doubting me, love.  If
I were to ever think of going back to my old ways, all I'd need do is
look into your eyes, hear your voice - even when you're scoldin' me,"
he teased, "feel your body next to mine," he continued more
seriously, "and I'd remember that I don't want to be anywhere else,
don't want to be doing anything else.  I love you, Buffy.  You're my
glory now."

Buffy reached up and pulled his head down to her.  The kiss was deep
and intense and tasted of Buffy's tears.  Sometimes it still
frightened her, this decision she'd made to love a demon.  She would
never have believed a vampire could choose to act other than his
nature dictated.  Angelus had taught her that all vampires were evil
and corrupt.  But Spike was so different - he learned, changed,
grew.  He was loyal and brave and he loved her.  He loved her
sister.  And he cared about her friends.

Breaking the kiss, they stood wrapped in each other's arms, her head
on his shoulder, his head resting atop hers.  At last, Buffy pulled
back and turned around in his arms until she was looking out over
Sunnydale again. She wrapped her arms over his as he pulled her back
against him.

"Besides," he said as if there had been no break in the
conversation, "minions are usually more bother than they're worth.
But then you'd know that from having your Scoobies."

"They're my friends, Spike," Buffy said looking up at him in mock
severity, "not my minions."

"Right," he said smirking down at her.  Buffy rolled her eyes and
returned her attention to the view.

"I almost forgot," she said, settling against him once more.  "I got
a call from Giles today."

"Yeah?  He have anything interesting to say?  Oh, wait, we're talking
about Giles.  Never mind."

Buffy softly snorted a laugh.  "Well, surprisingly, this time he
did.  He's coming home at the end of next week."

"You mean the Wanker's Council is finally cutting him loose?  To be
honest, love, I was beginning to think our expatriate had
repatriated."

"Yeah, I thought so too.  But apparently, he's finally finished
whatever it was he was researching."

"So have you told Rupert about us yet?"

"Yeah.  He's not happy, of course."

"Of course," Spike said dryly.  "Imagine he went over the same ground
Harris did.  Evil, soulless, kill you in your sleep, blah, blah,
blah."

Buffy gave another little laugh.  "Yeah, pretty much."

"Well, don't be surprised one night when you come to my crypt and
find only a big pile of dust.  Don't expect Rupert's going to take me
corrupting his daughter lying down."

"I'm not his daughter, Spike, and you don't have to stand there and
let him dust you."

"No, but I can't really hit the old man either.  One more shot to the
head and the poor old sod's brains are going to dribble out."

Another snort of laughter escaped from Buffy.  "Stop it, Spike.  You
don't need to hit him either.  Just stay away from him until he gets
used to it."

"So you're saying I never have to see Giles again then, is that it?"

Buffy turned back around, an amused grin on her face.  "You are
incorrigible."

"Guilty."

"Well, come on, Mr. Incorrigible, let's go home.  I'm getting tired
of standing here."

Returning to the path, they soon reached the bottom of the hill and
headed toward Spike's crypt.  Buffy decided it was time to broach
something with Spike that she'd been thinking about for awhile.  The
very thought frightened her; it was such a big step.  But it was also
something she wanted very much.  And being with Spike the last few
months had taught her that if you wanted something badly enough, you
should go for it.

"Spike?"

"Yeah, love?"

"I was wondering something.  How attached are you to your crypt?"

"I dunno, love.  It's a nice crypt and I like how we've decorated it
with the oriental rugs and all."

"Yeah, it's looking real homey now."

"Yeah, it is, isn't it?  Homey.  Like that word."

Buffy bit her lip.  "The thing is though, it's still a crypt."

"Well, yeah, guess it is.  What's your point, love?"

"Well I was just wondering if you'd, that is, if you like the idea
and all, no pressure or anything. If you don't want to I'll
understand.  I mean it's completely up to you."

"Buffy," Spike said, stopping and pulling her around to face him.
"You're starting to babble like Willow, love.  Tell me what you want
me to do, and I'll do it."

"No, I want you to do it only if you really want to."

"Right then.  Only if I really want to.  Now what is it?"

"Iwasjustwonderingifyou'dliketomoveinwithme," she said as quickly as
she could get the words out.

Spike stared at her unable to believe he'd just heard what he'd
thought he'd heard.  "Say that again, love.  Slower this time."

Buffy swallowed, took a deep breath and said, "I was just wondering
if you would like to move in with me?"

"Move in?  Permanent like?"

Buffy nodded her head.

"What about Willow and Tara?  What do they think?"

"Well, I haven't really said anything to them yet, but I don't see
why they'd mind.  I mean, you've been at the house more than your
crypt the last few weeks anyway."

"True, but I've been hurt or unconscious most of the time, too."

"I know, but still, they are used to you being around.  And I'm sure
Dawn won't mind."

"Of course Dawn won't mind, Buffy," Spike snorted.  "Your little sis
loves me."

Buffy smiled at his tone.  "That she does."

Spike felt like shouting and singing and grabbing Buffy up and
swinging her around.  She wanted him to live with her!  He'd never
thought he'd hear those words.

"Well, I'll consider it on a couple conditions," he said, playing it
cool as he gathered her into his arms.

"What?" Buffy asked wrapping her arms around him and nibbling on his
chin.

"Well first of all, we keep the crypt for recreational purposes."  He
gave her his wickedest smirk.  "No sense lettin' those perfectly good
chains go to waste, now is there?"

Buffy felt herself flush from head to toe.  "Be a shame, wouldn't
it?" she said, her mouth suddenly dry.

Spike got hard as he smelled her reaction to his words.  Looked like
they'd be putting those chains to good use again tonight.  His eyes
glowed at the thought.

"Second thing," he continued after a pleasant interlude that involved
kissing and groping and promises made of delights to come. "The
bedroom gets soundproofed.  I'd don't want to hear 'Oooh, Spike, we
have to be quiet' every soddin' night.  When I'm poundin' you into
the mattress, I want to hear your cries and moans."  He put his lips
to her ear and growled.  "I want to hear you scream my name."

Buffy shivered as his voice vibrated down her spine.  "Yeah," she
agreed breathlessly.  "That sounds like a good idea, too."

"In that case, sweetheart," he said, putting his hands on either side
of her face and staring into her limpid eyes, "you've got yourself a
new roommate."

Buffy's smile was huge as she jumped into his arms.  As their mouths
met once again, Buffy wondered how Xander would feel about doing the
remodeling job for her.

The End