The Painting
by Squirly

34.  Choices
Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: Spike's options are revealed.

Reviews: Yes, please. Readers rock but Reviewers RULE!

A/N: To everyone who got frustrated over the delay in revealing Spike's choices, blame Lorne. He's the one who popped out with that little tidbit and didn't share with me. Kudos to Krista for sussing it out.

kim: Jake is 26. Susan told Buffy that in 'Sunshine'.

A huge THANK YOU and several quarts of O-neg to WayWard Childe for helping me work past my attack of self-doubt. You're awesome Dude! The reason for which is below.

This fic has gotten THREE nominations at Eurydice's Love's Last Glimpse Awards. 1: Best work in progress. 2: Best crossover, Angel/Buffy. 3: Best original character, Jake. Results will be announced on April 16, 2005. Bear hugs and Hershey's kisses to whoever nominated me. THANK YOU!


Krista gazed deeply into Spike's dark blue eyes for another moment before she nodded decisively. "You get to choose how you life goes from this point on. The Powers That Be can remove your memories permanently and you go back to living in peace on the mountain with Jake. You would have no more nightmares, no more fighting, no more pain, only peace and contentment. Or..." She paused.

"Sounds right attractive, Pet. The last four months have been peaceful, except for the nightmares, of course." Spike remarked. "What's the flip side?" His sense of peace faded away quickly as an idea of what she was going to say drifted through his mind.

"You stay with Buffy. You share the rest of your life with her, fighting the good fight. Another Champion for the Powers. You use all your new and old abilities in that fight. The two of you can stay here in LA and work with Angel or you can relocate to wherever you want. You are free to go but the fight against good and evil will continue and you will be a major player on the side of good." Krista continued, sipping her drink as she paused.

"If I chose to go back to the mountain, what happens to Buffy, Dawn and the rest, what will they remember?" The quiet question Spike asked sent a chill down Xander's back.

"They will forget any of this happened. You'll be a beloved memory. They will still fight the good fight but without you." Krista answered.

Spike looked thoughtful. Xander and Lorne remained silent. "What are these 'new abilities' you keep going on about?" The vampire finally asked.

"Well, first off, you are now almost completely immortal." Krista began.

"Was immortal before, Luv." Spike inserted.

"Ah, but now, you are more so. Remember how hard it was to kill the ubervamps, the Turokan?" She asked.

Spike and Xander both winced at the memory. The ubervamps had been next to impossible to kill. The one who had nearly defeated Buffy had also tortured Spike unmercifully both mentally and physically. Krista noted their twin expressions.

"You are now even harder to dust than that. I'm not saying you can't be killed, it's just someone would have to work even harder at it than ever before. Besides, if you can never be killed, how would you ever get back to Heaven?" She grinned at the shock on Spike's face.

"You are now faster and stronger than any other vampire in history, including Angelus. You are a Daywalker. It's almost as if you absorbed some of Buffy's abilities without draining anything from her. Do you understand?" The pixie sat back and watched the emotions chasing across Spike's face.

Spike slowly shook his head. His mind whirled once more with confusion. He felt almost as nauseous as he had the night before when his memory had been restored. The ramifications of his new choice began to give him a headache. The pain beginning to build in his skull darkened his eyes.

Xander noticed the uncertainty and pain that was beginning to appear in Spike's eyes. When he'd first heard Krista detail the choices, it had seemed a slam-dunk. No way would Spike leave Buffy and Dawn again. But now a frisson of doubt inched its way down his spine. What would they do if Spike chose not to stay?

"I need to talk to Angel." Spike's low voice startled Lorne and Krista; he'd been silent for several minutes. Xander's doubt turned to fear. Spike never called Angel by name.


Angel dug his cell phone out of his pocket, shoving the information about Spike to the back of his mind. He dialed a number he'd hoped he would never have reason to call and waited as it rang.

"Hello, Angel." Lilah's voice grated on Angel's nerves.

"Lilah." He answered tersely. "You have something of mine."

"Then maybe you shouldn't misplace them." She baited the vampire.

Angel suppressed the urge to growl. "If you know what's good for you..." Her laughter cut him off.

"Do you really think I'm afraid of you?" Lilah asked incredulously. "The way I see it, I have all the aces. When I decide what I want in exchange I'll let you know." She hung up.

Angel gazed up at the building in front of him and smiled unpleasantly.


Willow looked into the face of each person in the room. 'Are we clear on what we have to do?' She projected.

Everyone nodded.

The witch thought of a question she needed to ask. 'Dawn, have you mentioned Spike since you've been here?'

The teenager nodded. Willow looked meaningfully at Buffy. 'Dawn, ask Buffy about Spike. Out loud.' The witch instructed.

With a bewildered expression, Dawn turned to her sister. "Buffy, is Spike okay?"

The slayer led her sister to the sofa. Jake followed curiously and sat on the other side of Dawn. He had the feeling he was going to be needed.

The blonde bit her lip and took Dawn's hand. The teenager began to shake. "What happened?" She asked.

Buffy looked at her sister intently. "It's about Spike being incorporeal." Nodding her head so Dawn and Jake would get the hint to go along with it.

"W-what about it?" Dawn asked hesitantly, unconsciously seeking Jake's hand with her own.

"What happened? Is he solid? I know he was tired of being a ghost." Jake squeezed Dawn's hand so she'd play along.

"He's gone. He disappeared back into the amulet after you guys left for the store earlier." Buffy told them.

Dawn turned into Jake's arms and burst into tears. Jake caught Buffy's gaze and blinked when she winked at him. He immediately put his mouth next to Dawn's ear and whispered almost inaudibly. "He's okay. It's part of the plan. Just go with it. Do you need me to pinch you so you'll cry more?" He was rewarded by a small fist pounding his shoulder.

"We just got him back. How can he be gone?" Dawn sobbed. Her tears dried as she played up her grief. "Can Willow get him back out?" She asked desperately.

"Lindsey stole the amulet." Wesley informed her soberly, his tone belied the slight smile on his face at her theatrical show of distress. "That's why we followed him. Without the amulet, we lost our bargaining chip in getting the two of you back. We also don't have any way of retrieving Spike without it." He continued.  

"And succeeded in getting yourselves caught." Jake said acidly. "Great. You have nothing to bargain with and no way out. Now what?"

Willow watched from her position by the window. She glanced outside and smiled. 'Hey, guys.' She hailed them all mentally. 'Angel's here.'


At the Hyperion.

Giles looked up as the front doors flew open. A huge smile crossed his handsome face when he identified the newcomer. He picked up Spike's duster and held it out. "Glad you could make it. We can use your help. First, though, I need for you to..." A brisk nod acknowledged his instructions and the front doors swung closed.


At Caritas.

A hush fell over the usual noise of the club. Spike raised his head as his silent contemplation was interrupted. His blue eyes flashed amber and a snarl rumbled deep in his chest.

"Spike? What's wrong?" Xander asked as he watched the vampire scan the room.

"Slayer." Spike hissed.

Seconds later the source of Spike's tension sauntered up to the table. "Spike. Heard you were back."