FIC: Born Again (10/?)

["cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Title: Born Again
Part: 10
Author: Cilia
E-mail: cilia@xxxxx
Feedback: Please god yes
Distribution and Archiving: Sure go for it
Disclairment: You know it.
Summary: This little story began as attempt to do something new and
different. It focuses almost entirely on Willow and her adventures in th Old
World (Europe). Some time has past and we begin the story when we meet an
older more experience Willow, still old friends are around the corner and
Buffy never more then a phonecall away.
So I hope you enjoy this work,
Notes: You can find the missing parts at http://www.mmedia.is/~cilia/again
and then I wish to thank my beta Ollie and my critique Stan

Born Again
Cilia

Chapter Nine

Susan watched as Spike and Willow strode with confidence towards the rather
sizeable group of what she'd concluded had to be vampires. She clutched onto
Spike's coat and found something hard within it.
"What the." she wondered as she pulled a wooden stake from one
of the pockets.
"Bloody hell," Spike cursed loudly as he kicked a vampire into a
wall.
Susan looked up and then down at the stake.
"Spike," she shouted over the noise of the fighting.
Spike turned around and saw her waving the stake.
"Throw it," he shouted.
Susan nodded and threw the stake into the air, it glided in a wide arc,
spinning and then landed smack middle in Spike's outstretched hand.
"Okay who's next?" he asked as he spun around.
Willow was cursing herself for forgetting her sword in the trunk of the car.
"Damn it," she cursed as she twisted the head of the latest
vampire.
"Feeling a little violent tonight?" Spike asked as he backed up
next to her.
"Left my stake in the last one," Willow explained.
"Well better start thinking up ways to explain this to Susan,"
Spike stated as he staked his latest attacker.
"We tell the truth," Willow grunted as she dropkicked a vamp,
"and I think they're backing away," she added.

Later in the library of Michael's house, Susan's nursed a cup of tea as
Willow explained her and Spike's story.
"I came here four years ago to teach at the University and kill
the local vampires. We'd figured out that eliminating the power base the
vampires had in Europe would ease things back home."
"On the Hellmouth," Susan stated.
"Correct, now this city is ruled by several masters and one of
them was your relative Michael," Spike explained.
"But how can."
"He's probably your great, great, great grandfather or
something. I can check the records," Willow stated.
"It's not all that uncommon really," Spike interrupted and got a
curious look from Willow.
".but the fact remains that you're now the Master of his
territory," Willow stated.
"The markers?" Susan asked.
"Correct again," Spike stated.
"So were do we go from here?" Susan asked.
"We'll take you to see Nathaniel, he's the defacto leader around
here," Willow said.
"But how can I." Susan paused to consider her words, "rule
this," she then said.
"Well Spike could." Willow trailed off.
"Oh no, my master days are behind me," Spike said and raised his
hands.
"You're a vampire?" Susan asked, pointed and slumped to the
floor.
"She took it well," Spike nodded.
"Well past the point when most people faint," Willow nodded as
he picked her up.
"James is the room ready?" Willow asked.
"Of course Miss Rosenberg," James nodded.
"We'll be back before dawn, she shouldn't be left alone right
now," Spike said and it earned him another curious look from Willow.
"What? Can't a bloke like me nice from time to time?" Spike
asked quite offended.
"Not you Spike, now get her into bed. I've got to get something
from the trunk," Willow stated.
"This way Mr. Spike,"
"Call me William," Spike said as he followed the butler up the
stairs. "You are English after all and that gives you the right," he added.

Willow rummaged through the trunk of her car pulling out her sword and the
coat. This was a mess all right. A bloody stinking mess.
"Got one for me?" Spike asked as he came walked down the stairs.
"Catch," Willow said and threw up a simple short sword.
"Small, but it will do," he said.
"Lets go," she said and opened the car door.
"This thing's got you pissed," Spike stated.
"Michael asked me to keep her out of our world and I managed to
screw it up within three hours of meeting her," Willow stated.
"Good point, but now we must protect her," Spike stated.
"We?" Willow asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, we," Spike stated thus ending all debates for now.

They didn't have to search long for Nathaniel. He was standing at the edge
of his territory. Under the light of a streetlight, with his high hat and
cane he looked like something straight out of mystery novel.
"Hello Nathaniel, I take it you've heard," Willow said as the
approached him.
"An unfortunate turn of events," Nathaniel stated and cast a
glance at Spike.
"Spike didn't kill Michael," Willow stated in a firm voice.
"How can you be sure?"
"Because he was in my bed the entire night," Willow said and
regretted her choice of words.
"Very well," Nathaniel nodded. "Step forward and let yourself be
known," he then said in a stately voice.
"I'm William Croix, killer of two slayers, allied on the site of
good and Master without a land," Spike said and bowed. Willow tried
desperately to suppress a chuckle.
"Welcome William Croix to our fair city, it's good to see that
some of us still fight for the light. Too many off us choose to remain gray
these days," Nathaniel stated and that made Willow finally burst.
"You find this amusing Miss Rosenberg?" Nathaniel asked.
"Sorry. it's just." Willow said clutching her stomach.
"Can we move onto the business at hand?" Spike asked.
"Of course, William Croix I wish to offer you Michael Swift's
territory," Nathaniel stated.
"What?" both Willow and Spike asked and Willow quickly stopped
laughing.
"Miss Swift will of course remain in control of the businesses,
but I want a vampire there to make sure."
"That the balance is kept," Willow stated.
"Precisely," Nathaniel stated.
"Does Susan have a say in this?" Spike asked.
"Of course, but it's my belief that you will be able to convince
her," Nathaniel stated.
"You've been checking up on me?" Spike asked, but got no
response.
"Bring Miss Swift to the Meeting Place tomorrow night at
midnight so that she can taken into the community," Nathaniel said and
handed Spike a card.
"You're not going to turn her?" Willow stated firmly and went
for her sword.
"Wouldn't dream of it, but she has to accepted into the
community," Nathaniel explained.
"We'll be there," Spike said and started dragging Willow away.
"Goodnight Miss Rosenberg," Nathaniel nodded.
"Spike, wait," Willow said.
"This is politics Red and this discussion is over," Spike
explained and they stared each other down for a good while.
"Very well, let's hunt," Willow said and strode to the car.

It was a tired pair that dragged themselves back to the Swift mansion. The
night had been long and hard fought, but not sign of the new master, just
minions, more than ever before.
"I have never seen so many newborns in the city," Willow stated
as she flopped down into an armchair and accepted a cup of coffee from
James.
"Not local," Spike nodded and sipped his blood, "You look like
shit Red. Why don't you head home?" he added.
"I don't have classes until one p.m, but I guess I could use the
sleep," she said and stood.
"I'll stay here and guard Susan," Spike said.
"Your room is ready sir," James announced.
"You went behind my back," Willow exclaimed.
"Of course, now get going," Spike said as he lazily stood.
"Behave," Willow warned as she pulled her coat on.
"No promises," Spike replied.

Spike watched from the door as Willow got into her car and drove away,
"Spike?" came from the stairs.
He turned around to see her in a short robe with her hair tousled and he had
to send a firm order to his libido.
"Susan, what are you doing up?" he asked.
"Couldn't sleep," she answered with sheepish grin.
"Understandable," he nodded as he guided her back upstairs.
"You don't have to stay," she said as he guided her to the bed.
"Willow will have my head if I leave," he answered.
"I'm going to need a partner you know," she stated as she slit
under the covers and moments later the robe slit to the floor.
"What's in it for me?" he asked.
"A healthily salary, free room and board," she answered
sleepily.
"We'll talk about it in the morning," he said as he walked to
the door.
"Leave the light on," she mumbled after he'd turned off the
light.
"Good night Susan," he nodded and closet the door.
Spike leaned his head against the door.
"Bloody wiped dope," he cursed.
"Your room is this way sir," James said and startled Spike out
of his silent cursing.
"You ever sleep?" Spike asked.
"One must adjust to the strange hours sir," James nodded.
"Good enough, lead the way," Spike said in resignation.
"This was Master Swift's room," James stated as he opened the
door.
Spike looked into the windowless room and the freshly made bed.
"It will do, wake me at noon," Spike stated.
"Very well sir," James stated.
"Good nigh James," Spike stated with a laugh in his voice.
"Good night sir," James stated in a flat voice.
"I think this is the start of beautiful friendship," Spike said
to himself as he jumped onto the bed.

To be continued...