The Wonder-Worker by Winsomeone

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Chapter 15: The Seeds of Destruction

The Slayer’s years-long habit of sleeping for only the few hours between late night patrols and early morning classes, coupled with an uncomfortable floor and the unresolved Spike issue had Buffy wide awake again within a couple hours.

She carefully slid from beneath the slumbering vampire’s arm. After stretching her sore muscles, Buffy rummaged through the nearly depleted crate for another bottle of water. Twisting the cap from the bottle, she settled next to the crate and stared at Spike.

The Slayer was always amused whenever she heard someone use the term “slept like the dead”, knowing they’d never been around a sleeping vampire. One look at the still body in the black tee shirt and jeans lying on the ground in front of her and they’d have the wiggins for a month.

Taking another drink of water, Buffy contemplated the last few hours. She thought she’d had everything figured out right up until the initial demon-celebration smoochies. She’d even managed to chalk the seriously long kissage up to after- battle euphoria, that and the not-so-surprising fact that the vampire was an incredible kisser. She’d told herself that she was just lost in the moment. Uh huh.

But then along came the second kiss he’d bestowed by the bridge, so different from the first. They’d been doing their usual verbal back and forth when she’d felt something change, a pull drawing them together.

That second kiss had been everything the impulsive first one wasn’t. Oh, it was still hot enough to burn, but it was also sweet and tender, and most important of all, completely open. She’d unconsciously asked and he’d shown her exactly how he felt about her. Scary, but it was also seriously of the good.

Would a relationship work between her and Spike? Buffy had no earthly idea. She knew that it would give her friends something to gossip about and would increase Giles’ gray hair and don’t even mention the utter wrongness of the whole Master Vampire/ Vampire Slayer thing, which she’d done already. Been there, got the torn and stained tee-shirt to prove it.

But when push came to shove, she was willing to give this relationship a chance.

Based on one incredible kiss.



*****

Spike was having a fantastic dream. He had just run a Prator demon through with his sword and turned to find the Slayer standing in the bright sunshine beside him. He dropped the sword, gathered his girl up in his arms and kissed her.

Buffy pulled away giggling, tossed her head and started running through a lush field of corn, laughing at him over her shoulder. Spike ran slowly so he could watch her blonde hair blow in the wind, the pump of her slender legs, the bounce of her gorgeous ass. Finally putting on a burst of speed, he caught up to her at the edge of the field.

They dropped to the warm earth, Buffy straddling him. He shaded his eyes from the sun and looked up into those enormous hazel eyes. Solemnly, she stared back at him.

He reached up and ran a finger across her cheek. “Mine.”

“Yours” she agreed, leaning over to place deliberate kisses on his forehead, his eyes, his nose and just as she kissed his mouth, the dream kaleidoscoped, dissolved, and transitioned into reality.

Spike opened his eyes to see the real Buffy, his golden Slayer, next to him atop the duster on the cold stone cave floor. She was leaning over him, cupping his head with her hands, placing gentle, deliberate kisses on his face.

“Buffy?”

“I thought this would be a good way to wake you.” Lying down next to him, she continued, her voice light, full of promise. “You see I’ve come to a decision about us while you were finishing your beauty sleep.”

Spike could feel her warm body next to him, so close it was beginning to warm his own. “I figured that would be a mutual decision, luv.”

“Well, you see as the Slayer, I’m used to making decisions alone.” She shifted closer when he ran his hand lightly down her arm. “But it was such a monumental decision that I needed to tell you about it right away. That’s why I woke you.”

He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “So tell me.”

“First, I need you to tell me, out loud, that all of this is really real, that it’s not caused by our sudden reliance on each other the past few days, and it’s going to disappear just as suddenly.”

“Not going to happen, luv. I’m not certain when this started for me, but it’s so bloody real that I’m nearly mad from it. I can’t get you out of my mind; you’re even there when I go to sleep. Hell, I was just dreaming about you, and although the dream was oddly reminiscent of some poncy Sting song- the point is I’m completely besotted. I want to bury myself in your scent and your heat every time I’m near you.”

“That’s exactly how I feel, too.” She took a deep breath, let it out slowly and asked, “Are we both completely insane?”

“Well, there are different degrees of insanity, trust me pet, this I know.” He stared into her darkening eyes. “There’s insane and then there’s insane.” He pulled her on his lap.
“Frankly, this crazy is definitely at the better end of that scale.”

“Then we’ll just have to be crazy together. Spike, I’d really like to be kissed now.”

“I’ve wanted to kiss you since you woke me up. Dream Spike had a head start and you know how much I hate to lose at anything.”

The couple became so lost in each other that it was several minutes before either one realized someone was standing in the cave. It finally took an amused snort to pull them completely apart to stare in dazed confusion at the visitor leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

“Well, well. Now, I’ve heard of détente between enemies, but somehow I didn’t think it was supposed to include vampires and Slayers getting busy.”

Amused, the wizard beheld Spike’s thunderous scowl and Buffy’s flushed face and drawled, “I’m sorry; I guess I should have knocked. Should I come back in an hour, or have I just insulted you Spike?” Margot smirked. “Maybe I should have said much, much later this afternoon.”

She continued to lean against the cave wall, eyes twinkling, and watched the couple hastily climb to their feet.

“We were not busy” Buffy sputtered, her face crimson. “We were just—“

“Snogging?” Spike supplied. Upset about the interruption, Spike watched the Slayer try to slip into denial mode and started to think that having a witness to their real relationship wasn’t such a bad thing after all. Margot was the first step in alerting people that things had changed. He hated secrets.

Buffy smacked his arm, protesting. “I was going to say talking over serious issues.”

Margot chuckled. “Yeah, it did look like you were really serious about something.”

Spike’s bark of laughter still ringing in her ears, Buffy placed her hands on her hips and asked suspiciously, “How did you get in here anyway?”

The wizard glanced around the cave and replied, “This is my magical construct; I can come and go at will. Look, I’m here to get you out and we need to move fast. This spell is going to break apart shortly and the cave will disappear, integrating back into the rock face and I’d like to be long gone before that happens; it might become a bit uncomfortable.”

“It’s still sunny outside, how’s Spike supposed to do that exactly?”

“The car’s only about fifteen feet from here and I’ve brought a blanket.” Margot smirked at the Slayer. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dream of letting your sometimes partner fry in the sun.” She watched Spike shrugging into his duster. “After all, that would be quite a waste.”

Buffy scowled at the woman. Keep your witchy mitts to yourself, he’s mine.

The drive back to Sunnydale was filled with Margot explaining what had happened during the couple’s absence. They listened to a description of her father’s illness and the subsequent return to the Champlaines’ house to discover the attack on Buffy’s Watcher and Kyle’s kidnapping.

Driving past the Sunnydale sign, Margot said, “We’re planning a meeting in a couple hours. Giles mentioned that your mother left yesterday on a buying trip for her gallery and your sister is staying with friends, so I was hoping you wouldn’t mind just grabbing some things and freshening up at my house? Giles is impatient to see you, he’s been worried.”

“That’s fine.”

“The same goes for you, Spike. We’ll swing by your crypt, too. Oh, I had Drake run by the butchers and pick up blood for you.”

“That was very considerate, wizard. Ta.”

“No problem, we’re all on the same team here. Buffy, help yourself to anything you might like to eat or drink, too. I’ve already extended the offer to Rupert. In fact, you’re welcome to stay with me until the Installation if you’d like. We’ve loads of room and it might make it easier to work together if we’re all under the same roof. Rupert has already consented to stay.” She turned to Spike. “You, too, Spike.”

Buffy nodded. “That’s a good idea. Thanks.”Rupert?


*****


Margot’s father, who was sitting on the couch reading when they walked in, suggested that the allies might be more comfortable having the meeting around the dining room table, rather than crowded in the small study.

Margot nodded her understanding and motioned for the couple to follow her up the staircase. When they continued past the second floor she said, “I hope you don’t mind sleeping on the third floor, but I’ve already given Rupert the last available room on the second floor.

It’s actually nice up here, very quiet, since everyone else sleeps below. Here Buffy, this is you’re room at the end of the hall.” Margot opened the door to a large airy room, with a mahogany four poster bed. “It’s our main guest room up here and the bed’s very comfortable.”

She turned to the couple. “Or would you prefer to stay together?” Noticing the blush creeping up the girl’s face, she added. “I’m not trying to embarrass you, I’m just asking.” Hmmm, so it is a new relationship.

“No, two rooms would be a lot better.” Buffy answered quickly, glancing over at Spike. He was studiously looking at his hands. “Besides, Spike’s going to need some place without windows.”

The vampire looked up. “Don’t do too well with a view, wizard, but I’ll be fine in the basement.”

“It’s not an issue actually. I’ve got just the spot for you; the center bedroom on this floor has only one small window and it’s covered completely by an old fashioned floor to ceiling wardrobe.” She pointed to a door. “It’s right through there. Well, I’ve leave you two to get cleaned up.”

Leaving the two standing in the hall, she turned for the stairs before innocently adding, “Oh, I hope this isn’t a big problem, but those two particular rooms share the adjoining bath.” You’re a bad, bad woman, Margot. Chuckling quietly to herself, she descended the stairs.

Buffy stood and watched Margot walk down the stairs before turning back to Spike. Awkwardly she mumbled, “Uh, I need to call Dawnie and see how she’s doing, so do you want the first shower?” Oh God, wipe that Technicolor image of Spike naked in the shower quickly from your brain. You know you’re not ready to take that step.

Spike, amused at the wizard’s ploy, noticed the nervous embarrassment play across the Slayer’s face. Looking into her eyes, he spoke gently, “It’s alright Buffy. We’re going to take this at our own speed.”

Seeing her visibly relax, he knew he’d made the right call, even though having his Slayer right next door for the next few nights didn’t bode well for his ability to sleep, much less his actual sanity. Maybe I can talk her into some midnight cuddling at least.

“Go call the Bit and I’ll see you downstairs later.” He hefted the duffle and pushed the bathroom door open; certain this would be only the first in a series of very, very cold showers.

****

Buffy walked through the door into the kitchen and saw Spike leaning against the counter waiting for his blood to heat. She watched him notice her and smile before peering in the microwave again. “You’d think two minutes wouldn’t be that bleedin’ long.”

She caught herself staring while he pulled the door open and reached in for his mug. Her eyes ran down the vampire’s lean, muscular body. He had the most incredible back, but oh, that butt… God, Buffy, you’ve got it bad.

Striving to come up with something to talk about that would pull her mind from Spike’s body, she racked her fogged brain. “You must be starving.”

At his amused look, she slapped her forehead and said, “And the winner of the Ms. Obvious award goes to…”

Spike leaned against the counter, sipped his blood and watched the Slayer walk to the refrigerator and open it. Her hair, still damp from the shower, flowed across her shoulders. My golden girl.

The door swung open again and Giles came in, carrying a coffee mug. “Buffy, I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been so worried.”

Spike watched the Slayer hug the older man tightly. “It’s so good to see you, too, Giles.”

Moving apart, Giles noticed the vampire for the first time. “Spike.”

“Rupert.”

The Watcher turned back to Buffy. “When we finish this meeting with the wizards, I’d like you to tell me all about your experience in the hive. I’m not aware of anyone else who’s ever been able to gather such intimate knowledge of Thesa behavior.”

“There wouldn’t have been any gathering from Buffy either, if it hadn’t been for Spike.”

Giles dipped his head briefly at the vampire leaning against the counter, sipping his blood. “I have to admit that I was wary of having you participate in this joint venture with Buffy, but you’ve handled yourself admirably. We’ll have to see if we can work out some sort of payment for all your effort.”

From behind Giles, Buffy winced at his words. Her eyes met his across the kitchen. Please not now, not here.

Spike lifted his chin and met the Watcher’s eyes. “I can always use the dosh.” His eyes flicked back to Buffy for a second before he added “After all I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression about my motives.” Standing back up, he added, “I’m going out to the porch for a smoke.”

Buffy watched him rinse his mug in the sink and walk away without a backward glance.

Buffy tried to concentrate on Giles conversation, but her mind kept sliding back to Spike’s expression. You hurt him and you’ve got to make this right. “Giles? I need a couple minutes before the meeting; I’ll see you in there.”

“What? Oh fine.”

Giles was refilling his mug from the coffee maker on the counter when Margot strolled into the room. She watched him add some cream before saying, “Rupert. I was hoping to speak with you before we all got together.”

“Oh?”

“First, I’d like to apologize for my abrupt behavior last night at the hospital.”
She walked up to him and placed a hand on his arm. “It also finally occurred to my sleep deprived brain that I hadn’t yet thanked you for your help in saving my father’s life.”

“There’s no need to thank me. I just did what was necessary at the time.”

Her mouth quirked. “You’re the most unusual Watcher I’ve ever encountered. You get
co opted into someone else’s mess, lose your Slayer for a bit, even get conked on the head and yet, you’re still here, ‘doing what’s necessary at the time’.”

Giles gazed at the woman in front of him. She’d had less sleep than any of them and yet refused to give into what she perceived as weakness, instead trying to make amends for being human. He realized that he admired her now more than ever.

“And you are the most unusual wizard that I have ever encountered.”

Margot threw back her head, laughing, and suddenly looked years younger.

She had a full bodied, exuberant laugh and Giles found himself smiling in response. He noticed how very pretty she was when the weight lifted from her face.

Wiping tears from her eyes, Margot said. “Neither of us fit into those very constricting molds that we’ve been desperately trying to force each other into, do we?”

When she saw him smile and shake his head, she added, ““Rupert, I think that you and I are going to become very good friends.”

Taking off his glasses to clean them on his shirt, Giles gazed into her smiling face and replied. “I sincerely hope so.”

*****

The wide back porch, wreathed in shadows from the ancient oak trees, was quiet in the early evening light. Spike sat in an Adirondack chair, feet propped on the edge of the railing, carefully staying away from the patches of sunlight that occasionally spilled across the deck when a breeze moved the canopy.

Smoking his second cigarette, he’d finally calmed down from the little scene in the kitchen. Unsure of why he’d first left the room, he’d finally come to the conclusion that ultimately he wasn’t angry, but hurt. Buffy had stood right in front of him and allowed Rupert to humiliate him, without speaking a word in his defense. Instead, she’d actually ask him to go along with it, allow the Watcher and everyone else to think that he was only around for the money.

He hadn’t even wanted anything initially, donning the white hat for Joyce and now they’d turned it into something ugly.

Spike watched the smoke from the cigarette catch an air current and float out into the sun. He should have known the Slayer would never publicly admit to being involved with another vampire, especially after the mess Angelus created when they were dating.

Hell, even I’d think twice. But I won’t be anyone’s dirty little secret, either.

Morosely wishing he’d never gone in the damn kitchen to begin with, he lit another cigarette.

“You’ll get lung cancer.”

He’d been so wrapped up in his problems that he hadn’t even heard the Slayer open the back door. “Vampires can’t get lung cancer and you bloody well know that.”

Buffy winced at the brittle tone of his voice. She’d sliced him deeper than she’d realized. He won’t even look at me. Why can’t I ever handle things right?

Trying to keep her tone light, she replied. “Then you’ll use up all your lighter fluid and matches would not be of the good.”

When he didn’t respond to the quip, she moved in front of him. “Spike, I’m sorry about the convo in the kitchen. After you left, I set up some time to talk with Giles after the meeting. I’m going to tell him about us.”

Exhaling, he finally allowed himself to look at her. Buffy was standing there, twisting her hands together. When he looked up, she added, “I never meant to turn this into something wrong. I was taken by surprise when he came in and I just didn’t think that was the time or place for a heart to heart.”

Gruffly, he countered. “That was the trouble Summers, you just didn’t think.”

“I know that.” She bit her lip. “I didn’t mean to hurt you; the whole thing just sort of took off on its own.”

“Is it really true you’re goin’ to spill to the Watcher?”

She nodded. “When all this is over, I’ll tell everybody. Will you forgive me?”


“I already have.” He tossed the cigarette into the dirt. “Can’t stay mad at you for long.”

Smiling with relief, Buffy sat on his lap and put her arms around his neck. “I never meant to hurt you so badly.” She stroked his face. “I’m sorry.”

Spike pulled her to him hungrily. “Apology accepted.”

*****

Margot stood at the head of the table. “There are some gaps in your understanding of the situation, because up until now I haven’t been completely forthright.”

With the Successor’s pronouncement, Spike looked across the table at Buffy. Her eyes met his. Their instincts had been right, there were pieces missing to the puzzle.

“I’ve kept things from all of you.” Margot glanced at her father. “To begin with I really don’t care about the demon clans or what their future plans hold. Obviously I would never join with them, but I also haven’t any interest in starting a war with them either. I’ve been trying to create an atmosphere of confusion so that I can safely retrieve my husband’s Grimoire.”

Buffy looked confused. “What’s a Grimoire?” Her eyes darted to Spike.

He shrugged. “Sorry, pet, no bloody idea.”

“An antique book.” Giles answered automatically. Looking up, he realized she had actually asked Spike. He frowned.

Giles looked over at Margot, who was watching him intently, and asked, “What was in your husband’s Grimoire?”

“Let me preface my answer by explaining to anyone not familiar with our traditions- she smiled at Buffy and Spike- that each wizard is given a Grimoire with several blank pages when they begin their training. They write within it whatever they wish. My husband, John, although one of the most accomplished wizards I’ve ever known, also had the absolutely worst memory.”

Her eyes lit up in remembrance. “It was a joke between us that it was a miracle he could remember either my name or his own, much less those of our children.

John wrote everything down, every word to be spoken, all items he might need in the way of supplies, any changes he’d made to a spell and he notated it in a private language of which only wizards have knowledge.”

Comprehension crossed Giles face. “That’s why the Gashi wanted Kyle. They have the Grimoire, don’t they?”

Chaplaine broke in and answered the Watcher. “It was common knowledge between both the Watchers and our own Council that the Gashi had a hand in John’s death. It was shortly after the incident that the current Chieftain arose to power.

I’ve already told Margot to let this be, they can do nothing with the knowledge even if Kyle were to transcribe it. The book is essentially worthless to all, magically locked to any except the owner, it alters spells so that they become impossible to replicate. The Gashi would need the trigger incantation which Kyle does not know.”

Margot gazed impassively at her father during his recitation. “Isn’t it amazing what time will do? John’s murder has become merely another ‘incident’ in the history of the Council.”

She turned back to Buffy. “It must be the same way when a Slayer dies. At first everyone is upset, so concerned. Then after awhile, it becomes just another incident written up in some musty Watcher’s diary. But I digress.

You said John’s Grimoire was unimportant, but you’re wrong, father. There’s another piece to the puzzle that even the Imperial Wizard doesn’t know. The Grimoire contains written instructions for the last spells John and I worked on together.”

Her father frowned. “What are you talking about Margot? You two shouldn’t have been working on anything together without the express permission of the entire Council.”

He stared at his daughter and demanded harshly, “I want an explanation immediately.”

Margot raised her chin. “Please, allow me to tell this my way.” Her eyes went around the room and stopped on the Slayer again. “You see, my fate was determined at a very young age, although it wasn’t until I was older that it was officially sanctioned with a ceremony. The night after I had been officially chosen Successor, John came to me with an idea for a spell. He’d been working on it in secret for years.”

“I’m sure you’ve all been told how the job of Imperial Wizard is incredibly draining.” She glanced briefly at her father before looking at the others again. “My father is an anomaly. He’s the longest living Imperial Wizard in written record. All others have died within six, maybe eight years of assuming office. This is my fate and I accept it. I will die fairly quickly in the line of duty.”

Spike glanced over at the Slayer in time to see her blanch, her hands clasped tightly together. He realized Buffy had seen the parallels between Margot’s and her own unique circumstances.

“My husband and I knew each other all our lives. He was there when my own mom died and left me alone. He couldn’t bear the thought of the same thing happening to our own children. Myself? I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving my husband. I was very young and I never considered that he could die before me.”

Her voice wavered and she paused briefly before continuing, this time her eyes lit on Spike and she smiled. “My husband loved me enough to go against everything wizards have believed in for millennia. He did what he thought he had to do, to make sure I would be safe. Surely you can understand.”

Spike nodded firmly, of course he understood. “What did he do?”

“John had cleverly devised a joint spell that would help me remain strong during my tenure, help me remain alive. We implemented it two days before he was sent to meet with the Gashi.”

Buffy’s voice whispered. “You came up with a way to stay alive. Why is that such a problem?”

Roger Chaplaine’s eyes flashed. “You see Ms. Summers; every spell needs power to run it. Most of the time a wizard uses their own. But some spells are of such magnitude that they require the harnessing of enormous amounts of energy, more than a single wizard could possibly produce.”

His eyes swept his daughter. “Or two wizards in this case. So Margot, where did you get the power? It wasn’t from the Council; I would have felt it immediately.”

She spoke so quietly that everyone had to lean forward to hear. “Do you remember where we were when you sent for John? We harnessed the energy from right here. We tied our spell to the Hellmouth.”

Giles voice cut through the stillness. “Oh no.” He looked across the table to see how the elder wizard handled this staggering discovery. He watched Chaplaine slump back against his chair, shaking his head, his mouth hardened to a firm line.

Looking back at Margot again, he saw the woman was holding herself rigidly together. He took a deep breath and asked kindly, “Margot, if the spell has already been cast so many years ago and nothing has happened, why is it so important to retrieve the Grimoire now?”

Margot exhaled loudly. “John was extremely clever. He tied the spell’s activation to my installation. When I take control of the Council’s power the spell will begin to pull energy from the Hellmouth, too. The additional energy is what would be needed to keep me from using all of my own personal life force to channel and focus the Council’s demands.”

Chaplaine muttered. “The energy here is so dark; it would taint your life force over a long period of time.”

Buffy interrupted. “What will happen to the Hellmouth when the spell kicks in?”

“John and I assumed nothing at all; since we would be here to control it. I had planned to move our home here permanently again.”

Spike cocked his eyebrow. “You said we.” He stared openmouthed at the wizard.
“This is a two man job isn’t it? You were both needed to control the power drain.”

“That’s it exactly. The spell was structured for two. John had always been expected to become second in command, it was only logical that he would help me control the negative energy.

But without John to control his portion, the bleeding will occur at a much faster rate than I can handle by myself. I will end up channeling all the negative energy and it will combine with the positive energy from the Council at a much stronger rate.”

“Then what happens?”

Roger Chaplaine lifted his head from his hands. “When negative energy combines with positive in enormous amounts, the result is catastrophic.”

Giles pulled off his glasses and began to polish them. “Is there anything we can do?”

Margot studied Giles for a moment before answering. “That’s why I need John’s Grimoire. We didn’t know what the future would hold for the Hellmouth. There are written records of occasional closings as well as more active periods, so in case of some emergency John devised a fail safe. Written in his Grimoire is the only copy of the counter spell he devised.”

“What about the lock on the information. Is there another way to retrieve it?”

Margot nodded tiredly. “I know the incantation to open the book and if that doesn’t work, the Imperial Wizard can do it.”

Chaplaine agreed. “It hasn’t been done for years, but it is feasible.”

Buffy rose from her seat. “Well, there is no way I’m going to let Sunnydale blow up or evaporate or whatever that spell will do. We’ll just have to get the book back before your installation.” She swept her eyes across the others. “Okay people, we need to come up with a plan. Pronto.”

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