Return to Sender, Part 5
Author: Elsa Frohman
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is done, over, kaput.
Summary: Bringing Spike back from the beyond, version 238.




Fred wore a miniskirt and halter-top for Lorne's opening. Her
outline was almost stork-like in her high-heeled sandals. But she
moved with surprising grace as she walked beside Spike, chatting in
her typical, disjointed, high-speed manner. He had stopped trying
to make sense of most of what she said, though he was beginning to
see that if he listened patiently for long enough, she would fill
in the details that made earlier statements clear.

Outside the Rainbow Room, Spike was introduced to Charles Gunn, who
was already waiting with his date when Spike and Fred arrived.

Gunn was a tall, well-built black man with a smooth-shaven head and
warm smile. He shook hands firmly and introduced Gwen -- a stunning
young woman in a fire engine-red Lycra tube dress that barely
covered the necessities and left nothing about what it was covering
to the imagination.

When Spike extended his hand to shake, Gwen hesitated a moment, and
almost imperceptibly pulled back before she reached out to return
the gesture. The girl had touch issues, Spike noted. She might be
clinging to her date, but she didn't like unexpected contact.
However, even with her reluctance to shake hands, Spike didn't have
any trouble interpreting the frank, up-and-down look and little
smile she shot him before turning her attention back to Gunn.

"Glad to meet you at last," Gunn said to Spike, giving Fred a
quick, sidelong glace. "I'd have been by to say hello before this,
but I've had a lot of stuff to do the last couple of days."

"Did you get a chance to check on that other thing?" Fred asked,
her eyes darting to Spike as she spoke.

"Yeah, scouted it out. Don't worry. Got a solid lead," Gunn replied
evasively.

Spike looked back and forth between Fred and Gunn, more than a
little suspicious that what they were not saying had something to
do with him.

The evening was warm and humid, rain threatening any moment. A line
was forming outside the club door, and Spike looked at it
uncomfortably, but Gunn ushered the group around to the side of the
building.

"Lorne left word with security to let us in, so we wouldn't have to
wait with everyone else. We're VIPs tonight."

"This is better than when we went to see him in Vegas," Fred said.

"Yeah, well, I think it makes a difference that he's not being held
against his will and forced to perform here," Gunn replied with a
chuckle.

They were ushered to a table near the stage. The room was large and
well-furnished with small tables covered in white linen, arranged
around a thrust stage painted in rainbow colors. There were
overhead spots in red, blue and yellow that focused on the white
tablecloths, turning them bright colors. The room was filling up,
and a low rumble of conversation, punctuated by the clinking of
glasses, surrounded their party. Gunn bought a round of drinks -- 7-
Up for Fred, a Salty Dog for Spike, B&B for Gwen and a Martini for
himself.

There were some awkward attempts at conversation as they waited for
the waitress to return with their order. Fred was trying very hard
not to stare at Gwen, and her usual torrent of words had dried to a
trickle. Spike wasn't sure what to say to these people he'd never
met before; Gwen was uninterested in talking to anyone but Gunn;
and Gunn seemed mildly embarrassed that she was ignoring Fred and
Spike. Finally, the server returned with their order, and they had
something to distract them from the conversation that wasn't
developing.

"To a new life," Gunn said, raising his glass.

Spike smiled and raised his glass in response.

The lights dimmed, and Lorne swept out on stage singing Lady
Marmalade. Spike was impressed and more than a little amused at the
general denial that allowed the demon to perform publicly without
raising any suspicion. He knew that nearly everybody in the
audience assumed Lorne's unusual appearance was a makeup job. They
thought it was a gimmick -- an attention getter for a performer
trying to break into the big time. Spike and his three companions
were likely the only people in the audience who knew the green
didn't wash off.

Gwen had slid her chair over so she was close enough to Gunn to
stay in constant contact. He was enjoying the attention, responding
to her little caresses and the comments she whispered in his ear
with a broad smile.

Spike glanced over at Fred, whose lips were drawn tight. She'd
given up her attempts not to stare at the other couple, and it was
crystal clear that she wasn't pleased. The situation couldn't have
been more obvious, Spike thought. Gunn and Fred were recently
broken up. Gunn was flaunting his new girlfriend in front of his
ex. On one hand, Spike couldn't entirely condemn the man. He didn't
know what had caused the split, and he'd tried the jealousy gambit
himself in his time. But it made him feel badly for Fred, who had
been gamely trying to act as if nothing was amiss.

Up on stage, Lorne had finished Lady Marmalade and launched into
The Rainbow Connection.

Sometime between the first and second verse, Fred had had enough of
watching Gwen coo over Gunn, and moved over to turn her attentions
to Spike. She smiled coquettishly and wrapped her arm around his,
snuggling up close.

Spike allowed himself a mental sigh, but didn't let it show. He
smiled back at her and leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"The making-your-ex-jealous thing, love ... you know, it never
works out," he breathed.

Fred let go of his arm and moved away again, her face carefully
neutral. Spike felt badly for her, and even worse that he'd shut
her down.

"I think I'm going to make a little visit to the powder room," she
said, her voice tightly controlled. She got up and turned her back
on the table.

Spike looked directly at Gunn, his stare unflinching. Gunn couldn't
stop the guilty expression that crept over his features. He looked
away at Fred's retreating figure.

Gwen let go of Gunn and straightened up.

"I guess I need to go smooth things over with little Miss Lubbock,"
she said with a raised eyebrow. "Excuse me."

As Gwen left, Gunn looked even more uncomfortable. "This isn't
working out the way I thought," he mumbled.

"No? What did you think? They were going to swap recipes?" Spike
snapped.

"You don't know anything," Gunn said with a frown.

"No? I know what any idiot can see," Spike replied. "And I think
Fred deserves a bit more consideration."

Gunn didn't answer. He just looked down and studied his drink.

"She and Gwen already know each other. I didn't think it would be
this awkward."

"Didn't think is right," Spike said with a frown.

After a while, Fred returned from the ladies room. Her expression
was carefully composed.

"Where's Gwen?" Gunn asked.

"I don't know," Fred answered with a shrug.

"Wasn't she in the powder room with you?"

"Didn't see her."

Gunn frowned. "You must have missed each other."

Lorne did two more songs and wrapped up his set. Gwen still hadn't
returned, and Gunn continued to scan the room looking for her. Then
he stopped and muttered something under his breath.

"What was that?" Spike asked.

"I don't believe it," Gunn said darkly. "She dumped me."

Spike followed Gunn's eyes to the back of the room, where Gwen was
now hanging off the arm of a tall, blond man.

Fred craned her neck to see. "No... she wouldn't..."

"Yes, she would," Gunn replied.

"He's not half as good looking as you," Fred said sympathetically.

Spike sat back and watched the interplay, mildly surprised at how
quickly Fred had switched from jilted lover to supportive friend.

"That's just Gwen, for you," Gunn replied. "She's probably already
lifted his wallet."

Gunn excused himself before Lorne's second set. He said his
goodbyes and left Fred and Spike to enjoy the rest of the show
-- which passed amiably enough. Fred seemed preoccupied, but the
music was good, and Lorne performed like the pro he was.

After the last set, they were invited back to Lorne's dressing
room. He greeted them both with a hug and a kiss and ushered them
inside.

"So, what did you think, dears?" the demon asked with a grin.

"It was fantastic," Fred gushed. "You were fabulous!"

"You rocked," Spike agreed.

"I was a little off on the third number," Lorne said wistfully.

"Oh, no, you weren't," Fred replied. "You're just trying to get
more compliments."

"What can I say? I'm a ho," Lorne said with a chuckle.

"I need to go to the ladies room again," Fred said. "Only this
time it's because I really need to go to the ladies room. So, could
you excuse me for a moment? I'll be right back."

"Sure thing, sweetie. We'll amuse ourselves in your absence," Lorne
said with a wave of his hand.

Lorne gestured for Spike to sit on the sofa across from his makeup
table.

"Well, I've got to say you're beating all expectations, cupcake,"
he said. "You've come a long way in three days."

Spike gave him a crooked smile. "Can't say I'm really feeling a
part of things, but yeah, I'm doing better."

"Glad to hear it, sweet thing. Be a shame, considering what you've
been through, if you couldn't get back in the swing. Have you given
any thought to what you're going to do now?"

Spike shook his head. "Suppose I'll have to soon."

"No rush." Lorne turned back to his mirror and began wiping off a
layer of green just slightly more intense than his natural color.

"Been thinking a bit about what I saw when I read you," he said,
addressing Spike's reflection in his mirror.

"Hope it wasn't too much of a shock," Spike said with a small
smile.

"It was a kick in the pants, no question about it, muffin. But I
could do with more kicks like that." He stopped and turned to face
Spike again. "There aren't many who would do what you've done."

Spike shrugged, looking away slightly embarrassed. He felt a blush
rising to his cheeks. "Nothing special..."

"I'm not talking about the vampire-torch, save-the-world act, kid.
That was a trip, but just the beginning. I'm talking about that
never-say-die attitude. I'm talking about what got you back here.
I'm in awe, absolutely in awe, sugar cookie. I don't understand --
not really. But I've got to tip my hat to you."

Spike laughed. "You're going to give me a complex."

"Don't look at me. You've already got about eighteen of those.
Freud and Jung would mud wrestle for the privilege of analyzing
you. But I just wanted to tell you, of all the people I've read,
I've never seen anyone I was more certain was going to pull through
the tough patch. You're unstoppable, Blondie."

---

The lot where Fred had parked the car was several blocks from the
club. While they'd been inside, the rain that had threatened
earlier had started and ended, leaving puddles that reflected the
streetlights and the neon signs of the businesses they were walking
past. Cars slid by with the hiss of tires on wet pavement, and the
air smelled wet and clean.

Fred steered Spike down an alley between a fried chicken place and
a dry cleaner, explaining it was a short cut to where she'd parked.

Fred was quiet for a moment as they walked into the dark, but a few
yards into the alley she stopped and faced Spike.

"Look, I want to apologize," she said haltingly. "What I did back
there -- trying to make Charles jealous -- that wasn't right, and I
shouldn't have been trying to use you that way. It's just that
seeing them... that way... it just made me want to go back into my
room at the Hyperion and start writing on the walls again. I should
have just ignored them."

"Oh!" Spike said in surprise, "writing on the walls. That's why
they had to repaint!"

Fred looked puzzled for a moment, then caught on. She blushed and
let out a little giggle. "I suppose that didn't make much sense."

"Don't worry about it, love. I've been there. I know how it feels.
Even when you know it's over."

"I suppose now you're going to tell me it's going to get better and
someday I'll wonder what I was upset about."

"I could, but I won't. Hate talking in cliches."

He took her arm, and they started walking again.

"If he stays with her, she'll steal him blind," Fred said.

Spike nodded. "When she isn't running off with any bloke that
catches her eye..."

Fred sighed. "I don't want bad things to happen to Charles. I
really don't."

"Good for you."

Spike stopped abruptly. Fred started to say something else, but he
held up his hand to stop her. He was sniffing the air and listening
intently.

"Something wrong?" Fred mouthed.

Spike scanned the area, then guided Fred toward the side of the
alley.

"In a moment we'll be under a fire escape," he said in a voice so
low that she could barely hear him. "I'm going to give you a boost
up, and I want you to go up to the roof and across. Don't hang
around to watch, love. Vampires can jump, and that fire escape
isn't going to give you much protection."

"What?" Fred whispered. "There are vampires?"

Spike nodded, then without missing a beat, took Fred around the
waist and lifted her to where she could reach the lowest step of
the iron structure. She scrambled up and turned back to see Spike
surrounded by four figures. Two had come up from behind, and two
blocked the way ahead.

"Spike," one of them said, "long time no see."

"Not long enough," he answered, seemingly unconcerned -- his
posture relaxed but alert.

"You never should have changed sides, old man," the leader of the
vampires sneered. "Look at you now. You used to be tough. Now
you're just one more bag of fast food."

"We'll see," Spike replied, still feigning disinterest.

"Want to come back to our side? It can be arranged, you know."

"I don't think so."

One of the vamps behind Spike rushed him, but he dodged easily,
twisting out of the attacker's way and spinning around to slam a
two-fisted punch into the vamp's back. The vamp fell to the
pavement with a snarl of pain. Spike kicked him in the head before
he could rise again. He collapsed into unconsciousness.

The leader was on Spike next, charging in and bearing Spike back
with a full-body tackle. Spike gave way and fell back, kicking
upward as his back hit the pavement and propelling the vampire off
over his head. He kipped to his feet in time to meet his third
attacker with a roundhouse punch that sent the vampire reeling.

"Spike!" Fred called from above. She tossed him the stake she
always kept in her purse.

"I told you to get out of here," Spike called back to her as the
fourth vampire exploded in a cloud of dust.

Number two was back on his feet, and three rebounded back into the
fray. They charged at Spike from opposite directions. He stood his
ground until the last possible second, then took one step back,
plunging the stake into one, followed by swiftly flipping it to the
other hand to take out the other. He let out a victory whoop as he
turned to face the last vampire.

A pickup truck sped up and slammed on the brakes as Spike hauled
the last foe, still unconscious on the ground, up by the back of
his collar and dispatched him.

Gunn jumped out of the pickup.

"Charles!" Fred called as she dropped to the ground. She was
holding a crossbow now. "We agreed. One vamp. One! There were
four!"

Wes stepped out from behind a dumpster. "Impressive!" he said. "In
fact, more than impressive. That was quite astounding."

Spike looked at the three friends, his mouth in a tight line.

"Have I just been set up?" he asked testily.

"Um... not exactly," Gunn said, looking uncomfortable. "I was
supposed to be herding a single vampire toward you -- and I'd
picked out a pretty feeble one. But I lost him a couple blocks
back. Fred called me on her mobile. I got here as quick as I
could."

"And I was here, in concealment, in case things got out of hand,"
Wes said, demonstrating the stake ejecting mechanism concealed in
his sleeve.

"And I had a crossbow hidden up the fire escape," Fred added. "But
you were fantastic. You didn't need our help at all. Um... I hope
you aren't mad... We just wanted to see how you'd do..."

Spike shook his head. He beat a bit of vampire dust out of his
shirt, then laughed.

"To tell the truth... " He laughed again. "That's the most fun I've
had in this lifetime."

Wes clapped him on the shoulder. "If I'm not mistaken, you've
retained a bit of your previous physical prowess..."

"Yeah, think I have. Didn't realize it until just now."

"Lorne is waiting for us back at the club," Fred said.

"Shall we go knock back a few, bro?" Gunn asked.

"I believe a little bit of liquid refreshment would wash the
vampire dust out of your throat," Wes added with a smile.

"Yeah... a drink would... " Spike stopped.

"Is something wrong?" Fred asked.

Spike shook his head. "No, nothing wrong. But I think I'll take a
rain check on that drink. Give Lorne my regrets. Got one more
person I need to see."

"Angel?" Wes asked.

Spike nodded. "Can you tell me where to find him?"