Home | New/Updated | Completed | Authors | Titles | Search | Sweet Temptation | TopTen | Betas | Challenges | Tools | Chat | Help | Login Some Cold Lovin', Las Vegas Style - Part 4 by bloodshedbaby   (1 Review) abc + + +   << 1. Part 12. Part 2 (chapters 4-7)3. Part 34. Part 45. Part 56. Part 6 >> 13       Inside the room, Spike turned to face Buffy, his features no longer distorted or demonic but smooth and handsome. "Sorry 'bout that, luv."       Buffy had been lost in a virtual daze of mortification of truly gargantuan proportions, and her head jerked up at the sound of his voice, her eyes blinking rapidly to bring him into focus. Spike's face was an open book to her at that moment. She clearly saw his concern, his hesitation, the barely suppressed anger coursing through him. But what leapt out the most to her was the utter fear in his eyes, fear of her reaction.... To him, to what they had done together, and her heart opened to him just a bit more. She found her lips curving up into an amused smile as she regarded the tense vampire in front of her.        "Well, bet that's not something they're going to forget seeing anytime soon."       She saw his whole body relax, the tension pouring out in a torrential flood when he realized by her light hearted comment that she wasn't regretting what had been shared between them and her smile widened. She dropped the sheet and got up on her knees and held her arms out to him. "Want to try this morning thing over again?"       His smile seemed to light up the darkened room and he reached her side in two rapid strides. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a soft meaningful kiss, loving the feel of his capable hands stroking their way over her body.  She was the first to draw back, commenting, "Ah yes, now that is MUCH better."       "Was afraid you'd be all panicky, having your Watcher and your mate seeing us like that," Spike admitted to her quietly       "Have to admit, I was all majorally panicky girl at first. But now? Not so much."    ``````     Outside the room, Giles and Xander could hear muffled words being spoken. They didn't want to admit to eavesdropping, but Giles justified it by telling himself that he was merely making sure his Slayer was all right. After all, she was behind a closed door with a dangerous vampire who last seen, had charged them in full game face. It was then that the reality of what they had witnessed finally hit home, and Giles at least realized that this would have to be dealt with in a truly delicate manner. Spike had been protecting Buffy from them. Good lord, he thought, rubbing  his temple where a pounding was starting up with all the subtly of a full symphony.       The next moment had Xander checking the crotch of his pants for accidental leakage when the door to the bedroom was suddenly thrown open and Spike came striding out, wearing only a pair of jeans, his chest and feet bare. He gave Giles and Xander a withering glare and announced coldly, "The least you two sods could have done was gotten the boy up."       They watched Spike walk down the hallway and it was then they realized that Blake was yelling in his crib. Giles surmised that the door slamming probably was responsible for waking him up and he moved to follow Spike down the stairs when he emerged from Blake's room carrying the boy easily in his arms, with Blake laughing and hugging him tight.  Spike pointedly ignored the Watcher's presence as he grabbed a diaper out of the basket and quickly changed Blake's diaper, finding himself proficient at the task after just the one time.  Xander came downstairs just at the tail end and gaped at the sight.       "William the Bloody changes diapers? Well, there's something you don't see every day," Xander wisecracked, unable to keep his mouth shut. Giles sent him a pained look and after Spike set Blake back on his feet and turned the telly on for him, he stalked slowly in Xander's direction.  The smell of fear coming from Buffy's idiot friend was invigorating and he allowed a dangerous look to take over his face. Xander gulped and backed away with Spike following his movements with lethal precision. When he had Xander backed up against a wall, he told the boy fiercely, "You shut your gob, boy."       Xander's fear had now escalated to pure terror, and he called out, "Giles, little help here."       Giles was just reaching for the stake in his back pocket when Spike sent a hard look in his direction, stilling his movements.  "Won't be needing that, Watcher. Just be having us a bit of a talk, is all."  He took a step back from Xander, and crossed his arms across his chest. "Now then, this is the way it's going to be.  Neither one of you is going to say one bad word to Buffy about what you saw this morning.  Either one of you gits makes her feel ashamed of what she did with me, you'll be finding one very pissed off vampire after you. Understood?"       Giles did not hesitate to agree, causing Xander to look at him in shock. "What? Are you crazy? How do we know he didn't have her in that thrall thing so he could have his evil way with her?"       "She wasn't in a thrall, Xander," Giles informed him.       "Oh? And how do you know this, oh Mr. Book Man?"       Giles ripped his glasses off and allowed his calm composure to slip a little.  "Because Xander, if she was under a thrall, she wouldn't have been embarrassed that we saw her, that's how I know this."       "Oh."       "You guys talking about me?" A voice from the top of the stairs said, causing all four males present in the room to look up in that direction.       "Mama!" Blake squealed, tearing himself away from the tv set to go greet  her.  Buffy walked down the stairs, now properly attired in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, her previous sex tousled hair now tied back in a ponytail at the nape of her neck.  She saw Giles immediately search her neck for any evidence of bite marks, and she rose an eyebrow in his direction. Blake wrapped himself around her legs, and Buffy picked him up and kissed him good morning. She turned to her best friend and her Watcher and asked if they wanted any coffee.  Without waiting for a response, she winked at Spike and carried Blake into the kitchen. Spike eagerly followed, watching the swing of her ass as she walked, barely resisting the urge to grab it and shag her until she came screaming his name over and over.        Once in the kitchen, Spike took Blake from Buffy and put him in his highchair while Buffy made a pot of coffee. While it was brewing, she handed Spike a box of cereal to start feeding Blake, and he attended to that while Buffy got the coffee ready. Xander and Giles just watched, it not escaping their notice the way they were interacting with each other now, the easy familiarity that was now present.       When Buffy finally turned to them, a mug of coffee in hand, Giles took that as his cue.  "Buffy, I apologize for the way we barged in here."       "Yeah, me too, Giles."       "However in our defense, we came over here because we were concerned. Willow and Xander came and told me that you had missed the first couple periods of school, and in light of recent circumstances, well, I felt it would be remiss of me if I did not investigate."       "Ever hear of an invention called the telephone?"  Buffy asked.       "I did try to ring you, there was no answer. And when we got here, there was no answer to the doorbell.  So, we decided it warranted further investigation," Giles continued, ignoring Spike's snort.       "Yeah, and you got yourself an eyeful, dinnit ya?"       "Yes, well...."  Giles muttered, his discomfiture becoming increasingly obvious.       Spike noticed Xander's continual glare and finally gave into his irritation. "You got something you want to say, you ponce?"       Xander's hand went to his back pocket and his grip tightened around the stake he was keeping handy. He met Spike's irritated look with one of defiance. "Yeah, guess I do.  I don't trust you.  And I don't particularly like you either.  I don't like seeing you around Buffy or Blake, I think you're a whole lot of bad news."       Xander tensed up preparing to have a enraged vampire charging him once more, but Spike managed to surprise him again.  The vampire laughed, and cast an amused look towards Buffy.  "Hey, I'm bad news, baby." He informed her smugly.       Buffy gave an indelicate snort and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, tell me something I don't know, Spike."     Spike gave her a wicked grin, then turned his attention back to Xander.  The amusement left his eyes and his face hardened as he regarded the teen.  "Well I'm thinkin I don't particularly care what you think of me, it's what Buffy thinks that I'm more concerned about."       "Oh really? Like you can't manipulate her feelings to suit your diabolical fiendish plans?"       A hint of amber was now clearly visible in Spike's gaze, now hard and cold.  "I don't have any diabolical fiendish plans at the moment unless you count getting to know my son."       Xander threw his hands up helplessly and turned to Giles. "See? I told you we shouldn't haven't left Buffy alone with him. One night, that's all it took. One night and he managed to seduce her and have his evil way with her."       Buffy rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Xander knock it off, ok? "       "Buffy, I'm just trying to watch out for you, ok? You're too close to this, you can't see what he's doing..."       "XANDER! I said stop!  Besides, there was no seducing involved here, I jumped HIM, ok?"  At the shocked glances of her Watcher and friend, Buffy turned her mortified face towards Spike's smirking one and said, "Did I just say that out loud?"       "Yeah, you did, luv."       "Oops."       Xander opened his mouth to rebuke her statement, but Giles intervened. "Xander, do shut up, won't you?  Buffy, we'll be going now. Will you be in school later today?"  Buffy shook her head, and Xander opened his mouth to argue, but at Buffy's lethal glare  he wisely shut up.       "No, I'm going to go see my mom later," she explained, feeling a tinge of guilt that she hadn't called to check up on her yet.       Giles nodded and with a nod to Buffy and Spike and a wave to Blake, the Watcher dragged a complaining Xander out of the house, and Spike and Buffy found themselves alone.       "Don't care much for your mate," Spike announced.       Buffy laughed, crossing the room to sink down on his lap. "I think the feeling is more than mutual."       Spike snaked one arm around her middle, the other still engaged in feeding their son breakfast and this cozy domestic feeling should have had him flying out of town, tires screeching. But it just made him want more of it. The persisting restlessness he'd had was all but a dim memory now.       They spent the morning with their son, watching TV with him, cuddling on the couch, subtly learning how to be a family. And Spike was learning how to be a father, which Buffy noted was a role he seemed to have no problem stepping into. Buffy had called her mom and had been informed that they would be doing surgery on her ankle later that afternoon, and Buffy told her she would be there when her mom went into the operating room. She immediately felt ashamed of herself when the first thing she thought of at hearing of the impending surgery, was that it gave them one more night alone.        At nap time they all fell asleep on the couch again, Blake sprawled on Spike's chest and Buffy cuddled up next to them. The feeling of closeness was growing stronger, and Buffy was having a hard time remembering that she had feared this man. She knew she and Spike still had quite a bit of talking to do and felt a tinge of apprehension about it, but for now, she was just basking in the delicious sensation of being in his arms.       That afternoon, Buffy learned how vampires got around during daylight hours, and she had to admire Spike for his ingenuity.  Of course the paint blackened windows on the car were wicked conspicuous, but they did allow Spike to accompany them to the hospital.  This time there was no hesitation when he offered his hand after they had parked in the underground parking structure, Buffy grabbed it without thought.       When they stepped into Joyce's room, Buffy's mom immediately noticed the change in their demeanor.  There was an acceptance present between the two that had not been present before, an easy familiarity in the way they regarded each other and their son.   To her surprise, Joyce found herself glad that things were apparently working out between them.  It had taken her aback learning the truth about Blake's paternity, but Spike was proving to be somewhat of an enigma.  She would have to ask her daughter's Watcher if this was typical behavior for vampires, but she was under the impression that it wasn't.  No, having a vampire in her daughter's life was certainly not one of her first choices, or even one of the last ones, but he WAS Blake's father, and Joyce herself was a bit of a old fashioned romantic.  As long as she could be sure this vampire wouldn't hurt them, she would support whatever decisions they made.        This self revelation had Joyce entering the operating room with a much lighter heart, her unease about this situation fading as well as the helplessness she had been experiencing that she was stuck in a hospital bed while her daughter might potentially be needing her. Now there was someone else there for Buffy, and for that, Joyce was grateful.       The next week seemed to pass by in a blur.  Joyce's surgery was successful, and she was discharged home under the care of her daughter. Her helplessness persisted when she found it cumbersome and painful to the almost fatal laceration on her inner arm to get herself around on the rented crutches.   She was unable to cook, unable to care for Blake, and all around felt generally useless.  She was continually amazed at how Spike had picked up the slack in the Summers household, taking care of Blake while Buffy was at school even though Joyce knew those were his typical hours of sleep. He even helped with meals and household chores, and every time Joyce would express her gratitude, it always managed to infuriate the vampire.  Joyce soon realized he was embarrassed, and stopped thanking him, and he seemed much happier that way.        After the fifth night she had been home, after watching him make a big production of making up his bed on the couch and knowing full well he wouldn't be using it, she told him to just go ahead and sleep in Buffy's room. He had looked at her in shock, then she watched as a wide grin overtook his face, and he quietly thanked her than sauntered up the stairs, whistling.       When Buffy came home from patrol that night, she saw her mom sitting in front of the TV, then looked around for Spike.  " Where's Spike?"       Her mom gave her a pointed look and announced, "I'm sure he's waiting for you in your bed."       Buffy's face turned crimson, and she looked at her mom in horror.  "Huh?"       "Well, I figured since he snuck up there every night anyway, it'd be  nice to be able to watch tv down here for once. Since he wasn't really sleeping on the couch anyway."       "Oh GOD!" Buffy wailed, sinking down on the couch.       "What, you don't want him up there?"       Buffy couldn't help but smirk. "Well, yeah, I do. Just kinda embarrassing being busted on it, you know?"        "Well, I can't say as I'm entirely happy with it, but I'd rather we have honesty from now on. Ok?"       Buffy nodded, and stood up to give her mom a well deserved hug.  "Thanks, mom."       "You're welcome. Every time I try to thank your vampire for his help around here, he gets all bent out of shape."       Buffy smiled. "Yeah, I think the Big Bad gets embarrassed about being domesticated."       "That's what I figured." Joyce laughed.       Bidding her mom a good night, Buffy ran up the stairs and just as her mom said, found Spike reading in her bed.  "Well, well, well, this is a nice surprise to come home to." Buffy announced wickedly as she walked in and closed the door.       "Yeah, your mum shocked the hell out of me, all right." Spike replied, watching her as she got undressed and changed into a tshirt and gym shorts in lieu of pajamas.  She slid into bed beside him and was immediately engulfed in a pair of strong arms.  "Think I like this."       Buffy sighed contentedly. "Yeah, me too."       Joyce turned the volume up on the TV to ignore the sounds that soon were heard coming from her daughter's bedroom, mentally berating herself for allowing this to happen under her own roof.  But so far Spike had not been a deterrent in Buffy's life, had only been helpful, and Joyce was afraid of losing her only child if she tried to keep them from each other.  So, for that she would suffer, and pretend she didn't hear the bed slamming against the wall upstairs.       Buffy's relationship with her friends had suffered since Spike had made his unexpected appearance, and both Willow and Xander found themselves missing their friend. He loomed like a shadow over their heads, and Xander usually was unable to keep his mouth shut around Buffy, causing the wedge in their friendship to become like the Grand Canyon.  Willow was cautiously optimistic about him, she could see he made Buffy happy. But she found it hard to forget what Spike was, and also what Buffy had told them that day she found out she was pregnant.  So she kept herself in cool judgment of him, but managed to be supportive. At school, she managed to be the same ole Buffy, albeit a little happier now.  But where before she would spend time with them after school, now she would fly out of the library as soon as Giles dismissed her after training, never inviting them over to her house anymore. And the more times she did it, the more Willow found her feelings hurt by it.       Finally, after two weeks of the same routine, Willow had her Resolve Face firmly in place, and when Buffy turned to leave the library tossing a "Later Wills, later Xander" casually over her shoulder, Willow blocked her exit.       Willow's face did not break at the sight of Buffy's confusion, she just pointed at the table and told Buffy to  sit.  Sending her friend an odd look, Buffy moved to comply.       "So...what's up, Wills?" Buffy asked.       Willow sat down opposite her, with Xander next to her.  Giles, sensing trouble pending, beat a hasty retreat to his office to get out of the crossfire.        "We miss you, Buffy." Willow said simply.       Buffy looked at her aghast. "Willow, you see me everyday!"       "Yeah, but not like we used to."       Buffy fell silent at that, and realized she had been kinda disappearing girl lately.  "Guys, I'm sorry, things have just been way hectic with my mom getting hurt and the slayage, and everything."       "And Spike." Xander added.       Buffy nodded. "Yes, and Spike."       "So, can we all go out and do something tonight?" Willow asked, her eyes pleading. "Oz's band is playing at the Bronze tonight."       Buffy was silent for a moment, biting her lip, then she looked up and saw the hopeful looks on her friends faces and found herself agreeing.  The happy look on Willow's face made Buffy realize she'd done the right thing, and she just hoped her mom would be able to watch Blake.  It wasn't that she was trying to keep Spike from her friends, it was just that the time they got to spend alone together with their son was special, especially  now that her mom had gone back to work.  Spike watched him during the day, and Buffy usually got home in time to get in on the napping action with her two favorite guys.        But tonight she'd make it up to Willow and Xander. Especially Willow, since Buffy was still a bit wigged at Xander having seen her naked, and his snide comments didn't help things either.        Feeling better about things, she headed home to her guys to tell Spike the news that they were going out tonight.  She was well aware that Willow hadn't extended the invitation to Spike, but Buffy felt no qualms about bringing him.  Willow had hardly gotten to know him at all, and well, that just had to change.       As it turned out though, Spike didn't want to go.  He told Buffy he didn't fancy spending the evening with Xander and a bunch of other gits at a club, but when Buffy saw her mom's haggard looking appearance, she guessed the real reason for it.  He wanted to stay home to take care of his son, and Buffy was oddly touched by this.  He was really a sensitive guy, even though he snarled and growled if she even hinted that she was on to him. But he was, and he showed it in a ton of little ways.       So Buffy found herself getting for the Bronze that night with a profound sense of nostalgia. She could see Blake in the mirror behind her as she pinned up her hair, but this time, when she turned around, she saw what the mirror refused to reflect, a vampire who was quickly filling her heart and giving her a sense of peace.  Buffy strutted across the room towards him, asking, "Sure you don't want to go?"       Spike forced himself to look into her eyes, she looked so bloody amazing that he was having trouble concentrating. Did he want to go? Bloody hell, that was an understatement. He didn't want to let her go out without him, and he found his resolve weakening.  To be able to dance with her, just the two of them....  Spike shook his head to clear the lewd thoughts parading through it, and told her regretfully, "Your mum isn't up to watching our little boy tonight. S'not fair to ask  her."       Buffy tipped her head to the side to regard him, her eyes searching his powerful blue ones. Sometimes she could see right through him, and this was one of those times.  He was trying to make up for not being there the last two years, that was his primary motive for not coming with her tonight. Her mom could have watched Blake tonight, but it would have been a bit rough on her, and Spike didn't want to put her through that.  Wow, didn't know vampires could feel such guilt, she thought.  He really was turning into quite a nice surprise, never did she think there would be such...depths to him.        "What are you smilin' at?" Spike asked, as he grabbed her hips and drew her close.       "You.  You're kinda cute, you know that?"       He gave her that look again, that threatening 'don't call me cute' look but she could always tell he was flattered by it.  She leaned down and kissed him fast and hard,  then backed out of his hold.  "See ya later!" And with a saucy wink, and a kiss for Blake,  she was bounding down the stairs and out the door. Without him. And that thought made his gut clench.       With a heavy sigh, he turned to his son and slung him in his arms. "So, let's go see what your grandmum is up to, shall we?"   TBC.... chapter 14       Buffy entered the Bronze with the subtle feeling of apprehension, like something vitally important was missing, but she worked hard to shrug it off so that she could offer a happy front to her friends.  Because she did know what they had accused her of, she had been the major Miss. Avoido Girl lately, and she knew it.  She quickly caught sight of Willow waving her down from their "usual" table.  The Bronze was crowded like it usually was on a weekend night, and the influx of people just added to her unease.         Willow got up and hugged her friend, and a flood of guilt went through Buffy at the obvious excitement her being here was causing her friend. And she realized in one big swoop just how much she had really missed Willow, and she returned the hug with a genuine smile on her face.  Xander stood up  to offer his own hug, and the hug she offered him was  a pale mockery of the one she had just given Willow, but found herself happy to see him also. At least  away from school and what that usually represented. She suddenly realized in a moment of blinding clarity as she stood looking into their excited faces how much both of them really had been there for her the last few years. They'd dealt with her slayer stuff without blinking an eye, then there had been Blake. She hadn't really given much thought to how weird that must have been for them, suddenly having a best friend with a baby, but they'd been nothing but supportive. Buffy found herself desperately wanting that easy friendship back.        They all sat down and Xander went to go get drinks.  Buffy turned to Willow and said , "Willow, thank you for making me come tonight. I'm really sorry I've been all avoidy and everything."       Willow smiled happily. "No problem, Buffy! How come Spike didn't come?"       Buffy looked surprised. "You were expecting him to come?"       "Hello, he's just, uh, I don't know, your boyfriend now, isn't he?"       Buffy snorted at that comment. "Yeah, I guess you could call him that."       "So how come he didn't come?" Willow asked, then a paranoid look came over her face. "It's me, isn't it? He doesn't like me, that why, isn't it?"       Buffy shook her head. "No, Wills, nothing like that.  He's watching Blake tonight."      "But I thought your mom was home now?" Willow asked, confused.       "Yeah, she is home now. But Spike noticed that she looked tired, so he stayed home to watch him."       Willow looked pensive. "Oh. Well, that was nice of him."       Buffy gave her friend a wry smile. "Yeah, he's like that a lot."       "So, uh.. you two are good?"       A small grin stole over Buffy's face. "Oh, we're WAY good, Wills."       "Good. I'm glad. Cos I was you know, kind of worrying, what with the vampire thing and all.  I read some of Giles books, the Spike on those pages doesn't seem like the Spike who's been taking care of Blake and stuff."       "Yeah, I get that. I think he's even shocking himself these days. But I'm trusting him more and more. I mean, he hasn't even bitten me again."       "You say that like it's a bad thing." Willow joked.       Buffy chose not to reply rather than risk shocking her friend, admitting to her that sometimes she wanted him to do it, to mark her again, to feel that connection between them again.  But she kept her mouth shut, barely keeping the secretive smile from playing across her face.       Xander returned with their beverages, and conversation started a bit on the stilted side, but gradually progressed to their usual banter and friendliness.  Buffy still feel like something  was missing, but she found herself  having a good time with her friends.       Oz's band finally started up, halting the ability to carry on a normal conversation due to  extreme volume issues. Willow and Buffy hit the dance floor again leaving Xander to watch the table and drinks, and Buffy's sense of deja vu grew stronger, thinking back to the night Spike came back into her life.  Willow must have sensed her thoughts because she commented loudly in her ear, "Seems kinda weird how the last time you were here turned out, huh?"         "Oh my god,  I was JUST thinking that. We're talking way weird."       Buffy enjoyed watching Willow make googly eyes at Oz up on stage, they were really a cute couple.  She found her thoughts wandering to  ideas of double dates, then snorted. Please. William the Bloody going on a double date with a bunch of high school kids?  But then realized that it wasn't as crazy as it sounded, Spike really seemed to be trying to integrate himself into her life, so maybe he would be receptive.  Maybe Buffy had been a bit selfish, keeping him away from the part of her life that included her friends, her Watcher, training. She made a sudden decision to feel him out and see if he wanted to be included in that part of her life.       Buffy was so caught up in the music and her thoughts that she didn't see the Scott, a jock from her high school slide up next to her. Her slayer sense would have screamed at his close proximity, but his being human kept him off of her radar, but still Buffy was cursing her sense of personal space for not alerting her that he was so close. He had the reputation for thinking himself God's gift and Buffy just tended to ignore him. At her old school in  her old life, Scott probably would have been one of her best friends, if not her boyfriend. But here in Sunnydale? Things were way different.       "Let's dance."       Buffy looked at him and smiled, but shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, I'm dancing with my friend."        She saw the hard look cross his face and spared a glance over to Willow, who was watching with a curious look on her face.  Buffy looked back at Scott, who she had hardly ever talked to before and saw the hard look turn into what he thought probably passed for smooth charm. The band took a break at that moment, and the speakers filled the club with a rocking beat.       "Come on, Buffy, just one dance." He cajoled. Physically, he had her by at least a foot and about 100 pounds, but Buffy knew a little something he didn't know, and that little edge gave her attitude.       "Sorry Skip. I'm really don't want to dance with anyone."       His face darkened with anger. "It's Scott." He ground out.       "Oops, my bad."  Grabbing Willow's arm, Buffy started to lead her friend off the dance floor, dancing suddenly having lost its appeal.       Xander saw the exchange and stood up, seeing his friends heading off the dance floor and the tight rigid posture of the meathead football player.  Then he remember his friend had superhuman strength, so he just waited for them to come back to the table to see what happened. Yep, the Buffsters could take care of herself, he thought with anticipation, hoping he would get to see her knock Scott on his ass. He had been tormented by the jock since preschool, and a little bit retribution would be of the good here.       Buffy  forced her way through  the throngs of people in her haste to get back to the table, her sense of not wanting to be here had slammed back in her with alarming force.  Just as she was reaching the table, she felt a hand grab her arm, and she swung herself around and glared at the offender.       "Let go of my arm." She announced coldly.       "What's your problem? All I did was ask you to dance." The football star asked, his friends coming up to flank him.  Xander's sense of apprehension just blasted right off the scale at that sight.  Scott plus friends equals bad.       Buffy crossed her arms over her chest and looked up at him. "Yeah, and I remember saying no."       "You don't have to be such a bitch about it."       Suddenly, Buffy just wanted to get this over so she could cut out on her friends and get home to her family.  Relaxing her stance, she managed an apologetic look on her face and said, "Look, I'm sorry, ok?  Just not in the mood."       One of Scott's friends laughed nastily. "Yeah, well, guess you should have used that line a few years ago, huh?  Maybe then you wouldn't have found yourself knocked up."  His friends burst out into hysterical laughter at that comment, and they all high fived the idiot who said it.       Buffy's temper flared, they so went over the line with that little statement, and she had to bite back the urge to retaliate in a highly physical manner. God, high school boys were so stupid, she thought, as she looked at the group of howling meatheads around her.  They had no idea.. This right here represented some of the most popular boys in school, and they just made her sick.       She turned  to Willow and Xander while the self congratulations was underway and told them quietly she was leaving. They nodded with understanding, Willow obviously upset that the evening had ended the way it did. Buffy gave her a hug and told her to come over the next day. Willow looked at her in surprise, then smiled happily and nodded.  With a quick wave, she turned around and headed out. She didn't look to see if her exit was noticed, because she just didn't care.  As she stepped out of the Bronze and began walking down the street, she tried to imagine what her reaction would have been to being asked to dance by one of the most popular guys at school before Spike showed up.  And she came to the conclusion that she still would have said no, but she would have been flattered by the attention.  Ugh, she thought. How lame is that?        She was halfway home when she got that tingling in the back of her neck that signaled vampire.  Getting a firmer grip on the stake she held in her hand, she allowed her eyes to search the area. She was in a part of Sunnydale that while busy during the day, was pretty much deserted at night.  Not that it really bothered her, being the Slayer and all, but she'd still be happy to get home.       Suddenly she heard giggling coming from an alley and whispered hushes and she knew who it was.  What idiots, following her from the Bronze.  Walking purposefully, she stepped into the dark alley, rolling her eyes at how cliché this was. She tucked the stake she was carrying into her pocket where she still had easy access to it.   The moon cast distorted shadows all throughout the length of the alley, and when she heard more muted hysteria, she realized that they were drunk. Great. Just what she needed. Drunk jocks. But she was curious to see how far they would go, and she was willing to teach them a lesson they would not soon forget.  And hopefully the next time a girl said no to one of them, they would remember the lesson she was about to impart, and back away respectfully.  Like they should have done tonight, Buffy thought bitterly. Instead of making snide comments about me getting pregnant. Pregnant with the best thing that ever happened to me, she added.       When she had just walked past an overflowing dumpster, she allowed herself to  act surprised when a pair of beefy arms reached out and grabbed her.       "What are you doing?" She asked, allowing just a small hint of fear to be heard in her voice.      "Just want to talk." Scott said, grinning at his five friends.       "Did you follow me?"       "Maybe."       "I'm going home, so please just let go  of my arm."       "Oh, I don't think so."       "Excuse me?" Buffy tried the haughty act to get the ball rolling.       "You heard me." Scott sneered, holding onto her arm tight enough to leave bruising. The knowledge that she could have him on his ass in seconds was comforting.       "So..what? What are you going to do? Oh my god, you think you're going to rape me?" She asked in disbelief. "I do believe that is against the law, you know, and will result in getting your stupid asses kicked off the football team."       "Now hold on, don't need to call it rape.  Let's just think of it is as you giving up the same thing you've obviously already given to some other guy and we'll have a real nice time."  Scott said in a leering way. It didn't even penetrate his drunken haze that Buffy showed no fear.       "Uh. let me think a minute, .. uh, no. As in, a world of no." Buffy announced.       "Well see, that's where we were hoping you'd be a little bit more cooperative."       "My god, where did you get these lines? Raping for Dummies?"       Scott's face turned red and his grip tightened.  Throwing her up against the wall, he leaned against her hard and snarled, "Listen bitch, we're just going to take what you've already given away before. So you can either shut up and enjoy it, or fight and make it a lot harder on yourself.  It's your choice."       Buffy nearly gagged at the smell of liquor on Scott's breath, and her vampire radar was stronger now. "My choice? I choose to go home."       "Sorry, that's not one of the options, bitch."       From behind the group, a voice asked "Did you just call my girl a bitch?"       Scott whipped around to see a man decked out in black with blonde hair that seemed to shine white.  He had a dangerous look to him, but size wise he wasn't too impressive.  With his five jock friends standing there, Scott was feeling pretty confident and not at all threatened.       "I asked you a question, boy." The man reached into his coat and pulled out a pack of smokes, putting one to his lips and with a flick of his lighter, inhaled the newly lit cigarette deeply before returning his penetrating gaze on the boy who held Buffy.       With a sneer, Scott tossed Buffy to the side, causing her to stumble at the unexpected maneuver.  He missed the smirk she wore on her face.  Scott strode up to the stranger and demanded, "What business is it of yours?"        "Oh, it's my business." Spike said calmly, locking eyes on Buffy, assuring himself that she was all right.  She gave him a tiny nod and they communicated without words.  He closed the distance to Scott, not seeming to be affected by the substantial height difference as he looked up into the idiot's face.       "So, what? You're going to beat us up for talking with your girlfriend?" Scott asked in amusement, looking around at his snickering friends.       "Nope." Spike said, dropping his cigarette to the ground and smashing it with the toe of his battered combat boot. He looked back up, a smirk drawing over his face. As Scott stood there trying to figure out what was up, Spike allowed his face to change. "I'm going to kill you."       Scott stared in mute horror at the monster that now stood in front of him, and quickly backed up to get away. Right into Buffy.       "Oh, who's the big man now, huh?" She mocked, giving him a hard shove which sent him to the ground. Buffy walked over next to Spike, pressing herself into his side as his arm snaked around her waist.       "Nice friends you have there, luv." Spike remarked in a rough voice, his amber eyes peering intently at her.       Buffy leaned up and pressed a careful kiss to his lips, avoiding his fangs. "Aren't they though?" She looked back at the teen frozen on the ground and at the boys standing in mute terror next to him.  "So... why don't you boys tell my guy here some of the lovely things you were spouting at me?"       When that was met with a terrified silence, Buffy rolled her eyes. "Come on, you guys were so quick with the wit earlier."       "What... what is he?" one of them ventured to ask.       "Vampire." Buffy announced smugly. She knew she shouldn't be enjoying this, but well, she just couldn't help herself.     tbc.. n-thank you so much for all the reviews for this fiction, it has been so very much appreciated!! But by all means, keep 'em coming! :) Chapter 15    "Vampire." Buffy announced smugly. She knew she shouldn't be enjoying this, but well, she just couldn't help herself.           With that startling revelation,  Spike stalked towards them, all lethal grace and black leather. Scott picked himself up from the ground and attempted to make a run for it, but Spike caught him  easily before he'd  even taken five steps, wrenching him back around.  Spike cast a quick questioning glance in Buffy's direction, and she gave him a barely imperceptible nod. With an acknowledging grin, he wasted no time in turning back to the struggling boy he held in his arms, and sunk his teeth into Scott's neck. The taste of fresh blood washed over him, pouring down his throat, warming him and he found himself with a  fierce inner battle on his hands.  But the reminder that he had  way too much to lose now was all that he needed to make himself pull away, tossing the boy back carelessly to the ground where he lay in a stunned heap.        "Anyone else want to try to make a run for it?"  Spike asked with a mocking grin, making his elongated canines shine in the moonlight, tinged with a hint of red.  "Cos gotta say, I'm still a mite peckish."       The others stared at Spike's disfigured face in undisguised horror, one of them looking down at the front of  his own pants, then staring at the ground, watching as a small puddle began to form in front of him..       "Now that's just disgustin'" Spike commented, his lip curled up in disgust.  "Pissing in your pants like a right wanker. Should kill you just for that."       "No please, god, no." The boy whimpered, backing up the few steps until his back was flush against the side of a building.       "We weren't going to do anything, really. Just messing around." One of the other jocks attempted to say.        The boy barely had time to register the angry glimmer that leapt into Spike's eyes before he found himself with a pair of sharp fangs embedded in his throat, his body pinned unrelentingly against the brick behind him. This time Spike didn't drink much, just a few deeps pulls, finding no fight with his demon on his hands this time.  His demon was just as outraged as he was.  When Spike was finished, he tossed the boy back hard against the wall,  his eyes sparking with anger.       "Anyone care to try lying to me again?"  Spike's voice was low and dangerous, and the would be attackers shook their heads furiously.  Scott, who had yet to retrieve himself off the ground, looked at Buffy's amused face and dared to ask, "How can you just let him do this?"       Spike took a step toward him, but Buffy stopped him with a shake of her head. She walked back over to her lover's side and grabbed his hand, and looked down at Scott with contempt.  "I'm letting him because even though he's a vampire, he's still a better man than any of you will ever be."       Something that had died a hundred years ago seemed to swell in Spike's chest with Buffy's passionately uttered statement, something that felt like hope. It was immediately followed by a profound deluge of guilt, telling him that he really was not any better than these boys.  He himself had treated Buffy with as little regard as they had, and had managed to inflict a whole lot more damage to her, both physically and mentally.  He tried to untangle his hand from her grasp, and she looked at him in surprise.  Her eyes narrowed when she took note of the guilt ridden look that haunted his features.   She knew exactly what was running through his head, and was so not going to let him do this.  She used her profound strength to tighten her grip,  daring him with her eyes to argue with her.  Buffy gave him a heartfelt smile, letting him know it really was ok, she was ok, and relaxed slightly when the tightly held tension he had been holding onto slowly dissipated. Buffy reached up and pressed a quick kiss to his lips to reassure him, and she saw when the bad ass vampire reemerged, and found herself comforted by that.       Returning his lips to its usual smirk, Spike looked over at the dumbfounded group of teens.  "So, looks like we  need to be having a little chat on how to treat women here, dontcha think?"       When his question was met with no response, Spike took a threatening step forward.  Suddenly, a chorus of shrill fear ridden voices rang out through the alley, all acknowledging Spike's comment.  Spike grunted, and resumed his threatening stance.  " So this is how things are going to be.  How they bloody well should be anyway, without me, an evil vampire, having to tell you wankers what's what . But here it is, all spelled out for ya, all nice like.  You gits won't EVER touch a woman against her will again, any of you, or I'll be sure to show you all the evil and torturous things I've learned over the  last century. And believe me, I've taken the time to become quite inventive.  Do you bleedin wankers understand what I just said? And I'll be keeping track of you gits, don't you worry your empty little heads about that one. Got your disgusting scents locked in, I could find you anywhere. Understand?"           There were frantic nods all the way around, with slight sighs of relief over the realization that they may be leaving the alley alive.  Spike allowed his features to shift out of game face, his forehead smoothing out, his teeth retracting. The reaction to that was almost as startling as when Spike first showed them the face of his demon, horror again etched on every single one of them.       "Oh and another thing.  See, this here is my girl.  And it wouldn't do you a lot of good if I was to hear  that you had been spreading tales about my girl. Things like she was involved with a vampire, for instance. Because really, vampires? There's no such thing, right? Because you wouldn't have believe yourselves before tonight, now would ya?  Nope, you sure wouldn't.  Do we understand each other?" Spike glare was just menacing without the glowing eyes and shimmering fangs, and the boys nodded instantly, eyes wide. Spike took a step forward, causing a flurry of panic before him.  The scent of fear perfuming the air was soothing, and Spike's entire posture spoke of menace and danger. He may have been much shorter in stature then the hulking football players before him, but there was no doubt who had the power to instill fear.  "And if any little rumors come floating my way  that you've been spilling your guts about tonight, or are in the least bit threatening to my girl here, well.. Let's just say that they will probably have a hard time identifying your body after I'm through with you. Got it?" He sent them one more hard threatening look, then with a creak of well worn leather and a clomp of his combat boots, Spike turned his back on the wankers who had threatened his Buffy, leaving them with looks of dumbfounded relief on their faces.       Buffy allowed Spike to grab her hand and pull her out of the alley, calling a "Night boys" over her shoulder at the jocks.  As they walked along,  Buffy couldn't help but stare at Spike with a sappy indulgent smile on her face.       "What are you bleeding staring at?" Spike finally growled, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.       "You." Buffy replied, amused. "You're kinda cute, you know that?"       Spike stopped shock still and turned to look at her.  "Those wankers wanted to do nasty things to you, and now you just stand here and tell me I'm cute?"       "Spike, hello, Slayer here.  It's not like I couldn't have kicked their asses at any time.  But I liked seeing you all damage bound and protective, you were cute."       Spike snorted. "S'not cute what they wanted to do to you."       Buffy took a step forward and raised her hand to gently cup the side of his face, tracing her thumb over the exaggerated curve of his cheekbone, down to his prominent jawbone before allowing the pad of her thumb to gently trace his firm lips.  Unable to help herself, Buffy leaned up slightly and pressed a soft sweet kiss to his tension ridden mouth. "Spike, it's ok. I said YOU were cute, not what they were going to do." Spike opened his mouth to say something, and anticipating the direction of his  thoughts, Buffy silenced him with another drawn out luxurious  kiss, keeping her mouth closed against his, just reveling in the feel of his satiny lips against her own.  "Don't say it" She whispered against his lips. "You don't need to say it. I forgive you."       She felt him nod his head, and she pulled away, smiling at him.  "Thank you, Spike. For being my knight in shining armor tonight."       Another snort erupted. "Yeah, some bloody knight I am."       "You are, you just haven't realized it yet."       Spike gave her an odd look before a genuine smile graced his face.  Grabbing her hand, he began walking again, this time his steps lighter than they had been.  She humbled him, there was no question.  He knew he didn't deserve her, or what they had been given, but damned if he could walk away.       "Anyway, now those idiots don't know about me being all SuperGirl, so I owe you big time." Buffy announced, swinging the hand that held hers lightly.  "Of course, it would have been nice to see their faces when a girl whipped their butts. That would have been so priceless." Buffy shrugged. "Oh well, guess there is always next time."       At the low growl that she heard emanating from Spike, she hastily reassured him, "I was just saying it hypothetical like. Geez Spike, paranoid much?"       Spike allowed some of the anger to drain from his taunt muscles. Adopting a flippant tone, he remarked, "Gotta protect what's mine, you know."       His comment was met with silence, which was better than the flat out denial that Spike had been expecting.  He risked a look at her face and found it to be pensive. Maybe she could accept that was his someday, he thought. Maybe I haven't bollixed things all to hell.       They didn't speak again for some time after that, both lost in their own thoughts. "Wait, home is the other way." Buffy suddenly announced.       Spike smirked at her. "Yeah, well, I was on my way to the Bronze when I caught your scent.  Your mum cut me loose, said I was driving stark raving bonkers with all of my pacing."       "Oh really? Hmm.. imagine that.  So where are we going?"       "The Bronze."       "But... I just left there, wasn't much fun."       Spike stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, and pulled Buffy around so that she stood in front of him. He grabbed her hips and drew her flush against him, allowing her pert breasts to smash against his hard  chest, searing him from the outside.  "Yeah, well, that's because I wasn't there."       Buffy smile lit him up inside.  "True, very true."       They made good time getting to the Bronze, with no further mishaps or deep conversations along the way.  The  band was still playing and it was more packed then it had been.  As Buffy walked in the doors with Spike's arm around her, it hit her in a flashing bolt of clarity that yep, this was what was missing when she had been there earlier.  Being here with Spike now, she felt complete. She didn't want to dwell on how bizarro that was, or wonder if it was because he claimed her or what, now she just wanted to enjoy the rest of the evening.       Looking around, she saw that Xander and Willow were still sitting at the same table, and Buffy headed in that direction with Spike in tow.  Willow looked up with a happy smile on her face to see Buffy, getting up and hugging her again.  Willow surprised Spike by offering him a genuine smile of greeting and he nodding his head in acknowledgement. He looked over at Xander's scowling face and smirked.       "What's the Totally Dead Dude doing here?" Xander complained.       Buffy threw a dirty look in his direction, and Xander immediately felt chagrined. "He's here because we want to be here, ok Xander?"       Not expecting an answer, Buffy pointed at a chair for Spike to sit in and he flung himself into it with all of his cocky grace. Buffy was getting ready to sit next to him when he grabbed her and tumbled her onto his waiting lap.  She gave him an exasperated look but didn't make a move to get up. Instead, she leaned back against him and got comfortable.    tbc... a/n- this chapter is pretty Xander-centric, just wanted to warn ya! Also sorry about the delay, the words seemed to have deserted me.  Hate it when that happens!!!!   Chapter 16     Conversation was stilted at first, helped along by the loud music being pumped out of the speakers behind them.  Willow and Xander were on one side of the narrow table, leaving Spike and Buffy on the other.  It was hard to tell where Spike ended and Buffy began, they were so entwined  on the thick wooden chair they were sitting on. Spike had his arms wrapped securely around her middle, and Buffy's head was relaxed comfortably against his shoulder.   This was the first time Willow really had been able  observe Buffy and Spike together, and she had to admit that Spike was totally into her friend.  And not in the freakishly monsterish  sort of way she would have totally expected. All with the  deep penetrating looks, low growls and subtle mind control.  But more of the cuddly boyfriend  kind of way. Each light stroke of Buffy's hair, each gentle graze of full lips that would skim her bare shoulders all pointed to the undeniable fact.  That this way evil vampire liked being with Buffy.  This made Willow happy, her friend had enough bad stuff in her life. She knew Buffy had told her that their relationship was going really good, but Willow hadn't really believed it. Now she did.       The walled up dam that had been their conversation burst free when Willow began asking about Blake, and Willow could easily see  the affection that Spike had for his son.  He was kinda weird, for a vampire, but Willow  found herself liking  him.       Even Xander had to admit Spike wasn't as bad  as he had built him up to be. Maybe it had been the cold brutal shock of reality at seeing the two naked together in her bed that had stonewalled Xander's emotions, it was easy to throw the blame in the vampire's court for that one. But now,  he could see plain as day how Buffy reacted to this  dead freak's touch, and it wasn't the trembling with dread kind of reaction.  He had to finally admit it to himself.  Buffy liked Spike.  And shockingly, Spike liked Buffy.  It was right there in front of him, in frank brutal Technicolor.  Still didn't mean he really had to like it though.       "So, how did you two crazy kids run into each other?" Xander asked in a surprise attempt at pleasant conversation.       Buffy stiffened slightly, and Spike's grip on her waist tightened in response.  "She walked down the street, I walked up the street, we met in the middle. The end."       Xander put his hands up as if to ward away the negative energy. "Ok, ok, was just asking. No need to rip my head off."       Spike arched a perfectly formed eyebrow.  "Trust me, you'll know when I'm ripping your bleeding head off." Buffy gave him a sharp warning look, clearing warning him to behave.       "Ooo kee.  Now there's a pleasant visual."       Spike tuned out Buffy's annoying friend and allowed his intense gaze to wander around the dim interior of the Bronze.  This would have been just his scene, lots of pretty  tasty young co-eds just dying for a bit of attention from the Big Bad.  Spike had never had a problem luring potential victims to their deaths. He may not be able to look in a mirror, but he knew he was a right handsome bloke, often using that to his advantage. There weren't many who remained immune to the Big Bad when he set his sights on someone, neither male or female.  Spike sighed heavily, at the realization that those days were now over.   At least for now. All these tasty girls were all safe from him, he wouldn't dare make a move against any of them.  Strangely though, he didn't really feel any tragic  sense of loss, just a` flash of annoyance at being housebroken, something he had never seen coming.       More rough than he intended, he picked Buffy off of his lap and set her on her feet. At her questioning scowl, he told her he was going to the bar. "Want anything?" he added as an afterthought.       "Oh, can you get me a mineral water?"       "I'll go with you." Xander announced, jumping up.  He took Willow's order and pointedly ignored the questioning scowl that was now present on Spike's face.   He was hoping that Spike could buy him a beer at the bar, which was the reason behind the manly beer run.       Spike was pushing though the dense crowd with  Xander scrambling to keep up.  Damn, Spike had that bad ass routine down to a science, Xander thought.  He could see all kinds of tasty chicks checking out the vampire right and left and felt a burning stab of jealousy. Hey, maybe he could learn some pointers from Spike, because god knew some major help was needed in the love department of Xander-land.  He took a moment to really assess Spike from an almost clinical perspective, not in the I Hate Your Guts perspective he had indulged in since he'd met the vamp. Ok, he had to admit, so maybe Spike was kinda cool, in a 80's reject sort of way. He tried to figure out just what it was that had the girls and not just a few guys swivel  their attention on him as Spike sauntered by.       Xander decided it was because Spike wore danger like some people wore open friendliness. It just exuded from him, oozing out of every cool pore of his body. The bitchin black leather coat, the spiked hair, the cool scar on his eyebrow, all those things were props that added to the whole picture. Ok fine, so he was totally scary, but he was scary in a cool way and everyone knew that, well, coolness was contagious, right? And suddenly Xander grew a whole new appreciation for the bloodsucker. Maybe he wasn't doomed to a life of being a nerd, of being shoved in lockers for the rest of his life. Maybe if he hung with Spike, that coolness would breed and multiply, with Xander as  the lucky recipient. And then he, Xander, would get the chicks checking him out right and left. Yep, Xander and Spike, the chick magnets. Hey, it was worth a shot, what was the worst thing that could happen? Xander refused to think of fangs sinking deep into his flesh as he called out, "Uh, Spike?"       "What."         "Could you maybe, uh, buy me a beer?"       Spike stopped so suddenly that Xander almost ran into his back. "I'm not bloody buying you anything, you berk. What are you on about?"       "What? Oh, no, so not what I meant. I mean I give you money, you order me a beer, you give me the beer." Then couldn't help but add, "and my change."       At the bitter look Spike threw out, Xander back pedaled, his great plan already in jeopardy. "Ok, ok, fine, I'll be the official sponsor of the alcoholic beverage of your choice. Just don't let it be said that the greatness that is Xander doesn't share the wealth, mister."       Spike gave a curt nod. "Fine. I'll buy your bloody beer." He held his hand out impatiently, grabbing the money that was proffered him, fully intending to keep whatever change he got back.       "I'm going to go run to the little boys room. I'll be right back."       A pained look shadowed Spike's features. "The little boys room?" he scoffed.       "Ok, guess that didn't really make with the macho ness, did it? Fine. I need to go take a squirt, that better? Need to let the ole hose out for a bit of fresh air."       "Just go to the bloody loo." Spike instructed in a disgusted tone, turning away from the annoying boy and setting off in the direction of the bar. Bloody humans .       After Xander had relieved his bladder, he was half way to the bar to meet up with Spike when the clear path he had was suddenly blocked. Xander groaned, this was so not his night. He thought he'd already had to deal with these idiots once tonight, but no, here they were. Shouldn't there be a rule against that? Only one taunting per night? For this group before him was the bane of his entire school career, his whole childhood practically had been tainted with their stupid antics. Xander had lost track of how many lockers he had been stuffed in and how many times his books had been knocked out of his laden arms. And how could he forget how many times his lunch tray had been knocked to the ground, to spatter corn and mystery meat all over the floor of the grimy cafeteria. Why couldn't he have run into them AFTER he had drank his illegally obtained beer?  Maybe then he'd be able to face them without feeling that big ole stab of low self esteem rubbing itself in his face.       "Hey guys."       "Well, well, if it isn't little Xander Harris. Watcha doing, you little faggot?"       Xander raised his index finger in protest. "First off, so not a faggot. Although the very fact that you boys are always together, as in closely  together has always made me more than just a tad suspicious." He eyed their furious faces with mock suspicion. "Something you need to be sharing with the class, huh boys?"       "You're dead meat, Harris," Scott bit out, his alcohol flushed face reddening even more with his growing anger.       Ok, maybe taunting these meatheads wasn't the smartest thing he'd ever done, Xander conceded as he literally saw his life flash before his eyes.  Why he'd never let Buffy beat these assholes up, he didn't know. It was obvious by the droopy eyes and goofy looks that they had drank a whole lot more than when he'd seen them last. Suddenly he saw a pair of punctures marks on Scott's neck, that caused him to take a step back. Speaking of dead meat...       Shit. Dead meat didn't flush with anger, did they?       Scott, in a sudden need to bolster his fear ravaged self confidence back up, reached out to grab Xander by the front of the shirt causing Xander to let loose with a shrill yelp. But before he could find purchase on Xander's obnoxious button down, Scott found his fist engulfed in an unrelenting savage vise. His own yelp rivaled Xander's for shrillness, and Scott found himself looking into furiously cold blue eyes. Ones that no amount of alcohol would make him ever forget.       "My hand!" Scott yelled, noticing his comrades backing away in unison. The response to his comment was a tighter hold, and even Xander was forced to wince at the sound of crushing bones that seemed deafening even over the steady thump of the latest pop hit coming through  the speakers.        Spike's face was cold and barren, lips tightly compressed with anger, eyes flashing with rage. He forced the boy down to his knees, savoring the sweet sounds of his utter agony before he allowed his grip to loosen and finally let his own hand to drop free. Scott began to wail, clutching his mutilated hand to his chest as he stared at Spike in abject terror. Spike fought with everything in him to not let himself loose on this wanker, who deserved to die in a thousands different ways.        "Shut the fuck up," Spike snarled. When Scott refused to listen, Spike made as if to grab his hand again and the idiot finally remembered his previous lessons and quieted his hysterical sobs.       Xander was dumbfounded. What the HELL? He watched as Spike clenched his fists, tipping his head in the air for a brief moment and closed his eyes, his jaw locked with tension. Rage and tightly coiled fury blew off of  the vampire, almost palpable in its intensity and even Xander took a step back before Spike took a deep calming breath. Then he reached to grab one of the bottles he had cradled against his chest and held it out to Xander. "Here's your beer, mate."       Xander took it from his outstretched hand, the same hand that had just crushed Scott's, probably rendering him useless for football for the rest of his life.  "Thanks, Spike," he surprised himself by saying.       A bouncer came over and pushed his way through. "What's the problem here?"       Spike looked in his direction and shook his head. "No problem. A little minor difference in opinion, is all. But we got it all sussed out, right boys?"       By the menacing look in Spike's eyes, Scott knew it was useless and potentially lethal to say otherwise. "Everything is fine," he managed to bite out, his face pale and diaphoretic from pain.       The beefy bouncer nodded, then turned away but not before issuing a blanket warning of what would happen if he saw any other signs of impending violence. They all nodded, the other jocks fighting the urge to flee for their lives. They had let Scott talk them into drinking more, all desperately needing courage in a bottle. They  had all sat around bolstering their self confidence back up again, greedily guzzling whatever they could get their hands on. By the time they had entered the Bronze for the second time that evening, they had it in their heads that the vampire was lucky they had let him live, rather than the other way around. Alcohol and stupidity, a lethal combination. In more ways than one.        "I need to get to a hospital, you broke my fucking hand," Scott muttered from his position on the floor. He attempted to get up, but Spike was right there.       "Did I tell you that you could get up?" he said softly, which sounded more dangerous than if he had roared at full volume. When the others attempted to back away again, one brutal look from Spike stilled them from their actions.       The fear reattached itself with stunning accuracy, the alcohol and their community pep talk deserting them just as quickly as it had taken control, and it didn't escape Xander's notice that these idiots knew exactly what Spike was capable of.  "So, uh, Spike. You know these guys?"       "We've met," was the cryptic reply Xander got, but he did catch a glimpse of pain beneath the cold fury that was firmly stamped on Spike's face.       "Wow, lucky you," Xander commented sarcastically, and Spike looked over him, as he arched an cynical eyebrow in response. Xander gave him a tentative smile. This was met with a curt nod of the head from the blonde vamp.        "So, how did you get to be so lucky?"       "Caught these gits trying to rape Buffy," Spike allowed the bitter words to roll off of his tongue, blanching slightly as he said them. He looked over at Xander and caught a glimpse of the horrified look on his face.       "And you let them live?" Spike was surprised by the coldness and seriousness of the question.       His lips quirked up in a mockery of a smile. "Yeah. Stupid, eh?"       "I'll say."  Spike watched as Xander walked up to Scott who had not moved himself from the floor, and leaned into him.  "What, you didn't like that Buffy said no, was that it, Scott? You decided to rape her because she wouldn't dance with you?"  He straightened up and shook his head in disgust. "And here all this time I thought it was Spike that was the monster. Guess I was wrong, wasn't I?"  Xander turned his back on Scott, intentionally kicking his foot back and caught Scott in his injured hand, as he ignored the howls of pain. "Whoops, clumsy me."       "Come on, Spike, the girls are waiting for their drinks." And with that, a much cooler Xander headed back in the direction of the bar to get Willow and Buffy their drinks.        "Remember what I said, all of you. Not a bloody word or Harris and I will pay you a little visit.  Have you ever seen anyone with their penis cut off? If caught in time, I'm told there is a chance for reattachment." He shook his head in wry admiration. "Those transplant teams, amazing work they do. Oh, but hey, no worries. Those  transplantation rules won't apply to you. Kinda hard to transplant your penis after it's been digested, y'no. Something about human stomach acid. Well, the teeth and all the gnashing first does a number on it to begin with."       Spike looked up and saw his words had the intended affect. There was a tinge of green haunting each one of them, and the other jock Spike had sunk his fangs in made a dash for the bathroom, hand covering his mouth frantically.       "If you can't bloody handle your liquor, don't' bloody drink it," Spike growled, reaching down to grab Scott by the wrist and hauling him painfully to his feet.  "Get the bloody fuck out of here, I don't want you gits even around my girl. And you can thank her for the reason you're even alive right now. Fact is, I would have torn you to pieces if I didn't know she wouldn't approve." Spike looked over his shoulder as Xander came up with Buffy's mineral water and Willow's coke. "Let's go Harris."       Spike sent one last penetrating glare, making sure each one of them met his eyes and saw his serious intent. He spun around, a dramatic flurry created by the whirl of  black leather cascading around his legs, and sauntered back confidently in the direction of Buffy. Xander sent his former tormenters his own version of a penetrating glare, then stalked off after Spike. He was sickened by what he had heard, what they had tried to do to Buffy. He mentally slapped himself upside the head, he should have known after Scott and his trained chimps left the Bronze right after Buffy with identical looks of anticipation on their hormone charged faces that they were up to no good. But, after tonight, hopefully the tables were turned and Xander would be a victim from these gimps no more. Or anybody else, Oh no. A happy sentiment butted its way  rudely into his feelings of disgust and anger, realizing that yet one more thing good had come out of Spike. Ok, that so didn't really come out right, Xander thought with a slight cringe.        When Xander reached the table he saw Buffy's face light up at the sight of Spike and his welcoming look of adoration and happiness. Ok, mental note to one Xander Harris. Spike plus Buffy just MIGHT equal good. And hey, it couldn't hurt to have another guy around, could it?  It's not like his life was brimming with male bonding opportunities or anything. There was Giles, and Oz, who was ok, but was a bit too mellow for Xander's taste. So.. then there was Spike. Who was cool and had a car. And also the undead father of Buffy's love child. Xander shook his head at the irony. Only on the Hellmouth.   TBC.. chapter 17       The next few weeks passed by in haze of activity. Summer was beckoning its welcome arms, and Buffy and her friends would be graduating in a few weeks. Teachers had slacked off, kids had shifted gears.  They were on the brink of teetering off the bridge into adulthood, and would soon be shedding their so called teenage life.      And then there was the senior prom.        Buffy had already decided she wasn't going to go.  It's not like she had lived the life of a normal high school girl, and so not getting to go to her senior prom? No biggie. At least that's what she kept telling herself, keeping up a brave and happy front whenever anybody asked her about it. Some of the kids more nastily than others. It wasn't like she could just ask Spike to go with her. And she knew he would probably have murderous intent if she went with another guy. Not that anybody else had asked, she thought bitterly.  So... no prom for Buffy. How typical.       Scott and his friends had listened to Spike and had not shared the news that Buffy was dating a monster. But it had not gone unnoticed the fear that struck their eyes when they would pass her in the hall or during class.  Buffy had already been labeled a freak just by being an unwed teenage mother, but add the abnormal reactions of the school's most popular boys and it was a recipe that exalted her to Super Freak status.  She was not immune to the whispers and giggles that went on around her, mostly by that popular crowd that inhabits every high school across the country. A group that she used to be a full fledged member of in her old life in LA. This one was headed by Cordelia and Harmony, and their band of little wannabe followers. It was so irritating. For the most part, she ignored it, but it would still find a way to crawl inside, causing her pain and upset. She knew that the other kids had picked up on her continuous involvement whenever things went a bit wonky. Since they lived in Sunnydale, home to the Hellmouth, this occurred more often than Buffy and Giles would have liked. In true Sunnydale fashion though, these episodes were ignored, or explained away with some bogus story, usually leaving Buffy as the fall guy.  It was just one more thing that she shouldered being the Chosen one.  Or the Super Freak as she was now known as. Life sucked, so not fair , she thought.  People should be kissing her ass, not labeling her a freak. And the guys should be lining up to take her to prom, dammit. Even though the only guy I want to take me is Spike.  So not fair.         Spike could tell something was wrong with Buffy, she had an almost resolute air about her now that had been growing in severity as time went on.  He knew it wasn't about him, and it wasn't just his ego telling him that. Every gesture and smile Buffy would give him proved over and over that as far as they were concerned, all was right with the world.         In a bold desperate move that had him questioning his sanity, Spike turned to Xander for help. After that little episode at the Bronze, the whelp wasn't being such a git. Buffy would tease him that Xander had a crush on him but Spike knew the boy was looking for a role model, of sorts.  When Spike saw him in a newly acquired black leather jacket, he knew he had been right, as usual. Usually those who would look up to Spike as  a role model were looking for guidance as to the best way to inflict death and destruction.  To have someone who looked to him as a person, well, Spike wouldn't put a name to how it made him feel.       So now here he was, the Big Bad, William the Bloody, meeting Xander annoying Harris at the Bronze to discuss Buffy. Without even asking, Spike strode to the bar and brought back two beers, slapping one down in front of Xander, who gave him such a look of wide eyed appreciation. Spike wanted to slap it off his face.        "So.. Spike. What's with the cryptic beer sharing invitation?" Xander asked. "Oh god, you're not trying to get me drunk so you can eat me, are you?"       The black look Spike sent his way had Xander sighing with relief.  "Ok, not so much with the eating part.  Still, what's up?"       Spike took a moment to answer, deliberately stalling by taking a sip of beer. "It's about Buffy."       "Ah.  I see. You want to discuss the ways and wiles of women with Xander here." Xander leaned back in his chair and adopted a cocky pose that he'd seen Spike use. "You've come to the right place, my friend."       The urge to slap Xander's head off was growing stronger. "Right. Well, it's like this, see. Something's bothering her, but she won't tell me what it is."       "Prom."       "What?"       "You asked what was bothering her and I told you. The prom."       "What the bloody hell is the prom?"       Xander stared at him in shock. "You're kidding right? You're how old?"  Xander shook his head in pained exaggeration. "You poor bastard.  The senior prom is like the biggest social event that takes place just once in a girl's life.  Buffy has resigned herself to the fact that she's not going."       "So it's a... party?"       "No, more like a dance."       "Buffy's been moping around because of a bloody dance?" The outrage on Spike's face was almost comical.       Xander nodded his head in feigned sadness. "Yep. Sad but true."       "Why isn't she going?"       Xander looked at him like he'd suddenly grown a second head. "You're kidding, right?"  He withstood the withering glare the vampire sent him as long as he could before he buckled under the pressure. "Ok fine.  She doesn't have anyone to go with."       Spike looked confused. "What's wrong with me?"       "Hope you don't mind me saying this, but... you're not exactly the prom type."  At the growl he heard coming from Spike, Xander threw up his hands in defense. "Hey! No killing the messenger!  I think Buffy just didn't want to ask you."       "When is it?"       "This weekend."        Spike nodded thoughtfully. "Ok, right.  Buffy will be going to this bloody prom thing."       "You are going to take her?"       "Bloody well right I'm going to take her. Can't believe she's been moping around about something as ridiculous as this."       "Women, eh?"        "I need you to put together the, you know, little details. Don't want her to know until the last minute, otherwise she'll come up with something to get out of it, most likely. Some misplaced sense of guilt or some rot."       Xander couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, you know her pretty good, don't you."       "Yeah, I do.  So, tell me what I need here."        Enlisting the help of Joyce and Willow, as well as Xander's assistance, the plans for Buffy's prom experience were set in motion. Joyce almost burst into tears when Spike told her that he was planning on taking her, knowing full well how upset her daughter had been about it.  Joyce understood Buffy's reasons for assuming that Spike wouldn't be interested in going, because the notion of a 100 plus year old vampire at a dance with hundreds of teenagers didn't quite fit.  But she was glad to see that once again, there was more to Spike than was readily apparent on the harsh surface.        Willow and Joyce had picked out a dress for Buffy, using Willow as a living mannequin, adjusting measurements to take into consideration Buffy's slightly more ample frame.  Buffy was so engrossed in her morose feelings that she had no idea these plans were taking place.        The day of the prom, Buffy's mood had become downright despondent. The multiple times Spike would question what had crawled up her ass, she replied an unhappy "nothing", giving him a pained look that told him it was anything but. It was all Spike could do to keep up his irritated scowl at her behavior when in reality he wanted to laugh. She was such a little girl in some ways, he would forget until something like this came up. But the way she loved him was all woman, he thought with satisfaction.       Finally, in the late afternoon, Spike strode into the living room where Buffy was moping on the couch. Blake was taking a nap, and her mom was sitting in the chair next to her.  She looked up at him and managed a small pitiful smile, before turning her attention back to the tv in front of her. Spike went and turned it off.       "Hey! I was watching that!" Buffy said indignantly.       "Get your ass up and go take a shower."       "I don't feel like it."       "You're going to go take a shower even if I have to go carry you in there and throw you in," Spike threatened.       Buffy's eyes lit up at that and she opened her mouth to make a lewd remark but then remembered her mom was in the room. Allowing her face to draw back into a pout, she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "I don't wanna."       Spike exchanged an amused glance with Joyce before putting his hands on his hips and glaring at her. "Fine, don't take a shower. Just thought you'd feel better being clean and all for the prom."       Buffy looked at him aghast. "What are you talking about?"       "The prom? You know, your soddin' school dance thing?"       "But I'm not going," Buffy replied confused.       "Oh really? Then why do I have these then?" He threw the prom tickets at her and watched as she looked at them in shock, then looked at him, then over at her mom before looking back at the tickets, disbelief frozen on her face.       "I'm going to the prom?" she asked softly.       "That's what I'm trying to tell you, luv. Course if you don't want to take a bloody shower, don't on my account. I just have this enhanced sense of smell thing going, no need to be bothered by that."       The teasing words had barely left his mouth before he had an armful of slayer wrapped tightly around him. "Thank you thank you thank you," she whispered over and over, tears of happiness crowding her eyes.       Joyce just sat there and watched how happy this had made Buffy and marveled at how strange life was. The very fact that Spike had even noticed something was bothering Buffy, then going out of his way to find out what was causing it... Well, he had turned into quite a surprise. He had even insisted on funding the whole thing, which Joyce's bank account appreciated.  It had come as a shock when Spike had finally admitted he had money, almost as if he was embarrassed by it. Maybe because it had  not been obtained in evil nefarious ways, almost as if it offended his demonic nature.  Apparently, once upon a time, the man who used to be known as William came from a wealthy family and since he was the only heir, the money came to him. That may not have occurred through entirely legal means, since William technically was dead and had been for over 100 years, but Spike had never touched it. Joyce knew better than to question the reasons too closely, but appreciated him using it now.       When Spike looked over at Joyce and saw her face full of gratitude, he beat a hasty escape. The tender emotions flowing through the room were making him nauseous. He was evil, for Christ's sake. Yet that didn't seem to stop the glimmer of satisfaction that he'd done something to make Buffy happy.       The hours that followed were almost torturous for Spike, who was well versed in what actual torture entailed. Red had come over and the two girls had embraced a ritual so archaic, it made Spike cringe. There was primping and giggling and doors slammed in his face. It seemed to be unending.       Willow's other half, Oz, showed up at some point, providing a welcome distraction for the vampire who was attempting to watch TV with his son, who had also been kicked out of the primping party. The three sat and watched Blake's favorite show, Veggie Tales.       "This is just...wrong," Oz commented at one point, as he watched the singing vegetables.       "I ought to find the bastards who put this show on and kill them. Slowly," Spike replied.       "Wait for the next full moon and I'll help."       Spike took that into consideration and nodded.  "The worst part is, these songs sneak your brain and before you know it, you're singing 'em. You'll be walking down the bloody street, and all of a sudden, you realize you are singing about broccoli and celery. It's bloody terrifying."       "I can see that."       Spike had refused to wear a tuxedo, instead was wearing a pair of black dress pants and a black silk shirt with a blood red tie to compliment the outfit. His hair was styled a bit different, thanks to Joyce, and Spike found himself asking Oz if it looked ok.       "She didn't do anything real nasty to it, did she?"       Oz tipped his head to study the vampire before him. "Nah. Looks good."  Silence followed that comment, and Spike reflected how bloody bizarre this was.  And yet, again it didn't feel wrong. He liked this boy, Oz. He had a bit of a demon in him himself, so they had that little bit in common. And yet, he was finding Xander a bit of all right as well.         Bloody ridiculous.          Finally, the girls came down the stairs and Spike came to the immediate conclusion that  the time had been well spent. Buffy looked amazing. She glowed, she radiated and any other poncy words he could come up with. She was wearing a strapless red prom dress the color of Spike's tie, the color complimenting her blonde tanned looks to perfection. When Joyce forced them together for pictures, it became very clear that they were quite the attractive couple. For Buffy's sake, Joyce hoped that Buffy would gain back some of the confidence that had been lost and self-sacrificed since she'd became the slayer. Joyce was quite sure there would be more than one envious girl when they got a look at Spike. She almost wished she could be a fly on the wall, but would have to trust Mr. Giles to fill her in, knowing he was acting as a chaperone this evening.       Xander arrived with his date and the limo. Spike was introduced to Anya who didn't smell entirely human herself. Buffy whispered ex vengeance demon and Spike nodded, thus clearing up the mystery. Interesting little group of mates the Slayer had.       After a few tears from Joyce that had increased Spike's queasiness factor and more pictures, they finally left the Summers house. Spike snorted in derision as he climbed in the back of the limo.  William the Bloody going to a bloody high school dance.  He would have said how the mighty had fallen except for the fact he hadn't fallen.  Except in love.  Bloody hell, that sure snuck in there a bit too easily. He was saved from having to follow that thought around the bend by his enhanced sense of hearing picking up a familiar tune.       "Veggie tales, veggiiiieee tallllesss.." He heard Oz singing under his breath.  He locked eyes on the werewolf and smirked.       "Told ya it bloody takes your brain over."       Oz have him a horrified look as he realized exactly what he had been singing, causing a chuckle from Spike. "Dude, that show is seriously messed up."         Spike just nodded, relieved to find he wasn't the only who had succumbed to its bewitching wiles.        The other occupants of the limo looked confused and neither male made a move to enlighten them. Some things were just better left unexplained, and this was one of them. Spike just passed around his flask, snickering as Xander bravely tried to act like the strong alcohol had no affect on him. However it was near impossible to hide the muted choking from someone with supernatural hearing, and Spike just offered him a knowing smirk. It didn't stop Xander from taking the flask when it came back his way though, and Spike gave him a measuring glance. The boy did all right the second time.        His date was strange. Willow and Buffy tried to involve Anya in the conversation, but she had a wacky way of saying things that seemed to alienate herself without too much effort.        "I'm not used to being human, dammit. It shouldn't be this hard," Anya finally complained.       "I hear ya," Spike commiserated as he handed her the flask. When he saw her tip it back and give it a healthy whirl without batting an eye, he threw his head back and laughed. "Interesting little bird you picked up, Xander."       Xander felt his own apprehension about his forced date ease at Spike's backhanded compliment. "Yeah, she kind of grows on you, doesn't she?"       "What are you talking about? Why doesn't anybody just say what they mean? I hate this place," Anya grumbled.       "You're doing fine, pet. Give it a chance. Never know, you might come to like it," Spike found himself saying, realizing  how true it was.       Soon, the limo pulled up into what looked like a virtual grandiose piano keyboard of ebony and ivory as limos competed with each other for space. Their occupants poured out en masse, in all colors and sizes.        It was with a sardonic grin that Spike surveyed this scene in front of him as he helped Buffy out of the limo.  "Well well. So this is a prom."       Buffy looked up at the tone of his voice and narrowed his eyes. "Be good, do you hear me?"       He allowed his leering eyes to travel the length of her body, letting it linger on certain parts that he knew would get her going. His leer turned into full blown lust as he said, "Or what?"       Buffy felt her body respond to his penetrating gaze, her pulse quickened and her breath came faster as she drew herself up to ward him off.  "Or.. or.. gah! I don't know. But trust me, it won't be pleasant, mister."       Spike leaned towards Buffy and whispered in ear, "Is that a promise, luv?"       The gravely intent of his voice caused her eyes to glaze over and she knew she was treating Spike to just how much he affected her by mere scent alone. They stood there staring at each other, inches apart but Spike could feel her heat touching him, reaching into him as if she were physically touching him. The intensity of their regard was beginning to smolder into full blown desire and they both began closing the distance between them.       "Hey, come on!  Like you can't do that when you get home?" Xander complained loudly right in front of them. "Lucky bastards," he added beneath his breath.       That served to break the spell that had been cast and Spike and Buffy gave each other an amused smile before turning to the others. "I believe you have forgotten that I'm evil, Harris. Might want to keep that in mind, you git."       "Yeah yeah. You scare me all right," Xander replied as they got in line with the other new comers and headed into the gymnasium for the Senior Prom.   << 1. Part 12. Part 2 (chapters 4-7)3. Part 34. Part 45. Part 56. Part 6 >>     Disclaimer If you are under the age of 17, please use your head and do not read fics that are labeled "NC-17". Parents, I cannot control what your children are reading, so please be advised that the majority of the fics archived here are NOT suitable for those under the age of 17. I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I am in no way making any profit from this site. This is for pure entertainment purposes only. 2004 copyright-bringonthebloodshed.com