The Master’s Return
Lizzie and William stepped inside the Giles home. The followed the
excited chatter and found all the Scoobies assembled in the dining
room.
“I’m just saying to would be more economical if they drove. The
Council does not pay that well. They could write it off as a
business expense,” Anya was arguing.
“Great An, and what does Giles put on his tax return; recon mission
expenses to save the world?” Xander argued.
Rupert appeared to be deep in thought. He realized that Lizzie had
returned with William when Dawn squealed and ran to throw her arms
around her sister.
“LIZZIE!” she cried.
William watched as a smile crept across Lizzie’s face. What ever
else was going on, she always seemed to feel better when Dawnie was
around.
“How are you Dawnie?” she asked.
“Great! Guess what? Dad and Will have to go to Los Angeles for a few
days. That means I need someone to stay with me,” Dawn hinted.
Lizzie looked up at Giles questioningly.
Rupert took off his glasses and began to wipe them down. “It seems
you’re assumptions were correct. The new Master is of Darla’s line,”
he said.
“Don’t you mean of my line as well, Giles?”
The room got so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
Lizzie looked down. She didn’t know why she said what she did. For
some reason she felt the need to remind them of what she was.
Sometimes she could tell they forgot. They treated her like they did
when she was alive. But even she knew the danger of that. If they
forgot, if there came a day that for some reason they had to stand
against her, she had to know that they could take her down.
William came up behind Lizzie and put his hands on her shoulders
while Dawn held her hand, trying to show her support for her older
sibling.
“Of course,” Rupert said.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me tonight. I felt
something really strange earlier and I guess its still affecting
me,” she said.
The elder Giles walked up to her and kissed the top of her head. “We
understand.” He removed his glasses and began to polish the lenses
as he continued. “Our sources in Los Angeles say that this new
Master is very powerful. Many of Darla’s minions have already
started to make their way to Sunnydale. Will and I are going to Los
Angeles to gather information and meet with Cordelia and Wesley,” he
explained.
Dawn looked at Lizzie brightly. “That means you can stay here with
me,” she said happily.
“NO!” Lizzie said a bit too loudly.
Dawn took a step back. She wasn’t hurt by her sister’s reaction. She
could feel her fear. “What’s wrong?”
Lizzie grabbed Dawn’s shoulders. “Dawnie there is nothing I want
more than to spend time with you. You know that right?”
Dawn nodded slowly.
“Its just that…Tonight something happened.” She looked over at
Rupert. “I couldn’t control my demon. Before I could even blink I
was all bumpy in the forehead. I didn’t feel like killing or
anything like that, but it scared me how easily it took over. I
can’t risk Dawnie seeing me like that,” She explained.
“Of course not,” Rupert said, sympathizing with the girl. “We will
just take Dawnie with us.”
“Da, maybe just you and Dawn could go. I should stay here,” William
said.
Lizzie turned around to face him, arching an eyebrow at him. “I
thought we agreed that the fate of the world comes before my
emotional needs?”
“No, I just thought that with all the minions on the way…Besides I
need to patrol...Oh bloody hell women! I hate it when you phrase
things the way you do,” William muttered.
Lizzie laughed, wrapping her arms around him. “It’s okay, I’ll put
on my Princess Buffy act and see what I can dig up,” she offered,
turning away.
William pulled her back. “You’re not going to dig up anything. Just
cause I agreed to go on this little excursion doesn’t mean I have
gone completely Carrot Top,” he said.
Lizzie tilted her head to the side. “We know the drill, William.
What does it matter if I start now or when you get back? I need to
make an appearance sooner or later. They’ll come looking for me;
they always do. Better I start now.”
William ran his fingers through his hair scratching the back of his
hair roughly.
“It’s dangerous. I don’t like it. What if Darla’s minions try to do
something to you?” he argued.
Anya rolled her eyes. “Will, they are not going to try anything. She
is Spike’s Mate. If they tried anything, any of Spike’s minions that
are still bound to him would turn against the new Master. The demon
world may be evil, but they do have their own code of honor. If the
new Master intended to take Lizzie out, they would have tried
something by now. Since they haven‘t, they obviously respect The
Claim and feel Lizzie is worthy because she has not tried to bind
herself to anyone else,” Anya finished, not thinking about the
impact her last statement might have.
Lizzie closed her eyes as Willow and Oz flinched, while William
tried not to let Anya’s words affect him.
Rupert cleared his throat. “Dawn you should start packing. We will
be leaving on a midnight flight so we can get there quickly,” he
said, leading the girl out of the room.
“I’ll be here when you get back, Dawnie,” Lizzie promised. She
kissed Dawn and watched her walk up the stairs. Turning to Will, she
smiled. “Let’s get you packed, too.”
After Lizzie and Will had left the room, the rest of the Scoobies
glared at Anya.
“WHAT?”
**
William lay on his bed, holding Lizzie in his arms. “There’s nothing
I can do that would convince you to wait until I return is there?”
he asked.
Lizzie lay with her head in against his chest. Sitting in the corner
was the small duffle bag he had packed. The members of the Giles
household were set to leave in an hour. She could feel William’s
concern wash over her.
“Will, I wish you would stop worrying about me,” she whispered.
William tilted her chin up and kissed her. “I told you, luv, it’s
not that easy. Especially now.”
“Like I said, it wasn’t a killing kind of thing. Just a need...A
pull. I can’t explain it,” she muttered.
“That’s what worries me the most. I am afraid of where it’s going to
pull you,” William whispered
Lizzie straddled him and took his face in her hands. “I told you I
love you,” she said.
William kissed her and smiled. “I love you too.”
**
Spike rushed through the mansion. He knocked his minions out his
way. Enraged he kicked the door open to the main hall. The older
minions stopped what they were doing and began scrambling around,
trying to make sense out of their Masters’ mood.
He reached for the minion closest to him and grabbed an axe off the
wall. Before the minion could say or do anything, Spike sliced him
right down the middle.
“Now that I have your attention,” he said, wiping off the blood.
“Let’s have a bit of a chat, shall we?”
Harmony walked into the room and Spike grabbed her by her throat. He
pulled out a stake and drove it into her chest. The minions stood
and watched as Harmony evaporated into dust.
“You bring THAT to me, but you will not bring me her?” Spike roared.
He grabbed a third minion by his shirt. “You knew about her and you
didn’t tell me?”
“Master, we wanted to wait until you were completely well,” the
minion cowered.
“I could see the merit in that way of thinking.” Spike said. Before
the minion could even blink he felt the piercing of Spike’s stake.
“However, forgive me if I disagree.” He took a step back and dusted
himself off.
“Now, let’s get down to the nitty gritty,” He said. “I want answers
and I want then NOW!”
Jesse entered the room. One of the minions had run to fetch him the
minute Spike had returned. He had known this day would come. “You
speak of Buffy, Master,” he said quietly.
The other minions roared their protests. “SHUT UP, YOU IMBECILE!”
One of them yelled.
The axe left Spike’s hand in a blur as he flung it across the room,
pinning the minion who had yelled to the wall. Spike walked over and
grabbed a handful of the minion’s ratty hair, jerking it up so he
could see its eyes.
“Didn’t your parents teach you any manners? It’s rude to interrupt,”
he sneered. Without another thought, he drove the stake through it.
He looked around the room, daring anyone to try to interrupt Jesse.
“Continue,” Spike said, crossing his arms in front of him.
“Your Mate, Master. Her name is Buffy. You called her your Perfect
Princess Buffy. She has remained here in the Hellmouth. She is a
bit....Master, her mind is not well,” Jesse said sadly.
"Princess," Spike murmured. The dream. The beautiful girl. Now it
all made sense. He had a Mate. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he
understood that they must be bound together. One word screamed in
his mind. CLAIMED. If she was his mate, why was she not here with
him?
Spike looked around the room, his eyes filled with murderous rage.
“You mean to tell me that my Mate has been left to fend for
herself?” he roared. “The bloody creature that finds her and brings
her to me gets to live!”
The minions all scurried out of the room, tripping over each other
in their haste to get out of Spike’s presence.
Jesse stayed by Spike’s side. “Master, do you remember her?” he
asked quietly.
Spike closed his eyes and shook his head. “No, but it doesn’t
matter. She belongs to me...”
Chapter Six
Face To Face
Lizzie looked down at herself. Damned undead existence. Because of
it, she didn’t have the luxury of a mirror to see how she looked.
She didn’t really need it, though. She knew she looked good.
The outfit had been Spike’s favorite. She wore skin tight black
leather pants with a pair of black suede stiletto-heeled boots. The
strapless black leather bodice clung tightly to her torso as she
drew the red silk ribbon laces together and tied them
The memory of the night he presented it to her still haunted her.
She and Spike were hunting when she had seen the women wearing this
exact outfit. Spike had commented how delicious his Princess would
look in it. When she agreed, the women's life was ended within the
next few minutes. All for the sake of her outfit...
It was now merely a costume she wore to play a part. The part of the
former Master of Sunnydale’s slightly insane mate. There was a
diamond, ruby, and black onyx choker that he had also given her that
she always added when she’d worn the outfit for Spike, but for
nights like these it stayed in her jewel box. She knew well how the
game worked. They had to see Spike’s mark on her. His Claim must be
fully visible to their hungry eyes..
Spike’s marks still carried power in the demon community. She knew
they were her only protection against anyone that dared touch her.
Lizzie always felt conflicted when she had to do this. On one hand
it was deceitful. She knew it was nothing but a ruse, but on the
other hand it fed to the darkness within her. The stares of everyone
she encountered. The fear.
The Claim made it easier to maneuver within the darker side of
Sunnydale. When the Dark Princess sauntered in, the whole room
froze. It made her feel powerful. It made her feel Spike...
It was as if he was all around her when she was like this. Lizzie
could almost see his cocky grin and feel his eyes burning with
desire as he stared at her. She felt the familiar ache inside and
immediately she pushed it away.
She stood in the darkness debating where she should go first.
Deciding to get the biggest bang for her buck, she walked over to
Willie’s Bar. She swung the door open and took a few steps in. A few
of Spike’s old minions gasped and ran out of the bar.
Her entire demeanor had changed the second she walked through the
door. Lizzie cocked her head and willed her eyes to glaze over. “Why
have they run from the Princess?” she said in her best dreamy Buffy
voice.
“Don’t worry Princess. They are just a bit skittish tonight. Word’s
out that there’s a new contender for the Hellmouth,” Willie
explained.
Lizzie sighed, trying to act as nonchalant as possible. “So many
people want to be Daddy. None of them know how,” she pouted.
Willie pushed a glass to Lizzie. “Here you go, Princess. Best I’ve
got. On the house of course.”
She could tell by the rich smell that this was human blood and not
pigs. She looked down at the glass and then warily back up at
Willie. Something was up. She could feel it. Willie would never give
her human blood on the house. Unless there were something big
stirring and he was eager to stay in ‘Buffy’s’ good graces.
Leaning up against the greasy wood of the bar, she was surprised to
hear a faint hissing sound on the roof. A crushing sadness gripped
her. It was raining again. It had not rained in Sunnydale since that
night...
The night that Spike had left the earth.
She thought if her lost mate for a moment, allowing herself to feel
their love. Tears stung her eyes. She realized Willie was watching
her closely and snapped out of her reverie. Lifting the glass to her
lips, she drank the blood down quickly, struggling to keep from
making a face. Strange how the sweetness of human blood bothered her
now. She felt almost woozy for a moment.
Whoa. That hadn’t been just any human blood. Willie was right; it
was the good stuff. It had probably been taken from an addict or a
drunk. The side effects were always a bit numbing.
Lizzie tried not to be effected my Willie’s sudden generosity. She
turned and smiled at him.
“Yummy, yummy for my tummy,” she said, rubbing her belly. Tossing
the glass back to him playfully, she wandered over to the jukebox
and skimmed the song selections.
All she had to do now, was wait…
**
“Master we have found her!” One of the minions screamed.
Spike dropped the man he was feeding off of and rushed to the door.
He ran all the way to Willie’s bar with his minions leading the way.
His demon didn’t rage against him once. It was if it knew that
tonight it would feel completion.
Reaching the bar, he stood outside in the rain for a moment. She was
in there, he could feel her presence within. Over the beat of the
music he heard the rumble of the demon crowd that had gathered to
get inside out of the rain
Walking in, he saw that they had all congregated around the small
dance floor. The were watching something…Someone…
He could only catch glimpses of blonde hair swaying in the center of
the action.
Frustrated, he finally grabbed a fledgling vampire and threw him out
of his way. Finally, he saw her.
“Hello my friend, we meet again
It's been awhile, where should we begin?
Feels like forever”
Spike took an unnecessary breath as he watched her move. She was
sheer poetry in motion...
“Within my heart are memories
Of perfect love that you gave to me
Oh, I remember”
Her eyes were closed as she concentrated on the music; feeling the
heavy beat and the bittersweet lyrics of the song with her whole
body. A soft smile graced her lips, as if she were remembering
something wonderful.
Remembering him…
Spike’s vision blurred and he blinked his eyes hard blinked hard.
Memories began to race through his mind. A tortured whisper ripped
from his throat. Her name.
“Lizzie”
“When you are with me, I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice”
Lizzie felt something enter the room. Suddenly her entire body felt
like it was on fire. The music engulfed her. Feelings and emotions
soared through her. All she could think of was Spike. She crossed
her arms around her waist, pretending they were HIS arms holding her
as she sinuously moved her body to move to the music.
Something…Someone… was watching her from the crowd of demons that
surrounded her. Almost helplessly she continued her performance.
“We've seen our share of ups and downs
Oh how quickly life can turn around
In an instant”
His past lay before him, laid bare to his shocked mind. His
childhood. His parents. His brother. The Summer’s girls.
His Lizzie. His love.
“It feels so good to reunite
Within yourself and within your mind
Let's find peace there”
Spike continued to will the memories forward. His calling as the
Slayer. His turning at the hands of Darla. Lizzie’s turning. Her
madness... The moment when they both left the earth impaled against
the statue.
Their love.
Their undying love...
“When you are with me, I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice”
Spike closed his eyes again as he thought of his brother. William.
The other night in the graveyard, Lizzie had been kissing William.
Kissing his twin. Smiling happily up at the Slayer.
He felt his undead heart break. His brother was taking care of her
now. Spike staggered back for a moment, all the new knowledge
swirling through his mind.
Suddenly, he felt like he was suffocating. He had to leave. She
couldn’t see him, not when he was like this. He had to go, now! His
demon, however, had other ideas. It growled in indignation.
Just then Lizzie stopped dancing. She felt it. The growl within. The
same feeling she felt the other night. Her head snapped up and she
looked in the direction the growl had emanated from. She caught site
of a black leather coat as its owner walked away.
At that moment, all the pieces finally fit. Beyond reason, beyond
explanation…She knew.
“Spike,” She whispered.
“I just want to say hello again
I just want to say hello again”
Lizzie ran through the crowd, pushing everyone out of her way. Tears
began to Spill from her eyes. It seemed to be forever before she
made it outside. The rain poured down over her.
She saw a dark figure walking away. She knew that walk, that
determined slow swagger. Her body, her very soul, began to scream.
It was him...
“SPIKE!!!!”
“SPIKE!!!” She screamed again so loud she could almost feel her
vocal chords tearing.
He told himself not to look back; to keep walking. He wasn't ready
to see her. He tried to keep walking away from her.
It was the second cry that stopped him. It was filled with longing
and desperation. It was filled with so much love. He could not deny
her. He never could. Finally he turned to face her.
He looked up at the rain, realizing it was pouring down on them.
Finally, he forced himself to look at Lizzie. Realization struck
Spike at that moment. It was indeed Lizzie. Not Buffy, but Lizzie.
Strong, whole...well. That fact alone made him want to weep with
joy.
“Lizzie?” He questioned.
Lizzie nodded, smiling.
They stood there transfixed at the site of each other. The sounds of
the song she had been dancing to wafted out of the bar, surrounding
them.
“When you are with me I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes”
Her tears blinded her as she ran to him, her face alight with joy
and she reached out her arms for him. “SPIKE!”
“Cause when you are with me I am free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice, My sacrifice”
Spike reached out for her catching her as she jumped into his arms.
He swung her around and around, holding her, taking in her scent.
Complete again. He looked up at her as she framed his face with her
hands. When she did this, Spike kissed her palm as he had always
done, inciting another sob from Lizzie.
“My Lizzie,” he whispered.
She looked down at him and without another thought, kissed him. The
tears on their faces mixed with the rain pouring down on them. Both
were oblivious to anything else around them.
Lovers.
Demons.
Mates.
Complete.
“I just want to say hello again
I just want to say hello again.”
Beta'd By Spikeslovebite
Empty
Lizzie and Spike sat in her crypt holding each other
tightly. Neither one had spoken a word since he had carried
her back from Willie’s bar. His demon had taken over as soon
as they were indoors. Before he could do anything to stop
it, he pushed Lizzie down onto the stone sarcophagus and
ripped into her neck.
Much to his surprise he felt her fangs piercing his skin as
well. Her demon had emerged demanding the same satisfaction.
It took only moments, but to both Lizzie and Spike it seemed
like an eternity as they reaffirmed their claim.
After the wounds had been cleaned, both shifted back into
their human faces and just stared at each other. Spike felt
dazed as he lay back. Lizzie crawled up onto his chest and
snuggled there as she had done so many times before.
Something was different. He could feel it. The demon inside
him felt it, too. It growled and snapped at the unfamiliar
presence it felt within its mate.
Spike stared deep into Lizzie’s eyes. “You have your soul
back,” he said
incredulously. The Orb. You picked it up that night and I
saw your eyes glow. It healed you by giving you back your
soul.”
“It was an Orb of Thesulah and yes, it restored my soul,”
she whispered.
Spike closed his eyes. She was different. With her new
clarity came more knowledge. With the reaffirmation of their
Claim, there were things that he could feel. All that she
went through when she came back. All the guilt and pain she
felt for her former victims. Her need for redemption. Her
painful secrets. The things that she kept hidden in her fear
and grief. He knew at that moment what he had to do.
Lizzie looked up and saw that tears had begun to fall from
Spike’s eyes. She touched his face. “Spike?” she questioned,
deeply concerned.
He sat up, pushing her away almost savagely as he leaped to
the floor. She gasped as she almost fell from the
sarcophagus.
Spike headed for the door, then stopped, pacing back and
forth and burying his fists in his hair as he muttered and
cursed to himself. She slowly climbed down and watched him
incredulously as he fought something inside himself. Finally
he turned and flung himself into her arms. “How do I say
goodbye to My Lizzie?” he cried.
“What do you mean?” Lizzie asked.
Spike looked at her somberly. “We can’t be together, Lizzie.
Not now, not ever,” he said, his body trembling.
“What do you mean? Spike, we’re mated. Claimed,” Lizzie
argued.
“And William?” Spike questioned, trying to push her away.
She flinched as though he had struck her. “You know,” she
whispered.
“I remember his scent pretty well.”
“Spike...”
“You were covered with it the night you died. I can't smell
it on you now, but I think that’s because Red must have done
some mojo. That would explain the first night I came to you.
I got all the way here but didn't feel you inside. I knew
you were in there, but I didn't know who you were. I saw you
out there, with Will,” Spike said quietly.
Lizzie rocked on her feet. She took another step back when
Spike reached out for her.
“I’m not mad, luv. I could never be mad at you. You thought
I was gone forever. I always knew if something happened to
me you would end up with Will. I just didn’t think I would
have to stick around and watch it,” Spike spat out.
Lizzie covered her face and sank to the floor.
Instantly a memory of Buffy flashed before his eyes. This
was his greatest fear. If she stayed with him and remembered
too much, she would again become tortured; filled with pain
and agony. He could not do that to her again.
“NO!” Spike cried out. He grabbed Lizzie by the shoulders
and hauled her to her feet, shaking her roughly. “Don’t do
this to yourself!”” he demanded.
“I’m so confused. I…I need a minute to think.”
Spike took her in his arms. “Nothing to be confused about,
Luv. I go back to the mansion and you stay here.”
“I don’t understand,” Lizzie said. “Why are you doing this
to me?”
He began pacing again. “What did you think would happen,
Lizzie? That you would come back with me? You can’t!” Spike
yelled.
Lizzie stood there looking at him, her green eyes filling
with tears.
“Tell me Lizzie, what are you going to do the first time I
feed? Huh? The first time I give in to my demon?” Spike
asked in a harsh voice. A voice he had never used with her
before. “I thought about it just now. The look on your face.
You would think I was a monster and you would be right.
That’s what I am; they make monster movies about creatures
like me.”
“I’m one of you, too, Spike,” she retorted.
“You have a soul. You know right from wrong. I don’t. One
day I will act before I think and do something evil. I would
disappoint you and you would never be able to see me the
same way again. I wouldn’t be able to take it,” Spike
whispered.
“I love you, Spike. I always have,” she said, as if saying
those words could make everything better.
“I’m nothing but a demon now Lizzie.”
“Stop it! Stop it, you know that’s not true,” she cried.
Spike looked At Lizzie, his face expressionless. “You know
what the first thing was that I figured out about being a
vampire? How much blood you can drink from a girl before
she'll die. I know. You see, the trick is to drink just
enough to know how to damage them. Just enough so that
they'll still cry when you drain them, 'cause it's not worth
it if they don't cry,” Spike sneered
She stared at him, tears of pain rolling down her face. “If
you’re trying to prove a point, it’s not going to work.”
Spike walked up to Lizzie and grabbed her by the shoulders,
forcing her to see him.
“I already did it. It's already done.” He shook her once
more. “You wanna know what I've done to girls Dawn's age?
What WE’VE done to girls Dawn's age?”
Lizzie gasped and jerked away from him, her hands covering
her mouth in shock as she took a step back.
“See, this is me, Lizzie. This is what I am; like it or
not,” Spike whispered.
She stood there trembling. She could feel so many things
from him. Rage. Anger. Heartache. But she also felt his love
for her. His love, and his determination to do this thing he
had decided was the best for both of them.
Spike began to walk out of the crypt.
“You don’t have to go back,” she pleaded.
“Yes, I do Lizzie. That mansion. That life, it’s mine. All I
have is the darkness. I don’t even have you anymore,” Spike
said.
“You’re going to Claim another?” she asked, her undead heart
breaking.
Spike was on her in a flash. “No! Never. You’re my love, my
life. There will never be another for me,” he vowed.
Lizzie stared up at him, everything she felt for him in her
eyes.
He squeezed his own eyes closed, pure misery etched his
face. “Don’t do this, Lizzie. Don’t look at me that way. If
you do, I’ll never be able to walk away.”
She stepped into him, pressing her face into his chest and
breathing in his scent.
“I don’t know what to do…What to say...Only that I love you,
so much. I love you beyond anything.”
Spike kissed the top of her head.
“But you love Will, too. You’re a full fledge white hatter.
Helping those damn Scoobies. Watching Dawnie grow up,” Spike
said, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m also a vampire, Spike.” Lizzie said, her voice broken.
“All I ever wanted was to be with you, forever.”
“And what of your soul, Luv?” He tipped her chin up, gazing
into her beloved face. “If you stayed with me, it would turn
black. It would destroy you. I don’t have a shred of
goodness in me. The only thing good I ever had was you. And
now that I see you like this, all I feel is...Empty. I don’t
know why I’m back. Maybe this is the real hell,” Spike
mused.
“How can you say that?” Lizzie wailed. “Knowing everything
we were to each other, how can you talk to me like this? You
sound like you hate me!”
Spike took her face in his hands. “You know I could never
hate you. It’s just that…You’re here; so beautiful and
perfect. You’re mine, but I can’t have you. This has to be
my punishment for everything I have ever done wrong. This
has to be hell. To look at you and know that you’re finally
well, but I can’t be with you.”
“You can!” She stamped her foot. “It doesn’t have to be this
way. It doesn’t!” Lizzie sobbed.
Spike kissed her again. “I have to go, Luv.” he whispered.
Lizzie clung to him desperately. “Don’t! Please, don’t...”
“God, Lizzie! Princess, please don’t do this. I can’t let
you go if you do this.” Spike said in anguish.
She refused to let him go. “Just stay with me a little
while, please?” She begged.
Without another word, he gave in. Just for a tonight. He
climbed up on the stone sarcophagus and held out his hand,
beckoning her to lie beside him. Lizzie crawled up his
chest, feeling his arms wrap around her. She lay against
him, completely drained by emotion. Eventually she slept.
She awoke the next sundown. Alone. She wrapped her arms
tightly around herself, too miserable even for tears.
William would be home soon. Explanations and decisions would
have to be made. She would have to decide how she truly felt
about all of this. But for now all Lizzie could feel was one
thing...
Empty.
Chapter Eight
Beta'd By Spikeslovebite
Sacrifices
Lizzie perched herself on the window sill of the Giles house
with catlike grace. She rested on her heels, her arms
wrapped around her knees. She looked like a statue of a
gargoyle. Sitting, waiting, guarding. Wondering how she
would explain recent events.
She had been trying to calm the demon within her for hours
now. It was indignant. Demanding. Wondering why it was
separated from its mate.
Nothing made sense to Lizzie anymore. Spike was back and
they had no idea why.
Now she would have to tell William and the rest of the gang.
Would they try to kill him still? If they did, what would
Lizzie do?
The demon within roared at the thought of its mate being
destroyed. She closed her eyes, trying to calm it again. She
wondered if Spike was having just as difficult a time...
She saw the headlights of Giles’s car come into the car
port. She hopped off the window sill and waited for them to
approach.
Lizzie watched from the shadows as William walked to the
back of the car and popped open the trunk. Giles was in the
backseat picking up a sleeping Dawn.
Lizzie smiled at the scene before her.
She watched as William spun around. He had felt her. He
searched for her until she stepped into view and his face
instantly broke out into a big smile. Lizzie said nothing,
merely taking the keys from him and going to open the door
so Giles could carry Dawnie to her room. She followed,
watching as he got her settled in her room.
Spike’s old room.
She leaned against the doorway, lost in thought. How many
times had she been in that room? How often had she sat and
listened to him as he wrote songs. How many movies had they
watched together; curled up on his bed? They hadn’t spent
near as much time here as they had in Lizzie’s room. Spike
had loved Lizzie’s room. He said he loved being surrounded
by her...
Lizzie closed her eyes tightly, willing away her pain as she
made her way back downstairs. She was standing at the big
front window when she heard William drop the bags behind her
and felt him wrap his arms around her.
As much as Lizzie wanted to just fall into his embrace, she
knew she couldn’t.
There were things that needed to be said. Things they needed
to know.
William turned her in his arms and kissed her forehead. “I
missed you,” he whispered. When Lizzie looked down, avoiding
his eyes, he tipped her face up. “Lizzie, what’s wrong?”
Just then Giles walked back downstairs. “Have you filled
Lizzie in yet?” he asked.
William shook his head, never taking his eyes off of Lizzie.
“Haven’t had the chance yet,” He replied.
Lizzie pulled out of his arms and walked over to where Giles
was busy rolling out an ancient scroll. “What is it?” she
asked.
Giles looked down at the scroll. “It’s a Prophecy, but the
text and language is so ancient we have no clue how to
decipher it. I am hoping that with the help of Willow we can
perhaps conjure a spell to help us transcribe it. It was
stumped everyone else thus far.” he said, still studying the
scroll with avid eyes. He pointed out a small symbol at the
top of the scroll. “We do know that this symbol has
something to do with the Master. It resembles the symbol for
Leader of The Damned.”
Lizzie touched the symbol lightly. “King of The Damned is
more like it,” Lizzie muttered.
Rupert looked at Lizzie impressed. “You have already met the
new Master?”
“He is powerful. No exaggeration,” Lizzie said, taking a
step back from the scroll.
William watched Lizzie carefully. She looked so shattered.
So distant. He had not seen her like this in a very long
time. “Lizzie, did he do anything to you?” he questioned
gently.
Lizzie shook her head slowly. Her hand came to rest on her
neck. “He can’t.” She whispered. “There is nothing he can do
to me.”
William looked at Lizzie’s neck. In spite of her quick
healing, the bite marks were fresh...“Lizzie,” William
began. Before he could finish his father pushed him to the
side.
Rupert grabbed Lizzie and pushed her hair roughly aside,
examining her neck. A look of outrage flooded his face. “I
wouldn’t call that nothing! The Master claimed you!” he
screamed.
Lizzie wrenched herself away from Rupert. “You don’t
understand!”
William took a step forward. “Explain then,” he pleaded,
trying to keep a level head.
“It’s not a new claim. It was affirming the previous one.”
Lizzie whispered, her voice getting softer with every word.
Rupert grabbed for the table behind him. William rocked
backwards. Both of them suddenly realizing what Lizzie was
trying to say.
Spike....
Lizzie looked at both of them. “He’s back. He doesn’t know
why. He didn’t even remember me until he saw me at Willie’s
bar. His minions have been taking care of him at the
mansion. That’s why so many have been coming. They think he
is back to rid the world of the Slayer.”
William walked over to Lizzie. He was petrified. He was
going to lose her again...
Rupert looked at Lizzie. “Why are you here, then?” he asked
suspiciously. “Why are you not with him?”
Lizzie’s head snapped up. “I thought you would want to
know,” she spat, glaring at him.
“We need to get everyone together. Figure out what we are
going to do about this.” Rupert said, snatching up and
re-rolling the scroll.
“Da, I don’t understand,” William said.
“We have to neutralize the threat.” Rupert said, his eyes
narrowed with determination.
Lizzie jumped up. For a moment her eyes flashed gold. “I
just told you that your son is back and all you can think to
say is ‘gather the troops, it’s time to go hunt some
vampires’?” she cried.
“That’s not my son not anymore!” Rupert screamed.
Dawn appeared in the doorway. “Dad?” She said meekly. She
had heard Lizzie’s voice from her room and bolted out of her
bed. She had heard the tail end of the conversation.
Spike was back.
Rupert reached out for Dawn. He pointed at William. “That is
my son.” He looked down at Dawn.
“This is my daughter.” Finally he stared at Lizzie. “So are
you. But that thing out there is not Spike. Spike died one
night in a cemetery,” Rupert finished quietly.
Lizzie walked over to them. “You living in a fantasy world.
That thing, as you call him, is very much Spike. He’s got
Spike’s memories, his face...”
“Not his soul,” Rupert challenged.
Lizzie looked down. “Trust me, Giles. This bright shiny soul
I have? Not always all it’s cracked up to be,” she said
bitterly.
“Elizabeth, why do you think he’s back? Because he is
William’s greatest challenge. Do you think for a moment that
Spike would think twice of killing William if it meant
ending his existence? Of course not. William’s in the fight
of his life now. It's time to stop playing the role of
general, and start being one. This is the way wars are won.
Sacrifices must be made” Rupert said, still holding on to
Dawn.
Lizzie looked at Rupert shocked. “Sacrifices? My God Rupert,
this is Spike! You’re son. Where is your heart?” Lizzie
asked.
He began to shake. “My heart? I know what you think of me.
I’m a cold callous monster right? How could I talk so
frivolously about taking out Spike? You don’t think it kills
me?” Rupert yelled.
Dawn looked up at Giles, then at Lizzie. “Dad that is not
it. Lizzie is afraid that’s all. So are you. Both of you are
just reacting in fear.”
Lizzie and Rupert looked at each other. Immediately they
embraced. “I’m sorry.” They said in unison.
“We will suss this all out.” Rupert said.
Lizzie looked up at him, tears brimming from her eyes.
“Please, I don’t know what to do. I can’t stand against
Spike.”
She turned to William and reached out to him.
William went to her willingly and wrapped his arms around
her.
Lizzie stared at him, her expression one of extreme misery.
“I can’t stand against him any more than I could stand
against you, William.”
Beta'd By
Spikeslovebite
Choices
Lizzie sat at Dawn’s bedside.
She touched her face and kissed her on her forehead before
standing up to go.
“This is your greatest fear
isn’t it?” Dawn asked quietly.
Lizzie looked at her sister.
“What do you mean?”
Dawn sat up in her bed,
hugging her knees. “You’re going to have to choose between
them. You know that right?” At her sisters nod, she lay
back down and closed her eyes. “You do what you have to do,
Lizzie. I trust you.” Dawn said closing her eyes.
Lizzie felt a tear roll down
her cheek. She closed the door and walked down the stairs.
William was waiting for her in the living room, alone.
“Where’s Giles?” she asked.
“He’s in the study. I swear
you can hear him cleaning his glasses from here,” William
teased.
Lizzie smiled. “Will, I have
to go.”
William crossed his arms. “To
the mansion?” he asked in a carefully emotionless tone. His
heart was breaking. Spike was back and Lizzie was still his
mate. The bites on her neck proved it. She would leave him
again.
“No.”
William’s head snapped up. Her
denial rang in his ears. No?
“I’m going back to my crypt,”
Lizzie replied.
William tried not to be
relieved. He tried not to feel hope but he couldn’t help it.
Lizzie was not returning to Spike. “Right then, I will walk
you back.” To his shock Lizzie did not protest. She simply
nodded and walked toward the door.
***
They walked in silence,
neither of them saying a word, yet their thoughts consumed
the air around them.
Lizzie looked up at William.
“He doesn’t want me to return to him,” Lizzie said sadly.
William stopped walking.
“What?” He asked, shocked.
Lizzie shook her head. “He
said it wouldn’t be right.”
William took a deep breath and
begun to walk again. “Because of your soul,” he deduced.
When she nodded, he tried not to be enraged by his twin’s
callousness but he couldn’t help it. “So, what? He just
takes a chunk out of you to prove a point?” he spat out.
She looked up at him in
misery, tears misting her eyes.
Instantly he felt ashamed.
“I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered, stopping again and resting
a tender hand on her cheek.
“You have nothing to be sorry
for,” Lizzie said.
William pulled her close and
buried his face in her hair, a shudder wracking his body.
“I’m not going to lie to you, Lizzie. I was happy. Actually,
I was overjoyed when you told me you weren’t going back to
him. I thought I was going to lose you to him again.” A
heavy sigh escaped him and he looked down at the ground.
“But still, I can’t have you. Not like this.”
Lizzie nodded. “You feel you
would have won by default.”
“When he was alive I was
always in his bloody shadow. It never bothered me until you.
When he got you, it nearly killed me,” William said.
Lizzie fiddled with her hands.
“I know. Dawnie said something to me earlier. She said this
was my greatest fear. That I would have to chose between the
two of you. She was right. I can’t, Will. I never have been
able to. I’m selfish. I love you both so much.” Lizzie said.
He hugged her tightly. “I
know. Different but the same. I get that. I never thought
you would have to either. Before, I could take it. I
understood. You loved Spike. But now, Lizzie, I have seen
the look in your eyes when you see me. I have felt your
love. I don’t think I can walk away. I can’t be noble not
this time Lizzie. I will fight for you if I have to.”
William swore.
Lizzie closed her eyes. “You
can’t fight something that’s not there to fight. Spike
backed off.”
William pulled back. “I’m not
talking about Spike, Lizzie. I’m talking about you,” he
explained.
Lizzie looked at him confused.
“You’re going to have to
figure this all out. Figure out what you truly want. Until
then I will be here. I will be your best friend. We’ll
continue to fight the good fight shoulder to shoulder. One
day, when you are ready to chose, I will be here.” William
said.
Lizzie brushed away her tears.
“I don’t deserve your loyalty.”
“Yes you do. You deserve that
and so much more,” he smiled, pressing his face to her hair
once more. He tried to be strong. He tried to not be afraid.
He tried to tell himself whatever her decision was, he would
accept it. But a part of him secretly feared her decision.
He couldn’t lose her.
Not again...
***
Spike looked around his
bedroom. The minions had laid out some of the dark princess’
things, thinking he would return with her. When she didn’t
none of them dared question him. They saw the fresh bite
marks on his neck, so there was no doubt that she was still
his one and only mate, but they did not know what to make of
the situation.
He sat at the edge of the bed.
Their bed. They had spent hours here. The memories played in
his head. All the nights he spent watching over her, trying
to make deals with whoever would listen to him to make her
better. He chuckled to himself then roared at the ceiling.
“Got a sense of humor don’t ya! Do the only thing I ever
asked for just to take it away!” He screamed.
Trembling, he touched the
white night gown and took in its scent. It smelt like
her...He closed his eyes, remembering her so sick, so lost,
so confused.
Spike crawled up the bed. The
same bed they had made love in night after night. He curled
up into a ball and began to sob. “She can’t be with you
Mate. Get over it you ponce,” he thought to himself.
He was the Master of the
Hellmouth. He would go on. Somehow without her, he would.
Spike knew he was lying to
himself. He needed her. He craved her like he craved blood.
He knew there was no way he could be without her, but he had
to try.
He didn’t have a choice....
Chapter Ten
Beta'd By Spikeslovebite
A Mate’s Call
“DUCK!!!”
Lizzie did as Oz told her. She
ducked, watching a fledgling soar above her only to be met
with the pointy end of Xander’s stake.
She looked to make sure
William was all right. He had been fighting two vamps and
was down to one.
They were out all the time
now; new fledglings trying to gain favor with the Master.
None of them ever made it back to the mansion. Spike only
seemed to send out the ones that he felt were too weak.
William was a bit insulted by
Spike’s actions.
Lizzie however knew what Spike
was doing. He was protecting her. If anyone strong enough to
return found out the Master’s mate was fighting against
them, it would be the end of her.
A vampire that had gotten hold
of Anya. Lizzie ran towards them and launched herself onto
it. She rolled with the creature and came up with dust
swirling around her. She looked around and saw a vampire
using Oz’s battle axe to choke him. “Lizzie help him!” She
heard Willow say in her head. She ran toward Willow and Oz,
grabbing the vampire from behind and sending it reeling
towards William.
William spun around striking
it from behind. He hit the last fledgling he was fighting
with and staked him quickly.
Oz ran to retrieve his axe
then took Willow in his arms.
Xander caught his breath as
Anya ran up to him. “That was fun,” he said.
Willow hugged Oz tightly.
“There were a lot of them this time.”
All the scoobies nodded, but
Xander said what they all thought. “Makes you wonder what’s
going on in there,” he said, looking at the mansion in the
distance. Everyone stood in silence for a moment trying to
think of something to say.
