To Live Again
By Always_jbj
(AU set approx 125 years after the beginning of Axis) NC-17
Great thanks to my lovely and wonderful Beta Oracleholly
*BSV Note*
This is the sequel to Axis of Love, but it is not Spuffy. Please give it a
chance, I don't think you'll be disappointed!
Chapter1
She tried to fight him off, to kick or shove him, but he was so strong. His arms were like a vice as he pinned her to the ground. As his head lowered to her neck, she knew it was over, Slayers only had a limited life expectancy; however, she had hoped for more, longer than her 18 years. Still she fought as his face descended, shaking her head from side to side trying to prevent the bite she knew was coming.
“Hush pet, be a good girl and lie still,” he purred, “not gonna hurt you, just want a taste.”
He pressed his face against her pinning her head to the side and exposing her throat. With surprising gentleness his fangs slid through the tender skin of her neck, moaning softly in appreciation as he allowed her racing heart to pump the precious blood into his mouth and down his throat.
Moments later, he licked gently at the wound healing it, having placed a soft kiss on her neck he murmured, “thanks luv, been a while since I’ve had the good stuff.” With that he was gone. Slowly she raised herself from the ground, limbs trembling, she was alive, why, how, she didn’t know, she didn’t care.
Slightly dazed she made her way back to the tenuous safety of her deceased Watchers’ apartment.
*****************
He had seen her from the shadows and watched her fighting. Her fluid grace and beauty tugged at his heart, conjuring images from a time which seemed both an eternity ago and yet mere moments… images of a beautiful slayer, golden and delicate, his heart, his love, his life. GONE! The familiar surge of grief and longing filled him as he watched this young slayer dance.
She was tiny like his love, ash blonde hair shining in the moonlight, golden skin gleaming. He had seen many slayers in the 65 years since his love’s passing. They were all amazing fighters, but none till this one had reminded him of her, none till this one had held him entranced. None till this one had even come close to the strength and power of his girl.
Before he knew what he was doing he had made his way out into the open, to dance with a slayer. She was good, but still so new to her calling that the dance didn’t last long. Without thought he had pinned her to the ground holding her there with ease even as she continued to fight and thrash not giving in even though she was clearly beaten. She was amazing in a way no slayer had been since her. He had watched so many of them, but never spoken to them, never let them know he was there, not one had known how close they had been to a Master vampire with the death of two slayers under his belt, the death of two and the infinite love of one.
He swallowed the lump of anguish which rose in his throat and suddenly knew what he hungered for, what he hadn’t tasted in 65 years, slayer’s blood. Ambrosia to his kind, imbuing the drinker with strength and power, a few mere mouthfuls enough to stave off hunger for days. Speaking gentle words in an effort to calm the terrified girl beneath him, he lowered his head allowing his fangs to slide gently through warm soft skin, a moan sounding and his eyes closing as the delicious, warm powerful nectar filled his mouth and slid down his throat.
Tears sprang to his eyes as he gently licked the wound closed, he placed a soft kiss on the girls throat and mumbled some obscure words of thanks before releasing her and fleeing at full speed, not caring where he was going as long as it was away! Some time later, he wasn’t sure how much time had passed or how long he had been running, he came to an exhausted halt. Dropping to his knees on the hard surface of the pavement, heedless of his surroundings, a deep long keen sounded, his body shuddering with the agonized sobs that engulfed him.
Hours later as the approaching sunrise breached his agonized mind he stumbled to his feet, making his way without error towards his hotel and the welcome oblivion of sleep.
*********************
Days and nights passed, time spent exploring this new town. It was a small satellite town, which had risen over the last 20 years, 100 kilometres or so west of the outskirts of Brisbane and its surrounding cities.
Australia, like most countries over the last century had grown upwards, nearly all Newtowns and cities were being built inland, in the more harsh and rugged terrain, leaving the lush coastal lands for farming and grazing. Many of the previous outer fringes of the once sprawling cities had been reclaimed by the government years ago for food production. The populace choosing either to move to the newer satellite towns called Newtowns with their smaller apartment blocks and continued surface living to the west, or into the ever increasing concrete jungles reaching high above the skyline and more recently far below the surface of the older cities.
These interconnected towering masses of concrete and steel, which meant most people never needed to touch the outside air throughout the course of their lives, formed a safe haven and virtual playground for the world’s vampires. Cities such as these had sprung up throughout the world. Such practices as cremation, which saved space previously taken over by graveyards, meant changes to the time-honoured methods of turning new vampires. Those being turned could no longer be left to rise from their graves but instead required the Sire to take the corpse of their would-be Childe to a safe haven to await their rising. Movement however was no longer restricted to hours of darkness only. The artificial lighting, while still supplying the vitamin D required by humans, did not imitate sunlight close enough to be harmful to vampires, and the food supply was more than plentiful.
Sirius however was a Newtown with paved footpaths and roads, grass and trees, and businesses out in the bright sunlight and fresh air. It even had an old fashioned graveyard as well as the usual indoor crematorium memorial gardens typical of the big cities. Here children played in the parks and streets, travelled to school on the government provided electric buses, listened to the birds sing and rain fall. The citizens had the option of either walking the streets or using the free public electric buses, in some cases electric cars that were made available upon request to individuals for temporary use.
Spike explored, learning the best haunts for the local vampire population, seeking out the demon bars and seedy underlife that forms wherever civilisation occurs. When he spotted a vampire he removed it, a duty he carried on for those who were no more, no longer revelling in the violence, however welcoming its relief.
Wherever he travelled in the world he fought against the forces of evil, forces of which he was once a member. The fight had once been a joy. A shared dance with a partner who anticipated his moves before he made them, a partner who’s grace and beauty, who’s strength and power left him awestruck every time. Now he fought her fight for her as he knew this is what she would want, he fought for her, for her Watcher and friends who had become his friends, for her sister who was like a daughter to them both, for their memory, for their descendants.
Time moved on and loved ones passed leaving behind flesh and blood reminders of the lives they had lived, he had watched their children grow, some he had even held in his arms, tossed high in the air and caught up again in strong hands that never faltered. After she passed he stopped visiting, he would watch over them, guard them from dangers, cherish their joys, and ache for their hurts but he left them alone, left them to live their lives.
But as years passed children grew, married and had children of their own. All of those he had once been close to were gone now, and it was for them he continued to fight, continued the work they had dedicated their lives to. Travelling constantly, not staying in one place for more than a year or two then moving on to a new destination, a new threat.
It was this, which had brought him within close proximity to the majority of the slayers to be called since his love’s death. He had helped them without their knowledge; taking out threats where he found them, doing what he could to aid their cause. He had not however taken it upon himself to guard these slayers. No, he did what he could whilst he was there, and then he left.
Slayers lived short brutal lives. He had learnt the lesson years ago that attachments to humans caused nothing but pain, so he kept his loved ones in his heart and moved through this world with their company alone.
Chapter2
Three nights passed before he spotted the slayer again. She was fighting two vampires in a graveyard on the town’s outskirts. He watched as she spun and kicked, punched and staked, taking first one, then the other in swirling clouds of dust. As she turned to continue on through the grave markers he struck, turning her around and pinning her against a large overshadowing tree.
He pressed against her controlling her furious struggles as he spoke softly in her ear. “Easy now little one, don’t wanna hurt you, you know that, but if you keep that up you are gonna get hurt by accident. C’mon now pet, settle down and I’ll be gone in a few minutes.” He raised one hand and gently stroked the hair from her eyes. Her large blue eyes stared up at him from beneath ash blonde locks, eyes that though frightened also regarded him with confusion and no small measure of undisguised ire.
Tilting his head to the side he tried again to reassure her, “not gonna hurt you luv, just keep still, give me a sip and I’ll be on my way.”
He felt the tension in her body lessen slightly, and he gently tipped her head to the side allowing him access to her slender neck. He fastened gently on her pulse, lipping and nuzzling, savouring the scent and feel of her blood raging just below the surface. His faced changed and with the greatest of care he allowed his razor sharp fangs to pierce her skin, the blood pouring into his mouth. Slipping back to his human face he drank slowly, relishing the taste and force of her blood. After a few mouthfuls he pulled back, licking tenderly to close and heal the wound his vampire saliva doing its job to leave no trace of the laceration on her fine golden skin.
“Keep safe little one”, he whispered against her neck as he gently nuzzled once more before turning and leaving a once again stunned and disbelieving slayer in his wake.
Moving off into the shadows he turned and watched as the slayer drew a deep breath, calming overwrought nerves before drawing herself up and continuing on her way. She really was amazing, a true warrior just like his Golden Goddess.
He found himself shadowing her on her rounds, guarding her back. He told himself it was only fitting seeing as he had fed from her and thus left her weakened and vulnerable. Even though he knew from many years experience that the few mouthfuls he took had no detrimental effect at all on the slayer despite the enormous beneficial effect on him.
At the end of the night he watched as she made her way into a small dingy apartment block in the cheaper part of town. Despite her run in with the evil bloodsucking fiend she had remained on top of her game and brought down another five vampires through the course of the night. Spike had watched every spin and punch, glorying in her dance, whilst aching deep inside for his absent dance partner.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he reminisced on how he had loved to dance with her, fighting against her or alongside her, both were experiences of such delight and joy. Sometimes he thought he missed that, fighting with her, as much as holding her, kissing her tenderly, making love to her or waking up with her lovely warm body wrapped safe in his arms. A sob shuddered through him before he forced himself to control and made his way once again towards his hotel.
********************
He looked around his new apartment. He had decided upon staying in Sirius for a while at least and the hotel, whilst comfortable enough was not convenient for anything more than short term accommodation. So, he had rented an apartment in one of the nicer parts of town.
It was fully furnished with good quality, comfortable antique furniture, a large timber cabinet housed a plasma screen behind its folding doors and the kitchen was beautifully appointed. He loved to cook, probably because he loved food and cooking was not one of the Slayer’s strong points, so after Joyce’s passing he had taken control of the kitchen. With Dawn’s assistance initially, and then as he discovered he was really quite adept it had become solely his domain.
It also had undercover access to one of the town’s larger shopping centres giving him greater freedom to move about during the daylight hours. At almost 300 years old he required very little sleep. Sometimes he found the long days dragged by very slowly. At those times he found any activity, even if it was just a walk through garishly presented shops that he had absolutely no interest in, was far better than pacing backwards and forwards in his own lounge room or wallowing in the memories that took full advantage of his forced inactivity to hold him hostage to their duel edged sword of delight and torture.
After 65 years you would think the pain would have lessened, but every day without her was a lesson in agony as much as every day with her had been a lesson in bliss. He did not begrudge the pain though, he considered it a fair price for the time they’d had and he would not trade one minute of his time with her to remove the pain her loss left behind.
There were times when he was sure he could feel her there. He would wake slowly, certain he felt her heart beating next to him, her warmth surrounding him, and his heart would swell with love. He would catch her scent at times floating on the air or be positive he heard the music of her laughter. She lived; whilst ever he lived she lived in his memories. In his heart, she would never truly be gone until he was dust. When he closed his eyes he could see her smile, watch the golden beauty of her hair as it floated around her, taste the sweetness of her lips, and hear her peaceful sigh as she settled back against his chest at the end of a day. He missed her, no amount of time could change that, nor as far as he was concerned should it!
So why did he find himself thinking about this new slayer, why did she conjure feelings of tenderness and concern? Why did he crave the taste of her blood, when for the last 65 years he had survived quite well on bagged blood from the butchers or, when he could find a source, bagged human blood? Why did her blazing blue eyes haunt him and why did he have to fight each night to keep from tracking her down.
**********************
Beth paced the small two-bedroom apartment she had shared with her Watcher that is until a vampire had killed her several weeks ago. Now more than ever she wished she were here, Melissa would help her try to make some sense of this vampire’s strange behaviour. He had easily overpowered her; he was the strongest vampire she had ever encountered. And yet once he had her at his mercy he didn’t kill her, he didn’t turn her; he just gently drank a few small mouthfuls of her blood then left. She had never heard of such a thing, never had Melissa mentioned such behaviour and despite having poured over her Watcher’s books, she had been unable to find mention of any vampire ever just using the slayer as his own private snack bar.
When he’d looked at her his eyes had appeared genuinely concerned, he had spoken soft words and his bite had been so gentle that there had been no pain at all, if anything his bite had been pleasurable, sensual. No, he was a vampire, she should NOT be thinking about how good his mouth had felt on her throat, or about his warm baritone voice or his incredibly strong body pressed against her. No, these were definitely NOT things a slayer was supposed to think about a vampire! He’d told her to keep safe, what was that all about? Why was he behaving in such an unvampire like manner?
She tried to put thoughts of the vampire out of her mind, however her mind was not in the mood for cooperating. Instead she found herself going over details, the soft short dark golden blonde curls, the startlingly blue eyes, the chiselled cheekbones, the full soft sensual lips and how they felt gently pressed against her throat. Ok, this was not good, she had to find something, anything to take her mind off the black clad vampire and how sexy and dangerous he looked with his leather coat flapping around his legs. Picking up one of her late Watcher’s books on demon lore she sat down to do some study, hoping the exercise would rid her mind of the unwanted thoughts and images!
A couple of hours later, giving up on study as an effective means of diversion she decided to go do some training instead. Making her way across town to the small dojo that had belonged to Melissa before her death, she let herself in and began her warm up exercises once again feeling her Watcher’s absence keenly. Working herself hard, as she poured herself into her training routine her mind for the first time in the last couple of weeks was free from thoughts of the mysterious British vampire.
Chapter 3
She felt the tingle along her spine only seconds before he struck. However, this time she was ready for him. When he pinned her to the ground, she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist holding him to her. As she felt his fangs gently pierce her flesh, her senses were overwhelmed by the incredibly sensual feeling of him feeding gently, taking long slow pulls of her exquisite slayer blood. She whimpered quietly with loss as he stopped feeding and made to leave her.
Beth grabbed fistfuls of his duster, tightening her arms, "Not yet... not going anywhere... tell me your name," she whispered softly, "please."
She felt him stiffen in her arms, his muscles tensing to overpower her resistance and tear himself out of her arms.
"I'm trying to ask nicely here...please tell me your name," she repeated, gently requesting he comply but following it up with a squeeze. “You’re not leaving until you tell me!”
He grinned. She had fire this one; he liked that! Relaxing in her arms, he lowered his head and burrowed back into her warm sweet neck, gently resuming his nuzzling and nipping.
“Now why would you want to know that, luv?” He purred against her skin.
“Well I think if we are going to have a standing dinner date every week or so that I should at least know your name, don’t you?”
He chuckled at that; she really did have something this one, she was a hell of a fighter, bloody beautiful and she had spirit!
“I’ll tell you what luv, you tell me your name an’ then I’ll tell you mine!”
“Oh I see, I show you mine and you’ll show me yours! Isn’t that a little childish?” She laughed at him.
“Mmmm probably, but I like to play games.” He nuzzled against her neck again, and smiled as a shiver ran through her body at his action. She was just so delightful; bugger it, he never had been able to refuse a request from a beautiful lady.
“Spike! My name’s Spike, luv. Now what do they call you, little one?”
“Beth.”
He turned to look at her, “Nice name, luv, that would be short for Elizabeth wouldn’t it?”
“Yeah, it was my great-great grandmother’s name or something. Spike? What kind of name is Spike?”
“Well it’s not the one my Mother gave me that’s for sure.” He laughed again. He couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed so freely. It had certainly been before Buffy died. How did this lovely little slayer make him feel this way? She was not his slayer; he should NOT be having these feelings for her. He should not be enjoying being here, wrapped in her warm, strong arms. But, oh God, how her body felt beneath him! He moaned softly and buried his face once more in the fragrant delight of her beautiful golden neck.
“Spike?” She ventured quietly, releasing her tight hold on him with one hand, she reached to gently stroke the soft dark gold curls. “What is it? Why….”
She felt a sob against her throat as the vampire momentarily buried his face deeper, before his body tensed and he made to flee. “No…you’re not leaving, not until I get some answers.” She tightened her arms again, grabbing him close to her.
He turned his face to glare at her and as he did their lips brushed, the slightest whisper of a caress, a featherlike touch that sent shocks of desire racing through their bodies. A quiet whimper of longing escaped before he could stop it, his body pressing closer, aching for the intimacy of a lover’s touch. Her lips brushed his once more, gently teasing, tasting, as her hand came up to cup his face, her thumb stroking the sharp planes of his cheek.
With a growl of desire he leant in, deepening the kiss, his tongue asking for, and receiving, permission to enter her mouth. As their tongues gently caressed, his hands moved slowly along her body, exploring her firmly muscled curves. His mouth caught her gasps of pleasure as his capable hands sought out and found her more sensitive regions. As desire grew their kiss lost its tenderness, tongues fought for dominance, lips smashed hungrily against each other. Eventually Beth was forced to pull away gasping for air while lamenting the loss of contact with his delicious, skilful mouth.
The vampire pulled away, just far enough that he could look into his lover’s face; she was flushed with desire, her blue eyes burning with lust. A fresh wave of desire coursed through him and he moved to plunder her mouth once more. In time they parted again, air a necessity for the slayer and a longstanding habit for the vampire.
They held each other close, bodies pressed together, hands gently stroking and exploring, faces buried in each other’s necks as time flowed around them, it may have been minutes or maybe hours before Spike gently disengaged himself from the slayer’s arms.
Beth moaned softly, protesting the sudden loss of contact.
“S’all right pet, c’mere.” he held his hand out to the girl still lying on the grass. As she took his hand he gently helped her to her feet, pulling her close against him for another kiss. Beth melted against his strong body, his kisses stealing her strength, her will and her reason. Oh God, she had never known a kiss could be so amazing, so exhilarating and intoxicating. The world was a blur, and she had to mentally shake herself to try and concentrate on what he was saying to her.
“What? Sorry…I didn’t…” She murmured against his chest.
The vampire tilted his head sideways, “ You alright luv?”
“Yeah, I just didn’t hear what you said.” She looked up at him, gazing into his eyes, the ocean meeting the sky as her ice blue eyes locked with his deep dark sapphire.
“I asked you if you want to come back to my place pet?” His voice was thick with longing.
She nodded, arms tightening as she burrowed closer against the beautiful body of this very unusual vampire.
“ You sure about this luv, it’s ok if you’re not. Just tell me now. Don’t want you changing your mind later.”
“No, no… I mean yes I‘m sure. No I won’t change my mind.”
Turning, he wrapped his arm around the petite girl at his side, holding her close to him as he led her through the night.
tbc
Thanks to Oracleholly for her fantastic beta’ing
Huge Thanx to Patti for stepping in and beta’ing this chap for me while RL kept my lovely beta OracleHolly otherwise occupied.
Spike looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms. She was snuggled close to his side, her breathing deep and even, peaceful. He smiled to himself at the thought. A slayer sleeping serenely in the arms of a master vampire; something the council of watchers, even the new improved version, would shudder at the thought of. He was probably the only vampire ever to have loved a slayer. Now, as he watched the beautiful young girl so trustingly curled around him he wondered, was he falling in love with another?
The Slayer had been sleeping in his bed for several weeks now. They had fallen into an easy routine. He patrolled with her at night and she would come back to his place afterwards, where they would love each other for hours, slow and sweet, until they would fall asleep exhausted in each others arms. In the morning hours she would leave him, kissing him gently before making her way back into the sunlit world and home. Her days were spent studying or training; his alternating between contemplating the joys he found in his lover’s arms and the deep guilt and sense of betrayal he felt for finding joy there.
Her touch was so soothing, innocent and without guile. They never spoke of feelings of any sort. She seemed to know instinctively that to do so would cause her lover to close down, to shy away from the modicum of peace she offered.
Spike watched her as she slept, satisfyingly replete from their earlier exertions, her hand curling gently against his chest. His body ached for her warmth, for her gentle loving touch. It felt so good being touched again, to feel her hot little hands sliding over his body, to taste her kisses, so shy and yet so giving. He felt his body respond to his thoughts and he contemplated whether to wake Beth, or let her continue to sleep.
The decision was made for him as her gentle breathing, and the rhythmic beat of her heart lulled him to sleep. Her scent floated around him like a cloud, reassuring him in his slumber as he cuddled her pliant body closer to his, wrapping her warmth around him, blanketing himself in her presence as he drifted ever deeper.
*************
The warm light surrounded her; her hair blew gently on the soft breeze, the sunrise playing colours through its long golden tresses. She smiled gently and reached out to cup his face; her hand was warm and tender as she stroked the sharp line of his cheekbone. All her love was evident in her touch, in her eyes as they shone brightly with unshed tears; not tears of sorrow, he knew that. Somehow, deep inside, he knew that the bright offerings glistening in her eyes were formed of untold depths of love and joy. His breath caught, as her touch burned deep into his being. He yearned for more. Yearned to take her in his arms and crush her to him, to hold her for eternity and whisper forever his meagre words of devotion.
Her voice stilled him, her smiles and laughter echoing in melodious tones, all her happiness and peace apparent to the ears of one who loved her beyond life, beyond reason. He knew her as he knew no other, she was his mate, his love, his existence, the time that had passed since he last looked upon her face, last heard her voice, could have been mere moments, his recollection of her every nuance as clear and sharp as ever.
He fought to focus, to concentrate on the words she spoke to him, his breath came in ragged gasps, his heart, he swore, was pounding in his chest, as his eyes flooded with the reality of her presence.
“Spike. Shh my love, it’s ok baby. Everything is ok.” Her smile lit him from the inside, filling him with radiance and awe. She stepped forward, closing the remaining distance between them and holding him fast against her. He was assaulted with her presence, her scent, her feel, the warmth of her body, the strength of her, the sensory memory of countless nights of pleasure spent in her arms. His legs gave way, as he dropped helplessly to his knees, her name a whispered prayer on his lips and silent tears fell unheeded down his cheeks. He burrowed his head into her, his face burying itself in the softness of her stomach as his grief poured itself out. Her fingers softly stroked and toyed with the dark golden curls at the nape of his neck as she murmured soothing words to her stricken mate.
After a while his desperate clutch on her lessened, his arms loosened and the steady flow of tears slowed. She gently pried his arms from around her and sank to her knees to press against his chest. Her face snuggled in to the strong chest of her lover, her arms holding him fast in their loving embrace as he buried his face in the silken flow of her golden mane, nuzzling gently. When he had calmed enough she raised her caring green eyes to his red rimmed blue, willing him to see the boundless love displayed there for him alone.
“Shh love, it’s alright Spike. Everything is alright. Hush now baby, I don’t have a lot of time, and there is so much I need to tell you.” Her voice was gentle, but firm as she tried to relay the urgency of her request.
“Buffy, luv. You’re here? This isn’t a dream, pet?”
“Yes and no baby. I’m here, but you are dreaming. This was the only way I could come to you my love and I don’t have long. There is so much I need to accomplish tonight.”
She waited for him to take in the words she had spoken, before continuing, “Firstly my love, you need to know that it is alright to love. Just because you love another doesn’t mean you love me less. I will always love you; you know that, as I know that you will always love me. She will need your love and your strength. Be there for her Spike, completely, as you were for me. She is special, your Beth, she is the vessel by which the slayer line will be brought back to its strength. The strength that was lost when the line was divided. Do not be afraid to love, Spike, it is what you do best, it is who you are, it is the reason I love you so much.” Her eyes sought his, searching their cerulean depths before she leaned in slowly to gently press her lips to his. The kiss deepened, lips and tongues speaking a silent lament for the years of separation. All too soon they gently broke apart. “I have to go now baby; I will always love you, my darling, never forget that. Protect her Spike, and do not be afraid to love her.”
A lone tear traced its way down her cheek as she pulled gently from her mate’s arms, stepping back and fading, melting into the rainbow colours of the rising sun.
***************
A beautiful young woman stepped out of the light towards her, her hair was long and fell about her shoulders in showering waves of sunlight. She smiled reassuringly and Beth knew this girl was kin. She wasn’t sure how exactly, but she knew, somehow, that they shared a bond.
The young woman stepped closer. Raising her hand she gently stroked Beth’s cheek before reaching out and taking Beth’s hand in her own. She smiled again and the nervousness Beth felt faded with the surety in the other girl’s eyes.
“I’m Buffy, I was a slayer. We need to talk,” the woman insisted. At Beth’s nod of agreement she walked them over to where a small old-fashioned timber bench appeared. Still holding the younger girls hand Buffy sat, urging Beth to do the same. “You are a slayer, but you do not have the strength a slayer should have. The line was…diluted, Spike can explain it all to you; I don’t have a lot of time. The slayer line was to continue through Faith, her power was divided out and it was never again available in the strength it should be. I am here to give you... gifts; I suppose you could call them. The first gift is my power, it is mine to give freely to who ever I choose, my power was never passed down, not really… again, that is something Spike can explain. So I am giving my power to you. Use it to fight evil, but never forget that evil does not always take the face you may think. And that which we assume is evil, may not necessarily be so.” Buffy smiled gently at the young slayer in front of her before continuing on.
“The second gift I am here to give you, isn’t really mine to give.” Tears welled in her eyes and Buffy fought hard, controlling them and preventing their fall. Her voice caught as she spoke softly to the young girl she was about to entrust her lover’s heart to. “Love him well; he is the purest heart you will ever meet. His love is a precious gift that, once given, will never be withdrawn. Spike only knows one way to love, and that is completely; so be sure you understand that, and are certain that is what you want. I’m begging you, please, do not hurt him; do not break his heart because I cannot bear to see him hurting. He has been alone too long and I believe that you could show him happiness; you could lift the pain in his heart and teach him to love again. To live again.”
Beth looked at her predecessor in awe, “You, you are the reason he hurts so much? He loved you didn’t he?”
Buffy smiled at the memory of her love, and their life together, “We loved each other. We had a wonderful and happy life together, but I’m mortal, Spike isn’t. He needs to be loved; I think I’m right in thinking that you are already falling in love with him?” At the other girl’s slight nod Buffy gave a small smile, “I think he is falling in love with you too, but he has been worried that it was wrong, that it betrayed what we had together. I have tried to tell him that it is ok, that I want him to be happy; but he can be really stubborn sometimes. Stupid vampire. So I’m telling you, so you know… Spike loving you does not affect what he and I had together, nothing can. I want him to be happy, and I want you to be happy too.”
Taking the other girl’s hand and standing once more, Buffy led her to a soft patch of grass. They sank down to sit cross legged facing each other. “Now, time for business.” Buffy reached out and placed her fingers lightly on Beth’s temples. A warm glow began slowly where her fingertips rested, gradually expanding and growing stronger. They sat that way for some time, as the strength of Buffy’s slayer power flowed through her and into her sister slayer. Beth felt a force unlike anything she had ever known coursing through her, filling her and completing her. This was what a slayer was meant to be, this was what had been missing and for the first time since her calling she understood what it truly meant to be the Slayer.
Buffy removed her fingers from Beth’s face and smiled tenderly at the young girl. “I have to go now. I only had a short time I could be here and my time is gone now. Trust in your heart, trust in what you believe to be true, trust in Spike, and above all else, trust in yourself, for you alone are the Slayer.”
“Will I see you again?” Beth asked hopefully.
“I don’t think so, not for a long time anyway. But I’ll be with you, I’ll be with you both. In here,” she pointed to Beth’s heart, “and here.” She finished by reaching out to gently stroke the younger girl’s head, her smile sad, yet filled with hope and love. “Remember me, think of me and I will always be there. Tell Spike… tell him I’m happy, tell him, we all are.” With that she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on the young slayer’s forehead before slowly disappearing.
*****************
“Buffy!” Spike sat up, waking with a heart wrenching cry.
Beth awoke to the grief stricken, anguished call of her lover, to find him sitting up in bed, shaking uncontrollably. Moving to take him in her arms, she snuggled close to his back, gently stroking and soothing him, placing soft kisses against his skin. As his trembling lessened, she moved around his body so she could look into his tear rimmed eyes.
Reaching out a hand to gently stroke his face, she wiped away the tears that clung to the sharp angles of his cheekbones. For a creature so immensely strong and powerful, he looked so broken and vulnerable that her heart constricted in her chest, aching for him, for his pain and his grief; she wanted nothing more than to ease the hurt so clear upon his face.
Spike’s arms opened automatically, allowing the girl to slip onto his lap and wrap her arms around him, where she snuggled gently against his chest. As she looked up at him he saw the concern and compassion in her clear blue eyes and his heart twisted. It would be so easy to allow this lovely slip of a girl to love him, to allow himself to love her – and Buffy had told him it was alright to love again, hadn’t she?
Buffy! His arms ached for her, his lips longed for her; he had held her in his arms such a short while ago. It was only a dream, he knew that, but it had felt so real. It had been Buffy, he was sure of it! Her scent lingered, the taste of her kiss was still fresh on his lips.
His feelings were ripping him apart. How could he be longing so dearly for his love, his Buffy; and at the same time be aching to love the sweet girl in his arms? Dipping his head in anguish he buried his face in the crook of Beth’s neck, seeking comfort in her warmth, in the clean, sunshine scent of her. He felt her fingers gently wind through the curls on the back of his neck. So lost in his own thought he did not hear her properly, when she spoke quietly.
“What was that, pet?” he asked, breathing the words against her skin.
“I said, she is beautiful, your Buffy, she is so beautiful!”
Drawing back to look at her, he tilted his head slightly and raised his scarred eyebrow in inquiry. “That she is love, but how is it that you would know that, or even her name for that matter?” His voice was quiet, but with a cold, hard edge to it.
“I was talking to her, just now, she…she came to me in my dream, she gave me something, and told me some things. She is beautiful, and I can see why you love her. She loves you very much, you know that don’t you?” She spoke quietly, gently stroking him, wanting him to know that she was here for him, but not wanting to pressure him. The last thing she wanted was to chase him away, by trying to hold on too fast.
“She came to you, an’ you say she gave you something, pet? What type of something?”
“Slayer power. I don’t understand exactly, she said you would be able to explain it to me, something about the gift being shared or divided or something like that. Anyway she said her gift was hers to pass on to who she choose, and she gave it to me. It is incredible Spike, I’ve never felt so strong and so complete, like this is how I was meant to be… do you understand what I’m saying?” She looked up at him, hopeful blue eyes shining. “She also told me that it was ok to love you, that it was ok for us to love each other.”
His breath caught and he started to pull away. As he did, he saw her eyes brim with tears which she fought valiantly to contain. Without thinking, he stopped and gathered her into his arms, unwilling and unable to cause her further pain. His hands gently stroked her back, as she burrowed her face into his chest.
After a few moments Beth, pulled back to look up into his eyes, “Spike?” She quietly enquired.
“Ah, luv, don’t. Don’t ask me for more than I can give. What we’ve got is good, init, pet?”
“What we’ve got? What have we got Spike?” she slipped out of his arms and pulled her jeans on, grabbing her shirt she looked sadly at the vampire still seated on the bed. When he touched her she couldn’t think straight. Her feelings for him had been growing at an alarming rate and even though she knew she could not expect the same in return, his distance still hurt. Continuing quietly she asked. “Well? We fuck… that’s it… right? That’s all this is to you? That’s all it will ever be?”
She pulled her shirt on over her head and cast around looking for her shoes.
“I’m sorry Spike. I just need to know if this will ever be anything more to you than just a roll in the hay. I’m not asking for your undying love, I just…”
“Buf… Beth, luv, don’t, c’mon lets just calm down.” Spike winced inwardly and climbed out of bed. He pulled his jeans on and moved to take her in his arms. His arms closed on the empty air which only moments before had held the Slayer.
She threw him a look of pure slayer venom as she attempted to hide the hurt that had flashed through her. Her eyes shot daggers as she dared him to say anything more.
She scooped and picked up her shoes, ignoring the twinge inside that told her she did not want to hurt him, did not want to add to the depth of pain she saw everytime she looked into his beautiful blue eyes.
“You know what your problem is Spike? You’re dead… that’s what it is.”
“Well yeah, in case you didn’t get the memo… vampire!!!” Spike drawled at the tiny girl currently facing him down.
“Yeah… you’re a vampire… strangely enough I got that. That’s not what I mean, and don’t pretend to be so stupid that you don’t know what I do mean! Yes, Buffy is dead, and yes, you love her, I know that, I understand that… really I do. But, you didn’t die, Spike… so why did you stop living? Ok… look, I just can’t do this. You stay here and pine, you know where I live… look me up when you are interested in living your life, or unlife or whatever the hell you wanna call it, again.”
She turned away so as not to see the hurt and confusion so clearly written on his face.
As the blonde girl headed towards the door Spike realised that the last thing he wanted was to let her walk out that door. She was right, he had shut down, shut himself off completely from everyone and everything. He did not want to know the pain of losing a woman he loved, not again, but he also did not want to be alone anymore. He did not want to let this girl, no, woman, walk out of his life.
“Beth!” He’d watched in dismay as she ignored his call and continued to make her way toward the door and out into the early morning sunshine. With a burst of vampiric speed he had run after her, grabbed her around the waist and pulled her tightly into his embrace.
“Don’t go luv, please, I’m sorry.” He kissed her hair, held her warm body close to him and hoped fervently that she could forgive him. He felt her immediately tense in his arms and prepared to let go, when just as suddenly, she relaxed against him. He snuggled her closer to him, all the while planting soft kisses against her hair, “Beth, I… it’s so hard to let go...”
“You don’t have to let go Spike, that is what I was trying to tell you. I would never expect you to stop loving Buffy. I just ask that you allow me to love you, and maybe one day you might love me in return.” She turned in his arms to look up into the worried blue eyes gazing down at her, “Loving me, or being loved won’t mean you don’t love her, Spike. You can never stop loving her, and she asked me to tell you that she is happy and that she will always love you.” She watched the tears brim in his eyes, before her mouth was captured by his hungry kiss.
She melted into his kiss, her lips parting as his tongue gently probed, requesting admission. He drew her body closer to him and clung to her; the thought that she had been about to walk out of that door, and quite possibly out of his life, twisted in his gut like a knife. He knew, beyond doubt, that he cared for this tiny slip of a girl, that she had made a home in his heart despite his best efforts to keep her out. Spike lifted her into his arms and carried her back to their bed, his mouth never leaving hers.
As he lay her gently down, he sought her eyes with his, ‘Beth, ‘m not saying I love you, won’t say that till I can mean it luv, but I think I could love you, I think I very easily could love you, just, please, be patient with me. Can you do that?”
Beth reached out to cup his face gently, she lifted her head and pressed a tender kiss to his lips, “Of course I can. I’m not asking for any guarantees. I’m not saying we will fall in love with each other and live happily ever after, I just want you to allow for the possibility of it. Spike, I can’t and won’t compete with a ghost. I’m not Buffy, I will never be Buffy, and I would never want to take her place. I want to take my place. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yeah, pet, I do. I understand, an’ I’m sorry luv, I never meant to….”
“Shh… it’s ok.” She silenced him with a kiss, her hands moving to stroke the strong bare torso before her. She ran her fingers lightly across his smooth silky skin, one hand snaking behind his back to run down along the firm line of muscle to skim below the waist of his jeans, her fingers curling slightly to allow her nails to gently scrape. She was rewarded by a sharp intake of breath and a rapid hardening swell to the front of his jeans, her reward.
Spike’s hand moved to the hem of her shirt, lifting it fractionally to slide below, his cool fingers finding the warm soft swell of her naked breast. Gently teasing circles over her needy flesh, he slowly inched his way toward her aching nipple. Her sudden cry, as his seeking fingers found their mark, fuelled his own rapidly growing desire. He pinched her nipple slightly between his thumb and forefinger while lowering his body to settle between her legs.
His mouth once again sought hers for a deep, urgent kiss, tongues duelling as they moaned their need into each others mouths. His fingers increased their pressure on her nipple causing her to arch desperately into his body, seeking as much contact as possible as she ground her hips to rub longingly against his straining errection.
Ripping open his fly, Beth pushed the soft, worn jeans as far down his slim hips as she could reach. He quickly shimmied the rest of the way out of them, breaking contact with her for as little time as possible; at the same time his free hand worked her fly. He knelt, rapidly pulling her jeans down and off, leaving her clad only in her thin, white t shirt.
As he came to rest once more between her legs, he lowered his head to capture her mouth in another searing kiss, even as she hooked her leg behind his back, pulling him to her while lifting her hips to meet him. He paused only fractionally to settle himself at her entrance, her scorching wet heat calling to him, he thrust sharply, filling her and crying out in pleasure as she surrounded him, her own cries echoing his.
He marvelled at how urgent their need still was, when they had already spent most of the night loving each other, slowly and tenderly. This time however the need was urgent, the slow sensual loving they had engaged in so far would not suffice.
Sliding his arm under her back he gathered her closer to him as his hips began a pounding rhythm. He ran kisses from her mouth, along her jaw to her neck, licking and sucking sharply along the way. As he reached his mark he licked long slow strokes, savouring the taste and sensation of her blood as it pumped below the surface. Her cries increased in need and her strong slayer muscles tightened around his aching cock. With a moan of ecstasy he slipped his fangs into her throat, taking long pulls of the warm delectable blood as wave upon wave of pleasure flooded their bodies, leaving them exhausted and happily sated.
Rolling to his side, he pulled her close against his chest, sheltering her in his comforting embrace as they drifted off together into a much needed, peaceful slumber.
tbc
Thanks to AmyB for the quick read through. **hugs**
Chapter 5
They had made their way across town to the small flat that Beth had shared with her Watcher. Spike, now that he had admitted—to both himself and to her—that she was important to him and that he wanted her in his life, had convinced her to gather up her things and anything of her watcher’s that she wanted to keep and move in with him. It made sense; she spent more time at the vampire’s than she did in the sad, lonely little flat anyway.
Sorting through the watcher’s belongings had been difficult; Beth felt responsible for the older woman’s death, feeling that if she had been with her, if she hadn’t allowed her watcher to travel the streets alone after dark... She quickly dashed away the tear before it could continue its journey down her cheek; not quickly enough, however, to prevent her vampire from noticing the slight salty tang of tears on the air. Spike replaced the book that he had been looking at and moved to kneel behind her, wrapping his arms around her and gently pulling her back against his chest, stroking her hair in silent support.
“I should have been there.” Beth leaned back further into her lover’s chest, his arms tightening around her as he nuzzled softly against her neck while he waited for her to continue. “I was sleeping over a friend’s place for the night; we were just VR’ing. Mel had told me to go, that she would patrol for me. She wanted to let me have a night off… to go and have some fun with a friend. And it got her killed.” She stifled the sob that tried to form, knowing that if she allowed herself to cry for her watcher—the woman who had raised her from childhood, ever since her parents’ death—that she wouldn’t be able to stop.
“Hush, pet. No. ‘s not your fault, luv. Not your fault.” Placing gentle kisses against her hair, Spike soothed the girl in his arms. One thing that had remained consistent throughout time was a slayer’s ability to take responsibility for every bad thing that happened, feeling every death and injury as if they alone were personally responsible. So much weight was placed on such young, and generally tiny, shoulders. He held her, rocking and soothing her until he felt the tension slowly leave her body. Turning her in his arms so that she sat across his lap, her arms automatically snaking up and around his neck, he sought her lips in a soft tender kiss. “Listen to me, Beth. You are not responsible for every life on the planet. You can only do so much, kitten, an’ what you do is amazing. People die. Your watcher could just as easily have died that night whether you were there or not.” A shudder wracked her tiny frame as she fought once more to hold the unshed grief inside her. “C’mon, luv, its ok… let it out. Just let it all out.” He held her close as she finally dissolved into tears, spending her grief for the woman who had raised and trained her, the woman who had taught her how to be a slayer, how to kill his kind, in the strong, protective arms of her vampire lover.
Gathering her closer Spike held her, stroking her hair and murmuring soft, soothing words as he rocked her gently. He allowed her to cry, to let out all the grief she had held tightly inside of her in the months since her watcher’s death. More importantly he allowed her to let go of the guilt that had plagued her. Eventually she drifted to sleep in his arms, her tears finally spent. He held her close until the tremors which shook her tiny frame ceased, until her breathing evened and her heart settled into a slow, steady rhythm, and then he picked her up and carried her to the couch. Laying her down gently, he removed his coat and covered her with it before returning to work.
*****
When Beth woke hours later, Spike had sorted through most of the books; the watcher’s private journals he had separated into one small pile, and the official Watcher’s Diaries into another. All the demonology, spell craft and other useful books he had packed away into boxes for easy transport. Rubbing her sore, tear-burned eyes, Beth gathered the coat closer around her, breathing deeply to immerse herself in the unique, comforting scent of her vampire. “Spike?”
“Feeling better, pet?” He dusted his hands off on his jeans as he made his way over to the couch to capture her lips in a slow, gentle kiss.
“Hmm… uhh? Oh, yeah… definitely better.” She smirked evocatively at him before snaking her hand around his neck to pull him close for a deep, passionate kiss, smiling against his mouth at his resulting longing moan. Beth broke the kiss off, pulling back to look at him and reaching up gently stroked his cheek. “You’ve certainly been busy while I was sleeping. Thank you. You didn’t have to, you know.” She smiled gratefully at him.
Spike returned her smile, his blue eyes twinkling happily as he nuzzled into her hand and then stood up, taking her hands and bringing her with him, “’s nothing, pet. You needed the sleep. I only sorted the books. Separated her private journals for you, thought you might wanna read ‘em. Everything else is up to you, pet. I’ll help you if you want… but figured you’d probably wanna be doin’, you know, her private stuff yourself.”
The smile on Beth’s face faded as she stared at the door leading to her watcher’s bedroom. Spike stood silently watching as the emotions played out on the girl’s face. He fought the urge to gather her into his arms with everything he had; he knew instinctively that this was something she needed to face alone, and his comfort, while welcome, would only serve to weaken her at a time when her strength was crucial.
Beth finally shook herself from her reverie; having come to a decision, she turned once more to face him. “I don’t think there is anything I want in there anyway; the things that meant the most to her, that, you know, sort of symbolise her… well, that would be her books, and her Dojo. And I have them, the rest… well, she wasn’t really into possessions. I think I remember a locket, she would take it out and look at it sometimes but it would make her sad. I might see if I can find it. But the rest can just stay here, I think.”
“Whatever you want, pet. An’ we can always come back for stuff some other time if you want.”
With a smile, she nodded, then squared her shoulders and headed into her watcher’s room to look for the little locket.
Spike busied himself packing the rest of the books neatly into boxes while he waited for her.
After some time Beth returned, studying a small silver locket that was covered in an intricate filigree pattern and hanging on a fine silver chain. She carefully opened the clasp to reveal on one side, a tiny photograph of a young girl, no more than four years old. She was all dressed up in what was obviously her best clothing, her hair falling in soft golden ringlets about her face; on the other side was a tiny wisp of hair, one small gold curl placed lovingly behind glass to be treasured for all time. Spike moved to stand behind her, catching her around the waist and pulling her back against his chest as he looked over her shoulder at the dainty little locket in his girl’s hands.
The sound of the door quickly opening broke them from their contemplation and as one they turned suspicious, enquiring gazes on the newcomer framed in the doorway.
A young man in his early to mid-twenties stood framed in the doorway. Despite the current high 30’s temperature and the sweltering humidity, he was dressed in a full three-piece grey suit, complete with a powder blue shirt and navy silk tie. There was something vaguely familiar in his strong features that tugged at Spike, a small tingle of recognition that he couldn’t quite place. He did, however, immediately recognise the man’s occupation, not that it took a rocket scientist to suss that out.
“Think your new watcher’s arrived, pet,” he drawled.
The man visibly started at being referred to as a watcher. “How would you..?” He switched his attention and instead looked intently at the young girl. “Your identity is supposed to be secret, young lady; did your previous watcher not make that clear to you?”
“Yes; in fact, Melissa made it perfectly clear to me.” Beth didn’t like the sneer when he referred to Mel; she also didn’t approve of being spoken to like she was twelve, and the tone of her voice was a clear indication to anyone with half a brain that a line was being crossed that it might be wisest not to even so much as approach. Spike barely controlled the snigger as the pompous fool not only crossed it, but barrelled over it full-steam bloody ahead.
“Well, obviously not clear enough. We shall have to remedy your apparent inability to obey orders.”
Beth blinked, slowly. Spike felt her stiffen in his arms and released his hold on her; no way was he stupid enough to stand in the way of a brassed-off slayer unless he had to. Moving with barely-controlled aggression, Beth encroached on the unsuspecting watcher until she was standing firmly in his space, drawing herself up to her full height of next-to-nothing, her jaw tensed as she lifted her chin, capturing and holding his eyes with her own she ground out slowly, “Let’s get one thing clear right now, so there are no further misunderstandings. I am the slayer, you are a watcher. There is no one living from whom I take orders. You are here to assist me, to do research and to help me train; you are not here to try to dictate to me in any way. If that is your intention, I suggest you get on the first shuttle back to London and leave me alone.”
There is nothing quite like the fury of a slayer; as a general rule they were rather petite, and yet their presence was amazing. A pissed-off slayer was a sight to behold, and Spike felt himself hardening as he watched her. The pompous twerp, however, was finally demonstrating some semblance of common sense as he rapidly shrank back into the doorframe, swallowing hard against the lump of fear in his throat caused by this tiny girl who didn’t even reach his shoulder. Spike could smell the fear pouring off the git; a feral grin lit his face and his eyes twinkled with mischief as he listened to the watcher’s heart-rate accelerate. He licked his lips and settled back to watch his girl in action.
“Do I make myself clear?” Beth held the stranger’s gaze until he dropped his head in acquiescence, a mumbled ‘quite’ satisfying her enough that she stepped back, a deep sigh of relief sounding from the man before he straightened his tie, attempting to regain his equilibrium, along with a small modicum of his lost dignity.
Beth stepped back into the room, freeing the doorway and allowing the newcomer to enter. Spike chuckled quietly as he wrapped his arms once again around his slayer. “Maybe you should start again, mate. Fresh slate an’ all that.” At the watcher’s hesitant nod but continued silence he prompted, “You are?”
An upbringing grounded in good manners kicked in to overcome to his uncertainty. “Robert Giles. I am, as you correctly surmised, indeed the new Watcher.” He looked between Beth and the vampire, his eyes finally fixing on the slayer. “I must apologise for my tardiness in reaching you after your previous watcher’s demise.” He puffed up, his bearing losing the last of the trepidation that Beth’s reprimand had caused. “I was given this appointment, on approval, prior to my graduation. So obviously I had to complete my studies before I was able to commence my duty as your watcher.”
Spike was drawn from the shocked reverie the watcher’s words had caused by Beth moving forward, out of his arms to take the proffered hand. Giving himself a quick mental shake, he muttered a brief greeting as he in turn shook hands with the man whose name had given answer to the question the strangely-familiar features had posed.
With a sharply indrawn hiss of breath, the hand he was shaking was pulled away, the watcher’s eyes bugging as his heart sped rapidly in his chest once more.
“Somethin’ wrong there, mate?” Spike smirked at the horror written clearly across the young man’s face.
Acting quickly, Robert pulled a cross from his coat pocket and waved it at the vampire. “Get back. Beth, come here, quickly. That creature isn’t what you think.”
A low warning growl sounded deep in Spike’s chest; however, before he could make good his unspoken promise, the slayer had performed a spinning kick, hurtling the offending object across the room and into the wall, leaving a startled and somewhat frightened watcher standing defenceless in front of the pissed-off master vampire.
“Don’t wave bloody crosses at me, you git, ‘cause the next time you do, it won’t just be the cross that gets a flying lesson. Thanks, luv,” he murmured as he turned his back on the watcher to take Beth in his arms once more. Dipping his head he brushed a soft kiss against her lips.
“You’re a vampire.” The accusation was spoken in the most indignant voice the trembling young watcher could muster.
“Look at that, kitten, your watcher knows a vampire when he sees one, or rather when he shakes hands with one.” Spike’s dry tone belied the anger that simmered still at having had a crucifix shoved in his face.
“Well, that’s something, I guess. I mean at least he did know. You wouldn’t think much of him if he didn’t work it out. Would you?” Beth reasoned, stroking his arm soothingly and offering her lover a gentle smile. “Come on, baby. Try to play nice.”
“Fine,” he agreed, managing to sound like a petulant child rather than an almost three-hundred year old master vampire.
Beth suppressed the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth, not wanting to add to his current mood by appearing to laugh at him, no matter how amusing his behaviour may be. “Thank you.” She reached up to tenderly cup his cheek, her thumb running automatically along the sharp chiselled line of his handsome face as she spoke.
Beth turned her attention to the other man. “Look, Spike’s a vampire, yes, but he isn’t going to hurt you.” At the indignant snort behind her she added, “unless you continue to piss him off, that is. So why don’t we all just start again.” She looked at them both in turn, suppressing a laugh as each of the men gave a short, stiff, reluctant nod.
“Giles?” Spike asked, suddenly remembering the name the boy had given.
“That’s correct. Why do you ask?”
“Knew a Giles once, a good man. He was a watcher, too. You have something of his look to you. ‘m wondering if you might be a descendant of his. Rupert’s been gone coming up a hundred years now.” Spike’s voice was distant as he remembered back to the man who had become so much more than just a friend to him over the years, the years since his death seeming both eternal and, at the same time, so few.
“Rupert Giles, you say?” Robert’s eyes lit with interest and, at the vampire’s nod, he continued. “Indeed my great-great grandfather’s name was Rupert; he was the head of the Watcher’s Council for some time after the destruction of the old Council and his son, my great grandfather, William, followed in his footsteps; William was the head of the Council for almost fifty years.” He beamed proudly. “Every generation of my family has served the council. In fact, young Beth here is also a descendant of Rupert Giles. She is in fact my cousin.”
“What?” Beth and Spike spoke together.
“Yes, her great-great grandmother Elisabeth and my great grandfather William were brother and sister.”
The sharp intake of breath and the softly muttered curses drew the humans’ attention to the clearly distressed vampire.
“Spike? What’s wrong?” Beth started to reach for him, only to hesitate as he visibly flinched, pulling away from her outstretched hand. The barely noticeable tremble of her bottom lip, the slight tang of salt in the air and the altered rhythm of her heartbeat, although undetectable by the human male in the room, screamed loudly to the vampire; casting aside his own confusion, Spike moved quickly to gather his lover in his arms and murmur against her ear. “’m sorry, pet. Didn’t mean to do that. Just threw me for a bit of a loop, is all. Used to bounce Elisabeth on my knee when she was a just little-un. Right lovely she was too. Giles an’ Jenny named her after Buffy, and she was a wild little thing.” His eyes lit up as he laughed quietly at a long forgotten memory. “Had a temper just like her namesake, too.” He nuzzled into Beth’s hair. “Just came as a bit of a shock to find out I’m sleeping with the great-great granddaughter of the little bit who used to make me carry her around on my bloody shoulders; damn bossy little chit she was too—can see where you get it from, luv.”
“Buffy?” The watcher’s voice rose excitedly. “You mean the Buffy? You knew her?”
Spike snorted and, kissing the top of Beth’s head, peered over it to look at the suddenly eager face of the young man. “Yeah, I knew her. Loved her.” His voice trailed off as he buried his face once more in Beth’s fragrant hair, holding her close in an effort to ward off the sudden resurgence of grief, murmuring appreciatively as she gently stroked his back.
“You loved her?” Robert frowned trying to recollect something that he knew he had heard about the famous Slayer. “William the Bloody,” he said in triumph, “you’re William the Bloody. I remember hearing tales about you when I was just a lad. I thought you had…” he hesitated, looking sheepishly at the vampire in question. “Well, I thought, as no one had heard anything of you in so long, that you were… umm…”
“Dust?” Spike offered, dryly.
“Well, yes.” The watcher looked decidedly uncomfortable for a moment, before remembering the previous topic. “What was she like? Buffy, that is.”
“Beautiful,” Beth offered quietly. “And kind. She made me feel at peace.”
Robert frowned, his eyes fixed intently on his slayer as she turned in the vampire’s arms, her back resting against his chest and her head relaxed back against his shoulder, her hands joining his as they linked in front of her. “When… how could you have met her?” he asked incredulously.
“She came to me in a dream, but it wasn’t like a normal dream. Or even a slayer dream. She was really there, and she gave me a gift. She gave me her gift.” Beth tilted her head to look up at Spike. “She said you’d explain that to me, and with everything that happened, I guess I kinda forgot that bit.”
Spike looked from the Slayer to her Watcher; both sets of eyes were fixed eagerly on him—waiting.
“Well, I guess it has something to do with Buffy’s power being undiluted.” He sighed, trying to figure out where to begin. “After the old council was destroyed and Red had done her mojo to call up all the potentials, things were a bit hectic for a while. There was so much needed doing, and not enough people left who knew how to go about doing it. But we got by, you know… did the best we could. Then, after a bit, we noticed that there was a problem. The new girls… when they were killed, they weren’t replaced. At the time we didn’t know for certain why, but Giles thought it was ‘cause there was no pool left to call on. Later, after we lost Faith…” pain flashed briefly across his face before a hard, cold anger settled in his eyes.
After a few moments the vampire shook off whatever fury it was his reflections had conjured, and continued. “Well, when Holly was called we figured it had more to do with maintaining the original line of succession. Only Holly was never quite as strong as she should be, never quite full slayer strength, an’ none of the girls that followed her were either. We lost ‘em in fairly rapid succession after Faith; course by then a lot of the girls that had been called when Red did the spell were gone too… So there was Buffy, whichever latest new slayer we had at the time, and a handful of full-strength slayers spread around the world. The council was in chaos; Giles, Jenny, Buffy ‘n me and the rest of the Scoobies too, we were doin’ the best we could to rebuild it. Xander wasn’t much use to anyone, and he had the bits to worry ‘bout. Dawn was working for the council part-time as a linguist, along with her work at the British History Museum an’ of course being a mum to her own little brood.”
At the blank looks on the faces of both his lover and her new Watcher, Spike sighed, “Ok, kiddies, guess I better go back a bit an’ explain a few things to you. Find yourselves somewhere comfy to sit, ‘cause this is gonna take a while.”
tbc
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