Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own all the characters contained within. I hold no claim on them.
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Set during Buffy versus Dracula and then goes seriously AU after that! Buffy is missing and Spike is the only one who has noticed. Where is Buffy and why is Spike the only one who is worried? Will the peroxide vampire be able to find her before it's too late? What has happened to the Scoobies and will they save Xander before he really becomes Dracula's butt monkey?

Chapter 14

Giles sat in the darkened shop and stared blindly down at his opened journal - his fountain pen laid across the half-filled page. He reached for the bottle of whisky he had retrieved from behind the counter and poured a shot into his Earl Grey.

'How do I record the events of the last few days without losing what small grasp I have left on my sanity?' Giles hesitantly picked up his pen and began to write. His small crabbed writing started to fill the pages with the more salient events of the last few days.

It is with great regret that I record this -

Willow Rosenberg - a dear child and a bright student, allowed her grief and anger to colour her behaviour towards her erstwhile friend, Xander Harris. His betrayal of my Slayer, Buffy, resulted in her death and rebirth at the hands of Vlad the Impaler. I had not expected such a dramatic reaction by Ms Rosenberg - but sadly she attacked and very nearly killed Xander. Though, to be honest, I was tempted to rip the prat's spine out myself.

Fortunately, with the help of Althentia and some of her coven, I was able to contain Willow before she was able to do anything she would regret. The coven then teleported her to them and will assess the depths to which Willow sank into - with her use of dark magicks - I do fear that the poor girl may never recover from what she attempted to do to Xander.

The coven feels she might benefit from some exhaustive counselling and some training to better her control and to teach her not to turn to the darker side of magic. They have promised to contact me daily and provide progress reports on Willow's efforts.

I pray for her and hope that she will be able to return to us soon.

Giles dropped the pen and ignored the drop of ink that fell onto the table. He reached over and sipped some of his cooling tea and grimaced at the aftertaste of alcohol. He was exhausted but this was the first time in days that he had been able to sit down and record his perspective of the events. He wanted to do so before the next chain of events occurred. He knew that Buffy and Spike would be returning to Sunnydale and wanted to be best prepared for whatever that threw up.

Giles reached over and picked up his fountain pen. His fingers flexed and relaxed around the barrel as he stared down at the blank page. He had no idea what to say about Xander - the anger inside him was clawing its way up his throat and the normally reserved Watcher wanted to rail at the world. It was not fair what had happened to his Slayer - to be betrayed by a friend and turned into something she fought nightly - all because of some deeply rooted insane desire that Harris had.

What to say about Alexander Lavelle Harris – well, he is a traitor and a murderer - does that suffice? His actions have resulted in the turning of Buffy and the fall into dark magics of Willow Rosenberg. Both young women are his closest friends and yet he managed to rip one away from the sun and her calling and the other he nearly caused to embrace evil.

I can only thank whatever Powers that Whistler and Kendra work for. Whistler has taken Xander away - I'm not sure where, and to be honest, I truly don't care. Both the emissaries assure me that Xander will be helped and that we do not have to be concerned anymore over his welfare – sadly, it is easy to say this but, in reality, we are concerned despite his recent actions – but there was little we could do.

Lastly I must add that the partners of both Xander and Willow are deeply hurt by their actions and they are struggling to accept what has occurred. Poor Tara and poor Anya- I can only imagine how these events will affect them. I am unsure as to how they will handle this.

Giles put down the fountain pen and pulled his glasses off and rubbed his red-rimmed eyes. The strain of the last few days and Xander’s behaviour had aged him – he was exhausted but needed to finish his journal entries. Giles slipped on his glasses and smoothed the page flat and began to write his more recent concerns down about Riley Finn, who had disappointed him so much.

As I have noted earlier (see pages 234-238 and pages 245) Buffy’s current boyfriend, Riley Finn’s behaviour is becoming much more erratic and his fascination with being bitten has I believe become extremely hazardous for all of us. We would do well to isolate him from further contact with us if he refuses to listen to reason. I will not have the remaining members of our group exposed to danger.

Additionally Whistler’s recent revelation of Buffy’s vampiric nature has me concerned – what will Riley’s reaction be and also how will he act in response to Spike being Buffy’s sire.

How will we all?

Giles carefully blotted the ink and blew on it to dry it, then rose tiredly to lock the journal away under the counter. He wanted to go home and sleep - tomorrow he planned to spend the day with the remaining Summers women, as well as Tara and Anya. He smiled at the memory of the latter two - Anya's offer to sleep with Tara in a non-gay way for comfort, which had brought a faint smile to the Wiccan's lips before she had accepted eagerly - not wanting to be alone.

Giles straightened after locking the drawers and stared absently at the door, wondering briefly where Riley had disappeared to - and whether or not he would survive his new addiction. It seemed that the ex-soldier was not prepared to listen to any of them about the dangers of the new blood sport he found so exciting. Another thing for him to worry about - at least now it was in the open and precautions could be taken. He dearly hoped that Riley would see reason and stop playing Russian roulette with his life, and in turn, with theirs.

*********

"Harder...harder." Riley groaned as the vampiress he had hired for the night sank her teeth deeper into the crook of his elbow and greedily suckled at the vein she had tapped into with her fangs. He pulled her closer and rocked against her cold skinny body, his cock was engorged with excitement and as he began to feel more and more light-headed his excitement rose. Reaching down, his blood-whore slid her hand into the front of his slacks and fumbled for his erection; once her strong fingers were wrapped around it she began to jerk him off with a practised hand.

Riley as usual didn't last long, and with a yell, he coated her fingers with a small amount of cum and fell back panting. Riley remained unaware of the sly grin on the vampire's face as she still drank from his arm.  She was silently gloating that she had the Slayer's boyfriends' sperm all over her hands and his blood in her mouth - so much for her being the protector of the innocent!  She couldn't even protect her man from himself…

*********

Tara lay next to Anya and stared at the ceiling; the ex-demoness was fast asleep and snoring louder than a bear. The two women had come back to Anya's small apartment and had been curled up on the bed talking until Anya had finally fallen asleep. Both of them were devastated at the loss of their lovers - but were hoping that in time Xander and Willow would return. It had been Anya who had suggested that now they needed to be more proactive in the Scooby meetings and to be ready to help Buffy when she returned.

Tara had been stunned at the frank woman's amazing offer and had nodded in agreement. As Anya had said - they were the remaining Scoobies and they needed to be ready for anything!

She had then confided in the bemused Tara about some rumours in the demon world that something big was coming to Sunnydale - she wasn't sure what, but was trying to find out. It was after that announcement that Anya had nodded off, leaving Tara awake and wondering where Willow was and if she was okay.

Tara rolled onto her side and faced Anya, she closed her eyes and tried to force the images of Willow's dark hair and eyes away.  She shuddered in horror at the pain her red-headed witch had inflicted on Xander - Tara was stunned at the depth of anger Willow had drawn on to channel the dark magics she had used.

'Her Willow tree had nearly been lost to her!'  Tara thought with a shudder.

Anya snorted loudly and rolled away from Tara; her movements were jerky even in sleep.

Tara prayed to Gaia that Giles's friend Althenia and the coven she headed would be able to help Willow, and that she could come back to them soon.

*********

Dawn shivered and curled up closer to her mom - both of them were fast asleep. There was an air of expectation over the house.

It was waiting.

Waiting for something. 

*********

"Spike?"

"Yeah, luv?" Spike reached over and pulled Buffy across the seat until she was tucked up against his side and with his free hand steered the Desoto towards the outskirts of Sunnydale. They had made good time, which annoyed him immensely as he couldn't bear to be parted from his Slayer.

But he knew she'd want to go home to her Mum. His jaw clenched tightly at the thought of not being able to hold her against him all night while they slept. The idea that he wouldn't be able to smell her unique scent whenever he wanted was starting to make his heart ache with fear - he was going to lose her to her family and those judgmental friends of hers.

"Uhh, Spike, you okay?" Buffy peered up at the morose face of her lover and wondered how he had managed to move from happy to grouchy in seconds. 'Was it something I did?' She wondered nervously.

Spike took his eyes off the road and dropped a kiss on the top of her head, briefly burying his nose in her hair and taking a deep breath, imprinting her scent on his senses - it would have to tide him over for now.

"Fine luv, what's on your mind?" he rumbled. His eyes spotted the Welcome to Sunnydale sign; he let out a rueful sigh knowing that Buffy wouldn't let him have his usual fun with it.

"Spike, where are we staying when we get back?" Buffy whispered quietly.  She had decided not to be a weenie and just ask and see what happened.

Spike swerved the car as he looked down in shock.  The car’s action caused an ominous crunch.

Buffy slid off the bench seat and ended up squished in the footwell, glaring up at Spike. 

Spike slammed on the brakes and the classic car shuddered to a halt. "Wot did you say?"

"What did you hit?” Buffy shrieked as she struggled back onto the leather seat and kneeling, peered out the back of the car.

Spike eyed the luscious leather clad arse that she was waving in his face and couldn't resist reaching up and giving it a gentle slap. "Oi, Slayer, pay attention!"

"Spike!" She turned back to face him, still kneeling and rubbed her posterior, pouting. "You killed the sign!"

"I did? Really? I did it without even trying - soddin' brilliant!" Spike knelt up and peered out the back window with a massive smirk on his face.

He turned back to face his girl.  "See!  It's fate! Even when I'm not trying, I knock the bugger over.   I get it!"

*********

Buffy stared at the smiling bleached idiot next to her and really began to get mad, ‘he's more interested in running over a stupid sign than he is about the fact I asked him where WE were gonna stay!’ Buffy crossed her arms and pouted even more. He was beginning to bug her!

Spike cocked his head and stared at the delicious sight of his girl's lower lips jutting out in an adorable pout¾ a pout, he was beginning to realise he would never have the strength to stand up to.

"You stink!" Buffy huffed and glared over at the perplexed vamp kneeling next to her.

"I don't! I’ll have you know my clothes are fresh on after our shower!" Spike's eyes glazed over at the memories of the two of them wet and soap covered, entangled in each other's arms. He needed her once more before she went home. 'Hang on! Wot did she say before I crashed into the sign?  Oh...bollocks, I do stink.'

He looked up through his lashes at Buffy who was now sitting back down and staring out the window while muttering about how stupid vampires were¾ especially male ones¾ and how they were no different to human guys.

"Buffy, luv? You're right, I am a smelly bad rude man." Spike sucked in his cheeks and batted his eyelashes and then pulling out his most devastating weapon - he curled his tongue against the back of his teeth and raised his scarred brow.

"Can you forgive me? It's just when you said we…I was surprised, and then it deteriorated from there," Spike rumbled huskily.

Buffy bit her lower lip as she watch Spike pull out all his come hither tricks and tried not to snigger.

"Buffy, pet, please talk to me!" Spike whispered into her ear as he leant over and nibbled his way down her pale throat and pressed an open mouth kiss on her collarbone.

"Spike, you ignored me! I was all with the brave Buffy, askin’ you where we were staying - cos there is nooo way I'm leaving you now! And what do you do?  Crash through the sign and then act like a Frat boy over it!"

Spike looked at the pouty lip and leant over and caught it between his, suckling it gently. He pulled back and looked deep into his Childe's eyes.   "M'sorry luv, you caught me by surprise - you sure you don't want to say with yer mum?" He hated asking, but he had to offer a way out.

Buffy shook her head firmly.   "Nu uh.  I'm staying with you! So deal with it!" Inwardly she was shaking with nerves - what if he rejected her? She had never been all brave relationshippy Buffy - but she was different now. It wasn't just the new set of fangs or her sun allergy - she felt loved and supported by Spike and this made her feel stronger and more in control of herself.

Spike's face lit up and all his posturing vanished as a boyish smile appeared. His eyes flashed with relief and joy.

"Oh love, you won't regret this¾ ever!" He reached over and pulled an un-resisting Buffy into his arms and kissed her thoroughly. Pulling back he panted.  "Buffy, you ever shagged in a classic?"

Buffy arched an eyebrow.   "What?  Do you mean... have I been parking or have I shagged on old fart? Cos it’d be yup to both – though not further than second base with the former!" she added hastily as Spike’s nostrils flared in anger.

Spike tried not to growl at the thought of some spotty git fumbling all over his girl - it was bad enough imagining her with Angelus or Whitebread!

"Forget it...Lets get going if we’re going to find shelter for the rest of the night." He sat back down and gripped the steering wheel. With a flick of his wrist he had the engine going and slammed his foot on the accelerator. “Old fart, my aunt Fanny…m’in the prime of my unlife…” he muttered under his breath.

Buffy eyed her grumpy Sire out of the corner of one eye. ‘Men are such babies!' She decided to see if she could stop Spike from being all pouty and grumbly.

Crawling over into the back seat, Buffy slipped off her top and wriggled out of her leather trousers, all the while unnoticed by Spike who was deep in thought.

Buffy kicked her clothes onto the floor and then wriggled out of her soaked thong, which she then expertly flicked so that it hit Spike in the cheek.

'What the ruddy hell was that!' Spike glanced down at the whisp of lace that sat on his thigh.  The scent of his Childe's arousal flooded his senses and for the second time in minutes he slammed on the brakes and turned off the engine. He looked over his shoulder at the giggling blonde who lay on her side, with her head propped up on her hand and the other draped over her hip and covering her mons.

"Oh, baby wants to play, does she?" Spike laughed as he shrugged off his duster, opened the driver door and stepped out. He stalked over and pulled open the car door and peered in at his sweetheart and his eyes nearly popped out of his head at the sight that greeted him.

Buffy had flipped onto her back and dropped one foot onto the floor and the other leg was bent at the knee, her new position left her wide open for his appreciative gaze.

He thanked the Powers again for helping her to get over what she had experienced at Drac's hands sexually, which allowed for her to be so free with him. He had lived with Dru for decades, and the damage Angelus has inflicted on her with his rapes and regular beatings had left their mark physically and emotionally.

But not so on his resilient Childe, who was laying spread out on the back seat of his car waiting for him.

'Oh bloody hell, what is she doing with her fingers!'

Spike's mouth dropped open as Buffy's hand slipped between her legs and she ran her fingers leisurely through the neatly trimmed honey coloured curls. Before she could do anything else, Spike stripped naked and growled at her as he leapt into the Desoto.

"You are really trying to dust me, aren't you, pet?" Spike mumbled against her nipple as he gave it an enthusiastic suck. His hand slipped down and joined Buffy's between her legs and he tangled their fingers together. Pushing down he slipped their fingers between her lips and began to dip in and out of her welcoming opening, teasing her with his intimate touch for seconds and then pulling out to rub her erect clit, which was aching for attention.

"Spike!  Shut the door.  I don't think you want anyone coming across you're naked ass bobbing up and down!" Buffy gasped as Spike pinched her clit gently, and twisted. She surged up against him and a rush of juices poured from her, coating his fingers. Spike inhaled the delectable scent of his girl's excitement and his eyes darkened with lust and love.

"Spike…door...shut…it...now!" Buffy ordered as she wriggled against his long fingers. "Your ass is mine to stare at and no one else’s!"

Spike grumbled but was also secretly delighted at her words.  He awkwardly knelt up between her legs - cracking his head on the roof with a yelp, he turned and slammed the door. While he was kneeling, he grabbed Buffy's bent leg and draped it over his shoulder before he lay back down on top of her.

They kissed gently as Spike continued to tease and titillate Buffy's soaked opening with his talented fingers, bringing her to completion over and over until she lay limp under him. Her hands were draped over her eyes as she screamed out another orgasm, her breasts shaking as she shivered all over and pushed up against his hand wanting more.

Spike slid his fingers from her and with his right hand pushed her leg aside as far as he could, opening her up for him even more.

Buffy's toes curled as she felt Spike cup her backside and tilt her hips up towards him - it wasn't the most comfortable position. One leg wrapped over his shoulder and the other pressed against the floor, but she didn't care - the series of orgasms he had coaxed out of her had left her boneless and relaxed and all she wanted was Spike ploughing into her!

"Sorry luv, not much room for gymnastics here - I'll do right by you when we find a bed,” Spike promised as he surged into her and began to slowly pump in and out of her grasping channel. Her hard pink nipples brushed against his chest with every downward stroke of his cock, tracing a sensual pattern over his sensitive skin; his own nipples tightened in response.

Spike's senses were overwhelmed by the touch of her nipples, the smell of her excitement and the taste of her skin as he licked his way up and down her throat, lingering in the hollow at the base.  All combined to give him a sensual overload. In a haze he kept pistoning his hips; with every thrust Buffy grunted and her mouth dropped open as she tried to contain the growls and whimpers that erupted from her.

"Spike, it's perfect - please just don't, ah...ah...stop!" Buffy grunted as Spike's hips began to hammer into her. The position he had put her hips in had allowed him to enter as deeply as he could and with each stroke of his cock he hit her at the right angle and Buffy began to see sparks.

"Buffy, love, so good- I can't last much longer. Bugger luv, don't squeeze my boy like that with your muscles or it'll be over before I can do right by you..." Spike groaned and he slammed his cock into Buffy again and stilled as her muscles quivered and shook around him. He lifted his head from her throat where he had been kissing and nipping her and watched as his Childe's eye rolled back in her head and she came with a roar.

Her muscles rippled around him and Spike collapsed against her; his cock began to twitch and he filled Buffy up with his cum, as he came so hard his hair ached.

For several long minutes, they lay there entwined in each other's arms and kissing softly, savoring the moment. Spike cradled Buffy's face in his hands and pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose, then he finally eased his wrung out cock from her and pulled Buffy's sated body up until her back rested against the car door.

A rush of their combined release soaked into the leather of the seat, anointing it with their scent.  Spike smiled, knowing that whenever he got into the Desoto from now he would be aching and hard for his girl - just from the smell that saturated the back seat.

"Hmmm, Spike… that was amazing! I've never… you know… in the backseat of a car." Buffy leant over and pressed a sloppy kiss to Spike's lips.

"Thought it was a US custom? Right of passage or what not…" Spike teased as he handed her clothes to her, sniggering as she slapped him up the back of his head. He kissed her apologetically and then helped her dress - in the confined space it took them both longer to cloth themselves.

"So Spike, where are we going now?" Buffy asked hesitantly. She didn't want to see her Mom or the others just yet - instead she wanted to curl up around Spike and sleep.

"Was pondering that, luv.  How about we crash at a hotel until we get something sorted? Cos I can't see yer Mum opening up house and hearth to yours truly. Especially as I'm shaggin’ her daughter."  Spike helped Buffy climb over into the front seat as he talked. He then climbed out and slid back into the drivers seat.

As he started the engine, he mentally reminding himself to call in a few favours and see about setting up somewhere for them to live. He knew that Buffy wouldn't consider the crypt - not with the Harmony history it had associated with it. 'Bugger, forgot all about Harm - better pop round and have a chat with the bint.'  Spike cringed at the thought of Harmony and the conversation that would entail when he returned to collect his stuff from the crypt.

Buffy's eyes lit up with delight.  "Oh! A hotel would be of the good – cos, you know, big tub and all!" She refrained from adding a squeak of relief at the delay in seeing the Scoobies and her Mom. She wanted just another night with Spike. Then she would be strong enough to face them all.

Spike smirked.  "Like how you think, Slayer. Come.  Lets find somewhere swanky for you."

With that the Desoto roared off into the night, it's passengers unaware of the silent observer who had watched their lovemaking and overheard their plans. Then the silent vampire turned and transformed into a bat and flew off.

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