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 17

She was back…

There had been whispers in the den; he had raised his eyes from the vampiress who was biting his inner thigh and glanced around wondering if any of the vamps knew his connection to her.

The Slayer…

He grimaced as the vampiress at his thigh bit down harder; she had sensed his heartbeat race at the mention of the killer of their kind and had torn into his flesh with a vengeance. Riley ran his fingers through her lank hair and cradled her against his willing flesh. He left out a soft groan and ran his hand down her back and slapped her hard on her backside. She whimpered and pulled her fangs out of the open wound, her amber eyes glinted as she sinuously made her way up to his neck and nipped at the scabbed over bite mark.

Riley fisted his hand in her hair and pulled her head back.  He leant over and with his blunt teeth mimicked a vamp bite on her pale throat. Riley ignored the head of the den as he slid into the cool depths of the vampiress that straddled him. Their coupling was animalistic and the trails of blood that ran down their bodies, a study in scarlet.

So wrapped up in the scene before him the elder vampire didn’t sense the silent observer who watched Riley and his bloodwhore from a safe vantage point in the hallway.

**********

He spotted her when he had ventured out after nightfall. Her unmistakable walk and the sassy way her hair flicked from side to side made him ache for her. But he didn’t know what she had been told…

He trailed after her as she stalked down Main Street with the blond haired menace walking beside her. Envy and anger filled him – he should be the one at her side, not him!

**********

The bell over the door jingled as Spike pulled it open and waited for Buffy to enter. He clenched his jaw at the giggles that erupted from Anya at him being a gent. His pale blue eyes flashed a warning at her and he placed his hand in the small of Buffy’s back as they walked down the couple of steps to the research table.

**********

They had followed Whistler’s instructions and meditated on the candle and their false memories had been easy to access. Both of them had sat cross-legged facing each other with the flickering candle between them as they fell into a deep trance.

Deep within themselves they found the implanted memories and watched them, intrigued Dawn was interwoven into all their lives at the most inner level. Despite her being a creation of magics, they were drawn to her through their memories. As the hours passed and they watched fascinated as Dawn’s life was entwined into theirs, they both reached a realisation.

She was theirs to protect, it didn’t matter where she had come from. Their implanted memories and the emotions connected with the coltish teen had no influence on their decision – they would protect her for Joyce and for the world. Neither of them could discern from their accessed memories where she had come from or what her purpose was, but it didn’t matter.

Spike was drawn to her; she was the younger sister he had never had. He had sensed that she was an innocent in all this and this added to his determination to protect her.

Also he had a weakness for Summers women, all of them- human, vampiric and mystically created teenagers. With a surprising ease the vampire shifted Dawn from possible enemy to one of his own.

She was an extension of his Childe and for that alone he would lay down his life for the girl. They were his family.

Buffy watched as she and Dawn grew up together. Huddled together in her bed in LA  as they listened to their parents argue nightly.

She watched as Dawn covered for her when she came home late from slaying and helped her dress her injuries.

Yes, there had been fights, but at the same time there had been a sisterly affection that overwhelmed it all.

Buffy watched while Dawn hid at the top of the stairs, watching Spike enter and the hesitant détente that was brokered- the first time- they had fought side by side. She wondered briefly if that was where her journey with her Sire had begun.

Buffy’s eyes filled with tears as she watched the three of them interact, Joyce, Dawn and herself, and she came to a realisation.

Dawn was Joyce’s only living daughter, the one who may give Mom the grandbabies when she grew older that Buffy now couldn’t. And with that Buffy vowed to herself then and there that nothing would ever hurt Dawn. It didn’t matter where she had come from or how Dawn had been created, she was precious to Joyce and now her, and nothing would stop her from protecting the teen.

It would be her gift to their Mom.

Her legacy to the world.

Then as one they woke from their trance.

The rest of the day they had spent in bed talking and making love over and over until they were swimming in each other’s scents.

Together they discussed Dawn and what they both mutually agreed to do.

To protect her for Joyce.

For their family.

***********

Spike hesitated for a second, his eyes flashed amber and then returned to blue. He felt a prickle along his spine. Someone or something was watching them…

“Spike, you okay?” Buffy noticed he had paused and eyed him curiously.

Spike cracked his neck and then lazily turned to face the door. “Thought I felt summthin’ watching us…”

“Really?” Anya walked around the cash desk and stared quizzically out the shop window. “What? Human or demon?”

Spike glanced down at the tired girl, noting the black circles around her eyes. His face softened, “You all right, pet?”

Anya’s lips tightened and she shook her head. 

“No, I’m worried about…” she trailed off at the angry glint in Spike’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Spike, really I am…I had no idea what he would do.” She wrung her hands and stared up earnestly at the silent vampire. Her eyes flicked to Buffy who had stepped away to give them some privacy. “If I had I would’ve done everything I could to stop him…”  She hung her head, unable to look him in the eyes.

Spike wanted to reassure her but couldn’t. She was worried about the wanker and he honestly didn’t care about him. But her distress was calling to his inner William. Hesitantly he reached out a hand to pat her on the shoulder and then to his surprise his arms were full of a sobbing Anya. He looked over at his Childe for help; his arms hovered in a loose circle around the weeping girl’s back.

Buffy frowned and made hugging gestures to him and then turned to talk with Tara.

Spike huffed and then cautiously wrapped his arms around Anya, and patted her awkwardly. “It’ll be okay, pet…”

**********

Riley shrank back when Spike turned to look; the blond vampire’s eyes scanned the alley he was hiding in. He didn’t leave, he was aching to get to Buffy, they needed to talk. But he had no idea what the others had said to her and with Spike there, it was not a good idea to go in. He might smell all the fresh bites that littered his body and the ex-soldier knew that Hostile 17 wouldn’t hesitate to crow about his bites. He needed to get Buffy on her own - maybe on patrol... Riley frowned, realising that Spike would probably be trailing after her. ‘Or maybe not…’

Riley stiffened at the sight of Anya curling into Spike’s arms. ‘Maybe the two demons have hooked up? When did Spike find out that Harmony was dust? So much for loyalty and eternal love! Wonder when Xander finally dumped her demonic ass…’ He had never understood what Xander was doing with Anya, but from what Buffy and the others had said, Xander was attracted to demoness.  It had been the one thing that had disgusted him about Xander, he couldn’t figure out why he would fight them all night and then go home to one. It was revolting. 

He stood there watching the two of them cuddling, completely ignoring his own ‘disgusting’ attraction to demons, caught up in his own hypocrisy. Riley wondered why the others were so unconcerned about the two demons making with the snuggles. Tara, Buffy and Giles were friends of Xander’s, not those two.  They were outsiders to the group, barely tolerated.

Or so he thought.  Riley had been missing for so long that he had no idea of the change in the group dynamics, or that two of the core Scoobies were gone.

He worked himself into a self-righteous snit as he watched the two of them talking quietly. Riley decided that he would be the one to sort out the wheat from the chaff, after he had made up with Buffy. With that he shrank back into the shadows and disappeared down the Alley, heading towards Willy’s Bar.  He needed a drink and a quick fix and knew he’d get them there.

**********

“So do you think that they’ll be able to help Willow?” Buffy demanded of Giles as he sat down at the table.

“I’m positive that they will, Buffy.  I spoke with one of the coven members earlier today and they assured me that they could help Willow develop control over her abuse of magicks. It’s a matter of training and self-discipline.” Giles sighed tiredly. The events of the previous night weighed heavily on his mind.

Added to that, the long conversation he had with Joyce that morning had been exhausting, but he had started to accept that possibly Joyce was right. Spike and Buffy were a couple and he would, to quote Joyce, ‘have to extract the bug out of his ass and grow the hell up and make sure that he was good to her girl. Or else!’ Giles had gaped in surprise at the strong words that had erupted from the usually polite woman and, stunned, had nodded his agreement.

He was determined to ease Buffy’s transition into her new life. He had researched all the Watcher diaries he had to hand, trying to determine if there had ever been another Slayer who had been turned. He wanted guidance on how to help; Giles knew that there was no option of going to the Council. If they learned of Buffy’s new status they would act on it and send a team to the Hellmouth to destroy her. The silence from London was telling him his suspicions were confirmed. The Slayer line ran through Faith now, and not Buffy.

He had talked with Anya and tried to glean any information she might have heard during her years as a vengeance demon, but she had never heard of a Slayer being turned. She had promised to discreetly check around, both of them aware that they had to be careful.

A turned Slayer would be to great a prize for some…they had to protect her from all who would harm her. Giles stared at Spike assessingly; he knew that as Buffy’s Sire he would protect her until he was dust. The Watcher mentally noted that they should talk, maybe Spike knew something about turned Slayers. He had a fascination for them; it was possible that he had information that would help. 

He snorted under his breath. He was going to Spike for help? Times had definitely changed.

“Giles?” Buffy waved her hand in front of his face. She was freaked that he had zoned out. ‘Maybe he hates what I’ve become?’ She worried her lower lip with her teeth and tried not to panic. She knew it was going to be a long while before Giles accepted what she now was, and it hurt…

Spike sensed Buffy’s distress through their bond and turned to face her. Pulling Anya with him he stalked over to the table and plopped down next to Buffy. He reached over and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, offering silent support.

“What? Sorry, I was miles away. What was it you said?” Giles reached over and hesitantly patted her hand and managed to suppress his surprise at the cool temperature of her skin. He had expected it, but it was still a surprise.

“When can we talk to Wills?” Buffy asked quietly, her gaze on Tara’s strained face. She knew that the gentle Wiccan wanted to ask but was too shy to do so.

“In time, for now we must place our trust in the Coven. They have promised daily reports on her progress. When they feel she is ready they will allow us to talk to her. However we can write to her, they have asked that we do so as it will help Willow to realise that we haven’t abandoned her.” Giles sat back with a sigh.

“I can write to her then?” Tara asked hopefully.

Giles nodded with a smile.  “Absolutely, I’m sure she will be comforted by your letters. I have the address here.” With that Giles pulled out a notebook and tore off a page.

“May I have it, too?” Anya asked nervously. “I’d like to write to her, if that’s okay?”

“Indeed, however Anya please keep the letter light and try not to refer to…” Giles hesitated looking over at Buffy.

“Man, you can say Xander’s name!” Buffy crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at Giles. “We all need to stop skirting around him. We know what he did to me…we know what Willow did to him as well!”

“You know?” Tara interrupted surprise colouring her face.

“Yeah, the Nibblet filled us in last night over supper.  Must say was a bit surprised at Red’s torture techniques…” Spike stopped aghast at the expression on Tara’s face and the tears that fell down hers and Anya’s cheeks. ‘Bollocks I made the two of them cry…’

He reached into his pocket for a cigarette and then caught Buffy’s frown and yelped when she pinched him hard on the side. “Sorry doves, I didn’t mean to make you weep…forgive me…I’m a bad rude vampire…”

Tara sniffed and mopped the tears from her face and nodded at Spike. “S’okay…”

She knew that an apology from the embarrassed vampire was an alien thing and also a precious commodity. So she decided to accept it easily, to make Spike feel better and also to make sure that he knew that he was accepted and whatever he said or did wrong could be forgiven.

“I need to count the money, it makes me feel better…” Anya flew to the cash till and began to shuffle the cash around.

“Bugger…” Spike stood and stalked out of the shop. He stood in plain view and puffed on a cigarette. He hated to see women cry and felt sick to his stomach that he was the cause of their tears. ‘Bloody ponce…’

“Should one of us go out there?” Tara gestured to the now pacing Spike, who was muttering to himself and waving his arms around.

Buffy shook her head, “no, let him be.  He’ll be right back in.”

“Okay,.” Tara sank back down. “How was dinner with your mom?”

Buffy hesitated.  She and Spike had decided earlier to not tell the others about Dawn, the less people that knew the safer it was. “It was good, she was kinda sad though…”

“Really? Why?” Tara asked curiously.

“Well, Spike and I are moving in together…and well, I think she was hoping I was gonna stay with her.”

Giles managed not to squawk at the flippant way Buffy discussed that she was moving in with Spike. He hoped like hell it wasn’t into the crypt…but then again, he doubted Joyce would allow that, and neither would Buffy. One thing he had learned in his years as her Watcher Buffy didn’t settle for second best. No, he imagined that Spike would be rushed off his feet catering to her demands and probably loving every second of it!

“No melt down Giles?” Buffy had expected at least a ‘dear lord’ and some serious glass cleaning, instead there was a bemused smile on her Watcher’s face and nothing said.

“No…but please make sure I have a telephone number to contact you on.” Giles stood and went over to the shop door. He pulled it open and stuck out his head, “get in here, you nance, and stop hiding from the girls. We’ve a lot to get through tonight.”

Spike froze mid-step and looked over at the Englishman.  “Right then…” he headed over to the door and then froze, a familiar and yet irritating scent filled his nostrils. Spike growled and cocked his head and sniffed the air, it was faint but it was the git.

“Spike? What’s wrong?” Giles noticed the feral look on the shorter man’s… err… vamp’s face and began to reach for the stake in his waistband.

“Whitbread’s been here tonight.” Spike snarled and raced towards the now empty alleyway, Giles close on his heels.

“Anything?” Giles panted- he needed to go to the gym more often or at least try to start running again…

“Was here a while ago but headed off that way.”  Spike jerked his head down the alley. He sniffed the air, “he’s been bit recently.  I can smell the blood.”

“Balls! I had hoped our confronting him might have shown the git the error of his ways…”

Spike raised a scarred brow at Giles and tried not to laugh outright in his face.  “Yeah, m’sure a few harsh words’ll make the arse see the error of his ways!”

“Well, when you put it that way…no. What the ruddy hell are we going to do?” Giles gritted out, frustrated beyond reason.

“One thing at a time, first we need to find the bugger and maybe chain him up in a nice dark basement and kick him in the balls…”Spike trailed off sheepishly. “Wot!”

Giles managed to do a good impression of Buffy and rolled his eyes at the idiot vampire. “Yes dear, that’s an excellent plan!”

“Alright, so I’m not good with the planning, I get bored easily…” Spike joked.

“I’ve noticed,” Giles replied dryly. “Come on we need to get planning.” 

*********

“What are they doing out there?” Anya hissed as she tried to peek over Tara’s shoulder. All three of the girls were huddled in the doorway watching Giles and Spike talking and surprisingly, laughing.

“Male bonding, I think?” Buffy cocked her head and smiled at her two British men.

“Quick!  Look busy, they’re coming back.”  Tara yelped and ran to the back of the store.

Anya and Buffy ran into each other and ended up on the floor giggling.

“What are you doing down there, pet?” Spike reached down and pulled the giggling mess of his Childe up and into his arms. Giles helped Anya to her feet and then pulled the door shut.

“Nuthin!” Buffy pouted up at Spike. “What were you two doing out there?”

“Nuthin.” Spike echoed her slang with a smile

“Hmmm…don’t tell then!” Buffy reached down and gave Spike’s butt a hard squeeze and then smirked as he hardened against her.

“When you two have finished flirting we need to sort out a plan of attack on Dracula.” Giles interrupted the vampiric lovefest that was taking place right before his eyes.

“Yes Dad!” Buffy pulled Spike along with her back to the table.

“Right, well we have not been able to locate his new abode. The mansion has disappeared. However I doubt that he has left Sunnydale as there has been a massive rise in sudden deaths from neck ruptures,” Giles added wryly.  He marvelled at the idiocy of the police force in Sunnydale, but it often worked in their favour.

“Really, the whole place has gone?” Buffy leant forward and rested her elbows on the table, Spike’s hand on the small of her back keeping her calm.

“Yes I checked this morning and the dog pound, it would appear, is back in business.”

“So what do we do now?” Spike interjected.

“Well I was wondering if you were up to patrolling, Buffy?” Giles asked hesitantly. He was acutely aware that she was still recovering from her ordeal and was not too sure if she was up to patrolling the cemeteries so soon. But they needed to.

“Sure! I’ve got some wicked moves I can’t wait to try out on the bad guys! Spike and I have been training…”

“She’s a marvel, got a whole load of new moves and a nifty trick.”  Spike smiled proudly at his Childe. “Go show em! It’ll knock the tweed boxers off the Watcher here!”

With a smile Buffy vanished in a puff of black smoke.

“Wow!” Tara blinked and stared at the empty seat.

“OH!” Anya looked around the shop excitedly.

“Good grief!” Giles leapt to his feet and stared in shock at Buffy’s empty seat.

“Look behind you, Rupes.”  Spike pointed to the metal staircase leading up to the prohibited section.

“Hey guys.” Buffy waved from her new seat. “Pretty cool, huh?”

“I’ll say, and you are in complete control of this vanishing trick?” Giles exclaimed excitedly.

“Yup, and Whistler said that the only way I can dust Drac is when we are both in mid poof! So at least I can take him out, yeah?” Buffy bounced back to her seat and sat down with a face splitting smile.

“Excellent! That is good news.” Giles sat back down.

“Any other Drac tricks?” Anya asked curiously.

“Not that we’ve discovered yet,” Spike answered Anya’s question. “But she’s a lot stronger than before,” he added proudly.

“She can answer for herself, Spike!” Buffy poked him in the side and gave him a sphinx like smile.

“Does it feel weird when you do it?” Tara asked.

Spike bit his tongue and refrained from teasing the innocent girl.

“Not really, I can see all of you but it’s like I’m a few seconds out of time, it’s hard to explain…”

Giles fingers itched to reach for his journal to document this, but he resisted. He would wait until he was home with a glass of scotch in one hand and a good record playing as loud as he could get away with without waking the neighbours.

“So, what’s the plan? We go patrol and see if we can sniff out Drac’s new pad?” Spike leant back on his chair and tried to control his anticipation. He wanted a good rough and tumble before he and his Childe moved into their new digs. He couldn’t wait to see her face when he took her home. ‘Home… that has a nice ring to it!’

“Yes, I think that’s a sound idea, shall we join you both?”

“No Giles, you guys look like you need some shut eye.  We’ll catch up with you tomorrow and fill you in.” Buffy pulled Spike to his feet, she headed over and hugged Tara and Anya. She then stood hesitantly in front of Giles unsure if she should hug him too. Giles stood and took her in his arms, deciding for her.

“I’m glad you’re home.  Be careful tonight, please,” he whispered into her hair.

Buffy pulled him closer and squeezed him tight. “We will…thank you, Giles.”

“Night, ladies…Rupes, have a drinkie for me.”

With that the two vampires exited the Magic Box and headed out to hunt.

“I guess we need to research the snake thingie before we go, right?” Tara reached for a book and silence descended on the Magic Box as they searched for a clue on what the demon was and who might have released it.

*********

He followed the two of them from a distance- falling back on his training- and was able to remain off their radar. Riley frowned at the easy way they interacted; he had never seen the two of them on patrol. Their easy banter and quick reflexes illustrated to him how well matched they were.

The tall man felt a pang of anger and jealousy run through him. Buffy and he had never meshed so well when they fought; there had always been an advantage in Buffy’s favour. She was faster and stronger; he had thought that he could cope with that. Be proud of her.  But slowly the rot had set in. Riley had felt inadequate – not strong enough and not dark enough…

But now maybe he was. He had realised that Buffy needed a bit of darkness in her man and maybe now he’d measure up. Riley didn’t even pause to consider that what he was thinking was wrong and he needed help. Neither did he notice that Buffy was stronger and faster than before, and that she had lavender tinted eyes and fangs. He was too caught up in his fury and envy.

**********

“Duck!” Buffy yelled as she leapt over his head, mimicking the move he had pulled on her in the cabin. She landed on the vamp that had tried to blindside her Sire and with a twist of her hands, ripped his head off. Twirling she bounced on her heels and wiped her hands on the seat of her hipster jeans. The thrill of the hunt was filling her with glee.

“Enjoyin’ yourself, sweetness?” Spike straightened and with a shake of his shoulders, settled his ever-present duster onto his lean frame.

“Yeah, it’s good to be patrolling.” Buffy skipped off happily, followed by a grinning Spike. He gazed in appreciation at her jean-clad backside; she was cute when she was slaying. Watching her fight had always turned him on and now that he intimately knew what was under her form fitting clothes, he was harder than ever.

Lost in his randy thoughts he tripped over something and fell face first at Buffy’s feet.

Scrambling up he froze when his hand made contact with what he had fallen over.

“So much for the vampiric grace that Giles is always babbling about!” Buffy giggled and then her face froze when she saw what Spike had tripped over. “Oh!” She knelt down and reached over and turned the corpse’s head to one side, revealing the bite marks on his neck.

Spike wiped his hands on his duster and stared down at the cooling corpse. “N’other one of Drac’s tarts, do you think?” He sniffed the air and recognised the scent as being the Bride that had given him the box as he had left. ‘Bugger all, forgot all about that!’  He thrust his hand into his pocket and felt the small squashed parcel.

“Yeah, smells like one of his girls.”  Buffy ran her hand over the terror filled open eyes that stared sightlessly up at the stars, closing them. “What should we do?”

“Call Rupes and get him to do the usual anonymous call to the boys in blue.” Spike pulled Buffy up and curled his arms around her shoulders and walked her away from the corpse.

“I wish I could’ve…”

“We’ll stop him, never fear, luv.”  Spike turned her to face him and cupped her chin in his hand. Raising her face he brushed his lips over her quivering lips. He knew that smelling the vampiress would bring back memories of her imprisonment. Spike brushed her tears of with his fingers, his eyes filled with concern. “You okay, Childe?”

Buffy sniffled and then nodded as determination filled her eyes. “Not gonna let them freak me out, I’m okay. But I need a kiss, Spike…” She looked up through her lashes coyly.

“M’pleasure luv…never need to ask…” Spike leant down and captured her lips in a sweet kiss that lingered.

Riley froze at the sight of Spike kissing his girl; his knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists. ‘That scum is touching her!’

He launched himself out from behind the crypt he was hiding behind, with a bellow of anger.

Buffy flew backwards as Spike was ripped from her arms; she cracked her head on a gravestone and her vision blurred. Looking up she saw Spike struggling with a tall form. Pushing herself up she wavered for a moment and then straightened.

Spike growled and vamped out as his attacker wrestled with him. A grunt escaped his mouth when a fist impacted with his stomach. Spike doubled over and then surged upwards. Using the back of his head as a weapon he caught his attacker on the chin. Spike smirked at the resounding crack that echoed across the moonlit cemetery. Spinning, he kicked the tall form away from him with a growl.

Shaking his head to clear it, Spike pounced on the fallen form and began to unleash a flurry of blows on the now groaning attacker.

He raised his arm to belt the bastard once more only to be stopped by Buffy’s slim hand and her gasp of astonishment. “Spike! It’s Riley…he’s a vamp!”

Spike leapt up, disgusted that he had been straddling the ponce and not realising. But his rage had blurred his senses and he had fought instinctively. Not realising it was Captain America.

“Wot! He’s a vamp? How…when?” he spluttered. Spike looked down at his blood soaked knuckles in shock.

“He has to be, cos no ‘argh’ from the chip!” Buffy ran her hand over the back of Spike’s head.

“Nope, didn’t feel a thing,” Spike cocked his head and stared down at Riley’s fallen form. Then he froze…

Riley was breathing…

“Luv, he’s not a vamp!” Spike whispered in shock. His hand went to his temple and rubbed it. “I think he’s still human…”

Buffy’s shocked eyes widened and she dropped to her knees and checked Riley for a pulse. “He’s alive…but you hit him!”

“I know, luv...”

“Wow! Do you think that they,” she pointed upwards, “turned it off?”

“Dunno…” Before Spike could continue Riley leapt up and grabbed Buffy in his arms. “Oi, let her go!”

“Buffy stake him, his chip’s not working!” Riley gasped as he coughed up blood. Delight filled him, now she would get rid of the pest.

Buffy pulled away from Riley and stared at him in shock and disgust. “Lemme go!”

Riley shook her hard, “stake him! He can kill again!” He was lost in anger and didn’t notice that Buffy was snarling at him in anger. As he yelled at her to stake Spike, spittle ran down his chin.

“Is that all you’ve got to say? No ‘where have you been, honey? Are you all right? What happened to you, Buffy? Sorry I didn’t come save you?’” She yelled and vamped out in anger at the enraged man who was gripping her arms.

Riley tore his eyes off Spike’s smirking countenance and stared down in shock at her demonic features.

Unable to stop himself he hardened in excitement. ‘She’s a vampire!’ Arousal flooded him.  There was no consideration that his girlfriend had been turned into what she was destined to hunt. Only that now she was even more perfect for him. Visions of them making love and her biting filled his mind and his cock jerked in his slacks. With an excited moan he rubbed his erection against Buffy who stood stunned in his arms. Ignoring Spike growls of anger and possession. Before Spike could intervene Buffy pulled away from Riley.

“Ewww!” She pulled away from Riley and stepped into Spike’s arms.

“Buffy…” Riley stared in shock at her cradled in her enemy’s arms. “What are you doing? You’re mine!”

“She’s no one’s chattel, mate.”  Spike snarled and glared at Riley through amber eyes.

“Riley, what are you doing?” Buffy gasped in shock. She realised in that moment that he was outta his mind and there was nothing she could do to help. She wondered if contacting the army and getting them to come and retrieve Riley might help.

“Buffy, you’re my girl and now…” Riley was lost to reason, his arousal had overwhelmed him completely.

She shook her head sadly, “Riley, don’t.   Please not this…”

Riley stopped himself from reaching for Buffy and reason flooded him like a dash of cold water in the face. ‘Oh Jesus, what am I doing…’ He stared in embarrassment and shock at the two blonds who were in each other’s arms and shame filled him for the first time in ages. “I…I…Buffy, oh god, I’m sorry…” Riley turned and ran as fast as he could. Ignoring the pain in his ribs and the shouts of the two vampires following him. He needed to get away and think. Go somewhere and heal, before he could face her and apologise.

He slipped through a break in the fence and disappeared down a side street, losing his trackers.

Sweat ran down his face as he ran from his inner demons and the real ones who had tried to follow him.

He kept running for what seemed like hours. His hear racing in his chest and his breaths exploding from his mouth in deep gasps. Tears ran down his face as he replayed all the visits to the vampire den and he began to sob. Riley sank to his knees and tore at his hair.

What had he done?

What had he become…

When had a bite become more important than Buffy?

He had lost her and it was what he deserved…

“Hush now handsome, don’t be so sad!” A purring contralto voice filled his ears. A slim woman appeared out of the shadows. “Come on, I’ll help you…”

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