Come Back to Me

by Spikesdeb

Chapter 18

“Eat that and it’s curtains for you, Brains.  It’s got my name on it!” 

“I don’t think so, Spike, it definitely looks Texan to me.” 

Fred and Spike were bickering over who should have the last spicy wing when Buffy burst through the door and threw herself into Spike’s arms.  

“Hey, hey!  Now what’s this all about, pet?  Buffy…love?” 

Reply came there none save for damp snuffling and eventually hiccoughs.  Spike smoothed down Buffy’s hair, running the silky strands through his fingers as he shushed her.  When the flow of tears had subsided, she raised huge hazel eyes towards him.  “God, I missed you,” she whispered, tightening her arms where they wrapped around his waist. 

“Missed you too, love…so much…” Spike gazed at her, “I thought you were never coming back.”  

Then he chuckled and flashed his best leer, “But it was worth the wait - you don’t usually greet me quite so moistly…well…you know…” Buffy laughed in return; Spike distracting her from her worries with a lewd comment working like a charm as always.  

Fred watched the interplay between the pair and couldn’t help smiling.  It was like having “Romantic Movie of the Week” play out just for her, and she heaved a completely girly sigh as visions of a certain rogue demon hunter holding her in the same way caused her cheeks to flush red hot.  She stared as if mesmerised as Spike lowered his head to kiss Buffy softly, the kiss soon deepening into something more urgent and making her blush even more.   Snapping out of her trance, she coughed to remind the lovers of her presence before things got too heated. 

“I’m…I’ll…I need to get on with stuff…I’ll be in the lab.”  Fred scooted towards the doorway, collecting her paraphernalia and samples on the way.  Spike’s soft voice stopped her. 

“Tex.  Thanks.  For everything.” 

Fred nodded her head in acknowledgement, happy to help in any way she could.  

Buffy smiled weakly at her.  “Yes, Fred.  Thanks.  I know you’re working hard to fix this mess for both of us - well, all of us.  Thank you.” 

“You’re welcome, Buffy…Spike.  I’ll catch you later.” 

Buffy leaned into Spike’s embrace as they watched the scientist walk off down the hall.  “She’s really sweet, isn’t she?” 

“You’ve no idea, pet.  Look – she’s left the spicy wing!  And she’s taken bits of me off for analyzing.  She’s a regular Samaritan.” 

Warm lips met cool, eyes open as they drank in each other’s troubled gazes.  Buffy felt rising panic clog her throat, thicken her voice as she struggled to speak.  But Spike already knew.  He kissed her forehead, her eyelids, her cheeks and finally her lips in an effort to give her strength to face the horror to come. 

Because it would.  He knew it.  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Angel strolled round the desk, dark eyes fixed the unkempt figure of Xander Harris sprawled like he owned the place.  This was intriguing.  He’d noticed Xander’s gradual withdrawal from the Scoobies and his angry loathing of all things Spike-related but really, the little prick had never amounted to anything but an annoying pain in the ass.    Unless there was something there that could be used.  Of course he’d always been sniffing around Buffy’s skirts like a disappointed bloodhound…and he’d been the stooge that time when Spike first came to Sunnydale, but there were no special powers or skills so far as the vampire was aware.  All in all he was a drain rather than an asset.  And he was well on his way to becoming a drunk. 

Xander stank like he’d been on a bender for days.  The sour reek assaulted Angel’s nostrils and he curled his lip in disdain before settling his features into the guileless mask he preferred to wear amongst the Sunnydale crew. 

“Make your self at home, why don’t you?  You’ve not been around much lately.  Must have been busy, huh?  Researching for the gang?  Partying?” 

“Cut the crap, Angel.  I know what you’re up to.  They all do.  So you can drop the act.” 

Angel’s false smile faded.  No – that wasn’t possible.  The boy was just messing with him, needed to be taken notice of.  Couldn’t be anything more…. 

The vampire laughed.  “Now what on earth do you mean?  I’m just saying you’ve been missed, that’s all.  I hope it was worth the hangover – you’re a mess, boy. ” 

Xander knew perfectly well what he was becoming and the idea of stopping held no interest whatsoever.  The only comfort he allowed himself was the bottle.  He didn’t deserve the companionship of friends, the understanding of his peers.  Shit, like he’d ever been their peer anyway; never fitted in with the overachievers, always lacking in superpowers or cool or brainpower.  Fetching donuts, that’s what he was good at.  

A little nibble at the corner of his brain reminded him of a conversation he’d had with Dawn about being on the outside and never giving up.  At the time he’d meant it, truly believing that carrying on when everyone around you was special and you weren’t was the way to go.  

But that was when there was something to fight for.  

That was when there was Anya. 

Oh yeah; and don’t forget the part where his best friend from kindergarten turned out to be a witch who flayed people alive and his teenage crush was fucking the undead.  Again. 

Deep down inside his addled brain he knew he’d lost the plot, wasn’t making any sense, but he was past caring.  For a start he was about to sell out those friends to one of the very creatures he was punishing Buffy for loving.   Willow had reformed, paid her dues and helped save the world.  Spike had not only won his soul for love but he’d sacrificed himself to save the whole sorry lot of them. 

‘Didn’t save Anya though, did he?’ 

Bitter with the hurt of loving her and losing her and knowing it was his own fault, Xander shook off the last vestiges of doubt and guilt.  Self-loathing had robbed him of any hope for the future.  Logic had taken a flying leap out of the window.  He needed to shift the blame. Let someone else do the suffering for a change, it would surely be an improvement. 

He was willing to try anything.  No matter what the cost. 

Angel considered.  Wouldn’t hurt to hear the boy out, on the off chance Buffy and her cronies did know something.  If they did, he’d get the heads up and could plan accordingly.  And if they didn’t…well, Xander Harris and his jumped-up ideas would easily be disposed of without showing his hand.  

Angel stepped behind the desk and knocked Xander’s feet off.  “Get out of my place.  And show your elders some respect.” 

Xander shrugged and got up.  He couldn’t care less how Angel spoke to him, just so long as Spike got what was coming to him.  And the ‘whelp’ -- as the soon to be completely deceased vampire liked to call him -- was about to hand Angel the means to do so on a plate. 

Angel settled himself in his overstuffed chair and steepled his hands in front of him.  He didn’t like Xander Harris, never had, so it irked him to feel as if the boy had one over on him. 

“Speak.” 

“First of all, I need you to promise me that you’re not gonna harm Buffy, or Dawn for that matter.” 

“Of course I’m not.  What do you take me for?” 

“An evil, sadistic bastard with delusions of having hot Slayer sex on tap?  What?  Hit the bull’s-eye did I?  Let’s face it, Angel, the brooding vampire on the road to redemption act lost its charm years ago.  They’re on to you, Dead Boy!  Hell, a moron would have you figured with your swagger and your slimy eyes all over Buffy.” 

“Okay, Harris.  Enlighten me.  I’ll give you the toy surprise and we can all rest easy in our beds.” 

Xander pulled out a chair and sat down.  “I saw you visit Cordy earlier.  I was on my way to see her – check if she’d lost those cheerleader looks like I always said she would.  Anyway, I held back when I saw you coming out… because I really don’t like you…but you looked mighty pleased with yourself.  Big old grin and a flash of fang.  I reckon she told you something you liked the sound of.” 

Angel didn’t reply, just fixing Xander with a penetrating glare and leaning further back in his chair. 

“But what you don’t know is she had another visitor after you’d left.  I was going to join them but being around Willow now……..well, let’s just say one more ‘poor Xander’ look from her and I’ll forget we’re friends.  But I got nearer to the door, thought I’d just catch a peek at Cordelia Chase with her mouth shut for once.  You forgot to tell us that she’d woken up, didn’t you?” 

“None of your business; she left Sunnydale and her high school chums behind years ago.  She’s mine now.” 

“Does Buffy know about this?  -- ‘cos I’m thinking it’s not your smartest move if you want to get her back.  You know - keeping the understudy hanging round in the wings.” 

“And I say again – none of your business.  Now, is there any point to this or should we just order tea and scones and take up quilting?”  

“Oh there’s a point.  Cordy’s working for the Powers, you know.  Don’t know what she told you, but she told Willow a whole lot of stuff to keep you in your place.  And they know about Dawn – and Spike.” 

Shit!  Angel hadn’t seen that coming.  They knew?  But how?  He’d been careful to cover his tracks and had the best conmen in the business seeing to that.  It had to be that fucking witch!  Well, she’d get hers in good time.  

He brazened it out, shaken as he was. 

“It’s not important.”  Angel leant forwards, hands on the table and turning his earnest brown eyes on the young man in front of him. “Harris.  What do you want?” 

“Revenge.  I want Spike gone, as in permanently…and preferably with as much agony as possible.  That vile piece of filth doesn’t deserve a second chance.  It’s not right.” 

The reply was swift, venomous.  Angel seized it, devoured it, and savoured it. 

“Then we have something in common, buddy boy.” 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Buffy still shivered every now and then as she sat in Spike’s lap, one hand gripping his fiercely, the other hanging on to her sister’s limp fingers.  Every second that passed heightened her distress; instead of counting the seconds as blessings she felt as though the sand in the hourglass of her life was draining away. 

“Spike.” 

“What is it, love?  You okay?” 

She shifted in his embrace, never letting go of Dawn’s hand but turning to face him so that she could see his eyes.  “I’m scared.  I mean, look where we are.”  Her voice dropped to a whisper; she was still shaken by the revelation that Angel had caused Dawn’s coma and worse that he was actively manipulating her into a trade-off, her sister or her lover.  She switched between white-hot fury and utter helplessness but Giles had advised her to keep her cool and let him investigate further.  

“Yeah, pet.  I know.  But try not to fret, things will work out.  Do you think I’m gonna let you go that easily?  Waited lifetimes for this, Buffy.  Not giving in without a fight.” 

Buffy’s fingers dug into the flesh of his palm, drawing blood that his demon noted and salivated over.  But at least he could still feel.  That bastard… 

“What did Giles say, Buffy?  Is there anything we should be doing?” Spike’s voice was husky and low as he whispered in her ear, both of them wary in case Angel was listening in.  

“Not really.  Looks like this is all down to the thinkers, and us brawny doers just have to sit and wait.  Cordelia’s the ace in the hole.  She and Willow have a big plan but I kinda zoned when that was being discussed - thinking of how to stake Angel.” 

Spike hoped she meant it.  Thing was, it could actually come down to that and if Buffy had any feelings left for Angel it would make things harder.  Not that it would be easy for him either.  Angel was his grand-sire; and although he never had a good word to say about him, that connection meant something.  They were joined by blood and the tradition of the whole clan of Aurelius, a noble lineage that stretched back to the Dark Ages.  And there’d been a time when Spike respected Angel and learned from him.  

Maybe now it was time for Spike to become the teacher. 

“Buffy.  I need to go see what’s happening’, I’m not good with all this sitting around.  ‘sides, it wouldn’t hurt to go bug Angel a little, make him think that we’re still in the dark.  You’ll be alright here with the Bit?  I won’t be gone long, half an hour tops.” 

Buffy clung to him; he was right, she knew that – but it didn’t make it any easier to slide off his lap and uncurl her fingers from his.  She bit on her bottom lip when she spotted the half-moon marks where her nails had dug in and the dried blood that coated his palm.  Without even trying she caused him pain… 

Spike watched the emotions play across her face, her distress as she spotted the wounds she’d inflicted.  He raised his hand to his mouth and licked at the blood, cleaning the small indentations.  Before he’d finished, Buffy grabbed his hand and held it to her lips; she snaked out her tongue and licked across the palm, swallowing down the traces of blood and willing him to feel her love for him.  

The claiming link he’d initiated and Buffy had completed, zinged with the swallowed blood.  His fangs lengthened as he watched her caress his palm with her tongue and take the blood inside her mouth.  He ached to pierce her flesh, to reinforce their blood bond, and Buffy knew it, could feel his longing as if he’d said it out loud.  She nodded, eyes never leaving his as he touched her hair and moved it away from her neck.  Slowly, Spike drew her to him; Buffy relinquished Dawn’s hand and reached for him, and clasped his head to her throat.  The sharp sting of his bite faded almost immediately as he suckled gently, and Buffy felt waves of peace as he drank from her, the soft lapping soothing her worries as he reassured her of his love and devotion. 

It was over almost as soon as it began, but they both took comfort from the exchange of blood and the reaffirmation of their bond.  Before Spike could retract his fangs, Buffy kissed him making sure that she licked each lengthened canine and held his gaze.  It was important to her that he understood that she loved all of him and that her once firmly-held prejudices had vanished along with the Hellmouth. 

Spike knew and treasured the acceptance her actions demonstrated.  He regained his human face and kissed her nose, taking his leave and promising to return soon.  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Giles, Wesley and Willow nervously walked the corridors of Wolfram and Hart towards Fred’s lab.  The scientist had run into Wesley’s room after leaving Spike and Buffy and whispered furiously in his ear before scooting off to start her experiments.  Wes rounded up the gang as requested, but it was easier said than done to act normally, given the circumstances – and the stakes.  They had no idea how near Angel’s plan was to completion but they couldn’t afford to wait any longer.  They’d have to hope that the vampire had become a little complacent and didn’t have them under close surveillance.  As it was, Willow had insisted on casting a shielding spell to protect against mind probes, being a little freaked by the evil vibes of the surroundings, so consequently now they were hurrying. 

“Hey!  Giles!  Hey!  Wait up!” 

Willow stifled a moan as the airhead commonly known as Harmony clattered up behind them, her doll-like face flawlessly made up and her hair arranged perfectly.  How the hell did she manage that without a mirror? 

“Yes, Harmony.  What can I do for you…and quickly please, we’re rather busy at the moment.” 

“Busy – you don’t know the meaning of busy – all day long it’s ‘fetch my cup of blood, Harmony’ or ‘where’s that file, Harmony’ or ‘get this to Xander Harris, Harmony’.  It’s a miracle I still have my curves because I don’t get any of the statutory breaks, you know.  And then he yells when he catches me accidentally listening in to his conversations.  I mean, if I didn’t do that I’d never be able to hold my head up in the canteen.  It’s expected you know.  I mean hello!  Evil law firm!” 

“Quite.  Harmony.  Will you be coming to the point anytime soon?” 

“Ooops, sorry!  I need to give this to Xander because he left it in Angel’s office but he’s not in his room, and to be honest I don’t really care – as long as I give it to you, it’s not my problem anymore, right?” 

Giles held his hand out and took the proffered object.  It was cold metal, a disc, golden in colour and bearing runic characters on both sides.  He couldn’t decipher the words…yet…but the etched symbol in the centre did look familiar.  He exchanged a look with Wesley. 

“Ah, yes.  Don’t worry, Harmony.  We’ll make sure Xander gets it.  No need to mention it is there?  I wouldn't want you to get into trouble with Angel.” 

Harmony beamed at him.  “That’s exactly what I thought!  Gee, I guess good and evil are just different sides of the same coin.  Or something…whatever.   Gotta fly!  Otter blood doesn’t just spill itself you know!” 

In a flurry of pink she disappeared round the corner leaving the threesome eyeing each other and the disc and reaching the same conclusion.  Willow swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her throat.   Her voice was strangled as she whispered, “Xander?” 

“No need to jump to conclusions, Willow.  It’s probably nothing – a charm to aid sleep or some such.  We’ll head to see Fred as we planned and we can research there; it’s just another piece in the puzzle.” 

But they all knew it wasn’t so much leaping to a conclusion as stumbling over it. 

++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Spike almost tripped over the whelp as he made his way to Angel’s office.  Xander was walking unsteadily, obviously the worse for drink and sorely in need of a shower.  Spike recoiled from the venom in the boy’s eyes when clumsy hands shoved him away. 

“Get away from me, you freak!” 

“Hey now, just walking here.”  Xander stumbled and Spike threw out a hand to stop him crashing to the floor.  His assistance was shrugged off and Xander turned on him, snarling and spitting. 

“I said don’t fucking touch me!  Don’t touch me, don’t speak to me…in fact, don’t even look at me, scum.  You shouldn’t even be here.  Why not her?  You sick fuck.  Your ending can’t come soon enough for me.  Gonna make it soon…..got me some help and you won’t know when…Now move.” 

Spike held up his hands, palms outwards, and backed off.  He had too much on his mind to think about Xander’s problems.  Best leave him to sleep it off.  Xander staggered past, muttering to himself and throwing his arms out to punctuate his words. 

As Harris rounded the corner, Spike spun to look back at him.  What had he just said?  Bloody hell….. 

He turned round and headed away from Angel’s office.  He had to let the others know about this unexpected development.  He just hoped he wasn’t too late to stop things running along all Angel’s way.

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