Chapter 5

Xander and Willow were waiting patiently at the library, Willow keeping her distance from the magic books and concentrating solely on history volumes.  Xander, as usual, found himself flicking through to find the naughty woodcuts.  Consequently, both of them jumped as the swing doors of the library opened.

“Buffy!  You’re here!”

Willow flung herself at her friend, ignoring her lack of response and failure to return her hug.

“Willow.  She doesn’t remember who you are.  Please……let’s all sit down and discuss things.”

Willow nodded, tearfully, but released her grip.  She wandered over to where Xander was sitting and snuggled up close, seeking validity as a friend from the one who would still remember her.  Buffy looked at them warily and took a seat on the opposite end of the table.  Giles merely paced, removing his glasses and sucking on one arm. 

“I’ve acquainted Buffy with a potted history of her past.  She’s not convinced however – and who could blame her?  It does all sound rather fanciful.”

“Ya think?”  Xander, as usual, wasn’t helping matters and Giles glared at him until the stupid smile faded from his face.

“Xander, please try to make yourself useful.  Can you bring me the Watcher’s Diaries?  Just a handful will suffice.”

“And I find them……where?”

“Do you ever pay attention?  In my room.  Willow, show him.”

Xander sulked all the way there, muttering under his breath, “But we’re not supposed to go in there, wish he’d make his mind up…”

“Ok, you guys say I’m a ‘vampire slayer’.  One, there’s no such thing as vampires and two…there’s no such thing as vampires.”

“Very funny.  I’m afraid to say that you are entirely wrong. There are vampires, more than you could imagine here on the Hellmouth.  Not to mention demons, black magic practitioners, evil…”

“The What-mouth?”

“Hellmouth.  Sunnydale is a mecca for all manner of beasts.  It’s why you were drawn here.  Buffy, I know this is difficult for you, but I am telling you nothing but the truth.  What will it take to convince you?”

“Full frontal lobotomy?”

“Here ya go, G-man.”

“Thank you.  And please…do not address me in such a way. It’s ……..uncouth.”  Giles started poring through the volumes, trying to find something that might jog Buffy’s memory.

“Whatever you say.  So……Buffy.  You can’t remember anything?  You don’t remember that I’m your boyfriend, for instance?”

Willow sighed.  Would he ever get over his doomed obsession?

“Yeah, right.  Not falling for that one.  And besides…I have a boyfriend.  And no offence, but he’s way hotter than you are.”

“Angel’s not all that.  I’ll have you know I’m a nummy treat!”

Buffy looked blankly at Xander.  “Who is this Angel?  I had her name on my notebook. Is she another member of the gang?”

“Buffy, Angel’s a he………and he’s a vampire….and your boyfriend.”

Buffy laughed at Willow.  “No……..he can’t be a vampire.  And he’ll just die laughing when he knows his name is Angel!  We kinda picked our own names last night.  He named me Bunny and himself Spite.  Course, we were fairly near with my name.  Which is kind of a strange one, has to be said.  Giles, don’t you know Angel?  You didn’t seem to recognise him last night?”

“Actually, I do.  But, Buffy…you weren’t with Angel.  I was about to ask Willow about the young man you were with.  I haven’t seen him before.”

“But I thought……..he …….I mean we…..we’re a couple, right?”

Giles shook his head in the negative. “Not as far as I am aware.  Of course, you probably wouldn’t tell me anyway.  Willow….as I was saying, the young man Buffy was with last night. Blond…but definitely dyed, British, black leather coat.  In fact, he looked like a ruffian, hence my concerns.”

“Oh.  Him.  Yes…Buffy, don’t you remember?  He was checking you out at the Bronze the night before last.  The blonde hottie, piercing blue eyes?”

“That’s my man.  My Spite.  Look, I don’t know you people and no offence…you’re all kind of weird.  But Spite…I know him. We’re together.  I can feel it.  When he touched me, I…”

Xander’s tone was icy.  “He touched you?  Where? I mean how? When?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“We were concerned, Buffy, because I had the strangest feeling that he may be a vampire.”

Buffy blinked at the librarian.  What was it with this lot and vampires?  Were they part of some strange cult?

“Listen, I don’t know anything about vampires other than what I see on the TV.  But if he were a vampire, wouldn’t he have tried to bite me?  Well……..properly like, with blood and all?  And he didn’t.  So……..that shoots your theory right out of the water.  And anyway, what’s the fuss?  You’ve just told me the boyfriend you thought I did have is a vampire?  Isn’t that normal for around here?”

“Oh no!  Buffy, Angel’s ………different.  He’s not your usual vampire.  He has a soul.”

“This is getting way too complicated for me.  Look, show me your books, pictures, whatever and let me get back home.  I’ve left Spite hiding in the closet and my mom’s not looking likely to leave any time soon.  He’ll be starving by now!”

Giles, Willow and Xander were horrified!  Giles had put the idea in their heads that this stranger was a vampire, and now Buffy was telling them he was home alone with her mother and he was hungry? 

“Buffy.  I think we’d all better go meet this chap.  And quickly.”

“Okay, but you’ll have to explain to my mom why you brought me back from school.  I get the feeling that she’s a force to be reckoned with when she’s all angry.”

“Done.  Let’s leave now.  Hurry!”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Spite was becoming uncomfortable confined to the closet as he was.  It was more that he was enclosed and his body itched to be moving than anything else.  He didn’t have any trouble breathing, despite the cloying air in the tiny space, and every breath he took dragged more of Buffy’s essence into his lungs.  He was therefore in a state of high arousal and desperately trying to think of things to quench his lust.  He was tempted to see to himself but with Buffy’s mum not three feet from him that was a risky proposition.  She was presently laid out on Buffy’s bed, back to the closet and curled up in a ball against her obvious discomfort.  She was dozing and Spite wondered whether he would be able to sneak out and past her while she slept.  As he was about to open the door though, she moved around to face the closet and he froze with his hand outstretched.  Her eyes fluttered open and Spite thought he was rumbled, but thankfully she closed them again and curled back up, arms wrapped round her middle.

‘Looks in a bad way.  Poor woman.’

Bugger.  Spite leaned back against the closet wall and settled himself for a long wait.  He’d need to get out soon, get some grub.  His belly was all gurgly and he wanted something to eat.  Rare steak or some such.  Something juicy, bloody.  He stifled a snort – not a vegetarian then.  A flash went through his mind – hot, pumping blood, warm flesh…..was he a slaughterer?  He didn’t feel disgusted by it, in fact it was making his mouth water.  Just another piece of the puzzle for him to ponder.  Buffy’s mum started to snore gently.

Well, if he was to make a break, now was the time.  Slowly, he pushed open the closet door, holding his breath in case a creak woke the sleeping woman.  When it was wide enough to slip through he gripped the door and tentatively snaked his left leg out, the bare foot hitting the carpet soundlessly.  His right leg followed and he slipped out of the closet, back facing it, and clasping his clothes to his nude groin.  His duster and boots were by the side of the bed and he knelt down, eyes on Buffy’s mom who continued to doze, reaching out to grab them.  One boot, two………so far so good.  Shuffling forward slightly on his knees, he gripped the buttery leather of his coat and grabbed it towards him……cringing as it snagged on the leg of the bed.  Cursing silently, Spite laid down the rest of his clothes and lay full length on the floor to unhitch his coat, his head underneath the bed frame as he tried to free the material. 

The startled scream spooked him and he jumped up only to hit his head on the frame, scooting backwards and sitting upright to face the horrified face of Buffy’s mother.  It was then he remembered two things: one, he was completely naked and two, he was still holding his breath.  What the fuck?  He shot his hands to his groin to cover his unmentionables and eventually the scream stopped as she drew in a breath.  Before she could start again Spite lunged forwards and covered her mouth, one hand still preserving his dignity. 

“Shhh, shhh now, come on…..I won’t hurt you.  Please….be quiet and I’ll explain….”

Joyce stilled, eyes fixed on the naked man who’d crept up on her while she slept.  She nodded and he took the hand away.

“What are you doing in my daughter’s bedroom?”  Her words were icy and Spite was more than a little afraid of her after the dressing down she’d given Buffy earlier.

“Ah…well….I can explain.  You see…”  But he couldn’t explain.  Didn’t have a clue where to start.

“I take it you know Buffy?”  Spite nodded.  “You know her well?”  Spite hesitated but nodded again: he supposed after the night they’d shared he did at that.  “And……you spent the night here?”  Another nod.

“Would you like to get dressed?  I know I’d be more comfortable if you were covered up.  I’ll be downstairs in the kitchen.  You’ll join me.”  It wasn’t a request.

Spite swallowed hard as she left the room.  Bloody hell!  Wouldn’t like to get on her bad side; but it was a little too late for that.   As if in a trance he pulled on his clothes, leaving the coat on the bed and trudged down the stairs.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Giles stopped at the front door to Revello Drive and turned to the others.  “Now, Buffy.  You say that Spite was in the closet in your room?  Well, then we’ll sneak up and hopefully take your mother out of danger first then deal with him.”

“Why do you think she’s in danger?  You’re making me so mad!  Look – here I am, unbitten and non-dead.  He’s so not a vampire it’s not even funny.”

“It’s better to be safe than sorry, Buffy.  Now, you go up the tree again and we’ll seize him in a pincer movement.”

Blank faces stared at him.  “And in English that would be……?”

“Willow, myself and you, Xander, will take the stairs. Buffy will go in the window.  I’ll drag Joyce out of the room and you’ll all trap Spite in the closet until I get back upstairs.  Then we’ll find out once and for all whether or not he’s a vampire.”  Giles held up his weapons of choice – holy water and a crucifix.

“Fine.  Let’s just get this over with.  And I want a huge apology when you find out I’m right.”  Buffy boosted herself up into the tree, not even marvelling at her burst of strength in her rush to get back to her man.  Giles placed her key in the lock and let them in the front, the three of them racing up the stairs in a clatter of feet.  He pushed open Buffy’s bedroom door just as Buffy landed through the window – no Joyce.  Buffy strode over to the closet and wrenched the doors open – no Spite.  She shifted clothing on hangers in a vain attempt to locate him.  Nothing. 

“Now what, brains trust?” 

“Buffy?  Is that you?  Get down here this instant young lady!”

“Uh oh,” she rumbled.  “Come on, you guys.  You’re all in this too.”

Buffy led the way down the stairs followed by Giles and the others.  She stopped dead when she reached the kitchen: her mom and Spite were sitting round the breakfast counter sipping cups of tea. 

“Buffy, Rupert.  Xander and Willow too.  Thanks for calling round.  We’re having quite the open house today it seems.”

Buffy fixed her eyes on Spite, mouthing to him ‘are you alright?’  He nodded, cup to his lips to hide his smirk. 

“Ah….Joyce.  Are you………well?”

“Quite well, thank you.  Tea?”

Giles nodded and watched, mesmerised as Joyce poured him a cup.  The atmosphere was eerie; Joyce was acting as though everything was fine but there was an edge to her voice that had everyone jumpy.

“Have you all met Spite?”  Giles almost dropped his cup.  “Well, apart from you, Buffy. I know you have as he spent the night in your room, I believe.”

Buffy blushed.  What had Spite been telling her mom?  “So, are you going to formally introduce me to your boyfriend, Buffy?  Especially as we’ve both seen him naked?”  Giles spat the tea right across the room while Joyce calmly sipped hers.  Xander exploded.

“Naked!  You’ve seen him naked!  Oh……..right then….”  Spite’s snarl had him cowering behind Willow.

“Look.  You all have a lot to talk about……..maybe I’ll skedaddle, yeah?  Catch you later, Buffy.”

“You’ll sit right back down, young man.  I haven’t finished with you yet.”  Spite sat, surprised at himself.  Man she was fierce!

“Right.  I want answers.  Spite has been telling me a fanciful tale.  He says he has no memory prior to last night and neither do you.  Is that right, Buffy?”

Buffy nodded.  “And he advises me that he spent the night here because he really didn’t know where else to go.”  Buffy nodded again.  “Well, I suppose I can understand that.”  Buffy sighed with relief.  “What I can’t understand is why he was nude.”

The silence was oppressive.  Eyes shifted one to the other as nobody was willing to venture a reply.  “Mom, I know this sounds wild but really, I don’t know what to tell you.  Only thing I remember is waking up in the cemetery with Spite, bumping into Giles on the way home and then……well, we didn’t know what else to do so we crashed in my room.”  She avoided her mom’s eyes, blushing furiously as she glossed over what exactly the ‘crashing’ comprised of.  “I don’t even remember you…….sorry.”

Joyce gulped against the sudden tears pricking at her eyes.  She still didn’t feel well and the shock of waking up and seeing Spite’s – admittedly muscular and appealing – bottom peeking out from beneath Buffy’s bed followed on by the realisation that her innocent little girl was not so innocent any more was taking its toll.  Now to be told that Buffy didn’t know who she was – well, it was all too much.

“Joyce.  I’ll try to explain if I can.  But first, there’s something I must know.  Spite?  Do you mind?”

“Depends what it is, mate.  What can I do you for?” 

“Just a simple test.  Hold out your hand.”  Spite did so, eyes curious but not threatened.  Giles pulled out the stopper from the Holy Water bottle he carried and slowly dripped some onto Spite’s upturned palm.  The result was instantaneous smoking flesh, ridged brow and fangs and shrieking all round.   Willow and Xander huddled behind the watcher, clinging to each other in fright.  Spite backed off, like a wild animal captured and wounded, holding onto his smoking hand and facing the room.  He snarled, unsure what was going on but feeling instinctively that his life was in danger.  Joyce had pushed her chair backwards as the screaming had begun and stood now looking between Spite and the others with her hands covering her mouth in horror.

Buffy just gazed on the scene in front of her, paralysed with shock.  What was this?  Was this a vampire?  But….she’d slept with him, kissed him, still wanted to kiss him……… Out of the corner of her eye she saw Giles reach into his pocket and pull out a wooden stake.  As if in slow motion she saw him grip it and move towards Spite who was backed up against the fridge and lurched into action, placing herself between Giles and the snarling vampire.

Giles managed to stop the descent of the stake before it hit her.  “Move out of the way, Buffy.  He’s dangerous, we need to get rid of him.”

“No.  Not gonna happen.  I don’t know how we’re together but we are.  Either put it down and we talk… or leave.  You say I’m this vampire slayer, guess that means I’m stronger than most, huh?  Well, unless you want to see how strong…..”

“Vampire slayer?”  Joyce murmured, strength leaving her as she sagged against the kitchen counter. 

“I’ll explain, mom.  Once I know what it is, I’ll fill you in.”   Buffy was leaning against Spite’s chest, her frame tight with repressed energy as she readied herself to fight.  Just because she didn’t remember who or what she was, seemed her body hadn’t forgotten.  “So?  What’s going on?”

Giles sighed and lowered the stake, placing it on the counter and backing away.  “Very well.  Buffy, it’s true. You are the vampire slayer, one girl in all the world chosen to…..I suppose that bit can wait.  Willow and Xander truly are your friends and I am your school librarian.  I am also your Watcher.  You have slain many vampires, not to mention demons and other beasts.  Your life is not simply that of a schoolgirl, nor are the lives of your friends.  The reason you are quite clearly unaware of anything prior to last night is that Willow inadvertently cast a spell that robbed you of your memories.  And seemingly, the memories of Spite also.”

The vampire was watching the proceedings and fighting the urge to claw and kill.  He had no idea what was happening to him, but he did know that these people meant to harm him…….and that Buffy had stopped them.  He snaked his arm round her waist and pulled her tighter against him.

“Look! All of you back off.  Spite and I are going for now, we need to talk.  While we’re gone just……….just fix it!”  Buffy and Spite started to back off to the door, eyes never leaving the motley clan assembled in the kitchen.

“Erm……Buffy.  Sunlight?”  Willow pointed to the ball of burning sun making its presence known in the corner of the window. 

“Sunlight?”

“Not good for vampires.  Very…….un-mixy.”

“Oh.  Right.  Then……..we’re going to my room.”

The two blonds backed out of the kitchen, their footfalls on the stairs echoing in the silence that followed their departure.  Giles was the first to move, removing his glasses and wobbling over to take a seat at the breakfast counter.  Joyce sat down next to him and reached out a shaky hand to pat his.   

Rupert?  Do you want to tell me what’s going on with my daughter?”  Giles started in on the history of slayers and vampires as Willow and Xander helped themselves to ice cream.

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