Blood Warms the Heart
 Chapters 4-7


Written by: TaniTKD
 Author's Website





Summary: What if Buffy reacted differently when Spike flashed his game face during the Bronze scene of Fool For Love? This Buffy responds to his demon. Warning-bloodplay. Spoilers up to FFL then AU.
Disclaimer: The show Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (The Series) and all of it's characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, & Fox Prod.
Feedback: tanitkd@yahoo.com





Chapter 4
                  

"So what, you think we're like demonic soul mates?"

Buffy turned around to face Spike. They both looked at each, trying to read the intent in the other's eyes. Buffy started to giggle, the moment becoming to much for her to handle.

"Oh what, you think what I said was funny, Summers?" Spike growled.

Buffy tried to stifle her laughter. "No, no Spike. Sorry. Really sorry" She tried to maintain a serious face. Then the more she thought about it, the funnier it became. "Oh wait, yes it is funny," she managed to get out.

Spike's lips twitched. "Slayer, do tell the Big Bad what you find so bleedin' hilarious about all of this?"

"Oh come on Spike. Of all the people in the world that this had to happen to, it happened to US. You know, there's you, who has tried to kill me how many times? And there's me, well, how many times have I kicked your ass? I even put your ass in a wheelchair! You don't find just a little bit of humor in that?" Buffy tried to explain, still laughing.

"But you know I'm right," Spike whispered seductively into her ear.

That stopped Buffy's laughter dead in it's tracks, and she looked up at him again. "Yes, I know," she admitted quietly. She suddenly felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her, she had finally freed herself with that admission to Spike. 'Oh Giles is going to wig out big time about this ', she thought to herself.

She tried to read his _expression. And found herself suddenly worried. "Spike, do you feel it to?"

Spike realized he hadn't shared his growing reactions to her, that had apparently developing right along with hers..

"Luv, I've been right there with you," he assured her.

"You hid it well. You were always so rude," she informed him.

"While you, pet, were always just a ray of sunshine, now weren't you?" he replied, in a teasing tone.

"Of course," she grinned. "Giles is so going to flip."

"What are you going to tell him, luv?"

"I don't know. Oh, how about this? Oh Giles, the first slayer demon reincarnate, who just so happens to occupy some part of me, wants to get it on with the demon that just so happens to occupy Spike. Oh yeah, and Giles, I think they are demon soul mates or something, since the First Slayer Demon Reincarnate doesn't want to get it on with any old demon, just Spike." Buffy narrated.

"Yeah, I think that is just what Gile's is going to want to hear," Spike drawled.

"God, it sounds like Cave Buffy all over again." She pouted.

Spike laughed. "Yeah I heard about that. Too bad I missed that one." he teased, as he traced his finger up and down her arm. She knew her heart rate picked up with his gentle touch, and knew it hadn't escaped his notice.

"So we know what your little slayer friend inside of you wants," Spike purred. "But what does Buffy want?"

She looked at him again, a little grin on her face. In remembrance of her Cave Buffy fiasco, where she regressed to Buffy B.C., she leaned close to Spike and said in a guttural tone, "Spike. Buffy Want Spike."

Spike returned her grin with one of his own. "And Spike Want Buffy."

"Now that is convenient" Buffy uttered, as Spike's lips met hers. God, there it was again, the feeling of utter completion that she was right where she needed to be. But she was glad that they had talked before turning to more er, pressing matters.

Spike's hand slid down the length of her body, pulling her until she lay underneath him, deepening their kiss. He ran his fingers through her hair, inhaling her scent. The musk of her arousal and the faint smell of vanilla was like heaven to him, he just couldn't get enough.

He broke away from her lips and pressed kisses over her face and down her neck. Like before, her jugular beckoned him, and he nipped it with his blunt teeth.

Buffy groaned, as flash of need consumed her. She grabbed at the back of Spike's black T-shirt and pulled it up, running her hands along his back in the process. She yanked it over his head, and he shrugged it off. Her hands were everywhere, touching and caressing the leanly sculpted muscles, pressing kisses along the way. She bit at his earlobe, then nipped at the very spot on his neck that Spike had nipped on her.

For Spike, it had the same effect. Desire overwhelmed him, and he quickly divested Buffy of her clothes, worshipping her body the entire time.

"God Buffy, I want you so much," he groaned, grinding his erection into her. His fingers found the folds of her heat, and she was already so wet, he could hardly stand it.

"Need you Spike"came the reply, as her fingers went to the buttons on his jeans to release the only thing that would make this ache go away. How he got his jeans off without leaving her, Buffy didn't know or care. She just needed him to be naked. His fingers returned to rub at her clit, and she moaned. She grabbed his hard length with her small hand, and guided his cool member to her opening.

"Can't wait Spike"she moaned, "I need you inside of me." She didn't have to tell him again. When she felt him thrust himself deep inside of her, it was like the world fell away in pieces and then those pieces were put back together. Except this time they were put back together RIGHT, the way the were supposed to be. Nothing had ever felt this good, nothing had ever even come close.

"Fuck, Buffy," Spike growled, the sensation of being inside her was unlike anything he had ever felt. She was so warm, so tight. He thrust hard into her. Buffy met him thrust for thrust, grinding her clit into his pelvis. They were both so close.

They were looking into each other eyes, and then Buffy did something unexpected. She tilted her head to the side, baring her throat for Spike.

And then Spike came with a roar, vamping out and burying his fangs into her jugular, her slayer's blood slipping effortlessly down his throat.

"You're mine," he growled, fangs still embedded in her neck.

That triggered Buffy's own orgasm, the most intense one of her life, and her vaginal walls trembled and clenched, milking Spike's cold seed from his ejaculation. The feeling of him pulling the blood from her body was indescribable. It was as he was pouring himself, demon and man, INTO her, rather than taking from her.

As if she was not in control of herself, Buffy turned into Spike's neck and bit down hard, his blood pouring into her mouth. "Yours, " she announced. Spike felt a rush pass through his body at her words, as the claim was completed. She was his.

Spike retracted his fangs, and returned to human guise, licking the twin puncture wounds on Buffy's neck. He raised his head and looked down at her.

She looked a little dazed. Then she smiled. "Holy crap," was all she was capable of uttering. Spike smiled back and flipped them over so she was laying on top of him, her head pillowed on his chest. Buffy felt the vibrations start in his chest before she heard the sounds of his purring. She felt safe and content, and the smile did not leave her face.

After a few moments, Spike broke the silence. "You do realize what happened here tonight, don't you, luv?"

"We had hot monkey sex?" Buffy teased.

"Well yeah. That's not all though." he replied. "I claimed you. You do know what that means, right?"

"More hot monkey sex? Oh, and lots of orgasms?"

"I'm serious, Buffy."he admonished.

"Oh sorry, I think I was channeling Anya there for a minute," Buffy stated. In a more serious tone, she continued.

"Yes Spike, I do know what happened and yes, I do know what it means. It means your ass is mine."

Spike gave a short bark of laughter. "Oh luv, I think you have that seriously backwards. It means you belong to me, YOUR lucious ass is MINE."

"Hey wait," Buffy whined. "I claimed you back, what happened to equal rights?."

"Excuse me? Who's the vampire here? I'm the bleedin' Alpha Male, woman." Spike informed her, in a teasing superior tone.

Buffy pretended to ponder that. "So, that makes me.... what? The...Beta Buffy Bitch?"

Spike laughed, "You said it luv, not me."

Buffy pretended to slap him, then laid her face back against his chest. God, this was so easy. Why was this so easy? Something monumental had taken place tonight, and they were able to joke about it. Then her thoughts turned serious, and she thought about what had just transpired.

Again, it was like Spike had read her mind, as he asked "Why did you return the claim, Buffy? You didn't have to, you know."

"I know. I NEEDED to though, does that sound weird? I think First Slayer Cave Bitch Buffy needed to. She's happy now, by the way. We're happy." She revealed.

Spike moved his hand to stroke the back of her head. "So are we, luv. So are we." He murmured to her, as he sensed Buffy easing into sleep. He wrapped his arms around her protectively, and joined her.

"Mine," were his last thoughts before he fell asleep.






Chapter 5



SPIKE'S CRYPT

       Spike opened his eyes a few hours later. His senses were immediately assaulted by the woman wrapped in his arms.  She was still sleeping soundly, her face completely relaxed as he gazed down
on her.

      He looked at the clock across the room and saw it was almost 3am. Spike gently untangled himself from Buffy, and got up. She didn't wake up with the jostling, and Spike decided to let her sleep.

       His acute hearing picked up a ringing noise, and he identified it as Buffy's cell phone. He strode across the room to where she had flung her purse when they had first arrived, retrieving the phone
from inside.

       Not wanting to disturb her, he checked the messages. They were all from Dawn. He went down to the lower level of his crypt with Buffy's phone and called the number Dawn had left.

After one ring, Dawn answered it with a frantic "Buffy????"

"No niblet, it's me."

"Oh my god Spike, is Buffy ok?"

"Yes, don't worry, little bit, she fine. We were watching movies and we fell asleep. I didn't want to wake her up, " Spike tried to explain.

"Right, movies, Spike. Good one," Dawn retorted. "Dammit, don't you guys do that to me!! I was worried!! I had to cover for Buffy with mom, she kept asking where she was."

"Thanks bit, appreciate it. I know Buffy will too," Spike said.

"Oh MY GOD! You're calling her Buffy! What happened Spike? Anything good?" Dawn asked enthusiastically.

"Bloody hell, what do I look like? One of your soddin gossipin girly girl-friends?" he blustered, trying to get her off the subject.

Dawn squealed, "I'm going to take that as a yes. I'm so happy!!"

"Listen, you can talk to Buffy tomorrow. I need my beauty sleep, you know. Going back to sleep here," Spike told the girl.

"Have Buffy call me in the morning ok? And keep the phone by you guys, ok? In case I need to get a hold of you?," Dawn requested.

"Yeah sure, whatever," he grumbled. He could hear Dawn's laughter as he pushed the end button.

'Well, at least somebody's happy about us,' Spike said to himself.

He went back upstairs to where Buffy was still sleeping. He picked her up and carried her downstairs to his bed, laying her on the black satin sheets. Buffy's phone was placed on the bedside table next to his side of the bed. He climbed in next to her, pulling the sheets over them. Buffy instinctively nestled herself into his side, and he put his arms around her, nuzzling his mark on her neck.

I could get used to this, he thought, as his eyes closed and he joined his mate in slumber.

His sleep was interrupted by the pealing ring of Buffy's cellphone. Spike groaned and grabbed it before it woke up Buffy.

"This better be important Dawnie,"' he growled.
 

"Spike?  What are you doing answering Buffy's cellphone?" came the uptight cultured British voice that could only belong to Buffy's watcher.

"What time is it, you bleedin wanker? I was asleep, you nit,"

"You didn't answer me Spike. And it's 7am, a perfectly reasonable hour. Where's Buffy?" Giles replied.

       "You're calling at 7am? Are you daft? I'm hanging up now. It's
been a pleasure, as always, Watcher," Spike taunted.

"SPIKE!!!" came the enraged yell, as Spike was attempting to press the end button. He sighed and put the phone back to his ear.

"What now, you tosser?" spike replied.

"I want to know where Buffy is and I want to know why you are answering her phone at seven in the morning," Giles demanded, dreading the answer.

He heard Spike sigh on the other end, as he said a curt "fine." 

The phone was put down, and Giles felt a wave of nausea pass through him when he heard  what sounded like a mattress squeak then soft rustling. The nausea intensified when he heard Spike murmur a quiet "luv, wake up. Your watcher is on the phone."  Oh good lord, Xander had been right.  Giles hadn't wanted to give creed to the boy's wild ramblings about Spike and Buffy when he had showed up at
his doorstop last night. But faced with this evidence, it seemed a little foolish to try to deny it.

A minute later, Buffy's tired voice was heard over the headset. "Hi Giles."

"Buffy, I must ask, what in heaven's name is going on?"

There was a pause on the line. "I don't want to go into it right now Giles. I just woke up, my brain is going a little wonky right now," came Buffy's reply.

"Well, since I woke both you and Spike up, and he was answering your phone, it doesn't take a genius to figure some things out," Giles retorted.

Again there was a pause on the line. "Giles, it isn't quite what you think."

"Oh really? Did you or did you not spend the night with Spike?" Giles questioned heatedly.

Buffy glanced over at her lover, a smile spreading over her face. "Uh yes, I did," she admitted. "But..."

Giles wouldn't let her continue. "Then yes, it is EXACTLY what I think," he interrupted tersely, knowing he was behaving irrationally but not able to keep back the words.

Buffy's temper flared a little at that. Spike watched her change from Buffy to the Slayer in a second. Her focus changed and her words were sharp.

"Giles, you will NOT interrupt me again. Yes, your assumption was correct, I spent the night with Spike. Deal with it because it WILL be happening again." Spike's undead heart lept with Buffy's revelation to her watcher. Damn straight, it will, he thought. He eavesdropped on the rest of her conversation.

"Although that is not exactly your business, "she had continued to tell Giles. "But, I do want to talk to you about something, about what we've been researching. Can Spike and I come see you later?"

"Why in bloody hell does Spike have to be here?" Giles retorted. "Our research doesn't concern him."

"Yes, Giles, it does," came Buffy's response. Giles experienced a feeling of dread, knowing he was going to be faced with something he wasn't going to like. So what else is new, he thought to himself.

"Fine Buffy. I'll be opening the Magic Box at 9. Come by as soon as you can,"Giles directed, as they said their goodbyes and hung up.

Buffy put the phone down and cuddled back into Spike's arms. "Good morning Spike,"she said.

"Morning luv. I take it your watcher was a little put out that you were in bed with the Big Bad, eh?" he asked, kissing her gently on the forehead.

"Oh, just a little. But you know what? He's just going to have to deal with it," she told him.

"I like that answer."

"Thought you might. " Buffy gave her head a little shake and laughed. "God, this is so weird! Well, I guess what is so weird is that it really isn't so weird."

"Takes your brain a while to wake up, eh luv?"Spike teased.

"Oh shut up. You know what I mean. If someone told me yesterday that I would be right here with you today, I would have asked what they were smokin and can I have some." Buffy tried to explain.

"yeah you are right," spike admitted.

"And what's even weirder, is how easy this is. We've always been so nasty to each other, it shouldn't be this comfortable. I'm lying here totally naked, with my former mortal enemy and there is no where else I'd rather be.  Am I totally nuts here?"

Spike didn't bother to give her a verbal reply, he crushed his lips to hers. God he loved this woman. Buffy brought her arms up around his neck to draw him closer as he nibbled on her bottom lip. Desire coursed through both of them, and the time for talking was over.

Much later, as their orgasms came crashing down, Spike slipped his canines into his mark on her neck and once again reveled in the ambrosia of slayer blood. "Mine" he repeated possessively, a feeling of power coursing through him.

Buffy bit down on his neck and repeated the claim, as she felt herself exploding into a million pieces, her slayer muscles clenched down on Spike's cock, causing him to come a second time.

When they returned to themselves, they once again wrapped their arms around each other in contentment.

"I love you Buffy," Spike whispered.

Joy filled Buffy at hearing his words. Without hesitation, she replied "I love you too Spike."

They lay entwined, dozing on and off, just basking in the feeling of being with the other. Buffy finally told him what happened with Riley, to which 'Spike uttered "good riddance." She couldn't help but agree.

Finally Buffy rolled over and groaned, " Come on, we gotta get up."

"Oh bloody hell!! I'm not going anywhere."

"Yes, you are. You heard me tell Giles we would come by the Magic Box this morning. We have to get going," she scolded, as she tried to push the vampire out of the bed.

"You're a pushy bint, you know that Slayer? Don't go forgettin' who belongs to who here, luv,"Spike taunted, rolling out of bed and heading to his dresser to grab some clothes.

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Yeah yeah, you just keep thinking that."

"I will."

"You're so alpha, you're scaring me," she teased.

"Damn straight," he bantered, as they continued dressing.

"Spike? Do I even want to know why you have some of my clothes here?"

"uh no," came the reply.

"That's what I thought. You're lucky I'm appreciating the clean clothes, otherwise I'd be kicking your ass right now."

"Sure you would, babe."

"I would!" Buffy insisted, as Spike led her through the sewers to the Magic Box. Their light banter continued the entire way. Buffy realized she had never had this type of relationship before. Where she could be as sarcastic as she wanted and get as could as she gave. But she realized it had always been like that with Spike, just in a different capacity.

MAGIC BOX

As they entered the basement of the Magic Box, she had a smile of contentment on her face. Even the knowledge of having to face Giles and her friends couldn't dampen it. God she was happy. Hand in hand, they walked the stairs to the shop to meet Giles.





Chapter 6


MAGIC BOX

Giles heard the duo before he saw them, as they made their way up from the basement.

"You stupid cow, slayer! You better take that back, you bitch!" Spike hollered, entering the store behind a smiling Buffy.

"I'm not taking it back, you jackass, because it's true. You do have poodle hair,"Buffy taunted the vampire, a teasing glint in her eye. "Hi Giles!"

"Oh that's it. You've had it. I don't have to take this shit from you. Consider your scrawny bony ass warned." Spike growled.

Buffy turned to him and whispered cheekily "Promises Promises."

Spike's eyes lit up, and he grinned evilly. "Ohhhhh there's my nasty little cupcake." he purred.

They both turned to face Giles, whose feeling of dread increased triple fold. He suddenly wished he had indulged in a spot of brandy before this meeting. With a deep sigh, he pushed his glasses back on his nose and greeted the couple.

"Shall we get on with it then?" Giles, motioning them to the table towards the back of the empty store. Business was slow at that time of the day, so they were the only ones in the shop.

It did not escape Gile's notice the easy familiarity that was now evident between the vampire and his slayer. They held hands as they walked to the chairs, giving each other secretive smiles. To say Giles was shocked when he witnessed Spike pulling Buffy's chair for out her would be putting it mildly. To see the blonde vampire possessing anything resembling manners was well, extraordinary.

Spike noticed the other Englishman staring at him. "Is there a problem Watcher?"

"What? No, no at all."

Giles cleared his throat, and removed his glasses once more, reaching in his pocket for his handkerchief to clean the lenses.

"Right, so now maybe you can tell me what it is you needed to discuss with me?" Giles stated.

Buffy looked at Spike, who gave her short nod in support. "It's kind of confusing, bizarre really. I mean not totally bizarre, just kinda.'

"Luv, quit babbling and tell the man." Spike interrupted.

"Thank you Spike," Buffy said sarcastically. "Anyway. well, remember how we've been researching the First Slayer and all that?"

"Of course I remember Buffy."

"Well, I didn't tell you all the things i'd been feeling. About when I would go out at night, when I would feel like I had to, y'no, go hunting?" Buffy looked at Giles, and he nodded his understanding.

"Well, see, uh, I was really hunting for Spike. But I was afraid to tell you,"Buffy finished.

"WHAT?? Buffy, I'm afraid I dont' quite understand."

"Ok, remember how I said I could feel some primal feelings, and you said it was related to the first slayer, blah blah blah," Buffy tried to explain

"Yes, i understand that part." Giles said.

"All right, this is the part that I didn't tell you. When I got in touch with my Inner Infoofoo, she didn't want to just hunt vampires and kill, she wanted to hunt and find Spike," Buffy continued. "But not to kill him." She further clarified.

In the chair next to her, Spike had started howling with laughter. "Oh chirst Buffy, that's fucking hilarious. Bloody brilliant, that was," God he loved this girl.

Giles slammed his glasses back on his nose. "I am sick of your rudeness and sarcasm Spike! If you have nothing to add to this, I suggest you go, if you think this is so 'bloody hilarious'." Giles announced angrily. Nothing could piss him off faster than the bleach blond next to Buffy.

Spike took in the furious look on Giles face, and that made him laugh harder. Buffy started to snicker next to him. Finally, Spike gasped, "Oh don't get your knickers in a twist, mate. Haven't you ever seen Eddie Murphy doing stand up? Delirious? Infoofoo the Bush Bitch? Brilliant work."

Giles stared hard at the vampire who had resumed his hysterics, and had laid his head on the table in an attempt to get himself under control. Buffy tried to continue.

"All right, so when I channeled my Inner Bush Bitch".. hehehehehaha" At the last comment, Spike had come completely unglued, and was laughing so hard he fell out of the chair. He lay on the floor, tears coming out of his eyes.

"Spike stop it," Buffy giggled, and joined in his hysterics when Spike managed to shout "HALF!"

Giles just stared in disbelief at the duo. Never before had he seen his slayer act so ...god what word could he use to describe her? Giddy? Immature? snuck into his thoughts but he quickly dismissed it. He realized he had never seen Buffy laugh with such abandon, much less Spike.

"God, I'm such a git, I'm so weak I can't even move," Spike announced, laying on his back on the floor, wiping at the tears that had streamed down his face.

"You're so immature," Buffy informed him, wiping at her own tears. Spike stuck his tongue out at her.

"Enough of this foolish nonsense!" Giles snapped. "Can we please get on with this sometime today?"

"Sorry Giles, don't know what happened there," Buffy explained, throwing herself back weakly in her chair. "It wasn't even that funny."

"Yeah it was, babe. Fuckin hilarious." Spike commented.

"Are both you quite finished with this infantile behavior?"Giles snapped.

"Yeah, I think so," Buffy assured him, trying not to look at Spike, as he threw himself back into his chair next to the slayer.

"Right then, where were we? Did I miss anything?" Spike asked.

Buffy looked at him and rolled her eyes. "Dumbass."

"Yeah, but I'm your dumbass," Spike announced proudly.

Buffy looked back at Giles, trying to get her concentration together. "All right, I'm going to try this again." She then looked menacingly at Spike. "And don't you start in again either."

Spike smirked, and pretended to zip his lips.

"So as I was TRYING to say," she continued, "was I felt compelled to go out on the hunt, but my INNER SLAYER was really searching for Spike."

"What do you mean, Spike, exactly?" Giles questioned

"She means Infoofoo was calling for my demon." Spike explained, managing to say the name without bursting into hysterical laughter again.. "And my demon was calling for Infoofoo."

"Spike theorized that we are like some sort of demonic soul mates or bizarro thing like that," Buffy added. "And as much as that gives me the wiggins, it feels right."

Giles looked to be in a state of shock, his mind was racing with this announcement. Could it be true? Could the essence of the first slayer and Spike's demon be linking these two?

The bell over the door rang, signaling a customer. Giles breathes a sigh of relief at the interruption, he couldn't process this information right now. He would need to consult his books.

All three looked up to greet the newcomer to the store, only to be faced with Riley. Pure rage shot through Spike, and he looked over at his mate to note the thunderous look on her face.

"What the hell are you doing here Riley?" she asked.

"I came here to talk to Giles, I sure as hell didn't expect to find you here. You and that.. that THING" he retorted, disgust evident in his tone, as he pointed at Spike.

"Riley, it might be a good idea for you to come back later, we were in the middle of discussing something important, " Giles informed him, sensing the hostile undertones coursing throughout the room.

"I'm not going anywhere. Giles, I came here to talk to you and have you help me. I'm pretty sure that something weird or magical is going on. I'm absolutely positive that Buffy wouldn't be acting like this if HE wasn't doing something to her, " Riley spat, pointing at Spike.

Giles shook his head, and took his glasses off. "Riley," he began."This isn't the time to go into it."

"Leave Riley," Buffy ordered. "Now."

"You heard the lady,"Spike added, smugly. This was almost too good to be true. He may have changed a lot, but he still loved a good confrontation.

"I'm not going anywhere without you, Buffy," Riley announced, striding over to where she stood next to Spike and grabbed her arm. "I'm worried about you."

Spike growled. "Get your hands off my girl." Buffy smiled at him, she liked him possessive like this. It sent shivers through her, for some strange reason. Yesterday she would have kicked his ass if he tried to pull something like this. Now, she felt cherished.

Riley laughed maliciously. "Your girl Spike? Get real. She'll never be yours."

It was Spike's turn to laugh. "Oh really, Cardboard?" He turned to stand behind Buffy, pushing her hair back off her neck to reveal his claim mark. Buffy tilted her head to the side, giving Spike better access as she reached her arm around to bring him closer. Spike nuzzled the barely healed twin puncture wounds on her neck. Buffy closed her eyes in pleasure as she responded to his marking his claim

Riley looked in disbelief. "Holy fuck, you let him BITE you? Are you insane?" he shouted.

Giles looked on in shock, barely able to comprehend what exactly it was he was witnessing. When he saw the healing human bite mark on Spike's neck, he knew without a doubt, his conclusion was correct.

"Oh dear lord."he muttered, the urge for a brandy almost overwhelming now.

"What?"Riley demanded.

"He didn't just bite her. You claimed her, didn't you?" he asked the blonde vampire."

Spike gave the watcher a short nod.

"Did she claim you back?" he asked.

"Hello! Standing right here!" Buffy pouted.

"All right. Buffy, did you claim Spike back?" Giles asked. He already knew the answer, but for some reason, he needed to hear her say it out loud.

"Uh yeah." she admitted, leaning back into Spike as he wrapped his arms around her waist, his chin propped on her shoulder. "Infoofoo wanted me to. Well, Buffy wanted it too, I guess. We both did. Infoofoo's really happy about it." Buffy quipped.

"Who is Infoofoo, and what is a claim?" Riley demanded.

Buffy and Spike looked at each other and started snickering again.

"Oh dear lord. Not again, you too, please don't you start that again. I beseech you." Giles begged.

"What the hell is going on here? I really don't understand any of this!" Riley raged.

"Wow, big surprise there, you big demon hunter you. You really learned all there was to know about the things whose lives you ruined, didn't you?." Spike goaded.

Riley face contorted with anger and he reached over to Buffy and tried to grab her arm again, pulling her away from Spike.

With a roar, Spike vamped out and Riley found himself pinned against the wall with an enraged vampire holding him by the throat. If his chip was firing, there was no indication.

"I wouldn't try that again, mate. Buffy belongs to me now. She's mine." Spike growled at the soldier. "And I will not have not you touching my property, wanker." With that, he shoved Riley away and returned to Buffy, wrapping his arms around her possessively. Buffy had been silent during this exchange.

"Giles?" Riley turned to the stunned Watcher. He knew then that some vital part of his slayer had changed. Buffy had allowed Spike to protect her, something she would never ever have done previously. Giles knew he had no choice but to accept this change in their relationship, and hope that it was for the better.

"Spike's right, Riley," Giles informed the boy, turning to face him. "Buffy belongs to him now."

The entwined blondes threw startled looks toward the watcher. Buffy's face was filled with gratitude that her watcher was sticking up for them.

"And Spike belongs to Buffy," he continued. "They've claimed each. That means they have chosen each other for mates. This is a life long bond, very sacred. "

Riley gave one more heated look to the blonde pair and ground out "Oh we'll see about that." He turned on his heel and strode out the door, slamming it hard behind him.

Giles turned back to the pair in time to see Buffy turn and sink her teeth into Spike's neck, growling "mine."

Spike's vampiric guise quickly came forward, and he just as quickly slipped his teeth into the mark on his mate's neck. Not drinking, just claiming. "Yours" he uttered emphatically.

Giles was fascinated. Well, he would be if this was anyone but Buffy and Spike. For Buffy to display such animalistic behavior was astounding. She had been the one to initiate the reclaiming after Riley left, not Spike. He was quite certain he hadn't read anything in the Watchers Journals regarding any other slayer exhibiting this type of behavior. The implications of this was astonishing, really.

"Well, " Giles announced. "You are correct. This really does need to be discussed. And if I were you, I'd be keeping an eye on Riley, I didn't like the sound of his last words." As he gave them both a hesitant smile, Buffy knew then that things were going to be ok, Giles wasn't wigging as bad as she thought.

"Come on luv, your watcher wants to stick us under the microscope," he informed her. To Giles, he said "Don't worry, I can handle Captain Cardboard." He didn't mention that his chip hadn't fired when he had protected Buffy. He need to talk to Buffy about that first.

They both sat back down in the chairs they had vacated, and Giles took out his notebook. Buffy had never been happier. For once in her life, she felt perfectly safe and she felt complete. How she had managed to repress the feelings and the pull towards Spike all this time, she had no idea. But now that she was free to indulge it, she was content on every level.

Spike was also basking in his own contentment. To think that last night he had been happy to just be out with the girl, and now here she was. His mate and lover. The man and demon that resided inside Spike were both at peace, for the first time in.... forever, Spike realized.

When he shared that information with Giles, Buffy got up off her chair and went to sit in Spike's lap. She turned herself to face him, and put her arms around his neck. Looking deeply into his beautiful blue eyes, not caring that Giles was sitting right there, she smiled and said "I love you Spike."

Putting his arms around her and pulling her close for a hug. Burying his face in hair, he hoarsely replied "I love you too, Buffy."

Again, Giles was truly fascinated. He had noted the presence of unshed tears in the vampire's eyes before he hid his face from view. If these feeling these two felt for each other were real, and not the result of outside tampering, then the implications were mindboggling. Giles knew he would be spending a lot of time consulting books and studying prophecies. 'Oh dear god, please not another prophecy" he uttered to himself.

He would have to notify the counsel, and that opened up a whole different set of problems. Getting to his feet, he looked at the embraced couple.

"Thanks to you two, I have a tremendous amount of work ahead of me. I'll talk to you later, all right?"

"ok!" Buffy said perkily, hauling Spike to his feet. She needed to get home anyway, and talk to her mom and Dawn. "We'll be at my house if you find out anything."

"Does your mom know yet, Buffy?" Giles inquired.

"No, not yet, I haven't seen her," she explained.

"Dawn knows where you were last night," Spike informed her.

Huh? Where was I?" she asked.

"Asleep," he said with a smirk. "Your phone was ringing. Dawn had been leaving messages all evening so I called her back and told her you were with me."

Buffy groaned. "Oh great, I am so going to get the third degree."

"Bit was worried when you didn't come home, I didn't want her to sit up all night worrying," Spike explained. "She covered for you with Joyce, though. So you owe her."

Oh yeah, big Bad Vampire, Giles thought. Makes sure a teenager's not staying awake worrying. I wonder if he knows how human that is.

"We'll see. We will see you Giles! Thanks for being, you know, Mr. Cool Guy and everything," Buffy hugged her watcher. He really was amazed to see her so happy, it had been a long time since he'd seen her act like this.

Spike once again shocked Giles, and extended his hand. "Yeah, thanks mate. It means a lot to Buffy." In a daze, Giles shook the vampires hand. he was still shaking his head in disbelief as the vampire and slayer headed to the basement, hand in hand.

When they were out of the room, he heard Spike shout, "Dammit Slayer! Stop calling me Poodle!" Buffy's laughter could be heard even as the basement door slammed shut.

"Now where did I leave that brandy?" Giles muttered, heading to the counter behind the cash register.





Chapter 7


SUMMERS HOUSE

When Buffy and a slightly charred Spike burst through the front door of Buffy house, they were still snarking at each other. 'They had teased each other throughout the entire trip through the sewers, stopping in between to steal some kisses. However the fragrant atmosphere of the sewers dampened the majority of their ardor, and it didn't take them long to reach Buffy's house.

Dawn was upstairs in her room when she heard the door burst open. She opened her door and went downstairs to greet the couple. Before she got to the bottom of the steps, she heard them.

"You know what Slayer, you're turning into quite a pain in the ass. I think I may have liked you better when I thought you hated me. You may think you can make fun of my hair, my clothes, my car, everything, but I'm not about to let you get started on Passions. It's genius is a concept you cannot even begin to fathom, little girl." Spike was lecturing. Buffy was standing there with an amused grin on her face, hands on her hips.

"Spike please. It's a freakin soap. It has no genius," Buffy replied, rolling her eyes.

"Do I get on you about watching the X-Files? No, I don't. So sod off" Spike replied.

"YOU watch the X-files too, you dumbass."

Dawn interrupted the playful bickering. "Who are you two and what have you done with the real Spike and Buffy?"

The both sent a startled look to the stairs to find Dawn on the bottom step, observing them. "Oh hi Dawn," Buffy said, a little embarrassed.

'hey bit. Where's your mum?" he asked.

"At work. And where have you two been?" Dawn asked, in mock sternness.

"We uh, went to the Magic Box, to talk to Giles." Buffy explained.

"Right. The Magic Box." Dawn left her place on the stairs and walked into the kitchen. "You guys want something to eat?" she called.

"Sure!" Buffy called.

"Ok, then get in here and make something," Dawn retorted.

Spike let out a laugh. "That girl sure knows how to get people to do her will, doesn't she?" He looked at Buffy. "Oh wait. I forgot who I was talking to. She learned from the master."

"You are such a jackass Spike" Buffy replied, giving him a quick pat on his butt and walking into the kitchen. Spike left them alone, figuring they probably wanted to talk in private.

Buffy walked into the kitchen to find Dawn sitting at the counter. "Get cooking." She told her older sister.

"Huh?"

"You owe me big time. I plan on milking it. Starting now. Fix me something to eat." Dawn instructed with a smile on her face.

"You're demented, you know that, right?" came the reply, as Buffy rummaged through the refrigerator.

"Yep. Sure do! Soo... make with the gossip. What happened? And does this mean you're not dating Riley anymore?" Dawn interrogated.

"No, I'm not, we're over."

"And you and Spike are..... what?"

Buffy got a smile on her face and turned to face her sister. "Let's just say, we're really REALLY serious."

Dawn squealed in delight, ran to hug Buffy then ran out of the kitchen to go find Spike.

She found him in front of the telly, watching his favorite show. She threw herself down next to him on the couch, and gushed, "Oh my god, I'm so happy for you guys!! I always knew you'd make an awesome couple!"

Spike glowed at her enthusiasm. "What did Buffy tell you?"

"Just that she wasn't dating Riley anymore, and that you two were really serious." Dawn answered.

Spike nodded. "I love her."

"Well duh! That's been obvious for like, ever! Does she love you?"

"Yes Dawn, I do love him, " Buffy answered in a singsong voice, coming into the room. "Now I fixed you a sandwich, go eat it."

"Ok!" she gushed and left the room. Buffy settled on the couch next to Spike. "Do you want anything?" she asked him.

"Well that's a little too X-Rated a question to ask when the bit's in the house, don't ya think?" Spike teased, leaning over to kiss Buffy.

"Geez, mind in the gutter much? Do you want anything to eat?"

Spike got a seductive smirk on his face, and gestured to his mark on her neck. "I already ate, luv." he purred.

The sensation that shot through Buffy was instantaneous. Desire reflected back in her hazel green orbs, and she unconsciously licked her lips. She wanted to feel him inside her again, feel him slip in teeth in her flesh and drink from her. 'I think I'm the demented one' Buffy said to herself.

"God luv, I don't deserve you," Spike moaned, before he crushed his mouth to Buffy's, desperate to get as close to her as he could. She wound her arms around his neck and turned on the couch to straddle his lap, both knees on either side of his hips. She could feel his erection straining against his jeans and she ground her pelvis against his. The friction of his hardness rubbing against her jean clad clit was almost more than she could take.

"Oh.. EWWW!!" they heard, and broke away guiltily. "jeez, you guys, can't you like do that when I'm not in the house?"

Buffy couldn't believe she had gotten herself so lost in Spike that she forgot her sister was there. That had never happened to her before.

Spike said "Sorry niblet. Got carried away, is all. Your sister jumped me, as you could see, and was trying to have her wicked way with the Big Bad."

Both Summers rolled their eyes, "Good one Spike. Very believable" Dawn replied.

"Poor Spike, you poor vampire, being taken advantage of by the slayer. That's so sad," Buffy cooed, reaching up to stroke his face. Spike slapped her hand away, but turned her so she tumbled onto his lap. He didn't think Dawn needed to see the impressive bulging in his jeans.

"Sarcastic bints. Don't' know why I put up with this shit. But seriously Bit, I do need to talk to big sis about something. Why don't you take your sandwich back in the kitchen?"

"Fine, fine. But keep it PG, please." Dawn instructed, walking away.

"Was that an excuse to get me alone again?" Buffy asked.

Spike snorted, "Don't flatter yourself, luv." he teased. then in a more serious tone, he continued, " I do need to run something by you."

"Go for it. I'm listening."

"When I pinned your cardboard soldier against the wall, my chip didn't fire." Spike revealed, anxiety coursing through him as he waited for his lover's response.

"So, what? Either Riley isn't quite human, or the chip doesn't work anymore?" Buffy asked, in a calm tone. "That's about it."

"Your chip doesn't fire when you bite me, does it?" Buffy asked.

"No, but then that didn't surprise me. You wanted it and my intent was not to hurt you, so the chip seems to figure those things about." Spike explained.

"Oh. Ok." she stood up. "Get up."

Spike was confused, this wasn't the reaction he was expecting. "why?"

"So you can hit me, Einstein. Then we can see if your chip is working or not. Or if Riley is the problem."

"I can't hit you, Buffy." Spike told her.

"Spike, you've hit me probably a thousand times before, and you have a problem with it now?" Buffy asked in astonishment.

"Well, yeah. You're my mate now. Can't hurt you. I won't hurt you." he clarified.

"This is so ridiculous! How are we going to test your chip?" Buffy asked him

The doorbell rang at that moment, and then Willow popped her head in. "Buffy? Are you here?"

Buffy walked to the door, and greeted Willow. Behind her were Xander and Anya. "Well, isn't this convenient," she muttered to herself. "come in, you guys."

The three newcomers followed Buffy into the living room where Spike sat sprawled on the couch. "Look honey, we have guests." She announced in a tone that made Spike look at her. He noted the smirking grin, then saw Willow, Xander and Anya. Then he saw what she was up too. Oh, this was going to be good, he'd waited a long time for this one.

Xander took one look at Spike and voiced his disproval. "What is Dead Boy Jr doing here?"

"Uh, I invited him?" Buffy retorted.

"But why?"

Anya rolled her eyes. "Xander! You really are dense, aren't you? You didn't want to listen to me. I told you last night that Buffy wanted Spike to give her orgasms. you have to be Mr. Denial about everything."

"Oh sweet fancy jesus, tell me it's not true," Xander begged Buffy.

"Sorry Xander, it is true," Buffy admitted. Willow and Anya looked at her and gave her encouraging smiles

Dawn came into the room, "hey guys! What are you talking about?"

"We're talking about Buffy's obsession with the undead," Xander said.

"Watch your mouth boy," Spike growled, getting up off the couch and coming to stand behind Buffy.

"You're talking about Spike? I think it's cool," Dawn announced. "Spike's like my best friend, why wouldn't I want him together with my sister?"

"Xander I know it's a little hard to take in, but please try to understand. I love him, " Buffy revealed, looking at Spike with adoration shining in her eyes.

"Oh god, I don't want to hear this." Xander replied. "This is disgusting."

Buffy's eyes hardened. "No, what's disgusting is your refusal to accept something that makes me happy."

"What about Riley? I thought you loved him. And then you dropped him, for this evil fiend" Xander spat, pointing at Spike.

"I never loved Riley. And Xander, this is MY life, ok? And Spike isn't evil, not anymore. I need him."

"Xander, why don't you just accept it? Your friend is in love with a demon. You're in love with an ex-demon. I don't think you are in much of a position to say too much. And if you say much more, you run the risk of REALLY PISSING ME OFF!!!" Anya informed her boyfriend.

Spike groaned inside, he was hoping that Xander would get riled up enough so he could throw a punch at him. But then Anya had to go and try to smooth things over.

His interest piqued when Anya continued, "Congratulations, you two. Oh, and Spike? Nice work on the bite marks on Buffy's neck."

Spike looked over to see Xander's eyes almost bulge out of his head. Oh yeah, this was getting good.

"Those are BITE MARKS?? I thought they were hickeys! That bastard bit you???" Xander strode over to where Buffy was standing and pushed her hair away to try to get a better look at her neck. "See these Dawn? These are what your supposed "best friend" did to your sister."

Spike growled low in throat at the close proximity of the boy to his mate, as he continued to watch the boy rant.

"I don't see what the big is, Xander. It's not like Buffy can't handle herself, you know." Dawn replied.

"Xander, I don't think this is really our business." Willow said, speaking for the first time since she arrived. She had been observing the two blondes, and it pleased her to see the happiness radiating from them.

"Really Xander, calm down. I bet Buffy liked it." Anya commented.

A secretive grin played on Buffy's face. "I did," she admitted, leaning back into Spike. That seemed to be the final straw for Xander. He got into Spike's face and said "I don't care what you've managed to get everyone else here to believe, but I know what you are. If I see anymore bite marks on my friend, I'll stake your undead ass." he threatened.

Oh yes, the opportunity had finally presented itself, Spike thought gleefully to himself. He drew his arm back and punched Xander in the face and waited. There was nothing, no pain. Buffy looked at him, and he shook his head. Then they both smiled.

"What the fucking hell?? What happened to your chip?" Xander yelled, picking himself up off the floor, preparing to lunge at the blonde vampire.

Anya and Willow grabbed onto him. "Oh no you don't. You more than deserved that." Anya informed him.

"Sorry about that, mate. I had to check something out. Thanks for being a wanker and obliging me." Spike halfassed apologized.

Wiping at the blood coming out of his nose, Xander replied, "I mean it what i said about the bite marks. I don't want to find my friend drained one of these days."

"Sorry mate, can't promise you anything there. Because Buffy and me, well, what can I say? we like to bite." Spike taunted, turning his head so that Buffy's mark was visible.

"Jesus Spike" Buffy admonished, rolling her eyes at him again. "That was totally lame."

"What? It's true. you can't keep your teeth off me."Spike replied.

"Whatever." She turned to face her friends. "So are we all cool here?"

"Definitely" said Willow, giving Buffy a hug.

"I personally didn't really care one way or another, but I'm cool with it." Anya announced.

Buffy looked at Xander. "Xander? we cool?"

He looked at his friend, nodded and went to hug her. As he put his arms around her, Spike instinctively vamped out and leapt towards the hugging friends.

Buffy felt Spike's approach and quickly broke away from the embrace and turned to intercept her mate. "It's ok, chill." she told him.

"Geez Spike, overprotective much?" Dawn drawled.

"Oh, he's just protecting his mate." Anya announced.

"HIS WHAT???" Xander cried. "Oh this is just going from bad to worse." he muttered.

"His mate. You did claim each other, didn't you?" at their nods, she continued, "That is probably why your chip isn't working anymore. When you claim someone, part of you passes to the other person. It was probably enough to throw off the chip."

"Makes sense," Spike conceded.

"Ok, I think it's time to leave now, before i find out anything else that makes me ill." Xander stated, heading for the door, Anya in tow.

"I'm assuming you've talked to Giles?" Willow asked.

Buffy nodded. "Not about the chip thingie, that just came up. But Giles might need your help with some researchy stuff, you might want to stop by the Magic Box if you have time." she told Willow.

"Ok, I'll do that. Talk to you later! And I really am happy for you guys. None of us are in conventional relationships, so we should be the last ones to give you grief about yours. I think Xander will come around." Willow said.

"I hope so." she gave her friend a hug. Willow kept an eye on spike, but apparantly he did not consider the other girl a threat to his mate. Wow, to have someone that protective of you, pretty cool. She could see that Buffy was totally digging on it.

"Bye Dawn" she called, as she left.

"So, Chipless Wonder, now what?" Buffy asked. Spike raised his eyebrow and gave her an evil grin.

 

 
 CONTINUED...


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