Blood Warms the Heart
Chapters 11-14
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 11
Spike arrived back at his new house shortly before lunchtime. One thing that had been a clincher on the house deal was the convenient sewer access. It enabled Spike to move around town during the daylight hours. Since he had started having Buffy's blood in him, his body kept wanting to adjust itself to Buffy's sleep pattern, rather than his own vampire creature of the night routine. He was tired during the night and awake during the day now, and his sunlight aversion made that a bit difficult to deal with. One more way the claim was making itself known.
Spike dashed through his front door, tossing aside the blanket he had over his head. He found Angel in the kitchen warming up some pig's blood he brought with him.
"So how is it you have all your utilities on? I didn't think it worked quite the fast, no matter who you tried to pay off." Angel asked, pushing the buttons on the microwave to heat up the mug of blood.
"They are still on from the last owner, he died not too long ago," came Spike's reply. At Angel's look, he added "From NATURAL causes, you ponce. His kids couldn't wait to get in here and sell off his house and his life's possessions. Greedy bastards, but it was good for me."
Angel took his mug out of the microwave, and gestured to Spike with it. "Want some?"
"No, thanks, mate. I fed last night," he replied with a smirk.
It took Angel a moment to catch the meaning behind that statement. "Buffy, You fed from Buffy."
Spike got a dreamy look on his face and sighed, "yeah. She's amazing."
Angel felt the jealousy rear up again, but pushed it back down. Then he became angry. "Yes, I know. I know she's your mate, Spike, but I don't want to see her hurt. You've been lucky so far you've been able to stop your demon before you've taken too much, but you need to stop feeding from her. Someday, you won't be able to control your demon and Buffy will suffer the consequences."
Spike just stared at him, an incredulous look on his face. "Look, Peaches, I know she used to be your girl, but she's not anymore. I would NEVER hurt Buffy, and when I feed from her, it's not William that tells me it's time to stop, it's my demon. The demon wants her safe as much as I do. As I said before, I'm not you, I am NOT controlled by the monster inside me."
Angel had the sense to look abashed. He admitted quietly, "The one time I fed from Buffy, when she was trying to save my life, I almost killed her Spike. I almost drained her, I had to rush her to the hospital to save her. And the hardest part was, I knew I was doing it, but I couldn't stop. Not until it was almost too late. I have never hated being a monster so much in my entire life until that moment."
"I know about that, Buffy told me. She doesn't blame you. Anyway, if it makes you feel better, I think this urge to feed from Buffy goes beyond simple bloodlust and slayer blood. It feels like I'm SUPPOSED to. Then when she bites me back, and she ingests some of our combined blood, we both feel this weird sense of mystical power. Or some rot like that." Spike explained. "Anyway, you wanna know what went down in the Initiative bint's office, or what?"
Angel nodded, and the moment of deep reflection was over. Spike informed him of
Maggie's willingness to go along with their plan. Angel could see why Spike would interest somebody like Maggie.
"How can you be sure you can trust her?" Angel asked.
"I don't, not entirely. But I usually have a good sense in reading people, and I'm pretty sure she's being straight with me. The worst thing that could happen is I find myself a lab rat again. I didn't tell her about your involvement in this, figured you could be our wild card." Spike answered. He showed the brunette vampire the military issue mini camera he had been given for Buffy's meeting with Riley.
The knowledge that Buffy was going to be meeting with Riley without Spike there was eating him up inside. He wanted to be there, but knew it had to be done this way. He went into the other room and called Buffy's cell phone from his. He wouldn't put it past Finn to bug her phone.
When she answered, he relayed the details of his meeting with Riley's superior to Buffy, and they set up the rest of the plans. They could both feel the absence from the other, and it was becoming harder to remain apart. Spike was feeling his sense of her well-being was increasing the longer she was away from him. When he mentioned it, Buffy admitted that she could feel him also.
Before they hung up, they made arrangements to get the mini cam to Buffy. Maggie would be listening in when Buffy and Riley met, that was the only way she had told Spike she could justify transferring Riley.
Uttering words of love, they both hung up. Buffy went to call Riley to set up their meeting, and then all they could do was wait. Buffy had a hard time persuading Riley not to come racing over, to play his role of Knight in shining armor. She took note of the fact that his acting skills were flawless.
When she had phoned him the previous night, pretending to be distraught because her ex lover had staked Spike, he had displayed just the right amount of shock and sympathy. He had wanted to come over that night to comfort her, but Buffy had told him that she needed time alone, to think. He appeared to understand, especially when Buffy voiced her confusion to him, telling him she didn't know if she should be sad or happy over Spike's dusty demise. She let it slip that before he died, his chip had stopped working and she hadn't been able to trust him when he wasn't on a leash. Riley seemed shocked at this revelation, then Buffy detected a pleased note creep into his faux sympathetic voice. She couldn't wait to take Riley down a notch or two. What the hell had she seen in him? But Buffy knew if she hadn't been trying to fight her feelings about Spike so hard, she wouldn't have clutched so desperately to Riley, a normal boyfriend.
Arrangements were made, and Buffy smiled to herself in anticipation. ~A shopping trip, that's so what I need. Gonna get me something to knock the socks off of all three of them. Oh god, I've slept with all three of them. All I need is to throw Parker into the mix, and we could really party.~
She shrugged at herself in the mirror, and grabbed her coat and went to go hit the mall.
A few successful shopping hours later, she returned to her house to get ready for her "date." She had picked up the mini cam up on the way home from the designated drop-off spot. It was right where her lover had told it would be.
Buffy had found this really awesome pair of black leather pants, on sale even, that fit her like a dream. So ok, she hadn't REALLY needed a new pair of leather pants, but it had been hard for her to resist them. Black leather made her feel so... wicked.
Reaching into one of her shopping bags, she retrieved a new pair of thick soled black boots. Sporting a 3 inch heel, these babies were gauranteed to add some height to Buffy's petite frame. She quickly took the tags off of her new purchases, and shimmied into them. Then she slipped on her new sequin halter top to complete the outfit. She admired herself in the mirror. ~Damn, I look hot! A little bony, but you're looking good, Summers~
She turned to her vanity to carefully apply her makeup. Pinning her hair up on top of her head, she let a few tendrils loose to frame her face. She grinned when she saw that when she wore her hair this way, it flaunted the visible bite marks on her neck. ~That should piss Riley off.~ She pinned the mini cam to her halter, ~damn these things are small!" It would provide visual and sound. Spike was making with the cloak and dagger, and not telling her the entire story, but she could feel excitement bouncing from him, through the claim.
By the time she finished playing with her make up and hair, it was time to meet up with Riley. He had wanted to come by her house, but Buffy demurred, saying she needed to get out. They had agreed on the Bronze.
Buffy arrived on time, walking into the familiar bar. Before she let herself walk in, she adopted a sad look to her face, which wasn't too hard since it saddened her to be kept apart from her mate.
She scanned the faces in the bar, looking for Riley's familiar handsome one. She didn't have to search long, he had obviously been waiting for her and approached her as she took a few steps inside.
He greeted her with a sympathetic smile. God, she looked hot, she was so beautiful, it made him ache.
She turned sad eyes to gaze into his. "Hi" she said softly. ~Oh I so want to kill you, you asshole~ was what she REALLY wanted to say. She saw his gaze directed to her neck, and noticed with satisfaction that his jaw clenched at the sight of the bite marks marring her perfect skin.
He turned to engulf her in a hug, and Buffy tensed, her heightened sense of smell noting the scent of another woman on him. ~Boy, that didn't take long, did it asswipe?~ her inner voice spoke. The feel of his arms around gave her the willies, and she adopted a slightly hysterical edge, and pretended to cry.
"Can we go sit down for a minute? This is so much harder than I thought." Buffy announced, sniffing.
"Sure, whatever you need, Buffy." Riley assured her in a ridiculously complacent tone.
Buffy made her way through the crowd, headed for a table by the back door that led to the alley. The same alley where she had thrown his stupid ass in the garbage a few nights ago. Riley followed, taking note of the way her ass looked in those hot leather pants. Oh yeah, he was looking forward to having her again.
"Riley, I want to apologize for hitting you the other night. I don't know what came over me. You have been the only one who has cared about this thing with Spike, everyone else has just accepted it." She started to say to him.
"It is because I care about you Buffy," he replied.
"I'm beginning to fully realize that. Anyway, everybody just let him come in and take me over. And I can admit this now, but it was scaring me. He was scaring me. His chip didn't work anymore, and I didn't know what he was doing when we weren't together." Buffy said, lying through her teeth. She felt that Spike was nearby, and she took comfort in his presence.
"And now that he's not here anymore, I think he had me in a thrall. Because, I mean, that wasn't me." She continued.
"Buffy, I know it wasn't. I tried to tell you that, tell everyone else. They wouldn't believe me." Riley replied in a smug tone. Buffy felt like smacking that smug look right off his face, and it was taking all of her control to keep up the appearance of being a simpering lightweight.
"And then Angel must have been told about a vision about Spike and me, because all of a sudden he was right there," Buffy pretended to start sobbing at this point, grabbing into her purse for a tissue. "And.. and before I could blink, he had thrust a stake through Spike, and he turned to dust right before me. And I didn't even think after that, I just grabbed a stake and thrust it into Angel. I killed my first love, and oh god Riley, I'm so confused!"
Riley felt proud of his plan to get rid of both vampires, it had worked exactly like he'd hoped it would. He had Buffy right where he wanted her.
She abruptly stood up, "I can't breathe in here," she gasped. Oh yeah, she was ripe for the pickings. "I have to go get some air." She announced in a series a rapid expirations, and stumbled to the back door and flung it open, stepping outside.
Riley caught up to her as she leaned herself back against one of the brick walls that surrounded the alley, appearing to be indulging in deep breathing exercises. In reality, she was trying to contain her laughter.
Riley looked around, this was not the best place for them to be, even if Buffy was a slayer. The shadows being thrown off of the buildings were dark and impenetrable. The darkness was thick throughout most of the alley and Riley noted the street lights that usually illuminated at least part of the alley were inoperable, and dark shadows were cast. The quarter moon offered only a sliver of light, and Buffy was bathed in that moonlight..
Riley went over to her and said, "Buffy, this isn't the best place for us to be, you're upset and we're vampire bait sitting here." His heart started racing as he heard an evil chuckle and slow footsteps sounded from deep within the shadows.
"Wouldn't want to be vampire bait, now would you?" came a sinister voice. Riley threw a glance over to Buffy to gauge her reaction, if she'd be any help with this fight, and noted her just peering into the shadows. Her eyes appeared to change colors as he looked at her. No, that couldn't be right, it must be a trick of the light.
Another pair of footsteps were heard coming from the opposite side, but it was too
dark for Riley to see anything. He could feel his heart speeding up, this was spooking him. No, more than spooking him, this was downright scaring the living shit out of him.
Suddenly a familiar British voice rang out, "Riley Finn. Someone tells me you've been a baaa-d boy." That uttered, Spike stepped into the light, full game face present for effect. His blonde hair was slicked back in its familiar style, and he sported his trademark black leather duster, as well as black jeans and black t-shirt. He looked truly sinister, and Riley felt a tendril of fear go through him. He flicked a glance to Buffy and saw her smile, a wicked and feral smile. Her eyes WERE a different color, the color was a perfect match to the blonde vampire's. ~Oh shit, this is NOT good~ he thought.
Angel strode to the other side of Spike, his demon visage also visible on his face. He was dressed like he had been the first time Riley met him, similar to Spike but with a black trench coat. Angel had frightened Riley at that meeting, and he was terrifying him now. He realized he was in some major deep shit.
Buffy looked at Riley and announced, "I think you have some explaining to do, Riley."
Rage tore through him at the knowledge that he had been set up. "You bitch!" He yelled. That was all he was able to get out, because Spike let out a roar and had Riley pinned against the side of the building, fangs uncomfortably near his throat.
"You will apologize to Buffy for that, you wanker. Or you will die." he growled.
"You can't kill me, you have the chip, you asshole," Riley spat back.
Spike gave him a smirk and said "Allow me to offer you a demonstration of how CHIPPED I am." and he allowed his fangs to sink into Riley's jugular.
Riley's eyes bulged out of his head when he felt the sharp pierce of pain that accompanied Spike's actions. ~Oh shit, the chip really didn't work. He's going to kill me~ Before Riley could finish another thought, Spike had removed his fangs, without taking any blood and tossed Riley to the side.
"You will do well to remember that lesson, you little shit," Spike growled to the boy. "And I believe you have something to say to Buffy, don't you?"
Riley looked at Buffy, whose eyes had returned to their green/hazel color. "I'm sorry for calling you a bitch." he said.
"Good boy." Angel drawled. Riley knew that his calling him Boy was meant to intimidate, and remind him that both of these vampires were decades older than Riley. It had the desired affect.
Angel continued speaking, "Now, I think we need to have a little talk. Something about you trying to get me to kill Spike, does that ring any bells? Telling me he was terrorizing Buffy? Hmm?"
Riley was silent for a moment, considering his options. And he realized he had none, except to own up to his attempted deception.
"Yes, I did try to get you to kill Spike for me," he admitted heatedly. Buffy gave him a look filled with fury, she made a move towards him but Spike caught her in his arms. "Now now, love. No violence, remember? Let your soldier boy talk." he whispered into her ear. He kept her in his arms, and Riley gave them a look of disgust.
"Now, the question I have for you, boy, is why?" Angel asked, crossing his arms against his chest. He was enjoying this, it had been a long time since he got to scare anyone like this. And the fear he smelled coming from Riley was soothing the demon inside.
Riley glanced over at Spike and Buffy, and his fear increased. They looked evil, completely in tune with the other. Suddenly Riley started to become defensive.
"You want to know why? I'll tell you why. THAT'S why," he spat, pointing in the direction of Buffy and Spike. "That is why. Buffy broke up with me so that she could sleep with THAT. It's disgusting."
INITIATIVE
Maggie Walsh was in her office ,deep in the heart of the Initiative, listening and watching this take place. As usual, Spike had been correct. The only details he would reveal to her were that Riley had tried to enlist a mutual friend of he and Buffy's to attempt to terminate him. He hadn't enlightened her to who the mutual friend was. When Maggie saw the other player step out of the shadows, she noted he was another vampire. Interesting. She continued to observe this scene, feeling very much like an eavesdropper, but not caring too much. This was just too interesting. And Spike's chip didn't work anymore? That sure had given her a moment's pause. She would have to explore the implications of that at another time.
BRONZE ALLEY
In the alley, Riley was wondering if his rash words were going to end in his death.
"So, let me get this straight. You thought you had the right to manipulate things around to result in the death of Buffy lover? And then what?" Angel asked.
He didn't get an answer, not that he'd been expecting one. "Since you're not answering, let me see if I can work this out. With Buffy's new love a big pile of dust, you hoped she would turn around and stake me, didn't you? Stake me in blind rage for killing Spike, right?" The silence was his answer.
"Then you could ride in, the gallant ex boyfriend, willing to console his girl in her time of sorrow." Angel leaned into him so his demonic face was inches from Riley. "How am I doing?"
Riley's jaw clenched, but he refused to comment. Angel stared into his eyes, hoping to goad him into something.
"It should have worked!" Riley shouted. "It was disgusting enough when I learned that she slept with you, but at least you have a soul." He glared over at the blonde vampire and slayer, "But he has nothing. He's evil. He doesn't deserve her, she should be with me! He's not even a man, he's not even alive. He's a demon, and she left ME for a monster."
At that, Buffy stepped away from her vampire and stalked towards Riley. "You're wrong, Riley. He's more man than you will EVER be. You're the one who doesn't deserve me." Her eyes grew cold. "And if you even THINK about doing something to any of us, well, let's just say I refuse to be responsible for the outcome. Because I can assure you, it won't be pretty. You'll be walking out this alley alive tonight, but don't bother to thank ME for it. My evil vampire is the one who said this should be handled without violence. Just wanted you to know who you have to thank for that, because quite honestly, I was ready to take you apart when I found out what you tried to do."
She started to walk away from him then, but then turned back to him. "Oh, and Riley? Don't go crying to my watcher, or my family or friends about any of this. They don't know about this. This is between you, me, Spike and Angel. Oh, and one other person, but you'll be finding out about that soon enough." She gave him a smirk that reminded him chillingly of Spike.
"So, Soldier Boy, are we clear on this? Just forget you know Buffy Summers, and you'll get to live," Spike smirked evily
Looking at Angel, Riley asked, "How can you be helping them? I know how you still feel about Buffy, doesn't it make you sick to look at them?" .
Angel grabbed Riley by the neck, taking care to not exert too much pressure. "I'd take Spike's suggestion, if I were you, BOY. I may have a soul, but I am still a vampire, and certain things mean a lot to us. Family is one of them, and Spike is from my line. As the oldest of our line, any threat you make against him or his mate, you also make against me. I will always love Buffy, but ultimately, I want to see her happy, and Spike makes her happy. It will serve you well to remember that." Angel threatened. "I don't think I need to remind you just what I am capable of, do I? " Growling, he increased the pressure on Riley's neck, then threw him back.
Spike looked at him proudly, Angel could be one scary son of a bitch when he put his mind to it.
With an imperceptible nod in Spike's direction, Angel disappeared into the shadows, coat billowing behind. ~Now THAT was an exit~ Spike thought gleefully to himself.
With a fake lunge towards Riley, Spike growled deep in his throat and uttered "Stay away from my girl."
He grabbed Buffy's hand, and together they sauntered back into the Bronze, music pouring out of the door as it was opened for the brief moment.
Riley was left alone with his thoughts. He let out a long pent up sigh. He had been
cornered by two notoriously savage vampires and one pissed off ex girlfriend. He considered himself lucky that he was escaping this confrontation with only a pair of teeth marks on his neck. He wasn't even low on any blood.
A shiver went through him when he thought about Spike's teeth in his neck. As much as it sickened him, he had to admit he had liked it. He could almost see what the draw was for Buffy. Suddenly he knew what it was he needed, he wanted to feel that again. That heady sense of fear, that his life could be forfeit at any time. And he knew just where to go...
Meanwhile, Maggie was sitting at her desk, replaying some of the things that had been said that evening. She needed to do some research, find out who was the eldest in Spike's vampiric line. She had a feeling she knew who it was, but needed to confirm it. She had heard more than enough incriminating evidence against Riley that he shouldn't even begin to balk at the transfer. If he valued his career that is. Ignoring his superior's orders was a career killer, and Riley Finn was way too ambitious to risk that.
Maggie hummed to herself, looking forward to her confrontation with her disobedient soldier.
And Buffy Summers? The girl was certainly intriguing. Not only was she a slayer, but she had obviously been involved with TWO vampires. If she was correct about the one called Angel, two famous master vampires. Maggie would give anything to get the story on this. Hmm.. Maybe she should approach the girl's watcher? No, too risky right now. She wasn't supposed to be aligning herself with these demons, she was supposed to study and experiment on them. But as she had told herself before, Spike was different.
At Giles apartment, he had just got off the phone with the counsel, and immediately knew he had made one of the biggest mistakes he had ever made This was going to be very bad for Spike and Buffy. Very bad.
Chapter 12
Spike let Buffy get only a few step into the Bronze before he grabbed her and spun her around to face him. The joy at being able to touch her again was pushing all thought from his brain, and he couldn't wait another second to have his hands on her. God, the way this girl affected him, she was incredible. And she was all his.
"I haven't gotten a chance to tell you how bleedin amazing you look tonight, luv," he whispered seductively. "Such a wicked girl, wearing those hot leather pants to tease your Cardboard Soldier."
"I didn't wear them for him, you ass." Buffy replied, bringing Spike's head down to hers to capture his lips. With her 3 inch lifts, he had just a little height on her. But as always, she thought they fit together perfectly.
Spike wrapped his arms around her back, thrusting her against him as he returned her kiss with rising ardor. "Don't go callin me names, luv. You're likely to hurt my tender feelins, y'no." he teasingly whispered against her lips.
"Just shut up and kiss me," Buffy demanded, pushing her warm tongue in Spike's cool mouth, tasting and touching, making it impossible for Spike to utter any more words, even if he had been inclined to do so.
God, it had been too long since she'd been able to kiss this mouth. His lips were cool and firm against hers. God he had such perfect lips, she sighed to herself dreamily. The feel of his lips plunging against hers brought a sudden onslaught of wetness between her legs, soaking her panties in seconds. They could both smell her arousal heavily perfuming the air, even over the smoke and scent of horny college kids on the prowl.
His hands were caressing their way up and down her back, sending chills through Buffy. Her skin was so warm, so soft. Spike liked her sexy little halter top, but couldn't wait to see her out of it.
"Oh for the love of GOD!!! Do I have to see this every god damn time I come looking for you?" Angel complained loudly, breaking up their tender reunion. Spike reluctantly tore his lips away from Buffy, and they both sighed in protest.
"What the hell, peaches? I thought you left," Spike told him.
"Nah, I just strode down the alley like a badass, than snuck back in here through the front door." Angel revealed.
"Sneaky bastard." Spike commented.
"You know it. I sure hope you remembered to remove the little mini camera before you locked lips and uh, various other body parts." Angel said.
At Buffy's sudden mortified face, he started laughing. "Guess Maggie Walsh got a good show then." Angel announced.
Spike plucked the camera out of Buffy's halter and turned it so it faced him. "So Maggie" he began, speaking into the camera. "Hope you enjoyed that little intermission there. You probably got a good view of my manly chest, pressed up against Buffy, like it was. Hope it wasn't too much for you." He curled his tongue behind his teeth, giving the camera his sexy look, and lightly ran his fingers up and down his chest slowly. He knew it turned Buffy on to see him do that. He learned that the first time he did it front of her. The first time he had tried to kill her, when he crashed her Parent/teacher night. He had smelled Buffy when he was goading her about weapons making him feel manly as he stroked his chest. Oh yeah, it had turned her on. Spike grinned at that memory.
Spike turned the camera so it was pointed it at Angel. "And this? This here is Peaches. My poofy grandsire. Say hi to the nice lady, Peaches."
Angel gave Spike a pained look. "Spike..." he said threateningly, taking a step towards the blonde vampire.
Spike danced away, continuing his narration. Buffy's hysterical giggling was egging him on. "Peaches here is a one of a kind vampire, you see. He helps the helpless, he's a vampire with a soul. Now Maggie, don't go gettin into your melon to capture him and have your wicked way with him. It won't do you any good. No, our Peaches here is a hero, people are counting on him to fight the good fight. Innocent lives waiting to be saved, and he doesn't even muss his hair helmet to do it."
Angel tried to rip the camera out of Spike's hands, "Dammit Spike! When the HELL are you going to grow up?" he growled. Spike deployed evasive maneuvers and kept the camera from Angel's hands. The dark haired vampire was taller, but Spike was quicker and went to go hide behind Buffy.
"Could you make him stop," Angel whined. "He's your boy now, Buffy. Make him stop it with these little shit games."
Spike still had the camera trained on Angel as he stuck out his tongue at his grandsire, from over Buffy's shoulder. He hadn't had this much fun at Peaches expense in a long time.
Angel growled and lunged for Spike, but Buffy stuck her arm out to stop him and said to her mate, "Spike knock it off. Leave him alone." Then she turned to her first love. " And Angel, why do you let him get to you like that? You KNOW he's just trying to push your buttons. You're playing right into his game. My god, how old are you two? You act like a couple of kids."
INITIATIVE
Maggie Walsh had just been about to leave her office for the evening when she decided to check the monitor one last time. She wanted to see if Buffy had remembered to turn off the camera.
When the picture from the monitor flickered on, Maggie was surprised to note the blurry appearance of what appeared to be Spike's leather duster. Unfortunately, due to the close proximity of the subjects to the microphone, the audio feed Maggie was getting was crystal clear. It didn't take her long to deduce what Spike was engaged in, and from the heated moans from both parties, who he was engaged with.
Things got interesting when the other vampire came into the picture. Then Maggie watched with much amusement at Spike's antics. This was obviously being done for her benefit. He was a most peculiar vampire. She had wondered if she had been too hasty to classify all vampires as evil and unworthy, and had found herself taking the time to interview the ones her soldiers had captured. None of them had the presence Hostile 17 did. He was, she decided, truly one of a kind. The other one, Angel, caught her attention as well. A vampire with a soul, Spike had mocked. Interesting.
BRONZE
Back in the Bronze, Buffy suddenly caught sight of a familiar face threading his way through the sea of bodies. What was Giles doing here? She was just about to call to him when he spotted her, and rushed hurriedly over to her.
"Buffy, thank god I found you. I have some news to impart, I'm afraid it's rather disturbing." He announced.
Spike turned the camera around so it faced him once more and deadpanned,
"That's Official Watcher-Talk for Buffy is probably in deep shit. Rupert always has to make with the big words."
Giles turned a puzzled look in the vampire's direction, he didn't see the camera that Spike was speaking into. Oh well, he was used to Spike's little quirks.
INITIATIVE
At the Initiative, Maggie Walsh recognized Buffy's Watcher. She had met him one time when she had bumped into Buffy at the Expresso Pump. Rupert, that's right, that's what his name was. Thank you Spike.
To her chagrin, she noticed that they finally turned the camera off. She sighed, and then gathered up her papers once again, and left the office for good. She turned the lights off as she left, she wasn't planning on being back until the morning.
BRONZE
Staring into Giles concerned face, Spike felt a tremor of unease flicker through him. Giles seemed in a fit, and it took a lot to rattle his British composure. He turned off the camera, knowing Maggie didn't need to be hearing about Slayer business.
"So what's the what?" Buffy asked.
Giles flicked a paranoid glance around the bar. He didn't see anyone that looked too suspicious, but he did know the Council. He wouldn't' put it past them to already have him under surveillance. They had a huge network right at their disposal, it could have been arranged almost as soon as Giles hung up the phone with them.
He was angry with himself, he should have known better. But he had to make the call, for Buffy's sake. Now, however, it was turning around and threatening to bite him in the ass.
"I don't think we should discuss it here." He told Buffy. Turning to Spike, "Is there someplace you know where we'd be safe?"
Spike gave a short nod. "I do."
It was at that moment that Giles took note of Angel's presence. "Good god, Angel. What are you doing here?" He cast a nervous eye to Buffy and Spike, and realized that Angel must know about them. It was a bit hard to ignore the fact that Spike had his arms around Buffy, and Angel wasn't stupid.
"It doesn't matter what I'm doing here, we can talk about that later." Angel
announced. "Let's just get someplace where we can discuss this."
Giles looked at Angel hesitantly. "Um Angel, I am not sure if that is such a good idea. This is in regard to Spike and Buffy. You probably don't want to hear about the
news I have to impart."
"S'ok Rupert. Peaches knows about all of it." Spike announced.
Giles looked surprised, but wasn't interested in hearing the details at this particular moment. "We should probably take the sewers, as much I loathe to step foot in those dank tunnels. It would help ensure that the Council isn't keeping an eye on us."
Spike nodded again, and replied, "There's an entrance right out in the back. We can slip into it, and go from there."
"You do know what you are going, right? I don't fancy being lost in there." Giles stated.
Spike smirked at him. "Relax Watcher, I could navigate through those things with my eyes closed. Come on then, let's shove off." They started walking to the back exit.
"Oh Watcher, do us a favor and check the alley for any signs of Buffy's Tin Soldier, would ya? Spike requested.
Giles looked confused. "Riley? Why would he be back there?"
His smirk deepened. "We'll fill you in on that bit of piss later. First things first. Check the alley, then we'll get moving." he ordered.
Giles stuck his head out, and from what he could see of the darkened alley, it appeared to be empty. Buffy walked out the door, followed by the two vampires, who concluded there weren't any heartbeats in the nearby vicinity. They kept to the shadows, and Spike easily popped the cover off of the manhole, gesturing them inside.
Buffy dropped down first, helping Giles make his careful descent down the ladder. The two vampires followed, and Spike pulled the top to the manhole closed.
"Which way, Spike?" Buffy whispered, grabbing his hand.
"That way," He pointed down one of the tunnels. Spike started to lead, with Buffy and Angel having no problem keeping up with him. Angel and Spike had slipped into game face to better combat the darkness.
Buffy realized that Giles was having a hard time following them in the dark, so she went back to him and grabbed for his hand. "It's pitch black in here, how can you see?" Giles questioned.
"Thanks to Spike, I've got a bit of a vampire's enhanced senses," she admitted, turning to look at him. In the darkness, Giles noted with amazement the glint of her amber eyes.
"Extraordinary. Your eyes have changed colors." He informed her.
"Yeah, I think they do that when Spike first goes game face. It's from the claim
thingy." Buffy replied, having no trouble navigating her way through the tunnel to follow the vampires.
Giles wasn't given any time to ponder this new revelation, he was too busy trying to keep himself upright. Much to his glee, this sewer tunnel was dry. The thought of trudging through god knows what, was not something Giles had been looking forward to.
Fifteen minutes and quite a few turns later, Spike stopped and stepped up to a ladder, pushing aside a manhole cover at the top. He emerged through the hole, and crouched down to offer his hand to help Giles up. Buffy and Angel quickly followed, and Buffy looked around in confusion. She recognized the neighborhood, but didn't know why they were there.
"Why the hell are we here, Spike?" Buffy questioned.
Spike got an excited grin on his face as he replied, "It's a surprise."
He turned toward a stunning Victorian on the corner, and grabbed Buffy's hand. "Come on, luv." She cast a puzzled glance at his face, and allowed Spike to lead her towards the house and up the front walkway. Angel and Giles followed.
"Do you know about this?" Giles whispered to Angel.
"Shh, can't ruin the big surprise." Angel replied dryly. It was hurting that he wasn't the one to be offering this to Buffy.
The house was lit up, and Spike pulled a set of keys out of his duster and unlocked the door. He walked inside and gestured for the others to follow, and he hurriedly closed the door.
He turned to Buffy, took hold of her hand, gave her an endearing smile and said "Here you go, luv." He dropped the keys into Buffy's outstretched palm.
"What the hell is this?" Buffy whispered, staring in shock at the set of keys in her hand.
"It's your house, luv." he informed her, his eyes soft.
She turned her gaze from the keys to look at Spike's face. She noted the hopeful expectant look in his eyes. He looked so vulnerable right now, waiting for Buffy's reaction. She felt her eyes tearing up.
"You got me a house?" she whispered softly, lifting her hand up to stroke the side of his face.
He nodded, turning his face into her hand and giving it a gentle kiss. Buffy felt herself burst into tears and threw her arms around his neck. Spike let out the sigh of relief he had been holding. There had been the slightest chance that Buffy would have been upset about him doing this behind her back.
Spike wrapped his arms around Buffy, and pulled her close, enjoying the sensation
of having her warm body pressed against his. He closed his eyes and breathed in her scent deeply.
Angel and Giles had been witnessing Spike presenting this gift to Buffy, and Giles turned to look at Angel with confusion evident in his face.
"I'm not sure I understand," Giles whispered to Angel, as they tried not to watch what was going on in front of them. Angel motioned Giles to follow him into the kitchen so they didn't have to watch the sickening display of love in front of them..
Once were out of sight of the entwined blondes, Angel told Giles, "Spike bought Buffy this house. Well, he got it for both of them, obviously."
Giles shook his head in confusion. "I'm astounded here. Why would he do something like that?"
Angel turned to look at Giles, and replied seriously "Because he really loves her. And because he didn't want her to spend time in his dank crypt. Said she deserved better than that. So the day after he claimed her, he paid cash for this place."
"Good lord. Do you mean to tell me that Spike has money?" Giles questioned.
Angel nodded, "He said he's loaded, stock market."
"Why that little pisser! I can't believe this. He's always tried to mooch as much off me as he can," Giles ranted.
Angel nodded, "Yeah, well, that's Spike for you. It's more fun for him to do it that way."
"So what are you doing here, Angel?" Giles finally got around to asking again.
"Spike!" Angel yelled into the other room, hoping it was enough to interrupt the happy couple. "SPIKE!"
"WHAT, you wanker? I'm a little busy here," came the yelled reply from the front hall.
"Come in here, Giles wants to know what I'm doing here." Angel yelled back. Giles was getting another headache. "You wouldn't happen to know if Spike has any alcohol here, would you?"
Angel gestured to the refrigerator, and Giles disgust in the situation rose when he saw it filled with beer and blood. "That's all he has? Beer?" Giles asked.
Angel shrugged. Giles gave him a dirty look and grabbed a beer from the fridge, and popped the top off.
Spike and Buffy came into the kitchen, holding hands. Buffy had such a happy look on her face that Giles was felt bad about the news he would be giving her.
"So, what the hell were you yellin about, Peaches?" Spike asked, leaning against one of the white counters, and bringing Buffy back to lean against him.
I SAID Giles wanted to know what I was doing here, Spike," Angel replied, a pained look on his face.
"Well, go ahead and tell then, you tosser. Didn't have to interrupt me for that." Spike goaded.
Angel sighed a long suffering sigh. The sooner he could get out of this house, away from Spike and Buffy and back to LA , the happier he would be.
"Would SOMEONE just tell me?" Giles demanded, taking a long sip of his beer.
"Fine. I got a little call from Riley Finn yesterday. He told me that Buffy was being stalked and terrorized." Angel started explaining.
"WHAT?"Giles said.
"He said it was Spike. And like a dumbshit, I fell for it. Came rushing right up here, caught Buffy and Spike in a situation in a cemetery that well, let's just say, Spike became very close to becoming a pile of dust. I realized then that I'd been set up, that Riley had wanted me to do his dirty work for him, and was hoping Buffy would turn around and stake me." Angel continued.
"Why that little shit," Giles grunted.
"You can say that again. So we came up with a plan, made him think his plan was successful, and Buffy met him at the Bronze tonight, all weepy and in need of comfort. She tricked him into the alley out back, and let's just say that between the three of us, I think we scared the shit out of Riley Finn." Angel concluded. "And the best part is, his superior at the Initiative was watching the whole thing take place." Spike held up the little mini camera to show him.
"I have a deal with Maggie Walsh, she's going to use this evidence to get him transferred out of the area. Apparently she had given his orders that yours truly wasn't to be touched in any way." Spike explained.
Giles looked at him in surprise. "You know Maggie Walsh?"
Spike gave a nonchalant shrug. "We have an understanding. I scratch her back,
she scratches mine. That sort of thing."
"So, Riley wasn't harmed at all?" Giles asked.
"If I had my way, he would have been minus some parts. But Spike said no violence," Buffy replied. "Although you did give Riley a small taste of your fangs, didn't you honey?"
Spike looked a bit abashed. "He called you a bitch. couldn't let him get away with that."
"Right. Because you've never called me that before, have you? Or worse?" Buffy teased.
Spike just smirked at her. Buffy shook her head in exasperation at him. "So Giles, what was it that had you so spooked?"
"Can we go sit down somewhere? "Giles asked. Spike led them into the living room, one of the few furnished rooms in the house.
Once they were all seated, Giles turned to look at Buffy and said, "I called the council, and I should have known better."
"Then why did you, Rupert?" Spike asked.
Giles took off his glasses in agitation. "You and Buffy came to me to have me research this connection between you two. I researched all the material I had, I didn't find anything. No prophecies, not anything that would explain the call you two experienced." He tried to explain.
"This involves the First Slayer and the demon she was connected with, the one that gave her the slayer power. She was just an ordinary girl before that. Any information regarding that would be housed at the council. In order for me to do you justice and look into this thing fully, it was important to search the Council archives. But they apparently reacted like I had feared they would. When I requested permission to come to England for research purposes, immediately Quentin Travers started putting me off. But then I received a call from an ally inside the council who informed me that Quentin was employing his retrieval team to meet him here to take you two back to England.."
He looked at Buffy. "I believe you had the pleasure of their company when Faith body swapped with you."
"So this means exactly... what?" Spike asked.
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. But the fact the retrieval team has been deployed is disturbing. I'm afraid the council might know something more about this than I do, and they know that the two of you will not go without a fight." He concluded.
"So we're supposed to wait around for them? Is that it? Wait to see if they catch up to us?" Buffy asked.
"Buffy, I'm not sure. At this point, there is not much else we can do. Spike, how likely is it that the Council could trace you to this house?" Giles questioned.
"Not very. It's under an assumed name. " he revealed.
"What can I do?" Angel asked.
"Right now, I think the best thing for you to do is to return to LA. If they are watching Buffy, they will be watching you, making sure she doesn't meet up with you in LA." Giles advised. "It would be the safest for you if they found you in LA."
"Are you sure? I don't like the feeling that I'm jumping ship here." Angel said.
"It's ok. We'll be fine. We may need your help in LA anyway, if Sunnydale is too hot for us to handle." Buffy told him.
"All right. I'd better take off now then, the sooner I get back to LA, the better it will be." He stood up, and went to grab his overnight bag. In the kitchen, he put his blood in
the cooler, and went to say his good-byes.
"You're sure this is the best way to do this? Because I don't mind staying." he told Giles.
"No, go. If the council finds you here, believe me it most likely will not be pleasant for you." Giles told him. "They have just been waiting for an excuse to get their hands on you."
"All right. Call me when you know anything, ok?" he said to Buffy. She gave him a quick hug. "Be happy" he whispered to her. "I am" she whispered back.
He looked at Spike's jealous face and said "Walk me out?" Spike nodded and the two vampires headed out into the night air.
"Take care of her for me, Spike" Angel told Spike.
"No, you ponce, I'll take care of her for ME." he replied with a grin.
Angel held his hand out to Spike, much to his surprise, and Spike shook it. They smiled at each other. "This doesn't mean you're not still a wanker, Angel." Spike smirked.
"And this doesn't mean you're still not an annoying little shit, Spike." Angel replied, getting into his car.
"Thanks for your help, mate." Spike told the older vampire.
Angel gave him a wave in reply and backed out of the driveway, and drove out of sight.
Spike entered the house with mock tears in his eyes, "I'm going to miss him." He sniffed.
Buffy rolled her eyes at him. "Grow up." she said. To Giles, she asked "Are we all done here? Nothing more to discuss, right? We're just going to lie low for the night?"
Giles nodded. "I phoned Willow and Xander earlier, they are expecting a call from us in the morning."
"Ok." She turned to Spike and said "Will you show me the rest of my house?"
Spike grinned and said evilly, "Shall we start with the bedrooms?" In a second, Giles heard the two pounding their way up the stairs, laughter ringing off the walls.
"Good lord, it's going to be a long night." Giles muttered, and went back into the kitchen to retrieve another beer.
Chapter 13
And indeed, Giles did find it a very long night. The noise upstairs continued for quite some time, before the house finally settled into silence. Giles had finished off a healthy portion of the beer he had found in Spike's fridge, and wished desperately for something stronger. If he had to stay with these two again, he decided, he would invest in some ear plugs. Giles finally managed to fall asleep sometime in the early morning hours, finding Spike's antique sofa not the least bit comfortable.
Upstairs, in their "new" bedroom, Spike and Buffy lay cuddled up together, finally sated. "We're going to have to get a stronger bed, a few more goes and this one is likely to fall apart on us." Spike commented.
Buffy looked around her new room, delight dancing across her face as she imagined the possibilities.. "We're going to need a lot of things, it's pretty sparse. How much money did you say had?"
"I didn't, and don't worry luv, got more than enough. After we take care of this bloody mess your watcher got us into, we can see about getting whatever you fancy." he told her, hugging her closer.
"Ah Spike, you're so sweet. Who would have known you were such a great guy all this time?" Buffy cooed.
Spike snorted. "You would have, luv, if you'd been bloody listenin to me. Tried to tell you, on more than one occasion, as I recall."
Buffy rolled her eyes in his direction. "Oh please. You kept saying it, but you had that stupid smirk on your face the entire time."
"Well, yeah. Couldn't have you know I was really serious, y'no. Big Bad, here." he replied.
"Big Marshmallow, you mean." Buffy contradicted him.
"Hey! Slayer, you just keep it up..." he threatened. She smiled against his chest.
"Or what?"
"Or you'll see what you've got coming to you. When I not so bleedin tired I can't move." he announced.
"Yeah, you're tough." Buffy continued, baiting him.
He sighed dramatically. "Again, remind me why I put up with this shit from you, slayer?"
She turned to flash a perky grin at him. "Because you love me?"
It was Spike's turn to roll his eyes. "Oh yeah, how could I have forgotten. I bought you a bloody house, slayer. Least you can do is be nice to me, for a change."
That had Buffy in a fit of giggles. "Sorry Spike. I promise to be nice to you from now on." she told him.
The sound of Buffy's laughter brought a reluctant smile to his face. It was hard to keep of the charade of being pissed at her when he was smiling. So he just brought her to him and crushed his lips to hers. Then he let her go and settled her once again in his arms. "Better, or there will be more punishment just like that one." he threatened.
Buffy sighed contentedly, eyes closing to drift off to sleep. "Promise?" she said before her mind slipped into it's sleep cycle.
"Oh hell yeah, that's a promise," spike told himself, watching her sleep. He brought the covers over then, and found himself joining her in slumber.
Buffy was dreaming. She was a young girl, primitive but strong. She was being brought before the Elders of the council of her village. They had deemed that she was the one worthy of their gift.
She was scared, Buffy could feel it. The elders didn't tell her what it was they were bringing her here for, and she feared for her life. Things were ruthless in her time. She was being told she had been chosen, they didn't tell her for what. Her fear intensified when they took her to a sacred cave and chained her up, leaving her there. Again, they didn't tell her why. She was sure she was here to die, a sacrifice. She felt a presence enter the cave, something not solid or truly alive. She could see it, swirling around. It felt evil, strong. In a rush, it entered the girl, blanketing her in it's power, until it merged with her soul. Her eyes flashed amber briefly, then the girl was herself again. Herself, but something so much more. She easily ripped herself out of the chains and stormed out of the cave. The First Slayer.
The demon that was introduced into her tried to take control, but this girl was strong. And over time, they became one. When the girl was slain, the demon was released from her body. The next slayer was called, but the demon was not required to fuel her power. It had already left it's legacy inside the first slayer that would alter the future generations to come. It knew it needed to wait and they could be together again, they were destined to be together.
In an alley in England, hundreds of years later, the demon once again entered another body. This time however, it was not a young girl. It entered a man who's life had just been shattered by a love, a man who's life blood had just been taken by a stunning dark haired vampire, and been given a life of immortality.
Buffy gasped awake. Holy shit. Spike!
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Shit, shit, shit, shit. This mantra played over and over in Buffy's head. She hated when she had Slayer dreams like this. That just dropped this huge thing down on her top of her head. But it explained things too well. She just needed to figure out why Spike had no knowledge of the demon's previous "life." God, no wonder he wasn't like any other freakin vampire. He probably didn't even have a vampire's demon in him. Oh wait, he had too, he WAS a vampire. His vampire demon must be merged with Infoofoo's demon. Or some bizarre ass shit like that. Oh christ, this was making her head hurt.
Buffy looked over at Spike, he was asleep. Or Dead Man Resting was more like it, since he had no respiration's. He was completely still, like he was cut from marble. She wanted to reach out and touch that beautiful face, but didn't want to wake him up. She wasn't ready to share this with him just yet. She needed time to process the face that William and Buffy were even more helpless in this animalistic attraction of theirs than they had thought. But wait, I LIKE his William side, Ah jesus, this was getting too messed up, she thought to herself.
Giles, she'd go talk it out with Giles. She slipped out of bed, grabbed her panties and Spike's black t-shirt and slipped them on. A fresh change of clothes would be of the good right about now. Not gonna happen tonight though. Padding quietly out of the room, she headed downstairs.
She found Giles sprawled on the uncomfortable looking couch, sound asleep and snoring lightly. She touched his shoulder, calling softly "Giles." When she got no response, she poked him harder. "GILES" she hissed.
She was rewarded with him opening up his eyes, glancing around wildly. He was completely disoriented, and he felt like he'd just fallen asleep. His eyes focused on Buffy leaning over him.
"What is it? Did the council find us?" he asked panicked.
"No, chill, nothing like that. I just need to talk to you." She replied.
Giles glanced at his watch. "You need to talk to me at 4:30 in the morning? It can't bloody well wait?"
Buffy suddenly felt a little guilty. "Well, I guess it could. But I just had a slayer dream that totally has me wigged." she admitted.
" Why not chat it out with your new bedmate?" Giles replied, his graciousness deserting him due to the early hour.
"Because it's about him. Come on Giles, give me a break. I'm totally freaked here." she told him.
He sighed and sat up, rubbing his hands through his hair. He located his glasses and slipped them on his face. Giles tried to ignore the sight of Buffy standing there clad only in what appeared to be Spike's t-shirt.
"Sit down, tell me what happened." he commanded.
She followed his order, and drew her legs up under her on the couch."Ok, here I go, making with the spillage." she began. She took a deep breath and said "I dreamed I was the first slayer again. But this time, I got the whole enchilada. I felt her fear and confusion. How it felt it was to be chained up inside a cave, not knowing if it was going to bring her death. Then the demon going into her. How she had to fight it, then the slayer and the demon seemed to change each other, for the better. They worked together and kicked major ass. The stupid Elders didn't have a clue what they were doing, Giles, that girl almost did a Linda Blair."
At Giles confused look, she said "You know, Regan? The Exorcist? Geez Giles, get with the now. Demonic possession ring any bells? Ok, so then I could feel some major emotions going on there. Almost like the demon fell in love with the girl's soul or something. Then the first slayer was finally killed and the demon freed."
Giles was listening in with interest. "Then I kinda followed the demon's path after that. It kinda just waited in limbo, waiting for something. Kept sensing something abut a destiny. Then it flashed to where it entered a person again, and get this Giles, it entered SPIKE. When Dru turned him, the demon entered him. What the hell is that all about??
Giles was dumbfounded, this was certainly not what he was expecting. The demon used to create the First Slayer was now present inside Spike?.
"Does that mean that Spike has TWO demons inside him? " Buffy asked, the question praying heavily on her mind.
Giles turned this question over in his head. "It certainly would appear to be that way, doesn't it? We know he has vampiric qualities, so therefor he has to have a vampire's demon. But if what you are saying is correct, then the implications of this are astounding."
"Then why doesn't Spike remember anything about being apart of this First Slayer? Do we know what kind of demon the Elder council used to infect the first slayer? It wasn't a vampire demon, was it?" Buffy questioned.
"No, it wasn't, that I do know. I do not know what kind of demon was used. I would have to assume that if this was indeed the case, Spike's vampire demon is suppressing the other demon. Only one can be dominant. It does clear some questions up that I had regarding the two of you. I can assume that you have the First Slayer's reincarnated soul, and it was this connection that pulled you towards Spike. You said his demon called. I don't think it was the vampire demon though. " Giles said.
"It would explain why Spike has always been such a different vampire than all the rest. So do you think he has 2 demons, or do you think they merged?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure. We'll have to question him, see if he can answer any of these questions for us." Giles mind was racing at this newest bit of information.
"And why can't I ever fall in love like a freakin normal person? This totally sucks." Buffy pouted. she was beginning to think her happiness with Spike was being orchestrated somehow, all part of some bigger plan.
"Well, Buffy, you are far from normal yourself. You are the slayer. " Giles reminded her unnecessarily. "Oh good lord, I wonder if the Council has any knowledge of this."
Buffy looked at him like he was insane. "I don't see how, since WE just found out, and we're like, the chosen of the chosen ones, apparently"
"They had documentation from the Elder council of the First Slayer, we can't assume anything here." Giles informed her.
"Oh god, please say it's not going to be another prophecy. Don't wanna be Prophecy Girl again. Could any of this explain why we feel a major power exchange when we share blood?" Buffy asked.
Giles jerked his glasses off, "What do you mean, share blood?"
"Oh, I didn't tell you that part? Oops, my bad." Buffy appeared contrite, but in reality she was embarrassed. "He bites me, and drinks from me, I bite him back and drink from him. When it happens like that, we get major sparkage." Giles looked at her.
"Not THAT kind of sparkage! Well, ok, we do get that kind of sparkage" Buffy admitted. "But I was talking about this feeling that just kinda washes over both of us. Spike says it's not the claim, it's something else. And it's totally intense." Buffy explained, with a slightly dreamy look on her face. Giles took note of the new set of bite marks decorating her neck, and cringed.
"Good lord, Buffy. I wish you wouldn't tell me these things in the middle of the night. I would like a chance at being able to fall back asleep sometime tonight, you know. " he exclaimed.
"Sorry, thought it might be kinda important."
Giles sighed a deep sigh, and replied, "Unfortunately, I think you are correct. So, you're saying Spike drinks from you?"
Buffy nodded. "He hasn't had to feed on animal blood since we got together."
"Of course not, why whould he? When he has a slayer all you can eat buffet waiting for him, "Giles muttered.
"Giles! That's not being really fair. He did say it goes beyond his simple bloodlust, that he feels he NEEDS to. Which I can totally understand, since HELLO. I'm not the vampire here, but can't help but bite him back and drink his blood." Buffy cringed, "God that really does sound gross, doesn't it?"
Giles nodded emphatically. "Yes, it does. Unfortunately, I think it is telling of something, which we need to find out."
"Ok. Not tonight though. I'm going to head back to bed now, I'll see you in the morning."
"It is morning," Giles grumbled, laying back down on the couch. After hearing the two go at it for hours, then finding out about the blood sharing, Giles felt deeply disturbed. Visual images of the two kept haunting him, and he had to try to will himself into a state of meditation to stop the deluge so he could get some sleep. It was an hour later before it worked, and the sun was just starting to come up.
Buffy crept back into bed, and snuggled against Spike. He woke briefly and asked where she had been. She told him she was talking to Giles, and to go back to sleep. Buffy was almost afraid to go back to sleep, but her fears were unfounded and she did not dream the rest of the night.
The Initiative-Maggie's Office
Maggie Walsh entered her office at exactly 0800 hours. She had an hour before she had to be in her office on campus, with a 1000 class following. Sometimes this double life she led was exhausting. But it was necessary, so she did what she could.
She requested Riley Finn to report to her office at 0815, and he arrived promptly like the good soldier he was. She noticed the Band-Aid he sported on his neck, and asked "Cut yourself shaving?"
He gave her an abashed smile, and said "Something like that." He sat in the chair that she indicated, as he waited to see what this meeting was in regard to.
Maggie smiled at the boy, and asked "So, how are you doing, Riley?"
Odd, he thought. "I'm doing fine, ma'am."
"Anymore trouble with Hostile 17?" she asked, pretending to sift through some papers on her desk but really watching his face for a reaction. She saw a glint of something pass over his features, before it settled right back into his usual impassive soldier guise.
"No problems, ma'am. Haven't seen him." Riley lied.
"Oh well, that's good to hear then. So you got things worked out with your slayer girlfriend? Buffy?" she questioned, pretending to be making small talk.
"It's all worked out, ma'am" came the reply.
"Oh really? That's good." Maggie now looked him straight in the eye and asked,
"Could you tell me what your orders were in regard to Hostile 17?"
A hooded look came over Riley's eyes and he replied, "My request for termination or recapture were denied. He was under Initiative protection."
"And did you follow those orders, Riley?" she asked in a deceptively neutral voice.
There was a moment of silence, then Riley said, "Yes ma'am."
This is what Maggie had been waiting for, she had been hoping that Riley would give her the chance to use the tape she had. She swiveled in her chair, and grabbed the
remote for the TV/VCR combo behind her and turned the TV on.
"I'd like to show you something." She told him, and flicked the TV on, pushing play.
Riley's stomach dropped when he saw what was on the TV. So that is what Buffy had meant, her last parting comment about "one other person knowing." Rage poured through him at this set up. He had to sit and watch as the whole thing played out, sweat beginning to bead up on his brow. Maggie decided to have a little fun and left it playing for the "after show." She noticed the look of fury on his face when Spike said to Buffy about wearing her leather pants to tease Riley, and Buffy replied that she wasn't wearing them for Riley. Then the hot and passionate kissing, Angel showing up voicing his displeasure at catching them at it again. Spike's silly antics, the teasing. It was fun for Maggie to watch Riley's face during it. She didn't often get a chance to amuse herself at her soldiers expense.
She finally turned it off, and turned to face him. "So, let's try that one again. The way I see it, you disobeyed a direct order."
Riley was silent, he sat there with a look of rage on his face. "That god damn bitch." He finally said, unable to keep his mouth shut.
Maggie raised an eyebrow in his direction, but he refused to look at her, staring right over her shoulder. "That god damn bitch wasn't the one who came to me, Hostile 17 did."
Riley's mouth tightened into an ugly line, his eyes cold. He knew he wasn't helping his case by acting like this, but he seemed unable to contain his anger.
"What I find surprising is that you were confronted by two old master vampires who you used and double crossed. Yet here you are, alive to tell the tale. Want to tell me
about that?"
"Angel has a soul, and Buffy would kill Spike if he did anything," he muttered.
Maggie pretended to give that thought. "It sounded to me like Buffy wanted to kick your ass, but her vampires talked her out of it. Except for those fang marks on your neck, you got off extremely lucky, I'd say."
"So, am I being discharged from the military?" Riley asked, dreading the answer.
"No, but you are being transferred. These are your new orders, you'll be leaving at 1600 hours today." Maggie told him. "And if I were you, I'd work through some of your anger problems. I'd hate to let it ruin your military career for you."
Riley was surprised, he was sure he was destined for dishonorable discharge for his misconduct.
"If you will answer some questions for me, I won't put anything in your record about this." Maggie told him.
"What do you want to know?" he asked, trying to let go of some of the tension that grabbed him. Getting out of this without any blemishes on his record would be ideal.
"Angel. I want to know what you can tell me about Angel." Maggie said.
Riley gave a nasty laugh. "Oh, I can tell you about Angel, all right. Ask your questions."
"How does he know Buffy?"
Riley sighed, and settled himself in for this. This wasn't going to be pleasant, but it needed to be done. He trusted Maggie to keep her word. "When Buffy was 16, she moved here from LA. She'd been the slayer since she was 15. She met Angel, he started helping her, then he became her boyfriend."
"When she was 16?" Maggie asked. Riley nodded. Interesting. Only a 200 some odd year age difference there.
"So he has a soul?"
"He killed some beloved daughter of a band of gypsies and they cursed him with his soul. Maybe 90 years or so ago."
"Doesn't seem like much of a curse to me." Maggie said.
"I guess he went all broody over all the people he had killed, when he was Angelus." OK, Maggie told herself, he WAS Angelus. She'd heard about him.
"Why aren't he and Buffy still together? What happened?"
Riley shook his head and said, "Boy, you are making me work for this, aren't you?"
Not expecting a reply, he explained, "There was a loophole in the curse. If Angel achieved even a moment of pure happiness, he would lose his soul. Let's just say that Buffy gave her virginity to him and that gave him that one moment" he said sarcastically.
"He lost his soul, and turned around trying to kill her. He tormented her friends, her family. Killed one of her teachers who was her Watcher's girlfriend. He had this plan to wake this stone demon which would swallow the world into hell. I guess Angelus was a really crazy sick bastard. Hostile 17 actually helped her with that one, came to her and offered her a truce. Buffy had put him in a wheelchair after severing his spinal cord in one of their many battles to the death. Spike kept it a secret that he could walk."
Maggie sat back in her chair. This story was fascinating her. She was glad she had been able to bribe Riley into sharing it with her.
"So, when Angelus was going to complete this ritual, Spike stood up and he and Buffy doubled teamed him. Then Spike grabbed his insane girlfriend and split though, leaving Buffy to finish the fight with Angelus. He got his soul back right at the end, but he had already opened up the demon. Buffy stuck the sword through Angel and sent him to hell."
"How'd he get back?"
Riley shrugged. "Dunno. He just plopped on the floor one day, completely wild.
He became Angel again, after a while, and he and Buffy started dating again."
At Maggie's shocked look, he told her, "You know, this isn't easy for me to tell you all this. If you want to know what my problem with vampires is, let's just say it all started here. It was a little hard to follow in his footsteps, you know."
"I'm sure it was. Continue."
Riley sighed, and kept talking. "Obviously, they knew that becoming uh, intimate again would lead to disastrous results, so Angel moved his brooding self to LA after Buffy graduated from high school. He told her he wanted for her to lead a normal life."
"So Buffy starts college, and then started dating me, that Normal Guy. She came
with some pretty good emotional baggage, after Angel, but I thought we were doing ok.So then we chipped Spike, he escaped, and went to Buffy for help. He found out he could hurt demons, and helped Buffy. Bringing us pretty much up to date."
"I know about that part. So, Buffy has been involved with 2 vampires? One even before she graduated from high school?"
Riley nodded. "Well, 3 , if you count Dracula."
"Dracula???" came the incredulous reply.
"Yep, guess he had a thing for her too. Got her in a thrall thing, sucked her blood, then she kicked his ass." Riley told her.
"How is Spike related to Angelus? I know he said something about grandsire, but what does that mean?"
"I guess Angelus sired the crazy vampire Drusilla who sired Spike. His girlfriend for over 100 years." Riley answered.
"What happened there?"
"From what I've heard, I guess she left him because of his thing for Buffy. That
truce that the two made to stop Angelus? I think she left him over that."
"Interesting. What does Angel do now?" Maggie asked.
"He has a PI office in LA."
"Ah, so that's what Spike meant about helping the helpless," Maggie said, more to herself. "Ok, thank you Riley. I appreciate you giving me this information. You can leave now. I will warn you, however, to stay away from Buffy and Hostile 17. Angel as well. What you did was foolish, and to be honest, I can't believe they didn't kill you over it. Good luck in your new post, I will not make any note to your record of any of this. Please use it as a learning experience." She told him, dismissing him.
After Riley left her office, she sat back and thought about what he had told her. Buffy Summers was quite a girl, no doubt about it. She wasn't in her class this year, but she had enjoyed getting to know her through Riley. Her vampires were interesting, as well.
She looked at the clock, 0850 hours. Damn, time for to go up to campus. She wanted to watch the tape again and watch the byplay between the two vampires and Buffy. Quite the triangle. Now Maggie could understand why Riley thought his plan might work. From what Spike said, it almost had. She was finding it hard calling him Hostile 17 now. It just didn't seem to fit him anymore.
0855 hours, gotta go Maggie. She picked herself up and exited her office heading
for the elevator that would take her to the real world.
CONTINUED...
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