Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy and the gang. They belong to Joss and Fox. I am just borrowing them for my own amusement.
Pairing: Spike/other
Rating: PG-13 for now
Spoilers: Alternative Season 4
Summary: Way to long to write here.
Dedications: To Andrea, Karen, Joe, Stephanie, and Paula for giving me the courage to write this.
Distribution: If you want it, you may have it. Just let me know where it is going.
Author's notes: The gang minus Xander and Anya are at college. Drusilla took a walk into the sun so her and Spike are no longer a couple. Angel is Spike's sire. Why? Because I like it better that way so there. J Spike is not chipped. He is helping the Scoobies because his sire told him to do so.
Feedback: Yes pretty please. This is my very first fan fiction. I am very nervous.
< > Designates thoughts
~ ~Designates dreams
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Part: 1~
The Scooby gang sat around Giles's living room. Just another Friday night on the Hellmouth as the gang was trying to research the increase in demon activity that had been occurring lately. It seemed as though every demon in existence was gathering in Sunnydale. Along with that, there were quite a number of girls between the ages of 19 to 23 were missing.
The Scoobies had been researching for weeks to determine the sudden influx of demons and the missing girls, but to no avail. Giles had looked through hundreds of prophesies in all of his books, but none of those were set to occur in the relative future. Willow surfed the net and chatted online with reliable sources, but she too came up empty handed. Xander and Anya were researching the many demons Buffy had seen during her patrols to see if they would give the Scoobies a lead. Nothing. Buffy tried getting information out of Willie the Snitch, but his lips were sealed so tight that not even Buffy's threat to rip apart his testicles would get him to talk. Something big was going on, but the question was what.
* * *
Spike stood outside of Giles's apartment smoking. He had been helping the Slayer and hers for going on three weeks now. <Damn bloody sire, ordering me to help the Slayer while he broods in L.A.> As much as Spike hated Angel, he was still Spike's sire. So when Angel ordered Spike to get his ass back to Sunnydale, he had no choice but to listen. Taking one last drag on his cigarette, Spike tossed it and walked into the apartment.
Buffy looked up as the door opened and saw Spike enter. "Did you get any info Blondie, or are you wasting our time as usual?"
"For your information, Slayer, I found out a hell of a lot more in one night than any of you have found in the past couple of weeks. But if you don't want the information I'll just take my leave. Places to go, people to drain." Spiked turned to leave when Giles called out to him.
"Spike, wait. Any information you might have is greatly appreciated." Giles took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose as the stress of the past couple of weeks was taking its toll. "Please." Spike nodded, sat down of the couch swinging his legs up onto the coffee table and proceeded to tell everyone what he had learned.
"Well, it's like this. I was at this little demon bar not to far outside of town, when I met an old friend of mine, Thomas. We used to have such good times back in those days. We murdered and caused mayhem all over France, along with Dru. Those were great times. Anyway, we got to talking and he mentioned his was on his way to Sunnydale. I asked him why was headin' to the Hellmouth. According to Thomas, the buzz around the demon population is that a high level demon directly from Hell has come to Sunnydale looking for some chit. Apparently the girl has enormous powers, and if he mates with her he will be able to access her powers and create hell on Earth. It's believed that he will become more powerful than Satan himself, and with that he will be able to destroy Heaven as well. This demon fellow will have absolute power provided he finds the chit and makes her his mate. As to why all the demons are coming to Sunnydale, the demon said he would reward those loyal to him and help him find the girl."
Giles was the first to speak after Spike had finished relaying the information. "Good Lord. Do you have any idea who this young woman is?"
"Not a clue, mate. That's all the information I got out of Thomas before I dusted the wanker."
"You killed him," Willow spoke. "But I thought you said he was your friend?"
"Yeah, well. When he started talking 'bout Dru walkin' into the sun and what a loon she was, he quickly became my ex-friend. You got that, Red," he growled in annoyance as his eyes flashed amber. He was still upset over Dru's death and Willow knew better than to push the issue.
"Got it. Giles, this would explain the missing girls. The demons are looking for the girl Spike mentioned," Willow said. Giles thought this over and agreed that there was a definite connection.
Anya had listened to Spike's tale carefully. Something about it seemed familiar. "Spike. You said that the demon will be able to access the girl's powers after they are mated?"
"That's what Thomas said"
"Do you know something," Giles asked.
"I'm not sure. It seems familiar. I'll try and remember. In the meantime, we've gotten some info. Come Xander, I want to have orgasms," she exclaimed while grabbing Xander's hand and pulling him out of the apartment. Xander managed to say a quick goodbye before the front door closed.
"What should we do now, Giles," Buffy asked. She was glad that they had finally gotten some information, but if what Spike said was true, then things were bound to get worse. She was very tired. Patrolling these past couple of weeks had been especially hard with all the demons coming to town.
Giles looked at his slayer and saw the weariness in her eyes. "I suggest were all go and get some sleep. Tomorrow we need to start looking for this girl and prevent her from mating with the high level demon."
"I don't get it. Why can't I just I find this demon and kill it. That's what I do. I kill demons."
At this Spike answered with a growl, "Because you would never even make a scratch before he would rip you limb from limb. He's a bloody high level demon from hell, you stupid bint! And as much as I would love to watch him tear you to pieces, I don't quite fancy having hell on Earth. No more happy little meals on legs. Not to mention, that on the demon scale, vampires are at the bottom of the fuckin' ladder. It wouldn't be a great time for me."
"I don't get it. I've fought the Master, Angelus, and the evil Mayor, what's so great about a high level demon," Buffy stated.
Willow saw the look of murder and frustration in Spike's eye and thought it was time to intervene before he killed her best friend. "High level demons are basically Satan's right hand men. They are extremely strong and powerful. They are the ones who torture the demons and humans who are sent to Hell upon their deaths."
Spike looked at Willow and winked. "Always knew you were the smart one, Red."
"Um.thanks Spike."
With that, Buffy and Willow left for their dorms and Spike went back to his crypt.
~Part: 2~
All around her were people and what looked like various demons chained to the walls screaming as they were being beaten by larger and stronger demons. Their screams of pain echoed throughout the room, but she did not feel afraid. She felt oddly comfortable, as if she belonged there. She heard herself giggle as a small blue demon with large wings approached her. "Come on Jade, let's play hide and seek"
"You're never going to find me," she heard herself say in tiny voice. With that she ran to go hide as the small demon began to count.
<Hmmm.now where shall I hide? I hid in daddy's chambers last time; inside the chest with all the really neat torture instruments that I'm not allowed to touch till I'm a big girl. I got in really big trouble for it too. That's out. I already hid in the mutilation room under all the limbs, so that's out. I know. I'll hide under grandpa's throne. Malicaf will never find me there.>
Jade ran from room to room. In each room there were people or demons being tortured by other demons. Each room was meant for a different form of torture. Usually she would have stopped to observe all that was going on, but she needed to get to her grandfather's throne before Malicaf finished hiding.
Finally, she came upon a huge room decorated in blacks and reds. Gargoyles were perched in different areas around what looked like a grand hall. In the middle of the room sat a huge throne. It was made of black marble, but the lining was deep, red velvet that draped down to the floor. Along side the large throne were six smaller thrones that were similar in style and shape, but the linings were of different colors. Her Daddy's was the dark green throne, but it was too low to ground to fit underneath, so Jade crawled underneath her grandfather's throne and waited for Malicaf to find her.
Suddenly the great hall erupted in several male voices. Jade tried to keep herself quiet as the men took their seats, but a baby gargoyle had found her hiding stop and began to lick her, causing her to giggle.
"Now who could that be giggling under my seat," a deep voice declared. "Could it be Alexandros, my pet wolverine?"
"No," Jade giggled.
"How about Kalypso?" * giggle * "No, then how about, Laios?"
Jade crawled out from out of the throne giggling, "No Grandpa, it's me."
A very handsome man who had the appearance of being in his thirties, muscular build, tall, with black hair and red eyes picked her up and sat her down on his lap. However those weren't most distinguishing features about this man. The most distinguished features were the two red horns that protruded from atop head and the wicked grin that adorned his face whenever she was around. "Now what is my little munchkin up to," the man asked.
"Me and Malicaf were playing hide and seek, and I needed a good spot to hide," Jade stated.
The man tapped Jade on the nose and said to her, "Well munchkin, you better go find another spot. I have important things to discuss with your Daddy and your uncles."
"Ok, Grandpa." Jade jumped off the man's lap and ran up to kiss another young looking man with similar features only with green eyes. He too had two red horns that came out from on top of his head. "Bye Daddy," Jade said.
"Bye princess. Have fun. Try not to get into too much trouble. Last time I caught you throwing salt on a chaos demon in order to see if it would have the same thing affect as it does to a slug. It took Taklar 28 days to get the chaos demon back to work in the coal mines."
"But Daddy it was fun. He made all these weird noises, and then started screaming. Taklar said he was very bad while he was alive, so I decided to punish him." From this statement Jade got a look that said I know it was fun, but your mother would kill me if she found out so don't do it again. "Fine," and with that Jade left the great hall.
Jade was walking down a long hallway, when she bumped into a big black leg. She looked up and began to tremble.
"Hello Macero," she said fearfully to the huge demon. His torso was bigger than most demons, as were his arms and legs. He wore black pants and no shirt. His body was dark red and he had the face of a bull. Of all the demons she had ever encountered, none had ever frightened Jade. None, except for Macero. There was something about him that that sent chills of terror down her spine.
"Someday, little one. Someday" he said while caressing her cheek with a touch that made Jade's blood run cold.
* * *
Jade awoke with a start. She looked around in a panic. Her panic eased slightly as she realized that she was in her dorm room. "Are you ok, Jade," her roommate and friend Violet asked.
The sight of her friend gave Jade more comfort, but something about the dream still bothered her. "Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a bad dream. I should get ready to go to class," she said with a fake smile. With that, Jade grabbed her shower gear and headed to the showers.
While in the shower Jade pondered over the last couple of weeks. Every night she had been having strange dreams. Some of them took place where last night's dream had. Others took place in a very heavenly-like place. There were angels and fields filled with flowers where she would run through and laugh. Her favorite field was the one filled with sunflowers that were taller than her. In all the dreams, she was a very young child of no more than 4 or 5 in mind, but Jade knew that she was much older in years. When the dreams took place in Heaven, for lake of a better word, Jade would play with a very young Violet, but her appearance was changed slightly. In the dreams, Violet was not human, but an Angel with white wings that had a lavender tint to them. However, when the dreams took place in Hell she would play with a small blue demon named Malicaf.
Jade and Violet had been friends since they were in elementary school. They both thought it was really cool that they were named after the color of their eyes. Violet had dark, golden blond hair, a rosy complexion and purple eyes. Jade on the other hand had jet-black hair, pale skin, and deep emerald eyes. They remained friends all throughout high school and when they graduated they decided to leave New York and go to college at UC Sunnydale in California.
Jade felt bad for lying to her best friend about her dreams. There was no way that she could explain them to her. The dreams all seemed so familiar, as if they were real, but that's impossible. Those types of things don't exist. Demons, Devils, and Angels are just myths, right? The dreams that had occurred on the previous nights did not affect her as much as last night. The other dreams did not frighten her, but the last dream did. Macero. Just the name gave her a cold chill. <It was just a dream. It's all over now. Just forget about it. I'm almost 21, it's ridiculous to be afraid of monsters. They don't exist. > It was with that last thought that Jade nodded to herself, turned off the shower, and went to get ready for class.
~Part: 3~
Julia awoke to find that she was chained to a wall. Blood dripped from her forehead where she was bludgeoned with a wooden club. She looked around her and notice that there were several other girls chained to the wall. They looked to be around the same age as her. There were a few girls with blond hair, but for the most part the girls had pale white skin and black hair. They looked just like her. Most of the girls appeared to be dead or unconscious. There was no movement or sound coming from any of them.
Finally Julia heard a small whimper. She looked around and noticed that one of the girls was awake and crying. "Who are you and where are we," Julia asked with panic in her voice.
"I don't know where we are. My name is Marie," the girl stated.
"What is happening? Why are we here? I don't understand," Julia sobbed.
"None of us understand why we are here. All we know is that there were more of us. Every other night one girl is taken away. The girl's screams echo through the walls. They are such screams of terror. Usually by the end of the night the screams die, but no one ever sees the girl again. Every night I pray that I am not taken away. Although those of us who stay here are not left alone by the demons, it still must be better than what those girls faced. You can tell by their screams." Just as Marie had finished the door to the chamber opened and a demon with green scales and sharp claws entered.
By this time many of the girls had woken up and were shaking in fear. He looked at each of the girls in the chamber. Julia watched as he walked to each of the girls and tilted their heads up looked into their eyes. He walked past those with blond hair. He only paid interest to those with dark brown or black hair. Finally, the demon came upon Julia and placed one claw under her chin to pick her head up. She looked into the face of the demon. Tears streamed down her face as she saw the demon smile. "Such beautiful green eyes you have. I'm sure the master will love them," the demon stated. Julia was then unchained from the wall only to have her hand bound behind her. She was quickly blindfolded and led out of the chambers.
Julia trembled in fear as she was guided for what seemed like an eternity. Then all of a sudden the demon beside her stopped. "Kneel," she was commanded. She quickly got to her knees and started to cry and beg for her life. Slowly the blindfold was removed. It took Julia a moment for her eyes to focus, but she really wished they hadn't. For what she saw caused more fear in her than anything she had ever known. She looked up to see her capturer, a huge red demon with the body of a man and the head of a bull. "She is not the one," he said to the green demon. "But her screams will give me pleasure while your men go out to search for my mate."
"Yes, Master Macero," the green demon said as he bowed and left the room. The red, bull demon known as Macero smiled at Julia as he dragged one large finger down from her jaw to her breasts before ripping her dress to shreds.
In the chamber of girls Marie sobbed as she heard Julia's scream echo through the night. Marie knew that Julia's screams would die with the night, but she would always remember them. Even though she would never see Julia again.
~Part: 4~
Jade ran through the field of sunflowers as she searched for Violet.
"Violet, where are you? This is no time to play hide and seek. Momma wants me to come with her, and she said you could come along. She said that we are big girls now, and that she has a surprise for us," Jade yelled into the field.
"Boo!"
Jade screamed and jumped. "You scared me. I knew I was rubbing off on you," Jade smiled proudly at her friend.
Violet giggled, "I know. Just don't tell my momma. She'll get mad and I'll have to sit through her speech of how little angels are supposed to behave. Now I heard you say surprise. I love surprises! Let's go!"
Jade grabbed Violet's hand and they ran through the sunflowers and across a beautiful meadow until they came upon a field that was entirely made up of clouds.
"Momma," Jade yelled as she ran up to hug a beautiful angel with dark brown hair and brown eyes. She had white wings, like Violet's only they were tinted silver instead of lavender.
"I thought I told you to not to get yourself dirty. It looks like you have been running through the fields again," the angel said as she folded her arms over her chest and raised one eyebrow.
"It's my fault, Adriana," Violet said. "Jade came to get me, but I was hiding in the sunflower fields."
Adriana smiled at them both and gave a small laugh. "What every shall Heaven do with you two?"
"So what's the surprise, Momma? Violet and I are all excited," Jade stated as she bounced up and down.
"Well first we have to meet with your father in Purgatory. He wants to be there for your surprise."
"Yeah, I'm going to get see Daddy! Come on Violet. I'll race you to Purgatory! The last one there has to read to Mrs. Finkel," Jade yelled while running.
"But Jaaaade," Violet whined. "You're not supposed to torture anyone in Heaven, and reading to Mrs. Finkel is torture," Violet yelled while running to catch up to Jade.
Jade ran through a portal and came upon a place that had a giant glass oval in center. If she looked straight ahead she could see another portal that was black. That portal led to Hell while the portal she had just come out of was a brilliant white. That portal led to Heaven. It was here in Purgatory that Heaven and Hell met. <It's just like me. This is where Momma and Daddy met and fell in love. >
Jade turned around to see her mother and Violet coming through the portal from Heaven. "I win. You have to read to Mrs. Finkel later," Jade laughed at Violet. "Fine," Violet growled. "Did you just growl," Adriana said to Violet. "I see you are picking up bad habits from my daughter. "But Momma, it's fun to growl. Daddy taught me how." "Oh did he now," Adriana said and then raised her eyebrow at the devil that emerged from the black portal. "Daddy," Jade yelled as she ran to her father and jumped up into his waiting arms. "What is Momma angry at me for this time, Princess?" "Violet growled and Momma is angry 'cause I taught it to Violet and you taught it to me," Jade giggled as her father kissed her nose and let her down. The devil approached Adriana and kissed her. "It was only a growl, Adriana. You don't seem to mind it when I growl," the devil said while waggling his eyebrows and growled playfully. Adriana laughed and kissed him once more. "Not in front of the children, Dameon."
"Are you two done yet? Violet and I want to see our surprise," Jade asked as she folded her arms and tapped her foot. "She gets her stubbornness from your side of the family," Adriana remarked to Dameon. "Come on Princesses, let's go see your surprise," Dameon took both the girls hands and led them over to the glass oval.
"This is a looking glass. Touch the glass, Jade," her father said. Jade leaned over and touched the glass and it began to glow. Suddenly she was looking upon two wealthy women chatting over some tea. "You are looking into the home of Mrs. Woodsworth in London, England. On Earth it is the year 1871. It is through a looking glass that we can watch the lower beings of Earth. All you need to do is concentrate on what you want to see, and it will appear before you. All that you have learned so far is that the lower beings who were good in life are rewarded by going to Heaven, and those who caused evil are sent to Hell. There is a lot more to this than that. I want you to see something." Dameon put his hand on the glass, and suddenly they were looking upon the birth of a new child. The mother was pushing as she was instructed to do so by her midwife. There was blood all over the sheets of the birthing bed. "Is the mother going to die, Daddy," Jade asked in a sad whisper. "Yes, she is." "But I can feel that she is an innocent. Why is she suffering so? I thought only those who were evil were supposed to suffer. Can't I go down there and heal her? I know that she wants to be with her child. I can feel her agony. She knows she is going to die." "You can never go down to Earth. It is not our place to meddle in such affairs. Devils and angels are forbidden to enter the Earth realm. We cannot interfere with the balance of nature. There are some innocents that will suffer. Their suffering will ease when they go to Heaven. There are also those on Earth that cause destruction, yet they do not suffer on Earth. Their suffering will come when they die and are brought to Hell. There must always be a balance of good and evil. This is the way of nature. The world is not black and white. Creatures of both Heaven and Hell understand the need for this balance. We cannot intervene directly. If the balance has been upset, we have others who can go to Earth to set the balance straight. If the balance falls towards evil, the oracles intervene through their warriors. If the balance tips towards good, Grandpa sets some demons lose to restore the balance. This balance is very important to understand. Without this balance, everything that we have ever known would be destroyed. There would be utter chaos. You, my beautiful daughter are the embodiment of that balance. You were born to an angel and a devil. You have both the powers of Heaven and Hell within you. This makes you stronger than you realize. You must always remember to keep the balance within yourself. If you do not everything around you will be affected in ways you cannot imagine. Do you understand, Princess," Dameon asked as he looked down at his daughter. "I get it Daddy. I just wish that I could help that woman, but I'll try and make it up to her when she comes up to Heaven. Do you think I could bring her here from time to time so she could check on her son?" "There are other looking glasses in both Heaven and Hell. You don't have to use just this one, but yes you may take the young woman to see her son. Do want to look somewhere else, Jade." "Oh, yes!"
Jade thought really hard about what she wanted to see. She touched the glass and thought about human children. The looking glass glowed, and she looked down to see a young boy of eight. He was very frail. He had light brown hair that had a slight curl to it. He wore small glasses and was dressed like a child of high society. He held a book close to his chest as he walked down the streets of London. Suddenly a bunch of other boys came up behind him, and pushed him down to the ground. The young boys glasses were crushed as they hit the ground. "Are you going to cry William," one of the boys laughed. "Poor William is going to cry," the other boys laughed. "We'll see you at school tomorrow. We'll let you go so you can run home and cry to your mother," another boy laughed. After the harsh words had been said the boys left, leaving William all alone. The young boy got up picked up his glasses and his book and ran home. He entered his home, and was welcomed by his mother. "How was school, William," his mother asked. "It was fine, mother. I just have a lot of work to do, so I shall be up in my room if you need me." William ran up the stairs, tumbled on to his bed, and began to cry. Jade could feel everything that he was feeling. She felt his loneliness and sadness. This young boy had such a heart. All he wanted was to feel loved, but instead he felt alone. Tears streamed down Jade's face as she wanted so much to go to William and tell him that he was not alone. She was there, even if he didn't know it. Jade realized something right then. He was hers. This was the one she was to mate with. "Mine," she declared while looking down at William. "What did you just say, Jade," her father asked with a hint of anger in his voice. "He's mine, Daddy. Just like Momma is yours." At this her father's anger began to show. His eyes glowed red as he growled, "No daughter of mine shall ever mate with a human. Not only did you choose a human, but a pathetic one at that. I know I talked how we must maintain the balance of good an evil in the universe, but you must also remember your family. You are a higher level being. When the time is near you will either mate with a devil or an angel and no other. Do you understand me," her father growled. "Dameon, let her be. She is just a child. It is probably nothing more than a passing fancy. She will get over it. You are making too much of this," her mother said as she soothed her mate. "Perhaps you are right, Adriana. I will let it be for now," he said and then turned towards Jade. "You are never to watch that young boy again. Just forget him." "Mine," Jade growled. "Mine! Mine! Mine!"~
~~~
"Mine," Jade said as she awoke with anger, and looked over to Violet who watched her with a face of terror. "Oh my God Jade, what is wrong with your eyes," Violet screamed. "Jade rushed to the mirror hanging on the back of the dorm door and noticed that her eyes were glowing red. It was the same red that glowed in Dameon's eyes when he got angry in her dreams. "Violet! Violet! Make it stop! Please make it stop," Jade sobbed. Violet ran to her friend and drew her into a hug. "It's Ok," Violet said as she rubbed her best friend's back in order to soothe her. Finally Jade stopped crying and looked towards the mirror. Her eyes had returned to their natural green.
Jade walked over to her bed and sat down. Violet sat down beside her and asked her what was going on. Violet had been worried for the passed couple of weeks. She knew that Jade was having restless dreams. Violet just assumed they were nightmares and that Jade would tell her about them when she was ready. Now, she wanted answers. No more waiting.
Jade told Violet all about her dreams. She described each one in detail, and her reactions to each one. Jade also told Violet about how she was in her dreams. "The dreams you described about us being in Heaven; I've had them too. They are little different than yours, but the place is the same. You said that I had wings with a lavender tint. Well you my dear had wings with a green tint. Did I mention you also had little red horns as well? I always new you had an evil streak in you." Jade laughed at this and smiled at her friend. "Do you think the dreams are real? I didn't want to believe they were, but if you dreamt them as well maybe they are true," Jade asked Violet. "I don't know, but if they are then that would mean that I am an angel and that you are both an angel and a devil. That also means that demons are real. I've never seen one before so this must be all some weird coincidence and nothing more. It must be school food," Violet chuckled. "What do you think, Jade?" "I don't know, Violet. I really don't know."
~Part: 5~
One week later.
Jade awoke from her peaceful afternoon nap with the sound of the telephone ringing. "Hello," she answered sleepily into the phone. "Jade. Hi it's Violet. I'm sorry to wake you. I just wanted to let you know that I have a lot of work to do tonight in the library so I won't be back at the dorm until late tonight. I didn't want you to worry." "Don't worry about waking me up. It's ok. I really have to get ready for my next class anyway. Thanks for calling, sweetie. You know me too well. I definitely would have been worried. Good luck getting all your work done, and I'll see you later tonight. Bye," Jade said. "Bye."
Jade climbed out of bed and suddenly had the weirdest feeling that she was supposed to remember something, something that had occurred during her nap. The nap had been what she needed. Her nights were usually filled with dreams that caused her sleep to be restless. She shrugged off the feeling and went to her English literature class.
* * * * *
Jade sat down in her class. She absolutely adored this class, but this month was going to be even better. They were discussing English poetry, and Jade had always loved poetry. There was just something about it that was truly beautiful. Romantic poetry was her favorite. She was a hopeless romantic at hear,t and the beautiful words written on paper always brought her to tears.
Class began and Jade's mind quickly began to wander. She was not bored; quite the opposite in fact. Jade suddenly had the urge to write, and that is exactly what she did. Lines just flowed from her mind as if she knew every word by heart. Jade didn't even stop to think about what she was writing; she just continued to write.
When class ended Jade looked down at what she had written, and began to read. Jade noticed three things about the poem that sprang into her mind. The first was that it was unfinished, yet she could not remember there being anything more to the poem. It was as though the poet just stopped. The second thing was that it was obviously a romantic poem written about a girl. The last thing she noticed was how awful the poem really was. <The wording is horrible, but the emotions are there. The poet didn't have the words, but he had the heart. > Jade put the poem in her binder and headed out of class.
* * * * *
Buffy was running back to her dorm. She was running late. < Giles is going to kill me if I'm late for training again. > With that thought Buffy began to run faster. She quickly looked to the side while running to check out a hot guy when she crashed into someone. Papers flew out of the young girl's binder and Buffy bent down to help the girl pick up the papers. "I'm so sorry. I didn't see you," Buffy said. Buffy suddenly got the oddest feeling from the girl. It was like her spider sense, but slightly different. Buffy looked at girl for a moment as she picking up the papers. The girl was medium build with black hair and striking green eyes. "That's OK. Thanks for helping me pick up my papers. I'm sorry to be so rude, but I've got to run," the young girl said as she hurried off.
As the girl left so did the odd feeling. Buffy was confused, but shrugged and looked down on the ground. The girl had forgotten a piece of paper. Buffy picked it up and put it in her pocket. She would tell Giles about the odd feeling later. < Giles! Shit, I'm late. > The odd feeling forgotten, Buffy sprinted to her dorm in order to get ready to train.
~Part: 6~
Macero paced in his lair growing angrier with each passing night. He looked over at the green-scaled demon before him and snarled. "What is taking so long? I grow impatient with waiting. Why have you and your men not found my mate yet?" "Forgive me, Master Macero. We have been searching every night. Every night we bring to you girls with dark hair and green eyes, and every night you say they are not the right one. Perhaps the girl you search for is not here," the green demon answered timidly, bowing his head. This answer rewarded the demon with a slap across the face that threw him across the room. "Don't take me for an idiot. She is here. I can feel her presence. It is subtle, but it is there. Her powers are increasing everyday. I must have her before she acquires all her powers. If I do not have her soon, I promise that you will pay for having failed me Somas," Macero sneered as he loomed over the green demon cowering in the corner. "Yes, Master. We will find your mate. Even if we have to capture every girl in Sunnydale," Somas replied. "Good. Now go," Macero ordered.
When Somas had left, Macero reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace. It was made of silver, but the most striking thing about it was the dark green amulet set in the middle. He held the necklace in his hand and caressed the green amulet as he became lost in a memory.
~Macero walked down the corridor to her room. He knocked on the door and waited for her. Immediately Jade answered the door with a smile on her face. She had grown into a beautiful young woman. "Blueballs is that." Jades stopped as she realized Malicaf was not at door, but Macero. Her smile fell immediately and he could feel the fear and anger coursing through her. Macero grinned. "Macero. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit," Jade asked. "I have come to ask you to take a walk with me," Macero said extending his hand to her. "I really have things that I should be doing. Maybe some other time." "Just a short walk. I promise I will not keep you long." "OK. Just a short walk," Jade answered. She ignored is extended hand and brushed right passed him and began to walk down the corridor with her back towards him.
< Insolent brat. I will show her to walk with her back to me. Someday you will be mine and I will dominate you. You will beg for my touch, and I will deny your release. I will punish you for all the years you have you have treated me with disrespect. > Macero quickly caught up to her and began to walk side by side with her. The two traveled in silence until they reached the outside gardens. Black red roses filled these gardens and Macero reached out to pick one. Macero faced Jade and brought the petals her face to slowly outline her lips while his other hand caressed the side of her cheek. "You are so very beautiful, little one," Macero stated in a seductive whisper. Jade backed away from his touched with her arms folded over her chest. "Was there something you wanted, Macero," she asked coldly. Macero's anger was rising, but he controlled it. "Yes, my lovely one. I want you," Macero said as he reached into his pocket and drew out a necklace. He circled around Jade to stand behind her while he put the necklace on her. The necklace was made of silver and set in the middle was a dark green amulet that matched the color of her eyes. Macero turned her around to face him. "I want you to be my mate. You are mine, little one. Do not fight it. You know that it is true." "How dare you," Jade remarked her eyes glowing red. "I am not yours. I will never be yours. I have already picked my mate." Macero began to laugh. "You cannot mean that pathetic excuse for a demon that roams the Earth. Your infatuation with him when he was human was funny enough. It was the running joke among all the demons. Now it is even worse. Your father and grandfather will never allow such a thing. He is a vampire. Your grandfather, father, and yourself would be laughed out of Hell if you were to mate with such a creature. They are the lowest of the low among the demon race. I am a high level demon. He in no way compares to me," Macero said while laughing a deep laugh. At this Jade's eyes began to glow even more and her voice became deeper as her fury grew. "Do not laugh at my chosen mate, Macero. He is mine. You could never mean even half of what he means to me. I will never choose you. You would do well to remember that." Jade tore the necklace off her neck, threw it to the ground, and walked away. Macero became very angry.
He stalked off to one of the many torture chambers. He looked around at the many victims and he smiled as he found the one he was going to make pay for Jade's rejection. Macero chained the vampire, standing, to the wall. "I am going to have fun torturing you. Since I cannot torture the one who prevents me from winning Jade's affection, you will have to take his place. You're going to be in more pain than you have ever thought was possible. Teach her to reject me." Macero griped a large poker that was heating in fire and sheathed it within the demon's torso. The vampire howled in agony and Macero just laughed. "Keep screaming, vampire. It only makes me enjoy this more," Macero said as he removed the poker only to embed another hot poker in the vampire's right shoulder. Macero continued to torture the vampire for hours. A vampire with blond hair and blue eyes.~
Macero came out of his memory with a grin on his face. < I will find you my lovely Jade. Your parents may have sent you to Earth to keep you away from me, but I will not be deterred. You will be my mate, little one. I shall bring you over to the dark side and our powers will combine. With you I will rule over all. Even your family will not be able to stop me. Heaven, Hell, and Earth shall be mine. You cannot hide from me. I will find you. You are mine! >
~Part: 7~
Buffy quickly dusted her fifth vampire of the night and began to walk back to Giles's apartment. She brushed the dust off her clothing and continued to walk. < I patrolled for three hours; dusted a couple of vamps. Time to report back to Giles and find out if we got any more info on this girl we are supposed to protect. > Buffy came out of her thoughts as she heard two girls scream in the park.
Buffy quickly ran over to wear she heard the screams. There she saw two girls, one brunette and one blond being taken away by three vampires. The brunette girl looked liked the girl she had bumped into this afternoon, but a second glance showed she was wrong. Among the vampires was also a green-scaled demon, which by the looks of things was the leader. "Didn't anyone ever tell you guys that no means no," Buffy said with sarcastically. The green demon looked at Buffy and then turned to of two of the vampires. "Kill her." "Kill her. How original. You obviously are not from around here because that line has been used already," Buffy quipped as the two vampires approached her. Buffy dusted the first vampire really quickly using Mr. Pointy. As the second one came upon her she delivered a hard kick to his stomach followed by an uppercut punch. With the vampire down on ground, she straddled the vampire and staked him.
Buffy stood and began to advance on the last vampire, when she noticed that the green demon had fled with the brunette girl. The vampire looked nervously at the Slayer while holding on to the blond girl. His fear got the better of him. He released the girl and ran of. Buffy decided not to pursue him. Instead she looked around for any signs of where the green demon had gone with the other girl. Buffy looked at the girl who was shaking on the ground. "Don't worry. I will find your friend." Just then scream pierced the night.
Buffy followed the scream through the park. She ran as fast as her slayer speed could take her. She was heading in the direction of the old caves by the lake when she spotted the green demon and the girl. Buffy grabbed the demon from behind causing him to release the girl. Buffy looked at the girl and shouted, "Go!" Without hesitation she ran off to go find her friend.
Buffy threw the demon up against the tree, holding him by his neck. "Here's the deal. I'm going to ask you some questions and you're going to answer. If you're a good demon, I might let you live," she said. "I will never tell you anything," the green demon choked out. "Oh I think you will. Who do you work for? What is his name?" "I will tell you nothing." Buffy strengthened her grip on his throat and banged his head hard against the tree. "Whoops, wrong answer. Try again." The demon's black claws began to grow and he imbedded one hand into her side. Buffy let go of the demon and staggered back. "Wrong move, Bitch." The demon began to advance, but Buffy gave a sharp blow to his knee, breaking the knee cap. She knew she was hurt and decided not to risk it. She ran as fast as she could through park to escape.
The green demon tried to follow, but his injuries were too much. He limped slowly back to the caves to face the wrath of Macero. He was not going to be pleased.
* * * * *
All the Scoobies, including Spike, were gathered around Giles's apartment researching when Buffy staggered in from her patrol. "Oh, my Goddess! Buffy what happened," Willow asked. "No big deal Will. I'll be OK by tomorrow. Accelerated healing abilities. Comes with the whole Slayer package," Buffy said as she sat down gingerly on the couch. Giles crouched down beside her, medical supplies in hand and began to dress her wounds. "What happened," he said. Buffy began to describe the events of night to everyone.
After Buffy stated all that had happened she gave a clear description of the girls. "One of the girls was a brunette and the other girl was a blond." "Well, I've been doing research on the net on the missing girls. It seems as though most of the girls kidnapped were of medium height and build with dark hair and green eyes. The few blond girls that were kidnapped were friends of the brunettes and they were usually last seen together," Willow said. "That definitely fits the description of the two girls I saved tonight. The brunette girl seemed familiar. She looked like this girl I bumped into this afternoon. I first I thought it was her. Oh my God! Giles I forgot to tell you about the girl this afternoon," Buffy exclaimed. "I was running back to my dorm room to get ready for training when I bumped into this girl. Her papers flew out of her binder so I went to help her pick them up. All of a sudden I got the strangest feeling from her. It was like my spider sense, but different. It was totally wiggy considering it was daylight out." "Did you happen to get her name? She might be the girl we have been searching for. If it was you may have been sensing her powers. Especially if she is as powerful as the demons claim she is," Giles asked. "No, I didn't get her name. She ran off so quickly. She did leave this behind though." Buffy pulls the paper out of her pocket. She opens it up and reads. All of a sudden she is filled with hysterical laughter. "What's so funny, Buff," Xander asks. "Listen to this.'My heart expands/ 'tis grown a bulge in it / inspired by your beauty, effulgent." At this Xander and Anya begin to laugh. "That is some of the worst poetry I have ever heard," Anya said. "And I've been around a long time." Even Willow and Giles chuckled a little at the silliness of it.
After everyone had finished Buffy asked, "So what now?" "She obviously likes poetry, whether she wrote the poem herself or not. I could try and do a search tomorrow on the all the poetry books that have been taken out the library recently and see if anyone fits her physical description. I can also do a search on the students with that physical description taking poetry or literature classes." Willow said. "That would be most helpful, Willow," Giles replied.
During the gang's laughter and discussion of what they were going to do, nobody noticed Spike's angry and pained expression as he stomped out of Giles's apartment.
~Part: 8~
Spike paced angrily in his crypt as he went over all that had happened that night. He took a long swallow of the vodka he had bought, hoping to burn away the memories that hearing the poem had stirred up. Memories that Spike had never wanted to relive. < Of all the bloody things for the Slayer to get her hands on it had to be my poem. Not just any poem either. No, it had to be the last poem I ever wrote. The one I wrote for that bitch Cecily. The poem I wrote the last night I was human. >
Spike slumped down against the wall of the crypt as the memories washed over him. " Cecily. I loved that woman with everything that I was. I would have given her anything, but did she return my love? No. Bloody bitch told me I was beneath her. Broke my heart, she did," Spike muttered to himself as he took another swig of vodka.
Images bombarded his mind as he remembered meeting Drusilla in an alley after being rejected by the woman he loved. He remembered Drusilla's seduction of him, using his already shattered heart to aid in her seduction. He watched in his mind as Drusilla bit into his neck, leaving him drained. The last words Spike heard before his life ended was "Daddy look. I found a new playmate. Will you make Princess a new playmate?"
"I was a pathetic human. Writing poetry for some silly bitch. Poetry for Satan's sake. What in the hell ever possessed me to write poetry?" Spike's took another swig of vodka as he searched his mind for memories that he had buried when his human self had died.
* * *
~It was the year 1865. A 13-year-old William was walking home from school, carrying his books in his arms. He had been having a horrible day. Throughout the day, William had been harassed by his long time foe, Richard. Richard was always despicable, but today he had been unusually harsh in his torment. < At least the day is over. > Just as the thought had ended, William felt something large and hard hit his back. The pain was so much that he crumbled to the ground. He looked down and found that it was large stone that struck his back. "How good to see you again, William," Richard said with sarcasm, coming up from behind him with his cronies in tow. "I believe that I owe you for telling on me and my friends to Mr. Walker." "Mr. Walker asked me a question, and I gave him an honest answer," William said while standing up. "Yes, you did. However, you caused my friends and I to get sent to the dean. I don't appreciate that. I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget any time soon." With that said, Richard punched William hard in the eye. William's head snapped back from the force of the blow. Tears streamed down his face while the other boys just laughed. "You better not tell anyone who did punched you or that punch will not even compare to what I will do to you," Richard told him and walked away with his friends following leaving William alone.
William sank to the ground, hugging his knees to him as he cried from the pain, the humiliation, and most of all the loneliness. Every since he was a young boy he had always been the center of everyone's jokes. All he wanted was one friend, but no wanted anything to do with him. "Are you alright," a female voice asked bringing him out of his thoughts. "I'm fine. I would appreciate it you would just leave me alone," William said curtly. He did not mean to be rube, but he already felt humiliated. Having a young lady helping him would be even worse. "You don't look alright. Let me see," the girl asked. William lifted his tear stained face and was about to tell her to please leave him alone when he looked upon the face, with his one good eye, of the girl who knelt beside him.
She was beautiful. He had never seen anyone so beautiful in his life. He guessed that she was the same age as him. She had long black hair and a creamy white complexion. However, the most amazing thing about her where emerald green eyes. William noticed her smile shyly and blush and realized that he had been staring at her with his mouth open. "My name is Jade," the girl said. "I'm William." "It is a pleasure to meet you, William. Although, I wish it were under different circumstances", Jade said as she softly prodded the sore skin under his eye. William winced from the pain. "I'm sorry." "It's alright. It's nothing." "It doesn't look like nothing. It looks like some brute punched you." William was lost entranced by her every movement. She looked at him with such sweetness and such concern. No one had ever done that before. "Thank you for your kindness, but I assure that I will be quite all right," William said while still staring into her eyes.
William broke himself away from her face and began to gather his books. Jade picked up one of the books with a smile on her face. "Samuel Taylor Coleridge. His poems are so romantic. They make my heart skip. It must be wonderful to have a man love you so much and express his love through exquisite words. I have always loved poetry. Do like poetry, William," Jade asked while running her fingers along the book fondly. William was only reading the book for an assignment at school. He had never really given the poems any thought. So he did what any young man does to try and impress a lady, he lied. "Yes, I do." "Would you read me your favorite," Jade asked. William was nervous that she would catch his lie, but then he remembered reading a poem today that expressed everything that he was feeling at that moment. He took the book from her hands and opened to the page:
"Where true Love burns Desire is Love's pure flame;
It is the reflex of our earthly frame,
That takes its meaning from the nobler part,
And but translates the language of the heart."
"That was beautiful," she replied. "So are you." He blushed scarlet when he realized he had spoken aloud. "Thank you," she said with a radiant smile across her face. "And you are very handsome." Just when William thought his blush had subsided, it came back full force from Jade's softly spoken words. William realized they were still kneeling on the ground. He rose and offered his hand to help Jade up. William looked into her shining eyes, held her hand in his, and asked, "Would it be to bold of me to ask you to accompany me to the park?" He was nervous. He thought for sure she would say no, but his fear was quelled by the huge smile on her face. "I would like that very much." William was about to release her hand, but she would not let him go. Instead she threaded her fingers through his and giggled at the shocked look on his face. "Lead the way, William." They walked holding hands to the park.
William and Jade spent the rest of the afternoon having fun and laughing. They had played a couple of games of blind man's bluff, using Jade's handkerchief as a blindfold. William couldn't remember the last time he had so much fun. He owed it all to the beautiful girl standing next to him.
They walked out of the park smiling and holding hands. All of a sudden he felt Jade tense. She began to look around nervously. "Jade, what's wrong," William asked dropping his books to the ground and facing her. Jade began to cry. William embraced her in his arms and stroked her hair to comfort her as she cried on his shoulder. Jade pulled back from the embrace with tears running down her cheeks. William caressed both her cheeks and wiped her tears away. "Please, don't cry. It hurts me so to see you cry." Jade looked into his eyes and said, "I have to go. I don't know when I'll be able to see you again. I have had such a wonderful day. I don't want to leave, but I must. Will you wait for me, William?" Jade pulled out her handkerchief and handed it to him. "I want you to keep this. Please wait for me." William took the handkerchief and put it into his pocket. "I will wait for you, Jade," he promised. He saw the look of happiness in her eyes from his words. He thought that nothing could possibly make him feel any more wonderful then seeing her smile because of him. However, when Jade leaned into him quickly and touched her lips to his, William thought he had died and gone to Heaven. The kiss was sweet and gentle, but Jade broke away, much to William's disappointment, and began to run. "Wait for me William," she yelled as she charged down the street. William tried to run after her, but when he turned the corner he had seen her go around, she was gone.
William ran home, ate dinner, and went to his room. He laid down upon his bed with a smile on his face. He pulled the handkerchief from his pocket. It was white with green ivy leaves embroidered on it. He was in love. William got up from his bed and went to his desk. He took out a sheet of paper and a pen and began to write a poem. A poem for the emerald eyed maiden who had captured his heart. ~
* * *
Spike came out of his memories and staggered over to the side of his crypt. Against the wall were boxes of things he had collected over the years that meant something to him. He began searching through the boxes. Finally, he came upon what he had been looking for. Spike held the faded white handkerchief with ivy leaves embroidered on it in his hands and whispered, "Jade." Then he promptly passed out.
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