Chapter 23 – Coming Clean


To Spike’s surprise, Buffy didn’t let go of his hand as they walked into the
Magic Box, earning a scathing glare from Xander.

“Are you two engaged?” Anya asked, looking back and forth between them.

“What?” Buffy asked, looking at Spike, who was chuckling.

“Well, the last time I saw the two of you holding hands, you were engaged.
Are you engaged again?”

“No,” Buffy replied, shaking her head.

“It’s a spell,” Xander cried, throwing his hands up in the air as if he’d
just discovered the cure to the common cold.

“It’s not a soddin’ spell,” Spike growled, already growing impatient with
the whelp.

“B-but it has to be,” he insisted.

Buffy didn’t have to look at Spike to know that he was getting frustrated.
She could see Willow and Tara exchanging confused looks and Giles cleaning
his glasses behind the counter.

“Are you…together?” the older man finally asked when Buffy’s gaze fell on
him.

Spike glanced at Buffy, not wanting to answer the question and risk getting
her mad at him. She looked up at him with a soft smile before nodding,
never taking her eyes away from Spike’s gaze. “Yes.”

Judging by Spike’s flinch, she knew that pandemonium must have erupted
through the store and reluctantly tore her eyes away from him. She could
see Xander gesturing wildly as Willow, Tara, and Anya appeared to be
alternating between asking questions and trying to calm him down. Shooting
a quick glance at Giles, she saw him with a slightly perplexed look, but he
remained silent.

Looking back at Xander, Buffy’s gaze hardened when she realized he was
demanding how she could do something like this to Riley. Reminding herself
that Xander was one of her oldest friends, Buffy took a deep breath.
Putting a hand on Spike’s chest when she realized that he was practically
coiled and waiting to strike, Buffy slowly turned toward Xander.

“Shut up,” she said in such a low voice it seemed to startle everyone in the
room. Just as she opened her mouth to defend her newfound relationship, she
heard Spike growl low in his throat. Turning to look at him, she suddenly
realized that Riley had walked through the door of the Magic Box.

Catching Spike’s arm a split second before he ran at the other man, Buffy
planted herself in front of the temperamental vampire, using all of her
strength to hold him in place. She could hear Spike yelling and judging
from his side of the conversation, and she knew that Riley must be causing just
as much noise, but all of her energy was focused on keeping him where he
was.

“Spike!” she finally yelled in exasperation.

Gritting his teeth together, cold blue eyes met Buffy’s and immediately
softened when he saw her worried expression. Tenderly running a hand along
her cheek, he tried to give her a gentle, albeit tight, smile.

“You can’t,” she whispered softly. “The chip.”

“It would be worth it,” he said with a growl, and Buffy knew that it was for
Riley’s benefit and not hers as he glanced over her shoulder at the other
man.

“I’m not risking you hurting yourself,” she said softly, planting both hands
on his chest as she backed away, making sure he stayed in place.

When Buffy was satisfied that Spike was going to stay in place, she slowly
turned to face her ex-boyfriend. Riley immediately began yelling and
gesturing toward the two of them, and Buffy knew that she wouldn’t be able to
hold Spike back a second time. Crossing the room in three quick strides,
she let her fist fly directly into Riley’s nose, feeling moderately better
when she saw the blood that began to pour from it.

She could sense the shock in the room without even needing to turn around. Adding a strong kick to his midsection and watching him double over in pain, Buffy glared at the man she thought she knew. “I can’t believe you’d show your face here,” she said through clenched teeth, keeping her eyes on the bleeding man.

“I can’t believe you’d bring that thing here,” Riley retaliated, causing
Buffy to take another menacing step forward.

Feeling a hand on her arm, Buffy swung around and tried to settle her nerves
when she saw it was Willow. “Buffy, what’s going on?” she asked, her
expressive eyes showing how worried she was about her best friend.

“Everyone’s curious?” Buffy asked, walking toward Spike and planting herself
in front of him, relaxing when she felt his hands rest lightly on her hips.
“Spike and I are together,” she said, holding up her hand when she saw that
Xander was about to yell again. “Before anyone says one single word, you
have no idea what I’ve been going through. Riley and I have broken up,” she
continued, shooting a glare in her ex’s direction. “He didn’t trust me, he
didn’t try and see what I was going through, and he tried to separate me
from the one person who does understand…in more ways than one.” Buffy
continued, even when she saw that Riley was trying to interrupt. “And I can
handle the idle threats or whatever you want to call them, but I am not
going to sit back and condone beating up the one person who has been helping
me and leaving him for dead!” she yelled.

She could practically feel the stunned silence that permeated the room
before looking at Giles.

“When was this?” he asked, looking at her in concern.

“When did he leave Spike to meet the sunrise? Last night.”

Everyone in the room exchanged looks before turning toward Spike.

“He doesn’t look that bad,” Anya spoke up, tilting her head in Spike’s
direction.

“No,” Riley agreed, looking Spike up and down and narrowing his eyes as
Buffy watched him. “He doesn’t look that bad at all.”

Looking over her shoulder at Spike, Buffy gave him a soft smile, leaning
more securely into his embrace. “That’s what Slayer’s blood does,” she
replied, keeping eye contact with him for another moment before turning to
face the stunned group.

“He fed off you?” Riley cried, advancing on the couple, only to be met with
another fist as it slammed into his eye.

“Don’t you come near him,” Buffy said in a menacing tone. “Or me, for that
matter. Yes,” she continued, addressing the rest of the room. “I willingly
fed him and I would do it again. If anyone has a problem with that- I
really don’t want to know.”

Her nerves were setting her on edge when she saw everyone begin talking
again.

“You know what?” she finally said with a resigned sigh. “You all are my
friends and I really want you to accept this, but if you can’t…well, you
haven’t missed me lately, so I don’t really expect you to notice if I only
come around for official Slayer business.”

Taking Spike’s hand in hers, she walked past Riley and through the door of
the shop without looking back. Spike stayed quiet as they walked down the
street before lightly tugging on her hand, signaling her to stop.

Buffy turned around and saw Willow and Tara running toward them.

“I’m so sorry, Buffy,” Willow cried, throwing herself into her best friend’s
arms. Buffy hugged her for a long moment before the redhead pulled back to
look at her. “I know I haven’t been there as much lately and I…we just
wanted you to know that we’re going to support whatever you decide,” she
finished with a small smile, directed toward Spike.

“I’m sure Giles and Anya agree,” Tara said timidly. “But they were trying
to calm down Xander and Riley.”

“I should have known Xander would hit the roof,” Buffy said, shaking her
head.

“Don’t worry about the whelp, pet,” Spike said, wrapping an arm around her
waist. “If he’s really your friend, he won’t want to let you go.”

“Are you happy?” Willow asked, tilting her head to look at her friend,
smiling when Buffy leaned her head against Spike’s chest as if it was the
most natural thing in the world.

“I am,” she said with a soft smile.

“Then I’m happy for you.”

Buffy breathed a sigh of relief as they said good-bye to the two girls
before turning to Spike.

“Want me to walk you home?” he asked with a soft smile.

“No,” Buffy said softly, shaking her head while a slow, seductive smile appeared on her lips. “I want to go back to your place.”

 

Chapter 24 – Living for the Moment


“M-my place?” Spike asked, suddenly nervous as he cleared his throat against
the stutter.

“You heard me,” she whispered, running her hand along his arm before taking
his hand in hers and leading him in the direction of the cemetery.

“Buffy-“

“Spike,” she murmured, turning around and leaving a gentle kiss on his lips.
“I know what I’m doing.”

* * * * *

“Are you sure about this?” Spike asked softly as he watched Buffy walk
backwards toward his bed, keeping eye contact with him the entire time.

“You seem nervous,” she said with a smile, letting her hands travel up to
the hem of her shirt and whipping it over her head in a single motion,
giggling when Spike’s eyes widened.

“I just…I don’t want you to look back on this and write it off as a weak
moment.”

Walking toward him as she slowly popped the button of her pants open, Spike
felt himself grow painfully hard when he watched the fabric slide down her
legs, leaving her in nothing but a white lace bra and panties.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmured in a hoarse voice as she approached.

“This isn’t a weak moment,” Buffy whispered, slipping her hands under his
shirt and pulling it over his head, enjoying the feel of his muscles beneath
her fingertips as she dropped the shirt to the floor and let her hands trail
along his chest. “This is about living for the moment.”

Spike felt himself trying to breathe when she took his hand and led him over
to the bed.

“I want this, Spike,” she said softly, her eyes never leaving his while she
slowly lowered the zipper of his jeans and unbuttoned them before pushing
them over his slender hips and letting them fall to the floor. “I want
you.”

Bringing his lips to hers in a tender kiss, Spike closed his eyes. This was
the way it should be. This was how it was supposed to be.

“I love you,” he whispered as his hands ran up and down her arms in a
soothing gesture.

“I know,” she said with a soft smile. “And that’s why I want to do this
now. Spike, I could die tomorrow and-“

“Stop,” he growled. “Just stop saying that. Nothing is going to happen to
you.”

“I’m the Slayer,” she murmured, looking into his eyes. “Eventually
something is going to happen to me and…you need to be ready for that.” She
paused for a moment as she studied his expression before continuing, “Or
maybe I shouldn’t make this worse,” she finished in a small voice, turning
around to grab her clothes.

Feeling Spike’s hand on her arm, she turned and breathed a sigh of relief
when he pulled her into his arms, claiming her lips in a passionate kiss.
Buffy moaned as he pushed her toward the bed, following closely behind and
covering her body with his, never letting his lips leave hers.

Buffy shifted beneath him, craving his touch as she parted her legs and
sighing when she felt Spike settle between her thighs, only a tiny scrap of fabric
separating them as they began to move together.

Her tongue stroked against his, eagerly taking what he had to offer before
pulling away breathlessly.

“What are you doing to me?” he rasped in a husky whisper, looking into her
clouded eyes.

Buffy couldn’t answer. She simply wrapped her hands behind his neck and
pulled him lower, crushing his lips to hers. His hands traveled along her
body, touching any skin he could come in contact with while his hips ground
against hers. Her hands ran along his back, feeling the tight muscles
shifting under her touch.

Spike’s lips broke away from hers, moving along her jaw and settling on her
neck, feeling her pulse speed up as he gently licked his previous bite mark.

“Spike,” she whispered, her voice filled with need as she angled her neck
toward his lips.

“I will, kitten,” he murmured, sending chills running through her. “If it’s
what you want, I’ll give it to you…but not yet.”

Moaning in disappointment, it was quickly replaced with a breathy gasp when
she felt his hands slip around her and unclasp her bra before removing it
and throwing it over his shoulder. Breathing heavily, Buffy’s eyes met his
when his fingers trailed along her breasts. He gave her a gentle smile as
he lowered his head, sucking and biting on one until Buffy was practically
writhing beneath him. Reaching around to the slope of her lower back, Spike
pulled her closer, grinding his erection against her and moaning when Buffy
eagerly rubbed herself against him in response.

Maneuvering his hands, his fingers slipped into her panties and pulled them
down her legs before slowly making his way back up her body. Buffy pulled
him to her for another kiss, reaching down to gently take his cock in her
hand, guiding him to her entrance.

Spike wanted their first time to be as gentle as possible, easing into her with care. He wanted to show her how much he loved her and worshipped her, but his body had different ideas. Pushing into her, he could already feel Buffy losing control, and that nearly sent him over the edge. Teasing her for a moment, Spike smiled when Buffy reached around and pulled him to her more forcefully, grinding her hips against his and crying out as waves of pleasure washed over her.

Speeding up his thrusts, Spike began pumping into her, knowing that she was getting frustrated. He could feel her hands grabbing at him, seeking her climax, but nothing could have prepared him for the feeling of her teeth sinking into his neck. Unable to control himself, his demon flashed to the surface, letting his fangs pierced her flesh, taking deep pulls on her blood as Buffy screamed out her orgasm.

Thrusting into her several more times, Spike tried to hold off a little
longer, but the quivering of her inner muscles around him was driving him
crazy with need. With every slow pull of her blood, another climax seemed
to crash into her and he knew he couldn’t hold off anymore. As his fangs
slipped out of her neck, Spike pulsed inside of her welcoming body.

“Mine,” he growled, looking at Buffy. Her hand came up to slowly travel
over the planes of his demon face before she gave him an exhausted nod.

“Yours.”

Collapsing on top of her, Spike’s demon slipped away as they both tried to
calm down.

“How did you do that?” Buffy murmured, breathing heavily.

“Do what, luv?”

“That was just…wow,” she breathed with a slight smile.

Spike chuckled, sending low vibrations through her neck.

“I’m yours?” she asked timidly.

Spike pulled back with a questioning look, wondering if she was regretting
it now that there were a few moments of clarity separating them from the
situation.

“Forever,” he said with uncertainty in his voice.

“I can live with that.”

Spike watched her drift off to sleep as he waited for the feeling to sweep
through him. He’d never claimed anyone, but he knew how it worked. There
was supposed to be a strong connection that was established that went beyond
anything in the human world. Knowing that Buffy reciprocated the claim, it
should have been fairly obvious that it took effect. He continued to wait
for several long moments, frowning when he didn’t feel anything.



 

Chapter 25 – Helplessly, Hopelessly…


Gently trailing a hand along the smooth expanse of her stomach, Spike smiled
as he watched her sleep. She was so innocent when she didn’t have any
worries. One hand folded under her cheek, the other resting on his arm as
if she was trying to subconsciously reassure herself that he was really
there.

Tenderly brushing a kiss along her forehead, Spike had to stop the onslaught
of emotions from pouring out of him. “I love you,” he breathed in a
whisper.

“Mmm, love you,” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

Spike’s eyes widened at her words.

“Buffy?” he asked a little louder, wanting to know if she was awake.

When there was no reply, he had to shake his head to clear it of her words.
“Just dreaming,” he muttered. “It didn’t mean anything.”

Even though he wanted to believe that to save himself from the potential
pain she could cause him, he knew that he’d already let her in. He’d
claimed her. The demon saw her as his mate. And even though he knew that
she could cause him pain, a stronger part of him was aware that she knew
what she was doing. She wasn’t just a girl- she was also the Slayer, and if
she didn’t want him to bite her, he never would have. Not just the fact
that she could have stopped him, but Spike knew that he never would have
bitten her. It was entirely consensual, and that gave it an even deeper
meaning.

“Spike?” Buffy whispered, slowly stretching her arms above her head and
giving him a glorious view of her taut body.

Opening her eyes to his hungry gaze and watching as he ran his tongue along
his bottom lip, Buffy had to giggle before pulling the sheet up to her chest
and rolling on her side.

“You look like you’re about to devour me.”

“Wrong choice of words, pet,” he replied with a teasing smile, brushing the
hair out of her face.

Buffy snuggled into his chest with a contented sigh. “What are we doing
tonight?” she asked, looking up at him and batting her eyelashes as Spike
chuckled.

“Oh, I’ve got plenty of plans,” he said with a raised eyebrow and lopsided
smirk.

“Not that,” Buffy said, smacking him on the chest, laughing at the wounded
look that seemed to cross over Spike’s face. “Okay, yes…that, too. But I
was kind of hoping we could do something else.”

“Like what?”

“Bronzing.”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Spike said with a laugh.

“Please,” Buffy begged, sitting up and leaning over his body to give him a
soft kiss. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

“How so?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Well,” she said, biting her lip as she looked at the ceiling, pretending to
debate the answer. “I could…wear my favorite leather pants.”

Spike nearly groaned at the thought of her body slick with sweat as she
swayed her hips to the beat of whatever song might be playing, the leather
clinging to her skin as she moved.

“What else you got?” he asked, grinning as her eyes widened before a
secretive smile played on her lips.

“I was thinking about my red halter with the draped neckline and the two
strings that tie around my neck.”

Involuntarily breathing, Spike’s pupils dilated as a stronger wave of desire
ran through him.

“Of course…if you don’t want to go…I can always find someone else to keep me
company,” she said with a shrug, throwing the sheet away from her body and
moving to get out of the bed when she heard a loud growl come from Spike,
seconds before she found herself pinned under a very aroused and jealous
vampire.

“You’re mine,” he said in a forceful whisper, narrowing his eyes when Buffy
giggled.

“Does that mean you’re coming with me?”

“Bloody right I am!”

* * * * *

True to her word, Buffy was dressed in skintight black leather pants and a
red halter, dancing with her friends under Spike’s watchful eye. She was
doing a great job keeping the beat, considering she couldn’t hear it, and
Spike was definitely enjoying the way her body was moving.

He prowled around the floor, much like he did the first night he’d seen her,
only this time it was to keep a protective watch over her and make sure none
of the pillocks dancing near her were getting any ideas.

“Do you love her?”

Turning at the sound of the familiar voice, Spike was moderately surprised
when he saw Xander standing behind him.

“I do,” he said with a slight nod.

“Then I guess I’ll learn to live with it.”

Spike’s eyes widened in shock. “The lady of the house tell you to say
that?” he asked with a smirk.

“Why would you say that?” Xander asked, avoiding his eyes.

Spike merely raised an eyebrow until the other man sighed in defeat.

“Anya threatened to withhold all sexual favors until I, and I quote, ‘stop
acting like a pain in the ass and grow up already’,” he said, shoving his
hands in his pockets and looking at the floor sheepishly.

Spike laughed before seeing the band taking a break and setting up the sound
system for some slower songs. With a nod to the other man, he quickly made
his way through the crowd of dancers, nodding at Willow and Tara as he
passed before wrapping his arms securely around Buffy’s waist.

Turning around in his embrace, Buffy smiled and brought her hands up to
clasp around his neck, moving with Spike’s body as the familiar slow song
filled the club.

“Sing to me,” Buffy whispered, snuggling into his chest.

“What?” Spike asked with a smile.

“You’re the only one I can hear…please sing to me.”

Pulling her closer, Spike listened to the opening notes before singing.

“I can stand with the weight of the world
On my shoulders
I can fight with the toughest of the tough
I can laugh in the face
Of all my insecurities
Anytime, anywhere, anything
I'm strong enough

But when you're holding me like this
I'm carelessly lost in your touch
I'm completely defenseless
Baby, it's almost too much
I'm helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly
Falling in love

So let consequence do what it will to us
I don't care
Let the stars stand as witness to it all
Say the word and tonight I will follow you anywhere
I just can't pretend anymore
I'm too sturdy to fall

But when you're holding me like this
I'm carelessly lost in your touch
I'm completely defenseless
Baby, it's almost too much
I'm helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly
Falling in love

I am not afraid
I am not afraid

'Cause when you're holding me like this
I'm carelessly lost in your touch
I'm completely defenseless
Baby, it's almost too much
I'm helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly
Falling...
Helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly falling
I'm helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly
Falling in love.”

Subtly trying to wipe the tears from her eyes as she pulled away, Buffy was
amazed at the force of emotions that Spike seemed to invoke in the words.

“You okay, luv?” he asked in concern.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “We, um…we better go…patrol.”

Spike felt a chill run through him. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea
tonight,” he said, feeling the uneasy feeling creep through him.

“Spike, I have to,” she said, trailing a hand over his cheek. “But if you’d
rather not go, I’ll understand.”

“No!” he said more forcefully than he intended, causing Buffy to jump. “I
mean…I’ll go.”

Placing his hand on the small of her back, Spike led her through the club
and out the exit door. He had a bad feeling about this.



Chapter 26 – …Reckless


Walking through the cemetery, Spike kept all of his senses on guard. Buffy
was practically giddy after having her first night of real fun out with her
friends since she lost her hearing. She was jumping around, still hyped up
from spending time with her friends in a non-slaying capacity. He couldn’t
help but be happy for her, but right now he was more concerned with the
uneasy feeling that he couldn’t seem to get rid of.

“We should really do this more often,” she said with a bright smile.
“Although, staying at your place does have its advantages,” she added with a
coy look that Spike didn’t even have time to enjoy as he scanned the
surrounding area.

“Luv, we’ve made a few passes. What do you say we call it a night?” he
asked hopefully, trying to keep his tone neutral.

“Well, you’re certainly Mr. Crabby,” she teased, poking him in the ribs.

“I mean it, Buffy.”

“Spike, it’s my job,” she said, turning toward him, her brow furrowed in
concern. “But if you’re ready to call it a night, I won’t hold it against
you.”

“No,” he said in a low voice, looking into her eyes.

“Spike-“

“Not leaving you alone, pet. Don’t even ask.”

“What’s with you tonight? You were fine at the Bronze, and ever since I said
I needed to patrol, you’ve been jumpy.”

“Haven’t been jumpy,” he protested. “It just doesn’t feel like a night
for patrolling, that’s all.”

“If there are vamps out, then that means it’s a night for patrolling…present
company excluded, of course.”

“Look, why don’t I drop you off and let you spend some time with your mum
and I’ll make a few more rounds?”

“I can’t let you do that,” she said with a smile, touched by the generous
offer.

“Why not?” he asked in frustration.

“And we’re back to- ‘it’s my job’.”

Turning toward her, Spike gently touched her cheek, trying to convey
everything he felt for her through his eyes. “You’re not just the Slayer,”
he whispered. “You’re also a girl who deserves to have a night to herself
and you should spend it with your family.”

“That’s sweet, but-“

“Buffy, just do this for me.”

“Spike…”

Her eyes widened for a brief second before she clutched at his arms, trying
to remain standing upright.

“Buffy?” he said, looking at her in confusion.

Gasping for air, she reached behind her back and flinched before holding up
a tranquilizer dart, her eyes widening.

Spike barely had a chance to react before they were attacked. Vamping out
when Buffy was practically ripped from his grasp by four men wearing all
black combat gear and ski masks, Spike snarled and immediately began
fighting the remaining five who were trying to keep him away.

Throwing punches and kicks as hard as he could, he ignored the pain
exploding in his brain, having only one thought running through his head-
get to Buffy.

“Spike!” she screamed, trying to get back to him, but the drugs were soon
taking effect and she felt herself tiring, easily overpowered by the other
men.

Seeing Spike fighting the remaining five, her eyes widened when she saw the
blood gushing from his nose, knowing that the chip must be going crazy.

“Buffy!”

Still semi-conscious, Buffy felt herself hoisted into the air, and her brain
could barely function enough to understand the only sound she could hear-
the sound of Spike’s voice.

“Spike,” she whispered weakly, seeing him fade into the distance before she
was unceremoniously thrown into the back of a van.

Fighting against the pain, Spike felt as if his head was going to explode.
Taking another hard hit, he slammed his fist into the closest person he
could come in contact with, putting every amount of force behind his fist
before he collapsed to his knees. Feeling the world slipping away, her
voice was still ringing in his ears.

“Buffy.”

* * * * *

“You didn’t tell us that she would have a vampire trying to defend her,” the
man said, dropping the Slayer in a heap on the floor. “It would have been
nice to have the heads-up before going into that.”

“You took care of him?” the other voice asked.

“We didn’t have any stakes, but something happened to make him grow weak.
We left him where he was. With any luck, he’ll be meeting the sunrise.”

“Good.”

* * * * *

“Giles!” Spike yelled, bursting through the door of the Watcher’s house. He
didn’t know how long he’d been out, but he knew that every second was
crucial. “Giles!”

Frantically running through the short hallway, Giles froze when he saw the
blood pouring out of the vampire’s nose, spilling down his shirt and onto
the floor.

“Spike, what happened?” he asked, handing him a towel.

“Buffy. Someone took Buffy,” he said, nearly collapsing against a stool as
he remembered the fear in her eyes, and the pain continued to overwhelm him-
both physical and emotional. “They took her,” he said in a low whisper,
letting his head fall into his hands. “They took her.”

“Who?” Giles asked, getting over his shock. “Who took her, Spike?”

“I don’t know! They were human. Wore masks, shot her with a tranquilizer
and loaded her into the back of a van.”

“Dear Lord,” Giles muttered. “And you fought them? You fought, even with
the chip?”

“I tried,” he whispered, feeling the despair setting in as the tears began
to fall down his cheeks. “But I couldn’t get to her…God, I couldn’t get to
her.”

“I’ll call everyone. We need to formulate a plan,” he said, the Watcher
side of him kicking in as he made his way for the phone before turning back
to face the distressed man. “We’ll get her back, Spike,” Giles said in a
soothing tone that only he seemed to have. “We will.”





Chapter 27 – Prophetic Future


Slowly opening her eyes, Buffy repressed the groan of pain as she looked
around the dank room. She realized that she was in a basement somewhere and
her arms were chained to a wall on each side of her. Testing the chains for
a moment, Buffy gritted her teeth when she felt another presence in the
room. Both unfamiliar and unforgettable at the same time.

“I should have known it would be you,” Buffy said through clenched teeth,
turning toward the shadowy figure. There was only one person who could
cause the intense reaction that she was having, and he was currently walking
into the light where she could see him. “You’ve tried to kill me twice
already. It figures you would think the third time is the charm.”

“It would have been,” Quentin Travers said, pacing lazily in front of her.
“If you didn’t have such a resistance to the venom.”

Against her better judgment, Buffy knew she had to ask. “What venom?”

“Did you happen to research the demon that you fought?”

“I’ve fought a lot of demons. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say I’ve fought
hundreds, so you’re going to have to narrow down that list a little bit,
Jeeves.”

Resisting the urge to backhand the Slayer, Travers continued, “The Tacora
demon.”

“Leave it to you to not be able to kidnap anyone the right way,” Buffy
said, rolling her eyes. “I should have known that you were planning on
boring me to death. Can I request something a little quicker?”

“Oh, don’t worry, Miss Summers. The pain will come in time. But the fact
remains…did you research the demon?”

“What’s the difference? Whether I did or not, you’ll just tell me the same
thing anyway, so get on with it.”

Tightening his jaw at the insolent Slayer, Travers stared at her for a
moment. “What do you remember about the night you lost your hearing?”

“Fought a demon, got hit real hard, fell down, lost hearing,” she said as if
she was talking to an idiot, a bored expression on her face the entire time.

“No pain in your arm? No strange side effects?”

“I’m deaf. I’d call that a strange side effect.”

“No screams?”

Buffy paused, remembering the shrill screams that reverberated through her
head. “What are you getting at, Travers?”

“The Tacora demon is supremely intelligent,” Travers said, resuming his slow
pacing, making it harder for Buffy to read his lips. “It is a demon that
prefers to be paid for its work. Especially when the work is to take out
the Slayer.”

Her eyes widened a fraction when she remembered the slight pain in her arm,
seconds before the powerful blow that the demon had given her. “You
injected something into me,” she said, her eyes flashing in anger. “Why?”

“A number of reasons,” Travers said, giving her a hard look. “Not the least
of which being how much I dislike you.”

“I guess that’s fair. If I didn’t have a conscience, I would have killed
you years ago,” Buffy said, tilting her head in boredom. “Reason number
two?”

“I want the Slayer line back.”

“Aww, does poor little Quent miss having a job to do?” she asked with a
small pout, nearly smiling when he started to approach her.

‘Just try it,’ she thought. ‘You’ll wish you’d chained my legs when I’m
breaking your back.’

Realizing that it wouldn’t be in his wisest interest, Quentin stayed away
from her.

“I always hated you,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

“And you know why?” Buffy challenged in a low, calm voice as she stared him
down. “Because I’m the strongest Slayer you’ve ever known and that scares
the hell out of you.”

“Always were the cocky one, weren’t you, Miss Summers?”

“Not cocky. I just know my strength. And something tells me that there’s a
bigger reason for your elaborate plan. Why go through all this? I’ve been
a Slayer for six years. Surely you must know that I can’t last forever.
And Faith is safely tucked away in prison.”

“Yes, Miss Lehane will prove to be more of a challenge,” he replied. “But I
have confidence in our resources.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I just told you,” he said with a cold gaze. “I want my line back and I’m
willing to go through any means to get it.”

“You’re going after Faith,” she whispered almost to herself. “Why?” she
asked again. “What’s the big payoff for you, Travers?”

“A prophecy.”

“My favorite word,” Buffy replied sarcastically. “So what’s the ‘Prophecy
Book for Dummies’ say this time? I’m going to die? I’m going to turn evil
and blow up the Watcher’s Council? Come to think of it, I wouldn’t have to
be evil to do that.”

“Tell me, Miss Summers, how is your relationship with the vampire population
these days?”

“Fairly short-term,” she said with a raised eyebrow, trying to suppress the smirk on her lips. “They just never seem to stick around the morning after. Always blaming it on the sunrise, but I think they just have commitment issues.”

“Clever girl,” he muttered. “I’ll get right to the point. Judging from the
research on you, there are only two vampires in your life- Angelus and
William the Bloody.”

“Wrong,” Buffy said, her voice ringing out and echoing in the loud room as
she turned her head and checked her nails, putting more pressure on her
chains without drawing attention to herself, before looking back at him.
“First of all, it’s Angel and Spike. Secondly, Angel is in Los Angeles.
Maybe you should get a better group of researchers because that’s fairly
common news.”

“Yes,” Travers practically purred. “And this…Spike?” he said, spitting out
the words. “Tell me…have you engaged in a sexual relationship with him?”

“Explain to me how that’s your business?”

“When you could be pregnant with the child of a vampire, we make it our
business.”

This finally seemed to get Buffy’s undivided attention. “What?”

“Yes. It seems that the prophecy in question mentions the birth of a baby,
born of the Slayer and vampire who will-“

“Let me guess- who will bring light to the world or cloak it in darkness.”

“Something like that. How did you know?” Travers asked skeptically.

“It’s a little thing called using your brain. Try it sometime, Quenty.
There’s obviously something in your body that needs uncorking.”

“Careful,” he said in a low voice. “You’re starting to sound like Miss
Lehane.”

“And how do you know it’s not Faith you should be looking for with this
prophecy? The last time I saw her, she and Angel were looking pretty cozy.
For all I know, he’s been make conjugal visits to the prison.”

Surprisingly, this thought didn’t unsettle Buffy the way she thought it
would have.

“That’s why we’re going after her as well. We can’t have a child walking
around that could be the end of humanity.”

“Bullshit,” Buffy replied in a low voice. “You don’t give a damn about the
end of humanity. You’re worried a future child of the Slayer would put you
out of a job.”

“What are you talking about?” he asked in a gruff voice.

“Admit it, Travers,” she continued. “A child of a vampire and a Slayer
would be nearly unstoppable. That’s why they make prophecies about them and
it’s not the natural thing that happens. If that happens, the Watcher’s
Council will cease to exist. Especially considering you had two Slayers and
your current record is zero for two.”

“Just because we were dealt two stubborn and willful Slayers does not mean
that the line can’t change.”

“Better men, or more accurately, creatures, have tried to kill me,” she said,
setting her jaw. “You really think you have a chance?”

“I do,” he replied, extracting a gun from behind his back and aiming it at
Buffy’s abdomen before pulling the trigger.

* * * * *

“We need to know everything you’re feeling, Spike,” Giles said, keeping a
close eye on the vampire. “You said that Buffy could sense you when you
were in pain after Riley attacked you. It’s significant to know everything
that she might be going through.”

“I can’t…I’m not feeling anything,” Spike said miserably. “Don’t know
if…bloody hell,” he groaned, clutching his stomach and feeling a dull pain
radiate through his body.

“What?” Giles asked frantically. “What is it?”

“She’s in pain, Giles,” Spike whispered, closing his eyes when he felt a
fraction of the agony that Buffy was in.

Giles’ eyes widened, realizing how much she must be hurting considering
Spike had just called him by his actual name. “We’ll get to her,” he said,
looking over at Willow as she and Tara continued to work on the spell.

* * * * *

Buffy gasped for air as she looked at her stomach, seeing the tranquilizer
dart that was imbedded in her abdomen. “What-“

Not even able to finish the question before a stinging sensation spread
through her.

“I’m sure you’re wondering what I’ve just injected into you,” Travers said,
walking toward her and quickly pulling out the dart before stepping out of
her reach.

Buffy refused to admit the extent of pain that she was in as she opened her
eyes to look at the smug man, realizing a moment later that she could hear
him. She could hear everything in the room- the slight rattling of the
chains around her wrists, the distant dripping of water and the creaking of
the house.

“I’ve given you something to effectively incapacitate you while I prepare the final dose of venom. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, this has also inadvertently counteracted your hearing loss,” he said with a distant smile. “Don’t get too excited. I’ll be back shortly with your final dose.”

Buffy watched him leave, feeling her legs give out as she hung limply from
the chains, her body trying to curl into itself to get away from the burning
that was running through it. A sense of dread threatened to overwhelm
her, but it was slightly alleviated as she listened to sounds she never
thought she’d hear again.


 

Chapter 28 – Never Again


“Rise and shine, Miss Summers.”

Wading through the fogginess and pain that seemed to be weighing her down,
Buffy managed to open her eyes. “Go to hell,” she rasped through gritted
teeth, glaring at Travers.

Refusing to be intimidated by the hypodermic needle he was holding, she
raised her eyes to the smug-looking man.

“Perhaps this dose will be a little more effective.”

“Why the hell are you telling me this?” Buffy asked, struggling to focus
through the burning sensation that was still flowing through her veins.

“I just assumed you would like to know that your time is being cut short
even more than planned,” he said with a maniacal smile.

“Or you’re just afraid that I’ve built up a tolerance to it,” she said,
looking at him through glazed eyes. “Why not just take my strength away and
have me fight a vampire? Oh wait…you already tried that. And why test the
Slayer, anyway?” she asked, feeling the need to take him down as many
notches as she could. “If she’s not smart or cunning enough to make it in
the field, she’ll die. If her powers are stripped away, she’ll die anyway.
Why willingly want to kill these girls? Maybe it’s because you’re a
sadistic son of a bitch. Maybe you’re just bored. Or maybe you just have
an inferiority complex when it comes to a bunch of teenage girls. No matter
how you look at it, you’re really in the wrong line of work.”

Angrily walking toward her, Travers jerked her arm toward him, as much as
the chains would allow. Knowing that this was her only chance and he was
counting on her being weakened by the previous dose of venom, Buffy summoned up
every amount of strength that she could.

Grabbing the chains, she hoisted herself into the air, ignoring the
agonizing explosion of burning pain that seemed to run through her as she
jerked her legs up to wrap around his arm, easily snapping the bone before
using the momentum of the chains to propel her around, her foot connecting a
sharp blow to his head.

Just as quickly as it came, the adrenaline flowed out of her body, leaving
her to sag against the chains. She could feel herself about to pass out
but was grateful when she saw that she had successfully incapacitated
Travers for the time being.

“Spike,” she whispered, seconds before passing out.

* * * * *

“Where the bloody hell is it?” Spike growled, following closely behind
Willow and Tara as they walked past several vacant houses.

“We don’t know, Spike,” Tara said gently.

“The spell only leads us here. She’s close, but there’s something keeping
us from finding the exact place. It must be a counter spell,” Willow added.

“Is she still in pain?” Giles asked, causing Spike to turn around and look
at him as the Watcher trailed behind with Xander, Anya, and Riley, who
insisted on coming.

“I…I don’t think she’s conscious.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because it’s dull…almost nonexistent.”

Riley was staying surprisingly quiet throughout the interaction.

“Tune into her,” Anya spoke up, looking around the old neighborhood.

“What do you think I’ve been doing?” Spike asked in exasperation, turning
around to look at her.

“I think you’re feeling what she’s feeling. I’m telling you to tune into
her.”

“What are you on about?”

“She can hear you, right?” Anya asked.

“Yeah…what of it?”

“How long has that been happening?”

“Since we started patrolling together,” Spike replied, his brow furrowed as
he tried to realize what the ex-demon was saying.

“And you haven’t figured it out?” she asked with a slight smile. “Men.
You’re all the same. You live over a hundred years and you’re still
clueless to figure out what’s been going on.”

“Enlighten me,” Spike muttered, looking from house to house, trying to focus
on Buffy.

“You placed an unconscious claim on her,” she said matter-of-factly, not
noticing that everyone was looking at her in shock. “It led to her being
able to hear you because mates need to have some form of strong
communication. To the best of my knowledge, the claim has never occurred
between a Slayer and vampire, and I’m assuming if she’s reciprocated, it’s
gotten even stronger.”

“What do you mean 'stronger'?” Spike asked, his mouth slightly open in shock.

“You felt strongly about her and she was able to hear you. If she feels the
same and it’s a two-way street, you should be able to pick up on what she’s
thinking if you concentrate hard enough.”

“Can she do the same?”

“Eventually,” Anya said. “I don’t know if a claim has ever been this
strong, but since you are both superhuman, it’s not surprising. I’m more
surprised that you haven’t figured it out before now.”

“I’ve been researching this for weeks and you lay it out in less than five
minutes,” Giles said in exasperation, his eyes wide as he looked at Anya.
“How do you know all this?”

“You live a thousand years, you pick up a lot. It’s not my fault no one
ever asked me what was going on.”

Spike was nearly numb with the revelations he’d been dealt. ‘The strong
aspect of the claim didn’t take effect, because I’d already claimed her-
that’s how she was able to hear me,’ he thought, finally letting everything
fall into place. ‘Buffy shared the claim, and we were more firmly bonded,
but that’s why I didn’t feel anything go through me the night we made love.’

As Spike was about to put the theory to the test, he suddenly caught a
familiar scent, drifting toward him. Breaking into a run and leaving the
rest of the group behind, he ran toward an old abandoned Victorian mansion
at the end of the street.

Saying a silent prayer to whomever might be listening that the house was as
vacant as it looked, Spike kicked in the door and hesitantly stepped
through, breathing a sigh of relief when he passed through the doorway with
no interference. He could hear the group running to catch up with him, but
he was already heading toward the kitchen, following Buffy’s scent. Seeing
a door to his left, he practically ripped it off its hinges in his haste to
fly down the stairs.

Pausing for a moment at the foot of the stairs, Spike felt the bile rise in
his throat when he saw Buffy’s limp form hanging from the chains secured in
the stone walls. Seeing a man at her feet with a syringe in his hand, he
had never felt the urge to kill more than in that moment.

‘She’s not dead,’ he thought, trying to reassure himself as he ran over to
her. ‘I would have felt it…she’s not dead.’

Kicking the man away, Spike scooped up her body, growling at the rattling of
the chains before listening for her heartbeat. After a tense few seconds,
he finally picked up on the weak thumping inside her chest. Fighting the
demon for dominance, Spike was able to keep his human mask in place as the
demon howled to come to the surface and check on its mate.

“Buffy,” Spike whispered, praying for an answer.

“Spike?”

Turning at the sound of Giles’ voice, Spike merely gestured to the man on
the floor and then at the chains bolted into the wall.

Giles quickly made his way over to the man as the rest of the group clamored
down the stairs, each coming to an abrupt stop when they saw the scene
before them.

“Dear Lord.”

Everyone turned toward Giles, who was staring in shock at Travers.

“I should have known,” he mumbled before searching for the key to the
manacles. Finding it in his coat pocket, Giles jumped up and quickly
unlocked the shackles from around her wrists, seeing the small trails of
blood from where it bit into her skin, presumably from attempts she’d made
to free herself.

This time, when the group approached, Spike did let out a warning growl,
letting the demon flash to the surface as he held Buffy close.

Satisfied when they stayed back, he let the demon fall away as he checked on the woman in his arms.

“Buffy?” he whispered. “Buffy, luv, open your eyes.”

“Spike?” she murmured, her voice laced with pain as she tried to open her
eyes.

“I’m here,” he said softly, watching her face contort in agony.

“Where were you?” she asked deliriously, not knowing if it was really him
that she was looking at. “I thought you’d come for me.”

“I’m here now,” he whispered tearfully, holding her close.

“Don’t let him hurt me anymore,” she said in a barely coherent whisper as
she weakly clutched at his jacket.

“Never again,” Spike said in a choked voice. “No one will hurt you again.”

 

Chapter 29 - Revelations


Running a hand over her hair, Spike stared at Buffy as she rested peacefully
on her couch. Joyce sat on the arm, keeping a close eye on her daughter and
watching the blonde as he tenderly kept constant contact with Buffy.

Almost immediately after he’d carried her out of the house, she had passed
out from the pain. Spike felt helpless to do anything for her. All he
wanted to do was curl up next to her and make everything okay, but he knew
that wasn’t possible.

Willow, Tara, Xander, and Anya were dispersed around the room, quietly
observing Spike as he looked after Buffy. A police officer stood in the
corner, waiting for the young woman to wake up so he could take a
statement.

Riley and Giles were at the police station, making sure that Travers was
going to be properly punished for kidnapping and attempted murder. When he
had regained consciousness, he had made numerous threats and promises, but
they did nothing to intimidate Giles, who was more than happy to make a few
threats of his own.

Feeling Buffy’s hand move beneath his, Spike pulled back and watched as she
struggled to open her eyes.

“You’re safe, luv,” he whispered when she looked around the room in
confusion.

Feeling his soothing touch on her hand, she pulled away from his grasp,
immediately sorry for her hasty reaction when she saw the hurt look on his features.

“Are you okay, honey?” Joyce asked, touching Buffy’s shoulder.

“I guess,” she admitted, letting her head fall into her hands and not seeing
the looks that were being exchanged throughout the room.

“Miss Summers,” the officer said, alerting her to the presence of the
outsider. “I’m Officer Reynolds with the Sunnydale PD. I’m here to ask you
a few questions.”

“About what?” Buffy asked skeptically, her brow furrowed as she looked
around the room at the faces of her friends.

“The kidnapping,” Spike said, looking at her with a mixture of concern
and sadness.

“Right,” she murmured, turning her attention to the officer. “What do you
need to know?”

After answering the routine questions and watching Joyce escort the
policeman outside, Buffy was suddenly bombarded with what felt like a
hundred questions. After not being able to hear for so long, this was overwhelming.

“Guys!” she interrupted in exasperation, glancing at the door as Joyce
walked in with Giles and Riley. “I’m okay.”

“But you were tortured,” Anya ever-so-bluntly said.

“I just need some rest,” she said softly, standing up and frowning slightly
when Spike stood up with her.

“Can you hear?” he asked, tilting his head to look at her.

“I can,” she whispered, looking at Giles as she spoke. “Travers injected me
with something…h-he said that the demon injected me with a venom that was
supposed to kill me and had a strange reaction since I was the Slayer.”

“I already got the full story from him, Buffy.”

“You did?” she asked in confusion.

“That and a great deal of screams before we turned him in to the
authorities.”

Feeling a mild amount of satisfaction, Buffy nodded. “He gave me something
that counteracted the effects, although it was meant to incapacitate me while
he got close enough to kill me…I need to get some rest,” she mumbled, glancing
toward the window and seeing the sun shining around the edges of the heavy
curtains.

Painfully walking toward the stairs, Buffy was already halfway up when she
realized she was being followed. Stopping on the second floor, she bit her
bottom lip, not bothering to turn around.

“I want to be alone, Spike,” she whispered.

“Don’t always get the things we want,” he retaliated, taking her arm and
leading her to her bedroom.

“Spike, please,” she said with a sigh.

Shutting the door behind them, he crossed his arms over his muscular chest
and leaned against the wall. “What now?” he asked, an angry expression
on his face.

“W-what do you mean?” she asked nervously.

“You have your hearing back, so you’re just going to start shutting me out
whenever you feel like it?”

Looking up into his eyes, Buffy felt remorse fill her before turning and
walking toward the bed. “What do you want from me?” she asked tearfully as
she turned to face him again.

Pushing away from the wall, Spike crossed the room until he was standing in
front of her. “You,” he said with so much emotion, she felt her tears spill
over.

“There’s just so much that’s happened,” she said softly, looking at the
floor so she wouldn’t have to be confronted by his piercing eyes.

“Then talk to me,” he whispered. “What’s happening, Buffy?”

“There was a prophecy,” she said after a moment, glancing up at him. “It mentions a Slayer and
a vampire having a baby.”

Noticing how Spike’s eyes lit up, Buffy backed away.

“What’s the problem?”

“Spike, I’m nineteen years old. I’m not ready to be a mother, and by the
time I am ready, I’ll probably die before I see a baby take its first
steps.”

“Buffy-“

“And don’t say I won’t. I’m human, Spike,” she whispered. “That’s the way
the world works. I’m not meant to last long. My body isn’t designed to
hold up until I die of old age. It’s not like it would be a good thing to
have a seventy year old Slayer walking around.”

Choosing to ignore her diatribe on her own life, Spike took a deep breath.
“You’re worried about getting pregnant with my child? Well, I’ve gotta
admit, that’s one I haven’t heard,” he said with a smirk. “Aren’t there
things to counteract something like that?”

“Spike, it’s a prophecy. It’s not like I can just whip out a condom and
expect it to take care of everything. This thing is practically written in
blood, and if it’s about me…”

“If it’s about you, it’s going to happen, Goldilocks,” he murmured
soothingly. “Don’t shut me out…because I’m bloody well not going to let
you.”

Sniffling slightly, Buffy pulled him to her for a desperate kiss,
practically battling with him as she slid the duster from his shoulders.

“Luv?” he said in a questioning voice, pulling away from her to see the need
in her gaze.

“You’re right,” she said, taking a step back and sliding the leather pants
down her legs before wrapping her arms around him.

“We don’t have to do this,” he whispered, barely even listening to what he
was saying as he leaned forward to kiss her.

“I need to forget about everything, Spike,” she said when she pulled back to
look at him. “Make me forget.”

Not bothering to wait for a second request, Spike lifted her into his arms
and simultaneously freed himself from his increasingly restrictive pants.

“Please,” she murmured, seconds before he thrust into her, pushing her
against the wall for leverage and eagerly crushing his lips to hers.

Pumping into her with such force, he was starting to worry about her safety,
Buffy’s lips broke away from his as she gasped for more, needing everything
he was offering.

She could already feel herself spiraling out of control and he’d barely been
inside her for a minute.

“I need more,” she moaned, digging her nails into his shoulders as he
grinded his hips against hers.

Never hearing the knock on the door as her body seemed to shatter, Buffy
sunk her teeth into his shoulder to muffle her scream, vaguely realizing
when Spike’s blunt teeth covered his previous mark and sent her into a
second orgasm as he pulsed inside of her.

“Buffy.”

“Spike!”

“Hope I’m not interrupting,” a cold voice announced from the doorway.

Turning to look over his shoulder, Spike rolled his eyes. “Bloody hell,” he
muttered. “For your information you are, now get out.”

Feeling Buffy squirming in his arms to be let down upon seeing Riley, Spike suddenly felt an uneasy feeling wash over him.

“Buffy?” Spike asked, tilting his head to look at her in concern.

“I need to get dressed,” she whispered, giving him a soft smile and
squeezing his hand in reassurance.

Letting her down and zipping up his pants, Spike turned toward the door.
“Can’t you knock?” he asked angrily.

“I did,” Riley replied. “I was worried about her.”

“I’m fine, Riley,” Buffy said from behind the door of her wardrobe, slipping
on a pair of comfortable pants and exchanging the halter for a tank top.

“Can we talk?” Riley asked.

Buffy held up a hand as Spike began to respond. “I’ll be downstairs in a
minute,” she said, looking at her ex-boyfriend and already feeling Spike’s
eyes boring into her.

“So that’s it?” Spike asked, defensively crossing his arms over his chest when the door closed.

“What are you talking about?” Buffy asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
“What? Do you think I’m just going to leave you now and go back to Riley?”

“Aren’t you?”

“You really have to work on your issues, Spike,” she said, anger making its
way into her voice. “If that was the case, you would be downstairs and he
would be up here with me.”

Walking toward the door, she felt her arm grabbed in a firm grip. Taking a
deep breath, Buffy turned and met the deep blue eyes of her lover.

“I love you,” he whispered. “I’m terrified of losing you.”

Stepping toward him, Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to
her for a warm hug. “I know,” she said softly. “But you’re not going to
lose me to another guy…I need to go talk to Riley now.”

“Hypocrite,” he muttered, trying not to smile.

“Jackass,” she said with her own smile.

“Spoiled brat.”

“Billy Idol wannabe.”

“Slayer.”

“Vampire.”

“I love you.”

“I know.”



 

Chapter 30 – Finding Answers


Walking into the kitchen, Buffy crossed her arms over her chest, giving a
slight nod to the man standing in front of her.

“Riley,” she said softly. “You wanted to talk?”

“I’m leaving,” he said bluntly, hoping for some kind of reaction from the
woman he still loved.

“Because of me?”

“It’s a big factor.”

Buffy nodded, looking down at the counter that separated them. “I’m sorry
to hear that.”

“Are you?”

Raising her eyes to his, Buffy sighed. “You need to do what makes you
happy, Riley. We’re not together anymore and you shouldn’t put your life on
hold waiting for me to come back because…it’s just not going to happen.”

Both stayed quiet for a long minute before Buffy spoke again.

“Where are you going?”

“The military wants me back. I’m leaving tonight.”

Taking a deep breath and wanting to be a bigger person, Buffy nodded as she
walked around the island and gave Riley a hug. “Take care of yourself.”

“You, too,” he whispered, holding her close.

Pulling away at the sound of a throat clearing, Buffy turned around to see
Spike leaning against the doorframe, one eyebrow raised.

“Bye, Buffy,” Riley said, giving her a soft smile before turning and walking
toward the blonde vampire. “I don’t like you,” he said in a low voice.
“But I’m trusting that you’ll take care of her.”

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Spike studied the other man for a long moment
before nodding. “Till the end of the world.”

Riley nodded before walking out of the room.

“Should I be worried?” Spike asked, studying her.

“What do you think?” Buffy replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

“What did he want?”

Looking down for a moment, she tried to ignore the nagging feeling that yet
another man had dropped out of her life. Feeling comforted when Spike came
to stand in front of her, Buffy closed the distance between them and wrapped
her arms around his waist.

“What’s wrong, pet?” Spike whispered, kissing the top of her head.

“Promise me you’ll never leave me,” she murmured, her voice muffled against
his chest.

“I promise,” he said softly, pulling back to look at her. “What brought
this…he’s leaving?”

“Yeah.”

“And how do you feel about that?” he asked skeptically.

“Scared,” she admitted. Seeing the pain that flashed across Spike’s face,
Buffy quickly shook her head. “I just push everyone away from me and I’m so
scared that I’m going to do the same to you.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Spike pulled her closer to him, leaving a soft
kiss on her lips. “I’m here,” he whispered, pressing his forehead against
hers. “I’m not like the others.”

“I know,” Buffy said with a nod, opening her mouth to say more when she saw
a movement over his shoulder.

“Buffy,” Giles said from the doorway. “I wonder if I could have a moment?”

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “Let me guess,” she said, sitting down on
one of the barstools. “Travers told you about the prophecy.”

Hesitantly glancing between the two blondes, Giles leaned against the
island, studying their interaction for a moment. Seeing the protectiveness
that Spike was showing his surrogate daughter as he gently touched the small
of her back and offered his silent support, he felt slightly better at the
idea of his Slayer becoming involved with another vampire.

“He did,” Giles replied, cleaning his glasses. “Is there a possibility that
it could be true?” he asked, never looking up.

Shooting a nervous look at Spike, Buffy was able to moderately relax when he
took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“It…could be.”

“I thought as much,” Giles muttered with a sigh as he put his glasses back
on.

“But I don’t think it’s about me.” Suddenly aware that she had the
undivided attention of both men in the room, Buffy seemed to shrink under
their gaze.

“Why do you say that?” Giles asked, seeing the disappointment that flashed
across Spike’s face.

“It’s just…the prophecy didn’t mention me by name. Travers said he was
going after Faith, too, so he didn’t even know who it was about. Was it
just an excuse? Was he just looking for a reason to kill me?”

“I really don’t know. I’ll call Wesley and see if he can find anything
through his books. You should get some rest. If you need me, I’ll be at
the Magic Box.”

Buffy nodded, biting her lip when Giles left the room. “You’re awfully
quiet,” she whispered, not bothering to turn around.

“Sorry, pet,” he mumbled.

“You want it to be about us, don’t you?” she asked, turning around to face
him.

“To experience something so wonderful that I never thought I could have?” he
asked, gently caressing her cheek. “I already have that with you.”

* * * * *

Opening the front door several hours later, Buffy frowned when she saw Giles
standing on the porch, a distraught look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” Buffy asked.

“I wasn’t able to locate much about the prophecy,” he said, walking into the
house and letting Buffy close the door behind him.

“What about Wesley?”

“I tried to call the hotel and I was repeatedly connected to an automated
service. Apparently they no longer have a phone.”

“Why would a detective agency cancel their phone service?” Buffy asked,
feeling Spike walk up behind her.

“I’m not sure. Surely Angel would have contacted one of us if he was
changing locations again.”

“Do you think something happened?” she asked with a nervous tremor in her
voice that didn’t go unnoticed by Spike.

“I’m really not sure.”

“So I guess that means I’m going to L.A.”

“I think that might be for the best,” Giles said, watching Spike turn around
and walk out of the room. “And I think it might be wise to stop by Stockton
first.”

“What’s in…Faith,” Buffy said with a sigh and a nod of understanding.

“Travers wasn’t working alone,” he pointed out.

“Alright. I’ll get any information I can from her and give her the head’s
up.”

“And I don’t think it would be wise to go by yourself.”

* * * * *

Walking outside, Buffy smiled when she saw Spike leaning against the
railing, smoking a cigarette.

“Hey,” she said softly, biting her lip when he didn’t respond. “Would I be
a complete idiot if I asked you what was bothering you?”

“You’re going to L.A.?” he asked, closing his eyes when Buffy stepped behind
him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“I am,” she murmured. “The sooner, the better.”

Spike stayed quiet as Buffy began kissing his leather-covered back.

“Are you going to stay out here and pout all night?” she asked, smiling
softly when Spike turned around to face her, an angry expression on his
handsome face. “Or are you going to get your ass in gear and start
packing?”

Confusion immediately marred his features before his eyes widened. “You
want me to come with you?”

“Well…yeah,” Buffy replied, turning toward the house. “Unless you don’t
want to, in which case I really need to-“

Buffy squealed when Spike’s arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her to
him for a passionate kiss. Eagerly clutching at his duster, she practically
melted in his embrace. All too soon, Spike was pulling away, pressing his
forehead against hers. “Try to stop me.”


 

Chapter 31 – One of Darkness, One of Light


Going through all of the security checkpoints seemed like a piece of cake
now that Buffy was actually sitting in the small visitor booth, staring
through the glass and waiting for Faith to appear. Her nerves were setting
her on edge and she definitely didn’t want a repeat performance of their
last encounter.

Seeing the brunette led in by a guard, Buffy felt the insane urge to stand.
She didn’t know if it was a defensive maneuver or because she felt
marginally responsible for the other Slayer ending up here, but whatever it
was, she kept her seat.

Sitting down across from her, Faith slowly picked up the phone, keeping eye
contact the entire time.

“They told me my sister was here. I figured since I didn’t have a sister, I
might as well see who cared enough to lie so they could see me. Is that
you, B?”

“You look good, Faith,” Buffy replied, ignoring the other comment. The dark
make-up and harsh hairstyle were gone, leaving her with a healthy glow, and
Buffy was surprised that she felt relieved to see it.

“You, too,” Faith said, leaning back in her chair. “But I have a feeling
this isn’t a social visit.”

“Not really,” she said with a soft smile.

“I find it really hard to believe that you need my help with anything, and
you definitely don’t need my advice, so what brings you here?”

“Several things actually,” Buffy admitted. “This might sound a little
strange, but have you…seen Angel lately?”

“Not in a few months. He stopped by, said that he sang Manilow for a bunch
of people-”

“Excuse me?” Buffy interrupted with a smile as Faith laughed.

“Yeah, I wanted more information, too, but he said he didn’t want to dwell
on it.”

Sharing a smile, Buffy took a deep breath. “So how’ve you been? Really?”

“Not too bad,” Faith replied with a shrug. “Three squares a day, roof over
my head, it could be worse. What about you?”

“Lost my hearing.”

“And since you’re sitting here with a phone to your ear, I’m guessing it
wasn’t permanent?”

“It was meant to be fatal,” Buffy replied. “Quentin Travers got it in his
head to wipe out the two existing Slayers and restart the line.”

Glancing around for a moment, Faith licked her lips before speaking. “Did
you take care of him?”

“Giles did. Called in a few favors to make sure he would stay behind bars
for good…but he kidnapped me and he had several helpers accomplish that
task, so they might still be working for him.”

“Meaning I should watch my back,” Faith said with a nod.

“Basically.”

“And why else are you here?”

Buffy leaned forward, taking a deep breath before speaking. “Another reason
Travers decided to kidnap me is because there’s a prophecy.”

“Isn’t there always?” Faith asked with a smile. “What’s it say?

“A Slayer and a vampire are supposed to have a baby who will-“

“Save the world or destroy it? The whole darkness versus light thing?”

“Yeah,” Buffy said quietly.

“And you’re asking me about this? You’re the one who’s gotten bouncy with
the undead, B, not me.”

“Well, I thought it was worth a shot. The last time I saw you, you and
Angel looked a little…close.”

“Not that close,” Faith replied, shaking her head. “I guess this one’s all
you.”

“It doesn’t mention anyone by name. At least, that’s what I think, since
Travers was coming after both of us, but we haven’t found out a lot about
the prophecy.”

“It’s not me…I’m a little too dark,” Faith said softly. “If the prophecy
was about me, it definitely wouldn’t be good. Any child I might have had
would definitely bring about the destruction of the world.”

“You’re being a little hard on yourself, don’t you think?”

“Come on, B,” she said with a smile, hiding her true feelings. “One of
darkness and one of light coming together to make a child that could go
either way? You and I both know that it’s gotta be about you. And why are
you asking if I’ve seen Angel? Wouldn’t you know where he was, considering
the prophecy requires ‘a vampire and a Slayer’?”

Buffy cleared her throat. “If it is about me…it wouldn’t be about me and
Angel.”

Raising an eyebrow, Faith laughed softly. “And who would be next on the
list?”

“I don’t think you know him. His name’s Spike.”

“Spike?” she repeated, whistling softly. “Damn, you just know all the hot
vamps, don’t you?”

“You know Spike?” Buffy asked, suddenly apprehensive.

“The, um, the body swap.”

“He didn’t mention it,” she said, almost to herself.

“Don’t worry. I just messed with him a little bit. I swear nothing
happened,” Faith said, a nervous look crossing her face.

“It’s okay,” Buffy said with a smile, seeing the guard checking the clock.
“We just haven’t been able to get a hold of Wesley, so we’re on our way to
L.A. and see what’s up.”

“I wish I could help, but I haven’t heard anything.”

“It’s okay,” Buffy replied, watching the guard as he started walking toward
them. “I think our time’s about up. Take care of yourself.”

“You, too,” Faith said. “And, B?”

“Yeah?”

“If you see Angel…could you ask him to stop by? It gets kind of lonely in
here,” she said with a hopeful look.

“I will,” she said with a gentle smile. “You really do look good, Faith.
You did the right thing.”

“Yeah,” Faith said with a sigh, looking at the glass that separated them.
“Sometimes it doesn’t feel that way.”

“You did,” Buffy reaffirmed with a nod. “I’m proud of you.”

“I’m glad one of us is.”

“Look, if you ever need anything…”

“I know where to find you.”

“Faith,” Buffy said before the brunette put down the phone. Waiting until
she looked up before she continued, “About the sister thing? I do care
enough to lie for you.”

Seeing the smile on the other Slayer’s face, Buffy eagerly returned it.

“Thanks,” Faith whispered.


 

Chapter 32 – No Holds Barred


Unpacking her bags and hanging up her clothes in the tiny hotel closet, Buffy had to laugh when she watched Spike hurl his overnight bag into the other closet and shut the door. After the short stay in Stockton, where Spike had stayed in the hotel during the more flammable hour that Buffy went to visit Faith, they had finally made it to Los Angeles.

“Did you even put any clothes in that thing or did you just bring it for
show?” she asked between giggles.

“Hey! I put clothes in there. Just don’t see the point of hanging them
up like some nancyboy.”

Deciding not to comment, she simply smiled as she shook her head and
finished hanging up one of her shirts.

“Spike,” she said with a smile, drawing out his name and refusing to make eye contact with him.

“Yeah, pet?”

“Umm…last year…do you remember me saying anything strange?” Buffy asked, hanging up some more clothes and taking a shot in the dark that her hunch was right.

“Strange?”

“Coming on to you or something?” she clarified, turning to face him with a secretive smile.

“You mean in the Bronze?” he asked.

Buffy’s eyes darted around the room in uncertainty before nodding, not wanting to show her hand just yet.

“Uh…yeah.”

Stalking toward her like a predator, Spike gave her a seductive smile as he approached. “Saying that you could ride me at a gallop 'til my knees buckle, squeeze me 'til I pop like warm champagne. That's not the kind of thing a man forgets.”

Buffy’s eyes widened in brief surprise before a giggle escaped her lips.

“And what’s so funny, pet?” he asked, raising an eyebrow in her direction.

“It wasn’t me,” she said between giggles, gasping for air and clutching her stomach.

“What?”

“I never told you…I never thought I…she would run into you,” Buffy said, collapsing on the bed as she caught her breath. “It was Faith. There was a body swap- magically. She decided to take my body for a spin and I never…”

Buffy trailed off as she began laughing again.

“You’re telling me, that the source of all my fantasies for the past year, wasn’t even you?”

Buffy immediately sobered up, narrowing her eyes on the man in front of her. “Excuse me?”

“Hey now, pet. No getting jealous- I thought she was you.”

The flustered look on Spike’s face, sent Buffy into another bout of giggles as she stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her for a gentle kiss. “Sorry,” she said with a soft smile. “But that was too much fun.”

Glaring at her for a moment, Spike finally smiled as he turned away and reached for his cigarettes as Buffy walked over to her bags.

“When are we leaving?”

Buffy froze, her back still turned to him as her hand reflexively reached
for the doorframe. “Leaving?”

“For Captain Forehead’s glorious hotel,” he replied, sarcasm practically
dripping from his voice.

Taking a deep breath as she turned around, Buffy met his level gaze with her
own. “You’re not going, Spike.”

Seeing his expression darken, she felt a tremor of fear go through her.

“And why, pray tell, am I not going?” he asked, walking toward her with
deliberately slow paces.

“I-I just need some time to explain things to him.”

“Uh huh,” he replied, his eyes narrowing.

“Spike, the last time you saw each other, you were torturing him,” she
continued in exasperation.

“I was not.”

“Fine, you were having him tortured. I don’t think he’s going to be in a
real forgiving mood if I walk into his place on your arm.”

“Are you sure you don’t just want to walk into his place alone?” he asked
angrily before looking away from her. “Why did I bother to tag along on this bloody trip?”

“I thought we could use the time alone,” Buffy replied honestly.

“Yeah,” he said with a sharp edge to his voice. “Just a bit of cold comfort, is that it? Is this before or after you’ve made up with your ex.”

“For God’s sake, Spike! You really have to get over this jealous
insecurity!”

“Maybe you’re right,” he said, grabbing his duster and walking through the
small living room suite toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Buffy asked, following close behind him and slamming
her hand against the door to keep him from opening it.

“What difference does it make? You’re going to be leaving to run back into
your lover boy’s waiting arms. Why does it matter where I go for the night?”

“Do you really think so little of me, of us, to think that I would do
something like that?”

“Honestly? I don’t know what to think.”

“Do you at least understand where I’m coming from?” she asked, the hurt
plainly visible in her eyes.

“Understand perfectly, Slayer,” Spike growled.

“Fine,” she whispered, trying to stop her chin from quivering as she took a
step back and removed her hand from the door. “If you’re going to be so
damn insecure every time something or someone from my past comes up, then go
do whatever the hell you want.”

Clenching his jaw, Spike tore his gaze away from her watery eyes and
wrenched the door open. With one last glance back at Buffy, he walked out
of the room, trying to suppress the intense jealousy he was feeling at the
fact that the woman he loved didn’t want his support.

* * * * *

Walking into the seemingly abandoned hotel two hours later, Buffy was still
trying to control her raging emotions. She was constantly distracted,
wondering where Spike was and what he was doing. She knew that the odds
were that he was sitting in a bar somewhere, drinking his sorrows away, but
it still didn’t ease her fears.

“Angel?” Buffy called, trying to get her mind off her problems. “Cordy?”

“What do you want?”

Spinning around at the sound of the familiar and somehow threatening voice,
Buffy took in the change in demeanor of a man she thought she knew.

“Angel?”

“What do you want?” he repeated, leaning against a wall, wearing nothing but
a pair of pants and seemingly unconcerned about his lack of clothing.

“Nice to see you, too,” Buffy said, crossing her arms over her chest,
feeling more than a little unnerved when he didn’t say anything. “What’s
wrong?”

“I’ve already asked you a question. Twice.”

“Giles tried calling. No one answered. Where is everybody?”

“I fired them,” Angel replied, pushing away from the wall and walking toward
her. Buffy was suddenly aware that the two of them were alone, and this
vampire was definitely not chipped.

“And why would you do that?” Buffy asked, resisting the urge to back away.

“Differences of opinion. You’re looking good, Buffy.”

The fact that he called her by her given name was a little calming, but the
way he said it was sending chills running through her, and not the good
kind.

“What the hell happened to you?” she asked, staring into his cold eyes.

“I grew up.”

“You’re nearing two hundred and fifty years old. I think it’s a little late
to grow up. Where are Cordy and Wes?”

“I really don’t care.”

Feeling her heartbeat speed up as he approached, Buffy subtly moved into a
more defensive stance. Something that did not go unnoticed by Angel, who
immediately grabbed her and shoved her against the nearby counter.

Setting her jaw, Buffy couldn’t believe this was the same man she’d let
herself fall in love with just a few years before.

“Angelus?”

“Nope. Still Angel.”

“That’s up for debate,” she said, smashing the heel of her shoe into his
foot and immediately spinning around, freeing herself and kicking him in the
stomach. “Here’s a little tip- don’t try and put restrictions on the
Slayer. Especially one who’s already in a pissed off mood before she walks
into this condemned hotel.”

“What do you want?” he asked again, growling as he looked at her.

“I want to know where the hell Wesley and Cordelia are, but apparently you
aren’t going to help me at all.”

“Why are you in town?”

“I need help and I really don’t think I’m going to find it here.”

Trying to walk past him, a tremor of fear went through Buffy when his fist
slammed into the wall in front of her, blocking her exit.

“You know, I’m getting really sick of everyone being all dominating today.”

Turning toward him, Buffy’s lips tightened before shoving him away. Feeling
the explosion that ran through her cheek and eye, she reeled back, her hand
immediately coming up to her face, trying to alleviate the pain of the
stinging blow before retaliating and slamming her fist into his jaw.

Backing toward the door, Buffy kept a careful eye on him, anger nearly
clouding her vision. “I don’t even know who you are.”

“I’m a vampire…look it up.”

“Don’t need to. I’ve had the definition for sometime now, and I’m afraid
you don’t really fall in that category. You’ve got the obvious signs-
drinking blood, aversion to sunlight, but I think you fall under the
category of ‘malicious son of a bitch’.”

Running through the courtyard and away from the hotel, Buffy finally slowed
down when she was a few blocks away. Between Spike’s insecurity and the
feeling of abandonment she had and Angel’s apparent sway over to the dark
side, she didn’t know how much more she could take.


 

Chapter 33 – Dare to Forgive


Unlocking the door of the hotel room, Buffy pushed it open, both hoping and
dreading that Spike would be there. She really didn’t want to argue
anymore, but she wouldn’t have objected to curling up next to him and
spending the night safely cocooned in his arms.

Seeing that the room was empty, Buffy sighed and walked out on the balcony.
Sunrise wasn’t for a few hours, but her nerves would be more settled if
Spike would just come back.

Flinching when her muscles protested, she slowly pushed away from the
railing. After her run-in with Angel or Angelus or whoever the hell he was,
she had decided to patrol, wanting to avoid coming back to the hotel.
Unfortunately, she’d ended up running into a gang of vampires who thought it
would be fun to take out the Slayer. Taking quite a few brutal hits, Buffy
had managed to dust all of them, but her body wasn’t happy about the stress
it had been put through.

* * * * *

Wiping the steam off the mirror, Buffy wrapped a towel around her hair and
looked at her reflection. Her skin still had a light sheen of perspiration
from the hot bath she’d just taken, and staring at herself in the mirror,
Buffy flinched at the bruises and cuts on her arms, but the most
painful was the throbbing underneath her eye, reminding her of a man she
thought she knew.

Frowning as she probed her sensitive skin, Buffy sighed before turning and
grabbing the thick, white bathrobe from the back of the door and wrapping it
around herself. Grabbing a comb off the counter, she walked into the small
living room with a heavy heart. She knew that Spike still hadn’t returned
or she would have sensed him, and it left a heavy pain in her heart.

Shaking the excessive moisture out of her hair, Buffy dropped the towel in
the corner and ran the comb through her hair as she sat down on the couch.
Curling her legs underneath her, she flipped on the TV, hoping to distract
her brain from the disturbing images it chose to make. She knew she hadn’t
been wrong in not letting Spike go to the Hyperion- who knows what would
have happened if he had come face to face with Angel- but she just wished
she knew where he was.

* * * * *

Spike desperately tried to hold onto the anger that had been fueling his
emotions all night. Walking into the hotel room, he knew it was a lost
cause when he saw Buffy asleep on the couch. Wrapped in a soft robe, her
hair fanning around her in soft curls that let him know it had dried that
way, and the way her hand curled under her cheek as she slept, Spike had
never seen her look so innocent.

Slowly walking over to her, he shrugged out of his duster and crouched on
the floor, gently picking up the hand that was draped over her waist,
holding it loosely in his.

Watching as her eyes fluttered open, he gave her a soft smile.

“Spike?” she murmured, not letting herself believe that he was really here.

“It’s me, baby,” he whispered, bringing her hand to his mouth and pressing a
soft kiss to it. Frowning at the fresh smell of blood, Spike straightened,
looking her over. “What happened?”

“Where’ve you been?” Buffy asked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

“Took a walk. What happened?” he asked again.

“I just patrolled,” she said, watching Spike as his eyes narrowed and he
reached over to switch on the lamp sitting on the small table next to the
couch.

Buffy squinted in the harsh light, trying to make out his features as her
eyes adjusted. She could feel him tense before his fingertips reached up to
gently brush over the tender skin underneath her eye.

Her body was rigid as he continued to look at her.

“I should have been there. I shut myself off and I…I should have been there.”

“The claim?”

Spike glanced up at her, before looking away. “I shut myself off from it…didn’t really want to know what you might be feeling when you were visiting him.”

“Spike,” Buffy whispered, gently running her hand along his cheek. “I know it’s hard, but you have to trust me. I’m not Drusilla…I won’t leave you for my ex. I’m yours. Your mate and your lover…alright?”

Spike didn’t say anything as he avoided her eyes, but Buffy could see the tears shimmering in his when he nodded.

“Did you get to kill whatever did this?”

“No,” Buffy whispered, quickly looking away when he raised his eyes to hers. “I killed the others.”

“Others?”

Wordlessly pushing the sleeves of her robe up to her elbows, Spike growled
possessively when he saw the shallow cuts and other marks on her arms.

“How many were there?”

“I don’t know,” Buffy shrugged. “Five, I guess.”

“I don’t want you patrolling alone while we’re here.”

“Spike-”

“Buffy, this isn’t Sunnydale.”

“I know. Which means that these vamps don’t know me.”

“They’re still willing to go looking for a meal at night. I don’t want to
lose you, luv.”

When Buffy stayed quiet, Spike sighed in exasperation. “What did the great
poofter have to say?” he asked, knowing the subject would come up
eventually.

“I didn’t get a lot of information,” she replied, playing with the sleeves
of her robe.

“Why not?” he asked, tilting his head to look at her.

“Because he wasn’t real interested in talking.”

Realizing a moment too late that she’d said the wrong thing, Spike jumped to
his feet, reaching for the first breakable object he could find and hurling
it at the wall. “Son of a bitch!” he roared, panting as he looked
around the room for something else to throw.

“Spike, calm down,” Buffy cried, jumping to her feet and grabbing his arm.

“Calm down? Calm down! Are you seriously expecting-”

“Do you not trust me?” she asked quietly, watching as his features softened.

“I trust you,” he whispered. “I do. I just don’t like the fact, he
expects-”

“I didn’t mean it that way- it came out all wrong,” Buffy interrupted.

“How can ‘he wasn’t interested in talking’ come out wrong?”

“He’s the one who gave me this,” she said softly, gesturing to the bruised
skin under her eye.

Spike’s eyes widened for a moment before his mouth dropped open. “What do
you…how could…why?”

“I don’t know,” Buffy whispered, taking his hand and pulling him back to the
couch. “He wasn’t acting like himself. He said he fired Wesley and
Cordelia and didn’t know where they were and then he just acted…different.”

“Different as in- Angelus?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t explain what it was. It was
almost like he wasn’t either of them. I looked into his eyes and there was
just nothing there, Spike.”

Buffy’s eyes widened when Spike jumped off the couch and began walking
toward the door.

“Where are you going?” she asked in a panicked voice.

“Going to teach him not to mess with what’s mine.”

“Spike, I can take care of myself,” Buffy said, catching his arm before he
walked out the door. “And I know you’re strong, but I don’t think that I
could take him at top strength- that’s how much he freaked me out. Plus
it’s going to be sunrise soon.”

“What do you expect me to do, Buffy?” he asked, looking at her as if she’d
gone insane.

“Tonight we’ll track down Cordy and Wes and find out what’s going on and
then we’ll work it out.”

“And what am I supposed to do in the meantime?” Spike asked, looking down
the hallway as if it led to his freedom.

“I was thinking you could kiss me,” Buffy whispered, smiling when Spike
immediately turned around and pinned her to the door, lowering his lips to
hers in a passionate kiss.


 

Chapter 34 – Love Bites


“Spike? Are you ready?” Buffy called toward the bedroom, standing next to
the open front door and waiting impatiently for the blonde to appear. She
was hoping to be able and track down Cordelia or Wesley, and the way he was
procrastinating, she was worried it might be the next night before they
actually got out of the room.

“Almost ready, Slayer. Keep your pants on…well, actually-”

“Zip it,” she yelled. “I have never known a man to take so long getting
ready. Especially not one who’s been alive for over one hundred years and
should have perfected his technique by now!”

“Easy for you to say,” Spike yelled back. “You have a mirror to look into.
I’m doing this from memory or did you forget that little detail?”

“If you wouldn’t put so much of that damn gel in your hair, it would cut
down on the process. You know, that stuff isn’t exactly eco-friendly.”

Buffy suppressed her smile as Spike walked out of the room, grabbing his
duster as he walked toward her.

“Bite me,” he growled.

“Oooh,” Buffy said with a smirk. “Maybe later. Right now, we’re running
late.”

Slamming the door behind them, she took off running when Spike chased
after her. Pushing open the door of the stairwell, she giggled when he
wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her toward his strong chest and
holding her until she stopped squirming.

Buffy felt the mood noticeably change when his lips lowered to her neck,
gently running his tongue over his previous bite marks and eliciting a moan
from her.

“Spike,” she whispered breathlessly. “We don’t have time for this.”

“Always have time for this,” he murmured against her skin, sending chills
racing through her body as he continued his soft caresses.

Buffy moaned, gripping the railing of the stairwell and gasping when his
blunt teeth gently sunk into her skin.

“Ever shagged in public, luv?” he asked in a voice that let her know he had
all the control in the situation. “The possibility of anyone stumbling
across you, any time?”

Feeling a flood of moisture between her legs, Buffy didn’t trust herself to
speak as she meekly shook her head, pushing her body against his in a
frantic effort to calm the fire that he was building.

Spike ran his tongue along his bottom lip as he angled his upper body away
from hers, studying the backless tank top she was wearing and letting his
fingertips trail along one of the flimsy strings holding the garment
together. He could feel Buffy trembling at his soft touch and a slow smile
spread across his face.

Slowly untying one of the strings, Spike brought his lips back to her ear,
making sure to purposely breathe so she knew exactly how close he was and
driving her wild with lust. “We’ve spent all day in bed, Goldilocks,” he
whispered. “Maybe you’re a little too worn out to do anything now.”

Shaking her head, Spike’s smile widened as his fingers moved to the next
obstacle that stood in his way, making sure to gently run his hand along her
back so she knew exactly what he was doing.

Watching as she shivered at his touch, Spike took pity on her and ran his
hands along her body, over her hips to slowly settle on her leather-covered
thighs.

“You want me?” he asked in a low voice, designed to turn any woman to jelly,
Buffy being no exception.

“Only you,” she whispered, her lips parted as she tossed her head back to
rest on his shoulder, feeling too weak to hold it up.

Slipping a hand into the waistband of her pants, Spike smiled when she
moaned loudly, bucking her hips against his hand and seeking any form of
release she could get.

"You’re soaking,” he murmured, letting a finger trail over her clit and
applying the tiniest bit of pressure that sent her gasping for air and
arching her back against him.

“I need you,” she said softly, clutching at his arm to keep standing.

Untying the final string of her tank top, Spike watching in appreciation as
it fluttered to the floor, leaving her in nothing but a pair of red leather
pants and black boots. Removing his hand, Buffy moaned at the loss of
contact before Spike spun her around and frantically worked the button and
zipper of her pants.

Quickly shedding the rest of her clothes, Buffy felt as if she was going to
die if she didn’t come soon. Feeling Spike lift her up and pin her to the
wall, she eagerly wrapped her hands behind his neck and pulled him close for
an impatient kiss as her legs wrapped around his waist. Reaching between
them and lowered his zipper, Buffy smiled against his lips when he groaned
in pleasure.

Pumping him up and down for a moment, Spike soon realized that he was
rapidly losing his control of the situation and slid into her with
effortless ease. He couldn’t help but smile when he felt Buffy’s inner
muscles clamp around him, already seeking her release.

“Want to come, pet?” he asked, moving in and out of her with deliberately
measured strokes.

“God, yes,” she panted, nearly pushed over the edge with the simple thought
that they could be caught at any time.

Slamming his hips against hers without warning, Buffy cried out in pleasure,
digging her nails into his back.

Feeling her body quivering with need, Spike let his teeth scrape over his
mark, smiling against her skin when she screamed out her release, meeting
each of his thrusts.

“I love you,” he whispered, never slowing his movements.

Buffy forcefully bit down on his neck in response, causing a nearly inhuman
roar to resonate through the open area as he emptied himself inside of her.
Pulling back to look at him, both panted for air as she stared into his
eyes. “Mine,” she said softly.

The love and adoration was clearly visible in his eyes as he tenderly smiled
at her, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Yours.”



 

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