Chapter Sixty Three.

A Force of Nature.


Spike thought the weeks of cultivated patience while waiting for Angel had served to teach him he was capable of controlling his true nature…but he now realized the weeks and weeks of planning and preparing for Angel’s punishment and Buffy’s captivity were nothing, but a slow leisurely game of chess…where he had the luxury of time to plan and execute each stage of his game. All along the way, he’d patted himself on the back, congratulating himself for being so clever as he maneuvered his players into position…until finally, everything and everyone was exactly where he wanted them.


Now it was all gone to hell.


Sitting alone in the quiet of his study, he remembered how he’d reacted when Masters first showed him Angel’s letter all those months ago. Screaming and raging at his loss…tearing Drusilla’s room apart in a petty act of revenge, he’d cried real tears. Or so he thought…and all his rage and anger had fed his desire for revenge and kept him determined to dominate both Angel and Buffy. Yet, it was all so meaningless…so empty and futile…without her there was nothing.


The same rage that had filled him after Drusilla’s desertion and caused him to act like a lunatic, filled him now but this time instead of lunacy, he was anchored to his fear. Fear he would be too late…that she would be hurt…or worse…that he would lose her for good. Tears threatened to spill, and he couldn’t stop the trembling that replaced the normal steady function of his heart. Instead of the usual sedate flow of the blood in his veins, he could feel the flow juddering, causing his muscles to quake and vibrate beneath the surface of his skin. He struggled, trying to think what to do next. He’d never felt so helpless in his life and he had never been gripped by fear so badly that it robbed him of the ability to think clearly. He was always able to come up with exactly the right solutions he needed to get him what he needed. He knew this was worse than his blind rage…knew if he didn’t get a grip on his fear, he would risk making mistakes or worse miss the vital plan or action that could save her.


The sting of tears burned his eyes and he let them roll unchecked down his face. Memories floated before him, all of them centered around Buffy. The day he met her…the time he asked her to be his mistress, when what he really wanted to ask her was to be his wife. That of course dragged up the memory of his proposal at the cabin…and her refusal. Yet, the memory of her rejection was softened by the memory of their night together at the hotel. Dressed in a white gown, she had taken his breath away. She looked like a bride…his bride. He was awed by her willingness to be there with him. He knew she could see the awe on his face and for once he didn’t try to hide his feelings from her.


He stood before her, worshiping her with his eyes, drinking in her golden beauty. Suddenly, he was hit with a wave of deep sadness, as he realized this was all she would ever want from him, all she desired of him. His hot flesh, claiming hers with the same passion of a thousand poets, her body spread out before him, a canvas of creamy gold and satin. His hands and mouth, the tools privileged to map the swells and dips of her wondrous curves, he wanted to claim all of her…her body and her mind. Sadly…her heart was unattainable and even if hadn’t been, he knew he wasn’t worthy to contemplate being the recipient of such a ponderous prize. This was all she would ever want from him, the pleasure his body could bestow upon her. The needs of her flesh he could satisfy and her heart he would abandon. Dwelling on it would lead to madness so Spike moved forward, eager to satisfy her body’s needs.


The memory broke and for the first time since he was a child, Spike prayed…not for himself. He didn’t believe God would answer prayers for a monster like him…but Buffy was good. She deserved God’s help…his mercy and deliverance. So he prayed for Buffy because he didn’t know what else to do.


A soft knock at the door roused him. Luke and Cooper stood in the doorway. “Trick’s here…he brought the girl…Noelle,” Luke said.


Spike sat up straighter on the couch, wondering if God was answering his prayers.


“Send her in, but keep Trick out. In fact, send him packin’…I don’t want to see his face.”


Luke nodded and turned to do his bidding. Cooper stepped into the room as Luke left.


“All the teams have called in…nothing yet…but they’ll keep looking,” Cooper said apologetically.


Spike wasn’t surprised at their lack of success. Gilbey was clever. He knew how to stay out of sight and he’d worked for Spike long enough to know how he operated, but Gilbey couldn’t hide forever…only this time Spike didn’t have all the time in the world. He had to find her and find her quickly.


Luke ushered in the young woman. She was dressed just like a common hooker and didn’t seem to care she was about to face a man, who’s reputation frightened most hardened criminals, including her pimp. She had golden brown hair, a fresh pretty face and a good figure. Spike stood up to meet her. She seemed more sure of herself than Alyx and she took the seat Luke pointed at while looking at Spike, fearlessly.


“Noelle…right?”


“Yes…are you Spike Winters?” She asked. She was softly spoken with a gentle accent and Spike wondered how a nice girl like her had ended up working as a street hooker for Trick.


“Yeah…that’s right.” She looked at him oddly. “What?” he asked.


“Oh nothing…you’re just not what I thought you’d be like…I thought you’d be meaner looking…and…and…”


“What?”


“Well…taller I guess.” She glanced at Cooper as he gave a small snort of laughter and looked quickly back at Spike, who was smiling slightly.


“Sorry to disappoint you…now you know why you’re ‘ere…don’t you?”


Her pretty brown eyes grew somber. She nodded. “Yes, Trick told me that guy Gilbey snatched Buffy and you need me to tell you everything I can remember about the place he took us to.”


Spike picked up on Noelle calling Buffy by her first name. “Do you know Buffy?”


“Yes, I do…a year ago she helped me get back in touch with my dad. If it wasn’t for her, I’d never have had the chance to see him before he died. I owe her a lot and I’ll do whatever I can to help you get her away from that sadistic monster.” She looked him straight in the eye with a strong steady gaze.


Spike was taken aback at yet another display of loyalty towards Buffy especially since it was coming from a street hooker. He noticed she didn’t say she would help him get her back…just help get her away from Gilbey. That almost made him laugh…this hooker was judging him and as far as she was concerned, he wasn’t good enough for Buffy…and the funny part was she was right.


Noelle went into a detailed description of the apartment Gilbey took them to and though she was very sure about certain details, even describing the curtains in the lounge, she wasn’t able to give them anything that any of them recognized or could use to help pinpoint the apartment’s location.


Sighing, Spike asked again. “So you were tied to a kitchen chair all the time Gilbey was attackin’ Alyx?”


She nodded.


“Where were you…in the kitchen, the lounge or the bedroom?”


“The lounge…he didn’t take either of us into the bedroom, though he did let Alyx use the bathroom. The bastard made Alyx tie me to a chair…he said we were going to play a little game, but as soon as Alyx finished putting the gag on me, he pounced on her.”


“And he didn’t take her into the bedroom?”


“No…he dragged her to the couch…a big ugly brown thing and once he got her there, he didn’t let up on her…the bastard. I can still hear her screaming,” she shivered.


Spike couldn’t believe he’d wasted valuable time questioning the two hookers. He knew it was a long shot that they would know anything useful, but he had to try.


“And you say he blindfolded and gagged both of you before he dumped you in that alley?”


“Yes, even though Alyx wasn’t conscious, he still gagged and blindfolded her.”


Spike didn’t really expect any less from Gilbey. He knew how to cover his tracks.


Marti knocked on the study door and stuck his head in, catching everyone’s attention.


“Er…Alyx thought she might have remembered something.” He stood back to allow Alyx to cross into the room.


With her eyes fixed on Noelle, she made her way to the couch and sat next to her, glancing nervously at Spike and the other men. Spike gave her a reassuring smile.


“What is it Alyx?”


She looked almost frightened at being the center of everyone’s focus. “It’s probably nothing…just a stupid detail really…”


Spike looked at her compellingly. “That’s not important…jus’ tell me what it is you’ve remembered.”


“Well the apartment looked kinda bare…like he was just moving in or moving out…but somehow I don’t think it was his place…it kinda had the feel of a woman’s place…‘cause even though it was nearly empty…it was very clean…despite the build up of dust.”


Spike frowned. The new observation didn’t really help.


“Yes she’s right…I didn’t remember that.” Noelle looked between Alyx and Spike. “The clean windows, the plug in air fresheners and that ugly old couch that was very clean despite being ugly…only a woman would go to the trouble to keep a place that clean.”


Alyx was nodding, but Spike didn’t think it made any difference if the apartment was owned by a man or a woman it still didn’t help to pinpoint its location.


“It must have had some sort of sentimental value, ‘cause that’s the only reason anyone would keep something that old and lumpy, and only a girl would hang flowery drapes in the bathroom.” Alyx said to Noelle.


Spike looked at Cooper, his hopelessness showing in his eyes. The women’s conversation floated around him as he mulled over everything they’d said. Suddenly, his head snapped round to the two women. Frowning, he fixed Alyx with a sharp look.


“What did you say ‘bout the couch?” He sat forward, alert and ready.


“Er…that it was old and ugly…and it must have held sentimental value to the owner, because no one in their right mind would keep something that old and ugly.” She answered hesitantly.


“NO…No…you said it was lumpy.” He glared at her, daring her to contradict him.


“Yeah it was…very lumpy and…” She trailed off as Spike jumped up and caught hold of her arm, pulling her out of her seat.


She squeaked as he dragged her behind him out of the study. The others followed closely after them. Spike marched her into the monitoring room and released her arm as he searched the shelves for a tape. Snatching one up, Spike stuck it in the player and pressed the play button.


“There…” he practically shouted as the image of a furnished room sprang into life on the screen. “There…is that the couch…is that the room?”


Alyx and Noelle shuffled nearer to the screen. Alyx gave a little gasp, her hand flying up to cover her mouth in distress. Noelle put a comforting arm around her shoulder and answered for her. “Yes…that’s the place.”


Spike looked at Luke and Cooper. “It’s Buffy’s old place.” He pushed his way to the row of monitors and began flicking switches, turning the machines on as quickly as he could. He had given Gilbey orders to sever the surveillance connection to Buffy’s place when he forced her to move into the mansion, but after the other tapes Cooper had found, maybe Gilbey had continued to record Buffy’s place.


The screens came to life, each one showing a room in Buffy’s apartment. One screen remained blank and fuzzy all the others showed empty rooms. Kitchen - dinning room, hallway, lounge, bathroom, all empty, but the screen that should have displayed the bedroom was stubbornly blank.


“MARTI…get the fuck over ‘ere and see if you can get this thing working.” Spike called out.


The others made way for Marti as he approached the bank of monitors. Spike paced anxiously as the young man fiddled with the machine. Spike had spotted the signs, someone was definitely using Buffy’s old place. A half empty pizza box sat on the coffee table in the lounge and the TV was on. A man’s jacket was tossed over the back of the ugly brown couch…the same couch Buffy had always kept covered with a large beige throw and maroon cushions. The same couch Willow and Xander and the others had complained about been the lumpiest couch in the world. He remembered how Buffy had pouted at their complaints, moaning how she missed her lumpy couch and that it was a hand-down from her Grandma when she moved in.


A shrill scream from one of the hookers made him spin around to stare at the screen.


Buffy…she was tied to the bed…screaming…her clothes torn…her face bloody…Gilbey was straddling her hips with a knife in his hand. Spike swallowed the vomit that threatened to choke him as he saw that the fucking bastard was hacking at her hair.


Spike felt the blood drain from his face and the room swirled around him. Gripping the table in front of him, he steadied himself, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. He sprang away from the monitor, sickened and terrified.


Cooper dragged Noelle and Alyx out of the room ahead of Luke and Marti. Standing in the hallway, they heard Spike scream out an inhuman roar and the crash of heavy monitors hitting the floor. Both Alyx and Noelle jumped at the sound of his pain and rage mingled with his fear.


Spike burst from the room. Cooper flinched at the expression in his friend’s eyes. Instinctively, he knew there would be no holding him back this time and if he tried, Spike was likely to turn on him. There was murder in his eyes and all Cooper could do was follow close…watch his back and make sure he didn’t get caught, because Spike wasn’t in any frame of mind to think rationally. He was too focused to care if he slipped up.


“Marti you’re drivin’…Cooper, Luke c’mon…NOW.” He snapped.


They left Noelle and Alyx standing in the hallway as they ran to catch up with Spike, who had taken off in the direction of the garage. Cooper called over his shoulder. “Stay here…don’t leave.”


Spike grabbed a set of keys and tossed them to Marti. “We’ll take the SUV.” He looked at Luke. “Is it loaded?”


“Yes.”


They climbed in. Marti started up and pulled out of the garage at high speed. Luke pulled a black case from under the specially designed back seat, handing Cooper and Spike gloves, masks and extra gun clips. Each man in turn emptied their pockets of anything personal…minimizing the chances of accidentally leaving incriminating evidence behind.


“Drive fast, but not reckless. We don’t want to attract the cops.” Spike told Marti harshly. “Call the men and call off the search…tell them to head back to the mansion.” He told Cooper. He looked at Luke, his eyes cold and dead. “Call the Doc and tell him we’ll be bringin’ Buffy in…tell him to be ready for anything.”


After barking those few orders, he turned away from his men, gazing blankly out at the city as they sped nearer to Buffy.


“What about Ritt?” Cooper asked, but Spike didn’t hear him, he was stony and silent and Cooper figured it didn’t matter. There was no way to get in touch with the assassin anyway. Cooper caught Luke’s eye. They shared a concerned look before glancing back at their too quiet boss. Neither of them had ever seen Spike react in this way to a potentially deadly situation before and for once, neither of them knew what to expect, but they were both pretty sure it would be bloody and violent.


*****


Ritt looked up at the apartment building. He’d worked his way to the back and assessed his best way in was up through the fire escape and along the narrow ledge that circled the fifth floor. He spotted an open window and from what he was able to figure out from the information Fatty Friday had given him, it was either Buffy’s old bathroom window or her next door neighbors. The fact that it was open was to his advantage and he worked his way steadily nearer to his goal.


The fire escape was no trouble and he swiftly climbed to the fifth floor. Swinging his legs over the railing, he carefully positioned himself onto the narrow ledge. Years of experience at getting in and out of some of the most unlikely places to make his hits gave him the edge and confidence he needed. His skill and ability gave him complete belief in his success to reach the window without attracting unwanted attention, or the unlikely chance of falling.


As he reached the window, he could hear the sounds of a struggle and a woman moaning in pain. A scrap of red fabric caught on the window latch fluttered in the slight breeze. He pulled it free and noticed there were still a couple of tiny jewels attached to the fragment. Buffy’s dress. Ritt surmised she must have tried to escape out of the window. He glanced down at the five-floor drop and marveled at the young woman’s bravery and determination. He tucked the scrap into his breast pocket. A scream ripped the air. He used the noise as cover to hoist himself up onto the open window ledge.


In one fluid movement, he hauled himself over the sill and into the bathroom. Silent as a ghost, he dropped to the floor and ducked behind the vanity unit. The screams were coming from the next room and Ritt could hear each one was interspaced with a male voice, harshly spewing foul names and dirty language at the sobbing girl.


Quickly, he moved to the door and peeked into the bedroom. The scene was as he expected. Buffy was tied to a bed, but he couldn’t see too much of her as Gilbey was sitting on top of her with his back to the bathroom door. Ritt debated simply shooting Gilbey in the back of the head, but Spike had been pretty adamant about Buffy being spared the violence and for once, Ritt agreed. She was suffering enough…but how to get Gilbey off her and out of the room so he could kill him was the problem he was faced with.


He listened as Gilbey stopped his torture to verbally torment her and Ritt had to admire her courage, as she shot back a brave, if reckless answer.


*****


“Not so pretty to look at now…are you sugar lips?” Gilbey sneered, twisting the knife back and forth in his hand, admiring the glint of silver as the blade caught the light.


“Still prettier than you…you ugly bastard,” Buffy panted weakly.


Angry, Gilbey glared at her. “AAARGH…FUCKING TRASHY BITCH,” she screamed as the knife plunged into the mattress an inch from her face. “You think you’re so much better than me…you look at my face and see my scar…when you’re the ugly thing…a slut…you’re nothing but a disgusting filthy little tramp…and I’m going to make sure whenever anyone looks at you, they’ll be able to see all the ugliness that is really inside you…on your face and body…I’m going to make you so ugly no one will ever look at you again without cringing.”


He pulled the knife from the mattress. Buffy flinched seeing the blade pass so close to her face.


Gilbey leaned over her, his hot breath fanning her face. He kissed her hard. Buffy clamped her teeth shut, trying to prevent him from invading her mouth again, but the kiss went on and on and she gasped unable to breathe through her nose. “That’s it slut, open up.”


Buffy twisted away from him. She froze when she felt him drag the edge of the knife down the side of her face. He pulled back to look at her.


“Beg me not to hurt you.” He caressed her with the knife. Tantalizing images of all the different ways he was going to torture her floated in his head. He smiled at her…almost tenderly as a strong image of her on her knees begging him not to cut her, pleading with him and promising to do anything he wanted as long as he didn’t use the knife on her filled his head. “If you beg me, I might not hurt you, much…or at least I’ll make sure it’s the kind of hurt a worthless whore like you would enjoy,” he rasped, tickling her skin with the blade.


Buffy swallowed painfully. She began to believe Spike wasn’t going to find her in time and she knew if that happened, she would rather die fighting than just simply give up. Screwing up her courage, she met his insane gaze.


“The only thing I’ll beg you to do is to shut your…filthy…ugly…mouth.”


He clenched his jaw, looking at her through narrowed eyes. Suddenly he reached above her and grabbed her hand. In a blink, he yanked painfully on her index finger, breaking it in one viscous tug.


Buffy screamed as the pain shot down her hand and along her arm, her feet drumming uncontrollably on the mattress. She gasped and panted, twitching as the pain receded. Eventually, her teary eyes focused back on Gilbey.


“I…I…s-still…won’t beg,” she panted sobbing.


Gilbey didn’t seem bothered by her defiance. He merely continued his obscenely tender caresses with the tip of his knife against her skin. “Such perfect skin,” the knife skimmed the soft round contours of her breasts. “Such perfect hair…well…actually not so perfect now,” he picked up a handful of the locks he’d hacked off earlier. He held up the severed lengths in front of her.


Her eyes flickered to the long strands of gold in his big fist. “It’ll grow back,” she stubbornly replied.


Gilbey shook his head, smiling as he played with the cuttings with his knife. “Only if I leave you alive and if I do, your hair will be the least of your worries…you’ll be too concerned with hiding your scars to be bothered about your hair.” He sprinkled the cuttings over her face, laughing as she tried to shake them off.


She froze again when she felt the knife scratch the surface of her stomach. She could feel a sticky trickle of blood run down to one hip. The cut stung as had all the other small cuts he’d made on her body. “Red suits you,” he whispered. The knife cut another shallow opening in her skin…this one below her left breast. She gasped, biting back the urge to scream. Gilbey stared into her face, reveling in the pain and despair in her wide eyes. “Beg me,” he demanded harshly.


Buffy guessed he would continue to torment and play with her for as long as she held out…if she gave in and begged him, she would only be aiding him in her own pain and humiliation and she was determined that wasn’t going to happen…no matter what he did. “No…never.”


“Fine…if you won’t beg me not to cut you, maybe you’ll beg me not to fuck you,” he laughed at the stricken look on her face. “But maybe a sleazy whore like you will beg for more…your kind are always the same…one minute pretending you don’t want it…then acting like a fucking cock tease and then when you get it…you can’t get enough…fucking little whore.” He plunged the knife back into the mattress next to her face.


Buffy flinched and gasped as he reached for his zipper. “NO…no…no…don’t touch me.” She tried to twist away from him, but he pulled her back, holding her down with one hand on her abused strained shoulder as he continued to undo his jeans with the other. She felt the binding on her wrist loosen and she wiggled her hand frantically as she tried to loosen it some more.


“That’s more like it…now you can beg me to stop or beg me to fuck you harder…I really don’t care which, but you better beg or I’ll make your death long and slow and very, very painful.” His jeans were open and Buffy glanced as his hand moved to the opening.


Terror gripped her, and she screamed as he fumbled at the tear in her skirt, forcing her legs apart and positioning himself between her thighs. Screaming, she braced herself for the pain, thrashing and pulling desperately on the ropes.


*****


Four men dressed in black entered the respectable apartment building through the basement fire exit. Marti cut the alarm system as the others pulled on their gloves. Once in, they made their way to the ground floor. Cooper calmly pretended to leave the stairwell and casually strolled over to the night security guard’s desk. He greeted the uniformed guard as if he was no more than a guest of one of the residents. Cooper waited until the guard turned his back to him as he prepared to unlock the front entrance to allow him to leave, before hitting him on the back of the head with his gun. The guard collapsed in a heap in front of the doors.


Luke dashed forward to help Cooper drag the body behind the desk. Quickly, they pulled his jacket off and tossed it on the desk. The two of them tied and gagged him as Marti rushed to the monitors, checking the cameras covering all the public areas of the building. All was still and quiet.


Spike looked at his men as he pressed the button for the elevator. “Marti you stay ‘ere, jus’ in case someone needs to get in or out…put his jacket on and sit behind the desk…” The elevator opened and Spike rushed in followed closely by Luke and Cooper. As the doors closed, they pulled the black masks out of their pockets and pulled them over their faces.


Spike stared at the flashing green numbers on the black panel as they counted the floors. “We go in quiet…I don’t want to give him any warnin’ or the chance to use her as a shield…the kill is mine…I want both of you to cover him once he’s down and leave Buffy to me…I don’t want either of you to try and touch her…understand.”


Luke and Cooper both nodded. “Yes, boss,” their tone almost as flat and dead as their boss’s…almost.


The doors opened and they made their way along the corridor. Cooper picked the lock effortlessly and the door opened with a soft click. Spike went through first, moving with lightening speed towards the bedroom door. Luke and Cooper were flanking him with their weapons drawn. He paused outside the room, listening to Gilbey taunting Buffy. Relief flooded him when he heard her reply…she sounded as if she was frightened and in terrible pain…but she was alive. He sent up a silent prayer to God in thanks that he had found her in time.


*****


“Red suits you…beg me.” Gilbey rasped.


Spike heard her groan. “No…never.”


“Fine…if you won’t beg me not to cut you maybe you’ll beg me not to fuck you.” Spike nearly choked on his hate and anger as he heard Gilbey laugh. “But maybe a sleazy whore like you will beg for more…your kind are always the same…one minute pretending you don’t want it…then acting like a fucking cock tease and then when you get it, you can’t get enough…fucking little whore.”


*****


From his position behind the bathroom door, Ritt decided he’d had just about enough. Stuff Spike’s orders…this bastard wasn’t going to stop and there was no way he was going to let him go so far as to actually rape her. His mind was made up. He was taking this fucker out now. He readied himself.


*****


Spike allowed himself to relax. His muscles loosened and his mind calmed. He glanced at Luke and Cooper, giving them a silent signal…they nodded to him in unison, glad to see he was in control of his emotions.


Buffy gasped loudly crying out. “NO…no…no…don’t touch me.”


Gilbey laughed again. “That’s more like it…now you can beg me to stop or beg me to fuck you harder…I really don’t care which, but you better beg or I’ll make your death long and slow and very, very painful.”


Buffy screamed at the top of her lungs. Simultaneously, Spike and Ritt burst through their doorways. Startled by the masked men, Ritt faltered but at the last second he recognized Spike. Ritt pulled back on his weapon, allowing the blonde man his shot.


Suddenly, Buffy’s hand shot out. She grabbed the knife embedded in the mattress next to her head. Screwing her eyes tight shut, she screamed with all her might and without hesitating, she plunged the blade into Gilbey’s chest. Comically, his eyes widened as he clutched his chest, laughing.


He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to look.


Simultaneously, Spike squeezed his trigger and fired. The silencer and Buffy’s scream muffled the sound. Gilbey fell forward covering Buffy, dead from the combined single shot Spike had delivered into his brain and the knife buried in his chest.


With an inhuman cry, Spike leapt forward pushing the dead man off of Buffy. Luke, Cooper and Ritt covered Gilbey’s body, their guns aimed and ready. Luke bent over the scarred man to check his pulse. He was dead. He stood up looking at the couple on the bed.


Spike was cradling Buffy in his arms trying to calm her as she screamed and thrashed in his embrace. Fear painted her bloodied face as she gazed up into his masked face. Luke pulled his mask off and so did Cooper.


Cooper tapped Spike on the shoulder. “Spike your mask.”


Spike loosened his hold on Buffy to reach up and pull the mask off. Her eyes fixed on him and her sobs grew louder for an instant as she recognized him. Gasping, she sagged in his embrace.


Dragging Gilbey’s body into the bathroom, the three men left Spike and Buffy alone for a few moments.


“Shush baby…please…I’m ‘ere. I’ve got you…don’t fret so…oh Buffy baby…I was so scared. I thought I’d lost you…please baby…I’ve got you…you’re safe now.” He cut the ropes binding her other wrist and pulled her towards him, rocking her gently as she cried and sobbed. He sat up shrugging out of his jacket and tenderly helped ease her abused arms into the sleeves, successfully covering her. Her sobs died back down, but he could see shock was setting in. He called out to Luke and Cooper. They both appeared at the bathroom door instantly.


“I’ve got to get her to the Doc…call a couple of the boys and get things ‘ere cleaned up. I don’t want any traces left. Cooper stay with Luke and cover the front desk…I’ll need to take Marti and Ritt with me.” His men nodded, both looking at Buffy with concern.


“I already called a crew…they’re on their way and the Doc is waiting for you,” Luke informed him.


Turning back to Buffy, Spike gently eased her off the bed; cringing at each little moan or gasp of pain he caused her. She passed out as he swung her up into his arms. He cursed, distressed at her condition. Hurrying, Ritt preceded him, opening doors and calling the lift before Spike could reach the metal doors.


Marti met them off the elevator, handing the guard’s jacket to Cooper. He glanced at the unconscious Buffy. “Luke called…we’ll have to go out the way we came in…it’s safer and quicker.” He led the way back to the basement.


The drive to the clinic passed in silence. Ritt turned to look at Spike as he cradled Buffy in his arms, the expression on his face unreadable as he stared at the unconscious girl. The doctor met them at the door with a nurse and a stretcher, but Spike refused to allow anyone to take her from his arms. Seeing he wasn’t going to be able to examine the young woman unless Spike came along, the doctor ushered him to the examining room.


Ritt stood alone in the clinics lobby, watching as the double doors swung shut behind Spike and Buffy.


*************************************************************
TBC...soon.
 

Chapter Sixty Four.

Fragile Feelings.


A week passed before Spike would let Buffy do more than leave their rooms, despite the fact that she insisted she felt well enough to do more. Spike insisted on spending all of his time with her, never letting her out of his sight and leaving the normal running of things to his men.


Buffy sighed, looking in the mirror above the dressing table. Her new short hair had been cut and re-styled into a bob. It rested just along her jaw line, but it still looked strange to her eyes. Spike told her it was cute, but she hated it and couldn’t wait for it to grow out. The bruises and cuts were slowly fading. Doctor Bryson only needed to stitch three of the larger cuts and the other smaller ones were healing quickly. The swelling and discoloring to her face was a bit slower to recede, but Buffy thought she might just be a bit paranoid about the state of her face. Thankfully, her nose wasn’t broken…it really wasn’t that bad and the doctor assured her, she wouldn’t scar anywhere…she just needed time and rest and she would heal good as new. Buffy sighed.


Spike looked for her as soon as he opened the bedroom door. “Mornin’ sweet’eart…how’d you sleep?” He smiled.


Buffy sighed, if she had a penny for every time he asked her how she slept, or how she was feeling, or how she was doing, she would be a very rich woman. “Fine,” she tried to answer pleasantly, but fake cheerfulness still managed to color her voice.


He sat on the edge of the bed, watching her carefully. “Would you like to eat on the balcony…or we could eat in ‘ere…if you prefer?” She didn’t answer right away and he wondered if she was really thinking that hard about the question, or if she was just ignoring him. Abruptly, he stood and walked to the balcony doors, looking out onto the sun-drenched buff slabs, fighting his feelings of helplessness.


Buffy placed her hand on his arm. “The balcony would be nice…it’s such a beautiful day and I could use the fresh air.” She smiled for a moment before her eyes slipped away from his.


Spike tried to catch her hand before she moved back, but she deliberately evaded him. Doctor Bryson assured him it was perfectly normal for her to be like this and he should expect her to be withdrawn and moody. Spike had asked the doctor to arrange for a counselor to visit Buffy, hoping it would help her to talk to someone.


Yet, Spike was still worried not just because she seemed more withdrawn and quiet than ever before, but because she hadn’t cried once since the day of the attack. When she’d woken up in Doctor Bryson’s clinic, she’d calmly asked him to take her home. At the time, he was so happy to see her awake that he didn’t pay too much attention to the fact that she’d actually called the mansion home and that she wasn’t acting anything like a woman who had just been attacked…she was too calm…too quiet…too detached.


Jonathan arrived with their breakfast and as soon as he left, Buffy ventured out of the bedroom. Spike had noticed how reluctant she was to let anyone other than him see her face. She sat opposite him quietly eating and pretending to read the newspaper.


“Your mum rang last night… I told her you were out with Cordy and that I’d get you to call her some time today.” He watched her shrug and toss a half smile in his direction before looking back at the paper.


“Thanks…I’ll call her after breakfast.”


They both agreed it would be better if no one knew about the events of the previous week.


“Wesley’s doing much better…still can’t talk, but he’s scribblin’ away on his note pad like a mad man…he was askin’ about you” That seemed to catch her attention more noticeably. “I thought you might like to visit him.” It’s time to get her out of these rooms, he thought.


She thought about it for a moment. “Yes, I think that’s a good idea…maybe we could go later.” Wesley’s survival was a great shock to her. At first she hadn’t believed Spike when he’d told her Wesley was alive. She thought he was just trying to spare her anymore pain, but gradually she realized he was telling her the truth and now she was anxious to see him with her own eyes, just to reassure herself he was indeed going to be okay.


There was a knock at the sitting room door. Spike frowned as she jumped slightly, a look of panic flittering across her face. Startled, she pulled the sash on her robe tighter. She glanced at Spike anxiously as he got up to see who it was.


Cooper stood in the hallway with a bunch of giant daisies in his hand. “Hi, hope I’m not calling too early, but I thought I’d drop by to see how Buffy’s doing.”


Spike smiled and ushered him in. He caught sight of a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye and watched as Buffy disappeared along the balcony and into their bedroom.


“Sorry mate you’ve jus’ missed her…she went for a shower, but she’s doing much better.” Spike found himself making polite excuses for her. Cooper looked disappointed. “But why don’t you join me for a cup of coffee anyway?”


Cooper perked up and followed him out onto the balcony. Placing the flowers on the table, he sat in the chair Buffy had just vacated and watched as Spike fixed him a cup of coffee.


“Have you seen Wesley yet?” Cooper asked.


“No, but we’re going over this afternoon…I think Buffy’s a bit anxious to see him, but she’s still feelin’ fragile and skittish…I…I don’t think she likes the thoughts of facin’ everyone yet.” Keeping his voice low, he cast his eyes over to the closed doors leading to the bedroom.


Cooper nodded.


“Have you been over yet?” Spike asked.


“Yeah, a couple of times…the poor bastard’s in a bad way, though the doc says he’ll be fine given enough time and his girlfriend is never away from his bedside as far as I hear,” Cooper laughed. “Skinny little thing glares at anyone trying to get in her way…fussing over him like he’s the new Brad Pitt and questioning all the staff like she’s his whole family rolled into one little package…lucky bastard.” He smiled.


“Good, I’m glad he’s got someone.” They fell silent for a moment, unsettling thoughts filling both of them. “Is Ritt givin’ you any trouble?”


Cooper shifted on his chair. “No…and I wish that made me feel comfortable or reassured or something, but it doesn’t, it makes me feel nervous…I just wish he’d act like his normal arrogant, cold black-hearted self, but he’s not…he’s being helpful and useful and I shudder to say this, but he’s even being pleasant and that’s just plain wrong. I keep waiting for someone to slap me and snap me out of the freaky situation…Everitt Coulson being pleasant and helpful…yep, there’s something wrong there and we haven’t clued into it yet.”


Spike thought about that. Cooper had known Ritt for as long as he had and they both knew what kind of a man he was. A hired gun or an assassin was a nice polite term for him, but Spike knew if Ritt’s clients required it, he was a ruthless butcher to his victims. It bothered Spike that Ritt would go to those kind of gruesome lengths to satisfy a client’s sick sense of closure. Sure, Spike knew he was a killer, but he would never indulge in the kind of killing Ritt had built his reputation on…a clean kill, and a quick death was much better, although after Gilbey even that had changed. He shuddered despite the bright sunshine.


“Well maybe I should ‘ave a word with him…see what he’s up to, and see if I can get him to open up a bit.” He wondered if he should call Masters, but dismissed the idea. He was his own man. LA was his to run and he would be damned if he would run off to Masters just because Ritt was acting out of character. “It’s ‘bout time he took Angel back to New York anyway…we’ll manage jus’ fine without his help…no matter how useful he’s being.”


Cooper seemed to agree and nodded his head enthusiastically. “Does that mean you’re coming back to work soon?”


Spike knew he should say yes, but he wasn’t prepared to leave Buffy on her own and he knew she wasn’t ready to pick up where she left off. With Wesley in hospital and Gilbey gone, there were huge gaps in his otherwise perfect workforce. Ritt and Marti were helping out, but with the influx of new clients, they were still woefully understaffed. “No…I’m sorry, but until Buffy’s actin’ more like her usual self, I’m stayin’ put. I’ll do as much work as I can from right ‘ere and I’ll handle all my calls and paperwork myself…maybe I can get Buffy to give me a hand.” Cooper looked stricken. “You can manage…right, and hopefully it won’t be for too long…Buffy will be back to her normal self and everythin’ will return to the way it was.” Even to his own ears it sounded unrealistic.


Cooper looked at him skeptically. “You can’t really believe that…have you spoken to her? Has she talked about it? What has she said? Did she tell you anything about what he did to her? Does she think–”


“Fuckin’ hell Coop…! NO…! She hasn’t…she hasn’t said anythin’…it’s too soon and I’m not going to push her. She needs to do this in her own time.” Cooper frowned at him and Spike lowered his voice. “Look she’s okay…she’ll be fine…she’s jus’ not quite ready to face things yet.”


“She’s not ready or you’re not ready to let her?” Spike glared at him. “Have you even asked her what she wants to do?” Cooper waited for an answer but Spike said nothing. “No, I can see you haven’t…well, I suggest you do, because you’ll be making a big mistake if you don’t at least give her the chance to tell you what’s going on in her head.”


After Cooper left, Spike sat thinking about what he’d said. An hour later, Buffy still hadn’t re-emerged from the bedroom. Quietly, Spike looked into the room. The curtains were closed again and she was resting on the bed. He could tell she wasn’t sleeping, but she kept her eyes closed, probably hoping he would go away. Well not this time, he thought.


Climbing onto the bed, he stretched out next to her, gently placing a hand on her hip. She stiffened immediately, her whole body going rigid. “Buffy…sweet’eart,” he whispered as he slid in closer to her. She didn’t acknowledge him. Slowly, he let his hand glide over her thigh. Since coming back from the clinic, he had kept his distance, believing she would prefer to have a bit of space, picking up on the subtle signals she gave him each time he tried to draw close to her. Now after what Cooper had said, Spike thought it was time for both of them to try and put things back to a more normal footing. Neither of them had engaged in any kind of physical contact with the other in what felt like forever.


Her stiffness made his heart ache and he longed to simply wrap his arms around her and hold her close…touch her…kiss her…make love to her, but he was afraid. He had already hurt her and after what Gilbey had done to her, Spike was terrified of approaching her, fearing he would destroy both of them if he hurt her again. Yet, he was equally afraid he would destroy them if he didn’t try…he wanted her…needed her…he loved her and he wanted her back.


Kissing her cheek, he pulled back hoping to see some kind of reaction, but her eyes remained closed and she continued to hold herself rigidly.


He kissed her again. “You’re so beautiful pet…so lovely.” He propped himself up on one elbow so he could look at her better. Spike slid his hand back up her leg and over her hip and waist then moved higher to gently cup her breast. He watched her face, as a small frown appeared between her brows. Kissing the frown, he caressed her nipple through the fabric of her robe, but there was no reaction.


He decided to change tactics slightly. Keeping his hand on her breast, he continued to gently rub and caress her. Kissing the corner of her mouth, he whispered, “I want you…want to make love to you,” she shivered. “I want to touch you…with my mouth and hands…want to feel you…all of you…inside and out.” He licked her lips, teasing her with the sensual touch. She moaned softly and his heart soared at the tiny response. “Please tell me you want me too.”


Peppering her face and brow with gentle kisses, he waited for her to say something. She turned into his arms and wrapped herself in his embrace. “Yes,” she whispered so softly he strained to hear her. She looked up at him, her eyes full of pain and conflict. “Does that make me bad…or…or?” She closed her eyes, shutting him out.


“Or what baby,” he tried to prompt her. “Does it make you what pet?”


“Dirty.”


“What…! NO…! God Buffy! No…never.” He didn’t need to ask where this was coming from. He kissed her softly on the mouth and caught her chin in his fingers, tilting her face up. “NO! It makes you real…makes you alive and whole…it makes you normal and despite everythin’ that bastard tried to do to you, it makes you strong and it means he wasn’t able to destroy you. It means that underneath all the pain and hurt you’re still you and still mine.” His speech was so emphatic and sincere that she could do nothing but get swept away by his belief in its truth. “God baby, please don’t think of yourself as dirty or bad…you’re not. You’re perfect and pure. You’re the closest I’ll ever get to heaven and I couldn’t bear to think of you believin’ anythin’ that sick fuck said to you was remotely true or real, it wasn’t. He was sick and he tried to contaminate you but don’t let him Buffy don’t let him win…don’t believe him…believe me.”


Buffy was astounded to see tears shimmering in his eyes. “Why?” She whispered, choking on her own tears.


He wanted to tell her it was because he loved her, but he was afraid she would be frightened by his admission. “Because it’s the truth.”


Clinging to him, she burst into tears. Her sorrowful cries filling the room and breaking his heart with the knowledge she needed to go through this added pain just to begin to recover. Holding her tightly, he rocked her whispering soothing words to her…offering her the chance to really cry and let go of her pain…promising to always hold her and comfort her when she needed him…begging her to need him as he needed her.


Buffy wept as if her heart would break and through her tears, she felt the vice binding her emotions crumble. She knew Spike’s words were the key to opening the floodgates that were now unfettered and would eventually allow her to regain her sense of normalcy.


Her tears seemed endless and Spike wasn’t surprised when she fell asleep in his arms. Tiny sobs escaped her pretty lips even as she slept. Rolling onto his back, he pulled her on top of him, spreading her arms out and making her head comfortable with the corner of a pillow tucked between her cheek and his shoulder. He kissed her softly and closed his eyes, offering up a prayer of thanks that she was finally able to cry. He laughed to himself at how often he had turned to prayer in the last week. Closing his eyes again, he allowed himself to join her in sleep.


*****


Going to visit Wesley wasn’t as traumatic as she thought it would be. Spike held her hand the whole time, even in the car. Cooper drove them the short distance.


Buffy was surprised when Luke insisted on joining them on the visit and she suspected both Cooper and Luke had argued as to who would drive them to the hospital. She was nervous about facing them for the first time, but after a few minutes of friendly, yet oddly normal banter with Cooper, she relaxed. Luke merely nodded at her and gave her one of his rare smiles. He still unsettled her, but she realized she was getting used to him.


Spike didn’t talk much during the visit and poor Wesley didn’t do any, but Spike was right and Wesley was making full use of his notepad and pen. He even managed to joke and flirt with her. Spike scowled at him when he wrote how beautiful she looked and he just knew he would get better all the quicker if she promised to visit him more often. Buffy laughed at the hopeful look on Wesley’s face and laughed even louder at the disapproving look on Spike’s, when she leaned over Wesley’s bed to kiss him goodbye.


Wesley looked like the cat who stole the cream. Spike glared at him and shot him a rather dry goodnight and somewhat reluctant wish for his speedy recovery. Buffy laughed and entwined her arm through his and tugged him from the room.


“Jealous much,” she laughed.


“Do I need to be?”


Buffy chuckled, “Of Wesley, never.”


“Humm…what ‘bout other blokes?” He was thinking of Angel, but didn’t want to say his name.


“Well there are a couple,” she teased.


“HUH! Who?” He spluttered. Mumbling under his breath, he muttered, “I don’t bloody believe this.”


Buffy heard him and she stopped him in the empty corridor. Wrapping her arms round his waist, she smiled sweetly up at him as he scowled at her. “Well let’s see, there’s Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Orlando Bloom and better not forget Brad Pit. Now as long as you don’t mind sharing me with those hotties, you’ll never have to worry about another living man…I promise.”


Spike growled, squeezing her tightly. “Vixen…” he kissed her nose. “Tormenter…” He gave her another kiss, this one to her brow. “Beauty…sweet girl…perfect woman…goddess,” he kissed her lips softly. “Mine…all mine,” he laughed, kissing her more firmly. “C’mon let’s go home…you’ve had enough excitement for one day…we’ll come back and see Wesley in a couple of days.” He tugged her towards the exit and the car park, where Luke and Cooper were waiting for them.


The ride back to the mansion was much lighter. Spike was relaxing and Buffy joined in on the conversations. The four of them arrived back, laughing and interacting in a more relaxed and natural manner. Cooper pulled up outside the front door and Luke jumped out to open Buffy’s door for her. Watching his men with Buffy, Spike finally allowed himself to believe things were going to be okay. He trailed behind the three of them, pleased Buffy felt comfortable enough to be with Cooper and Luke without him…even if it was only a few paces away. Buffy stopped on the steps, the others stopping with her. Looking over her shoulder, she turned slightly and held her hand out to Spike.


He smiled and slowly walked up the steps to her. Grasping her small hand lightly, he raised it to his lips and kissed the back of her fingers, before climbing the rest of the steps to stand next to her. She smiled and giggled, a pretty blush coloring her face at his open display in front of his men. Seeing her blush, Spike’s heart swelled with love for the tiny woman beside him. Silently, he led her to the elevator, smiling at her. Neither of them noticed Luke and Cooper watching them as they became oblivious to everything but each other. The two men shared a knowing look and drifted away.


They met Dixon coming out of his office. He glanced towards the closing doors of the elevator, before looking at Luke and Cooper. “Was that the boss and Ms. Summers?” he asked the others. They nodded.


“So, how’d it go…how was she?” he asked.


Cooper answered him, “It went good. Spike’s right, she’s a bit skittish, but after what she’s being through that’s not surprising.”


Dixon nodded thoughtfully. “Still, it’s odd to think Dru was right.”


Both Luke and Cooper stared at him; twin puzzled frowns on their faces. “What are you talking about?” Luke asked.


Dixon looked between Cooper and Luke. “You know…that thing she said about the princess killing the King. She kept rambling on and on all the way back from France…how the golden princess was going to kill the King.” He reminded them.


A look of comprehension lit Luke’s face, but Cooper still looked puzzled. Luke filled him in on Drusilla’s strange prediction.


“Okay, so nutty Dru was doing her impersonation of the Oracle from Matrix. What the hell has that got to do with Buffy?” he asked.


Dixon just looked at him as if it should be obvious. “Well, clearly Buffy’s the princess…and she did kill Gilbey…and Gilbey’s surname was King. You have to admit…it’s a mighty strange coincidence.”


Luke nodded and Cooper frowned thoughtfully. Silence settled between them. None of them willing to dwell on the events that led up to Gilbey’s death and even less willing to discuss Drusilla’s prediction months ago.


Dixon shrugged. “Anyone up for a game of pool and a couple of beers?”


Luke and Cooper both nodded and followed the older man to the game room.


*****

Content to just be in her presence, Spike led Buffy to their rooms, fussing over her. He slipped her shoes off and helped her get comfy on the couch. After ordering them a light dinner, he settled himself by her feet. Buffy laughed at his over the top fussy behavior, but after dinner, she was shocked to discover just how tired she was.


Spike ran her a hot bubble bath and lit a number of scented candles to light the bathroom with a soft glow. The room was semi-dark and gently, he coaxed her with soft words to allow him to undress her…making the experience of being naked with him again both tender and shyly sensual…he was so careful of her that it reminded her of the time he made love to her in the hotel room.


Sighing, she relaxed back against the bath pillow, allowing him to bathe her as she closed her eyes. His touch was gentle, yet sure and she could tell he didn’t mean to arouse either of them in any way. He merely wanted to be with her…bathing her and showing her she could trust him. When he finished bathing her, he sat on the floor next to her talking about mundane things. He expressed a wish to go back up to the cabin as soon as possible. He told her there was a new movie showing he would like to take her to see and he asked her if she fancied spending part of the coming weekend on the boat. Gradually, his conversation began to dim as tiredness took a real hold of her, but before sleep could claim her, Spike was helping her from the tub, wrapping her in a big towel and patting her dry.


Slipping a pink satin gown over her head, he pulled back the covers and eased her into bed. He smiled at her. She was asleep as soon as her head settled on the pillow. Spike stripped off quickly and climbed in next to her. He wrapped her securely in his arms, confident that from now on, she wouldn’t mind him being close to her again.


*****


Ritt was sitting under an awning on the patio outside Spike’s study. The hot Californian sunshine agreed with him and he allowed himself to relax in the comfortable lounge chair while he waited for Spike. Extending his senses, he picked up on the sound of voices outside the study door and though he couldn’t hear the words, he recognized Spike and Luke’s distinctive baritones. The door opened and the two men approached him.


Seeing Ritt totally at ease with his legs spread out in front of him as he reclined comfortably on the patio in Buffy’s favorite chair, immediately got Spike’s back up.


“Comfy are you?” he asked, dryly.


With his eyes closed, Ritt smiled sardonically. “Yes, thanks.” He heard Spike throw himself in the chair opposite him. Okay, I better not piss him off, thought Ritt. He opened his eyes and sat up, arranging himself more conventionally. “How’s Ms. Summers doing?” he asked, politely. He hadn’t seen anything of her since the night of the attack, but he’d overheard both Luke and Cooper talking about her and knew she was already recovering from her ordeal.


Spike glared at him, snapping, “Not that it’s any of your bleedin’ business, but she doing fine.” Ritt recognized Spike’s possessive tone and quickly changed the subject.


“Good and what about Wesley, how’s his recovery going…I hear it’ll be a while before he’ll be able to return to work.” Ritt never had much to do with Wesley in the past. He usually dealt with Angel and Wesley was always far away from any business he did with his former boss.


“He’s okay, but it’ll take time for him to fully recover.” Spike could see what Cooper meant. Ritt was being too polite…too pleasant. He was up to something. “What do you want…and don’t bullshit me…is this ‘bout your fee?”


Ritt looked him in the eye, cool and steady. “What fee?”


Spike exploded. “Fuckin’ hell, I told you not to bullshit me and I’m in no mood for your fuckin’ games. WHAT. DO. YOU. WANT?”


Ritt nearly smirked…it was so easy to push Spike’s buttons, but he caught himself in time, reminding himself it wasn’t his purpose…well, not today and if he wanted to get anywhere with Spike, he would have to curtail his natural tendency to needle and provoke the blonde hothead.


“I want to join you,” he stated.


Spike and Luke looked at each other, slightly baffled. “What do you mean by…join?” Spike asked.


“I mean join you here in LA, be a part of your permanent staff…give up being a solo artist and join your team,” Ritt explained.


Spike was stunned. Ritt wanted to give up being an assassin and work for him. “No way! Masters would never hear of it and even if he approved, I don’t want you…I don’t trust you. HELL! I don’t even like you.” Spike shook his head frowning deeply. “Now why don’t you jus’ tell me how much you want for helpin’ to get Buffy back…take Angel and bugger off back to New York?”


“I’ve already told Masters I’m giving up the solo career. I told him I’d be willing to do the odd very sensitive job for a tailored fee and I even got him a replacement.” He sat forward in his chair staring hard at Spike. “You said I could name my own price if I helped you get Ms. Summers back…well this is my price…you sent me out to find her and I did and if you hadn’t burst into that room at the same time as me, it would’ve been my bullet that killed Gilbey. I did the job you hired me to do and you agreed to my price. I want to stay.”


Fuck, fuck, fuck. Spike remembered now. He thought it odd when Ritt used the word price and not fee and he had agreed…fuck. The assassin could make his life a misery over this and at the moment Spike couldn’t see anyway of getting out of it. He was being fucking railroaded once again.


“Why the bloody hell would you want to work for me…when we hate each other?” Spike glared at him. “You’re a fuckin’ prick, and I know you think the same ‘bout me…so what the hell could you possibly want to work for me for?”


Ritt shrugged. “Can’t keep going it alone, working all over the world…going to slip up sooner or later, but I don’t much like the idea of full retirement so I thought a nice comfy desk job in a sunny part of the country might just be the way to go…and despite what you think, I might be good at what I do, but that doesn’t mean I always like it.” He sat back again crossing his legs casually, smiling slightly. “When I heard you were taking over down here, I knew I’d be wise to try and relocate somehow…and I do think you’re a prick, but I know I can work with you. You said it yourself Spike…you said if I helped, you’d be willing to forget about our differences…my price stands…I want a job.”


Spike jumped up. “Fuckin’ hell!” He yelled, before he stormed through the study and slammed out of the room.


Ritt looked at Luke. “Don’t worry, I don’t want your job,” he joked. “I’ll take Gilbey’s instead.”


“Nothing good can come of this and you’re a fool if you think you’ll fit in here…Spike will fight you all the way,” Luke replied.


“No he won’t…he’s a man of his word. He said I could name my own price and I’ve named it. He’ll come around.” He scanned the sun-drenched gardens. “I’ll take Angel back to Masters…give him a couple of days to cool off and by the time I’m back, he’ll have got a grip of things and he’ll be back to his lovable calm and collected self.”


“And no doubt you’ll do everything in your power to irritate and annoy him at every opportunity, just to get a rise out of him.” Luke shook his head. “No…it won’t work…not unless you’re willing to take his orders and show him the respect he’s earned…and somehow I don’t think you’ve got it in you.”


“Sure I can, and if Spike agrees to my joining, I’ll even promise to give him my word of honor or whatever he requires to make him feel comfortable about taking me on.”


That gave Luke pause for thought. “You’d really give him your word to obey his orders and respect him?” Ritt nodded. “In front of witnesses?” He nodded again. “Even if Spike requires those witnesses to include Masters and his entire staff?”


“Sure…if it makes him feel better I’ll even do it naked, standing on one foot with my hands in the air.”


Luke arched a brow at him and wondered. It might have its benefits to have Ritt on the staff. It would certainly be better to be working with him than against him and if Spike flatly refused, he would be breaking his word and making an enemy of a very dangerous assassin. Luke decided to talk to Spike and try and talk him around.


Ritt stood. “Dixon asked me to drop in at his office to collect some more of Gilbey’s files, so I’ll let you go and find Spike…or not…whatever you think is best.”


Luke knew he shouldn’t be surprised. Ritt had guessed he was thinking of tracking down his boss. The assassin always did have a knack for reading people but combined with his lack of tact, it was no wonder he got on Spike’s nerves so much. The two men would always rub each other the wrong way. Luke suspected it was because they were so alike and their shared interest in Drusilla hadn’t helped.


Ritt strolled off into the garden taking the long way round to Dixon’s office. Luke sighed and made his way to the study door preparing to find Spike. It was better to get this over and done with quickly. Spike couldn’t afford to be in a mood…not with Buffy still so fragile…though Luke suspected she wasn’t the only one to be suffering from fragile feelings. Spike seemed to be suffering right along with her.


*****


Luke guessed correct. Spike was in the gym, beating the stuffing out of the old punching bag. Passing his boss, he headed for the changing rooms and returned kitted out in his exercise gear. He picked up a pair of sparring gloves and tossed them towards his boss before picking up a pair for himself. He watched Spike angrily shove his hands into the leather mitts.


Calmly facing him, Luke stuck the first blow…without lifting a finger. “You know it might not be such a bad idea…he’s an arrogant little shit, but he’d be useful.”


Spike growled and swung.


“And he’s right…you did tell him he could name his own price.”


Spike lunged and missed. Luke guessed he was mad. He was off his form.


“And I’m sure you don’t need me to point out that if you don’t keep your word, you’ll be making a very serious enemy out of a very vicious killer.”


Spike got his first hit, but it was a weak shot, hardly glancing Luke’s shoulder…not really worth mentioning.


“I know he annoys the piss out of you, but you surely don’t want him for an enemy…do you?”


Spike raged and missed yet another blow. “I don’t give a fuck if he’s my enemy…I don’t want him workin’ for me.”


“What about Buffy…you can’t put her at risk…and any enemy of yours will target her. She’s your weak spot and that’s where they’ll strike first…you need to be strong.”


Spike stood still in the middle of the matting, a look of fear dancing behind his eyes.


Luke pulled his gloves off. That had taken considerably less time than he expected. “With Ritt working for you, she’ll be safer than ever before. I hate to say it, but you might actually need him and since he’s offered himself up on a plate…use him, but don’t let him make the rules. Set your own…make him come to you on your terms.”


Spike stared at Luke…listening carefully and reading between the lines. “What did he say?”


Luke nodded, glad to see his boss was thinking rationally again. “He said he’d be willing to give you his word to obey your orders and show you the respect you deserve…in front of witnesses if necessary.”


Spike didn’t let his surprise show. “Did he…well, maybe I can come up with one better than that.”


“I’m not sure you can…he offered to do it naked.” They both chuckled at the thought of that. “Well I’m going for a swim…you let me know what you want to do about him as soon as you’ve made up your mind.” Luke headed for the pool, leaving Spike to think things over. “He said he’d take Angel back to Masters…that will give you a couple of days to figure something out.”


Spike didn’t bother to watch Luke disappear through the poolroom doors.


*****


After three hours of working in his study trying to catch up on his paper work, Spike felt like he was ready to scream. His mind kept wandering to Buffy. She was upstairs with Cooper, the two of them arguing good-naturedly over the rules of chess, but Spike felt like there was something missing or something wrong. He couldn’t shake the feeling and as he tried to work, it just grew stronger.


Sighing, he threw down his pen and went to fix himself a drink. With his drink in hand, he wandered out onto the patio, the night was only semi-dark and the sky was clear, but this close to the house he couldn’t see many stars. He sat in Buffy’s favorite chair and propped his feet up on the coffee table. He breathed deeply of the night air. It was the end of summer now but the mid September heat still lingered through the night and carried the fragrance of the garden to him. Everything was still and quiet and peaceful, but Spike couldn’t let himself believe in it.


Lighting a cigarette, he tried to relax, wishing he could pinpoint what was bothering him. Buffy was safe and making good signs of a steady recovery. Gilbey was dead. Masters had given him the LA branch to run and approved of his relationship with Buffy. Angel would be going back to New York in a couple of days and they would have a fresh start at things…so what the bloody hell could be niggling at him.


Giving up on his elusive worries for the time being, he tossed back the rest of his drink and prepared to go back upstairs to Buffy. He just knew he would feel better once he’d seen her.


When he got to the top floor, there was no sign of either her or Cooper. Panic flared momentarily as he strode to the phone and paged Cooper. When he answered, Spike was surprised to hear voices in the background.


“Where are you?” Spike asked. He could hear Buffy laughing and the sound of a game of pool down the line.


“We’re in the game room…didn’t think you’d be finished for hours yet…why don’t you join us?”


“I will…see you in a mo.” He hung up and made his way back downstairs. His heart was in his throat. He knew he should be glad Buffy was beginning to feel more relaxed, but for some reason he couldn’t shake the worrying feeling.


When he entered the game room, he was stunned to see all his men there. Luke was behind the bar, Dixon and Marti were playing a game on one table, Cooper and Ritt were playing on the other and Buffy was sitting at the bar talking to Faith. Silence fell as he walked in, but continued after only a slight pause. He smiled at Buffy as he made his way to her side.


“Hi,” he greeted her.


“Hi yourself…I thought you were working,” she smiled.


“I was, but now I’m not.” He looked at the woman next to her. “Faith, what brings you over…jus’ visiting?” he asked.


“Not exactly…” she glanced at Luke. “I…we…”


Luke spoke up when she faltered. “We were at dinner…I brought her back to see Buffy.”


Spike arched a brow. Luke had taken Faith to dinner…Luke had taken a hooker to dinner and he called Buffy by her first name. Spike was truly surprised. He met Luke’s steady gaze and realized he was being asked one of the big guy’s silent questions. Did he approve…would he tell him Faith wasn’t welcome at the mansion…and would he call him out for addressing Buffy by her first name?


“Dinner huh…where’d you go?”


“The Gardens of India…nice place. The food was a little spicier than I’m used too, but pretty good.” Luke looked at Faith smirking. “You thought so, didn’t you Faith?”


“Er…yeah…the food was great.” She glared at him, her brown eyes practically shooting sparks.


Spike could see she was uncomfortable. He slipped his arm around Buffy’s shoulder and kissed her brow. “Well I guess we’ll ‘ave to try it out for ourselves,” she smiled hesitantly at him. “Maybe the two of you might like to join us sometime?” he asked Luke.


Faith spluttered out her drink, but both men ignored her. Luke nodded his head slightly. “That sounds like a good idea.”


Buffy and Faith looked at each other, uncertain as to what had just happened.


Cooper interrupted them as he sat on the stool next to Faith. “Beer…barkeep…and be quick about it,” he joked.


Luke shot him a dry look and plonked a bottle down in front of him. Cooper smirked at him and winked at Faith.


“So Faith…you wanna play?” She arched a cool brow at the handsome man. Luke cleared his throat noisily. “I’ve beaten the pants off Ritt and still feel the need for some action.” Luke cleared his throat again. Cooper and Faith looked at him. “Or we could play a game of doubles…if Spike will let go of Buffy’s hand long enough to join us.”


Everyone looked at Spike who was indeed holding Buffy’s hand. Luke moved from behind the bar and picked up a pool cue. Cooper looked at Faith. “Looks like Luke is game…now just Spike to persuade.”


“Fine…bloody pest,” Spike grumbled. Buffy laughed as she watched Spike head for the pool table.


Cooper offered Faith his arm in a gallant gesture. “Shall we?” Faith smiled mischievously at her friend and Buffy laughed…she knew the look in Faith’s eyes meant trouble.


Marti appeared at her side. “Dixon needs me to do a sweep of the grounds, but I’ve loaded the DVD player, so if you want to watch, all you have to do is start it up.” Buffy smiled at the young man. He’d brought down his collection of ‘Friends’ DVD’s for her, knowing she was a fan from all their little chats.


Buffy hopped off the barstool. “Thanks Marti…I might as well watch a couple now since everyone is playing.”


“Well I’ll be back in an hour, I’ll join you then…” he shot a quick glance at his boss who was listening to the exchange with a scowl on his face. “Er…that’s if it’s okay with you…er…Ms. Summers?”


“Sure…I’ll save you a seat and order popcorn,” she ignored Spike’s frown. “Friends on the big screen…I can’t wait…it was nice of you to lend them to me.” He looked embarrassed at her words, but then he looked at Spike and his expression changed from embarrassed to nervous. “And Marti…I told you its Buffy…not Ms. Summers…okay?”


“Er…yeah Ms. Sum…er…I mean Buffy.” He rushed away, shooting another nervous glance at Spike.


Buffy smiled as she watched Marti leave with Dixon. Looking at Spike, she realized it was going to take a while for him to get over his feelings of insecurity, but if she was going to live here and mix with these men on a daily basis, then she couldn’t continue to have them calling her Ms. Summers all the time. It was too awkward and it put a strained distance between her and Spike’s men, and after what had happened with Gilbey, she knew she would rather be on friendly terms with these men, than maintain some kind of strange pecking order.


She smiled sweetly at Spike as she headed into the next room to watch TV.


“Aren’t you going watch us play pool pet?” Spike called after her.


“No…I’m going to watch ‘Friends’…besides, I can see you just fine from the couch,” she replied over her shoulder.


Spike turned his attention reluctantly to the pool game, glancing at her every once in awhile. He caught Cooper’s amused look and scowled at him. “What?” he snapped.


Cooper chuckled. “Stop already…she’s fine. You’re making it harder for her…so back off…give her some space.”


Spike sighed. “You’re right…its jus’…it feels odd. I keep thinkin’ something’s going to go wrong.”


“And it will if you keep hovering over her like a kite…ease up. She’s doing great and everyone here will watch out for her.” Cooper tapped him on the arm, drawing his gaze away from Buffy. “She likes us…we like her…she’s family now and she’s trying to fit in and if you really want her to be happy, you have to let her create her own place among us, because this is Buffy’s way and she won’t be happy with the place someone else tries to hand her.”


Luke coughed. “Are we playing pool or what?”


Cooper chuckled. “Playing…playing…keep your temper in check. In fact, why don’t we have a friendly wager…just to make things interesting?” He winked at Faith.


“Oh, I like the sound of that,” she said.


Spike chuckled at the flirty banter between the two brunets. Luke didn’t look all that happy, but then he never did, though Spike knew how he felt. It wasn’t much fun to watch your girl flirting with another guy…though Spike suspected Faith knew where to draw the line with Luke.


Abruptly, his attention was drawn back to Buffy as he watched Ritt casually stroll into the TV room and take a seat on the couch near her. Spike felt himself bristle. He had to force himself to stay where he was. He’d forgotten Ritt was sitting behind him at the bar and now he was suffering as he watched the former assassin try and make nice with his girl.


Suddenly Ritt looked right at him…arching a cool brow. The two men’s gaze met and locked…a thousand unspoken words exchanged in their steady duel.


“He doesn’t like you much…does he?”


Buffy’s soft voice broke the battle between them. Ritt turned his head and looked at Spike’s mistress. She was wearing a quizzical expression on her face.


“No…not much,” he answered honestly.


She looked at Spike through the open double doors. “Why?”


Ritt wondered if she really wanted an honest reply to her question. He didn’t know her very well, but when Cooper had showed up with her earlier, he’d watched her with interest. She insisted everyone call her Buffy and he was surprised when she joined in with Cooper’s jokes and he was shocked to see her greet the hooker who tagged along with Luke, as if she was a close friend. This woman was full of surprises. He knew he would have to be very careful how he was seen acting with her. Spike was jealous and possessive and he’d made it blatantly clear, she was off limits. Though Ritt was very tempted, but still, he really didn’t want to ruin his chances of getting in the door by fooling around with the pretty blonde, but being friendly with her would be vital. If she accepted him, she might be able to sway Spike’s decision.


He shrugged. “Could be because I’m a killer.” He studied her reaction, but she didn’t seem too shocked by his admission. “Or it could be because we have a history…or I should say, I have a history with Drusilla.”


She arched a brow and the corner of her mouth lifted a fraction. “That would explain a lot…but not everything.” She looked at Spike who wasn’t making any effort to hide his glare. “Do you want to know why I think he doesn’t like you?”


Ritt smiled. “Please tell.”


She shifted on the couch so she was facing him, capturing his full attention. “It’s because you’re so alike.” Ritt laughed at that. “No really…I think he sees a lot of himself in you and he doesn’t trust you, but that’s probably because you’ve never given him a reason to trust you. Hell! Spike doesn’t even trust himself…which means everyone has to work real hard just to be thought of kindly.” She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. “But he’s in trouble now, because you helped me and that makes him feel uncomfortable and he feels conflicted…he wants to be grateful, but he doesn’t like you and with your past…history…I can’t be grateful for him, so the two of you will remain at an impasse.” Ritt looked back at her steadily, amazed she could be so insightful. “He told me you want to stay and I know he hates that, because he sees you as a threat to everything he’s trying to do here. You’re from a different chapter of his life and he doesn’t want the reminders…that’s one of the reasons Drusilla’s living where she is. So it’s up to you…prove to him things will be different between you and he’ll change right along with you. Hell! He might even grow to like you.”


“You think you know him that well?”


She shook her head. “I’m still learning…and I’ve discovered there’s so much more to Spike than I could’ve possibly guessed when I first met him.”


Ritt frowned. “I’m sure that was an interesting first meeting.”


Buffy’s eyes filled with pain for a moment. Then she dropped her gaze, hiding her feelings. “It was traumatic…but I’ve learned Spike is very driven…usually by his insecurities or his passions and it all depends on what mood he’s in as to which he’ll expose me to. His drive or his will is relentless…he’s like a winter storm…overwhelming, terrifying, and completely unstoppable…you can’t fight him…but the up side of all of that is, again like a storm, he’s invigorating and full of energy, he’s hypnotic and the attraction is compelling…you’re drawn to him against your will.”


Ritt studied her. She had clearly given this a lot of thought. “You’re speaking for yourself of course…as his mistress?”


“Yes and no…if I’m not correct about him, why do you want to be here…near him…working for him? I suspect you could go anywhere in the world, yet you’ve decided to ask him for a job. He thinks it’s because you just want to annoy him…but that’s not it…is it?”


Ritt would never have guessed the little blonde could herself be so compelling. He had her pegged as a pretty face…pretty enough to turn Angel on his head and he assumed Spike only pursued her because of Angel…he’d always wanted anything Angel set his sights on and maybe that was how it had started. If she was right and Spike was like a winter storm, then she was like the summer sunshine…strong and warming…and the summer wind…gentle and refreshing. Ritt found himself liking the comparisons. Once again he realized this was exactly what Spike saw in her, why he was so drawn to her.


“No…you’re right, it’s because this is where I know I’ll fit in.”


She nodded, not needing any other explanation. “And do you think you can prove to him that you’ll fit in?”


“I would never have pursued Drusilla…she always came looking for me,” he told her shrugging. “She liked to play games and I was young and stupid, and Spike’s pompous attitude annoyed me…so I went with it. Never could resist goading him, he made it so easy…always rising to the bait.”


“Good…I’m glad to hear it…then Spike has nothing to worry about now.” She gazed at him, her green eyes sparkling with some kind of secret mirth.


“Why do you say that? Spike is extremely hot-headed, jealous and suspicious…everything I do or say is going to get him going.” He looked over at the blonde man, and as he thought, Spike was still glaring at him. “Look at him staring at me…he’s ready to come over here and punch my lights out.” He chuckled, turning to look at Buffy. Once again, she was regarding him thoughtfully.


“Yes, but I’m nothing like Drusilla. I’ll never betray him or give him cause for concern…and when he’s not worried about me, he won’t worry about you.” Her message was clear and the look in her eyes carried the conviction of her words. “But I’d like us to be friends.” She offered him her hand.


Ritt stared at her for a moment…then burst out laughing, attracting the attention of everyone in the other room. Quickly, he caught her hand and shook it, before bringing it to his lips to kiss playfully.


“Friends…yes, I think I’d like that too…Buffy.” He looked at Spike. Luke had his hand on his arm, holding him back. He looked right pissed off. “I’m glad you’re the one who’ll have to deal with him and not me…he seems a little…upset.”


Buffy rose gracefully from the couch and smiled at him. “Then in case I never get the chance again, I’d better tell you now how very grateful I am that you did your best to help Spike find me…thank you.”


She turned and walked to Spike who watched her approach hungrily. Ritt watched her speak to him and saw a smile bloom on Spike’s face, as he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her from the room, neither one of them sparing a glance for anyone else as they left.


“You’re welcome,” he whispered.


*************************************************************
TBC...soon.

 

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