Chapter Sixty Five.

Hello, Goodbye.


Spike lay gazing up at the bedroom ceiling. Buffy was fast asleep next to him, but he couldn’t seem to find his way to join her. His mind was restless…and he kept thinking about the things she’d said to him earlier.


She’d asked him to walk with her in the garden and he didn’t hesitate in escaping the game room. The scene with Ritt was still plaguing him, despite her reassurances that she was only talking with the assassin. She said, she wanted to thank him for helping to find her and they’d talked about the possibility he might be joining the staff.


Spike snorted loudly at that. Buffy shifted next to him and he glanced at her, fearfully. He didn’t want to wake her. Sleep wasn’t going to happen anytime soon, so he slipped from the bed and went out onto the balcony for a smoke.


He had finally figured out what was niggling him and he wasn’t very happy now that his worries had revealed themselves. Ritt…he was handsome and self-assured, worldly, and for a cold blooded killer, he was charming and he was very capable of turning his charm on, whenever it suited him…and it had suited him too often in the past and won him Drusilla’s affection every single time. What was worse, Ritt wasn’t afraid of him. In fact, he showed a total lack of respect for him. He was a loaded gun waiting to go off.


Spike was determined he wouldn’t get the chance to fire in Buffy’s direction…but how to get out of the awkward position he found himself maneuvered into without breaking his word or losing face was beyond him.


Luke thought he would be useful and that his presence would add to Spike’s standing as the new force in LA and he wasn’t wrong, but Spike couldn’t shake the image of Ritt and Buffy sitting on the couch in the TV room in full view of everyone talking like friends. When Buffy offered her hand to the killer, Spike felt his blood turn to ice water in his veins. Just witnessing the exchange had made him burn with jealously. She’d offered the killer her friendship after only meeting him a couple of times…where she had fought him for months…and though she was now his mistress, he knew it wasn’t by her choice and she would never offer him her friendship.


Spike wanted the killer as far away from Buffy as possible. He was sick of having to work so hard to keep her attention and he would be damned, if he would share her with Ritt. Sighing, he wondered if it was always going to be like this. Maybe he was letting his past with Ritt color things…black…when they were really rosy. Was his jealously clouding his judgment in this? The little voice of reason that was whispering in the back of his mind said yes…it said…give Ritt a chance…give Buffy a chance…she wasn’t Drusilla.


Bloody hell! He couldn’t keep doing this to himself. Spike knew his insecurities were his problem and neither Ritt nor Buffy were at fault for the conflict he was suffering. In his heart, he knew it was because Buffy’s heart was free to fall for anyone that really terrified him…she might be his mistress…and he might be the man who satisfied her in bed, but he wasn’t the man who had her heart. Hell! He wasn’t even the man she choose to give her friendship to…and that was the real problem…and he was only making excuses and dumping his fears of losing her attention onto Ritt, because he didn’t like him and the only real reason he didn’t like him was because of his involvement with Drusilla.


Yet, Buffy wasn’t Drusilla…and she had proved that more than once.


Luke’s words in the gym came back to him, and he remembered how cold and fearful he’d felt when Luke had pointed out to him it would be a mistake to make an enemy of Ritt. Buffy needed to be safe and he needed to believe she would be. If he refused Ritt, it would antagonize him and that could possibly put Buffy in danger. Spike knew he couldn’t allow that.


Spike came to a decision. He wandered back into the bedroom and pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Barefoot, he went in search of Ritt.


*****


Spike wasn’t surprised he wasn’t able to slip into the assassin’s room undetected, as he had Wesley’s. Instinctively, he knew Ritt was waiting behind the door.


He held the door partially open, his hand on the handle not attempting to enter the room. No sense in making the assassin feel threatened.


“Suspicious bastard aren’t you?” Spike asked him from his position in the hallway.


“Yeah, well until you tell me I can join you, I’m still a free agent.” He stepped into view, his gun held loosely in his hand. He opened the door wide and moved back so Spike could enter. “Did you want to warn me away from your girl again?” he asked, smirking.


Spike kept his gaze fixed on the other man as he shut the door behind him.


Ritt put the gun in a drawer beside the bed and turned to look at Spike.


“Well…is this about Buffy?”


Spike didn’t like hearing Ritt call Buffy by her first name. It spoke of a familiarity he felt Ritt didn’t have a right to. Yet he knew he didn’t have the right to complain. Buffy had given her permission for the assassin to address her as Buffy, so Spike kept his feelings to himself.


“No…it’s ‘bout you,” he strode into the center of the room. “Sit down,” Spike pointed to a chair in the corner of the room next to a table and reading lamp.


“Thanks, but I’m fine right here,” Ritt said. He was standing next to the bed…next to the drawer.


“And I told you to sit down.” Spike gestured at the chair with his thumb, his tone commanding.


Realizing he was being given a direct order, Ritt decided to play along and see where Spike was going with this little impromptu midnight visit. He sauntered over to the chair and sat down.


Spike remained standing, glaring at him. “So you do know how to do as you’re told…I had wondered.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and began to pace up and down the floor in front of the other man. “Tell me why you really want to work for me…and I better hear the truth or I’ll kick you out tonight.”


“You mean Buffy didn’t tell you?”


Spike looked at him sharply as he continued to pace. “Believe it or not, I can usually find better things than you to talk ‘bout when I’m with Buffy…now tell me.”


Ritt didn’t think it was a good idea to goad him. “Because I know there aren’t many places I’d fit in, but this is one of them…in fact…it might be the only one.”


“What ‘bout with Masters?”


Ritt shook his head. “No…to him I’ll always just be a hired man and with Angel going back, I’d be less than that and I don’t fancy spending all my time just sitting around waiting for Masters to point me at something…watching from the sidelines as he reshapes Angel.”


Spike could appreciate that. Who in their right mind would want to play second fiddle to Angel? He thought.


“So why ‘ere…why with me?”


“Because we might not like each other much…but we understand each other. You’re not stupid. You’ll give me the chance to prove myself and the opportunity to really change what I’m doing.”


Spike chuckled and wondered how it was a cold-blooded killer like Ritt could believe he could be something other than what he was.


“You’re a killer…what makes you think you deserve the chance to be anythin’ other than that?”


Anger burned in Ritt’s eyes. “So are you…yet you seem to think you deserve better…isn’t that why you went to such lengths to get Buffy. Surely you don’t think you deserve a woman like her? You’re not so different from me…you just got a lucky break when Masters took a shine to you.”


Spike thought about that and heard the truth in Ritt’s angry words. Masters had taken a shine to him and if he hadn’t, he would have probably ended up working solo just like Ritt…and Ritt was dead right, he didn’t deserve Buffy.


“If you stay, you’ll be workin’ for me…not with me…you’ll take orders jus’ like everyone else…with no questions asked and you’ll mind your place. I won’t put up with any of your smart mouth ways or you tryin’ to wind me up. If you step out of line, there will be consequences and you’ll accept that right now and take your licks like anyone else. I’ll ‘ave your respect willingly or I’ll beat it from you. I’m the boss, and the first time I think you’ve forgotten that will be the last day you work for me.”


Ritt didn’t hesitate. “Understood…boss.”


“And you’ll give me your word of honor in front of the entire crew that you’ll obey and respect me.”


Ritt nodded. “Sure…boss.”


Spike stepped in front of Ritt’s chair, fixing his cold blue gaze on him. “I’ve learned by my mistake with Gilbey never to hesitate or delay in takin’ action…if you become a threat to her or put her at risk, I will kill you. If I think for a second you’re tryin’ to come between us, I will kill you. You’ll treat her with the same respect as the others do and you’ll never, never cross any lines with her.” He leaned down staring into Ritt’s face, menacing and angry. “Buffy’s mine, I’ll never share her with anyone…and I’ll kill anyone stupid enough to try and touch her…do you understand?”


“Yes…Spike.”


Spike studied him for long minutes before finally straightening back up and offering him his hand. “Then I’d like you to join us.”


Ritt stood up and shook Spike’s hand. “I accept…thanks…boss.”


The handshake was brief, but it sealed the deal and Spike moved forward and earned a measure of respect from Ritt, and Ritt earned a measure of acceptance from Spike.


“I’m takin’ Buffy away for the weekend…and while we’re gone, I want you to escort Angel back to New York, but I want you back ‘ere ready to start work on Monday.” He told him as he made his way to the door.


“Yes…boss.”


“And tell Masters you’ll be workin’ for me from now on and if he needs you for anything, he can reach you through me. I’m your boss now, so I’ll say what you do and that includes outside jobs.” Spike thought it best, Ritt knew right from the beginning who was in charge.


“Yes…boss,” Ritt said, smirking annoyingly.


“And stop with the fuckin’ annoyin’ ‘YES, BOSS’ jus’ the way you say it is gratin’ on me already,” Spike snapped.


Ritt chuckled. “Yes…boss.”


Spike glared at him from the open door. “Aaargh…I jus’ know I’m going to regret this. Now piss off and go to sleep.” He shut the door, quickly cutting off a final ‘Yes…boss’ from Ritt.


*****


They moved together in perfect sync, their bodies arching and thrusting as their passion carried them forward. Sweat glistened on both of them and their lustful cries filled the darkened room as they climaxed.


Gasping, Faith flung herself back onto the pillows as Luke released her. “That…was…fantastic…I’m…I’m…exhausted,” She moaned, breathlessly.


Luke collapsed next to her, panting. “Really?”


Faith wasn’t sure what he was asking her, if it really was fantastic or if she was exhausted. “Yeah, I think you wore me out.”


Luke caressed the sweat damp skin of her stomach, chuckling. “Does that mean you’re too tired for another round?”


She turned her head and gazed at him. “That’s quite an appetite you’ve got there…you really want more?”


His hand glided up to fondle her breasts before gliding down to explore her wet folds. Her breath hitched as he rubbed her still swollen clit. “I always want more…of you.”


She chuckled. “I bet you say that to all the girls.” She stretched and shifted away from him. “But if you’ll let me rest up for a bit…I’m sure I could find it in me to be persuaded to think of something to appease your hunger.”


Luke wasn’t sure, but he thought she was making a subtle reference to money. Faith was all about the money. Though he was beginning to suspect she used it as a shield to hide behind, so she didn’t have to allow herself to really feel anything but the stoic business of the sex.


He pulled her much smaller frame into his big embrace. “There are no other girls and if you need to rest up, then go to sleep.”


“What, here?” She was surprised. This was only the second time he’d brought her up to his rooms at the mansion and the first time was just for a couple of hours of hot sweaty sex and then he drove her back to her apartment.


“Yes, here.”


Faith needed clarification. “Are you asking me to stay the night?”


He shrugged. “In case you hadn’t noticed there’s not much of the night left. It seems stupid to get up now just to drive you back to your place. I’ll take you in the morning.”


Faith wasn’t sure about that. “I don’t know…I’ll get a cab.” She tried to ease away from him, but he hugged her close.


“I thought you said you were exhausted…thought I’d wore you out?” She was wriggling in his embrace and he kissed her smooth throat, murmuring against her skin. “Stay…I want you to stay.”


Faith froze. “NO…let go…I want to leave.”


Luke didn’t let go. “Why?”


“Because I want to…now let go,” she glared at him. “Look…it’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer of a stay over…it’s just I really don’t want to.”


Luke let go of her and watched her scramble from the bed. She quickly started pulling her clothes back on. He watched as she hunted for each item. She was rushing back and forth, snatching up random pieces that were scattered all over the floor.


“I’ll pay you double,” he said.


She whipped round and stared at him. “What?”


“I said I’d pay double…if you stay.” He looked at her under hooded lids. She was standing in the middle of his bedroom dressed in her designer jeans and a red lace bra. Her hair was wild from the sex and her luscious mouth was red and swollen. Luke thought she looked as if she was ready to run. In fact, he was sure of it. “What are you scared of…it’s just a couple of hours anyone would think I’d asked you to give up your job and move in with me.”


She blinked at him with startled eyes and backed up to the door, clutching her blouse and boots. She chuckled nervously. “Now wouldn’t that be something…look I’m kinda beat…I’m gonna head back home and get some rest.” She backed up a bit more. “I think I’m supposed to be meeting the girls for brunch…so I really won’t have much time in the morning…so I’d better…er…go.”


Her hand was blindly searching for the door handle behind her and she was still only half dressed. She was about to open the door when Luke threw the sheet back and called to her.


“Faith, wait.”


With the door finally open she froze and turned halfway into his sitting room. “Huh, what?”


“I didn’t pay you.” That seemed to surprise her. He swung his legs over the bed and retrieved his pants from the chair in the corner. Luke pulled the money out of his wallet and offered it to her.


Slowly, she came back into the bedroom, her eyes firmly fixed on the money in his hand. “Thanks.”


He caught her hand as she reached for the money. “Do you really have to go, or are you just running off?”


She looked at him, her eyes cool and remote. “I told you, I’m meeting the girls for brunch.”


He knew it was a lie. “And if you weren’t meeting them…would you stay then?”


She sighed and tugged her hand from his. “Probably not…look we had fun…dinner was great and I really appreciate you bringing me back to see Buffy…and the last couple of hours was good too…right? But let’s leave it at that,” she angrily pushed the money into her jeans pocket. “Call Glory and we’ll do this again some time…but now I have to go.”


She turned quickly and marched to the still open bedroom door. Quickly, Luke pulled on his pants and grabbed his shirt and followed her. Stamping into his shoes, he caught up with her at the elevator.


“What are you doing?” she asked.


“I’m driving you,” he answered, dryly.


She shook her head. “That’s okay, I can get a cab,” She said, pulling her phone from her purse.


Luke snatched it from her. “And I said I was driving you.”


She knew there was no point in arguing with him. He was as stubborn as a mule and she could see from the expression on his face he was mad.


They stepped into the elevator together and Faith began to finish dressing. Luke watched her as she slipped into her blouse, taking her time doing the buttons up in an effort to avoid looking at him. He waited patiently for her to pull her boots on before speaking.


“It’s because of the first time…isn’t it?” He knew she had thought of it as rape, until he paid her that is. Though she’d called it unpaid business until then, but when he paid, she seemed to put it behind her…but now he wasn’t so sure.


Faith looked at him and smiled. “Don’t be stupid. I told you it didn’t matter…besides, you paid up and I got a new dress…what more could a girl like me ask for?”


Luke knew there was a lot more to it than that. “I don’t believe you.”


Faith shrugged. The doors opened onto the ground floor and she quickly headed towards the garage. “Well, that’s up to you…now, if you’re going to drive me home, let’s not argue all the way there. I’m beat and in no mood for a fight with you.”


Luke unlocked his car and opened the door for her. She avoided looking at him as she got in. He settled himself behind the wheel and started the engine and pulled out of the garage.


“Do you like being a whore?” he asked, sharply.


Dave was manning the gates and he waved them through.


Faith closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her strength. “Sure…what’s not to like? I’ve got a great apartment with no bills to pay, fantastic clothes and jewels…a big fat savings account and usually Glory leaves me alone to live my life anyway I see fit. As long as she gets her cut, I can pretty much do as I please.” She looked at him with a big smile on her face. “I get to date lots of guys and they treat me like a queen and I don’t have to deal with all the crap their wives and girlfriends have to put up with…so yeah, I like it a lot.”


Luke thought her answer sounded too rehearsed. “So how long do you think you can keep doing it?”


She shrugged. “Don’t know…I think I’ve got a few more years in me yet. I can’t complain…this life has been good to me. God knows where I’d have ended up if I hadn’t met Glory…and although she can be a bitch, she’s not as bad as some. I figure another five to seven years and I’ll have come to the end of the game.” She laughed, humorlessly. “No one wants to fuck an old whore…right. The John’s will always go for the younger models. But by then, I’ll have earned enough to never have to worry about money again, so why should I care.”


“And is that all it’s about…money,” he snapped.


She snapped back. “What! You think I like fucking all those different guys?” They had pulled up outside her apartment block. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to face him in the gloom of the car. “YES…it’s about the money. I fucking hate them, hate them all…sometimes when they’re fucking me, I think I’m going to vomit I hate it so much, but I promised myself a long time ago I’d make any man who touched me pay. So I make them pay…not in the way I’d really love to make them pay, but I settle for their money because I don’t give them any part of myself when I’m with them…it’s all an act. One day when I’ve got enough money, I’ll never have to let any man fuck me unless I really want them to.” Quickly, she threw open the door and jumped out. She leaned down and glared at Luke. “And that includes you,” she said, slamming the door and rushing off.


Luke watched from the car as she fumbled with her keys at the main entrance. He contemplated going after her, but decided against it. Now was not the time to force the issue. The weekend would be a better time to confront her. Spike and Buffy were going away for a few days and Ritt was taking Angel back to New York and since things were a good deal more settled on the business front, he could afford to spend a bit of time on more pleasant things. He glanced back at Faith. She’d managed to open her door. She rushed through without a backward glance. He hadn’t really expected her look at him. He started the engine as the door swung shut. Making his mind up, he drove back to the mansion determined to call Glory and get her to cancel all of Faith’s clients for the weekend.


*****


Spike woke to the sound of the shower running. Groggy, he lifted his head and saw the empty space beside him. Realizing Buffy must have woken early, he groaned and rolled over in the bed, intending to order breakfast for her, but when he rang the kitchens, he was told Ms. Summers had already placed their breakfast order.


Spike hung up and propped himself up on the pillows, resting with his eyes closed as he waited for Buffy to finish up. He didn’t get much sleep after his visit with Ritt and he thought it would be quite some time before he relaxed well enough to sleep peacefully with the assassin living under his roof. Still, it was done now and there was no use complaining. He would have to talk to Buffy and let her know Angel was going back to New York this weekend. That wasn’t a conversation he was looking forward to and he would have to call Masters to let him know Angel was on his way back and that Ritt was now working for him.


The sound of the running water cut off and he glanced at the bathroom door under sleepy lids. Quickly, he closed them and pretended to be asleep as Buffy opened the door and hesitantly entered the room. Covertly, he glimpsed at her. Her towel was wrapped tightly around her and she was slowly moving closer to him. She stopped beside the bed and looked down at him. Spike held still, aware she was just standing there gazing at him. He felt the bed dip and she placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. He smiled.


“I knew you were awake…you big faker,” she laughed, softly.


His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her in for a better kiss. “Good mornin’ beautiful,” he kissed her lips gently and smiled up at her. “You’re up early.”


“Not really, it’s gone on nine,” she told him.


Spike looked at the clock, surprised to see she was right. “Well if that’s the case then I’ve slept in…I was s’posed to join the men for breakfast.”


“I know…Luke called…I told him you were still sleeping and I told him to skip breakfast and bring everyone up here by ten o’clock for a brunch meeting.” She looked at him a bit sheepishly. “So unless you want to conduct your normal breakfast meeting from our bed, I suggest you hit the shower.” She kissed his cheek again and slipped away.


He stared at her as she walked away, surprised at hearing her refer to the bed as theirs.


“I phoned the kitchen and ordered enough for everyone…I hope that’s okay? Luke said something about going into the city to talk to someone called Fatty Friday. He said he’d take Ritt with him and to start without them if they weren’t back when you were ready to start.” She was rummaging in the wardrobe for something to wear.


Spike smiled at her from the bed. He watched her take out different items and reject them one at a time. She skipped over a lemon sundress and pulled out a pair of blue jeans and a dark green top and tossed them on the bed.


“Wear the yellow dress luv.” She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Please.”


Slowly, she retrieved the jeans and top and placed them back in the wardrobe. Buffy hadn’t worn the yellow dress before. It was one Spike had bought for her. She pulled it from the wardrobe and viewed it with a critical eye. It was a lightweight soft lemon, sleeveless sundress with a scooped neck. Spike had chosen it for her and she could see from the expression on his face he really wanted to see her in it. Gently, she placed it on the bed and went to select fresh underwear from the chest, aware of Spike’s eyes following her around the room.


She glanced at him. He was still lying in the bed as if he had all the time in the world to waste. Hesitantly, she made her way back to the bed and sat down with her back to him. He gasped softly as she let the towel fall away from her breasts and slipped on her bra. She didn’t turn to look at him when she felt him shift on the bed as he moved towards her. His warm hand caressed her back and he kissed her shoulder as he helped her fasten the hooks of the snowy white bra.


“We’ll drive down to the marina tonight and spend the weekend on the boat…I’ll call ahead after breakfast and get the staff to stock the boat with enough food for a week.” He kissed her neck and pulled away slightly as she slipped her white panties up her legs. “Would you like that?” She nodded her head and smiled at him over her shoulder. Spike slipped the yellow dress over her head and helped her wriggle her arms through the openings. “Good, we’ll hug the coast…take time to finally really relax…swim in the ocean…sunbathe, and I’ll even teach you how to fish.”


She frowned and laughed. “Well, if we’re to do any of those things, I suggest you begin with a shower and clothes.”


She stood up to smooth the dress down her legs. Spike gazed at her. “You look beautiful luv,” he kneeled up and kissed her softly on the lips. “Thank you.”


Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. “You’re welcome.”


*****


Luke and Ritt arrived back at the mansion with five minutes to spare. They’d paid Fatty Friday an unexpected visit and Luke made it clear to the little man, while Spike was grateful for his help in tracking down Gilbey’s car, his boss wasn’t willing to overlook the business he was conducting down at the docks. Fatty, choked and spluttered as he turned several shades of purple and assured Luke he was more than willing to cut Spike in on his profits. Luke gazed at him coldly and told him Spike wanted to see him and his books in exactly a week’s time at the mansion and he better be prepared, to reveal all his dockside dealings or Spike might forget the fat man had helped Ritt.


Ritt patted Fatty on the back and told him not to worry as long as he didn’t try to hide anything, he would put in a good word for him with Spike.


Fatty didn’t look very reassured.


Luke and Ritt made their way upstairs to Spike’s private quarters. Ritt was surprised when Luke informed him Buffy had arranged the meeting while Spike slept in, missing the usual breakfast meeting.


“Buffy said Spike was gone from their rooms for at least an hour last night. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?” Luke asked the assassin.


Ritt kept his eyes forward. “Maybe Spike went for a walk.”


Luke snorted. “And maybe his walk took him in your direction.”


The elevator doors opened onto the top floor saving Ritt from having to make up an answer. Luke knocked on Spike’s door and it was opened a few moments later by Buffy.


“Oh, you’re right on time…they’re all on the balcony.” She stepped out of the way and allowed them through.


Luke nodded and greeted her with a polite. “Good morning.”


Ritt greeted her with a friendly smile, which Buffy returned before leading them to the balcony.


Cooper, Marti and Dixon were already sitting at one of the two tables that were pushed together to make one big table. Spike was leaning against the stone railing, talking and laughing with the others as Buffy stepped into the sunlight followed closely by Luke and Ritt.


Spike frowned slightly as he caught sight of Ritt. Luke took a seat next to Dixon, but Ritt hesitated and decided to wait for Spike to let him know he could join the others.


Buffy watched the silent exchange. Ritt stood waiting for Spike to speak and Spike didn’t look like he was in any rush to break the silence that had descended on the men gathered on the balcony. She frowned, wondering if she should intervene, but she caught sight of Luke looking at her. He arched a brow at her and she thought better about getting in between the two men. Quietly, she took a seat next to Luke and waited.


Keeping his gaze locked on Ritt, Spike spoke to his gathered men. “From today, Ritt will be joinin’ us. He’ll be takin’ over Gilbey’s duties with Marti and since he’s already informed Masters he won’t be workin’ as a hired artist, I told him he…was…welcome to…work for me.”


Everyone could tell Spike was having a certain amount of trouble with his speech. His jaw was clenched as he told them about Ritt joining them and he looked as if he was going to start yelling at the tall dark haired assassin. Buffy glanced towards Ritt and noticed his smirk. No wonder Spike is getting annoyed, she thought.


Spike caught sight of Buffy giving Ritt an exasperated look and suddenly his annoyance at the other man slipped away. “Thankfully none of us need introductions to him and for those of you who don’t know him as well as the rest of us…that’s Buffy and Marti, let me take this opportunity to tell you…it won’t be long before you find him to be as irritatin’ as the rest of us do.”


The others laughed, nodding their heads in agreement. Cooper looked pained and he shared an anxious look with both Luke and Dixon. Spike knew it would take a while for the others to accept Ritt as one of the team, but he was sure they would find a way to deal with the changes. Gilbey was gone and he now had three new members to his team, though Wesley would probably need a lot more time to recover from his injuries before returning to work. Luke had arranged a long holiday for him and his girlfriend as soon as the doc gave his consent, and Marti was keen to fit in as a full-fledged member. Spike glanced at him. The young man was whispering to Buffy behind Luke and Dixon’s backs. He must’ve been saying something funny because Buffy was smiling and laughing.


Spike looked back at Ritt. He was still waiting to be given permission to sit. Spike shirked his head indicating to Ritt he could sit. The hum of conversation died down as the assassin took a seat at the other end of the table next to Cooper. Reluctantly, Cooper offered the assassin his hand in congratulations and welcome. Next was Marti to offer his hand followed by Dixon and lastly Luke.


Not to be left out, Buffy reached across the table to offer her hand and Spike felt the familiar stab of jealously as Ritt’s hand enveloped hers. She glanced at Spike and arched a brow. He could see she was reading him and since he was the only one who hadn’t offered Ritt his hand in welcome, he stepped forward and shook his hand.


Smirking at the killer, he glanced at Buffy. “Welcome to the Guard Dogs…or as Buffy refers to the lot of you ‘The Goonies’.”


“SPIKE!!!” She practically yelled. She blushed brightly, turning a very pretty shade of pink with embarrassment.


Everyone laughed, except Ritt who looked slightly puzzled. “Well you do,” Spike chuckled at her blushing face. He had missed seeing this particular reaction in her and was glad he could still provoke her into it.


Jonathan arrived with the food saving her from more embarrassment. Spike sat down next to her, smiling and chuckling. She reached for his hand under the table and squeezed it gently as she smiled back at him, shaking her head. Luke, sitting next to her, caught the gesture and smiled. Spike shrugged at the big man’s amusement and turned back to Buffy.


As soon as Jonathan retreated, Spike began the usual breakfast meeting and everything slowly began to flow as normal. By the end of brunch, Spike had a feeling of near contentment swelling inside him and the men seemed more relaxed and at ease. Maybe he should arrange with Buffy to do this more often. Her little impromptu brunch might just be a good way to help the new members settle in more quickly.


“Does anyone ‘ave anythin’ else to add to what we’ve already discussed?” Spike asked the table.


A chorus of head shakes and murmured no’s rippled along the table and Spike nodded.


“Good, I’m takin’ Buffy away for the weekend. Luke will know how to reach us if necessary and since everythin’ seems to be in order, I suggest everyone take time off over the weekend to relax, but let Luke know where you are if you plan on being away from the mansion overnight.” He looked at Ritt. “I’ll expect to see you back some time on Monday.” Ritt nodded and Spike looked at Marti. “And you need to get your gear moved up to the first floor. Cooper or Dixon will help you get settled.” Marti nodded grinning. “Right, I think that’s everythin’ then…if anyone needs me, I’ll be ‘ere until four.”


The meeting broke up and the men shifted from their chairs getting ready to leave. Luke approached Spike, who was beside Buffy at the stone railing.


“I’d like to have a word with you some time before you leave,” Luke said.


“Sure…give me an hour and I’ll come and find you,” Spike replied.


Luke nodded and offered Buffy a polite goodbye before following Dixon and Marti out. Cooper was lingering at the table, pouring himself another coffee and relaxing back, in no hurry to go anywhere.


Ritt rose from the table and headed towards the sitting room. “I have a few checks to do before I leave…did you need to see me before I go?”


Spike was pretty sure Ritt was asking if he needed to see Angel before he left. He glanced at Buffy from the corner of his eye. She’d picked up on the conversation and he could tell she knew they were talking about Angel. She turned to him and placed a gentle hand on his arm. He could see the questions in her eyes, but he wasn’t sure what they were.


“I’ll come and find you when I’ve spoken to Luke,” he said.


Ritt nodded and left. Buffy seemed relieved somehow and he wondered what she wanted to say. She looked at Cooper and smiled a small smile.


Cooper, seeing the little smile on her face, froze with the coffee cup halfway to his mouth. “Is this one of those ‘leave…now’ moments?” he asked her. Buffy laughed and nodded. “Okay, I can take a hint.” He rose from the table. “See ya Spike.”


Buffy waited until she heard the outer door close before turning back to Spike. He was looking at her with a mildly worried expression on his face.


“Ritt’s taking Angel back to New York today…isn’t he?” she asked.


“Yes luv.” She frowned, biting her lip. “You knew this day would come Buffy and it’s for the best.” She gave a tiny nod, gazing sightlessly into the garden. Spike was torn. “Do…you…” he swallowed and tried to start again. “Do you want to see him before he leaves?” He prayed she would say no.


Slowly, she shook her head still gazing off into space. “No…but you should.” She looked up at him. “You need to…and when you see him, will you tell him I said goodbye.”


Spike swallowed painfully and nodded not trusting himself to speak at that moment. She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight, snuggling into him. Closing his eyes, Spike wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.


“I will luv.”


“Promise,” she mumbled into his chest.


“I promise.”


*************************************************************

TBC…soon.
 

Chapter Sixty Six.

Cause. Part one.


The thrum of the engines stopped suddenly and Buffy turned from her contemplation of the ocean to look at Spike.


“We’ll stop ‘ere for tonight and head further south in the morning.” He glanced at her over his shoulder. She smiled softly. “I don’t know ‘bout you pet, but I’m starved…let’s go and see what we can find to eat.”


Spike led the way to the galley and together they sorted through the various food items. They decided to prepare their meal together. Buffy cooked the pasta and fixed a green salad, while Spike took charge of the pasta sauce and garlic bread. They worked quietly, neither of them in the mood for conversation.


Spike watched Buffy as she washed and shredded the salad. She was very quiet. Looking carefully at her, Spike believed he could almost physically see the changes she had gone through in the months since he’d met her and not surprisingly, a certain sadness and pain seemed to have settled somewhere behind the brilliance of her pretty green eyes. He would give anything to eradicate that knowledge and awareness in her. She had lost something and he wasn’t sure if she would ever gain it back. Sighing, he turned his attention back to the pan and the pasta sauce.


Buffy heard Spike sigh and glanced in his direction. He was gazing into the pan, diligently stirring. He hadn’t told her how his meeting with Angel went and she wondered if she should try and draw him out on the subject, but nerves got the better of her and she decided to steer clear of the dangerous subject.


“Marti loaned me some DVD’s I haven’t seen yet…we could eat in the lounge and see if there’s anything worth watching,” Buffy said.


“Yeah sure, as long as they’re not those silly ‘Friends’ episodes the two of you seem to like so much,” he replied.


Buffy chuckled. “I take it, you’re not a fan?”


“No I’m not.”


“Well you’re in luck because he only loaned me movies…er…Finding Never Land, The Aviator, Sky Captain and something with Nicolas Cage in it,” she told him.


“Okay, we’ll take a look in a bit.” He scooped up a spoonful of the sauce and tasted it, nearly burning his mouth in the process. “Here luv, taste this for me and tell me if it needs anymore herbs.” He blew on the spoon to cool the meat sauce before offering it to her.


“Careful luv, it’s hot.” Holding his hand still, she blew on the spoon gently and hesitantly sampled the offering. Spike nearly groaned as he watched her nibble the contents off the spoon. He felt the familiar stab of longing in his loins and the reaction took him by unexpected surprise. He smiled at her as she pulled a thoughtful face.


“Nope…tastes perfect to me…how’s the garlic bread?”


“Jus’ about done. What about the pasta?”


“Yep that’s done too, just needs straining if the sauce is ready.”


“Okay, you drain and I’ll dish up.”


By the time Spike retrieved the garlic bread from the oven, Buffy had managed to bring the rest of the food into the lounge and set up the coffee table as a makeshift dinning table with couch cushions as seats on the floor. Spike smiled at the informal little arrangement. It reminded him of the times he’d watched her with her friends at her old apartment. The informal gatherings always seemed to end up with them sitting on the floor around her old coffee table, eating pizza and snacks as they watched movies.


Maneuvering himself onto a floor cushion, Spike made himself comfortable. “This looks right cozy luv.” He placed the garlic bread on the table along with a bottle of wine and two glasses. “How’s the food?”


Buffy mumbled something behind a mouthful of pasta and Spike chuckled as she nodded enthusiastically.


“I’ll take it that means it’s good.”


“Yes, it is,” she finally managed to say.


Spike poured them both a large glass of red wine before helping himself to salad and bread. “Okay, what are we watchin’?”


Buffy beamed at him. “Johnny Depp.”


Spike groaned.


*****


An hour and a half later, Buffy was fast asleep on the couch, her head resting on Spike’s lap. They’d moved up to the couch as soon as they finished eating, abandoning the dirty dishes still sitting on the coffee table in favor of watching the rest of the movie, but eventually Buffy’s tiredness caught up with her and she succumbed to sleep. Spike was happy to just sit and watch her.


Gently, he combed his fingers through her short locks, careful not to disturb her. He’d told her he thought the style was cute, but in truth he didn’t like it, though at the time he’d said it to reassure her, but to himself he could admit, like her, he couldn’t wait for it to grow out. The short lengths were too much of a reminder of Gilbey and he knew he would miss the long strands that he loved to watch swaying so freely around her as she moved.


The credits were rolling across the screen when he noticed her looking up at him. “Hello sleepy head,” he said.


“I missed the end of the movie…didn’t I?” She rubbed her eyes and turned to look at the TV.


“Yeah, sorry pet…I’d ‘ave woken you, but you looked so peaceful and I thought you’d sleep all night…sorry.”


“That’s okay. I’ll catch the rest tomorrow.”


“Good idea…c’mon let’s leave the dishes until tomorrow and get some sleep.” Buffy groaned as he helped to ease her off the couch.


Spike was stripping out of his clothes in the bedroom while Buffy used the bathroom. She’d been in there for quite some time and he was beginning to wonder if he should check on her…when she opened the door and came into the room, Spike stared at her in awe. She was wearing the amber silk gown. He looked at her face, wondering if there was some significant meaning behind her choosing to wear that particular gown tonight. From the uncertain and nervous look deep in her eyes, he was sure there was.


Slowly, he approached her and carefully he slid a hand around her waist, gently pulling her towards him. “You look beautiful luv,” he whispered, kissing her softly on the mouth.


“Thank you,” she replied, looking at the gown and fiddling nervously with one of the straps. “I never thanked you for it before.”


“That’s okay luv…there’s no need to thank me.” Gently, he steered her to the bed.


“I lost my necklace,” she told him.


Spike froze for a second, knowing she was referring to the platinum and diamond necklace he’d given her on the night of the reception…the night Gilbey had…


“No you didn’t…Luke found it in the trunk of the car.” She looked at him, surprised as he eased her down. “I didn’t mention it before…I didn’t want to upset you…Luke returned it to me and I put it away in the safe with your earrings.” Spike sat next to her.


“Oh, I thought I’d lost it,” she replied, dazed.


He smiled at her, shaking his head. “No.”


She turned and looked at him, earnestly scanning his face and eyes. “Spike…can we talk?”


He arched a brow at her, puzzled. “Of course luv. What’d you want to talk ‘bout?”


“You, me, us…Angel,” she whispered in a rush.


Spike panicked for a moment. Jumping off the bed, he began to pace madly. That wasn’t what he’d expected her to say, not that he would have guessed what she was going to say, but not that. Breathing deeply, he forced himself to stand still and face her.


“Okay.” He could do this. She probably wanted to know what Angel had said before leaving.


“Tell me what he did to you, to make you hate him so much?”


The panic was back. A part of him knew that’s what she’d meant. He felt sick and wished he could just run away…but they were at sea…there was nowhere to run.


Still panicking, he turned the tables on her. “If I tell you why, will you tell me why you asked him to leave?”


He could see panic flash behind her eyes and thought she would refuse, but this was Buffy…brave and strong Buffy. She slowly nodded her head.


He was humbled by her bravery and ashamed of his cowardice. “Okay,” he said. He approached the bed again. “Why don’t we get into bed and settle in and I’ll try and tell you.”


She moved around the side of the bed and climbed in on what was her usual side. Turning off the light, Spike stripped out of his jeans and climbed in beside her. Immediately, she moved to his side and for once he wanted to tell her to let go and move back. He wasn’t sure he could do this if she was touching him. Then he reminded himself, she was still fragile and probably needed to be reassured, so he slipped an arm around her and hugged her close.


Silent minutes stretched out, neither of them feeling strong enough to speak.


“It was all a long time ago Buffy and though I’ve never forgotten it, there are things I’m ‘bout to tell you now that I’ve never told to another livin’ soul, and I’m not sure if you’ll be up to hearin’ some of them…but if you want me to stop, ‘cause you find it too upsettin’, then jus’ tell me.” She nodded her head against his chest. “Okay, I’ll do my best, but you’ll ‘ave to be patient with me as I try to remember things in the right order, and remember, I wasn’t much like the person I am now…I was young and inexperienced, full of silly notions of love and happiness…completely unprepared for the violence Angel subjected me to and though I was a cocky little bastard, it was all an act…it was all jus’ talk. In fact, I was a right bleedin’ soft ponce in those days.”


Spike was glad of the dark. He listened to the strange and unfamiliar sounds of the sea for a moment while he gathered his strength. “When I first met Angel, I was lyin’ in Drusilla’s bed. We were asleep after yet another night livin’ high and wild on the town. I’d heard talk of him from everyone, includin’ Masters and Drusilla, but he was away at the time Dru brought me to New York and introduced me to Masters, and I didn’t care when everyone hinted Angel might not be too happy to find Drusilla had taken up with someone new. Masters was impressed with me and had offered me a place workin’ right at his side and encouraged by Dru, I accepted, thinkin’ myself damn near God-like.”


He shifted in the bed. “Angel brought me back down to earth.”


*****


A powerful blow to his stomach shocked Spike awake. Gasping, he gripped his middle as more blows rained down on him. He could hear screaming and suddenly he was dragged from the bed naked. His attacker flung him to the floor and continued to beat him repeatedly with fists and feet. He was vaguely aware of Drusilla flinging herself at his attacker, but a sharp smack and a pained groan sounded in the darkened room; he realized she was hurt. Spike heard her whimpering as he lay gasping in agony, unable to move.


Spike heard a deep voice tormenting her. “Someone’s been a naughty girl…haven’t they Dru.” She whimpered again.


Spike’s attacker turned his attention back to him. He was hauled off the floor and flung into a chair. His arms were pulled back and he was quickly cuffed. It all happened so quickly, that he didn’t even have time to utter one word of protest.


Their attacker turned on a lamp, giving Spike his first look at the man who dared to lay his hands on Drusilla. Tall and dark haired with brown eyes, the heavy built man loomed over him.


He smiled nastily. “I’m Angel, and judging from the size of your dick, you must be Spike.”


Spike groaned and tried to kick out at the bigger man. Angel hopped back and quickly let fly with a fist to Spike’s face. “I’m here to teach you some manners boy…now as I can plainly see, you’ve been fucking Drusilla, and while I don’t normally object to her having her fun…you didn’t ask my permission and that I can’t allow…so now I have to punish you and make sure you understand the rules around here.” Angel grabbed him by the hair and slapped him hard. “Drusilla belongs to me and if you want to have any fun with her, you have to ask me first…do you understand?”


“Fuck off,” Spike spat.


Angel laughed and looked at Drusilla on the bed. “Oh you’ve picked a spirited one this time Dru…I like that…it means I get to have lots of fun.” He pulled on Spike’s hair, shaking him roughly. “That was an interesting answer…but not the right one.” Angel punched him in the stomach.


Gasping, Spike coughed and spluttered, spraying blood all over Angel’s shirt.


“Tut tut…look what he’s done Dru…he’s not even house trained,” he sneered. “Now let’s try that answer again…it goes something like…‘I will always ask your permission before attempting to fuck Drusilla’…now you try.” He leaned back, staring into Spike’s bloody face.


“Fuck off you bastard.”


Angel chuckled happily, his voice full of false cheer. “No, that’s not it,” Angel replied. Another fist to the face followed by one to the stomach. Spike was feeling completely wrecked, his vision swam in and out of focus. “Maybe I’m going about this all wrong.”


He stood back, looking at the beaten youth. “What’d you think Dru…am I doing it wrong?”


Drusilla was clutching the blankets to her breasts, whimpering and rocking back and forth, her wide-eyes wild in her pale face.


“Come here Dru,” Angel commanded.


“Leave her alone you bastard,” Spike gasped.


Angel smacked him in the face. “Shut your mouth boy…speak when you’re spoken to.”


Dazed, Spike shook his head in an effort to clear his vision. “And if I don’t…what’re you gonna do ‘bout it mate?”


Angel laughed. “Oh, I really like this one Dru…he’s stubborn and cocky…or…stupid…all qualities which could be useful,” he fixed her with a glare. “I SAID COME HERE…NOW.”


Cringing, Drusilla crawled off the bed, naked and trembling.


“No, Dru stay back…don’t come any closer,” Spike panted.


Angel chuckled. “You’re wasting your time boy…she won’t listen to you…and she knows what will happen if she doesn’t obey me…don’t you Dru?” His voice was a soft whisper as he gazed at Dru’s naked flesh.


As soon as she came within range, he grabbed her and caught a fistful of her long hair, tugging her painfully to his side. He immediately began to fondle her. Spike screamed in rage.


Angel kept right on touching her, squeezing and pinching her breasts, chuckling at Spike. “Now you’ve been a naughty girl while Daddy was away…you let Spike here fuck you…didn’t you?” He shook her hard, twisting her nipples painfully.


She flinched and tried to squirm out of his grasp. “You were fucking other girls,” she complained.


“Yes, but that’s none of your business if I fuck other women…you know that…and I let you fuck other guys…don’t I?” She nodded. “But you didn’t ask this time…did you?” She shook her head, whimpering. “Did you let him do it everywhere?”


“No.”


“Where didn’t he fuck you…your sweet little ass?”


“Yes.”


Spike shivered. Pain blossomed everywhere, but he couldn’t help staring at Drusilla…she was so beautiful.


Angel chuckled, watching Spike’s face as he sat helpless to stop the harsh treatment he was subjecting Drusilla to. Angel slipped his hand over Dru’s mound and pushed a couple of fingers into her. Spike gasped. Drusilla moaned.


“I think you should change that for him Dru.” She moaned again and Spike felt himself react despite himself. “Go on Dru suck him off…get him nice and hard and then you’re gonna give him a little behind the scenes action.” He released her and shoved her towards Spike. She looked at him nervously.


“What are you doing…you sick fuck,” Spike spluttered, both shocked and turned on. He glanced at Dru as she got to her knees in front of him. “No Dru don’t do it…don’t listen to him.”


“Sssh…don’t be a naught boy…mommy will make it all better.” Spike looked at her horrified. “Don’t you want me Spike…you said you loved me,” Angel laughed at that. “I’ve made my Daddy angry and now he must punish me.” Spike gasped as she took hold of his flaccid length and lowered her mouth over him.


Angel grabbed his hair and pulled his head back, staring into his face as Dru licked along his length. “Don’t let him come Dru.” She slipped her lips over him, humming and nodding her understanding. Spike was rapidly hardening. He groaned despite himself, his eyes flickering down to the girl between his legs. Angel smirked at him. “She good…isn’t she? You know…I timed her once. She sucked some guy off in under four minutes…that’s fast.” Spike glared at him gritting his teeth, as Dru’s skilful mouth worked him up. “But she’s had years of practice and I taught her everything she knows.”


Spike groaned.


Angel grabbed her hair. “That’s enough Dru…let me see if he’s ready.” Dru released him and kneeled back as Angel reached down and grabbed Spike.


“HEY! GET YOUR FUCKIN’ HANDS OFF ME, YOU WANKER,” Spike yelled as Angel pumped him with his big hand.


“What! You don’t like hand jobs?” He smiled at him pleasantly. “Is the boy shy Dru…is he a prude?” Angel rubbed him suggestively.


Spike gasped, his eyes wide with shock. “I SAID GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME, YOU FUCKIN’ SICKO.”


“Okay.” Angel released him. “Dru come here.”


Spike was in stunned shock. He was struggling with his fierce arousal as well as an overwhelming feeling of dread and disgust. He had never been touched by another man before and couldn’t believe how he’d reacted to the touch. Without question, Dru rose from the floor and stood before Angel.


Angel tossed a foil packet at her. “Put that on him.” He smirked at Spike as she fumbled slightly with the condom. Spike was shocked to see excitement flicker across her face. She finished rolling the rubber over him.


“Now bend over and put your hands on Spike’s knees.” She did exactly as he told her to. “Now suck him off a bit more…but don’t let him come.”


Spike jumped as her hot mouth descended on him again. Angel stood behind Dru and Spike thrashed and yelled at him as he saw him undo his pants and let them fall to the floor. He kicked off his shoes and pulled his pants the rest of the way off. Then, he pulled his shirt off over his head revealing his muscular broad chest.


Naked, Angel smirked at him and moved slightly to the side so Spike could see him take his big shaft in his hand and pump it to hardness. Still smirking, he rolled a condom over the bulging length. “Oh, what are you complaining about…you’re getting some…it’s only fair I get some too.” He moved back behind Dru. She squealed and moaned as he slowly pushed into her unprepared ass. “OH YES!” He grunted. “You love it like this…don’t you baby?” She moaned.


Spike couldn’t believe what was happening. He felt sick…and he felt aroused and that made him feeling sicker.


Angel fixed his gaze on Spike. “See now boy, when you’re here in a few minutes, I want you to remember that I was there first…” He groaned and picked up his pace. “OH! She’s nice an’ tight and she can really squeeze a guy good and hard…make your eyes roll she will,” Angel spanked her ass hard and Spike was horrified to hear her giggle. “Yes, a couple of nice tight holes and a mouth with the suction of an industrial vacuum cleaner…that’s you…isn’t it Dru?” She moaned and nodded her head over Spike. Angel grunted loudly and pumped his hips harder and faster.


He kept pounding her, his eyes closed in bliss as he thrust at a steady pace for long minutes. Spike was sure he was nearly done, but suddenly he pulled out of her and yanked her off Spike. Spinning her around, he forced her to lower herself over Spike. Angel grabbed Spike and guided him into Drusilla. She was moaning as she impaled herself fully onto him. Spike yelled loudly.


“See…told you she was tight,” smirked Angel.


Drusilla moaned and leaned back, rubbing her back against Spike’s chest. “Come on Dru…move.” Angel said.


Spike gasped as she began to move her body up and down his length.


Spike groaned as she moved on him. The pressure was building fast and he knew he would never be able to hold on. She felt so good. He pumped his hips up, trying to meet her downward thrusts. They groaned together…Spike was lost in bliss…illicit and carnal…his blood was pumping wildly along his veins as she fucked herself on his hard length. He looked down and stared at the illicit image of the raw sexual act. She gasped suddenly and he looked up to see Angel fondling her pussy. She bucked her hips towards his fingers, inadvertently yanking Spike. He yelped as her muscles contracted, squeezing him tight. Tears sprang to his eyes and he was sure his eyes must be rolling in his head. He heard Angel chuckle. Panting, he opened his eyes to meet the smug gaze Angel fixed on him. Angel repeatedly rubbed her clit causing her to gasp and pant as her climax approached. Spike noticed then that Angel had removed the rubber from his cock and was pumping himself rapidly.


Pain burned along his tortured arms, his face and most of his body, but Spike was hardly aware of it. He was too concerned with the sensations at his groin. Wildly, he tried to pump his hips faster into Dru…he didn’t even consider if he could be hurting her.


Angel leaned down and captured her mouth in a fierce kiss. Dru went wild as he twisted her clit and pushed three fingers into her. Spike nearly screamed as he felt the added pressure. Angel released her from the kiss and whispered loudly at her ear.


“Come on Dru…” He smiled at her. “You know what I want you to do…don’t you baby?”


She nodded her head enthusiastically. “Yes Angel…”


Removing his fingers, he stood up smirking at Spike as he licked them clean. “Good girl. Now use your fingers on your pussy…and let’s see who comes first.”


Dru bounced on Spike and he saw her reach down to fondle her pussy. Again, he felt the added pressure as she pushed her fingers in. She moaned loudly and moved faster. Angel stepped up to her and held his shaft up to her mouth. Spike gritted his teeth, trying so hard to hold back. Suddenly, Drusilla leaned forward and fondled Angel’s balls.


“Oh that’s nice baby, but don’t leave Spike out.” Angel gasped.


Dru reached for Spike’s balls and rolled them gently in her hand. Spike flung his head back, overwhelmed by what she was doing to him.


“I think he likes that…now open wide baby.” She moaned and licked his weeping head. Angel pulled her forward slightly. Gripping her head, he began to thrust into her hot mouth. “OH FUCK…! That’s it baby…suck harder.”


Spike moaned as her muscles squeezed him. Suddenly, her movements became erratic and she squealed around Angel’s cock. Unable to control himself, Spike screamed as her muscles clamped around him with the force of her orgasm…he came…shooting again and again into the condom. Angel grunted and came last.


The gasps and cries filling the room slowly died down, as all three of them calmed. Angel pulled out of her mouth and yanked her off Spike’s lap. They both groaned. Angel ripped the rubber off Spike and pushed Drusilla to her knees.


“Lick him clean baby,” he ordered, pushing her head down.


Spike jumped slightly, shocked to feel her mouth on him after the tight burning heat that had surrounded him.


Grinning at the two of them, Angel slowly began to redress. “Now are you going to agree to ask for my permission when you want to fuck her or not?” he asked Spike.


“NOT.”


“I thought you’d say that.” Angel reached down and grabbed Drusilla by her arm and pulled her up to face him. “You’re new boy is insolent…but I like that…so I won’t kill him…but if you want him to live, you won’t fuck him or let him fuck any part of you without asking my permission…” He gently caressed her face and hair. “Do you understand Dru?”


“Yes Angel,” she cooed, rubbing up against him.


“Good girl…now come on, I’m not done with you yet.” He tugged her naked towards the door.


“But what about Spike?” she whined, looking back at the badly beaten and tied up blonde.


Angel glanced at him and smirked. “He’s had more than his fair share of fun while I was away…a night contemplating his place in the order of things won’t do him any harm.” He opened the door and pulled Dru behind him.


Spike realized Angel meant to leave him cuffed to the chair all night. He yelled after him, but Angel didn’t hesitate.


“Say night, night to the boy Dru,” Angel ordered her.


“Night, night Spike,” she whispered.


Angel chuckled and shut the door, leaving Spike alone, naked and tied up. Spike screamed after them, rage and hate burning in his heart.


*****


The silence that filled the cabin was fragile. Buffy lay tense in his arms.


“That was the first time I met him and it got a lot worse after that…over the next six months he went all out to make an example of me, but I was stubborn and there was no way I was going to give up on Dru.” He paused, breathing hard as the memories came back to him. “Every time he caught us together, he’d beat me and fuck her in every way imaginable. Some times he’d make me watch or he’d make her do things to me…and I didn’t even realize I was becomin’ to enjoy it…it was wild and forbidden…and addictive.”


Suddenly, he felt trapped and he forced his way from the bed and quickly went to the galley.


Alarmed, Buffy called after him. “Spike…! Spike…!” He didn’t answer and she climbed out of bed, ready to go and find him. She was half way to the door when he came back…a large drink in his hand.


Spike was immediately contrite as soon as he saw the concerned expression on her face. “Sorry pet. Its jus’ a bit difficult – thinkin’ about all of that – I didn’t mean to upset you…sorry.”


“That’s okay…I just wanted to make sure you were alright.” She watched him put his jeans back on and prop himself against the headboard with the pillows stuffed behind him.


Silently, Buffy made her way back to the bed. Picking up on his body language, she instinctively knew he needed a bit of space to collect himself, so she kept a small distance between them and waited for him to continue.


Spike took a long swallow of his drink, staring off into space or possibly into the past. He spoke softly. “Finally he took things too far…I’m not sure which one of the three events it was that finally broke me…but he did…though not in the same way he had already broken Dru. She was his puppet and she’d do anythin’ he told her to, although I didn’t finally believe that until that last day.” He took another drink and shuddered. “I’d come to realize he always took great delight in pullin’ us from bed…he thought it was funny and it had the added advantage of surprise. This particular time I’d taken Dru away for a couple of days. Masters was letting us use a house he owned in Miami. Somehow Angel found out and followed us down. He burst into our room at dawn when we were still sleepin’…the usual beatin’ and fuckin’ followed and he kept it up all day. Fuck! But that bastard had stamina. He never seemed to tire of hittin’ me and fuckin’ her. After he spent hours torturin’ the two of us, he tied me to the bed spread-eagle and forced Dru to fuck me…she was her usual spaced out self by this time, havin’ been fucked so many times and in so many different positions, she didn’t even know what the hell was going on…


****


Angel sat in a chair in the corner of the room, watching Drusilla ride Spike like a demon…she was wild, riding him hard and fast, screaming as she rubbed her clit.


Stroking his big shaft, Angel noticed Spike watching him. The look on the younger man’s face wasn’t hard for him to read…Spike was torn…passion, lust, disgust and pleasure all flickered across his face as Drusilla fucked herself on his hard cock…and the blonde was unable to hide his emotions as he lost himself to his body’s needs. Angel smiled as he saw Spike’s eyes linger on his hand.


Climbing onto the bed, Angel positioned himself behind Drusilla. She didn’t even slow caught up in the act of bringing herself off. Smirking at Spike over her shoulder, Angel brushed her hair from her shoulder. “You’re really not ever going to stop fighting me, are you Spike?”


“Never,” Spike groaned as Drusilla thrust forward hard.


“I knew you’d say that…and you know what, I’m getting a little tired of all this…it’s getting a bit boring…so since you refuse to leave her alone and you won’t ask my permission,” Angel chuckled. “And since you keep managing to persuade her to sneak off with you and ignore me, I’m going to relent and change my mind about the situation.” He kissed her shoulder and fondled her breasts. Dru moaned happily and rubbed herself back onto Angel. Angel rewarded her with a sharp bite on her shoulder. She cried out, loving the pain. “So I’ll tell you what I’m going to do Spike my boy…I’m going to share her with you…she’ll belong to both of us…and since we’re going to share her, let’s start right now.”


Angrily he pushed her forward, until she was on her hands and knees over Spike with him still buried inside her. Drusilla and Spike both screamed as Angel thrust hard into her. Angel was grunting as he fucked her hard and fast. Spike gasped, shocked to realize he could feel the other man’s thrusts. Drusilla had frozen at the first painful thrust, but Angel wasn’t satisfied with that.


He slapped her ass hard and snarled at her, “Ride him…and don’t stop until I tell you to.”


She started moving and Spike nearly passed out with the pleasure that zinged along his veins. “Oh fuck Dru…that feels so good,” he gasped unable to help himself.


Angel laughed. “So I take it you approve of the idea of sharing her?” Spike glared at him. “What? It’s not like you can fuck more than one hole at a time…feels good don’t it Spike…you’re first time fucking a girl with another bloke…of course it’s not her first time, we’ve done this before…haven’t we baby?”


Shocked, Spike gazed into her face. She met his gaze, her eyes full of lust and pleasure. She nodded her head. “Yes Angel, we’ve done it lots of times…go harder Angel,” she panted


Spike gasped as Angel increased his pace, thrusting hard and fast. Suddenly, Spike knew she liked what was happening…she had probably always liked the cruel and painful things Angel subjected her to and he wondered if at times she’d played him.


Angel smiled as he saw awareness register on Spike’s face. “Tell Spike how I knew how to find you Dru and I’ll give it to you really hard…just the way you like it.”


She was panting and so was Spike. “I told you where to find us…OH, yes HARDER…HARDER,” she squealed, riding Spike faster and faster.


In disbelief Spike gasped, his balls tightened and he felt the sting of betrayal for the first time.


She came, screaming as Angel plunged savagely into her at a staggering speed.


Spike and Angel roared as they came together, their orgasms triggered by Dru’s.


Angel pulled out of her as soon as he stopped coming. He collapsed to the side and Drusilla collapsed over Spike, boneless and sweating hard. They were all panting as they slowly recovered.


Rolling onto his side, Angel faced Spike. “Fuck! That was good boy…if it’s going to be like that, I really won’t mind sharing her.”


Spike groaned and rolled his head to look at Angel. “Fuck off you soddin’ wanker…I won’t share.”


Angel chuckled. “Sure you will…in fact you don’t have a choice…does he Dru?” Angel gripped her hair and hauled her head off Spike’s chest. “Tell him Dru…tell him if he wants you, he has to share you.”


Drusilla gazed between the two men. Her gaze lingered on Angel for a moment but finally settled on Spike. “You have to share Spike…if you want me, you have to share.”


Spike frowned, angrily. “NO Dru…no…your mine.”


She shook her head. “No silly, I belong to Angel and I won’t let you stop him from taking me…I’m his…so you have to share or I won’t let you fuck me again.”


Spike searched her face and saw the truth in her eyes and he knew Angel had won. “Get off me Dru.” He turned his face away from both of them afraid they would see his pain. She climbed off him and Angel pulled her into his embrace. Spike listened to them kissing, jealously and hate twisting his heart. “Fine if that’s the way it has to be…then she’s all yours…I won’t ‘ave anythin’ to do with her again.” Neither Angel nor Drusilla said anything. Spike closed his eyes, unconcerned that he was still cuffed to the bed, naked and exposed. He heard them shift on the bed as they settled down to sleep. He chanced a glance at them. They were wrapped in each other’s arms, sleeping like babes…like lovers. Spike felt the loss of his dreams and resolved himself to returning to New York as soon as he could and asking Masters to give him a job in a different city, somewhere…anywhere, as long as it was far away from Angel and Dru. Eventually, sleep claimed him.


When he woke next, it was nighttime. At first he thought he was alone. The cuffs were open and someone had thought to cover him with a blanket. Lying in the dark, he contemplated getting up and leaving straight away, but he felt a soft hand caress his chest.


“What are you doing ‘ere?” he asked her gruffly.


Drusilla wrapped her long slim leg over his hips and snuggled into his side. “Don’t be mad at me…I only want to make it up to you.”


Spike tried to push her away. “Where’s Angel?”


“He went out.” She licked his ear softly and glided her hand down his stomach to his semi-erect cock. “Mmmm…I want my Spike,” she moaned as she stroked his hardening shaft.


Spike caught hold of her hand. “I thought you said you wanted your ‘ANGEL’…make your mind up Dru…you can’t ‘ave both of us, I won’t share you…you ‘ave to choose.”


“Don’t want to,” she whined. “I want both of you…and you promised…you said you belonged to me…you said you loved me…don’t leave me Spike…I need you.” She squeezed him gently. “I want you.”


Spike was panting despite himself. She leaned over him and kissed him. Sudden arousal thrummed in his veins and he gripped her tightly. She climbed over him and covered him with her long slim limbs, kissing him passionately. Spike groaned into her mouth, kissing her back fiercely. They broke apart panting.


“Oh fuck Dru…please…jus’ come away with me now, we’ll go somewhere where that bastard can’t ever find us,” he pleaded with her.


He felt her shake her head in the deep dark of the room. “NO! I won’t leave my Angel.” He knew that would be her answer. Finally he realized she was in love with Angel…not in the same way he was in love with her and he wondered if she had ever experienced real love, but at that moment, he didn’t think it mattered…he knew he would always love her, hadn’t he already follow her halfway around the world.


“But what ‘bout me Dru?” he asked.


“Stay…we’ll be a family and we’ll all be happy and Angel will stop hurting you…if you stop trying to keep me all for yourself.” She stroked him faster. He was hard now and ready for her.


He reached for her and slipped a finger into her wet folds. She moaned and spread her legs wide. Quickly he rolled her, pressing her hard to the mattress. “Is that what you really want Dru…both of us?”


She gasped and nodded as he pinched her clit. “Yes…yes…both of you…Oh Spike you naughty boy…you’ve made me all wet.”


He chuckled. “Like that do ya?” He kissed her pert breasts, sucking hard on her sharp nipples.


“Yes, you wicked boy…doing such nice things to me…fuck me Spike,” she panted, pumping her hips towards his fingers.


“And what ‘bout ‘your Angel’…what will you tell him?” He pumped his fingers in her slippery cunt.


She thrashed under him, gasping and moaning. “I’ll tell him my little Spike is going to be a good boy and share his toys nicely with Angel…please Spike tell him you’ll share…we’ll be so happy…oh,oh,oh…” Spike rubbed her clit hard.


“Okay pet…if that’s what you really want…I’ll share,” he whispered to her.


Drusilla squealed and threw her arms around him. “Fuck me Spike…fuck me now.”


Spike positioned his cock and pushed in groaning. “Oh, pet you feel so nice.”


“Harder…harder…harder,” she chanted.


Spike thrust harder.


Drusilla slid up the bed with the force of his thrusts, bumping her head on the headboard. The cuffs rattled as they knocked the bed against the wall. Drusilla giggled and tugged Spike’s hands towards the cuffs. Before he realized what she was doing, she’d cuffed one of his hands to the bed.


“Dru what are you doing?” He pulled his other hand away from the other cuff.


She giggled and kissed him playfully. “Making sure you’ll never leave me…keeping you locked inside me forever and ever.” She tugged at his hand, laughing and kissing him.


Laughing with her, he allowed her to lock him inside the other cuff. He wrapped his hands around the bars in the headboard and thrust in to her hard and fast. Dru wrapped her arms around him and bent her knees, letting him slip further inside her, moaning continuously as she thrust with him. They moved together for long minutes, lost in their passion.


Suddenly, Spike became aware of someone behind him on the bed. He froze realizing it was Angel.


“I’m glad to see you changed your mind Spike.” Spike could hear the laughter in Angel’s voice. “I take it since you’re here fucking Dru that you’ve decided to share her with me?”


Spike tried to move, but the cuffs rattled and pulled hard on his wrists, reminding him he was caught fast. Alarmed, he looked at Dru, but it was too dark to see her clearly. She hadn’t made a move or acted surprised when Angel spoke.


“Dru says it’s what she wants,” he replied.


“So Dru persuaded you to change your mind…I’m glad…I really have had enough of chasing the two of you down just to try and beat some sense into you,” Angel told him.


Spike gasped as he felt Angel reach between them and rub Dru’s clit. She moaned and arched up to his touch. Spike tried to pull back but the cuffs wouldn’t let him. Angel chuckled. “You’ll have to get used to this if we’re to share her.” Leaning nearer to Spike, Angel whispered at his ear. “We are going to share her…aren’t we?” Dru moaned and clenched around him as Angel continued to rub her clit.


“Yes,” hissed Spike, resentfully.


Angel chuckled nastily at his ear. “Good boy.”


Dru thrust up, bumping Spike sharply with her hips. “Oh Spike…fuck me…please.”


He pushed forward, responding to her pleas and lust.


“And now that you’ve said you’re willing to share her with me, there’s just one thing I need to ask before I can say I’m completely satisfied,” Angel said.


“What?” Spike snapped.


“I need to ask Dru if she’s willing to share you as well,” he whispered.


Spike froze for a second and then frantically, he tried to pull away from Dru, regardless of the cuffs imprisoning him. Angel moved with lightening speed, pinning him in place, pressing both his hands to Spike’s back holding him still. “Well Dru, it seems only fair if Spike’s willing to share you…you should share too…so what’d you say…will you share Spike?”


Before Spike could draw breath to protest, Dru answered.


“Yes Angel…I’m a good girl…I’ll share.” Angel laughed.


“FUCKIN’ HELL…NO DRU…ARE YOU MAD…?” Spike thrashed, trying to shake Angel off. “GET THE FUCK OFF ME…TOUCH ME AND I’LL…” It was too late. Angel gripped Spike’s hips and he realized too late what Angel intended. “I’LL KILL YOU…YOU MOTHER FUCKIN’ PERVERT…GET THE FUCK OFF ME…” Angel gripped him tighter and lunged forward. Spike screamed, his mind splintering with the horrified knowledge of what was happening to him. Angel was gasping and panting with excitement and effort, paying no attention to Spike’s screams or threats.


“GET OFF ME YOU FUCKIN’ BASTARD…AAARGH…GET OFF, GET OFF NOW…AAARGH…” Spike continued to scream and pull on the cuffs. His wrists were soon bloody, tears of pain and humiliation rolling down his face.


Angel was relentless. “Your mine Spike…from now on you’re both mine…we’ll be one happy little family.” Spike groaned in pain. “Dru push up and fuck Spike…he belongs to both of us now.”


Spike was shocked when Dru allowed Angel to pull her legs higher so she could thrust herself up. Spike screamed in pain and rage, as Angel and Dru moved over him. They were both gasping and panting…speeding toward their climax. Spike cursed them both as he felt his body react to the stimulation despite the extreme pain. He tried as hard as he could to hold back not wanting to give Angel the satisfaction of knowing he had managed to master him, but he couldn’t help himself. His body had a will of its own and he thundered towards a climax of staggering strength. He screamed louder heartsick at the betrayal of his own body. His body shook and juddered as his climax tore through him.


Dru screamed with him followed a few seconds later by a triumphant roar of dominance from Angel.


When he finished, Angel pulled away from Spike’s abused body and calmly climbed off the bed. Dru wriggled out from under him and stood before Angel. She looked up at him and he gently caressed her face. “You did good baby…you did real good…I’m very pleased with you.” He kissed her tenderly and wrapped her in his arms.


Spike watched the display of affection from the bed and realized the two of them had been working together all along and that Angel’s plan hadn’t been to make him give Drusilla up at all, but to simply master him. Dru had betrayed him. He looked at her, expecting to hate her, but he didn’t…he still wanted her…still loved her. Turning his face away, he wept.


Angel kept him cuffed to the bed for three days just to make sure he understood his place. He only allowed him short bathroom breaks while still cuffed and shackled. He kept him naked to add to his humiliation and allowed Drusilla to feed him. She chatted away happily about all the different things they were going to do as a family. Spike couldn’t help but smile at her childish nonsense but in his heart, the seeds of hate had already found root and he began to dream about destroying Angel and sweeping Drusilla away, saving her from the monster that had turned her into a broken and abused child.


*****


“There’s more…of course, but I’m sure you get the drift…Angel was a bastard to both of us, beatin’ and abusin’ both of us. Until the day I learned how to fight and defend myself. It took me forever to learn to fight back…Luke and Cooper…they helped me…neither of them could stand Angel and his sick, high-handed ways and were only too willing to teach me to fight back…to stand-up for myself. When I did, he never laid a finger on me again, but Drusilla wasn’t as lucky…she was his by choice and I followed her because I loved her and wanted to protect her. I did the best I could but…but…” He faltered for a moment and Buffy could tell he was saddened by the painful memories. “But she liked the pain, especially when it went hand in hand with the sex and Angel was an expert at that particular brand of torture and he fed her addiction often.”


Sighing, Spike drained his drink and placed the glass carefully on the bedside table.


“So there you are pet…now you know why I hate him so much. Why I’ll always hate him. He’s caused me so much pain and misery for years…and maybe now, you can understand why I am, the way I am…I told you he made me into what I am and I hate him for that more than any of the other things he’s ever done.”


Spike didn’t make any effort to disguise the bitterness and anger in his voice. He turned towards her in the dark. He could see she was trembling. “I’m not a good man Buffy…like you said, the day we first met. I’m a monster jus’ like him…I’ve done things…horrible and terrible things…I’m a kidnapper and a killer and much worse…because I allowed myself to become jus’ like the thing I hate. I don’t think there’s anythin’ I can do to change what I’ve become…but sometimes…sometimes when I’m with you…I feel like the man I used to be…you make me feel like a man again…yet even then…I mess things up. I’ve hurt you…like he hurt me. Acting like a monster…jus’ like the thing I hate. I wish I could take it all back Buffy…wipe it all away and be a real man again.”


She could hear the sound of tears in his voice and she felt like crying too. Looking at him, she could see the barricades finally come down…exposing all his raw wounds. This was not the formidable and ruthless man she had come to know…this was a hurt and still hurting man. Her heart ached for him as she finally recognized just how much of a victim Spike had been…but like her, he was also a survivor. This explained so much and she ached to be able to right this terrible wrong for him. His abuse at Angel’s hands had left him horribly scarred. He’d never spoken to anyone about it and over the years, he’d buried his pain and shame deep inside him. Yet, like all victims who are denied the help they need to heal and restore their sense of worth, he’d turned inward…lashing out at the world with anger and violence. Building a wall of hate and anger around him in an effort to try and preserve what he could of himself. Using his aggression to camouflage his weaknesses…and as a result, he slipped deeper and deeper into a pattern of self-hate and self-destruction. Her heart bled for him as she realized why he had always placed so much importance on pleasing her sexually. Now she realized for just about all of his adult life, he’d associated sex with affection. It was how he expressed his affection because he was incapable of expressing himself in any other form.


All those times…all that sex…and all he probably really wanted was to find a way to real love. But because he’s been so cruelly abused he’s emotionally damaged…scarred…Oh God...! He wasn’t trying to hurt me…he was trying to reach me, she thought sadly. But he didn’t know how…like he said, it went hand in hand with the violence and abuse…and so…you always hurt the one you love. Buffy truly felt like crying and her heart broke just a little more for him.


Slowly, Buffy crawled across the empty space and gently caressed his face with a soft hand. He turned his cheek into her palm and kissed the warm flesh tenderly. Softly, she pulled him towards her and wrapped him in her arms, offering him silent comfort. Her heart broke for him and all he had endured. He sighed, and let her cradle his head to her breast and rock him gently. He trembled and juddered in her embrace…childlike as his tears splashed onto her breast.


They stayed like that for a long time, neither one able to break the silence that surrounded them.


Eventually stiff limbs demanded to be eased and Buffy shifted, breaking the spell holding them.


Spike looked at her lovingly and whispered. “Thank you luv…I don’t deserve your comfort, but I’m a selfish git and I’ll take it because while I might not deserve it, I still need it…I need you.” He kissed her lips chastely.


Buffy smiled and kissed him back. “No, you do deserve it…but I think we better get some sleep…the rest of this conversation can wait until tomorrow…don’t you think?”


He nodded in complete agreement with her. He was wiped out. “Okay, pet…but as soon as we can, we will finish this…right?”


Buffy pulled back the covers and crawled into bed tired beyond belief. “Yes…we’ll finish it…I promise.”


Spike undressed out of his jeans again and climbed in beside her. Immediately, Buffy snuggled in next to him and he wrapped an arm around her, gently caressing the smooth skin of her shoulder. She returned the caress by gliding her hand back and forth across his muscular chest. She looked up at him and he gazed down at her.


“From now on, we’ll have no more secrets…we’ll only tell each other the truth…okay?”


Spike smiled and squeezed her shoulder. “Okay luv.”


“You promise?” She whispered.


Spike chuckled, wondering why she was so determined to make him promise. “I promise…but I don’t really ‘ave any more secrets to keep.” He kissed her brow. “Now let’s get some sleep.”


She rose up slightly and leaning over him she kissed him softly. Spike was surprised when she didn’t pull back, but continued to kiss him. Soon he was reacting to her and gently he took over the kiss, slipping his tongue into her mouth. He was elated that she was finally allowing more than just a few sweet chaste kisses and gentle caresses. He groaned into her mouth as he felt her little hand brush over a flat nipple. Hesitantly, he returned the touch and fondled her breasts through the silk of her gown. She moaned softly and the kiss deepened. When they broke apart, they were both panting slightly. Spike was overjoyed at her initiating the kiss and hoped it wouldn’t be too long before she would want more. He kissed her cheek and pulled her down to sleep.


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

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