La Quintrala
by
Chapter One
The third body washed ashore like all the others before for the last three Sundays. The police were worried about a potential serial killer but had absolutely no clue where to start looking. The cause of death could not be accurately ascertained and there was no discernable link among the victims save for their gender: they were all male. The authorities had tried to keep the cases from the media but it took little time for the press hounds to sniff a good story and it made the front-page news of the Sunnydale Times Monday morning.
As Anya opened the Magic Box, Giles sipped his tea and read with mild interest the newspaper's headlines. His attention did linger on the article about the strange murders and the fact that there seemed to be some confusion as to the exact cause of death of the victims, but he dismissed the entire thing as being a homicidal psychopath's work. The Watcher shook his head with a little wonder that he should find relief when evil was not perpetrated by a supernatural phenomenon.
His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of the door swinging open and admitting Buffy followed by Willow and Tara. The girls tried to greet Anya but she was engrossed in balancing the cash register so she merely smiled and waved as she went on counting.
"So Giles. Anything Slayery in the paper I should worry about?" Buffy asked.
The Watcher smiled warmly in her direction.
"No, thankfully it seems that we might get a slow week."
"I'm down with that. Slow week equals vaca days for me."
Tara started to laugh.
"Va, vaca days?" inquired Giles as he wiped his glasses.
"Vacation days," supplied Willow as Tara still snickered.
"What's so funny Tara?" she asked her girlfriend.
"Nothing really, it's just that "vaca" means "cow" in Spanish."
"Cow days. I like the sound of that," Buffy turned to Giles. "Can I have a couple of cow days?"
Giles was tempted to remind her that a Slayer didn't have the luxury of vacations. However, she had worked so hard and had suffered so much in the past year without ever putting her Slayer duties second that he couldn't find a good reason not to grant her small request. Had he been a more demonstrative man he would have hugged her to show her how proud and how much he loved her. He didn't care if he never had children; he already had a daughter.
"Of course Buffy, take a few …cow days."
The girls giggled. Suddenly the phone rang.
"Giles," called Anya, "it's for you. Someone Garoway from the police station."
Intrigued, Buffy waited as Giles took the call. After several minutes Giles hung up looking pensive. Buffy didn't like that look. The Englishman turned toward her and was about to speak when Buffy beat him to it:
"No, wait. Don't tell me. I'm having a prophetic Slayer dream," she said squeezing her eyes shut, "and I can see that my cow days are out."
"Very funny," he retorted dryly, "and completely true I'm afraid."
"So what does your mole tell you?" she asked sitting at the round table.
"Garoway is not my mole. He just knows when the police are in over their heads," he explained as he took a seat beside her.
Tara and Willow excused themselves, as they had to go to class. While Anya took care of customers Giles informed Buffy what he'd been told. So far there wasn't much information but the trail of dead bodies was long and seemed to have originated in South America.
"What do you think we're dealing with?"
"I don't know but I'll venture to say that whatever is at the bottom of this has come here specifically to the Hellmouth. There are bound to be repercussions. Be careful when you patrol Buffy, I think that the calm days are over."
Buffy nodded.
"You hit the books and I'll go to class. I'll see you this afternoon," she said brightly to her Watcher.
Giles watched her go and wondered not for the first time how she could do her job as the Slayer and still retain that candour. Shaking his head he went to get some books to begin his research.
Chapter Two
It turned out that Giles had not exaggerated about the renewed bustling activity.
"Whatever's going on sure has the undead natives restless" Buffy told Willow one morning during class.
"Lots of baddies?" her friend inquired.
"Lots and lots," confirmed Buffy.
"Do you need help? Because you know you just have to say the word and we'll be there."
"I know Will. And I swear, if things get ugly, I'll cry for help."
Willow looked relieved. It seemed to her a long time since Buffy had asked the Scoobies for anything.
The truth was that Buffy was reluctant to put any of their lives in danger. Ever since the Glory episode Buffy had become overprotective of her family and friends. The list of ills they'd been through seemed endless to Buffy. She'd been unable to prevent her mother's natural death, Spike had nearly gotten killed because he wouldn't betray Buffy to Glory, Tara lost her mind until Willow was able to get it back from Glory, Giles got seriously injured while they tried to escape the Knights of Byzantium and not to mention the emotional abyss that they were all put through. She swore that she would do all in her power to keep them safe.
Xander and Anya would be getting married in a matter of months, Tara and Willow were blissfully happy and Spike kept mostly to himself except when his help was needed. She tried not to dwell on the vampire because even though he was sort of part of the gang, she still had trouble coming to terms with the fact that he was in love with her and how she felt about that. Thankfully he had never mentioned it again and their relationship remained same as it ever was, strained and unpredictable. Dawn had recovered from her emotional and physical wounds and was happier than Buffy had seen her since their mother's passing. This is the way that things should be, she thought, determined to keep it that way.
As for herself, she was just glad to be alive. She had sacrificed herself in order to save Dawn and it had been an easy choice. But even now, the whole notion of her death and subsequent return disturbed her so she put it away in the back of her mind. Happily she thought instead that she was able to take a few spring courses and depending on her finances, and what she could work out with her father, she might be able to go back to college full time in the fall.
Not for the first time Buffy sent a prayer of thanks to her mother that the house was paid in full. She still wasn't on great terms with her father but at least he aided them financially. Buffy was sure that part of his eagerness to help was to not get saddled with Dawn. Buffy smirked, as that was exactly what she had wanted. Nobody was ever going to take Dawn away.
"Miss Summers?" the professor called out startling her. "You seem to be somewhere else. Would you care to share with us?"
"No sir. Sorry," she said sheepishly.
The lecture continued and Buffy took notes furiously vowing to pay attention.
That same evening while on patrol Buffy was sorely tempted to call the Scoobies. The numbers of baddies weren't dwindling from day to day she noticed. She really hoped that Giles would turn up something soon. With one precise movement, the stake pierced the heart of the creature. Panting, Buffy stepped back as the dust that had once been a vampire settled at her feet. Whirling around angrily she stared hard at the man who leaned leisurely against a tree, smoking.
"Thanks a lot," she said sarcastically.
"No, thank you, Slayer. Quite entertaining it was. Though you were a little slow on the uptake with that last one."
"Gee, I can't imagine why. Could it be because it was the sixth one straight I was fighting?"
"Could be…Still, no reason to get sloppy on the job. After all, you are the Slayer," he replied his voice laced with irony.
"I hate you Spike."
The vampire merely smiled and continued to smoke.
"What? Nothing to say?"
"Is there really a comeback to "I hate you"?"
"You always have before."
"Before, it was new. Now it's just boring and I abhor being bored…hey, nice play on words, eh?"
Buffy rolled up her eyes as she started to walk away.
"I could have used some help, you bastard" she muttered.
"What was that?"
Buffy groaned. She had forgotten what acute hearing vampires have.
"I said: I could have used some help…*you bastard*"
Spike's face hardened.
"You, Summers, are a bitch and a hypocrite. If I help you, you thank me by turning my motives against me and then I usually get a blow to the head for my efforts. And if I don't help you, well then I am a bastard."
Buffy said nothing and he moved toward her.
"Know what I think? I think I make you feel things you don't want to deal with. You don't know how to handle me. But violence you know. And killing you know. So these are the parameters you use when dealing with me."
"You're wrong. You're a vampire Spike, I'm only responding to what you are."
"Yeah? Well maybe that's what happened to your boyfriends, they responded to what you are and left."
By Buffy's expression he knew he had hit a raw nerve. His baser instincts urged him to add one more acidic comment to drive the point home and finish her off but her eyes saved her. One look into their depths and Spike was lost. Sighing heavily he flicked his cigarette.
"Why do you do this Slayer? Push me until you get a rise out of me and then I lash out at you."
Buffy couldn't answer him.
"Is it because as long as we're yelling and trading insults you don't have to think about what's behind all this?"
"What's behind all this?"
"Huh. No, I'm not doing this. I figured it out, now you work on it, if you're so inclined. At this point there are just two things I want to clear with you."
"Which are?"
"One, do you want my help or not? If you do, I will patrol with you and no, I don't expect anything in return. If you don't want my help, that's fine. Just don't come barging in and smack me around because suddenly I'm indispensable. It doesn't score big points you know."
"Do I look like I'm keeping count?"
"No, but I am."
That notion disturbed her. Like he could eventually get fed up and leave Sunnydale for good. That wouldn't do. Annoying or not, Spike was part of her world and she'd had enough upheavals. The state of her present world had to remain as it was.
"What's the other thing you want to clear up?" she asked to diffuse the situation.
"Regardless of what you decide on the first matter, I want you to stop roughing me up for no reason."
"I have reason to," she said stubbornly.
"Sometimes you do and sometimes you don't. Anyway, think about what I've said and let me know. Oh, and Buffy? If you're not intent on violence, would it be at all possible for you to knock before crashing into my home?"
He glanced at her one last time and calmly walked away.
Buffy had wanted to scream and tell him any number of things but when he spoke to her with that stern and adult tone, it always made her feel like a naïve young girl. It irked her when she had to concede that a lot of what he said was reasonable.
"Spike!"
"Yeah?"
"Okay for the help."
The vampire nodded and continued to walk away. Buffy breathed out her relief. This would work out well. Spike was a good and strong fighter. Between them they would keep Sunnydale safe and Buffy needn't bother the gang for help. Satisfied, she returned home anxious to go to bed.
Chapter Three
Over the next few days, like clockwork, Spike would drive up to Buffy's house and wait for her to go on patrol. At first they both tried to be civil but as Spike attempted conversation and Buffy invariably shot him down, it turned into silent antagonism, then open hostility.
Buffy couldn't understand why Spike simply rubbed her the wrong way. They had been through so much, one would think that they could at least work in relative harmony. She tried to rationalize it but nothing made sense. Surely, some sort of understanding or compromise could be reached. With this in mind, Buffy decided one night to walk back to Spike's crypt after he had dropped her off from patrolling and have it out with him.
They had had a huge argument and Buffy was tired of the strain. One way or the other, something had to give.
Once she stood in front of the door to the mausoleum, Buffy remembered Spike's request so she knocked softly but there was no response. She rapped a little harder with the same results. She thought that he was perhaps asleep and didn't hear her. Carefully she opened the door and walked in to find the crypt empty. She turned to leave when she heard him mumbling from the secret room below at the back of the crypt. For a moment she thought he was not alone and was ready to depart but she was certain she heard him say her name. The fine hairs on the back of her neck stood on end telling her that she shouldn't stay. She fought the strange feeling and walked over to the edge of the room and leaning half her body in, peered into the relative darkness. Two torches lit the room and that's when she saw him.
Shocked into stunned silence, Buffy watched as Spike pleasured himself, his shoulder leaning against the wall, his face a study in concentration. He was fully dressed and had merely removed his duster, unbuckled his belt and opened his pants. His stroke was sure and rough and Buffy was surprised and a little troubled to realize that her own body was responding to what she was seeing. She heard him say a couple of times "C'mon", as he strove to reach his climax, then "Fuck", as the tension seemed to build on its inexorable climb, and finally "Oh, Christ, yes!" when he started to come. Once he was done, he continued to caress himself, although more gently, and whimpered "Buffy", as the last of the tremors shot through him. Coming slowly back to his senses he swallowed hard and took an unnecessary breath before refastening his pants and belt with a sad, resigned look on his face.
Buffy was still reeling from what she had seen so she didn't move away quickly enough when Spike started to walk in her direction. Surprised but curious blue eyes met horrified green ones.
"See anything you like, Slayer?" he asked, clearly amused.
"You're disgusting!"
"And yet, you are still here," he wryly observed.
"That's because, it's just that," Buffy back-pedalled furiously, "I don't have to explain myself to you!"
"Well, seeing as you're in my home -uninvited I may add- and you've just caught me in a very intimate moment, I'd say yeah, you do have to explain yourself to me."
"I won't do any such thing. I came to talk to you but instead found you…doing that."
"Jacking off you mean?" Spike shrugged. "Don't look so surprised. For heaven's sake Buffy, what did you expect? Did you think I was living the life of a monk? I'm a man, I have needs. I don't know what you do-"
"We're not talking about me!" she shouted angrily.
"Right you are. So, lets. Did you enjoy the show? Wish I'd known, I know I would have enjoyed myself even more."
"Spike!!"
Buffy blushed deeply as she had no idea how to answer any of his questions. Then, as self-righteous indignation and panic took hold of Buffy, she stalked out in a huff yelling that he was impossible. Spike smiled at her discomfort. So, he could still bother her he mused. Excellent.
The matter was never mentioned again and the status quo between them was maintained while their unresolved feelings grew. The Scoobies who had looked upon the partnership with mixed feelings were perplexed to observe how well they fought together all the while hurtling vindictive and hurtful words at one another. The atmosphere would get so thick with tension that it prompted one annoyed vampire to growl while he fought Buffy:
"Is this about me at all? Because you know, me and my bros could just leave and come back when you and the turncoat have settled your problems."
Piqued, Buffy had staked him savagely.
And so it went, each patrol more explosive than the other until one night the unexpected happened. The unlikely partners had been heatedly arguing while dispatching vampires and demons alike when Buffy shot Spike a particularly venomous remark as she finished off a vampire. Dropping the demon he had just killed, Spike took a few steps and invaded Buffy's personal space. She had never seen him so angry and although she knew he couldn't hurt her, a shiver ran through her. Whether it was fear or something else she didn't have time to process it because Spike kissed her. The kiss was short and hard but Buffy didn't fight it. When they simultaneously pushed each other away they avoided each other's eyes.
In silence they strode back to Spike's car. The ride to Buffy's house was equally silent. Once he had dropped Buffy off, Spike drove away berating himself. Stupid, he thought. That had been such a stupid thing to do. He tried to explain how it happened but he couldn't. One moment he'd wanted to slap her and next he was kissing her. There was no telling what hell he was going to pay for that. Buffy hadn't said anything nor had she looked at him. Probably because she was plotting a new and ingenious way to stake him. Life on the Hellmouth was a-laugh-a-minute.
Leaning against her kitchen counter Buffy drank a glass of water still stunned by the evening's events. She wasn't sure what bothered her the most. The fact that Spike had kissed her or that she had responded to it. Spike probably thinks that I want him now, she thought. What a mess.
"Hey Buff, how was patrol, anything new and exciting happen?"
Startled, Buffy nearly dropped her glass as her sister sauntered into the kitchen.
"No, no," she stammered. "Why would you ask that?" she went on hurriedly, "It was the usual, staked vampires, fought demons, argued with Spike and shouldn't you be in bed? It's a school night."
"Geez Buffy, take it easy. I just wanted to see you and make sure you were alright."
"Sorry Dawn. Come here," Buffy hugged her sister tight.
Ever since their mother had passed away the siblings had become more protective of each other.
"Some nights are just weirder than others, you know?"
Dawn nodded.
"How was your evening?" Buffy inquired as she prepared hot cocoa for them both.
The next night Spike and Buffy approached each other with apprehension. In an unspoken agreement they neither mentioned nor discussed what had transpired the previous evening. This truce carried them for a day or so until their quarrelsome natures resurfaced. And once again, at the height of a heated argument they kissed. It was as hard as the first one had been but this one lasted a little longer, followed by an abrupt stop and then the silent treatment.
This pattern was repeated over several days. It became obvious that kissing diffused the tension and that gave them a reprieve until it built itself up again. Seemingly a natural progression, they took to kissing more often and for longer periods of time though the nature of the kisses still remained anger, resentment and frustration. They never questioned it or discussed it and treated it as a necessary evil. It was just something that happened.
Stubbornly refusing to address the subject, they danced the unfamiliar steps until the night their kisses took a different turn. Passion, need and longing had crept in giving the caress a new dimension that ignited their senses. Gone were the hard kisses. These were open-mouthed, hungry kisses that left Buffy reeling and Spike half crazed with desire. Buffy hadn't been this properly kissed in a very, very long time.
Spike was the first to pull away albeit reluctantly. He was pleased that Buffy still clung to him. They stared at each other in a daze. In that moment where they were open and vulnerable a current of understanding shot through them both and they felt the change. Suddenly everything was clear. Buffy looked at the ground then, her eyes slowly traveled until her eyes found Spike's black boots then up his body to his face. It was as if she had never seen him before and in a way, it was. When she finally dared to look into his eyes the adoration there made her knees weak. Her heart had been pounding but now it positively hammered in her chest.
Spike was transfixed. His entire body was coiled with tension and he shook slightly from the effort not to grab her and crush her to him. She had to make the first move and she obliged by touching his chest with a shaky hand. Good enough thought Spike as he enveloped her tightly in his arms. They stood enlaced for quite a while under the moonlight, the crickets the only sound to accompany their haggard breathing in the stillness of the cemetery.
Gingerly they walked back to Spike's car. It was all happening in slow motion for them as Spike opened the car door for her. While he rounded the car, his mind was racing. What was the next step? He worried that one wrong move would alienate Buffy and bring them back to square one. It was so complicated with humans; too much sent them running, not enough and they were hurt. He glanced quickly at his companion. How exactly was he supposed not to touch her when she looked so damned good? Buffy held her hands tightly clasped in her lap. They were itching to grab Spike and haul him to her side.
Fate intervened however when Spike distractedly almost ran a red light. The car screeched to a halt and Spike's arm automatically shot out to protect Buffy. The contact was electric and shattered their reserve. In one movement they leaned into each other and kissed frantically in their cramped positions. A car honked behind them making them jump apart. Spike set the car in motion and drove as fast as possible to Revello Drive. It was the longest drive of his life. Buffy had decided to make Spike lose his mind.
Sliding next to him she ran her hand from his knee up his thigh, feeling the taut muscles under his jeans. She didn't go further, for which he was grateful because he really didn't want to crash the car. But then Buffy started licking, nibbling and breathing in his oversensitive ear. The car made an abrupt swerve.
"Buffy," he warned, his eyes dancing with excitement.
"Can't take the heat?"
Spike merely smiled. They had reached Buffy's house and Spike parked immediately, slid over to her side and pulled her unto his lap. One hand tangled in her golden locks while the other worked to free Buffy's shirt from her pants. He needed to touch her skin, to feel the heat of her body. They kissed with yearning, devouring each other. Buffy ran her fingers through his short hair and Spike growled with contentment. She pressed herself even more against him, reveling in the hardness of his body as her own became softer. Their tongues battled hotly and it occurred to Buffy that they must be giving quite a show to any passerby, but the thought was swiftly swept away when Spike positioned her body so that she could feel him between her legs. The contact caused them both to moan and grind seeking more friction.
They managed to get out of Spike's car but only because they were afraid of being caught unawares by the rising sun should they get too distracted by the intense pleasure they were giving each other. Stumbling inside Buffy's home, Spike slammed her against the wall right after shutting the front door.
"Nibblet?" he asked roughly.
"Sleepover at her best friend's house," remembered Buffy with much effort.
"Perfect."
They resumed their passionate embrace. For a while all that could be heard in the house were their ragged breathing and the wet sounds of their kisses. They held each other tightly, their mouths slanting over one another, again and again, each time with renewed hunger. Buffy thought she would self-combust.
"Spike, now," she urged him.
He needed no further prompting. Frantically he undid his belt and the front of his jeans and lowered them just enough to allow his erection to spring free. He pushed her pants down and helped Buffy remove them along with her socks and boots, then with one arm he lifted her and pressed her back against the wall. With his other hand he roughly shoved aside her panties between her legs before settling there himself. He took a few seconds to look into her eyes and saw his own need mirrored in them. With a growl he lifted her a little more.
"I want you Spike," she said as she guided him to her center.
"You've got me," he groaned as she sank unto him.
Spike's hips drove hard and mindlessly into Buffy to her relief while his moans became more and more strained. He continued to rain open mouth kisses over her face, neck and shoulders. Buffy returned his kisses and kneaded the powerful muscles of his back and arms.
"So good and, oh God, you're so hard," she hissed.
"Just for you baby, just for you. God you're so bloody tight and wet. Christ, you feel fantastic Buffy. Come quickly luv I don't think I can hold…I want you too much," he grunted.
Buffy was glad that Spike was a talker and an uninhibited groaner because it was a total turn on and was, as it turned out, what she needed to set her off. She came screaming out his name, which triggered his own release after a few more thrusts.
Spike's strength finally failed him and he slid to the floor with Buffy. She found it endearing that he panted though he didn't need to. Spike rested his forehead against hers as he calmed down. A wave of tenderness washed over Buffy and she caressed and kissed the side of his face repeatedly as she cooed comfortingly in his ear.
"I love you Buffy. God, I love you so much," he sighed.
Spike's body tensed as he remembered the first time he had uttered those words. He looked at her with apprehension.
There hadn't been any mention of love up until that moment even though the Slayer had known for a long time how the vampire felt about her. Had he blown it? She saw the incertitude in his eyes.
"No worries Spike," she reassured him. "We wouldn't be here if I didn't love you back."
Spike crushed her to him and she heard a strangled cry of joy as he buried his face in her neck.
"Spike, maybe you don't need to breathe but I do," she laughed.
The vampire slightly loosened his hold.
"Do you know when I first realized I was in love with you?"
Buffy shook her head.
"It was in a dream. In it I told you the exact same words that I just said. I woke up with such a start."
"Quite the nightmare huh? To love me?"
"Loving Buffy Summers wasn't the problem. Loving the Slayer was," he explained.
"How did you come to terms with it?"
"What can I tell you Buffy? I'm love's bitch," he laughed.
"I suppose that now you want to know when I first knew that I loved you?"
"No, that's okay," he said shrugging his shoulders affecting disinterest, then "Hell yes! I bloody do well want to know."
Buffy shook her head with amusement.
"Alright. Well, I've always been attracted to you, no news there. From our very first encounter it was there, this insane attraction. I didn't recognize it then because I was in love with Angel at the time. I know I started to feel differently toward you when you started to help us out."
Spike made a face.
"Sure didn't show it."
"Obviously not Spike. There was no way I was going to let on that you affected me," she said as she gently stroke his scarred eyebrow. "But you did," she whispered softly.
Spike closed his eyes and leaned in to her caress.
"Remember the time I found out you were in love with me? When you started to talk about "feelings developing in the workplace", "heat" and "desire", looking all cocky, swaggering toward me. God, I swear, had you not been a vampire, I would have jumped your bones."
"Yeah?" he asked surprised but nonetheless pleased.
"Yeah. Anyway, I guess you could say the dam showed some major cracks when I saw you after going through the Glory wringer."
The vampire grunted at the memory.
"You were so terribly beaten and knowing that you had endured hell for Dawn and me, it, well, it humbled me. Just enough to admit to myself that I had feelings for you."
"Why didn't you say something?" he wondered as he enjoyed her soft touch on his face.
"Too much going on, Glory, Dawn, Tara, the end of the world…Plus, just because I knew I had feelings for you didn't mean that I was going to indulge them. I buried them. It was easier dealing with denial."
Spike nodded.
"Been there, done that, got the mannequin."
Buffy swatted him upside the head playfully. Spike smiled. Buffy stared at him. He stared right back. Passion flared and they scrambled upstairs to Buffy's room.
They undressed each other quickly then literally fell into bed. Taking it a little slower this time, exploring each other's bodies with all the reverence of pent-up frustration finally released.
"You're so beautiful Buffy. So beautiful," he marveled while caressing her breasts with his face.
Buffy turned their bodies over so he lay underneath her. Admiring the fine definition of his arms and chest she nipped and licked her way down from his neck to his navel. There she paused to look up at his handsome face.
"Touch me Buffy, please baby," he implored.
Smiling Buffy lowered her head and took him in her mouth. With her lips and hand she stroke him slowly at first, then faster as he got harder.
"God, baby, that's so good," he whimpered.
Just when she thought he was going to come, Spike suddenly pulled her up.
"I still need to be inside you Buffy," he said roughly as he positioned her so he was pressed against her back. "Can you come this way?" he asked hoarsely in her ear.
"Yeah, but I need a little help," she answered as she guided his hand between her legs and he began to thrust into her.
Soon they were both groaning. Spike continued to stroke her until she reached her release at which point he grabbed her waist with both hands to pull her harder against him. Squeezing her inner muscles around him, Buffy turned her head to the side to look at Spike. His face was etched in a grimace of ecstasy and pain and she shuddered with sexual pride that she could pleasure this powerful male. Their bodies slapping relentlessly, he suddenly stiffened then exploded with a wordless shout. Exhausted, he draped himself over her body as he kissed her ear and whispered over and over:
"I love you Buffy. So very much."
"Come here baby," she whispered as he slipped out of her and she turned on her back letting his head rest on her belly.
Spike placed soft kisses on the tender skin while he caressed it lightly with his fingers.
"I don't ever want to go," he sighed.
"Then don't."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that I want you to stay until sunrise. We'll figure it all out later."
Spike growled with satisfaction rubbing the side of his face on her flat stomach while Buffy played with his tousled hair.
Chapter Four
Next morning Giles summoned all of the Scoobies for a meeting. Buffy was second to arrive followed by Willow and Tara. Anya was already there and Xander had been sent to fetch Spike.
"Well you look radiant this morning," observed Willow.
"Really?" covered Buffy quickly. "I slept very well last night. That must be it."
"It shows," remarked her friend. "You look more relaxed than you have in weeks."
Buffy smiled nervously then fibbed having to go to the restroom.
Shutting the door behind her, Buffy moved to the basin and letting the water run splashed her cheeks to cool them. She remembered Spike leaving a little before dawn, a mere few hours ago. It had taken at least fifteen attempts before both agreed to stop kissing and let go of each other. Buffy was jittery about seeing Spike again. Last night had been the most exciting night of her life and she was unashamed to admit that she wanted more. Looking at herself in the mirror she assumed a calm and collected exterior she was far from feeling.
Buffy had just rejoined the others at the table when Spike came crashing through the door, his blanket on fire, followed by a smirking Xander.
"Now that's what I call crash and burn," he quipped.
Spike glared at him as he put out the blanket.
"Would it have killed you to leave me in front of the door instead of parking a block away?"
"Yes," replied the young man without hesitation.
The others snickered save for Buffy who was working hard to maintain her composure. Seeing the object of her affections had given a serious jolt to her system. After cursing at Xander, the vampire's gaze crossed the Slayer's. They held an eternity between them in that fraction of a second. Buffy's heart was pounding so hard she was sure everyone could hear it. She felt like butterflies had settled and formed a colony in her stomach. Her hands were trembling so she hid them under the table in her lap. If all this was caused by his mere presence in her vicinity what would his close proximity do to her? Spike was having similar problems on his end. His insides were shaking with anticipation and ache. His chest and throat tightened and he had a hard time swallowing. He felt like a schoolboy and it wasn't unpleasant at all.
"This your idea, Slayer," he barked, "getting me out of bed just as I was beginning to fall asleep?"
He sounded truly annoyed but the longing in his blue eyes belied his words.
"Oh, please. Like you have an active nightlife," she retorted the double entendre for his ears only.
"Good one Buff," cheered Xander.
"As a matter of fact, yes," bragged the vampire. "Haven't been that active since, hell, a long time. Definitely worth it though," he finished with a smirk while Xander grimaced in disgust. Spike grabbed a chair, turned it and straddled it, his arms resting on the back.
"Well," Buffy stammered, thrilled by his words, "try not to fall asleep and keep up with us."
Spike cocked his head, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
"Oh, I'm up, Slayer, I'm up," he drawled.
Buffy dug her nails in her palms to keep herself from flying into Spike's arms. Her hormones were about to hit the roof and he was pushing all the right buttons.
"Spike, shut up!" she cried exasperated.
"Giles could you please tell us why we're here? That is unless you'd rather listen to the Quarrelsome Twins," Willow sighed.
"No, dear God, not that!" the Watcher exclaimed. "I was waiting for something to arrive, but no matter, I'll start without it."
While Giles spoke Spike and Buffy took furtive sideway glances at each other, recalling the events of the night before. Buffy began to fidget. She didn't care how, but she had to be alone with Spike for at least a few minutes. The opportunity presented itself when two heavy boxes of electronic equipment that Giles had purchased were delivered to the back door. Buffy pounced on the chance and offered to take them to the Training Room.
"C'mon Spike," she told him. "Make yourself useful and take the other box."
"What do I look like? A delivery boy?"
"If the shoe fits," she said mockingly.
Xander started to get up to help Buffy but Spike quickly capitulated grumbling, "Oh, alright."
They carried the boxes in silence and stacked them up neatly against the farthest wall of the Training Room. They only had a few moments and knew it. Their arms brushed lightly and they faced each other feeling a little awkward after all their nocturnal activities.
"What's with the tough guy act?" she asked.
"I am a tough guy," he countered slightly offended.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean."
"It was either that or standing on my knees begging you to run your fingers through my hair," he whispered, his voice husky. "Last night was the greatest night of my life and unlife put together," he explained further. "I'm so happy I can't seem to find the middle ground. So it was either one extreme or the other, and one of them was not even an option."
"I thought," she said swallowing hard, "that the best night of your life was when you killed your first Slayer."
"I have never wanted anything more than you nor have I ever waited as long for anything as you."
Buffy kept staring from his eyes to his mouth only to realize he was doing the same.
They moved forward eagerly then there was a slight shy hesitation before their mouths locked. After a few smoldering kisses they separated to let Buffy catch her breath. They laughed quietly, relieved to know that what they had felt the night before was real and had survived into the new day.
"One more," Spike said pulling her to him.
"Oh, yeah," breathed Buffy.
They pressed against each other, their mouths fused together, making the most of this stolen moment. With all the self-control they could muster, they stepped away from each other and returned to take their places at the table with the others.
As it turned out, the reason a meeting had been called was that Giles had decided that it was time to take the Slayer and her entourage into modern times. To that end Giles had arm-wrestled the Council into unblocking the funds needed for the surveillance, recording and communication equipment he wanted.
Xander and Willow were particularly excited at the idea of using modern technology to help Buffy in her work. Anya was intrigued how this would involve her and Tara worried that less attention would be given to spells. Giles explained to Anya how her knowledge of the Internet would come in handy and reassured Tara that if anything, they would concentrate even more on witchcraft to help the Slayer. Spike shrugged. He thought they'd been doing pretty well without all that spy stuff but if it made them happy and it didn't get in the way of the actual slaying, he didn't have a problem with it. For her part, Buffy resumed her thoughts thusly:
"Stakes are still my weapons?" she asked her Watcher.
"Yes," he confirmed.
"I won't be weighed down with gadgets?"
"No."
"Great. Upgrade away."
Everyone laughed and Giles smiled in her direction before telling the group how he envisioned their future team efforts.
In the days that followed, the new couple coolly pretended for everyone that nothing had changed then secretly used any excuse to be alone. They had to be careful because it was very difficult to ignore the simple but strong impulses to just hold hands or hug. Instinctively they knew that they would have no support from Buffy's friends and didn't want to put any dampers on their newly gained happiness, at least for a little while. In the meantime they savored sneaking around like adolescents and making out in the oddest of places.
All the while, the situation in Sunnydale was becoming more wearisome as more men disappeared only to be found dead a few days later. Giles was very concerned, even more so because he didn't have a clue to what was happening. Buffy's reports about her patrols indicated that there was an increase in vampire and demon activity but nothing more. His books had revealed nothing and the Watcher's Council weren't very helpful either although they did give him the number of an operative based in Argentina who hopefully would have some answers. With a sigh Giles realized that the Council wasn't particularly concerned over the situation because the fate of the world was not at stake. "Bastards," he muttered as he made the long distance call to South America.
When he ended the call Giles was a little more optimistic. The man he had spoken to, Jorge Parra, seemed very willing to help and was going to look into the matter immediately. From what Giles had told him, he recollected an old bit of legend and told Giles about it. It was all pretty vague but for now at least they had something with which to start: a name. His elation was short-lived however, when he heard Anya berating a customer for having perused merchandise for half an hour and then opting to leave empty handed. Putting his Watcher duties aside, Giles quickly went to the customer's rescue.
Chapter Five
The police had secured the building and the students were filing out in a more or less orderly fashion. Dawn couldn't believe her luck. It was sunny, Friday and the threat of a bomb at her school had cancelled all her afternoon classes. Buffy had told her that she wouldn't be home that afternoon so she was about to call one of the Scoobies to pick her up when a friend of hers told her that her dad would give her a lift. Dawn gladly accepted. She couldn't wait to get home. The thought of having the house to herself was a godsend.
Dawn waved goodbye to her friend and bounded happily to the front door. She went in and already started planning her afternoon of TV, chips, ice cream and most importantly, no supervision. She threw her backpack on the couch and headed for the kitchen to get the goodies. And that's when she heard it. Muffled sounds coming from upstairs.
Her first reaction was to panic but as she listened more intently she realized it was the same sounds she heard when Xander and Anya were making out and they thought nobody heard them. What the hell? She wondered. It couldn't be them; it wouldn't make any sense. Curiosity won over fear so she crept up the stairs.
Once she reached the second floor, she followed the sounds right to Buffy's room. It couldn't be, she thought, Buffy had no one in her life. Had Riley returned? Dare she look? On the one hand, it would be a huge breach of privacy; on the other hand she couldn't stay in the house unsure of what was going on. Besides, Buffy wasn't even supposed to be here. The door to the room wasn't completely closed, it was only a matter of slightly pushing it and she would know. Quiet as a mouse Dawn held her breath as she nudged the door. Craning her neck she looked in and what she saw was forever seared in her brain. Her heart pounding she quickly retreated, went back down, grabbed her backpack and quietly exited the house.
Once outside, she sat on the porch trying to gather her wits. Her heart was still hammering and she was out of breath. She attempted to put order in her thoughts but she couldn't process it all. It wasn't as if she'd never seen two people engage in sexual intercourse -courtesy of a friend sneaking in a pornographic movie at a not so well supervised slumber party- but to see the real thing was an experience that shook her in ways she didn't fully understand and, quite frankly, did not wish to delve into.
Try as she might, the image would not go away. Her mind seemed to be stalled on rewind. So there she was, stuck with a few seconds worth of Spike and Buffy doing the wild thing. Her feelings about it were a messy mix of happiness, shock and shame. Happiness, because she'd been hoping forever that they would get together; shock, because she hadn't seen it coming and wondered how long they'd been lovers; and finally shame, because despite the obvious "ew!" factor of seeing your sibling in the throes of passion, she had been turned on. Oh God, she thought, I'm going straight to hell for that. Dawn couldn't erase the memory of Spike's face and her sister's transformed by passion and pleasure nor could she forget the soundtrack of their moans and groans. Then another thought came to haunt her. Just how long was she supposed to stay out here? As far as Buffy knew, Dawn was in school all afternoon. Well, she reasoned, they seemed to be on the verge of being done so maybe she could wait fifteen minutes or so, then go back in making a lot of noise to alert them to her presence. That sounded reasonable so that's what she decided to do.
Up in Buffy's bedroom the lovers basked in lazy satisfaction, kissing languorously, lightly caressing each other's body not looking to start another bout of frenzied sex but just enjoying being close. They were laughing as they wrestled gently when they heard Dawn come in the house singing the latest song by N'Sync. They both sat up abruptly in bed looking at each other.
"Isn't she supposed to be in school?" asked Spike.
"Yes. Something must have happened although by the sound of it, it can't have been bad," replied Buffy as she hurriedly picked up her clothes.
Spike imitated her and within minutes they were both fully dressed. Buffy ran her fingers through her hair.
"How do I look?" she asked.
"Like a very satisfied woman," he leered.
She punched his shoulder but she was smiling.
"Do I look okay?" he asked in turn.
"You look adorable. I love it when your hair is mussed."
"I'll keep that in mind," he told her as he smoothed it back.
Buffy took out a weapon from her closet and handed it to Spike. He took it looking perplexed.
"Alibi for you being in my room," she explained.
"Oh, right. Like I'm sure to go out slaying with you in the middle of the afternoon."
"Got a better idea Einstein?"
"Shag again?" he offered.
"You're incorrigible," she sighed as she went past him.
"Damn straight!" he said to her back.
From the kitchen Dawn heard the couple coming down the stairs and assumed an air of total nonchalance.
"Hey Buffy," she greeted her sister. "I thought you wouldn't be here this afternoon," she added swallowing hard.
Her sister was oblivious to her discomfort Dawn noted with relief.
"I was about to ask you the same thing. What happened?"
"Bomb scare, I got a lift from a friend," she replied.
"Oh, okay," said Buffy as she poured herself a glass of juice.
"How are you doing Nibblet?" the vampire asked ruffling her hair affectionately and setting the axe against the wall.
"Uh, good," she stammered, blushing furiously. "I'm just going to go watch some TV," she added quickly avoiding eye contact.
Spike's gaze followed her as she scurried out as if her life depended on it.
"Something's up Slayer," he stated.
This wasn't going at all well. Her feeling of shame had not gone away and now it was compounded by a new shyness that she found hard to conceal. At least she knew were it stemmed from. Twenty minutes ago Buffy was her big sister and Spike her surrogate big brother. Now twenty minutes later, they were a man and a woman who had just had sexual relations. Suddenly she saw them as adults and that somehow distanced them from her.
"Why do you think something's wrong Spike?" asked Buffy as she sipped her orange juice.
"Lil' Bit can't look at either you or me in the eyes and her blood is just about to ooze from her ears because her heart is hammering so damn hard."
"What?"
"Did you not hear what I've just said?"
"I did, but…are sure?"
Spike made a face.
"Yeah, okay. Vampiric senses and all that. I guess I'll go and ask her."
Spike nodded and started to microwave a mug of blood from the supply that Buffy always kept in the fridge since Spike started patrolling with her.
Buffy found Dawn sitting in the living room. She noted with surprise how tense her sister was.
"Dawnie?" she asked gently, "What's wrong?"
Buffy writhing underneath Spike her hands clenched in his hair.
"Honey?"
Dawn blinked and stared at the floor.
"N-nothing," she mumbled her heart racing.
"Dawn you're worrying me. Did something happen?"
"No absolutely nothing! Why would you say that?" she asked suddenly panicked.
"It's just that you seem…well, nervous."
"Just tired. I swear Buffy, nothing's wrong."
Buffy decided not to push seeing how jumpy she was.
"Okay Dawn, but if you feel like talking, I'm here."
Dawn managed a smile and nodded. Buffy returned to the kitchen.
She found Spike enjoying his meal and with a sigh sat beside him.
"We've got major problems," she told him.
"Wouldn't talk?"
"More like couldn't. I don't know what to do."
"Want me to give it a try?"
Buffy nodded and squeezed his hand. The vampire gulped down the rest of his mug and went to find Dawn.
"Platelet?" he called out. "You're freaking your sister out. What's the matter?"
Dawn literally jumped at the sound of his voice and very nearly bolted when he sat down beside her on the couch.
"Just like I told Buffy, nothing's wrong," she said getting a little annoyed.
"Yeah? Why won't you look at me?"
Spike thrusting vigorously into Buffy, the muscles of his arms and back taut with the strain.
"Dawn?"
The girl gulped, forced herself to meet his eyes and felt her ears burn. Spike observed her and backed down. He had an inkling of what was going on but he wasn't positive. There was only one way to find out.
"Don't worry Dawn," he said tenderly.
He got up and left a very perplexed teen to go find her elder sister.
The second Spike entered the kitchen Buffy bombarded him with questions.
"So, did you find out? What's wrong? What did she say?"
"I think you need to sit down for this one."
"Spike you're making me very nervous. What's going on?"
"She didn't say anything to me, but I think she's acting that way because she knows about us. More specifically, she has probably seen us."
"Seen us?" Buffy repeated weakly.
"Making love," he concluded.
Buffy hit her forehead on the table.
"Oh my God. No, no, no. You must be wrong."
"Well, you're right, I could be wrong. So, come with me to the living room, if her reaction is what I expect then I'm afraid baby sis has seen us in flagrante delicto."
"Huh?"
"Doin' it."
"Oh."
"C'mon let's see what's what."
Buffy and Spike returned the living room making Dawn feel very self-conscious. They sat beside her and pretended to watch TV. They didn't touch or make any overt gestures toward each other but now that she knew what to look for, Dawn felt their unspoken bond.
"So Dawn, do you know if the bomb scare was a prank by one of the students?"
Buffy and Spike groaning, the sound of their bodies slapping loud and attesting to the urgency of their need.
Dawn didn't think she could get any redder as she felt another flush invade her cheeks.
"I, I don't know. I guess I'll find out on Monday," she said feebly.
Spike nodded discreetly to Buffy to join him in the kitchen.
"I'm going to have a sandwich. Dawn, do you want one?"
The teen shook her head hoping that Spike would leave too. With relief she watched the vampire rise and follow her sister.
"Well?" Buffy asked Spike when they were back in the kitchen.
"I'm sure. Poor kid's got that deer-stuck-in-the-headlights look whenever she sees us."
Mortified, Buffy slumped in a chair.
"I am so not ready for this conversation. This was supposed to be mom's problem. What am I supposed to say?"
"She's old enough, you can talk truthfully to her about this."
"This being what? When do you think she saw us? We were so careful."
"My guess is today. Half an hour ago to be precise."
Buffy buried her face in her hands.
"My God, and that one was pretty…" she left off at a loss for words.
"Rough, animalistic, primal?" he offered.
"Spike!" she grimaced.
"Satisfying?" he threw in.
Buffy had to smile.
"Doesn't this bother you at all?" she asked him.
"Only inasmuch it's giving Dawn some grief. I'm not ashamed about anything we do. I love you Buffy, and sex is one dimension of it. Sometimes it's slow and romantic, sometimes it's just about comforting each other and sometimes it's nasty, raw and needy like today. Nothing twisted here Buffy, just love."
Buffy sighed resigned to the task ahead. Biting her lips she trudged to the living room.
"Dawn, come with me to the backyard," she said to her sibling holding out her hand.
Dawn exhaled slowly and let Buffy lead her to the back porch. They sat side by side on the steps.
"Honey, there's something I need to talk to you about."
The young girl tried to look calm.
"I'm in love with Spike and we're together now."
"How long?" asked the young girl surprised that Buffy would so readily admit her feelings for the vampire.
"A week."
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? You know this news is what I wanted to hear."
Buffy stared at her sister. How could she explain that half of the reason was the excitement of having a secret lover? She opted to tell her the other half.
"You know the waves this is going to make when I tell the gang about Spike. I just really don't feel like dealing with that right now. So this has to stay between us, okay?"
"Promise!" beamed Dawn thrilled at being part of a deception.
Buffy hugged her tight.
"I want you also to know Dawn that just because Spike and I are together doesn't mean that you are less important to me or that I'll have less time to spend with you. You're my sister, I love you and Spike does too."
"Can we sometimes do stuff all three of us?"
Buffy realized that Dawn was trying to recreate a family.
"Of course we will. So, are you okay with all this?"
Dawn nodded happily.
"Spike will be here often so we'll have to be careful with the curtains during the day. Oh, that brings me to another subject."
Dawn cringed inwardly.
"I don't need to tell you that knocking on my bedroom door will be of paramount importance?"
"Duh!" exclaimed Dawn.
"Great," concluded Buffy as she rose to return inside, then sat back down, as another thought struck her.
"This being the Hellmouth and all, and me being the Slayer and Spike a vampire, life will of course not be normal so should anything happen or if you need me, never be afraid or feel guilty to come and get me, no matter what I'm doing. Okay?" she said hoping that she was calming any fears that her sister might be harboring.
Dawn nodded shyly.
"Sure you don't want a sandwich?"
"Nah, I'll hang around here for a little bit."
"Okay."
Buffy walked back in the house relieved and elated that it had gone so well. Dawn breathed out. Thank God Buffy hadn't asked her if she had seen anything. Eventually she'd get over her strange feelings she was certain. There was no need to discuss it. If only the images would go away.
Buffy breezed into the kitchen quite pleased with herself.
"How did it go?" asked Spike as he made some hot cocoa for himself.
"Just great. She's totally thrilled that we're together and she understands that just because I love you doesn't change how much she means to me."
"Good. How did the sex talk go?"
"Uh…"
"Buffy? You did address that, right?"
"Kinda, sorta?"
"Hell, Buffy. Something's going on and it's best not to let that fester."
"She seemed fine to me," countered Buffy.
"Uh, yeah. That works all the time with humans. Let's pretend everything is okay and just maybe it'll go away."
"You're such an expert, you talk to her."
"You think I wouldn't?"
Buffy shrugged. Challenged, Spike took only one sip of his hot beverage and went to talk to the Slayer's little sister.
Careful not to burn his hand by the sun Spike opened the back door and called out to Dawn. Alarmed, she got up and went in. The front porch of the house was shadowed so they went there.
"Dawn, you're not a little girl so I'm going to talk to you like the young woman that you are," he began.
She braced herself.
"I know you saw us today."
And there it was. Dawn blushed for the umpteenth time, her cheeks on fire as she looked at her feet. Spike nibbled his lower lip. He needed to find the right words, he didn't want to make her even more uncomfortable.
"I'm not upset or angry about it Dawn, nor is Buffy. But I think something is bothering you. Am I right?"
"Yes," she croaked.
"What is it?" he asked softly.
He saw her struggle with the answer.
"Were you embarrassed?" he helped her out by asking questions.
"A little," she answered.
"But that's not all, is it?"
Dawn shook her head.
"Are you maybe feeling a little guilty because, on some level, you liked what you saw?"
Dawn bolted and only Spike's vampire speed prevented her from rushing into the house.
"Dawn! Dawn, it's okay," he said taking her in his arms. "There's nothing wrong with what you're feeling. It's perfectly normal," he reassured her.
"It is?" she asked unsure.
"Yes. Hell, I can even get turned on by watching dogs have a go at it."
"Okay, ew on the imagery!" she grimaced.
"Agreed, but you get my point?'
Dawn slowly nodded.
"Nothing to be ashamed of. It's just the nature of things and no one is immune to it."
"Not even Giles?" she laughed.
"Not even he," Spike laughed with her. "What say you and I go for a bite to eat after Buffy and I are done patrolling tonight?"
"Just you and me?"
Spike nodded.
"I'd like that," she said smiling broadly.
Spike then swore to her that their conversation was their little secret. Buffy appeared a little later asking if everything was all right. Her sister and the vampire shared a conspiratorial smile and Buffy sighed with relief. Whatever had troubled Dawn, Spike had ironed it out. Who knew that a former psychopath would have such good parental skills mused Buffy.
That evening, Giles called a meeting to give everyone an update. Although he still didn't know a lot he was fairly certain they were dealing with a demon, female, and that her name was La Quintrala.
"Great," teased Buffy, "I'll throw that name around while I'm dusting."
Spike bit back a laugh while Giles smiled sheepishly and said:
"Don't worry Buffy. I'll be getting more information tomorrow and then we can all help you with this."
"Relax Giles," Buffy reassured him "I have total faith in you and the gang."
They discussed a little more the situation then the conversation veered as it always did lately to Anya and Xander's impending nuptials. Spike groaned and Xander invited him to leave.
"Why don't you two just elope already?" he said looking at the couple. "It looks very complicated this marriage thing. Anya can't get anyone to do what she wants and you get headaches thinking about it."
Tara, Willow and Giles smiled inwardly as they all had had that same thought for a while now.
"You wouldn't understand," Xander dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
"Yeah? You love her and she loves you -don't know why- but she does. That's all that matters. If you want to be married so badly, just do it. Don't see why all this nonsense should get in the way, especially if it annoys you so much."
Anya and Xander stared at each other then back at Spike. What he said had actually made a lot of sense.
"You're right Spike," admitted Anya "but I want the trouble and the grief. I think it will be worth it in the end."
Spike shook his head but smiled.
"Well then. There's nothing more to say. If it's what you want then you should have it."
"Wait, I don't think there was even an insult there" remarked Xander with wonder.
"That's because I was talking to the lady," Spike said pointedly.
Anya beamed at him and for her sake Xander held his tongue.
"Hate to break up this love fest kids but Spike and I have to patrol," announced Buffy.
Spike rose and followed Buffy out while the wedding talk resumed behind them.
They walked in companionable silence until they reached the cemetery.
"That was actually kind of nice what you said to Anya," Buffy commented.
Spike shrugged.
"Never had any problems with her. She was actually pleasant to me on a number of occasions. Too bad really that she wants to be tied down to the whelp."
"Spike-" Buffy began.
"What?" he interrupted. "Just because he's a mate of yours doesn't make him one of mine."
"Will you let it go already? I don't want to talk about Xander anymore so shut up and kiss me."
Buffy pulled his head down impatiently claiming his mouth. They kissed each other thoroughly for a few minutes, their desire seemingly unquenchable.
"What the hell?" said a disconcerted demon looking at the Slayer necking with a vampire.
Pulling away from Buffy, Spike sauntered toward the demon.
"Sorry you had to see that mate. Now I really have to do this."
Before the demon could react Spike snapped its neck. The vampire stood over him grinning with satisfaction.
"Right then. Where is everybody else? Party favors for all!"
Buffy smiled and then as if on cue, others began appearing keeping her and Spike busy for the next little while.