Chapter 9

Buffy walked out of Willy's and lit up a smoke. She had gone to inquire about the vodka he had sold her. The bottle, which she was now convinced, had to be tampered with or defective in some way had been purchased from Willy himself.

Had there been any complaints from anyone else? Was it a bad batch, like Clem had suggested? The answer to both questions had been 'no'.

Buffy was frustrated and pissed off. She had really been counting on hearing that the vodka was bad, laced with something. Then she could have gone to Spike with proof that it wasn't her fault. Now, she was back to square one, with no options left. The witches wouldn't help her; she didn't even bother to ask. They'd probably dust her as soon as look at her. She started back to the crypt, for a long, lonely night of self-loathing.

"Hello, Buffy."

Buffy spun around, the cigarette dangling from the corner of her mouth. Sam stood a few feet away, a smile on her face.

"What do you want? I ain't in the mood, Wonder Bread."

"Gosh, I was so sorry to hear about you and Spike..." Sam's smile curled up even more. "It's really too bad."

"Sod off, bitch," Buffy said coldly. "If I want shit outta you, I'll squeeze your head."

"Tsk, tsk, Buffy! What kind of talk is that? So crude. I just wanted to tell you, you don't have to worry about Spike. I'll take good care of him."

"You ain't enough for him, Sammie. You'll be a bitter disappointment after the things he and I have done together. There's things he likes--things you won't do. You only get on your knees to pray, isn't that right?" Buffy couldn't resist fucking with her.

Sam's expression got darker, her smile more sinister. "I'm a tree, I can bend. I'll do what it takes to make my man--happy. Don't you worry about it."

"Well--goody for you."

Buffy flipped her the bird before turning and walking away. If she didn't leave now, she'd get a whopper of a headache from trying to split that bitch's skull open.

The moment Buffy's back was turned Sam reached behind her and grabbed the Initiative issue, stun rifle she'd hidden behind her. She aimed it at Buffy's back.

"Oh, Buffy?" Sam called sweetly.

Buffy growled and whipped back around.

"What--"

Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the gun. She spun back around to run. But Sam shot her before she could get more than a few steps away.

Buffy collapsed to the ground convulsing, as tendrils of blue energy zapped through her body. Sam stood over her, smiling down.

"You're going to pay for touching him, whore. I warned you to stay away. No one fucks with Samantha Jones and gets away with it."

Buffy mumbled something unintelligible before passing out.

Sam went into action.

She ran to her car, parked conveniently around the corner then tossed the rifle in the back seat. She ran around the back and opened the trunk, bringing out the chains she'd need to secure Buffy, then ran back to the prone form of the vampire.

Sam thanked her lucky stars that she still had friends in the government. Her old comrade Graham had sent her the vampire strength-proof shackles and a few other goodies that she had in store for the blonde vamp.

After Buffy was trussed up, Sam slung her over her shoulder and hurried back to the car then tossed Buffy in the trunk, none too gently. She slammed down the trunk and got in the driver's seat. Her heart was beating fast, adrenalin pumped in her veins as she started toward what would be Buffy's new home, for at least a few days.

Everything had worked perfectly: Spike would come back to her in time. Buffy was going to be permanently out of the picture soon--no one suspected Sam of anything. There were no witnesses. The only loose end was Riley, but he'd be heading for France, if he weren't on his way there already.

Life was good.


 

Buffy groaned as she came awake. She tried to put her hand on her head but she couldn't move it. She opened her eyes.

"Well, it's about time!" Sam said walking up to Buffy. "Good morning, Starshine. You've been out for the better part of the day."

"Wha--what's going on?" Buffy struggled to process what was happening.

"How do you like the place?" Sam said gesturing at their surroundings. "This is the same factory you and what's his name? Angelus? Stayed in when you first came to Sunnydale. I fixed up a little corner of it just for you. We'll have lots of privacy."

Sam had cleaned and fixed up a small section of the factory for just this purpose, with a little help from some of her military buddies.

"What do you want?" Buffy looked up, examining the chains securing her wrists.

A large chain was looped over a high steel beam and connected to her shackles. She was suspended in the air, her toes just barely brushing the floor.

"I thought it was fitting, you know. Bringing you back here, where you started. I'll put an end to you here. Full circle. It's kind of poetic."

"If you wanted to stake me, why didn't you do it outside Willy's? Why go through all this trouble? Just so you can chain me up and make me listen to your bloody nattering?"

Sam laughed. "I have lots of fun and games for us to play before the--big finish, Buffy."

She walked over to a table where she had various nasty looking items laid out.

"You've gone nuts, haven't you?" Buffy said with growing anxiety, testing the strength of the shackles.

"Don't bother, hon. Vamp proof," Sam said over her shoulder at the sound of the chains rattling. "You won't be walking away from this."

"Let me go! You barmy bitch! You sodding coward! You can't face me in a fight, even with a chip shoved up my brain?!" Buffy railed against the chains.

Sam walked back over to her with a squeezable water bottle.

"It's not about fighting you. It's about getting even. You look parched, want a drink?" Sam smiled, holding up the bottle.

Buffy eyed it nervously. "Yeah, right. I'm not stupid. Get that away from me!"

"But you are stupid, Buffy! Why else would you step in and steal Spike away from me when he was most vulnerable? I did warn you that you'd pay if you dared to go near him, didn't I?"

"He broke up with you, deal with it! He chose me and you can't handle it." Buffy was trying to think furiously of a way to get out of this.

"But he broke up with you too. Spike made a mistake with you. He sees that now." Sam laughed. "It's really too bad you couldn't hold your vodka and lost control of yourself with Riley. And poor Spike had to see you two in bed." She mock-pouted then grinned.

"Vodka? How did you know I was drinking vodka?" Buffy asked suspiciously.

"I couldn't wait to tell you...It was me! I had your drink--spiked!" Sam giggled at her own choice of words. "It was a special drug, that I obtained from some friends of mine, to make you all horny. If Riley hadn't been there, Spike would have caught you humping a chair."

"You--BITCH!" Buffy slid into game face in the blink of an eye and lunged at Sam, snarling and snapping her slavering jaws.

She was primal, feral. Her hands were bent into claws that surely would have ripped Sam's flesh from her body, had they not been suspended above her head. The chip was firing but she didn't feel it yet. The chains rattled and strained, but they held.

Sam stepped back a few paces. She had expected Buffy to go ape-shit, but the suddenness and ferocity of her would-be attack was off putting. It took a moment for Sam to reassert her smug attitude.

"I'll kill you! I'll kill you, you bloody fucking bitch! If I weren't in these chains--" Buffy roared.

"But ya are, Buffy! Ya are in the chains!" Sam giggled. "See what I did there? I paraphrased the line from 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.' Was that a good Bette Davis impersonation?"

"You have gone fucking loony..." Buffy breathed heavily, her normal features returning.

She was beginning to realize just how unbalanced Captain Cardboard had become. Sam had a crazy look in her eye, one that reminded Buffy a bit of that 'Renfield' bloke. The one in the original 'Dracula' movie, and he was one barmy motherfucker.

"You think so? Why could that be? Hmm?" Sam scratched her chin and furrowed her brow. "Could it be, you think, because I had to listen to you fucking my boyfriend only a few minutes after I left his house? You didn't waste any time, did you, whore?"

Buffy stared at her. 'She heard us--Oh shit...'

"That's right, Hostile 17. I came back that night. I came back to patch things up with him. But what did I hear? You. You and him. Moaning and groaning. You don't know how lucky you are that I left instead of going up there and killing you both while you fucked like animals. I was this close," Sam squinted and held up her hand, holding her index finger and thumb a few centimeters apart, "to doing just that...It's not polite to jump another woman's man the minute her back is turned. Time to teach you some manners, bitch." Her face hardened as she finished.

Sam squirted the bottle at Buffy. The water hit her cheek and ran down her neck, burning the skin where it touched.

Buffy howled in pain as her flesh blackened and smoked, she thrashed her head around, trying to shake the holy water off her skin.

"Arrgh! You better--pray I don't get out of here--BITCH!" Buffy grit her teeth and yelled, trying not to let out the piercing scream that wanted to erupt from her throat.

Sam grinned toothily. "I'm not concerned about it. You'll stay right here. Until I'm tired of torturing you, that is. Then it's Dustbuster City for you. I think I'll flush your dust particles down the toilet afterwards. It's more fitting. You'll feel right at home in the sewers."

Sam squirted Buffy again, this time on her bare arms. Buffy whimpered and screamed in pain as the water burned trails down her arms. Sam smiled and went back to her table of torture devices.

"Now...let me see...what should I use first?" Sam chewed on her thumbnail. "Decisions, decisions..."


 

Days passed...

Buffy hung limply from her chains, her head lolling, her chin touching her chest. Burns, cuts, (both deep and shallow) and bruises covered her body. Some of her bones had been broken more than once. Sam was very thorough; the Initiative had obviously trained her very well in the art of torture. Buffy thought it was a shame that Sam and Drusilla didn't get on better, they had a love of torturing people in common.

Buffy didn't know how long she'd been here. The days and nights blended into each other after a while. There was no hope of escape, the first few nights after Sam had left for home, Buffy had strained and pulled with all her might on the bonds to no avail. It was no use screaming for help either. With her luck, some nefarious character would hear her plea and do something even worse to her.

Buffy was too weak to struggle anymore. She hadn't eaten since Sam brought her here. But she remained defiant. She used the only thing she had left to protest: Her mouth. Insulting Sam, teasing her, spitting on her. It wasn't much, but it was all she had left. The beatings and treatment she got for running her mouth were savage, but she wasn't going to just dangle there and take it. That wasn't her style.

She slipped in and out of consciousness more and more often. On the whole, she preferred being out. While asleep/passed out, she dreamed of the Slayer. The best dream/hallucination was a recurring one. Spike would come storming into the factory and free her. He'd take her in his arms and cradle her to his chest, telling her how wrong he was to doubt her and how much he loved her, while placing gentle kisses all over her face.

Then she would wake up. If Sam happened to be gone at the time, she'd weep at the profound disappointment and sorrow she felt. In reality he would never come for her, he detested her now. Buffy hated that the last image she had of Spike was when he was looking at her in disgust and loathing, with tears in his eyes.

Sam had fooled him. She had fooled all of them.

Buffy knew that Sam was tiring of the 'games' that she played with her. It wouldn't be long now before it was over. Buffy's demon silently raged and howled inside of her at the indignity of it all, but she was truly helpless. Nothing could stop the inevitable.

"Hey, there, Buffy!" Sam chirped. "You still with me? I guess so, or you'd be dusty."

Buffy weakly raised her head to look at the tall brunette. Sam was wearing a light, floral summer dress that offered a peek of her ample cleavage and showcased her long, tanned legs. Her long brown hair was loose, cascading over her shoulders and down over her back. She was dressed to impress.

"Just wanted to let you know that I'm going to see Spike now. You think he'll like my dress?" Sam executed a little spin. "I have a nice, quiet evening planned with him. I'm going to seduce him; he's going to be so surprised! I didn't do things like that before. I'm looking forward to feeling his strong hands running all over my body again. I can't wait to tell you how it went when I come back tomorrow!" Sam giggled like she was gossiping with a girlfriend.

Buffy mumbled.

"What was that? Didn't quite catch that." Sam laughed, leaning forward slightly.

In a louder voice, Buffy said, "Fuck you, you frigid, barmy, bloody cow..."

Sam sighed. "That potty mouth of yours really needs to be washed out with soap. I'll do that tomorrow. Well, I'm off! Wish me luck!"

Sam grabbed her purse and strolled out, whistling a happy tune.

Sam planned on finishing Buffy off tomorrow, right after she tells her about what she and Spike did. She would watch as Buffy raged impotently for a bit, then she'd dust her evil ass, getting rid of her once and for all.

Sam was only slightly worried that Spike would spurn her advances. People who got cheated on usually wanted to get even by sleeping with someone else too--she was counting on that. She couldn't wait to try out some of the things she'd learned from Riley on Spike. She really had discovered her 'inner freak'.


 

Spike was feeling better physically after a few days. He was still a bit sore and bruised but his condition had improved greatly. Joyce, Dawn and the Scoobies forbade him to start slaying again right away, even though he insisted that he was well enough.

The truth was that he needed to do something. Resting in bed and puttering around the house just didn't cut it. Every free moment he had was spent thinking of Buffy, loving and hating her at the same time.

As angry as he was with her, he still missed her presence. He'd become so accustomed to being with her. He missed her confident smirk; the touch of her hand; her sexy purr; the deep and meaningful conversations they would have while laying in each other's arms after making love. No, not making love. He had to correct himself when he thought of it as that. It hadn't been that. Not to her.

Spike stood by his bedroom window, looking out on the front yard. He realized that he was sub-consciously looking for the orange glow of a cigarette under the tree, part of him hoped to see it. He sighed and ran both hands through his hair. He had to get his mind off of her for a while.

Dawn and Joyce went to a PTA meeting at Dawn's school tonight. Spike had the whole house to himself for a few hours. He was deciding how he should try to occupy himself when the doorbell rang. He went to answer it.

"Hi, Sam," Spike greeted her with a smile.

"Hi. I wanted to come by and see how you were doing."

Sam had come over everyday since Spike had been hurt. Talking with him, playing cards, waiting on him, anything she could think of to endear herself to him. Judging by the happy smile on Spike's face, it was working.

"Come in. Wow, you look--great!"

Spike's eyes roamed over her toned body briefly as she walked past him into the house. She looked beautiful, even more so than usual.

"That's a nice dress, is it new?"

Sam smiled brightly. "I just bought it today, thanks for noticing." She did a little spin then batted her eyelashes at him.

"Uh--You going out somewhere?" he asked, thinking she looked so good that she must have a date.

"Not anywhere special. You want to--hang out--for awhile?"

"Sure...I was just trying to think of something to do."

"It's back to bed with you, young man." Sam wagged her finger at him.

"Aw, I'm sick of staying in bed. I'm better now. I'll prove it. You want to wrestle? Two out of three falls?" Spike joked.

He meant it innocently.

"Hmm, maybe..." She grinned. "I think I could take ya. You don't look so tough. Now, upstairs. Or do I have to tell your mom you were a bad boy?"

"Geez, fine!" Spike sighed and went up to his room, followed closely by Sam.

He went in and sat on the bed.

"Take off your shirt," Sam said.

"Huh?" He stared at her.

"Your shirt. Take it off. So I can see how you're healing. Don't look so scandalized!" She giggled.

"Oh--uh, okay." Spike laughed nervously, stood back up and stripped off his black t-shirt. "Looks pretty good, eh?" he asked running his fingertips up and down his stomach.

"Yeah, it looks great."

Sam felt herself heating up at the sight of his finely muscled torso. There were still some bruises and a dark red line across his abs from where he got slashed, but other than that he looked fine, very fine.

She stepped up to him put her hands on his chest, moving one over his collarbone, the other sliding down and around to his back then over his ass.

"In fact, it looks perfect," Sam purred, gazing into his startled blue eyes..

"Sam?" Spike gulped.

"You have such a gorgeous body, Spike. So nice and hard." She punctuated the word 'hard' by squeezing his ass cheek and pulling him into her. "You always looked so good to me."

"Uh--Sam, what--are you doing?" Spike was shocked and confused by her actions.

Why was she doing this? Sam had never been aggressive like she was being now. And they were broken up, she said that she was content to be friends. Much to Spike's surprise, his sex-starved cock was rising to the occasion.

"She hurt you so bad...I want to make you feel good...I'll make you feel so good..." Sam put her mouth against his, brushing her tongue along his bottom lip.

"Sam-mmmph!"

Sam's tongue invading his mouth cut off Spike's words.

He was too shocked to put up resistance. She turned his back to the bed and gently pushed on his shoulders until he sat down.

"What--why are you--"

"Shhh." Sam put a finger to his lips. "Let me make you feel good, Spike. I see that--part of you is warming up to the idea." She smiled seductively, looking at the growing bulge in his sweat pants.

"But--I--It wouldn't be fair t-to you. I--"

Spike stopped talking when Sam grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head, leaving her in a pair of pink panties. His mouth hung open a bit. Her body was beautiful: Full, rounded breasts, taut and toned stomach, long, smooth legs. She had never let him see her nude in the light before. Both her beauty and her sudden brazenness stunned him.

"You like it, Spike?" Sam asked, running her hands up and down her sides. "You like my--tits?"

She was trying to follow Riley's suggestion to talk dirty. It didn't come naturally to her, she had to practice on the way over to his house. She had been a 'good girl' before she came to this town. Riley also said that guys liked it when women played with themselves in front of them.

With that in mind, she fondled her breasts, playing with and tweaking the nipples. She sank to her knees on the floor, between his parted thighs.

"Let me make you happy, Spike...just for tonight," Sam said in a breathy voice while she pulled on the drawstring of his sweats.

Spike blinked at her owlishly, his mouth open and closed silently a few times. He still wasn't able to comprehend that this was the same Sam he'd gone out with for months.

Sam pulled the sweats down slightly, enough for his cock to pop out and say 'hello'. She wrapped her hand around it and took a deep breath, preparing herself for the task.

'Showtime!' she thought.

Smiling up into his wide baby-blue eyes, she lowered her mouth to his prick's head and swiped her tongue back and forth over it.

Spike moaned. "Sam--Oh God--I thought you didn't--We sh-shouldn't be doing this..."

"Shhh..." Sam pumped him firmly in her fist. "Lay back...relax...let me take care of you, baby."

She took the head into her mouth and used her tongue like Riley had instructed her as she continued moving her hand up and down his length. Spike leaned back to let her continue.

Sam was enjoying this. She never thought she would, but his penis was beautiful and more delicious than she would have believed possible. The look of pleasure on his face and the small gasps and moans he made were really turning her on. She couldn't wait for him to be inside her again. She ached for him.

Spike's eyes rolled up slightly, his eyelids fluttered. It felt so good. So good compared to the mind-numbing pain and misery he'd experienced since he walked in on Buffy and Riley four days ago. Sam was so beautiful and kind. She still wanted and needed him. He could tell that she was inexperienced at this; he knew her formerly strong anti-blowjob stance all too well. Those factors made it even more exciting that she was now so eagerly going down on him.

His mind drifted on it's own as Sam sucked on his dick like a popsicle....

Buffy. Buffy loved doing this to him, for him. He loved the way her long, blonde hair tickled his thighs, the way she would scratch her fingernails lightly along his skin, the way she would look up into his eyes adoringly, smiling around his girth as she...

What little blood that was actually going to his brain was enough for him to realize how wrong this was. His body said, 'Yes! Yes!', while his brain kicked in with a louder, 'NO! NO!'

"Oh God--Sam--Stop--Stop!" Spike gasped and pushed her gently away from his crotch.

His member slipped from her lips.

"Was--I doing it wrong?" Sam asked, her mouth going slack.

She would track down and kill that idiot Riley if he didn't tell her how to do it right.

"No--no--you were--it was great..." Spike said, pulling his pants back up and tucking himself back inside. "It's--I--I just can't. I'm sorry."

He got up and walked across the room, running his fingers through his hair.

Sam grabbed her dress and put it back on, feeling angry and embarrassed.

"Why not? I just want you to be happy."

Spike ran his hands through his hair. "It's too soon--way too soon..."

"It's her isn't it? You're still thinking about--Buffy," Sam spit out Buffy's name, balling up her fists.

She couldn't help momentarily losing her cool.

"I'm sorry--it's not anything against you. You're--wonderful. What you were doing felt--so good. But I'm still--"

"Don't say you're in love with her! After she cheated on you with Riley?! Spike, you have to move on! It's over between you and Buffy!"

"I know what she did was--" Spike stopped in mid-sentence. He turned slowly around to look in her eyes. "How did you know about that?" He furrowed his brow.

"Huh?" Sam's mind backed up, trying to remember what she'd said.

"How did you know that she cheated on me and that it was with Riley?"

"You--told me...didn't you?" Sam mentally scrambled to cover her slip up.

SHIT!' she thought.

"No...I didn't. I know I didn't tell you because it was too embarrassing to admit. How did you know?"

"I remember now. I--ran into Buffy the other day. It--came up."

"What? You--talked to Buffy about this?" Spike looked at her in disbelief.

"Yeah." Sam was getting more nervous.

He didn't seem to be buying it.

Spike shook his head. "And it just--came up? How?"

"She--was bragging about it. How--she fooled you for so long and broke us up...I'm sorry, Spike..."

The whole story was hard to swallow, but merely the thought of Buffy laughing at him was devastating.

"I--I need to be alone right now, Sam." Spike turned away from her.

An image of Buffy laughing and bragging to some of her demon buddies over a few pints sprang up in his mind. 'How did you fool me so well, Buffy? I believed you...'

"Sure..." Sam fixed her clothes.

She was agitated and troubled. Not only by Spike's refusal of her attentions, but also by her almost fatal slip-up. She had let her emotions get the better of her and said more than she intended. Fortunately, the situation was still salvageable.

"I--I'm sorry about what happened, Spike. I just wanted to make you--feel good. I guess I wasn't thinking." Sam tried to save face.

"It's okay. I wish I could have--responded the way you wanted," Spike said in a quiet voice, looking out the window.

Sam came up behind him and ran her hand over his back. "When you feel like you're--ready...I'll be here."

Spike nodded slowly without looking at her, his eyes settled on Buffy's old 'stalking tree'. He thought of all the times he'd caught her lurking out there, the ground littered with spent cigarette butts.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Sam said, going to the door. "Things will look better in the light of day. They always do."

Things would be much better tomorrow, because Buffy would be dust by then. Sam was full of sexual frustration and rage. She decided to finish Buffy tonight instead of waiting. She needed some satisfaction, if she couldn't get it from Spike, then she'd get it by watching Buffy die. She set off for the factory.


 

"Buffy?"

Buffy realized someone was speaking to her and raised her head. Riley was standing in front of her, aghast.

"Bloody hell..." she mumbled.

She had been dreaming and hallucinating more often. Most of the time it was Spike that she saw. Sometimes he'd come to her and tell her he loved her, other times he'd tell her how much he hated her and spit in her face. Now her brain was so damaged that it was conjuring up images of Riley.

"Buffy...Oh God...I didn't know--I didn't know that she was going to do this! I wouldn't have..." Riley was afraid to touch her, she was so beaten and bloodied.

Sam must have been planning this all along and kept it from him. He was angry with Buffy and wanted to get revenge for her mistreatment and spurning of him, but he'd never want anything like this to happen to her. Even a soulless creature like him, felt ill at the extensive torture Buffy had endured.

"What--do you want?" Buffy asked weakly, her head dropping down.

"I--wanted to see where she went at night...so I followed her last night. I came back to look around inside--to see what she was doing in here. Oh God, Buffy...I'm sorry. I wouldn't have helped her if I knew..."

Tears shone in his eyes. He touched a spot on her face that wasn't too damaged.

Buffy frowned. She could feel him touching her. Did that mean that he was really here?

"Riley? Is it--you? You're not some bloody figment?" her voice was little more than a whisper.

"It's--me. You have to believe me Buffy. I wouldn't have--"

"Never mind that!" she said, getting a little more power behind her words. "Get me out of here! That bitch is crazy--look what she did to me..."

"How--how do I get you down?" Riley studied the manacles and chains.

"I don't know...a key? Look around for a key..."

Riley looked around. He blanched at the table of nasty equipment Sam had used on Buffy. He couldn't believe he actually had sex with that insane woman. Sometimes even he had to agree that he was stupid.

"I don't see any keys, Buffy."

"What--about a--release switch?"

It was so hard to think straight. Part of her still wasn't totally convinced that this was really happening and not just another fevered but vivid dream.

"I don't see anything like that." He walked back over to her. "I swear, I wouldn't have helped her or had sex with her if I knew--What should I do?" Riley pleaded.

"You--had what with her? Ugh--just--get--Spike. Tell him where I am..." It was the only thing she could think of.

"He won't come. He thinks you cheated on him, he doesn't like you anymore."

"Tell him--the truth...tell him what really happened."

Riley looked at her in horror. "No way! He'll stake me!"

"Spike's the only one that can help me! He won't stake you..." she hoped he wouldn't.

"No way, uh-uh." Riley shook his head back and forth.

"Bloody hell, Riley!" Buffy went into a coughing fit, blood and spittle bubbled out of her mouth. "You have to do it," she gasped.

Riley bit his bottom lip. "I'm--sorry...I can't...I wish I could help you..." He started backing away towards the exit.

"No! Don't go, don't leave me here!" Buffy begged.

She hated begging but she was at a severe disadvantage.

"I'm sorry!"

Riley turned and ran around the corner. The sound of the door slamming echoed within the factory. It sounded like a tomb door being shut.

Buffy hung by the chains, defeated. There was no hope left. She was a warrior, she deserved the death of a warrior: On her feet, fists and fangs flying. Not this. Not chained up and tortured within an inch of her unlife then unceremoniously staked. It couldn't end like this. Buffy was too weak to do anything but hang there and wait. Wait for that nutter to come back and finish her off. It would be an escape from the agony at least; she would welcome that part of it.


 

Spike lay on his bed, one arm thrown over his eyes. He wished that things could be different. He was in love with Buffy, but only had that epiphany when he saw her screwing someone else. It was a perfect example of his legendary bad timing.

It hurt to think about her. She was out there, somewhere. Was she thinking about him? No, of course she wasn't. It was a game to her. The whole thing was a game. It didn't make any sense. How could she have faked her affection so well? How was she capable of keeping up the act for such long periods of time? The thought that there was more to this than met the eye, niggled at his brain.

Spike sighed heavily. He was just deluding himself with that kind of thinking, wasn't he?. He had to face it; she used him. She lied. He was a notch on her bedpost, bedding a Slayer was only a feather in her vampiric cap. He was better off without her.

And what was the deal with Sam tonight? She had stripped in front of him and went down on him. She would have been happy to continue if he hadn't stopped her. He wished he could have let her, but--it just wasn't right. It wasn't fair to her, but most of all, it wasn't right. Buffy was the only one he wanted to do that to him. She was the only one he wanted, period.

He was so fucked, and not in the good way.

There was a light tapping on his window. He sat upright and looked. When he heard the noise, his heart had jumped.

'Buffy!' his mind shouted.

But he was surprised and bewildered when he saw Riley's big, moon face staring back at him from the roof. Riley looked terrified--like he was about ready to mess himself.

Spike got up and moved to the window cautiously.

"What are you doing here?" Spike clenched his jaw.

The last image he had of Riley was under Buffy. What he'd seen that horrible night replayed in his mind.

"I--have to t-talk to you...D-Don't stake me, okay?" Riley stuttered.

"If you think I'm letting you in my house, you're dumber than you look. And that's quite a feat."

"It's important! It's about--Buffy."

Spike wasn't sure he wanted to hear anything Riley had to say.

"What makes you think I give a shit about her anymore?"

It was a lie, he still loved her, but Spike wouldn't give Riley the satisfaction of knowing how badly he had been hurt.

"Please, Slayer--Spike...I have to tell you some really heavy shit."

The desperation in Riley's voice compelled Spike to at least hear him out before he staked him.

"Alright. On the front porch."

"You won't stake me?" Riley asked anxiously.

"No. Unless you're wasting my time."

"I'll be on the porch..." Riley jumped down from the roof and into the yard.

Spike pulled on a t-shirt. He picked up his lucky stake and tucked it in the waistband of his sweatpants. He would take great pleasure in staking the dim-witted vampire if this proved to be yet another ploy to fuck with him.

When he came out of the house onto the front porch, Riley was pacing nervously.

"All right, what's so important? And be brief." Spike crossed his arms over his chest.

"Okay..."

Riley made sure to keep at least 10 feet between him and the Slayer at all times. Just in case he had to make a break for it. He knew that he was taking a big risk by coming here, but he couldn't get the picture of Buffy hanging in chains, beaten and bloody, out of his mind. Whatever served as a conscience for a vampire had nagged at him until he took some action.

"Buffy's in trouble. Samantha...she--has Buffy. She's hurting her--really bad."

"What? What the hell are you talking about?" Spike creased his brow.

"Samantha captured Buffy and is torturing her in the old factory. She's going to kill her...maybe soon. But Buffy's in bad--"

"You really think I'm going to buy that? You're nuts. Sam wouldn't--"

"Yes she would! And she did. They didn't have tea parties with the demons they captured in the Initiative did they? They experimented on them, they tortured them."

Spike was becoming more confused. He couldn't fathom that Sam would be capable of such a thing.

"It's true, Slayer. I swear! Samantha had a plan to break you and Buffy up...I--helped her with that part cause I was mad. Buffy was always thinking about you, even when we were...We set it up so that you would catch Buffy with me. We gave her a--drug to make her crazy-horny. She was out of her mind on that drug. What happened wasn't her fault..."

Spike was getting more infuriated and disillusioned by the second. He was in shock. What Riley was telling him was too sick to be true. He could only stare at the tall, sandy-haired vampire, trying to absorb what he was hearing.

"Samantha didn't tell me that she was going to hurt Buffy. Spike...God, if you saw what Samantha did to her..."

It was true. Things finally started clicking in Spike's brain. Buffy had seemed so sincere because she had been. What happened really wasn't her fault. And Sam had known the circumstances of their break up because she made it happen.

"She's at the factory?" Spike asked, pushing aside the strong urge to pummel Riley for his part in Sam's game.

He was reeling from the information Riley had given him, but buried his emotional upheaval for the moment. He had to keep his head clear; he had to get to Buffy.

"Yeah. The same one she stayed in when she first came to town. But--you'd better hurry. She's so messed up and Sam could go back and kill her at anytime. Take your car, I don't think Buffy will be able to walk."

"I--don't have a car," Spike said, cursing the fact that he didn't have one for the hundredth time.

"Then borrow one or something!"

"I don't have a license."

Riley looked at him incredulously. "What 21 year old guy doesn't have a license? Are you mentally challenged or something?" Riley backed up and cowered slightly at the look of menace on the Slayer's face. "Kidding! Just--kidding..."

"I'll call Xander," Spike said. "He's got a car, he'll take us."

"Us? No way, I'm getting out of town, fast. Samantha will kill me for sure if she finds out I told you."

"Fine." Spike walked quickly to the door then paused with his hand on the knob. "Thanks--for telling me," he said over his shoulder.

"I had to. I hate Buffy...but I love her too. I don't want--anything to happen to her...I can't explain it right..." Riley said in frustration.

"I understand," Spike said then went inside to call Xander.

He understood that perspective quite well, hating and loving her at the same time. He had shared it until a few minutes ago. Now, Spike's hatred was reserved for his ex, for Sam.

Riley released a shaky breath and made his way back to his place to gather his belongings. He felt proud that he had the guts to come here and tell Spike the truth. He just hoped that Spike would get there in time. Now, off to gay Paris...


 

Chapter 10

Sam walked into the factory. She was so consumed with hate for the vampire that she didn't notice that the light was already on. Riley had left in such a hurry that he had forgotten to turn it off on his way out. Her face set with a sense of purpose and duty. She ambled up to the limp form of the blonde vampire.

"Buffy? Wakey-wakey!" Sam sing-songed.

When Buffy didn't respond, Sam slapped at her drooping head.

"Wake up, bitch!" Sam spit.

Buffy groaned and lifted her head.

"Hello again, Hostile 17. I hope you don't mind, but I decided to move things slightly ahead of schedule. You die tonight."

Buffy glared at her.

Sam smiled and walked over to the table. "Spike and I had such a good time tonight!" she lied. "He really is a fantastic lover, isn't he?"

Buffy squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could wrap her hands around Sam's throat. Picturing Spike and that bitch together made her borrowed blood boil.

"We had a great time. He really liked it when I sucked his dick, said I was a natural. And he's so--responsive." She grinned, picking up a stake and weighing it in her hand.

"Shut up!" Buffy meant for it to come out as a roar, but it was more of a whimper.

"Aww, what's the matter? Does that upset you?" Sam walked back to Buffy. "Does it bother you that Spike and I had fantastic sex for hours and hours? He really seemed to enjoy it too. He yelled my name when he came. It's too bad I didn't video tape it to show you."

In one last act of defiance, Buffy spit in Sam's face. Sam wiped the bloody saliva from her face slowly.

"I'm going to enjoy this." Sam smiled evilly then punched Buffy in her already battered face.

A little more punishment before the finale would be called for.


 

Spike sat rigidly in the passenger seat of Xander's car, staring out the window at the darkened landscape as it whizzed by. Xander glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, every few minutes as he drove. Spike had told Xander the information that Riley had shared with him.

Xander couldn't get over the fact that Sam had done something like this, setting Spike up like that to be hurt. He had been so wrong about her. Part of him still couldn't wrap his mind around the concept. Sam was a good person; she would never do that. She couldn't have.

"Almost there," Xander said.

Spike tensed. He was anxious to get there and see Buffy for himself, but he was afraid of what exactly he was going to see. What if they didn't get there in time? What if it was already too late? He might never get to tell her he was sorry, or that he loved her.

Xander pulled over near the factory. It loomed ominously in front of them. Spike stared at it a moment, reliving all the times he'd come here in the past when he and Buffy had still been enemies.

"Stay here," Spike said, getting out of the car.

"Sure," Xander said, tapping the steering wheel with his fingers nervously.


 

Spike crept silently along the catwalk toward the lighted area of the factory. The dull, stomach-churning sounds of flesh striking flesh echoed off the walls. He peeked down over the catwalk at the source of the sounds. He was stunned into immobility by what he saw.

Buffy (at least he was pretty sure it was Buffy, the person had been beaten so severely that it was hard to tell) was hanging by chains, suspended to the ceiling. Sam was punching the beaten figure over and over again.

"I am going to miss this Buffy. All these special moments. But," Sam held the stake up, "all good things must yadda, yadda, yadda. You know how it goes. When you get to Hell, tell them I sent you!"

"Sam!" Spike yelled, jumping over the railing and dropping the 20 feet to the floor to land in a crouch.

Sam whipped around, her chocolate-brown eyes going wide in shock and disbelief.

"Spike..."

He stood up and ran towards her.

"Stop!" Sam commanded, pressing the stake against Buffy's chest.

Spike skidded to a stop about 10 feet away from them.

"Sam--what have you done to her? How could you do this?!"

"She never would have stopped coming after you! I had to--"

"Get away from her! Oh God, what did you do to her?!" Spike wanted to weep at Buffy's condition.

"After what she did to you--you still want her!?"

"I know the truth, Sam," Spike said tersely. "I know that you were the one who set the whole thing in motion. Buffy wouldn't have cheated on me if you didn't give her that drug."

Sam's mouth opened and closed, she shook her head. "No...You weren't supposed to know that! Who told you?! Riley? That rat bastard! Did he tell you?!"

"Buffy! Can you hear me?!" he yelled to her.

Buffy didn't respond.

"Unchain her--NOW!" Spike bellowed.

"NO! I'm going to finish this!"

"Give me the key to the shackles, Sam." Spike inched towards her.

"What? This key?" Sam fished a key out of her jacket pocket then waved it in the air.

"Give it to me." Spike held out his hand.

Sam smiled and threw the key into a nearby open drain. It was convenient for washing away the blood when she was working Buffy over.

"No!" Spike ran to the drain and dropped down on his knees, looking down into it.

The key was gone. He looked up at her with murder on his face: His eyes narrowed to slits, his teeth were bared, and a muscle ticced in his cheek. Sam shrank back from his deadly gaze.

"You weren't supposed to find out! Everything was perfect! This is--unacceptable!" Sam cried.

Spike stood slowly. "Let--her--go."

"I won't let her have you! I won't allow it!" Sam turned back to Buffy and raised the stake.

Then just before she could plunge it into Buffy's chest, Spike tackled her from the side. They flew in the air a few feet and fell together onto the ground.

"Let me go!" Sam struggled beneath him.

Spike snatched the stake from her hand and threw it across the room. He took her by the shoulders and shook her.

"What the hell happened to you?!" he demanded. "Why did you do all of this?"

Sam, still pumped up with strength-enhancing drugs (courtesy of the Initiative), punched Spike in the face. His head shot backwards. Sam jabbed him in the solar plexus, stunning him long enough for her to kick him off of her. Spike was off his game; he hadn't recovered totally from his demon battle royale the other night. He skidded on the concrete floor on his back for a few feet.

Sam jumped to her feet.

"The night we broke up--I HEARD YOU! I heard you with her in your room--not 15 fucking minutes after I left! I warned her to stay away from you!"

Tears poured down her face. Everything was ruined.

Spike spared a moment to feel remorse and pity for his former girlfriend, as well as a truckload of guilt. It would have been devastating to her. Without knowing it, he had destroyed her. He doubted if Sam could have done something like this before that happened. He got back to his feet, his nose bloodied from her punch.

"I'm sorry that I hurt you. I never wanted to do that. But this--this is insane! Lying to me, drugging Buffy, doing--this--to her..." his voice broke when he looked back at Buffy.

He looked back to Sam.

"She's a vampire, Spike! A demon! They don't matter! You think she hasn't done her share of maiming, torturing and killing? Your beloved Buffy has killed for over a hundred years!"

"She's changed. She was evil but she's not anymore. She hasn't been for a long time. But you--you've gone in the opposite direction...If you can look at her and see what you've done and not feel pity or remorse...then you're too far gone for anyone to save you. How could you do this to another being?"

Sam stood and jutted her chin out. "Listen to you. Aren't you the hypocrite? How many demons have you killed?"

"I don't fucking torture them! I fight them. There's a BIG difference, Sam! Is there another key? Tell me!"

Sam smiled wickedly. "No. And you won't be able to break them either. They're enchanted. There was a witch that we caught while I was with the Initiative. She had to be coerced, but she gave us a very effective spell to keep even the strongest demons in chains."

"You mean--you tortured a witch for spells, a human witch?" Spike stared at her in shock.

"She was a demon sympathizer. Gave them places to hide from us, she sheltered them. Too bad her specialty wasn't teleportation spells--too bad for her that is."

"I never wanted to believe that--that the Initiative was capable--that you were capable of that..."

"You're judging me again?!" Sam's blood boiled. "You're so high and mighty, aren't you? Just because you're the mystical Slayer you think you're better than me?"

"I can say without a doubt, that I am better than you. And so is she." Spike pointed to Buffy.

Sam exploded in rage. The suggestion that he considered Buffy better than her (that murdering monster--better than her?!) made her see red. Sam gave a war cry and charged at the surprised Slayer. Spike was able to block a series of her punches, but one snuck through and jolted his head backwards. Sam kept up her assault, kicking and punching him in a mad whirl of limbs.

Spike and Sam had sparred several times over their courtship; this was a twisted parody of those sparring sessions. This time, Sam was out for blood. Spike was feeling weaker than usual--his strength was leaving him rapidly. Buffy. He had to beat Sam to help her. Buffy looked so broken, so small...He was reluctant to actually hit Sam, he could kill her if he hit her too hard, but looking at Buffy's limp body again...he was beginning not to care as much if he did.

He felt a surge of strength. Spike caught Sam's fist as she tried to land another punch and punched her back. Sam grunted and flew to the side from the blow. She quickly recovered and sent another flurry of hits at his face. Spike blocked them all effortlessly then went down into a crouch. He executed a leg sweep, knocking Sam's legs out from under her.

Sam landed on the floor, stunned. Spike leapt on her, pinning her down. "I don't want to fight you dammit!" Spike yelled. "How do I get those chains off of her!?"

"There is no way! Get it through your thick skull!" Sam struggled in his grasp. "She'll be rotting in Hell before you get her free--why don't you cut her hands off, that will work." She smiled then spit in his face.

Spike ignored the spittle dripping off his face and shook her. "To think that I cared about you--I had no idea what kind of person you really were."

"I hope you rot in Hell right alongside your undead whore," Sam growled. "I loved you! But I didn't stand a chance against your vampire fetish, did I?! You like to stick it into something cold and dead!"

Sam tried getting her arms free to hit him again, but Spike had her pinned too well.

"Tell me how to free her--NOW!" Spike yelled, angry at all the time that had been wasted.

"I already told you--there IS NO WAY, you IDIOT!"

Spike released her and backed away. He shook himself to gather his wits. The important thing right now was to get Buffy some medical attention, not to duke it out with Sam.

"I don't want to fight with you anymore, Sam. Leave town. Get out while you can," his voice was cold.

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you threatening me? You'd kill me over that evil bitch?!"

"If she dies..." Spike's voice was low and dangerous; his eyes glinted. "I don't want to see you in this town again.

Sam saw that he meant business. She stood up and backed away towards the exit.

"She WILL hurt you! Mark my words...if not now, then sometime in the future."

"LEAVE--before I change my mind!!" he thundered.

Sam turned, running out the door and out of his life. For good...he hoped. Spike never regretted his 'no killing humans' policy more than he did right now. Part of him cried out for vengeance on the person who dared harm the woman he loved.

The moment he was sure Sam was out of the building, he rushed to Buffy's side. His hands fluttered just above her skin, the tears he'd been holding back spilled down his sculpted cheekbones.

"Buffy! Please wake up...can you hear me, Buffy?"

Buffy groaned and somehow found the strength to raise her head. She opened her eyes to see Spike standing in front of her, his beautiful face wet with tears. It looked like he'd been fighting again. She was sure it was just another hallucination. It couldn't really be him. He couldn't care less whether she lived or died anymore. At least it seemed like this vision of Spike was a friendly one, he wouldn't yell at or berate her.

"Buffy, please...can you understand me?" His sky-blue eyes searched hers, for that spark that made Buffy, Buffy.

"Spike..." she croaked. "I know you're not really here, pet...but--I'm glad the last thing I see will be your face..."

"Buffy, I'm here! I'm really here!" He looked around frantically, trying to think of a way to get her down from the chains.

"That's what you always...say..." Her head dropped back down to her chest.

"Buffy?"

Spike became even more frightened when she didn't answer him. He had to get her out of here immediately. In a near panic, he took the chain in his fists and pulled. The chain was undamaged. He took a deep breath and pulled harder, feeling one of the links give slightly. He grit his teeth as he pulled, the links of the chain bit into his palms. Blood running from his lacerated palms made the chain more slippery, making it difficult to get a good grip, but Spike tried again, pulling with all his might as he focused on Buffy's slack features.

There just wasn't any way he could break it. This was as good as it was going to get.

"Dammit!" Spike sobbed. "Think--think--think! There has to be a way..."

The enchantment on the chains and his weakened state proved too much for even his enhanced strength. Spike looked around frantically. He looked up and saw the steel beam that the chains had been looped over.

Spike crouched down then launched himself into the air. He grabbed onto the beam and hoisted himself up onto it. Then he began punching it, and dents appeared in the surface. His hand was becoming bloodier by the second, but he kept punching the steel. When he'd almost punched all the way through, the beam began to groan and dip down under his weight.

He could see that he had to move quickly to keep Buffy from being hit by the falling beam. His heart hammered in his chest as he leapt off the beam, landed on the floor and ran to Buffy--he did it all in the blink of an eye. He pulled her out of the way just before the metal crashed down on the spot where she had been a moment ago.

The chains were still attached to her but now he could take Buffy home and get her some help. They could figure out a way to remove the manacles later.

Spike gently laid her on the floor then stood, removing his brown leather jacket. He wrapped it around her and picked her back up in his arms, piling the chain on top of her stomach. He didn't know whether trying to keep her warm with his jacket would help or not, he didn't know what to do. Carefully, but quickly, he made his way out of the factory and back to Xander's car.

Xander saw them coming and jumped out of his car.

"What happened? I saw Sam run out of there like a--" Xander stopped when Spike got closer and he got a look at Buffy's face. "Holy shit! Did--did Sam do that?" Xander's voice trembled.

He wasn't a Buffy fan, but even he was shaken that someone could do this to her. Especially the seemingly kind-hearted Sam. The thought that he had actually encouraged Spike to be with her made him sick.

"Yes--she did. Open the door. We have to get her back home..." Spike said tightly.

"Yeah...yeah, okay. Sam fought with you?" Xander noticed a few new bleeding injuries to Spike's face and hands.

Spike nodded without commenting further.

Xander tore his eyes away from Buffy and opened the back door for Spike.

Spike got in and settled back against the seat, holding Buffy gently in his arms. Xander jumped back in the car and drove as fast as he could away from the factory.

"Do you have your pocketknife on you?" Spike asked.

"Y-yeah...why?"

"Give it to me."

"I say again, why?"

"I'm going to cut my wrist. Buffy needs blood. My blood will help her heal..." Spike's voice was low and shaky.

"I'm not letting you do that," Xander said, looking in the rearview mirror.

"Don't start with that shit--Give me the damn knife!" Spike said through clenched teeth, trying not to raise his voice to upset Buffy.

"No. Spike--think about it. You're not quite up to snuff yourself. You're still recovering from the other night. And you were just in another fight. You're too weak to spare any of your red stuff."

Spike was quiet, thinking it over.

Xander continued, "Remember when you saved Dru's life by letting her drink from you? She didn't intend to hurt you--but she nearly killed you in the state she was in. What if Buffy went nutso like that? It--wouldn't be her fault, but...You want to be able to help her, right? You can best accomplish that by getting your strength back and recuperating. Not weakening yourself even more. And imagine how she'd feel if she hurt you without meaning to..."

Spike closed his eyes and took a breath. He knew Xander was right. Straight thinking wasn't Spike's strong suit when it came to the people he loved being in imminent danger of death.

"Okay...you're right," Spike said softly. "Stop at Lou's Butcher Shop. We have to get blood--and lots of it." Spike scanned Buffy's face for signs of life and absently brushed a blood-soaked strand of hair off of her forehead.

"You got it," Xander said, mentally mapping out the route to the butcher shop. He was more than relieved to have talked Spike down from giving Buffy a few pints of Slayer blood.

All the way to the shop and to his home, Spike gently caressed her ruined face, whispering and cooing to her that everything would be all right. He didn't know if it was true, but he needed it to be.

She had to make it. He couldn't lose her, not now. Not ever.

Chapter 11

Buffy emerged from a deep, coma-like sleep slowly, feeling disoriented. Before she opened her eyes she inhaled. Her Slayer's scent was all around her, wrapping around her like a warm blanket. She was lying on something soft and yielding. A bed? She opened her eyes to survey her surroundings.

Late afternoon sunlight filtered through drawn blinds, suffusing the room with a soft, golden color. She was in Spike's bedroom, on his bed. She wondered if she was truly dead and this was some strange version of the afterlife.

"Buffy?" Spike's voice came from the doorway.

She turned her head to him and smiled weakly. If this was the afterlife, someone wasn't minding the switch; surely she couldn't have gone to Heaven.

Spike was standing in the doorway, holding a plate with a ham and cheese sandwich in one hand and a glass of milk in the other. A smile of purest joy spread over his handsome, angular features when it registered that she was really awake. It wasn't just one of the many dreams he had the past few nights.

He went quickly over to the bed, setting his plate and glass down on the nightstand before sitting carefully next to her.

"Buffy...you're awake," Spike said, stating the obvious.

"Spike...what--happened?" she rasped.

"Sam left town, she won't hurt you anymore. You're safe." He smiled and put his hand over one of her bandaged ones.

Buffy lifted her arms up slightly, noticing the network of bandages, crisscrossing her arms.

"I'm covered with these things, ain't I?" she asked. "God, must look like the bleedin' Mummy."

Spike laughed lightly, he felt giddy with relief. She was going to be okay.

"You're healing really well. Willow and Tara have been doing some healing magic and putting some smelly, but effective balms on your skin. Mom and Dawn helped to make sure you were nice and comfy. Xander's the one that drove me to the factory to find you and helped me get you back home. We've been giving you lots of blood too. It'll be a lot easier now that you're awake."

"You lot actually took care of me? Hmm...I woulda thought Harris would want to toss me in a dumpster or something. What about the Watcher? He apply cold compresses to my forehead or anything?" she asked with a teasing smile.

"He's been around a lot the last few days too. His contributions have mostly been polishing his glasses and saying, 'Good Lord', a lot."

They chuckled.

Buffy looked into his eyes and squeezed his hand lightly.

"Thanks...pet. I don't remember a lot of what happened in the factory towards the end, but I know I was in a real bad way."

"Yeah, but you're getting better everyday."

Spike wasn't going to mention that Xander did suggest maybe putting Buffy out of her misery. He had gone off on Xander at the time, but upon reflection, Spike realized that his friend had only suggested that because it seemed the most humane thing to do at the time. He wasn't trying to be cruel. But Spike knew that Buffy was a survivor, he would never give up on her.

"How long was I out, luv?"

"Three days. I'm so--relieved that you woke up." Spike looked down shyly.

Buffy smiled at him. She was touched that all of them helped take care of her in her convalescence. She hadn't expected any kindness from them. Most of all, she was grateful beyond words to see him smiling at her again.

"Hey, if I've been in a coma for three days where have you been sleepin'?"

"On the floor." Spike bent over and picked up his sleeping bag to show her.

"Spike...I'm sorry, I--"

"It was my choice. I could've slept on the couch...but I wanted to be nearby...if you woke up or needed me." Spike blushed adorably.

Buffy regretted feeling so tired, sore and shagged out, otherwise she would've jumped his bones.

"That's lovely, pet." Her eyes teared up. "I--" Her eyelids kept wanting to close.

"You still need to rest. I'll clear out so you can get some sleep. I'll take my food downstairs."

Spike bent over her, hesitating a moment before kissing her on the forehead.

He wanted to tell her he loved her, but decided to wait for a better time, when she was more rested.

"You don't have to leave..." Buffy said, her eyes starting to drift shut.

Spike touched her face lightly, happy to see that most of the swelling and bruising was disappearing.

"I'll be back in a little while to check on you, okay?" Spike said gently, tucking a strand of her golden hair behind her ear.

She nodded. He picked up his glass and plate and quietly stepped out of the room. He couldn't wait to tell everyone that she'd finally come to. All of them had a newly found respect for the vampire. They agreed that anyone who could withstand that kind of physical and mental torture was worthy of admiration.


 

3 days later...

Buffy was feeling much better. She was impressed with her own recovery speed. She had the rest of the Scoobies to thank too; they really did try to look after her on the occasions that Spike wasn't tending to her. There was still one more need she had that she hoped he'd fulfill soon.

Spike was being so sweet and gentle with her. He brought her blood, spicy wings, blooming onions, whatever she wanted. She could tell that he still cared for her, but they hadn't talked much about their feelings since she'd regained consciousness. Buffy wanted to forgive and forget, she'd gladly take up where they had left off before those wankers Sam and Riley fucked with their lives. Though, she would give Riley a pass if she saw him again. He did save her unlife by telling Spike the truth about Sam's treachery.

Last night had been especially nice. Buffy sighed happily when she thought of it. Spike had come up to bed and laid on his sleeping bag. She couldn't sleep knowing that he was that close but out of reach, so she asked him to lay with her, and he did. He spooned against her back and held her as she drifted off. Buffy could feel the hard muscles of his chest against her back; he had draped one strong arm over her waist. Part of her wanted to roll over and take him, make him hers again. Her body however wanted rest more than anything else, and she fell asleep despite her impure thoughts.

Tonight though there would be no drifting off, if she had anything to say about it. Buffy wanted him more than ever before. It was the perfect night for it. Joyce and the Nibblet were conveniently away at Aunt Marie's for another fun-filled weekend. And Buffy was feeling much stronger; there was hardly any pain at all anymore. It would just be Spike and her in the house. Alone. They could make as much noise as they wanted.

Now all she had to do was wait for him to come upstairs. Buffy wiggled her feet and picked at her fingernails, that Dawn had painted black for her this afternoon.

'Should I go look for him? No--no, this is better. Yeah...I'll wait for him. I could look all seductive and come hither. Wish I could see my bloody reflection. Want to look good for him...'

Buffy picked up a hairbrush and dragged it through her bleached blonde locks. Trying to primp a little before he came up. Maybe she could put on one of his t-shirts with nothing underneath...


 

Spike looked back at his nervous reflection in the medicine cabinet mirror as he brushed his teeth. He wanted to look and smell good for Buffy tonight. He already had his shower and was currently wearing a white towel around his waist. After his teeth were gleaming he took a comb and ran it through his wet hair.

"Stupid curls..." Spike tried taming the curling tips of his hair.

He was going to tell Buffy that he loved her tonight. It was the perfect time for it. She had recuperated enough that she didn't need to sleep around the clock and her mind was much clearer...and they were alone in the house. In fact, he had asked Joyce if she and Dawn could visit San Diego again this weekend. Joyce had been surprisingly easy to convince. She must have known they needed to be alone together.

Spike wanted to have complete privacy for this moment...and if, on the off chance, Buffy wanted to--make love, they were free to do so without worrying about Joyce or Dawn walking in on them. Spike really hoped she wanted to; it had been almost too much temptation, holding her petite, yet powerful, body in his arms last night. Part of him wanted to roll her over and make love to her all night long. Only reminding himself about her need for more rest and healing stopped him from doing so.

What if she didn't love him like she had before? What if his hurtful and angry words to her after the Riley incident convinced her that they shouldn't be together? What if she couldn't get over the way he had talked to her?

Spike shook his head to dispel the nerve-wracking, almost panic inducing thoughts. Of course she'd want him...but...he had something else he was going to offer her tonight, besides his heart and his body. It would show her beyond any shadow of a doubt how much he loved and trusted her.

Spike looked in the mirror and took a deep breath.

"Okay. You can do this. Piece of cake. Right?"


 

Buffy heard his footsteps in the hallway. She moved quickly to position herself on the bed, leaning back against the pillows, one arm behind her head the other resting on her stomach. One leg bent at the knee, the other straight, her toes pointing downwards. No underwear, of course.

Would he still want her? What if he couldn't get over seeing her and Riley together? Even though he knew it had been out of her control, what if the disturbing image was burned into his brain for all time?

'Stop it! He still cares about you--he'll still want you. Stop scarin' yourself more to death, you git! Calm blue ocean, etc.'

Buffy took some deep breaths to steady her nerves. She could really go for a smoke right about now.

Spike opened the door and poked his head in. His eyes got wide when he saw her lying on the bed. A smirk was planted on her lips. She was wearing his old Sunnydale High football jersey (he had played for a short time when he first came to the school). She looked so sexy, so beautiful...He gulped and walked in the room to get some pants to put on. He felt a little nervous just wearing the towel, especially with her looking like that. He was already getting stiff under the terrycloth.

Buffy's eyes got rounder when she saw the towel wrapped around his lean waist. Bloody hell, that boy could wear a towel like nobody else...but she preferred it when he wore nothing at all.

"Hey, Buffy. I--uh--just let me get something to wear and--"

"What you're wearin' now looks pretty--good to me, luv," Buffy said, mentally ripping the towel off with her teeth. "Come sit with me, pet." She rubbed her legs together like a cricket. "I need to talk to you."

"Oh--okay...I actually wanted to--talk to you too."

Giving up on finding something else to wear, and since he wanted to entice her anyway, he decided to go with the towel; it seemed to capture her--interest.

Spike went over and sat on the edge of the bed. They looked at each other nervously for a moment, and then laughed lightly.

"We both seem to be a bit nervous," Buffy said, feeling more like her chaste, geeky, pre-vampire self.

"Yeah..." Spike said, glancing away bashfully.

"You go first," they both said at the same time.

They laughed again.

"You go ahead, Buffy. I'll wait." Spike smiled.

"Um--okay."

Spike looked so edible, so mouth-wateringly, shaggably fantastic...She became hot and wet the moment she saw him enter the room. Plus he smelled--oh--so clean and fresh. It made her want to stink him up a bit the old-fashioned way.

"Okay...here it goes. Spike-pet...I don't know how you feel, but I-- still love you. Even more now, if that's possible. And I want to be with you again. They way we were before--we were so rudely interrupted."

Buffy held in a breath (she kept forgetting she didn't need to) waiting for him to respond.

"Really?" Spike smiled slowly.

Buffy nodded her head emphatically.

"Thank God!" Spike breathed out. "I feel the same way. I was--nervous that maybe you didn't want to--"

Buffy was on him in a split second, kissing his sweet lips, trying to touch him all over at once, his face, his sexy, wet, spiky hair, his strong shoulders, chest, and beyond. She wished she had a few more sets of hands to feel him up good and proper.

Spike responded readily. Thrusting his tongue in her mouth, putting his hands in her hair then moving them down her body, stroking her back, sides, and ass.

He broke the kiss, panting for breath. Buffy moved her mouth to his neck, licking and sucking over the marks 'the others' had made on him and wishing she could add her own.

"Wait a minute," Spike panted. "I'll be right back."

He pulled away from her and stood up quickly, she practically fell forward on the bed, still reaching for him.

"Wha--?" Buffy finally managed to ask, but he was already out of the room.

She tried to get herself under control until he got back. Her engine was revved, and she was ready for much, much more. Her body was vibrating with excitement.

A few minutes went by.

"Where the bloody hell is he?" Buffy bounced impatiently on the bed.

Finally, she heard him bounding back up the stairs. He came back in the room, a little breathless and flushed, holding his towel together in the front with one hand; his other hand was behind his back.

"Sorry, it took me so long."

"What's the story, pet?" Buffy asked with an amused smile, her eyes drawn to where his hand kept the towel closed.

"I went to get you this."

Spike took his hand out from behind his back, presenting her with a red rose from the bush on the side of the house. He wanted to replace the memory of the last time he'd clipped a rose to give her, with this one. He didn't want to tell her about that part.

"Be careful of the thorns," he warned.

Buffy smiled and looked into his eyes. "Thank you, luv." She took it from him, brushing her fingers over his hand and inhaled its scent. "It's beautiful. You didn't have to go to all that trouble..." She looked up at him coyly through her lashes.

Secretly, she was thrilled that he wanted to do little sweet, romantic things like this for her. It confirmed that he still cared for her.

"Now, why's the towel all--askew?" she chuckled.

Spike blushed. "It kind of got snagged on the rose bush, a little bit," he said, securing the towel better around his waist.

"Sorry I missed that," Buffy said saucily, curling her tongue behind her teeth and brushing the soft, fragrant petals of the rose against her cheek.

"Well, our next door neighbor, Mrs. Cravitz didn't. She was taking out her trash and got a big ol' honkin' eyeful." Spike blushed even more. "Man, I know she's going to tell mom. Not to mention the rest of the neighborhood...I knew I should've put some pants on!"

Buffy laughed. "Oh bloody hell, that's prob'ly more action than the old bird's had in ages!"

"It's not funny!" Spike said with a smile involuntarily creeping onto his own lips.

"Sure it is," Buffy said, moving closer to him, her eyes roaming over his chiseled chest. "Hmm, am I gonna have competition now? Can't imagine that she wouldn't want a piece after seeing you--au naturale."

"Gross, Buffy! Please don't put that image in my head! She's like 75 years old!"

Spike mentally added another disturbing thing to his 'Erection Killers' list. He could cue that thought up anytime 'Little Spike' popped up at an inappropriate time (like in class or the grocery store) and it would do the trick.

"Aww, sorry luv. C'mere, I'll make you forget alllll about it," she purred, setting the rose aside on the nightstand.

Buffy put her hands on his hips and drew him to her. She massaged his hips while placing small licks and kisses on his abdomen, tracing the faint red line that was left from his injury, with her tongue. Spike's eyes fluttered shut at the feel of her lips and tongue on his skin again, his hands fisted in her hair. He had missed this so much. He had missed her so much. When he felt her hands starting to remove the towel, he remembered he still had something to say before they began.

"Buffy, stop. Wait." Spike put his hands over hers, stilling them.

Buffy stopped and looked up at him. She was distressed at yet another interruption before she could ravish his hard, young body. She was about to voice her protest, but the serious look in his eyes made her bite her tongue. Whatever he wanted to say was important to him. She nodded and sat back.

Spike sat down on the bed and faced her. Taking her hands in his, he looked deep into her sea-green eyes and took a deep breath.

"First, I want to say--how sorry I am about all the shit that happened. I'm sorry I didn't believe you about the--Riley thing."

"Pet, I don't blame you. I'd have gone bug-shagging crazy if I saw--the same kind of thing." Buffy squeezed his hand and smiled. "Let's not talk about that anymore--It's over..."

She was nervous that he was dwelling on the Riley incident. Maybe he really wouldn't be able to get over it...

"I realized something...after I saw you--with him. It hurt so much...I realized that--I love you," Spike said nervously.

He knew that she loved him, so he wasn't risking rejection, but admitting things like this scared the shit out of him.

Buffy blinked slowly then tilted her head; she looked at him, awestruck.

"Could--you repeat that?" A smile full of joy and amazement tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Spike laughed lightly. "I said, I--love--you. I love you--More than you know. More than I should," he purposely used the words that she had once said to him, as he cupped her cheek in his hand and stroked her with his thumb.

"God...pet...Do you mean it?" Buffy breathed.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. I'm in love with you, Buffy."

He caressed her face and leaned in, pressing his lips softly against hers. Since she was still recovering from her ordeal with Sam, he was endeavoring to be as gentle as possible.

Buffy, on the other hand, had other ideas. She kissed him back with everything she had and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him roughly against her. She moved her hands over his face, neck and shoulders. Their tongues danced together as the kiss deepened, becoming more lustful and fiery by the second. They lost themselves in their lover's embrace.

Buffy inhaled sharply. "Ow!" she groaned into his mouth.

Spike immediately pulled back in alarm, panting for breath.

"Did I hurt you? I'm sorry, baby! You have to take it easy, you still have to heal." Spike could've kicked himself for getting so swept up in the moment and forgetting to be gentler. "We can--do this another night."

Buffy smiled, wincing slightly, rubbing her slightly sore ribs.

"Take it easy? Take it easy, he says! The man I've loved for lo' these many moons, tells me he loves me too--and you want me to take it easy? Not bloody likely!" she laughed.

"I want to make love to you, but...No, I wouldn't want to hurt you..."

"Spike-pet, I want you. I need you. I want you to make love to me," Buffy said huskily, moving back against his body then kissing along his shoulder and neck.

Spike closed his eyes and tilted his head to the side.

"You'll--tell me if I'm--hurting you?" he asked softly.

"Promise."

Buffy would not be denied his body tonight. She didn't care how bloody much her ribs complained. The pain would be tempered by the exquisite pleasure she felt when he was kissing her, touching her, and buried inside of her.

Spike kissed her neck and slid his hands around to her back and under the jersey she wore. He smiled against her neck as he squeezed and kneaded her bare ass.

"Spike...Mmmmm! Ohh--luv..." Buffy moaned, running her fingers through his hair.

Spike gathered the bottom of the jersey in his hands and lifted it up. Buffy raised her arms to allow the shirt to slip over her head. He tossed it onto the floor then put his mouth back against hers. He pushed his tongue past her parted lips and began to explore her mouth.

"Want you! Oh God, Spike! Want you so bad, pet!" Buffy gasped between kisses.

She ran her hands down over his chest and stomach, down to the towel. Grinning, she untucked it and let it drop away from his waist. She had wanted to do that ever since he came in the room the first time. Buffy loved it when he wore towels, they were so much fun to remove, like unwrapping a Christmas present. She immediately reached around and grabbed two handfuls of that tight, hot ass of his--squeezing and massaging his globes. One of her hands snaked back to the front and took a hold of his rock-hard cock.

"Buffy! Uhhhh!" Spike moaned against her neck, as she began pumping him up and down.

He shifted position to kneel on the bed, gently pressing her shoulders back. Buffy lay down, gazing up at him and panting for breath she didn't need.

Spike crawled up her body, dipping his head down to continue kissing her. He broke away to kiss her neck then moved down to her chest, licking, sucking, and biting at her pink nipples. Buffy held his head to her chest.

"Aaaahh--Spike--Yessss!" She squirmed beneath him.

It was pure Heaven having his hot mouth on her tits while his hands moved all over her body. She grinned and tilted her head back when she felt him moving down further, softly kissing across her stomach, thrusting his tongue into her navel and licking around it, before moving down again.

Spike raised her legs, running his hands over the backs of her thighs as he lowered his head and reverently kissed her trimmed pussy. He kissed and licked along the insides of her thighs and the creases where her pussy and legs connected. When she started thrusting her mound at his face, he took the hint and planted his lips firmly against her nether lips and slid his long tongue inside. In and out, up and down. He circled her clit with the tip of his tongue, moving ever closer to it. Finally, he flicked the bundle of nerves slowly then more rapidly. One of his hands went to her pussy, rubbing his long fingers along her gash before worming one into her hole.

Buffy grabbed handfuls of his spiky blonde hair as he ate her cunt. 'HOLY FUCK! I've trained him well! Ohh sooo bloody marvelous!'

She thrashed and bucked under his mouth as he licked and sucked her into a lather, her head whipped from side to side. She released his hair and took fistfuls of the sheets instead.

"OH YES! Uhhhh! I'm gonna cum! Oh GOD!" Buffy threw her head back, pounding the mattress with clenched fists. Her heels drummed on his back.

Spike took her clit in his mouth, locking his lips around it, sucking hard and dragging his tongue over it again and again while he fucked three fingers in and out of her snatch. He looked up into her enraptured face as he brought her off. She looked so beautiful when she came, like a dirty-mouthed goddess.

"NNGGHHAA! SSSPIKKKE! F-F-FUCKYES!" Buffy shuddered and came; her eyes squeezed shut, her mouth opening and closing.

Spike took a moment to suck up some of her cum before quickly moving up her body and plastering his mouth against hers. He knew she liked tasting herself on his tongue. At the same time, he positioned his hard cock at her entrance and thrust in, in one long, slow stroke. She was so wet that he slid in easily. He moaned and shut his eyes at the feel of her still quivering pussy, clamping and unclamping around his shaft.

Buffy brought her knees up to his sides and kneaded his ass with her feet, pushing him into her even further.

Spike rose up on his hands, one planted on either side of her head, and began gyrating his hips slightly, moving his thick cock around inside of her. Buffy relaxed her legs and let them fall back to his sides. They groaned and gasped as he began moving slowly in and out of her. They opened their eyes and locked gazes as he pumped into her. They moaned, their breathing becoming more labored.

"Ohhh--Yes!--Harder, pet! OH YES! FUCK!" Buffy felt like weeping with pleasure.

"Ahhh! Buffy! Missed you--so much!" Spike panted as he fucked her faster and faster.

"Uhhh! Missed--you--tooooo! Ahh--Fuck me! FUCK ME!" Buffy dug her nails into his arms and raked them up and down.

Spike buried himself completely in her snatch and stopped, then swiveled his hips, grinding their pelvises together. He thrust in and out hard and fast a few times then repeated his earlier action of burying himself in her, stopping and then the grinding motion. Buffy gasped then suddenly flipped them over. Spike made a surprised sound. She rose above him, a naughty smirk on her lips, her hands roaming over the muscular planes of his torso.

Spike smiled up at her with hooded eyes, running his hands up and down her outer thighs. If she wanted to drive for a while, that was more than fine with him.

Buffy moaned and started moving up and down on his dick again. Her bruised ribs were long forgotten. The only things she was aware of were Spike and the incredible pleasure he gave her. She bent over him, her hands on either side of his head, as she continued grinding down onto his cock. Her tits hovered over his face invitingly.

Spike lifted his head and took a nipple into his mouth while one hand kneaded her other mound. His other hand glided over her hip, back and ass as she bounced on him. He pulled at her nipple and sucked it between his teeth, nibbling on it before moving to the opposite nipple.

Buffy cried out and bucked even faster onto him. He was so deep inside of her, she felt as if she could feel his cock all the way up in her throat.

"Uhhh--Buffy! God--I love you!" Spike moaned as he slid both hands down to her hips, taking them firmly in his grasp.

Buffy had a mini-orgasm as soon as he said those words again. The words she had never dreamed he'd say to her. She gasped and trembled then started moving up and down faster on his pole, she felt the 'big one' getting ready to hit.

"Buffy--Unnnhh! Buffy wait!" Spike used his grip on her hips to slow her down, until she was barely moving.

"What--is it? What's wrong?" Buffy panted with glazed eyes, looking down at him with concern.

"I want--you to bite me," Spike said seriously.

Buffy's eyes widened. "W-what?" She stopped moving completely, staring at him, stunned.

"I want you to bite me. It will--help you heal faster. And--I just want you to. I want to prove how much I love you," Spike said with a tinge of nervousness as he caressed her thighs and hips.

Buffy couldn't speak of a moment. Then, "Spike...pet, you--don't have to do that to prove anything to me. You know you really don't want that."

Buffy didn't want him to do something he'd hate just to please her. Especially that. With him being the Slayer and all. Although, she could not deny the way her body tightened up and tingled, and her juices had gushed at his words.

"I want it. I want you to do it." Spike looked into her eyes. "Let me see your other face...I want to make love to all of you, every part of you..." He began thrusting gently back into her.

Buffy was still in shock but her demon understood quite well and was perfectly happy to comply with his request. Her vampiric features slid into place. She started moving up and down again, scratching her nails lightly over his chest, tweaking his dark nipples, a low growl escaped her mouth. Her golden eyes locked with his stormy blue. She saw the same lust and love in them that she'd seen before she went into game face. There was even a glimmer of added excitement to his eyes, as well as a little fear. This meant more to her than anything else he had done so far. This proved beyond all doubt that he accepted all of her and still loved her.

Buffy moved on him harder and faster. "Are you--Ahhh!--sure, pet?"

She scanned his face for any second thoughts. The best part was that he didn't just blurt out his request in passion. He had planned on giving her this wonderful gift, on sharing this experience with her, all along.

"Yesss!--Yes! I want it! Bite me! Please!" Spike gasped and tilted his head to the side, giving her access to his throat.

Buffy bent back over him, licking long strokes up and down his neck. She eyed the scars left from the previous bites. That was where she would make her mark. Covering the others for all-time. God, or Satan, help the next demon that tried putting their mark on him. They would be very sorry that they even thought about it. She'd eviscerate them on the spot. They'd be dead five times before their carcasses hit the ground. Spike belonged to Buffy now, lock, stock and barrel.

Buffy had never been so excited in her life as she prepared to sink her teeth into his tender, creamy flesh. Juices flooded out of her cunt around his big cock and ran down his balls, then soaking into the sheets under them. She growled, snarled, and mewled alternately, slamming her pussy onto his dick with more and more force and speed.

Spike panted and counter-thrusted up into her. Their constant vocalizations, the wet squishing sounds his cock made as it drove in and out of her oozing pussy, their pelvises smacking together--the sounds formed a symphony to heighten and enhance their passions. They were working each other into a sexual frenzy.

Spike was breathless with anticipation. What would it be like? Would it hurt a lot?

Buffy whimpered and growled, getting closer to the brink. It was time. She opened her mouth wide and descended on the smooth, buttery skin of his throat. She bit down suddenly, but carefully, into his flesh.

Spike tensed and cried out when her razor-sharp fangs sliced into his flesh. He groaned and gasped at the sensation of being penetrated by her while her juicy snatch slammed down on his cock. It was the single most erotic thing he'd ever experienced. His mouth went slack and his eyes rolled up to white when she started pulling his blood into her mouth. Her lips formed a tight seal around the punctures as she sucked on his neck.

"BUFFY! Aaaah! Ohh--Oh FUCK! Gonna cum!"

Spike's hips bucked wildly up at her of their own volition, his hands clutched at her ass spasmodically.

Buffy was experiencing something akin to nirvana. Her gold eyes crossed and rolled around. Being on top of her Slayer and fucking him into next Wednesday was paradise all by itself. But this...this was a religious experience. His long, rigid, slick pole sliding in and out of her slippery cunt, hitting that sweet spot in her quim with every forceful stroke--his hands clutching at her--his moans and cries of pleasure/pain--his hot, delicious, powerful Slayer blood gushing into her mouth, over her tongue and down her throat. She felt the power course through her body.

Their orgasms hit them unexpectedly and with an almost excruciating force at the same time.

Their bodies went stiff, thrusting hard against each other, driving his cock to the bottom of her womb, their fingers dug into the other's flesh as they began to shimmy and shake violently.

"OH GOD! BUFFY! F-FUCK! OHBABYYESYESOHGODYES!" Spike's scream was ripped out of him as he started shooting what felt like gallons of cum up into her pussy.

Buffy came with her mouth still plastered to his neck. When the shockwaves of pleasure started rocking her body, her gold eyes shot open; she removed her fangs from his flesh and threw her head back. Her bloodstained mouth opened in an 'O' as she emitted an inhuman, high--pitched keening sound.

"YESSSSSSS! SSPPIKE! ANGGGHH! SLAYER! YESSS!" she screeched and hissed.

Spike grasped at her hips and fucked up into her like a wild man. His cock refused to stop spewing and spasming inside of her.

Buffy howled in ecstasy, tears leaked from the corners of her golden eyes. This was the most intense orgasm of them all and she was in awe of it, its power was absolute. She whimpered and moaned as it kept going on and on. It would feel like it was finishing when she'd feel him twitching and spurting again, setting her off again. They humped desperately against each other. Their crotches were soaked with their combined juices.

Buffy fell onto his chest, unable to support her upper body anymore. Spike turned his head and brushed his lips over hers, they kissed and mauled the other's mouth as the panted, still moving their pelvises together. He tasted his blood on her lips and tongue, and it wasn't as repugnant as he imagined it would be. In fact, it excited him. He grunted as yet another jet of cum squirted out of him. He didn't even notice that his lips got cut a bit on her fangs. A familiar light--headed, dizzy sensation passed over him.

They went limp against each other, their brains short-circuiting momentarily from the pleasure overload.


 

Spike came to, feeling Buffy licking gently and lazily at the marks she'd put on his neck. She lay against his side, one arm and one leg draped possessively over his nude, sweaty body.

He looked at her and smiled lopsidedly. "I passed out again, eh?" He stroked her forearm.

"Yep. I did too for a minute. Your neck hurt, luv?" Buffy kissed his chest, her human features once again in place. "Pet? Was I too rough? The bleeding's stopped..." She lightly touched his bloody lips and neck with her fingertips.

Spike raised a slightly shaky hand to his neck, touching the bite marks. His hand came away wet. There was only a faint trace of blood, most of the moisture was Buffy-saliva.

"No, I'm okay. It was--I know I say this a lot, but--Wow. I don't think I could handle that every time we do it though...a little too--intense."

Buffy smiled and leaned over, brushing her mouth over his, her tongue gently sweeping over the cut on his bottom lip. They kissed tenderly for a moment before Buffy pulled back. There was something on her mind, one of the last taunts that Sam had leveled at her nagged at her brain. She needed to know if it were true.

"Spike-pet...I have to ask you something. And if the answer is yes, I won't be pissed at you."

Spike looked at her and creased his brow. "What?"

"Did--you and Sam--have sex?"

"What? Buffy--we went out for months and months. Yeah, we had sex..."

"No. I mean recently. I lost track of the sodding time so I don't know how long ago, but I think it was a week ago."

A slightly guilty look passed over his face. "No. No sex." Spike shifted position. "We should really change the bed, it's drenched," he laughed anxiously.

"Spike? Pet, I won't be mad. I told you."

Buffy reached out and stroked his face.

"You won't?" he asked dubiously.

"I won't."

Spike looked away. "We didn't have sex...but..."

Buffy tried to remain calm. "But?"

"We--she....she wanted to." Spike ran a hand through his sweaty hair and exhaled loudly. "She took off her dress and--" He looked at her. "You don't really want to hear this, do you?"

"I want to know. The bitch taunted me about it. Sayin' she sucked you off and the two of you fucked like bunnies for hours. Did that happen?"

She prayed the answer was no. She'd get past it--he had thought Buffy betrayed him, and he had been hurting. It would be natural for him to want some--comfort. However the thought of Sam touching him infuriated Buffy. She wanted to rip her apart.

"No! Nothing like that hap-...Well...she did--um--take my--uh--she put it in her mouth. But I stopped the whole thing before--you know..."

Buffy ground her teeth. "That bloody bitch! I'll kill her! I'll--"

"Hey, you said you wouldn't get mad!" Spike said, getting worried.

"I said I wouldn't get mad at you. I didn't say anything about her." She kissed him fiercely, needing to claim his mouth as well as the rest of him again.

Spike broke the kiss for some air. "I'm sorry, Buffy. Believe me. If I had any idea of what she had done..." He stroked her back.

"Not your fault, pet." Buffy smiled weakly.

"Let's not talk about her anymore. She's long gone. We don't have to worry about her messing with us ever again," Spike soothed.

"Aw, why did you have to say that?" Buffy rolled her eyes. "You just jinxed the whole bloody thing. Now she'll be back for sure."

"She'd better stay away...if she knows what's good for her." He rolled over and looked down at her. "I won't let her hurt you again."

Spike's eyes spoke volumes to her. He didn't say it, but he would kill Sam before he let her get her hands on Buffy again. Amazingly, Buffy felt herself starting to get very horny again. After that last orgasm, she thought she'd be shagged out for the rest of the night. But the love and protectiveness that she saw lighting his eyes, made her feel delightfully squidgy inside.

Spike dipped his head down and captured her lips with his, stoking her furnace even more. He pulled back.

"We really need to change the sheets first. The wet spot could have it's own lifeguard."


 

Chapter 12

On Monday evening, Spike had everyone come over to the house. He wanted to tell the gang about his intentions regarding Buffy. The Scoobies really did seem to think of Buffy differently after what happened with Sam. Maybe all of them would be okay with it now.

Dawn and Joyce had come back from their weekend in San Diego that morning. Spike had already told them that he and Buffy were back together. He was relieved that neither one of them gave him a hard time. They understood that Buffy hadn't intentionally hurt him, that Sam was the one to blame.

Spike and Buffy stood together in front of the gang. Spike wore a high-collared, button-up shirt to hide the fading bite marks on his neck. He hoped they didn't notice...

Somehow, he didn't thing his friends would understand about the biting thing he and Buffy had shared the other night. It had bonded the two of them together even more than they had been before. It had been a profound and life-altering experience. It strengthened their connection, both physically and spiritually. His love for the petite vamp grew larger by the day.

"Guys, Buffy and I are going to be together." He looked at Buffy and smiled. "I'm in love with her."

Buffy grinned back at him, her eyes dancing as she gazed into his. She'd never been happier in her unlife. After two days, his Slayer's blood still sang in her veins, making her feel warm and loved.

"Mom and Dawn already told me that it's fine by them." He nodded and smiled at his sister and mother.

They smiled back.

Spike looked around into the faces of his friends. "Well? Any arguments? Protests? Anyone?"

Everyone looked at each other.

"Wills? Tara?" Spike looked questioningly at the witches.

He was pretty sure they would still be on his side.

The girls smiled and shook their heads 'no'.

"After what you guys have gone through...it's like a big, epic, romantic movie or novel," Willow said. "How can we not root for the lovers who were torn from each other's arms with deception and lies?"

Tara nodded and smiled in agreement.

"Well put." Spike smiled. "Thanks."

He turned to Giles. "Giles? What about you?"

Giles took a breath. "I--This is a highly unusual situation...Spike, you know my reservations, my concerns...But--I'll--support your decision."

Spike couldn't stop himself this time; he went over and gave the Watcher a big, bear hug.

"Thanks, Giles!" Spike squeezed him happily.

"Urk! Spike! Breathing becoming--a problem!" Giles gasped, feeling a bit emotional and flustered.

He thought of Spike like a son and worried endlessly about him, but it was--as Willow pointed out--his life to live how he saw fit. All they could do as his friends was to be there for him and try to counsel him wisely. The rest was up to Spike himself.

Spike released him. "Sorry." He blushed.

Giles took off his glasses and polished them furiously.

Spike turned to Xander and Anya. This was the one he was most worried about. Xander had seemed to warm up to Buffy over the last week, but that didn't mean he still sanctioned the relationship.

"Anya? Xander?" Spike asked, looking straight at Xander.

"I'm fine with it," Anya said.

She looked at Xander and squeezed his hand.

"Um..." Xander looked at Spike. "If--you guys want to be together--that's--cool with me." He smiled nervously.

He still didn't think that this was a good idea, but--things had changed since they found out about Sam's scheme. Sam had been their friend, their compadre. Xander never would have believed in a million years that she could've been capable of doing what she did to Spike--and what she did to Buffy. He had been wrong about Sam--very, very wrong. That meant it was possible that he was wrong about Buffy too. Maybe Spike's love really could change her, make her a better person.

Spike started getting misty. He could tell that Xander was still conflicted, but he was trying. That was the important thing.

"Thanks, guys," Spike said thickly. "I--appreciate it."

Buffy smiled and looped her arm through Spike's, leaning up to kiss his cheek. The Scoobies were actually going to be cool about it. She was deliriously happy for Spike. She knew that he would be with her no matter what they said, but he loved these people too. It would be hurtful to him if they gave him a hard time.

The phone in the kitchen rang.

"I'll get it," Joyce said, leaving the room.

"Now," Buffy began, "I don't want you lot to think I'm going to be all lemondrops and rosebuds from now on. I'm still me. But--I'd never do anything to ruin what Spike and I have. So no evil plots or schemes for me. I can't promise that I won't call one of you on it if you're bein' a git about somethin', though. So, let's all try to get along with each other, for the Slayer's sake," Buffy said, mostly looking at Xander through her speech. "And...I wanted to say...thanks for--takin' care of me and helping me out--when I was fucked up," she said softly, looking down at her boots.

Spike put his arm around her and pulled her close, giving her a peck on the cheek. She wound her arms around his waist.

Everyone murmured that she was welcome for their help.

"That's settled then," Spike said, happy that it was over. "You guys want to do something? Go get a bite--erm--something to eat?"

The gang nodded and voiced the affirmative. They stood up, putting on their jackets.

Spike looked down in to Buffy's eyes. "Went a lot better this time."

He smiled and kissed her softly on the lips.

"Mmm-hmm," she agreed.

The Scoobies filed out the front door, discussing whether they were in the mood for Chinese or Italian food. Dawn gave her brother and his girlfriend a hug then followed the others.

Spike and Buffy were left alone for a few moments, taking the opportunity to steal another hot kiss.

Buffy pulled back. "C'mon, luv. Let's not keep 'em waiting."

She went to get her duster from his bedroom.

Spike sighed with a dreamy smile on his face as he watched her walk up the stairs, his hand lightly touching the bite marks his lover had put on his neck. Nothing could tear them apart ever again. He wouldn't allow it. Everything was going to be okay now.

"Spike, honey?" Joyce came into the front hall.

He came out of his reverie at the sound of her voice. "Hey, Mom, we're all going out for something to eat. Want to come?" he asked, getting his jacket off the coat rack.

"Yeah, that would be nice...but..." Joyce looked hesitant.

"What? Is something wrong?"

"I just had the strangest call from Mrs. Cravitz from next door...Spike, were you running around--naked in the yard at any point during the weekend?" Joyce raised an eyebrow quizzically.

Spike reddened with embarrassment, his hands flew up to cover his hot face.

"Oh God..." he groaned.