Getting In The Way
Authors: Richess a.k.a A.N.H. Richards
Email for feedback: richess78@hotmail.com
Summary: When Buffy begins to date a new guy, Spike suspects that he is not everything the slayer thinks he is. Things to know: Spike is not in love with Buffy at this point. This takes part after Into the Woods. A S/B ship, with Buffy/Other, & Giles/Other.
Disclaimer: We don't own a single part of BTVS or Mutant Enemy Productions; they belong to Joss and the other powers that be
Distribution: Ask please at richess78@hotmail.com
Dedication: This fic goes out to every great writer that I have ever read. And to everyone who has read GITW so far.
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CHAPTER SEVEN
* * * * *
Part 10
"And you expect me to believe you, Spike? Ok , you have tried to mess with my life how often?" Buffy huffed turning away from him.
"Fine, don't believe me that this guy is brainwashing you."
"And why would he?"
"Because you are a bloody superhero. You stand for good and the American way and all that stuff. You've got power , and evil always wants the power of good."
"You sound like a comic book." Buffy rolled her eyes.
"You know what Slayer? You are always looking for love in the wrong places. The wrong guys. God , you are a mess."
"Look who's talking, 'I was with Miss Looney Tunes Europe' for over a century. And now he's with 'The Biggest Ditz' of America."
"Hey! At least I know what I had with them. Unlike you Slayer."
"Are you volunteering to be my boyfriend, Spike?" Buffy tried not to wail in laughter since it was the middle of the night.
"Please, Slayer. You wouldn't know what to do with me." His voice raised more of a challenge then a statement.
Buffy stopped, looking at him strangely.
"Oh no you don't. Don't look at me like that. If this chip was out of my head, I would put you down faster then a horse with a broken leg."
"Asshole." Buffy hissed . "Get out, or I'll…"
"No problems, Pet. When I'm needed as usual, I'll be around." Spike climbed out of the window and took off into the night.
* * * * *
Spike walked into his crypt. He knew immediately that someone was in there.
"You better bloody well come on out now."
"Hey that was quick." A figure walked out from the shadows.
"Who the hell are you?"
"The name is Whistler."
Spike just glared at him.
Whistler made an uncomfortable sigh and continued, "I am here to help you with Buffy's little problem."
"Buffy's only problem is that she's breathing. Other then that, I think you need to explain fast why you are here, because you don't smell human and that means I can hurt you." The vampire smiled.
"Well I know you helped the Slayer defeat Angelus. But you are going to be tested. Your love for her is going to be tested."
"My what?" Spike roared in laughter.
"You love the Slayer."
"Since when do I love that bint? Are you mad?"
Whistler looked at the vampire confused. "You've loved her ever since… they did something to you."
"I have never been in love with goldilocks."
"You were. The Powers That Be said…"
"They said what?"
"She did something to you. Ancora must have cast a spell to ward off true loves of the Slayer."
"Look here you bloody moron…" Spike advanced on the demon in front of him.
"Shut up and come with me. I must take you to the post office."
"The what? There is no way in bleeding hell."
"They have been messing with your mind, and if you don't get your butt in gear, Buffy is as good as dead and trust me, you don't want that to happen. Let's go, Spike."
Spike was intrigued by the little man and decided to take the short walk into town.
* * * * *
Part 11
There was no way that Buffy could sleep after her talk with Spike. She trekked up to Deighton's apartment. She examined the buzzer code and D. Michale #1730. She pressed the code and waited.
"Hello!" croaked a sleepy voice over the buzzer.
"Deighton, it's me."
"Buffy?" There was a brief silence, "Come on up."
The door buzzed open and Buffy stepped inside the reception area.
* * *
Deighton looked around the apartment, but Ancora was nowhere to be found. He shrugged his shoulders as he heard the soft knock on the door.
Buffy waited as the door slowly opened. Deighton stood before her in shorts and shirtless. The muscles that laced his torso were very familiar to Buffy. She had rubbed her hands - and other parts of her body - against them during their more than heavy kissing sessions, but it never went beyond that no matter how much she pushed.
"Hi!" was all that the blond could muster.
"Hi, Buffy. I was hoping that you'd call me since your were busy tonight, but this a total bonus. Come on in."
Buffy stepped inside the immaculate apartment. It was spacious with a minimal amount of furniture, but the furniture that was there was gorgeous.
* * * * *
Ancora watched as the Watcher sang. Giles looked up in time to see her violet eyes sweeping over his form. He could feel the blood rush to his cheeks as her eyes lingered over him. She was dressed in black from head to toe. She wore a soft, clingy halter top with a long leather shirt that settled low on her hips and had a high split.
As Giles stepped off the stage, her smile captivated him. He walked toward Ancora, drawn to her beauty.
"Hello Rupert."
"Ancora. I am glad that you came."
"I told you when I talked to you on the phone that I would come."
"That you did," he replied shyly. "Would you like to go and have a seat? A drink perhaps?"
"Most definitely. I want to find out so much more about the handsome Rupert Giles." Ancora smiled.
She flipped her luxurious black hair. Giles watched in amazement as her hair flowed like water along her shoulders.
As they took a booth in the corner of the club, she pulled him next to her.
"Can I get you a drink?" a waitress hurried to the couple.
"Red wine?" Giles looked at Ancora.
"Red wine is perfect."
The waitress scribbled down the order . "It should take a minute."
The club was half full. People danced and listened to performers while sipping on their drinks.
"So tell me all about Rupert Giles."
"Nothing much to tell." Giles blushed as she looked into his eyes.
"Really! I have a feeling, Rupert, that you have lots of wild kinky stories to tell."
"I beg your pardon," the Watcher could feel a blush spread across his cheeks.
"I think I caught you. That blush wasn't an innocent one. It was more like a 'how did she know"' blush," she winked. "I want you to tell me everything."
Giles could actually tell it was more a command then a request , but something about her eyes trapped him. The waitress set down the drinks and they began talking.
* * * * *
"I need to go to the rest room for a second, Rupert. I'll be back." She smiled as he , like a true gentleman , stood up as she left her chair.
She walked down the small hallway to the bathroom. Ancora took out the small vial of red powder, and spread it over red lips. It blended perfectly. She took out another vial of clear liquid and ingested it. She couldn't allow her own truth serum to work on her. Now all she had to do was get the very proper gentleman to be a little less closed.
She smiled as she headed back to their table. Once again, she decided to sit on his side of the booth.
Giles looked over at her before she brazenly put her hand on his upper thigh. The Watcher jumped in surprise, but quickly tried to mask it.
"I have a feeling that you are too nice of a guy to make the first move , so I will." Ancora leaned in , giving the Watcher a long deep kiss. Their tongues duelled passionately. Her body demanded more closeness as she moved in nearer, her fingers in his hair as she pulled him towards her heat. The Watcher's hands held her securely in place as they rested between her shoulder blades. Finally, they broke apart, both needing air.
Panting, Ancora tried in vain to fix her smudged red lipstick. She smiled at Giles' own red lips and took a napkin off the table and wiped it off for him.
The boyish smile that crossed his face made her definitely feel like she still had what it takes. "I think I should go back to the bathroom. Ehmm. Do you want to order another red wine so that we can…ehmm... talk." she laughed, "When I come back?"
"Certainly."
Ancora walked off, almost giggling at her love-struck act. "I should win an Academy Award."
* * * * *
Within ten minutes of her return from the bathroom, Rupert Giles was telling her every secret that he had ever known.
She carefully escorted the Watcher to his car.
"Please Rupert , tell me the rest." Ancora watched as he searched for his keys.
"Well , I have been doing lots of research. On Detole."
"I think you mean Deighton."
"Whatever that moron 's name is ? I know he gave my slayer some weird possessed necklace."
"Really? Why would he do that?"
"Because he wants to kill her. That much…" he hiccuped, "I read."
"Wow. You live such a fantastic life, Rupert. But I think you should go home now."
"I can't drive. I don't feel well."
"You only had one drink. You should be fine." She waited for the glazed look to cross over his eyes. Within minutes it did. Her power of suggestion would begin to work now, as the serum fully entered his system.
"Rupert?"
"Yes, Ancora?"
"I want to you to start your car and drive 70 miles per hour into the side of that building over there." She pointed half a block down toward the bowling alley. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, Ancora."
"Do it now please."
Ancora smiled as the Watcher complied with all of her commands. His small sports car sped down the street, and then the sudden crunch of metal and brick resounded through the air. She laughed as the air bag exploded into his face, snapping his head back.
Ancora whistled as she walked down the street. Back to her apartment.
* * *
TBC…
CHAPTER EIGHT
* * * * *
Part 12
"I have something to ask you Deighton."
"Sure Buffy."
The Slayer gave a slight smile, trying to make her question sound not so accusing.
"Some people I know think that something is wrong with the necklace."
"Really? Like what?"
"Well that it's used for evil." Buffy said blatantly.
"Why would anyone think that?"
"Well for one, I can't get it off ."
Deighton reached over, quickly found the clasp and took it off of her neck. He held it in his hand. "The clasp is hidden."
Buffy felt a strong blush cross her face, "It's just…." Deighton put the necklace back on the slayer.
"Buffy, who has been telling you these things? Why would I want to do anything harmful to you? The necklace was given to my mother as a gift , and when she died, she left it for me. And told me to only give it to the girl I loved more then life itself." He stroked her hair as he gazed into her eyes. "I know I have found her. I am just not sure if she feels the same way."
Buffy was so lost in his eyes that she didn't even hear the hidden question. Instead , she leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. He pulled her body closer to his until she was sitting on his lap. Their kiss got more intense as the heat gathered between them. Suddenly Buffy realized that Deighton was pressing her firmly into the couch with his body weight as he began to unbutton her shirt. He trailed wet kisses along her neck. He opened her shirt, gaining access to her collarbone , and began to work his way down her body until the door opened , and a stream of light interrupted the couple.
Deighton looked up to see Ancora. She raised an eyebrow looking at the display in front of her, then gave him a venomous stare as Buffy tried to button back up her shirt and hurried to fix her hair.
"Deighton , I definitely don't need to be seeing that."
"Whatever, sis. You're a big girl."
Sis? Deighton never mentioned having a sister. Buffy thought.
"And you must be the Buffy."
Buffy looked up to see the girl from the Magic Shop standing in the living room.
"Buffy this is Ancora. Ancora this is THE Buffy."
"We've briefly met at the Magic Shop," Ancora smiled.
"Yeah. You and…ehmm…Giles were talking." Buffy stammered.
"Yeah, he's a great guy. Well, Buffy, I would like to have made our initial meeting longer, but I am dead tired and just want to sleep. So maybe we can make a lunch date or something." Ancora touched the Slayer's arm.
Ancora's warm touch made Buffy's skin tingle. Surprisingly, it was the same type of vibe that she felt when a vampire was near. She brushed it off to nerves.
"Sure."
"Goodnight, Buffy," Ancora gave Deighton the look of death and walked into her bedroom.
"I think maybe I should go," Buffy suggested , feeling like she was put in an awkward situation.
Deighton encircled his arms around her waist and kissed her deeply. "We'll finish this another time." He smiled against her and then kissed her forehead , escorting her out the door.
"Bye Deighton."
"Bye Buffy."
* * * * *
Part 13
Ancora heard the door close. She looked out her window, waiting until she saw Buffy crossing the street to go home.
Deighton made his way into their bedroom , ready for the full out assault that was going come his way.
"What the hell was she doing here? I am running around trying to make sure her Watcher doesn't catch on , and you are sucking her face off. Who knows what other things you would have been sucking if I didn't come home when I did." Ancora yelled.
"Look Anc, you know that these things happen. She wanted to know what was up with the necklace and everything . I had to divert her attention."
"Play a game of FRIGGIN' Scrabble."
"Anc…"
"Anc what?" she blared . "Remember you need me as much as I need you. Don't think that this isn't 50/50? Cause if you make that mistake , I can easily replace you."
His head shot up at that threat. He grabbed her arms and pushed her against the wall. "Like hell you will."
Her violet eyes glared into his brown as he crushed his lips against hers. She moaned in protest against him , then viciously she yanked his hair, snapping his head back.
"You remember something : without me you're dead," she glowered at him.
"Ditto, sweets." Deighton swung her around to the bed and watched as she backed up onto her elbow , looking up at him.
"You didn't have to touch her , baby." He admonished as he pulled Ancora's halter top off, leaving her top half bare to his gaze.
"But I wanted to scream tonight. I wanted her to bleed," the temptress pouted.
He smiled, "Let's make up."
A devious look crossed her face. "Ok," she said as pulled Deighton toward her.
CHAPTER NINE
* * * * *
Part 14
The Slayer arrived home a bit happier than when she had left. She had no worries about the necklace now. And her little romp with Deighton at least proved fun, even if it was brief. She crawled into bed without a second thought.
* * * * *
Buffy could feel his warm breath as he danced close to her. Every fiber in her body wanted to run, but she stayed, swaying in his arms. Floating.
"You want to know why you can't move?" Buffy remained silent as he continued . "It's a little spell that I had Tara cook up in her effort to save Willow." His cold lips grazed her cheek as he continued . "They will kill them all. You know that don't you?" Xander whispered to Buffy. She looked around at the frightened Bronze patrons. Vampires outnumbered the humans three to one.
"Why did you bring such manpower, huh Xander? Didn't think you could take me on your own?"
"Actually, I couldn't," he shrugged, grinding his body closer to hers. "I am not gonna lie. You went up against vampires and Masters and hordes of other demons and you're still here. But being your sidekick for all of those years made me realize something, Buff. First, I know your weakness." He trailed his tongue along her ear as the band continued to play wearily. "Second, I know your heart." Xander kissed Buffy's neck over her jugular.
"Kill me if you are gonna do it."
"Sorry babe. I like to play games. And lastly, I know who has your heart."
Two minions burst through the circle, dropping a heap on the floor near Buffy's feet. It took her a minute to realize that it was Deighton. His face was a mass of bruises and cuts : vampire marks splayed across his torso and neck. Buffy tried to pull away from Xander, but he pulled her closer. The smell of burnt flesh poisoned the room.
"Did you like torturing him?" Xander asked as his hands slid from around Buffy's waist to give way to other strong hands fastening themselves around her, holding her tight from the back. A firm hard body pressed against hers. Deighton whimpered, but no words left his mouth. Buffy could tell by his swollen face that his jaw was broken, dried blood stained his torn shirt.
"Of course I did." The figure answered, his breath caressing her ear, "What? No 'hi, how are you going?' for you old lover?" His fingers trailed along her stomach. Buffy couldn't speak. She tried, but her mind couldn't command her mouth to open. "Breaking fingers is a lot more fun nowadays. Torture in general is a lot more fun now. I mean, I was surprised by how long the fun lasted, Buff. Xander and I had a bet going on. I gave him ten minutes and Xander gave your new toy a whole twenty minutes. We both lost. I mean he last a whole half an hour. We had to get out the heavy equipment." His voice suddenly nostalgic: "Ohh the things you can do with an electric sander." He pulled her closer.
Buffy could see Deighton's exposed back. What she had thought was dried blood and his torn shirt was actually exposed flesh and shredded skin. She tried to surge forward, but the spell kept her stationary. "I mean, even after the acid burns to his legs and breaking his knees, he still prayed that you were safe. Buff, he was a real trooper. Worthy of being a whinny Scooby." Angel's fingers feathered lightly up and down her arms. "Enough about him, you lost some weight while I was gone. You're nothing but skin and bones," he teased.
"Can we kill him now, Angelus?" Xander asked, impatiently eyeing Deighton.
Angelus' body went stiff behind Buffy. "Not yet, you moron. I need to have a little fun with Buffy first.
The Bronze patrons looked at the broken bloodied man lying underneath the spotlight.
"Buffy, you get to choose. It's between him or all of these innocent people."
Buffy eyed the room, vampires blocking every exit. Her eyes pleaded with Xander to help her, hoping that there was some part of him that remembered.
"What's it gonna be Buffy? All of them or the man you love?"
Suddenly Xander disappeared from view to remerge with Dawn struggling to break free from his grasp. Xander responded to her with a vicious tug. Dawn could feel her shoulder tear as she screamed. Her shriek rattled the Bronze patrons as some of the already frightened people began to sob softly. Dawn, through her tear-filled eyes, saw her sister.
"Buffy, help me." Dawn sounded so distant and frightened. Buffy watched in horror as Xander put on his game face. A part of her wanted to deny that this was really happening.
"You always did have a thing for me didn't you, Dawnie?" he leered over the smooth exposed skin, then licked the sensitive skin over her jugular. " So innocent. So fresh. Just ripe for the picking." Xander grinned at Buffy before he sunk his teeth into the young girl. Dawn gasped in pain, which only made Xander sink his teeth further into her neck.
Buffy struggled but Angel's grip and the spell held her.
"Buffy…please," Dawn pleaded, staring into Buffy's eyes. A line of dark blood escaped Xander's mouthing trailing down her collar bone. With a last gasp, a cold look glazed over her eyes . Dawn slumped in Xander's arms.
"Well that looked like fun. Kill them all. But save him for last." Angelus barked.
The Slayer watched helplessly as the patrons of The Bronze were drained, vampires drinking gleefully. Within seconds, a mass of bodies lay strewn about the club. Buffy couldn't stop crying as Xander dropped Dawn's body to the floor.
"What do you think, Buff? Everything is pretty and red for you. Look at all the blood on your hands."
She looked down to see blood dripping from her hands onto the bloodstained floor. She looked across the room and saw one person that seemed out of place, Spike.
The blond vampire stayed in the corner, revealed dimly by the light of the emergency exit sign. Spike's face spoke volumes as they looked at each other. He mouthed, "I will help you end it." And then he left through the door.
"So, Buffy…" Angelus spun her around to face him, pressing himself into her. He kissed her with bruising force. She gagged as the remnants of blood invade her mouth. "What? You don't like the taste of your new beloved? Jeesh, how soon we forget. Do you remember how I had you? How I still have you? He'll never measure up. He's not what you think, but hell, I wasn't either, was I babe?"
Buffy's heart raced as Angelus dipped his head into the juncture of her neck and shoulders. He licked the scar of the previous wound he had created before he sunk his fangs into her soft flesh. Her scream resounded in his ear as he sunk his fangs in deeper. The pain was overwhelming, his hungry slurps made her sick to her stomach. She looked down to see Deighton, his eyes full of pain and worry for her.
Angelus let go of her, throwing her to the ground. She weakly tried to crawl toward Deighton, only to be kicked viciously in the ribs. Angelus hauled Deighton roughly from the floor, sinking his fangs deep into the limp neck.. Xander followed suit on Deighton's other side. Both vamps looked at Buffy while they drank from the hapless man. His gurgled protests didn't last long.
Buffy could feel her heart racing in her chest. She could have sworn that it would explode at any moment. Deighton's body was drained in mere second and thrown to the ground. Buffy cried as she looked the discarded bodies of her sister and lover.
"He was a noble guy, Buffy."
"Yeah, he got a little tortured trying to save your mother."
A minion dragged in Joyce. Buffy struggled to stand, but couldn't.
Her mother in Xander's arms. "I've had a little thing for you Joyce for a while. Ever since that time I did that spell. Then, my dream just kind of rekindled it. But now I get to have you in the most important way. In death. Look Buffy… no fangs." Xander fastened his hands around her mother's throat and with a quick jerk , broke her neck and let her fall to the floor with a large thud. Buffy began to cry like she had never cried before. Her body was weak and so was her spirit. Suddenly the blood began to engulf her, like a pool of thick molasses. It consumed her.
* * * * *
Buffy woke up feeling weak. It took her a while before she could sit up. A familiar aching throbbed through her neck. She touched the sore spot lightly and pulled back her hand when she felt wetness . She turned over and snapped on her lamp to see her fingers stained with her own blood.
* * *
TBC…