CHAPTER ONE


Buffy felt a tingling in her neck; it usually meant Angel was near so she craned her head around her friends not listening to them. She couldn’t see him; strange……..

“Buffy! Come on, you love this song.”

“What? Oh, yeah. Willow, have you seen Angel tonight?”

“Sorry? I can’t hear you…”

“Angel – has Angel been here tonight?”

“I haven’t seen him. Were you supposed to meet him?”

“No. I just….never mind. Ok, let’s dance.”

Buffy, Willow and Xander hit the dance floor at the Bronze. Xander spun off to the sidelines hitting unsuspecting dancers as he moved in his own unique and totally uncoordinated way. Buffy began to lose herself in the music and put the tinglies down to anticipation, nothing more.

Willow stared at her friend, admiring the way she moved so unselfconsciously and wished that she could have half of her confidence. She leaned forwards to talk to Buffy as they danced.

“So, how’s the preparation for Parent-Teacher night coming?”

“Oh, so so, you know? Can’t pin Sheila down long enough to make any plans so I guess it’s just me. At least if I don’t mess up, she’ll be the one getting booted. Makes me feel bad, but hey – I have enough to do without worrying about my mom grounding me for the rest of my life.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Xander came hobbling back into view having skinned his shin in his efforts to groove. He allowed himself some distinctly non-platonic thoughts as he watched Buffy strutting her stuff then reined in the inner perv demon and joined his friends in some light shimmying. Buffy seemed spooked, kept looking past them and over her shoulder.

“Buff; you’re particularly ‘aaaargh’ tonight; what’s the what?”

Buffy shivered. She was sure she sensed Angel; she never had the tinglies with any other vampire, Giles was always ragging on her about it. ‘Hone your senses’ and all that. But still she didn’t see him.

She did keep catching the ever so blue eyes of a blond hottie who gave her shivers up and down her spine. But it couldn’t be him she sensed. Maybe Angel was just doing that watching thing, wanting to keep to the sidelines until there were less people about. That would work; she liked it when there was just the two of them.

The blond in question walked forwards out of the shadows and towards the table they’d just vacated. His eyes were riveted on her. She watched, fascinated as he licked his lips then caught his full lower lip between white teeth. God; he was such a delicious sight. Whoa Buffy; slap down that ho and think of your undead boyfriend!

She turned away, deliberately breaking eye contact and renewing her boogie efforts. When she glanced back, peeping from beneath her lashes, the blond was gone. She ignored the inner Buffy who pouted at the loss.

I did a stupid thing last night / I called you / A moment of
weakness / No, not a moment / More like three months of weakness

“I love this song!” Willow mouthed to Buffy. Her friend nodded her agreement. The music was getting louder, the dancing more frenetic. Xander managed to never find the beat and the two girls giggled as they watched him jerk and twitch completely randomly.

I'm one step away from crashing to my knees / One step away
from spilling my guts to you

“So, do you know that guy who was completely macking on you?”

“What? Willow, I have no idea what you mean.”

“A guy? Macking on Buffy? Where?”

“Oh, he’s gone now, but he was totally into her. And oh was he cute!”

“Willow, may I remind you that I have a boyfriend; and I think he’s the jealous type.”

“So; do you know him?”

“No, sheesh! And I don’t even know who you mean.”

Buffy blushed at the lie; she knew exactly who she meant, was having a hard time putting the vision of him out of her mind. No, she didn’t know him. But she’d like to. Even though she completely loved Angel, she got a real buzz out of the gorgeous stranger obviously eyeing her up. Hey, she was still only sixteen……

I'm doing all right / No, don't feel sorry for me / Really I'm
all right / I'm one step away from crashing to my knees

Tinglies again. Where was Angel? This was really freaking her out.

A shiver hit her when she heard the velvet voice speaking. She’d give good odds that it was her beautiful stranger.

“Where's the phone? I need to call the police. There's some big guy out there trying to bite somebody.”

BAM! Hit to the gut with a double whammy. Buffy sprinted from the dance floor and out the back door. Xander and Willow stared at each other, motionless in the midst of the dancing throng until their brains caught up with them and they headed out the back to catch up to Buffy.

They skidded to a halt as they rounded the corner into the alley. Buffy was fully occupied dealing with the vampire who, as the stranger had said, was trying to bite somebody - a young girl in fact. She spotted her friends just as the vampire swung at her and managed to sidestep so he grounded his fists in the metal door behind her.

He regrouped but Buffy grabbed his arm and twisted it up behind his back. She shouted to Willow and Xander, “Get her out of here!” and heaved a sigh of relief when Willow grabbed the girl and pulled her away.

The vampire was seriously pissing her off now, so she vented her fury by hitting him in the face. But she couldn’t keep this up all night.

“And a stake would be nice!”

Xander zoned for a moment then turned and rocketed back into the Bronze. He didn’t spot the man hidden in the shadows. Seconds later he passed him again on his return journey, stunned to find Buffy lying on the ground with a vampire looming over her. He didn’t catch what the vampire said but Buffy managed to kick him in the face and knock him backwards as she sprung to her feet.

The vampire spoke to someone behind Xander and he turned to look. Buffy tried to see too whilst once again fighting on the ground. The shadows were too dark; Xander turned back to his friend as the scuffle continued.

“Buffy!” Xander shouted, throwing the stake her way; she caught it effortlessly and sunk it into the chest of the vampire who crumbled to dust above her. Xander rushed forwards, offering his friend a hand up. They both forgot about the unseen person the vampire had called to.

A figure faded into the shadows even further.

“Well, that was easy enough. Though I was a little worried when the vamp had me down. Bit sooner with the stake might have been nice…”

“Hey, Buffster – just helping you get a good work out, you know? Didn’t look like you were having too much trouble.”

Buffy raised her eyebrow at him, brushing the vampire dust off her as she walked forwards. Willow rounded the corner at a run, colliding with Xander’s back with a thud.

“Sorry! Sorry! Is it all over, did the vamp get pooofed?”

“Uh huh, one pile of dust as ordered. She get home ok?”

“Yeah, she’s a bit shaken asking me all kinds of questions. Told her it was a student prank that went wrong and I think the old Sunnydale blinkers thing kicked in. She’s safe anyway.”

“Good; now…….where were we?”

The trio giggled and linked arms as they sauntered back into the club. Blue eyes watched and made notes.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Buffy was painting the banner – as predicted, alone. Sheila was a no-show so she’d rounded up Xander and Willow to give her a hand, Giles and Miss Calendar sauntering in to make up the gang. Of course, all Giles did was talk at her about some nonsense or other so she tuned him out. Not helping at this stage, what with Snyder on her back and having to do double duty as the Slayer due to the increase of vampire activity. And what was with that? Buffy realized it was possible that Giles had turned up to tell her the reason so tried to focus on his voice.

“…..and I think it’s possible that it’s because of that.”

Oh. He’d finished.

“Erm, could you run that by me again? Kinda wasn’t listening.”

Giles sighed, removing his glasses and taking out his ever-present handkerchief to polish the already polished lenses. “Really, Buffy. I do wish you’d pay attention. I don’t do this for fun you know.”

“Oh, right. And I do. Giles! Look at me…….I’m living three lives here and none of them let me just be Buffy. Four if you count the dutiful daughter thing. Can you just tell me again without the snippy?”

“Very well. There is a festival, the Night of St Vigeous; apparently vampires celebrate it to remember a time of mayhem. You have to stop them. Brief enough for you?”

“Very funny. Alright, I’ll slay. But not tonight. Tonight I do dual duty as the daughter and the student; I can wave goodbye to one of my other jobs at least as the banner making is all…but….done!”

She smiled as she filled in the last letter.

“Let’s hope that the vampires know not to bother you then.”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Other than the mandatory ‘Mom-meets-Principal’ debacle that got her grounded for two months, Parent Teacher night went off without a hitch. Sheila never turned up so she got the expelled card and all seemed perfectly normal for a Buffy Summers school night. Buffy had been sent straight to bed with a plate of woefully unappetising sandwiches for company, her mom scowling at her and bemoaning her fate at giving birth to such a delinquent daughter. Said daughter bit her tongue and swallowed the ‘but I save the world’ retort; her life sucked sometimes! Still, she waited a little and slinked off into the night to fulfil her sacred duty.

It was a beautiful night, actually. The moon was full, the air was fresh but not cold. Xander and Willow had patrolled with her earlier but sensing her need to be alone left her to it by 11.00 pm. Her mom was always grounding her, but strangely never thought to check that she was still in her room. Must be part of the slayer package, having a trusting mother. Buffy was actually humming the song she’d danced to last night in the Bronze and twirling her stake in her fingers. She felt happy to be alive. The only thing she needed now was a good slaying and she’d be in bed and dreaming of Angel kisses before she knew it.

Talking of…..

“Angel. Come out now…….I can feel you; vampire slayer, hello?”

No response.

“Angel. Come on, I’m in a perfectly good mood that I’d like to keep and while I appreciate your stealthy guy vibe, I’ve sussed you.”

Nothing.

Buffy mumbled under her breath. “Ok, not big with the loving of stalker guy.”

She rounded a crypt, her mutterings caught in her throat as she almost walked into the blonde Adonis from last night.

“Oh! Hi there! Didn’t see you, sorry!”

He dropped his head and looked at her from under dark lashes. Buffy watched, open mouthed as he patted himself down to find a cigarette which he then placed between perfect lips, gripping it between his teeth. She followed his hands with her eyes, unable to speak as he made the simple task of flipping a zippo and lighting his cigarette the most sensual thing she’d ever seen.

Spike grinned; the Slayer – all hot and horny for him. Well wasn’t that just a bonus? Drusilla had convinced him to play his cards close and not attack tonight as he’d wanted to. She told him the sodding stars were anxious – daft bint! But he’d played along – mattered not to him when he offed the slayer, just so long as she was dead. Hell, the way things were turning out he might even get a bit of touch before he drained her dry.

“Is that so, pet? What you doing out here all on your own at night? All manner of beasties lurking to waylay a juicy morsel like yourself.”

“Oh, don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself. I’m stronger than I look.”

Quite honestly, the way he was sweeping his eyes over her, lingering just beyond the time that would be deemed respectable, ignited her blood and made her mouth go dry. Seems like the moisture was needed elsewhere……………

“Still, I’d feel better if I walked you home. Don’t want it on my conscience if anything happened to you now do I?”

Buffy nodded, quite unable to form words and certainly unable to deny him whatever he asked. Was he a hypnotist?

“Erm…that’s very kind of you Mr…..?”

“Spike; just Spike. It’s a nickname but I go by it all the time. And you are?”

“Buffy – Buffy Summers. Nice to meet you…Spike.”

“Shall we?”

Bemused at her inability to refuse him anything, Buffy linked the proffered arm and started to walk out of the cemetery.

Yet, there it was again. The tingle, the specific vampire tingle that told her that her vampire was nearby. She stopped, pulling her companion to a halt.

“What’s the matter, pet?”

“What? Oh, sorry……I just get the feeling I’m being followed by…….oh never mind.”

They ambled on, Buffy oddly comfortable in the companionable silence. This was weird. She’d only just met him but he seemed so familiar. She had no idea what impulse had her linking his arm, a total stranger. And the arm felt snug cradled against her side, right temperature and…………….. A sudden chill stroked icy fingers down her spine. She turned her head slowly as she walked, holding her breath as she swept her eyes up and across their linked arms, his muscular bicep, his chest….She knew what she would find when she saw his face.

Pushing him away from her, she reached into her coat for a stake.

“You’re a vampire!”

He laughed, his ridged brow and fangs glinting in the moonlight. Lazily he clapped his hands, amber eyes glinting with amusement.

“Yeah? What gave it away? Man, call yourself the Slayer. What happened to that special ability to spot a demon, love? Not feeling up to it tonight?”

Buffy faltered a little. Why hadn’t she been able to spot he was a vampire straight off? Was it the fact that he was drop dead gorgeous and had her forgetting anything but baby blue eyes and sculpted cheekbones? Way to focus, Buffy!

With a snarl she launched herself at him intending to stake him on first contact; Spike sidestepped easily, laughing at the thrill of fighting his third Slayer. This was just bloody marvellous! He’d only just come to this deadbeat town and his prey was already putty in his hands. A part of him watched, detached from it all, and conceded that this girl had something special. Yeah, she was hot – no doubt about it. And kind of innocent too, very young and still with the babyface. But the way she moved was far from innocent and it hit him in the groin, his cock stiffening as she circled him for another shot with the stake.

It would be a pity to off her really; she was just begging for a good rogering. Maybe he’d drain her a little, keep her conscious then……Odd feeling, that. He shook himself out of his reverie, ignoring the twinge of unease he’d felt at the thought of forcing himself on her. He’d done it before, revelled in it in fact. But somehow he felt as if he wanted her to want it, plead for it – want him.

He dropped to avoid her spin kick, shooting a punch to her abdomen from the ground. The Slayer cried out in pain and he smirked; he was still the Big Bad despite his disturbing thoughts. Before she recovered he moved in to grab her from behind, pinning one arm up between them and reaching to expose her neck, fangs ready to strike.

A harsh light flooded the cemetery, strong gusts of wind following in its wake.

As the light faded, the vampire and the slayer lay entwined on the ground, unconscious.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TBC....
 

CHAPTER TWO

Giles leapt up in his bed at the sound of knocking. Scrabbling for his glasses he peered at the clock. 3.00 am? Who would be calling at this time? He swung his legs out of bed and pulled on his dressing gown. Yawning, he made his way downstairs.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.”

He pulled back the bolts and unlocked the mortice. “Who is it?” he shouted before opening the door, pausing to grab his crossbow on the way.

“It’s us Giles, Willow and Xander. Have you seen Buffy?”

Giles put the crossbow down and opened the door in a rush.

“No, why? What’s wrong?”

Willow shifted uneasily on her feet, looking anywhere but at Giles. Xander nudged his reticent friend but she took no notice of him.

“Having woken me at this time would one of you have the decency to tell me why?”

“Willow.” Xander nudged her again.

“Erm….I think there’s a chance that she’s…erm…….what I mean is….”

“Willow; for the love of…..will you please just tell me what’s wrong?”

Willow took a deep breath. “Well, I..I….you know all the books on magic in the library?”

“I’m familiar with them, yes.”

“Well, you know there’s one that you told me was very dangerous and to never open it?”

“Yes…”

“Erm…I opened it; just a little! I didn’t mean to, I was looking for something about St Vigeous, I swear! But then I maybe kinda possibly….did a spell.” Her voice tailed off, eyes downcast to the floor.

Giles took a deep breath, the glasses dangling from his fingers as he tried to curb his temper. The stupid little girl; he knew exactly the consequences that could arise from meddling with magical forces.

“Willow. Think very carefully; what spell did you possibly…maybe…do?”

“I..I think it was a forgetting spell; it looked so easy and I just read it aloud, quietly…but I suddenly got an image of Buffy falling to the floor.” A beat. “Have I done something wrong?”

She looked so earnest, bottom lip quivering and eyes wide with fear. Xander looked sheepish, no doubt having urged Willow on in her insanity. Despite himself, Giles felt strangely proud that a mere girl could work such a spell, without training. If indeed she had worked a spell. It was always possible that Buffy was at this moment tucked up in bed and the three of them were merely indulging in flights of fancy.

But no. This was the hellmouth. Odds were that Willow had somehow called on magicks that affected Buffy in some way. Nothing to do but research.

“Look, you two go home. I’ll go to the library and check out the volume you were studying. The Magicks of Volataro, yes?”

Willow nodded.

“Right, I’ll see you at school tomorrow. I’ll pass by Buffy’s house once I’ve been to the library, but I don’t think it will serve any use to waken her mother at this point. I suppose if there’s something wrong we’ll know soon enough. If she is affected by the spell, I need to find out how before I can fix it, and if she is simply in bed – well, her mother wouldn’t understand the need for the school librarian calling at this hour. Go home…and Willow – I trust you have learned your lesson?”

Willow nodded again, words trapped in her throat. She promised herself that it would be a long, long time before she even thought about magic.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The girl’s nose tickled; she was lying on the ground, grass squashed beneath her and invading her nostrils. She sneezed, the sudden sound and movement jerking her upright. Looking down she surveyed the beauty of the male lying beneath her, her hand splayed on his muscular chest.

“Wow! Is he with me?”

She gazed at his face, drinking in every inch. His hair was kinda strange, but hot – peroxide blonde was so 80’s but he suited it. His eyebrows were dark giving away the fact that the hair colour wasn’t natural if anybody even thought that. She tilted her head to get a closer look at a scar on his left eyebrow; she wanted to lick it, the urge to do so almost overwhelming. Her heartrate increased as she focused on his lips, so full and soft, moist and just damn kissable. Unconsciously she leaned in towards him, licking her lips as she zeroed in on her target.

Deep blue eyes stopped her in her tracks.

“Hey,” she muttered nervously.

“Ahem…hello? Do I know you?”

The girl sat up, her hand still keeping contact with his chest.

“…ah..erm……I’m not sure. I can’t remember!”

“Well, given our…..intimate…..positioning, I think we must do. And I do have a strange feeling of familiarity and well, I’d say loathing but that can’t be right!”

She giggled; he spoke in such a strange manner. And the accent…

“You’re not American.”

“No kidding! I’m English, and don’t laugh at me.”

“Sorry. But you’re so cute.”

English guy almost choked. “Am not! Take that back……..I mean look at my outfit! Cute does not equal black leather and black nail varnish. I’m bad to the bone.”

“Yeah, sure you are. Come on, Big Bad. As you don’t know who you are, and I don’t know who you are and I don’t know who I am and I’m assuming you don’t know who I am either….”

Her voice tailed off as she recapped the sentence in her head. “I think that made sense….basically, as we don’t know who we are but we seem to be linked in some way, we need to get help.”

“And where exactly do you think we’ll get that?”

“I don’t know, but we can’t stay here. Have you seen where we are?” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “It’s a fricking cemetery! What were we doing here?”

He dropped his eyelids to hood his eyes; the girl drew in a sharp breath as he curled his tongue behind his teeth and gave her a wicked smirk.

“Well, love. Usually when a bloke brings a girl to a dark and dangerous place it isn’t to play cards with her. Guess we were seeking some alone time…”

The girl felt herself blush. But he was right; there was no other reason for the two of them to be lying entwined on the floor of a cemetery other than they were up to no good. She smiled to herself, a hot glow flooding her tummy as she thought of the alone time she’d been spending with this rock god. He was older than her, and though she didn’t know for sure, she suspected older than her usual boyfriends and way hotter. If only she could remember his name….

Or her name for that matter.

“Ok, so we aren’t here to read the bible; I get that. We must be boyfriend and girlfriend…….do you think?”

The boy looked at her earnest face and melted. She was adorable, all worried in case he rejected her. Yeah, he thought they were a couple. They felt right, like they fit together, kismet and such.

“I think. But I can’t remember your name; shouldn’t I know your name?”

“I..I…shoot, I don’t remember my name so why should you? Lemme see; I think I’m called ………….Cecily..”

“Ugh; are you sure? Don’t like the sound of that love; don’t seem hardly right at all. I think you’re more like a…Bunny! Yeah, that seems proper.”

‘Bunny’ shot him a look questioning his sanity. “And who are you? Bugs?”

The blond god snorted. “Nah, love. Don’t think so; something more villainous I reckon, bad like. Maybe ……Spite?”

“That’s not even a name! Are you sure?”

“Feels right; rolls off the tongue, don’t you think?”

Bunny watched as said tongue rolled out of his mouth and wet his lips, her eyes fixed on its moist, pink tip as it ran across his teeth to its final resting place all coiled up and ready to strike.

‘Think I’d like to be rolling onto that tongue…..’

“Well, I think it’s weird but it’s up to you.”

“Says Bunny!”

“Oh come on! That’s what you’ve just named me; so if it’s lame it’s your fault!”

The two were now standing toe to toe, faces leaning closer together as they sparred verbally.

“Does this seem kind of familiar to you, this back and forth tagging….in a graveyard?”

Spite looked around himself, noting the lack of heebies the headstones engendered in him. And Bunny was right; he did feel like this wasn’t the first time he’d stood in a graveyard trading quips.

“Dunno love, yeah…..I guess so. Maybe we’re Goths, or maybe we’re doing it for a bet. Maybe our friends put us up to it.”

Bunny pondered; it was possible. She figured Spite was maybe in his early twenties; he looked all bad boy and stuff so maybe they were Goths. She couldn’t really think of any other reason to be in a graveyard in the middle of the night.

“Oh! Maybe my address is in my purse, I’ll check.” She patted her pockets then rifled through her purse pulling out a battered notebook. It was scrawled all over with doodles of what looked like fangs and hearts pierced with, well, they looked like wooden stakes. Inside the front cover she found an address.

“Well, this may be where I live – 1630 Revello Drive. Oh, and there’s a few names too: Willow, Xander, Giles. What strange names…..and somebody called Angel. Wonder who she is?”

Spite shrugged. Digging deeper she found an actual wooden stake. She held it up to Spite, her head inclining quizzically.

“What the hell are you doing with a piece of wood in your bag, love? Some kind of self-defence thing? It’s creepy; makes my skin crawl.”

“Don’t know, but must be a reason. Do you have anything?”

Spite patted himself down. He pulled out a battered packet of cigarettes and a zippo lighter. Lighting up and taking a deep drag, he smiled. “Well, seems I smoke. Don’t have anything else though.”

“Looks like we go to this Revello Drive address then. Must be some reason I wrote it down.”

Spite nodded in agreement. He held out his hand to Bunny and she took it without hesitation. God, she was beautiful! If she was his, he’d definitely done something good in a former life. And her hand fit in his perfectly, their arms swinging between them as they matched strides. Yeah, they must be a couple. Wouldn’t feel so right otherwise.

In contented silence, the two blondes ambled out of the cemetery and set out to find Revello Drive.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Giles was muttering under his breath, uselessly removing his spotlessly clean spectacles and polishing them furiously. “Bloody idiot child; expect such foolishness from Xander but Willow? Stupid.” He clutched the offending volume from which Willow had inadvertently cast the spell under his arm having called at the library to pick it up. The book had fallen open at a random page as he reached for it, the corner of the page crumpled as though gripped in anxious fingers. It seemed the spell that Willow may have invoked was one with far-reaching consequences if she’d been successful. He intended going home via Revello Drive and seeing exactly what kind of damage the redhead may have caused. He decided it was worth risking Mrs Summers’ disapproval to make sure Buffy was alright. As he rounded the corner he collided headlong into a couple. The book went flying to the floor.

“Sorry! Sorry – didn’t see you.”

Giles smiled as he recognized the accent; nearer to his own real one than he was ever willing to admit, it reminded him of home. He was already on his knees clambering for the book so he tipped his head up in joyful anticipation of seeing a fellow Brit.

“Buffy!”

The two standing over him looked at each other blankly.

“I’m sorry, do you know us?”

“Buffy, it’s me – Giles!”

A shy smile curled her mouth. Giles. The name in the book. But he looked way older than she was; was he a creep? She gripped Spite’s hand fiercely.

“I’m sorry; I really don’t remember you. Should I? I think I’ve lost my memory and…….what did you call me?”

“Buffy. It’s your name. Buffy Summers.”

Spite snorted. He murmured against her ear “It’s even worse than Bunny, love. What was your mother thinking?”

“Shut up Spite. Oh! Do you know him? What’s his name?”

Giles looked the man up and down. He wore very strange clothing, lots of leather and his hair was extremely peculiar. But no, he wasn’t familiar with him.

“No, I don’t believe I do. Spite…was it?”

“Yeah, well – don’t rightly know. We just kind of gave ourselves names. Seemed to fit. So I’m not with Bunny…erm, Buffy here?”

“Well, suffice it to say she hasn’t mentioned you, but it wouldn’t be the first time she’s kept me in the dark.”

“And you would be her……”

The question hung on the air, the blond young man’s tone definitely bordering on possessive as he curled his arm further around Buffy’s waist.

“I’m her…her…erm…school librarian. She’s a very conscientious student.”

Buffy felt a warm glow run through her at the praise; but it didn’t seem right to her somehow. Still, Giles must know; and if he was so pleased to see her they must spend a lot of time together. And what else would they have in common to spend time on but studies?

“Can I ask you a question?” Giles nodded. “I found this address in my purse – do I live there?”

Giles scanned the notebook and nodded his confirmation. “Yes, with your mother. I suspect she’ll be worried that you’re out so late, Buffy. Maybe you should be heading home. I would like to see you in the morning, in the library. Will you come?”

Buffy shot a glance at her glowering companion. He looked fit to burst that she was talking to this man……this older man; sheesh! What would he be like if she spoke to guys her own age?

“Yeah, I’ll be there. If you tell me where there is. I have a temporary memory deficit if you recall.”

“Oh, yes… of course.”

After giving her directions to the school, Giles pointed the couple in the direction of Revello Drive. His attempts to separate the two when he offered to show ‘Spite’ to his own home was met with stony silence and a renewal of their gripped hands. No, these two were not going to be split up easily. Reminding himself that Mrs Summers was at home and therefore there would be no ‘funny business’ he allowed them to go on their way, making a mental note to ask Willow about the British stranger in the morning.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Willow was fast asleep and dreaming of squashed frogs with a smile on her face when the persistent tapping at the window drew her attention. She sat up in bed, her hair a bird’s nest on her head and her bedsocks hanging off the end of her toes. “Huh? Whassup..”

She slid off the mattress tugging her moo-cow jacket straight, fighting to keep her eyes open as she went to the door that led to the outside. She was suddenly awake when she recognized the hulking figure of Angel leaning against the wall.

“Angel! What do you want? Ok, not polite……erm…what’s wrong?”

He turned his soulful brown eyes on her, hands hovering above – but never touching – his hair.

“Buffy. Have you seen Buffy?”

Willow blushed, guilt and mortification stifling her voice. Did Angel know she’d messed up?

“Yeah, earlier. Were you supposed to meet her? I think she’ll be in bed now as you should be…….oh not that…..and you’re way older than……hey Angel! What can I help you with?”

“We didn’t make plans…….Only Buffy usually stops by erm, wherever I am actually, but I haven’t seen her.”

Willow fought the impulse to ‘fess up. With a bit of luck any problem that Buffy had would be solved first thing in the morning and Angel need be none the wiser.

“She…...she probably went home because we’ve got a lot of schoolwork. She’ll be round tomorrow I guess.”

Angel nodded. Willow looked back over her shoulder thinking she heard a noise and not wanting her mom to find her talking to a boy in the middle of the night. When she turned back, Angel was gone.

“That is so creepy, how he just melts away like that” she muttered to herself. Pinning her hopes on either Buffy being unaffected by her spell or Giles making everything right, she huddled beneath the covers and screwed her eyes tight shut until she dozed off.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TBC
 

CHAPTER THREE

Buffy and Spite, or whatever his real name was, checked the number on the outside of the house – 1630. The windows were dark; whoever was inside had gone to bed. Buffy stopped before she reached the door, dropping her voice to a whisper as she turned to her companion.

“I think this feels familiar, but I kind of don’t feel right going in the front door.”

“Well, love. Not sure how else you want to get in.” He nodded towards the yard. “You fancy a tree climb?”

Buffy reluctantly let go of his hand as she wandered towards the large tree abutting the house. She touched the bark and glanced up; there was an open window above an overhanging half-roof. Turning to Spite, she beckoned him towards her.

“Look! Up there; we could get in that way. You up for it?”

The blond sauntered towards her, eyes glinting with merriment and his expressive tongue curling behind his teeth. “I think you’ll find, pet, that I’m always up.” He finished his assertion with a raised eyebrow.

Buffy felt her insides quiver at the implied meaning of his words. They must be a couple, she wouldn’t get that delicious deep down tingly feeling with just anybody, would she? She rolled her eyes at his antics and made to climb the tree. Firm hands were suddenly at her waist hoisting her upwards to grab the lowest branch. She dangled there momentarily as he let go of his grip on her, the imprint of his fingers burning her flesh with their loss. Buffy looked around, seeking him out – a nip at her ass cheeks had her squealing then squirming as heat flooded her groin. “Hey! No fair! I can’t defend myself like this.”

“Yeah love, but I just couldn’t help myself – all pert and round and just, well, edible. Firm peaches, all juicy like. Can’t blame a bloke for having a nibble.”

“Hmm. Well, not helping though with the getting into the house. Can you give me a leg up?”

“I’d like to give you a leg-over.”

Buffy blushed. What was it about him that had her insides all turning to goo with a glance or a word? She swung gently on the branch until she felt her feet meeting upward pressure. Spite boosted her upwards until she managed to swing her legs over the branch and hop onto the half roof. From there she scrambled through the window. She found herself in a typical teenage girl’s bedroom complete with pop band posters, stuffed animals and bling bling jewellery. It felt right; felt like hers. She spotted a number of photographs of herself with two other people, a red haired girl and a dark haired boy and that clinched it. Must be her room. Reaching into a drawer she pulled out the handful of crucifixes she found there together with the sharpened stakes and bottles labeled holy water. What the……

A rustle and a thud dragged her attention back from her musings and she let the strange items drop back into the drawer. Where was Spite? She moved over to the window, leaned out hands braced on the frame. The said blond was sprawled on the floor at the foot of the tree, arms splayed out at his sides.

“Spite! What are you doing?” she hissed at him.

“Oh, you know. Thought I’d take a nap. What do you think you silly bint? I fell, didn’ I?”

“Well, hurry up – I’ve found some pictures and weird stuff. Come on!”

Muttering about ‘bloody women’ he quickly shimmied up the tree and scrambled onto the roof. Buffy stood back from the window, arms crossed and little booted foot tapping. Spite didn’t move.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Come on in!”

“Thing is love, I think there’s a barrier or something; I tried to get in before and bounced off. Look!”

Spite leaned forwards, hands upright palms to the front – he gurgled in surprise as he found no resistance and tumbled headlong through the open window. Buffy cringed at the sound; surely somebody would come and check out the noise. She fell to her knees besides the prone figure of her maybe boyfriend, hissing at him to be quiet. He clawed at the leather coat covering his face revealing a pissed off scowl.

“I swear! I couldn’t get in before! Bounced right back!”

“Well, maybe you just don’t remember it right. Cos look – you’re all in now!”

“Yeah, seems like. Weird. So, where’s this stuff you’ve found?”

“Here, in this drawer. Crosses and bottles of Holy Water. Sharpened sticks like the one I had before. What’s it all for?”

“Don’t know love, but I’m not anxious to find out. That stuff gives me the willies.” Spite shuddered.

Settling back on the bed and kicking off the cluster of stuffed animals he found there, Spite shrugged off his duster and slapped it down on the floor. Arms bare and extremely well muscled as they forced their way out of the sleeves of the black t-shirt he wore, Buffy couldn’t take her eyes off him as he flexed one bicep and beckoned her to him with a finger. Without conscious thought Buffy’s feet began to eat up the distance to the bed, her eyes unable to break contact with his blue orbs. The bed dipped as she crouched over him, her hair sweeping down to brush the toes of his doc martins.

“Ewww! Boots, Spite – this is a silk coverlet! Off, take them off!”

“Demanding little chit, aren’t you? You trying to seduce me, kitten?”

Buffy rolled her eyes; but still she crawled up the bed, mesmerized by the light in his eyes, the moist kissable lips, the chiseled angles of his cheekbones. The boots hit the floor during her climb and she came to a halt with her arms braced either side of his chest, her lips mere inches from his and her breath coming in short gasps. The connection between them was electric; as she breathed out, Spite breathed in, eager to drag the air she exhaled into his lungs so as not to waste any part of her. He was completely bewitched by this young girl, knowing deep within himself despite the loss of memory that they were linked and that she belonged here in his embrace.

In a rush of movement, he grabbed her upper arms and crushed her lips in a bruising kiss. Buffy gasped as his tongue flicked along her mouth, embarrassed when she felt a gush of moisture between her legs. Her cheeks were flushed and her breathing was erratic, and she was finding it increasingly difficult to think. She was here. On her bed. Her mother was probably next door. She didn’t have a clue who this man was really and she was about to do………what she always swore she’d save for her wedding night. Had probably already done it in fact because look at him! Oh she was under no illusions; he was older than her and liked to play up the bad boy image. A quick peck and a fumble wouldn’t be enough for him. But strangely, she felt that if she wanted to stop now he wouldn’t fight her, would do whatever she asked of him.

But she didn’t want to stop him. She needed to touch him.

Shyly, and without breaking the kiss, she sneaked her hand under the tight top he wore, panting with pleasure as she felt the ripple of muscles beneath her fingers. Abs to die for……..she could count them just by running her hand across his flat stomach. She was desperate to look at him now so sat up and straddled his waist with her legs either side. A surge of female pride raced through her as she saw the look on Spite’s face.

He swallowed nervously and wriggled a little in an attempt to ease the ache in his groin caused by the jailbait vixen presently gyrating on his family jewels. God, he was about to shoot his load and he was damn sure this wasn’t his first time with a woman. He wasn’t sure whether this was his first time with this woman, however, and he wanted to make sure that if it was, it wouldn’t be his last. She was special, he knew that. Knew bugger all else, but he knew that. So he’d better do this right then.

Hazel eyes nervously watched azure blue as they darkened with lust. Did she know this? Had they done this before? She still wasn’t sure. She stayed astride him as he sat up and cupped her jaw, mesmerised as his lips drew ever nearer. The first touch was feather light, just a glance of lips on lips that left her aching for more. A mewl of need left her and as her mouth opened to vocalise the loss the lips were back, firmer this time with a tentative sweep of his tongue along the sensitised flesh before he slid it inside to wrap around hers. More mewling as he sucked her tongue and rasped it with his teeth, the pleasure she was feeling heightened as one hand had now left her jaw and was moving oh so slowly down her back to find the hem of her top. Deliciously cool fingers drew icy paths along her heated flesh; that felt very familiar. The difference in their skin temperature set off alarm bells somewhere at the back of her mind but she was too far gone in the moment to care.

Buffy felt the material of her top bunch up at the back as the cool fingers gripped it and pulled it upwards. In a daze she pulled away from his lips and lifted up her arms to help him ease the top from her shaking body. The neck of the shirt got caught on her necklace and it took a bit of wrestling to untangle the two. Buffy dropped her arms and let her golden hair bounce down around her now naked shoulders stopping Spite in mid-reach for the front-clasp of her bra. Outlined as she was from the light of the moon streaming in from the window her hair took on a halo-like effect that had him penning poetry in his head. Was he a writer? Seemed that way, the thoughts he was having, but he doubted his mental scribblings would make the transition to written verse. What the buggering hell was ‘effulgent’ anyway?

He continued undressing her, unhitching the bra to allow her small, pert breasts to fall into his waiting hands. His eyes flicked back from her face to the perfection of her breasts noting with delight the puckering of her nipples as he did so. His thumbs hovered above the hardened nubs until Buffy arched her back to force the contact she was desperate for. Her mouth opened in a silent ‘o’ of pleasure, eyes closed, head thrown back as she delighted in the sensations rippling through her. From just his hands. On her breasts. The blush started again but she shook it off. She had other things for her blood to be doing……..

“Baby…….lift up……need to get these off you…..

His voice was like liquid satin, his husky tones caressing her just as his hand continued to brush over her sensitised skin. Without conscious thought, Buffy did as he asked, scrambling off him to ease his access, watching his face as he undid the button of her jeans and pulled the material towards him to get tension to lower the zipper. His fingers dipped beneath the waistband as he did so and she shivered when the delicious pressure left her as he started to drag the denim down her legs. The jeans stuck at her boots. Stupid boots.

“Oh………sugar!”

Spite laughed at her affronted face. “I really will need to teach you some swear words, love. That was pathetic.”

“Help much? Are you just gonna lay there or give me a hand?”

“Gonna give you more than a hand, pet. Ok, give me your foot.”

It wasn’t really what Buffy had envisaged as her first time…….although really, this could be any time at all! But as she didn’t remember anything prior to waking up with her hand splayed possessively across the chest of the hottie presently unzipping her boots, she was wiping the slate clean in her head and erring on the side of caution.

The boots were tossed to opposite corners of the room and the jeans soon joined them to leave her clad in only a tiny pair of white panties. The contrast between the white cotton and her sunkissed skin was stark in the moonlight, and the darker patch where her curls showed she wasn’t really a natural blonde drew Spite’s eyes. Gorgeous.

“Hey!” She slapped his chest; his totally clothed chest. “Why am I sitting here in the altogether when you’re all with the clothes having? No fair.” She stuck out her bottom lip in a delicious pout. Spite nearly creamed his pants.

“Fair do’s love; shift up a bit and I’ll join you.”

Buffy scooted backwards, eager to see him reveal the treasure that was his chest. Spite stood at the end of the bed, eyes fixed on her as his clothes disappeared. First came the shirt – ripped off, quite literally, by his eager and shaking hands. Buffy’s hungry eyes zeroed in on his pink nipples, his pale skin, the muscular yet spare physique. He was breathtaking. Pale hands moved to the button fly of his jeans and she lived every single pop of the material as inch by tantalising inch the masculine beauty of his groin was revealed. Flat tummy, defined hips, line of dark hair that drew the eye down to the tangle of curls wrapping his manhood in a sinuous embrace. She licked her lips and swallowed, hard. Grin on his face, Spite pulled the jeans down his thighs to reveal his swollen cock, bobbing as he bent over to drag the garment off his legs. Then he stood up; proud, naked – glorious.

She hadn’t realised she’d gasped, but his chuckle broke the moment. “Like what you see, pet?”

“Vain much? I’ve seen better…..”

“And you know that…..how? What with the mindwipe and all? And anyway…….I doubt it.”

He was right. She knew it. He knew she knew it.

His smirk was infuriating; and sexy. Very, very sexy.

Buffy patted the bed, eyes never leaving him but unable to settle on any one part. He prowled towards her making her breath hitch in her throat, the predatory look in his eyes making her shiver. Her heart felt as if it would break her chest it was pounding so fast and she was aching to get her hands on him. Surely this was something she was used to? And if not………why not?

The bed dipped as Spite knelt on the mattress, naked as the day he was born. “Hey love; you’re cheating!”

Buffy gasped as the smack of the elastic forming the waistband of her now shredded panties left welts on her hips. God that felt good! He’d just reached out a finger and flicked them away from her body. All caveman-like. And now she was bare to his gaze. And wet, oh boy was she wet!

“That’s better; don’t want nothin’ between us Buffy. Gonna make you feel so good.”

She didn’t reply, couldn’t – her mouth was too dry and anyway her brain had lost the ability to form words. Her eyes, however, said everything.

Cool lips descended on hers in slow motion; she watched him move towards her until he was too close to focus on then closed her eyes to savour the moment. Buffy whimpered as the expected contact didn’t come, eyelids fluttering, mouth opening to bemoan the loss. The whimper was swallowed up when Spite bridged the last gap and softly brushed his lips against hers. Buffy arched against him bringing her bare breasts into contact with his chest, the feel of flesh on flesh sending tingles through them both and galvanising Spite into action. His eager hands gripped her shoulders and dragged her down the bed, his body following to cover hers, knee nudging her legs apart so that he could lay between them. They fitted perfectly, Spite’s hips aligned with hers, his cock resting at her opening and straining to gain entry to her moist depths.

His left hand gripped hers, fingers intertwined and resting by the side of her flushed face. His right hand stroked her hair down from her crown, lingering at her cheek then ghosting on past her shoulder to cup her breast and caress her aching nipple. Buffy moaned into the kiss that threatened to take her breath. The cool fingers continued their trail down her side rubbing circles on the silken skin of her thigh before hooking her knee and bringing her leg up to wrap around his waist. Her heart raced as his cock slid along her pussy lips and over her sensitised clit; he shifted slightly to reach between them, his fingers quickly becoming coated with her juices as he ran them along her slit and teased at her swollen nub.

“Open up for me, love.”

The whisper against her lips had her eager to comply and she threw her other leg around his hips, suddenly desperate to have him close to her. Spite guided his hard length to her entrance, sliding easily over her slickened skin. He fought the urge to thrust into her and fuck her hard, couldn’t quite forget the flowery poetry that had invaded his mind earlier and which now had him thinking of similes for her golden skin and sinuous limbs. No – this time would be gentle and memorable; next time he’d show her how raw it could be.

And still he fought the urge to bite her. What kind of kink was that?

Slowly, he pressed forwards, his cock disappearing inside her heated depths inch by tantalising inch….until he encountered a barrier. Shocked, he stopped – drawing back from the kiss to look at her. She was a virgin? Buffy’s eyes were wide as she blinked up at him. He’d stopped – why had he stopped?

“Love…..I…we haven’t …this is your first time…..”

“I don’t care………I need you, Spite……….I’m dying here! I want you…..”

“But love…….”

All protests died on his lips as Buffy seized his ass and pulled him towards her; he felt the pressure pop as her maidenhead was breached and he was sheathed fully inside her tight pussy. Buffy cried out in pain and he smothered it with a kiss, not anxious to be caught in such a delicate position should her mother decide to come and investigate what was hurting her little girl. Buffy was tense with the pain and he stayed motionless, continuing to kiss her gently to calm her. When the need to move was overwhelming he started rocking gently, feeling Buffy’s body relax as the pain became less and pleasure started to build.

“Ok, love?” he murmured and she answered him with a nod and by tightening her legs again behind his back. Instinctively she met his tentative thrusts by bucking her hips to meet him, her hands playing with the curls at the nape of his neck and her tongue battling with his as their kiss deepened. The pain had been white hot when he’d first slid fully inside her, but now she felt a thrumming through her veins and a rising pleasure that centred where they were joined. She wanted more.

Spite felt the change in her body that signalled the end of the pain and moved accordingly. He withdrew almost entirely then slid back inside her, her tight muscles gloving his cock and bringing him rapidly to the point where he’d have to pound into her. He was only human after all………..

Buffy surprised him by thrusting up towards him, wordlessly asking him to go deeper, harder. Who was he to disappoint a lady? His actions became more frenzied, the mattress bowing beneath them as he set a steady rhythm. His mouth left hers to trail moist kisses along her heated skin and down her neck; again he found himself fighting the urge to bite her – not gently but really tear into her – but he settled for nipping at her and soothing the marks with his strangely cool tongue. The combination of his cock stretching her almost painfully and the tiny bites at her neck had Buffy going into sensory overload and with a cry that was quickly swallowed by his kiss, she orgasmed, her body arching off the bed as she gave herself over to the pleasure. Spite allowed his self-restraint to dissolve and he buried himself inside her with hard, fast strokes to climax seconds after she had and while her pussy was still rippling around him.

Man, that was the best fuck of his life………..that he could remember. But somehow, he thought even if he did remember, it would still be number one.

“That was………wow………did you..I mean…was it….okay?”

Buffy was terrified that her inexperience – which there was now no doubt she had – would have disappointed him.

“Love, it was amazing. Honestly. ‘m feeling all top dog right about now – special, you know? Don’t know why we were waiting but can’t say I’m sorry we did, would hate for me to have forgotten that moment. You alright, not too sore?”

“Bit tender……….but I think I know how to fix that……”

“That right?”

“Uh huh……..wanna help me?”

The sun was rising as the two fell into an exhausted slumber, peeping round curtains hastily drawn together in their attempt to keep the night.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TBC
 

CHAPTER FOUR

“So, she’s alright, she’s safe?”

“Well, that depends entirely on your definition of ‘safe’ Willow. She’s alive, she appeared unharmed – but she has no idea who she is, or I might add, who I am.”

“Oopsy…”

“Yes, quite. I take it this little adventure has cured your curiosity?”

Willow nodded, abashed.

“Right, then we need to find a way to reverse the spell. Willow – as it’s your mess I’ll expect you to work jolly hard at fixing it. Start with the spell itself – and please, just read it silently. How many times have I told the both of you to not read aloud in front of the books?”

Willow and Xander both avoided Giles’ eyes. It was true. He was always saying it, in fact it was the phrase they used to mimic him when they were giggling together as opposed to researching. Grabbing a volume each, they settled down at the library table and began to work.

Giles was becoming anxious. Where was Buffy? She was already a half hour late. Maybe it had been a mistake allowing her to leave with the blond young man. That triggered his memory.

“Willow? Buffy was with someone, a young man.”

“Oh! Angel found her then – he came calling on me but did that disappearing act before I could tell him much…”

“No, not Angel. Young man Willow. I’ve never seen the chap in question. He was English – rather pale with very strange hair. He seemed to know Buffy intimately, at least they were certainly reluctant to be parted and……OH GOOD GOD!”

“What? Man, do you have to yell? Nearly had me a heart attack there.”

“Xander, don’t exaggerate. And focus, please? I have the awful feeling that the young man with Buffy was a vampire.”

“What?”

Willow and Xander wore twin looks of horror on their faces. “You left her with somebody you think might be a vampire?”

“Erm….yes. I rather fear I did. Although, to be fair it was dark and Buffy and her companion seemed eager to be off. And I didn’t think he was a vampire last night, just now on reflection. Did I mention the pallor? Dear lord! Maybe she’s a vampire – that would explain her lack of attendance this morning. Xander, Willow – quickly – we have to go to Buffy’s house.”

All three scrambled to collect their belongings and rushed out of the library, Giles returning seconds later to grab a bag of stakes and holy water. He hoped he was wrong, but if he wasn’t – well, it didn’t bear thinking about. But he was a Watcher; he knew his duty. With a heavy heart and a prayer to all the deities who were watching that he was wrong, he sprinted to catch up with the youngsters and steeled himself for the worst.

It didn’t take them long to reach Revello Drive. Joyce’s car was still in the driveway which presented a slight problem. And another possible worst case scenario. It was well past the time when Joyce should have left for work; her presence in the house may mean that a newly turned Buffy had breakfasted on her mother in time honoured fashion. Giles gripped a stake in his left hand, sweat on his brow, and knocked on the front door, having sent Xander and Willow round the back to sneak in while he provided a distraction. Eventually, he heard footsteps on the stairs and the door was opened a crack.

“Yes? Who is it?”

He sighed with relief. At least Joyce Summers was alive…….or maybe she was……..he had to get a grip, his mind was racing away with him.

“Mrs Summers? It’s Mr Giles, I’m the librarian at Buffy’s school. We met once before….”

“Oh……is there a problem? I’m afraid I’m not dressed – I woke this morning feeling unwell so I took some medication and went back to sleep. Hold on a second; I’ll just put some clothes on and………what am I thinking? Come in, please. Take a seat in the living room and I’ll be right with you.”

Giles entered warily, the stake gripped inside his pocket. Buffy’s mother was clasping a robe together at the neck and did, in fact, look quite ghastly. “I’m sorry to disturb you……”

“No, no – it’s fine; I’ll be right back.”

Giles wandered through to the other room, eyes lighting on photographs and little mementoes from Buffy’s childhood as he passed. He perched on the edge of the couch but jumped up as he spied Xander and Willow gesturing frantically from the back window. After assuring himself that Mrs Summers was still upstairs he moved to the back of the room and opened the door.

“Giles – are you alright? Shall we come in and stake her?”

The watcher sighed; Xander Harris was far too fond of what he perceived to be the exciting part of Buffy’s vocation. Since the first time he’d become involved with vampires and they’d taken and turned his best friend Jesse, he’d become rather obsessed with ridding the world of them. All of which would be fine if he wasn’t in fact a liability, more likely to injure himself than dust a hungry vampire.

“No, Xander. Mrs Summers is simply under the weather; a staking won’t be necessary.”

“And Buffy? Where is she?” Willow still felt guilty at her inadvertent slip-up; she was relying on Giles to fix it and make the guilt go away.

Giles heard footsteps on the stairs. “I’m about to find out…….now go back to school. I’ll meet up with you later. Go!” He hissed the final words and closed the door on the two worried faces. He made as if he was staring out of the window, seemingly admiring the garden, as Joyce Summers walked in.

“Mr Giles. I’m sorry for leaving you. Would you like something to drink? I think I do have some tea somewhere….”

“No, no. You should sit down. I apologise once again for troubling you; you do look quite ill.”

“Thank you.” Joyce said this with a hint of a smile.

“Oh dear……….I didn’t mean. …I’m sorry..”

“It’s alright. I’ve looked in the mirror. I look dreadful.”

Mirror. Check. Definitely not a vampire.

“I’ll be fine, I think I must have eaten something that disagreed with me. I really should avoid shellfish. So…..what can I do for you?”

Giles took a seat on the couch opposite the chair where Joyce had slumped.

“I’m just wondering if Buffy is alright. She was supposed to meet me this morning at the library for….erm…….a project she’s involved in and she didn’t show up. It isn’t like her so I thought I’d better check that nothing was wrong.”

“She’s not in school?”

Joyce made to get up, but lurched back down. Her skin was pale and clammy and she looked about to throw up.

“Oh…..well, not that I’m aware of. But I’m sure there’s a reason. Was she feeling unwell also? Maybe she had a reaction to the shellfish?”

“I didn’t see her after we got home. I’m afraid she got a rather bad report from Principal Snyder so I grounded her. She went to her room with a cold meat sandwich and shortly after that I felt unwell so went to bed. If she’s skipping school she is in sooooo much trouble…”

“Well, I’m sure there’s an explanation. Don’t worry; I may have mistaken matters in any event. When she didn’t appear I simply assumed she wasn’t at school and came straight round here. I’ll probably find her in class. Maybe I should go and check.”

Joyce nodded weakly. “Would you? And would you let me know if she isn’t there? I’d come with you, but I don’t think I could travel.”

“Of course. I’ll ring and let you know immediately. Are you sure you’ll be alright? Shall I send for a doctor?”

“No, really. I just need to rest. Shrimps will be the death of me! But I just can’t resist them. Serves me right. Well, shrimps or Buffy – I don’t know what to do with her. We moved here to get away from trouble, but still it seems to follow us. I can’t understand why a bright girl like my daughter has to be involved in so many questionable escapades. Maybe it’s her friends? I don’t know, I can’t think right now.” Joyce sighed. Giles felt helpless, knowing full well the reason why Buffy’s behaviour would seem excessive to her parent but instinctively wanting to protect his young charge of whom he was fiercely proud.

“Well. Yes. I’ll let myself out. Do take care of yourself Mrs Summers.”

“Thank you. And Mr Giles? Call me Joyce – Mrs Summers is my ex-husband’s mother!”

The watcher laughed. He liked this lady. “Very well – and you must call me Rupert. I’ll be in touch.”

He closed the front door behind him. He was none the wiser as to Buffy’s whereabouts and had no idea how to start looking for her. He doubted very much that she would be in school, but didn’t want to worry her mother further. Giles stood by the tree in the front yard pondering his options. Where was she?

Buffy peered from behind her bedroom curtain, Spite at her back. “Is he still there?”

“Yes” she hissed. “Move back, if he looks up he’ll see us. God, what was I thinking? I can’t believe we fell asleep. And my mom – funny, calling her that when I have no idea even what she looks like - what are the odds she’d be off sick today? How are we going to get out of here?”

“Well, love. I’m thinking the same way we got in. We’ll wait until Mr Tweed goes on his merry way then we’ll shimmy down and your mum need never know that you made a grown man cry like a baby all night with your greedy little mouth.”

“Spite! Please! It’s not funny…….did I really?”

“C’mere pet.” He grabbed her to him and started kissing down the side of her neck, hands reaching round her back and underneath the pyjama top she’d shucked into when she’d heard her mom and Giles talking downstairs. Buffy was lost in him again, unable to resist as he started to unbutton the top, nipping at her flesh as he revealed every glorious inch. But the sound of footsteps on the stairs jerked her back to reality and she pushed him away to land in a heap on the floor.

“Buffy? Are you in your room?” The footsteps sped up and Buffy panicked, looking around for somewhere for Spite to hide.

“Quick! The closet……go!”

Grumbling under his breath, he got in among the tops and the skirts, marvelling at the lack of length and the garish colours that surrounded him. And her smell. That damn smell got him hard instantly and he was thankful that he hadn’t gotten dressed or he’d be having serious space issues in the groin area. The closet door opened as Buffy threw his clothes in before shutting him back in the dark. And he felt strangely comfortable with that. He supposed he must be a bit of a night owl.

He watched through the slats as Buffy’s bedroom door burst open and her mother was framed in the doorway. Tasty, for an older bird. But she looked right pissed off!

“Mom…..hey! What are you doing home?”

“Don’t you play the innocent with me young lady! Where have you been?”

“Erm…….here? You grounded me remember?” She’d picked up that little tidbit by eavesdropping on the old guy’s conversation earlier.

That stopped her mom in her tracks. “But….why aren’t you at school? Rupert……Mr Giles, the librarian called round earlier; you were supposed to meet him.”

“Mom……..I…I don’t feel well. I just thought I’d stay home.”

“Nonsense. You thought you’d sneak the day off and I wouldn’t know a thing about it. Well unlucky for you I’m actually sick as opposed to just pretending so your little game is up.”

The two women faced off, Buffy trying desperately to remember that this was her mom. The tense moment was broken by the knock at the front door. “Wait here. I’m not done with you yet.”

Buffy glared but stood still as ordered. Her mom was scary! Soon, two sets of footsteps were on the stairs and her mom returned with Mr Giles close behind.

“I…heard voices from outside, forgive me for intruding. Buffy, I thought we’d arranged to meet.”

“Well, as I was telling my mom, I felt ill so I thought I’d stay home.”

“Really. You look remarkably well to me.” Surreptitiously, Giles palmed the crucifix he was carrying in his pocket and managed to brush against Buffy’s arm. Nothing. No flames or smoke or painful screams. He relaxed; not a vampire. “Joyce? Do you want me to escort her to school?”

What was this? Her mom and the guy who said he was her school librarian ganging up on her? And he’d called her mom Joyce, which was presumably her name. No……oh no, please no – they weren’t……involved? That was just oookie!

Joyce smiled at – what had she called him earlier, Rupert? Sheesh, lame name much? “Yes, that would be wonderful. Thank you for coming back for her. Now, I really do need to lie down. In fact…….” Joyce sat on the edge of Buffy’s bed, Buffy’s eyes widening as she noted the rumpled and soiled sheets. “I think I’ll just nap here for a moment; I really do feel awful.”

“Do you want us to stay…..look after you?”

“No, no – you go, take Buffy to school. There are rules in this house and she needs to learn how to obey them. I’ll be fine – I just need to sleep this off.”

“Well, if you’re sure….Joyce. I’ll call on you later, if that’s alright?”

Joyce smiled weakly. Yes, she found that would be more than alright. She could use a friend of her own age, even if she wasn’t really ready for dating. For now. “Yes, Rupert. That would be lovely. Thank you for everything.”

“Buffy? Shall we?”

She was trapped, Giles’ hand on her arm and her mom between them and the closet. She was roughly pulled away and down the stairs, not able to see anything when she whipped her head round in a vain attempt to see Spite before she left.

When they reached the outside, Buffy shrugged Giles’ hand off her. “Don’t do that! Where do you get off dragging me out of the house? Am I in remedial school or something?”

“Buffy. I’m sorry – but I was worried about you. There’s something you need to know….”

The pair walked away and back towards the school, Buffy reluctantly following the older man. Her footsteps slowed to a halt and she looked at him as though he was insane. “I’m a WHAT?”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TBC
 

CHAPTER 5

Xander and Willow were waiting patiently at the library, Willow keeping her distance from the magic books and concentrating solely on history volumes. Xander, as usual, found himself flicking through to find the naughty woodcuts. Consequently, both of them jumped as the swing doors of the library opened.



“Buffy! You’re here!”



Willow flung herself at her friend, ignoring her lack of response and failure to return her hug.



“Willow. She doesn’t remember who you are. Please……let’s all sit down and discuss things.”



Willow nodded, tearfully, but released her grip. She wandered over to where Xander was sitting and snuggled up close, seeking validity as a friend from the one who would still remember her. Buffy looked at them warily and took a seat on the opposite end of the table. Giles merely paced, removing his glasses and sucking on one arm.



“I’ve acquainted Buffy with a potted history of her past. She’s not convinced however – and who could blame her? It does all sound rather fanciful.”



“Ya think?” Xander, as usual, wasn’t helping matters and Giles glared at him until the stupid smile faded from his face.



“Xander, please try to make yourself useful. Can you bring me the Watcher’s Diaries? Just a handful will suffice.”



“And I find them……where?”



“Do you ever pay attention? In my room. Willow, show him.”



Xander sulked all the way there, muttering under his breath, “But we’re not supposed to go in there, wish he’d make his mind up…”



“Ok, you guys say I’m a ‘vampire slayer’. One, there’s no such thing as vampires and two…there’s no such thing as vampires.”



“Very funny. I’m afraid to say that you are entirely wrong. There are vampires, more than you could imagine here on the Hellmouth. Not to mention demons, black magic practitioners, evil…”



“The What-mouth?”



“Hellmouth. Sunnydale is a mecca for all manner of beasts. It’s why you were drawn here. Buffy, I know this is difficult for you, but I am telling you nothing but the truth. What will it take to convince you?”



“Full frontal lobotomy?”



“Here ya go, G-man.”



“Thank you. And please…do not address me in such a way. It’s ……..uncouth.” Giles started poring through the volumes, trying to find something that might jog Buffy’s memory.



“Whatever you say. So……Buffy. You can’t remember anything? You don’t remember that I’m your boyfriend, for instance?”



Willow sighed. Would he ever get over his doomed obsession?



“Yeah, right. Not falling for that one. And besides…I have a boyfriend. And no offence, but he’s way hotter than you are.”



“Angel’s not all that. I’ll have you know I’m a nummy treat!”



Buffy looked blankly at Xander. “Who is this Angel? I had her name on my notebook. Is she another member of the gang?”



“Buffy, Angel’s a he………and he’s a vampire….and your boyfriend.”



Buffy laughed at Willow. “No……..he can’t be a vampire. And he’ll just die laughing when he knows his name is Angel! We kinda picked our own names last night. He named me Bunny and himself Spite. Course, we were fairly near with my name. Which is kind of a strange one, has to be said. Giles, don’t you know Angel? You didn’t seem to recognise him last night?”



“Actually, I do. But, Buffy…you weren’t with Angel. I was about to ask Willow about the young man you were with. I haven’t seen him before.”



“But I thought……..he …….I mean we…..we’re a couple, right?”



Giles shook his head in the negative. “Not as far as I am aware. Of course, you probably wouldn’t tell me anyway. Willow….as I was saying, the young man Buffy was with last night. Blond…but definitely dyed, British, black leather coat. In fact, he looked like a ruffian, hence my concerns.”



“Oh. Him. Yes…Buffy, don’t you remember? He was checking you out at the Bronze the night before last. The blonde hottie, piercing blue eyes?”



“That’s my man. My Spite. Look, I don’t know you people and no offence…you’re all kind of weird. But Spite…I know him. We’re together. I can feel it. When he touched me, I…”



Xander’s tone was icy. “He touched you? Where? I mean how? When?”



“That’s none of your business.”



“We were concerned, Buffy, because I had the strangest feeling that he may be a vampire.”



Buffy blinked at the librarian. What was it with this lot and vampires? Were they part of some strange cult?



“Listen, I don’t know anything about vampires other than what I see on the TV. But if he were a vampire, wouldn’t he have tried to bite me? Well……..properly like, with blood and all? And he didn’t. So……..that shoots your theory right out of the water. And anyway, what’s the fuss? You’ve just told me the boyfriend you thought I did have is a vampire? Isn’t that normal for around here?”



“Oh no! Buffy, Angel’s ………different. He’s not your usual vampire. He has a soul.”



“This is getting way too complicated for me. Look, show me your books, pictures, whatever and let me get back home. I’ve left Spite hiding in the closet and my mom’s not looking likely to leave any time soon. He’ll be starving by now!”



Giles, Willow and Xander were horrified! Giles had put the idea in their heads that this stranger was a vampire, and now Buffy was telling them he was home alone with her mother and he was hungry?



“Buffy. I think we’d all better go meet this chap. And quickly.”



“Okay, but you’ll have to explain to my mom why you brought me back from school. I get the feeling that she’s a force to be reckoned with when she’s all angry.”



“Done. Let’s leave now. Hurry!”



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Spite was becoming uncomfortable confined to the closet as he was. It was more that he was enclosed and his body itched to be moving than anything else. He didn’t have any trouble breathing, despite the cloying air in the tiny space, and every breath he took dragged more of Buffy’s essence into his lungs. He was therefore in a state of high arousal and desperately trying to think of things to quench his lust. He was tempted to see to himself but with Buffy’s mum not three feet from him that was a risky proposition. She was presently laid out on Buffy’s bed, back to the closet and curled up in a ball against her obvious discomfort. She was dozing and Spite wondered whether he would be able to sneak out and past her while she slept. As he was about to open the door though, she moved around to face the closet and he froze with his hand outstretched. Her eyes fluttered open and Spite thought he was rumbled, but thankfully she closed them again and curled back up, arms wrapped round her middle.



‘Looks in a bad way. Poor woman.’



Bugger. Spite leaned back against the closet wall and settled himself for a long wait. He’d need to get out soon, get some grub. His belly was all gurgly and he wanted something to eat. Rare steak or some such. Something juicy, bloody. He stifled a snort – not a vegetarian then. A flash went through his mind – hot, pumping blood, warm flesh…..was he a slaughterer? He didn’t feel disgusted by it, in fact it was making his mouth water. Just another piece of the puzzle for him to ponder. Buffy’s mum started to snore gently.



Well, if he was to make a break, now was the time. Slowly, he pushed open the closet door, holding his breath in case a creak woke the sleeping woman. When it was wide enough to slip through he gripped the door and tentatively snaked his left leg out, the bare foot hitting the carpet soundlessly. His right leg followed and he slipped out of the closet, back facing it, and clasping his clothes to his nude groin. His duster and boots were by the side of the bed and he knelt down, eyes on Buffy’s mom who continued to doze, reaching out to grab them. One boot, two………so far so good. Shuffling forward slightly on his knees, he gripped the buttery leather of his coat and grabbed it towards him……cringing as it snagged on the leg of the bed. Cursing silently, Spite laid down the rest of his clothes and lay full length on the floor to unhitch his coat, his head underneath the bed frame as he tried to free the material.



The startled scream spooked him and he jumped up only to hit his head on the frame, scooting backwards and sitting upright to face the horrified face of Buffy’s mother. It was then he remembered two things: one, he was completely naked and two, he was still holding his breath. What the fuck? He shot his hands to his groin to cover his unmentionables and eventually the scream stopped as she drew in a breath. Before she could start again Spite lunged forwards and covered her mouth, one hand still preserving his dignity.



“Shhh, shhh now, come on…..I won’t hurt you. Please….be quiet and I’ll explain….”



Joyce stilled, eyes fixed on the naked man who’d crept up on her while she slept. She nodded and he took the hand away.



“What are you doing in my daughter’s bedroom?” Her words were icy and Spite was more than a little afraid of her after the dressing down she’d given Buffy earlier.



“Ah…well….I can explain. You see…” But he couldn’t explain. Didn’t have a clue where to start.



“I take it you know Buffy?” Spite nodded. “You know her well?” Spite hesitated but nodded again: he supposed after the night they’d shared he did at that. “And……you spent the night here?” Another nod.



“Would you like to get dressed? I know I’d be more comfortable if you were covered up. I’ll be downstairs in the kitchen. You’ll join me.” It wasn’t a request.



Spite swallowed hard as she left the room. Bloody hell! Wouldn’t like to get on her bad side; but it was a little too late for that. As if in a trance he pulled on his clothes, leaving the coat on the bed and trudged down the stairs.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Giles stopped at the front door to Revello Drive and turned to the others. “Now, Buffy. You say that Spite was in the closet in your room? Well, then we’ll sneak up and hopefully take your mother out of danger first then deal with him.”



“Why do you think she’s in danger? You’re making me so mad! Look – here I am, unbitten and non-dead. He’s so not a vampire it’s not even funny.”



“It’s better to be safe than sorry, Buffy. Now, you go up the tree again and we’ll seize him in a pincer movement.”



Blank faces stared at him. “And in English that would be……?”



“Willow, myself and you, Xander, will take the stairs. Buffy will go in the window. I’ll drag Joyce out of the room and you’ll all trap Spite in the closet until I get back upstairs. Then we’ll find out once and for all whether or not he’s a vampire.” Giles held up his weapons of choice – holy water and a crucifix.



“Fine. Let’s just get this over with. And I want a huge apology when you find out I’m right.” Buffy boosted herself up into the tree, not even marvelling at her burst of strength in her rush to get back to her man. Giles placed her key in the lock and let them in the front, the three of them racing up the stairs in a clatter of feet. He pushed open Buffy’s bedroom door just as Buffy landed through the window – no Joyce. Buffy strode over to the closet and wrenched the doors open – no Spite. She shifted clothing on hangers in a vain attempt to locate him. Nothing.



“Now what, brains trust?”



“Buffy? Is that you? Get down here this instant young lady!”



“Uh oh,” she rumbled. “Come on, you guys. You’re all in this too.”



Buffy led the way down the stairs followed by Giles and the others. She stopped dead when she reached the kitchen: her mom and Spite were sitting round the breakfast counter sipping cups of tea.



“Buffy, Rupert. Xander and Willow too. Thanks for calling round. We’re having quite the open house today it seems.”



Buffy fixed her eyes on Spite, mouthing to him ‘are you alright?’ He nodded, cup to his lips to hide his smirk.



“Ah….Joyce. Are you………well?”



“Quite well, thank you. Tea?”



Giles nodded and watched, mesmerised as Joyce poured him a cup. The atmosphere was eerie; Joyce was acting as though everything was fine but there was an edge to her voice that had everyone jumpy.



“Have you all met Spite?” Giles almost dropped his cup. “Well, apart from you, Buffy. I know you have as he spent the night in your room, I believe.”



Buffy blushed. What had Spite been telling her mom? “So, are you going to formally introduce me to your boyfriend, Buffy? Especially as we’ve both seen him naked?” Giles spat the tea right across the room while Joyce calmly sipped hers. Xander exploded.



“Naked! You’ve seen him naked! Oh……..right then….” Spite’s snarl had him cowering behind Willow.



“Look. You all have a lot to talk about……..maybe I’ll skedaddle, yeah? Catch you later, Buffy.”



“You’ll sit right back down, young man. I haven’t finished with you yet.” Spite sat, surprised at himself. Man she was fierce!



“Right. I want answers. Spite has been telling me a fanciful tale. He says he has no memory prior to last night and neither do you. Is that right, Buffy?”



Buffy nodded. “And he advises me that he spent the night here because he really didn’t know where else to go.” Buffy nodded again. “Well, I suppose I can understand that.” Buffy sighed with relief. “What I can’t understand is why he was nude.”



The silence was oppressive. Eyes shifted one to the other as nobody was willing to venture a reply. “Mom, I know this sounds wild but really, I don’t know what to tell you. Only thing I remember is waking up in the cemetery with Spite, bumping into Giles on the way home and then……well, we didn’t know what else to do so we crashed in my room.” She avoided her mom’s eyes, blushing furiously as she glossed over what exactly the ‘crashing’ comprised of. “I don’t even remember you…….sorry.”



Joyce gulped against the sudden tears pricking at her eyes. She still didn’t feel well and the shock of waking up and seeing Spite’s – admittedly muscular and appealing – bottom peeking out from beneath Buffy’s bed followed on by the realisation that her innocent little girl was not so innocent any more was taking its toll. Now to be told that Buffy didn’t know who she was – well, it was all too much.



“Joyce. I’ll try to explain if I can. But first, there’s something I must know. Spite? Do you mind?”



“Depends what it is, mate. What can I do you for?”



“Just a simple test. Hold out your hand.” Spite did so, eyes curious but not threatened. Giles pulled out the stopper from the Holy Water bottle he carried and slowly dripped some onto Spite’s upturned palm. The result was instantaneous smoking flesh, ridged brow and fangs and shrieking all round. Willow and Xander huddled behind the watcher, clinging to each other in fright. Spite backed off, like a wild animal captured and wounded, holding onto his smoking hand and facing the room. He snarled, unsure what was going on but feeling instinctively that his life was in danger. Joyce had pushed her chair backwards as the screaming had begun and stood now looking between Spite and the others with her hands covering her mouth in horror.



Buffy just gazed on the scene in front of her, paralysed with shock. What was this? Was this a vampire? But….she’d slept with him, kissed him, still wanted to kiss him……… Out of the corner of her eye she saw Giles reach into his pocket and pull out a wooden stake. As if in slow motion she saw him grip it and move towards Spite who was backed up against the fridge and lurched into action, placing herself between Giles and the snarling vampire.



Giles managed to stop the descent of the stake before it hit her. “Move out of the way, Buffy. He’s dangerous, we need to get rid of him.”



“No. Not gonna happen. I don’t know how we’re together but we are. Either put it down and we talk… or leave. You say I’m this vampire slayer, guess that means I’m stronger than most, huh? Well, unless you want to see how strong…..”



“Vampire slayer?” Joyce murmured, strength leaving her as she sagged against the kitchen counter.



“I’ll explain, mom. Once I know what it is, I’ll fill you in.” Buffy was leaning against Spite’s chest, her frame tight with repressed energy as she readied herself to fight. Just because she didn’t remember who or what she was, seemed her body hadn’t forgotten. “So? What’s going on?”



Giles sighed and lowered the stake, placing it on the counter and backing away. “Very well. Buffy, it’s true. You are the vampire slayer, one girl in all the world chosen to…..I suppose that bit can wait. Willow and Xander truly are your friends and I am your school librarian. I am also your Watcher. You have slain many vampires, not to mention demons and other beasts. Your life is not simply that of a schoolgirl, nor are the lives of your friends. The reason you are quite clearly unaware of anything prior to last night is that Willow inadvertently cast a spell that robbed you of your memories. And seemingly, the memories of Spite also.”



The vampire was watching the proceedings and fighting the urge to claw and kill. He had no idea what was happening to him, but he did know that these people meant to harm him…….and that Buffy had stopped them. He snaked his arm round her waist and pulled her tighter against him.



“Look! All of you back off. Spite and I are going for now, we need to talk. While we’re gone just……….just fix it!” Buffy and Spite started to back off to the door, eyes never leaving the motley clan assembled in the kitchen.



“Erm……Buffy. Sunlight?” Willow pointed to the ball of burning sun making its presence known in the corner of the window.



“Sunlight?”



“Not good for vampires. Very…….un-mixy.”



“Oh. Right. Then……..we’re going to my room.”



The two blonds backed out of the kitchen, their footfalls on the stairs echoing in the silence that followed their departure. Giles was the first to move, removing his glasses and wobbling over to take a seat at the breakfast counter. Joyce sat down next to him and reached out a shaky hand to pat his.


Rupert? Do you want to tell me what’s going on with my daughter?” Giles started in on the history of slayers and vampires as Willow and Xander helped themselves to ice cream.



TBC
 

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