Chapter 61:

The quick peek Giles got of the nondescript brick building before he was gestured forward gave no clue as to where he and Joyce had been taken. Shifting his burden carefully in his arms, he followed behind Doyle to the side door situated in the shaded alley.

‘Doesn’t look that impenetrable,’ Giles thought with a snort of disgust. The door opened inward, just before they reached it, and the watcher had to swallow his nervousness before stepping inside the darkened interior.

“Hello, Angelina,” the half-breed greeted in the semi-darkness of the entryway, shutting the door behind them once Giles stepped through. Outside, Bob returned to the car and drove off.

“Doyle.” At his quirked brow at her appearance, she smiled, Cheshire-like, explaining, “They figured I would be less intimidating than Alric or Marcus.” She stared at Buffy’s mother passed out in the watcher’s arms and frowned. “What’s wrong with her?”

Giles cleared his throat and attempted to speak. “Erm…” His voice trailed off at having the vampiress’ piercing gaze pin him in place. “Just fainted, is all,” he finally managed. “I’m sure she’ll come round shortly.” He eyed her warily, his hackles rising when she continued to stare at him intently. Finally breathing a sigh of relief when she dismissed him out of hand and turned to walk away.

After several minutes spent descending steps, going through a door that required an access code, another flight of steps, followed by a much larger, thicker, door, Giles had to rethink their home’s impregnability. Whoever had seen to their defenses, obviously knew what they were about. And, Giles realized, they weren’t actually in the building they’d first entered, but were now beneath it.

He gaped with wide-eyed astonishment as they walked into an open room and past a wall full of monitors showing various shots of Sunnydale. Spying his home in one of the cameras, he could see how Spike had been able to determine the half-breed’s arrival on his doorstep. The blond male seated in front of the monitors stood and walked towards them.

“Hello. I’m Adam,” the vampire told them in perfect English. “The others will be along shortly. We didn’t want to overwhelm you.” He smiled slightly at the watcher’s hesitation. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to where you can set Mrs. Summers down.”

Adam moved off, away from the main room towards their den. Once there, he gestured to the couch and stood back out of the way so the watcher could step inside.

If Giles hadn’t known they were vampires, he would have been shocked to have it revealed to him. Neither of the two demons he’d encountered made any move towards either him or Joyce. Hell, they had better manners than some of his brethren council members. He carefully laid Joyce on the couch and sat on the edge next to her. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and couldn’t help but stare at her pale face, berating himself for thinking things he had no business thinking. Like how beautiful she was. The fire in her eyes that eclipsed her nervousness when she’d stared him down in her kitchen, demanding he get out of her house. The steely resolve she’d exhibited while demanding answers about his involvement with her daughter.

It made him regret being a Watcher, and therefore unable to become better acquainted with her.

But, oh, how he would have liked to.

Slipping his hand in hers, Giles called softly to the woman, using his other to stroke the top of it.

“Joyce…Mrs. Summers… we’re here.” He continued to talk quietly to her, drawing her gently from sleep, not wanting to overwhelm her. He paid neither Doyle, nor the two vampires, any mind as the three moved off, no doubt to let his Slayer know of their arrival.

~*~*~*~*~

Buffy played nervously with the pleats of her dress until Spike finally brushed her hands aside and did it himself. At his pointed look at her choice of outfits, she mumbled something about it being comfortable, and that she’d yet to really go shopping. She didn’t elaborate on the manner in which the gown was comfortable, and he didn’t ask. But, secretly, he was pleased.

The Slayer looked right fetching in his plaid.

The two walked hand-in-hand towards the main area of their underground stronghold, and Spike was silently thankful he was a vampire, because the closer they got to where her mother and watcher were waiting, the tighter her grip became – the bones in his hand would have been crushed had he not been possessed of preternatural strength.

Joyce was just sitting up from her reclined position on the couch when they reached the open doorway; Spike looked askance at the half-breed – to which Doyle just shrugged his shoulders in reply. It didn’t matter, however, for as soon as the woman caught sight of her daughter, she pushed Giles out of the way and surged to her feet, hurrying forward.

Spike stood where he was as his wife rushed to meet her mother, allowing the women a moment to get reacquainted, his face impassive as they spontaneously burst into tears. He glanced over to see the watcher’s eyes unnaturally moist, and smirked.

Buffy finally seemed to remember her manners and pulled away from her mother saying rather shyly, “Mom, there’s someone I would like you to meet.” She turned, eyes lighting on Spike, and beckoned him forward.

Joyce shifted her gaze from Buffy to the man staring at her daughter too possessively for her peace of mind, and could feel her gander kicking up, protective mother mode on instant alert. Her eyes narrowed when Buffy stepped away from her to slip her arm about the male’s waist.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet William Thornton, the Earl of Chadsworth…and my husband. But, you can call him Spike.”

“Earl?” she squeaked, shocked. And then the rest of what her daughter said penetrated her mind. “Husband?!?!”

Buffy thrust her left hand under her mother’s nose, showing off the ruby ring Spike had given her so long ago. The red stone twinkled as her mother gripped her hand, turning it this way and that as she eyed it with equal parts shock and fascination – then her eyes seemed to glaze over as her mind struggled to deal with this latest turn of events.

Spike could see the woman begin to weave unsteadily on her feet and took charge, motioning them back towards the couch. “I’m sure there’s a lot the watcher has yet to explain,” he reasoned.

Giles glowered at the vampire, muttering under his breath, “Oh that's just spiffing! No, that's fine… it'll be my fault, not the evil vampire, who's apparently ravaged her daughter.” He patted the empty place beside him for Joyce to sit next to him, and took hold of her hand when she sank gratefully onto the cushion.

The action did not go unnoticed by either the vampire or the Slayer.

~*~*~*~*~

Joyce’s gaze shifted back and forth between her daughter and Spike, noting the easy familiarity the two had with one another. After her initial reservations, she’d managed to get past her sixteen year old daughter being married. Heck, she’d even one-upped herself and not lost it upon discovering that the Earl was one of the vampires Mr. Giles had been telling her about. Was in fact the very same one she’d beamed over the head with an axe just a few short weeks ago when he’d dared to attack Buffy during the school’s Parent-Teacher night. No, what amazed her was that in the space of two days, her daughter had lived seventy-five years of her life.

“Seventy-five years,” she whispered yet again.

From his position behind Buffy – the two occupying one of the chairs across from the couch – Spike stiffened. It was only a matter of time before the watcher’s brain started connecting the dots, and could practically see the wheels turning in the man’s head while he mulled over every piece of information he’d gleaned thus far. Saw the moment the inconsistencies of the Slayer’s appearance made themselves known.

He’d hoped to be able to get out of explaining Buffy’s youthful appearance. So far as Spike knew, he was the only vampire to have ever claimed a human, most vampires opting to turn them to see how compatible they’d be with the new demon. Thus, the benefits one would receive had never been documented. Right now, he could have cheerfully killed Doyle for putting him in this position.

“But how?” Giles asked. “I mean, by all rights, you should be an old woman now, Buffy.”

Leave it to the Slayer to take the wind out of his sails and reduce his demon to a pile of goo.

“I belong to him,” she stated simply.

“I beg your pardon.”

“I said I belong to him, Giles,” Buffy repeated. “He’s claimed me as his own.”

“Claimed?” Giles was confused. He’d never heard of a vampire claiming a human before. Usually claiming rituals were reserved for vampires, and even those were rare because eternity was such a long time to remain with someone. He stated as much for the benefit of the others.

“Why didn’t you just turn her?” the watcher questioned when his statement meant with silence.

“Turn her?” Joyce echoed.

Spike was still ignoring him. He’d hauled the Slayer close to his chest; oddly content at her quiet statement, his chest rumbled happily. Buffy smiled back and the two were lost momentarily in each other.

“Good god, man!” Giles exclaimed. “Are you purring?”

The noise died abruptly and Spike turned away from his wife to flash angry eyes at the flabbergasted watcher.

“Tell anyone, and I’ll gut you from neck to navel.”

Giles blanched at that growled announcement but couldn’t stem his curiosity over the vampire’s unusual behavior.

“I think they look kinda cute together,” Joyce murmured quietly to herself. At the indrawn gasp from the man beside her, she turned to see Giles sputter in astonishment.

“Cute? Madam, kittens are cute. Vampires…well, they’re…”

“Evil…” Spike cut in.

Giles nodded his head vigorously – for once, in complete agreement with the vampire.

“Yes, like he said… evil.”

Buffy rolled her eyes as the two males tripped over themselves in an attempt to prove Spike’s evilness. If either had stopped to examine their actions, they would have been horrified at their show of solidarity. It went on for a few minutes as both of them rattled off synonyms of the word, and Buffy shared a look of exasperation with her mother.

“But, he obviously loves her very much,” Joyce reasoned, when the two wound down and the room settled into silence. “And she him. I guess that’s all a mother can really ask…”

“My mother is right. We do love each other very much. Though that wasn’t always the case…” Seeing her watcher latch onto that statement, she held up a hand, forestalling him. “Which is a story for a later date. I believe you wanted to know why Spike didn’t turn me?” She arched a brow, waiting for Giles to nod.

“It’s simple, really. He didn’t want to. When we woke up in that alley, I was still ‘Elizabeth,’ not the Slayer.”

“Elizabeth?” Giles asked, confused.

“My Halloween alter-ego. I was still suffering the effects of the spell and I had no idea who I really was.”

“But, that still doesn’t explain why Spike didn’t turn you.”

“You taste better hot,” Spike leered quietly in words neither the watcher nor Buffy’s mother could understand.

“Spike!” Buffy hissed, blushing ten shades of red at his lewd comment, and in front of her mother, too. “He…ahhh… liked me as I was,” she finally explained once she got over her embarrassment. “Honestly, I don’t think it ever occurred to him.” She didn’t mention that claiming her had been the last thing on his mind, and the only reason Spike had done it was to make sure that he could get back to this time…and Drusilla. “Besides, Doyle was there. And, he told Spike that in order to get back, he would need to claim me.”

“Doyle? The messenger? He was with you in the past?”

“At first, yes. He got us…settled, I guess you could say… with our new identities. Then, he would visit us from time to time…at least until our purpose became clear.” She told them no more than that, not willing to put her family at risk, no matter what Doyle might have told them. Giles was her watcher, true, but he was still subject to the Council’s whim.

“That’s all quite fascinating, Buffy, but it still doesn’t explain why you look like you haven’t aged a day, when you said yourself that you’d experienced nearly seventy-five years in the past.”

Buffy and Spike shared a look.

“I can always kill him later.” He spoke quietly to his wife, his tone was even, yet Buffy recognized the underlying menace. There wasn’t anything Spike wouldn’t do to keep her and the others safe.

“He won’t betray us.” She spoke in English, eyes boring into those of her watcher as she made that announcement, allowing him to understand the gist of their brief exchange.

Giles, staring at the girl before him now, could believe that she had, indeed, spent the last seventy-five years with vampires. Gone was the innocence that had clung to her just a few short days ago. The girl sitting before him was harder, fiercer than she’d ever been while slaying.

“With the claim came certain benefits,” Buffy explained. “Essentially, Spike has gifted me with his immortality. As long as he’s alive, I’ll never age.”

“That’s just…” The watcher released Joyce’s hand and whipped his glasses off, scrubbing them furiously with a handkerchief he retrieved from his pocket. “I mean…” The normally articulate man was at a loss for words.

“So you’re going to live forever?” Joyce asked in a small voice.

“As long as Spike is alive,” Buffy clarified.

“But you would age naturally at that point, wouldn’t you…? I mean…” Giles began, but his voice trailed off at his Slayer’s expression; there was no way she would live without Spike by her side. “Oh…”

“Don’t worry, watcher. I don’t plan on dusting anytime soon,” he smirked. “Anything else you want to know?”

“Can you… I mean…Doyle didn’t exactly explain the things you’ve done. Are you allowed to…” Giles left his semi-question hanging in the air.

“No.” Spike’s voice was hard, unyielding.

“It’s better that you don’t know, Giles,” Buffy added, softening the blow delivered by the vampire. “Trust me.”

Giles nodded slowly, disappointed; the watcher in him was eager to learn all that his Slayer had done to save the world throughout the ages. Though, seeing her jaded hazel eyes staring disenchantedly back at him, he thought that maybe this one time, his not knowing, would be better.

“You’ve already met Adam and Angelina. Would you like to meet the others?” Buffy asked, desiring to change the subject.

At Joyce’s hesitant nod, Spike stood, drawing the Slayer to her feet with him.

“I’ll be right back, pet,” he murmured, brushing his lips along her neck. Buffy nodded and took the seat he vacated. Her eyes remained on his retreating back until he’d left the room.

~*~*~*~*~

“Xander and Willow are eager to speak with you,” Giles announced as soon as he figured Spike was out of hearing range.

“Yes…” Her mind conjured up images of her two friends, the dark-haired boy that had seemed only too happy to hold her close and the redheaded chatterbox who looked so endearing. “I suppose…”

“And Angel…he’s been very worried about you,” he added. “I fear what he might attempt if you don’t—”

“Oh, I know full well what he’ll try.” Her eyes narrowed, remembering how the enraged vampire had dared try to separate her from Alric, even after proof had been given as to their bond. “But you are right. A meeting is necessary.” Maybe then, with her family at her side, the dark-haired vamp would finally get the picture.

Spike’s return ended their brief conversation.

Giles swallowed as the room began to fill with vampires.

Buffy motioned the first two over and introduced them to her mother and watcher.

“Mom, Giles…this is Marcus Devlin, the Duke of Rutherford, and his mate, Angelina,” Buffy announced.

“I think you can leave off the title, kitten,” Marcus smirked, extending his hand to the man in front of him. “Rupert,” he greeted formally.

“Feel like I should be bloody bowing,” Giles muttered under his breath, forgetting for a moment that vampires were possessed of excellent hearing.

“If it makes you feel more comfortable…” the vampire added, and earned an elbow from the Slayer. “Ouch!”

“Behave,” Buffy snapped. Angelina smothered a chuckle.

“What?” His innocent expression didn’t fool the Slayer for one second. “I’m just saying.”

“Go say it over there.” She pointed to the wall, and the vampire wandered away, chuckling quietly. “Sorry about that, Giles. Marcus doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. Good thing he’s got Angelina to keep him in line.” Buffy gestured to the female now standing beside her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Giles. Or is it Rupert?” Angelina inquired.

“Uh…either,” the watcher stammered, taking the cool, slender hand in his own.

“Mrs. Summers, it’s nice to finally meet you,” the vampiress greeted, shaking the woman’s hand.

“Joyce, please.”

“Joyce.”

Buffy continued to rattle off introductions until she’d worked her way through each member of her clan, offering up a random fact about each, that had they been able, would have caused the vampires to blush in embarrassment.

“There’s one more, but she’s yet to rise.”

“Rise?” Giles questioned, sure he’d misunderstood his Slayer.

“Yes. Jocelyn. Renee’s childe,” she explained. “You can meet her later tonight if you’d like.”

“Do you think that’s wise, Buffy?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because fledglings have a hard time overcoming their initial bloodlust. Having us around might be too much temptation for her to handle.”

“It’ll be fine, Giles. But, I understand if you want to leave.”

“No…that is… if you think it’s safe...?”

“Relax, Giles. No harm will befall you here.”

The watcher looked around the room, taking note of the vampires that were lounging on the furnishings – those that hadn’t begged off with other things to see to. They seemed normal enough, if you could call a room full of master vampires not interested in draining him or Joyce dry normal. Giles smothered his brief moment of panic as his Slayer walked off with her mother, leaving him alone.

He wandered around the room for a bit, not sure what was expected of him. Clayton, Alric, and Byron were sitting down at a card table and Giles heard the distinct shuffle of cards. He eyed the group with some interest as Joseph joined them, a bottle of liquor held in his hand.

“You want to sit in?” Clayton asked, not wanting to appear rude to their guest.

The invitation took Giles by surprise and his feet were already moving towards the vacant spot at the card table before he could form a reply.

A stack of chips and a half tumbler filled with an amber-colored liquor was placed in front of the empty chair and Giles slid in quietly as Clayton deftly dealt five cards to each of the players. Shocked that he was playing a game of “high stakes” with a group of vampires, Giles reached out with one hand and tightly grasped the glass, bringing it shakily to his lips for a healthy swallow.

At the taste of the blended scotch suddenly tempting his palate, he stilled, eyes closing in sublime pleasure while he swirled the liquid around in his mouth, savoring it for as long as possible before finally swallowing it down. Delighting in the slight burn in his throat and settling in his stomach.

“Bloody hell, that’s good scotch,” he exclaimed, opening his eyes to see the others at the table smirking in amusement. “So, what are we playing?”

~*~*~*~*~

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you,” Buffy began. She was in another room, alone with her mother seated next to one another on a couch.

“The gym in L.A.? That was because…”

“Yes.”

“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry…” Joyce reached out and took her daughter’s hand in hers. “I didn’t know…When you told us…And then the clinic…Afterwards you never said anything…”

“It’s alright. I don’t think a Slayer’s parents were ever meant to know. Most girls are sequestered away as soon as their potential is realized. I was the one that fell through the cracks, so to speak.”

“No, it’s not alright!” Joyce cried. “Buffy, I…The slip in your grades? It’s because you were sneaking out at night…risking your life…And all this time I thought…” She was openly weeping now. “I’m such a bad mother. I should have known…guessed what my baby girl was doing.”

~*~*~*~*~

Spike leaned against the doorjamb and frowned. He’d allowed his wife time alone with her mother by making his excuses earlier, claiming that he needed to confer with Adam on a few things. But, a few hours had gone by with no sight of the Slayer. He knew how tired she was, that she’d barely slept since being brought back from the past – and not at all since returning from New York.

As he gazed at the two women sleeping peacefully on the couch, he knew why he’d not seen Buffy walking about.

“I don’t think she’s gonna be able to walk away.”

Spike tore his gaze away to glare at the half-breed.

“I didn’t lay the ground rules, you did,” he snarled.

“I know.” The half-breed sighed. “But, she’s not going to live forever.”

“So, what? Am I just supposed to put down roots here? While away the time on the Hellmouth waiting for that to happen? You’re forgetting, there’s a Slayer here to see to things. Someone we take great pains to avoid. Not to mention we’ve got more important things to handle. And from what Adam tells me, the situation isn’t going to keep for much longer.”

“I’m not saying that you can’t do what you do, but don’t shut Buffy’s mother out. Or her watcher. You can trust them with your secrets, Spike.”

“I’ll think about it.”

He turned back to his wife, his thoughts on his own mother, and how he’d tried, once upon a time, to keep her by his side.

Chapter 62:

The black car pulled up to the front entrance of the Sunnydale Mall and drew to a halt. Bob got out of the vehicle and moved towards the rear door, his eyes assessing the few people that had stopped to see if maybe some famous person might step out of the back. When Buffy, Esme, and Angelina climbed out the lurkers moved off and Bob relaxed. Not that either of the three women would need his assistance, as a long-time employee of Phoenix Enterprises the man was privy to many of the board’s secrets and new the women could take care of themselves, but he took his job very seriously.

“Miss Buffy, Miss Esme, Miss Gina,” he greeted in turn, offering them a hand out of the vehicle.

“Give us a few hours, Bob,” Angelina replied, winking at their employee’s nickname for her. He was one of the few that could get away with calling her that.

Bob nodded and shut the door. “I’ll just park. Call me on the cell when you’re ready to leave.”

“I forgot how loud it was,” Buffy commented upon entering the mall. She was sticking with English while out in public, not wanting to draw any undue attention to herself and the others.

“We didn’t have to go out.”

“I know.” Buffy sighed. “But, I need to do this. And, it’s not like we’re going to be here long. We’ll just get a few things to tide us over for a few days. Besides, this is nice… us away from the guys for a few hours.”

“Not if Spike has anything to say about it,” Esme mumbled under their breath.

Buffy turned to the redhead and grinned, her eyes gleaming. “Who do you think it is?”

“Who else? Scamp has come a long way…”

The Slayer smiled in memory. As the second son of a Viscount, Alric had never had to worry about the strictures that came with a title. While the others were buried under paperwork and such, overseeing their vast holdings, Alric had been kicking up his heels. His untitled status hadn’t kept him separated from the ton either. As a close friend of the future Duke of Rutherford, his acceptance was practically guaranteed. And, thanks to Adam’s assistance, the money the younger vamp had given over to invest had consistently yielded a profit, leaving him quite wealthy in his own right. Now, seeing how serious Alric had become, Buffy figured it would be fun to get the vamp to lighten up a bit and have some fun.

“What are you thinking?” Angelina asked, noting the Slayer’s devious expression.

“What?”

“Don’t ‘what’ me, Buffy. I may not have seen you for over a hundred years, but I remember that look.”

“Serves him right. It’s not like the three of us are not more than capable of dealing with whatever might come along. Talk about insulting.” Buffy crossed her arms over her chest, pouting.

“It’s only been a few days. Spike just wants—”

“…his ass kicked. I told him we’d be fine.”

Both Esme and Angelina gave up. They knew how Spike felt about the blonde. If their sire thought he could get away with it, he’d have had all of them with her. Especially given the uncertainty of their situation.

“So, who’s up for a little hide and seek?” Buffy asked, darting into the nearest stop.

“One hour time limit. You have to stay inside the mall,” Esme murmured, setting the rules for the game.

“Yeah, and you still have to get the things we came here for,” Angelina added.

“That’s not fair. You’ll have an unfair advantage,” Buffy complained.

“He’s not going to know that,” the vampiress reasoned.

“Alright, but you two have to buy something too. Jewelry,” she added, looking at Esme.

“But…”

“And, a knife,” the Slayer told Angelina.

“Talk about not playing fair.”

Buffy grinned. “Well, I have to buy clothes. I’m just making things more even. Ready?” She looked at her watch. “Meet back here at 8:30. If you get caught, you have to wait out by the fountain. Agreed?”

The two vampiresses nodded and together, the three snuck out the back exit and into the employee access alleyway.

~*~

Alric quirked his eyebrow when he saw the Slayer and her companions dart into the toy shop. He paused, staring in the window of a shoe shopp, pretending to contemplate entering the store, while he waited for her and the others to emerge. After five minutes with no sign of any of the three, he cursed and moved in that direction.

Faint traces of the Slayer’s blood had him running down one aisle, nearly toppling a woman and her young son.

“Sorry,” he murmured, oblivious to her heated glare.

When he got to the end of the aisle, he stopped. His gaze was drawn to the red Etch-a-sketch propped up against some stuffed animals.

“One hour,” it said. The smiley face was signed with the Slayer’s blood. He growled, licking off the three red splotches, tempted to beat her for revealing her scent like that. Then he grinned, warming to their game.

One hour couldn’t hurt.

~*~

With only ten minutes to go, Buffy couldn’t help but grin. She’d managed to buy several pairs of pants and matching tops, not including what she’d switched into to fool Alric; two pairs of boots; several sets of lacy underwear; and an assortment of body wash, lotion, and other toiletries. Angelina was still in the game with her, but Esme was sitting at the fountain; she didn’t appear too upset, especially given the two small packages she held.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Alric. He’d not spotted her yet, and she ducked back out of the way. Her back collided with someone and Buffy turned around to mumble an apology.

It died on her tongue.

“Angel!”

“Hello, Buffy.”

Suffering from the lingering effects of the spell, Buffy had barely recognized the tall, dark-haired vampire that had confronted them in the sewers. But, the past few days, her memories of him, and of her friends, had slowly resurfaced. She gazed up into the sorrowful brown eyes, eyes that had once had the power to make her knees weak… and felt nothing.

“What are you doing here?”

“I… I had to see you. Warn you.”

“Warn me? About what?” She stood there, arms laden down with packages, gazing up at his earnest expression in confusion. Was he trying to resume his role of before? Surely he didn’t think that she wasn’t capable of looking out for herself.

“About Spike.”

Buffy’s eyes glittered dangerously at the vampire’s words, something Angel failed to realize as he rattled on about the blond vampire’s evilness.

“…Come on. I’ll make sure you’re safe,” he was saying and attempted to grab her wrist and take her with him.

The knife sailed through the air and embedded itself in his hand before he could touch her, causing him to cry out in pain; his demonic features rippled briefly on his face.
Angel bit back a moan as he ripped the dagger from his hand. He looked down at Buffy, at her hard expression, and tried to touch her again, convince her.

“Don’t.”

“What…?”

“I told you before. They are my family, Angel.”

“Better listen to the girl, or next time, it won’t be your hand I aim for.”

Angel whirled around to see to this latest threat. The redhead was taller than Buffy by about a few inches. She was garbed much the same as the Slayer – jeans, t-shirt, and boots – and moved with a preternatural grace that only came with age.

“Buffy, are you alright?”

Buffy just nodded, and Angelina returned her attention to the vampire still gripping his bleeding hand.

“Angelus…” She sneered the name; her eyes swept over him in a quick motion, her lip curling in distaste at what she saw. “Spike never mentioned how stupid you were. Or, is it lack of respect that has you infringing on another’s property.” The vampiress moved away from him and went to stand beside Buffy.

Buffy didn’t take umbrage at the Angelina’s words; she knew she was more than just Spike’s property. A lot more. But, sometimes block-headed vampires needed to have things spelled out for them in simple terms. Spike’s claim was just that – a mark of possession. One that any and all vampires were meant to respect. She was his. Eyes locked on the disbelieving vampire, she reached up and pulled the neck of her t-shirt away from her throat, revealing the unfading scars – as well as a few other more recent bite marks.

“Go home, Angel. I don’t need you to save me.”

“You heard her… leave. Or, I’ll do what Angelina did not, and demand your life as payment for your disrespect to my sire.”

“He hadn’t actually touched her yet,” the vampiress defended herself to Alric.

Alric continued to glare at the male vampire. “There was intent.”

“For which I did demand payment.”

“Is this a private party, or can anyone attend?” Esme asked as she joined the others.

“Party’s over. We’re leaving,” Alric told her. He turned away from Angel and shepherded the others away.

“Think he’ll follow us,” Angelina asked once they neared the exit doors.

“Not if he knows what’s good for him,” Alric growled. He pulled out his phone and dialed Bob’s number.

~*~*~*~*~

Buffy took one look at her husband’s expression and turned to glare at Alric. “You told?” He just stood there, arms crossed over his chest. “You ass! You’re just mad because you couldn’t find me and I won.”

The vampire seemed to pale before her eyes and cast a fearful expression at Spike, causing the Slayer to bite back the rest of her tirade. Her gaze flicked from him to Spike and back again.

“You didn’t say anything?”

Alric shook his head. “It was Angelina’s place. It was her dagger.”

The Slayer nodded; if she’d stopped to think about it, she would have realized that. But, she’d taken one look at Spike and come out swinging. “And the other?”

The vampire just gave her a pointed look.

“Well, hell…” Buffy turned back to Spike; he looked ready to murder the lot of them. “It was my fault—”

“Shut up, Slayer.”

Buffy ignored his warning. “No! You’re not going to punish them when it was my idea.”

“You don’t tell me what to do,” he roared. He swiveled to glare at his childe. “And you… you should know better.”

Alric hung his head.

“Angelus, Dru… bloody Slayer’s mates… and let’s not forget this other Slayer,” Spike ticked off the people with his fingers as he began to pace. “And you’re out playing fucking hide and go seek?”

“Spike…”

Spike stopped abruptly and pinned the Slayer with a look.

“Buffy, you are my heart, but if you don’t close that pretty little mouth of yours, I’m going to turn you over my knee right here in front of everyone and give you the beating you deserve.”

Her eyes flashed in retaliation, but she did like he asked. She chanced looking at Alric and had to restrain herself from flying at him when he stuck his tongue out at her – all behind Spike’s back, of course.

Spike, meanwhile, was going on and on, ranting about responsibility and safety and god knew what else. Buffy had tuned him out almost immediately. Her mind began to drift as she plotted out ways of getting back at the vampire beside her, and it took her a minute to realize that Spike had stopped before her, was looking at her askance.

“Uh… sorry?” she guessed, peeking up at him from beneath her lashes.

“You haven’t listened to a damn thing I’ve said, have you?” He crossed his arms over his chest and waited for her to lie to him.

“How much trouble will I be in if I say yes?”

Spike’s nostrils flared, imagining the kinds of fun he could have. His eyes darkened perceptibly and he smirked at hearing the Slayer’s heart rate kick up a notch. He really should punish all four of them. They’d needlessly put themselves and the Slayer in danger with their little stunt – the proof being the sudden appearance of Angelus.

But then he caught another wave of his wife’s arousal, and all thought of reprimanding the four fled his mind. He dismissed Alric with a wave of his head and grinned evilly at his wife.

Buffy took her cue and bolted for their room.

~*~*~*~*~

Buffy stepped gingerly into the shower and allowed the cool water to soothe her heated backside. Her eyes narrowed when she thought she heard him chuckling in response to her cursing him under her breath – more for the after-sex spanking she’d received than anything else. There she’d been, basking in the afterglow, and he’d had her draped over his lap, his hand connecting loudly with her backside before she could even react.

He’d not gone easy on her either.

Buffy lost count as his palm connected repeatedly with her ass, and she’d been made to suffer though his speech again. Which really sucked, because the more he talked, the angrier he got; by the end of her punishment, she’d barely been able to keep the tears at bay. To make matters worse, he’d picked her off his lap and shoved her in the direction of the shower with no after-punishment cuddle.

Which was why she was cleaning up alone.

Buffy snatched the shampoo bottle from the shelf and squirted some in her hand, willing herself not to be hurt by his callous treatment.

~*~

Spike was determined to ignore the Slayer’s anger while she lingered in the shower. She’d earned every bit of the spanking he had meted out. More, in fact. Only, she’d long since wrapped him around her little finger and the brief punishment he’d administered had in no way matched the threat to her safety. By all rights, he should chain her to their bed until they’d left Sunnydale behind.

Feeling the Slayer’s despondency, he pushed himself off the bed and strode into the bathroom.

“I can feel you pouting all the way in the other room, pet,” he murmured in her ear, sliding into the shower behind her. Spike wrapped his arms around her and drew her back against his chest. He heard her indrawn breath, felt her stiffen slightly in pain as her ass rubbed against his groin, and turned her in his arms so that the cool water could soothe her skin.

“You’re supposed to be reflecting on your behavior…alone…” he grumbled, half-heartedly. He tilted her head up and allowed the water to rinse the shampoo from her head. When the suds had run clean, he grabbed the conditioner and worked it into her hair. He smiled when she closed her eyes and leaned into him.

“We weren’t in any danger.”

“Maybe not,” he allowed. Spike finished washing them both off and turned off the taps. After wrapping the Slayer in a towel and securing another around his hips, he guided her back into their bedroom.

Buffy dried herself off and grabbed one of the bags from her shopping trip earlier. She looked over at her husband and frowned.

“What? What is it?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t tell me nothing. I know you. Now tell me what’s wrong.”

“Buffy…”

“Is it mom?”

“Your mother is fine. And before you ask, so are your watcher and the others. Though, when he got his first glimpse of Jocelyn and realized he knew her—” Spike chuckled at the memory of the watcher’s astonishment. He wasn’t sure, but the man had probably set a record the number of “good lords” uttered in under a minute.

“You’re trying to change the subject, Spike. Now I know there’s something wrong.”

Spike walked over to the Slayer and tugged her hand so that she would sit down beside him on the edge of the bed.

“It’s nothing yet, luv. I’m just trying to…hell.” He raked his fingers through his damp hair.

“Trying to…?” Buffy prompted.

“The watcher and I have been talking. Trying to decide what to do about you.”

“Giles? You’ve been talking to Giles? When? What about me?”

“Would you bloody let me talk, pet?”

“Sorry. It’s just…you and Giles?”

“Wasn’t the highlight of my day, let me tell you.”

Buffy giggled.

“But, the man had a point… and it wasn’t anything I wasn’t already trying to figure out for myself.”

“Figure out what?”

“Whether or not to kill you.”

Chapter 63

“Does this have something to do with why Giles hasn’t pushed me about seeing Willow and Xander these last few days?”  Especially given that the first day Giles had been brought here with her mother, he’d made a point of telling her how much her friends – and Angel – had missed her. 

Spike noticed that she didn’t seem too upset over that fact. 

“Can’t put anything past you, can I, luv?” 

Buffy caught his petulant frown out of the corner of her eye and couldn’t help but snort in exasperation.  After seventy-five years spent in the company of the vamp, there wasn’t much, if anything, that got by her.  She knew when he was thinking heavily on a subject, especially when it pertained to one of his own.  Even more so when it had to do with her specifically. 

She got up and resettled herself on his lap, oblivious to her nakedness – though she did notice the slight flaring of Spike’s nostrils that the action elicited.  Not to mention the growing bulge beneath the towel still slung about his hips.  She smiled knowingly as his hands settled on her bare hips; it never failed to thrill her how fervent his response was to her nearness.  But, right now they needed to talk; play time could come later. 

“I don’t know why you bother trying to keep things from me,” she told him, wrapping her arms loosely about his neck.  Her hazel eyes grew suddenly serious.  “It’s not like I don’t know when you’re up to something.  Hell, Spike…after seventy-five years, I wouldn’t be much of a wife if I didn’t know.” 

Spike sighed.  He lifted one hand to trail lightly over the mark he’d given her, the one that made her his.  Her eyes closed and she leaned into his touch. 

“These marks mean you’re mine, Buffy.  Mine to look after, to protect,” he told her. 

“I know…” Her eyes opened again.  “But that doesn’t mean that I can’t be privy to your plans.  You know I’m going to find out soon enough anyway.  What?  Do you think I’ll challenge your decisions?” 

The look in his eyes – before he quickly masked it – seemed to say as much. 

“I’ve never once—” 

Spike quirked a brow, choking off the rest of her retort. 

“Oh, come on.  That doesn’t count.  And, that wasn’t a decision you’d made, so much as me seeing things to their natural progression.  It was long overdue… and you can’t tell me that once I forced your hand you weren’t happy with the results.” 

“Stubborn wench,” he grumbled. 

“Stubborn being the key word, not challenging.  You can’t tell me since that night that I’ve ever… don’t look at me like that.”  

Her brows drew together, mimicking his frown of earlier.  The vamp was being deliberately obtuse, and here she was trying to be serious. 

“Fine… if you want to be that way…” 

She made to get off his lap, but his arms tightened around her waist. 

“Let me up,” she growled, narrowing her eyes.  

“No.” 

His smug look in the face of her righteous anger just fueled her ire.  “Dammit, Spike.”  She struggled to get free, pushing her hands against his chest, but it didn’t do a damn bit of good – he wasn’t going to let her go until he wanted to.  Glaring at him for his high-handedness, she crossed her arms over her chest and waited. 

And waited… 

“I’ll forgive you the situation with Renee, but no, you’ve never deliberately challenged my decisions.” 

“Then why—” 

“The watcher’s made me see that… as much as I know that you’re happy being with me, with us, some part of you needs your human family.  I had to see for myself before I sought your input on the matter.”

“Then why all this talk of killing me off?” 

“Because I don’t like to think what the Council would do if they found out you’re damn near immortal.  Let’s face it… Slayers live on borrowed time.  Without me, you would have had what?  Maybe a year?  Two tops?”  He avoided mentioning the things he’d seen, thanks to Doyle’s interference, that she’d ended up being one of – if not the – longest lived Slayers.  Like the half-breed had said at the time, the visions were for his benefit alone.  “It’s better this way.  Rupert is inclined to agree.  In fact, he’s become adamant.  Doesn’t trust them for some reason… though he wouldn’t say why.” 

“Oh, so, it’s Rupert now?” Buffy smiled. 

“He’s not so bad as long as your mum’s about.  And, if you bloody well tell him that I’ll bite you.” 

“But you always bite me, baby,” the Slayer teased. 

Spike made to lunge for her neck, but Buffy stopped him. 

“Uh uh… I want details,” she giggled, pushing him away from her. 

“Well, hell,” he pouted. 

“Hey…serious time, remember?  Killing me, big reunion… ringing any bells?” 

So Spike told her.  Told her of the plan both he and the watcher had come up with, right down to the big bad she was set to go up against in a few days.   

“You’ll meet the other Slayer tomorrow night, do a few patrols, lay the ground work, so to speak.  Watcher thinks you should stay with your mum for a few days… appearances and whatnot.  Your mates have been led to believe that you’ve come down with something and she’s managed to hold them off thus far.  But…” 

“Alright.” 

Buffy didn’t like it.  But, if it was what needed to be done, she’d do it.  It was only for a few days.  Besides which, she knew it was doubly hard on the vampire on whose lap she was now ensconced.  And, there was that whole non-challenging thing she had to consider. 

“When?” she asked. 

“Promised her I’d have you there before sunup.” 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Buffy sat, curled up on the couch beneath a down comforter, staring mindlessly at the television across the room.  By all rights, she should be upstairs asleep – she’d lost count of the number of times she’d yawned into her hand already. 

Her mom was in the kitchen.  The fragrant smell of coffee as it was being brewed drifted out of the room, and the Slayer hoped it was the good stuff; she was going to need it if she was about to be invaded by her friends. 

“A lot of cream and two sugars, just like you like it,” Joyce told her daughter as she walked into the room and handed her the overlarge mug. 

“Thanks, mom.” 

The elder Summers smiled at her daughter. 

“I’ve got to get ready for work.  I expect both Willow and Xander here shortly.” 

“I can’t believe you’re condoning them skipping school.” 

“It was that, or force you to go.” 

Buffy mentally shuddered.   

“But, since I’d already informed Principal Snyder you were most likely going to be out the entire week…” 

“Good idea.”   

Buffy took a sip of her coffee and sighed happily at the extra-strong brew.  A few more cups of this and she’d be able to last until at least lunchtime.  Having kept vampire hours for so long, this being awake during the day really sucked. 

“You’ll be alright here?  I rented a bunch of movies… I wasn’t exactly sure what to get…” her voice trailed off, her gaze briefly flitting to the channel her daughter was watching.  Well, not so much watching, but Joyce could tell that Buffy easily understood the foreign language being spoken.  Was it only days ago that she was praying her daughter would pass her history test? 

“Whatever you got is fine, mom,” Buffy assured her.  If nothing else, the movies would help fill in, what she was sure to be, a lot of awkward silences. 

Joyce leaned down and gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead. 

“Well, have fun.  There’s stuff in the refrigerator if you guys get hungry.” 

“Thanks.” 

Buffy watched her mom climb the stairs, then turned back to the TV.  She listened for a bit longer before reaching for the remote and changing it to a channel her friends thought she might watch.  Five minutes later, she was nearly asleep, the sound of the singing mermaid enough to induce her to coma. 

The doorbell ringing jerked her upright, and Buffy set aside her coffee so that she could get up and let her friends in. 

~*~ 

Xander nearly salivated at the movies sitting on the coffee table.  Having both Willow and Buffy with him, he’d expected to spend the day sitting through the dreaded “chick flicks,” but was pleasantly surprised. 

“You say your mom picked these out, Buff?” 

“Yeah, since finding out I’m the Slayer…”  Buffy shrugged.  “I guess she figured my tastes ran more towards action adventure.  I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I get enough of that at night.  Although, these aren’t bad, really.” 

Murder at 1600, ConAir, Air Force One… they were all good to Xander.  Though, Men in Black had him chuckling for some reason.  Probably something to do with the fact that the movie touted man’s unawareness of aliens coexisting peacefully on Earth.  Almost like no one knew that demons were real.  Funny really. 

“So, what do you want to watch first?” he asked. 

“It doesn’t matter.  You pick,” the Slayer told him. 

“Hmmm… Harrison Ford, or Nicolas Cage…”  Xander grabbed Air Force One out of its case and put it in the VCR. 

“I can’t believe Giles suggested we skip school today,” Willow commented.  “Not that I’m complaining though,” she rushed to reassure her friends before she was subject to “the look.”  “I’m all for a movie night, or day, as the case may be.  It’s just… skipping school…? Of the bad.” 

Xander, who had settled at their feet on the floor next to the couch, snorted.  “That’s just because you’re you, Wills.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she cried, snagging a piece of popcorn out of the bowl resting on her lap and throwing it at his head. 

Xander smiled indulgently, pulling the stray kernel from his hair and popping it in his mouth. 

“You’re the only one I know that complains about not going to school.  Me, I like living on the wild side.”  He wiggled his eyebrows, causing the redhead to giggle. 

Buffy just sipped her coffee, saying nothing, staring intently at the opening credits of the movie Xander had selected. 

~*~ 

“There’s something different about her,” Willow whispered to Xander.  Buffy had fallen asleep not too long ago, giving Willow a chance to talk with her friend. 

“Giles did say that she’s been suffering the lingering effects of the spell that brought her back,” Xander mentioned, his voice just as quiet. 

“For four days?  I’ve been reading… I’ve never heard of a spell with that kind of effect.” 

“So, what are you saying?” 

“I don’t know… it’s just…she hasn’t talked to us… told us what happened.  I thought we were supposed to be best friends.” 

“Wills, she was stuck with Spike.  I’m sure it was pretty traumatic for her.  Bringing it up… probably not much with the helping right now.” 

“I suppose so.  But, that’s what friends do…”  She couldn’t help pouting at being kept out of the loop.  Buffy was always quick to talk with her.  Now, she’d been lucky to get two words from the girl. 

“I’m sure she will in time.  Once she’s had a chance to process it.  For now, just cut her some slack, alright?” 

Willow nodded reluctantly, then returned her attention back to the movie.  Though, she did glance often towards her slumbering friend.  Noticing the way Buffy seemed to curl in on herself, rather than stretch out on the couch while she slept.  Even in sleep, she was keeping her distance. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

While Buffy was busy upholding her part of the plan, Spike spent his time seeing to the details of their departure.  Jocelyn’s turning couldn’t have come at a better time since it afforded them an inconspicuous place to stay on such short notice.  Plus, it would help squash the rumors that had circulated about the disappearance of the Countess of Hastings from New York.  Rumors that had him ready to fly back to the city with the chit, because nothing short of her reemergence would seem to squash them.  Which was why they were spending a day – or night, as the case may be – in New York before making the transatlantic flight.   

It would also afford them a chance to box up what Renee had thought might be incriminating evidence about the clan, though Spike didn’t think that was the case.  There was no way that anyone knew of their existence. 

Staring up at the monitors and seeing the sun high up in the sky, Spike knew he should be sleeping.  But, the thought of going to his room alone… it left a bitter taste in his mouth. 

Maybe a spot of violence would do him some good. 

He glanced around in his chair, looking for a likely candidate.  The main area was deserted, but Spike could hear noise coming from their entertainment room.  The sound of one particular vamp’s laugh caught his attention, and his eyes narrowed menacingly. 

Spike rose from his chair, every inch the predator as he made his way towards the room – and his intended victim.  When he stood in the doorway, everyone seemed to still, sensing his presence. 

Seeing his sire standing there, Alric knew that his reprieve was over.  With Buffy gone, the vampire needed a distraction, and after the events of last night, he just knew that he’d be the one to provide it.

Sure enough, those deep blue eyes centered on him. 

“Feel up to a little sparring, mate?” 

Alric wasn’t dumb.  He knew better than to say no. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

“Bye, mom,” Buffy called out as she let herself out the front door. 

“Be careful,” Joyce called from the kitchen. 

“I will.”   

She shut the door, spared a smirk for whoever happened to be eyeing the monitors, then started walking towards her watcher’s house.  The dark seemed to envelop her, and she felt almost at home.  The impromptu lie-in with Xander and Willow hadn’t been too bad, if you discounted the awkward silences in between movies – oh, and that time they’d been fixing lunch.  She’d pretended not to notice Xander’s look, or the slight shake of his head, when Willow made to open her mouth as the three stood in the kitchen making their sandwiches.  Pretending an eagerness for the next movie, she’d hurried the pair along, trying to inject a bit of the old Buffy in her tone. 

Willow had smiled, apparently appeased, but she’d noticed that Xander hadn’t been too convinced. 

It had been a long afternoon.

After they’d left, Buffy had stretched out on the couch and fallen asleep, only to wake once her mom came home from work.  The four hours of sleep hadn’t been much, but she’d survived on less.  And, it wasn’t like the others would actually let something get close enough to her to pose a problem. 

Maybe she could use the time wandering the cemeteries getting to know her sister Slayer. 

At her watcher’s door, she turned around and spoke softly. 

“I don’t even have to tell you the trouble you’ll be in if this Slayer gets wind of you.” 

No one answered her, not that she expected anyone to.  Really, she wasn’t sure why she was worried.  Her clan was adept at being invisible.  But, this was the closest any of them had been to a Slayer, besides herself. 

Buffy glared for good measure, to make sure whoever was out there knew she meant business, then turned around and knocked on Giles’ door. 

It opened immediately, her watcher looking at her somewhat relieved. 

“Buffy!  So glad you’re feeling better,” Giles greeted, ushering his charge inside.  “Come.   I’d like you to meet…Kendra.” 

Buffy quirked her brow at her watcher’s pregnant pause, wondering what it was about the girl that seemed to have him so flustered. 

“Buffy, this is Kendra.  She’s staying here for a few days until more suitable arrangements can be made.” 

“Hello,” Buffy greeted.  She affected a wave, and got the arms-akimbo-quirked-brow look, coupled with an incoherent grunt, in response. 

“So?  Patrolling, Giles?”  Buffy’s voice was overly bright. 

“Er… yes.  Patrolling.  Very good.” 

Buffy led the girl out the front door and started towards the closest cemetery. 

“Pretty weird, huh?  Two Slayers…” the blonde began, hoping the night wouldn’t be spent in complete silence.   

For a while there, Buffy didn’t think the girl would answer, but finally got a another stilted response. 

“It is…strange, yes,” Kendra replied in her heavily accented voices. 

“One girl in all the world, and suddenly there’s two.  Bet that’s one for the diaries.” 

As they walked through the front gate of Restfield, the two girls shared a look, smiling slightly in amusement at their watchers’ propensity for writing things down.  That there were two Chosen Ones probably had everyone at Council Headquarters scribbling furiously. 

They were maybe a handful of steps inside the cemetery when Buffy suddenly stopped. Her eyes darted back and forth, sensing something amiss, and she wondered if Alric sensed it too.  If he’d slipped off to take care of whatever was making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. 

She continued walking, pleased when she saw Kendra pull out her stake and handle it with a bit of skill.  The further they walked into the cemetery the more apprehensive Buffy became.  Something was out there.  Tracking their movements. 

And, whatever it was… well, it was doing a damn good job of evading Alric. 

Buffy stopped suddenly and whirled to the right. 

A woman glided from behind a tree, the dress she wore a style from years gone past.  She seemed to dance to music heard only in her head, arms and legs graceful, like that of a ballerina.  Her pale face looked like that of an angel. 

But, Buffy knew better. 

She knew she was getting her first glimpse of Spike’s sire.  And she froze, unable to actually harm the vampire that had made him. 

The Slayer’s indecision would cost her. 

Screeching about bad little girlies and ruined tea parties, the vampiress launched herself at the two Slayers, amber eyes burning with deadly intent.

tbc...