~*~*~



Chapter 4:



I don't know how to explain this. I would believe me if I understood, but see the problem is I don't. I want to believe that this is all a dream and I'm not stuck in some land of limbo.

That I'm just not stuck you know.

No, you don't know.

I haven't even introduced myself.

Sorry, how self-centered is that?

My name is Wolfe Benedict Winthrop.

Hah!

You remember me?

Good, now I won't have to explain who or what I am will I?

Maybe not.

See I'm Spike's son.

Buffy's son too.

A hybrid.

You know what that means don't you? A mixture of both of them, Slayer and vampire blood. Double the fun..double the fun! Double the torture. I was a fluke really, never supposed to have happened. A surprise, not that I'm complaining. I like being alive.

That's my problem.

I want to live.

However, no one wants that. Except my dad. Maybe even mom. But they're in the minority. Everyone else wants me dead. Kinda hard to keep that from happening when you don't know what is going on. Especially when you're stuck in some kinda..nothingness.

I'll start from the beginning.....





~*~*~





Two Weeks ago.....

"Still here," Wolfe muttered as he looped an arm around Grace's waist and led her into Willow's sprawling ranch house.

Grace laughed as she slid from his grasp to shrug out of her coat.

"So I see...so you think your dad's working Buffy over? Making her realize having you would be the best thing to happen to both of them?"

Wolfe followed her into the living room before he answered.

"I can only hope. So how'd your little talk with Xander go? Did he see reason yet?"

Grace shrugged her shoulders and smiled.

"Nope, he still won't let me teach little Mattie a few harmless spells," she grumbled good-naturedly.

The couple strode onto the terrace where the rest of their gang had gathered. Greetings and hugs were had and they settled down for a nice relaxing barbeque.

The rumbling of the ground broke the tranquility of the day and a shroud of darkness that came after the rumbling had ceased covered the sun.

"Grace..you haven't been doing spells again have you?" Wolfe asked as he rose looking around wildly. His senses were going crazy and he didn't like the feeling of this at all.

"I learned my lesson Wolfe," Grace snapped as she too rose and stared around.

Wolfe stiffened and shoved Grace towards the terrace doors.

"Get in the house," he growled. "All of you get in the house. NOW!!!"

"No...Wolfe," Willow began but Wolfe snarled at her and she scurried in after the others.

Wolfe had no idea what was coming but knew he was the only one who was strong enough to face it..



~*~*~



I won't go into graphic detail cuz really I don't remember much except that I woke up here. Stuck in this dark room. Left with nothing but my thoughts.

And oh yeah..someone was kind enough to leave me a little view. Of everything that was going on below. Everything that was going on with my parents.

Their enemies.

Quite the little show let me tell you.

I hate to say it but I'm pretty sure they won't be able to stop what's coming.

The odds are all against them.

I glanced at the nice view again that when it wasn't in use was black like everything else. But slowly color formed back in the view and a new scene formed. Curiously, I watched as images began to form.

The last thing I'd seen was my dad burning to death and this guy Delos coming to the rescue and a girl-Mornay was her name that looked enough like Grace to give me a start. Mornay had some kind of grudge against dad. Delos was her Sire and his word was law. She'd let him go along with Spike.

So I was curious as to what I'd see next.

I saw mom, Oz and nothing much except for them talking and I'd seen enough of that to last me a good while. Finally, the words caught my attention.

"...that you're in love with him," he heard Oz murmur softly and my hear nearly leapt out of my chest for joy.

She had finally said it! To someone else! The images blurred, more talking about Spike, the claim, blah, blah, I knew all about claims so this held little interest.

The scene changed to dad and Delos.

I frowned as I watched Delos talk.

I had heard of him. Of that, I was sure.

Thing is he was never a big figure in the Aurelius line, at least not after Elias ousted him and took over. As I'd been researching the Aurelius line all my life I knew a good bit about it. Delos was a vampire thousands of years old rivaled Elias in age and was among the worst to ever walk the earth. His viciousness was legend; it was no wonder his childer had turned their backs on him. With him as a sire who needed enemies?

He was hurting my dad, making him scream in pain and his eyes...Delos had eyes of hatred. Cold and hate filled.

He couldn't be real; it didn't make sense.. Why was he out now and how had he learned of me? So far being stuck here had held very little news. I'd seen all the cryptic talks, Rufus, and Elias plotting to stab on another in the backs. I wanted answers real soon!

I wondered how this had even happened. Grace and Willow had sent them home, of that I had been sure.

I had thought Delos was not real.

Whether he was real or not he was going to pay, he would not get away with making his father suffer.

My anger blurred my reason; overwhelmed my senses and I missed pieces of conversation.

The next thing I knew Delos was biting him.

I couldn't help the scream that came out. I shook my head, he couldn't be killing him! He could not be killing him I thought frantically as I felt my body begin to shake and I fell to my knees as pain gripped me.

"Fuck," I muttered clawing at my chest. He was killing him and me in the process.

I lay sprawled out barely breathing, slowly losing blood, dying.

I heard his words...talking to mom, telling her she had only so little time to save dad or me. I blinked slowly trying to understand. He was going to look for me..kill me. But he'd let mom know I was out here, somewhere...

I knew she'd come for me and wished she wouldn't, she had to get dad. If he died then I would die, same if she died. I didn't want to die. Not now.

I could still hear Delos talking, talking to Angelus too. Telling him, taunting him. I listened as I managed to open my eyes and stared.

Watched as Delos slit his wrist and Spike drank.

I shuddered as I felt my heart begin to slowly pick up speed and the blood begin to flow.

"Oh my God," I moaned as I curled into a ball, the pain not easing, if possible growing.

My mind was whirling and I knew what Delos had done.

What he had proven.

He had done the worst possible thing to a vampire. To re-sire them with out permission, without consent was wrong, was not done. But to flaunt it, to force it and God...

He hadn't even made him a childe.

He was nothing but a minion!

He now had control over Spike and would use it mercilessly I knew, bring him down until there was nothing left of my dad, only a shell that had once housed the spirit of William the Bloody.

My eyes closed and I inhaled deeply as I ignored the pain and concentrated on the screen. The images slowly faded to black and I tried to loosen my suddenly tense body.

I lay still, caught my breath, and clenched my fists.

This was not good, not of the good at all. I hadn't thought of this, I hadn't thought Delos or anyone else would do such a thing. Especially to Spike. Now Delos had control of my dad and breaking the bond would be almost impossible.

~*~*~



Buffy wasn't surprised as light flooded her room and her door was thrown open. What she wasn't expecting was her mother to come running in and fling herself next to her daughter.

"Buffy are you okay? Honey?" Joyce demanded.

Buffy stared at her mom as if she had no idea who she was.

She shook her head and blinked, she had forgotten the gang was coming home.

"Mom?" she asked hesitantly as her mom embraced her.

"Oh sweetie I'm so glad to see you! I missed you so much. I'm so glad you're okay. What happened did you have a bad dream?"

Buffy slowly extracted herself from her mom's arms as her words registered.

Buffy wished it had been a dream. It would have been so much better if it had. Even a Slayer dream. But she was certain, as certain as she was that they weren't home.

"It's good to see you too mom," she finally said as she hugged her tightly before getting up.

Joyce watched her concerned at her behavior.

"Buffy?"

Buffy didn't glance up as she slowly dressed.

"Hmmmmm?" was all she said.

"What was your dream about? Do you want me to wake Rupert?"

Buffy faced her mom fully dressed and let a smile form.

"No. Listen go back to sleep, I have to go out and do something," she said as she pulled on a jacket and hurried off.

"Buffy, wait," Joyce called after her, loud enough to wake the others.

She ignored her mother's frantic calls as she raced down the hall, down the stairs into the early morning. She really had to stop doing that, she thought with a small smile. Running out on her mother would not endear her to her.

She was on a mission though, she had see Angelus, she had to speak to him and if need be she would kill him.

An ache formed at her heart. She hated the thought of killing Angel, but she reminded herself that Angel was gone and if she didn't kill Angelus she would lose Spike and Wolfe.

She couldn't let that happen, no matter how much Angel meant to her.

Running through the cemetery, at dawn was never a smart thing to do Buffy had forgotten that. Most vamps were hidden away but the stragglers always waited til the last minute to get underground. As she ran, she found herself confronted with said vampires.

Or so she'd thought.

It didn't matter, some part of her she hadn't known she possessed took over and she dispatched of them soon enough and made her way to the mansion.

Kicking open the door letting in the streaming sunlight with the rising sun.

A scream ripped through the air and Buffy frowned in surprise as she realized it wasn't Angelus screaming but a woman.

She left the door open as she made her way into the room.

She found the woman lying in a corner, sunlight inches away.

"Who are you?" Buffy snapped as she stood off to the side not getting in the way of the sunlight.

"I'm the one who's going to kill you," she hissed.

Buffy's head cocked to the side as she remembered Delos's words.

A slow smile formed as she studied the small woman who was cowering, not defeated, but stuck. She had no place to go except into the light and then she would die.

"Mornay I take it?" she asked slowly.

Mornay stared at her in contempt as she smirked.

"What is this? I thought you were the Slayer. Where's the stake?"

"Don't worry. I'll make with the stakeage real soon like. I've got a question for you. Childe of Delos how's that going for you?"

Mornay's eyes widened in anger.

"How dare you speak that name to me," she growled as she tried to make a grab at Buffy who jumped back into the light out of reach.

"Calm down...I only mention this because I've a proposition for you," Buffy said quietly as she crossed her arms and stared down at Mornay.

~*~*~



Angelus stared at the minion before him and snarled low in his throat as he pushed his way threatening toward the young man.

"Move it," he hissed.

"I can't," the vampire whimpered in fear as he stood toe to toe with the larger, older and meaner vampire.

"Of course you can and when you do I'll be certain to tell your Master how loyal you were and perhaps he'll give you a promotion," Angelus changed tactics as charm oozed from him. He plastered on a smile and leaned in slightly.

"Really?" the vamp asked eagerly.

"Yep."

The guard stepped aside and Angelus brushed past him as he entered the dimly lit office.

"Mikel," he called as his eyes searched the room.

"What is it you wish of me Angelus?"

The softly spoken voice laced with a hint of a Russian accent slid across the room and connected to Angelus on a deep level. His back straightened and he dipped his head in respect.

"I wish to meet with Elias, Mikel," he answered respectfully.

"What for? Last, I heard you were enamored with the Slayer. Now I see you are once again in your truest form. Angelus. What can I do about this? I am not of your line."

Angelus shrugged as he began to pace slowly.

"I know that! What I want is a meeting; you have the means in which to make that possible. See there are things happening-"

"I am aware of that. I have no interest in these...things."

"Well, that's good to hear because I have no intention of sharing! Now tell me if you'll help me."

"Betray your own Order?" came the mild reply.

Angelus smirked and nodded sharply.

"Put like that it sounds down right devious."

"Indeed. However, devious is good. Devious will lead you down the path you wish to follow. Devious will help you destroy the Order. Of course, I will help you! I have never liked Elias. Come, I shall make it happen and you shall have the means in which to find your---well he isn't yours any longer is he? William is quite the sought out vampire these days."

"So I see. What's this I hear about a son?" Angelus asked as he joined Mikel at his desk and leaned forward his elbows resting in his thighs.

"Ah..the boy. Such a wonder. Too bad, he has to die. He is the source of great power, his blood; energy is one of the most powerful on earth. Killing him will ensure ultimate power-but then killing either of his parents will ensure his death as well," Mikel spoke slyly as he peered at Angelus.

Angelus tilted his head and pondered that.

"Really? What kind of power?"

"Did you not understand ultimate?"

"Oh, right. Well then, this is better than I thought. Kill the boy, kill the father. Quite the coup."

"Did you forget to kill the mother as well? Or don't you know?"

"Know what? Who the mother is? I don't care," Angelus, muttered his thoughts drifting to the many ways in which he could kill Spike and his son.

"I think you will...because the mother is the Slayer that plagues your unlife."

Angelus's head swung up and he narrowed his eyes.

"The Slayer?" he whispered hoarsely. "Spike had a child with the Slayer?"

"Yes."

Angelus shook his head and couldn't bring himself to comprehend this statement. How ridiculous it sounded. How it enraged him and made him all the angrier.

"I'll kill them all...starting with the boy," he growled.



~*~*~



"What kind of proposition?" Mornay asked suspiciously.

Buffy pursed her lips and debated with herself for a long moment before she spoke.

"Where's Angelus?" she asked looking around.

"Gone," Mornay spat. "The bastard didn't even have the decency to stay for his death! Ran away, although I don't see why. You can't be that hard to kill. God you're just a stick! I'll snap you in two when I get out of-''

"Threats won't work on me. Now I take it you're here to kill me and Angelus right?"

"Yep. Kill you both deader than dead."

"From your reaction earlier when I mentioned Delos I take it you and he had a falling out huh? Too bad, cuz now he's made himself a new childe," Buffy lied as she gazed at Mornay watching the play of emotions that crossed her face.

She had no idea what Delos had made Spike; she feared it was no more than a fledgling, no better than a minion. Her jaw clenched and she had to fight the urge to reach out and grab the vampire. Toss her into the sun and watch her burn. Make Delos feel her pain, she thought bitterly.

"You could say that," Mornay admitted finally.

"You hate him? Want to see him suffer? Cuz really, now with his new childe I doubt he'll pay you much mind. I mean Spi-"

"WHAT?! He re-sired Spike?! William the Bloody and made him his childe? He re-sired him! My God if that isn't the stupidest-oh...wait I see," Mornay finished with a smug smile.

Buffy's eyes narrowed.

"What exactly do you see? I see that Delos now has the power to destroy Spike and he'll do it."

Mornay settled back and studied the Slayer.

"You think I care because..?"

"Just because."

Mornay grinned and then laughed.

"Good answer. I see Slayer...a little girl who looks like she just lost her puppy! And I guess in a way you have. He was your lap dog. Betrayed his sire for you..now he's in Delos's hands because of you. He loves you God only knows why. In the end, it will get him killed. Delos is not a kind sire. He is not like us...the rest of the Aurelius line. Riddled with humanity, quite sickening to the other Orders I can assure you. We feel, we love, we hate and most of all we feel. Delos has none of that, he only gets pleasure from pain and he loves pain. Giving it, receiving it. Quite ruthless, too much for the rest of the Order. That's why Elias took over."

Buffy nodded along as if she knew what Mornay was saying and pretended to look informed. She had no idea what the Order was, who Elias was or how he had anything to do with this.

"He'll make Spike pay," Mornay muttered darkly.

"For what? What did he do to deserve this?" Buffy demanded.

Mornay looked up and shook her head as if coming back to herself.

"Look Slayer what is this proposition you have for me?!"

"You know what's going on don't you? Where we are, why we're here?! I want answers, before I tell you my proposition."

"No," Mornay muttered stubbornly.

"Then I'll let you burn to death, bye-bye," Buffy waved a little as she turned towards the open door and shoved it open wider, letting sunlight spill through, reaching the corner Mornay resided in.

Mornay screamed and convulsed about.

"Okay!!!! Stop it," she screamed.

Buffy smiled smugly and partially shut the door, not enough to keep the sunlight out, but enough so it didn't reach Mornay's corner.

"Start talking."





~*~*~





"So you want in on this?" Elias asked as he watched Angelus.

Angelus nodded as he locked his gaze on the smaller vampire who stood in the shadows of Mikel's office.

"Yes, I want your help. I heard you were seeking something."

Elias smiled and cocked his head.

"Like what? What have you heard Angelus? Or is it Angel? I'm confused, you change so often," Elias mocked.

Angelus tamped down his anger and smiled widely.

"Heard you wanted the boy. I can find him for you."

Elias's eyes narrowed and he studied Angelus.

"How?"

"He's my blood, shouldn't be too hard."

"Oh, but it is. I have searched everywhere for the boy and have yet to find him and let me remind you he is my blood too. It came to no avail."

Angelus shrugged.

"I'm a direct link, Spike is my grand childe."

"That's not what I heard. I heard Delos re-sired Spike...quite ingenious really. Have control of the father you have control of the boy. What do you get in return for me accepting your help?"

"Spike," Angelus said simply. And the boy and his mother, he added silently.

"Simply Spike? To what? Kill him?"

"Among other things. Is it a deal?"

Elias strode out of the shadows and stuck out his hand.

"It's a deal," Elias agreed as they shook on it.



~*~*~





"You're saying we're stuck in a land of limbo or something?"

"In between. When your pal did the spell, Rufus Travers did his own spell, kept you from completely going home. Not home, but not quite in another dimension either. In between."

"But why?" Buffy snapped.

"Come on, you can't honestly be this stupid! Hello, when the Slayer goes MIA from the hellmouth it doesn't go unnoticed. You were gone, people got curious. See..your boy was never prophesied, so the prophets never saw this coming. Once word spread though that, you and Spikey had a boy...couldn't ask for a better thing to come about. Just at the right time too!"

Buffy shook her head and frowned.

"So none of this is real? I mean Angel's still A-"

"Nope. Sorry this is real, as real as it can get. Your Angel turned into Angelus. This is just a controlled environment to find the bo-"

"He has a name! Wolfe, use it," Buffy growled.

Mornay rolled her eyes.

"As I was saying word spread and people got busy. Rufus Travers, Quentin's brother, the one your son killed. Well he's found a ritual, involving said son of Slayer and vampire. Kill the son and gain the power of the world. Just a few pesky details though," Mornay mused.

"Like what?"

"Like finding Wolfe. He's here but protected. No one knows where though so hence the hunt. Second...in order for the ritual to work its got to be done at the hellmouth which means sooner or later we're all going home."

Buffy slid slowly down the wall and sat down in shock.

"So someone is going to open the hellmouth? And this involves Wolfe's blood some how?" she whispered.

Mornay arched a brow and a bemused expression formed on her face.

"Why are you so upset? You should be happy, now you won't be saddled with a brat and Spike the worthless vamp he has sadly become! You'll be respected again. Because really consorting with the enemy does nothing for the rep Slayer," she said drolly.

"Is there anyway to reach Spike? How strong do you think Delos's hold on him is?"

"Very," Mornay said. "Why?"

"I want to find a way to break it."

"There isn't one," Mornay answered.

Buffy lowered her head and closed her eyes. There had to be a way, she thought fiercely. She could not leave Spike to do this alone. She had to help him; she needed him to get through this! And he needed her. She wouldn't let Delos's influence over Spike stop her!

"The claim," she muttered to herself.

"What?" Mornay asked eyeing the downtrodden Slayer.

"The claim," Buffy said loudly as she looked up and met Mornay's dark gaze. She watched as realization came over the vampire's face.

"Well," Mornay murmured considering the possibilities. "That just might work. One problem though, Delos will know immediately if you start doing things to Spike's mind through the claim. So I do-"

"But you're his childe; you still have a link with him. If you were to take his attention away, I'm sure there's a spell to enhance the claim. Make it last," Buffy muttered rising abruptly.

"Me?" Mornay echoed. "I don't think so. I'm not one of your lap dogs!"

Buffy sent her a look of disgust.

"Ewwwww. So not thinking that, hello you will be helping me!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Okay..I'll let you miss out on the opportunity of killing Delos. You seem to hate him so much and I was just thinking..why waste a perfect opportunity like this," Buffy shrugged and whirled around.

"Wait! Wait...come now Slayer we can work something out."

Buffy turned and smiled.

"I'm sure we can. Here's what I'm thinking..help me with Spike and the claim and when we get Delos he's all yours."

Mornay frowned thinking about the Order, specifically Elias, he did not take betrayal well, and what she was thinking about would be a betrayal in his eyes. Siding with the Slayer! But her desire to rid the world of Delos was overwhelming and who said she couldn't kill the Slayer too?

"If you're worried about Angelus don't worry. He's probably out making a deal with the devil."

"It's the only way. I only make deals with the devil," Mornay mused.

"Good cuz I only make deals with God, we're on even ground," Buffy muttered.

Their eyes met and they stared at one another for one long moment.

"A truce then? An agreement to work together that ends the minute our goals are met?" Mornay asked curiously.

"A truce. The minute it ends...we can go back to hating each other and trying to kill one another. I want your help in finding Spike, keeping Delos busy while we enhance the claim and you get to kill Delos unhindered. Are we in agreement?"

"What about the b-Wolfe? Don't you want to find him too?"

"I have no doubt Delos will lead us straight to him. Right now, I need Spike. Are we in agreement?" Buffy repeated voice hard and cold.

Mornay arched a brow and inclined her head.

"We are," she said just as coldly.

Buffy smiled.

~*~*~

I had always known my parents were resourceful, especially my mother. I smiled as I watched her make her deal with Mornay.

They might actually come out of this alive. My hopes were building and so was my strength. My eyes flickered to the dark screen and away. I wished I could see what was going on with my dad, see if he was okay.

I liked mom's plan though, if she could use the claim as a device to communicate with Spike we would be on our way to getting out of this place! She was the only one who could have a chance against Delos's powerful influence. I just hoped it worked. Dad needed her.

I let my thoughts drift to the rest of what Mornay had said. I was part of a ritual, what a surprise, when wasn't I? Opening the hellmouth was an added bonus too. Seemed like that was always following me around, the hellmouth. Open it and end the world, using me as a catalyst.

I needed mom to find dad as soon as possible, so that everyone could get back so we could stop the hellmouth from opening and the world being over run by demons. I wasn't going to be the cause of my parent's deaths again. I'd die before I let that happen!

~*~*~
 

~*~*~

Chapter 5:



When her mind touched his, he was extremely surprised.

"Why what a surprise," he mused aloud. "What do I owe the pleasure of such a visit?"

He heard Mornay's quiet laughter and frowned slightly.

"Well, if you have to ask, I guess the word that has spread isn't true after all."

"Word? Of what?" Delos asked innocently as his eyes drifted shut and he began to relax in his chair. It had been so long since he'd had such a conversation with any of his childer much less his favorite childe. Since someone had reached out to re-establish the link.

He didn't think to question why of all times she had initiated their bond now.

"Of re-siring Spike," she said mockingly. "Surely you haven't forgotten so soon. The means in which to regain your power lies in Spike."

"Of course."

"You'll be dead before you find the boy Delos, by my hand or the Orders."

Amusement lifted the corners of his mouth.

"I doubt that. Elias would never be so bold as to attack me. In doing so he will not only kill William but the boy and me. I am firmly in control here."

"So you're going to rule the world now? You never used to aspire to such heights. What changed?"

"Well, all my childer turned their backs on me for one. What else am I to do but rule the world and wreck havoc on all who have betrayed me?"

"An eye for an eye huh?"

"You know me so well Mornay. However, you forget, I know you too. Why have you deigned to crawl back into my mind? What game are you playing this time?"

~*~*~



Giles paced the length of the hallway out side Buffy's bedroom.

He shoved a hand through his hair and let out a sigh.

He was extremely concerned about her and he wished she had listened to him. Waited to do the spell when they had more facts on what the claim would do to her and Spike.

There were no records of this having ever taken place before. Never to a Slayer and not a master vampire who was now a minion. He was worried about both their mental states. If something happened to Buffy when she reached out to Spike and she was hurt he would never forgive himself! Never!

The unknown factor was enough to make him pause, but Buffy had been adamant about doing the spell as soon as possible despite the risks.

Now he couldn't stand the wait, they didn't know how long this would take and he was worried about Buffy and the rest of them. The whole spectrum of things that was beginning to pile up was daunting and he feared they might not make it. At least not all of them.

"Rupert?" Joyce asked as she came up the stairs.

Looking up he watched Joyce stride up and smile hesitantly.

"Yes Joyce?" he asked quietly.

"Are you worried? I know this wasn't what you wanted to do, but Buffy was sure there wouldn't be any negative effects. She was too-"

"I have faith in her Joyce. I believe she thinks that she has the power to save Spike, but there is a part of me that is doubtful. I want nothing to harm her. I love her like she was my own daughter Joyce I would do anything for her," he declared passionately.

Joyce smiled and wrapped Giles in a quick hug.

"I know. Buffy wanted me to ask you-she was worried that she made a mistake in trusting this Mornay woman. I'm concerned myself. We know next to nothing about her! She wants you to keep an eye on her and watch her."

Giles smiled slightly, one that didn't reach his eyes.

However, Joyce didn't notice as she glanced at her daughter's door.

"Everything is under control Joyce. I've taken care of it and spoken to Mornay," he replied his eyes losing focus as he recalled the conversation he'd had earlier with the vampire.

**

Giles shoved Mornay into the kitchen and glared at her.

"You can't possible think I'd believe a word you had to say," he hissed.

Mornay pursed her lips and shrugged.

"I don't know Ripper. Do you believe me?" she asked with a small smile and wink.

"Let us not play these games! I am well aware of your past sins Mornay! You are not to be trusted. And certainly not for the pleasure of killing Delos, no matter how satisfying!"

Mornay turned from Giles and studied the kitchen with feigned interest.

"Did the Slayer's mother decorate this on her own? It's quite-"

"Granted Buffy is a child, who will and has done anything to get Spike back. She loves him. Therefore, her thoughts aren't quite on the priorities. I'm sure you've thought of this."

Mornay met Giles's eyes and grinned.

"Of course I did! I only gave the little Slayer what she wanted."

Giles jerked his glasses off and slowly closed them. Rolling his shirtsleeves, he leaned against the counter and regarded her.

"What do you want?" he asked his voice soft and silky.

"I knew you were smart," Mornay mused as she stepped closer. Letting her body rub against his. She trailed cold fingers down his cheeks and cupped his face.

"What do I want? I want a lot of things," she whispered in his ear.

Giles shuddered in revulsion.

"I only have so much to give," Giles spat out.

"You've got just enough."

"What do you want?"

"What everyone else wants. The boy."

Giles's answer was immediate.

"No."

Mornay clucked her tongue.

"I wasn't asking."

Giles attempted to shove past her but Mornay slid her hands down until they rested against his neck.

"One wrong move and I snap your neck."

"And Buffy shall kill you."

"I highly doubt that. Even so, I'll get more of hers than she will mine. I want the boy."

"That's impossible! No one knows where he is. Even if we did, I couldn't just hand him over-"Giles protested.

"I'm not asking you," she repeated. "When Delos does the ritual I'll help you stop him. Anyone else who tries to get the boy too. After that? I'll take him; you keep the Slayer off my back."

Giles swallowed, his mind conflicted. To do as she asked would be a betrayal so deep; he feared Buffy would never forgive him. Then on the other hand, they couldn't hope to defeat all the threats they would face without Mornay's help.

"If you're worried about me causing hell on earth, by opening the hellmouth then don't worry. I've got other plans for the boy. And for that to pan out he's gotta be alive. Now, I help defeat Travers and Delos and get the boy in return. Right?"

Giles closed his eyes.

It was a simple choice, between his Slayer and her son.

The answer was easy.

"Right. You get to keep...Wolfe when it's all said and done."

**

Giles shook his head glanced at Joyce as he led her down the hall.

"Don't worry I've got it under control. Buffy need not worry."

~*~*~



Spike pounded on the walls, screaming and cursing.

He had to get out!

Being stuck here, unable to escape had become unbearable.

This wasn't the way it was supposed to be, he thought in despair.

He wasn't supposed to have gotten in so much trouble!

All he had wanted to do was get Dru off his hands.

For the Slayer.

Snarling he re-established his efforts.

"Let me outta here," he yelled.

"S...Spike?"

His name from her lips had him whirling, assuming a fighting stance.

"Who's there?" he demanded.

Fear gripped him and he barely resisted the urge to attack. He knew it had to be Delos, come to destroy any lingering remains of himself. He was going to rid what made him Spike and make him his willing slave.

"Spike? It's me," the Buffy double said as she came forward.

"This isn't right. Think you can play me Delos; make me think you're the Slayer? Never gonna work. You've come to destroy me, well not if I get you first," Spike yelled as he attacked.

He knew it couldn't be his Buffy, not his Slayer.

She was busy dealing with Angelus.

Besides, she wouldn't bother with him.

Buffy watched as Spike flung himself at her and hesitated so long he knocked her flat on her back. Her heart constricted and fear wormed its way into her heart. He would kill her if she didn't convince him.

Instinct took over and she flung him off and took her own defensive stance. One way or the other she would make him listen.

"Spike this isn't a trick okay? I'm here to-"

He cut her off, his fists flying out and catching her in the chin. Her head flew back and she let out a frustrated growl.

"Like that? Well let me te-" Spike began.

Buffy reacted abruptly as she swept him off his feet and followed him down with a boot to the stomach.

"Do you want to get out of here Spike?" she asked. "I'm here to help you. I need you to help me help you. The claim we-"

Spike grinned through his fangs and twisted suddenly, gripping her ankle and twisting as he rolled out from beneath her.

Buffy let out a startled gasp as pain surged through her leg.

"Spike!"

"What claim? So I bit the Slayer, can't really call that a claim. Can't use that to get me Delos. Besides, she rejected it. Rejected me. There is no claim," he muttered bitterly.

Buffy couldn't help but feel hurt at his words. She had rejected him and now it seemed she was paying the price. But what was she supposed to say ? I love you? He had not even told her he loved her! It had been all about making her love him, presumptuous much? She thought angrily as she fell back a bit trying to get her balance.

Right hook, duck a flying kick to her head, feint right, a low sweeping kick to the shins, a fist to the head...and on it went. Left and right, she matched him.

Why couldn't this have been easy? she thought as she was thrown back into a wall, her head hitting with a resounding thud and she moaned as stars bloomed before her eyes.

Why did she have to do this? There had to be easier ways she mused as she sent him flying over her head and grinned when he hit with a groan. Serves you right, she thought gleefully. If you had stayed and hung around like a good little puppy, I wouldn't be here trying to convince you I'm here to rescue you!

A thought occurred to her then as she let him circle her. She should be convincing him that she wasn't Delos come to do him in. Her fighting him would not cut it.

He watched Buffy blink owlishly at him and his jaw clenched as she opened her mouth. He didn't want to hear any more of her lies! She wasn't here to help him at all, more like here to kill him! She'd be the death of him after all he thought with a snort.

"What's it gonna take to convince you I'm Buffy? Not Delos playing tricks on you! I don't have all day Spike. I have to get you better so I can concentrate on Wolfe."

It was the mentioning his son from the mouth of the devil himself that caused Spike to snap, as he'd been fighting Buffy he hadn't gone full out, some part of him not wanting to hurt her no matter if it was Delos in the guise of Buffy.

He sprang at her and startled by the blur of movement Buffy had no time to respond as he tossed her to the ground and snarled as he lowered his head and sank his fangs into her throat.

It wasn't supposed to go this way, Buffy mused dazedly, but it would sure as hell do.

~*~*~

Rufus Travers slipped into his perfectly tailored tuxedo jacket and solemnly regarded himself in the mirror. Impeccable as always he thought with a small smile.

Turning he smiled at his wife.

Martha Travers was just right, the perfect wife for such a perfect man. Nothing less would have ever done for the eldest of the Travers line. Beautiful to his plainness. People could not find a reason other than money for the pair to have met and married.

Those who thought that though were terrible wrong. For it was love. A twisted, evil love that thrived on pain. Giving, receiving. Causing the most damage to whoever their victims were was a constant form of amusement for the couple.

Their eyes met and in that one moment, they were one and the same.

Evil.

With his wife on his arm, he led her into the black tie charity event held every year in honor of past Council members. As the head of the Council, it was his duty to come and he always did his duties.

Presently Rufus was separated from his wife as she had been whisked away for some feminine chatter.

Sipping from his flute of champagne, he was accosted by Bosworth the head of Demonology at one of their divisions in Bath. A large portly man, with a ruddy complexion and the tongue of a lush, he wasn't fit to be in Travers's presence.

"Good party innit?" Bosworth asked loudly as he slapped Travers on the back.

Rufus nodded a barely contained look of disgust on his broad face. He downed the rest of his champagne in a gulp. Signaling to a near by waiter for another flute.

"Yep. Real nice. Real shameeeeeeee we's won't be havin' any't othas."

Rufus took a sip of his new glass and glanced at the offending man at his side.

"Why do you say that?" he demanded.

"Weeellllllll..that half breed's flown the coop. That crazy vampire re-siring William the fuckin' Bloody..We 'r all gonna die," Bosworth mumbled as he shuddered and wandered away.

Rufus cast a quick glance around seeing if anyone else had heard their conversation. As he realized no one seemed to, he hurried as calmly as he could to find his wife.

Heart pounding in fear and anger he gripped his wife's arm and led her to a secluded area of the ballroom.

"Have you heard?" he demanded.

"What is it Rufus?" Martha asked concerned at his distraught face.

"Delos! Damn him. He's ruined everything."

"Ruined what?"

He looked at her as if she were too dense to understand his words.

"Our plans Martha! I don't know why I didn't think of this. Delos has re-sired William the Bloody. Ensuring control of the boy!"

"Is that all? I thought it more serious Rufus," she remarked with a smile.

Inhaling sharply he glared at her.

"Martha this is very serious. I've made plans on capturing the boy. The Order will love this. Now they can back out of our deal. This is what Elias has always want-"

"Rufus think a moment about this. All Delos has is the father. Imagine if we had the Slayer. Even odds. Better yet, why not begin the ritual. Open the hell mouth and they will flock like bees to honey. Do that and we're back in control."

Rufus nodded, calming down slightly.

"We're back in control," he muttered.

"Yes."

"But..but if we do that I'll have to stop the spell, we'll be back home. I'm sure the Slayer's become aware of this."

"Why do you think that?"

"She's resourceful. Besides, Delos was always one to give away bits and pieces. I'm sure he couldn't resist taunting her."

"Well if that's the case, then we should worry about her later. Right now we should concentrate on the hell mouth."

Rufus took her hand and squeezed.

Hard.

She grimaced in pain as the bones in her hand rubbed together.

He smiled.

"What about Angelus?" he asked.

"What about him? You still have it don't you?" Martha asked through gritted teeth as the pressure on her hand increased.

"Of course," he dropped her hand to root around in his breast pocket.

He pulled out a small blue crystal and handed it to her.

They stared at the crystal in a sort of awed yet contemptuous manner. As if, it was something beneath them.

"Well...if all else fails we've still got this to bargain with," Rufus acknowledged.

Their eyes met and they shared a smile of mutual admiration.

"I'm sure there isn't anything the Slayer wouldn't give to get Angel's soul back. We are back in control Rufus," Martha announced locking arms with her husband.

Pocketing the crystal Rufus nodded again.

"We're back in control," he whispered.

~*~*~
 

~*~*~

Chapter 6:

Lifting his mouth, he was assaulted by a wave of dizziness and blinking rapidly he tried to clear his head.

"Spike," Buffy whispered raggedly lifting one heavy hand to trail down the sharp planes of his face.

He remembered saying once to Dru that Slayer's blood was an aphrodisiac..and it was. Except now, this was nothing like the other one. This was Buffy. His Slayer. The vague thought of stopping entered and left his mind in the blink of an eye.

Buffy watched Spike's face revert to human form and was disgustingly fascinated...

The emotions shinning through his now cobalt blue eyes would have taken her breath had she not already been breathless.

Lust, love, hunger...

A part of her was screaming to be kissed; the other shuddered in revulsion as he lowered his head, her life's blood trailing down his chin.

Don't kiss me.

Kiss me.

Don't kiss me.

Kiss me.

Don't-

"At least wipe your mouth Spike," she found herself saying, wiping at his mouth herself.

Spike frowned.

"Right... Kinda off putting innit?" he asked levering himself up on an elbow.

"In a ewwwww that's my blood kinda way."

"C'mon...you've never kissed Peaches after his mandatory bag of animal swill?"

With a disgusted face, Buffy made gagging noises.

"I try not to think about it," she muttered.

He stared down into her eyes and the pull between them an almost tangible force.

"I'm gonna kiss you," he stated.

Buffy blinked.

"Well..."

"I'm gonna kiss you," he repeated.

Riveted by his descending mouth Buffy found herself mumbling," Okay..I mean it's my blood...sick but mine...and it's for the claim...For th-"

The first touch of his lips to hers was like an electric charge, sending volts of electricity through their bodies.

His hands gripped her head as he gave himself up to the passion that flared. Pressing his body against hers, he struggled with his demon.

The beat of her heart, the feel of her hands tugging at his hair..the harsh sound of her breathing as she pulled her mouth from his hardly registered as he assaulted her neck.

"No blood taste," he muttered the question.

Her head lolled as his blunt teeth scraped a cool path down her neck.

"Nope..how'd you do that?" she asked her voice slightly slurred and hoarse.

"Trick I learned," he mumbled fusing his mouth to hers as she dragged him back up her body.

Staggering in its intensity, the feral sound she made raced through him as he let his hands roam freely.

Fingers, palms slid cleverly over her, divesting her of clothing as they went.

Trailing fingers down the curve of her breast, he peeked up through thick dark lashes and grinned.

"You belong to me Buffy..I'm gonna show you...Make you see no one will ever touch you the way I will. No one will ever make you feel this way but me. You are mine," his eyes stayed focused on her face as he let his thumbs gently brush her nipples.

His words had a startling affect on Buffy...threading through her, making her quiver with an undeniable need. She reached blindly for him, for anything, as he was at once rough, tender, and then gentle. Demanding.

She felt as if she were dying..slowly, ever so slowly as he made love to her. Never letting one set form rule as if he couldn't quite figure out which way he wanted to go.

Buffy didn't care as her back arched as he nipped at her breast and a low moan slid from her throat.

Stranded somewhere between pleasure and pain, as he was at once gentle and savage as he suckled from her.

She gave herself up to the sensation of skin against skin, as her hands tugged at his shirt. Nails biting into flesh urging him on.

Moving, constantly, moving, and hands everywhere, nothing left untouched.

The feel of his cool hand sliding up her inner thigh sent a shudder of pure need through her and the first brush of his fingers against her heated core had her crying out and convulsing.

Not letting her recover, he began to show her, inch by inch, she belonged to him.

No one else.

Ever.

And she let him, giving herself up to the pleasure he offered. Never stopping, never wanting him to. She reached for him.

"Wanna touch you," she whispered, unbearable heat flooding through her.

Afterwards he would wonder if there wasn't a little demon in the Slayer as she attacked all hands and lips. Now, in this moment he reveled in it. Ate it up. Urged her on.

Giving herself with careless abandon, wild and wanton, he knew she couldn't possible understand, realize what a powerful affect her innocence, mere presence had on him.

She made him whisper her name reverently, the sound making her feel all powerful. A heady mix as she returned his torture with her own. Hearing his ragged breathing when he didn't even need too was music to her ears. All for her she thought. Love and pleasure spread through her.

Stripped naked, of all her inhibitions she did not attempt to stop him as he took control again.

Never had he known this type of desire. Never had the obsessive need to possess. To take and take. Never felt the burning need to watch his lover's eyes as he pleasured them again and again.

He watched the strong muscles of her thighs quiver as he ran his tongue over them, making his way, deliberately, torturously up her straining body.

Her eyes closed as he slanted his mouth over hers, feasting. Dragging at his jeans, shoving her to the ground.

His demon emerged, ripping free and taking control.

His face rippled, shifted, glowing yellow eyes flashed as he drove into her. Shuddering a savage thrill sliding down his spine as her nails raked across his shoulders, down his back, drawing blood.

"Mine," he growled.

"Yours," she gasped.

"Mine."

"Yours."

Moving, straining..

He shuddered.

Hot. Cold.

Sinking his fangs inside of her, the delicious blooming sensation of her blood filled his mouth and he drank.

His. His. His. His. His. Hi--



###

Spike:

I might be slow on the uptake but I'm not stupid. I mean how was I to know. Delos had made it his mission to destroy me. It could have been him disguised as Buffy!

It could have been.

But it wasn't.

The second her blood flooded my senses I knew that this had been a horrible mistake.

Why?

Well for one I did not intend to ever bite her again, yet here I was doing it again. I couldn't believe it.

No matter how good my intentions might have been the minute I realized she wasn't an imposter I intended to step back. Release her and apologize. Cept that isn't how it turned out. Couldn't be as easy as that though. No, see I didn't realize how hard it would be.

Like now, I'm staring into her glazed eyes, watching her breath come out in little gasps. Pressing her neck even closer to my mouth, inviting and delectable. My Slayer. MINE.

I can't help the possessive growl that comes out as I grip her by the shoulders and haul her closer. I want her closer still. I want nothing to separate me from her. I love her, it is with this in mind things change, and I'm lost.

One minute I'm looking into her eyes and thinking how much I love this girl and the next I'm being thrown, falling through the air with nothing to hold onto.

My eyes search frantically for any sign of the Slayer, I can feel her.

God I can feel her.

All around me, inside of me.

I'm covered in her, it.

The thing that makes her who she is.

Drenched, saturated and it burns.

I open my mouth to scream as light explodes before my eyes and I see...

I see...

My eyes have been opened and I can see.

I see her.

As I'm free falling I catch glimpses. Little peeks into her life.

The memories of happier times.

Her mum and dad.

Being called as the Slayer, her first Watcher.

Her death at the hands of the Master.

Falling in love with Angel.

Making friends with the Scoobies.

Principal Snyder always on her back.

Burning down her old school's gym.

Meeting Wolfe.

Falling in love with me.

Fighting Angelus.

And on it goes.

I see.

I'm closer to the light and suddenly I think about Dru.

She'd always went on about the light and God....

And I'm scared. More scared than I've ever been in my life.

I know what's coming.

I feel the pain as the light washes over me.

It burns, like hot coals.

The pain.

Burns in my gut, claws at my long dead heart.

I want to kill, to bleed. I want to make whoever is doing this suffer.

You cannot understand the pain I shake with it.

This feeling of unease. Unrest.

It calls..begs to be heard.

It floats on the edge of my brain, always there.

Always churning, boiling, taunting and overwhelming me into its dark embrace.

I see their faces.

Hear their voices, echoing, loudly...calling out.

Thanking the Slayer, cursing the demon that dared to tread on such sacred grounds.

Then I know my life to its end is forever my ungrace...

I give myself up to the light, the pain, the hurt..

I'm burning, dying and foolishly try to scramble away, to get away...the light...God the light, I shouldn't..the light!

I'm enveloped in the light and everything fades to black. Peaceful, familiar black and I'm thankful as I drift away.

()()()()

Buffy:

Well...I've been here before. Floating in a slight lethargic haze and sexual daze.

Well...not exactly here... I can't help my smug grin.

I never thought being bit by a vampire could be so erotic.. I'd even thought of Angel biting me. But since Spike, they hadn't been good thoughts. I always picture Angelus ripping my throat out, and there is nothing sexual in that. Pure rage and violence.

You would think that Spike would be the same way but he isn't...I don't know how to explain it.

I know I'm breathing fast and urging him on, I can tell he likes it as he growls and suddenly I'm lifted and sprawled on top of him. I blink and meet his glowing yellow eyes...It shocks me to see the love shinning through, past the blood lust.

The desire.

All for me.

And in that moment I'm overwhelmed by feelings, I never thought possible to feel. Sure, I knew I loved Spike, it was...well it was a weird feeling to tell you the truth. I had always believed Angel was the only one for me.

Because even now, as I stare into Spike's eyes I know I loved Angel too.

Loved him and didn't.

Does that make sense?

I can only assume that it does, at least to me. If I had actually loved Angel as much as I thought, there would never have been the tiniest inkling of feelings for Spike other than disgust and hatred. Not even Wolfe would have been able to change that. And even if there had been I would never have acted on them.

I loved Angel and had been in love with the idea of him...tragic vampire cursed with a soul. He'll always have a place in my heart, forever to be known as the man who let me know I was capable of love.

Spike is different..

Spike is mine.

So many emotions...I have for him that I cannot even explain them.

I know though..I do.

I know I'm in love with him and I close my eyes as I savor that thought.

Then I'm falling...flying, speeding through the dark. My eyes snap open and I'm searching for anything, Spike, someone to help me as I begin to feel dizzy and sick.

The feeling increases and I moan as a buzzing noise begins..slowly at a whisper, louder still until it becomes a booming scream.

Screams I realize, different types, from men and women....children.

Fear filled screams, of horror, pain, and death.

I shudder at the horror it brought, the panic that set in.

My first instinct was to protect, to fight and help the people.

Until I realized..

My eyes widened and I looked around, into the shadows.

Saw the faces.

The voices changed..screams faded and they spoke then.

Pleaded for their lives, begged for mercy.

Got none.

They died at the hands of a monster.

A soulless demon.

At the hands of William the Bloody.

Thousands of them, peering at me begging for help as he destroyed them. Ruined lives and went about his unlife with his Dark Princess.

I saw then....

The blood, seeping through..rivulets, descending..

All over me, surrounding me.

The sweet yet metallic smell weakens me and I gag as I fall to my knees.

Desperately trying everything to get it off, to make the blood disappear.

Why? I wonder. Why must I see this?

A whirlwind of moments swirled past me and I was swept along.

Cecily's cruel rejection, her hurtful words, the despair they caused in William.

Drusilla offering William his salvation.

Spike's destruction of those who had taunted him...railroad spikes through their heads.

Spike learning of the Slayer.

Fighting the Slayer in the Boxer Rebellion, killing her, ignoring her plea to tell her mother she was sorry.

Loving Dru.

Angelus leaving them alone.

Fighting his second Slayer, better than the last.

Killing her.

Taking her coat as a trophy.

Fleeing the mob in Prague.

Watching me dance at the Bronze.

Fighting me.

Lusting after me.

Loving me.

Delos re-siring him.

Until it stopped.

Ended.

I was left in the dark.

Left with the feel of the cold brutality that was Spike's demon.

The dark began to swirl and morph into shadows of the past, the present. It surrounded me, taking all I had, leaving nothing but the slow simmer of hatred, the burning need not to feel.

I felt the coldness first....

Everything I was, stood for, rebelled against the cool brush of their fingers as they approached hands out stretched, murmuring incessantly..damning me.

Making him weak and by him I knew they meant Spike. Taking him away from the dark, making him less than what he was, a demon, meant to maim and kill. A demon that would kill me sooner or later.

Their anger..their rage a cold, living, thing as they surrounded me and I knew I should feel frightened.

Scared.

I knew...

That I couldn't have helped them.

They'd been dead long before I knew Spike.

The cold fills me and I feel..I feel nothing ..

I see their pain, almost feel it, it begs to be heard..felt.

But I can't help it as their pain tries to become my own and I'm over come with such sorrow I can't stop the sobs as they come.

Because I can't...won't let this-but it has, overtaken me. Devouring in its intensity and-

I'm sorry..

I'm sorry, so sorry..

I'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorry.

I can't feel it..I feel nothing and I'm scared.

In the end, I can't fight it, can't ignore it and let go....

Give myself up to the dark and slip away.



~*~*~

Gasping needlessly Spike jerked his head from Buffy's neck and flung her off him. Scrambling away from her he frantically clawed at his clothing. Hoping on one foot as he tried to untangle his jeans enough to slide them on.

"What are you doing?" Buffy's voice alarmed him and his head shot up.

Wide blue eyes, met wide green eyes.

"Don't talk to me," Spike muttered moving backwards as she rolled to her feet a wary look on her face. She too began to dress.

Buffy silently watched as Spike dressed all the while mumbling to himself as he glanced around wildly.

"Spike..are you okay? I mean what just happened here? One minute I'm-"

"What do you think happened? It's the claim Slayer," he snarled as he kicked at the air and glared at her. Anger vibrating off him.

Spike watched, as Buffy seemed to digest this information and wondered how she could be so calm about this. What he had seen..

A shudder passed through him and he dropped his gaze.

"Claim? But I thought well, I thought it had to be spoken aloud, reciprocated? This was..weird and I don't think we did it right Spike. The things I saw...well..." she trailed off wanting obviously not to talk about it. Horror overshadowed her words.

Spike though didn't care. He pushed on.

"What did you see? Can't have been as bad as me! This wouldn't have happened if you had not come here with this foolish plan!"

Buffy stared at him; numb from what she had seen, but now the first stirrings of anger began to burn.

"Foolish? Foolish is going off, back to a place you know you shouldn't! I could say this is all your fault, I mean you're the one who was caught and turned into Delos' slave. Who started this?! You bit me and it has spiraled downward ever since Spike! I came here to help you and this is what I get in return? Bitterness, anger?! Well I don't need this," she yelled turning her back to him.

"Good. Run away, take your white hat arse and get the fuck out of here."

Buffy's back stiffened and she lowered her head as she struggled to control her jumbled emotions.

"I'm leaving," she snapped.

"Have to get you off...dirty. You...I'm covered in you. You've marked me," he growled as he stalked back and forth.

Buffy whirled around, hair flying behind her and let out her own growl. She stared at him in disbelief.

"Who has whose mark Spike?" she asked gesturing to her neck, where Spike's mark was prominent. "You claimed me not the other way around! And dirty? There is nothing dirty about me Spike. I am no demon. Haven't willingly maimed and killed. I haven't enjoyed the death I've caused."

Spike threw up his arms and laughed manically.

"Death has come a knockin and marked me with her words! Her actions! Slayer you will not control me. Make me your bi-this is who I am. Me. A demon--- this? This is wrong. Between you and me. Wrong! WRONG!"

"Don't you think I know that? I'm not stupid contrary to popular opinion. I know this shouldn't be happening. I saw Spike! I saw you.. No need to be humble! I know you're a demon. I know you're a murderer," she whispered shaking her head and looking away from him.

She couldn't look at him, couldn't let him see..

Spike had the strongest urge to apologize, to make her understand he had no control over his actions; he was a demon, who had to survive on the blood of innocents. Clenching his jaw, he strode halfway towards her before he forced himself to stop.

"That's right I am. I have killed and I am not gonna apologize. I don't owe you a thing Slayer!"

"I've seen their faces Spike, heard their cries, their pleas! I watched you kill two of my sister Slayers' and still...this is ridiculous! How am I supposed to live with this? Be with you and know that?" she cried out, body trembling with the restraint it took not to go to him.

Lifting her head, she caught his look of understanding.

"We can't," he said simply.

Buffy studied him as he turned away from her and leaned his forehead against the wall, another shudder passing through him.

"Tell me what you saw," she pleaded.

She needed to understand this.

Had too.

Sliding down the wall, he rested his forearms on his raised knees and spoke into his chest, voice low and cold.

"Saw the light I did! Supposed to be all good and kind, well let me tell you it aint. Burned me the minute it reached me and I know why. Cuz of you," he whispered. "It was you...you did it and I can't blame you. Look at you! The Slayer! In love with a demon and I saw you---I know what you are. What you do. I am beneath you, I know it, feel it, accept it. People you've saved...vamps you've killed I saw it all. Seen the bloody light I have. I know..."

"Know what? What do you know now Spike?"

He smiled slightly. "Right. I don't know why I want to be with you Buffy. I've got no right. You need to leave me..move on with the great poof. Get out of here."

"You were a good man," she murmured suddenly.

Gazing at him, she saw the man he had been.

Spike's head shot up.

"Wha?"

Buffy shook her head and frowned, pacing, thinking furiously.

"We can't let this stop us Spike! This has just... Brought out the things we would probably never have discussed until they exploded in our faces. I never thought I would have a front row seat to all the carnage you've caused in your long life..Never thought I'd feel this way about it."

Peering up at her, he blinked slowly as he tried to understand where she was going with this.

"I know you're disgusted. Understand..Do you understand what you are? What you mean? The things you've done? I've got no right. I know that!" he yelled.

"That's right you don't," she admitted. It hurt her to say the words. But they were speaking truths now. She had to be truthful. "Spike you're a demon and I'm the Slayer. It is in our very natures to hate each other. Never to love one another. Yet..I loved Angel. I did..sure I never fully realized what he had done as Angelus but...he is a demon too. Cursed with a soul he never wanted. I look at you and I don't see the faces of the people you've killed. God help me...all I see is William, the poet...our son. Wolfe. You were a good man and you can be a man again. Take responsibility for your past. Understand-"

"I do," he gritted out.

"Then we can get through this. I can...we can do this Spike. You've killed and now it's time to make amends. Day by day. Step by step."

Shoving both hands through his hair Spike closed his eyes moaning.

"How? I've got no soul, no path of redemption to totter on. I'm evil pet. All I've got is-"

"Me. You have me Spike and Wolfe. That's all you need. We'll help you through this. I shouldn't want this but I do. Tell me you can be man enough to try...to see the greatness you talked about," she whispered brokenly, feeling drained emotionally, physically, and mentally.

"Come here," he ordered abruptly.

"No," she mumbled.

"Buffy..."

"What are you going to do to me?" she asked slightly curious as she walked hesitantly towards him.

The look on his face had her taking a step back.

Hooded, glowing blue eyes filled with lust, for her. A slight smirk on his angular face as he stalked towards her and her eyes dropped, skirted away from the blatant evidence of his desire.

Blushing she closed her eyes in embarrassment.

"Spike..." she choked out. "Stay away! I'm not having sex with you again."

Grinning at her, he stopped inches away and tipped her chin upwards.

"Why not? A claiming is all about the sex and blood and the...sex. Don't you like what you've seen?" he purred leaning in close and inhaling sharply.

With obvious effort, Buffy opened her eyes and stared directly into his.

"You're a pig Spike," she spat with a small smile.

"That's why you love me though Slayer," he murmured with a large grin as he lowered his head his lips barely brushing hers.

His words registered with her the second his lips touched hers. Jerking back, she glared at him.

"Love? Who said anything about love? Who said I loved you Spike?" she demanded.

An uncertain look flickered across Spike's face before confidence returned full force and he shrugged.

"You wouldn't be here if you didn't, now be a good girl and say it," he encouraged.

With narrowed eyes, she glared at him and placed her hands on her hips.

"You've got to be kidding me! I am not saying that..you haven't even said it why should I? If anyone is going to say it, it should be you! Now be a good boy and say it," she mocked arching a brow.

Glaring right back at her he crossed his arms and straightened, trying to look intimidating and scary. He was the Big Bad and no one was telling him what to do! He was not going to say it first. She would have to make the first move. He wasn't going to let her reject him again. Not now, not when it was so important.

"No," he said stubbornly.

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"I love you," they yelled in unison.

Spike blinked.

Buffy blinked.

Smiling Buffy glanced at him and asked," So do you?"

Smiling to himself Spike played dumb.

"Do I what?"

"You know..."

"If I do, do we get to make with the sex again? Cause I'll tell you-"

"Spike! Serious here! Now tell me and we'll see."

"I love you," he stated somberly and looked her dead in the eyes as he added. "Let us commence with the sex."

Holding out his arms, he waited for her to run into them.

Laughing Buffy wrapped her arms around him and lifted her face for his kiss.

Cupping her face, he deepened the kiss, his tongue deviling in to play with hers.

Losing herself to the heady sensation it evoked Buffy let her hands trail lazy circles along his bare back and a slight gasp escaped as he crushed her to him.

She knew there was something..they shouldn't be doing this now; she thought dazedly and clenched her fingers in his hair to anchor him to her.

"Mine," she muttered.

"Yours," Spike agreed trailing kisses down her throat, nibbling at his fresh mark.

"Forever?"

Spike looked down into her eyes and trailed one cold finger down her cheek; he did the same with the other.

"For eternity," he promised.

"That's good cuz I love you too and as much as I'm enjoying this Spike if you don't stop we won't have time to come up with a plan to save Wolfe."

"Right..right give us a minute," he mumbled and proceeded to kiss her again and again, causing her to lose her train of thought and the importance of what she had come here to do.

"The boy," Spike muttered dragging his mouth from hers.

"Right..Wolfe," she agreed before she captured his lips and they stumbled back against a wall.

"Buffy..."

"Okay..."

They parted for one brief moment before they were at it again.

"On three pet...'k?"

Nodding she nibbled at that delectable bottom lip.

"One..two.. Sod it all."

Fumbling hands attacked her shirt.

"Recite me a poem William," she murmured.

Spike's head shot up and horror widened his blue eyes.

Buffy grinned up at him.

Narrowing his eyes, he lowered his mouth to her ear.

"How 'bout I take you to the ice capades instead? Nothing like seeing Disney characters flail around on ice huh? Maybe we'll run into Daffy Duck- "

Laughing Buffy shook her head.

"Daffy's a Loony Tunes Spike. Donald Duck is-"

His growl was playful as he nibbled at her lips.

"Bloody well don't care who they are-"

Buffy gathered her discarded willpower, shoved out of his arms, and took a few quick steps back, raising a hand when he proceeded to follow.

"No. Spike we can't...We have to talk-about Wolfe and other things. No sex! And stop taking your clothes off!"

Shaking his head he muttered under his breath as he hurriedly slid into his t-shirt and turned to face Buffy a very strained irritated look on his face.

"The boy then, what of it?"

Buffy moved further away from him and settled against the farthest wall possible. She was sure she could stay away from him if she remained as far from him as she could be. No more touching, she reminded herself as her eyes drifted down his t-shirt clad chest. Her eyes narrowed and her lips parted in silent-

"Slayer! Come on, we've got business, snap outta it," Spike growled as he glared at her. "Can't look at me like that if we aren't gonna finish what we started luv. Delos has power over me and you think the claim will stop that," he began.

Buffy had to tear her gaze from him to look at the ground and nodded quickly.

"Counter act it. He still has control over you, but with the link between us, you won't be at all confined, you'll be aware of other things besides Delos and his wishes. Not quite sure how it's gonna work though, anyway Giles found out Quentin Travers is dead-"

"Kinda figured that," Spike smirked as he said this.

"Here. He's dead here Spike and his brother Rufus has taken over the Council, Giles says he's more ruthless and evil than Quentin could ever have hoped to be. He has a ritual to ascend to the ultimate power by killing Wolfe. Everyone is after him. They want to kill him."

"So what's the plan? What can I do? Delos is mine though, I'm gonna make him pay. Make him suffer for doing this to me."

"Well...I kinda promised Mornay that Spike," Buffy admitted with a nervous smile.

A scowl appeared on Spike's face.

"What?! Luv why? Why would you do that?" he demanded.

"Well I needed her to distract Delos while you and I did---did what we did! I needed her help-"

"You can't trust her Buffy! Listen don't believe a wo-"

"Do you hear that?" he asked suddenly, head snapping up and senses alert.

"Hear what?"

"That! Listen Buffy..."

Buffy opened her senses and listened carefully.

Then she caught it and her eyes met Spike's in incomprehension.

"Buffy--"

Spike watched in horror as Buffy began to choke, gag, falling to her knees and suddenly everything exploded, and black descended.

~*~*~
 

Next