In which we have some much needed bonding between Spike and Angel - and umm well a surprise (no not that kinda of surprise! No squishy spot touching between Spike and Angel!)

Also we find out how very far Willow has fallen - dun dun dun!

Italics – thoughts

WARNING: Dark and kinky sexual content at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 21

A few days later.

Spike slipped into Angel's room and stood in the shadows, watching Connor and Peaches talking quietly. Angel was still weak, but he was recovering quickly with the help of Tara and Fred. Tara had used all the healing spells at her disposal to help heal all the wounds on the older vampire's body, and Fred ensured that Angel always had a mug of blood to hand.

Spike ran his hand over the now healed shark bite; all that was left was a faint scar to remind him of the night. ‘That and a bunch of teeth, Nibblet is going to luv em when we get her back!’ Spike sighed at the memory of the younger Summers woman, whose disappearance was a constant worry to the bleached vampire.

When Tara had tearfully informed them that Willow was now in London, both he and Buffy had been devastated. What they had foolishly hoped to be a quick retrieval mission was now looking to be a much longer journey.

Flashback:

“Spike…where is it?” Buffy groaned as she flipped onto her back.

“Right here, pet,” Spike grabbed her hand and put it over his semi-erect cock.

“No, not that! But…” she squeezed it gently. “Kinda nice, though, and almost perky!” She reluctantly pulled her hand away. “The phone! Can’t you hear it ringing?”

“Almost perky?” Spike was insulted. If he hadn’t been in agony from the shark bite and loss of blood from his Grandsire’s bite, Spike would’ve rolled over and shown his girl how perky he really was.

Buffy reluctantly wriggled out of their warm nest. Spike watched appreciatively as she ran naked to their bags. She bent over, presenting the aroused vampire with a perfect view of her heart shaped behind. Buffy grumbled under her breath and began to toss clothes all over their room. “Found it!” She pulled the phone out of a side pocket and brandished it victoriously.

“Hello?” She walked back to their bed and curled up next to Spike.

“Hey Wes, how’s things?” She sat and listened to the crisp English voice at the other end of the phone, nodding occasionally and smiling. “Xander staked the crusty vamp who’d been turning all those fledges? Wow! He’s not hurt, is he? Good…”

Spike cocked his head. “Xander got the Master Vamp?” he whispered, surprise colouring his voice.

Buffy rolled her eyes at Spike and handed him the phone. “Here, I’m not having a three way conversation!”

Spike curled his tongue against his teeth, “not sharing you in any sort of three way…” He smirked at the look of shock on Buffy’s face.

“Hallo, Junior…how’s it going?”

Buffy watched Spike’s face as he concentrated; his hair was a riot of curls and he looked adorable. Especially with his lower lip stuck out in concentration. “We need a what? Hang on, Buffy try and find a pad and pen for me- should be one in my bags.”

Buffy slipped from the bed and quickly retrieved the items; she handed them to Spike and snuggled against his uninjured side.

Spike made notes on the pad, a frown creasing his forehead. “So the orb needs to be a pure clear quartz no blemishes, to act as a conduit. Right, have you emailed all this to Colomba? Good…” he nodded. Glancing down at the blond head resting on his chest, Spike smiled happily.

“We have some news, too.” For the next few minutes Spike filled in Wesley of Angel’s rescue and the role he played in it.

“Yeah, I surprised myself too! Going down to get Peaches, I’m sure you’d have done the same, too…” Spike laughed with Wes.

He sobered briefly, “Look mate, Colomba and the Jolly Green Giant, located Red…No, she’s moved on from the Big Apple…Looks like me and the Missus are heading back to Blighty…”

Buffy glanced up at Spike, trying to gauge his reaction. He had not said a word when Tara had informed them earlier; instead he had pulled out his phone and began making bookings for a flight to London.

Spike sighed, “Yeah, not as quick as we hoped, but we’ll catch up with the Witch.” Spike paused and listened.

“Gimme that address again,” Spike scribbled down the address. “So they’re the best for Wiccan bits and bobs? Thanks…”

Spike looked down at Buffy and drew an unneeded breath. “Look, how hard is it going to be to avoid the Council of Wankers in London?” Spike ran his free hand through Buffy’s hair as he listened.

“Anyone you trust who we can contact, cos I don’t think Giles is going to be much help, ‘specially after the last call…” Spike nodded.

“Right. You trust this bird? How do we contact her?” Spike noted down the number Wesley gave him.

“So, she’s only been in training for a year or so? And not indoctrinated? Good, if we have to we’ll give her a bell. Can you contact her and give her a heads up so I don’t get staked as soon as we meet. Brilliant stuff, mate…take care of the demon-girl and if you need anything call us.” With that Spike hung up and tossed the phone onto the nightstand, along with the pad and pen.

“Everything okay?” Buffy lovingly rubbed her nose into Spike’s throat.

“Yeah, Watcher boy gave me some info and the number of some Watcher girl that might help us out. Come here…” he rumbled and caught Buffy’s lips in a nibbling kiss. “OW!” He yelped as the sudden movement pulled at his injured side.

“Did I hurt you…” Buffy pulled away and ran her fingers over the bandage, checking for blood. “Let me check the wound.” She reverted from lover to nurse in the blink of an eye.

Spike had enjoyed Buffy in nurse mode. She had coddled and cosseted Spike for the rest of the day, only leaving the room to get more blood and to catch up with the others. She tended to all his needs.

End flashback

*******

Spike smirked at the memory of the erotic bed bath his Slayer had insisted on giving him that day.

“Hey, Spike!” Fred slipped past Spike with a wide smile on her face.

“All right, Pet?” Spike frowned in puzzlement at her back as she disappeared down the corridor, waving as she left.

Both Tara and Fred were starting to worry the peroxide blond vampire. Every time he came into a room where they were, the two women would stop talking and stare at him with big eyes. Spike was getting more than a little frustrated with their antics and complained to Buffy. She’d laughed at him and said he was jealous that Tara had a new friend and wasn't paying all her attention to him. Buffy's astute comment had made Spike disappear with Lorne. Several hours later the two drunken demons staggered into the hotel three sheets to the wind, as pissed as sailors on their first day of shore leave.

Buffy, in a fury, locked Spike out of their room and refused to let him in all night. Spike had ended up sleeping pressed up against the door. Much to his embarrassment, Connor and Gunn had found him there in the morning.

Needless to say when Connor asked Angel what pussy whipped meant, and when Fred learned what Gunn had said to Connor, he was read the riot act for using the wrong words in front of an impressionable teen.

Lorne and Connor were at his bedside constantly, both of them keeping the usually brooding vampire's morale up. Buffy had flitted in and out of the sick room, usually accompanied by Spike or Gunn. Between all of them they managed to keep Angel company, and also made sure he was recovering from his ordeal.

Gunn had been pounding the pavements and meeting with informants, desperately trying to find any trace of Cordelia. Both Buffy and Lorne had joined Gunn on his reconnaissance trips, and much to Spike's frustration, his girl wouldn't let him leave their bed until he was healed up.

Angel eagerly anticipated their return and each time they hated giving him the bad news. Cordelia had disappeared without a trace.

Their search of Cordelia's apartment had not revealed anything, a box of photos of her and Angel was left open on the dining table. Other than that, nothing else was out of the ordinary. Phantom Dennis was unable to communicate to them and resorted to throwing books around the room, until Gunn and Buffy had left.

Gunn and Fred had managed to retrieve Cordy's jeep from the police impound and brought it back to the hotel. Spike had scented the car and found only the Cheerleaders familiar scent, and nothing else. All their efforts seemed to lead to a dead-end, and the effect on Angel had been telling. The dark haired vampire had sunk into a depression, elevated only by Connor and, surprisingly, Spike.

The two vampires had already reached an uncomfortable detente on Spike's last visit, but now there was a shift in their relationship. Angel had been stunned when Connor and Lorne had told him Spike had risked his unlife and saved him.

Angel had called for Spike. Asking for them to be left alone, he and Spike spoke for hours. Neither vampire spoke about the hours they spent talking. Buffy had tried all her feminine wiles on Spike and had no luck.

For once Spike was tight mouthed, he promised that she would know all when he was ready. The stunned and happy look in his blue eyes was enough for Buffy. She also noticed his hand kept going to the now healed bite on his neck. Buffy was happy to wait for him to confide in her when he was ready. She had realised that whatever had passed between the two former members of the Scourge of Europe had been significant. She suspected that Spike had finally found some common ground with Angel, and they were gradually putting their anger behind them.

As his Slayer would say ‘it was of the good!’

*******

Spike pushed open the door to Angel’s suite and stood watching the father and son talking quietly. He was pleased that the two were still close, despite all the trouble recently. What surprised Spike was how willingly the two had accepted him into their family unit. It was something Spike had never expected- and deep down had never realised how much he wanted- a family. He had been ecstatic when Buffy and Dawn had welcomed him into their small family, and had thought that he would never want anything more in his unlife. He was content, despite their losing Dawn. That was until….

Spike’s blue eye’s flickered down to Angel’s wrist, he could see the faint marks of where his teeth had sunk into the pale flesh of his Grandsire. Spike still couldn’t believe that Angel had offered his blood in recompense for the bite on the boat. Spike had tried to refuse, but Angel had eventually prevailed.

During their long talk, Angel and he had reached an understanding and were slowly moving forward. When Angel had offered his wrist, Spike had refused saying that it wasn’t necessary and that Angel was still recovering. Angel had been surprised- as a rule, most Childer leapt at the chance to taste their Sire’s blood. But Spike had always been different. It had taken hours of talking before Spike had agreed. Even so, the blond vampire had taken only a sip as a gesture. But it had felt right.

"Spike, come in." Angel pulled himself up and leant against the headboard.

Spike sauntered into the room; unsurprised that Angel had known he was hovering. "All right, Gramps?"

"No," Angel answered shortly. "We need to talk."

Spike glanced over at Connor, whose face was healed completely from his beating. The teen shrugged, pretending he had no idea what his father was up to.

Connor had joined Gunn and Buffy on patrol the previous night for the first time since his attack, and had been filling Angel in when Spike had entered.

Buffy had been impressed with his fighting abilities and his sweet nature, which she had relayed to Spike on her return. When she had gotten back to the hotel, she found Spike pacing in the garden, frustrated that he had been forced to stay indoors.

He had groused at Buffy, and she had raised an eyebrow and poked him in his still healing side. Spike had grumped at her and then said nothing more about being left out. Buffy had then filled him in on Connor's fighting techniques. Needless to say, Spike had been impressed and slightly envious that Connor had fought by his girl's side and not him. But he still liked the kid and felt it was his duty to play the ‘big brother’ with Connor.

"S'all right, Peaches. If I'm gonna get a dressing down, I'll stand." Spike crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head to one side.

"Why didn't you tell me about it? I had to hear about if from Fred and Tara?" Angel scowled at his completely confused Grand-Childe.

"What?" Spike asked.

"The chip." Angel pointed to the back of his head.

"What of it?" Spike asked defensively. "Look, I've heard it all before, muzzled dog…once it's gone, I’ll start biting again, blah…blah…blah."

"Shut up, Spike!" Angel growled. "That's not what I meant."

"Oh!" Spike sank fluidly into a leather upholstered, 1930s club chair. "Well, what then?" He slouched down, his legs spread and his fingers hooked into the waistband of his jeans.

"Did it fire when you killed the shark?" Angel asked.

"Well, yeah, a bit." Spike and Buffy had decided not to mention the chip's reaction to the shark and how it's firing had caused Spike to pass out on top of the coffin. Buffy had only discovered later the dried blood encrusted in Spike's ears. Or that his hearing was still to recover from the chip induced injury. Spike was too proud to admit anything was wrong and over the last few days his hearing was gradually improving.

"You could've killed yourself or become a vegetable rescuing me. Why did you do it?" Angel's dark eyes narrowed as he watched Spike closely. The souled vampire had been surprised when he had discovered who had rescued him, and with a chip that prevented him from harming a living thing.

Angel had always known Spike was a tenacious bastard, and it appeared that the chip implantation had brought that dogged determination to the fore. Spike had adapted and learned his limitations. Learning his limits and then pushing himself even further to accommodate.

What had surprised Angel most was that, instead of getting minions to work for him, Spike had turned to his mortal enemy for help. Fighting at Buffy's side against evil, and gradually forming a lasting relationship with her. A loving relationship, which Angel was gradually acknowledging- he may not like it, but it was here to stay.

“Surprised it worries you, mate!” Spike drawled. At Angel's authoratitive growl, Spike's shoulders sagged. "Okay, so I went down there, what of it?" Spike asked defensively. "You're my Grandsire," he added.

"You could have been hurt even worse, or killed." Connor interjected.

"Well, better me than Buffy or the other members of the Fang Gang." Spike protested. “S’not like any of them would’ve survived being chomped on!” He tried not to think about what would’ve happened if Buffy had gone down there…

Angel sighed. "Spike, enough...I wanted to say thank you again, I didn't realise what you were working against." He tapped a finger to his head.

Spike cocked his head and smirked. "Anything for you, Granddad!" He teased. Then he recalled Angel's first words. "What have those two birds been twittering on about to you?"

"Fred and Tara? Nothing much, just something they are working on. I think it's a good idea." Angel ducked his head and picked at the silk quilt that covered him. He was trying to downplay and was succeeding.

"What is?" Spike asked suspiciously.

"They have devised a way to get rid of the chip, and I approve,” Angel tossed his last comment out causally. He tried not to laugh at the look of stupefied shock on Spike's face- it wasn't often the verbose vampire was struck dumb and Angel relished it.

"I have to go now." Spike stood woodenly and tried to leave the room. Only to be blocked by Connor.

"Wait, Spike," Angel called from his bed.

Spike whirled and stalked over to his Grandsire. He leant over Angel and vamped out.

"You want them to release this back into the killing fields?"

Angel let his lumpies show, too. "Stop it, Spike," he ordered.

"Why?" Spike sank down next to his Grandsire. Connor came and stood next to the poleaxed vampire.

"Because you are going to need to defend yourself, Tara and Buffy from more than just demons if you are heading to London," Angel answered.

Spike nodded reluctantly. The morning after Angel's rescue, Tara had filled everyone in on Willow and Rack's new location. Buffy had pulled a face, explaining that London was way too close to the Watcher's Council for her liking, and after Spike’s brief conversation with Wesley, her worries had been confirmed.

Angel and Spike had exchanged a look, both of them aware that Travers and his Tweedie minions were not going to help, but interfere, when they found out about Buffy and Spike. That was when Angel had talked to Fred about finding a way to get rid of the chip.

"I know, Peaches. The Watchers. But why are you doing this? I can't believe that you're happy about me being de-chipped?"

Angel sat silent for a few seconds, his eyes flickering from Connor to Spike- his family. Something he had never thought he would have, his precious son and now Spike. He had no idea how to classify Spike, but he knew that after rescuing him, helping Buffy and loving Buffy that the pain in the arse was now family, and he looked after his family.

"I trust you, Spike," he stated simply. He had thought that the sharing of blood with Spike the other night would’ve made it unnecessary for him to voice his trust. But sometimes Spike was more like William than the peroxide blond vampire would admit, nervous and needing assurances from his peers.

Spike sat stock-still. He was stunned at the four simple words. 'He trusts me?'

The younger vampire was stunned; he sat there staring at Angel, waiting for him to say it was a joke, but nothing was said. "I don't understand…you trust me? Are you stoned? Has Colomba been dosing you on wacky baccy?"

Angel reached over and covered Spike's hand. "Spike, I trust you," he repeated. "They're waiting for you downstairs, this needs to be done."

Spike shook his head. "No, I can't. Buffy won't let me near her again, I can't do this."

"Yes, you can," Angel replied patiently.

"Buffy knows, we discussed it for a long time. She and I both agree you won't go back to killing. Not after everything you've seen, experienced and done in the last few years. Tara has faith in you, too- we all do." Angel had been surprised when he had realised that he had faith in Spike. He was a sure-footed bastard and a good ally in a fight, back in the day.

But now, since his chip and his relationship with Buffy and her friends and family, Spike had changed again. If Angel hadn't known better, he would have thought the blond vampire had a soul.

Spike shook his head. "No, I can't. I might bite someone and then everything would be over."

"Don't be silly, Spike. I've only known you for a few days and I can see that you're different from other vamps," Connor interrupted Spike's fear infused rambling.

"Ta Junior, but Peaches knows better than any one here I'm a bloody animal." Spike glanced over at Angel.

"You were, but now." Angel shrugged. "The chip forced you to see humans as something other than being Happy Meals on legs you've had to interact with them and adapt. Tara is your friend and so, it appears, are Gunn and Fred. Have you even thought about draining them?" Angel asked.

Spike sat silent, his mind racing trying to remember the last time he had eyed up a neck. It'd been Buffy after she had teased him on the boat, and even then Spike had considered it only as part of their relationship and not as dinner plans. Before that, he couldn't remember a single instance.

"Smart arse." He glowered at Angel. He chuckled at the burst of laughter that exploded out of Connor.

"How did you know?" He demanded.

"Well, I had wondered for a while. But it was Lorne who confirmed it, when you two went out and drank LA dry the other night. You sang, remember?" Angel asked.

Spike shook his head; the whole night was a blur. All he remembered was Buffy making him sleep on the floor in the corridor and waking up with a crick in his neck.

"Well, Lorne inadvertently read you, and if you don't have the chip out, people are going to die."

Angel hesitated mentioning Tara's name, because he knew how fond Spike was of the kind Wiccan. "He also read your future, and Spike, you aren't going to start draining people again. You've moved beyond that."

"He saw all that? And you believe him?" Spike's game face slid off his face.

Angel nodded, "yeah, we all believe him and believe in you. Now go, cos I'm getting tired and I also can't believe I'm having to convince you to get the chip removed! I thought you'd be all for it!" Angel grumped, he was secretly pleased as Spike's hesitance illustrated how far he had come and that it was also the right thing to do.

"Right, but I need to know. Who might die if I'm not de-chipped, and don't give me that look. I can see in your eyes you know who it is, Peaches." Spike waggled a finger at Angel.

"Tara." Angel whispered.

"No...not? Colomba!"

Spike was gone before either Angel or Connor could draw breath to speak.

*******

"In here, Spike." Buffy pulled open the door to the large kitchens. She had been waiting impatiently for Angel and Connor to finish their 'talk' with Spike. The tiny Slayer had reluctantly agreed to let Angel and Connor be the ones to broach the subject of Spike's chip. She had wanted to be the one; it would have been another way of showing how much she trusted her lover.

The entire team had been working quietly on the project once Angel had asked if they could find a way to remove it. Buffy was still in shock that it was Angel who had suggested it, but she had readily agreed. She loved and trusted Spike and knew that there was no way he would slip off the animal blood wagon. He had come too far.

Tara and Fred had been working together to find a way around damaging Spike's brain from the surgery and magical intervention. They had come up with a plan, which would hopefully remove the chip without any cerebral damage. They were waiting in the kitchens for him.

Spike reached over and grabbed Buffy's shoulders. "Tara's gonna be killed!"

Buffy nodded. "I know, Spike, but not if you let them take the chip out. You and I'll protect her, okay?" She rubbed her hands over his chest trying to sooth him. “No one can get through us to her if we’re together!”

Spike's usual sang froid had abandoned him at the thought that one of his girls would be killed and there was nothing he could do but agree to the operation. He had to be able to protect Tara. "I swear I'll not sink my fangs in anyone's neck."

"I know, now shoo." Buffy fluttered her hands and gestured to Spike to precede her.

Spike span on his heel and grabbed Buffy. He pulled her close and kissed her long and hard. Pulling back he covered her flushed face in tender kisses. "Hold my hand? Stay with me while they chop into my noggin?" he begged. He hated showing his vulnerability as a rule, but this was Buffy. He trusted her and wanted his Slayer by his side during the operation.

"Where else would I be, Spike?" Buffy replied sombrely. She was aware how nervous her lover was; his begging her to stay was totally out of character and showed the level of love and trust he had in her.

"Thanks," Spike rested his forehead against her. "Love you."

"Love you, too. But Spike, don't make me look at what they're going to do, okay?" Buffy was slightly green at the thought.

"S'all right, pet." Spike looped an arm around Buffy's slight shoulders, drawing strength from her as they headed into the kitchen.

******

An hour later…

The sterile kitchen was filled with incense and lit with candles. Tara walked around the island where Fred had set up her surgical table. She chanted under her breath and carried a glowing crystal in her cupped hands.

Fred was peering through her glasses at the hole she had created in the back of Spike’s skull. Her long fingered hands moved confidently as she pushed aside Spike’s brain searching for the elusive chip. The scarring from the previous operation, when the Initiative had first implanted the vampire, was gone, as a result of his supernatural healing. Fred was confident that Spike would recover quickly from the operation due to Tara’s healing spells and his own strong constitution.

Buffy rested her head on Spike's stomach. She was staring up at his calm face worriedly. She was trying to stay brave, but Buffy was terrified for Spike. He was staring back at her reassuringly. The blonde woman turned her head and pressed a kiss against his six-pack and then looked back up at Spike, she fluttered her eyelashes and smiled impishly. She reached up and stroked his sharply defined cheek comfortingly.

Tara and Fred were moving around behind the surgical sheet they had erected; it had a hole cut into it, and this was where Spike's head was pushed through. It was a similar set up to the first time Spike had tried to get de-chipped. Buffy mentally grimaced, glad that the operation was hidden from her eyes. As much as she loved Spike, Buffy would rather not see the inside of his skull. Ever!

Spike's eyes were locked with Buffy's and a faint smile was on his lips. Neither of the lovers said anything. Tara had instructed them to be quiet or her spell of healing would be disrupted. The scent of sage and lavender filled the entire room, and candles were lit at various points. He could sense Gunn and Lorne watching through the window in the door. Their presence calmed him; for many years he had been alone and now he was surrounded by mortals who cared for him, and who were trying to help him.

Spike smiled ruefully. Ten years ago he would have drained them dry and not spared them a thought. But all that had changed the moment he had laid eyes on the tiny fair-haired beauty curled up on his stomach. Spike could finally admit this to himself. He looked down at Buffy and stared in awe, the same awe that had struck him the second he had spotted her dancing in the Bronze.

At the time, Spike had ignored the feelings, as he was focused on getting Dru healthy. But it had been there from the start. Respect, awe, lust and the knowledge that the dance the two of them would engage in would change both their lives. Had he known at the time how their dance would’ve ended up, he would have laughed his head off and then gone out on a rampage.

Fists and fangs to the end.

But now…now, this was all he wanted. Buffy Anne Summers.

Buffy rubbed his chest reassuringly. Her actions pulled him back to the present and away from his reminiscing.

Spike shifted his hips slightly, trying to get comfortable on the hard stainless steel surface. His hands were entangled in Buffy's hair. He wove them around the long locks, anchoring himself to her. Buffy’s arms were draped over his torso; every now and then she would reach up and brush his lips with her fingers.

Buffy had been protectively curled over Spike for over an hour now, while Tara and Fred worked behind the screen. The only noise she had heard was the sound of Fred's instruments in the metal tray and the rather sickening sucking noise when a section of Spike's skull had been removed. Spike had not felt a thing; Fred had given him a local anaesthetic, which numbed the entire area. He contented himself in watching Buffy and tried not to focus on the truly unpleasant feeling of Fred's fingers messing in his brain.

Tara began to chant and Spike stiffened. He could feel Fred pulling something from his brains, 'bugger all, she's got hold of the chip!' He tightened his hold on Buffy's hair and gritted his teeth. 'This feel's disgusting!'

Plink.

That tiny sound was all that Buffy and Spike heard. Their eyes locked Buffy’s were filled with tears and Buffy smiled broadly. She mouthed ‘it's over’, and pressed a kiss to his stomach. Spike closed his eyes for a brief moment.

Since he had been nabbed by the Initiative Soldiers and been de-fanged, he had been hoping to be free of the chip. That was until he and Buffy had decided to have an open and healthy relationship. Actually, to be honest, Spike admitted wryly to himself that he had not thought about the chip since the moment he had realised he was in love with the incredible woman curled up on his belly. It’d been a defining moment that dream, one that Spike still marvelled at.

Since that moment, he had begun to haunt her every move and to help her fight against Glory. Spike had not spared a second thought for the inhibiting chip. Not until Angel had brought it up. And now it was gone.

"Dispare!" Tara whispered. A rush of wind cleared the smoke from the room.

Buffy sat up and cocked her head in question.

"Its okay. Fred's finished, you can talk." Tara gave her a lopsided smile and ducked back behind the screen.

"Spike? You okay?" Buffy ran her fingers over his cheekbones.

"Can't feel a thing, gorgeous. Come ‘ere." Spike reached up and pulled Buffy down. She nuzzled under his chin for a second and then captured his lips in a relieved kiss.

"When you two are finished, Spike can get up." Fred peered over the surgical drape. She reached up and pulled it away.

"All done." She grinned.

Buffy pulled Spike up gently. "Wow, you had to shave so much of his hair off!"

"What!" Spike's hand shot up and reached gingerly for the spot where Fred and Tara had cut into him. He glared at Buffy. "Oh very funny Slayer!"

Buffy sniggered at Spike. "You're so vain," she sang. "Come on, lets get you to bed so you can rest up and heal."

"Hold up, pet." Spike swung his legs off the counter and faced Fred and Tara.

His angular face softened with a big grin. "Thank you, both off you, and especially for managing to not shave any hair off!" He leant over and kissed both of the girls on the cheek. “I promise I won’t let you down, either of you…” he trailed off, overwhelmed.

"Here, Spike." Tara handed him the blood stained Initiative chip. Spike took the small square piece of metal and plastic; he squinted at the tiny thing. "That's it?" Tara nodded and patted him gently on the shoulder.

Buffy reached over and took the chip and dropped it on the floor; she ground it to a fine dust with the heel of her boot. "That was it. Come on, let's get some eau de swine into you and tuck you into bed. You need to get better quickly if we are flying out tomorrow."

Spike looked down at the destroyed chip, and then back up at his ladylove's face in astonishment. "You are incredible, pet."

"I know!" Buffy answered pertly. She turned back to Tara and Fred.

"Thank you, and Tara, get some rest too. We're going to need you in top form in London, okay?"

With that, the two blonds disappeared out of the kitchen, past Lorne and Gunn. Spike stopped and smirked up at the tall green demon. “Thanks mate, not sure what I sung or wot you read, but thanks…”

“Cream Puff, I thought only Angelcakes liked power ballads. I never knew you were a fan of Celine Dion.” Lorne smiled broadly at the look of embarrassment on Spike’s face.

“Spike, man I can’t believe it! That’s worse than Angel singing Manilow!” Gunn grinned.

“Bloody hell…I knew Nibblet makin me watch Titanic over and over would destroy my street cred,” Spike grumbled.

“Titanic?” Buffy chuckled. “Man, that’s so lame!”

“At least I don’t list Deuce Biglow as one of my all time favs!” Spike turned the tables on his Slayer with a smirk. He silently thanked Dawn for that piece of ammo.

Both Lorne and Gunn stared in shock at the furiously blushing Slayer. “On that humiliating note, I’m leaving! Spike, come on, you need to get to bed.” Buffy pulled Spike away from the now laughing pair of AI members. “And if you think I’m ever sleeping with you again you’ve got another thing coming, Blondie bear!”

“Oh luv, come on! Injured man, here. I need your special brand of nursing to get me nice and strong for tomorrow,” Spike pouted.

********

The sound of bells woke Willow. She rolled away from Rack’s embrace and stared out of the window. In the distance she could see St Pauls Cathedral. The raven-haired Witch stood and walked naked over to the window without a backward glance at her bedmate. She reached over and pressed her hand against the glass. Rack stirred sleepily and rolled onto his stomach. Willow ignored his movements, her pale skin lighted by the sun; the black veins that criss crossed her body stood out in stark contrast.


Willow raised her arms and stretched her aching muscles tiredly. Every inch of her body was exhausted from the non-stop marathon sex games. Willow glanced down at her reddened nipples with a smile. Reaching up she tugged at the silver bolts that were pierced through them, sending a jolt of arousal through her body.

They had been a gift from one of Rack’s friends- a tall demon who had needed an infusion of power from her. Willow had been happy to help, and in return the grateful Chaos demon had gifted her with the piercings. He had taken her to the demonic tattoo parlour and personally supervised as they were inserted. Willow had screamed in orgasm at the sensation of the needles piercing her small nipples. The demon and leant over and soothed her bleeding nipples with his mouth. Rack had stood in the background and laughed at the two of them screwing in the tattooist’s chair. To her surprise, she had especially enjoyed Rack and the technician watching her passionate encounter.

Willow had lost all sexual inhibitions from the moment she and Rack had joined together and escaped to New York. While they had been there, the scar-faced man had introduced Willow to the darker side of sex. And Willow had adored every moment of it. Gradually falling deeper and deeper into the dark arts, all remnants of the sweet shy girl she had been originally was long gone or completely suppressed.

After the encounter in the tattoo parlour, they had gone to a private club and danced the night away. Eventually they had left the Chaos demon in a club on the North End Road and returned to their hotel to continue their magical and sexual games. Rack always reclaimed his control over the fallen Wiccan after she had seduced one of his customers. He was unconcerned about fidelity, telling her that sexual magic was the strongest and she should revel in it. So she did.

Rack had been intrigued by her new jewellery that first night and spent ages playing with her breasts. With a few simple words he had enchanted them until they heated up and glowed red. A trick which Willow adored and petulantly insisted he teach her; he had and now it was one of her favourite spells. One in which they indulged in every night since then. Including last night, Willow thought wryly.

Willow shivered in delight at the pain and pleasure the burning hot metal had evoked in her body. Since succumbing to his power, all her inhibitions about sex with men and demons had vanished. Willow was unconcerned about whom she took to her bed; as long as she was satisfied, she didn’t care who or what she took to her bed.

Occasionally in the quiet of the night, Tara’s face would creep into her mind and the guilt would fill her at her betrayal of her gentle lover. Willow would recoil from the imagined reactions of her former friends- if they saw her like this, they would hate her and be disgusted. She realised that there was no going back, after everything she had done and experienced, Scooby Willow was long gone…

Somehow Rack always knew when Willow was weakening, and he would wake and wrap her in his arms and seduce the guilty thoughts away. Usually these encounters were the most erotic, sensual and painful. Willow would lose herself in his arms, and all guilt would dissipate as she came again and again…

“Strawberry, what are you doing?” Rack’s sleep roughened voice jerked Willow away from her memories.

She turned with a wicked smile. “Nothing! Just enjoying the view…” she sauntered back to their bed, her obsidian eyes glowing with lust.

“Come here…” Rack reached up and grabbed her wrist and yanked her onto his chest.

Willow giggled and rubbed herself against his erection.

Rack reached between them and stroked her hairless groin, reaching between her legs searching for her warm moist cleft. “You feel good…” he drawled.

“So do you, handsome.” Willow sat up and straddled her lover.

Rack reached up and tugged on her nipples, his fingers playing with the bolts, sliding them back and forth. Willow shivered at the sensation. “Hmm…pull them…” she groaned as she ground down on his erection.

Rack tugged on them hard. Releasing her left nipple, his hand slid down her torso and between her legs. “I like you like this, all hairless and smooth. So pretty…”

Willow giggled. “Well you took long enough plucking all my hair out, and it hurt so good…” she pouted. Shifting her hips and reached between her legs. Grasping his cock, the fallen Wiccan guided him into her and began to slowly ride him.

“That’s it, Strawberry…oh yeah…” Rack groaned. He pushed his hips upwards, trying to get as far in to her as he could. The magic user revelled in her tightness; he now knew he was her second male lover. When he had first taken her to his bed, the magic broker had been surprised at how snugly he fit inside her.

He was intrigued, and questioned his new lover about her sexual past. He had known of the girlfriend, but had assumed there had been others before, not just the one. He had been stunned when his wicked girl had revealed her first and only male lover had been a werewolf. “Lie back on my legs,” he ordered.

Willow complied immediately. She gingerly lowered herself, until she was lying flat. The new angle caused his cock to press hard against her g spot and she came hard. Screaming out her bliss. Rack felt her inner walls pulsing around his erection and came with a bellow. Their mutual release caused a chain reaction. A burst of light erupted from both their bodies and magic poured from both of them, filling the room with flashes of multi-coloured sparkles.

Rack rolled his head and watched as the power from their coupling poured into the large steel grey crystal cluster by their bed. ‘That should fill the order for the The Brethren…’

Rack raised himself up onto his elbows and looked down his body to where they were joined. He could see his now limp cock sliding out of Willow followed by a rush of their combined fluids. He reached down and flicked his finger over Willow’s engorged clit. “We’ll have to get that pierced someday…”

Willow stretched and sat up slowly. “Sounds good. But if I’m getting another one, then I want you to as well...


A/N - very rarely ask this for Tempus - but am starting to wonder if anyone is enjoying this fic - I barely have any feedback for it! So be kind and feed my starved and exhausted muse and let me know if you enjoyed??

In which the three blonds get to London

We pop in on Angel and friends for a rather interesting revelation and something happens to Xander...

Many Many thanks to megan_peta for all her hard work and help with this chapter.

References to ATS Eppie “Why We Fight”

Italics - Thoughts

Chapter 22

“Remind me why were doing this, pet?” Spike whispered to Buffy as he gazed out of the window. His hands were clenched around the armrests as he watched Los Angeles disappear below him.

“For Dawn,” Buffy whispered back. Her left hand rested gently on Spike’s tense forearm. A faint smile lingered on her full lips.

“Right, that’s it.” Spike tried to smile but failed. All he could think about was the plane lifting off Terra Firma.

Tara laid her right hand over Spike’s clutching fingers and gave them a gentle squeeze. She gave him a lopsided grin and then rested her head on his shoulder. “You okay?”

Spike tilted his head and rubbed his cheek against the top of Tara’s head. He glanced over out the window and froze in surprise. The plane was in the clouds. “Blimey!” he hissed.

Buffy rested her head on his shoulder and patted his forearm soothingly. “It’s okay, we’ll be all right…”

Spike closed his eyes, “s’not natural flyin…” he grumbled.

Spike ignored the two women giggling on either side of him.

“Man, you are sooo old!” Buffy teased trying to ease Spike’s nerves.

“Spike, haven’t you ever flown before?” Tara asked curiously.

“Nope. Strictly cars and boats until now, was always the problem of not being able to protect myself from the sun. That and Dru, never trusted her to behave on a plane.” Spike shuddered at the thought of Dru on a plane. A faint memory tickled at the edges of his mind. “Oh, was on a submarine once, with Granddad, back in the day.” He smirked at the memory of the two vamps Angel had dusted. ‘What a couple of nits!’ He was amazed that they had survived as long as they had…

“Submarine? When?” Buffy’s curiosity was aroused. She also wanted to distract Spike. She slipped her hand over Spike’s, which was gripping the hand rest and squeezed it gently.

“Was back during the last war…”

“Which one?” Tara interrupted Spike. “The Boer War?” she teased.

“Oh ruddy funny! Thinks she’s a comedian now! World War 2, was invited to a party,” Spike avoided mentioning the Free Virgin Blood party, because he knew both of his girls would laugh at him for his idiocy and then smack him for being evil; he was cautious about revealing much about his past as he didn’t want to remind Buffy of what he had been and done

‘Bloody ugly Virgins and hardly that, were they, Spike m’boy?’ He thought wryly. ‘But the jacket had been right smart…’

“How did you get from a party to a Submarine with Angel?” Buffy was fascinated; she tried to imagine the two of them in such a claustrophobic atmosphere. “Did you fight each other? Was there oil?”

“Actually, no…we worked together to do in the Nazis and get the sub back to the States.” Spike smirked at the open mouthed stare Buffy gave him. “Wot is it about you and oil, luv?” Spike arched his eyebrow at Buffy

Buffy ignored his last comment with a sniff, “you fought the Nazis with Angel?” she asked.

“Actually fought em before Peaches and I were stuck in the sardine can, I’m British,” Spike answered defensively.

“But you were a bad boy then?” Buffy teased.

“Yeah, but those German pillocks were the enemy, Dru and I had a grand time behind enemy lines.” Spike smiled nostalgically at the hunts he and his Dark Princess had been involved with.

“But…”

“Hush luv, lemme tell you some stories,” Spike released his death grip on the seat’s arm and turned his hand and linked fingers with Buffy. For the next few hours he entertained Buffy and Tara with his exploits during the 40s. Both girls exchanged knowing grins, glad that they had managed to distract Spike from his fear of flying.

*************

“You think they’ll be okay?” Connor squinted through the gates, trying to catch a glimpse of the three blondes as they disappeared onto the plane.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine Connor. Come on, lets get back to the hotel and see how your dad’s doing,” Fred wrapped her arm around Connor’s thin shoulders. She knew he didn’t want them to go, not so soon after discovering them and bonding with all of them. Spike and Buffy’s vibrancy had brought Connor to life. He had started to come out of his shell with their teasing and camaraderie, his sullenness had been replaced with smiles and he had cautiously began to step out of his room to interact with the others in his family. Fred looked down at Connor and gave him a squeeze, something he had never allowed her to do before.

“I’ll miss Tara, she was really nice to me,” Connor whispered as he scuffed the toe of his boot on the floor. He had found Tara’s presence comforting, almost motherly. He hated that she was so distressed by Willow and wanted to help, but instinctively knew that she had to face this rite of passage herself.

Angel had been unable to leave his bed to see off his newly reclaimed Childe, Buffy and Tara. They had said their farewells at the hotel and left with Angel’s warning of being careful and not to trust anyone ringing in their ears. The dark haired vampire had made them promise to call for anything.

With one last look at the plane taxiing away Fred, Gunn and Connor exited LAX and headed back to the Hyperion.

***********

Wes flipped through the photocopied pages of the Codex.

“Find anything new?” Anya asked from her position behind the cash till.

“Nothing much, there is a reference to a text, which unfortunately the Council have the only surviving copy of…”

“Really?” Anya slipped round and clattered over to the research table. “May I?” She sat down and frowned at Wes’s cramped notes, “I might be able to find it in another dimension. You never know.”

“Indeed,” Wes slipped the relevant papers over to Anya.

She sat down and began to read the translated Codex. A faint frown of concentration marred her forehead. Wes surreptitiously watched the ex-demon read.

“Hey there, Ahn.” Xander entered the Magic Box and jogged down to the table. “Watcher Man,” he nodded to Wes and sat down. Xander stared at Anya waiting for her to respond, his grin faltered when she glanced up and nodded at him with a small smile, before turning back to the papers.

Xander visibly deflated. He had decided to try and be happy Xander – despite their being on a break. The wave of relief that had flooded him when he and Anya had talked had surprised him, but he realised she had been right. But after a nights sleep he was unsure – he wanted her. He knew he was wavering from one extreme to the next, but he couldn’t help it…

Wes watched the byplay between the two estranged lovers, unsure what to say. He and Groo had been unwilling witnesses to their mutual decision to take things slow. He had been mildly surprised that Anya had returned her engagement ring to Xander. From what he had deduced, Anya had placed great stock in their engagement. But she had realised belatedly that Xander’s proposal had been impulsive and he had not thought through the ramifications. It had been the support of Tara, Dawn and Buffy that had given her the strength to step back before either of them had been hurt or destroyed by their actions. Unknown to Wesley, it had also been his and Groo’s friendship that had helped Anya to be strong enough to realise that she and Xander were ‘rushing in where angels feared to tread’.

Xander had been visibly relieved when she had returned his ring. His poorly concealed relief had caused Anya’s mouth to tighten briefly and she had realised that like her, Xander was not ready to get married. She had managed to remain civil towards him since their dramatic decision. The ex-demon had mourned their parting and was gradually getting better, from her talks with Wes and Groo she had realised it would take time, but she would be all right.

They both would be.

Xander on the other hand had started to regret that he had accepted the ring back and was hoping to rekindle their relationship. But he wasn’t having much success, unlike the Slaying. He, Groo and Wes had patrolled every night and were keeping a handle on the demon and vamp situation in Sunnydale. Xander was amazed at the energy that Buffy had, going out there every night and fighting for no reason except it was the right thing to do…her calling.

He even had admitted to himself that Spike was a big help. Xander had never thought that he would have a positive thought about the blond vamp. Xander smiled to himself, ‘watch out, Xanman. You might be growing up here…’ he grudgingly admitted to himself. He knew that he and Spike wouldn’t be bestest pals, but if the peroxide menace came back, they might eventually become reluctant allies. Especially if the Buffster decided to carry on seeing the Chipless Wonder…

************

“He made you swim twenty miles?” Tara’s voice was filled with shock. “But you could’ve been incinerated by the sun!”

Spike tapped her nose gently, “yeah, I could’ve been, but I’m a tough bastard.”

“What happened to the other vamp? The one Angel turned.” Buffy was in shock. Angel had turned someone when he had a soul. She never thought he would’ve done that. She sighed as another scale dropped from her eyes. ‘It sucks growing up…’ she pouted.

Spike watched the play of thoughts that ran across Buffy’s face; he knew that Angel turning the Submarine Boy would be another shock, but he knew that she could cope. “Dunno what happened to the fledge, never even caught his name.”

Tara yawned and rested her head against the window.

“Tired, Colomba?”

She nodded sleepily.

“Get some shut eye, luv.” Spike turned to Buffy, “you too, Sunshine.”

Buffy curled up against his side. During Spike’s storytelling she had pushed the dividing arm up so that she could get closer to her vamp. Nudging her head against his shoulder Buffy sighed happily. Despite all the recent upheaval, leaving Sunnydale, LA and heading to London, she was content. Spike was next to her and his familiar scent lulled her off into the land of nod.

Spike glanced over at Tara who was snoring softly and his harsh features softened. Resting his head on Buffy’s he exhaled loudly and stretched his legs out as far as he could. Still hated flying but the scent of his girl flooded his senses and it calmed him. He snuffled his nose into her hair and sighed happily.

Within moments he was asleep.

**********

“Dad?” Connor nudged the door open and peeked into Angel’s room.

“Come in, son.” Angel gingerly pushed himself up and rested against the headboard of his bed. He gestured for Connor to come join him. “They get off safely?”

Connor nodded as he settled on the bed. “Yeah, was kinda sad seeing them go…” he sighed. Connor had gotten used to having the dynamic couple being around; Buffy and Spike had accepted him as family without question. Something he had not known he craved. He had been intrigued with their energy and obvious love for each other. He and Spike had become close in the few short days that the vampire had been around. When they had left, Spike had promised to return and show Connor the sights and demons of Sunnydale. Connor had been intrigued by the idea of a Hellmouth and was itching to visit.

Connor had also enjoyed Tara’s gentle nature and her company, in just a few days she had mothered him and won his heart. It was through her astute questioning that he had finally revealed that he wanted to go to school, mix with normal kids and just belong. Something that Connor had never had during his stint in Quortoth. The three Sunnydale natives had managed in just a short time to turn his life around and show him that there was more to living than the constant fight. There was school, friends and family.

But most importantly Spike had returned his father to him. For that alone Connor owed him a debt that he could never repay. He felt that persuading Spike to get the chip out had gone a long way in covering his debt, but Connor wanted more for his pseudo Nephew

“You okay?” Angel folded his arms across his chest and frowned at his silent son. He could see that something was bothering him.

“What? Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just miss them and I wanted to do something to help…”

Angel reached out and gripped Connor’s arm. “You did help, and don’t worry about them, Spike’ll keep them safe.”

Connor nodded, “yeah, he can now. Weird thing is, I should be staking vamps and not releasing them into the wild. Holtz must be turning in his grave!”

Angel grimaced at the memory of Holtz for a brief moment and then grinned again. “We did the right thing. I never thought I’d say this, but Spike’s changed, he’s…”

“Fighting for the good guys,” Connor interrupted with a grin.

Angel nodded, “yeah, who woulda thought?”

“Seems like the love of a good woman put him on the right track.” Connor replied.

Angel waited for the expected pang of pain at his son’s words and was surprised that it was faint and bearable. “Buffy is amazing.”

“Yeah, she is. I like her,” Connor added.

“I noticed,” Angel teased.

“Not like that, yeesh, she’s family, that’s gross!” Connor flushed red.

“She is family, isn’t she?” Angel grinned at his embarrassed son. Angel was thrilled that he was free from his watery prison and able to tease his son.

“Like Spike?” Connor hesitantly asked.

Surprisingly, Angel nodded, “yes, like Spike.”

“Spike’ll be able to protect Tara now right? Cos I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her, she was good to me. Healed me and helped me…”

“Connor, it’s okay. Spike will bring them both back safely…” Angel blinked his eyes and then his body jerked backwards. A raft of images filled his mind.

Buffy and Spike fighting in a cemetery.

Tara and Willow arguing angrily. The Red-headed Wiccan had black eyes.

Incredible pain and then nothing.

A complete blackness that filled his mind.

“Ahh…” Angel yelled as his brain overloaded and he jolted backwards, away from Connor’s grasping hands.

“Dad! Dad? Are you okay?” Connor yelled. He grabbed for Angel’s convusingly body. He turned his head towards the door. “Somebody help us!”

There was a clatter of feet as Gunn, Fred and Lorne rushed into the suite. They all screeched to a halt at the sight of Angel’s spasming body.

“Oh my…” Fred whispered.

“Angel?” Gunn stepped forward.

“Is he having a vision? You know, like Cordy did…uh does…” Lorne’s red eyes flickered from Connor to Angel.

Angel groaned and sat up. He let Connor steady him. Rubbing his head he looked up at his friends. “Ouch…what happened?”

“You okay Dad?”

“I’m all right, Connor.” Angel squeezed Connor’s shoulder as he pulled himself up.

“What happened?” Fred asked nervously. “Cos you kinda looked like Cordy did when she had a vision.”

Angel paled even more, when the ramifications of what had happened sunk in. “I saw Buffy and Spike fighting, Tara and Willow yelling at each other…then there was great pain and blackness. I think…I had a vision.”

Lorne sipped from his ever-present glass, “but, if you’re having visions, then that might mean…” he trailed off, not wanting to be the one to voice what everyone else was thinking.

“It means that Cordy isn’t coming back,” Angel whispered. “Not if I’m…”

“A seer?” Fred asked anxiously.

***********

Xander squinted through his fringe and slipped the stake he had tucked into his waistband out and held it loosely in his hand. He could see Wes’s crossbow peeking over the edge of the Mausoleum- the Watcher had taken the higher spot for this ambush. Groo was stationed across from Xander; they were waiting for a group of vamps that had sired several fledges and buried them in one spot. Clem had overheard them celebrating their newest additions to the family and had called Groo immediately. The saggy skinned demon was unsure as to how many – only that there were a lot.

‘Man, this is when we need Buffy and Spike!’ Xander thought ruefully. When ten vampires appeared in the cemetery and headed noisily over to the freshly interred graves yelling and shouting as they stumbled drunkenly around the tombstones. ‘At least Clem managed to get them drunk for us.’ The wrinkly demon had offered to buy the vamps a few rounds of drinks to help out.

The vamps arrived and were standing in the centre of the trap set by the three men..

There was a whiz and thunk as Wes fired off his first shot. One of the vamps dissolved into dust – the others were too drunk to notice. Not until Groo appeared and decapitated two of them in one swing.

Xander leapt out with a yell and staked one in the back.

The fight continued for a few minutes. Wesley’s accurate shots taking out any of the vampires who tried to sneak up behind Groo or Xander.

‘Oh man, I am gonna feel this in the am!’ Xander thought as his head cracked into a tombstone. He felt blood seep down his face as he pushed himself up and turned to stake his attacker. He could see Groo slicing and dicing to his left and Wesley was now standing up and firing at the remaining vamps. Within moments they were all dust.

“Xander, are you okay?” Wesley called as he climbed down from the mausoleum.

Xander mopped the cut with his sleeve, “yeah, I’ll fine, thanks man.”

“Well fought my friends,” Groo added gravely as he scanned the mounds to see if there was any movement.

“Heads up, guys, here come the baby vamps!” Xander warned as the first of the fledges began to push it’s way through the dirt covering it.


*********

Spike woke when the airhostess appeared with their breakfast; he and the girls had managed to sleep for about seven hours.

He nudged Buffy awake and helped her sit up. Both of them were cramped and achy from their awkward positions. Both of them unused to being so still for so long – they were active beings and being cramped up in such a small space was wearing on them. Spike was also suffering from sexual frustration, being this close to his Slayer and not being able to play was driving him batty, but out of respect for Colomba he had reigned in his raging libido and been a gent. It didn’t help when he had a warm sleepy Slayer draped over him but he had managed.

Tara yawned and stretched and gratefully accepted the tray from the airhostess with a smile.

“What is this?” Buffy prodded at her scrambled eggs and wrinkled her nose. Dropping her fork she grabbed her orange juice and gulped it down.

“How much longer to till we land?” Spike asked as he accepted his tray of food.

“A few hours, Sir. Would any of you like coffee or tea?” the Barbie wanna be asked perkily.


****************

Xander chopped off the head of the final fledgling as it was pulling itself out of the ground. “It’s fun getting them before they can kick the crap outta me!” he exclaimed as he handed the sword back to Groo.

Wesley smiled over at Xander as he slung his crossbow over his shoulder. “Yes, infinitely more preferable!” He chuckled at Xander, finding a camaraderie with the remaining original Scoobie- both of them had initially been useless in a fight, but with time and practise they had improved.

“You both acquitted yourselves admirably, my friends!” Groo smiled broadly. “So, shall we retire? It looks like the sun will be rising soon.”

The other two nodded and they joined Groo as he headed out of the cemetery.

Xander rolled his shoulders and tried to ease the tension across them. The fight had helped put Anya out of his mind for a while, but now as he walked, he began to dwell on her again. Looking down he noticed his shoelace had come undone in the scuffle. He knelt and quickly tied it. He glanced up to call to the others to wait for him and his eyes widened in shock. He leapt up, “NO!”

Throwing himself at Wesley, he managed to push the startled man aside and into Groo, they fell in a tangle of arms and legs.

Xander threw himself at the massive warty, stinky demon, which had nearly killed Wesley with his claws and wrestled with him. Xander felt a burning sensation in his back and gritted his teeth. He swung a punch at the olive skinned demon and caught it in the temple, or what he thought was its temple. A jolt of pain shot up his arm; Xander groaned and tried to pull away from the demon’s arms but failed as it held him tight.

Xander grunted as the demon arms banded around his back; he could feel his ribs move and wondered briefly how much it would hurt if he broke all his ribs in one go.

Wesley and Groo managed to untangle themselves and launched an attack at the hulking demon, which seemed to be holding Xander in a not so friendly bear hug. Its claws were embedded in Xander’s back and blood was pouring down his legs and pooling at his feet.

Groo ran around to the back of the demon and swung his sword at its head. Wesley reached for Xander and tried to pull him free, but the demon’s claws were too deeply embedded. His hands scrabbled at the demon’s blood soaked claws. Xander slumped in its grip, finally succumbing to the bliss of unconsciousness.

Suddenly Xander was in Wesley’s arms and the demon’s head flew off to the right.

Xander’s eyes fluttered open and a lopsided grin ghosted over his lips. “Ow?” With that he passed out…


********

“Ladies and Gentleman, please return your seats to the upright position and ensure that your seatbelts are secured and you have returned you seats to the upright position. We are approaching London Heathrow. The weather forecast for London is cloudy and the temp is 15 degrees.”

Spike snorted and woke. He yawned and stretched. He ran is hand over Buffy’s fair head, she was curled up awkwardly on her chair with her head in his lap. “Wake up, luv,” he whispered.

“Mmmm,” Buffy sat up and stretched. She smoothed her hair down and smiled sleepily at Spike. “You okay?”

“Yeah, pet, I’m okay.” Spike reached over and poked Tara in the side, “up and at em, Colomba.”

Tara batted Spike’s finger away and opened her eyes, giving him the hairy eyeball. “You always so cheerful when you wake up?”

“Yeah, he is,” Buffy grumbled good-naturedly as she poked Spike hard in the ribs. “Leave Tara alone, Spikey!”

Spike squirmed away from the tiny Slayer fingers that were drilling into his side. A sound that suspiciously resembled a giggle escaped his lips. “Gerroff Slayer, or I’ll check if the chip really is out!”

Tara’s eyes widened. “You mean, you haven’t tried out your freedom?”

Spike and Buffy exchanged sheepish looks.

“Well, we were going to then something came up,” Buffy explained.

“Too right something came up,” Spike ran his tongue along the back of his teeth and smirked at Buffy, who blushed bright red.

“So Fred and I de-chip you and then the two of you stayed in bed for the last three days?” Tara asked in an awe filled voice.

Spike ran his fingers over the completely healed patch on his head; “she wanted to play nurse…” he trailed off suggestively with a wicked glint in his blue eyes.

“Hey, less with the sharing, chipless!” Buffy gently thumped Spike on the shoulder.

“And you didn’t have a nibble?” Tara examined Buffy’s neck for bite marks.

Spike cracked his neck and looked down his nose at Tara- he tried to look angry but failed miserably. He couldn’t get mad at his girl; he smiled at Tara, “wouldn’t bite my Slayer unless she asked me too.”

Buffy laced her fingers through Spike’s and squeezed gently. “Love you too, Spike.” She leant over and pressed a gentle but lingering kiss to his full lips.

Tara reached over and rubbed Spike’s curly head. “You’re a true gentleman, Spike.”

Spike broke his kiss and rolled his eyes at Tara. “Am not.”

“Are too!” Tara teasingly replied.

“Am not!” Spike rumbled

“You so are!” Buffy added her two pennyworths.

Spike sighed and looked down into Buffy’s hazel eyes and sighed. “Well, I’m trying too…”

“You can disembark now.” A stewardess stepped up to their seats and smiled at the three travellers.

“We’ve landed already?” Spike craned his neck and stared out at the tarmac. “That’s bloody brilliant! Didn’t even feel a thing!” He unbuckled his seatbelt, reaching over he undid Buffy’s and Tara’s and helped them to their feet. “Ladies, shall we?”

With that the three blonds exited the plane.

********

“So what now?” Buffy wilted against Spike as she stared at the long queue at the taxi rank. Tara sat tiredly on their luggage, her chin resting in her hand.

“We get a cab.” Spike wrapped his arm around Buffy’s waist and held her against his hip. “Come on, girls.” He pulled Tara to her feet and grabbed the three rucksacks and shouldered them easily. He pulled Buffy along and they joined the queue. “You know, I never had to get in line when I was the Scourge of Europe,” Spike muttered to Buffy.

The couple standing in front of them turned around and stared at Spike. Taking in his punk outfit and the two girls hanging on his arms they blinked and smiled weakly before turning back. “These British types are weird,” the man hissed at his wife in a strong German accent.

Buffy rolled her eyes at her preening Vampire.

Half an hour later Spike pulled open the door to the black cab and helped the two tired girls into it’s depths.

“Where to, mate?” the cab driver called through the glass partition.

“Avonmore Hotel, West Ken,” Spike called back as he settled back with a groan.

“Right you are…” with that the cab shot forward and pulled out into the traffic. “Posh digs that place, nice and central,” the driver threw over his shoulder as he pulled onto the M4 and began to weave through the traffic.

Tara gripped onto the strap and watched wide eyed as the countryside flashed past at an alarming speed. Buffy pressed her face against the glass and squeaked at the lush green landscape. “It’s so green!”

“Sure is, miss. You American?” The driver called through the intercom as he deftly dodged past a lorry with a dramatic swerve.

Buffy slammed into Spike and steadied herself on his thigh. “Yup, all American gal here.”

“First time in the UK?”

“Yeah, William here is British though.” Buffy pointed at the now dozing Spike

“That right?”

Buffy nodded.

“You should get him to take you on the London Eye, you get a fab view of the Old Smoke if the weather’s good,” the cabbie suggested as he hurtled down the motorway.

“We’ll try.” Buffy smiled at the friendly driver and turned back to look out of the window. In the distance she could see buildings. “That London?”

“Outskirts of, love. Gets more interesting further in,” the driver supplied as he pulled onto the flyover.

A large orange neon sign flashing the time and the local temperature whizzed past Buffy’s eyes.


***********

“Wake up guys, we’re here!” Buffy bounced excitedly. Her eyes were wide as she stared out at the row of Victorian buildings. The Hotel was painted white and had a flag flying from the balcony. “Wow!”

The cabbie pulled in and turned to smile at the excited blonde. “You like the look of it?” he gestured to the buildings.

Buffy nodded. “Yeah, it’s lovely here.”

Spike woke with a snort, “we there yet?”

“Jet lag getting to you?” Buffy teased.

Spike reached into his duster and pulled out a handle full of notes and handed them through the partition. “Thanks, mate.” He turned to Tara and prodded her gently, “Glinda, wake up, we’re here.”

Buffy waved as the friendly cabbie pulled away, before turning and following Spike and Tara up the set of stairs. She bumped into Tara who had stopped to stare at the Antique decorated reception. The two girls exchanged awe-filled looks. Spike sauntered over to the desk and spoke to the concierge.

“It’s gorgeous!” Tara whispered unnecessarily.

“Come on doves, our rooms are ready.” Spike came over and offered his arms to the two women and they followed the bellboy up the wide stairs.

Buffy tripped over her feet as she stared up at the massive rock crystal chandelier that hung over their heads. Spike caught her before she face planted into the carpet. “Eyes forward luv.”

***********

“Get some sleep, Tara, and we’ll see you in the am.” Spike placed the Wiccans’ rucksack inside the door to her room. “We’re across the hall from you if you need anything.” Spike nodded and disappeared out into the hall.

Tara shrugged off her coat and collapsed on the large four-poster bed. The minute her head hit the pillow she was fast asleep.

Buffy turned from the open window and smiled at Spike as he shut the door behind him. “Tara okay?”

“Fast asleep, as you should be.” Spike pulled off his duster and tossed it onto the Louis XVI armchair. He looked around the lavishly decorated room, “nice digs…”

“It’s stunning,” Buffy breathed.

“Only the best for you, my love.” Spike wrapped his arms around her small form and lifted her up. “Come on, lets get you to bed.”

tbc

Chapter 23

Buffy licked her lips, her pupils dilated. "Hmm, sounds good!" she slipped her hand between them and roughly massaged Spike's rapidly hardening cock through his jeans.

"Ah, now none of that. When I said bed, I meant sleep, you must be knackered." Spike groaned.

"But Spike, I wanna play!" Buffy pouted up at him.

"Are you trying to seduce me, Ms Summers?"

"Is it working?" Buffy asked. She wanted to reconnect with Spike, being snuggled up on the plane for some long and unable to indulge herself had played havoc on her hormones. She wanted her vamp now!

Spike's eyes flashed gold and he growled at the coy young thing in his arms.

"Ohh, is the big bad wolf gonna get me?" Buffy squeaked and pulled away as she back-pedalled away from Spike.

"Too right he's gonna get you, luv." Spike prowled after Buffy as she ran into the bedroom. "And he's gonna eat you all up!"

"Promise?" Buffy called as she leapt onto the massive oak four-poster bed that stood in the centre of the room. She kicked her shoes off and wriggled out of her jeans. She tossed them at Spike and then yanked her halter-top off and threw it to the floor.

Spike easily caught her jeans and raised them to his face and sniffed appreciatively. He had been aching for her from the moment she had snuggled up against him on the plane, but had managed to resist out of respect for Tara. Also he knew if they had tried to join the Mile High club then the entire plane would have known. His girl was a screamer!

"Spike, why are you sniffing my jeans when you could be over here sniffing me?" Buffy slid under the crisp linen sheets; she wriggled around and then twirled her panties on her finger.

"Aren't you a little minx, all hot and flushed waiting for me," Spike rumbled as he rapidly stripped. He ran his hand down his chest and wrapped his fingers around his erection. He pumped it idly as he approached the bed.

"Why don't you let me do that, honey?" Buffy flipped back the sheets revealing her naked form to his appreciative eyes.

Spike pounced onto the bed and playfully bounced up and down. He eyed Buffy's breasts as they jiggled up and down as she was jostled by his playful antics. She giggled loudly at Spike's antics.

Spike's eyes darkened with desire and he pulled Buffy into his arms. His hands ran over her curves as he kissed the hollow of her throat.

Buffy pushed his hands away and flipped them over so that she was straddling him. Spike looked up at his siren and tucked his hands under his head. His actions stretching and defining the muscles in his torso, his pale skin contrasting with the dusky pink of his nipples. Buffy eyed the delicious feast stretched out under her and sighed happily.

She reached down and ran her nails over his pecs, leaving faint red welts in their trail.

"Slayer..." Spike growled and shifted restlessly under her. His eyes rolled up at the sensation of her wet folds rubbing against his stomach. His cock hardened even more and rubbed insistently against Buffy's soft backside, trying to find her warm depths. Spike slid one hand out from under his head and reached for Buffy's waist.

"My turn to play, Spike!" Buffy batted his wandering hand away and leant over and sucked gently on his Adam's apple.

Spike gritted his teeth and tried to lie still under his lady's ministrations. He began to pant softly as Buffy's lips trailed up and down his throat, kissing and biting as they went. A groan escaped his parted lips and Spike's eyes fluttered shut. Buffy paused at the hollow of his throat and sucked it hard. She was desperate to claim the vampire who was between her legs and purring like a wild cat, but she wanted it to be perfect. Right now was about them reconnecting, nothing more. Well that, and she wanted to see if she could drive him wild!

"Aren't you glad Whistler cleared up any worries about Dawn seeing you like this?" Buffy teased as she ground down on his twitching stomach, smearing her wetness against him.

Spike's eyes snapped open and he growled; Buffy squirmed against his body as she felt the vibrations against her core. "Don't even joke about it, Slayer...that's just rank!" Spike glared up at the giggling mess of a girl on his stomach. "C'mere," he reached up and grabbed Buffy's shoulders and pulled her down to face him. "Don't." He kissed her forehead. "Ever." Spike ran his tongue down her cheekbone. "Do," he kissed the tip of her nose. "That...again." Spike captured her soft lips and kissed her hard.

His hands slid down her back, mapping the soft skin with his calloused fingers, until his hands rested on her round backside. Spike gave the silken globes a teasing squeeze. Grasping her hips he gently slid her down until the tip of his cock was pressed against her clit.

His fangs began to push through and his eyes darkened with lust as he forced his fangs to behave.

He shivered as Buffy's fingers teased his nipples scratching and circling them with her sharp fingernails. Her mouth was busy nibbling Spike's earlobe. Her small white even teeth tugged on it and then released the soft pink flesh with a loud slurp. Buffy ran her tongue along Spike's cheekbone, lingering in the hollow of his cheek.

Spike rumbled happily as she caught his lips in a deep kiss, her tongue dancing erotically with his. Spike rocked his hips upwards gently. The mushroom shaped tip of his erection rubbed against Buffy's aroused nubbin, sending sparks of pleasure up both their spines.

"Rock back against me, luv," Spike whispered against her full lips.

"I love you, Spike," Buffy whispered back as she slowly rolled her clit against his cock. Buffy could feel Spike's cock spreading her soaked lips and slid back and forth between them, with each stroke teasing her erect nubbin. Looking down, she watched mesmerised at the sight of his cock between her inner lips, clear drops of precum bubbling out and mixing in with her juices.

She could feel a burning warmth in the depth of her stomach building up. Until she threw her head back and sighed as a gentle but strong climax shuddered through her body, now slick with sweat.

Spike watched her come undone through slitted eyes that were darkened with lust.

"That's it, luv, come for me..." he trailed off as Buffy collapsed on his chest panting. He shifted slightly and tried not to whimper as his hardening cock slid between Buffy's soaked folds. He wanted...no needed to sink into her welcoming depths.

Buffy lifted her head and blew her hair off her face; her eyes were slumberous with spent passion. "You okay down there?"

"Buffy...luv...let me in please..." Spike was not above using Dawn's patented puppy dog eyes, and he used his baby blues to devastating effect on the still shuddering woman sprawled over him. Spike's hands rubbed up and down her spine, his long elegant fingers rubbing her ribs and occasionally sliding around and teasing the plump sides of her breasts.

Buffy wriggled slightly as he caught a ticklish spot, pressing her hard nipples into his chest.

"Stop squirming around and hop on, pet," Spike growled impatiently.

Buffy propped herself up on Spike's chest and gave him the hairy eyeball, "crude much?"

Spike curled his tongue against his teeth and waggled his eyebrows. "Yep, and that's why you love me!" He thrust his hips upwards against Buffy's heated core.

Buffy struggled up and sat down hard on Spike's groin and slapped him hard on his chest. "Ick!"

"That's right, just lift up a bit and lemme in woman...ouch!" Spike yelped as Buffy twisted his erect nipples hard.

"Just for that!" Buffy reached over Spike's head to grab something. Her movements offered Spike's mouth two tasty targets, which he happily began to suck on. "Ooohhh..." Buffy moaned happily as Spike licked and sucked her reddened nipples, her hands were busy above his head, as she pressed her chest against Spike's more than willing mouth.

"Ah ha! Got 'em." With that Buffy straightened and her left nipple slipped out of Spike's ravenous mouth with an audible pop.

"Oi! Gimme..." Spike pouted up at Buffy as his hands dropped on either side of his head.

Buffy eyed his pouting face. "Big baby!"

She leant over him; Spike mouthed the underside of her breasts, savouring the soft white flesh. He licked and sucked his way back to her erect nipples and began to feast on them with a happy rumble.

Buffy's eyes crossed at his enthusiastic ministrations and tried to focus on her plan. Her fingers shook as she caressed Spike's inner wrists; his fingers clenched and released sporadically. She tightened her legs against his waist and ground down on his twitching abdomen.

Spike inhaled deeply, taking in Buffy's arousal and the sweet scent of her flesh, which was coated with a fine sheen of moisture. Distracted by these heady aroma's, Spike didn't feel the silk cords wrapping around his wrists until Buffy tightened the knots, securing him to the posts.

Spike's eyes opened at the sensation of the silken tiebacks securing him to the posts at the head of the bed. He peered up between Buffy's breasts and arched an inquisitive brow at his grinning lover. "What are you up to, my naughty l'il Slayer?" His sapphire blue eyes twinkled with wickedness and anticipation; his hips rocked upwards in anticipation.

Buffy slid off Spike's body with a whimper.

"Buffy, where are you going?" Spike wrapped his hands around the cords and pulled them experimentally. He could break out of them easily but decided not too. The vampire wanted to see where she was leading with her games. Until now they had not really played any games and to have Buffy initiate one was titillating and filling him with excitement. "Come back, sweetness. S I'm cold without your heat wrapped around me..." he purred, trying to entice her back.

"Stop with the seduction, Spike! I'm a sure thing," Buffy grinned impishly. Her eyes ran appreciatively down his stretched torso, the lines of his muscles were curved as he pulled playfully against the ropes.

"You are? Good, then hop on the not-so-little Spike, nice and gentle though, don't want to bruise the goods." Spike thrust his hips upwards. His cock was coated in Buffy's arousal and curved upwards onto his stomach.

Buffy shook her head, "No uh! I wanna play." She pointed her finger accusingly at Spike. "And with no interruptions, this is my turn to see if I can make you squeal!"

"Well, you just sound so cute when I make you squeal that's why I like doing it so much," Spike teased. He settled back onto the soft mattress and wriggled his eyebrows. "Do you worst, Slayer!"? He taunted.

Buffy's eyebrows shot up. "Well, that's a challenge I really, really am gonna have to take you up on!" With that she leapt off the bed and pattered across the bedroom then disappeared into the sitting room.

"Hey, come back, no fair!" Spike craned his neck to watch her lush backside wriggle as she ran. "What are you doing?"

"Need supplies." Her muffled response came through the doorway. Spike saw her run past the open doorway holding something. "Ah ha! Got 'em!" Buffy reappeared in the doorway holding an ice bucket in one hand while her other hand was hidden behind her back. She sauntered back to the bed and climbed on. Buffy dropped the ice bucket on the bedside table, but she still had her other hand hidden behind her back.

"What yah got hidden there, Sunshine?" Spike's curiosity was peaked. He wondered what his girl had up her metaphorical sleeve; seeing that she was as naked as the day she was born.

Buffy sucked her lower lip coyly and blinked innocently down at Spike. "Something for later..."

"Okay then, tantalise away..." Spike closed his eyes with a sigh.

Buffy crawled to the foot of the bed and tucked away her surprise behind her. Reaching out, she grasped Spike's right foot and began to massage it, working her way slowly upwards until she reached the crease of his hip. She deftly avoided his inner thighs. Spike moaned happily as she began on his left foot and worked her way upwards again. She savoured the sensation of his soft hair against the palms of her hands as she slid inwards and began to rub Spike's now shaking inner thighs. His cock jerked upwards and a drop of cum smeared on his stomach. Buffy ran her hands around his groin enjoying the sensation of Spike's soft skin under her hands.

Spike shivered as Buffy began to gently rub his sides, her touch was soft and gentle as she explored every inch of his twitching skin. Buffy straddled his thighs and began to gently massage his chest. Her fingers lingered on his erect nipples. Unable to resist, she leaned over and sucked gently at one and then the other. Lifting her head she blew on them and watched as they tightened even more. "That feel nice?" she asked curiously. Buffy knew that she enjoyed when Spike teased her breasts and nipples and wanted to know if it felt as good for him as it did for her.

"Luv, you're killing me...don't stop..." Spike panted. His eyes were screwed shut and the cords in his neck stood out in relief.

"You likes?" Buffy teased as she rubbed herself against his furred thigh. The friction against her hot core was wonderful.

Spike nodded his head. "You know you could try that technique a bit lower, though..." he asked hopefully.

Buffy eyed his engorged cock and her mouth watered. "Maybe later." She rose and reached her hand into the bucket and fished out a handful of ice. The cold water ran down her forearm and dripped onto the bed linen.

Spike cracked his eyes open slightly to see what she was up to.

Buffy's face was a study in concentration as she ran the ice cubes down his bound arms and swirled the cube in the hollow of his neck. Buffy leant over and licked the water up, lapping at him like a kitten. "You taste sooo good..." she cooed as her tongue ran across Spike's collarbone. Buffy reached over and grabbed a handful of melting ice cubes and rubbed them across and down Spike's torso. She watched fascinated as goose bumps appeared in their wake.

"Wow, I didn't know you could feel the cold like that!" Buffy leant over and kissed Spike's open mouth he whimpered and then tangled his tongue with hers. She lingered for a long time, exploring his lips and mouth with her warm tongue.

Buffy pulled away reluctantly and watched the satisfied expression on Spike's face. She wryly noted his clenched fists around the silken ropes; his knuckles were white under the pressure. 'Time to make him squeal...'

Buffy slid between Spike's legs; her hands urged them further apart as she settled on her knees. Buffy reached out and cradled Spike's balls in one hand; she cupped them gently enjoying the feel of them against her skin. Spike's heels scrabbled against the mattress and then he bent his knees.

"Oh luv, please stop..." he whimpered.

Buffy ignored him as she carefully rolled them in her hand. Unable to resist, she leant over and pressed an open-mouthed kiss on them. She had never had a chance to explore any of her previous lover's bodies; Spike's openness in the bedroom had been a revelation to the young woman.

'Oh Christ, she's trying to swallow me whole...' Spike nearly screamed at the sensation of Buffy sucking and licking his balls. His eye's snapped open when the finger's holding his balls inadvertently rubbed behind them. The electric sensation caused him to arch his back and pull against his bonds.

Buffy watched his reaction through half closed eyes as she savoured the rough texture of the skin in her mouth. She wriggled her fingers experimentally and watched in awe as Spike gritted his teeth and groaned loudly. His back arched even more, thrusting his balls into her welcoming mouth.

Spike was caught up in the heat of her mouth and the erotic tongue bath Buffy was giving him. His buttocks clenched as he spread his legs further apart to allow her access. "Don't stop...god, don't stop..." his cock jerked with every stroke of her tongue. He gazed down his body; Spike's eyes were locked on the blonde head between his legs.

Buffy reluctantly sat up and licked her lips. Her fingers tickled Spike's inner thighs as she eyed her next target. Briefly their eyes locked and Buffy gasped at the golden flecks that shot through Spike's lust darkened eyes. "You enjoying this?" she asked unnecessarily.

"You're trying to dust me, aren't you?" Spike panted.

Buffy rolled her eyes at the tense vampire spread out below her. "Relax, Spike!"

"Relax? Are you insane woman...argh!" Spike yelped as Buffy's hot tongue ran the length of his cock. His eyes crossed and he finally gave in and squeaked but in a very manly way.

Buffy sat up and did a victory jiggle, "I win, you squeaked!"

Spike opened his eyes, "I'll tan your pert little bottom if you don't...gah!"

Buffy wrapped her fingers around the base of Spike's cock, and in an expert move, swallowed his length down her throat. It had taken several attempts in the past for her to be able to take his entire length down her throat, but now she could if she concentrated and relaxed her throat muscles. Buffy looked up at Spike's face through her lashes and was transfixed by the bright blue eyes staring back at her. Spike's mouth worked soundlessly as she began to move her head slowly up and down.

Buffy could feel Spike's cock pulsing against her tongue as she rolled it against the underside she pulled back until only the head was in her mouth and Buffy teased it with the tip of her tongue.

Spike growled and his fangs dropped slightly as he pulled his hands free. Reaching down he pulled Buffy away from his cock and flipped them over. Spike nestled between Buffy's thighs, his cock brushing against her opening.

"No fair, I was playing..." Buffy whispered against his cheek after nibbling Spike's sharp cheekbone.

"Play time is over, luv," Spike moaned as his cock nudged against her inner lips. Shifting slightly, he slid home. Buffy rocked her hips upwards until Spike sank into her soaked depths. He stretched her inner walls as he wriggled his hips from side to side, trying to sink even further. The feather Buffy had dropped at the foot of the bed floated to the floor forgotten.

Spike mentally counted backwards, trying to control himself. Buffy's games had pushed him to the limit and he was about to explode in her welcoming channel.

Buffy stared up at her beloved demon even in game face he was handsome there was something leonine about his vampire face, feral and wild. She reached up and ran her fingers over his furrowed brow and down his nose, which she pushed slightly. Finally her fingers reached their target, his fangs. Spike shuddered as she rubbed down his sensitive incisors and then he roared as she pricked her index finger on one and slipped it into his gaping mouth. Her rich blood hit his tongue and he swallowed, he could feel her inside and out now. His cock hardened even more with the aphrodisiac Slayer blood that pooled in his mouth.

He swallowed with a shudder. Her gift of her blood had humbled him.

"Spike, you still in there?" Buffy whispered. Spike was frozen on top of her and, to be honest, she was aching for him to move. Her arousal had been peeked by their blood play and the teasing from earlier and if Spike didn't move she was worried she may die from anticipation.

Spike blinked and looked down at his Slayer, who was spread out under him and impaled on his cock. Her eyes were glittering with lust and her mouth was open as she panted and wriggled under him. He couldn't move if he did he was worried he'd come like a spotty git, without seeing to his girl. "Gimme a sec, darling..." he muttered and then winced when her muscles gripped his cock and he arched his back, thrusting in deeper.

Buffy huffed and slid her hand between them and searched for her clit. With a sigh of relief she began to rub it with her still bleeding index finger. Sparks of pleasure filled her as she began to climb towards her second orgasm.

Spike sniffed the air and then looked down. He gasped at the sight of Buffy pleasuring herself while she was impaled on his cock. He could see her blood coating their joining and that was it for him. With a muted snarl he began to thrust in and out of her soaked channelled.

He caught hold of her hair and gently pulled her head to the left, revealing her tanned throat to his gaze. Dipping his head down he raked his fangs over the unblemished skin, making it redden. He could smell her blood and arousal and his demon took over.

Buffy twisted her head to one side and let Spike nip at her throat, the sensation of his fangs arousing her even more. She wrapped her free hand around Spike's neck and held him close. Her other hand was still busy between her legs, instead of rubbing her clit she now slid further down and felt Spike's cock pistoning in and out of her. His smooth skin slick with her juices and blood felt incredible.

Spike pulled back with a snarl and then, ignoring Buffy's groan of complaint, he pulled out of her welcoming depths and knelt between her splayed thighs. His golden eyes darkened at the sight of her laid out before him. He could see her blood mixed in with her arousal and unable to resist he swooped down and ran his tongue over her cleft and cleaned it thoroughly with his tongue. Happy rumbles escaping his throat as he gripped her soft backside and pulled her hips up off the bed to his mouth. His tongue stabbed into her quivering opening and savoured the taste of her excitement as he feasted on her.

Buffy arched her back with a gasp and gripped the pillow under her head. But before she could come, Spike stopped. He pulled his mouth away and licked his lips, then nipped at her soft inner thigh lovingly.

"Hey...don't stop!" she complained and glared down her body at him.

Spike chuckled and ran her finger over her twitching opening and then cocked his head.

"Be patient luv, Spike'll do right by you." With that he flipped her over onto her stomach and slapped her backside. He watched appreciatively as it reddened from his love pat, leaning over he pressed an open-mouthed kiss on the pink area and, unable to resist, he had a nice little nibble as well. Spike ran his hands over her heart-shaped backside and gripped her hips, pulling her up onto her knees.

Buffy pushed up and smirked wickedly over her shoulder at Spike. Before she could say anything, Spike moved up behind her and slid his cock into her. Draping himself over her back he began to thrust. All gentleness forgotten as the sight and scent of her overwhelmed him. With a growl he bit down on the nape of her neck with his lips and sucked hard. His hands wrapped around her torso and cradled her shaking breasts in his palms, her puckered nipples crushed against his hands.

Buffy dropped her head and whimpered at the sensations Spike was evoking in her body. She pushed back with each thrust and screamed when Spike's cock hit her g-spot over and over. Her arms shook and her belly clenched as she came, collapsing under Spike she lay stunned as he continued to thrust into her, her face was mashed into the pillows and her breath escaped her with each thrust with a grunt as she came over and over.

Spike bit down, his fangs slipping into her skin briefly and then withdrawing. A small amount of Buffy's blood seeped out and that was all he needed...he succumbed with a groan and his cock twitched, flooding her soaked depths with his seed.

Spike collapsed on Buffy's sated form and then he rolled onto his side, pulling her thigh over his.

They slept spooned together, with his limp cock still cradled in her.

************

"Mr Travers?" Nigel hesitated at the door to the Head Watcher's office. He clutched a folder to his chest and gazed nervously at the portly man who was absorbed in a book.

"What is it, Nigel?" Travers gestured for the nervous junior watcher to come in. He marked his page and closed the ancient tome carefully.

"I thought you might want to see this?" Nigel handed the folder he held over to his boss.

"Sit down, boy." Travers gestured to a chair and opened the folder.

Nigel perched on the edge of the chair and waited anxiously for Mr Travers' reaction. "Mr Travers? Sir?"

Quentin Travers pushed the photographs aside and steepled his fingers under his chin.

"These were taken from surveillance cameras at Heathrow?" He pointed to the black and white shots of Buffy, Spike and Tara standing in line at immigration.

"Indeed sir, we were alerted when the Slayer's passport was checked. We managed to pull these off the cameras. As far as we can tell, they were headed to London."

Travers looked down at the picture of Buffy and Spike arm in arm. "What is her fascination with the Aurelian line?"

"Sir?" Nigel cleared his throat.

"Nothing, Nigel. Thank you for bringing this to my notice." Travers shuffled the images and slid them into the folder.

"Why would she come here with the Wiccan and that...that...thing?" Nigel pointed at the folder, his lip curled in disgust.

Travers sighed and leant back in his armchair. "Well, I imagine they are searching for the rogue Witch, Miss Rosenberg. Our Intel shows that she attacked a Mr Harris and has joined forces with some revolting magic peddler."

"But she has left the Hellmouth unguarded!" Nigel exclaimed. "Her sacred duty is to guard it, not chase after her friends."

"Nigel, I really wish you would think before you speak. Don't you recall the meeting we had last week?" Travers tutted impatiently at the agitated younger Watcher. "She has recruited Wyndam-Pryce and some warrior to protect Sunnydale, our observers are still trying to establish who the latter is. While I don't agree with Miss Summers' methods as a rule, I have to give her credit for ensuring that the Hellmouth is protected before flitting off with the vampire..." Travers was intrigued and wanted to know exactly what was going on with his errant Slayer. He had a grudging respect for the girl and her unorthodox ways were a credit to her.

"What about William the Bloody?"

"What about him, indeed," Travers smiled enigmatically. "I think we should set a couple of the special ops men to track them." He turned and picked up his phone; barking a few orders into it he turned back to face the insufferable twit in front of him.

"Sir, is there anything else I can do?" Nigel leant forward eagerly.

"Where is Mr Giles situated at the moment?" Travers asked.

"I believe you mentioned he had returned home to Bath." Nigel knew that the Head was aware of Rupert Giles's location and wondered why he had asked.

"I want you to go and bring him here. I envisage that he will resist, so Nigel, please be polite and do mention that his ex-charge is here in London. That will be enough incentive to bring the fool here." Travers stood, signalling the end of the conversation.

Nigel nodded and beat a hasty retreat.

Once Travers was sure that the twitchy Junior was out of earshot he reached for the phone.

"Mr Cavanaugh, I need for you to track down some people for me. Shall we meet at the usual spot? In an hour...excellent...until then."

Travers turned and faced the large window behind him and stared out at the square below and pondered the latest situation.

*************

The phone rang, waking Buffy from a deep sleep. She rubbed her nose on the pillow sleepily and leant forward to grab the receiver. She heard Spike groan as his limp cock slipped from her and she looked over her shoulder at the snoozing vamp behind her. She hissed as the bitemarks on the nape of her neck reopened. The soft sound woke Spike and he propped himself up on one hand and reached over to dab at the small wounds. As she moved she winced, her inner thigh muscles were sore and aching from their passionate lovemaking earlier.

"Hullo..." she muttered sleepily into the receiver. "Wes!" a broad smile split her face and she sat up and leant against the pillows. Spike eyed her pert breasts that were exposed as she moved. He snuck closer and rested his head on them. Closing his eyes he savoured their warmth and the soothing beat of her heart against his ear. He frowned as he heard it speed up and sat up looking quizzically at his girl.

"Buffy? What's wrong?" he rumbled sleepily as he rubbed the back of his head, tousling his curls even more.

"What happened to him? Is he going to be okay?" she whispered into the phone. Her face ashen, tears filled her eyes and she thrust the receiver into Spike's startled hand and ran to the bathroom with her hand clapped over her mouth.

"Watcher, what the ruddy hell is going on?" Spike barked out. He slid to the side of the bed and sat up. "The whelp's wot? Buggering hell...where is he now, hospital?" Spike listened to Wes's strained voice, which was raspy with exhaustion. He could hear Buffy weeping in the bathroom and ached to go to her, to comfort her.

"Spike?" Buffy reappeared, her small frame engulfed in a white terry robe, her hands twisting the ties. "Is he..."

Spike held out his hand and Buffy came over and took it, she sat down next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. He squeezed her hand reassuringly as he listened to Wesley talking. "Right mate, I'll tell her. You'll keep in contact, won't you? Is Anya coping okay?" Spike frowned as he listened and then blinked in surprise. "Oh...so when did this happen? Yesterday...okay, well tell her that Buffy and Colomba'll call her...thanks for calling us..."

Spike put down the receiver slowly and shifted to face his girl. She refused to look up at him, tears dropping unchecked onto her robe and hands. "Pet, look at me..."

She shook her head and then threw herself into his arms, great sobs shuddering through her. "It's my fault! I left him...and now he's dead!"

Spike hauled her close and rocked her gently, pressing kisses to the top of her head. "Shhh, luv, none of that...Watcher Boy said Harris was going to be okay...he's not dead, I promise!"

Buffy tilted her head up and stared hopefully up into Spike's concerned face, her eyes puffy and reddened. "He okay? Really?" a shudder of relief ran through her slender frame.

"Yeah luv, bashed up badly and no, it wasn't your fault! Wes is sending him off with Amy to recover, and he will recover. One thing I've learned about the whelp, he's a tough sod!" Spike leant down and kissed her softly on the lips, giving her all his love and reassurance in that soft sweet meeting of their lips.

Buffy pulled back from the kiss and looked steadily into Spike's eyes trying to see if he was lying to her and a brief smile ghosted across her lips when she saw he was telling the truth. "He'll be okay?"

"Yeah pet, Harris'll be around to piss me off for many a year!" Spike bent down for another kiss, unable to resist her luscious mouth.

"If I had been there..."

"No luv, there will be no 'if I, would I or what not'...He knew you had to leave to find Dawn and Red and he wouldn't expect you to do anything else." Spike cradled Buffy against him. He knew that his Slayer would blame herself but he wanted her to understand that it wasn't her fault.

*********

"Travers, good to see you again."

"Mr Cavanaugh, as punctual as ever." Travers sat down on the park bench next to the rough looking man dressed in black. He looked out over the Square and grimaced at the tourists clambering over the plinth at the base of Nelson's column.

"So what does the head of the council need with a tracker, I ask myself...especially after the way we parted."

Travers looked over at the disreputable man and frowned, "Need unfortunately yes....I never envisaged that our paths would cross again."

"So, who is it and what do you want done?"

Travers reached into his coat pocket and extracted a photograph and handed it to the self-acclaimed tracker. "I have my own men searching for her, but I imagine that she will elude them. I want you to find her and kill her."

"Seek and destroy mission?"

"Yes, be warned. Her travel companion...he's reputed to be a very wily individual. Kill him as well. I don't like loose ends." Travers folded his hands in his lap. "This will not be traced back to me or the Council, are we understood?"

Cavanaugh nodded and looked at the picture of the young woman and then tucked it away in his coat pocket. "It'll cost you."

Travers waved his hand. "Money isn't the issue, just get it done." He stood and brushed off his coat. "A word of warning she has supernatural powers and will defend herself ably."

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