Part 29:

* Twilight *

Title ~ Brooding

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All things and people BTVS belong to Joss Whedon and the ME team. The extract from the song "Twilight" belongs to Vanessa Carlton. And the song "Misery" belongs to Pink.

Rating ~ PG~13

Summary ~ Takes place after "Punching".

A/N ~ Thanks to all for the great reviews. You all are great. Oh and by the way…I love the song "Misery", it is one of my favs. and I am so happy that I can finally use it in a story! I hope it fits in well. I also hope that you all enjoy the new chapter!

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~ Vanessa Carlton ~

~*~

He tossed and turned in frustration. It had been many of hours since she had left and he still couldn’t fall asleep. His nose had stopped hurting so he couldn’t use that for an excuse for his lack of rest. Seeing her for the first time in over 77 years stung him to the core. She was back in his city and into his life. He couldn’t ignore that.

She was still as beautiful as ever, probably more. God, oh how he had missed her. But of course, how could he tell her that after she and Angelus had…it was like they were together anymore so why did it bother him?

"Because I still love the stupid bint." He muttered under his breath, burying his head in the feathery confinements of the pillow. He groaned as bitter memories of their argument filtered inside his head, remembering what she had said to him.

The platinum blonde vampire snorted as he turned in bed again, facing the wall where the dent from his fist still lingered and slightly flinched when he remembered how the pain shot through his fist when it connected with the plaster.

His azure orbs then drifted towards the dark drapery that hung protectively on his window. He could feel the bright sunlight that lit the LA sky now drifting away to night. He felt miserable at the moment and knew the only thing that could cure that feeling for him would be a stiff drink of alcohol.

A deep grumble sprung from his chest, throwing the sheets to the side and quickly threw on the clothes he had worn the previous night, minus the duster. He could make it to the club by nightfall if he took the sewers.

~*~

Buffy sighed as she leaned back against her headboard, drawing her knees into her chest. It was completely dark now, where the night had taken over day with elegant grace. She hadn’t been able to sleep all day. She was too busy thinking about him and their bittersweet reunion. He had to go and ruin the moment by arguing to her about Angelus.

"Stupid bleached vampire." She grumbled underneath her breath, hooking her arms around her knees. "He had to go and ruin the moment and be his stupid self. He doesn’t understand what I have been through, the things I have done."

Buffy groaned with pure frustration as she collapsed fully onto her bed and stared up at the ceiling with intense thought. Her chest felt heavy, as did her stomach. She contemplated that this was what guilt felt like, complete and utter guilt. The look on Spike’s face when he found out about her forced affair with Angelus tore the blonde vampiress in two.

She tried to tell herself that it was his fault. That he deserved it after he had left her to be the pawn in Angelus’s twisted game. It was hard though…very hard. Buffy couldn’t help but blame herself. She could’ve pushed Angelus away. She could’ve ran after Spike as soon as he stepped out of his bedroom, begging him to stay with her or she could have left with him altogether. But of course, you couldn’t turn back time. And if she could, she would have done everything differently.

"Whatcha thinking about lover?" A rough voice purred into her ear with cruel intentions. "Me…I am hoping."

Buffy snapped her head towards the brunette vampire and rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"

Angelus smirked at her as his dark eyes trailed down her body with appreciation and he instinctively licked his lips. "You know what I want." He rumbled into her ear as he began to nuzzle the side of her neck.

She huffed like a small child, pulling away from his touch. "Not tonight buddy." She scoffed. Angelus had already caused her enough problems last night and she didn’t want to cause anymore for herself.

"Oh, come on. I bet you got some itch in that body of yours that you need me to scratch." He resounded into the cool skin of her neck, his hands tracing the curves her body while she remained like hard stone against his touch.

"Go away, Angelus." She hissed in between her teeth, moving away from his touch once more.

Angelus furrowed his eyebrows as he studied her. "I see how you are." He chuckled to his own amusement. "You can picture me as him. I don’t mind…just for tonight though. As long as I have you screaming when you reach-"

"Shut it!" She barked at him, jumping away from the bed as if it was on fire.

The brunette vampire only laughed as he sprung over towards his blonde childe and pinned her to the wall. "Oh come on, you can’t fool me. We have had this discussion before Buffy." He smirked, running his hand down the length of her hair. "I know you want to think that I am him."

Buffy’s eyes bore angrily into his as she tried to struggle out of his grasp but it wasn’t working. "Wouldn’t bother you that I am picturing his face while you and I are having sex?"

"Yeah it does bother me." He continued to laugh to his own entertainment. "But I know that you will be crawling into my bed at the end of night, instead of his. So all is good." He growled deeply into her ear.

Buffy’s game face surged forward, roughly pushing Angelus away from her body and to the floor. "I am going out again. I am sure you can entertain yourself with Dru while I am gone." She snapped at him before grabbing her leather jacket and stormed out of her room and into LA’s dark night in dire need of human blood and strong liquor.

~*~

The blonde vampire sighed as he drowned another tall glass of alcohol. A slight grimace appeared on his features as the liquid burned down his throat. He had already spent several hours there already and no one had the guts to approach him and say anything. They could all tell he was pissed and most of them knew never to cross the blonde vampire when he was angry.

"What do you want pet?" He asked hoarsely as his fingers traced the tip of his glass.

"You are so tense." She purred into his ear, burying her head to the crook of her neck and nuzzled the scar that lay there. "Maybe I can help…unwind you."

Spike smirked, turning around in his seat to face the seductive red head that was once again wearing body hugging black leather. "Sorry, Red, not in the mood tonight." He told her, sending her an apologetic smile. "Maybe some other time."

"Come on my love." She whispered huskily to him, taking a dangerous step towards him so their bodies had no space in between them. "You can forget her for one night." She smirked with seductive promises, running a black fingernail down the side of his face. "I promise it will be worth your time."

The male vampire took in a ragged breath while he stared down at the redheaded vampiress. Her face was merely centimeters from his. "I am sorry, luv, but I-"

"Come on Spike." She spoke, grabbing the collar of his shirt passionately, "make me-!"

"Like I said before, Red, sorry but I can’t." He said, taking Willow’s hands in his, slowly backing her away from him.

"Fine…" She sighed unhappily, nodding her head with reluctance. "My nasty Spike doesn’t want to play now. Maybe we can play later." And with that Willow turned on her heels and swayed out of the club and back to she and Xander’s humble abode.

Spike only shook his head as he watched her go. Quickly, he turned back to the bartender and threw a wad of cash on the counter top. "Give me another."

~*~

Buffy rubbed her stomach with pure satisfaction as she ventured towards the club she had visited the other night. She was full of blood and in desperate need for some sort of burning liquor that would make her major brooding session about her fight with Spike go away. She was surprised though that when she had entered the club no one was in sight. The place was completely empty.

"Good…more alcohol for Buffy." She chirped half heatedly, sauntering over towards the empty bar. She was about to reach over the counter to grab herself a bottle, when a tingling sensation crept up her spine and made the hairs on her neck stand up. "Color me not surprised." She mumbled to herself and sauntered towards the back of the club where dark shadows lingered. Without a second thought her hand darted out into the darkness and a slight grin passed over her lips when she felt black cloth between her fingers and eagerly tugged it’s owner out into the light.

"You know I can sense you." Buffy said a matter-of-factly, letting go of his shirt collar. She watched with interest as he dusted himself off and made his way over towards a nearby pool table and sat down on top of it. They remained in silence as Spike fished inside one of the pockets in his pants and brought out a lonely cigarette and a silver lighter.

"Yeah…I know…was waiting for you to notice me." He mumbled underneath his breath as he placed the cigarette inside his mouth and lit it.

"So…what are you doing here?" She asked tentatively, wondering if he was pissed from last night or he was in full brood mode like she was. She was hoping it was brood mode.

"Drinking the night away, pet." He chuckled to his own mirth but then ceased the laughing altogether as his eyes locked with hers. He eyed her suspiciously. "What ‘bout you. Shouldn’t you be back at the Poofter’s shagging it up?" Spike questioned with venom in his voice, tilting his head to the side before taking a deep drag from his cigarette.

"Spike don’t start please…" She begged with a sigh, crossing her arm over her chest self-consciously. "I don’t want to fight now."

"I am sorry, pet, too late for that." He said roughly, jumping up off the pool table and made his way towards her. She slightly shuddered when she realized how close he was to her. "We never got to finish our little discussion from last night."

"I don’t want to start this with you." She warned him, her teeth grinding against one another.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot you like to protect that son of a bitch. My bad." He growled, taking another step towards her. She didn’t back down.

"Stop acting like you’re so noble Spike!" She barked, pushing him away from her so that he knocked into the pool table.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" He inquired, throwing his cigarette to the ground and crushed it underneath his boot.

"It means don’t get all on my back about Angelus when you have probably had a few romps in the sack with a handful of girls after what happened between us!" She shot back at him, her finger pointing at him accusingly.

"What the bloody hell are you talking about woman?"

"The redhead. I saw the way you two interacting with one another last night. She was all over you and you looked like you didn’t seem to mind." She hissed and almost had the urge to slip into her demon visage but didn’t.

"You don’t know shit about her Buffy!" He shouted, marching back over to her. "You don’t know-"

"Oh I do!" She snapped back at him. "She’s just like any other whore you have probably come across!"

"We have never done anything Buffy! I haven’t been with any woman that intimately since what happened! Yeah, I have had several snogging sessions with few nameless birds along the way but nothing more! I know it is hard to believe but it is true!" He roared with pure frustration, shoving his hands into his hair. He had the sudden urge to smoke but he couldn’t, considering the last cigarette he had was the only one he had brought with him. His eyes finally locked with hers for the millionth time tonight and couldn’t help but glare at her. "God, you can be a bitch sometimes."

"I hate you!" She shouted at the top of her lungs, taking a defiant step towards him.

"I hate you more!" He shouted right back at her, his dark blue eyes were boring into hers with blazed passion.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the their lips crashed together in a burning embrace. Spike was slight surprised when she felt Buffy’s hands grab at the collar of his shirt and kissed him harder.

The blonde vampire responded quickly as he placed his hands on her hips and crushed their bodies together, his fingers slipping barely into the hem of her leather pants. He had missed this. He had definitely missed this. Spike grinned with pure satisfaction as her hands slipped into his hair.

"Buffy…" He gasped as they finally pulled away from one another. When no response came from her, Spike looked down and couldn’t help but chuckle when he saw her expression. Her eyes were still close and her lips were still parted, ragged breathing escaping from those soft lips. A slight whimper escaped from her throat when she realized he had stopped touching her.

The vampiress’s eyes reluctantly fluttered open and stared into his smirking face. "Why’d you stop?" She asked with a small plea in her throat.

"Sorry." He chortled, leaning his head down to hers and began to nip at her bottom lip gently. "Thought you hated me."

Buffy slightly grinned; digging her nails into his scalp and began to scratch. "Not so much right now." A deep purr sprung from her chest when she felt his lips on hers again as he lead her towards the pool table and lifted her on top of it. When she felt his hands begin to remove her top, Buffy reluctantly pulled away from him. "Spike, we can’t do this here."

"Why not?" He smiled coyly, his hands roaming over body with appreciation and she couldn’t help but let out a stifled moan as he did so. "You know you want to."

"God, you can sure sweet talk a girl." She said sarcastically. She watched with happiness as he began to laugh at her. That’s when a heavy feeling sunk back onto her chest. "Look, William about what I said-"

"I know…I didn’t mean anything I said either. It was just you know…the heat of the moment." He said shyly, pecking her on the lips lightly.

The blonde vampiress stared deeply into his eyes and couldn’t help but feel a warm sensation pass over her body. She suddenly felt complete and loved. "Spike…I think I-"

Her words were interrupted though when the front door to the club burst open and revealed a group of men with crossbows and stakes in their hands.

"William the bloody!" The one in the front shouted. His crossbow aimed directly at Spike’s heart.

Spike groaned with frustration as he turned away from the beautiful vampiress that was sat on top of the pool table and towards the group of men behind him. He rolled his eyes when he saw who the leader was.

"Well look, if it isn’t my best friend Wesley Wyndam-Pryce!" He chirped, his voice dripping with sarcasm and disdain.

"I am not in the mood tonight Spike!" He snapped at the blonde vampire. His weapon ready to fire at any moment. "I’ve come to stake you good and proper."

"Can we take a rain check?" He asked challengingly, nodding over towards Buffy. "Was having a nice little reunion with my lady here until you and your lackeys came and mucked it all up. So beat it Watcher!"

"You killed Faith! My Slayer!" He roared with pure rage as his finger gripped on the trigger.

"Watcher Boy that was 3 years ago, think it is about time you got over it!" Spike’s animosity was now bubbling up inside him, his demon wishing to be released but it suddenly died down when he felt Buffy take his hand in hers. God, it was great to have her back.

"I think not." He hissed as his finger pulled on the trigger…

To be continued…

Part 30:

* Twilight *

Title ~ Burning

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All things and people BTVS belong to Joss Whedon and the ME team. The extract from the song "Twilight" belongs to Vanessa Carlton.

Rating ~ PG~13

Summary ~ Takes place right after the last chapter "Brooding"

A/N ~ Thanks to all for the lovely reviews. I actually thought I wrote that last chapter not so well. I guess some of you thought I didn’t. And, oh, before I forget, to certain people who have given me some somewhat nasty reviews about how I write Spike. Screw off! If you don’t like the story or the way I write the characters, then stop reading it. It is that simple. Anyways…enough with my bitching and on with the new chapter!

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~ Vanessa Carlton ~

~*~

Buffy’s eyes widened as she saw the Watcher pull the trigger to the crossbow that was aimed at her lover’s heart.

"Spike!" She shouted with complete terror, pushing him to the ground with immediate response, which caused the arrow to zoom past the couple’s head and strike a beam that stood behind them. The pair swiftly drew their attention back to the gang of Watchers that stood before them with stakes, cross and crossbows held in their hands tightly.

Buffy looked over at her paramour and gave him a somewhat mischievous smile, her bright eyes sparkling with a question. Spike couldn’t help but grin with a childlike anticipation as he saw the manner of her eyes. A deep chuckle escaped from his throat as he easily slid into his demon visage, as did Buffy.

Suddenly, the two vampires sprung forward and attacked with animalistic attention. There had to be about 10 or 12 men and both vampires eagerly fought them. Some of them dying seconds after Spike or Buffy made their advance on them. These were Watchers and were an easy kill because they didn’t have the same strength and resourcefulness that a Slayer would have had. Some of them did put up a good fight and were able to put in their own jabs and kicks.

Buffy loved this kind of fight, all fist and fangs, no weapons. Made a vampire feel alive and powerful. Adrenaline was pumping furious throughout her cold body as she slammed one of the stuffy Watchers into a nearby wall, almost breaking his skull. She grinned as she watched the man sink the ground, unconscious. She was brought out of her gazing though, when she felt a painful burning sensation across her dead skin. With a sharp hiss, she shoved her attacker away from her.

"Damn cross." The vampiress muttered with disdain as she observed her burned shoulder and shook her head. Her eyes darted up to her attacker. He was tall and lean with a tweed suit to match his Watcher persona. He had dark red hair with thick wire frames that went over his bright blue eyes. He jumped back when he saw the vampiress shift back into her human façade. A bright smile crossed over his face when he saw her human features.

"You are Buffy!" He laughed with delight. Buffy just rose an eyebrow up at him before cocking her head to the side. "The childe of Angelus. You have killed two Slayers in your day!"

"Got a point here, Sparky?"

"I wrote my thesis on you when I was studying to be in the Watcher’s Council. I found your history with Angelus and William the Bloody quite fascinating!" He rambled on, his eyes widening with excitement.

"Bored now." Buffy sighed as she reached her fist out and punched the young man in face, sending him into the ground in seconds. She shook her head at him as she heard the sweet elixir of blood pump throughout his body. With a twinkle in her eyes, she bent over to the young man and held him in a vice like grip. A small giggle escaped from her lips as her demon surged forward and dug her fangs into his neck. Gulping and tasting his blood with a hyped eagerness. A slow growl rumbled through out her throat as she tugged vigorously at his jugular.

When all the blood had flown from the Watcher wannabe’s body. The blonde vampiress dropped him to the ground with a deadly thud. A satisfied smirk appeared on her features as she licked the remaining liquid off of her lips. Her human mask slipped back into place as she scanned the club, searching for her lover.

A slight gasp escaped then from her throat when she saw him. Fighting against that Wesley fellow. This Watcher wasn’t like the others. For one thing, he wasn’t dressed in all tweed but a scuffed up pair of jeans with a ragged blue sweater. A dark and haunting beard danced around his chin. His hair was mussed up and appeared to be extremely greasy. There were huge bags under his eyes that looked like he hadn’t slept for weeks. The human thinking that use to linger in her earlier days as a vampire felt sorry for this man. He had lost someone who was dear to him. Buffy was well aware how close Slayers and their Watchers could be. And by the appearance of this man’s demeanor, they were incredibly close.

She almost felt compassion for this man but it was short lived when she saw him take a good jab at her lover’s jaw. A deep growl sprung out of her mouth as she watched the exchange between the Watcher and the other vampire. The Watcher had lost his crossbow a long time ago when Spike had kicked it out of his hand and sent it flying across the room. She felt a swell of pride course through her body as she observed her lover fend off Wesley. Spike moved with quickness and expertise as if he knew Wesley’s next move before Wesley even knew it. It was amazing and almost breathtaking. Wesley however put all his effort and vengeance into ever throw and punch he threw, using up all of his energy in every move he made, which was used to Spike’s advantage.

Suddenly, a tight grip latched onto her wrist and threw her into a nearby wall. Before she could push herself away from the wall though, a sharp burning sensation stabbed her breast as her attacker pressed a sacred cross against her chest. Buffy let out a piercing scream when she felt the wood connect with her skin and caused her demon visage to surge forward.

"Disgusting vampire!" Her attacker spat in her face as he slammed the cross against her gut and watched with amazed eyes as the oak caused her skin to bubble and sizzle.

Buffy reached her hands out towards the wannabe Watcher and tried to wrench him from her body but the pain and anguish he was inflicting on her was weakening to her strength. Aching whimpers escaped her throat as she tightly shut her eyes and attempted to grab at the wannabe Watcher again but was having a hard time.

"Like it vampire?" He taunted with a slow smile, watching as the vampiress withered in pain. "Cross normally doesn’t do this sort of damage does it? Guess that’s why I soaked it in Holy Water before hand. Lucky me, eh?"

The Watcher let out a small chuckle as he took a step towards her, his body crowding her personal space as he lifted the cross away from her stomach and moved it to her arm, pressing harder and harder against her flesh as time passed.

"Spike!" She managed to call out as loud as she could as the Watcher continued to burn her body.

All of a sudden, the burning sensation left her body and she was soon enraptured in a comforting embrace. Somehow through her painful daze, Buffy looked up and saw Spike holding her tightly but not enough to irritate her burns.

"It’s okay." He soothed into her ear with velvet like softness. "We’re out of here."

And with that Buffy was easily lifted into Spike’s arms with security as they began to make their way out of the club. Before heading out of the doors, the now bleached blonde vampire turned towards Wesley, who was now lying in a scattered mess of what use to be a table and chairs. The scruffy Watcher looked up at the pair with intense disdain as he lay there.

"Guess you and I will have to take that rain check." The vampire snapped at him half heatedly before turning on his heels and exited the club with his vampire lover tucked safely in his arms.

~*~

"Stop! It hurts!" A feminine voice whined as the liquid was rubbed across her burned flesh. Buffy tried to wrench his hands away from her but he would slap them away.

"No, sorry, pet." He apologized in a playful manner, continuing to tend to the cross-shaped burns that decorated her body.

"Can’t we just, you know, forget the alcohol here and just let my healing abilities take over instead? They are already working their magic as we speak. So lets forget all the burning stuff." She whimpered like a small child, her bottom lip jutting out into a full-fledged pout. "It would make things a whole lot easier." She whispered softly to him, inching closer to him on the bed in his apartment.

"Nope, sorry." He replied nonchalantly as he finished up the burn on her arm and moved to the one on her stomach. Flinching slightly when he heard her hiss painfully through her teeth. Shaking his head he continued to tend to her wounds and hardly noticed Buffy move closer to him on the bed.

"Please." She begged in soft voice, her hands reaching out towards his neck and ran into his hair. "Come on, put it away." She pleaded to him once again, her lips resting against the brim of his ear. "And we can do other stuff, you know, what we were about to do before the dirty Watchers interrupted us." Buffy purred sensually into his ear before planting delicate kisses across his jawline and neck.

Spike sighed as he pulled her away from his neck and looked at her skeptically, "you’re avoiding. Stop it." He stated simply as he finished tending to the wound on her gut. His dark blue orbs then moved away from her flesh wound and towards her face then grinned at her. "But I will take you up on that offer later though, luv."

"You better." She slightly giggled as he placed her shirt back over her snow-white skin. "Yay, finished!" She grinned before collapsing back onto his bed and stared up at the ceiling. The mattress easily molded into her form, giving her easing comfort and relaxation. Her body felt like warm butter and she felt like she could lay there forever.

It was then that two arms wrapped around her waist and hugged her tightly. "I’ve missed you." His deep voice breathed into her ear as Spike brought her closer to his body, spooning up against her.

"Me too." She replied, her eyelids feeling extremely heavy as she savored the comfort of being held by her lover. Everything felt complete inside her and she didn’t ever want to loose it. "Thank you for saving me…"

"Welcome, pet…" He whispered as he watched her drift off into a deep and heavy sleep, a bright smile on her face. Spike brushed a strand of her dark blonde hair away from her face as he watched her sleep and couldn’t help but sigh. "Love you."

And with that the vampire lay back down on the bed and fell asleep.

To be Continued…

Part 31:

* Twilight *

Title ~ Gazing

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All things and people BTVS related belongs to Joss Whedon and the ME team. The extract from the song "Twilight" belongs to Vanessa Carlton.

Rating ~ PG~13

Summary ~ Takes place right after the last chapter "Burning"

A/N ~ Thanks to everyone for the wonderful reviews. You all have been great to me! I just wanted to let you all know that I was listening to Enya’s "May it be" while I was writing this whole chapter. Beautiful song, I suggest you listen to it while you read this chapter. Also, I am not really sure how long this story is. I do know though that it will end here in a bit. I do know though what the next story is going to be about though. So yay. Now on with the new chapter!

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~ Vanessa Carlton ~

~*~

A tingling sensation finally roused her small body. It was tiny at first but it then spread across her arms and her stomach. A smile covered her lips as she enjoyed the feeling. It had now crawled up to her breast where the wannabe Watcher's cross burned her body last night.

She could smell the hazy aroma of cigarette smoke drift through out the room and fill her flared nostrils, which welcomed the new and inviting scent. The blonde vampiress took in a deep breath as she snuggled deeper into the warm confinements of the mattress that she laid on. It’s comfort warming and heating her all over, she felt like melted butter.

As she shifted in bed, Buffy felt the slight brush of her thighs over leather clad skin and a strong arm tighten it’s grip around her slim waist, crushing her right up against a cold, muscular frame. A deep shudder escaped through out her body as her bright eyes fluttered open.

Her eyes scanning around the room, the vampiress suddenly remembered where she was and with whom. That small smile that had covered her lips earlier seemed to widened as she felt her lover cling on to her with such eagerness and tenderness. It had been too long, too long indeed. She had forgotten what it felt like; what it felt like to be held with such love and gentleness that you could not want but to stay there forever.

When she had finally stopped moving and when Spike had lightened his grip around her waist, Buffy turned around to face him. She shut her eyes lightly before placing a chaste kiss on his chin. As soon as her lips touched his skin, a deep purr rumbled through his chest and to the back of his throat.

"Hi." She whispered softly to him as her hand reached out and ran through his curly bleached blonde hair before tracing over the contours of his face. Buffy watched with complete interest as his eyes began to twitch as he dreamed. A faint smile appeared on his lips as he tightened his grip around her waist and brought her closer to him. When he felt her body completely against his, Spike buried his face into the crook of her neck and took in a deep breath.

"…Buffy…" He murmured softly against her snow-white skin as he let his hands slide slightly into the hem of her leather pants, one of his legs slipping in between her own as he continued to nuzzle the curve of her neck where her throat met with her collarbone. "…Come back to me…" He whispered as he breathed heavily into the rim of her ear, his eyes still shut and still dreaming.

"I am here William." She inhaled as she began to plant peppered kisses along his face and neck. "I’ll always be here…"

The blonde vampire grasped onto his beloved tightly in an intimate hold, planting deep kisses on her pulse point while the purring in his chest grew louder. "I…love…you…so…much." He rumbled contently against her satin skin, one of his hands tracing across the toned muscles on her stomach. She shuddered with intensity as his tracing of her skin had now turned into full-fledged caressing. His eyes still closed, he buried his face deeper into her collarbone where the scar of his bite mark still stood. "God, help me Buffy, it’s always been about you."

Stinging tears formed at the rim of Buffy’s eyes as his sleep-induced words hit her eardrum like a steel hammer. He still loved her. He still loved her! The tears that had been resting gently on the rim of her eyes pooled forward as they trailed down her cheek and fell onto his black shirt.

"Oh God," she murmured quietly, cupping his cheek with her hand instantaneously. Her eyes continued to glaze over with tears as she watched him continue to sleep heavily. He had stopped talking but still had a complete look of satisfaction and completion on his face that made him appear almost boyish. His facade now looked reminiscent to the young fledgling vampire that he used to be…the one that she was enraptured by from first glance.

She remembered the first time they had kissed, on the chilly streets of 19th century London so long ago. She remembered how faintly their lips brushed with one another before he lured Cecily into a nearby alley and drunk her dry. She couldn’t really remember anything else from that night but could remember how soft his lips were when they moved gently against hers. How her hand seemed to fit so snugly into his as if her hand was made to be held by his.

Buffy let out a deep sigh, as she looked down at her still sleeping lover. Her small hand reached out and tangled with his locks, loving the way they seemed to curl between her fingers. Another unneeded breath escaped her mouth as she leaned forward and brushed her lips against his gently, some of her tears spilling onto his chiseled face. "I love you." She sniffed as her bottom lip and her chin began to tremble, her tears continuing to pour down her face and onto his shirt. "I am in love with you William." She whimpered as she threw herself on top of Spike and sobbed freely on his shoulder.

The blonde vampire’s eyes opened abruptly as he heard the deep and noticeable sobs come from his blonde lover. He looked down at her with confusion on his face. "What’s wrong?" Spike questioned softly, one of his hands reaching out and running it down the length of her long blonde hair. "Are your burns hurting you?"

The vampiress snapped her head up immediately at the sound of his deep and velvet laced voice call out to her. Her eyes widened with realization as she looked up into the face of the man she loved. Oh God, I love him! She shouted in her mind as she stared deeply into his eyes. I love him! Her mouth fell open as if she was about to say something but the problem was getting the words to fall off her lips.

"Buffy?" He furrowed his eyebrows at her, cupping her cheek with affection and rubbed her skin gently with his thumb. "Are you okay? Why are you crying?" He questioned, wiping the tears away from her cheeks.

The blonde vampiress quickly sniffed up her tears as she sat up, kneeling close to him on the comforting mattress. Quietly, her hand reached out and cupped his cheek before a deep breath escaped her rose red lips.

"I-I…" She stuttered as the words threatened to spill from her lips but for some reason wouldn’t come. She felt jaded and frustrated that she couldn’t say it. Why was it so hard? It shouldn’t be this hard. She mused in her head as her hand that lay on his cheek traveled towards the nape of his neck and began to gently scratch him. A contented smile played on the male vampire’s lips as her nails raked pleasantly up and down the back of his neck.

After a while though, he shook off the pleasured appearance on his face and looked her dead in the eye. "What is it Buffy? What is it my love?" He asked her desperately as he also sat up in bed and gazed at her. "Come on now…what is it?" He inquired once again as he took her by the shoulders tentatively so as not to irritate her burns.

Buffy bit her bottom lip as her eyebrows knitted together and moved her gaze away from his burning blue orbs. "I-I…l-love you." She muttered to herself, staring down at the dark tint of the bed sheets.

"What did you say?" He gasped with disbelief, his azure colored eyes, heating her skin just from his stare. "Did you just say that-"

"I love you." She said with more confidence as she finally brought her gaze back to his and almost giggled with complete happiness. "I love you."

Spike’s mouth gaped open as her words ran over and over in her ear like a broken record player. The words he had been waiting to hear for the longest time. His eyes were wide with complete and utter shock and he felt like time had just stopped for him. That everything around him was non-moving and non-existent except himself and Buffy.

After what seemed like an eternity for them both, Spike finally blinked and snapped out of his trance. "Say it again." He replied hoarsely, trying to find his voice as he continued to stare at her. "Please, say it again." He begged as a small smile painted over his lips.

"I love you." She giggled again as the happiness and joy she was feeling at that moment consumed her. Suddenly, a deep and fluttering feeling passed into her stomach as she watched the brightened and dancing expression on his face. "I always have."

A thick lump formed in Spike’s throat as her words pierced his whole being. "Oh God Buffy…" He whimpered as he leaned forward and softly brushed her lips with his. "I love you so much. There has been no one else…no one."

Buffy wasn’t allowed to utter another word because before she knew it Spike covered his lips with hers in a passionate dance. Slowly, he coated his arms around her waist and brought her body closer to his so that there was no space in between them. A deep moan sprung from Buffy’s mouth as he lifted her shirt over her head in complete slow motion as if he had all the time in the world.

Buffy suddenly felt herself being guided back down towards the soft cushion of the mattress. A pleasant sigh escaped her lips as she reached out and unbuttoned his black shirt, pushing it off of his shoulders with shaky fingers and exposed his pale flesh to the chilling conditions of his bedroom.

She felt like a young woman on her prom night. Everything seemed so new and different. She felt more exposed than ever and couldn’t but help but tremble when her lover seized her lips once again before looking into her eyes with complete adoration.

"I love you." Buffy whispered once again, her voice shaky but had a tint certainty to it. And with that she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him senselessly…

To be Continued…

Part 32:

* Twilight *

Title ~ Marking

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All people and things BTVS belong to Joss Whedon and the ME team. The extract from the song "Twilight" belongs to Vanessa Carlton.

Rating ~ PG~13

Summary ~ Takes place right after the last chapter "Gazing".

A/N ~ Thanks to all for the lovely reviews, they have meant so much to me and I am very grateful. I still don’t know how many chapters this will be. I am going to say about 3 more at least, or 4. I am still not sure. Anyways…on with the new chapter!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~ Vanessa Carlton ~

~*~

His eyelids fluttered heavily as his body reacted subconsciously to the rising of the moon, as the sky welcomed the evening twilight. The sharp but enticing smell of vanilla tickled his nostrils as midnight blue orbs opened fully and were met by a large mass of long silky blonde hair. A delighted smile passed over his lips as the smell and the hair triggered his mind. Buffy.

A deep purr sounded out from the vampire’s chest as he began to nuzzle the crown of her head with his cheek. She was really there with him. Spike closed his eyes as the events from last night pooled through his mind.

She had said it. The words he had been waiting to hear had finally been said to him. He suddenly had the extreme urge to just laugh till his heats content. He felt like running out into streets yelling at the top of his lungs that he was loved by the most beautiful vampiress in the world.

The smile that had sprung onto his face earlier seemed to widen, placing a chaste kiss on the edge of his love’s naked shoulder blade. She shivered at the sweet caress of his lips and snuggled deeper into his chest and coaxed him to tighten the embrace around her waist. As her small frame wiggled up against his, Spike could feel deep tingles cover his whole body.

Subconsciously his hand reached out and pulled her tresses away from her neck. He almost beamed with pride as he saw the two new puncture marks that lay on her throat. New marks covering old ones. They had stopped bleeding awhile ago but still had a pinkish appearance that showed that the marks were new. Hesitantly his fingers began to trace them with a feather like stroke so as not to disturb her, his mate.

She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Her long golden curls that danced in candlelight with that ivory colored skin. Her sweet hazel colored eyes that could go to threatening yellow in a millisecond. She moved with a swan like grace but could thrash a man with the hunger of a wild animal. That’s what Spike loved about her. She was everything. She was a mixture between light and dark, gentle and rough, fire and ice.

"Gorgeous." He murmured underneath his breath, planting another chaste kiss on the pale skin of her shoulder. A warm smile melted onto her lips when she felt him again, a deep purr emanating from her chest. "I love you." He whispered into her ear with adoration.

A quiet groan sounded out into the room as the vampiress’s eyes rippled open and stared up into the face of her lover. "Hi." She chimed timidly at the beaming sight of him.

"Sleep well?" He asked, a quiet tone in his voice as he reached out and ran his hands down the length of her long hair.

"Yes, I did." She replied as her eyes locked with his. For the longest time, they just laid there, staring at one another with such fascination that it was hard to tear away. Pictures and images from last night filtered into their minds. The pictures began to fly by as certain touches and caresses became more real, where they actually thought they could feel them all over again.

Buffy’s eyes finally drifted away from his azure stare and towards the curve of his neck were two new puncture holes lingered above a jagged scar on his collarbone. Slowly she lifted her face towards his shoulder and began raining soft kisses were the wound was starting to heal. She finally pulled away when a sharp purr shook his chest.

"Kitty." She giggled to her own amusement, her hand covering her mouth.

"What the bleedin’ hell you talking about woman?" He inquired his scared eyebrow quirking up at her.

The vampiress stifled her giggling as she stared up into the confused look of her love. "You…with all the purring, like a big kitty. Very cute."

Spike gaped as the words left her mouth, "I am not cute, pet! Spike, William the bloody is not cute!" He scoffed, shaking his head at her before cupping her face with his hands. "Plus, you are the one to talk. Like a bloody motor you are with all that purring you do."

Buffy ducked her gaze from his, looking guilty. "It’s your fault, you know. I can’t help it." She muttered underneath her breath, trying to make sure he wouldn’t hear but that was unlikely what with the vampire hearing and all. When she finally looked up at him, Buffy was surprised when her lips were covered with his in a soft kiss.

A pleasant sigh spilled out of her mouth when she felt peppered kisses being placed along her neck and collarbone and over her fresh puncture wounds. With affection, she nuzzled the side of his face and brought her mouth to the rim of his ear. "I love you so much." She breathed heavily, her hands running themselves through his now curly hair.

A slight whimper escaped her mouth though when she felt his lips leave her skin. Looking up into his face, all she saw was a genuine smile on his face that could light the entire room. "You know, I will never tire of hearing you say that. I could listen to those words for an eternity."

Buffy couldn’t help but grin at the sincerity of his words and their meaning. "And we’ve got that long." She said as her grin turned into an amused smirk.

"Yeah…we do." Spike tentatively brushed a strand of her voluptuous gold hair away from her face as he bore his cerulean eyes into her hazel ones. "There is just one problem though, you know."

Buffy let out a jaded sigh as she bowed her head and stared at the dark sheets on Spike’s bed. "Angelus…" She murmured softly, barely audible to the mortal ear. "I know." After awhile a fit of giggles spurted from her lips while her lover looked her questioningly.

"Have you gone mad?"

Buffy stared up into his eyes as she tried to calm her laughter down, "I just realized, I have been with you for two days straight. He’s probably pulling his hair out wondering where I am."

Spike couldn’t but laugh himself as he got the image in his head of the Poofter ripping his own hair from his precious head. "That would be a lovely image to see, luv." He chuckled, placing a chaste kiss on her lips. Before he could pull away and ask her what they should do about Angelus and Dru, Spike could feel Buffy’s hands travel away from the nape his neck to the long planes of his back and urged him closer to her so that their was no space between them. The bleach blonde vampire’s thoughts quickly drifted away from his Grandsire towards his lover and his mate who was kissing him desperately.

~*~

Angelus continued to pace throughout the loft’s living room as his mind continued to race. Two days. Why hadn’t he noticed last night when she didn’t come back? Because he was too busy screwing Dru to realize that his blonde childe had been gone for so long.

"Maybe she got staked…" He mused allowed to himself as he continued to pace the floor. His hands running menacingly through his short hair, almost having the urge to rip it out.

Two lazy arms wrapped around Angelus’s waist, which immediately stopped his pacing but just out of pure frustration a sharp growl rumbled in his chest. "What is it now Dru?" He grounded out with annoyed twinge to his voice.

"Daddy’s testy." She giggled, voice lavished in youth like amazement. "Want me to draw pretty patterns all over your skin. You liked it before. How I made the night sky on your chest with pretty fire. You screamed so much, made my ears bleed."

"Dru can’t you just stop your incessant ramblings for once and let me think!" He roared with anger as he wrenched himself from her grasp and began to pace once again, forgetting his insane childe was even there. "The next time I see my high and mighty childe I will be forced to stake her." He hissed between his teeth, his movement back and forth becoming more frantic.

"Don’t worry Daddy, the puppy is taking care of Sister. He’s licks her wounds like a good puppy should do." Drusilla tried to assure him with a mischievous gleam in her dark eyes. He just stopped his pacing and looked at her with confusion.

"Who the hell is this ‘puppy’ you keep referring to! It is giving me a headache!"

Drusilla shook her head as she gently slapped Angelus across the face before wagging her finger at him. "Bad Daddy, you know the stars and the fairies don’t like me to give away their secrets."

"I don’t really give a rats ass about your stupid stars and fairies with their rules. I just want to know where my childe is!" He roared once more, almost tempted to slip into his demon mask and rip something apart but somehow made himself not to and just glare angrily at his raven-haired childe and lover.

Dru chuckled and purred with delight as she swayed seductively over towards her sire with her lips curved into a twisted smile. "Daddy’s veins sing for blood and his insides are burning. Want Mummy to make it better?"

Angelus’s rage began to die down as his body hummed for something else. He wanted bloodshed and the pleasure that came with it. "Sounds like fun, lover." He snickered as he sauntered over towards a nearby sofa and retrieved his long leather jacket and slipped it on with eagerness as they headed into the L.A. nightlife.

~*~

The lights of the club illuminated their dancing figures with favoritism as they swayed on the dance floor. There were few moments in the mostly vampire populated club where a slow song was played so that blonde couple was milking it for all it was worth.

Buffy closed her eyes as she buried her face in the crook of his neck, nibbling softly on the flesh that resided there while she tightened the grip of her arms around the nape of his neck. She felt her lover’s arms pull her closer to him so that she could feel their cold bodies melt together.

The vampiress was pulled out of her thoughts though when she felt Spike’s velvet laced voice against her ear. "Do you remember Spain, my love?" He purred huskily into her eardrum while his hands floated down to her hips.

"Yes." She responded in staggered breath, the feeling of warmth covering her whole frame.

"How we used to dance the night away?" He continued to whisper into her ear, while his hands began to move back and forth on her leather-clad hips.

"Yes." She said, taking in another ragged breath as memories flooded her mind. Images of she and Spike when they spent their nights dancing to the melodious music of the Spaniards, relishing the presence of one another. She remembered the sharp smells of flowers and of oils and the feel of the cloth of his shirt intertwined with her fingers. Her eyes would be closed the entire time and just let her sharpened senses do their work.

"I could do that with you forever." He purred, one of his hands leaving her hips and cupped her face. A slow smile melted onto the vampiress’s face before her lover brought his lips to hers in the sweetest kiss she had ever felt with him.

Both stood there, in the middle of the dance floor, kissing each other endlessly and didn’t even notice their sires slipping into the club.

To be continued…

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