Chapter 11

Spike carried her through the suite to his bedroom, depositing her gently on the bed, as he moved to stand in front of her. She knelt on the bed before him, her eyes locked on his as her fingers deftly worked the buttons of his shirt, pushing it down his arms and letting it fall to the floor. His hands loosened her hair from its knot, watching it drift around her shoulders as he placed soft kisses on her face then caught her soft lips in a seductive kiss. His fingers moved to the fabric of the robe and found the knot at her waist. Tugging it free, his hands drifted, to push the thin fabric off her shoulders, the flimsy material pooling over her thighs and legs as it slid off of her body. Light from the approaching dawn glowed around the heavy curtains pulled across the window, casting shadows around them.

He drew a sharp breath at the sight of her, he would swear she glowed. Her soft lips kissed and sucked at his chest as her hands worked the button of his jeans and slipped them over his hips. Her hands slid over his ass, pulling him to her as he stepped out of them. She sat back on her heels letting a moan escape her lips as he kissed along the straps of the chemise.

He pulled away from her to look into her eyes.

"Are you sure, luv?"

"Spike, I have waited my whole life for this."

"Me too, luv, me too," he murmured as he kissed her again. His hands gathered the bottom of the gown bunched around her thighs and slid the fabric up her body. As she raised slightly he pulled the fabric over her head. He paused to gaze over her firm body clad only in satin panties. * She is so beautiful, it doesn't get much better than this. * She smiled at him as he studied her, then grew self conscious when his expression changed to a troubled frown. His eyes were locked on her chest.

"Spike, is something wrong?" she asked quietly, worried at the change in his demeanor. She looked down at her chest and saw the dark purple bruises forming all around her left breast. She sat up and fumbled with the robe that had fallen on the bed behind her, trying to find a sleeve. She sighed heavily as she pulled the material over her left arm and pulled the silk over her chest, then turned to the other side looking for the other sleeve. Her movements shook Spike out of his reverie and he climbed on the bed and positioned himself behind her.

He placed his hands over hers, leaning closer he kissed her neck, pushing the material off her shoulder again. "Nothing's wrong, pet. You are perfect…." he paused to trail soft kisses down the slope of her neck to her shoulder.

"For a second there, I was distracted by thoughts of beating the hell out of the ponce that did that to you, but I have more important things to think about…"

He turned his attention to the other side of her neck, sucking and gently swirling his tongue over the marks Angel had left on her tender skin.

"I promise it won't happen again, you have my complete and undivided attention."

His tongue lightly grazed the skin at the base of her neck, tracing the bones of her spine. She moaned softly as his hands pulled at her hips, drawing her against his chest.

She pulled away. Turning to face him, she placed her hands on his firm chest, pushed him back on the bed and moved on top of him. She leaned over him, her breasts brushing against his chest as she moved closer to kiss him, their tongues meeting in their familiar dance, enticing each other to give in to the desire and need that was growing between them.

His hands found her hips and pushed her down on his erection, as his hips arched to press against the silk that covered her.

He felt his control slipping. His emotions where engulfing him, the fire between them so intense he knew he was lost. His soul was joined to hers and demanded that his body join her as well. He groaned and encircled her in his arms, rolling her over on her back and settling his hips firmly between her legs. He pushed against the thin fabric that separated them, desperate to make love to her for as long as possible. He kissed his way down her neck. Covering the bruised flesh on her breast with soft kisses, he caught the pert nipple into his mouth, sucking gently at first while his hand cupped her other breast and rolled its nipple between his fingers. As his tongue swirled around its twin, he sucked her breast, deeper into his mouth with increasing pressure.

Buffy was panting under his attention, squirming against his body, pressing her hips harder to him, desperate for more. She moaned his name as he teased her flesh, "Spike, please…"

He grinned against her breast. "Please what luv? Do you need something?"

He watched in amazement as her head rolled from side to side, mumbling as his mouth covered her other breast. Sucking the nipple between his teeth, he bit down gently on the nubbin as he watched her face for a reaction. Her back arched as her hands wrapped around his head pushing more of her breast into his mouth. She sucked in a ragged breath, her body on fire at his touch as she quivered against him. She had no reservations, no hesitations. * this feels so incredibly right - God, his mouth…so very talented…*

He pulled away from her slightly, "Do you like that pet?" His tongue flicked at the nipple and she groaned, trying to pull him to her. "I didn't catch that… do you like that?" He flicked at it again.

She cocked an eyebrow at him, "You are truly evil, aren't you?"

He sucked her nipple hard into his mouth, teasing it with his teeth and tongue while one hand snaked its way down her body between their hips, slipping under the fabric of her panties. He smiled again as he slid a finger inside her, feeling her muscles clench around him.

"You've no idea how evil I can be, wicked…" his tongue swiped over her nipple in a quick circle. "Lascivious…" he sucked her hard into his mouth quickly, then released her. "Libidinous…" slipping another finger inside her, his thumb pressed against her clit. She wriggled against him and pushed at the thin fabric on her hips desperate for more contact, managing to push it to the top of her thighs, "Licentious."

He pulled away from her breast and kissed at her neck. Bringing his mouth to her ear, he sucked lightly on the lobe, his fingers moving in and out of her at a deafening pace. "God, Buffy I could watch you get off for the rest of my life. I have never seen anything more beautiful."

She turned to face him, her hooded eyes locking with his as her body responded to his every touch and word. Her hips pushed against his hand, begging for more and her hands pulled his face to hers for a hungry, demanding kiss. She keened against his mouth as he pushed a third finger into her, stretching her. He pulled away from her mouth, sliding down her body until his tongue lightly flicked at her belly button ring. She whimpered as he slowly pulled his fingers from her. Placing a hand on each hip, he gently pulled the satin fabric down her legs, discarding her damp panties. His eyes took in the sight of her completely naked before him. Her body was completely smooth and a sexy smile crept over his face.

"Naughty girl. You shave everywhere?"

She shook her head. "Wax."

"Oooh, hot or cold?" his voice low and sexy.

She laughed softly, * Only Spike could make a Brazilian wax job sound sexy. *

He returned to her body, placing a sucking kiss on her smooth pubic bone before lazily swiping his tongue against her clit, dragging it slowly around it before sucking the bundle of nerves into his mouth and grazing it with his teeth, while his fingers returned to their previous task.

Buffy was reeling against his face and hand, begging him for release. He increased his tempo with his hand and mouth, moving his fingers and trying to stretch her more. She wailed his name as her muscles clamped down on his fingers, her body shaking as her orgasm claimed all of her senses. Spike stilled his movements as he watched the expression of pleasure, then utter relaxation, wash over her beautiful face. He moved up her body, pausing to suck one of her breasts into his mouth before burying his face in her neck, as he slowly began moving his fingers again within her as her muscles relaxed.

"Buffy?"

"Hmm?" she smiled, looking at him with slightly unfocused eyes.

"We haven't really discussed birth control…" he mumbled as she twisted under him trying to pull his hips closer to her.

"It's ok," she managed, distracted by the growing sensation welling within her that his teasing fingers were mounting, "I take a shot…" she managed between ragged breaths.

She pushed against his chest, rolling him on to his back and covering his face and neck with wet kisses. She moved slowly down his chest, kissing the outline of his pecs before swiping her tongue over a nipple then biting down on it with her blunt teeth. He groaned beneath her, his hips rising off the bed and pushing against her soaking core.

She slid further down his body, sucking the tip of his length into her hot mouth. His eyes rolled back in his head and his hips thrust reflexively, pushing deeper into her mouth.

He groaned as he felt her hand close firmly around him, moving up and down his length in almost painfully slow strokes. He drew a sharp breath as her tongue swirled around the head of his cock. He struggled to pull her away from her as she sucked him closer to oblivion.

He flipped her off him, covering her body with his and moaning as she pushed her hips harder at his cock pulsating against her.

He settled between her hips. Their eyes locked as their lips met again in a passionate kiss. Spike caught her hands in his, bringing them up to her shoulders, their fingers interlocking as he pushed against her entrance. They broke the kiss to lock eyes again as he swiftly pushed inside her, their eyes communicating the volumes of emotions that were passing between them. He felt her tense under him, stilling his movement, as her body adjusted to him she pulled her legs up allowing him to slide completely within her. He bit his lip as he waited for her to relax. When she began to rock her hips against him, he thrust against her gently, watching her face for signs of pleasure or pain.

Buffy's mind raced at the sensations of Spike touching her, his body joining with hers, the sensation of him filling her, her body stretching to accommodate his. She had never imagined pleasure so intense, feelings for someone so strong, that all she could think of was being connected to him in every way possible. As he slid into her body, her one thought was simply, * He completes me * Their eyes and hands still locked, they kissed again.

He withdrew from her almost completely, drawing a whimper of complaint from her. He smiled as he pushed back into her totally pushing deeper and faster with each stroke as Buffy panted beneath him, meeting his hips with hers. His lips descended on hers, his tongue plunging in her mouth mimicking the rhythm of their joining.

He groaned as she flexed her muscles around him, "Luv, you are so hot. So tight. I knew this would be incredible…but… ooh…God… never..want..to..stop."

With each word he thrust faster into her, feeling her muscles clench around him as he pulled out then plunged back into her deeper, hitting a spot inside her that sent electric shocks all over her body. Letting go of one of her hands, he pulled one of her thighs over his hip and rolled them so she was on top.

"Why don't you drive for a while." She smiled at that.

She sat up on him and began rocking against him in swift shallow strokes, her hands playing across his chest and abs. His breath was coming in short ragged pants at the sight of her bouncing above him, and the vision coupled with the sensation of her sheathed around him drove him closer to the edge.

She experimented with her movements, discovering all the different ways to change his expression and cause her own breath to catch in her throat. She leaned forward slightly on his chest, moaning at the friction the position placed on her clit and the leverage it provided her to pull further away from him, then thrust back hard against him.

Spike lost all control after she thrust hard against him the second time, his hand found her hips and moved them to meet his at a frantic pace as words tumbled out of him. "OH GOD, BUFFY…SO CLOSE…Mmmm…." He reached between them pressing against her clit and stroking it as their hips slammed together, he fought to hang on and wait for her.

He pulled her chest to his mouth and bit down on a nipple, sending her over the edge screaming his name as her muscles clenched around him like a vise. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her firmly to his body and he tensed as he followed her over the edge in a blinding orgasm.

She slid off his body into the crook of his arm, her head resting on his chest. His arms wrapped around her and one hand stroked her hair and back as their breathing returned to normal. Buffy snuggled closer to him, trying to regain some of the heat lost when she moved off of his body.

"Cold, luv?"

"Yeah," she answered in a sleepy voice.

"Be right back." He untangled himself from her and stood up, moving to the end of the bed to gather the sheets and blankets that had been kicked to the floor during their lovemaking. He cocooned around her with his body as he pulled the bedclothes around them smiling at the contented sigh that escaped from her sleeping form.

Chapter 12

Willow gulped nervously as the cab pulled into the driveway of Oz's parents' house.

"Relax, Will, they're gonna love you."

"You don't know, I'm pretty sure my own parents don't know that I exist."

"It can't be that bad."

"You haven't met them," she mumbled under her breath. He pulled her out of the cab into his embrace, kissing her thoroughly.

"Well I've only known you a week and you own my heart. If I can fall for you in a week, I know my parents will, they are a much easier sell than me."

"If you say so…," she said under her breath as she followed him into the house.

As the door shut behind them, a red-haired woman rushed them in the hallway.

"Oh you must be Willow, you are such a pretty little thing. I love your hair. We should've known our Daniel would bring home a Red-head," she turned her head in the direction of the back of the house, "HONEY, COME MEET DANIEL'S LITTLE FRIEND, SHE'S ADORABLE. SO PERKY!"

Willow groaned inwardly. *I'm here 5 seconds and already I feel like I am back in high school.*

"Mom, give her some room, you're gonna smother her," Oz chided, pulling his mother into a big hug. He reached around her to shake his father's hand as he meandered into the entryway, giving Willow a nod of approval. She smiled at him, * Guess that's where the quiet stoicism comes from. * Oz's mother was prattling on with no end in sight. Willow's head moved back and forth, trying to follow the woman as she moved quickly from room to room, talking without pausing to breathe. Oz shrugged apologetically as he picked up their bags and led her up to his bedroom.

"Your parents seem nice," she giggled as he shut the door in an effort to block out the sound of his mother's incessant chatter. "Do you live here?"

"Oh God no," his tone indigent, "I am sort of between homes, Spike bought a new condo before we left for Vegas, it isn't ready yet, I'm moving in with him when we're done in Vegas."

"Oh," a disappointed look washed over her face. "What happens if they ask you guys to stay on?"

"We'll have to discuss it, nothing is long-term in this business. We have a couple of weekend gigs here and in Sunnydale in January, but after that, who knows. Our single is about to be released; a couple of labels have expressed an interest in cutting a record deal… I don't know, this has turned into more than we ever expected already." He slouched in a chair and motioned for her to join him.

"What did you expect?" she snuggled close to him, getting comfortable in the overstuffed chair.

He mulled her question over in his head for a minute. They never formally discussed it. They had been playing throughout college, and when they had graduated. They skipped out on the career fairs to play gigs and never had really pursued grownup jobs, there hadn't been a reason to, the gigs had actually been enough to pay what few bills they had, and hell they were used to living on nothing anyway.

He shrugged, "We didn't expect anything, I guess we just kept getting offers so we took them. It just happened I guess. We're enjoying what we are doing; it leaves us a lot of free time to pursue other interests. So why mess with a good thing, right?"

Willow frowned slightly and chewed on her bottom lip, wanting to press him further, but not wanting to come off wrong.

He nudged her, "What? You're all serious, frowny face."

"Oh, nothing really. Just… if you aren't all 'I want to make it in the music business and be a rock star,' then why bother? I would think to do what you do would require…I don't know… some determination? Ambition?" she flushed, "I'm sorry, ignore me… it's really none of my business."

"No, no. You make a valid point," he thought over her questions. "I'll think about it, maybe it's time we sat down and made some decisions about where we want to go with this. Spike tends to be the one that takes the initiative, the rest of us tend to just go with the flow."

He pulled her to him, covering his lips with hers, kissing her until they both were panting, shifting their positions to give their hands access to more of each other. "I knew there was a reason I was so attracted to you, smart women are so hot." He smiled as his mouth descended on her neck.

**********

Mike groaned as he slowly awoke, trying to process the sensations pulsing through his body. He shifted under the heavy blankets and a muffled giggle could be heard emanating from between his legs. He moaned as he felt a small hand squeeze his balls as soft wet lips sucked on the tip of his member.

*She is going to kill me. She is going to kill me? with sex. Death by fucking. That is what this is. I am going to die.*

He moaned and thrust his hips at her mouth as she increased her pace.

A slow smile crept across his face, as he quickly pulled away from her mouth and dove under the covers, pinning her with his body. He slammed into her with no pretense, setting a frenzied pace. Chuckling inwardly he thought * no better way to die * as Anya screamed his name pleading for more and more.

*******

Xander's eyes slowly fluttered open, squinting in protest at the blinding light invading his sleep. He unconsciously tried to roll over, startling fully awaking when he realized he couldn't move. His arms were pulled above his head, his wrists manacled to the bed. His mind drifted back to the night's events. * Faith * He pulled against the restraints. "Faith, where the hell are you?"

Faith leapt on top of him, straddling him, "Bout time you woke up, I was getting bored."

"Undo these now," he gritted out, trying to control his rage.

She fastened her lips on his neck, sucking hard. "What if I don't want to?"

"I am not playing Faith, undo these now. I am done."

She sat up looking confused and slightly put off at the obvious anger at his tone. "What's your problem?" she mumbled as she unlocked the manacles. Xander sprung out of bed, pulling on his jeans, shrugging into his shirt in record time, as he jerked on his boots, he turned to face her.

"Faith, you have no concept of trust, or the value of it. I am done with…" he struggled for the right word for what they had been engaged in for the better part of two years. "I am done with the games. With your 'want, take, have' mentality. Waking up chained to the bed is sick. It's one thing to play sex games when both partners are willing. But this… this borders on assault. You are out of control." She flinched at his verbal attack, slightly shaking as he yelled at her.

He softened his tone and sat down next to her on the bed.

"Faith listen to me," as he tugged at her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"I love you. I have been in love with you for a long time. I know you are afraid to hear this. I know you are terrified at the thought of trusting someone. I know you have been hurt and taken advantage of. But enough. I have played by the rules and waited patiently all the while, hoping you would trust me just a little. I have tried every way I can think of to show you that I care about you, that I won't hurt you. But you will have none of it. And now, you're pushing me away in the most efficient way possible, destroying the trust I have in you. It's Christmas Eve. The last thing I wanted today was to wake up chained to the bed. I wanted to wake up in your arms, make love to you for the better part of the afternoon, and celebrate the holidays with you…only you. And you ruined it."

She moved toward him, trying to pull him to her. "No, Faith, sex isn't going to fix this. I want a real relationship with you. You have to make a choice. I'm going home. When you decide what you want, you know where I'll be."

He stood up, pausing, he leaned down, and kissed her deeply, trying to express the complete depth of his feelings for her in one kiss. He pulled away, locking his eyes with hers, trying to emphasize his words.

"I love you, Faith."

She sucked in a sharp breath, biting on her bottom lip as she watched him turn and walk out of the room never stopping to look back.

**********

Giles fidgeted atop the horse as he glanced over again in wonder at the beautiful woman on the beast beside him. * How could I have been so blind for so long? All this time she was right there. So steadfast, constant.* He had missed so many opportunities. First with Jenny, then Joyce. Fate stepping in and ripping them away from him before he gathered the nerve to tell them how he felt. Now he had another chance at happiness, * I won't miss this opportunity, * he thought as his hand slipped into his pocket, his fingers brushing over a small ring he had guarded for his adult life, hoping to find his soul-mate to wear it.

They had arrived at his colleague's mountain retreat several hours before. He knew without question Tara would love the quaint mountain cabin and the use of the stables, the only question that remained was how and when to ask her the question he had waited his entire adult life to ask. His thoughts drifted to his surrogate daughter, and another smile crossed his face. * I really need to sit down and talk with her. She'll know the best way to approach this. She loves Tara, yes, I must talk with Lizbeth as soon as we return to Las Vegas.* He pulled his hand out of his pocket.

"Ready to head back to the cabin, luv? It's starting to get dark, a roaring fire and fine wine awaits."

Tara leaned over to place a light kiss on his lips, then righted herself on the horse, pulling it's bridle firmly, pressing her heels into the gorgeous animal's flanks, "Race you back," she called over her shoulder as her steed took off in a gallop.

*********

Buffy rolled over in bed, tugging the covers tightly around her. * Mmm, * she thought, as she slowly drifted awake, * that was the most delicious dream. * As her blurry thoughts came into focus, a contented smile washed over her face, she could faintly hear the voice of her dream lover wafting in from the next room.

"Will do, Red…. Yeah, she should be waking up soon. Tell Oz we'll talk when you return… when will you get back…Umhm…ok, we'll see you then… Hey, Red, Thanks. She's gonna love it."

Spike softly replaced the phone, then wandered back into the bedroom shirtless, clad only in loose fitting soft black pajama pants carrying a tray with juice, diet coke, coffee, and a plate of Krispy Kremes. He smiled when he saw her buried in the covers with a sexy satisfied smile on her face.

"Afternoon, luv. You hungry?"

"Mmmm… kinda… what time is it?" She struggled under the weight of the bed coverings to sit up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, then flashing him a happy grin, "Oooo, Krispy Kreme and Diet Coke, you know all my vices now," her hand reaching out to snatch a chocolate crème filled doughnut and the soda. She moaned as she bit into the treat rarely indulged in.

"It's half past one, luv."

He laughed at the woman-child before him, wrapped in his sheets savoring each bite of the rich pastry. He carefully inched his way behind her, moving the tray to set on the nightstand. Settling his legs around her, kissing her neck and shoulders as she leaned back against him. He paused between carefully placed kisses, murmuring against her skin.

"I have a few things to care of downstairs," his hands drifted around her waist, gently caressing the soft bronze skin, nuzzling his face in her hair and neck, "Thought you might fancy another soak while I take care of some things."

She took another sip of her soda, after finishing her last bite of doughnut. His hand caught her wrist and brought her hand to his mouth, drawing her index finger into his mouth to suck the chocolate off the tip. Withdrawing it from his mouth, he sucked in another chocolate tipped digit. A small gasp escaped her throat at the sensual attention of his tongue religiously freeing each finger from the sticky confection. She wriggled around to face him, letting the sheet drop to her waist. He caught her lips in seductive kisses, slipping his tongue between them to tease her arousal. He pushed her onto her back; placing wet kisses down her neck, moving slowly down to catch the taut bud perched atop her breast in a tender open-mouthed kiss.

She moaned and writhed under him as his mouth tantalized her body to a smoldering fury.

"God, Spike. Your mouth… so very…mmmm…oh yes… so very talented."

He moved down her body, placing kisses on the firm surface of her stomach, licking each spot before moving lower he sucked and nipped at the flesh, drawing her closer and closer to release.

"You taste so good. Just can't get enough of you…" he settled himself between her legs, and flicked his tongue at the bare skin of her mound. Blowing a puff of warm breath, daring the bundle of nerves hidden under the hood to defy his ministrations. He dipped his head lower, his tongue darting out to push into her sore opening.

She whimpered as he slowly pushed his tongue inside her, swirled it around to taste her, withdrawing it quickly. He looked up at her face, contorted in pleasure, before licking at her clit again, torturing the swollen flesh with quick circles of his tongue and increasing the circumference with each pass. She moaned his name, pushing her hips into his mouth, begging for release. His hands clamped around her narrow hips pulling her firmly against his face, rendering her unable to move he pushed his tongue into her again, as she slowly rewarded him with a tortured moan of pleasure.

He pulled out slowly then pushed back into her quickly, thrusting with firm strokes he fucked her with his tongue. Smiling inwardly, he watched her place a hand over a breast rolling the nipple between her fingers, while the other snaked its way to her clit, rubbing against it in time with the quickening thrusts of his tongue. A scream ripped from her throat as she came, her thighs clamping his head in place as he languidly lapped at the sweet fluids that dripped from her body.

He inched up her body, pausing occasionally to place worshipping kisses on her most sensitive areas; her hands eased the fabric clinging to his body over his hips. He wriggled out of the offending material, kicking it aside as his mouth clamped over her swollen lips, his tongue swiping across them. Her desire for him reached a crescendo as she gently sucked on his tongue, tasting her on him. His erection teased at her entrance, as his hips rocked against her. Her hands fluttered around his waist and back, barely touching his flushed skin, raising the soft hair covering his body with the electricity flowing through her body to ignite his further.

Her hips rocked against his, seeking the completion of herself she knew she would find when their bodies became one again. They each allowed their bodies to take over, giving into the passion mingled with feral need between them. She sighed as he slipped into her slowly, smiling at the sensation of her body stretching around him, caressing him as he slid deeper into her. Their hips rocked together as incoherent words of adoration fell off their lips. Their lips locked again in a lingering kiss joining their souls as the gentle waves of fulfillment lapped at them. The need for release overwhelmed them and their bodies responded. Spike stopped moving, his eyes locked with hers. He pulled out of her, placing a soft kiss on her lips he thrust back into her completely, repeating the motion in rapid succession, pushing them both over the edge as they came together. The muscles of his arms and back groaned in exhaustion, and he collapsed, rolling to her side, pulling her onto his chest as he rained kisses on her face.

They laid in each other's arms in silence as their bodies recovered, neither willing to break the spell cast over them. After sometime, Spike spoke, "Luv?"

"Hmm?"

"I hate to leave this bed, but I really need to get downstairs. The girl at the desk said most things would be closing at 6, it being Christmas Eve and all. I'm going to take a quick shower in Oz's room. I'll be back shortly. I had housekeeping bring up some more bubble bath, towels, a fresh robe, and sent your clothes to laundry, they'll bring them up shortly. Everything is waiting for you in the bath."

She propped herself up on his chest as he spoke, smiling at him in amazement.

"You're amazing." He smirked, " Well, I try." (p) She groaned and flung a pillow at him, wiggling out of his arms trying to escape his grasp.

He pulled her to him, his features turning serious, drawing her lips into a slow sexy kiss. "It's all you. You inspire me to be a better man. One smile from you alone could sustain me for months with nothing else. It soothes me and excites me all at once, consuming me, completing me. You amaze me."

"We really should get up," his voice low and apologetic. "I promised Red we would go by the house tonight too. So better get up. I'll be back later."

"Oh all right," she mumbled as she padded to the bathroom, dumping another bottle of bubble bath into the tub as she turned on the water.

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

Buffy stood in front of the mirror, wishing for her makeup bag from downstairs as she grimaced at the purplish black marks on her neck and chest. * Damn Angel, that narcissistic miserable fuck. I should have stomped on his balls until they ruptured. *

Her thoughts of fitting Angel torture were interrupted by a sharp rap on the outer door. She quickly shrugged on the lush terry robe, tying it loosely at her waist as she approached the door.

"Did you forget your key?" she snickered as she pulled open the door. The smile on her face vanished as her eyes focused, then narrowed on the figure before her. Her lips pressed together in a tight line, her muscles twitching as she gripped the door.

"What the hell do you want, Angel?" she spat as his hulking frame pushed passed her into the hotel suite.

Chapter 13

*** Spike fumbled with the card key, trying to juggle the packages in his arms and unlock the door at the same time. He pushed against the handle when the light turned green. Stepping inside the suite, "Hey luv, I'm back, did you not here me banging on the door?" he quipped as he dumped his packages on the couch.

A frown covered his features, as an eerie sensation of dread washed over him. His eyes swiftly scanned the living room, searching for a clue for his sudden unease. He wandered passed the couch, pausing to pick up the clothing he had sent to the laundry which had been thrown recklessly on the floor. Laying it over the back of the couch, he called to her again. "Buffy, luv? Are you still in the bath?" He pushed against the bedroom door, grimacing as he felt his senses involuntarily heighten. Every fiber of his being tensed, his instincts screaming something is very wrong.

He felt his stomach roll over as his brain processed the assault on his senses. The room reeked of blood. He felt bile in the back of his throat as he noticed blood staining the sheets of the bed trailing down the side of it on to the carpet. He followed it to the bathroom with his eyes, trying to process the overturned lamps, disheveled bed clothes, blood, and no Buffy.

'What the fuck happened here?'

He stood there paralyzed for a second before his body responded to the command of his brain to find her immediately. He darted into the bathroom, and sucked in a breath, commanding his stomach to stop its violent retching when he finally saw her.

He scrambled to her on the floor. She was unconscious, naked, and bloody. An angry red knot was beginning to turn purple across her jaw. Her muscles twitched as he gently pushed on her shoulder trying to rouse her. "Luv, Buffy, wake up. Please, Buffy." The tenor of his voice's pleading becoming louder with each attempt, the terror and fear in his voice unmistakable.

She whimpered softly, rolling away from his touch, exposing her back to him. It was at that moment the full impact of what had taken place in his absence stuck him. Unmistakable handprints were visible on the back of her neck; he felt his stomach lurch again as he focused on the purplish red whelps on the tops of her hips and thighs. 'Oh god.' Then there was the blood. It was everywhere. Her thighs were stained with the sanguine fluid as it coagulated into a sickening puddle beneath her.

She stirred again. "Spike?" she mumbled through her swollen lips.

"I'm here, luv," he spoke quietly, watching her with relief as she turned her neck to face him. Her thoughts coming clearly into focus.

"Listen to me… it hurts to talk." She winced at the pain that ripped through her body with each breath. "I need you to call Xander…tell him to get Cordy…explain to him… tell him to tell Cordy no cops, just her… it's important."

Spike wrestled with her words internally. 'Bloody hell. Of course the cops, this is insane.'

"Ok, the number." He grabbed the phone off the counter and punched in the number as she mumbled it from memory.

She rested her head against the cool tile while he did as she requested, her jaw throbbing as the swelling increased. 'How did I let this happen. God, what was I thinking. I should have known the bastard was capable of this.'

She coughed and spit out a mouth full of blood as Spike hung up the phone, turning his attention to her.

"What can I do now, luv?"

"I need ice."

"Back in a sec." He bolted into the outer room, dumping the contents of the ice bucket onto a hand towel, moving as quickly as possible back to her side. She jumped when the phone rang, Spike quickly answered it while handing her the towel. She winced as she gingerly shifted to her side trying to sit up.

"Where are you, is she with you…" Spike spoke in clipped sentences into the phone, he was then silent as he listened to the person on the other end. He looked over at Buffy struggling to sit up, shivering on the cold tile.

"Luv, it's Xander he's at Cordy's… Xander hang on a second." He sat the receiver down, looking for something to wrap her in to warm her. He pulled a bath sheet off the counter and pulled it around her shoulders. "Luv, Cordy wants to know if she should bring," he flinched as he said the words, his body tensing, anticipating her answer, " a rape kit."

"No, he tried…but the laundry…" His shoulders slumped as he let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding. He picked up the receiver and quickly finished the conversation with Xander.

Buffy tried to force the millions of thoughts running through her head to slow down, so she could deal with all that was happening.

"Um, luv," Spike paused at the door, "they're here."

Cordy pushed passed Spike, "You should wait outside," she commanded.

His shoulders slumped as he walked into the bedroom, righting the overturned lamp by the bed, pulling the sheets off the bed and gathering them into a pile. Trying to stay busy and out of the way while he internally wrestled with his own tormented feelings of shock, rage, sadness, compassion, love, and fear.

***
Cordelia's jaw clenched as she raked her eyes over the room. The year she had worked as a forensic pathologist had not yet hardened her to the point that crime scenes didn't completely unnerve her. And that was when the victim was a stranger. Nothing could have prepared her to see her long time friend/rival crouched on a bathroom floor, beaten and bloody, wrapped in a towel. She pushed her emotions to the recesses of her mind, forcing herself to be professional and set about the task of assessing Buffy's injuries as quickly as possible. ***

"She's taking a shower," Cordelia announced as she walked into the living area, shutting the bedroom door behind her.

Spike wandered through the suite's living area searching for his fags. Seizing them, he lit one up, taking a long draw as he poured three fingers of scotch into a highball glass. Slamming the warm liquor back in one swift motion, he quickly poured another. Grabbing the bottle and two more glasses, he carried them on a tray to the living area, setting it on the coffee table as he sunk into a thick chair. He lit another smoke, taking a slow drink of scotch, then looked at Cordy.

"So?"

Cordy looked around at the expectant faces staring back at her. "She looks worse than she actually is, her jaw isn't broken, badly bruised but not broken." She paused, as Xander poured scotch into all of the glasses and passed them around.

He shrugged, "I figure we all could use some numbing right about now."

Cordy drew a long breath, this time her voice was much lower, choosing her words carefully, finding herself again struggling to remain emotionally detached. "I think she might have a couple of cracked ribs, they could just be bruised, I would need an X-ray… " She took a big gulp of scotch, flinching reflexively as the liquor burned her throat.

Spike felt his skin flush with anger. "Why all the blood?"

"She had a cut at her hair line, there's a good size knot. I would guess she has a mild concussion; head injuries, even small cuts, produce a lot of blood. She indicated her attacker tried to rape her, but was interrupted."

Spike cut her off, "So now what?"

"I don't know. I have broken enough rules here today to definitely get me fired and likely get my medical license pulled. The police should have been called, she should have been taken to an emergency room. She begged me not to do either."

"Oh God," Xander breathed heavily, fighting the waves of queasiness coursing through his body.

"Know how you feel, mate," Spike muttered sardonically, "felt like heaving 'til Tuesday when I found her."

"Do you know who did this?" Cordy studied each of their faces trying to gage their responses. "Because we really should call the police. I work with some great detectives, they would be very discrete."

Spike looked at Xander, "I have a guess."

Xander nodded, "Why do I feel like it's not wrong."

"You're not wrong, it was Angel." Buffy stood in the doorway, her arms folded across her chest defiantly. "And no one is to call the police."

"Xander can I talk to you a minute?" Buffy asked as she walked out on to the balcony. He got up wordlessly and followed her outside pulling the door closed behind them.

Spike refilled his drink, his mind still reeling from all that had happened. He offered Cordelia another drink, she declined politely.

"Not the best circumstances to meet you, but it is nice to meet you anyway. I saw you play the other night at Coyote Ugly. You guys are great." She said trying to fill the awkward silence.

He smirked. "Thanks ever so, pet. All of a sudden my life seems pretty insignificant. She is in danger and doesn't seem to care."

"I don't agree with how she is choosing to handle this," she paused trying to choose her words carefully before continuing, " but it isn't as simple as it may seem to you. There are forces at work in this town that make what seems logical elsewhere, completely unfeasible to people who live here. Like I said, I don't agree with her, I happen to know that there are good people in law enforcement here, and the system can work, but I understand her hesitation."

He sighed heavily, sitting back down in the chair.

"And she is hurt, physically, emotionally. Her behavior may not be entirely rational now. That's to be expected."

"So what I am supposed to do?"

" If I were you I would encourage her to call the police, but be careful, she is in no shape to deal with any pressure."

"How can I keep her safe?"

Cordelia laughed sarcastically. "Actually, that isn't as hard as it might seem. The fact that she was attacked here was truly a fluke, and quite honestly if Angel's father finds out he may not be a threat to her ever again."

"He has attacked her twice here already. He can get to her any time he wants."

"Nothing happens in this place except for inside the actual hotel rooms that isn't recorded. There are cameras everywhere. If Angel behaves in a way that will hurt the business or his family's relationship with another family… he will be dealt with."

"This makes no sense what so ever."

"Yeah, well welcome to Vegas."

Spike nodded in the direction of the balcony. "Here they come."

Xander motioned to Cordelia, "You ready?"

A look of surprise crossed her face, as she scooped up her bag and stood up. "I suppose."

Buffy gave him a hug and mumbled her thanks to them both as they left.

Spike poured another glass of scotch. She shook her head no when he offered her one.

"I don't understand."

"You don't understand what?"

"Why no police? Bastard should go to jail."

"Because that's not how things work here. If they bothered to take him in, he would be out in about ten minutes, and then my problems are ten times worse than they are now. I can handle this. I will handle this."

Spike swallowed his drink quickly and leaned against the counter for support. "You are bent, is what you are. You're out of your bloody mind. Fucking crazy." He raged louder with each word. "I knew there was a lot to you Summers, but I sure hadn't pegged you as some poofter's punching bag. What's it with you two anyway? He must mean something to you to let him pound on you like this."

"Spike. You really ought to shut up now." She tried to control the anger that was rising from deep in the pit of her stomach.

"The hell I will. Somebody needs to talk some sense around here. You've been on your own so long you really think that everything and everyone should be the way you would have them to be without question. You're independent sure, great. I am all about independence but you think that means you can do whatever the hell you like and shouldn't have to explain yourself."

"Why should I explain any of this to you? I've known you what, 10 minutes? I don't have to explain myself to you."

She jumped to her feet, grabbing her jacket and stormed to the door. He followed quickly behind her, placing his hand on the door above her head.

"What are you doing?"

"What's it look like I am doing? I am going home - I have managed to live the last 26 years just fine- been perfectly happy- and you show up, and I'm bent? I'm out of here."

"Buffy, Wait a bloody minute. I care about you. Hell, I think I am falling in love with you. You can't just take off like this. It isn't safe. I was so afraid I had lost you before…." He paused, trying to will the tears he felt daming in his eyes to disappear, "I just found you… "

Her expression softened, she stepped into his arms and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"Spike I can't stay in this room. I need to clear my head. I will be safe, he wouldn't dare touch me in public. I'll meet you at home later. I just need sometime."

"You are in no shape to drive a bike. Let me take you."

"I'm ok. My ribs are sore, I have a headache, but I am not an invalid."

"I'm not suggesting you are, just the bike is heavy, and turns, and sore ribs… not all that wise, luv."

"Take it easy Spike. Xander left me the jeep, he took the speedster home, was none to pleased to drive the girlie bike home, I made him leave you the softtail."

"Ok luv, be careful."

"I will. " She closed her eyes as he brushed his lips lightly over hers.

He sighed heavily, removing his arm from the door he stared at the empty space where she had stood.

'Bloody Hell, what just happened here?'

****************
Angel slammed around his hotel apartment.

'How dare she? Who the hell does she think she is? Making a fool out of me. Running around with that band member. Behaving like a whore. If we hadn't been interrupted, I would have shown her just what acting like a whore will get her.'

"Angel? Are you in there?" He groaned, 'Not now. Don't want to deal with you now.'

"Angel! I know your in there, I can hear you moving around, open the door, I'm in a hurry."

'Great. Pull yourself together man, act all charming for the airhead you're supposed to marry.'

He pulled open the door, "Hi cutie, what's up?"

The small woman pushed passed him, dropping a pile of books on the coffee table, after a brief pause to give him a cursory kiss on the lips.

"Hi honey. Daddy wants to announce our engagement on New Year's Eve, he discussed it with your Dad, they've agreed."

"Sounds great," he mumbled flatly as he went to the bar and poured himself a double.

"So all I have left is get with Spike and…."

"What? Spike.. why?" he mumbled into his drink as he tried to control his rage.

"Management wants to book them for the party, and I thought I would ask them to play something special for us."

He shrugged, accepting that.

His fingers clamped against the glass in his hand as she began chattering again, "Besides, he's a hottie. Every girl who walks in here would love to get a few minutes alone with him. I think I will ask Daddy to get him to be the entertainment at my bachelorette party…"

"SHUT UP."

"What?" Angel flew across the room at her.

"I don't want to hear you talk about him again, do you understand me?" His fingers bit into the tops of her arms, and she yelped as he pushed her back on the couch. He pressed his lips against hers, harshly biting her lips.

"You're not jealous of Spike, are you?" she asked in her little girl voice, trying to sound coy, never seeing the fist that crashed into her mouth.

"I told you to shut up." He pushed her skirt up over her waist and ripped her thong off her hips. Pinning her body underneath him, he unfastened his pants and slammed his erection into her. A scream ripped through the suite as he tore into her. "I have had it with my women panting around this place for that guy. You are mine. Do you understand me? Mine." His thrusts into her punctuated each word.

******
The elevator doors opened, Buffy charged through barely containing the rage building within at Angel never seeing Faith before she ran smack into her knocking her to the marble floor.

"Damn, B, watch where you're going will ya?" Faith demanded wincing as she stood up, raking her eyes over the shorter blonde before her.

"What the hell happened to you?"

"Angel. Again."

Faith's eyes flickered in anger, growling low in her chest. "Don't know about you, B, but I've 'bout had it with Peaches."

"I'm all on board with the have had it with Peaches campaign. Would really like to find an appropriate thank you for the lovely black and blue marks he has so graciously favored me with of late. Not to mention the nice twist he has created in the first possible relationship I have had in …oh I don't know… FOREVER?"

"Hmm. Had an altercation with Spike as a result, eh?"

"Not an altercation exactly. He doesn't understand… he is upset because I wouldn't let anyone call the cops. I tried to explain…"

"But he doesn't get it. Give him a break, B. He isn't from here, you can't expect him to understand how things work. I'll have Xander talk to him. If I can get Xander to talk to me…"

Faith's eyes fell to the ground, Buffy could tell the brunette was struggling to maintain her composure.

"Hey, why don't we go over to the Bellagio and play some black jack… have a drink or two?" Buffy asked suddenly, thinking quality play time at her favorite casino might be just the distraction they both apparently needed.

"Actually, that sounds like a great idea. Wanna stop by the 'den' and get dressed to kill?"

"Absolutely."

************************
Xander stuck his head out the door when he heard the sound of a motorcycle downstairs.

"She's not here. I thought she was still with you."

Spike swore under his breath as he dismounted from the bike. "No she took off a couple of hours ago, said she was coming home, she was pretty upset."

Xander couldn't help but notice the dejected look etched on the blonde Brit's features. "Well come on up, I've the perfect tonic for all things woman."

Spike followed the dark haired man into the small apartment, and flung himself down on the couch with a grunt.

"So what did you do to incur the wrath of the Buffmeister?" Xander asked passing him a beer.

"Man, I don't get women. Everything was perfect this morning then her ex shows up and beats on her again. I try to convince her to press charges. Get that ponce out of her life for good, and she goes all freaky on me. Says I don't know anything about it. Should stay out of it. How can she say that? I mean, hell ten hours before I had the best shag of my entire life, and now I am supposed to just stand aside and do nothing while he beats the crap out of her, hell, next time he might actually rape her. And she is all 'I've handled this by myself for the last 26 years. I will handle this now.'"

Xander laughed out loud nearly choking on his beer at Spike's imitation of Buffy's 'I-am-woman-voice'. "Sorry man. Sounds like you need the crash course in Vegas 101."

"Vegas 101? That's a bloody joke right?"

"No man, no joke. Buffy is right about calling the cops. It would likely get her a lot more trouble. Hell, it might get her killed."

"What are talking about? Get her killed? I don't follow you, mate."

"Spike, ever heard of the mob?"

"You mean Mafia?"

"Bingo, what's he won Alex?"

"That's just made-up Hollywood stuff."

"Sadly, no. It's all too real. Angel comes from a very powerful family in this town. His father is an original good fella. You don't just call the cops when they're involved. They own the cops, and they will kill you for the trouble. You're wise to avoid them, and if you can't- you damn sure don't go out of your way to piss 'em off. Trips into the desert in the middle of the night, destination-big-hole-in-the-ground are the favored way of dealing with 'problems' around here. Not calling the cops."

Spike shook his head in disbelief, emptying his beer. "Un-fucking-believable."

"Believe it man. It's the truth. Most people you'll meet are clean. But make no mistake the higher ups at the casino are family. At nearly all of them, and you give them proper respect, or you will be dealt with. Eventually, Angel will piss off the wrong family member and he will be dealt with, but for now, Buffy made the right choice."

Xander got up to answer the phone, leaving Spike alone to think over all he had learned.

*******
Buffy snapped her cell phone closed as Faith walked into the office, hopeful the brunette hadn't noticed her on the phone, knowing she would likely bolt if she knew Xander and Spike would be joining them later.

"Ready to motor?"

"You bet, B. Let's go play."

The pair walked past the suggestive catcalls of several casino patrons to the concierge desk.

"Hey Clem, have a limo free for a few minutes?" Faith purred.

"Sure Faith. Where are you fine ladies off to, this lovely Christmas Eve?"

"Bellagio."

Chem whistled under his breath, as he opened the door for the girls smiling appreciatively as he watched their shapely legs swing into to back of the limo.

"Have a great night ladies."

"You too, Clem." They called back in unison.

*********
Buffy giggled drunkenly as she scooped her mountain of chips into her purse, tossing a twenty to the dealer.

"Come on B. The craps tables look hot tonight."

Buffy groaned. "I think I'll just watch, Buffy and craps are un-mixy things."

"Chicken"

"That's me, big chicken. I'll just sit over here and play slots while you loose all your money."

"Wuss."

Buffy shrugged, sitting down at a machine close to the craps table Faith was playing at. She sucked in a sharp breath when she recognized the familiar sexy blonde walking toward her with Xander following closely behind him. It unnerved her that just a glimpse of him, even from a distance caused her body to flush as her pulse quickened with anticipation.
She unconsciously fed a ten into the machine trying to appear as if she hadn't seen his approach. She felt him behind her as she hit the play max credit button then spoke without turning around.
"Well if it isn't the bleached wonder."

"Did you miss me, luv?" He leaned in close to her pressing his chest into her back. Placing a sucking kiss on her neck he whispered, "Sorry about before, Xander explained the quagmire that is Las Vegas to me, I trust your judgement. I just don't like my girl to be touched by anyone, besides me that is."

"Your girl? Getting a little possessive aren't we?" She hit the play button again as she spun around on the stool.

"I guess I am. Is that ok?"

She eyed him curiously, "Well, as long as it goes both ways I suppose it's all right."

"Deal." He smiled as he pulled her against him capturing her lips in a kiss staking his claim as she mewled against him. He pulled away slowly from her.

"Luv? What does it mean when the machine goes all wonky with lights and what all?"

"Huh?" She queried as she turned back to the machine, "Oh my God…. I won. Oh God. I won lots."

"You won? What did you win?"

"I don't know, it's still rolling… the jackpot I think. Oh my God. It's still going. SPIKE!!!!"

She turned around and leap into his arms. "I won…OH MY GOD." She lunged at him kissing him ignoring the small crowd that was gathering around her, then squealing in delight as he spun her around as he kissed her.

Her squeals of delight quickly changed to cries of pain. "OH, Owwwww. Spike… Ribs… Oh… can't breathe… Shit."

"Oh God, Sorry luv. I was in the moment. Are you ok."

"Yeah… nothing a pain killer and some champagne won't fix."

He gently pulled her against him nuzzling his face against her ear. "You sure that is wise luv. Wouldn't want you to pass out on me."

She felt a rush of warmth course through her body as it flushed in response to his nearness. She pressed closer to him. "Well in that case, I'll just take half…"

Next