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Doctor Buffy

“He’s your what pet?“

Buffy rolled her eyes.

“I married him, ok, it lasted for 6 months,” said Buffy avoiding.

“You married that wanker?”

“Yes I did, I’m a sucker for an accent. He’s a very nice man.”

“Then why didn’t you stay married to him?” asked Xander.

“He wasn’t Spike.”
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Nate was charming, Nate was gracious and all of those things that Buffy had loved about him. He had made her happy for a year, three months dating, 3 months engaged and 6 months married, and for that she was grateful. Now he was here and was making Spike jealous.

“The terms of your salary are thus, you will continue your duties as Chosen One, following the orders of the Watcher assigned to you. You will also sign a confidentiality agreement for the duration of your life, in regards to any information you learn about the workings of the Council. This document will also clarify the right to information between yourself and the council.”

“I can agree to those terms. What else Nate?”

“The council would wish for you to send your own status reports along with those of your watcher, monthly.”

“Hmmm, I don’t know about that, Buffy and books, unmixy things,” she lied.

Nate laughed, “Perhaps, but it is felt that the council have been out of touch with the slayers...”

“That much is true, so what do I get with my fab salary? Dental? Cause I‘m gonna need dental, dentures aren‘t cheap.”

Nate laughed. Buffy remembered liking his laugh. It was really too bad that he hadn’t met her yet. They would have so much to talk about, like that time two weeks after their honeymoon that Dawn arrived unannounced and had walked in on naked breakfast, at 4 pm.

Ahh... the memories. Buffy shook her head bringing herself back to reality. She loved Spike. Lots and lots. There was no room for Nate, and a relationship that she knew wouldn’t work.
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Spike was livid. By the time she and Nate had finished their conference, Spike had smoked at least a pack of cigarettes and had begun to wear a hole in the floor.

“So do I need to dress up for this date?” asked Buffy.

“Sure you don’t want to cancel and spend it with your hubby?”

“Geez Spike, I’m not interested in him. What part of divorced don’t you understand?”

There was a long pause.

“So do I need to dress up for this date?” asked Buffy again.

“It’s up to you pet,”

“Can you tell me where we are going?”

“It’ll be a surprise.”
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Spike drove them out to the beach. The same beach that she had taken him to via video camera not too long ago. Out on the sand was a blanket and candles and...Food! This vampire certainly knew the way to this girl’s heart.

Buffy smiled at her vampire. He could be so sweet.

Spike led her from the car and to the blanket. He had strawberries and chocolate sauce waiting. Buffy sat with light from the assorted candles flickering in the gentle breeze. Yes it was November, and she was a little chilled, but he had put so much effort she didn’t want to ruin it by saying it was too cold to be on the beach.

“This is so beautiful. Spike? When did you have time to set this up?”

“Had Clem do it, he owes me a tabby or two.”

Buffy laughed. The Master Vampire had contracted out.

“I will never understand what’s up with demons and kittens.”

“You aren’t meant you understand pet, it’s a demon thing,” said Spike pouring her a glass of sparkling grapefruit juice, which she liked and was surprised that he knew that about her.

“What if I want to understand?”

“Understand what?”

“You, all about you. William, Spike, the whole mixed up and tragic life that is you.”

“I thought you obsessed about me for ages and found out everything you could about me.”

“Maybe I did, but that still doesn’t mean that I understand you.”

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Buffy was sitting at the table in the magic box, diligently writing on her cards. She had woken up relaxed and pleased with her self. She had thoroughly enjoyed her date with Spike. Willow and Tara hadn’t any classes this morning, but she so desperately wanted to get out of the house, what with the silent treatment the two witches were giving each other. The house of no talking. It was scary.

“Buffy, your work, it sounds utterly fascinating. I would be honoured if perhaps when you had time, we could discuss your research,” said Giles, who had just finished proof reading her introduction.

“Absolutely Giles, how’s now? I have time.”

At that point Spike walked in with a blanket on his head.

“Ooh goody, an audience!” said Buffy.

“Audience for what?” asked the vampire.

“Giles wants a brief overview of the Doctoral thesis of Dr Buffy Anne Summers.”

Spike smiled and leaned back on the counter. “Should be interesting.”

“Well I think it is anyway. Oooh I feel excited. I haven’t taught since, well it’s got to be like 40 years or something. I feel like I need a pointer, is there something I can point with?” Buffy looked around the room.

“Will a broom do love?”

Buffy scrunched up her nose. “Too big...ooh I know!” Buffy raced into the training room and got a long thin fencing foil out of the weapons trunk. Buffy rushed back into the main room.

Buffy paused for a moment and then looked at her two audience members. “Of course I have nothing to point at...” she mumbled.

“Can Vampires feel? Of course you say, how many of us have seen a vampire clutch his chest in pain as you stake him. But that isn’t the kind of feeling I’m talking about. Can Vampires love? Can they express the same feelings towards family and loved ones. I postulate that they can, and I’ve seen the proof.”

Buffy winked at Spike.

“Regardless of the fact that most vampires are soulless, the vampire who belongs to a cohesive family unit, such as the Aurelius line, have bonded with the other members of their families, experiencing the same feelings that human families have. Jealousy, love, loyalty, these are all emotions that are experienced by vampires.”

Buffy paused again. “You can tell I’ve done this before can’t you?”

She continued.

“Familial bond is transmitted through blood. As a very wise vampire once said to me, ‘'Cause it's always got to be blood.’ The bond is begun with the first bite. There are three distinct types of vampire bite. To Feed or kill, which scars the victim, should the victim live. To Mark, with the intent on turning the victim, and To Claim. To Mark or To Claim a person is a very important rite, sacred in the eyes of other vampires. On a physical level a bite to Mark and a bite to Claim appear very similar. For example I was bitten by Dracula, To Mark, with the intent of turning. This was placed over my To Feed bite given by Angel and therefore the older scar has completely disappeared. It is impossible to tell the difference between Claim and the Mark. Spike’s scar, a Claim scar is indistinguishable from my Mark scar.”

Spike raised his hand.

“Uh, pet, I’m sorry about interrupting your lovely yammering, but I’m not Claimed. This is a Mark scar.”

Buffy frowned.

“You weren’t Claimed by Drusilla?”

“Nope, always belonged to her daddy she did.”

“Then why didn’t you... I mean you had opportunity...” Buffy trailed off

“What’s that pet?”

“Why didn’t you Claim me?” she asked sadly.

“We’ve been together for a week Pet.”

“No I mean before, the first time...arg! You don’t remember, it hasn’t happened for you and it won’t happen now... Are you thinking about Claiming me?”

“Don’t really think that this is something we should be discussing in front of the watcher pet.”

Buffy smiled. “You are right.”

She continued, “The mechanics of the Claim and Mark bite are the same.” Buffy walked over to Spike and stood him up. “Game face please,” she asked.

Spike complied.

“The bite to Mark or to Claim is always done on the neck, any bite anywhere else on the body is considered a To Feed bite. To Mark the vampire does not need permission, just like the To Feed bite, the bite is placed on the neck. No special words need be said, however if the victim is to be made Childer, the vampire will then say the Sire/Childe oath according to the traditions of their line. Go ahead Spike.”

“Huh?”

“What’ s the Aurelius Sire/Childe oath?” she asked with a smile on her face.

“You already know it, can tell by the twinkle in your eye, so why do I have to say it?”

“Because you are my special guest, my audio visual. Please.”

Spike rolled his eyes.

“You will be my childe,” he said matter of factly, “and I will be your sire, teach you the ways of our line and add glory to the name Aurelius.”

“Just how did you learn of this Sire/Childe oath Buffy?” asked Giles.

“I did some field research for a few years, also I ran in to Drusilla, you’ll be happy to know that she is still mad as a hatter.”

“How did you get her to tell you?” asked Giles.

“Oh, there was a spell involved, made her think I was Darla giving her a quiz. It was good times. To continue, the oath is only needed if the intended victim is not to be turned right away. Now we get to the good stuff. The To Claim bite. Usually done during sex, bonds the two beings performing the ritual forever in a kind of vampire marriage, if the Claim is reciprocated. The To Claim bite is always accompanied by the ritual words, Mine, Yours and Forever. I could demonstrate?” said Buffy hopefully.

“Please,” said Giles fascinated.

“Yay!” Buffy put down her pointer and walked towards Spike.

“What are you going to do Slayer?” Spike asked with trepidation.

Buffy smiled. She placed her hands on either side of his head and kissed him chastely on the lips.

“I love you,” she said sweetly and then tilted his head.

Before either of the men knew what had happened, Buffy bit down on Spike’s neck.

“Mine,” she stated, and then started licking the wound she had made.

“Yours” came Spike’s breathless response.

Buffy felt Spike’s fingers grip her tighter, then she felt his fangs pierce her skin. Buffy’s eyes rolled back into her head from the glorious feeling of it all. She wanted this. She had wanted this for such a long time. She loved him and in that instant, with his fangs in her throat, she knew that he loved her too.

Buffy noticed that Giles had finally realised what was happening and got up out of his chair.

“Don’t you dare stake him, Giles,” Buffy threatened.

“Mine” roared Spike.

“Yours” agreed Buffy.

Buffy felt Spike lick the wounds on her neck. Buffy felt a surge of something pass through her body.

“Forever” they both uttered.

After a few moments they broke away from each other.

“Geez, that lecture got outta hand, didn’t it?” said Buffy as she sat down out of breath. “Congratulate me Giles, I just got married!”

“I don’t understand what just happened here,” said Giles a little stunned.

“What’s not to understand? I claimed Spike, Spike claimed me, I love him, He loves me, we’re a happy family,” Buffy sang. “Oh god, kill me now, I’m singing Barney songs”
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