chap 19

Thank You Thank You Thank you for the reviews. I’m always on pins and needles to see what you guys thing. A word of caution, this chapter is a little dark. Spike is an evil Vampire, and the road to redemption is not all peaches and daisy’s. There are some derogatory comments about Angel’s soul in here. This is just how I think that Spike might feel about it. I don’t think that Angel has no hope of redemption or is weak, these are Spike’s thoughts not mine. He’s only been batting for the winning team for a week. Please keep an open mind and tell me what you think, especially about Angel’s character. My next chapter will be a little more Spuffy luv and a little more plot.

Rain

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

Eternity trickled by in slow seconds and timid minutes. When Buffy was sure that she would burst Angel’s low slung car finally turned into her drive. Cordelia was driving. She walked around to the passenger side and opened the door and a cloaked figure dashed to the house under a smoldering blanket. Angel was pulling a William. Buffy had no time to smile about the little joke though; she flung open the door, whispered an invite and hauled Angel inside. She even repressed the desire to slam the door in Cordelia’s face.

“Can you feel him?” She asked without preamble. Angel didn’t answer. He stood stupidly in front of the door, just staring at her. “Well? Can you tell where Spike is? I really don’t understand about the whole vampy bond thingy.” Buffy couldn’t keep the sharp bite of impatience out of her voice. An hour, they had taken him a little over an hour ago.

“What? How? I mean Buffy he’s all over you?” Buffy put her hands on her hips and gave him her best glower. Was he planning on helping or just sitting there rambling? “When? How long have you been mated? It isn’t even possible with a human. What the hell were you thinking Buffy? Spike is a dangerous killer!”

Buffy felt like screaming. Couldn’t he just answer the fucking question? “Prophecy, End of the World, Spell gone Wonky, Hell God trying to kill us! Blah Blah Blah. I’ll explain later. Spike is being tortured right now! For me! I can’t feel where he is because of some spell or another and I need to get him out!”

“Geez, Chill Buffy, it’s just Spike.” Cordelia gave her patent eye roll and Buffy lunged at her. Lucky for her, Angel caught her before Buffy could pound her face in. She was so not in the mood for Cordelia’s 0 to Bitch in 90 seconds routine.

“Buffy, I can’t feel him as strong as I should be able to. But I have no doubt that I can track him after the sun goes down. We’ll find him and we’ll get him out. I’ve got to talk to Rupert. Try not to kill or maim anyone.” Somehow just hearing someone say that they would find him calmed her. She went to pacing, pretending she couldn’t hear Giles and Angel talking in hushed quiet whispers. Giles explaining what was going on and Angel demanding to know why he wasn’t called earlier. The wait was excruciating.

Finally the sun sank in a fiery ball below the horizon. Buffy was reminded of another time she had waited for the sun to sink, just a few days ago. How had everything changed so fast? Buffy left Anya and Giles with her mom and Dawn. Angel said he couldn’t really feel Spike, but he could smell him. So they set off on foot the way that Buffy had ran in the first place. Angel led the way, Buffy dogging his heels. Faith, Cordelia, Willow and Xander followed in a loose knot. Buffy told them that the priority was getting Spike out so as soon as he was free, they were to get out as quick as possible. They needed a better plan before they took on Glory in earnest. Buffy was a nervous ball of energy. Spike was fading in and out of consciousness. Please Please Please let him be ok.

Just after the point that Buffy had stopped before when she was chasing after her mate, Angel turned left. He trotted along without hesitation. When she asked if he was sure they were going the right way; Angel gave her an inscrutable look and said that the smell of Spike’s blood was heavy on the air. She almost wished she hadn’t asked. Angel led them on a twisting journey through the streets, ending in the warehouse district. Poor Cordelia was huffing and puffing like the little engine that couldn’t. Willow and Xander weren’t doing much better. Buffy felt a burst of love for her friends that they would push themselves so hard for her. She had no illusions that anyone but her, and maybe Angel, were here for Spike.

They stood in front of an old abandoned building. Angel was balanced on the balls of his feet, completely focused. “He’s definitely in there.” He said quietly. “What are the odds that this is a trap?”

“Why would they cloak the bond if they wanted me to come after him?” She asked. It was nice, side by side with Angel about to do some serious Slaying. She missed having him with her at times like this. Oh God. This was a moment of clarity. She missed his companionship; she missed his back-up. But she no longer missed his kisses. Buffy almost wept with the realization that the desperate flame she had carried for Angel had finally smoldered out. To be replaced by a craving that could very well consume her completely. She needed to be careful with her heart. So Careful.

“We’re going in regardless.” Angel replied with a shrug. It was one of the things she admired about him. Cool composure in the face of the odds. They skirted the direct path of the windows and edged closer to the building. The front door was one of those heavy steal numbers, with an impressive looking lock mechanism. Angel ruthlessly twisted the handle and wretched the door open.

They were met by Spike, stumbling down the hall, completely oblivious to their presence and being chased by short little henchmen in brown robes. Angel sprung past Spike quicker then she could blink and made quick work of the two little men in the hall. Buffy slipped under one of Spike’s rather bloody arms and took his weight onto her shoulders. She felt blood spray over her back and stared for a minute at the horrible pattern it made on the wall, but she didn’t turn around and look. She was pretty sure those two men had been human. The moment she touched her mate she felt the thin veil between them lift and took a deep painful breath as her echo of his pain became more intense. Glory was going to die a long painful death.

Angel swept Spike up into his arms like a sack of potatoes and they ran outside. Buffy could hear Glory shrieking for them to come back with her Vampire. Buffy whipped around, regardless of what she had told the others, Spike was hers! Xander yanked on the hood of her sweater, pulling her off balance and stumbling. He was right. She ran with the others, feet pounded heavily on the blacktop. They were not followed.

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

Spike was being carried by strong muscular arms that seemed vaguely familiar. Buffy was close to him, their bond no longer shielded. He took a deep breath to catch her scent and was assaulted by another scent. A scent of home and family and power. The scent of Angelus. Spike was obviously hallucinating. He carefully kept his eyes closed and deliberately kept from breathing. Christ his bloody body hurt. He felt like Martha Stewart on a bender. Seriously twisted out of shape.

He was shifted and bounced rather roughly. Judging by the scent around him they were headed up the stairs of Buffy’s mum’s house. A soft woman’s voice, Joyce, asked after him and was sent away. Spike hitched his breath when he was deposited onto his mate’s bed. The door clicked shut with an air of finality. Spike could smell rage all over his sire. The question was: who was he mad at? That Glory Cunt, Him, or Buffy? Probably all three, he was right steamed. Angelus pulled his bloody shirt away from his body and Spike had to bite his lip to keep from making a sound of agony. “What the hell have you been doing to my Childe?” Angelus shouted angrily. Okay, pissed at Buffy then.

“What do you mean?” Buffy’s voice was soft and wounded. He could feel her confusion coming from the bond. Had Angelus ever spoken to her that way? Probably not, especially since he was toting around his shiny soul.

“Look at him! That stab wound is at least 20 hours old! He looks like he’s been used for a punching bag for at least a week!” Angelus punched something; there was a dry crunching sound. Most likely punched the wall. “Jesus Christ Buffy! What the Fuck have you been doing to my Childe?” His voice was loud, harsh, and angry.

“I…There’s been assassins. Some pink thing, and Vampire’s and Faith…We’ve both been hurt.” Buffy was rattled to say the least. He felt her overwhelming concern for him, her fear and affection. And her confusion. She didn’t really understand, Angelus had probably led her to believe that he hated his Childe. But Angelus had always reserved the right to punish him for himself. Regardless of everything, they were family. Spike had been the favorite Child for over two decades; he and Angelus had been very close, in a violent love hate sort of relationship.

“YOU LET THAT FAITH WHORE STAB HIM AND SHE’S STILL IN THIS HOUSE?” Angelus Bellowed! Buffy let out a surprised sound and Spike realized with a shock that he had started towards her. Spike found himself quite grateful that his Sire had something else to be pissed about besides him shagging his girl six ways from Sunday.

“That’s enough Angelus.” His voice came out raspy and wounded, not at all strong like he needed it to be. He hated for Angelus to see him like this, bruised, battered, broken. It was a shame that he couldn’t at least sound strong and authoritive. Spike cracked his eyes open, wincing at the harsh light in the room, gauging his Sire’s reaction to his given name. He liked to be called that Nancy boy name now, Angel. But he was still Angelus, no matter what he liked to pretend. Both sets of eyes in the room snapped to him, both concerned. At least before Angelus masked all emotion behind that tight mask he wore all the time now. “Leave her be.”

The older Vampire gave a curt nod of acknowledgement and walked close to the bed. He seemed to consider for a moment and Spike made sure to maintain eye contact. Rather stupid of him to provoke the Alpha male that way but he couldn’t help it, blatant disregard for the safe approach was just part of him. Angelus’s lips turned up in the barest of smiles, he knew Spike was challenging him and found it funny, a gravely growl escaped Spike’s dry scratchy throat. Quicker than thought Spike found himself repositioned, leaning up against his Sire’s broad chest, cradled in the vee of his legs. Angelus held his venerable wrist to his Childe’s lips and Spike let out a hungry sound before he could stop himself. “Trying to fatten me up before I’m led to Slaughter?”

Apparently Angelus’s indulgence was at an end because he twisted his hand roughly in Spike’s hair pushing his face into the wrist. “Drink the Fucking Blood, William.” Spike hesitated, trying to judge just how far he could push the other Vampire. Angelus twisted his hair ruthlessly and Spike Vamped and bit into the soft pale skin. Didn’t know why he was making a big deal out of it anyway, it was in his best interest. Hot, Rich, Powerful Sire’s blood flooded his mind and senses. It numbed his pain and heightened his perceptions. “Wouldn’t my blood help him more?” Buffy questioned from beside the bed. She had moved closer to it. He met her eyes even as he sucked greedily from the jagged wound he had left on his Sire’s wrist. Tosser shouldn’t have yanked on his hair so hard.

Spike frowned around the wrist in his mouth when the Slayer’s gaze left him and focused on Angelus instead. “No, Sire’s blood is best.” He replied, voice soft and soothing, his emotions apparently back on that annoying even keel. Buffy gazed at him, concern and love evident in her gaze. The way that she would never look at Spike, no matter what he did, because he was an evil soulless git. Spike shifted, uncomfortable with the jealousy rushing through his system. Unsure of just who he was jealous of. He could feel Angelus’s hardness against his backside, which was why he was in his lap. Fact was bloodletting was an incredible aphrodisiac, wouldn’t want the Slayer to see the effect his Childe was having on him. “Enough William”

Without thought Spike slit his tongue with his fangs, and ran his soothing blood over the wound he had made. A shudder ran through Angelus at the sensation and Spike cursed himself for a bloody wanker, shoving the arm roughly from his mouth. Old habits die hard. And if the Git called him William again he was going to rip his sodding head off. It was a little late to be playing sire games now, a hundred bloody years too late. Truth was he felt fifty times better but he’d hang himself on a cross and wait for dawn before he’d say thank you. Spike struggled to his feet and his sire did nothing to stop him, Buffy grasped his arm as if to hold him up. He’d admit that he was weak as a day old infant but he pulled himself from her grasp anyway. He also ignored the hurt expression on her face. He’d make it up to her later, that is if she let him touch her. She reeked of guilt, now that she had been reminded of the magnificent pouf and his shiny soul.

“Feeling the pull of family Angelus? Decided to come tend to your responsibilities?” His sire winced visibly and turned his head. But Spike never did know when to quit, and keeping his mouth shut wasn’t his strong suit. He drew in a sharp breath at the pain of tight leather on his bruised knuckles as he fished around in his pocket. He hissed out loud when he brushed cold metal, he grasped the chain and pulled it from his pocket. Angelus surged to his feet and they both stood mesmerized for a moment by the spinning charm. Drusilla’s cross. She’d worn it the day she was turned. Angelus had thought it was funny to leave it on her to burn her when she rose. He’d had to take it away from her; she wouldn’t quit burning herself with the damn thing. Spike flung it hard but his infuriating elder caught the damn thing before it could brand his face. “You have other responsibilities.” Spike hissed.

Buffy was brimming with concern and confusion. She took his arm again and he leaned into her instinctively. It just came so natural. He turned his head to breathe in her scent for a moment and was overwhelmed by her sweet smell of her hair. His demon melted away at her nearness and his body swayed closer to soak up more of her heat. Christ she made him dizzy. Or maybe it was all the torture. One could never be sure. “There is nothing that can be done for Dru, you know that Spike.”

Angelus’s voice had a sharp edge, he knew him well enough to know that it was time to drop the subject. His head swiveled back to pin Angelus with a glare. “She needs to be watched, I can’t right now.” Spike carefully did not look in Buffy’s direction but he felt her stiffen beside him. Strong currents of jealousy almost overwhelmed her concern. And the confusion was gone. She knew who they were talking about now. Hadn’t he told her that Drusilla was lost to him? Didn’t she understand that Dru would never take second fiddle? After Buffy, that was all he could offer. “She might decide to frolic in the sunlight, or forget to eat, or burn herself with crosses. What’s the matter Peaches? Helping your own creation doesn’t even the score any in the quest for redemption?” His voice had a bit of bitter edge to it as well.

Angelus wore that lost puppy expression that was new since the soul. The “why is everyone picking on me?” look. The look that signified everything that was different now. The look that Spike hated. “I came here to help you Spike.” Wrong tactic “Daddy”. No Soul, no remorse, so guilt trip #67 wasn’t going to work.

“Yeah so long as it doesn’t tarnish your shiny soul. Tell me Peaches, does helping the undead count? Can you put up a mark on the good deed’s side of the scoreboard? What are you behind now, 3 million?” Spike swayed embarrassingly, so he threw himself into Buffy’s vanity chair in a lazy sprawl. “Well, you’ve done your civic duty, and I’m knackered so you can piss off now.” Spike watched Angelus closely; he closed his eyes and clenched his fists. He’d bet dollars to donuts that the old man was counting to ten. The other Vampire relaxed by bits, until his hands hung loose at his sides.

“What do you need, painkillers?” His voice was soft and even. God he hated that, Spike wanted to push his buttons, rattle him.

“I told you what I need. Your soul damage your hearing? Need things repeated now, like a three day old fledgling?”

His jaw clenched and his large hands formed tight fists. “I can’t harbor a cold blooded killer Spike, Dru would never be able to fit in with my lifestyle now.” Voice still soft and even.

“Dru’ll do whatever “Daddy” tells her to.” Angelus roared. He spun away from both of them, exposing his back. Before the soul Angelus would never have turned his back on him. Angel was a fool. A weeping, pansy ass, fool, staggering under the weight of a two hundred year old soul that could never be redeemed. He could try for all eternity, he was still a Vampire. A thing so evil and vile that the heavens wept. Forever banned to the darkness, animated by stealing the blood of others. The soul didn’t change his name and it didn’t change what he was. It just made him weak.

“Buffy, why do you put up with him? Is he killing?” His voice was still even. Gods, he hated that composure.

“No” Her answer was simple. Without adornment, spoken in a firm unwavering voice. Had to admire the girl. His girl. Hell of a spine she had.

Angelus spun back to them, almost wearing a sneer before he could school his features to careful blandness once again. “And you believe him?”

“He hasn’t left my side.” His sire visibly flinched. Surely he could smell him all over the Slayer. All over her room. Spike couldn’t help his smirk. But it didn’t matter who was shagging her, Angelus still won. He had made a slayer fall in love with him, and she loved him still. His smirk turned sour and he shifted uncomfortably. What he really needed was to dive into Buffy’s warm bed and stay there for three days. Heal up good so they could get to slaying evil hell god’s who liked to fuck with him.

“Spike, what did Glory want with you?” Buffy’s voice was gentle, in no way accusing. He flinched anyway.

“Well first she wanted to know who the key was. Then she wanted me dead so that she could defeat you without problem. I told you we needed to stick together.”

In true Buffy fashion his mate ignored most of what he said. “Did you tell her about Dawn?” She had an almost desperate air about her and Spike hated the fear oozing through her. Angelus left on silent feet and with his withdrawal Spike took a deep calming breath and relaxed. He rose and limped to the bed, falling heavily into the sweet softness of Buffy’s pillows.

“No luv, I didn’t tell her. But she knew it had become human. Maybe it would be a good idea to send the family off with Peaches to LA. Least till we can kill the soddin’ Bitch. I’d prefer her in little bloody bits, I’ll bathe in her blood, I’ll do the bloody backstroke…”

Buffy sat on the bed with him and he drew in a sharp hiss when her weight jarred his broken bones. She started to flit away, guilty, but he reached out and grabbed her hand pulling her back down next to him. She reached out hesitantly, touching his bruised and battered face. “Do you think it’s safe to move them, it might advertise just who the key is if we try to get someone out of the city.”

“Don’t know luv. She’s scary powerful, but those prophecies of Rupert’s say we can defeat her. We just have to figure out how. She doesn’t know everything or she wouldn’t have to resort to torture to get information.” Buffy gave him a wry look.

“I couldn’t find you. I had to call Angel. He came right away; you don’t have to give him such a hard time.” Spike looked away from her, pain and jealousy washing over him. He wished he could keep that from her. She gave him one of those sympathetic looks that made him want to snarl and growl.

“If I didn’t take the piss out of him he’d think I was mad at him.” Buffy gave a low sexy laugh and Spike found himself regretting that he was in no condition to shag her. Make the bloody pouf listen while he made Buffy scream and beg in pleasure. His girl lay down beside him, one hand light on his stomach. Gods she was beautiful. Gods his body hurt. He’d give his left arm for some Lady Caine, or Heroine, or anything really. He hated to say it but if it weren’t for the sire’s blood he probably wouldn’t even be able to keep consciousness. He was seriously tore up. Buffy dozed and he drifted in and out. He was in far too much pain to actually get any real rest.

Spike felt a Vampire approaching the bedroom and stiffened, even though he knew it was Angelus. Buffy’s bug sense, or whatever she called it, clued her in and her eyes snapped open. They both watched the doors, bodies coiled tight, until Angel came in silently, holding a man up by the arm. He was scrawny and wild eyed, gaze darting around the room wildly, heart beating out a marathon in his bony chest. Spike could smell the substances on him, marijuana and something else he couldn’t place.

“All I could find was some morphine.” Spike climbed slowly to his feet, in painful little lurches. Buffy sat up behind him, eyes wide with confusion. Fact was that Vampire’s bodies only processed blood, so the only way to take in a drug was through someone else’s blood. To say he was shocked that the Golden Soul Boy had actually brought him a live someone was the understatement of the year. There was a moment of hesitation before Angel shoved the man roughly in his direction. “He walks away from here William.”

His sire’s voice was cold and without emotion. He had no doubt that the older Vampire would kill to save this man’s worthless life. He pulled the man close, breathing in his fear and confusion. Angelus had obviously not explained in detail what would be required of him. He looked the man in the eyes and vamped. His eyes went wide and he struggled a bit but Spike didn’t waste time, he bit shallow and drank deep. Maybe the guy would think he had a bad dream. Buffy leapt to her feet in outrage. “What the hell do you think you’re doing Angel? He can’t drink that man! What are you doing?” She shrieked when Angelus grabbed her arm and hauled her back from Spike.

“He needs this.” The older Vampire had his head cocked, carefully listening to the man’s heartbeat. He needed have bothered, he wouldn’t kill in front of Buffy, she would stand for it. Buffy squeaked indignantly and ripped her arm free; she had barely started towards them when Spike released his victim. The drugs hit his system in a rush and he fell back on the bed in blissful relief. Angel whipped out his wallet and began to count out twenty’s. “I’ve got to see him out.”

Buffy was in her Slayer stance, arms crossed, eyes flashing. She was magnificent. “This isn’t over Angel.”

“I know.” He replied before ghosting away, shaking boy in hand.


there everybody, I’m really sorry about the long gap in updates. My grandmother is very ill and we’ve been having some other family problems. But here it is, and I promise it won’t be so long again. Oh, and I’m not a doctor so my descriptions of first aid are probably very inaccurate, please excuse my lack of expertise.

Buffy stood and watched Spike a moment. She felt his head spin and his body relax. She couldn't believe Angel. The nerve of bringing Spike a victim. How could he possibly think that she would be on the line with that? But Spike did feel better. Woozy, fuzzy, but in almost no pain. She turned and left the room quietly. She gathered clean first aid supplies from the bathroom and returned. He was sitting up now, elbows on knees, staring at his feet. Sometimes he had such a lost puppy dog look to him. It made her want to comfort him, hold him, which was ridiculous. He was a ruthless killer who preyed specifically on Slayers because they were a challenge to him.

"Your mom? Your sister?" He asked softly. His eyes were all too human, looking up at her with such concern. If everything that she believed about Vampire's was true, why would Spike risk his own existence for her family? For her, he'd done it for her. And staring into his eyes like that she knew he'd do it again in a heartbeat. For all his faults, Spike was loyal and fearless. She knelt down in front of him and undid the button of his leather pants.

"They're fine. Thank you." He lifted his hips off the bed and she pulled the pants down his legs and off. Even in his drugged state he let out a low whistle of pain when the leather peeled away from his mangled knee and Buffy winced. She was so stupid. She should have cut the fucking pants off. She grasped the scissors and made quick work of what was left of his t-shirt. She doused the knee with antiseptic and he jerked involuntarily out of her hand. "I should get Giles; I'm not skilled enough for this."

"No, not Giles. I just need to snap it back in and wrap it up." He started to reach down but she pushed his hands away. She could do this. She grasped his leg on either side of the damage and pulled hard. When she let go his knee rubber banded back into place. She didn't realize that tears were coursing down her cheeks until his gentle hand brushed them away. She looked up at him and he slammed the heel of his hand into his knee. There was a sickening crunch and Buffy quickly looked back down. It looked almost normal now, except for the blood and the bruising. She pulled over clean bandages and began to wrap. "Wrap tighter luv, don't have to worry about my circulation."

She finished quickly, and looked back into his eyes. Eyes that didn't look soulless. Eyes that looked sorrowful, and loving, and lustful. Blue pools of desire that made her body stir and her heart tug. Still it was a shock when he pulled her close and kissed her. For one heart stopping moment she kissed him back with everything she had. Then she pulled back sharply. “No, I’ll hurt you.”

“Baby, I’m feeling only good things.” He tugged on her hand lightly and she tumbled into him. Why was she only clumsy around Spike? She tried to pull away but he had cupped one strong hand around her bum and it felt so nice there. In his completely naked state she could see that he was standing at attention for her, full salute. He brushed his lips across her bare neck and she shivered with pleasure. “Hush luv, I need you.”

She steadied herself on her knees and reached up with both hands to cup his face. Swollen and Bruised and Beautiful. If he hadn’t stayed to make sure that her family was safe then most likely he could have gotten away, that Vampire stealth was unmatched by other creatures. She brushed a light kiss across his lips, he leaned in to deepen the caress but Buffy pulled back. She trailed her hands lightly down his chest, brushing soft wet kisses in her wake. She delighted in the power of her touch, goose bumps trailed her hands, and each soft kiss brought trembles and moans. His ribs were a mass of mottled bruises, layered one over the other. No wonder Angel had been furious, Spike was quite a sight. Buffy just hadn’t realized that they were close like that. She had always been given the impression that they hated each other. Her mind flashed back in time to one night, the three of them had been arguing. She had taken a step towards Spike and Angel had angled his body just slightly so that he stood between them. At the time she had assumed that Angel was protecting her, but looking back he had been protecting Spike. After all she had been the aggressor.

She ran her hands gently over his busted ribs. “Let me wrap these for you.” He didn’t protest and she reached again for the long white strips of bandage. He filled his lungs with air, pushing his ribs out, and Buffy stifled a cry at the soft echo of his pain. She was no longer angry with Angel about the painkillers; she didn’t even want to think about what these bandages would have cost her mate in pain without them. The guy was alive, probably thought it was all a hallucination. She finished and rested her hands lightly on his hips.

“You’re overdressed Buffy.” He whispered and as usual her name on his lips sounded like a dirty pet name, just used between the two of them. He reached for the hem of her shirt but she stopped his hands.

“Spike you’re a mess, lay back, I’ll please you.” She whispered, unwilling to shatter the mood of the room with a loud harsh voice. His eyes darkened with lust and his hands turned in hers, lacing with her fingers.

“I want all of you Slayer, right now.” Her breath hitched. He drew her hands up over her head. “I want to hear those soft breathy moans you make and feel your hot little body writhing beneath me.” He whipped her shirt over her head and ran his hands over her back to her bra clasp. “I want to feel your breath on my neck and your sweet cunny when you cum.” Her bra fell open and he wrenched if off, filling his hands with her pink breasts. He bent his head and nuzzled her breast before darting out his tongue and caressing one hard nipple. “Oh Christ Buffy, want you so bad.”

Buffy pulled back, resting her hands on his shoulders. “Spike, we can’t, everyone will hear.” He pulled her back in and kissed her softly.

“Everyone’s downstairs luv, even little bit.” Little bit? He nibbled on her bottom lip and Buffy let slip an involuntary sound of passion. Good going Slayer, urge him on why don’t you? She pulled back again and looked him in his eyes.

“Angel will hear.” The small current of jealousy that had been running through the back of his mind since Angel’s appearance suddenly flooded through her.

“Angelus isn’t even here.” He bit out angrily. His eyes flashed gold in the dim light before returning to their usual piercing blue.

“He’ll be back Spike, I’m going to go downstairs and check on the others.” She started to move away but he grasped her shoulders and held her where she was.

“Buffy, what does it matter if he hears?” His voice was loud and angry. He tugged her close and kissed her hard. “Fuck, he gave you up.” He fisted his hands in her hair and kissed her again. Softer, but no less desperate. He swept his tongue in her mouth and claimed her completely. An eternity later he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “You’re mine now.” He whispered. “Please don’t go.”

Buffy found herself kissing him against her better judgment. For some reason every time he called her “his” it turned her on. And in an independent society of strong women that was practically blasphemy, and she would never admit it to anyone. God he tasted good, even now. His hands seemed to be everywhere, her shoulders, her breasts, in her hair. He scooted back onto the bed more firmly and she followed, desperate now for his touches and caresses. Why did this man have such a profound effect on her? He turned her over so his body covered hers and sighed with satisfaction. His hand ran down her body slowly, fingers soft and questing, till he reached the fastening on her pants. It was one of those hook and eye things but it didn’t faze him for a minute. He made quick work of the clasp and she lifted her hips and helped him get them off. His bare skin came into contact with hers and she let out another moan. She was trying so hard to be quiet but he just wasn’t helping any. He pushed her panties down her legs and ran his hands back up her body till he reached her center. His fingers found her wet and wanting and he let out a low growl. “Now, Spike. Don’t wait, I want you now.”

He let out a string of husky swear words and pulled her legs up higher, sliding deep inside her. Buffy lost all control over her voice, babbling his name over and over as he filled her with pleasure. Throaty words of lust washed over her. She loved listening to him talk even when she was too far gone to pay attention. He moved inside her with strong, slow, sure strokes. In desperation she wrapped her legs around his hips and urged him for more with words and movements. It wasn’t long before she was clawing at his shoulders and they were rocking together in a frantic whirlwind of passion.

Sharp jabs of pleasure jolted through her system each time he moved and she knew she was out of control but didn’t care. Finally she reached a peak of satisfaction and pulled him tight against her body, rocking desperately. It wasn’t seconds before he joined her Crying out her name and some other broken words that she missed. Suddenly her eyes flew open. Had he said he loved her? No she must have heard him wrong. Because one thing was certain, this was not love. Surely he had just called her luv, like he did all the time, and she had jumped to the wrong conclusion.

He lay on top of her, breathing in time with her and she allowed her hands to stroke his back. She loved the way his muscles played under her hands as he levered himself to the side. She had been imagining things, she had. He ran one firm hand from her shoulder to her hip in a soft caress. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She replied, just a little too quickly. He frowned and opened his mouth to say more when his head snapped to the side. He stared at the door intently for a split second before he grabbed the sheet and covered her nakedness. Before she could ask what it was there was a soft knock and Angel opened the door. For a moment she felt relief that he hadn’t opened the door just a few minutes earlier, than realized with horror that he had probably waited for them to finish.

Spike stretched like a cat before reaching for his cigarettes on her bedside table. “Angel, Peaches, come to join us?” It was only his severe injuries, and her very real nakedness that kept her from leaping up and kicking him right then. She wasn’t however able to control her bright pink blush.

“I came to tell you that I wasn’t able to find any Trace of Drusilla, I don’t believe that she’s in Sunnydale any longer.” His voice was clipped and tight, and he was looking at Spike instead of her. Buffy felt she might just curl up and die of shame.

“Come now Peaches, shut the door and come on to bed.” His voice was drawn out in a sexy purr. It came to her that Spike got arrogant and cocky whenever he felt threatened. At first he was that way with her, then Giles, then Faith, and now Angel.

“William, that’s enough! You’re high as a kite and you are upsetting Buffy.” Angel stood stiff as a board, hands fisted tightly at his sides. There was a small tick in his cheek that she had often seen when he was in the presence of Spike.

Spike sat up suddenly, almost taking her sheet with him. She had to grasp for it and pulled it tightly up to her neck, which pulled it low on Spike’s hips. Involuntarily her eyes were drawn to Angel and she noticed his pants were a little tight across the front too. Oh God, he was turned on. Buffy buried her face in her hands and shook. This was not happening. “Don’t pull that Sire Bullshit with me Angelus, it’s too late for that. You didn’t come to tell about Dru, that could have waited till we were downstairs. We all know why you’re really here, don’t we luv?”

“I thought that Drusilla Sired you? But you guys keep acting like…What?” Both of their eyes had zoomed in on her and suddenly, despite all her slayerness she felt small and helpless. ‘Uhhh, Never mind?”

“Why, William, would she think that?” Angel’s voice could have melted aluminum.

“Well because all the Watcher’s books say so…” She really needed to keep her mouth shut. Spike gave an involuntary wince before he smirked up at Angel.

“You disowned me first.” Spike said easily, leaning back against the pillows nonchalantly, but she could feel his apprehension through the bond. Apparently it was justified because Angel sprang across the room and loomed over them menacingly, in full game face.

“You told people she sired you?” Angel’s voice was a soft deadly caress, he balanced on the balls of his feet, and Buffy suddenly wondered if she was going to have to defend her mate stark naked.

“I didn’t deny it.” Spike spoke without a trace of his usual mockery. Completely serious, he met Angel’s eyes without fear. “Are you coming to bed Peaches, or not?”

Angel stood there for a long moment; game face melted away, frown firmly on his handsome features. Was he actually considering Spike’s invitation? If he made one step towards that bed she would kill them both and be done with Vampire’s forever. “You’re high, in the morning you’d stake me.” And with that parting statement he was gone. Buffy knew that she was gaping like a fish; mouth hung open, wide staring eyes. But she needed a moment to process the last ten minutes. Unable to contemplate the idea that her former lover and greatest love had seriously considered getting into bed with her Spike. Or the fact that Spike had known he would want to. Buffy latched onto the safest item for discussion.

“You let me believe that she was your sire so I would let you bite me on the hell-mouth.” She accused. Spike actually sighed before getting out of bed and digging through his bag for a pair of pants.

“We were the same blood, I took a gamble, and it worked.” Buffy sputtered, the gall.

“You just wanted my blood!”

“Did I kill you? No, and I could have. You’d have died happy too. If it didn’t work you were dead anyway. I don’t even think has any living Childe, she has a tendency to abandon them or kill them.” He pulled on his pants, wincing at their tightness and zipped the fly, leaving the button undone. She had a strong desire to snap it for him, and to hit him upside the head.

“You could have told me!” She shrieked. She knew this wasn’t the only reason she was mad but rather this than the other.

“Why, because we were so close then? Mortal enemies ring a bell.”

“If we were such mortal enemy’s, why didn’t you kill me? Huh, answer me that.” Buffy climbed out of bed and went to her dresser to find herself some clothes. She felt his body tighten with desire at the sight of her nakedness but didn’t stop, pulling on the first pair of panties that she touched.

“Cause, we were under truce.” She fumbled with a flimsy bra, finally getting it clasped and slipping the straps over her shoulders.

“And you are so honorable?” Buffy started violently when she felt his hands at her waist.

“Relax Slayer; I knew he would say no.” Buffy wretched away from him and spun. She wanted to smack his face but he was already hurt so badly. His eyes drifted to her heaving chest for a moment before he became aware of it and snapped his gaze back up to her eyes. “I was just baiting him and you got in the middle, I’m sorry.” Spike had just apologized to her. She half expected the windows to frost over and snow to fall. After all, hell must have just frozen over. And it took the wind right out of her sails.

“He didn’t look like he wanted to say no to me.” She muttered, looking down. She reached out and snapped his button, wondering absently if he had left it undone just so she would snap it.

“Of course he didn’t want to say no,” He pulled her close to him and she buried her face in his shoulder. “But, soul and all, can’t risk it. Why would anybody want to say no to us?”

“You’re insufferable.” She muttered.

“I know.” He replied

“And if he had wanted to come to bed with us?” She looked up at him sharply and he smiled.

“No one makes you do anything you don’t want to Pet.”

Buffy followed Spike down the stairs, fully sated after another quick romp and finally properly dressed. She felt all funny in her head, trying to concentrate on Glory and how to defeat her because so many other things were too crazy to think about. Her friends and family were scattered around the living room watching television. One of those British films that Xander thought was so funny. She paused suddenly, wondering exactly what they had all heard. Based on the awkward smiles and shuffling feet, far more than she would have wanted. Spike brushed past them all and went outside.

Angel stood and walked to her. “Are you alright Buffy? Things between Spike and I get a little crazy sometimes.” Buffy found it hard to meet his eyes but forced herself. He had wanted to, his soul and thought of mayhem in the morning was all that had kept him from it. She wasn’t too sure how she felt about that.

“Yeah, Spike uhm apologized.” His eyes widened in surprise but then he narrowed his eyes over her shoulder. “What is he doing to my car?”

Buffy turned to look out the window; Spike had his knife out and was fiddling with the latch on Angel’s trunk. With a faint pop it opened and he began to rummage around inside. Cordelia surged her feet, squealing something about her stuff and barreled out the door. Distracted from the television the whole room watched as Cordelia ran out and began to whack him in his arm while he ignored her and continued to look through the contents of the trunk. After a moment he began to throw things behind him and Cordelia shrieked like a madwoman. Suddenly Spike held up what looked like a bottle of alcohol and slammed the trunk closed, leaving Cordelia’s pink frilly suitcases all over the driveway. Buffy almost felt sorry for her, almost.

He sauntered back in leaving Cordelia squawking furiously for him to come clean up his mess and smirked at Angel, holding up a bottle of Irish whiskey. “Celebrate?”

Angel crossed his arms over his chest and gave Spike a tight smile. “And what are we celebrating?”

“My lovely mate?” Angel let out a low growl and Spike took a quick step back out of range. “Or maybe the return of your surly soul?”

Faith had sidled up next to Buffy at some point and asked softly. “Now that you’re done with Angel…” Buffy sounded a lot like a Vampire when she growled.


“I appreciate the sentiment, but I have to be going if I’m going to make it back to LA before dawn.” He turned to her and gave a soft smile. “Spike mentioned something about me taking you’re family with me, I could put them up at the hotel, have Cordy cast a protection spell.”

Buffy fidgeted while Dawn and her mother both protested loudly. She looked at Willow and Giles who were both silent, and Xander who was also protesting anybody being left in the care of Angel. This was really up to her. She looked at Spike; a human would never have survived that kind of torture. Much less live to stand in her living room, all insolent grace, and chugging strait from a bottle of whisky. “I’d appreciate it.” She finally answered and turned to her mother to explain why it was necessary. And that she would try to make their stint in LA as short as possible.

After much arguing and packing and screaming on Dawns part, she finally stood in the driveway and watched Angel drive away with her family in tow. She couldn’t help feeling like she was abandoning them. But Angel was capable of protecting them and she and Spike had a battle to fight. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a brief squeeze; despite the others watching and they went into the house together.
 


Thank you so much for your concern for my family. It's very appreciated.

“I can’t believe you sent them off with Deadboy!” Xander was acting like his usual raving lunatic self.

“Xander, I hardly think that a few days in Dawns pleasant company will give Angel a moment of perfect Happiness. I’m sure his soul will remain properly miserable until this whole Glory thing is over.” Buffy and the gang sat strung around the kitchen table. It was time to get down to business. They had one Hell God to destroy and Buffy wanted it done and over with as soon as possible. She needed to get her family back home. She needed to go back to school and study hard. And she really needed to sort out what was going on between her and one bleached menace.

“She had to give him something to do, so he didn’t get all broody when Buffy tossed him out on his ear for her current Vamp of the week.” Buffy was up and halfway across the room before to break Faith’s face before she regained control of herself. She stood in the middle of the kitchen and took several deep calming breaths, then turned and walked back to her seat with as much dignity as she could manage. Just because she was the Slayer didn’t give her the right to go around clawing people’s eyes out. Even when they deserved it. She shot Faith a look of deepest loathing, and then blushed wondering if anyone would guess that she had borrowed the look from Spike.

“If we can get to business please, I’d like to have my family returned to me as soon as possible.” Buffy placed her hands primly in her lap and turned to Giles. “What have you learned about my bond with Spike? I still don’t understand how it helps us. The woman’s kicked both our sorry butts.”

“That Bint did not kick my butt!” Spike exclaimed, jumping to his feet again. Apparently drugs made him jumpy. Come to think of it he was always pretty animated. He began to pace around the small space of the kitchen and Buffy bit back the desire to snap at him to sit down. “She had help; if she’d been alone I could have taken her.”

Even injured he walked with a sexy strut. All fluid grace and gangster strut. She’d tried to tell him he shouldn’t put so much weight on that knee but he had waved her off saying it was half healed already. He was so stubborn.

“I can’t wait till we find her. I’m gonna rip her soddin head off. I’m going to bash her bloody teeth in. I’m gonna…”

“Enough Spike, what we need is information.” He turned and gave her his trademark smirk. He looked her from head to toe in a slow, purely indecent way, and then took out his cigarettes. Faith stretched her hands over her head in a feline move bursting with sexuality. Spike didn’t seem to notice and Buffy felt a strong burst of affection for him. He looked at her inquisitively, his head tilted to one side, eyes staring right into her soul. She blushed and looked away.

“I think we all ought to just mount up, go in there guns blazing, and just slay her.” Faith was now twisting in her chair in a slow sexy way. Spike was looking at her but he didn’t seem to notice her twisting about. Her voice dropped to a slower, sultrier pitch. “I mean really, me and B could take her. Plus we got her pet Vamp there. Tonight’s as good as any other night. Take her by surprise.”

“Summers,” Spike said with a false air of serenity and a lecherous snide twist of his lips. “She’s really just taking up space here and annoying you, Can’t I just eat her?”

Argument broke out all over the kitchen. Faith jumped up in outrage, Xander about tripped over himself jumping to defend her. Anya was banging her fist into Xander’s arm in a fit of jealousy. Willow and Giles were both trying to restore peace. Spike was right in the thick of it, of course. Buffy took deep calming breaths. Buffy counted slowly to ten. Buffy jumped up and screamed at everyone to “Shut Up.”

“You!” She pointed at Xander. “Are going to stay out of it, sit down!” Xander plopped into the nearest chair, eyes goggled. “You!” She directed her Ms. Pointy finger at Anya. “Are going to sit by him and make sure he behaves.” Anya’s triumphant look made Buffy want to yell at her some more, but there were juicier targets begging for attention. Her finger homed in on Faith. “You are going to quit antagonizing Spike. I don’t have the time or the patience to baby-sit. One more comment about him being my pet and I’ll let him eat you.” She spun around to face Spike, the catalyst. Standing there, completely relaxed, with such a smug look. Like the cat who ate the canary. “Quit being so smug!” She snapped. He grinned at her. “Remember you are a guest here and don’t threaten my friends.”

“Oh come on Pet, Was just a bit of sport. I bet the bint tastes like motor oil anyway. Sides she’s the one can’t keep her soddin gob shut.” Faith sputtered in the background and Buffy held up one hand to forestall anything she might have to say.

“Spike! Now is not the time for this. I want Glory dead, and sitting around arguing like toddlers is not going to make it happen.”

“You’re no fun.” He groused. And finally got around to lighting the cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. Buffy found herself momentarily hypnotized by his hands as he casually lifted his silver lighter, flipped the latch, lit his smoke, and tucked the piece back in his skin tight jeans. He felt her relax and gave her a small sexy smile, eyes going to her mouth with an almost hungry look. “All right then, on with the meeting. Gods to kill, bunnies to rescue, heroic things need doing.”

Buffy flopped back in her chair with a sigh. Spike moved closer to her, almost instinctively but didn’t touch her. He was breathing in time with her again. She liked that he got so in tune with her that he mirrored her breaths without realizing it. “Giles, Willow, Please tell me you know something useful?”

“Not as much as we would like to know Buffy, there really isn’t a lot of information on Glory in our texts.” Giles paused and gave her a kind look. “We believe that she is trapped in this dimension by accident. The key is an inter-dimensional portal; she could use it to travel to her own hell dimension. The problem is that we would all be sucked in with her. There are only certain times of the year that Glory will be powerful enough to activate the key. This phase of the moons she is most powerful, within about two weeks her power will begin to wane and we might have a change at defeating her. If we can keep the key out of her hands until then…”

“Chit’s not gonna come calling for tea when she’s under power Rupes. She’s gonna drop out of sight until the next time she comes into her own.” Spike interrupted.

“I was going to suggest, Spike, that we locate her and watch her. She’ll be frantic to find the key, it will be a year before we hit this equinox again, and she’ll be distracted. We can watch her and attack the second she turns tail to run.” Buffy nodded. It made sense. But there was a lot of room for error, and two weeks was a long time for her family to be gone. She met Spike’s eyes for a minute and found comfort there.

“What about the mating bond? Have you found any relevant information about how that’s supposed to help us?” Really it made no sense. The bond affected no one except for them. How on earth was it supposed to help defeat a hell god?

“I’m sorry Buffy. It’s very clear that the bond is necessary to success in defeating this evil but the texts give to indication as to the how or the why of it. My guess would be that the bond insures that Spike is on our side, without it he certainly would not be sitting in on this meeting, much less…”

Buffy found herself distracted by Faith again. She was leaning back in her chair, legs crossed daintily and looking up at Spike from under her lashes. Buffy was so not imagining it. She was flirting with him! And he was completely ignoring her. Too completely not to know exactly what she was doing. One thing about Spike was that he was always aware of his surroundings. It unnerved her sometimes. She watched him smoke for several seconds, taking in his relaxed pose, before mentally slapping herself and returning to the conversation at hand. Giles was rambling on about obscure passages and gesturing seriously. Willow was hanging on his every word. Ayna was groping Xander under the table; she couldn’t see anything but he was wearing that now familiar glazed look in his eye. But then again it could have been Faith that caused his Zoning out. She had produced a sucker and was working it like a French whore.

Spike pulled himself up onto the island and examined his nails. He wore the look of supreme boredom convincingly. Giles occasionally shot him irritated looks, which would soon be followed by a disapproving scowl from Willow. But Buffy knew him too well. Spike was an observer of people. He watched all the time. And she had an advantage. His mind was drawn tight as a bowstring. She had no doubt that he was mentally filing every word that fell from Giles’s lips. He noticed her noticing and ran his tongue over his teeth in a decidedly suggestive way. Really, he had no discretion to speak of. Buffy tossed her hair and rolled her eyes, turning back to Giles. She crossed her legs demurely, deliberately letting her skirt ride up her thighs. Spike’s sexual awareness shot through the roof. He was so easy.

“So the great plan is to sit on our duffs and do nothing? Slayer lets go kill things.” Spike growled. To the casual observer Spike was beginning to get impatient with the conversation and his boredom was getting to him. Buffy knew damn good and well he wanted to get her alone. Giles directed a very dirty look at Spike for interrupting and began to talk again. Buffy frowned. Even if she was trying to follow him what good did it do her to know about 7 equinox’s? She just needed to kill Glory. And she definitely was not in with the wait two weeks and wait for her to run plan.

“Giles,” She interrupted, deliberately spinning a curl around her forefinger. She could tell by Faith’s murderous glare that Spike’s hot gaze was on her. “We need to come up with something more in the now to do about Glory. I was thinking that she needs to be found and ambushed.”

“Rupes, does all your blathering contain any timeline on when we defeat the little woman?” Spike pushed himself off the counter and sauntered back into her personal space. Buffy’s skin broke out in a rash of goose bumps. He didn’t touch her, but he was close enough to touch her, she wanted him to touch her. Maybe they should nix the chatter and go kill things. Could everyone read it on her face, her rampant lust for a vampire? Her Vampire. When this was all over she was going to have her own padded room at the local metal institution. Not surprisingly Sunnydale had a rather large well funded center.

“No one wants to hear your opinion. No one cares what you have to say.” Xander said vehemently. Spike growled affectionately at him and everyone at the table stiffened again. Buffy bit her lip to keep from laughing. Spike of course was completely horrified by the affection factor. Poor Baby. He brushed his fingers under her hair across the nape of her neck and Buffy lost her train of thought.

“There is no apparent timeline. This event could take place tomorrow or next year. Also whether or not the key is directly involved is not at all apparent. Only that the key must be protected. Now, if we could get back to my research…In about 9 days we will be past the peak of….”

Blah Blah Blah…Buffy felt restless and tired at the same time. Did that make any sense? “Giles, I’m sorry but it’s late. Do you want to stay in the guest room? Willow can have mom’s room and Xander and Anya can have Dawns room. Faith do you mind crashing on the couch again?”

“What the whole Brady Bunch is staying here? What are you doing, stocking snacks for your lover?” Faith groused, her face now drawn into an angry petulant pout. She obviously wasn’t used to being ignored. Spike’s good humor evaporated instantly. Every muscle in his body tightened and he rolled onto the balls of his feet, his whole body vibrated with pre-fight tension. To the rest of the room he looked cocky and restless bouncing around like a three year old. She knew different now, he was ready to spring across the room and do some serious damage. She reached out one slender hand and laid it on Spike’s taut forearm. He literally trembled under her fingers but he held himself in check. She found herself impressed with his restraint. He was still high as a kite but still he managed to reign in his murderous impulses. She was really turned on.

“Buffy, don’t you think it’s a bit impractical for us all to stay here. Glory certainly wouldn’t see a reason to target any of us.” Spike interrupted again, and Buffy had a horrified moment of clarity. She was no longer feeling extreme irritation, she felt exasperated fondness. Oh, she had it so bad.

“Rupes, anyone with a brain would go after the Slayer’s family and friends. It’s no secret on the hell mouth that she’s fiercely loyal and protective. Nothing would stop Summers from going after you guys, which is why for the most part the lot of you walk about unmolested.”

“Unmolested! I seem to remember being kidnapped by a certain bleached Vampire and…”

“Please, not all of us fear the Slayer, just most. And you’re still around to annoy the populace. Quit being such a Nancy boy.”

“If you call me Rupes again…”

“I can’t stay here tonight…”

“B’s been too soft, let’s go outside and I’ll teach you fear.”

“Baby I am the Slayer of Slayer’s. Fear is my game little girl.”

God, why did she even try to keep the peace? Her mom was out of town. She ought to just pour baby oil in the floor and let them have at it. Buffy let the arguing flow over her head and softly banged her head into the top of the table. The sound of confrontation escalated into outraged shrieks and shouting. Buffy rolled her forehead on the cold comforting surface and thought calming thoughts.

When she stood up she had to let out a piercing whistle to get everyone’s attention. “You’re all staying here. I can’t protect you all if you’re all spread out.”

“Buffy you really can’t expect us to re-arrange our lives based on some delusional paranoia from a bleached killer.”

“I wouldn’t dream of making you re-arrange your life in any way to make it easier for me. I mean I only gave up any chance of any normalness to risk my life every night for a bunch of ungrateful…”

“Oh all right, we’ll stay.” Anya Interrupted. “So long as you realize that there will be no cessation of orgasms despite staying in your sister’s virginal room.”

It was going to be a long night. Please, Please let this Glory woman fall off a cliff. “Spike and I are going out to kill things.” She announced without fanfare and breezed out of the room without looking back. She had no doubt that he would be at her heels.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22

Spike watched Buffy’s hips swing seductively while she strutted ahead of him. She was still fuming mad about all the drama at her place. It probably wasn’t all that wise to be out here trolling for trouble. He hated to admit it, but he wasn’t on top of his game. He may not be able to feel a thing right now, but any tussle he got into tonight he was going to pay for eventually, in heaps of pain. Her golden locks bounced around her waist, just brushing her hips. Did she really want to kill things? Or was this just an elaborate excuse to get him alone?

After a second of contemplation he decided it didn’t matter. He had to have his hands on those hips. He sped up enough to snag her waist and smiled wickedly when she gave out a little peep of surprise. He leaned into her and breathed in her scent. Who needed sunshine? He had Buffy. His hands tightened convulsively on her waist and he shuddered violently. This was all temporary, when this Glory person was defeated; his girl would be lost to him. He buried his head in the crook of her neck and pulled her body flush with his. She would never tolerate a Vampire around her; allow him to touch her, if it wasn’t for this bond. But he found it harder and harder to convince himself that he only craved her because she was his mate. Even he wasn’t blind enough to think that he would want her any less when he was free of her.

He found himself hoping, deep in his heart of hearts, where his deepest desire’s and a love of poetry lurked, that they wouldn’t find a way to break his hold on her. That this bond would be permanent the way it was meant to be. At first it had seemed unnatural to him, now not being at her side seemed unthinkable. So he had to bag it, and play white hat. He let his hands roam down to her thighs nibbling at her neck. He was domesticated and couldn’t find a bone in his body that cared.

His Slayer leaned into him, tilting her head to give him access to her sweetness, covering his hands with her small delicate ones. She rotated her hips into his groin and Spike groaned out loud. The vampire lifted his head and inventoried their surrounding’s. The park, wisely abandoned at this time of night. He began to walk her that direction, amply distracted by her wiggling bum and intoxicating scent. Unfortunately she wasn’t as distracted as he had hoped. “Spike, we can’t, we need to patrol.” She whispered, twisting in his grasp to free herself.

“Buffy,” he whispered back, a note of pleading in his tone, as he tried to get his hands back on her. Christ she was fast. “I need you luv, need you so much.” He continued to pursue her, herding her in the direction he needed her to go. Swings? Too flimsy. Teeter-Totter? Too unstable. Merry Go Round? Might be fun but he wanted her on his lap, straddling his thighs, her head thrown back. His eye landed on the giant slide in the corner of the park. There was a dome over the landing to shield his girl from any eyes but his and plenty of back support. He lunged for her and she squealed like a little girl and sprinted off, in the direction of the park. Baby wanted to play.

She leapt onto the merry go round and Spike was momentarily distracted by naughty fantasies before springing up after her. The momentum of his leap started the thing spinning and after a second, Spike swung himself off to run in a quick circle, as fast as his Vampire strength could push him. Buffy grabbed onto two bars to keep from flying off the edge and Spike used her momentary pause in motion to capture her. Slightly off balance he crashed hard on his back in the middle of the spinning plate, his Slayer landing hard on top of him. Good thing he didn’t have any breath to lose. She let out a girlish laugh and than kissed him full on the mouth. All thoughts of how much he was going to hurt later fled his mind and the world slimmed down to just one slight girl lying across his body.

Another kiss, freely given. He could admit it, if only to himself, he was her slave. There was nothing on this planet he wouldn’t give her. His blood, his love, his dust. Whatever this goddess required was hers. He’d slaughter a thousand demon’s, travel to the ends of the earth by her side, give up immortality in a heartbeat if he could just go on kissing her like this. Fuck, she tasted so bloody good. And he needed more; he needed to drown in her completely. He needed to be surrounded by her body. Have her completely open to him. His hands, his mouth. Right now she was his. And no one was going to take her from him.

With a low possessive growl he twisted his body so that he had her underneath him. She parted her legs for him and he slipped one thigh between hers, rubbing up against her. She let out a soft little sound and bucked against him, arching her slender back. Bloody hell, she was perfection. “Spike, we can’t, anyone could see us.”

“So, let them watch.” He growled and burrowed his heads between her breasts, wrapping his fingers in hers and holding her hands down. She mewled like a kitten and squeezed his hands with bruising strength. His demon pleaded to be let out but he held it in check, and nipped her breast to pacify it.

“Spike, we’re in a park, there could be children.” She began to struggle in earnest and Spike tightened his grip on her to hold her to him. He leapt to his feet and swung her into his arms. Buffy squeaked out her surprise and threw her arms around his neck. He was stopped, awed for a moment by her complete trust, before he took off full speed across the park and ran right up the steep slide. He collapsed on his bum, his wiggling girl in his lap, and declared this part of the park safe from prying eyes.

Like a naughty fantasy playing out in real time his Slayer twisted her body so she could straddle his lap. He let out a low deep groan and thrust his pelvis up against her. He was like a randy schoolboy whenever she was within touching distance. She smiled in feminine pride. She delighted in her power over him and he was so far lost in her that he didn’t care that she knew he was her slave. He attacked the small delicate buttons on her shirt with single minded determination. He had to have her soft body against his. It was a little awkward, twisting and moaning. Buffy lifted up on her knees so he could slide her jeans over her hips and he returned the favor. Hot questing little hands all over him, soft wet kisses that turned him inside out.

The borrowed blood in his body hummed and the sound of his girl’s heartbeat thrummed through him like a pulse. Buffy lifted up and pushed him inside her body. Her name was torn from his lips and he found himself babbling about how good she felt. Telling her he loved her, needed her. She was panting his name, digging her nails deep into his skin, grinding her teeth into his shoulder. Gods, this was heaven. She bit him particularly hard and his demon escaped what little hold he had on it. His girl didn’t even blink, she didn’t even hesitate. She titled her sweet neck and offered herself to him.

She was perfect. He bit her gently and almost came immediately when her hot ripe blood flooded his mouth. He took small measured sips in time with his thrusts. His Slayer cried out with every movement, squirming with pleasure. She was so hot and tight around him, rocking with him, such sweet friction. Her blood made his head spin made him high on her power. She fluttered around him and then tightened with orgasm, spasm after spasm squeezing him tightly. He gripped her tighter and sucked harder on her neck. She shook uncontrollably and sobbed his name over and over. When he could stand the pleasure no more he withdrew his fangs and let the demon go. He kissed her hard, staining her mouth with blood. She kissed him back without reserve. Sod it all, he loved this girl. He finally let himself go, thrusting into her warmth with abandon, chanting her name like a bloody prayer. Spike came deep inside her, spurt after spurt of pleasure washing over him. He was never letting her go.

“Oh God, we’ve contaminated the park. That is soooo sick. Kid’s can no longer play here because of lustful vampires.” He chuckled softly, amused by her horror. It was a little late for her conscience to make an appearance.

“Relax Slayer, We aren’t the only one’s to rendezvous here, I can smell your boy and his bird all over the place, recent too.”

“Eeewwww!” She shrieked a look of utter disgust on her pretty features. She tried to leap to her feet, but got tangled in the jeans still around her ankles and crashed back into him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her, carefully cleaning away all traces of blood from her mouth before that freaked her out too. Then he bent his head and carefully sealed her bite mark with his own blood so it would heal quickly. She shuddered against him when he licked his mating mark and he was almost tempted to keep on with the necking. But the wind had picked up and it smelled like rain. Not that his Slayer wouldn’t look delicious soaked to the skin, wet hair clinging to the both of them, lips cold as his against his skin. But she didn’t need to be sick on top of everything else.

“Sweetheart, it’s going to rain.” She made a non-committal sound and pulled his earlobe into her hot mouth, sucking and biting. He groaned out load, whimpering like a child. She was irresistible. “Let’s take this inside, hmmm?”

She pulled back from him a bit, shifting to get comfortable and laid her head on his shoulder. His grip tightened reflexively and he rubbed slow soothing circles on her back. “I really don’t have time for this.” She murmured without making any effort to move away from him. Her hand went to the bite mark on her neck, frowning slightly. He tensed, waiting for her anger and disgust. She would get mad at him for taking advantage of her when she was lost in passion. But he felt no flare of anger through the bond. “Big hickey.” She groused and Spike bit his tongue to keep from apologizing. Already done that one too many times tonight. And he wasn’t about to apologize for amazing, mind blowing, blood letting, sex. If he could get her in the mood, he’d do it again.

“Do you think they’re all right?” She asked softly and Spike winced at the worry in her tone. He wished he could do more to alleviate her fears, but she was right to fear. Glory was very powerful, and bent on destroying that sweet little girl, and anyone who got in his way. Spike wondered absently how much of his affection for his Slayer’s family was his own and how much was channeled from their bond. He’d liked them before he’d ever been linked with Buffy, had in fact spared their lives when he had full access to the Summers home.

“I’ll know if Peaches dusts.” She clutched him closer and Spike cursed himself. He never said the right thing. Best if he stayed silent, because there really wasn’t too much he could say. “We’ll find her, we’ll kill her, and it’ll be over.”

“Until the next apocalypse.”

“You’ll keep them safe pet, safe as houses. You always do.”

And then they were plunged head first into ice water. Or at least that’s what it felt like. In over a hundred years of being a Vampire he’d never been summoned, but he knew without being told what this was. He was on his feet, pulling on Buffy’s clothes roughly and dressing himself before she could even form a question. He didn’t let her waste her breath, she would need it to run.

“It’s Angelus, He’s summoned the line.”

“The line?” She gasped out even as he shoved her ungracefully down the slide. He joined her on the ground, grabbing her hand and hauling her behind him like a sack of potatoes.

“Angelus is the elder of Aurelius, what with the master dust and Darla too, he’s summoned us all.” It was as though there was a wire drawn tight between Spike and his Sire. It felt as though it was pulling the top of his head clear off because he was going in the wrong direction. He couldn’t even spare the thought to be curious about why Buffy felt it too, she was his mate, did that make her Aurelius by marriage?

“All of you, how many is that?” How she managed to have breath enough to speak while running side by side with him at a neck break pace he didn’t know.

“Dunno, we’re pretty choosy about who we let in. I’ve never sired anyone.” He thought for a moment. “There’s Dru, I don’t think she has any living Childe, and two more that Angelus Sired. I think that’s all.”

Spike skidded to a stop in front of Buffy’s house and darted for his car. “I’ll get the others!” Buffy called and he growled angrily, snatching at her arm to haul her into the car. She evaded his attempt however and ran for the door. “I can’t leave them unprotected.”

It was a tight fit but Spike managed to shove everyone into Buffy’s mother’s Blazer and get all the door’s shut. All of them were yammering and squealing and demanding answers. Spike was having a tough time controlling his demon and finally let it come to the fore as he backed out and peeled down the road. This started the other Slayer, the seductress, to screeching. Bloody hell, he was going to rip her sodding head off. Buffy sensed his frustration, or was venting her own, it didn’t really matter which, and started shouting for order. It was a very long time before she found any.

“I still don’t understand why we are listening to anything this bloodsucker has to say. This could be a trap. He could be driving us all to our doom. I can’t believe…” The whelp never knew when to shut it.

“Buffy, please be a little more clear about what happened. How could you possibly know that Angel is in trouble?”

“I don’t know, he did some sort of summony thingy. And now I can tell exactly where he is, and that he’s pretty wounded.”

“So we’re running off at the summons of a Vampire! Will you never learn! They’re Vampire’s Buffy. Evil, bloodsucking fiends….”

“Enough, Use your head you soddin idiot!” Spike jerked the wheel hard to get his attention. He got knocked upside the head by his Slayer for his trouble. “Angelus has never summoned the line, and he’s been eldest for several years now. Two reasons I can figure he would now. A, he’s given his soul the slip again and wants us there to celebrate with him. Or B, he’s been attacked and needs help. Either way, Buffy’s family is in trouble.” Dawning comprehension! It was like the surf crashing over the shore, the boy’s expression. Why did his girl have such dolt’s for friends? Couldn’t fault the boy’s loyalty though.

Thirty minutes later found them all piling out of the blazer onto the side of the highway. Peaches car was beyond repair, smashed in on the side. The man himself lay in the cheerleaders lap, both knee’s smashed in. Joyce, who had previously been kneeling next to the Vampire, trying to figure out how to help, launched herself into Buffy’s arms. “She’s gone Buffy, They’ve taken her.” She sobbed.

“We’ll get her back mom.” Buffy met his eyes over her mothers shoulder, and Spike knew she wasn’t near as confident as she sounded. “Which way did they go?”

“They were headed back to Sunnydale.” Spike was trying to sort how to get his Sire home and Buffy’s crew home, and find the bit when Drusilla and two young fledglings arrived in a beat up conversion Van. To say that Buffy’s little lackey’s were unhappy about traveling with a van full of bloodsuckers would be a little bit of an understatement. But they wouldn’t all fit in the Blazer and judging by Dru’s indignant shrieks he was the one who stood the most chance of being dusted. She got even hotter under the collar when he had to backhand one of her boys for making a comment about all the fresh blood, and his Slayer wasn’t too happy either when he ended up in one vehicle with Dru and she was in another with her mum. She was tossing her hair around in a huff when her Watcher spied the fresh bite mark, needless to say that didn’t go over well. He might just stake himself and save himself the torture.
 



I'm missed some of my regular reviewers the last couple of chapters. I havn't had as much time to write due to family responsibilities, and I know my chapters have become a little slow. But I really miss hearing what you have to say, so if you have time to review I'd really appreciate it.

Oh, also, big thank you to whoever nominated me for the Love's last Glimpse Awards. I am deeply flattered!

Rain

Buffy was a jumbled mess of nerves. And Spike should have been here beside her with his soothing feelings and reassuring presence. He should have been here with her; instead he was in the other vehicle catering to his girlfriend. His Vampire lover whom he had adored for over a hundred years. Her sister was missing and she needed him damn it! The worst part of it was that she knew deep down that she was being irrational and couldn’t help herself. Who else was going to sit in a van full of Vampire’s? It was either her or him, and the fact was she needed to sit with her mom, who was wringing her hands and trying valiantly to keep her composure.

“Maybe we should call the police.” Her mother said after several miles of heavy silence. No one answered her. Her mom knew why they couldn’t call the police. Hello Officer, my daughter has been kidnapped by a hell god; she’s about 5”4 with super powers and a frizzy perm. Oh, how do we know who kidnapped her? Because her Vampire guardian was with her and got his ass kicked. We think she might be a mystical key who is really thousands of years old and this Glory God person wants to cut her open and use her blood in an ancient ritual. How do you think we should go about finding her? A white jacket you say? You think she might be hiding in this nice padded room? Blea! But her mom needed to say something and she could understand that.

Buffy chewed on her lip. Spike should be able to track her, if he could find her scent. Just like Angel found him. Couldn’t he? But they had to know where to begin looking. “Giles, do we know anything about where this ritual might take place?”

“I’d like to find her before it comes even close to that Buffy.” Her Watcher replied with his usual calm in the face of adversity. She found herself grateful for his steadfast presence, even if she did miss Spike terribly.

“I’d like to know where to start looking.”

“The nicer hotels. I mean really, she’s got to have somewhere to sleep and plan. She’s been on this planet for a matter of weeks and already she has decked herself in Versace. The girl has taste. Those shoes must have cost a fortune.”

“I doubt she paid for them Cordelia! What do her shoes have to do with my missing sister?” Buffy really was not in the mood for Cordelia’s nattering. She didn’t know why Angel thought she had changed so much, she still seemed like the same shallow stuck up girl she’d been in high school. With shorter hair.

“It’s very simple Buffy.” The beauty queen spoke very slowly as if to make sure that Buffy understood her. “This Glory woman needs a new hairdresser, but that doesn’t change the fact that she has undeniably refined tastes. She won’t be huddling in the sewers and she won’t be slumming in some dump. She’s new in town so I doubt she has an open invitation to anywhere decent. So naturally you should check out the higher class hotels. Nothing below four stars, obviously.”

Buffy really hated Cordelia’s overbearing attitude. She thought she knew everything, except math or science…she had never pretended to be book smart. But Cordelia did know boys. She had always insisted that there was an actual set of rules that must be followed in order to have a successful romance. Her rules must not have done her must good though, because she had yet to have a successful romance that resulted in marriage.

She really ought to be focusing on how to get her sister back. Every time she thought about Dawn she shuddered. She kept picturing her body, bruised and broken. Her hair framing her pale, bloodless face. How much pain was involved with this Glory’s ritual? She couldn’t bring herself to ask…especially in front of her mother. She felt soothing feeling’s coming from her bond with Spike and was absolutely disgusted with herself for being pleased. But even when he was with Drusilla, he was focused on her.

She was an emotional roller coaster right now and she wished she had Spike here to focus her. Cordelia was rambling on about shoe quality. God! Didn’t she even care that Angel was beyond hurting, Dawn was missing, and the end of the world was coming? But then again, Buffy couldn’t miss the tightness around the ex-cheerleaders eyes, her pale features. Buffy could almost believe that she was just chattering to fill the silence so she didn’t have to focus on her own worries. She closed her eyes for a moment and thought of her own distraction. Spikes pale hands gliding over her skin, the way his eyes burned into hers, his ragged “I love you, love you so much Buffy” whispered in her ear as he came inside her. But everyone knew that I Love You didn’t count when it was said during sex.

“How long till we get home Giles?” Buffy interrupted Cordelia’s incessant chatter and couldn’t find it within herself to feel even slightly guilty about her rudeness.

“We’ll be there soon Buffy.” He paused, and for a moment the air was pregnant with heavy silence while he visibly struggled with how to word his next sentence. “I know this a rough time for you Buffy, and I know this is a bit of a delicate situation…with uhm your uh relationship with Spike. But the truth is we should ah, discuss a bit, before we arrive, what we plan to do with the Van full of vampire’s that will be on our doorstop when we get to Revello Drive.”

“Angel and Spike aren’t going to let us stake Drusilla, and she isn’t going to let us stake her minions.” Buffy sighed. “I hate letting Vamps go but really, my sister and the end of the world is a little more important right now.”

“Buffy, we can’t simply let them go. They will hunt someone right here in Sunnydale. You have a calling, you have a duty. I know that right now is a hard time for you personally but you are still the Slayer. You must…”

“Stop it!” Buffy’s voice came out shrill and undignified. Tears pooled in her eyes unbidden. How could he be so cold? He knew Dawn. How could he go on about her duty? Fuck her duty! “Stop it right now!” Buffy couldn’t control the tempo of her breathing, she was panting heavily, and her nails were biting into her skin because her hands were curled into tight little balls of fury.

“The world is in jeopardy! This Glory has my sister and is going to torture and kill her. I’m mated to a Sadistic killer who cares more about my feelings than you do! How sick and wrong is that!” She let out a strangled sob and swallowed a big gasp of air, even as more words tumbled recklessly from her mouth. “A Vampire knows me better than my Watcher. How dare you lecture me about my duty! I know my duty! I’ve died for my duty. Just last week I was prepared to die again! How dare you!”

“Buffy dear, just calm down.” Her mothers soothing voice and concerned features did nothing to calm her. Everything had been piling up on her for so long and suddenly she couldn’t control her emotions, or her mouth, or her tears. She hated that she had wet streaks on her cheeks. She hated to cry.

“I will not calm down!” Her voice was high pitched and ragged and Buffy couldn’t believe that it was hers. “I’ve done everything that’s been asked of me, including his sick little birthday surprise! I mention perhaps choosing my battles and setting priority’s at save the world first and kill a couple Vamps, who helped us by the way, and suddenly I’m inadequate as a Slayer!”

Giles put the Blazer into park outside her home and turned to face her. “Now Buffy, that’s enough of this childishness…I was just saying that…”

Her door was yanked open and she was hauled against a solid male chest. A wall of soothing masculinity that smelled like Spike. “What the bloody hell are you doing to my girl?” He snarled at the car full of people. Buffy felt shame building inside her even as she let out great gasping sobs against her mate, wetting his shirt. And she was ashamed of how she had acted. Just because she was stressed did not give her the right to snap and scream at people she loved. They looked to her for leadership and she was falling apart under the pressure. She needed to get it together. Instead she twisted her hands in Spike’s shirt and cried.

“Luv,” He whispered against her ear, a soft soothing sound that rumbled through her senses. “I need you to go inside on your own steam sweets. I’ve got to clear these Vamps out of here and carry Peaches in.” His voice turned harsh and he turned the bulk of his formidable attention to her friends. “You lot go in with her, and stay out of trouble. I find out you made her cry again I’ll rip out your soddin Spine’s and dance on your bloody corpses.” For a moment he nuzzled her hair before whispering so softly that she could barely hear him. “We’ll get her back Buffy, I promise.”

She was released and hastily dried her face with her hands before turning to herd the people into the house. She couldn’t fall apart now. She felt wrung out and shaky, but her emotions had evened out somewhat. She supposed the experts knew what they were talking about when they said that crying was good for the soul. As well as someone to lean on. She gave Spike a wobbly smile as she followed her shocked friends and family into the house.

She reclined by the window and watched as Spike waved his arms and paced a bit, talking to the other Vampires. Obviously giving them instructions. The two newer Vampires seemed clearly frightened, and Drusilla looked very very angry. Spike swept out a foot, sending the larger Vampire sprawling on the concrete driveway. He then hauled him up to his knees by his flannel shirt so he could hiss in his face. Drusilla yanked the Vamp out of his grasp and let him tumble to the ground uncaringly, stepping up close to Spike to get in his face. Buffy looked away from the scene and met the eyes of her Watcher. The room was deathly silent and no one else met her eyes. “We wait for Spike, we care for Angel, and then we plan. We’re taking my sister back. We’re killing Glory. And nothing takes precedence over that. Everyone got it?”

There were solemn nods around the room, and even Faith had nothing to say about it. Her mother gave Buffy a long sad look before excusing herself to fix refreshments. Moments later she got to her feet and opened the door for Spike, who had Angel easily slung across his forearms. He seemed to have passed out from the pain. She had Spike take Angel upstairs and put him in her bed. He frowned but didn’t protest. He fidgeted nervously for a moment before rocking back on his heels and taking up a cocky stance. “Those knees must hurt something awful.”

“Yeah, you think I should give him my blood?” She looked down at Angel, concerned and worried. She couldn’t even imagine the pain he must be in. Poor Angel. He’d tried so hard to defend Dawn. She knew how tender his hear was, he must be all torn up inside about not being able to save her.

“HELL NO!” She turned and fought valiantly to keep her lips strait at the site of his furious features. “I’ve got some painkillers coming.” He said in a forcefully strained voice. He was trying so hard not to be mad at her.

“You sent Dru and her goons to get someone!” Buffy was suddenly having trouble controlling her own temper. God! She had just told everyone that they had priorities and Spike, her lover and mate, had sent his girlfriend on a killing spree.

“Relax Slayer,” Spike whipped out his pocket knife and began to cut Angel’s pants off above the knee. He moaned and moved and Spike braced one hand on his thigh to keep him still. “I made sure that they knew they weren’t to kill anyone. Dru was right pissed about minding the Slayer but I’m confident she’ll do as she’s told. I told her I would dust her boys if I found out she’d harmed a hair on anyone’s head.”

She reached out and held Angel’s limp hand as Spike efficiently peeled the blood soaked strips of material off of the elder Vampire. “Ruining my reputation. Slayer’s lapdog I am, just like the great pouf. I’ll never live this down.” He muttered, assessing the damage with the cool practiced air of a physician. There was a knock at the window and Spike waved her over to it. She slid the window open to find a very frightened spacey eyed woman being held by her arms by the larger Vampire. She took the frightened woman by the hand and helped her through the window without issuing an invitation. “Run along infant.” Spike snapped at the Vampire. “And if I find out you haven’t been taking proper care of Dru you’ll be praying for dust.”

“Had him bring her up here so you’re groupies wouldn’t be giving you the evil eye.” Spike said simply, eyeing the girl critically. “Skinny thing isn’t she. Idiot has no eye for quality. Angelus wouldn’t have given spoils like her a second glance in the day.” He turned his knife on his own forearms, dripping blood over Angel’s knees. Buffy turned away and focused on the woman whose hand she still held. She was little more than a girl, maybe twenty years old. Her eyes were wide and frightened and her gaze darted towards the door.

“I’m not really into Sado-Machism. Rick didn’t say anything about that when he said he had a job for me.” She said edging towards the door. Buffy stood helplessly, she wanted to help Angel but she was not going to victimize anyone. She was the Slayer and it was her job to protect people. Even drug addict prostitutes. She twitched violently and stopped moving towards the door, her eyes wide as they could go. Spike pulled a fourth hundred dollar bill from Angel’s wallet and laid it on top of the other three on the bedside table.

She pushed her long lanky hair back from her face as if trying to get a better view and took a hesitant step in the direction of the money. “I’m not going to let you guys hurt me.” She said rather bravely, but she never met Spike’s eyes. Her gaze was only on the crisp bills only six feet from her. She twitched unnaturally and shifted from one foot to the other in a haunting swaying dance.

“We ain’t gonna hurt you pet. And we ain’t gonna kill you. We just need a little blood, strait from the tap, and you can go. And take that money right there with you.”

“You want my blood?” Buffy turned from the horrified look on the girls face and left the room. She was a horrible lousy excuse for a Slayer. She walked down the hall to the bathroom, locked the door, and sat down on the stool and buried her head in her hands, unable to even cry. She wasn’t in there long before Spike picked the lock and knelt down in front of her.

“It’s over sweets. We didn’t hurt her, and I got her downstairs safe.” She couldn’t bring herself to touch him. She wanted to through herself in his arms and drown in his kisses. Instead she wrapped her arms around herself and stood stiffly.

“I’ve got to check on Angel. Is he awake?”

“Yeah pet, he is.” Spike seemed slightly alarmed with her distance. “We didn’t hurt her.” He repeated.

But this was something he couldn’t understand. He had no soul, he had no guilt. And he would never understand what walking out of that room had cost her. She had just been rather forcefully reminded of what he was. And what she was. She made sure not to brush up against him when she edged around him and walked back to her bedroom.