Betas: Slaymesoftly and Mabel Marsters

Soul Survivors


Chapter Seventeen: Watching Their Backs


With bed sheets tangled up around their legs, they lie together in the quiet late afternoon. Buffy ran a hand through Spike’s hair and was rewarded with a deep rumbling sound of appreciation. With his eyes closed and his cheeks sucked in, the look of pure pleasure on his face reminded her of what Andra had said last night.

“Andra’s right. You are a pretty man.”

The rumbling stopped and he slowly opened his eyes to glare at her. Ooh, now he looks even prettier with those blue eyes blazing with indignation. She smiled at him.

“Take that back. I am not pretty.”

“Nope.”

“Then you give me no choice. You must be punished until you admit that I am no pretty boy.”

She shook her head in defiance, eyes shining with mischief; giggling as he tore the sheet off them and began unmercifully tickling and pinching her all over. Her squeals of laughter rang out into the room as she fought back with nipping fingers of her own.

Through his deep laughter, he demanded that she take back her proclamation that he was pretty. Buffy screeched when he pinched a nipple, and yelled, “Never, pretty boy!” Then, with an evil laugh, she flipped them over until he was on his back.

The double doors rattled with Giles’ knock, and he followed the pounding by yelling, “Keep it down in there!”

They stilled and Spike raised a playful brow up at her. “I bet I can make you scream first.”

“Oh, no way. I can so make you scream first,” Buffy challenged back with a raised eyebrow of her own.

He tossed her off and pushed her on to her back. “The challenge is on then.”

As he moved lower, she gripped his head to stop him. “No way. You can’t do that. That’s an unfair tactic.”

Spike smirked at her. “I’m a vampire, love. I don’t play fair.”

She continued to grip his head and smiled prettily at him. “That makes sense, but seeing as how I’m a vampire too, I guess I don’t have to play fair either.”

Taking advantage of her new ability to move in fast forward, she sat up and stretched until she reached her goal. His eyes widened when she palmed his balls in a tight grip.

She paused there. “We didn’t establish methods of expectable screamage getting, but since we’re vampires and we don’t play fair, that wouldn’t have mattered anyway, right?”

When her grip tightened, he winced. “Don’t do it! You win! You win!”

Buffy pouted, “But I didn’t get to make you scream yet.” Then she squeezed a little tighter.

His eyes got wider, and opening his mouth, he put forth a pathetic excuse for a fake scream. He smiled at her. “See, screams. Ahhhhh. All done. Let go, please.”

When the phone rang, she let go to grab the receiver from the bedside table. “Hello? Yes, that’s fine. We‘ll accept the charges for the call.” While she was put on hold, she told him, “Saved by the bell.”

She smiled at Spike, thinking that he looked like a Playgirl centerfold. He was lying on his side with an elbow on the pillow and his head in his palm. His platinum hair was wild and sticking up in some places while curly in others. He was semi-hard and she got aroused just watching him.

“What? Oh, yes. Charge it to that same account,” she told the operator.

He caressed her thigh as she gazed at him with hungry eyes. Sitting up straight, she said, “Dawnie! Hi, sweetie. Weren’t you supposed to call in two hours?”

Spike went on his stomach and reached around on the floor until he found his t-shirt and jeans. He sat up and slipped them on. As Dawn went on and on about things back at home, Buffy grinned at him, covering the mouthpiece. “It’s not like she can see that you’re naked.”

“Shhhh,” he said with a finger over his lips. “She might hear you.” Then he whispered, “I won’t talk to your little sister while I’m starkers. Whether she can seem me or not, ’s not right.” He glared at her when she giggled. “How is she doing?”

“Just a minute, Dawn.” She put her hand on the receiver once more. “She says she has a boyfriend.”

“Give me that phone.” He grabbed it from her. “Dawn? It’s good to hear your voice, too. What’s this I hear about a boyfriend?”


~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

The water was never hot enough anymore. Steam rose up and over the frosted glass door, yet she still felt the need to play with the knobs again. As the bathroom door opened and closed, she couldn’t help but smile. Buffy knew he’d hurry up the phone call, once he heard the shower going. Spike slipped in and ducked under the spray. Water rippled over his hair, over his face, and down his sculpted torso. She licked her lips. Thirst had been a part of her existence since she woke up to her new “life”, but this was the first time she’d felt thirsty for a little water.

“Dawn sounded happy?” Buffy asked him.

“Yes. I know she misses you, but she seems pretty busy with all that school stuff.” He glared at her. “And, that wasn’t funny. She does not have a boyfriend.”

Buffy lathered up the soap in her hands before placing it back in the dish and rubbing them over Spike‘s chest. “She’s lucky to have you looking out for her; but you know, she’s going to get a boyfriend soon.” Her smile faded. “She’s going to grow up, have her first heartbreak, get married, and have kids.”

Hugging her to him, he asked, “What’s the matter, love?”

She leaned her head on his chest, not caring that it was soapy. Sometimes, when she thought about the future, she got a little depressed. “She’s going to get old and I’m not. Most likely, I’ll see her grow up and die, but I’ll be just the same.”

“I’m sorry that you don’t get to have that kind of life.”

“That’s not it. I never thought I would have any of that. I was the Slayer; it was never going to happen. But it’s just sad to think that I’m going to have to watch her grow up, but I won’t grow old with her.”

He hugged her and then put her at arms length so he could look her in the eyes. “No more of that. We can’t change anything, can we?”

When she shook her head, he smiled softly at her. “Cheer up. We’ve almost got this thing with the Council wrapped up, and we can go home soon. Things are looking good, yeah?”

It was such a nice feeling to have him here with her. He was so attentive, caring and good to her. Again, she wondered why she fought him for so long. “You’re right. Things are good and I’m glad I’m here with you.” She smiled. “I don’t know if I’m ready to go home yet. You still have to show me more of London and we are so close to Paris. Couldn’t we go to Paris?”

The groan that Spike let out was very unexpected. “I’ll take you to Paris, if you promise not mention shopping or bug me every other minute about it.”

Buffy tilted her head and smiled curiously at him.

“Old baggage.” Spike explained. “That’s all Harmony would talk about, and she made me nutters with her pleas for me to take her to Paris.”

Snickering, she said, “I have to admit, your taste in women has really improved, and I promise not to bug you about Paris.”


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

Spike and Buffy waited for Andra on the steps outside the imposing Watchers’ Council building. Giles had already gone in, and they stood arm in arm, keeping an eye out for her. The street they were on was relatively quiet and they could see them coming from quite a distance.

“This isn’t good. Torch shouldn’t be here,” Spike said with a frown.

Buffy watched them walking together quickly. Torch wore a long grey trench coat that billowed out behind him like a cape. “Maybe he’s here to support Andra.”

“I’m sure he is, but they’re barely tolerant of us. A vampire without a soul won’t go down well or do us any good in that meeting.”

As the two approached, Spike prepared for an argument.

“Don’t bother,” Andra said as Torch opened the door for her. “You’ll not get him to change his mind.”

They followed them in, and Spike started right away. “You can’t go up there with us.”

Torch finished taking in the lay of the lobby before turning to Spike with a stoic expression. “I have no intention of going into a small room with a bunch of watchers.” He pointed to the mint green couch. “I didn’t survive as long as I have by being a glory hound like you. I’m going take my ease right here and wait for her. I trust that you will look out for Andra in there?”

Spike nodded.

Andra glared at Torch. “I told you, old man, I din’na need protection. I can take care of myself.”

Buffy stepped up to the agitated vampire, placing a hand on her shoulder. “It never hurts to have someone watching your back. We’ll all look out for each other, okay?”

Placing her arm fully around her shoulder, Buffy guided Andra to follow Spike, who was already on his way past the front desk.

“Andra.” Torch called out.

Buffy watched her go to him. Even with her enhanced hearing, she couldn’t make out what they said, but it seemed so private that she was glad she couldn’t. Torch clasped her hand in his and leaned down to kiss her. Andra worked to free her hand from his, then wrapped her arms around him and fiercely kissed him back. Turning away from the couple, Buffy caught the look of impatience Spike was throwing their way.

Andra jogged back to them. “Sorry.”

Spike turned and mumbled, “They’ve probably started without us.”


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

The meeting had started without them, but someone had set aside three metal chairs for them towards the door. The large oval table in the ornate and antique meeting room was overflowing with Council personnel. Travers was presiding from the farthest end of the table, and he stopped in mid sentence when his secretary opened the door for the trio of vampires.

Spike glared at the group and insolently sat in the middle chair, gesturing for the girls to take their seats. Even though the situation was pretty tense, Giles looked right at home at the table next to his Cousin. He gave her a small encouraging smile, before sobering up again and focusing on the person who was currently speaking.

Buffy really tried to keep up with everything, but being so far back and not being able to see everyone’s face put her at a disadvantage. The watchers were polite, each waiting for their turn to speak until Foster decided he’d had enough with the formalities.

“Let’s get down to the business at hand, shall we?” he said loudly.

Then the argument was on. Not about souled vampires, but as to whether Travers should resign or not. Mass opinion, with the exception of a few, was that he should step down. Many suggested that it was time for him to retire.

A man that Buffy recognized from the Watchers’ visit to review her when she was dealing with Glory stood up. He was dark skinned and tall and she remember that she’d thrown a sword at him when he had interrupted her once.

“Quentin has kept the Council running like a well oiled machine all these years. I can’t believe that you are all turning on him now.” He paused for effect and glared at the stony faces looking back at him. “What’s he done? He’s tried to deal with a rogue watcher who refused to honor the oath that he took to follow the traditions and safe guard us all from a turned slayer.”

George Foster spoke up again, “Do sit down, Nigel.” He shuffled some papers and waited for the man to do as he asked. “The troubles with Travers go way back, and this latest incident is the last straw for me.”

Quentin cleared his throat. “If you have an issue with me, you should have taken it up with me privately, like a man.” He changed subjects. “I think we are here to discuss what to do with those…creatures intruding on our meeting.”

Buffy’s hand went out and squeezed Spike’s knee before he could get up. She shook her head at him, and he relaxed again. They were all talking and shouting at once. A few of the more passive members were leaning back in their chairs in exasperation.

Aida stood up. “That is enough! All of you, shut up!”

The room fell silent, and Buffy giggled when Spike’s clear voice cut through the quiet. “I like her.”

“That goes for you, too, mister.” Aida smiled at Spike before turning her wrathful gaze back on the group around the table.

After that, things went calmly as they discussed what to do with Travers. After hearing opinions back and forth, Travers got everyone’s attention and with confidence demanded that it be put to a vote. He showed no emotion as the overwhelming vote for his resignation went against him with just Nigel, Albert, and a few others voting in his favor.

Lydia said softly, “Early retirement is not a bad thing.”

Quentin got up. “My resignation papers will be in my secretary’s hands before the night is out.” Then he quietly closed the door behind him.

They all heaved a collective sigh of relief before going on with matters of importance. Buffy had her turn to speak and answer questions. Spike said a few words as well, but Andra was the main attraction. Her young form was deceptive, but soon the room was filled with quiet respect as Andra spoke with an air of confidence and age. At the rate they had been going, they could have been there all night, asking the ancient vampire questions. Aida suggested that they have Andra come back another time to have an informal interview with a few of the watchers, to get more information.

With the vampires looking on as they sat in their metal chairs, the Council continued with their business. After listening to Giles speak about how harmless the souled vampires were and how helpful they could be to the cause, it was decided that major changes needed to be made in the Council’s procedures covering the turning of a slayer. A committee was formed to go over the book that Aida had given Giles. Changes to the oath and the way they conducted business would be examined and recommended changes would be brought to the Council, as a whole, in one month‘s time.

As a group, they agreed that the souled vampires should be left alone and that Giles would not be taken to task for not fulfilling his oath. They asked him to stay on the Council and to go back to Sunnydale to continue working with Faith; which he agreed to do, with pay for himself and his new slayer.

Before they convened the meeting, George Foster suggested that they take a vote to have Aida installed as the new Head of the Council. Giles smiled proudly at his cousin as the vote was taken. When the meeting was officially over, Aida sat at the table in shock, watching the others as they took their leave.

Aida got up to collect her things. As George passed her, she stopped him. “I can’t believe that you didn’t want this job for yourself. I thought for certain that you would.”

Giles and the three vampires looked on, just as curious to know the answer.

“I’m too old to run this thing. In fact, once I knew a competent person was in charge, I planned to put in for retirement. I’m going on seventy-five and I’m well over due for some peace and rest.” He grinned at her. “My request for retirement will be on your desk tomorrow, alongside Quentin’s resignation.” With that, he walked out of the room.

After congratulating Aida on her promotion, the vampires parted ways with the two Watchers, leaving Giles to help Aida pack her stuff for the eventual move to her new, bigger office.

Buffy felt a sense of relieve that it was finally over. It was bad enough that they’d be fighting demons alongside Faith once they were back in Sunnydale. She didn’t need to have to look over her shoulder for Council employees with stakes in their hands.

Spike was very quiet beside her as they went down the stairs and through the hall that led to the lobby. He still seemed to be on high alert, and she could feel the tension coming off him. Even so, she talked cheerfully with Andra.

As they came into the hallway, Torch stood up and smiled at Andra. No matter how they acted, it was obvious how much they loved each other. Torch’s smile suddenly vanished as his eyes widened.

“Spike!” he yelled out in warning as he pulled a black hand gun from his trench coat and aimed it their way.

Before she could process what was going on, Spike knocked Buffy and Andra to the floor, covering them with his own body. From her spot under Spike, Buffy could now see the two men who had come in to the lobby behind them. Travers and Albert held crossbows; wooden bolts whizzed above the three prone vampires, bouncing against the walls.

Torch aimed the gun, firing off three quick shots. Albert went down with blood oozing from a wound to his head. Travers removed a bloody hand from the wound in his side and cursed before getting one more shot off. They watched in horror as the thin bolt flew above them and hit Torch, driving through his heart.

Andra struggled underneath Buffy and an agonized, “Nooooooo!” split the air as her lover burst into dust before their eyes.

Travers dropped his weapon and fell to his knees; the spot of blood forming on the lower side of his shirt was spreading rapidly. He closed his eyes and slid to the floor, where he remained still.

Spike jumped up, in game face, as Andra pushed Buffy off. Buffy frantically tried to hold both of them back from going after the bodies lying on the floor just inside the lobby. Andra made a strangled noise in her throat and Buffy pleaded with Spike, “Help me with her, please.”

Spike took one more look at the men lying on the ground and reluctantly turned back, pushing the demon down and morphing back to his human look. He got his arms around Andra just as she got loose from Buffy. When the fight went out of the distraught vampire, Buffy took her from Spike and pulled her in a tight embrace. She whispered words of comfort as her own tears fell freely.

People rushed in from the halls, and shouts for an ambulance echoed in the lobby from a man who declared that Travers still had a heartbeat. Giles ran into the lobby and around the fallen bodies. He was wild-eyed until his gaze landed on Buffy, then he expelled a relieved breath as he rushed to her. With gratitude shining in his eyes, he hugged Buffy even though she was already holding on to a shocked Andra.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” the watcher said.

“Travers,” Spike growled as he glared at the fallen man. “He tried to kill us.”

Giles let go of Buffy, who then loosened her hold on Andra. Brushing away the tears in her eyes, she swallowed past the lump in her throat.

“Torch.” Buffy managed to say. “He saved us.”