Distracted

by
Wildepet

Part Eleven

Angel looked up from the book he was reading, surprised.

"Giles," he said, getting up from the bed and reaching for his shirt. "Is there something wrong with Buffy?"

"No, not Buffy," Giles replied.

He watched Angel buttoning his shirt from his position by the door.

"Not Buffy," Angel prompted.

"Xander," Giles said quietly, still watching the vampire.

"Oh."

"Oh indeed."

Angel rubbed the bridge of his nose, looking like he had suddenly developed a migraine. He gestured for Giles to close the door and sit down in the chair by the small desk in the corner of the room.

"He's in trouble," he stated finally.

"That's what we thought," Giles confirmed.

"What do you know?" Angel asked carefully.

"Not much. The boy had a bitemark and bruises on his neck and he was moving stiffly. Like somebody who is in a lot of pain. I suspect that he was raped, but he refused to admit it."

"Damn," Angel cursed, turning his back to the other man so he wouldn't see exactly how angry he was. "I told him to go straight home!"

"So I assume you knew he was in danger? Is that why you have been following him around for the past couple of weeks?" Giles asked, frowning. "May I ask why you chose not inform us about the threat to his life?"

"Xander asked me not to tell you," Angel said through gritted teeth. "Stupid boy. He begged me not to tell you, and he promised to stay out of trouble.. I should never have trusted him. He's just a kid, for god's sake. But after what happened, I was so worried about Buffy ..."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Ever since that disastrous parent-teacher night," Angel said, pacing the room. "Although, it appears it started much earlier, almost a year ago."

"A year?" Giles gasped incredulously. "That ... that's impossible ... We would have noticed ..."

"A vampire put a claim on him but he left town, so I guess Xander thought he was safe," Angel explained reluctantly.

"Until parent-teacher night? Spike? Spike did this to him?" Giles asked.

Angel nodded slowly.

Giles got up, looking determined.

"We're putting an end to this now," he said grimly, marching towards the door.

He turned around when he realised that Angel wasn't following him.

"It's still light outside," the vampire said apologetically. "And ... I can't help you with this."

"What?" Giles almost yelled.

"It's ... I just can't," Angel replied quietly. "It's complicated ... I doubt you'd understand. Just don't go and do something rash. Talk to Xander first. He may still be a kid, and his judgement might be ... impaired at the moment, but you should hear him out, let him explain ..." he trailed off uncertainly.

"What are you talking about?" Giles asked sternly.

Angel stared past him at the door, looking torn.

"I doubt Xander would be as grateful as you might think if you killed Spike. If you're not careful ... you could lose him over this."

And he'd lose Spike. His Childe. For good. He didn't want that to happen.

"Are you trying to tell me that Xander... has feelings for Spike?" Giles asked. "For a vampire?"

Angel flinched almost unnoticeably and Giles reached for his glasses; an habitual reflex.

"That's not what I meant," he said, polishing them with the hem of his shirt "Spike doesn't ... he doesn't have a soul, does he? And he's hurting Xander "

"You can't just go around killing everyone who hurts one of your children, Giles; it's not always that simple. I ... " Angel said. "Talk to Xander. I'll try to think of a way of dealing with this."


Giles eyed him suspiciously, well aware of the fact that the vampire was keeping something important from him. But there was nothing he could do about that at the moment. So he just shrugged and left without another word.

Suicide suddenly seemed like a good idea. Brilliant really, compared to the other options.

Afraid to go home in case the others would come and look for him, Xander had spent the last six hours in hiding at the cinema. The fucking, filthy cinema where it had all started. He'd watched "The Sound of Music" and some strange French movie with subtitles, though he couldn't honestly claim that he'd paid much attention to the screen. His mind had kept drifting. His friends knew. Well, not really, but they'd figured the most important details out somehow, and just how strange was it that Giles had been the one to realise that something weird was going on?

He wondered what had given him away. He wondered how he could ever face his friends again. He wondered if Angel would punch him until he came to his senses again. He wondered if Buffy would kill Spike now. He thought about the kiss he'd shared with Spike, but quickly fought that thought down again. No use going there.

No use at all.

He stared at his watch for a couple of minutes, before he could get his brain to work and actually register the time. Well, he figured he could always watch "The Sound of Music" again. Maybe, if - or was that when? - his ears finally started to bleed, he'd just pass away in peace. Except he was running out of cash. With a sigh he dropped his empty popcorn bucket into the trash can and directed his steps towards the exit. Life was never that easy.

What now?

Home?

If he still had money left, he could at least take a room for the night or - even better - skip town altogether.

He almost imagined he could feel his heart contract at the thought of having to leave his friends behind.

"And Spike," a little, obnoxious voice at the back of his mind chirped up.

"Fuck Spike!" he muttered angrily.

He was the reason why his life was falling apart like this, after all ... And it really was falling apart. Dramatically. He was going to lose his friends, no matter what. Try as he might, he could not see a way out of this. His friends would hate him, despise him. Maybe if he was lucky, they'd simply pity him because naïve little Xander had let himself be tricked into loving a vampire.

Shit. Now he'd actually thought it. Was he really in love with Spike? It was unthinkable. After everything he'd thrown at Buffy because of Angel ... Who at least had a soul. In love with a vampire. Impossible. Absurd. Mad. It could not be. But if it wasn't love, what was it?

Last night, when he'd looked at himself in the mirror, all he'd wanted was to never see Spike again. He'd wanted to be strong. Do the right thing.

But then he'd thought, he'd have his friends. Now that they knew, he wasn't so sure.

Lost in thought, he was wandering aimlessly through the streets of Sunnydale .. It was late in the afternoon and the place was buzzing with life. Yet he was feeling strangely disconnected.

"Xander!"

He stopped dead in his tracks, without turning around.

A hand was put on his shoulder.

"There you are! I was so worried," Willow said. "Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!"

"Just ... thinking," he replied evasively.

"What about?"

"Stuff," he replied.

"What kind of stuff?" she questioned patiently.

"Don't make me tell you," he whispered weakly.

"Xander, we're friends, aren't we? Best friends. If there's something troubling you, you can tell me," she said, moving to stand in front of him and taking both his hands in hers. "You have to. It's in the best friends code."

He didn't meet her eyes. He just couldn't. Sweet, innocent Willow. Who still believed he was her friend. He felt so ... dirty, filthy, unworthy.

When he didn't say anything, she tried another approach.

"Come on, Xander. We've known each other for so long, give me a chance! Whatever it is, you can talk to me about it. Don't leave me guessing. Please. You'll always be my friend. I trust you. I l-love you. Please, why won't you trust me?"

"I can't," he whispered, wrenching his hands out of her grip. "You shouldn't trust me. I ... don't deserve your trust. I never meant to hurt you or Buffy but I went and did something stupid and now I have to pay for it. God, Angel warned me that this would happen, but I just couldn't stop. I couldn't. He touched me, and it was incredible, he hurt me, but I didn't mind, I wanted it, I wanted him so bad. I didn't even try to stop him. He made me feel ... things. And now, I just feel so dirty ..."

Xander's eyes were shining with unshed tears, he was blinking furiously to keep them from falling. He immediately regretted his outburst and shrank away from Willow.

Willow watched her childhood friend fight the tears, trying to digest what he'd just confessed. Giles had apparently been right ... and not. They hadn't had the time to talk about the situation, because she had tried to catch up with Xander, leaving Giles to deal with a very confused Buffy. She had no idea how he'd dealt with her, though, and she honestly had no idea how to deal with Xander now. She felt him withdrawing from her, physically as well as emotionally and she knew that she couldn't let that happen. So she simply pulled him into another embrace, hoping it was enough for the moment. That he wouldn't push her away.

He didn't resist, just let her hug him.

"Please," he whispered.

"Let me help you," Willow said, gently stroking his back.

He hissed quietly when her hand brushed over the bruise.

"You're actually hurt?" she asked, letting go.

"Just a little bruised," he replied, staring at the ground.

"Let me see!" she said in her 'don't-mess-with-me-mister' voice.

"Not here," he said, looking around self-consciously. "Bad enough that I almost blubbered all over you in public." And took it up the ass from a vampire just around the corner. Sick. Mad.

"Xander, it's all right," Willow said emphatically. "I don't know what happened, but it's all right. I'm your friend. I'm here."

"Did Giles tell Buffy?" he asked.

"I don't know. I don't think so, actually. It's hardly our secret to tell, is it?"

She sighed.

"Xander, none of this is your fault," she said.

Xander gave her a funny look. After a couple of seconds he blinked and shook his head slowly.

"How can it not be my fault?" he asked quietly. "You have no idea ...."

She huffed indignantly.

"So you went and fell in love with the wrong g-guy."

"I never said it was love," he denied, blushing. "It's ... complicated."

He laughed, almost woefully.

"And love's never complicated, is it? It's sunshine and flowers, fluffy puppies and songs."

He paused, glancing at her from under his lashes. She looked so worried.. He really didn't want her to worry, but she was his friend. She was right. He owed her the truth.. Didn't he?

"It's not just any guy, Wills," he said.

Avoiding her eyes, he pulled his shirt collar back to expose his neck..

Willow gasped and reached out to brush her fingers over the bitemark and the love bites trailing down towards Xander's shoulder...

"Xander!" she breathed. "N-not you, not you, too!"

"I know it's madness, Willow. It's dangerous, and it will get me killed if I don't stop. Believe me, Willow, I have every intention of stopping this before it's too late. I ... just don't know if I'm strong enough," he whispered.

"You're not alone," Willow replied firmly. "Let's go and find Buffy and Giles. We need to talk."

Shit. Spike was still in a foul mood. Or was that again? He'd toyed with Dru's latest creation for a while, but Dru had stopped him with a pretty pout and some pleading words before he'd done too much damage. Or had even had a chance to get that damn boy out of his system.

He didn't know what was wrong with him. He'd spent most of the day moping, trying to sleep and when he found he couldn't, roaming the factory, terrorising the minions. God, some days he loved having minions. And some days he didn't. Usually their incompetence only served to make him furious. Today he was rather grateful.. Stupid, snivelling bastards. It was an almost welcome distraction and it gave him an excuse to vent his anger on someone. Not that he needed an excuse, really.

But now the sun was down, and even the laziest of the minions had fled the factory to escape him. Leaving him alone with ...

Shit. Where was Dru?

"Drusilla?" he yelled, receiving no answer.

"Dru? Where are you, pet?"

He frowned, trying to concentrate. He couldn't sense her anywhere. She must have left their lair.

"Bloody hell," he muttered, tossing the empty vodka bottle he'd been holding in his hand for the past half hour at the wall.

The last time she'd disappeared on him, she'd come back reeking of their Sire. The bastard. He had to find her. Now.

With a snarl he bounded up the stairs.

Angel had finally come up with something like a plan that would - hopefully - solve all their problems. It was not a very good plan, but it would have to do. As he obviously couldn't speak to Spike, he'd have to pursue an alternative route to make his troublesome Childe leave Sunnydale, and more importantly, Xander behind.

He'd have to talk to Dru again. Their last encounter had been brief and his attempts to convince her to take Spike and leave had been gracefully ignored .... It was hard to get her to listen at the best of times. But at the moment she seemed... barely lucid, weak, distracted. He wondered whether the few rumours that had reached him were true. Had she been attacked, almost killed? Did she need his help? Should he... Could he offer his help? With a shudder he remembered Dru at the height of her powers. Beautiful, dangerous, reckless. Lethal. Their dark princess, spoiled and cherished by all members of their little family. A pang of regret shot through him at the loss of the only true family he'd ever had. Followed by guilt. Always guilt.

No, he couldn't help her. He wouldn't risk hundreds of lives to save one. But he wouldn't lose Xander without a fight.

Now he was sitting on top of a crypt, surveying the cemetery, waiting... He'd used the link he still had with his Childer to call Dru to him, and he hoped it would work. The link was weak, after decades of separation, and Angel could only just tell that it was still active because he always knew, knew that all his Childer were still alive; as alive as they would ever be. There was the guilt again. He'd killed them. He was responsible for all of this.

The arrival of a pale, slim figure in a delicate white dress put an end to his musings. Beautiful as ever.

She really was a princess, now more than ever. He watched her for a couple of moments longer before he jumped off the top of his crypt to land in a crouch in front of her.

"Daddy," she said, unsurprised.

"Dru," he replied softly.

"You called me," she stated neutrally.

"Yes."

"My Spike will not like this," she smiled, a glazed look in her eyes. "I shall be punished, just like you used to punish me," her smile faltered. But you're not really Daddy."

"You have to leave Sunnydale," Angel said bluntly. "Take Spike and go.. Tonight, tomorrow. But do it soon."

Her smile returned.

"Don't worry, Daddy," she whispered quietly, forcing him to lean closer..

He inhaled her unique scent, for a moment wishing that he could allow himself to forget all the things that were separating them nowadays.

"Don't worry about the boy. I'm not worried. Spike will make sure that I'm happy before he takes him as his. He told me he wouldn't leave me. He loves me."

"He may love you," Angel admitted reluctantly, "but he's obsessed with Xander. It'll kill him. That boy is friends with the Slayer. She won't let Spike take him. She'll hunt him down and kill him. And you with him. So, please, Dru, leave."

Dru was watching him, wide-eyed and silent for a couple of minutes.

"He loves me," she said finally. "He would never let anyone harm me. I'm his princess."

"That you are," Angel muttered, shaking his head.

"Don't try to take the boy away from him. It's meant to be, don't you see? Don't make them unhappy. Don't make my Spike unhappy. He deserves to be happy.."

"I'll do more than make him unhappy if the price for his happiness is the life of an innocent boy," Angel replied, almost regretfully ...

"Oh, but he is not innocent," Dru protested. "His heart is aching for the darkness, can't you see? He craves it, craves Spike."

"But it's wrong!" Angel interrupted her. "I don't expect you to understand, but you'll have to accept that I will do anything in my power to see to it that Xander returns to the light. Where he belongs."

Dru nodded thoughtfully.

"He is marvellous, isn't he? A creature made of light, drawn to the darkness a shining soul with a dark spot. It's no wonder that Spike wants him. And you want him, too, don't you? To protect him, make him yours? Are you mad at Spike because he saw it first? You were blinded by the beauty of the Slayer, weren't you? She is perfection, isn't she? But the boy, he's different."

Angel stared at his Childe, open-mouthed.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Dru. Just get Spike to leave town. Please. I don't want to kill either of you, but you won't leave me any choice if you stay," he said finally.

"Spike will not go without him again," Dru said simply.

"Will you go without Spike?"

"Not yet."

With that she disappeared. Angel stared at the spot that had been occupied by his Childe only moments before, lost in thought. His attempt to save both Xander and his Childer had failed miserably. What now? He didn't know, he really didn't know.

Part Twelve

Reluctantly Xander followed Willow back to Giles' flat, hoping against hope that they wouldn't find the others there. He really did not want to talk about his... relationship with Spike. Especially not with Buffy, who'd just storm off and stake Spike in a fit of rage. Or get herself killed.. After all, Spike was not completely harmless himself, what with that Slayer of Slayers reputation he had going on. He was dragging his feet, and of course that didn't escape Willow.

"Xander, stop fretting! We'll find a way out of this," she said, taking his hand to pull him along.

"I just don't want anyone to get killed because of me," he admitted reluctantly. Right, anyone, he thought disdainfully, suppressing a snort. He knew, just knew, that everything was going to go horribly wrong because there was simply no way that he could win.

"We'll tie Buffy to a chair and force her to listen, and - more importantly - think before she acts," Willow said.. "We won't let her do anything rash that could get her killed. I mean, that Spike guy, he's a real killer, isn't he? Two Slayers! That's ..." She trailed off when she noticed the look on Xander's face. "Oh. I - God, Xander, I'm sorry. I'm such an imbecile. You really ... I never realised ... It's so ... I'll shut up now."

"Don't worry about me," Xander said meekly. "I know that I'm being an idiot. That I am an idiot."

"You're not! You're just... human."

"Exactly. And he's not. He's a demon. An evil, soulless, murdering demon with a pretty face. It all comes back to that," Xander said harshly. "This goes against everything I believe, Willow. It's not supposed to happen like this. I mean I'm not even gay. Except that I probably am. Does this mean that I'm gay?"

"I don't know, Xander," Willow said softly. "Maybe you're just... confused?"

Confused, that was a good one. He really didn't want to talk about his ... whatever it was he had with Spike. The mere fact that he obviously HAD something with Spike... yes, he thought bitterly, let's say it together: Mad. He was a raving lunatic and suicidal to top it off. All too soon they stopped in front of Giles' door.

"Willow," Xander said uncertainly. But Willow didn't give him a chance to voice his objections.. Without bothering to knock, she pushed the door open.

"I found him," she said, ignoring the stake that loomed inches over her heart.

"Willow!" Buffy exclaimed reproachfully. "Don't do that! You ... startled me."

"Yeah, like anyone ever knocks," Willow muttered, pulling Xander inside, who had been hovering by the door, obviously hoping that Willow would just forget about him. "Come on in! Or do you want to spent the night on the doorstep?"

"Xander," Buffy said, shooting him a bright Buffy-smile that any other day would have warmed his heart tremendously. Now it just made him want to run. We were worried about you. You acted kinda weird at the library."

"Where's Giles?" Xander asked.

"Nice try," Buffy commented. "In the kitchen. And now spill. What's going on? Giles was all, 'I can't tell you, I don't know.' and then he disappeared leaving me to do RESEARCH! Very suspicious, if you ask me. Something weird is going on and now I'm done being the 'Girl Who Doesn't Have A Clue'. So, what's up?"

"I've lost my mind," Xander said, sitting down on the sofa with a thud.

"Where?" Buffy asked. "Should we go looking?"

Giles entered the living room, carrying a tray. "Tea, anyone?" he asked conversationally.

"Yes, please," the teenagers chorused. Giles raised one eyebrow, but said nothing. Instead he poured out the tea.

"So," Buffy started again, when they were all set. "You've lost your mind. When? How? Why? Care to elaborate?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Buffy scoffed. "Of course not, we're your friends!"

"What if I've done something incredibly stupid? Will you still be my friend? Willow and Giles exchanged a look, obviously trying to figure out how much the other knew.

"Something stupid?" Buffy asked with a frown. "Like what? Accidentally re-opened the Hellmouth?"

"Worse?"Xander offered tentatively.

"What could possibly be worse ?" Buffy stopped, staring at Xander with wide eyes. She leaned over the table and pulled his shirt collar aside. "You ... you're a vampire?" she whispered disbelievingly. "But..."

"No," he said shaking his head.

Her fingers brushed over the bite mark, and she gave him a small, relieved smile. "No, you're not. Of course not. What happened?"

" I ... was bitten," Xander said.. Willow gave him a stern look.

"But who'd bite you and let you... Not Angel? Please say it wasn't Angel!"

"No, not Angel. He ... he tried to help me." Xander stared out of the window, into the darkness. "Angel tried to help me. And I ... God, I threatened him. I am such an idiot," he muttered.. "I almost staked him."

"What?" Buffy said shrilly.

Xander blinked and turned to look at her. "Huh?"

"You almost staked my... my... vampire?" Buffy questioned.

"He threatened to tell you about..." Xander trailed off miserably. "But now you know anyway."

"I don't know anything!" Buffy protested.

"And honestly, I'd prefer if it stayed that way," Xander said. "I really, really don't want to talk about this." He got up, banging his shin at the coffee table, causing the tea to spill out of the cups. "Sorry," he muttered " I... I'll just go."

"Xander," Giles said beseechingly. "Please sit down again."

"No, no, I can't," Xander said. "Uh, thanks for the tea. I-I'll see you tomorrow." With that he yanked the door open and ran.

"That went well," Willow commented in a resigned voice.

"Angel," Xander said flatly when he spotted the vampire lurking under the trees outside his parents' house. He'd run all the way from Giles' and he was out of breath and certainly not in the mood for conversation.

"Xander," Angel acknowledged.

"Just the vamp I didn't need to see tonight," Xander said, trying to walk past him.

"Uh-uhn," Angel said, grabbing Xander's arm to stop him.

"What do you want?" Xander snapped.

" I'm pleased to see you too," the vampire replied mockingly, obviously not impressed in the least by Xander's foul mood.

"Look, I'm tired, I just want to sleep."

"And I just wanted to see for myself. What has he done to you?" Angel asked, stepping even closer, steel replacing the mockery in his eyes. "I've hardly ever seen Giles this agitated. He was ready to kill."

Xander flinched.

"I told him to talk to you first."

"Oh, brilliant," the boy said. "And I just ran away from him because I sure as hell didn't want to talk. And I still don't, for your information. I just wanna be left alone, is that so difficult to understand?"

"No, it's not. But unfortunately it's impossible." Angel tightened his hold on Xander's arm.

"Let go of me."

"Dru said Spike won't leave without you and I'm inclined to believe her. You're in danger," Angel said urgently.

"Dru? Who's Dru?" Xander asked, narrowing his eyes. Spike had mentioned that name as well.. And he had very obviously not wanted to talk about her.

"You're jealous," Angel said, surprised.

" I ... I'm not," Xander replied weakly.

Because Angel was right. He was pathetically jealous. It had to be the claim Angel had to be lying when he said the claim didn't change what he felt. It made him so confused? He couldn't possibly have feelings for a demon, he thought desperately. A murderer.. A rapist. But when he thought of Spike with someone else his heart ached, he couldn't seem to breathe and his head was spinning with insane jealousy.

"Please, no," he whispered, not entirely sure himself who he was talking to. He tried to fight off Angel's hold on his arm but the vampire wouldn't let go.

"I really don't want to do this, but I don't see any other way," Angel said regretfully.

"What? What are you talking about?" Xander said. "Let go!"

"Come on," Angel said, ignoring the boy's struggles.

"Help!" Xander called, when he realised that Angel would not release him. Where are you taking me?"

He was actually afraid of the taller man, because unlike Buffy he wasn't so sure that the soul would keep him from acting like a vampire. Especially since he had recognised Spike's claim on Xander. Vampires were complex creatures, he now realised and a soul did not completely outweigh instinct.

"Shut up!" Angel hissed, tightening his grip on Xander's arm. "If you're too weak to resist Spike, I have to take desperate measures."

"D-desperate measures?" Xander asked, frightened, as he stumbled along. What kind of desperate measures? I don't think Buffy would appreciate it if you killed me. Or turned me.. Oh my God, you're not going to turn me, are you? I don't want to be a vampire! This is madness! Fucking let go of me already! I'm not weak! I'm-I'm..."

"Merely a human," Angel said through clenched teeth. "And a stupid one at that. If you'd listened to me, Spike would have never gotten a chance to manifest his claim like that. You're going to let him rape you, hurt you and eventually kill you. You're jealous of Dru? Well, newsflash, boy, he's not going to leave his companion of over a century for you. If you're really lucky, he'll share you with her. Is that really what you envisioned your future to be like, a sex slave for a couple of vampires? Maybe you'll be passed around the minions as a reward once he's bored with you. Would you like that?"

"You... you're lying," Xander stammered, pale with shock. "He'd never..."

"He's a demon. Look at what he's already done to you! Do you really think he'll stop there?" Angel snapped at him, furious. His eyes were flashing yellow and Xander's breathing hitched.

"What are you going to do with me?" he whispered.

"I'm going to overrule Spike's claim on you as is my right as his Sire," Angel replied calmly. "I didn't want to do that, but seeing that he won't leave and you won't stay away from him, it seems to be the only workable plan."

"So, er, huh?"

"I'll break his claim by claiming you for myself," Angel explained.
"What?" Xander exclaimed, horrified. "So not gonna happen. No way. I'm not gonna let you ... Gods, this is disgusting! Take your filthy hands off me, you pervert! This is really cheap, you know. Just because you can't get laid?"

"I'm just going to bite you," Angel said patiently.

"Oh, that's better," Xander remarked bitingly. "And I repeat: No way. I'll tell Buffy!"

"I was going to tell her myself. I'm sure she'll understand my reasoning."

"Oh, of course she will. And then she'll introduce you to the pointy end of the stake I'll be happy to sharpen for the occasion."

"We'll see," Angel replied calmly.

"Oh no, we won't. Cause I'm leaving. And you're not letting me leave, are you?" he said, glaring at the hand still on his arm.

"No."

"Dammit Angel, let me go!"

"Come on in, we're there."

"Where are we any-," he stopped, taking a look around. "Oh, your place. That's romantic."

"Not particularly," Angel commented. "But at least here no one will hear you scream."

Spike returned to the factory minutes before sunrise. He'd searched for Dru all over the place, he'd even threatened Willy a little, just for good measure, but he'd been unable to find her. He had even dropped by the boy's house as a last resort, but neither Dru nor Xander had been there. This had worried him a great deal more than he cared to admit.

He rushed through the main hall of the factory just as the sun began to rise outside. He watched scattered rays of fatal light stream through the room above his head and he really hoped that Dru was safe.

"Daddy wants us to leave," her surprisingly clear voice rang through the hall from behind him..

Cursing himself for letting his anxiousness distract him, Spike whirled around. Drusilla was lying on a table, watching the dust dance in the sunbeams above.

"Will you punish me?" she asked almost gleefully. Spike went over to her.

"Does my baby want to play?" he asked, running a hand over her body in a gentle caress.

"Will you play with me my William?" Spike jumped on the table to kneel between her wantonly spread legs, pushing up her skirt.

"I've missed you pet," he whispered, leaning over her. "You're feeling
better tonight, aren't you?"

"Daddy never wants to play anymore," she said regretfully.

"Good for him," Spike replied. "Otherwise I'd have to kill him. I don't want him to touch you again, luv. You're mine."

"No," she said, bringing up a hand to run it through his gelled hair. "You're mine. Daddy gave you to me." Her hold on his hair tightened and she pulled his head down forcefully until their lips almost touched. "You're mine, Spike, and you will take care of me, won't you?"

"Sure, pet," Spike replied, somewhat uneasily.

She smiled.. "You can have him, you know. You just have to make him yours," she continued. "Before Daddy takes him."

"What? What are you talking about, Dru?"

"The boy. You went looking for him again tonight, didn't you?"

"I went looking for you, luv, because you left the factory without telling anyone. You could have been killed. The Slayer won't spare you because you're Angelus' childe, don't you understand that? I'm effin' worried about you, but you just don't listen," he snapped, rather more harshly than he'd intended..

Dru pouted.

"Sorry, pet," he said softly, touching his lips to hers. "You just make me so mad when you're careless. You're not as strong as you used to be. Just wait till we've figured out the cure and everything will be fine again. Now that we know where to find it, it's only a matter of days. And then you and me can take the Slayer down together and rip this bloody town to shreds."
"Yesss," she hissed softly, eyes closed, arching up into his touch.

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