Third story of Spike and Beth.   A trip to LA for Spike's benefit turns nasty.
Rating NC-17

PREJUDICE - by Kaz - email boliver74@cableinet.co.uk
 

PART ONE.

They strolled into the bar arm in arm.  As usual, Spike wore black, and his leather duster swirled round his slim body as he swaggered.  Beth had adopted his penchant for the colour.  She thought the black leather trousers, tight black bodice and jacket made her look tough.

Spike glanced at her. He took in her slim curves and the way her hips swayed as she strolled.  Her blue-green eyes sparkled, and her loosely curled long auburn hair caressed her neck and shoulders. He smiled to himself.  She couldn't look tough if she breathed fire!  'Tough looking - never!' he thought to himself. "Bloody sexy - definitely.'

The bartender scowled at them.  He sniffed at Beth then addressed Spike.  "Read the sign!" he said pointing to the wall behind him.

                "ONLY FOOD PURCHASED HERE MAY BE CONSUMED
ON THE PREMISES"

"You bring your own and you're out!" he grunted.  Spike reached over the bar and gripped him by the throat.  His game face on he growled at him.  "You serve me a good double 'O' and I won't need to bring my own!"  He released him.

The bartender scurried off and returned with the glass of blood.

"Good boy!" growled Spike.  "Now, a beer for the lady."  he said putting his arm round her waist and kissing her neck.  She threw her head back and grinned.  "Ooh, you're bad!" she whispered in mock awe.

They took a table near the stage.  A green guy with horns and blood red eyes was about to sing on the karaoke.  "I don't suppose it'll be something good..." tutted Spike.  Beth laughed at him.  "I don't think the Sex Pistols is on the list!" she chuckled.

The host began his song, an old Neil Sedaka number, You Mean Everything To Me.
Beth grabbed Spike's hand.  "Come on lover.  I feel like dancing." and dragged him onto the dance floor.

I don't know how I ever lived before,
You are my light, my destiny.
Oh my darling, I love you so.
You mean everything to me.                   the singer crooned.

The Host watched them from the stage as he sang.  'Now theres a sight you don't see every day.' he thought.  'A vampire playing with his food!'   He studied them closely.  They were dancing so close together you couldn't slide the proverbiable piece of paper between them.  Beth's face was flushed and she  was singing into the vampire's ear.  Spike had his eyes closed and rested his hands just below her waist, swaying gently.  'Whoa, where's the fire hose!' the Host grinned to himself. 'Any closer and the cops will arrest them for indecency!"

So hold me close and never let me go,          he continued.
And say our love will always be.
Oh, my darling, I love you so.

Beth threw her arms around Spike's neck and kissed him passionately.

'You mean everything to me.'    she whispered.

His song finished, the Host handed the microphone to one of his customers.  He stepped down from the stage and walked over to the pair who had returned to their table.

"Hi there!" he smiled charmingly.  "I'm Lorne, your Host."  Beth nodded politely and Spike merely grunted.  "So you're new here." he continued.  "well, if there's anything you need, just let me know."

Spike grunted again.  "We're looking for Mylar........we were told this was the place to find him." he muttered.

The Host looked thoughtful.  "Em..........Mylar...........now why would you want..............um, that's none of my business!" he added quickly as the vampire's blue-grey eyes began to turn yellow.  Beth put her hand on Spike's arm.  "Calm down, love." she whispered then turned to the Host.   "I'm sorry, but Spike's just a little impatient." she said.  Spike glared at her.

"I'm bloody well sick and tired of everyone wanting to know my business!" he snapped.

"Do you know where we can find him?" continued Beth sweetly.  "As you asked me so nicely...." the Host answered, casting a dirty look in Spike's direction.  "He does happen to be a regular customer.  I believe he is coming in tomorrow night." he said.  "But I should warn you that he is not very understanding when it comes to.........er.......inter-species relationships.  He's sort of a purist.......you know, no 'mixed marriages' if you get my drift."

Spike began to rise out of his seat and Beth pulled him back down.  "If he doesn't like our relationship, he's going to have to join the bloody queue!" he snarled.

Lorne could see that he had hit a nerve.   "Let me buy you a round of drinks." he smiled sweetly.
 

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

Wesley sat in a corner booth sipping a Bloody Mary watching the pair as they danced.  He watched their exchange with the Host with interest.  Angel would not be at all happy to learn that Spike was in L.A.  He picked up his drink and made his way towards the couple.
"Hello, Beth." he said, startling her.  "Wesley!" she exclaimed jumping up and hugging him.  "It's good to see you!  How long has it been?.......Nearly five years?" she gushed.  Spike sat casting daggers at him.

"At least that." he replied hugging her back.  The last time he had seen her was when she resigned from the Council.  She had been a mental wreck then, because of Ben's death.  He glanced at the vampire and thought 'She must be insane......being with you!'  But he couldn't deny that she looked radiant.  The way the couple had danced spoke volumes about how they felt about each other.

Spike was jealous.  He didn't like Wesley hugging her one little bit.  He looked in the air in disgust.  "Great!" he sighed.  "If it isn't the pansy-arsed 'rogue demon hunter'!" he spat sarcastically.  "I'm quaking in my bloody boots.  Where can I hide?"
"Hello, Spike." Wesley answered him reluctantly.  "Still anti-fashion, I see." he spat back, regarding the bleached blonde spikey hair and the retro clothing.

Beth sat back down and took Spike's hand, squeezing it gently.  "Come on, boys.  We're not going to do this!" she warned.  The last thing she wanted was to have to play referee to a slanging match.  "Please, Wesley, sit down and have a drink!" she smiled.

Spike's face was a picture.  He was not at all happy about the invitation.  Wesley sat.   "So, hows my poof of a grand-sire?" asked Spike, not really caring about the answer.

"Angel? He's fine............how are you keeping, Beth?" Wesley dismissed him out of hand.  He looked at her, happiness shone from her eyes.   Giles had kept in touch with him so he knew the pair had been together for well over a year.  If it were up to him he would have staked the blood-sucking son of a bitch!  But Spike must be doing something right; she was no longer the haunted and reckless woman he remembered.  He glanced at Spike again. 'Well, maybe still reckless.' he thought.

"Giles told me about the two of you." he said.  "I must admit, I had certain misgivings.............."   Spike interrupted him.  "Thats a bloody shock!" he scoffed. "Heres me thinking you'd be round to congratulate us!"

Wesley glared at the vampire and turned back to Beth.  She smiled again.  "Take no notice.  He's always like that.........especially when he's hungry." she laughed.  She squeezed Spike's hand again and silently mouthed 'I love you.' to him.  He squeezed her hand back and smiled.   'Beauty and the Beast.' thought Wesley.

"What are you doing in L.A?" he asked.  Spike growled.  "Trying to enjoy our bloody selves." he grumbled.  "So why don't you just......"

The Host returned with the drinks, cutting Spike's sentence short.  He looked at Wesley.  "I see you all know each other." he remarked.  He felt the tension between the two men.   "Just thought I'd remind you, I don't allow trouble in here." he warned.

Spike stood up.  "I'm going to get some cigarettes!" he snarled and walked off savouring the thought of ripping Wesley's smug face off.  'Boy, is he pissed!" she thought.  'Trouble with vampires..........very possessive.' she mused.  She watched as he snaked across the floor.  'God, you're sexy when your're mad.' she smiled to herself.

"Why are you really here?" asked Wesley, snapping her back to reality.  She frowned.  What could she say?  'To save my lover's life.' is what she wanted to say, but simply stated "Like he said, we're here to enjoy ourselves."
 
 

PART TWO.

Giles was woken up by someone banging on the front door.  He climbed sleepily out of bed to put on his glasses and robe.  The hammering and banging grew louder, more urgent.  "Hold on, I'm coming!" he yelled.  He looked at the clock, 2.20a.m. 'It had better be important!' he cursed to himself. He stumbled down the stairs and opened the door.

Beth and Spike fell through the opening, soaking wet from the torrential rain.  "What the hell........" he swore, then he noticed Spike.  Beth was helping him to his feet.  The vampire was covered in blood.  He grabbed his other arm and helped her get him to the sofa.  "What happened?" he asked.

Spike was bleeding profusely from a chest wound and he was clutching his ribs.  His face looked like it had been hit be a wrecking ball.  His one eye was swollen shut and he was covered in welts and bruises.  Giles raced to get the first-aid kit.  Beth ripped off the vampire's shirt and held it to the wound.

"We were jumped!" she said breathlessly. "Hold still, love..........I think your ribs are broken...........Christ, a fraction of an inch and they'd have got you!........" she gasped in horror at the chest wound.  Giles was back, clutching bandages.

"Who?..What jumped you?"

Spike gritted his teeth.  The pain in his sides made it hard to speak.  "Bloody...........punks!.........Amateur sodding.............wanna-bes." he spluttered.  Beth was busy patching the wound.  She was soaked with rain and Spike's blood.  Her hair hung tangled and bedraggled over her face dripping water into her eyes.  Her knuckles were red and bruised.  She worked quickly to stem the blood.  Spike moaned loudly as she tightened the bandages round him.

"I'm sorry, babe......" she said, her voice trembling.  "It'll be ok.........the bleeding's stopped."  She managed to pull off his boots and lifted his legs onto the sofa.  "I'm gonna kill the bastards!" she spat.  Spike was lapsing into unconsciousness.  She gently stroked his forehead and he winced in pain.

"It's ok, love........." she sobbed.  The tears were streaming down her cheeks, mingling with the rainwater.  Giles rushed to get a blanket and placed it round her shoulders, helping her to her feet.

"You'll catch your death of cold!" he chided.  "I'll watch him, you go and get out of those wet things."   She hesitated.  She didn't want to leave him, but she nodded and wearily made her way to the bathroom.

When she came back down again wrapped in a bathrobe and clutching the blanket, Giles sat her down with a steaming hot cup of chocolate. Spike was sleeping, and never took her eyes off him.  Every now and then a moan escaped him, but at least the wounds would heal quickly.   Giles sat opposite her.  Apart from grazed knuckles and a couple of minor bruises, Beth wasn't injured. She began to tell him what happened.

"You're telling me that a group of humans did this?" he gasped.  Beth took a sip from the cup.  "That damn chip.............it's got to come out, Rupert." she started.
"He tried to fight back.............it's got to come out! How's he supposed to defend himself?  I mean, you name it, if it's from the bloody supernatural, if it's not human, he can kick arse better than any of us.  But any damn college jock with a testosterone overload can get him!..........He got a couple of good kicks in before that damn thing really screwed him up!"

Giles felt her pain.  He knew she was right, but removing the chip.........he knew what Spike had been capable of before the initiative had got him.  To take that thing out could be asking for a world of hurt.   "I don't know....." he began.  Beth interupted him.

"Rupert, you know how much he means to me.  I love him too much to lose him to some stupid little wanker with something to prove!........I know you think he'll go back to being William The Bloody and start all that torture, maim, kill crap, but I need him............If he gets out of control and things get really bad again, I'll stop him myself.  It'd be cutting my own heart out to do it, but I promise you, I'll do whats right. But I can't stand by and see him take this and have no chance of protecting himself.......no matter what he's done.   If those bastards had been a better aim........."  He voice trailed off as Spike called her name.  She went to him,she stroked his cheek tenderly.  He winced.

"He's got a point, love." he groaned.  "I want this thing out of me more than you do, pet.  But even I don't trust me.  I might hurt you, or anybody.  It's what I am."
"I know." she whispered. "You could have done that already if you wanted to............to me."  She touched her neck to feel the tiny scars where he had bitten her, hoping Rupert wouldn't notice.  "But you didn't....Now go back to sleep."  She kissed his forehead lightly and returned to her brother.

"I want your help, Rupert...........but I'll find out where I can take him on my own if I have to!"   Giles licked his lips apprehensively.  "Very well.  But if the worst happens............."   Beth breathed a sigh of relief.  "I'll keep my end of the bargain." she whispered.  She went back to the now sleeping Spike and gently placed the blanket over him.

Giles was apprehensive about the idea of removing Spike's chip, but he knew Beth was right.  Defanging a monster was one thing, but serving him up on a platter to anyone with half a brain to do what they liked with him was sheer cruelty.  Not so long ago, he would have said it was justice, considering all the evil Spike had perpetrated over the years, but since his sister had been around, his thinking had begun to change.  Even Buffy had admitted she couldn't bring herself to stake him.  "Not when he can't fight back.  That would make me like..........well, like him!"  she had said.

He knew Beth would do what she had to if the worst came to the worst.  If Spike went back to his old ways, he knew she would kill him, if he didn't kill her first that is.  He looked across the room to see the pair.  Beth pushed her hair away from her neck, and that was when he saw it.  She looked back at him and felt panic rising in her as she touched her neck.  He had seen the bite marks!  She stood quickly and moved towards him.

Giles balled his fists until his knuckles were white.  He began to walk to his desk.  There would be a stake in the drawer, he knew.  Beth stepped in front of him blocking his way.  "No!" she warned.  "Its not what you think........."
"How the hell did he get round the chip?" Giles spat.  Beth tried to calm him down.
"It.......it just doesn't seem to be reading his actions to me as a threat.  We think it works on intent." Beth explained.  "He didn't do it to hurt me." she started.

Giles scoffed at her.  "He fed off you!...........I'd say he wanted to bloody hurt you!" he yelled.  "How many times has this happened?  How long before he just forgets, and drains the bloody life out of you?" he ranted.  Spike groaned in his sleep and Giles started towards him.

Beth grabbed his arm.  "You've never been bitten, have you?" she growled.  "Ask Buffy..........what it feels like.........it's like nothing you've ever experienced!"  She paused and he saw her eyes glaze over and a thin smile appeared on her lips as she remembered the passion.  It frightened him.   "He didn't do it to hurt me.  He did it to............to please me.  A sort of love bite I suppose, but I didn't want him to stop.............At that moment I begged him to take it all........I wanted it!" she stopped and took a deep breath.  "It was him who stopped.  Not because of that damned chip, but because he loves me.  I know I can keep the demon at bay.  I know I can keep the balance between the monster and the man."

Giles put his hands gently on her shoulders.  "I hope you're right." he sighed.
 
 

PART THREE
 

Angel was confused.  "Back up, Wesley........who's Beth?"  Wesley glanced furtively at Cordelia.  "I told you it was a bad idea to keep it from him." she said quickly. "Giles and the others should've told him or something."

"Told me what?  What are you talking about?" the dark haired vampire asked.  "And why has Spike brought her with him?  Has she been turned?"  Wesley sighed. "I think you'd better sit down.  It's a pretty long story." he said.

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

Angel was furious.  "Why the hell didn't you tell me about this before, and how come somebody didn't just stake the bastard!"

Cordelia sighed.  "We didn't tell you because..........well...........you know, you and Buffy..........To put it bluntly, Spike can do all the things you couldn't, after all he doesn't.............." she blushed.  Angel finished her sentence.  "....doesn't have a soul to lose!" he said quietly.  "That's what I don't understand.  Spike's as evil as I was, so why hasn't anyone put a stop to this little 'love affair'?

Wesley shifted his feet, feeling very uncomfortable.  "You haven't met Beth............she's quite a woman.  She's made it quite clear that anyone who objects can go to hell............Personally, I think she's not the full shilling.......er......you know, not all there!"  Cordy laughed.  "You can say that again.......I mean, Spike! UGH!"

Angel balled his fists.  How was it he tried to help people, putting his un-life on the line, and never be able to be with Buffy. And Spike, his grand-childe, could find 'true happiness' in the arms of this woman.  It wasn't fair.  He turned to Wesley.
"Why are they here? Where are they staying?" he asked.

Wesley shrugged.  "They told me they were just looking for a good time, not that I believe that.  But Beth told me they were staying at the Courtney Hotel."

"The Courtney!" snapped Angel.  "I take it she's got money.  No wonder Spike is playing 'house'!  I'm going to pay them a little visit." he said and stormed out.

Cordelia exchanged glances with Wesley.  "Well, that went down pretty well!" she whispered sarcastically.

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

Beth was standing at the bathroom mirror, wrapped in a towel, wiping away the steam that billowed from the shower.  "How much longer are you going to be?" she called.  "God, Spike. I've never known anyone take so long!"

Spike stood under the warm water.  He loved the feel of the droplets on his skin, heating him up.  He sighed and turned off the taps.  He wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out of the cubicle.  "You're turning into a bloody nag, woman!" he chided her playfully.  She pouted at him and grinning.  She grabbed his towel from him and slapped his bare behind with it, giggling.

"Oww!" he snarled, putting on his game face.  "You're going to bloody pay for that!" he snarled.  Beth put on a mock look of fright and squealed.  "Ooh, please Mr. Vampire, sir,........please don't ravage me!" she giggled.  She eyed him up and down.  His slim muscular naked body was perfect.  God, she wanted to jumped his bones.

Spike's eyes gleamed vivid yellow and he chuckled to himself.  These were the games he loved to play.  She would run and he would catch her.  'To the victor the spoils.' he thought.  He ran towards her and she dodged, skipping into the bedroom.  He leapt at her and swept her off her feet and onto his shoulder.  She squealed loudly and he pretended to bite her flailing legs...........

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

Angel stood outside the hotel room. Number 862, that was the right one.  He hesitated for a moment, maybe this wasn't such a good idea............then he heard the scream.

He threw his weight against the door, sending it crashing open.  He charged in and barrelled towards Spike.  The woman Spike held over his shoulder flung herself between them, clutching at the towel which had fallen open.

"Stop!.......What are you doing?" she yelled frantically.

Angel stopped.  This was very confusing. He stood facing a stark naked Spike, who's human face had just re-materialised, and a pretty brunette, also naked, except for the towel she was desperately trying to wrap back round herself.

Spike growled. "Angel..........don't you ever sodding knock?"

Angel glared at Spike and turned his gaze to Beth.  Spike moved closer to her.  That surprised him.  He hadn't expected Spike to really care about this woman, but he was exhibiting th classic vampire tendencies of possessiveness, especially when he took her arm and pushed her behind him to protect her.

"I heard a scream........I thought you......" started Angel.  He looked Spike up and down suddenly feeling more than a little embarrassed.  "Um......I think I made a mistake." he mumbled.  Beth shoved Spike aside.  "You sure as hell did!" she yelled. "Who the hell do you think you are?"  She took another step forward and swung a right hook at him.  Spike grabbed her arm before the fist made contact.  "Cool down, pet." he soothed.  "I'll do it." and hit Angel in the face.

Angel retaliated with a punch to the stomach doubling him up.  Beth jumped in between them.  "Stop it, the two of you! This is not a pissing contest!.........Spike please.........get something on!"  The two wanted to carry on pummelling the hell out of each other but Spike backed off first, not wanting to get Beth caught in the middle of what could be a vicious battle.   "You're right." he told her then addressed an amazed Angel.  "We'll get back to this at a better time." he promised, grabbing a pair of jeans off the floor.

"You can bet on it!" Angel growled back.  Beth disappeared into the bathroom to dress.  Angel watched her go.  Spike snarled at him.  "Keep your eyes off her!" he said quietly.  "She's mine."

"So I heard." replied Angel, now calming down.  "Is she always like that?" he grinned.  Spike smirked back.  "You don't know the half of it!"

Beth quickly reappeared from the bathroom to see the two vampires casting deadly stares at each other.  Spike was sitting on the bed in his black jeans and Angel stood by the damaged door.  'Well at least they're not fighting.' she thought and sat on the bed with Spike.  Angel spoke first.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.  "I know you, Spike.  You've never been one for the high life, so whats the real reason?"  Spike glared at him, his eyes tinged with yellow.  "None of your bloody business." he growled.  "And what would you know about what I like?"

"I know you like killing, torturing, creating bloody mayhem........" continued Angel.  Spike grunted and glanced at Beth.  "Things change." he said.

Angel watched as Beth smiled and touched Spike's cheek tenderly.  In the century he had known Spike as his childe he had never seen him 'melt' before.  He looked at Beth with such gentleness Angel felt jealous.  He had been like that with Buffy, but his soul gave him the ability to feel like that.  How could Spike, a.k.a. William The Bloody, soulless murdering vampire that he was, have such feelings?  He always thought he was a bit strange, and admittedly he had really loved and been devoted to Drusilla, but she was his sire and a vampire too.  He envied the two of them.

Spike turned back to him.  "Not that I wouldn't make an exception in your case!" he spat.  "Now bugger off!"  Angel shrugged.  "OK.  But I warn you, step out of line and I'll be back." he muttered.
 
 

PART FOUR.

They went back to the club.  Despite Angel's threat, it was too urgent for them to wait.  The Host was introducing another karaoke performer when he saw them enter.  He sauntered down from the stage and met them by the bar.  "Well hello again." he chirped  "Your friend is in tonight.  I told him you were looking for him."
"Where is he?" asked Beth, scanning the room.  The Host pointed to a balding man in the corner.  He was about 50 years old, with a large paunch. He was obviously not short of money as he sat wearing a very expensive suit sipping a large cocktail.

The Host continued.  "I think the lady should stay here." he told Spike.  "I haven't told him about the two of you......he wouldn't like it!"  Spike grabbed him by the lapels of his red suit.  "She comes with me!" he snarled.  "If he doesn't like it, it's too sodding bad!"  Beth got him to release his hold.  "Maybe I should stay here, love.  He might say no otherwise."  Spike was having none of it.  "You're with me! He can take it or leave it."  He grabbed her hand and marched over to the man's table.

"You Mylar?" he asked.  the man looked at him and then to Beth.  "You must be Spike." he muttered.  "I see you carry a packed lunch." he scoffed looking her up and down.  Spike was about to answer him when Beth interrupted.  "We need you to do something for him..........we can pay you." she added.  Mylar laughed.  "Whats this?" he cackled.  "You need your fangs sharpening? Her neck not soft enough?"

Spike felt his temper rising.  Beth squeezed his hand to warn him to keep calm.  Mylar saw the vampire was not amused.  "Meet me in my office in an hour." he said. "You can tell me what you want then........Here's my card." he handed them a small blue business card.  With that, Mylar downed the last of his drink, rose and left.

Spike looked at the address.  "It's only a couple of blocks." he said.  "Lets have a drink first.  We've got time." he told her.  As if possessed by telepathy, (which he was) the Host brought a glass of blood for Spike and a beer for Beth.  "On the house." he said jovially.  "I like you two." then he left them alone.

Beth sipped her beer slowly, her brow furrowed with worry.  Spike downed his drink quickly and stared at her for a long time.  Neither of them had said anything for at least twenty minutes.  Finally, Spike broke the silence.  "I know what you're thinking." he said softly placing his hand on hers.  "If it works I'll go back to the way I was?  Is that it?"

She regarded him carefully.  Her eyes looked haunted and full of pain.   "I hope not." she breathed.  "You know I made a promise, don't you?"  "I know." he answered.  "I promised if that happened, I would deal with it.........I love you so much.......but you know I'd have to........." her voice faltered and her eyes welled up with tears.

Spike quietly took something out of his pocket.  She recognised it straight away. The talisman he had given her over a year ago on her birthday, when they had danced and shared their first kiss.  "I want you to wear it." he stated, handing it to her.  She took the necklace from him and closed her hand over it.  No.  She would never wear it as protection from him.  She trusted him.  Patrolling with the Scooby gang she would wear it then, but never with him. Spike continued.  "I love you Beth, you know that, right?  But I don't know how much this thing has messed with my mind.  What if removing it takes away more than the inability to fight anything human?....If I try to harm you, do what you have to..........do you understand?"

She stared at him blankly.  Nothing he was saying registered in her mind.  "Beth!" he almost shouted.  "Do you understand?"  She bit her lip to stop herself from crying, and nodded.  He put his arm around her and held her to him.  "Come on, pet.  It probably won't come to that." he whispered, hoping it was the truth.  But the demon inside him was revelling in the fact it may soon have free reign once more.

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

Mylar's 'office' turned out to be the back room of a video shop.  As they entered a large man motioned them to the back of the shop.  "Dr. Mylar is expecting you." he said, opening a door and ushering them through.

The room was empty except for a desk and two chairs.  The guide closed the door behind them and left them alone.  Spike was nervous.  "I don't like this one bit." he said. "Something's not right."

Dr. Mylar entered the room alone and Spike relaxed a little.  The doctor regarded Beth with a hint of scorn.  "So, what is it you're after?" he stated, offering Spike a seat.  Spike looked at Beth apprehensively.   "Tell him." she encouraged.  Spike took an un-needed deep breath and began to tell him about the chip.  Mylar grunted and nodded in the appropriate places until Spike had finished talking.

"I see." he hissed.  "And may I ask what has this young lady got to do with this?" he pointed at Beth.  Spike glanced at her, then back to the Doctor.  "She's helping me." he stated bluntly.  Mylar eyed the two of them suspiciously.  He coughed and then spoke to Beth.  "You are betraying your species by doing this, you know." he said so quietly, it could not be distinguished between a mere statement or a threat.

Beth's eyes widened in surprise at that, but held her nerve.  "I want him to be able to defend himself." she stated.  "I don't want some wanna-be vampire slayer dusting him while he can't put up some sort of a fight."

Mylar moved his hand along the underside of his desk until his fingers came upon a button.  "So you're fucking him!" he snarled.  Spike leapt to his feet, knocking the chair over.  His game face fell into place and he readied himself for a fight.  He wasn't disappointed.

Within seconds, several men rushed into the room.  Mylar shouted his instructions.  "Kill both of them.........destroy the scum!" he yelled, and left.

Beth jumped to Spike's side.  Both were ready to fight.  "You get those on the left." shouted Spike.  "I'll handle the rest, at least some of them look like they've got a bit of 'satan' in them!"  He leapt forward with a flying kick which landed dead centre of one of the guards chest.  No pain!  So far, he had guessed right.  The guard was not human.  He glanced across at Beth who was flooring one of her attackers and launching a kick at another of them.  He threw himself at yet another.

Beth swung a turning kick at one of them, flooring him.  Before he had the chance to recover she axe kicked him and her foot slammed hard into his stomach. Before she knew what was happening two more were on her.  A sharp blow to her back sent her crashing to the floor and she felt herself being kicked across the room before she blacked out.

Spike hadn't seen her fall.  He had three opponents on him to keep him occupied.  He managed to floor one of them with a vicious punch to the face, followed by a reverse turning kick.  He grabbed another of them..........when the pain in his head started.  This one was human.  He tried to fight it........he saw Beth being used as a football and his head felt like it was spliting in two.  He managed to regain his balance and attacked one of Beth's assailants.  He twisted the man's neck until he heard it snap, and dropped the body on the floor.  This one was not human, luckily for Spike.  He managed to throw himself headlong into her other attacker, knocking him flying, before the chip seared lightening through his brain.

He barely managed to stay standing.  Through clouded waterfilled eyes, he saw his final opponent.  He forced himself to stand upright, his game face showing.  The last attacker took one look at him and fled.

Spike managed to turn and stagger towards his fallen lover.  He fell to his knees beside her, and heard her heartbeat.  She was alive.  He managed to scoop her into his arms and staggered towards the exit.

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

Angel was pacing up and down his office.  Cordelia was unusually quiet, sensing her boss was not in the best of moods.  "It didn't go too well then." said Wesley. "You could say that!" Angel muttered.  He pictured Spike again, ready to defend Beth.  That was rich.  She didn't look like she needed defending.  He could see what Wesley meant about her.  She was a real live wire.  He was still surprised that Spike was obviously in love with her, a warm, breathing, admittedly beautiful human being.

His thoughts were interrupted as Spike crashed through the doors, carrying an unconscious Beth.  Angel moved forward just in time to catch her as Spike fell.
He rushed her to one of the bedrooms and laid her down.  "Cordy," he yelled.
"See what you can do.........I'll sort Spike out."

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

Spike awoke ranting.  "I'll kill you bastards." he yelled, flailing his arms wildly at some unknown attacker.  "Leave her alone!"   Cordelia sat by the sofa they had managed to lie him on.  "She's ok!" she yelled back, relieved when Angel appeared behind her.

Spike opened his eyes.  The throbbing in the back of his skull made it hard for him to think.  "Where is she?" he gasped.  "She's upstairs.  Wesley's sitting with her." said Cordelia.  The look on Spike's face told her he was not pleased. His thoughts were muddled.  'Wesley's with her. He hugged her.......bloody hell!' he thought.  He sat up, and wished he hadn't.  The migraine pounded through his skull and he fought the waves of dizziness.  He managed to stand.

Angel stood in his way.  "What are you up to?  What happened?" he growled.  Spike tried to push past him.  "Mind your own bloody business........get out of my way you stupid wanker, before I knock you on your sodding arse!" he growled back.

Angel stood his ground and Spike swung at him.  He dodged the fist easily and punched Spike on the jaw, sending him backwards onto the floor.  Spike tried to get up, but another wave of dizziness overcame him.  "You're lucky I'm not fighting fit." he mumbled, rubbing his jaw.  "Otherwise I'd be ripping your bloody throat out by now..........................let me see her!"  he demanded.  Angel nodded and offered his hand to help him up.  Spike flicked it away and managed to get to his feet.

He negotiated the wide winding staircase with difficulty.  Cordelia and Angel followed close behind.  As he reached the top of the stairs he heard her voice.
"Is he ok?" he heard her whisper.  Then Wesley's voice.  "As far as I can tell..........what do you see in him, Beth? Look what a mess he's got you in." he said, dabbing her forehead with a cloth.  "I want to see him." she mumbled.

Spike stumbled into the room and pushed Wesley out of the way.  She lay in the bed in a shirt that was obviously not hers.  Her clothes were folded neatly by the side of the bed and he looked at Wesley.  "I helped her get into some clean clothes........" put in Cordelia swiftly, seeing the look of hate Spike was casting at Wesley.  "I got one of Angel's shirts...."

Spike looked back at Beth.  Her hair was tangled and dishevelled and several bruises were appearing on her face.  She had a cut on her lip which was swollen and discoloured.  Her eyes lit up at the sight of him and he scooped her up into his arms, holding her tight.  "Oww......careful babe." she grimaced.  He relaxed his hold on her and she put her arms around him.  "The ribs are a bit sore." she croaked. "And I'm a lovely shade of purple and blue." she joked, then winced.  She brushed her hand across the back of his head gently.  "Is the pain still bad?" she asked, tears in her eyes, her voice full of concern.

He kissed her on the forehead and then on the lips.  He could taste the blood on them, now dried. He lay her back down and stroked her hair.  "It's not too bad.  I was more worried about you." he whispered tenderly.  She took his hand and the tears threatened to fall.  "It's my fault, love.  I should have let you go alone.  It wouldn't have happened if he didn't know about us."

He put his finger to her lips.  "No.  It's mine.  I let you and Ripper find this guy, just so I........." he stopped.  Angel, Cordelia and Wesley were listening to his every word.  He didn't want them to know the real reason they had come to L.A.  He could end up as dust in seconds!  "Well, it wasn't your fault." he continued softly.  "And Mylar and his nancy boys will pay for this." he growled, touching the bruises on her cheeks.  "Now get some sleep. I'll be right here."

Cordelia ushered Wesley and Angel out into the hallway and closed the door.  "Well, that was like...........yuk!  A real sugar overdose!" she said.  Wesley scowled.  "I thin we need to talk to Giles."  Angel agreed.  "Whatever they're up to, he obviously knows about it.  Find out what you can.......especially about this Mylar." he said.  He turned to Cordelia.  "If Spike leaves that room, maybe you could have a little girl talk with her.  She may let something slip."

Cordelia grimaced.  "The only thing she's let slip so far is her taste in men, but I'll do my best." she quipped.

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

Spike sauntered down the stairs after about an hour.  He took his battered cigarettes from his pocket and lit one.  He had sat with Beth until he was sure she was fast asleep.  He kept thinking of all the ways he would like to kill Mylar.  He was seriously considering putting Wesley on his hit list too. He disliked the way he looked at Beth. 'He lays one hand on her' he thought. 'I tear him into tiny little pieces.'

Angel watched him warily.  "I don't want to fight you." he said quietly.  "Not right now anyway."  Spike took another drag of his cigarette.  "Pity that. Cos I'm feeling 100% better............don't suppose you've got anything to eat?" he asked.  Angel pointed to the kitchen.  "You'll find some pigs blood in the fridge." he scowled.  As soon as Spike left the room, Cordelia skipped up the stairs.

She sat by Beth's bedside and saw the woman was stirring.  "Um.........Spike......" she breathed.   "He's gone to get some food." Cordelia answered.  "Can I get you anything?"   Beth opened her eyes and focused on her.  "No.........I'm fine.  Well, maybe a nice big dose of painkillers!" she chuckled, then winced as her bruised ribs complained.  "Thankyou for helping us." she whispered gratefully.

Cordelia placed her hand on Beth's.  "Thats what we do here." she smiled.  "It's the first time we've helped a murdering no-good vamp..........um......you know what I mean."  'not good Cordy.' she told herself. 'You don't get people to open up to you by calling their boyfriend bad names......even if they are true.' she thought.

Beth smiled back.  "It's ok.......Spike does have a tendency to upset people.....I'm not stupid.  I know what he is.  I just can't help it.  Not surprising I've not got many friends.  I mean, who wants to come to dinner when theres a chance they'll be the main course?" she tittered.  "That was a joke!" she added seeing the horrified look on Cordelia's face.   "Sorry, Spike's really bad sense of humour has rubbed off on me."

Cordelia smiled again.  "Oh, I never thought of him as having a sense of humour." she replied. "I never found it funny when he joked about torture with railroad spikes." she added.

Beth looked at her.  There wasn't really anything she could say to that.  She could say that he wasn't always evil, remind her that he was once just a man who happened to fall prey to that insane bitch, Drucilla.  She could say that it wasn't his choice to be who he was now, William The Bloody, the Big Bad, or whatever he called himself, but in the end all anybody would see was the demon in him.  She had looked deeper than that and had actually found a small remnant of William the poet, the gentle person he had been, hidden away and she had dragged it kicking and screaming to the surface.

"You think I'm crazy.  My brother thinks that too.........Hell, I know I am, but I love him and he loves me.  So the whole world can kiss my arse!" she growled.

Cordelia thought for a moment.  "Yes, you are definitely crazy......" she replied. "But you've got something we all want.  A guy madly in love with you." she said wistfully.  She couldn't believe she had said that.........but her solitary existence, the visions, Angel Investigations, left no time for romance.  She glanced at the woman in the bed, battered and bruised, and decided she liked her.
 

PART FIVE.

Wesley's phone call had put Giles on the spot.  He had demanded to know why Beth and Spike were looking for Mylar.  He already had an idea why, but he needed to confirm it.   "I know he's a specialist........a surgical specialist." he said.  "Now I would like to think it was Beth who was consulting him, but its more likely....................Giles are you completely mad?  Spike without the chip..........."

Giles had tried to convince him he and Beth had things under control but even he wasn't sure of it.  When Wesley told him about the trouble they had run into, his concern turned to his sister.   "She's a bit worse for wear, but she's ok." Wesley assured him.  "We both know she's a tough little cookie. But I think this Mylar was responsible.  I've been doing a little research and it turns out the man's a bit of a nazi.  My guess is he found out the two of them were more than just preditor and prey.  The rumour is he's against any co-habitation between humans and.......ah...........non-humans shall we say.  My guess is he'll send his goons out to track them down."

Giles was worried.  Mylar had vast resources both in the human and demon communities.  He had not even given a thought to the fact the man may be involved with a purist group, and now he had put his sister in grave danger. Even Spike may not be able to protect her. To make things worse, he had dragged Angel, Wesley and Cordelia into this mess.

He needed help.  He couldn't tell Buffy, she would probably hunt Spike down and stake him rather than risk him getting the chip out.  His only option was Willow.  Maybe she could come up with something.  She and Tara were becoming extremely powerful witches.

Willow sat at the kitchen table mulling over what Giles had told her.  "Oh......real biggy, Giles." she gasped.  "I mean, I kinda like Spike, well the new Spike anyway, what with his helping out the scooby gang and him and Beth being such a cute couple, and because........." she paused.  "Oops.  I'm rambling.  but I always ramble when I'm nervous, and I'm nervous now!................I don't know what you want me to do."

Giles sat and cleaned his glasses.  "I was hoping you and Tara may be able to come up with something a little less drastic than putting him out of our misery." he muttered.
Willow thought for a moment.  "I'm not sure, but I may have an idea..........but I still think you should tell Buffy.  You know, in case he does get it removed and comes back here and she thinks he's harmless!"

"Not yet." he said. "I'll wait until you can come up with an idea or two first.

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

Wesley told Angel and Cordelia about his conversation with Giles.  He sat opposite Spike and Beth, deliberating what to do next.  "So, thats what you're up to." he growled at Spike.  "You won't last five minutes if Buffy finds out.  She won't take any chances on you going back to your old ways."

Spike grunted.  "I won't last much longer than that if it doesn't bloody well come out.  I told you all about that!" he snapped.  "And now you tell me that bastard Mylar is not only out for my blood, he's going after her too!" he said pointed to Beth. "Un-life just gets better and bloody better!" he grumbled sarcastically.

"You've always been trouble, Spike.  The only reason I'm willing to help you..........." Angel began.   "I don't need your help!" Spike interrupted.  "We've managed alright so........."  Angel cut him off.  "No!  You've managed to dig a hold for yourself, and in the process you've dragged her down with you!" he shouted.

"Don't talk about me as though I'm not here!" yelled Beth.  "Spike's right!  We can do this on our own!".  Spike gripped her arm.  "There's no 'we', pet.  You're going back home.  I'm going to sort this out alone."  "Like hell you are!" she snarled at him.  "I got you into this, and there's no bloody way I'm going to leave you on your own!"  Spike grabbed her by the shoulders.  "For once in your life you'll do as I say!" he growled, his eyes glowing yellow in temper.  She slapped him.  "I bloody well won't! You don't tell me what to do!" She spat.  "And you know the 'big bad' image won't work!"

Wesley had had enough.  "Stop bickering!" he shouted.  "Now is not the time for a lovers tiff!"  All eyes turned to him.  It was very rare for him to raise his voice.

"You're right." admitted Beth.  She looked back at Spike, his game face slowly dropping away.  "I'm not leaving you, love." she said softly.  "You need me."  He loosened the grip on her shoulders and hugged her, kissing her cheek.  "I don't want you hurt!" he whispered.

"I hate to break this up........" said Angel sarcastically.  "but we need to work together on this.  Mylar appears to be systematically eliminating anyone and anything who has more than a nodding acquaintence with a member of another species.  That includes you two.  I happen to know one or two demons who have human mates and families.  Not all of them are evil, and none of them deserve to have their children slaughtered.  That's why we're going to help...............Any questions?"

"I have one." put in Cordelia.  "Do I take it we won't get paid for this one?"

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

Beth awoke with a start.  She threw her arm across the bed.  Spike was gone.  She turned on the bedside lamp and looked at the clock. 1.15 a.m.  She jumped out of bed and threw on the clothes that Wesley had collected from the hotel and raced down the stairs.  Cordelia stopped her at the bottom.  "They're following a lead." she told her.  "Spike said not to wake you."

"Where did they go?"  Beth demanded.  Cordelia shook her head.  "I can't tell you.  You're still pretty banged up.......you'll only slow them down."  Beth went to push past her and Cordelia poked her in the ribs, causing her to double up in pain.  "See?" she said.  "Come and sit down.  There's nothing to do but wait."  Beth cursed under her breath.  'She's right.' she thought.  'I can't even get to the damn door!'  Cordy led her to the sofa and fetched her a cup of coffee, and sat next to her.

"So..........whats it like?" she asked,  Beth looked at her in puzzlement.  "What's what like?" she asked.  "Oh...um.....you know, living with Spike.  How did you meet?" Cordy blushed.

Beth smiled warmly.  She told heer about Spike saving her and Willow, of her birthday and the dance, and pulled the necklace he had given her from her pocket.
She told her how it protected the wearer from vampires. "It's a really good thing to have when you're out patrolling." she said. "But I never wear it when I'm with him.  I know he loves me.  I trust him with my life, literally.  I sometimes think somebody up there really wants us to be together.  I mean, when we.......you know......." she blushed. "Well, technically, you'd think that chip would start humming away in his head with him getting up close and really really personal with a human being, but not a whisper.I don't know, maybe I'm just too weird so the thing doesn't realise what I am or something."  She told Cordy of their first kiss.  "It was mind-blowing. Rupert went mad.  I thought he was going to dust him on the spot!" she said.  Her face lit up as she thought of how they first made love.  She fell silent for a moment and her cheeks flushed again.

Cordelia was rapt.  "Go on." she urged.  Beth sighed.  "I don't know what to tell you." she smiled.  "Being with him, it's exciting, comfortable, it's like being home, you know?  He's attentive, gentle, loving, he makes me laugh, ........not much taste in music though, and maybe a bit over-possessive.  I think thats a vampire thing...........When he holds me and kisses me and........um.......well, I don't want it to end.  Nothing else matters."

Cordelia realized she was holding her breath.  The way Beth talked, she wasn't describing the Spike she thought she knew.  How could all that love and obvious passion come from 'William The Bloody'?  "It sounds wonderful." she sighed. "Does it bother you................knowing what he is?"

Beth looked thoughtful.  "Does it bother me?" she mused.  "Of course it does.  I'm shacked up with a blood-sucking mass murdering member of the un-dead.  But when we're alone together, I know I should care, but I can't!  I can only see my sweet William.  I'd die for him, Cordy.  I'd kill anyone who tried to take him from me."  A tear rolled down her cheek.  "You know what the worst thing is?" she croaked.  "If Spike ever returns to being the 'big bad', I'll be the one to stake him!"  Cordelia put her arm round her shoulder and tried to comfort her.
 
 

PART SIX.

Spike and Angel arrived at the address they had managed to bribe out of a Heklar demon who frequented the Host's club.  The empty office building looked run down and deserted.  Spike was grumbling.  "Bloody wanker!" he complained.  "He gave us the wrong address!"  Angel was getting sick of listening to his grand-childe's constant moaning.  He had complained all the way from the club.

"Will you shut up!" he muttered.  "I'd forgotten how much you like the sound of your own voice!"  Spike stopped and raised an eyebrow.  "Well pardon me, master!" he spat.  "Maybe if you'd bloody well been there to teach me better I wouldn't have so much to moan about!" he goaded.   He remembered how he and Drucilla had waited fourteen days and nights for him to return.  They had hidden in an old mineshaft as the vampire hunters searched for them.  He had thought of his grand-sire as a God then.  Angelus knew what to do and when to act. He looked to him for answers and regarded him with awe.  When he didn't return he felt abandoned, betrayed. His love Dru was like a child and expected him to know what to do.  He had to be strong for her, but inside he had felt panic and fear.

Angel halted and turned to look at him.  "How could I come back to you and Dru after what happened?" he remembered that night when he had been cursed with a soul.  "The two of you couldn,t have accepted me, and I would have tried to destroy you.....................I'm sorry I left you before you were ready............I'm sorry for letting Dru turn you.  But I can't change it, so stop whining!"

Spike could feel the old pain and anger rising in him and he tried to force it back.  "You're sorry.................oh, thats alright then!" he whispered sarcastically.  "You can write that in my dust!  Angel said sorry!"  He couldn't hold it back any longer.  He roared in anger, his game face replacing the fine chiselled features, and he lunged at Angel knocking him to the ground.

Angel bounded back to his feet, eyes and fangs gleaming in the moonlight, and threw himself at Spike.  The two rolled around in the dirt kicking and gouging at one another.  Angel managed to bring his knees up and threw Spike off.  The two vampires scrambled to their feet and Spike leapt at him, his side kick hitting Angel square in the chest.  He countered with a front kick to Spike's stomach followed by a right hook to the jaw.  Spike pounced on him, again sending the two of them to the ground.  Spike's fangs gripped Angel's throat but Angel managed to prise his jaws open and release himself.  He smashed his fist into Spike's nose sending him flying.  Spike stood up, Angel's blood dripping from his mouth.  "I'm going to kill you, you wanker!" he snarled, advancing again.

Suddenly, they were surrounded.  Nine of Mylar's men, some demon, circled the warring vampires.  Their survival instinct kicked in and they turned to face this new threat.  Standing back to back they waited to see who made the first move.  They didn't have to wait long.  the gang rushed at them, some armed with stakes, and others with short swords and batons.

Spike ducked as a blade sliced through the air just clipping his bleached spikey locks.  Angel parried a blow from on holding a stake and knocked him senseless with one blow.  "Pick out the demons!" he yelled to Spike.  "I'll deal with the rest!"  Spike didn't  need telling twice.  A bad headache was the last thing he wanted.  He crouched low and charged, head-butting an attacker in the stomach. 'Good choice, Spike, my boy.' he congratulated himself.  Definitely not human.  As the figure doubled over, he brought his head up sharply and butted the demon under the chin snapping it's head back with a sickening crack.

Angel had grabbed one of the blades and was thrusting and parrying through the horde.  He sliced one across the stomach and stabbed another through the chest.  Another jumped on his back.  He swung a back fist and hit him on the nose, shattering it and sending splinters of bone straight to the brain.

Spike barrelled into two of them, raising one above his head and bringing him down hard on his knee, breaking his back.  The other he grabbed by the head and twisted.  He roared in triumph as he heard the neck snap.  His yellow eyes gleaming wildly in the moonlight, he yelled to Angel.  "Just like old times!  Seven down, two to go! Chaaaaar......ge............" He launched himself at one of them, bringing him to the ground.  As his fist made contact with the man's face the chip activated.  Spike threw himself backwards, howling in pain, trying to block it out.

Angel saw him fall and made short work of the remaining attacker, slicing off his head.  He raced over and grabbed the stunned man at Spike's feet.  He bared his fangs and snarled. "Tell Mylar, we're coming for him!" he said and threw him back to the ground.  The man scrambled to his feet and fled.

Angel helped Spike to his feet.

      *********************                  ************************8

Cordelia had curled up on the end of the sofa and gone to sleep.  Beth paced anxiously, wondering what was taking them so long.  When the door slammed open Cordy jumped to her feet and Beth rushed over to help Spike.

"Leave me alone!" he snarled. "Keep away from me!"  Angel supported his one arm and Beth went to hold the other.  He shook her off.  "I said.........keep away!" he snarled, his eyes flashing from blue-grey to yellow.  He pushed her aside and stumbled up the stairs.  She looked at Angel, the hurt in her eyes pleading with him to tell her what was wrong.  Angel looked at his feet.  He didn't know how to tell her that Spike had acted the way he always had when he fought in the old days. He couldn't tell her that the demon inside him had got the better of him.  "It's been a bad night." was all he could say.  Beth turned and ran up the stairs.

As she reached their room, Spike had kicked off his boots and stripped to the waist, examining his injuries, snarling still.  She went to him.  "What's wrong?" she pleaded.  He glared at her, his game face screwed in anger.  "I told you to stay away from me!" he warned her. "I don't want you near me!" She extended her hand to touch him and he grabbed her wrist, twisting it painfully.  "You should have listened to me!" he growled. "Is this what you want?" he hissed, dragging her roughly to the floor.  He pinned her down, his fingers sinking painfully into her flesh as he held her shoulders to the rug.  A faint hum started at the base of his skull, but his anger clouded it too much for him to really notice it.  He released one hand and tore at her clothes.

"Spike...........you're hurting me!" she half-sobbed.  Her already bruised ribs felt like they were being crushed beneath his weight. He tore her shirt open and nipped at her breast, drawing blood.  She began to struggle.  "Get off me..............don't!" she begged.  She wanted to scream, but knew they would hear her and Spike would be dust.  He raised his head and slapped her hard.  He put his hand tightly round her throat and she struggled to breathe.  "Shut up, you bitch!  I warned you!" he growled, his eyes blazing.  She tried to break free and he released her throat to hit her again.  Her head was swimming and she felt herself passing out.  She fought it, holding onto consciousness by a thread.

His head was throbbing now, but he ignored it.  He tore off the rest of her clothing along with his own and prised her legs apart, his fingernails gouging into her flesh.  She raised her arms to try to push him away but he pinned them down against her sides and forced himself into her. Now she wanted to scream, but no sound came out of her mouth as he pounded into her, the pain making her feel sick.  She tried to block it out. It must be a dream she told herself - just a nightmare, and she would wake up any time now to find herself safe and warm in his arms. It wasn't happening.  Her throat was dry and she felt the droplets of blood dribbling down her breasts, and more pain as he continued to bury himself deeper into her. He stiffened and with one final violent thrust, spilled into her.

He fell forward and buried his face in her neck.  She stifled her sobs and waited.  Nothing!  She felt something cool and wet on her neck, not blood, and realised Spike was crying.  "I'm sorry, baby." he sobbed.  "I'm sorry..........I'm sorry."

She lay beneath him for what seemed like an eternity, not able to move, to speak, her own tears mingling with his.

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

He sat up in bed, his knees under his chin, smoking a cigarette.  The pain in his head denied him sleep.  He looked across at her curled up with her back to him.  He wanted the ground to open up and send him to hell for what he had done to her.  She didn't deserve any of that.

She lay there, listening as he lit his cigarette.  Her body hurt all over, and her cheeks were stained with tears.  She wished she could tell him everything would be ok, but she couldn't do it.  She wanted the memory to go away, or at least for him to explain why it had happened.

"Spike," she whispered.  "Whatever it is........what made you...........I.....I love you."
He laughed bitterly.  "I know you do." he whispered back.  "What I can't understand is....why? After what I did........Beth, I raped you, and yet you.........." he put his hand to his eyes to wipe away a tear.

She sat up painfully, and gingerly placed her arm around his shoulders.  He flinched at her touch, but did not recoil from it.  "It doesn't matter!" she lied. 'I want my old Spike back.' she thought. 'I want things to be the way they were!'

He put out his cigarette and slowly put his arms around her.  She tensed and felt a wave of panic shoot through her.  She used all her willpower not to shrink from his touch.  She knew in her heart that whatever had happened to him and Angel it was what triggered the attack.  It was something bad, or he would never have done the things he did.  She had to be strong.  His cool flesh was against hers now and she began to cry again.  "Don't cry, baby." he soothed.  "I'm so sorry.........I'm never going to hurt you again!" he whispered.  "If I do, then keep your promise, Beth.  Stake me!"

He held her for a long time as she sobbed uncontrollably.  He smoothed her hair and kissed her forehead tenderly.  He closed his eyes and forced back his own tears. 'You bastard, Spike.' he told himself vehemently. 'You deserve everything you get for this!"

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

PART SEVEN.

Willow and Tara sat at Giles' kitchen table, waiting for Buffy to say something.  Giles paced the floor.

"I think you're all crazy!" she finally said.  "And you, Giles.  I can't believe you tried to help him get it removed!  If you ask me, Beth has you all seeing through rose-tinted spectacles!  Of course she'll tell you he's perfectly safe, a reformed character.  She's in love with him, for Gods sake!"

Giles stopped pacing.  "Maybe you're right, Buffy." he admitted. "But Willow and Tara may have come up with an alternative.  If it works, we all get virtually what we want."

Willow began to speak.  "OK people.  If this spell works, and I hope it will, it'll solve a lot of problems.  Well, mainly Spike's!  But the only way to find out is to go to L.A. and try it on him before the mad doctor gets to him first!"

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

Spike was finally sleeping and Beth rose painfully out of bed.  She looked in the mirror. Her face was a little more bruised than before, where he had hit her, and there were small welts around her throat where he had choked her.  She hoped they would think it was a delayed reaction to the fight they had encountered at Mylar's.  She dressed slowly, her legs feeling like water, and every inch of her aching. She touched her hand lightly across Spike's bleached blonde hair and stifled a sob. "I want to forgive you, love." she whispered. "But I can't forget..........."  She kissed him gently on the forehead.  "And after all thats been done, I still can't help but love you." she said softly, her voice trembling.  Then she went downstairs.  As she left the room, Spike opened his eyes. He had heard her, and now he knew he would do anything to make things right between them.

Wesley had returned refreshed from a good night's sleep, but was concerned about what Angel had told him about the night's events.  He made Cordelia go home to get some rest, and he was pawingover the computer keypad.  Angel sat in the kitchen having breakfast, so she joined him.

"Tell me what happened." she demanded quietly, so Wesley would not hear.  Angel looked up from his drink.  "I think Spike should tell you that." he muttered.  She helped herself to some coffee and sat down.  "I know it was something bad." she said.  "Something he can't tell me.............but I need to know!"

Angel looked at her carefully and his brow furrowed.  He caught a glimpse of the red welts on her throat as she tried to hide them with the neck of her sweater. "Those marks are new...............did he hurt you?" he demanded.  She blushed and tripped on her words.  "Um............no...........he.....they're not new, it's just from the other night." she stammered.   "You're lying!" he stated simply.  "What did he do?"

She flushed deeper.  "Nothing.............Spike loves me." she answered.  Angel took another sip of the blood.  "I know he does..........thats not what I asked!  Look, last night, we were attacked by Mylar's men.  The old Spike was back...........he was really going to town.......until the chip kicked in.   I think it scared him. not that he'd admit it.  Scared people do crazy things. So..........did he hurt you?"

"No. He didn't hurt me.  You know he can't hurt people because of the chip!" she lied.  Angel knew better.  Cordelia had told him about what she had said.  The chip didn't seem to have much effect on Spike where Beth was concerned.  He stared at her for a moment.   "Thankyou, Angel." she said softly.  "Thankyou for what?" he asked.  Beth gave him a sad smile.  "For helping me to understand him." She turned and made her way back up the stairs.

Spike pretended to be asleep.  She took off her shoes and lay down behind him.  She put her arm around his waist and kissed his back.

"I know what happened, love." she whispered.  "I know you couldn't help it. No matter what, I'll always be here for you. Don't be afraid."

Spike listened to her words.  He held her arm to him and fell into a fitful sleep.

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

Mylar was furious.  The survivor of the battle returned from the assault on the two vampires with Angel's messsage.  "I sent idiots!...........And why is Angel helping?  Since when has a vampire been on his list of worthy causes, other than himself of course."  He dismissed the messenger and turned to his second in command, a toad skinned slime demon called Orun.

"At least we know where to find this Spike and his bitch.  My guess would be, get her and he will follow.  If Angel and his little friends get in the way, kill them!"  Orun grunted.  "It might be difficult, sir." he rasped.  He saw the anger on Mylar's face and continued.  "But I'm sure we can come up with something!" he added.

Mylar continued down the corridor until he came to the door marked Theatre.  He entered and began to scrub up.  A nurse was waiting for him with his gown and she helped him put on two pairs of surgical gloves.  "The patient's prepped, doctor." she said.  "Good." he replied and entered the main room.

On the operating table lay a young woman, obviously very pregnant.  "Right.  what we have here is an ex-vengence demon who decided to settle into human form and mate with one of her intended victims.  As you can see, the mating was successful!" he sneered.  "The pregnancy is almost full term.........Is the father in attendance?" he asked.

In answer to his question, two guards dragged the bound and beaten half-dead body of a young man in his late twenties.  He struggled weakly when he saw his wife, but he had lost a lot of blood, and was on the verge on passing out.  "You bastards!" he croaked.  "Let her go, please! Don't hurt her............don't hurt our baby." he pleased.

The doctor took a scapel and turned to the helpless woman.
 
 

PART EIGHT.

Spike and Beth were unusually quiet.  There was none of their usual affectionate verbal sparring.  They barely made eye contact and Beth was as pale as her vampire lover.  Angel was certain the marks on her neck were courtesy of Spike.

Cordelia and Wesley on the other hand were their normal selves, arguing as usual.  "I told you not to erase that file!" Cordy yelled.  Wesley was exasperated.  "No you didn't!  You said it was closed!" he yelled back.

Cordy clenched her fists and walked away.  Suddenly, she went rigid.  Angel moved almost faster than anyone could see, catching her as she fell.  Her head was bombarded with images.  She sobbed and screamed as each one was worse than the last.  Then they stopped.

Her brain was on fire, but the images she received were sharp.  She was fighting back the tears as she told them.  "Oh no!  the baby, they killed it!" she whimpered.  "The mother, shes not moving, but see can feel everything.  The pain.  They've given her something to paralyse her.  The father............"  she gasped for breath, clutching Angel's upper arm.  "He's being made to watch......then...."  She couldn't take any more and sobbed into Angel's chest.

Wesley helped to get her to a chair.  "Cordelia." he murmured.  "You need to think.........where is this happening?" he coaxed.  Cordelia managed to compose herself.  "Um..........a large building....I recognise it.  It's on the corner of.....of.......Bradley and West!" she managed to say, the tears streaming down her face.  Her eyes were stinging and she felt sick.  "You ok?" asked Angel.  "Of course I'm not ok!" she snapped, jumping to her feet.  "We've got to get over there and stop him......."

Wesley and Angel followed after her grabbing weapons from behind the desk.  Spike fell in behind.  He stopped.  "You stay here!" he ordered as Beth went to follow them. "You're not well enough."  Beth knew he was right.  Her ribs were still aching, and any sudden movements left her breathless.  Spike's assault from the night before had left her weak.  She tried to argue with him, but he put his hands on her shoulders, trying not to hurt her any more than he already had.  She flinched slightly.  "You can't go." he whispered.  "I need to know you're safe............please pet."  She hesitated for a moment then nodded.  He released her and turned to catch up with the others.

"Spike." she called after him.  "Be careful.......I love you." His stride faltered for a second.  "I know." he answered.  "I'll make things right, love. I swear." Then he was gone.

She slumped into the armchair and buried her face in her hands.  Hot tears burned her eyes and she blinked them back. 'I hope you're right.' she thought. 'Please God, I don't want to lose him!"

A sudden movement behind her made her leap up.  Before she could react an arm went round her throat and she felt a sharp pain as a syringe was stabbed into her.  then her body went limp.

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

The four of them leapt from Angel's car and ran to the building.  Luckily for Angel and Spike, it was not a private residence so they were able to enter without an invitation.  Cordelia led the way.

"It's in the basement..............hurry up!" she whispered, jumping down the steps two at a time.  The vampires overtook her, followed by Wesley.  They slammed through the Theatre door and found the room empty except for the guerney in the middle of the room.

"We're too late!" breathed Wesley bitterly.  There was blood on the sheets and down the far wall and Cordelia began to cry again.  Wesley put his arm round her shoulder.  "Damn them!" she spat.  "Why give me these visions if we can't do anything about them?" she sobbed.

Angel kicked at the guerney sending it crashing into the wall.  They usually had more warning, more time.  The 'powers that be' must be playing some kind of sick joke.  Spike stood with his arms folded.

"So, this is what you do!"  he spat sarcastically.  "Great bloody help that is!  What next, tidy up the place and wait for another vision so we can rush over there and get all guilty for being too late? Pretty boring if you ask me!"

Wesley moved towards him.  "Nobody did!" he snarled, and punched him in the face.  Spike went to retaliate, but the chip warned him not to.  "The first thing I do if I get this thing out of my head is to bloody well kick the shit out of you!" he swore.  Wesley squared up to him.  "Just try it!  I'll sharpen a nice little stake with your name on it!" he spat back.

Cordelia had had enough.  "Stop it!  What is it with you guys?  You can't fight them so you start bickering with each other!...........We should be looking for Mylar, not wasting time!"  Spike looked in the air and Wesley was flustered.  "Sorry, Cordy.......you're right." he stammered.

Angel headed for the door.  "Lets go.............Spike, keep your mouth shut!" he growled.  Spike went to answer him back, but thought better of it.

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

Giles, Willow and Tara arrived at the office of Angel Investigations to find it empty.  "We'll just have to sit and wait for them." muttered Giles.  "I'm sure they'll be back soon."  As soon as he finished his sentence, Angel and Wesley entered followed by Cordelia, then a sulky looking Spike.

"Giles, girls." Angel said in surprise. "What brings you here?"  Spike scanned the room.  "Where's Beth?" he asked, a hint of panic in his voice.  Tara spoke first.  "There....um.......the place was empty when we arrived."

Spike dashed up the stairs followed by Angel.  He rushed into their room calling her.  There was no answer.  "I don't like this." he muttered to Angel.  "She wouldn't..........." he stopped.  A look of pain and fear fell across his face.  Angel grabbed his arm.  "What happened last night, Spike.  Did you hurt her?" he demanded.

Spike stared at his grand-sire.  "I........I didn't mean it..........I couldn't stop myself........." he fell to his knees.  "I've scared her away......." he mumbled.  Angel grabbed his shoulders and hauled him back to his feet.  "Snap out of it!" he yelled.  "She wouldn't leave you! Something's wrong!"   "You don't know that." Spike snarled.  "What I did...........she should have staked me.........."  Angel wanted to hit him.  He knew that it must have been bad, but Beth was strong.  When she had spoken to him this morning, there was no hint that she would leave.

"Whatever it was..." he said.  "She loves you, Spike.  No matter how bad it was, she's not the type to run off without trying to sort things out..........now pull yourself together!"

Wesley shouted to them.  "We've found something!" he yelled.  They raced down the stairs to see Cordelia holding an empty hypodermic.  "They've been here." she breathed.  "I think they've taken her!"

Giles began to panic.  "Who's taken her? What's going on?  We have to find her!" he shouted.  He turned on Spike.  "It's your fault!" he accused.  "You've done this!"  Spike stood silent, his face emotionless.  He couldn't think of an answer.  'It's all my fault.' he told himself.   The telephone rang and Wesley rushed to answer it.  All eyes were on him as he slammed down the receiver.

He stared back at them, anger in his eyes.  "He wants Spike.  He has to go alone, or Beth dies.  One hour, the place you two visited the other night!"  Spike balled his fists and his game face fell into place.  He roared in anger.  "I'm going to tear his fucking head off!" he yelled.  Angel grabbed him.  "Calm down!  You go alone and you're both dead........we have to think of something."

Willow spoke quietly.  "Tara and I may be able to help there........that's why we're here."

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

Spike was standing inside a circle of salt.  Tara and Willow were busy drawing symbols on the wooden floor and muttering unintelligible sentences.  He growled.  "We're wasting time.........we have to get her back!"  Giles looked at his watch - half an hour to the dead-line.   "Shut up!" he ordered. "You go now, and all you'll do is end up with a really bad migraine as they dust you!  If this spell works, you'll have a better chance!"

Wesley and Cordelia looked at each other anxiously.  "Angel," said Wesley finally. "Is this wise?  What if we can't control him after..........."  Angel frowned.  "If it goes wrong, we'll do what we have to." he muttered.

They watched as the witches began to chant and throw powders into the candle flame.  Suddenly a blue light shot from the candle wick and struck Spike on the back of the head.  He yelped in pain and fell into a heap inside the circle, his body convulsing as the brilliant light seemed to engulf him.  Just as suddenly, it was gone and Spike managed to stagger to his feet.  "Did it work?" he gasped.  "I don't feel any different."

Tara looked at Willow.  "There's only one way to find out." she said.  Spike grinned and walked up to Wesley, and punched him hard in the stomach, doubling him over gasping for air.  Spike put his hands to his head.  This was odd.......no pain!  He saw they were all watching him, waiting for his next move.  He threw his shoulders back.  "Right! Let's get her back........now!" he ordered, racing for the door.  They rushed after him, Wesley bringing up the rear, still trying to regain his breath.

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

Beth took in her surroundings.  The white-washed room was empty except for a small trolley filled with surgical instruments.  She could feel the ropes biting into her wrists as she was suspended from the ceiling.  She tried to move but nothing worked.  She was hanging like a rag doll, only her eyes obeying her brain's commands.

Mylar was grinning at her.  "I would ask you to tell me all about your lovely little affair with the vampire." he laughed.  "But as the drug we gave you has rendered you completely immobile, you wouldn't be able to tell me anyway.........Oh, don't worry my dear, he'll be here soon enough, and then he can watch while I cut out your insides, very slowly.......You'll know when I start." he continued and punched her in the kidneys.  The pain made her want to cry out, but she could do nothing.  "As you can see, you'll feel everything!  Justice in a way...........for being a whore, and a traitor to your own kind!"

A minion interrupted him.  "He's here, sir." he said and Spike swaggered into the room.  He saw Beth and if his heart had been beating, it would have stopped dead.  "Let her go!" he demanded.  "I'm here alone."

Mylar laughed again.  "Ah, true love!" he spat.  "It's a lie you know.  It doesn't really conquer all!"  He motioned to two of his men.  They grabbed Spike and held him.  "Don't try to struggle." he said.  "There are no demons here, so all you will get for your trouble is rather a nasty little headache!"

Spike growled.  He wanted to rip Mylar's heart out, but he stood still.  'Hurry up Angel, you wanker.' he thought.  'Make your move!' Beth's eyes met his.  He saw the fear in them, and something else.  She was questioning him.  "I had to come, baby." he whispered.  "You know I wouldn't leave you here!"  A tear rolled down her cheek.  She didn't want him to come.  It was obvious neither of them would get out alive.  She had hoped he would have the sense to realise that.  He had always used better judgement before.  His motto had always been 'no shame in retreat, and live to fight another day.'  Why did he have to pick now to get reckless!

Mylar motioned to one of his men who moved on Beth and hit her across the back with the baton he was holding.  She swung violently, the pain in her back and wrists agonising.  Spike struggled against his restrainers, but held back.  He had to wait. What were they playing at?  'Come on, for Christs sake.' he thought frantically.  The goon hit her again.

"No!" he shouted.  "I'm going to rip your fucking head off, Mylar!"  He felt her pain.  It was all he could do to stop himself from tearing free from the two that held him.  He knew they would come - Angel and Wesley - but they needed to come now!

A commotion started behind the closed door.  He could hear them.  That was his cue.  As Angel and Wesley crashed through the door he tore free from his captors  executing a back fist to one of them, breaking his nose.  Wesley threw him a knife.  He rushed to Beth and hacked at the ropes suspending her.  As he did so, one of Mylar's men plowed into him.  Beth dropped heavily to the floor, sending shockwaves of pain through her.  She gasped.  She felt some movement returning to her face and neck.  The drug was slowly wearing off but not enough for her to move away from the battle zone, and still less for her to join in.

Angel was plowing through the mass of bodies. punching and kicking, knocking down the small army Mylar had assembled.  She sawWesley wielding a double-headed axe, swinging and chopping at several others.  "Spike." she managed to whisper. 'Where are you?' she thought.  Her vocal cords not yet ready to utter a complete sentence.  She managed to turn her head and saw him side-kicking one of them.  He punched another in the chest.  It was like a dream, it wasn't possible.  She couldn't understand.  How come the chip hadn't activated?  Didn't Mylar say all his men were human?  Maybe he had lied!

As she watched, the horde diminished.  Only two remained standing apart from Mylar.  Her limbs were slowly beginning to respond to the messages her brain was sending and she rolled onto her stomach.  She saw Spike, still standing, the chip still not slowing his progress. He turned on Mylar.  "You can't kill me!" Mylar boasted. "That little gadget in your brain will see to that!"

Spike grinned, his game face materialising.  "I forgot to mention........." he growled. "I've found a way round that!" and he dived at him.  Beth watched in horror as Spike floored the mad-man and sank his fangs into his throat.

"No!" she wailed, her limbs starting to obey her commands.  She saw Spike feeding greedily off the fat man.  'This can't be happening.' she thought frantically.  She began to crawl towards them.  She grabbed a fallen knife from the battle that had gone on around her.  As she neared the vampire and his victim, Spike pulled away, yelping in pain.  She reached him.  He saw the agony in her eyes and knew what she was thinking.  "He's not dead." he gasped.  "They only de-sensitised it..........I can fight........." he whimpered, the pain in his skull threatening to fry his brain. ".......can't kill.........." he gasped again.

Beth dragged herself to Mylar's semi-conscious form.  His neck was weeping blood from the two ragged holes Spike had made.  He stared at her with scorn.  "So the whore has regained her ability to move!" he scoffed.  "He will kill you, you know.  A vampire exists for the blood of the living!  It would have been better if I had killed you."  She glanced at Spike who was on his knees, his yellow eyes watering, his head in his hands, trying to fight the chip.  She looked at the knife in her own hand and stared down at Mylar.

"You piece of shit!" she whispered. "You did this to us!"  Images of Spike, the beating, the pain, the way Spike had hurt her, all because of him.  She raised the knife and smiled insanely.  "You won't be around to find out!" she gloated and slammed the blade into his throat.  The blood gushed over her and she raised the weapon again.  She stabbed repeatedly at the body until strong hands were restraining her.  She tried to release their grip, screaming at her restrainers.  Suddenly strong arms were holding her and the dead body of Mylar, pumping blood across the floor, filled her senses.

She heard a voice.  "It's ok, pet..........he's dead.......It's ok!"  Spike.  She dropped the knife and collapsed against him, sobbing uncontrollably.

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

The club was packed.  The Host was busying himself making sure his guests were all catered for.  Willow and Tara chatted happily over the beers, and Giles was deep in conversation with Wesley and Cordelia.  Angel regarded Spike and Beth warily.  Beth was still pale and very subdued by her experiences.

She had confided in Cordelia, telling her that killing Mylar had been everything at that moment.  Everything that had occurred since she and Spike arrived in LA. had been caused by him.  She admitted that Spike had hurt her, but beyond that she didn't tell her about the rape.  She just said he had hurt her, and that she knew he couldn't help it.  Cordy was sceptical, but she had watched Spike closely since he had carried Beth back from Mylar's death-house, just a week ago.  It surprised her that a soulless creature like him could be so remorseful.  After Beth had killed Mylar, she had lapsed into an almost coma-like sleep for nearly two days.  Spike had sat by her bedside the whole time, not feeding, not even lighting the cigarettes he normally couldn't get enough of.

She looked across at them.  They sat holding hands and Spike watched her every move.  The Host whispered in his ear.  Spike stood up and Beth smiled at him.  "Go on." she whispered. "It's the only way to find out."  Spike looked a little embarrassed then made his way to the stage.

Angel looked shocked as Spike took the karaoke mike from the Host and cleared his throat. Spike was going to sing! 'Please don't let it be Sex Pistols!' he prayed.
Before the music began Spike spoke softly into the microphone.  "Beth." he murmured. "You always said this was our song."  The music began.

"Look into my eyes,
And you will see what you mean to me."

The melody wafted over her and she smiled.  Cordelia was stunned.  She leaned over to Willow and Tara.  "I never knew Spike could sing!" she said incredulously.  Spike sang on, his voice almost pitch perfect.

"There's no love like your love," the music continued.

Beth stood and walked towards the stage, mesmerised.  The brightness had returned to her eyes, and the colour was beginning to come back to her cheeks, and Spike smiled at her.  He took her hand and pulled her towards him. "Sing with me." he whispered.

"I'd fight for you,
I'd lie for you.
Walk the wire for you,
Yeah, I'd die for you."       they sang together.

"Everything I do,
I'd do it for you."

She put her arms around his waist as the song finished and he bent his head to kiss her. As their lips met, Giles, Angel and the others began to clap.  Cordelia wiped a tear from her eyes as she realised they had something she was unlikely to ever have. Love.

The Host smiled and addressed Angel.  "It seems the powers that be haven't finished with your friends yet.  I have a feeling they're going to have a long and interesting relationship." he said.

Beth broke the kiss and looked into Spike's grey-blue eyes.  "Lets get out of here." she whispered.  "We've got a lot of lost time to make up."Spike held her close and closed his eyes. "Whatever you say, pet........" he whispered back and let her lead him off the stage and straight to the exit.

THE END.