As he bent to unlock the door, he prayed that none of his minions would be hanging around. He didn’t think they would since they were all bloody scared to death of him at the moment.
Taking the Slayer by the hand, he led her inside, and flicked on the light. Buffy stopped just inside the door and looked around. The place was beautiful. The natural light wooden floor was starkly contrasted by black leather furniture with glass and brass accessories. Along one wall sat an entertainment system that, Buffy guessed, must have cost a couple of thousand at least.
“I like it” she commented
But before Spike could reply, one of the doors off the hallway opened and one of Spike’s minions entered sleepily into the room.....
Spike sighed in obvious annoyance at the interruption and glared at the minion. The minion, however, was not looking at his Master.......his attention was fully riveted on the Slayer.
“Master......the Slayer” he blurted as he pointed at Buffy in obvious fear.
Spike dropped his head in defeat at ever being able to breed some backbone into his followers.
“You don’t say....?” he said sarcastically as he turned to Buffy, “Darling, you really should have told me who you were”
“Sorry dear.....it slipped my mind” she replied as she desperately tried to keep the smile from her face.
The minion stood in obvious confusion, looking from Buffy to Spike and back to Buffy again. He was obviously terrified.
Unable to stop herself, Buffy lept at the poor minion, and yelled “BOOO” at the top of her lungs as she swung her arms over her head.
Without hesitation the minion threw himself through the nearest window and disappeared into the night, without a backward glance.
Buffy contemplated the broken window for a moment before turning apologetic eyes onto Spike. “Sorry” she offered.
Spike raised his head slightly and looked over at her. Buffy saw that a smile was tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“That was very naughty.....it will take me weeks of hard work to get him to go outside again. You really shouldn’t be so cruel to the children” he admonished with a touch of humor lacing his voice.
Buffy couldn’t help it, the sight of the poor vampire leaping for its life, struck her as hilarious. Laughter bubbled up from within her and she began to shake with the effort of trying to keep it under control.
Spike looked at her in resignation. “Go ahead, laugh.....get it out of your system” At that, Buffy lost it and collapsed into a nearby chair, as the laughter racked her body.
After a few moments, she tried to speak around her laughter. “Sorry, but I can just.....imagine.....him running to......tell the others.....how their master.......” she couldn’t go on, as the laughter reclaimed her.
Her laughter was contagious and Spike felt himself give way to her humor. Trying to regain some sembalance of seriousness, he said “I don’t think you realise just how much work I have to put into that lot to get them to even function”
But his attempt at seriousness was having no affect on the Slayer. “Oh I give up!” he said in defeat, and flopped down on the chair beside her. That did it. His closeness had an immediate sobering effect on the Slayer. Gently she reached out and took his hand, raising it to her lips for a kiss.
“Don’t take it to badly, everyone one has a cross to bear. You and I just have a few more than normal people” she offered
“A little less of the “cross” word around here, if you don’t mind” came Spike’s absentminded reply, as he pushed himself up from the chair and moved over to the stereo. Briefly he scanned the CDs and selected one to play.
As the strains of “Sara” by Fleetwood Mac filled the room, Spike held his hand out to her..... “How about that dance Slayer?”
Buffy didn’t need to be asked twice. Quickly she moved into his arms and felt contentment steal over her has his arms came round her to hold her tightly. Slowly he began to move to the music, leading her skillfully in time to the beat. He was right, he could dance. He didn’t just shuffle from one foot to another, like most men did, he danced. Buffy melted into him and let him lead her into paradise.
Her movement brought a sudden realisation to Spike. She trusted him! Him of all people! To give him such access to her neck! He could kill her now without her ever knowing what had hit her. Inwardly he groaned, and held her closer to him. It would be over his dead dust that anyone got a chance to hurt her again. He didn’t think to much about the ramifications of his vow, he just knew it to be a fact.
Feeling his self control slipping away, he broke away from her. Gently he took her by the hand and led her into the bedroom. “This time Slayer, we use a bed”
In a tangle of limbs they fell onto the bed and wrapped themselves around each other. Spike moved up on his elbow and looked down into her eyes; he had never seen the slayer look as vulnerable as she did right now. His lips pressed gently on hers as he felt her arms reach around his neck. He continued to kiss her face, leaving cold traces on each spot he touched. His hands roamed her body removing her clothing before letting his hand slip between her legs. He could feel her desire grow as he continued to stimulate her beyond endurance. He wanted to......*needed* to hear her cry out for him.
They were both so involved in the moment, that neither of them heard the bedroom door quietly open. Nor did they notice the figure that stood there watching them for several moments before moving into the room. Spike never new what hit him, as the baseball bat made contact with the back of his head.....he just slipped into darkness. Buffy caught a glimpse of long black hair before the bat came back around and sent her into oblivion.
.....She is like a cat in the dark,
and then she is the darkness.....
(Rhiannon, by Fleetwood Mac)
Spike lept to his feet, totally ignoring the pounding headache that intensified as he moved. Quickly he redressed and moved into the living room. He had to find the Slayer, and fast! But what he saw in the livingroom brought him to a grinding halt.
Sitting at the dinning room table was Druscilla. As he moved into the room, Dru looked up from the dolls that she was playing with.
“Princess is back” she said simply before turning back to her dolls
Spike closed his eyes and struggled to maintain control. Getting mad with Dru rarely worked; she would just retreat into her madness and he would be left with no information at all! Spike was surprised that he felt nothing but a small degree of pity when he looked at his former lover...pity and anger. The need to hurry was overwhelming...if Dru had been behind all this, then the Slayer was either already dead or close to death.
“Pet, where is the Slayer” he asked as he moved toward her
“Gone.....Gone......Gone,” replied Dru without looking up from her dolls.
“Yes Pet, but where has she gone to?” said Spike as he reached out a hand and gently massaged the back of her neck.
Dru gave a kitten like purr and rubbed her head against his hand, before wrinkling up her nose.
“You smell!” was her only reply
Spike closed his eyes and tried counting to ten. Hell, this wasn’t going to work! In a split second, his face turned vamp and he grabbed Dru by the neck and threw her against the wall.
“Now Pet........I don’t want to play......just tell me where the Slayer is”
“That hurt! Why did you hurt your princess?” said Dru as her own face went vamp.
“The Slayer, Dru?” ground out Spike as he tightened his hold on the vampiress’s neck.
For an instant Dru’s eyes cleared and sanity radiated from her
“You don’t need her.....she was bad for you....Miss Edith said so”
“Dru....” said Spike menacingly
“I gave her to the boys. Miss Edith said that slayer blood would be good for them......then we could have some fun, couldn’t we Spike?”
Spike didn’t answer her. Instead he looked towards the clock. It was dusk......he must have been unconscious all day. That meant there was hope, perhaps the “boys” hadn’t had time to finnish off the Slayer last night, and had decided to save her for abit of fun tonight!
Slowly, Spike released Dru but he remained in his vamp mode. “If anything has happened to the Slayer, I will kill you myself” he spat at her.
Dru didn’t answer him, she just moved back over to the table and began playing with her dolls again.
“Get your stuff and get the hell out of here. If you come near Buffy or me again you better be ready to die” said Spike as he ran to the door and flew into the night.
Dru didn’t move from her place at the table.
“Miss Edith, do you think Spike really loves that horrible Slayer girl”
Dru picked the doll up and held it to her ear.
“Of course I know he’ll be back......he could never leave his princess”
If looks could kill
You’d be lying on the floor
You don’t want to see my anger
You’d be realing from the pain,
You’d be begging me, please don’t hurt me no more
.....if looks could kill
(Heart, If Looks Could Kill)
For Buffy, consciousness returned slowly. One by one each of her senses came back ‘online’ and immediately started screaming a warning to hurry up and get herself together. Briefly, she attempted to open her eyes, but an excruciating pain shot through her head, reminding her that slow was definitely good. Buffy took a deep breath, and tried it again......slowly.
At first, she could see only shadows in the darkened room, but as her eyes became more accustomed to the dark, she began to make out the forms of about twenty Vamps laying around the room in various positions of undead sleep. Quickly she glanced up towards a window which had been carefully boarded over, and through the merest of cracks she could see that dusk was quickly approaching. Buffy attempted to move, but no luck....she was securely tied up. 'Oh this is definitely good' she thought to herself, 'a tied up Slayer who was about to keep the company of twenty hungry Vamps......no problem!'
Maybe Spike, she began....but then the memory of the attack came flooding back. She clearly remembered Spike getting hit and collapsing. Worry about her own situation fled from her mind, as she set to work struggling against the ropes that bound her wrists. She had to get out of here and find Spike. Surely the Vamps wouldn’t have had the guts to harm their precious Master.....or would they? At the thought of Spike being dust, a deep black hole opened in the pit of her stomach. No, she wouldn’t think about that. Spike was all right......he had to be!
Buffy’s mind was so preoccupied with thoughts of Spike and getting free, that she didn’t notice the slight movement in the room as the Vamps began to wake up, until a low growl effectively managed to redirect her attention. Standing in front of her was a large male vampire who was definitely sporting a ‘hungry’ look. As she watched, the other Vamps rose and joined their comrade, forming a tight circle around her.
“Welcome Slayer” hissed one female vamp
“Hey guys, thanks for the warm welcome, but I really can’t stay. I have to go and see your Master......remember him......big guy, bad temper?”
At the mention of their Master, several of the Vamps began to look around warily until one stepped forward and ran a finger down the side of her face.
“The Master does not need you anymore. Now you belong to ussss”
“Hey fang breath.....back off.....didn’t anyone ever tell you about the benefits of mouth wash!”
The Vamp hissed a warning but Buffy wasn’t waiting for a reply,
“But lets not change the subject; we were talking about your boss. Did any of you morons think to check with your boss before pulling off this fiasco?”
“The Master does not need you. We will have you and the spell you have cast over him will be gone” growled the Vamp.
“Surely you didn’t think that up all by yourself” said Buffy sarcastically.
“Our Mistress says it will be so” replied the Vamp, moving in slowly on her.
“Your Mistress?” said Buffy thoughtfully.........Dru.....they must be talking about Dru! Guess her evilness self was back in town. Now things started to make abit of sense!
Buffy was just about to question the Vamp further, when their was a polite cough from the back of the room.
The Vamps spun round to see who had invaded their space....
“Sorry.......don’t mean to interrupt your little talk......but I would be grateful if one of you could spare me a moment to fill me in what the *hell* is going on here......because at the moment I am really PISSED OFF”
Spike leaned against the back wall with his hands casually tucked away in the pockets of his coat, as he waited for it to sink into the minion’s heads that they were in some deep shit now.
Buffy’s felt relief wash over her at the sight of him, and it wasn’t because she knew he could help her out of this minor predicament that she currently found herself in......it was because he was OK. Despite his casual posture, she caught a glimpse of the vicious anger radiating from his eyes. Yep, he was OK.....and Yep, he was mad.
Buffy couldn’t help the small grin that formed on her face, “Looks like you guys have a bit of explaining to do” she offered
Spike looked over at her..... “You OK?”
“Bruised but not bitten” she answered him
Spike continued to look her over for a few moments, satisfying himself that she really was OK, before he pushed himself off the wall and began to stroll into the center of the room. As he moved his minions backed up sensing that being within their Master’s reach would not be a life extending move at this present time.
“OK, lets start at the beginning. Always a good place to start, don’t you think?” Spike said gently.
“You” he said pointing a finger at a nearby Vamp, “untie the Slayer, and you” he said pointing at another, “tell me what is going on here”.
As the first Vamp hurried to do his Master’s bidding, the second vamp opened and closed his mouth as he tried to come up with an explanation which would ease Spike’s anger.
Spike stared into the Vamp’s face for only a few seconds before losing his notoriously short temper.
“Nope, not good enough.....especially when I’m in this kind of mood” he said, and in a flash his hands came up and snapped the Vamp’s neck. Then reaching into his coat pocket he pulled out a stake and handed it to another Vamp.
“Finish it” he ordered, and the selected Vamp didn’t hesitate in dusting its comrade in the slight hope that the other’s death might work to save it’s own.
Spike smiled... “OK, now I feel better. So, who wants to volunteer to tell me what is going on?”
Seems there were no takers to his request. All the Vamps lowered their eyes and tried to back up even further. Spike turned his attention back to the Vamp who was busily trying to turn Buffy loose.
He seemed to be having some difficulty with the knots at her wrist, and Spike raised a questioning eyebrow in their direction.
“I’m sorry Spike, but I can’t get the knot out” whined the Vamp.
“Christ, can’t you prats do anything right?” growled Spike, as he moved towards the Slayer.
But he had only taken a few steps before a voice hailed him from the passage leading out of the room. Spike whirled around to face the owner of that familiar voice.
“Dru......come to join the party?” he said, as the vampiress slid into the room.
“I know why you’re angry......yes, I do......Princess understands”
“Oh you do! So share; tell me why I am angry” replied Spike as he kept a careful eye on the Vampiress. Dru might be mad, but she was also deadly and Spike had no intention of underestimating his former lover.
“You are jealous” said Dru as she gave him a coy smile
“And just where did you get that idea” said Spike, as his exasperation grew at being dragged into yet another childish conversation.
“Miss Edith told me. She said I had to play fair. She said that I could have your lover but I had to give you mine”
“What in the Hell are you talking about?” growled Spike
Dru didn’t answer, she just turned and reached into the dark passage behind her and pulled a securely tied up figure into the room.
Spike stood rock still as he contemplated the new arrival.
“Well, well, well.....what do we have here! Is this Angel or could it be Angelus?”
His question was answered for him as he took in the way Angel was staring at the Slayer.
Dru looked from Spike to Angel and clapped her hands in glee at the way little game was working out.
“See, Miss Edith was right. I’ll kill the Slayer and you can kill Angel. Now everything is fair again”
Spike didn’t reply, but he slowly began to stroll over towards Dru and the bound Angel. As he moved, the other Vamps backed up. They did not want to get involved in this disagreement between the three Major Vamps. The minions were not smart, but they have a strong sense of self preservation.
Buffy looked from Spike to Angel and then back to Spike. 'Oh God' she thought, 'let the minions take me now cause I certainly can’t deal with this!'
If you wanna leave, I won’t beg you to stay
and if you gotta go, darlin, maybe its better that way,
Just walk away....its tearing me apart that your leaving
I’m letting you go....but I won’t let you know.
(B.Tyler: Don’t Turn Around)
Spike continued to move toward Dru, but now he wore an interested look on his face. “Well Pet, this is much more like it. And I like it.”
Dru smiled at him.
“Miss Edith and I just knew you would.”
As Spike came up beside Dru, he let his arm slip round her waist and pulled her to him.
“Oh, I *have* missed you Princess” as he nuzzled in to her neck
“and you’re still my little Spike”
Dru gave the Slayer a triumphant look, but Buffy was oblivious to it. The shock of seeing Angel again, followed by the mind blowing sight of seeing Spike kiss Dru, was just to much for her. She retreated into her mind in numb shock.
“So” said Spike, pulling back slightly from his Princess, “how did you go and get old Angel boy back from the gates of hell Pet?”
Dru smiled a knowing smile.....
“Miss Edith told me how to do it. She knew I was mad at you for hurting Angel, so she told me where to go and how to get him back.”
At this, a peeved looked settled onto the Vampyress’s face. “But it didn’t work right. Miss Edith didn’t know that Angelus was gone and that Angel had his body back”
Dru looked like she was about to cry, and Spike wrapped his arms round her in comfort
“so you got him back OK......just not the particular brand that you had been shopping for, right Pet?” prompted Spike
Dru just nodded her head miserably,
“Hey there Pet, don’t cry. You and I are gonna have some fun, and its all worked out for the best now, hasn’t it?” said Spike into his lover's ear
Dru began to smile again. “My little Spike, are you glad mummy is home?”
“I didn’t know how I was gonna live without you, Pet......until I ran into the Slayer, that is. She took my mind of things for awhile, and it was abit of fun mucking around with her and getting her to think I cared about her......but now its time for her to die”
Buffy couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It sounded like Angelus all over again, but to add insult to injury, Angel was looking at her with that damn hurt puppy dog look on his face.
Spike saw the looks passing between Angel and Buffy, and he gently broke free of Dru’s arms.
“Time to get down to business. I think I’ll start with lover boy here” he said as he turned to the bound and gagged Angel.
“Turn him loose” he said to the Vamp who was standing by Angel.
“Spike, maybe you had better leave him tied up......he can be dangerous, luv” said Dru with alittle frown of worry.
“No Pet, I have waited too long for my time with Angel boy. We are gonna see if he is as good as he thinks he is”
Angel was released and pushed out into the middle of the floor to where Spike waited.
OK, thought Spike....this is it, lets just hope Angel takes the cue and doesn’t stall in his usual indecisive manner.
The two vamps stood face to face snarling at each other. The anger from the pair of them radiated out to those watching in awe as these two prepared to take each other out. They stared into each other’s eyes watching for the opening moves.....
......but Spike dropped his eyes first, and with a sudden burst of vampyric speed, he pushed Angel in the direction of the bound Slayer.
“Release her” he yelled
Angel didn’t have time to hesitate, as the momentum from Spike’s shove drove him straight into the Slayer. Angel quickly moved to untie her, as the sounds of battle erupted from behind him. He glance round and saw that Spike had taken up a defensive position in front of them and was busy dealing with an influx of minions.
Then the Slayer was free, and they became three.
Buffy, Angel and Spike stood together making a formidable wall of power.
The minions seeing two very riled master vamps and one pissed off Slayer, came to a sliding halt, as they looked back to their Mistress for direction.
“What you got to ask yourself is......do you feel lucky” taunted Spike
It seems the minions did not “feel lucky” because after a brief hesitation they fled!
Dru looked at the three. “I’ll get you for this luv,” was all she said before she turned on her heels and followed the minions from the room.
Spike didn’t wait for Dru’s reinforcements to arrive. Quickly he moved to the exit door and yelled back for the other two to follow him. He kept his eyes away from Buffy.
The three burst from the exit door into a deserted alley, and sprinted side by side to the nearby street. They continued to run until they were sure they were no longer being followed.
As they slowed to a stop, the awkwardness of the moment began to make itself felt. Angel kept looking between Buffy and Spike, and Buffy just looked at the side walk!
But Spike wasn’t into games.
“It’s been nice workin with you two, see you around”, as he turned and began to walk away from them.
Buffy couldn’t raise her eyes. She couldn’t watch him go.....she just couldn’t. Then she felt Angel’s hand on her arm, guiding her away.
Her mind screamed protest, her heart thudded in her chest like it was going to explode, but she didn’t say anything, she just went quietly with Angel.
At the end of the street, Spike paused. He wanted to turn around and look at her one more time, but he gritted his teeth against the desire. From the apartment block across the road, came the muted sounds of a song...
Spike snarled at the words of the song, and without a backward glance, he turned the corner and faded into the night.
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