“So you’re alright with this whole Buffy is a vampire thing?” Xander crashed down in his chair before attacking his bag of chips.
“Not especially no, but there isn’t much we can do about it now.” Giles huffed as he removed his glasses and cleaned them furiously.
“What happened to all of those, your friend is dead, they are a demon now lectures.”
“Some how Buffy survived the transformation with her soul intact. For all intensive purposes she is still Buffy, she just shares her body with a demon.”
“And does what ever Spike tells her to do. I’m telling you I don’t like this. What if she turns on us?” Xander pointed at the watcher.
“What are you going to do Xan? Stake her again?” Willow shot him a nasty look. “Giles do you think we should research the sire/childe relationship she was talking to Xander about?”
“Yes, I think that would be a very good place to start.” He retreated to his personal stacks before he strangled Xander.
“Xander, lighten up before you send him over the edge.” She glared at her best friend. “He lost Buffy too you know, and Miss Calendar.” Xander had the decency to look slightly embarrassed.
“Have you been over to see her mom yet?”
“Yeah, she was a wreck when she found out Buffy didn’t make it out of there. I think she is packing up and moving back to LA.” Willow twirled the pencil in her hand. “I think I am going to go over there and rescue some clothes for Buffy before her mom gets rid of it.”
“You don’t have to, master Spike is buying her a whole new dominatrix wardrobe. I swear if she starts looking like Dru I’m never talking to any of you again. I am running for the hills and I’m not looking back.” Willow wanted to slap him upside the head. This wasn’t easy on anyone but he was being an ass.
“Maybe you should.” She snapped and turned away from the table. She knew they were taking a huge risk trusting Buffy like they had Angel but it was her best friend and despite everything that happened, she still loved her.
“Willow, wait I’m sorry.”
“How do you think she feels Xan? In your rapid ascent to deal with your disappointment that she isn’t human anymore did you for one moment stop to think about what this was doing to her? You know it was her worst fear and now it’s happened.” She walked toward Giles’ office to help him. “I love you Xander but get over yourself and think about someone else for a change.” With that she was gone leaving Xander to sit and brood about her words.
“Permission to leave the grounds Master Yoda?” Buffy came skidding into the bedroom dressed again in her clothes that Spike had purchased for her.
“Why?”
“I’m bored.” She huffed. “There’s nothing good to fight here.” Spike laughed, she was so much more like him than she knew.
“Yeah, I could go for a good spot of violence myself. Demons, but no vampires!” He growled sternly. She stood at attention and gave him a mock salute.
“Yes sir Captain Bottle Blond Sir.”
“Annoying little chit.”
“Old fogy!” She raced down the stairs and growled when he vaulted over the railing to land in front of her. “Cheater.”
“When the dog is as old as I am he already knows all the tricks, luv.” She groaned and shoved her way past him.
“Yeah, in other words you cheated.”
“Of course I cheated I’m a vampire. Question is can you out cheat a cheater?” He leered at her a moment while she gathered her slaying supplies.
“You’d be surprised what I can do when I put my mind to it.” She hefted an axe on her shoulder and joined him at the door.
“So, using your air filled mind is the only thing stopping you then is it, Pet?”
“I hate you, you know that, right?” She scowled at him as they walked out the door.
“So you’ve told me. Course you weren’t exactly singing the same tunes last night.”
“All the possible sires in the world and I had to end up with a delusional Billy Idol wannabe. You should be in a mental institution.”
“I’m impressed, slayer. Come up with that one on your own?” He rolled his eyes.
“Would you prefer Marmaduke? Big, dumb, blonde dog that slobbers when he tries to bite. I was being nice, but have it your way.” She stopped and surveyed her surroundings. “We aren’t alone.”
Spike stood quietly and listened. “Human.” He pointed over to the bushes. Before either of them had a chance to move a flash of brown came flying at them. Buffy was knocked into Spike and consequently threw him back a few feet. She managed to remain on her feet however and crouched for battle.
“Who are you?”
“Oh, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Faith. I’m the slayer.”
“Great.” Buffy sighed and started her battle. Unlike Kendra, Faith fought more like the vampire she was circling, than a council trained slayer.
“You obviously didn’t have many run ins with the Council.”
“Nah, old pencil pushers aren’t my style.” She engaged Buffy in a battle keeping one eye warily on Spike. “So how do you know so much about the Council?” Faith misjudged the distance between them and was caught in the face by Buffy’s fist. Buffy restrained her, cutting off the air supply to her brain. Before Faith blacked out the former slayer leaned to whisper in her ear.
“Because I’m the slayer you’re here to replace.” A wave of pure fear washed over the girl as everything faded into darkness.
“Lovely Pet. Too bad you don’t sample the cuisine, slayer’s blood packs a real punch.” Spike clapped at the show and watched as she picked the girl up in her arms. “What are you doing?”
“Taking her to Giles.” She started for the Library.
“Bloody hell. Do I have to be cursed by your soul too?” She ignored him and continued on her way to the school. Walking through the doors she peered around for more cops or Principle Snyder. “All clear.” Spike pushed through the door of the library and was met by a glare from Xander. Anything Xander might have said stilled on his tongue when he saw Buffy carry the body into the room.
“What did you do to her?” Venom was flung in his former friend’s direction.
“Giles, we have a problem.” She hollered into the office ignoring him.
“So much for a souled vampire, you didn’t even make it a day without hurting someone.” Spike felt the pang of guilt that shot through his childe and turned angrily on Xander. “She saved her life you little git.” Xander found himself dangling from his lapels in horror.
“Spike put him down please.” Buffy was ready to snap.
“Good heavens what is going on out here?” Willow and Giles rushed into the room to find Spike throwing Xander harshly to the floor. Buffy ignored them all and set the girl on the table before lightly brushing her hair away from her face.
“Who is that?” Willow walked warily up to her friend.
“Meet the new slayer.” When Faith started to come to Buffy moved across the room and pulled her sire with her.
“What the hell?” Faith vaulted off the table and took in her surroundings. Spotting the two vampires in the corner she crouched and moved toward them.
“You really don’t want to do that.” Buffy held up her hand.
“And why is that? It’s kind of what I do, you know, kill the vampires.”
“If you attack me I can’t stop him from killing you.” Faith rolled her eyes.
“Cocky aren’t you. He won’t save you blondie.” Spike moved to engage but Buffy held him back.
“Please Spike.”
“Bloody hell, Slayer. You’re gonna get us both killed.” He growled at her and she shrank back slightly, but a moment later she stood tall again although tentatively.
“Punish me later, right now I’m trying to keep the new slayer alive long enough to ensure their safety without me.” Spike’s eyes flashed amber and he began growling even more. Buffy whimpered and dropped her head submissively. She had pushed him too far and she knew it. A wave of fear washed over her as she continued to slink back away from him. Faith stood watching, mesmerized by the interaction between the two. When her back was against the wall he rushed her pinning her against the drywall. He yanked her head to the side eliciting a startled yelp from his childe. He stopped just short of sinking his fangs into her neck when he felt the cold tears pouring down her cheeks. The anger drained away with the tears and he rested his forehead on her shoulder, boxing her between his arms and the wall.
“Why?” He was snarling but there was no venom.
“I can’t let them be hurt by people trying to get to me.” Her shaky plea tugged at his stone heart.
“I can’t let her hurt you, Pet. I won’t let any of them hurt you.” He sighed and kissed her shoulder then looked deep in her eyes.
“I’m sorry.” She rested her hand on his cheek. “I have to know they are protected.”
“No promises if any of them attack.” She nodded and knew there would be no mercy for someone who attacked either vampire.
“Hate to interrupt this Hallmark moment but will someone please tell me what’s the what?”
“Perhaps, I can help.” Giles was still a little stunned by the exchange they had witnessed. “I am Buffy’s watcher, or I imagine was, would be a more appropriate term.” He sighed. “She is not your enemy.” Giles put as much reinforcement behind his tone as he could manage.
“What about the punk?” Spike growled at her but said nothing.
“Yes, William the Bloody. He has agreed not to feed here unless in self defense but he doesn’t have a soul like Buffy.”
“Thank the Devil.” He murmured into his childe’s shoulder.
“I don’t care, what they promised, they’re vamps, they get dusted.” Faith lunged forward only to be met by a fully vamped alpha male protecting his mate.
“Spike, no.” Her warning went unheard as the two lunged for each other. Bodies were knocked fiercely around the room as the battle raged. Sensing her opportunity when Spike was knocked backwards, Buffy launched at Faith throwing her into the weapons locker. Locking the door behind her she turned to her growling Sire, obviously unhappy with the interruption in his battle. Faith rattled the door of her cage trying to break it down as Spike flew toward Buffy. Picking her up he threw her into Giles’ office and slammed the door. He was on her in a second throwing her against the desk with a roar. He ripped away their clothing before entering her violently. A startled gasp left her mouth as his fangs viscously cut into the flesh of her throat. She swallowed the urge to cry and ran her fingers gently through his hair as he found a swift and brutal release. She knew enough about vampires to know this was a show of dominance. She had defied him repeatedly and was now being punished for it. He had said before he didn’t want to control her, that he would only resort to that if she forced his hand and she believed him. She had to admit she had forced him by challenging him in front of the Slayer. He collapsed against her, oblivious to the gentle ministrations of her fingers.
“Damn it Buffy. I didn’t want it to be like this.” He sighed knowing a part of her feared him now.
“I know.” Her reply was barely a whisper. He noticed the gentleness in her voice as his body began to calm. Surprise gripped him as he registered the comforting gesture of her hands stroking his back. She wasn’t angry or scared; much to his amazement all he felt from her was acceptance. He hugged her to him and lapped tenderly at the wounds on her throat. She inhaled his scent deeply and nuzzled her face into his shoulder. “I’m sorry.” He simply nodded and helped her redress. Fingering the bloodstains on her top, he frowned.
“We ought to stop by your mum’s and get your clothes.” She sighed and nodded. “You want to stay here while I go?” She shook her head much to his relief. The idea of leaving her alone with Xander and the other slayer was not high on his list of good ideas. He shifted the collar of her duster and her hair to cover the bite marks before stepping away from her. “Ready then?”
“Yes.” He ignored the stunned onlookers as he guided her out the door into the library. Spike had to admit she stood gracefully at his side in the face of Xander’s obvious disgust. Making sure Faith was still in the cage she turned to her former watcher. “I’m going to disappear for a while, now that I know you are safe.” Spike looked over at her with a shocked countenance. He didn’t think she was really planning on staying away from them.
“So you can go off and hunt?” Buffy didn’t bother to hide the pain in her eyes at Xander’s accusation but did attempt a smile when Willow knocked him upside the head. The red head rushed over to Buffy and pulled her into a hug.
“Be careful.” Willow’s voice was shaky, knowing it would be awhile before she saw her friend again. Buffy hugged her fiercely being careful not hurt her.
“You too. No running around where the bumpies play.” She smiled tightly as she pulled away. She hugged Giles as well knowing she would miss him. “If you need me, you know how to find me.” She whispered to her mentor as she pulled away. There were tears in his eyes as he realized he might never see her again. He knew in general where she would be, but that didn’t mean she would allow any of them to see her until she wanted to be seen. She forced a pleasant smile on her face and turned to Xander. “Goodbye, Xan.” She fought back the grief when he stood stock still, not acknowledging her one way or another. She nodded with resolve and followed Spike out into the night.
“You aren’t really planning on leaving are you, luv?” It was a rhetorical question. He knew the answer long before he opened his mouth to ask.
“Not far anyway. I just don’t think it will be a good idea to see them for awhile.” She shrugged and walked with him to Rovello Dr.
“Not until the whelp and the bride of Chucky decide not to use you as target practice.” He rested his hand protectively on her lower back.
“Hell will freeze over first.” She groaned and looked up at her window. Her mother was apparently not home. “I’m guessing she went out for another liquid dinner.” She sighed and climbed the tree outside her window.
“Come on, let’s just get this over with.” He pulled the window open and slipped inside. She watched sadly from the outside as he gathered the possessions she pointed to and placed them in her bag. “Is that everything?”
“Dresser, bottom drawer on the left. Toss me the Tampon box.”
“I bloody hell will not!”
“Will you just trust me and give me the box?” He grumbled as he pitched the box through the window like it was possessed by a demon. She laughed and pulled out the tampons, throwing them on the floor in front of him.
“Hey!” Next she pulled out a small metal box. Opening the box she retrieved a large wad of cash, keys, papers and a cell phone. “Been a boy scout in a former life?”
“That’s me, always be prepared to run.” She sighed and pocketed the items. She noticed him waiting for a better explanation and relented. “I guess you could say I didn’t take my calling very well. I almost ran after I blew up the high school.”
“One of these days you are going to have to fill me in on all those juicy little tid bits.” He snickered and climbed out on the roof with her. “You ready, Luv?”
“Yeah. To LA Jeevs.”
“LA? Why there?” She held up the keys.
“That’s where the money is.”
“Right, just need some transportation then.” Buffy would have argued with him about stealing a car but she knew it was no use.
“At least make it a good one. Anything has to be better than that piece of crap you drive.” Spike growled at her and snatched the bag off the ground.
“Keep it up goldilocks and I will leave you in the middle of the desert to rot.”
“Whatever you say Yoda.”
“A gremlin? I am so picking the car next time.” Buffy grumbled as she slid into the front seat and threw her bag in the back.
“Stuff it, Blondie.” He peeled away from the curb and headed in the direction of Los Angeles. “So, where exactly are we going anyway?”
“My safe house.”
“You have a safe house?”
“Sort of. My grandfather left me his house when he died, no one but Mom and Dad know about it.”
“Rich then were you?”
“And stuck up, like Cordelia on steroids.”
“Bloody hell.”
“Yep.” She laughed when she thought back on how clueless she had really been. “I have to get to my trust fund before my mom can declare me legally dead.”
“Hard to do without a body, luv.”
“You want to take the chance?” She smiled at his glare. “Didn’t think so.”
The house was huge to say the least. It reeked of old money, not at all fitting in with Spike image of the slayer. “Before you ask it was my dad’s side of the family and he’s been a little lax in his child support payments.” Buffy shrugged as if it didn’t matter, but he could feel a slight twinge of regret. He was starting to understand why the watcher meant so much to her. He seemed to be the only real parent she had known.
“Nice digs, Pet.” He stretched himself out on the couch and relaxed. He watched her float around the room gathering things from her bags and random pieces of furniture. “You think you’re going somewhere?” He raised his brow in question.
“The bank.”
“Not without me, you’re not.” He wasn’t about to let her go run off and get herself killed.
“Last I checked you were still allergic to sunlight. I’ll be back in half an hour with supplies.” She grabbed car keys and moved toward the door.
“Slayer,” there was a warning tone in his voice.
“I know, I know. You’re the big bad, and I’m supposed to do what you tell me to do. I know you’re trying to protect me and I will do what you tell me, after I go to the bank, because they aren’t open at night and there is no way you could pass for me, so I have to go. I’ll be careful, I’m armed to the teeth, not that I have to worry about bumpies, but I will be on the look out for Council goonies. Once I come back you can boss me around until your demon is content, but now I have to go secure the family fortune.”
Spike looked at her for a moment, and then smirked. “How long have you been practicing that speech?”
“Since about five miles past the Sunnydale sign.” She threw over her shoulder as she ran out the door before he could change his mind.
The bank was empty at this hour of the morning making the process quicker. Smiling politely at the gentleman across the desk she got right down to business. “I’m here to liquidate my assets.” The gentleman stared at her a moment, seemingly surprised. She didn’t strike him as a knowledgeable person when it came to finances.
“A valid ID please.” She handed him her fake ID and birth certificate stating she was of rightful age to access her trust fund. “You realize by doing this you stand to take a substantial hit to the account.”
“Yes sir. I am leaving the country. My father is in Spain and I am joining him there.” She smiled her best fake smile and watched as he drained the account.
“How would you like your withdrawal?”
“Nothing larger than a hundred dollar bill.” She smiled again and waited as he disappeared behind the counter to the vault. Sliding her papers into her bag she sat and relaxed as the money was brought into the room and counted out in front of her.
“Can I help you with anything else Miss Summers?”
“No, thank you.” She smiled and lifted the metal case containing her fortune.
“Carl.” The manager gestured to the security guard. “Can you escort Miss Summers to her vehicle.”
“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”
“Nonsense, you’re safety is important to the staff of Los Angeles Bank and Trust.” Buffy slid her sunglasses on so he couldn’t see her roll her eyes.
“Thank you for your time.”
After stopping to pick up a few things on the way home, Buffy pulled into the driveway and grabbed her belongings.
“What took you so long?” Spike practically pounced on her. She had no doubt he was already stir crazy.
“The security guard insisted on walking the poor fragile girl to her car for her own protection.” She chuckled and set the bag of blood in the fridge.
“I’ll bet.”
“It seems that my ass was in greatest danger, that was the only part of me he kept his grubby little eyes on.” There was muted growl behind her as he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her against him.
“Mine.”
“Over protective much?” She laughed.
“How much are we worth now?” He asked fingering the lock on the case.
“We?” She picked up the case and carried it into the study. Moving to the wall she opened a panel, uncovering a safe.
“Yes we.”
“Let me guess. What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is yours.”
“Exactly. You’re mine, so everything you have is mine.”
“Pig.” She rolled her eyes knowing he was much more generous than he appeared to be.
“Oink, bloody, oink.” He sat back and watched with veiled fascination as she unloaded the money into the safe. “You never answered the question.”
“I took a hit for cleaning it out so fast, but a little over a million.”
“Not a bad start.” He studied her intently as she closed the safe and replaced the panel. She looked worn down, aged beyond her short years. “Come here, luv.” He pulled her into his arms and just held her for a while. He found it almost odd, as much as he had wanted this kind of relationship with Dru, she never allowed anything this soft. She was about sex, death and her visions and it was a relief to find someone he could just be with. “You’re going to miss them aren’t you?” It wasn’t really a question. He knew the answer before he wasted the breath.
“Yes.” She sighed and buried her face in his shoulder, thankful to have him on her side. Spike was nothing if not extremely loyal. She thanked the Powers that at least she wouldn’t have to go through this on her own.
One Month Later
“Where is the little bastard?” He paced quickly around the room in a foul mood. “I’ve been back a month and no one can tell me where the hell he is. I want him found now!”
“”He’s a bad boy, locked away with the moon in her castle.”
“Where Dru, tell me.” Angelus grasped her shoulders tightly and spun her to face him.
“Miss Edith won’t sing to me. She says he has a naughty surprise for you.” She danced her fingers up his chest to his jugular. “My Spike has a new family.”
“Spike took a childe?” Angelus seemed momentarily surprised then tried to bring her back on track. “Where is he Dru?”
“With the snake. Her teeth are long and wooden, wound around my boy’s ‘eart.” She frowned and then giggled.
“Who’s the snake, Dru?”
“The slayer.”
“Spike turned a slayer?” Dru giggled and nodded.
“Miss Edith said Goldilocks watches over the three bears.” She snapped he teeth shut in a mocking bite.
“The watcher.” Angelus smiled and turned to his minions. “Pack up, we’re going to Sunnydale.”
Buffy sat quietly on the bed running her fingers through his soft curls. So much had changed in the past month. Somewhere along the way she had moved from desperately seeking an ally to cradling genuine feelings for the creature beside her. It had surprised them both when she didn’t even fight his desire to feed again. In return he hunted only the scum that prowled the night, preying on innocent victims. She smiled slightly as he stirred. Two months ago she would have laughed her head off if someone told her she would be in this position. The vampire slayer had become a vampire and was falling in love with one of her greatest enemies. He groaned and pulled her flush to his chest. “Quit it.” She chuckled softly.
“Am I bothering you?”
“Sleeping.”
“Liar.” She wiggled slightly until she was facing him. “You woke up hornier than hell, half an hour ago and are just waiting to see how long you can go without jumping my bones. What’s the going record, forty minutes?” He sighed dramatically and pulled her underneath him, a mischievous glint sparking in his eyes.
“Well, since you seem so sure of yourself, guess I should prove you right.”
“You wouldn’t want to keep a lady waiting.”
“Lady my pale skinny ass.” Spike sneered at her lust filled eyes. “You, Pet, are anything but a lady.”
“Hey, I resent…” Her words were cut off as he slid smoothly into her depths. “Mmm, point taken. Shutting up now.” He snickered and rained kisses along her jaw and throat. Buffy began to lose her grasp on reality as wave after wave of pure pleasure flooded her senses. Fluttering over the edge she buried her fangs into his neck and drank deeply. Alarmed by the new pleasure, Spike increased his movements ruthlessly. Lazily her tongue dragged along his jugular to his ear. “Mine.” The hoarse whisper shattered his restraint and he exploded inside her.
Falling limply on her chest, he nuzzled the scar on her delicate flesh and repeated her answer. “Always.” Sudden warmth enveloped them, as the circle was complete. He brought his lips to claim hers. Hugging his body to hers, and she sighed with content as he rested his chin on her chest. Buffy could have sworn she could almost see tears in his eyes as he gazed at her with pure adoration. “You do know what this means, right?”
“I win the prize out of the cracker jack box?” He growled at her menacingly, still overwhelmed by her claim. She giggled and kissed his forehead. “You can go back to sleep now.”
“Not bloody likely.” He nipped at the soft swell of her breast. “I have some ravaging to do.”
“Well, then if you are sure you aren’t going to pass out on me again…” A terrible chill ran through her with the shrieking of the cell phone on the nightstand. Only two people had the number and one was comfortably relaxed in her arms.
“Ignore it.” He knew she wouldn’t. He knew what the call signified. A tiny shaking hand reached for the phone.
“Hello?”
“Buffy, thank God, I’ve reached you. We need your help.”
“Giles what’s wrong?”
“Angelus has returned.” The line went dead as the phone dropped from her hand to the floor.
“Where are you going?” The groan emerged from a mass of blankets in the middle of the bed.
“Hunting.” She thought momentarily that she should argue with him, but they had come to a peaceful arrangement the week after they arrived in LA, so she just sighed and threw off the covers. Spike smiled knowing she was fighting the urge to stop him. He threw the day’s paper beside her to head of the discussion.
Buffy picked it up and read the circled headline. “Stalker eludes police after third victim found? What’s this all about?” She had heard reports on the news about the stalker. He tended to prey on teenage girls angering Buffy beyond belief.
“Dinner.” He smoothed a strand of hair off her naked shoulder and kissed the soft skin.
“You’re going after him?”
“You’d rather I hunt innocents?” He cocked his brow knowing he had her.
“No, but…” She looked down at the composite sketch of the suspect and sighed. “Bleed the son of a bitch dry.”
“That’s my girl, defender of the innocents and all stray puppies.” He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Wanna come play kick the wanker with me?” Considering for a moment, she agreed and hopped out of the bed to get dresses. He was keeping to their unspoken compromise, she didn’t kill demons that weren’t hunting and he didn’t kill innocents.
“Lead the way Yoda.”
Buffy sighed and shook the memory from her mind. She could almost hear the disgust in Xander’s voice if he ever found out about their arrangement. It wouldn’t matter that in the long run Spike had saved hundreds of lives by getting the monsters off the street. Xander saw everything in black and white, heartbeat good, undead evil. She had once felt the same before she was forced unwillingly into a hazy world of gray. Spike had shown her a demon world in great contrast to the teachings of the council. She never believed that demons could be so compassionate and loving until now. Several of the breeds she had run across in LA were peaceful, not the kind you would run into on the hellmouth. It seemed Sunnydale only attracted the worst of the worst, fitting nicely into the black and white portrait painted by the Council of Watchers.
She closed her eyes and snuggled up next to her mate. Hers was an odd reality. Once an enemy, Spike had become her greatest love. No matter how hard they may have tried to fight against it, they always seemed to gravitate back to each other. She gave up fighting it within a week of their relocation. He was too hard to resist when he was always there. She slipped so effortlessly into an easy companionship as he began to shatter all she held as truths regarding vampires. He always knew what she was feeling without her having to explain the complex emotions clouding her. “Not looking forward to seeing them, luv?”
“I think the powers are trying to tell me something.” He lifted his arm from the steering wheel and draped it over her shoulders.
“What’s the Pet?”
“Buffy shall not stay happy.” She shifted closer to him.
“Were you happy?” He knew the answer but still needed to hear it. She smiled at how vulnerable the master vampire seemed. In battle he was fierce and unforgiving but in her arms he almost seemed like a lost little boy.
“Yes.” It was true. She had been in the state of bliss despite the cards life had dealt her until the phone rang.
“Then you’re going to stay that way.” He snarled emphasis on his promise and hugged her tighter.
“She’ll be back.” Willow rested her hand on Giles’ shoulder. “I’m sure she’s already on her way. Faster than a speeding bullet and stuff.”
“Of course.” Giles pulled off his glasses again and scrubbed the abused glass.
“So what’s the plan?” Oz came to sit next to Willow.
“We’re waiting for Buffy to come save the day like she always does.” Cordelia rolled her eyes at Xander’s scowl.
“Good plan.” Oz nodded and sat back in his chair.
“She’s not coming. We should be helping Faith instead of sitting here waiting for Dead Girl.”
“Nice to know it only takes getting turned to get taken off your Christmas card list, Xander.” All eyes drifted toward the balcony in the library to find Buffy and Spike standing defensively among the stacks.
“Buffy.” Willow jumped out of her seat and ran up to greet her friend.
“It’s nice to see the cast off.” Buffy smiled warmly at her friend as she pulled back from her embrace.
“I’m glad your back.” She looked timidly at Buffy’s travel companion. “Hi Spike.” The vampire’s angry eyes softened as he turned his gaze from Xander to study the witch.
“Hello Red.” He smiled almost kindly.
“So where’s Faith?” The trio descended the stairs to join the others.
“She’s been taken.” Giles stood awkwardly in front of his former charge before giving in and hugging her.
“How?”
“Angelus took her to send you a message.” Xander glared at Spike. “He thought you had turned her.”
“Hmm, Grand daddy’s mad at you.” Buffy raised a brow at Spike.
“You take a childe without his permission and he gets all cranky, luv.” Spike sighed dramatically.
“Where did he take her?” Buffy turned her attention back to Xander.
“Why so you can join in the torture?”
“You know what Xander, I came a long way to bail your ass out of trouble yet again so I would appreciate it if you kept your sterling opinion of me to yourself.” She turned to Giles ignoring the boy.
“They’re at the mansion.” Giles supplied as much information as he could, but they didn’t have much to go on.
“How many wankers guarding his back?” Spike sat at the table and glared at Xander. “Don’t start with me, whelp.” There was a feral gleam in his eyes.
“We don’t know.” Willow sighed and sat down as well. “But we do know there were two with them when they took Faith. We found two piles of dust next to her stake.”
“What do you think, luv?” He could see rage already swimming to the surface in her eyes.
“Can I go play with Great grand daddy?” Buffy grinned sadistically.
“Only if I get Mummy dearest.” Spike had a few choice words for Dru. Although every thing changed over the last month his anger with Dru hadn’t ebbed in the slightest.
“You aren’t seriously considering going in there alone are you?”
“Trust me Giles, you don’t want to be anywhere near Angelus when we meet up again.”
“Why is that, Pet?” Spike pulled her down on his lap and almost laughed at Xander’s squeak of protest. Buffy just smiled and looked down at her lover.
“You think he’s pissed at you for turning a slayer without his permission, wait until he finds out we’re married.” Spike’s grin grew when Xander practically swallowed his tongue.
“I knew there was a reason I loved you. Vicious little bint, aren’t you?” Spike leaned in and nuzzled the column of her throat eliciting a shudder.
“Married?” Willow shrieked beside them.
“Relatively speaking.” Buffy looked at her best friend. “You interrupted the wedding night.” She pouted for a second then laughed.
“No better wedding present than a good spot of violence.”
“Spike, your thirst for violence is insatiable.”
“You’re married…. and you didn’t tell me?” Willow’s eyes were huge.
“It just sort of happened.” She smiled as she walked into the weapons locker and started to grab supplies. “I’ll tell you about it later, Wills.” She turned back to Spike. “You ready to get this dysfunctional family reunion over with?”
“Lead the way, luv.” She tossed him an axe as he stood.
“Remarkable.” Giles watched them walk toward the door. He was sure that studying the pair would disrupt hundreds of years of firmly held beliefs about vampire families.
“Go home, stay somewhere he doesn’t have an invite. We’ll be back when this is over.” Buffy smiled at Giles knowing he more than likely wouldn’t leave his post at the library. “And be careful.”
“You too.” He smiled at his slayer and hit Xander on the back of the head when he opened his mouth to make a smart comment.
“Wow.” Cordelia just sat staring at the door in total shock. “What just happened?”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Buffy asked Spike as they walked out of the library.
“Dru or Peaches?”
“Dru.” He stopped in the hall and grabbed her hand.
“The same rules, Slayer. No one touches my mate.” He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
“You really love me?” He smiled at the hopeful look on her face.
“Yeah, but I’ll deny it if you go tossing it around.” She laughed and stepped into his arms.
“I love you, too.” She stepped away from him and shouldered her weapon. “Man did that happen at warp speed. A month ago I hated you.”
“What can I say? I’m irresistible to the ladies.” She scoffed causing him to smile. “Now, come on. We’ve got a family to destroy.”
“How do you want to do this?” Buffy turned to Spike as they reached the mansion. “Sneak attack or full frontal assault?”
“Let’s just walk in the front door.” She shrugged and followed him through the door. “Hi honey, I’m home.”
“Ah, Spike my boy, you’ve brought me a present.” Buffy started when she saw Angelus enter the room and flashed back to the last time she had seen her ex-lover alive. For a moment she remembered Angel’s smiling face but the sadistic creature before her instantly snuffed it out.
“I am nothing to you.” She steeled her resolve and stood angrily at Spike’s side. “I’m here for the slayer. Hand her over before I start dusting people.”
“I am disappointed in you Spike. I thought you would have more control over your childe than this.”
“No need to Peaches. She does what I tell her.” He shrugged with a smile.
“What do you call this insolence?”
“Oh, that. Told her to piss the bloody hell out of you. She has an amazing talent for pissing people off.” Buffy smirked at the comment.
Angelus began to circle her menacingly. “She would never kill me. She’s still in love with me.”
“Hello, still in the room here.” She scowled at her former lover. “Get over yourself Angelus, I could never love someone who spends more time on his hair than I do.” Spike snickered at her snipe.
“That’s my girl.”
“You’re girl?” Angelus laughed heartily. “She would never let you touch her if you weren’t her sire.”
“Right, like she’d spread her legs with a smile for you.” Spike growled at the arrogance of his former mentor.
“Why not? Dru did.” Buffy saw him flinch at the reminder of Dru’s betrayal.
“Where is Dru? Did she run off on you too?” She stepped forward to challenge the head of their bloodline.
He smiled down at Buffy. “My women don’t feel the need to run off.” He crowded her, almost flush with her chest. Buffy inhaled the familiar scent as she leaned in to nuzzle his cheek, fully aware the movement was hurting Spike. Her lips came to rest just short of his ear.
“I did. I’m surprised how disappointing you were.” With a growl she shoved him off of her and across the room before returning to Spike’s embrace. “Sorry Yoda, I couldn’t resist.” He purred as she nuzzled her mark.
“It’s alright, luv. The look on the wanker’s face makes it all worth it.” Angelus surged to his feet with a roar.
Buffy followed the sound of a squeak to the doorway and found a frazzled looking Dru trembling. “Naughty slayer stole my Spike.”
“Dru, what are you talking about?” Angelus growled as he walked over to her.
“The circle is complete. Evil slayer marked my boy.” She sniffled and started to sway. Angelus stormed over to the pair and ripped Buffy out of Spike’s hands before wrapping his hand around his throat. Yanking his head to the side he sniffed the mark on Spike’s throat before shoving the impudent vampire away and turning to repeat the process with Buffy.
“Take your hands off my mate, Angelus.” Spike stood with a menacing growl.
“You claimed him, Buff? Really I thought you had better taste than that.” He growled and brought his face mere centimeters from hers.
“What, you think I should have taken applications? I wonder what kind of questions I should have put on it. Greatest achievement maybe? But I think sending Angelus to hell is pretty hard to top.” Her playful expression hardened. “You’re out of your league here Angelus. You could never mean as much to me as he does.” Angelus pulled away from her with a snarl and knocked her to the ground. Turning quickly he grabbed Spike and shoved him against the wall.
“You should know better than to try and take what’s mine.” Spike cocked a smug brow at his grand sire and smirked.
“Why not? You took something of mine.”
“Ahh, Dru. That’s the only reason you did it isn’t it? To get back at us for screwing right in front of your face.” Angelus laughed at Buffy’s horrified expression when he didn’t refute the claim. Spike wanted to argue but he couldn’t. Angelus would obliterate him for being weak if he admitted the emotions behind his bonds to the slayer. He would have been able to handle that if he didn’t think his sire would do the same to Buffy and make him watch. He had to keep his mouth shut to keep her from becoming Dru’s latest project. Unfortunately in his entire inner dialogue, he had forgotten that Angelus wanted to torture and kill them both anyway. Reality finally kicked in about the time the manacles were shoved on his wrists.
“Bloody hell. What’s all this about?”
“You know what I do to those who betray me.” Buffy moved to help him and found only blackness.
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By Daxis Steele