Buffy stopped in surprise in the doorway. She’d been quite confident her childe was still happily sleeping away until that very moment. With a small smile, she turned back to look at him. “Oh?” she inquired with a little purr, stalking back over to their bed.

Parker frowned slightly, watching her approach with puzzled dark eyes. “I do,” he said, sounding oddly unsure of himself. Insecure.

Buffy crawled up the foot of the bed until she was hovering right over his naked body. “Love you, too,” she assured him, leaning it for a quick kiss.

It naturally turned passionate, and before she knew what was happening, he’d rolled her beneath him and snuck one clever hand down her pants. She’d always been the one to dominate him before, to ride him away into ecstasy. But this time he took charge, and she let him.

Skilled fingers unbuttoned her blouse. Talented lips and tongue trailed down her throat to her full breasts. He parted the black lace that bound them, whispering reverently against one mound. “I’ve never felt this way before…”

Buffy moaned in appreciation as he took her into his mouth, sucking slowly and luxuriantly. All those years of tricking innocent little girls into giving up their pearls had made him exquisitely talented in every act of sex.

“I… I can’t even describe it,” he confessed shakily, pulling at the zipper of her pants and neatly disrobing her. “So many…” He trailed off in thought as he watched her pant beneath him. “There have been so many, and I haven’t felt a thing for a single one of them…”

“We’re family,” Buffy explained to him, pulling him down to her for another kiss.

“Yes,” he agreed when they pulled apart. “You’re different. You’re…” He thrust in deep. “…Sire…” he moaned raggedly.

Buffy clutched his shoulders, pulling him in closer. “You don’t even know the half of it,” she whispered as he moved within her. “All the wonders you’ll experience…”

He smiled down at her, obvious adoration in his eyes.

“We’re a family of very deep lovers,” she informed him with a wicked grin of her own.

His pace increased at that, as did hers. Almost as if true lovemaking were still frightening to him, something he’d have to be eased into over time. Buffy couldn’t wait to do so.

And, as she plunged over the edge, she thought for the first time that maybe Spike wasn’t the mate for her. She had a beautiful new man to share existence with now. Thousands of sweet delights to show him…

Pleasure blinding her in its drowning waves, she finally had an epiphany. She finally understood what Spike had been trying to tell her along.

This was her future, her fate. She was master now. She shouldn’t have to share her lovers, or anything else. She was the queen. And it was time she starting working towards creating her own kingdom…

“I love you.” He found the words easier to say with each utterance.

“Love you,” she murmured back, clutching his sweaty body to her.

For a moment, they lay like that, clinging together as if for dear life. And then, reluctantly, Buffy pushed him off of her, straightening her clothes to go out.

“Still after that tasty girl?” he teased lightly, feeling uncharacteristically playful. In a way, really caring for a woman was a huge relief, something tangible in his existence that he could cling to.

She laughed. “You sound just like your grandsire,” she informed him, placing one final quick kiss on his lips.

Parker couldn’t help but release a possessive growl at the thought that Buffy had another male in her life, one that she felt as strongly about as he did for her.

“You’ll have to meet him,” Buffy recognized the jealous spark in his eyes only too well. Oh, to see this path of unlife beginning anew. It brought her back to her own early years, that instinctive rivalry she’d felt with Dru. She’d have fun teaching him over the decades, showing him just how wonderful sharing could be… “Some day.”

He smiled at the reassurance that he’d have his sire to himself for quite some time. “Some day,” he conceded reluctantly.

“Mommy’s off to work now,” she joked lightly. “Don’t let the slayers bite.”

He grinned. “Shouldn’t you be the one worrying about that?”

“No need to worry,” she said confidently.

He smiled and watched her go. Laid back on the mattress, replaying their lovemaking in his mind until he’d felt that she was completely gone.

And then he pushed the covers aside and reached for his clothes. He would show her how good he could be for her, show her that he could live up to Spike’s reputation in every way. The grandest present of all would await his sire when she returned tonight.

Tousling his hair out of habit, as he had no mirror to work off of, Parker prepared himself for the night ahead. After all, he had himself a slayer to kill…

“Drusilla, darling!” a brash, scratchy voice cut through the gathered vampires. “Why, it’s simply been ages.”

“Oh god, kill me now,” Spike mumbled under his breath in fervent prayer.

“Play nice with the other puppies,” Drusilla scolded him with a forefinger to his lips.

He kissed it reverently. “Only for you, pet…”

“And, oh,” the voice instantly turned disappointed, “William. You’re still around, are you?”

“You know perfectly well that I am. Gertrude,” he retorted with her human name.

“I see his disposition hasn’t improved much.” She scrunched up her nose in a haughty gesture and turned back to Dru. “Where have you been?”

“My sweet Cassandra,” Drusilla purred, placing a quick kiss on the other vampiress’ cheek. A devilish grin crossed her face. “The plains of pleasure are ripe with fruit…”

“Er, yes.”

Spike rolled his eyes at the whole affair. ‘Cassandra’ was a vampiress of a little over three-hundred years. Which meant that everyone who had to make their daily survival in close quarters with her kept their mouths shut about her numerous flaws. Namely, that she looked, sounded, and acted like a horse. Spike had told her that once in an effort to escape the horror of discovering whether she fucked like a horse, too. She’d been trying to convince Dru, Darla, Angelus, and anyone else who would bloody well listen that he was a disrespectful degenerate ever since. A prime example of why he avoided the Order at all costs, right there.

“Well,” ‘Cassandra’ had recovered from her confusion at Drusilla’s remark and looped the other vampiress’ arm through hers, “we’ve simply been dying for you to come. Although we hardly imagined you’d bring…” She coughed pointedly as she led Drusilla down the main hall and away from Spike. “…Company.”

Spike growled at stalked after them. That was it. This time he really was going to rip that pretentious bitch’s heart right out and shove it down her throat.

Dru turned back at the last moment and gave him a warning glare.

With a growl of frustration, Spike reined in his temper. But just barely. He settled for making a very obscene gesture behind Cassandra’s back.

Several of the other Order masters that lined the Great Hallway took note of their most…rebellious member’s disrespect. But, frankly, Spike didn’t give a damn what they all thought about him right now.

“The stars whisper of great things,” Cassandra commented, seemingly oblivious to the commotion Spike was causing behind her.

Spike was quite confident she was oblivious. ‘Cassandra’ was one of those vampires that lived solely on pretensions. She’d gotten it in her mind somewhere back in the 1850s that she wanted to be a psychic. The daft bird couldn’t see what was happening right in front of her, of course. But, as soon as she’d heard about Dru’s real gifts, she’d taken it upon herself to strike up a bond with her ‘prophetic sister’. Spike had just about gagged.

“The Dark Lord has died,” Drusilla quirked one eyebrow at Cassandra in a very skeptical manner. “Of course great things are coming.”

Spike couldn’t help but grin. That was his girl. Pointed out that the lowliest of fledglings could’ve predicted that one. Hell, he could’ve, and he was a psychic dead-zone.

“Ah yes, but for whom?” Cassandra remained nonplussed.

“Oh, please,” Spike couldn’t help but tease her, “do tell.”

She turned and scowled at him. “You still court the nonbeliever,” she tisked, shaking her head slowly. “His other…skills,” her eyes raked up and down his body, “must be exceptional for you to tolerate this common beast.”

Drusilla caught Spike in a tender embrace before he could rip Cassandra’s head clean off. “He has his uses,” she replied slyly. “Although you never found out about those, did you?”

It was a neat slap across the face. Spike loved Drusilla more than he ever had in his unlife for that one. All the more so because dear old Cassandra couldn’t get nasty without breaking rank with her ‘prophetic sister’. Overcome by sudden affection, Spike tilted Dru’s chin up to face him and planted a sweet kiss on her lips.

She purred against him and pulled him closer. He purred, too, for added effect. Cassandra sputtered in indignation. It was kind of beautiful.

“If you’ll excuse us.” Drusilla patted Cassandra lightly on the cheek before opening the door before them and entering the private chambers of their line.

Thankfully, the quirky rules of sire lineages meant that Cassandra couldn’t follow them inside. Spike took great delight in slamming the door right in the old biddy’s face.

Drusilla sighed as she watched him finally explode, taking his vengeance out on one of the silk sitting cushions that lined the common room. “Mommy will need her support, you know,” she informed him when his vicious kicks to the décor had finally died down.

He sighed and approached her, accepting his place in her arms. “Don’t want her challengin’ you, I s’pose,” he conceded.

“My poor sweeting,” she cooed. “Never one for politics or diplomacy…”

“Know enough to recognize enemies when I see ‘em,” he agreed, leading her by one hand to the bedroom they’d shared back when they’d last been here. Long time ago, he realized. Back when Angelus and Darla had still been kicking, and the four of them had been one happy little dysfunctional family.

The chambers were practically deserted now. Most of Heinrich’s line was dust now. And Buffy’d made a few of the more spectacular kills herself. He couldn’t help but puff up with pride at that. His clever little killer…

It was a disgrace, really, the way the Order snubbed their nose up at her. Hypocritical, too. All their fancy laws about the sins of the sire not being taken out on the childe, and look at they way they were treating one of the strongest new masters out there.

“Oh, my dear Spike…” Drusilla sighed, lying back on the bed amidst the lavish silk pillows and thin sheets. She stared up at the crimson canopy above. 

Frankly, the place had always reminded Spike a bit of a Turkish brothel. Heinrich hadn’t taken too fondly to Spike’s assessment. Bat-eared poofter.

“Wrath burns about you in a shinning inferno.” Dru held out one hand for him to join her on the bed.

A smile curving the corners of his lips, he went to her. “We could nick one of the posh vehicles out back and run off on a moonlit drive through the desert,” he offered hopefully.

“Mmm…burn me up…” she commented lazily.

With a sigh, he took his place beside her, allowing her caresses to soothe his temper. “I hate it here.”

“I know,” she apologized. “But the balance of power is shifting just right…” A sigh. “It could be mine, William,” she said, her voice clear and empty of all the layers of enigma. “It could be all mine…all ours…”

“All yours,” he agreed, “but not mine, luv. Not ever.” A fiery vehemence burned in the backs of his eyes.

She bit her lip at the truth she saw there. “Mine alone, then,” she conceded, sounding disappointed.

“I’ll fight for you, my love,” he promised whole-heartedly.

“But you won’t stay and rule by my side.”

“’S not for me, pet.” He took her hand in his and planted a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

Dru watched her beautiful boy with a wistful air. But, then, all things changed with time… “Of course, all this is rather silly if they decide to execute us the instant we walk out that door,” she considered, then giggled.

Spike found himself chuckling at that, too. “It’d be just like those cowards,” he agreed, laughing at the notion himself. Oh, the times when death was a joke…

One quick kiss, a moment to reflect, and they were off to the throne room to see what their visit would bring…

Buffy stretched her senses as far as they would go and still nothing. She frowned and turned south, leaping across rooftops as easily as if they were stepping-stones. The night was still young, of course, but the slayer had been almost a constant thorn in her side every night for over a week now. It was irritating that the one night Buffy wanted to run into her, the little do-gooder was nowhere to be seen…

She dropped to the ground outside one of the old opera houses, extending her senses once more. And this time there was the slightest of tickles at the back of her neck. Still too faint for her to locate, but it was all the evidence she needed to know that the slayer was still somewhere in this city, waiting for death to arrive on her doorstep.

Picking the direction she thought the danger warning felt strongest, Buffy ran with catlike grace down the cobbled streets of the old foot-market. The hunt was finally on…

Kennedy’s slayer sense tingled as she entered the dance club. She was familiar with this presence by now, could practically taste it on her tongue. All around her, oblivious innocents danced, unaware of the more deadly dance they’d stumbled upon.

Kennedy made her way around the edge of the dance floor, eyes carefully assessing each and every face she could get a glimpse of. The lights and sounds were enough to disrupt even her senses. Her quarry was there, no doubt about it. She just wasn’t sure whether to look behind her or at the far end of the club.

“No date tonight, then?”

Behind her, it was. Kennedy turned to face the vampire, frowning when she realized he had a human victim supported carelessly in one arm. To the other denizens of the club, it probably looked at though the girl was just a little tipsy. Kennedy spotted the characteristic fang marks that weakened her just enough to be led off helplessly back to the demon’s lair, however.

“I was looking for Buffy, actually,” Kennedy retorted flippantly. “Although I seem to have made a little mistake. Is mommy coming back soon? I hate babysitting…”

Parker’s eyes flashed gold at the insult. “She decided you weren’t worth the effort,” he retorted snidely. “But don’t worry. I know how to show a pretty girl a good time…” His eyes raked lasciviously up and down her body.

Kennedy’s stomach clenched in disgust, and she reached for the stake in her pocket.

“Not a good idea.” Parker shook his head and pulled his hostage harder against him, his deceptively blunt teeth just inches from her throat. He gave her a playful kiss where he’d bitten her earlier and got a moan in response. “It feels good, slayer. I promise.”

Kennedy bristled at the innuendo but stopped reaching for the stake. For now, that girl was alive, and it was her duty to keep her so, even if it did mean she had to placate this jerk for the time being. “Hiding behind humans?” she taunted. “Buffy teach you that? Or is that just a carryover cowardice from your human days?”

He took a step back, dragging the girl with him. “You wound me.” He blinked big puppy-dog eyes at her. “Deeply and tragically.”

“Cut the bull.” She moved to lunge again.

“I’ll cut her,” he countered, twisting the girl’s arm behind her back and causing her to whimper.

Kennedy glared but could do nothing. He took several more steps back, and she followed without provoking any retaliation on the hostage. He wanted her to follow him, then, and luckily he seemed to be leading their fight away from the crowds of innocent bystanders.

“That’s it,” he teased. “Do whatever I say… You’re mine now.”

Kennedy let the rage build up inside her. Sooner or later, he was going to make a faulty step, and then she was going to unleash on him so fast he’d think he was in a tailspin.

“Never got your name, Junior,” she commented lightly.

He gave her a soft smile at that, all wide doe-eyes. Kennedy imagined plenty of girls had fallen for those deep eyes in the past. “Parker,” he informed her. “You?”

“Kennedy,” she shrugged. No reason not to tell him when one of them would be dead within the next five minutes.

“Kennedy…” The name rolled off his tongue nicely. “That’s pretty. You know, Kennedy, it must be awfully rough, running out to face death every night.”

“It’s a destiny,” she said noncommittally.

“I can understand, you know.”

She gave him a skeptical look.

“M-My father… Well, he was sick for so long, and then when he finally died… I don’t think I ever got over it…”

“You have got to be kidding me,” she exclaimed in disbelief.

Parker rolled his eyes. “OK, so he’s off in Africa somewhere, touring with stepmom number six,” he conceded. “It’s just such a good line. You’re the first girl who’s seen through it.” He considered that for a second, smiling at the thought of his sire. “Well, the second…”

Kennedy opened her mouth to retort, but at that moment his backward steps faltered, and he tripped and went down. Instantly, she dove in, catching the girl he’d held prisoner and rolling with her free of the vampire’s clutches.

“Help me!” the hysterical girl sobbed, clinging to Kennedy’s arms.

“Just stay back!” Kennedy warned her, getting back up…

…Only to find Parker already behind her. “Oops. Didn’t trip at all,” he purred against her ear, arms snaking around her waist.

Kennedy stiffened, well aware that he could end her life in a second. The girl she’d saved took the opportunity to scamper away. Such nice gratitude this job brought…

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” he whispered huskily, his hand slipping further down.

Kennedy bit her lip, hand reaching for her front jacket pocket.

“You like that?” he demanded.

“Actually,” her fingers circled her prize, “no.” With lightning-quick reflexes, she smashed the bottle of holy water on his forehead and spun around, sweeping his legs out from under him with a powerful kick.

He hissed and screeched, clawing at his burning face, falling back onto the floor of the deserted corridor.

“Something you probably should’ve researched,” Kennedy replied flippantly. “Men? Don’t do a damn thing for me…” She produced the stake from her back pocket, caught him roughly by the shoulder, and drove the point home.

One last indignant gasp, and Parker crumbled to ash and dust.

“No!”

“No!”

“Oh, fuck!” Spike caught Drusilla as she faltered in her steps, the pain flashing through his own synapses. Somewhere far away, one of their own had just met their end. It was a sharp sting, a sudden break in the line of blood passed down through the ages. For a second he couldn’t pinpoint the source, and horrific visions flashed through his mind. Buffy…

“Poor, poor boy,” Dru whimpered. “Not even a chance to explore such delicious potential.” Her eyes flashed gold with rage. “That girl will pay for this…”

“You’ll pay for this, bitch!”

Kennedy turned to see the source of the cry and gulped. She should’ve sensed the approach of a vampire this powerful, but in the fight she’d allowed her alertness to waver. Not a good sign.

Demon fully to the front with rage and grief, Buffy’s eyes flashed deadly gold, inhuman claws extended to their maximum, eager to slice, superhuman muscles rippling in anticipation of the kill.

Kennedy calmly pulled her extra stake from her back pocket, both hands armed now. “Like childe, like sire,” she retorted haughtily.

And, blood battle to death, they rushed at each other…