 |
Domestic Shadows By Heather Martin Summary- AU Set in the future after season 7. When Spike saves a little girl’s life, Buffy and his life are turned upside-down. But who could resist a five-year-old’s sweet smile and innocent eyes? They just couldn’t help but bring the little girl into their hearts. But when she turns out to be more than a regular little girl, how far will they go to protect the child from evil? Spoilers- Get It Done
Chapter 2 There was only one obvious option available. He couldn’t leave the little girl, and Buffy’s house was the only place he could take her. He just hoped the slayer would understand that. Spike began to walk toward Revello Drive, being sure the child followed. When she grabbed for his hand, he became startled by the gesture. He jerked away by reflex. A hurt look passed over the girl’s face. Oh, bugger, the vampire swore. He reached out and placed her fingers in his. He was rewarded by a bright grin. “Where are we going?” the girl asked. He was taken aback by the trust she expressed. He was of the same breed that had drained her mother just moments before. How could she possibly put her life in his hands? But looking into the girl’s green eyes gave him insight. It was as if she could see into his core. She knew him from a mere glance. Blinking, Spike drew out of the trance her eyes had put him in. “I’m taking you to a friend. She will keep you safe,” he told her. “Is she pretty?” His lips turned up slightly. “Very.” “I think I’ll like her.” “I’m sure you will, pet.” “My name’s Rebecca. What’s yours?” “Spike,” he replied. She giggled. “That’s a funny name.” He nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, it is.” They walked through the darkness hand-in-hand. The moon cast shadows around them as they moved. Normally the five-year-old would have been frightened by the dark, but she felt safe in her new friend’s presence. The little girl clung to Spike with fondness, confident that he would defend her from the monsters if need be. Rebecca stopped for a moment when they approached the Summers’ residence. “This is a good house,” she stated, and then continued walking. Spike gave her a curious look. He had never met a child like her. Not that he had known many children, but he was sure that this one‘s perception went far beyond that expected of her age. Hell, even more than most adults. Spike led Rebecca into the house. It was quiet and not a single light was on, which clearly indicated that all the inhabitants were asleep. He hated the thought of waking up a cranky slayer, but couldn’t find a way around it. She would be even more upset if she found the unknown girl in the morning. Turning to face Rebecca, he instructed,” Stay right here, kay?” He went up the stairs and to the master bedroom. He slowly opened the door to peek inside. He got a glimpse of a slumbering Buffy. The covers were brought up to her chin, blond hair cascading over the pillow. Her even breathing and heartbeat filled his keen ears. He loved the sight and sound of her sleeping. Since he had moved in, he occasionally snuck up to catch a view of her during the night. There was no harm in it. All he did was take her in for a few moments before heading back down to the basement. He never even set one foot into the room. But it still felt wrong somehow. He had no right to spy on her in such a vulnerable state. The sight of her was too beautiful. . . too pure. He stepped into her sacred space, coming up to her bedside. He took a hand and hesitantly touched her shoulder. “Buffy?” he whispered. She didn’t waken, but snuggled into the pillow resting under her head. He shook her gently. “Buffy?” he urged. Buffy’s eyes shot open. She sprang up, full of alertness. She was the slayer and had to be ready for anything. When her gaze fell on Spike, however, she calmed down a bit. “Spike?” she murmured. “Get up, luv, there’s somethin downstairs ya gotta see,” he informed. She swung her legs over the side of the bed. “What is it?” “Come on, I brought something home from patrol” he obscurely answered. Buffy opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it. She stood up instead, and went to the door. She stepped out into the hall. Rolling her eyes back at Spike, she said, “Coming? You can‘t show me whatever it is from up here.” The vampire made his way to her side. “Yeah, luv, I’m comin.” Spike went down the stairs first. He made it to the bottom and gestured to the little girl who stood near the entryway. She was cute in a pair of overalls over a yellow shirt. Her brown hair was pulled into two pigtails. “This is Rebecca.” Buffy froze, gaping at the girl. She had been expecting a magic talisman, a demon head . . . anything other than this. She was stunned into silence. Rebecca smiled. She gave Buffy a wave. “You must be Mr. Spike’s pretty girlfriend.” The slayer placed enlarged eyes on Spike. She crossed her arms and mouthed ‘girlfriend?’. “I didn’t tell her that,” Spike defended. Buffy found her voice. “Why did you bring her here?” He was about to respond when Rebecca did in his place. The childish glee left her face. “The bad monsters got mommy. They would have got me too, but Mr. Spike saved me. He made them go poof and promised to keep me safe.” “So you brought her here?” Buffy challenged. “Spike, I can’t take care of a kid. I have too much to worry about as it is. I have work, Dawn, and ‘other duties’. My schedule is booked.“ “You can say the word slayer around her, pet. She just witnessed her mum get drained by a vamp.” “Whatever. That still doesn’t change my whole point. She can’t stay here.” “It’s only temporary, Buffy. And no worries, I’ll take care of her. You don’t need to lift a finger.” “I don’t think . . .” She never finished that sentence. Spike took Rebecca’s hand and pulled her toward the kitchen. “Hungry, nibblity-bit? It‘s way after supper, but I bet you haven‘t eaten in awhile. Am I right?” Buffy was left alone. She lowered herself to sit on the stairs. Her lips tugged upwards and she shook her head. How could she have doubted Spike’s ability to care for a child? He had looked after Drusilla for what, a hundred years? And while she had been gone last year, he had kept his promise and protected Dawn. About ten minutes later, Buffy was still sitting there. Her head turned to the side as she saw Rebecca and Spike emerge from the kitchen. A brown smudge was smeared over the five-year-old’s mouth. It was clearly chocolate from a dip of ice-cream. The sadness had vanished once again from the girl’s mood, replaced by her previous enthusiasm. Buffy got up from her sitting position. “She has a dirty face,” she said in a motherly tone. Spike glanced down at Rebecca. He shrugged. “So she does.” A sigh came from Buffy. She walked over and grabbed the little girl’s hand. “Come on, Rebecca, let’s wash up.” Rebecca giggled. “Ok.” “Men don’t appreciate proper hygiene. Well, not unless they are trying to impress a good-looking chick,” Buffy mumbled. “You are funny,” Rebecca said. “Spike is funny too.” Buffy snorted. “That is a matter of opinion. Some people find him a pain in the a. . .” Buffy caught herself. They arrived at the bathroom, and Buffy tugged Rebecca inside. She rummaged in the closet for a washcloth. She snatched a blue one, and soaked it under the faucet. Buffy put some soap on the rag and wiped the chocolate off Rebecca’s face. “There, nice and clean,” Buffy told Rebecca. “I like you,” Rebecca said out of nowhere. Buffy blinked. “Th-Thanks. I like you too, Rebecca.” “I saw you in my dreams too. You and Spike are both gonna fight the bad men.” Buffy stared at the girl intently. “Dreams?” Rebecca nodded. “Uh huh. Mommy said I have a gift. I can see things nobody else can.” Buffy knelt down to Rebecca’s level. “I have special dreams too. Sometimes I can see the future.” “Neat. Mine are about the future too. They are bad most of the time and I can’t stop them. I want to, but they happen to people I don’t know. They scare me.” For some reason Buffy felt the urge to reach out and hug the girl. She felt a bond with her that she had never shared before. They were kindred spirits, plagued with both a curse and gift. Instead of wrapping her arms around her, Buffy smoothed down Rebecca’s hair. “When you get older you will understand your dreams more. Then you can stop some of the bad things from happening.” She was sure that Rebecca was having these dreams for a reason. She had been given this power in order to help people. “I hope so,” Rebecca answered. Then a yawn escaped her. “You are tired. Let’s get you to bed,” Buffy stated. They went back downstairs, where Spike waited. He was leaning against the wall lazily, and straitened up as they approached. “Rebecca’s tired,” Buffy told him. “I’ll get some blankets and maker ’er comfy on the sofa,” Spike offered. “No!” Rebecca protested. Buffy looked down at the little girl. “What is it?” “It’s dark and scary. I don’t wanna be left alone in the dark.” Spike and Buffy exchanged glances. “Fine, itty-bitty, you can come down to the basement with me. But be warned, it’s mighty chilly down there. We’ll have ta wrap ya up in some thick blankets,” Spike told Rebecca. Buffy followed Spike to the get the blankets. He grabbed two out of the closet. “You are really good to her,” Buffy commented, impressed. Spike’s eyes trailed off to focus in the directed of the little girl. Then he shifted them to land on Buffy. “When I make my mind up about something I stick to it. I’m committed.” With that, Spike went off to tuck Rebecca and himself in for the night. __________________________________________ Thanks for the comments, guys. Oh, and about the William the Bloody. Yeah, they did call him that for his bloody awful poetry. But Spike also carried the nickname for killing people. Watch School Hard again. Giles reads about Spike in a book and it says they called him William the Bloody. |
