Day 11
Buffy opened her eyes to find Spike still sound asleep and snoring gently. He snores. That’s so cute, she thought. She pulled back slowly, not wanting to wake him. She was delighted to see her stake still sticking out of his mug.
Settling back down into his arms she quietly observed his features. He was so breathtakingly handsome. The cheekbones, the full lips, and the scar above this eye. It all added up to one sexy package. Her eyes dipped down to his chest and abdomen that wasn’t covered by the sheet. Damn the vamp had abs in abundance, she thought. Down girl!
She thought back to the Will Be Done spell and the wonderful kisses shared between them. Hmmm, Lips of Spike. Almost against her will she found herself drawn to those same lips. She hesitated, checking his face to make sure he was still asleep. Just one little kiss, she thought. One slight pressing together of their lips. He was sleeping so soundly, he would never know.
She lowered her head once again, so close she could feel his unneeded breath against her face.
Just one ... little ... kiss.
Buffy screeched as the top of Spike's head butted into her face, his forehead catching her right in the nose. She cupped her injured body part while tears streamed down her face. Getting hit in the nose by accident hurt so much more than when it happened during a fight. Buffy felt instantly sorry for all the times she had punched her vampire companion in the face. She was sure that if Giles was here, he would be giving a long-winded explanation about adrenalin.
"Fuck, pet. Are you okay?" Spike asked, his voice laced with pain and concern. He gathered the sheet around his hips before gently prying Buffy's hands away from her face. "Not even bloody. I think you'll live."
"But it still hurts," Buffy whined. She groped blindly around on the bed for the corner of the sheet, intending to press the cool fabric to her face in hopes of easing the pain. "Why is there a stake in your bed?"
"Not a stake, Slayer," Spike uttered in a very strained voice. "It's bloody well attached."
"Oh...oh my!" Buffy turned a bright shade of red before she leapt from the bed, leaving Spike to clutch at the sheet that twisted around her legs. When she tried to turn around to block the sight of the now naked vampire from her vision, the tangled fabric caused her to fall ungracefully to the floor.
"Slayer?"
"Oh, God." Buffy buried her red-hot face in her hands. A muffled 'sorry' drifted back to the vampire's ears.
"It's not like you haven't copped a feel before, luv." Spike smirked when the Slayer's head popped up. He couldn't see her face, but he knew her eyes and lips had both narrowed as she contemplated his statement.
"I have never!" Buffy growled.
"And in front of Angelus and your mum, no less," Spike teased the blond girl. "Do you do that to Harris, too?"
"I have never groped you, Spike. Not even under Willow's spell and certainly not in front of Mom and Angel." Buffy blushed even redder. "Now Xander on the other hand..."
"You groped the Whelp?" Spike blurted out. "When the bloody hell was that?" The blond vampire squashed his bout of jealousy down under the guise of friendship.
"Hey, it wasn't just me," Buffy protested. "Mom, Miss Calendar, and your ex-ho groped him, too."
"Red cast a spell, huh?" Spike vaguely remembered the incident Buffy was talking about. Mostly he remembered Angelus' extreme grumpiness after he had dragged Drusilla back to the factory.
"Nah, it was Amy. You know, Willow's rat? The one whose mom wanted her on the cheerleading team."
"Give me back my sheet, luv. Then you can hightail it over to the Watcher's and check on him." Spike reached a hand over the side of the bed to grope around for the sheet. He was much surprised when he got a handful of Slayer ass instead. He gulped when he looked up to find Buffy had risen to her hands and knees in an attempt to untangle the sheet from her legs. Her pert, round butt wagged back and forth as she removed the offending fabric from her limbs. Spike yanked the sheet towards him, causing the Slayer to fall onto the floor again.
"What did you do that for?" Buffy demanded. She rose to her hands and knees again.
"Just didn't want to offend your girlish eyes is all, pet." Spike smirked when Buffy stiffened her back. "'ll pick up coffee and doughnuts on the way to Giles'. Now you better get before the cyborg gets here." He stood and grabbed his pants. Spike hurriedly dropped the sheet to slip on his jeans before he brushed past Buffy to sneak a peek upstairs to check for the all clear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike lifted the manhole cover outside the Espresso Pump when a tiny voice that he recognized as the Slayer's entered his head.
Wonder if Spike still has his piece of crap car.
My baby is not a piece of crap. It's a classic, Spike automatically answered back. He spread the blanket he was carrying over his head.
Spike, you can hear me? Buffy asked.
Clear as day. What the bloody hell is going on? Spike replaced the manhole cover to dash to the front door of the coffee shop.
I was a bit hyper after Giles told me that there's a magic broker in L.A. that might be able to help us with the bitey dreams spell, so he made me meditate. Somehow, I'm able to speak to you. How weird is that? Buffy replied.
Sounds like something else for the Watcher to research. Why didn't Rupes get the information over the phone? Spike stepped up to the counter to order the coffee and doughnuts while he waited the Slayer's answer.
Giles says the guy's really picky about who he gives information to. Do you want to pick me up here, or should I meet you at your 'baby'?
I'll pick you up, pet. Spike threw his cash down on the counter and picked up his order, all the while plotting the shortest, darkest route to the garage where his Desoto was parked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You got this car because some demon car dealer owed you kittens?" Buffy covered her mouth and giggled. "I think you should stick with the story that you dusted the owner at some demonic strip club in Topeka."
"Ha, bloody ha, Slayer." Spike smirked. "I know it happened one of those two ways. I was really drunk that year. Dru was off cavortin' with the bitch and I was lonely. I went bar hopping a lot. Drinkin', kitten poker, and strip clubs kept me from being bored."
"Did you get up on stage and dance naked during one of these drunken bouts?" Buffy asked way too innocently.
"Never!" Spike snarled. "I'm the Big Bad. I wouldn’t do something like that, no matter how drunk I was." He crossed his arms while he glared at his giggling companion.
"You know, Willow and I did a report on stripping in the 50's and 60's for Professor Walsh's class." Buffy glanced sideways at the blond vampire. "I told her those pictures looked familiar."
"What?" Spike's jaw dropped. "They promised me that the negatives were all destroyed after I threatened to disembowel them."
"Spike..."
"Wait till I get my hands on those slimy little fuckers," Spike snarled.
"Spike, I was just kidding! Are you serious? There really are naked pictures of you floating around out there?"
Spike turned to study the giggling girl, "Okay, maybe there are, but you’re the only person that knows. Please don't tell Angel or Harris; I'm beggin' you."
"Hmmm, blackmail material always makes for a happy Slayer," Buffy cooed. She reached over to stroke the irate vampire's upper arm. "Let me think on that one and I'll get back to you." She giggled when his plump lower lip stuck out in a pout entirely too adorable for his Big Bad image. "Pouty."
Spike stared at Buffy in shock. He had never been on the receiving end of flirty Buffy except while under Willow's spell. He gritted his teeth in denial that she was actually flirting with him, bit back the response that drifted through his mind, and simply growled at the Slayer.
"Spoilsport." Buffy bounced out of the car, slamming the door behind her. She opened the door of the magic shop for the vampire and waited until he bolted through it under his smoking blanket. Shutting the door, she studied the smoke filled room, coughing slightly from the heavy smell of incense while she waited for Spike to stomp out his blanket.
"May I help you?" A very slender, dark-skinned woman ducked her head as she stepped out of the back room. She smiled warmly as her customers stared up at her in surprise.
"You're so tall," Buffy blurted out in astonishment. She slapped her hands over her mouth. "Oh God, I'm so sorry. I promise my mom taught me better manners than that."
"I'm quite used to it by now, my dear. I can see you meant no insult." The woman brushed her hair out of her face while she smiled at the two blonds.
"Um, we're here to see Pete. Rupert Giles sent us," Buffy said hopefully. She shrieked and stepped closer to Spike when what appeared to be a wooden statue of a wizened old man smoking a pipe opened its eyes. Buffy calmed down when she felt Spike pull her body against his in comfort.
"Sorry, Lord Jamison," Pete murmured, "I didn't mean to scare your mate. Lovely creature that she is. Junia, my queen, help me down and lock the door. I must talk to these two without interruption." He smiled up at Junia as she lifted him down to the floor. Pete waved the two blondes over to a table in the back of the shop.
"The name's Spike." The vampire kept his body between the Slayer and the little man who appeared to know far too much about him. Without even realizing it, his protective nature went into overdrive at the perceived threat to his mate
"We're not really mated," Buffy said softly while she sat in the chair Spike pulled out for her. She nodded her thanks to him.
"Yes, yes. Rupert explained it all to me over the phone," Pete exclaimed. He waved Spike into the chair next to Buffy. "This is a very, very delicate matter that we are about to discuss. I just wish Rupert had mentioned that the dreams involved a Master Slayer and a Master Vampire."
"M-Master S-Slayer?" Buffy stammered. "How does one become a Master Slayer?" She glanced sideways at Spike where she saw the same question in his eyes.
"Well, you can achieve master status in a number of ways, my dear." Pete pulled a book out of a large haphazardly stacked pile. "A couple of them include a few vile things that you don't really need to know about, but one way is to survive your eighteenth birthday and the ritual. You passed with flying colors."
"What ritual, pet?" Spike's voice took on a dangerous edge.
"You and your young lady can discuss that later." Pete flipped through the book to the page he was looking for. "Of course, being the mate of a master vampire tends to speed up the process. It's not a tangible title, just something that shows off your experience and persistence. You are a persistent one, aren't you?"
"She is at that," Spike chortled proudly. "Even survived the Order of Taraka when I threw them at her."
Pete's head popped up and he blinked at the blonde’s revelation. "Really? That is quite interesting. Now, about a spell that would manifest a mating from a dream. I know of only one that falls within the parameters that Rupert spoke of. It uses a talisman, usually a tapestry or other piece of embroidery, which binds two souls together."
"That's probably Dru's handiwork," Spike announced. "And I'll have you know 'm an evil vampire, mate. I don't have a soul." He glanced over at Buffy to make sure she didn't have an adverse reaction to his announcement. He was quite pleased to see her roll her eyes at him.
"Lord Jamison, if you didn't have a soul that crystal hanging above the front entrance would have barred you from entering my store." Pete pointed towards the huge stone that hung from the ceiling at the front of the shop.
"How can he have a soul?" Buffy asked quietly as she remembered Tara's words from the day before.
"That I am unable to tell you." Pete waved at Junia, who brought him an address book from behind the checkout counter. "The seer that sold me the very crystal that allowed your entrance into my shop has her own store in the mall." He wrote an address on a piece of paper that he slid across the table to Buffy.
"What about the dream talisman?" Buffy asked. She handed the paper to Spike, who glanced at the address before stuffing the note in his duster pocket.
"Until you have the talisman, you will be mated. Once it is destroyed, the claim will cease to exist," Pete answered softly. "Jania, my queen, I've given these young people all the information I have. It's time for them to go see Tamara at the mall."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm hungry, Spike." Buffy's stomach growled loudly as if to emphasize its owner's statement. "Let's get some lunch before we hit the crystal store." She dragged the reluctant acting vampire towards the food court.
"What looks good, pet?" Spike asked. He glanced around at the different restaurants. "Pizza, burgers, chinese, tacos."
"Oh, tacos! The Taco Barn use to have some really spicy sauce that you'd like." Buffy pointed out the food counter in question and pulled Spike over to it. "Do you still carry that extra spicy hot salsa?" she asked the clerk eagerly.
"Buffy, is that you?" The clerk darted his eyes back to the kitchen before he pulled off his hat. "I haven't seen you since the incident with the gym. How have you been?"
"Wow, Pike. It's so good to see you." Buffy stared at the young man in front of her. "It's been almost four years. You look good."
"You moved and I never heard from you again," Pike said. He smoothed his hair back in an attempt to make it look neater. His eyes darted to Buffy's companion and he forced himself not to take a step back from the weight of the blue eyes resting on him.
"Yeah, I kinda got caught back into the slaying," Buffy muttered. "Hard not to in Sunnydale." She glanced over at Spike, and she almost giggled at the menacing glare that the vampire was giving the human. Buffy smacked Spike on the arm. "Stop that. You're scaring him."
"Lay off, Slayer. If the boy would take our order instead of chit-chattin'..." Spike's eyes flashed gold at the human male.
"Oh, right. Your order." Pike jammed his hat back on his head while he moved to the cash register. He took Buffy and Spike's order and then bustled around getting it ready. After giving them their food, he watched as the two blonds walked over to one of the tables. He was disappointed when Buffy sat down with her back to him; he had wanted to speak with her.
Pike watched from his spot behind the checkout counter while they focused only on each other. Eating seemed to be an afterthought given the apparent intensity of their conversation. He remembered a time when he would have laughed at the posturing male, back when he had attitude and snark. When he was the cool guy. Catching his own reflection in the stainless steel door of the refrigerator, he realized those days were long gone. With a sad sigh he turned to the next person in line and asked for their order.
“Tell me about the ritual, pet,” Spike returned to the subject of his earlier concern.
“I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this, Spike. So if I’m gonna tell it, you have to promise to hear the whole thing and not go off all damage bound,” Buffy cautioned him.
Buffy gazed around food court, trying to think of the right place to start. When she spotted a familiar face, she froze.
Spike watched as the Slayer gathered her thoughts. When she suddenly paled and stiffened, Spikes reaction was automatic. There was no way that the Slayer was acting that way because of a threat of danger. This was some sort of emotional threat to the girl herself. He slipped out of his seat and moved to her side. Crouching, he gently gripped her hand. “What is it, pet?” he asked as he scanned the crowd searching for some sort of clue to what ever it was that was upsetting his…friend.
She searched his face, he hadn’t changed at all. She felt the tears burn her eyes as he spoke to the person he was with. When the other person came into view, Buffy’s breath caught in her throat.
He was with a woman. A very pregnant woman.
As Buffy watched he leaned in and kissed the soon-to-be mother. Her heart felt like it was breaking.
Spike followed her gaze. She seemed to be looking at a man and a pregnant woman who, judging by the lip lock they were sharing, seemed to be a couple. But why the sight of them was upsetting his slayer, he had no clue.
“Buffy? Buffy, luv, look at me,” he prodded her with gentle insistence.
“After I burnt down the gym at Hemery, mom and dad had me committed because I told them what I was and that I’d burned down the gym because it was infested with vampires,” Buffy told him quietly. Unemotionally. Her eyes were unfocused, her voice shaky, but she continued anyway. “Straight afterwards dad divorced us and mom and I made the move to Sunnydale. At first he kept in touch with me. Did I ever tell you that I wanted to be a professional ice skater?” she asked him, finally looking at Spike directly. When he shook his head cautiously, she went on with her story, “Well dad and I had this thing where every year on my birthday he’d take me to the Ice Capades. It was ours, you know?”
Her voice was laced with such desperation that Spike was finding himself hard pressed to handle the addition to the already almost overwhelming emotions the claim was sending his way. But she needed him.
He would cope.
Gently brushing her hair from her face, Spike smiled. “I know, kitten. Special time with your dad.”
“When we moved to Sunnydale, he called at first. But weekends started to get cancelled and then stopped all together. Soon, there was only our day on my birthday. Until the year I turned eighteen.”
She looked so small, so sad and defeated that Spike started to internally panic. He could feel the power of her emotions and he felt like he was drowning. Taking a deep breath he did something that he had never done before.
He called on William.
A calmness swept over the blond vampire. A connection snapped into place. Picking the distraught girl up, he sat in her seat and held her on his lap. Rocking her gently, he urged her to continue.
“He didn’t even call. He sent flowers, a note, and the tickets; like he was replaceable. I guess I never realized that to him, both of us were.” She pressed further into his embrace as her tears started to fall.
“What’s brought all this on, pet?” Spike softly asked.
Without moving her head she whispered a question of her own. “Do you see the man with the pregnant girlfriend?” she felt his nod. “Spike, meet dad.”
Spike’s growl was an automatic response. The overload of emotions made it a bit of a task to get himself back under control. Strangely enough, Buffy was comforted by his protective nature.
“Do you want to talk to him?” Spike asked once he had managed to muzzle his inner beast.
“No, I don't think I want to do that at all. He obviously doesn't care to see me, so why should I care about seeing him?” she responded bitterly.
“Cause you're you, Pet. You have a good soul, Buffy. It's good to care and it's a part of life that sometimes caring will hurt, you just don't let it break you....don't let it have more of you than it should.”
She lifted her gaze as he spoke. His voice soothing as his words hit a resonance deep within her, helping to dry her tears. She smiled shakily. “You’re good at this.”
Tilting his head to the side, he asked her what she meant.
“This,” Buffy replied moving her pointing finger back and forth, between them. “You know the right words to say to put things back in perspective. Besides, it’s not like I don’t have a father figure. I have Giles, and he’s been more of a father to me than my own has.”
“Exactly, luv, and let’s not forget that he loves you very much. And he's British, so he gets even more bonus points ‘cause everyone knows Englishmen are dead sexy.” He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.
“Last time I let you watch Austin Powers, blood breath!” she rolled her eyes as she stood and began making her way in the direction of the crystal shop.
Jogging to catch up with the fast moving slayer, Spike felt a playful need to push the envelope. “Yeah? Well, if you think your getting ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ as the wedding waltz, you got another think coming.”
“Oh, and your choice was so much better?” she raised an eyebrow. “Does ‘The Twelfth of Never’ even have a beat?”
“That was the spell!” he responded, indignantly.
~~~~~~~
Spike pulled out the piece of paper the old magician had given them as he entered the shop. Showing Buffy the note, he pointed out the name of the woman they were meant to talk to.
“Welcome,” a bouncy brunette said to them in greeting. Her short bob lived up to its name as it seemed to move on its own around her sweet heart shaped face. “I’m Tamara. Pete rang, you must be Buffy and…um…Spike?” At their mutual nods, she swept her had towards a curtain at the rear of the shop. “Why don’t we step out of the way?”
As the three of them headed towards the curtain, Buffy looked idly around the shop. A large blue crystal caught her eye and her feet moved her in that direction. As she stared at the crystal, she was startled when Tamara spoke, “Is that the type of crystal they used to distract you so that you could be prepared for the ritual?”
Buffy gasped, “How did you…?”
“What ritual?” Spike snarled. He recognized the Azurite crystal immediately. Though normally a stone that could help a person connect with their spirit guides or aid healers, people meditating and psychics in their various fields, there was only one ritual that he knew of that involved slayers. Grabbing the Slayers upper arms and forcing her to look at him, he demanded an answer to his question, “Tell me the watcher did not put you through that barbaric ritual?”
“Let’s take this in the back, shall we?” Tamara once again got them heading towards their destination.
Spike followed them through the curtains, his body stiff with suppressed fury. He could not believe that the watcher was capable of this sort of duplicity. Another watcher, yes. Or Giles and the other slayer, maybe. But Giles and Buffy? It just bloody boggled the mind. He refused to think about what might have happened, because when his mind had wandered in that direction an overwhelming fear and sense of rage pressed down on him so firmly that he felt claustrophobic.
A gentle hand on his arm brought Spike’s attention back to the room.
Buffy was thankful for the claim when she realised that none of Spike’s very obvious anger was directed at her, but she’d never forgive herself if the fledgling friendship that was growing between Spike and Giles was harmed because of her. “He couldn’t go though with it. He got fired over it, Spike. The council fired him for loving me as a daughter. Blame the council all you want, but don’t blame Giles.”
Spike sighed heavily. He put a lid on his emotions. Damned chit could get him to do anything.
Turning to the other female in the room, he focused his attention on the reason they were here in the first place. “Can you tell me how I got a soul, and why I’m not bloody catatonic with guilt?”
Tamara smiled. “You have your soul because you made the choice to change sides. Your soul stayed close to you over the years, waiting for the opportunity to present itself and join you. You decided of your own free will to actively change your nature, thus allowing the soul to return. As to your second question, I have one of my own. Why would you feel guilty for following your nature?”
“Well, you know…all the killing and the deaths and the responsible for your own actions thingy,” Buffy answered, slightly confused that someone outdid her in the ‘I’m-oblivious-girl’ game.
“But the soul isn’t responsible.” Tamara was at a loss to understand the point the young blond was making.
“No, but the demon is. So shouldn’t the soul be making the demon feel all guilty or something?” Buffy tried to explain her thoughts.
“Why on earth would it do that?” the astounded seer responded. “The soul wouldn’t blame the demon for following its nature. It’s far more likely that the soul is celebrating the demon’s conversion. Do you have any idea how rare this is?”
“I don’t think we took into consideration the difference between making a choice and being cursed, pet,” Spike commented mildly. “The real question is - am I gonna lose it if we break the spell?”
Buffy looked horrified at the thought.
Tamara considered both of them carefully before apparently coming to a decision. Moving swiftly to the desk in the corner, she picked up a business card. “Look I don’t usually do this, but you guys need direction and I’m not the one you need.”
Holding out the card to Spike, she continued, “You need to go to that address and ask to speak with Lorne. He’s a Pylean Empath demon, and he’ll be able to guide you.”
~~~~~~~
Buffy was totally bemused, sitting at the table in the dimly lit bar, watching as the green demon ushered a protesting Spike onto the stage. Lorne had accosted them as soon as they had entered and had immediately grabbed the blond vampire, insisting that he sing for him.
The slayer felt sorry for Spike, but was also thankful that it wasn‘t her on the stage. He threw her a horrified look and she had to bite back the giggle that surfaced as she waited to see what his selection would be.
He stood over the table containing the song list for several minutes before suddenly shooting her an evil grin and pointing out his selection to the enthusiastic bar owner.
Lorne quickly hit a few buttons and hurried down to sit at the table with her. He tapped his fingers in anticipation, waiting for the song to start.
When the music began to play, Buffy’s eyes widened in shock and her mouth fell open as the vampire on stage sang the opening lyrics.
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
His smirk was only partially hidden behind the microphone as he sang along, adding little dramatic gestures towards her. The slayer was thanking the powers that it was only them, Lorne, and a single bartender in attendance because she knew her face was flushed with embarrassment.
She could see the demon beside her was mesmerized by the show on stage, his dreamy expression wigging her out a little. Damned demon ogling her vampire, she pouted. Looking back at Spike’s antics, she couldn’t help but smile. He always kept things interesting.
His song finished, the bleach blond jumped down from the stage and swaggered his way to the table, the Empath clapping wildly as he approached.
“Bravo, my little kumquat! Voice like an angel. Thank the heavens not like the Angel, ‘cause that’s a whole other tune,” he said shuddering heavily.
“Oh, so you’ve heard of Angel.”
“Sweetie, there’s heard and heard of. I’ve done both and trust me, my hearing has never been the same. Have a seat slim, we‘ve got lot’s to dish.”
Spike sat in the chair next to Buffy across the strange demon. “Did you like your song, kitten?” he asked with an unabashed grin.
“I can’t believe you did that. I so wish I had a camcorder to record the moment for future humiliation,” she sighed wistfully.
Chuckling, the vampire assured her, “That’s the only public appearance you’re getting, pet.”
“You newly mated couple are always so cute,” Lorne gushed.
Buffy and Spike exchanged amused glances. “Um, we’ve been trying to tell everyone; we’re not really mated. It’s a spell.”
“Oh pumpkin, I can see that spell a mile away, but it’s still cute. Now what is it that you want to know?” he asked already knowing the questions they sought answers to.
“Well, Tamara from the crystal shop at the mall sent us. She told us that you were the one to ask about Spike’s soul. It seems that it’s come back to him and we’re worried when- or if- the spell breaks, that he could lose it again.”
He shook his head and smiled gently as he spoke, “No sweetness, there’s no risk of that, the soul returned all on it’s own.” Turning to Spike he continued, “It’s back because of your actions, not because of the spell. You kids have a lot on your plate right now, with trying to correct all the badness surrounding you, but you’re doing a fantastic job of it. You’re definitely on the right path and making some wonderful decisions. Just keep going the way you are and things will be fine.”
Buffy and Spike shared relieve glances. “Thank you. It’s a relief to know. By the way, can you tell us anything more about the looping day? Did you see anything about that?” she asked anxiously.
“I saw a lot, mostly that you guys are doing a terrific job. I’m positive that things are going to turn out perfectly. No worries. Hey, pale and creamy, how about you go grab us a couple of drinks from the bar? My treat.” The demon grinned at the scowl the vampire shot him before complying and moving off to get the drinks. “He’s quite the stud muffin, isn’t he?” he asked, amused when her eyes followed her companions movements.
“Yeah,” she replied dreamily before mentally shaking herself. “I mean, huh? We’re just friends.”
Rolling his eyes, the singing demon answered sarcastically. “Right, and friends check out their friends cute hiney’s when they walk away.”
“What? No. I mean…yeah, he’s cute, but we’re just friends. Really.” she babbled with her cheeks flaming.
“Honey bun, it’s okay. I just wanted to let you know that things will turn out fine when all this is over. You don’t have anything to fear. Men have let you down before, I could sense that right off, but he won’t be one of them. You can trust him.” His kind expression soothed her and she felt herself relaxing for the first time since they walked in the door.
“What does that mean exactly?” she asked quietly, afraid vampire hearing might overhear something potentially embarrassing.
“Some things you just have to work out for yourselves,” he replied quickly as Spike returned to the table.
They finished their drinks with the funny Empath, sharing some of the things they had learned so far. He joined in, confirming some of their suspicions about the spells used and assuring them once again they were on the right path. Finally they said their goodbyes and left the bar through the alley entrance where they had left the Desoto parked.
As soon as the door slammed shut behind them, they stopped short. Coming up the alley were two familiar faces, both scowling at the out-of-towners.
“Buffy.” The broody vampire stared in shock at the scene in front of him. His former love with his unruly grandchild, his pale hand resting comfortably at her back. Angel growled at the smirking blond. “Spike.”
“Ugh, of all people to run into,” Buffy said rolling her eyes at the couple in front of her. “I’m really not in the mood, Angel.”
“Oh well, you’re not in the mood. I guess that makes everything fine then.” Shaking his head, he continued to glare at the couple in disbelief. “I can’t believe I was actually going to drive to Sunnydale to say I was sorry, but here you are just hour’s later- still in town and with Spike. What the hell is that about?”
“It’s none of your business, Angel. As a matter of fact, I did leave LA, but Spike and I had to come back for some business, so if you’ll excuse us?”
The broody vampire moved to block their exit at the same time Spike asked, “Apologize for what?”
“It’s nothing, Spike. Angel just needed to do a little venting, nothing to get excited over.” she said quickly, placing her hand on his arm soothingly.
Cordelia huffed behind the group, “Angel, we’re on a job remember? The job you called me back early from my vacation to do? Ringing any bells?”
“Not now, Cordelia,” the dark vampire replied angrily.
The brunette flung her arms out and stomped her foot in frustration. “Not now, Cordelia. Shut up, Cordelia. Your opinion doesn’t matter, Cordelia. This is such complete crap! First; it’s all about Buffy, then the psycho slayer comes into town and everyone has to drop everything to coddle her. Now little Miss Perfect rolls in again and it’s all about her. Who’s the one that’s been busting her ass trying to make a things work around here, huh?”
Angel turned to the fuming brunette and growled through gritted teeth, “Not now.”
“I have to agree with Cordy, just pretend like you never saw me. Come on, Spike, let’s go,” Buffy said grabbing his arm to pull him to the car.
The dark vampire turned back to look at Buffy incredulously. “What the hell is this? Is he the one you were talking about?”
“What?” The slayer looked at her ex in confusion.
He dropped his voice to a near whisper even though he knew the other vampire could hear. “When you said you had found someone new? Please tell me you didn’t mean Spike.”
Crossing her arms, she looked at him defiantly, “And if it is? It’s none of your business.”
“Like hell it’s not!” He moved closer to the couple, his stance menacing.
Spike stepped around Buffy, glaring at the older vamp. “Back the hell off Angelus.”
Cordelia‘s expression turned horrified as her glaze moved around the group. “Angelus? Oh, shit! When the hell did he get a happy?”
Angel turned to hiss at her once again. “Shut up, Cordelia!”
“Oh, so that’s how it is. If you’re a slayer then you can just do whatever you want. Killed a guy, kidnap another, threaten to torture him but it’s okay cause, hey…slayers! But heaven forbid anyone else wants to get a word in edgewise.”
The two blonds watched in amusement as the broody vamp and irate ex-cheerleader continued their heated exchange. The buxom brunette stood her ground, forgetting her earlier fear of a soulless boss as her anger at his treatment of her took over.
Suddenly, the side door of the bar opened and Lorne poked his head out. Ignoring the arguing couple, he spoke to the blondes in front of him. “Oh, by the way, when you get the talisman you’ll be able to take care of that claim thing, and then you crazy kids can mate again whenever you feel you’re ready,” he finished before closing the door once more.
Cordelia and Angel were face to face, screaming in anger when the Empath’s words registered. Angel vamped in outrage, ignoring the girl in front of him when she screamed in horror.
Angel swung around to the blond couple and roared, “What claim?” seconds before he looked down at the stake barely sticking out of his chest. He had just enough time to turn to the girl behind him and gasp “Cordy?” before his body crumbled to dust.
Buffy felt sorry for the shocked girl. Approaching her cautiously, she plucked the stake from her loose grip. “It’s okay, Cordy. I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but in the morning everything will be just fine. I promise,” she assured her, leading the dazed girl into the bar and Lorne’s comforting arms.
*****
The drive back to Sunnydale was made in comfortable silence, both lost in the information they had discovered. Snuggling close to Spike, Buffy let herself drift off to sleep, the long day finally catching up to her.
He shook her gently awake when they returned to Giles’ apartment, laughing as she yawned and stretched before climbing from the car. They had rounded the sidewalk and were halfway across the courtyard before they noticed the figure propped against the watcher’s door. Their laughter stopped abruptly as they faced the irate soldier.
“Riley, what are you doing here?”
“Waiting for you. Giles said you ran out to do a few errands, but I’ve been waiting for hours. Now you’re laughing and hanging around with Spike? What the hell‘s going on, Buffy? You didn‘t even let me know you were back from LA.”
“We were running errands.” It wasn’t a lie, per se. “Spike was helping me.”
“Oh…Spike was helping you. That explains everything,” he snarled turning his glare to the vampire.
Spike gritted his teeth in irritation at the soldiers mocking tone. He was afraid to step into the argument, not knowing if Buffy would appreciate or resent his interference, but he didn‘t know how much more of the boy‘s mouth he could take, especially when he knew the git was upsetting his…friend.
“Buffy, I’d like to know exactly what it is about certain vampires that makes it alright not only to not dust them, but makes you want to be around them at all. They’re monsters, no better than anim-” he stopped ranting abruptly and stood frozen.
“Riley?” she asked, looking concerned when he didn’t answer. “Riley, are you okay?”
He turned and began to walk away stiffly, ignoring her calls to him.
“Okay, that was seriously wiggy. What do you think that was about?” She looked at Spike, hoping he had an answer for her soon-to-be-ex’s behavior.
“Don’t know, pet, but that was strange even for Captain Cardboard. Think we should check it out?” he suggested.
She nodded, conscious of a faint tingling as she began to trail after the departing figure. “Yeah, I don’t remember seeing Riley this late since the loopy day started. Do you think this has been happening every night?”
Spike shrugged. “Can’t be sure, pet. Let’s see where he’s headed and maybe we can figure out what’s happening.”
They trailed the AWOL soldier through the streets of Sunnydale, his rigid stance showing no concern for being captured by the military group he had been hiding from, his gait almost robotic.
They had made it into the woods when Spike grabbed her arm, halting her progress. Her questioning eyes turned back to him.
He pointed to where Riley had just disappeared into a cave almost hidden in the darkness. “That’s Adam’s cave.”
The tinglies got worse and her expression became distressed as her mind worked though the implications of why Riley would be walking into Adam’s lair. “That can’t be good. You feel them too?”
The vampire nodded as he rubbed his hands on her arms reassuringly. “We’ll figure it out, kitten, but we’re running out of time tonight.”
“Okay, let’s check in and let Giles know we’re back, then we can try to find out what’s going on.”
******
Falling back into the bed, Buffy let out an exhausted sigh. The day had thrown her one curve after another, constantly keeping her on guard and off kilter. She would be glad to see this one end.
Spike crawled in bed beside her and they curled up together, both drifting off to sleep almost immediately.
Buffy’s last thought before succumbing to her tired body’s need for rest was that she had never felt more at peace than in the blond vampire’s arms.
******
Buffy awoke in the same position as the previous morning. Opening her eyes to take in Spike’s serene expression, she marveled at the beauty of his face. She bit her lip, contemplating her failed kiss from the day before.
She could never be brave enough to make the first move while his bright blue eyes watched her, but if she could make a small gesture, just to let him know she was interested, then maybe he could take it from there.
She gently eased in closer, not wanting to wake him too soon. Licking her lips and trying to quell her churning stomach; she lowered her head until her lips were just a whisper from his.
Just kiss him already, she chided herself.
Taking one last deep breath, she pressed her lips against his.
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