The buzzing of her alarm clock beat into her weary brain and she forced her hand to move. Grabbing the torture device she threw it across the room unable to fight the pleased smirk when it shattered against the wall.
The feeling was short lived however as her brain reminded her of the damn mess she was in.
They had no way of predicting Angelus' next move only knowing that whatever he did was directed at hurting her. Then there was the fact that she had a deadly vampire down in her basement that was currently paralyzed and defeated by the information she had told him last night. Not to mention that her mom would be returning from her buying trip tomorrow and then what would she do with said vampire?
After he seemed to understand she had left the basement quietly forcing herself to go out on patrol. Luckily it had been quiet. Or maybe unluckily because it gave her way too much time to think.
Not for the first time she had to wonder what the hell she was thinking by sheltering William the Bloody in her basement. She couldn't deny that in her mind she knew positively that she should have just staked him. But her instincts had railed against it demanding that she save him instead. The bigger question was not that she had followed the instinct but why she had it in the first place.
There wasn't an answer forthcoming in her brain to that question and thinking about it all night had done nothing but give her a headache.
She had gone straight to bed after she returned home not even peeking in on Spike before letting her head hit her pillow and drifting off to sleep.
Letting out a slow deep sigh she got out of bed. There was a lot she needed to get done before she headed off to school.
**********
Spike awoke slowly his mind trying to puzzle out just where he was. The feeling didn't last long and the memory of the night before flooded his mind.
He sighed heavily. Even getting some sleep didn't help with his confusion.
Here he was lying on a cot in a basement in the home of the Slayer.
Maybe it was better if he didn't dwell on it. After all it was probably just going to give him another headache.
Gingerly he began to raise himself with his elbows and was relieved when the motion only brought him a slight twinge of pain. Using his somewhat upright position he actually took a good look around him. There was nothing much to look at, just a typical basement, a few shelves lined the walls and there was a sink next to a washer and dryer. It would be plain and ordinary if one didn't take into account the TV that was sitting on a small stand in front of the cot. Or the TV tray that had been set up next to him. He took a moment to study its contents noticing first the remote, which probably went to the TV, a few magazines and a pencil on top of what looked like a book of crosswords. The thing that he centered his attention on though was a large thermos sitting in the center.
Curious now and bolstered with his success at moving once already, he began to sit up. The twinge in his back became sharper with his motions but nowhere near what he had felt the previous night. Once he was sitting the twinge turned to a dull ache and he let out a deep breath in relief. That mission accomplished he picked up the thermos and pulled off the connected cup. Setting it in his lap he soon forgot it as he unscrewed the lid. The mouth-watering smell of human blood drifted from the open container and he let out a small groan.
He was in a word starving. The small mug he had the night before was nowhere near enough to tide him over from three days of unconsciousness and with his injuries it was a miracle he had listened to the bint speak at all the night before.
Not bothering with the cup he tipped the whole thermos to his lips and drank greedily. The rich warm liquid flowed down his throat like a gift from heaven and he gulped it down quickly. In seconds the thermos was drained.
Absently he licked his lips seeking out any remaining trace of the life giving fluid. And while the blood seemed to satisfy the hunger in his stomach his mind was still yearning for understanding.
He couldn't make out what insane reasons she could have for the behavior she had exhibited. It wasn't like she was an incapable Slayer. Far from it. Months of studying her every fighting move and the fights he had participated in had proven that. She was the best he'd ever faced. Deadly and cunning her fighting seemed to generate from a purely instinctive level, which made her more competent then any trained fighter.
And yet he was here. Nothing about it made any sense.
But if she had just saved him and waited for him to wake it would be more then enough to be confusing.
So what had the silly bint done?
She treated him like he was a person who wasn't the least bit interested in killing her. Provided him with not only the comfort and safety of a bed but things to keep his mind from protesting in boredom and food to keep him going.
Not what one would think of from the person designated to annihilate your entire race.
And while his poor mind had enough trouble wrapping around the particulars of his surroundings the tiny part of him that he willed to keep silent and hidden was making noises of protest.
He knew without acknowledging the fact that the way she had been caring for him was touching him in ways that offended the bloodthirsty demon in him.
It was something he couldn't and would not let himself feel.
In other words he needed to get the hell out of her house and away from the confused bitch.
The only problem was that he really didn't have a lot of options about where to go.
Without the use of his legs he would be unable to hunt and that meant he would be dependant on someone else for his care. Just having a few minions was out he wouldn't be able to keep them in line with his current state and they would take advantage of that.
The only thing he could do was return to the factory.
Go back to Dru.
And in the process back to his Grand Sire.
But he lacked any more options. The fact was they were his family.
Even if they were screwed up and screwing him over in the process. Little would be able to distract Dru from her newly returned Sire a fact that Spike had known way down in his very being but had not had to think about for the last century. She had always been his. Spike was merely a distraction while Angelus was missing from her life.
And he knew he was putting himself at risk to be any where near Angelus. The older vamp had always detested weakness and he was nothing but a shining example of that now.
Even with limited options however he always ended up returning to them.
Why would it be any different now?
*********
How she had convinced Giles that she needed to get home without doing the required training session was beyond her.
It was a pity if she remembered she probably could have used it again.
But the save-age from another round of Giles in training mode was not what was foremost on her mind.
The thought of a certain peroxide blond was what her attention was focused on now.
What was she going to do with him?
Her mom would be home tomorrow and she was certain that no amount of talking was going to convince her mother that a crippled man in her basement was a good idea.
Not that she thought her mother was heartless but having any one in the basement was going to cause all kinds of questions. Not like she could tell her mom the truth. And it wasn't like that wouldn't be even more confusing.
She hadn't come up with an answer as she made her way into the house.
Dropping her bag in the foyer she made her way to the basement.
Time to check up on the patient.
She flicked the light on as she made her way down the stairs to see him sitting with his back against the shelves behind the cot. His eyes were closed but they opened as she reached the bottom step.
She had no idea what to say to him. It wasn't like they were friends and the thought of idle chitchat with him was as inane a thought as the conversation would be.
So she stood and stared.
And he stared back. Boy did he stare back. Chilling deep blue eyes seemed to appraise her and find her lacking. The malice in his eyes pulled at her sending a shudder through her system that she fought to repress.
It wasn't like she had lost sight of what or who he was. Quite the contrary that knowledge always seemed just under the surface of her awareness.
It was just so different now that he was awake.
His blink released her from his uncomfortable stare. A part of her mind relaxed while another. Well she wouldn't talk to that part of her mind.
"I want to leave." His voice was quiet but there was a thread of steel in it that she recognized.
Nodding as she approached the cot she moved to sit in the chair.
"You're not a prisoner here Spike if you want to go that's up to you." She gave a long sigh. "It's still light out though and I'll have to arrange transportation but if you want to go..." She shrugged.
"At nightfall." His tone was uncompromising and she felt secure in the knowledge that at least this way she wouldn't have to do the big old lie thing to her mom.
She rose without acknowledging his words and began to walk to the stairs.
"Why?"
The question was quiet and she fought the urge to answer knowing that both of them would be unable to accept it anyway.
*******
When she had finally left the room he let out a sigh of frustration.
Just like that she was going to let him leave.
How could she?
It wasn't like he wasn't still the Big Bad. True his lack of mobility at the moment did cut down how much of a threat he really was. But it was just temporary. Vamp healing and all it was possible that he would be walking in a very short time.
He was positive that she knew that.
But she was going to let him go.
No protest not even a token argument.
Letting him go even knowing that when he did get his legs back that he would try to kill her again.
Bloody bint was completely round the bend.
He blocked all thought of her out of his mind as he waited the few hours until the sun set.
He was awakened when he heard her footsteps on the stairs. They seemed hesitant and he waited a moment before opening his eyes. He could feel her make the rest of her descent and stand as she had before at the bottom of the stairs.
Buffy stared at his relaxed form. She was not the least bit fooled thinking that he might be asleep it wasn't in his nature to leave himself so unguarded in her presence his unconscious moments aside. No he was waiting for her. For what she wasn't sure but it was not the time to find out in any case. Time was of the essence after all if he really wanted to leave.
"Spike." She called his name softly if he wanted to pretend to sleep she wasn't going to stop him. This was probably the last they would actually deal with each other and she was more then fine with that fact.
His blue eyes opened and she fought the urge to stare into them and find out what the hell was going through his head. Things were going to be more then embarrassing soon enough.
"Are you ready?"
He had a sense that there was more to that question then the obvious answer. Not willing to let his brain dwell on what that other meaning could be he simply gave her a slight nod.
Buffy had to hold in the sigh she could feel gathering in her chest. She understood his need to leave but she was sure he hadn't given serious thought about how he was actually going to get out of the basement and up a flight of stairs. Unfortunately she had and it wasn't going to be a pleasant experience. Not only was she putting herself in a vulnerable position but judging from the proud creature in front of her he wasn't going to be too happy with her solution. Even if there wasn't a better one available.
And how was she supposed to bring up such a delicate subject? It wasn't like she could just blurt it out was it? Certainly she could care less about his feelings but even she wasn't cruel. It was a necessicity that's all.
Pushing forward she stepped towards the cot a grim determination filling her eyes. She could get through this and then she wouldn't have to worry about dealing with him until the next time he tried to kill her. Everything will be as it should all she had to do was make it through tonight.
Reaching his side she gave him a questioning glance hoping that he would at least have figured out what his request would entail. The blank look in his eyes dashed that hope.
She cleared her throat nervously although that wouldn't be the emotion that she would admit too.
"I uh.. I mean..." His glare of impatience nearly undid her and she felt her resolve start to crack. "I'm going to have to carry you upstairs." The words flew out of her mouth and she refused to let the wince at their tone show to him. In front of this vampire she was going to show that nothing unnerved her and she was totally in control.
He slowly blinked at her before the meaning of her words sunk in. This was absolutely fucking perfect. He hadn't suffered quite enough in the arena of humiliation. There was nothing that he could do about it now. Not if he wanted to get out of here. And he really really wanted to.
He gave her another slight nod in conformation.
Taking the gesture for the affirmative it was she looked over his form again before deciding on the best way to do this. There was really two choices she could throw him over her shoulder and do a fireman's carry up the stairs which not only would be extremely humiliating but would be taking a huge risk in aggravating his healing back or she could carry him up in her arms.
The latter seemed the best choice and she bent forward slipping her arm under his knees while her other arm went around his back.
Instinctively he wrapped his arm over her shoulders as she lifted him off of the bed.
As they started up the steps Spike couldn't help but notice how the position he was now in brought him sinfully close to her neck. It would be so easy to strike from here when she was least expecting it. Finally sink his fangs into her tender neck and feel her life force drain down his throat. It was something he had dreamed about for the longest time now. Pity he couldn't act on it. He was impulsive yes but he wasn't stupid and killing the slayer here would only leave his crippled ass trapped in her basement. What would he do then? No better to hold off on that thought until the time was right.
The only thing Buffy thought as she made her way up the stairs was that even with her slayer strength he was still kind of heavy. The feeling was brief however as she came through the door at the top of the stairs and twisted to seat him in the wheel chair she had picked up earlier in the afternoon.
They didn't say a word as she released the brakes on the wheels and pushed the chair forward. The silence continued until she made it out to the end of her walk.
"Which way?"
He gestured his direction and silence settled over them again.
They made their way through town in the same manner only she no longer had to ask. He just gestured whenever she needed to change direction and soon she found herself near the docks standing in front of a warehouse building.
She was kind of amazed that he had led her here. If this was indeed their hide out he had just pointed it out to her. Not that she wouldn't have found it eventually.
This time she took her hands off of the chair handles thinking that he would want to roll himself into the factory. She took a hesitant step backwards.
"The window." The words were so low that she thought she'd imagined them at first and made no move to go back to the chair.
"Want to see what's goin' on first."
She didn't know why she was nodding it wasn't like he could see her as she was behind him but she did anyway as she stepped forward again and pushed him to the closest filthy window.
It was caked with dirt and grime and at first she had a hard time making out the scene before her eyes. Squinting she found a spot that she could peer through that was less dirty then the others and had to hold in a gasp at the sight.
She watched as two figures moved against each other their bodies propped up by a sturdy metal table behind the larger of the two bodies. Focusing she started to take in subtle details.
There was denying who they were she would be able to recognize Angel in a crowded room and there was no denying the identity of the dark beauty in his arms. Of course the tensed state of her traveling companion would give that much away.
Angelus had his backside against the table his arms cradling Druscilla's ass as he held her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist as they thrust in time together. Her dark hair draped back in a curtain as she tilted her head back in ecstasy. Angelus' other hand was busy at her breast while his mouth was buried in her throat.
She took two steps back away. It was too much for her to see. Her hand went to cover her mouth to hold back the scream she could feel building there.
It wasn't Angel. Not anymore and she already knew that this was happening.
But to have that knowledge confirmed by her own eyes. Well that just tore out the rest of her heart.
She wouldn't cry.
Not here. Not when she was still letting her mortal enemy return to the fold. Not to give him the pleasure of seeing her at less then her best.
She stepped to the side and looked at Spike.
His face was a hard mask the only hint of emotion in him the ticking of the muscle in his jaw. His hands were clutched in fists by his side.
Seeing his reaction she had to quash the feeling of sympathy she could feel. There was no place for such sentiment. It was neither wanted nor merited by the person in front of her.
And yet.
She stepped forward and placed a light touch to his shoulder.
"You're sure?"
The words were said so softly that had he not been a vampire he would have missed them completely.
He turned from the sight of the writhing figures to regard her with cold blue eyes.
"Yes."
She brought the chair back to the paved surface so that he would be able to maneuver it inside. Once done she turned and began to walk away. It was good that she didn't look back and see the bewildered look in his eyes.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Like I said before this was just one of the wips I had that I didn't know if I was going to post. Still not sure I should have done it now as opposed to later but I feel more comfortable about it with your support. So thank you for leaving such kind reviews and everything.