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Author's Chapter Notes:
I tried posting this last night but the server wouldn't let me log in. Ummm I'm not having the best of days; results came out for the exams so anyway, Thank you to those people that reviewed. I'm glad that it was surprising.
Ghosts Part Two:

Spike noted her silence and evasion of his question with a sense of unease. He would’ve thought that Buffy would be relieved to see Merrick again. The way her voice spoke his name told of a relationship steeped heavily in trust and connection borne from mutual suffering. Her lack of response only signalled one thing. Why did I have to open my bloody mouth? Gingerly he reached for her, feeling even worse when she brushed away his touch.

“Luv?” The silence except for the small patter of tears warned him that he wouldn’t like the answer at all.

Buffy kept her back to him, desperately trying to calm herself and stop the welling of tears which blurred her vision. “I don’t know how to say this except that Merrick’s dead Spike. They killed him because of me.” And they’ll do the same to you, she added silently.

The bleached blonde nodded, understanding already motives for the watcher’s death. From what Buffy had told him, it made sense for Travers to be so vindictive and blame the girl’s guardian for her disappearance. It had been his duty to trail after her. Hank probably had taken a sick satisfaction in watching the old man suffer while he had intimate knowledge of where Buffy was located.

Hank himself would only have survived by knowing where Buffy was hidden.

Probably still was the one thing that kept him from suffering Masters’ wrath.

Clever fucking wanker.

His eyes flowed over the small blonde’s shaking shoulders, bare except for a tank top of ocean blue. She was thinner than most girls, golden locks falling down her back and covering the impish face which now was undoubtedly clenched tight with sadness. She was nothing like the other women he had been with. Her body was far softer than Drusilla’s. It tasted like honey rather than the bitter taste of bourbon which his black goddess had on occasion poured all over herself.

Where Buffy shone like the sun, Dru wrapped those around her in mystery and darkness.

Spike was discovering that for all her light, Buffy had more shadows than anyone could believe.

It unnerved him. Made him question whether anything he knew had any semblance of truth. But then every conversation that he’d had Buffy was now open to interpretation. Spike threw the questions to the back of his head, deciding that the threats and obvious fear which caused the petite blonde to tremble were more important.

Clenching his fist in frustration, Spike quietly asked “who’s his replacement?”

“No one… Merrick fulfilled his duties and with his death Masters found that a replacement was not needed. I’m nearly old enough for them to simply give me over to Billy and carry on as before. Once I’m married off, the money will be in his name as well and I don’t think that he’ll go against Masters.” Hazel eyes focused on Spike as she turned and buried her head against his chest. “As soon as I’m eighteen I will have to go to them, anything else will only end in bloodshed. Everyone will know of me joining the Aurelius within a month and then nothing will stop Travers or Masters. Not to mention my father. Your one option will be to let me go Spike. You’ll just get hurt if you try to stop them. It’ll be the best solution for everyone.”

“ BOLLOCKS! Spike forced her chin upright, making her look at him. There was no way in sodding hell that anyone was going to take her away. Particularly not some gits that Rupert had called on more than one occasion ‘righteous wankers’ and well bat face could go fuck himself. It enraged him that Buffy didn’t believe in his ability to take care of her, to keep both of them safe. Has as much faith in me as Drusilla did.

One hand brushed away loose hair, tucking it behind her ear. The Brit was coming to the conclusion that Buffy didn’t trust him. She had no real reason, granted. His actions had consisted of ripping her away from what he thought was a relatively normal life and then he’d tried to integrate her into the Aurelius gang. Not really inspiring confidence in terms of making sure she was cared for but what else had he been supposed to do? Let her body surface down at the docks? Watch her return back to school with telltale holes along her arm from Parker’s stash?

Spike knew that he’d rather die than watch Buffy befall such a fate.

And I thought that wanker Parker was our major problem…

“You know what your bloody problem is Summers? You don’t have any faith in me! Absolutely sodding none! Even after I stopped the tosser in that alley you still don’t believe that I can protect you."

"You may not believe me but I’ve been on the wrong side of bat face more times than I want to count and nothing says that this time will end up any bleeding worse. In fact I’d go so far as to say that I’m pretty sodding intimidating. Peaches is the only one who gets to fuck with m’ head on any level pet. Everyone else? They simply stay away from me. I know that if it comes down to it, I can fight for you; I will fight for you. The only mitigating factor is whether you want me to. I can’t do this alone Buffy. You have to want to stay with me and the Aurelius.”

He paused for a moment, trying to speak the words but again failing. “I… care about you, sodding well drown in you. Not even Drusllia, who was my reason for living compares to you Buffy. In my mind, you’re the one.”

“If you can trust me, Masters will die well and truly before he lays one hand on you. All I need is some assurance. I just want you to trust me.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and pushed away from him. Standing was a far better option than looking into begging blue eyes which would only get them into that much more trouble. She wanted to trust him yet she knew that it would only end in disaster. Steeling herself, Buffy straightened her shoulders and did her best to hurt him. The man needed her to be gone from his life. Anything else was a death sentence.

“But I don’t Spike. That’s the problem. You hide far too much and your motives are unclear. I bet you weren’t even aware that I know about the meeting which Masters will be holding.”

Wide eyed the bleached blonde stared at her from the bed. He hadn’t counted on that. Only he and Angel knew for christ sakes. The feeling of uncertainty which had been warring at the back of his head throughout this entire conversation burst to the fore.

“How?” he deadpanned. Spike didn’t know whether he could deal with anymore of her surprises.

Buffy’s cold laugh filled the room. “I wonder how Spike. Angel’s been jumping up and down about it, practically since I got here. I didn’t say anything because I was hoping that you’d volunteer the information. Besides it’s always held on the same date. Being around the man has given me some knowledge of how things work.” She fixed him with an icy stare. “You should have told me.”

Spike sat there for a minute, absolutely flabbergasted. She was accusing him of hiding things? This is just bleeding ridiculous! “Right then. You know about it and are set on butchering what remaining sanity I have left. Well let me state this clearly, so at least when I talk you hear the full truth, rather than sodding half arse explanations. ‘Tis correct that Masters has sent out the old invites but up until I insisted, like a right git, that you come, you were set to follow Percy around LA and keep quiet. Angel is still pushing for that scenario, much to my chagrin. But if you give the 'approval' I have another option. Namely that we have it out with all the tossers once an’ for all. Go in guns blazing and simply state my claim.”

Buffy gasped shock. “But that would be mutiny. They’d kill you.”

Spike shrugged. “People have tried before….” He flicked open the Zippo, preferring to focus on the lighter rather than the woman who he was handing over perhaps, the most important decision to. “If you want me to, I’ll do exactly that. Kill whoever stands in my way come all the consequences but I need you know that if I do that pet, chances are that chaos will erupt. You’ll be leaving more than your mum behind if I do. Angel, the Aurelius gang, even that chit Willow will have to be forgotten. Once the dust clears, we will need to be gone.”

“Is there any other option?”

The man chuckled, pulling out a lone cigarette and lighting it to calm his nerves. The rush of nicotine soothed an already racing heartbeat, fuelled by just the thought of what he had suggested. Buffy had understated such a plan. It was more than mutiny, it was pure suicide. Such a move would be seen as a threat internationally. More than one crime organisation would want their heads and there was really nowhere that they’d be able to hide.

Not to mention the prices that he himself would pay. Rupert and Angel were the only people he trusted even slightly and they would see this as the ultimate betrayal. You simply did not mess with the head boss. It was a matter of loyalty and family. Next to Parker and Angel, Spike was seen as one of the upcoming leaders. If he remained patient, he could very likely take over a weaker gang or even govern the others.

It was well known that Masters was growing old.

The only other option would be to rely on the old sod’s graces, which were naturally few and far between. No, if Buffy wanted to play by the small rules that governed such a society which ran on illegal business than she may likely loose.

And I as well.

“All depends on what you’re willing to pay luv. The claim for you belongs to me at least here in Sunnyhell. If you choose to go with me to the grand old party than that may be up for grabs. No doubt Parker will be there with all of his fan club and so will Adam and all his lot. Masters will probably want to advertise your return to the fold so I expect them to have an interest. You just need to know that if we do it this way, we could be separated.” The cloud of smoke which escaped from his lungs at that last word came out haggard, as though in pain. The clear expression of determination in Buffy’s eyes only made him feel worse.

Does she even care?

“If that is what it takes…” Buffy closed her eyes, glad that her voice appeared steady as inwardly her heart clenched at the very notion of being given to someone else. She certainly didn’t choose to belong to Spike, but any other person was a fate worse than death. Hiding in secrecy had not kept her blind or deaf to Billy’s dealings. She only prayed that if Masters was merciful and let her stay with Spike than it would be permanent. Billy’s right to marriage was still very much in effect. She could smell the scent of cigarette smoke in the air, and in spite of the serious mood wrinkled her nose, exclaiming a small ‘eewww’.

Spike chuckled in response before falling quiet. In the end it would be her choice. After all it is her future we’re dealing with as well as mine. “So its decided then?”

Buffy nodded. “I’ll go with you to Masters’ party and we’ll see exactly what happens. If I can survive loving you and being given to another. ”

Spike looked down at the smouldering end, likening it to his own escape routes. The whole thing was too much to deal with. What patience he’d had upon entering the room, had long since evaporated. There was simply no emotion left other than confusion. His eyes evaded hers, knowing that looking at the petite blonde would only muddle his thoughts more. Mumbling an excuse, Spike quicly left the room. He needed to be alone; to try and find a better idea which didn't reside on compassion from a bastard like Masters.

What in the buggering hell am I going to do?





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