[A/N: I never really expected this story to take off quite the way it has. But its consuming me, in a good way, and I’m enjoying writing this. Hopefully, those of you who are reading are enjoying it also. The title comes from the Bard, and the quotes are as attributed. Disclaimers in full force and effect and I own nothing (its true, you should see my bank balance).]
Previously: Giles got a strange phone call from Wesley Windham-Pryce. Buffy and Spike have sort of formalized their relationship, while the other couples seem to be falling apart.
35. Breeding unnatural troubles.
The troubles which have come upon us always seem more serious than those which are only threatening.
Titus Livius (Livy), Histories, III
Fortune does not arrive in pairs, and troubles do not come singly.
Chinese proverb
Foul whisp’rings are abroad. Unnatural deeds
do breed unnatural troubles. Infected minds
to their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.
More needs she the divine than the physician.
Macbeth, act 5, sc 1
They found him sitting on a bench, not too far away and only a few minutes after he’d left them alone, cell phone at his ear focused intently on the conversation. Gesturing them closer, Giles stood up, then flipped the phone closed.
“That was part of what I wanted to talk to you both about.”
Senses now alert, they waited for him to continue. “That was Wesley.”
“Huh?” Buffy looked from one Englishman to another, clearly not understanding.
“Not sure pet, first I’m hearing it.” Spike was curious also, but had a feeling that they were about to discover the purpose behind the not so subtle secret meeting.
“He called me earlier. Led me to understand he had some information about how the Council is obtaining information from Sunnydale.”
“What?”
“We knew someone was sending information to London that wasn’t sent by us. They knew ‘bout me patrolling alone.” Spike gestured for Giles to continue.
“They questioned me about it when they recalled me after, well, before Willow brought you back,” he paused, clearing his throat. “In any case, Wesley said he had some information regarding that, and, just now he said we’ve been under video surveillance for months.”
Spike swore, kicking the bench while Buffy stood there stunned.
“How extensive?”
“He’s not certain. But he should be arriving sometime tomorrow with some ideas and some other things he believes might be of importance.”
“This is so not good Giles.” Buffy whirled around, sitting down on the bench. “This is so very not good.”
“Agreed. I would suggest we not discuss anything of importance within the shop until we know how intrusive and extensive the surveillance is.” Giles scanned the area again. “And I would suggest you be aware of the possibility of being followed at all times.”
Spike had paced a bit, sniffing out the air, then came back. Leaning in close, he softly said “nothin’s out there now, but I would imagine its not a huge operation, probably a local. Knows all of us on sight.”
“I would agree with that. And probably not a demon, although we shouldn’t rule that out.”
Buffy let their conversation wash over her. This was just so much more than she was ready to face. Hellhounds and spies, what else could possibly happen?
Her sudden apprehension communicated itself to him, via her increased and erratic heartbeat. Spike immediately re-directed his attention to her. “Sunshine?”
Turning tear-filled eyes up to meet his gaze, Buffy’s lower lip quivered and he was instantly by her side.
“‘s all gonna be all right. We’ll suss out this whole thing, the hounds will be sent back home and we’ll get the wankers spyin’. No need to fret.” Rubbing her back, he pulled her close and she naturally laid her head on his shoulder.
Sharing a pointed look with Giles, Spike said, “c’mon sunshine, let’s go home.”
******************************** ****************************************
They were only steps from the cemetery, when Buffy was struck by a thought. Stopping dead in her tracks, she looked between the two men flanking her and wondered if either of them had thought of the implications of Wesley’s visit – or rather, who might be traveling with him. Figuring that she needed to say something, at least to let them know she was thinking about it, she tightened her grip on Spike’s hand and said “Giles is Wes coming alone?”
“He hadn’t said he . . . “ Catching onto her meaning, Giles said, “no, he didn’t say anything about anyone coming with him. I’m not even sure they know yet.”
Thinking back over his conversation, Giles was certain he hadn’t mentioned anything about Buffy being returned from beyond, nor had Wesley made a mention of anyone taking the trip from Los Angeles with him. But, judging by the look on Buffy’s face and Spike’s sudden withdrawal from her, Giles knew he had to make certain Wesley came alone.
“Hold on a moment.” Flipping open his phone, Giles hit re-dial and waited for the phone to connect.
“Wesley, its Rupert again.” A pause, then, “fine. Need to make arrangements for your accommodations, is it just you coming or will you have company?”
He paused for so long that Spike started fidgeting, pulling away from Buffy. He’d been strangely silent while she and Giles had spoken about the possibility of Wesley having a companion or two along for the ride, his own apprehension about that situation more than enough to set his teeth on edge. This, with Buffy was too new, too fragile to withstand an assault from Angel on the heels of Xander’s outburst. Spike moved away from Buffy, his face set and brows drawn together.
“Spike?” She followed him, aware that his pulling away from her had more to do with Wesley than anything else. He lit up a cigarette, blowing the smoke away from her, avoiding her gaze while he tried to get his temper and hurt under control.
“‘m all right.”
“No you’re not.” Buffy stood in front of him, staring up at his features. It was so easy to read him sometimes, especially at moments like this one. “Spike. Look at me.”
A muscle in his jaw flexed, transfixing her attention. And there was her confirmation that this was bothering him. Oh, he could try and play it cool, which wasn’t working, pretend that none of it mattered, but she knew. Knew how much this meant to him, because it meant just as much to her. And she had to tell him why she was asking, not so much for herself, but for him too. She didn’t want any confrontations with Angel any more than he did. How could she say that without him thinking she was just catering to his pride? She wasn’t sure what she was about to say would work, but it was the best she could do at this moment. “I don’t want him here.”
That brought his gaze round fast. Dropping the cigarette butt on the ground, Spike ducked his head. “Sure ‘bout that, are you?”
“Absolutely.” There was enough conviction in her voice to assure him she meant what she was saying.
He couldn’t respond, at least not with words. Very slowly, very gently, Spike reached out a hand to cup her face. Her eyes closed as he brought them together, his lips to her forehead and his body close to hers. They stayed like that, until Rupert’s throat clearing broke them apart.
Giles had watched their whole exchange, unwilling to disturb the moment. Luckily for all of them, Wesley had confirmed that he was traveling alone and he would be staying for a couple of days.
“He’s coming alone” was all Giles needed to say. Buffy curled her arms around Spike’s waist, leaning into his embrace. He felt the strain ease from her body as she breathed heavily against his chest, which released his own tension.
Giles seen her with other boyfriends, but he’d never witnessed such a moment.
******************************** ****************************************
They’d walked the rest of the way home in near silence, hands clutched together and Giles beside them. It was a comfortable feeling, this unstated companionship. Buffy hadn’t quite made her peace with Giles over the events of last spring, at least not yet, but she was starting to think that, with him at least, the time apart had led to a bit of mutual understanding. It was unlike the emotions she was feeling toward Willow and Xander, but closer to what she was feeling for Spike. Eventually the words would have to be spoken between them, laying the ghosts of harsh words and even harsher actions to rest. But not tonight.
Tonight she needed this feeling. Tonight she needed to rest, safe within the circle of Spike’s arms, protected from all the outside forces.
Saying a quick goodbye to Giles, even with a small kiss on the cheek, Buffy waited at the bottom of the stairs for Spike to lock up the doors. Still quiet and subdued, she undressed then climbed into the bed snuggling into his waiting arms. Breathing against his skin, she closed her eyes and that’s when the tears started.
Holding her close, Spike just let her cry it out, unsure what it was she was crying over. He thought maybe she wasn’t even certain. Whatever it was ended just as suddenly as it started, and Buffy wiped her eyes, whispering a soft apology to him, which he just shrugged off, with a “no worries, sweetheart, happens.”
Their kisses started off slow, building beat by beat, breath by breath until neither one of them could stand being separated one second longer. Spike slid inside her, her legs wrapped around his hips, slowly grinding into her warmth. Their joining was as slow as their kisses, languorous and deep, the pace not changing but building, intensifying with every thrust they shared. Instead of slamming against each other, he slid excruciatingly slowly and hard into her welcoming depths. Buffy convulsed around him, the internal flutters signaling her orgasm beginning. Her inner muscles contracted around him hard, squeezing him.
She gasped, trying to find air, choking out, “Spike please, please come inside me now.”
Grunting he looked down at her “kitten . . . need. . . ..”
Thrusting again, Spike exploded within her. Pressing his cool body against her overheated one, Spike gathered her in his arms, holding on for the rest of the night.
******************************** ***************************************
There probably existed a good number of reasons why he should be trying to separate Buffy from Spike, but every time he thought of that, images of the pair of them tonight surfaced in his head. From the earliest moment this morning, facing down Xander and then how they were tonight, just reinforced the thought that he wouldn’t, couldn’t do anything to hurt either of them. And, knowing how Buffy had reacted over Dawn, Giles knew if he tried, she would shut him out completely.
But the real truth was, and here was the kicker, Giles had lied to Spike this morning. He’d told him he would never be good enough. The truth was, of all Buffy’s significant others, Spike was the one he liked best. But he’d never ever admit to that.
His life was just one big serving of irony of late.
So not only was he going to not undermine their relationship, Giles was going to support them in any way possible. And if that included neutralizing Xander, well so be it.
Satisfied, Giles settled in for a long night of interesting reading.
******************************** ***************************************
It felt like they had waited the whole day for Wesley to arrive. It had been a decidedly normal day, filled with loads of laundry and television watching and hours just waiting.
Buffy had only told Tara that Wesley was coming, since she’d taken to avoiding Wilow. No one at Revello heard from Xander, but given the events of the previous morning, there wasn’t one of them that missed him.
******************************** ***************************************
Dinner was long over with and Spike was making noises about heading out for patrol, trying to get Buffy to go with him, when the call finally came. As Spike reached for the phone, Buffy stole a throw pillow and the remote from Dawn, while Tara watched.
“Right” was all Spike said.
“C’mon goldielocks, we’re summoned.”
Dawn looked up, catching the look on her sister’s face and then noting Spike’s determined air. “Can I come?”
“Don’t even know where we’re goin’ Nib, why would you wanna come?”
“Duh, Spike, only one person summons either of you. So it’s either the shop or his apartment. Please?”
Not seeing the harm, Spike just shrugged. Buffy’s only answer was to sigh and say, “might as well,” and as they headed for the door, she looked at Tara, saying “aren’t you coming?”
Taken aback, Tara looked behind her, wondering who Buffy was talking to. “Me?”
“Yeah, you Glinda, let’s go.”
Grabbing the DeSoto keys, Spike was out the door.
******************************** ***************************************
Wesley and Giles were sharing a bottle of scotch when they all trooped in the door, Spike trailing behind the girls. The younger Englishman had stood up when Buffy came in the door, a look of complete bafflement on his face. Giles had opted not to say anything, instead letting the younger man discover her miraculous return.
Looking around wild-eyed, Wesley nearly dropped his drink. “Buffy?”
“Hey Wes. Long time.” Buffy smiled at him, then perched on the couch arm, waiting for Spike to sit down. Instead he just stood behind her, his hands resting on her upper arms.
“It’s really . . . how?” Her reappearance had rendered him almost speechless.
“Long story mate. Settle down and we’ll tell it.” Spike motioned him back into his seat. And what followed had Wesley more than once scratching his head in disbelief. The only part of the recitation that was left out was where Buffy had been, but everything else, including her climb from the grave was recounted. When they were done, Wesley sat in his chair absolutely stunned.
“Lethe’s Bramble? You do know in the wrong quantity it can be deadly.” At some of the looks that were returned, that obviously had’t been discussed yet.
“You do realize its only been just over a week since Buffy’s come back to us.” Giles was the first to speak.
“Oh dear. No, I hadn’t.” Directing his first comments to her, Wesley asked, “are you feeling any better?”
Reaching up a hand to clasp one of Spike’s Buffy answered him, “I’m doing lots better” and surprising them all, added, “nearly ready to patrol again, just not alone all the time. Hopefully,” and this time she looked over her shoulder, “I’ll have a partner.”
To which Spike couldn’t resist kissing the top of her head. “Say the word kitten, wherever, whenever.”
Which surprised no one but the ex-watcher. Wesley was taken aback. No wonder information flow from Sunnydale was a hot topic, there was so much going on here that it boggled his mind, and he knew everyone, how much more astounding it must be to a Council member who’d never met them.
“And Willow did this all on her own?”
“Yes. She hid everything, confided in no one.” Giles was finding it increasingly hard to keep his emotions in check when discussing the wayward redhead.
“Dangerous Rupert. No telling what she’s capable of now.” Realizing her girlfriend was in the room, Wesley apologized. “I’m sorry Tara.”
Ducking her head, the girl just nodded. Dawn, who was sitting beside her and up till now had been strangely silent, hugged her.
An uneasy silence settled over the group, until Spike broke it. “Rupert says you’ve some information for us. Out with it then.”
“Right. As I told Rupert last night, I recently heard something I found disturbing from two different sources. My father, during our last phone call, let slip about a video he’d seen of Spike patrolling alone.” He let that sink in, then continued, “and more recently I learned from someone at Wolfram & Hart about surveillance at the hellmouth.”
Dawn piped up “who’s Wolfram & Hart?”
“Not who, what.” Giles started answering, but stopped when Wesley continued.
“It’s a law firm with demonic origins and more than a finger in many pies.” He sighed, finishing up with “for the last year or so they’ve been attempting to . . . . bait Angel into . . . well, into darker pursuits.”
“Lovely” was Giles’ comment, while Spike just tightened his grip on Buffy while Tara looked confused.
“How do you bait a souled vampire?” Dawn didn’t realize how much like a stupid joke that sounded until everyone else chuckled.
“On a hook Niblet” was Spike’s half-chuckled answer.
But Buffy wasn’t really laughing. “What did they do?”
“They managed to bring Darla back.
“What?”
“Oh, that she-bitch?” Spike’s voice was loudest, and poor Tara just said “who?”
Spike quickly re-capped who and what Darla was, unaware of Buffy’s history with her, until “she tried to kill me. She was the first that really dared to target me.”
Suppressing a shudder, Buffy shifted closer to Spike, looking for and finding protection.
“Why’d they bring her back?” Was Tara’s question.
“I believe they hoped to duplicate what had happened here in Sunnydale, between Buffy and Angel.”
Without consciously thinking about it, Spike enfolded her in his arms, her back firmly against his chest. One hand wrapped around a solid forearm while the other reached for Dawn.
Wesley blinked, unsure what his eyes were seeing.
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