LA COSA NOSTRA: LA FAMILIA VAMPIRE
Chapter 11: ‘The Trump Card’
In the game of life, everyone is dealt a different hand of cards, that’s a given. For Buffy Summers, she had been dealt the cruelest hand of all; the card of the ‘Slayer’ of demons. This simply meant that her life, from age fifteen until an obligatory early death, Buffy would have no real life of her own. She would forever be beholden to a council of middle aged men and stodgey women who felt that it was their right to control her very existence.
It wasn’t necessarily fair, this hand of cards that Buffy had been dealt, but so it was. Call it an act of God, or a stacked deck by the Powers That Be. Whatever it was, it was the hand that Buffy Summers had been dealt.
However…Buffy Summers was different then any other Slayer in history. She was the ‘ace up her sleeve’ card that somebody had slipped in the game. Buffy had lived past nineteen; unheard of for any Slayer. She had caused a Master Vampire to fall in love with her and had borne his child; again, unheard of. The Slayer had fallen for her vampire, too. Call it the ‘trump of the deal’ if you want. But, Buffy Summers had gotten a ‘redeal’ that was for sure.
Spike woke up, fully aware that the love of his unlife, Buffy, was snuggled, stark naked, into him. He glanced at the clock, next to Buffy’s bed and noted that the time was now 3:35 AM and that sunrise was near.
Not that Spike needed human electronics to figure out the coming of sunrise. He’d predicted it, time and again for the last one-hundred and forty-one years of his existence. But, it was nice to know that there was a sure fire way to warn him that the deadly morning sun was headed his way.
He unwrapped his long arms from around Buffy, careful not to wake her, and climbed out of bed. After stretching his limbs, completely, Spike glanced down at his sleeping lover and smiled, softly.
‘Beautiful,’ he sighed in silent awe at the sight of his son’s mother, sleeping so peacefully. The vampire then turned a loving look to his beautiful son, James, sleeping just a few feet from their bed.
“Mine,” Spike whispered as he gazed at the miracle that was his child.
“Will?” Buffy mumbled, not completely awake yet. “Are you leaving?” she asked quietly.
“Spike crawled back into bed and snuggled Buffy to him. “It’s nearly sunrise,” he whispered softly, as not to wake James. “I need to get to my family’s lair. Need to talk to them, before you and the Watcher get there. I tried not to wake you, luv,” he sighed, reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed, and Buffy’s sweet body.
“Okay,” Buffy murmered softly, her mouth in a pout, “can you write down where your Dad and brothers are at?” She tried not to sound too disappointed that her lover was leaving her, alone in bed. However, it made sense really. William had to travel while the night still covered Sunnydale and before the first rays of the sun showed.
“Don’t want to go,” Spike hissed softly as he grabbed a piece of paper and pen from Buffy’s nightstand. “I want to stay with you and James, but…”
“Ya’ big baby,” Buffy giggled, “I understand why you have to go. I don’t like it either but I understand. Don’t worry,” she gave him a coy little wink, “like I said, we’ll have time together, later today.”
Buffy grinned, up at her vampire while he wrote down the location and directions of his family’s hidden lair.
Spike grinned back at her and set the paper and pen back down on the nightstand. “I’ve got to get downstairs and grab my clothes,” he chuckled softly. “Hope I can make it without being seen, by anyone but you that is.” He gave her is own wink and Buffy felt her heart skip a beat.
She reached out and ran her hand down his slim hip, lovingly, thrilled when he flinched, pleasureably at her touch. He lay back down beside her and took her in his arms, brushing her blond hair from her cheek.
“I’ll miss you,” he whispered into her ear, giving it a little lick with his cool tongue.
“I’ll miss you,” she replied, shyly, suddenly a little embarrassed by the intimacy of the moment.
‘I guess it’s official,’ Buffy thought to herself, a little surprised at her own lack of denial, for once. ‘We’re back together…’
‘We’re together again,’ Spike thought, proudly. ‘It’ll take an act of God to run me off from Buffy, or our son, ever again,’ he assured himself. ‘Even God can’t get rid of me now,’ he added silently.
“William,” Buffy began, cautiously, “are you sure you can ‘arrange’ things with your Dad? Make sure that Giles will be safe, from,” she paused, not quite sure how to phrase this.
“I’ll make sure the Watcher will be safe, luv,” Spike chuckled and kissed her forehead, affectionately. “Can’t promise though, if the whelp shows up with him,” Spike grinned, wickedly and Buffy gave him a gentle slap on his bare rump.
“Now you know Xander will have to go with us,” Buffy laughed quietly. “Just out of curiosity’s sake. Really, though,” she became serious, “I need a promise, baby, that all of us will be safe. You can make it so, right?” She gave him a questioning look and raised her right brow.
“Yes,” Spike replied, assuring her it would be fine. “I’ll make sure that Pops and the boys don’t make a meal out of your Watcher and lap dog. Just make sure they don’t bring weapons of choice to the ‘council’ okay?” He now gave his lover a very serious look.
“Deal,” Buffy sighed and lay back down on her pillow, still quite tired from the night before. “I just hope that Xander can keep his big mouth shut, for once. I don’t need him to smart off and end up as a Xander burger for your brothers or Gunn. Although, I can’t imagine Gunn going after Xander for any reason. Even when he was human, Charles Gunn hated the sight of Xander Harris. Well,” she added quickly, “I should say that he kind of held him in contempt.”
“Easy to do,” Spike muttered under his breath.
“Will,” Buffy hissed in warning, “I mean it. Please make sure your ‘family’ is clear on this one, please,” she finished by kissing his lips, chastely.
“You’re bringing our boy, right?” Spike asked as he gazed at the sleeping child in the bed close by. “Dad wants to meet his Grandson, like now.”
“Of course,” Buffy replied evenly, “I promised I’d bring him, today. So I will. But again, William,” she used his given name, for a purpose. Her ‘man’ must realize that she meant business here, with him and his family. “No funny business, with your family I mean. If I get even the slightest inkling that your Dad or the others are going to try and steal our son from me? I’ll take every one of them out. Understood?”
“Understood, sweetest,” Spike smiled and leaned in to kiss her sweet mouth.
“Go,” Buffy pointed to the door of the bedroom, “before I can’t let you,” she added with a smirk.
“Gone,” Spike whispered as he pulled, reluctantly away from her and grabbed a towel from the dresser top. He wrapped it about his waist and then headed for the door.
Just before he exited the room, Spike turned and gazed at Buffy again. She was propped up on one elbow, gazing back at him, a soft smile on her mouth.
“Love you,” he whispered, loud enough for her to hear.
“Love you,” she murmered back, assured that his vampire senses heard her soft endearment.
Then, he was gone.
Spike reached the abandoned warehouse that was now serving as ‘headquarters’ for his family and their soldiers. He made it just before the first rays of the sun broke through the California coastal haze. The first vampire he ran into was his youngest brother, Connor.
Connor, who was still considered a ‘teenager’ in the demon universe, was staring out at the sunrise. From the deepest shadows, of course, through an old, cracked window of the building.
“I wonder what it feels like?” Connor whispered in awe as he watched the sun show it’s head. “Sunshine, I mean,” the boy sighed wistfully to his older brother, Spike.
“Hot?” Spike chuckled sarcastically, “as in crispy fried hot?”
“Spike,” Connor growled lowly. “Where’s Buffy and James?” the younger vampire asked suddenly, a look of apprehension in his dark eyes.
“At home, in bed, boy,” Spike replied matter of factly. “They don’t have a problem with morning activity, remember?”
“Father expected all three of you this morning,” Connor mumbled, “he’s not going to be pleased, Spike. When he realizes that…”
“When he realizes what?” the Godfather Marcus barked loudly. “Where is your mate, Spike? Why isn’t my Grandson with you? I left specific orders with the Slayer, two days ago, to bring my Grandson to me. Can’t you handle your mate, William?”
Spike rolled his eyes and turned to face his imposing father. “Buffy’ll be along, later, Dad,” he answered slowly, “our son has a routine, you know? He is half mortal, his habits are that of a human, also. If Buffy…”
“Just because I let your rebellious nature slide at times, William,” Marcus growled as he stormed up to his oldest son. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to allow your headstrong mate to run my family instead of me. Is that clear?”
“Crystal,” Spike replied with a heavy sigh. “Unlike the haze that hangs over this God forsaken state. Hey, Connor,” Spike smirked at his brother, trying to lighten the mood. “You know what ‘smog’ stands for?”
Connor shook his shaggy head, but grinned in anticipation of his idol’s punch line.
“It’s a combination of ‘shit and fog’ ergo; smog!” The two young vampires began to laugh at the stupid joke.
“But Spike,” Connor began with a puzzled look, “there’s no ‘H’ in smog and…”
However, Marcus was not laughing. Instead, he growled again, menacingly.
Spike sighed again and looked, respectfully, at his old man.
“Like I said, Da,” Buffy’ll be along, later today, in less then a few hours. She’s bringin’ guests, Dad, so…”
“Guests?” Marcus hissed, his dark brows raised as high as possible. “What guests?” the patriach asked, suspiciously.
“Her Watcher, Rupert Giles and…” Spike had just started to tick off the list of possible names when Wesley rushed into the room.
“Rupert? Here?” the ex-watcher asked excitedly. “When? I can’t wait to discuss some…”
“Wesley!” Marcus snapped at the handsome Brit, shutting him down, immediately. “This is not a tea party we are conducting, but a council for war!”
“I do not understand, Spike, why the Watcher must be here?” Marcus gave his eldest a disapproving look and frowned.
“Buffy trusts the old man, Da,” Spike explained, simply. “She feels, since she’s with ‘us’ on this, that Giles can be of help. Besides, old Rupes wants to ‘see’ Wes there. Guess he wants to compare notes?”
Spike averted his eyes from his formidable father quickly. “Oh,” the blond vampire continued, carefully, “a member of Buffy’s ‘entrourage’ will be coming too. Xander Harris is his name and, as much as I hate the fuck’s guts? He’s off limits as breakfast, lunch or dinner. Understood?” Spike shot a stern look at his brother Connor, then at Wesley.
“Understood, Spike,” Connor replied, sheepishly. “Maybe Buffy’ll bring Dawn?” the youngest Aurileous asked, hopefully.
“Don’t think so, Conn,” Spike shook his head and smiled at his young brother. His eyes held sympathy for the love sick kid and he patted him on his arm.
“She’s got school, Conn,” Spike explained, “otherwise, knowing Dawn? She’d be here in a shot.”
“For the love of Satan himself,” Marcus roared, “this is fucking ridiculous! This is supposed to be my meeting, with my Grandson and we’re turning it into a bloody frat party! What next, a keg of Bud and…”
“Dad,” Spike interrupted his father’s tirade, “it’s hardly a frat party, or a high tea. It’s my mate, my son and my mate’s Watcher coming to ‘talk’ to you. Harris is coming because it’s his way of feeling like a manly man and actually,” Spike swallowed hard, before he finished, “Buffy’s best friend, Willow the Witch, may be along too.”
“Oh, goody,” Marcus hissed, sarcastically, “a real live witch in the mix. What next? A wizard and and a man-wolf to round things out? Spike, I’m warning you, boy. This better not be some…”
“It’ll be fine, Da,” Spike assured his father. “Buffy needs the security of her people around her. Can’t you understand that?” The blond vampire smirked at his own father, the toughest son-of-a-bitch he’d ever seen in his unlife.
“You’ve got your family and at least twenty foot soldiers to keep you company, Pops. Let my girl have a couple of friends, eh?” Spike grinned at Marcus, who fought to keep from smiling back at his errant son.
“Oh, whatever,” Marcus finally shrugged and strode over to the building window. “Will they come soon?” the old vampire asked, almost wistfully.
“Soon,” Spike replied, touched that his rugged father was looking forward to meeting his son.
“In the mean time, boy,” Marcus mumbled as he stared at the seductive shining sun, “tell us again, how you met your Buffy, will you?”
Buffy, Giles, Willow, James and Xander stumbled onto the heavily weeded grounds of the empty warehouse. Empty, of course, except for the now thirty or so demon tenants that they knew were residing in there.
“I still say that we should have brought crucifixes and holy water.” Xander began to whine for the umpteenth time since they headed to the secluded lair.
“Yeah,” Buffy quipped, “because a couple of crosses are going to hold off the hoardes of the ‘wise guy’ demons that are waiting to say ‘hi’ today, right? And like there’s enough holy water in Sunnydale to sprinkle on the Family’s front line of soldiers! Geez, Xander, get a grip on reality here.”
“Look,” Buffy sighed in exasperation, “if you didn’t want to come, why did you? I’m sure there’s a pizza somewhere, with your name on it…” she glared at Xander, sternly.
“I’m a part of this group, too,” Xander replied with a pout. “I’m as brave as Willow or James, aren’t I?”
“No, Uncle Xander, you’re not, really,” little James piped in. “But then again,” the precocious two-year-old continued, “I’d be afraid of my Grandpa too. If he wasn’t my Grandpa that is.” The boy smirked, evilly, at the dark haired man, reminding everyone of his father, Spike, yet again.
“Buffy are you sure you’re spawn wasn’t born ‘40’ or something?” Xander asked as he eyed the hybrid child, suspiciously.
“Don’t call my precious baby a spawn Xander Harris,” Buffy hissed as she squared her shoulders and stared at the huge, dirty building in front of them. “Willow,” Buffy continued, changing the subject, “please keep James out here, until I tell you to bring him in. Okay?”
“Sure Buff,” Willow stuttered, not really sure at all. Actually, Buffy had to talk Willow into going with them, just to keep an eye on James, temporarily. Buffy wanted to make sure everything was jake before she brought her only child before the Godfather of the Undead.
Grandfather or not, Buffy wasn’t going to lead her precious boy into the den of unsouled demons. Even though she had an idea that every one of those so called demons would have walked into sunlight before allowing her son, James to be hurt. Or maybe, even herself.
“Let’s go,” Buffy barked bravely as she headed the little troup into the broken down building. “Willow, stay here,” Buffy ordered and motioned to a sunny spot of yard, just a few feet from the door of the warehouse.
“Jimmy,” Buffy turned to gaze at her son, lovingly, “I love you more then anything in the world. You know that, right?”
“Bloody right, Mum,” Jimmy called eagerly as he waved his mother on. “Call me in, soon, please,” he added.
“That’s my boy,” Buffy grinned at Giles who looked as if he was going to be ill. Xander didn’t look much better, but he followed Buffy into the old, desolate looking building.
Buffy stepped into the deserted, dusty building, only to be met by her lover, William. He, the heir to the Aurileous dynasty, gazed at her as if she was a fucking Goddess or something. Of course, Will had always ‘made’ Buffy feel like a Goddess and…
‘Shake it off, girl,’ Buffy told herself, ruefully. ‘No time for romance now. This is not personal, not right this minute. It’s just business.’ (hehehehehe!)
“Godfather,” Buffy ignored William, reluctantly, and bowed her head at his father instead. She prayed that this was the ‘right’ thing to do under the circumstances.
“Slayer,” Marcus replied, evenly, his blue eyes never left Buffy’s green ones. “My Grandson?” the old vampire asked simply.
“Outside, with my friend,” Buffy answered quickly. “I thought it best to ‘check out’ the situation before I brought my son into this?”
“Wise,” Marcus chuckled in response. “Your mate is wise, boy,” Marcus smiled benevolently at Spike. “She is worthy of being an Aurileous. And an exceptional mother for my Grandson.”
“Yes,” Spike replied, but stared at Buffy, lovingly. “She’s everything to me and worthy, father,” he stated simply.
“Where’s the brat?” came Angel’s deep voice from across the room. The massive, dark haired vampire joined his family in the main area.
“Outside,” Connor replied with a shrug, “Buffy wanted to make sure that the our nephew was safe before she brought him in.” The youngest vampire smiled, sweetly at Buffy, causing her to feel a little ‘bad’ about her misgivings.
‘Vampire, Summers,’ she reminded herself, ruefully. ‘He’s a little killing maching and he’s probably not even what? Seventy? Eighty-years-old?’
“You have our word, Slayer,” Marcus stated in an authoritive, imperialistic tone. “Your son is probably safer here, with his family, then anyplace else in this harsh, bright world of yours.”
“Yeah, well…” Xander chimed in, in his annoyingly ‘tough guy’ voice.
“Put a sock in it, Harris,” Buffy hissed, not even looking at her friend. Instead, she stared at William, silently pleading for him to back up his father’s promise.
“Have Willow bring James in, Princess,” Spike nodded his reassurance to his mate. “Please,” he added softly.
Buffy slowly walked to the door of the warehouse and opened it, careful not to let too much light into the room. She motioned for Willow to bring her son in, to meet the rest of his ‘family’ or at least the demon branch of it.
“Mummy, Daddy,” James gushed when Willow, apprehensively, led the boy into the big room.
James pulled away from his sitter and hurried to his dad, who had joined his mother’s side. “Don’t be afraid Jimmy,” Buffy whispered as she swooped her son into her arms and turned to face Will’s family.
“I’m not afraid, Mummy,” James crowed, gleefully. “Grandpa looks like the Count, from Sesame Street! He’s a big old softy! All ‘grrr’ and no bite!”
The all mighty Godfather reared his lofty head back, stunned at the bold words of his only grandchild. He stood, frozen in shock and indignation at the little upstart’s balls and brass.
“Did I say something wrong Daddy?” James asked his father with wide, confused blue eyes.
“No, son,” Spike whispered, “Grandpa’s a little full of himself and…” Spike gave his father a nasty glare and took his son from Buffy’s arms.
“Bring my grandson to me,” Marcus barked like a marine sargent.
“I don’t think…” Buffy began, but stopped when William walked over to his father and stood in front of him. He held his son up, proudly, for the old fool to take a good look at.
Marcus studied the boy, briefly, a slight scowl on his mouth. Suddenly, the Godfather broke into an angelic smile and began to chuckle, lowly.
“He’s your boy, William, that’s for sure. All balls and brass, a true Aurileous!” Marcus reached out and plucked the stoic little lad from his father’s arms.
Buffy, Giles, Xander and Willow stood in shock as they watched the master ‘Master Vampire’ clutch his grandson in his powerful arms. The old demon cuddled the youngest heir to his his massive chest and grinned in delight at Jimmy.
“Grandpa,” Jimmy whispered, just a tad awed by his big bad granddad. “Can I see your fangs?” Jimmy’s eyes lit up like a Christmas Tree and he grinned up at the old devil.
“My son seems to have an obsession with our teeth, Pops,” Spike smiled, sheepishly. “He’ll be showing you his in a minute, bank on it.”
“Buffy,” Xander hissed from behind the Slayer, “this Kodak moment is just great, but we need to talk turkey here. Riley’s becoming more powerful every day and he ‘is’ a real threat.”
Buffy sighed and nodded at Xander and Giles. She glanced over at Willow, to see how the red headed witch was holding up. What she read in her best friend’s face both stunned and amused her.
Willow’s face was blushed a shade to match her bright red hair. Buffy followed the witch’s gaze and saw that it met Wesley’s, the ex-watcher, now demon ‘suit’ who ‘represented the Aurileous family. Wesley appeared to be gazing right back at Willow, a puppy love kind of expression all over his handsome face.
‘Oh, dear God,’ Buffy gasped silently, ‘Willow? Wesley? Witch and Vampire? Heaven help the Hellmouth!’
Xander must have noticed the ‘interaction’ between the vampire lawyer and his witchy friend, Willow. His dark eyes flew open and he began to shake his head in frustration.
“Wills,” he murmered as he waved his hand in front of the red head’s face, trying to break the ‘spell’ that she seemed to have fallen under. Glaring at Wesley, Xander snorted and then glared at Buffy.
“This is all your fault,” Xander hissed, under his breath. “Should have known that some smooth sucking, well dressed vampire with a college degree would come along and…”
“Shush!” Buffy hissed at Xander, but glanced back and forth between Willow and Wesley. With a shrug of defeat, Buffy turned to face Giles, who was watching the whole grandpa/grandson scene in awe. The Watcher was in the midst of cleaning his glasses, for the third time and staring at his Slayer’s special son.
Buffy shook off her frightening thoughts and grabbed Giles, who was studying the interaction between James and his Grandfather.
“I think this is going well, dear,” Giles mumbled to Buffy with a satisfied look on his face. “I cannot believe the paternal instincts that your son is bringing out in the ‘Terminator’ of the Vampire realm. I’ll have to take notes, study the old texts when we get home. This is amazing and…”
“Giles,” Buffy hissed softly, “you need to talk to Marcus and Wesley, about the ring I saw on Riley’s hand. It looked just like the Godfather’s ruby ring, except a smaller version. Like the one in your big book.”
“Yes, quite,” Giles shook his head and placed his glasses back in their proper place, on his face. He cleared his throat and began, carefully, “Godfather, a moment, please?”
Marcus halted his activity, which consisted of revealing his vampire visage to his grandson, somewhat that is. Shaking his human form back into place, the head honcho glared at Giles, menacingly.
“What is it Watcher?” he growled harshly. “I’m busy with my grandson.”
“Well, yes, and I am sorry and all,” Giles mumbled, contritely, “but this is rather important. It’s about the ring that Buffy saw on Riley’s hand. The ruby replica of the one on your finger, sir.”
Giles lowered his eyes, humbly, apparently well versed in the tradition of vampire respect of family.
“My ring?” Marcus inquired with raised brows. The vampire handed little James to his mother and stalked over to Giles. He held up his hand and nearly shoved the blood red gem into the Watcher’s face.
“A replica, you say?” Marcus muttered, confused.
“Only smaller, Godfather,” Giles managed to stammer out, a little intimidated by this huge, impressive vampire.
“Exactly like it, Godfather,” Buffy spoke up, carrying James over to the two men. “Except smaller, more the size of a ring to fit a female? Riley was wearing it on his pinky finger.”
Marcus, if it was possible, looked paler then usual and averted his eyes from the Slayer and her Watcher. His countenance fell on his oldest son, his heir apparent and truth be told? His favorite childe.
“Spike,” Marcus began in a strained whisper, that was very un-demony, to be sure. “The ring your Buffy saw, on this Riley’s finger? I think it was your mother’s ring. The one I put on her finger when I claimed her.”
A/N: Well…that was weird, huh? Why would Riley have Spike’s mother’s ring? Hmmm. Anyway, please read and review. I’m getting a little cornered here, with this fiction. Hope I can write my way out of it. Thanks, Luv, Spuf
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Thank you to everyone reading this story. I've just now been able to get to respond, personally to my reviews on my fics. I'm going to try and respond from now on to everyone.