Home : Stories by Author : Stories by Jypzrose : Wasted Time - Page 2
Twenty minutes later, the unlikely group of two vampires, a Slayer and a beauty
queen, prepared to leave. Buffy glance around the hotel, finally realizing what
felt off.
"Where's the rest of your group?" she asked.
"I decided to send them away until this is over. I didn't want anybody unnecessary
here." Angel answered, slipping on his leather coat.
"Then, why am I here?" Cordelia asked, arching her brow.
"Because you don't listen to me." Angel stated, pinning her with his eyes.
"Oh, yeah. That's right." Cordy said, smiling. Angel just shook his head.
"Ready?" He asked, glancing around the room. "Let's go." The group filed out
into the night, the men climbing into Angel's car, the girls getting into Cordy's.
"This is kind of weird, huh?" Cordy asked, pulling out behind Angel.
"What?"
"Well, I swore when I left Sunnydale, that I washed my hands of the whole demon,
undead thing. But what happens? I wind up working for Brood Boy, and inheriting
mind-numbing visions from a demon. And you, the one person that I blamed for
all my problems is sitting in my car." Cordy raised her hand to silence Buffy's
angry retort. "I'm older now. Working with Angel has put a new perspective on
what you do. I know you didn't choose your life, and it sucks."
"Yeah." Buffy agreed.
"Anyway, I decided to put the blame on those who deserve it." A large smile
spread across the beauty queens face. "My parents." Both girls shared a chuckle.'
"Uhm, Cordy? Can I ask you a question?" Buffy started, hesitantly.
"You want to know about me and Angel." It wasn't a question.
"Look, I know it's not any of my busi. . ."
"I love him." Cordelia stated, simply. She laughed as Buffy's mouth hung open
in shock. "Does that bother you?"
"Honestly." Buffy started, taking a minute to collect herself. "No. How does
he feel about you?" She noticed the look on Cordy's face. "Oh. He hasn't told
you yet."
"No. I'll tell you, Buffy. I don't know how you managed not to stake him. It's
a daily battle with me." Buffy chuckled at her.
"I feel that way myself." She said without thinking. Buffy sent a horrified
glance at Cordelia.
"Spike, huh?" The brunette asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Is it that obvious?" Buffy moaned.
"Not really. But I haven't seen you in a long time. The tension between you
two is thick." Cordy paused a minute. "So, have you done him yet?" she asked
with a lewd wink.
"Cordelia!"
"What?"
"Have you and Angel?" Buffy shot back. When Cordy pouted, she knew the answer.
"No. He's kissed me a couple of times. But see, that's why I need to know if
you and Spike have. I need to live vicariously through you."
Well, I need to talk to somebody about this, Buffy thought.
"Yeah."
"Yeah? Just 'yeah'? What was it like? Did he ravage you? I bet he did. He looks
like the ravaging type. He's got all that pent up tension flying under his skin."
"Whoa, slow down. Do you want to hear this or not?"
"Yes. And don't leave out ANY details."
~~~
When Buffy had finished, Cordelia sighed.
"Can I have him? Just for one night? I'll give him back."
"God. Trampy much?" Buffy asked, laughing.
"I take that as a no."
"An extreme no."
"Oh, well. I guess I'll just keep taking long showers with my removable shower
head."
"Cordelia!"
"What?" Cordy slid a glance at Buffy. "Oh, like you've never done it."
"That's not the point." Buffy sputtered, trying not to break out laughing. They
both gave up on the pretense as they pulled into the parking space next to Angel.
After a moment, Angel opened Cordy's door and Spike opened Buffy's. The two
vampires exchanged confused looks before looking back at the two hysterical
young women in the car.
"Slayer?" Spike said, trying to get her attention. She raised her luminous hazel
eyes to his and burst into a whole new set of giggles.
"She's finally gone over the edge, Peaches."
"Yeah, and she took Cordelia with her."
They watched as the giggles slowed and came to a stop. Cordy checked her make
up, shot a grin at Buffy, then accepted Angel's hand as she stepped from the
car.
"Girl talk." the brunette said, patting Angel's cheek. The vampire looked quizzically
after her, shrugged his shoulder at Spike, then followed Cordelia into the building.
"Girl talk, huh?" Spike asked, helping Buffy from the car. Her eyes were shining,
and she still had a huge grin in her face. She would have taken his breath away,
had he any to take.
"Yeah." Buffy hiccupped. Then she leaned closer to him and whispered, "She wants
to borrow you for a night. Angel's not cooperating." Buffy broke into giggles
again as a lewd smile spread across Spike's face.
"Does she, now?"
Buffy looked at his face and sobered immediately.
"Don't even think about, Fang face." she said, poking a finger in his chest.
"Why not, luv? Jealous?" He asked, leaning closer to her.
"In your dreams." She shot back.
"Always, Buffy. Always." He ran his knuckles down her cheek, and watched her
eyes close. "Why do I think we just crossed another line in our relationship?
And I wasn't even around to witness it."
"Maybe we have. But we can't think about it right now. We have to save out skin,
first."
"Right, luv. Shall we?" He said, waving his head toward the building dramatically.
She giggled again, and walked inside, Spike following behind her.
"Angel cakes, Princess. To what do I owe this pleasure?" Lorne exclaimed, walking
around the bar to shake hands with Angel.
Buffy stifled a chuckle as she looked at the demon. *He looks like he should
be in Vegas* she thought. He had on a purple suit that had an iridescent shine
to it, a royal blue silk shirt with matching tie, and a pair of highly shined
black shoed completed the ensemble. Amazingly, it didn't clash with his green
skin. His eyes were filled with mirth, and Buffy decided instantly that she
liked him.
Spike, however, was staring at Lorne like he had never seen a demon before.
"And who do we have here?" Lorne asked, turning his attention to the vampire
and the Slayer.
"Buffy Summers." She said, stepping forward to shake his hand.
"Ah, the Slayer. Might I say that you look awfully healthy for a dead woman."
He said, eyes twinkling.
"Good genes." Buffy dead panned.
Lorne chuckled at the comment and turned toward Spike.
"And you are.. ?" he prompted.
Spike's eyebrows drew together as he studied the demon. How this Las Vegas reject
was going to help them, he didn't know.
"Spike." the blonde answered, searching his pockets for his cigarettes. He shook
one out and lit it, still eyeing the demon warily.
"Forgive him. He left his manners in the last century." Buffy said, shooting
Spike a look. Spike glared back, but didn't say anything.
"So, what can I do for you? I'd offer something to drink, but as you can see,
I'm not open for business just yet." He explained, waving around the large space.
Obvious signs of construction were around.
"We don't need anything to drink, Lorne." Angel said.
"Speak for yourself." Spike muttered.
"What we need," Angel continued as if Spike had never said anything "is a doctor."
"Is somebody sick?"
"Depends on your definition." Buffy quipped, looking at Spike. He did the only
dignified thing he could think of. He flipped her off.
"My immature childe over there has a chip in his brain, and we need to have
it removed." Angel explained.
"What does the chip do?" Lorne asked, regarding Spike curiously.
"It keeps him from hurting humans." Buffy explained..
"Does he have a soul?" the demon asked.
"Bloody hell, no. And I don't want one either. So don't be getting any ideas."
Spike growled, stabbing out his cigarette in an ashtray he had located.
"And you want this chip out, why? What if he goes back to his old ways?" Lorne
knew who Spike was, remembering all to clearly when Spike's former mate Drusilla
had been in town.
"We just do. It's important." Buffy answered, avoiding the what if question.
"Uh, huh." Lorne didn't seem convinced.
"Can you help?" Angel asked.
"Depends."
"On what?" Cordy asked, feeling left out.
"Whether or not he sings."
Spike felt as if that organ had fallen on him all over again.
"What?" he managed to ask.
"Lorne can read your mind if you sing." Cordy reminded him. Spike actually seemed
to get paler.
"Sod off, I'm not doin' that." He had a deer in the headlights look now. Buffy
bit her cheek to keep from giggling.
"I can't help if I don't know what your intentions are. I can't release a dangerous
animal onto the streets of L. A. We already have enough of those." Lorne said,
sliding a glance Angel's way.
"I. DON'T. SING." Spike growled, his eyes flashing yellow.
"Yes you do." Buffy and Angel replied at the same time. Spike closed his eyes
and prayed to the God that had forsaken him for help.
"NO!"
"Spike, come on. It's not like your voice sucks." Buffy said, smiling sweetly.
"Thank you, Pet. But if it wasn't for that dancing demon the whelp conjured,
you never would have heard that song." Spike said through clenched teeth.
"You've met Sweet?" Lorne asked, intrigued.
"If you're talking about the guy who came in and turned our lives into a bad
rendition of 'Cats', then yes." Buffy replied. Angel and Cordelia glanced at
each other in confusion.
"Sweet is conjured when somebody wants to find out the truth. He does it through
song and dance. He's such a show off." Lorne explained, rolling his eyes. "He
had wanted to be on Broadway, but he couldn't cut it."
"And what truths did you tell, Spike?" Angel asked, barely containing a smile.
"None of your business, Wanker."
"SPIKE!" Buffy snapped, glaring at him. Spike scowled at her.
"You used to sing all the time, Spike. What's the big deal?" Angel asked.
"That was bloody different, now wasn't it?"
"What's the matter, Spike? Scared?" Cordy taunted. Spike narrowed his eyes at
the leggy brunette.
"Bloody hell, fine. What do I sing?" Spike gave in, glaring at all of them.
"Whatever you'd like." Lorne replied, smiling.
Spike concentrated on thinking of a song. Of course none would come to mind.
"Well?" Buffy prompted.
"I'm thinkin'. Don't rush me."
"Fine." Buffy snapped back, sticking her tongue out. It'll probably be some
stupid Sex Pistols song, she thought.
Spike rolled his eyes at her. Finally, a song popped into his head.
"Is there a piano around here?" he asked, glancing in the direction Lorne waved.
He walked over to the piano, shrugging his duster off as he moved. He laid it
on the bench as he sat down. Spike quickly played a couple of scales first,
to limber his fingers and reorientate himself with the keys.
As the first haunting notes started, Buffy's mind struggled to remember the
song. She knew she had heard it before, but couldn't quite grasp it. Then Spike
started to sing and she lost all thought.
Well, baby, there you stand
With your little head, down in your hand
Oh my God, you can't believe it's happening again
Your baby's gone, and you're all alone
And it looks like the end
And you're back out on the street
And you're tryin' to remember
How do you start over? You don't know if you can
You don't care much for a stranger's touch
But you can't hold your man
You never thought you'd be alone
This far down the line
And I know what's been on your mind
You're afraid it's all been wasted time
The autumn leaves have got you thinking'
About the first time that you fell
You didn't love the boy to much
No, no you just loved the boy to well
Farewell
So you live from day to day
And you dream about tomorrow, oh'
And the hours go by like minutes
And the shadows come to stay
So you, take a little something
To make them go away
And I could have done so many things, baby
If I could only stop my mind
From wond'rin what I left behind
And from worryin' about wasted time
Ooh, another love had come and gone
Ooh, and the years keep rushing on
I remember what you told me, before you went out on your own
Sometimes to keep it together
We got to leave it alone
So you can on with your search, baby
And I can get on with mine
And maybe someday we will find
That it wasn't really wasted time
As the last notes faded away, four pairs of eyes stared at the blond vampire
in amazement. Buffy and Cordy both had tears pouring down their faces, and Angel
felt the urge to shed a few himself. Lorne was the first to speak.
"Do you want a job?" he asked, only half kidding. This young Adonis of a vampire
with the soulful deep voice would definitely bring in business.
"Sorry, mate." Spike said, running his fingers over the keys. "I've already
got my hands full." He glanced at Buffy, noticed the tears and frowned. He got
up, pulling on his duster as he walked over to her. He cupped her face, a smile
touching his lips. "None of that, luv." Spike whispered, wiping her tears away
with his thumbs.
"Whoever said vampires don't have souls, never heard you sing." Cordy said,
wiping her own tears away.
"Thanks, ducks." Spike replied, his eyes never leaving Buffy's. On impulse,
Buffy leaned up and brushed a soft kiss across his lips.
"That was beautiful." She whispered. Spike shrugged his shoulders, somewhat
embarrassed. Buffy smiled at him. 'We're going to have to get you a piano when
we get home." She teased, lightly. A smile tugged at his lips, and he nodded.
"Well, mate. Did you get what you needed?" Spike asked, turning to the demon.
"More than." Lorne walked to the bar and fond a pen and paper. He quickly wrote
down a name, number, and address, and then handed the paper to Angel. Angel
scanned the paper, then shoved it into his pocket.
"Let's go." He said, his voice hoarse. Angel hadn't heard his childe sing like
that in over a hundred years, and he was surprised it had affected him so.
"Thanks." Cordelia said to the demon. Angel grabbed her hand as he walked passed,
surprising her. The dark vampire gently tugged her arm, and gave her a look
that weakened her knees. Cordelia turned to follow him and mouthed 'thank you'
to Spike. A knowing smile spread across his face and he mouthed back 'anytime.'
"Spike." Angel turned and tossed the keys to the younger vampire. "See you at
the hotel."
"I hope we don't wake up to find Angeles in the morning." Buffy said as the
dark haired couple walked out.
"I don't think so, Pet. Angel will still be careful." Spike replied, turning
towards Lorne, who was watching them with interest. "What?"
"Nothing. Well," Lorne said, clapping his hands together. "I hope everything
works out. And if you ever change your mind about that job?" He finished, hopefully.
He could already smell the money he would make.
"Maybe." was all Spike said, before allowing Buffy to pull him away.
They were barely through the hotel doors when Buffy flung herself at Spike,
fastening her mouth against his. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, his
tongue sliding across hers, making them both moan.
They started backing towards the couch, frantically pulling at clothes. When
the back of Buffy's knees hit the couch, they sank back on it. Her knees spread
wide allowing him in between. In one swift thrust, he pushed his aching cock
into her wet heat. He stilled for a moment, calming himself. He felt like he
was being scorched, and God he wanted more. Buffy arched her hips impatiently,
her fingers clawing at his shoulders. Slowly he began thrusting, smiling at
Buffy's lusty sigh. He raised up on one arm to look down at her, needing to
see her face. Blue eyes met hazel, and they were lost.
Spike watched her eyes as he moved in her, her hips raising o meet his. He saw
the emotions play through her eyes, and was shocked by what he saw there. Leaning
down, he captured he mouth with his, his free hand sliding up to cup her breast.
A mewling sound escaped her throat as his fingers teased the hard nub. She broke
the kiss to look in his eyes, drowning in the blue depths. She threw her head
back as the first waves of her orgasm crashed over her, his name falling from
her lips.
Spike was sure that it was a passion-induced fantasy that had him convinced
that he had seen love shining in her eyes. Her muscles clenched around him as
a growl escaped his throat. He buried his face in her neck, inhaling deep the
scent of vanilla. His demon surged forward, willing him to claim her as his
own orgasm overtook him. Without hesitating, Spike plunged his fangs into her
neck, her warm sweet blood driving him over the final peak as he buried himself
deep within her, spilling his seed.
A second orgasm ripped violently through Buffy when she felt his fangs pierce
her flesh. She gasped his name, and pressed her hand to the back of his neck,
holding him to her.
Spike retracted his teeth from her, gently sliding his tongue over the puncture
marks. He raised himself up to look at her, his handsome features in place.
She smiled up at him, her eyes filled with wonder. The fingers at the nape of
his neck began to draw lazy circles.
"Sorry." he mumbled, not really feeling apologetic.
"S'ok." She murmured. He felt himself growing hard within her again, and leaned
down to kiss her. Neither heard the phone ring as he began to move again.
The answering machine licked on announcing to the caller that they had reached
Angel Investigations and nobody could come to the phone. Xander's panic filled
voice broke through Spike's desire hazed mind, and he broke the kiss to listen.
"Buffy, it's Xander. Look, the bounty hunters have been her. They trashed your
house pretty good. Everybody's okay, though. However, they got to Willy. Beat
him up pretty good." Xander paused, sucking in air." He gave them Angel's name,
Buff. They're coming to L. A."
"Remind me to kill Willy when we get home." Buffy mumbled, pacing. The two
couples were downstairs now, after Spike unceremoniously burst into Angel's
room. He'd told the older vampire he was sorry, but get his head out from between
Cordelia's thighs and get the hell downstairs.
Cordy was currently shooting Spike angry looks as Angel talked quietly on the
phone. Spike grinned apologetically at her.
"Sorry, Pet. But I didn't think it would do for us to be killed while we were
shagging." He said so only Cordy could hear. Cordelia gave him an unladylike
snort.
"At least we would have died happy." The Prom queen shot back.
"That we would have. But I would like to live to do it again." He answered as
Angel hung up.
"It's set. Let's go." Spike rose from the couch as Angel walked over to Cordelia.
"You know what to do?" The dark haired vampire asked her quietly.
"Yeah. We'll be fine. Keep your cell phone ON this time." she said, flashing
him a wide brilliant smile.
"I will. Do you need money?"
"No. I'm good."
"Okay." Angel brushed a kiss across her lips, lingering for a second. "We will
finish." he whispered.
"We'd better." He flashed her a grin, then turned to his childe and former love.
~~~
"You be careful." Spike said, running the back of his knuckles down her cheek.
"I will. I wish I could come with." she said, looking into his eyes.
"It shouldn't take to long. You never did answer me about getting it put back
in, Pet."
"We'll talk about it after this is over." Buffy said, kissing him lightly. She
gently squeezed his hand, smiled, and then turned to leave with Cordelia.
~~~
The two vampires watched their women leave, then prepared to leave themselves.
"You're in love with her, aren't you?" Angel asked, as they walked to his car.
"You always had a knack for statin' the obvious, Peaches." Spike smirked, pulling
out a cigarette. Lighting it, he slid into the car. *Here it comes* he thought,
preparing himself for Angel's tirade.
"If you hurt her, I will hurt you for a very long time." Angel said simply,
allowing a bit of Angeles to show through. Spike merely raised his scarred eyebrow
at his sire, taking the threat very seriously.
"I would expect nothing less." he replied as Angel started the car and pulled
into the opposite direction the girls went.
Dr. Randolph Pritchard was one of the few doctors that actually knew that demons
existed.
When he had been in college, he'd had the usual opinion of monsters. They weren't
real. A product of Hollywood and old wives tales told to frighten children.
That was until he had drunk too much at a frat party one night. On his way home
he had been attacked by a vampire, and nearly drained.
He had been saved by another vampire, strangely enough, who had rushed the young
med student to the hospital. That same vampire had come to see Pritchard the
next night, explaining to him that he had been attacked by a fledgling. When
Randolph had asked why the vampire had saved him, the creature had given him
a world-weary smile. He had told him that all demons weren't bad and that even
otherworldly creatures needed a doctor.
From that day forward, Dr. Pritchard had taken on both human and demon patients.
And his business had thrived.
The old doctor looked over the rim of his glasses at the vampires standing in
front of him. The tall dark one watched him with guarded brown eyes, exuding
an inner calm that even the doctor hadn't achieved in his advanced years.
The slightly smaller vampire, with the shock of white hair, however, was a bundle
of pent up energy. The doctor could feel the fire emanating off this one in
waves. Could read the impatience in the blue of his eyes.
"So, Lorne sent you to me?" he asked, folding his hands on his desk.
"Yes. Can this be done quickly?" Angel replied.
"Depends on where the chip is. But it shouldn't be too difficult. Shall we?"
The doctor said, rising and gesturing to the open door of the examining room.
"Yeah, mindful of the hair, mate." Spike said, pulling off his duster and hopping
up on the table. He lay back and forced himself to relax. Angel leaned against
the wall to watch as the doctor set up to begin.
~~~
Forty-five minutes later, the Doctor was closing Spike up.
"What do you want to do with this?" He asked, holding up the small piece of
plastic. Spike looked at the thing that had changed his unlife forever.
"Keep hold of it, Doc. I may need you to put it back in." Pritchard looked surprised,
and Angel's eyes snapped to Spike's. The younger vampire stared back at his
sire, saying nothing.
After a minute, Angel nodded his head once, then looked away.
*I guess I passed the test* Spike thought. He pulled his duster on while Angel
paid the old Doctor. Then they left to join the girls
Buffy paced back and forth through the small motel room. She knew she'd picked
up this annoying habit from Spike, but she didn't care at the moment. She was
too worried about Spike. Cordelia however, cared.
"Buffy, stop! You're making me dizzy."
"Sorry." She mumbled, sinking down on the other bed. She was up again when she
heard the soft knock on the door. Buffy looked through the peephole, then flipped
lock, throwing the door open.
"Hi, cutie. Miss me?" Spike asked cockily. He closed his arms around Buffy when
she flung herself at him, chuckling softly. Angel shook his head and walked
past them into the room. He strode over to Cordelia, pulling her from the bed
and into a mind-numbing kiss.
"Well," she said, coming up for air. "I can see you missed me."
"Every second." he said before kissing her again.
"So, what's the plan, Peaches." Spike asked when they broke apart again.
"I say we stay here today, then head back to the hotel tonight." Buffy offered,
closing the door.
"Sounds good. We can't really go anywhere, now anyway. Let me call Wes and warn
him to leave with Gunn and Fred." Angel replied, walking to the phone.
Buffy leaned against Spike and barely represses a yawn.
"Tired, luv?" he asked, kissing her temple.
"Yeah, haven't slept much in the last couple of days."
"Then, to bed with you." he gave her a slight push towards the bed, sitting
on the edge as she made herself comfortable.
Angel hung up the phone. A disturbed look on his face.
"What's wrong?" Spike asked.
"They're leaving now. Wes said that a strange man came last night after we left.
Asked for me, then when I wasn't there, asked if he knew either of you."
"Well, we knew they were coming." Spike reminded him.
"Yeah, but that's not the strange thing."
"What?" Buffy asked.
"If these guys were sent by the council, wouldn't they know that Wesley had
been your watcher?"
"He was more Faith's watcher than mine. I always listened to Giles." Buffy answered.
"But he was technically your watcher, too?" Angel pressed.
"Yeah. I guess, on the books, yeah."
"Wes thought it was strange too. He's going to call his friend when they get
to where they're going. He'll call if he finds out more."
"Maybe he just didn't want Wes to figure out who he was?" Cordy suggested.
"Wesley thought of that. But he said this guy wasn't the sort that the council
would hire."
"Well, mate. I'm tired. Does it matter who hired them, as long as we stop them?"
Spike asked, kicking his boots off.
"But we want to make sure they don't keep sending more." Angel answered.
"So, we catch one, tie him up, and ask him some questions." Spike said, smiling
evilly.
"Down boy." Buffy said, slapping his back, lightly. Spike settled down next
to her.
"Cordy, I'm going to drop you off with Wes and Gunn before we head back to the
hotel tonight." He raised a hand as she started to protest. "Don't make me worry."
"Fine." she agreed reluctantly. Angel stretched out next to her, drawing her
into his arms. With a contented sigh from Cordy, the couple was quickly asleep.
Spike rolled on his side and spooned himself against Buffy. She slid her hand
over his, linking their fingers.
"G'night, baby."
"Night, Spike.
That night, three dangerous predators entered the darkened hotel. Two vampires
and the Slayer split in the entry way into three different directions to hide
and wait.
Angel and Spike slipped into game face, so they could see in the dark interior.
Spike ducked behind the couch, and Angel hopped over the counter. Buffy took
position under the balcony, deep in the shadows. She took a deep breath, trying
to calm her heart. Buffy hadn't allowed herself to think about this moment since
they got in the car to drive to L. A. Now it was here, and she hoped they would
all make it out alive.
To blend into the shadows, they all had on black. Actually, SHE had changed
out of the white sweater and khaki pants she had been wearing into a black t-shirt
and black jeans. She'd chuckled when she realized that she was dressing like
Spike. Since her hair was darker then it had been when she died, she'd just
twisted it up and out of her face.
Both vampires had left their beloved leather coats with Cordelia, not wanting
anything to hamper their movements. Spike had taken a black bandana and tied
it around his platinum hair to hide it.
They were ready, each carrying a small arsenal of weapons. Now all they had
to do was wait.
~~~
And wait, apparently. Buffy had sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall.
She'd been fighting sleep for about ten minutes. She was getting ready to call
out to Spike when she heard it. The soft click of a doorknob being turned. All
tiredness forgotten, Buffy moved up into a crouch, watching the door.
Spike watched as a lone dark figure slipped through the door. The man was carrying
a crossbow. The figure stepped down into the living area cautiously, pausing
on the bottom step.
All four bodies in the room tensed, waiting yet again.
*Only one?* Buffy thought. *They must really think we're pathetic. I think I'm
insulted.*
Spike was thinking along the same lines as he watched the man take another step.
*What's wrong with this picture?*, Spike asked himself. Spike extended his senses,
past the figure in front of him, and past Buffy to his left. *There you are*
he thought as he heard another heart beat behind him. Spike turned swiftly,
searching the shadows.
"We know you're in here, vampire." A harsh voice rasped. "Just come out and
meet your fate." Spike rolled his eyes at the oft used cliché.
"I suppose next you'll say it's my destiny?" Spike called back, moving as the
first word left his mouth. The man swung his crossbow and fired, the bolt embedding
in the couch where Spike had just been. Spike used the back of the couch as
a springboard, launching himself at the man.
They rolled in a tangle of limbs, Spike slamming his head on the step. His opponent
used the opportunity to smash his fist into Spike's jaw, jamming his fangs into
his tongue.
"Damn." Spike muttered as his blood filled his mouth. Swing his arm, he returned
the punch, sending the man skidding across the floor. Spike jumped up and followed
him.
"SPI. . . " Buffy's cry was cut off as a large hand clamped over her mouth.
*Stupid, Buffy.*
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" the lips pressed against her ear said
in a leering voice. She shuddered in revulsion. Buffy stomped on his foot, surprising
him into letting her go. She drove her elbow into his stomach, then swung her
doubled fists into the mans chin. He hit the wall with a satisfying "oof." The
lights came on and Buffy got a good look at her attacker.
He was a foot taller than her with long, lank brown hair. A thick beard and
mustache covered his face, and he stared at her through dead blue eyes. Buffy
backed up a step as he lunged at her.
Angel flipped on the lights when all hell broke loose. He quickly surveyed the
situation. Spike was fighting two tall, dark haired men with reckless abandon,
a huge smile on his face. Buffy, however, wasn't doing so well. Another dark
haired man was steadily advancing on her, avoiding her swings easily. When he
saw the man swing his meaty fist at her face, Angel jumped over the counter
to help her.
Buffy shook her head to clear it after his fist met her face. *God, he's strong*
she thought, dodging his next punch, and landing on of her own. His head shot
back, and blood started pouring form his nose. The smile he gave her chilled
her blood.
"Feisty, aren't you?"
"Eeeww. Gross, much?" She swung again. Only to find her hand crushed in his
grip. She let out a squeal of pain, swinging her other arm. She found it caught
as well. He started to twist her arms until her wrists were pointing up. She
had never met a human as strong as this before. Well, she shouldn't have expected
wimps.
He was pushing her slowly to her knees, the strain on her wrists almost unbearable.
Buffy was soon eye to eye with a certain part of him. She reared her head back,
and used all her body weight to drive her forward and into his groin. He released
his grip immediately, sinking to his knees.
Angel came up behind him, gripped his head, and with a quick twist, let him
slump to the floor.
"Thanks." she said, jumping to her feet.
"You're welcome." A loud war whoop had them spinning in Spike's direction.
Spike was having the time of his life. Nothing like a spot of violence to raise
a bloke's spirits, he thought. He'd already knocked out one bounty hunter, and
was busy exchanging blows with the other. This was the one that had first entered
the hotel. The only difference between him and the others was a long jagged
scar that ran down the right side of his face.
"What happened to your chip, vampire?" the man ground out, slamming his fist
into Spike's jaw, staggering him.
"It's all gone.' Spike answered, his human mask back in place.
"No matter, you'll still die."
"Try me." The man launched at Spike, who side stepped him. Spike landed a punch
to his kidneys. The bounty hunter spun around, catching Spike's wrist in his
crushing grip. The man cracked his head against Spike's, pushing him backwards.
With one last burst of strength, he sent Spike careening backwards. Spike stumbled
and crashed to the floor, but quickly jumped to his feet. He rushed the dark
man, not seeing him slip something out of the waist band of his pants.
He heard Buffy scream, felt the sharp point pierce his chest, his eyes widening
with shock.
Buffy watched, the action before her seemingly in slow motion. She saw the man
grab Spike. Saw him roll backwards and regain his footing. Saw the stake bury
itself deep into his chest. Her anguished cry carried through the room as the
four waited for Spike to turn to dust. Anguish turned to confusion when nothing
happened.
Spike looked from the stake to the bounty hunter's surprised gaze, and evil
smile touching his mouth.
"You missed." Spike said, his voice low and dangerous. And with one swift move,
Spike reached over and snapped his neck.
Spike sank to his knees, panting for unneeded air. He felt a strong arm clasp
around his waist and lead him to a chair. Spike turned his head and looked at
his sire. Tilting his head towards the unconscious figure on the floor.
"You might want to tie him up, mate." Angel nodded and walked over to the prone
figure. Buffy appeared in front of him, inspecting the stake protruding form
his chest.
"It needs to come out." She said in a tight voice. Spike gave her a short nod.
"Be careful, Slayer. Or you'll be carrying me home in an ashtray."
"Thank you. Just what I needed, more pressure." He gave her a half smile as
she braced her hand against his right shoulder. Buffy took a deep breath before
wrapping her right hand around the stake. One false move and it wouldn't matter
how she felt about him.
"On three." Spike gave her a curt nod.
"One. . ." Buffy pulled with all her strength, the stake making a sucking sound
as it came out of Spike's flesh.
"Bloody hell!" Spike yelled.
"Don't you hate it when she does that?" Angel asked, snickering.
"Cor, Slayer!"
"You know, I can put it back. And I won't miss." Buffy said, glaring at him.
"That's quite alright." Spike leaned up and attempted to pull his t-shirt off.
Buffy sighed and went to help him.
"Shit." Spike hissed. Buffy pressed his shirt against the wound and took the
first aid kit from Angel. She removed the shirt, relieved to see it had already
stopped bleeding. She bandaged it quickly, and placed a small kiss on his forehead.
"You'll live." She stood, and turned from the emotion churning in the blue depths
of his eyes. "So, what do we do with him?"
The bounty hunter had come to while Buffy was tending to Spike.
"See what answers he can give us, then kill him?" Angel suggested, with a sadistic
smile. Buffy wrinkled her nose at him.
"Now, we could torture him real good, then cut him up and send him back wherever
he came from." Spike offered with his own evil smile.
"You know, I'm starting to think the council's right. Maybe I am crazy for hanging
out with you two." Buffy huffed. She turned her attention back to the man. He
stared back at her with the coldest eyes she'd ever seen. "Who sent you?"
"You know." he answered in a voice that sounded like he had swallowed nails.
"You're not from the council. I've seen their hired help before." Spike and
Angel moved to flank her.
"Go ahead and kill me. Doesn't matter." he said with cold smile. "If I don't
check in tomorrow, they will send more. You will die."
"Yeah, well. I've already died twice. You don't impress me." She leaned a little
closer to him, lowering her voice. "How 'bout, just for laughs, you tell us
who sent you, and I won't let my boys tear you apart with their teeth." With
that comment, both men vamped out. The bounty hunter had the decency to pale
a little bit. His eyes shifted to the bodies of his companions, realizing they'd
gotten off easy.
"Look, I think he wants to cooperate now." Buffy said, cheerfully. "WHO. SENT.
YOU?" she repeated a third time.
"Travers." he ground out.
"Quentin Travers?"
"Yeah. He's been dyin' to get rid of you for the longest time, little girl.
You've always beaten the odds. Spittin; in the face of the Council. Screwin'
the demons you're supposed to kill." A harsh chuckle escaped his lips. "Hell,
you can't even stay dead."
"Was Travers the only on involved?" Angel asked.
"Yeah. He let it slip to that friend of your ex watcher's. Wanted to see what
you'd do. See if you went any more against your callin'. And surprise, surprise.
You took the leash off your pet vampire." He spat, glaring at Spike.
"I'm nobody's 'pet', Pillock." Spike sneered. The bounty hunter snorted.
"You follow her around like she's a bitch in heat, just waitin' for her to throw
you a bone. If you ain't a pet, then what are you?"
"Love's Bitch." Spike answered, grinning broadly. "And I'm man enough to admit
it."
"Well, I don't think he has anything else to say." Buffy said, looking away
from his dead eyes.
"What do you want to do." Angel asked as she turned to face them. They both
slipped into their human masks and waited. Buffy thought for a second, then
answered.
"I'm going for a walk. About half an hour. I don't figure any of this will be
here when I get back." She said indicating the bounty hunters. All of them.
"Of course not, luv. It'll be right tidy when you get back." A slow feral smile
spread across Spike's face.
"Neat as a pin." Angel agreed.
"Alright, then. See ya." Buffy said, sashaying out the door. She didn't even
flinch when she heard the first scream.
Quentin Travers was just sitting down in his study for his after dinner drink
when the doorbell rang.
Grumbling to himself, he rose and walked to the door himself, it being the butler's
night off. Quentin opened the door, a smile spreading as he recognized the man
outside. His smile slipped as he took in the coldness if the gaze, the evilness
of the smile.
"Ripper." was the last word that Quentin Travers ever said.
Buffy hung up the phone with a small sigh.
"Who was that?" Dawn asked.
"Angel." Buffy answered. "Quentin Travers is dead."
"How?"
"Botched robbery, apparently. His butler found him shot in the head."
"Ow."
"Yeah. Ow." Buffy couldn't really dredge up much feeling for the news. Even
though she knew the story was a lie. Buffy had a pretty good idea who had done
it. But she would never ask, and he would never tell.
"Well, I'm going over to Susan's. See you tomorrow?" Dawn asked, hugging her
sister.
"Yeah. Have fun." Dawn waved, breezing out the door. Buffy watched her climb
into the car driven by her friends' mother, before closing and locking the door.
Buffy wandered through the house, checking locks and straightening up. Her thoughts
touched on the events of the last week.
When she had returned to the hotel that night, all evidence of the battle was
gone. Cordy, Wes, Gunn and Fred had returned, apparently told it was safe by
Angel. She'd tried to talk to Spike, but it always seemed impossible to catch
him alone. And when everybody had gone to bed, Spike was asleep as well. They
had come home the following evening, Spike getting dropped off at his crypt
before Angel dropped her at her house.
The gang had cleaned up the house, because the only thing noticeable was the
lack of certain knick-knacks and furniture. She'd fallen into her bed and slept
for a full day, finally waking because she was hungry.
But that had been four days ago. She hadn't seen Spike once. Not while patrolling,
and not when she went by his crypt. It still looked lived in, so she knew he
hadn't left. Buffy didn't understand why he was avoiding her.
With a sigh, Buffy decided she'd go to his crypt the next day, while he was
asleep and talk to him. She didn't really know why she hadn't done it before.
Buffy flipped off the lights and walked up the stairs to her room. As soon as
she opened the door, she saw him. He was lounging on her bed, playing with Mr.
Gordo.
"'Ello, luv."
"Spike. Where have you been?" she asked entering her room and closing the door.
"Here and there." he said, smiling.
"You haven't done anything I need to stake you for, have you?"
"No ma'am. I just thought you might need some time to think, s'all."
"Bout what?"
He gave her his 'are you daft' look.
"The chip."
"Oh." she'd forgotten. How could she have forgotten? Did she really trust him
that much. Buffy was stunned to realize that she did "What about it?"
He was really looking at her like she was crazy now. He put the stuffed pig
down and turned to sit up.
"Do you want me to get it put back in?" he said slowly. Buffy walked over to
him, cupped his face with her hands and stared into the blue depths of his eyes.
She saw uncertainty, fear, and love. She smiled at him, a warm tender smile.
"No. I trust you. Course, you start trying to snack on anybody, I will have
to stake you." she teased. But Spike heard the very real threat under her words.
"Buffy, I would never do anything to hurt you. Ever. I give you my word, I will
not feed on humans." She continued to stare in his eyes, saw the truth there,
and nodded.
"I believe you." the she gave him a radiant smile. "But maybe I'll give you
a taste now and again."
"Really? And why might that be?" Spike asked, smiling back.
"Well, you stupid vampire. It might be because I love you. . .eek!" She squeaked
when she found herself pinned beneath a very aroused blond vampire.
"Say that again." he said, his voice hushed. She saw his insecurity all over
his face.
"I. Love. You. Don't ask me why. Don't ask me how. I just do." Buffy sighed
as his lips claimed hers, gently, tenderly. He pulled away from her, and stared
into her eyes.
"I love you, Buffy."
"Come here and show me how much."
"With pleasure, luv. With pleasure."
~fin~
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