So Easy to Blame…

Encounters with the Slayer always left Spike unnerved, but tonight had been different. Tonight, he hadn’t wanted to kill her, at least mostly. When she’d inadvertently mentioned Cicily, he’d wanted to drain her quick. It was bad enough that the Slayer knew that he was a poet as a human, she didn’t need to know that he had been rejected by his muse, driven into the night, met Drusilla, and become a new creature. In some ways, he was still William. Angelus had seen that years ago. That image, the poet, had to be shut away, far away. Spike was a formidable opponent, a creature of the night to be feared. William was a ponce. He no longer had edge, no bite. The Slayer and her soddin’ memories or whatever they were had seen to that.
Spike pulled the ring from deep in his duster’s pocket. It wasn’t exactly attractive, not the sort of thing he could see her liking, but she had snatched it away from him like it was more precious than silver. He shrugged as he slipped it onto his finger and immediately the world around him began to spin. Spike quickly shut his eyes and willed the world to return to normal, when he reopened his eyes…nothing was normal.
The room was unfamiliar to his eyes, but part of him recognized the white walls, the couch, the bookshelves, the records. He was tied to a chair, a brassed off Slayer glaring down at him. A zillion different thoughts raced through his head from “What in the hell did I do now” to “She’s hot when she’s brassed”. It hit him hard, desire coursed through his body, his erection immediate. Suddenly the only thing he wanted was Buffy. Heat flooded through his arms as he felt her small hands untying the ropes that bound him to the chair. When he dared to look at her, he saw love shining back at him from the depths of her sparkling green eyes. If her eyes weren’t enough of a signal, the smell of her arousal was thick and strong.
Before he realized it, he was on his knee, her hand held gently in his. “Slayer, Buffy, marry me?”
Spike held the unneeded breath as he waited for her answer. He was aware of Giles’ presence in the room, but chose to ignore it.
“It’s just so sudden. I don’t know what to say,” Buffy said warmly.
“Just say yes, and make me the happiest man on earth,” Spike begged.
“Oh Spike,” Buffy gushed, “Of course it’s yes.”
Spike fought down the urge to recite poetry as Buffy flung herself into his arms. His body hummed from the contact of her little form, now molded against his. He nuzzled her neck, his demon excited by the scent of her blood. In an attempt to appease, he nipped gently at her neck with his blunt teeth. He was rewarded with a quiet moan from her lips. Pride washed over him as he realized that he was the one responsible for her contentment, not that commando, Riley.
“Giles!” Buffy exclaimed, “You’ll never believe what’s happened!”
He squeezed his girl tightly to him. All his now, no one would ever have her…he wouldn’t let them. For the first time, Spike didn’t care about the commando chip or about Dru running off with that bloody chaos demon. He was content to have Buffy in his arms. Angel was a ponce, he’d let this blonde beauty go. “All for the better, I s’pose. Means I get her.” Spike frowned slightly as Buffy pulled away from him slightly.
“Kiss me?” her eyes large, pleading.
“How can I say no to that face?” Spike asked as he captured her lips with his own.
At first the kiss was tentative, as if it was the first; a gentle caress of the contours of their lips. Slowly, the kiss became more aggressive. He ran his tongue along Buffy’s lower lip and smiled inwardly as she pulled him closer to her. She parted his lips, granting him access to the warmth her mouth held. Devouring. It was the only word that could be used to describe the actions between the two blondes. Both of them fought for dominance, neither wanting to submit. A growl from somewhere low caused them to break their kiss.
“Someone sounds hungry,” Buffy whispered.
“It’s your fault, luv. Reminded me ‘bout blood,” Spike said. To emphasize his point, he ran his tongue along her neck, sucking at her jugular.
“Well, since it’s all my fault, I’ll get you some blood,” Buffy said.
Spike looked at her incredulously.
“Now, mister, go sit,” Buffy reprimanded.
He chuckled at her and went to the armchair. He watched the sultry sway of her hips as she sauntered into the kitchen. “I’m the luckiest bastard in the world.”
Buffy smiled broadly as she carried the mug of blood to the living room, “Here you go…98.6.”
Unable to resist, Spike captured her lips in a searing kiss. The sight of her brining him blood, and being so sweet about it was euphoric. It was nice to be on the receiving end of her gentle side, not the harsh, Slayer-whipping side he was normally on.
“There’s so much to decide. Ceremony, guests, reception…”
Spike half grinned at the girl. He fiddled with the pen that he held in his hand, ready to take down any notes that his girl offered him. “Well, first thing I’d say we’re not having a church wedding.”
He inwardly cringed at the pained look on her face. He knew it was every girl’s fantasy to have a big wedding, the pretty dress, the nice church, but being a vampire it didn’t bode well with him to tie the knot in a soddin’ church. His pain eased when he noticed her face change into thoughtfulness.
“How ‘bout a daytime ceremony, in the park.”
“Chit’s lucky she’s cute.” Spike snorted, sometimes she really was daft. “Fabulous, enjoy your honeymoon with the big pile of dust.
She flinched at his use of sarcasm, but quickly recovered, not willing to loose the battle so easily, “Under the trees, indirect sunlight only.”
“Warm breeze tosses the leaves aside and again you’re registering as Mr. and Mrs. Big Pile of Dust,” Spike replied sarcastically. He wanted her to see how ridiculous the whole idea was.
A hurt frown touched Buffy face as she pouted at him, “Stop it! This is our wedding and you’re treating it like a big joke.”
He loved it when she pouted, it was so unbelievably sexy, “Look at that lip…gonna get it…gonna get it…”
Lips met lips in a playful caress. Both were teasing the other, not wanting to take the kiss any further than necessary. It was torture, asd it only added to the fire that was burning inside of him. He didn’t want to be the one to deepen it; he wanted the dominance…wanted her to beg for release.
She giggled against his lips, “Oh…stop…”
“Yes, please stop,” Giles said.
Spike watched in amusement as Buffy held out her hand to Giles, “Giles? Did you see my ring?”
The bloody ring. Spike wrenched it from his finger, panting hard. “What in the bloody hell is happening?” The images of Buffy in his arms left his mind and he found himself once more alone in the cemetery.

“What do you know about her, Giles?” Buffy asked for the tenth time.
“Um, not much. She’s not a demon of any kind that I am familiar with,” Giles said.
“Then why would Spike wig at the mention of her name?” Buffy asked.
“I’m really not sure,” Giles said as he wiped his glasses.
“Isn’t this the part where you say, ‘Let me check my books’?” Xander asked.
“Um, yes,” Giles stammered, “I suppose research is our best option at the moment.”
Buffy pouted, “Do I have sit and read dusty books? I’m really not too good with the words, and the pages…”
“No, Buffy. You should patrol. I’ll get the group working on finding out information about this Cicily,” Giles said.
Buffy squealed excitedly and dashed out of the room before the Watcher could change his mind.
“I think she actually wants to kill something,” Xander remarked.
“No, she just wants to get out of doing research. Killing things is her excuse,” Cordy said.
“I’ve got to find me one of those,” Xander said.
“Remind me again why we’re looking for her anyway? I mean, if she’s not a demon, what’s the big?” Cordy asked.
“As much as I hate to say it, I have to agree with Cordy. Giles, it does seem a bit much, don’t ya think?” Willow asked.
Giles sighed, “Buffy seems to think this girl is important. I personally want to find out as much about this Spike character as possible. I don’t trust him, even if he has made a truce with Buffy.”
“Now, now, that’s a bit harsh, Watcher,” a cocky British voice said.
The group immediately moved behind the table. Willow reached into her pack and pulled out a large, wooden cross. Oz put his arm around the red head protectively and silently wished it was a full moon. Xander paled a few shades and hoped Buffy’s patrol ended before they were all made into a late night snack.
“What do you want, Spike?” Giles asked stiffly.
“Jus’ a chat. I’m not going to eat you, so you can put that bloody cross down, Red,” Spike said.
Willow blushed at the nickname, and slowly put the cross back in her pack.
“Now, I’ve got myself a little problem. Your Slayer’s got herself some of my memories and such. I don’t want her to have ‘em anymore,” Spike said.
“Like is so bad for you,” Cordy began, “The longer she has information about you, the longer you get to live.”
“Mouthy little chit. I like it,” Spike said as he flashed her some teeth. He chuckled as the brunette flinched and his behind a brown haired boy. “The problem is that she’s beginning to nose into stuff she shouldn’t.”
“Cicily,” Oz said flatly.
Spike stiffened. “That little bitch! How dare she tell this lot about her!”
“We don’t have any information about her,” Giles said.
“Good. There’s no need for you to know anything ‘bout her either,” Spike said through clinched teeth.
“In that case, is there a reason you’re here?” Giles asked irritably.
“Oh, looks like someone’s got their knickers in a twist. Look, I made a deal with the Slayer. What more do you lot need in order to help me?” Spike asked.
Xander couldn’t keep the smirk from his face, it was too much, “You are a vampire, right?”
“Yeah,” Spike growled, “What of it, mate?”
“It just seems a bit, oh I don’t know…pathetic, to be asking what’s normally your dinner for help,” Xander said with a chuckle.
“You offering?” Spike spat.
If it was possible, Xander paled even more with Spike’s threat.
“You can’t bite or eat us,” Willow began, “Buffy’d stake you if you tried anything.”
Spike smiled. He liked the red-head. “Right you are, Red. ‘Sides, I wouldn’t eat the whelp anyway.”
“Hey,” an indignant Xander said.
“Xan, shut up. He just said he wouldn’t eat you. That’s a good thing,” Cordy said in a condescending tone.
“Obviously, you lot aren’t going to help me. I’ll be on my way then. I’ll come back with the Slayer, maybe then we can get some answers,” Spike said.
Before anyone in the group could comment, Spike was gone.
“Well that was just bundles of fun,” Xander said.
“So, why didn’t he eat us?” Cordy asked.
“Cordy! How can you ask that?” Xander exclaimed, “Just be happy he didn’t.”
“I’ve been wondering the same thing,” Giles said, “My only guess is that part of the truce is that he can’t eat any of us.”
“Yay for the Buffster,” Xander said.
“Yes, I do say for us that is a very good thing,” Giles said.
“I don’t know why you’re so worried, Xander. Spike said he wouldn’t eat you. Willow’s the one who should be worried,” Cordy asked.
“W-why me?” Willow asked in a small voice.
“Come on, they way he looked at you?” Cordy asked.
Willow blushed and ducked her head. She had the same feeling when Spike looked at her. She was very happy that Buffy had convinced Spike not to eat any of them. Oz tightened his arm around Willow when he noticed the change in her scent. The blond vampire had really worried his girl.
“In either case,” Giles said, regaining the group’s attention, “I want you all to stay away from Spike. And for that matter, don’t go wandering anywhere alone. No matter what he says, he’s still a vampire, and that makes him extremely dangerous.”
“Slayer’s got herself a nice little crew. Red’s got some wicked power and her boy...werewolf. The whelp isn’t of much use, but he loves the girl, even if he is with the annoying brunette.” Spike stopped dead in his tracks. “That’s it!” He ran the rest of the way back to the factory. He had a plan to put into motion.
Dru cried out when Spike entered the room. She covered her ears and shook her head.
“Wot?” Spike asked.
“My William is lost to me forever. She’s got you now. You belong to her. Her stench is all around you and she laughs at me. Mocks me for ever believing that you loved me,” Dru said in a sane voice.
Spike staggered. Whenever Dru sounded sane, something was seriously wrong. “What’s this tosh about the Slayer, luv?”
“Not tosh. I see it now, dear, sweet William. I’ll never truly have you,” Dru said sadly.
Wanting to make Dru believe that she was the only person for him, Spike grabbed her and threw her up against the wall. He roughly captured her mouth, ravishing her body with his hands. “See, luv,” he whispered, “Only you.”
Dru pushed Spike away, sending him spiraling into a heap on the floor, “Lies!”
“Wot are you talking about, pet?” Spike asked.
“You taste like ashes in my mouth,” Dru replied, “I know what you did, Spike.”
Spike, not knowing what to say, sits patiently, waiting for Dru to explain her ramblings.
“You made a deal with the Slayer. You’re not enough of a monster for me anymore,” Dru said softly.
“That’s what this is all about?” Spike exclaimed.
Dru looked up at the man who she had spent a century with, and no longer recognized him.
“The soddin’ Slayer? Dru, I’m using her. She knows, pet…knows things she doesn’t need to know,” Spike said.
“Things have already been put into motion, Spike. Things beyond you…beyond me…beyond us,” Dru said.
“There is nothing beyond us. You’re my Dark Princess…you created me, made me the man I am today,” Spike said, desperation seeping from his every word.
“And you no longer need me, Spike. You’ll carve your own path, the stars tell me so. The Slayer is now part of who you are to be, and I’ll have tea without you,” Dru said.
Spike ran his fingers through his hair, tousling it about on his head.
“She’s in your system, Spike. I can smell her all over you. There is only room for one, and you’ve made your choice,” Dru said.
“Of course I’ve made my bloody choice, Dru,” Spike said with fury, “YOU. You’re my choice. Sod the Slayer. We’ll leave; go away…far away…forgetting everything about Sunnyhell and the Slayer.”
“Stars show me that. Africa, that’s where we’d go, and every night you’ll dream about her…your Goddess of Light. I’ll not have it, Spike,” Dru said sternly.
“That’s it then? A century together and now it’s just…done?” Spike asked.
“Yes, dear William, it’s done,” Dru said softly. She glided over to the broken vampire and cupped his face. She saw the sadness in his eyes and ignored it completely. She was strong enough to go on her own now; she no longer required the protection of her childe. Even if she did, she could not bear to watch him go down the path that he had chosen.
“No, Dru. This bloody well isn’t over. There has to be something I can do to make you stay,” Spike said.
“I told you not to bring me to Sunnydale, I told you we should have stayed in Europe…you chose your path now you must walk it,” Dru said.
“Alone?” Spike asked.
“No, never alone,” Dru said.
“Then why are you leaving?”
“I’m not meant to walk with you. I must stay in the darkness where I belong,” Dru said. Before he could say anything more, she gathered her packed bag and left.
Spike sunk to the floor and stared mindlessly at the void that Drusilla had left in her wake. He felt a part of him die when he heard the door to the factory close. His sire, his lover was gone and nothing he could do would bring her back.

“’Ello?” Giles asked into the phone.
“Giles, it’s Angel. Before you say anything, I know you don’t exactly trust me, and I don’t blame you, but there is something important I need to tell you. It’s about Buffy.”
Giles instinctively straightened in his chair. Anything concerning his charge was something he was willing to pay heed to…even if it did come from untrustworthy sources, “What is it, Angel?”
“Since Buffy came to L.A. I’ve been doing some digging, and I’ve found some interesting things. Something is changing…things are being put into motion that were never meant to be. I don’t know exactly what, but it’s not good for Buffy. From what I can tell, her memories of Spike are part of a spell, but I’m sure you already figured that part out, but the part that has me bothered is his reaction to it. I’ve known Spike for far longer than I care to and I know a thing or two about him. The one thing I know for sure is that he doesn’t keep Slayer’s alive…for any reason,” Angel said.
“So, it’s not normal for him to form an alliance with one?”
“An alliance? Spike? With a Slayer? Never.”
“Angel, Spike made a truce with Buffy.”
“Spike doesn’t play well with others. Either he’s up to something, or there is some greater power working…using both Buffy and Spike as puppets. For both their sakes, I hope it’s just a half cocked plan of Spike’s.”
“I tend to agree with you. Is it safe for Buffy to hold to this truce? Is she in any immediate danger?”
“As much as I hate to say this, I think she’ll be in more danger if something happens to Spike.”
“I’d feared that would be the case.”
“Keep an eye on her, Giles. Spike is capable of a lot of things, some…worse than me.”
“Thank you, Angel. I will. Keep looking, and let me know of anything you come up with. For the time being, I see no reason to alert Buffy. She has enough to deal with at the moment.”