A/N Betad by seapealsh and dawnofme. Banner by dawnofme.
This is set before Thomas ever met Justine.





Chapter Four

Whether it was because he wasn’t in his crypt or that he’d finally gotten the alcohol intake just right, but for the first time in a long time, Spike actually slept a sweet dreamless sleep. He woke when he heard the shower running, and glanced around in confusion for a second or two before he remembered where he was. The shower stopped and the girl from last night strolled into the room with a towel wrapped around her body.

“Hey there,” she said.

“Morning, uh…” Spike looked off when he realised he had no clue what her name was.

“Emily,” she supplied helpfully.

“Oh…er…sorry, pet.” Spike was grateful that vampires can’t blush as he squirmed a little in his seat.

“It’s okay. Thanks for sleeping on the couch. I guess I just crashed out.”

“That’s one word for it,” said Spike, smiling at her as she turned to walk into the bedroom. Shite, how times have changed. William the Bloody being complimented on not taking advantage.

There was a tap at the adjoining door to the suite Thomas was using, and it was opened tentatively. The girl who had spent the night with him appeared. She was dressed and obviously freshly showered, but still managed to look totally dishevelled. She glanced at Spike.

“Oh, wow! Your friend is just incredible.” She tottered over and flung herself down into one of the armchairs.

When he didn’t reply, the girl just giggled. “Where’s Emily?”

Spike pointed to the bedroom, where he presumed that Emily was getting dressed.

“Not very talkative, are we?” she said with a pout before entering the bedroom and closing the door firmly behind her.

Spike cringed as their peals of laughter reached him through the door, and he groaned as he imagined what the conversation between the two girls would be like. One got shagged out and the other just passed out untouched. Not great for the ego. With a sigh, he got up, stretched his aching muscles, glared at the couch and then walked through the still open door into the other suite, not wanting to stay where he was and overhear the girls comparing notes. Thomas, predictably, was still sprawled on the bed. His wavy brown hair was tousled with sleep and sex.

“Hey, Spike,” he drawled, his eyes only half open.

“Morning. Ate well last night, from what I can see.”

“You mean Jessica?” He smiled. “Yes, it was fun and quite satisfying.” Yawning, he sat up. “So, shall we head back to Sunnydale when the girls have gone?”

“Only if you want a big pile of dust in your pretty little car,” said Spike, nodding towards the still curtained window. “Sun’s up.”

“I could put the top up.”

“No thanks, mate. I still couldn’t keep out of the light. And before you say it, your boot’s too bleeding small. I’ll just have to stay here until dark.” Spike wasn’t too bothered by this as he’d taken a look at the ample contents of the mini bar. He’d fed well the evening before and so not having any blood wasn’t really an issue, plus he could always snack on some human food if he got peckish.

Thomas ran his hand through his hair. “Sorry, Spike. I never thought of that. I’ll come back for you later.” He climbed out of bed, giving Spike an eyeful of what had pleasured Jessica so well, before he stooped and pulled on his jeans. “You don’t mind if I go though, do you?”

Spike waved a hand dismissively. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

All he wanted to do was to nurse his hangover and try to forget about his abject failure to perform.

Pathetic! The little voice in his head informed him.

Spike wasn’t quite sure how he got through the girls’ goodbyes. While he got a half-wave from Emily, Jessica leapt on Thomas as a drowning man would leap onto a lifeboat. At least Thomas had the good grace to look embarrassed as he peeled her off and shoved her unceremoniously out of the suite. He leaned on the door after he’d slammed it shut and smiled lopsidedly at Spike.

“Uh…sorry about that. I’d better wait for a while before I leave.”

At Spike’s puzzled look, Thomas continued, “They have been known to wait in the lobby just in case.” He smiled another sheepish smile and Spike had to clench his fists not to punch it right off him.

Thankfully, forty-five minutes later, Thomas left. Spike was glad of it for two reasons. The first being that he just wanted to be alone to lick his wounds, and the second was that even when Thomas was well fed his allure, if not carefully focussed, still affected those around him. The last thing Spike needed was for Thomas to hear him wanking off in the shower, which was what he intended to do as soon as possible.

Git!

As soon as Thomas left, Spike made a beeline to the shower, rested his back against the tiles as the warm water splashed over him and closed his eyes. Thomas might have been the cause of Spike’s erection, but Buffy, as ever, was the cause of his relief. At least this time he had real memories of her being friendly to him, instead of make believe ones.

He rubbed himself dry on a large fluffy towel and then flopped, still naked, onto the bed. A glance at the light flooding in through the small gap in the drapes made him wonder what Thomas would be doing. Out there in the light. Out there where Buffy belonged. With a groan, he pulled a pillow over his face and struggled not to weep with frustration. Why would she ever settle for life in the shadows with him?

It’s going to be a very long day.

*~*~*~*

Thomas sang along to the radio as he drove back to Sunnydale. Feeling more sated than he had in a while, he was just wondering what to do when his eyes widened with horror and he slammed on the brakes. Only his vampiric reactions prevented him from mowing down the figure that had stepped out in front of him. The tyres screeched and left black lines of rubber on the road surface and when the car finally came to a halt, it was facing the opposite direction and its rear panel was crushed against a lamppost.

Leaping out of the car without bothering to open the door, Thomas ran over to the person intent on scaring her half to death for the fright she’d given him.

“What the hell were you doing? I could have killed you!”

The figure turned around and smiled shakily at him. “I –I’m really sorry.”

“It’s you!” Thomas gaped at the petite blonde, his anger immediately dissipating. “Buffy, are you okay?”

“Thomas? I guess I really should start looking where I’m going, huh?”

A car horn blaring made Thomas guide her to the sidewalk.

“I think that would be a good idea.” He smiled at her, letting her feel his vibe, knowing that it would help to calm her – or at least have her refocus her attention on something else.

“Oh, God! Your car!” Buffy’s hands flew to her mouth when she saw the crumpled vehicle.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about the car. It can be fixed—”

“I’ll pay for it!”

“Not necessary. It’s insured.” It wasn’t quite true but the platinum Amex card had no credit limit on it. Gotta love the family funds.

“But—”

“I said forget it,” said Thomas firmly. “Now are you sure that you’re alright? You must have been worrying about something to walk out like that.”

Buffy glanced at him curiously.

“Uh…just…things,” she said, cringing at her lame reply.

But just what do you say to the incredibly hot guy that you’ve bumped into twice – though not literally this time. Do you say that you’d been thinking about him a lot, even though you never thought you’d see him again? Do you say that you’ve also been thinking about the guy who you can never get rid of? Do you tell him that the other guy is a vampire and that you’re the slayer?

She risked another glance at Thomas, wondering why he hadn’t said something, and then blushed as she caught him looking at her with such lust her knees felt weak.

“Oh! Sorry for staring,” said Thomas, his grin telling Buffy that he was anything but. He reached out and touched her hair. “It’s just that you are so beautiful.”

Buffy’s blush deepened and she dropped her gaze to her feet, trying not to notice his lean, muscular body on the way down.

She waved a hand in the direction she’d been heading. “I should really go…”

“Don’t!”

The vehemence in Thomas’s words startled her, and she glanced up, eyes wide. He placed a hand on the top of both of her arms and met her gaze. “What I mean is…uh…don’t you feel like maybe it’s fate that we met again?”

Thomas’s heart began to pound and he realised it had nothing to do with feeding off her energy. He’d been attracted to the kine in the past, even took a human as a companion from time to time, but he tried to fight it. A proper relationship, though something he yearned, was forever out of his reach. But looking into her hazel-green eyes, Thomas knew that he was lost. He had to have her, even though he knew it would probably kill her in the end.

Realising that he still held Buffy firmly in his grasp, Thomas took a deep breath and let her go, stepping back as soon as he did.

“Uh…sorry…of course you don’t want to spend time with me…you don’t know me.” He backed off still further, heading towards his car.

“I’d like to,” blurted Buffy, finally managing to find her tongue.

“Like to?” His smile lit up his face.

“Get to know you,” she added. “Spend time with you.”

“You’re sure? I mean I could be a mad axe murderer or something.” Thomas offered her an out that he desperately hoped she wouldn’t take. He kept his vibe damped down, needing this to be her own choice.

Her sweet laughter surprised him. “You don’t really look like a mad axe murderer. I think I’ll take my chances.”

She’s crazy to agree to go off with a stranger, thought Thomas, though thrilled by her decision.

Axe murderer? Piece of cake! Buffy knew that as fit as the guy was, he would be no match for her in a fight. Slayer strength was enough to easily outdo any human.

“Excellent!” Thomas held out his arm and gave a half bow. “Permit me to take milady to her carriage.”

Taking his arm, Buffy chuckled, “Why thank you, kind sir.”

Once he’d escorted her to the passenger seat, Thomas jumped in behind the wheel and turned on the ignition.

“Are you sure that it’s safe to drive?” said Buffy, as the car pulled away with a squeal of metal on metal.

“It’s only a little ding,” said Thomas, smiling at her. It was ridiculous, but he was feeling a bit shy.

Buffy turned around in her seat and looked behind her. “I think you left part of your bumper behind.”

Thomas shrugged. “It can be mended. So what do you want to do? It’s not far to the beach, is it? Does that sound okay?”

“Sounds great!” Buffy thanked the stars that it was a Sunday, but she knew that she would have cut class to go out with him for the day.

He reached out and laid his hand on Buffy’s thigh, giving it a little squeeze before beginning to take it away. He glanced at her with delight as she grabbed it and put it back where it was, covering it with her own.

“The beach it is!” He took advantage of a stop sign to place a chaste kiss on Buffy’s cheek.

As they drove along, Buffy pulled out her cell phone, and sent Willow a text.

Gone beach with Thomas – the guy I told you about! Don’t wait up!

She smiled to herself.

It’s going to be a great day!