I'm baaaaaack! Holy Rip Van Winkle, it's nearly been a year since my last post! Which wasn't even a proper one! But please, my darling readers, before you start throwing stones **hides under desk**, let me updates you on the big suckfest that has been my life...

Remember the USB drive theft incident? Well, I got a job offer soon after that, so I quit my horrible job full of assholes, and embraced a new career in the textile industry. I was so happy there! But after a few months, they had to let me go because, according to my boss, there wasn't enough work going around. Truth is, as I found out soon after, it's cheaper to hire temporary help than actual professionals... So now, after actually quitting a full-time paid job for those tight bitches, I'm trying to launch my own business... which is good, but slow-starting...

On the bright side, Love has come my way... And I have time to write now! I'll try to post as often as possible, I promise, but you'll understand the Muse has kinda made herself scarce these past few weeks... We've had words... Nonetheless, enjoy!

 

Chapter Fifteen – Unexpected

“It's not just me you know, there's a lot of ruined smiles,
And I remain so strong for them, even though, I'm burst inside.
It was unexpected, But I always should have known,
That you would lead a shortened life coz your light was running low.
Felt I was one with you, and you reassured my head,
Didn't seem the same when you were lying in your bed.”

The View, “Unexpected”

 

Angel was fuming. As in so furious smoke ought to be coming out of his ears.

As he was walking briskly through the darkened streets on Sunnydale, he was pretty sure that if he could see himself in a mirror, smoke would actually rise from his ears.

The Scoobies were at the movies, Faith having joined them, Giles was incommunicado, and Spike was somewhere doing unthinkable things to his Slayer. Well, things he certainly did not want to think about.

He knew he had no right to interfere. He had pretty much said so. Especially if his intuition was right and Buffy was actually Spike’s mate. But still! There was still evil afoot! Vampires to slay! Evil vampires! Why did he have to patrol? The world had three Slayers now! Why was he needed to…

He stopped.

The world had three slayers…

Three mighty protectors would now be replacing him! He was suddenly certain that as soon as the next maybe-apocalypse would be dealt with, Faith and Gayle would leave to roam the world while Buffy kept an eye on the Hellmouth! Or maybe they’d take turns! He wasn’t needed anymore!

“Oh my Go – ”

His body seized up as a powerful electrical current suddenly ran through it. About two seconds later he had lost consciousness.

A large shadow loomed over him, his thumb still poised on the taser button. Its owner smiled and spoke with a deep southern accent: “God doesn’t answer to the likes of you, abomination. However, you may answer to me when you wake up…”

 

__…-==-…__

 

The next morning, Gayle was adding some berries to Dawn’s breakfast bowl when Buffy came into the house, obviously trying to be stealthy and failing miserably.

“Ahem, morning all” said the blonde, managing to maintain her serious demeanor.

“Morning, Buffy” said Gayle, barely containing a grin. “Rocking the bed hair, I see. Or should I say crypt hair?”

Buffy’s hands flew to her hair. Yep, it was a mess. And she had just crossed town in that state…

Dawn came to the rescue. “Don’t listen to her, Buffy, you look hot as ever. If only a little… ravished!”

“Dawn! Language!” gasped Buffy.

“Just how was that bad language?”

“It-it-it just was, okay?”

“Shyeah, whatever. And to think I was trying to be nice…”

Gayle snickered and pushed Dawn’s bowl in front of her. As Buffy was taking off her jacket, the brunette noticed something was off, but what –

Nooo? She couldn’t… could she?

Innocently, Gayle dropped a towel on the kitchen floor. “Oh, rats. Buffy, darling, could you pick that up for me, please?”

Buffy obliged, briefly wondering why the other slayer couldn’t pick up the cloth herself, but then a shriek made her bolt upright.

“BUFFY ANNE SUMMERS! YOU’RE NOT WEARING ANY UNDERWEAR!”

The blonde slayer gasped, imitated by her sister. “W-what? How –”

“No panty line under that skirt when you bent down! Oooh, naughty!”

Damn damn damn! There was a very good explanation to Buffy’s absence of undergarment. Right now, they were splayed on a pillow on Spike’s bed, waiting for him to wake up. She had even rubbed herself with the skimpy material so it would smell of her… She knew Spike would appreciate the gesture… “Erm, I… forgot? To put some on?”

“Nope, try another one.”

“Laundry day?”

“I do your laundry! You’ve got plenty of clean undies!”

“Easier high-kicks?”

“Oh, it’s easier something alright…”

“Gayle!”

“… maybe access…”

“GAYLE!!”

Dawn clasped her hands to her ears. “Mama! Impressionable teenager here!”

“Oh, please! Only when it suits you!”

“Well, it suits me right now!”

“Guys?” Buffy interrupted. “Could we, like, drop the subject of my MIA panties right now? Mama, I’d love you even more than usual if there’s fresh coffee in it for me…”

“Who could resist a declaration like that?” Gayle sighed, and went to pour fresh coffee into a clean mug. “Dawn, the paper should have arrived by now, could you go get it, please?”

“Sure, Mama, would you like me to sweep the porch while I’m at it?” she replied sarcastically.

“What a sweetie you are! Broom’s in the closet.”

Dawn stared at the brunette, then threw her arms in the air in defeat as she made her way to the porch.

Buffy smiled widely, and made a whipping sound. “Go, Gayle! You succeeded where I always failed!”

“What can I say? I’m awesome.”

“So what are your plans on this fine-looking Saturday?”

“I’m taking Faith shopping this afternoon at the mall. The girl badly needs fashion rescue services…”

“Tell me about it! Can you say skanky?”

“I can, unfortunately. But it’s nothing me and my good friend Platinum Card can’t overcome. No way I’m gonna let one of my girls in such dire need of style therapy! Plus I need something to wear at Willow and Tara’s housewarming party next week…”

“Oooh, pick something for me too, please. I supposed Dawn will be tagging along?”

“Oh, no, no, no. Willow’s coming later to take her to the library to tutor her in Math. I’m not letting that D pass…”

“Dawn got a D in Math?!?”

“I know! And get this: she tried to make it pass as her initial! Why d’you think she’s on cleaning duty?”

Dawn came back with Gayle’s paper and nearly threw it on the kitchen island. “Dere ya go, Miss Sca’lett. Anything else ya need, Miss Sca’lett?”

“How’s that porch coming, Dawn minus?”

“It was a D minus?!?”

The teen made a face, then left again to retrieve the broom. “How long am I cursed for, by the way?”

“How long d’you think you can turn that D into an A?”

“Buffy, help me out here!”

The blonde cupped her ear. “Err, excuse-me? Did I hear that right? You’re asking me for help? When I’ve been pestering you for the past year and a half about your grades? Is that what’s happening here?”

Dawn groaned, letting her shoulders slump, and looked back at Gayle. “What do you need me to do afterwards, bwana?”

Gayle looked at Buffy. “Any suggestions?”

Buffy beamed. Gosh, I love that woman! “Mmh, the bathroom could use a good scrubbing.”

“I hate you both so damn much it’s not even funny!” the teen stomped upstairs.

“Talking of not funny” Gayle started, “I’m sorry to tell you, Mr Deliciousness has left the building.”

“Angel left? Why?”

“Didn’t say. Last I saw him, he said he was going to patrol. He didn’t seem to like the idea of me taking the gang, including Faith, to the pictures while you were… erm…”

“I get it, I get it. I was shunning my duties and the rest of you dared to have a good time. Typical Angel, really. Probably already back in L.A. and sulking.”

Gayle wiggled her eyebrows. “Your hair tells me we weren’t the only ones having a good time…”

Buffy bit her lower lip mischievously. Shall I tell her? Who else can I have an actual sex-related conversation with? Willow? She’d turn purple… Dawn? Waaaaay too young, maybe next year… Faith? Probably, but she’s sleeping…

“Actually… we didn’t do anything.”

Gayle put her mug aside, and scooted forward, very business-like. “Do tell.”

“Well… after the whole ‘coming out’ thing last night, I went to his crypt…”

“I had already gathered that much.”

“I wasn’t a happy Buffy, you’ve probably noticed that too.”

Gayle almost growled, and took Buffy’s hand. “Don’t let that idiot Giles get to you, darling. He’s just frustrated ‘cos he’s not getting any.”

“Neither are you, and you’re not giving me a hard time!”

“Thanks for reminding me. Back to the topic please?”

Buffy smirked. “So it’s okay to talk about my sex life but never yours?”

“Because mine is non-existent, however hard I try. So I’m living mine through yours. So you went to his crypt, then…?”

“Sorry, no tasty details today. I was just… real down, and I needed him like badly, but not necessarily… that way. I just needed him… close. He just held me.”

“All night?”

A tender smile floated on the blonde slayer’s lips. “Yeah. We fell asleep like that, just in each other’s arms.”

Gayle made a typical ‘awww’ face. “You two can be so romantic, it’s sickening.”

“I know. Still love me?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Hey, look at it this way: since I’m giving you all the details, you’re technically getting more action than Giles!”

“Well, thank Gucci for that! The day Mr Stick-Up-My-Pants gets more than me, I’ll just shoot myself in the bathtub.”

“Why the bath… oh, because it’d be easier to clean up afterward, right?”

“You so get me! More coffee?”

Buffy nodded enthusiastically, and Gayle went to fill her mug. Once she was seated once more, she took the newspaper and stared at the front page.

“Erm, Buffy? What’s Giles’ address again?”

“Vista Hermosa Road, why?”

Gayle just showed her the headline.

Massive explosion at apartment complex…

The picture was that of Giles’ building, engulfed in flames.

A lump formed in Buffy’s throat. In a flash, she had grabbed her cell phone and speed-dialed Giles’ own cell.

I am the captain of the Pinafore / And a right good captain too… The music was coming from the front porch.

Retrieving stakes from their coats near the front door, the Slayers assumed combat positions. Buffy put her hand on the doorknob. The music was still playing on the other side. She looked at Gayle, who nodded, and abruptly opened the door…

“Oh, good morning, Buffy. Do you know how this infernal contraption works?”

Giles was standing there, dressed in the same clothes she had last seen him in, holding his phone and obviously trying to switch off his cell. “Say, why do you two have stakes? It’s daylight.”

“We saw the headlines! Gosh, Giles I’m so glad you’re okay!”

Buffy moved forward to give him a hug, but Gayle stopped her: “Wait! Giles could very well have died in the explosion, how do we know this is the real one? There’s plenty of shape-shifters about!”

“You’re an obnoxious annoying little tart” said Giles in a very matter-of-fact tone.

“Whaddya know? It is Giles! Nice ring tone, Pointdexter.”

“… Dawn got to my phone too…”

“Riiight.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and raised her hand. “Okay, kiddies, stop arguing and play nice or no dessert!”

Both shot her an incredulous look.

“Well it works when she says that!” the blonde justified while indicating Gayle. “Come in Giles. Do you want some coffee? Gayle made a fresh pot…”

Gayle grunted, and reached out for Giles’ phone. She switched off the ring tone, handed it back to its owner and left for the kitchen.

Buffy turned her attention back to Giles. “Are you okay? We saw the pictures, how did you get out?”

“By some extraordinary coincidence, I was not in my apartment at the time of the explosion and… Good Lord, what happened to your hair?”

Buffy tried to smooth it down. “Nothing. So where were you?”

“At a bar. Can we sit down?”

Buffy nodded and led him to the couch. As they sat down, Gayle brought in a mug of hot coffee and deposited on the table then promptly left, without ever looking at Giles. Giles took a sip of it.

“This actually very good coffee…”

“Of course it is!” shouted Gayle from the kitchen. “Why would it not be?”

Giles was slightly surprised she could have heard him, but shouted back immediately: “I was paying you a compliment, you daft girl!”

“Kiss my –”

“Stop it!” Buffy said. “I can be Mumsy Buffy too! Behave, both of you, or go to your rooms!”

Giles grumbled something like “she started it”. Gayle was not heard again.

Buffy turned back to her Watcher. “You were saying?”

“That after a few drinks, I walked home, as I was in no state to drive, and found the complex on fire! A nice chap from the fire department informed me there had been an explosion in one of the lower apartments, they’re not sure which one yet… So I made my way to the nearest motel and spent the night there.”

“Well thank God you’re okay!”

“I’m quite glad you think so, Buffy, for I am here to request sanctuary.” Buffy gave him a blank look. “I mean, would it be alright for me to stay here for a few days, just the time for the insurance to do the repairs?”

“Of course, you can! Stay as long as you need! … Why were you at a bar?”

“Well, I do believe that is the place to go to when one wishes to obtain alcoholic beverages. Any more silly questions?”

“Okay, let me ask it another way: why were you suddenly overcome with the need to get drunk?”

Giles sighed and put his mug down. “Buffy, dear… you have to understand: news such as yours last night, regarding your… your… erm…”

“Relationship?”

“Dear Lord, I really wish you wouldn’t use that word… but yes, if we must employ it. But please realize this: a Slayer and a vampire… this is against everything I’ve ever been taught! You and Angel was already a lot to take in back in the day, and we all know how well that turned out…”

“Giles!”

“I’m sorry, but it’s the truth, although I do recognize that you hardly had any responsibility in the matter… However, I was rather upset when I got home… I even called the Council to inform them…”

Buffy’s blood suddenly froze and her mouth went dry. She stood up, staring at her Watcher. “Giles… please tell me you didn’t…”

“I’m rather afraid I did…”

Anger quickly replaced fear. “Giles! I can’t believe you would unleash that pack of rabid dogs on us! I could so totally kill you!”

Gayle came running in with her faithful axe in hand. “Ooh, me first, me first!”

Buffy held out her hand to stop her. “Down, Cujo!”

“But you just said…”

“Just wait for a second! Giles, give just one reason not to unleash her on you!”

Gayle raised her axe again…

“I called the Council… but hung up at the second the secretary answered.”

A beat. Gayle asked almost timidly: “Does that count?”

“Why did you do that?” the blonde asked, puzzled.

Giles sighed even deeper than before. “Buffy… you’re one of the most successful Slayers ever recorded… You’re of a responsible age, in a full-time job and in charge of a, erm, rather ‘colorful’ family. You’ve made some disputable decisions in the past, but so far it’s worked quite well for you. You are no longer a child, nor technically my charge. You are a very intelligent and caring young woman… and I should respect your decisions. Even if I don’t always agree with them. It’s your life, Buffy, I have no right to interfere.”

Buffy gave him a soft smile and turned to Gayle. “Giles is going to stay with us for a few days.”

Gayle gasped in outrage. “He can’t! We’re out of beds!”

“There’s the sofa, or you said Angel left, right? That means there’s a free cot in the basement near Faith’s!”

“… what has the poor girl done to you to deserve that?”

At that moment, the door to the basement opened, and Faith appeared, yawning and extending her arms in the air in one luxurious stretch.

“Mornin’, ya’all. Hey, B, love the sex hair.”

 

__…-==-…__

 

The house was empty. Well almost.

Willow and Dawn were at the library, Giles at the Magic Box, Gayle and Faith at the mall… Buffy was alone.

And liking it too… the quiet, the peace, the absence of crazyness… she could get used to this!

Maybe I’ll take a looooong bubbly bath. Or I’ll put on a rom-com. Maybe just watch Oprah…

She was still considering her options, when the kitchen door opened suddenly to let in a smoking blanket.

Buffy sighed, but couldn’t suppress a smile. “My boyfriend. Always choosing the most flammable time of day to come and visit.”

Spike shrugged the blanket off and straightened his clothing. He looked at his lover and smiled back. “What can I tell you, baby? You set me on fire already, sun’s got nothing on you. And, ‘boyfriend’?”

“Well… yeah…” Buffy stuttered a bit, afraid she’s said something wrong…

But Spike was still grinning. “Tha’s nice, that is.” He closed the distance between them and crushed his lips to hers.

For a moment, Buffy was only too happy to lose herself in the kiss, but soon it grew more and more passionate as Spike’s hands started to migrate south… and there were things that needed to be said…

“Hold on, hold on!” she managed to say between kisses.

Spike grunted, but stopped nonetheless. He kept her tightly to him though, resting his forehead against hers and waited for her to speak.

“You know… last night was just… beautiful.”

He nodded softly. “It was at that, pet.”

“D’you think we could… like… have more of that?”

Spike smiled tenderly. “Of course, love. Whatever you want, anytime you want. And to tell you the truth, last night was...” His head tilted backwards, and he let out a deep sigh, looking for a way to translate his thoughts into words before he looked at her again. “... I've lived for soddin' ever, Buffy. I've done everything. I've done things with you I can't spell... but I've never been close... to anyone. Least of all you. Until last night. All I did was hold you, watch you sleep... nearly the best night of my life. The actual best being when you told me you love me.”

Boy, when this guy was turning on the mush, it always came out as true poetry. Bloody awful poet, my ass! Buffy was certain she was going to cry. How far had they come since that dreadful night when he had almost... How close to destruction they had been brought by despair…

She grabbed him by the back of his head and brought him down in an intense kiss, which he was only too happy to return. It soon turned heated.

“Pet, I thought you wanted to talk…” said the vampire, briefly breaking the kiss.

“What? I can’t change my mind? I’m a woman, it’s my God-given right!”

He chuckled warmly. “What my lady wants, my lady gets.” He scooped her up and carried her upstairs.

Once in her bedroom, he dropped her quite unceremoniously on the bed. She fell face first and squealed in delight, only to see Spike retreating into the hallway, leaving a light mist behind him.

“Curtains! Curtains!” he called out from his hiding place.

Buffy jumped from her bed and quickly closed the drapes. The material was thick enough not to let any dangerous rays through, thank goodness. “All safe! You can come in now!”

The vampire poked his head inside the room, and she sighed in relief to see he was unharmed.

Spike entered, grinning again. “Wouldn’t call it ‘safe’, luv.” His heavy coat fell to the floor. “Big Bad’s in here now…”

She gave him a falsely coy smile. “Then why isn’t he in me right now?”

He growled and pounced. Soon her clothes were a thing of the past. She only managed to tug his t-shirt off before he grabbed her under the buttocks and lifted her on to the bed once again, where he joined her. Before she could readjust her position, Spike had again seized her luscious behind and lifted it to his face.

Buffy gasped, but her lover just smiled down at her. “Not to fret, my love, it’s all part of the plan. I wanna see and taste every glorious inch of you…” And he clasped his mouth over her moist pussy.

She cried out and arched her back. Spike’s tongue lapped and swirled between her nether lips, skillfully alternating between fast and slow. He then latched onto her clit, and started to suck on it. She almost screamed in rapture, panting, thrashing, thrusting her hips towards his face, desperately seeking more of that delicious torture.

Grinning from ear to ear, Spike gave the little nub a few parting licks and nips, and Buffy was this close to slapping him in frustration when he delicately put her down. She looked at him. The grin had gone, replaced by all the tenderness in the world.

Spike unbuckled his belt and slid his jeans off. As soon as he was naked, his beautiful lover wrapped her legs around his waist, and he grinned. He loved feeling the softness of her skin around him, surrounded in her heat and love… He entered her slowly, enjoying every inch, and this time she let him.

Again, she felt that urge, that primal need to possess that body, that man, that creature on top of her. That such a unique creature should belong to her and no-one else. Mine, the thought rang through her fevered mind. But she shook these feelings aside and concentrated on the moment.

Spike leaned forward, and buried his face between her breasts as he started pumping. He set out a slow rhythm, and his tongue darted out to tease a nipple. Buffy moaned and pushed her breast into his mouth. He smiled, but she didn't see that, too busy knotting her fingers in his hair to push his head against her body. At this stage, she didn't care which part. She was just craving contact, friction... God, he felt so good inside her...

Spike had lost hope of ever going to Heaven many decades before, but it no longer mattered to him, as he was certain that one second inside Buffy had to top a hundred years of bliss. This was bliss in its purest form. It was perfection.

Her body shook with tremors and she involuntarily clenched around his shaft. He hissed. If she kept doing that, close as sh already was, he was sure to follow suit immediately... and he didn't want that... No yet.

So she completely took him by surprise when she grabbed him by the shoulders and flipped them, ending up straddling an astonished vampire... who was getting hornier by the second...

Never mind, he thought. I'll make it last the next time... like, right after this time...

Buffy raked her nails on her lover's torso and threw her head back with a groan of pleasure. She moved her hips up and down, and started fondling her breasts. The show was almost too much for Spike to take...

She heard the bones shift before she saw him. When her eyes met yellow ones, Spike was sure she’d run.

But she didn’t.

She leaned forward and kissed him chastely on his demonic lips. Then she placed her hands on his shoulders and started riding him harder. Her breathing increased as did the rhythm of her thrusts.

Spike groaned and reached for her breasts, kneading her soft flesh and pinching her nipples ruthlessly.

Buffy cried out. How did he manage to be tender and rough at the same time and with just the perfect amount of both to drive her insane with pleasure?

The rhythm was reaching its paroxysm, and Buffy leaned towards her vampire, seeking more contact. Spike wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her close and breathing in her scent, which was near intoxicating. He met her thrusts almost violently. She was close, he could feel it, and so was he. Her moans and labored breaths were driving him wild. The feel of her on top of him, her heat, her passion, her touch, her smell: that of her arousal, her skin...

...and her blood...

… mine...

… Mate...

MINE!!

No longer able to ignore the aching need inside him, Spike’s fangs sank into her neck.

“Mine!”

Buffy exploded into the most powerful orgasm she’d ever known.

 

__…-==-…__

 

A brand new dress, some killer heels, a little detour by the hairdresser’s, and Faith Lehane was a new woman. And probably in love with her self-appointed stylist Gayle. She had respected her tastes in clothes but still she looked fabulous.

The dress was short, but tastefully so, in a clinging and soft deep brown material. The shoes were simple stilettos, but with a studded tip and heel, and she was seriously considering taking them on patrol as they would give the expression “killer heels” a whole new meaning. Her hair was now a lovely shade of chocolate, all in loose waves and bangs. She felt refreshed and sexy as hell as she strutted in the mall, her arms heavy with clothes-filled bags beside a smug-looking Gayle…

… that is, until said Gayle’s eyes rolled into her head and fell backwards, landing unconscious on the floor.

Faith cried out her friend’s name and quickly knelt beside her. Gayle was out cold. A small crowd was now gathering around the two girls. The former rogue slayer seized her friend by the shoulders and tried to shake her awake.

“Gayle! Please Mama, talk to me! Somebody call the paramedics!”

But Gayle suddenly opened her eyes. She tried to sit up, and failed. Faith helped her up under the curious gaze of the onlookers.

“Holy shit, Mama, don’t do this to me!”

“… those two aren’t kidding around…”

“Huh? Who?”

“… mmm? What?”

“No, you ‘what’! Are you okay?”

“… why am I on the floor? Why are people looking at me?”

“You just passed out! Scared me shitless!”

“I did? I did! Sorry, must be low blood sugar!” She stood up and waved at the shoppers. “I’m okay! Really I am! Low blood sugar! I’ve been neglecting my fruit an’ veggies lately! Five a day, people, remember that!” The crowd slowly scattered.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You really freaked me out! You looked like you just got hit by something!”

“I’m fine!”

“Really?”

“I swear! Would I lie to you? Why don’t we go home now? I’ll make tacos! Let’s…”

 

__…-==-…__

 

“GET OUT!”

“Buffy, my love, please, let me explain!”

“GET OUT!”

“Sweetheart – ”

“I SAID GET OUT!”

“Buffy! I’ll burn!”

“You bit me!! You can dust for all I care! GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT!”

Spike was tumbling down the stairs, naked as the day he was born, just as Willow and Dawn were coming in, and with a crying and furious Slayer in his wake, hitting him at every chance she got.

Acting purely on reflex, Willow grabbed a throw from the lounge and threw it at Spike as Dawn was opening the door to let him through. The teen then went to stop her irate sister as the witch used her magic to open the lid of the sewer entrance Spike was running to in the middle of the street.

Across the road, from his living room window, Mr Greenwood was reflecting on what he had just witnessed: a naked, literally smoking man half-covered in a blanket running out of the Summers’ house and disappearing down a manhole whose lid had just lifted of its own accord… He next pondered whether he had had too much to drink or not enough, but quickly decided on the latter and headed for the liquor cabinet.

 

End of Chapter Fifteen.

 

I know, another evil cliffhanger. Back to my old tricks... mwah...

Of course, Giles' ring tone is from Gilbert and Sullivan's “HMS Pinafore”. I know, it's evil. Too evil to resist.

Some lines borrowed from the Season Seven episode “End of Days”, written by Jane Espenson and Doug Petrie. Plot: mine. Gayle: mine. Buffy, Spike, Scoobies, and the rest: all belongs to Joss Whedon’s wonderful mind, who should be worshiped like the god he is. I just need to find a good location to build a temple to his glory…