Higher

“I don’t like the idea of subcontracting, Mr. Trick,” Mayor Richard Wilkins III said.

“He’s good, for a human. He’ll get the job done,” Trick answered.

“Might I ask what has you so confident?” The Mayor asked.

“Seems the man has…personal interest in the project,” Mr. Trick said with a smile.

The Mayor nodded. He hoped things would go as well as the vampire in front of him promised. He wasn’t exactly impressed with the creature. His previous endeavors hadn’t exactly been up to par. ‘Slayer Fest ‘99’ was a complete and utter disaster. The Slayers hadn’t even been in Sunnydale! That one he could overlook, if he tried. The other one was for his previous employer, Kakistos. Either the Slayer’s were smarter than any he’d ever seen or heard of, or Mr. Trick was an extremely bad villain.

“This ritual is very important to me. As a low demon, I’m not sure if you understand the importance of rituals, offerings and other such things, but the demon I’m to pay tribute to…well, he likes his sacrifices,” The Mayor said.

“Yes, even we lowly vampires can understand the meaning of tribute,” Mr. Trick said in a scornful voice.

“I hope you do,” The Mayor began, “Because, if something goes wrong…I fear our business contract will need to be terminated.”

Even though the threat was said with a smile, Trick gulped and felt the full weight of the promise. He’d worked for his share of scary employers, but this guy definitely took that top spot. Maybe it was because The Mayor seemed a bit…crazy. No matter the reason, Trick would not fail this man.

“Yes, I…uh, see where that would be necessary, yes,” Mr. Trick said, “I’m really not going to do anything to upset what we have here.”

The Mayor smiled, “Good.”

“Well, if that’s all and well here, I’ll be off to make the arrangements,” Mr. Trick said.

“Yes, you do that,” The Mayor said absently.

Trick shook his head and left the office. Not many things scared him anymore…vampire and all, but this tribute…wicked powerful stuff. The Mayor wasn’t messin’ around, whatever he was doing.

Back in his office, The Mayor studied his hands intently. There were so many things running through his mind. A number of things still needed to be accomplished before the grand day. He’d worked his whole life for this, and now that it was close…two little girls stood in his way. Oh, once the change was complete they would be nothing but flies, but until then, he was still very vulnerable. They had all the power they needed to stop him.

Rousing himself from his depressing thoughts, The Mayor stood up from his desk. He walked over to his cabinet and opened it. Vials filled with things professors wouldn’t allow in a science lab, various crystals and charms, a skull, and black arts books filled the shelves; not exactly what you’d expect, but this was Sunnydale.

“Where did I put that scotch?” The Mayor asked himself.

* * * * * * * *

Giles pinched the bridge of his nose, something he’d been doing rather frequently as of late. The more he read the more he wished he hadn’t. Nothing about Glory or Glorificus was good. She was a goddess of a hell dimension. At one time, she had ruled with two other gods until she became too powerful. She was then kicked out of that dimension and forced into our world to be contained in a human body. The Key she was after would open up a portal, giving her access to her home. Not exactly terrifying in itself, however, the portal opened more than just the portal to her world.

“We need to find out if Dawn is the key in this dimension as well,” Giles said.

“Great,” Xander said, “How?”

“I do believe it is time to perform the spell,” Giles said.

“Buffy’s not going to let you do that,” Oz stated.

Giles looked up at the man, “I know. We’ll just have to find a way around that.”

Xander stood up and began to pace the library. This was not good. Planning without Buffy about Buffy’s sister…only badness lay ahead.

“There isn’t a way around it, G-man,” Xander said softly, “The claim. Buffy will know.”

The older man knew the boy spoke the truth, but never the less, he needed an outlet. Xander was convient.

“What then do you propose we do, Xander?” Giles ranted, “We need to be on top of this! We can’t just wait around for this Glory to show up and when she comes after Dawn, if indeed does come after her, say ‘oh, she was the key’!”

“Don’t you think I realize that?” Xander yelled back, “I may not have any memories of the small Buffy, but I don’t want anything to happen to her. We need to find a way to do this with Buffy’s approval. Think about it logically, Giles. Even if Buffy forgave you…what about Joyce, Willow, Cordy…Spike?”

Giles hung his head. That was something he had given little thought to. He knew he was being rash and that was never a good thing to do, but this was just too much all at once. And a goddess? Could his Slayers defeat such a foe? He had every confidence in Buffy’s abilities, she’d send Angel to Hell, defeated hordes of demons and still lived. With the Master, Buffy had died, brief as it was…would she be able to come back from the dead a second time?

“What to you propose?” Giles asked.

“A new approach,” Oz said, “Earlier you attacked with the whole non existing part. That would set me on the opposed side, too.”

Giles looked at the young man expectantly. Oz always seemed to keep a level head, something desperately needed in this particular group.

“Tell them about Dawn’s safety. Not as the Key, but as Dawn. Pull the emotional strings,” Oz finished.

Xander looked at the warewolf with renewed respect. There would never be anyone good enough for his Willow, but he was pretty sure Oz was a close to it as anyone.

“That might just work,” Giles said

“Shouldn’t they be back from patrol by now?” Xander asked.

“I think they’re making with the togetherness,” Oz said.

Giles cleared his through and walked into his office. He’d never grow accustomed to hearing about Buffy and Spike in a sexual manner.

* * * * * *

“Finally,” Spike gasped, “Some attention.”

Buffy smiled knowingly against his shaft. She had been cruel to him earlier with her teasing, but she couldn’t help herself. Besides, she planned on making it up to him All. Night. Long. Buffy lightly scraped her teeth along the underside of his shaft, earning a groan from the vampire. Opening the back of her throat allowed her to take more of him in and she gently began to work her throat muscles on him.

“Gah, bloody hell…that’s it, Slayer…harder baby, suck me harder,” Spike babbled.

Who was she to deny her lover? Slowly, she began to work him over. Alternating between hard, long sucks and gentle, short ones. She moved her hand to his balls to increase his pleasure. Gently, she massaged them between her hands.

Spike felt his impending orgasm. His balls were tightening and the pressure in his shaft was almost painful, but of course in a good way!

“Buffy, luv, stop…baby, I’m gonna…” Spike’s babbling was cut short.

Buffy knew he was close and forced him over the edge. Greedily, she licked up all of his spendings. She looked up at him. “God, he’s beautiful.” Leaning against the stone wall, eyes shut, unnaturally long eyelashes fluttering slightly, his lips parted. Perfect.

Spike pulled Buffy close to him and led her over to the bed. It was covered in red silk sheets and had big fluffy pillows lining the top. After pulling back the covers, Spike gently laid Buffy down. He took a moment to observe her, admire her. Her golden hair fanned out around her head, her cheeks flushed, her lips pink and swollen from kissing, her taunt muscles, her golden skin…everything about her called to him. Both the man and the demon.

“Spike?” Buffy called softly, “Make love to me.”

A true smile crossed Spike’s lips. They had only been intimate the one time for the claim, and he’d been a bit worried that she’d found it too violent and would never want him in her bed again. But, here she was asking him to make love to her, and how he would. He would show her just what love could be like, what it was supposed to be like…everything she deserved.

Buffy stirred in the bed. She could see the morning rays of light trickling down the steps. There was a soreness in her lower regions that brought a smile to her face. The memories of Spike being inside her, loving her, biting her…everything he did, god how she loved him. She made to get out of bed, but a pair of unnaturally strong arms stilled her movements.

“I’ve got to go to school, Spike. Snyder will totally be on my case if I don’t show up,” Buffy said even as she snuggled back into his embrace.

“I’ll eat ‘im,” Spike said into her hair.

“As much as I’d love to see that, no. I’ve got to go. Mom worked hard to get me back into school after my little adventure,” Buffy said.

This caught Spike’s attention, “Your little what, kitten?”

Buffy looked away, “I sort of, um, ran to L.A. after I sent Angel to hell. Mom told me not to come home if I left that night, and I knew she didn’t mean it, but I used it as my excuse to go far away from the pain. Away from the people who meant well but were happy he was gone. I was also expelled from school. Snyder thought I’d killed Kendra.”

His mind was reeling. There was so much depth to this young girl. A woman, aged through many years and hard times, trapped in the youthful body of a high school girl.

“Who was Kendra?” Spike asked as he rubbed soothing circles on Buffy’s back.

“She was the Slayer before Faith. Real good at her job, took it with much seriousness. Saved my back once or twice,” Buffy said with a sad look in her eye.

“Yeah?”

Buffy nodded, “Yeah.”

“You best be gettin’ off to school then. Go and see your mates,” Spike said.

Buffy kissed him lovingly, “I’ll come by once it’s dark.”

“There’s food in the fridge, don’t leave without somethin’,” Spike said.

Buffy was going to reply with something smart, but noticed that Spike had curled up with the pillow she had been using and was well on his way to vampire sleep.

“What’s with the chocolatey goodness?” Buffy asked as she approached Willow.

Willow opened her mouth to answer, but once she caught sight of Snider behind the table, she quickly shut her mouth.

“Principal Snyder, thank you,” Xander said as he took and offered box, “You weren’t visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, by any chance?”

“It’s band candy,” Snyder said shortly.

“Let’s hear it for the band, huh? Very generous,” Buffy said with a smile.

“You will sell it to raise money for the marching band. They need new uniforms,” Snyder said.

“Yeah. Those tall, fuzzy hats aren’t cheap, huh?” Xander asked.

“But they go with everything,” Oz stated.

Willow beamed up at her boyfriend and snuggled closer.

“Check it,” Faith said as she snatched a box, “Chocolate.”

“It’s for the band,” Willow said, “New fuzzy hats needed.”

“Huh, and thought they just took those dusters they sell on TV and attached them to a bucket,” Faith said.

“It would be cheaper,” Oz said.

“I’m sure we love the idea of going Willy Lowman, but we’re not in the band,” Buffy said.

“And if I’d handed you a trombone, that would’ve been a problem, Summers,” Snyder said as he handed her a box, “It’s candy. Sell it.”

“All those in favor of buckets?” Cordy asked.

“What’s wrong, Cor? No school spirit?” Xander teased.

“I’m a cheerleader, of course I have school spirit…just not for the marching band,” Cordy answered.

“Who’s going to buy all of these?” Buffy whined.

“Try your mom, and…and Giles!” Willow said, “OH, I bet Spike would buy some from you!”

“Vampire, hello?” Buffy said, “Liquid diet.”

“Well, I plan on forcing my dad to buy them. He can give them out a work or something,” Cordy said.

Later that day, Buffy sat at her kitchen table trying to convince her mom to buy some of the damn chocolate bars.

“But you’re not in the band,” Joyce argued.

“And yet,” Buffy answered.

“Buffy, what would I do with forty chocolate bars?” Joyce asked.

“I’ll eat some,” Dawn offered.

“No,” both elder Summers’ women said.

Dawn grumbled something and left the kitchen.

“You could hand them out at the gallery,” Buffy said hopefully, “’Buy something pre-Columbian, get a free candy.’”

Joyce looked at the need in her daughter’s eyes. There was nothing more important to her than the happiness of her two girls, and if that meant buying chocolate, then…

“Twenty,” Joyce said.

“You’re a good mom,” Buffy said as she set down the box.

“I’m the best,” Joyce answered.

Dawn picked that moment to re-enter the kitchen, “No, I’m sure the best mom let’s her daughter eat recently purchased chocolate.”

Buffy looked at the clock, “Gotta go. Giles wants me in the library.”

“Will you be late?” Joyce asked.

“Probably,” Buffy answered, “Faith and will patrol later. Then, I’ve got to go see Spike.”

“Have fun. Be safe,” Joyce said.

Buffy smiled as she left her house. Things were going alright for her.

“Hey, B,” Faith greeted.

“Giles call you in, too?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah, said something about training,” Faith said.

“Figures. Did you sell your candy bars yet?” Buffy asked.

“Nah, figured I’d let all you do the work,” Faith said, “’Sides, not exactly with the school spirit.”

“Giles,” Buffy said as the pair entered the library, “You have to buy some candy bars.”

Giles looked up from his book. There was no way he would broach the subject now. He needed to wait until everyone could be assembled…power in numbers perhaps.

“Snyder is on this ‘band needs new fuzzy hats’ campaign,” Buffy said as she slid herself onto the table.

“Ah, yes, very well,” Giles said, “I’ll buy twenty.”

Buffy beamed up at him, “You’re the best, Giles.”

“B, you’re good at this,” Faith said, “Maybe you can sell mine, too.”

Buffy looked at Faith, “I still haven’t hit up Spike yet.”

“No bloody way, Slayer,” Spike fumed.

“But, Spike, I need to sell these things,” Buffy explained.

She’d been trying to convince the vampire to buy the chocolate for the past twenty minutes. It was much harder than she thought it would be. ‘I thought you loved me.’

‘Not fair, luv. I do love you. What in the bleedin’ hell am I going to do with 40 chocolate bars?’

Buffy sauntered up to him, ‘I can think of a few things.’ She rubbed her self against him suggestively before attacking his mouth with a passionate kiss.

Spike growled and pulled her flush against him, eagerly deepening the kiss. He felt her warm little hands crawl up under his shirt and gently tease the corded muscles of his back. He moved his lips down to her neck and nuzzled his mark, making her arch into him.

Suddenly, Buffy jumped out of his embrace with a determined look on her face.

“Come on, luv,” Spike whined, “Can’t leave a guy like this.”

“Buy the chocolate,” Buffy demanded.

“Yeah, Blondie, buy the chocolate,” Fiath said, “If I have to be reminded, again, of how long it’s been since I’ve gotten some…”

Spike smirked at the blush that graced Buffy’s face. You’d think after all she’d seen and done that the virgin blush would be lost to her, but it wasn’t and Spike thanked whatever god would listen to him for it.

“I’ll buy the chocolate,” Spike said defeated. ‘But you’ll be makin’ it up to me later, missy.’

‘Duh! Why do you think I wanted you to have the chocolate? Yummy, Spike tasting chocolate.’

“Right then,” Spike said out loud, “Let’s go.”

Buffy and Faith exchanged knowing looks. They both knew why the vampire wanted to hurry up the evenings activities.

After a quick sweep of the cemetery, Buffy decided that it was a slow night. There hadn’t even been a little fledge to dust. Much disappointment. The trio began to walk towards the main part of the city, what they saw forced them to stop dead in their tracks.

Joyce looked up at the feathered wrap. It was lovely. “That’s cool…very Juice Newton.”

Giles was busy checking his hair in the reflection, but pretended to be interested. “You fancy it?”

Joyce gave him an incredulous look, “Yeah, but the store’s closed.”

Buffy and Faith both let out a gasp when they saw that Giles had picked up a trash can and tossed it though the window of the store. This couldn’t be happening. Giles didn’t vandalize or steal. But, there he was taking the ugly feather thing and a hat.

“Woo-hoo!” Giles exclaimed.

“Oh Ripper! Wow, that was sooo brave,” Joyce gushed.

“Uh, when’d your mum go off the deep end, luv?” Spike asked a stunned Buffy.

Buffy stared gape-jawed at the spectacle before her. This was too much. This wasn’t happening. That was her mom, and Giles! The two most responsible people we know.

“I don’t think it’s just them,” Buffy said.

“What’s the plan, B?” Faith asked. This was wierding her out, way more than she cared to think about.

“Let’s find the others, see if there parents have done the time warp,” Buffy suggested.