Splinters

Mr. Trick rushed through the streets of Sunnydale. It really was turning out to be his night. And he really needed one. His last attempt to “assist” the Mayor didn’t exactly pan out the way he had hoped and now, he would be able to make up for it.

“They’re expecting you,” the secretary greeted the vampire.

Without even acknowledging the woman, Mr. Trick dashed into the Mayor’s office.

“Do you like Family Circus?” the Mayor asked Mr. Trick with a smile.

“I like Marmaduke,” Trick answered with a serious expression.

The Mayor made an “ew” face, “Oh!..ew. He’s always on the furniture. Unsanitary.”

“Nobody can tell Marmaduke what to do,” Trick said, “That’s my kind of dog.”

“I like to read Cathy,” Allan said with a huge grin.

Mr. Trick, noticing the presence of the man for the first time, smirked at the twitchy man.

Quickly, Allan noticed that neither man was impressed by his revelation and turned his attention to a very nice spot on the back wall.

“I’m hoping, Mr. Trick, that you have something good to tell me,” The Mayor said sweetly.

Mr. Trick smiled at the man. He really did enjoy being one of the bad guys. It was always so much more rewarding.

“Well?” the Mayor asked impatiently.

“It appears that the Slayers are a bit…occupied at the moment. They have Anyanka, a vengeance demon, to deal with. And the Witch is in the hospital,” Trick said happily.

The Mayor smiled and stood up from his chair. Things were finally looking up for him. It really was considerate of the Slayers to do this favor for him. Oh, he knew they didn’t really do anything, but he was at least trying to be grateful.

“This is good, sir,” Allan said, “We won’t have to postpone the dedication.”

For a brief moment, the Mayor’s eyes flashed dangerously.

Both the human and the vampire took an unconscious step back.

“The dedication…is the last step before my Ascension. I’ve waited longer than you can imagine for this. After the Hundred Days, I’ll be on a higher plane. And I’ll have no need for,” The Mayor paused, “Well, let’s just say I won’t be concerned…with the little things.”

“Of course, sir,” Allan stammered.

“Mr. Trick, keep your eye on the Slayer and her little group. If anything changes out of our favor…” The Mayor allowed his voice to trail off.

Trick caught on to the pointed look the Mayor sent his way. It clearly indicated that there would be no forgiveness for a mishap this time around. Everything was coming to an end.

“Now, I’m due to have a nice little troop of Boy Scouts in here, so I need to put away all of this dark, evil talk. You boys go take care of things and come back when you have something good to tell me,” The Mayor said with a smile.

The other two occupants nodded and hastily left the room.

* * * * * * * *

“Your only power lies in the wishing,” Giles said.

In the blink of an eye, Anyanka had Giles suspended by his neck, “Wrong.”

“Hands off the tweed,” Faith said. She quickly removed the demon’s hand from Giles’ throat and fell into a defensive stance.

Anyanka turned around in a circle. There was so much power in this room, it was intoxicating. However, for her it was also dangerous. For once, she was on the wrong side.

“Now,” Spike drawled, “You’re going to tell us what Dru wished for.”

A cruel smile graced the face of the vengeance demon, “I had no idea her wish would be so exciting.”

Buffy leaped over to where the demon was standing and kicked her across the room. Before Anyanka could regain her footing, Buffy was looming over her. “Tell me what I want to know. I promise I won’t kill you until you do.”

Everyone in the room was affected by the tone of her voice. The steeled look in her eyes did nothing to calm their fears. Those connected through the claim could feel the tight coil of her anger. If this demon answered Buffy incorrectly, that coil would be released. And if that happened, the Hellmouth would never be the same.

“She came to me. Told me how her ‘Daddy’ had been taken away from her. She really was annoying. Then, she wished that her ‘Daddy’ had never been sent away. I had no idea her wish would cause such a ruckus,” Anyanka explained.

“What’s that got to do with Willow?” Cordy asked.

“She performed the spell to restore his soul. My guess, demon girl here thought the easiest way…and the one that would cause the most chaos would be to have that spell never work,” Buffy said. She looked pointedly at the demon, “How am I doing? Warm? Cold?”

Anyanka glared at the small woman. She may be a very powerful Slayer surrounded by powerful friends, but that didn’t give her the right to taunt anyone.

“I’ll make you a one time offer,” Buffy said calmly, “Undo whatever it is you did to Willow and I’ll let you leave Sunnydale…alive.”

“Buffy, I – ” Giles began but was silenced by the look sent his way.

“Even if I wanted to undo the wish, which I don’t, I can’t,” Anyanka said with a smile of achievement. She wasn’t about to be manipulated by the blonde.

Buffy shrugged, “Oh, ok.”

‘Spike?’

‘Pet?’

‘The amulet, do you still have it, like with you…now?’

‘Yeah, why?’

‘It’s her power, remember. Smash the amulet and Willow will be better. All of her wishes will be unwished.’

Anyanka watched in horror as the blond vampire pulled her amulet from his pocket. She was restricted from moving towards him by the vice like grip the brunette Slayer had put her into.

“Nooooo!” Anyanka screamed as Spike stomped on the amulet.

There was a bright flash.

“Hi guys,” Willow greeted.

Immediately she was swarmed by the room’s occupants. They all rambled on about how good it was to see her up and out of the hospital bed.

“Uh, guys?” Willow interrupted, “Not that I don’t like it, but what’s with the love fest?”

At her simple question, everyone retreated a few feet. Shock was the predominate look on their faces. Willow didn’t exactly know what she’d said, but now she kinda wished she hadn’t said whatever it was that she had said.

“You don’t remember?” Buffy asked.

“Of course she doesn’t!” the newly humanized demon exclaimed, “She’ll never remember any of it.”

“Don’t they normally, like, die?” Xander asked.

“We didn’t kill her, Xander,” Giles began, “We merely destroyed her powercenter and rendered her human.”

“You’re so much better at the whole explaining thing, Giles. So, you explain and Faith and I will patrol,” Buffy said.

Buffy and Faith didn’t stick around long enough to hear Giles protest.

“Should we have just left them in there with Anyanka?” Faith asked as the strolled out of the library.

“She’s mortal, so I’m thinkin’ they’ll be just fine,” Buffy answered.

“Cordy might have met her match though,” Faith said absently, “That demon chick sure has a way with words.”

Buffy chuckled softly. She was glad that Faith was offering her a new thing to focus on. For so long she’d been worried about Willow, worried about what would happen with Angelus. There was no way for her to lie about it anymore, at least not to herself; she was worried she wouldn’t have the strength to kill him a second time. Luckily, she didn’t have to.

“You would’ve done the right thing, B,” Faith said as if reading the other girl’s thoughts.

“But would I?” Buffy asked unsure, “Sure I did it once, but then I had to take a little trip to away.”

“The point is, you did it. If you could do it when lover boy had a soul, then you could’ve done it when he was…lacking,” Faith said sincerely.

As they walked into the closest cemetery, Buffy pondered Faith’s words. It made sense to her. She would have killed him, and this time she would have done it before anyone else died. Of all the dumb things she’d done as a Slayer, allowing Jenny Calendar to die was by far the worst.

“Now,” Fiath said, “I see a group of vamps just beggin’ to be slain. So, stop with the pout and let’s have our selves some violence.”

“Has potential,” Buffy said with a grin.

The group of vamps didn’t stand a chance. They were all fledglings and had no experience with Slayers. A quick kick here, a punch there…a few stabs and finally: dust. All in all, over far too quickly to satisfy either Slayer.

“I hate it when they don’t put up a fight,” Faith grumbled, “Totally get worked up, then…nothing’! Like having a guy that just won’t perform.”

Buffy smiled coyly, “I don’t have that problem. I have my very own vamp at home to beat up on whenever I choose.”

“Not to mention the sex afterwards,” Faith said dryly.

“Just the ladies I was hoping to run into this evening,” a voice called from the shadows.

“Great, a vampire with a death wish…my favorite,” Buffy said in a mocking tone.

“I’m just glad you could make time for me,” the voice said, “Since, I’ve heard you’ve been havin’ a bit of trouble yourselves.”

“Ok, stop with the Ann Rice, cryptic, shadow thing and come fight already,” Buffy said.

“Well,” the voice said, “If you insist.”

“Aren’t you the Mayor’s lapdog?” Faith asked once the vampire emerged.

“I’m no lapdog,” Trick said with a sneer, “Not like William the Bloody has become.”

Anger flashed dangerously in Buffy’s eyes.

“Hit a nerve, I see,” Trick said.

The only response the vampire received was a flying kick to the side of the head.

Trick fell to the ground. He smiled as the taste of stale blood reached his throat. “Slayer’s got quick a kick.” Before she could land another hit, he took off. He couldn’t get himself dusted just yet, and judging by the mood of the girl…

“Why do they always run?” Faith asked.

“Self-preservation?” Buffy answered with a smirk.

The pair shared a laugh and made their way back to the library. Things were rather slow.

The moment Buffy stepped into the library, she was encompassed by vampire. He held onto her tightly and nuzzled at her neck.

“Spike?” Buffy asked.

There was no response, just repeated nuzzling.

“Spike?” Buffy asked again.

He pulled back and looked into her eyes.

“Felt high emotions run through you, luv. Couldn’t tell what they were. Scared me,” Spike explained.

Buffy smiled warmly, “I was angry. Trick decided to pay a little visit. He insulted you…and only I can do that.”

A smirk washed over Spike’s face. He pulled Buffy into the hallway and away from the prying eyes of her friends.

“Wha – ” Buffy’s question was cut short by Spike’s attack of her mouth.

The kiss was hungry, passionate. He needed reassurance that she really was safe. The vibes he’d received through the bond had nearly knocked him off his feet. However, when she explained why she had such strong emotions that made his unbeating heart soar.

Buffy felt the cool metal of the lockers behind her back and instinctively wrapped her legs around Spike’s hips. She’d never tire of his kisses. A century of practice had really made him an expert kisser. She eased her tongue into his mouth and sensually caressed the roof of his mouth. The move was in stark contrast to his needy, demanding kiss. To further drive him mad, she licked the back of his canines, begging for them to elongate and come out to play.

A low growl vibrated through his chest and caused her to shiver in response.

“Luv,” Spike gasped, “We’d better move this somewhere else.”

“Well, if you’d get off me, we could,” Buffy answered.

Spike chuckled as he moved away from the wall of lockers. He had no intentions of letting go of Buffy, so he moved through the halls of the school with her still wrapped around him. He pushed open the door to the janitor’s closet and quickly locked it.

“I’ve wanted to do this for days,” Spike rasped.

Buffy reached between them and roughly cupped his straining erection, “So do it already.”

Spike growled low in his throat, and Buffy felt it vibrate throughout her entire body. Unable to wait any longer, Buffy quickly unzipped his jeans allowing his manhood to jump out.

Feeling her warm hand encompass him almost made his knees weak. She’d never understand what exactly she did to him. The feel of her warmth surrounding him, consuming him, burning him. A strangled gasp passed his lips as she began to work him slowly.

“Gotta be in ya, luv,” Spike whispered into her ear.

She smiled wickedly and guided his hand to the hem of her skirt.

“No panties,” Spike said with a smirk.

Buffy pouted up at him, “You always manage to rip them. I don’t want to have to keep buying new underwear.”

Unable to resist, Spike pulled her bottom lip into his mouth and nibbled on it gently. He reached up with one hand and gently began to massage her breasts. He delighted in the slight whimpers that escaped into his mouth.

Her hands weren’t idle. She guided his shaft to her entrance and teased them both by rubbing just the tip around her outer lips.

“Gonna be the death of me, kitten,” Spike whispered against her neck.

“Mmm,” Buffy answered.

The wait was just too much. They’d play “Who can wait the longest” some other time. Right now, he needed to be sheathed inside her warmth, he needed the intimate connection with his Mate. He needed Buffy. And with that final thought, Spike thrust all the way into her opening.

Both gasped with the intense pleasure that surged through their bodies. Slowly, ever so slowly, they began to rock together. The pace was that of a waltz, with them both reacquainting themselves with the moves they’d known in times past.

Their orgasms took them by surprise. The slow pace was in complete contrast to the earth shattering completion that ripped through them both. However, it wasn’t enough. Immediately, Spike went into vamp face and bit into the tender flesh of Buffy’s neck. Her body reacted instantly in another orgasm just as powerful as the first.

“God, I love you, pet,” Spike gasped.

“That’s what all the vamps say after they bite me,” Buffy taunted.

Spike growled possessively against his bit mark sending a shiver down Buffy’s spine.

“Mine,” he stated.

“Yours, baby,” Buffy answered softly.

* * * * * * * * * *

“This simply will not do,” the Mayor said with a shake of his head.

“The fisherman found his body,” Trick said, “The stab wound is kinda a dead give away.”

“You,” the Mayor said as he turned his attention to the vampire, “Told me the Slayers’ were occupied with other things.”

“T-they were,” Trick said.

The Mayor began to pace the length of his office. Things were definitely not turning out the way he needed them to. Two little girls should not be able to hamper his ascension.

“I don’t think they were occupied enough, do you, Mr. Trick?” the Mayor asked in a deceptively calm voice.

“No, sir,” Trick said, “I have the boys out now, lookin’ for ‘er. They’ll bring ‘em in.”

As if on cue, the office door opened wide. Four vampires were struggling to restrain a young girl. The look in her eyes was pure murderous rage. A sadistic smile graced the Mayor’s face as he took in her disheveled appearance. He had no doubt that it took quite a force to overpower the young girl. That suited him just fine.

“Where are my manners,” the Mayor began, “Allow me to introduce myself – ”

“Don’t bother,” the girl spat as she released herself from one of her captors.

“Now, now,” the Mayor tisked, “There is no reason not to be civil.”

The girl snorted. She felt there was a reason, several in fact, to not be civil.

“Mr. Finch was not only my longtime aide and associate, he was a close…personal friend,” the Mayor said.

“Because we all know that aspiring demons have so many friends,” the girl spat.

The Mayor smiled down at the girl, “She has quite a mouth on her. It really isn’t right for a young lady to speak like that to me…oh well. Mr. Trick, I want you to get a message to the other Slayer and her friends.”

The vampire smiled wickedly, “Of course, boss.”

With that, Trick bowed slightly and hurried off into the night. Things were going well for him again. He was focusing on the new change of events, not how close he had come to a very dusty ending.

“If you shoot me,” Trick began, “The Slayer won’t hear her message and the Mayor won’t be very happy.”

“I’m not going to shoot you, but that doesn’t mean I’ll lower my weapon,” Giles answered.

Mr. Trick smiled awkwardly, “Where is she?”

The Slayer poised a stake at the vampire’s back, “Behind you.”

This little errand job seemed much easier before the wooden implements were introduced. Being the villain did have it downsides, but not many.

“The Mayor has the other Slayer,” Trick began, “And, he’s keeping her until the time of his ascension. A sort of living insurance policy you could call it.”

The tip of the stake poked through the vampire’s back enough to draw blood but not end him.

“Why?” the Slayer asked.

“You didn’t know?” Trick asked in mock surprise, “She killed Allan, the Deputy Mayor. Police found wood splinters in his chest…right over his heart.”