Chapter 8 House of Cards

When they reached Wolfram and Hart, Spike could feel Buffy’s nervousness. He knew she was worried about how her friends would treat her or what Angel was going to say about her attempt to kill him.

Spike was just happy that she hadn’t tried to hide their new understanding from the others, even when they stopped for clothes she hadn’t picked a shirt that would cover the bite marks on her neck and she slipped his coat back on over the T-shirt and jeans they purchased for her.

Spike had been shocked that Xander hadn’t made any comments about the fact Buffy had held onto his hand most of the way back. The whelp had even been somewhat nice to him, he still cracked the stupid jokes, but Spike could tell that it wasn’t malicious.

Buffy fidgeted with the coat the whole way up in the elevator, Spike put an arm around her trying to calm her down, but then he seemed to pick up on her nervous vibes and started fidgeting himself.

Even if the Whelp was being Ok with all of this he wasn’t stupid enough to think everyone else would be all right with it. The Watcher was probably going to have a coronary, if he was awake. Plus there was always Peaches to contend with. He believed Buffy when she said she was over him, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t influence her decisions.

“So did Angel’s girlfriend wake up, yet?” Buffy asked in a small voice.

“Not yet. I believe English and your Witch friend are researching a way to help her. They think if she transforms into a wolf she will be able to heal faster.” Gunn told her.

“I didn’t mean to hurt her.” Buffy said.

“Of course you didn’t Buffster.” Xander assured her. “We all know you weren’t in your right mind.”

“I doubt Angel is going to see it that way.” She muttered.

“I don’t know that is the thing that he’ll to be most upset about.” Xander said, looking directly at Spike. Buffy was still looking down so she didn’t notice them, but Spike got the message clearly. It only reinforced his nervousness.

“You mean the whole trying to kill him thing?”

“Pet, don’t let him worry you, his bark is worse than his bite these days.” Spike comforted her. If Angel dared to make Buffy feel bad or do anything else to upset her, Spike would kick him right out of the window.


The elevator opened and they stepped out. Buffy’s senses went off the chart from all the demons in the area. For a few seconds she fought for control as the Slayer side of her started struggling to be let out. Xander and Gunn both watched nervously as her eyes flickered between hazel and gold.

“Don’t fight it, luv. Just trust yourself.” Spike whispered in her ear. Buffy swore she felt a calming feeling radiating out from his hand, which rested on her lower back. She relaxed and let go of the hold she had on her power.

Everything suddenly changed, her already sharpened senses, increased again. Now she could hear conversations occurring behind closed doors down the hall. She knew exactly where every non-human creature on this floor was in an instant. She could almost see a ring around each of them based on their own internal power. However the Slayer didn’t feel the need to attack any of these creatures at this time. She could feel a dark energy lining the whole building, part of Wolfram & Hart’s power. It made her feel even more anxious. She didn’t like being here, but she hopefully wouldn’t have to stay long.

Slayer now pacified, that it had a chance to check out its surroundings, Buffy’s eyes resumed the hazel color.

She knew exactly where Angel and her friends were, the amount of power pouring from that room had called her attention to it like a magnet. The volume level was almost as overwhelming. She had heard several familiar voices yelling at each other. Giles and Angel were both yelling at each other over who was to blame for letting her get away. Dawn was telling them it was both of their faults.

“Sounds like the Bit is givin’ em the what for.” Buffy realized that Spike had changed when she did. She wondered if they were the same now that he was affected by her blood. She wondered what other changes they had left to discover.

“How did you know I’d be ok?” She asked him.

“Its just like being a vamp. If you give the demon some freedom, it has much less chance of overpowering you. The longer you have it and the more you work with it, instead of trying to control it, the more it becomes a part of you and adjusts to your nature.” Buffy looked at him in wonder, what he said made perfect sense. Was that why he wasn’t that much different with the soul? Not like Angel was at all.

“We all ok?” Gunn asked.

“Yeah, Charlie, we’re fine. Just experiencing a little adjustment period.” Spike told him.

Spike took Buffy’s hand and led her past them towards Angel’s office. Xander and Gunn fell in behind them and began to notice the voices that got louder as they approached the closed door.

“BUFFY?!?!” Harmony’s voice made Buffy stop short.

“Harmony? What are you doing here?” Her voice was angry and filled with suspicion. Why hadn’t Spike told her she was here?

“I’m Angel’s assistant.” She told her snottily.

“Really.” Buffy said shooting a look at Spike. “I didn’t know that.”

Harmony just gave a little laugh. “Oh please. There's no reason to be jealous, he was just using me as always.” She gave Spike a dirty look and stormed off.

Buffy’s eyes widened and she glared at Spike. They both opened their mouths at the same time, Buffy to yell and Spike to defend himself, but before they could start Xander interrupted.

“Guys, it sounds like there’s enough yelling going on right now. Could we maybe just go in and get this over with? Some of us would like to get some sleep some time this week.”

Buffy shut her mouth with a snap and tightened her lips. “Fine. We will talk about this later.”

“There really isn’t anything to talk about.” Spike told her.

“Is that why you didn’t tell me about it?” She snapped.

Just then the door to Angel’s office opened and the yelling exploded outwards. “This is getting us no where; I’m going outside wait for Xander…” Dawn said as she exited. She stopped when she realized Xander was in front of her. Her eyes immediately searched out and found her sister. “Buffy?”

Buffy’s face immediately lit up in a smile. “Dawn!” The sisters ran towards and hugged each other fiercely.

“I’m so glad you’re ok.” Dawn said.

“I’m ok. All part and parcel of the Slayer package undergoing an upgrade, I think.”

“Do you know why it happened?” Dawn asked as she let her go.

“I was hoping you guys could tell me.”

“Everyone in there is to busy playing politics with each other and bickering to worry about why this happened.” Dawn noticed the bite marks on her neck and the coat draped over her. She raised her eyebrows, causing Buffy to blush.

Dawn peered around her sister and spied Spike standing behind her. She stepped around Buffy so she was standing in front of him.

She was taller than he was now; obviously a capable young woman now. Spike couldn’t help but be proud of her.

“I told them you would take care of her.” She told him. Spike gave her a soft smile, but his eyes were focused on Buffy.

“Always.”

Dawn nodded, and then kicked him hard in the shins. “OW!!! What the hell?”

“That’s for not telling us you were back.” She said.

“And for not telling me YOU knew he was back, you are banned from closet indefinitely.” Buffy told her.

Dawn’s was about to argue with her sister, but just then Giles stepped out of the office.

“Good Lord Buffy!!” He gasped. He moved forward to hug her, but then stopped when he saw the bite marks on her neck. “Did he turn you?” He asked fearfully.

“WHAT!?! No.” Buffy told her Watcher. The others hearing Giles say her name rushed to the doorway. Suddenly everyone was surrounding her and asking questions at once. Willow hugged her repeatedly, while Giles was asking her about what happened.

And Buffy…Buffy just looked overwhelmed. “Guys!!” She yelled. “Can we go sit down and talk about all this?” She asked.

“Of course,” Giles agreed. “Maybe we should actually go someplace else to talk about this.”

“I think we have a right to get some answers too, Giles.” Angel said from behind him. Buffy looked at him nervously.

“This is a matter for the Watcher’s, Angel. I don’t see why you have a right to anything.” Giles told him.

“Its not like we’re talking about Homeland Security, here.” Buffy interjected. “Let’s just go in and go over this. Then I want to get some more rest.” She said, suddenly very tired.

“Buffy, I really don’t think this is wise…”

“Giles,” Buffy interrupted wearily. “They are on our side; we aren’t going to gain anything by fighting with people we should be working with.” With that she entered Angel’s office and took a seat on the couch in the room. Spike followed her in and stood behind her. She glanced up at him, she was still upset he hadn’t told her about Harmony, but she was still glad he was there with her. When everyone else had come back in and sat down, Buffy began.

“Ok. This is what I remember from the past couple of weeks. I don’t know how helpful it will be, though.”

An hour later, Buff had finished her tale and answered questions from both the Watcher’s. They were also questioning Spike; both had been fascinated about his role in bringing her back to herself. They also wanted to know all about their new powers. Angel said nothing the entire time; he just watched them with a cold, impassive stare. It made Buffy even more nervous. Illyria was also making her nervous. She recognized her somehow. Her power signature was very familiar to her demon, and it was demanding obedience from her.

“So do you guys know what happened?” Buffy finally asked her Watcher.

Giles looked uncomfortably towards Wesley first. “Oh, get over it Giles, spill.”

“Someone snuck into the Watcher’s Council and stole the scythe.”

”WHAT!!”

“We believe they used that to perform a spell to change you and Faith.”

“Do you know who did it?”

“No.”

Dawn interrupted. “While everyone else was running around like chickens with their heads cut off, I was investigating that. Does the name Ethan Rayne sound familiar?”

“Ethan!” Even Spike was impressed with the growl that came from Giles. “How do you know this Dawn?”

“Easy. I asked the Slayers who were there that day if anyone suspicious was around. They gave me a description and I figured the rest out from there.”

“I thought the government had Ethan.” Willow said.

“Well, either he escaped or they let him go.” Dawn said.

“That will be something we will have to look into.” Giles said thoughtfully. “Xander do you still have a number for Riley?”

”Yeah, I do. I’ll see what he knows.”

“Wesley, do you have any suggestions on where to start researching this?” Giles asked the younger man. The excitement they both felt over this new mystery overcame their mistrust of each other.

“Actually there are quite a few volumes that might contain this information. I would love to show you some other things they have here as well.”

“Giles? Is it ok if we get some rest? Some of us didn’t have the luxury of a twelve hour nap, like you.” Willow asked him.

“That’s quite all right, Willow.” Giles said distractedly as he left the room with Wesley, the promise of rare books capturing the focus of his attention.

“Buffy, we’re staying in the old hotel Angel used to live in, do want to come back there with us?”

Buffy looked at Spike. “Or do you have another place to stay?” Dawn asked knowingly.

“Guys, can I talk to Angel a minute?” Buffy asked.

“Um, sure.” Willow said, “We’ll just leave you two alone.”

Buffy didn’t have to look to know that Spike wasn’t happy with her request and Dawn was shooting her warning glances before she left the room. There was a long period of silence after everyone left while Buffy waited for Angel to start. When he didn’t say anything she realized he was going to make her start.

“Is your girlfriend any better?” She asked.

Angel raised an eyebrow at her. “Nina? She’s still in a coma.”

“Angel, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt her. I wasn’t even in control of what I was doing.” Buffy felt tears form in her eyes in her guilt over what she had done to the innocent woman.

Angel sighed. “I know. I know what its like to not have control over your demon, like that, remember?”

Buffy nodded remembering what Spike had told her.

“Spike told me about your upcoming apocalypse. I thought I might stick around and lend a hand.” She said.

Angel studied her for a minute. “We could use the help.” Angel admitted, “But I have to ask, what your relationship with Spike is now.” He added.

“Angel…”Buffy began.

“I’m not asking you from a jealousy perspective. I’m asking as a friend.”

Buffy sighed. “Well it isn’t like we’ve really had time to talk about it or anything, but I think we’re going to try it and see if we can make things work this time.”

“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

Buffy shot him a warning look. “Don’t get mad at me for asking. I’m sure I won’t be the only one to question this relationship.”

“I don’t have to defend it to you.” She said stubbornly.

“I’m not asking you to, but there is something you need to know. Spike has always fought relentlessly for anything he ever wanted. The thing is he never wants it after he has it.”

”What do you mean? He spent over a hundred years with Drusilla.”

“Yeah, but Dru never loved him. Not the way she did me and he knew that. So he kept trying harder and harder to win his place in her heart.” Angel paused. “Did he tell you about the Shanshu Prophecy?”

“Yeah, and he told me about your fight for a cup of soda.”

“Did he tell you what he told me during the fight? Did he tell you what he said about how he was ‘putting it to you’?”

Buffy didn’t say anything. She wasn’t happy with him for phrasing it like that, but she knew he hated Angel for taking Drusilla from so she understood that he said it just piss him off.

“You know he used to write poetry?” Angel asked her changing topics suddenly.

“What?”

”Spike when Dru first turned him, she had found him in a barn crying his eyes out because some society girl didn’t like his poetry.”

“Angel, what are you getting at?”

“I’m just don’t want to see you hurt. I don’t want Spike to convince you he’s head over heels in love when really he’s just using you to get back at me from Drusilla.”

“Its not like that.” Buffy insisted.

“Isn’t it? Are you sure?” Angel asked.

“Then why didn’t he come find you as soon as he turned human? Why was he trying to get up Harmony’s skirt instead? Why did he wait until I wanted to track you down to decide to find you?”

Buffy didn’t say anything she didn’t want to believe Angel, Spike had stood by her before not because of Angel, but because of how he felt about her.

“I appreciate your concern Angel, but like I said nothing has been decided yet. We’re going to take things slow.”

“The marks on your neck don’t look like you’ve been taking things slow.” Buffy stiffened. “Just promise you’ll be careful ok?”

“I will.” Buffy didn’t like all the doubts she was now feeling. “So is it ok if I stay and help out?”

”We can always use the help.” Angel smiled at her.

“Ok. Is there anything I can do to help with Nina?”

“Wes and Willow are working on something that may help. I think we have it covered. Why don’t you go get some rest?”

Buffy turned and left his office. Spike was waiting across the lobby, of Willow and Dawn there was no sign.

“Where’s everyone else?” She asked as she approached.

“Red went to get a couple books from Wes to look over at the hotel. Nibblet went with her.” Spike looked at her closely; he noticed she wasn’t meeting his eyes. “Everything ok?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Ready for a nap though.”

“Do you want to come back to my place?” Spike asked, suddenly fearful of what her answer would be.

“I think I should probably go with Dawn and Will, I’m sure they would rather I stayed with them.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” Spike persisted, he knew he sounded weak and hated himself for it.

“There’s really no need. I’m sure we’ll be fine.” She answered lightly.

“What’s this, then?” Spike snapped at her. “I thought you were going to give this a shot.”

“And that means I have to stay by your side at all times?” Buffy snapped in response.

“What did he say to you?” Spike growled.

“Who?”

“Angel, the great love of yours.” Spike snapped.

“Nothing. Nothing I believed anyhow.” Buffy said defensively. “Look this has nothing to do with Angel. I just don’t want to rush into anything; I have enough to worry about with new powers, Ethan Rayne on the loose and now a new apocalypse.”

“So what are you saying?” Spike asked.

Buffy turned and looked away from him, but he grabbed her arm and spun her around. “Answer me!!” He almost yelled.

“Calm down.” She tried to hush him. “I just think maybe we should wait until all this is over before we start something. Now isn’t the time to be distracted.”

“Its always going to be something isn’t? Some reason you can’t even commit to TRY. Fine Slayer, have it your way. I won’t bother you again with this.”

Buffy felt her heart break as he walked away. She knew she had hurt him. She had also hurt herself, but she knew this was the right thing to do. She had to worry about her duty, that was the most important thing.

She didn’t notice Dawn walking up to her. “What did you do to upset Spike now?” She asked her.

“Nothing.”

”Really? Why don’t I believe that?”

“Look Dawn, I can’t worry about personal relationships right now. Spike just has to understand that. We’re still going to be friends; I mean I’m planning on staying here and helping them out. I just…”

“You just don’t want to get hurt ever again so you are going to shut yourself off from the possibility of love.” Dawn told her.

“That’s not it.” Buffy sighed. “Where’s Will? I’m beyond ready to get out of here.”

“The blue chick, Illyria cornered her. She asked her if they could have ‘girl talk’.”

Buffy frowned. What could that creature possibly know about girl talk, she wondered.

“You ladies need a ride back to the hotel or are you going back to Spike’s, Buffy?”

Dawn answered for her. “Buffy’s back in denial land Xander, she’s coming back to the hotel with us.”

“Ok.” Xander answered, not wanting to get involved in a Summer’s Sibling fight. “I can give you guys a ride.”

Buffy looked in the direction Spike had gone off in. She wanted to chase after him more than anything, but she knew she had done the right thing. She pushed aside her longing; she would make him understand they were going to do much better as friends.

“Can we stop for food first Xander? I’m starving.” She said as they got in the elevator.

Chapter 9 Plans Of Attack

“I think if you change these words here and call on Diana instead, before midnight, you may be able to avoid invoking any of the darker energies.” Willow was telling Wesley as they looked at a spell he found that would transform Nina into her wolf state.

“I don’t suppose you’d like to stay and help perform the incantation.”

Giles looked at her sharply from where he was sitting paging through a stack of books.

“Easy Giles.” Willow told him. “I know better.” She turned back to Wesley. “Sorry, I’m on Dark free magic diet.”

Wesley nodded. “Of course I understand.”

“No problem I don’t mind helping with the research part.”

“Giles, do you want me to look up anything for you while I’m back at the hotel?” Dawn asked him.

“Actually, yes I do.” Giles handed her several sheets of paper covered front and back with things for her to look up. “If I come up with anything else I’ll call you.”

“Gee, thanks.” Dawn said dryly.

Illyria entered the room and walked up to Willow. “I would like to speak with you, if I may.”

Wesley immediately noted the fact that Illyria asked Willow to speak with her. Illyria was not in the habit of asking for things.

Wesley felt he needed to warn Willow of Illyria’s possible ulterior motives. “I believe Illyria is interested in the impact the strength of your magical abilities has on your physical body.”

Illyria glared at Wesley. “I know of your suspicions, this is not about that.” She pointed at Willow. “I once considered this one a friend. I have a need to speak to another female of this species.”

“Harmony was also once your friend.” Wesley reminded her.

Illyria considered him blankly. “I cannot even dignify that statement with a response.” She said before she pulled Willow out of the room.

“Well at least she has more of a personality than Kennedy.” Dawn muttered. “I’m going to go find Xander and see if he can give me a ride back to the hotel.” She told Giles and Wesley before exiting the room.


Illyria had taken Willow down several hallways until they were in the room that she and Spike used to fight in. Willow was out of breath by the time they stopped.

“Ok,” She said panting. “What was it you wanted to talk to me about?” She was trying not to be nervous.

“I want to know where these emotions I keep having are coming from.”

”Excuse me?” Of all the things she thought the Blue woman was going to ask her this wasn’t it.

“These emotions I keep having, they should not be possible. I need you to find out where they are originating from and help me destroy them.”

“Um, I wouldn’t even know how to go about doing something like that.” Willow told her.

“You use your powers to go inside my mind, locate the emotions and their origination points and then get rid of them.”

“You don’t know how that would affect you.” Willow tried to reason with her.

“It does not matter, I do not need emotions to function and they are causing me distress.”

The door slammed open and Spike stormed in with murder in his eyes. “Good, you’re here.” He addressed Illyria. “Up for a workout, Blue?”

“I thought you and Buffy would have left by now, Spike.” Willow said surprised both at the fact he was still here and his anger. She was pretty sure that it had something to do with Buffy talking with Angel, but she hoped she was wrong.

Spike turned his glare on her. “Why would you think that, Red? She wouldn’t lower herself to go anywhere with me. Five minutes with Mr. Puppy Dog Eyes and she’s giving me some speech about ‘just being friends’ so we don’t ‘complicate things’ or some rot.” Spike turned and threw a punch at the wall, cracking the plaster. “Over him my arse.” He muttered.

“That can’t be right, she doesn’t love Angel anymore.” When she realized Spike wasn’t listening to her she grabbed his arm. “Spike, Buffy loves you.” He started laughing, bitterly. “She does.” Willow insisted. “Something must have scared her.” She added thoughtfully.

“I do not understand this.” Illyria interrupted. “She is your mate, why would she be afraid to be with you?”

“She’s not my mate.” Spike growled at her, at the same time Willow answered.

“Buffy isn’t good with her emotions. Big love usually means big hurt for her. So anytime, anyone manages to get too close, she runs away.” Willow looked at Spike sympathetically. “Hey! But she’s getting better; she agreed to be friends so she didn’t completely run away.” She tried to but a bright outlook on the situation, but Spike just looked at her like she suggested they go sunbathing.

“But he is her mate.” Illyria reiterated. “He would not hurt her, because that would be the same as hurting himself.”

“She isn’t my Mate.” Spike snapped. “I never claimed her.”

“Why would you need to claim her?” Illyria asked. “That is an action that would MAKE her your mate. She already belongs to you; there is no need for a claim.”

Spike stared at her dumbly. “It constantly amazes me your species managed to climb out of the primordial ooze.” She added at his look.

“A mate is someone whose essence is bound to yours; it is a very rare and powerful connection that has existed since the dawn of time. Many beings have tried to replicate the power of true mates, which would explain the act of ‘claiming’ you spoke of, but true mates have no need of such trappings.”

“And what makes you think Buffy and I have this connection?” Spike asked sullenly. “Because she sure as hell doesn’t seem to feel any overwhelming need to be with me.”

“That is because your human insecurities get in the way. I could clearly see when she was in her primitive state the lines that connected you. It was even stronger when we found you in the warehouse that is why I did not alert the others to your presence. I knew that their worries were unfounded.”

“So what does being mated mean or true mates?” Willow was fascinated.

“It means they are bound together for all eternity.” Illyria said. “Because of the powers both of them now possess there is probably some higher purpose intended for them, but even if there isn’t being mated will give them heightened senses of each other and neither one would be able to die without the other.”

“So Buffy and I are already mated?” Spike was still dumbstruck.

Illyria rolled her eyes in a gesture that almost made her look human. “YES!!” She said, she spoke as if she were talking to someone with reduced mental capabilities.

“Then why is it we don’t feel this connection.”

“Probably because she is too busy running from her emotions and you are too caught up in your own insecurities.” Illyria said.

“So she really loves me?” Spike asked, wonderingly.

“This conversation is getting repetitive.” Illyria grumbled. Willow shot her a look.

“Yes, she loves you.” She said soothingly.

“You should go to her and force her to accept her feelings.” Illyria advised him.

“Done that before, it didn’t work out too well.”

“So why don’t you go with the opposite approach this time?” Willow suggested.

Spike looked thoughtful. If Illyria was right and Buffy and he were meant to be together and she really did love him then that changed almost everything. All these years he had spent being the Big Bad trying to force her to accept the darkness in herself so she could then accept him, then getting a soul and trying to be a good man for her, when what he should have done was just be himself.

Granted he wasn’t the poetry spewing, innocent human, that Drusilla met all those years ago, but he also wasn’t the sick and twisted vicious killer Angelus was.

“Red, I have an idea, but I’m going to need some help.”

Willow smiled, “What can I do?” All she really wanted to do was go and get some sleep, but between Illyria and Spike that didn’t seem too likely.

Spike looked at Illyria. “Can you track Lorne down for me; I’m going to need him as well.


Buffy, Dawn and Xander sat down at a table in a small diner style restaurant, similar to the dive Buffy had worked in when she had run away to Los Angeles, all those years ago.

“I’m sorry we forgot to get you food before, Buffy.” Xander said to her. Buffy was lost in her thoughts, though and didn’t respond.

“Earth to Super Slayer.” Dawn waved her hand in front of Buffy’s face to get her attention.

“What?” Buffy’s eyes focused on them. “Sorry guys, I must just be worn out from everything that has happened the past few days.”

Even as she said it, she knew that wasn’t what was wrong with her. She missed Spike, it was almost as bad as right after he burnt up in the Hellmouth. She felt the loss of him almost physically.

It only made her more determined she had done the right thing. She hadn’t lied to Spike when she told him that it hadn’t been anything Angel said that changed her mind, because it wasn’t. What made her change her mind was talking to Angel and remembering the pain she went through because of him.

Then when he brought up Harmony and Spike, Buffy remembered the night she had witnessed Spike and Anya together.

Buffy’s feelings for the blonde vampire were far beyond anything she had ever felt for any of the other men in her life. She honestly didn’t think she could open herself up to him fully and ever hope to recover if he left her the way all the others did.

Buffy couldn’t delude herself with the fact that there’s might be a forever kind of relationship. She knew those were just fairy tales told to children.

It was much better for her and Spike just to be friends, that way he would always be in her life and she wouldn’t have to worry about losing him. She knew she had done the right thing and she hoped that he would stop being mad at her soon so they could actually work on the whole friends thing.

She just wanted the empty feeling inside her to go away.

“Buffy, do you know what you want?” Dawn’s voice pulled her from her musings. She almost slipped and answered ‘Spike’, before she realized that Dawn was talking about the menu. The waitress was staring at her expectantly, but Buffy hadn’t even read what they had to offer.

“I’ll just have a cheeseburger, fries and a coke.” She told the woman.

Dawn’s cell phone rang and she answered it.

“Hello.”

“Oh hey, what’s up?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Ok, so what do you want me to do?”

“No problem. Just let me know.”

“Bye.”

“Who was that?” Xander asked.

“It was Willow. They have a situation with a demon at some house up in Beverly Hills they want us to go check it out then.”

Buffy sighed. She just couldn’t catch a break.

“Do we have time to eat?” Xander asked, “Or do we need to rush out?”

“They aren’t sure of the situation right now; she’s going to call me back with the address and details.” Dawn said.

Buffy didn’t say anything; she looked out the window into the busy city night. She tried not to think about how safe she felt upon waking this morning or remember the day she spent with Spike just talking with him and being able to indulge in the luxury of touching him without guilt.

She knew she was doing the right thing.


They had just finished eating and were about to pay the bill when Dawn’s cell phone rang again.

“Hello.”

“Yeah.”

”Ok, give me the address.” Dawn took out a pen and wrote down the address on a napkin.

“Let me give you to Xander, you can give him the directions since he’s the driver guy.”

She handed the phone to Xander.

“Doesn’t Wolfram and Hart have anyone else who can take care of this?” Buffy asked irritably. She was feeling worse by the minute. She had never been someone who indulged in crying much, but right now she felt like she could dissolve into tears. The last thing she wanted to do was go out demon hunting tonight.

The Slayer side of her, which she had been studiously avoiding since giving Spike the brush off, was crawling around inside of her just waiting to get in some much needed violence. However, Buffy was afraid of what it would do if she let it out right now, she didn’t think she would be able to get it back under control. Spike made it seem so easy to work with the demon inside of her, but he didn’t tell her what she should do when what the demon wanted, in this case it was Spike, was in direct conflict with what she knew to be right.

“Evidently this is a very delicate matter and since we just opened up the lines of communications between ourselves and Angel’s group they figured we would be the best ones for the job.” Dawn told her. The entire time she was speaking Dawn kept her eyes focused on Xander. He had a confused look on his face as he listened to Willow, when he finally looked up and met Dawn’s eyes her warning look was enough to make him keep his mouth shut about anything he shouldn’t say.

After about five minutes of listening to Willow without saying anything Xander finally spoke. “Sounds ok to me. As long as you’re sure about all this, Will.” But his tone included Dawn in his statement.

Dawn looked worriedly at Buffy to see if she picked up on anything unusual going on, but she was once again lost in her own world of misery.

“Ok, we’re on our way.”



Lorne had just finished delivering all the items Spike had requested and getting them set up. Some of the things were completely understandable for a night of romance; candles, wine, massage oil, bubble bath. It was the other items that had Lorne questioning what was going on. There were a set of magically enhanced manacles that wouldn’t break or respond to magic no matter what the strength of the person being held. There was also the pair of Japanese style swords. The most worrisome item was the stake.

“I think that’s it.” He said to Spike. He paused for a moment to stare at the vampire. “I saw Sid and Nancy when it first came out you know. I hope you aren’t planning a reenactment with some of this stuff.”

Spike didn’t answer. “Just send the car back tomorrow at sundown and remember, no tells Peaches what’s going on.”

“You’re the boss; I just hope you know what you’re doing.” Lorne said before leaving.


Xander pulled up to the long driveway of the mansion, there were gates blocking the car from going the whole way up to the house.

“Whose place is this?” Buffy asked as she stared in awe at the impressive home.

“It belonged to some producer that sold their soul to Wolfram and Hart for a shot at fame. When the deal was up they repossessed the soul and the house. Its empty most of the time, but they use it occasionally for out of town clients. I guess one of them was a demon and now we need to get rid of it.”

“Ok.” Buffy got out of the car. “You guys wait here. I am in no mood for this tonight, so it should only take a few minutes.”

She headed off up the driveway, she never even thought about taking weapons.

About half way up the drive she heard the sound of Xander pulling the car away, she stopped and looked back confused, but then decided someone must have been coming up the road and they didn’t want to look like they were casing the joint. A familiar tingling inside her called her attention back to the house in front of her and she started moving towards it more quickly.

By the time she reached the door she was certain it was Spike she felt inside, his signature was as familiar to her as her own reflection. She couldn’t figure out what he was doing there. Had they also sent him in to take care of the demon? Was he inside hurt?

Then she tried to remember what she heard Dawn and Xander say when they talked to Willow, but all she could think of was how strange and stilted the conversations sounded when she thought back on them. At the time she was too caught up in her own thoughts to notice.

Then she thought about the way Dawn and Xander pulled away when she was half way up the drive.

Everything clicked into place. They all ganged up on her. They brought her here for Spike to make some gesture that would make her give in to her feelings for him. She shook her head angrily. He probably wanted to relive their first night together and have some ‘rough and tumble’.

She threw open the front door and stormed inside. She didn’t see any sign of him, so she used her senses to lead her up the stairs to him. She got a closed door at the end of a long hallway. She knew he was inside waiting for her.

She threw open the door, prepared to begin yelling. Instead she stopped cold.

“Oh my god.” She breathed. Every inch of the floor was covered with rose petals, their scent heavy in the air. Golden candlelight lit up the room from the fifty or more candles scattered around. The entire outside wall was windows that looked over the city below her. In the center of the room was a large bed covered with satin sheets and soft fluffy pillows.

Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention and her breath when she saw what it was.

In a corner, Spike sat in a chair watching her. He was wearing black leather pants that fit him way too perfectly for Buffy’s sensibilities and a black shirt with red metallic dragons embroidered on it. His hair wasn’t slicked back as it normally was, but left curly.

“Spike?” She asked breathlessly. He stood up and walked towards her fluidly, the look in his eyes and the way he moved almost had her knees buckling.

He walked right up to her and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Hello Slayer.”


Willow raced into Wesley’s office, he was alone now, Giles had gone in search of a cup of tea at one of the restaurants close by.

“Willow is something wrong?”

“Um, I need to talk to you.” She said anxiously.

“What is it?” Wesley was concerned; he was hoping Illyria hadn’t done anything towards Willow.

“Its about Fred.”

Wesley immediately shut down, he didn’t want to talk about Fred, it hurt too much.

“Wesley, please. She’s not gone.” Wesley looked up at her.

“Yes, she is.” He said stiffly. “Fred is no more.”

“No she isn’t. Part of her is still inside Illyria. I know because I just saw her.”

Wesley almost passed out from shock.


Chapter 10 Heart Of The Matter


It took all of Buffy’s will power to control the overpowering forces inside of her that were all screaming for one thing.

Spike.

Yet, still she resisted.

She called up the memories of sitting alone in Rome, night after night, mourning him. She couldn’t go through that again.

Steeling herself against him, she met his eyes coldly.

“What’s going on here, Spike?” She asked through gritted teeth.

He chuckled in her ear and then pulled back. He glided across the room and sat lounging on the bed. He looked positively sinful sitting there like that. Buffy licked her lips nervously, before remembering the promise she made to herself.

Spike knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but he had hoped. Such a stubborn bint, his Slayer, it was going to take much more to break down these walls of hers. Good thing he had just the right equipment to do it.

Now that he was aware of the connection, he knew Illyria was right. Buffy did belong to him, had always belonged to him. He told her once a long time ago that she was inside him, in his blood, but the years that followed and the dark turn their relationship took had him doubting his own instincts. Yet there it was, an unbreakable bond that was how he always could track her down, it wasn’t just a sense of smell, but a sense of her.

He gave her a slow grin. “Why pet, I just wanted to talk to you, that’s all.”

“Talk?” Buffy looked around. “First of all you could have talked to me earlier, but you wanted to storm off all angry like. Second, this doesn’t look like you wanted to talk, this looks like a seduction.” Her voice rose, with her anger. “And why did my friends and sister feel the need to lie to get me here?” She didn’t even give him time to answer. “You know, I don’t even want to know.” She turned around. “I’m out of here.”

Before she could walk through the open doorway, there was a rushing noise behind her. The door closed in her face and she found herself pressed up against it, with Spike’s lean frame pressed up against her. She took several deep shaking breaths, trying to get herself under control again, but each time she inhaled she could smell his signature scent and it made her want him more.

Tears rose up in her eyes as she fought with herself, refusing to give in and just melt into him. She was so tired, and the war going on inside her was taxing her even more. She swallowed thickly.

“Now are you going to be a good little Slayer and listen to what I have to say or am I going to have to chain you up?” Spike spoke in a low voice right next to her ear.

Anger flared up inside her, red hot. “I’d like to see you try.” She growled. Spike pushed away from her enough so she could turn around and look at him, well glare at him.

“Where’s the cattle prod and Dru? Are we expecting Harmony as well?” She shoved him hard away from her and spun around trying desperately to open the door. Unfortunately she found it locked and the doors were much heavier than she would have imagined, she could probably break them down, but it would take her more time than she wanted to spend.

“What’s the matter Slayer? Don’t you trust me?” His voice was farther away now and she knew without turning around he was lounging on that damn bed again.

Frustration rose up in her. Why was he doing this to her? Why was he pushing her like this? He had been so non-pushy the last year, taking his cues from her and just happy for anything she was willing to offer him. He had been a strong stable presence by her side. A friend. What had changed?

She turned slowly. “Spike, did you lose your soul?”

She watched him set his jaw, and she didn’t have to be close to him to know he was seriously pissed off by her question. “No.”

“Then why…”

“Why what? Why aren’t I doing what you ask like an obedient little puppy? Why aren’t I sitting back quietly while you bounce me back and forth like a rubber ball, AGAIN?” He stopped and got control over his anger. “I have a better question for you, pet. What is it you are so afraid of? Me?”

Buffy looked around the room for another exit, she saw a doorway in the far corner. She started moving towards it cautiously. “You wish.” She answered him.

“So then why is the Almighty, Supercharged Slayer panicked at the thought of being alone in a house with me?” He stood up and stalked over to her. He thrust something in her hands before taking his spot on the bed again.

She looked down in order to make sure that he had indeed just handed her a stake.

“Now you have the advantage. Now will you sit and have a chat with me?” Buffy didn’t move, just looked from him to the stake in her hands and back again.

“What still don’t trust me? Afraid I’ll, what? Bite you? Turn you?” Buffy still didn’t say anything. “Answer me!!” His voice was commanding, cold and deadly.

Shivers ran through her at his tone. She told herself they were just shivers of fear. What else would they be?

Spike stood up and moved towards her, she shrank away from him. “What are you afraid of?” He demanded. Buffy shook her head no; she felt the tears burning behind her eyes again. He didn’t let her get too far; he grabbed her shoulders and shook her roughly.

“Bloody hell, answer me!!”

“I can’t.” Buffy cried as the tears broke over her face.

Spike’s own heart almost broke at the sight; he had seen her upset before. He had even seen her with tears in her eyes before, but to see her openly sobbing like this tore at him. Yet he knew he couldn’t give in, not now, he needed her to face these fears, if her let her get away without doing that, when her walls went back up they would be twice as thick.

“Answer me!” He yelled.

“I can’t.” Buffy backed up against the wall and slid to the ground.

“Can’t what?” He badgered her.

Buffy shook her head no again. “Can’t what, Slayer?” He didn’t yell this time, however, his voice wasn’t any less frightening for the lack of volume.

“I can’t face losing you again.” She whispered, so softly he almost didn’t hear her even with his enhanced senses.

He immediately softened his stance; he dropped to the ground in front of her. He reached out gently and took her chin raising her eyes to meet his. He almost winced at the misery he saw there.

“When you were gone…” She paused for a hiccupping breath. “I didn’t want to live. I missed you so much and you weren’t there. You were always there and then you weren’t and I was all alone. And it hurt so much. If I let myself…” Another hiccup. “If I let myself, and you died again, I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. Please, Spike.” She dissolved into sobbing again.

“If you let yourself what, pet?” She didn’t answer or if she did it was swallowed by her sobs.

“Buffy do you love me?” She cried harder. “Buffy, do you?”

“Y-yes.” She said, she took a deep breath. “I love you. I love you so much, I…” More crying.

Spike let a gentle smile cross his face. He scooped her up in his arms; he walked with her across the room and gently set her down on the bed.

“You have nothing to worry about, Sweetheart, because I’m never going to leave your side. I promise.” She didn’t look like she believed him. “Have I ever broken my word to you?”

“No, but you didn’t come find me, and you told me I didn’t love you and there was the whole thing with Harmony.” Her tears were slowing down, now, but they still fell.

“Buffy Anne Summers, I love you more than anything else in the world and I swear to you right now, that I will never look at another female again, unless you want me to.” He said with an evil smirk, she rolled her eyes at him. “And I will never leave you again. You are my life, my love and my mate.”

“Your mate? You claimed me?” Buffy was confused.

“Turns out I didn’t have to.” Spike rested his hand on her chest above her heart, close your eyes, luv.”

She did as he requested. “Can you feel me there inside of you?” He asked her. For a second she couldn’t understand what he was talking about, and then she felt it. Deep inside her a feeling of love and comfort, unmistakably Spike. It had been there all along.

“I feel you.” She said, a bright smile broke across her face. “I feel your love.” She opened her eyes. “It’s the most wonderful thing I’ve every experienced.” She leaned forward to kiss him, but he stood up. “What are you doing?”

“Something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time.” He told her. “I need to get some things; I want you naked on that bed when I get back.” He walked out of the room through the doorway she had noticed earlier in the corner.

A shock of pure lust went through her. She sat up quickly and tore off her T-shirt before throwing off her shoes and then unbuttoning her pants and sliding them down over her legs. She lay back on the bed and thought about all the wonderful things Spike did to her when they were in bed together. She felt her sex swell and moisture begin to build up. She ran her hands down over her body, she cupped her breasts and let her fingers ghost over her nipples as she imagined it was his hands moving over her. She let one hand drift, running one finger up and down over her slit, spreading the moisture back and forth. Her eyes closed in pleasure as she waited for him to return to her.

A loud clanging noise had her eyes flying open in surprise.

Spike stood before her, his shirt now unbuttoned revealing his lean chest and abdomen. There was hunger in his gaze as he watched her lightly touch herself, but what caught her attention, causing a small amount of alarm, was the manacles and chains that he held.

“Do you trust me?” He asked her.



Wesley followed Willow into a room where Illyria paced nervously. As soon as he saw her his anger exploded.

“What kind of game are you playing at now?” He asked her. “You let Willow believe Fred is still alive inside of you.”

“I am not playing a game. I asked the witch to go inside my mind and find out where these emotions are coming from. She discovered Fred still within this shell. That should not be possible.”

“You told me Fred ceased to exist when you took over!” Wesley accused her.

“She should have. This should not be. I must have underestimated the human spirit.”

Wesley laughed; it was a very hysterical sound. “Indeed?”

“I want her terminated. I want to be free of these emotions.”

“Of course you do.” Wesley said still laughing. Weeks, months spent in mourning, trying to find a way to bring back the woman he loved and now they said she still survived inside this demon.

“Before we do that,” Willow broke in. “I want to take Wesley inside you mind so he can see for himself.”

“What good will that do?” Illyria asked.

“I just want him to see, maybe there is a way we can handle this without killing off Fred.” Willow tried to soothe her.

“Fine.” Illyria crouched down. Wesley looked at Willow questioningly. She motioned for him to lean down next to her. She took a hold of one of Illyria’s hands, and then grabbed one of Wesley’s in her other hand.

Willow closed her eyes and began to chant in a language that sounded to Wesley like ancient Sumerian.

There was some disorientation as the room began to spin. Then the world dropped away and Wesley felt himself begin to fall.

He was surrounded by darkness and fire; there were creatures that seemed to incorporeal energy beings around him. They were warring with each other, fighting for dominance.

((These are Illyria’s memories)) He heard Willow’s voice, relieved that she was still with him, her relaxed slightly.

Deep with in the blackness he saw a bright speck shining out in the darkness. Then he saw another, and another. There were maybe a dozen or more total. They reminded him of golden stars.

Willow guided him directly towards one of these bright specs, which grew bigger as they got closer. They reached the boundary of it before entering inside. He could feel the change immediately.

When they stopped Wesley was surprised to see what looked like Fred’s bedroom.

“Wesley.” Her excited voice made him stop cold. He didn’t say anything to her.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy to see me?”

Wesley didn’t know what to do. She looked like Fred, acted like Fred, she even smelled like Fred. Yet he knew Illyria could imitate Fred well enough to fool even her own parents.

“Wesley, it’s me. Really.” She told him. Wesley looked deep into her eyes saw that it was indeed her. He pulled her into his arms and started crying.

“Oh god, Fred. I thought I lost you. I thought I failed you.”

“You didn’t fail anyone, silly.” She told him as she held him tightly.

Willow moved away a little bit to give them their privacy. After a few minutes Wesley got control over himself.

“This is wonderful, we can give you power and you can use it to fight her and take back control of you body.” He said excitedly.

“Wes…” Fred tried to get his attention.

“We can probably get help from Willow or maybe Rupert could help us find a spell.”

”Wesley!!” That got his attention. “We can’t do that. I’m sorry, but we can’t.”

”What do you mean ‘we can’t’? Of course we can. We can kick that demonic bitch back to the deep well.”

“No, we can’t.” Fred pulled him towards her bed and made him sit down next her. “It would be like Angel. He keeps fighting Angelus and pushing him down and Angelus uses that energy and when he gets out he is a nightmare. Crazy and sadistic. Can you imagine what Illyria would be like if we did that to her?”

“If I stay here and work with her, change her outlook on things. Influence her decisions, make her feel my emotions, and then eventually, our personalities will meld together. The way Spike and his demon did or like Buffy and her Slayer side.”

“You know about Buffy?” Wesley asked.

“I see everything Illyria does. I told you, I’m a part of her, just like she’s a part of me now.”

Wesley looked down.

“So what now? I just have to let you go again?”

“No. I’m right here, just a little different.” Wesley didn’t say anything. “It would help her accept me if you wouldn’t keep shutting her out.”

Wesley stood up. “Surely you don’t expect me to start dating her.” He asked outraged.

“No, of course not.” Fred reassured him. “But you could be a little nicer to her. Not blame her for what happened. Remember she didn’t choose who she was reborn into, that was Knox.”

“I miss you so much.” Fred stood up and kissed him lightly. “Look deep enough inside her and you’ll find me. Everything happens for a reason Wesley, remember that. And remember, I will always love you.”

“I love you, too, Fred.” He kissed her again, more desperately this time, knowing their time was almost up.

“We should go.” Willow’s voice interrupted them.

“Thank you, Willow.” Willow nodded sadly as she watched Wesley’s face.

Fred turned back to him before they could leave and hit him hard in the chest. “And you start eating and sleeping again. If I have to I will get Illyria to start force feeding you.” She threatened.”

Willow took Wesley’s hand wanting to leave on a lighter note.

“I love you, Wesley.” Fred called as they started moving backwards, towards the way they entered.

“I love you.” Wesley yelled back at her but by that time they had returned and were both crouched on the floor in front of Illyria again.

She looked at them both. “I take it you believe she is real now?” She asked Wesley.

Willow looked from one to the other. “I think I’ll just leave you two alone now.” She got up and walked out of the room, leaving them staring at each other.

Chap 11 Control

Buffy sat up quickly on the bed and drew her knees up to her chest nervously. Her first instinct was to get angry.

He was pushing her again? Why did he have to keep pushing her?

She opened her mouth to refuse, but stopped when she saw his face. He wasn’t cold and angry like he was before. He also wasn’t nurturing, the way he was before he left. He was just waiting.

She did trust him. She trusted him to have her back, to stay by her side, protect her family and friends. She even entrusted him with her heart.

But this wasn’t about trust, not really, and he knew that.

This was about control.

Hers.

Since becoming the Slayer, Buffy had learned she always had to be in control, always had to be alert, on guard.

It wasn’t the Slayer side that demanded this of her. It understood that no matter how good you were or how hard you fought there were always going to be losses. Buffy felt each loss, she used it as a constant reminder of what happened when she let go of her control and her emotions were involved. Had she killed Angel in the first place Jenny Calendar would still be alive. Had she reacted more quickly when she found her mother, tried CPR, her mother might still be alive.

She had to always maintain her control over emotions.

Now Spike wanted her to give up that control.

Give it to him.

Her heart wasn’t enough for him, he wanted all of her.

Did she trust him enough for that?

Her insecurities rose up inside of her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again the turmoil was gone, there was some slight apprehension, but it was clear she had come to some sort of acceptance.

“I trust you.” Her voice sounded clear in steady, a direct contrast to the quick pounding of her heart.

Even though it had only taken her a few minutes to come to her decision, to Spike it felt like years. He watched her struggle and debate with herself, amazed that she had actually stopped to think about it, instead of refusing him outright. He knew he was pushing his luck to try this, but he had to know.

Buffy was already a part of him, she owned every bit of who he was, man or vamp, but she also held all the control. He would do anything for her and she knew that, this giving up of her control would allow them to be equals. It would prove she did trust him implicitly.

He’d had no idea what he was going to do if she said no, but never expected her to say yes.

The involuntary smile that spread across his face; warm, sweet and so honestly happy warmed her heart and eased her anxiety. The irony didn’t escape her that she just witnessed one of the most innocuous expression cross his face while he stood there looking lickably good with bondage items in his hands.

Her smile grew. That was Spike, all sorts of contradictions in one yummy package. She was positive now that her love for him was real. She could feel it inside of her as clearly as she could feel his love for her. It was tangible; the warmth she felt inside wasn’t just coming from her.

She licked her lips and looked up at him coquettishly. She released her knees and lay back on the bed. She resumed the light caresses and touches she had been engaged in before his return. “How did you want me?” She asked, her voice sweet and inviting.

His smile turned predatory. Buffy lowered her eyes in faux embarrassment.

“On your stomach.” She was still a little nervous, but did as he asked without hesitation. She felt him sit on the bed next to her. His proximity made every cell in her body stand up on edge. She waited with anticipation and dread for the sound of the chains, so she was surprised when she felt his cool hands caressing her back.

She began to relax again as his hands started working over her muscles. He kneaded and rubbed; releasing tension and easing out knots she didn’t know she had. She felt as if she were floating on a silky wave. She couldn’t help the little sighs and purrs of contentment that escaped her.

Spike worked his way down from her shoulders loosening the tight muscles as he went. When he reached her lower back, right about her waist, he pressed on a spot near her spine and was surprised at the moan the came out of her.

“Oh, god.”

“Not exactly.” He smiled. “Like that do you?” He moved his fingers farther out on her back and pressed again.

Another moan was his reward.

Buffy had officially turned into a puddle. Every time Spike pressed on those spots releasing the tension there she swore she could feel the blood rush down between her legs. It was like an erotic caress inside of her.

“I read somewhere these spots are called the Sea of Vitality.” Spike said conversationally. “Releasing tension here relieves depression and chronic fatigue.”

He kept his hands moving while he talked enjoying the music of her appreciative groans.

“Less with the talking and more with the rubbing.” She murmured into the sheets. He began to rub and knead these muscles harder, letting the noises escaping her guide his hands. Once he had loosened up all of the muscles in that area and almost worked her towards and orgasm he moved farther down her body. He caressed and rubbed deep on either side of her bottom, stimulating nerves there that ran the length of her legs. Then he ran his hands down both of her thighs to her feet drawing all the tension and nervous energy out of her body, leaving her feeling as lazy as a cat in a patch of sunlight.

“On your back now, luv.” He told her as he moved to help her roll over, since she could barely get up the energy to move herself.

She lay there in a pleasant daze, breathing slow and deep. For the first time in what seemed like forever, certainly since before she had to kill Angel, she was completely at ease and content.

The metal clinking of the chains didn’t even register in her mind until she felt the cold metal snap around an ankle and her leg was pulled down farther on the bed. She couldn’t see what he hooked the other end of the chain to.

She forced herself to remain relaxed as he repeated this on her other ankle and both of her wrists. She now laid spread out on the bed before him, securely restrained. She pulled on the chains a little bit to test their strength.

“They’re magically enhanced. They won’t break.” Spike told her as he climbed back up on the bed sitting down next to her. “And they are hooked in to metal rings on the floor that are set into concrete blocks.

Buffy’s breathing picked up as she fully realized that she was now completely at his mercy. She could feel the tension returning to her limbs.

Spike reacted quickly; he slid down the bed so he was next to her feet.

“Here now, none of that.” He began to massage and rub her feet; slow circles causing her relax slightly. He moved up her legs, still keeping the slow gentle pace he began on her back. His voice continued to soothe her.

“I’m not going to hurt you, love.” He chuckled deeply, a sound that sent shivers running through her. “Unless you want me to, of course.”

Her arousal began to return as his hands got farther and farther up her thighs. Just when he was about to reach her sex, he pulled back. He ran a feather light brush of a fingertip over her before continuing on to her sides.

“You have nothing to worry about, nothing to think about. Just relax and let go.” His voice hypnotized her and for a moment she believed he really did possess thrall, the way she got lost in his eyes. He ran his hands down her arms from her shoulders mimicking the movements he used on her legs. And again she could feel the tension being pulled out of her.

He rubbed her hands and fingers in such a way that had her wondering when hands became an erogenous zone as she fell deeper under his spell.

He caressed the sides of her body again; only this time when he worked his way upwards he grazed lightly over her nipples, before massaging her shoulders, kneading her muscles like bread.

She watched his face the entire time. She watched the hungry way he studied every inch of her, watching the way it moved or shivered under his masterful hands.

He moved his hands back down her chest and she tried to arch up so he would touch her breasts. He just pushed her back down.

“You be a good girl now. You can’t go anywhere. Just lay there and let me do what I’ve always wanted to...” His hands finally moved up to cup her breasts. “Worship your lovely body.” He finished.

The intent way he was staring at her breasts cupped in his grasp, combined with the sound of his voice, and the feeling of his fingers rolling her nipples had her breathing quickening.

He licked his lips and met her eyes. He watched the expressions cross her face as he pulled and tugged on her nipples. Gently at first then with increased pressure until a growl of pure lust erupted from her.

His smirk of pride sent another wave through her. She tried to move her arms wanting to pull him down for a kiss, only to be reminded of the fact she was shackled. Completely at his mercy. Only now that thought just increased her desire.

“Ah, ah, ah.” He said teasingly. He released her nipples and moved back down to her thighs again. His hands neared her sex and Buffy held her breath in anticipation and hope.

One finger between her legs slid along the edges of her lips and she exhaled at the feeling of the cool digit against her heated flesh. Back and forth it slid in her juices. Her head and eyes almost rolled up at the decadent rapture, but she didn’t want to stop watching him as he played with her.

He looked up at her. “Like that?” His finger slid a little deep and little farther as it continued its journey.

Buffy swore the pleasure was traveling throughout her entire body through the now relaxed muscles.

“How about this?” He asked her, before pushing his finger inside her about halfway. Her internal muscles immediately began clenching trying to hold him there and draw him in deeper.

“Shhh. None of that now.”

He began running the finger over her walls, exploring every inch of her, while watching her closely. Her eyes slid shut and she started whimpering completely lost in sensory overload. “Oh yeah, kitten likes it.” He purred.

Buffy had never experienced anything like what was happening to her. Usually by now she would have climaxed and they would be on to round three or four by now. This slow build up was taking her higher than she had ever been. Her entire body was racked with pleasure and as much as she wanted her release she knew she was at his mercy. All she could do was lay there and writhe and whimper for him.

Spike placed one hand on her stomach, his fingertips just grazing her bellybutton. He added another finger inside of her, pushing both all the way in. Once they were buried inside her, he resumed his careful exploration, which had her whimpering louder and louder. Her juices were overflowing, now leaking out and soaking the silk underneath her. The aroma surrounded him as he watched her; his hands almost began to shake as he took in the amazing goddess lying before him. The most wonderful moans and noises escaped her lips and she was tossing her head from side to side lost in ecstasy.

“That’s it, just let it all go.” He encouraged her.

One of his fingers rubbed a spot inside her and suddenly she stopped moving and her eyes flew open capturing his.

“What?” He asked innocently, rubbing over the spot again. Her eyes got wider.

“What do you want?” He teased her again, she bit her lip and her eyes took on a pleading look.

“Did you want something?” He couldn’t keep the triumph out of his voice. She had once told him she wasn’t the begging kind, and until right now he was inclined to believe her.

Now he was going to change that.

“What do you want?” He asked again as he teased her.

“Please.” She breathed. “Please, Spike.”

He put both fingers together and curled them both up rubbing at the sweet spot inside of her. His other hand, on her stomach, he pressed downwards as if his fingers could meet. He never stopped the slow and steady pace he started with, wanting to build her slowly to edge.

Even at the unhurried pace she began to reach her peak. He could feel her muscles clenching in anticipation.

Just before she fell he removed his hand. She cried out in disappointment. He slid it underneath her resting it near her waistline. He moved the hand on her stomach, farther down. Using his fingers to spread her lips and pull back the hood of her clit. Then he did nothing just watched her as she panted beneath him.

Her eyes were desperate now.


“Please, I need to...” Her voice trailed off as he began to press on her back, the same spots that she had enjoyed so much before.

“You need what?” He coaxed her.

“Mmmmm.” She moaned. “Ooooh, I need to cum. Please, baby, I need to cum.”

Without any more preambles his features shifted into his demonic visage. He pulled his hand out from under her and lowered his head. He ran the length of his roughened tongue over he clit at the same time he pushed both fingers back inside her. She toppled over the precipice with a scream. He pierced her upper thigh with his fangs and began drinking deeply as his fingers took up a rhythm inside of her and his other hand took over rubbing her clit, wanting to prolong her orgasm as long as possible.

Buffy completely lost all sense of self she had. She left everything behind, but the feelings of pleasure and the man giving them to her. She floated freely on a sea of bliss, the warm glow inside of her exploding over and over again.

After several minutes of unending rapture, she came back down to herself.

She should have sated, she should have fallen immediately into an exhausted sleep, but she didn’t.

She looked up at Spike, still in game face, above her watching her and she knew what she wanted.

“I want you inside me.” She told him her voice sounded hoarse from her cries. “I want your cock buried so deep inside me.”

Spike ripped the shirt from his body and began to unfasten his pants. He had a small amount of trouble getting the zipper down due the tightness in his groin, but he solved that problem by just ripping them open with snarl.

Before he buried himself inside of her he decided he had enough of the chains, he had gotten what he wanted and now he wanted to feel her arms and legs wrapped around him, surround him in her warmth.

He grabbed the key from his pants pocket and undid her ankles first. He leaned up to undo her wrists, when she captured him with her legs. He just barely got her free before she thrust herself up onto him.

She didn’t make a sound, but the look on her face almost caused him to lose it right then. He grabbed her chin opening her mouth wide, and then leaned down to trace her lips with his tongue; while he did this he timed his breathing so he inhaled every time she exhaled wanting any part of her essence inside of him.

They began to move in sync, writhing and straining trying to maximize the stimulation. Their eyes remained locked on each other, sharing breath as they clung together.

Buffy felt her climax coming and she knew it was going to blow the other one away. As she stared up into his golden eyes her own face shifted.

They struck at the same time.

Buffy felt the soft skin of his neck on her tongue right before he fangs pierced his vein. She swallowed the thick liquid that tasted like pure Spike. The taste of him combined with the feel of him sucking her own blood down set off her orgasm.

They both held the other tighter against them as they tried to bury themselves inside each other.

Buffy felt herself fly apart again, only this time instead of just being aware of Spike she was surrounded by him. She felt him throughout her being. His love and devotion carrying her even higher into paradise.


She wasn’t sure when she became aware of her body again. She felt Spike roll over taking her with him so she was draped over him like a blanket. She shivered slightly as cool air ran over her sweat soaked body. There was the feeling of silk covering her, but that was the last thing she was aware of, before drifting off into a deep sleep.

Chapter 12: Ooops

She could feel the smile on her face even before she woke up; it had probably been there all night.

Surrounded by love, how could she not smile?

She raised her head to look up at Spike; her heart melted at the adorable picture he presented, eyes closed and face relaxed in sleep, looking so very innocent. His mouth was open and he was breathing, an unconscious action, she believed. His hair was tousled with wild curls everywhere and the most cherished sight, her bite mark on the side of his neck.

Regret threatened to appear when she thought about all the times she missed getting to see this side of him, but she pushed it down. She was determined to make things better this time around.

She could feel him still buried inside of her, he had softened during the night but with a slight ripple of her muscles she could feel him begin to harden once again.

She stretched her neck out until her mouth rested right near her marks. She blew hot breath lightly against him and watched his face as a smile crept across it. She features shifted and she gently sunk her fangs into his neck and began sipping lightly.

She never thought there would come a day, even if she were turned, where she would enjoy the taste of blood. Yet drinking from Spike wasn’t like drinking blood, there wasn’t any bitter coppery taste or anything, it tasted just like his skin, and it filled her with his love and adoration.

When she started rippling her muscles around his cock in time with her sips, a purring noise filled his chest. His hands moved, one to clutch the back of her head, holding her gently to him and one to grab a hold of hip seeking better purchase to thrust himself up into her.

“I want to wake up like this every morning.” He murmured.

She clamped down tightly with her teeth and muscles, causing him to erupt in a gentle climax with a growl. She pulled back from his neck and changed back into her human guise.

She raised her head up to meet his. He licked her lips clean of his blood before kissing her deeply.

He pulled back long enough to mutter. “G’morning” before diving back in for more kisses.

“Mmmmm.” Buffy murmured back to him.

He pulled back again. “Sorry, luv. Did you say something?”

She glared at him playfully. “Yes I did. I said…” She pulled him back towards her and started kissing him again.

Spike tightened his hold on her and just got lost in the decadent sensation of waking up with the woman he loved next to him and not having to watch her rush off in a desperate need to forget him.

Yes he could get used to this.

But would he have the chance? He knew he shouldn’t push her any further, but he had to know.

“So what happens now?” He tried to keep his voice noncommittal, as he waited for her to begin her usual dodging and avoiding.

“I was thinking somewhere along the lines of shower.” She grinned up at him impishly. “I wash your back, you wash mine?”

It wasn’t the answer he was hoping for, but still she didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get away from him. Maybe this time things would be different.

Hope bloomed inside him under the shining rays of her smile.

When he had been human, he had believed that those under the influence of love, deep and true, would actually glow. After he had been turned he began to understand better what people were hinting about when they used terms like ‘after glow’. It was all just poetic licensing that humans used to make things more magical than they really were. He had certainly never seen any evidence of such and occurrence, not even the sated, happy expressions on Dru and Darla’s faces after their encounter with the Immortal could really be called glowing.

All this ran through his mind as he looked down at her and he realized that she was actually glowing. Her eyes were so bright and shiny it was like there was a light behind them. He lips were soft, full and still wet from his kisses. And the sunlight caught in the blond hair that had tangled on top of her head from the physical activities of the night before.

She looked like an angel.

Spike took so long in responding, Buffy began to worry he had taken her gentle teasing as her usual skirting of the issue of them.

She raised one of her hands to brush across his forehead; she was about to reassure him when it happened.

He began to speak.

His voice alone, crisp clear, sounding remarkably like Giles or Wesley, had her attention right way.

Then the words sunk in.

Nothing could have prepared her for it. There is no way to prepare for one of the most powerful moments of your life.




“for what is the beloved?
She is that which I myself
Am not. In the act of love,
I am pure male, and she is
Pure female. She is she
And I am I, and clasped
Together with her I know
How perfectly I am not
Her, how utterly we are
Two, the light and the
Darkness, and how
Infinitely and eternally,
Not-to-be comprehended by
Either of us is the
Surpassing One we make.”


Silence echoed loudly in the room. Spike had a look of terror and horror on his face when he realized what he had just done. He looked at her face for her reaction. Dozens of excuses to explain his sudden poetry recital ran frantically through his mind.

For Buffy everything clicked into place. It was like all the pieces finally came together. She saw him, saw who he was suddenly, saw all of him.

‘I see with perfect clarity who you are.’

Before she had accepted that she loved him, and accepted that he loved her, but she hadn’t believed all of the myths about Mates and true love she had written off. Now she understood what it all meant.

“I love you so much and I am not ever leaving your side again, not even if the Powers, themselves, try to separate us.” The joy on his face made her laugh out loud. “You belong to me.”

Next thing she knew she was on her back with a hungry vampire attacking her lips with fervor.



Willow just wanted to sit down and cry. All she had wanted was to get some sleep, instead she had to play counselor for almost everyone in the building.

After she had left Wesley and Illyria, Angel had found her. He wanted to find Wesley so he could try to perform the spell to transform his girlfriend. Thinking Wesley and Illyria needed some time to themselves she tried to distract him.

Instead what had happened, and she blamed her tired brain on this one, was she wound up at the hospital performing the spell.

She winced as she tried to move and felt pain roll through her coming from the claw marks on her arms and chest.

Thinking things through enough to make sure Nina was secured before waking up her wolfie state would have been a really good idea.

“What in the hell were you thinking?!?” Giles was screaming at her. He had been for a while now. Of course Angel had been no help, he had fallen into one of his brooding spells when Nina escaped after he pulled her off Willow. Now there was a werewolf loose in Los Angeles, and there were currently thirty different Slayers patrolling here.

“I…” She tried again to say something, although what, she wasn’t sure. Anything to cause a break in the screaming.

“You weren’t thinking. I thought you said you’d stay away from the dark magics? What if you would have lost control? That would’ve been something else we’d have to worry about.”

All she wanted to do was cry, then sleep. Maybe she could have a bath. She could cry in the bath and then go to sleep. The pain medicine the doctors had given her was making her brain a little loopy at this point.

She could have used a healing spell on herself, but considering it was her own stupidity that caused this in the first place, it just didn’t seem right.

Giles sighed, finally noticing the exhaustion on her face and the tears hiding in her eyes. He was tired himself. “I’m going to take you back to the hotel, you need to get some sleep.”

It took all of Willow’s restraint not to yell ‘NO SHIT’. She knew it was just the exhaustion talking, though.

“I’ll have to get Buffy up, maybe she will have better senses to track Nina.”

Buffy.

Uh-oh.

“Um Giles, Buffy’s not at the hotel.”

Giles gave her a funny look. “Did she go to Spike’s after all?” He didn’t sound angry; maybe that was a good sign. She noticed Angel lifted his head, suddenly forgetting his fear for his ‘girlfriend’.

“No, they went off somewhere to be alone. We won’t be able to reach them until sundown.”

Given her current state, it was hard not giggle when Giles began to turn a bright purple color.

“Of all the bloody stupid things…” He stopped and glared at her. “Do you know where they are?”

“Nope, but the green guy does.”

“Green guy?” Giles asked her.

Willow nodded her head vigorously. “Yeppers. He’s greeeeen.” She was starting to like these pain pills. She didn’t feel so tired anymore and everything was so much more fun, even words.

“She means Lorne.” Angel said. “I’ll try to reach him.”

“That would be a good idea.”

“Do we know where Wesley is?” Giles asked. He was going to need help.

“He’s with Fred.” Willow sang out. Giles noticed she was making little sparkling butterflies with her magic, absently. “No. Illyria, who is Fred.” Another butterfly. “But is also Illyria.” Another butterfly. “Who is also Fred.”

“Willow, that will be enough, no more butterflies.”

Willow pouted. “Fine.” All the butterflies disappeared. “You are no fun.”

“Is there somewhere she can get some sleep?” Giles asked Angel wearily.

“Yeah, she can use my apartment.”

“I believe she needs it.”

Willow had fallen back in her chair and was singing “Bippity Boppity Boo”. Giles just shook his head.



“So now you will try to destroy me to help Fred.” Illyria stated.

Wesley shook his head and stood up. “No, I won’t.”

“But you won’t help me get rid of her either.”

Wesley shot a look at her. “No, I won’t do that either.”

“You want me to suffer, you want me to continue on feeling this pain every day. That is how you will punish me.” Illyria stood up and face him angrily.

Furious and uncaring at this point Wesley grabbed her shoulders roughly. “You think you are the only one in pain? You are supposed to sense the emotions of others and you can’t feel the pain I feel? Do you know what its like watching you walk around here, looking so much like her, but not her? Even when you were pretending to be her when her parents were here, I could tell you weren’t her.”

Illyria wouldn’t meet his eyes. “It is your pain that causes mine.” She whispered.

Wesley let her go. “Fred told me that everything happens for a reason. She said I needed to be nicer to you.”

“You are not doing such a good job of that.” Illyria muttered.

“No, I don’t suppose I am.” Wesley thought for a moment. Fred said to be nicer to her, more accepting, but what could he discuss with her.

“I would like to find something to eat.” He told her. “Would you join me?” Illyria looked curious.

“I do not eat.”

“I know that, but I thought perhaps we could talk.”

“What would we talk about?”

“You have spent so much time absorbing knowledge of our world, I thought maybe you could tell me about your time, your world.”

“We walked in rivers of blood…” Illyria began.

Wesley held up a hand to stop her.

“If you could wait until we sat down to eat.” He said. “And if you could edit out the graphic violence, anti-human monologues, and the blood lust, I would appreciate it.” He turned and began walking down the hallway.

“I would not know what else to tell you about.”

“I’m sure you’ll think of something.”


Buffy and Spike were just emerging from the bathroom, towels wrapped around them as they dried off.

“So you’re saying that if I had started spouting Nancy boy poetry years ago, we might have had a better run back then.”

“As opposed to the lovely line about ‘the only thing better than killing a Slayer…’” He looked embarrassed. “Yeah, poetry would have gotten you farther.” She said.

They returned to the bed. “Although honestly, I’m not sure there was anything you could have really done to break through the Buffy wall.” The towels were thrown to the floor as they wrapped themselves around each other. “You were right a bubble bath was much better than a shower.” Buffy added.

Neither spoke for a while, just enjoyed the feeling of being together.

“We need to talk about your closet space.” Buffy said.

“My what?” Spike asked irritated that she had interrupted his contemplation of where on her body was the softest skin.

“Your closet. Surely you don’t expect that tiny little space, even though there’s nothing in it, to hold all my clothes.” She reconsidered. “We’re probably going to have to find a bigger place, in a nicer neighborhood.”

Having her by his side for all eternity was something he was happy to accept. Her dragging three hundred pounds of clothing and shoes to everyplace they went was not.

“I didn’t think you wanted to stay in LA, pet.”

”I don’t necessarily, but since we’ll be here for a while.”

“But we don’t know how long that is.” He protested. “I would hate for you to drag everything over here and then we have to turn around and pack it all up again.”

She looked dubious.

He decided to try another tactic. “Think about Sunnydale. You couldn’t take all your shoes out before the city sank, could you? What if something like that happens here?”

”Hmm. You are probably right.” She thought for a moment. “I’ll just have to get new clothes for while I’m here.”

Defeated Spike gave in. “We’ll start looking for another place tonight.” He promised. Then he had a thought.

“How are we going to pay for it?”

Buffy eyes widened and she turned her head to look at him more directly. “Don’t you get paid by Wolfram and Hart?”

“No, I could have m’own place at the firm, but I don’t want to stay there. Do you?”

“A world of no.”

“Don’t you get paid by the Watchers?”

“Not really. They pay for our apartment in Rome in exchange for me training girls a couple of times a week, but I’ve been working in a restaurant to supplement.”

They thought for a moment. “I think its time we started getting paid for this ‘Save the World’ gig.” Spike said.

“Agreed.”

There was the sound of a car pulling up the driveway.

“Are you expecting someone?” Buffy asked him.

“No.”

They heard doors slam and both could feel the presence of several demons.

“Several someones.” Spike said.

The front door opened.

“Why is the door unlocked?” A rough voice bellowed.

“I didn’t leave it unlocked.” Another voice, higher in tone answered.

“Spike, who owns this house, really?”

“I don’t know. I asked Lorne to find us someplace we could be alone without any interruptions from Scoobies, Watchers, or Peaches.”

Loud stomping noises were heard and then someone started turning the doorknob. Buffy and Spike flew out of bed and began throwing on their clothes.

“So you don’t know what’s on the other side of that door?”

“Not a clue, pet.” Spike ran over to the pile of things he asked Lorne for, he picked up the swords and threw one to her.

“And you were planning on doing what with these?” She asked.

He gave her and impatient look. “I thought we might get some fighting in later.”

Buffy admired the sword. “Cool.”

“Who’s in there?” The voice alone shook the door, and then the pounding began.

“Do your plans ever end well?” She asked him.

“Ha, bloody, ha, Slayer.” He answered.

Just then the door broke open to reveal two very large and obviously very angry demons.

“Half breeds!” One yelled.

“Ahhh!!” The other screamed. “They had intercourse on our bed.” It wailed.

“This is all just a misunderstanding.” Buffy tried to tell them.

With a loud roar the first one attacked.

The poem is by D.H. Lawrence.

Chapter 13: The Trouble with Angels

Lorne drove up to the gate slowly, he didn’t want to have to go up to the house and interrupt the couple, but it wasn’t like they really gave him a choice.

‘Sheesh.’ He thought to himself. ‘Try to do something nice for people and all it gets you is screamed at by everyone you know.’

Not like anyone had taken the time to explain to him what he did that was so wrong, or why they needed Spike and Buffy back right away.

No, he was just the errand boy, the stooge.

He gave a deep sigh and started up the long driveway

He was getting really tired of all of this. He missed the good old days when he was just a club owner. He really just wasn’t cut out for this line of work.

“Oh! Sweet, merciful Cher!” He exclaimed when he reached the house and saw a limo in the driveway. He quickly got out of the car and rushed inside to find absolute chaos.

There was a female demon running around spraying air deodorizer through the air screaming. “My house, they defiled my house.” She never let go of the release nozzle on the can. “Dirty, nasty humans, leaving secretions and flakes of epidermal layer in my house!!”

She managed to spray the deodorizer right in his face as she ran by him. He began coughing and his eyes started to burn and water.

She didn’t even seem to notice the other large demon who just rolled down the stairs.

The demon who was now at the base of the staircase was only down momentarily before standing back up and running right back up the stairs.

“What the bloody hell do you mean ‘don’t hurt him.’” Spike stood at the top of the stairs yelling over his shoulder so he wasn’t prepared when the demon tackled him. There was the sound of a struggle and then the demon rolled back down the stairs. “Have you noticed he seems pretty damned determined to hurt me?”

Buffy came running out. “I’m just saying if we are breaking and entering we can’t kill him.”

“So what do you want me to do then, just keep playing this game until he wears…OOF!” The demon had come back up the stairs and tackled Spike again. Buffy stepped forward quickly and grabbed one of the demons horns and used it to lift his head.

“Excuse me, Mr. Demon Sir. We didn’t really know that anyone lived here. You see a friend of ours told us no one lived here and we could use the house, we would have never, um, never used it if we knew it belonged to someone.” The demon reached out to claw at her. “Hey now!!”

The female demon ran towards Lorne again, it appeared her can had now run out of juice, but she still wouldn’t let it go.

Lorne reached out and grabbed it from her causing her to stop and look at him in surprise. “The environment is pleading with you to give it a rest.” He told her.

There was a loud crash as her husband fell back down the stairs. “Uh, guys, I think I can explain.” Lorne yelled loudly. Everything stopped and everyone turned to look at him.

Uh-oh.

They all rushed him yelling at him loudly.

“Wolfram and Hart was supposed to be taking care of our house not using it for a den of pleasure!!” The demon at the bottom of the stairs growled, slowly moving to him.

“What the hell were you thinking leaving us here?” Spike demanded as he raced down the stairs.

“Its all dirty, now.” The female demon screamed in his face and grabbed the empty can back from him. “I must make it clean again.”

She ran off again, frantically, leaving Lorne to face the two angry males. Buffy was slowly making her way down the stairs carrying their things she had gathered and two swords.

“…I put my trust in that firm…”

“…one hell of a wake up call…”

“…after a long trip to find…”

“…not expecting to be used as a tackling dummy…”

“I do not allow lesser beings in my house!!” The demon grabbed Spike by the shoulders, surprising him, and threw him out the open front door into the sunlight. Lorne gasped in fear.

“Spike!!” Buffy ran down the stairs and out the door, shoving the demon out of her way. Lorne followed after her.

Spike was on the ground a few feet from the door and rolling around trying to find shade and stand and run all at the same time. Buffy was by his side in an instant and she was the first to notice it.

“Oh my god.” She said.
“Well that’s something you don’t see every day.” Lorne said in shock.

Spike wasn’t smoking at all; he didn’t seem to be reacting at all.

Spike finally noticed that he didn’t smell anything burning; he stopped panicking and looked up. The first thing he saw was Buffy kneeling next to him in the sun, smiling brightly.

He forgot the miracle that was allowing him to even be in the sunlight, instead mesmerized by how beautiful she looked.

“Is it the Shanshu?” Lorne’s voice broke his gaze.

“What would shampoo have to do with anything?” Buffy asked confused.

Behind them the door slammed shut. They could still hear the female inside.

“Dirty, its all ruined, now.”

”Helen, shut up.” The male screamed.



Riding back in the car Spike insisted on having all the windows open so he could enjoy the sunlight more. The green demon was hoping he would forget about the incident at the house in light of the new developments, but there was no such luck.

“So you want to tell what was going on back there?” Spike growled at him.

“Um, I must have gotten my houses mixed up. That was the one we were watching for the Bolcof demons.”

“Brilliant.” Spike snapped.

Buffy laughed, she hadn’t stopped smiling since she realized he wasn’t burning. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled him. He immediately let go of his anger and wrapped one arm around her waist.

“Come on, Spike. This is US. It’s always going to be something. We’re lucky we had as much time as we did.”

“You’re right, kitten. Still a couple more hours would have been nice.” As he said this Spike was reminded that Lorne wasn’t supposed to be back for them until sunset.

“Why were you here so early, mate?”

“Well, the thing is…” He began and then hesitated. Spike groaned.

“Just spit it out.”

“There’s some trouble back at the office.”

Buffy laughed again. “See.” She said in triumph. Spike rolled his eyes.


The offices of Wolfram and Hart were almost as chaotic as the house they just left. Everywhere people were running around frantically. Dawn walked up to them as soon as they got off the elevator.

“Ok here’s the situation. Angel and Willow turned Angel’s woman into a werewolf, without restraining her first. Not too smart. Willow got scratched up pretty bad, but she’s ok. She’s out cold thanks to some good drugs. The girl got away and is currently munching on the citizens of Los Angeles. We think someone else has taken advantage of this and released a bunch of other demons with similar MO’s to confuse us.” They crossed the lobby over to Angel’s offices.

“We don’t think it’s the firm.” Dawn continued on. “They seem as upset about the unwanted attention as we are. There have been 25 deaths, so far, that we know about. More keep coming in every few minutes.” The walked past Harmony, who was sitting at her desk, she was just hanging up the phone. She opened up her mouth to say something but before she had the chance, Buffy, nonchalantly lashed out and punched her in the face. Spike stopped short. Dawn looked over, but didn’t even pause.

“Wolfram and Hart have their security teams, the elite non-human kind, out searching the sewers. Two teams have gone missing and another we know was destroyed.” She said. “Nice one, by the way.” She added as she opened the doors to Angel’s office.

Spike looked down at Harmony, in shock. Lorne patted him on the back. “She may have some jealousy issues you should look into.” He told him seriously. Spike just looked over at him in disbelief.

“Are you kidding me? She’s bloody perfect.” He hurried to catch up to the Summers sisters.

“He is a vampire.” Lorne said to himself. He looked inside at all the commotion going on inside Angel’s off, he just didn’t feel like dealing with it right now. He looked at Harmony, still unconscious on the floor and sighed. “I don’t know about you Harm, but I think a stiff drink is in order.”

Inside the office Dawn was still debriefing Buffy and Spike. Angel was on his phone at his desk.

“We have six police officers that look like they were put in a washing machine, on spin cycle, with a case of razor blades.” Gunn could be heard over the speakerphone.

“We have sent out some Slayers, no reports have come back yet. We lost contact with one team about an hour ago.” Dawn said. “Oh! And there haven’t been any sightings yet of either Nina or the other creatures. So how was your evening?” She asked with a smile as she finished up.

Just then Giles walked in. He noticed Buffy right away. “How nice of you to join us.” He said snidely.

“Did I mention Giles is pretty peeved at everyone right now?” Dawn asked.

“Um no.” Buffy glared at her sister.

Spike sensed a presence and cringed. “SPIKE!” He didn’t turn around, hoping it would go away. Then he felt arms wrap tightly around him and a head lay against his back.

“I’ve missed you.” Andrew sighed.

“Spike, did I tell you Andrew was looking for you?” Dawn asked innocently.

She followed Giles over to Angel’s desk.

Spike looked at Buffy. “I’m not loving the vibe in here right now. What’s say we do what we do best?”

“Spike, we can’t do that right now. People are dying!!” Buffy said exasperated.

“Not that. I meant go out and track down one of these beasties. Give some of these new skills we have a real challenge, a real hunt.” Spike leered at her. “But I must say, you are right, that is what we do best.”

Buffy turned pink with embarrassment, but smiled up at him happily. Spike grinned back at her.

He didn’t think the novelty of her showing this easygoing affectionate side to him would ever go away. He had always known this was a side of her, but he had never really had much opportunity to be around it.
He moved forward to kiss her, suddenly needing to feel her lips, when he realized that Andrew was still wrapped around him.

“Andrew let go of me before I rip off your arms.” He growled.

“Oh sorry, did I wrinkle the jacket.” Andrew said letting go. “Is that a new jacket? It isn’t as soft as the old one.” He complained.

Buffy’s smile widened.

“How the hell can there be this many grizzly deaths, but no one’s seen anything?” Angel yelled into the phone.

“I don’t know, but so far no one has seen anything and lived to tell about it.” Gunn’s voice was scared through the intercom. “Word from above is the senior partners are about to get serious about this if we don’t do something soon. They don’t like people working their territory with notice.”

“Wonderful. The last thing we need is an underworld war.” Giles muttered.

“We need to get out there, Spike.” Buffy said.

“Agreed.” They turned to leave, but of course Angel picked that moment to notice them.

“Where are you two going now? Off for another love-in?” Angel snapped at them.

Spike turned around. “Back off.” He warned. Spike really didn’t want to have to put him in his place.

Well, really he did, but he didn’t think Buffy would appreciate it.

“Don’t tell me to back off.” Angel left his desk, leaving Dawn and Giles to talk to Gunn. “I’m not the one who ran off for a quickie while people were dying.”

“Oh don’t pin this on us, I heard you caused this trying to fix Nina.” Spike stepped up to the larger vampire. “Who would wake a werewolf, and not restrain them?”

“I didn’t know she was going to wake up like that!” Angel defended himself.

“Willow could have been seriously hurt, Angel.” Buffy stepped up next to Spike.

“I don’t even want to talk to you right now.” Angel said to her.

“Well, you aren’t going to talk to her like that.” Spike growled.

“Excuse me?” Buffy said to Angel at the same time. “What do you have to be mad at me for?”

Angel turned on her in a fury. “What do I have to mad at you for?” He yelled. “Well let’s see. How about trying to kill me? How about almost killing my girlfriend? How about moving on and not even having the courtesy to let me know first? How about the fact that you were supposed to be my salvation?” His voice got louder with every answer.

“Uh, is everything ok there?” Gunn asked over the speaker.

“Yes, some children just need to work out their petty differences.” Giles answered him, throwing them a glare.

“Everything I have done for the past five years has been for you.” Angel continued, his voice lower, but the intensity still as high. “So we could be together. So I can be good enough to Shanshu.”

“Why does everyone keep talking about shampoo?” Buffy yelled.

“Shanshu, luv.” Spike answered her. “It’s a prophecy that says a vampire with a soul will turn human.”

“But you aren’t human, are you?” Buffy was confused, Lorne had said that Spike had done that, but he wasn’t human. “You can just go out during the day now.” She said.

“What?” Angel whipped his head around to look at Spike.

Spike shrugged, but couldn’t help the gloating look on his face. “That’s right. Yours truly can sun bathe now.”

Angel turned back to Buffy. “What was that speech about cookie dough for? Why even bother letting me think I had a chance? I mean first the Immortal, now this?”

Buffy felt bad, she did lead him on when they were in Sunnydale. She didn’t mean to, she just wanted to avoid the drama their relationship talks usually brought up and telling him she didn’t want him anymore but she was in love with Spike definitely would have caused drama.

“Angel, I’m sorry.”

Angel started laughing, it sounded very bitter. “You know what, just forget it. You threw away the future we might have had, just so you could be with someone who could fuck you? I don’t need you.”

Spike didn’t think, his arm flew on its on to strike Angel for his words, but his fist met with air. Buffy had beaten him to it and punched Angel across the room. Giles and Dawn looked up in surprise.

“Did I forget to mention that Angel’s had serious ‘tude since you guys were found to be gone?” Dawn asked innocently.

“Give us the address of the last known sighting, Dawn. Its time we got to work.” Buffy said.

“Past time, some might say.” Giles muttered.

Buffy shook her head. ‘Oh surprise. Its going to be a day.’ She thought.

Spike squeezed her shoulders, rubbing them slowly.

‘A great day.’ She amended in her mind.