Disclaimer: The characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox studios. This story is not meant to infringe upon anyone's rights, only to entertain.

**

Chapter 17 - Scents

... about a week later ...

Spike watched from across the room as Buffy enjoyed herself on the dance floor. He watched her body move to the beat and amusingly smiled at the small group of men that had casually formed to dance near her. The past week had been hectic. He knew Buffy needed some time to unwind. She had been busy with Giles most of the week, since the wanker wanted to school her in demon lore and vampire history. He had even heard of a few things about himself which Giles had so eagerly brought up.

Spike remembered when Buffy told him about it a few nights ago. The information made him snicker at the obvious errors but was obviously proud at how vicious they had painted him to be. She just gave him a reprimanding stare which resulted in a veiled threat which then led into a heated argument. He didn’t want to hear anything else about it and turned his back, which got him punched in the nose. Angrily, he retaliated and they ended up hitting each other until it resulted in a stalemate. They didn’t talk for at least a day after that. It was one day that he was sure Giles loved. Knowing Buffy, she would have complained to her Watcher about him and Spike was sure the latter encouraged the idea of staking the vampire. Fortunately, the Slayer didn’t listen and opted for an apology for hitting him first.

A scent pierced through Spike’s senses and broke his train of thought. With a grimace, he took another swig of his beer. He knew who it was before he heard the voice and his eyes grew sterner as he picked up another scent mingling with the first.

“Well well, it’s been a while, William.” Angelus said, staring down at his child.

“Piss off.”

“Is that any way to treat your Master.”

Spike afforded him a cold stare before turning his attention back to watching Buffy.

Angelus followed his gaze then decided to take a seat in the booth Spike was occupying. “I see you still have my pet. Have you been keeping her well for me?”

“She doesn’t belong to you.”

“The way things look, she doesn’t seem to belong to you either?” Angelus said pointing out that Buffy was dancing pretty close to one of the men on the dance floor.

Spike didn’t reward the Angelus with a response. He knew what the master vampire was trying to do and he didn’t want to play into his game. He just continued to watch Buffy, her hips reminding him of times when they would sway for him. The song soon ended, and after what seemed like some casually pleasantries to her dance partner, Buffy turned and headed their way.

Spike knew that being the Slayer, Buffy most probably already sensed Angelus’ presence. But as she drew nearer, she showed no indication of noticing him. In fact, she completely ignored Angelus, sliding into the booth beside Spike and wrapping her arms around his neck.
She pulled the beer bottle from his fingers and placed it gently on the table before arching her body to kiss him fully on the lips. He returned her fervor, letting his tongue caress her lower lip. She giggled for a second as she made contact with his eyes. “Want you …” she said huskily before crushing her lips against his once more.

When they finally broke the kiss, Buffy leaned in to nip his ear gently. “Was that good?” she whispered sweetly. Spike bent his head down to her neck and trailed kisses down the length of her neck as his response. He knew she wasn’t really referring to the kiss she just gave him. Her kisses were always welcome, but the look on Angelus’ face when she leaned into him was more precious. The master vampire was obviously irritated that his child was getting so much affection from his plaything.

Buffy eventually pulled away from Spike, but made sure she was sitting very close to him. “Oh, Angelus I didn’t see you there, ”she said matter-of-factly.

“Well it’s good you haven’t forgotten about me yet my pet.” Angelus said half sneering.

Buffy rolled her eyes in response as she tried her best to calm down. Spike found her hand, and squeezed it gently.

“I doubt this is a social visit so what do you want mate? We don’t have time for your mind games tonight.” Spike said seriously. He could distinctly smell Dru’s sent on his sire and he tried to focus his senses on the Slayer beside him, letting vanilla and strawberries take center stage.

“Simple really, I’m here to take back what’s mine. I’ve lost a few good minions because of you and for that I should be angry. But you know I really don’t care about that or them. You have something of mine Spike and I’m here to take it back.”

“You’re a bloody fool chasing after your plaything.”

“Well it seems that you’re a fool as well having her with you as a companion but obviously not turning her. What delusion have you lost yourself in this time, William?”

Spike growled low at him using his real name. “I don’t have to force her to do anything, Liam!. And as for turning her? Why?”

Angelus watched them closely, his senses picking up something he didn’t notice before. His gaze went from vampire to girl then back to vampire. “ I can smell you on her. You can’t seriously tell me you enjoy taking this one to bed?!”

Spike let out a devilish grin. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

Angelus let out a chuckle. “My how my child has fallen.”

Buffy was trying her best to keep her emotions in check as the master vampire continued to insult her. She wondered how Spike could keep his cool, especially since she’d seen him explode over smaller things. She felt him squeeze her hand gently before his thumb slowly started caressing the back of her hand, trying to soothe her.

Spike finished his beer then stood up, gently pulling Buffy to her feet. She stepped away from the booth, her hand still intertwined with his. “Well, nice seeing you, Grandpa!”, he said sarcastically “The lecture was interesting too. Of course, for someone that defies human emotion, you sure pine over something you can’t have a whole lot lately.” He said giving him a quick wink as he settled his left arm around Buffy and led her towards the exit.

Angelus rose in anger, letting his demon come out and hissed at them. Without even looking back, Spike raised his right hand and gave him the finger. Buffy couldn’t help but giggle but that ended quickly as she felt another strong vampire signature behind them. She stole a quick glance back and saw blond hair beside Angelus. It was Darla and for once, Buffy was glad that she was in the same room as her.

**

As Spike and Buffy stepped outside, both of them could tell that Angelus didn’t come to the Bronze alone. A couple of vampires were hanging around in various locations. She looked up at Spike as they walked towards his car. He had a stern look and the way he carried himself pretty much told everybody else not to mess with him. He kept his arm around her in a protective hold until they reached his DeSoto.

Buffy counted a dozen vampires hanging out in the parking lot giving them various looks. Her hand itched for a stake and she pulled closer to Spike, reaching around into one of his pockets where earlier that night, she half-argued, half-convinced him to keep her weapon. She was glad she won.

Feeling her hand reach into his duster, Spike beamed her a wide smile, “A little more to the left, love. I’ve got a little itch over there.”

She answered him with a smirk as she pulled the stake and slipped it behind her. As the stake slipped into place, her Slayer senses went into overdrive as the vampires she had been watching all shifted into game face and Angelus’ signature came into focus as well. She looked up at Spike, who now had her against his car, his back turned to the others. He smiled sweetly, anxious for the violence that he knew he’d be dishing out. He leaned a little closer to her, filling his nose with her scent. “Watch your back, love and try not to get this anywhere near me.” he whispered into her ear as his right hand reached around and gently rested just below her waist where he knew she slipped her wooden weapon.

She gave him a slight smirk “My aim’s improving!”

“Sure pet, sure.” Spike heard one of the vampires about ready to pull him back and in annoyance, he let his right arm fly backwards until he heard a grunt and a smack. Letting his demon out, he growled loudly. Three of the younger vampires stepped back, but as Angelus approached, they hesitated and then stood their ground afraid of the Master.

“William, dear William. You’re not making this easy.” Angelus rebuked him.

“Why, was I suppose to? Sorry to disappoint.” Spike said as six minions surrounded him, fangs bared and ready. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth as he flexed his muscles. He could tell that they were trying to cut him off from Buffy. The other five vampires surrounded her and his car. In a blink of an eye, the dance began. He moved with stealth and precision, effectively knocking down his opponents and reveling in the sweet ecstasy of violence.

Feeling that Spike was being kept busy, the five vampires that had surrounded Buffy inched closer, and she tried her best to calm down. As one of them bared its fangs and rushed her, she quickly dove forward and tucked herself into a roll. As she stood up, she saw a fist flying towards her. She quickly moved out of the way and raised her own fists up in defense. She traded blows with two vampires – the other three thinking she wasn’t that important to fight. That of course changed, when she found her opening and drove her stake into the vampire before her. As the others looked at her in shock, she turned quickly and dusted the other one she’d been fighting. She afforded a glance at Spike and saw that he was down to two. She caught the smile that was on his face and knew that he’d been toying with them.

Buffy felt something hit her square in the stomach and she cursed herself for letting it happen. She felt Angelus moving closer and thinking it best to keep the charade up, she let the vampire drive her back to Spike’s Desoto, feigning being hurt. She let the vampire corner her, but avoided most of his attacks. Then she heard a loud growl and the vampire was suddenly yanked backwards.

“Have some respect for a bloke’s car!” Spike yelled before ripping his victim’s head cleanly off his body. He quickly looked up at her, his right eyebrow raised questioningly.

“Sorry.” She said trying to sound apologetic. She still didn’t understand why the vampire had such an attachment to the junk of a car. The only endearing quality she thought it had was that it ran.

Spike looked at the two remaining vampires and gave them a warning growl. They looked up from him to Angelus, and Spike could feel his grandsire shifting forms. In one swift motion, he slid his coat of his shoulders and handed it to Buffy as he faced Angelus.

Buffy looked on somewhat worried. The two circled each other and it reminded her of a time in the mansion not that long ago. She hoped that Spike had grown strong enough to defeat Angelus this time but it couldn’t be denied that Angelus had age in his favor. She folded Spike’s coat neatly, knowing that no matter what the outcome was, he’d be cross with her if she let it get any dirtier. She knew she shouldn’t interrupt a fight like this. And though she secretly wished Spike was fighting for her, she knew he was doing this more for himself. He had something to prove and Drusilla to gain. She felt a little envious of Dru. She was lucky to have someone as devoted as Spike loving her. He loved her and revered her and Buffy wished that he would feel even a fraction of that for her. They had kissed and they had sex and though it seemed like he cared about her deeply, he often reminded her that all of it was just an illusion.

Buffy was so engrossed in the two vampires exchanging blows that she barely had time to react when one of the two remaining minions that were cornering her earlier, grabbed her. The Slayer in her took over, twisting her body to try and break free. The vampire held her tightly. She saw her chance at escape when the other minion approached them. She lifted her legs and kicked against the new arrival, driving the vampire holding her against the DeSoto. She heard that satisfying thud as the grip on her loosened and she slid down. Picking herself up quickly, she hit the one that was holding her square in the face then shoved the stake into its heart. The last one growled at her. Before she could turn to face it, she felt its claws dig into her right arm. She winced in pain as blood started trickling from the fresh wound. A smug look crossed the vampire’s face as he saw that he wounded her but the look soon turned into that of fear.

“Slay… Slayer.” She heard him mutter out. She twirled the stake in her right hand then executed a round house kick to knock him onto his back. She was on him quickly, driving the stake into its dead heart.

When the smell of blood tainted the air, both Angelus and Spike closed their eyes for but a second, trying to register where the blood came from. Spike registered it as Buffy’s as he knew that the charade was now up. Angelus would now know for sure what Spike had been hiding from him.