16. Rewards

This wasn’t going the way he’d hoped. Killing the Slayer outright was not part of his plan. And killing her without even drinking her blood? That was just plain stupid. Only mad Dru would think of something like that. Of course he hadn’t drained the Slayer he’d killed in New York, merely snapped her neck. But that had been different. He’d been alone at that particular juncture, Dru having been off on one of her many affairs.

Right now he needed something to distract Dru, get her out of the way for a few minutes while he freed Buffy. “No need to be hasty, luv. Why don’t you go pick out some nice toys, and I’ll get rid of the Slayer.”

Passing over the skeleton key that would open the closet in the storage room, he barely suppressed a shudder at the thought of what Dru might come back with. At least it would buy him a little time to get Buffy out of here. Dru’d probably forget the Slayer was ever there to begin with by the time she came back. Giving Dru the keys to the toy chest was such a novelty for her that she was likely to spend quite some time picking out what she wanted to use. He shuddered again, and questioned whether or not it was worth it. But it was too late now.

As soon as Dru had left the room he turned to look at the Slayer again. She was gorgeous, tied spread-eagled to the slab and covered in bloody runnels. He wasn’t surprised to see that Buffy’s eyes were now open and staring at him boldly. It only made him want her more. If he knew where Angelus was, he might risk taking another small sample of the Slayer’s charms, but he didn’t dare. Instead, he began by unfastening the cuffs that held her wrists to the stone. She didn’t look too seriously injured, but she was bleeding quite a bit so it was hard to be sure.

“You owe me for this one, Slayer.”

She had her arms free and was looking anything but grateful. “What, you mean you didn’t enjoy watching her do that to me? Or that you’re not going to enjoy it now that it’s your turn? You are a vampire, aren’t you?”

The snarky comments did more to allay his worry than anything else she could have said. She was going to be just fine, provided she made it out of the nest without further incident. And that might be a problem, seeing that she reeked of blood and weakness.

But he knew he couldn’t just say that. He snorted. “I’ve just done you a favor, Goldilocks. No need to insult me for it.” He gave her the keys to the cuffs. “You’ll have to undo your legs – I can’t reach.”

Buffy bent and undid the cuffs and began rubbing her legs to get her circulation going again.

“Why are you sticking your neck out for me, Spike? Or is it just that you wanted Dru all to yourself?”

He didn’t think it was worth explaining that he thought he’d be in more hot water if he didn’t put a stop to this. Besides, she was partly right. He did want Dru’s attentions all to himself, and he was willing to allow Dru to do just about anything so that he could have them. But there was more to it. Surprisingly, he had found that he actually liked Buffy. Plus she’d been the best fuck that he could remember in a good long while. Still, he couldn’t exactly say that to her either.

“You don’t deserve this, Slayer. Don’t know how exactly you’ve gotten yourself in so deep, but you deserve better, pet. You’re a fighter. You should go down in battle, not trussed up like a Christmas turkey.”

Spike hoped she was finally beginning to understand. She laid her hand on his knee. “Thank you, Spike.”

“Best way to thank me is to not bloody piss him off again. Whatever it was that you did – you’d better not do it again, or it’s liable to worse for you. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the way the Poof meant for it all to happen. Right down to the bit where I convince Dru to let you go by offering to take your place. The Poofter is good at manipulating people so they do what he wants. Just why he’d want this, I don’t have a friggin’ clue. But I’m more than half convinced that he planned it all. Including whatever imagined offense you committed. Whatever it was, just be sure that it never happens again.”

“It won’t. Believe me, it won’t.”

If she hadn’t experienced it herself, Buffy never have believed that her blood was so powerful to make otherwise normal teenage girls go wild for each other. Something definitely wiggy there. Without benefit of the blood, she was way sure that she did NOT swing that way.

Things with Willow had been pretty strained the morning after. They had both tried to shrug it off as the affects of the blood, but still, neither of them could deny that it had happened.

Suddenly she recalled that it was something Spike had said which had made her want to try out her theory. Perhaps it was only fair that she tell him that she could verify that it was true. Her blood was a strong aphrodisiac. It was clouding all their judgments. Making them do things that they wouldn’t normally do.

Like sleeping with Angelus. Or letting herself be maneuvered into a helpless position where he could do what he liked with her. Not once, but twice. Or maybe it was three times? Four if you included the first time he’d ambushed her back at his old apartment.

God, how had she gotten herself in so deep that she saw Spike as an ally? And yet he was. He was helping her to escape Drusilla, wasn’t he? And even though she was naked and covered in blood, both of which had to be a turn on to a vampire, he wasn’t leering at her or trying to take advantage, well, at least not much.

“You were right, Spike. It was the blood. My blood. That’s what started this whole thing. It’s what’s driving Dru crazy right about now, or at lest crazier than usual. It’s what made me do things that I never would have under normal circumstances.” She stood finally on shaking legs, and began looking around the room for her clothes.

She sighed with relief as she put on her underwear. It SO was not comfortable trying to have a serious conversation wearing nothing but your own blood. She knew she was babbling, but if it distracted Spike from her state of undress…“I think Willow and I proved that whatever is in my blood really works. On humans as well as vampires. Angelus came looking for me last night, and I think he was upset that Willow and I were…” she blushed, making even more blood rush through her body to the point where Spike just wanted to grab her and suck her dry. SO not really what she wanted to talk about.

“Willow and I were already occupied,” she finished lamely. “Hence the turn with Drusilla. I think Angelus wanted to be sure that I was cured of any thoughts I might have in that direction.” She shuddered, “I’m thinking it worked.”

Suddenly it was Spike’s blood that was rushing, though not in the direction of his face. A moment ago he wouldn’t have thought it was possible for him to get any harder. “Now, pet, that’s a sight I’d like to have seen. You and the red bird?” Then it registered, what else she had said. “You’re saying it works the same on you then – humans as well as vamps? If you’re ever short of cash, you ought to bottle your blood and sell it.”

Buffy shook her head; the pins and needles were slowly fading. She was starting to get some feeling back in her legs and would be able to leave soon. “It’s far too dangerous. Plus, I think it’s addictive. I think that’s why Angelus wants me so badly. Why I thought I wanted him so badly. It isn’t love. It isn’t even desire. He’s become addicted to my blood. I didn’t realize it, but I think that I have as well.”

She knew she was in trouble when she started thinking about licking her own blood off her arms. She might have been tempted if she didn’t know what could happen if she gave in to the temptation. She’d probably wind up back on the altar screwing the both of them! SO not a smart thing to do.

“You’d best be on your way, Slayer. You don’t want to still be here when Dru gets back. Don’t let anyone stop you – dust them if you have to. I wouldn’t trust any of the minions near you in your condition. Even though they’ve supposedly stopped feeding and have been specifically warned to let you alone.”

Her smaller cuts had begun to heal already, but the larger wounds were still oozing. “Once Dru starts in on me, I won’t be in any position to help you, and fuck-all knows where Angelus is now. ‘Less he’s off somewhere spying on us. Take a weapon with you.” He pulled a stake out of his boot and handed it to her.

Nodding, she took the stake, gathered up the rest of her clothes, and began heading down the passage. It was only as she started away that Spike realized how strong the scent of her blood really was. He rolled towards her a bit, out of sight from the altar room.

“Slayer, be ready for trouble. You smell like an all-you-can-eat buffet. They’ll be coming out of the woodworks for a shot at you.”

“I’ve got a stake now. I can handle myself against a few minions.”

“They may be young and inexperienced Slayer, but they’re not completely stupid. If they come at you in large enough numbers you’ll be in trouble.”

“What am I supposed to do about it? I can’t help that I’m bleeding. And I don’t think camping out here for another hour or so while I heal up is a very wise idea either. I’ll start healing soon. I’ll be fine.” Why did he care, anyway? Was it because he wanted to be the one to finally drain her dry?

“I can take care of the problem for you – if you let me.” He tried to say it casually, not letting on how much he wanted it.

“What do you mean, Spike? If you come with me, Drusilla will come looking for us. Plus, with the not-standing and all, not so good in a fight.”

“I mean I can stop the bleeding. Stop the blood from flowing, no more fragrant Slayer scent to cause you a problem.”

Buffy was skeptical, “What, you’re gonna do a healing spell?” Aside from the spell to cure Drusilla, Buffy had never known Spike to engage in magic.

“No. Not at all. It’s an old vampire trick. Closes the wounds instantly.” He looked her in the eyes. “By licking them. Something in the saliva knits the flesh.” He didn’t think he’d mention that the trait was mostly used to help keep the food fresh – as in alive- while several vampires fed off of it for weeks at a time.

“Great. Just what I need. Another psycho vamp getting high on my blood! I’m thinking I’ll take my chances with the minions.”

“I’m not going to say that I’m exactly immune to your charms, pet. But unless you’ve forgotten, I’m about to be tied up elsewhere. Besides, if I’m understanding you correctly, it induces a kind of an all-purpose lust – not something directed specifically at you. Right? You’ll be long gone by the time it really starts to take effect.”

Buffy still hesitated, but Spike was persistent. “Let me do this, pet. You’ll be safer, and I’ll…”

He almost didn’t continue, and she stood there for a moment wondering what it was that he didn’t want to say. Finally she prodded, “Tell me, Spike. Why do you want to do this so desperately? I know it’s not just for my sake. Why should you care what happens to me?”

He held her close now, and she could feel his unneeded breaths against her thigh. He had to move his head only slightly to place his lips on a wound that still oozed. She didn’t stop him – it felt too good, and it seemed to be helping the wounds heal as he had promised. Still, there was a vamp in game face just inches from her femoral artery. Again. Buffy trembled slightly as she remembered how he had fed from her there, and held Spike’s own stake tightly in her hand. Fleetingly she wondered why Spike felt the need to carry a weapon in his own home, but the thought was quickly forgotten. She was in her right mind, now, and her trust of him went only so far.

True to his word he began to lick her wounds, carefully keeping his fangs from inflicting further damage, lapping up the blood that streaked her flesh and paying particular attention to the wounds that still oozed.

It was one of the hardest things he’d ever done, not to bite, not to suck even a little of her life-giving blood. He’d only tasted tiny amounts, and that only this twice. But he could easily imagine being addicted to the stuff. Craving her body and her blood beyond all sense and reason, the way Angelus must.

Further, Spike could feel her reaction to his nearness, as he tenderly kissed the blood from her skin, he could smell what Dru had not been able to arouse - her desire. It made sense, he supposed. The intent was different, but to the Slayer it must feel very much the same as the night he had seduced her.

And damn if he wasn’t lying. He did want her. Buffy, and not Dru. He wasn’t sure if it was the blood making him feel that way or Dru’s promised tortures, but right now he’d trade a hundred nights with Drusilla for just this one with Buffy. Unfortunately this wasn’t the time to indulge themselves. It wasn’t safe for either of them.

Finished with her lower extremities, Spike asked her to bend so that he could reach her shoulders and her face. There weren’t really any deep cuts there – perhaps Angelus had instructed Dru to leave her face untouched. Nevertheless Spike acted as if there were, so that he could nuzzle close to her ear. It was always better to be safe than sorry, and Spike wouldn’t put anything past Angelus, up to and including hiding in the rafters somewhere, watching everything he did.

“If you can, do this for me, Slayer. Don’t go after the poof just yet. Give it another few days, a week at most, and I’ll be in a better position to help you.” Neither Buffy nor Angelus seemed to realize the healing properties also inherent in the Slayer’s blood. Just a little more time, and hopefully another infusion of Slayer blood, and he’d be up and about again, good as new.

Finally the last of her wounds had stopped bleeding and he pulled away from her reluctantly. “Go quickly now. Remember I won’t be able to help you if you get into trouble. If they gang up on you, chose the better part of valor and run.”

Buffy hadn’t tasted any of the blood herself, and was wondering why she was feeling like she wanted to jump Spike’s bones. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. She knew that it had been the blood that made her act so crazy. Unbidden, a thought popped into her head. She hadn’t had any blood the first time she had been with Spike either. Odd, that she would think of that now.

Buffy pulled away from Spike reluctantly. “Will you be okay?” Her eyes flitted back down the passage towards the room they had just left. What was taking Drusilla so long? Not that she wasn’t grateful.

Wearing his trademark smirk Spike replied, “What can she really do to me, pet? Beat me so badly that I can’t stand?” Buffy didn’t think the joke was very funny, and looked down at him doubtfully, but Spike shooed her away.

“On with you then – scarper off. Don’t worry that pretty little head about me. It’s nothing I haven’t done before. ‘Sides, I’m rather looking forward to it now that I’ve had a taste of you to warm me up. Just don’t think about it if it bothers you. And don’t be surprised if you hear me screaming bloody murder. It’ll catch everyone’s attention, and the minions will be listening to me rather than wondering where you’ve gotten off to.”

Buffy still wasn’t moving. “Go on then. I’ll be fine.”

Spike turned his chair around and wheeled off to stir Drusilla out of her reverie by the toy chest. Buffy waited just long enough to hear him tell her, apparently with all the sincerity in the world, “I’ve missed you, Princess. You’ve been gone too long. You haven’t forgotten me, have you?”

“You Spike? Never. I just wanted it to be especially special, so I looked and looked until I found that I wanted. Ms. Edith told me where you’d hidden it.”