City of Angels

Buffy scribbled a note to her mother and left it on the kitchen table. Grabbing her bags, she hurried out the door. If her mother came home before she was gone, Buffy would never make it to L.A. She knew that Giles and the rest of the gang objected to her rash action, but something in her drove her on; she had to find out the truth. If Spike and Angel had the past that was foreshadowed by their encounters in the past, then Buffy knew there was a bigger issue buried somewhere. Buffy relaxed slightly as she sat down on the bus, in a few hours she’d be closer to knowing.

When the bus stopped in L.A., it was late in the night. Angel would be out doing whatever it was brooding vampires did away from Sunnydale. For not being a Hellmouth, L.A. sure held some of Sunnydale’s less appealing qualities. Not wanting to stay in one place for too long, Buffy picked up her bag and began the walk to where Angel was staying. She’d just wait there for him to return for the day. As she walked down the alley, her mind jumped to the bleach-blond vampire. A million thoughts ran through her head as she continued to walk. No matter what she tried, nothing could clear his image from her mind’s eye.

“Stupid vampires,” Buffy muttered.

She smiled when she noticed how close she was to her destination. Pausing for a moment, she looked at her surroundings. The dark, dirty streets were filled with dozens of people who knew nothing about the evils that were constantly surrounding them. At least in Sunnydale people knew about the dangers, however, that didn’t make them any wiser. She constantly had to save young people who went wandering into the cemeteries or into the woods late at night. Buffy shook her head. Once she was inside, Buffy released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. The place was dark and empty as she had expected and this made her feel oddly calm. She placed her bag on the floor and walked around absently. Exhausted from her trip, Buffy sat down on the couch to rest her eyes.

Angel walked briskly towards home. It was getting close to sunrise and all he wanted to do was collapse on his bed to sleep the day away. The night had been long and challenging, he hadn’t even caught the demon he was chasing. His mind hadn’t really been in the chase anyway. He was thinking about Buffy. He couldn’t shake her from his mind. The look of hurt in her eyes when he left Sunnydale had cut straight through to his heart. No matter how many times he told himself that it was for the best, he couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal and guilt.

As he walked inside his place, he was overwhelmed with her scent. He shook his head to clear his senses, convinced that thinking about her had driven him to imagine her scent. He took a step forward, nearly tripping on a bag that lay on the floor. Angel stepped over the bag and peered into the main room. There lying asleep on his couch was Buffy. Suddenly, he couldn’t move, or speak. All words and actions were lost as he looked on the petite blonde. She looked so peaceful while she slept and he remembered many nights back in Sunnydale where he would relish in just watching her sleep on her bed, contented by the fact that she was safe.

“Angel,” Buffy said through sleep filled eyes.

“Hey, Buffy,” Angel answered once he found his voice.

“Sorry to just show up like this, but I need your help,” Buffy said as she sat up on the couch.

“Are you alright?” Angel asked with concern.

Buffy chewed on her lip, unsure of how to answer him, “I guess, I am and then not.”

“What’s going on?” Angel asked.

“Spike came to Sunnydale looking for the Gem of Amara, which he found and used and tried to kill me, but now I have the Gem and I don’t know exactly what to do with it. To add to the wiggieness, I know all this stuff about Spike, and that’s why I’m here. I need to know what you know about Spike,” Buffy hurried out.

Angel blinked a few times as he digested what Buffy had just told him. First was the shock that the fabled Gem actually existed, then came the horrifying reality that Spike, who had killed two Slayers, had nearly killed the woman he loved.

“Angel?” Buffy asked.

“Sorry, just trying to let it all sink in. Spike is in Sunnydale?” Angel asked.

“Yeah, and he has his psycho girl with him, Drusilla. They’re held up in the factory,” Buffy explained.

“What exactly do you know about Spike, and how?” Angel asked.

“I know way too much for my liking. I don’t know how I know it either. Giles was telling me that there were rumors about a vampire coming to Sunnydale to get the Gem, and I just knew that it was Spike. Then when we met up the first time, I knew all sorts of things about him. I knew about Dru and about the other Slayers…it felt like I knew him. It’s really starting to wig me out,” Buffy said.

Angel suppressed rage as he listened to Buffy talk about Spike. He was doing something to her; he had no doubt forced some witch to perform a spell on Buffy. That was his way of dealing with things, the little bastard. “Not that I don’t want you her, because I do, but if you already know all of this about Spike, why come to me?”

“Because you know him. Dru sired him and you sired Dru. There is a history there, and I need to know more about him. I have to know the truth,” Buffy said. She sighed and looked pleadingly into Angel’s eyes. She knew he didn’t want to talk about Spike, part of her didn’t want to either, but she had to know the truth.

Angel pinched the bridge of his nose. The long night was beginning to catch up to him, and he really didn’t want to delve into the sorted past of Angelus and William the Bloody. He looked at Buffy and saw how tired she was, but there was grim determination in her eyes; there was no way out of this conversation.

“Spike was what Dru wanted. She saw him and took pity; wanted to save him from the world. He was called William, William the Bloody. One day, he decided that he no longer wanted to live like dear old William, and he changed his name to Spike,” Angel began.

“Why William the Bloody?” Buffy asked.

Angel chuckled, “Because he was a ‘bloody awful’ poet.”

Buffy nodded and worked overtime to keep her face emotionless. She knew that was the reason for the nickname, and she also knew that was why Spike reacted the way he did when she addressed him by his given name. His eyes had flashed, full of fury and hatred. His normally clear, blue eyes turned into a storm by just that one word. She noticed it for the first time, the power she had over him. There was no denying it now. Spike could have killed her at least once before, but he hadn’t. She had kept him from going through with the deadly bite because of what she knew.

Angel watched Buffy’s face. Her brow was knit in concentration and from what he could tell, she was having a bit of a struggle with herself. Her mind was running on overdrive; her heart had accelerated greatly. Spike would pay for whatever he’d done to Buffy.

“Buffy?” Angel said, yanking Buffy from her thoughts.

“Hm?” she looked up at Angel with large eyes.

“Why don’t we finish this tonight? You look exhausted, and I know I am,” Angel answered.

Knowing how tired she was, and hoping that good night sleep would make Angel more talkative, Buffy nodded her head in agreement. Angel stood up and walked out of the room only to return moments later with a blanket and pillow. Buffy curled up on the couch and watched Angel retreat into his room. She closed her eyes and was assaulted with images of the blond vampire residing back in Sunnydale.


Joyce Summers walked into the kitchen after a long day at the gallery. Setting her purse on the counter, she noticed the note that Buffy had left for her. Joyce picked up the letter and grew paler with every word she read. Immediately after reading the letter, she phoned Mr. Giles.

“Do you know where Buffy is?” Joyce asked almost frantically.

“Mrs. Summers, there was nothing I could do –”

“Don’t give me excuses, Mr. Giles. Tell me where my daughter is,” Joyce demanded.

“Los Angeles,” Giles stated.

Joyce was silent for a few moments, trying to accept what this man was telling her. Her baby girl was in L.A., alone from what she could tell. “Do I dare ask?”

Giles sighed audibly into the phone unsure of how to handle the situation. He had assumed that his Slayer would be more responsible than this. “She went to see Angel. She wanted to get some information from him about Spike.”

“You’re telling me that my daughter is alone in L.A. with a vampire?” Joyce asked.

“Yes. There was nothing I could do to stop her. You must understand that I would not just let Buffy run off to Los Angeles on a whim,” Giles said.

“You are the adult she looks to Mr. Giles. I understand that Buffy is a very special girl, but she is still my girl. I would have thought you would be responsible enough to call me,” Joyce said.

“That was a horrible oversight on my part. I had hoped that Buffy would discuss it with you before she went,” Giles said.

“Do you have any idea when she’ll be home or how to contact her?” Joyce asked.

“I don’t know when she’ll be back, but I do think that I still have Angel’s number. If you’ll give me a moment, I’ll go and get it,” Giles offered.

“Thank you,” Joyce said. She paced the area in front of the island while she waited for Giles to get back on the line. She and Buffy were going to have a long talk when she came back from her little trip. Things like this were inexcusable; she was still a child – her child.

“Mrs. Summers? I have that number,” Giles said.

Joyce hung up the phone after copying down the number Giles had given to her. Something in her couldn’t bring her to call the number. She wanted to trust Buffy and her Slaying, but with stunts like this L.A. trip, it was hard. Deciding that the number would still be there in the morning if she still wanted to call, Joyce walked upstairs to bed.
“Slayer,” Spike drawled.

“This ends now, Spike,” Buffy said as she walked into Spike’s crypt.

“You’re going to dust me? Fine. Jus’ get it over with. I can’t take this anymore – end my misery,” Spike said.

Buffy marched to him; stake gripped tightly, determination accenting her features. Spike leaned against the stone column watching with fascination as the Slayer moved closer to him. It was almost slow motion. Her body movements were predatory, and so damn sexy. He knew she was going to kill him; he’d crossed the line this time. But watching her glide towards him, Spike just couldn’t get enough. Buffy stopped not more than an inch from his face, the stake pressed firmly against his chest.

“Bloody do it then,” Spike snarled. He ripped his shirt open in invitation of the death blow.

Buffy resisted the urge to pout. She had wanted Spike to put up a fight. It really wasn’t going to be any fun killing him when he asked for it - even Xander and Willow had kept him from staking himself. Slowly, Buffy lowered her stake. Spike raised an eyebrow, Buffy rolled her eyes.

“You’re not even worth it any more, Spike. I can’t kill a neutered dog,” Buffy said as she turned to leave.

“You don’t have the rocks for it,” Spike said, “Never did.”

Buffy’s eyes flashed; Spike knew that look, he was dust for sure. To his surprise, Buffy pulled him closer to him and placed her lips on his. Unsure of what she was getting at, Spike pulled back. When he looked up into her eyes, he saw lust glowing in them. He raised an eyebrow and heard her heart beat accelerate. Convinced that she wasn’t going to stake him at that moment, he lent back in recapturing her lips in a hungry kiss. Spike used her passionate delirium to switch the tables. He spun her around and pressed her hard into the column earning him a harsh moan.

“Kitten likes it rough. Mmm,” Spike growled into her mouth.

Buffy responded by wrapping her legs tightly around him, pulling him as close to her body as possible. Spike accommodated and ran his hands up her sides, caressing her soft, warm skin. Buffy moaned as she felt sparks in the wake of Spike’s experienced hands. She snaked her arms around his neck and toyed with the hairs at the base of his neck. Her tongue danced with his, each fighting to be the dominate one. Buffy moved her hands down his back. When she reached the middle of his back, she gripped the shirt firmly in both hands and ripped it clean off, her mouth never leaving his. Spike growled his approval as he moved his mouth to her neck, pleased that she didn’t move away. He felt her warm hands travel up his spine, then around to his abs, then finally up to his pectorals. He kissed the tender skin of her neck greedily, feeling the blood pounding through her veins.

Spike felt Buffy’s hand travel to his belt and pulled her face to look at him, looking for something in her eyes. The only thing he saw dancing in her green orbs was lust, pure, primal lust. “So hot. Hot little Slayer,” Spike growled. He pulled her off the wall and heard her whimper at the sudden lack of force behind his touch. He smiled wickedly as he snaked his arms under her firm ass, holding her tightly to his cold body. In a move for dominance, Buffy jumped out of Spike’s arms before throwing him down onto the cold, stone floor. Before he could protest, Buffy jumped on top of him and kissed him passionately. Buffy felt him stirring beneath her. To keep the upper hand, she grabbed his hands clasped them above his head.

“Stay,” Buffy commanded. She reinforced her statement by slamming his hands down on the stone floor, causing the knuckles to bleed slightly.

“Whatever you say, luv,” Spike growled as he crushed his lips against hers.

Buffy wiggled her body against his and returned his kiss with renewed passion. She moaned into his mouth as she felt him buck under her. Spike grinned at the effect he had on her even in his helpless position. Needing to have dominance once again, Spike rolled over, putting her between his cold body and the floor. She pouted up at him, showing her dislike for being under him. Spike nibbled gently on her protruding lip, earning a moan from deep in her throat.

“Buffy,” Spike purred into her ear.

“Mmm, Spike,” Buffy whispered.

Buffy shot up from the bed, cold sweat covering her face and neck. “What in the HELL was that about? Since when do I have erotic dreams about Spike? It felt so real almost like one of my Slayer dreams.” Buffy shook her head in a futile attempt to clear her thoughts of Spike’s lips.

“You’re up, good. I’m going to get something to eat, then we’ll talk,” Angel said as he entered the living room.

Buffy couldn’t find her voice, so she merely nodded to the dark vampire. Angel nodded in response and left her alone with her thoughts once again.

“Hi, mom,” Buffy said into the phone.

“How did you know it was me?” Joyce asked her daughter.

“Lucky guess. Giles explained why I’m here?” Buffy asked.

“Yes, Mr. Giles told me that you needed some help from Angel. Honey, I wish you would tell me these things,” Joyce said.

“I did tell you. I left a note.”

“I meant in person, Buffy. I want to understand this Slaying thing that you do, but I can’t do that if you don’t tell me anything. You and I are going to have a serious talk when you get home. You can’t just leave anytime you feel like it. I am still your mother, and you are still my little girl – being the Slayer doesn’t change that.”

“I know mom. I’m sorry,” Buffy offered.

“I know you are. I only say this because I love you, Buffy. I hope you know that.”

“I do, but can we finish this when I get home? Angel should be back soon, and I really want to get this over with.”

“Of course, bye.”

“Bye.”

Buffy slumped down on the couch. She really hated those conversations with her mother. Ever since her mom had found out about her night job, Buffy found it harder and harder to make her understand exactly what her job was, but since her mom knew, she couldn’t keep her other life a secret anymore. It was hard enough to keep her friends safe, and now she had to protect her mother, too. Buffy buried her face in her hands. Being a teenager was hard enough, being a teenage Slayer was just wrong.

“Hey,” Angel said softly as he rubbed her shoulder soothingly.

Buffy looked up into the eyes of her first love. Oddly, there wasn’t the reassurance there that she had expected to see. “Hey. Look, I know this is really hard for you, and I hate to put you through this, but I have to.”

“I understand,” Angel said softly. He sat down next to her on the couch.

“I should probably tell you why Spike to Sunnydale. He came for this,” Buffy pulled out the Gem of Amara.

Angel’s eyes widened as he realized what Buffy held in her hand. “That isn’t supposed to exist.”

“Don’t I wish that was accurate. Spike left wherever he was to come and get this. He actually managed to get his hands on it. It was really scary; he nearly killed me without the whole invincible thing,” Buffy shuddered at the memory, “This time it was worse. I knew things about him, and that is the only reason he didn’t kill me. I threw him off by telling him about Drusilla, stuff I shouldn’t know. Angel, I need to know your past with Spike.”

Angel let out his unneeded breath, “Spike was sired by Dru. She found him sobbing in the corner. He’d had his heart broken by a girl. Dru took pity on him, and wanted him for herself. The girl broke Spike’s heart, making him vulnerable – he practically begged for it.”

“How did she break his heart?”

“You know about the poetry that Spike wrote as William, well this girl wanted nothing to do with him. He had told her about the poetry and she had turned him down, told him that he was beneath her. Sent him out into the night, alone. Once he rose, there wasn’t much we could do with him. He didn’t want to follow the rules, or customs that had been established for centuries.”

“Vamps have rules?” Buffy asked in mocking tone.

“You know we do, Buffy. Spike didn’t want anything to do with the rules. He followed the rules as a mortal, and didn’t want to do the same as an immortal. One day, he decided to change himself. He literally turned himself into Spike. He challenged me to a fight, wanted to get me worked up. Told me I was too soft, that I didn’t enjoy the kill the way I should. ‘Too many parlor tricks’ he told me. Spike was a natural fighter, he lives for it, always has. It’s the rebel in us that nearly had the group of us killed. Darla, my sire and Dru were always with Spike and me.”

“When did Spike decide to have his own little crusade against the Slayers?”

“That was my fault. I had told him about the Slayers and how actions like his were going to draw unnecessary attention to us. He decided that he didn’t want to wait for her to find him.”

“He’d find her instead.”

Angel nodded, “The first was during the Boxer Rebellion, I’m sure Giles has a book about it. The books won’t tell you what you need to know about Spike though. The kill of his first Slayer is what really changed him. None of the traits linked to William were left. The blood of a Slayer is like an aphrodisiac. He and Dru became inseparable. He loved her, and all of her craziness. She really is insane; I made her that way by killing her family in front of her. The second Slayer was in New York. Spike told me that she reminded him of you. She had some of your same spirit. That kill was just for fun. He’d done it once, so it wasn’t exactly a challenge in his eyes. ‘One Slayer’s just like the next. Bleed ‘em dry just the same.’ Until he met you. You were a mystery to him. He’d heard about you coming back after…” Angel’s voiced dropped off as he remembered that night. He’d never felt more useless than in that moment. Xander was able to be there for her, just like he was able to be there during the day.

“It’s ok, Angel. The Master killed me, but now I’m back,” Buffy said, encouraging him to continue.

“He decided that he’d have to ‘meet this bint who dusted the Master after beating death’. So, off he and Dru went to Sunnydale. You know the rest,” Angel finished.

Buffy blinked a few times as all of the information began to sink in to her head. Spike had viewed her as a challenge, more than the other Slayers. “Oh my god.”