The Eve Of Battle

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They had devised a plan of sorts, but she still felt uneasy about the whole thing. What if Riley was there? She really didn’t want to have to fight him. That wouldn’t exactly help their getting-back-together prospects either. Right now, that was the least of her worries though. The first part of the plan involved Spike pretending to go along with Adam’s deal and bringing him to a meeting place. If that went wrong, they could end up with a dusted vampire- something she was unusually uncomfortable with- and an even angrier monster. Then, the second part would rely on magic which she was always wary of- especially considering her recent experience of magic. But, she would just have to have faith and hope it all worked out.


Still, the night before they would put their plan into action she was on edge and after a short patrol, she made her way to Spike’s crypt. To her surprise, she found him perched on top of it, smoking a cigarette. She climbed up and sat beside him, her legs over the edge.

“How you feeling about tomorrow?” he asked, blowing a cloud of smoke from his lips.

“Nervous. There are so many things that can go wrong.”

“Hope you don’t have any doubts about me.”

“No,” she answered honestly, turning to look at him, “I’m glad you’re involved. It makes me feel...well, backed-up, you know.”

He smiled and blew another cloud of smoke out into the night sky before stubbing his cigarette out on the roof.



Sunnydale looked surprisingly beautiful from this new viewpoint and she smiled to herself.

“What?” Spike asked and she turned to him.

“It doesn’t look like a hellmouth from here. It looks almost normal.”

He laughed, leaning back on his hands.

“Appearances can be deceiving.”

She smiled and glanced at him. He was, after all, a perfect example of deceptive appearances: under all that leather and attitude was a surprisingly sensitive man. A man who had once been a poet. She laughed a little, shaking her head; she would never understand him, even with her exceptional insight.

“Spike?”

“Yeah?”

“You won’t turn on me, will you?”

“What?!”

He seemed so genuinely hurt by the suggestion that her eyes flew to him.

“I just...I’m already worried about Riley and what the hell he’s up to. I really don’t want to worry about you too.”

“Slayer-“

“I do trust you,” she blurted out, stopping him, “I just...it would hurt. If you did.”



She was silent for a moment, almost waiting for a mocking comment, but then she felt his hand on hers and she turned to him hesitantly.

“You don’t need to worry about me, Slayer. I’m on your side.”

She smiled softly and squeezed his hand in hers.

“Thanks. I really...I kinda need you there.”

His eyes widened in surprise and she smiled.

“Strange, I know. But true.”

He said nothing for a long time and then his eyes dropped to their joined hands. For the first time, she did not rush to get out of his grip and she squeezed his hand gently. His eyes rose to hers again, shining in the darkness, and before she quite knew what she was doing, she leant over and kissed him. It was the briefest, gentlest caress but she instantly realised what she had done and pulled back with a start, unable to meet his gaze.

“I’m so sorry. I must be losing it.”

She tugged her hand out of his, still avoiding his gaze.

“I better go home. Big day tomorrow and everything. See you then.”

Before he could say anything, she jumped down from the crypt and strode through the cemetery, silently cursing herself for her foolish actions.



Oh God, what had she been thinking? She had just kissed Spike, completely free from magic. She raised her fingers to her lips, remembering the coolness of his lips, and then drew them away quickly, ashamed at herself. She was definitely losing it. Just because she had this connection with Spike, didn’t mean she actually wanted him. It was just...momentary madness. A rebound thing. A moment of weakness. It meant nothing. She was just glad Spike hadn’t said anything, hadn’t mocked her, hadn’t teased her with some attraction that didn’t actually exist. Hopefully, he would just forget it. After all, if he embarrassed her, she could do the same. Tomorrow, she would face him with her head held high and they would just move on, fight the monster. She would be back with Riley in no time and everything would be back to normal. Reassured, she undressed and got into bed, falling asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.


She walked into the crypt and there he was, waiting for her.

“You came back.”

“There’s something I need to do.”

Before he could say a word, she stepped forward and took his face in her hands, drawing his mouth down to hers. The instant their lips met, his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close against him and she let out a moan. He pulled away though, blue eyes burning.

“You want me,” she whispered, trailing her hands over his chest, “I know you do. I can see it...feel it.”

Her mouth met his in another hungry kiss and his hand twined in her hair, holding her close as his mouth battled with hers, his tongue tangling with hers.

Suddenly, she was on his bed and he was there, on her, his mouth on her, burning her.

“I can give you what Riley can’t. I can give you what you need,” he whispered, his breath tickling her ear.

His mouth dropped to her neck, his tongue passing over her skin- and then his fangs pierced her skin and she cried out with pleasure.



She started up from her bed, breathing heavily, her chest heaving. Her hand crept up to her neck instinctively, touching the spot where he had bitten her in her dream - on his mark.

“Oh God,” she whispered, “Oh God no.”