Chapter 10

“Buffy?” Spike said, knocking on the door.

“I know! I’m sorry! Give me...ten more minutes!”

He smirked, hearing Buffy curse as she shuffled around the room. “Take your time, I’m just relaying a message. I gave your watcher a call and he says that he’s pinpointed the whereabouts of the lab.”

“Did you tell him we’d look into it tomorrow?”

“Of course, I told him we had a date and that he should sod off...but I wouldn’t mind taking a quick peek. Buffy, it’d be on our way.”

The door opened and Buffy frowned at him. “You have got to be kidding. You’ve been bugging me for a date for how long and now you want to patrol?”

“Oh, Buffy,” he said, looking her up and down. “You look...hell, fuck the lab.”

She laughed and made an expression that scrunched her brow, “That didn’t take much yelling. Damn, I must look really nice.”

“A fella can change his mind, can’t he?” He stepped forward, “Buffy, I want to touch you but I’m terrified to messy you up. You look gorgeous...down right delicious and to know you’re a special treat just for me...”

“Now that’s what I wanted to hear.” She beamed, kissing his cheek and wiping off the light print of lip-gloss that was left behind. “Maybe on the way home we’ll look for the lab, but only if you’re on your best behavior.”

“I doubt that’ll be possible...look at you.”

Buffy grinned and reached for her purse. “You’re so sweet sometimes.”

He stopped her before she could leave her room. “Hold it, love. Stay put, I’ve got some goodies for you.”

“You shouldn’t have...”

“I snuck out today,” he explained, returning from his room and giving Buffy flowers, a box of candy and a little bag. “The lady there rattled off a list of things you may like and...and I got one of each. And just so you know, I paid for everything fair and square, even the flowers. It was bloody tempting not to pluck them out of some garden outside because it would’ve been free and the roses would’ve been just as nice.”

“Spike,” Buffy whispered, her hands full. “They’re beautiful.”

“Here, let me take some of the stuff back so you can open your prize. I hope you like the candy because it’s my favorite and I figured if you don’t, at least one of us will win, yeah?”

So, so, cute she thought, listening as Spike babbled nervously. She took the tissue paper out of the bag and gasped, seeing a black velvet jewelry box. “Spike, you spent too much. What about you finding a place?”

“Just open it,” he urged. “But before you get crazy, pet,” Spike opened the box and took out the ring, “It doesn’t have to mean much, it’s mainly just a token and maybe even a promise, if you will—I’m not leaving and I love you to pieces, Buffy.”

“Oh, wow.”

“You can wear it on any finger you choose. I wanted you to have something that fit better and look, it matches the other band perfectly. You speechless, kitten?” He laughed and spread the fingers of her left hand, sliding the ring onto her middle finger. “This way when you flip that whelp Riley the bird, he’ll get one last reminder that you’re mine. And who knows, maybe someday in the future, you’ll let me move it over a notch?”

“Marriage?” Buffy squeaked, as he stroked her ring finger. “Don’t you think it’s really, really too soon to think about that?”

“I said in the future.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, brushing against her hairline. “How much in the future? I haven’t got a clue, Buffy. Hell, it may never happen, but I want you to have and enjoy the sparkling things now just in case.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Then don’t say anything. Besides, we don’t want to miss our movie.”
***

Halfway through the movie, Buffy relaxed, assuming that Spike was going to keep his hands to himself until it was over. She rested her head on his shoulder and played with her rings, causing the diamonds to glimmer.

Can’t believe he would even consider marriage, even if he really meant in the far, far away future... We haven’t even been together for two weeks yet! I didn’t think vampires would ever want to get married and if they did, why didn’t he and Dru skip down Holy Matrimony Lane?

“Do you like the movie?”

She nodded, wondering if he could tell that she had other things on her mind. “Yeah.”

“Personally, I hope it ends soon.”

“You don’t like it?”

“No,” he whispered. “I’d rather be at your place.”

“Doing what?”

“You.”

“I shouldn’t have asked,” she giggled softly.

“I know. What’s wrong with you, Slayer? That answer should’ve been a given.”

“I guess it’s my turn to be freaked out. Spike, you gave me another ring...”

“You hate it?” He shifted to see her face. “I’ll take it back and we’ll pretend you never saw it.”

“No, no, I love it! I’m just freaking out about the M-word.”

“I never said the actual word, I only alluded to the concept,” he corrected.

“Yeah, but I’m still creeped out.”

“I told you not to.”

“I know but it’s too hard!”

He sighed and settled back in his seat, taking her hand in his. “Now is not the time to go bonkers about it. It’s just a little bit of silver and glass that I wanted you to have.”

“So the diamonds aren’t real? Not that it matters, don’t get me wrong; but, Spike, are they fake?”

“You’re thinking way too much, cutie,” he smirked, wrapping his arm around her.

“You aren’t going to tell me?”

“Nope.”

“That’s not--Spike,” she moaned, as he kissed her.

“Shhh, people are watching a movie in here. Don’t think about anything,” he whispered.

Buffy nodded, pulling him in for another kiss.
***

“Have you calmed down now?”

“I think so. This place is very nice, I’ve never been here before, have you?”

“Nope, a friend recommended it.”

Buffy peeked up from her menu, “What friend? You have friends?”

“Hey, I have friends--a lot of them! Just because I was trapped in a cage for a while and then tied to a chair for another while, it doesn’t mean that I’m unable to make a few mates along the way. I’m talkative and downright charming if I want to be and--.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Buffy smiled. “You’re Mr. Popular Guy. So, is it a beer buddy? Because every time you get free, you’re off to the bars...”

“For your information, he’s something like my real estate agent. He’s making my home hunting easier. You know, pointing me in the right direction. I’m not going for the traditional. A house or apartment won’t do for me.”

“You want what, like a condo?” She asked after they placed their food orders.

“No, not exactly. I’m looking for something that’ll give me some space. I don’t want to be bothered too much and I’d like a link or two to the sewers...I’ve got to get around, yeah? Little to no windows...the same goes for the rent...”

“Spike, what kind of place are you looking for?”

“A crypt.”

“You mean like the Crypt Keeper? You want to live in a nasty, grungy, dirty place--where they keep dead people?”

“With some work--running pipes, some decoration and whatnot--I think it’s a brilliant idea. It’s free shelter and Buffy, I’m dead—literally—so it’s really not that bad. We can make it cozy with a few throw pillows and a matching rug. I have my eye on a two story number that would be just perfect...”

“Are you going to sleep in a coffin? What about the original dead guy, what are you going to do with him?”

“I’ll have a bed on the lower level and I won’t be sleeping near the bloody coffin. The dearly departed and I will be roomies. Once we’re done eating, we can take a peek if you’d like.”

“Instead of looking for the lab?”

“We could do both.”

“I knew you were going to say that. So, how do you move into a crypt? Park the U-Haul in the cemetery and push your way in?”

“It’ll probably go down like that. Do you have a problem with where I’m going to live, Slayer?” he smirked.

“No, it’ll just be weird when I spend the night... But you being in the cemetery will be kinda nice. I’ll be able to stop by often and visit. We’ll just have to make it homey so it won’t be...Haunted Mansion-y. Just because my boyfriend’s a vampire, that does not mean I have to go all Morticia Addams, right? I won’t let you go overboard on the black, and a few windows wouldn’t kill you...as long as there’s no direct sunlight.” Buffy paused, a smile on her face, “Oh, this could be really fun, Spike.”
***

“For a dead guy, you eat a lot.” Buffy handed Spike the Styrofoam boxes that held their leftovers as she put on her jacket. “I’ve had a really good time tonight. I didn’t know what to expect and you’ve really impressed me.”

He took her hand and they walked out of the restaurant. “I have so much more in store for you, love.”

“Wow, this is even better than my birthday.”

“Well, considering your past birthdays, love, should I even take that as a compliment?”

She hooked her arm with his and grinned, touched that he remembered her birthdays and all the bad luck that was usually associated with them. “It’s a compliment,” she said, straining to walk and kiss his cheek at the same time.

“If you wanna do that,” Spike stopped suddenly, swinging his arm and pulling Buffy into his chest. She grunted in surprise and before she knew it, his mouth was on hers. “I want to show you the crypt and I want to look for the lab and,” his thumb raked over her breast until the nipple was standing at attention under his touch, “I want--hell, the things I want to do to you I can’t even spell, let alone pronounce.”

She whimpered, her body heat rising at his softly spoken words. “Pick one.”

“How about best two out of three?”
***

“What if we see Riley? We’re getting close to his dorm, you know.”

“Are we cursed by that bloke or what? Everywhere we go, there’s the GI Joe.”

“But our chances of seeing him, like, quadrupled if the lab is near where he lives.”

“Near? Kitten, I think his place is on top of the fucking lab,” Spike said, pointing at the directions he had written down. “This is the spot ole Rupes found, it’s the dorm.”

“Do you remember anything? Wouldn’t you remember being on campus?”

“Sweetheart, I was so disoriented that I could’ve popped up in the middle of a bloody McDonald’s and I wouldn’t have known where I was.”

“You should’ve said that when I was pumping you for information, mister.”

“And get ripped away from you and kicked out on my ass? I had good reasons not to tell you what I knew and if I told you the truth you would’ve accused me of bluffing, yeah?”

“No...well, maybe,” Buffy said, following Spike as he walked around the building. “You know where the lab is; are we going home now? We can’t barge in there or do something stupid. We came, we saw, we know where the thing is, so let’s go and get our leftovers home. They’ll get icky if they’re not put in the refrigerator.”

“When I get my hands on those guys...”

“You won’t be able to do anything but get a headache, Spike. They’re human.”

“They can’t all be... Will you be fighting all my battles with those who have a pulse?”

“Until you’re fixed. I hope you don’t mind. I know you want to be all manly but I want keep you safe.” She tried to get his attention as he glared at the dormitory. “Let’s go, Spike,” she whispered, pulling him in the direction of her house. “Come on, baby, I want to go home.”

His ears perked up at the nickname. “You haven’t called me that since you were on all that mojo.”

“I’ll call you some other names if you don’t take me home now. Please? I want you so much,” she batted her eyes and ran her hands across his chest. “Spike, we’ve been out long enough.”

“School night?”

“Yep,” she said, running a finger down the seam of the front of his pants, “and if we leave now I promise that I’ll let you keep me up past my bedtime...honey.”

“Oh, an offer I can’t refuse.”

“Spike,” she pushed him back as he kissed her. “The boxes are getting squished, what if they open?”

He looked down, as if he had forgotten that he was holding them. “Right.” He put the food on the ground near their feet and pounced on her again with a flirtatious growl. His hand quickly went under her dress and made its way up her thigh. Spike smirked as she purred, “You like that, kitten?”

“Can’t you tell?” she said, kissing his neck. “God, Spike.” She inhaled sharply as a finger rubbed against her underwear. “Spike...oh shit.” Suddenly, the sound of screams filled the air. “What’s happening?” Buffy asked, hiding her face against him.

“Don’t know. It’s nothing.”

Buffy frowned, the yelling grew louder and more voices were added to it. “It’s never ‘nothing,’ not in Sunnyhell. I guess we have to take a look.”

“We don’t,” he said, even though he straightened her dress and gave her a hug before gathering their boxes.

“Duty calls, sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, love.”

Buffy pouted as they walked toward the other dorm. People were running past, trying to get away from the scene.

“What happened?” Spike demanded, after grabbing a passerby.

“There’s a dead guy!”

“Was he killed or did he show up to party?”

“He was in his room and he was all carved up--drained of all his blood!”

“Goodie,” Buffy said, pulling on Spike’s arm. “You ask around for info and I’ll try to see the body.”
***

Spike saw Buffy and Willow sitting side-by-side on a couch. Buffy lit up when their eyes meet and she motioned him over.

“Willow found the body.”

He grimaced as Willow shrugged, looking numb. “There was so much blood, and there--there was a symbol, and Percy said I was a nerd!”

“Percy?”

“A boy we went to high school with,” Buffy explained. “She tutored him.”

“I was the only reason that poophead even graduated!” Willow said, crossing her arms and pouting. “He said I was too geeky for him.”

“And about the dead guy? Shouldn’t he be the issue at hand, our topic of conversation?” Spike looked confused as Buffy poked him and gave him a dirty look. “What?”

“This is major badness, Spike.”

“You’re not a nerd, love.” He paused trying to think of something better to say. “You’re...eh, delightfully bookish and the brainy types always go farther--that’s a proven fact, Red.”

Willow’s face softened at his compliment and nickname. “I guess you’re right. I never thought I’d say it, but, thanks, Spike.”

“Yeah,” Buffy added, flashing him a smile, “Will, does Percy even go here?”
***

"That dumb jock!"

Spike rolled his eyes as Xander spoke to Willow. Who said he was sick of her woe-is-me belly aching? Seems like he's encouraging her.

"You look awfully nice."

Spike's attention shifted to Giles who was talking with Buffy.

"Thanks, Giles."

"How was your date?"

"Good."

"I'm sorry that it was cut short."

"That's all right. As soon as we find out what kind of demon it is, we're leaving." Buffy turned and gave Spike a grin, sensing that he was staring at her. "Now, Willow, show Giles that eyeball symbol-thingie so we can go," she said, sitting next to Spike on the sofa.

Willow pulled out a yellow napkin that she had drawn on. “Right, it was carved into his chest, like a big creepy eye.”

"Hey, it’s the CBS logo!" Xander said.

"It does look familiar--." Spike started to say but Giles broke him off.

"It's the end of the world."

"Again?" Xander, Willow and Buffy asked at once, making Spike roll his eyes.

"Are you sure, Watcher?"

"It's, ah, the earthquake--that symbol--yes."

"I told you, Spike! I said, ‘We're all going to die' and you said, 'No, no, pet.'"

"Yes, you did but I still don't understand," Spike said, looking from Buffy to Giles. "What's the spooky eye going to do that'll cause our demise? I've seen that thing before."

"Where?"

"I was looking at this crypt on the other side of town and the symbol was carved into the coffin."

Giles looked confused but Buffy nodded. "Let's check it out. Giles, do you have some weapons we can borrow?"

"But Buffy..."

"Nope, we're leaving--must stop impending apocalypse."

"You heard her." Spike smirked, "Put these in the fridge for me. I'll get them tomorrow."

Giles looked at the Styrofoam boxes that were placed in his arms and frowned. When he looked up, Spike and Buffy were already out the door.
***

“This sucks.”

“You can stay that again, kitten.”

“This really, really sucks.”

“Let me get that for you.” Spike slid open the heavy door of the mausoleum and cursed when he saw a demon and Riley inside. “He’s like a fucking gnat!”

Buffy just rolled her eyes, shooting the green demon in the shoulder with arrows from her crossbow. Once she ran out of arrows, she tossed the weapon at its head and allowed Spike to fight the demon. “What was he trying to get?” she shouted at Riley.

“A child’s skeleton! He has it in the sack!”

“Ew, I’ll get it back.” She ran back to Spike as the demon roared and charged at him. Spike was picked up and slammed on top of a grave marker. “Spike!” Buffy screamed, before the demon knocked into her as it ran out of the mausoleum, causing Buffy to slam against the stone wall.

“I’m fine,” he replied, lying still and groaning. Seconds later, he helped her to her to feet. “You?”

“A little achy.” She winced and touched the back of her head. “Riley, where did it go?”

“I saw it take off towards the woods.”

“And you didn’t follow it?” Spike growled, dusting off his clothes.

“No weapons, no backup,” Riley shrugged. “You don’t go after a demon that size by yourself.”

“We do.”

“Yeah, well, I’m no Slayer and not a—whatever you are. Oh, Buffy, he knows, right?”

“Yeah, Riley, he knows,” she answered and then asked Spike, “should we go after it?”

Spike was about to respond but Riley’s handheld radio started to make noise.

“Base one, this is lilac one.”

“Lilac?” Spike repeated and exchanged smirks with Buffy.

Riley held up his hand to quiet their laughter and continued to talk into the radio. “Confirmed sighting of an unidentified Sub-T. Mobilize patrol team for debriefing at 0800 hours.”

”That’s very...commandory, Mr. Lilac. What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you; she who hangs out in cemeteries.”

“Well, you’ve found her, mate,” Spike said, not looking pleased. “What do you want?”

“Yeah, you let that demon go, Riley.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Riley shrugged. “My men will bag it.”

“Your men? Are you in charge of those bastards?”

Buffy jumped up, seeing fire in Spike’s eyes. “Honey, let’s go. Riley can’t talk about that stuff. It’s top secret.”

“You didn’t answer my question. What are you?”

Oh, hell, Buffy thought as Riley glared back at Spike. This is not going to end well.

“What I am is none of your concern.”

“Spike...”

“You aren’t human, are you?”

“Riley,” Buffy said, standing between them, looking from one man to the other. “Guys, please don’t do this. Not now.”

“What if I told you I wasn’t--.”

“Spike,” Buffy hissed, grabbing his wrist and squeezing until she knew it would cause him pain. “I mean it. Stop. It. Now.”

“Alright,” he said, grinning bitterly; his expression reminding Buffy of how he acted when they were enemies. Looking at Riley, he continued. “You, stay away. I’ve had to say it too many times already and it’s really getting on my nerves. We don’t need you, your gizmos or your fucking men, you got that?”

Buffy sighed as Spike turned on his heel and stalked out of the mausoleum.
***