Dueling Hearts

Chapter One

AN: Skimmed over the ep since I assume you guys know what happened and no need to waste space. Just jumped to the parts that changed. A big thank you to Thianna for betaing, I’m writing her a bday prezzie but I can’t post it here. It’s up at my archive, my LJ, Love’s Bitch, and fanfiction.net


The drive down to South America was pretty boring and long. Spike kept stopping off at towns to find him some amusement with the locals, making a little mayhem and getting himself some pleasure from his victims’ bodies. He was on the road again immediately afterwards, determined to go find his dark princess.

His hand lifted as he studied it boredly while driving. A ring was missing. A pretty ruby one he had bought awhile back. He pouted slightly as he realized he must have lost it in a scuffle or something like that.

Ah well, he could knick another one off of the next victim he came across who had something shiny that caught his fancy. Perhaps he could also get something to woo his princess with if he made sure to pick his victim well. He glanced at his watch then up at the sky before taking the turn hard with squealing tires and a devilish grin.

======

Willow sat there while Anya pulled out all manner of strange things for the spell that she had talked the redhead into doing. The other girl was going on about how the spell would go and what it would do, but Willow only half listened as she studied the ring on her finger. Gawd, this girl had already gone over all this several times. She treated her like she had no brain or something.

This was a really pretty ring. A nice sized ruby on top and made of a rosy coloured white gold, it was probably worth a good bit. She had found it outside the Bronze a couple nights back, lying in the back alley forgotten. Inside had been inscribed “Love’s Bitch” and after recent events, it had given her a small, sad smile as she put it on her finger.

“Are you listening, girl?” Anya demanded sharply to draw her attention back.

“Yes, for the millionth time, yes,” Willow snapped.

The ex-demon shot her a look and finished setting up the spell. Minutes later, they were looking at each other blankly as the light died then Anya growled.

“See, this is what happens when I get useless humans to help me,” she snapped and started gathering everything up again. “You weren’t listening to me when I tried to explain very carefully what to do and now you’ve botched the whole thing up!”

“I did listen,” Willow said softly, twisting the ring on her hand nervously and brushing off the last bits of sand that were caught there.

Anya wasn’t listening, just muttering darkly, “Stupid, stupid humans.”

That was it. She stood up and kicked at Anya’s hand when she reached for the book, causing the woman to snarl up at her. They glared at each other a moment before the redhead started for the door.

“I tried to help, even though I thought this was a bad idea. I’m done being everyone’s bitch and next time you see me, you better turn and walk in the other direction,” Willow shot back before slipping out the door.

It was true. She was fed up after a day of Snyder and Percy taking advantages of her brains and willingness to help people. Her friends referring to her as if she were a dog and a geyser, meaning to refer to her like she was some old woman as if it were better. Then this bitch asking her for a favour and not having the decency to appreciate the girl going out of her way to help on something so risky. That was it, it, it! She was going to be a new Willow. Well, after she went home to finish her homework. Then, then, she would be back as her new Willowness.

======

Elsewhere in Sunnydale, while a pale vampiress was looking around confused in the warehouse, another vampire plummeted into the Welcome to Sunnydale sign. He sat up and brushed himself off, a bit flabbergasted at the sudden disappearance of his prized DeSoto. He smoothed his hand over his gelled locks before getting up to glance around.

“Bloody hell, this place really is a hell hole,” William muttered. “It sucked up my bloody car!”

Then he felt it, the tingling left over from the magic in the atmosphere. Was this the Master’s idea of a welcoming home? Having some witch magic away his car the moment he gets into town? Stupid. He shouldn’t have come when the bat-faced, old pervert had called for his assistance. He only came because he had nothing better to do and for some reason, the call of family had been a bit too luring this time.

With a grunt, he lit up a cigarette and made his way into town. Might as well find the asshole responsible for this and make them pay after getting his car back. As he made his way through the town, he started to realize the place wasn’t at all as he had been told it was like. The vampires were definitely not in charge here and it was as if the humans were oblivious to what was lurking in the shadows waiting to eat them. And so, the clues to the obvious were starting to build up in his mind.

He needed to feed and it would be easy with the little happy meals on legs just strutting about, right there for the picking – all wearing bright colours and the tightest clothes. His eyes latched onto a woman as she turned the corner, wearing a dress of shiny red that if it was any shorter she would be showing him what colour underwear she was wearing. He smirked and rubbed a hand down over his swelling groin before following after her. Bingo. His first meal of the evening.

======

Vampire Willow came running out of the school, heading back across town to the Bronze. How dare these cattle lock her up and put her in these hideous clothes! She seethed, promising to make them pay before she drained them dry. At least then she would have some fun in this stupid dimension. It was going to be so easy taking over this town, even without the Master. Stupid cattle.

She paused as she sensed another of her kind. Family. It brought a hopeful gleam to her golden eyes as she glanced down the street in the direction of the sensation. It made her hopeful as she was starting to get lonely in this place. This stupid place where everyone thought she was that pitiful girl with the horrid fashion sense. The way she herself had been until the Master had saved her from that retched existence and shown her the fun of being a creature of the night. The joys of being the one to mess with the jerks that had picked on her as a human and get them to scream before she played in their blood.

William. A smile curled her lips. Oh, this was going to be the best fun if he was about. She liked him a lot, not that she would ever have let on in front of Xander. Well, maybe she would have just to get him all hot and bothered and in the mood to play rough. Just the way she liked it.

“William, so did you get stuck in this boring place, too?” Her bottom lip poked out as she strode over to meet him. She plucked at the horrid top, “You wouldn’t believe the horrible things they did to me.”

“Stuck in this place?” he questioned with a tilt of his head. “So, you know what’s goin’ on here?”

“Yeah, the little brat that looks like me and was wearing these rags brought me over to this dimension by accident. Apparently, she brought you, too,” her finger traced down his chest. “They don’t know you’re here, I’m sure. Do you think they have another William running about, too? That would be great fun... unless he’s as pathetic as my double.”

“Don’ know, haven’ run int’ anyone that knew me until you, luv,” he glanced around as he processed what she had said.

“Then perhaps you don’t have a double here, at least not in this town,” she smiled up at him, trying to get his attention. “I was on my way to the Bronze where I have a bunch of cattle cornered, waiting for me to come slaughter them. I’m sure it’ll be lots of fun. Why don’t you come along and have something tasty to eat.”

William considered the offer for a moment then shook his head.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll just go suss out this new place then find a place t’ lay low for a bit,” he told her and stepped away from her wandering hand.

The vampiress pouted for a moment, then shrugged before turning to head off towards the bar. More lovely fear tainted blood for her. He would want to have fun maiming the slayer, too, if he came along. She wanted to do that.

William turned to head towards the opposite side of town, shaking his head. Stupid chit. At least she was good for something: providing a distraction for him. As she had pointed out, those white hats didn’t even know he was here. They were only aware of her and were sure to try to either stake her or, knowing righteous white hats as he did, send the “poor misplaced vampire” back to her own dimension. He would be lying low and studying this new dimension before making his presence known, and they wouldn’t know he wasn’t from around here. That thought probably wouldn’t even cross their minds when he made his move and feasted on their trembling necks.


tbc...

Chapter Two

AN: Keep reading and your questions will be answered *waves hand all mystic like* hehe and big thank you to Thianna for betaing.


Buffy gasped for breath as she ran through the cemetery, the cold air stinging her face but that was the least of her worries. Her eyes scanned the area in front of her and she paused to glance behind her, but didn’t see any sign of her pursuer. Maybe she had gotten lucky and he had given up? Probably not.

She turned back around and gave a shriek as a figure dropped down in front of her from the roof of the nearby crypt.

“Miss me, pet?” William leered at her, tongue curling behind his teeth.

“Yes, but luckily my aim is improving,” she ground out and lunged forward, spinning with a high kick to his head.

With that, they resumed their dance of flying fists and feet. She landed a punch to his gut and he backhanded her face, making her wince as her teeth rattled. She dropped and swept his legs out from under him so that he landed hard on his back. He gave a grunt then rolled over to grab her legs to pull her down with him. She fell with a yelp and went to roll away, but he followed and ended up on top of her.

“Mmm, I’ve been dreamin’ of havin’ you in just this position,” he smirked as he pinned her arms above her head. “An’ a few others... like bent over a headstone, or pressed against a wall...”

“Ew!” she screwed up her face and tried to buck him off. “You’re such a pig!”

“Oink oink,” he chuckled and pressed her body down with his, rubbing his hips suggestively into hers, “You know you want this, Slayer.”

“Not with you!”

“Now, you know you can’ lie t’ me. I can smell otherwise,” he said and illustrated his point by dipping his head towards her then inhaling deeply.

======

What am I doing back in Sunnyhell? Spike wondered for the millionth time as his DeSoto roared down Main Street and nearly took out some pedestrians as it skipped the curb when he turned a corner. He snorted, Where else do I have to go now that my dark princess has turned me out for good?

Drusilla had been willing to go back to their old games for awhile, sharing nights of bloody massacres with him in South America. Then she had seemingly become bored with him yet again and he suspected she had gone back to slipping off with other demons behind his back. He tried to ignore it, as long she came back to him every night. But that changed, too, when she started attacking him and raving about the sunshine swallowing him up and having two faces.

So he had gone away, hoping to let her calm down again before returning to her pale arms. That had been the plan. But, then the dreams had started. Dreams of her, that damned Slayer. Just the fact that he was having dreams of the slayer was bad enough, but that he wasn’t tearing into her neck and punishing her for everything she had done to him was what made it a hundred times more alarming.

He growled as he crashed the DeSoto through the side of the warehouse, spinning to a stop in the center of the empty space. He got out and looked around, shaking his head and starting for the large hole he left in the wall. Looked like a good place to park it while he went looking for the Slayer. He had business to settle with her and then maybe the bloody dreams would stop.

Just thinking about them brought flashbacks and he groaned, putting his hand to his head.

*FLASH*

His tongue stroked her heated flesh, catching the beads of sweat that appeared between her pert little breasts. Her breath caught in her throat and she tilted her head back. His hands skimmed up her body to squeeze her breasts roughly.

*FLASH*

His head tossed back while his hand went to tangle in her blonde hair where she knelt in front of him. Her mouth swallowed his cock and his knees trembled with the effort to keep him upright. She hollowed her cheeks as she sucked on him, her fingers dancing up his thighs and over his tightening sac.

*FLASH*

She was panting beneath him as he thrust into her hard and fast, her hands grasping at the headboard above her. His head dipped to catch one of the bouncing rosy peaks in his mouth, drawing on it and grazing it with his teeth. His hand slid over her abdomen and down to where they were joined, pinching and twisting her little bud so that she was screaming in pleasure as her first orgasm washed over her.

*FLASH*

Her back arched, thrusting her breasts out towards him. He knelt on the bed with her straddling his thighs, bouncing up and down on his shaft. His hands grasped at her hips with bruising force as he felt them both reaching their climax. His beast roared and he was unable to curb it as he felt his face shift before burying his fangs in her exposed throat.

He drank greedily as she screamed out another orgasm then lifted his head, grunting and spilling his seed in her. He licked the blood off his lips, savouring its divine taste.

“Mine,” he purred then captured her mouth for a heated kiss.

When he broke the kiss and lifted his face, he started at the sight of himself sitting on the other side of the bed watching them. His double was naked and unmistakably aroused as he crawled towards the still entwined couple.

“Bloody hell, that’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” he smirked at the flabbergasted Spike then bent his head to kiss Buffy’s shoulder, sliding his arm around her waist.

And that’s when Spike always woke up with a start, soaked in sweat and gasping for unneeded breath. If he still had a pulse he was sure his heart would be beating out of his chest after these dreams. Who would be so cruel as to curse him with such nightmares?

One thing was for sure, though, he was going to find that troublesome Slayer and do something about this. Either shag her senseless or tear her throat out. Maybe both. He would see what he felt like when he found her and had her trembling body underneath him.

He headed for the nearest cemetery, figuring it was early in the night and being the Slayer she would most likely be patrolling. So, it was the best place to start his search for the brat. He made it through that cemetery, not sensing her but catching a faint whiff of her scent. He growled in dismay when the scent combined with the dreams fresh on his mind caused Spike Jr. to stir in anticipation.

He moved onto the next cemetery and her scent got stronger, so he hurried along as he followed it to its source. His senses told him he was close and he crouched behind some bushes to watch as she fought, sensing another vampire around and assuming the Slayer was doing her slaying gig. What he saw made his blood boil and he didn’t give himself time to assess the situation before diving over the bushes with a roar.

William was ripped away from Buffy and thrown into the side of a tomb with bone breaking force. Spike lunged after him and reached him just as William rose to meet his attacker.

They both froze a few feet away from each other, catching sight of their opponent for the first time. Buffy sat up with her hands braced on the ground behind her, taking a moment to gather why one second she was being molested by the bleached pervert and the next second there was cold air above her. Her eyes widened and she shook her head, thinking maybe Spike had hit her harder than she thought because she had double vision. But, if that was the case they would be wearing the same thing and facing the same direction.

“Oh my god...” she took a trembling breath and stood on shaking legs, reaching out to brace herself with a hand on the tree beside her.

At the sound of her voice, both vampires snapped out of their stupor to turn towards her at the same time. The faces with the same dumbstruck expression alarmed her even more and she caught her lip between her teeth, wondering if this would be a good time to run for it. This just could not be a good thing. Two Spikes? There had to be some sort of law against this. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t natural.

“Great, now you’ve scared her,” William swung back around to glare at Spike.

“Oh, I scared her?” Spike raged at his double incredulously, “An’ your molestin’ her like a right lecherous bastard, didn’?”

“She enjoyed that; couldn’ you smell the arousal comin’ off the bird?”

“Hey!” Buffy cried indignantly and stopped her retreat to glare at them.

William turned to smirk at her, while Spike was having quite the opposite reaction. A growl erupted from low in his throat and his face shifted before he launched himself at his doppelganger, bringing them both to the ground with a grunt. They rolled around like drunken frat guys, throwing wild punches and tearing at each other with their fangs.

Spike didn’t fully understand why he was so furious with this guy. Beyond the obvious anger at seeing someone playing at being him, why was he mad at this guy for putting the moves on the Slayer? Seriously, why should he care as long as the guy wasn’t doing it as him? Stupid bloody dreams! They were to blame for this, giving him a raging boner for the annoying bint and making him act like some jealous lover. As soon as he got this straightened out about this imposter, he would be back to getting the bitch to tell him why he was having these dreams, not for once thinking they were both related.

Buffy watched them, thinking that it would probably be better if she just let them dust each other and make her job easier. She sighed, her curiosity winning out because she just desperately needed to know what the hell was going on here.

So rolling her eyes at both herself and the antics of the immature vamps, she stomped towards the duo on the ground and delivered a swift kick that caught them both in the side. Both were so startled that they stopped to look up at her. She caught them both by the arm and dragged them to their feet, holding them apart firmly and giving them both her Stern Buffy face.

“Okay, someone better get with the explaining like fast before I bathe your balls in holy water!” she ground out.

Both got matching grins as they considered making some perverted comment about her touching their balls, then both obviously decided against testing her resolve to actually do it. Spike looked over at William, obviously just as confused about what was up as Buffy was.

William swallowed and looked between them before regaining his cocky composure. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it up, taking a long drag to procrastinate for a moment while he decided how to put it in a way that wouldn’t get him staked. Hopefully, he could at least get them to send him back instead. At least one of them was a bloody white hat; she had to feel it was right to send him back instead of dusting him.

“Well, the thing is...” he shifted and took another drag, “Remember back t’ nearly a year ago when there were two of your Redheaded friend? Well, Red wasn’ the only one brought from the other dimension... but this ugly ponce wasn’ around so no one noticed an’ I took advantage of that, playin’ along when you people called me Spike.”

Spike was growling angrily, imagining all the tortures he would like to heap upon this wanker before dusting him. The slayer was staring at William in shock, though, thinking back over the past several months with her knew knowledge of what had been happening.

“So your name isn’t even Spike?” she tried to process that bit first, brain still working overtime.

“Don’ know why I go by that here, but my name’s William,” he crossed his arms and let the little white stick dangle from his lips.

“Oh oh... okay, you still go by William the Bloody in your dimension,” she said absently, remembering the lectures from Giles and Angel she had received when Spike had first shown up in Sunnydale. She paced away from them, not able to look at the duplicate vamps, “I... I really have no idea what to make of this...”

“I say we dust the wanker an’ you won’ have anythin’ t’ deal with,” Spike sucked in his cheeks and glared at William. “Don’ rightly appreciate someone playin’ at bein’ me.”

“I am you!” William shot back, giving Spike a clearly ‘duh’ look. “An’ you’re only pissed ‘cause you’re jealous of me getting’ her all hot an’ bothered. You can’ fool yourself, mate. You wish you had been the one that had been on top of her, with your cock precious inches from her hot-“

Buffy growled and dropped the branch she had used to clock William with, his little speech having angered her until she saw red. It wasn’t just the crude way he spoke of her, because she was used to that from both Spikes. It was hurt she felt, too, when he had revealed his little charade for some reason. She shoved that aside, figuring that anyone would be hurt after finding out someone lied to them repeatedly. With a look in Spike’s direction that challenged him to stop her, she turned to run from the cemetery.


tbc...

Chapter Three

AN: This was a Valentine’s Day fic, but I didn’t get it done by Valentine’s. I hope you guys forgive me; I had the fic for Thianna and homework to contend with. BIG big thanks to Just Sue and Angelic Amy for betaing. We should start a betting pool on how long before I scare them off too. lol


Back at the warehouse, Spike dumped the unconscious body of William unceremoniously onto the bed in the back room. He sighed and shook his head, glancing back toward where his car sat in the middle of the room. With another look at William, checking his double was well and truly out of before he went to move his car and set about blocking the gaping hole with some crates and whatever else he could find.

When he walked back into the room a short time later, William was still passed out. He impatiently kicked the bed hard, wondering why he didn’t just stake the wanker. Probably because it seemed too weird to be staking himself.

With a groan, William’s eyes opened and he looked up at Spike, sitting up in alarm. “What the bloody hell is goin’ on here?”

“The bint had enough of your filthy mouth an’ took a log t’ your empty head,” Spike replied in a flat tone. “I’m surprised she didn’ stake you.”

“Must be my lucky day,” he shot back dryly and slid off the bed. “So why didn’ you do it yourself while I was unconscious instead of bringin’ me back here?”

“Don’ rightly know,” came the gruff response from Spike as he pulled out a pack of smokes. He offered one to William before pulling one out with his lips, lighting it then tossing the lighter to the other vamp. “Why haven’ you tried t’ dust me? Then you’d have no rival.”

“It’d be weird,” William lifted a shoulder then took a drag on the stick. “An’ you’re not a rival. You only just arrived. I’ve had plenty of time t’ establish myself here.”

“Yeah, but while pretendin’ t’ be me.”

The doppelganger leaned back against the wall, taking the cigarette from between his lips and crossing his arms. He studied Spike through narrowed eyes before speaking again.

“What I can’ figure out, is why you’re so hung up ‘bout me an’ the slayer. As far as I’ve been able t’ gather ‘bout your past here, you were tryin’ t’ kill her an’ hated her quite a bit.” He arched a brow and paused to take a drag. “’Cause all this anger isn’ at me pretendin’ t’ be you. You ripped me off the bird before you even knew who I was, yeah?”

Spike pursed his lips and glanced away, not ready to face that question. Telling someone about the troubling dreams was not going to happen any time soon, especially not to this guy. Knowing himself, he knew William would jump on this information and use it to mock him, especially the part with the “other man” in his bed.

“Look, that doesn’ have anythin’ t’ do with anythin’...”

“Oh, so you finally got over our dizzy sire an’ realized how the slayer makes our blood boil, but not just for violence. The dance isn’ just ‘bout killin’, at least not with this one an’ from what I heard, she has a thing for cold cock in her,” William licked his lips. When Spike’s face reddened looked like he was about to punch him, William held up his hands with a chuckle. “With a reaction like that, you still want t’ claim you feel nothin’?”

“You’re a right git, you know that?” Spike tossed his cigarette away and turned to stomp from the room with a low growl.

Undeterred, William followed him from the room with a smug grin. He had hit a nerve and now he wanted to keep hitting it until he got the whole truth. Though he realized, if he got Spike to admit he wanted the slayer as well then he would have someone to contend with for Buffy’s favour.

“C’mon, I’ve admitted it an’ it doesn’ make me any less the Big Bad t’ be hard up for the slayer,” William told him. “She’s a fuckin’ wet dream an’ tough enough t’ keep us interested unlike some faintin’ missy.”

“You’re bloody crazy,” Spike turned to face him. “Why do you care if I admit some attraction t’ the slayer?”

“’Cause I don’ want you skulkin’ around, broodin’ ‘bout her an’ bein’ a general wanker whenever I try t’ make a move on her. Just admit it an’ stop repressin’ it so we can get down t’ decidin’ how we’ll work out this problem of the both of us wantin’ the same girl.”

The vampire growled at his doppelganger implying he would turn into a poofter like Angel. This man was just so bleedin’ annoying. How he thought Buffy would put up with him was beyond Spike’s comprehension.

“Oh, an’ how are we goin’ t’ work out this problem you think we have? An’ for all you know, the slayer is goin’ t’ dust you when she comes t’ her senses or have Red send you back,” Spike pointed out.

“Well,” William tilted his head and glanced towards the noticeable hole in the wall blocked by crates and boxes, “If they send me back then I just go find her counterpart in my dimension... then I might not have anyone t’ compete with for her.”

“That’s assumin’ she even wants you there, either.”

“You keep tryin’ t’ convince yourself that the Slayer doesn’ want me; no skin off my nose. I’m just wonderin’ how that goes with you wantin’ her since me an’ you are the same person.” William arched a brow.

With a growl, Spike stepped up to his double and ground out, “We are far from bein’ the same person. As for lookin’ for the Slayer in your dimension, what ‘bout Drusilla? Don’ tell me she couldn’ stand you either.”

“Drusilla? That dizzy bint who sired me? I chucked her out long ago, was crazy t’ begin with an’ when her precious Daddy got cursed she got even worse. Kept ravin’ ‘bout plans t’ get her Daddy back an’ pickin’ fights with Darla for chuckin’ him out. I had enough of it an’ after Darla left, havin’ had enough of it too, I told her t’ go on with herself if she wanted t’ get her Daddy back ‘cause I wasn’ helpin’ her.”

Spike seethed at that. He was disgusted with William for not showing his sire more respect than that and not showing more gratitude to the woman who saved him from his hellish human existence. But, William spoke as if Spike was daft for having stayed with her.

He grabbed William by the collar. “I won’ have you talkin’ ‘bout our dark princess like that. I might not much care for the rest of our nauseatin’ family, but she’s the only one of them that means anythin’ t’ me.”

“Then why aren’ you with her right now?” William sucked in his cheeks, unflinching in the face of his own rage. “If you confess feelin’ more for our crazy ass sire than for Buffy, why are you here tearin’ me away from the Slayer like a jealous lover?”

“She... Dru...” Spike’s shoulders slumped and he dropped William. “She turned me out, ravin’ ‘bout me havin’ two faces an’ somethin’ ‘bout the sunshine. So, I went off t’ give Dru some time t’ cool off before goin’ back.”

“An’ how does the soddin’ Slayer fit int’ this?”

He eyed William, wary of telling the other vamp about the strange dreams. Knowing they would lead to more mocking, Spike knowing exactly what William would read into them. He sighed and thought to himself, the same thing I’ve been denying seeing in them.

Might as well tell him and get this torture over with.

“Had these bloody nightmares while I was on the road. Involved me an’ the Slayer, doin’... things. Things that were different than what I thought I wanted t’ do t’ her. Like, tearing her pretty neck out an’ drainin’ her dry.” He averted his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck. “Bitin’ was involved, though. That an’ a weird out of body thing where I saw myself watchin’ us.”

When he finally looked at William, there was a speaking look on his face that told Spike he thought Dru’s crazy had rubbed off on him.

“Right...” William lifted his brows and gave a slow nod.

Spike growled at him again. “You never answered my question, mate. If you’re so convinced we both want her then what’re we goin’ t’ do ‘bout it?”

“Well, I think what would be best is a little competition.” William rocked on his heels, nodding with contemplation as he continued, “You seem t’ think she’d prefer you over me. So why not place a wager on who’s right?”

“Fine, since I know I’m right,” he scoffed. “So what, we both go t’ her an’ demand she choose?”

“With you bein’ gone for so long an’ just getting’ here, it would only be fair t’ give us both time t’ win her over. A month an’ then we can both ask her t’ be our dates for Valentine’s Day an’ see who she chooses.”

“Sounds good t’ me,” Spike sucked in his cheeks and hooked his thumbs in his pockets. “So what are the terms of the bet? What does the winner get an’ what happens t’ the loser?”

“It’s obvious,” the other vamp snorted, “The winner gets the Slayer an’ the other bloke has t’ sod off!”

======

It was several nights later when Spike looked up to see William stumble into the warehouse carrying an unconscious slayer. He jumped up and hurried after him as he headed for the bedroom to lay her on the bed. Spike hovered over his double’s shoulder as he pulled a blanket over the tiny blonde.

“What’d you do t’ her an’ why’d you bring her here?” Spike finally asked when William looked up at him.

“I bloody well couldn’ take her t’ her dorm with all the kiddies seein’ me carryin’ her in like that an’ probably callin’ security on me.” He sank onto the bed and ran a hand over his hair. “An’ don’ got an invite t’ her house an’ know her mum would knock me on my ass if I came t’ her door with her baby girl like this.”

“An’ once again, how did she get like this?”

“Well, uh...” He looked down at his hands as his cheeks coloured slightly. “See... I ran int’ her at the Bronze. Well, I did go there lookin’ for her, but she saw me an’ came over t’ see which of us it was. I offered t’ buy her a drink an’ was surprised she actually accepted instead of givin’ me some nasty reply. So I got her a drink, but noticed she was lookin’ a bit tense... which isn’ new with the Slayer an’ all she usually has t’ go through... so the next drink, I slipped somethin’ int’ it t’ help her relax some. I only put half the pill in, an’ didn’ even think it would affect her much with her bein’ the Slayer...”

Spike wiped a hand over his face in exasperation. Was he really that stupid in the other dimension?

“Let me guess; you got her an alcoholic drink an’ put the pill in it?” Spike asked slowly.

“Yup.”

“Good god, slayer or not, alcohol makes all drugs worse! Was your brain on vacation or was Willy Jr in control?” His eyes flashed amber as he yanked the idiot up by his collar, tossing him out of the bedroom. “Bloody wanker, I’ll sit with her an’ make sure sleep is all she does. You could’ve killed her!”

“So says the high an’ mighty slayer of slayers!” William called back angrily from his position on his ass.

“Yeah, well... it would’ve ruined our bet!” Spike yelled and slammed the door, telling himself that it was the truth... the only reason he was concerned with whether she lived. For the bet. If that moron killed her then they wouldn’t know who would have won. Yeah, that’s the only reason he was mad at him.

He went over to the bed and sat down against the headboard, keeping vigil over the unconscious slayer. He couldn’t believe that William would do something as stupid as drugging the slayer right under her very nose. Was he looking to get staked before he found out if the slayer even had feelings for him?

The stirring of the tiny form beside him in the bed snapped Spike out of the light dozing he eventually slipped into. He sat up straight and looked down at her curiously, wondering if she was finally waking up. Good. He could make sure she was okay after William’s moronic behaviour then walk her back to her dorm.

“Ohhh...” Buffy groaned and brought a hand to her head as she sat up. “Did anyone see the car that hit me?”

“Yeah,” Spike mumbled, mentally adding, the wanker’s sittin’ outside the door.

She jerked towards the sound of his voice and dropped her hand, eyes round as they looked at him then narrowed dangerously. Immediately, she was lunging at him with fist aimed at his nose.

“Bloody hell!” he cursed as he cradled his broken nose and eyed her, starting to regret having any protective feeling towards the bitch. “What was that for?”

“You, you... you did something to me to knock me out, didn’t you?” she accused angrily as she slid off the bed. “I didn’t drink enough to pass out in a stupor and I felt it before I passed out. And... and you so better not have done anything to me while I was unconscious!”

“Slayer...” He looked up at the angry girl with her hands on her hips glaring at him. “It wasn’ me. This’s Spike. William’s outside the door. He’s the one that put the stuff in your drink at the Bronze. He didn’ know it’d knock you out an’ when it did he got scared an’ brought you back here.”

“What did he think he was doing then?” she flung out her arms.

“Relaxin’ you. Said you looked pretty stressed an’ was tryin’ t’ help in some weird way,” he sighed and got up to stand in front of her. “Not excusin’ what he did, ‘cause it was pretty stupid, but he didn’ mean t’ do any harm.”

“It was pretty stupid,” she muttered with a sigh, glancing away momentarily before she looked back at Spike, “but, he... didn’t do anything, yeah?”

He shook his head solemnly. “Just tried t’ get you some place safe. Couldn’ go t’ your dorm or your house, so brought you here. I already told him what a right git he was for his stunt, but won’ stop you from kickin’ him around a bit.”

That brought a ghost of a smile to her lips, but it soon died as her jaw worked. She looked down at her hands, flexing them and balling them into fists. As much as he was looking forward to seeing her wipe the floor with his brainless double, he felt the need to keep her from giving him a dusty end for some reason. Maybe because he was starting to grow on him and the idea of seeing himself dust was still a bit weird.

“Pet, like I said, he deserves a boot up his ass for this, but... well... not a dustin’. He thought he was helpin’ you,” Spike hoped he sounded convincing. “Somehow, in his own mind, this was helpin’ you...”

She shook her head with a tired sigh then looked up at him through her lashes. “I... well...”

Her nose wrinkled in the cutest way as she thought about her response then opened her mouth again, but before she could utter a word the door banged open. She swung around in time to see William stomp in, tossing his half-smoked cigarette to the ground as he did. He ground it with the toe of his boot then looked between them.

“I’m goin’ t’ say my piece before you two seal my fate on this matter,” William looked between them with some desperation, clearly believing this was a matter of dusting for him.

“William...” Spike began trying to warn him that he didn’t need to open his big mouth and ruin what he had already worked out with Buffy.

“Shut up,” William glared at him before looking back at Buffy, his gaze softening when it met hers. “I really meant you no harm, luv. I gave you the smallest crumb after bustin’ up the pill, but as Spike pointed out t’ me... I didn’ think about how the alcohol would affect it... even with your Slayer metabolism. I’m lucky you only slept.”

He wrung his hands as he started pacing before them. “I just... I just hoped if you were less stressed out... I mean, I was so surprised when you actually accepted my offer t’ buy you a drink that maybe I panicked. I just thought this was a good chance t’ try t’ win you over some, so that I could get ahead of Spike in our bet. I-“

“Bugger!” Spike hissed as soon as the word bet was out of the other vamp’s mouth. This revelation wouldn’t go over well with the fiery slayer. He looked towards Buffy and waited for the explosion he knew was coming.

“A bet?!” she screeched angrily as her face became a purplish red. “You’ve got a bet over me?! What, to see which of you can boink me first?!”

William finally seemed to realize he had done something wrong. Again. He squeezed his eyes shut as he mentally berated himself and steeled himself against the little ball of rage named Buffy. He took a step back, actually considering turning tail to save his own butt knowing he was the one in the most trouble right then.

“Pet... it’s not like that... we didn’-“ Spike was stopped by another strike to the nose. “Blood hell, woman! Why always the nose?”

She didn’t answer but spun around to William as he began to make good his escape. Before he could turn around to flee, her boot came up to slam into his chest, sending him crashing into the wall then slumping to the floor. She walked over and pressed her lips into a thin line, giving him another punch across his jaw before turning to storm out the door.

Spike stood there dabbing at his nose with the back of his hand, listening as she left and giving William his own angry look. Bloody idiot, now neither of them would have a chance with her.


tbc...

Chapter Four

AN: Big thanks to Thianna, Just Sue, and Angelic Amy for their time and effort towards making me not suck ^.^ LoL


Spike convinced William that it was best to not push their luck where Buffy was concerned, since they had gotten off lightly by not getting dusted. Hopefully, she would eventually calm down, rather than deciding she should stake them after all. He wouldn’t mind letting William go get himself slain for the mess he had gotten them into, but he wasn’t so sure Buffy wouldn’t come after him next.

If William got them into any more trouble, Spike would stake him, weirdness be damned.

Spike came back from hunting a few nights after the incident, pretty pleased with himself for finding a way to feed on humans without pissing off the slayer. He could gorge himself on the slime of society all he wanted and no one gave a damn. In fact, the way he saw it, he was doing a service to the community. Also, didn’t have to kill his victims, even if they were bound to get themselves killed some other way eventually. And another plus, he didn’t have to rely on disgusting animal blood like Peaches.

Though, if things had gone as planned—and maybe they still could if William didn’t totally muck things up—he could be dining now and then on delicious slayer blood. Just the thought brought a tightening to his groin and he let out a low groan as he headed for his bedroom. He needed a good wank while thinking about sipping from the slayer’s neck and perhaps her thighs, the images like vivid memories because of the dreams he still had.

Now, though, he didn’t wake up frightened of the images. Nearly every day he woke up panting for unneeded breath with his hand gripping himself and a mess of spendings over his groin and arm. If William ever heard or sensed what happened, he thankfully never let on.

Spike was halfway to the blessed privacy he sought when the door he had just walked through swung open. He paused, thinking it was William, but then the sweet scent of flowers reached him and he slowly turned around, fearing the worst. She had finally come back to get her revenge on them. Maybe, that was a big maybe, she would let Spike off easy since he didn’t poison her and had watched over her when William had his “bright idea”. He just wasn’t sure he had that much favour with the powers.

“Slayer,” he said flatly.

“Where’s William?” Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips while eyes darted around nervously in search of the other vampire.

“Probably out feedin’,” he told her as he tried to pull on his ‘Big Bad’ persona. “I just got back myself.”

“Oh?” Her brows went up a fraction. “How many victims should I expect to hear about on the news?”

His eyes narrowed dangerously on her, sucking in his cheeks as he clenched his jaw. “For your lovely information, I’ve been more careful recently because I know how you are about me continuin’ my usual feedin’ habits. I feed on low-lifes an’ hardly ever kill them.”

“Want a medal?” She tilted her head and eyed him nonplussed.

He rolled his eyes and patted his pocket, pulling out a cigarette. After lighting it and taking a drag, he paced away from her. “What did you come here for, luv?”

“I was hoping both of you would be here for what I want to say.”

“You can sit an’ wait ‘til he gets back.” He took another slow drag, glancing towards the roof and thinking, William, hurry your sorry ass back here so we can find out our soddin’ fate.

As if hearing Spike’s thoughts, William shuffled in one of the side doors and gave a start when he noticed them, obviously having been deep in thought. He straightened and turned to face down Buffy. He had made the decision that he wouldn’t lower himself to begging her for his life. That was below the Big Bad.

“So the bird’s finally here t’ do away with us?” he asked Spike, slowly dragging his eyes to the other vampire.

“Been waitin’ for you t’ find out. She wanted us both here before she dropped the bomb.” Spike didn’t take his eyes off Buffy.

“Oh stop being such a drama queen,” she muttered with a roll of her eyes.

“I think we have a right t’ be takin’ this seriously, since as far as we know you you’re here t’ dust us.”

Her brows drew together and she looked from one vampire to the other. Well that explained why they were so antsy and why they had avoided her since the other night. She was a bit surprised as it was hardly the first time they had pissed her off enough to hit them. So why this time did they assume it meant she was going to go all Slayer on their asses? Seriously, if she was going to stake them for pissing her off, they would have been dust a long time ago.

“And since when are you shaking in your boots over lil’ ole me?” she demanded.

“Never,” William retorted petulantly and crossed his arms.

“Anyway, that’s not what I came here for. I came to talk to you about what I’ve decided about this. After I cooled down, I did some thinking and now I’m here to tell you what I’ve been thinking,” she told him, trying not to ramble.

“An’?”

“And have I ever told you how annoying you are?” she shot at William.

“All the time, now get t’ it an’ quit stallin’.”

“Fiiine,” she sighed, tapping her fingers on her legs nervously. “Well, of course I was really mad at you guys making a bet over me, at first. But really, you guys were bound to try to work out this situation somehow and seeing as you guys are of the evil soulless variety... ” She trailed off as she searched for the right words.

“I mean, it’s partly my fault for not sending William back. Though, it wouldn’t be fair to send you back now, against your will,” she punned, shaking her head at herself, “after being here for so long. Not unless you wanted to, and if you did you would’ve asked me to by now.”

She stopped herself as she realized she was starting to ramble again. “But anyway, I’m still a little mad you decided to plan my personal life behind my back. And what William did was incredibly stupid.”

“I know an’ you don’ know how sorry I am,” he admitted softly. “An’ no, don’ want t’ go back; though, I was afraid you’d send me even if you didn’ dust me.”

“For guys who claim not to be scared of me, you sure think the worst of me.” She crossed her arms and gave a little ‘humph’, pushing out her bottom lip in a pout.

“Now don’ be like that, pet.” Spike walked over to her and brushed his fingers over her arm.

“You know, could say the same ‘bout you. For a bird that seems stuck on how we’re evil an’ soulless, you don’ really seem all that concerned with it unless you’re holdin’ it against us,” William chimed in.

“Well you are...” she returned petulantly, lifting her chin. “And you’re going to make me change my mind if you keep that up.”

“Change your mind ‘bout what, luv?” Spike tried to pull attention back to him before William said something stupid.

“Well, what I started to say was that I was really mad at first and then after a bit I calmed down. So then I started thinking, and like I said you were both bound to try to work out this whole two of you thing... and well, I’m kinda surprised it didn’t end up with you both covered in bruises. Or one or both of you all dusty. But, since it didn’t and you actually came up with a less barbaric way to work it out, well, I guess I can give you both the chance to... you know, try to win me over.” She glanced between them, her cheeks colouring slightly. “I mean, I’m like win—win in this, right? I get you guys trying to be nice to me and do nice things for me, and possibly a cute guy to snuggle with.”

“You think we’re cute?” Spike gave her a devilish smirk.

She rolled her eyes as she found herself doing constantly when they were around then turned to walk out of the warehouse. She hoped she hadn’t made a very bonehead decision. As the saying went, give them an inch and they take a mile.

======

Over the next week, it became blatantly obvious to Buffy that she might have been right about them taking advantage of her acquiescence to the bet. When she returned to her dorm after class it was to piles of gifts and flowers. There was beautiful jewelry, but for all she knew was stolen. She wouldn’t put it past them. She tried to tell herself it was the thought that counted. But, if this got out of hand... What was she going to do, give them a slap on the wrist?

And also, they did know it would take more than just presents to get to her, right?

She needn’t have worried as they seemed to somehow figure that out. Either that or they were just stepping up their efforts to one up each other when they started showing up at her dorm. Spike would offer her a back massage after a long night of patrolling – which she so was not crazy enough to turn down – then the next night William showed up to give her a foot massage.

Then a couple of nights after that she arrived at her dorm to see Willow stuck outside with a grumpy look on her face and when she poked her head inside she saw the two doing major cleaning of their room.

“Can you make your two lapdogs hurry up? I’m kind of tired and there’s only so much even I can study,” Willow asked Buffy before stifling a yawn to emphasize the point.

“I’m sorry, Will,” the slayer gave her friend an embarrassed look before slipping into the room to get rid of her suitors.

Both vampires were hurriedly trying to finish putting everything back in its place as she stepped inside. They turned towards her looking like expectant children and she had to smile. She hated to be stern with them when they were doing something so nice and un-demon-y, but they had to be more considerate of poor Willow.

“It’s really nice in here, but you two should call it a night and get going. Willow’s too nice to kick you out herself and she can’t handle demon hours,” she told them gently.

“Oh, right. We should’ve thought of that,” Spike nodded and started for the door with William.

Buffy stepped into his path. “It really was nice of you to do this, even if it is just for a bet.”

“Not just for a bet,” he replied softly and looked down in her eyes for a moment before slipping out the door.

“We’ll make it up t’ Red,” William added with a nod to her before following Spike out.

Willow came in as soon as the vampires were gone and headed over to the closet to pull out her pajamas. She was quiet for a moment as she changed then looked over at her blonde friend, her face clearly showing she was thinking of how to put her thoughts into words before opening her mouth.

“Buffy, do you... trust their intentions?” she finally asked. “I mean, is it wise to let them continue with this bet?”

“As opposed to pissing them off so they go on a killing spree?” Buffy replied half-jokingly. “The way I see it, this is the better alternative to them causing trouble. And, well, is it so bad to let them do nice things for me?”

“As long as you’re not using them.” The redhead sat on her bed and looked up at her. “Even if they’re vampires and we probably shouldn’t care about hurting their feelings... do they have feelings?” She paused as she remembered the year before and chuckled. “Never mind. The way Spike felt for Drusilla when he demanded I do the love spell kind of answers my own question.”

“Yeah, no doubt about it, they’ve definitely got feelings.” Buffy remembered how the two had veritably quaked when they had thought she had come to dust them after finding out about the bet. “And really, you’re not saying anything I haven’t thought over myself.”

“So, you’d really date whoever wins that bet?” Willow eyed her friend closely.

“I... well, I guess. If they had really wooed me like the bet says,” Buffy replied, ducking her head to pick at her blanket. “I mean, they’re being really nice and everything.”

“Not sure how Xander and Giles would take that, I mean after Angel...” Willow shook her head. “Though, Spike and William have no soul to lose.”

“Well, they can’t tell me who I go out with and shouldn’t that make them better than Angel? The fact that they can, and do act better than Angel without even being cursed with souls.” She chewed on her lip in thought. “Anyway, the fact is Xander and Giles have no right to interfere in my personal life no matter what they think. As for using Spike and William, I didn’t tell them to do any of this; they’re doing it of their own volition.”

Willow looked like she still had things to say, but decided to let it drop for now. Buffy would have to straighten this out on her own and she wouldn’t interfere unless her friend asked for her help. She couldn’t speak for Xander and Giles, though, but she would try to set her example an them about it. Not that she really cared if Buffy used the vampires, except for if it backfired and led to them hurting someone. It was hard to get over the Angelus thing, which was still in the back of her mind and behind her apprehension no matter what Buffy thought about the two vampires being better.

======

There wasn’t much out and about as Buffy made her patrol of the cemetery. She paused when she sensed a young vampire just before it rushed at her from behind a mausoleum. She dropped and used its own momentum to throw it, then spun as she pulled out her stake. Before she got to where the vampire had fallen, a dark figure slipped out of the shadows and bent to do the staking for her.

“Spike,” she breathed, frozen mid strike when her intended target exploded into dust. “Why?”

“Well, had a better idea than last night.” He tilted his head as he approached her. “Figured you wouldn’ turn down some extra muscle on patrol.”

“Oh, but don’t you... I mean, isn’t it weird to dust your own kind?”

“You think I’ve never done in any vampires or demons before?” he asked with a smirk. “Don’ you know by now how much I enjoy a spot of violence an’ since killin’ humans is out of the question now, this’ll do.”

“Okay then,” she replied with a strange look on her face before she started down the path with him. “So where’s William?”

“He went t’ take some flowers t’ Red t’ apologize about last night.” He hoped that kept the moron away so he could have some time with the slayer.

“That was nice of you guys,” she told him with a small smile. She took a deep breath, her expression getting serious as she started to ask what had been on her mind since her talk with Willow the night before, “Spike, after the bet, what do you see happening?”

He stopped and looked at her, brows drawing together as he tried to figure out what had prompted her asking that question. What sort of answer was she looking for? He didn’t get a chance to reply because there was someone approaching. He turned as the slayer did, putting himself in front of her. But, it was only William and he gave a small growl of disappointment at the other vampire tagging along.

“William.” Buffy moved from behind Spike. “Did Willow like the flowers?”

“She wasn’ there so I left them on her desk with a note,” he said and lifted a shoulder, looking up at Spike to meet the hostile look boldly. “I figured I’d catch up with you guys an’ offer my help as well. I want t’ show I can change, too. I won’ kill humans either when I feed.”

“Hey, you can’ horde in on my idea,” Spike protested with a growl.

“I want t’ help her, too!”

“Stop!” Buffy held up her hands and shook her head. “You can both help, but after tonight maybe you guys can just take turns, okay? I don’t think I can deal with the constant bickering.”

“Sorry,” Spike muttered while still shooting nasty looks in his double’s direction.

After a moment, Buffy began walking again and they followed. Spike was worried that as it got quiet Buffy would pose the question again, to both of them this time. If he wasn’t sure how to answer it then he was even more worried about what William would say. The things that came out of the other vampire’s mouth tended to get them both thrown into the dog house. The silence continued as they walked and he thanked the Powers that she had seemingly forgotten her question.

“I’ve covered all the cemetery I can cover,” Buffy eventually announced and plopped onto a headstone. “It’s a bit early, though, so... just hang about here for a little bit and see if anything happens by? I don’t think I need to walk my complete circuit again.”

A grin played over William’s lips as he moved in behind Buffy, bending so that his lips were near her ear. “We can have a bit of a snog under the stars.”

“Snog?” Her nose wrinkled and she looked at him disgusted, “That is gross!”

“Pet, snog is kissin’,” Spike laughed. “Let me put this in your terms.” He affected a falsetto, “Like, he wants to make out with your totally hot body.”

Her eyes got even wider, completely creeped out at hearing that coming out of Spike’s mouth. “So never do that again, please.”

“Goin’ t’ give me a bit of incentive?” He curled his tongue behind his teeth as he sidled up in front of her.

She was suddenly the center of a bleached vampire sandwich, becoming flustered at the mental images that thought gave her. She stood, though Spike’s closeness didn’t give her much space to maneuver. Her pulse was beating so hard that is was nearly heard by her human ears. Gawd, they were doing this on purpose. They liked throwing her for a loop she was sure.

“Is there a problem, pet?” William prowled around the headstone.

“N-no,” she forced out around the lump in her throat.

“Then how ‘bout,” Spike started to say then lifted his head, all mirth gone from his eyes as he looked over his shoulder. “Bollocks.”

“Whatta?”

“We’ll have t’ get a rain check on that snog, luv. A demon’s approachin’.”

She gave him an apologetic look, but couldn’t help feeling grateful to the demon for giving her an out from an uncomfortable situation. Were they just doing their usual teasing or were they really expecting intimacy from her some time in the future? Oh dear, this was part of that whole epiphany she needed for where this was going to end up after the bet was over. Spike hadn’t answered her question and she was going to have to ask about it again once they got rid of this demon.

She moved around Spike to face the demon, sighing when they didn’t back off. “You said help, not do my job for me.”

William shot her a look as if he was going to argue but she made sure to give him her best Slayer look. He gave a growl but backed down and let her do her thing. The demon had finally spotted them and was heading in her direction, unconcerned by the two vampires behind her. It probably thought they were fighting her too and would be a distraction it could capitalize on. Stupid demons.

Letting the demon make the first move, she threw herself into the fight as a welcome distraction from the complicated mess that was her private life at the moment. It left her a bit off, though, as her mind was obviously not completely on the fight. Her distraction became more apparent when a meaty fist caught her in the chin and she went flying into the stone wall of a mausoleum.

To quote Spike, bloody hell that hurt! She sat up and rubbed at the side of her head where it had cracked against the wall. There was a faint smear of blood on her fingers when she brought her hand away and she shook her head in an attempt to clear it.

The two vampires had lunged forward the moment the fist had connected with her chin and were keeping the demon busy while she got rid of the stars dancing around her head. She got back to her feet, and once she felt she was steady she ran back into the fray. There was going to be a talk with the two after this, because they were going to need to be ground rules for them patrolling with her so that she didn’t end up one big bruise because she couldn’t keep her mind on the fight.

William was flung aside and she took up his position in the fight, swinging her leg around to connect her foot with the demon’s gut. The demon swung around to bat at her with his large hand but this time she was able to dodge in time. The other hand connected with Spike when he glanced in her direction to make sure she was okay.

Good to see I’m not the only one being distracted, she thought but didn’t feel any satisfaction in that as Spike was sent flying just like her and William.

She wouldn’t have made the same mistake of turning to check on him if it hadn’t been for the pained cry. It wrenched in her gut and she just had to turn to see how bad it was. It only drew her attention away from the fight for a fraction of a second, but it was long enough for the demon to make its attack. Only this time it didn’t just swat her away like a bug. Its claws dug gashes into her back while she was turned away and she screamed in pain.

Between that and the trauma to her head, Buffy found it hard to hold onto consciousness. The stars that had been dancing at the edges of her vision were now bigger and darker. They tried with all their might to press closer to each other and she fought the pull to go under. She did give in to the urge to slump against a headstone, lifting her head and watching the vampires dive back into the fight with renewed energy.

She must have passed out briefly, because the next she knew she was over someone’s shoulder, most likely one of the two vampires. They probably had to carry her like that to keep from aggravating the slashes on her back. She was being carried away from the cemetery and not in the direction of her home or dorm as far as she could tell with her fuzzy vision. Must be taking her to the warehouse just like when William had drugged her. And indeed, soon she found her swimming vision filled with the somewhat familiar sight.

They carefully laid her on her stomach on the same bed and one of them got a bowl of warm water and a rag to wash away the blood while the other one set about gently removing her shirt so that they could care for their wounds unimpeded. Thankfully her breasts were hidden from view beneath her.

But, that didn’t stop the embarrassment because it didn’t have anything to do with her state of partial undress. It was caused by the tender way they were treating her. Their gentle hands as they tended to her wounds. While one washed her delicately the other was stroking her hair, careful of the wound at her temple, and murmuring soothing words. It was... well, it was throwing her already scrambled brain into further turmoil.

Once again it drove the point home that they undoubtedly weren’t devoid of any emotion, just because they were soulless vampires, like the books she had been forced to read would lead you to believe. Spike had obviously loved Drusilla, as disgusting as it was to her to think about. And as she was coming to realize, in her own slow ass time, they cared for her in their own weird way. They were concerned when she was hurt and took care of her. They were comforting her and taking such great care with her.

This was answering her own question about where this was going beyond the bet. In fact, it really wasn’t a bet. They were truly trying to woo her and not just to win a bet, but to show her they were worthy of her. To prove they could be devoted to her. And how could she continue to think this was just some bet she could take advantage of for her own gain?

That was what was embarrassing her and causing her cheeks to flush. She turned her face into the pillow, feeling so low as she realized she couldn’t treat their feelings as something trivial. Willow was right. She was using these poor guys and it should be her proving she was worthy of them now. They may not be whitest of white knights, but their motives lately had been noble enough.

“Pet, you okay?” the one who had been stroking her hair asked, trying to lift her face from the pillow. “Does it hurt terribly bad?”

“Yes,” she said softly and looked up at William through her lashes. She vowed she would make up for her callousness to them, prove that she was worthy of their adoration and contest of ‘wooing’. She licked her lips and turned her attention from her thoughts. “Spike... wasn’t he hurt? I remember that’s why I turned my attention from the demon... is... he okay?”

The hands tending to her back stilled. “Broke a couple ribs I think. They’ll heal right quick once I’ve got myself some blood, but I’m more concerned ‘bout you right now.”

She started to sit up, worried and wanting to check on him herself. He gently pressed her back down with a soft warning growl. An impatient noise was her answer.

“Its only right I take care of you, too.” She pouted. “And I’m sure a bit of slayer blood would go a long way.”

“Slayer... you’re in no condition t’ offer me blood. You need blood more than I do, but thankfully your slayer healin’ should kick in.” He began carefully wrapping her up with bandages he had dug out of the first aid kit in his car.

“Just relax an’ rest,” William chimed in and ran his hand up and down her arm. “You can stay here a day or two ‘til you’re up t’ leavin’.”

“But... I... you have to let me do something,” she practically whined.

“You can be a good patient so we can relax an’ not worry ‘bout you as much.”

“Doesn’t seem like much helping.”

“Well, you still owe us that kiss, luv,” Spike added slyly as he tied off the bandage. He bent over her once he was done to waggle his brows at her, “So some kisses of gratitude would be a welcome payment.”

She rolled her eyes with a small smile. “Only fair, right?”

They both looked a bit surprised at her answer and glanced at each other. Before they could recover, Buffy caught William’s outstretched arm to pull him in for a slow kiss. She released him and turned her head to Spike expectantly. He didn’t look the gift horse in the mouth and quickly took his kiss, lingering over her before reluctantly pulling away. He told himself that though he wanted to go further, she was in no condition for that at the moment. Maybe once she was healed? He exchanged another look with William before smiling down at Buffy.

“Now get some rest so you can heal properly.” Spike shook a finger under the slayer’s nose then nodded towards the door. “Call if you need anythin’, right?”

Buffy nodded and gave them a soft smile. Well, she would sleep once she had thought about what she could do for them to make up for this whole fiasco. Show them how sorry she was for using them. Even if they had been more than willing to be used and didn’t realize what a royal brat she had been for taking advantage of their feelings.


tbc...

Chapter Five

AN: Here you go, the last chapter. Now to work on other stories, lol. A big thanks to Thianna, Just Sue, and Shadow for their betaing.



When Buffy woke up, her head felt better though she knew she was probably sporting a large bruise on that side of her face. Her back wasn’t so lucky as the burning pain told her, which got worse as she moved. But, move she did. She had things she wanted to do. Class was out of the question; she would have to get notes from Willow and whoever else she could flag down from the classes Willow wasn’t in. The reason for going out instead was her new determination to do something for her two vampires.

Her vampires? Where had that come from? She shouldn’t be so surprised that her mind had gone there after the revelation the night before. It was just what to expect after the epiphany which had helped her give herself permission to stop denying the feelings building inside. She just hoped she didn’t blow this.

She needed to get on with her plans to make good with the vampires as that would hopefully make a good start towards a happy ending. All she needed to do right that second was get to the door without them waking up and thinking she was making a run for it, ungrateful for their help. Though, it was likely they would think that anyways when they woke up before she got back. But, she needed to get away and hope they appreciated her trying to do something for them. This meant she needed to go set her plans in motion before it got dark. It would be bad if they ran off to find her, worried about her being injured and ruined the surprise.

Her shirt had been in bloody shreds last she had seen it, so she needed something to cover her upper half so she didn’t get arrested for public indecency. She went over to the dresser in the corner and searched the drawers until she found what she was looking for. Spike’s shirts. She borrowed one of his black tees, pausing to lift it to her nose and inhale his scent, no longer denying to herself the fact that he was a total hottie with boyfriend potential. More than just potential if she wasn’t mistaken about where things had been going for awhile now. She pulled the tee over her head then slipped her shoes back on before heading out to make her great escape.

======

Even though Buffy expected trouble when she returned to the warehouse much later, she still was startled when they rushed her the moment she entered. They had obviously sensed her arrival before she walked in and were eager to demand answers for her disappearance. Before she could say anything, though, she was being ushered back towards the bedroom. William was lifting the back of the shirt to check on the state of her wounds.

“What the bloody hell were you doin’?” Spike demanded harshly. “You’re supposed t’ be restin’ here an’ healin’!”

“I had things I had to do,” she said as she let them settle her on the bed. “And before you ask, no, it couldn’t wait. I needed to do it before dark.”

“Now what couldn’ wait for dark?” William asked dubiously.

“My surprise for you. I wanted to do something nice for you guys and had to go put my plans into action without you there to see what I was doing.”

“There’s no need t’ do anythin’ for us, pet. We’re supposed t’ be wooin’ you, remember?” Spike told her in a softer tone as he sat next to her, glancing over her appreciatively as he noted she was wearing his shirt.

“That’s the problem! And you don’t even realize it!” She flung out her hands and shook her head. “It was totally selfish of me to sit there and let this continue because I was basically getting two vampire slaves. I’ve taken advantage of your kindness! I shouldn’t be letting you just wait on me hand and foot like that!”

“We did all that freely because we wanted t’ do nice things for you.” William sat on the other side of her and took her hand.

“Well... then I want to do nice things for you, too.” She lifted her chin stubbornly. “In a couple days when my back is much better from the slayer-y healing, my surprise should be ready for me to show you. No more arguments, okay?” She gave them both her best Resolve Girl look.

“If that’ll make you happy, pet.”

“Gah!” she let out an impatient cry and flopped backward, groaning in pain when her injured back hit the bed. That hurt no matter how soft the covers were. Instantly both vampires were bent over her in concern.

======

Buffy led the two vampires across town towards her surprise a couple nights later. The side of her face had only the hint of the large, ugly bruise and her back had red, angry marks that were still sore, but good enough that she was okay with getting back to her normal routine. She definitely didn’t need to be nursed by two overly concerned vampires anymore, not that her sanity could have taken much more of their smothering.

She glanced towards them, knowing they were noting the side of town she was leading them to and thinking of what this side of town held. Blindfolding them would have done little good with their heightened senses, so she hadn’t even bothered trying.

There was no mistaking Spike’s agitation when she led them onto Crawford Street. Spike looked up at the mansion and grabbed her arm to stop her before she went to the front door.

“What game are you playin’, Slayer?” he demanded with jaw clenched.

William looked between them, clearly confused about why Spike was upset by the sight of the old mansion. It was just some old, abandoned mansion, right? So why the dramatics?

“No game.” She pulled her arm back from his grasp and nodded towards the mansion. “It’s my surprise. The other day when I left I came here to see if it was still all with the abandonment. Probably safe to say that people just don’t want this place because of the creepiness factor, which we obviously don’t mind. But, I went to see my mom afterwards and she helped me hire some cleaning people to make it somewhat habitable. Not perfect, but not quite the dusty wreck it was before.” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. “I know... you don’t have the fondest memories of it and really, neither do I. But, it’s better than the warehouse and we can make new, better memories. Not to mention, if I’m going to keep on ‘staying over’ I’d rather be in a real house than a warehouse.”

“Someone want t’ explain t’ me what this’s all about?” William demanded.

Buffy looked over at the poor, clueless vampire. “This used to be Angel’s mansion and Spike stayed here with Angelus and Dru while in his wheelchair. I’m sure even being from another dimension you can understand without me elaborating.”

After a moment of letting it sink in, he nodded and looked towards Spike. “I understand, but she obviously doesn’ have bad intentions an’ it is a damn sight better than that old warehouse.” He looked back towards the mansion. “Haven’ stayed in quite this posh a digs for a fair long time.”

“Pet, there was no need for this,” Spike said, ignoring William.

“Oh GRRR!” Buffy held her hands up like claws. “If I didn’t love your annoying ass I would grab you by the hair and beat your head against the pavement until I knocked some sense into you!”

Both vampires stopped and looked at her gobsmacked with jaws slack. For once, they were stunned speechless at her inadvertent admission. For William it was a bit more heart-wrenching as he assumed this spelt his defeat and he would soon find himself out in the cold.

“What? Oh okay, so I’m sorry I threatened to beat your head in. I guess that does kind of ruin the present.” She paused and looked between them when they still didn’t say anything. Okay, them silent? Way weird. “Will one of you friggin’ say something?!”

“What did you just say?” Spike finally asked quietly.

“That I was sorry?”

He shook his head. “Before that.”

She thought for a moment before responding. “That I wanted to beat your head in? I said I was sorry about it.”

“Before that,” both vampires said in exasperation.

Her brows furrowed as she rewound her memory further, confused about why they were reacting like that if it wasn’t over her threat. “Before that I was explaining to William why you were on edge!”

“Slayer...” Spike breathed and stepped up dangerously close to her. “You blurted out a bit more than you obviously meant t’ just now.”

“What did I say?” she asked with eyes wide.

“Let me quote-“

She held up a hand to interrupt. “Please, without the valley girl imitation like last time.”

“Yes, luv,” he chuckled and continued. “To quote you, ‘If I didn’ love your annoyin’ ass I would grab you by the hair an’ beat your head against the pavement...’ an’ so on...”

“Oh my god.” She put her hands to her chest and looked at the ground unseeing for a moment as she let that sink in.

Meanwhile, William was backing away as he watched the scene in growing sadness. She loved Spike, so his double was the obvious winner of their contest and he... Maybe he would move on to another town and hope to find someone half as amazing as Buffy.

Buffy looked up at Spike, trying to think of something to say that wasn’t incredibly stupid sounding. That’s when she noticed out of the corner of her eye that William wasn’t there anymore and turned her head to see him leaving.

“William?” she asked softly, confused at his departure.

He stopped but didn’t turn around, not wanting to see her face or let her see his face when she told him it was over.

“Why... why are you leaving?” She went over to him when it was apparent he wasn’t coming back to her.

“Well, Slayer, the bet is over right? You love Spike, so he obviously won. I lost.”

“You’re wrong,” she told him, moving to stand in front of him. She noticed Spike had his turn at the pout when she said that, now thinking the same thing as William. “Boy, you both pout like two year olds! I didn’t say I loved Spike, though I obviously revealed I do love him... but I didn’t say I didn’t love you and I definitely didn’t say who WON!”

“You mind clarifyin’ that, pet?” Spike walked over to join them, ignoring the dig about him pouting.

“Can we... like go inside first, please?” She shifted uneasily. “You know, sit somewhere comfortable for what might be a long talk? Not to mention, the whole airing our laundry in front of the neighborhood isn’t my thing and makes this a bit harder.”

“Of course.”

They followed her into the house, glancing around to note it looked a lot nicer inside than it did outside. Spike shied away from areas which held particularly bad memories for him and hoped the room Buffy had selected wasn’t the same one that Angel had used when he reminded Spike that Dru was still daddy’s little girl. The same one where he saw fit to re-establish dominance over an already crippled Spike.

He mentally snorted. Oh yes, he was such a big badass because he could overpower a guy in a wheelchair! Didn’t make the memories any more pleasant, though.

Buffy paused in the upstairs hallway and looked back towards Spike, obviously sensing his increased discomfort as they walked through the house. She had hoped she would be able to help calm him down, and maybe still could after they sorted all this out. But, if he was going to flip out maybe it would be best to just let this idea go and try to look for another place for them to stay. For now, she made a motion to Spike to let him choose what room they should go into, hoping to avoid taking him into the wrong room.

He nodded towards a small room at the end of the hall. He had never been in it, so he hoped it was a bedroom and glanced inside happy to see it was. There was only one chair and a moderately sized bed. It would work.

The slayer walked into the room when Spike moved aside in a gentlemanly gesture of ‘ladies first’ and saw the only chair. She briefly considered taking it, but halfway over to it realized it might give an air of standing off from the two vampires. Okay, then that just left the bed. As if this wasn’t an odd enough situation. She went and sat at the head of the bed, leaning back against the headboard to get comfortable.

Spike sat beside her at the head of the bed while William took an uneasy seat at the foot. She looked between them, unsure of how she was going to work this out and hoping for once in her life they wouldn’t make this anymore difficult than it had to be.

“Okay,” she said more for herself as she took a deep breath. “We knew this was coming eventually, but as always things didn’t turn out like we intended. I didn’t intend to fall for another vampire, especially a soulless one. But I did and for two. Not to mention, this was supposed to be some sort of bet between you two to see who got the right to date me or something. But, it apparently turned into more.”

She shook her head. “And this mess is partly my own fault. I should have stopped this when I found out about the bet, knowing that feelings would start building and make things complicated. But, I guess the slayer side of me was still in denial that some ‘soulless vampire things’ could actually have feelings, let alone realize that I was taking advantage of them to get treated like a spoiled brat. We’ve already been through this, though, me telling you how sorry I am that I treated you like my personal slaves. What I did not do was tell you I shouldn’t have even let the bet go on in the first place or that maybe feelings were starting to be reciprocated. Heck, I was still in denial about that anyway.”

“An’ we already told you there was no need t’ feel that way. We did those things because we wanted t’,” Spike said softly as he looked up into her eyes, hope building there to push away the uneasiness of the setting.

“And I already told you, that was no reason for me to treat you like my slave boys!” She frowned at Spike sternly. “There’s a big difference between letting your boyfriend do sweet things for you and having two guys try to one up each other for your affections! Maybe it’s not that clear when you don’t have a soul, but mine tells me it’s wrong!”

“Low blow, Slayer.”

“I’m sorry,” she grumbled then let out an exasperated breath. “But I’m trying to apologize and you’re being annoying!” She stamped her foot on the bed petulantly.

“Right. I’m a bad, rude man.”

She rolled her eyes at that then glanced towards William to see how he was doing, giving him a slight smile before continuing. “So to catch up, I took advantage of the bet and underestimated your feelings. I tried to make-up for it with this mansion, but that in no way means I think that this makes up for it. And obviously, I have developed my own feelings unexpectedly. I shouldn’t be surprised that they were heading there after Willow hinted me in the direction of my epiphany that I was being horrible to you two.” She put her hands to her head then looked up towards William again. “And it’s not Spike who won,” she glanced at Spike, “and it isn’t William.” She sighed, “I think I won.”

All three looked a bit surprised at the words, the two vampires afraid to believe what the implication of that was. Buffy was still in shock herself over what she was telling them.

“Please, I know how guys are and especially with you both being vampires, so yeah... majorly territorial... but please don’t make me choose between you. I don’t think I can... and it makes sense in a way since technically you’re the same guy.” She chewed her lip, worry lines creasing her forehead heavily.

William recognized that he wasn’t the only one feeling vulnerable in this situation and moved up the bed towards the other two. He pulled Buffy into his lap and stroked her hair as he tucked her head under his chin.

“I’ve got no problem sharin’ you if he doesn’,” he told her tenderly. “It is by far better than not havin’ you at all.”

He lifted his gaze to meet Spike’s eyes, waiting to see what the other vampire had to say about this. Both were relieved when they felt his arms come around them, joining in the embrace.

“I agree. You’re the first woman t’ treat me like I wasn’ beneath them an’ sharin’ you is well worth it.”

“But, I did!” She looked up at him, eyes watering.

“An’ you realized it an’ apologized, more than the others ever did. Then you set about makin’ up for it, yeah?” He brushed his lips against her temple.

She pouted. “You both act like I’m some gift from god. Well I’m not you know! I think I snore and my feet stink and I don’t always brush my teeth after every meal!”

“Well, we drink blood an’ smoke an’ swear. Your point?” William laughed at the cute little way her nose scrunched up when she pouted. “To us, you are a gift.”

“Oh shuddup,” she grumbled and poked out her bottom lip further.

Spike affected a stern face. “Are you tellin’ us t’ shut up when we’re lavishin’ praise on you?”

William exchanged a look with his double. “I think she deserves t’ be punished.”

“Definitely.” He looked down at Buffy and started to pull her out of William’s lap while said vampire slid off the bed. “Right then. You want t’ make up t’ us for usin’ us like you think you did? An’ for bein’ rude just now, you have t’ be punished for that, too.”

She turned her head when she heard ripping, seeing William tearing strips from an old sheet he found in the chest at the end of the bed. She opened her mouth to ask what exactly they were planning on doing to her but Spike turned her back around, covering her mouth with his before she could utter more than a surprised squeak.

His tongue slipped into her mouth to caress her own, distracting her while he laid her back and started maneuvering her arms up over her head. He pinned her wrists in one of his hands while the one slid under her shirt to cup one of her breasts and tease the nipple through her bra with the pad of his thumb. Sadly, she also barely registered when William returned to the bed to bind her wrists to the headboard with the strips of cloth he had made.

When Spike lifted his head to grin down at her, she finally realized what they had so sneakily done to her and tugged half-heartedly.

“What’re you doing?” She looked from one to the other.

“Givin’ you your punishment, pet,” Spike explained, running his tongue along his teeth as he got up to remove his clothing. William was getting undressed eagerly as well. “You didn’ expect us t’ just take you across our knees, did you?”

“Should I be worried?” she asked coyly, watching them from under her lashes. Oh god, what a view! My own two naked Spikes. What twisted lottery did I win?

“Not unless you have a problem bein’ at the mercy of two sexy vampires,” William replied smoothly as he knelt on the edge of the bed and bent over her to tear open her shirt.

“Well any other two sexy vampires... maybe I would be.” She grinned up at them, unable to help a slight blush at seeing both their gazes locked on her bare chest. She watched William tug away the remains of her shirt and toss it into the corner, better than focusing on her slight embarrassment. She wasn’t the most experienced with this... only Angel. But there was no way she was going to admit that to them and ruin the mood. So instead, she did her usually quipping. “Slayers are supposed to be more careful about letting vampires get them into such a vulnerable position. But then I never was that good a slayer, huh? Dating vampires and not being a slave to the Watcher’s Council.”

“Buffy, you are the best slayer I have ever come across,” Spike told her softly. He was settled between her legs, resting his hands on her hips where he had been about to remove her jeans. “I see the fact that you didn’ let those wankers control you an’ that you know that not ALL vampires an’ demons are evil as a big plus in my book. Sure that goes double for William there.”

Her blush blazed brighter under the praise. “Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.”

“Don’ go spreadin’ that around or you’ll ruin my reputation,” William teased.

His fingers danced along her arms, down to her sides then brought his palms up to cup her breasts. He bent over her to capture one rosy nipple in his mouth to suckle at it while his hand squeezed the other one in rhythm with the strokes of his tongue. Her back arched off the bed and made it easier for Spike to slide her jeans off finally, tossing them aside and turning back to her toned legs.

“Mmm, someone forgot her knickers... Now I know you mum taught you better than this, Slayer.” He sucked in his cheeks to leer at her as he traced her swollen lips with a long finger before dipping it into her hot sheath. “What a hot sight, my little slayer bound an’ at our mercy. Hot quim swallowin’ my fingers an’ getting’ so wet for me.”

“Mmm, must see for myself,” William said, licking his lips. He began kissing a path across her belly to the thigh closest to him. “I bet you have the sweetest tastin’ juices, pet.”

Spike smirked and lifted his hand to offer his fingers to William for a sample. William arched a brow before dipped his head to lick the juices from the offered finger, giving a little purr of approval.

“Bloody delicious,” he sighed.

Buffy watched them with what must have been disgusted fascination then looked to Spike as he drew his fingers into his own mouth to have a taste as well. A purr rumbled through his chest and he dipped his head to drink from the source, tongue stroking her sex and causing her head to toss back. When it slipped into her hot channel she lifted her hips trying to press herself closer to that talented mouth.

Meanwhile, William’s tongue was laving a trail back up between her breasts to her exposed throat. He pressed kisses to the tender skin before biting down with his blunt teeth to earn a cry of pleasurable pain as her first orgasm rushed through her.

“Like that, kitten?” he asked and curled his tongue behind his teeth, bend over her. “Want more of that?”

She licked her lips then arched a brow. “Only if I get to bite you in return.”

“Oh, pet, wouldn’ think of anything less.” He pressed heated kisses to her neck and scraped his teeth over her pulse.

“Well, you need to untie me so I can do some biting,” she said with her best pout to get her way.

“Nice try, but it can wait ‘til just the right time,” he replied before capturing her mouth in a kiss with bruising force. He moved to straddle her waist, thrusting against her stomach while their tongues dueled.

Spike lifted his head. “Oi! Get your pasty ass out of my face!”

“Kiss my ass.”

Spike leaned forward and laid a quick kiss on his doppelganger’s backside then gave him a hard swat. “Now move it.”

Buffy’s eyes were as wide as William’s before she burst out laughing. “Do you two want a room?”

“No problem, mate, I’m movin’ my ass,” William muttered as he slid up her body to position his bobbing erection in front of her face. “She needs somethin’ t’ keep her quiet, yeah? You want t’ taste this, yeah, kitten?”

He gripped the headboard to anchor himself as her pink little tongue darted out to give him an experimental lick, catching the drop of pre-cum that oozed out. He moaned and arched his hips forward needily. Her eyes rolled up to look at him as she took him into her mouth, knowing that’s what he wanted. She hadn’t done it before, but she was more than willing to try right then. She had... read up on some things, prepared for things to head in this direction if things went well after she gave them her surprise. Still, it wasn’t like she was able to practice the things she read, so she just had to give it a try and hoped she didn’t embarrass herself.

She was just starting to take William’s cock into her throat using the technique she had read about when she choked as she felt Spike bite down on her inner thigh. William paused with his hand in her hair, barely suppressing a groan at the sensation it had caused. He looked back to catch Spike giving him a guilty smirk and arched a brow, giving him a growl before turning back to Buffy.

“Don’ make me come back there, mate,” William taunted.

Spike snorted and sat up, scooting forward to settle himself between her legs ready to bury himself in her tight quim. She was moaning around William’s cock as she felt herself being filled, the vibrations heightening William’s pleasure. His finger’s buried in her hair as he couldn’t help but begin thrusting gently.

“Slayer, you don’ know how hot you look right now... filled so full by us both,” Spike groaned as he thrust into her hot pussy. “So hot... won’ ever get enough of it... of you... never goin’ t’ let you out of our bed.”

“Should feel her mouth... god, her tongue,” William said next. “About t’... oh luv, get ready for me...”

He held her head firmly against him after one last thrust before his seed was jetting down her throat. She looked up at him, proud to have put that look of sheer pleasure on the face of one of her vampires. When he pulled out of her mouth, she gave his cock one last lick. For now.

William smiled down at her and trailed a hand over her cheek before reaching up to release her arms. Immediately he grasped her wrists to keep them above her head, sliding down a bit so he could whisper in her ear.

“I am only lettin’ you free so I can get you int’ the position I want, but if you try t’ take control I will bind them again behind your back,” he lifted his head slightly to look into her eyes thoughtfully, “maybe I will anyway.”

“No, no...” she moaned and went slack in his hands, trying to concentrate on his words while Spike still thrust into her without interruption. “I want to touch. Please.”

He made a sigh like he was being so gracious giving into her request then grinned at her, a flash of white teeth before sliding off her onto the bed. Spike finally paused his thrusting while William lifted Buffy to a sitting position, Spike’s hands sliding over the globes of her ass to hold her tight against him. She smiled up at him then kissed him hard, fingers sliding up over his hair to release the curls from the gel. William slid in behind her, pressing nibbling kisses along her shoulder.

Vampire stamina was a wonderful thing as William was quickly hard again, thrusting against her back as he sandwiched her against Spike. She felt it and looked back at him with wide eyes, surprised to see he was ready to go again already. Dating vampires might not be that bad a thing, especially two of the hot and non-broody variety. Two that seemed so devoted to her even without the soul that they all thought was so important.

“I don’ fancy includin’ my stakin’ in the fun, so I’ll ask first,” William began as he prodded her ass with the head of his cock. “Can I?”

“You want to-“ She blinked rapidly.

Spike kissed her neck then drew her earlobe in his mouth. “Just give it a try. If you hate it, neither of us will ever ask again.”

“B-b-but...”

Spike grinned and figured to distract her, quickly dipping his head to capture her breast in his mouth while picking up a hard pace of thrusts into her. She groaned and closed her eyes, fingers digging into his shoulders. The strange request was already forgotten in the midst of all the pleasure.

Spike’s hands went behind her again, massaging her ass in time with his thrusts. Then one of his hands went to William’s erection to stroke it while giving his double a look over Buffy’s shoulder so that he understood Spike was helping him get what he wanted so they were all happy. Soon he was guiding William into Buffy while making sure she was happily distracted anyway he could. Still, he felt her tense slightly for a few moments as she got used to the sensation.

But soon enough, she was bouncing between them again with renewed vigor. All three of them were moaning in chorus, clutching at each other blindly as each sought their release.

Buffy never felt so full. It wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be once she had adjusted. Funny, that phrase seemed to apply to a lot of sexual things. One hand clawed at Spike’s back while the other slid behind her to clutch William’s thigh, her nails digging in as she felt herself reaching her peak.

“Oh ohhhh... so good... so close...” she gasped between moans.

The vampires lifted their heads, exchanging a look as they seemed to converse without words. Then just as a scream was bubbling up Buffy’s throat to herald her oncoming orgasm they both shifted into their demon guise before striking to bury their fangs in opposite sides of her neck. Her back arched and she bucked wildly under the added pleasure, the orgasm drawn out as they drank her blood.

“Mine!” they growled in unison before grunting their own release.

All three fell into a boneless tangle of limbs, panting in exhausted ecstasy.

“That was bloody amazin’, pet,” Spike managed to finally get out, kissing the shoulder in front of his face.

Her hand finally came up to touch one of the bite marks. “You... you...”

William rose up on his elbow to look at her. “I know we didn’ ask first, but there’s no one else for either of us. There’s no better life we can imagine for the rest of our existence than t’ all be together, takin’ care of each other an’ drivin’ each other stark nutters.”

“Just think,” Spike continued, running his fingers through her hair, “nights like tonight an’ better, as much as you can handle, for eternity. You’ll have your two vampires takin’ care of you an’ yes, you can take care of us, too.” He anticipated her objection before she made it.

“Though, is it so bad t’ have your mates takin’ care of your every need?” William gave her a leer and let his hand trail over her thigh.

“And you guys don’t mind having a ready supply of Slayer blood or kinky sex. Not you two.” She gave them an arched brow.

“Oh, that’s definitely a perk,” Spike purred into her ear before nuzzling her neck.

William was nuzzling at her belly, curling an arm around her waist. She gave a soft groan then looked at both naked vampires, rolling her eyes.

“Good god, AGAIN?!” she exclaimed.



La Fin.