Disclaimer: The characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox studios. This story is not meant to infringe upon anyone's rights, only to entertain.

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CHAPTER 11 – A Solution


Lothos raised an eyebrow in surprise at the younger vampire’s proclamation. He found it impossible for this guard that seemed to care so much about this Slayer to actually fight and kill her. But there he was, matching her blow for blow. He had thought the young one would simply give up and accept fate, but he was fighting back. There was nothing in his stance or his actions that showed that he was holding back.

Buffy attacked but her moves were similar to what they were before. With her mind under Lothos’ thrall, she was nothing more than a puppet and her body repeated moves it knew through instinct and training. To Spike, it looked like a well rehearsed dance, a dance he had enjoyed watching her do when she was on patrol and further enjoyed when he was her partner. He therefore had no problem defending himself and he concentrated on finding the opening he needed to take care of this problem once and for all. He was waiting for her to execute a certain kick which always made her vulnerable on one side because she always followed it up with a backhanded punch.

Spike saw his opportunity soon enough and threw himself forward, grabbing her outstretched arm and twisting it behind her back. He then pressed his body against her as his left arm snaked possessively across her chest with his hand resting on her shoulder. The demon inside him reacted with anticipation as he lowered his head and his senses were filled with Buffy’s scent. Though her mind was elsewhere, her body knew and showed signs of slight panic as her heart started beating even faster. He could feel her body thrumming with life as he licked his lips with anticipation at the prospect of Slayer blood. It had been two decades since he had tasted it and nothing was going to stop him from taking hers now.

He felt Lothos take a step towards them and he growled loudly, twisting them around to make sure the Vampire King had a clear view of what he was about to do. This would be sweet victory… to taste Slayer blood and show this wanker that even though he was significantly younger than the ponce, he was more than capable of taking on the Slayer and relinquish his precious prize away from him. He gave the elder vampire a menacing look before he pursed his lips and nuzzled Buffy’s neck.

The reaction he received surprised him as she moaned almost inaudibly and rested her head against him. With a devilish smile, Spike sank his fangs into her tender neck. Buffy sighed against him as a moan rumbled from his throat. Slayer blood spilled into his mouth and washed over his tongue and he held on to her possessively as his senses were filled with her essence.

**

Something inside her was tingling. She felt warm and comfortable and safe. But something deep down was telling her that this wasn’t real – that this feeling of warmth was too good to be truth. It was too good to be truth but why should she question it. She was here. She was safe, but then that nagging feeling asked, ”Where was she anyway?”.

She remembered hearing a soothing voice. It was a voice that promised of peace and the end to all her pain. She tried to think who that voice belonged to, but no face came to mind. The last time she felt this safe was… when was that again? She let out a pout trying to remember. She closed her eyes, trying to conjure up the necessary memory. The only thing that came to mind was her mother.

“Mom,” she muttered. She always felt safe when she was in her mother’s arms. But the voice she was hearing wasn’t female at all. So who was it? “Dad? … Not anymore. He hasn’t been for a long time.” So who?

Then there was a name that burst forth into the front of her mind. William. It was such a reassuring name, but she didn’t know of a William. Or did she?

“Buffy, come now luv. It’s time to wake up.”

Buffy looked around, trying to figure out who was calling her. The voice was familiar, but it wasn’t the same voice that was whispering sweet promises of peace earlier. “Who are you?”

“Come on kitten. You daydream too much. You’re needed elsewhere.”

“But I like it here. It’s warm. It’s safe.”

“But it’s all a lie. This is all a lie, luv.”

“I don’t want to hurt.”

“I’ll protect you. I can keep you safe. I’ll be whatever you need, pet.”

It was then that she felt strong arms wrapping around her. She panicked at first, but that feeling melted away as they held her tenderly. “How can you be sure?” she said weakly.

“I’ll protect you.” The voice replied as she felt that similar tingling sensation return but this time she realized it was because she felt cold lips kissing her neck.

“But how? … Why?” She wanted to protest some more but the kiss was melting all her anxiety away.

“Shhh … pet. I’ll protect you because you’re mine.”

**

“Mine.” Spike whispered softly into her neck as he pulled his fangs away.

At that exact moment, Buffy blinked a few times and wondered where she was. She could feel someone pressed against her back and a shallow breath tickled her ear. She turned around quickly, adrenaline rushing through her as she remembered that Lothos had been so close to her earlier.

“Welcome back, luv.”

She smiled upon hearing that same melodious voice that promised to protect her just moments ago. She tilted her head to one side and relief washed over her as she caught the shock of platinum blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.

“Spike?”

Spike released her and turned her around to face him. “Hope that didn’t hurt too much, pet.”

She gave him a questioningly look then caught sight of his blood stained lips. Her hand flew to her neck and her finger found the two small puncture marks. Surprisingly, they didn’t sting. In fact, it somehow felt comforting to her.

Lothos looked at the scene before him and growled in anger. “How dare you, youngling? She was mine! You claimed the Slayer for yourself.”

“And I did it good and proper. Not some fancy gypsy trick of a thrall.” Spike said emphasizing his point with a wiggle of his fingers.

“I will have this Slayer. I will take her into me tonight!”

“Ewww. … I’m not going anywhere, especially not with you.” Buffy retorted.

“Ready to dance, pet?” Spike said with an outstretched hand, indicating that they go shut the ponce up for good.

The Slayer looked at his hand then back up at him and smiled. “I think you’ve done enough for tonight Spike. I feel like giving him a piece of my mind.”

Spike nodded and fished a stake from behind him and handed it to her.

Buffy smiled as she wrapped her hand tightly around the wooden weapon. Then she turned her attention to Lothos.

Spike backed away, knowing better than to interfere. He could feel her anger and was more than happy to have her do the honors of staking Lothos herself. He needed some time to rest anyway since he had been through minions and Fyarl demons all night. His muscles were aching and he had gashes in his … He looked down at the suit that was now ripped and torn in various places. He could smell vampire blood and demon goo on his clothes but when he raised an arm to inspect the damage to his suit and body, all he saw was torn fabric. There was no sign of the wound that he was sure was there just moments ago.

Slayer blood. That was the only answer he could think of. It made sense and he was glad for it too since he wanted to be sure that if push comes to shove and Buffy ended up needing his help, he wanted to be at a hundred percent.

He watched as Buffy and Lothos fought. She was magnificent as always. There was a warrior yearning to come out underneath the surface and it was only when the small Slayer fought that Spike could see her -- the real her emerge. He wasn’t sure what Lothos had said to Buffy to make her fall for his thrall but from the brief images he caught when his fangs were buried in her neck, he concluded it had something to do with her calling. He couldn’t really blame her. Finding out you’re the Chosen One, having to change your view on the world and taking on the responsibility of saving said world wasn’t something that anyone could easily accept, much less a teenage girl that most probably had her whole life, her hopes and dreams, ahead of her.

But she fought back. Accepted the hand he offered and came back from the dream state that Lothos had inflicted on her. Now she was basked in glory -- fighting, dancing, and glowing with power. He watched intently, wincing when any of Lothos’ attacks would connect. If only she’d keep her guard up and watch out for the left leg that the older vampire seemed to favor, then she’d be able to land that kick she seemed to be aching to use for a few minutes now. Strangely enough she did just that. Spike raised an eyebrow in wonder. He hadn’t said anything but she seemed to get what he was hoping she’d do.

He grinned to himself. “That’s my girl.”

Buffy flashed him a smile before doing a flip and angling her body out of Lothos’ reach. She crouched her body then launched herself at the vampire, taking him by surprise and finally embedding the stake in his chest. Lothos looked up in surprise at Buffy then back at the stake that was sticking out of his body. He staggered backwards, the look of shock still on his face when he disintegrated into dust.

Buffy took a moment to catch her breath. It was strange. When she was fighting she didn’t feel like she needed to breath. In fact she felt like she wasn’t fighting alone. She looked up to see Spike approaching her. Was he really that far away from her when she was fighting Lothos? She could have sworn he was much closer because she thought she heard him giving her pointers throughout the fight. As Spike stepped closer, she could feel the bite marks on her neck tingle. Her fingers reached up to caress them lovingly.

The blond vampire saw what she was doing and a sense of pride welled up inside him. He reached out, their fingers touching as they both traced the now healing wound.

“Thank you.” Buffy said softly.

“You did that all by yourself.” Spike said gesturing to the pile of dust that used to be known as the Vampire King Lothos. “I just pointed you in the right direction, luv.”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t know how but I felt you were fighting along side me.” She closed the distance between them.

His mark on her neck was pulling him closer to her and it didn’t help that in his eyes she was the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on. They were this close earlier this evening. They were this close and he was kissing her. He wanted to do it again, wanted to see how she would taste after a fight. He leaned down and was but a hair away from her when he sensed someone approaching. He quickly took a step back and ran his fingers through his curly locks in slight embarrassment.

“Buffy! Spike!” Angel said as he walked into the room followed by Caden and Nikolai.

“Everything’s under control. Sure took you guys long enough.” Spike said with a smirk as he removed his jacket and placed it around Buffy.

“Hey. We kept the lot of them busy outside while you were trying to play hero in here, ceffo!” Nikolai replied.

“Alright. That’s enough! Spike, you better get Buffy home before her mother starts getting worried.” Caden interjected hoping to change the subject before Spike and Niko started their childish squabbling.

Spike nodded. “Let’s go, luv. We’ll stop somewhere to get you all cleaned up.”

Buffy smiled and hooked her arm around his as she let him lead her to the door. As they passed by Angel, the brooding vampire placed a firm hand on Spike’s shoulder and gave him a stern look. No words passed between them. Spike just matched his gaze before pushing his Sire’s hand away and walking out of the room with the Slayer.