Chapter Twelve:

* * * * * * * *



Buffy was tied up in the cage with Spike. Her head had been hit so many times; she didn’t doubt she looked like a walking bruise. Except she wasn’t walking. Buffy was struggling against the chains that had kept the free vampire bound so many times. And couldn’t help but see the irony.

Spike was humming he was so happy. He had a goofy smile on his face and was smiling from ear to ear each time she tried to twist her wrist in another position to get out. She was hanging from her arms, while her legs were tied in a permanently kneeling position. Originally it was eerie and creepy, but now, it was just annoying. Her arms went to sleep again, causing Buffy to sigh in exacerbation.

“So when are you going to do it? Giles and Willow are bound to look for me any time. Therefore, you had better hurry because they could come in any second.”

“I will Slayer, but I am waiting for you to decide whether you are going to become a vampire or a corpse after I kill you. What did you say earlier?”

Oh that.

Buffy was mortified that he had heard just enough to know that it was important. She also made a big deal about it, therefore, he obviously felt it was of great relevance. Which it wasn’t. It was terrifying that she said it. However, she doubted it would change his mind about killing her. It was just something that she would rather die than repeat… but she was calculating if she wanted to be revived.

“Come on, Slayer, I’m getting horny.”

Buffy stopped struggling to stare at him. Spike noted her lack of movement and smiled.

“You really didn’t think I was going to kill you without getting a taste.”

“I thought you were going to kill me, suck my blood, then I would kick your ass. Again. Only without a soul.”

“Nope.” He got a grin on his face as he walked around to her back. “You see, Slayer, I will not kill you until you beg for mercy. And at that moment, you will tell me everything you have ever wished for and dreamt.”

His breath was on the back of her neck. And she felt his lips brush against her spine. She remembered their last kiss.

“No.”

“You have put me through hell, for years of my life. And although I adore a nice fiery pit ripe with chaos, I don’t enjoy being tormented, mocked, or humiliated. Now pet.” He ripped the back of her shirt open. Buffy tensed.

She knew that it was her duty, frickin’ calling to kill, torture, maim, etc. vampires. But at this moment she just wanted him off of her. She would do anything to get him off of her.

“I’m sorry.” Buffy whispered. Her voice cracked.

Spike stopped and swung her around. His face was dangerously close as he grabbed her chin and forced it to look up at hers.

“What did you say?”

They were so close to one another, Buffy wasn’t surprised when their lips touched. It felt like astonishment, their mouths resting against one another. And then someone moved.

It was the discovery of a lifetime. Spike let go of her chin and moved his hand around her neck and pulled her in closer. Buffy was still tied up, but her lips moved against his as Spike leaned into her. She felt the pressure on her hands increase and she pulled with every muscle. The chains on her wrists gave way then broke. Buffy tensed, preparing herself to fall, but Spike caught her back with his hand and fell with her. She felt them get closer when she hit the ground and then slip into place. Spike had caught her before she hit her head.

These were atomic kisses. He was on top of her and around her all at once. Buffy felt him tear the rest of her bonds off. She brought her knee up to rest upon the back of his leg. His legs sandwiched hers, touching her inner thigh, while his hand was still around her back. Pulling her closer, craning her neck to the absolute breaking point and then delving deeper with his tongue.

If kissing is good, sex must be willing to die for, Spike thought. He didn’t know who started the kiss, but at this moment, he had a small blond who reacted to his every touch with passionate responses. His hand touched the ripped edge of the shirt and went beneath to her skin. When he deepened his kiss, she curled her arms around him tighter and arched her back until he was going to fall. He felt her rub against his leg and brought his knee in closer. It was the first time she pulled away from his kissing, only to gasp and increase the friction between them.

Spike grinned and her eyes opened.

It was electricity, or magic, or memories.

Then Buffy pushed off her leg and flipped him on his back, straddling him. She kissed him as she raised his arms above his head and almost lost control when he moved underneath her. Her shirt kept falling forward but she didn’t care. It was a different kind of battle but so many of the elements were the same. Buffy intensified her kiss until he barely slowed and she attacked.

Buffy grabbed the chains near her palm and wrapped them around the top of his hand. She pushed off her right foot and flipped him over her, slamming his body down upon his back while keeping both hands on the chains. She felt the impact of his body on the ground, then used the same chain to loop around his wrists securely. Pulled, using her Slayer strength and felt the links strain at the pressure.

She was free.

“What are you going to do with me?” Spike whispered as she led him to Drusilla’s cage. Programmed, brand new and silent.

Buffy didn’t say a word.

He didn’t struggle as she walked him into the barred, open pen. He didn’t move as she pressed the buttons to confirm maximum security or when she closed the large door which would have held his escape. When he finally moved, it was to shake the now loosened chains from his wrists and hold them out to the Slayer. She took them without touching him and dropped them next to her. Three feet away from where he stood, with arms crossed. They stood there, staring at one another until Buffy could no longer take the incriminating silence.

“Did you put a spell on me?”

“No.” He paused for a moment and then repeated. “No. I didn’t.”

“When did Drusilla start acting strange?”

“A little before Sunnyhell.”

“Has Angelus been acting strangely?”

“No.”

Buffy nodded and was silent for a moment before she stumbled over her next words.

“Ok. I… um… have been looking through Giles’ collection of books on demonic sacrifices because Drusilla’s death wasn’t random. I think that Angelus had seen that she had mentally changed. She was speaking in riddles more than usual and I think they were somehow prophetic. I found a book that has an entire chapter on amulets, which matched with her earlier prophecy. However, there are pages missing from his copy. So I talked to Jonathon, who said that he would hitch a ride to Sacramento and get an original copy.”

“You are investigating my vampire girlfriend’s death?”

“Yes.”

“Oh.” A beat. “Thanks.”

“Um…You’re welcome.”

Silence.

“Who do you think did this?”

“Maybe, Angelus. He’s the one who didn’t want her talking. But he’s not really for the big picture. So I am sure there’s someone else.”

“Why don’t you just beat it out of him?”

“I have. He liked it too much.”

Another beat.

“How did you get Jonathon to pick up your book?”

“X-Men collection for sale in the same place.”

“What place?”

“It’s an underground bookstore.”

“In Sacramento?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ve been there. Nice place before the war, brimming with magical books. Surprise it survived the book burnings.”

“It’s supposed to be really underground from what I’ve heard. Before it was just a basement, now it’s buried a mile underground. The rare books collection survived because D’Hoffryn needed them for his own personal business.”

“When is he getting back?”

“Who? D’Hoffryn? Oh. Jonathon is coming back tomorrow morning. I’ll get it from him after the show.”

“Good.”

“Slayer… what the hell is going on?” There was a strange look of longing on his face. “I can’t get you out of my mind. And I know you are going through the same thing.”

Buffy looked at him without an expression.

“This is wrong.”

She walked out of the tent, her ripped shirt flashing patches of naked skin.






**********