Thanks to LisFayte for being the most amazing beta!
And thanks for all the pretty reviews!
Disclaimer: Not mine, no matter how much I beg Joss and his friends.


The silence stretched out, going from comfortable to uncomfortable. Buffy glanced at Spike, hazel eyes averting themselves when she saw his ice blue eyes flicker towards her. The tension began building up, until you could almost cut through it with a knife. Buffy opened her mouth, wanting to say something, and closed it again when she found no words. She did not know what to say, nor did she want to fill the air with meaningless small talk.
“Am I going to die?” she finally asked, the question almost whispered in a weak voice. His heart clenched at the pleading tone, and he knew she wanted to be reassured. He never had been a good liar, but he knew he would try, for her, if only to lighten her spirit for a moment.

“No, luv, ‘m gonna watch after you, make sure you’re safe” he said, taking a chance and resting his arm around her shoulders. She sighed and leaned into his muscular form, head resting on his shoulder. If only I could stay like this forever, she mused, smiling slightly. She was kind of shocked by the way he acted, but after thinking it over briefly, she found out she rather liked it. ‘How can someone who is a killer, a soulless vampire, be so nice to me? He doesn’t even know me’ she thought. She shook herself out of her deep thoughts and glanced up at him.

“Is there a way to prevent me from dying? Giles said The Master will drink my blood” she said in the same, pleading voice. He glanced down at her, blue eyes locking with green, and wanted to reassure her that she would be safe, that he would do anything to keep her safe. ‘Of course you will, you wanker. What’s next? Some wings and a harp?’ he thought to himself. He did not want to accept that he cared about her, he liked it better in the land of denial.

‘Who am I kidding, I’m sodding helping her take out the head of my line! I might as well go buy me a collar and leash’ he thought. He lifted his eyes from hers, berating himself while doing it. ‘You sodding ponce, you’re falling for the bint.’ Realization hit him hard, and he nearly stumbled. Buffy glanced up at him, and he smiled in response, silently assuring her that there was nothing wrong.

He drew in a deep breath when he suddenly remembered something he had not thought about in a long while, not since he had been a curious fledge. A way to save her, to keep her from dying, without turning her. He was uncertain about the reasons, but he found himself unwilling to turn the blonde slayer. ‘I like her just as she is, warm’ he told himself, silently thinking about the way for her to keep on living, at the same time arguing with himself whether to tell her or not.

“Well, ... there is a way, but I don’t think you’ll like it” he said, automatically tightening his grip on her shoulders. She didn’t say anything and they walked a few steps in silence. She contemplated what it was he knew. ‘Please, don’t let it be turning, don’t let it be turning’ she prayed, biting her lower lip, eyeing the ground.

“How...?” she asked at last, looking up at him. Surprised cerulean eyes met her nervous, hazel ones. He wasn’t sure if he thought she would ask him, and he was even unsure of how she would react. He took a deep breath and exhaled before starting.

“You have a vampire, a male, bite you. No turning, no draining, just a few sips of your blood. You both say a few words, and voila! You get someone to protect you, help you and stay at your side forever. You get a mate” he said, sapphire eyes locked with her green ones. Jumbled emotions whirled in his eyes and made Buffy dizzy. She wondered what he wanted. ‘Wait? Why do I care what he wants? It’s not like we’re friends’ she thought, frowning slightly.

Spike felt his demon growl. He wanted to make this tiny scrap of a girl his, but William wanted her to chose. ‘Chose? We are her equal’ the demon said. ‘But what if she does not want us?’ his poncey William side piped up. ‘She’s the only one worthy of being our mate’ the demon growled, and Spike blinked. He was shocked by the truth of the words his demon spoke.

“Hmm... I think I’ll do it” she said, moving her eyes to the dark sky. She was kind of nervous about being bitten. What if it was only some rouse to drink her blood and drain her? She clenched and unclenched her fists, nervous about what might happen. ‘Hey, what’s the worst thing that might happen?’ she thought, trying to lighten up. So what if she might be drained, at least it wouldn’t be by The Master.

“So, who’s the lucky?” Spike asked, holding his worst emotions at bay, keeping his voice calm. Meanwhile, inside, his demon and William was still, impatiently awaiting her answer. Spike wanted her to hurry up and chose, yet he was silently praying she would consider him. He knew he was not the most patient bloke around, so he only hoped she would chose wisely in the short time she had.

“I can’t have some random, met-at-the-graveyard vamp. Hmm...” she wondered aloud, seemingly wringing her brain for candidates. But her mind was already set. Spike felt his hope fade at her words. Wasn’t he some random, met-in-an-alley vampire?

“How ‘bout nancy boy Angel?” Spike asked, and felt his demon claw at him. He was quite certain she would choose Angel, she seemed to have a crush on him. ‘Always him. Always Angelus first. With Dru too’ the demon growled. Spike almost growled too, his hatred for his grandsire still strong, even after years without him.

“No, he’s a little creepy, with the whole stalking gig, popping up whenever I don’t expect him to, and those cryptic messages” she said, huffing a little. Spike was surprised and Buffy saw it. She held back a giggle and pretended to think about a worthy candidate some more.

“Hmm...What about… you?” she asked, smiling as she kept her gaze steady, not looking at him. She was a little nervous about what he might say, and the only thing rivaling it was her excitement. Even though they had not known each other for long, Buffy felt as though they fit together.

“Me?” he asked in a shocked voice. She nodded as she moved gaze her over onto him. He was at a loss of words. Both his demon and William rejoiced, happy that she chose them. ‘Us! She wants us to claim her’ the demon growled, and Spike had to hold back a howl of joy he desperately wanted to let loose.

“You want me... me to claim you?” he asked, disbelief colouring his voice. She nodded at him and smiled. It didn’t bother her as it should that she felt safe in the presence of an old and powerful vampire. ‘He will protect me’ she thought to herself, smiling brightly at the stunned vampire. Spike was at a loss of words, shocked by her choice. She wanted him to be her mate. She wanted him to protect her, to help her and stay by her side forever.

They stopped now, about a block from the high school. She positioned herself in front of Spike, almost as close to him as she could get. She felt something hard press against her stomach, and she blushed. He regained himself and smirked at her embarrassment. She was adorable and looked absolutely luscious. Spike’s tongue darted out and wet his lower lip. He could see her eyes focusing on it and he made a show out of it, letting it slide slowly over the fullness of his lower lip. Buffy caught herself staring and blushed again.

“So, are you going to do it?” she asked in a teasing voice. She tried to smile seductively at him, and when he answered, she mentally patted herself on the back. Spike almost groaned out loud when she smiled at him, his erection straining against the metal teeth of the zipper. ‘Do it!’ his demon was yelling. ‘Tell her it is forever’ William said, wanting Buffy to know what she was getting into. Spike grudgingly agreed with William. Would do no good to claim her if she wasn’t willing to spend eternity with him.

“Buffy” he tried to say, but it came out as a husky groan version of her name. She felt wetness pool between her thighs and squeezed them together briefly. Spikes nostril flared as he caught the scent perfuming the air and his cock swelled even more, if that was possible. Still, he had to tell her. She had to know.

“Buffy” he tried again, this time a little more successful. “The claim, it’s for life. I’ll live as long as you live, and you’ll live as long as I live” he said, his face a serious mask. Buffy frowned. She thought she could see fear and concern in his gaze. But what did he have to be afraid of?

“Did you hear what I said?” he asked, a slight note of impatience in his voice. He frowned. Why did she seem so unconcerned? This wasn’t just some walk in the park, this was for life. She would tie herself to him for the rest of eternity. Was she even sure this was what she wanted?

“I heard you” she said, smiling at him. She lifted a hand and stroked his cheek, sighing when he leaned into her touch. “I kinda guessed it was for life when you said I would get someone who would stay by my side forever. And don’t worry, I wouldn’t do it if I wasn’t sure. I want it” she added and smiled softly at him. She thought her words would please him, but he didn’t seem to be convinced. So she said the only thing she could think of. “I want you to do it.”

He growled low in his throat, before snaking one arm around her waist, and another around her shoulders. He pulled her flush against him, and put his mouth on hers, taking her by surprise. Cool, soft lips against hers, making her moan. She felt as if she was on fire, and Spike was the only one who could cure it. They broke apart and she gasped for air. He took some panting breaths, before kissing a line down her cheek and neck. When he found her jugular he stopped, slowing down his kisses. He alternated between kissing her and biting her with blunt teeth. She hissed in pleasure, wanting him right now, gentle and rough and everything in between.

She felt a tingle, then felt his fangs drop, scraping along her silken skin. She expected to feel pain and tensed, and was surprised when he continued to kiss her neck. He sucked gently on her jugular, making the blood come to the surface, and then scraped his fangs over her skin, sending shudders raking through her body. Spike could smell her arousal, but continued to press kisses to her jugular. Then, ever so slowly, he sank his fangs into her neck. She shivered in pleasure, feeling only a slight sting of pain, quickly reverting into pleasure. Spike slowly took two sips from her, savouring the rich, coppery taste of slayer blood. He felt her nearing ecstasy, and pulled out, closing the wound with a rough tongue.

“Mine” he said in a husky voice. Buffy felt her legs buckle beneath her and she moaned as she hung limp in his arms. Stars exploded behind her eyes, and she felt waves of pleasure roll through her. She had never felt anything quite like this, and she could already tell she would want more of this.

“Yours” she breathed huskily, knowing instinctively what she had to say, and he tightened his grip on her. She held on to him tightly, unwilling to ever let him go. She sighed in contentment when she felt him purr against her. She snaked a hand up to curl in his hair, tugging loose his gelled curls.

“Pet, you wanna?” he said, and she could hear a faint trace of insecurity in his voice. Already now she could feel the opening of the new bond, still unexplored. She trusted her shaking feet to hold her as she fastened her mouth to his neck. He tasted like cigarettes, alcohol and leather, a taste she now named ‘Yummy Spike taste’. She bit down hard with her blunt teeth, and he moaned in response, the pain and pleasure sending jolts down to his cock. Finally she broke the skin and let her mouth fill with blood. She swallowed it and kissed the bite mark.

“Mine” she moaned throatily. She glanced at his eyes and was overtaken with want as she saw his hooded eyes glazed with lust. She pressed her lips hard to his, tongue coming out to battle fiercely with his. She could taste her own blood in his mouth, but strangely enough that didn’t bother her. She finally broke the kiss to get some air, drawing in deep gulps of oxygen into her lungs.

“Yours” he whimpered, completing the claim. The force of the claim drove them both to their knees, where they stayed, desperately clutching each other and panting with need. Suddenly Spike could feel Buffy, and he knew she could feel him too. He felt her feelings, knew what she wanted, what she feared and what she dreamed of. He felt like they were two halves of a whole, and if they ever got away from each other, he could find her. He felt complete, for the first time in his life, and he knew this was ‘it’.

“I feel....I feel complete” she said, content and happy. She fastened her arms better around him, vowing to never let him go. She buried her fingers in his hair, the tips softly massaging his scalp. She sighed happily, before a though struck. ‘How can we be together forever when I have an expiration date?’

“Shh, luv. You’re safe now. We’re forever, you and me. You’re immortal now, more than human. And I’ll always protect you and watch your back” he said, kissing her neck and the mark he had left upon it. She shuddered in pleasure and moaned. She wanted more, she wanted everything. She wanted him to show her all he knew... to teach her what pleased him, because right now, pleasing him was something she wanted to do.

“Did I say that out loud?” she asked while sliding her fingers through his hair, reveling in how soft it felt. She simply adored how his hair curled, and how it made him look. She promised herself to hide his gel or something like that. Her hazel eyes were locked with his, a matching fire burning in both their eyes, still unnamed for now.

“No, pet, you thought it. Quite loud in fact” he answered, placing his mouth against her neck. His cool breath on her skin made her feel like she was aflame. She wanted him to do wicked things with her, if only to cool her down, to quell this raging fire. She felt bold and wanton, a new feeling she was unused to. But she thought she could easily get used to it.

“We got to... We have to...The... Master...”Buffy moaned, knowing that she had to do her duty first. ‘Duty first, pleasure later’ she thought wryly to herself. She wanted them to stand up, but couldn’t quite find the words, so she felt along the bond, sensing a presence besides herself in her mind. She imagined him helping her up and tried to ‘push’ the image at him. He drew back from her, looking at her with surprised eyes. He bent in and stole a quick peck on the lips, before standing up quickly while holding her flush against him. She was hoisted to her feet, but she never left his arms, always touching him. She giggled as she head him purr, and wondered if other vampires did that too? She sighed at the feeling him purring gave her, her whole body humming in response to his.

Suddenly a small boy appeared besides them, startling them both. Buffy shrieked and Spike growled at the kid. Buffy calmed down instantly, knowing Spike would not let anything happen. And how stupid was she anyway, getting scared by a kid? She exhaled slowly, drawing a hand trough her hair.

“Who’s that?” Buffy asked Spike, looking at the child. He stared at her with an unreadable expression on his face before holding out his hand. “Come now, he’s waiting for you” the boy said in an even, emotionless voice. Spike growled again and Buffy frowned, unconsciously burying herself deeper into Spike’s embrace. Something about the boy gave her the creeps, and it made her shiver.

“Let’s go visit ol’ bat face, luv” Spike said to Buffy, holding her tight. ‘I’m thinking the boy is one of The Master’s Childer’ he sent along the bond, staring with cold eyes at the boy. Buffy nodded without a word and they followed the child, figuring he was leading them wherever they needed to go.

They walked through the sewers, following the boy through twist and turns. They had walked for a while when they stopped. Buffy and Spike looked around in the small room in which they stood. ‘This probably is the entrance’ Spike sent, his thumb stroking her wrist. The pair walked forward so they could look into the opening of what was The Master’s lair, and when it was revealed to them Spike frowned. ‘It’s a bloody church’ he thought, shaking his head slightly at the head of his line. Spike let go of Buffy’s hand and took a menacing step towards the boy, growling softly.

“Who are you?” Spike asked, eyes alternating between amber and sapphire. He could feel his mates’ nervousness through the bond, and replied by sending soothing feelings towards her. ‘I’m here for you, luv. You’re stuck with me now’ he sent, smirking at her. She frowned at him, and his smirk grew wider.

“I am the Anointed One” the boy said, staring challenging at Spike. ‘Great, the annoying one’ he thought, rolling his eyes. Spike took a step closer to the kid, towering over him. His hands shot out, gripped the boys head and twisted it, dust falling to the ground. Buffy let out a small yelp, but calmed as Spike embraced her. He kissed the mark on her neck and she sighed in response. With him by her side, she could manage everything.

“The Anointed One was supposed to lead me into hell” Buffy whispered, burying her head in the crook of Spikes neck. She inhaled deeply, savouring his smell. ‘Yummy’ she thought to herself, her tongue darting out to trace his now healed bite mark.

“Well, then, let’s enter hell” he said and smiled.