Chapter 15

Back in the Magic Box, the argument between Giles and Joyce continued to escalate. Raised voices could be heard through the closed door, echoing loudly in the street. As Buffy and Spike approached, holding tightly to each other for support, their faces turned pale in panic. It really sounded as though Joyce was building up to kill Giles.

In spite of their injuries, they increased their pace. Enough blood had been spilled tonight, without Joyce and Giles adding to the mix. As they approached the door, they were surprised when it was opened wide by Dawn.

“I’ve been so worried about you,” she cried as she flung her arms about the couple. Her relief at the sight of their return, made her careless. Their injuries did not seem to register with her as she held them close. Buffy winced at the bear hug enfolding her, and she knew Spike was trying his best not to flinch in his nibblet’s tight hold.

“We’re glad to see you too, nibblet,” murmured Spike into her long brown hair. Tears of relief and joy poured from Dawn’s eyes, mixing with the blood covering his chest.

Looking up from his shoulder, she turned tear-filled eyes to his face. For the first time she noticed that Spike was badly injured. Panic turned her pale as she swung her head towards Buffy. Her sister was in a far more stable state than her friend, but she still looked in pain.

Smiling at Dawn, Buffy was quick to reassure her. “We just need to heal, Dawn. A couple of hours of rest, and we’ll both be good as new.”

Dawn looked in open-mouthed astonishment at her sister. “Have you seen what you look like, Buffy?” She cried, her distress unhidden in her voice. “You both look like hell, and you both need a shower.”

A small chuckle escaped from Spike. “You’re not wrong there, nibblet. I could do with washing the smell of that bloody cave out of my hair.”

Buffy turned to her mate, a huge grin lighting up her face. “Can I join you, Spike?” she asked innocently through her smile. “God,” he breathed. “I hope so.”

Laughing out loud, she tightened her grip on him. “Then let’s get moving lover.”

Spike had already decided that the best way to deal with the argument raging in the Magic Box was to ignore it. Striding through the door, Buffy’s hand held tightly in his, he did his best to ignore the pain raging through his limbs. Buffy could feel his intention through the claim, and decided to take her lead from him.

“Joyce,” Spike’s voice resonated around the room. “Buffy and I would like to go back to your house and clean up, if you don’t mind.”

Turning at the sound of his voice, Joyce felt all her anger at Giles dissipate. She had been so sure that neither of them would return, that she had vented all her frustration on Giles. Relief filled her heart as she stared at the bloody and broken couple in the doorway. While her head took in the sight of their bedraggled state, her anger at Giles returned. Whipping round she caught sight of Giles’ shocked face. It became obvious to her at that point he had expected Spike to die, and if Buffy had died too he wouldn’t have cared.

Buffy knew her mother was ready to argue with Giles, and she really wanted to get home.

“Mom,” she said. “Can we just go home?”

Joyce knew her anger with Giles could wait. Her baby needed her and that was all that mattered. Keeping silent was one of the hardest things she had ever done, as she simple nodded her head and made her way towards them. “The car’s just outside, Buffy. Let’s get you and Spike home.”

Smiling her gratitude, Buffy helped her mate walk towards the car. Looking over her shoulder at her friends, she smiled tightly at them. She was not ready to forgive them just yet, but she was prepared to acknowledge their help.

“We’ll talk later guys. Right now I just want to get home.”

Willow started to walk towards her, but Tara held her back. “Not now, sweetie” she whispered to her. “Let them be for now, they need to talk and we’d only be in the way.” Tears in her eyes, Willow nodded her agreement. She knew Buffy was angry with them, and she hoped they would be able to heal the breech. Maybe they could visit them tomorrow.

Buffy could almost see the thoughts churning in her friend’s head. She knew she would not be able to talk to any of them for some time yet, but she didn’t want to hurt them. “Willow, why don’t you just go home too? Spike and I will come and visit when we’re healed and we can have a nice long chat.”

Spike squeezed her tight into the crook of his arm. He knew that at this precise moment, she didn’t want to see any of them again, but he knew she would feel differently soon. Turning pleading eyes to Joyce, he silently asked for her help. Understanding immediately his silent message, Joyce decided to intervene.

“Willow, Tara, please go home. I need to get Buffy and Spike home as quickly as possible.” A coldness that none of her friends had ever heard before entered her tone as she continued to speak. “I’m sure you all understand that this has been a traumatic time for all of us, and we need some time alone.”

Hurt and confusion poured from the four friends as they watched in silence as Joyce helped Buffy and Spike into the car. Dawn walked by with her head high determined to ignore them all. Taking her place next to her mother in the passenger seat of the car, she turned her eyes to her sister and smiled.

“You do know you both of you smell like a sewer.”

Laughingly Buffy replied. “And you are such an expert on sewers, Dawnie.”

“Well it’s not like you haven’t brought that smell into the house before, Buffy.”

Joyce’s face broke into smiles. Her girls were safe and the danger was over. Spike was back, and Buffy was happy.

The journey home did not take long, but Spike could feel his pain increase. He needed blood, badly, and he needed to renew the claim on his mate. The loss of blood had weakened him and the claim had started to wane. Turning his face against her neck, he slowly licked his mark. As a shiver ran through her body, he smiled against her. She still wanted him, and his touch still turned her on.

For the first time in over twenty-four hours he felt happy and content.

As Joyce turned into the driveway, she noticed Clem sitting on the steps. He looked worried and upset and she smiled to herself. Now this was a real friend to her daughter, and he would always be welcome in her home.

As they alighted from the car, Dawn ran up to Clem and hugged him tight. “They’re alive, Clem. They’re a bit beat up, but they’ll be fine.” A huge smile of relief lit up his wrinkled face, and he held tightly to Dawn.

Finally disentangling himself from Buffy’s hold, he limped toward his friend his hand held out in gratitude.

“Thanks for being here Clem, Buffy and I really appreciate it.”

Clem quickly took in the extent of Spike’s injuries, and came to a decision. “You need blood, Spike. Gimme about half an hour, and I’ll be back with some.”

“That’ll be good, Clem” Spike agreed. “The witch managed to get me some in the cave, but I hate anything made from magic. A l’ll bit of A neg would go down a treat.”

Glad to finally be of use, Clem smiled his reply. Joyce and Dawn knew instinctively that Buffy and Spike needed to be alone, and Clem was pleased when Joyce offered to give him a ride.

Standing arm in arm on the porch, Buffy and Spike watched Joyce reverse down the driveway. Reluctantly Dawn had agreed to go with her, but the cheeky smile she sent their way let them know she had only put up a token resistance.

“Come on, Spike” Buffy whispered. “Let’s get these clothes off and have a shower.”

Leering lovingly at her, Spike whispered back. “I’ll let you take mine off if you let me take yours off.”

Playfully she hit him on the shoulder. “You’re such a pig, Spike”

“But I’m you’re pig, kitten, and don’t you forget it.”

A warm feeling passed through her as she looked into his eyes. Love and devotion shone from his eyes, and she felt her body clench in response.

“What are we waiting for, lover”

“Damned if I know, pet.”

In spite of their injuries, they made it to the bathroom in record time. Quickly turning on the taps to allow the water to heat, Buffy turned back to Spike and started to carefully remove his clothes. They may want to be naked as soon as possible, but the depth of his injuries meant that haste was not an option. Dried blood had crusted his clothes to his skin, and she could feel him wince as she pulled his tattered jeans down his legs.

Concentrating on removing his ruined clothing, she knelt on the floor at his feet as she drew his jeans past his long elegant feet. When she felt his hand on her shoulder to help steady himself, she looked up towards his eyes. They never made it that far. Directly in her line of vision, Spike’s cock stood large and proud. Smiling, she simply shook her head.

“You’ve lost blood, you’ve been beaten up by a demon till you almost died, and you can still get a hard-on?”

Spike moved his hand into her hair. Dirty and dishevelled, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever met in his life. “I have the woman I love on her knees at my feet, and you wonder why I have a hard-on?” he laughingly asked.

Buffy’s eyes filled with love as she looked up at her mate. “I need to take care of that little problem.” Spike’s eyes filled with lust as he looked down at her shining eyes, and his cock hardened even more. He watched enthralled as her little pink tongue poked out between her lips. As the small pointed tip of her tongue made contact with the swollen head of his cock, he hissed in pleasure.

A quick flick of her tongue and a few deep sucks, and he was ready to lose his load there and then. Fighting hard to keep control, he pushed his hands further into her hair and yanked her up from the floor. Bringing her mouth under his, he plundered her soft, tender lips. Her mouth opened immediately against his, and he plunged his tongue into her depths.

Moments later, he pulled gently back from her. “Come on, goldilocks. Let’s get under that shower before there’s no hot water left.”

He quickly helped her shed her clothes, piles of laundry scattered across the floor, yet neither cared in their haste to wash the stink of the demon from their bodies. As the water cascaded down, it ran dark red with the mixture of filth and blood. As they gently washed the grime from each other, the extent of their injuries became apparent. Spike was covered in deep wounds, some still bleeding, while Buffy was badly bruised from almost head to toe.

They stayed under the water until it started to cool. Spike held her close against his chest as he turned off the taps. Happily they moved into each other arms, holding their love close between them.

“Let’s get you dry, pet” Spike whispered against her wet hair. “Don’t want you to catch a cold now do we?”

Smiling at him, Buffy simply nodded. A look of mischief in her eyes, she slowly wet her lips with the tip of her tongue. “You gonna dry me, Spike? You wanna dry me all over with a big fluffy towel till I’m pink and glowing?”

Spike stared at her for a few moments before he burst out laughing. “I’d prefer to dry you with my tongue pet, but we’re both cold and weak.” Wrapping the towel around her, he made sure her arms were closed inside the towel. “But I promise you this sweetheart, as soon I’m healed I’m gonna lick you from top to bottom.” His voice deepened as he continued. “Especially the bottom.”

Buffy’s face turned from pink to beetroot red. “You’re so predictable, vampire.”

“And don’t you just love it, pet”

Wriggling one of her hands free from the hold of the towel, she caressed his cheek. “That I do, Spike. I love you very much.”

Spike’s head moved against her hand as he smiled down at her. “Let get you into bed Buffy, before you change your mind.” Lifting her easily into his arms, he made his way to her room, her face cuddled against his shoulder in trust. He was still naked, and water sat in pools against his skin. Buffy snuggled closer, her mouth licking greedily at the clean water flavoured with his unique taste.

Totally distracted, Spike almost dropped her on the bed. This woman held his heart in her tiny strong hands, and he wouldn’t be anywhere else in the world. Standing her upright beside him, he pulled the covers back from the bed, and lifted her between the sheets.

“Now scoot over woman, so I can get under there with you.”

Smiling up at her mate, Buffy moved her body into a provocative pose as she pulled the covers back in welcome. Spike didn’t hesitate, and his body was under the covers in record time. He drew her into his embrace, just happy to hold her next to his skin.

His body absorbed her sighs of contentment as she snuggled closer to him. Her leg was thrown over his hips, and he could smell her arousal. He really wanted to be fully healed before he made love to her, but she was just too inviting. Suddenly, he could stand it no longer and he pulled her mouth to his.

Raw passion burned between them. Lips, teeth and tongues fought for dominance as they writhed against each other. Spike moved lithely down the bed to capture one distended nipple between his teeth. Buffy hissed her satisfaction as her body arched against his talented mouth. Her hands wandered over his tight body, desperately seeking his proud cock. Softly stroking him from base to tip, she could feel his body undulate in her hold. She was shocked when he suddenly removed himself from her grasp.

“What’s wrong, Spike?” she asked, tears forming in her eyes. “Did I do something wrong?”

Spike remembered at that moment just how inexperienced she was. Kissing her soundly to reassure her, he pulled her body against his. “You did nothing wrong, Buffy. In fact it was too good, another couple of strokes from you soft hand and this would have been over too soon.”

When her brightened into a huge smile, Spike knew he had said the right thing to reassure her.

“Really?” she asked in wonder.

“Yes, really.” He replied. “Now open those pretty legs for me, Buffy. I’ve not seen my pussy for hours and it’s time had a little chat with it.”

Giggling uncontrollably, Buffy moved the covers out of their way and open herself to his gaze.

The soft lamplight bathed her body in shadows, and Spike though he had never seen anything so beautiful. Legs wide, she bared herself to his gaze. Unable to resist her, slowly drew his fingers through the damp dew on her nether lips. Fascinated by the changes in colour of her pussy, he continued to stroke her gently as her lips swelled under his touch. Carefully he used his fingers to open her further to his gaze. Liquid, fragrant and sweet coated his fingers, and he knew he had to taste her. Dipping his head slowly, he kept his eyes on hers as his tongue made contact with her pulsating clit.

Pointing his tongue, he pushed the hard tip against her. Hard and fast he tongued her while her body thrashed beneath his mouth. This was his Goddess, his love and his life. He would do this forever if she asked him too.

Within moments he felt her body start to convulse. Stopping immediately, he moved slightly up her body and placed his chin on her mound. Chin shiny from her juices, and his face covered in smiles, he waited on her protests.

“Wha?” she cried, body shaking at being denied its orgasm. “Why have you stopped?” Frustration made her angry, and she tried to push his head back between her legs.

Spike laughed as he playfully resisted all her attempt to move his mouth back to her clit. “Now, now pet. No need for that. Spike’s gonna make you feel real good.”

“Spike would make me feel good in about two damned seconds if he put his mouth back where it should be.” She almost screamed at him.

Laughing hard at her outburst, he quickly covered her body with his. When she felt his large cocked poised at her entrance, she smiled at him and batted her eyes.

“Here I am looking forward to a nice licking, and what do I get in its place. A great big ‘thing’ that wants to be inside me.”

Pushing between her swollen lips, he relished in her answering movements against him. He knew she needed this connection as much as he did, and wanted to please her. A rhythm as old as time rocked them together.

Spike was in so deep he could feel the tip of his cock against her cervix. Angling her legs higher and wider, he changed his position slightly until he was pushing against her sweet spot.

Buffy’s eyes flew wide as each stroke took her higher and higher into heaven. She felt her legs start to weaken and the feeling of impending orgasm floated through her body. Spike could feel her vaginal walls flutter around him, and knew that the moment was right.

Game face slipping forward, he moved his mouth over his mark. Fangs descending, he bit gently into his mate. Her sweet blood poured over his tongue, flavoured with her love and devotion. Tears sprang to his yellowed eyes as he whispered around his fangs.

“Mine.”

Her orgasm hit her like a freight train. She came hard in his embrace, and in some still working part of her brain she knew she had to renew the claim. Moving her mouth to her mark, she bit down hard till she felt the skin tear. His blood trickled into her mouth as she felt him come inside her.

“Yours,” she whispered against his throat.

His body dropped heavily against hers as exhaustion overcame him. He had used all his residual strength to see to his woman, and now he knew he needed time to heal. Her blood was zinging through his veins and he could feel some of his really bad wounds start to heal. He needed more blood to heal properly, but he was determined that his demon would only take a sip.

Languidly, he moved his sated body from the shelter of hers. Lying next to her, he pulled her into his embrace.

“Have you any idea how much I love you, Buffy?”

“Uh huh,” she answered, her brain too fried to speak.

Spike laughed softly at her reply. “Sleep now, pet. It’s been a long day and you need your rest.”

Eyes closed, she moved closer to him. “You’ll be here when I wake up?” she asked dreamily.

“You can count on it, sweetheart. I’ll never leave you again.”

“Love you, Spike” she dreamily mouthed as sleep took over.

Pulling her closer to him, he placed his cheek against the top of her head and revelled in the fact that the wonderful woman loved him as much as he loved her.

As sleep started to overtake him, he heard movement downstairs. Gently he moved from Buffy’s tight embrace, and slowly rose from the bed. He didn’t want her to wake, but he knew that Clem had returned with his badly needed blood. He knew he could pull on his badly stained and torn jeans, and he quietly made his way around Buffy’s room looking for something to wear. Finally he found a pair of baggy sweats and a rather large tee-shirt. Pulling them over his body, he reminded himself that he would ask her who originally owned them when she woke.

Softly he descended the stairs, careful not to wake her. Walking quietly into the kitchen area, he watched transfixed as Joyce happily packed the fridge with blood packets handed to her by Clem. Dawn, her smile brightening her face, waved cheekily at him as she spoke.

“Hi Spike. Is Buffy sleeping?”

“Yeah, nibblet. It’s been a bitch of a day and she needs her beauty sleep.”

Smiling mischievously, Dawn looked him in the eye. “Was she having a nightmare, Spike, ‘cause we heard the screaming down here?”

If a vampire could turn red, then Spike would have been the colour of tomato soup. He had not heard them enter the house, and he realised that Buffy and he had been too busy to notice anything other than their feelings for each other.

The look of consternation of Spike’s face was a sight to behold. Joyce decided to come to his rescue. None of the occupants in the kitchen had any doubt what had been happening upstairs when they entered the house. The sound of Buffy’s orgasm had been enough to wake the dead.

“Sit down Spike, while I heat some of this blood in the microwave.”

Spike could not meet her eyes. He was a vampire for goodness sake, nothing he did in his un-life should cause him embarrassment, but this loving woman made him feel like a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar.

“Thanks Joyce, you’re the best”

Dawn couldn’t resist teasing her friend. “Spike, how can Mom be the best? Not ten minutes ago we all heard your best.”

Joyce turned startled eyes on Dawn before bursting into gales of laughter. “Dawn, stop teasing Spike and let him drink.”

“’Kay Mom,”

Spike kept his eyes on his mug as he lifted it towards his mouth. Joyce had heated it to perfection, and he knew he needed it. Trying not to just open his mouth and swallow as he wanted to, he delicately sipped at the deep red liquid.

He could feel his body accept the sustenance with pleasure. Bones started to shift beneath his skin as they knitted together. Wounds closed and bruises started to melt away. Boosted by slayer blood, he knew he would be back to normal within hours.

As he finished his third mug, Joyce ushered him into the lounge. Motioning him to sit, she moved to the other side of the room to sit opposite him.

“We need to talk about Giles, Spike.”

He looked at her, his distaste at the sound of his enemy’s name clear on his face. “No, we really don’t Joyce.”

Joyce was not to be deterred. “Yes, we really do, Spike.” Taking a deep breath, she looked directly at him. “Tell me the truth Spike, did you kill his father.”

“Joyce,” he sighed. “I hadn’t set foot in England in over forty years until I went to the Council for help a few years back. There is no way I turned his father.”

“Well someone did Spike, and he really believes it was you.”

Spike sat back against the couch letting his head roll back. He looked thoughtfully at the ceiling before he replied.

“When did he start to say I was responsible for his father’s death?”

“He said nothing about it until you came back, Spike.”

Letting his head drop back, he looked thoughtfully at Joyce. “Someone has convinced him that I did it Joyce, and we need to find out who that was.”

“Have you any ideas, Spike?” Joyce asked.

“There’s only two that I can think of.” Lips curling in anger, Spike continued. “I think it’s either the Council of Wankers or Peaches.”

Joyce nodded her head in agreement. “It’s a bit obvious, but I came to the same conclusion.”

Suddenly Joyce stood up and paced the room. “Angel has nothing to gain from seeing you dead, Spike.” Catching the look of amusement on his face, she smiled. “Well let’s just say totally dead then. But the Council have a lot to gain from your demise.”

Spike could see the truth in her words. “The Council made sure I was neutered for life by giving me back my soul. They also didn’t like it when I told them I wasn’t working for them any more. Peaches knew I was on my way here to help Dawn, because I made the mistake of dropping in on the poof on my way here. He might be living the dream by playing happy families with Cordelia and his devil spawn, but he will always thought he had a claim on Buffy’s affection.”

Joyce continued to look at him with her full attention. “We need to sort this out before you take Buffy to Iceland.”

Shocked that she should guess he intended to take Buffy away from Sunnydale, he simply stared at her open-mouthed.

Smiling, Joyce continued to speak. “You need to get her away from the hellmouth for a while, and where better to take her than your own home. I’ll miss you both of course, but I understand.”

“How did you know I want to get her out of here, Joyce?”

“Well, that’s really simple Spike. You love her.”

“More than words can say, Joyce.”

“I know, Spike. I’ve always known you loved her.”

Spike smiled at the gentle woman across from him. “Was I that obvious, Joyce?”

“To a mother Spike, yes,” she replied simply.

Suddenly tired, Spike rose from the couch. “I’m going back to bed, Joyce. I’m just not up to discussing Giles right now, and to be honest I don’t think I will be tomorrow either; but I will do my best.”

“Goodnight Spike.” Joyce called to his retreating back. “Make sure the curtains are closed. We don’t want Buffy to wake up as Mr and Mrs ‘Big Pile of Dust’.”

Turning back, Spike smiled and walked towards her. Bending his head he placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “You are one helluva woman Joyce Summers.”

She laid a soft hand against his cheek, and smiled back at him. “And you will make my daughter one helluva mate, Spike what-ever-your-name-is.”

“Night Joyce, we’ll talk more in the morning once Buffy’s awake and we’re fully healed.”

Still smiling at the retreating back of the vampire, Joyce waited until he had climbed the stairs before returning to the kitchen. Dawn and Clem were sitting happily at the counter playing poker when she entered, and she promptly sat beside Dawn.

“Clem,” she said softly, determined not to wake Buffy or alert Spike.

“I need information, and I need it fast.” Determination made her voice hard, and Clem stared at her. “I want to know who has fed Giles this bullshit about Spike, and I don’t know where to start. I want you to help me find out.”

Clem continued to look at her, his eyes going wide. “I’m not really sure what you want me to do, Joyce?”

“I don’t want you to do anything, Clem. I just want to know how to get in touch with Angel and the Council of Watchers. Someone is going to pay for trying to take any chance of happiness away from my daughter.”

Rising from his place at the island, Clem nodded. “Getting hold of Angel won’t be too hard, Mrs Summers, but the Council of Watchers might be a bit more difficult.”

“Find a way for me, Clem” Joyce declared. “I am going to sort this out once and for all. I want no more threats to my family, particularly from people she regarded as her friends.”

Nodding his understanding, Clem turned to leave. Even if it took all the money he had, and all the friends he knew, he would find the information she wanted.

Spike and Buffy deserved it.