Chapter 16: Dealing With the Devil
Angel had decided that he really didn’t care how Buffy felt about Spike. It was obvious that she didn’t hate him. It was even more apparent that there were more than just friendly feelings on her part. He did have a superior sense of smell, after all.
Even with all of that, however, Angel knew he had bigger fish to fry than the Slayer’s feelings for his grandchilde. His primary responsibility was to make certain that Drusilla would be safe and provided for. For the moment, that required his full attention.
His polite inquiry to Lindsay’s secretary had her giving up the lawyer’s location in no time. In her defense, the woman tried to stop him from going into his office, but Angel easily brushed her aside on his way to the conference room.
It was a good entrance, Angel thought as he flung the door open, watching all eyes turn towards him. He had learned the value of a good entrance over the years. This time he headed straight for Holland, recognizing the need to go right to the top for this little mission.
Holland was half out of his seat by the time Angel got to him, but the vampire shoved him back down, grabbing a fistful of his shirt front. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced,” Angel growled. “I’m Angel, and you have something of mine.”
“Angel,” Holland replied. “It’s nice to meet you.” Although his voice was steady, and he was showing little fear, Angel could smell it rolling off him in waves.
Angel smiled, letting a little fang show. “It’s not going to be nice for very long,” he promised.
It’s a bit difficult not to be afraid of a vampire whose fangs are mere inches from your throat. Holland swallowed hard. “Now I’m sure we can work something out,” he said, trying to placate Angel. “Let’s not be hasty.”
“Oh, I’m not planning on being hasty,” Angel replied. “This is going to be real slow unless you do exactly as I say.”
Lindsay was standing and edging his way closer. “We don’t make deals with people who come in here and threaten us.”
When Angel’s fangs got that much closer to Holland’s jugular, he was quick to disagree with his subordinate. “We can always make a deal,” he said quickly, shooting Lindsay a look. “Just what is it that you would like, Angel?”
“Funny you should ask,” Angel replied, as though it had never been his intention to make demands. “I want you to leave Dru alone, for starters. Also, keep your hands off Spike. I might not like him much, but he is family.”
“Anything else?” Lindsay asked, his tone dry.
Angel smiled evilly. “Oh, I’ve got a whole list.” His grin grew wider. “But first, I think I want a little snack.”
Biting someone really does make a point, after all.
~~~~~
Buffy was acutely aware of just how many people were at Cordelia’s place. Once she’d realized just how weakened Spike was from a day spent nearly roasting and from the lack of blood, the Slayer had gotten a move on. What she’d really wanted to do was shove him back up against the wall for another make out session, bound hands and all.
Actually, aside from the fact that Buffy really wanted Spike’s hands on her, the bound hands weren’t a problem.
The problem was that there was no privacy at Cordelia’s apartment. They had arrived shortly after dark, which was good for Spike since he didn’t get singed. Willow was watching them both with an amusement that Buffy found highly annoying, and Giles was immediately underfoot wanting to know exactly what had happened.
All Buffy wanted to do was sit Spike down, make sure he was okay and get him fed. That was exactly what she told her Watcher when he started asking both of them a multitude of questions. “Spike is about ready to collapse,” she said, in no uncertain terms. “I want to get him taken care of before we start discussing what happened. Besides, it would probably be better if we wait for Angel to get back before we start show and tell.”
Spike thought about arguing about whether or not he was ready to collapse, but he decided he liked the fact that Buffy seemed so concerned about him and kept his mouth shut.
Turning to Cordelia, Buffy asked, “Do you have a sharp knife? And blood?”
Cordy gave Buffy a speculative glance, but said only, “I’ve got both. Do you want to use the bedroom?”
Giles looked as though he might protest, but he quickly shut his mouth, deciding that discretion was the better part of valor in this case. Buffy grabbed Spike and pulled him back towards the bedroom, Cordelia following moments later with the requested items. “I heated up the blood,” she said. “Angel always likes his warmed up.”
“Thanks, Cordelia,” Buffy said gratefully, poking Spike.
Taking the hint, he mumbled a thanks, too busy staring at the blood to do much more. Cordelia rolled her eyes and left, leaving Buffy to start sawing on the bonds. “What is this stuff?” she muttered. “It looks like plastic, but it’s-” she grunted, applying full Slayer-strength to the job. “Tough.”
Spike applied his own strength to pulling, in spite of the pain from his raw wrists, and the bonds parted with a snap. The Slayer grabbed one of his hands, staring at the bloody lines with concern. “Drink,” she ordered, handing him the tub of warmed blood. “I’m going to ask Cordelia if she’s got a first aid kit.”
“Vampire here,” Spike replied grabbing the tub. “I’ll be fine soon’s I get something to eat.”
Buffy raised an eyebrow. “Do you have a problem with me wanting to help you?” Her tone said quite plainly that he better not.
Spike decided to bite his tongue for once in his life, rather relishing the idea of more kissing. If he played his cards right, he thought he might be able to steal a couple in between bandages. “No, not at all.”
“Good.”
As soon as Buffy had left the room, Spike started downing the blood. He hadn’t been this hungry since right after getting the chip, and he couldn’t say he liked the feeling. By the time Buffy was back, the blood was gone, and she gave him a concerned look. “Are you going to need any more?”
He shook his head. “Not right now. I’ll wait till we get back to Sunnyhell.” Spike watched, bemused, as Buffy dabbed antiseptic on his right wrist. “You don’t have to do that,” he said quietly.
“I want to,” Buffy replied in an equally low voice. She turned his hand over gently, looking at the burn. “What happened here?”
“Fell asleep an’ got caught by the sun,” Spike replied. “Stupid.”
Buffy frowned. “Darn. I hope Angel hits that lawyer at least once for me.”
“You really think he will?” Spike asked doubtfully. “This is Peaches we’re talkin’ about. Don’t think he ever really crosses the line.”
Buffy smiled. “You didn’t see him when we were on our way to get you. He’s seriously pissed off over this whole deal, both because they went after Dru, and because he had to rescue you.” She grinned at him. “Angel really doesn’t like you.”
“I’m the thorn in his side,” Spike replied with an answering smile. “I always did know just how to piss him off.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Buffy asked. She finished on the right hand and started on the left. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah, a bit,” Spike replied, mesmerized by the feel of her hands on his skin. “Be even better once I get a chance to sleep.”
She smiled at him. “There’s a bed with your name on it as soon as we get home,” she promised. “Once Angel gets back, and we find out what’s what, we’ll take off.”
Spike wasn’t quite sure what to say. While Buffy hadn’t been showing much hesitancy in her affection for him previously, she seemed to have jumped a hurdle. This was beyond nice. This behavior was moving rapidly into concerned-girlfriend-land, and he wasn’t quite sure what to do about that.
Not that he couldn’t think of a few things he wanted to do, but Spike was smart enough to know that Cordelia’s bed was definitely not the place for it. Not knowing what to say, and unable to think of anything else, Spike said, “Thanks.”
“For what?” Buffy asked.
“For comin’ for me,” he replied. “Wasn’t sure you would.”
She frowned. “Why would you think I’d let the evil lawyers have you, Spike?”
He shrugged. “‘s just-up till recently you hated me, Slayer.”
“We kissed.”
“That doesn’t always change things.”
“Are you saying you still hate me?”
Her voice warned Spike that trouble was coming and ought to be headed off as quickly as possible. “Didn’t say that. Just said that I wasn’t sure how much things had changed.”
He was asking for answers too soon. Spike knew it even as the words left his lips. He should have kept his mouth shut and just accepted what was offered. What did the meaning matter when her hands were gentle and her words soft? He was forever asking questions to which he didn’t want the answers. Always wanting more than he could possibly have.
They had kissed in her kitchen, and Buffy hadn’t completely freaked when Willow found them out. It should have been enough.
Buffy saw the play of emotions on Spike’s face, suddenly realizing that she could read him like a book. When had that happened? When had she actually gotten to know him? He was scared to death of her reaction, scared to death she was going to reject him. And didn’t Buffy know that feeling?
“I’d say things have changed a lot,” she said carefully.
Spike nodded, deciding that was probably the best answer he could hope for. “Right. That’s good.”
“Spike-” Buffy hesitated for a moment. “You’re my vampire,” she said finally. “And no one lays a hand on what’s mine.”
It wasn’t love, but it would do.
~~~~~
Wesley sighed. He knew he ought to call Cordelia and find out where Angel was and if the vampire had settled things, but he really didn’t want to. In spite of the inconvenience being in the dingy motel room presented, it had been just him and Drusilla, with no distractions. That alone made the time worthwhile.
He had to admit that he was more than a little concerned that once Drusilla got out into the world again, and saw what it had to offer her, she would look upon him as a bad bet. She was beautiful, intelligent, talented-
“What are you thinking, love?”
Wesley stiffened slightly when he felt her arms snake around his waist, and then he relaxed again. “I was thinking of you.”
Her grip tightened. “Good thoughts, I hope.”
“How could they not be?”
“You’re not putting yourself down again, are you?” Drusilla asked, already knowing Wesley better than he realized. “Because I won’t have it.”
Wesley smiled slightly, knowing when he was out-matched. “No, of course not. I was also thinking that we should call Angel.”
“Do we have to?” Drusilla asked softly. “I’ve rather enjoyed it being just the two of us.”
Wesley felt some of the tension leave him, knowing that she had as little desire to join the rest of the world as he. Her objection gave him the wherewithal to say, “I’m afraid so, as much as I might like to stay here.” He paused. “Well, not here perhaps.”
“I should like to see the sun set over the ocean,” Drusilla murmured.
Wesley turned so he could face her. “When this is all over, you shall,” he promised. “We can spend the day on the beach, if you like.”
Dru gave him a sly smile. “Will there be ice cream?”
Wesley laughed. “As much as you like.”
~~~~~
The blood on his collar gave Angel away immediately. “What did you do?” Cordelia demanded, ever the observant one.
He looked a bit guilty-as guilty as a little boy caught with cookie crumbs on his face who had very much enjoyed his plunder. “I used a little persuasion. I had to make sure they were going to take me seriously.”
Buffy and Spike had long since emerged from Cordelia’s bedroom. Spike had been answering Giles’ questions as best as he could while attempting to ignore Willow’s knowing looks. He was trying not to appear gleeful at Angel’s actions, but couldn’t quite contain himself. “Which one did you eat?”
“I didn’t eat him,” Angel replied, testy. “I just-tasted him. And it was Holland. I thought about going after Lindsay, but I didn’t think it would make my point.”
Giles frowned. “Are they going to leave Drusilla alone?” His tone was doubtful. “I don’t see why mere threats would be enough to prevent them from coming after her again.”
Angel’s smile was nothing short of evil. “I promised Holland that I would take it very personally if anything happened to either Dru or Spike and that I would come after him. And that I would take it out of his hide. I think we reached an understanding.”
“They’ll find another way to come after you,” Buffy predicted. “If not through Drusilla, they’ll try and find something else.”
“So what else is new?” Cordelia muttered.
Angel nodded his agreement. “Cordy’s right. At least you and Spike are out of it, and Drusilla’s safe. That’s really all that matters right now.”
“I’m touched, Peaches,” Spike said, placing a hand over his unbeating heart. “I didn’t know you cared.”
“I don’t,” Angel was quick to shoot back. “I just don’t want to have to save your sorry ass again.”
Spike might have replied to that rather inflammatory comment, but was stopped by Buffy’s elbow in his ribs. “If you don’t need us, I think we should be getting back home,” she said.
“Yes, quite,” Giles agreed. “It’s probably best to get back before the sun rises.”
“We don’t want Spike getting toasty,” Willow piped up, grinning.
Spike and Buffy both shot the witch a look. “I-I think what Willow is saying is th-that Spike doesn’t need any more injuries,” Tara said, ever the peacemaker. “And we’re all tired.”
“Of course,” Giles said, not wanting to think about Willow’s expression, or Buffy’s solicitous attitude towards Spike.
“We’ve still got some time,” Spike said quietly. “I wouldn’t mind stayin’ a bit longer.”
Buffy frowned. “Spike-“
“No, he’s right,” Angel said quietly, knowing why Spike wanted to stay, and for once agreeing. He understood the need for closure. “At least stay until Wesley calls.”
Buffy met Spike eyes and finally nodded. “Okay, but if it gets too late, we’re leaving,” she said. “I don’t want to be racing the sunrise.”
~~~~~
It was lucky for Spike that Wesley called not five minutes later, and the ex-Watcher promised to swing by Cordelia’s place on their way back to his apartment. He might not have liked the fact that Spike needed to see Drusilla, but Wesley knew he had no right to prevent it.
Spike met the both of them outside, and Wesley went in to give them some privacy and give the others an update. The vampire hadn’t seen Drusilla since before she’d left Sunnydale, and her periods of lucidity had been spotty at best.
Now, however, she met him as an equal for the first time in a long while. “How you doin, luv?”
“Good,” Drusilla replied. “I’ve missed you.”
“Did you?” Spike replied, trying for glib, and not quite managing it.
She stepped up to him, her hand coming to run through his curls. “I’m so very sorry, William.”
Spike stared at her. “For what?”
“For damning you.”
Spike blinked rapidly. “You didn’t damn me, pet. You saved me. I was nothing.”
“You were a good man,” Drusilla replied quietly. “And you could be again.” She smiled coyly. “I was right, you know.”
Spike immediately knew what she was talking about. “I know. Didn’t take me too long to figure it out. I think she might like me back.” He touched her cheek tenderly. Even as a member of the quartet known as the Scourge of Europe, Spike had always been able to be tender with Drusilla. “I’m sorry too, you know. For hurtin’ you.”
“’twasn’t your fault, my love,” she murmured. “Told you that you were the lamb.”
He frowned. “The lamb?”
“Run and catch, run and catch, the lamb is caught in the blackberry patch.”
Spike half-smiled. “So I’m the lamb,” he replied, “but what’s the blackberry patch?”
“You should ask, ‘Who?'” Drusilla responded, looking over his shoulder. Spike turned to see the Slayer standing there.
“Are you ready, Spike?” Buffy asked, sounding a bit awkward. “Giles is chomping at the bit.”
“Yeah, just a mo.” He turned back to Drusilla, who was watching him with wise eyes. Spike could recognize an end when he saw one. “I’ll be seein’ you, Dru.”
“Yes.” Drusilla kissed him gently on the cheek. “Be well, my Spike.”
And though they would see one another again, it would never be the same.