Chapter Two
“GAH!” Buffy moaned when her alarm clock penetrated her sleep hazed brain. A hand shot out from under the blanket, silencing the offending object with a sharp slap. Raising her head and opening one eye, she moaned again. 8 a.m. Wonderful. She’d been asleep for exactly three hours, and now she was supposed to go to work?
“So not going today.” she mumbled, reaching blindly for the phone. After three attempts, her fingers finally closed around the receiver, pulling it to her.
She left a message when she got the machine of the small gift shop, trying to sound sick instead of tired. She then hung up and flopped her head back onto the pillow. Trying to get comfortable, she shifted, her mind replaying the night before.
Spike had stayed until almost dawn. *Stupid vampire.* she cursed, half heartedly. She knew it wasn’t his fault, really. He had made a token attempt to leave, a couple of times. But she had bribed him with another cup of cocoa. The unease she’d felt in the cemetery hadn’t let up, and she didn’t want to be alone.
He must have sensed it, because, he hadn’t become insistent about leaving until the sun was threatening to fill the sky. She had briefly considered telling him to stay, then abruptly slammed the door on that thought. A big NO to sexy, bleach blonde vampires spending the day on her couch. Way to tempting to even consider. So, she had said goodnight as he hefted his bag and took off at a run to avoid the sun. Then, she double checked all the locks and crawled up to bed.
With a sigh, she turned over and snuggled into the bed. Her hand brushed across something soft laying on the other pillow. Cracking her eye open again, she found herself staring at a blood red rose. Smiling a little, she reached out and plucked it up, bringing it to her nose. She breathed deep the sweet, rich scent.
She wondered when Spike had come back. It never occurred to her that it would have been impossible for him to do so. She just told herself to yell at him later, all the while relishing in the romanticness of it. Sighing again, she stretched to place the flower on her night stand. It lay there, it’s color vivid against the white paint, like a splash of blood on newly fallen snow.
She closed her eyes again, determined to go back to sleep. Her mind, however, had other ideas. Images of the blonde vampire kept sliding behind her closed eyelids, causing a now familiar flutter to start in her stomach. The way he cocked his head to the side, staring directly at you when you talked. The way his sapphire eyes burned into you when he did it. If he cared what you had to say, he’d listen to every word. Even when he didn’t care, he still heard it all. The way his body moved when he fought. He was graceful and quick, sleek and lean. Her mind even offered her a picture of what he might look like naked. Which brought up the memories of when Willows’ spell had them totally in love with each other.
“Ahhg.” she groaned, burying her head under her pillow. *Not a good idea to remember the way his mouth felt against yours, Buff. That leads to BAAADDD thoughts.* she told herself. But, no matter how she tried, her traitorous brain kept reminding her. And her even more traitorous body responded. Her skin heated up as she imagined his cool lips sliding against her hot flesh, his hands setting fire to her senses.
“This is not the way to get to sleep.” she mumbled, as her subconscious invented a new way to torture her. Now it was bringing to mind the contradictions of his personality. He had been one of the most vicious and evil master vampire’s she’d ever encountered. She’d never been able to kill him, only getting close that one time. But then, he could also be the one of the most devoted and gentle of mates. She’d never forget the look on his face when she’d held that stake to Druscilla’s heart. She’d also never forget the pang of jealousy that had thread its way through her heart.
She had known, even then, that hers and Angels’ relationship never held that amount of devotion. He had proven it by walking away from her after graduation. He hadn’t bothered to say goodbye, just stared at her for a long moment before disappearing into the night. It always seemed that all they could do was hurt each other, and they did it very well.
His departure had led her straight into Riley’s arms. Buffy groaned inwardly at that, not even wanting to go there.
Then there was Spike. No matter how many times she had told him to get lost, threatened him, or was just a total bitch to him, he stayed. He’d helped with Glory without hesitation. And no thanks from her, she thought guiltily. She remembered when Dawn had first told her he was in love with her. She had freaked. Absolutely, one hundred percent spazzed. Even had him uninvited from her house when he’d had an open invitation since before he had been chipped.
Granted, he hadn’t helped his cause when he’d chained her up. Then he’d offered her up to Dru if she didn’t tell him there might be a chance.
“I’m drownin’ in you, Summers. I’m drownin’ in you.” Even now, those words tugged at a part of her she didn’t want to admit was there. She had been able to see the vulnerability and torment swimming in the blue depths of his eyes. He didn’t want to love her. Knew it was wrong with every fiber of his undead heart. But, it didn’t stop it from being true. And, despite her objections to the contrary, she had known it was true. He loved her, and proved it by almost dying to protect Dawn.
That was the day that she had stopped seeing him as just another vampire. He had started to become and almost friend. An extended member of the Scooby gang. An ally. A rueful laugh bubbled out as she thought of the ridiculousness of her life.
She was the vampire Slayer, with a soulless, chipped vampire in love with her. Another giggle escaped as she stretched. Throwing her arms over her head, she scooted further into the comforting warmth of her bed. Forcing all thoughts away, she was finally able to go back to sleep.
*~*~*~
He was sitting in the dark, the only light coming from the computer screen in front of him. The Slayer’s sleeping features filled the monitor, the slightly grainy look doing nothing to detract from her beauty. A shaking hand reached towards the image to trace a finger over her slightly parted lips. She had found his gift, the memory of her smile fresh in his mind.
He had been angry with her at first, for allowing that thing into her home. But, after he had thought about it, he remember that her kindness was part of what he loved the most about her. Of course she wouldn’t hurt a creature that couldn’t defend himself. She had faltered once, with one of his kind, but surely she wouldn’t do so again. She was just showing compassion and thanks to something that had helped her through a hard time.
For so long, he had watched her, wanting her. Now, it was almost time to reveal himself. Then, maybe, when she was his, he could absorb the goodness that she carried with her, and cleanse his black soul. He just knew that she could save him, clear that darkness that was getting harder to control. It spoke to him, even now as he gazed upon her purity, telling him to do unspeakable things.
“NO!!” he screamed into the stale air. She would NOT be tainted by his sickness. He rubbed the silky material of his stolen prize over his face, feeling himself calm. It was almost as if her essence clung to the satin, its pureness seeping in through his skin. With perfect clarity, he knew that this would not last. As soon as he released his treasure, he would move out into the town and give in to the urges inside of him.
Almost as if he had resigned himself to it, he turned from the computer, rising to pad naked to his closet. Choosing his clothes carefully, he laid them out on his bed. With one last look at the screen, he walked to the bathroom to take a shower.