Chapter 13
Spike glanced around the ornate ball room, taking in the cream colored, silk wall paper and cherry wood paneling. Big, overstuffed couches rested along the walls in various jewel tones, offering the guests a place to sit and talk. A huge, buffet table filled with every delicacy imaginable, stood at the front of the room. Several crisply dressed servers mingled through the crowd with heaping trays of hors d oeuvres. A bar was set up on the wall across from the main door.
Spike sipped idly on the drink in his hand, his right arm wrapped possessively around Buffy. He was tensely waiting for the fireworks to start. While he had been in the bathroom, he’d broken the transmitter, disabling it. That was the signal for the person monitoring the receiver to get his ass in gear and bring the cavalry with him.
They had already presented the unhappy Slayer with her prize money, and now they were expected to mingle with the supposedly ‘civilized’ guests. The trio had stubbornly refused to even acknowledge those that attempted to talk to them. Dawn was currently sitting on one of the sapphire colored couches, the locked, metal briefcase held firmly in her hand. Buffy had told her that was alright, but to remember who held the key. That had produced a pout from the younger woman, causing Spike to chuckle.
That had been two hours ago, however, and the girls were starting to make noises about going back to the room. Spike’s own patience was wearing thin. All he wanted to do was get the hell off this bloody island, and take his girls home. Wherever that home may be.
Spike glanced down at Buffy, who was talking to an overly excited Dawn, and thought back to the time that killing them had been his number on priority. Well, not Dawn. He still forgot that his memories of her at age twelve weren’t real. It didn’t really matter, though. She was as real to him as Buffy was, and he would kill anybody that tried to hurt her.
*What a ponce I’ve become* he thought with a rueful smile. William the Bloody, Slayer of two Slayers, was completely and totally whipped by a third and her baby faced little sister.
“What are you smiling at?” Buffy asked, poking him lightly in the side.
“Just thinking what a lucky bloke I am to be escorted by the two most beautiful women in the room.” He purred. A pretty blush spread across Dawn’s already flushed features, and Buffy gave him an ‘uh-huh’ look. Still smiling, Spike leaned down to kiss her.
And that’s when hell broke loose. It started as a distant popping sound from the outside. It eventually grew louder, until, a group of men, dressed in camouflage burst into the room. They trained their rifles on the crowd, telling nobody to move. Dawn squealed and grabbed onto Buffy, who in turn looked at Spike. Her expression clearly asked ‘What the hell is going on?’ Spike didn’t see it, because he was busy watching the doors. The guards had already been disarmed, and several more men entered to start rounding up the scared guests.
“Shit.” Spike cursed when he saw Lucas slip out a secret door in the wall. “Stay here, Pet.” he whispered, then slipped through the crowd, leaving Buffy to stare after him.
“Buffy.” Dawn called, tugging on her arm. The Slayer tore her eyes away from the Spike’s retreating back.
“What?”
“Look.” Dawn pointed towards the doors. Buffy nearly fainted when she saw who was striding towards her.
“Giles?”
Spike moved quickly though the passage, easily following his prey. Lucas’ heart was pounding so hard, it was like sounding a dinner bell for any vamp within a five mile radius.
“Well, well, well.” he said as he rounded a corner. Lucas froze where he stood, near the next corner. “You fucked up, mate. You never should have messed with my girls.” Spike’s voice was low, menacing, the mere timber of it promising hideous and painful things. He stalked towards the once smooth and polished man, letting him get a good look at the his vampire form. Lucas let out an undignified squeak, as his grey eyes darted over the demonic face. Then he turned on his heel and ran.
Spike watched him scamper away, a predatory smile curling his lips.
“I love it when they run.” Then, he sprinted after him.
“What are you doing here?” Buffy asked her former watcher, quietly. They were sitting in the now empty ball room, staring nervously at each other. Dawn stood back, to give them privacy.
“Spike called me.” he answered, drinking in the sight of her. Seven long years had passed since he’d seen her. Seven years since he’s left her, thinking he was doing the right thing. How wrong he had been?
“Spike?” Buffy’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Y-yes. I was rather shocked to hear from him myself. He told me about the tournament, and how they were using Dawn to get you to participate. Then, he asked for my help in getting you and Dawn out of this alive. How could I refuse? I’ve failed you. . .so many times. I flew in that night. We met the next day.”
“Giles, you never failed me. If any one was doing any failing, it was me.” Buffy hung her head, guilt and shame warring inside of her.
“Buffy, you mustn’t think that. You did what you had to do. I’m just sorry that I wasn’t there to help you through it. And, I am very, very sorry that you couldn’t come to me afterwards. Or for help in this matter.” he told her, feeling his failure as a watcher was complete.
“I didn’t think you want to see me, after, Willow. And after Angel. . .I just couldn’t stand to see the same disappointment in you.”
“I love you. You are the daughter I never had. No matter what happens, or how bad it may seem, I will ALWAYS be there for you.” He took her hands, holding them tightly in his own. His eyes implored her to accept him back into her life. Tears ran down her face as she looked at the man who had taken the place of her absent father.
“I’m so sorry, Giles.” she said, letting him pull her into his embrace. She cried quietly against his chest, taking comfort from the strong arms around her. After a moment, she pulled away to look at him once again. “So, where did the commandos come from?”
“Oh, well. The Watcher’s Council called in some favors. They don’t care for their Slayers to be killed for sport and profit. Even if one is a rogue, and the other has died twice already.”
“Nice to know Faith and I mean something to them after all.” Buffy murmured, her eyes getting a faraway look for a moment. “Has another been called?”
“Yes. She and her watcher have been sent to the Hellmouth.”
“Good. Then I’m officially off the hook.” At Giles’ startled look, Buffy sighed. “I can’t go back. That’s not who I am anymore. It’s not who I want to be. I finally have a chance at living. And I want it.” Her eyes were bright, praying for his understanding.
“With, S-Spike, I suppose?” Giles asked, keeping his expression neutral.
“Yes. With Spike. If he wants, that is.”
“I don’t think that there’s any doubt about that. But, Buffy. . .”
“I know. I know.” She interrupted. “Evil. Soulless. Vampire. But don’t forget, Loves me. Almost died for me. Makes me feel complete. And would kill to protect me.” Her meaning was not lost on Giles.
“And, it doesn’t bother you that he’s probably taking a human life right now?” Giles questioned, searching her face. He suppressed a shiver at how cold her eyes became.
“Not that human.”
Spike stayed just behind Lucas, wanting to drag out the hunt as long as possible. Fear made the blood that much sweeter.
Lucas reeked of it. His expensive, Italian shoes beat a heavy staccato against the concrete as he ran. His head turned every so often to see Spike stalking him. He knew that the vampire could have had him already, knew that he was playing with him. And it was all Lucas could do to keep control of his lower extremities. He fought the scream that had been building with each step. He, Lucas Bent, would not go out like a screaming girl. He could topple businesses with a phone call. He could order someone killed without interrupting his dinner. He was a rich and powerful man. He’d run the tournament for ten years, with no upsets to his schedule. How did one small woman and her vampire bring him to his knees?
With that final thought, Lucas stopped running, and turned to make at least a token stand against the killer at his back. He lunged at Spike, his fist flying to make contact with wherever it landed. Spike’s head snapped to the side at the force behind the desperate punch. Lucas’ blood ran cold, and his bowels turned to ice as the blondes head swivelled back to regard him with a lethal gleam in his yellow eyes.
Spike reached inside his jacket, shrugging out of it as he did so. His hand came out with the object that had earned him his name. Lucas’ panicked eyes danced over the spike, his memory pulling up the information he had learned about William the Bloody.
In the end, Lucas Bent did, indeed, scream.
Epilogue
Buffy, Dawn and Giles stood on the beach, waiting for Spike. He showed up just as the sun crested the horizon, his duster billowing out behind him. Their bags were slung over his shoulders, and he was no longer wearing the tuxedo. Giles watched in amazement as the vampire didn’t turn to dust when the suns rays touched him.
“H-how?” he gasped, while Buffy walked over to her lover.
“Well, it’s like this. . .” Dawn started to explain, drawing his attention away from the couple.
“So, did you kill him.” she asked without preamble, crossing her arms over her chest. Spike raised and eyebrow, briefly wondering if he should run.
“Yeah. You gonna stake me now, luv?” he countered, dropping the bags and shoving his hands in his pockets. Instead of answering, Buffy closed the short distance between them, then wrapped her arms around his waist. She then leaned up to kiss him, sweeping her tongue across his and tasting the coppery after effect of the blood he had just taken. When she pulled back, he watched her face, waiting for her reaction.
When all she did was smile at him, he relaxed, pulling her closer. “How’s things with Rupert.” he queried, breathing in deep the scent of her hair.
“Fine. He’s accepted that I don’t want to be the Slayer. And since a new one has been called, there’s really no need for me anymore.” She chuckled a little before continuing. “I think he’s a little nervous about you though.” Spike snorted, draping an arm over her shoulder, each of them hefting a bag before they started to walk back over to Giles and Dawn.
“What do we do now?” Spike waited, holding his unneeded breath.
“I dunno. You’re rich. I’m rich. You have magically enhanced sun block. What do you say we get on a boat or something and see where it takes us?” Buffy suggested, hope shining in her eyes.
“Ride off into the proverbial sunset?” she nodded, smiling. “Sounds good, Pet. That is if you don’t mind spending a decade or four with a soulless vampire.” he joked, flashing his fangs. Buffy stopped and kissed him again, her hazel eyes burning into his blue ones.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend the rest of my life. I love you, Spike.” Spike thought he felt his heart beat once with her words. She was so beautiful right now, the rising sun warming her skin, the salt air blowing tendrils of her hair around her upturned face. He reached up and gently stroked his fingers down her cheek.
“I love you too, Buffy.” His voice was husky, a lone tear slipping down his cheek. Buffy kissed it away, then they turned and started walking again. “You know. I think I ought to give old Will a call.”
“Why?” Buffy asked, as they came up to her sister and ex-watcher. He gave her a quicksilver grin, mischief dancing in his eyes.
“Cause this would make one hell of a story.”