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by Kazbol.. (Rating NC17) I've introduced a new character,although this story is based around Spike. Forget the idea that he loves Buffy, it never happened for the sake of this story. Dawn and Glory are not in it either. The idea of a new character is so that we mere mortals can get a look in at the hottest most sexy vampire ever! Hope I haven't upset anyone. P.S. I don't claim to own the characters other than Beth. They are the property of the makers of the show. CHAPTER ONE The Cemetary was anything but quiet. A sudden upsurge in vampire attacks had led Buffy and the gang into action. Normally, Buffy would patrol alone, but tonight Willow, Zander and Anya joined her, along with a recent addition to the Sunnydale population, Beth Giles, the half-sister of Buffy's watcher, Rupert Giles. She had moved in with her brother a couple of months ago, and had quickly established her reputation for being one hell of a fighter, courtesy of several years of being on the Watchers Council's front-line. Unlike her brother, research and books did not appeal to her, but "hands-on" experience did. She had notched up a fair few victories on the demon and vampire annihilation front. A full 10 years older than Buffy she still fought almost as well as the younger woman. She didn't have her strength though, not being the "Slayer". The gang had split up, with Zander and Anya patrolling one side of the Cemetary, Buffy down the centre, leaving Willow and Beth to search the remaining side. Howling and yelling echoed round them, Buffy had found something and was despatching it with ease. Willow cursed her flashlight, which although working correctly, did nothing to dispel the gloom and shadows of the undergrowth. Suddenly, a vampire lurched through the bushes knocking Willow to the ground. Beth whirled round quickly, planting a well placed side kick into the "bloodsucker's" groin. He buckled slightly, his game face screwed in pain, then leapt forward to make a grab for Beth. She reacted quickly, side stepping his attack and thrusting the wooden stake she was holding straight into the creature's heart. In seconds, he was dust. "Willow." she called rushing to her dazed friend. "You ok?" Willow was sitting up holding her arm, obviously in some pain. "I think it's broken." she whimpered. "I don't............. .........." she stopped talking suddenly and her eye widened in terror. Beth turned, and was met with a heavy punch to the jaw. A group of five vampires stood before her. Shaking off the dizziness she lashed out with fists and feet, knocking over one of her attackers. Suddenly, she was being held fast by the other four. As much as she struggled she could not break their grip. Willow howled in pain as the 5th vampire jumped to his feet dragging her up by her broken arm. He laughed. "Looks like dinner is served, guys." he grunted. The two women struggled and Beths head was roughly jerked to one side to expose her neck. One of the vampires bared his fangs, licking his lips in anticipation, and lowered his head towards her jugular. Beth closed her eyes, trying to pull free from the iron grip she was held in. She bit her lip waiting for the pain of the inevitable. Without warning, she was pushed backwards hitting her head on a tree stump, and the hands holding her were gone! "Spike! Thank the Goddess............." yelled Willow. "Hi, red." grinned the blonde vampire as he plunged a stake into the leading assailant's chest. "Bout time I got a bit of action!" Beth scrambled to her feet, grabbing a stake from her belt and lunged into the frey. Spike was taking on three of the vampires, so Beth concentrated on the fourth. Spike's attack had winded the leader so he was much easier to manage than she had expected. A couple of kicks to his chest and groin (her favourite aiming place!) disoriented him enough for her to stake him. She turned in time to see Spike 'dust' another of them, but not before one of the others had produced a large knife and sliced him across the shoulder blades. Blood gushed from the wound and Spike reeled forward. The two remaining attackers pounced on him. Spike was pinned to the ground as the knife-wielding vampire prepared to behead him. Beth ran forward tackling him and knocked him away from his intended victim. This gave Spike the chance to grab the remaining vampire before he knew what hit him. With one deft swing, Spike staked him. He saw Beth do the same with the final one. At that moment, Buffy and the others raced into the battle zone. "Willow,..Beth..." she shouted breathlessly. Xander and Anya were helping the injured Willow to her feet. Anya checked Willow's arm. "It's broken." she stated. "We;ll have to get you to the hospital." said Zander. Beth bent over the now kneeling Spike. She had ripped the sleeve from her shirt and was holding the material to the gaping wound on his back. "Oww!! That bloody hurts!" he complained. Buffy strode over to them. "Xander, you and Anya get Willow out of here .......I'll deal with the rest." Zander nodded and they helped Willow away. "You ok, Beth?.............What happened?" "That's bloody great!" grumbled Spike. "I'm the one who's sodding well bleeding and does anyone ask how I am?" Beth nodded. "I'm ok. We were jumped by a gang of them............. if it wasn't for.........er...........him........" "From what I saw, Spike was the one needing help." clucked Buffy. "Oh,........so you're Spike....the vampire?" Beth murmured. "Yeah, the one and only, lady........................Slayer, your mates would be Happy Meals by now if I hadn't come along.............and I was doing fine on my own!" Spike complained. Beth removed the cloth from his back. "The bleeding's stopped........ good for the old vampire super-healing! I wonder if you would have recovered as quickly with your head separated from your shoulders!" she snapped at him. Spike shrugged his shoulders and tried to stand up. His head was spinning but he was damned if he was going to keel over in front of these two. He managed to get to his feet.....then his legs buckled. Beth and Buffy caught him before he hit the ground and helped to steady him. "Em.......thanks." he growled. He hated having to say that, but at least he wasn't lying face down in the dirt with them laughing at him. "So much for the tough guy image." he thought. Buffy inspected his wounds. "You've lost a lot of blood Spike. You got supplies back at the crypt?" she asked, almost sounding concerned. "Yeah, I've got some god-aweful bags from the butchers!" he winced. "So, if you'll both get your hot little hands off the body, I'll be going............." He pulled away from them, then the ground came rushing up to meet him with an agonizing thud. This time the girls did not stop him from falling. "Shit!" he thought. He was never going to get back home before dawn. He was far too weak. Beth helped him back to his feet. "He's not going to make it back on his own, Buffy." she stated. "I'll help him back, while you finish patrolling." Buffy hesitated for a moment. "You sure?..........Look, stay inside the crypt then, and I'll come get you on the way back...........and you, Spike........anything happens to her........." "Yeah, yeah." growled Spike. "I know, you'll come Spike slaying. I got the picture! Well, come on then, whatever your name is. Bet you'll have a great laugh telling all your bloody friends about this!" "See you later, Buff." called Beth as she supported Spike's weight in the direction of his home. CHAPTER TWO. They walked in silence for a time. Spike's back was agonising and he could barely find the strength to set one foot in front of the other. Curiosity finally got the better of him. "Who are you anyway?" he snapped. "I mean, I've seen you around, but ....." Beth shifted her weight and pulled his arm further across her neck. "Names Beth Giles............just moved here from England to live with my brother." she grunted, wondering how this slim vampire could be so heavy. "Brother!" Spike asked quizzically. "You don't mean.....your Ripper's sister? Bloody hell. Bit better looking than him though!" Beth laughed softly. The Crypt was just ahead. They finally made it through the door and she managed to guide Spike to the large bed at the back of the chamber. He collapsed onto it gratefully, stomach first. "Wheres the blood?" she asked. Spike pointed to a small refrigerator in the corner. Beth opened it and took out two plastic bags full and handed them to him. His face rippled and changed and his fangs bit into the plastic. She turned away from him and took in her surroundings. The chamber was sparsely furnished with a large sofa, tv set, fridge, and of course the bed. There were several wall mounted lamps illuminating the room and Beth was amazed at how clean everything was. She turned back to Spike who had just finished the second blood bag and his face took on it's human form. She regarded him quietly for a moment. His bleached blond hair was catching the light from the lamps almost like a halo, and his chisled cheekbones looked like they had been carved from creamy marble. He had removed his shirt to reveal his slim but muscular shoulders and a lean hard stomach. She felt herself blush as she realized she found him damned sexy! "Back to business!" she scolded herself then addressed Spike. "Lie back down!" she ordered. She had noticed some bandages and antiseptic on top of the fridge which she brought over. Spike did as he was told. "I'm not exactly fit enough for you to have your wicked way with me!" he smirked. "Oww..........bloody hell!" he yelled as she poured antiseptic over his wound. "The bleeding's stopped and it looks like the cut is healing up already. Still, cleaning it out will help to heal it quicker." she smirked back. "Can you sit up? I'll bandage you." Spike sat up, trying to think of some sarcastic comment he could make, but decided against it. It was then that he noticed it. "You're bleeding!" he said quietly, putting his hand out to touch her forehead. Oddly, Beth didn't recoil from him. Most people would, knowing what he was. "Oh," she grimaced. "In all the excitement I forgot about that, it's just a scratch." Spike put his hand on the back of her head to hold her head still and brushed her hair away from the 'scratch'. She had a small gash just below the hairline. The blood had run down the side of her face in a fine red line and his eyes began to glow yellow. He snapped himself back mentally. The headache was beginning to warn him that the chip implanted in his brain would activate with a vengence if his thoughts dwelt on the sight of her blood for too long. "It,s stopped bleeding, but it should be cleaned." He said smuggly. He ripped a piece of the bandage and poured antiseptic onto it. He dabbed her head and grinned as she winced in pain. CHAPTER THREE. A little while later, Beth had bandaged Spike's back and was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching him as he slept. She was so tired and her head ached from the gash she had received from hitting the tree stump. Buffy had not yet returned from her patrol and she wasn't feeling fit enough to make it back home on her own.
Spike was sprawled out face down on the bed, and she covered him with the thin sheet. "There's just enough room for me to lie down." she thought. "Maybe I can rest for a while."
She lay back on the edge of the bed trying to avoid accidentally making contact with the blonde vampire as he slept. Her eyes were too heavy to remain open so she closed them. "Just for a moment." she told herself.
Buffy arrived at the Crypt not too long afterwards. As was her style, she entered without knocking. What she saw made her freeze for a moment. Spike was lying under a dark blue sheet, face down, his arm extended over the waist of her watcher's sister. Beth was lying on her side, nestled up close to the vampire, her hands holding Spike's arm to her.
Buffy regained her composure quickly and slammed the door behind her. Spike and Beth woke with a start.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, directly towards Spike. "If you've hurt her..................."
Beth shot to her feet. She glanced back at the bemused Spike. Neither of them had consciously got themselves into this position.
"Hold it!" Spike yelled, rolling onto his back. Big mistake! He howled in pain as his shoulders made contact with the mattress.
Buffy strode towards him but Beth blocked her way. "It's ok!" she pleaded. "Nothing happened............we just fell asleep!" Buffy stopped and stared at the other woman. What would Giles say? She had sent his little sister off with a monster and found them huddled together like.........well like...........she didn't know what they were like!
Spike had recovered by now and gingerly raised his back away from the mattress. "What did you think, Slayer?" he growled. "Can't a bloke even get some bloody rest round here?" He was confused. How did he always seem to get himself into these compromising situations? He counted himself lucky the Slayer hadn't just rushed in and staked him without waiting for an explanation. A grin spread across his face as he remembered what he thought had been a dream when Beth had snuggled up to him in her sleep. He remembered feeling her warmth against his side and her scent wafting over him. It seemed so natural to put his arm round her and draw her closer. It felt comforting.
Buffy's fist slammed into his jaw. "No smiling, fang boy! If Giles hears about this......"
"He won't!.....Buffy it was all innocent, and Rupert won't understand. Please.........." Beth pleaded. Buffy regarded Beth for a moment. She was right, if it was as innocent as she said, maybe she should keep quiet about it. Beth WAS right. Giles would be round here in a heartbeat and Spike would be dust. For some reason that made her uncomfortable. Maybe because Spike was helpless against humans with that chip in his head, but more likely because she had come to like......no not like, just not hate this bleached blonde. "We'd better go!" she turned to leave. Beth followed, but stopped at the door, turning to face Spike who was rubbing his chin. "Thanks for saving my life!" she whispered. Spike waved his hand. "We're even. Now piss off and leave me to die in peace!" he grimaced as his shoulders began to throb again. Beth smiled at him sympathetically. "See you around." she thought, then followed after Buffy.
CHAPTER FOUR.
Giles, Buffy and Beth sat round the kitchen table drinking coffee. It had been a couple of days since the 'incident' as Buffy referred to it. She had calmed down now and believed the story Beth had told her. On a subconscious level she could see why Beth liked Spike. Vampire or not, he had saved her life (Beth had reciprocated) and he was almost cute when he was helpless. She hadn't told Giles how she had found them huddled together in each others arms, no matter how innocent it was. He would not understand. He was very protective of his sister, and although he knew she could look after herself he still felt the need to play protector.
"It seems our little offensive has paid off." Giles stated. "I haven't heard of any more attacks, so maybe the group you finished off were the cause of them." He took a sip of coffee and placed the cup back on the table. He looked at the two women. He knew they were hiding something from him, but it was obviously something they wanted to keep between themselves.
Buffy smiled. "Oh Good! Does that mean we can get a life now?" she joked. Beth smiled back. A good night's sleep would be nice, she thought, then she felt her cheeks flush as the picture of her in Spike's arms flashed into her mind. She hoped no one would notice.
"Beth, are you with us?" Giles spoke, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You didn't hear a word that Buffy said, did you?" he smiled. Beth coloured again. She had been in a daydream and not realised they were talking to her. "Uh.......sorry Rupert. I must be more tired than I thought..........What were you saying?"
"I said, do you feel like kicking back at the Bronze tonight? You know, a girls night out..............with Willow, Tara and Anya?" Buffy repeated. Beth thought for a moment. "That would be nice, but, well I think I should have an early night....................By the way, how is Willow feeling?"
"The cast will be on for about three weeks, but she's feeling much better now.............If you change your mind about tonight, we'll be there about 8.30, ok?"
Beth nodded.
"Well, guess I'd better go. Got a lot of studying to catch up on..........see you later!" called Buffy as she headed out the front door.
Giles eyed his sister carefully. It wasn't like her to miss out on some fun. Maybe she was tired, but something told him there was more to it than that.
"So," he broke the silence. "You're finally slowing things down then. I never thought I'd see the day when you turned down the chance of a good night out!" he joked.
Beth smiled back at her brother. He was a wonderful man, he had looked out for her all her life and even though she sometimes felt a little smothered by his protective nature, she loved him and wouldn't have him any other way.
"There's always a first time." She grinned.
CHAPTER FIVE.
Spike was restless. His back had fully healed and he wanted some excitement. He thought of patrolling the area for demons or vampires so he could give them a good kicking, but thought better of it. He lit another cigarette and turned on the T.V. "Maybe later." he thought. He picked up a bottle of Bourbon and settled onto his sofa. He was just about to unscrew the cap when there was a knock at the door. "Who the bloody hell is that!" he shouted. It wasn't the Slayer, she never knocked. He jumped out of his seat and strode to the door. He opened it to see Beth, holding a bottle.
"Hi Spike!" she beamed. "Hope you weren't busy...thought I'd stop by to see how you were feeling. Aren't you going to ask me in?"
Spike was taken aback. He couldn't ever recall anyone paying him a social visit. He opened the door wider and gestured for her to enter.
She handed him a bottle of Scotch Whiskey. "This is a thankyou for helping me and Willow.................oh," she stopped. "I see you,ve already got one." spotting the Bourbon in his other hand.
"Uh.......yeah...........um, fancy a nip of the good stuff?" he offered her the bottle. "Got no glasses though." She finished unscrewing the cap and gulped down a mouthful of the honey brown liquid. "Whoa!" she exclaimed, gasping as the Bourbon burned down her throat. "It IS the good stuff!" she giggled.
Spike was impressed. She looked like she could hold her liquor.
"I'm just about to watch a movie or something, but you're welcome to join me." he said. He gasped inwardly. That was the last thing he had imagined saying to someone entering his "domain". At one time it would have been more like "Dinner has arrived" and he would bare his fangs and.............and what? The chip in his head would prevent him from harming her, but that said, he had not even the slightest urge to attack. Odd, that. "Must be getting bloody soft!" he cursed to himself.
Beth sat on the sofa and Spike joined her. "So what's on?" she asked, passing the Bourbon back to him. He placed the other bottle on the floor. Before he could answer her question, the TV announcer introduced "Fright Night." They both looked at each other and burst out laughing.
CHAPTER SIX.
As the film progressed, they lost interest in it, talking and passing the now less than half full bottle to and fro.
"Do you still miss her?" she asked.
"What, Dru you mean? Sometimes. I mean, we wreaked havoc and death for about a century, so you get attached to a person." he spoke softly.
"What about you? Any boyfriends?" Beth began to giggle, the Bourbon starting to make her feel silly and light headed.
"Boyfriends.....Oh, yeah, lots of them.........they all ended up buggering off when I couldn't give them any committment though! Mind you, never found one I'd like to spend the rest of my life with.............Well, thats not strictly true." She stopped laughing and her face fell. "Oh, God," she thought. "I'm not going to cry. I'm not!!" Then a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Spike fidgetted uncomfortably for a moment, then reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently, urging her to continue.
"There was one though, about five years ago. He was working with me in Vancouver, when we heard of several nasty attacks by a Helix demon. We tracked it down into the sewer system..........the others on our team were supposed to meet us there, but they were late!.......Ben and I, well, we were so much in love it hurt........you know?" Spike nodded. Oh yes, he knew what that felt like. Living with Dru, always wondering when she would decide enough was enough and leave him. Then one day, she did just that............he felt like someone had staked him through the heart.
Beth continued. "We were attacked.........Ben was killed outright and the demon did this." She rolled the top of her skirt down to her navel to reveal a jagged silver scar running from one hip to the other. "The rest of the team arrived just in time for me, but Ben,..........well, it was a long time before I got over that. The bastard took away my lover and my ability to have kids.............I would have liked kids........." Her voice trailed off and she grabbed the bottle of Bourbon, downing a good three fingers of the stuff in one go.
She handed the bottle back to him and continued. "We're a right pair, you and I, Spike. Why aren't we enemies...........I mean I'm the good guy and you.re the bad guy, isn't that right?" Her words were beginning to slur and she knew they were both more than a little drunk.
Spike shook his head and downed a drink himself, finishing the bottle.
"Nothing's black and white, pet. You should know that. We're both stuck in that grey bit in the middle. Take me, for instance. I've killed and tortured for almost longer than I can remember and I've been bloody good at it. Enjoyed it a lot too! But since this bleedin' chip's been in my head, I can't do that! And for the first time I've had to actually learn to get along and communicate with what I used to call Happy Meals on legs. I've even got to like a few of them. If this thing was removed tomorrow, I couldn't guarantee I wouldn't be the Big Bad again, but I don't think the fun would be there anymore, so what's the point?"
"I see what you mean." Beth whispered. The room was moving on its own now.
"Um, I think I'd better get home, Spike, you know, while I can still stagger." she giggled. Spike stood up and took two steps back before he managed to gain his balance and offer his assistance in helping her to her feet. He just about caught her as she stumbled forward, still giggling.
"Rupert's going to kill me!" she smirked.
"You and me both!" thought Spike grimly. "Come on, I'll help you home." he said, guiding her to the door.
CHAPTER SEVEN.
Giles paced anxiously up and down. He looked again at the clock.....3.15a.m. He was getting very worried. Beth should have been home by now. He had been surprised when she changed her mind about an early night and went out to meet Buffy and the others. He should have known she would not miss a chance to let her hair down. Ever since Ben had been killed and she had nearly died, she had had to live life in the fast lane. It was every day might be her last.
He thought back to when his father had re-married. He was 17 when Beth was born, and he had vowed there and then to look out for her. It was easier said than done, even from an early age she was an independent soul. At 18 she refused to go to university, and through sheer determination and hard work had gained a place working for the Watchers Council. He had tried to get her to work at a desk job but she refused, insisting on field work and all the dangers it entailed. She was well able to fend for herself, having trained in the martial arts from the age of seven.
Her dark auburn hair and blue green eyes, along with her slim hour glass figure had earned her many suitors, but she did not have any intentions of settling down..........until she met Ben.
He was the love of her life. They talked about marriage and raising a family. She was besotted by him. When he died, he thought Beth would never get over it. She was in hospital for three months and in a state of constant depression for a long time after that. She would take risks, unneccesary ones. That was when the Council insisted she take the desk job Rupert had so long wanted for her. She resigned!
Gradually, her depression lifted, but she no longer listened to her brother about the dangers of hunting down the 'monsters' on her own. She began to travel further from home and would not contact him for weeks on end. Money wasn't a problem, her mother had left her well provided for. Giles felt an overwhelming relief when she finally decided to come and live with him in Sunnydale. He may not be able to stop her from hunting, but at least he could keep an eye on her.
He laughed bitterly. "An eye on her?" he swore sarcastically. "Fat lot of good I was on that one! Now where the hell is she?" He picked up the telephone and rang Willow. She took a few minutes to answer. "Hello." she said sleepily.
"It,s Giles. Is Beth with you?" he asked hopefully.
"No, I thought she was staying home." Willow replied.
Giles' heart skipped a beat. "You mean she never came to the Bronze?......Oh my God, Willow, she said she was going to meet you.........." His voice trailed off as he heard a key turn in the lock. Beth staggered through the door, obviously more than a little tipsy. "She's back!" he yelled down the telephone, then hung up.
Beth had turned to wave to someone. He couldn't see who.
"Where the hell have you been?" he shouted, grabbing her arm. "I've been worried sick!" Beth threw her arms drunkenly round his neck and hugged him. "I'm sorry." she slurred. He could smell Bourbon and cigarette smoke on her. "I ran into an old friend and went out for a little drink."
He hugged her back. He knew she didn't really know anyone in Sunnydale, and the cigarette smell was bothering him. He just couldn't place his finger on why it bothered him so much. He sighed. "Oh well," he thought. "Thank God she.s safe."
"Let's get you to bed!" he said, guiding her towards the stairs.
He managed to guide the staggering brunette to her room and deposited her on the bed. He took off her shoes and covered her with the duvet. As he closed her curtains, a brief flash caught his eye, someone on the corner was lighting up a cigarette. He strained to see who, but it was too dark. He pulled the drapes closed, turned off the light and left the room.
CHAPTER EIGHT.
Morning came with a vengence. Beth blinked painfully as the sunlight streamed through the crack in the drapes. Her head was pounding and her stomach churned unmercifully. She managed to get out of bed and noticed she was still in the clothes she wore last night. With great difficulty she negotiated her way to the bathroom, and prompty threw up! "Oh, God." she moaned. "Let me die now!"
She managed to strip and turned on the shower. She stood under the warm water and began to wash her hair.
After showering, she felt her faculties slowly reviving. As she put on her bathrobe she heard voices downstairs..........Willow.
She gingerly made her way down to the kitchen and straight to the coffee pot.
"Good morning." chirped Willow as Beth slowly sipped the black liquid. "Somebody had a good time last night!" she continued. "So what was his name?"
Beth stared down into her cup wishing the thunder in her head would stop. "Oh, just a friend, thats all." she mumbled trying to stop the blush that was forming on her cheeks.
Giles was talking on the telephone in the study and Willow closed the kitchen door.
"Oh no......tell me I'm wrong!" she gasped. "It was Spike, wasn't it?"
Beth nearly dropped her cup. "Don't be silly, Willow. What........what makes you........"
"It was, I know it! That explains the cigarette smell Giles complained about, not to mention the Bourbon!" Beth shifted her feet uncomfortably. There was no denying it. Willow had a talent for spotting to truth.
"Rupert................Does he suspect? God, Willow, he'd hit the roof! Nothing happened, we...........we just talked........and got a bit drunk, that's all."
"I don't think he does," said Willow quietly. "But are you mad? Spike's as evil as they come. He's dangerous......"
"No, he's lonely. Willow, theres more to him than that. You know he's different......he.........I...........we understand each other."
'Yes' Beth thought. 'Spike is dangerous, but not in the way Willow means.....he could come to mean too much to me..........now that's dangerous!'
CHAPTER NINE.
Spike couldn't sleep. He knew without the aid of a clock it was already past noon, and any self-respecting vampire should be dead to the world by now - no pun intended. He kept thinking of last night.
He had virtually man-handled Beth home in the early hours of the morning, propping her against the front door of Ripper's house and watching her fumble her key into the lock. She turned and waved goodnight to him as he backed into the shadows in case Giles had seen him.
As he stood at the end of the block he lit a cigarette and saw Giles closing the drapes. "Damn it!" he scowled. "I'm still the Big Bad, I'm not called William the Bloody for nothing!" he told himself convincingly.
So why had he been afraid of that wanker, Giles, catching him bringing her back home? He stormed into the alley his temper rising. His game face on he slammed his fist hard into the side of the dumpster and kicked over the trash cans. That felt good! Now all he needed was someone or something to pound into a bloody pulp. "This is who I am!" he thought triumphantly. "Blood, violence and fucking Mayhem!" He stalked off in search of a damn good fight.
It didn't take him long to reach his destination. the derelict warehouse was a favourite squat for creatures like himself, a place to crash out before the sun's rays could catch and disintegrate them. His boot demolished the door and he strode inside.
Half a dozen vampires occupied the damp and smelly ruin, and Spike wrinkled his nose in disgust. How could they 'live' in this squalor. The occupants jumped to their feet, fangs ready to deal with the intruder.
Spike's rage was at its peak as he leapt forward in a flurry of fists and feet to meet the first two rushing at him. His fist smashed into the face of one of them, sending him reeling. He swatted away a kick from the second and whipped the stake from his pocket burying it deep in the vampire's heart.
Three of the remaining group, two females and a young male, ran towards the back door. They knew about Spike, and decided the best and only way to survive was retreat..........and fast!
The first vampire had picked up an iron bar and swung it across Spike's back. The bar connected with a sickening thud across his shoulders. Spike howled in anger and pain. He fell forward but was back on his feet in seconds. His yellow eyes blazed in the dim light and he whirled round and snatched the bar away from his attacker. He swung it back and slammed it across the other vampire's head. As he fell, Spike booted him hard between the legs and staked him too. Before the dust had settled, the remaining vampire was on him. Spike felt fangs rip into his neck and a fist slammed into his kidneys. He was winded for a few seconds, then he shot a back fist into the 'biters' face. It was enough to break his grip and Spike spun round with a turning kick that sent the other man flying across the room.
"Bastard!" he shouted, touching the twin wounds on his neck. "I'll teach you, you wanker.........." he hauled the dazed vampire to his feet by his throat and pounded his fist into his stomach several times before staking him.
"Thats it then!" he snarled, wiping the dust from his leather coat as he strode out into the dark street.
He barely made it back home before dawn, but he felt a whole lot better!
So why was he sitting here, wide awake in the middle of the day, feeling sorry for himself?
"Should have just shagged the bint and sent her packing!" he thought. "Yeah, a good shag's almost as good as a good fight!" he convinced himself.
CHAPTER TEN.
Nearly a week had gone by and Beth had seen neither hide nor bleached blonde hair of her new 'friend'.
Buffy had started patrolling alone again now that things had returned to normal. "It's literally as quiet as the grave out there." she told Giles. "Haven't run into anything in days." she complained.
Willow had not spoken about Spike since that morning, but Beth knew she was watching her like a hawk. Well, at least she hadn't told Rupert who she had been with.
The brother and sister had argued for hours about her disappearing and not letting him know where she would be. "I'm not a bloody kid." she protested. "I don't have to check in with you every time I decide to go anywhere." she snapped at him.
Giles rubbed his forehead. Beth had a knack for making his blood boil! He was normally a mild, well adjusted man but she brought his temper to the fore. "It's not the point!" he snapped back. "We've been in the middle of a battle zone this past few days, and then you decide to go walk about...........and worse, you deliberately lied to me about where you were going! Who were you with?" he yelled at her.
Beth shrugged. "A friend............." she muttered. Shed had seen her brother angry before, but this time was worse than she had ever seen him.
"Look..........Rupert," she sighed. "I'm sorry I got you worried, but....it was a spur of the moment thing. You know how I am.........but its none of your business who I spend my time with."
Giles slammed his fist down on the table, sending the coffee cups flying. He took a deep breath in an attempt to calm down. "OK, fine!" he breathed. "I know I don't control your life, but I do expect a little courtesy from you! Next time, I want the truth when you go buggering off!" With that he stormed out and shut himself in the study.
It had taken him all day to calm down. After that, nobody mentioned her disappearance again.
****************
**************
"So, whats the plan for tonight, then?" Buffy asked. It was Beth's birthday.
"Oh, I thought maybe go for a beer and a dance or something." Beth mused. "I suppose the Bronze is the only place in town for that, and I think its oldies night!" she laughed.
"Great!" grinned Buffy. "Bout time we had an excuse to don the old disco gear! I'll pass the word to the gang."
'Bet that won't be the whole gang.' Beth thought. 'I know you'll miss someone out.'
"Geez, Beth." Buffy sighed. "Cheer up. Its your birthday, not a wake!"
Beth grinned half-heartedly. She made a conscious effort to act pleased. But inside she just felt.......well, like something was missing.
*************
****************
She took a walk that afternoon, telling Giles she needed a little fresh air. Another lie.
She found herself outside Spike's door. Taking a deep breath she knocked. No answer. 'Where would he be in the middle of the day?' she wondered. Sighing, she pulled a note from her purse and slipped it under the crack in the door.
*************
***************
Spike was dozing on the sofa when he heard the knock. He was about to get up to answer it when his vampire senses told him who was on the other side. He could smell her. No way was he going to see her, not after the way she had made him feel like a right moody ponce the other night, getting him to spill his guts over his feelings for Dru! "Bloody sentimental rubbish." he thought.
He waited for her to leave, then bent to pick up the note she had left. His first instinct was to tear it up without reading it, but curiosity got the better of him. He unfolded the paper..........
"Dear Spike," it read. "Just a note to invite you for a drink as it's my birthday. We're all meeting in the Bronze about 8 oclock and as you are my newest friend here, I would really like for you to come. Hope you can make it. Love Beth."
He was a little stunned. She regarded him as a friend! He shook himself out of his stupor and screwed up the note. "Fat chance!" he scowled. "I've got better things to bloody do!" He threw the paper across the room and slumped back onto the sofa.
CHAPTER ELEVEN.
The Bronze was heaving. The gang had managed to get a table by the dance floor and Zander was struggling back from the bar with seven beers.
He placed them down on the table which was already littered with empty bottles. Willow, still sporting the cast on her arm, and Tara had just returned from the dance floor and Anya, Buffy and Beth were giggling like schoolgirls over a remark someone had made about the hunk standing by the bar. "God, he thinks he's wonderful!" giggled Buffy. "Yeah," replied Anya. "I bet sex with him would be a case of blink and you missed it!" She grabbed Zander's hand and patted his stomach. "Anyway, who cares. I've got the biggest stud in the place right here!" she smirked. Zander would have blushed at one time, but for Anya that was a very tame comment.
Beth glanced at her watch.....ten-thirty. Then she scanned the room towards the door. 'He's not coming!" she thought bitterly. Well, did she expect he would?
Giles touched her shoulder making her jump. "Are you looking for someone?" he smiled. Beth grinned back at him. "Not really." she laughed. "Just surveying the local talent!" With that she took a gulp of beer from the bottle Xander had placed in front of her and rejoined the conversation.
A voice behind her made her heart miss a beat. "Happy Birthday, pet."
"Spike!" she spun round. "I thought you weren't....." Her sentence was cut short as both Giles and Buffy stood to face the blonde. "What the hell are you doing here?" demanded Giles. "You're not welcome, so go away!" snapped Buffy.
"Fine." Spike spat. "But for your information, I was invited." Giles and Buffy looked at each other, then all eyes turned to Beth who was now on her feet also.
"Thats right. I invited him. Its my birthday, so lets all try to get on.......ok?"
Only Willow didn't seem surprised. She placed a hand on Giles' arm and tugged him to sit back down. "Come on, guys." she pleaded. "We're here to enjoy ourselves, not break up the place."
Buffy sat but Giles eyed the vampire murderously for a moment before taking his seat.
Beth faced Spike, smiling softly. "I,m glad you came." she whispered. "As you can see, everyone is really pleased to see you!" she joked. Spike smiled back, shifting his feet uncomfortably. Willow watched in amazement. Spike was acting sheepish. She had never thought to see that!
He took a small box from his pocket. "I'm not staying." he muttered. "Just wanted to give you this." He handed her the gift. Beth opened the box and found a small gold chain with a beautifully patterned pentagram talisman attached.
"Oh, Spike. Its gorgeous! Help me put it on!" She draped the chain around her neck and turned her back to him so he could do up the clasp.
"Look at this!" she grinned at the gang proudly. She turned back round and hugged Spike tightly. "My pleasure..............friend." he whispered in her ear so no one else would hear. The DJ was playing an old Police number,"Every Breath You Take". Nothing like Spike's type of music, but it would do.
"I've got to go," he said gently releasing himself from her hug. "But, you wanna dance first?" he asked tentatively. Beth smiled, her eyes shining like diamonds. She took his hand and led him to the dance floor. Giles started to get up but Willow pulled him back down. "Leave it alone." she cautioned. "They're only dancing!"
**************
***************
Spike had watched them through the window for a long time. He didn't know what had changed his mind, he was determined not to turn up. Right up to the last minute he had no intention of being there.........The next thing he was doing was rummaging around in the small black trunk under his bed. This was where he kept his 'treasure'. Over the years he had collected a few momentos, some from his most entertaining victims, some he had scavenged from the few that got away, and some her merely stole. What he was looking for was something he had taken from the neck of a woman he found collapsed dead in the street from a heart attack.
There it was.........'found it at last.' he thought. He opened the small box and examined the pretty piece of jewellery. 'A good luck charm,' he mused. 'She needs all the luck she can get hanging around with that bloody lot!"
*************
*******************
The music droned on.
'Every smile you fake,
Every claim you stake,
I';; be watching you.'
The song was finishing as they reached the dance floor. The DJ changed the C.D. "Now, lets slow things down a little more......" he crooned over the microphone. "Tonight is the good oldies night, and heres one for all you lovers!" The music started.
'Look into my eyes,
you will see.....'
Spike took her hand and gently pulled her to him. He placed his arm tenderly round her waist and she brought her arms up round his neck.
'What you mean to me.' the music continued.
'Search your heart,
search your soul.
When you find me there,
you'll search no more.'
He pulled her closer to him and she rested her head on his shoulder. She breathed in the smell of leather and stale cigarettes and tightened her arms around him.
He closed his eyes and swayed in rhythm to the music. God, this felt good. The burning in the pit of his stomach grew stronger and his arousal pressed gently against her body. He knew she was feeling the same. Her heat was incredible and he held her even tighter.
'Everything I do,
I do it for you.'
She raised her head to gaze at him.
'Take me as I am,
take my life.
I would give it up,
I would sacrifce.'
He opened his eyes and he was lost. Their eyes met and he was drowning in her. He put his hand behind her head and kissed her.
The room melted away at that moment. She tilted her head slightly and he deepened the kiss.
'Yeah, I would fight for you,
I'd lie for you,
Walk the wire for you.
Yeah, I'd die for you.'
The gang were dumbstruck. The pair had stopped dancing. The music had finished and they were locked in a passionate kiss, oblivious to the stares and giggles from the crowd.
Giles had never moved so fast. He grabbed Spike by the back of the neck and pulled him away from his sister.
"Get your hands off her!" he yelled and planted a fist in Spike's stomach. Spike doubled over then rushed at Giles, hitting him square on the jaw. As Giles reeled backwards, Spike gripped his head in agony. He fell to his knees yelping with pain.
"Spike!" Beth screamed, rushing to help him. Zander and Buffy grabbed the struggling Giles.
The pain in Spike's head began to subside a little, but he knew he would be nursing a migraine for hours. Beth helped him to his feet.
"You wanker!" he growled at Giles. "Get out before I kill you, you blood-sucking bastard!" Giles fumed back at him.
Beth was devastated. "Spike.....I'm sorry.........I........" He glared at her, then his face softened. "Don't worry, pet. I'll see you around." he murmured. He grabbed her round the waist and planted a kiss on her lips. Giles struggled harder, but the others held him fast.
Spike dusted himself off and with his cocky swaggering gait headed out of the door.
****************
**********************
Spike reached his Crypt with relief. He lit a cigarette and slumped down on the sofa, rubbing the back of his head. He had been right about the migraine. The base of his skull pounded incessently. 'Still it was worth it.' he grimaced. He had got in a good left hook against Ripper and he smiled about that.
Then there was the kiss. He knew now he would not be able to stay away from her. Sure, lust was a major factor in his thinking...........but there was so much more to it. He pictured her again, her eyes sparkling with passion and tenderness. The feel of her body moving with his in time to the music. 'Damn.' he grunted. He was so aroused at the thought of her he felt he would burst! Aside from the eye watering headache, he could not get that song out of his head.
'Take me as I am,
take my life.
I would give it up.
I would sacrifice.'
Would he go that far? At that moment he knew he would have.
He took another drag of his cigarette, then snubbed it out. He closed his eyes and tried to will away the throbbing in his head.
CHAPTER TWELVE.
Willow and Tara pawed over the huge books on their laps. 'Wicca Charms & Curses' was the on Tara was skimming through.
"Yes!" she shouted. "I think I've found it!" she said hesitantly.
Willow grabbed the book excitedly. "It certainly looks like it!" she exclaimed. She looked at the drawing of the talisman that looked just like the one Spike had given Beth. She began to read the text. "It says here that only one was known to be in existence, and that vanished over 60 years ago................Hold on, this bit doesn't make sense!" she gasped. "Why would a vampire want to give this to a human?.......WE'd better go have a talk with Giles." She picked up the book and both girls headed over to his house.
**************
******************
Giles was as astounded as the girls were. "It says here" he said reading the book. "that this talisman protects the wearer against vampire attack..........it seems it has the same effect as Spike's chip, only it works on all vampires!.........This certainly doesn't make any sense."
Willow had a revelation.. "Yes it does!" she whispered. "That is, if Spike wants to protect her.........."
Tara interupted her. "He's a vampire, why would he want to exclude her from the food chain? Surely, if he ever gets rid of that chip, he'll want a complete choice of menu?"
Giles' eyes grew wide in realisation. It all made sense now. The gift, the tender look Spike had given his sister even though he was out for blood after his fight with Giles.
"Spike's in love with her!" he gulped. And what was worse, he realised his sister loved him back.
He sank into the armchair, his head in his hands. "Oh my God." he breathed. What could he do? He could stake Spike right now, but Beth would be lost to him forever if he did that. He could ban her from seeing him........no that wouldn't work. She was a grown woman and would never listen to him.
Willow took his hand and squeezed it affectionately. "Theres nothing you can do about it, Giles." she said softly. "Love is the most powerful magic we have. Even more powerful than hate. You won't stop it, so don't even try!"
CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
Beth was sitting in her room, staring blankly at a magazine when Giles knocked. "Go away!" she yelled. Giles knocked again. "Beth, I need to talk to you, please.......I don't want to argue or lecture you."
She rose slowly and opened the door. "I'm not here to fight with you." he said gently. "I just need to ask you a very important question." He saw she was wearing the necklace that Spike had given her and she was twiddling the talisman between her fingers absent-mindedly. "What it is, Rupert?" she snapped impatiently.
He wasn't sure how to say it other than to come straight to the point.
"Beth......do you........love Spike?" he gulped. Beth looked up at him and he didn't need to hear her say it, he saw it in her eyes.
***************
*******************
Once again, she found herself knocking at the door of a seemingly empty Crypt. She knew he was inside, she could almost taste him. But he would not answer the door.
He sat on the floor in the corner of the room holding his knees to his chest. If he ignored her for long enough maybe she would go away! His un-life was complicated enough without being bombarded with all these emotions. He was a vampire - so how come he wasn't like the rest of them? Barring Angel, who had a soul, he must be the only one of his kind to have feelings like this. It wasn't fair!
The door suddenly crashed open as Beth had used all her strength and charged it. Giles had told her the significance of the necklace, and told her to go to Spike.....to find out what was really going on in the vampire's mind, and she agreed. She had to know.
"We need to talk!" she stated breathlessly. Spike stood up, his shoulders sagging. She had come to tell him to piss off or, worse, to put him out of her misery.
He pulled his shoulders back and put on a cocky grin. "I've gotta get a better bloody bolt on that door!" he quipped. He moved so fast, she never saw him coming. He gripped her arms and held them behind her back. He saw she wasn't wearing the gift he had given her. 'Obviously wasn't good enough for her ladyship.' he thought bitterly.
Beth saw him glance at her throat and knew what he was looking for. "Do I need protection from you, Spike?" she growled.
He mistook her comment for a dig at the fact the chip in his head would stop him from hurting her. He felt his skull begin to throb. He pinned her against the wall, hard, ignoring the agony in his head. His game face fell into place, his blue-grey eyes changing to a vivid yellow and he roared as the chip began to slowly fry his brain.
Beth struggled to free her arms. She managed to free one hand while Spike was distracted enough, and she brought it up and stroked his cheek.
The softness of her touch threw him. The thunder in his head subsided a little. Suddenly he grabbed her loose arm and buried his head in her neck.
"Oh,God." she whimpered. What a fool she was. This was it. She tried to struggle free from him but he was too strong. She gritted her teeth and waited to feel the agony of his fangs sinking into her throat...................but there was no pain.
She was confused, then she felt his lips gently caressing her skin. He released the grip on her arms and pulled her closer to him. She sank into his arms and held him. He raised his head and gazed at her, his human face back again. She ran her fingers through his hair and he bent to kiss her lips. His hands roamed freely down her back and he cupped her buttocks to bring her closer. She could feel his arousal through his tight jeans and heard him moan softly. "God, I love you!" he breathed. She kissed him harder. Giles was right. She loved this bleached blonde more than she thought possible.
Her hands had found their way under his tee shirt and she ran them up and down his lean cool muscular back. God, she wanted him! She tugged at his shirt and pulled it over his head.
He was busy slipping off her dress and he undid her bra with ease. His lips brushed down her chest until he reached her nipples. His mouth engulfed one of them and he nipped and sucked it playfully. She moaned loudly, throwing her head back in ecstacy. With one hand he had managed to undo his jeans and he kicked them off in one deft move.
She managed to slip off her shoes and he moved down to kiss the silver scar along her stomach. His thumbs hooked the sides of her panties and he slid them off. He knelt before her and moved lower. He buried his head into the soft folds between her legs and widened her stance to give him access. His tongue flicked and played with her and she felt she was on fire. She put her hands on his head, her fingers digging into his scalp and he could feel her passion building. He could taste it! Her legs buckled as with one final flick of his tongue he took her over the brink.
Her body shook with unbelievable spasms. She was dying.........no, exploding! She screamed his name.
He caught her as she began to fall and scooped her up in his arms carrying her to the bed. He lay down, his full body length covering her. His cool skin contrasted sharply with hers. She was burning up and he felt he would burst into flames any second. His erection pressed urgently against her and brought her knees up around his thighs.
"Its not too late to change your mind." he whispered.
"Yes it is!" she groaned. "I love you Spike. I want you so much!" Her voice quivered and he thought she was going to cry. He kissed her hard, andd gently guided himself into her. She arched her back to meet him, her inner muscles pulling him deeper inside her. He almost came there and then. He couldn't last much longer he knew. She squirmed and writhed beneath him, her hands against his buttocks urging him to bury himself even deeper in her.
He began to move in and out, her cries of passion urging him to go faster, harder. He felt her building again and as she cried out he followed her over the brink, spilling himself into her, both of them shaking so violently with their combined orgasms he feared she would break!
EPILOGUE.
They lay sated in each others arms, and he kissed her hair as she slept. They had made love twice more. Slowly, tenderly. He wanted to show her how much he needed her.
A cool breeze wafted around the Crypt and Spike reached over the side of the bed to pick up the sheet. He covered them both over gently. "Don't want you to catch cold, love." he whispered to her. She moaned in her sleep and snuggled closer. He closed his eyes, humming softly.
'Yeah, I would fight for you.
I'd lie for you,
Walk the wire for you.
Yeah.................'
He spoke the final line into her ear softly. "I'd die for you."
Suddenly the door swung open. "Spike, Beth, you in here? I heard singing and the door was open.........................ooh, sorry!" Buffy blushed.
Spike barely opened his eyes. He pulled Beth even closer to him and buried his face in her hair. He was far too comfortable to make an effort to move. "Piss off, Slayer." he mumbled. He made a mental note to get that stronger bolt.
****************
*******************
Buffy spent a few seconds studying the lovers, wrapped up in each others arms, sleeping now. Deja Vu!
She turned and closed the door behind her. "Getting to be a habit!" she chuckled to herself.
THE END.
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