FLESH AND BLOOD.
An impending birth threatens mankind.
NC17 (Bad language and sexual scenes.)
Spike/Beth.
CHAPTER ONE.
The creature attacked again. Beth barely managed to dodge it’s
flailing fists and she was tiring quickly. She glanced around
her nervously. She could hear Buffy fighting the creature’s
companion, but Spike seemed to have disappeared.
He had been running right behind her a moment ago, but now there was
no sign of bleached blonde hair or leather duster! It was almost
as if the ground had opened up and swallowed him.
The creature lunged towards her and she managed to plant a turning
kick across it’s stomach, winding it slightly.
“Spike!” she yelled frustrated. “Get your arse back here!” She
leapt out of the way as the creature made a grab for her head.
She gasped in pain as she felt her hair being pulled and she was
dragged backwards, jarring her neck.
Buffy had finally got her opponent on it’s back and she swung
the axe she was carrying down across the creature’s chest, killing
it instantly. She turned on her heels and ran to where she had heard
Beth shouting.
A voice halted her progress. “Get me out of here!.......”
She stopped just in time. Another step and she would have fallen
into the gaping hole in the ground. She peered into it and nearly
jumped out of her skin as a hand extended upwards towards her,
not quite far enough to reach the rim and haul himself out.
“Spike!” she gasped grabbing his hand and pulling him up out of the
underground crypt. No sooner was he out he was running, the
Slayer close behind.
The creature threw Beth against the crypt wall head first, dazing
her. She managed to stop herself from falling and turned to face
her attacker, leaning against the wall for support. Her eyes met
the creature’s and she found herself unable to move. A red glow
emanated from the monster’s sockets as it moved closer to her, and
she felt a tingling sensation flow through her.
The creature was close enough for her to touch and the red glow
became painfully bright, but she couldn’t break the stare.
‘Damn it!’ she cursed to herself. She should know better!
The creature, a Medakar, was notorious for hypnotising it’s prey,
given the chance. Once the prey was subdued it would summon up a
powerful electrical energy to finish it off!
The Medakar placed a spiney hand on her midriff and the tingling
grew stronger and stronger. A lightning bolt shot through her
and she screamed in agony as her spine went rigid with the shock.
The area under the creature’s hand began to throb and she screamed
again as another volt coursed through her.
Buffy overtook Spike and barrelled into the creature, knocking it
flying into the undergrowth. She swung her axe again and split
it’s head in two. Spike caught Beth as she slid down the wall,
her body still convulsing and sending out eerie reddish
sparks. Within seconds, the electrical discharge stopped
and she gasped. Spike scooped her up in his arms as her legs
gave way completely.
Buffy rushed back over to them. “Beth................”
she whispered. “Spike...we’ve got to get her to a hospital!”
************ ***************
“I want to go home!” she complained to the nurse. “The
doc said I’m ok so I’ll go now!”
The nurse tutted. “You had a nasty electric shock, Miss Giles..
.....next time you should get someone who knows what they’re doing
instead of wiring things up yourself! The Doctor wants you to
stay in overnight for observation!” Buffy had made up a convincing
story. The summer heat was at it’s height and wiring up an air
conditioning unit wrongly sounded a feasible excuse for Beth to
have been hurt.
She jumped off the bed and searched in the locker for her clothes.
It was empty. The nurse smiled. “Your boyfriend said you’d try to
leave.” she muttered softly. “He’s taken your things and he’ll get
you some clean clothes for tomorrow.”
Beth slammed the locker door shut angrily. “Bloody Spike!” she
cursed. She looked at the gown the hospital had given her. Why did
they always have that opening in the back? Was it to ensure that
patients would be too embarrassed to leave their beds?
‘Almost as good as chaining them to the bed post!’ she thought.
“I’m going home, even if the whole of Sunnydale has to see my
bare arse!” she grumbled and headed for the door. Before she
reached it, it opened and Spike and her brother entered the
room.
Giles hugged her tightly. “Are you alright?.........How
do you feel?” he gushed. Beth hugged him back and glared over his
shoulder at her lover. “I’m fine, Rupert.” she replied. “But
they won’t let me go home!”
Giles released her and she found herself in Spike’s vice-like grip.
He held her so tight she could hardly breathe. “Damn subsidence!”
he whispered softly. “If I hadn’t fallen in that soddin’ hole....
.......” She put her arms round him and kissed his neck.
“Couldn’t be helped, luv.” she whispered back then raised her
voice. “I want my clothes!” she growled in his ear. “I’ve
been prodded and poked and had so many damn needles stuck in me
..........come on, baby, I want to go home!”
Spike looked across at the nurse with a ‘see what I mean’ look
on his face. “No way, Missy!” he grumbled back. “You stay here
overnight!... ..Promise me! Do as you’re bloody told for once!”
His voice was strained and she calmed down a little. He continued.
“You could’ve died, pet.......You.ve gotta be more careful!”
She backed away a little and cupped his face in her hands. She
looked into his blue-grey eyes seeing the concern in them and she
felt guilty for causing a scene. She sighed deeply. “OK!”
she whispered and kissed him.
************** **************
Beth woke with a start. Her stomach was rumbling and churning
unmercifully and she could feel the bile rising in her throat.
She leapt from the bed and rushed into the bathroom just in time.
Her stomach retched violently and her throat burned. When her
insides finally calmed down she swilled her mouth out with copious
amounts of water and splashed the cold liquid over her face and neck.
She looked in the mirror to see a shockingly ashen reflection
staring back at her.
Spike got up and dressed quietly. He heard her throwing up
and was concerned. He waited for her to come out of the bathroom
and confronted her. “You ok?”
She smiled at him, still pale, and her eyes had dark smudges under
them. “Sure........must be just something I ate!”
He grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “It’s not just today.......
I’m not deaf you know. You’ve been like this since you came out
of hospital.. ..three days, luv! I want you to get checked out!”
he demanded.
She turned to go back into the bedroom and he stepped up behind her,
gently placing his hand on her stomach. The skin was still blotchy
and red where the creature had touched her.
“You’ve put a bit of weight on! Must be all the sugar and do-nuts
you’ve been putting away lately.........” He stopped talking. He
felt something. “What the bloody hell was that?” he gasped as he
felt her stomach ripple under his palm.
She placed her hand on his and scowled. “Probably just gas.....
....I feel really bloated!” she whispered.
Suddenly he dragged his arm away from her and staggered
backwards. “You.....you two-timing.........bitch!” he half-sobbed.
She spun round to face him, aghast. He had vamped out and the murderous
look in his eyes struck fear in her. What had she done?
She moved towards him, puzzlement written all over her face. “What
are you talking about?” she pleaded, but he balled his fists and
swiped the telephone from the table.
“Shut up!.........You’re as bad as she was!.......You and Dru.....
......whores and tarts, the pair of you!” he sobbed again, kicking
the armchair across the room.
Beth was scared now. She had never seen him this angry and
upset before; at least not with her. “What are you talking
about?” she whispered again.
He reached forward and gripped her arms, his fingernails
digging painfully into her.
“Don’t you dare treat me like I’m fuckin’ stupid!” he hissed. “What
were you goin’ to tell me?.........Emaculate conception,
a bloody miracle?..........” He pushed her roughly backwards and
punched through the bathroom door.
“We both know it can’t be mine.........you fucking slag!” he
yelled tearing the bookcase away from the wall.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” she screamed,
fearful now that he was going to hurt her. He grabbed her again
putting his face close to hers.
“Who’s is it, Beth? I’ll tear his fucking lungs out!.......
..Who’s bastard kid is it?”
She began to laugh. The fear inside her turning to near hysteria.
“You.........you think I’m pregnant?.........Are you insane?” He
gripped her harder and for a moment she thought he was going to hit
her.
“I felt it!” he hissed again. “I can hear it’s heartbeat!....”
He released her one arm and grabbed the back of her head, pulling
it back to reveal her throat. His chip began to hum uncomfortably
in his brain but he still felt the urge to sink his fangs into her
smooth, white, beautiful, two-timing neck. He heard her begin to
sob and he know he couldn’t do it.
“I’ve never....” she whimpered. “Theres never been anyone....since
you, Spike......Besides, you know I can’t have kids. I told you!”
It was his turn to laugh now and he released her. He spotted his
boots in the corner of the room and kicking and smashing at
the furniture that blocked his way, he retrieved them and pulled
them on.
“Oh, right!” he snarled. “You told me! I must be the biggest
pratt going! You told me..........Well, I’ve only got your word for
it, darlin’!” He finished tying his laces and stood up, grabbed
his leather duster, and headed for the door.
“Spike..........wait!” she called after him. “It’s daylight....
you can’t...” He stopped and glared at her. He walked towards
her and back-handed her across the face, knocking her to the floor.
He grabbed his blanket and flung it over his head for protection
against the sun. “What other lies have you got me to believe, you
slapper!” he growled as he headed out into the street, slamming
the door behind him.
************* *****************
He negotiated the sewer tunnels almost blindly. Every few steps he
pummelled the wall and booted at every rat he could find. “You
bitch!” he cursed aloud. “I’ll get you for making me look a bloody
fool.........I’m gonna find out who he is and I’m gonna cut his
fucking balls off and force them down his fucking throat!”
He paused for a moment to get his bearings. Was it left or right?
He decided to go right and snatched a rat up off the ledge. “Yeah!
I’m gonna get you, pet.........but not ‘til I’ve made you suffer for
making me feel like this!”
He went to throw the rat away, but hesitated and began to stroke it’s
coarse fur. He felt a tear roll down his cheek and he slumped against
the wall. “Jesus, Beth....” he sobbed. “Why?...I thought you
bloody well loved me. I changed for you, baby.........
and now you just rip my soddin’ heart out and stamp all over it!
Why not just stake me?”
He flung his shoulders back and slung the rat hard against the wall,
causing the chip to send a throbbing ache across his skull. He shook
it off, straightened his lapels and smirked. “Come on, Spike my
boy......you’re a free man!”
He swaggered up to the ladder and began to climb. “Yeah!”
he forced a laugh. “Lets have some fun!”
He pushed the manhole cover off and climbed into the cellar of Willie’s
bar. He charged at the locked door and it crashed open, the hinges
totally wrenched from the door jamb.
The place seemed deserted but Spike’s keen senses pinpointed Willie
crouching behind the jukebox. He strode over to him and yanked him to
his feet.
“S....S....Spike! How you doin’?” he stammered as the vampire
lifted him off his feet.
“I want a drink!..........Bourbon!....Now!” snapped Spike putting
the little man back down. “Uh.......sure.......sure thing!” he
breathed a sigh of relief and scurried behind the bar. He placed
a shot glass down and went to pour the bourbon. Spike knocked the
glass away. “Leave the bottle!” he scowled, picking it up and downing
a third of it in one go.
Willie cowered behind the counter and thought about making a break
for the door, but that would mean going past the angry blonde. He
picked up a cloth and began to polish glasses, his hands shaking
violently. “So.....how’s things?” he began, his voice wavering.
Spike downed more bourbon and slammed the bottle back down on the
counter. Maybe if he drank enough it would take away the memories.
His game face was still on and he let out a sarcastic laugh.
“Just great!.. .. I’ll tell you this, never trust a woman, mate.
They’ll fuck you every time.......an’ I don’t mean in a good way!”
He finished the bottle and threw it across the room, smashing it
against the wall. Willie jumped.
“Giz another!” slurred Spike banging his fist on the counter.
The room was moving on its own now, and Willie put another bottle
in front of him. He took a few seconds to decide which one to pick up
and guessed wrong the first time, swiping at thin air. He
slowly edged his fingers along the bar until his fingers made
contact with the glass surface and snatched it up, taking another
long swig.
He slumped onto the high stool and rested his elbows on the counter,
cradling the bottle in both hands, his head bent forward so his
lips were touching the rim. His human face appeared and he started
to stare blankly at the bottle shelf facing him.
Willie moved round him cautiously and Spike gripped his arm.
“Where you goin’?” he grunted. Willie grinned nervously and
pointed to the doors.
“I gotta open up...........I got regulars!” Spike released him
and sighed. “Jus’ don’t forget.....keep ‘em comin’‘til I
tell you to stop!” he growled, tilting the bottle to his lips again.
************* **************
Beth lay on the doctor’s couch as he examined her. After Spike
left she had been torn between going to her friends for help, or
heading back to the hospital to get the doctor to confirm that
Spike was mistaken. The latter seemed the better idea. She
could get proof positive that he was wrong. She knew he was, but
he hadn’t listened to her.
“Hmmmm.......” the doctor mumbled thoughtfully as he felt her
stomach. “Hold on, I’ll be right back!” He left the cubicle and
came back minutes later with her notes.
“Whats wrong?” she asked. The doctor continued to read for a
little longer then closed the folder. He took his stethescope
and placed it on her stomach. He listened for several seconds then
took them from his ears and frowned.
“I’m not entirely sure.......” he began. “I’ve read the doctors
reports from your accident in Vancouver, but having said that,
I’m almost certain you’ve been mis-diagnosed.” He scribbled
something down on a card and handed it to her.
“What do you mean?” she whispered, a feeling of dread sweeping over
her.
“This is a referral to Dr. Evans. I want you to come in tomorrow
for a scan.......” the doctor replied. “In my opinion, you’re
at least four months pregnant. Can’t think why we missed it when
you were admitted.”
She leapt from the couch and grabbed her clothes. “I’m sorry
doctor....
.....” she mumbled. “I’ve.......I’ve got to go!” She rushed out
blindly, not pausing until she reached the car park.
“It’s not true........oh my God....what am I going to do?” her mind
raced. “Willow.......gotta see Willow.” she thought aloud.
CHAPTER TWO.
“I think you’ve......um..........had enough!” stammered
Willie to a now paryletic Spike. The vampire had been sitting there
all day, propping himself upon the bar, drinking more than enough to
get your average human beyond the point of alcohol poisoning.
Spike grabbed the barman’s wrist and growled. “I’ll tell you when
I’ve had enough!” he slurred. “Giz another soddin’ drink!” He
snatched one of the empty bottles by the neck and smashed it
down on the bar. He waved the jagged glass in front of Willie’s
face threateningly.
Willie put a fresh bottle of bourbon in front of him and Spike
released him.
A couple of vampires eyed him carefully then approached him.
One of them spoke. “I know you!.....You’re Spike!” he spat and
looked at his fair haired companion. “He’s the one who’s helping
the Slayer.........”
Spike got unsteadily to his feet just in time to dodge as the vampire
threw a fist at him. His game face dropped into place and he grinned.
“That all you got?” he goaded. He was just in the mood for a brawl.
In fact, he wanted to take on everybody in the place; once the room
stopped spinning around him so manically anyway.
He picked up the stool and swung it at his attacker, breaking it
across his head. The dark haired vampire staggered backwards and
landed across the table of three Heklar demons, knocking their
drinks all over them. They leapt to their feet, cursing. One
of them lunged forward and knocked Spike onto his backside.
Spike managed to get back to his feet and smashed his fist into the
demon’s spiney face knocking out a couple of jagged teeth. The
demon reeled backwards dazed, clutching his mouth, and fell to the
floor unconscious.
The fair haired vampire bared his fangs and charged forward.
Spike grabbed the leg of the broken stool and plunged it into his
attacker’s heart, turning him to dust.
The remaining two Heklar demons advanced on him, snarling.
The dark haired vampire lunged forward, side-kicking him in the
guts. As he did so, Spike plunged the wood into the attacker’s
chest just before the foot made contact. The vampire howled in
pain and gripped the makeshift stake, yanking it back out again.
“Missed!” he yelled in relief as he realised Spike’s aim was off
by a good couple of inches.
The bleached blonde hit the bar hard from the force of the kick, but
managed to stay on his feet. One of the Heklar demons pushed his way
to the front of the queue and back fisted Spike across the side of
the head. The dark haired vampire and the other Heklar advanced
too. The first Heklar struck again, and Spike slid slowly down
the bar, landing on his backside, again.
“Shit!” he cursed. Before he could recover, the demons hauled
him to his feet, twisting his arms behind him. His vampire
opponent moved in on him, brandishing the stool leg...........
“Stop!” a female voice yelled from the doorway and all eyes turned
to face her. The stake wielding vampire hesitated long enough
for the blonde woman to reach him and hook kick the weapon from
his hand. She produced her own stake and the vampire exploded into
dust.
“Slayer!” Spike managed to whisper before the booze kicked in
completely and his head slumped foward as he passed out.
The bar cleared quickly and the Heklar demons dropped the unconscious
Spike to the floor. Buffy fell into fighting stance. “I
think you want to leave now!” she growled at them. They glanced
at each other and gulped. Neither of them wanted to take on the
Slayer and backed off.
“Sure........good idea!” grunted one of them. “But..
..tell your little
pet..” he kicked Spike in the ribs. “....next
time, we’ll make
sure he’s alone!”
Buffy balled her fists at them and the two attackers hoisted their
fallen companion off the floor and dragged him to the door. “He owes
us a drink too!” the other one growled as they left.
Willie came out from under the counter and smiled nervously.
“Harris got the message to you then!”
Buffy glared at the unconscious Spike and bent to lift him. “Yeah,
good job you ‘phoned when you did.....what’s going on?” she
muttered, giving up trying to lift the drunk to his feet. Xander
would be here anytime now, so he would have to help her carry him
home.
Willie shrugged. “Dunno.........he’s been here most of the day...”
he grumbled. “Been rambling on about two-timing women.....think
he’s had a fight with his......um........with whats-her-name.”
Buffy frowned. She had rung the apartment as soon as Xander told her
Spike was drinking himself into a stupor, but Beth hadn’t been
there. She regarded the bleached blonde in disgust and wondered what
the argument could have been about.
Normally the pair would row with one another, then everyone would
be treated to a sickeningly sweet display of lovey-dovey apologies
as they made up.
Spike slowly opened his eyes and grimaced as his ribs began to
complain. He gripped the side of the bar and tried to get to his
feet, failing miserably. Xander arrived just as Buffy helped him up.
“I got here as soon as I could.......I had to persuade Anya to let
go!...” he grinned. “You get hold of Beth?”
Spike saw him and his eyes yellowed as he lunged forward,
planting a fist in Xander’s stomach. “Was it you?” he slurred,
raising his fist again, ignoring the throbbing ache the chip
was sending through his brain. You’re always hangin’ around...
...........you get a poke, you wanker?”
Buffy dragged him away from the doubled over Xander, striking
him across the jaw and he staggered backwards.
Xander coughed and managed to straighten up. “What was........
.that........... for?” he spluttered breathlessly.
Buffy waited for Spike to retaliate but to her surprise he
put his hand to his eyes and stifled a sob. He moved his hand away,
his human visage back in place.
“Why, Buffy?......What’d she have to go and do that for?” He
began to fall forward and she caught him around the waist.
Xander regained his wind and went to help steady the vampire.
Spike clung to Buffy and nestled his face on her shoulder.
He was still rambling as they guided him out into the street.
************* **************
Willow frowned. Beth had come to her door hours ago. almost on the
verge of collapse. She had made her promise not to ring Giles.
She watched her friend as she slept.
Beth had been in tears over the revelation that she could be pregnant.
...and the fact that Spike had assumed she had been with someone
else. Willow had been amazed that he could think that. Anyone
with half a brain could see that Beth was besotted with him. She
could no more cheat on him than live without breathing.
She and Tara began to search through their library of books. If
Beth was pregnant it wasn’t a natural occurence.
Vampires certainly couldn’t have children, and even if the doctors
had been mistaken and Beth could, she hadn’t slept with anyone
other than the bleached blonde vampire. Of that they were certain.
Tara went to check on the brunette who was curled up on the sofa with
her back to them. She covered her with a blanket and stroked her
hair gently.
“We.ve got to find out, love.” she addressed Willow. “I
don’t know about you, but I can feel something is definitely
not right!....There’s an aura around her......something evil!”
Willow nodded. “I feel it too.....We’ve got to find out what it is
and deal with it as quickly as we can. I think we should call
Giles; no matter what she says!”
Beth stirred in her sleep, mumbling something unintelligible.
As she rolled onto her back Willow tensed. The blanket had
slipped to the floor and a noticable bulge showed under her skirt.
“Look at her! She’s got bigger since she arrived here!” Tara
gasped, as Beth began to ramble again. Willow gripped Tara’s arm.
“That sounds like.............” She released Tara and grabbed a book
from the shelf. “I know that language........”
She pawed through the book until she came across an ancient text
and translation. “Tara, if it was this one, we have to act fast!”
A sudden breeze wafted over them and they glanced across at the
sofa, then to the door. The door was open and Beth was gone. They
raced out, but there was no sign of her.
“We have to get to Giles!” yelled Willow, rushing back to get the car
keys and the book.
************ **************
Buffy and Xander managed to bundle the drunken vampire into the car
and drive to Giles house. The moon was high in the sky and the
evening was hot and sticky.
Spike lapsed in and out of consciousness, cursing at times, and
threatening to horribly maim whoever had “laid hands on my property!”,
then sinking into a melancholy mood and wanting to know why.
“Why what?” Buffy had asked. She hadn’t seen Spike behave this
badly since Drusilla had left him. She would never forget arriving
home to find him in her mother’s kitchen drinking hot chocolate and
asking for ‘those little marshmallows’. ‘No, this is worse!’ she
thought.
They half-carried him from the car and bundled him into the lounge,
depositing him on the sofa.
Giles regarded the vampire with amazement. He had seen Spike
drunk on numerous occasions, but never in such a temper.
“Where’s Beth?” he asked. If Spike was in this state, what
could he be capable of?
Buffy shrugged. “I don’t know.....couldn’t get her on the ‘phone....
I never thought to go round there; maybe I should.......”
She was cut off as Spike sat up shakily and began to groan.
“She’s probably gone runnin’ off to lover boy!” he spat. They
turned to stare at him.
He went to get up but his legs were too unsteady. The room was still
turning and he tried to focus. He saw them watching him and he
scowled. “What you lookin’ at?” he growled. “Jus’ stand still
will ya?” They appeared to flit from side to side, along with the
rest of the building.
“He’s completely sozzled!” muttered Xander. “Doesn’t know what he’s
on about!”
Spike’s game face fell into place. “I’ll bet you all knew....” he
slurred. “She’s played me like a bloody vio....vio....violin!..
......What’s the bastard’s name then? Who put ‘er up the stick, eh?”
“What?” they chorused in shock. Giles sat down in the armchair. “Um..
....Spike,” he whispered, then cleared his throat. “I think the
alcohol has damaged your mind! What are you..........”
Spike jumped up and tried to stagger to the door, but Buffy pushed
him back onto the sofa again. “Bitch is in the family way!” he yelled.
“You all bloody knew!” He swung his arm around the room, pointing
at them accusingly.
Buffy laughed. “You’re crazy!...........You’re a vampire.....
remember? You don’t breed........you feed!” she snapped.
Giles rubbed his forehead. “Even if you could..........
.um......breed, I mean. She can’t! You know that!”
Spike put his hands to his head. The bourbon was beginning to
lose it’s effect on him and his head was pounding. “I wasn’t bloody
drunk when I heard it!......Bumpity bump, bumpity soddin’ bump.
......” he paused and closed his eyes. “I know a bloody heartbeat
when I hear it!” He looked like he was going to cry.
Buffy moved towards the blonde and placed her hand on his arm. “She’s
pregnant?” she asked.
Willow and Tara burst into the room, looking panic stricken. “She’s
not pregnant!.......” Willow gasped breathlessly, hearing Buffy’s
question. “She’s possessed!............We haven’t much time!”
CHAPTER THREE.
Giles replaced the reciever. “That was Carl Fent......he’s
an expert on Valkara rituals. He’ll be here in a couple of hours.”
he mumbled.
Spike paced up and down, trying to walk the alcohol out of his system.
He mumbled to himself the whole time. “Should’ve stayed with her..
..........should’ve believed her.........” He headed for the door,
pushing Willow aside when she tried to stop him.
“I’m goin’ to find her!” he vowed, storming out. He glanced at
the night sky, his senses telling him he had at least four hours
before sunrise. He raced into the darkness, hoping Buffy and
Xander had already had some luck in the search. He cursed himself
for getting so drunk he couldn’t start looking for her earlier.
Giles slammed the book he was reading angrily down on the table.
“This is useless!” he growled. “There’s just not enough bloody
information! I should have realised something was wrong when the
Medakar didn’t strike to the head..........That’s where they
usually strike to kill their victims!”
Willow put her hand on his. “You weren’t to know, Giles. If we
hadn’t heard her speaking Valkaran in her sleep, if she hadn’t been
with us before it took her over.........”
Tara looked up from the text she was studying and rubbed her
eyes. “It’s not like this is an everyday occurence. You weren’t
to know those creatures were part of the Sect!..........”
Giles looked at his watch. If Fenn had left home straight away
he would be here before dawn. He knew more about ancient rituals
and the Valkaran religion than anyone. From what he had said in
their brief conversation there was very little time.
“Carl said we have at most three more days before this........
this thing is born.” he growled. Willow frowned.
“What is it exactly?” she asked.
Giles took off his glasses. His face was gaunt and strained. “The
legend says that every 300 years the Valkara search for a host to
bring forth Jenath.........He is a powerful demon...........
If they succeed, it’s the end of mankind’s reign on Earth.” he
paused and swallowed hard.
“So far, we have obviously always averted it, but..........”
he stopped and stared at the two women.
“Does Fenn know how to stop it?” whispered Willow. Giles nodded.
“There is a ritual.........but in the past, they found that Jenath was
most vulnerable whilst still inside the host so they took the easy
option.” His voice wavered and he coughed to clear his throat.
Tara glanced at Willow. “The easy option?...You mean...” Giles
jumped to his feet and began to pace the room.
“They killed the host.” he mumbled almost inaudibly.
************* ****************
Carl Fenn sat cradling the coffee cup and sighed heavily. He
was a handsome man of twenty eight and his brown eyes scanned the
three people waiting expectantly for him to supply the answer to
their problem. He put the cup down and ran his hand across his
brown curly hair.
“It’s simple. We find them and we destroy the host........
” he stated firmly.
“But the ritual.......” began Willow. She saw the pain in Giles’
face and couldn’t believe this stranger was contemplating
killing her friend, Giles’ sister, as nonchalently as taking a
stroll in the park!
Fenn interrupted. “The ritual is time-consuming and risky......
....Jenath can still use his powers to confuse his enemies, even
before he emerges! You can’t let sentiment get in the way.........
..I’m sorry, Rupert, but thats the way it.........”
“No it’s bloody not!” a voice shouted. They turned to face Spike.
He had entered the house quietly and no-one had heard him come in.
He moved across the room and lifted Fenn by his shirt front
and vamped out. “You do the bloody ritual...........or you’re the
one who’ll die!” he growled.
Giles prised the vampire away from his shaken colleague.
“I agree with Spike........” he muttered. “Unless it’s a very
last resort, we try to get her back!”
Fenn was visibly shaken. “He’s a.....a...vampire!” he gasped in
disbelief. He made a grab for his hold-all in an attempt to
find a stake. but Willow snatched the bag away.
Spike stepped forward again, his game face still on. “I’ll say
one thing for you, Ripper. Your friends are unbelievably
clever!” he snapped sarcastically, as Fenn moved back, tripping
against the sofa.
Giles gripped Spike’s arm. “Calm down! You’re not helping!”
he sighed. “Carl, this is Spike. He’s on our side and he’s.......
.he’s........Beth’s friend.” Spike snatched his arm away.
“Friend?!.......Friend?” he stammered. “Oh yeah! Great friend
I am!......She’s in trouble and I just get pissed upand start
moanin’ that she’s cheatin’ on me!” His human features
fell back into place and he took out his cigarettes and lit
one. “The Slayer back yet?...”
Fenn could still feel his heart racing and his throat had gone dry
with fear. “Cheating?..........You and she......?” he stared at
the bleached blonde with a mixture of surprise and contempt.
Giles grunted. “It’s a long story.........and no, Buffy and
Xander haven’t checked in yet. Did you find anything?”
Spike took a long drag of his cigarette and shook his head.
Buffy and Xander returned soon after with the same story.
“We didn’t even run into the usual nasties.” grumbled Buffy.
“Everything seems to have gone underground.............
I picked this up
for you though, Spike.” She threw him a bag of pig’s blood.
He caught it and put it down on the table. “Um.........
thanks but, not
hungry!” he muttered.
Fenn extended his hand to Buffy and introduced himself. “So
you’re the Slayer. I’ve heard a lot about you..........”
Buffy shook his hand and smiled slightly.
“Oh, well! Don’t believe everything you hear..... Unless it’s
good stuff!” ‘Not bad looking at all.’ she thought to herself.
Fenn smiled back. He could quite easily lose himself in her
beautiful green eyes.
He realised he was still holding her hand and coloured slightly.
“Um..........nice to meet you.” he stammered and let go.
Spike snorted. “Well that’s the niceties out of the way......
when are we goin’ to actually DO something?” He stubbed his
cigarette out in the ashtray and started to light another one.
He glanced at the window and saw the first glimmer of daylight
filtering through the crack in the drapes. A little thing like
the danger of going up in smoke wasn’t going to deter him from
continuing the search.
“I need a blanket..........” he started. Giles looked at him.
“I’m gonna go underground too and carry on looking!” He faced
up to Fenn. “You sort out that bloody ritual, ‘cos if I even
think you might hurt her you’ll find out how bad ass I am!....
Got it?” Fenn nodded reluctantly.
Giles took a blanket from the closet and handed it to him.
“I’ll keep an eye on him...........you just find her!” he
instructed.
Spike threw the blanket over his head and ran out into the early
morning sun.
************** ****************
“What’s so difficult about that?” questioned Tara. “We form a
circle, hold hands, say a few words, and...........”
Fenn grinned. “Sounds easy doesn’t it?” The grin disappeared
and he began to talk in earnest. “All we have to do is get rid
of all of the followers and protectors surrounding her.........
then try to ignore Jenath when he picks us out one by one.......
....and believe me, he could convince you black was white
before you could say ‘end of the World’!” He stopped and stared
at the fair haired witch and shook his head.
“The host will be surrounded by a small army. The chances
of us getting close enough to perform the ritual are slim to
none. Our best option is still a bullet!”
Giles banged his fist on the table in anger and Willow squeezed
his arm to urge him to stay calm. “We have gone up against
small armies before............and won!” he growled and stormed
into the kitchen to get a drink. Willow followed him.
Buffy had stood in the background long enough. As far as she was
concerned they would do everything they could to save their
friend, but if all else failed, she had to agree with Fenn.
“A bullet as a last resort.” she whispered. “But we have to
at least try first!”
Fenn shrugged in defeat. “Fair enough!....But I think you’re
all crazy!..........And I still would like to know how you let a
vampire into your group!”
Buffy tutted. “It’s just Spike.” she snapped. “He’s ok, but
if you double-cross him, or us for that matter, and Beth dies
without us trying to get her back, he’ll kill you. In fact, I
may even help!”
Carl saw the fire in her eyes as her temper rose. ‘Beautiful.’
he thought. “You have my word we’ll try it your way.” he conceded.
‘Who’d have believed it!’ he thought. ‘A Slayer defending a
vampire and an ex-watcher condoning the monster sleeping with
his sister!............They’re all insane!”
Giles came back into the room, his mood more calm. “Buffy, I
think you should continue the search above ground. Spike will
have the crypts, sewer systems and caverns covered. Search any
abandoned buildings.........factories, warehouses, anything
large enough to house a horde!”
She grabbed her weapons bag and headed for the door. “And......
Buffy,” he called after her. She looked over her shoulder
towards him.
“Watch your back. The Valkaran sect has recruits from many species,
not just Medakars!”
*************** ***************
Buffy met up with Xander and Anya at the centre of town. The
couple had scouted the warehouse district on the south side but had
found nothing. Buffy admitted to having no luck either.
“Anya..........you go check what Giles has found out.” Buffy ordered.
“Xander, we’ll go see if Willie has heard anything!”
Anya pouted. “But I want to stay with Xander.....” she complained,
linking her arm through his. Xander kissed her on the cheek. “It’s
ok. You go. I won’t be long!” he whispered. She reluctantly
released him. “Alright, but be careful!” she grumbled and made her
way back to the house.
Buffy and Xander headed for the bar. “If anyone can find out
what’s going on, it has to be Willie.” muttered Xander.
“Think I’m gonna get me a bar.........save on shoe leather!”
As they stepped through the door it was like entering a war zone.
Tables and chairs were lying smashed and broken amid a river of
spilled beer andbroken glass.
A Heklar demon lay sprawled face down in a dish of potato
chips, blood dribbling from a gash on his cheek, bruises
forming all over his face. A skin demon sat on the floor
nursing a broken arm, his mohican-like head plume torn and bloody.
A couple of other creatures were staggering towards the exit
nursing cuts and bruises.
Buffy and Xander looked at each other. “Spike!” they chorused in
agreement.
Willie appeared from behind the bar carrying a broom. He stopped
when he saw them. “Who’s gonna pay for all this damage!” he
moaned. “I only got that damn door fixed this morning!”
he said pointing to the shattered cellar door. “That damn vampire
pal of yours if barred!”
“Tell me what happened!” stated Buffy quietly.
Willie picked up one of the few remaining intact stools and
sat down, leaning the broom against the counter. “He came chargin’
through that door...............I’m gonna weld that sewer cover
shut, I swear! He uses it like his own personal entrance!.
.... .....He’s gonna put me out of business!”
Xander grabbed the little man by the collar. “The lady said..
......what happened!” he growled.
Willie shook Xander’s hands away and took a deep breath.
“Ok, ok. I was gettin’ to that...........As I said, he came chargin’
in and started kicking the crap out of my regulars....
.....” He
wiped the sweat from his brow and continued. “I tell you, if he
wasn’t already on the hit list of most of the undead population,
he would be now!”
Buffy looked round at the devastation and could barely suppress a
grin. Spike’s answer to any problem always seemed to be the same;
plenty of violence. “Carry on.” she urged.
Willie scowled. “He was asking about the Valkara and wanted to
know where the party was.............I think somebody gave him a
lead ‘cos he was outta here real fast!”
************** **************
CHAPTER FOUR.
As soon as dusk arrived Spike cautiously entered the mansion. He
knew he should have let the others know where he was going, but
the skin demon may have been lying. He ducked behind a pillar as a
couple of guards passed.
He focused his senses on his surroundings and knew he was in the
right place. All those times he had tasted her, her blood mingling
with his own, had formed a bond. He knew she was here because he
could feel her.
“Oh, shit!” he cursed. If he could sense her, then..........
too late!
“Come out, Spike.....” It was Beth’s voice. “She can sense you’re
here so there’s really no point in hiding!” Her voice, but
not her!
He stepped out of his hiding place to be surrounded by a variety of
demons and at least two of his own kind. He saw Beth at the top of
the marble staircase, dressed in a long simple cream coloured robe
that draped gracefully around her, revealing the now large bulge in
her stomach. Her auburn hair shone in the candlelight but her eyes
were vacant and unblinking.
He considered fighting his way out, but he knew he was outnumbered.
Besides, he wanted her back; and not in pieces.
She spoke again. “I have been wanting to meet you........
..She’s obsessed, you know..........Oh, sorry.......” she laughed.
“As well as possessed...................Just my little joke....
.Father!”
“What?” Spike gasped. “Father?!..........You’re really havin’
a bloody good laugh at my expense, aren’t you?”
She slowly walked down the steps and closed in on him, placing her
arm around his waist. “Do you think I want to emerge into this
world as a child? I need her flesh, her blood......
.her DNA if
you like, to give me form in this dimension. That makes her my
mother.” She ran her thumb along his fine chiselled cheek bones
and he shuddered.
“She has your blood in her. I know she takes from you when you fornicate,
so your very essence flows through her. Thats why she can sense
you...................That makes you my father, Spike.”
“Vampires don’t have bloody kids!” he snapped, his mind in turmoil.
She moved closer and went to kiss him but he backed away.
“You know you want this body, vampire! I could give it to you.....
......I could give you something else, too!” She ran her hands
down the contours of his body.
“I really wanted the Slayer.” she whispered. “But time was
running out........and hey! A little vampire blood is so much more
invigorating!” She grabbed the back of his head and kissed him on
the lips. A shock ran through his body and he couldn’t pull
away; he couldn’t find the inclination to pull away. He put his arms
around her waist and deepened the kiss. Images flooded his mind.
“Hold me!” she cooed in his vision. It was his Beth, not the demon
he felt in his arms. They were home, and he could feel her passion
as she pressed against his bare flesh. He was on his back as he felt
her hot kisses covering every inch of him and he moaned softly
as she straddled him, moving slowly down onto his hard shaft. He
gripped her hips and pulled her closer, arching his own hips to
meet her...............
Suddenly, he was back in the mansion, the Beth that was not his
Beth laughing as she pulled away from him.
His game face fell into place and he growled. “Bastard!”
he spat. “Get out of my head!” He tried to lurch forward but
his legs would not obey him.
She laughed again. “Like I said....” she whispered. “I can give you
this.....” She ran her hands down her body seductively.
“And something you’ve wanted for a very long time!..........I
can get rid of that annoying little gadget in you head........if
you’d like!”
“And, of course, it’s out of the goodness of your heart!” he
spat sarcastically.
She slowly circled him, her hand carressing his back as she stopped
behind him and moved her face close to his ear.
“Think of it!....” she breathed. “Ally yourself with me, father. When
I rule this puny little world, you can take your pick............
feed to your heart’s content on these pathetic mortals, and
be who you are!” She paused and ran her fingers through his
hair. “Vampire, I can give you back your power!”
He took in an un-needed breath and grinned. “You would do all
this because.....?” he asked. The chip out of his head was a
more than tempting offer.
She smiled. “I have an army, but so few are capable of leading it.
I can make you a General or I can make you a slave! It’s your
choice.........”
His yellow eyes flashed and he ran his tongue along his fangs.
“Tell me more!”
**************** ****************
Fenn re-read the text. He wanted to memorise every word in case
the book was damaged or destroyed before they could try the ritual.
He looked in his bag to check he had the incense and the holy
water, then zipped it tightly shut.
Anya, Willow, Tara and Giles were busy whittling stakes and
making sure the weapons they were readying for the forthcoming
battle were functional.
Fenn picked up his rifle and loaded it, not noticing the look of
sheer dispair Giles cast at him.
“You won’t need that!” snapped Giles. “We’ll take them out
and perform the ritual!” Fenn looked at him sceptically.
“Maybe so.” he murmured, putting the safety on. “But I’m taking
this...........just in case!”
Anya looked up from her task and glanced at the clock.
“I’m getting worried, guys.” she sighed. “Xander and Buffy
should be back by now!”
“They’re probably checking out a lead or something!” soothed
Willow. “They’ll be back soon.” But all of them began to feel
uneasy.
****************** ******************
Buffy and Xander gave up the search through the sewer tunnels
after a couple of hours. They had no luck in tracking the peroxide
blonde, who probably knew this maze like the back of his undead
hand! “He’s probably gone back to the house.” muttered
Xander as they climbed out into the alley.
Buffy pushed the cover back over the hole and brushed herself off.
“Most likely!.........Look! Lets do a quick patrol, then head back
ourselves. With luck he’s found out where they’re hiding!”
They made their way through the streets, and through the groups of
people out for the evening; none of them even suspecting the
horrors that could be upon them within the next 48 hours if the
petite blonde and her ‘scoobies’ couldn’t track down Jenath.
They passed through the cemetary gates and both took out stakes.
Buffy cautiously led the way through the headstones, mausoleums
and crypts, taking them deeper into the unusually quiet
graveyard. She stopped suddenly and put her arm out to prevent
Xander from carrying on.
“Watch your step. Some of the ground has subsided here...........
this is where Spike fell down that hole.” she whispered and
pointed at a dark area a few yards in front of them. “See..........
there it is!”
Xander advanced carefully and peered down into the darkness. He
took his flash light from his back pocket and shone it into the hole.
“Lucky he didn’t break his neck.............unfortunately!”
he quipped.
“That’s not very nice! I thought we were getting to be mates!” a
sarcastic voice rang out from the trees, almost making Xander fall
into the hold in surprise.
Buffy spun to face the sound. “Damn it, Spike!........
..One of these
days, I’ll stake you for sneaking up like that!”
Spike moved closer to them and grinned. “You don’t want to do
that, Slayer............not when I’ve got some good news!” He
moved between the pair and gripped their elbows casually.
“You found her?” Buffy asked, suddenly aware that Spike was
holding both her’s and Xander’s arm. Not a normal ‘Spike’ move.
Without warning he smashed the pair into each other and kicked Buffy’s
legs from under her. Xander reeled backwards and Spike flung a
fist into his face, knocking him unconscious. He axe kicked Buffy
before she had time to recover and he smirked.
“Well........that.........and oh, guess what?! The Big Bad is
back!” He lunged at her again and she managed to flip herself back
onto her feet in time to block the attack.
Several figures watched from the safety of the bushes as Buffy threw
herself at the vamped out blonde. “It looks like he’s keeping his
word.” whispered the spiney faced Heklar to his companion.
“Jenath will be pleased!”
Spike side-kicked her in the chest and she reeled backwards,
trying to catch her breath, as he swung his fist at her. She
managed to block it and planted her own fist firmly into his
stomach, following it with a spinning kick to his ribs.
He staggered sideways and put his hand on a headstone to regain
his balance, swiping away the reverse turning kick that was
aimed at his head.
The hidden audience silently urged him on. They watched as
the combatants rolled along the ground, arms and legs tangled, as
Buffy tried to aim the stake at the vampire’s heart. With frightening
speed Spike wrestled the stake from her grasp and flung it out
of reach. In the same instant he head-butted her hard in the face
and she stopped struggling.
He dragged the limp body to her feet and embraced her. He
mumbled something to her that the watchers couldn’t hear, then
he curled back his lips. With deadly accuracy he buried his
fangs into her throat and began to feed. He pulled her tighter
to him and the demons in the bushes gloated as they saw the twin
streams of thick dark blood trickle down the side of the Slayer’s
throat.
“Buffy........Xander.......” the shout echoed across the cemetary.
Spike lifted the Slayer’s body and threw her headlong into the
hole in the ground and headed towards his rapt audience,
licking the fresh blood from his lips. “Time to go........
......the cavalry’s bloody well arrived!”
He melted into the darkness, his leather duster swirling
dramatically around his legs.
Giles and Fenn rushed to Xander who was trying desperately
to get to his feet. “Buffy....” he groaned. “Buffy.....
.....Spike........” Giles gripped him by the shoulders.
“Xander, where’s Buffy?” Xander pointed to the hole and Fenn ran
forward and dropped into it. Giles rushed over and shone his
torch into the crypt. “Is she there.........Carl.....”
Xander struggled over to him. “Spike.....he.....he attacked us....”
he stammered.
It seemed an age before Fenn answered. “I’m sorry, Rupert. Buffy’s...
........dead!” he croaked. Giles and Xander dropped to
their knees. Xander cried and Giles clenched his fists until his
fingernails dug into his palms so deeply they began to bleed. His
face was white with a cold rage as he vowed to hunt the bleached
blonde down.
The demons in the bushes stifled their cheers of victory and
slunk back to the mansion to report to Jenath.
******************* *****************
Spike sat in the large comfortable armchair, grinning smuggly. His
possessed lover reclined on the sofa resting her hand on her huge
belly, grinning back at him.
“You’ve done well; that makes three now, doesn’t it? You will make
an excellent warrior, Spike. Three Slayers........and did the third
taste just as good?” she crooned.
Spike licked his lips and grinned wider. “The best one yet!” he
growled. “It feels great to be myself again!”
Beth swung her legs off the sofa and he stood to offer his hand to
help her up. “You will find I reward my loyal followers very
well, vampire.......I’ll try not to damage your precious Beth
too much when I emerge. That is, if you still want her!”
Spike squeezed her hand. “Oh, I want her alright! I’m thinkin’
I should make her my non-soul mate!..........Now it won’t fry my
brain to drain her completely!” He sucked in his cheeks and
looked thoughtful.
“God, I’m gettin’ all hot just thinkin’ about it!”
***************** ******************
CHAPTER FIVE.
“How do you know they’re at the mansion?” questioned Willow. Fenn
and Giles looked at each other then to the small group staring at them.
Giles cleared his throat. “I had a tip from.......
.from a source
I would like to keep to myself for the moment!.....Now collect your
weapons and lets get going!” he grumbled impatiently.
Xander picked up a crossbow and some wooden bolts. “I get to kill
that bastard, Spike!” he mumbled. He swallowed hard as he felt the
tears threatening to well up in his eyes. The three women did the
same. They had cried until they thought they would never be able
to cry again, and still the tears formed, and their resolve hardened.
Each of them wanted Spike dead. Each of them wanted him to pay for
the death of their friend, their Slayer; and each of them were
determined to get their other friend back. If not for themselves,
then for Giles.
He hadn’t cried, or even spoken to them about Buffy’s death. He and
Carl Fenn had locked themselves in the study for several hours,
until they finally came out and started issuing orders.
The only thing that had been said was that they would leave Buffy
in the underground crypt and retrieve her body once they had
triumphed over Jenath.
Giles put his hand on Xander’s arm. “Dont kill him.........
not until we can all savour the moment!” he whispered.
Xander was about to protest but then merely nodded in reluctant
agreement. It was only fitting they should all watch the Big Bad’s
demise for what he had done.
Fenn shouldered his rifle and picked up his hold-all. “Time to go,
people! Lets kick some ass!”
Giles opened the door and the three men and three women piled
into his and Xander’s cars, armed to the teeth.
No one said a word as they drove to the outskirts of town to
Angelus’ old home. The last time they had been there Buffy had
been with them. She had made a truce with Spike.....
.....and sent
her beloved Angel to Hell. It somehow seemed fitting that her
killer would meet the same fate and in the same place.
**************** ****************
Jenath had assembled her small platoon of maybe three dozen soldiers
in the ballroom. She leaned on Spike’s arm for support as
she inspected her troops. She held one arm under her belly to help
support the weight and found it increasingly difficult to walk far
without resting.
“Don’t be fooled by my apparent weakness my friends!” she shouted.
“The time is very near now.............and I will soon join you and
lead you to victory!” The room erupted into cheers and applause.
She raised a hand to quieten them down. “You are only a tiny
proportion of my army............... there are many thousands
standing ready to fight with us and we will rule this world as we
should always have done!” Another cheer echoed through the
building.
Jenath placed her hand on Spike’s supporting arm and he led her
to the chair. “I think you will have the rest of your reward tonight,
vampire.............This body is ripe for the picking!”
She gasped as she felt a contraction.
She rose to her feet again and spoke to the assembly. “All of you
must be on your guard.........the Slayer may be dead......”
she grinned at Spike who merely dipped his head with a smile of
satisfaction. “But her friends will try to stop this birth.....of
course they are weak, and they will fail!...Come, vampire.”
He escorted her out of the room and up the staircase. As they
reached the top the main doors burst open, and Giles and Fenn
rushed in, axe and rifle finding targets instantly.
Xander rushed in next and saw Spike at the top of the stairs. He
forgot his bargain with Giles and fired the wooden bolt directly
at him. The vampire moved, but not quite quickly enough as the
bolt pierced his shoulder. He howled in pain and pulled the
bloody missile out. His eyes yellowing and fangs distending
he made to join the fight, but then stopped.
Jenath eyed him quizzically for a second. “Um....I think I
should stay close......in case you need me!” he muttered.
Jenath smiled in approval then focused on the brunette as he loaded
another bolt.
“Xander.” she spoke quietly. He looked at her and his statement
became blank. Suddenly he was in the cemetary again, watching as
Spike sank his teeth into Buffy’s throat. “You watched her die,
Xander, and you did nothing to save her.......” the voice in his
head droned on accusingly.
“I couldn’t.......I tried to get up.......I couldn’t...”
he sobbed. The voice continued. “You killed her, Xander, because
you weren’t there when she needed you......” Spike scowled as the
young man dropped to his knees sobbing. “I wanted to save her......
.I would have done......”
Willow, Anya and Tara barged in, carrying their own weapons.
Anya bent to lift Xander back to his feet but he didn’t seem
to recognise her.
Giles and Fenn backed out of the ballroom, the troops moving in on
them. They had killed or injured several of them, but they were
fanatics and those remaining would die to protect Jenath.
Willow sank to the floor beside Xander. “I’m not a freak....
.I’m just..just...” She was crying.
Fenn glanced at Giles. “The last resort, Rupert.......” he yelled.
“I’m sorry. ....” he aimed the rifle at Beth. Spike saw it first...
.....
Fenn’s finger slowly squeezed the trigger...........He was suddenly
flying backwards as the bullet missed it’s target. An explosion
and a huge cloud of smoke erupted from the ballroom as the black
clad figure leapt nimbly into the frey and began to kick and
punch those troopes not caught in the blast. The smoke was
beginning to clear........”Buffy!” yelled Tara.
Fenn and Giles grinned. Spike let out a sigh of relief.
“’Bout bloody time!” he yelled. Jenath turned on him. “You
fool!....” she spat. He felt her try to enter his mind. “You’re
beneath me, William......” Cecily!
He fought the vision and swung his fists wildly. He felt his
knuckles make contact with her face and she crumpled into a heap.
The vision stopped. He looked down at Xander and Willow as
they struggled back to their feet.
******************* ********************
“Damn it, Spike!.....One of these days I’ll stake you for sneaking
up like that!”
Spike moved closer to them and grinned. “You don’t want to do
that, Slayer.........not when I’ve got some good news!” He
moved between the pair and gripped their elbows casually.
“You found her?” Buffy asked, suddenly aware that Spike was
holding both her’s and Xander’s arm. Not a normal ‘Spike’ move.
Without warning he smashed the pair into each other and kicked
Buffy’s legs from under her.
“Stay down!” he whispered. “Trust me!” as he knocked Xander
unconscious. The axe kick he executed on her barely made contact.
“Well....that.......and oh, guess what? The Big Bad is back!” He
spoke out loud then added in another whisper. “Make it look good..
......we’re being watched!”
Each move they made was enacted to perfection. By the time they were
rolling on the ground their audience was convinced Buffy was
losing.
“I have to kill you, Slayer! Not for real, but it’s gotta look
real!” he whispered in her ear. “Ok, but next time I get to kill
you!” she whispered back. “Where are they hiding?”
“The mansion.” he whispered again, knocking the stake from her hand and
executing a convincing head-butt. “I kill you, Jenath will
keep me close, so I can help from the inside.” He dragged her
to her feet and bared his fangs.
“Sorry, Buff.....this may hurt a bit! I won’t take too much.....”
He sank his fangs into her throat. How he stopped himself from
draining her he would never know! This would have been his first
kill since that damned chip had been planted in his head.
He heard Giles calling and lifted her up. “Remember to roll when
you hit the bottom!” he grinned. “Good luck.” she mouthed as
she dropped into the hole.
Fenn was the one to find her. Her throat was still weeping blood,
but Spike had kept his word. He had only taken enough from her to
make it a good show. She felt more than a little annoyed with
herself when she realised that after the initial puncturing
ofher skin, there wasn’t any pain. In point of fact, the sensation
had been quite pleasurable! ‘Better not tell him that! I’ll
never hear the last of it!’
She had only moments to explain to Fenn what had happened.
“You have to tell Giles......but I’ll leave it to him to decide
if the others should know just yet!”
“Is she there?................Carl..........” they heard Giles
calling.
Fenn touched her neck and smiled at her. “You sure you’re alright?”
Buffy leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, then softly
on the lips.
He hugged her and chuckled softly. “You always this bad with your
timing?...” Fenn moved away from her. “I’ll sort everything out.
......see you later!”
*************** ***************
Spike raced down the staircase carrying Beth in his arms, ignoring
the pain in his wounded shoulder. “Hurry up!...This little bastard
is already on it’s way out!”
He raced out into the courtyard with the others following him.
Buffy was the last to leave, pausing only to throw one of her home-
made grenades against the pillars in the entrance hall. The
whole of the first floor started to cave in as the gang drove
away.
“Will you drive bloody faster! I can’t keep smacking her in the
head everytime she starts to wake up!” Spike yelled. They screeched
to a halt outside Giles’ house and Spike bundled her out of the
car and barged through the front door, his boot smashing the
lock without much resistance.
“Do the soddin’ ritual, you pratts!.............Now!” he ordered,
putting her down gently on the sofa. She opened her eyes, and
for a moment he saw his Beth. “Spike.....” she gasped.
“Don’t let him win......” she grabbed his arm as the pain hit her.
“Promise me........” she cried out as another contraction
came. He held her hand tightly and cursed himself for leaving her
when he did. “Hold on, baby.....” he soothed. “We’ll sort it out!”
She stifled another cry and forced a smile at him. “I love you.”
she whimpered. He felt anger rising in him. Why were they just
standing around? Why wasn’t somebody reciting some obscure
language or performing some weird rite?
He yelled in frustration. “Aaaaaaggg.........what the fuck are you
waitin’ for?!.....She’s dyin’ here, you bastards!”
Buffy pulled him from Beth’s grip. “Take my hand.....
..and Xander’s
too, Spike.” He glared at the man next to him and Xander hesitantly
offered his hand. Spike ignored it.
Fenn spoke. “Take his hand, Spike! We have to form an unbroken
circle.......or the words mean nothing!” Spike stared at him and
then to Beth as she moaned in pain.
Giles nudged him. “Do it, Spike. If you want to save her.........
do it!” he yelled. Spike took Xander’s hand.
“Ignore anything you see or hear!” yelled Fenn. “Just concentrate
on holding hands and don’t let go!” he began to recite the
passage from the book.
Jenath grinned up at his enemies. She focused on Carl.
Carl found himself alone. He struggled to remember the next
line as a voice drowned out his own. “Why don’t you just give
up, Carl?............You’re too late........as usual!” It
whispered. He saw his brother, a gaping wound in his chest, dead
eyes wide in silent terror. “You didn’t get there in time, did you?
.....You were late.......se he died! You’re always too late.....
....” He tried to move towards the body, but he was held back.
“Carl!.....Don’t let it get to you!” Buffy felt his hand slipping
from her grasp and she held it tighter. “Keep going! Finish the
ritual........” she twisted his wrist and the pain pulled him
back to her. He was visibly shaking and Buffy all but crushed the
young man’s hand in hers to urge him to continue. He began to
utter the next line.
Jenath turned her attention to Buffy. “These people aren’t
really your friends, you know.” The voice in her head drowning
out the room. “They don’t even like you! You’re just convenient
to have around. All you ever do is save their arses!”
Buffy saw
the statement on her friends faces. Giles sneered at her.
“If you weren’t the Slayer, I wouldn’t give you the time of day!..
...At least you won’t be here long, then we can find a new one.....
.someone who’ll tow the line! Someone who’ll do as she’s told..
.....” She saw hatred in his eyes. “Someone who won’t destroy
everyone I love!”
She saw Jenny Calendar standing behind him. Her eyes were sunken
pits of darkness and the skin hung loosely around her desicated
frame. “It’s your fault, Buffy. You let Angelus kill me!”
“No!.....” Buffy gasped as the tears welled up in her eyes. She
could hear other voices calling her.
“Fight it!.........Don’t listen to it!” Xander.s voice. She
looked again at Giles. There was no hatred in his face now,
only kindness and determination. She bit her lip and tried to
concentrate on Fenn’s words. “They are my friends!” she whispered.
“I know that, and you can’t take take that away from me.”
Beth cried out again, only it wasn’t her this time, but Jenath.
“Are you enjoying this, vampire?” Her voice in his head again.
“You are, aren’t you? All this pain and suffering.
........it’s
your nature to enjoy it!” The voice continued to
nag at him.
“Just think how much torture and violence you could inflict if
you just......” The voice trailed off as Fenn began the last
incantation.
“Hurry, Spike!” she urged. “Break the circle.....do it or I’ll
take your bitch with me!.........”
Fenn stopped talking and red sparks shot through the ‘pregnant’
woman. “Too late, you wanker!” spat Spike to the vision fading
from his mind.
Beth rose above the sofa, floating at least four feet in the air.
Her body contorted and twisted as the shocks ran through her.
A whirlwind whipped around them sending papers, books, ornaments and
even small items of furniture crashing round them. An ear splitting
roar engulfed them and they barely managed to stay on their feet as
the storm whirled around them.
The whirlwind tightened and shrunk until only a thin black sliver
danced around the room. it twisted and writhed like a snake then
ripped through Beth’s body like a spear...............
Spike tore his hands away from Buffy and Xander and leapt forward
to catch her and she dropped heavily into his arms.
“For Christ’s sake, DO something!” he yelled. “She’s not breathin’!.
...........Xander, you’ve done this before........” He virtually
threw Beth at him.
Xander lay her flat and tilted her head back. Spike growled as
the brunette’s mouth made contact with hers, then he mentally
kicked himself for being so stupid. They all stood in silence, the
seconds ticking by agonisingly slowly........
Beth let out a sharp gasp as air began to rush into her lungs.
Xander grinned in relief as Spike pushed him out of the way.
He scooped her up into his arms and held her.
“Spike........” she whispered, still breathless. “If you want to.
....to finish me off........just keep crushing me!” she managed
to joke. He relaxed his grasp and kissed her on the forehead.
“Thought I’d lost you, pet.........I’m sorry for what I said.......
.....I’m a pratt for thinkin’ that you.....” He looked at
Xander. “That’s the only time you’ll get up close with her...
.....” he paused as Beth touched his face. “Leave the boy alone.”
she chided. “He saved my life.”
Spike sucked in his cheeks and mumbled something. “What?” asked
Xander. “Never quite caught that!”
Beth sat up and Giles took over from Spike, helping her to her
feet.
Spike repeated himself, louder this time. “I said......
.....thanks!”
“Well, I bet that hurt to say!” chuckled Xander.
*************** ******************
EPILOGUE.
Willow and Tara watched as Buffy danced in Carl Fenn’s arms. “They
seem to be getting along well!” grinned Willow approvingly.
Fenn bent to kiss Buffy tenderly. Tara chuckled. “Whatever makes
you think that?” she teased.
Xander and Anya sat in the corner sharing a beer with Giles. The
bruises on Xander’s face were still very evident from the back-fist
he had received from Spike in the cemetary. “I can’t believe I
actually feel guilty for trying to kill him!” he clucked, thinking
about firing the crossbow at the ‘big bad’.
Giles smiled. “Perfectly understandable, Xander. Especially when
you realised he was really on our side!........... ..I’m sure he
realises you made a mistake and..............” he stopped and
looked across the Bronze’s dance floor to the entrance.
“Here they are now.”
Spike and Beth strolled in arm in arm. The vampire looked his
usual cocky self and Beth looked like she had spent the last few
days at a health spa, rather than being used and abused by a
demon!
Spike grinned at her approvingly. Her auburn hair shimmered in
the spotlights and her blue-green eyes radiated health and happiness.
“God.......I was so sure I’d never fit into these pants!” she
whispered looking down at her favourite black leather trousers. He
ran his eyes down her body and smirked. Those and the tight deep-red
top she was wearing hugged her figure perfectly. His eyes rested on
the top.
She punched his arm playfully. “Stop ogling!.....Anyone
would think you’d never seen boobs before!”
He grinned at her and they joined Giles and the others.
Xander fidgetted uncomfortably as Spike began to scowl at him. “Um.
........Sorry about the shoulder...........” he mumbled. “But
you gotta admit, at the time, it seemed the right thing to do!...
.And besides, you nearly broke my nose!” he rubbed his bruised
face gingerly.
Spike’s scowl deepened. “Don’t think I won’t still do it.......” he
grumbled and grabbed Xander’s arm, tight enough to cut off the circulation.
Suddenly, he let go, his face turning even paler than usual and he
sat heavily in the chair clutching his head.
“Shit!” he cursed. Beth put her hand on his shoulder. “What?..
..What is it?”
Buffy and Fenn returned from the dance floor, holding hands. They
had seen Spike’s reaction to threatening Xander.
Buffy smiled sweetly. “Didn’t Carl tell you?.....” she crooned at
Spike. “When we got rid of Jenath.........all his little gifts
got returned too!”
Spike groaned. “I’ve got the soddin’ chip back!” he complained.
“Knew I
should’ve had a bit more of you, Slayer!” Buffy coloured
slightly and Beth glowered at her, looking at the small scars
on her neck.
“Seems we’ve got matching ‘outfits’ Buffy!” she mumbled
touching the marks on her own throat.
Spike jumped to his feet and took Beth’s arm, dragging her onto the
dance floor. ‘Keep the two of them apart......’ he thought to
himself. He wasn’t entirely stupid! he knew Buffy had enjoyed
him nibbling on her neck more than she would ever admit. ‘Don’t
want ‘em comparing notes! Or I’ll be in the bloody dog house!”
**************** ****************
She undressed slowly and felt strangely jealous of the fact Spike
had tasted Buffy.
“Come to bed, pet.” he whispered. She glared at him then turned
off the light and slipped under the covers beside him. He put
his arm around her and pulled her close.
“Thought you had a headache!” she said more sharply than she had
intended.
“What’s bitten you?” he growled, sensing she was a little annoyed.
She punched him on the shoulder, purposely aiming at the point where
the wooden bolt had hit him. He winced.
“What’s bitten me?” she snapped. “That’s bloody rich!” He
chuckled and kissed her neck.
“So, that’s it.......you’re jealous of the Slayer!” He playfully
nipped at her soft white skin and she shuddered. “Don’t do
that!” she mumbled, but her brain was telling her the opposite.
She wanted to stay mad at him!
“Don’t do what?” he trailed his tongue down her neck and kissed
her again. She groaned and threw her arms around his neck and
kissed him back. ‘Damn it!’ she cursed to herself. ‘You know
I can’t fight this!’
“No need to be jealous, pet.........” he ran his hands down her
body slowly. “It’s just blood.........” he began to cover her
in soft, sweet kisses, stroking his fingers gently along the
inside of her thighs. He ran his tongue along the silver scar
on her stomach and she quivered. “This is pure lust!” he joked.
“This is all yours, baby.......”
She ran her fingers through his hair as he moved lower and gasped
as his tongue grazed against the soft folds between her legs.
He smirked to himself as she moaned softly, feeling her passion
rising, and lapping at her as the juices began to flow.
She pulled his head away from her and he slowly drew himself back
up along her body. “Now, Spike........” she groaned. “I want you...
.....inside me........now!”
She wrapped her legs around him and he slid deliberately
painfully slowly into her. He lay still for a moment, savouring the
way her inner muscles rippled and contracted around him and feeling
her frustration as he held her hips to prevent her from moving.
“You won’t find better than this!” he smirked, pulling back a little
then thrusting back into her before holding her motionless again.
“You big-headed, sadistic....bastard!” she groaned, wanting him so
badly she could scream. “I’m not going to beg...........
.” He released his hold on her hips for a moment, allowing her to
arch up to meet him, then held her fast again. “Yes you will......
.” he whispered.
“No............” she breathed, all her nerve endings screaming out in
pleasure. “.......Yes....you win! I’m begging.........”
He began to move inside her again and she moaned loudly as she
moved to meet his every thrust.
He looked deep into her eyes and felt his stomach doing loop-the-
loops as he fell deeper into her. No way could the Slayer compete
with this! It should be him begging, not Beth!
He pressed his lips hard against hers and her tongue darted into
his mouth, her gasps urging him on..........faster, harder. She
cried out as he felt her explode around him and he followed after
her, calling her name.
She pulled him close to her, both quivering in the aftermath and
he buried his face in her neck. “Only for you, baby..........
...” he whispered, and she smiled contentedly.
THE END.