Note: BIG thanks to my beta Marsters’ Girl for
getting it back to me so quickly!
"Buffy!" Willow exclaimed running over to her friend, and hugging her tightly, "You're okay! We were so worried, it was a spell, and you were a kitten."
"A blond kitten if it makes a difference." Xander put in a little sheepishly. Whilst the others had just about forgiven him for the spell, he hadn't spoken with Buffy.
The slayer catching his apprehension spoke kindly, as Willow moved away, and she walked into the library, "Its okay Xander."
Xander smiled and the watcher spoke, "Buffy, where have you been all this time, we've been worried sick."
Buffy blushed slightly but answered as casually as possible, "I was behind someone’s house. I woke up shockingly naked and grabbed this stuff off the washing line."
"So, everything’s sorted?" she asked looking between all the couples in the room who seemed to be closer than usual.
"Yeah." they all replied quietly, before giggling at their unison answer.
*** *** *** ***
Later that evening, Buffy sat alone in the library with various vampire texts surrounding her. After informing the group that she would be fine; she promised to watch wolf-Oz in an attempt to get some homework done.
In actuality, once the Scooby gang and her watcher had departed she had searched for the book that Giles had so kindly slammed in front of her on her first day at Sunnydale High, entitled, "Vampyr."
So far she had read the basics and was finally getting to the section on vampiric traits. Growling had various different meanings, the main two being in lust or anger. They drew blood during sex as both a turn on and to mark their territory, warning others away from their claim.
Coming to the section on purring Buffy read the following:
"The purring sound that resonates from a vampire, is similar to a feline - produced to express the vampire's love and devotion for his lover, when produced unconsciously it shows the vampire's contentment."
The passage continued, comparing vampiric traits with the large 'cat' family and that of wolves but the slayer wasn't reading.
Her heart was beating wildly in her chest at the knowledge that she had possibly made Spike purr.
Perhaps he'd felt the same way for her as she for him that today had been something more than just a good time.
As she mused over her point, she discounted the cool air as an absent breeze. Suddenly, she felt a cool tongue flick her ear lobe, and soft lips placing a gentle kiss just below her ear. She smiled as Spike turned her in his arms and wrapped her arms around him as he kissed her, picking her up to place her on the table.
Laying her down, he moved over her one arm supporting his weight, the other slipping under her skimpy top to caress her breasts. Buffy's own hands were busy untucking his shirts under his duster.
In a quick move she flipped them so that she was on top. Spike smiled into the kiss, his smile turning to a groan as she ground herself into his crotch.
Neither lover noticed the library doors opening, only stopping their actions at the dangerous growl that rolled around the entire room. Buffy broke away and sat up, looking over to the doors to find a vamped out Angelus, a wild fury within his eyes.
"She's mine boy, get away from her." Angelus growled.
Buffy laughed and leaned down to kiss Spike before sitting up again, "I'm not yours Angelus, I was never yours."
Spike smiled at her words, sliding his hands up her top, "She's mine, Angelus - go back to Dru." he said, without longing or sadness in his voice.
Buffy grinned, moving down to kiss Spike again, "Bye Angel!" she said grinding into Spike. He groaned, grabbing the back of her neck, kissing her violently. She returned his vigour in full.
Suddenly she was ripped from his lips and body and thrown to the floor. She rose to see Angelus punching Spike repeatedly,
"Why Angel, I do believe you're jealous." she taunted. Her words stopped him and allowed Spike to get in a good punch, made much stronger from slayer blood.
The force sent Angelus flying.
Angel once again found himself back against the library doors. Buffy walked over to Spike, who wrapped his arms around her possessively.
"You know," Buffy began conversationally, "I've been reading up on vampire claims and since you never marked me, I never belonged to you or Angel." Spike grinned.
"Neither has Spike. That means you're mine because you gave me your virginity." Angelus spat; angered that she dared question his claim to her.
Buffy smiled evilly, shaking her head mockingly, "Oh no, that’s where you're wrong."
She moved her hair from her neck, tilting it slightly, allowing Angelus perfect view of the twin holes on her neck.
Spike ducked his head, running his tongue along the bite mark, making her shiver with desire. Meeting his sire's eyes Spike vamped out, sinking his fangs into the slayer's neck.
Angelus watched as Buffy moved her hand to his head holding him there. Sucking for a moment Spike removed his fangs, licking the mark again. "She's mine Angelus. My mate. I suggest you stay away unless you want to be swept away in a dust pan."
"What about Dru?" Angel asked, shocked that Spike would give her up, that was until he recalled whom he was giving her up for. Even he, Angelus, wanted the slayer as his own.
Spike shrugged indifferently, "Have her. Stay away from my slayer." He finished with a warning in his voice, one that even the older vampire was wary of.
"So, if we're all done here? Spike and I were busy..." Buffy said, looking pointedly at Angelus.
With a final growl, he left his coat billowing behind him.
Buffy turned in Spike's arms and giggled, before he captured her lips in a passionate kiss. He broke it off saying, "Oh, before I forget, I…uh…I wanted you to have this." He reached into his duster pocket and removed a silk package.
Unwrapping it he showed Buffy the contents. The necklace cat-Buffy had liked so much.
"Oh, Spike!" She breathed, "Its beautiful!"
"You're beautiful." he replied, taking it and fastening it around her neck. Buffy smiled and stepped up and kissed him. Noticing the time and that Giles was due to be there in around two minutes she moved back.
"Giles'll be here any minute now, meet me outside?"
Spike smiled, "Sure, love." and disappeared into the stacks just as the watcher opened the doors. He walked in, carrying a stake, a large cross, and a confused expression.
"What's wrong, Giles?" Buffy asked, immediately worried.
"I just bumped into Angelus on my way here," he began but Buffy cut him off,
"Oh my God, Giles! Are you okay - did he hurt you, I swear if he hurt you..."
"He literally ran into me, then apologized, and ran out the doors. If I didn't know better I would say he had gotten his soul back."
"I think he's jealous." Buffy stated simply.
"Jealous?" Giles questioned.
"Giles, there’s something I didn't tell you about my kitty experience. I.... I well; I actually woke up on Spike. I think cat-me found her way to the mansion somehow." Buffy explained quietly, her eyes on the floor.
From the stacks, Spike watched the exchange, unsure what to do. Giles frowned slightly before asking, "Then why would Angelus be...oh." The watcher reddened as realization hit, then he looked at Buffy's ducked head and exploded, "ARE YOU INSANE?"
"I think so." she whispered, still not meeting his eyes, tears filling hers.
Calm swept over Giles at the sight of his ward crying, "You're falling in love with him?"
"I think so." she whispered again.
"I know this will sound strange Buffy but I must know, what..." Giles thought how to phrase his question of whether or not Spike wanted Buffy or wanted vampire Buffy. He knew that if Spike desired to mate with her then she would be safe from other vampires, though most human mates were turned. "What are his intentions."
Buffy looked up quizzically at her watcher and was about to ask what he meant when Spike's voice rang out from above,
"She's my mate, watcher." he said walking down the steps from he stacks over to Buffy.
He tenderly wiped away the tears that had spilled over on to her cheeks before addressing the watcher, "I assume you have what that means in those books of yours - that I won't hurt her."
Giles swallowed his initial fear and spoke another, "Do you intend to turn her?"
"No," Spike replied turning to face Buffy, "Not if she doesn't want me to."
Buffy smiled at him and he leaned down, brushing a kiss across her forehead. Buffy was about to speak, but it came out as a yawn.
The watcher smiled fondly at her, "Buffy, I suggest you go home, you look tired." he looked up at Spike then back to Buffy whose eyes were drooping slightly, "We shall talk some more tomorrow."
"Thanks Giles, do me a favour - keep some heavy arsenal around, I don't want Angelus returning to take back his apology." She looked pleadingly at her watcher.
"I shall, goodnight Buffy."
"Night, Giles." He watched as Spike led his slayer out by the hand. Then he sat down at the table, dart gun in hand, and looked at the open books in front of him; various texts about vampire behaviour, all open at similar points, describing the 'purring' noise made after sex or the mating ritual.
He picked up the book Buffy had been reading and reread through it, all the while his mind ticking over the blonde vampire's behaviour.
All his research should have led him to believe that Spike was the epitome of a soulless vampire, but the tenderness he had seen shown to his ward this evening was as soulful as any he knew.
He knew that he should attempt to stop this relationship between William the Bloody and the slayer but for some unknown reason he was compelled to do the opposite, as if guided by some powers that be.