Title: Best Served Cold
Author: ebonyflames
Feedback: ebonyflames666... Go on - you know you want to!
Rating NC17
AU Angel/Spike and Spike/Buffy (don't ask me why...)
Disclaimer: I cannot claim ownership (or responsibility) for any of
the recognisable ATS and BTVS characters - they belong to the god that is Joss and Mutant Enemy. I just make them dance for pleasure... Oh and if some of the speech is familiar its just cos I couldn't improve on the actual script...
Set AU - Spike is the vampire with a soul. Buffy has been a slayer for a year but has not met the Order of Aurelius yet... Angel doesn't have a soul...
Buffy flopped down into one of the comfier library chairs. She was going to have to talk Giles into putting a sofa in here sometime, especially with the amount of reading that they spent in here each day. She hated research; to her it was just another form of homework that was often accompanied by a practical demonstration. It was at times like this she really appreciated her friends, she shuddered as she imagined what it would be like if it was just her and Giles night after night. It wasn't a pretty image.
The fact that across from her sat the most beautiful man that she had ever seen didn't hurt either. Will, or Spike as he was known more often than not, was gorgeous. He was like one of those cherubim that Buffy had seen in her mom's art books. He was a fascinating mix of light and dark. He had brilliant blue eyes that were always sparkling and his blonde hair had a slight curl. Together they made him look like an innocent little boy. However, his lean lines, razor sharp cheek bones, cocky grin and tendency to wrap that divine body in leather made him seem dangerous. Not to mention the sexy as hell accent that he had. With them he was caring and sweet and so very funny but with demons he was a savage and brutal killer. To her it was fascinating. He was so like her in so many ways, yet at the same time he was the total opposite.
A vampire with a soul. He was a creature of the night trying to walk in the daylight world by doing good. She was a creature who lived in the light but was unable to escape the dark. In many ways she felt that they were meant to be a couple. She just had to get up the confidence to pursue him. At the moment though she would have to be content to have him as a good friend and patrol buddy. She just hoped that one day a life or death situation would turn into a passionate make out session like in the movies.
"Giles, I think that I have found it!"
Everyone turned to the shy red head hacker, who was waving a book victoriously in the air. Giles crossed to her and took the book from her and studied the page that she had turned to. He gave Willow a small smile of congratulations and turned to his Slayer and her vampire side kick. "It's a Xan'thak apparently. I am sure that you won't want all the details. You need to kill it using an iron blade and then separate its body into quarters and bury them each separately."
"So, the Buffster and Fangboy will take the slicing and dicing and we'll take burial duty?" Xander was relieved that the research part of this monster hunt was over. He much preferred the part where he got to scream like a girl and hide.
"Oh deep joy… You do realise that you are asking me to do this in my new Prada pumps. Do the Watcher's council pick up dry cleaning bills?"
"Doubt it Cheerleader, if they did I'd be charging them for services rendered. Bloody stingy buggers." Spike shrugged on his leather duster. He had worked for the Council for the past twenty years and other than pay for his air fare if they really needed something from him but he was on his own. Good thing that he had learnt to horde over the years.
"Well, as much as I am inclined to side with Spike on this issue, we don't really have the time to discuss the inherent Scrooge tendencies that come with being a member of the Board of Directors. We have a demon to hunt so I suggest that we leave now. I for one would like to get more than three hours sleep for once."
The Scooby gang left the library ready to save Sunnydale from the latest nocturnal threat.
Below the sleeping town a pair of chocolate eyes surveyed the congregation of vampires that had gathered. He was unimpressed. Many were not of his blood line and most were weak. He was also extremely displeased that he had been summoned to this god forsaken town. It may be a Hellmouth but he really didn't see the appeal. He was almost 250 years eternally young and yet when his Sire or hers called, he was expected to go running. Which of course he did. It was quite pathetic. He may be the most dangerous vampire in the world, but he had learnt at a young age that it wasn't wise to cross your elders. Oh, this was going to be fun.
He felt his eldest Childe move up beside him. No matter what people and demons had to say about him, he had the unconditional love of his Childer. They adored him because he was a good Sire. He loved torture but had never ever sunk to the level were he had tortured his Childer. The possibility and the promise of toe-curling sex were usually enough to ensure their loyalty. Blood and the occasional beating didn't hurt when he really needed them to tow the line, after all they were vampires and they loved pain. He had never followed his Grand Sire's teachings that letting his Childer feed from him would weaken him and strengthen them, nor the idea that they should be beaten into submission. He preferred more sensuous forms of control. It was so much sweeter if they capitulated to him freely, it increased his power. He felt Penn's arms wrap around his waist and his head come to rest on his shoulder.
"They are a pathetic lot aren't they Sire?" Penn's voice was no more than a husky whisper in his ear, followed by a lingering lick around the shell. Angelus' body was under such control that he barely reacted to the sensuous feelings of his Childe nipping at his ear and neck. He chuckled as he focused on the other vampires, gathered for the Master's announcement.
"That they are my boy. But can we really expect these ferals to have any real value. They were not lucky enough to have the chances that we got. Never forget that you are vampire royalty Penn. You are stronger, faster and more dangerous than most vampires that are created and you have a greater chance of survival. They will be lucky if they hit double figures."
Penn chuckled. When all was said and done Angelus was fanatical about breeding and his status in vampire society. He may rebel against the Master at any given opportunity but if they were challenged he would be the first to defend the Order. At times like this Penn was reminded of how beautiful and powerful his Sire was. He watched as the feral and clan less minions shot looks at the dark vampire. They didn't know whether to fall at his feet or run like hell. Angelus had the beauty of a fallen angel and the ferocity of a hurricane. If he agreed with the Master's plan, this little town didn't stand a chance. Penn placed a shy kiss on his Sire's thick neck and buried himself further into the dangerous figure.
Angelus didn't bother to listen as the Master, flanked by his own Childer, Luke and Darla, told the vampires of his plot to take the town of Sunnydale. He knew the plan, kill the Slayer, take the town, live forever. Angelus also knew the parts of the plan that the Master hadn't told anyone. Bat Face always forgot his Grand-Childe's cunning and intelligence. It was his going to be his downfall one day.
"Nasty golden girl has a weapon. The invites have been given out but the party might not happen."
Drusilla moved to stand on the other side of her Sire. Angelus pulled his Dark Princess into him. He placed a kiss on her temple. He understood her perfectly. His Seer, the only reason that many of the Order were still alive.
"What are you blathering about Drusilla? Stop speaking in riddles it is most vexing!" Penn couldn't keep the jealousy for his sister out of his voice. Sure he loved her, but all vampires were fiercely territorial when it came to their Sire and having their Sire's attention.
"Leave her alone Penn. Dru hears her own music; don't be pouty because you can't hear it." He slipped a reassuring arm around his boy that eased the gentle teasing. "What do the stars see, pretty kitten?"
"They see teeth that snap and blue eyes and a spark that burns deep in the devil. It is all in a great confusion. Miss Edith doesn't like what she sees." She pulled her doll up and stared at the blind fold that covered her eyes.
Angelus paused after that comment and replied, "We'll have to get her a new dress, and the stars might sing a nicer tune."
Drusilla began to sing quietly and sway against her Sire. She scratched a sharp finger nail across his cheek and licked the blood away. "Daddy tastes like chocolates and wine and blood red sunsets. It is a most tasty treat."
In response Angelus pulled her into a bruising kiss. "My little girl tastes of 'Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails' and deep dark cherries." He broke into a wicked smirk and turned his attention back to the little tableau in front of them. The vampires seemed to be in a bloody frenzy.
"This town will burn. Pretty fire."
Giles poured a steaming cup of tea and started to clean his glasses. He was going to have to get Willow to fire up her machine and check out the coroner's files. It was disturbing to note that the first thing he checked in the paper was the death notices. It was to him what the weather was to other people. He was very worried by what he read. He heard a sound behind him.
"Cup of tea William?"
He enjoyed having the English vampire around. He didn't feel so alone in America. It always amazed him as to the ease in which this vampire slid into people's lives. He could talk computers with Willow, science fiction with Xander, read and speak 5 modern and 3 ancient languages (not to mention a host of demon tongues), he trained with Buffy and talked music with Oz. Spike was a chameleon. However, he always felt that Spike was most at home when it was just the two of them. He seemed to find the brotherhood of British exiles soothing. It was at times like this he was William.
"What you got there mate? It looks to have got your knickers in a right twist."
"Thank you for that astute observation Spike. If you don't mind I think that I will wait until the children arrive. I really don't feel like going through this more than necessary."
"Fair enough Rupert old boy; I know when to take a hint." He shot a devilish smirk at the watcher. He had to admit that he loved winding the watcher up, at times it was too easy.
"I find myself believing that that is highly unlikely." Giles knew when to fight fire with fire. "Have you anything to report?"
"All quiet on the western front mate. Looks like Fluffy and her little helpers get the weekend off."
"You know that if she catches you calling her that you will find yourself a lot less immortal and rather dustier than you are at present." Giles couldn't help but chuckle at the incorrigible vampire. He walked a dangerous path a times.
"Yup she may have mentioned something along those lines."
"Actually I think that I threatened to remove your brains. And we all know that unlike normal creatures, yours is situated south of the equator." Buffy loved getting the jump on the vampire; it was so much fun to see him spook and gives a little 'eep' of surprise.
"That's cruel Buff; you have no idea of how many nightmares that conjures for a man. Spike, run – I'll hold her back." Xander wrapped his arms around the petite Slayer and mimed restraining her. For his comedy efforts he received a slap and sharp glare from his brunette girlfriend, and eye rolls from the rest of the group. He quickly disengaged himself from the blonde and gave a sheepish shrug. "What's the what G-man?"
"If I have to ask you one more time to not call me that I will be sending Buffy after your brains."
"Eew – please don't." Buffy wrinkled her dainty nose and went to join Willow and Oz at the table, and smiled to herself as Spike slid into the chair next to her. She could feel them getting closer every day. Last night they had danced at the Bronze and she thought that she would melt her boots it was so hot.
Xander and Cordelia sat on the steps and all eyes turned to Giles.
"I am rather worried to tell you the truth. Over the past week there has not been a single death caused by vampires. Willow, would you mind verifying this on that machine of yours?"
Willow moved herself to the computer and started her search. She often wondered why there was no real fire wall up for the Coroners Office. Then she reminded herself that not many people, even in Sunnydale spent their tom hacking into the Coroner's files, so why would they bother? Sometimes she had to marvel at the weird that was her life. Around her she could hear the others questioning Giles as to why no deaths was a bad thing.
"Because it could mean one of two things. The vampires have moved or they are planning. Willow?"
"There is nothing here Giles." She moved back to her boyfriend.
"Thank you." He noticed the questioning looks that everyone but Spike was giving him. "If the vampires have moved then it indicates that something they find intimidating and dangerous is on its way into town. A good rule of thumb is that if the demons get scared we have a real problem on our hands."
"So something worse could be on its way? Doesn't the Hellmouth ever take a holiday?" Buffy's weekend was going down the drain.
"No, 'fraid not pet. An if the vamps are plottin it is likely that they are either killin' and hidin the bodies or makin more. Either way – its gonna mean a fight. Sorry luv."
Buffy melted when he called her 'luv'. She was a big puddle of Slayer goo. Willow watched the puppy dog eyes her best friend was giving the sexy demon. She thought that they would look good together, and everyone liked Spike. Buffy just had to get up the courage to 'Carpe Diem' as she had once told Willow. Spike obviously liked her, so she couldn't see a problem.
"So it looks like I'm patrolling tonight then. And I wanted to Bronze it." Buffy had to pout. She had a killer outfit that she wanted to try out on Spike. She really wanted to get her vamp.
"I am afraid so. Perhaps you could delay the partying until tomorrow?" Giles sometimes pitied his Slayer; she had so much pressure on her. Was it wrong for her to want a normal life?
They didn't see the pair of gold eyes that watched them from the stacks. When the minion had heard enough, he headed back to the lair. He had a lot to tell his Master. The Vampire with a Soul had been found.
Friday's patrol had been a bust, which was why the entire group was trekking around the many cemeteries of Sunnydale. After a while they all seemed to bleed into one another (and wasn't that poor choice of words considering the focus of their hunt?) They naturally walked in pairs, Xander and Cordelia, Willow and Oz and Buffy and Spike. Giles brought up the rear. Despite the sour mood that they couldn't party, they were all chatting quite amicably. It had been quite a fun night so far. There had been no vampire's to dust, in fact no demons around at all. They were just a group of friends out for an evening stroll.
Buffy's mind kept flicking back to her training session with Spike earlier that afternoon. They had gone through the usual routines and exercises, Spike making them harder for her every few weeks to improve her skill and timing. She had to admit that he was a good teacher. She knew that vampires all knew how to fight but she was aware that at some point he had been trained. He was too good to not have been. All the time she wished that he would open up about his past. He refused to tell them anything about his life as a vampire; he said that it was unimportant. He told them of demons that he had fought and places he had seen but he never told them about him. It upset Buffy that there was a part of his life that she didn't know about and it made her slightly jealous. She knew that there had to be a reason that he didn't want to talk, and she would bet anything that it was a woman. But, back to that afternoon…
Buffy had asked Spike to show her the combination kick and jump that he was so good at. It always floored his opponent and got him out of the way of any retaliation. It also looked wicked cool. They had practiced a few times and on one, unsuccessful attempt, Buffy had landed on the floor with Spike on top of her. Then the world had slowed down. She saw that his pupils were dilated and his tongue flicked out to wet his lips.
Then ever so slowly he had leaned down to her. Her heart was thundering in her chest. He was going to kiss her! Her eyes fluttered shut and she tilted her head up to meet him…
"Spike what do you know about Perfel demons?"
Giles walked into the library, nose in a book, causing Spike to jump off her as if she was covered in holy water. She had been so frustrated that she had broken the training dummy.
All she wanted to do now was get Spike on his own. Oh well, there were only two more cemeteries after this one and then she would make him talk to her.
Spike for his part was very confused. He couldn't help his attraction to the chit, she was beautiful. The only problem was that he was a vampire, and every time he was near her he got those warning butterflies in his belly and the prickles on his skin. It wasn't the most comfortable feeling. Yet he really wanted to get to know her. But he feared that she wanted more than he could give her. She was only 17 and she would want love and flowers not raw passion. Spike could only offer her passion; his love belonged to another time. It would be unfair to her to try to offer her anything other than she deserved. She deserved some one that would worship her and love her totally. He wasn't sure that he could.
Spike stopped dead. He could feel vampires near. From Buffy's posture, he could tell that she had become aware of them as well. She motioned to her friends to keep quiet and they started to move forwards towards the vampires. They found themselves in a clearing between four mausoleums. The vampires were here somewhere but no one could see them or hear them. Instinctively, they drew towards each other like a pack would.
Twenty vampires dropped from the roofs of the mausoleums, surrounding the Slayer and her friends. They were all well built and none of them seemed intimidated by the group that contained a slayer, vampire and five well armed humans. Buffy felt seriously out numbered. The fact that they seemed to be in some kind of uniform amused her and scared her at the same time. They looked like idiots, but from the looks on the faces of Giles and Spike, they were a serious threat.
The uniform was a mix of armour and leather, covered in a dark blue and black material. Each had a sword hung at there waist. They looked like medieval knights. Each was in game face and each had a Sun and three stars tattooed on their left cheek. One of them, the leader Buffy presumed, stepped forward. To her surprise he nodded his head to her and Giles before turning his attention to Spike. She watched as the colour drained out of his face.
"William, Childe of Drusilla, we the Prime Guard are here at the bidding of the Master of the Order of Aurelius, to which you are still beholden. He is the font from which you drew eternal life, and as such his power over your life is unquestionable. You have been branded a traitor and disgrace to the Order. You allowed yourself to receive a soul and have chosen to side with our natural enemy. These are transgressions that can not be overlooked. You are commanded to offer your life in penance, and be remembered fondly. To refuse would result in the deaths of you and these people gathered here. So sayeth He that Dwells Below."
Spike couldn't believe it. They had found him. They had found him and they were going to kill him. Even with a slayer by his side there was no way out of this. These were the elite of the Order. The captain was 600 years old. They had never failed in any task that the Master had given them. Spike knew in his heart that he hoped one day he would be able to go home… Now he knew that it was nothing more than a fantasy, born of a broken heart. He would never see his love again.
He took a step forward.
"I acknowledge your order and my fealty to the Order. I accept the sentence that you hand out."
"No Spike! What are you doing? You can't let them do this!" Buffy could feel the tears well in her eyes. She couldn't understand how he could just take this. Spike was a fighter, he had always bee a fighter. Why did these guys scare him?
Spike turned to her, his eyes clouded with tears. "Can't fight this pet. They're too good; they're trained to do this." He pulled her into a hug and whispered hurriedly into her ear. "They'll kill you in a heartbeat pet and rip your friends to pieces. You need to survive. If they're here then the Hellmouth is in very real danger! You have to stop them – get me? Luv ya petal." He kissed her cheek and moved to his executioner.
Each Guard drew his sword as was the custom. Spike kneeled before the Captain. He knew that Buffy had to get out of there. They weren't going to kill her unless they had to stop him. The Master would want to kill her himself. Tears ran down his face at the thought of what he was going to miss about life.
All of the Scoobies watched in growing horror as their friend and protector was kneeling powerless to stop his own death. Willow curled herself round Buffy, who had fallen to the floor in her grief. Xander was holding Cordelia and Oz and Giles were still pointing their crossbows at the vampires.
The Captain raised his sword. "Do you offer your life in penance?"
Spike choked out, "I do."
"We will convey this to the Master. Go now to…"
"Wait." A smoky voice drifted through the darkness followed by the most beautiful creature that any of the humans had ever seen. Giles knew who it was immediately. He had heard and read about the beauty of this vampire, but the accounts were poor in contrast to the real thing.
Tight black leather pants hugged thigh muscles and caressed the firm backside. A white silk shirt, with wide sleeves and open neck, showing a cool expanse of creamy skin, made him the embodiment of his name. His face was a work of art, soft curves rather than harsh lines defined the cheekbones and jaw. There was nothing harsh or chiselled about this appearance, it was smoothed to perfection. A pink tongue swept across heart shaped lips, which parted to show perfect white teeth with slightly elongated canines that were caressed by the tongue as it passed. Deep chocolate eyes that seemed so soft and wise began to flicker gold and if anything this just added to the sensuality of the creature. Spiky dark hair rather than the expected halo crowned the dark angel. The feeling of arousal swept over every being in the clearing, each desiring to take this creature if he'd have them. He stepped forwards, a little swing of his hips drawing attention to the pure masculine magnificence of the vampire.
"Angelus, what brings you here to this trivial matter?"
Spike felt his heart start to beat although he knew that to be impossible. Angelus had come for him. Angelus was here. He was safe. He died though at the words that left the mouth of the older demon.
"Master Leo, I come to beg a boon of you." Angelus allowed his Irish brogue to taint his voice and used all the power he had as a seducer to try to sway the elder vampire. "I know I have no right to ask, but I beg you to remember that William is the Childe of my beloved Drusilla. Allow me to take his life. I should have done it long ago when the abomination in him was discovered. Allow me the chance to redeem myself from this fault."
Angelus was impressed by himself. He could see the words wrap round the vampire and float into his mind. He could see his eyes become fogged with lust and want to please the darker vampire. He couldn't believe that no one had ever called him on this talent. They all were so convinced that Drusilla was the only physic they had that they failed to note the powerful seducer in their midst. It was lucky for him or the Master would have bound Angelus to him.
Leo had no choice but to agree to Angelus' request. His cock and his brain were completely overwhelmed by the need to please this devil. He found himself nodding like Pavlov's dog to every request.
"May I ask that I have some privacy for this act? The traitor still shares part of my demon and it grieves me to the core to do this, knowing what a vicious creature he could have become." When he saw the affirmation he continued, "Stay here and guard the humans. I will return when the act is complete. Come William, you have accepted death, now you must meet it."
Angelus extended his hand and led the damned blonde out of the clearing. He returned moments later, his head hung and lead the Guards away, leaving the destroyed Scooby gang to mourn their friend.