The Council of Wankers
Summary: Sequel to Turned. Please read that first! Buffy and Spike are growing closer together. Spike is mostly healed and wants to take Buffy as his mate. Angel returns to challenge his claim and in the midst of their soap opera drama...the council comes to Sunndale to play!
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine! Nothing, lalala!
Spike watched as the two slayers battled their undead opponents. He had to admit that Faith was a good fighter. But nowhere near as good as his Slayer…at least he thought so anyway. He turned to look at Buffy in all her golden beauty and he could feel the burn scars on his face stretch. He grimaced at what he must look like and at that moment Buffy dusted her foe and looked over at him and smiled at him brightly. His own insecurities of her affections fled at the sight of her smile directed at him. Faith's vampire fled and she took off after at it.
"He guys try to keep it PG until I get back!" Faith yelled over her shoulder at the two vampires as she chased after her prey. Buffy moved over to sit by Spike and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I can't wait until you are up to 100% and all three of us can fight." Buffy kissed his temple lightly.
"Yeah me too pet." Spike mumbled.
"Are you ok?" Buffy looked at him concerned. He seemed to always be on the verge of asking her something and then would back off.
"I hate being weak, love."
"Spike…" Buffy sighed. It had only been a few weeks since Spike had been tortured by Angelus and Drusilla and he was almost fully healed. His stomach wound would still act up on occasion and he some scarring on his face that would take a while longer to heal, but he was far from being weak. "We've been over this before. You are not weak. Your body went through a lot. You'll be back to normal in no time."
"I guess." He didn't sound that convinced.
"Oh come on. I'm sure that we can think of at least one way for me to show you that you are not weak." Spike raised his eyebrow at Buffy's mischevious tone.
"Yeah?" He asked and she leaned in closer to him and brushed a gentle kiss across his lips.
"Yeah." He pulled he closer and began to kiss her with a new found vigor. He broke away and pulled her body closer to his. "Spike, I love you. I love you so much." He closed his eyes to stop the tears that still came when she told him that.
"I love you too pet." Spike cleared his throat. "Buffy…I know that well we haven't been together for that long but I know that I have been thinking about it for a while…" He trailed off as she pulled away to look at him.
"What?" Buffy asked. His eyes had this hopeful yearning look. She knew that whatever he said was going to be important. She reached out to softly caress his cheek. "C'mon Spike. You know that you can tell me anything."
"Well…I was wondering if you would want to, I mean it's ok if you don't want to or anything, but would you be my mate?"
Buffy looked at him in surprise. Drusilla had just died and sure he hadn't been in love with Dru any longer but they had been mates for over one hundred years. "What about Drusilla? I mean are you sure that isn't too soon for you?"
"Drusilla and I were never mates." Spike said softly.
"What? I thought that you were together for so long…"
"I wanted to, but she would never accept me." Spike got up and walked slightly away from her. He felt like such a pathetic git. Now she knew the truth. No one had ever loved him. He was a fool to have asked her in the first place.
Buffy felt like her heart was breaking. She had wanted to say yes to him right away but was a little worried that the sudden loss of his bond with Drusilla was making him seek that bond again. But it had never been there. Just then Faith ran into the clearing smiling brightly.
"Got the little bastard…" She trailed off as she noticed the tension in the air. "Uh…I mean I gotta go and chase that vamp some more…"
Buffy stood up looking intently at Spike's back. She walked over to him and walked in front of him pulling his face up to look at her. "Congratulate us Faith…Spike and I are going to be mated." She smiled at Spike softly and he looked at her in shock. Faith looked a little surprised as well. She was not one for long term and all eternity freaked her out just a little bit. But hey, B always was a little different.
"Uh congrats?" Faith offered.
Spike looked down at her and whispered so only her vampire hearing could hear. "I don't want you to do this because you feel sorry me pet. I won't tie you to me for all eternity…"
He was cut off as she pulled him to her and kissed him fiercely and passionately ignoring the choking sound that Faith made in the background. When they pulled away he looked at her dazed and with a delighted smile on his face. "I want to be bound to you for all eternity because I love you with all my heart and soul Spike."
Spike choked out a sob as he clutched her to him in a tight embrace. He felt like he was about to explode he was so happy. As Faith stood off to the side watching, she began to think that maybe there was something to those long term relationships after all.
Angel crouched in the bushes as he watched the scene play out before him. Buffy and Spike? MATED? He felt his demon surge and struggled to push it back. He had no right after what Angelus had done to both of them. Before he could stop himself he stepped out of the bushes and walked towards the group.
"Hello Buffy. Spike. Faith." He said calmly. The three turned to look at him and Spike's arms tightened around Buffy as his eyes narrowed at Angel.
"Angel." Buffy gasped, and she reached to clutch Spike's hand fearful that even with his soul Angel would go after Spike.
"So are you still all evil?" Faith asked pointedly. Angel sighed in regret.
"I came to apologize. I wanted you to know that I am going to be back in town to help you out if you need…" Angel's speech was cut off as Spike began to growl at him. He paused and looked at the three. All of their bodies were tense as though expecting a fight to the death any minute. "So. I'll be at the mansion."
And with that he left them and walked away. His demon still screaming not to let that upstart claim his childe as a mate.
"We need to talk to Giles." Buffy said and they began to walk quickly to the Watcher's apartment.
Willow and Oz sat contentedly on Giles couch helping him research turned slayers. They hadn't been having that much luck in the past few weeks and Giles had gone to the kitchen when Willow and Oz's "researching" had quickly transformed to googly eyes. Their looks of love were interrupted by Faith, Buffy, and Spike bursting through the door.
"Watcher we got a big problem." Spike said and he began to pace around the room. One moment of happiness totally erased by the flaming poofter he thought.
"Yes Spike. What is the big problem this time." Giles sighed rolling his eyes. Every demon that had attacked them had been a "big problem" to Spike. His over protectiveness of Buffy was endearing but it was a little old in Giles' eyes.
"He's being serious this time Giles." Buffy said going over to Spike and taking his hand in hers stopping his pacing.
"What is it?" Giles asked concerned.
"Angel's back." Faith answered from her spot at the door. "He came up to us on patrol and said that he would be back at the mansion if we needed him."
"Like I ever want to go back there." Buffy muttered and Spike wrapped his arm around her protectively.
"Bbb-ut I mean the curse worked right?" Willow asked nervously.
"Yeah. Looked like it." Faith answered when Spike and Buffy were quiet.
"Well that's good right?" Oz said trying to calm everyone down. He was greeted by silence.
"Where's Cordelia?" Buffy asked unconsciously holding Spike closer.
"She's out on a date with Xander." Willow said. She felt like she was in a daze. Oz took her hand in his trying to calm her.
"Should we tell her?" Buffy continued.
"I don't know. It might cause her to go back to the self destructive behavior from right after the incident." Giles said trying not to think of the scars that Cordelia had inflicted on herself.
"'The incident' as you call it Watcher, is torture. Mental torture. And I think that we should tell the chit. It might help her in the long run." Spike said frustrated at their lack of communication skills.
"Yes well be that as it may…" Giles was interrupted as the door opened and Xander and Cordelia came in.
"Hey guys. Cordy wanted to come over here after the movie to make sure that everyone was ok. I told you her that you guys were probably good…" Xander noticed the tension in the room. Faith was standing rigidly by the couch now and Willow had Oz's hand in a death grip. Buffy looked like she was about to crack Spike's ribs if she held onto him any tighter and Giles was cleaning his glasses. "Uh. What happened?"
The silence that greeted his question sent a shiver of fear through Cordelia. It was bad.
"What is it?" She asked anxiously. She was again met by silence. "Tell me what it is!" She shouted at the silent group. Spike stepped forward and gave her a half smile.
"Angel came back to town." He said quietly.
"Oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no…" She began to repeat again and again. Xander put his hand on her shoulder and quickly led her over to the couch and sat next to her rubbing her back. Willow quickly moved to the kitchen to get her a glass of water.
"Cordelia?" Buffy said quietly. Cordelia continued her mumbling and incoherent sentences. "Cordelia?" Buffy said a little louder. The scared girl raised her head to met Buffy's gaze. "You never have to see him. We'll keep him away from you."
"Here's some water Cordelia." Willow said holding out the glass to her. Cordelia slowly took the glass and starred at it with a vacant look on her face.
"He has his soul now Cordy. He's different." Xander said trying to be helpful but Cordelia merely broke down and began to cry uncontrollably.
Giles moved to her other side and took her hand in his. "Cordelia. You can beat this. You will be far removed from him. I know how hard it is for you. But you must know that we are all here too protect you." Her sobs tapered off and she and Xander rose from the couch quietly.
"Thanks you guys." Cordelia said after collecting herself a little bit. "Boy. What a night. What I wouldn't do for some good news." She said trying to joke a little bit while wiping away her tears. She hated to be pathetic.
"Oh!" Buffy said her eyes lighting up. "Spike and I have good news!" She exclaimed to the group who looked at her expectantly. Spike nodded his head at her and gave her a shy smile and she beamed back him. "Spike and I are going to be mated."
The group looked at them in surprise and then began to congratulate them all at once. Willow asking if Buffy wanted a mating shower and Cordelia decided that they would throw her one. Oz and Xander solemnly shook Spike's hand and Giles looked on with tears in his eyes. Faith looked touched by the scene and wondered how she could become part of such a group.
At an airport that same night…
They stepped off the plane with an air of authority and quickly proceeded through customs with not problem. The man they were meeting nervously adjusted his tie as he saw them step through the gates and into the terminal.
"Hello." He greeted nervously. "I trust that your flight was pleasant…"
"Spare me the pleasantries Mr. Wyndam-Price. You are in enough trouble as it is not reporting a turned slayer immediately. This could very well be the final battle for us all."
"Well, er, I mean, she appears to have…"
"Don't give us that cockamamie nonsense about a soul."
"But Mr. Travers…"
"Now we go to Sunnydale to deal with this problem. Bring the car around." Wesley quickly went to the car that he had driven to the airport and Travers and his three henchmen waited at the door of the airport waiting his return.
"But if the slayer has a soul sir…She could be the one that the prophecy mentioned." The smaller of the three men said.
"Yes Bradburry. That thought had not escaped me." Travers answered sardonically.
"But then, should we hunt her in this manor?" Bradburry continued.
"We are hunting her, but not to kill her. We shall take her back to England for further study."
"But I thought that you told Mr. Wyndam-Price…"
"I am quite aware that he believes she will be killed. But we cannot let the people in Sunnydale interfere in our plans. They must think that she is dead."
"I don't understand."
"Your job is not to understand Bradburry. Merely to follow orders."
And with that the four waited for Wesley's return in silence. Wondering how they would ever be able to capture a turned Slayer.
Angel sat at the mansion starring at the wall in front of him. He kept reliving the intimate scene that he had witnessed in the cemetery. Buffy and Spike becoming mates. His demon roared in rage as he thought of his girl tied to Spike for all eternity. Spike was a soulless demon. He wasn't right for Buffy.
"Congratulate us Faith…Spike and I are going to be mated."
Her voice played over and over in his head. He couldn't get it out of his mind.
"Spike, I love you. I love you so much."
How could she love him? Things were finally straightening out between them and now Spike comes and messes everything up. I mean sure he turned her into a vampire and helped torture Cordelia but last time he lost his soul he had killed Ms. Calendar and tortured Giles and she forgave that. Now she was his childe. With a determined roar Angel smashed his fist into the wall. She would not be mated with Spike. He would challenge the claim and then once he destroyed Spike, he would claim Buffy as his own and be with her for all eternity.
"Mom!" Buffy yelled as she and Spike entered the house on Revello drive. "We're home and we have some news for you!" Buffy threw a smile over her shoulder at Spike who couldn't help but smile back at her- her enthusiasm was so infectious.
"Buffy! Spike! You're back earlier than usual." It was then that Joyce noticed the bright smiles on both their faces. "What is it good news?"
"Well…we have some really really good news and some bad news." Buffy hedged while bouncing from one foot to the other in excitement.
"Ok give me the good news first." Joyce replied.
"Spike and I are getting mated." At Joyce's blank look Spike decided to intervene.
"It's like the vampire equivilance to marry Joyce."
"Oh." She answered quietly.
"Mom! This is the good news. What's wrong?"
"Well…I guess that it just reminds me that you'll never get married Buffy. We won't have a big white wedding at church and I guess I was always hoping that even though your life isn't normal you would be able to have that."
"Mom…" Buffy didn't really know what to say. "Just because it is different doesn't make it any less special. I mean Willow and Cordelia are already planning a shower." Joyce seemed to perk up right away at that.
"A shower? Do you think that after you, you know, mate, we could have a reception of sorts? Like a wedding reception but different?"
"I don't know Joyce. I mean mating is a pretty private matter. And there are certain things involved that might make it a little awkward to have a lot of soddin…er a group of humans looking on at." Spike said hesitantly.
"Like what?" Buffy asked curiously.
"Well…we have to bite each other then we have to claim each other and when we say the claiming rites and well…it's bloody emotional."
"And you don't want to do that in front of everyone?" Buffy asked. But it was really more of a confirmation of what she knew.
Spike looked from Joyce's downcast expression to Buffy's understanding one. When he had thought of mating with Drusilla it had never extended past what the two of them would be feeling. But now, he was part of a group, this group. And he had to admit that he did care about what these sodding humans thought and felt. Maybe that's why weddings were so important to them. It was allowing your friends and family to share and witness your commitment to each other. The thought of sharing that with them…it made the corner of Spike's mouth turn up and he wished that his own mom would have been able to see that moment in his life.
"I thought I didn't." He mumbled and Buffy beamed at him.
"What was that Spikey?" She asked.
"We can share the bloody ceremony." He answered rolling his eyes.
"Oh! That will be so wonderful! I know that you two will want to have this as soon as possible. What about next week?"
"No good Joyce." Both women looked at Spike in exasperation. "It's the full moon next week pet." Spike answered rolling his eyes.
"Oh well how about the week after that then? It shouldn't be too much trouble to plan it so soon. I mean we can't really invite that many people since you both are vampires. Oh honey, do you want your father to come?"
"You can invite him mom, but before you get with the planning you should probably know the bad news."
"Oh, right. I forgot about that."
"Well I don't really know how to tell you this, but Angel is back."
"Oh." Joyce looked at them in shock. "Does Cordelia know?"
"She found out tonight. That's why we don't want you to invite him back into the house. She really freaked out."
"Yeah and we want the cheerleader to feel like she is safe here." Spike put in.
"I think that you're right." Joyce said quietly. "I know that he probably needs our help right now too, but our priority is to Cordelia."
The group sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Buffy unconsciously leaned back onto Spike who was stroking her back. Suddenly Joyce snapped out of her reverie.
"Well now that that's settled…are there any friends that you would like to invite Spike?" And with that the planning began for a informal party to celebrate the joining of two vampires.
Quinton Travers looked around the motel in disgust. The beds were dingy and the room had a faint smell of urine. Well, who really would want to vacation on the hell mouth he thought with an ironic smile.
"Is this the best room you could find for us Mr. Wydam-Price?" Travers asked.
"I realize that this is a little…er…uncomfortable, but it was…"
"Yes, yes. Now for the time being I do not wish to alert the Slayers or Rupert Giles to my presence. We will observe them and then decide the best time to eliminate William the Bloody and secure Ms. Summers."
"But sir…" Bradburry began and gulped when Travers shot him an icy glare.
"Now, we will begin our survelience tomorrow night. Mr. Wyndam-Price, I believe that you will have to serve as a spy for us and try to ascertain Ms. Summers' schedule."
Wesley merely nodded his head, but inside his stomach was dropping. Buffy was very much the same as she ever was. Perhaps she had a bit of a shorter temper but she wasn't even burned by the cross. And Spike, he had to say that he was astonished with the tenderness that shone through his eyes whenever he looked at Buffy. Wesley was torn but he knew what he had would have to do. He could not let feelings cloud his sense of duty…and his duty was to the Council of Watchers.
NOTE: THis is as far as I have gotten on this one so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, if there is something you find lacking about my writing...I have been out of the creative writing thing for a while so let me know if there something you think I should be doing better. Thanks!
Summary: Sequel to Turned. Please read that first! Buffy and Spike are growing closer together. Spike is mostly healed and wants to take Buffy as his mate. Angel returns to challenge his claim and in the midst of their soap opera drama...the council comes to Sunndale to play!
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine! Nothing, lalala!
Spike watched as the two slayers battled their undead opponents. He had to admit that Faith was a good fighter. But nowhere near as good as his Slayer…at least he thought so anyway. He turned to look at Buffy in all her golden beauty and he could feel the burn scars on his face stretch. He grimaced at what he must look like and at that moment Buffy dusted her foe and looked over at him and smiled at him brightly. His own insecurities of her affections fled at the sight of her smile directed at him. Faith's vampire fled and she took off after at it.
"He guys try to keep it PG until I get back!" Faith yelled over her shoulder at the two vampires as she chased after her prey. Buffy moved over to sit by Spike and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I can't wait until you are up to 100% and all three of us can fight." Buffy kissed his temple lightly.
"Yeah me too pet." Spike mumbled.
"Are you ok?" Buffy looked at him concerned. He seemed to always be on the verge of asking her something and then would back off.
"I hate being weak, love."
"Spike…" Buffy sighed. It had only been a few weeks since Spike had been tortured by Angelus and Drusilla and he was almost fully healed. His stomach wound would still act up on occasion and he some scarring on his face that would take a while longer to heal, but he was far from being weak. "We've been over this before. You are not weak. Your body went through a lot. You'll be back to normal in no time."
"I guess." He didn't sound that convinced.
"Oh come on. I'm sure that we can think of at least one way for me to show you that you are not weak." Spike raised his eyebrow at Buffy's mischevious tone.
"Yeah?" He asked and she leaned in closer to him and brushed a gentle kiss across his lips.
"Yeah." He pulled he closer and began to kiss her with a new found vigor. He broke away and pulled her body closer to his. "Spike, I love you. I love you so much." He closed his eyes to stop the tears that still came when she told him that.
"I love you too pet." Spike cleared his throat. "Buffy…I know that well we haven't been together for that long but I know that I have been thinking about it for a while…" He trailed off as she pulled away to look at him.
"What?" Buffy asked. His eyes had this hopeful yearning look. She knew that whatever he said was going to be important. She reached out to softly caress his cheek. "C'mon Spike. You know that you can tell me anything."
"Well…I was wondering if you would want to, I mean it's ok if you don't want to or anything, but would you be my mate?"
Buffy looked at him in surprise. Drusilla had just died and sure he hadn't been in love with Dru any longer but they had been mates for over one hundred years. "What about Drusilla? I mean are you sure that isn't too soon for you?"
"Drusilla and I were never mates." Spike said softly.
"What? I thought that you were together for so long…"
"I wanted to, but she would never accept me." Spike got up and walked slightly away from her. He felt like such a pathetic git. Now she knew the truth. No one had ever loved him. He was a fool to have asked her in the first place.
Buffy felt like her heart was breaking. She had wanted to say yes to him right away but was a little worried that the sudden loss of his bond with Drusilla was making him seek that bond again. But it had never been there. Just then Faith ran into the clearing smiling brightly.
"Got the little bastard…" She trailed off as she noticed the tension in the air. "Uh…I mean I gotta go and chase that vamp some more…"
Buffy stood up looking intently at Spike's back. She walked over to him and walked in front of him pulling his face up to look at her. "Congratulate us Faith…Spike and I are going to be mated." She smiled at Spike softly and he looked at her in shock. Faith looked a little surprised as well. She was not one for long term and all eternity freaked her out just a little bit. But hey, B always was a little different.
"Uh congrats?" Faith offered.
Spike looked down at her and whispered so only her vampire hearing could hear. "I don't want you to do this because you feel sorry me pet. I won't tie you to me for all eternity…"
He was cut off as she pulled him to her and kissed him fiercely and passionately ignoring the choking sound that Faith made in the background. When they pulled away he looked at her dazed and with a delighted smile on his face. "I want to be bound to you for all eternity because I love you with all my heart and soul Spike."
Spike choked out a sob as he clutched her to him in a tight embrace. He felt like he was about to explode he was so happy. As Faith stood off to the side watching, she began to think that maybe there was something to those long term relationships after all.
Angel crouched in the bushes as he watched the scene play out before him. Buffy and Spike? MATED? He felt his demon surge and struggled to push it back. He had no right after what Angelus had done to both of them. Before he could stop himself he stepped out of the bushes and walked towards the group.
"Hello Buffy. Spike. Faith." He said calmly. The three turned to look at him and Spike's arms tightened around Buffy as his eyes narrowed at Angel.
"Angel." Buffy gasped, and she reached to clutch Spike's hand fearful that even with his soul Angel would go after Spike.
"So are you still all evil?" Faith asked pointedly. Angel sighed in regret.
"I came to apologize. I wanted you to know that I am going to be back in town to help you out if you need…" Angel's speech was cut off as Spike began to growl at him. He paused and looked at the three. All of their bodies were tense as though expecting a fight to the death any minute. "So. I'll be at the mansion."
And with that he left them and walked away. His demon still screaming not to let that upstart claim his childe as a mate.
"We need to talk to Giles." Buffy said and they began to walk quickly to the Watcher's apartment.
Willow and Oz sat contentedly on Giles couch helping him research turned slayers. They hadn't been having that much luck in the past few weeks and Giles had gone to the kitchen when Willow and Oz's "researching" had quickly transformed to googly eyes. Their looks of love were interrupted by Faith, Buffy, and Spike bursting through the door.
"Watcher we got a big problem." Spike said and he began to pace around the room. One moment of happiness totally erased by the flaming poofter he thought.
"Yes Spike. What is the big problem this time." Giles sighed rolling his eyes. Every demon that had attacked them had been a "big problem" to Spike. His over protectiveness of Buffy was endearing but it was a little old in Giles' eyes.
"He's being serious this time Giles." Buffy said going over to Spike and taking his hand in hers stopping his pacing.
"What is it?" Giles asked concerned.
"Angel's back." Faith answered from her spot at the door. "He came up to us on patrol and said that he would be back at the mansion if we needed him."
"Like I ever want to go back there." Buffy muttered and Spike wrapped his arm around her protectively.
"Bbb-ut I mean the curse worked right?" Willow asked nervously.
"Yeah. Looked like it." Faith answered when Spike and Buffy were quiet.
"Well that's good right?" Oz said trying to calm everyone down. He was greeted by silence.
"Where's Cordelia?" Buffy asked unconsciously holding Spike closer.
"She's out on a date with Xander." Willow said. She felt like she was in a daze. Oz took her hand in his trying to calm her.
"Should we tell her?" Buffy continued.
"I don't know. It might cause her to go back to the self destructive behavior from right after the incident." Giles said trying not to think of the scars that Cordelia had inflicted on herself.
"'The incident' as you call it Watcher, is torture. Mental torture. And I think that we should tell the chit. It might help her in the long run." Spike said frustrated at their lack of communication skills.
"Yes well be that as it may…" Giles was interrupted as the door opened and Xander and Cordelia came in.
"Hey guys. Cordy wanted to come over here after the movie to make sure that everyone was ok. I told you her that you guys were probably good…" Xander noticed the tension in the room. Faith was standing rigidly by the couch now and Willow had Oz's hand in a death grip. Buffy looked like she was about to crack Spike's ribs if she held onto him any tighter and Giles was cleaning his glasses. "Uh. What happened?"
The silence that greeted his question sent a shiver of fear through Cordelia. It was bad.
"What is it?" She asked anxiously. She was again met by silence. "Tell me what it is!" She shouted at the silent group. Spike stepped forward and gave her a half smile.
"Angel came back to town." He said quietly.
"Oh no oh no oh no oh no oh no…" She began to repeat again and again. Xander put his hand on her shoulder and quickly led her over to the couch and sat next to her rubbing her back. Willow quickly moved to the kitchen to get her a glass of water.
"Cordelia?" Buffy said quietly. Cordelia continued her mumbling and incoherent sentences. "Cordelia?" Buffy said a little louder. The scared girl raised her head to met Buffy's gaze. "You never have to see him. We'll keep him away from you."
"Here's some water Cordelia." Willow said holding out the glass to her. Cordelia slowly took the glass and starred at it with a vacant look on her face.
"He has his soul now Cordy. He's different." Xander said trying to be helpful but Cordelia merely broke down and began to cry uncontrollably.
Giles moved to her other side and took her hand in his. "Cordelia. You can beat this. You will be far removed from him. I know how hard it is for you. But you must know that we are all here too protect you." Her sobs tapered off and she and Xander rose from the couch quietly.
"Thanks you guys." Cordelia said after collecting herself a little bit. "Boy. What a night. What I wouldn't do for some good news." She said trying to joke a little bit while wiping away her tears. She hated to be pathetic.
"Oh!" Buffy said her eyes lighting up. "Spike and I have good news!" She exclaimed to the group who looked at her expectantly. Spike nodded his head at her and gave her a shy smile and she beamed back him. "Spike and I are going to be mated."
The group looked at them in surprise and then began to congratulate them all at once. Willow asking if Buffy wanted a mating shower and Cordelia decided that they would throw her one. Oz and Xander solemnly shook Spike's hand and Giles looked on with tears in his eyes. Faith looked touched by the scene and wondered how she could become part of such a group.
At an airport that same night…
They stepped off the plane with an air of authority and quickly proceeded through customs with not problem. The man they were meeting nervously adjusted his tie as he saw them step through the gates and into the terminal.
"Hello." He greeted nervously. "I trust that your flight was pleasant…"
"Spare me the pleasantries Mr. Wyndam-Price. You are in enough trouble as it is not reporting a turned slayer immediately. This could very well be the final battle for us all."
"Well, er, I mean, she appears to have…"
"Don't give us that cockamamie nonsense about a soul."
"But Mr. Travers…"
"Now we go to Sunnydale to deal with this problem. Bring the car around." Wesley quickly went to the car that he had driven to the airport and Travers and his three henchmen waited at the door of the airport waiting his return.
"But if the slayer has a soul sir…She could be the one that the prophecy mentioned." The smaller of the three men said.
"Yes Bradburry. That thought had not escaped me." Travers answered sardonically.
"But then, should we hunt her in this manor?" Bradburry continued.
"We are hunting her, but not to kill her. We shall take her back to England for further study."
"But I thought that you told Mr. Wyndam-Price…"
"I am quite aware that he believes she will be killed. But we cannot let the people in Sunnydale interfere in our plans. They must think that she is dead."
"I don't understand."
"Your job is not to understand Bradburry. Merely to follow orders."
And with that the four waited for Wesley's return in silence. Wondering how they would ever be able to capture a turned Slayer.
Angel sat at the mansion starring at the wall in front of him. He kept reliving the intimate scene that he had witnessed in the cemetery. Buffy and Spike becoming mates. His demon roared in rage as he thought of his girl tied to Spike for all eternity. Spike was a soulless demon. He wasn't right for Buffy.
"Congratulate us Faith…Spike and I are going to be mated."
Her voice played over and over in his head. He couldn't get it out of his mind.
"Spike, I love you. I love you so much."
How could she love him? Things were finally straightening out between them and now Spike comes and messes everything up. I mean sure he turned her into a vampire and helped torture Cordelia but last time he lost his soul he had killed Ms. Calendar and tortured Giles and she forgave that. Now she was his childe. With a determined roar Angel smashed his fist into the wall. She would not be mated with Spike. He would challenge the claim and then once he destroyed Spike, he would claim Buffy as his own and be with her for all eternity.
"Mom!" Buffy yelled as she and Spike entered the house on Revello drive. "We're home and we have some news for you!" Buffy threw a smile over her shoulder at Spike who couldn't help but smile back at her- her enthusiasm was so infectious.
"Buffy! Spike! You're back earlier than usual." It was then that Joyce noticed the bright smiles on both their faces. "What is it good news?"
"Well…we have some really really good news and some bad news." Buffy hedged while bouncing from one foot to the other in excitement.
"Ok give me the good news first." Joyce replied.
"Spike and I are getting mated." At Joyce's blank look Spike decided to intervene.
"It's like the vampire equivilance to marry Joyce."
"Oh." She answered quietly.
"Mom! This is the good news. What's wrong?"
"Well…I guess that it just reminds me that you'll never get married Buffy. We won't have a big white wedding at church and I guess I was always hoping that even though your life isn't normal you would be able to have that."
"Mom…" Buffy didn't really know what to say. "Just because it is different doesn't make it any less special. I mean Willow and Cordelia are already planning a shower." Joyce seemed to perk up right away at that.
"A shower? Do you think that after you, you know, mate, we could have a reception of sorts? Like a wedding reception but different?"
"I don't know Joyce. I mean mating is a pretty private matter. And there are certain things involved that might make it a little awkward to have a lot of soddin…er a group of humans looking on at." Spike said hesitantly.
"Like what?" Buffy asked curiously.
"Well…we have to bite each other then we have to claim each other and when we say the claiming rites and well…it's bloody emotional."
"And you don't want to do that in front of everyone?" Buffy asked. But it was really more of a confirmation of what she knew.
Spike looked from Joyce's downcast expression to Buffy's understanding one. When he had thought of mating with Drusilla it had never extended past what the two of them would be feeling. But now, he was part of a group, this group. And he had to admit that he did care about what these sodding humans thought and felt. Maybe that's why weddings were so important to them. It was allowing your friends and family to share and witness your commitment to each other. The thought of sharing that with them…it made the corner of Spike's mouth turn up and he wished that his own mom would have been able to see that moment in his life.
"I thought I didn't." He mumbled and Buffy beamed at him.
"What was that Spikey?" She asked.
"We can share the bloody ceremony." He answered rolling his eyes.
"Oh! That will be so wonderful! I know that you two will want to have this as soon as possible. What about next week?"
"No good Joyce." Both women looked at Spike in exasperation. "It's the full moon next week pet." Spike answered rolling his eyes.
"Oh well how about the week after that then? It shouldn't be too much trouble to plan it so soon. I mean we can't really invite that many people since you both are vampires. Oh honey, do you want your father to come?"
"You can invite him mom, but before you get with the planning you should probably know the bad news."
"Oh, right. I forgot about that."
"Well I don't really know how to tell you this, but Angel is back."
"Oh." Joyce looked at them in shock. "Does Cordelia know?"
"She found out tonight. That's why we don't want you to invite him back into the house. She really freaked out."
"Yeah and we want the cheerleader to feel like she is safe here." Spike put in.
"I think that you're right." Joyce said quietly. "I know that he probably needs our help right now too, but our priority is to Cordelia."
The group sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Buffy unconsciously leaned back onto Spike who was stroking her back. Suddenly Joyce snapped out of her reverie.
"Well now that that's settled…are there any friends that you would like to invite Spike?" And with that the planning began for a informal party to celebrate the joining of two vampires.
Quinton Travers looked around the motel in disgust. The beds were dingy and the room had a faint smell of urine. Well, who really would want to vacation on the hell mouth he thought with an ironic smile.
"Is this the best room you could find for us Mr. Wydam-Price?" Travers asked.
"I realize that this is a little…er…uncomfortable, but it was…"
"Yes, yes. Now for the time being I do not wish to alert the Slayers or Rupert Giles to my presence. We will observe them and then decide the best time to eliminate William the Bloody and secure Ms. Summers."
"But sir…" Bradburry began and gulped when Travers shot him an icy glare.
"Now, we will begin our survelience tomorrow night. Mr. Wyndam-Price, I believe that you will have to serve as a spy for us and try to ascertain Ms. Summers' schedule."
Wesley merely nodded his head, but inside his stomach was dropping. Buffy was very much the same as she ever was. Perhaps she had a bit of a shorter temper but she wasn't even burned by the cross. And Spike, he had to say that he was astonished with the tenderness that shone through his eyes whenever he looked at Buffy. Wesley was torn but he knew what he had would have to do. He could not let feelings cloud his sense of duty…and his duty was to the Council of Watchers.
NOTE: THis is as far as I have gotten on this one so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, if there is something you find lacking about my writing...I have been out of the creative writing thing for a while so let me know if there something you think I should be doing better. Thanks!