Title: Payment in Kind

Author: Julie/Brokie/Shyla

Rating: PG-13

Distribution: my site, any others please ask before taking

Feedback: yes please

Pairing: possible vague mentions of Buffy/Spike, depending on your interpretation

Notes: Post-"Grave". Somewhat AU in that Spike returned to his crypt instead of going to the basement, and he is not crazy. Nope, no babbling. Writing style is a little different

Summary: Angel comes to make Spike pay for what he did to Buffy.



Loud crashes. A feeling, like fear, icing up his spine.

Lifted up, pressed against the wall, growling in his face. How could you?

No answer to that. Nothing left to say. Just wait.

No recognition in those eyes, because they've never seen him.

Even the demon girl got it. He just brings more pain, stares right through him.

It's coming closer now. Simple. Clear.

Perhaps there will be regret for him. For this, at least.

Maybe he'll realize that in the beginning, there was no choice. Just taking.

Maybe he won't understand at all.

He wants this. A proper ending. Wants to say the last words.

I never hated you for being good.

Hated you for leaving. For the pain.

You came back and you didn't realize it could never be the same.

You are not sire. There is no sire. You have no right.

I would have changed, stopped killing. For you.

Not what he wants to hear. Who would've guessed.

It's nearly over, but he finds he doesn't want this now.

Fights back, for once. Element of surprise. Gets up and runs.

A pause at the door. He glances back, sees recognition. Shock and horror.

Just a turn of the knob. Fiery warmth, and satisfaction.

Sunshine. A last poem for him, written in ashes.