The Shape of Spike Drabble Collection 1

Summary: I became enthralled with the idea of describing Spike through the shape that he cast on others and this series of drabbles was the result. I made this a challenge at the Bloody Awful Gutter and several other authors have written drabbles. Only my own are included here but if you wish to read more they can be found archived at the Bloody Awful Sandlot as a Group fic - ?modefic&ficid1876

VIGILANTE

Summary: Post Soul-Purpose. Angst.

I lie all the time now, which is funny because all the adults think I'm finally telling the truth.

They tell me they're only concerned about me, that I have to give up my fantasies and face the truth. I know their real concern is preserving their own fantasies, making me believe in the lies.

They don't want to hear that yellow-eyed monsters killed Lisa; that bloodied fangs carved the scars on my neck.

They don't want to know why I date boys jazzed with punk attitude, with rough, scarred knuckles and piercing, blue eyes, who make me feel safe.

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CRYPT

Summary: Just a moment in the summer between S6 and S7.

"Wow," the fledge gaped at pitted walls and the burned bones of furniture. He could smell ash and blood and underneath it the powerful tang of sex. The destruction and old smells made him uneasy but not as uneasy as the dawning light from the windows upstairs. Wasn't direct light, but still...he decided to pile softer bits and pieces into a nest.

He scanned the writing on the burned bits of paper without reading-poetry?

He understood why the crypt was vacant despite the posh furnishings upstairs. Too many ghosts here - neither human nor demon but an unsettling blend of both.

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WILLY'S BAR

Summary: A moment that could have occurred more than once between S2 and the end of the series.

'Hot damn! Willy'll be pissed when he sees this!' The bartender giggled. He liked watching his boss snort and flap his hands and make the faces he made when he was upset.

He studied the new scorch made when Spike forced the other vampire's hand down and shoved a cross through it. Burned himself too. That dent - the bartender recalled watching Spike repeatedly slam a Fyarl's head against the wood. And that gouge - Spike cutting off a Bahlk's tail with it's own knife. The stories this bar told...

Maybe Willy wouldn't be so mad, after all... nahhh, he'd be frigging furious.

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POTENTIAL SHAPES

Summary: Three linked drabbles Potential/Slayer(s) before, during and after Chosen.

BEFORE - DREAMING

I've been dreaming lately but I don't think the dreams are mine. Evidently, that comes with the Potential gig but before the dreams were violent - tales of slayer death and suffering. Now...well, they're still pretty violent.

These dreams - there is fighting and bleeding and I suppose death might feel like that if you are going to heaven and how can sex be so much like fighting and yet feel so different?

I glare at Buffy. At first, I thought 'How could the slayer have let herself sleep with a vampire like that?' And now I think 'How can she not?'

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DURING - FACING DEATH

I look Death in the face and it looks back. Inches away, dripping fangs and clawed hands reach for me and I know I am dead.

In the midst of chaos my center becomes calm, time ceases and I feel peace.

Existence abruptly reintroduces itself in the form of a battle-scarred hand wrapping around Death's face and snapping its head sharply to the left.

In past dreams I died staring into those blue eyes. Now their gaze guides me back to life and moves on. For a moment I watch the battle wage around me.

I return to the fight.

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AFTER - DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO

My watcher's been after me again, the Bastard. He even brought Buffy and Faith in this time.

"Oooh, how could you head down this path."

"We know. We've been there."

"You were given this power to fight evil, not cause it."

Well, they gave it to me and it's my power now. What really irritates me is when they bring Spike into it. The shining example of how even this most evil of beings realized that it's a far, far better thing to be the good guy. Like he found the pot of gold.

He didn't even get the girl.

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VILLAIN

Summary: Two linked drabbles. Pre-Series-late 1800s. Angst. Evil Spike.

BEDLAM

I cautiously reiterate their falsehoods. I converse calmly. I encourage myself to seek dreamless sleep. I endeavor to remember their truths instead of my own.

I comprehend the unlikelihood of my release. Where could I go when all my family is slain? But conceivably if I am tranquil enough they will suppose me capable of employment. The Workhouse - begging in the streets would be preferable to this bedlam.

If only the good Doctor did not possess such compelling blue eyes. If only he did not smile so very sweetly and with such charm. Perhaps then I could stop dreaming...and screaming...and...

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COALBIN

I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy.

I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy. I want my mommy...

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THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HIM

Summary: 4 linked SOS drabbles. His shape on the people who know him.

WOLFRAM & HART - ROMAN DIVISION

She loved her job. It had many perks not the least of which was meeting magnificent, attractive, powerful men such as these.

How would you choose between two such gorgeous creatures? The one, tall, handsome, intense, the very picture of - how do you say it - a hunk. The other, not so tall, irregular features, not a classic beauty at all... yet so beautiful!

Ah, the downside of her job. Business first. She wouldn't get the chance to learn what other attributes these two had to offer. Still there would always be other opportunies - she'd make sure of it.

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EYEFUL

He frequents so many of my nightmares. Not surprising, he's been there for some of the worst moments in my life - caused my breakup with Cordelia, ruined my already dim chances with Anya, saved my other eye, possibly my life.

How am I supposed to feel about the guy?

I don't hate him anymore - well, yeah I do - no, I don't. Can you hate someone you like?

I guess it doesn't matter now he's gone. But I wish I had the chance to apologize... I'm not sure exactly for what.

Maybe I just want to call him friend.

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VERY FUNNY

I scream when the sword enters my chest and I'm still screaming when it emerges through my back. That damn ...Spike! He's supposed to be on MY side.

I glare as he burbles out his explanation. A horde of demon bugs can't knock him off his feet but he's about to fall on his butt he's laughing so hard at MY pain! Good thing that the bug on my back was the last or who knows what damage he'd do.

I haven't pulled the sword out yet. I'd roast in hell before telling Spike this, but actually it's kinda funny.

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CHOICES

There's a choice here. She appreciates that. Choices haven't been abundant in her lifetime or maybe she just hasn't been good at seeing them. But she can see what her choices are now.

He died. She had thought she would...maybe she even wanted to, but he died instead. He's given her another chance at life by dying in her place.

She can break down, cry and drag herself through weary existence, make everyone suffer her pain or she can seize the opportunity to make a new life, be there for friends and family and be happy.

She smiles... for him.

TBC...