Seeking the Light - a sequel to 'By Night'
Chapter Six - A Sword and a Song
by Angel Eternal aka Angeline
email: spikes_angel01@yahoo.com.au
Website: In Dreams and Shadows
http://www.geocities.com/spikes_angel01/index.html
Rating: R to NC-17
Pairings: Spike and Buffy
Summary: Spike and Buffy are now happily together, but as everyone knows - happily-ever-afters don't
come easy. As Spike searches for his place, a being - older then time - searches for him.
Author's Notes: This fanfic is a sequel to the 'By Night' series and relies heavily on the events in said fic,
it is advisable that you read 'By Night' first. This fic starts off where the previous series leaves off.
Very slight crossover with AtS and The Vampire Princess Miyu (no knowledge of VPM is needed for
a reader to enjoy this fic)
I would like to thank Julie for the wonderful feedback that pushed me into getting through this chapter.
While on the subject of feedback people, I'm not one to really bug for reviews, but I need some encouragement
on this one! I'm not saying I'd be withholding chapters from you guys, but it would help me write faster if I get
more feedback on this. If you don't like it - tell me!
Distribution: If you want to archive it go ahead, but just let me know first - I kinda like to know where it's going,
and plus I find out about more S/B shipper sites! ::grins::
Disclaimers: 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and 'Angel' is owned by Joss Whedon, several companies and God
knows who else. The 'Vampire Princess Miyu' was created by Narumi Kakinouchi.
The song used is "It's Been a While" by Staind.
The only thing that belongs to me is the story itself - and the character named Lucas.
The sword danced between her hands, flashing swiftly to strike at the demon's flesh. But the demon was quicker
then it looked, and it moved just out of her reach.
Buffy's eyes narrowed, concentrating on her task. To distract the demon, and to give her an opportunity to
use her sword to good effect, Buffy started to talk.
"Tell me, is there some unspoken rule about demons stinking? Or being ugly? I've noticed that - what's up
with that anyway?" She darted to the demon's left, waiting for the one moment that she needed.
But the demon didn't give it to her, as it rushed at her, eyes lowered, slimy arms protecting its gut. Buffy crouched
low, sword raised as she stood her ground.
The demon rushed at her, and made the fatal mistake of raising it's arms to attack. She only needed that one
moment to thrust her sword right into the demon's stomach, burying her sword right up to the hilt.
The creature let out one pitiful groan before collapsing, the Slayer had to move swiftly to avoid being buried
under a slimy mound.
Buffy glared down at the slimy mound, she had been forced to let go of her sword, and it was now buried under
all that.
"Buffy!" a voice calling her name, made her look up.
She spied Willow running towards
Willow skidded to a stop, eyeing the dead demon. "Oh...it's dead."
"Yeah, and I want my sword."
Willow's startled gaze swung to study Buffy, "What...?"
"Good memories attached to that." she eyed the mound, thinking of the best way to move it to minimise slime.
Willow eyed the demon dubiously, "I don't know Buff. Memories associated with a sword can't be all good."
Images of Spike grinning at her as she skipped ahead wearing his coat flashed through her mind. She could
hear his voice, gently taunting her as he told her a simple truth of life.
"Oh, they can be real good." a smile touched Buffy's lips and Willow felt the chilling sensation of jealousy
race through her. She knew that smile; she couldn't count how many times it had graced her own lips.
Buffy was already busily tugging at one slimy arm, and without thinking Willow raised her hand, energy
tingling on her fingertips. Buffy's sharp gaze stopped her cold. Willow felt her cheeks flame with embarrassment.
Without a word, she helped Buffy roll the demon over. Buffy retrieved her sword, just as Anya and Xander
walked up to them.
"I see our help isn't needed." Xander remarked, eyeing the carcass.
"Nope." wiping her slimy hand on her jeans, Buffy grimaced, "I'll meet up with you guys later ok?" she checked
her watch. "Tara and Dawn should be getting back soon from the movie, and I need a shower."
Xander, Anya and Willow watched Buffy walk away.
Anya shook her head, moving closer to Xander, "She doesn't look like she's up to a night of Bronzing. I think
she'd rather curl up and call L.A."
Xander frowned, "What Anya? Are you saying that the Buffster is missing Dead Boy Jr?"
Willow snorted, "You're getting just as bad as Spike with nicknames."
Anya ignored her, "Well yeah, is that so hard to believe?"
Xander shook his head, checking to make sure that Buffy was indeed out of earshot. "I guess I still have more
adjusting to do."
Willow smiled at him, "I think its cute." the smile turned wry. "Though she'd never admit to something so cheap
such as missing him."
Xander grinned. "Oh yeah." he sobered, "I have to say, its good to see Buffy...happy."
Anya smiled at Xander, amused that he almost choked on the last word. "She deserves to be - they both do."
She slipped her hand into his, and Xander startled to feel the warmth of her hand squeezing his, looked deep
into her eyes.
Willow felt left out again as Xander and Anya stared deeply into each other eyes, lost to everything but themselves.
They left without saying a word to Willow, and she was left feeling cold.
* * *
Cordelia peered cautiously into the living room. The silence had begun to unnerve her. But what she saw was not
the scene that she expected. She didn't really know what she was expecting but it wasn't the sight of Angel,
staring steadily at the traffic that still flowed beneath him.
"Angel?"
Angel gave no indication of hearing her, so cautiously Cordelia edged forward. "Is Spike gone?"
Angel glanced over his shoulder briefly, "Yeah, he's gone."
Pulling her dressing robe tighter around her, Cordelia rubbed her hands vigorously over her arms, "What did
he want?"
"I told you, it's all family stuff."
There was something about the flat quality of his voice that sent Cordelia's nerves sky-rocketing. "Did it
have anything to do with Buffy?"
"No."
There it was again, that flat voice, completely devoid of emotion. "Come on Angel, you can tell me. It's always
about Buffy."
Angel didn't hear the tinge of jealousy in Cordelia's voice, or if he did, he wisely chose to ignore it. "No Cordy,
it's not always about Buffy."
Cordelia didn't know if it was the heat that suddenly entered his voice or the words themselves that reassured
her, but she simply nodded, leaving him to do something he hadn't really done in a while - brood.
* * *
He didn't know what possessed him to lead him there, but Spike found himself staring at the one place that he
had sworn never to visit - again.
Caritas.
"Well handsome, are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna come in?"
Spike was jolted out of his reverie by a husky voice, mockingly challenging, no daring him to step foot inside.
He scowled at the demon that lounged casually against the door, looking at him so expectantly.
"Well?"
Spike growled, but found his feet moving forward.
* * *
She really didn't know what she was doing there. She had no intention of going here, ever again. But somehow -
here she was.
Yeah Willow, real martyr for pain aren't you? She thought bitterly, gazing up at the lighted window.
She could imagine her fingers gliding over Tara's silky skin, the feel of her in her arms...
It had been all about gentleness, and, if Willow thought to admit it to herself, dominance. Willow had found
someone who had utterly adored her, someone who worshipped the bloody ground she walked on. Instead
of the other way around. Willow had, had enough of completely losing herself to a man. It had been that way
with Xander - she had allowed her love for him grow beyond the brotherly boundaries long established and
she had adored him. The way she had adored Oz.
What she had with Tara wasn't about her being dominated, but being the one doing the dominating. Then Tara
showed her that she wasn't to be walked on.
Willow loved her more for it.
All she wanted right now was Tara in her arms, whispering in her ear.
What kind of life did they live in now? Xander was deeply involved with an ex-vengence demon who would
jump, and did, at the chance to drop the ex status. Buffy was madly and irrevocably in love with a soulless vampire.
And she pined for a golden-haired enchantress.
Only on the Hellmouth.
Willow took a step, and then hesitated. This wasn't how she wanted to approach Tara, in the middle of the night,
covered in vampire dust and flecks of demon slime. Theirs wasn't a love confined to the dark embrace of night.
This wasn't how she wanted to begin.
She was done with the begging. She would meet Tara on even ground, or not at all.
* * *
"I'm surprised you would dare show that killer smile in L.A. ever again, not after the last couple of times you
breezed by here. The City of Angels never quite recovered you know?"
Lorne leaned over the table, eying Spike warily.
Spike's drink arrived, and Spike nodded in thanks before sipping. "Bloody good this is."
A small smile touched Lorne's lips. "Of course honey, we do have a touch."
Spike eyed his glass, "What is that? Paprika?"
Lorne laughed, "Of course, you have always been the only vampire I ever knew who liked his blood tampered
with."
"Nah, I wouldn't say 'tampered with' more like spiced up." he took another appreciative gulp.
"Babycakes, you're avoiding the issue here."
Spike growled at the offending nickname, "Don't ever call me that again."
Lorne laughed, "See? You're doing it again! Naughty!" He leaned back, "Come on gorgeous, tell Lorne why
you came to this godforsaken city?"
Spike shook his head, "Family business."
"Oh you mean, this business which had your son tearing out of here heading for Sunnydale?"
Spike's eyes snapped to meet Lorne's amused gaze, "What do you..."
"Oh don't worry babycakes, it's not common knowledge." he eyed the vampire shrewdly, "But I'm right aren't
I?"
Spike was silent, starting the second glass of blood as soon as it touched the table. "What do you know about
the Vampire Princess, Lorne?"
Lorne's entire demeanour changed, his shoulder hunkered down, his head bent forward, and the teasing gleam
in his eyes disappeared. "Now, now Spike. You know that's not a name you want bandied around."
"I don't bandy." Spike bit out tersely, watching Lorne's face carefully.
Lorne considered him, before answering. "I'm not going to spout that mindless drivel that all you vamps are
fed with."
Spike nodded, urging him to continue.
Lorne fiddled with a napkin, keeping his gaze firmly on the table. "Miyu. Now that is one bitch I thought never
to see. I mean everyone knows about her, not just vampires, you know. Way up there with another name that's
all about striking into fear in demonic hearts." Lorne shook his head, his eyes going vacant. "Whatever they say
about her, she is an incomparable."
A small smile twitched his lips, "In fact, you are the only creature I know that has had his name associated with
two such incomparable creatures."
"Quit with the riddles Lorne." Spike snapped, his fingers tightening over his glass. "Just get it out would you?"
"Well, the first is of course the Slayer - Buffy. What a woman, what I would do to meet that one." An admire glimmer entered his eyes as he thought of the woman who had the love of two very special vampires. "That's one that's going down in the history books."
Spike nodded, distracted, "Maybe one of these days, me and the little lady might visit this hellhole."
The small smile blossomed into a full grin, "Oh please do Spike! You and the little lady would tear this city
apart."
Spike silently urged him on.
"The second is of course - Miyu."
Spike shook his head, "What do you...? Are you saying...?"
"She's coming for you Spike." Lorne answered grimly. His gaze fixed on the tabletop again as if it was the most
interesting thing he had ever seen, "She's coming, Spike, and people are talking about the triangle."
Spike scoffed, "First the poof, then you? I expected more from you Lorne! Stop giving me myths and legends
mate! I want answers."
Lorne spread his hands out helpless, "There's nothing much I could say Spike! I tell you what I hear."
Spike growled, pounding the table with his fist, "I'm not talking about your poncy gossip!"
Lorne sighed, then gestured towards the stage. "Want to entertain us handsome?"
Spike growled again, and without another word strode towards the stage. He didn't even wait for the
current singer to finish, but simply shoved them out of the way. He glanced at a man, who instantly
brought him a guitar.
Spike only spared a few moments to tune it, before starting.
The low strummings of a guitar filled the club, instantly bring silence. Lorne had always appreciated the
power of music, but in this man's hands, it transcended mere trifles of power and seized the listener's soul.
When Spike started to sing, the world fell away, his deep voice, vibrating around the room, commanding,
demanding - possessing.
"It's been a while, since I could hold my head up high.
It's been a while, since I first saw you
It's been a while, since I could stand on my own two feet again
It's been a while, since I could call you
But everything I can't remember as fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I've stretched myself beyond my means
It's been a while, since I could say I wasn't addicted
And it's been a while, since I could say I love myself as well
It's been a while, since I've gone and fucked things up
Just like I always do
And it's been a while, but all that shit seems to disappear when I'm with you
But everything I can't remember, as fucked up as it may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I've gone and fucked things up again
Why must I feel this way?
Make this go away
Just one more peaceful day
It's been a while, since I could look at myself straight
And it's been a while since I said I'm sorry
And It's been a while since I've seen the way the candles light your face
And it's been a while but I can still remember just the way you taste
But everything I can't remember, as fucked up as it all may seem to be
I know it's me
I cannot blame this on my father
He did the best he could for me
It's been a while, since I could hold my head up high
And it's been a while since I said I'm sorry"
As the last notes of the song vibrated in the room, people started to stir as Spike without ceremony leapt
off the stage. A moment passed and Spike was halfway back to his table when the club exploded into applause.
Spike's stride didn't falter, and Lorne had to grin at the image he presented. Black duster flaring out behind
him, everyone surrounding him applauding, and him, so distant from it all.
Lorne shook his head, bemused. "You could never do things halfway can you Spike?"
Spike slid into his seat, impatience dancing in his eyes, "Well?"
Lorne lapsed into contemplative silence. When he finally spoke, Spike was gritting his teeth in annoyance.
"All I can say is that you know where you're going. You're probably against it right now - in fact you're
dead set against it, but even you know what you're going to do."
This comment didn't elicit any response from Spike, so Lorne forged ahead, "You think you're content
at the moment. The love of your lady. Approval from her love ones, alive or otherwise."
At that, a scarred eyebrow rose, but Spike still didn't say anything.
"Respect from the demon populace. All combined to make Spike one happy puppy. In fact, so happy
that if a certain someone didn't come barging into Sunnydale, you would have stayed content." Lorne sighed,
"Let's face it Spike - you have questions in need of some answering. And you already know what to do
about that."
Spike simply nodded, before slipping out of the booth and out of the club.
Lorne stared after him. Surely the beautiful oaf didn't need to be told that his aura pulsated with a light all
of his own - surely he knew that. Lorne paused, and then shook his head. If Spike didn't know, he wasn't
about to chase him to tell him.
~To be continued~
