Day Nine: Ode to Duty

While Elizabeth slept, she dreamt she was sitting in the pews of the cathedral. Moonlight shone through the windows, pouring a stream of colours in all around her as she listened to the bells ring. She could have forever sat there in the tranquility and calmness; it was a place where she felt happy and at peace. Though she found solace and comfort in the church, it was not because her parents were cruel, but they were too concerned with upholding the image of their status as aristocrats to properly care for her. She would often see fathers swinging their daughters through the streets, mothers skipping rope with them- things that she hated to admit to having envied. She had wealth, influence, and at a whim, anything a girl could want, but it was the simple little things that she craved.

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Throughout the day, Spike had managed to stay on his side during sleep, which was good for both Elizabeth and him. When he awoke, he punched the wall of pillows with an outstretched arm, sending them tumbling down over Elizabeth as he had done the day before. Feeling satisfied, he got up from bed and headed towards the bathroom to get ready.

Elizabeth woke, turning to catch her sire slipping into the bathroom.

She got up from bed and began to brush her hair, "A little hurried today?" she asked softly as she glanced at the empty doorway before looking out the window to the streets below.

"Talking to me now, are we?" he leaned his head back to look into the bedroom at Elizabeth. He disappeared from view once more as he finished cleaning up, then emerged from the bathroom to put on his trousers, "Thought you'd still be stewing from last night," he teased. "Well, I try to keep myself busy. You can only fit so many hours in a night," he said, almost completing his attire as he buttoned up his vest. Grabbing his coat from where it hung on the sofa's armrest, he slipped something hidden from his hand in the inner pocket, then flung it on.

Elizabeth nodded and began to get ready herself. She actually liked being on her own, even though she liked his company from time to time. It was curious to see him act this way, as if he was on a mission of some sort. After she was dressed, she walked next to him, "Are we going our separate ways tonight?"

"Right you are," he gave a small tilt of his head and directed an uncaring smile at her. "Well," not having any more words to exchange, he turned on his spot and walked out the door, not bothering to wait for her.

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Without another word, Elizabeth walked out of the hotel with the key in her purse as she made her own way around the city. Stopping at a creperie, she had herself a crepe with some tea as she enjoyed the music and nightlife at her small table. She bought some flowers as she made her way back to the church, entering to see a priest lighting candles. He looked to her in surprise when he noticed her.

"Oh! You startled me, child," he said kindly in French.

"Forgive me for frightening you. I just love the sound of the bells and saw the door still open," she answered with a smile.

"Someone tampered with them last night. Is something troubling you?" he asked as he walked closer.

"I… have been through a lot this past week or so."

"Well, perhaps this is the right place for you. I'll leave you be," he said. He walked away, leaving her to sit by herself.

Looking at the altar, Elizabeth sighed as she took out her gloves and put them on so she could read the bible in silence. At that moment, she felt perfectly safe and at peace. After sitting there for a few hours in her quiet solitude, she left the flowers on the altar and walked out of the church.

As she walked along the streets, her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the cries of a child screaming. She ran towards the sound to see a man pulling a small girl by the arm. Coming up behind him, she yanked him away and pushed him into the wall, then scooped the child up into her arms.

"Where's your mama, love?" she asked in a hurried tone, not before seeing a frantic woman running towards them. She returned her to the ground, "Go on, little one, it's all right now," she said gently. Walking back to where she left the would-be kidnapper, she let the demon in her reveal itself, advancing silently towards the man as he tried to scoot away. Grabbing him by the neck, she sank her fangs into him and drank until she was full. She left the corpse there on the ground as she walked down the road, humming to herself.

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Spike followed up on another string of murders from his newspaper clippings to a clustered area of Montmartre where the poor resided. This was close to a hospice. He wasn't sure about this one, since this was a place where the sick went and many died, but decided to look into it for good measure. He perched himself on the rooftop terrace on the building next door as he observed people walking in and out of the hospice from a safe distance.

"Eh! What how did you get up here? You are not allowed on this property; you're trespassing!" a man called out, startling the spying vampire; the guard placed a hand on Spike's shoulder from behind. Spike glanced at him from the side, giving him a sly smirk before he grabbed hold of his arm and twisted it, repositioning them so that he now had his grip on the man's arm and neck.

"How convenient. A meal and a show," he quipped, not wasting any more time as he sank his fangs into the man's neck. The man spasmed within Spike's grasp as the vampire took his fill, fighting for air and his life till he stopped struggling. Spike straightened himself up as soon as he was done and released his hold. Though the body was supposed to fall in a heap on the terrace rooftop, gravity had other plans. Spike's eyes widened as he realised what was happening, reaching an arm out as the body swayed away from him and began to topple over the edge of the roof. He peered down as it went crashing down with a rather loud and audible bone crunch and wet splatter to the ground below. "Oh… bugger…," he whispered as people on the street began to scream. Spike glanced farther up the street as the police were quickly alerted; people had spotted him on the roof and pointed up at him. He sighed as he saw the police start to run towards the building. Without another thought, Spike headed down the stairs as quickly and proficiently as he could. He slowed down as he approached the street to avoid arousing any more unnecessary suspicion. He had made some good distance between that area, and thought he had been safe, until a couple of policemen called at him from behind.

"You there, stop where you are."

"We'd like to ask you a few questions." Spike ignored them and continued to walk on.

"Eh, we're talking to you! We are the police! Stop!" Again, the vampire did not bother to turn around, and only quickened his pace. The police did so as well. Not before long, Spike took off into a run, only causing the two officers to chase after him. One managed to grab him by the arm, but Spike simply shrugged him off, flinging him aside with ease and into a wall. The other officer prepared his baton and had it cast down in one mighty swoop, only to have it caught within the hand of the assailant- with the face of a demon.

Spike growled as he grabbed him, pushing him against the wall, then sank his teeth into him before snapping his neck. The first officer stirred on the ground as he tried to regain his footing, only glancing up to see the back of the man walking away from them, having witnessed nothing that had happened to his now dead partner.

Spike wiped at his mouth as he stepped past the shady alley of the hospice, not realising that his vampire face would be recognised by someone from inside the building. A sickly boy lay in one of the cots as he watched out the dark window, finding the walking man's face just like two faces he had seen from before.

Spike lapsed back into his normal face before stepping out to the open streets. Grimacing as he saw the police beginning to form a blockade around the felled body, he found his plan was spoiled and would not see a good opportunity to further investigate that area. He left in disappointment. Following the other clues within the city had all but turned out to be natural causes of the human world, mostly due to pickpockets or thieves. Now in a much fouler mood, Spike decided to end his searches for that night.

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What started out as a good evening had become very disappointing for the male vampire. With a scowl set on his face, he strut along the dark streets, deciding whether he might either get one last thrill for the night, or maybe drown himself in alcohol. He was so preoccupied with his own thoughts, that he nearly crashed into someone as he rounded the bend.

"Watchit!" he growled, soon realising who it was. "Oh, it's you," he glowered at Elizabeth, catching a bit of her good natured hum. Elizabeth gasped a she caught herself when she bumped into her sire. "What are the odds I'd be running into you on the street," he scoffed.

Looking at him with a raised brow, she answered, "I was out for a walk. Are you all right?" her voice was filled with concern and caution. It seemed there was a lot more bothering him than simply running into her.

"Right as rain," he said, continuing to strut ahead of her, "if the sky rained fire and brimstone." He stared ahead of him as he walked, "Should celebrate by drowning meself in drink, right? Methinks it a sound idea."

"Or you can talk about it," she suggested as she began to walk behind him, thinking what she could do. She had already had supper and gone for a lovely walk, perhaps she could turn in early or return to the church for a while. As insufferable and crude as her sire was, he was the only friend she had in the world now. Might as well be there for him.

"'Course you'd want that," Spike replied. "Next you'll have me stuffed in a confession box revealing all the good evil I've done."

"I was trying to be helpful," she said as she walked closer to him.

He paused to turn to her, sniffing, "You've gone back, haven't you?" He gave a little cackle, "Should pay them another visit myself; bag me a priest. Their virtuous blood would help with a 'spiritual' cleansing," he laughed.

"Don't go back there," she said softly, her eyes pleading with an anger simmering just beneath them. That place and her memories of her former life meant too much to her; they were the only things she clung to.

Causing her some distress amused Spike, allowing him to forget the mood he was in moments ago, "Oh, but you make it so difficult; makes me want to go all the more," he grinned. He strolled in front of her, walking backwards as he taunted, "Who's gonna stop me, huh? The hand of God?" he laughed. "Lightning hasn't struck me yet, and it ain't gonna any time soon. Face it love, he ain't watchin' anymore."

Elizabeth stared at him in shock as she thought of the kind old priest she had seen in the church, now fearing for his safety. Clenching her fist, she followed him closely and quickened her step at his remark, "Yes, He is," she whispered. She did not want to make a spectacle of herself in public as she wanted to protect the church, but unfortunately, her anger was getting to her.

"Oh, He is, is He?" Spike drew his hands together in front of him and gave a shrug, "So, He must have bore witness to all the nasty things you've done- murder, stealing, lying," he raised his hand and a finger with each item, "and, the most surprising," he chuckled, saying to her face as he stepped towards her,"yearning." Elizabeth's face stood firm. She knew she had to kill to live, so she killed what humanity had to offer; she only took what was left of the poor souls her sire had killed, and did not object when he had claimed she was his wife. But when the subject came to yearning, she tried to keep her face from faltering. Spike spun around and continued on his trek, "'Thou shalt not covet', love," he laughed, "how many dirty desires you've got hiding in that dead heart of yours?" None thus far, she thought, at least that's what she believed to be so. He continued, "That's practically half of the bloody Ten Commandments. Making good headway, there," he commented.

"Don't go," she said softly with an underlying tone. It was not a plea, but a warning.

"Compelling as your argument might be," he cocked his head to the side and scrunched his face up as though he were thinking hard about it, "mm, no," he looked back up at her and gave her a devilish smile. He continued onward, his pace never faltering.

Elizabeth gave a light growl as she ran ahead of him into the church as fast as she could.

"Really, now?" he called after her. "Running ahead won't do much. If you want a chase, love, you got one!" he laughed, starting to run after her.

Once inside, Elizabeth quickly searched around till she found the old cleric praying.

"Father!" she cried as he turned to look at her.

"Oh, you again. Why, my child, what is wrong?" he said as he rested his hands on her shoulders.

"Go to your quarters, bar the doors, and answer for no one," she said with urgency in her voice and eyes.

"Bar my door? What is wrong?"

"Someone is following me here. Someone horrible. You have to believe me. Go!" she said as she pushed him ahead of her, watching him run as she heard the door creak from behind her.

Spike smashed into the cathedral, pushing the door open loudly as the sound boomed like thunder, "Elizabeth," finding her standing alone, "where're you hiding the priest?" He stalked towards her, a glint of mischief in his eyes and a smirk on his face. This was all in good fun for the vampire, though the outcome would be a fatal one for an innocent.

Elizabeth stood tall, strong, and slightly fearless like her sire, "You will not hurt him," she said as she looked him dead in the eyes. Standing in front of the altar with the candles behind her, she looked like a guardian of the church. In some small way, by guarding the church and the priest, she was guarding the little things she clung to, to the things that made her happy. Her sire would not take those away, she would not let him.

Spike began to laugh at her short and tiny stature, standing so defiantly to defend something that would not hesitate to betray her if they knew what she truly was, "Won't I, though?" Spike glanced to the side behind where Elizabeth stood, finding a humble doorway that appeared to be some passage for clergymen. He glanced back at Elizabeth, and darted towards the door, "This where they're hiding? Don't put your eggs all in one basket, love, your mum ever taught you that?" he cackled. "Makes things too easy!"

Elizabeth stared with steely eyes. The door simply lead to a labyrinth of halls and doors. "Leave. If you must torment me, so be it. But you will not hurt them!" she said as she took a step closer to him and clenched her gloved hands. Her pale blue eyes glinted with a fire that seemed to burn brighter when he tormented and mocked her for all that she stood for.

Spike sighed, "Suppose that's my prerogative, but 'tis yours the same to feel tormented," he replied. "It's not my intention to hurt, I just want to kill them," he said, partially lying, "at the very least, one. Isn't my fault they feel pain before they die at my hand." Turning back to the door, he gave it a good kick with his boot then peered inside. As it was too dark to see, Spike took a candle off the altar to help guide him. "It's a bloody maze," he breathed as he stepped in, "but it builds up the anticipation," he laughed.

She let out another little growl as she walked quickly behind him and grabbed him by the shoulders. Yanking him out of the hallway, she pushed him hard to the stone floor as she elicited a low growl out of him, "You will not get to them!" she said in a more commanding tone as she stared down at him; the little mouse was getting brave.

"You're starting to get rather annoying!" he threw his arm out and flung her off of him, throwing her several feet away. Elizabeth screamed as she fell to the ground and groaned in pain. "Now, be like the quiet little mouse you are and scamper off!" he gestured with his hand. He stomped back down the hallway, ramming in several of the doors with his shoulder to find the rooms quiet and empty. "Quick! I need a priest! Father, come! I have sinned!" he called out and cackled as he furthered his advances.

Looking at him walking down the hall, she pulled herself up and grabbed one of the candelabras, breaking the top portion off like he had done with the snuffer the night before, and followed after him as he went from door to door. Walking up behind him, she took her makeshift staff in both hands and swung it at his back with all of her strength. There were no more pleas or commands to leave; she was going to hurt him, do anything to keep the priests safe at all costs.

"Ow!" Spike howled, ducking over as he was bludgeoned from behind; he staggered a foot forward to prevent himself from falling. "The bloody hell!" he stood, turning to face her as he glared. "What did you do that for? You insolent harlot!" He moved forward to grab the staff from her grasp, "Give me that!" Elizabeth only held onto it tighter, her leather gloves giving her good grip. Looking into his eyes, the rage he found so refreshing and amusing was back.

"I do not want to harm you, but I will if need be," she said in an even tone. His cry from pain and directed insult seemed to have no effect on her face.

"Let me make the decision easier for you then, love," Spike pulled the staff with a jerk, bringer her in closer to him. "No more dirty moves; I'll let you have the first blow, front and centre," he smirked. "Might even get a taste for it," he laughed.

She momentarily faltered, but it was brief, for his laughter brought the anger back into her eyes. Not even nodding in acknowledgment, she took back the staff and gave him another solid blow. Spike doubled forward, clutching his gut as a muffled sound escaped his lips. If she was to protect the clergymen, she was going to fight to the best of her ability; this was coming from a timid young woman being pushed to her breaking point.

Spike gave a little cough, then heaved himself up to stand as he began to laugh, "Not shy now, are we?" He sped forward with his arms outstretched and locked as he hooked his hands onto her shoulders, using her body to smash through the door behind her as they both pummeled through it. This time it was he that was straddling her, "And now it's my turn," he said with a small smile and dangerous glint to his eye.

Elizabeth yelped and hissed in pain as her back hit the stone floor. Looking up into the eyes of her sire, she tossed her shoulders as she tried to knock him off while blindly patting at the floor for something to use as a weapon. Spike held fast to her, smashing her back to the floor as she tried to shake him off. He spotted the candelabra staff within a short distance from them and kicked it aside, letting it skid farther from their reach.

"What are you without the reliance of weapons, eh? You're a bloody vampire, for God's sakes," he pushed off of her and stood, going back to retrieve the metal fixture and hurried down the passages, now completely swathed in darkness. Getting up, she ran after him, hissing through pain with only the sounds of his footsteps to guide her. She did not know this cathedral, but thankfully, save for the clerics, neither did he.

Elizabeth was full of determination, and at that moment, bravery. Running as fast as she could, it was a sick game of cat and mouse. She eventually found him in her sights and was at a loss for weapons. Grabbing him by the back of his coat, she sank her teeth into his shoulder just like that fateful night.

"Oh, bloody hell!" Spike howled, feeling the pierce of her fangs cut into his shoulder like daggers. Like a cat holding onto its prey, she took a step back and let go to push him into a wall; his head was knocked back against it as she pinned him. It was a new sight to see- her young and sweet face full of anger and resentment, the blood of her sire trickling down her chin. She was learning a warped version of her lesson- if she wanted something, she would do whatever it would take to see it done. She did not want the clerics harmed, so she would fight for them.

"Now that's more like it," he said, seeing the demon reveal itself in her. Grinning and laughing, he delighted in this game; he morphed into his vampire facade and hurled himself at her, slamming her back into a column, causing bits of stone and mortar to crumble from the impact. She cried out in pain. "Dancing now, are we? Hope you can keep up, love, I tend to lead a little fast." He picked her up by the waist, lifting her high above him before hurling her across the space down the hall. "Now," he took a few steps forward as he ran a hand through the mass of his dishevelled hair, "where was I?" He sniffed at the air and turned his head, picking up the scent of humans nearby.

Elizabeth lay stunned on the floor before pushing herself up, only managing to stumble a bit before falling back to the floor and unable to stand. She trembled, but forced herself to keep moving, knowing her sire must have been close to finding them by now. Tears streaked down her face as she prayed to God, that they would be under His protection, and that they would heed her warning. Unable to move any farther, their lives were now in God's hands.

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Spike glanced around the dark corridor, smelling the scent of the men grow stronger. With a turn of his head, he heard the sounds of quiet prayer behind a specific closed door. He stalked towards it, a sinister grin matching his demon face.

"Open the door," he banged on the door with his fist, hearing the sounds of startled cries and panicked whispers, "I know you're in there, fathers, mes pères. I'm in dire need of some enlightenment," he laughed. The sounds of prayer from within only quickened before Spike smashed in the door with a jolt of his boot. He grinned as he peered at the canon regulars huddled in kneeled prayer by dim candlelight. One of them spoke, a prayer or scripture from the bible, but Spike only picked up the few words of 'God', 'demon', and 'out' with the limited French that he knew. He glanced around the doorframe as he remained standing outside, then slowly, took a step forward. Starting to laugh, he spread his arms out before him with his palms upwards, "God isn't here to stop this from happenin'," he laughed. "If only your home wasn't built within a church," Spike chortled, bending low to grab the closest man by the collar. The man made a sign of the cross with his hand and shut his eyes as he mumbled a prayer. "Little that does, père," Spike smiled, only to hiss when the man brought out a real cross from within his robe. His voice grew louder as he held it closer to Spike's face, and the vampire winced, dropping his hold on the man as he took a step back. The other canons stood, armed in prayers of God, bibles, and crosses as they began to move towards him. "Oh, c'mon!" he hissed, smacking the cross away from the first man and grabbing him close once more. "Come closer and I'll snap his head like a chicken," Spike threatened, his fingers clutched around the priest's throat. He pulled him out with him as the other men hovered hesitantly within their quarters.

"Elizabeth, look what I found!" he called out into the dark hall, wanting to rub this into her face. "Believe he's a friend of yours, I call him 'Father'," he laughed, keeping a grip on the man's arm and his fingers encircled around the priest's neck. "Well, what are you doing there, love?" he noticed her dark huddled form on the floor.

Elizabeth weakly turned her head to see him holding her friend by the neck, "P-please… don't…," she choked out as she slowly blinked.

"Dare I…?" Spike grinned, bringing his fangs closer to the man's neck. She had fought hard for them, allowing herself to get beaten and hurt to save their lives; she cried as she looked to the pastor. As she was about to lose consciousness, she knew there was a large chance her sire would show no mercy.

Looking into the man's eyes, she whispered, "I am so… sorry…." Just as Spike's teeth about grazed the man's skin, Elizabeth faltered, and her eyes fell shut.

"Aw, you're missing the good part, pet. At least bear witness to this," Spike said, pulling up from the man's neck. The priest sighed in relief as he muttered a blessing. "Still, I ain't finished with you," Spike said to him, exposing his neck even more as he bent low again for the bite. Stopping in his actions, a sudden flash of acid seemed to burn him from behind. Spike howled as his hands flew to the back of his head as smoke simmered from it. Gasping, he turned around to face the wrath of the canon, this time armed with holy water. "Well, bugger," he hissed. The priest now joined his brethren, taking arms as they splashed holy water at the retreating demon. Holding up their crosses, they advanced slowly, reading passages from the bible as though performing an exorcism, "Ain't that kind of demon, pères," Spike said as he jumped aside to avoid a splash of holy water, causing him to growl. Backing up to where Elizabeth lay, he almost tripped over her unconscious body. "Bloody hell," he said grumpily, bending low to toss her limp form over his shoulder. The men gasped as Spike dared to take the innocent girl hostage, only causing them to quicken their pace and endeavours.

"Stop! Please! She's just a girl!" the priest that had shared a previous conversation with her cried out in accented English.

"Not what you think, père," Spike smiled, moving away from them. Angered, the priest stepped forward and dashed water into Spike's face, and getting some onto Elizabeth's exposed wrist. Spike howled, covering himself with his free hand as smoke billowed from his face, as it did where the water hit Elizabeth's wrist. The priest's eyes widened, stopping in his tracks to realise that she did not appear to be what she was. "Told you so," Spike winced as he removed his hand, his face now blemished with pink. He gave a little smile and laugh before stealing off into the night with his progeny in his arms.

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They returned to the safety of their hotel room before sunrise. Spike dumped Elizabeth onto the bed, soon to join her as he slumped down face first next to her. Tired, bruised, and battered, he quickly fell asleep.


Author's Notes: French Translations

mes pères - my fathers