XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"How you feeling, pet?"
Illyria stretched slowly, her injury no longer hurting
"I am much better now"
"That's good to hear," Spike said, as he checked outside
The sun was starting to set, as he grabbed his duster and threw it on. Illyria had a feeling they were heading out, but she wasn't sure why they were going out. Either to patrol or just hang out around Rome. To her, it didn't matter too much. She enjoyed Spike's company and was glad to have it. He was the only thing she really liked having around and she was sure he felt the same way. After all, he had said indirectly to her that he cared deeply for her. She wasn't too sure how much he cared, but enough that he took care of her following her injury from the Gator demon
"Where are we going?" Illyria asked
"I'm heading downtown for a drink, but you're welcome to come along if you wish"
"I do wish to accompany you. I have no desire to remain in this room on my own"
"That makes the both of us. Come on then"
Illyria followed after Spike as he left the hotel room, passing Connor in the hallway and heading out into the night
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The phone rang, prompting Harmony to switch on the speaker phone
"Wolfram and Hart, CEO speaking," Wesley said
"Man, it's Gunn here," Gunn said, "The Gator demon's dead"
"Really? I was hoping it would kill Spike and Illyria"
"Nope. They killed it. Which means they're gonna be very difficult to kill"
"Not at all. All we have to do is separate them. Like what we did to the Circle"
"Divide and conquer. I like that idea. How's things coming along there?"
"Things are going great," Harmony said cheerfully
"I wasn't talking to ya, Harm," Gunn said
"Just saying," Harmony said in a huff
"What she said," Wesley replied, "Hurry up and kill those two"
"Yep, got ya"
Gunn hung up, as Harmony did the same
"And now we keep searching," Wesley said
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Spike and Illyria wandered into a small downtown demonic pub. Spike went straight to the bar and ordered a bottle of whiskey, sitting down at the bar as Illyria stood nearby, surveying the pub with disgust
"You can sit down, you know," Spike said, "No point standing around"
"Why do you come to this place?" Illyria asked, "It shows humanity and demonkind at their lowest, wallowing around in the muck like you did millenniums ago"
"Fascinating story, really. Sit down and relax. You need it"
"I do not-"
"Just sit and stop trying to find excuses so you can have an argument"
Illyria glared at him as he ordered his second bottle, but sat down beside him nonetheless. Spike smiled to himself slightly as he drank his whiskey, before ordering a shot glass and a mug of beer
"What will she have?" the demonic barkeeper growled
"I will not-"
"Get her something soft. Not so alcoholic," Spike interrupted
The barkeeper set down a bottle of vodka before Illyria, who glared at him
"Take a sip, Leery. It will do you a whole lot of good"
The barkeeper handed Spike a third bottle so he could continue his shots, as Illyria took a very small sip of the vodka, instantly making a face at the taste
"It is vile and disgusting. You are trying to poison me," she growled
"No I'm not, pet, honest. Some drinks are good, some aren't. It's an acquired taste. Don't worry, it won't kill you. Just enjoy and relax. We haven't relaxed in ages"
"I drink this because I wish to, not because you told me to"
"That's the spirit, love"
Spike downed a shot of whiskey, followed by a mouthful of beer, as Illyria slowly drank her vodka, feeling the alcohol loosening her up, making her feel more relaxed then she ever had since returning to this world
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Your cheek looks a lot better," Cordelia commented, "There's no scarring"
"Good. I've already got one scar of my face," Lindsey said, "Don't need another"
"Yeah, how did you get that one?" Angel asked
"Sword training in Japan. The master cut me on the lip, left a scar"
"So that's where you picked up your fancy sword skills"
"Yeah"
"Where did Spike and Illyria go?" Cordelia asked
"They went out, Mom," Connor answered, "I don't know where. Why?"
"I was hoping to invite them out to dinner tonight"
"Cordy, it's like seven right now," Angel said, "It'll be too late"
"Okay then, tomorrow night then. Angel, start making reservations"
"What?"
"What's the occasion?" Lindsey asked
"It's been so long since I've had dinner with friends," Cordelia replied, "I want one before we go back home"
"When are you leaving?"
"Couple of days. We've had our fun here, but Connor needs to get ready for college and I look forward to going home"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Spike stumbled out of the pub with Illyria hanging off him. To his drunken surprise, Illyria had consumed a lot of alcohol and ended up dancing atop the bar along with a few female vampires, much to the delight of the male demons there. Spike had quickly taken her off the bar and was now struggling to walk her home, as she kept stumbling around and laughing her head off at minor things, while he was no better
"Okay, love, I think we should take a rest. You're quite snookered"
"Mm, that poison I was taking was quite nice in fact," Illyria smiled, "I can now see why you like to drink. It makes you very relaxed and you can do anything"
"Yes, pet, I bet. Come on, let's get you home"
Spike threw one arm around Illyria's waist, guiding her along the footpath, as the first drops of rain started up. Spike stopped, looking at the sky, as it started to rain down
"Bollocks!"
He took his duster off and held it above Illyria, which made it more difficult to guide her home. The rain poured down, as Illyria fell over, giggling as she went down. Spike groaned and pulled her up onto her feet, holding her close to him
"You're very pretty," she commented, her hand touching his cheek
Something in Spike's mind told him not to encourage her, but as usual, he didn't listen, as he smiled at her
"I'm touched, pet. Likewise yourself"
"This shell is reacting to your body. I am feeling some…desire for you. Is that normal?"
"That depends, Leery"
Illyria was looking up at him with her large blue eyes. Spike pulled her closer to him, catching the heat of desire. It fogged his mind, clouding his judgement, as he leaned close and captured her lips with his own. Illyria moaned at this, her hand snaking to the back of his head and pressing him closer, until he pulled back
"We should head back, pet, before we get too soaked"
"Yes, I agree. I am quite drenched and it is somewhat displeasing. Unlike that ritual you just performed with me"
"I'm glad"
They reached their hotel, stealing a few kiss here and there as they arrived at their room. Spike slammed the door shut behind them and threw his soaked duster aside, as he caught Illyria in another kiss. Neither knew what exactly was going on, but neither of them really cared at the moment, too caught up in each other, as Spike pressed Illyria against the wall, slipping her jacket off and tossing it aside. Somewhere in Spike's subconscious, he noted that he would regret this, but the alcohol in his system spurred him on, as Illyria literally tore his shirt off, her own shirt falling to the floor shortly afterwards, as they tumbled back towards the bed, caught up in passion and desire with each other
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX