Just a quick warning for you guys: this chapter gets quite violent and gory towards the end. Just a fair warning.
Also, I know I leave a lot to be desired when it comes to responding to reviews, but I want you guys all to know that I truly adore and value each and every one of you for your reading and continued support as I've written this fic. It's been a huge help to my motivation. So thank you guys and girls :)
Now, enough of me, enjoy.
Buffy gave a small, girlish noise of sleepy displeasure as her eyes fluttered open. She took a moment to get her bearings, glancing around the master bedroom of her house that was bathed in moonlight. It must have been the very early hours of the morning, likely an hour or so after midnight. She blinked, unsure what had woken her as her eyes struggled to adjust for a few moments. She became aware of an arm draped over her waist and the faint sensation of cool breath on the back of her neck and the tops of her shoulders. She turned her head to see the slumbering form of Spike, his nose just touching the nape of her neck and his arm wrapped around her. Their fingers were laced together over her belly.
Buffy sighed as she slid her other hand down to stroke Spike's arm tenderly, her mind drifting back to the night before. After what Buffy had to admit had been violently passionate sex, they had simply held each other whilst exchanging light and fleeting kisses throughout the night. They had not said a word, feeling completely comfortable in simply sharing those tender caresses and gazing at each other until one of them had succumbed to slumber. Buffy had a suspicion she had most likely succumbed first.
Neither of them had felt the need to initiate sex a second time. In fact, if Buffy was being completely honest, their initial tryst had scared her a little. Never in her life had she been so consumed by such a need for someone. She was not a novice in physical intimacy by any means, but her past sexual experiences had never been as…intense as the one she had shared with Spike the previous night. It was all-encompassing and frightening how much she had needed him. She wondered how much of that desire had been provoked by not only Giles' words, but also Spike's.
She shifted on her pillow, careful not wake her lover as she continued to think. The idea of that Spike breaking things off, temporarily or otherwise, had both angered and greatly upset her. Anyone else would have probably agreed with his idea that she needed to discern for herself whether her feelings for him were real. But Buffy did not. Their time spent together in his home during her recovery had opened her eyes fully to the side of him that he kept locked away from the world that expected him to be the monster.
During those four months, she had seen the man.
She knew that Spike had a long history of being ostracised. Both as a mortal and as a vampire, he had been treated as an outcast. It was because he had always been different. She did not know as much of his human life as she would have liked, but as a vampire it was because he had never fully embraced his demon. He was surprisingly 'human' as irony would have it. Even when he had been at his worst, he held on to what had made him a man.
And, whilst she had seen glimpses of it before, Buffy had finally seen it in full during and after her time in heaven.
A small smile tugged at her lips for a moment, before she looked down the bed at the window. Even though there would likely be three or four hours left until dawn, she decided to draw the curtains before going back to sleep. At least then Spike would be in no danger from the sunrise. She gently lifted Spike's arm from her waist, earning a drowsy mumble of discontent from the vampire before pulling the duvet back and climbing out of bed. She shivered as the coolness of the room caressed her naked body, padding over to the window. She quietly pulled the curtains closed and carefully made sure there was no chance of light slipping through.
"There any reason you're over there and not in this bed, love?" She jumped slightly at Spike's voice and turned around. Since the room was no longer bathed in moonlight, her eyes needed to adjust further to see him lying in the bed. His hair was curled from sleep as he blinked his eyes in order to make himself alert. She favoured him with an eye roll.
"How long have you been awake?" She asked in jokingly accusing tone. He shrugged.
"About thirty seconds." He answered. "I think it was you moving that did it." She laughed quietly as he arched a brow. "What're you doing?" Buffy gestured to the curtains.
"Just wanted to make sure I didn't wake up to a pile of ashes come sunrise." She gave him a teasing grin. "Not a good start to the morning." He chuckled.
"Well, you've done that so get back here. It's getting cold." Buffy laughed again, carefully moving back to her side of the bed and sliding in. She sighed as he draped the duvet back over her, and his hand settled on her hip as he gazed at her. She smiled shyly, ducking her head as she ran her hand up his toned arm.
"I've have to admit…I didn't think you'd still be here when I woke up." He frowned, tilting his head.
"Why?" She shrugged, not meeting his gaze.
"I don't know." She bit her lip, still trailing her hand over his skin. "I think part of me figured you wanted one last rodeo before exiting the stage." She felt him tense for a moment and braced herself for his anger. To her surprise, he took a deep breath and clucked his tongue.
"Not sure if you noticed or not, but I'm not exactly a 'love 'em and leave 'em' type." He returned.
"I know, I know. It's just…what you were saying last night made me a little insecure, I guess." She ventured timidly. He sighed and his thumb stroked her hip apologetically.
"Sorry about that." She shook her head.
"Don't be. With what Giles was saying last night as well, I understand what you were thinking." She then gave him a teasing smirk. "Even if you were so completely and utterly wrong, I understand." He snorted.
"What did the Watcher actually say?" Spike inquired. "I overheard the first part, but I left after the whole 'all you feel for Spike is gratitude' thing." Buffy sighed, her face slowly becoming marred by annoyance.
"Not a lot was actually said. I mean there was a lot of shouting, but not a lot was said." She sniffed angrily. "Nothing that mattered anyway." She cast her gaze to the ceiling for a moment. "All he wanted to talk about was you and your 'undue influence' over me. Those were his actual words too. Not matter how hard I tried to get us back on the real problem, as in that thing call the First Evil, he kept going back to you. Every fucking time." She huffed, biting the inside of her mouth irritably.
"Undue influence?" Spike repeated with a chuckle. She nodded and he laughed a bit more. "That's a new one, what influence would that be?"
"Oh, you know. Taking advantage of the fact I'd been torn out of heaven to insert yourself into my life, that kind of thing." She scoffed. "I stopped listening because by that point I was too pissed off to care." She exhaled heavily. "Why are their priorities so screwed up?!" She demanded. "We've got the root of everything that's wrong in the world literally sitting at our door and they want to lecture me on my private life?!" She thumped the pillow in annoyance, though Spike found it amusing. "I told him we didn't need them if they couldn't see the big picture." He blinked in surprise.
That was…a new development. Buffy had actually cast them aside. He never thought she would have done that.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" He ventured. "We could use all the help we could get."
"As long as the help was focused on helping." She replied pointedly. "They keep trying to come between us because they think they see the real problem and they'd do it right up until crunch time and probably get us killed because they don't like what I'm doing." She shook her head. "I've got to save the world…I don't have time for petty squabbles."
"I'd never thought I'd hear you say that." He mused. She laughed.
"And I never thought I'd hear you say you had to do the 'right thing.'" She volleyed back jokingly. He rolled his eyes and she slid her hand up his arm to stroke his cheek. "I'm glad you didn't do what you planned to do."
"Yeah, me too." Spike answered, his hand trailing up and down her side as he spoke. He did not miss the flash of pleasure in her eyes as he did so. "Even if I think I probably should've done." Buffy swatted his cheek gently but reprovingly as she shook her head.
"I don't think you should've even thought about it." She returned simply. "Because it was a stupid idea. A noble idea, but a stupid one."
"Why's that?" She gave a short laugh.
"Because it would've made us resent each other, and them, even more? Causing an even bigger rift than there already is?" Buffy pointed out shrewdly. "We can't afford that, not now." She ducked her head. "And selfishly, it's because Giles was right." He raised his head questioningly and she went. "I do rely on you. I rely you to have my back and to be there when I need you."
"I'll always have your back." He declared.
"And that's why I need you here." She whispered, as her other hand moved to cradle his other cheek. "I need you, Spike. I can't do this without you." He hummed in disagreement even as he leaned into her palm.
"Ah, sure you could." He replied with a smile.
"Then I don't want to do this without you." She shot back quickly, stunning him into silence. "It isn't just about the First anymore. I know that if you walked away now…I don't think I'd get past it. Sure, I need your help in this fight, but more than that," she raised her soul emerald gaze to his eyes as she bit her lip. "But I need you." She finished in a whisper.
Spike gaze at her with wide blue eyes, struck by the honesty in her voice and her expression. Buffy's eyes roamed his face for a moment before she leant in and pressed her mouth to his. It only lasted a few seconds, but it was slow and intimate. She pulled back, stroking his face with her thumb.
"So…which is it?" She inquired, cautiously. "Are you walking out the door or are you staying?"
"Well," Spike pursed his lips and looked upwards, pretending to think about it, "You did have a very convincing argument." She laughed quietly, a small grin on her face as she gazed at him. He returned it warmly before capturing her lips again, resuming the kiss from before.
Buffy tilted her head, deepening the kiss as Spike's hand moved up her side. His arm slid round her waist and pulled her closer. She murmured into his mouth, her tongue slipping out to tangle with his. That familiar warm sensation of pleasure rippled down her spine as her hips began to roll and she felt her arousal seep through her. Spike purred, no doubt catching the scent as he tugged her further into her, his cock flattening against her belly.
He gently rolled her under him, Buffy humming quietly into their kiss as her thighs parted and wrapped around him. Their lips never separated as they moved and their hands petted and stroked each other's skin. The kiss was different this time, nothing like the desperate, mauling kisses they had shared before. This was deep, probing and so sensually intimate that very little was needed for them to become lost in each other.
Buffy's hips rolled once more in anticipation, as Spike moved his mouth to lovingly caress her neck. She gasped when his tip parted her and pushed in high, mewling when his mouth slid over hers again and he began move in long, firm motions. Her ankles crossed as she coiled herself around him, her inner muscles gripping him erotically each time he slid inside her.
Unlike their previous tryst, this time they were making love. Her hips moved in time with his as Spike thrust in deep, slow and sensual movements. Buffy moaned each time he pushed in, breathing hotly into his mouth. There was no sense of wild desperation to them now, just a profound sense of yearning. A yearning that could only be quelled by the intimacy flowing between them now.
Their lips broke apart and Buffy panted into his neck, before whimpering quietly. Her skin was glistening with a light sheen of sweat, as they continued to move together. Spike swirled his hips, brushing a spot within her that made her entire body shudder in ecstasy. Their eyes met as Buffy's arms slid around his neck, entwining over his shoulders as he touched her face.
"Spike…" she sighed and he pressed his forehead to hers.
"I love you, Buffy." She favoured him with a bright grin, her eyes half-closed as she felt the familiar tingling in her legs that hailed the coming of her climax. Then her grin turned teasing and her brow arched provocatively.
"So, does that mean you're staying?" She asked playfully, her voice shaky as the first waves of her orgasm began to wash over her. Spike gave a single breathy laugh before thrusting in long, probing motions. Buffy's eyes fluttered shut, her mouth dropping open as her back arched and she moaned deeply, her body succumbing fully to the throes of her climax. She trembled at the force of it as Spike grunted before groaning into her neck as he swelled and released inside her.
After regaining her breath, Buffy turned her head to catch his mouth in hers, mewing as the exquisite feeling of completion enveloped her. Spike returned her kiss, not moving to separate from her as they explored each other's mouths. She smiled into his lips, feeling a sense of fulfilment that she had not experienced in a long time. Spike pulled back to meet her gaze and was struck by the sudden happiness he saw there. His lips curled at the sight as she stared at him dreamily.
Flashing another bright, blissful grin at him, Buffy took to his mouth once more. She rolled him onto his back and cast herself astride his waist. She took a moment make sure he was still sheathed inside her before her hips began to move, coaxing a long moan from her vampire…
…
Alucard was standing in the shadows of the cemetery, his hands in the pockets of his leather trousers as he watched his surroundings closely. Mina had gone to meet Buffy and to see if they could find any useful information regarding the Turok-Han. It frustrated him that they knew so little, even he had limited knowledge of the bestial vampire species. But the fact Dawn had theorised they were potentially a creation of the First was a decent step in the right direction.
With Mina deciding to do some thorough research with Buffy, this left Alucard and Spike to do an even more thorough patrol of the town. If the night before had been any indication, it was likely that both Bringers and the Turok-Han would be on the prowl tonight. The latter would hunting for a meal and the former would searching for a sacrifice. And neither were something Alucard would allow this night.
The Angel of Death was brought out of his thoughts by the sounds of heavy boots on the ground. He turned his head to the side as Spike came into view, smoking casually as he moved towards the older vampire.
"Alucard."
"William." They greeted each other as Spike stepped around him. Alucard scrutinised the younger vampire for a moment. Something was different: he seemed much lighter than the night before. He had been noticeably angry and upset last night, to the point when Alucard felt the need to calm him down. Tonight however, Spike was far more relaxed. The laid back demeanour and the swaggering confidence that made him stand out were on display for the world to see.
That could have only meant one thing…
Alucard turned towards him as Spike dropped his cigarette and stomped it out. The older vampire very quietly inhaled the air around Spike and an impish smirk slid over his face. Underneath the combined scent of leather and fresh smoke, he could also make up the subtle and, if he was being completely honest, the rather pleasing fragrance of Buffy and sex. He took another silent whiff and the smirk shifted into a boyish grin as Spike glanced at him questioningly.
"What?" Spike demanded. The older vampire shook his head, his brow arched cheekily.
"So I take it you and Buffy…worked out your issue?" He replied. Spike gave him a warning glare, which only succeeding in earning a snigger from Alucard. "I'm afraid that her scent is rather difficult to miss." Spike rolled his eyes.
"You're so mature." He muttered, garnering another chuckle. "For the vampire who gave rise to an entire species, you don't seem to have grown up all that much." Alucard shrugged.
"If you cannot find humour in even the smallest and most immature of things, then what is the point in living at all, Spike?" He reasoned. The younger vampire grunted, grudgingly conceding the point as he frequently found amusement in such things. "You still haven't answered the question." He blew out an exasperated breath.
"Yes, everything has been…worked out as you put it." Spike answered, shortly. "We talked, argued a bit, she called me stupid a bunch of times and then we put it to bed." He paused at the wording of that sentence as Alucard smirked once more. "In short, we've sorted out the problem."
"I often find that making love sorts out many problems." Alucard stated mischievously. Spike could not help the quiet bark of laughter that brought out of him. "On a serious note however," he noticed the change in tone immediately, "Are the two of you okay?" Spike offered a genuine smile and nodded.
"Yeah, we are. Like I said we hashed it out." Spike replied, honestly. Alucard returned the smile.
"Good. It's a precious thing being able to love someone. Especially in times like this." He said as he and Spike began to walk, heading towards the town centre as they knew that was where the Turok-Han and the Bringers would most likely be. "It can give you the strength to see it through."
"Speaking from your own experience?" Spike asked.
"Indeed." Alucard responded. "I will freely admit there are times that Mina is the sole reason I continued to do my duty." He sighed. "It is tiring work. Being the agent of heaven." He smirked. "But it is work that must be done."
"Then why not find someone else to do it?" Spike inquired. If Alucard's duty as the Power's Champion was so exhausting, why did he not find a successor? The answer came in a wry smirk.
"Because there is no-one ready to take on the role just yet." Spike frowned but Alucard simply chuckled and the two fell into companionable silence as they continued their patrol.
They route took them through the heart of Sunnydale, carefully observing the town's dark alleys and shadowy corners. Other than a small scrap with a vampire pack, there had been no signs of any activity within the town. Something that caused concern to rise up in Alucard as they entered a plaza. He paused, frowning in thought. Spike noticed and came to stop and furrowed his brow at the older vampire. He could see the tension rolling off Alucard's shoulders and noticed that he was completely on guard.
"What is it?" He asked. Alucard said nothing for a moment, continuing to take in their surroundings. Still nothing moved.
"Something is wrong." Alucard muttered as his eyes roamed the plaza critically. "The world is too still." Spike nodded in agreement as he took began watching the shadows closely. He had noticed it as well. Normally this is when vampires and werewolves were prowling the streets in search of a meal. But tonight there was nothing. Something had caused them to stay hidden.
"What'd you reckon it is?" He asked. Alucard went to reply but then his head rose up sharply. He could make out the sounds of approaching footsteps, like a quiet, steady drumroll and a familiar scent filled the air. His lip curled in disgust and his eyes narrowed dangerously as he looked over his shoulder. Spike growled quietly.
"Warren." Alucard hissed as the human in question stepped out of the shadows and into view. His expression was smug, obviously proud that he had been able to catch them somewhat unaware. The two vampires soon found themselves surrounded by a small group of Bringers, two of whom were holding hostages.
A young man and woman by the look of things.
"I thought you would be harder to get the drop on," Warren drawled arrogantly, "or have I become better at skulking in the shadows since we last met?" Alucard's eyes narrowed dangerously. It was true: he should have been able to notice Warren long before he decided to approach. Which meant that Warren must have used magic to shield his presence or the First had leant a helping hand. And Alucard prayed it was not the latter.
"Please," the young woman whimpered as she struggled feebly. Her cheeks were glistening with tears as she begged, "I just want to go home." Warren sneered at her.
"Shut up, bitch." He commanded.
"Let the humans go, Warren." Alucard rolled his shoulders as Spike slipped into a subtle combat stance. It was an art form only beings with the experience that Alucard and Spike possessed could master. It was the ability to appear non-threatening when their first move could kill their opponents. "They are not a part of this." Warren snorted.
"See, that's where I beg to differ." He answered. "Everyone in this town are a part of this now. Ever since you stuck your nose in my business, they've been a part of this." He smirked maliciously. "For every one of my minions you've killed, I've bled five people dry over the Hellmouth." He laughed, not a shred of decency or remorse on his features. Spike let out a low rumble of disgust as he spoke. "Their lives are in your hands, bloodsucker," he waved his hand to the young humans in his Bringer's grasp, "your call." Spike flexed his hand in response, frustrated by Warren's tactics.
He always wondered how the Watchers Council convinced themselves humanity needed to be protected. They were far more likely to kill each other than to be killed by a vampire. And Warren was one of the worse examples of humanity. Arrogant, psychopathic and without remorse, he was willing to sacrifice everything for power. And that was exactly wanted he want. Warren was hoping that his service to the First would give him dominion of the rest of humanity.
"So this is you trying to get even?" Alucard responded in disdain. "You'll have to do better than that." He glanced over at the human couple, quickly planning how he could save them before the Bringer's killed them. It was clear now that Warren considered this more of a personal grudge than a service to the First. Warren was now fighting more for his ego than his master. Something that could be exploited.
The thing about the ego is that the more it grew, the more fragile it became
"Watch your fucking mouth!" Warren snarled as his smugness deteriorated in anger at that simple taunt. "One word from me and their blood will be all over this pavement." As he spoke, two Bringers holding the couple drew their knives, earning a shriek of fright from the woman and a desperate struggle from the man.
"You're crazy!" The young male shouted as he fought to get away with no avail. "You're nuts, man! Let us go! We haven't done anything."
"This how you get your kicks?" Spike demanded in a low tone, seeing Alucard's game plan. Warren fancied himself as invincible, but his immense ego was so delicate that any kind of taunt immediately provoked his anger. "Picking on those who can't fight back." He chuckled. "It's not very impressive but it sure is cowardly."
"Shut up!" Warren shouted, once again falling for an obvious insult. "You don't speak to me like that!"
"He's right." He turned to Alucard who was speaking serenely. "The fact you would take them hostage at all shows that you know you have no chance on even footing." With that said, the Angel of Death began to calmly approach to the hostages, their captors backing and threateningly pressing the blades to their throats.
"One more step and they die!" Warren threatened. "I mean it, one word from me…"
"One word from you and you'll lose two more minions." Alucard spoke over him calmly. "And, on top of that, you will have sealed your fate." He continued to walk forward. "Let me be very clear, Warren: regardless of whether you kill these humans, you are going to die." He regarded Warren over his shoulder, his eyes burning crimson and promising that his next words were utter truth. "But it will determine just how painful your death will be." Warren's eyes narrowed.
In that moment two things happened. Firstly Spike leapt at the Bringers in front him, quickly killing one before advancing on the others. And second Warren turned his gaze to the two captives and sneered.
"Kill them!"
"Foolish boy." The Bringer's went to slit their captives' throats but Alucard moved faster than any eyes could see. One second he was ten steps in front of them, the next he had a hand wrapped around each Bringer's weapon hand. His eyes flicked between them as he prevented them killing the humans. With a sneer he slowly pulled their arms back and away from their prisoners, the demon's straining to resist him with no results. The young man and woman were watching with wide-eyes. Spike was still fighting the other Bringers in the background.
Alucard glanced at each Bringer, his crimson gazing glowing brightly for a second.
Suddenly he yanked his arms back.
There was a sickening and almost deafening echo of ripping flesh and snapping bones, followed by the screams of the young woman. The Bringer's released their hostages, letting the both of them fall to the ground and backed away in silent agony, their robes a bloody, mangled mess where their weapon arms used to be. The female hostage was sat on the floor, staring up with wide terrified eyes at Alucard who was holding a severed an arm in each hand. Blood dripped to the pavement before the vampire casually dropped them.
Warren swallowed, trying to fight back the bile in his throat as Alucard advanced on the two demons. One of them threw out a desperate punch, but Alucard was faster with one of his own. With horrid crunch the Bringer's head snapped to the side, his neck broken as he dropped to the floor. The second armless acolyte attacked as well, only for Alucard grab his remaining arm. The first vampire whirled him round and drove his hand through the demon's chest, severing his spine. He casually pulled his arm, letting the corpse flop to the floor with a wet thump.
Spike, in the meantime, was finishing off the remaining Bringer's who had remained to fight. Catching one's arm in mid slash, he drove his fist into the demon's side. As the acolyte lurched forward, Spike kicked him sharply in the back of the knee. As the Bringer dropped, he wrapped an arm around his neck and jerked his head to the right with snap. As the body fell, he ducked and punched his second attack in the solar plexus.
As the Harbinger reeled, Spike kicked him hard in the back before slamming his foot across his face. The force of the attack was too much for the Bringer to handle and he dropped dead. The final acolyte was able to wildly slash at the air but Spike was already moving. The vampire caught his arm and flipped over his shoulder. As the Bringer crashed to the ground, Spike brought his foot down on his head savagely, shattering his skull. Straightening up, Spike jumped suddenly at the unmistakably crack of a gun and whirled around in shock.
Alucard turned as the final Bringer attacked him, his knife held up ready to deliver a vicious stab. Raising his hand, the Angel of Death took the blade through his palm and caught the demon's fist. The Bringer glanced at the vampire's bloody hand, shocked that Alucard showed no signs of pain before his other hand wrapped around his throat. Alucard took a moment to stare into the Bringer's 'eyes' before crushing his neck and dropping him to the floor. He calmly removed the dagger from his hand. He flexed his fingers nonchalantly and tossed the weapon away.
His head jerked to the side as he caught the sounds of a gun cocking, seeing Warren with the weapon aimed at him. Reacting on instinct he began to move to right, his left arm moving to slap Warren's away. Just as his palm caught Warren's wrist, the gun flashed with a resounding bang. Alucard felt his left eye burst as the bullet just caught him as he spun away and suddenly all he could see was red.
Warren stumbled, seeing the spurt of blood from Alucard's face and felt triumph surge through him as he turned to grin at Alucard. But his sense of victory soon turned to terror as he saw the first vampire was still standing, his face turned away from him. The servant of the First Evil backed away with panicked heavy breathing as Alucard turned to look him.
His left eye socket was coated in red paste and lumps of flesh and that side of his face was streaming with blood. But all it did was add to the terrifying fact that not only was Alucard still standing, he was barely reacting to the agony that had to be wracking him right now. And his remaining eye was glowing a deadly crimson as it bore into Warren. Spike, by this point, was advancing on them and Warren realised he was out of his league.
With a final fearful glare of loathing, he turned and fled into the darkness.
Spike went to pursue him but Alucard held his arm in front of him. He shook his head before nodding to the two former hostages who were huddled together as they looked in fear. Spike dipped his head, casting another glare after Warren before going to the check on them. Ignoring his fiercely burning wound and the blood cascading down his face, Alucard turned his gaze back in the direction Warren had fled with a sneer before his phone began to ring in his pocket. No doubt Mina had felt his pain through their bond.
As he lifted phone to his ear, Alucard realised that it was time to take off the sparring gloves. Warren had made it very clear that he was no longer to be treated as an annoyance. He had been killing humans not as a means to appease the first, but in an attempt to sate his wounded ego. And that level of barbarous foolish could not be tolerated.
"Mina…" Alucard spoke softly, answering his phone as the concerned voice of his mate came through. Even as he spoke, his mind was whirling with anticipation of what was to come next.
It was time for the final act to begin.
Reviews fuel the muse.