The Masquerade -- part 14 of The Island of Galleno (Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss.)
by Isabelle
Rating: R (for cursing, mild nudity, adult situations and violence)
Disclaimers: BTVS belong to Joss Whedon, ME, and UPN they are being used for entertainment, I don't own them. The Count of Monte Cristo belongs to Alexandre Dumas--Spike's journey was taken from the idea of the book and is used in the skeleton of the Series. Lyrics belong to Chris de Burgh for the song Lady in Red and Madonna for Take a Bow, Shakira's Eyes Like Yours is also used.
Summary: The moment that Spike finally has Buffy he is vamp-napped by Riley and a new officer, Jack Marshall and sent to the Island of Galleno off the Moroccan coast where all the leftovers of the Initiative are being placed. Buffy frantically looks for Spike but gets news that he was 'accidentally killed' by Jack, who decides to make Sunnydale his residence. The whole thing is Spike trying to get back to Sunnydale and Buffy thinking he's dead. It's filled with exotic places, tons of Original Characters, mysticism, enchantment, magic and love. It takes him years to find out who he is before he can find the one he loves.
Spoilers: Set after Normal Again, Season 6
Feedback: bih80reviews@yahoo.com
Archiving: Carnal Sins, DeathMarkedLove, and Only Time--all others please ask.
A/N: Ok, this is supposed to be 'the chapter' so I hope I pull it off... I'm more nervous about their first meeting than Spike himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(3 months later)
Take a bow, the night is over
This masquerade is getting older
Light are low, the curtains down
There's no one here
"His name is Lord Perling, traveling with his wife, Princess Fadma of Safi," Jack explained as she tied his bow tie.
"He sounds like a bore," Buffy told him, hating that he was asking her to do this.
"All I ask of you is to entertain him, I work my ass off to feed this family and the only thing I ask of you is to make him feel comfortable, flirt with him for all I care... but with your wonderful neckline I doubt you need to do that," he sneered at her.
She glared at him. "You bought me this dress!"
Jack laughed, she did look delectable. Dressed like a Cinderella in a red silk dress. The top plunged and showed off her moderate breasts, and her back was completely bare as the material started at the base of her spine, and a high slit traveled up her leg, exposing her perfectly tanned and shaped leg. Her long golden hair was made up in a beautiful loose bun the strands were held with red roses and golden pins. In her hand was an exotic mask that he had bought from some Italian designer. The mask was white, with long red and black feathers that spanned out like a peacock, and rouge draped cheeks.
"I look like a harlot." she stated, scowling at herself.
"It's a Masquerade, my darling dear wife," he taunted. "Everyone is supposed to not be themselves." He took his mask with was gold and black, lacking feathers but being decorated with jewels. "Hide behind your mask."
He walked out, leaving her deflated and alone. Now she was flirting to get him the rest of his money--with a married man no less. She scoffed at her mask--hating that a smile was seen in it's eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"You think this is wise?" Angel asked as he came into Spike's room.
The blond fixed his cuff links, making sure everything was perfect. "A wise man once told me to follow my instincts, that's the smart thing to do."
"If Jack is indeed as dangerous as we've been seeing don't you think you're placing Buffy's life in danger and her son's.
Spike hardened at the mention of the son. "I'm after Jack, if he hurts her... or her son I'll make sure he pays."
"You're still risking them," Angel told him.
"Then what would you have me do? Walk away?" he growled. "Pretend I don't care and simply disappear..." Spike sighed. "I need to know the truth. The solider boy told me that night that he was going to take care of her for me... for all intents and purposes this is an entire secret operation to indulge the Slayer."
"She's no longer the Slayer," Angel reminded him.
"So says watcher-boy and the high and mighty council," Spike snapped and eased into his jacket that Lugo extended out for him. "This can all be a plot--"
"Do you think Giles would really do that to Buffy?" Angel challenged him.
Lugo eased out all the wrinkles in the silk black suit as Spike tugged on his blood red silk tie, then ran his hands to flatten his beard. He had grown the beard to disguise himself from Buffy and Jack and anyone else who might recognize him--the mask would be the final trick.
"No--I don't, but he could've also been deceived." Spike said quietly.
Angel sighed and leaned forward. "Not everyone is out to get you, Spike--the world is actually composed of some honest people."
"Yeah?" he turned to look at his grandsire. "Bet they all fit in the palm of your hand."
Spike stared at him turned on his heel and headed down the hall.
Angel sat in silence, looking at Spike's room. The vampire had bought a huge mansion in the upper side of town and it's decor was looking more and more Victorian. The carpets were dark burgundy and the walls were ivory and evergreen, low lights giving it an eerie glow.
"I wish I were going to this ball--it's supposed to be a big political thing," Cordelia said, coming in to sit on Angel's lap.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her in, resting his head on her breast as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"He's going to get himself killed," he murmured.
She kissed to top of his head. "Would you do the same for me?"
Angel mock-growled at her and she smiled. "I hate it when you're right."
"I know," she answered happily.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Say your lines but do you feel them
Do you mean what you say when there's no one around [no one around]
Watching you, watching me, one lonely star
"I won't be gone long... and you have Giles," she smiled at him. He eyed her warily. She pushed his ever slipping glasses up his small face and kissed his cheek. "I love you."
He clutched his blankie closer and watched her leave. "Mommy!"
She turned to look at her son running up to her, his small legs making him almost trip.
"What is it, baby?" she whispered as she held him against her chest.
"You look pretty," he said, the back away from her and ran to Giles' arms.
"Enjoy yourself, Buffy," Giles told her with a small smile. She rolled her eyes.
"Yeah right!" she laughed and walked down the marble stairs to an impatiently waiting Jack.
"Be back before Midnight!" William shouted after her making her laugh, but it didn't even crack a smile on her husband's face. "He's just kidding, Jack."
Jack shrugged and ignored her statement. "Remember all I told you about the Lord Perling--I need his contributions for the final part of the campaign--election is only weeks away."
Buffy sighed and placed her mask on, securing it tightly. She took Jack's hand as he helped her into the carriage.
The donors had gone all out for this ball--it was the last one and they were going to make a bang in the L.A. community. There were going to be more Millionaires than she could deal with... including his parents.
She seriously dreaded this masquerade.
Make them laugh, it comes so easy
When you get to the part
Where you're breaking my heart [breaking my heart]
Hide behind your smile, all the world loves a clown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The theme was 'Times Past' as all types of costumes were showed off. Exotic ones brought in from Persia and rare ones from Brazil.
Masks of all shapes and sizes, some worth over millions as the cream of the crop arrived at the mansion.
Whispers were heard about a new comer from Morocco who came with his wife and had more money than what he knew what to do with.
The biggest frenzy was that he had completely financed the special entertainment for the night. It was a party not to be missed as Champagne more expensive than some dared guess was passed around freely. Presents from far off lands were given away without a second thought. Rare birds, jewels, shoes, fragrances, cloths, everything and anything was given and received.
Buffy braced herself as they ascended the stairs to the main room, two women dressed in Persian clothes greeted them took her overcoat and Jack's... she scowled as Jack admired one of the girl's perfect mid-drifts.
Songs and laugher was heard from inside as they entered the main room. They stopped every so often to greet people she could care less of and grinned, thankful half her face was not visible.
"Has Lord Perling arrived yet?" Jack asked one of his assistants then squeezed her hand.
She glared at him but played her part. "Yes, I so look forward to meeting him."
"As do I, tell me--what have you learned of the Lord?" Mrs. Patrick asked Buffy.
Then they endured a tirelessly conversation about the damn Lord and his millions.
She hated it.
But was also glad as the time passed and the Lord didn't arrive. People were beginning to speculate that he was a ghost, Buffy almost put her foot in her mouth as she informed them that ghosts were not as friendly as they are meant out to be. She them told them it was a joke and they laughed lightly. Inside she seethed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We're late," Fadma told Spike as they sat inside the large limousine.
Spike was looking outside his window. "I know--better late and make the grand entrance."
Fadma sighed and looked at him. "Why are you trying to hurt her?"
His jaw clenched over and over again. "I just asked you for the favor, can we stick to that?"
"Fine."
"Fine," he agreed.
After a while he felt bad and looked at her. "I'm sorry... you've been nothing but a good friend, Highness."
She smiled at him, almost grown accustomed to his mood swings. "I do what pleases M'lord."
He sighed. "One day you'll make some man very happy."
She looked down at her perfectly manicured hands. "Matters not... the man I wish to make happy won't let me."
"Fadma..." Spike started, sad that he was taking advantage of her like this and she let him, more than willingly.
"Shhh, we're here," she cut him off--not wanting to have this conversation.
Both of them placed on their masks and waited for Lugo to give them the 'go'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, you know I have seen
A sky without sun
A man with no nation
Saints captive in chains
A song with no name
For lack of imagination
She was talking with one of the current senators when the room filled with over 600 persons suddenly went completely quiet.
A young man, dressed in Arabic robes came in with a pair of cymbals and slammed them together, making the sound echo throughout the room.
Then the lights were turned off.
It was pitch black around them and Buffy moved uncomfortably.
A soft sound of an Arabic pipe was heard...then drums...then rhythm, more rhythm and then an explosion from within the hall.
Everyone screamed in delight and Buffy watched behind her mask as dozens of women and men with hardly any clothes on them ran dancing into the room as the rhythm flowed around them.
Some gymnasts did a mini show while running, picking up each other by the feet and doing cartwheels that Buffy was once able to do.
Men placed fire torches in their mouth, women belly danced near the public figures, monkeys and parrots ran and flew wild as everyone cheered and the music drummed in Buffy's ears.
And I have seen Darker than ebony
Ya he ya he ya la he
You know it seems that
I Without your eyes Could never be
And suddenly the rhythm got faster, louder, hips moved faster, monkeys screamed louder and there he was.
At the top of the stairs, with a Persian beauty at his arm, Lord Zeru Perling.
Her mouth hung open at the feelings that this man behind this mask made of black, red and pure gold. They began clapping and all she could do was stare, with her mouth hung open.
The cheering went on more and more until it was thundering in her ears and he descended the stairs.
Women danced around him, shaking their hips until she thought their thin skirts might fall off. Silk throws were being flung at the crowd as acrobats did jaw dropping moves until the crowd screamed in fright.
The rhythm went on and on until...
She was in a thrall as he locked eyes with her.
They were blue--across the room she could tell they were blue and for some reason or another her heart began to beat, beat louder than the drums, quicker than the women's hips.
She was lost in those eyes, he didn't blink--just held her like a hypnotized child in a toy store.
Then his face was grabbed and he was kissed--fully and passionately... by his wife.
The crowd loved it and cheered them on.
....But there was something... about the way he kissed, the way he held his wife.... she cocked her heard and moved through the crowd, watching him, watching them and feeling a surge of inexplicable jealousy run through her.
My one desire
All I aspire Is in your eyes
Forever to live Traveled all over
Crossed lands and oceans
There's nothing
That I wouldn't give
He was loving the way her mouth gaped when she saw him--he knew she had no clue who he was and it made it better for him because not even Fadma's mouth made him forget those green eyes of his blonde slayer.
He parted from his 'wife's' embrace and walked down the steps until he was one on one with the crowd. He looked for her in the crowd as he greeted people that meant nothing to him.
He saw her and smiled. She was watching him from far away... and she looked absolutely stunning. More beautiful than any other woman in the room, with her plunging cleavage and her exotic mask.
"Lord Perling!" He turned to look at who called his name. And his blood froze.
Before stood a smiling Jack Marshall, eager to greet the famous Lord.
Came from Bahrein
Got to Beirut Looking for someone
Comparing to you
Tearing down Windows and doors
And I could not
Find eyes like yours
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He blinked his eyes as he saw grandpa Giles dead asleep to the world on the livingroom chair. He poked his knee.
Nothing.
"Grandpa," he whispered.
Giles snorted and started snoring.
Sharp thunder was heard outside and he jumped, clutching his pig closer to him. He wanted his mom.
He padded his way to her room and found it empty. He looked around and sighed.
There was only one way to deal with this. He'd have to go look for her.
He ran to his room as the lightening struck outside and pulled out his over night book-bag from under his bed. Quickly he put on his favorite outfit.
His loose blue jeans, black sweater and his small boots. He took a hoodie from the coat hanger and zipped it up, placing Mr. Gordo and his blankie inside his book bag he looked around to see what else was necessary for his trip.
Aha! He grabbed his little cars from under his bed and placed the black Desoto his aunt Dawn had bought him inside his bag, then a cool motorcycle that his mommy said he could never ride but could have as a toy.
Then he placed a pair of Spiderman underwear and his cool Spiderman PJ's in there and zipped it up. He placed it on his back and walked to his window.
He was going to find his mom... she shouldn't be too hard to find.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dawn sighed as she closed her book. It was no use, she was not interested in Anatomy when she had all these thoughts swimming in her head.
"Ricardo..." she murmured.
Shaking her head she stood up and stretched. Having Buffy marry Jack had given her special privileges in the dorms. She had her own private apartment with a kitchen, livingroom and her own bathroom. She loved it but at times it was lonely and she would ask one of her friends to stay over.
She padded her way into the small kitchen and gasped at what she found.
A bouquet of purple tulips in a glass vase, their bright green leaves opening like a fan. She looked around, almost afraid of what she might find.
There was a note on them.
Dawn, it read.
She cautiously grabbed it and opened the small note.
Thought you might like a bit of cheering up, Lugo...Ricardo.
She gulped then picked up the phone to the main reception at her building.
"Hi, yes this is Dawn Summers from room--"
"Yes, Miss Summers how can I help you?" the kind voice asked.
"I... were flowers brought to my room?" she asked.
"Yes, a young man brought them by and I slipped them into your room while you were showering," she explained.
"Ohhh, thank you." Dawn smiled and hung up. Looking around once more to make sure she was alone--she was.
Then she squealed in delight and did her own version of the snoopy dance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The U.S. representative to be, Mr. Marshall?" Spike asked, his cockney accent completely smoothed out and replaced by an elegant sound that made Fadma grimace.
"How delightful to meet you and what I show you have brought us!" Jack smiled at him.
It took all he had to keep himself from ripping the man to shreds at that moment, he wanted to see his head hang high... and blood drip from his toes... yes, that sounded good.
"Bringing in a bit from all the lands," Spike grinned and shook the man's hand.
Jack laughed. "I've looked forward to your arrival for quite some time, Lord Perling, please let me introduce you to my wife."
Spike was shaking inside. If he could burst... he would.
From behind him he pulled a red gloved hand that brought forth his Slayer. Clad from head to tow in red silk, her face covered with an exquisite mask.
Her eyes immediately met his and he had to remind himself to be harsh, to be indifferent and to be arrogant.
"How do you do, Mrs. Marshall," Spike bowed curtly.
She was staring at him for some time, as if trying to see through his mask and the beard.
"Buffy!" Jack hissed.
"Oh... I--hi!" she quipped.
Spike had to force back a grin. Still his same Buffy...well not his Buffy.
Jack turned three shades of red. "I do apologize Lord Perling, my wife, she's a bit on the shy side." He laughed nervously.
Spike didn't grin. He got a sinking suspicion that their marriage was not as shiny and well waxed as it was made to seem.
"And do excuse my husband for being rude himself," Fadma said from her position next to him and extended her hand to the dark haired man.
"Yes, my wife, Princess Fadma Perling of Sufi," Spike placed his hand behind her back, pushing her forward.
"Your Highness, how delightful to meet you," Jack purred and kissed her gloved hand eyeing her plunging neckline discreetly.
Buffy almost rolled her eyes at the gracefulness exhibited by the princess. And this Lord Perling was sending her some majorly wiggy vibes.
Jack wasted no time and grasped the princess' hand in his as a fine tune of Tango was started. "With all respects I am going to ask to borrow your beautiful wife."
Spike's jaw tightened. He seriously hated this sleaze.
"Only if you give me the honor of dancing with yours," and he met Buffy's eyes. There was so much sadness in her that is hit him like a trolley car. "That is... if the lady doesn't mind."
Buffy's wide eyes got even wider. "I can't dance the tango--"
He took her hand, glove meeting glove. "Let me lead," he whispered.
And while he was pulling her along the dance floor she noticed how all eyes were on them... she would attribute the goose pimples she felt all over her to that... not that fact that her hand fit perfectly in his.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giles groaned at the pain shooting up his back when he tried to sit up. "Bloody damn chair," he muttered.
He sighed and looked at the clock. 12:45AM.
Damn, he had slept for three hours. I suppose I was more tired than I had thought.
He picked up his book and started towards the stairs.
"Always with the two story bedrooms," he muttered.
He paused and looked at William's door. It was closed. He smiled and walked to the door to make sure his... grandson was alright. He chuckled at the thought.
Who would've ever thought that him, Rupert Giles would think himself a grandfather?
Pushing the door open he peeked inside.
Then gasped.
"William?"
No answer.
He turned on the light to check the blue room. He looked under the bed, in the closet and when he realized that the window was open his stomach dropped.
He sat down on the bed to calm his speeding heart. When sitting on the bed he saw the note in blue paper that read 'Grandpa Giles' in child's scratch.
He quickly opened it to find William's messy writing inside.
Der Grandpa Giles,
It wus raining and I got scared so I went to find mommy. I'l be bak
William Jacob Marshall
Giles' heart stopped as he ran to the phone.
He dialed the number Buffy gave him just in case of an emergency, his fingers trembling while he tried to steady himself.
"Hello?" a French accented voice was heard on the line.
"Yes, good evening, I am trying to get in contact with Mrs. Buffy Marshall--this is an emergency," Giles explained quickly.
"I do not know any Buffy Marshall," the man told him.
"She and her husband are guests at tonight's ball, please I need to speak with her," he pleaded, taking off his glasses and rubbing them.
"There are 600 people in the house tonight, how on earth will I find her?" the man demanded.
Giles boiled bright red. "Is that not what they pay you for, you twit? Get off your hide and find the bloody woman!"
The butler jumped and nodded. "Of course Monsieur, right away."
"Tell her to come home immediately, her son is missing," Giles told him and grimaced when he hung up on him.
The butler ran quickly through the crowd. "The damn English," he muttered under his breath.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was trembling and he guided her to the dance floor, and it was as if the entire room stopped everything that they were doing to watch them dance.
To a dance she had no clue how to do so.
Carlos Gardels' Por Una Cabeza was started with a soft, hypnotizing rhythm.
"I really have no clue how to dance this," she whispered to him as he pulled her to him.
He grinned. "Ever see 'Scent of a Woman?"
She nodded.
"The girl didn't know how to dance... she just," he pressed her intimately against his body and gasped. "Let him lead."
Placing one hand firmly on her bare back, with his next he grasped her hand and stretched it out.
"Now let me lead," he whispered as he rested his cheek against hers.
She shivered and was glad that her chest was pressed to his right now because she was defiantly turned on--by a man she had just met!
That hadn't happened since...
Her thoughts were interrupted as he flung her body away from his and made her spin, before she knew it his hand was wrapped around the back of her neck and he was leading her, making her step backwards.
"Relax," he coaxed her.
The relaxation did it as she let her instincts take over... and let herself drown in his eyes.
They were blue.
The palest blue.
She wished she could remember what Spike's eyes looked like...
Before she noticed she was actually dancing, getting completely turned on as he pressed their bodies together and grabbed her in all the places that a married man and woman shouldn't touch.
He was daring--he was daring her to push him back.
But she didn't.
The fact that she liked when he dipped her and ran his chilly hand up her bare arms and up her leg, under the slit of her dress... and ohhh.
She almost moaned and he went behind her and pressed her back against his hard chest and she was closing her eyes and letting her head fall on his shoulder as he guided her by placing his hand on her hip firmly and reassuringly.
"Sure you've never danced before?" he purred.
And all she could do was shake her head because any words that would come out of her mouth would be sounding like ohhh's and ahhh's and she was sure this crowd could not deal with it... hell, she didn't know if she was prepared to hear herself say that.
Then the music slowed and they were gently swaying, his hand traveling up her back and losing itself in her hair, until his fingers were caressing the base of her neck.
She didn't notice how his leg came up and made her loose her balance so she completely being held by him... and those arms and that scent.
The scent of a man.
She inhaled it as if it was her last breath on earth and then the music got rough again, making him pull her against him. Bodies touching, naughty bodies.
And his cheek rested against hers once more, but she pulled back as she knew the song was ending--this was ending and she wanted to scream for it to never ever end.
Looking at her he leaned in.
Her entire body froze in place as she prepared herself to be kissed and humiliated in front of everyone but she really could care less.
But as her eyes drifted close the kiss never came. "Thank you," he whispered.
Slowly he disentangled himself from her and grinned, faced the room and bowed, making her bow with him.
The room exploded in applause.
"For someone who's never dances Tango I am sure you dance very well in other ways," he smirked and led her to her husband.
She was red, she was sure of it as people came up to her and congratulated her on her amazing performance which she had no clue how she pulled it off it wasn't for the Lord...
She looked back at him who was now at his wife's side, smiling happily, holding her hand.
She sighed and smiled forcedly when her husband came to view.
Jack was grinning like a madman. "You were amazing, Buffy."
She tried really hard--with all she had not to pull away as he wrapped his arms around her waist--his heat scorching her.
"You have him under your paw," he muttered in to her ear with a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
Looking back at Lord Perling she wondered who exactly was underneath who's paw?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll be heading home..." she told him.
When he looked at her he could see the sadness in her eyes. "Fadma..."
"No--you've found her, Zeru. She's the one you love, and though she does not know it's you, tonight she loved the man with the mask, I am sure she'll have no problem loving the one under it." she smiled and whispered. "I know I have." Locking eyes she leaned up, placing her rosy lips against his.
He sighed and kissed her back, quickly and almost lovingly. When he pulled back there were tear tracks down her face and he brushed them again.
"I'm going to pack my things..."
"Stay for a few days," he pleaded. "Not because of this whole 'wife' issue.. but because of me. Because you do now I care for you."
She shook her head. "I'll not be waiting around to get your crumbs," she told him in Arabic.
He nodded understanding her more than she knew then hugged her against him, relishing the way she smelled and treasuring her friendship.
From far away Buffy watched the couple, locked in a lover's embrace.
She was a fool.
The were standing in the private balcony, her dark skin against his pale one lighting the night.
She sighed.
She remembered what is was like to be in love. Good for them, she thought.
"Mrs. Marshall!"
She was sprung out of her daydream to the French voice calling her name.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When he rushed back inside she had already left.
'Family Emergency' was whispered in the crowds and he groaned.
Scooby meeting? He chuckled internally and motioned for Lugo to bring around his limo.
On his way to the entrance he ran into Jack and grinned. "Mr. Marshall--would it be possible for us to meet later this week, privately--I'd like to make a sort of contribution to your campaign... that is if it's alright with you?"
Jack smiled from ear to ear. "Of course, Lord Perling!"
"Grand, I'll have my secretary call yours this week," Spike smiled eagerly anticipating this meeting.
"Great, M'lord--have an enjoyable evening," Jack smiled, almost jumping on the balls of his feet.
Spike nodded and did a curt bow before exiting the mansion.
"How was the party, Zeru?" Lugo asked him as he opened the door to the limousine.
"Boring, what else?"
Lugo cleared his throat. "Did you see her, Zeru?"
Spike took off his mask and nodded then closed the door.
Lugo smiled and went around the car.
Spike studied the outside scenery of the early morning in L.A.
Still pitch black, still deadly.
He sighed and closed his eyes, leaning his head on the seat cushion as he smiled.
Just being around her was killing him. He wanted desperately take his mask off and announce who he was --to see the look in her eyes. But no--the plan had to work and he wouldn't ruin it with his desperation.
When he opened his eyes again and looked out the window his eyes went wide.
There, in the alleys of one of the streets a little boy was grabbed by two men and pushed further into the alley as he screamed.
"Stop the car," he shouted to the driver.
The driver did as he was asked and Spike quickly jumped out of the limousine, running into the alley.
He didn't bother to ask himself why exactly he was bothering but the fact that he was just a little boy irked him.
When he found the alley the two were laughing as the little boy cried when they grabbed his glasses and threw them on the ground, stomping on them.
The other grabbed him, making the boy stumble on the wet ground.
Before the man could grab him again Spike took his arms and twisted it behind his back, making the man cry out when it popped out of place.
"You son of a bitch!" he cried.
"I could say the same thing for you, mate," Spike smirked and punched him, knocking him out cold.
The other man had the little boy's book bag in his hand.
"Hand him his bag and get out of 'ere before I take care of any protruding parts of your body," he sneered.
The man shook slightly but stood his ground. "Fuck off, man--he's our kid."
Spike nodded then smiled, bringing forth his game face.
The man paled as he saw white fangs shinning in the nights. He dropped the book bag and ran out of the alley.
Spike chuckled then picked up the book bag, and turned to look at the boy.
The little boy was wiping his tears, blond hair getting in his eyes. "This yours, bitty bad?"
Blue eyes looked back up at him and he nodded. Spike crouched in front of him and handed him over his bag.
A little hand went out and grabbed it, quickly opening it up and pulling a stuffed toy out of it. He hugged it to him and buried his face in it.
"What are you doing out 'ere by yourself?" Spike asked him.
"Looking for my mom," he whispered.
"Is she lost?" Spike asked him.
The boy nodded and peeked up at him. "You're a vampire."
Spike was taken back as he realized he was still in game face, he quickly shook it off. "You're not afraid?"
The boy smiled shyly and shook his head.
Spike couldn't pin-point it but there was something extremely familiar about this little guy.
"Tell me, mate--what's your name?"
The boy looked down at his pig, unsure of himself.
"I wont hurt you--gonna help you find your mum--I lost mine too a long time ago," he smiled.
"William... William Marshall, sir."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBC....
(hehe)