4
Spike looked at the two males, the last, possible creatures on this sodding planet that he'd ever imagine would cross Buffy and waltz over to his side instead. They all had varying degrees, but long lived distaste towards each other, each for different reasons. Well, most of them centered 'round one girl. Who'd gotten her, who hadn't. Who'd hurt her, who'd loved her. They were no means friends, had certainly been foes, but were so far past acquaintances, Spike didn't know what sodding category to put them in. Still, if he'd been floored by Angel coming up, Xander just about bowled him over.
He could understand Angel's side of it. Always had the sodding urge to save everyone like he was damn well Superman, even if it was none of his bloody business. Helpless people who didn't have the intelligence to stay out of secluded alleyways in the dark of night that deserved a little snacking, and puppies caught in trees. That was Angel's sodding modus operandi. Saw Jade was in a bit of a predicament, and the great white Peaches wanted to rush in there to do the saving. That he could understand.
What he couldn't understand was Xander. The man loathed him, though they'd worked out some of that in the last days fighting the First Evil. Not quite mutual respect, no nothing like that, but they'd both fought together. Not the ones to shy away from the fight, even if Xander didn't bring much to it. But human or not, he'd fought bloody tooth and nail, and even Spike could acknowledge that. Didn't have any special abilities to add to the table, but he tried. Had to admit that, however grudgingly. Still. There were no best friend awards between the two of them, and far as he knew, Xander hadn't had any bonding time with Jade. He'd better not have, although when Jade'd talked to Xander as Anya still ran in Spike's memory. Made him feel defensive, it had.
"My first question is why," Spike said, when he could find the words. "And the next words are go back inside 'fore you hurt something."
"I want to help," Xander gulped another mouthful of air, rubbing his arms together. "Cripes, it's freezing out here."
"Again, why? And then no." Spike couldn't deny his curiosity.
Xander's one eye met his then, with surprising resolve. "I'm coming, Spike," the man said. "Look. It's what Dawn wants, okay?"
"'S that so?"
"I called her to warn her about. You know. And she told me to do everything I could to help Jade. She likes her."
"Right," Spike blew out a breath he didn't need, pursing his lips as he tilted his head. "Little Bit was grateful when Jade let her talk to her mum, though it damn near killed her."
Xander shook his head vehemently. "That's what she said. She said she wanted me to help. And I'm going to do that. For Dawn." There was a tiny bit of shakiness in his last words, not quite as confident, and a tad more desperate. That was interesting.
Spike cocked a brow. "Bit of trouble in paradise, is there? Hoping to get on your honey's good side, are you?"
"Spike," Angel interjected as Xander's lips spread into a thin line. "You're the one that didn't want to waste time. Let him come or don't."
"I can help," Xander insisted, although he shot a slightly distrustful glance at the great Sod, probably disliking the fact he was talking for him.
"Right. If I need to throw a hammer at the bitch and nail her to a cross, you're the man," Spike said sarcastically. "Although, thought is tempting."
"If you need to get into a place, and you don't have an invitation," Xander answered back firmly, and he did have a bit of a point. "That's when the good ol' not-dead-ness really comes in handy, dontcha think?"
Spike sighed, looking past the man. "Sure there's not one Slayer who wants to rankle the hornet's nest?"
"Spike." Xander's voice was firm. "I just ticked off Buffy, so that I could not tick off my girlfriend. Now, if I head back now, I'll have two seriously angry Summers women to contend with and that's too much for the Xan-Man to handle. Now hurry up and let's go."
Spike looked at the man. Determined enough. More likely to get in the way than anything, and then there was the fact that Spike'd have to be trying to keep the sod safe instead of focusing on Jade, but he had a point. A small one, but as much as Spike liked to mess with Xander's head, he didn't have the energy to do so today. The man might have his uses, however unlikely. And Spike wouldn't take any chances, not with Jade on the line.
"Fine," Spike grumbled. "Get in the sodding car, then."
They drove in silence, a stony silence. However, it didn't last long. Xander reached up front from where he sat in the back, turning on the power button. Angry rock assaulted them, the music Spike had been listening to on the way up there. There were shared groans from Angel and Xander, while Spike scowled fiercely as Xander changed the station.
"My bloody car, my bloody tunes," Spike said, turning it back.
"At least choose something classical," Angel suggested, earning disgusted looks from both Xander and Spike.
"This is classic," Spike waved his hand protectively in front of the radio, ready to slap Xander's hands away if the one-eyed man got too close.
"Classically awful," Xander groaned. "How about some alternative rock, then? Like Nickelback?"
Spike and Angel looked at each other, appalled.
"Bloody kids. These days."
"No taste," Angel agreed.
"Hey, it's rock," Xander protested, defensive. "The kind you like, isn't it?"
"You take that back!" Spike shouted.
The only thing they could agree on was that the radio should remain off, the three men sitting in silence again.
"I saw Harmony burning your Sex Pistols CD once," Xander said suddenly.
Spike swore. "So that's where that went. Bloody bint. I knew we shoulda staked her." His fingers curled around the wheel.
"Spike," Angel spoke, looking all quiet and deliberative. Fun was over, there was a serious expression on the git's face now. "What is your plan, exactly? What do you think you'll find in Haven?" Besides, possibly, Jade. Angel didn't say the words, but Spike knew Peaches nearly did. Thought he was just driving willy-nilly, was he? Hoping he'd run into his Slaypire without any actual, tangible strategy at all. The thought had tempted him. That he'd figure it out by ear, never mind something he had to plan out step by step. Those never worked.
Never worked because he never really got to the end of it, but that was besides the point. Still, it was different this time. No half-arsed attempt. He had to do everything right and better, because he had to make this work. Had to help her. He couldn't risk the Slayers going after her. Couldn't risk Willow re-appearing in a flash of lightning, seeing Jade doing something unforgiveable and just offing her.
"There's a demon," Spike said.
"Filled with reassurance, right now," Xander said from the back seat. Spike shot him a glare. Boy didn't quiver under it, though. Hadn't in a long time. Wasn't really a boy anymore, now was he? Wasn't sure exactly when it happened. Maybe when he had that eye gouged out. Maybe after. Knew he wasn't such a pushover, even if he had no strength or magics or anything useful, that man had an indisputable luck about him. Evident by the fact he was still alive, being in Buffy's world for so long, an' having nothing supernatural about him. Luck was a flimsy thing, but Spike would take anything right now. Still, not the cheek.
"Shut it, yeah? When I was in Haven, while back, I was hunting Doc. Y'remember him?" Spike directed the comment at Xander, whose face turned steely.
"I do. We tried to kill him and he came back with a vengeance." Xander's jaw clenched. "He nearly got Dawn killed." And Buffy had died in her stead. Xander didn't say it, but Spike knew they were both thinking it. Angel too, was quiet, solemn. They'd all loved Buffy, hadn't they? All been heartbroken by her falling into that sodding portal. But they'd had their little things to distract them from it. Angel had his gang, and Xander had Anya. Spike, Spike'd just had a grave to watch over and a little Bit to protect. And still no-one had given him the concrete belief that his love was real and sincere. That without a soul, he couldn't love. Bloody gits.
He'd loved just fine.
But it was ironic, he supposed, that when he finally managed to convince everyone of it, he'd changed his mind. In front of everyone, God. Couldn't take that one back. He'd told everyone. He'd hurt Buffy, he knew it. And the 'about time' smugness that should have originated from knowing that she actually care about him didn't even show up at all. He wasn't smug. He was just resigned about it all. He'd given up Buffy and he'd lost Jade. Trying to do the right thing and he'd gotten it all twisted.
But he hadn't lost Jade just yet."
"Anyway. After the bugger had thrown us into a demon dimension an' we'd gotten back, he was long gone. Thought he'd gotten away again." Spike remembered his anger, his frustration. But Jade'd been the one to come up with the solution.
"'Er name's Clarity, and she can find people. Where they are. And where they're going." Spike let that sink in.
"She'll be able to find the Mok'Tagar Demon," Angel clarified.
"Right you are." Spike said.
"Well, that's handy." Xander said, sounding relieved, and then suspicious. "She'll just do it for free?"
"Not quite." Spike answered. "She likes a good snog."
"Wow," Xander breathed as they drove into tree. A large tree had been pushed over onto the road, and the pavement was torn up around where it fell. The three men had little choice but to pull back over to the side of the road. "It's, uh. Quite quaint here." The damage was extensive. Cars were overturned, and more than a couple buildings showed evidence of a fire. "She really went overboard here, huh?"
"You shut your mouth," Spike growled, turning around towards the man before he could think. But Angel was there, frowning, his dark eyes blazing out a quiet warning. Spike's hands were clenched into fists and he felt as tense as a taut bowstring before he forced himself to relax. "S'not probably all her," Spike made himself say, trying out reason. "Haven has a strict no-killing rule. Don't take kindly to it. When Ja—when she started her ruckus, bet the local population panicked. Some demons might have latched onto the chance to kill their neighbours, others just ran."
"You think Clarity stayed?" Angel asked, and Spike tried not to wince, tried not to think of the alternative.
"Bloody hope so," he said. In silent concord, the three males got out of the parked car. Spike slammed his door shut with more force then was necessary, and his chest flared up in agony. He grunted quietly, placing the flat of his palm to his heart. The two days of downtime had helped, but he was far from fully healed. He hadn't the time to stop and slow down, but his body reminded him with aches and twinges that the pain hadn't gone away.
"Looks like Jade's not the only one who hasn't fully healed yet," Angel observed in quiet contemplation, standing a few meters beside him, swift as a shadow and as silent as one. Spike was used to that, with Jade, her speed was alarming until he got used to the signs, knew when she'd flit from one space to another. Spike smoothed his expression, hiding the wince and dropping his hand to his side, curling it into a fist.
"'M fine," He said defensively.
"Just saying," Angel shrugged. "I think I'd only need one hand to take you down right now." Probably, although the statement didn't help quell Spike's anger. Yeah, he knew he was far from his best right now, but they didn't have time to be careful. He wasn't getting confined to another bloody wheelchair or something now so that Angel could run the sodding show. This show was his own. They were his sidekicks, that's what they were. Silent sidekicks, he could only hope.
"Where is this kissy demon's place, then?" Xander spoke up. He held a stake in his hand, which Spike wanted to snort at the ridiculousness of it—he still couldn't see Xander as much of a fighter, but it was true the little git was an opportunist. Angel and Spike get someone distracted and he'd run right up. And even if he didn't manage to get the kill himself—bloody likely—then Spike and Angel'd be able to finish the job. Still, Spike didn't like the way Xander had chosen a stake as his weapon. So specifically for vampires, and one particular that Spike was worried out.
But not a chance was he letting anyone stake her. Not a bloody way. And definitely not the one-eyed sod.
"This way," Spike didn't mean to growl, but it came out that way anyway, his forcing his eyes to move from the stake and onto the roads. It was a near ghost town, and sunset was soon, less than an hour. They had to find Clarity, and get back on the road before sun was up.
Despite himself, Spike could grudgingly admit that it was probably a good thing they had a human along to drive, it was just unfortunate it had to be Xander.
They stepped over broken pieces of timber and loose stone, more than a couple demons bleeding out, dead. Xander blanched, his expression more disgust than sympathy. Still biased, that one. From what they had told him of Lorne's call, Spike was hoping that they'd be able to steer clear far, far from the Orphanage. Spike could only imagine what kind of sight that would be, and Xander would be a lot more sympathetic to dead children. And less forgiving.
Some of the demons seemed to have died from in-fighting of some sort, but Spike could see a fair amount with their heads or snapped. Seeing as that was Jade's MO with her arms still of no use to her, he could pick out a few of her kills. They seemed random, mostly. Those who got in her way, likely.
He kicked the head of a severed Ano-Movic Demon with more aggression than he intended, and it rolled down to join another pile of corpses. Xander had covered his face with his jacket after many, many comments about the smell. Fires still had yet to die down in some areas, and flickered greedily as they approached.
Angel was watching him, curious, observant, as Spike had kicked the head. Dark eyes bore into him, and Spike figured that Angel could probably tell which kills had been Jade, simply by watching Spike. A frustrated growl rose up in Spike's throat. He'd love to bloody pin it on someone else—anyone else. Tell them all they had their facts wrong, but the more he saw, the more it fit, and he hated it. Like he was betraying her by believing she was capable of such carnage.
And he tried to make it better. Only demons, he reminded himself. But she'd co-existed with them peacefully. Hadn't been dogmatic simply because of what they were. Always gave them a chance. Peaceful. A little too peaceful, he thought, with a pang to his heart. Trusted a Mok'Tagar Demon and…
And yet she was only with the demon because Spike had asked her to. He'd done that. An' he hadn't wanted to ask her to crash with Eddie instead, because of stupid, bloody jealousy and arrogance, and now… Well it was all his damn fault, but he knew that already, didn't he?
The main street still had a few buildings standing. Spike saw a couple of shadows out of the corner of his eye, and turned, but it was only some Bollganeg demons. They were intelligent enough, usually dwelling in sewers or the like. They had thick fur that covered their bodies and several mouths and eyes within that hide. Uninterested, Spike turned away.
Xander wasn't so nonchalant as he saw the demons scurry, in packs, towards the dead.
"What the heck are those?" He asked, his voice squeaking a bit at the end. "Aren't you going to—" He gestured.
Angel surveyed the ruin of both bodies and buildings calmly, at ease. "They're scavengers," Angel explained with an unconcerned shrug. "They don't really go after the living."
Xander made a face. "Scavengers of what?"
"Dead bodies. They eat 'em." Spike answered bluntly, enjoying watching Xander squirm a little.
"Gross."
Angel shrugged his massive shoulders again. "Good a disposal as any, Xander. And they eat demons as well as humans. Anything, as long as it's dead."
"They like the day-old smell the best," Spike couldn't help but add.
"Gross." Xander repeated, making a face.
"Come on," Spike said, to tear the man's single eye away from the wreckage. "Don't concern us. Waste o' time, just to keep you from wriggling in your skivvies. We're almost there." He increased his pace, ignoring Xander's increasing pant as the human struggled to keep up with the vampires. And there it was. Squished between two buildings, like the last time. The buildings around it hadn't completely survived the destruction, some blood and gash marks torn into the side of it that were both definitely not human. Spike stepped up to the door, frowning. Last time, it had opened at Jade's touch, but this time, the vines they had seen within had grown in multitudes, creating a thick barrier on the outside that stood as protection. He remembered a long winding hallway from the previous visit, that should be behind the door. But as he tried to jiggle the knob, it held fast, the vines seeming to tighten their hold, if it was possible.
"Buggering hell," Spike muttered.
"We should be able to rip the vines off and step through," Angel suggested, keeping a wary eye behind them.
Spike was tempted, but something told him it was a bad idea. His shoulders rose and fell with a frustrated sigh. He wrapped his fingers around the knob again, cold even in his hands. Then there was a rustling, through the leaves and lichen entwined within the vines, and a mass of small, bobbling eyes appeared, blinking at him. Except they didn't blink in unison, but at their own design, which was considerably unnerving. Spike heard a gasp from Xander, one that reminded him of Jade's own surprise from the time previous.
He found he recalled her words with precision, burned into his head out of usefulness maybe, or just to torture him. Now that she was gone, he ran memories of her through his head. Punishing himself with the thought he might have lost her forever.
"We're here to see Clarity," Spike said with a hard edge to his tone, staring, unblinking into the eyes. They looked back, some blue, some red, some green, all colors, all shades, little glowing orbs. Then they blinked in unison, and sunk back into the foliage, out of sight.
"Come on!" Spike snapped, under his breath. "Give a—" There was a light cracking as the vines began to move, relinquishing their hold on the door. Spike reached for the knob again, finding this time, it gave beneath his hold, and the door opened.
"Holy. There's a whole jungle in here," Xander commented as the three of them stepped off the street and into the small hallway. There was a creak as the door closed behind them, and the vines which had receded latched themselves back onto the door with renewed vitality.
"Hope there's no fire, or anything," Xander said with an audible gulp.
Angel was wary, keeping away from the walls, and trying to keep from stepping on the various vines and roots at their feet. Xander was less graceful, nearly stepping on one, and the lumbering vampire stopped him with a hand to his chest.
"Think Venus Fly trap, not weeds," The vampire said pointedly. "Try not to step on anything."
Xander grumbled a retort under his breath that Spike didn't listen to, pushing past the dangling lichen and vines. His natural grace kept him from missteps. If it had been a bit out of hand this time, the nature was overgrown now, draping and pushing at his shoulders, various colors, and Spike could swear he could see more of the eyes following them as they pushed along. When they made it to the end of the hallway, it opened of its own accord, and Spike stepped through hastily, albeit carefully. It was the same set-up as before, a room with couches, but he only wanted to see one thing.
And there she was, draped along one of the couches, at ease, careless. A violet skin that glimmered, covered only barely with various lichen and vines that did very little to hide her figure. Spike remembered thinking that last time, she had quite a body, for a demon. Now, his eyes didn't linger, focusing on those eyes, black where it should be white, and silver irises looking at the three of them.
"Oh boy. Gee." Xander mumbled somewhat inarticulately. Angel surveyed the woman with curiousity rather than lust, although Spike wouldn't put it past the vampire to be a little mesmerized. Clarity pushed off from the couch, reaching her impressive height, nearly equal with Angel. Her tail swung casually behind her, and she ticked her claws together, smiling easily at the three of them.
"Who comes to Clarity today?" She asked in a deep, husky voice, giving them a coquettish smile as she did a slow, deliberate turn.
"Not single. Not single," Xander muttered under his breath. "Also, she's not a human," he added as a afterthought.
Spike opened his mouth, but Clarity raised a single finger. "Let me peruse," she purred, stepping towards Xander and Angel. Angel stiffened, but didn't move, his eyes carefully averting Clarity's buxom form.
"We're in a bit o' a hurry," Spike spoke up. "You helped us last time, an' we need—"
"I don't rush," Clarity interrupted. "And I cannot be forced," She warned, more amused then strict, as if knowing the thought that had passed through Spike's head. She stepped up to Angel, bringing her claws up to him. He was a statue, wary, dark eyes looking back at the demon, but he didn't move as the black talon gently traced the curve of Angel's cheek.
"Angelus," Clarity said with a knowing smile.
Looking uncomfortable, Angel corrected her. "It's Angel, now."
"Yes, I suppose it is," Clarity agreed, unbothered. "Been that way for quite some time."
"Have I… met you?" Angel asked, his brooding face on in full force as he tried to remember. Spike tapped his foot impatiently, burning with energy. Every second counted, and while the routine was important to the demon and he shouldn't rush her, he wanted to. He'd rip this place to pieces if it made her hurry up, but he knew better. Couldn't be rash, not now.
"No," Clarity smiled. "But I've seen you. You've been looked for, you know. Over the years," She let out a throaty giggle, her claws caressing the pale skin as she stepped past him, shoulder brushing the hulking vampire's. "You are something to be found and avoided."
"I was," Angel corrected her.
Black and silver eyes blinked. "Still are. Champion," She said it with a thrill in her voice, licking her bottom lip. "There will always be those who fear you, and those who want to kill you." Her eyes flickered between Spike and Angel, speaking to them both. "The only souled vampires in the world. In my living room." She giggled.
"Not the only!" Spike snapped, anger rising up in him, loathing her laughter, loathing her easy mood. "Jade's the third." He sounded sullen as he said it, like a bloody child, but it was important. They weren't the only two souled vampires in the world. Wasn't just the two of them, there were three. There would be three.
If she was surprised by this revelation, Clarity gave no indication of it. Spike suspected she knew already as she stepped over to Xander now, who looked increasingly uncomfortable as he tried to keep his one eye on Clarity's strange eyes and not the rest of her. Bloke wasn't the best at it. Appreciated women, be nearly blind not to. Spike remembered Xander giving the robot girl the eyes while Anya was with him. Same robot girl who'd thrown Spike through the window. That had hurt a bit.
"Hello," Clarity sounded delighted. "What do we have here. A human. How deliciously quaint."
Xander looked squeamish. 'Delicious?' He mouthed over Clarity's bare shoulder.
The demon let out a deep, thrilled laugh. "Not literally, handsome." She purred, reaching out to touch Xander with a long, clawed hand. Xander flinched, visibly, but didn't step back as the claws caressed his face.
"Clarity." Spike said, impatient, demanding. He couldn't afford to wait through the whole ordeal. Clarity turned back to him, a slow, long twirl as she stepped up to him now. Each movement was sensual, provocative. It was so different to the demure, humble walk of Jade, who never revealed herself in the way that Clarity did. This demon was sex itself, seductive and tantalizing. The last time he'd seen her, he'd been intrigued, almost more curious and appreciated than he was tempted. Now, he compared Clarity and Jade in each way, finding the demon lacking. He wanted Jade, and he needed Clarity to behave.
He tilted his head back as Clarity reached for him, and she laid her claws on his shoulder instead, drawing her claws gently down his shoulder. He winced as she hit a tender spot, a wound that wasn't quite healed, and her dark lips formed a light 'o' that twisted into a smile.
"How different you are now," Clarity cooed. "Last time, you tolerated my touch. Now, you can barely stand it." She laughed, unperturbed.
"I need your help," Spike said between gritted teeth. "The woman I was wit', Jade, well. She's a vampire. A souled one, usually, but—"
She silenced him with one claw on his mouth. Spike furrowed his brow, furious towards her interruptions, her slowness.
"I know all that," She said, smiling with those bright white teeth. She tapped his temple next. "I know things, yes?" Then she stepped away, and Spike felt relieved.
"You know what happened to her?" Angel asked, and Clarity clucked her teeth as she turned back towards the hulking vampire.
"Walls have eyes," she answered huskily. "And so do I. I'm not so secluded I can't tell when the ground shakes. The outer world does not bother me if I don't wish them to, but I am aware." She stepped away from all of them, and Spike could hear Xander's slow exhale. Man was having a problem keeping it together, but he was determined to center his single eye on the floor.
"Jade's soul was stolen from her," Spike said. "By your friend, Lyth." His tone was not forgiving, but Charity wasn't perturbed, swirling back to her pedestal, a bowl that Spike remembered had been used for the locating spell last time.
"If all who used my services were my friends, then would you and I not be confidantes?" Clarity asked, sounding amused. "So accusatory you are, to find your charge. Your… companion." Her lips tilted into a teasing smile.
"The Mok'Tagar Demon has Jade's soul. We need to find where she is and where she's going," Angel continued.
Clarity pouted. "You champion types. So down to business and serious."
"We need—"
"I know what you need. Fine," She sighed. "But I want my kiss." She looked at them, first at Spike. He grit his teeth but didn't say anything. It was a kiss. He'd give much more to get back Jade. But her black and silver gaze left him, flitting to Angel and then landing on Xander.
"You, handsome, so extraordinarily ordinarily human," She breathed. She gestured with two long clawed fingers. "I want to taste you."
AN: Last update before Christmas, so merry Christmas to everyone! Or happiest of holidays. Thank you for the reviews. I love reading them. Thank you to ViviH88, xXbriannaXx, LovingAnything, MarshWolffe and BarbyChan4Ever especially, and a very happy birthday to BarbyChan! Hope you all continue to be entertained and enjoy this story. More is definitely written, almost 4 more at least.