Chapter 11
Spike awoke to the sensation of a thousand tiny hammers beating at his brain; he cautiously opened one eye to see Fred and Harmony standing there. Both of them with their arms folded, looking very stern.
"How are you feeling?" asked Fred in mock concern.
"Like road kill," Spike replied, clutching his head.
"Well it's only what you deserve, and when were you going to tell me that you were all fleshy again?" whined Harmony.
"Like it's any of your bleeding business, haven't you got any one else to annoy, and where's the dark brooding one?" he asked her.
"Over here," Angel replied.
Spike turned his head slowly, to see Angel sitting at his desk. An ice bag resting against his ample forehead, he looked paler than usual.
"Cancel the rest of my appointments for the day, I think I need to lie down for a while," groaned Angel.
"Thought you'd already been doing that on the office floor," said Fred reprovingly.
Angel got up from his seat, behind the desk and entered his elevator. Harmony skipped out of the office in her bouncy way, leaving Spike and Fred alone.
"That big poof never could take his drink," smirked Spike.
"From where I was standing earlier, neither can you," Fred replied.
"You're not mad at me?" he asked.
Fred sighed, No she wasn't mad at him, not really. Things must have been pretty tough for him these past few weeks; she guessed that it was just his way of letting off a little steam.
"No, I'm not mad, but I was worried about you," she admitted.
Spike smiled at her through his pain, he took her hand in his.
"How worried?" he asked, as he pulled her unsuspectingly onto his lap.
Fred looked self-consciously around the empty room.
"Spike! Besides I thought your head hurt," Fred said.
"Not that much," he purred invitingly.
Fred raised a hand to place it on the side of his face, as she searched it intently. Spiked snaked a hand around the back of her neck, their lips met hungrily in Spike's first corporeal kiss, in a long long time. Her hands crept into his hair, revelling in the feel of it. Finally being able to touch him back was like a rush to her senses.
Spike seemed to be enjoying it as much as she, if the hardness that Fred could feel prodding at her thigh was anything to go by. Her hand travelled lower to experimentally touch him through the material of his jeans. Spike groaned into her mouth, things were spiralling out of control. Fred's logical part of her brain started to function again, as she reluctantly drew her lips away from his.
"We can't do this, not here," she said.
"Do what? Thought we were just enjoying the moment, but if you want more then I can always ravish you here and now it you'd like," Spike replied.
He licked his lower lip. Fred's eyes followed the little movement as if her life depended upon it. She looked away regretfully.
"I can't risk getting caught again, I don't even want to think about the downward spiral my reputation must have taken around here," groaned Fred.
Spike moved her off his lap on to the seat next to him. He sighed deeply.
"You are right, I didn't mean to rush you. It might be better to slow things down a bit, but that's me. I have a tendency to rush into things. You know walk where Angels or even Angel, fears to tread," grinned Spike.
Fred touched his face gently.
"We have time Spike, I want to know everything about you," she said.
"Maybe not the pre soul stuff, love," said Spike.
"Yes, but that's part of who you are or were too, and why I lo.er.like you so much," she amended quickly.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lorne knocked on the door to Angel's office and opened it and peered inside. Seeing Fred and Spike sitting together on the sofa, and just holding hands, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hey guys where's the soul man?" asked Lorne.
"Angel or I?" asked Spike.
"Sorry toots, keep forgetting there's two of you now," said Lorne.
"Angel went up to his penthouse, still feeling a little under the weather," Fred explained.
"Yes, the both of you sure had some party, didn't you? Anyway was just passing, wanted to get the info on tonight," smiled Lorne.
Fred's earlier optimism faded along with her smile as Lorne reminded her of what was still to come.
"Haven't really had time to discuss details with Angel yet, and he's going to be unavailable for the rest of the afternoon as you know," said Fred.
"Okay guys, go back to what ever you were doing before I arrived, I'll check in later with the dark avenger," said Lorne as he left with a dramatic wave of his hand.
"I like him, he's strange, but then I am used to strange," smiled Spike.
He looked at Fred as she failed to respond to him. Her expression was similar to that of the one she had worn earlier in the lab.
"Okay, what gives?" asked Spike impatiently.
Fred looked at him; a few moments elapsed before she found her voice.
"Okay, I'll be straight with you, I am worried about what will happen after tonight. What will you do with your new found corporeal state as well as your impending freedom?" she asked.
Spike sighed.
"Why is everyone so obsessed with that subject, Angel brought me up here to ask me the very same thing. It might be more a case of my impending doom than my impending freedom. Maybe that's why I haven't given it much thought yet," he mused.
" And maybe I am not explaining myself fully here. I was referring to you and I, as to what plans you might have for the future," Fred replied.
"Ahhh, now I get where you are coming from. Don't worry, I am not the love you and leave you kind. Usually happens the other way round in fact," Spike said, as he turned to stare at a far corner of the room.
"Well, history is about to change," she said firmly, turning him back to face her.
Fred leaned in and kissed him on the lips, he tried to pull her down onto the sofa with him, but she pulled away and stood up.
"Ah, you don't get by me that easily Mister, besides I really should be getting back to work," she said as she checked her watch.
"And what am I supposed to do in the meantime?" asked Spike, a little pout on his lips.
"You're resourceful, I'm sure you'll think of something," she smiled to herself as she left the room.
Spike looked around the décor of the room and yawned. God even his office was boring, thought Spike smugly. He settled down on the sofa and closed his eyes. Deciding to take a leaf out of Angel's book, he fell asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Angel had gotten back to the others a few hours later about the evening rendezvous. There they all were, assembled in the underground parking lot of Wolfram and Hart.
Gunn whistled appreciatively as he looked at all the cars at Angel's disposal.
"Man, I am so in the wrong job, look at that! A 53' Corvette," sighed Gunn.
"And again I say huh?" asked Lorne.
"Oh, just that it was the first year of production of the 'Vette," Gunn informed him.
"Personally I prefer the Viper," said Spike, as he ran his hand reverently along the bodywork of the aforementioned car.
"Why you need so many cars, I'll never understand," said Fred, bored with all the talk of automobiles.
Angel looked at the cars.
"We're gonna have to spilt up, six won't go into one. Especially as most of these cars are of the two seater variety," said Angel.
Spike looked at him and grinned.
"Ooh Angel is going to trust us with his little toys, Fred you can ride with me," said Spike, winking at her as he delivered the double entendre.
Spike opened the door of the viper for Fred.
"Your manners are cute, the perfect Victorian gentleman. Well most of the time anyway," she smiled at him.
"Been reading up on me have you?" he asked.
"Just a little, only what Wesley showed me in the watchers diaries after you first came back," admitted Fred.
Spike closed the door after her. He then looked over at Angel.
"Thanks for the loaner mate," Spike said to Angel.
"Don't get too attached, and damage it and you die," said Angel.
"Well that would be a first," Spike returned mockingly.
Spike got into the car, Angel and Wesley took a red Lamborghini and Gunn and Lorne took the Corvette. Spike wound down his window as he turned on the ignition and the engine fired to life.
"I'll race you there," Spike called out the window, before speeding off.
"Don't you dare Spike!" yelled Angel, after him.
"Better get a move on, if we're to catch up with him," said Wesley.
"Got the amulet?" asked Angel.
"Right here," said Wesley as he patted his jacket pocket.
Angel drove out of the parking lot, closely followed by Gunn, Spike was nowhere to be seen. Angel sighed as he put the pedal to the metal. He just hoped there weren't too many cops around tonight.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike had made good time, reaching the designated churchyard before the others, Fred and he, navigated the graves until they reached the entrance of the church.
"Mind if we sit and wait for the others on the steps? Churches make me twitchy," Spike admitted.
"Sure, they should be here soon," she replied.
Spike took her hand in his.
"So this is it," he said.
"I suppose it is, trying to think positive thoughts here and failing badly," she sighed.
Spike turned his head at the approaching sound of voices.
"Looks like our alone time is over, and try not to worry," said Spike, with more confidence than he actually felt.
He gave her hand a final squeeze, before giving over his full attention to Wesley.
"Great, everyone's here for the big send off, hadn't we better get this over and done with?" asked Spike.
Wesley opened the church door and stood aside.
"After you," he said to Spike
"Gee thanks," said Spike sardonically.
The group all shuffled into the darkness of the church, as Wesley felt around on the stone wall, trying to locate a light switch. He flipped the switch, to bathe the chapel in bright light. Spike and Angel both winced at the sudden brightness. Lorne pulled out the book he'd had tucked under his arm, he flicked through it until he came to the correct page.
"Shall I read, or you?" asked Lorne, as he proffered the book to Wesley.
"No, you go ahead and do the honours, I'll destroy the pendant when you are done," Wesley replied.
"This is gonna work right? I mean when Angel and I were double-crossing that Hainsley guy you were all saying that this would send me to my eternal rest," Spike reminded them.
"Yes, but you were incorporeal then, it does make rather a lot of difference," said Wesley.
"Spike, can you just stop your yammering, so that we can get on with this anytime soon. Like before dawn would be good," said Angel, impatiently.
"You wouldn't be so flip if it was your ass we were debating," Spike snapped at him.
Lorne sighed.
"Like that again with you two is it?" He asked.
"What do you think? You can't wipe out over a hundred years of rivalry in one drinking session," said Spike.
Lorne shook his head in despair. He began reading the incantation from the book he held. Fred took a hold of Spike's hand, squeezing it tightly. Spike returned the pressure, and then he gently removed his hand from hers and stood away from them all.
"Wouldn't want you getting hurt love, this is just in case something goes wrong," Spike whispered to her.
Fred nodded at him understandingly and gave him a weak smile. She felt too scared for any thing else. Lorne finished reading the words, and Fred took in a deep breath and unconsciously held it in. Wesley placed the amulet on the nearby altar. He looked up at Spike as he picked up one of the heavy bronze crosses.
"Ready Spike?" asked Wesley.
"Ready as I am ever gonna be," Spike replied.
Wesley raised the cross, ready to strike.
"Wait!" Fred cried.
"What is it now?" asked Angel in barely concealed annoyance.
Fred crossed the short distance between herself and Spike to kiss him; the tears fell down her face.
"Don't cry," he said softly, as he wiped away her tears.
He gave her one last kiss.
And after she had moved away, Wesley brought the cross down hard on the amulet. There was a blinding flash of light that filled the church, several of the windows exploded from the force of the mystical energy. The occupants of the chapel were thrown backwards, hitting the floor.
There was nothing, but darkness and settling dust for several moments. Fred and Gunn were the first to recover. She struggled to sit up, gingerly touching her hand to her head. Fred felt the slight bump from where she had hit her head in the blast.
"You okay?" asked Gunn.
"It's nothing really," said Fred.
Angel threw off a wooden bench that had fallen on him. Lorne appeared out from under one of the wooden pews, nursing his ribs.
"Everyone seems present and accounted for," said Angel.
Fred looked around desperately.
"Where's Spike?" she looked at them all questioningly.
TBC
A/N Thanks for the reviews all. I researched about Corvette's on the net, if it's wrong sorry. Also I apologise now for any glaring mistakes or errors, I have been awake all night as a water pipe burst in my kitchen So a little sleep deprived here, so I'd thought I'd write while waiting for the plumber.
Spike awoke to the sensation of a thousand tiny hammers beating at his brain; he cautiously opened one eye to see Fred and Harmony standing there. Both of them with their arms folded, looking very stern.
"How are you feeling?" asked Fred in mock concern.
"Like road kill," Spike replied, clutching his head.
"Well it's only what you deserve, and when were you going to tell me that you were all fleshy again?" whined Harmony.
"Like it's any of your bleeding business, haven't you got any one else to annoy, and where's the dark brooding one?" he asked her.
"Over here," Angel replied.
Spike turned his head slowly, to see Angel sitting at his desk. An ice bag resting against his ample forehead, he looked paler than usual.
"Cancel the rest of my appointments for the day, I think I need to lie down for a while," groaned Angel.
"Thought you'd already been doing that on the office floor," said Fred reprovingly.
Angel got up from his seat, behind the desk and entered his elevator. Harmony skipped out of the office in her bouncy way, leaving Spike and Fred alone.
"That big poof never could take his drink," smirked Spike.
"From where I was standing earlier, neither can you," Fred replied.
"You're not mad at me?" he asked.
Fred sighed, No she wasn't mad at him, not really. Things must have been pretty tough for him these past few weeks; she guessed that it was just his way of letting off a little steam.
"No, I'm not mad, but I was worried about you," she admitted.
Spike smiled at her through his pain, he took her hand in his.
"How worried?" he asked, as he pulled her unsuspectingly onto his lap.
Fred looked self-consciously around the empty room.
"Spike! Besides I thought your head hurt," Fred said.
"Not that much," he purred invitingly.
Fred raised a hand to place it on the side of his face, as she searched it intently. Spiked snaked a hand around the back of her neck, their lips met hungrily in Spike's first corporeal kiss, in a long long time. Her hands crept into his hair, revelling in the feel of it. Finally being able to touch him back was like a rush to her senses.
Spike seemed to be enjoying it as much as she, if the hardness that Fred could feel prodding at her thigh was anything to go by. Her hand travelled lower to experimentally touch him through the material of his jeans. Spike groaned into her mouth, things were spiralling out of control. Fred's logical part of her brain started to function again, as she reluctantly drew her lips away from his.
"We can't do this, not here," she said.
"Do what? Thought we were just enjoying the moment, but if you want more then I can always ravish you here and now it you'd like," Spike replied.
He licked his lower lip. Fred's eyes followed the little movement as if her life depended upon it. She looked away regretfully.
"I can't risk getting caught again, I don't even want to think about the downward spiral my reputation must have taken around here," groaned Fred.
Spike moved her off his lap on to the seat next to him. He sighed deeply.
"You are right, I didn't mean to rush you. It might be better to slow things down a bit, but that's me. I have a tendency to rush into things. You know walk where Angels or even Angel, fears to tread," grinned Spike.
Fred touched his face gently.
"We have time Spike, I want to know everything about you," she said.
"Maybe not the pre soul stuff, love," said Spike.
"Yes, but that's part of who you are or were too, and why I lo.er.like you so much," she amended quickly.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lorne knocked on the door to Angel's office and opened it and peered inside. Seeing Fred and Spike sitting together on the sofa, and just holding hands, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hey guys where's the soul man?" asked Lorne.
"Angel or I?" asked Spike.
"Sorry toots, keep forgetting there's two of you now," said Lorne.
"Angel went up to his penthouse, still feeling a little under the weather," Fred explained.
"Yes, the both of you sure had some party, didn't you? Anyway was just passing, wanted to get the info on tonight," smiled Lorne.
Fred's earlier optimism faded along with her smile as Lorne reminded her of what was still to come.
"Haven't really had time to discuss details with Angel yet, and he's going to be unavailable for the rest of the afternoon as you know," said Fred.
"Okay guys, go back to what ever you were doing before I arrived, I'll check in later with the dark avenger," said Lorne as he left with a dramatic wave of his hand.
"I like him, he's strange, but then I am used to strange," smiled Spike.
He looked at Fred as she failed to respond to him. Her expression was similar to that of the one she had worn earlier in the lab.
"Okay, what gives?" asked Spike impatiently.
Fred looked at him; a few moments elapsed before she found her voice.
"Okay, I'll be straight with you, I am worried about what will happen after tonight. What will you do with your new found corporeal state as well as your impending freedom?" she asked.
Spike sighed.
"Why is everyone so obsessed with that subject, Angel brought me up here to ask me the very same thing. It might be more a case of my impending doom than my impending freedom. Maybe that's why I haven't given it much thought yet," he mused.
" And maybe I am not explaining myself fully here. I was referring to you and I, as to what plans you might have for the future," Fred replied.
"Ahhh, now I get where you are coming from. Don't worry, I am not the love you and leave you kind. Usually happens the other way round in fact," Spike said, as he turned to stare at a far corner of the room.
"Well, history is about to change," she said firmly, turning him back to face her.
Fred leaned in and kissed him on the lips, he tried to pull her down onto the sofa with him, but she pulled away and stood up.
"Ah, you don't get by me that easily Mister, besides I really should be getting back to work," she said as she checked her watch.
"And what am I supposed to do in the meantime?" asked Spike, a little pout on his lips.
"You're resourceful, I'm sure you'll think of something," she smiled to herself as she left the room.
Spike looked around the décor of the room and yawned. God even his office was boring, thought Spike smugly. He settled down on the sofa and closed his eyes. Deciding to take a leaf out of Angel's book, he fell asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Angel had gotten back to the others a few hours later about the evening rendezvous. There they all were, assembled in the underground parking lot of Wolfram and Hart.
Gunn whistled appreciatively as he looked at all the cars at Angel's disposal.
"Man, I am so in the wrong job, look at that! A 53' Corvette," sighed Gunn.
"And again I say huh?" asked Lorne.
"Oh, just that it was the first year of production of the 'Vette," Gunn informed him.
"Personally I prefer the Viper," said Spike, as he ran his hand reverently along the bodywork of the aforementioned car.
"Why you need so many cars, I'll never understand," said Fred, bored with all the talk of automobiles.
Angel looked at the cars.
"We're gonna have to spilt up, six won't go into one. Especially as most of these cars are of the two seater variety," said Angel.
Spike looked at him and grinned.
"Ooh Angel is going to trust us with his little toys, Fred you can ride with me," said Spike, winking at her as he delivered the double entendre.
Spike opened the door of the viper for Fred.
"Your manners are cute, the perfect Victorian gentleman. Well most of the time anyway," she smiled at him.
"Been reading up on me have you?" he asked.
"Just a little, only what Wesley showed me in the watchers diaries after you first came back," admitted Fred.
Spike closed the door after her. He then looked over at Angel.
"Thanks for the loaner mate," Spike said to Angel.
"Don't get too attached, and damage it and you die," said Angel.
"Well that would be a first," Spike returned mockingly.
Spike got into the car, Angel and Wesley took a red Lamborghini and Gunn and Lorne took the Corvette. Spike wound down his window as he turned on the ignition and the engine fired to life.
"I'll race you there," Spike called out the window, before speeding off.
"Don't you dare Spike!" yelled Angel, after him.
"Better get a move on, if we're to catch up with him," said Wesley.
"Got the amulet?" asked Angel.
"Right here," said Wesley as he patted his jacket pocket.
Angel drove out of the parking lot, closely followed by Gunn, Spike was nowhere to be seen. Angel sighed as he put the pedal to the metal. He just hoped there weren't too many cops around tonight.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike had made good time, reaching the designated churchyard before the others, Fred and he, navigated the graves until they reached the entrance of the church.
"Mind if we sit and wait for the others on the steps? Churches make me twitchy," Spike admitted.
"Sure, they should be here soon," she replied.
Spike took her hand in his.
"So this is it," he said.
"I suppose it is, trying to think positive thoughts here and failing badly," she sighed.
Spike turned his head at the approaching sound of voices.
"Looks like our alone time is over, and try not to worry," said Spike, with more confidence than he actually felt.
He gave her hand a final squeeze, before giving over his full attention to Wesley.
"Great, everyone's here for the big send off, hadn't we better get this over and done with?" asked Spike.
Wesley opened the church door and stood aside.
"After you," he said to Spike
"Gee thanks," said Spike sardonically.
The group all shuffled into the darkness of the church, as Wesley felt around on the stone wall, trying to locate a light switch. He flipped the switch, to bathe the chapel in bright light. Spike and Angel both winced at the sudden brightness. Lorne pulled out the book he'd had tucked under his arm, he flicked through it until he came to the correct page.
"Shall I read, or you?" asked Lorne, as he proffered the book to Wesley.
"No, you go ahead and do the honours, I'll destroy the pendant when you are done," Wesley replied.
"This is gonna work right? I mean when Angel and I were double-crossing that Hainsley guy you were all saying that this would send me to my eternal rest," Spike reminded them.
"Yes, but you were incorporeal then, it does make rather a lot of difference," said Wesley.
"Spike, can you just stop your yammering, so that we can get on with this anytime soon. Like before dawn would be good," said Angel, impatiently.
"You wouldn't be so flip if it was your ass we were debating," Spike snapped at him.
Lorne sighed.
"Like that again with you two is it?" He asked.
"What do you think? You can't wipe out over a hundred years of rivalry in one drinking session," said Spike.
Lorne shook his head in despair. He began reading the incantation from the book he held. Fred took a hold of Spike's hand, squeezing it tightly. Spike returned the pressure, and then he gently removed his hand from hers and stood away from them all.
"Wouldn't want you getting hurt love, this is just in case something goes wrong," Spike whispered to her.
Fred nodded at him understandingly and gave him a weak smile. She felt too scared for any thing else. Lorne finished reading the words, and Fred took in a deep breath and unconsciously held it in. Wesley placed the amulet on the nearby altar. He looked up at Spike as he picked up one of the heavy bronze crosses.
"Ready Spike?" asked Wesley.
"Ready as I am ever gonna be," Spike replied.
Wesley raised the cross, ready to strike.
"Wait!" Fred cried.
"What is it now?" asked Angel in barely concealed annoyance.
Fred crossed the short distance between herself and Spike to kiss him; the tears fell down her face.
"Don't cry," he said softly, as he wiped away her tears.
He gave her one last kiss.
And after she had moved away, Wesley brought the cross down hard on the amulet. There was a blinding flash of light that filled the church, several of the windows exploded from the force of the mystical energy. The occupants of the chapel were thrown backwards, hitting the floor.
There was nothing, but darkness and settling dust for several moments. Fred and Gunn were the first to recover. She struggled to sit up, gingerly touching her hand to her head. Fred felt the slight bump from where she had hit her head in the blast.
"You okay?" asked Gunn.
"It's nothing really," said Fred.
Angel threw off a wooden bench that had fallen on him. Lorne appeared out from under one of the wooden pews, nursing his ribs.
"Everyone seems present and accounted for," said Angel.
Fred looked around desperately.
"Where's Spike?" she looked at them all questioningly.
TBC
A/N Thanks for the reviews all. I researched about Corvette's on the net, if it's wrong sorry. Also I apologise now for any glaring mistakes or errors, I have been awake all night as a water pipe burst in my kitchen So a little sleep deprived here, so I'd thought I'd write while waiting for the plumber.