Vindicator: Fine Line
Spoilers: Lots for S5 Buffy.
Timeline: Set just after 'Crush', though before, and later during, the business in 'I Was Made to Love You'.
Notes: I'm ignoring that weird business about Spike asking for a Buffy-bot. This is also the last chapter of the story that will be told only from his POV.
* * *
"Watch where you're going, jackass."
Normally, I'd kill someone who spoke to me like that. And this old poof just bumped into me. Two strikes against him. If I had my way, the third would be my teeth in his throat. But no. I've gotta settle with something a lot less.
"Piss off, old man."
That gets him. I'm surprised he didn't snap a hip with how fast he turned to look at me.
"What'd you just say? Who the hell do you think you're talking to, huh?"
I slip into vamp face before I ask, "Who do you think you're talking to, mate?"
I was just grinning like an idiot, but…well he doesn't react. I mean, I know I'm in the light and all, so he should be able to see me. But all the old codger is doing is standing there, squinting at me. Wonderful. Bloody fantastic.
It's just typical, really. That the old bastard pretty much can't see.
"You listen here! I didn't work my whole life to be spoken to like that. Start showing some respect."
I've had it. He's poking me in the chest with his little cane, now. Maybe I can't kill him, but…
"You little cunt! Get back here and I'll shove the pieces up your ass! That was made out of oak, you little shit!"
He's still yelling at me while I head down the street. I don't give him as much as another glance.
For some reason I'm feeling pretty hungry now. Can't imagine why. Might as well head on over to the Bronze.
* * *
Have to say I hate what they've done with the place. I was never much of a fan of the 80's, and this is a bit too close to the decade that graced and us with Rock the Casbah and Bananarama.
But, in the midst of all the shocking neon, there's a major 70's throwback. She looks right out of Charlie's Angels, with her new fondness for hoop earrings and wavy hair.
I can't stop myself from staring at her as she sways to the music. Those curves…
Christ I'm hungry.
"Shouldn't you have left town?"
Oh, this is just capping off a perfect day. The last thing I need is for this little poncy friend of hers to start giving me cheek.
"You might want to think about that yourself. This place's already got enough shitless lay abouts. You're not exactly making much of a contribution."
"Oh, what? And you are? Sorry, but a neutered vampire is pretty much just taking up space."
I need to grin. "Yeah. We all know about which space Angel took up."
I've got to hand it to him. Piss ant that he is, the boys really got himself a good right arm.
"I don't wanna see you anywhere near here, you got it? Get out, and don't come back."
I get up, and brush myself off. Don't lay a hand on my jaw, though. Might as well make it seem like it didn't hurt.
"I'll go where I want. You're not gonna stop me."
Next, I feel a hand around my neck. Her hand.
"Maybe. Or maybe you won't be that lucky. Because next time you show up here, I'll be the one kicking your ass. Stay the hell away from us, Spike."
With a really low, long growl, I shrug away from her. And, yeah. Just what I fucking need. Basically everyone in this shit heap is staring at us. I wanna kill the whole goddamn lot of them. Sodding humans.
I dredge up all the big bad in me as I say, "You're really pushing it, Summers. You should know that there's a fine line between love and hate. Don't make me cross over to your little view."
"Or you'll do what? In case you've forgotten, you can't hurt me."
She just walks off after that. The bitch. Maybe I can't hurt her physically. But I can hurt her other ways. Just so happens, it involves a dash of violence.
Things are looking up.
* * *
Los Angeles. This place is the absolute pits. Only the Slayer could make me wanna come back here. Looks like I'm gonna be here longer than I want to, though. The old poofs place is nothing but a pile of rubble.
I don't know where he's holed up. I should've asked Dru. Wouldn't surprise me if he's been off shagging Darla, really. I'll find out soon enough. Just like Buffy.
First thing, better find a place to stay. Can't do much damage if I'm dust. After that, the fun starts. I'm not gonna take being spit on. Not by Buffy. Sure as hell not by her.