Of fact and fiction - Chapter Four
by Angel Eternal
email: angel_eternal_01@yahoo.com
silver_moon_07@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13 (just for Spike's potty mouth!)
Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several
companies and God knows who else. One thing is certain - I don't own
any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!
Buffy and Spike strolled outside, Buffy still hadn't let go of Spike's hand, and that very
fact made his head spin.
Spike couldn't tear his gaze from her slim fingers holding his.
Buffy stayed silent. She was telling herself that her...loyalty...no not loyalty, something
less then that...was supposed to be with Spike. No matter who was in this twisted
dimension, no matter who they looked like.
They walked, lost in thought, oblivious to their surroundings.
"Don't get any ideas."
Spike turned to her, her voice breaking the silence of the night had startled him.
"What do you mean luv?"
Buffy refused to look at him; she found that she couldn't think properly while looking
at him. Another thing she didn't want to examine to closely
"About this - about all of it...I mean..."
Spike snorted, "Course not pet, I'm only convenient aren't I?"
He shook off her hand, and walked ahead of her.
Buffy stared after him; she picked up her skirts and ran after him, cursing the fact
that she had to pick up her skirts at all.
"Spike! It's not like that!"
* * *
"Come on Dawnie - can I have it now? I'm tired of the research gig and sitting there
looking pretty would be a better job." Xander whined.
Dawn looked up, and back down at the passage she had just read, she skimmed
ahead, a grin lighting up her features. She stood and handed Xander book. "Here
you go Xand."
Xander grinned at her, happy to have an excuse to stop researching.
He plopped down in the chair, putting his feet up, not thinking about the jubilant
smile on Dawn's face.
* * *
Spike whirled around to face her, "What is it like then Slayer? What is it? You're
stuck with me - you don't want to be stuck with me. But I'm all you got - desperate
times call for desperate measures is that it?"
Buffy started to protest, but he held up his hand, "I'm sick and tired of it Slayer.
I try to help and what do I get? Nothing! Not even a sodding acknowledgement!
You know what sweetheart? I may be dead, but it doesn't mean that I don't feel.
Emotions have got nothing to do with a sodding pulse! When are you going to
realise that having a soul is a moot point? Do you think Hitler was demon baby?
You know he wasn't. The most horrendous people on this fucking earth have
been mortal - with friggin' souls. What do you think of that huh?"
He drew up and stared into her eyes, "Just because I love you and you don't
love me back doesn't give you the bloody right to walk all over me."
With that he whirled around to leave, but her hand darted out to stop him.
"Spike...I'm sorry...I..."
He stared down at her, and Buffy found herself staring into his eyes, without
thinking she...
* * *
"Holy Mother of Christ!"
The Scoobies turned; Xander had flung the book across the room, and was now
standing on the chair, staring at it aghast.
Willow bent to retrieve it, "Xand..."
"Don't touch it! Oh God - that isn't Buffy - she is not doing that!" Xander panted
frantically, his eyes wide. Anya tried to calm him down, but he refused to let her
touch him.
Hurt, Anya drew back, staring at Xander, uncomprehending.
Confused, Willow opened the book and read. She gasped. "Oh God..."
She stumbled into the nearest seat.
* * *
...grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. The kiss was soft at
first, hesitant, but as Spike realised what was happening he deepened the kiss.
Their mouths fused, tongues tentatively exploring. Gently, he pulled Buffy closer to
his body, as his fingers delved into her hair. Buffy let him bend her backwards as
his tongue explored the recesses of her mouth.
Finally, they broke apart, Buffy breathing heavily as she stared up at him.
Spike stepped back, "God...Buffy...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..."
Buffy rolled her eyes, and went on tiptoe to kiss him once more. This kiss was
different, harder more demanding, and over much too quickly.
Her mouth quirked into a smile, "That was to remind you that I kissed you first.
Or have you forgotten?"
His eyes darkened, as he pulled her close, "Hell no..."
He frowned then stepped back, "What is this Slayer? What's with the sudden
feelings?"
Going on defensive, Buffy stepped back, "What feelings?"
As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them. Hurt flashed in his
eyes as he spun on his heels and left her. This time, Buffy didn't have the energy
to go after him.
She sat on the ground, uncaring about her dress. Why had she said that? God,
she really was a bitch. But how was she supposed to explain that her heart
raced every time he was near, that she felt her breath leave her body at the sight
of him - that her world revolved around him? How was she to explain that she
had felt this for some time, but never knew how to accept it, to say it.
He was a vampire, and she the Slayer. It her was duty to dust the vamps, not to
love them. Was it her curse? That the only one who could understand her, was the
very one she was sworn to destroy?
She struggled to remember that he had tried to kill her so many times. That very
recently he had chained her to a wall with his ex a metre away.
She tried to forget that he had endured unspeakable torture for her and Dawn.
She tried to forget that she cared about him, like she had never cared for
another. She stubbornly refused to call it love.
* * *
Willow put the book down, unsure what to think.
Xander was still staring at the book as if he wanted to hack it to pieces.
Giles turned questioningly to Willow, who simply shook her head. This
development was...stunning.
Willow knew in the back of her mind that there was something between
Buffy and Spike. Spike had been forthcoming with it. But Buffy...
The lady doth protest too much.
Dawn gleefully picked up the book. From Xander's and Willow's reactions
she knew that something good was happening. Maybe her sister wasn't so
dense after all.
* * *
He truly wanted to kill something. Anything to deaden the pain within him.
How many times does a poor sod have to be rejected?
"William...Spike...."
He looked up, and for a moment his vision was blurred, but he blinked and
saw the most stunning sight he had ever seen.
She stood above him, her dark hair loose, dark eyes inviting. She held out
her hand, and without thinking he took it.
"God...Dru..."
She frowned, then smiled, "It's Des, Will - Des - have you forgotten me?
I know I'm not your golden beauty, but would you accept me in lieu?"
Spike stepped back; this wasn't Drusilla. Her voice was clear and strong.
Her gaze wasn't hazy with visions. This wasn't his dark angel.
"William..." she touched his cheek, then drew back. "She's all over you -
you can never be mine..."
Her gaze was so sorrowful, and Spike was struck by the image - the image
of this woman and his Drusilla. His Drusilla telling him he reeked of the
Slayer. His Drusilla turning away from him sadly, knowing that his heart
belonged to another.
She touched his cheek again, and he leaned into her touch...
"Spike!"
His eyes snapped open, and there was no woman with him. Spike looked
up and saw Buffy walking towards him.
What the hell happened?
"Spike...I'm so sorry...I didn't mean for it to sound like that...please..."
Spike focused his attention back to the woman that he loved. "Buffy - luv,
slow down."
He watched as Buffy drew in a deep breath, appreciating the way the dress
she wore tightened at the movement. He shook his head slightly.
"Spike, I'm sorry. What I said back there, I didn't mean it...I panicked. I
don't know how to explain."
Spike took her hand, "I know Buffy, I know."
Buffy shivered lightly, she loved the way he said her name, in a breathy
whisper, his deep voice caressing the syllables.
"You've been scarred, I know that. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been such a
wanker. I don't blame you..."
Buffy placed a finger over his mouth, "I just want to take this slow. I mean we're
in a different world, what if..."
"...we go back and it all changes? I know Buffy-love."
Buffy nodded, slowly "Spike, please, slowly - so I'll remember."
Standing there, shadows caressing her skin, looking up at him with those eyes.
Her eyes would always betray her. Every emotion she felt flashed in those
ever-changing eyes. In them he saw the light of hope and something else -
something undefinable. That was what reminded him why he loved her, her
courage, her strength, and that undefinable something in her eyes. No matter
what happened he could never go back. The point of no return had been
crossed a long time ago.
This strong warrior - his fire, his soul, his match. This was what he lived for.
Dark memories might beckon to him, but he could never answer back.
He flashed her a grin, "I'm too easy on you luv, and you know that right?"
Buffy stepped forward, "At least I know you'll stay."
Spike's eyes darkened, "I'll never leave you." He grinned at her again. "I'm
like nothing you've ever know Buffy Anne Summers."
He bowed low to her, "You're a princess, and I intend to treat you like one."
She giggled, "I am aren't I? I mean for real!"
He wiggled his eyebrows at her, "Figures huh?"
His head snapped up, "Come on Buffy-love, the sun's coming and I for one
don't want to be toast."
* * *
Dawn sighed, "Well it isn't the undying love and devotion that I wanted, but it's
good enough I guess."
She opened her eyes, and found all of them staring at her with emotions that
ranged from shocked (Giles), aghast (Xander), curiosity (Anya and Willow)
and agreement (Tara)
She blushed, "Did I say that out loud?"
Xander groaned, and started to bang his head on the table, as Anya tried to
soothe him.
Willow also tried to offer comfort, "They're in an alternate universe, maybe
they'll forget all it when we get them out."
Xander stopped banging his head, then Anya spoke up, "I don't know about
that Willow. I mean I've done the inter-dimensional travel thingy, I assure you
what happens in an alternate universe is real."
Xander groaned and resumed the banging, as Willow glared at Anya, who
didn't know what she said wrong.
Tara sat next to Dawn. "You think he'll do the whole gallant knight thing?"
Dawn grinned at the blonde witch, "Oh definitely - can't you just imagine it?"
Tara giggled, "I'm still trying to imagine Spike in tights."
Dawn's eyes widened, "Oh my God you are so right! I think he'd look great
in them don't you think? That tight ass..." she stopped when she realised that
the Scoobies were back to staring at her.
Tara winked at her, "Oh definitely, he's got a fine ass!"
"Tara!" Willow squeaked.
Tara laughed, and winked at her, "Don't worry hon, you've got a nice ass
too."
Willow's face flamed with embarrassment, as Dawn and Tara discussed how
cute a couple Buffy and Spike would make.
After listening to them for about a minute, Xander fainted dead away.