Spike studied the two vamps on either side of him as he tried to form a plan.
Neither of the vamps appeared to be very old or very smart, Nastassia had obvioulsy
hurriedly sired several fledglings without training them very well. He worried about
Buffy in the other room as he debated taking his two "guards" out. His decision
was made for him as another vampire entered the room.
Jarvis was a very large, imposing vampire, his red hair matched Nastassia's tresses
perfectly. Spike realized immediately on his arrival that this was a older vampire
with some power. Jarvis looked questioningly at Spike, "William the Bloody?"
Spike started to stand but was quickly stopped by the vamps at his side. One
began to speak, "He is not our friend."
Jarvis eyed the Spike again, "Things have obviously changed." He turned to the
guards, "Watch him, while I find Nastassia."
The vamp pointed towards the doorway that Nastassia had taken Buffy through.
Spike held his unneeded breath again debating what to do. What if Nastassia was
handing Buffy to Jarvis at this very moment.
His fears were quelled slightly when Jarvis returned to the room and sat down in one of the larger chairs against the
wall. He turned his attention to Spike again, "Spike. The Slayer? Your choice in women has always
been questionable, first crazy Drusilla and now the killer of your own kind."
Spike tried to stand again, this time Jarvis nodded at the vamps to allow him to
stand. "Jarvis, you seem like a reasonable man. Why don't you just let Buffy and
I go and we'll leave you alone."
Jarvis laughed harshly, "The Slayer is going to just let me have free run? Because
you tell her too."
Spike's cockiness came back full force, "Well yes. I have quite a bit of control over
her........if you understand my meaning." He cocked his scarred eyebrow at Jarvis.
"I've no doubt you have many charms, but I find it hard to believe even you could
keep the slayer out of my business. Alas, I won't have to worry about her much
longer, Nastassia has made a gift of your Buffy to me. In just a few moments,
I shall make her mine, a turned Slayer should be a great asset." Jarvis smiled
as he watched Spike clench his fists and start towards him. Jarvis nodded and
the two vampires quickly restrained Spike.
Spike let the vampires restrain him, he might as well let Jarvis think that he was in
control of the situation. He had a simple plan - when Nastassia brought Buffy in
he would charge her, not one of his better plans but once Buffy was in his arms
he would be able to think clearer. Several pieces of broken wood lie on the floor
from a splintered chair, he took notice of excactly where they lay.
"There, you are all cleaned up now." Nastassia smiled at Buffy, "Now it's time.
Jarvis is waiting."
Buffy fidgeted with the rope that bound her hands, "What about Spike? What will
happen to him?"
"Jarvis is a benevolent ruler, I'm sure he can find ways to convince Spike to help
us." She giggled, "A bit of torture never hurt anyone and the offer of having you
as his mate once you are turned should help."
"It's never going to happen." Buffy threw the words at her as she felt the rope loosen
even more.
"My dear it *is* happening." Nastassia pushed Buffy towards the other room.
&&&
"Lovely, she's just lovely." Jarvis appraised Buffy as he placed a hand on her
cheek, "And so warm." He turned towards Spike, "I think I can see your attraction
to her."
Buffy took this moment to pull her hand free, clocking Jarvis hard in the face
as Nastassia jumped her from behind. Spike charged forward knocking his
guards heads together and easily leaving them on the floor unconcious, he dove for a long wooden splinter.
Jarvis stood up and walked towards Buffy and Nastassia who were taking nasty
swings at each other. He grabbed Buffy's arms and held them behind her. Spike
watched with horror as he took one strong arm and turned her head exposing her
neck to him.
Nastassia laughed out loud, "I told you it was going to happen, Slayer."
"Oh, I don't think so." Nastassia was suddenly in Spike's grasp, the makeshift
stake over her heart. He maneuvered himself so that his back was to the wall and
no one could come from behind as he spoke to Jarvis. "I propose a trade here,
Jarvis. Your mate for.........mine." Spike gave Buffy a small smile.
Buffy's heart skipped a beat at the his wording, *mate*, she was his mate now.
She watched his face carefully for any sign of what he was planning.
A wicked smile crossed Jarvis' face as he slightly loosened his grip on Buffy.
"As you wish." He gave Nastassia a look as he let go of Buffy, Spike let go of
Nastassia at the same time the two women walked towards each other glaring
at each other. Nastassia turned suddenly and grabbed Buffy pulling her against
her with her arm secure around Buffy's neck.
"The rules change again, Spike." Jarvis winked at the blond vampire.
Spike only took a moment to make his decision as he charged forward towards
Nastassia, flinging Buffy out of the way as his stake hit home, Buffy fell to the
ground as Nastassia's dust settled around her.
Jarvis stood in shock as he watched his lover's dust settle on the floor. He didn't have
time to speak as Spike charged him, the fight was vicious as Buffy watched from
the floor, Spike was holding his own though and something told her not to interfere
just yet. She picked up the stake from the floor and waited.
Spike was bleeding from his nose and had a cut above his eye. Jarvis looked even
worse. She caught Spike's eye and raised the stake, he nodded and she took over the
fight, shoving Spike out of the way with a silent "sorry". She drove the stake into
a surprised Jarvis. She slumped down to the floor with Spike as more dust rained
down on them.
"You okay?" She asked him as she rubbed her arm.
"Yeah, you?" He asked as he stood and offered her his hand.
She accepted his hand and stood up beside him, "A little sore. but I'll be okay. Think we should
take them out?" She nodded towards the unconcious minions.
"Yes, it will be a mercy killing they aren't too smart." Spike and Buffy each staked one of the vamps and
took one last look around the dust filled room.
"I need a shower, a long, hot shower." Buffy sighed as they walked through the tunnels back to Spike's room.
"Me too." Spike agreed lost in thoughts of another time.
*****
"Don't you dare use up all that hot water, vampire!" Buffy's voice came from
the hallway.
"First come, first served." Spike shouted back to her.
"Fine, then we'll have to compromise." She smiled seductively at him as she pulled
back the shower curtain and stepped inside.
"I'm good at compromise." He'd whispered as he pulled her close to him.
Long after the water had chilled they stepped out of the shower thier bodies
warm from their passion.
***************
Spike was holding Buffy's hand he looked down at her and noted that he really
wasn't good at compromise try as he might he could never accept her compromise
of their relationship. He hoped that it was going to be different now, but his heart
still worried.
"So how big is the shower in that bathroom?" Buffy asked coyly interupting his thoughts.
"Big enough." He grinned at her as he unlocked the hotel room door.
He adjusted the water as they undressed, exhausted they both stood under the hot water holding tightly to
the other. Spike lathered the washcloth and gently washed Buffy careful not to linger too long, he knew she
was tired and sore. She smiled when he was done and returned the favor athough she teasingly did take
a long time to clean certain parts of his body. He grinned at her "I really don't think we need to start this
in the shower, we're both so tired it could be dangerous."
"Spike, it's always dangerous with you." She had giggled as he reached a towel and handed it to her, while
he dried off and wrapped another around his waist. "Remember that time in the walk in refrigerator? I
thought I was going to be frost bit in some really tender places."
"I remember, luv." He found another towel for her hair and soon they returned to the bedroom slightly damp but
none the worse for wear. "Let me fix that eye for you." Buffy found the first aid kit and bandaged Spike's eye,
"How many times do you think we've bandaged each other?"
" Too many to count, my turn." He yawned as he bandaged her face. "Come on, lets get some sleep." Spike told her as he straightened the tangle of blankets and covered her
back up slipping in beside her.
"Thanks, Spike." She whispered as she curled against him. "For saving me yet again."
"Don't mention it." He smiled as her warmth washed over him. He placed a soft kiss on her shoulder.
She turned over then and smiled at him with so much love he thought he might have to turn away. "I mean it,
you saved me again and I really need to thank you." She kissed him then, long and slow and fiery, her small
hands running up and down his strong chest.
"Buffy, I know you're tired and sore, we don't have too......." He was cut off as she rolled him and situated herself
on top of him.
"Hush and just enjoy the moment." She whispered, "I love you, Spike."
"I love you." He whispered back as he let her take the lead. Their lovemaking was slow and steady as they
discovered each other all over again.
"That was really nice........" Buffy sighed against his chest.
"It was...wasn't it." He grinned at her as her eyes shut.
Sleep finally overtook them at noon, by two the phone was ringing. "Hello?" Spike answered groggily.
"Spike! I can't find Buffy and Albert called looking for her she didn't come in and she's not answering her
phone." Dawn's harried voice came over the phone.
"Relax, Niblet. She's okay." Spike smiled at the sleeping Slayer beside him.
"She's with.......you?" Dawn asked shyly.
"Yeah, pet. She's here." Spike ran his hand through her hair lovingly.
"So she did find you? And you guys umm.......talked?"
"Yeah you could say that. We'll tell you all about it tonight okay?" Spike promised not to tell about Xanders visit
and promised to get Buffy to Dawn's that night before Dawn would let him hang up.
Spike ordered in a pizza at three knowing Buffy would be hungry when she woke up. He had some A pos
stored in the mini fridge and he ate before she woke.
"Hmm.......do I smell pizza?" Buffy sat up and stretched in the bed.
"Yes, pineapple - thats what you like right?" Spike grinned at her she looked lovely even rumpled from sleep.
"Sounds good. What's on the agenda for today?" She stood and reached for a piece of pizza.
"Dawn called......." Spike started.
"Dawnie! I didn't go to work and I wasn't home, she must be worried sick." Buffy reached for the phone.
"She's okay. I told her you were safe."
"What exactly did you tell her?" Buffy asked warily.
This is it, this is the part where she gets scared away, she just can't handle *us* being public knowledge.
Spike ruffled at her question, "What do you think I told her - I said that we ravaged each other all night....
Dawn's a big girl she can handle it."
"I just meant - did you tell her about Nastassia and Jarvis? Why are you so grumpy? Dawn already knows
more about our personal life then I wanted her too, so I'm sure it didn't traumatize her to find out I spent the
night here." Buffy frowned as she finished her pizza.
"I'm sorry, Buffy. Old habits die hard, I just thought that maybe you were backing out of this, maybe you had
thought about it and decided you didn't want people to know about us afterall."
"I told you...that was not going to happen. I love you Spike." She kissed his cheek and began to look for her
clothes. "Could you get me a soda please?"
"Sure." He went to the mini fridge and kneeled down to get a better look at the seclection in it.
Buffy moved Spike's duster and was surprised to see a little black box fall out of the pocket. She picked it
up quickly and took it with her into the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet she opened the box, her eyes teared
up when she saw the ring. It was beautiful and she knew immediately that it was for her. How long had he
had this? She sighed as she put the box in the deep pocket of her sweater.
"Buffy, you okay in there?" Spike called through the closed door.
"I'm fine, sometimes a girl needs a bit of privacy." Buffy smiled at him as she entered the room. "You didn't
answer whats on the agenda?"
"Dawn wants us at her house at 6pm."
"Sounds good but thats a couple hours away, what shall we do till then?" She fluttered her eyelashes at him.
"Don't know why we bothered to dress." He chided her as they fell back on the bed together.
&&&
"You look fine, Buffy,." Spike told her as she brushed her hair again. "Only thing is that nasty bruise on your
face. Xander is gonna think I hit you." Spike shook his head in irritation just thinking about Xander.
"Xander?" Buffy asked confusion on her face.
Spike slapped his hand over his mouth, "Sorry luv, it was supposed to be a secret. Xander and Anya are
going to be there."
"Oh....oh. In that case, maybe you should go on and I'll run by house and change into something a bit nicer.
I'll catch up with you there." She touched his cheek with her hand. "Okay?"
Spike's stomach lurched, she didn't want to arrive with him if Xander was there. What exactly did that mean?
Was she going to back out when it came down to facing Harris? "You look fine, Buffy." He repeated.
"But it's special if company is there, I want to look extra nice."
"Fine, whatever. I'll see you there." Spike told her avoiding her eyes.
She kissed his cheek and closed the door behind her. He immediately punched the wall so hard that
his fist bled. "Here we bloody go again!" He yelled to the empty room.
TBC
Neither of the vamps appeared to be very old or very smart, Nastassia had obvioulsy
hurriedly sired several fledglings without training them very well. He worried about
Buffy in the other room as he debated taking his two "guards" out. His decision
was made for him as another vampire entered the room.
Jarvis was a very large, imposing vampire, his red hair matched Nastassia's tresses
perfectly. Spike realized immediately on his arrival that this was a older vampire
with some power. Jarvis looked questioningly at Spike, "William the Bloody?"
Spike started to stand but was quickly stopped by the vamps at his side. One
began to speak, "He is not our friend."
Jarvis eyed the Spike again, "Things have obviously changed." He turned to the
guards, "Watch him, while I find Nastassia."
The vamp pointed towards the doorway that Nastassia had taken Buffy through.
Spike held his unneeded breath again debating what to do. What if Nastassia was
handing Buffy to Jarvis at this very moment.
His fears were quelled slightly when Jarvis returned to the room and sat down in one of the larger chairs against the
wall. He turned his attention to Spike again, "Spike. The Slayer? Your choice in women has always
been questionable, first crazy Drusilla and now the killer of your own kind."
Spike tried to stand again, this time Jarvis nodded at the vamps to allow him to
stand. "Jarvis, you seem like a reasonable man. Why don't you just let Buffy and
I go and we'll leave you alone."
Jarvis laughed harshly, "The Slayer is going to just let me have free run? Because
you tell her too."
Spike's cockiness came back full force, "Well yes. I have quite a bit of control over
her........if you understand my meaning." He cocked his scarred eyebrow at Jarvis.
"I've no doubt you have many charms, but I find it hard to believe even you could
keep the slayer out of my business. Alas, I won't have to worry about her much
longer, Nastassia has made a gift of your Buffy to me. In just a few moments,
I shall make her mine, a turned Slayer should be a great asset." Jarvis smiled
as he watched Spike clench his fists and start towards him. Jarvis nodded and
the two vampires quickly restrained Spike.
Spike let the vampires restrain him, he might as well let Jarvis think that he was in
control of the situation. He had a simple plan - when Nastassia brought Buffy in
he would charge her, not one of his better plans but once Buffy was in his arms
he would be able to think clearer. Several pieces of broken wood lie on the floor
from a splintered chair, he took notice of excactly where they lay.
"There, you are all cleaned up now." Nastassia smiled at Buffy, "Now it's time.
Jarvis is waiting."
Buffy fidgeted with the rope that bound her hands, "What about Spike? What will
happen to him?"
"Jarvis is a benevolent ruler, I'm sure he can find ways to convince Spike to help
us." She giggled, "A bit of torture never hurt anyone and the offer of having you
as his mate once you are turned should help."
"It's never going to happen." Buffy threw the words at her as she felt the rope loosen
even more.
"My dear it *is* happening." Nastassia pushed Buffy towards the other room.
&&&
"Lovely, she's just lovely." Jarvis appraised Buffy as he placed a hand on her
cheek, "And so warm." He turned towards Spike, "I think I can see your attraction
to her."
Buffy took this moment to pull her hand free, clocking Jarvis hard in the face
as Nastassia jumped her from behind. Spike charged forward knocking his
guards heads together and easily leaving them on the floor unconcious, he dove for a long wooden splinter.
Jarvis stood up and walked towards Buffy and Nastassia who were taking nasty
swings at each other. He grabbed Buffy's arms and held them behind her. Spike
watched with horror as he took one strong arm and turned her head exposing her
neck to him.
Nastassia laughed out loud, "I told you it was going to happen, Slayer."
"Oh, I don't think so." Nastassia was suddenly in Spike's grasp, the makeshift
stake over her heart. He maneuvered himself so that his back was to the wall and
no one could come from behind as he spoke to Jarvis. "I propose a trade here,
Jarvis. Your mate for.........mine." Spike gave Buffy a small smile.
Buffy's heart skipped a beat at the his wording, *mate*, she was his mate now.
She watched his face carefully for any sign of what he was planning.
A wicked smile crossed Jarvis' face as he slightly loosened his grip on Buffy.
"As you wish." He gave Nastassia a look as he let go of Buffy, Spike let go of
Nastassia at the same time the two women walked towards each other glaring
at each other. Nastassia turned suddenly and grabbed Buffy pulling her against
her with her arm secure around Buffy's neck.
"The rules change again, Spike." Jarvis winked at the blond vampire.
Spike only took a moment to make his decision as he charged forward towards
Nastassia, flinging Buffy out of the way as his stake hit home, Buffy fell to the
ground as Nastassia's dust settled around her.
Jarvis stood in shock as he watched his lover's dust settle on the floor. He didn't have
time to speak as Spike charged him, the fight was vicious as Buffy watched from
the floor, Spike was holding his own though and something told her not to interfere
just yet. She picked up the stake from the floor and waited.
Spike was bleeding from his nose and had a cut above his eye. Jarvis looked even
worse. She caught Spike's eye and raised the stake, he nodded and she took over the
fight, shoving Spike out of the way with a silent "sorry". She drove the stake into
a surprised Jarvis. She slumped down to the floor with Spike as more dust rained
down on them.
"You okay?" She asked him as she rubbed her arm.
"Yeah, you?" He asked as he stood and offered her his hand.
She accepted his hand and stood up beside him, "A little sore. but I'll be okay. Think we should
take them out?" She nodded towards the unconcious minions.
"Yes, it will be a mercy killing they aren't too smart." Spike and Buffy each staked one of the vamps and
took one last look around the dust filled room.
"I need a shower, a long, hot shower." Buffy sighed as they walked through the tunnels back to Spike's room.
"Me too." Spike agreed lost in thoughts of another time.
*****
"Don't you dare use up all that hot water, vampire!" Buffy's voice came from
the hallway.
"First come, first served." Spike shouted back to her.
"Fine, then we'll have to compromise." She smiled seductively at him as she pulled
back the shower curtain and stepped inside.
"I'm good at compromise." He'd whispered as he pulled her close to him.
Long after the water had chilled they stepped out of the shower thier bodies
warm from their passion.
***************
Spike was holding Buffy's hand he looked down at her and noted that he really
wasn't good at compromise try as he might he could never accept her compromise
of their relationship. He hoped that it was going to be different now, but his heart
still worried.
"So how big is the shower in that bathroom?" Buffy asked coyly interupting his thoughts.
"Big enough." He grinned at her as he unlocked the hotel room door.
He adjusted the water as they undressed, exhausted they both stood under the hot water holding tightly to
the other. Spike lathered the washcloth and gently washed Buffy careful not to linger too long, he knew she
was tired and sore. She smiled when he was done and returned the favor athough she teasingly did take
a long time to clean certain parts of his body. He grinned at her "I really don't think we need to start this
in the shower, we're both so tired it could be dangerous."
"Spike, it's always dangerous with you." She had giggled as he reached a towel and handed it to her, while
he dried off and wrapped another around his waist. "Remember that time in the walk in refrigerator? I
thought I was going to be frost bit in some really tender places."
"I remember, luv." He found another towel for her hair and soon they returned to the bedroom slightly damp but
none the worse for wear. "Let me fix that eye for you." Buffy found the first aid kit and bandaged Spike's eye,
"How many times do you think we've bandaged each other?"
" Too many to count, my turn." He yawned as he bandaged her face. "Come on, lets get some sleep." Spike told her as he straightened the tangle of blankets and covered her
back up slipping in beside her.
"Thanks, Spike." She whispered as she curled against him. "For saving me yet again."
"Don't mention it." He smiled as her warmth washed over him. He placed a soft kiss on her shoulder.
She turned over then and smiled at him with so much love he thought he might have to turn away. "I mean it,
you saved me again and I really need to thank you." She kissed him then, long and slow and fiery, her small
hands running up and down his strong chest.
"Buffy, I know you're tired and sore, we don't have too......." He was cut off as she rolled him and situated herself
on top of him.
"Hush and just enjoy the moment." She whispered, "I love you, Spike."
"I love you." He whispered back as he let her take the lead. Their lovemaking was slow and steady as they
discovered each other all over again.
"That was really nice........" Buffy sighed against his chest.
"It was...wasn't it." He grinned at her as her eyes shut.
Sleep finally overtook them at noon, by two the phone was ringing. "Hello?" Spike answered groggily.
"Spike! I can't find Buffy and Albert called looking for her she didn't come in and she's not answering her
phone." Dawn's harried voice came over the phone.
"Relax, Niblet. She's okay." Spike smiled at the sleeping Slayer beside him.
"She's with.......you?" Dawn asked shyly.
"Yeah, pet. She's here." Spike ran his hand through her hair lovingly.
"So she did find you? And you guys umm.......talked?"
"Yeah you could say that. We'll tell you all about it tonight okay?" Spike promised not to tell about Xanders visit
and promised to get Buffy to Dawn's that night before Dawn would let him hang up.
Spike ordered in a pizza at three knowing Buffy would be hungry when she woke up. He had some A pos
stored in the mini fridge and he ate before she woke.
"Hmm.......do I smell pizza?" Buffy sat up and stretched in the bed.
"Yes, pineapple - thats what you like right?" Spike grinned at her she looked lovely even rumpled from sleep.
"Sounds good. What's on the agenda for today?" She stood and reached for a piece of pizza.
"Dawn called......." Spike started.
"Dawnie! I didn't go to work and I wasn't home, she must be worried sick." Buffy reached for the phone.
"She's okay. I told her you were safe."
"What exactly did you tell her?" Buffy asked warily.
This is it, this is the part where she gets scared away, she just can't handle *us* being public knowledge.
Spike ruffled at her question, "What do you think I told her - I said that we ravaged each other all night....
Dawn's a big girl she can handle it."
"I just meant - did you tell her about Nastassia and Jarvis? Why are you so grumpy? Dawn already knows
more about our personal life then I wanted her too, so I'm sure it didn't traumatize her to find out I spent the
night here." Buffy frowned as she finished her pizza.
"I'm sorry, Buffy. Old habits die hard, I just thought that maybe you were backing out of this, maybe you had
thought about it and decided you didn't want people to know about us afterall."
"I told you...that was not going to happen. I love you Spike." She kissed his cheek and began to look for her
clothes. "Could you get me a soda please?"
"Sure." He went to the mini fridge and kneeled down to get a better look at the seclection in it.
Buffy moved Spike's duster and was surprised to see a little black box fall out of the pocket. She picked it
up quickly and took it with her into the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet she opened the box, her eyes teared
up when she saw the ring. It was beautiful and she knew immediately that it was for her. How long had he
had this? She sighed as she put the box in the deep pocket of her sweater.
"Buffy, you okay in there?" Spike called through the closed door.
"I'm fine, sometimes a girl needs a bit of privacy." Buffy smiled at him as she entered the room. "You didn't
answer whats on the agenda?"
"Dawn wants us at her house at 6pm."
"Sounds good but thats a couple hours away, what shall we do till then?" She fluttered her eyelashes at him.
"Don't know why we bothered to dress." He chided her as they fell back on the bed together.
&&&
"You look fine, Buffy,." Spike told her as she brushed her hair again. "Only thing is that nasty bruise on your
face. Xander is gonna think I hit you." Spike shook his head in irritation just thinking about Xander.
"Xander?" Buffy asked confusion on her face.
Spike slapped his hand over his mouth, "Sorry luv, it was supposed to be a secret. Xander and Anya are
going to be there."
"Oh....oh. In that case, maybe you should go on and I'll run by house and change into something a bit nicer.
I'll catch up with you there." She touched his cheek with her hand. "Okay?"
Spike's stomach lurched, she didn't want to arrive with him if Xander was there. What exactly did that mean?
Was she going to back out when it came down to facing Harris? "You look fine, Buffy." He repeated.
"But it's special if company is there, I want to look extra nice."
"Fine, whatever. I'll see you there." Spike told her avoiding her eyes.
She kissed his cheek and closed the door behind her. He immediately punched the wall so hard that
his fist bled. "Here we bloody go again!" He yelled to the empty room.
TBC
