He takes me into a shady looking bar, and I'm immediately suspicious. Why
would he want to help me out like this anyway? I'm his competition...
well, thats laughable really, as if Dru would really choose him over me.
But that's how he sees it. Oh Christ, I'm an idiot. He walks on ahead,
and I hear footsteps behind me. Immediately I whirl round, game-faced.
Behind me stands a terrified looking young man, who I can tell is partly
demon but I don't know off hand what type.
"Who are you?" I ask him, not letting up on my threatening stance.
"I'm... I'm just Greg, I work here. I bring in the equipment, see?" He holds out some small sharp looking implements. I blink, it's hardly weaponry. Maybe the guys were telling the truth?
"Hey, Greg." says Eritos behind me. "Got the equipment?"
"Sure," Greg replies, seeming less nervous.
"Ok, Spike, just lie down, I'll get Tylirk through. Don't worry, he is a trained physician. But before we begin, I'm doing you a favour here, aren't I?"
"Too bloody right you are." Although I still have no idea why.
"Well then, I might ask a favour in return, you ok with that?" I want to laugh, of course he'd want *something* from me. Maybe killing the Slayer, which I plan to do anyway. Or maybe torturing an enemy of his for a few hours while he catches a film. Not really a problem.
"Anything. Just get this chip out."
No anaesthetic at all this time, and it really does hurt like hell. But I know a bit about pain, I had to put up with Angelus for the best part of a century. This felt like something he might have done to pass the time on a rainy night. It isn't unbearable, not when you think about what you're getting at the end of it. And it's a damn sight better than being put to sleep for an hour by a bunch of blokes with pointy things that you don't trust. Fortunately, once you get inside, there aren't any nerves to speak of in the brain itself, but still, what would it have cost them for a little local anaesthetic?
Then suddenly I snap my eyes open. Bloody hell, so I did pass out. And the only thought pressing on my somewhat violated mind is "is it out?"
"Well?" I turn to Eritos and the scaled doctor Tylirk. They grin, and Tylirk shakes me vigorously by the hand. Yeah, I'll take that as a good sign then.
"The operation was a complete success, we have your chip here." He tells me, grinning. I look closely at the little piece of metal. Well, at least it's not a cent this time.
"Is it still dark out?" I ask the chaos demon, who nods in reply. "Good, then I'm going out for a kill. Eritos, you come with me, we've got some catching up to do."
"We do." This means he'll be conveniently there within slaughtering distance if I find out I've been cheated.
It's a bloody miracle. Noone can overestimate the absolute joy of killing and feeding, especially when you've not done it in so long. Bones breaking like brittle twigs between your fingers, the screams and whimpers of mortal terror, the sweating, trembling body in your arms and of course, the blood, flowing thick and fast into your stomach. It's what my body's ached for, all the time that my chip was stuck there, it's pure and wonderful and *right*. All I want to say is: don't ever take killing for granted. Enjoy it, because what happened to me could happen to anyone.
"Now, about our deal…" Eritos approaches me as I finish off sucking out the last of the girl's blood and lick my lips.
"Right, you want help with something, fine. Who'd you need killed? Just tell me, I'll do it, and then we're squared." He shakes his head, amused.
"No need to be so unenthusiastic, Spike, this is someone you'll be glad to kill." He grins. Chaos demon grins are frightening things.
"The Slayer? Bloody right I'm gonna kill her. It's been too long since my last one, that was back in the 70's."
"Not the Slayer. The one who wronged us both – Drusilla."
Well, it's a great plan is all I can say. Girl wrongs you, you kill her, you move on with your life, problem solved. Except… you don't just kill your Sire like that. She brought me into darkness, we had it perfect together for so long, she was my reason for being. And she turned her back on all that, betrayed me for what? This slimy wanker? Anger jolts through me. Yes, forget about the details, my demon wants revenge and it's bloody getting it. Death is the answer.
"Let me stop off by my bit for a weapon, then we can go hunting after Dru, wherever she is."
"No hunting necessary, I have the address. I sent Setorith to seek her out while you were being operated on."
"Brilliant work, mate." I tell him, feeling a thrill run through me. Look out Dru, your Spike's coming for you…
The walk is pretty long, and not made any shorter by Eritos' constant prattle about how every woman in his life has treated him. I wonder if I ever sounded this pathetic? Probably, yes. I was domesticated after all, wasn't I? The tame demon, chained up in the sodding watcher's bath. And desperately in love with the Slayer, although gods know I knew how wrong that one was. And lets not forget Harmony, the idiot that she was. She gave herself away to me so easily. I know it's not exactly as if she could get pregnant or a disease from sex, but still, you don't *do* things like that. If you have sex the first time you meet, where's the anticipation? The build up? It was a good few months before Dru let me into her bed, and I was her childe. But it was very much worth waiting for. Noone respected Harmony less than me. Then again, noone respected me at *all*. Well that is going to change.
I knock loudly on the door, and listen. A few light footsteps, and then nothing. Eritos growls. I knock again, and shout to her.
"Drusilla! Open the door! Please!" Again, footsteps, hastier this time. The door opens, and we storm in, nearly knocking her over.
"You're looking well, love." I tell her flippantly, but as always, it's true, she's impeccably beautiful. I've never known her to be anything else.
"Spike, you came back. Has that Slayer died? Has she hurt you again?" She looks to the demon beside me. "And Eritos, I don't need you any more. I can't love you. But Spike…" I lift the axe, and she's silent immediately, eyes flickering with fright – and excitement? That makes me a little unnerved.
"Drusilla," said Eritos, "you betrayed us both. Spike's lost his chip now, thanks to me, and he agreed to help me kill you. Because you *wronged* him Drusilla, you wronged us both." She narrows her eyes and I step towards her, hands clenched so hard upon the axe that my knuckles are whiter than the rest of my skin.
"You wronged me, Dru." I echo the chaos demon's words. "And as a demon, obviously I'm going to want revenge." A pause, and Eritos steps forwards to hold her wrist and ensure she doesn't escape. "But," I continue, "you're also my Sire, and that gives you the right… and I love you."
"But she –" Eritos' protesting is cut off, as I swing the axe, and with one powerful swipe, decapitate him. Viciously, I stamp my foot on his antlers, breaking them off. Then I turn back to Dru. The axe drops from my hand and clatters to the floor by my feet. She kisses me, on both cheeks, my forehead, and gently on my mouth. I love her more than ever. I take her hands, and lead her out of the door and away from Eritos. She shouldn't have to look at that *thing*. She should never have felt the need to lower herself to his level.
"I knew you would come back for me, William." She whispers in my ear. Funny how anyone else who called me that would be gutted and strung from the rafters, but with her, it gives me shivers.
"I always will, love, you know that." I reply, and our cold fingers intertwine.
"You have been close to the Slayer." She murmurs in that heartbreakingly fragile voice. "She took you into her bed." Oh it hurts, why does she always have to know everything, see everything, when it hurts her so?
"Dru, she means nothing to me. You are everything. I see her for what she is now, love, don't be upset, please. I can't bear it."
"I know." She stares at me in lustful wonder. "You do not love her. The sickness is gone from your heart." I hold her, arms around her waist, and we stop walking. The street is lit only dimly from a streetlight a few streets away, as we embrace each other. I realise that I've missed her more than my freedom, more than my self-respect, more than the killing, even more than the blood. She is more important than anything.
I knock on the Summers' door, the secret knock I use to identify myself these days. "Come in!" shouts Dawn, from the living room. Drusilla and I walk in.
"Can I have the little girl?" Dru asks. "I sense prophesy, destiny, apocalypse within her veins." Well, noone ever said she wasn't perceptive. I nod, and kiss her forehead.
"Of course. But the slayer is mine. To kill." It hurts that I feel I have to add that last detail. Never again.
"She is weakened by love for you. You shall take her, my beloved."
"Spike? Who are you talking to?" Dawn asks, walking into the hallway where we are. Drusilla steps towards her.
"Dawn," I saw with a smile, "meet Drusilla."
Buffy is in her room, putting her hair up in a band. I walk in silently, making no reflection in the mirror as I stand behind her.
"So this is how easy it is to sneak up on you these days?" I ask, seeing her jump in shock. She turns around.
"Spike." She says, sounding a little bit angry. She'd be more so if she knew what was going on downstairs.
"Slayer." I growl into her ear, as I pull her close to me. Her body wants me, I can tell, and it's probably got something to do with that death-wish buried inside of her. Well, now is her time, for better or for worse. Tonight it was for real. "I want to tear you apart."
"I…" she doesn't know how to react. Well she should, she's probably heard it several times before. She's even heard it from people she loved before, I mean, take Angelus for example, "you… you can't."
"I can." I tell her. "And I would love to tear out your throat, right here, baby." She's trembling. God, she actually looks scared now. It's beautiful. It's so much more than I'd hoped for.
"But, no, you can't, Spike!" she's stepping backwards, away from me. I can see the tears gathering in her eyes. "The chip. Remember?"
"Yeah, I remember." I grin, and hold it out. "You like it so much, it's yours."
"Oh… my god." She swallows the lump in her throat. "But I know you wouldn't kill me Spike, you… felt something for me."
"I *felt* something for you, past tense." I inform her. "But I'm a vampire, and you're the Slayer. So one of us has to die to solve this equation." I launch myself at her. The fight isn't nearly as intense as it once was, because she truly is succumbing to her death-wish. She buckles under me, and I rip into the skin on her neck, her tears and blood filling my mouth in such a sweet mixture. I drop the body, and go downstairs to meet Drusilla. The night is young, and we can leave these to be found by the Scooby brats. We might stick around a little bit longer, but not long. I think we've both had enough of Sunnydale.
"Who are you?" I ask him, not letting up on my threatening stance.
"I'm... I'm just Greg, I work here. I bring in the equipment, see?" He holds out some small sharp looking implements. I blink, it's hardly weaponry. Maybe the guys were telling the truth?
"Hey, Greg." says Eritos behind me. "Got the equipment?"
"Sure," Greg replies, seeming less nervous.
"Ok, Spike, just lie down, I'll get Tylirk through. Don't worry, he is a trained physician. But before we begin, I'm doing you a favour here, aren't I?"
"Too bloody right you are." Although I still have no idea why.
"Well then, I might ask a favour in return, you ok with that?" I want to laugh, of course he'd want *something* from me. Maybe killing the Slayer, which I plan to do anyway. Or maybe torturing an enemy of his for a few hours while he catches a film. Not really a problem.
"Anything. Just get this chip out."
No anaesthetic at all this time, and it really does hurt like hell. But I know a bit about pain, I had to put up with Angelus for the best part of a century. This felt like something he might have done to pass the time on a rainy night. It isn't unbearable, not when you think about what you're getting at the end of it. And it's a damn sight better than being put to sleep for an hour by a bunch of blokes with pointy things that you don't trust. Fortunately, once you get inside, there aren't any nerves to speak of in the brain itself, but still, what would it have cost them for a little local anaesthetic?
Then suddenly I snap my eyes open. Bloody hell, so I did pass out. And the only thought pressing on my somewhat violated mind is "is it out?"
"Well?" I turn to Eritos and the scaled doctor Tylirk. They grin, and Tylirk shakes me vigorously by the hand. Yeah, I'll take that as a good sign then.
"The operation was a complete success, we have your chip here." He tells me, grinning. I look closely at the little piece of metal. Well, at least it's not a cent this time.
"Is it still dark out?" I ask the chaos demon, who nods in reply. "Good, then I'm going out for a kill. Eritos, you come with me, we've got some catching up to do."
"We do." This means he'll be conveniently there within slaughtering distance if I find out I've been cheated.
It's a bloody miracle. Noone can overestimate the absolute joy of killing and feeding, especially when you've not done it in so long. Bones breaking like brittle twigs between your fingers, the screams and whimpers of mortal terror, the sweating, trembling body in your arms and of course, the blood, flowing thick and fast into your stomach. It's what my body's ached for, all the time that my chip was stuck there, it's pure and wonderful and *right*. All I want to say is: don't ever take killing for granted. Enjoy it, because what happened to me could happen to anyone.
"Now, about our deal…" Eritos approaches me as I finish off sucking out the last of the girl's blood and lick my lips.
"Right, you want help with something, fine. Who'd you need killed? Just tell me, I'll do it, and then we're squared." He shakes his head, amused.
"No need to be so unenthusiastic, Spike, this is someone you'll be glad to kill." He grins. Chaos demon grins are frightening things.
"The Slayer? Bloody right I'm gonna kill her. It's been too long since my last one, that was back in the 70's."
"Not the Slayer. The one who wronged us both – Drusilla."
Well, it's a great plan is all I can say. Girl wrongs you, you kill her, you move on with your life, problem solved. Except… you don't just kill your Sire like that. She brought me into darkness, we had it perfect together for so long, she was my reason for being. And she turned her back on all that, betrayed me for what? This slimy wanker? Anger jolts through me. Yes, forget about the details, my demon wants revenge and it's bloody getting it. Death is the answer.
"Let me stop off by my bit for a weapon, then we can go hunting after Dru, wherever she is."
"No hunting necessary, I have the address. I sent Setorith to seek her out while you were being operated on."
"Brilliant work, mate." I tell him, feeling a thrill run through me. Look out Dru, your Spike's coming for you…
The walk is pretty long, and not made any shorter by Eritos' constant prattle about how every woman in his life has treated him. I wonder if I ever sounded this pathetic? Probably, yes. I was domesticated after all, wasn't I? The tame demon, chained up in the sodding watcher's bath. And desperately in love with the Slayer, although gods know I knew how wrong that one was. And lets not forget Harmony, the idiot that she was. She gave herself away to me so easily. I know it's not exactly as if she could get pregnant or a disease from sex, but still, you don't *do* things like that. If you have sex the first time you meet, where's the anticipation? The build up? It was a good few months before Dru let me into her bed, and I was her childe. But it was very much worth waiting for. Noone respected Harmony less than me. Then again, noone respected me at *all*. Well that is going to change.
I knock loudly on the door, and listen. A few light footsteps, and then nothing. Eritos growls. I knock again, and shout to her.
"Drusilla! Open the door! Please!" Again, footsteps, hastier this time. The door opens, and we storm in, nearly knocking her over.
"You're looking well, love." I tell her flippantly, but as always, it's true, she's impeccably beautiful. I've never known her to be anything else.
"Spike, you came back. Has that Slayer died? Has she hurt you again?" She looks to the demon beside me. "And Eritos, I don't need you any more. I can't love you. But Spike…" I lift the axe, and she's silent immediately, eyes flickering with fright – and excitement? That makes me a little unnerved.
"Drusilla," said Eritos, "you betrayed us both. Spike's lost his chip now, thanks to me, and he agreed to help me kill you. Because you *wronged* him Drusilla, you wronged us both." She narrows her eyes and I step towards her, hands clenched so hard upon the axe that my knuckles are whiter than the rest of my skin.
"You wronged me, Dru." I echo the chaos demon's words. "And as a demon, obviously I'm going to want revenge." A pause, and Eritos steps forwards to hold her wrist and ensure she doesn't escape. "But," I continue, "you're also my Sire, and that gives you the right… and I love you."
"But she –" Eritos' protesting is cut off, as I swing the axe, and with one powerful swipe, decapitate him. Viciously, I stamp my foot on his antlers, breaking them off. Then I turn back to Dru. The axe drops from my hand and clatters to the floor by my feet. She kisses me, on both cheeks, my forehead, and gently on my mouth. I love her more than ever. I take her hands, and lead her out of the door and away from Eritos. She shouldn't have to look at that *thing*. She should never have felt the need to lower herself to his level.
"I knew you would come back for me, William." She whispers in my ear. Funny how anyone else who called me that would be gutted and strung from the rafters, but with her, it gives me shivers.
"I always will, love, you know that." I reply, and our cold fingers intertwine.
"You have been close to the Slayer." She murmurs in that heartbreakingly fragile voice. "She took you into her bed." Oh it hurts, why does she always have to know everything, see everything, when it hurts her so?
"Dru, she means nothing to me. You are everything. I see her for what she is now, love, don't be upset, please. I can't bear it."
"I know." She stares at me in lustful wonder. "You do not love her. The sickness is gone from your heart." I hold her, arms around her waist, and we stop walking. The street is lit only dimly from a streetlight a few streets away, as we embrace each other. I realise that I've missed her more than my freedom, more than my self-respect, more than the killing, even more than the blood. She is more important than anything.
I knock on the Summers' door, the secret knock I use to identify myself these days. "Come in!" shouts Dawn, from the living room. Drusilla and I walk in.
"Can I have the little girl?" Dru asks. "I sense prophesy, destiny, apocalypse within her veins." Well, noone ever said she wasn't perceptive. I nod, and kiss her forehead.
"Of course. But the slayer is mine. To kill." It hurts that I feel I have to add that last detail. Never again.
"She is weakened by love for you. You shall take her, my beloved."
"Spike? Who are you talking to?" Dawn asks, walking into the hallway where we are. Drusilla steps towards her.
"Dawn," I saw with a smile, "meet Drusilla."
Buffy is in her room, putting her hair up in a band. I walk in silently, making no reflection in the mirror as I stand behind her.
"So this is how easy it is to sneak up on you these days?" I ask, seeing her jump in shock. She turns around.
"Spike." She says, sounding a little bit angry. She'd be more so if she knew what was going on downstairs.
"Slayer." I growl into her ear, as I pull her close to me. Her body wants me, I can tell, and it's probably got something to do with that death-wish buried inside of her. Well, now is her time, for better or for worse. Tonight it was for real. "I want to tear you apart."
"I…" she doesn't know how to react. Well she should, she's probably heard it several times before. She's even heard it from people she loved before, I mean, take Angelus for example, "you… you can't."
"I can." I tell her. "And I would love to tear out your throat, right here, baby." She's trembling. God, she actually looks scared now. It's beautiful. It's so much more than I'd hoped for.
"But, no, you can't, Spike!" she's stepping backwards, away from me. I can see the tears gathering in her eyes. "The chip. Remember?"
"Yeah, I remember." I grin, and hold it out. "You like it so much, it's yours."
"Oh… my god." She swallows the lump in her throat. "But I know you wouldn't kill me Spike, you… felt something for me."
"I *felt* something for you, past tense." I inform her. "But I'm a vampire, and you're the Slayer. So one of us has to die to solve this equation." I launch myself at her. The fight isn't nearly as intense as it once was, because she truly is succumbing to her death-wish. She buckles under me, and I rip into the skin on her neck, her tears and blood filling my mouth in such a sweet mixture. I drop the body, and go downstairs to meet Drusilla. The night is young, and we can leave these to be found by the Scooby brats. We might stick around a little bit longer, but not long. I think we've both had enough of Sunnydale.
