1 Title: Staking Lessons
2
3 Part: 2 / 4
4 Author: RedSpark
Email: red_spark@hotmail.com
5
6 Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, it's all theirs (JW, ME, and company)
7 Summary: Buffy has decided to teach Dawn some self-defense survival skills for life on the Hellmouth. In this part, the lessons continue.
Rating: R for the whole series, PG-13 for this part
Spoilers: Season Six up to As You Were and probably Hell's Bells later on
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Staking Lessons, Chapter 2: The Dance Interrupted
Author's Note: In my private Buffyverse, Xander and Anya's wedding is still a week off (a little time wrinkle)
so everything after "As You Were" still hasn't happened.
Oh, and anything in '*' is a thought. Ex: *This is a thought.*
* * * * *
Week 2, Monday.
"Look, Xander, I understand the whole wedding ideal, l'ambiance, etc." The ex-demon rolled her eyes. "But this is just a little too far."
Her groom-to-be frowned. "La- ambi-whatever, An, the point is," He walked over to her and crossed behind to wrap his arms around her waist, "I want it to be special. As special as possible."
She wiggled out of his embrace. "Yes, but it can still be special. I'm worried enough with guest lists and juggling two caterers and- and I don't need *this* to add to that big pile of frustration-"
The bell jingled and Anya stopped suddenly, looking hopefully towards the potential customer. She pouted when she saw who it was, and turned back to Xander.
"I don't need this. I think that you should rethink your-"
"Hate to interrupt the lovers' spat," Spike drawled, "but either of you know if the Summers are 'ere yet?"
Xander redirected his glare to the blond vampire. "Buffy's in the back." He turned back to Anya as they resumed their argument.
*
Spike opened the training room door to see the Slayer sitting on a mat, surrounded by a dozen very pointy, very wooden stakes. He felt a involuntary shudder go through him, and shook it off.
"Been preparing for me, luv?"
"Spike!" The blond head came up and her eyes flashed mischievously. "Want to try one out? Not sure if I got 'em sharp enough."
He winced and hung back. "Shouldn't joke about that." He tried to brush off the suddenly serious atmosphere. "So where's the Nibblet? Not playing hooky, is she? She can stand her other teachers up, but if she's messing with me then-"
"She's just late." Buffy shrugged. "She should be here in about fifteen minutes. You can hang out until then." She gestured around the room. "Have a, uh, seat, somewhere."
Very studiously she resumed working on her stakes while Spike crossed to the other side of the room and absently examined a row of weapons. A tense silence was strung over the room, and the quiet sound of scraping wood did nothing to dispel it. The two former mortal enemies, former allies, and former lovers bent to their separate tasks, searching for distraction.
The vampire tested the blades' sharpness as he exerted control not to turn to her, because he knew she could sense it, could sense when his eyes, his gaze was on her. Instead he imagined her in his head, but even the ghost- Buffy filled him with hurt… hurt for what he had, for what he had lost, for his failure in, in-. He shook his head, putting it out of mind. *I may not have her, but I still have my rocks back* he reminded himself. As long as he didn't fling 'em back in the ditch the instant that bint looked at him… He curled his fingers in anger around the handle of one ax and picked it up, giving it a few violent test swings.
*So quiet* Buffy thought, needlessly taking a few chips off a perfectly pointy stake. She glanced surreptiously at the subdued vamp, who seemed to be keenly inspecting the battleaxes. When she had first asked for his help, she hadn't realized how, well, awkward it might be. She'd only wanted the best for Dawn, and she knew bringing the vampire in would make her sister that much more interested in the lessons. She had conveniently forgotten about the proximity issues the two of them might have.
A large crash from the shop distracted both their thoughts. Anya's voice, incoherent, could be heard as she went off on some kind of rant. Buffy chuckled, remembering what had started this particular argument. Spike shot a curious look at her, discomfort forgotten as he tried to deduce what the ex-demon was wailing on about.
"So what mischief has the whelp done now, causing such an uproar?"
Buffy stopped smiling. "Uh-uh. Xander would kill me if I ever told you."
"Really." That caused an eyebrow raise. "That means it must be embarrassing. Or better, humiliating. 'Fraid this is just too good to pass up." He set the ax down and eagerly started for the door.
"No!" Buffy scrambled up. She reconsidered and grabbed a stake from the ground. "Don't go near that door or, or, I'll-" she held up the stake half- heartedly.
The vamp wheeled around, eyes blazing in an amused but deadly way. "Or what." He glanced at the weapon in hand and smiled bitterly. "Sorry excuse for a dusting if you ask me." He moved away from the door and taking on a reasonable tone, repeated his question. "So, what's the story?"
Buffy looked down and crossed her arms, admitting defeat. "He wants to waits," she blurted out, and glared up at a very confused vampire.
"Wait. As in, for the big…night." Seeing her clues weren't helping any, she sighed in frustration. "What, this wasn't part of your Victorian tradition?" She briefly pondered that, then sighed mightily. "Lemme spell it out then, bleach boy. Xander wants to, to not have…sex…until the wedding night."
Spike's mouth opened in an 'O' of understanding, then widened into a smirk.
*
Dawn came in a few moments later, easily circumnavigating the shop war zone. She set down her bag, dressed and ready for training.
"Lesson the first," Buffy held up a sharpened stake, "Always reach for your weapon. Or better, have a weapon." She showed Dawn a few of her favorite concealment places. "And if all else fails, wear a coat. Lots of pockets to hide stuff in."
Dawn grabbed a couple stakes, hid them in her sleeves and stuck two in her jeans pockets.
"Okay, ready and armed."
"Alright." The slayer gestured for her to come over the mats. She went through some various ways to stake: through the chest, through the back, with her left hand, then she showed Dawn a neat spinning move.
"Gives you momentum, too," Buffy grinned. "The better to drive it in."
The brunette practiced on the dummy, nearly running into it the first time. She recovered, and soon was spinning and staking the poor stuffing right out of it.
"That's all and good, pet" Spike stood from his corner, "like one of those bloody sequined skating girls. But most vamps aren't going to stand there applauding and waiting politely for you."
The sisters looked at him, a little startled. He had been so quiet they had forgotten about their audience.
Buffy stepped back, leaning against a side wall as he approached Dawn. His voice and face were seriously intense, and the blond realized he was approaching her sister like a prey, his predatory walk slow and deliberate. Not enough to scare her, but enough to realize which side had the advantage.
Dawn stood still as she watched Spike approach. There was something in his face, the way he was –creeping?- up to her, that unnerved her. His eyes were very un-spike-like, full of something she didn't want to identify. Then he smiled at her, and the familiar affectionate look was back. The vamp pulled the stake out of her hand and tossed it far off to the side. From his back pocket, he handed her something smooth and yellow. Puzzled, Dawn looked down and saw a plastic tent stake.
Spike grinned. "Can't be too careful, now can we luv?" He stepped back a few paces and held up his arms in fight stance. "Now let's try a few of those moves from last week, eh? Only-" He grimaced for a second. "Be gentle with that thing, 'kay pet? May be plastic, but it still hurts like bloody hell if it goes in deep 'nough."
Dawn nodded and circled with him, stake held high in her right arm. She took three steps in, feinted as if to stake him, then quickly turned and started to stake him from the back. Spike quickly read her and twisted around, knocked the stake from her right hand with his left, then knocking her feet out from under her. He caught her before she fell and stood her back up.
"Not bad, luv," he fetched her stake from the mat and handed it back. "Might get a fresh-popped vamp. But remember, vamp reflexes are quick- quicker than yours. You gotta get them off-guard first. Throw some punches, some kicks, and wait for an opening. If you go charging straight in, they'll see it a mile off, even if they're the daftest vampire ever. Trade with them a bit, and then, the second you see 'em slip-" He was suddenly in her face- "Bam! Step in and stake 'em."
Dawn nodded, a little overwhelmed. The sparring pair moved back to their starting positions, the Slayer all but forgotten as they watched each other.
*
An hour later, Dawn was decidedly overwhelmed with fatigue, and even the vampire was starting to show his frustration a little. They had reviewed her moves, and approaches, and feints, but the teen was still easily readable. She would have been a easy snack for a fledging.
"Time-out, Bit," Spike stretched and stood back. She looked exhausted, and he almost felt guilty for pushing her so hard. *Sod it, it's for her own good.*
"We can work on this more tomorrow. My tummy's rumbling."
"'Kay." Dawn silently sighed in relief. If she tried to throw one more kick, she was sure she would collapse. "Buffy?" She saw a small heap of blond curled up in a corner, and went over and shook her.
"Hu-uhh.." Buffy tried to discretely wipe the drool off her chin, then focused on her sister. "Hey. You guys done already?"
Dawn helped her to her feet, then turned back to Spike. "Want to grab dinner with us? Mm…pizza and I think we have pints back at the house. Buffy picked some up the other week."
"Actually, Dawn, I have to work a half-shift at the DoubleMeat." Buffy looked at her apologetically and gave her hand a squeeze. Then looked over the blond vampire, who was just standing there, quietly watching them and looking almost…pensive?
"Spike? Can you make sure she gets home alright?"
He broke out of his reverie and looked at her, unreadable.
"Sure. C'mon here, Lil' Bit." He held out his arm and Dawn lightly took it, and he escorted her out of the room.
Buffy quickly changed into her orange-striped uniform and exited into the shop. Xander was slumped over the "research table." The shop was strangely quiet, puzzling until she realized that Anya was nowhere in sight. When she asked Xander, he just shrugged and looked even more miserable.
"Hey," Buffy pulled up a chair next the soon-to-be-bridegroom. "I think it's a really cute idea."
He gave her a scathing look. "Well, ok, not cute, but sweet. Really. And I'm sure she'll think that too, just give her time to adjust."
He nodded, staring morosely at the candle centerpiece. Then looked up, and tried to fall back into the old Xander. "So, the Dawnster was looking pretty chipper with Evil Dead. She doing better?"
"Yeah, she's doing better in school. And I think she's actually enjoying these lessons, despite all the complaints."
"Uh-huh. You don't, well, think she still has a crush on Spike. Do you?"
"Huh?" The Slayer looked puzzled.
"Last year, that whole Drusilla thing. You thought she had a crush on him."
"Oh, yeah, that. But then all that other stuff happened…and I'm sure she's over it now. I hope so. It would be really weird otherwise."
Xander frowned. "It was really weird to begin with. What're you talking about?"
"Uh, nothing." Buffy looked at the clock. "Oops, time for work, gotta go." She hurried out, leaving a very confused Xander.
*
"Here ya go."
Spike caught the packet and ripped it open, pouring half into an oversized mug. Popped it in the microwave, then took a seat next to Dawn to wait for the frozen pizza to cook.
"So your sis bought these pints? What, was she expecting a visit from Peaches?"
"I dunno." A shrug and a sigh. "YOU try figuring out my sister."
He chuckled softly. "Gave up on that awhile back, pet."
"You don't- you don't still have a, uh, crush on her. Do you?" Her face turned bright red.
The vampire was startled for a second, but brought his control to bear on his emotions. Keeping his face impassive, he turned to Dawn and gave her an easy smile.
"Cor, pet, that was so long ago. Why bring it up now?" He reached for his duster, thrown across the counter, and fumbled for his smokes.
The teen blushed again, but she wasn't about to relent. *A bitty-Buffy indeed* the vampire snorted to himself.
"Then why are you helping us? Not just now, but for awhile, and-and don't think I don't appreciate it. It's fun, but," she plunged on, despite the noticeable tensing of his body, "but you're always there. No matter what stupid thing we do. Always helping. With that singing demon, and my first fun vamp adventure, and-everything. What's in it for you?"
The vampire was silent for a moment, then he looked up at her, and his eyes were guarded. "Full of questions, aren't we?" His voice was tight, controlled.
The microwave beeped, and he crossed over, opening it and dipping his finger in to test the temperature. Dawn watched with gruesome curiousity as his licked the blood off his finger. He sat next to her with the mug, sipping it thoughtfully. Finally he turned back to her.
"I do love your sister. And I love you, too. You know that, right?" He looked at her intensely, but his voice was soft and breaking. She nodded. "Seeing the two of you- alive- and living-" again his head bent toward the mug in hand, like peering at tea leaves- "That's enough for me." He tried for a smirk that fell short, in a small smile, "you Summers girls have a way of getting under the skin."
Dawn lay a hand on his arm, and they sat like that for awhile, until the oven timer went off.
* * * * *
Week 2, Friday
"Ow! Bloody hell, woman!" Spike plucked the stake out of his chest, wincing slightly. He looked over to Dawn, cowering at the edge of the mat, and grinned through the pain. "Nice one, Nibblet!"
"Are you okay?" She really looked concerned.
"Yeah, just like a lil' scatch," he assured her, inspecting the wound. "It was good, pet, I would've been dust by now."
"Really?" She brightened, then added quickly, "Not that I want you to be dust, but-"
"I get it, luv."
The Slayer finished her sit-ups and came over to inspect the damage. Standing a little ways back, she looked at the chest wound, then up at the vampire's face.
"That _was_ good. Sure you're not getting slow in your old age?"
*Cor, pet.* Spike swallowed when she smiled at him. *Get a grip.*
"If anyone's slowing, it's you, Slayer. No Big Bad keeping you on your toes, I reckon you're getting soft."
She looked at him skeptically, then brushed the sweat off her forehead and stepped on the mat. She took the stake from her sister. "Then bring it on."
Spike looked surprised, and a little pained. Then he shifted into game face and crouched.
The Slayer moved first, breaking the ice by lunging forward and kicking sideways with her left leg. The vampire easily blocked the foot and pushed it away, trying to throw Buffy off balance. She quickly righted herself and launched a roundhouse at him.
He easily dodged it and circled around her.
"Alright, Slayer, let's stop with the warm-up."
"Just wanted to make sure you weren't going to pull something."
Spike calmly handled a sequence of punches and feints, and the pair settled back, once again circling, eyes never leaving each other. Dawn watched from a safe distance, mouth agape.
Suddenly the vampire rushed forward, throwing two roundhouse kicks in quick succession. Buffy hurriedly backed up, barely dodging the second. He had her on the defensive. He lashed out with his right leg, and the Slayer caught it and twisted, flipping him off his feet as planned.
"Hah! You-"
As he landed both legs shot out, knocking her feet out. She fell, but recovered and scrambled up into a back spring before he could pounce. Spike stood up, a sinister glint in his eye.
*Almost as if he's gloating…but why?*
As the vampire stalked towards her, Buffy went into fight stance and reached back with her left foot. It hit something very hard. She glanced around and silently cursed, realizing that Spike had purposely driven her back against the vaulting horse.
"Dead end, luv?" He smiled menacingly, only a few feet away.
"It's not the end-" She leveraged her arms against the horse and as she jumped up pushed herself forward, legs aimed straight at the chest. He stepped aside and grabbed her from behind, swung her around, and threw her into the horse.
"No, think of it more as a short wall. That your back is up against."
Buffy found herself back in her original back-against-the-wall position.
"That didn't hurt much. Losing steam? Along with witty quips?"
"Nah, just going easy on my old girl."
*Going easy on me??*
Spike realized his mistake when realization came over her face, followed by a look of determination and anger. *Time to take off the gloves* he quickly decided, and feinted forward, trying to pin her against the horse.
The Slayer slipped in and grabbed him by the arms, and try to swing him around into the side. He sensed her intent and pulled her around, and the pair of bodies spun and crashed side-on into the horse, knocking it over.
*
Out in the Magic Shop, Xander and Anya were involved in a heated debate over the floral arrangements. Willow was valiantly trying to ignore them as she ran through some chem. equations. Suddenly there was a loud crash from the training room, and the three lept up.
"I just know Deadboy Jr. has something to do with this!" Xander yelled as they yanked open the door.
Dawn was seated on the window ledge, almost in front of them, and seem engrossed in something to the left, blocked by the door…
The three tumbled in and stopped short. A pair of blonds were wrestling on the floor, over and around a tipped-over vault. As they watched, first one, then the other, pinned the opponent, the advantage see-sawing back and forth.
*
*Oh, she's definitely warmed-up* the thought unbidden flicked through his mind, as Spike looked down at her flushed face and panting body, pinned beneath him. It must have distracted him for a moment, because in the next instance he found himself beneath her. Her hands held his wrists firmly above his head, and her body straddled his chest holding him down, but just barely.
"Looks like a stalemate, luv."
"No-"
Buffy shifted both his wrists to her left hand and reach behind her back. Spike yanked his right arm free and caught her arm as it came down towards his chest, stake in hand. Violently he pulled her by the arm across his chest, throwing her on the floor next to him. He lept up, only to fall *hard* on his back as the Slayer kicked his knees out in a clever spin move. She rolled away from him, and they both jumped up at the same time. Without thinking she launched herself at him, knocking them down. Buffy landed directly on top of him, and for a second she lay there, stunned, before she realized what –extremely hard- part of him she was straddling. She froze and looked at him, and in his intense, knowing gaze, she realized that she was just as aroused as him.
"_AHEM_"
The two blonds turned towards the sound and froze – one in mortification, one trying desperately to contain the laughter.
*The whelp's face! Appalled, disgusted… and just a little turned on, I bet*
"Wha- what- " Xander's arms flailed about.
"Buffy, were you fighting?" Willow stepped forward, looking confused.
"I-I told them you were just play-fighting," Dawn added.
"Yes- but, but Chip man here." Xander pointed accusingly at Spike. "He wasn't all screaming and heady pain."
"He's evil again!" Anya yelped.
Willow ran and grabbed a crossbow. "Buffy, move back! I'll get him."
"What?!" Buffy shielded his body with her own. "No! Will!"
"Hey, Red!" Spike looked slightly offended.
The Slayer sighed and looked down at the vamp. "Guys, back off. Spike's still as, as neutered as he was before."
She watched The Scoobies calm down- and Willow put down the crossbow- then she pushed off Spike's chest and stood up. He looked warily at the group, then stood also, keeping slightly behind the Slayer.
*
"So, it's really not a big deal. I am still 100% bonafide Buffy, just with a deep molecular sunburn or something." She smiled confidently at her friends.
Willow still looked a little put-off, but Buffy figured Tara could answer the pile of detailed questions she obviously had. But, Xander didn't looked completely satisfied either. She fixed him with a questioning look and he gave in.
"So… Spike can fight you… because you don't set off his chip." She nodded. "But- how did _he_ figure out it didn't work in the first place." He shot a poisonous glance at the vampire, and the blond-haired one gave him an equally venomous one in return.
"Well?"
"It just – happened."
"He just happened to hit you? Or what?"
"It wasn't like that," Buffy almost snapped back. "It was- an accident."
"Was it?"
"Huh?" Spike looked at Xander.
"Was. It. An accident."
Spike glanced at Buffy, but she turned away.
Anger and frustration burbled deep inside. He turned back sharply and looked piercingly at the whelp. "No, it wasn't. The silly bint just pushed me a little too far, mate. Figured the pain would be worth it to have her finally shut up."
"And it was," he added smugly.
Xander pushed back his chair as he stood up and reached across the table, grabbing Spike by the collar. "If you hurt her-"
"Xander!" Buffy pulled him away. "This isn't helping." She laid a hand on his arm. "I can take care of myself."
"I know you can, Buff." His voice was bitter. "But I trust Dead Boy Jr. as far I can throw- well, I DON'T trust him. How do we know he didn't get his chip altered somehow? How do we know he won't wake up one day and decide to return to his Slayer-killing self?"
"Will?" Buffy looked to her friend for help.
"I- I think I trust him," the redhead said softly. "But why didn't you tell us, Buffy? This is something important."
"I know." The Slayer sighed and sat down. She was tired- that fight with Spike had taken more out of her than she would admit. *I want home, a shower, and bed. Oh, and maybe a pizza.*
"Can we finished this tomorrow? I think Buffy's tired, and I know I am." Dawn looked pointedly at Xander.
He reluctantly agreed, and the group dispersed, the girl trio headed for a Friday couch night, the couple for another round of wedding planning, and the lone vampire for his crypt and a warm pint or two.
2
3 Part: 2 / 4
4 Author: RedSpark
Email: red_spark@hotmail.com
5
6 Disclaimer: Nothing is mine, it's all theirs (JW, ME, and company)
7 Summary: Buffy has decided to teach Dawn some self-defense survival skills for life on the Hellmouth. In this part, the lessons continue.
Rating: R for the whole series, PG-13 for this part
Spoilers: Season Six up to As You Were and probably Hell's Bells later on
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Staking Lessons, Chapter 2: The Dance Interrupted
Author's Note: In my private Buffyverse, Xander and Anya's wedding is still a week off (a little time wrinkle)
so everything after "As You Were" still hasn't happened.
Oh, and anything in '*' is a thought. Ex: *This is a thought.*
* * * * *
Week 2, Monday.
"Look, Xander, I understand the whole wedding ideal, l'ambiance, etc." The ex-demon rolled her eyes. "But this is just a little too far."
Her groom-to-be frowned. "La- ambi-whatever, An, the point is," He walked over to her and crossed behind to wrap his arms around her waist, "I want it to be special. As special as possible."
She wiggled out of his embrace. "Yes, but it can still be special. I'm worried enough with guest lists and juggling two caterers and- and I don't need *this* to add to that big pile of frustration-"
The bell jingled and Anya stopped suddenly, looking hopefully towards the potential customer. She pouted when she saw who it was, and turned back to Xander.
"I don't need this. I think that you should rethink your-"
"Hate to interrupt the lovers' spat," Spike drawled, "but either of you know if the Summers are 'ere yet?"
Xander redirected his glare to the blond vampire. "Buffy's in the back." He turned back to Anya as they resumed their argument.
*
Spike opened the training room door to see the Slayer sitting on a mat, surrounded by a dozen very pointy, very wooden stakes. He felt a involuntary shudder go through him, and shook it off.
"Been preparing for me, luv?"
"Spike!" The blond head came up and her eyes flashed mischievously. "Want to try one out? Not sure if I got 'em sharp enough."
He winced and hung back. "Shouldn't joke about that." He tried to brush off the suddenly serious atmosphere. "So where's the Nibblet? Not playing hooky, is she? She can stand her other teachers up, but if she's messing with me then-"
"She's just late." Buffy shrugged. "She should be here in about fifteen minutes. You can hang out until then." She gestured around the room. "Have a, uh, seat, somewhere."
Very studiously she resumed working on her stakes while Spike crossed to the other side of the room and absently examined a row of weapons. A tense silence was strung over the room, and the quiet sound of scraping wood did nothing to dispel it. The two former mortal enemies, former allies, and former lovers bent to their separate tasks, searching for distraction.
The vampire tested the blades' sharpness as he exerted control not to turn to her, because he knew she could sense it, could sense when his eyes, his gaze was on her. Instead he imagined her in his head, but even the ghost- Buffy filled him with hurt… hurt for what he had, for what he had lost, for his failure in, in-. He shook his head, putting it out of mind. *I may not have her, but I still have my rocks back* he reminded himself. As long as he didn't fling 'em back in the ditch the instant that bint looked at him… He curled his fingers in anger around the handle of one ax and picked it up, giving it a few violent test swings.
*So quiet* Buffy thought, needlessly taking a few chips off a perfectly pointy stake. She glanced surreptiously at the subdued vamp, who seemed to be keenly inspecting the battleaxes. When she had first asked for his help, she hadn't realized how, well, awkward it might be. She'd only wanted the best for Dawn, and she knew bringing the vampire in would make her sister that much more interested in the lessons. She had conveniently forgotten about the proximity issues the two of them might have.
A large crash from the shop distracted both their thoughts. Anya's voice, incoherent, could be heard as she went off on some kind of rant. Buffy chuckled, remembering what had started this particular argument. Spike shot a curious look at her, discomfort forgotten as he tried to deduce what the ex-demon was wailing on about.
"So what mischief has the whelp done now, causing such an uproar?"
Buffy stopped smiling. "Uh-uh. Xander would kill me if I ever told you."
"Really." That caused an eyebrow raise. "That means it must be embarrassing. Or better, humiliating. 'Fraid this is just too good to pass up." He set the ax down and eagerly started for the door.
"No!" Buffy scrambled up. She reconsidered and grabbed a stake from the ground. "Don't go near that door or, or, I'll-" she held up the stake half- heartedly.
The vamp wheeled around, eyes blazing in an amused but deadly way. "Or what." He glanced at the weapon in hand and smiled bitterly. "Sorry excuse for a dusting if you ask me." He moved away from the door and taking on a reasonable tone, repeated his question. "So, what's the story?"
Buffy looked down and crossed her arms, admitting defeat. "He wants to waits," she blurted out, and glared up at a very confused vampire.
"Wait. As in, for the big…night." Seeing her clues weren't helping any, she sighed in frustration. "What, this wasn't part of your Victorian tradition?" She briefly pondered that, then sighed mightily. "Lemme spell it out then, bleach boy. Xander wants to, to not have…sex…until the wedding night."
Spike's mouth opened in an 'O' of understanding, then widened into a smirk.
*
Dawn came in a few moments later, easily circumnavigating the shop war zone. She set down her bag, dressed and ready for training.
"Lesson the first," Buffy held up a sharpened stake, "Always reach for your weapon. Or better, have a weapon." She showed Dawn a few of her favorite concealment places. "And if all else fails, wear a coat. Lots of pockets to hide stuff in."
Dawn grabbed a couple stakes, hid them in her sleeves and stuck two in her jeans pockets.
"Okay, ready and armed."
"Alright." The slayer gestured for her to come over the mats. She went through some various ways to stake: through the chest, through the back, with her left hand, then she showed Dawn a neat spinning move.
"Gives you momentum, too," Buffy grinned. "The better to drive it in."
The brunette practiced on the dummy, nearly running into it the first time. She recovered, and soon was spinning and staking the poor stuffing right out of it.
"That's all and good, pet" Spike stood from his corner, "like one of those bloody sequined skating girls. But most vamps aren't going to stand there applauding and waiting politely for you."
The sisters looked at him, a little startled. He had been so quiet they had forgotten about their audience.
Buffy stepped back, leaning against a side wall as he approached Dawn. His voice and face were seriously intense, and the blond realized he was approaching her sister like a prey, his predatory walk slow and deliberate. Not enough to scare her, but enough to realize which side had the advantage.
Dawn stood still as she watched Spike approach. There was something in his face, the way he was –creeping?- up to her, that unnerved her. His eyes were very un-spike-like, full of something she didn't want to identify. Then he smiled at her, and the familiar affectionate look was back. The vamp pulled the stake out of her hand and tossed it far off to the side. From his back pocket, he handed her something smooth and yellow. Puzzled, Dawn looked down and saw a plastic tent stake.
Spike grinned. "Can't be too careful, now can we luv?" He stepped back a few paces and held up his arms in fight stance. "Now let's try a few of those moves from last week, eh? Only-" He grimaced for a second. "Be gentle with that thing, 'kay pet? May be plastic, but it still hurts like bloody hell if it goes in deep 'nough."
Dawn nodded and circled with him, stake held high in her right arm. She took three steps in, feinted as if to stake him, then quickly turned and started to stake him from the back. Spike quickly read her and twisted around, knocked the stake from her right hand with his left, then knocking her feet out from under her. He caught her before she fell and stood her back up.
"Not bad, luv," he fetched her stake from the mat and handed it back. "Might get a fresh-popped vamp. But remember, vamp reflexes are quick- quicker than yours. You gotta get them off-guard first. Throw some punches, some kicks, and wait for an opening. If you go charging straight in, they'll see it a mile off, even if they're the daftest vampire ever. Trade with them a bit, and then, the second you see 'em slip-" He was suddenly in her face- "Bam! Step in and stake 'em."
Dawn nodded, a little overwhelmed. The sparring pair moved back to their starting positions, the Slayer all but forgotten as they watched each other.
*
An hour later, Dawn was decidedly overwhelmed with fatigue, and even the vampire was starting to show his frustration a little. They had reviewed her moves, and approaches, and feints, but the teen was still easily readable. She would have been a easy snack for a fledging.
"Time-out, Bit," Spike stretched and stood back. She looked exhausted, and he almost felt guilty for pushing her so hard. *Sod it, it's for her own good.*
"We can work on this more tomorrow. My tummy's rumbling."
"'Kay." Dawn silently sighed in relief. If she tried to throw one more kick, she was sure she would collapse. "Buffy?" She saw a small heap of blond curled up in a corner, and went over and shook her.
"Hu-uhh.." Buffy tried to discretely wipe the drool off her chin, then focused on her sister. "Hey. You guys done already?"
Dawn helped her to her feet, then turned back to Spike. "Want to grab dinner with us? Mm…pizza and I think we have pints back at the house. Buffy picked some up the other week."
"Actually, Dawn, I have to work a half-shift at the DoubleMeat." Buffy looked at her apologetically and gave her hand a squeeze. Then looked over the blond vampire, who was just standing there, quietly watching them and looking almost…pensive?
"Spike? Can you make sure she gets home alright?"
He broke out of his reverie and looked at her, unreadable.
"Sure. C'mon here, Lil' Bit." He held out his arm and Dawn lightly took it, and he escorted her out of the room.
Buffy quickly changed into her orange-striped uniform and exited into the shop. Xander was slumped over the "research table." The shop was strangely quiet, puzzling until she realized that Anya was nowhere in sight. When she asked Xander, he just shrugged and looked even more miserable.
"Hey," Buffy pulled up a chair next the soon-to-be-bridegroom. "I think it's a really cute idea."
He gave her a scathing look. "Well, ok, not cute, but sweet. Really. And I'm sure she'll think that too, just give her time to adjust."
He nodded, staring morosely at the candle centerpiece. Then looked up, and tried to fall back into the old Xander. "So, the Dawnster was looking pretty chipper with Evil Dead. She doing better?"
"Yeah, she's doing better in school. And I think she's actually enjoying these lessons, despite all the complaints."
"Uh-huh. You don't, well, think she still has a crush on Spike. Do you?"
"Huh?" The Slayer looked puzzled.
"Last year, that whole Drusilla thing. You thought she had a crush on him."
"Oh, yeah, that. But then all that other stuff happened…and I'm sure she's over it now. I hope so. It would be really weird otherwise."
Xander frowned. "It was really weird to begin with. What're you talking about?"
"Uh, nothing." Buffy looked at the clock. "Oops, time for work, gotta go." She hurried out, leaving a very confused Xander.
*
"Here ya go."
Spike caught the packet and ripped it open, pouring half into an oversized mug. Popped it in the microwave, then took a seat next to Dawn to wait for the frozen pizza to cook.
"So your sis bought these pints? What, was she expecting a visit from Peaches?"
"I dunno." A shrug and a sigh. "YOU try figuring out my sister."
He chuckled softly. "Gave up on that awhile back, pet."
"You don't- you don't still have a, uh, crush on her. Do you?" Her face turned bright red.
The vampire was startled for a second, but brought his control to bear on his emotions. Keeping his face impassive, he turned to Dawn and gave her an easy smile.
"Cor, pet, that was so long ago. Why bring it up now?" He reached for his duster, thrown across the counter, and fumbled for his smokes.
The teen blushed again, but she wasn't about to relent. *A bitty-Buffy indeed* the vampire snorted to himself.
"Then why are you helping us? Not just now, but for awhile, and-and don't think I don't appreciate it. It's fun, but," she plunged on, despite the noticeable tensing of his body, "but you're always there. No matter what stupid thing we do. Always helping. With that singing demon, and my first fun vamp adventure, and-everything. What's in it for you?"
The vampire was silent for a moment, then he looked up at her, and his eyes were guarded. "Full of questions, aren't we?" His voice was tight, controlled.
The microwave beeped, and he crossed over, opening it and dipping his finger in to test the temperature. Dawn watched with gruesome curiousity as his licked the blood off his finger. He sat next to her with the mug, sipping it thoughtfully. Finally he turned back to her.
"I do love your sister. And I love you, too. You know that, right?" He looked at her intensely, but his voice was soft and breaking. She nodded. "Seeing the two of you- alive- and living-" again his head bent toward the mug in hand, like peering at tea leaves- "That's enough for me." He tried for a smirk that fell short, in a small smile, "you Summers girls have a way of getting under the skin."
Dawn lay a hand on his arm, and they sat like that for awhile, until the oven timer went off.
* * * * *
Week 2, Friday
"Ow! Bloody hell, woman!" Spike plucked the stake out of his chest, wincing slightly. He looked over to Dawn, cowering at the edge of the mat, and grinned through the pain. "Nice one, Nibblet!"
"Are you okay?" She really looked concerned.
"Yeah, just like a lil' scatch," he assured her, inspecting the wound. "It was good, pet, I would've been dust by now."
"Really?" She brightened, then added quickly, "Not that I want you to be dust, but-"
"I get it, luv."
The Slayer finished her sit-ups and came over to inspect the damage. Standing a little ways back, she looked at the chest wound, then up at the vampire's face.
"That _was_ good. Sure you're not getting slow in your old age?"
*Cor, pet.* Spike swallowed when she smiled at him. *Get a grip.*
"If anyone's slowing, it's you, Slayer. No Big Bad keeping you on your toes, I reckon you're getting soft."
She looked at him skeptically, then brushed the sweat off her forehead and stepped on the mat. She took the stake from her sister. "Then bring it on."
Spike looked surprised, and a little pained. Then he shifted into game face and crouched.
The Slayer moved first, breaking the ice by lunging forward and kicking sideways with her left leg. The vampire easily blocked the foot and pushed it away, trying to throw Buffy off balance. She quickly righted herself and launched a roundhouse at him.
He easily dodged it and circled around her.
"Alright, Slayer, let's stop with the warm-up."
"Just wanted to make sure you weren't going to pull something."
Spike calmly handled a sequence of punches and feints, and the pair settled back, once again circling, eyes never leaving each other. Dawn watched from a safe distance, mouth agape.
Suddenly the vampire rushed forward, throwing two roundhouse kicks in quick succession. Buffy hurriedly backed up, barely dodging the second. He had her on the defensive. He lashed out with his right leg, and the Slayer caught it and twisted, flipping him off his feet as planned.
"Hah! You-"
As he landed both legs shot out, knocking her feet out. She fell, but recovered and scrambled up into a back spring before he could pounce. Spike stood up, a sinister glint in his eye.
*Almost as if he's gloating…but why?*
As the vampire stalked towards her, Buffy went into fight stance and reached back with her left foot. It hit something very hard. She glanced around and silently cursed, realizing that Spike had purposely driven her back against the vaulting horse.
"Dead end, luv?" He smiled menacingly, only a few feet away.
"It's not the end-" She leveraged her arms against the horse and as she jumped up pushed herself forward, legs aimed straight at the chest. He stepped aside and grabbed her from behind, swung her around, and threw her into the horse.
"No, think of it more as a short wall. That your back is up against."
Buffy found herself back in her original back-against-the-wall position.
"That didn't hurt much. Losing steam? Along with witty quips?"
"Nah, just going easy on my old girl."
*Going easy on me??*
Spike realized his mistake when realization came over her face, followed by a look of determination and anger. *Time to take off the gloves* he quickly decided, and feinted forward, trying to pin her against the horse.
The Slayer slipped in and grabbed him by the arms, and try to swing him around into the side. He sensed her intent and pulled her around, and the pair of bodies spun and crashed side-on into the horse, knocking it over.
*
Out in the Magic Shop, Xander and Anya were involved in a heated debate over the floral arrangements. Willow was valiantly trying to ignore them as she ran through some chem. equations. Suddenly there was a loud crash from the training room, and the three lept up.
"I just know Deadboy Jr. has something to do with this!" Xander yelled as they yanked open the door.
Dawn was seated on the window ledge, almost in front of them, and seem engrossed in something to the left, blocked by the door…
The three tumbled in and stopped short. A pair of blonds were wrestling on the floor, over and around a tipped-over vault. As they watched, first one, then the other, pinned the opponent, the advantage see-sawing back and forth.
*
*Oh, she's definitely warmed-up* the thought unbidden flicked through his mind, as Spike looked down at her flushed face and panting body, pinned beneath him. It must have distracted him for a moment, because in the next instance he found himself beneath her. Her hands held his wrists firmly above his head, and her body straddled his chest holding him down, but just barely.
"Looks like a stalemate, luv."
"No-"
Buffy shifted both his wrists to her left hand and reach behind her back. Spike yanked his right arm free and caught her arm as it came down towards his chest, stake in hand. Violently he pulled her by the arm across his chest, throwing her on the floor next to him. He lept up, only to fall *hard* on his back as the Slayer kicked his knees out in a clever spin move. She rolled away from him, and they both jumped up at the same time. Without thinking she launched herself at him, knocking them down. Buffy landed directly on top of him, and for a second she lay there, stunned, before she realized what –extremely hard- part of him she was straddling. She froze and looked at him, and in his intense, knowing gaze, she realized that she was just as aroused as him.
"_AHEM_"
The two blonds turned towards the sound and froze – one in mortification, one trying desperately to contain the laughter.
*The whelp's face! Appalled, disgusted… and just a little turned on, I bet*
"Wha- what- " Xander's arms flailed about.
"Buffy, were you fighting?" Willow stepped forward, looking confused.
"I-I told them you were just play-fighting," Dawn added.
"Yes- but, but Chip man here." Xander pointed accusingly at Spike. "He wasn't all screaming and heady pain."
"He's evil again!" Anya yelped.
Willow ran and grabbed a crossbow. "Buffy, move back! I'll get him."
"What?!" Buffy shielded his body with her own. "No! Will!"
"Hey, Red!" Spike looked slightly offended.
The Slayer sighed and looked down at the vamp. "Guys, back off. Spike's still as, as neutered as he was before."
She watched The Scoobies calm down- and Willow put down the crossbow- then she pushed off Spike's chest and stood up. He looked warily at the group, then stood also, keeping slightly behind the Slayer.
*
"So, it's really not a big deal. I am still 100% bonafide Buffy, just with a deep molecular sunburn or something." She smiled confidently at her friends.
Willow still looked a little put-off, but Buffy figured Tara could answer the pile of detailed questions she obviously had. But, Xander didn't looked completely satisfied either. She fixed him with a questioning look and he gave in.
"So… Spike can fight you… because you don't set off his chip." She nodded. "But- how did _he_ figure out it didn't work in the first place." He shot a poisonous glance at the vampire, and the blond-haired one gave him an equally venomous one in return.
"Well?"
"It just – happened."
"He just happened to hit you? Or what?"
"It wasn't like that," Buffy almost snapped back. "It was- an accident."
"Was it?"
"Huh?" Spike looked at Xander.
"Was. It. An accident."
Spike glanced at Buffy, but she turned away.
Anger and frustration burbled deep inside. He turned back sharply and looked piercingly at the whelp. "No, it wasn't. The silly bint just pushed me a little too far, mate. Figured the pain would be worth it to have her finally shut up."
"And it was," he added smugly.
Xander pushed back his chair as he stood up and reached across the table, grabbing Spike by the collar. "If you hurt her-"
"Xander!" Buffy pulled him away. "This isn't helping." She laid a hand on his arm. "I can take care of myself."
"I know you can, Buff." His voice was bitter. "But I trust Dead Boy Jr. as far I can throw- well, I DON'T trust him. How do we know he didn't get his chip altered somehow? How do we know he won't wake up one day and decide to return to his Slayer-killing self?"
"Will?" Buffy looked to her friend for help.
"I- I think I trust him," the redhead said softly. "But why didn't you tell us, Buffy? This is something important."
"I know." The Slayer sighed and sat down. She was tired- that fight with Spike had taken more out of her than she would admit. *I want home, a shower, and bed. Oh, and maybe a pizza.*
"Can we finished this tomorrow? I think Buffy's tired, and I know I am." Dawn looked pointedly at Xander.
He reluctantly agreed, and the group dispersed, the girl trio headed for a Friday couch night, the couple for another round of wedding planning, and the lone vampire for his crypt and a warm pint or two.