******
24 hours later
******
"Animals. All of them," Day spoke softly as the glass elevator lowered to the huge ballroom floor. Lights flashed from below as the press moved in, hoping to have the first picture and sound bite of the evening. Tonight's formal reception would precede tomorrow's peace treaty, finally ending a six year struggle between the ships. EMCEE finally, after many, many hard negotiations, had found just enough compromises to bring both factions to the table.
"Look at them," TC commented while looking down at his sworn enemies. Ever so often his hand would reach for the handle of his Soul Sword, always on his hip. "They should all be dust. Just like that 'thing' they support."
"Day, for the last time," Monica began as the elevator reached the bottom floor. "Is our presence truly necessary? None of us want to be here. This is all for publicity sake and you know it."
"This has been going on far to long, Monica," Day said as he stepped off the elevator. Having already instructed EMCEE to have her security ward off all reporters hoping for a quick interview, he stepped out of the elevator. Immediately all eyes were on the Emperor and his contingent. Black tuxes for the men, with Monica wearing an elegant black low-cut evening gown. "This shipper war has to end before more bloodshed takes place. Love's Bitches have agreed to the treaty, just like us." Day stopped and turned around to address the Hierarchy. "Let's get in there, do our little song and dance for the pony show, smile for the cameras, eat the free food, and get the hell out of here."
TC eyed a group of Love's Bitches vampires as they began to cluster around VelvetBlood's table, ever conscious of the intense hate between the two ships. "What if there's trouble? They outnumber us four to one."
General UHC whispered into TC's ear. "You ever see a big fireworks show as a kid?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" TC asked. His eyes widened when UHC opened his jacket, revealing small bricks of C-4 attached to the inside lining on both sides.
"You just may see one tonight. If we don't walk out of here, ain't no ship walking out of here."
All four members of the Hierarchy nodded in agreement. TC and UHC made their way to the drinks table. Day was about to step away when he felt an arm stop him, then a warm breath in his ear.
Monica spun Day around and got in his face. "Despite the number of women in here tonight, do not forget that most of them want to kill you."
Day's smile was deadly charming, but had no effect on her. She was unique in that regard. "I'll be good."
"No you won't," Monica smiled. "But in the midst of inflating that already huge ego, watch yourself. There are almost 40 Loves Bitches in here. Don't get killed trying to once again prove that you're the sexist man alive."
"Like I ever have to prove that." Day's smirk only widened when three women beckoned him to their table. "Excuse me, my dear."
'One day that charm won't get you out of trouble,' Monica thought to herself as she approached TC and Church. Light jazz music played about the huge ballroom. The press was stationed at every entrance and exit, giving this event worldwide coverage.
Everyone knew that this was a night no one was ever going to forget.
******
Lanna's hand ran along VelvetBlood's inner thigh, caressing her mistress, always at her side. But the leader of Love's Bitches was distracted. She heard the commotion behind her as Day made his way into the ballroom. "I want him dead." She growls.
JuniorK snarled from across the table, dressed in a full black leather bodysuit. "Just give the word and we'll take him. He didn't come with the Royal guard tonight. We won't get a better chance to nail his ass."
Lanna hid her blush, not wanting anyone to know she wouldn't mind being nailed by Day. But to say such a thing could lead to her own staking. "The Emperor is not stupid, Junior. Attacking him in front of the world will make us look bad. We'd lose a great deal of our support. And we turn him into a martyr."
VelvetBlood paid the conversation no mind as she drank her champagne. 'How in the world will I get through an entire evening with *him* in the same room?' She shifted in her seat, hating the fact that TV cameras were on her at all times.
Then she saw him.
He moved like a lion as he mingled through the crowds, striding while others appeared to move in slow motion. In her quiet moments Velvet would admit he was attractive. Very attractive. Tall, dark, and handsome. Dangerously charming.
And totally off limits.
'Like I'd do anything other than kill him,' Velvet sneered to herself as she rose to her feet. Lanna immediately came to her side. The other members of Love's Bitches also rose. "Stay. Lanna, you're with me. I want to say a few words to him."
"Is this wise?" supermus asked, already regretting the defiant tone of her voice.
"Do you value your life?"
With all her devotion to the B/S cause supermus knew with a wave of her hand that VelvetBlood could have her killed. "Y...yes, my lady."
"Then never question me again."
Velvet turned and began her journey to the Emperor.
******
'Damn', Ozmandayus said to himself as VelvetBlood walked toward him, with Lanna close behind.
He had believed she would come to this reception dressed in all leather from head to toe. His heart was not prepared for the vision before him.
VelvetBlood wore a cream sequined ball gown that complemented her pale, smooth skin, absolutely stealing his breath from his lungs. The gown hugged her curves in a decadent fashion, and displayed a modest amount of full cleavage. Her honey blonde hair was piled on the crown of her head in a mass of curled ringlets, and looked nothing short of spectacular. He knew she was evil. Heartless even. But there was something else about her. Something he couldn't seem to identify.
He didn't know if he wanted to choke her or…..
"Why such a small group tonight, Ozy?" Velvet knew he hated to be called that, and yet she did it every single time they met.
"I didn't see a need for security," He replied, staring into her blue-gray eyes.
Lanna growled at his lack of concern, as if he were saying they couldn't take him if they wanted too. "Your overconfidence is your weakness."
"Your faith in Spike is yours." Day stopped a waiter, taking two champagne glasses. He extended one to Velvet. And despite how amazing Lanna looked in her red satin dress with a scooped back, Ozmandayus ignored her. Somehow that that only made her want to fuck...um...kill him even more.
Velvet eyes him most curiously, raising one slender eyebrow ala Spike. "Is it poison?"
"Hardly," Ozmandayus added, turning his back to them, now looking out at the night sky. "If I wanted to kill you I'd do it face to face. Just so that I could watch the unlife bleed from your eyes."
Lanna had heard enough, now reaching for the blade holster resting on the inside of her thigh. She stopped cold when she noticed the little red dot on her forehead.
Monica sat at a table not far away, aiming a weapon in her lap. All she did was shake her head. Lanna moved back to Velvet's side.
Day's presence made her blood boil. She wasn't always sure what that meant. "We won't be enemies anymore after tomorrow."
"We will always be enemies," Day fired back as he felt her come up to him from behind. He could smell her, everything that she was. It was.…
Intoxicating.
"Buffy thought the same thing about Spike, you know." Velvet smiled when Lanna pressed a soft kiss to her neck.
"Buffy is deluded. But she eventually came to her senses." Turning around, he faces VelvetBlood, as always marveling in the eyes of any woman that can stand face to face with him. "How does it feel to lead a ship that no longer exists?"
"I'm not sure. How does it feel to lead a ship that never existed at all?"
She could feel his warm breath on her face. The intensity in his eyes did not bring fear as did in so many others. A part of him was drawn to her because of that.
"Just wait until next season."
"Spike will have a soul and then there will be nothing to stop B/S," Lanna spoke defiantly from over Velvet's shoulder, now snaking an arm around her waist.
"Can't you go anywhere without your lap dog near by?"
Velvet slowly began caressing the arm around her waist. "Lanna's presence is always welcome." The expression on Day's face was one Velvet couldn't honestly read well. He appeared agitated, at least partly.
That dream last night still haunted him. Even more so now that the star of his dream stood before him, looking more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen before. "When Spike gets his chip out," he began, then leaned over to whisper in Velvet's ear. "Everything you've worked for will turn to ashes. Everything."
"Ashes would still be more than any B/X'er has ever had." She hid the shiver that coursed through her body. The one his deep voice aroused in her. "Give it up, Ozy. You can't win." she breathes into his ear, eliciting her own shiver in him.
"I always win." he says, pulling away. Everyone in the room disappeared except for them. No music, no flashes from reporters cameras, teams or anything else...
Just them.
Staring into each others' eyes.
"B/X doesn't exist, Ozy. It never has. And it never will." Velvet smiled, handing him her now empty champagne glass. "You have a nice evening."
"You're dead."
Lanna growled, but Velvet stilled her. "I already know that. Vampire, remember?"
Ozmandayus watched her as she walked away. His mortal enemy. The one person that defied him. And now haunted him…
But not for much longer. He had planned this evening out perfectly. Leaving the Royal Guard behind was a calculated decision. Everything was going according to his design. Tomorrow morning he would sit in alongside the Love's Bitches' new leader. For tonight...
He'd dance in their current one's ashes.
24 hours later
******
"Animals. All of them," Day spoke softly as the glass elevator lowered to the huge ballroom floor. Lights flashed from below as the press moved in, hoping to have the first picture and sound bite of the evening. Tonight's formal reception would precede tomorrow's peace treaty, finally ending a six year struggle between the ships. EMCEE finally, after many, many hard negotiations, had found just enough compromises to bring both factions to the table.
"Look at them," TC commented while looking down at his sworn enemies. Ever so often his hand would reach for the handle of his Soul Sword, always on his hip. "They should all be dust. Just like that 'thing' they support."
"Day, for the last time," Monica began as the elevator reached the bottom floor. "Is our presence truly necessary? None of us want to be here. This is all for publicity sake and you know it."
"This has been going on far to long, Monica," Day said as he stepped off the elevator. Having already instructed EMCEE to have her security ward off all reporters hoping for a quick interview, he stepped out of the elevator. Immediately all eyes were on the Emperor and his contingent. Black tuxes for the men, with Monica wearing an elegant black low-cut evening gown. "This shipper war has to end before more bloodshed takes place. Love's Bitches have agreed to the treaty, just like us." Day stopped and turned around to address the Hierarchy. "Let's get in there, do our little song and dance for the pony show, smile for the cameras, eat the free food, and get the hell out of here."
TC eyed a group of Love's Bitches vampires as they began to cluster around VelvetBlood's table, ever conscious of the intense hate between the two ships. "What if there's trouble? They outnumber us four to one."
General UHC whispered into TC's ear. "You ever see a big fireworks show as a kid?"
"What is that supposed to mean?" TC asked. His eyes widened when UHC opened his jacket, revealing small bricks of C-4 attached to the inside lining on both sides.
"You just may see one tonight. If we don't walk out of here, ain't no ship walking out of here."
All four members of the Hierarchy nodded in agreement. TC and UHC made their way to the drinks table. Day was about to step away when he felt an arm stop him, then a warm breath in his ear.
Monica spun Day around and got in his face. "Despite the number of women in here tonight, do not forget that most of them want to kill you."
Day's smile was deadly charming, but had no effect on her. She was unique in that regard. "I'll be good."
"No you won't," Monica smiled. "But in the midst of inflating that already huge ego, watch yourself. There are almost 40 Loves Bitches in here. Don't get killed trying to once again prove that you're the sexist man alive."
"Like I ever have to prove that." Day's smirk only widened when three women beckoned him to their table. "Excuse me, my dear."
'One day that charm won't get you out of trouble,' Monica thought to herself as she approached TC and Church. Light jazz music played about the huge ballroom. The press was stationed at every entrance and exit, giving this event worldwide coverage.
Everyone knew that this was a night no one was ever going to forget.
******
Lanna's hand ran along VelvetBlood's inner thigh, caressing her mistress, always at her side. But the leader of Love's Bitches was distracted. She heard the commotion behind her as Day made his way into the ballroom. "I want him dead." She growls.
JuniorK snarled from across the table, dressed in a full black leather bodysuit. "Just give the word and we'll take him. He didn't come with the Royal guard tonight. We won't get a better chance to nail his ass."
Lanna hid her blush, not wanting anyone to know she wouldn't mind being nailed by Day. But to say such a thing could lead to her own staking. "The Emperor is not stupid, Junior. Attacking him in front of the world will make us look bad. We'd lose a great deal of our support. And we turn him into a martyr."
VelvetBlood paid the conversation no mind as she drank her champagne. 'How in the world will I get through an entire evening with *him* in the same room?' She shifted in her seat, hating the fact that TV cameras were on her at all times.
Then she saw him.
He moved like a lion as he mingled through the crowds, striding while others appeared to move in slow motion. In her quiet moments Velvet would admit he was attractive. Very attractive. Tall, dark, and handsome. Dangerously charming.
And totally off limits.
'Like I'd do anything other than kill him,' Velvet sneered to herself as she rose to her feet. Lanna immediately came to her side. The other members of Love's Bitches also rose. "Stay. Lanna, you're with me. I want to say a few words to him."
"Is this wise?" supermus asked, already regretting the defiant tone of her voice.
"Do you value your life?"
With all her devotion to the B/S cause supermus knew with a wave of her hand that VelvetBlood could have her killed. "Y...yes, my lady."
"Then never question me again."
Velvet turned and began her journey to the Emperor.
******
'Damn', Ozmandayus said to himself as VelvetBlood walked toward him, with Lanna close behind.
He had believed she would come to this reception dressed in all leather from head to toe. His heart was not prepared for the vision before him.
VelvetBlood wore a cream sequined ball gown that complemented her pale, smooth skin, absolutely stealing his breath from his lungs. The gown hugged her curves in a decadent fashion, and displayed a modest amount of full cleavage. Her honey blonde hair was piled on the crown of her head in a mass of curled ringlets, and looked nothing short of spectacular. He knew she was evil. Heartless even. But there was something else about her. Something he couldn't seem to identify.
He didn't know if he wanted to choke her or…..
"Why such a small group tonight, Ozy?" Velvet knew he hated to be called that, and yet she did it every single time they met.
"I didn't see a need for security," He replied, staring into her blue-gray eyes.
Lanna growled at his lack of concern, as if he were saying they couldn't take him if they wanted too. "Your overconfidence is your weakness."
"Your faith in Spike is yours." Day stopped a waiter, taking two champagne glasses. He extended one to Velvet. And despite how amazing Lanna looked in her red satin dress with a scooped back, Ozmandayus ignored her. Somehow that that only made her want to fuck...um...kill him even more.
Velvet eyes him most curiously, raising one slender eyebrow ala Spike. "Is it poison?"
"Hardly," Ozmandayus added, turning his back to them, now looking out at the night sky. "If I wanted to kill you I'd do it face to face. Just so that I could watch the unlife bleed from your eyes."
Lanna had heard enough, now reaching for the blade holster resting on the inside of her thigh. She stopped cold when she noticed the little red dot on her forehead.
Monica sat at a table not far away, aiming a weapon in her lap. All she did was shake her head. Lanna moved back to Velvet's side.
Day's presence made her blood boil. She wasn't always sure what that meant. "We won't be enemies anymore after tomorrow."
"We will always be enemies," Day fired back as he felt her come up to him from behind. He could smell her, everything that she was. It was.…
Intoxicating.
"Buffy thought the same thing about Spike, you know." Velvet smiled when Lanna pressed a soft kiss to her neck.
"Buffy is deluded. But she eventually came to her senses." Turning around, he faces VelvetBlood, as always marveling in the eyes of any woman that can stand face to face with him. "How does it feel to lead a ship that no longer exists?"
"I'm not sure. How does it feel to lead a ship that never existed at all?"
She could feel his warm breath on her face. The intensity in his eyes did not bring fear as did in so many others. A part of him was drawn to her because of that.
"Just wait until next season."
"Spike will have a soul and then there will be nothing to stop B/S," Lanna spoke defiantly from over Velvet's shoulder, now snaking an arm around her waist.
"Can't you go anywhere without your lap dog near by?"
Velvet slowly began caressing the arm around her waist. "Lanna's presence is always welcome." The expression on Day's face was one Velvet couldn't honestly read well. He appeared agitated, at least partly.
That dream last night still haunted him. Even more so now that the star of his dream stood before him, looking more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen before. "When Spike gets his chip out," he began, then leaned over to whisper in Velvet's ear. "Everything you've worked for will turn to ashes. Everything."
"Ashes would still be more than any B/X'er has ever had." She hid the shiver that coursed through her body. The one his deep voice aroused in her. "Give it up, Ozy. You can't win." she breathes into his ear, eliciting her own shiver in him.
"I always win." he says, pulling away. Everyone in the room disappeared except for them. No music, no flashes from reporters cameras, teams or anything else...
Just them.
Staring into each others' eyes.
"B/X doesn't exist, Ozy. It never has. And it never will." Velvet smiled, handing him her now empty champagne glass. "You have a nice evening."
"You're dead."
Lanna growled, but Velvet stilled her. "I already know that. Vampire, remember?"
Ozmandayus watched her as she walked away. His mortal enemy. The one person that defied him. And now haunted him…
But not for much longer. He had planned this evening out perfectly. Leaving the Royal Guard behind was a calculated decision. Everything was going according to his design. Tomorrow morning he would sit in alongside the Love's Bitches' new leader. For tonight...
He'd dance in their current one's ashes.