AN: Yeah, this is a lot of Spike, Will, and Madison. BUT! (yes, I saw
you getting ready to roll your eyes and not read this one... pay
attention, and have faith.) There IS Spike/Dawn. There is also a
SUPREMELY important thing in this chapter with Spike and Buffy. Also,
Madison will never be this centric again. Because... *gasp* they're IN
South Dakota. It makes sense that she and Spike would be focal. But
rest assured. We've already got TONS of Spuffy written. It will be
posted. Soon, my pretties. You're gonna love it. Ok, I've got to stop
here before I tell you all what happens. *giggles* Anyway, I hope
you're all satisfied, and do truly enjoy the story. *cringes* ACT's in
the morning. If you think of it, pray for me.
Always, praying to pass with a better score. Tequila Sunrise.
Dawn walked away from Buffy's door, after standing in front of it for two minutes. She was probably asleep. There was no sound from within. And she'd been tired a lot lately. Bit her lip, knocked on Spike's door.
"Come in?", called the vampire from within.
Dawn walked in, the door closing behind her. Bit her lip, said miserably, "Can I lay down in here?"
He sat up from where he'd been lounging on his bed, eyed her worriedly. "Sure.. sure. Bit, what's wrong? Can I help?"
She shrugged, with a pout. "Not really. My stomach hurts." One arm was slung over it, her hand gripping her side.
He got up, and guided her over to the bed, sitting at the head of the bed and pulling her partially into his lap. Rubbed her stomach gently. "At least you know that I know how you feel."
Small pout. "I hate feeling sick. I've never felt bad without-" broke off. "Nevermind. Will you... could- would you play with my hair?"
He smiled down at her, knowing what she'd been going to say. Began stroking her hair gently, his other hand still on her stomach. "This better?"
"Mm." Batted at his hand. "Confusing it. It's turning the other way now."
He chuckled, tried to do better. Said quietly, "How come you didn't go to big sis?"
"Sleepin'."
He nodded. "Oh." Continued his stroking of her hair absently. "So, aside from the stomach problems, how're you doing? Glad we're heading home?"
Nodded. "I liked the roadtrip for about three weeks. I hate it now."
Spike nodded. "I get that. It's been so long, my crypt's prolly all destroyed, all my stuff gone." Snorted. "Not that there was really all that much there, though. Nothing I can't replace."
"I hope not. I can help you redecorate."
"Oh no you don't, Bit," he chuckled. "I don't want N'Sync posters, and pink wall paper, and whatever else you'd do to my place."
Tsked. "No... slate blue walls. Burgundy couch... Navy armchair..."
He cocked his head. "Hmm. I like that idea. But no one touches my green chair. I love that chair."
Gagged. "I hope it gets burned."
Growled softly at her, not really meaning it. "So, I suppose you'd be fine if someone burned your stuffed animal collection."
Whimpered. "No. But my stuffed animals aren't ratty and smell slightly of spoiled blood and cigarettes and REALLY cheap tequila."
He huffed. "The smell is part of the charm. That chair's seen things. Been places. Just like me."
"Where has that chair been but Goodwill?"
He cocked his head. "It's got an air of mystery about it. That's another thing I like about it."
Sighed. "An air of must. You just like it because it's got an imprint of your butt on the cushion."
He snorted at her, but laughed. "Funny, Bit. Really. Why do you carry around that ratty old Rhino when you're scared or upset?"
She looked down at the grey rhino setting on Spike's bed. "Rhino is not ratty."
Spike picked up the stuffed animal, turned it over, showing where the fur had been rubbed off from constant hugging.
Small blush. "He makes me feel better."
Spike nodded. "And my chair makes me feel better. I'm a little old for a stuffed animal, don't you think?"
Nodded. "I see your point. The chair can stay. Can we get it reupholstered?"
He thought about it. "Well... I'll think about it. For you."
Smiled, pulled her knees closer to her stomach. "Hunter green, if you must."
Cocked his head. "Hmm. Like the sound of that."
Snorted. "N'Sync my butt."
He chuckled. "Something wrong, Bit?"
Gave him a baleful look. "Pink walls and N'Sync? Please."
He laughed a little. "I appologize for teenage stereotyping." Raised an eyebrow. "Guess that was a stereotypo."
Gave a small smile, winced a bit.
Spike grinned. "Sorry, Bit. Couldn't help it. Jokes are about the only thing I can kill lately."
She pushed her head into his lap, turned her nose into his knee. "...hurts..."
He looked down at her. "What hurts, Niblet?"
She pulled Rhino close to her stomach, cradled him there. "Stomach."
He went back to playing with her hair and rested his other hand on her side, rubbing gently. "I'm sorry, Bit. Can I get you something? That pink stuff, maybe?"
She made a face, feeling like a kid being forced to swallow the cough medicine. Didn't want it. But she needed it. "No." Small, petulant voice.
He gave a sympathitic face. "Tastes horrible, I know. But I think you need some."
Whiny, "Mmmmmm...."
He gently dislodged her from his lap and went into the bathroom to find the first aid kit that he'd seen earlier.
She brought Rhino up to eye-level. "This is your fault," she told him. "Why aren't you making me feel better?"
Spike came back with the Pepto Bismol, and settled back on the bed. Looked at Dawn communing with her Rhino. "Maybe he's not feelin' well, either, Bit."
Gave Spike a stubborn look when she had seen the pink crap. "Maybe *he* needs it, then."
The vampire chuckled. "Sorry, Bit. I doubt he could stomach it. He looks like he's already stuffed."
She rolled her eyes at the super bad pun. Snatched the bottle away from him, shook it vigorously, then filled the little plastic dispenser.
He gave her a supportive look, waited while she took it.
She saluted him with it, took it down like a shot.
He chuckled at the face she made. "Look on the bright side, Bit. When I was your age, it was cod liver oil." Made a face of his own.
"I just... that's too sick to think about."
He gave a pained nod. "Yeah. Tell me about it. I actually tried to hide the fact that I had a hundred and one degree fever for three days, trying to avoid taking it."
"So you had to take truckloads then?"
He winced, and stretched out on the bed. "God.. worse than that. You don't want to know what happened when you threw it up."
Shuddered. "Spike. Just took Pepto. Liable to make your bedspread pink if you don't stop."
He clamped his mouth shut. Apologetic look.
Small smile. Curled beside him, holding Rhino.
He put one arm around her, considered the Rhino. "How long have you had him, anyway?"
"Dad gave him to me. I was... three? Three. Got him on a business trip, probably the only time he thought of me on one."
Spike gave her a gentle sideways hug. "And you've been dragging him around ever since, huh?"
Smile. "Yup. Ever since. He's never abandoned me. Except that one time I left him at K-Mart."
"You rescued him, though, huh?"
"I bawled my eyes out at customer service, the employees recovered him by the Barbies."
Spike nodded. "I knew all dolls were evil."
"Do you know I never played with them after that?"
"Good for you, Bit." Slight shudder. "I bloody hate dolls. All dolls. Freaky things."
Nodded. "I hate the ones that look like they're following you around the room with their eyes..." Her own lids were drooping.
He smiled at her. "Think you should be getting back to your room, Bit? Lookin' sleepy."
Sleepy smile. "Mm-kay...." Closed her eyes.
He waited until he was assured that she was asleep, then he got up and scooped her into his arms, carried her down the hall, and tucked her into her bed, with Rhino in her arms. Slipped out, and got back into his room just in time to hear the phone ring. He picked it up, sitting back on the bed. "Hello?"
Heaving sob on the other end. "I hate it, Puppy."
He was instantly awake. "Madison? What's wrong?"
"I hate healing," she cried into the phone. "It's not... normal. And..." Another wracking sob.
"Hey, hey, it's okay, pet..." He didn't know what was going on, but he was gonna kill whatever made Madison this upset. "Madison, pet.. slow down. Tell me what happened."
She inhaled noisily, let it out in that cough that happens when someone's been crying too long. "H-he hates me, Puppy. And... and..."Keening whimper.
Low growl. "Who told you they hate you, Madison? Who?"
Heaving breaths, and choking sobs. "He... said it was wrong. And... evil. That- that I had to be evil, and... and making deals with my soul to- to be able to do it... and, and a freak, and, oh God..." Curled into a ball on her bed, rocking. "Oh God, it hurts..." Her throat was closing. "H-he asked about my hair, an-and I thought I could tell him, that he would un-nderstand, and-" Hiccupping sob. "And... He's.. I'm... freakish, and wrong, and unGodly..." Her bottom lip started shivering again, joining the rest of her body. "Why can't I be normal? Just... good, and normal, and... average..." Poignant, choked plea.
Realization coursed through him. "Joseph." The name was a growl. "Madison, he is WRONG. Do you hear me? What you can do is a gift *from* God. It's a miracle! You are good, you are normal. God. You aren't a freak. I'm a bloody freak. You are a wonderful person, Madison. A wonderful, beautiful, *normal* person. And if that wanker can't see it.. well then, he never deserved you in the first place."
She drew in a few quick breaths, trying to calm herself, but it was to no avail when they came out in harsh sobs. "No."
"No what?"
Shrugged. "No. No everything. I don't want it. Have it." Cried. "YOU be wonderful and miraculous. People love you for it." Bitter laugh.
He sighed. "Madison-"
Choked cry. "What?"
He sighed again, fighting down the anger boiling within him. "You told me once that my aura is a mix of colors. I don't claim to be able to see them, but I know what color your's is. You're gold, and blue, and a beautiful, brilliant silver. You can find a place in your heart for a misfit vampire, and still understand what everone else needs of you. The bigoted and wrong opinions of one person, one heartbreak, shouldn't shape the rest of your life."
"It hurts," she whimpered. "It hurts so much. I want it stop." Shuddered sob. "Why can't I heal myself??"
He growled softly, angry at himself, and at that Joseph wanker. Mostly the latter. But, now wasn't the time for anger. "Madison... What can I do?"
She snuffled into the phone. "I don't know. I just... I needed to tell you." Heaved in a huge breath. Swiped at her eyes. Sat up, yanking her knees to her chest. "I'm sorry."
"Hey.. Don't apologize. I've been boring you with my problems for the extent of our entire friendship. It's just your turn, that's all. I'm here for you."
Kept pulling in steadying breaths. "I appreciate it."
"Anytime." Licked his lips. "Is your mum home from work, yet?"
Sniffed. "Yeah... I have- I have to go meet her for dinner."
He gave a half smile. "Say hello to her for me. Madison.. Take it from an old pro at emotional pain. It doesn't last forever. You'll be fine before you know it."
Dryly. "Right. I'm pretty sure that now isn't soon enough."
Half chuckle. "It never is. Go get ready for your mum. Call me later, okay?"
Sniffed one last time. "Puppy?"
"Yeah, pet?"
"Thank you... for... saying I'm good, and.. and.. about my aura. I- Thank you."
He smiled. "You're welcome, pet. Hey, if anyone should know who's bad or good, it's someone who's 'kinda evil', right?"
Small grin. "Right. A-and, Puppy?"
"Yeah?"
"I am glad I could heal you and Buffy... I am... it's just... Ya know?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I know. I love you, Madison. Remember that."
"I love you, too." She hung up the phone.
He snapped his cell phone shut, his eyes flashing to gold. Now was the time for anger. That Joseph wanker was going to pay. Big time.
========================================================================== ==============
Spike knocked on the door, forcibly keeping himself from vamping. He'd just seen Madison leave, but could see the tv in the living room on. That meant that the person he needed to see was still home. Will.
Will stalked to the door, ripped it open. "How can I fuc-" Stopped. "What?"
Spike said in a low, dangerous voice, "I take it she told you?"
"He's going to slap his mother for having him when I'm done."
Spike nodded. "I'm gonna throttle him. Only problem is, I wouldn't know him if I saw him. That's where you come in." Muttered, "I'll show him a freak..."
"Let's go." Grabbed a set of keys off the table, locked the door, and started stalking down the sidewalk.
Spike caught up with him in three strides. "Any ideas where we can find him?"
"His house, Hansen's, or the dorms."
"Whichever one's the most secluded and private, I hope he's there." A small growl slipped out.
"Hansen's is a club and a bar. It'd be the easiest to drag him out of."
The pissed vampire nodded. "Let's go there, first, then."
Will was steaming. "Did she tell you what he said?"
Snorted, and his eyes flashed before he could reign them in. "Most of it. Crap about her bein' a freak, and unGodly, and...." Trailed off into deep breaths that were meant to hide the growls.
"He's a bastard. No one tells her that. No one. He walked out, cloak of righteousness flapping, and she was... broken."
Said quietly, dangerously, with more than a hint of a growl. "Then we'll just have to break him for her, won't we?"
"I want the first and last shot."
Spike glanced at the young man. He was her family. Nodded. "Yeah. Fine."
"Will you eat him, then?"
Spike paused in his tracks. "Huh?"
"After we beat the hell out of him. Are you gonna eat him?"
Spike just stood there for a moment. Then it hit. "She told you."
"Mmm... in such an eloquent way, too. 'He's... um... kind of... short a heartbeat, but... very, fangy, and... grr's a little bit?'" he mocked his sister playfully.
Spike chuckled slightly. "Sounds like her."
"Doesn't it, though? So. Is he gonna be... I dunno. The appetizer for tonight?"
Spike snorted. "No. I don't eat humans." And that still sounded strange to actually say.
Will arched his eyebrow. "Ah. Just bunnies and cats?"
The vampire cocked his head and laughed. "Blood from butcher's shops, if you must know. I don't kill. Not for some time now."
"Mm. Yeah." Disbelief.
"What?"
"We'll just leave it at : You're lucky you weren't around when Maddy was explaining everything about you to me."
"Oh?" Head shake. "Sorry, mate, but you don't really scare me."
He gave the vampire a quelling glare. "Then you're a fool."
"No. I just happen to be ten times stronger than any living human." To illustrate, he walked into a nearby alley and shoved a two ton dumpster (the kind without wheels) sliding about twenty feet. It would've gone a lot further, but there was a wall.
Will just arched his brow. "I can't do that, but I can drive a stake through your heart if you ever screw around like that again and scare Maddy."
He snorted, returning to his companion. "Yeah. Not many humans can move fast enough to stake a vamp, mate."
"I'd keep coming back to try until I did."
Spike chuckled, looking up at the sky. "Not the least bit scared of me, are you?"
"No."
The vampire looked at the human, demon visage firmly in place, eyes burning. "Good."
Will didn't even flinch. Eyes just glinted. "Sure you won't eat him?"
Spike shifted back to 'normal'. Grinned. "I'll think about it." Began walking again.
Nodded. "I'd love to be able to eat him." Shrugged. "I'll settle for killing his ignorant ass."
"We can't kill him, you know."
"I understand that it takes some force and effort. But I assure you, we can."
Spike had to grin, but then got serious. "Let's get one thing straight, hot shot. We are *not* killing him. God knows I want to. And I know you want to. But we can't." Shook his head, rephrased. "Not can't. *Shouldn't*."
Shrugged coldly. "You don't have to, then."
"Will. Does the term 'homicide' mean anything to you? How about 'capital punishment'?"
Will stopped. Faced the older man. "I will do anything. Anything," he stressed, "to ensure that piece of shit will never. NEVER hurt her again. Do I need to use smaller words?"
Spike snorted. "I assure you, I understand. And I am with you. But we can not kill him." Licked his lips, thinking. "But, you know... You'd be suprised what the human body can live through." Started walking again.
His interest was piquied. "How many broken bones can a person live through?"
"All of 'em, cept the neck. And maybe skull."
"Because I want to break all of them. Twice."
Spike chuckled. "Leave something for me."
Cocked a tight grin. "A couple."
Spike sighed. "Believe me. If I had my way, I'd disembowel this wanker and hang him with his own intestines. And that's just the first night."
Dissatisfied noise. "I was more for stringing his intestines along the fence out front. Warn all the other little bastards who'd think about hurting her."
Spike grinned. This boy would've made a great vampire. He told him so. "Personally, my particular pack always fancied heads on a stick, but... They go bad so fast."
Sighed. "REALLY sure about not killing him, then? You seem pretty creative."
Spike gave a proud nod. "Yeah. I've been told." Put a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Believe me, mate. No one wants to kill this bleedin' jerk more than me. But we can't."
His eyes burned into Spike's. "Let's get another thing straight. I understand you hate this guy, too. But I am her brother, and the man in our household. No one wants to kill him as badly as I do. You haven't watched her, and looked up to her and tried to protect her for a little over ten years." He repeated quietly. "No one. Wants to kill him as badly as I do."
Spike nodded agreement. "Yeah. But that doesn't change the fact that we can't kill him."
Subject change. "Maddy says you're a master. Of what?"
Spike chuckled, leaning against a lamp post, wishing for the hundredth time that Niblet hadn't convinced him to stop smoking. "There're two types of vamps. Masters, and minions.Masters, like me, keep their human intelligence, and some, if not most, of their human traits. Minions are basically mindless bloodhounds that us masters boss around, and use to do our dirty work."
"So... if you make a vampire.... are they masters or minions?"
Shrugged. "Either. Depends on the amount of my blood they get. More, master. Less, minion. That's how it works."
"Can a vampire keep their soul?"
Spike kind of half made a face. "I don't think so. But every now and then, there's a vamp whos.. defective. Like me. Keeps the ablitiy to love, hate passionately, to care about people. And to want to do what's right for whatever group he/she's a part of. Keep the soul, no. Keep the feelings associatied with it, yes. But it's a very rare phenomenon."
Nodded. "Maddy got lucky, then. Anyone else would have killed her?"
Considered. So did not feel like talking about Peaches right now. "Yeah. Basically."
"Is... there... an urge to drink people's blood?"
Spike nodded. "Yeah. All the time. I can smell it, feel it, almost see through skin to the veins and arteries beneath." Thought how best to phrase this. "When you haven't fed in awhile, you enter a state called a Blood Rage. You'll literally bite anything that moves. I snapped on a tree once, when I was first turned."
Smirked. "Had to hurt." Turned more serious. "Don't ever hurt her."
"Will, I love Madison. She's one of my best friends. I'd sooner stake myself than hurt her."
Gave him a side glance. "I know. She loves you, too. Just know that if you hurt her, I'll do the exact thing I'm doing now."
"Stand there and stare at me?"
Smiled. "Hunt your miserable ass down, break and batter it, then stake you."
Spike gave him a grin. "Noted, mate. Duely noted."
Nodded. "Right." A dark, heated smile curled his lips. "There's Hansen's."
Spike growled, and started toward the door, then paused, sniffing. "Will.. Did this wanker smoke, or anything like that? Maybe wear really cheap cologne?"
"Smokes menthol New Ports." Snorted. "Milds. Girl cigarettes."
Spike shook his head. "Should have known." Looked to Will. "We aren't gonna have to pull him out of anywhere. The asshole's in the alley."
Will's eyes flew to the alley. "Wonder why."
Spike sniffed, then snorted. "Smoking." Sniffed again, then growled loudly. "Guess it didn't take him long to find someone new. There's a girl in there, too." Looked to Will. "She's an innocent. I'll get her out of there, while you get that first hit of your's in."
Grinned. "Right."
Spike sauntered into the alley, then a moment later, there was a loud roar, and a girl came out screaming. The guy, however, was struggling with the super strong vampire holding him and nearly breaking his arms.
"Let him go."
Spike looked at him. "Sure, mate?"
"I said let him go."
Spike shrugged, released the man.
Will shook his head as Joseph darted for the exit, stepping in front of him. "No no. You must have misunderstood. I said to let you go. Not that you could leave." Swung his fist into the other man's nose, feeling a satisfying crunch. "Hurting Madison? The worst idea you've EVER had." Drove his fist into the older man's stomach.
From the alley entrance, Spike growled excitedly. He knew he liked this guy for a reason.
Joseph grunted and doubled over, then backed up quickly, seeing Spike. "Wh-what the hell is that thing??"
Spike took a step forward, growling. Knowing that his eyes were glowing gold, let the single red security light glint off his fangs. "This 'thing' is the last thing you'll ever see, mate. See, you messed with my friend. You hurt her. Which means I hurt you." Slammed a fist into the human's face. Not full strength, because that would've severed his head, but hard enough to almost break his jaw.
Will took his place guarding the exit. Watched carefully.
Joseph was growling obsenities, swinging blindly through his blurry, already blackening eyes.
Spike dodged easily, and slammed the man with a kick that sent him flying backwards. "Call her a freak, will you?", he snarled.
"What the fuck are you??"
Spike advanced slowly, moving like a panther. "I am a vampire. And you are a human. Do you know what vampire's do with humans? We eat them."
He was trying to back up, but there was no place to go... the wall was at his back. "Now, look... It was an accident... I didn't mean to hurt her feelings..."
"ACCIDENT!?", Spike roared. "You called her a freak, you broke her heart when all she was doing was confiding in you. I'll tell you something, *Joseph*. I'm not the monster in this alley. You are." Slammed him hard into the wall.
Whimpered as his head hit the brick. Will advanced. "Spike. My ups." It was like a tag team.
The vampire growled, but backed off. Not too far, though. There was a part of him that wanted to finish this. Finish him. He was shaking with rage at this impudent idiot, and wanted nothing more than to tear his throat out. Kept growling, almost unable to stop.
Where Spike was hot, Will was cold. Stared at him, contemplatively. "Maddy sobbed... for hours. It hurt her to breathe." Landed punches on the moron's ribs. Again, and again, until he felt them crack. A few break all the way. "I think you should have trouble breathing for a while, too." And he would. Joseph was wheezing, wincing as he drew in a breath after the barrage of hits.
Spike watched, nodding in agreement with his companion's actions.
Will gazed at him again, casually pushing him back against the wall when he made a move to leave. "No. Madison... Maddy, my big sister. Fell to the ground. Almost couldn't move from the pain you put her in. I think you should feel that too." Over his shoulder, "Or do you think that's just too harsh?"
Spike growled, a feral, animalistic sound. "Personally, I think he deserves it. But, your ups..." Shrugged, eyes flashing a brighter gold that spoke volumes.
Will backed slowly. "No. It's your ups."
Spike glanced at Will, not knowing what the other man was expecting. Did he really expect him to kill Joseph? And why wasn't that bothering him so much anymore. He advanced on the quaking representitive of the human species that was on the ground. He snorted at him. "Pathetic wankers like you make me glad that I am no longer a human. I'd be ashamed of my species. As it is, all of my closest friends are human. And that's enough to disgust me when I see that there are creatures like you in this world. We spend our lives protecting things like you from things like me. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it." He yanked the man roughly to his feet, holding him against the wall, growling low. "And with all those humans that I've saved... Will the world really miss one asshole?"
Whimpered pathetic entreaties.
"Shut up." Spike actually kicked him in the crotch. Hard enough that they heard the pelvis crack, and Joseph dropped to the ground, moaning in pain. Spike snorted. "However, I do have standards. You'd probably give me indigestion." Kicked the already cracked ribs, breaking them further. "You are a useless, pathetic sod, who never deserved a wonderful woman like Madison." Snorted again, and turned to walk away. Looked back over his shoulder, said three words that he thought he'd never hear himself say, but meant every syllable "You're beneath her." Stalked out of the alley.
Will walked to stand over the huddled mass on the ground. "Know that this is us being charitable. Don't let me see you again. I might not feel so nice." One last kick to his stomach. Spit on the ground next to him. Left the alley.
Spike was leaning on a lamp post, human face back in place. Watched Will exit the alley. "That help you feel better, mate?"
The young man ran his tongue over his teeth. "A little. I'll feel better when Maddy laughs. You?"
Nodded. "The same, Will. About the same."
========================================================================== ==========
Spike pressed the speed dial on his cell phone. Two more days. Two days since he and Will had maimed Joseph. And he needed to know how she was doing. She hadn't called him yet that day. Waited till she picked up. "Hey, Madison."
"Puppy. Hey."
Concerned tone. "How ya doin', pet?"
"I'm... Better." Forced a smile, just for him, as she always did. "You?"
Shrugged off the question. Truth was, he didn't want to go into it. Buffy was more than a little pissed at him for spending so much time on the phone with Madison, and so little on the bed with her. Snorted. Change subject. "Uh, I wanted to let you know that tonight's the last night we're here. We're on the road again tomorrow."
"Oh." Her tone got sadder. "Puppy... I'm sorry... I... kinda ruined this week."
"No you didn't, Madison. And, hey! There's still time. Are you doing anything tonight?" Had to cheer her up. When she was depressed, he got mad, and that couldn't turn out well.
Tried to brighten. "Nope! No plans."
Cocked his head. She was trying too hard. He told her so. "We shouldn't have to pretend with each other, Madison. Why don't you come to the hotel, or I can come over there for awhile? All night, even, if your mum won't mind." Chuckled a little. "Sound like I'm a bleedin' teenager."
A genuine grin. The first of its kind for a while. "Sounds perfect. Mom won't have a problem. She's got some issues at the embassy. She left yesterday. She apologized, but... an ambassador's an ambassador."
Spike chuckled again. "Okay. What about Will?"
"He was hovering. I made him go to Tom's."
"You realize that I'm gonna hover just as bad. You won't be able to get away from me."
Another smile. "I know. But, I can't deal with two of you."
"Ah." Looked at the clock. "If I make a run for it, I can probably make it there in fifteen minutes. It's cloudy, and that gives us a little extra time."
"Puppy. Don't hurt yourself."
He laughed. "Don't worry, pet. I do it all the time back home. Just have a bucket of water ready at the front door, just in case."
Small laugh. "Right. How bout I order pizza, and we'll have that?"
He grinned. "Light on the garlic. I almost got sick last time."
"NO garlic. Got it. And a side of wings."
"With ranch."
"Got it."
========================================================================== ======
Fifteen minutes later, there was a frantic banging at Madison's door.
She was standing by it, ready, and swung it open to a slightly smoking Spike.
He ducked in, shut the door, and leaned against it, trying to put out the almost flames on his back. "Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow..."
She patted at his back. "There. No more smoldering-ness."
He sighed. "Thanks, pet. Whew." Shook his head. "Bloody stupid sudden wind. Blew away a perfectly good cloud right when I got to the last hundred feet where there was nothing to hide behind."
Smiled, and ushered him inside. "Well, get comfy. Food'll be here in about twenty minutes."
He grinned at her, and plopped himself on the couch. "Good. I'm starving." Backpedaled. "Uh, not that kind of starving, though. Not gonna eat you."
Rueful grin as she sat next to him. "Wouldn't that just top off my week..." There were dark smudges under her eyes, even though she smiled, and the bottom almost three inches of her hair retained their whiteness.
He fingered her hair a little, examining it. "Damn. I really did a number on you, didn't I?"
Fidgeted for barely a second, lowered her eyes, batted at his hands, denied it. "Don't be stupid. It's been a long week."
He nodded. "I'll give you that." Sighed, leaning back into the soft couch cushions. "I'm sorry."
She pulled her legs under her, laid her head on his shoulder. "For what?"
"For you getting hurt." Held up a hand. "I know, I know that makes little or no sense. It's just how I feel." Let his arm drape around her.
Moved a little closer. "I'm sorry, too. But... that's just the risk, huh? No big. I'll be back to... Happy Madison soon enough."
Nuzzled her a little. "Good. I miss her."
Little sigh. "Me, too."
"I know I've asked before, but I want to ask again. Can I do anything? And I mean *anything* to make you feel better?"
"Well, I'm thinking the extra cheese and pepperoni is gonna do a lot to improve my mood. And I've fully stocked the freezer with icecream, and I have the makings for very alcoholic margaritas. I'd say we're set. All I need is your company."
He chuckled. "You think of everything." Yawned a little.
"I... I do need something."
Brightened, looked at her. "What? Anything."
"I need help getting to sleep tonight. I can't... I haven't... I can't sleep."
He pulled her closer, so that she was almost sitting in his lap, and nuzzled her again. "I'll be here all night, pet. I told Rupert to drive up outside and honk tomorrow. They're gonna pick me up around noon. Till then, I'm all yours."
She let him nuzzle her, sighed. "Thank you." Picked up the remote. "What movie do we want to order?"
"What's the choices?"
The doorbell rang. She stood, handed him the remote. "Find one you want. Just order it. That's the pizza and wings." Went to get the door.
He read the pay-per-view screens for a few moments. "What kind of movie do you feel like, pet?"
He dropped the remote and got up to help her with the boxes, setting them out on the coffee table, but keeping the smaller box of wings and ranch dressing in his lap as he sat back down. Started flipping stations again.
She smiled. "Ooh! Stop stop! Truth About Cats and Dogs. Love it." She pulled out a slice of pizza, sat next to Spike again. "Elton said Joseph got in an accident."
Spike ate a wing, cocked his head in what he *hoped* was a curious and not smug look. "Oh? What happened?"
Shrugged. "Dunno. Broke a lot of ribs. His nose, and his *pelvic* bone. Fractured both his arms." Took a huge bite. "Karma happened, I guess."
Took a big bite of pizza to hide a decidedly smug grin. "That so?"
"I guess."
========================================================================== ==========
With one slice left in the box, the movie over, the credits rolling, Spike found Madison curled on her side, her head in his lap, hair spilling over her shoulders into her face, and over her back. And almost snoring.
He was purring softly, knowing that it relaxed her, and stroking her hair with one hand, the other resting on her side.
She mumbled something, sighed a little bit.
He grinned to himself. He was doing his job. Kept purring, making it a bit louder, and pulled a quilt off the back of the couch, covering her with it.
A few hours later, she opened her eyes confusedly. She had been sleeping? But- Puppy. Stretched, sat up, pulling the blanket with her, to lean on his shoulder. "Hi."
He grinned at her, and looked back to the M*A*S*H rerun he'd been watching. "Hey, pet. Have a nice nap?"
"Mmmm... The best. Have you just been sitting here?"
He shrugged, and nodded. "Yeah. Watching a marathon on FX."
"Mm... Hungry?"
Shook his head. "Nope. Wings and pizza still holdin' me over."
"Ok. How's Buffy?"
Gave an exadurated groan. "And there went the nice, relaxed mood I was in." Chuckled. "She's fine, I guess. Pissed at me for spending this whole week worrying about you."
Glared. "That bitch can shove it up her ass. I only get you one week out of fifty-six in the year."
He cocked his head. "Fifty-two."
Huffed. "Still."
He chuckled, and tried to curb it because of the look she gave him. "Sorry. Just.. what do they teach you people these days? 365 days a year, 12 months a year, and 52 weeks." Cocked his head again. "How did you come up with 56?"
Blinked at him sheepishly. "Maybe the 65 from 365 got stuck and wanted to come out in weeks?"
"Backwards?" Chuckled again. "Sorry. Midnight crazies. That's what my mum used to call it when I started actin' silly at night." Glanced at the clock. "And they're early tonight. By about four hours."
Groaned. "What time is it??"
"Nine thirty."
"Well, then. The nap did me good. I'll be up all night."
He grinned. "Oh good. Cause so will I. Barring any unforseen circumstances that cause me to doze off."
Smiled back. "Did you like my movie?"
He nodded. "Yeah. It was funny." Looked back to the M*A*S*H marathon that was still on. "Guess I'm in a comedy mood tonight."
"Me, too. How do you feel about underage drinking?"
"Depends. As long as it isn't Dawn, I might be able to be persuaded to look the other way."
"Hmm... Because I've got some tequila, triple-sec, ice and lime juice out there with our names on it."
He looked at her. "You know, you *are* only twenty..."
"Shh... the blender doens't know that."
Exadurated chewing of his lip. "Well..."
"I make the best margaritas..."
"I don't know..." Leaned into the couch cushions. "What would your mum say?"
"To remember to dip the glasses in warm water before you salt them and bring her a glass. Don't skimp on the tequila."
He chuckled. "But you know, *I* am the elder in this house... This may take a bribe."
Pretended to consider. "I COULD be persuaded to scritch you tonight."
Brightened. "Oh?"
"For a price."
Cocked head. "Price?"
"Turn your conscience from witnessing the underage drinking, and the scritch is yours."
He looked around. "Underage drinking? What underage drinking? Did I mention that I'm blind?"
Laughed and kissed his cheek. "Come on. Help me out in the kitchen. Grab your red tipped cane."
He laughed and followed her into the kitchen, delibrately bouncing off the doorway. Twice. "Oops. Scuse me, sir.."
Laughed. "All right. You're healed." Thumped his forehead. "See?"
"I can see! It's a miracle!" Hugged her and spun around, laughing.
Laughed, full out, leaned back and let him twirl her.
He finally set her down near the counter with the blender, still chuckling. "I'm glad you're feelin' better."
Smiled. "I am. Now let's get the liquor out." And proceeded to mix the best Margarita's Spike had ever had. They found themselves on the couch, the pitcher of margaritas on the coffee table.
He licked his lips, and barely hid a hiccup. Not even knowing where it came from. He smiled at her. "See? This is fun. This is what I want to do all the time."
Laughed. "Get toasted?"
He chuckled. "I was gonna say spend time with you, since it takes a lot more to get me drunk than a human."
And Spike was the drunker of the two. Of course, Madison had made three pitchers of margaritas, and only had four glasses herself.
He was staring at a blank wall. "There's a bug over there."
"Uh huh." Looked again. "No, sir."
He pointed. "Yes there is. Right there. Next to the hole." Snorted. "Yuck."
Smirked. "There's not hooooole. What's yuck?"
"Bug. Hairy legs. Tooo many legs. Yuck."
Pushed him up. "Go kill it. Yuck."
He sat right back down. "Don't wanna. Might get on me."
High pitched whine. "Puuuu-ppppppy. I dont want it to crawl on me while I'm asleep. Go get it. Growl at it."
He nodded and stood, weaving slightly. Swaggered over to the offending bug. Growled. "Hey. You. Bug. Go 'way."
Madison laughed. "He's not listening to you."
He pointed at the bug, or was it bugs? Sometimes it looked like there were two... "Bad bug. Shoo. Take your brother with ya."
Madison was starting to sober up. "Come on, Puppy. Come sit down."
He growled at the bug again. "Ina minute. I think I scared it." The bug scurried into the hole, and Spike grinned, returning to the couch and all but falling onto it. "Bug gone."
"Good. Thank you." Glanced at the clock. 4:33 AM. Oh, wow. They'd been drinking for a little under eight hours.
Spike yawned, glaring at the now empty pitcher. As if he couldn't figure out how it had gotten empty. Maybe he couldn't.
"You are gonna be soooo mad at Mr. Cuervo tomorrow..."
He shook his head. "Is'at the bug's name?"
"That's the tequila's name."
He burped in response, then looked suprised at himself for it.
Madison blinked. "Ok, Puppy. It's bedtime."
"Awww."
"Nuh-uh. Come on." She pulled on him, draping him across the couch cushions. Covered him with the quilt. "Sleep time."
"But.." Yawned. "There was something.. Do I have to stay alone?"
"Mmm... well, no. I'll sleep right below you on the floor, ok?"
He shook his head. "Nuh-uh. You take the couch." Started to get up.
Tutted at him. "No no... S'ok. I'm fine."
He actually whined a little. Like the Puppy he was. "Want you up here. Or me down there."
"Ok..." Stood, pushed him a little. "I want room, too, Puppy..." Slight whine. Ok... not ALL the way sobered up. But she was getting there.
He moved, and grinned at her, then frowned. "I'm forgettin' somethin'..."
"What?"
Wrinkled his nose. "Don't know. Something you said."
Smiled. "Scritch." She started to scritch him. "Yup. That's it."
He purred loudly, nuzzled into her hand. "Yeah... now I remember." Sighed happily.
Kept scritching. "Puppy?"
Sleepy, "Huh?"
She asked with the clarity of the almost drunk, "You're sure it's him, not me that's bad?"
His eyes opened, and focused on her, losing almost all of the drunken haze that had been over them. "Absolutely certain, pet."
Nodded. "Ok." Kept scritching.
He sighed, and relaxed again, snuggling up against her. "Madison?"
"Mmm?"
"When do you think we'll see each other again? I can only play with my pen so many times before it wears out."
"I'll try to get out there at every break. Probably once every three months."
Depressed, pouty sound.
"With calls like every day."
Purring got louder, and he pressed into her hand, manuvering so that her other hand was on his back.
She gave a small laugh, started to scritch his back, too.
He sighed happily, arching his back like a cat and turning the volume on the purr up again.
She kept scritching until she fell asleep. The vampire, however, had dozed off quite some time before that.
========================================================================== =============
Buffy peeked out the window of the Ohana, parked in Madison's driveway. She was stewing. A week. They had been in the hotel a WEEK, but he was soooo absorbed in Madison he hadn't had time to spar, or.... spar except that once. Once. In seven days. Oh yes. She was stewing.
Giles, getting annoyed, and very, very tempted to just drive off and leave the vampire there, honked the horn. For the tenth time.
Inside the house, Madison shoved the thick quilt at him. "Yes, you ARE going to take it."
Spike pushed it back. "Madison, it's twenty feet! I can run it."
Threw it at him. "No! You're holding it. You have to keep it. It's just a quilt."
"It's *your* quilt."
"And you're *my* Puppy."
He caved, giving her one last hug before wrapping the quilt around himself and running out into the driveway and through the door that Dawn was holding open for him.
She waved at the door. "Love you, Puppy! Safe travels!"
He waved through the side window, mouthed, "I love you too." as the Ohana left the driveway. Moving away from the window with a sigh, he noticed that everyone seemed to be looking at him. With a very defensive, "What?!" he disappeared into the back room.
Buffy snorted, tore a bottled water out of the fridge.
Xander cocked his head at the door to the back room. "Ya know, I think we should've just left him there. One less 'person' taking up room in here."
Anya whacked him. Hard. "And I suppose you'd leave Buffy back at the midevil weapons exibit at the Smithsonian, just to make more space?"
"Well, no.. But I-"
"Thank you." And her tone said 'subject closed' very clearly.
Buffy gave Anya a thankful grin. When she saw everyone talking, she slipped to the backroom.
Spike glanced up from where he'd been sprawled on the bed, giving a quick grin when he saw the identity of his visitor. "Hey, luv."
Small smile. "Have fun all night?"
He chuckled. "Yeah. I think Madison's finally gettin' over that wanker."
Coolly, "I'm sure you being there helped that along."
"She said it did. I helped her get some sleep, and rescued the both of us from a big, ugly spider."
"Tire her out?"
He gave her a confused look. "No. We watched a movie. She hadn't slept much in the last few days, and I knew that my purring helps her relax, so I purred to her, and she wound up taking a four hour nap."
And guess where HE had been the last few days. And purring. He purred at HER.
He yawned a little, looking at Buffy. "So.. agenda? Did you want something, luv? Or just come in here to catch up."
She frowned. Sniffed. "You smell like the inside of a tequila bottle."
He chuckled. "Madison made margiritas when she woke up. Guess I drank a bit too much."
"Have fun?" COULD have been quiet jealousy. But... almost couldn't hear it.
Nodded, choosing to ignore the tone. "Yeah. Then I took a nap. That's basically it."
"Right. Good." Started to walk out.
"Wait." Sat up. "Luv, where're you goin'?"
"Out to the main room."
"Why?"
"Because I've wanted you the last five nights in a row. Because I go to bed cold. And alone."
He stood up, made his way over to her. "Luv, look. I'm sorry that I've been busy. It's not like you've never ignored me before."
Her eyes flew to his. "That's- that was before-"
"Yeah? Before what, Slayer? What are we now? What do you think we are? Because all I'm seeing is me loving you, and you... I don't know what you're doing." He threw his hands up in the air, and walked back over, sitting on the bed.
"I... we're... friends.. with, with benefits. We're having sex. I just... I thought... this... I thought this was what you wanted."
He stood up. Shaking his head. "What I want... God. Slayer, you have no idea what I want. I want you to love me. I want us to be truly together, and not hiding in hotel rooms and abandoned yoga rooms. I want a *relationship*, Slayer! But all you want is an easy way out. I'm gonna give it to you. Choose. Sex without friendship, or friendship without sex. I won't have it both ways anymore. I can't."
She stood there. "E-excuse me?"
"You heard me, Buffy." He stood there, five feet from her, facing her like an old time duelist, waiting to see who would draw first. "Choose."
Scoffed. "You arrogant bastard. You're not THAT good in bed."
Just looked at her, not fooled for an instant by her bluster.
She tried to not fishmouth. "I can live without screwing you."
He gave a nod. "That your choice then?"
She huffed. "I don't need you, Spike. I don't need anything."
"You do need a lot of things, Slayer. Your friends, your family, your life. You need those. But you're probably right. You don't need me. Consider a third choice added."
Cocked her head to the side, waited.
"I leave. Forever. Never come back. Next place we stop, I get off, and don't get back on."
She was in his face before either of them was aware she'd moved. "You *cannot* do that to Dawn."
To his credit, he didn't step back. "Tell her I was staked. She'd get over it eventually. I can't go on like this, Slayer. Choose. Sex, friendship, or nothing."
She waved aside the third option. "I'm going to pretend you weren't callous enough to even THINK the last one. I-" And there was her conundrum. Sex, or friends. Holy shit. The sex... oh, God... the sex. But... the smiles, and just... talking.
He went back and sat on the bed again. Just looked at her, waiting.
Her eyes wanted to well. He'd told her. 'He'd be anything she wanted him to be'. Well, this wasn't it. She stared at him, the conflict in her eyes, open and readable, almost palpable. She wanted all of him. Why couldn't she have it? His mind, his smile, his wit.... his body, hands, and tongue as well. Torn. Absolutely, completely torn down the center. And she didn't know what half would win.
He saw the conflict within her, smelled her body's reactions to her thoughts, watched as her body language conveyed total indecision. He decided to offer her a way out. "You have two days to decide, luv. Then I'll make the decision for you. And I'm not telling you what I'd choose."
Buffy bit her lip, anger and indecision, want and... something else, firing her eyes. Nodded, walked out the door.
He sighed. Now all he could do was wait. He stretched out on the bed, pulling the quilt that Madison had given him around him. It was the one she'd slept under the previous night. The scent calmed him. Slowly, he went to sleep. He'd ask her again. Tomorrow.
Always, praying to pass with a better score. Tequila Sunrise.
Dawn walked away from Buffy's door, after standing in front of it for two minutes. She was probably asleep. There was no sound from within. And she'd been tired a lot lately. Bit her lip, knocked on Spike's door.
"Come in?", called the vampire from within.
Dawn walked in, the door closing behind her. Bit her lip, said miserably, "Can I lay down in here?"
He sat up from where he'd been lounging on his bed, eyed her worriedly. "Sure.. sure. Bit, what's wrong? Can I help?"
She shrugged, with a pout. "Not really. My stomach hurts." One arm was slung over it, her hand gripping her side.
He got up, and guided her over to the bed, sitting at the head of the bed and pulling her partially into his lap. Rubbed her stomach gently. "At least you know that I know how you feel."
Small pout. "I hate feeling sick. I've never felt bad without-" broke off. "Nevermind. Will you... could- would you play with my hair?"
He smiled down at her, knowing what she'd been going to say. Began stroking her hair gently, his other hand still on her stomach. "This better?"
"Mm." Batted at his hand. "Confusing it. It's turning the other way now."
He chuckled, tried to do better. Said quietly, "How come you didn't go to big sis?"
"Sleepin'."
He nodded. "Oh." Continued his stroking of her hair absently. "So, aside from the stomach problems, how're you doing? Glad we're heading home?"
Nodded. "I liked the roadtrip for about three weeks. I hate it now."
Spike nodded. "I get that. It's been so long, my crypt's prolly all destroyed, all my stuff gone." Snorted. "Not that there was really all that much there, though. Nothing I can't replace."
"I hope not. I can help you redecorate."
"Oh no you don't, Bit," he chuckled. "I don't want N'Sync posters, and pink wall paper, and whatever else you'd do to my place."
Tsked. "No... slate blue walls. Burgundy couch... Navy armchair..."
He cocked his head. "Hmm. I like that idea. But no one touches my green chair. I love that chair."
Gagged. "I hope it gets burned."
Growled softly at her, not really meaning it. "So, I suppose you'd be fine if someone burned your stuffed animal collection."
Whimpered. "No. But my stuffed animals aren't ratty and smell slightly of spoiled blood and cigarettes and REALLY cheap tequila."
He huffed. "The smell is part of the charm. That chair's seen things. Been places. Just like me."
"Where has that chair been but Goodwill?"
He cocked his head. "It's got an air of mystery about it. That's another thing I like about it."
Sighed. "An air of must. You just like it because it's got an imprint of your butt on the cushion."
He snorted at her, but laughed. "Funny, Bit. Really. Why do you carry around that ratty old Rhino when you're scared or upset?"
She looked down at the grey rhino setting on Spike's bed. "Rhino is not ratty."
Spike picked up the stuffed animal, turned it over, showing where the fur had been rubbed off from constant hugging.
Small blush. "He makes me feel better."
Spike nodded. "And my chair makes me feel better. I'm a little old for a stuffed animal, don't you think?"
Nodded. "I see your point. The chair can stay. Can we get it reupholstered?"
He thought about it. "Well... I'll think about it. For you."
Smiled, pulled her knees closer to her stomach. "Hunter green, if you must."
Cocked his head. "Hmm. Like the sound of that."
Snorted. "N'Sync my butt."
He chuckled. "Something wrong, Bit?"
Gave him a baleful look. "Pink walls and N'Sync? Please."
He laughed a little. "I appologize for teenage stereotyping." Raised an eyebrow. "Guess that was a stereotypo."
Gave a small smile, winced a bit.
Spike grinned. "Sorry, Bit. Couldn't help it. Jokes are about the only thing I can kill lately."
She pushed her head into his lap, turned her nose into his knee. "...hurts..."
He looked down at her. "What hurts, Niblet?"
She pulled Rhino close to her stomach, cradled him there. "Stomach."
He went back to playing with her hair and rested his other hand on her side, rubbing gently. "I'm sorry, Bit. Can I get you something? That pink stuff, maybe?"
She made a face, feeling like a kid being forced to swallow the cough medicine. Didn't want it. But she needed it. "No." Small, petulant voice.
He gave a sympathitic face. "Tastes horrible, I know. But I think you need some."
Whiny, "Mmmmmm...."
He gently dislodged her from his lap and went into the bathroom to find the first aid kit that he'd seen earlier.
She brought Rhino up to eye-level. "This is your fault," she told him. "Why aren't you making me feel better?"
Spike came back with the Pepto Bismol, and settled back on the bed. Looked at Dawn communing with her Rhino. "Maybe he's not feelin' well, either, Bit."
Gave Spike a stubborn look when she had seen the pink crap. "Maybe *he* needs it, then."
The vampire chuckled. "Sorry, Bit. I doubt he could stomach it. He looks like he's already stuffed."
She rolled her eyes at the super bad pun. Snatched the bottle away from him, shook it vigorously, then filled the little plastic dispenser.
He gave her a supportive look, waited while she took it.
She saluted him with it, took it down like a shot.
He chuckled at the face she made. "Look on the bright side, Bit. When I was your age, it was cod liver oil." Made a face of his own.
"I just... that's too sick to think about."
He gave a pained nod. "Yeah. Tell me about it. I actually tried to hide the fact that I had a hundred and one degree fever for three days, trying to avoid taking it."
"So you had to take truckloads then?"
He winced, and stretched out on the bed. "God.. worse than that. You don't want to know what happened when you threw it up."
Shuddered. "Spike. Just took Pepto. Liable to make your bedspread pink if you don't stop."
He clamped his mouth shut. Apologetic look.
Small smile. Curled beside him, holding Rhino.
He put one arm around her, considered the Rhino. "How long have you had him, anyway?"
"Dad gave him to me. I was... three? Three. Got him on a business trip, probably the only time he thought of me on one."
Spike gave her a gentle sideways hug. "And you've been dragging him around ever since, huh?"
Smile. "Yup. Ever since. He's never abandoned me. Except that one time I left him at K-Mart."
"You rescued him, though, huh?"
"I bawled my eyes out at customer service, the employees recovered him by the Barbies."
Spike nodded. "I knew all dolls were evil."
"Do you know I never played with them after that?"
"Good for you, Bit." Slight shudder. "I bloody hate dolls. All dolls. Freaky things."
Nodded. "I hate the ones that look like they're following you around the room with their eyes..." Her own lids were drooping.
He smiled at her. "Think you should be getting back to your room, Bit? Lookin' sleepy."
Sleepy smile. "Mm-kay...." Closed her eyes.
He waited until he was assured that she was asleep, then he got up and scooped her into his arms, carried her down the hall, and tucked her into her bed, with Rhino in her arms. Slipped out, and got back into his room just in time to hear the phone ring. He picked it up, sitting back on the bed. "Hello?"
Heaving sob on the other end. "I hate it, Puppy."
He was instantly awake. "Madison? What's wrong?"
"I hate healing," she cried into the phone. "It's not... normal. And..." Another wracking sob.
"Hey, hey, it's okay, pet..." He didn't know what was going on, but he was gonna kill whatever made Madison this upset. "Madison, pet.. slow down. Tell me what happened."
She inhaled noisily, let it out in that cough that happens when someone's been crying too long. "H-he hates me, Puppy. And... and..."Keening whimper.
Low growl. "Who told you they hate you, Madison? Who?"
Heaving breaths, and choking sobs. "He... said it was wrong. And... evil. That- that I had to be evil, and... and making deals with my soul to- to be able to do it... and, and a freak, and, oh God..." Curled into a ball on her bed, rocking. "Oh God, it hurts..." Her throat was closing. "H-he asked about my hair, an-and I thought I could tell him, that he would un-nderstand, and-" Hiccupping sob. "And... He's.. I'm... freakish, and wrong, and unGodly..." Her bottom lip started shivering again, joining the rest of her body. "Why can't I be normal? Just... good, and normal, and... average..." Poignant, choked plea.
Realization coursed through him. "Joseph." The name was a growl. "Madison, he is WRONG. Do you hear me? What you can do is a gift *from* God. It's a miracle! You are good, you are normal. God. You aren't a freak. I'm a bloody freak. You are a wonderful person, Madison. A wonderful, beautiful, *normal* person. And if that wanker can't see it.. well then, he never deserved you in the first place."
She drew in a few quick breaths, trying to calm herself, but it was to no avail when they came out in harsh sobs. "No."
"No what?"
Shrugged. "No. No everything. I don't want it. Have it." Cried. "YOU be wonderful and miraculous. People love you for it." Bitter laugh.
He sighed. "Madison-"
Choked cry. "What?"
He sighed again, fighting down the anger boiling within him. "You told me once that my aura is a mix of colors. I don't claim to be able to see them, but I know what color your's is. You're gold, and blue, and a beautiful, brilliant silver. You can find a place in your heart for a misfit vampire, and still understand what everone else needs of you. The bigoted and wrong opinions of one person, one heartbreak, shouldn't shape the rest of your life."
"It hurts," she whimpered. "It hurts so much. I want it stop." Shuddered sob. "Why can't I heal myself??"
He growled softly, angry at himself, and at that Joseph wanker. Mostly the latter. But, now wasn't the time for anger. "Madison... What can I do?"
She snuffled into the phone. "I don't know. I just... I needed to tell you." Heaved in a huge breath. Swiped at her eyes. Sat up, yanking her knees to her chest. "I'm sorry."
"Hey.. Don't apologize. I've been boring you with my problems for the extent of our entire friendship. It's just your turn, that's all. I'm here for you."
Kept pulling in steadying breaths. "I appreciate it."
"Anytime." Licked his lips. "Is your mum home from work, yet?"
Sniffed. "Yeah... I have- I have to go meet her for dinner."
He gave a half smile. "Say hello to her for me. Madison.. Take it from an old pro at emotional pain. It doesn't last forever. You'll be fine before you know it."
Dryly. "Right. I'm pretty sure that now isn't soon enough."
Half chuckle. "It never is. Go get ready for your mum. Call me later, okay?"
Sniffed one last time. "Puppy?"
"Yeah, pet?"
"Thank you... for... saying I'm good, and.. and.. about my aura. I- Thank you."
He smiled. "You're welcome, pet. Hey, if anyone should know who's bad or good, it's someone who's 'kinda evil', right?"
Small grin. "Right. A-and, Puppy?"
"Yeah?"
"I am glad I could heal you and Buffy... I am... it's just... Ya know?"
He nodded. "Yeah. I know. I love you, Madison. Remember that."
"I love you, too." She hung up the phone.
He snapped his cell phone shut, his eyes flashing to gold. Now was the time for anger. That Joseph wanker was going to pay. Big time.
========================================================================== ==============
Spike knocked on the door, forcibly keeping himself from vamping. He'd just seen Madison leave, but could see the tv in the living room on. That meant that the person he needed to see was still home. Will.
Will stalked to the door, ripped it open. "How can I fuc-" Stopped. "What?"
Spike said in a low, dangerous voice, "I take it she told you?"
"He's going to slap his mother for having him when I'm done."
Spike nodded. "I'm gonna throttle him. Only problem is, I wouldn't know him if I saw him. That's where you come in." Muttered, "I'll show him a freak..."
"Let's go." Grabbed a set of keys off the table, locked the door, and started stalking down the sidewalk.
Spike caught up with him in three strides. "Any ideas where we can find him?"
"His house, Hansen's, or the dorms."
"Whichever one's the most secluded and private, I hope he's there." A small growl slipped out.
"Hansen's is a club and a bar. It'd be the easiest to drag him out of."
The pissed vampire nodded. "Let's go there, first, then."
Will was steaming. "Did she tell you what he said?"
Snorted, and his eyes flashed before he could reign them in. "Most of it. Crap about her bein' a freak, and unGodly, and...." Trailed off into deep breaths that were meant to hide the growls.
"He's a bastard. No one tells her that. No one. He walked out, cloak of righteousness flapping, and she was... broken."
Said quietly, dangerously, with more than a hint of a growl. "Then we'll just have to break him for her, won't we?"
"I want the first and last shot."
Spike glanced at the young man. He was her family. Nodded. "Yeah. Fine."
"Will you eat him, then?"
Spike paused in his tracks. "Huh?"
"After we beat the hell out of him. Are you gonna eat him?"
Spike just stood there for a moment. Then it hit. "She told you."
"Mmm... in such an eloquent way, too. 'He's... um... kind of... short a heartbeat, but... very, fangy, and... grr's a little bit?'" he mocked his sister playfully.
Spike chuckled slightly. "Sounds like her."
"Doesn't it, though? So. Is he gonna be... I dunno. The appetizer for tonight?"
Spike snorted. "No. I don't eat humans." And that still sounded strange to actually say.
Will arched his eyebrow. "Ah. Just bunnies and cats?"
The vampire cocked his head and laughed. "Blood from butcher's shops, if you must know. I don't kill. Not for some time now."
"Mm. Yeah." Disbelief.
"What?"
"We'll just leave it at : You're lucky you weren't around when Maddy was explaining everything about you to me."
"Oh?" Head shake. "Sorry, mate, but you don't really scare me."
He gave the vampire a quelling glare. "Then you're a fool."
"No. I just happen to be ten times stronger than any living human." To illustrate, he walked into a nearby alley and shoved a two ton dumpster (the kind without wheels) sliding about twenty feet. It would've gone a lot further, but there was a wall.
Will just arched his brow. "I can't do that, but I can drive a stake through your heart if you ever screw around like that again and scare Maddy."
He snorted, returning to his companion. "Yeah. Not many humans can move fast enough to stake a vamp, mate."
"I'd keep coming back to try until I did."
Spike chuckled, looking up at the sky. "Not the least bit scared of me, are you?"
"No."
The vampire looked at the human, demon visage firmly in place, eyes burning. "Good."
Will didn't even flinch. Eyes just glinted. "Sure you won't eat him?"
Spike shifted back to 'normal'. Grinned. "I'll think about it." Began walking again.
Nodded. "I'd love to be able to eat him." Shrugged. "I'll settle for killing his ignorant ass."
"We can't kill him, you know."
"I understand that it takes some force and effort. But I assure you, we can."
Spike had to grin, but then got serious. "Let's get one thing straight, hot shot. We are *not* killing him. God knows I want to. And I know you want to. But we can't." Shook his head, rephrased. "Not can't. *Shouldn't*."
Shrugged coldly. "You don't have to, then."
"Will. Does the term 'homicide' mean anything to you? How about 'capital punishment'?"
Will stopped. Faced the older man. "I will do anything. Anything," he stressed, "to ensure that piece of shit will never. NEVER hurt her again. Do I need to use smaller words?"
Spike snorted. "I assure you, I understand. And I am with you. But we can not kill him." Licked his lips, thinking. "But, you know... You'd be suprised what the human body can live through." Started walking again.
His interest was piquied. "How many broken bones can a person live through?"
"All of 'em, cept the neck. And maybe skull."
"Because I want to break all of them. Twice."
Spike chuckled. "Leave something for me."
Cocked a tight grin. "A couple."
Spike sighed. "Believe me. If I had my way, I'd disembowel this wanker and hang him with his own intestines. And that's just the first night."
Dissatisfied noise. "I was more for stringing his intestines along the fence out front. Warn all the other little bastards who'd think about hurting her."
Spike grinned. This boy would've made a great vampire. He told him so. "Personally, my particular pack always fancied heads on a stick, but... They go bad so fast."
Sighed. "REALLY sure about not killing him, then? You seem pretty creative."
Spike gave a proud nod. "Yeah. I've been told." Put a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Believe me, mate. No one wants to kill this bleedin' jerk more than me. But we can't."
His eyes burned into Spike's. "Let's get another thing straight. I understand you hate this guy, too. But I am her brother, and the man in our household. No one wants to kill him as badly as I do. You haven't watched her, and looked up to her and tried to protect her for a little over ten years." He repeated quietly. "No one. Wants to kill him as badly as I do."
Spike nodded agreement. "Yeah. But that doesn't change the fact that we can't kill him."
Subject change. "Maddy says you're a master. Of what?"
Spike chuckled, leaning against a lamp post, wishing for the hundredth time that Niblet hadn't convinced him to stop smoking. "There're two types of vamps. Masters, and minions.Masters, like me, keep their human intelligence, and some, if not most, of their human traits. Minions are basically mindless bloodhounds that us masters boss around, and use to do our dirty work."
"So... if you make a vampire.... are they masters or minions?"
Shrugged. "Either. Depends on the amount of my blood they get. More, master. Less, minion. That's how it works."
"Can a vampire keep their soul?"
Spike kind of half made a face. "I don't think so. But every now and then, there's a vamp whos.. defective. Like me. Keeps the ablitiy to love, hate passionately, to care about people. And to want to do what's right for whatever group he/she's a part of. Keep the soul, no. Keep the feelings associatied with it, yes. But it's a very rare phenomenon."
Nodded. "Maddy got lucky, then. Anyone else would have killed her?"
Considered. So did not feel like talking about Peaches right now. "Yeah. Basically."
"Is... there... an urge to drink people's blood?"
Spike nodded. "Yeah. All the time. I can smell it, feel it, almost see through skin to the veins and arteries beneath." Thought how best to phrase this. "When you haven't fed in awhile, you enter a state called a Blood Rage. You'll literally bite anything that moves. I snapped on a tree once, when I was first turned."
Smirked. "Had to hurt." Turned more serious. "Don't ever hurt her."
"Will, I love Madison. She's one of my best friends. I'd sooner stake myself than hurt her."
Gave him a side glance. "I know. She loves you, too. Just know that if you hurt her, I'll do the exact thing I'm doing now."
"Stand there and stare at me?"
Smiled. "Hunt your miserable ass down, break and batter it, then stake you."
Spike gave him a grin. "Noted, mate. Duely noted."
Nodded. "Right." A dark, heated smile curled his lips. "There's Hansen's."
Spike growled, and started toward the door, then paused, sniffing. "Will.. Did this wanker smoke, or anything like that? Maybe wear really cheap cologne?"
"Smokes menthol New Ports." Snorted. "Milds. Girl cigarettes."
Spike shook his head. "Should have known." Looked to Will. "We aren't gonna have to pull him out of anywhere. The asshole's in the alley."
Will's eyes flew to the alley. "Wonder why."
Spike sniffed, then snorted. "Smoking." Sniffed again, then growled loudly. "Guess it didn't take him long to find someone new. There's a girl in there, too." Looked to Will. "She's an innocent. I'll get her out of there, while you get that first hit of your's in."
Grinned. "Right."
Spike sauntered into the alley, then a moment later, there was a loud roar, and a girl came out screaming. The guy, however, was struggling with the super strong vampire holding him and nearly breaking his arms.
"Let him go."
Spike looked at him. "Sure, mate?"
"I said let him go."
Spike shrugged, released the man.
Will shook his head as Joseph darted for the exit, stepping in front of him. "No no. You must have misunderstood. I said to let you go. Not that you could leave." Swung his fist into the other man's nose, feeling a satisfying crunch. "Hurting Madison? The worst idea you've EVER had." Drove his fist into the older man's stomach.
From the alley entrance, Spike growled excitedly. He knew he liked this guy for a reason.
Joseph grunted and doubled over, then backed up quickly, seeing Spike. "Wh-what the hell is that thing??"
Spike took a step forward, growling. Knowing that his eyes were glowing gold, let the single red security light glint off his fangs. "This 'thing' is the last thing you'll ever see, mate. See, you messed with my friend. You hurt her. Which means I hurt you." Slammed a fist into the human's face. Not full strength, because that would've severed his head, but hard enough to almost break his jaw.
Will took his place guarding the exit. Watched carefully.
Joseph was growling obsenities, swinging blindly through his blurry, already blackening eyes.
Spike dodged easily, and slammed the man with a kick that sent him flying backwards. "Call her a freak, will you?", he snarled.
"What the fuck are you??"
Spike advanced slowly, moving like a panther. "I am a vampire. And you are a human. Do you know what vampire's do with humans? We eat them."
He was trying to back up, but there was no place to go... the wall was at his back. "Now, look... It was an accident... I didn't mean to hurt her feelings..."
"ACCIDENT!?", Spike roared. "You called her a freak, you broke her heart when all she was doing was confiding in you. I'll tell you something, *Joseph*. I'm not the monster in this alley. You are." Slammed him hard into the wall.
Whimpered as his head hit the brick. Will advanced. "Spike. My ups." It was like a tag team.
The vampire growled, but backed off. Not too far, though. There was a part of him that wanted to finish this. Finish him. He was shaking with rage at this impudent idiot, and wanted nothing more than to tear his throat out. Kept growling, almost unable to stop.
Where Spike was hot, Will was cold. Stared at him, contemplatively. "Maddy sobbed... for hours. It hurt her to breathe." Landed punches on the moron's ribs. Again, and again, until he felt them crack. A few break all the way. "I think you should have trouble breathing for a while, too." And he would. Joseph was wheezing, wincing as he drew in a breath after the barrage of hits.
Spike watched, nodding in agreement with his companion's actions.
Will gazed at him again, casually pushing him back against the wall when he made a move to leave. "No. Madison... Maddy, my big sister. Fell to the ground. Almost couldn't move from the pain you put her in. I think you should feel that too." Over his shoulder, "Or do you think that's just too harsh?"
Spike growled, a feral, animalistic sound. "Personally, I think he deserves it. But, your ups..." Shrugged, eyes flashing a brighter gold that spoke volumes.
Will backed slowly. "No. It's your ups."
Spike glanced at Will, not knowing what the other man was expecting. Did he really expect him to kill Joseph? And why wasn't that bothering him so much anymore. He advanced on the quaking representitive of the human species that was on the ground. He snorted at him. "Pathetic wankers like you make me glad that I am no longer a human. I'd be ashamed of my species. As it is, all of my closest friends are human. And that's enough to disgust me when I see that there are creatures like you in this world. We spend our lives protecting things like you from things like me. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it." He yanked the man roughly to his feet, holding him against the wall, growling low. "And with all those humans that I've saved... Will the world really miss one asshole?"
Whimpered pathetic entreaties.
"Shut up." Spike actually kicked him in the crotch. Hard enough that they heard the pelvis crack, and Joseph dropped to the ground, moaning in pain. Spike snorted. "However, I do have standards. You'd probably give me indigestion." Kicked the already cracked ribs, breaking them further. "You are a useless, pathetic sod, who never deserved a wonderful woman like Madison." Snorted again, and turned to walk away. Looked back over his shoulder, said three words that he thought he'd never hear himself say, but meant every syllable "You're beneath her." Stalked out of the alley.
Will walked to stand over the huddled mass on the ground. "Know that this is us being charitable. Don't let me see you again. I might not feel so nice." One last kick to his stomach. Spit on the ground next to him. Left the alley.
Spike was leaning on a lamp post, human face back in place. Watched Will exit the alley. "That help you feel better, mate?"
The young man ran his tongue over his teeth. "A little. I'll feel better when Maddy laughs. You?"
Nodded. "The same, Will. About the same."
========================================================================== ==========
Spike pressed the speed dial on his cell phone. Two more days. Two days since he and Will had maimed Joseph. And he needed to know how she was doing. She hadn't called him yet that day. Waited till she picked up. "Hey, Madison."
"Puppy. Hey."
Concerned tone. "How ya doin', pet?"
"I'm... Better." Forced a smile, just for him, as she always did. "You?"
Shrugged off the question. Truth was, he didn't want to go into it. Buffy was more than a little pissed at him for spending so much time on the phone with Madison, and so little on the bed with her. Snorted. Change subject. "Uh, I wanted to let you know that tonight's the last night we're here. We're on the road again tomorrow."
"Oh." Her tone got sadder. "Puppy... I'm sorry... I... kinda ruined this week."
"No you didn't, Madison. And, hey! There's still time. Are you doing anything tonight?" Had to cheer her up. When she was depressed, he got mad, and that couldn't turn out well.
Tried to brighten. "Nope! No plans."
Cocked his head. She was trying too hard. He told her so. "We shouldn't have to pretend with each other, Madison. Why don't you come to the hotel, or I can come over there for awhile? All night, even, if your mum won't mind." Chuckled a little. "Sound like I'm a bleedin' teenager."
A genuine grin. The first of its kind for a while. "Sounds perfect. Mom won't have a problem. She's got some issues at the embassy. She left yesterday. She apologized, but... an ambassador's an ambassador."
Spike chuckled again. "Okay. What about Will?"
"He was hovering. I made him go to Tom's."
"You realize that I'm gonna hover just as bad. You won't be able to get away from me."
Another smile. "I know. But, I can't deal with two of you."
"Ah." Looked at the clock. "If I make a run for it, I can probably make it there in fifteen minutes. It's cloudy, and that gives us a little extra time."
"Puppy. Don't hurt yourself."
He laughed. "Don't worry, pet. I do it all the time back home. Just have a bucket of water ready at the front door, just in case."
Small laugh. "Right. How bout I order pizza, and we'll have that?"
He grinned. "Light on the garlic. I almost got sick last time."
"NO garlic. Got it. And a side of wings."
"With ranch."
"Got it."
========================================================================== ======
Fifteen minutes later, there was a frantic banging at Madison's door.
She was standing by it, ready, and swung it open to a slightly smoking Spike.
He ducked in, shut the door, and leaned against it, trying to put out the almost flames on his back. "Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow..."
She patted at his back. "There. No more smoldering-ness."
He sighed. "Thanks, pet. Whew." Shook his head. "Bloody stupid sudden wind. Blew away a perfectly good cloud right when I got to the last hundred feet where there was nothing to hide behind."
Smiled, and ushered him inside. "Well, get comfy. Food'll be here in about twenty minutes."
He grinned at her, and plopped himself on the couch. "Good. I'm starving." Backpedaled. "Uh, not that kind of starving, though. Not gonna eat you."
Rueful grin as she sat next to him. "Wouldn't that just top off my week..." There were dark smudges under her eyes, even though she smiled, and the bottom almost three inches of her hair retained their whiteness.
He fingered her hair a little, examining it. "Damn. I really did a number on you, didn't I?"
Fidgeted for barely a second, lowered her eyes, batted at his hands, denied it. "Don't be stupid. It's been a long week."
He nodded. "I'll give you that." Sighed, leaning back into the soft couch cushions. "I'm sorry."
She pulled her legs under her, laid her head on his shoulder. "For what?"
"For you getting hurt." Held up a hand. "I know, I know that makes little or no sense. It's just how I feel." Let his arm drape around her.
Moved a little closer. "I'm sorry, too. But... that's just the risk, huh? No big. I'll be back to... Happy Madison soon enough."
Nuzzled her a little. "Good. I miss her."
Little sigh. "Me, too."
"I know I've asked before, but I want to ask again. Can I do anything? And I mean *anything* to make you feel better?"
"Well, I'm thinking the extra cheese and pepperoni is gonna do a lot to improve my mood. And I've fully stocked the freezer with icecream, and I have the makings for very alcoholic margaritas. I'd say we're set. All I need is your company."
He chuckled. "You think of everything." Yawned a little.
"I... I do need something."
Brightened, looked at her. "What? Anything."
"I need help getting to sleep tonight. I can't... I haven't... I can't sleep."
He pulled her closer, so that she was almost sitting in his lap, and nuzzled her again. "I'll be here all night, pet. I told Rupert to drive up outside and honk tomorrow. They're gonna pick me up around noon. Till then, I'm all yours."
She let him nuzzle her, sighed. "Thank you." Picked up the remote. "What movie do we want to order?"
"What's the choices?"
The doorbell rang. She stood, handed him the remote. "Find one you want. Just order it. That's the pizza and wings." Went to get the door.
He read the pay-per-view screens for a few moments. "What kind of movie do you feel like, pet?"
He dropped the remote and got up to help her with the boxes, setting them out on the coffee table, but keeping the smaller box of wings and ranch dressing in his lap as he sat back down. Started flipping stations again.
She smiled. "Ooh! Stop stop! Truth About Cats and Dogs. Love it." She pulled out a slice of pizza, sat next to Spike again. "Elton said Joseph got in an accident."
Spike ate a wing, cocked his head in what he *hoped* was a curious and not smug look. "Oh? What happened?"
Shrugged. "Dunno. Broke a lot of ribs. His nose, and his *pelvic* bone. Fractured both his arms." Took a huge bite. "Karma happened, I guess."
Took a big bite of pizza to hide a decidedly smug grin. "That so?"
"I guess."
========================================================================== ==========
With one slice left in the box, the movie over, the credits rolling, Spike found Madison curled on her side, her head in his lap, hair spilling over her shoulders into her face, and over her back. And almost snoring.
He was purring softly, knowing that it relaxed her, and stroking her hair with one hand, the other resting on her side.
She mumbled something, sighed a little bit.
He grinned to himself. He was doing his job. Kept purring, making it a bit louder, and pulled a quilt off the back of the couch, covering her with it.
A few hours later, she opened her eyes confusedly. She had been sleeping? But- Puppy. Stretched, sat up, pulling the blanket with her, to lean on his shoulder. "Hi."
He grinned at her, and looked back to the M*A*S*H rerun he'd been watching. "Hey, pet. Have a nice nap?"
"Mmmm... The best. Have you just been sitting here?"
He shrugged, and nodded. "Yeah. Watching a marathon on FX."
"Mm... Hungry?"
Shook his head. "Nope. Wings and pizza still holdin' me over."
"Ok. How's Buffy?"
Gave an exadurated groan. "And there went the nice, relaxed mood I was in." Chuckled. "She's fine, I guess. Pissed at me for spending this whole week worrying about you."
Glared. "That bitch can shove it up her ass. I only get you one week out of fifty-six in the year."
He cocked his head. "Fifty-two."
Huffed. "Still."
He chuckled, and tried to curb it because of the look she gave him. "Sorry. Just.. what do they teach you people these days? 365 days a year, 12 months a year, and 52 weeks." Cocked his head again. "How did you come up with 56?"
Blinked at him sheepishly. "Maybe the 65 from 365 got stuck and wanted to come out in weeks?"
"Backwards?" Chuckled again. "Sorry. Midnight crazies. That's what my mum used to call it when I started actin' silly at night." Glanced at the clock. "And they're early tonight. By about four hours."
Groaned. "What time is it??"
"Nine thirty."
"Well, then. The nap did me good. I'll be up all night."
He grinned. "Oh good. Cause so will I. Barring any unforseen circumstances that cause me to doze off."
Smiled back. "Did you like my movie?"
He nodded. "Yeah. It was funny." Looked back to the M*A*S*H marathon that was still on. "Guess I'm in a comedy mood tonight."
"Me, too. How do you feel about underage drinking?"
"Depends. As long as it isn't Dawn, I might be able to be persuaded to look the other way."
"Hmm... Because I've got some tequila, triple-sec, ice and lime juice out there with our names on it."
He looked at her. "You know, you *are* only twenty..."
"Shh... the blender doens't know that."
Exadurated chewing of his lip. "Well..."
"I make the best margaritas..."
"I don't know..." Leaned into the couch cushions. "What would your mum say?"
"To remember to dip the glasses in warm water before you salt them and bring her a glass. Don't skimp on the tequila."
He chuckled. "But you know, *I* am the elder in this house... This may take a bribe."
Pretended to consider. "I COULD be persuaded to scritch you tonight."
Brightened. "Oh?"
"For a price."
Cocked head. "Price?"
"Turn your conscience from witnessing the underage drinking, and the scritch is yours."
He looked around. "Underage drinking? What underage drinking? Did I mention that I'm blind?"
Laughed and kissed his cheek. "Come on. Help me out in the kitchen. Grab your red tipped cane."
He laughed and followed her into the kitchen, delibrately bouncing off the doorway. Twice. "Oops. Scuse me, sir.."
Laughed. "All right. You're healed." Thumped his forehead. "See?"
"I can see! It's a miracle!" Hugged her and spun around, laughing.
Laughed, full out, leaned back and let him twirl her.
He finally set her down near the counter with the blender, still chuckling. "I'm glad you're feelin' better."
Smiled. "I am. Now let's get the liquor out." And proceeded to mix the best Margarita's Spike had ever had. They found themselves on the couch, the pitcher of margaritas on the coffee table.
He licked his lips, and barely hid a hiccup. Not even knowing where it came from. He smiled at her. "See? This is fun. This is what I want to do all the time."
Laughed. "Get toasted?"
He chuckled. "I was gonna say spend time with you, since it takes a lot more to get me drunk than a human."
And Spike was the drunker of the two. Of course, Madison had made three pitchers of margaritas, and only had four glasses herself.
He was staring at a blank wall. "There's a bug over there."
"Uh huh." Looked again. "No, sir."
He pointed. "Yes there is. Right there. Next to the hole." Snorted. "Yuck."
Smirked. "There's not hooooole. What's yuck?"
"Bug. Hairy legs. Tooo many legs. Yuck."
Pushed him up. "Go kill it. Yuck."
He sat right back down. "Don't wanna. Might get on me."
High pitched whine. "Puuuu-ppppppy. I dont want it to crawl on me while I'm asleep. Go get it. Growl at it."
He nodded and stood, weaving slightly. Swaggered over to the offending bug. Growled. "Hey. You. Bug. Go 'way."
Madison laughed. "He's not listening to you."
He pointed at the bug, or was it bugs? Sometimes it looked like there were two... "Bad bug. Shoo. Take your brother with ya."
Madison was starting to sober up. "Come on, Puppy. Come sit down."
He growled at the bug again. "Ina minute. I think I scared it." The bug scurried into the hole, and Spike grinned, returning to the couch and all but falling onto it. "Bug gone."
"Good. Thank you." Glanced at the clock. 4:33 AM. Oh, wow. They'd been drinking for a little under eight hours.
Spike yawned, glaring at the now empty pitcher. As if he couldn't figure out how it had gotten empty. Maybe he couldn't.
"You are gonna be soooo mad at Mr. Cuervo tomorrow..."
He shook his head. "Is'at the bug's name?"
"That's the tequila's name."
He burped in response, then looked suprised at himself for it.
Madison blinked. "Ok, Puppy. It's bedtime."
"Awww."
"Nuh-uh. Come on." She pulled on him, draping him across the couch cushions. Covered him with the quilt. "Sleep time."
"But.." Yawned. "There was something.. Do I have to stay alone?"
"Mmm... well, no. I'll sleep right below you on the floor, ok?"
He shook his head. "Nuh-uh. You take the couch." Started to get up.
Tutted at him. "No no... S'ok. I'm fine."
He actually whined a little. Like the Puppy he was. "Want you up here. Or me down there."
"Ok..." Stood, pushed him a little. "I want room, too, Puppy..." Slight whine. Ok... not ALL the way sobered up. But she was getting there.
He moved, and grinned at her, then frowned. "I'm forgettin' somethin'..."
"What?"
Wrinkled his nose. "Don't know. Something you said."
Smiled. "Scritch." She started to scritch him. "Yup. That's it."
He purred loudly, nuzzled into her hand. "Yeah... now I remember." Sighed happily.
Kept scritching. "Puppy?"
Sleepy, "Huh?"
She asked with the clarity of the almost drunk, "You're sure it's him, not me that's bad?"
His eyes opened, and focused on her, losing almost all of the drunken haze that had been over them. "Absolutely certain, pet."
Nodded. "Ok." Kept scritching.
He sighed, and relaxed again, snuggling up against her. "Madison?"
"Mmm?"
"When do you think we'll see each other again? I can only play with my pen so many times before it wears out."
"I'll try to get out there at every break. Probably once every three months."
Depressed, pouty sound.
"With calls like every day."
Purring got louder, and he pressed into her hand, manuvering so that her other hand was on his back.
She gave a small laugh, started to scritch his back, too.
He sighed happily, arching his back like a cat and turning the volume on the purr up again.
She kept scritching until she fell asleep. The vampire, however, had dozed off quite some time before that.
========================================================================== =============
Buffy peeked out the window of the Ohana, parked in Madison's driveway. She was stewing. A week. They had been in the hotel a WEEK, but he was soooo absorbed in Madison he hadn't had time to spar, or.... spar except that once. Once. In seven days. Oh yes. She was stewing.
Giles, getting annoyed, and very, very tempted to just drive off and leave the vampire there, honked the horn. For the tenth time.
Inside the house, Madison shoved the thick quilt at him. "Yes, you ARE going to take it."
Spike pushed it back. "Madison, it's twenty feet! I can run it."
Threw it at him. "No! You're holding it. You have to keep it. It's just a quilt."
"It's *your* quilt."
"And you're *my* Puppy."
He caved, giving her one last hug before wrapping the quilt around himself and running out into the driveway and through the door that Dawn was holding open for him.
She waved at the door. "Love you, Puppy! Safe travels!"
He waved through the side window, mouthed, "I love you too." as the Ohana left the driveway. Moving away from the window with a sigh, he noticed that everyone seemed to be looking at him. With a very defensive, "What?!" he disappeared into the back room.
Buffy snorted, tore a bottled water out of the fridge.
Xander cocked his head at the door to the back room. "Ya know, I think we should've just left him there. One less 'person' taking up room in here."
Anya whacked him. Hard. "And I suppose you'd leave Buffy back at the midevil weapons exibit at the Smithsonian, just to make more space?"
"Well, no.. But I-"
"Thank you." And her tone said 'subject closed' very clearly.
Buffy gave Anya a thankful grin. When she saw everyone talking, she slipped to the backroom.
Spike glanced up from where he'd been sprawled on the bed, giving a quick grin when he saw the identity of his visitor. "Hey, luv."
Small smile. "Have fun all night?"
He chuckled. "Yeah. I think Madison's finally gettin' over that wanker."
Coolly, "I'm sure you being there helped that along."
"She said it did. I helped her get some sleep, and rescued the both of us from a big, ugly spider."
"Tire her out?"
He gave her a confused look. "No. We watched a movie. She hadn't slept much in the last few days, and I knew that my purring helps her relax, so I purred to her, and she wound up taking a four hour nap."
And guess where HE had been the last few days. And purring. He purred at HER.
He yawned a little, looking at Buffy. "So.. agenda? Did you want something, luv? Or just come in here to catch up."
She frowned. Sniffed. "You smell like the inside of a tequila bottle."
He chuckled. "Madison made margiritas when she woke up. Guess I drank a bit too much."
"Have fun?" COULD have been quiet jealousy. But... almost couldn't hear it.
Nodded, choosing to ignore the tone. "Yeah. Then I took a nap. That's basically it."
"Right. Good." Started to walk out.
"Wait." Sat up. "Luv, where're you goin'?"
"Out to the main room."
"Why?"
"Because I've wanted you the last five nights in a row. Because I go to bed cold. And alone."
He stood up, made his way over to her. "Luv, look. I'm sorry that I've been busy. It's not like you've never ignored me before."
Her eyes flew to his. "That's- that was before-"
"Yeah? Before what, Slayer? What are we now? What do you think we are? Because all I'm seeing is me loving you, and you... I don't know what you're doing." He threw his hands up in the air, and walked back over, sitting on the bed.
"I... we're... friends.. with, with benefits. We're having sex. I just... I thought... this... I thought this was what you wanted."
He stood up. Shaking his head. "What I want... God. Slayer, you have no idea what I want. I want you to love me. I want us to be truly together, and not hiding in hotel rooms and abandoned yoga rooms. I want a *relationship*, Slayer! But all you want is an easy way out. I'm gonna give it to you. Choose. Sex without friendship, or friendship without sex. I won't have it both ways anymore. I can't."
She stood there. "E-excuse me?"
"You heard me, Buffy." He stood there, five feet from her, facing her like an old time duelist, waiting to see who would draw first. "Choose."
Scoffed. "You arrogant bastard. You're not THAT good in bed."
Just looked at her, not fooled for an instant by her bluster.
She tried to not fishmouth. "I can live without screwing you."
He gave a nod. "That your choice then?"
She huffed. "I don't need you, Spike. I don't need anything."
"You do need a lot of things, Slayer. Your friends, your family, your life. You need those. But you're probably right. You don't need me. Consider a third choice added."
Cocked her head to the side, waited.
"I leave. Forever. Never come back. Next place we stop, I get off, and don't get back on."
She was in his face before either of them was aware she'd moved. "You *cannot* do that to Dawn."
To his credit, he didn't step back. "Tell her I was staked. She'd get over it eventually. I can't go on like this, Slayer. Choose. Sex, friendship, or nothing."
She waved aside the third option. "I'm going to pretend you weren't callous enough to even THINK the last one. I-" And there was her conundrum. Sex, or friends. Holy shit. The sex... oh, God... the sex. But... the smiles, and just... talking.
He went back and sat on the bed again. Just looked at her, waiting.
Her eyes wanted to well. He'd told her. 'He'd be anything she wanted him to be'. Well, this wasn't it. She stared at him, the conflict in her eyes, open and readable, almost palpable. She wanted all of him. Why couldn't she have it? His mind, his smile, his wit.... his body, hands, and tongue as well. Torn. Absolutely, completely torn down the center. And she didn't know what half would win.
He saw the conflict within her, smelled her body's reactions to her thoughts, watched as her body language conveyed total indecision. He decided to offer her a way out. "You have two days to decide, luv. Then I'll make the decision for you. And I'm not telling you what I'd choose."
Buffy bit her lip, anger and indecision, want and... something else, firing her eyes. Nodded, walked out the door.
He sighed. Now all he could do was wait. He stretched out on the bed, pulling the quilt that Madison had given him around him. It was the one she'd slept under the previous night. The scent calmed him. Slowly, he went to sleep. He'd ask her again. Tomorrow.