Blindness
If I hurt you
Then I'd hate myself
I don't wanna hate myself
Don't wanna hurt you.
Your Winter' by Sister Hazel
How can a Vampire be so hard to find? I mean, in the world-of-Buffy Vampires spring up like daisies... But go looking for one and ooh, no, haven't seen him'..
Buffy was aware that her ranting was perhaps a little loud, and might be the reason that people were dodging her on the street, but she was angry and so didn't care. How could one bloodsucking fiend be so hard to track? Especially one so ostentatious as Spike.
She was trying mostly to block out some of the more rational thoughts that were plaguing her mind. Like; You need the help of a Vampire? Or; You need the help of Spike? She was gradually working out that if she overanalysed things nothing happened. So instead she just began humming the Barney tune as she made her way to Willy's Place.
Yo Slayer! Hey Slayer! How're you doing Slayer? Willy yelled into the almost silent bar. Soon enough chairs were scraping and people, or rather demons, were making their quiet please-don't-kill-me ways out. Buffy didn't really care, most of Willy's clientele were harmless anyway.
Hey Willy.. Buffy leant up against the bar, I'm looking for a Vampire...
Thought you would be Slayer. So I did some checking around since your last visit.. and guess what? I found out where your Vamp is, really swanky place and everything.. Its a mansion--
Too late Willy, I'm looking for a different Vampire.
Willy deflated. Who this time?
Blonde, about so tall.. Buffy raised a hand above her head vaguely, Cute in a homicidal kinda way, wears a lot of black... Goes by the name of Spike.
You've just described all of my blood-rat customers to a T, but I know who you're looking for Slayer. William the Bloody? Used to hang out with Angelus's crowd...
Yes. Willy. Where is he? Buffy said testily.
Dunno Slayer, haven't got a clue... Have you checked with his chick? Uh... Drusilla I think.
No, he won't be there.
Well, sorry I couldn't help you Slayer. Bye.
Buffy's eyes narrowed and she leant over a little more on the bar so that her face was close to the barkeeper's.
You know, Willy, I sometimes feel like you're not being quite honest with me...
Willy stuttered nervously, Why's that Slayer?
I dunno, maybe because you're never honest with me..? Do I have to get violent again, cause it just wastes my precious time and your precious blood...
O-Okay Slayer, you got me... He came in here last night, well, more like early morning...
Buffy prompted as Willy went silent.
An' he said he was gonna leave Sunnydale, go to LA or something... There was a lot of customers that night..
You know where he is now?
Willy picked up a glass and began to polish it neurotically.
Willy? Willy...
Crypt in the Munhale Cemetery.... Don't tell him I told you, he'll kill me...
No he won't.
Are you kidding? William the Bloody! Only thing he likes more than killing is fu--
Thanks Willy Buffy said quickly and turned to find the bar completely empty. It was surprising how demon's disappeared when you didn't want them to.
Whatever Slayer... Willy breathed as he watched the blond leave. He moved to the side door to check if anyone was hanging around outside. They weren't. He sighed and moved back behind the bar, anticipating another night of low-takings.
***
The Slayer burst through the crypt door and Spike leapt to his feet. The cigarette that he had been smoking falling from his lips. He immediately moved around to the opposite side of the sarcophagus.
You got a funny way of proving the existence of deja-vu Slayer... he jibed wearily.
Buffy paused mid-stride and crossed her arms over her chest defensively, sticking her chin up in the air and saying coldly,
This is going to be nothing like our last time in a crypt.
Oh? So you didn't come here to ask for my help then?
Exactly. What's wrong now? The poof asked you to marry him and you want me to be ring bearer?
She only had to take a couple of strides forward to backhand the obnoxious Vampire. He barely turned his head from the hit, his face only gaining a satisfied look and a smirk.
Next we talk, then we kiss and then you run away.
...And you watch me go...
Following you would be pointless.
Or pointy. Buffy drew out the stake.
Ah, that's why you're here then? Stake the bad old Vamp? We had a deal..
Angelus isn't dead.
Well... The best laid plans of Slayers and Vampires...
I'm not here to stake you.
Then why the wood?
Just in case.
They both paused and regrouped. Sometimes it was tiring to spend so long at each others throats. Spike pulled out another cigarette and Buffy hauled herself up to sit on one corner of the sarcophagus, facing the Vampire.
So... How'd you find me Slayer?
Willy the Snitch... snitched. And it wasn't that hard to work out, every time we meet it seems to be around dead things. After all, you are dead.
Uh huh. Astute observation. Why are you here?
Buffy stayed silent, considering. She was trying to work out an answer that wouldn't make him smirk and say I told you so'. Annoying bloodsucker.
...To piss you off...
But you do that by just existing. Spike persevered,
Well, uh, if you really want to know... Buffy widened her eyes, then said deadpan I think you're kinda cute.
Slayer, I don't have time for your games. Stake me. Beat me up. Fuck me. Whatever. Just do it and make it good.
All right Spike. You were right. I did come here for your help. But a few minutes in your presence has reminded me why I so do not need it. She drew a quick breath, Now get out of my town or I will stake you.
Or you will stake me? Or? Real convincing. I think that if you wanted to stake me, you'd have tried already. He paused, eyes becoming interested, You really need my help, huh?
I don't need anything from you, Spike.
Yea. You keep telling me that. And then you ask for my help. I might start not believing such a paragon of truthfulness as yourself Slayer.
Buffy clenched and unclenched her jaw. It would be so much easier just to stake him, or at least knock him about a little, but she did need him. It was... disgusting to be dependent on a Vamp, but it was true. Slowly she sighed and leant forward in a less defensive gesture.
Okay. Fine. I need your help to fight this otherworldly-shapeshifting-beast-thing. Its out in the woods...
Not biting. Spike flashed his game face for a second, Figuratively speaking.
I hired you to save the world!
No. You hired me to kill your ex.
...Well, he is still not dead yet... And I want to use your skills elsewhere..
Spike tilted his head to one side, an honest look of enquiry in his eyes.
How long is this going to take..?
It'll only take a few--
No. No. I mean... How many times are you going to need my help? Am I always gonna be hanging around with the promise of no stakings before bedtime? I have other plans you know. I can't always be here to save your ass Slayer.
Oh. As if I'll ever need you again Spike. This is just... different. Afterwards I'd better not see you back here unless its blowing in the wind.
Spike made a spluttered noise of anger and disgust. This Slayer was a bloody piece of work. One minute asking for his help the next threatening him. And the kissing, don't forget that. Its almost as if the fake-blonde had more than one thought in her head at once. Huh.
Firstly, Slayer, stop threatening me... You need me. So be nice.. He smirked, And secondly as soon as this job is done.. I'm out of here.. Gone. Honestly, all this talk of coming back might get a Vamp thinking your gonna miss him.
As if. Buffy said tiredly, after a long deliberating pause So.. You're going to help then?
Yeah. But Buffy..
Uh, Slayer... This is my last job for you. Don't think I'm gonna stay around Sunnyhell just because you want me to...
Why would I..?
Spike's eyes widened for a moment and he ran a hand over his hair. Being a Vampire he was allowed to be sinful, and therefore vain. After a few breaths of indecision he simply let out a sigh and said.
All right. Yeah. Count me in on the killing of woodland animals...
Buffy nodded, relieved, pushed herself off the sarcophagus and began pacing slowly in front of the Vampire. He, by contrast, relaxed up against the wall and lit the almost forgotten cigarette. After a few moments she laid out the next step to him.
Right. Come to the Library tomorrow night and we'll plan everything there.
Riiight. So I'm just going to walk into a room full of your mates with long pointy stakes. Sure Slayer.
They won't hurt you.
Damn straight.
So what's your worry?
What is this thing we've got to fight? Spike said, changing the subject.
Buffy turned and began to walk out before his next question stopped her.
What makes you think I won't just come and drain you and all of your mates?
You won't she answered simply.
Oh? Why?
Buffy paused and considered, she turned her head slightly and looked him in the eye. She muttered a few words before hurrying out, her mind already on other things. Leaving Spike staring after her his face quickly going through the emotions of shock, anger and disdain in that order. And her words on repeat in his head.
You've changed.
***
The girl was walking along the sidewalk next to the Cemetery. Her blonde hair whipped about her shoulders in a slight breeze and her dress suggested that she was either coming back from a night of partying or beginning one. Perfect candidate, the Vampire sited. He stepped forward into her path, causing her to let out a little shriek. He saw her eyes roam him first wearily, then appreciatively.
...You scared me.. she said in a Southern accent, her lips curling at the corners into a coy smile.
murmured the Vampire, returning the smile.
Its all right... the girl pulled the strap of a small bag up her shoulder and glanced about, You just hear about a lot of strange things going on around here...
the Vampire agreed, his voice still low and his gaze fixed on her intently.
Huh, for someone who seems to want to talk to me you're being awfully silent... The girl said, indicating him still blocking her path.
You want me to move? The Vampire asked, not waiting a moment before stepping in closer to the girl. She giggled nervously but otherwise seemed to be suddenly struck dumb. Finally the Vampire perked up.
I am really sorry for... scaring you. I just saw you and I knew I had to... talk to you. His words were measured and his voice soothingly hypnotic.
was all that the girl could manage. He could smell her fear, at first faintly and then as if she'd bathed in sweat. He was an expert at this, and he'd lost count of how many times he'd performed the same routine. Perhaps it was time to get a new act? But if it worked...
The girl tried to take a step back, the pupil's of her green eyes dilated with fear. His hand shot out and grabbed her arm in a bruising grip.
Hey! Get off me! the girl struggled for a second before resorting to digging her fingernails into the Vampire's hand. He just chuckled and in a second slid back the human mask that covered his real face. She grew limp.
Y-Your face.... Its changed. You-You've changed...
The blonde hair fell away from the girl's neck as she tilted it back and he swept forward. The canines that had been aching against his lower lip now pressed against the smooth skin of her throat. She whimpered and he twisted her around, gripping her with both hands, one on her arm and the other in her hair, holding her head back.
He licked the place where the pulse was strongest, a hastened beat vibrating the skin. Then he forced the two elongated teeth into her jugular. He yanked his head back twice in quick succession to widen the holes as her eyes rolled in her head. Her mouth open in a silent scream. His canines retracted quickly and he fixed his mouth around the two gashes. Sweet, young, alive blood spilt onto his tongue immediately, a single dribble escaping and trickling around the stunned girl's neck and dripping onto the ground below her. The Vampire rocked her body gently, stimulating the blood around her system as he tried to get every drop. Once the girl was drained she was dropped carelessly to the floor, slumping in an ungainly pile.
Spike straightened up and wiped a finger around the outside of his mouth to catch any stray droplets, a smug smirk graced his lips and he offered a rebuttal to the dead girl's last statement.
Yeah. That's what everyone keeps saying.
(Author's Note: Uhhhh.....)
(Author's Side Note: Thanks for the all the reviews so far.)