Spike took care to remember the new information he had uncovered. Buffy and Angelus would both be interested to know that Giles, Willow, and Xander were still in town, and had been joined by a girl named Anya who was clearly also part of the team. They appeared to be holding down the fort in Buffy's absence, keeping watch over the Hellmouth because she wasn't around to do it. They were definitely in for a rude awakening the next time they saw her. First their hopes would soar as they thought their champion was back to fight with them. Then they would see Angelus and Spike and begin to question the situation. Finally, they would realize that Buffy was working with the vampires and not against them. That would be when they would panic.
Which one to kill first? Spike wondered. He supposed Buffy would get to pick. They were her friends, after all. He hoped she would let him kill at least one, though. Participating would be so much more fun than merely watching. Yes, Spike could hardly wait to see the looks on the humans' faces. He had to admit, having the former slayer on his side instead of against him was a huge improvement.
He waited in the shadows while Giles and the others hurried away toward the Bronze. He was tempted to follow them and continue to eavesdrop to pick up more details about their lives but that move was too risky. What if one of them saw him and managed to escape? Angelus would skin him alive if he blew their plan and ruined Buffy's big surprise. So instead of going after the little group, Spike turned and skulked the other way. He made a leisurely circuit of Sunnydale checking for any differences or danger spots, any significant changes that might affect their plans. The one thing he noticed was that some people appeared to be more cautious than they used to be, staying in groups or near lighted areas and walking quickly. Something must have happened to cause this alteration in their behavior. Maybe there had been one mysterious death too many or some demon had gotten too bold and caused really visible trouble.
After a while Spike started to get bored. He was also becoming hungry. He had eaten earlier off of that police officer Angelus had known, but he'd had to drink and run. An unhurried meal would really hit the spot.
Creeping along the streets, Spike eventually found a group of three women who were obviously prostitutes. They each wore a short skirt and a brightly colored skimpy top. They were smart to stand together near a lighted area but Spike knew he would have no problem luring one away into the nearby alley. As he approached he pulled a $100 bill from his pocket and flashed it at the nearest woman, a short brunette.
"You free, luv?"
Her eyes lit up though she tried to hide her pleasure at the sight of the large amount of money. "What do you have in mind?" she asked.
Spike gestured toward the alley. "Over there."
"All right." The hooker followed him, leaving her jealous companions back by the streetlight.
Spike waited until they were halfway down the alley before he turned and grabbed the woman. She didn't have a chance to scream as he clamped his hand over her mouth and sank his fangs deep into her neck. He drank slowly, savoring the taste and not wanting to get done too soon. When he was finished he carefully wiped off his mouth and then heaved the dead woman's body into the closest dumpster. No point in leaving it lying in plain sight for anyone to see. With some luck, it would be picked up with the trash and might never be discovered.
When he was satisfied that he had waited long enough, he went back to the main street to find the two remaining hookers still waiting for clients. "Got a couple friends at my place who'd like to meet you," he greeted them.
"Where's Serena?" asked the blonde, looking around.
"Back there, getting straightened up." Spike pointed toward the alley. "So what do you think? Come back to my place?" He again flashed the $100.
The women exchanged glances, obviously seeing dollar signs, and nodded. Hiding a grin, Spike led them in the direction of the mansion. Buffy and Angelus would be grateful to have two meals brought right to their doorstep.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion Spike had no idea the topic of conversation had moved from Buffy's plans for revenge to discussion of him.
Lying in bed with Angelus, Buffy cautiously brought up the subject. "You know, Spike seems a little lonely. I think he's feeling left out of things."
Angelus was silent for a moment thinking. Except for the time when he'd had his soul back, he had always run in a pack with at least one other vampire and usually more. For a while Spike had been one of them. Back in those days Spike had been more headstrong and undisciplined, but now he had developed into a powerful, cunning fighter. Plus, he was family.
Angelus had already seen signs that Buffy was attracted to Spike, though he didn't think she would do anything without his approval. She was hinting for it now by bringing up the subject. "Well, we can't have Spike feeling neglected," Angelus replied. "He's a valued member of the team, after all. We need to remind him of that fact."
"When he comes home?" Buffy asked.
"Sure," Angelus decided. He couldn't keep Buffy all to himself forever. Or actually, he could but it would probably lead to Spike's departure sooner rather than later. It wasn't like he was averse to letting Spike in on the action. They had "shared" before, usually Drusilla but occasionally another female vampire. "In the meantime, we need to eat. Come on."
They both got up and got dressed, planning to quickly hunt up a couple stupid humans near one of the cemeteries if at all possible. That way they could avoid being seen until the big moment arrived.
Angelus paused as he was buttoning his shirt. "Someone's here." He and Buffy both listened intently before Angelus relaxed. "It's Spike and he has two humans with him. Unfamiliar humans. You know what that means?"
"He brought takeout!" Buffy realized.
"Exactly." They went downstairs to encounter Spike on his way up to find them. "Good timing," Angelus praised. "You saved us from having to hunt and possibly blow our cover. After we eat we all need to have a little discussion about our plans. Stick around."
He and Buffy continued on their way to meet their suppers, leaving Spike to wonder what Angelus had in mind.
tbc
Which one to kill first? Spike wondered. He supposed Buffy would get to pick. They were her friends, after all. He hoped she would let him kill at least one, though. Participating would be so much more fun than merely watching. Yes, Spike could hardly wait to see the looks on the humans' faces. He had to admit, having the former slayer on his side instead of against him was a huge improvement.
He waited in the shadows while Giles and the others hurried away toward the Bronze. He was tempted to follow them and continue to eavesdrop to pick up more details about their lives but that move was too risky. What if one of them saw him and managed to escape? Angelus would skin him alive if he blew their plan and ruined Buffy's big surprise. So instead of going after the little group, Spike turned and skulked the other way. He made a leisurely circuit of Sunnydale checking for any differences or danger spots, any significant changes that might affect their plans. The one thing he noticed was that some people appeared to be more cautious than they used to be, staying in groups or near lighted areas and walking quickly. Something must have happened to cause this alteration in their behavior. Maybe there had been one mysterious death too many or some demon had gotten too bold and caused really visible trouble.
After a while Spike started to get bored. He was also becoming hungry. He had eaten earlier off of that police officer Angelus had known, but he'd had to drink and run. An unhurried meal would really hit the spot.
Creeping along the streets, Spike eventually found a group of three women who were obviously prostitutes. They each wore a short skirt and a brightly colored skimpy top. They were smart to stand together near a lighted area but Spike knew he would have no problem luring one away into the nearby alley. As he approached he pulled a $100 bill from his pocket and flashed it at the nearest woman, a short brunette.
"You free, luv?"
Her eyes lit up though she tried to hide her pleasure at the sight of the large amount of money. "What do you have in mind?" she asked.
Spike gestured toward the alley. "Over there."
"All right." The hooker followed him, leaving her jealous companions back by the streetlight.
Spike waited until they were halfway down the alley before he turned and grabbed the woman. She didn't have a chance to scream as he clamped his hand over her mouth and sank his fangs deep into her neck. He drank slowly, savoring the taste and not wanting to get done too soon. When he was finished he carefully wiped off his mouth and then heaved the dead woman's body into the closest dumpster. No point in leaving it lying in plain sight for anyone to see. With some luck, it would be picked up with the trash and might never be discovered.
When he was satisfied that he had waited long enough, he went back to the main street to find the two remaining hookers still waiting for clients. "Got a couple friends at my place who'd like to meet you," he greeted them.
"Where's Serena?" asked the blonde, looking around.
"Back there, getting straightened up." Spike pointed toward the alley. "So what do you think? Come back to my place?" He again flashed the $100.
The women exchanged glances, obviously seeing dollar signs, and nodded. Hiding a grin, Spike led them in the direction of the mansion. Buffy and Angelus would be grateful to have two meals brought right to their doorstep.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion Spike had no idea the topic of conversation had moved from Buffy's plans for revenge to discussion of him.
Lying in bed with Angelus, Buffy cautiously brought up the subject. "You know, Spike seems a little lonely. I think he's feeling left out of things."
Angelus was silent for a moment thinking. Except for the time when he'd had his soul back, he had always run in a pack with at least one other vampire and usually more. For a while Spike had been one of them. Back in those days Spike had been more headstrong and undisciplined, but now he had developed into a powerful, cunning fighter. Plus, he was family.
Angelus had already seen signs that Buffy was attracted to Spike, though he didn't think she would do anything without his approval. She was hinting for it now by bringing up the subject. "Well, we can't have Spike feeling neglected," Angelus replied. "He's a valued member of the team, after all. We need to remind him of that fact."
"When he comes home?" Buffy asked.
"Sure," Angelus decided. He couldn't keep Buffy all to himself forever. Or actually, he could but it would probably lead to Spike's departure sooner rather than later. It wasn't like he was averse to letting Spike in on the action. They had "shared" before, usually Drusilla but occasionally another female vampire. "In the meantime, we need to eat. Come on."
They both got up and got dressed, planning to quickly hunt up a couple stupid humans near one of the cemeteries if at all possible. That way they could avoid being seen until the big moment arrived.
Angelus paused as he was buttoning his shirt. "Someone's here." He and Buffy both listened intently before Angelus relaxed. "It's Spike and he has two humans with him. Unfamiliar humans. You know what that means?"
"He brought takeout!" Buffy realized.
"Exactly." They went downstairs to encounter Spike on his way up to find them. "Good timing," Angelus praised. "You saved us from having to hunt and possibly blow our cover. After we eat we all need to have a little discussion about our plans. Stick around."
He and Buffy continued on their way to meet their suppers, leaving Spike to wonder what Angelus had in mind.
tbc
