The Fall of William
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns Btvs
A/N: Once again, I want to thank all who have reviewed. Some of you are confused and I guess I can understand that. Sorta. Cuz as the author I already know what's going to happen and sometimes my brain works faster than my fingers.
Just the basics: Buffy used to work for the government as a spy. She was assigned to take down William the Bloody. Instead, she fell in love with him. He ended up in prison anyway. And told through flashbacks is the unraveling of their relationship that leads to the present time. Spike is after revenge. Buffy's slowly coming to realize that past events caused by Quentin and Angel have played a part in her whole relationship with Spike. Certain things would never have happened had Quentin not interfered. Understand yet? That's basically, where we are right now. Any other problems you need explained e-mail me okay? I hope this helped.
~*~
Ch:6
Flashback...
Buffy studied the pattern of the placemat on the scarred wooden table she was seated at.
She trailed one lazy finger over it absently. Her thoughts a million miles away. A half smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
She wasn't quite sure how things had gotten this far but for once she was going to go with the flow.
Let things be.
That was what Faith had told her to do earlier in the week.
Buffy had been beyond freaked at her behavior with Spike. Leading him on, flirting and the kissage!
She had always been able to remain professional through whatever had been thrown her way.
But Spike...
Buffy shook her head slightly.
Blew out a deep breath.
She had barely been able to meet Faith's eyes as she'd explained the bet, the kisses and the fact she was actively contemplating having sex with Spike a man she didn't even like that much.
Faith's shocked laughter hadn't helped either, Buffy mused rolling her eyes.
Faith was used to her being not necessarily a prude but very conservative. Keeping work and her personal life separate, as was the number one rule in their business. She never formed personal attachments as other's were prone to do.
The ultimate professional.
That was why Faith had laughed.
Buffy still wasn't sure about this.
Faith had explicitly told her she should take advantage of the fringe benefits. Have whatever fun she could while taking William the Bloody down. These things happened all of the time. Faith had called it a post take down fling. It was an unspoken rule that Faith had admitted she had followed more than once.
To Buffy though it had sounded like being able to bend the rules to use them to your own advantage. If you started sleeping with the enemy what was next? Stepping over too many lines would soon find you on the wrong side of the law. Giles had drummed that into her for years.
And Buffy never planned on going down that route. She had patiently explained all of this to Faith.
Buffy at the time had wished she could have talked to Willow to get her input or even Anya with her blunt ways. But thinking now on what Anya would probably have said she was better off to have just spoken with Faith. Willow would have blushed like a schoolgirl and been mortified that Buffy was even contemplating such a thing.
However, Spike wasn't a huge part in all of this, she reasoned now. Sure, he'd shown up at the Senator's house but she was sure it was just to needle her. To see if he could rattle her. He was Angel's driver and as obnoxious, as he was she couldn't see Angel giving him any real details about his dealings with his boss.
He wasn't high on the totem pole, Buffy mused. And for that, she was grateful because what she was planning on doing....
Just enjoy the fringe benefits, Buffy reminded herself.
And to be truthful she had been. There was something to be said for a man who was as sexy and gorgeous as Spike who could humble himself enough to chase after a woman.
And chase he was.
And Buffy was having the time of her life.
Glancing up she let a smile grace her features as she saw Giles striding towards her.
She rose, reached out her hands and when he grasped them, she brushed a quick kiss across his cheek.
Taking their seats Giles studied Buffy a moment before he let a small smile form.
"How are things?" he asked pleasantly as he studied his menu.
Buffy did the same.
"Wonderful," she commented absently.
"Good, good," Giles muttered as his eyes scanned the report that was inside his menu and quickly read it.
Buffy was actually reading her menu while she waited for Giles to finish her report.
She was extremely curious as to see what his thoughts were on the pearls they'd found.
She wasn't sure but she had the strangest feeling she should know about this, know why the Senator was stashing jewelry in his sex escapades videos. Something nagged at the back of her mind.
"Well. I think I'll have the Shrimp Scampi. This all looks so good. Did you bring me a present?" Giles asked as he placed the menu down and saw the brightly wrapped package at his elbow.
Buffy smiled.
"Well since I am technically your sugar mama I thought it only right," she drawled out sarcastically.
Giles laughed lightly before he stashed the package in the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
"Quite right. I deserve all the fine gifts you have to give Buffy. What's this I hear about a certain driver?" Giles asked abruptly.
Buffy felt herself freeze and slowly forced herself to relax. He couldn't possible know.
"Hmmm?" she murmured blankly.
The knowing look in Giles's eyes warned her not to play games.
"What about it?" she finally demanded.
"I want you to be careful where you tread Buffy. Things such as those can get you in a world of pain and it is always risky letting yourself get personally involved. It never ends well. I know from personal experience I might add."
Buffy reached out and gripped one of his hands hard.
"I know," she replied softly. "But I'm not you," she added.
Giles nodded.
"No you're not. You are much too practical to end up like me. Right?"
Buffy grinned.
"Right. Besides, unlike Jenny he is not related to the boss or even remotely close. He's just a driver and I don't plan on falling in love Giles."
Giles cleared his throat abruptly and straightened as he realized they had started in on a discussion neither necessarily wanted to have.
Giving her hand a quick squeeze, he let go and glanced at his watch.
"So...about the videos what are we going to do?" Buffy finally asked.
"We'll take care of it," Giles assured her.
Buffy then too glanced at her watch and grimaced.
"I've got to go Giles. I'm catching the Red Eye back to L.A. in an hour. Enjoy your scampi kay?"
Giles rose and giving her a quick hug watched as she hurried out of the restaurant.
His eyes rested on the door even after she'd left.
Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed the familiar numbers to Quentin Travers's phone.
"Sir? Yes, Buffy just reported in. She has discovered something worth looking into..." He began as he tugged at the wrapping of the package she had given him.
He opened the box and smiled proudly as he found himself looking down at a string of pearls.
~*~
Spike was seriously surprised at how much fun it was chasing after Buffy. Not that he hadn't had high hopes mind you. He had.
Of course, he wasn't a very patient man. He never liked waiting around for certain things. And certainly not for a woman. Women tended to flock to him in droves and he was always up to his ears. Rather up to his other more manly extremities.
A smirk appeared as he slowly made his way through the crowd that was currently invading his high-rise penthouse. Grabbing a glass of champagne, he let his eyes scan the crowd and found many a familiar face.
A social event like this was always fun. Angel to his credit was always a great host. Treated this place as if it was his own and delighted in free rein while Spike hid in the background.
Spike liked things the way they were.
At first, he had been reluctant to let Angel take the forefront of his business. However, that had been when he was young and cocky-well cockier than he was now, he thought with a grin. Wanted everyone to know who he was. William the fucking Bloody! Then he reconsidered after a long and in depth conversation with Dru.
That had been years ago and he was glad he'd done things the way he had. He could be Spike and no one would be the wiser that William the Bloody was the good ol punk rocker who drove Angel around on an occasion and partied like a wild animal.
Glancing at his watch, he wondered briefly, where Buffy was. She'd told him she would be out of town on business and would try to be back for the party.
"That's why you have to hire the girl," Spike muttered to himself as he moved determinedly towards Angel. If he had Buffy working for him all of the time, she would only do, as he wanted.
And keeping her near him was one of his top priorities at the moment.
"Excuse me," Spike said tapping Angel on the shoulder.
Angel covered his quick scowl and excused himself as Spike led him to a discrete corner.
"What?" Angel snapped.
"Watch your tone mate," Spike warned with a quick flash of white teeth. "Buffy. We need to make it permanent. She should be on retainer like the rest of our lot."
Angel's eyes narrowed and he shook his head already disagreeing.
"Spike....we just met her a few weeks ago. It's-she's only done that one job for us! C'mon," Angel argued.
Spike sighed.
"I wasn't askin'. She's going to be on retainer and she's going to work for us. I saw her in action and she's good. Very good. She'll be a wonderful asset to us. Hell....... Think of all the money we can get from havin' her about! C'mon. Get that hound dog look off your face Peaches. This'll be for the best."
Angel clamped a large hand on Spike's shoulder as he turned to walk away.
"Listen Spike," Angel hissed. "You're thinking with your head. And I don't mean the one on your shoulders. She's beautiful no doubt and probably a great piece of ass but you're not seeing the bigger pictu-"
Spike swung around and knocked Angel's hand from him in disgust.
His fists clenched and he wanted to beat the shit out of Angel. It flared in his azure eyes and lit them with a furious glint.
"Don't talk about her like that," Spike, hissed coldly. "Don't ever talk about her like that again! She's a woman, a lady. Respect her or else."
Angel was still seething.
His nostrils flared and his eyes went flat.
"Or what? We've been friends for all our lives Spike," Angel muttered.
Spike's face tautened and he took a step forward.
"Or what? What do you think? I want you to accept things as they are. Buffy's in my life. We're friends sure but I respect your relationship with Dru. You respect mine with Buffy."
Angel couldn't help the sneer that formed.
"You mean your sexual relationship?" he asked.
"Relationship. Period. All that it includes," Spike snapped.
"Big mistake," Angel muttered. "She's-"
"Don't say it! Accept it. We aren't gonna discuss this again," Spike stated firmly as he turned and walked away from Angel.
Buffy watched as Spike strode away from Angel, the lines of his body stiff and anger seemed to vibrate off him.
When she'd come in she'd searched the room for Spike and had noticed his tense conversation with Angel. The way Angel had seemed to draw Spike back into a conversation he'd obviously thought over.
She wondered what it had been about.
She decided she'd have to investigate. Certainly now that she was obviously getting herself involved with Spike, her game plan of flirting and leading Angel on was off the table.
She'd have to improvise.
"I'm glad you could make it," Spike's deep voice rumbled in her ear and she resisted the urge to jump in surprise. Her attention had been so focused on Angel she hadn't heard Spike's approach.
She turned and felt the smile on her face turn into a look of stunned surprise as she took him in.
She wasn't sure why the sight of him in a tuxedo made her mouth water. Maybe it was the way his platinum hair looked slicked back off his forehead. Revealing a strong brow and those cheekbones that stood out prominently. Maybe it was the way that he wore it. This was a black tie charity event. Mandatory and yet here he was dressed to kill in a white tuxedo jacket.
Her eyes trailed down him, lingered on his boots. The same old scuffed Doc Martins he always wore. He might have dressed up but he was still rebellious.
She lifted one of his lean hands and studied the fingernails.
"You sure do clean up good," she mused amusedly. "And look every other fingernail is painted black for the occasion."
She shook her head laughing.
Spike grinned back at her.
"I do look good don't I?" he asked as his eyes slid over her. "And you pet look good enough to eat. Shall we mingle?"
He offered her his arm.
"We shall," Buffy said with a smile.
~*~
Drusilla Tierney watched Spike with a narrow pinched look on her face. She had been surprised to say the least when he'd snuck up on the petite blonde and they'd had a laughed filled conversation.
She'd watched the way Spike had reacted to the woman. The way the woman reacted to him.
She didn't like it in the least.
Spike was hers. She didn't like sharing. Scowling she watched as the couple moved amongst the crowd and soon were lost to her jealous eyes.
Turning sharply she brushed rudely past any one who got in her way.
"How can he do this?" she wondered aloud. For years, he had loved her. Only her.
She had gotten used to it.
Trembling with barely suppressed rage, she wandered blindly through the halls. Thinking back on the years. The long years Spike had followed her around like a puppy. Waited for her to turn to him. Yet she had snubbed him at every turn.
Had married Angel to discourage him. Yet hoping all the while that he would still be there in the wings waiting for her.
The small, tiny rational part of her brain told her Spike was not someone you could own. That he had never belonged to her. She had no right to be so angry. So filled with rage. That he was free to do as he pleased.
But it was over run by betrayal and hate.
Useless emotions she usually kept at bay but now they were at the forefront.
"..no that's not going to be a problem Quint," she heard Angel say from the doorway to on of the bedrooms.
Pausing beside the door she let her curiosity come out.
"I know," Angel agreed. "She's not going to figure this out Quint. You trained her how should I know? Is she the best? Well then, we might have something to worry about huh? No. Yes I'm working on getting her."
Dru frowned and stepped closer.
"I still think we should let it play out. You brought Buffy here to take down Spike. We should let it play out the way we want it to. Once we get them both out of the way it-"
Dru's eyes narrowed as she found herself stepping into the room. Closing the door behind her.
Angel's eyes widened and then narrowed.
"I have to go Quint. Take care of the Senator's house will you?" Angel didn't wait for a reply as he hung up.
Facing Dru, he waited for a reaction.
"Who is that woman with William?" she demanded sharply.
"Buffy Summers," Angel replied simply as he slowly walked towards her.
"What does she want?"
Angel reached out and caught Dru's hands in his own. Propelled her towards him.
"Does it matter?" he asked as he nibbled on her neck.
"Do you want her?" Dru persisted resisting his advances.
"Why? Would you let me have her if I did?"
"Who is she? Why would she be taking William down?" she gasped out as her body began to respond to his kisses.
"She works for the government. She's here to take out William the Bloody. And I wouldn't mind takin' her for a spin Dru."
Dru lifted her face for his harsh kiss and moaned deep as he thrust his tongue into her mouth and tightly gripped her bottom, crushing her to him.
"You angry baby? Bout Spike takin' a new interest? Making nice with a new woman besides making moon eyes at you?" he asked with an easy laugh.
Dru pulled back and looked into his eyes.
"I want him back," she hissed clenching her hands in Angel's thick hair.
He winced as her grip threatened to pull his hair out.
"Let this be then," Angel said softly. "She'll take him down and you my love...will be waiting in the wings to offer your love and comfort won't you? He'll need you once I'm done with him."
Dru's smile was malicious and half demented as she trailed her lips down the Angel's jaw line.
"You always hurt the ones you love," she whispered coldly.
"This stays between us baby. Only us. Ever."
~*~
End of flashback...
Buffy didn't let herself react to this startling revelation. Dru's voice echoed in her head and angrily she shook it.
She didn't lift her gaze from the floor as she heard Dru move around.
"I knew you know," Buffy found herself saying dully. "That the way things went...Angel had to have been in on it. What I couldn't figure out was how. I mean I was very careful. I just assumed it was because I chose Spike over him. Guess I know better now."
Dru's quiet sigh was all the sound in the room as Buffy rose from the seat she'd taken.
"I was blinded by my desire," Dru whispered.
Buffy looked at her then.
Dru's detachment astonished her, because she knew what it was like to be on Spike's bad side. Her utter lack of fear was mind-boggling.
"You do realize that you're on his list right?" Buffy asked carefully.
She got no answer.
"I mean hello?! Dru you were-he was in love with you for fucks sake! For years!! Years and you knew..you knew what I was going to do to him!!!!!! You let it happen and then...Never mind you are-why-how-"Buffy broke off she couldn't even speak.
She was angry.
Edging on furious.
She let out a half sob, half-hysterical laugh.
"He is going to kill you! If you...if you had told him Drusilla none of the things that came about wouldn't have happened. He never would have fallen in love with me! I would have been gone. He would have taken care of me. That would have been the perfect solution Dru!!! Why didn't you just tell him?! I don't understand!"
Dru turned from the window meeting Buffy's confused and angry eyes.
Smiled sadly.
"Why go for the kill when you can go for the hurt?" she asked chillingly. "He betrayed me."
"Betrayed you?! He was never yours!"
"That's right. He wasn't. He's yours."
Buffy shook her head wildly.
"No," she muttered her hands clenching.
"Yes," Dry countered. "He might kill me but he'll never kill you."
Buffy turned away sharply from Dru.
Stalked to the door.
"No. I know he will Dru! He's already tried and I know he'll succeed this time," Buffy yelled as she unlocked the door.
"No he won't. Listen to me," Dru began.
Buffy turned sharply and marched towards Dru.
Shoved her back.
"Stop talking like you know him," she growled. "Look where you're at! Locked away in a private psychiatric facility. You don't know a damn thing! You think he won't kill me? Fine. Nevertheless, I know better. And if you think just because he loved you once he won't kill you, you had better think again!"
"He loves you still. And you love him. If one of us lives it will be you," Dru said thinly. "I know this. I have accepted this Buffy. The way I see, it you need to-"
"Shut up! Love?! He doesn't love me and I don't love him! It was a lie! We weren't living in reality!"
Dru's eyes flickered over Buffy a moment before she shrugged.
"In the end Buffy all you have left is love," she replied resignedly. "Whether you like it or not you love him and he in the end will need your love. You had better think about that. Whether you are willing to give it again or-"
"Shut up," Buffy yelled again. "You don't know what you're talking about!!"
"I think she does. Don't you Dru?"
The voice deadly in its coldness and lack of emotion.
"Angel," Dru whispered barely able to get the words out. Her hands shook as she brought them to her mouth.
Buffy swung around.
Took in Angel's bulky frame in the doorway and narrowed her eyes as he stepped into the room. Shut the door behind him.
Locked it once again.
"Well, well," Buffy drawled with a smile. "Look at you. Playing at top dog are we Angel?"
She gestured to the gun he gripped in one beefy hand.
"I wondered you know if you would come out of the woodwork once you heard Spike was back in action. If you would step up. Accept your punishment."
Angel's mouth tightened.
"My punishment? Babe I didn't do anything wrong. You did. He's after you not me."
Buffy shrugged.
"How long have you been working with Quentin? The whole time? Why did he want me out of the way? I wasn't even close to sniffing you two out."
Angel shrugged one broad shoulder.
"You don't have a clue how close you were Buffy. We can't take the chance though. You find things out and you'll get righteous and law abiding. I'm not going to prison."
"You're right," Buffy agreed lightly.
Lifted her hands.
Angel narrowed his eyes.
Lifted his gun.
"You're going to hell," Buffy replied jerking her arm straight letting the knife slip easily in her hand.
She gripped it tightly and with a small smile let it fly.
"I'll see you there," Angel said firing at point blank range.
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns Btvs
A/N: Once again, I want to thank all who have reviewed. Some of you are confused and I guess I can understand that. Sorta. Cuz as the author I already know what's going to happen and sometimes my brain works faster than my fingers.
Just the basics: Buffy used to work for the government as a spy. She was assigned to take down William the Bloody. Instead, she fell in love with him. He ended up in prison anyway. And told through flashbacks is the unraveling of their relationship that leads to the present time. Spike is after revenge. Buffy's slowly coming to realize that past events caused by Quentin and Angel have played a part in her whole relationship with Spike. Certain things would never have happened had Quentin not interfered. Understand yet? That's basically, where we are right now. Any other problems you need explained e-mail me okay? I hope this helped.
~*~
Ch:6
Flashback...
Buffy studied the pattern of the placemat on the scarred wooden table she was seated at.
She trailed one lazy finger over it absently. Her thoughts a million miles away. A half smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
She wasn't quite sure how things had gotten this far but for once she was going to go with the flow.
Let things be.
That was what Faith had told her to do earlier in the week.
Buffy had been beyond freaked at her behavior with Spike. Leading him on, flirting and the kissage!
She had always been able to remain professional through whatever had been thrown her way.
But Spike...
Buffy shook her head slightly.
Blew out a deep breath.
She had barely been able to meet Faith's eyes as she'd explained the bet, the kisses and the fact she was actively contemplating having sex with Spike a man she didn't even like that much.
Faith's shocked laughter hadn't helped either, Buffy mused rolling her eyes.
Faith was used to her being not necessarily a prude but very conservative. Keeping work and her personal life separate, as was the number one rule in their business. She never formed personal attachments as other's were prone to do.
The ultimate professional.
That was why Faith had laughed.
Buffy still wasn't sure about this.
Faith had explicitly told her she should take advantage of the fringe benefits. Have whatever fun she could while taking William the Bloody down. These things happened all of the time. Faith had called it a post take down fling. It was an unspoken rule that Faith had admitted she had followed more than once.
To Buffy though it had sounded like being able to bend the rules to use them to your own advantage. If you started sleeping with the enemy what was next? Stepping over too many lines would soon find you on the wrong side of the law. Giles had drummed that into her for years.
And Buffy never planned on going down that route. She had patiently explained all of this to Faith.
Buffy at the time had wished she could have talked to Willow to get her input or even Anya with her blunt ways. But thinking now on what Anya would probably have said she was better off to have just spoken with Faith. Willow would have blushed like a schoolgirl and been mortified that Buffy was even contemplating such a thing.
However, Spike wasn't a huge part in all of this, she reasoned now. Sure, he'd shown up at the Senator's house but she was sure it was just to needle her. To see if he could rattle her. He was Angel's driver and as obnoxious, as he was she couldn't see Angel giving him any real details about his dealings with his boss.
He wasn't high on the totem pole, Buffy mused. And for that, she was grateful because what she was planning on doing....
Just enjoy the fringe benefits, Buffy reminded herself.
And to be truthful she had been. There was something to be said for a man who was as sexy and gorgeous as Spike who could humble himself enough to chase after a woman.
And chase he was.
And Buffy was having the time of her life.
Glancing up she let a smile grace her features as she saw Giles striding towards her.
She rose, reached out her hands and when he grasped them, she brushed a quick kiss across his cheek.
Taking their seats Giles studied Buffy a moment before he let a small smile form.
"How are things?" he asked pleasantly as he studied his menu.
Buffy did the same.
"Wonderful," she commented absently.
"Good, good," Giles muttered as his eyes scanned the report that was inside his menu and quickly read it.
Buffy was actually reading her menu while she waited for Giles to finish her report.
She was extremely curious as to see what his thoughts were on the pearls they'd found.
She wasn't sure but she had the strangest feeling she should know about this, know why the Senator was stashing jewelry in his sex escapades videos. Something nagged at the back of her mind.
"Well. I think I'll have the Shrimp Scampi. This all looks so good. Did you bring me a present?" Giles asked as he placed the menu down and saw the brightly wrapped package at his elbow.
Buffy smiled.
"Well since I am technically your sugar mama I thought it only right," she drawled out sarcastically.
Giles laughed lightly before he stashed the package in the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
"Quite right. I deserve all the fine gifts you have to give Buffy. What's this I hear about a certain driver?" Giles asked abruptly.
Buffy felt herself freeze and slowly forced herself to relax. He couldn't possible know.
"Hmmm?" she murmured blankly.
The knowing look in Giles's eyes warned her not to play games.
"What about it?" she finally demanded.
"I want you to be careful where you tread Buffy. Things such as those can get you in a world of pain and it is always risky letting yourself get personally involved. It never ends well. I know from personal experience I might add."
Buffy reached out and gripped one of his hands hard.
"I know," she replied softly. "But I'm not you," she added.
Giles nodded.
"No you're not. You are much too practical to end up like me. Right?"
Buffy grinned.
"Right. Besides, unlike Jenny he is not related to the boss or even remotely close. He's just a driver and I don't plan on falling in love Giles."
Giles cleared his throat abruptly and straightened as he realized they had started in on a discussion neither necessarily wanted to have.
Giving her hand a quick squeeze, he let go and glanced at his watch.
"So...about the videos what are we going to do?" Buffy finally asked.
"We'll take care of it," Giles assured her.
Buffy then too glanced at her watch and grimaced.
"I've got to go Giles. I'm catching the Red Eye back to L.A. in an hour. Enjoy your scampi kay?"
Giles rose and giving her a quick hug watched as she hurried out of the restaurant.
His eyes rested on the door even after she'd left.
Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed the familiar numbers to Quentin Travers's phone.
"Sir? Yes, Buffy just reported in. She has discovered something worth looking into..." He began as he tugged at the wrapping of the package she had given him.
He opened the box and smiled proudly as he found himself looking down at a string of pearls.
~*~
Spike was seriously surprised at how much fun it was chasing after Buffy. Not that he hadn't had high hopes mind you. He had.
Of course, he wasn't a very patient man. He never liked waiting around for certain things. And certainly not for a woman. Women tended to flock to him in droves and he was always up to his ears. Rather up to his other more manly extremities.
A smirk appeared as he slowly made his way through the crowd that was currently invading his high-rise penthouse. Grabbing a glass of champagne, he let his eyes scan the crowd and found many a familiar face.
A social event like this was always fun. Angel to his credit was always a great host. Treated this place as if it was his own and delighted in free rein while Spike hid in the background.
Spike liked things the way they were.
At first, he had been reluctant to let Angel take the forefront of his business. However, that had been when he was young and cocky-well cockier than he was now, he thought with a grin. Wanted everyone to know who he was. William the fucking Bloody! Then he reconsidered after a long and in depth conversation with Dru.
That had been years ago and he was glad he'd done things the way he had. He could be Spike and no one would be the wiser that William the Bloody was the good ol punk rocker who drove Angel around on an occasion and partied like a wild animal.
Glancing at his watch, he wondered briefly, where Buffy was. She'd told him she would be out of town on business and would try to be back for the party.
"That's why you have to hire the girl," Spike muttered to himself as he moved determinedly towards Angel. If he had Buffy working for him all of the time, she would only do, as he wanted.
And keeping her near him was one of his top priorities at the moment.
"Excuse me," Spike said tapping Angel on the shoulder.
Angel covered his quick scowl and excused himself as Spike led him to a discrete corner.
"What?" Angel snapped.
"Watch your tone mate," Spike warned with a quick flash of white teeth. "Buffy. We need to make it permanent. She should be on retainer like the rest of our lot."
Angel's eyes narrowed and he shook his head already disagreeing.
"Spike....we just met her a few weeks ago. It's-she's only done that one job for us! C'mon," Angel argued.
Spike sighed.
"I wasn't askin'. She's going to be on retainer and she's going to work for us. I saw her in action and she's good. Very good. She'll be a wonderful asset to us. Hell....... Think of all the money we can get from havin' her about! C'mon. Get that hound dog look off your face Peaches. This'll be for the best."
Angel clamped a large hand on Spike's shoulder as he turned to walk away.
"Listen Spike," Angel hissed. "You're thinking with your head. And I don't mean the one on your shoulders. She's beautiful no doubt and probably a great piece of ass but you're not seeing the bigger pictu-"
Spike swung around and knocked Angel's hand from him in disgust.
His fists clenched and he wanted to beat the shit out of Angel. It flared in his azure eyes and lit them with a furious glint.
"Don't talk about her like that," Spike, hissed coldly. "Don't ever talk about her like that again! She's a woman, a lady. Respect her or else."
Angel was still seething.
His nostrils flared and his eyes went flat.
"Or what? We've been friends for all our lives Spike," Angel muttered.
Spike's face tautened and he took a step forward.
"Or what? What do you think? I want you to accept things as they are. Buffy's in my life. We're friends sure but I respect your relationship with Dru. You respect mine with Buffy."
Angel couldn't help the sneer that formed.
"You mean your sexual relationship?" he asked.
"Relationship. Period. All that it includes," Spike snapped.
"Big mistake," Angel muttered. "She's-"
"Don't say it! Accept it. We aren't gonna discuss this again," Spike stated firmly as he turned and walked away from Angel.
Buffy watched as Spike strode away from Angel, the lines of his body stiff and anger seemed to vibrate off him.
When she'd come in she'd searched the room for Spike and had noticed his tense conversation with Angel. The way Angel had seemed to draw Spike back into a conversation he'd obviously thought over.
She wondered what it had been about.
She decided she'd have to investigate. Certainly now that she was obviously getting herself involved with Spike, her game plan of flirting and leading Angel on was off the table.
She'd have to improvise.
"I'm glad you could make it," Spike's deep voice rumbled in her ear and she resisted the urge to jump in surprise. Her attention had been so focused on Angel she hadn't heard Spike's approach.
She turned and felt the smile on her face turn into a look of stunned surprise as she took him in.
She wasn't sure why the sight of him in a tuxedo made her mouth water. Maybe it was the way his platinum hair looked slicked back off his forehead. Revealing a strong brow and those cheekbones that stood out prominently. Maybe it was the way that he wore it. This was a black tie charity event. Mandatory and yet here he was dressed to kill in a white tuxedo jacket.
Her eyes trailed down him, lingered on his boots. The same old scuffed Doc Martins he always wore. He might have dressed up but he was still rebellious.
She lifted one of his lean hands and studied the fingernails.
"You sure do clean up good," she mused amusedly. "And look every other fingernail is painted black for the occasion."
She shook her head laughing.
Spike grinned back at her.
"I do look good don't I?" he asked as his eyes slid over her. "And you pet look good enough to eat. Shall we mingle?"
He offered her his arm.
"We shall," Buffy said with a smile.
~*~
Drusilla Tierney watched Spike with a narrow pinched look on her face. She had been surprised to say the least when he'd snuck up on the petite blonde and they'd had a laughed filled conversation.
She'd watched the way Spike had reacted to the woman. The way the woman reacted to him.
She didn't like it in the least.
Spike was hers. She didn't like sharing. Scowling she watched as the couple moved amongst the crowd and soon were lost to her jealous eyes.
Turning sharply she brushed rudely past any one who got in her way.
"How can he do this?" she wondered aloud. For years, he had loved her. Only her.
She had gotten used to it.
Trembling with barely suppressed rage, she wandered blindly through the halls. Thinking back on the years. The long years Spike had followed her around like a puppy. Waited for her to turn to him. Yet she had snubbed him at every turn.
Had married Angel to discourage him. Yet hoping all the while that he would still be there in the wings waiting for her.
The small, tiny rational part of her brain told her Spike was not someone you could own. That he had never belonged to her. She had no right to be so angry. So filled with rage. That he was free to do as he pleased.
But it was over run by betrayal and hate.
Useless emotions she usually kept at bay but now they were at the forefront.
"..no that's not going to be a problem Quint," she heard Angel say from the doorway to on of the bedrooms.
Pausing beside the door she let her curiosity come out.
"I know," Angel agreed. "She's not going to figure this out Quint. You trained her how should I know? Is she the best? Well then, we might have something to worry about huh? No. Yes I'm working on getting her."
Dru frowned and stepped closer.
"I still think we should let it play out. You brought Buffy here to take down Spike. We should let it play out the way we want it to. Once we get them both out of the way it-"
Dru's eyes narrowed as she found herself stepping into the room. Closing the door behind her.
Angel's eyes widened and then narrowed.
"I have to go Quint. Take care of the Senator's house will you?" Angel didn't wait for a reply as he hung up.
Facing Dru, he waited for a reaction.
"Who is that woman with William?" she demanded sharply.
"Buffy Summers," Angel replied simply as he slowly walked towards her.
"What does she want?"
Angel reached out and caught Dru's hands in his own. Propelled her towards him.
"Does it matter?" he asked as he nibbled on her neck.
"Do you want her?" Dru persisted resisting his advances.
"Why? Would you let me have her if I did?"
"Who is she? Why would she be taking William down?" she gasped out as her body began to respond to his kisses.
"She works for the government. She's here to take out William the Bloody. And I wouldn't mind takin' her for a spin Dru."
Dru lifted her face for his harsh kiss and moaned deep as he thrust his tongue into her mouth and tightly gripped her bottom, crushing her to him.
"You angry baby? Bout Spike takin' a new interest? Making nice with a new woman besides making moon eyes at you?" he asked with an easy laugh.
Dru pulled back and looked into his eyes.
"I want him back," she hissed clenching her hands in Angel's thick hair.
He winced as her grip threatened to pull his hair out.
"Let this be then," Angel said softly. "She'll take him down and you my love...will be waiting in the wings to offer your love and comfort won't you? He'll need you once I'm done with him."
Dru's smile was malicious and half demented as she trailed her lips down the Angel's jaw line.
"You always hurt the ones you love," she whispered coldly.
"This stays between us baby. Only us. Ever."
~*~
End of flashback...
Buffy didn't let herself react to this startling revelation. Dru's voice echoed in her head and angrily she shook it.
She didn't lift her gaze from the floor as she heard Dru move around.
"I knew you know," Buffy found herself saying dully. "That the way things went...Angel had to have been in on it. What I couldn't figure out was how. I mean I was very careful. I just assumed it was because I chose Spike over him. Guess I know better now."
Dru's quiet sigh was all the sound in the room as Buffy rose from the seat she'd taken.
"I was blinded by my desire," Dru whispered.
Buffy looked at her then.
Dru's detachment astonished her, because she knew what it was like to be on Spike's bad side. Her utter lack of fear was mind-boggling.
"You do realize that you're on his list right?" Buffy asked carefully.
She got no answer.
"I mean hello?! Dru you were-he was in love with you for fucks sake! For years!! Years and you knew..you knew what I was going to do to him!!!!!! You let it happen and then...Never mind you are-why-how-"Buffy broke off she couldn't even speak.
She was angry.
Edging on furious.
She let out a half sob, half-hysterical laugh.
"He is going to kill you! If you...if you had told him Drusilla none of the things that came about wouldn't have happened. He never would have fallen in love with me! I would have been gone. He would have taken care of me. That would have been the perfect solution Dru!!! Why didn't you just tell him?! I don't understand!"
Dru turned from the window meeting Buffy's confused and angry eyes.
Smiled sadly.
"Why go for the kill when you can go for the hurt?" she asked chillingly. "He betrayed me."
"Betrayed you?! He was never yours!"
"That's right. He wasn't. He's yours."
Buffy shook her head wildly.
"No," she muttered her hands clenching.
"Yes," Dry countered. "He might kill me but he'll never kill you."
Buffy turned away sharply from Dru.
Stalked to the door.
"No. I know he will Dru! He's already tried and I know he'll succeed this time," Buffy yelled as she unlocked the door.
"No he won't. Listen to me," Dru began.
Buffy turned sharply and marched towards Dru.
Shoved her back.
"Stop talking like you know him," she growled. "Look where you're at! Locked away in a private psychiatric facility. You don't know a damn thing! You think he won't kill me? Fine. Nevertheless, I know better. And if you think just because he loved you once he won't kill you, you had better think again!"
"He loves you still. And you love him. If one of us lives it will be you," Dru said thinly. "I know this. I have accepted this Buffy. The way I see, it you need to-"
"Shut up! Love?! He doesn't love me and I don't love him! It was a lie! We weren't living in reality!"
Dru's eyes flickered over Buffy a moment before she shrugged.
"In the end Buffy all you have left is love," she replied resignedly. "Whether you like it or not you love him and he in the end will need your love. You had better think about that. Whether you are willing to give it again or-"
"Shut up," Buffy yelled again. "You don't know what you're talking about!!"
"I think she does. Don't you Dru?"
The voice deadly in its coldness and lack of emotion.
"Angel," Dru whispered barely able to get the words out. Her hands shook as she brought them to her mouth.
Buffy swung around.
Took in Angel's bulky frame in the doorway and narrowed her eyes as he stepped into the room. Shut the door behind him.
Locked it once again.
"Well, well," Buffy drawled with a smile. "Look at you. Playing at top dog are we Angel?"
She gestured to the gun he gripped in one beefy hand.
"I wondered you know if you would come out of the woodwork once you heard Spike was back in action. If you would step up. Accept your punishment."
Angel's mouth tightened.
"My punishment? Babe I didn't do anything wrong. You did. He's after you not me."
Buffy shrugged.
"How long have you been working with Quentin? The whole time? Why did he want me out of the way? I wasn't even close to sniffing you two out."
Angel shrugged one broad shoulder.
"You don't have a clue how close you were Buffy. We can't take the chance though. You find things out and you'll get righteous and law abiding. I'm not going to prison."
"You're right," Buffy agreed lightly.
Lifted her hands.
Angel narrowed his eyes.
Lifted his gun.
"You're going to hell," Buffy replied jerking her arm straight letting the knife slip easily in her hand.
She gripped it tightly and with a small smile let it fly.
"I'll see you there," Angel said firing at point blank range.