The Fall of William
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns all.
A/N: Hi all. This has gotten really long which I hadn't planned actually. But I foresee a few more chapters; it depends on how much I put in the flashback chapters because I need it to be even to the present chapters. Anyway as always thank you for the reviews and I've decided what to do with the Tara/Oz/Willow thing. I don't know if you'll like it but I do. Enjoy. Skyz.
~*~
Ch:17
"Are you sure about this?" Quentin Travers demanded as he stared at the bits and pieces of all that remained of Buffy Summers-Devlin.
The coroner gave a hearty nod and gestured to the sterile table her remains were on.
"We did as you wanted sir, we identified the DNA and it matches your Ms. Summers. Is there something wrong?"
Quentin stapled his fingers against his chin as he studied the gruesome picture and then smiled. A smile of triumph and happiness.
He had finally gotten rid of her at last!
Well technically Angel had but who cared, he mused as he wiped the smile off his face as he turned to face the doctor.
His face was somber and appropriately saddened.
"No, it's just a shock is all. She will certainly be missed and I'll have to inform her family," Quentin muttered.
The doctor nodded, glanced at the remains and then back up at Travers his face somber.
"Was she married? Have any kids? It's gonna be hell on them. Too bad, you can tell them it was probably immediate, no pain what with the shark tearing her to pieces she would have-"
Travers looked slightly squeamish as he gritted his teeth and abruptly cut the doctor off.
"I will be sure to tell them that. If you'll excuse me," he made a hasty retreat, leaving the doctor alone.
Dr. Barney Gibbons waited until Travers had left the hospital before he picked up the phone and dialed.
"Yes?"
Dr. Gibbons smiled widely.
"He bought it," he announced proudly.
Tara gave a relieved smile and glanced at Willow with a small smile that faded slightly as she realized Oz was glowering at her.
"Thanks again Barney. It is official your debt is no more. Just keep this up until I call you and give you the okay. Buffy'll really appreciate this and I know I do. Thanks again, bye-bye," she said excitedly as she hung up.
Turning she smiled all around then sighed.
"That's taken care of," she announced needlessly.
Oz grunted slightly before he turned his attention to Willow who was busy typing away on her laptop.
"Willow," Oz said quietly and when she looked up he smiled. "I want to go over something with Tara."
Willow's eyes widened and she looked from Tara to Oz a moment before she gathered her belongings and with a worried frown exited the room.
Tara crossed her arms over her chest and waited for whatever Oz had to say.
Oz lifted his head and stared at her, taking her in, gauging her with cool blue eyes that saw entirely too much.
If his question surprised her she didn't show it as she gave a small shrug.
"So just how long, have you known Buffy?"
"Years. Why?"
"How do you know her? I've been with Buffy almost from the start; I've never seen you around, at the agency or at Buffy's place. Where've you been keeping yourself?"
Tara smiled slightly.
"I've been around," she replied vaguely.
"So have I," he retorted smoothly.
They studied eachother a moment, the silence hummed with unsaid words, with things that didn't need to be spoken to be understood.
"I've worked for Buffy on a number of occasions. In fact I worked with her during the whole thing with Spike and if you're wondering that's how I met Willow. I suppose you were off on a different assignment."
"Probably. So how'd that go?"
"What do you mean?" she asked the first to look away from their mini stare down. She wasn't uncomfortable, merely unused to such intensity. Especially from a man. It unnerved her in ways she wasn't going to think about.
"That when you fell for Willow or was it after that?" Oz asked bluntly.
Tara smiled a genuinely happy smile that reached her eyes and made her whole face light up.
"Well..." she dragged it out.
Oz resisted the urge to squirm.
"It was during that time I found her very intelligent, very attractive. It wasn't until after that I realized I'd fallen for her. That answer your question Oz?"
Oz took his gaze from her and looked down at the floor a moment, before he gathered himself enough to respond with out revealing his emotions.
"Yes. It more than answers my question," he replied coolly.
Tara gave a short nod.
"Good, now if you would call Willow back in we've got things to do," Tara said before she turned her back on him.
Oz remained unmoving for a second as his eyes flashed and anger threatened to overwhelm him before he got it under control and turned heading off to find Willow.
~*~
Buffy rode in silence Anya seated next to her, occasionally stealing quick glances at Buffy.
"So what do you want to know?" Buffy finally asked as she kept her eyes on the road.
Anya looked at Buffy fully and then sighed.
"Did you know Xander was in love with you?" she asked then.
Buffy pursed her lips, her hands clenching on the steering wheel.
"I always knew he had a crush on me," she admitted softly.
"Just a crush?"
Buffy glanced at Anya briefly, seeing if she believed her or not.
Anya wanted to, but she wasn't sure if she could. If Buffy had suspected Xander was in love with her, then she wasn't sure she could forgive her for allowing her to love him. All the while knowing it was futile.
Buffy nodded.
"Well people tend to think I'm blind to the obvious and I have to agree. I didn't realize it had spiraled out of control until last year and then....." Buffy trailed off cringing at the memory.
"What?" Anya demanded wanting to know exactly what Buffy had been about to say.
"Well-"Buffy broke off as her cell phone rang and she picked it up answering quickly.
"Yes?" she asked before glancing at Anya who stared moodily out the passenger window.
"It's done," Tara announced her voice slightly strained.
It caught Buffy's attention immediately.
"Oz isn't giving you any problems is he? Because I can t-"
"No," Tara interrupted sharply.
Buffy frowned not liking what she was hearing in Tara's voice. But she decided to leave it be for the moment.
"So Quentin has confirmed my death? Good, now I need you to start work on the next step. I'm pulling up as we speak. Can you disable the alarm?" Buffy asked as she pulled up to the rusty gates of an old mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
It was the last place she had expected to be, but this was business, Buffy told herself and it had to be done.
"This-what is this place?" Anya asked looking around curiously. The street they'd driven through had screamed money.
Although the house they were parked in front of could use some fresh paint and the gates could be fixed properly, Anya acknowledged.
But other than that it was a nice rich looking house.
"Here's the code, Willow's into the surveillance cameras and has them fixed. It's all clear Buffy. Be careful," Tara added before she rattled off the code for the gate, and Buffy punched it in and drove through.
Hanging up Buffy parked at the base of the long driveway and stepped out. Anya reluctantly followed.
"So who are we here to see?" she asked Buffy who was busy digging through a bag, pulling out various things.
"An old acquaintance," Buffy mumbled before she moved off at a determined pace.
Anya followed behind.
"Here," Buffy handed Anya a small caliber gun and checked her own before they slipped into a side entrance of the house and made their way through the halls.
"I get to use this?" Anya asked excitedly as she fondled the gun, gazing at it appreciatively.
"Maybe," was the only response Buffy gave as she listened carefully. She pulled out a small device that detected heat signatures and waved it around.
It gave off a small beep as it detected the heat signature Buffy had been looking for, upstairs in one of the bedrooms.
"We're going upstairs," Buffy announced quietly as she moved to the spiraling staircase
Anya gripped her gun tightly, excitement thrumming through her, eyes glazed with wild anticipation. This had always been a dream, to work a case with Buffy, to be in on the action. To be a part of something she'd heard so much about!
And now that she was, she could barely contain her excitement; it exceeded even the thought of Xander.
Buffy paused beside a partially opened door.
"We go in on three okay?" she whispered glancing over at Anya for confirmation.
Anya nodded eagerly.
"One, two-"Buffy began in a hushed voice.
"Three," Anya exclaimed cutting her off as she shoved open the door, gun raised and ready to be used, only to find herself shoved back against the wall, her gun unceremoniously ripped from her grasp.
"Ow," she moaned as her head hit the wall with a bang and hot tears blurred her vision briefly.
"What do we have here?" a man's voice drawled out as he pressed himself against Anya, grinned when she squirmed.
It was the feel of cold steel at his temple that had him jerking in surprise and sliding his eyes sideways.
"You didn't think she came alone did you?" Buffy asked sarcastically as she pressed the barrel of her gun harder against his temple.
"Buffy," Parker Abrams groaned in dismay and fear as he gingerly moved away from Anya, Buffy's gun still trained on him.
Buffy's face was expressionless as she followed him with her gun.
"We've got a few things to discuss," she responded. "You okay there Anya?" she asked in concern.
Anya rubbed her arm and winced.
"Yeah, guess I should have waited for you huh?" she asked grudgingly before she glared at Parker.
Buffy smiled to herself before she moved.
Anya blinked at the flash of movement and stared in astonishment as she realized Buffy had Parker pinned to the desk, her gun at his heart, his hands pinned beneath him so he was helpless.
"Ah," Parker began. "I never knew you liked it rough Buffy! Well if you-"
"I want to know about Omega Parker," Buffy gritted out ignoring his remarks.
"Omega?" he asked innocently, sending Anya a smile that turned into a wince when he tried to move and Buffy rammed her gun into his stomach.
"Yeah," Anya piped up. "The operation Quentin Travers has been running for more than ten years! Tell us!"
"What makes you think I know anything about that? Quint and I don't hang out much. You know that babe. I mean you were always his favorite," Parker tried to reason with her.
"I'd believe that if I didn't know better. I know because you worked for Angel and Angel's Quentin's partner. I'm sure you shared many a thing over the time he's been your dealer, and your buyer. What's he working on now?" Buffy's voice was coaxing as she lessened the pressure on his chest, and gazed into his eyes.
"I've never done drugs in my life! And I sure as hell don't know any Angel person," Parker yelled as he began to struggle.
Buffy sighed.
"It always has to be the hard way doesn't it?" she asked the room at large, as with a minimum amount of movement she had one of his arms raised above his head, palm forward.
"Give me that knife in the bag," Buffy ordered as she jerked her head to the small bag at her feet.
"What-what are you going to do?" Anya asked curiously as she reached into the bag and pulled out a small but deadly hunting knife. She passed it to Buffy.
"She's not going to do anything," Parker boasted arrogantly. "She aint got the balls. Do you Buff? I know you and you might be a great piece of ass but killer you aint. In fact-"Parker cut himself off with his own scream of agony as the blade was embedded to the hilt into his hand.
Anya gaped in shock as Parker screamed and blood oozed from the wound.
"Jesus," Parker moaned in pain and anger as he writhed on the desk, in a fruitless attempt to free his hand from the knife, which was firmly implanted in the desk.
"Now I asked you a question," Buffy spoke coldly and deadly as she jerked Parker's face up by the roots of his hair.
"Please," Parker begged, tears streaming from his eyes.
Gasping for breath.
"What's Quentin planning Parker?"
"Please," Parker repeated. "God please get it out!!! Get it out!"
Buffy glanced at Anya who was watching with rapt attention, she smiled as she gestured for Anya to come closer.
"What do you think will make him talk?" she asked Anya.
Anya studied Parker who lifted pleading brown eyes to hers and she took him in, her eyes scanning his body.
"May I?" Anya asked hesitantly.
Buffy gave a shrug.
"By all means," she assured Anya.
Anya reached out, gripped the handle of the knife and turned it, looking on in fascination as Parker screamed, and jerked wildly.
"Now what's Quentin planning?" Buffy repeated.
The words flowed almost as fast as his blood.
~*~
Flashback.....
Buffy silently made her way through the halls of the large hotel Giles had decided to hold a meeting she'd been told had come about because he was concerned for her.
She wondered if he weren't right to be concerned for her, hell she should be concerned for herself, she mused.
But oddly enough she wasn't and she didn't know why. Or if she did then she wasn't over analyzing it and making a big deal out of it.
Her mind was so distracted that it took her a minute to realize some one was calling her name. Looking around cautiously she started when she realized who the voice belonged to.
"Spike," she muttered to herself wondering what he was doing here, and then realized he'd had business in New York this week. A fact she'd neglected to mention to Giles and therefore he hadn't known about the possibility of running into Spike.
But then again neither had she, he hadn't told her what hotel he'd be staying at, and she hadn't asked.
"Buffy," Spike repeated in surprise and delight as he walked towards her, watching as surprise flared briefly on her face before it was masked.
She allowed herself to be kissed thoroughly before she moved away slightly to look up and into his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Spike wondered aloud as he smiled down at her, holding her close.
I'm here to meet my boss, to talk about taking you down, and putting you in prison, Buffy wanted to say.
"Meeting a client," was what she said though.
She smiled.
"Client?" Spike echoed. "You didn't mention that before I left. If you had we could have come together then."
"It was sudden," Buffy replied toying with the curls at the nape of his neck, letting herself drift into a state of relaxation she didn't understand.
"Got a meeting?" he questioned as kissed her again. Let his hands slide down her back, cup her bottom.
Her mind worked sluggishly a minute; she watched as he waggled his brows at her and leered at her.
It should have been offensive, being felt up in the middle of the hall, getting propositioned.
Instead she found it oddly sexy, downright seductive.
"Nothing I can't reschedule," she found herself saying as she sank her teeth into his neck.
She let out a little squeal as he shoved her back against the wall, clasped her face in his hands and crushed his mouth to hers.
Their tongues met in a duel of superiority, as Buffy's hands fisted in his hair and she moaned deep and low.
Spike let his hands wander over her, he let his hands cup her breasts and slowly he kneaded them, trailing wet kisses down her throat.
"I need you Buffy," he whispered as he pressed closer, gripping her face to stare deeply into her eyes.
All of the reasons why she shouldn't be doing this flickered through her mind, and as easily as they'd come she dismissed them.
"Then take me," she replied with a wicked smirk. That soon turned to a worried frown as she realized they were in the middle of the hall. "But not here," she added.
Spike laughed shaking his head.
"I've got m'self a prude," he mumbled as he kissed her again, sucking on her bottom lip.
"I am not," Buffy muttered indignantly.
"Prove it," Spike retorted as his hand made its way up her leg, skimmed the inside of her thigh and inched its way to her silk lace panties.
Buffy couldn't even speak as Spike's fingers nudged the scrap of lace aside and he slipped two fingers inside her.
Spike buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply as he felt her warm, wet heat surround him.
"Prove it," he repeated lazily moving his fingers, nipping at her earlobe.
Leigh Harold waited impatiently for the elevator, her Italian leather clad foot tapping in tune with her thoughts.
She glanced at her precious Gustav who sat pristinely in her large Coach purse which was strapped to her shoulder.
"Where is that elevator? You're going to be late for session Gustav with Dr. Philippe," she complained to the tiny Chihuahua.
No sooner had those words come out of her mouth did the elevator grace her floor, and with a relieved smile she waited as the doors silently swooshed open.
With one leg hooked over his shoulder, Spike's blond head was buried between Buffy's thighs.
Switching from soft and slow suction to the scrape of teeth and the fierce thrusts of his tongue, Spike reveled in the taste of her, the smell of her.
The death like grip she had on his hair, the wild thrusts of her hips with his every movement excited him, spurred him on.
Heat engulfed her as he devoured her, until it became too much, the feel of him, the pleasure he was evoking.
Her orgasm ripped through her like tiny bolts of electricity, crying out she called his name.
It was only matter of seconds before she came back down, her body vibrating, it took all her effort to release her grip on his hair as he rose, smoothing her clothing as he went.
It was only after he'd placed a loud smacking kiss on her lips that her brain registered the loud yapping of a dog.
Buffy's eyes widened as she lifted them and met the scandalized hazel of an older woman.
"Oh my God," she gasped out feeling a full body blush steal over her.
Leigh shook her head, mouth hanging open in stunned incredulity.
"Oh my God," Leigh echoed in a breathy voice, her hand firmly planted over Gustav's eyes.
Spike turned.
"Oh my God," he said for the hell of it grinning and giving the old woman a wink.
Licked his lips lewdly.
"Mmmmmmmmm. Hmmmmmmmmm," he drawled. "Good to the last drop."
Buffy couldn't stand it as she buried her face in his chest, in embarrassment and the large urge to laugh at the hilarity of it all.
"You're a pig Spike," she whispered.
"Oink, oink," he whispered back before he straightened and presented his most dignified front.
"Going down ma'am?"
~*~
Giles glanced at his watch with a frown.
Buffy was more than thirty minutes late for her meeting with him, which he thought was so very unlike her.
But he knew he shouldn't be too surprised, because of late Buffy had slowly slipped into her role as thief extraordinaire and lover to that punk driver of Angel's. It was a surprise if she checked in at all.
Having come back from her trip to London a month and a half ago she'd embarked on a path he was not going to let her continue. Even if he had to step in and take over himself, he would not see her lose her career over some fling.
Suppressing a sigh he glanced at his watch once more, shrugged his shoulders in resignation.
He had wanted to talk to her about the murder last month in London, the W that had been carved into the victim's chest was the sign William the Bloody favored. As it so happened they'd been able to find more bodies with the same sign around the world.
He was curious as to what Buffy thought of this latest fact.
But it didn't look like he was going to be seeing her soon, which gave him time to make an important phone call.
Pulling out his cell he dialed quickly.
"Willow?" he asked as the line was answered.
"Giles? What's up?" Willow asked surprised that he'd called her.
"I need you to come to New York immediately," Giles announced. "It is of the utmost importance that you come immediately. I've cleared it with Quentin so you're free to come."
"What's this about Giles's?! Is....is some one dead? Is it Oz? Oh! Is it Buffy? Are they both dea-"
Giles blew out a breath and shook his head forgetting for a moment that Willow could not see him.
"No," he interjected sharply. "Nothing like that Willow. I need your assistance. Be here as soon as possible please. Good bye."
Giles hung up, placing his cell back in the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He knew with the backing of Willow, Buffy would not be bale to resist their reasonable explanation of why she was getting in too deep.
Why he feared her edge was gone. If indeed it was, it would only end up getting her killed.
Striding through the lobby, he made his way onto the busy Manhattan street, pulling his collar up to ward off the slight wind he brushed past an older woman with a small rodent like dog in her bag.
"....never seen the like! No sir, never in all my days have I seen that. My God he was giving her oral gratification right there in the elevator! I had to hide my poor Gustav's eyes!"
Giles's mouth quirked as those words drifted to him.
He'd of liked to have seen the look on that old woman's face at that sight, he mused with a wicked grin.
~*~
"You know," Spike began as he emerged from the shower, a towel perched on his lean hips.
Buffy sat on the edge of the bed, tugging on her boots, her hair offering a shield to his curious eyes as he looked at her.
"What?" she asked her thoughts skewed and conflicted. She'd blown Giles off and spent practically the whole day in bed with Spike!
She tried to assure herself that he wasn't consuming her, that she wasn't letting him take over her life.
He wasn't everything to her.
He was fun and no strings sex.
Right!
No!
It was more, she thought with a small shudder. More and she didn't want to think about that. Because if it was more then she wasn't sure she could do her job. Be able to lock him up and walk away without breaking.
Because she knew whether she liked to admit it or not he meant something to her, more than anyone ever had.
"Dru and Angel are in town too, it'd be nice if they got to know you on a friendlier level," he finished slightly hesitant.
He knew she held little like for Dru. About as much as Dru held for her, he mused. And Angel, he shook his head, Buffy seemed to have taken to him at their first meeting, but it seemed the charm had worn off.
Not that he was upset, hell no, he was glad. Angel was one complication he did not need.
"I thought Angel had that thing in France?" Buffy asked as she finished with her boots and fell back onto the bed, her arms out stretched above her head. Anything to keep her mind off her conflicted feelings.
Spike nodded.
"He finished it. He's good like that," he found himself saying. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to stand up for Angel, except that he respected the man for doing his job.
"So you trust him?" Buffy asked curiously. She knew Angel and he was no good for Spike. It was because of him this whole thing was happening.
Spike frowned slightly wondering why this had to come up again. She'd mentioned him trusting Angel a few weeks back and now this. He wondered why she didn't want him to trust Angel.
"Sure," he answered simply enough. And it was the truth; he did trust Angel, to an extent.
But why was Buffy worried about that?
"Why do you ask? Think I don't know what I'm doing?" he asked defensively, crossing his arms across his chest, glaring down at her.
Buffy raised herself up on her elbows and arched a brow.
"It was just a question, alright? He- I've known people like him before is all. You should be careful around him, what you let him get you into," she replied calmly looking up at him.
It was as much as she could say without giving too much away. If it hadn't been for Angel's extracurricular activities in the drug trafficking market, there wouldn't have been an assignment to bring William the Bloody down. But once Angel started using Spike's name to get certain things done he'd left himself and Spike wide open for a take down.
Looking up at Spike who was frowning slightly as he looked back at her, she wondered how he could trust Angel, how he could trust her. In their own ways they were both betraying him.
She decided he trusted entirely too easily.
And it would be the downfall of William the Bloody, she mused as she watched him swagger to the closet.
"So is that a no then pet?" he asked changing the subject as he selected a suit from the closet and then went in search of a shirt.
Buffy felt a stab of guilt slide through her. She rose from the bed, and found herself walking toward him.
She slipped behind him, wrapping her arms around his slender waist and resting her chin on his shoulder she kissed the back of his neck.
"I didn't mean to upset you Spike it's just that I want you to be careful," she murmured. Open your eyes see what's right in front of you.
Spike shrugged.
"M'not mad," he mumbled his tone slightly petulant.
Buffy grinned, sliding her hands down his torso, to his towel and with a jerk of her wrist it fell to the ground.
"Well if you say so," she said laughingly as she moved away from him, but not too fast as he whirled around and snagged her by the waist, hoisting her off her feet.
"If you wanna make it up to me," he began nipping at her mouth. "Go ahead."
"Yeah?" she asked wrapping her arms around his neck kissing him playfully.
"Yeah," he answered back grinning.
Buffy grinned back, then laughed as she turned them, and shoved him back on the bed.
He lay there sprawled out a smirk on his lips.
Buffy slowly crawled up the bed, straddled him, her hands reaching out and catching his wrists.
She let her tongue sneak out and lowering her head trailed it down his chest, down his stomach.
Watched as he jerked slightly as her mouth settled over one flat nipple, hips bucking.
"If you insist," she mumbled as she lifted her head and kissed him.
It was a while longer before they left his suite to go have dinner with the Tierney's.
~*~
By the time Buffy finally made her way to Giles it was a day later and from his expression a dollar short, she mused with a giddiness she hadn't felt in years, not since she was a teenager.
She smiled at the sour look on his face as she tossed her coat on a near by chair and smoothed her shirt before she lifted her eyes to his.
"Hi Giles," she said quickly.
Giles gritted his teeth, jerking off his glasses and cleaning them.
"Where have you been?" he demanded his tone cold.
Buffy cocked her head to the side and briefly thought of telling him the truth. I was getting my brains fucked out by none other than William the Bloody, Giles.
The man is insatiable can you believe it?
And he isn't the only one either Giles, I can't seem to keep my hands and other things off him!
We're two peas in the same pod or something corny and stupid like that. We're two halves of a who-
She frowned as she realized where her thoughts were going, slowly spiraling out of control.
"Buffy," Giles snapped out glaring at her.
"Busy. Angel's here and I had to kiss ass," she responded quickly, a little too quickly as she saw Giles narrow his eyes.
"And your.....lover isn't here with you?" he asked mockingly.
Buffy stiffened.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded suspiciously. She didn't like the innuendo in his tone.
"He's not here, like he wasn't there in London a month ago?" Giles asked as he roused himself enough to go to the wet bar and pour himself a drink.
Buffy didn't bother to hide her surprise as she stared at him.
"Whether he is doesn't matter," she snapped.
Giles let out a deep sigh as he sipped his Scotch and studied her.
"Do you know who committed those murders in London?" he asked point blank.
"No," her answer was immediate and held no hint of the nerves she was beginning to get at his intense stare.
But she needn't have worried.
His trust in her was impeccable.
"Well then it will surprise you that there are murders such as those in different parts of the world. With the prominent W carved in each victim's chest. So it appears William the Bloody makes a habit of using each victim as an example."
Buffy frowned and glanced away her thoughts immediately going to Spike who was waiting for her on the street. She'd assured him this wouldn't take too long.
Swallowing past the sudden bile that rose in her throat she turned to face Giles and gave a shrug.
"We don't know if it's him doing the murders or one of his employees."
Giles peered at her over the rims of his glasses.
"Like your driver?" he felt the need to point out.
"He has nothing to do with that! Don't put that on him," Buffy muttered angrily. She didn't feel up to a round of Giles's parental lectures she knew was headed her way.
"Buffy you realize what you are doing is not a wise thing right?" he paused and when she didn't answer he continued, "He works for a criminal and I've looked into it, he's not clean by any means but-"
"But what? Aren't people allowed to make their own mistakes Giles? Can't I? I told you before that it was nothing more than what it is! Sex and sex alone. We have fun together and when this is over the fun will end."
She turned away from Giles and grabbed her coat.
"You keep thinking like that and you'll get yourself killed Buffy," Giles sharply said, rapidly walking to her and gripping her arm, he turned her to face him.
She stared into his eyes and saw his concern, his love and it was on the tip of her tongue to tell him. To tell him all about her volatile emotions, her thoughts. Who Spike really was.
But then she thought of Spike. The man who'd cried in her arms, who made her laugh. A man who felt with his very being.
Her mind flashed back to the note he'd left her back in London, warmth flooding through her. A man who'd loved his mother regardless what people thought. Who had written that if his mother were still alive she would have liked her.
The man she loved.
Her first instinct was to deny it, to shake her head, scream that she couldn't possible love him. Not a monster like him.
That he was beneath her and didn't deserve her love.
And maybe he didn't but that didn't mean she couldn't give it.
Giles watched in dawning horror, the emotions that flashed across Buffy's face, until they finally settled on the stoic mask she wore so well.
"My God," he muttered faintly, he downed his drink in a single gulp, and turned to pour him another.
"I have to go," Buffy muttered, her head spinning with the realization she was in far too deep.
"He will deter you from your mission Buffy. I won't see you ruined because of a fanciful affair of the heart," Giles gritted out.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Buffy replied as she slipped her coat on and headed for the door.
"The hell you don't! I'm warning you Buffy if I think you've lost your edge in this case I will finish it for you. I won't say this again, you need to end it with this man and do your job."
Buffy smiled at Giles, patted his chest with forced cheerfulness.
"You don't have to worry Giles. I know my job and what I have to do to get it done. I can assure you I will do my best. You don't need to threaten me okay? I know what I'm doing! I'm the Slayer," she said forcefully before she went to the door.
Giles watched her step through it and softly close the door behind her.
His grip tightened on his glass and before he could think he was cursing and throwing it against the wall. The breaking glass was satisfying to hear.
With a muffled yell he turned to the bar, and with one swipe sent it all tumbling to the ground in a crash of glass and ice.
Heedless to the cuts that formed he snatched up the phone, running a hand through his graying hair leaving bloody streaks along the way.
Trying to take calming breaths he hesitated.
He would be damned if he would stand by and watch Buffy go down the same path he had. If she let this case get away he knew Quentin would have her removed immediately. There was no way he was letting that happen.
It was time he pulled rank and brought in those closest to his wayward ex-charge.
"Yo?"
"Faith I need your help," Giles announced immediately.
~*~
Buffy paused and leaned against the wall, her heart pounding as she realized the task she had at hand. As the importance of what she was about to do, weighed heavily upon her shoulders.
Closing her eyes she tried to think of a way out of this, a way that she could come out of this unscathed. A way that would do both her and Spike good.
She couldn't think of any and with a wary sigh she pulled out her cell phone, dialed Willy's number.
He answered and after a stuttering conversation about why she couldn't do this herself he finally relented and gave her Tara's newest number.
"Yes?" Tara's soft and smooth voice came over the line and Buffy smiled to herself, if anyone could help it would be her.
"Tara it's Buffy I need your help," Buffy spoke quickly pushing herself from the wall and striding quickly down the hall away from Giles, away from her past and into an uncertain future.
"What can I do for you?" Tara asked, cutting the pleasantries short as she heard the tone of her friend's voice.
"I need you to do what you do best. I need you to break into Quentin Travers's computer...."
Buffy boarded the elevator and closed her eyes as she began to fill Tara in on what she wanted her to do for her.
~*~
Faith walked next to Willow as they made their way to Giles's hotel room. She finally glanced at the red head and raised her brows.
"He tell you what this was about?" she finally asked. She'd been surprised to meet Willow in the lobby when she arrived.
Willow shook her head.
"Nope, Giles just called me and told me to get the next flight out," she responded confusion evident in her tone.
Faith leaned against the wall as Willow knocked on Giles's door and wondered what could be so important that Giles pulled rank and got them each off their respective assignments.
"Thank God you're here!" He exclaimed as he opened the door and ushered them in, closing the door with a bang behind them.
Willow took in the glass that littered the floor, the dried blood on his forearm and then Giles's disheveled appearance.
"What is going on? Is it about Buffy?" she demanded abruptly.
Giles jerked his head.
"Yes," he acknowledged.
Faith wandered to the window, looked out into the night and shook her head; things must really be bad for Giles to call them in.
"She's gotten in too deep with this Spike person, I've looked him over and found nothing out of the ordinary which is disturbing, and I want you to look into this Willow. Find out everything about this Spike Easton. Faith I need you and Willow both to talk some sense into Buffy. I'm afraid she won't listen to a word I have to say on the subject."
Faith turned from the window.
"Whatcha want us to say Rupert?" she asked ready and willing to get Buffy's head back in the game.
~*~
"What's wrong?" Spike asked as he glanced over at her.
He was worried about her, she'd been acting strange since she'd come down to the limo hours ago, since they'd left New York behind.
Buffy shrugged one shoulder her head pillowed on his hard, muscular chest.
"I'm just tired. I think you've done the impossible and worn me out," she teased lightly tracing her fingers down his chest.
She didn't have to look up at him to see his smug grin.
"Well then my job is done," he replied with a smugness that he couldn't help expressing. He ran his fingers through her hair, playing with the long strands.
He'd known her for a few months now and he'd learned to gauge her moods and right now she was brooding, he thought with small frown.
And it didn't look good on her.
He didn't know how it was possible but he'd fallen for her. So fast and deep he wasn't at times sure where he ended and she began. He knew it was corny and downright laughable that he William the Bloody would be thinking such things but it was the truth.
He was in love with her.
He grinned, brushing a kiss across her forehead.
"You can tell me anything Buffy," he murmured softly.
Buffy looked up at him then, gave a weak smile.
"I know."
But would you understand? She thought. Could you look at me, and see that I need you? That I want you? That I'm being selfish by making you love me? Don't you see that I'm going to destroy us both with my greed?
"You know why?" he asked reaching out one long finger and tipping her chin upwards, so she could look at him fully.
Don't say it, she thought.
Don't make this real, don't make me destroy you.
I need you.
I want you.
"I love you," he replied simply a smile playing at the edges of his mouth.
She closed her eyes as if savoring his words and the sound of his voice as he said them.
The rightness of it all.
How could something that felt so right be so wrong? Wasn't that always the way? She thought with a twitch of her mouth.
"I love you too," she echoed back.
God save you from me...
God help me to let you go....
~*~
A/N: Well I just had to put that elevator scene in! Also these flashbacks aren't in chronological order, they skip months, days etc. Actually I was thinking of doing the prequel to this. It's a thought not definite. Next chapter is a present one then chapter 19 will be a flashback chapter. Hope you enjoyed. Skyz.
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns all.
A/N: Hi all. This has gotten really long which I hadn't planned actually. But I foresee a few more chapters; it depends on how much I put in the flashback chapters because I need it to be even to the present chapters. Anyway as always thank you for the reviews and I've decided what to do with the Tara/Oz/Willow thing. I don't know if you'll like it but I do. Enjoy. Skyz.
~*~
Ch:17
"Are you sure about this?" Quentin Travers demanded as he stared at the bits and pieces of all that remained of Buffy Summers-Devlin.
The coroner gave a hearty nod and gestured to the sterile table her remains were on.
"We did as you wanted sir, we identified the DNA and it matches your Ms. Summers. Is there something wrong?"
Quentin stapled his fingers against his chin as he studied the gruesome picture and then smiled. A smile of triumph and happiness.
He had finally gotten rid of her at last!
Well technically Angel had but who cared, he mused as he wiped the smile off his face as he turned to face the doctor.
His face was somber and appropriately saddened.
"No, it's just a shock is all. She will certainly be missed and I'll have to inform her family," Quentin muttered.
The doctor nodded, glanced at the remains and then back up at Travers his face somber.
"Was she married? Have any kids? It's gonna be hell on them. Too bad, you can tell them it was probably immediate, no pain what with the shark tearing her to pieces she would have-"
Travers looked slightly squeamish as he gritted his teeth and abruptly cut the doctor off.
"I will be sure to tell them that. If you'll excuse me," he made a hasty retreat, leaving the doctor alone.
Dr. Barney Gibbons waited until Travers had left the hospital before he picked up the phone and dialed.
"Yes?"
Dr. Gibbons smiled widely.
"He bought it," he announced proudly.
Tara gave a relieved smile and glanced at Willow with a small smile that faded slightly as she realized Oz was glowering at her.
"Thanks again Barney. It is official your debt is no more. Just keep this up until I call you and give you the okay. Buffy'll really appreciate this and I know I do. Thanks again, bye-bye," she said excitedly as she hung up.
Turning she smiled all around then sighed.
"That's taken care of," she announced needlessly.
Oz grunted slightly before he turned his attention to Willow who was busy typing away on her laptop.
"Willow," Oz said quietly and when she looked up he smiled. "I want to go over something with Tara."
Willow's eyes widened and she looked from Tara to Oz a moment before she gathered her belongings and with a worried frown exited the room.
Tara crossed her arms over her chest and waited for whatever Oz had to say.
Oz lifted his head and stared at her, taking her in, gauging her with cool blue eyes that saw entirely too much.
If his question surprised her she didn't show it as she gave a small shrug.
"So just how long, have you known Buffy?"
"Years. Why?"
"How do you know her? I've been with Buffy almost from the start; I've never seen you around, at the agency or at Buffy's place. Where've you been keeping yourself?"
Tara smiled slightly.
"I've been around," she replied vaguely.
"So have I," he retorted smoothly.
They studied eachother a moment, the silence hummed with unsaid words, with things that didn't need to be spoken to be understood.
"I've worked for Buffy on a number of occasions. In fact I worked with her during the whole thing with Spike and if you're wondering that's how I met Willow. I suppose you were off on a different assignment."
"Probably. So how'd that go?"
"What do you mean?" she asked the first to look away from their mini stare down. She wasn't uncomfortable, merely unused to such intensity. Especially from a man. It unnerved her in ways she wasn't going to think about.
"That when you fell for Willow or was it after that?" Oz asked bluntly.
Tara smiled a genuinely happy smile that reached her eyes and made her whole face light up.
"Well..." she dragged it out.
Oz resisted the urge to squirm.
"It was during that time I found her very intelligent, very attractive. It wasn't until after that I realized I'd fallen for her. That answer your question Oz?"
Oz took his gaze from her and looked down at the floor a moment, before he gathered himself enough to respond with out revealing his emotions.
"Yes. It more than answers my question," he replied coolly.
Tara gave a short nod.
"Good, now if you would call Willow back in we've got things to do," Tara said before she turned her back on him.
Oz remained unmoving for a second as his eyes flashed and anger threatened to overwhelm him before he got it under control and turned heading off to find Willow.
~*~
Buffy rode in silence Anya seated next to her, occasionally stealing quick glances at Buffy.
"So what do you want to know?" Buffy finally asked as she kept her eyes on the road.
Anya looked at Buffy fully and then sighed.
"Did you know Xander was in love with you?" she asked then.
Buffy pursed her lips, her hands clenching on the steering wheel.
"I always knew he had a crush on me," she admitted softly.
"Just a crush?"
Buffy glanced at Anya briefly, seeing if she believed her or not.
Anya wanted to, but she wasn't sure if she could. If Buffy had suspected Xander was in love with her, then she wasn't sure she could forgive her for allowing her to love him. All the while knowing it was futile.
Buffy nodded.
"Well people tend to think I'm blind to the obvious and I have to agree. I didn't realize it had spiraled out of control until last year and then....." Buffy trailed off cringing at the memory.
"What?" Anya demanded wanting to know exactly what Buffy had been about to say.
"Well-"Buffy broke off as her cell phone rang and she picked it up answering quickly.
"Yes?" she asked before glancing at Anya who stared moodily out the passenger window.
"It's done," Tara announced her voice slightly strained.
It caught Buffy's attention immediately.
"Oz isn't giving you any problems is he? Because I can t-"
"No," Tara interrupted sharply.
Buffy frowned not liking what she was hearing in Tara's voice. But she decided to leave it be for the moment.
"So Quentin has confirmed my death? Good, now I need you to start work on the next step. I'm pulling up as we speak. Can you disable the alarm?" Buffy asked as she pulled up to the rusty gates of an old mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
It was the last place she had expected to be, but this was business, Buffy told herself and it had to be done.
"This-what is this place?" Anya asked looking around curiously. The street they'd driven through had screamed money.
Although the house they were parked in front of could use some fresh paint and the gates could be fixed properly, Anya acknowledged.
But other than that it was a nice rich looking house.
"Here's the code, Willow's into the surveillance cameras and has them fixed. It's all clear Buffy. Be careful," Tara added before she rattled off the code for the gate, and Buffy punched it in and drove through.
Hanging up Buffy parked at the base of the long driveway and stepped out. Anya reluctantly followed.
"So who are we here to see?" she asked Buffy who was busy digging through a bag, pulling out various things.
"An old acquaintance," Buffy mumbled before she moved off at a determined pace.
Anya followed behind.
"Here," Buffy handed Anya a small caliber gun and checked her own before they slipped into a side entrance of the house and made their way through the halls.
"I get to use this?" Anya asked excitedly as she fondled the gun, gazing at it appreciatively.
"Maybe," was the only response Buffy gave as she listened carefully. She pulled out a small device that detected heat signatures and waved it around.
It gave off a small beep as it detected the heat signature Buffy had been looking for, upstairs in one of the bedrooms.
"We're going upstairs," Buffy announced quietly as she moved to the spiraling staircase
Anya gripped her gun tightly, excitement thrumming through her, eyes glazed with wild anticipation. This had always been a dream, to work a case with Buffy, to be in on the action. To be a part of something she'd heard so much about!
And now that she was, she could barely contain her excitement; it exceeded even the thought of Xander.
Buffy paused beside a partially opened door.
"We go in on three okay?" she whispered glancing over at Anya for confirmation.
Anya nodded eagerly.
"One, two-"Buffy began in a hushed voice.
"Three," Anya exclaimed cutting her off as she shoved open the door, gun raised and ready to be used, only to find herself shoved back against the wall, her gun unceremoniously ripped from her grasp.
"Ow," she moaned as her head hit the wall with a bang and hot tears blurred her vision briefly.
"What do we have here?" a man's voice drawled out as he pressed himself against Anya, grinned when she squirmed.
It was the feel of cold steel at his temple that had him jerking in surprise and sliding his eyes sideways.
"You didn't think she came alone did you?" Buffy asked sarcastically as she pressed the barrel of her gun harder against his temple.
"Buffy," Parker Abrams groaned in dismay and fear as he gingerly moved away from Anya, Buffy's gun still trained on him.
Buffy's face was expressionless as she followed him with her gun.
"We've got a few things to discuss," she responded. "You okay there Anya?" she asked in concern.
Anya rubbed her arm and winced.
"Yeah, guess I should have waited for you huh?" she asked grudgingly before she glared at Parker.
Buffy smiled to herself before she moved.
Anya blinked at the flash of movement and stared in astonishment as she realized Buffy had Parker pinned to the desk, her gun at his heart, his hands pinned beneath him so he was helpless.
"Ah," Parker began. "I never knew you liked it rough Buffy! Well if you-"
"I want to know about Omega Parker," Buffy gritted out ignoring his remarks.
"Omega?" he asked innocently, sending Anya a smile that turned into a wince when he tried to move and Buffy rammed her gun into his stomach.
"Yeah," Anya piped up. "The operation Quentin Travers has been running for more than ten years! Tell us!"
"What makes you think I know anything about that? Quint and I don't hang out much. You know that babe. I mean you were always his favorite," Parker tried to reason with her.
"I'd believe that if I didn't know better. I know because you worked for Angel and Angel's Quentin's partner. I'm sure you shared many a thing over the time he's been your dealer, and your buyer. What's he working on now?" Buffy's voice was coaxing as she lessened the pressure on his chest, and gazed into his eyes.
"I've never done drugs in my life! And I sure as hell don't know any Angel person," Parker yelled as he began to struggle.
Buffy sighed.
"It always has to be the hard way doesn't it?" she asked the room at large, as with a minimum amount of movement she had one of his arms raised above his head, palm forward.
"Give me that knife in the bag," Buffy ordered as she jerked her head to the small bag at her feet.
"What-what are you going to do?" Anya asked curiously as she reached into the bag and pulled out a small but deadly hunting knife. She passed it to Buffy.
"She's not going to do anything," Parker boasted arrogantly. "She aint got the balls. Do you Buff? I know you and you might be a great piece of ass but killer you aint. In fact-"Parker cut himself off with his own scream of agony as the blade was embedded to the hilt into his hand.
Anya gaped in shock as Parker screamed and blood oozed from the wound.
"Jesus," Parker moaned in pain and anger as he writhed on the desk, in a fruitless attempt to free his hand from the knife, which was firmly implanted in the desk.
"Now I asked you a question," Buffy spoke coldly and deadly as she jerked Parker's face up by the roots of his hair.
"Please," Parker begged, tears streaming from his eyes.
Gasping for breath.
"What's Quentin planning Parker?"
"Please," Parker repeated. "God please get it out!!! Get it out!"
Buffy glanced at Anya who was watching with rapt attention, she smiled as she gestured for Anya to come closer.
"What do you think will make him talk?" she asked Anya.
Anya studied Parker who lifted pleading brown eyes to hers and she took him in, her eyes scanning his body.
"May I?" Anya asked hesitantly.
Buffy gave a shrug.
"By all means," she assured Anya.
Anya reached out, gripped the handle of the knife and turned it, looking on in fascination as Parker screamed, and jerked wildly.
"Now what's Quentin planning?" Buffy repeated.
The words flowed almost as fast as his blood.
~*~
Flashback.....
Buffy silently made her way through the halls of the large hotel Giles had decided to hold a meeting she'd been told had come about because he was concerned for her.
She wondered if he weren't right to be concerned for her, hell she should be concerned for herself, she mused.
But oddly enough she wasn't and she didn't know why. Or if she did then she wasn't over analyzing it and making a big deal out of it.
Her mind was so distracted that it took her a minute to realize some one was calling her name. Looking around cautiously she started when she realized who the voice belonged to.
"Spike," she muttered to herself wondering what he was doing here, and then realized he'd had business in New York this week. A fact she'd neglected to mention to Giles and therefore he hadn't known about the possibility of running into Spike.
But then again neither had she, he hadn't told her what hotel he'd be staying at, and she hadn't asked.
"Buffy," Spike repeated in surprise and delight as he walked towards her, watching as surprise flared briefly on her face before it was masked.
She allowed herself to be kissed thoroughly before she moved away slightly to look up and into his eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Spike wondered aloud as he smiled down at her, holding her close.
I'm here to meet my boss, to talk about taking you down, and putting you in prison, Buffy wanted to say.
"Meeting a client," was what she said though.
She smiled.
"Client?" Spike echoed. "You didn't mention that before I left. If you had we could have come together then."
"It was sudden," Buffy replied toying with the curls at the nape of his neck, letting herself drift into a state of relaxation she didn't understand.
"Got a meeting?" he questioned as kissed her again. Let his hands slide down her back, cup her bottom.
Her mind worked sluggishly a minute; she watched as he waggled his brows at her and leered at her.
It should have been offensive, being felt up in the middle of the hall, getting propositioned.
Instead she found it oddly sexy, downright seductive.
"Nothing I can't reschedule," she found herself saying as she sank her teeth into his neck.
She let out a little squeal as he shoved her back against the wall, clasped her face in his hands and crushed his mouth to hers.
Their tongues met in a duel of superiority, as Buffy's hands fisted in his hair and she moaned deep and low.
Spike let his hands wander over her, he let his hands cup her breasts and slowly he kneaded them, trailing wet kisses down her throat.
"I need you Buffy," he whispered as he pressed closer, gripping her face to stare deeply into her eyes.
All of the reasons why she shouldn't be doing this flickered through her mind, and as easily as they'd come she dismissed them.
"Then take me," she replied with a wicked smirk. That soon turned to a worried frown as she realized they were in the middle of the hall. "But not here," she added.
Spike laughed shaking his head.
"I've got m'self a prude," he mumbled as he kissed her again, sucking on her bottom lip.
"I am not," Buffy muttered indignantly.
"Prove it," Spike retorted as his hand made its way up her leg, skimmed the inside of her thigh and inched its way to her silk lace panties.
Buffy couldn't even speak as Spike's fingers nudged the scrap of lace aside and he slipped two fingers inside her.
Spike buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply as he felt her warm, wet heat surround him.
"Prove it," he repeated lazily moving his fingers, nipping at her earlobe.
Leigh Harold waited impatiently for the elevator, her Italian leather clad foot tapping in tune with her thoughts.
She glanced at her precious Gustav who sat pristinely in her large Coach purse which was strapped to her shoulder.
"Where is that elevator? You're going to be late for session Gustav with Dr. Philippe," she complained to the tiny Chihuahua.
No sooner had those words come out of her mouth did the elevator grace her floor, and with a relieved smile she waited as the doors silently swooshed open.
With one leg hooked over his shoulder, Spike's blond head was buried between Buffy's thighs.
Switching from soft and slow suction to the scrape of teeth and the fierce thrusts of his tongue, Spike reveled in the taste of her, the smell of her.
The death like grip she had on his hair, the wild thrusts of her hips with his every movement excited him, spurred him on.
Heat engulfed her as he devoured her, until it became too much, the feel of him, the pleasure he was evoking.
Her orgasm ripped through her like tiny bolts of electricity, crying out she called his name.
It was only matter of seconds before she came back down, her body vibrating, it took all her effort to release her grip on his hair as he rose, smoothing her clothing as he went.
It was only after he'd placed a loud smacking kiss on her lips that her brain registered the loud yapping of a dog.
Buffy's eyes widened as she lifted them and met the scandalized hazel of an older woman.
"Oh my God," she gasped out feeling a full body blush steal over her.
Leigh shook her head, mouth hanging open in stunned incredulity.
"Oh my God," Leigh echoed in a breathy voice, her hand firmly planted over Gustav's eyes.
Spike turned.
"Oh my God," he said for the hell of it grinning and giving the old woman a wink.
Licked his lips lewdly.
"Mmmmmmmmm. Hmmmmmmmmm," he drawled. "Good to the last drop."
Buffy couldn't stand it as she buried her face in his chest, in embarrassment and the large urge to laugh at the hilarity of it all.
"You're a pig Spike," she whispered.
"Oink, oink," he whispered back before he straightened and presented his most dignified front.
"Going down ma'am?"
~*~
Giles glanced at his watch with a frown.
Buffy was more than thirty minutes late for her meeting with him, which he thought was so very unlike her.
But he knew he shouldn't be too surprised, because of late Buffy had slowly slipped into her role as thief extraordinaire and lover to that punk driver of Angel's. It was a surprise if she checked in at all.
Having come back from her trip to London a month and a half ago she'd embarked on a path he was not going to let her continue. Even if he had to step in and take over himself, he would not see her lose her career over some fling.
Suppressing a sigh he glanced at his watch once more, shrugged his shoulders in resignation.
He had wanted to talk to her about the murder last month in London, the W that had been carved into the victim's chest was the sign William the Bloody favored. As it so happened they'd been able to find more bodies with the same sign around the world.
He was curious as to what Buffy thought of this latest fact.
But it didn't look like he was going to be seeing her soon, which gave him time to make an important phone call.
Pulling out his cell he dialed quickly.
"Willow?" he asked as the line was answered.
"Giles? What's up?" Willow asked surprised that he'd called her.
"I need you to come to New York immediately," Giles announced. "It is of the utmost importance that you come immediately. I've cleared it with Quentin so you're free to come."
"What's this about Giles's?! Is....is some one dead? Is it Oz? Oh! Is it Buffy? Are they both dea-"
Giles blew out a breath and shook his head forgetting for a moment that Willow could not see him.
"No," he interjected sharply. "Nothing like that Willow. I need your assistance. Be here as soon as possible please. Good bye."
Giles hung up, placing his cell back in the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He knew with the backing of Willow, Buffy would not be bale to resist their reasonable explanation of why she was getting in too deep.
Why he feared her edge was gone. If indeed it was, it would only end up getting her killed.
Striding through the lobby, he made his way onto the busy Manhattan street, pulling his collar up to ward off the slight wind he brushed past an older woman with a small rodent like dog in her bag.
"....never seen the like! No sir, never in all my days have I seen that. My God he was giving her oral gratification right there in the elevator! I had to hide my poor Gustav's eyes!"
Giles's mouth quirked as those words drifted to him.
He'd of liked to have seen the look on that old woman's face at that sight, he mused with a wicked grin.
~*~
"You know," Spike began as he emerged from the shower, a towel perched on his lean hips.
Buffy sat on the edge of the bed, tugging on her boots, her hair offering a shield to his curious eyes as he looked at her.
"What?" she asked her thoughts skewed and conflicted. She'd blown Giles off and spent practically the whole day in bed with Spike!
She tried to assure herself that he wasn't consuming her, that she wasn't letting him take over her life.
He wasn't everything to her.
He was fun and no strings sex.
Right!
No!
It was more, she thought with a small shudder. More and she didn't want to think about that. Because if it was more then she wasn't sure she could do her job. Be able to lock him up and walk away without breaking.
Because she knew whether she liked to admit it or not he meant something to her, more than anyone ever had.
"Dru and Angel are in town too, it'd be nice if they got to know you on a friendlier level," he finished slightly hesitant.
He knew she held little like for Dru. About as much as Dru held for her, he mused. And Angel, he shook his head, Buffy seemed to have taken to him at their first meeting, but it seemed the charm had worn off.
Not that he was upset, hell no, he was glad. Angel was one complication he did not need.
"I thought Angel had that thing in France?" Buffy asked as she finished with her boots and fell back onto the bed, her arms out stretched above her head. Anything to keep her mind off her conflicted feelings.
Spike nodded.
"He finished it. He's good like that," he found himself saying. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to stand up for Angel, except that he respected the man for doing his job.
"So you trust him?" Buffy asked curiously. She knew Angel and he was no good for Spike. It was because of him this whole thing was happening.
Spike frowned slightly wondering why this had to come up again. She'd mentioned him trusting Angel a few weeks back and now this. He wondered why she didn't want him to trust Angel.
"Sure," he answered simply enough. And it was the truth; he did trust Angel, to an extent.
But why was Buffy worried about that?
"Why do you ask? Think I don't know what I'm doing?" he asked defensively, crossing his arms across his chest, glaring down at her.
Buffy raised herself up on her elbows and arched a brow.
"It was just a question, alright? He- I've known people like him before is all. You should be careful around him, what you let him get you into," she replied calmly looking up at him.
It was as much as she could say without giving too much away. If it hadn't been for Angel's extracurricular activities in the drug trafficking market, there wouldn't have been an assignment to bring William the Bloody down. But once Angel started using Spike's name to get certain things done he'd left himself and Spike wide open for a take down.
Looking up at Spike who was frowning slightly as he looked back at her, she wondered how he could trust Angel, how he could trust her. In their own ways they were both betraying him.
She decided he trusted entirely too easily.
And it would be the downfall of William the Bloody, she mused as she watched him swagger to the closet.
"So is that a no then pet?" he asked changing the subject as he selected a suit from the closet and then went in search of a shirt.
Buffy felt a stab of guilt slide through her. She rose from the bed, and found herself walking toward him.
She slipped behind him, wrapping her arms around his slender waist and resting her chin on his shoulder she kissed the back of his neck.
"I didn't mean to upset you Spike it's just that I want you to be careful," she murmured. Open your eyes see what's right in front of you.
Spike shrugged.
"M'not mad," he mumbled his tone slightly petulant.
Buffy grinned, sliding her hands down his torso, to his towel and with a jerk of her wrist it fell to the ground.
"Well if you say so," she said laughingly as she moved away from him, but not too fast as he whirled around and snagged her by the waist, hoisting her off her feet.
"If you wanna make it up to me," he began nipping at her mouth. "Go ahead."
"Yeah?" she asked wrapping her arms around his neck kissing him playfully.
"Yeah," he answered back grinning.
Buffy grinned back, then laughed as she turned them, and shoved him back on the bed.
He lay there sprawled out a smirk on his lips.
Buffy slowly crawled up the bed, straddled him, her hands reaching out and catching his wrists.
She let her tongue sneak out and lowering her head trailed it down his chest, down his stomach.
Watched as he jerked slightly as her mouth settled over one flat nipple, hips bucking.
"If you insist," she mumbled as she lifted her head and kissed him.
It was a while longer before they left his suite to go have dinner with the Tierney's.
~*~
By the time Buffy finally made her way to Giles it was a day later and from his expression a dollar short, she mused with a giddiness she hadn't felt in years, not since she was a teenager.
She smiled at the sour look on his face as she tossed her coat on a near by chair and smoothed her shirt before she lifted her eyes to his.
"Hi Giles," she said quickly.
Giles gritted his teeth, jerking off his glasses and cleaning them.
"Where have you been?" he demanded his tone cold.
Buffy cocked her head to the side and briefly thought of telling him the truth. I was getting my brains fucked out by none other than William the Bloody, Giles.
The man is insatiable can you believe it?
And he isn't the only one either Giles, I can't seem to keep my hands and other things off him!
We're two peas in the same pod or something corny and stupid like that. We're two halves of a who-
She frowned as she realized where her thoughts were going, slowly spiraling out of control.
"Buffy," Giles snapped out glaring at her.
"Busy. Angel's here and I had to kiss ass," she responded quickly, a little too quickly as she saw Giles narrow his eyes.
"And your.....lover isn't here with you?" he asked mockingly.
Buffy stiffened.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded suspiciously. She didn't like the innuendo in his tone.
"He's not here, like he wasn't there in London a month ago?" Giles asked as he roused himself enough to go to the wet bar and pour himself a drink.
Buffy didn't bother to hide her surprise as she stared at him.
"Whether he is doesn't matter," she snapped.
Giles let out a deep sigh as he sipped his Scotch and studied her.
"Do you know who committed those murders in London?" he asked point blank.
"No," her answer was immediate and held no hint of the nerves she was beginning to get at his intense stare.
But she needn't have worried.
His trust in her was impeccable.
"Well then it will surprise you that there are murders such as those in different parts of the world. With the prominent W carved in each victim's chest. So it appears William the Bloody makes a habit of using each victim as an example."
Buffy frowned and glanced away her thoughts immediately going to Spike who was waiting for her on the street. She'd assured him this wouldn't take too long.
Swallowing past the sudden bile that rose in her throat she turned to face Giles and gave a shrug.
"We don't know if it's him doing the murders or one of his employees."
Giles peered at her over the rims of his glasses.
"Like your driver?" he felt the need to point out.
"He has nothing to do with that! Don't put that on him," Buffy muttered angrily. She didn't feel up to a round of Giles's parental lectures she knew was headed her way.
"Buffy you realize what you are doing is not a wise thing right?" he paused and when she didn't answer he continued, "He works for a criminal and I've looked into it, he's not clean by any means but-"
"But what? Aren't people allowed to make their own mistakes Giles? Can't I? I told you before that it was nothing more than what it is! Sex and sex alone. We have fun together and when this is over the fun will end."
She turned away from Giles and grabbed her coat.
"You keep thinking like that and you'll get yourself killed Buffy," Giles sharply said, rapidly walking to her and gripping her arm, he turned her to face him.
She stared into his eyes and saw his concern, his love and it was on the tip of her tongue to tell him. To tell him all about her volatile emotions, her thoughts. Who Spike really was.
But then she thought of Spike. The man who'd cried in her arms, who made her laugh. A man who felt with his very being.
Her mind flashed back to the note he'd left her back in London, warmth flooding through her. A man who'd loved his mother regardless what people thought. Who had written that if his mother were still alive she would have liked her.
The man she loved.
Her first instinct was to deny it, to shake her head, scream that she couldn't possible love him. Not a monster like him.
That he was beneath her and didn't deserve her love.
And maybe he didn't but that didn't mean she couldn't give it.
Giles watched in dawning horror, the emotions that flashed across Buffy's face, until they finally settled on the stoic mask she wore so well.
"My God," he muttered faintly, he downed his drink in a single gulp, and turned to pour him another.
"I have to go," Buffy muttered, her head spinning with the realization she was in far too deep.
"He will deter you from your mission Buffy. I won't see you ruined because of a fanciful affair of the heart," Giles gritted out.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Buffy replied as she slipped her coat on and headed for the door.
"The hell you don't! I'm warning you Buffy if I think you've lost your edge in this case I will finish it for you. I won't say this again, you need to end it with this man and do your job."
Buffy smiled at Giles, patted his chest with forced cheerfulness.
"You don't have to worry Giles. I know my job and what I have to do to get it done. I can assure you I will do my best. You don't need to threaten me okay? I know what I'm doing! I'm the Slayer," she said forcefully before she went to the door.
Giles watched her step through it and softly close the door behind her.
His grip tightened on his glass and before he could think he was cursing and throwing it against the wall. The breaking glass was satisfying to hear.
With a muffled yell he turned to the bar, and with one swipe sent it all tumbling to the ground in a crash of glass and ice.
Heedless to the cuts that formed he snatched up the phone, running a hand through his graying hair leaving bloody streaks along the way.
Trying to take calming breaths he hesitated.
He would be damned if he would stand by and watch Buffy go down the same path he had. If she let this case get away he knew Quentin would have her removed immediately. There was no way he was letting that happen.
It was time he pulled rank and brought in those closest to his wayward ex-charge.
"Yo?"
"Faith I need your help," Giles announced immediately.
~*~
Buffy paused and leaned against the wall, her heart pounding as she realized the task she had at hand. As the importance of what she was about to do, weighed heavily upon her shoulders.
Closing her eyes she tried to think of a way out of this, a way that she could come out of this unscathed. A way that would do both her and Spike good.
She couldn't think of any and with a wary sigh she pulled out her cell phone, dialed Willy's number.
He answered and after a stuttering conversation about why she couldn't do this herself he finally relented and gave her Tara's newest number.
"Yes?" Tara's soft and smooth voice came over the line and Buffy smiled to herself, if anyone could help it would be her.
"Tara it's Buffy I need your help," Buffy spoke quickly pushing herself from the wall and striding quickly down the hall away from Giles, away from her past and into an uncertain future.
"What can I do for you?" Tara asked, cutting the pleasantries short as she heard the tone of her friend's voice.
"I need you to do what you do best. I need you to break into Quentin Travers's computer...."
Buffy boarded the elevator and closed her eyes as she began to fill Tara in on what she wanted her to do for her.
~*~
Faith walked next to Willow as they made their way to Giles's hotel room. She finally glanced at the red head and raised her brows.
"He tell you what this was about?" she finally asked. She'd been surprised to meet Willow in the lobby when she arrived.
Willow shook her head.
"Nope, Giles just called me and told me to get the next flight out," she responded confusion evident in her tone.
Faith leaned against the wall as Willow knocked on Giles's door and wondered what could be so important that Giles pulled rank and got them each off their respective assignments.
"Thank God you're here!" He exclaimed as he opened the door and ushered them in, closing the door with a bang behind them.
Willow took in the glass that littered the floor, the dried blood on his forearm and then Giles's disheveled appearance.
"What is going on? Is it about Buffy?" she demanded abruptly.
Giles jerked his head.
"Yes," he acknowledged.
Faith wandered to the window, looked out into the night and shook her head; things must really be bad for Giles to call them in.
"She's gotten in too deep with this Spike person, I've looked him over and found nothing out of the ordinary which is disturbing, and I want you to look into this Willow. Find out everything about this Spike Easton. Faith I need you and Willow both to talk some sense into Buffy. I'm afraid she won't listen to a word I have to say on the subject."
Faith turned from the window.
"Whatcha want us to say Rupert?" she asked ready and willing to get Buffy's head back in the game.
~*~
"What's wrong?" Spike asked as he glanced over at her.
He was worried about her, she'd been acting strange since she'd come down to the limo hours ago, since they'd left New York behind.
Buffy shrugged one shoulder her head pillowed on his hard, muscular chest.
"I'm just tired. I think you've done the impossible and worn me out," she teased lightly tracing her fingers down his chest.
She didn't have to look up at him to see his smug grin.
"Well then my job is done," he replied with a smugness that he couldn't help expressing. He ran his fingers through her hair, playing with the long strands.
He'd known her for a few months now and he'd learned to gauge her moods and right now she was brooding, he thought with small frown.
And it didn't look good on her.
He didn't know how it was possible but he'd fallen for her. So fast and deep he wasn't at times sure where he ended and she began. He knew it was corny and downright laughable that he William the Bloody would be thinking such things but it was the truth.
He was in love with her.
He grinned, brushing a kiss across her forehead.
"You can tell me anything Buffy," he murmured softly.
Buffy looked up at him then, gave a weak smile.
"I know."
But would you understand? She thought. Could you look at me, and see that I need you? That I want you? That I'm being selfish by making you love me? Don't you see that I'm going to destroy us both with my greed?
"You know why?" he asked reaching out one long finger and tipping her chin upwards, so she could look at him fully.
Don't say it, she thought.
Don't make this real, don't make me destroy you.
I need you.
I want you.
"I love you," he replied simply a smile playing at the edges of his mouth.
She closed her eyes as if savoring his words and the sound of his voice as he said them.
The rightness of it all.
How could something that felt so right be so wrong? Wasn't that always the way? She thought with a twitch of her mouth.
"I love you too," she echoed back.
God save you from me...
God help me to let you go....
~*~
A/N: Well I just had to put that elevator scene in! Also these flashbacks aren't in chronological order, they skip months, days etc. Actually I was thinking of doing the prequel to this. It's a thought not definite. Next chapter is a present one then chapter 19 will be a flashback chapter. Hope you enjoyed. Skyz.