They arrived at the Hyperion just as the sky was beginning to dip
into the dawn. Spike peeked out window, eyeing the hotel. Biting his
lower lip with blunt teeth, he hoped Angel had packaged blood, he hadn't
eaten since the morning before and he could feel his strength begin to slip
away.
Beside him, the Slayer stirred from her dreamless sleep, seemingly beginning to feel the aches of staying in the same position the whole night.
The vampire leaned over to her, and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder, whispering for her to get up. "Luv, pet, were here and the suns about to rise."
Still clinging onto subconciseness she refused to awaken. Spike sighed. Apart of him remembered a way to wake her, something he had picked up during their midnight trysts. Stealing himself from the sun, he placed small kissed on her forehead and eyelids.
"Mmhmm." Buffy sighed, a smile beginning to form on her lips.
The vampire leaned closer to her as she awoke in slow stages, savoring the taste of her skin on his lips. It seemed ages until she opened her eye. Green eyes still drugged with sleep meeting those of love induced blue, her smile faltered, and she jumped in her seat.
"Spike." She exclaimed, breath panted.
He drew back, and took an unsteady look outside the window, pale rays of poisoning sun were about to break through. "C'mon luv, we better get inside."
Buffy nodded as he unbuckled his seat belt and pulled the car door open in one solid movement. Shaking her head from sleep, she turned and sprawled herself over the seat to grab the weapons bag from the back. Feeling the strap in her hand she pulled it to herself and sat back in the seat. The Slayer snatched the sword which had been stowed at her feet during the ride and crawled out of the car from Spikes still open door.
He had been waiting for her while she gathered the stuff, and shut the it closed as she emerged out, bag in left hand and sword in right. In danger of the sun's rays and a mention of the caress he had given her to break her sleep, he started toward the building without a second glance toward her.
Buffy hurried after him, the contents in the bag spilling around as she moved. She tried to remember what had transpired between half sleep and waking to Spikes eyes. He had kissed her. No lips on lips, not an event fueled by lust, just a. . . good morning kiss. She shook her head and stashed the event in The-Things-I've-Done-With-Spike-That-Never-Get- Mentioned-Ever folder.
Spike came to the door with Buffy at his side, and looked at her for direction. She shrugged and gathered her breath before knocking on the door. The shades were drawn around the hotel, blocking the incoming rays. Spike drew himself closer to the wall and shadows as he waited impatiently for someone to rescue him from the arriving sun.
Distracted by the rows of green that decorated the landscape, Buffy missed the door opening, revealing a youth with dark hair and even darker eyes.
"They're here." He said nonchalantly, giving the Slayer a nod and then turning back toward the lobby. Buffy cautiously followed him in, eyeing the empty lobby as she passed. Noticing she was alone, she turned toward Spike who was still outside the doorway, hands in pockets. He met her gaze and then motioned behind him to where the sun was beginning to rise.
"Um, excuse me." She said, gathering the boys attention.
He turned to her, eyes not warming. She suspected that he always looked this way. "Yeah?"
"My friend, he. . . you have to invite him in." Buffy said at last, not sure how to phrase it.
"Why, he a vampire?" He asked cockily, gaze wandering to where Spike still stood.
Spike took an unneeded breath and glared at the boy. "Yeah mate, I am, now can you invite me in before the sun fries me?"
"He has a soul." Buffy filled in quickly before the boy could draw his own conclusion on how to handle the strange man in the doorway.
He sighed. "You can come in." The words came out grudgingly as the vampire stepped into the lobby and came to Buffy's side. He continued just as the Slayer was about to ask where everyone was. "Dad never mentioned there were other vampires with souls."
Buffy was taken back by the proclamation and looked at Spike for answers. He shrugged and motioned to the stairs where Riley was descending.
Not giving a thought to the boy in front of her, she dropped the sword and bag and rushed toward the army boy, taking him in a hug before he could register her.
"Buffy it's great to see you too, Buffy, ow! Buffy!" Riley tried to break away from the Slayers grasp. Realizing her hug was to strong, she pulled away and grinned at him.
"Hey." She said, meeting his eyes.
"Hey." He said, initiating another, more lenient hug.
Spike watched as the Slayer brought Riley up to date on the events of the last year. They laughed at something he said, and Spike glared bitterly. If the Caption Cardboard hadn't come back he might still be shagging his Slayer. . . he shook his head. Better not to dwell on those things.
"Spike?"
The vampire turned around at the mention of his name. Angel stood behind him, seemingly coming from the side office. Buffy hadn't noticed though, still engrossed with her other ex-lover.
He cocked a grin. "Hi Peaches."
The vampire took a moment to register his grand-childe's presence. "What are you doing here?"
"Came with the Slayer." Spike answered simply, pleased with the bafflement he had caused the older vampire.
Shaking his from confusion, Angel bypassed Spike and tapped Buffy on the shoulder. She whirled around and looked up to meet his dark eyes.
"Angel." The Slayer breathed out, taking him in hug.
Buffy felt the world melt away as she lost herself in his embrace. The elder vampire stroked her hair, pulling her tighter then the other man had. From across the room Riley met Spike's eyes and gave a nod of recognition. Spike returned the favor, his gaze quickly returning to their jealous viewing.
The Slayer was the first to break the hug, though her movements made it painfully obvious it had been an unwanted action. "So what's the deal?" She asked, looking up to meet Angel's eyes.
"First." Angel said, giving a quick glance backward to where Spike still stood. "What's he doing here?"
"Buffy's fuck-"
Riley started to speak, but Buffy cut him off before he could finish. The thought of Angel knowing about her sexual endeavors with the other vampire made her blood run cold.
"I thought we could use the extra firepower." She said hastily as Angel gave her a strange look. "He's got a soul now." Her last words were feeble as she felt as though she was telling the world this one fact.
Angel turned around to face his grand-childe who smirked at him. "You got a soul?"
"Aren't so special now are we Peaches?" Spike swaggered up the remaining feet to where they all stood.
"What about the chip?" Angel asked, tensing at his closeness.
"You can thank soldier boy here for the removal." Spike rose his scarred eyebrow to Riley and grinned as he glared back.
Cursing herself for bringing the vampire, she tried to intervene. "Can, I. . . uh, use the phone?" She asked quickly, consequently forcing all three of them out of a staring contest they had played themselves into.
"Connor, can you go show her where it is?" Angel said, pointing toward the office.
Buffy was surprised when the boy nodded and walked in front of her in the correct direction. She smiled her thanks and strode after him, but came to a halt as she passed Riley who stood on the edge of the heated rage that was emitting from the two vampires.
"Me and Spike ended it a while ago." She whispered in his ear and took an unsteady breath. "Please don't tell Angel about it. . . any of it." He nodded, but the Slayer had already scampered off to the back room to where Connor had disappeared.
When she reached the safety of the back room, she found the boy, Connor, standing in front of the phone. Feeling that he wanted to talk, she closed the door softly behind her.
"So your the Slayer?" He asked, his words and eyes stripped of emotion.
"Yeah." She said uneasily.
Connor nodded and looked toward the lobby where Angel was still. "Dad's mentioned you. Said you made him Angelus for a while."
Buffy winced at the memory, and wondered if the boy knew exactly what had transpired for Angel's soul to leave. "That was long time ago."
"Oh."
She had a feeling the boy wouldn't leave, so she reached for the phone and he handed it to her. Giving him a half smile, she quickly dialed her home phone number and waited impatiently for someone to pick up. As the receiver rung endlessly in her ear she studied the boy. He was leaning against the wall now, arm crossed, his eyes and smirk were almost reminiscent of Angel which made her feel cold with the mirage image. She didn't have time to ponder it more though, as the line had been picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Dawn, it's me."
"Buffy! How's Angel? How's Riley?" Her sister's words came out jumbled.
"Good, good, everyone's good." The Slayer sighed, casting a quick glance at the boy before turning her full attention toward the conversation. "I just wanted to check in."
~~~
A forbearing silence descended the room once the Slayer left the lobby. Angel cast a glance back at Riley who answered with an emotionless gaze.
"Last time I saw you it was the Gem of Amara, what's with the change of heart?" The elder vampire asked coolly, turning his attention back his grande-childe.
"All sorts of nasty consequences that come along with a soul." Spike smirked, his sire always knew how to bring out the demon in him, soul or no soul residing within him.
Angel stayed quite a moment. "How exactly did you get one?"
The other vampire felt triumphant as he spoke. "You lost a soul to her, and I got on for her, simple as that really."
Shaking his head, he looked over at Riley who refused him any form of acknoldgement. "You got a soul for Buffy?"
"Oi, and the best part is no nasty happiness clause, so I can shag her all I want." The better part of that was stretched truth, the army boy's eyes flickered toward Spike in a warning way. But the vampire didn't care, the look on Angel's face was to priceless.
~~~
Buffy took in a breath once she set the phone down. Wood had gone home, and she felt uneasy giving him a call at this hour. Connor watched her through a paled gaze and the Slayer tried to muster up the courage to ask the one thing that had been nagging at her since she arrived. "Why do you call Angel dad?" She felt uncomfortable asking.
"Because I'm unfortunately his son." He responded bitterly.
"He adopt you?" The Slayer pried, surprised with the contempt he held for her past lover.
"No, I'm his son." He repeated the statement, obviously annoyed with her now.
Buffy nodded, trying to sort it out in her head and dreading the conclusion that she arose with, Angel slept with someone else. "Uh huh, so who's your mom?"
"Darla."
The Slayer nearly stumbled back. "She's. . . She, Angel killed her like six years ago."
"Yeah, and then Wolfram & Hart brought her back." He looked smug at the reaction on Buffy's face.
The Slayer shook her head from shock and rushed out of the office, knowing that Connor was close behind her, wanting to see the show.
Angel turned to her and he didn't give her a chance to speak. "You've been fucking Spike?" He asked harshly.
"Riley." She glared at him, and the soldier took a step back.
"Wasn't me Buffy, I haven't said a word." Riley took up his silent standing as he watched the fury grow between the ex lovers.
"And what's this I hear about Darla?" Buffy shot back, recovering quickly.
A harsh laugh erupted from Spike at the declaration. "Never thought you'd let her go Peaches."
"Shut up!" Buffy yelled at him. She met Angel's eyes and watched as his softened, she willed hers to do the same. "Are you still. . ."
"With Darla?" He finished for her. "No, she's dust. And Spike?"
". . . No, not anymore." She took an uneasy breath. "I'm tired, is there anywhere I could crash?"
"Yeah." Riley said, heading toward the stairs. Buffy started to follow, but instead headed toward Spike and drew him to the back of the room where they could talk in privacy.
"I don't need this vendetta you've got going with Angel. I need a warrior, someone who can help in this fight. But that's it." Her gaze was stone, and Spike looked at her a bit stunned. She turned her back on him and followed to where Riley was waiting on the steps.
She turned back before ascending. "Angel, you never told me you had a son."
They shared a smile and she nodded at the unspoken resolve between them. "We'll fight tomorrow night." He told her.
She absorbed the knowledge as she followed Riley to an empty room.
Beside him, the Slayer stirred from her dreamless sleep, seemingly beginning to feel the aches of staying in the same position the whole night.
The vampire leaned over to her, and placed a hand lightly on her shoulder, whispering for her to get up. "Luv, pet, were here and the suns about to rise."
Still clinging onto subconciseness she refused to awaken. Spike sighed. Apart of him remembered a way to wake her, something he had picked up during their midnight trysts. Stealing himself from the sun, he placed small kissed on her forehead and eyelids.
"Mmhmm." Buffy sighed, a smile beginning to form on her lips.
The vampire leaned closer to her as she awoke in slow stages, savoring the taste of her skin on his lips. It seemed ages until she opened her eye. Green eyes still drugged with sleep meeting those of love induced blue, her smile faltered, and she jumped in her seat.
"Spike." She exclaimed, breath panted.
He drew back, and took an unsteady look outside the window, pale rays of poisoning sun were about to break through. "C'mon luv, we better get inside."
Buffy nodded as he unbuckled his seat belt and pulled the car door open in one solid movement. Shaking her head from sleep, she turned and sprawled herself over the seat to grab the weapons bag from the back. Feeling the strap in her hand she pulled it to herself and sat back in the seat. The Slayer snatched the sword which had been stowed at her feet during the ride and crawled out of the car from Spikes still open door.
He had been waiting for her while she gathered the stuff, and shut the it closed as she emerged out, bag in left hand and sword in right. In danger of the sun's rays and a mention of the caress he had given her to break her sleep, he started toward the building without a second glance toward her.
Buffy hurried after him, the contents in the bag spilling around as she moved. She tried to remember what had transpired between half sleep and waking to Spikes eyes. He had kissed her. No lips on lips, not an event fueled by lust, just a. . . good morning kiss. She shook her head and stashed the event in The-Things-I've-Done-With-Spike-That-Never-Get- Mentioned-Ever folder.
Spike came to the door with Buffy at his side, and looked at her for direction. She shrugged and gathered her breath before knocking on the door. The shades were drawn around the hotel, blocking the incoming rays. Spike drew himself closer to the wall and shadows as he waited impatiently for someone to rescue him from the arriving sun.
Distracted by the rows of green that decorated the landscape, Buffy missed the door opening, revealing a youth with dark hair and even darker eyes.
"They're here." He said nonchalantly, giving the Slayer a nod and then turning back toward the lobby. Buffy cautiously followed him in, eyeing the empty lobby as she passed. Noticing she was alone, she turned toward Spike who was still outside the doorway, hands in pockets. He met her gaze and then motioned behind him to where the sun was beginning to rise.
"Um, excuse me." She said, gathering the boys attention.
He turned to her, eyes not warming. She suspected that he always looked this way. "Yeah?"
"My friend, he. . . you have to invite him in." Buffy said at last, not sure how to phrase it.
"Why, he a vampire?" He asked cockily, gaze wandering to where Spike still stood.
Spike took an unneeded breath and glared at the boy. "Yeah mate, I am, now can you invite me in before the sun fries me?"
"He has a soul." Buffy filled in quickly before the boy could draw his own conclusion on how to handle the strange man in the doorway.
He sighed. "You can come in." The words came out grudgingly as the vampire stepped into the lobby and came to Buffy's side. He continued just as the Slayer was about to ask where everyone was. "Dad never mentioned there were other vampires with souls."
Buffy was taken back by the proclamation and looked at Spike for answers. He shrugged and motioned to the stairs where Riley was descending.
Not giving a thought to the boy in front of her, she dropped the sword and bag and rushed toward the army boy, taking him in a hug before he could register her.
"Buffy it's great to see you too, Buffy, ow! Buffy!" Riley tried to break away from the Slayers grasp. Realizing her hug was to strong, she pulled away and grinned at him.
"Hey." She said, meeting his eyes.
"Hey." He said, initiating another, more lenient hug.
Spike watched as the Slayer brought Riley up to date on the events of the last year. They laughed at something he said, and Spike glared bitterly. If the Caption Cardboard hadn't come back he might still be shagging his Slayer. . . he shook his head. Better not to dwell on those things.
"Spike?"
The vampire turned around at the mention of his name. Angel stood behind him, seemingly coming from the side office. Buffy hadn't noticed though, still engrossed with her other ex-lover.
He cocked a grin. "Hi Peaches."
The vampire took a moment to register his grand-childe's presence. "What are you doing here?"
"Came with the Slayer." Spike answered simply, pleased with the bafflement he had caused the older vampire.
Shaking his from confusion, Angel bypassed Spike and tapped Buffy on the shoulder. She whirled around and looked up to meet his dark eyes.
"Angel." The Slayer breathed out, taking him in hug.
Buffy felt the world melt away as she lost herself in his embrace. The elder vampire stroked her hair, pulling her tighter then the other man had. From across the room Riley met Spike's eyes and gave a nod of recognition. Spike returned the favor, his gaze quickly returning to their jealous viewing.
The Slayer was the first to break the hug, though her movements made it painfully obvious it had been an unwanted action. "So what's the deal?" She asked, looking up to meet Angel's eyes.
"First." Angel said, giving a quick glance backward to where Spike still stood. "What's he doing here?"
"Buffy's fuck-"
Riley started to speak, but Buffy cut him off before he could finish. The thought of Angel knowing about her sexual endeavors with the other vampire made her blood run cold.
"I thought we could use the extra firepower." She said hastily as Angel gave her a strange look. "He's got a soul now." Her last words were feeble as she felt as though she was telling the world this one fact.
Angel turned around to face his grand-childe who smirked at him. "You got a soul?"
"Aren't so special now are we Peaches?" Spike swaggered up the remaining feet to where they all stood.
"What about the chip?" Angel asked, tensing at his closeness.
"You can thank soldier boy here for the removal." Spike rose his scarred eyebrow to Riley and grinned as he glared back.
Cursing herself for bringing the vampire, she tried to intervene. "Can, I. . . uh, use the phone?" She asked quickly, consequently forcing all three of them out of a staring contest they had played themselves into.
"Connor, can you go show her where it is?" Angel said, pointing toward the office.
Buffy was surprised when the boy nodded and walked in front of her in the correct direction. She smiled her thanks and strode after him, but came to a halt as she passed Riley who stood on the edge of the heated rage that was emitting from the two vampires.
"Me and Spike ended it a while ago." She whispered in his ear and took an unsteady breath. "Please don't tell Angel about it. . . any of it." He nodded, but the Slayer had already scampered off to the back room to where Connor had disappeared.
When she reached the safety of the back room, she found the boy, Connor, standing in front of the phone. Feeling that he wanted to talk, she closed the door softly behind her.
"So your the Slayer?" He asked, his words and eyes stripped of emotion.
"Yeah." She said uneasily.
Connor nodded and looked toward the lobby where Angel was still. "Dad's mentioned you. Said you made him Angelus for a while."
Buffy winced at the memory, and wondered if the boy knew exactly what had transpired for Angel's soul to leave. "That was long time ago."
"Oh."
She had a feeling the boy wouldn't leave, so she reached for the phone and he handed it to her. Giving him a half smile, she quickly dialed her home phone number and waited impatiently for someone to pick up. As the receiver rung endlessly in her ear she studied the boy. He was leaning against the wall now, arm crossed, his eyes and smirk were almost reminiscent of Angel which made her feel cold with the mirage image. She didn't have time to ponder it more though, as the line had been picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Dawn, it's me."
"Buffy! How's Angel? How's Riley?" Her sister's words came out jumbled.
"Good, good, everyone's good." The Slayer sighed, casting a quick glance at the boy before turning her full attention toward the conversation. "I just wanted to check in."
~~~
A forbearing silence descended the room once the Slayer left the lobby. Angel cast a glance back at Riley who answered with an emotionless gaze.
"Last time I saw you it was the Gem of Amara, what's with the change of heart?" The elder vampire asked coolly, turning his attention back his grande-childe.
"All sorts of nasty consequences that come along with a soul." Spike smirked, his sire always knew how to bring out the demon in him, soul or no soul residing within him.
Angel stayed quite a moment. "How exactly did you get one?"
The other vampire felt triumphant as he spoke. "You lost a soul to her, and I got on for her, simple as that really."
Shaking his head, he looked over at Riley who refused him any form of acknoldgement. "You got a soul for Buffy?"
"Oi, and the best part is no nasty happiness clause, so I can shag her all I want." The better part of that was stretched truth, the army boy's eyes flickered toward Spike in a warning way. But the vampire didn't care, the look on Angel's face was to priceless.
~~~
Buffy took in a breath once she set the phone down. Wood had gone home, and she felt uneasy giving him a call at this hour. Connor watched her through a paled gaze and the Slayer tried to muster up the courage to ask the one thing that had been nagging at her since she arrived. "Why do you call Angel dad?" She felt uncomfortable asking.
"Because I'm unfortunately his son." He responded bitterly.
"He adopt you?" The Slayer pried, surprised with the contempt he held for her past lover.
"No, I'm his son." He repeated the statement, obviously annoyed with her now.
Buffy nodded, trying to sort it out in her head and dreading the conclusion that she arose with, Angel slept with someone else. "Uh huh, so who's your mom?"
"Darla."
The Slayer nearly stumbled back. "She's. . . She, Angel killed her like six years ago."
"Yeah, and then Wolfram & Hart brought her back." He looked smug at the reaction on Buffy's face.
The Slayer shook her head from shock and rushed out of the office, knowing that Connor was close behind her, wanting to see the show.
Angel turned to her and he didn't give her a chance to speak. "You've been fucking Spike?" He asked harshly.
"Riley." She glared at him, and the soldier took a step back.
"Wasn't me Buffy, I haven't said a word." Riley took up his silent standing as he watched the fury grow between the ex lovers.
"And what's this I hear about Darla?" Buffy shot back, recovering quickly.
A harsh laugh erupted from Spike at the declaration. "Never thought you'd let her go Peaches."
"Shut up!" Buffy yelled at him. She met Angel's eyes and watched as his softened, she willed hers to do the same. "Are you still. . ."
"With Darla?" He finished for her. "No, she's dust. And Spike?"
". . . No, not anymore." She took an uneasy breath. "I'm tired, is there anywhere I could crash?"
"Yeah." Riley said, heading toward the stairs. Buffy started to follow, but instead headed toward Spike and drew him to the back of the room where they could talk in privacy.
"I don't need this vendetta you've got going with Angel. I need a warrior, someone who can help in this fight. But that's it." Her gaze was stone, and Spike looked at her a bit stunned. She turned her back on him and followed to where Riley was waiting on the steps.
She turned back before ascending. "Angel, you never told me you had a son."
They shared a smile and she nodded at the unspoken resolve between them. "We'll fight tomorrow night." He told her.
She absorbed the knowledge as she followed Riley to an empty room.
