Chapter 11

"Stay"


"I can't"

"Why?"

"I just can't"

Buffy bit on her bottom lip and moved to roll away from him. He wouldn't let her and held her tight against his chest.

"Let me go"

"Why? So that you can push me away again? No pet, this time I'm holding on to you" he said as he pressed his cold lips to her neck.

She struggled a bit but gave in to his ministrations. His lips trailed her body, alternatively caressing and licking every inch. Shivers ran through her as he reached her lower half. His tongue reached a particularly sensitive spot and she gripped the sheets to keep herself from screaming as waves of sensation washed over her.

The fine linen finally gave way as he kept her on the threshold.

"Spike NOW!"

He did as bid.

Minutes later and when they could finally catch her breath she spoke again.

"You're evil"
"I never denied it but I just wanted to prove a point"
"Which is?"

"You're mine. Your body, your soul all belong to me" he uttered quietly without a trace of uncertainty or misgiving in his voice.

"Why won't you stay then?"
"Because it's not time yet. Believe me Buffy, there is nowhere I'd rather be but there are still things that I have to do"
"What things?"
"I can't tell you right now but you'll know soon enough"

Placated for now the Slayer cuddled up against her vampire. He returned the affection but his eyes strayed to the window. Dawn was coming and he moved in for a good-bye kiss.

"I'll be back in a few hours pet"
Buffy nodded but still clung to him. She couldn't shake the feeling of finality, of doom. "I feel that something is going to happen if you leave"
He smiled and nibbled her lower lip. "Nothing is going to happen but if it does…I just want you to remember that I love you and there is nothing in this world that could keep me from you. Ever."

And with that promise she finally let him go.

***

He sat in the driver's seat of his black tinted window DeSoto fighting the urge to go back to her. But no, Drusilla would be waiting for him and she'd been acting strangely as of late. Almost as if she suspected something. It wouldn't do to rile her suspicions any further. It was vital that he kept Dru on his side. She was his insurance policy for Buffy. He was counting on the accuracy of her visions to protect the Slayer when the threat finally surfaced.

Earlier this evening, Drusilla had indicated that it would happen soon. She wouldn't elaborate but he detected that it pleased her greatly. He had a very bad feeling about that.

With a sigh he started the car. The DeSoto roared to life and pulled away from Revello Drive for the last time.

***

Angel couldn't sleep. It was a common occurrence but more so since Darla's arrival and his discovery of Spike and Buffy's relationship.

He had to own up to it. What he felt for Buffy was a lot more than friendship. He had thought that he was done with love but it was obviously not done with him.

Love was dangerous. With love came passion and passion could go either way. Passion had made him into the most feared vampire in the Old World. Love (and a cursed soul) had given him a path to redemption. Yet, both were opposing sides of the same coin and he didn't know where it would land this time.

He needed to see her again. He would go tonight, even if Spike were there. He would tell her what he felt and let her choose.

***
Xander stifled a yawn as he pulled into the parking lot of his building complex. It had been one long, draining night. After he returned to the base his Captain had debriefed him. He seemed pleased at the news of Spike's return, no doubt because it would get him points in winning Maggie Welsh's favor. He, like every other member of the Initiative was trying to become the next Riley Finn.

Xander had no aspirations besides getting out of this while keeping his job. He fought the urge to go straight to Buffy's with the news but he decided against it. It would be better if he waited until the morning.

He needed a good night's sleep before he could think of the least painful way to break his friend's heart.

TBC.

Author's note: I've got to warn you that what's coming isn't pretty but you have to remember that people that have been betrayed do not act wisely. They do things that they wouldn't normally do which ultimately make everything worse. This case is no exception but I still expect to be flamed.