An AU fic (no Initiative, chipped vamps, or Riley! I left out Dawn too just
because). I will warn readers, there is a little bit of S/A in here, but
not all parties involved are willing.
Disclaimer: These characters are products of Joss Whedon and Co, but most of the stuff in this story is mine. You know, all the witty comebacks, sexually awkward situations, and rabid tattooed monkeys! Okay, okay, maybe not the rabid tattooed monkeys, but you're an intelligent fanfic reader, you get the point. Thanks to everyone involved with the creation of this story. The few, the proud, the insane.
Prologue:
San Tomás, Mexico
Though the sun had set hours ago, heat still rolled over the barren desert landscape, refusing to subside. The evidence of its presence lurked everywhere, a telltale sheen of sweat gleaming both on the darkened natives and red-faced tourists. However, in one tiny bar outside an equally tiny Mexican town, one vacationing couple sat in the corner, oblivious to the heat. The owner watched them as he wiped his greasy face with a dirty handkerchief. He thought it very curious that these "gringos" weren't perspiring at all. It was hot as hell.the cheap souvenir margarita glasses said so.
The man at the corner table noticed this scrutiny, but shrugged it off, arrogantly gesturing for another Corona. Scurrying over quickly, the native avoided contact with the visitor's cold blue eyes. Doing his job as quickly as possible, he accepted the wad of American cash thrust at him, shivering as the man's hand grazed his own. The lazy smile and vigilant eyes of his customer contradicted themselves, confirming that this was not someone to be trusted. Hastily, he retreated back to the safety of the bar.
"I think he's frightened, Spike," the woman said in a singsong tone, "That wasn't very nice of you."
"Dru, pet," her irritated paramour answered, watching the bartender resume his duties as far away from their table as he could get. "I wasn't doing it on purpose. This pisshole of a town bores me, that's all."
Twirling a lock of dark brown hair around her long scarlet fingernails, Drusilla looked pensively at Spike. They had been in Brazil for only a few months before she had wearied of the scenery, people, and local demons to be seen. Though it was evident he would rather have stayed, her childe had agreed to leave, taking her on a bloody trip around South America. A rapt smile twisted her lips with the memories. There was nothing her black knight would not do for her. Perhaps, she should return the favor somehow.
"Spike?" she started, but he silenced her with a glance, alert to something she didn't see. Already lost in her own thoughts, she absentmindedly massaged one of his hands, giving it the semblance of warmth.
Her lover was paying attention to a couple of other vampires who had entered the bar, and taken the table nearby. These were obviously from the area, for they were greeted warmly by all inside. As they were served a tequila too bitter even for Spike's tastes (he had tried it earlier), the three kept wary eyes on each other, well aware of each other's presence and what the human masks concealed.
The younger of the two appreciatively moved his eyes over Drusilla's satin- clad body. She didn't notice, pale eyes far away. Her vampiric companion did see though, recklessly shifting into game face and allowing his demon's power to wash over the other in warning. Realizing that a far older and dangerous vampire sat at the other table, the local vamps submissively turned to their own conversation.
'Leaving their betters alone.' Spike thought with satisfaction, reverting to his human appearance before any of the drunk humans noticed.
He was about to ask Dru what she had been saying when a fragment of the discussion caught his ear. These vampires were either very naïve, very stupid, or both. Not only were they ignoring the fact that he was capable of hearing their soft words, they assumed he didn't know Spanish. He snickered in the back of his throat, before tuning in. It was the first thing to interest him here, besides Drusilla, of course. Though rusty in his language skills, he managed to follow along.
"Un libro de encantos fuertes? Como te oíste este?" the younger vampire said, his swarthy face lighting with excitement.
'A powerful spellbook?' Spike translated silently. 'How did you hear this?'
"Yo hablé con alguien importante, y es un secreto. El dijo que el Libro Prohibido va a aparecer en un ciudad en California," the other answered.
'I talked with someone important, and it's a secret. He said that the Forbidden Book was going to appear in a California city.' Upon interpreting, their eavesdropper scoffed 'That really narrows it down! And what an original title..if I ever got my fangs on the poof that thought that up, he'd find some better definition of pain!'
"Yo puedo imaginar ahora!" the other grinned, displaying yellowed teeth. "Encantos de dolor, y muchos personas a comer. Regresaremos a caos."
'I can imagine now. Spells of pain and many people to eat. We will return to chaos,' the master vampire smirked. 'I'd love to see that too.but in what city? Come on now, keep singing.'
"Pero, Manuel, sabes que no podemos ir al EUA." Older Vamp reprimanded "No tenemos tiempo. Adémas, la Slayer viva allá."
'But, Manuel, you know we can't go to the USA. We don't have time. Besides, the Slayer lives there.' Spike had heard enough to pique his interest and give him what he needed to know. Slayer. Pain. Sounded like a lark!
Standing fluidly, he walked over to their table, companionably slapping the Hispanic vampires on the back. "Gracías por la informacíon, amigos." Spike grinned with a passable accent.
They gaped at him, helplessly watching as he grabbed the hand of his vampiress and walked calmly out the door.
********** Outside in the dirt lot, Dru willingly got into the car, glancing questioningly at Spike. He didn't notice, preoccupied with trying to get the tricky engine started. Cursing its predecessors, he finally managed to revive the motor and they pulled out. Still wanting his attention, she placed her hand on his arm and pinched hard. He didn't even move.
"Spike?" she asked in a little-girl voice, the pout audible.
"Eh?" he replied, looking ahead at the road.
"Where are we going?"
"Back to Sunnyhell!" he grinned, all traces of his surly mood gone. "Learned some things from our friends back there in the bar."
"We should have invited them for tea, Spike." Drusilla reproached. "Where are your manners tonight?"
"Sorry, luv, no time," the bleached vampire said, glancing at her half- shadowed face with a apologetic twitch of his lips. When Drusilla made no response, he continued, "Word is, a book of dangerous spells is gonna surface on the Hellmouth. Don't know much else, but it'll be fun, ducks, I promise. Pain, suffering, general chaos. What's not to like?"
She clapped her hands delightedly. "It's been so long, Spike! The oceans were crying for blood, and the stars stopped dancing. It made me so sad! Let's go right now, please?"
Entranced by the renewed sparkle in her eyes, Spike skillfully pulled the car over at such a speed it was fortunate nobody else was on the dirt road.
"Mm, not yet," he grinned wickedly. "Had a few last minute plans."
Drusilla smiled coyly as his possessive blue eyes moved over her. With well-practiced timing, they grabbed at each other. When he vamped out in the middle of a fierce kiss, she ran her tongue over his fangs, cutting it and producing blood. As the life fluid was traded between their mouths, they shuddered, each clasping the other closer. With a feral growl, Spike rolled over into the backseat, carrying Dru with him.
**********
Not an hour later, the car was again headed north. Gazing at Drusilla, who was asleep against the window, Spike leaned forward towards the windshield. This wasn't to help him see through the blacked-out window, but out of necessity. The multiple fingernail scratches down his back were too sore to bear pressure.
Though the wounds had him wincing, he loved Dru with all his undead heart- everything he did was for her. Besides, it wasn't as if he hadn't given as good as he got-he could recall and relish her cries in seconds. Dru thrived on violence after all, and had taught him to do the same. He could picture her easily, drenched in blood from diabolical head to slippered foot, smiling for him alone. It was those moments that defined his feelings. Pain was temporary, and unlife was good.
The black car continued to roar down the primitive road, only swerving slightly as Spike dug in his duster for cigarettes. The desert scenery, beautiful only to those who know it best, whipped by as he carelessly flicked the smoldering ash out the window. The DeSoto was ominous in its solitude, saying proudly 'something wicked this way comes' with every violent shift of the transmission.
********************
Hope it's turning out OK so far, this fic is not as depressing as that other one I wrote! Dish out the reviews, for I bathe in praise and use the constructive criticism to scrub those hard to reach places! Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: These characters are products of Joss Whedon and Co, but most of the stuff in this story is mine. You know, all the witty comebacks, sexually awkward situations, and rabid tattooed monkeys! Okay, okay, maybe not the rabid tattooed monkeys, but you're an intelligent fanfic reader, you get the point. Thanks to everyone involved with the creation of this story. The few, the proud, the insane.
Prologue:
San Tomás, Mexico
Though the sun had set hours ago, heat still rolled over the barren desert landscape, refusing to subside. The evidence of its presence lurked everywhere, a telltale sheen of sweat gleaming both on the darkened natives and red-faced tourists. However, in one tiny bar outside an equally tiny Mexican town, one vacationing couple sat in the corner, oblivious to the heat. The owner watched them as he wiped his greasy face with a dirty handkerchief. He thought it very curious that these "gringos" weren't perspiring at all. It was hot as hell.the cheap souvenir margarita glasses said so.
The man at the corner table noticed this scrutiny, but shrugged it off, arrogantly gesturing for another Corona. Scurrying over quickly, the native avoided contact with the visitor's cold blue eyes. Doing his job as quickly as possible, he accepted the wad of American cash thrust at him, shivering as the man's hand grazed his own. The lazy smile and vigilant eyes of his customer contradicted themselves, confirming that this was not someone to be trusted. Hastily, he retreated back to the safety of the bar.
"I think he's frightened, Spike," the woman said in a singsong tone, "That wasn't very nice of you."
"Dru, pet," her irritated paramour answered, watching the bartender resume his duties as far away from their table as he could get. "I wasn't doing it on purpose. This pisshole of a town bores me, that's all."
Twirling a lock of dark brown hair around her long scarlet fingernails, Drusilla looked pensively at Spike. They had been in Brazil for only a few months before she had wearied of the scenery, people, and local demons to be seen. Though it was evident he would rather have stayed, her childe had agreed to leave, taking her on a bloody trip around South America. A rapt smile twisted her lips with the memories. There was nothing her black knight would not do for her. Perhaps, she should return the favor somehow.
"Spike?" she started, but he silenced her with a glance, alert to something she didn't see. Already lost in her own thoughts, she absentmindedly massaged one of his hands, giving it the semblance of warmth.
Her lover was paying attention to a couple of other vampires who had entered the bar, and taken the table nearby. These were obviously from the area, for they were greeted warmly by all inside. As they were served a tequila too bitter even for Spike's tastes (he had tried it earlier), the three kept wary eyes on each other, well aware of each other's presence and what the human masks concealed.
The younger of the two appreciatively moved his eyes over Drusilla's satin- clad body. She didn't notice, pale eyes far away. Her vampiric companion did see though, recklessly shifting into game face and allowing his demon's power to wash over the other in warning. Realizing that a far older and dangerous vampire sat at the other table, the local vamps submissively turned to their own conversation.
'Leaving their betters alone.' Spike thought with satisfaction, reverting to his human appearance before any of the drunk humans noticed.
He was about to ask Dru what she had been saying when a fragment of the discussion caught his ear. These vampires were either very naïve, very stupid, or both. Not only were they ignoring the fact that he was capable of hearing their soft words, they assumed he didn't know Spanish. He snickered in the back of his throat, before tuning in. It was the first thing to interest him here, besides Drusilla, of course. Though rusty in his language skills, he managed to follow along.
"Un libro de encantos fuertes? Como te oíste este?" the younger vampire said, his swarthy face lighting with excitement.
'A powerful spellbook?' Spike translated silently. 'How did you hear this?'
"Yo hablé con alguien importante, y es un secreto. El dijo que el Libro Prohibido va a aparecer en un ciudad en California," the other answered.
'I talked with someone important, and it's a secret. He said that the Forbidden Book was going to appear in a California city.' Upon interpreting, their eavesdropper scoffed 'That really narrows it down! And what an original title..if I ever got my fangs on the poof that thought that up, he'd find some better definition of pain!'
"Yo puedo imaginar ahora!" the other grinned, displaying yellowed teeth. "Encantos de dolor, y muchos personas a comer. Regresaremos a caos."
'I can imagine now. Spells of pain and many people to eat. We will return to chaos,' the master vampire smirked. 'I'd love to see that too.but in what city? Come on now, keep singing.'
"Pero, Manuel, sabes que no podemos ir al EUA." Older Vamp reprimanded "No tenemos tiempo. Adémas, la Slayer viva allá."
'But, Manuel, you know we can't go to the USA. We don't have time. Besides, the Slayer lives there.' Spike had heard enough to pique his interest and give him what he needed to know. Slayer. Pain. Sounded like a lark!
Standing fluidly, he walked over to their table, companionably slapping the Hispanic vampires on the back. "Gracías por la informacíon, amigos." Spike grinned with a passable accent.
They gaped at him, helplessly watching as he grabbed the hand of his vampiress and walked calmly out the door.
********** Outside in the dirt lot, Dru willingly got into the car, glancing questioningly at Spike. He didn't notice, preoccupied with trying to get the tricky engine started. Cursing its predecessors, he finally managed to revive the motor and they pulled out. Still wanting his attention, she placed her hand on his arm and pinched hard. He didn't even move.
"Spike?" she asked in a little-girl voice, the pout audible.
"Eh?" he replied, looking ahead at the road.
"Where are we going?"
"Back to Sunnyhell!" he grinned, all traces of his surly mood gone. "Learned some things from our friends back there in the bar."
"We should have invited them for tea, Spike." Drusilla reproached. "Where are your manners tonight?"
"Sorry, luv, no time," the bleached vampire said, glancing at her half- shadowed face with a apologetic twitch of his lips. When Drusilla made no response, he continued, "Word is, a book of dangerous spells is gonna surface on the Hellmouth. Don't know much else, but it'll be fun, ducks, I promise. Pain, suffering, general chaos. What's not to like?"
She clapped her hands delightedly. "It's been so long, Spike! The oceans were crying for blood, and the stars stopped dancing. It made me so sad! Let's go right now, please?"
Entranced by the renewed sparkle in her eyes, Spike skillfully pulled the car over at such a speed it was fortunate nobody else was on the dirt road.
"Mm, not yet," he grinned wickedly. "Had a few last minute plans."
Drusilla smiled coyly as his possessive blue eyes moved over her. With well-practiced timing, they grabbed at each other. When he vamped out in the middle of a fierce kiss, she ran her tongue over his fangs, cutting it and producing blood. As the life fluid was traded between their mouths, they shuddered, each clasping the other closer. With a feral growl, Spike rolled over into the backseat, carrying Dru with him.
**********
Not an hour later, the car was again headed north. Gazing at Drusilla, who was asleep against the window, Spike leaned forward towards the windshield. This wasn't to help him see through the blacked-out window, but out of necessity. The multiple fingernail scratches down his back were too sore to bear pressure.
Though the wounds had him wincing, he loved Dru with all his undead heart- everything he did was for her. Besides, it wasn't as if he hadn't given as good as he got-he could recall and relish her cries in seconds. Dru thrived on violence after all, and had taught him to do the same. He could picture her easily, drenched in blood from diabolical head to slippered foot, smiling for him alone. It was those moments that defined his feelings. Pain was temporary, and unlife was good.
The black car continued to roar down the primitive road, only swerving slightly as Spike dug in his duster for cigarettes. The desert scenery, beautiful only to those who know it best, whipped by as he carelessly flicked the smoldering ash out the window. The DeSoto was ominous in its solitude, saying proudly 'something wicked this way comes' with every violent shift of the transmission.
********************
Hope it's turning out OK so far, this fic is not as depressing as that other one I wrote! Dish out the reviews, for I bathe in praise and use the constructive criticism to scrub those hard to reach places! Thanks for reading!