Chapter Four: Mind Games
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.
FYI: The song I use here is by the Foo Fighters, called "Hey Johnny Park".
"Honey, are you sure this is a good idea?" Joyce asked her daughter for the twentieth time, a worried look on her face.
She didn't see her only child very much, so the visit had been an happy one until she found out Buffy was leaving to do something dangerous. Not that this was something new, but a mother had license to worry.
"I'll be fine, Mom!" the Slayer responded grumpily. "I'm not going by myself, so if Angel figures out I'm there, I'll have backup."
"And Spike is reliable backup?" Xander sarcastically told his friend. "Isn't he the one usually trying to kill you?"
"I don't think he will turn on me." Buffy explained again. "Just trust me. Besides, he didn't last time we fought Angel."
"Oh, so he didn't betray you, he just left you alone with Angelus." Willow interjected with unusual acid in her tone.
"Circumstances were different," the blonde said. "He's pretty much over Dru now."
"Is Drusilla back in Sunnydale as well?" Giles inquired. "If so, we have no proof that he is telling the truth."
"You had to have seen him last night." Buffy answered matter-of-factly. "I mentioned Angelus and he goes off the deep end. There is some serious hate going on, and I think Spike having a nervous breakdown is proof enough. He told me bluntly that Drusilla had nothing to do with wanting to destroy Angelus. I mean, maybe that's part of it, but Spike's goal isn't to win Dru back."
Xander was about to respond to this, but the doorbell rang and he shut his mouth, eyes resentful and concerned. Joyce set down her coffee mug and moved to get the door. The platinum-haired vampire stood there in his usual all-black attire, patiently waiting as Buffy grabbed a few stakes and weapons to bring along.
"You don't need to invite me in, Mrs. Summers." Spike volunteered when Joyce cleared her throat uncomfortably, uncertain as to what would be polite.
"You're right, she doesn't." Xander snapped, shooting a glare of pure venom towards the vampire on the doorstep.
"Hey," Spike replied, holding up empty hands to show his good intentions. "I'd come bearing a white flag, but it doesn't suit my complexion. At least pretend you trust me."
"See you later, Mom." Buffy said, cutting off any further banter and kissing her mother on the cheek. "Don't wait up for me, guys."
"Just trust him?" she heard Willow mutter as she stepped outside. "We've been hearing too much of that lately."
The Slayer shut the front door firmly behind her, brooking no further protest or warning. Spike had already gone down the steps and stood by his black car. His eyes were slightly resentful as they looked at the windows of the house. Buffy wasn't quite surprised. Her friends distrusted him, so he distrusted them. He noticed her scrutiny, turning to her. She looked carefully at his face, amazed at how haggard he looked. His gaunt cheekbones only made his exhaustion more evident. He yawned suddenly, rubbing the side of his neck slowly as if easing a muscle cramp.
"Sleep much last night?" she asked him mildly.
"No, not really," the vampire answered, flashing a tired smile. "So if you want to drive instead, that's fine with me. Just don't wreck it, this car and I have seen some bloody good times."
"I don't drive." Buffy admitted under her breath.
"Honestly?" he said in surprise, unsure he had heard her right. "I thought you were 21, pet."
"I am," she explained, for some reason embarrassed. "I just never got around to getting my license."
"I see." Spike murmured, looking at her seriously for a moment before shrugging and opening the passenger door for her. It had all the taste of a date, but Buffy knew it wasn't. The two of them were too businesslike to feel that way about each other. Something to do with that old vampire/Slayer rivalry thing.
"The AC is broken," he warned her, slipping off his duster before starting the engine and pulling away from her house.
"What happened to you?" Buffy said suddenly, concerned by the nasty wounds now exposed on his bare arms. She scooted closer to his side of the car, examining the cuts.
"Let's just say," he hissed in pain as she probed one of the gashes. "Angelus likes his games."
"He tortured you last night?" the Slayer asked, incredulous. "Aren't you pretending to be on his side?"
"Not torture, Slayer," the vampire enlightened her, his face filled with the hate she had only recently been exposed to. "Violence in the bedroom. It's an entirely different game to him."
"So you're.but...I thought you were.what about Drusilla?" she sputtered, unable to link her thoughts. Spike, gay? It seemed so unlikely.
"Don't you compare me to that ponce." Spike growled. "I can't 'be on his side' if I don't play along with him. I wouldn't bloody do it if I had a choice."
"I get it." Buffy said meekly, dropping the subject to spare his male pride. "How badly are you hurt?"
"You want me to strip and show you the rest?" he said with a speculative look on his face, his usual teasing manner. Buffy let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding as the tension melted away. "I don't think I'd mind. It's bloody hot in here!"
"Spike," the Slayer said flatly, warning him that her sympathy extended only so far.
"Suit yourself," he grinned, blue eyes mischievous once again.
Buffy settled back against the seat as they whipped through town. Spike's driving style was fast, but it couldn't quite be called reckless. Every twitch of his hand on the steering wheel was made with precision and quick reflexes. She stared listlessly at the radio, attempting to not look at him, but her eyes kept floating back to his wounds. It was still hard to comprehend how and why he had gotten beaten so badly.
"See something you like?" he asked lightly, eyes still on the road.
"Huh?" she stuttered. She should have known he would notice her gaze. "No, I was just worrying that you won't be able to back me up if we need it."
"I'll heal." Spike assured her, smiling just a little. "It's fine, really. Unless you fancy playing nurse and fixing me up?"
"Enough with the innuendoes." Buffy reprimanded. He pouted in a distracting manner, but she ignored it and started fiddling with the radio controls.
"What station are you looking for?" the vampire asked with a raised brow. "It better not be any of that boy band crap."
"Boy band?" she retorted. "Go wash your mouth out. Not like your unintelligible British screaming is much better."
"At least they knew how to live a little." Spike defended, eyes narrowed to slits.
"I didn't say anything in favor of boy bands," the Slayer reminded him, finally settling on a station. They were on commercial, so she turned back to the vampire with a sigh. "But they won't die of drug overdoses when their career hits its peak."
"Point for you, luv," he grinned. Even unintended, her sense of humor was similar to his, making him unable to stay pissed at her for long. The quarrel had been too damn ordinary anyway.
A song soon began, and the conversation ended, Spike hanging his arm out the window and Buffy stretching out in the seat, making herself comfortable. They had already agreed that she would hitchhike a ride home since Spike couldn't very well slip out to drive her home. It was just that she wasn't looking forward to begging a ride off of some horny truck driver.
Spike was certainly suggestive, but occasionally polite and usually funny. Might as well enjoy the company while she had it. She sighed and settled deeper into the seat. They were near the outskirts of Sunnydale, heading past the industrial district, but she paid little attention to the surroundings, instead caught up in the music.
"Come and I'll take you under
This beautiful bruise's colors
Everything fades in time
It's true
Wish that I had another
Stab at the undercover
Was it a change in mind
For you?
Your eyes still remind me of
Angels that hover above
Eyes that can change
From blind to blue
It's impossible
I can't let it out
You'll never know
Am I selling you out
Sit and watch
Your every mood"
The last guitar chords were fading out as Spike killed the engine, impeccable in his timing. Quietly, they got out of the car, instincts already on edge and wary. He nodded his head briefly, pointing her the direction of the south wall of the house. Walking silently, a remarkable feat on the gravel, she vanished behind the large hedges that were placed randomly on the property.
Along that entire side of the mansion was a sitting room, where the three vampires passed the daytime hours if they were not in need of a bedroom. Presumably, they would discuss plans there as well, at least Spike hoped so. He made a brief round of the house, finding that no one was there except him. Dru and Angel had gone out hunting before he had left to get the Slayer, driving a Benz that the previous owner had kept in the otherwise empty garage. It wasn't back yet, but Spike took no chances, quickly heading into the sitting room, striding through the hallways as silent as a ghost. He opened one of the windows in the room which was situated high enough on the wall that Buffy could wait there and avoid detection. He just had to hope their voices would carry, assuming Angelus would give her something important to hear.
"Slayer!" he whispered out the now open window.
"Eh?" she grunted back cautiously.
"I've opened this window," he informed her. "The gardening shed is right behind you, so there should be some trashcans or something you can use if you need to be higher in order to hear."
"Got it." Buffy succinctly responded, moving off to find something to stand on. The sounds of her doing so ended almost as soon as she finished talking.
Just then they both heard the front door slam, followed by approaching voices. Spike flung his duster over a chair, not really caring if his wounds were visible. It might actually aid their cause. Sitting down and closing his eyes as if asleep, he waited, emphatically pushing away the unwanted trepidation the situation was causing. He managed to distract himself from betraying nervousness by dreaming up colorful curses. A fellow never knew when a clever insult would come in handy.
"Spike!" Dru greeted him, voice wispy and far away. "Look what Angelus and I found!"
Stirring from his feigned slumber, Spike lazily opened his eyes to see his ex-lover smiling happily, resplendent in the silk dress as black as her heart. Angelus was not far behind, walking in with a wheelchair, whose inhabitant was not present. Random spatters of their blood marred the shining silver of the chair's metal. There was enough left over for Spike to smell that it was fresh blood, still not dry.
"Thought you might like this," was the older vampire's greeting remark, an unkind smile coming to his face.
"Lovely that you thought at all," Spike answered in a bored tone, still not moving from his sprawl on the chair. "And that you waste the results of that miracle on me? I'm flattered."
"You always were a witty one." Angelus laughed heartily, the mirth not reaching his cold eyes. "I've sometimes wondered if you would be as amusing if someone cut out your clever tongue, but I've never had the opportunity to find out. Don't tempt me, Spike."
Growling, Spike leapt up from his seat, power surging through his muscles. His grandsire tensed, but the younger vampire tore past him, obviously intending to get a weapon. Outside the window, Buffy held her breath. She couldn't really blame her ally, and knew that the sight of the wheelchair had been as painful a memory as Angelus had meant in to be. In fact, she felt bad that he had been insulted so. But her pity aside, he would screw everything up if he attacked the other vampire. She rapidly assessed her options, but Drusilla came to the rescue without even knowing she was doing it.
"He tasted like frustration," the vampiress idly observed, tracing her finger along the wheelchair's arm. "Helpless, like a kitten, but he was more unhappy. He knew what he could not have."
Both men relaxed, somehow brought to their senses by her insanity. They gave each other a fleeting glance and dropped back into their human faces. The Slayer shook her head in wonderment that they could discard their macho attitudes so effortlessly. It was a mystery exactly how they did it, but Angelus was already at Dru's side, suavely kissing the side of her neck.
"Get a room." Spike told them rudely, looking at them with heated distaste.
"Jealous?" the older vampire queried, the expression on his face practically screaming that he thought himself more of a man.
"Not in the least," was the reply, a derisive glint in the vampire's blue eyes. "I had forgotten you like to flaunt your conquests."
"Didn't you know Dru likes to flaunt herself?" Angelus grinned. "It's rather refreshing after the Slayer. She's pretty enough, but there's more to sex than shyly opening your legs."
The three vampires laughed at this, and outside Buffy blushed, trying to convince herself that it was just Angel's evil side talking, and that her lover had never thought any such thing. The crude taunts continued from Dru and Angelus, only making the Slayer more and more humiliated, tears of anger coming to her eyes. She let go of the windowsill for only a second to wipe her watery eyes and lost her balance, collapsing to the ground in a loud crash of metal. Instantly alert, she leapt to her feet and ran away silently before she could be captured. She'd just have to hitchhike a ride back to her end of town earlier than planned. Dammit, dammit, dammit.
"What was that?" Spike interrupted inside, perfectly aware of what had happened. Injured feelings. "I'll go check it out, shall I?"
"Just a stray cat, I'd wager," Angelus said dismissively. "We've got better things to do than chase it."
"Such as?" the other vampire asked with raised brow, his expression of polite interest.
"Plan an apocalypse," his grandsire revealed with a wolfish smirk.
"Oh, that's bloody brilliant." Spike snickered, his laughter covering up any noises outside. The Slayer had fallen down but surely would stay. All business, that one was.
"You think so?" his grandsire snarled, ignoring Dru's whimpers as her two men argued. "I think your days as a cripple softened you, William. Don't have the stones for torture anymore."
"Don't have any less balls than you do, mate," the younger sneered coldly. "But if memory serves me right, your last plan fell flat on its' ugly stone arse. Allow me my skepticism."
Drusilla's eyes flickered over to Spike, silently reproaching him for the role he had played in that failure, but to her credit, she said nothing. Spike looked back at her curiously. Perhaps she was still not quite sure of her loyalties. But as much as he hated to realize it, the destruction of Angelus meant more to him than Drusilla. She might harbor feelings towards him, but he couldn't take rejection from someone he had worshipped for a century. Her fickle nature had finally gotten to him.
"This time the plan will work." Angelus impatiently said, fists clenched in rage. "Dru and I know where the book is, how to get it, and what we need to open it."
"Run that by me again?" said the other, running a hand through his short silvery hair. He tuned out Angelus' explanation about the Book and its' powers, but listened intently to the last part that he didn't already know. Willie hadn't told them anything about trouble opening the book.
"An ancient safety feature, I suppose," the brown-haired vampire was explaining. "Even if you can get to the book, you cannot unlock its powers unless you have the blood of a certain someone."
"The Slayer." Dru softly interrupted, a dreamy look in her eyes.
"One and only." Spike declared with a wry smile.
"The moon will be grumbly and hungry soon," the vampiress continued. "We'll feed it that nasty Slayer's blood. No sense in it watching our frolic on an empty stomach."
"You mean a full moon, luv?" her younger companion asked indulgently, a century's worth of experience helping him unravel her cryptic words.
"Exactly that." Angelus affirmed. "Which is in two nights. It'll be simple to get Buffy, I'll just act like I've still got a soul, and she'll welcome me with open arms."
"If not open legs." Spike told his grandsire, cheerfully stealing the punchline.
Angelus chuckled grimly, shrugging his shoulders in agreement. "Now then, I'm gonna get some sleep before I head out to get the Book."
"You?" the other male queried with a mild tone, "You don't need 'us' along?"
"Dru can come if she wants, but I was trying not to go into overkill," was the explanation. "There's a lot of competition for this thing in town and the three of us would be a bit noticeable."
"Fine by me." Spike responded with a feigned yawn. "I'll just stick around for the fireworks later."
"Glad you agree with my plan," the oldest vampire in the room said acidly. "Til tomorrow night."
The other two filed out of the room quickly. Spike shook his head in amusement at the pair of them. Perhaps they were hoping to get a quick in and out before sleep became necessary. Under the pretense of putting away some books, he didn't immediately follow his 'family' out. Once they were out of earshot, he sauntered over to the window and called out for the Slayer to give her the 'all clear' but she didn't answer. Must have slipped away once the important talk had ended. He closed the window swiftly and slid off to his own bed. As long as Buffy had heard what she needed, he could relax for the moment.
That's about all for now.I'll be a bit busy since three of my teachers have seen fit to dump big projects on me, (Grr, snarls in frustration) but hopefully I can get more up in a week or two. It all depends, so if you want more cross your fingers and write glowing reviews!
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.
FYI: The song I use here is by the Foo Fighters, called "Hey Johnny Park".
"Honey, are you sure this is a good idea?" Joyce asked her daughter for the twentieth time, a worried look on her face.
She didn't see her only child very much, so the visit had been an happy one until she found out Buffy was leaving to do something dangerous. Not that this was something new, but a mother had license to worry.
"I'll be fine, Mom!" the Slayer responded grumpily. "I'm not going by myself, so if Angel figures out I'm there, I'll have backup."
"And Spike is reliable backup?" Xander sarcastically told his friend. "Isn't he the one usually trying to kill you?"
"I don't think he will turn on me." Buffy explained again. "Just trust me. Besides, he didn't last time we fought Angel."
"Oh, so he didn't betray you, he just left you alone with Angelus." Willow interjected with unusual acid in her tone.
"Circumstances were different," the blonde said. "He's pretty much over Dru now."
"Is Drusilla back in Sunnydale as well?" Giles inquired. "If so, we have no proof that he is telling the truth."
"You had to have seen him last night." Buffy answered matter-of-factly. "I mentioned Angelus and he goes off the deep end. There is some serious hate going on, and I think Spike having a nervous breakdown is proof enough. He told me bluntly that Drusilla had nothing to do with wanting to destroy Angelus. I mean, maybe that's part of it, but Spike's goal isn't to win Dru back."
Xander was about to respond to this, but the doorbell rang and he shut his mouth, eyes resentful and concerned. Joyce set down her coffee mug and moved to get the door. The platinum-haired vampire stood there in his usual all-black attire, patiently waiting as Buffy grabbed a few stakes and weapons to bring along.
"You don't need to invite me in, Mrs. Summers." Spike volunteered when Joyce cleared her throat uncomfortably, uncertain as to what would be polite.
"You're right, she doesn't." Xander snapped, shooting a glare of pure venom towards the vampire on the doorstep.
"Hey," Spike replied, holding up empty hands to show his good intentions. "I'd come bearing a white flag, but it doesn't suit my complexion. At least pretend you trust me."
"See you later, Mom." Buffy said, cutting off any further banter and kissing her mother on the cheek. "Don't wait up for me, guys."
"Just trust him?" she heard Willow mutter as she stepped outside. "We've been hearing too much of that lately."
The Slayer shut the front door firmly behind her, brooking no further protest or warning. Spike had already gone down the steps and stood by his black car. His eyes were slightly resentful as they looked at the windows of the house. Buffy wasn't quite surprised. Her friends distrusted him, so he distrusted them. He noticed her scrutiny, turning to her. She looked carefully at his face, amazed at how haggard he looked. His gaunt cheekbones only made his exhaustion more evident. He yawned suddenly, rubbing the side of his neck slowly as if easing a muscle cramp.
"Sleep much last night?" she asked him mildly.
"No, not really," the vampire answered, flashing a tired smile. "So if you want to drive instead, that's fine with me. Just don't wreck it, this car and I have seen some bloody good times."
"I don't drive." Buffy admitted under her breath.
"Honestly?" he said in surprise, unsure he had heard her right. "I thought you were 21, pet."
"I am," she explained, for some reason embarrassed. "I just never got around to getting my license."
"I see." Spike murmured, looking at her seriously for a moment before shrugging and opening the passenger door for her. It had all the taste of a date, but Buffy knew it wasn't. The two of them were too businesslike to feel that way about each other. Something to do with that old vampire/Slayer rivalry thing.
"The AC is broken," he warned her, slipping off his duster before starting the engine and pulling away from her house.
"What happened to you?" Buffy said suddenly, concerned by the nasty wounds now exposed on his bare arms. She scooted closer to his side of the car, examining the cuts.
"Let's just say," he hissed in pain as she probed one of the gashes. "Angelus likes his games."
"He tortured you last night?" the Slayer asked, incredulous. "Aren't you pretending to be on his side?"
"Not torture, Slayer," the vampire enlightened her, his face filled with the hate she had only recently been exposed to. "Violence in the bedroom. It's an entirely different game to him."
"So you're.but...I thought you were.what about Drusilla?" she sputtered, unable to link her thoughts. Spike, gay? It seemed so unlikely.
"Don't you compare me to that ponce." Spike growled. "I can't 'be on his side' if I don't play along with him. I wouldn't bloody do it if I had a choice."
"I get it." Buffy said meekly, dropping the subject to spare his male pride. "How badly are you hurt?"
"You want me to strip and show you the rest?" he said with a speculative look on his face, his usual teasing manner. Buffy let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding as the tension melted away. "I don't think I'd mind. It's bloody hot in here!"
"Spike," the Slayer said flatly, warning him that her sympathy extended only so far.
"Suit yourself," he grinned, blue eyes mischievous once again.
Buffy settled back against the seat as they whipped through town. Spike's driving style was fast, but it couldn't quite be called reckless. Every twitch of his hand on the steering wheel was made with precision and quick reflexes. She stared listlessly at the radio, attempting to not look at him, but her eyes kept floating back to his wounds. It was still hard to comprehend how and why he had gotten beaten so badly.
"See something you like?" he asked lightly, eyes still on the road.
"Huh?" she stuttered. She should have known he would notice her gaze. "No, I was just worrying that you won't be able to back me up if we need it."
"I'll heal." Spike assured her, smiling just a little. "It's fine, really. Unless you fancy playing nurse and fixing me up?"
"Enough with the innuendoes." Buffy reprimanded. He pouted in a distracting manner, but she ignored it and started fiddling with the radio controls.
"What station are you looking for?" the vampire asked with a raised brow. "It better not be any of that boy band crap."
"Boy band?" she retorted. "Go wash your mouth out. Not like your unintelligible British screaming is much better."
"At least they knew how to live a little." Spike defended, eyes narrowed to slits.
"I didn't say anything in favor of boy bands," the Slayer reminded him, finally settling on a station. They were on commercial, so she turned back to the vampire with a sigh. "But they won't die of drug overdoses when their career hits its peak."
"Point for you, luv," he grinned. Even unintended, her sense of humor was similar to his, making him unable to stay pissed at her for long. The quarrel had been too damn ordinary anyway.
A song soon began, and the conversation ended, Spike hanging his arm out the window and Buffy stretching out in the seat, making herself comfortable. They had already agreed that she would hitchhike a ride home since Spike couldn't very well slip out to drive her home. It was just that she wasn't looking forward to begging a ride off of some horny truck driver.
Spike was certainly suggestive, but occasionally polite and usually funny. Might as well enjoy the company while she had it. She sighed and settled deeper into the seat. They were near the outskirts of Sunnydale, heading past the industrial district, but she paid little attention to the surroundings, instead caught up in the music.
"Come and I'll take you under
This beautiful bruise's colors
Everything fades in time
It's true
Wish that I had another
Stab at the undercover
Was it a change in mind
For you?
Your eyes still remind me of
Angels that hover above
Eyes that can change
From blind to blue
It's impossible
I can't let it out
You'll never know
Am I selling you out
Sit and watch
Your every mood"
The last guitar chords were fading out as Spike killed the engine, impeccable in his timing. Quietly, they got out of the car, instincts already on edge and wary. He nodded his head briefly, pointing her the direction of the south wall of the house. Walking silently, a remarkable feat on the gravel, she vanished behind the large hedges that were placed randomly on the property.
Along that entire side of the mansion was a sitting room, where the three vampires passed the daytime hours if they were not in need of a bedroom. Presumably, they would discuss plans there as well, at least Spike hoped so. He made a brief round of the house, finding that no one was there except him. Dru and Angel had gone out hunting before he had left to get the Slayer, driving a Benz that the previous owner had kept in the otherwise empty garage. It wasn't back yet, but Spike took no chances, quickly heading into the sitting room, striding through the hallways as silent as a ghost. He opened one of the windows in the room which was situated high enough on the wall that Buffy could wait there and avoid detection. He just had to hope their voices would carry, assuming Angelus would give her something important to hear.
"Slayer!" he whispered out the now open window.
"Eh?" she grunted back cautiously.
"I've opened this window," he informed her. "The gardening shed is right behind you, so there should be some trashcans or something you can use if you need to be higher in order to hear."
"Got it." Buffy succinctly responded, moving off to find something to stand on. The sounds of her doing so ended almost as soon as she finished talking.
Just then they both heard the front door slam, followed by approaching voices. Spike flung his duster over a chair, not really caring if his wounds were visible. It might actually aid their cause. Sitting down and closing his eyes as if asleep, he waited, emphatically pushing away the unwanted trepidation the situation was causing. He managed to distract himself from betraying nervousness by dreaming up colorful curses. A fellow never knew when a clever insult would come in handy.
"Spike!" Dru greeted him, voice wispy and far away. "Look what Angelus and I found!"
Stirring from his feigned slumber, Spike lazily opened his eyes to see his ex-lover smiling happily, resplendent in the silk dress as black as her heart. Angelus was not far behind, walking in with a wheelchair, whose inhabitant was not present. Random spatters of their blood marred the shining silver of the chair's metal. There was enough left over for Spike to smell that it was fresh blood, still not dry.
"Thought you might like this," was the older vampire's greeting remark, an unkind smile coming to his face.
"Lovely that you thought at all," Spike answered in a bored tone, still not moving from his sprawl on the chair. "And that you waste the results of that miracle on me? I'm flattered."
"You always were a witty one." Angelus laughed heartily, the mirth not reaching his cold eyes. "I've sometimes wondered if you would be as amusing if someone cut out your clever tongue, but I've never had the opportunity to find out. Don't tempt me, Spike."
Growling, Spike leapt up from his seat, power surging through his muscles. His grandsire tensed, but the younger vampire tore past him, obviously intending to get a weapon. Outside the window, Buffy held her breath. She couldn't really blame her ally, and knew that the sight of the wheelchair had been as painful a memory as Angelus had meant in to be. In fact, she felt bad that he had been insulted so. But her pity aside, he would screw everything up if he attacked the other vampire. She rapidly assessed her options, but Drusilla came to the rescue without even knowing she was doing it.
"He tasted like frustration," the vampiress idly observed, tracing her finger along the wheelchair's arm. "Helpless, like a kitten, but he was more unhappy. He knew what he could not have."
Both men relaxed, somehow brought to their senses by her insanity. They gave each other a fleeting glance and dropped back into their human faces. The Slayer shook her head in wonderment that they could discard their macho attitudes so effortlessly. It was a mystery exactly how they did it, but Angelus was already at Dru's side, suavely kissing the side of her neck.
"Get a room." Spike told them rudely, looking at them with heated distaste.
"Jealous?" the older vampire queried, the expression on his face practically screaming that he thought himself more of a man.
"Not in the least," was the reply, a derisive glint in the vampire's blue eyes. "I had forgotten you like to flaunt your conquests."
"Didn't you know Dru likes to flaunt herself?" Angelus grinned. "It's rather refreshing after the Slayer. She's pretty enough, but there's more to sex than shyly opening your legs."
The three vampires laughed at this, and outside Buffy blushed, trying to convince herself that it was just Angel's evil side talking, and that her lover had never thought any such thing. The crude taunts continued from Dru and Angelus, only making the Slayer more and more humiliated, tears of anger coming to her eyes. She let go of the windowsill for only a second to wipe her watery eyes and lost her balance, collapsing to the ground in a loud crash of metal. Instantly alert, she leapt to her feet and ran away silently before she could be captured. She'd just have to hitchhike a ride back to her end of town earlier than planned. Dammit, dammit, dammit.
"What was that?" Spike interrupted inside, perfectly aware of what had happened. Injured feelings. "I'll go check it out, shall I?"
"Just a stray cat, I'd wager," Angelus said dismissively. "We've got better things to do than chase it."
"Such as?" the other vampire asked with raised brow, his expression of polite interest.
"Plan an apocalypse," his grandsire revealed with a wolfish smirk.
"Oh, that's bloody brilliant." Spike snickered, his laughter covering up any noises outside. The Slayer had fallen down but surely would stay. All business, that one was.
"You think so?" his grandsire snarled, ignoring Dru's whimpers as her two men argued. "I think your days as a cripple softened you, William. Don't have the stones for torture anymore."
"Don't have any less balls than you do, mate," the younger sneered coldly. "But if memory serves me right, your last plan fell flat on its' ugly stone arse. Allow me my skepticism."
Drusilla's eyes flickered over to Spike, silently reproaching him for the role he had played in that failure, but to her credit, she said nothing. Spike looked back at her curiously. Perhaps she was still not quite sure of her loyalties. But as much as he hated to realize it, the destruction of Angelus meant more to him than Drusilla. She might harbor feelings towards him, but he couldn't take rejection from someone he had worshipped for a century. Her fickle nature had finally gotten to him.
"This time the plan will work." Angelus impatiently said, fists clenched in rage. "Dru and I know where the book is, how to get it, and what we need to open it."
"Run that by me again?" said the other, running a hand through his short silvery hair. He tuned out Angelus' explanation about the Book and its' powers, but listened intently to the last part that he didn't already know. Willie hadn't told them anything about trouble opening the book.
"An ancient safety feature, I suppose," the brown-haired vampire was explaining. "Even if you can get to the book, you cannot unlock its powers unless you have the blood of a certain someone."
"The Slayer." Dru softly interrupted, a dreamy look in her eyes.
"One and only." Spike declared with a wry smile.
"The moon will be grumbly and hungry soon," the vampiress continued. "We'll feed it that nasty Slayer's blood. No sense in it watching our frolic on an empty stomach."
"You mean a full moon, luv?" her younger companion asked indulgently, a century's worth of experience helping him unravel her cryptic words.
"Exactly that." Angelus affirmed. "Which is in two nights. It'll be simple to get Buffy, I'll just act like I've still got a soul, and she'll welcome me with open arms."
"If not open legs." Spike told his grandsire, cheerfully stealing the punchline.
Angelus chuckled grimly, shrugging his shoulders in agreement. "Now then, I'm gonna get some sleep before I head out to get the Book."
"You?" the other male queried with a mild tone, "You don't need 'us' along?"
"Dru can come if she wants, but I was trying not to go into overkill," was the explanation. "There's a lot of competition for this thing in town and the three of us would be a bit noticeable."
"Fine by me." Spike responded with a feigned yawn. "I'll just stick around for the fireworks later."
"Glad you agree with my plan," the oldest vampire in the room said acidly. "Til tomorrow night."
The other two filed out of the room quickly. Spike shook his head in amusement at the pair of them. Perhaps they were hoping to get a quick in and out before sleep became necessary. Under the pretense of putting away some books, he didn't immediately follow his 'family' out. Once they were out of earshot, he sauntered over to the window and called out for the Slayer to give her the 'all clear' but she didn't answer. Must have slipped away once the important talk had ended. He closed the window swiftly and slid off to his own bed. As long as Buffy had heard what she needed, he could relax for the moment.
That's about all for now.I'll be a bit busy since three of my teachers have seen fit to dump big projects on me, (Grr, snarls in frustration) but hopefully I can get more up in a week or two. It all depends, so if you want more cross your fingers and write glowing reviews!