*********************************TRAppED*********************************
Forty-Four: The Final Decision
By Annie
2003-07-08
***************************************************************************
Day Thirty-Seven.
5.03 a.m.
Spike snapped the remaining sheet up and around his waist as he got to his feet, meeting the demonoid who was coming storming into the crypt with his eyes glowing clear hatred. He glared at the vampire and then stopped short, not far from the armchair. The chest of the larger one was heaving with deep and angered breaths as he seemed to struggle to get a hold on himself.
Spike stared at him, questioning and grateful that his heart was inapt to beat. He was sure it would have given Buffy and him away by now if it had been able.
"You seem upset," he then remarked to the monster before him, keeping the growing tension out of his voice and putting on a trying smirk. "Or are you having a particularly bad day?" There was no answer and Spike gave a small shrug, securing the sheet by one hip and then walking passed the other and into the kitchen area to get some blood. "Can't say I'm surprised," he went on, bringing out a pitcher and smelling the contents before nodding approvingly and turning around to grab one of the cleaned glasses from the counter. Filling it he elaborated his previous statement with: "Dealing with the Slayer isn't exactly a walk in the park - but then again, I TOLD you that. Buggering bitch always sticks her head in where it doesn't belong..." Spike glanced over at the sarcophagus and couldn't hold back a smile as he put the pitcher down and walked back into the closer vicinity of Adam. "For some reason my plans have never panned out whenever I've been in this bleeding town," the former muttered, bringing the glass to his lips and then Adam suddenly let hear a loud growl before he took a step forward.
Spike gulped against his better judgment, removing the glass and involuntarily recoiling.
"I am not upset!" Adam exclaimed, his deep voice seemingly even deeper as he looked around the crypt with staring eyes. "I am... ENRAGED! She sent him away! She did it! He has left! The final phase of my plan is incomplete because of HER!"
Spike lost every attempt at playing it cool when this revelation reached his ears, but the crazed Big Bad didn't even seem to notice it in the slightest as he began to pace with large and hard steps across the floor before the bleached blonde.
Spike cocked an eyebrow, watching small pieces of the cement loosen.
"Could you... stop that?" he then asked with a small point with one finger to the flooring's slow destruction. "I have to live here, you know?" he added as Adam paused and gave him a questioning leer.
The latter then ignored the request and began to pace once more, shaking his thick head as he drew breath upon breath.
"Who could possibly be so bloody important?" Spike huffed, rather enjoying witnessing the state of the former.
"My brother," Adam replied, suddenly growing silent as he came to a slow stop. "My very kin..."
Spike raised both eyebrows at that, incredulously.
"YOU have family?" he asked, but the sarcasm of that question seemed to also slip by the others attention span as he turned his face to one of the windows and grew thoughtful.
"He was to sit beside me," Adam grumbled. "He was to be my right hand once the transformation was completed and we had our army. And now... he is gone."
Buffy, still huddled behind the large object of stone now to Adam's left, bit her lower lip hard so that she wouldn't draw a sharp breath when she realized of whom Adam was speaking.
Spike, however, was still awfully confused; and upon that he was growing seriously curious.
"Demons cling to old ways and ancient feuds, and they're hopeless with technology," Adam said, still having his gaze far away before he turned his head to look at Spike. "Unworthy," the former added and Spike tilted his head barely noticeably to one side before he asked:
"Figure that out all by yourself, or did someone feed it to you while they were still stitching on parts?"
A light of something dangerous flickered on in Adam's eyes and Spike had a second of being absolutely positive that he had gone too far with that one. But then the light dimmed and Adam once more turned his eyes on the window.
"Disappointed by demon kind we turned to humans," Adam continued, not discouraged, and Spike thought it best to simply listen. "Smart, adaptive... but emotional and weak," the former stated, turning to fully face the vampire who had a chill down his spine at the last four words, thinking that it was Adam's way of declaring how well he knew of the Slayer and the Vamp's escapades. However, he was once more proven wrong since Adam merely proceeded with his speech: "Blind," he added to what he had just proclaimed. "There is imperfection everywhere. Something must be done. Who will deliver us?" Spike raised his eyebrows, signaling that he had no way of answering that inquiry; and so Adam did it for him. "Mother," the latter said and Spike blinked, even more confused, but rather unwilling to lead it on. "She saw our future," Adam now continued. "My brother's and my own... She saw that he was necessary... And now, now he's GONE! I want the Slayer in the Initiative when the time comes, Spike. I want her down there and I want her shredded. In bits! I'll make a pretty bride out of her and I'll have her dance by my hand for the rest of her pathetic existence!"
Spike ground his teeth, having to promote a picture of nails going through his feet, pinning him safely to the floor, in order of not moving up to the other demon and once more try his luck at thrashing him thoroughly.
"Sound good enough," he then gritted out, clearing his throat before he bent down and picked up his pants. Pulling them on he let the sheet slide to the floor and then he buttoned the former as he added: "And here's some delightful news: I did what you wanted. She's separated from her friends. They want nothing to do with her. She's all alone."
Adam's stiff posture seemed to loosen itself up a little at this disclosure and he eyed the vampire for a few moments before he replied:
"That's HOW I want her. Where I want her is a different matter all together, isn't it? I want her dead, but not before she has performed her task. She will ensure that as many demons die as humans. She will achieve maximum carnage before she's too weak to go on." He paused and Spike fought hard not to show the disgust he felt at that moment with what stood before him. Then the former slowly asked: "You say you've completed one step of your setout mission... What about the second? The disk's?"
"Yeah, gave 'em to the little witch last night..." Spike answered, bringing forth a casual tone as he hooked his thumbs by the buckle of his belt, adding: "So, she'll give the Slayer the info and 'pop' - Alice heads back down the rabbit hole."
"The witch?" Adam asked.
"Ah, Willow," Spike nodded, holding one hand up somewhere near his shoulder as he added: "About so high... perky, good with math. It's a natural choice."
"Her friend?" Adam asked and Spike nodded a second time. "One of the friend's from whom you've so efficiently separated her?"
"Damn right I did," Spike smirked, feeling rather assured in the fact that Adam was swallowing the story hook, line and sinker he continued: "You should've seen 'em. They won't be talking to each other for a long, long..." Trailing off he then paused himself, blinking as he realized where Adam's subtle question had been meant to lead him. "Hang on," the bleached said. "I think I've detected a small flaw."
"So - you've failed?" Adam spoke up and Spike's eyes widened slightly before he huffed.
"Well, you're supposed to be so smart and you let ME plan this whole thing!" he then countered and Adam looked as though he was about to raise his non-existing eyebrows. Spike needed a new approach and so he changed tactics into: "Okay, let's not argue 'bout who failed who. The important thing is making sure the Slayer is where we want h-..."
"Yes," Adam interrupted. "And if you fail me again..."
The demon didn't finish his sentence, merely gave Spike a glance which seemed to speak a thousand times louder than words before the former walked up to the door. Stopping by it he placed one hand on the knob before he turned his head back to the vampire with an almost sympathetic look on his features, then he said:
"And you needn't hide the fact that you are not alone, Spike. The scent of your sexual activities are like a thick blanket hovering somewhere below the ceiling... Let her get off the floor." He pulled the door open, about to step through it when he once again paused and looked at Spike before adding: "We should never behave thoughtlessly. I hear her heart beat. She could catch her death of cold."
With that word of very odd advice he moved forward and the door was closed behind him.
Spike stared at it for nearly thirty seconds, stunned, and then the slow sound of Buffy standing up made him snap out of it and he turned to her.
"He's a green, psycho-bot-man-thing-y with delusions of grandeur and world domination and I really, REALLY don't like him," she stated, coming around the sarcophagus to join Spike by the armchair.
"Mh, got him all marked and put in the appropriate box now, have you, Slayer?" he asked and she smiled a little before she stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He held her back, closing his eyes before he sighed.
"What?" she asked and he shrugged, then grumbled:
"He never told me who his 'brother' is."
Buffy bit her lower lip and then she pulled away so that she could look up at him.
"With everything that happened last night I forgot to tell you," she mumbled and Spike arched one eyebrow, waiting. "I met Riley. We said good- bye," she added and Spike now furrowed his brow, uncomprehendingly. "He's left," she elaborated and Spike looked at her with disbelief etching his blue eyes.
"HE'S the brother?!" he nearly exclaimed and Buffy's eyes grew a notch at the outburst. He let her go and she had no choice but to do the same as he began to pace before her. "Mr. Good-goodie-two-shoes, Mr. Clean-and- Wholesome-Full-bread-American-Boy-Next-Door, Mr. Captain-Sodding-Cardboard is brother to that... thing?!" he then spluttered and Buffy observed him keenly now. "How on God's damaged Earth is that even bloody possible?"
"I don't know," Buffy replied calmly. "All I know is that the person Adam refers to as 'Mother' has to be Professor Walsh. And she had Riley as a favourite above all... maybe she... did something to him," she added, voice growing rather low. "I mean, apart from the whole feeding-him-supernatural- steroids and all that," she finished and Spike shook his head.
"Unbe-buggering-lievable," he muttered. "Hey, what if the G.I. Joe was actually a demon? Wouldn't that be ironic?" he added; the sarcasm in his voice not going by unnoticed by Buffy and she smiled a small smile.
"No, he was human," she then assured, voice even more quiet and as their eyes met they held each others gazes for a few short moments before they both looked away.
Suddenly Buffy couldn't suppress a yawn and Spike didn't say anything, merely took her by the hand and lead her to the sarcophagus. Facing her he took a step forward before he leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. She returned it gently and then she looked up at him with a smile which eased the sudden rush of anxiety which had travelled up his spine as their largest obstacle had been nearly brought into the light of conversation.
"Go to bed," he now instructed and her smile widened ever so slightly before she asked:
"You coming?"
He looked at her for a few seconds, and then he replied:
"Soon."
She looked back at him before nodding and feeling how tired she was she crawled onto the mattress and tugged the sheet she had still had been covered with off to have it settle over her. Meeting Spike's eyes where he still stood by her feet she then closed her own and began to drift off practically at once.
Spike turned and walked up to where the rest of his clothes lie, picking up his black T and then his duster. Pulling both of them on he silently exited the crypt, heading out into the night and wishing for the first time since he was turned that he could stay up to watch the sunrise - and not burn.
***
8.05 a.m.
Buffy woke slowly. The room grew from blurred into focused as she eased her eyes open and rested them directly in Spike's - who was sitting by the side of the sarcophagus on a chair. He had his hands locked together under his chin, resting the latter against his knuckles as he let a small smile of welcome grace his lips.
"Morning," he said and she returned the smile as she stretched.
"Morning," she then agreed, relaxing as her face grew wondering. "What are ya doing way over there?" she pouted and he smirked, letting his hands fall from his chin still in a united fist as he eyed her.
"I've been thinking," he began, but her moaning cut him off, and then she said:
"Honey! What have I said about that?! You shouldn't even try!"
He gave her a look, but her face merely split into a bright smile and he had to chuckle at her quip.
Then she suddenly dulled her cheerfulness, because the seriousness resting somewhere in his gaze made her understand that what he had on his mind wasn't remotely linked to something of the happy.
"What's wrong?" she therefore asked, sitting up and he bit his lower lip as he seemed to choose his words carefully.
"This morning was a close call," he then began. "If Adam had seen you... or heard us... Safe to say we wouldn't be around to bloody discuss it, would we? He's strong, Buffy. Stronger than anything you've had to encounter before and I don't think it's a good idea for you to get off on a wrong start with the killing of him... You need to stay focused, or he'll be the one killing YOU."
She watched him as he spoke, then moved to sit on the edge of the mattress so that she could better face him. She was about to make her case clear when he continued.
"Maybe it'd be better if we took a break from all of... this," he murmured and now she ogled him; she had been suspecting this was where he was going, but she was surprised nonetheless. "'Til Adam's outta the sodding way," Spike added, meeting her gaze firmly. "Think about it, Buffy! For you to deal with everything that bloody comes with a new... and on top of that hiding it from your friends and having to fret over them finding out... As WELL as fighting the buggering Terminator! I can't let you do that, love."
She observed him, then asked:
"Didn't you say as early as a few hours ago that you wouldn't ever let me stand alone?"
He ground his teeth, then stood and she did the same, stopping him from removing himself out of her reach by placing her hands lightly on his lower arms, forcing him to meet her gaze again.
"We can't keep doing this," she said. "We can't hold onto each other one minute and then push as hard as we can the next. We have to make the decision now."
He looked down at her and she could see the struggle he was having with himself. She knew that he wanted to do what was right. Now she had to convince him of what actually was. He kept comparing himself to Angel. Even if it was subconsciously she was certain that he did. She had once said that Angel had done the noble thing, he had walked away. He had loved her enough to let go, but now...
"I need you to love me enough to stay," she stated and Spike seemed to grow attentive to her every motion as he eyed her closely. "I won't push anymore."
He raised one hand and ran it softly through her tangled locks before he placed it by her cheek, still silent.
"I'll deal with whatever comes," she promised. "And Adam... We can take him down, but only as a team. HE'S the one who wants to split me up from the ones I care for, remember? I'm stronger with you, than without you. And I won't have to fret over how to keep this from the Gang," she finally concluded as she slid one hand down over his wrist, entwining their fingers as she added: "We're telling them today."
He blinked at that, no longer able to resist a smile. She immediately smiled back and then squeezed his hand encouragingly.
"Are you sure 'bout this?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied with no hesitation whatsoever. "They'll cope. They'll have to. I'm not giving you up, Spike. Not now."
He smiled wider, about to say something when her eyebrows suddenly rose and she exclaimed:
"What time is it?!"
He furrowed his brow questioningly as she tore her hand from his and ran up to her pile of clothes, beginning to furiously pull them on.
"Close to eight-thirty, I think..." he then answered her question. "What's the...?"
"The exam I've been studying for!" she replied before he could finish his sentence. "It's today and... I'm late and..." She tugged her sweater down over her head and then spun around in search for her pocketbook. Finding it she quickly looked through it to see if everything she needed was there before she rushed back up to him, giving him a quick kiss on the mouth she then once again turned and sprinted up to the door. "See you later!" she yelled as she disappeared through it and he rolled his eyes, sitting down on the chair again.
So this was actually real, then? They were at the beginning of something - together. And she was serious enough to want to admit him to her friends and someone who was almost like her father. What would the old poof say? What if he refused to accept it? What if all of them did?
He suddenly remembered the visit he had had from Willow the other day... Did she already know? She sure had been acting like it. But then again, there was no way of actually determining that, was there. In the end Buffy with a character such as him just might be too much, even for Ms. Embodiment-of-Understanding.
He supposed the whelp was the biggest concern since Spike was positive that particular mortal wouldn't take too kindly to the scenario. Would he 'cope'?
The first swarm of nervous butterflies attacked him the second after that thought had fluttered through his mind and he drew an unnecessary breath as he leaned back on the chair.
He was in for one hell of a ride; that was for sure.
He gambled. He loved to. He had done it for as long as he could remember - well, since he was turned anyway. He craved the thrill of not knowing whether he was about to win big or lose even bigger. And he had never backed out of a wager. But come this afternoon all bets were off; and he didn't like it.
He didn't like it one bit.
**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************
This chapter has contained explicit conversation from the BtVS episode Primeval. All rights to writer David Fury.
Oh, how incredible you are! I bow down before you as the humble vessel that I am! (for transforming the Spuffyness within me, I mean.) ;) I'm always astonished (and no, I really am not exaggerating, I ALWAYS am) that I am able to reach so many with this! With my imagination. It is such a great gift!!! Thank you SO much for giving me your appreciation, for letting me know that you're enjoying this!!! It means a whole lot to me and I won't ever stop reminding you of that!
Very special thanks to wolf116, Caitee, Renee', Rachel, qattace, Erica, Alyssa, Maribel, Carol, Mel, Leanne, spikesgilmore, Xio, LizDarcy and vuks - you are amazing, all of you! All of you who have ever dropped me a line are the best of the best, but the ones who keep coming back with their thoughts - this shout out is for you! Thank you SO much!!!
I got an email pronouncing the winners of the SpuffyAwards and though Trapped was not one of them I still feel like a total winner for even having been nominated. Vuks - again - thank you for that! It was really great! I'm very happy with this story, and the fact that you guys seem to like it as well makes it all the better!
I hope this chapter was no disappointment! Oh, what WILL happen in the next chapter?! I can't wait to find out, I have to start writing it right now so...
A.M.L, Annie. ;)
Forty-Four: The Final Decision
By Annie
2003-07-08
***************************************************************************
Day Thirty-Seven.
5.03 a.m.
Spike snapped the remaining sheet up and around his waist as he got to his feet, meeting the demonoid who was coming storming into the crypt with his eyes glowing clear hatred. He glared at the vampire and then stopped short, not far from the armchair. The chest of the larger one was heaving with deep and angered breaths as he seemed to struggle to get a hold on himself.
Spike stared at him, questioning and grateful that his heart was inapt to beat. He was sure it would have given Buffy and him away by now if it had been able.
"You seem upset," he then remarked to the monster before him, keeping the growing tension out of his voice and putting on a trying smirk. "Or are you having a particularly bad day?" There was no answer and Spike gave a small shrug, securing the sheet by one hip and then walking passed the other and into the kitchen area to get some blood. "Can't say I'm surprised," he went on, bringing out a pitcher and smelling the contents before nodding approvingly and turning around to grab one of the cleaned glasses from the counter. Filling it he elaborated his previous statement with: "Dealing with the Slayer isn't exactly a walk in the park - but then again, I TOLD you that. Buggering bitch always sticks her head in where it doesn't belong..." Spike glanced over at the sarcophagus and couldn't hold back a smile as he put the pitcher down and walked back into the closer vicinity of Adam. "For some reason my plans have never panned out whenever I've been in this bleeding town," the former muttered, bringing the glass to his lips and then Adam suddenly let hear a loud growl before he took a step forward.
Spike gulped against his better judgment, removing the glass and involuntarily recoiling.
"I am not upset!" Adam exclaimed, his deep voice seemingly even deeper as he looked around the crypt with staring eyes. "I am... ENRAGED! She sent him away! She did it! He has left! The final phase of my plan is incomplete because of HER!"
Spike lost every attempt at playing it cool when this revelation reached his ears, but the crazed Big Bad didn't even seem to notice it in the slightest as he began to pace with large and hard steps across the floor before the bleached blonde.
Spike cocked an eyebrow, watching small pieces of the cement loosen.
"Could you... stop that?" he then asked with a small point with one finger to the flooring's slow destruction. "I have to live here, you know?" he added as Adam paused and gave him a questioning leer.
The latter then ignored the request and began to pace once more, shaking his thick head as he drew breath upon breath.
"Who could possibly be so bloody important?" Spike huffed, rather enjoying witnessing the state of the former.
"My brother," Adam replied, suddenly growing silent as he came to a slow stop. "My very kin..."
Spike raised both eyebrows at that, incredulously.
"YOU have family?" he asked, but the sarcasm of that question seemed to also slip by the others attention span as he turned his face to one of the windows and grew thoughtful.
"He was to sit beside me," Adam grumbled. "He was to be my right hand once the transformation was completed and we had our army. And now... he is gone."
Buffy, still huddled behind the large object of stone now to Adam's left, bit her lower lip hard so that she wouldn't draw a sharp breath when she realized of whom Adam was speaking.
Spike, however, was still awfully confused; and upon that he was growing seriously curious.
"Demons cling to old ways and ancient feuds, and they're hopeless with technology," Adam said, still having his gaze far away before he turned his head to look at Spike. "Unworthy," the former added and Spike tilted his head barely noticeably to one side before he asked:
"Figure that out all by yourself, or did someone feed it to you while they were still stitching on parts?"
A light of something dangerous flickered on in Adam's eyes and Spike had a second of being absolutely positive that he had gone too far with that one. But then the light dimmed and Adam once more turned his eyes on the window.
"Disappointed by demon kind we turned to humans," Adam continued, not discouraged, and Spike thought it best to simply listen. "Smart, adaptive... but emotional and weak," the former stated, turning to fully face the vampire who had a chill down his spine at the last four words, thinking that it was Adam's way of declaring how well he knew of the Slayer and the Vamp's escapades. However, he was once more proven wrong since Adam merely proceeded with his speech: "Blind," he added to what he had just proclaimed. "There is imperfection everywhere. Something must be done. Who will deliver us?" Spike raised his eyebrows, signaling that he had no way of answering that inquiry; and so Adam did it for him. "Mother," the latter said and Spike blinked, even more confused, but rather unwilling to lead it on. "She saw our future," Adam now continued. "My brother's and my own... She saw that he was necessary... And now, now he's GONE! I want the Slayer in the Initiative when the time comes, Spike. I want her down there and I want her shredded. In bits! I'll make a pretty bride out of her and I'll have her dance by my hand for the rest of her pathetic existence!"
Spike ground his teeth, having to promote a picture of nails going through his feet, pinning him safely to the floor, in order of not moving up to the other demon and once more try his luck at thrashing him thoroughly.
"Sound good enough," he then gritted out, clearing his throat before he bent down and picked up his pants. Pulling them on he let the sheet slide to the floor and then he buttoned the former as he added: "And here's some delightful news: I did what you wanted. She's separated from her friends. They want nothing to do with her. She's all alone."
Adam's stiff posture seemed to loosen itself up a little at this disclosure and he eyed the vampire for a few moments before he replied:
"That's HOW I want her. Where I want her is a different matter all together, isn't it? I want her dead, but not before she has performed her task. She will ensure that as many demons die as humans. She will achieve maximum carnage before she's too weak to go on." He paused and Spike fought hard not to show the disgust he felt at that moment with what stood before him. Then the former slowly asked: "You say you've completed one step of your setout mission... What about the second? The disk's?"
"Yeah, gave 'em to the little witch last night..." Spike answered, bringing forth a casual tone as he hooked his thumbs by the buckle of his belt, adding: "So, she'll give the Slayer the info and 'pop' - Alice heads back down the rabbit hole."
"The witch?" Adam asked.
"Ah, Willow," Spike nodded, holding one hand up somewhere near his shoulder as he added: "About so high... perky, good with math. It's a natural choice."
"Her friend?" Adam asked and Spike nodded a second time. "One of the friend's from whom you've so efficiently separated her?"
"Damn right I did," Spike smirked, feeling rather assured in the fact that Adam was swallowing the story hook, line and sinker he continued: "You should've seen 'em. They won't be talking to each other for a long, long..." Trailing off he then paused himself, blinking as he realized where Adam's subtle question had been meant to lead him. "Hang on," the bleached said. "I think I've detected a small flaw."
"So - you've failed?" Adam spoke up and Spike's eyes widened slightly before he huffed.
"Well, you're supposed to be so smart and you let ME plan this whole thing!" he then countered and Adam looked as though he was about to raise his non-existing eyebrows. Spike needed a new approach and so he changed tactics into: "Okay, let's not argue 'bout who failed who. The important thing is making sure the Slayer is where we want h-..."
"Yes," Adam interrupted. "And if you fail me again..."
The demon didn't finish his sentence, merely gave Spike a glance which seemed to speak a thousand times louder than words before the former walked up to the door. Stopping by it he placed one hand on the knob before he turned his head back to the vampire with an almost sympathetic look on his features, then he said:
"And you needn't hide the fact that you are not alone, Spike. The scent of your sexual activities are like a thick blanket hovering somewhere below the ceiling... Let her get off the floor." He pulled the door open, about to step through it when he once again paused and looked at Spike before adding: "We should never behave thoughtlessly. I hear her heart beat. She could catch her death of cold."
With that word of very odd advice he moved forward and the door was closed behind him.
Spike stared at it for nearly thirty seconds, stunned, and then the slow sound of Buffy standing up made him snap out of it and he turned to her.
"He's a green, psycho-bot-man-thing-y with delusions of grandeur and world domination and I really, REALLY don't like him," she stated, coming around the sarcophagus to join Spike by the armchair.
"Mh, got him all marked and put in the appropriate box now, have you, Slayer?" he asked and she smiled a little before she stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
He held her back, closing his eyes before he sighed.
"What?" she asked and he shrugged, then grumbled:
"He never told me who his 'brother' is."
Buffy bit her lower lip and then she pulled away so that she could look up at him.
"With everything that happened last night I forgot to tell you," she mumbled and Spike arched one eyebrow, waiting. "I met Riley. We said good- bye," she added and Spike now furrowed his brow, uncomprehendingly. "He's left," she elaborated and Spike looked at her with disbelief etching his blue eyes.
"HE'S the brother?!" he nearly exclaimed and Buffy's eyes grew a notch at the outburst. He let her go and she had no choice but to do the same as he began to pace before her. "Mr. Good-goodie-two-shoes, Mr. Clean-and- Wholesome-Full-bread-American-Boy-Next-Door, Mr. Captain-Sodding-Cardboard is brother to that... thing?!" he then spluttered and Buffy observed him keenly now. "How on God's damaged Earth is that even bloody possible?"
"I don't know," Buffy replied calmly. "All I know is that the person Adam refers to as 'Mother' has to be Professor Walsh. And she had Riley as a favourite above all... maybe she... did something to him," she added, voice growing rather low. "I mean, apart from the whole feeding-him-supernatural- steroids and all that," she finished and Spike shook his head.
"Unbe-buggering-lievable," he muttered. "Hey, what if the G.I. Joe was actually a demon? Wouldn't that be ironic?" he added; the sarcasm in his voice not going by unnoticed by Buffy and she smiled a small smile.
"No, he was human," she then assured, voice even more quiet and as their eyes met they held each others gazes for a few short moments before they both looked away.
Suddenly Buffy couldn't suppress a yawn and Spike didn't say anything, merely took her by the hand and lead her to the sarcophagus. Facing her he took a step forward before he leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. She returned it gently and then she looked up at him with a smile which eased the sudden rush of anxiety which had travelled up his spine as their largest obstacle had been nearly brought into the light of conversation.
"Go to bed," he now instructed and her smile widened ever so slightly before she asked:
"You coming?"
He looked at her for a few seconds, and then he replied:
"Soon."
She looked back at him before nodding and feeling how tired she was she crawled onto the mattress and tugged the sheet she had still had been covered with off to have it settle over her. Meeting Spike's eyes where he still stood by her feet she then closed her own and began to drift off practically at once.
Spike turned and walked up to where the rest of his clothes lie, picking up his black T and then his duster. Pulling both of them on he silently exited the crypt, heading out into the night and wishing for the first time since he was turned that he could stay up to watch the sunrise - and not burn.
***
8.05 a.m.
Buffy woke slowly. The room grew from blurred into focused as she eased her eyes open and rested them directly in Spike's - who was sitting by the side of the sarcophagus on a chair. He had his hands locked together under his chin, resting the latter against his knuckles as he let a small smile of welcome grace his lips.
"Morning," he said and she returned the smile as she stretched.
"Morning," she then agreed, relaxing as her face grew wondering. "What are ya doing way over there?" she pouted and he smirked, letting his hands fall from his chin still in a united fist as he eyed her.
"I've been thinking," he began, but her moaning cut him off, and then she said:
"Honey! What have I said about that?! You shouldn't even try!"
He gave her a look, but her face merely split into a bright smile and he had to chuckle at her quip.
Then she suddenly dulled her cheerfulness, because the seriousness resting somewhere in his gaze made her understand that what he had on his mind wasn't remotely linked to something of the happy.
"What's wrong?" she therefore asked, sitting up and he bit his lower lip as he seemed to choose his words carefully.
"This morning was a close call," he then began. "If Adam had seen you... or heard us... Safe to say we wouldn't be around to bloody discuss it, would we? He's strong, Buffy. Stronger than anything you've had to encounter before and I don't think it's a good idea for you to get off on a wrong start with the killing of him... You need to stay focused, or he'll be the one killing YOU."
She watched him as he spoke, then moved to sit on the edge of the mattress so that she could better face him. She was about to make her case clear when he continued.
"Maybe it'd be better if we took a break from all of... this," he murmured and now she ogled him; she had been suspecting this was where he was going, but she was surprised nonetheless. "'Til Adam's outta the sodding way," Spike added, meeting her gaze firmly. "Think about it, Buffy! For you to deal with everything that bloody comes with a new... and on top of that hiding it from your friends and having to fret over them finding out... As WELL as fighting the buggering Terminator! I can't let you do that, love."
She observed him, then asked:
"Didn't you say as early as a few hours ago that you wouldn't ever let me stand alone?"
He ground his teeth, then stood and she did the same, stopping him from removing himself out of her reach by placing her hands lightly on his lower arms, forcing him to meet her gaze again.
"We can't keep doing this," she said. "We can't hold onto each other one minute and then push as hard as we can the next. We have to make the decision now."
He looked down at her and she could see the struggle he was having with himself. She knew that he wanted to do what was right. Now she had to convince him of what actually was. He kept comparing himself to Angel. Even if it was subconsciously she was certain that he did. She had once said that Angel had done the noble thing, he had walked away. He had loved her enough to let go, but now...
"I need you to love me enough to stay," she stated and Spike seemed to grow attentive to her every motion as he eyed her closely. "I won't push anymore."
He raised one hand and ran it softly through her tangled locks before he placed it by her cheek, still silent.
"I'll deal with whatever comes," she promised. "And Adam... We can take him down, but only as a team. HE'S the one who wants to split me up from the ones I care for, remember? I'm stronger with you, than without you. And I won't have to fret over how to keep this from the Gang," she finally concluded as she slid one hand down over his wrist, entwining their fingers as she added: "We're telling them today."
He blinked at that, no longer able to resist a smile. She immediately smiled back and then squeezed his hand encouragingly.
"Are you sure 'bout this?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied with no hesitation whatsoever. "They'll cope. They'll have to. I'm not giving you up, Spike. Not now."
He smiled wider, about to say something when her eyebrows suddenly rose and she exclaimed:
"What time is it?!"
He furrowed his brow questioningly as she tore her hand from his and ran up to her pile of clothes, beginning to furiously pull them on.
"Close to eight-thirty, I think..." he then answered her question. "What's the...?"
"The exam I've been studying for!" she replied before he could finish his sentence. "It's today and... I'm late and..." She tugged her sweater down over her head and then spun around in search for her pocketbook. Finding it she quickly looked through it to see if everything she needed was there before she rushed back up to him, giving him a quick kiss on the mouth she then once again turned and sprinted up to the door. "See you later!" she yelled as she disappeared through it and he rolled his eyes, sitting down on the chair again.
So this was actually real, then? They were at the beginning of something - together. And she was serious enough to want to admit him to her friends and someone who was almost like her father. What would the old poof say? What if he refused to accept it? What if all of them did?
He suddenly remembered the visit he had had from Willow the other day... Did she already know? She sure had been acting like it. But then again, there was no way of actually determining that, was there. In the end Buffy with a character such as him just might be too much, even for Ms. Embodiment-of-Understanding.
He supposed the whelp was the biggest concern since Spike was positive that particular mortal wouldn't take too kindly to the scenario. Would he 'cope'?
The first swarm of nervous butterflies attacked him the second after that thought had fluttered through his mind and he drew an unnecessary breath as he leaned back on the chair.
He was in for one hell of a ride; that was for sure.
He gambled. He loved to. He had done it for as long as he could remember - well, since he was turned anyway. He craved the thrill of not knowing whether he was about to win big or lose even bigger. And he had never backed out of a wager. But come this afternoon all bets were off; and he didn't like it.
He didn't like it one bit.
**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************
This chapter has contained explicit conversation from the BtVS episode Primeval. All rights to writer David Fury.
Oh, how incredible you are! I bow down before you as the humble vessel that I am! (for transforming the Spuffyness within me, I mean.) ;) I'm always astonished (and no, I really am not exaggerating, I ALWAYS am) that I am able to reach so many with this! With my imagination. It is such a great gift!!! Thank you SO much for giving me your appreciation, for letting me know that you're enjoying this!!! It means a whole lot to me and I won't ever stop reminding you of that!
Very special thanks to wolf116, Caitee, Renee', Rachel, qattace, Erica, Alyssa, Maribel, Carol, Mel, Leanne, spikesgilmore, Xio, LizDarcy and vuks - you are amazing, all of you! All of you who have ever dropped me a line are the best of the best, but the ones who keep coming back with their thoughts - this shout out is for you! Thank you SO much!!!
I got an email pronouncing the winners of the SpuffyAwards and though Trapped was not one of them I still feel like a total winner for even having been nominated. Vuks - again - thank you for that! It was really great! I'm very happy with this story, and the fact that you guys seem to like it as well makes it all the better!
I hope this chapter was no disappointment! Oh, what WILL happen in the next chapter?! I can't wait to find out, I have to start writing it right now so...
A.M.L, Annie. ;)