Title: The Soulmatchers
Author: Sunglow999
Pairing: Spike/Buffy
Rating: R (Just to be on the safe side)
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon & Mutant Enemy, except Cassie and Orion – they belong to me.
Spoilers:- Up to Dead Things, things are different from there on in. Crossover with Angel later on. This is my first ever fanfiction so reviews would be helpful, email me at sunglow999@hotmail.com
A/N Wow, reviews already! Thanks so much.
The Soulmatchers
Chapter 4.
Spike had lit a cigarette and was in the process of taking a deep drag when she dropped that bombshell. He choked on the smoke, coughing and wheezing while she patted his back.
"What?" He eventually managed to gasp.
"I've known since Prague that you were destined for another. Why do you think Orion and I helped you? You had to survive."
"But, soulmate? Cassie, vampires are soulless demons."
"Is that the excuse she's giving? It's that damn Council of Watchers, you know. Everything is black or white to them, got to keep the slayers in line, so tell them all demons are evil - no souls. It's a load of crap. Okay, most demons are evil, but they do have souls, albeit evil ones. When a human becomes a vampire, the human soul is subjugated. If a vampire's destined mate is a slayer then the nearer they are to each other the stronger the human soul gets. You've probably had more use of your human soul since you came to Sunnydale."
"Why do I still get the urge to kill and maim then?"
"Because there's still a demon inside you." She placed her hand against his cheek, rubbing her thumb over his cheekbone. "In time, you'll lose the urge to kill humans completely."
"Don't think I'll ever lose the urge to kill Harris." He muttered, dropping the cigarette and stomping it out.
"Who's Harris?"
"One of the slayers friends, a right wanker."
"Why don't you introduce me to your friends."
"They're not my friends." He asserted but slung his arm round her shoulders anyway and steered her in the direction of the Scoobies table.
From the other side of the room Buffy Dawn and Willow were watching the interaction between the two vampires.
"They look like good friends." Willow said.
"Friends as in lovers do you think?" Dawn asked.
"Dawn!" Buffy glared over at the vampires but the look was wasted on them as they weren't looking at her.
"What? I bet she's an old girlfriend who's heard Drusilla is no longer on the scene." Dawn and Willow weren't looking at Buffy so missed the murderous gleam in her eyes.
"She looks a little like Drusilla, doesn't she?" Willow commented. "With the dark hair and all."
"Yeah, totally skanky." Buffy muttered. They both looked at her in surprise but before either could comment Spike had come up to the table.
"Slayer, 'Bit, Red, Harris, Anya." He nodded to each of them as he introduced them. "This is.."
"Cassiopeia?" Anya finally got a good look at Cassie.
"Anyanka?" It was Cassie's turn to gape. "You're human again?"
"Yes. I lost my powers but I don't mind because then I would never have met Xander and look, I'm engaged." Anya proudly showed off her ring.
"An, you know her?" Xander asked.
"Oh yes, this is Cassiopeia, she's been around longer than I have. What have you been doing with yourself? And how's.."
"Enough with the reunion." Buffy interrupted icily. "What do you want, Spike?"
"Need some 'elp, Slayer, but we can't talk 'ere." Spike lit another cigarette only to have it plucked out of his mouth by Cassie. "Oy!" He grabbed it back.
"You know I hate the smell of smoke on my clothes." She told him.
The Scoobies watched in amazement as he obediently put it out, right in Xanders drink.
"Do we go to the Magic shop?" Willow asked.
"I feel the urge to research coming on, not." Xander glared at Spike who glared back.
"Let's go." Buffy stood up. "Sorry about cutting your night short, Dawn. I'll make it up to you."
"That's okay, Buffy." Dawn was eyeing Cassie's leather trousers with envy. She wondered if she could make Buffy feel guilty enough to buy her a pair like them. She didn't notice the intent look Cassie was giving her.
"How old are you?" Cassie suddenly asked.
"Fifteen, nearly sixteen, why?"
Cassie swore suddenly.
"Shit." She turned and stalked out, leaving everyone staring after her in bewilderment.
Spike hurried after her and found her outside in the alley, banging her head against the fire door.
"Cassie? What's up?"
"She's fifteen, Spike!"
"So?"
"She's Orion's soulmate!"
"What? NO! Not Dawn, not my 'lil 'Bit! There is no fucking way I am going to allow her to..to.." Spike couldn't even say it.
"Christ, Buffy will kill you, and him."
"Do you think I'm happy about this? When he finds out he's going to go ape himself." She grasped his lapels and shook him furiously. "For fifteen hundred years we've worked against our demon natures for the Powers That Be. We've brought countless souls together because we were told that our reward would be our lives back." She looked up into the night sky. "You're sick, you know that? Sick!" She screamed to the heavens then looked at Spike with tears in her eyes. "They're sticking it to us one last time."
"What's wrong? I thought only Buffy was allowed to beat up Spike." Anya interrupted Cassies rant. The others had followed her out.
"Come on, let's go to the Magic Shop." Buffy grabbed Spikes sleeve and pulled, forcing Cassie to let him go. "And you, stay out of my way." This was directed to Cassie.
"Wouldn't want to be near an uptight bitch like you for too long anyway." Cassie responded.
Xander and Willow held their breath at this insult and predictably, Buffy went on the attack.
Cassie's head snapped back with the force of the punch but was able to recover and block the next one before fighting back. Spike leant against the wall and watched the poetry in motion that was Buffy.
"Aren't you worried that Buffy will stake her?" Willow asked.
"Nope." He said nothing further, just lit another cigarette. He smoked, his eyes never leaving Buffy as she swept Cassie's feet out from under her and went if for the kill, her stake plunging straight through Cassies heart.
A/N To be continued.