Note: For the timeline of this story, Spike's crypt was always the same
one, even though I know he didn't move in until after he was chipped. It
just made better sense for my story, so that's the way it is!! Enjoy!
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Chapter 21
Confusion
Buffy awoke from a sound sleep, casually patting the empty bed beside her. She opened her eyes, glancing around the room, and realized the sun was shining beyond the shaded window. She turned to note the time on the clock. 10:00 A.M. Where was Spike?
Sitting up and stretching her arms behind her head, she pulled sore muscles and tight limbs, but noted she had vastly improved overnight. Feeling much stronger, the pain of her injuries all but gone, she scooted herself off the bed. After the events of the previous night, she found it odd that Spike hadn't returned to join her. Standing in front of her dresser mirror, she leaned in, finding the now healing scar on her neck. Buffy looked up, talking to her reflection. "Some slayer you are. Bitten by four vampires."
She shook it off, ran her hands through her mussed hair, and left the room on her venture to find Spike. Passing through the living room, all was quiet, no one in sight. She felt a little unnerved, and stepped into the kitchen, finding Kitara sitting alone at the table. 'Great, just who I wanted to see,' she complained to herself.
"No picnic for me either," the other woman exclaimed, taking a sip from her coffee cup.
Buffy rolled her eyes, realizing her not so subtle thought had been spoken out loud. "Where is everyone else?" she asked, trying to be nice about it.
"Still sleeping. Up pretty late with the books. Getting nowhere either if I might add."
"We will. We'll find something soon." Buffy felt proud the conversation was going so well.
"Whatever," Kitara answered dryly.
'Spoke too soon,' was the next thought, spoken silently this time. Buffy ignored her response and turned to the cabinet, grabbing a box of cereal.
"Willow and Kennedy went to L.A. Probably a wild goose chase, but Wesley thought he might have found something."
Buffy found Kitara's negative vibe annoying, but was happy to have the information. She'd realized the house seemed empty, but with all of the commotion had forgotten to ask about it the previous night. She nodded, turning back toward the table.
"You haven't seen Spike, have you?"
Kitara cocked an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the question. "Figured I'd ask you the same thing, since my bed was a little emptier than it had been the night before."
Buffy looked up, surprise taking over her expression.
"Don't look so shocked. Where do you think he was while you were out getting your ass kicked?"
Buffy felt the bile rising in her throat, and couldn't form a coherent word.
Kitara smiled, a gloating grin on her lips. "Poor Buffy. Couldn't control your pet vampire. You've been so hot and cold, someone had to do it."
"Shut up," she warned, the only thought she could muster.
"He is a man, after all.with needs. And you know, you should have told me how he does that little thing with his."
Kitara was cut off with a backhanded slap to the face. She reached up, rubbing her cheek, a gloating smile plastered on her lips.
"I told you I get what I want." She stood up from the table, glaring at her opponent. "You'd better be careful, Buffy. It's getting so hard to sort your friends from your enemies now days. The one you love just might turn out to be the one that kills you."
Buffy clenched her fists, controlling the urge to pound the bitch into the ground, and took another avenue. "Get out of my house." Her tone was low and menacing.
"I think I will," she taunted, dismissing the threat. "I was getting rather bored here anyway."
Buffy watched as Kitara turned, heading for the side door leading outside. "Try not to miss me." And then she was gone.
Buffy fought back the tears that were trying to form, quickly pushing them back. Now wasn't the time to be weak and weepy. She'd deal with Spike and Kitara's little tryst later, or maybe she wouldn't. After all, Spike told her he was trying to move on, and she knew Kitara could manipulate herself into any situation. She was sure she'd manipulated herself right into his bed. But that happened before last night. She was with him now, and that was all that mattered.
She opened the door to the basement, stepping down the stairs, hoping to find him down there, disappointed when she met an empty room. Buffy began to get a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. Running back up as fast as her feet would take her, she continued searching through the house. She stopped at the bathroom and began to panic, knowing he wouldn't be in any of the other bedrooms. She went to Dawn's room and pounded on the door.
After a moment, the door opened and Giles stood with an annoyed expression in front of her. "Good lord, Buffy. What is it?" he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"It's Spike. Something's wrong. He's gone and we need to find him."
He closed his eyes and sighed as he shook his head. "What do you mean he's gone?"
"I mean he went outside last night for a smoke and he never came back. I'm worried Giles. He wouldn't have just left."
"Or maybe he did something smart for once in his life and listened to what we were telling him."
Her voice rose, anger seeping through her words. "What is your problem?! Spike is as much a part of this team as anyone else! You've been riding him for so long, I don't think you know how to treat him any different! He deserves more from you!"
"He's a vampire, Buffy. And 'you' deserve more than that!"
"Get over it! I love him and you're just going to have to deal with it!"
Her words caught him off guard. He'd assumed as much, but hearing it out loud brought his assumption to life. He bit back the remarks he wanted to say, and simply asked, "So what do we do?"
"I'll go get Angel. I'd say he could track him, but it's daylight. We're gonna loose a lot of time waiting for it to get dark."
"Go get him and I'll meet you downstairs. What about Kitara?"
Buffy turned without hesitation. Halfway down the hall she answered, "She's gone."
*********************************
The previous night....
Spike rolled over, coughing up a mouthful of dirt, and tried to open his eyes. His hands shot to his head, the pain so intense it felt like his brain was being ripped in two. Maybe he'd downed too many bottles of one thing or another, but he couldn't remember having drank anything at all. In fact, he didn't remember anything.
Ignoring the pounding in his head for a moment, he glanced around trying to pinpoint his location. It was dark, probably around midnight by his calculation, and somewhere familiar. That tree. He knew that tree. His eyes widened. And that house. He rose to his feet, anger building deep within him. "That bitch!" he screamed. "I bet that bloody slayer has something to do with this!"
He paced, contemplating barging in and ripping her head off, then realized he'd never be able to make his way through the barrier of the house. After his last visit, she was sure to have done a 'keep Spike out' spell. Besides that, he had to find out why he didn't remember anything and what had happened for him to wake up lying on the ground in her front yard. He calmed himself, deciding to head back to his crypt to sort things out. Hopefully, Harmony wouldn't be too much of a nuisance. If she knew what was best, she'd stay out of his way tonight.
He turned, barely making it out of the yard, when he spotted a woman walking down the street. An idea formed, and he headed out after her. Stupid bint, being out alone at this time of night. Didn't she know what a reputation Sunnydale had? Oh well, her loss and all that rot. He jogged up to her, attempting not to scare her in the process.
"Wait up, luv," he called from a few feet behind.
She stopped, turning toward him, pepper spray in hand. "What do you want?"
He held up his hands, a defeated mocking gesture, and walked closer. "Just wanted to tell you to be careful out here all alone. Don't know what kind of nasties are out and about this time of night, pet."
"I can take care of myself," she answered, gesturing toward her weapon. "Who are you, anyway? Think you're Billy Idol or something?"
He scoffed. "Never heard that one before, luv."
She relaxed a little and smiled. "I'm Tina," she said, holding her hand out to greet him.
He reached out as if to shake it, and grabbed her arm, pulling her into him. "Hello, Tina. The name's Spike," he answered, an almost seductive tone coating his words.
She tried to scream when she saw the features of his face shift from man to demon, but was cut off by his hand over her mouth.
"Uh uh, there'll be none of that. No screaming within earshot of a slayer, pet." In a flash, sharp teeth were imbedded into her flesh, draining her life. When she fell limp into his arms, he picked her up, making his way toward the house to carry out the rest of his plan. If he couldn't kill the slayer, he'd make damn sure she knew he'd been there.
He quietly eased onto the porch, finding the swing to be the perfect place for the girl. He laid her down, positioning her so as to make her comfortable. Looking at her lifeless body, a moment of regret passed through him. Where'd that come from? "Get a grip, Spike," he preached, feeling a bit odd as he pushed the guilt away. He shook his head and focused on his plan. He had to leave something. Something so unmistakable, she would know for certain it was him. He began searching his pockets, pulling out an unexpected object from his duster.
"Bloody hell," he exclaimed, throwing the stake off the porch as if it had burned him. "That's bloody dangerous, mate." He shook it off and resumed his search. Finding nothing else, he finally decided to leave the one thing she was sure to know. He placed his lighter in the dead girl's hand, and turned to leave. Being fond of the zippo, he'd just have to remember to return for it later.
He strode down Revello drive, a stagger in his walk, proud of his accomplishment. He was feeling better and his head had begun to stop aching so much. The borrowed blood was warming his body, and he knew there would be a brassed off slayer in the morning. Life was good, he decided, as he headed toward the crypt. In this mood, maybe he could find some uses for Harmony after all.
Arriving home, he threw open the door and stepped inside.
"I'm home, baby!" he called to.. Nobody?
Looking around, the shock of what he was seeing had yet to register. Confusion was the only thing that came to mind. He walked back outside, a dumbfounded look appearing on his face, and glanced at the outside of his home. 'Yep.. My crypt,' he told himself, hoping he'd gone to the wrong place.
He slowly walked back inside, looking for any signs of Allan Funt or hidden cameras. It looked like his crypt, but the décor was definetly not. Something was way off. He stood in the middle of the unfamiliar scene. "What the bloody hell is going on?"
TBC
*****************************
Please please please leave feedback! I thrive on it!!!!!
I think I may have lost some of you after the last chapter. I know they just got together! Just stay with me... it'll all work out in the end!!!
******************************
Chapter 21
Confusion
Buffy awoke from a sound sleep, casually patting the empty bed beside her. She opened her eyes, glancing around the room, and realized the sun was shining beyond the shaded window. She turned to note the time on the clock. 10:00 A.M. Where was Spike?
Sitting up and stretching her arms behind her head, she pulled sore muscles and tight limbs, but noted she had vastly improved overnight. Feeling much stronger, the pain of her injuries all but gone, she scooted herself off the bed. After the events of the previous night, she found it odd that Spike hadn't returned to join her. Standing in front of her dresser mirror, she leaned in, finding the now healing scar on her neck. Buffy looked up, talking to her reflection. "Some slayer you are. Bitten by four vampires."
She shook it off, ran her hands through her mussed hair, and left the room on her venture to find Spike. Passing through the living room, all was quiet, no one in sight. She felt a little unnerved, and stepped into the kitchen, finding Kitara sitting alone at the table. 'Great, just who I wanted to see,' she complained to herself.
"No picnic for me either," the other woman exclaimed, taking a sip from her coffee cup.
Buffy rolled her eyes, realizing her not so subtle thought had been spoken out loud. "Where is everyone else?" she asked, trying to be nice about it.
"Still sleeping. Up pretty late with the books. Getting nowhere either if I might add."
"We will. We'll find something soon." Buffy felt proud the conversation was going so well.
"Whatever," Kitara answered dryly.
'Spoke too soon,' was the next thought, spoken silently this time. Buffy ignored her response and turned to the cabinet, grabbing a box of cereal.
"Willow and Kennedy went to L.A. Probably a wild goose chase, but Wesley thought he might have found something."
Buffy found Kitara's negative vibe annoying, but was happy to have the information. She'd realized the house seemed empty, but with all of the commotion had forgotten to ask about it the previous night. She nodded, turning back toward the table.
"You haven't seen Spike, have you?"
Kitara cocked an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the question. "Figured I'd ask you the same thing, since my bed was a little emptier than it had been the night before."
Buffy looked up, surprise taking over her expression.
"Don't look so shocked. Where do you think he was while you were out getting your ass kicked?"
Buffy felt the bile rising in her throat, and couldn't form a coherent word.
Kitara smiled, a gloating grin on her lips. "Poor Buffy. Couldn't control your pet vampire. You've been so hot and cold, someone had to do it."
"Shut up," she warned, the only thought she could muster.
"He is a man, after all.with needs. And you know, you should have told me how he does that little thing with his."
Kitara was cut off with a backhanded slap to the face. She reached up, rubbing her cheek, a gloating smile plastered on her lips.
"I told you I get what I want." She stood up from the table, glaring at her opponent. "You'd better be careful, Buffy. It's getting so hard to sort your friends from your enemies now days. The one you love just might turn out to be the one that kills you."
Buffy clenched her fists, controlling the urge to pound the bitch into the ground, and took another avenue. "Get out of my house." Her tone was low and menacing.
"I think I will," she taunted, dismissing the threat. "I was getting rather bored here anyway."
Buffy watched as Kitara turned, heading for the side door leading outside. "Try not to miss me." And then she was gone.
Buffy fought back the tears that were trying to form, quickly pushing them back. Now wasn't the time to be weak and weepy. She'd deal with Spike and Kitara's little tryst later, or maybe she wouldn't. After all, Spike told her he was trying to move on, and she knew Kitara could manipulate herself into any situation. She was sure she'd manipulated herself right into his bed. But that happened before last night. She was with him now, and that was all that mattered.
She opened the door to the basement, stepping down the stairs, hoping to find him down there, disappointed when she met an empty room. Buffy began to get a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. Running back up as fast as her feet would take her, she continued searching through the house. She stopped at the bathroom and began to panic, knowing he wouldn't be in any of the other bedrooms. She went to Dawn's room and pounded on the door.
After a moment, the door opened and Giles stood with an annoyed expression in front of her. "Good lord, Buffy. What is it?" he asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"It's Spike. Something's wrong. He's gone and we need to find him."
He closed his eyes and sighed as he shook his head. "What do you mean he's gone?"
"I mean he went outside last night for a smoke and he never came back. I'm worried Giles. He wouldn't have just left."
"Or maybe he did something smart for once in his life and listened to what we were telling him."
Her voice rose, anger seeping through her words. "What is your problem?! Spike is as much a part of this team as anyone else! You've been riding him for so long, I don't think you know how to treat him any different! He deserves more from you!"
"He's a vampire, Buffy. And 'you' deserve more than that!"
"Get over it! I love him and you're just going to have to deal with it!"
Her words caught him off guard. He'd assumed as much, but hearing it out loud brought his assumption to life. He bit back the remarks he wanted to say, and simply asked, "So what do we do?"
"I'll go get Angel. I'd say he could track him, but it's daylight. We're gonna loose a lot of time waiting for it to get dark."
"Go get him and I'll meet you downstairs. What about Kitara?"
Buffy turned without hesitation. Halfway down the hall she answered, "She's gone."
*********************************
The previous night....
Spike rolled over, coughing up a mouthful of dirt, and tried to open his eyes. His hands shot to his head, the pain so intense it felt like his brain was being ripped in two. Maybe he'd downed too many bottles of one thing or another, but he couldn't remember having drank anything at all. In fact, he didn't remember anything.
Ignoring the pounding in his head for a moment, he glanced around trying to pinpoint his location. It was dark, probably around midnight by his calculation, and somewhere familiar. That tree. He knew that tree. His eyes widened. And that house. He rose to his feet, anger building deep within him. "That bitch!" he screamed. "I bet that bloody slayer has something to do with this!"
He paced, contemplating barging in and ripping her head off, then realized he'd never be able to make his way through the barrier of the house. After his last visit, she was sure to have done a 'keep Spike out' spell. Besides that, he had to find out why he didn't remember anything and what had happened for him to wake up lying on the ground in her front yard. He calmed himself, deciding to head back to his crypt to sort things out. Hopefully, Harmony wouldn't be too much of a nuisance. If she knew what was best, she'd stay out of his way tonight.
He turned, barely making it out of the yard, when he spotted a woman walking down the street. An idea formed, and he headed out after her. Stupid bint, being out alone at this time of night. Didn't she know what a reputation Sunnydale had? Oh well, her loss and all that rot. He jogged up to her, attempting not to scare her in the process.
"Wait up, luv," he called from a few feet behind.
She stopped, turning toward him, pepper spray in hand. "What do you want?"
He held up his hands, a defeated mocking gesture, and walked closer. "Just wanted to tell you to be careful out here all alone. Don't know what kind of nasties are out and about this time of night, pet."
"I can take care of myself," she answered, gesturing toward her weapon. "Who are you, anyway? Think you're Billy Idol or something?"
He scoffed. "Never heard that one before, luv."
She relaxed a little and smiled. "I'm Tina," she said, holding her hand out to greet him.
He reached out as if to shake it, and grabbed her arm, pulling her into him. "Hello, Tina. The name's Spike," he answered, an almost seductive tone coating his words.
She tried to scream when she saw the features of his face shift from man to demon, but was cut off by his hand over her mouth.
"Uh uh, there'll be none of that. No screaming within earshot of a slayer, pet." In a flash, sharp teeth were imbedded into her flesh, draining her life. When she fell limp into his arms, he picked her up, making his way toward the house to carry out the rest of his plan. If he couldn't kill the slayer, he'd make damn sure she knew he'd been there.
He quietly eased onto the porch, finding the swing to be the perfect place for the girl. He laid her down, positioning her so as to make her comfortable. Looking at her lifeless body, a moment of regret passed through him. Where'd that come from? "Get a grip, Spike," he preached, feeling a bit odd as he pushed the guilt away. He shook his head and focused on his plan. He had to leave something. Something so unmistakable, she would know for certain it was him. He began searching his pockets, pulling out an unexpected object from his duster.
"Bloody hell," he exclaimed, throwing the stake off the porch as if it had burned him. "That's bloody dangerous, mate." He shook it off and resumed his search. Finding nothing else, he finally decided to leave the one thing she was sure to know. He placed his lighter in the dead girl's hand, and turned to leave. Being fond of the zippo, he'd just have to remember to return for it later.
He strode down Revello drive, a stagger in his walk, proud of his accomplishment. He was feeling better and his head had begun to stop aching so much. The borrowed blood was warming his body, and he knew there would be a brassed off slayer in the morning. Life was good, he decided, as he headed toward the crypt. In this mood, maybe he could find some uses for Harmony after all.
Arriving home, he threw open the door and stepped inside.
"I'm home, baby!" he called to.. Nobody?
Looking around, the shock of what he was seeing had yet to register. Confusion was the only thing that came to mind. He walked back outside, a dumbfounded look appearing on his face, and glanced at the outside of his home. 'Yep.. My crypt,' he told himself, hoping he'd gone to the wrong place.
He slowly walked back inside, looking for any signs of Allan Funt or hidden cameras. It looked like his crypt, but the décor was definetly not. Something was way off. He stood in the middle of the unfamiliar scene. "What the bloody hell is going on?"
TBC
*****************************
Please please please leave feedback! I thrive on it!!!!!
I think I may have lost some of you after the last chapter. I know they just got together! Just stay with me... it'll all work out in the end!!!