Per Aspera Ad Astra

Thank you all for the reviews. I loved it. :) You made my month.

***

Chapter Tres

***

A low growl emitted from deep in Spike's throat as he glared daggers at the arrogant vampire.

Buffy snapped to attention, back-handing Lucius off of her. She immediately grabbed a stake and shoved him onto the floor, straddling him, preparing to strike.

While Spike was happy to see Buffy trying to kill Lucius, he wasn't particularly happy about the position in which she chose to do it in.

Before Spike could think another thought, Tiberius stepped in stopped Buffy from ramming the wood through Lucius' chest.

Livia frowned. The new vampire, Williamus, looked very possessive of the other slayer, the one from the future or so her pater had told her. Funny, did vampires and humans coincide peacefully in the future? At least this vampire did. He seemed very ... emotional, but then again, vampires -are- very territorial and passionate creatures.

Smirking, Lucius stepped away from Buffy. He swung his chestnut eyes over to Spike, speaking a drawling tone. Spike bit back fiercely in Latin, ending with an English "Bugger off!"

Tiberius placed a fatherly hand on Spike's shoulder. "Williamus," he began before spouting off in Latin. Slowly, Spike and Lucius backed down, retreating to different corners of the room.

"What just happened?" Xander asked blankly. "I think I missed something."

"He just told Spike that he won't be of any harm to anybody in the room and that he has regular fights with Livia whenever he comes in. He has some type of truce with them," Anya told him. "Hmm, I've never heard of a vampire with a truce with the slayer before Spike and Angel ..."

"He loves her," Tara whispered in realization.

"Yeah," Xander said sarcastically, "Which is why he just tried to hit on Buffy."

"Look at him," Willow said calmly. Lo and behold, Lucius had his chestnut eyes trained on Livia from across the room, silently watching her every move. Everyone gave Xander a knowing look.

Before another word was spoken, a loud knock resonated through the wooden door. Tiberius called something out and the door swung open. A servant entered holding a basket of varied herbs and ingredients apparently essential to the spell. Tara and Tiberius began to set the spell up as the others sat back to watch curiously.

Buffy looked over at Spike who was sitting in a wooden chair across the room pouting ... or rather, brooding. She didn't really want her friends to see her speaking so friendly to Spike, but when she cast a quick glance around the room, it seemed as if they weren't paying any attention to her.

Buffy crossed the room toward him, the layers of her tunica swishing around her legs. "Did you hear that, Spike?" she asked him quietly. "They think Lucius is in love with Livia." She unconsciously placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "For some reason, I think so, too," she told him softly.

Looking up at her, Spike gave her a wary smile and gently pulled her into his lap.

At first, Buffy thought about resisting and then realized that they were married here. It would be out of character for a wife ... Wife? The word sounded very comfortable for some reason, and Buffy could feel her cheeks heating. Without facing him, she settled herself further into his embrace.

Spike broke her silent reverie. "Really, pet? He doesn't have a soul either. I was under the impression that no soul equals no emotions," he said sarcastically.

Grinning, Buffy wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, I do think he loves her." Then glancing at the Scoobies, she added playfully, "You realize I'm only doing this to stop Lucius from feeling me up?" She added this in for good measure, knowing full well that he was jealous of the other vampire.

"Of course I do, luv," he answered, cupping the back of her head in response. "You are mine," he whispered for her only before pulling her face down to his and claiming her lips.

Buffy pressed back softly, placing both hands flat against his cheeks.

They were interrupted by a squeal and turned abruptly to see Dawn standing there, hands clasped tightly in front of her, stars in her eyes. "No Buffy and Spike? Ha!" she exclaimed mockingly.

Groaning, Buffy dropped her head onto Spike's shoulder and pressed her face into his neck, inhaling the unique scent that is Spike. She grasped the front of his tunic in balled fists. "Do I have to get up?" she murmured into his neck.

"Yeah. Sorry, luv, don't want you to get up either." Pressing a sweet kiss to the underside of her jaw, he mumbled, "Mine," once again for effect before reluctantly helping her to her feet.

Without responding, Buffy turned back to the group. "Do you think we could do that spell before we have any more conversations?" she asked, ignoring the stunned look on Xander and Willow's faces.

"Sure, Buffy, just as soon as everyone leaves," Tara answered, not looking up from the circle she was drawing on the floor.

"What?" Xander asked.

"The spell has to be done with only Tiberius and me in the room. The rest of you have to leave. The spell will take effect as we finish chanting. It's not dangerous or anything. You'll feel a little dizzy and then it'll be over," she explained.

"Okay, we know when we're not wanted," Xander said as everyone began to pile out of the room. "You come get us when you're done." Tara nodded assent.

They stood beside the heavy wooden door. Then, Portia took Dawn by the hand and said something to her in Latin.

Dawn turned to Spike.

"She wants to show you the stables," he translated.

"Can I go?" she asked Buffy, her eyes twinkling at the thought of horses.

"I guess," she said. "You'll be able to talk to her soon, so there shouldn't be a problem."

The two fifteen year olds moved down the long corridor, Livia at their heels.

"Why do you think she's going with them?" Willow asked no one in particular.

"I'm guessing she's kind of like me," Buffy answered. "Overprotective." She looked over at Spike. "I'm going back to the room. Do you want to come?"

He looked at her, surprise showing on his face. He quickly reverted back to the cool, composed look. "Sure."

"Yes," Anya agreed, "Xander and I are also going to go to our room to have wild, hot sex." She grabbed Xander's hand tugging him along as Buffy and Spike followed them to the bedrooms.

"Sure, ditch me," Willow muttered to herself. She turned to go wander when she slammed into a solid chest. "Oof." Looking up, she came into contact with dark piercing eyes. She immediately stepped back. "Lucius ..."

He looked her up and down a moment. "Salve."

Her eyes grew large. "Um, sorry ... I don't speak ..." She grimaced, thinking about how stupid she sounded. "Um, I'm just gonna go follow Dawnie and ... yeah ..." With that she ran down the corridor after the other girls. "DAWN!!!"

Lucius stared after her, shaking his head thoughtfully.

Buffy tugged the curtain closed on the doorway to their bedroom.

"You know, love, I think this is more than a mere coincidence," Spike told her.

"What do you mean?"

"For one, one of the servants told me that the name of the town is Lamia." He arched a scarred eyebrow.

"That means vampire. So what?" She plopped down on the bed next to him.

"Well, we already know that Livia is a slayer. Lamia must be the Hellmouth." He laid back on his elbows.

"I kinda figured that already, Spike. Slayers are supposed to live on the Hellmouth," she said sarcastically.

"Don't you think it's weird, pet?" The ice blue of his eyes became darker. "How they're allied with Lucius, how Lucius loves the slayer, how the slayer has a baby sister the same age as Nibblet ..."

"We're missing the Scoobies in this situation," she grinned.

"The servants all seem to know about this, and they're willing to help. Did you see how they went to clean the demon without any orders? And they knew that they couldn't touch its blood without any previous warning? And the main thing I noticed is that they are servants, not slaves."

"Huh?" Buffy asked, confused.

"They're not forced to be here; they know the consequences. And there aren't many of them. Apparently, not many people want to work here." He paused for a second. "I'm guessing they'd count as Scoobies."

"So you're saying that that demon sent us back to a time that was pretty close to ours?"

"A situation that was pretty close to ours," Spike corrected. "And there's something weird about Lucius," he added.

"Aww," Buffy teased. "You're so jealous of him."

"I am not, Slayer," he insisted, pushing himself off his back.

"Sure you're not," Buffy allowed.

He glared for a second before letting her comment slide. "There's something very familiar about him. Something in the blood," he said.

"Blood?"

"I think he's of the Aurelius line," Spike answered. "Maybe we should ask him later."

"Whatever. This is giving me a headache." Buffy frowned then glanced over. "And hungry. I haven't eaten in a while." She paused. "Are you hungry?"

"Huh?" Spike asked, confused.

"I don't think Lucius has his own personal blood stock. You yourself told me that they didn't have ice," she said.

"You're offering?" he asked, amazed.

Buffy scooted closer. "Just .. don't take too much. I'm still hungry."

"You're sure about this, love?" Inside, Spike was ecstatic. He had never thought in his wildest dreams she'd let him drink from her.

"Yeah," she whispered. "Go ahead."

Spike gently pulled her over, settling her body into his. "Do you want me to bite your wrist?" he asked quietly.

"No, I'm fine," she answered.

Spike brushed her hair off her shoulder and away from her neck. Pressing his lips to hers gently, he pulled the strap of her tunica gently off her shoulder. Moving over her cheek and jaw, he made his way down, lavishing her neck with his tongue. Moaning quietly, Buffy cupped the back of his head with her palm. Sucking gently, he bared his fangs and bit down delicately so as to cause as little pain as possible and immediately withdrawing his fangs. He took long and gentle sips as Buffy gripped his hair, moaning.

"Whoa," Willow said, gripping her head. "That was just weird."

"Yeah, I know," Dawn agreed, holding onto the wood of the stable entrance.

They both immediately stopped and looked at each other. "We're speaking Latin!" they squealed.

"This is so wicked!" Dawn smiled big, her grin stretching from ear to ear. "Wait till Buffy sees this!"

"Sorry to spoil your fun, but the other slayer will also be able to speak our language after the spell has taken effect," Livia cut in.

"I can understand you!" Portia exclaimed.

"I can understand you!" Dawn repeated.

"Come on, let's go," Portia said, once again taking Dawn's hand. "This is my horse, Polyhymnia."

Buffy lay on her back, stroking Spike's hair softly as he licked the wounds closed. He was perched somewhat above her, supporting himself on his forearms.

"I'm sorry, love," he murmured into her neck.

"Hmm ..." she said below him, feeling limp, her hunger forgotten. "Not really complaining," she told him.

He immediately sat up and looked at her.

"What?" Then her eyes widened. "I'm speaking Latin!"

Suddenly, Anya and Xander burst through the curtain separating their room for the outside, both looking highly disshevled.

Buffy immediately sat up, trying as discreetly as possible to pull her tunica up and conceal the recent bitemarks curiously placed directly over Angel's marks.

"Oh-" Anya stopped mid-stride. "Sorry, didn't know you guys had the same thing in mind as us." She spoke Latin as well.

Xander did nothing but stand there and sputter, obviously quite shocked at the picture presented him.

"I mean, I was in the middle of sex with Xander and I was screaming-very low, mind you-when an 'Oh God' somehow changed into an 'O Deus.' It was very disturbing," Anya told them, an eyebrow arched.

"Right then," Spike answered, looking amused. He eyed Xander, smirking. "You think we should go see how Pixie is doing?"

"Tara?" Buffy asked, confused. Then she remembered the spell. "Oh, right. Sure."

They returned to the study to find Tara sitting in a cushioned chair chatting away happily with Tiberius, their materials scattered on the floor. Servants had just entered the room and were scrubbing the floors clean of any leftover herbs or paints. Lucius was also in a chair near the two, joining in on the conversation. He looked so normal in a crisp white tunic and leater sandals. His dark hair gave him an ivory appearance.

Tara glanced up. "Salvete!" she called grinning. "I take it the spell worked?"

"Ita," Buffy answered, smiling back. "Are you doing okay?"

"Great," Tiberius answered. "Finally, I get a chance to speak to you, Anna. From what I've heard, you are the oldest living slayer in history," he spoke with an air of pride.

"I have my friends to thank for that," Buffy answered, pink beginning to rise in her cheeks. This man reminded her so much of Giles.

"And you, Williamus," he turned his focus onto Spike. "Well, I thought Lucius here was the only one to turn back to the light."

Spike, however, was not as flattered. "Anya here used to be a vengeance demon," he said plainly. "And my sire is all soulful now."

"Oh really?" Tiberius really did seem quite interested, not quite ready for such a surprise. The news probably sent his little Watcher heart into cardiac arrest.

"Yes," Anya said, smiling widely. "I'm human now." She latched onto Xander's arm. "I'm also married." She shoved her engagement ring at his face. "See? Diamond. It cost a lot too, I can tell." She started rambling off on the cut and style of her ring.

Spike frowned at Lucius. "What is your name?" Spike demanded suspiciously.

"Lucius." He smirked. "I thought we had already established this."

"Your whole name you prat," Spike glared.

Lucius grinned at Buffy. "Your husband is not in a good mood. Perhaps you should do the talking."

"Leave Buffy out of this," he immediately stepped him.

"Buffy? But I thought her name was Anna?" Lucius asked, immediately stepping into the opening.

"Anna is my middle name," Buffy explained. "Buffy doesn't sound Roman ... that's probably why it's not."

"Gaius Aurelius Lucius."

"That's your name?" Spike asked, a little amazed. "Bullocks!"

"Do you have a problem?" Lucius drawled.

"But you can't be-"

"Wait, Spike," Xander cut in, finally gaining his voice, "isn't your line called Aurelius?"

"Yes, it is, whelp," Spike answered casually, "which leaves me wondering. How can one of the greatest lines be descended from a great poofter like you?"

***

Well, well, well. I think that's it for now. I've been writing for an hour and I'm *tired.* I finally finished exams today. Sorry I didn't get this out earlier. Now that it's summer, I'll have more time to write ... just not as much as you'd expect. I do have homework and volunteer work. Please review!

Evangeline