Per Aspera Ad Astra
*Through the Thorns to the Stars*
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Nothing much to say this time. FF.net is annoying me, but then again so are many other things. And I really want to go shopping.
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Chapter Six
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Warmth. Pure warmth and comfort surrounded her, cushioned her in safety and protection. Breathing deeply, Buffy shifted, burrowing deeper into the softness encompassing her. White light shone through her eyelids, creating a harsh splash of red as the smell of rosemary saturated the warm morning air. She smiled softly as feather-light fingers trailed over a tanned shoulder, making circular designs across her back. She shifted towards the touch, burying herself into strong arms. Inhaling once again, she sensed not cigarettes and bourbon but spices and something else ... Spike. Underneath the tobacco and leather, Spike surprisingly smelled distinctly of spices.
Buffy froze, stilling in his arms. What was she doing? Memories of the past day flew through her mind, images of the Magic Box, Dawn and Spike, of the demon, Rome, Tiberius, being married -- that's right. She was married to Spike. The weight of the weathered ruby had somehow become a constant on her ring finger. There was no spell this time, and although they weren't inhaling each other, she had kissed him and vice versa. Willingly, no less.
She hadn't moved, and Spike had briefly stilled his actions before resuming them once again. He must have known she was awake for her heart hammered relentlessly against her ribs, but she still refused to open her eyes. Everything would be fine unless she saw him. What was that quote? She had heard it numerous times before. Ah, yes. That was it. "When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." ... Or something like that. English class was becoming less and less important as of late.
She was broken from her reverie by a pair of moist lips grazing the shell of her ear. Spike was becoming impatient. "Good morning."
Taking a deep breath as to stabilize herself, she shifted lightly. She mustn't lose herself. Blinking rapidly due to the blinding sunlight, she was greeted by a pair of sleepy blue eyes, and she immediately softened. At that moment, he had looked so innocent, like a little boy. He seemed so ... human. "Morning," Buffy returned quickly. Placing a hand behind her, she pushed herself into a sitting position. "What time is it?" she asked, rubbing her eyes and lightly yawning.
Spike laid back into the feathers of the mattress and glanced at the yellow sun peeking through the translucent curtains. "About six."
Buffy whirled towards him, shocked. "Wha ...?"
Spike smirked. Sometimes she could be so empty-headed. "Vampire."
"Oh," Buffy answered. Just when she had started to forget ...
"You should get some more sleep," Spike continued. "We got into at about one. Sleep a few more hours," he insisted.
She faced him, a little surprised at his concern. It was times like this that she could almost envision what he was like when he was William. "No, I don't think I will," she said, pushing the covers aside. She had to get out of that room. Her gut was twisted with confusion by being alone with him for so long. Unlatching the trunk at the end of the bed, she ran her fingers over the beautifully sculpted carvings of the oak.
Spike was standing next to her, much to her surprise. "It's a story," he told her, and she realized he was speaking about the box. "Of Persephone. Do you know the story?" Buffy shook her head lightly, diverting her eyes back to the carvings. "She was the daughter of Ceres, the goddess of grain and fertility on Earth. She was beautiful, Persephone, with golden hair," he explained, running his fingers through Buffy's own yellow strands. "Wherever her feet touched, flowers bloomed."
Buffy stilled her fingers, mesmerized by his voice. Did he tell Dawn stories like this? This was a big leap from his tales of bloodshed and murder ...
"So great was her beauty that her uncle, Pluto, god of the Underworld, fell in love with her." She could feel him smile. "The gods were sick, sick people; they did not pay any mind to incest ... But I suppose it is always best to be with someone that you know is at the same level as you and can live with you as long as you are still here." Buffy's brow furrowed, understanding the depth of his words. "So one day, as she was gathering flowers with her mates, Pluto took her away to his home, and he fed her pomegranate seeds, ensuring that she would always be his."
"What about her mother?" Buffy whispered.
"Ceres became deeply worried and neglected her duties searching all the Earth for her daughter. The whole world was dying. So the sun, Helios, who sees all came to her and told her who took her daughter. She went to Jupiter, her brother and king of the gods, and asked him to bring Persephone home. Jupiter went to Pluto, but Pluto loved Persephone so deeply that he did not want to let her go. They struck a deal. Persephone would spend part of the year with Pluto and part with Ceres. While she is in the Underworld, her mother's grief causes the world to wither and die, Winter. But, while she is on Earth, the world flourishes, bringing Spring and new life and new beginnings."
Buffy looked up when his voice ceased. He was looking at her with such a kindness and compassion and unadulterated -love- that she swiftly averted her eyes. Such a love could prove to be dangerous. Swinging the lid open, she pulled out her belt, tying it around her waist. Biting her lip softly, she thanked the Powers she was already dressed. Walking over to their disregarded sandals, she noticed Spike had made no move to get ready. "Spike?"
He was sitting at the foot of the bed, silently watching her. "Buffy," he answered.
Leaving the shoes on the floor, she sat back down next to him. "What's up?"
His brow furrowed as he slowly studied her face. "Are you okay, love?"
Buffy was immediately taken aback. This was definitely a bad idea ... "I'm good. Why?"
Spike got up to retrieve their forgotten sandals. "You weren't okay last night," he answered, avoided her eyes by shoving his feet into the leather and lacing them up.
"I'm perfectly fine," she insisted. "I just ... over-reacted. That's all."
She always pulled away--so hot and cold! "This is going to kill you, Slayer," Spike said, angrily pulling on the leather laces.
So they were back to the 'Slayer' business, huh? "I know what I'm doing," Buffy said, glaring. "And if I wanted your opinion, I would have asked you."
Spike stared at her for a second or two, gritting his teeth silently, trying to rein in his emotions. "Just don't do anything stupid," he said finally. "You've got to remember the timeline."
Buffy grabbed her shoes off the floor. "Fine," and she commenced lacing them up, finally understanding how to do so.
No more words here spoken.
***
Dawn once again sat in the triclinium, lightly chewing on dinner leftovers. "You think we should wake them up?" she asked thoughtfully.
Portia looked over. "Livia is still sleeping and Lucius isn't here yet," she answered. "We usually let her sleep a little longer if she is out on a late patrol."
Dawn nodded, absently popping a grape into her mouth. Rome wasn't turning out as boring as she thought it would be, and Buffy and Spike hadn't killed each other yet. There were at least two things to be thankful for. Hopefully she wouldn't miss too much Passions ...
"And besides," Anya's voice cut into Dawn's train of thought, "who knows what we might see if we just go barging in there." She raised her eyebrows before smiling brightly.
Xander groaned and slapped his hands over his eyes. "Please, Ahn, you're giving me a visual." Tara grinned over at Willow who blushed lightly back.
Just then Tiberius made his entrance, kissing Portia on the cheek.
"Good morning, Pater," she greeted him, and he ruffled her raven hair in response.
Taking the empty seat next to her, he began to eat. "Fulva," he called the same blonde-haired servant girl over. "Will you please have Justinus bleed an animal? Bring two cups." The girl nodded at her instructions and scampered off.
"You know, Spike might not need the blood," Anya pointed out bluntly. "That is, if Buffy lets him bite her again. Slayer blood is very strong, and sex with vampires usually involves drinking."
"I didn't know that," Willow said off-handedly.
"Well," Anya clarified, "not drinking to kill. Apparently, it heightens the sexual stimula-"
Xander clamped a hand down over her mouth. "Let's not talk about this now, okay Ahn?" She nodded slightly and he removed his hand.
Tiberius grinned. "Just in case. One can never be too prepared."
Just then, Buffy and Spike wandered into the dining room taking the empty seats on either side of Dawn. All eyes followed them.
"You don't want to sleep more?" Tiberius asked, surprised.
"Sure," Spike answered matter-of-factly. "But the Slayer here doesn't think she needs it." He glowered in his seat as Buffy pointedly ignored him.
Anya raised her eyes in suspicion. They certainly weren't as lovey dovey as the day before. What had happened?
"Williamus," Tiberius addressed him. "I am having a cup of blood made for you." Spike nodded in response as Xander threw Anya a grin of triumph. "Perhaps, once Livia is up ..."
As if in response to his words, Livia entered the triclinium, long black hair swinging slightly behind her. Unexpectedly, Lucius was trailing not far behind. As she sat in the extra stool provided, Lucius stood next to the door, watching the group silently but paying extra attention to Livia. Tara grinned when she noticed. Fulva also returned, handing Lucius one of the cups and the other to Spike. Nodding to Tiberius, she left them alone.
"Now that we are all here," Tiberius announced. "I believe it is best that we talk about what happened last night while you four," he nodded to them, "were on patrol." Livia recounted to them exactly what had happened.
"This is great," Xander said.
"Maybe this is why we were sent here? To help you with this?" Willow said more than asked.
"It is a possibility, Williana," Tiberius agreed. "But now we have to research the impending apocalypse as well as a viable way to send you home."
"So how is this guy Severus going to open the Hellmouth?" Tara asked, playing nervously with the belt of her tunica.
"We don't know," Lucius replied. "But Williamus and I are going to look into it."
"Oh, are you?" Tiberius said. Lucius nodded. "So," he continued. "If you would like to commence the demonstration in the study ..."
"Of course, Pater," Livia said. "I'll go ahead. You all finish eating." She left for the study, Lucius following. Livia glared as Lucius trailed after her with a smooth, swaggering gait. "Why are you following me? Don't you have somewhere to be?" she asked coldly.
"Well, seeing as I'm here to fight you, I don't think I have anything else on my schedule," he said, grinning lightly.
Livia hurried more quickly down the hall towards the study, forcing Lucius to almost run in order to keep up.
"Come on now, sweetheart," he called out. "What's wrong?"
Livia burst through the heavy wooden door, leaving Lucius to shut it. "You want to know what my problem is, Lucius? You!" she shouted fiercely in his face, yanking open a chest filled with weapons.
"Now what did I do this time, sweetheart?" He plopped down on a chair next to her.
"Don't call me that!" she spit out immediately.
"So what do you want me to call you? Occisor?" he looked up at her as she pulled two large swords from the chest followed closely by two long bos.
"How about my name?" she said sarcastically.
"So what -did- I do wrong?" he asked again, this time honestly.
"Why ... why are you always here?!"
"What kind of question is that? I'm here because I was asked to be," he answered, standing up. He took the swords from her and placed them on the end of the training area. "To help. So that's what I'm doing."
Livia glared. "That's not what I'm talking about and you know it," she accused, tossing the bos towards the swords. "Why are you always around ME?"
"I think you already know the answer to that one," he said seriously, slowly coming to stand next to her and taking her hand. Slowly, he lifted his free hand to brush away a dark strand of hair from her face. "I love you."
Livia ripped away from him as if she had been burned. "Stop saying that! You don't love me! You don't have a soul!" She moved herself further away until she bumped into the weapons trunk. "You're a vampire!"
He made no move to near her. "So what? That doesn't change how I feel about you. I love you." She opened her mouth to respond, and he stopped her with a hand. "I do. I've changed for you. I'm not leaving. I'm always going to help you, and I'm going to watch your back. I'm not going anywhere."
She tore herself away from large brown eyes. "I don't need you," she insisted.
"Maybe," he said, "but I love your soror and I love you, and I'm not leaving." Livia made no response. Tilting his head as if in contemplation, he approached her. Taking her chin in his hand, he lifted her face to his. "Livia, you believe me, right?"
She was frozen in place, staring at him. Nodding gently, she saw him smile lightly.
"Ego te amo," he whispered one last time before swooping in and capturing her lips. This time, however, she didn't slap him but instead responded hesitantly. Unsure of herself, she tentatively placed both hands on his cheeks. Kissing him more deeply, she traced high cheekbones with soft fingertips. She pressed herself tighter against him as he placed a hand on her waist.
Suddenly the door opened, and her eyes shot wide before she shoved herself far away from him and rushed to make herself look presentable.
Lucius glanced at the door. The Slayer and Williamus were ready. Taking one last look at Livia, he smirked. She looked as if she had just been deliciously ravished. One more glance at the others and it was clear that they shared his opinion.
Tiberius stopped in his tracks at the sight within the room. Well, he certainly wasn't expecting this.
Portia turned to Dawn and grinned. "Always knew this was gonna happen someday."
Dawn smiled back, mirroring Portia's expression. "I know. Do you think that all slayers are attracted to a vampire at one point or another?" Portia shrugged, a goofy smile plastered across her face. "I just learned that my sister was boinking Spike on a regular basis."
Portia turned to her with a confused look. "But they are married, aren't they? Wouldn't that be normal?"
Dawn's eyed opened wide and her mind frantically searched for an explanation. "Well ... it's one thing between knowing it and -knowing- it." She lifted an eyebrow to give the impression that she knew what she was talking about.
Portia smirked. "They're not married, are they?"
Dawn panicked but struggled to keep a straight face. "What are you talking about-"
"No lying," Portia insisted. "Either you walked in on them while they were in the middle of something or they're not married at all."
"You can keep a secret?" Dawn asked, lowering her voice to a mere whisper and pulling her to the corner by her arm. Portia nodded her head, stealing a glance at her flustered sister. "No, they're not married. They're not even going out."
"Going out? You mean courting?" Portia asked, confused.
"Right."
"Really? They look like they're in love ..."
"No," Dawn said. "Spike loves Buffy, not the other way around, but I think she's in denial."
"Ahem, yes," Tiberius cleared his throat lightly. "You've chosen weapons?" he asked, trying desperately to divert everyone's attention back to the training.
"Yes," Livia quickly answered. "I chose the broadswords and the bos."
"Are you two comfortable fighting in those garments?" Tiberius directed to Buffy and Spike, pointing the others to seats.
"I'm good," Buffy said. "I'm used to fighting in a skirt." She headed towards the open floor never casting a backwards glance towards Spike.
"You?" Tiberius asked the glowering vampire.
"Actually, I'm going to go put on some pants," he said, proceeding towards the door. "Don't fancy fighting like this very much."
"Very well. While you're gone, maybe Anna and Livia can begin," he hinted.
Livia nodded in response, pinning her hair back. "I was hoping we could go hand-to-hand instead of weapons, but it's really your choice."
Buffy nodded. "Okay then. I hope you don't mind, but I really don't feel like using the swords or the ... yeah."
Tiberius directed the two towards the floor.
Concentrating herself, Buffy sized Livia up from across the training floor. Remembering something Giles had said in the past, she realized that the Romans had no clue about karate or any form of Asian fighting. Smirking slightly, she knew that was probably something to her advantage.
Suddenly Livia attacked in a flurry of punches. Responding on instinct, Buffy deflected each one before dropping to the floor and sweeping Livia's feet out from underneath her. Buffy aimed a kick towards her middle as Livia quickly rolled out of the way.
Gracefully regaining her footing, Livia regarded Buffy warily. The other slayer reminded her of a lioness on the prowl, eyeing her prey carefully, searching for any opening of any type in which she could pounce. Casting a glance at Tiberius, she saw him frantically recording the fight and realized her mistake a second too late.
Taking advantage of Livia's distraction, Buffy rushed her, knocking her back several steps with a flying kick. She brought her arms up to block as Buffy delivered a combination of punches and roundhouse kicks, even landing several punches herself. Livia was caught off guard as she noticed Buffy was aiming her blows towards her pressure points and joints, especially her shoulders, elbows, and knees.
In a last minute effort, Buffy used her body weight to knock Livia to the floor and immediately hustled to pin her.
Livia bucked desperately, dark hair flying everywhere, trying to throw her and was shocked to find that she was unable to.
Grinning down at her, Buffy pushed herself to her feet and offered a hand to Livia. Scowling at herself for the loss, Livia accepted the proffered hand.
Buffy turned back to the group, pulling her hair from her line of sight. It had come loose from its pin during the fight. Running her eyes over each of them, she was surprised to see Spike back already in his usual form-fitting black jeans and equally tight t-shirt. She let her gaze settle on him, waiting for a comment on her performance. She was only slightly surprised when none came.
"Good job, Buff," Xander praised. "Nice fight."
"Yeah, haven't seen a fight like that in a while," Willow added. "It was very ..." She balled her hands into fists and took several small imaginary swings at an invisible opponent. "... fighty ... yeah."
Tiberius smiled silently to himself. Livia could learn a thing or two from the other slayer. "Very nice, Anna, Livia. Shall we take a small break so everyone can rest? I would like to see Livia and Lucius next."
Buffy took a seat next to Spike, calming her pulse and catching her breath. The Scoobies immediately crowded around.
"That was awesome!" Willow smiled. "Knew you could beat her."
"Do you want a glass of water?" Tara asked kindly, and Buffy shook her head, offering a smile of thanks.
"I saw what you were doing," Anya said. "When you kept hitting her in the knees and the elbows. What was that?"
Buffy grinned. "It was a Japanese style Giles showed me ... or was it Chinese? I can't really remember the name either, but it was either aikido or ju-jutsu or something like that. I'm pretty sure it's called aikido. It doesn't really matter."
"The other slayer put up a good fight, too," Xander added thoughtfully.
"Um, guys," Buffy said, "I'm gonna go change. Spike, I need to talk with you." She turned pleading eyes to him, hoping he had caught her choice of words. She had said 'with,' not 'to.'
Without another word, Spike rose and stalked out of the room. Sighing to herself, Buffy followed his lead.
He threw the curtain to their room open and leaned against the opposite wall, his face cold. "What now, Slayer? Thought you were angry at me."
Buffy sighed again, pulling the curtain closed behind her. "Okay, look, we're going to be stuck together for this whole thing, and I know we should be on better terms." She paused, searching his face silently for any type of reaction. Finding no change, she continued. "I'm sorry-about this morning."
Spike's brow furrowed. "What?"
"I was wrong. You were just acting concerned and I over-reacted."
"Again," Spike muttered mostly to himself.
Ignoring his comment, Buffy continued. "I'll-I'll try not to blow things out of proportion from now on. I'm just stressed, and ..."
Spike made no response. Inside he was a storm of thoughts. Buffy was being civil and apologized first. Not trusting himself to speak, he simply nodded his head.
"Okay, are you angry at me, Spike?" she asked, pressing her lips together. It was so ironic that she was actually worried about his opinion of her.
He shook his head. Cor, that girl really had no clue about what she was doing to him. Taking a chance, he spoke. "You fought well with her."
Buffy shrugged, blushing slightly. Stop it! She scolded herself silently. Blushing because Spike thought you kicked major ass is on the Slayer's list of big no-no's.
Remembering her purpose for being in the room, she untied her belt with deft fingers before throwing open the lid of the trunk. Reaching in, she retrieved her jeans and shirt. Without another thought, she pulled her tunica over her head and replaced it with her top, sliding the tight jeans over her hips. Placing the garment in the trunk, she noticed Spike was wearing his heavy combat boots. Following his lead, she replaced her sandals with her low-heeled boots.
Finally finishing, she turned and faced him. He had a dazed and distracted look upon his face, and glancing down, she knew exactly why. Striding forward, she stopped directly in front of him. "Spike, are you hungry?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
Spike considered her briefly before shaking his head. "No."
"But don't you wan-"
"Yes," he cut her off. "But you need it." Before she could reply, he added, "For the fight."
Nodding mainly to herself, Buffy asked again, "Then later? Tonight?"
Spike was surprised. She was being so adamant about his drinking from her. Maybe the little time travel bit wasn't so bad after all. "Sure, love. Tonight."
Smiling lightly, Buffy leaned forward and kissed Spike softly, drawing his bottom lip into her mouth. He, however, made no move to respond, having been caught off guard once again. Clutching his face at the cheeks, she deepened the kiss, making it more demanding but never changing the gentleness.
When he felt a soft tongue seeking entrance, Spike leapt forward, grabbing Buffy by the arms and crushing her to his body. His cool tongue plunged into her mouth to duel with hers, running it along the ridges of the roof of her mouth.
Finally running out of air, Buffy broke away gasping. Sagging against him, she looked up through hooded eyes and pressed a number of short, sweet kisses to his lips. Draping her arms around him lazily, she whispered in his ear, "Sleep with me."
"What?" Spike asked abruptly.
"No," Buffy said, chuckling lightly. "Lie down with me on the bed until they come and get us. Nothing else."
Smiling profusely, Spike kissed her temple and lifted her easily into his arms. "Yeah, I can do that, love."
Settling beside her on the bed, he pulled the sheet over them and pulled her form nearer to his so that she was facing him, and their heads rested on the same pillow. Buffy reached over and lightly laced their fingers together.
Simply looking at him, she felt something swell in her chest. Affection. That's what she felt for Spike at the moment. Affection. No lust or desire or desperation. Companionship and affection ... because there was no way it could be love. Sure, Spike made her feel warm and at ease and -loved-, but there was no way she could love him back.
Pushing her thoughts to the back of her mind, she merely looked at him looking back at her. Every now and then, she would lean forward to kiss him gently on the cheek, the lips, the forehead ...
Sliding forward, she molded the front of her body to his, keeping their inside hands clasped and throwing an arm around to his back. Smiling at her, he tugged her closer, his free hand resting at the small of her back. Buffy rubbed her hand in small circles, working it under his shirt, as she slid a leg between his. Their faces were so near to one another that their noses touched and eyelashes brushed on cheeks.
"Buffy," he whispered quietly, and she could feel his breath on her cheeks. "Love you." His lips brushed against hers with every syllable.
Buffy responded by moving her face forwards that empty breath and pressing her lips tightly to his, kissing him slowly and deeply.
***
Bwahahaha ... I'm so evil!!! I bet you thought I was gonna make them do the dirty! Wrong! Anyway, don't you find it ironic that they end up right where they started? Remember the first part of the chapter? I didn't mean for it to happen, but it kinda reminded me of the show ...
Oh, and wonderful news!! Dun dun dun DUN! AP grades have finally come in and I got what I wanted on my AP Vergil exam!! A four!!! Go me! I'm so happy ....
And thank you for all of the reviews!
Evangeline