Celestial sat on the high-backed chair – her throne as she liked to call it
– and gazed imperiously at Aurora and Borneig, her trusted senior minions.
"So. Did you scout out any new demons, my oh-so-faithful beasties?" She drummed her long fingernails on the table, the light overhead catching her silver rings and making them sparkle and flash.
Aurora's tentacles wiggled as she shifted in her seat. "Yes Celestial. They are here, eager to join with you."
"Good. Good." Celestial beckoned at the squicky demon-guard to let the newcomers in. He did so, letting in two Gorman demons, large in the tooth – the better to eat with – and small in brain size. Celestial exuded very little power in controlling and programming their minds. Her eyes turned a flashing silver and a thin, iridescent magic trail shot out and into the demons.
"Who do you serve, Gormans?" They stood there, still as stone, then jolted at her question. "You, Celestial."
Smiling, she dismissed them. Borneig turned to her and said, "Permission to speak freely?"
"I suppose so. What is it?"
"The vampire, Spike, would be a most excellent addition to your plan. He has personal ties to the slayer. Though it may be difficult to get him because of this, he could be a useful weapon in destroying the slayer. He is a descendant of Aurelius, a master vampire, and was associated with other three powerful vampires known as Angelus, Darla, and Drusilla."
Celestial stopped her examination of Sunnydale sewer system maps. "Hmmm. The slayer's demon lover against her. A challenge to get him. How perfectly fun." A smile of pure evil twisted her mouth, moss green eyes crackled silver, and anyone within sight of her trembled.
***Buffy awoke some time later, feeling pleasantly sore. She stretched, yawned and rolled over, ending up face to face with Spike. His blue eyes gazed sleepily at hers.
"What a nice way to wake up. Warm, sleepy slayer." He punctuated that statement with a sweet William-like smile. She leaned over and brushed her lips against his.
"You really are a sweet, cuddly vampire. It's like having a sharp-toothed teddy bear."
Spike snorted. "Oh, I'm still the Big Bad."
"Yeah, nice try. As bad as a cute, little puppy."
He growled and rolled on top of her. He gripped both her wrists in his one hand and pinned them over her head. His mouth descended and nipped at her. Buffy arched up against him and his hips ground down into hers. She bit at his neck, causing him to vamp out. She ran her hand curiously over the bumps and ridges of his demon face, and touched his razor-sharp fangs.
He shook his head and reverted back to human face. He quickly slid inside her while she was distracted with the face changing. A little moan escaped her. He gently stroked, his eyes never leaving her face.
Buffy watched his eyes changing color along with his emotions; the dark, dark blue of lust slowly replaced by the soft, light blue of tenderness. She stroked his back, feeling the muscles bunch and shift as his hips moved faster. He swallowed her cry as he emptied his jizz into her, and she clenched around him lost in her own climax.
"Mm, what time is it?" She murmured sleepily, her fingers teasing his hair into curls.
He checked and answered, "3:30."
"Crap! Dawn'll be home from school soon, and Willow is probably freaking out. I need to go." She gave him a shove off of her and started tugging her clothes back on. He smiled lazily and stretched out on the bed, watching her dress. As she pulled her shoes on, he got up and stood before her.
'I will NOT be obvious and move my eyes lower than his upper chest.' Her eyes drifted down to where he was dangling in the breeze. He smirked and she felt her skin heat.
"S'pose you give me a proper g'bye, luv?" Their lips met in a spine- tingling kiss. She broke away reluctantly and said, "Scooby meeting tonight. See you there?" He nodded.
Walking home, everything seemed brighter and she felt more spring in her step. Buffy arrived home at the same time Dawn walked up the sidewalk.
"Buffy!" Dawn hurried over to her. "Where were you? Do you feel better? What happened this morning?"
Buffy laughed. "Slow down, Dawn. Lets go inside first. I'm hungry. I haven't eaten since this morning." Willow arrived right behind them and they all headed into the kitchen. As she made sandwiches for all of them, she filled Dawn in on her dream and her visit with Spike.
Willow watched her curiously as she bit into her turkey sandwich. "So, Buffy, you were at Spike's crypt all day?" Buffy flushed, knowing that Will knew what was going on. 'SO don't want to go there with Dawn here!'
Dawn saw the look on Buffy's face, though, and being intuitive sister, raised her eyebrows. "Ooo, Buffy's having lusty feelings!"
Buffy gave her sister a mock glare. "We're so not going there."
Willow and Dawn both chortled with glee. "Come on, Buffy. We're happy if you're happy." Dawn gave her an encouraging smile.
"Oh okay. Yes, I'm happy and things changed between us again." Dawn gave a little squeal of glee.
"I knew it! So, be honest Buffy, is sex with Spike as amazing as it looks like it could be?" Willow gave a muffled snort of laughter at Dawn's blunt question.
Buffy's eyes widened. "Dawn!" Her face burned crimson. She may have become closer to her sister and shared more things with her, but she was still the little sister. Discussion of her sex life with Dawn was ooky.
"What? I know what sex is! I'm not asking for a play-by-play, because ew."
"Will you go away if I answer your question?" She stuck her tongue out at her sister.
Dawn smirked. "Sure."
"It was orgasmically wonderful."
"EW! TMI!" Dawn flew out of the kitchen, and Buffy and Willow collapsed in fits of giggles.
Getting control of herself Willow started cleaning up. "So things really are good between you two now?"
"They're better. Much. We still need to work some things out, though." Buffy smiled contentedly.
"Well, I guess the sex part of it helps it along, huh? You're glowing." Willow couldn't resist a little more teasing.
"Urg. Is it that obvious?" Buffy groaned.
"To us girls, yes. Xander's too oblivious and Giles too old and British to detect these things, though, so don't worry."
Buffy thumped her head onto the table, and Willow giggled.
***Spike was still lying in bed, awash in afterglow when the sun finally started to sink. He gave a catlike stretch and rolled out of bed. Padding over to his dresser he tugged on his jeans. Still smiling over the shagging session with Buffy, and the waking up beside her without a nose punch, he gave another contented stretch.
"Well now. A body like that, and no wonder the girl keeps you around."
Spike jerked around. "Celestial. The Skank Queen come to visit little ole' me. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He took note of the two dark, bulky guards around her. His senses told him they were demon, though they were half shrouded in the shadows.
"You could be a useful ally in my plan. William the Bloody, Legendary Dark Warrior, what do you say?" She walked slowly around the crypt.
"I say you'd be a bloody, daft bint if you think I'd associate myself with the likes of you." He gave her a sneer.
"I was afraid of that." At the tilt of her head, the two guards came forth. Spike launched himself in the air, hovered a moment, then plowed feet first into the two guards. They crashed back into his desk chair and desk, rattling and overturning things. They charged him, one of them managing an uppercut. Spike fell back, than swooped forward again, fangs bared, and landed a series of punches and kicks on them. 'Damn, all my stuff is getting destroyed.'
"Stop." The feminine voice commanded. Spike's arms lowered and he felt a probing in his head. He tried to resist the nagging magic poking around, but she was too strong. 'Goddamn bint, I'm so tired of having someone poking around in my head. '
"Chain him up." Celestial swept over to him, silvery hair swirling about her face. She stroked a finger down his chest and gave him a sweet smile.
"Don't worry, William. We'll just discuss our plans together at my place over a little torture." She gave his cheek a pat, and he snarled at her.
Chuckling, she ordered, "Lets go." The guards shoved the chained vampire ahead of them and out of the crypt.
***Buffy sat on the counter at the Magic Shop, swinging her legs, until Anya's dagger glare penetrated her deep concentration on the door. Buffy shot her a look of apology and hopped off.
Giles said, "We need to start. It's getting late, and I have an early day tomorrow."
Buffy frowned. Spike was usually late, but this was getting ridiculous. "We should wait for Spike."
Xander slapped some books onto the table. "Buff, he's probably busy with some ruckus-raising. We don't need him here, so lets unfocus our attention on the walking dead." He gave her a curiously sharp look.
Buffy managed not to blush, and she kept her anger at bay. She didn't want to give anything away just yet. She wasn't ready to discuss her sex life with Xander and Giles yet. "Okay, fine, lets start."
As they all started discussing plans of attack, Buffy felt her mind drifting. 'Where the hell is that damn vampire?' Things were different now. He wouldn't show up late to spite her, or just decide not to show up at all. Something must have happened. She'd just gotten herself all worked up at what could've happened, when Giles's voice penetrated her thoughts.
"What do you think, Buffy?"
She winced. "About... what?" She gave him a look of slight embarrassment.
"Buffy! This is of great importance and you're not even paying attention?"
Buffy interrupted him before he could scold further. "Sorry. I was thinking and got a little distracted." 'It wasn't really a lie. I could've been thinking of ways to stop Celestial, and not thinking of Spike.'
"Will, do you think you can handle doing some spells? I know you were worried about it." Buffy asked.
"I think so. Why?"
"Well, if you can even just slow her down, it would be helpful. I think you're our best bet."
Willow nodded, a nervous expression on her face. There was a bit more discussion on when to do it and they decided to give it a couple days until Willow had the spells tweaked.
Back home, Buffy worried as they watched TV. 'Where is he?' She decided to head to the crypt. She left Dawn and Willow sprawled out on the couch.
At the crypt, Buffy called out, "Spike?" She wandered around the upper level, noticing that everything seemed to be in place. Down on the lower level, her heart start thudding frantically. The desk chair was broken, things were scattered all over the floor. 'He's been taken.' Buffy flew up the stairs and out of the crypt. Racing along the streets, her boots pounded against the pavement in time with her heart.
Willow sat up, startled, when Buffy raced through the door. "What the frilly heck..?!" Willow exclaimed.
"Spike! He's gone! It's Celestial."
Dawn jumped up than. "Oh my God!"
Willow frowned and said, "Buffy, are you sure it was her?"
"Yes. I can't explain, I just know." Buffy paced around the living room. "We have to do something!"
"Okay. Okay, lets think."
Buffy went to her weapons chest and said, "We don't have time. I have to go."
"Buffy, think. We have no idea where Celestial is, and we're SO not prepared. We shouldn't be going off all willy-nilly and helter-skelter." Willow gave her a worried look.
"But the things she could do to him..."
Dawn rested a hand on her sister's shoulder and said, "Spike's tough, Buffy. If Celestial had wanted to kill him, I really doubt she would have taken him. I mean, you didn't see dust, did you? She probably has some other crazy reason." Buffy didn't feel comforted at her sister's words at all.
Willow took Buffy's hand. "I'm concerned too, Buffy, and I promise to work on it tonight. We'll get everyone involved tomorrow. We'll get him back."
Buffy nodded, not feeling good about it, but resigned to Willow's logic. Dawn went up to bed, and Buffy and Willow sat on the sofa. Willow tapped away on her laptop, engrossed, while Buffy flipped through some of Will's printed information on Celestial.
Her last conscious thought before the papers slid through her limp hands, and her eyes fluttered shut, was the realization that she was in love with Spike.
"So. Did you scout out any new demons, my oh-so-faithful beasties?" She drummed her long fingernails on the table, the light overhead catching her silver rings and making them sparkle and flash.
Aurora's tentacles wiggled as she shifted in her seat. "Yes Celestial. They are here, eager to join with you."
"Good. Good." Celestial beckoned at the squicky demon-guard to let the newcomers in. He did so, letting in two Gorman demons, large in the tooth – the better to eat with – and small in brain size. Celestial exuded very little power in controlling and programming their minds. Her eyes turned a flashing silver and a thin, iridescent magic trail shot out and into the demons.
"Who do you serve, Gormans?" They stood there, still as stone, then jolted at her question. "You, Celestial."
Smiling, she dismissed them. Borneig turned to her and said, "Permission to speak freely?"
"I suppose so. What is it?"
"The vampire, Spike, would be a most excellent addition to your plan. He has personal ties to the slayer. Though it may be difficult to get him because of this, he could be a useful weapon in destroying the slayer. He is a descendant of Aurelius, a master vampire, and was associated with other three powerful vampires known as Angelus, Darla, and Drusilla."
Celestial stopped her examination of Sunnydale sewer system maps. "Hmmm. The slayer's demon lover against her. A challenge to get him. How perfectly fun." A smile of pure evil twisted her mouth, moss green eyes crackled silver, and anyone within sight of her trembled.
***Buffy awoke some time later, feeling pleasantly sore. She stretched, yawned and rolled over, ending up face to face with Spike. His blue eyes gazed sleepily at hers.
"What a nice way to wake up. Warm, sleepy slayer." He punctuated that statement with a sweet William-like smile. She leaned over and brushed her lips against his.
"You really are a sweet, cuddly vampire. It's like having a sharp-toothed teddy bear."
Spike snorted. "Oh, I'm still the Big Bad."
"Yeah, nice try. As bad as a cute, little puppy."
He growled and rolled on top of her. He gripped both her wrists in his one hand and pinned them over her head. His mouth descended and nipped at her. Buffy arched up against him and his hips ground down into hers. She bit at his neck, causing him to vamp out. She ran her hand curiously over the bumps and ridges of his demon face, and touched his razor-sharp fangs.
He shook his head and reverted back to human face. He quickly slid inside her while she was distracted with the face changing. A little moan escaped her. He gently stroked, his eyes never leaving her face.
Buffy watched his eyes changing color along with his emotions; the dark, dark blue of lust slowly replaced by the soft, light blue of tenderness. She stroked his back, feeling the muscles bunch and shift as his hips moved faster. He swallowed her cry as he emptied his jizz into her, and she clenched around him lost in her own climax.
"Mm, what time is it?" She murmured sleepily, her fingers teasing his hair into curls.
He checked and answered, "3:30."
"Crap! Dawn'll be home from school soon, and Willow is probably freaking out. I need to go." She gave him a shove off of her and started tugging her clothes back on. He smiled lazily and stretched out on the bed, watching her dress. As she pulled her shoes on, he got up and stood before her.
'I will NOT be obvious and move my eyes lower than his upper chest.' Her eyes drifted down to where he was dangling in the breeze. He smirked and she felt her skin heat.
"S'pose you give me a proper g'bye, luv?" Their lips met in a spine- tingling kiss. She broke away reluctantly and said, "Scooby meeting tonight. See you there?" He nodded.
Walking home, everything seemed brighter and she felt more spring in her step. Buffy arrived home at the same time Dawn walked up the sidewalk.
"Buffy!" Dawn hurried over to her. "Where were you? Do you feel better? What happened this morning?"
Buffy laughed. "Slow down, Dawn. Lets go inside first. I'm hungry. I haven't eaten since this morning." Willow arrived right behind them and they all headed into the kitchen. As she made sandwiches for all of them, she filled Dawn in on her dream and her visit with Spike.
Willow watched her curiously as she bit into her turkey sandwich. "So, Buffy, you were at Spike's crypt all day?" Buffy flushed, knowing that Will knew what was going on. 'SO don't want to go there with Dawn here!'
Dawn saw the look on Buffy's face, though, and being intuitive sister, raised her eyebrows. "Ooo, Buffy's having lusty feelings!"
Buffy gave her sister a mock glare. "We're so not going there."
Willow and Dawn both chortled with glee. "Come on, Buffy. We're happy if you're happy." Dawn gave her an encouraging smile.
"Oh okay. Yes, I'm happy and things changed between us again." Dawn gave a little squeal of glee.
"I knew it! So, be honest Buffy, is sex with Spike as amazing as it looks like it could be?" Willow gave a muffled snort of laughter at Dawn's blunt question.
Buffy's eyes widened. "Dawn!" Her face burned crimson. She may have become closer to her sister and shared more things with her, but she was still the little sister. Discussion of her sex life with Dawn was ooky.
"What? I know what sex is! I'm not asking for a play-by-play, because ew."
"Will you go away if I answer your question?" She stuck her tongue out at her sister.
Dawn smirked. "Sure."
"It was orgasmically wonderful."
"EW! TMI!" Dawn flew out of the kitchen, and Buffy and Willow collapsed in fits of giggles.
Getting control of herself Willow started cleaning up. "So things really are good between you two now?"
"They're better. Much. We still need to work some things out, though." Buffy smiled contentedly.
"Well, I guess the sex part of it helps it along, huh? You're glowing." Willow couldn't resist a little more teasing.
"Urg. Is it that obvious?" Buffy groaned.
"To us girls, yes. Xander's too oblivious and Giles too old and British to detect these things, though, so don't worry."
Buffy thumped her head onto the table, and Willow giggled.
***Spike was still lying in bed, awash in afterglow when the sun finally started to sink. He gave a catlike stretch and rolled out of bed. Padding over to his dresser he tugged on his jeans. Still smiling over the shagging session with Buffy, and the waking up beside her without a nose punch, he gave another contented stretch.
"Well now. A body like that, and no wonder the girl keeps you around."
Spike jerked around. "Celestial. The Skank Queen come to visit little ole' me. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He took note of the two dark, bulky guards around her. His senses told him they were demon, though they were half shrouded in the shadows.
"You could be a useful ally in my plan. William the Bloody, Legendary Dark Warrior, what do you say?" She walked slowly around the crypt.
"I say you'd be a bloody, daft bint if you think I'd associate myself with the likes of you." He gave her a sneer.
"I was afraid of that." At the tilt of her head, the two guards came forth. Spike launched himself in the air, hovered a moment, then plowed feet first into the two guards. They crashed back into his desk chair and desk, rattling and overturning things. They charged him, one of them managing an uppercut. Spike fell back, than swooped forward again, fangs bared, and landed a series of punches and kicks on them. 'Damn, all my stuff is getting destroyed.'
"Stop." The feminine voice commanded. Spike's arms lowered and he felt a probing in his head. He tried to resist the nagging magic poking around, but she was too strong. 'Goddamn bint, I'm so tired of having someone poking around in my head. '
"Chain him up." Celestial swept over to him, silvery hair swirling about her face. She stroked a finger down his chest and gave him a sweet smile.
"Don't worry, William. We'll just discuss our plans together at my place over a little torture." She gave his cheek a pat, and he snarled at her.
Chuckling, she ordered, "Lets go." The guards shoved the chained vampire ahead of them and out of the crypt.
***Buffy sat on the counter at the Magic Shop, swinging her legs, until Anya's dagger glare penetrated her deep concentration on the door. Buffy shot her a look of apology and hopped off.
Giles said, "We need to start. It's getting late, and I have an early day tomorrow."
Buffy frowned. Spike was usually late, but this was getting ridiculous. "We should wait for Spike."
Xander slapped some books onto the table. "Buff, he's probably busy with some ruckus-raising. We don't need him here, so lets unfocus our attention on the walking dead." He gave her a curiously sharp look.
Buffy managed not to blush, and she kept her anger at bay. She didn't want to give anything away just yet. She wasn't ready to discuss her sex life with Xander and Giles yet. "Okay, fine, lets start."
As they all started discussing plans of attack, Buffy felt her mind drifting. 'Where the hell is that damn vampire?' Things were different now. He wouldn't show up late to spite her, or just decide not to show up at all. Something must have happened. She'd just gotten herself all worked up at what could've happened, when Giles's voice penetrated her thoughts.
"What do you think, Buffy?"
She winced. "About... what?" She gave him a look of slight embarrassment.
"Buffy! This is of great importance and you're not even paying attention?"
Buffy interrupted him before he could scold further. "Sorry. I was thinking and got a little distracted." 'It wasn't really a lie. I could've been thinking of ways to stop Celestial, and not thinking of Spike.'
"Will, do you think you can handle doing some spells? I know you were worried about it." Buffy asked.
"I think so. Why?"
"Well, if you can even just slow her down, it would be helpful. I think you're our best bet."
Willow nodded, a nervous expression on her face. There was a bit more discussion on when to do it and they decided to give it a couple days until Willow had the spells tweaked.
Back home, Buffy worried as they watched TV. 'Where is he?' She decided to head to the crypt. She left Dawn and Willow sprawled out on the couch.
At the crypt, Buffy called out, "Spike?" She wandered around the upper level, noticing that everything seemed to be in place. Down on the lower level, her heart start thudding frantically. The desk chair was broken, things were scattered all over the floor. 'He's been taken.' Buffy flew up the stairs and out of the crypt. Racing along the streets, her boots pounded against the pavement in time with her heart.
Willow sat up, startled, when Buffy raced through the door. "What the frilly heck..?!" Willow exclaimed.
"Spike! He's gone! It's Celestial."
Dawn jumped up than. "Oh my God!"
Willow frowned and said, "Buffy, are you sure it was her?"
"Yes. I can't explain, I just know." Buffy paced around the living room. "We have to do something!"
"Okay. Okay, lets think."
Buffy went to her weapons chest and said, "We don't have time. I have to go."
"Buffy, think. We have no idea where Celestial is, and we're SO not prepared. We shouldn't be going off all willy-nilly and helter-skelter." Willow gave her a worried look.
"But the things she could do to him..."
Dawn rested a hand on her sister's shoulder and said, "Spike's tough, Buffy. If Celestial had wanted to kill him, I really doubt she would have taken him. I mean, you didn't see dust, did you? She probably has some other crazy reason." Buffy didn't feel comforted at her sister's words at all.
Willow took Buffy's hand. "I'm concerned too, Buffy, and I promise to work on it tonight. We'll get everyone involved tomorrow. We'll get him back."
Buffy nodded, not feeling good about it, but resigned to Willow's logic. Dawn went up to bed, and Buffy and Willow sat on the sofa. Willow tapped away on her laptop, engrossed, while Buffy flipped through some of Will's printed information on Celestial.
Her last conscious thought before the papers slid through her limp hands, and her eyes fluttered shut, was the realization that she was in love with Spike.