Chapter 26 – Sweet Release

It was close to midnight by the time Buffy and Spike were making their way home. The remainder of their evening had been filled with a contented calm that had left all three of the Summers' women feeling secure. Spike had been included in the good-byes receiving hugs and kisses which gave him only more reassurances that he was fully accepted by Buffy's family.

The couple had done a quick patrol before heading home. Thankfully, the cemeteries had been relatively quiet giving a sense of relief to both Slayer and Vampire. Neither of them wanted to be out fighting on this night. Their mate was returning to them and bringing with him someone who would give Spike control over his own destiny again.

It was both a frightening and exhilarating feeling to Spike that in only a few hours he would be his own man…his own demon again. His life would be his choice again and never would he have to feel like he was less than his mates. He would be able to fight against human foes as well as the demons. No longer tickling at the back of his mind would be the dread that he would be helpless if his mates no longer wanted him. And most amazingly of all was the faith in him by the humans that were a part of his family. They held no fear of him in an unleashed state. Xander had given his token protests just to keep up pretenses but there was no real anger or fear there.

Spike slipped an arm around the woman walking beside him. With no encouragement Buffy returned the gesture, aligning her body with his. The pace of their walking adjusted ever so slightly to match their companion's speed until they flowed together almost as one being. Every gesture and word of love not only gave him the affirmation he needed but was also a constant reminder of the responsibilities that came with it.

His demon was roaring in anticipation of being freed, to be able to feed at will again while the man inside of him wanted to bask in the comforting warmth that he had found. A balance between the two would have to be found resembling the one that Angel struggled with now. But unlike Angel, Spike had nothing but the strength of his will and his heart to control the very evil that was his nature. He hadn't lied when he'd told Dawn that it was a choice. It would never be an easy choice and he knew there were circumstances that would make him return to the killing fields, but for now the benefits of being a white hat far outweighed the alternative.

It would be unrealistic to assume that he would never again allow his demonic side his freedom. Constantly with him was the need for blood, for feeding and for violence.  They were all needs that could be tempered by the life he had chosen. He could never be a domesticated regular Joe but he could be in a loving relationship and fight alongside of his mates which would give both man and demon fulfillment.

Spike chuckled as he thought of the first thing he wanted to do once he was free. It was something that he'd wanted to do for awhile, something he dreamed about and would only deepen his bonds with Buffy.

He wanted to fully claim her with no assistance.

"What are you laughing about?" Buffy asked, tilting her head to peer up at him.

"I'm just thinking about sinking my fangs into your sweet throat and claiming you right and proper."

"Oh," was all Buffy said but she shivered against him and he was once again treated to the fragrance of her need for him. It was all he could do to prevent himself from pulling her into the shadows of the trees to give them both a release. Knowing that Angel was already on his way to them helped him to maintain a hold on his desire. His footsteps quickened in anticipation of being able to make love to both of them at the same time. It had seemed forever since the three of them had been wrapped together.

A smile stole across his face because he'd decided it was time to seduce Buffy into letting them both make love to her at the same. He knew a pleasure she'd never experience before was waiting for her if she'd allow it. Cocks and fangs, all buried within her would bring her to a new level of ecstasy and he'd wanted to take her there for a long time.

They'd just turned the last corner toward home when another scent came to him. It sent a thrill through him as the masculine aroma tickled at his nose.

"Angel's home, pet," Spike said. Her eyes lit up, mirroring the joy he himself felt.

It took only a glance between them before they took off running toward home.

~~~~~~~~

Angel had found his home cold and empty upon his arrival. It was a reminder of the time when he'd been alone, Buffy had run away and Spike had yet to return to him. All of him felt the quake of loneliness as he walked into the place that was usually filled with light and the laughter of his companions. It was only when he stepped into his bedroom and been reassured by the mess left by his mates that he was able to relax.

Knowing that he was still wanted, Angel returned to the main room of the mansion to join the doctor he'd brought with him. Dr. Fletcher once worked for the government and had been a participant in the creation of the prototype of the chip. Disillusioned by the fiasco of the Initiative and driven by greed, he was now willing to remove the chips from any demon willing to pay his exorbitant fee.

The man was looking nervously around the room as Angel returned. Usually the demons he treated met him at his choice of location. It was the stack of money that Angel had laid in front of him had brought Dr. Fletcher to what he considered the very den of iniquity. While he watched the man approached a low table by the fireplace that held photos of not only the trio but of their friends and family.

"These are?" Dr. Fletcher asked, holding a portrait of Buffy and her mother and sister but his other hand gestured at the remainder of the pictures.

"Our family," Angel responded, not elaborating on the smiling images.

"Human?"

"Yes."

The brief exchange seemed to relax Dr. Fletcher and he even accepted a cup of coffee when Angel offered. A short awkward silence followed. Neither of them really had no interest in the other except for the exchange of money and service. Dr. Fletcher excused himself to set up for the procedure in the kitchen while Angel prowled the living room waiting for the return of his mates.

Relief raced through Angel at the sound of footsteps pounding on the driveway. Smiling, he opened the front door to the sight of the pair racing toward him. A mere second later and his arms were full of laughing blondes' intent on kissing him first. It was in these moments that he forgot everything but his need for them and the bonds that held them together.

"Where have the two of you been?" Angel asked with a twinge of gruffness brought on by his missing them. He stepped back so he could look from Spike to Buffy. "I was getting worried about you."

"About us?" Spike asked, grinning. "No problems there to concern yourself with."

"Probably slipped off to have a good time without me," Angel said, sniffing the air around them playfully. He already knew they hadn't but wanted to tease them anyway. And in a small way to remind them that he was often the one left out of their lovemaking.

"No," Buffy said, smiling and shaking her head. "We were waiting for you."

"Needed to conserve our strength," Spike said then added anxiously. "Is he here?"

"Yes, he's setting up in the kitchen."

"Oh, that's great," Spike said, sobering. "He'll probably use a fillet knife on my brain."

"Don't say that," Buffy said, putting on a brave smile to hide her own worry over the impending procedure."

Angel had his share of concerns about what was going to happen. Dr. Fletcher had assured him that in most cases there were no complications but there was always a chance of brain damage. There was nothing to do but remain hopeful. If something did happen, Angel had already vowed that the doctor would never make it out of Sunnydale alive.

"It's going to be fine," Angel said, his hand resting on Spike's back. "Let's go get you freed, shall we?"

Spike was maneuvered between Angel and Buffy in a protective embrace as they made their way to the kitchen. Hesitating in the doorway, Spike glanced around the room at the table covered in a white sheet and the instruments laid out on the counter. Dr. Fletcher stepped forward with a confidant manner and explained step by step what he was going to do.

"Now, if you'll go ahead and lie on the table we'll get started," the doctor said, turning away from them to check over his instruments one last time.

Angel watched as Buffy remained glued to Spike's side. She helped him onto the table with gentle hands and comforting whispers. After he was settled, she pulled a chair close to his side, wrapping her hand around his. It was then that Angel took a spot behind Dr. Fletcher where he could watch every movement that was made. His intent was to intimidate the doctor into not doing anything that he wasn't supposed to do.

~~~~~~~~

Encouraged by the small hand holding his, Spike closed his eyes, trusting his mates to see him through this.

"I'm going to numb the area before making the incision," Dr. Fletcher said.

There was a small pinprick of pain as a hypodermic needle penetrated his scalp. He'd been given the choice of staying awake or being under. Afraid that he wouldn't wake up again he'd chosen not to be put under which he thought was kind of funny considering he was already technically dead. Living, or as close to it as he could get, was too precious to risk losing.

Simultaneously, the doctor made the incision and Buffy squeezed his hand. He could feel every probe and cut but there wasn't any real pain. Spike concentrated on the soft inhales and exhales of Buffy's breath to lull him into an almost hypnotic state of relaxation. Time lost meaning as he waited for the leash against his demon to be destroyed.

"All done," Dr. Fletcher said. "Lie still a moment longer while I close you up."

The sound of something being dropped into metal signaled what Spike had been waiting for, the return of all that he was. A moment later he was told that he was clear and he opened his eyes to Angel holding his hand out to help him sit up. He knew it was only an illusion brought on by his elation but everything seemed brighter and clearer as he blinked his eyes to focus.

"How do you feel?" Buffy asked, coming to stand next to him.

Spike grinned down at her. "I feel fine, Luv, but I want to know if it worked or not." He pulled her closer to him. "May I?"

His heart soared when she nodded, turned her back to him and pulled her hair to the side. The blood rushing through her veins sang out to him as he encircled her waist with his arm. Everything hinged on this moment, all his dreams, hopes and ego. A quick shake of his head brought forth his demon visage and in one fluid movement he sank his fangs into the softness of her neck.

to be continued…