DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters. If I did I would be rich and wouldn't that be nice? I think so.

Blood and Velvet

Part Seven: The Princesses

She could feel the sticky wetness of blood dripping down her face and her head still aches from the hit she can't remember. Lifting a hand she touches the wound and stares at the blood left on her fingers in confusion. The room was dark, empty of anything but a small silver bowl in the corner that looked like a dog dish and though she knew she had never been here before it all seemed familiar. Forcing her self to stand she takes in what she could of the room. The walls were painted dark green and the wood floors shone in the pale light coming through the frosted glass French doors. The bowl contained clear liquid that she assumed held water. In the distance she could hear music, listening more closely she can almost place it. I've been kidnapped, she decided at last. Walking carefully to glass doors she tries the handles and is surprised to find the door opens. Maybe not, kidnappers generally kept victims bound somehow, right? "Angel?" She asks the dark and empty hall. It was a test. He wanted to know how well she could handle herself. "This isn't funny you ass!"

"It's not meant to be funny Princess." Dawn stops. A woman, her face hidden by shadow steps into the hall her bare feet making hardly a sound. Her arms were cut and blood dripped to the floor at an alarming rate.  "It's meant to be scary. Aren't I scary?"

"Sure." Dawn answers her resolve only slightly shaken.  "You kidnapped me and left me in a room with an open door and now you're bleeding to death. I'm frightened. I'll let him know you did a great job."

"Let who know? The great flaming poof who sired a certain someone we both know's sire? I'm sorry but there's really no use in that seeing as he doesn't know or give a damn about me."

"Sure. How much did he spend on this experiment? I hope it was a lot since he won't be spending any more money once I get a hold of him."

"I like the sound of that. We could have some fun me and you. Want to play kill my sire's sire?"

At this Dawn freezes. Not possible. NO bloody way in hell that was possible. She was going to kill Angel for bringing Spike into this.

"That's the plan. Well it's not actually. Not unless you really do want to play. What do you say?"

"I say we turn the tables on him and have a little fun."

"You still don't get it do you? I have nothing to do with Angel. I like Angel because he doesn't. But he loves you hence my hate."

"Stop it!" Dawn demands stepping back. Her eyes, having adjusted to the light, could now see the features of her captor and it sent her mind reeling. "It's not possible."

"I thought the same thing. And now look at me – I'M DEAD!"

"You died in a car crash."

"Elise died in the crash. My body was never found because my body was taken to a fucking cave and left there."

"No!"

"Don't tell me no. He wasn't with you and I bloody well know why. We had a heart to heart me and him and now I'm here – playing a little game with the girl that had him so fucking scared"

"I think you have me mixed up with some one else."

"The Slayer? I can smell a slayer and though you have the blood you haven't the strength. You're Dawn. His Dawn."

"And you're Chuck. Who finally went off the wall and bit off more than she can chew."

"I don't have to chew you sweet bit. I'll swallow you whole. Former fan of my former self it's your fault he knew who I was and you're fault I'm here instead of where I belong."

"You belong in a grave."

Chuck laughs "Either way it's your fault. I know it sounds petty and unreasonable but what can I say? Logic or sanity have never been my strong points."

"Maybe not as a human but as crazy supposed vamp they are."

"Supposed? You're not the first to have questioned my vampness. This ditzy blonde did as well. Threatened me with the proverbial pit of fire if I killed you and now she's on her way here. I'll kill her when she comes."

"Killing a slayer is easier said then done."

"I don't mean the slayer. The slayer is nothing but images in my head. This girl has a voice."

"Then no doubt she has power and you are nothing but a fledgling."

"Aye. But she smells of madness and it won't take much to push her over the edge. Now come. If you want to play you can't be covered in blood, it's distracting."

Chuck moves back into the room. Dawn stays where she was and considers running. But the long dark and twisted hallways held nothing but doors that could lead anywhere and finding the somewhere she wanted would take time she didn't have.

"C'mon Bitty Buffy. Time to wash my sins away."

Knowing she had no other choice Dawn follows her former Idol into the room. It turned out to be a bathroom. In the center was a massive claw foot tub filled to the brim with steaming vanilla scented water. Dawn looks hesitantly to her captor who was fussing with contents of a bag on the other side of the room. "I don't want to have a bath." Dawn grumbles feeling vaguely like she had been told to go to be or to be home by nine.

"The bath is for me. The sink is for you." Dawn looks to the sink and finds it full as well with a wash cloth and a first aid kit on the counter. "I wouldn't ask you to strip down to nothing on our first play date. I might force you later but I doubt it."

"Well . . . " Dawn dips her hand into the water and finding the temperature to be just right she wets the cloth and begins to first clean her hands. "Where are we if you don't mind me asking?"

"I do."

"Ok then. What are your plans? They do concern me after all"

"I didn't really think past the kidnapping you part. I suppose we'll just hang out here for a while until this whole Mickey coming to kill me thing is taken care of. I think it would be better if you stayed in the lower levels when she comes."

"But how would she save me if she can't find me?" It was meant sarcastically and recognizing this Chuck smiles.

"She's not coming to save you. She just doesn't want ME to turn you which is really fine with me because you as a vamp isn't something I want."

"And why not? I could make a good vampire."

Chuck smiles. "I'm sure you could. But your blood – the whole green glowing aspect of it is dangerous."

"Usually only the crazy or see-ers can see the green."

"Yeah. Guess which two of the two I am?"

Dawn smiles and Chuck smiles back. "So I'm dangerous?" Dawn asks playfully. "Are you afraid?"

"No. Now wash so I can wash and we can go and do something. Kidnap victim or not I expect to be shown a good time and this is your town."

"We're in Sunnydale?"

"Fuck no. We're in the city of angels Princess. But I don't think we will be for long. The demon Angel's already looking for you and I hate this country so I don't want to stay long."

"He has a small army of kill hungry followers – if you want to get out alive I suggest you leave right away."

"I'll leave when I'm good and ready. He doesn't know who I am and I'm thinking it will take a while for them to figure it out. William hasn't exactly been announcing my birth like a proud papa should now has he?"

Dawn turns to the sink when Charlotte starts to undress. A moment water she can hear water shifting as her captor climbs into the tub. "He doesn't exactly talk a lot these days." Dawn mumbles. "I suppose since he's lost his soul he can't quite work out the right things to say."

"Don't speak to me of Souls. I have no patience for it. Or for your slayer sister. Self-righteous little bitch."

"What has she ever done to you?"

"Nothing as of yet but she's working on it.  She thinks because of this whole soul thing she can kill me with out guilt. But let me tell you something – if there is a hell she will burn and she will burn for a long time."

"She's made it to heaven before."

"But she had a soul then."

Dawn only shrugs, still not quite convinced it wasn't a prank. "There are no mirrors here." She comments, "I've never been in a bathroom with out a mirror."

"The owners of this place have no use for them. Which seems strange to me because they're all women."

"Vamps have no reflections."

"Really? I can see myself on the water's surface."

"Bull."

"I'd offer you a peek but you'd only refuse."

Dawn sets the cloth down and turns. "Try me."

Chuck Smiles and motions for her to come over. Dawn steps closer, more nervous than she thought she could ever be. "Don't be nervous. It's not as if you've never seen a naked girl before. I'll show you the tattoo no one but my husband has ever seen."

TBC