Relive
By: Peanutbutter
Chapter 10
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"Get up Spike."
Spike moaned and rolled over his body still hurt and he wanted to sleep a little bit longer. He mumbled incoherently, rolled to his side, and curled back up his eyes shutting.
"I Spike I said get up!"
The next thing Spike felt was the toe of a very sharp leather boot hitting him the gut and sinking into his flesh. Spike's eyes flew open and he caught sight of the slayer glaring down at him. "Bloody fucking hell luv that hurt," He snarled and wrapped his arms around his stomach and moaned. "I just got the shit beat out of me and you decided it wasn't enough damage." He groaned and rolled onto all fours still holding his aching abdomen.
"Listen I'm sorry but I had to get you up and since this is completely your fault I considered it only fair to get my licks in." Buffy said and smiled cockily her head tilted to the side. Her smile slid from her face quickly though as she crossed her arms over her chest and sank back onto the small cot just behind her.
'Cot?' Spike thought. Something wasn't right. Where the hell where they? "What's going on, Slayer?" Spiked asked and got to his knees breathing deeply out of habit and stood. "Where the hell are we?" Spike looked around and noticed they were in some sort of dungeon the walls were all made of what looked like mid century stone placed together by hand and the floor was littered with straw. The only piece of furniture was the shabby cot pushed against the wall that Buffy was now sitting on.
"What you don't remember?" She asked incredulously. "They must have hit you really hard in the head."
"Who?" Spike asked completely confused.
"Those um...Atche...no athe...um...it doesn't matter you know what they are." Buffy waved her hand and started again anyway. "Those whatevers were in your crypt when we stopped by after patrol last night and you insisted on having a good fight instead of leaving."
Spike frowned, "Since when are you afraid of a few demons?"
"A few!" Her voice rose and she stood all the way up. "A few! There were ten of them and all of them were over eight feet tall. They were hunched up against you ceiling, you moron and you couldn't let them take a few things without going ballistic."
"Why didn't they kill us?" Spike asked ignoring her anger for a moment.
"Hell if I know. They knocked you out pretty quickly and apparently they did a real good job because you don't remember a thing." Buffy pouted and sank back on the cot. "There's no telling what they're up to."
"Did they say anything?" Spike asked as he sank down beside her.
"No, well yeah but I don't speak A...ah whatever it is. All I know is that we're some hundred feet below the surface and probably the main course of some huge banquet."
"I doubt that sweetie." Spike said mockingly and sat down beside her.
"Why's that?"
"Well us, demons, rarely play with our food." He smiled and winked at Buffy, "Most of us anyway."
Buffy gasped and balled up her fist and slammed it into his nose knocking him backward. "Pig!" She yelled and watched as he tumbled over the side of the cot his head hitting the wall. Buffy's face hovering over his was the last thing he saw before his world went black.
Buffy cursed as she pulled him from in-between the cot and the wall. He was out cold. "Oops." She said aloud and positioned him laying long ways on the cot. His feet just barely reached the end of it and his arms hung off either side. Buffy pushed his arms on either side of the bed and looked at the back of his head where he'd struck the wall. There was a large knot on the back of his head slightly purple with bruising. She really hadn't meant to knock him out. He'd just pissed her off like he usually did. He just didn't seem to be able to keep his mouth shut.
She ran her hand over his forehead pushing his curled blond locks out of his face and smiled slightly. He really was kinda cute when he wasn't talking. If only he were like that more often. Sighing she continued to run her hand through his hair in a comforting manner and wondered how they would get out of this. That is if Spike ever managed to wake up.
Buffy sighed and watched the stone wall in front of her hoping that she would hear something that suggested they were getting out, or that at least they hadn't forgotten about them, but none came and Buffy found her eyes slipping shut as she started to fall asleep. She almost fell from her perch three times before she glanced down at Spike, he was still sleeping. She rubbed his cheek for a moment. He probably wouldn't wake up the rest of the night and she was tired. Throwing all caution to the wind Buffy slipped onto the narrow cot beside him and cuddled up with her back to his chest.
To her surprise one of his arms snaked around her waist and pulled her tightly against him. He growled in her ear in contentment. "Never would let me sleep with you luv." Spike said lazily and pulled her closer. "Always ran off before I could hold you." He tightened his hold when he felt her stiffen. "Won't try anything I swear sides we're both tired and after you almost put me in a bloody coma I'm not sleeping on the floor."
Buffy didn't say anything but relaxed against his hold. They always had the worse timing imaginable, but she had to admit that this was probably the only time she would willingly let him hold her when she slept. They had broken it off, it was over. Besides he was right neither one of them wanted to sleep on the floor. She felt her eyes slip closed just before he whispered lightly in her ear.
"I love you Buffy." She hardly felt the chaste kiss he placed on her neck. "I won't let anything happen to you. I swear."
With the promise still ringing in her ears Buffy drifted off and behind her so did Spike.
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Spike turned in his sleep violently pushing the sheet from his body and twisted them around his jean clad legs. "Buffy." He whispered heatedly his head turning from side to side. "No." He whispered and fell silent again.
"What's wrong with him?" Alisa asked Cordelia who had come back with the blood. Angel and Kirk had gone back to the crypt to look for clues. They had refused to let her come explaining that whoever it was after Spike and he need her protection.
"Nothing," Cordelia said and placed the warm mug of blood on the table beside the bed. "He always sleeps like this."
"It looks like he's having nightmares," Alisa shuddered thinking of her own sleepless nights.
"Dawn used to tell me..." Cordelia paused, "You remember that's Buffy's sister right." Alisa nodded and Cordelia continued. "Well like I was saying Dawn used to tell me that Spike used to sleep like the dead, silent and unmoving, especially when he was with Buffy." Cordelia sighed when he shifted violently his arm flying to the side. "It was after her death, I talking to Dawn after Spike had returned after a two year absence and stayed with her and her husband, that he started this. She told me she was worried about him. She said he cried and screamed in his sleep. He would call their names. She said it scared her something fierce, but the first time she'd mentioned it Spike had told her he'd leave. Dawn told me she never mentioned it again and when he asked if he had screamed she would tell him no even though he had."
Alisa swallowed. "Why is he so stuck in the past?" She asked quietly not quite sure if it was her place to ask.
"I don't know." Cordelia said slowly. "I really don't know."
Both women watched as Spike calmed enough to where Cordelia could bring the cup to his lips. He drank hungrily against the cup and Cordelia pulled away an empty mug smiling. "That ought to speed up his healing."
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Spike woke slowly and groggily. His head felt thick and heavy. Moaning lightly he thought he felt like he had a hangover, but it was different more clouded. Spike pulled Buffy closer to him and buried his face in her hair inhaling her scent. He had wanted to wake up this way, well sans the headache; so many times, it was crazy. And now here he was waking up with the slayer in his arms in a damp room on a tiny cot where they would probably face their doom. Geez it was perfect.
Buffy mumbled in her sleep and rolled over in his hold her face now against his chest. Her breath warmed his chilled skin and her hands brushed against his chest lightly making a shiver run down his spin. Her face was relaxed and her light hair framing her face perfectly. Spike ran his hand lightly down her shirt covered arm and watched her.
"Buffy." He whispered his voice barely audible. "If you'd ever let me love you..." His voice trailed off as he watched her breathe. "I don't think I'll ever be able to sleep without you. Not after I held you." He closed his eyes trying to memorize the moment. In place of the cot and damp walls he put Buffy's bed and walls because the day Buffy let him into her bed was the day she stayed, or let him stay. Just as Buffy's eyes were fluttering open a loud bang reached them from outside the prison door.
Buffy jumped and sat up pulling herself out of Spike's embrace. He let her go without protest. He knew that she would never be his. "What was that?" She asked. "Has anyone been in here?" She scrambled from the cot and to her feet.
Spike rubbed his eyes and the back of his head. "Don't know slayer. I can't bloody well see through stone walls I'm sure they'll make themselves known soon enough." He got to his feet shakily. He was kinda hungry and a little drained.
"Buffy, Buffy you in here?"
Buffy went to the door and peeked out the tiny window. "Xander is that you?" Buffy asked urgently and tugged on the bars, unable to budge them.
"Buffy where are you at?" Willow called afterward.
Spike frowned, even though he was glad to actually be getting out of the dungeon, he wasn't looking forward to starving, and the slayer would go back to treating him like she didn't like him. He hated that. Shoving his hands in his pockets he tried to look as indifferent as possible as Buffy turned to look at him excitedly before she answered them.
"Down here guys! I'm in here." She stuck her hand out of the door and waved frantically hoping that they could see her in the dank establishment.
"I see your arm Buff." Xander said his voice a lot closer. "We're almost there."
"Looks like we won't be starving after all," Buffy said grinning.
Spike shrugged. "I always could have snacked on you if the need had arisen."
"Thanks." Buffy snorted just as the door was pried open and Willow and Xander flooded in. "How did you find us?" Buffy asked. "I didn't think anyone even saw us."
"Oh so, Spike is with you? I was hoping he was scattered across the cemetery." Xander huffed, faking disappointment.
"Thanks Harris, really I didn't know you cared." Spike reached into the pocket of his duster and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He patted the bottom for a moment before pulling one out and lighting it up.
"Well lucky for you those demons pulled you just past the street where Anya and I happened to be heading back from the movies. We followed you here and barged in." He smiled. "Tara cast a spell on them, they're all sleeping. So let's go before they wake up."
Buffy grinned. "Right," Without even a glance back at Spike she followed Xander out the door.
Spike sauntered after her even though he didn't really want to. Buffy would ignore him, insult him and ultimately piss him off, but at least it was something a small amount of attention. After all he had gotten to hold her the other night. For those few brief hours she had been his.
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"Buffy?" Spike asked his eyes fluttering as he slowly came awake. "Buffy luv is that you?" He asked his eyes never opening. He smelled the air for a moment and smiled, Vanilla. It was her. "Come to bed luv, hard to sleep with you so far away." Spike smiled and reached out but there was nothing. "Luv?" He asked and opened his eyes.
There was a woman leaning over him. He could smell the perfume better now it wasn't vanilla, it was roses and the woman wasn't Buffy it was Cordelia. He hated himself for doing that. It had been bloody well over a hundred years and she should be out of his mind, but she wasn't. She lingered and Spike, for whatever reason, refused to let her go. He wanted to, sometimes, he wanted to push her away, but just like before he was unable to.
Spike squinted at the demon girl and frowned. "Bloody hell," He complained and sat up feeling a bit woozy and rubbed his head. "Don't you ever tell the poof I did that." Spike said looking at her seriously.
"Why's that?" Cordelia asked. "Afraid he'll beat you up for hitting on his girl?"
"Hell no." Spike snorted. "If you told him then he'd have reason to call me pathetic and poof, peaches whatever."
"I don't think I've ever heard Angel call someone peaches." Cordelia said seriously. "I don't think I want to either."
"Yeah well it would be different with 'im. He'd call me something odd…" Spike snorted. "Hell but I feel like shit. How did you guys find me? I mean that fyral was kicking the shit out of me the last I remember."
"Alisa saw you from the roof." Cordelia told him. "She saved you."
"Why?" Spike asked. "I know the little bitch doesn't like me."
"She thought you were human."
"That explains it. So how long have I been out?"
"Not even an entire day, but I think it'll take a while to heal up. They beat the 'bloody hell' out of you." She smirked at her bad imitation of his accent and handed him the cup of blood she had been holding. "Warmed it up for you."
"Thanks." Spike held the cup and drank quickly.
"You were dreaming again."
Spike looked up searching the woman's eyes and frowned. It had been a long time since he'd talked to her. He hadn't said anything about his dreams since he'd lived with them and that had been over ten years ago. "So I have," He said vaguely, "Nothing new."
"Was it still about her?"
Spike's frown deepened. He didn't like to talk about it. "Let's just say that you're not the first woman I've called Buffy."
"Ouch. How do you expect to find a nice...uh bad girl when you keep calling them Buffy?" Cordelia almost laughed. "Not a good way to get a second date."
"More like a second shag." Spike confirmed. "I'm not much the relationship type. I was with Dru for a century, Harmony when I was bloody well insane, and Buffy for far too short a time. I don't fancy another trip. I just use 'em for sex and tell 'em bye."
"Wow your gentlemanliness astounds me."
"You asked." Spike defended. "Besides there hasn't been many."
"Why do you still miss her so much Spike. Why can't you let her go?"
"I don't know." He handed her back the cup and shrugged. "I...I couldn't get rid of her when I wanted so many years ago, but even when I want her gone she's the strongest. Sometimes I just feel..." Spike trailed off when the bedroom door opened and Angel sauntered in followed by a bookish looking fellow. He wasn't wearing tweed, though he assumed the fashion had changed a bit since then, but he gave off an air that was just too much to mistake.
"So if it isn't my long last granddad and his watcher friend. Now don't be shy Angelus come give your little boy a kiss." Spike pursed his lips and smiled when Angel turned away disgusted.
"Don't call me that," Angel said steadily, "Reminds me of Drusilla."
"Always was an asshole," Spike said quickly, "Won't even give your kids a kiss 'ello." Spike shook his head and narrowed his eyes at the watcher.
"Don't look much older than your slayer." Spike commented. "I don't reckon you stand a chance."
"Well, um..." He sputtered for a moment unsure of what to say.
"Well spit it out watcher." Spike rolled his eyes and turned to Cordelia. "I don't remember Rupes bein' so stuttery."
"He's the vampire?" Kirk asked cocking his head to the side. "The one that's supposed to…"
Spike held the side of his head. "What the hell, I'm not sitting around listening to this. I'm leaving. Thanks for the blood and the save, whatever." He started to get up but as soon as he got to his feet he had to grab the side of the bed to keep standing. He blinked for several seconds before recovering and glared at the occupants of the room as if they were the cause of all his pain.
"It's still daylight." Angel said. "And you have no way to get to cover."
Spike frowned and pushed past Angel and the Watcher and headed down the hall. "Bloody hell." He said loudly as he noticed the drawn curtains. "I can't believe I'm stuck in here with your lot. You're going to get me killed you know." Spike growled and started to pace. "As soon as those goons get word of me clocking time with the new slayer I'll have bounty hunters on my ass from here to Africa!" He stopped his rant for a moment to glare at Angel who was watching him with a slight boredom to the watcher. "I should just eat you and your slayer. That would keep 'em off me." Spike watched as Angel started to come off the wall, but Spike didn't stop. "I'd rip your head from your body and drink from your neck. I'd kill the girl slowly relishing in her pain, I'd..."
Spike didn't get to finish the rest of his threats when he was slammed backwards and into the counter. He hardly had time to register that before he was moving again this time rolling across the carpet. In seconds he was flat on his back with the young curly haired slayer sitting on his chest. She had a stake in her hand and a frown on her small little face.
"Don't make me kill you, vampire." She said her voice dropping a few keys as she glared at him. "Don't you ever threaten him again!"
Spike shook his head trying to clear the haze that was falling over him. Those demons really had done a number on him. He glared back at the girl unable to forget who usually had him in this position. Spike frowned. "Why don't you do it Slayer? Kill me. Drive this stake through my heart and turn me to dust."
"I thought all vampires wanted to live longer." Alisa said slowly.
"Things aren't always what they seem." Spike whispered his voice dropping from its taunt for a moment and he closed his eyes.
Alisa knew those words. Her dream. He had said them to her in her dream. She hesitated for a moment and it was just long enough for someone to grab her and haul her to her feet. She turned her face red with anger to see Angel. "What the hell." She spat. "He threatened my watcher, my family. I don't let people who threaten me live."
"You need him." Angel protested. "You can't kill him."
"Oh let the girl give it a go." Spike said pulling himself to his feet. "I need a good brawl." He bounced from foot to foot. "I need another slayer to add to the list."
"Spike don't even think about it." Angel growled. "Just stop it."
"Stop what?" Spike asked. "Being me. This is what I am Angel. This is what I'll always be."
"It's not and you know it. Buffy knew it, Buffy saw it." Angel hung his head for a moment getting a far off look.
"Buffy's gone." Spike said his voice falling so drastically it made everyone in the room look at him. "Buffy's gone and doing things like that won't bring her back."
"I know you love her Spike..." Angel started.
Spike shook his head. Not again, not here. Growling he rushed forward and punched Angel in the jaw launching him into the wall. He stalked down the small hallway to where the Slayer stood by her watcher. Spike noticed the Watcher's protective stance and recognized it. He loved the girl. He could see it in the man's eyes. He was willing to fight for her. He was willing to die for her. All the anger left his body in one huge sweep as his shoulders slumped. It was too late though the Slayer's defenses were up and she punched him in the face and Spike sailed through the air and slammed into the kitchen table breaking it in half and sending paper flying through the air.
Spike watched her and laughed as he wiped the blood from his bottom lip. "Got a little more fire to you than I thought," He sniggered and pulled himself to his feet as if nothing had happened. "Not feeling so hot now, so I'm gonna catch the z's." Spike walked around the stunned few and back into the room slamming the door behind him and locking it.
"Is he always like that?" Kirk asked watching the door.
"Yes." All three said in unison.
"He's a pain in the ass." Angel volunteered. "But from what I can tell me need him."
"He ever does that again and dream or no dream I'll kill him." Alisa spat and turned to go before Kirk called after her.
"Dream?"
Alisa froze. "I mean vision, whatever."
"Have you been dreaming, ones with him in it?" Kirk asked his voice rising. "Why didn't you tell me? I told you not to ignore your dreams. They mean the difference between life and death."
Alisa was defiant. She stood her jaw set. "I can take care of it Kirk. It's nothing." She shrugged and started to walk away, but Kirk grabbed her arm and pulled her back around.
"It is something, and I'm your watcher, you'll tell me." Kirk glared at her half with anger and half with concern. 'Where they so bad?'
Alisa yanked away from him one last time and stalked toward the door. She was gone before he could follow. Kirk sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose in worry. "She tries to protect me. She doesn't understand that I'm supposed to protect her."