Severed Ties

Chapter 16

Never a Dull Moment

Author's note: Just so you know, from now on, Buffy and Spike's daughter will be called Jay from here on out, to avoid confusing her with Faith.

May 19th, 2002

Sunnydale

Buffy awoke to a cool hand strumming invisible cords along her spine. Every stroke of his fingertips against her flesh elicited pleasured sighs from her nerve endings. She tried to fight the easy cadence of her limbs singing for encore after encore but her traitorous body ignored her protestations.

Spike rumbled beneath her and Buffy raised her head and looked him in the eyes. Her heart rate always escalated whenever she was around him and today was no different. Even with they had been mortal enemies, Buffy had never been to be in his presence without her heart doing the teenage fluttery thing. At times she loved it but all too often she felt so vulnerable that she instinctively went on the defensive.

"Something funny?" she asked him as she frowned.

Spike cocked his head to the side and offered her smirk 1.0, the friendly version. "Nothing funny, pet," he whispered and ran his hands up and down her sides, stopping just below her breasts each time. It took all of her collective willpower--which, with Spike, rarely lasted--not to jump him right there. Thoughts of riding him into oblivion and feeling him pulse inside of her…

Buffy's eyes widened when Spike sniffed the air and his smirk transformed into version 2.0, the cocky upgrade. He opened his mouth to speak but she beat him to it.

"Well, it sure as hell looks like something is funny to you," she said and pushed herself up from his chest. Before she could remove herself from atop of him, Spike grabbed her wrists and pulled her back down.

"Where you goin', luv?" he whispered and peppered her jaw line with the softest of kisses. Buffy gasped and started to grind her hips against him, the tinglies that now populated her lower regions taking over.

Buffy heard the deep inhalation Spike took while he nuzzled the crook of her neck and felt the insistent prodding of his hands as they stroked her flesh. "Know what I smell?" he murmured into her neck as his tongue slithered up and down the column of her jugular.

"Can't be good," she stuttered, "since I haven't brushed my teeth ye-et." The last word was a high-pitched wail as Spike attacked her earlobe.

"S'not what I smell, pet," he said and his hands slipped underneath the waistband of her jeans and cupped her ass. "What I smell is a tad bit lower than your mouth. But it has lips just the same." Buffy squeezed her thighs together at the innuendo and the vampire took advantage of her distracted state, slipping his tongue into her ear and a hand between her thighs.

"God, Spike," Buffy moaned and scooted up his body to allow him better access to her more intimate parts.

"That's it, luv," Spike whispered as his deft fingers stroked Buffy's slit from the back. His other hand unsnapped her jeans and slid down the front of her pants. He cupped her groin and sought out her clit. "Cor, luv. You are so wet. All for me right? All for me."

Buffy could only nod as Spike teased her clit, rubbing it in that way that drove her insane with need. Everything was forgotten save for the wicked performance of his hands and his baritone voice that gave shape to his lecherous thoughts.

"Want you," she murmured and ground against him harder. She was so close to coming. It had been too long and although she wanted him inside her when she did, the sensations were too much for her to tell him much less stop, if even for a moment. Instead Buffy opted to allow the bliss to wash over her and worry about stiffer things later.

When Buffy heard the knock and subsequent opening of the door, she was too far-gone to do anything but ride her orgasm out. She ran her fingers through Spike's hair and buried her face into his neck, screaming into his flesh as her body exploded into countless pieces before slowly reforming.

She stayed that way for several minutes, clinging to him as if her very life depended on it. Finally, Buffy lifted her head and peeked at Spike through her curtain of hair. She couldn't help but laugh at his amused expression and she buried her head in his chest.

"Tell me someone didn't just walk in on us," she said, her muffled voice causing the vampire to shake with laughter.

"I could tell you that, luv, but it'd be a lie." On her embarrassed groan, Spike dislodged his hand from underneath her pants and stroked her silken hair with his knuckles. "No worries, Slayer. It was just Glinda. She won't say a thing."

"That's just great. So now that's twice that she's caught us in the act."

"That it is." When Buffy sat up, Spike wriggled his eyebrows at her. "Course, she didn't see my stiffy this time around."

"Yeah, but I can sure as hell feel it." Buffy slid her hand between their bodies and gripped the bulge in his pants roughly.

"Buffy," Spike moaned. "As much as I wanna have a go with you, we need to get downstairs. Glinda said the others are awake."

"But I want you inside of me," she whined.

"Cor, luv. You don't know how much I want that, either. But we don't 'ave enough time." Buffy stuck her lip out, hating that Spike was right. But just as quickly as the frown appeared, it disintegrated into a devilish grin. "Buffy…" Spike said as he eyed the slayer suspiciously.

"You're right, you know," she said and slid down his body until her face was even with his groin. "We don't have time for Hide-the-Spikey." Her tiny hands unbuttoned his jeans and she caught his zipper with her teeth, ushering it down. His cock sprang from its prison and Buffy eyed it hungrily.

"But," she said and flicked her tongue across the tip, loving how his eyes rolled back in his head, "we do have time for this." As she engulfed him fully within her mouth, Buffy couldn't help but smile at herself. It made her feel so good to know that she had such an effect on a being whose life had been about sex just as much as violence. It was during these times, their moments of physical bonding, that Buffy realized with certainty that Spike was hers--wholly and completely. But it was not something that was mutual. She still saw his insecurities whenever they made eye contact. His life had been full of pain and disappointment and, despite her words of love, she knew he still remembered the knives she had twisted in his gut during their trysts all those months ago.

As he called her name, Buffy slid a hand between her thighs, timing her second orgasm with his first. Her only coherent thought as Spike came was that, somehow, someway, she would convince him that she was never going anywhere. It didn't matter how long it took because they did have eternity, after all.

*&*

By the time Buffy and Spike made it down the steps, the latter still hobbling from injuries, the living room was populated by the Scoobies plus one. Willow, Tara and Dawn sat on the couch, several tomes spread out on the table before them. Buffy noticed her daughter playing cards (quite amicably, she observed) with Faith. The latter had her hair twisted in a tight ponytail that resembled Dawn's handy work.

"Spike," the youngest Summers said as she hopped over the table and crushed the vampire in a desperate hug. "You're awake."

"That I am, Niblet," he said and stroked the girl's silken hair with one hand as the other held her close to him. He nodded at Willow and Tara, smirking at the blush that populated the latter's cheeks, before turning his attention back to the bundle in his arms. "But I won't be for long if you don't ease up on tha grip." Dawn's arms dropped to the side and she gave her best friend a shy smile before backing away, her place immediately filled by Jay.

"Whoa, there, Bitlet. Gonna give your pops a sodding heart attack, you know."

"If it beat," she said with her voice muffled from her face being buried in his chest. Buffy watched all of this from the side and she fought back the contented tears that threatened to spill from watching the family reunion. Though the others--save for Faith--were just as much a part of the family as she could ask for, Buffy had no doubt that her, Jay, Spike and Dawn was something she had always wanted. Blood, love and devotion bound them and that was something no one could ever take away from them.

"So," Buffy said after kissing her daughter on the cheek, "where are the others?"

"Xander and CJ are still in bed," Willow informed her best friend. "Angel and Cordelia are still at the hotel and said they would be by later. And Giles dropped these books off for us to look through while he contacts some of his more private-y resources."

"So he thinks it's that bad?"

"He just wanted to take precautions, find out everything he can about whatever it was that attacked Spike and the others," Tara said.

Spike shrugged. "Rupert's probably wastin' his time. Nothin' special about the overgrown Barney that's runnin' loose out there 'cept…"

"Spike, what is it?" Buffy put a hand on his shoulder for support and waited for him to continue.

"Don't rightly know. It's just that--I've taken so shots before. Hell, tortured by a soddin hell god for hours can…"

"Wait a minute," Faith interrupted, "did you say hell god?"

"Yeah," Dawn said.

"When was this? And why didn't anybody tell me?" The brunette slayer stood and Buffy saw her face twist in annoyance--and was that hurt?

"It happened last year, Faith," Buffy informed her sister slayer, "and if I'm correct about things, you had a prior engagement; something I believe is called prison." The other slayer flinched at the words but said nothing and drifted into the background again.

"Mom," Jay started and Buffy silenced her with a look. "Fine," she said although her tone brokered no argument that they would definitely talk about this later.

"You were saying?" Buffy said and pulled Spike further into the room. She noticed the smiles Willow and Tara tried to hide as they watched her with Spike and though she knew they were already cool with Spike, she was still relieved to see their open support.

"Right," Spike said and sat in the recliner. Buffy sat on the arm, her legs splayed across his laps and one arm slung around his neck. "Like I said, at a hundred and twenty, a bloke gets used to a little rough and tumble. Ya know? Anyway, when this blighter hit me, it was like…"

"Everything was on fire," Willow supplied.

"Right. How did you know?"

"Before he passed out last night, Xander said something about his nerves being on fire."

"He did, did he?" Spike said and caught Willow's gaze. Buffy saw something pass between them before Willow ducked her head. Spike glanced up at her and saw the suspicion in Buffy's eyes and he gave her leg a reassuring squeeze. Buffy smiled and decided to leave it alone. For now.

"Well," the vampire continued, "the wh--he's right 'bout that. Every time it touched me was like a thousand shocks going through my system. Like nothing I've ever faced before."

"No one ever has." Everyone turned towards the voice and saw CJ holding onto the wall, his legs visibly trembling.

"You okay there, kid?" Faith asked and took a few steps in his direction but Dawn beat her to it.

"What are you doing out of bed?" she asked and put her arm around his waist. Buffy watched the display impassively, a direct opposite of her lover; Spike tensed when CJ leaned against Dawn's body and she was afraid that he would pounce at any moment. Buffy stroked Spike's tousled hair, thankful when the demon that was close to surfacing relaxed--even though it was still waiting for CJ to give it a reason...

"Sorry, baby, but as much as it was a privilege to be in your room, those posters were really starting to give me the willies."

"What's wrong with my posters?"

"Face it, Dawnie," Jay said and helped Dawn walk CJ towards the couch, "your taste in music sometimes has much to be desired." The teen huffed and it roused several chuckles from the audience.

"See if I ever let you in my bed again," she grumbled and pushed him down to the couch.

"Ouch," he groaned. "The lady doth injure me with her callous hands and harsh words. Were I not to be invited to your bed, I'd…"

"Be bloody well grateful that I was alive, mate," Spike interrupted. CJ looked at the platinum blonde and, as much as he wanted to appear benevolent, he couldn't hide the challenge that sparkled in his brown eyes.

"Spike," Buffy whispered, catching the other man's challenge at Spike's words. "Play nice."

"Always 'ave, pet," he replied without taking his eyes off the other man. Buffy sighed, knowing that if she didn't do something soon, things would get out of hand. She stood from her seat on the recliner and was thankful when Spike's gaze fell to her as she blocked his view of CJ.

"Look, we don't have time for this," she said and though everyone heard her words, only Spike saw the pleading gloss of her eyes. The anger on his face dissipated and he gave her a lopsided smile before nodding.

Surprised that he had capitulated so quickly, Buffy kissed him chastely on the lips. She pulled away quickly, sensing the ignition of desire flame between them at the simple gesture. She sat on the floor and leaned against the recliner between Spike's legs. As tense as the room was, with aggression and concern, simply touching Spike made everything else fall into place.

"So, CJ. How are you feeling?"

The black man shrugged. "Like I've been hit by a truck; twice. And then thrown off a roof before being bulldozed three more times and then set on fire."

"Wicked imagery," Faith said from her position against the fireplace.

"It's the truth though," he said. "I can't even breathe without feeling like I'm about to pass out. I couldn't even tell ya how I got down the steps."

"You should have stayed in bed," Dawn said. No one missed the concern in her voice and Buffy pre-empted any snarky reply on the lips of her vampire lover by grabbing his hand and laying it on her shoulder.

"To be honest, I think you're right," CJ conceded. "I don't even know how I'm gonna stand up again, much less walk up the stairs."

"So, CJ," Spike said and Buffy caught the patronizing tone of voice, "we're all glad that you're all right. And I, for one am impressed by the stones you showed last night. But, curiosity has the best of me and I just can't help but wonder what you were doing in the cemetery so late at night. And with quite the nasty weaponry on you, I might add."

The younger man shrugged but couldn't hide his discomfort at the question. "Heard some bad things about this town. Better to be safe than sorry, right?"

"Still--that was quite a sophisticated sheathe you had strapped to your arm. Looked a little more like the 'searching for trouble' variety if you ask me."

"Well, glad I didn't ask, huh?"

"You a mite bit talkative, son."

"I'm not your son…"

"And you were right about this town," Spike said and leaned forward over Buffy's head, "there are bad things here. Everywhere you go. Sometimes in places where you least expect them."

"Expect the unexpected is my motto."

"Hmmm. For a minute there, I thought that it was 'I like to bite off more than I can chew', what with me havin' to save your arse last night."

"Boys, boys, boys," Faith interjected. "Can we put the pissing contest on hold for awhile. Maybe you can wait till Angel gets here, make things more interesting." She pushed off the wall and stalked towards the middle of the room. "Pardon my language, but get the fuck over it. Whatever's up your asses. We've got better things to worry about than you two comparing cock sizes."

"Faith's right," Buffy said and stood alongside her sister slayer. She didn't bother to hide her colored cheeks from the thoughts that Faith's words had invoked. She was glad that she wasn't the only one blushing, considering that all the women's cheeks were flaming red and CJ lowered his head bashfully.

"We cant keep fighting each other and getting in contests of…measuring." She turned to the man on the couch. "CJ, you said that no one has ever faced anything like what you guys saw. How do you know that?"

"I…I don't know. It's--it was just a feeling I had when I saw it fighting… Xander? I knew I couldn't make it in time so I called out the first thing that came to mind."

"And what was that?"

"Algolagniar."

"Is that a liquor?"

"Uh, that would be a negative, B," Faith said and turned to CJ. "Algolagniar. That sounds familiar. Like it's a…"

"Lover of Pain," Willow interrupted. "Algolagnia is Greek for 'love of pain'. It's a common term used in S & M circles." The red head paled when all eyes turned to her. "Or so I've heard."

"Okay, then," Spike said and smirked at Willow. "Guess Red is bold and daring after all." He chuckled when her cheeks flamed an even darker shade of red than her hair. "But that's beside the point. Still not getting why Morpheus here would say that."

"He's right," Buffy said. "Why did you say that?"

"Like I said, it was the first thing that came to mind. Can't really argue about it; it worked."

"What do you mean?" Jay asked.

"I was heading home through the cemetery when I heard the fighting…damn it!"

"What?" Dawn asked as she tenderly stroked his arm.

"I've been gone all night. My aunt's gonna be worried sick."

"It's okay," Jay said and fixed him with a pointed look, "I called her earlier this morning, took your number off the caller ID. Told her you were okay, just staying with a friend." Buffy caught the accusing eyes of her daughter sparkle at the young man though Jay remained silent. Yet another silent conversation she had to discern later.

"Thanks," CJ mumbled. "Anyway, when I got to the fight, I saw the demon about to end it all for Xander. I knew I couldn't get there in time so I called out its name. It stopped and gave me a chance to save Xander."

"Its name? Are you sure that was its name?" Tara asked.

"The Good Witch is right," Faith said. "CJ here just could be a closet S & M fan and that was his new vocabulary word for the day before taking the whips & chains 101 exam. It doesn't mean that it was anything significant."

Buffy rolled her eyes at the other slayer. "Faith's right…"

"Wow, B. That's twice in ten minutes you've said that."

"What CJ said may have been insignificant," Buffy said, ignoring the slayer's comment, "I mean, if you said that to me, I guess it would have been a distraction."

"Yeah but…" CJ conceded and hesitated for several seconds. When he glanced up into hazel eyes, he shivered at a memory that had flashed through his mind too quick to make out. Shaking it off, he inhaled and lowered his head into his hands.

"But what?" Spike asked.

"But…" he looked up and stared into ice blue eyes. "But he recognized me. Said I was…"

"Said you were what?" Dawn asked.

"That it couldn't be. That I was dead."

"That doesn't mean anything," Dawn reassured him. "You may just remind him of someone he killed."

"But that's not all, is it?" Spike asked and he stared at the young man, his blue eyes unsympathetic at the truth they really saw.

"No," CJ whispered, "it's not."

"You holding out on us, Denzel?" Faith asked.

"No, it's just that…"

"Just that what?" Buffy demanded.

CJ shook his head; not caring about the pain that stabbed his nerves at the slight movement. Last night, when he had called the creature's name--and he knew that Algolagniar was it--he hadn't had much of an opportunity to think about the familiarity he had had fighting the creature. But he had laid in bed for the last two hours, listening to the bustling activities downstairs, his mind filled with dreams of blood and death that where meted out by his hands. It had frightened him more than anything ever had and if he told them that…it he told the truth, he wouldn't be able to dismiss them as only dreams. But lying could put Dawn in harm's way and that was something he would not do.

"It's just that…" he stopped when Dawn's hand covered his. The pain was still fresh but he didn't care, thankful for the strength she lent to him and when she smiled at him, he could have sworn that the pain had lessened. Filled with a new resolve, CJ gave substance to the thoughts that had plagued him all morning.

"It's just that I recognized him--it--, too."

Before anyone could question him, the front door flew open and Giles stumbled into the living room, his arms filled with several books. When he saw everyone in the room, he dropped the books to the floor, oblivious to the several surprised glances that greeted him. He removed his glasses and buffed the lenses with a handkerchief before he placed them back on his face.

"I am afraid," he said, his voice as calm as Buffy had ever heard it though his eyes were wide in apprehension, "that we may very well have an apocalypse on our hands."

TBC…

Things are really about to heat up now…