Revelations
Disclaimer: I own nothing but a totally awesome 'Spike' coat (early birthday pressie).
Summary: Cleaning up and explaining.
Reviews: Yes please. The response to this fic has been incredible and blows my mind. Readers Rock but Reviewers RULE!
A/N: This fic is finished. I want to thank WayWard Childe for his continued support and invaluable assistance in writing it. Everyone still needs to go over to BTVS Crossovers and read 'Blood Knights In Gotham'. Read and review it please, it's awesome.
I have another evil bunny plot (aside from 'Resurrected') I've already written most of the first chapter on, much to WayWard's annoyance, we're supposed to work on the sequel to 'Luck Of The Vampire' next. We will, I swear. I'm getting this multiple WIP thing down.
Thanks for the reviews and never-ending support guys. You will never know just how much it all means to me. Thank you from the bottom of my evil little heart.
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Faith heard the front door blow open and stopped in the alley behind the shop. Dawn stood watching the brunette slayer with wide crystalline blue eyes. Gerald leaned against the wall and tried to calm his racing heart.
"What are you doing? Lord William told us to leave." The detective panted.
Faith nodded, distracted by the sounds coming from inside the building. "I know, but I don't think this is gonna last long." She gazed around the alley, looking for somewhere to hide her charges so she could go back and help her lover. Something Spike had murmured in her ear came back. She looked at Gerald. "How much money does he have anyway?"
Gerald shuffled uncomfortably. "I really shouldn't reveal…"
"Spike told me to ask you. He said you know. So spill it." Faith tried to distract Dawn away from what might be happening in the shop with her line of questioning.
Dawn looked up at the tall private detective. "Spike's rich?" She asked.
Gerald nodded hesitantly. "Yes, very." He answered.
Faith sauntered over and stood directly in front of the uneasy Brit. "Just how much is included in 'very'." She ran a finger up Gerald's shirt buttons.
Gerald gulped audibly and named a sum that had both females gasping in shock. Dawn's eyes widened impossibly. "And he's titled? He really is 'Lord William'?" She questioned.
The Brit nodded. "Um… yes. Look, I really shouldn't be telling you all of this. It is his business. you know."
Faith grinned. "Kid, you and I are going shopping as soon as English says it's okay." She slung her arm around the slender teenager. "I know there's stuff you've been dying to get."
Dawn thought about if for a few minutes before a huge grin spread over her pretty face. "Oh, yeah. Can Buffy come too?" She asked shyly.
Faith considered the question. "If Spike says she can, then yeah." She finally told Dawn.
The teen nodded understandingly.
The brunette slayer's attention was drawn to the Magic Box as a deafening roar and the sound of shattering glass echoed in the night. Absolute silence reigned for long anxious minutes while they waited tensely to see if the danger had passed or if they were next on the menu.
"Wait here." Faith ordered as she opened the back door. Dawn waited only a few seconds before following the slayer back into the training room. The teenager crept up behind Faith as she eased the door leading into the main part of the store open. Faith put her arm behind her to hold Dawn in place as she watched to make sure it was all right to proceed. The scene held both girls in stunned silence as they watched Buffy, Anya and Xander fight to save Spike. Dawn grasped Faith's upper arm in fear as she saw the amount of blood surrounding their favorite vampire.
Faith's forehead dropped to the door frame as her love's body slumped to the floor. She began to shake as she fought back tears of terror. Dawn's hand tightened when a groan echoed throughout the room. The sweetest sound Faith had ever heard in her entire life was the raspy 'Bloody Hell' that followed that pain-filled groan. She laughed with the rest when her Tigger asked about the 'sodding bus'. Wiping the evidence of her relief from her face, she put a trembling hand over Dawn's.
"Come on, Kid, let's go kick his ass for getting hurt." Faith said huskily.
Buffy looked up guiltily when the younger slayer walked over and knelt next to the groggy vampire. Faith's dark eyes scanned the pool of blood the blond couple was sitting in. "You do know that it's far healthier to keep the red stuff inside the body?" Her voice hitched as she asked the facetious question.
"Yeah, Luv. I had heard that rumor. I thought I told you to leave." Spike's hazy blue eyes checked his slayer for damage.
"We heard the racket and decided to stay undercover in the alley. Didn't want to get too far away from you. Didn't know what kind of trouble you'd get up to without me here." Buffy started to ease out from under Spike's still limp body. "No, B, don't move. It's okay. I saw what you did. Thank you." Faith stopped her.
"It was the least I could do." Buffy gazed down at Spike, still unconsciously running her fingers through his hair.
Xander shifted uncomfortably. Anya looked up at him in puzzlement. "I'll just go and heat up some blood for Captain Peroxide here." The carpenter said.
"I'll help you." Anya kept her arm securely around his waist as they moved away.
"Damn, the Xan-man really came through this time, huh?" Faith watched the couple leave.
Buffy smiled mistily. "Yeah, he did."
"What did that damned demon do to me?" Spike asked weakly. "My head is splitting."
Buffy stilled for a moment before continuing to caress the vampire's aching head. "Giles and I believe that Kalshalzak removed your chip. That's why you were bleeding so badly and why your head hurts." She said softly.
Spike closed his eyes. "Gonna stake me then, Slayer?" He whispered.
"No! God, no. You saved Willow. Unless you start killing again, you're safe from the stake." Buffy told him.
"Red's all right then?" Spike tried to sit up so he could check on Willow. Faith put her hand on his chest and held him down. It was frighteningly easy.
Buffy smiled. "Yes, she'll be fine. Thanks to you."
Xander returned with a large mug of heated blood. Anya had recovered enough to go check on her cash register. Giles and Dawn began attempting to clean up the glass from the window so they could try to secure the store for the night. Buffy pulled Spike into a reclining position against her shoulder while Faith held the mug for him to sip the blood.
Gerald hovered in the background unsure just what he should be doing to help. He picked up the folder from the table, amazed it was still intact. He sat down as his legs gave out. Suddenly, he couldn't wait to go home.
Xander quietly moved over to help Giles and Dawn. Taking a small tape measure from his pocket, he measured the opening so he could nail a sheet of wood over it. He thought maybe there was one in the basement that would work. A hammer and some nails from his car and he'd have the job done in no time.
Spike finished the mug and sighed, his energy slowly returning. Faith smiled down at him tenderly. "So, Tigger. Ready to go home and clean up?" She asked.
Buffy frowned in confusion. "Why do you call him 'Tigger'?"
Faith grinned. "Have you ever been trapped in a house with him after he's had too much chocolate?"
The blonde slayer shook her head. "No."
"I have." The younger slayer nodded toward the lethargic vampire. A lascivious glint entered her dark eyes. "Tigger on speed is the best way to describe it. Can be fun though."
Buffy smiled at the image, her green eyes sparkling. "I can imagine." Her hand carded through Spike's hair one last time as her other arm encircled his leanly muscled chest in a hug. "Take him home. But you might want to keep him out of the chocolate for a day or two."
Tara and Willow walked slowly over. The blonde witch was supporting her love with a firm arm around the waist. "Spike." Willow began. The vampire let Faith pull him upright. He wavered for a moment with both slayers ready to catch him should he fall.
"Red. Are you okay?" He asked.
She nodded. "Thank you."
He relaxed against Faith as she slipped her strong arms around his waist. "You're welcome." He smiled. "Make me some cookies and we'll call it even."
Willow nodded. "You got it. Chocolate chip okay?" Giggles from both slayers met her question.
"That would be great, Red." Spike told her wearily.
Xander finished blocking the broken window and door. They all turned to leave by way of the back door. It was an exhausted group that slowly moved through the shop to go home and recover.
Gerald wavered uncertainly. "Um… Lord William? What should I do now?" He didn't mean to sound so insecure but he did feel completely out of his depth.
Spike lifted his aching head. "Just take the folder with you and I'll meet you back here tomorrow night, yeah?"
The private detective nodded jerkily. "Are you going to be all right?" Surprising himself with his concern.
The blond vampire smiled slightly. "Yeah, Mate. One of the bonuses of being a vampire. Good as new in no time."
Giles patted his countryman on the shoulder. "We'll meet here at sunset. Let's all go home."
Buffy grasped Dawn's hand in a firm hold, unwilling to let her sister out of sight. Tara kept her arms around Willow the same way Faith had a hold of Spike. Xander and Anya walked through the shop with their arms around each other in mutual support. Giles followed his children as they supported each other, united by the near disaster. The healing had already begun.
The next day…
Fortunately it was Saturday, so everyone had a chance to recuperate somewhat from the events of the night before. Xander had appeared at the Magic Box in mid-afternoon with a new plate glass window and a new door. Not for the first time, his carpentry skills and contacts came in handy for repairing the damage evil inflicted. He was happy to be able to contribute something. It was sunset by the time he finished and the rest of the gang began to drift in. Giles had been there since morning, first putting the store back to rights and then helping Xander with the repairs. As soon as they were finished the Watcher called and ordered pizza for them all. Buffy, Dawn, Tara and Willow arrived together, none of them willing to be very far way from each other. Anya had stayed at the shop with the men, quietly watching them work on the repairs.
Gerald arrived just as the sun finished sinking into the horizon. He was clutching his briefcase and jumping at every imagined noise.
Spike and Faith arrived shortly after the private detective. Faith had a tendency to watch her vampire with large solemn dark eyes, unwilling to let him stray far from her protection.
Giles motioned for Spike to join him in the alcove. As soon as they were alone, Giles removed his glasses and cleaned them distractedly. "Have you been able to test whether or not the chip is still there?"
Spike inhaled deeply, closing his eyes tiredly. "Yeah. Faith made me pinch her to check. No pain. The chip is history." The blond vampire was very pale and confessed to Giles that he still had a bit of a headache.
The Watcher replaced his glasses. "And what do you plan to do now?" He questioned quietly.
"About the chip?" Spike asked. At Rupert's nod, he smiled. "Nothing. I'm going to claim my inheritance and wherever Faith wants to live, buy a house. I hope she wants to stay with me. If not, I'll make other plans. I don't know why this cousin of mine did what he did but I'm not going to waste it. I'm not just a vampire anymore. I don't live for the kill. I've always been a miserable excuse for a vampire, now I can afford to not care."
Rupert smiled. "Did Faith find out how much money you have?"
Spike laughed, then winced as his head protested. "Yeah, she made Gerry tell her. She's pretty freaked but she's making plans to go shopping with Niblet. Apparently the Bit has quite a list already. They've been on the phone most of the day." He sighed. "It's so nice to see Faith acting like a girl."
Giles chuckled. "It is very nice." He agreed. "Now let's go satisfy their curiosity. I'm sure they're dying out there."
Spike grimaced. "I have no doubt. If any of them spills my secrets to the Wanker's Council, can I eat them?"
"If they tell, I'll hold them for you." Giles promised.
The two of them moved back into the main portion of the shop. Faith immediately walked over and slipped her arms around her vampire. "Hey, Tig. You okay?"
He pressed a quick kiss onto her temple. "I'm good, Luv."
Xander walked up to the couple and stuck his hand out for Spike to shake. After a moment of stunned silence, Spike took the proffered hand. "Thanks for saving Willow." The carpenter murmured.
"Just glad I knew what to do." Spike ducked his head in embarrassment, much to the amusement of everyone watching.
Xander's mouth dropped open. "Are you blushing?" He snickered.
The blond vampire snarled. "Shut it, Harris."
Laughter echoed through the room. Giles cleaned his glasses as the tension eased. "Well, now that hostilities are back in force, I believe some explanations are in order." He extended his hand to Gerald and motioned the detective forward.
"Everyone, for those of you who missed it, this is Gerald Whitestone. He is a private detective from London representing the law firm of Colson, Waverly and Hunter." The Watcher replaced his glasses. He motioned for everyone to take a seat around the table. Spike retreated to his normal place on the stairs with Faith in front of him one step below. When everyone was seated, he began again.
"Before we begin, I must inform you that none of the information you are about to hear can leave this room. If the Watcher's Council or anyone associated with Angel hears about any of this, not only have I given Spike permission to eat the offending party but I volunteered to hold the victim. Is that clear?" His sharp gaze touched on each one of his adopted family. He smiled in satisfaction when they each nodded their understanding.
"That means the chip is gone, right?" Dawn asked. She looked up at Spike hopefully. She hated the chip and the Initiative who'd installed it. Part of her realized that without the chip, she would never have known the 'real' Spike but ignored that little niggle of reason.
"Yes, Dawn, the chip is gone. But I believe you can all see that it makes no difference in his behavior." Giles indicated Spike lounging position on the stairs. As soon as the elder Brit's back was turned, Spike allowed a hint of fang and a teasing gleam of gold to enter his sparkling eyes. Several Scoobies giggled. Without turning around or missing a beat, Giles admonished the playful bloodsucker. "Spike, behave."
Buffy snorted. "That'll be the day." The vampire stuck his tongue out at the blonde slayer. She twirled a stake in a mock-threat. Neither of them posing a threat to the other. "Dawn has been on the phone with Faith all day about some shopping trip they're planning. Is the Bleached Wonder over there rich or something?"
Gerald smiled and placed his briefcase on the table. "Why, yes. Lord William is very well off. As of last week his estate, aside from various properties, amounted to somewhere around the sum of 500 million dollars, American." Stunned silence greeted the announcement. Spike smirked at the gobsmacked expressions on the faces now turned toward him. The only ones not showing any surprise were Giles, Dawn and Faith. The detective took advantage of the quiet to pull the envelope from the folder and take it over to Spike. "Lord Colin left explicit instructions for whoever found you to make sure you read this."
Spike took the envelope and leaned away from Faith so he could open it. Shock filled his sapphire eyes as he scanned the contents once before returning to the top of the first page to read it more thoroughly. He could hear Giles filling the others in on his life story but as he got further into the letter, all background noise disappeared.
Dear William – or should I address this to 'Spike'?
Either way, I am your several generations removed cousin. I won't go into the details; I have included a family tree so you can see where we all fit in. How do I know you prefer to be known as 'Spike'? Well, dear boy, I know who you are. You are a vampire. You were sired by Drusilla and Angelus in 1880, regrettably in the prime of your life. I investigated the circumstances of your turning quite thoroughly and I assure you there is very little about you that I do not know. Except, regrettably, your current whereabouts as I lost track of you after the incident in Prague. I do hope that your Drusilla recovered. Do not worry; I did not share my information with the Watcher's Council. Yes, I know about them and slayers and a great deal of vampire lore. I will admit to shamelessly making use of the Council's resources to further my research on you even though their information is sadly lacking in accuracy. I know how you acquired your nickname. The rumors of the reasons behind your revenge were very specific and I might have done the same in your position.
Now, I'll bet you are wondering why I'm sharing all of this with you. Well, quite simply, if you are reading this then I am dead and the law firm I hired has held your assets in trust until you could be found. I would also wager that you are wondering why I would do that. The thing of it, dear boy, is that I feel you were cheated. That you would have had a full life were it not for those vampires, although much of my research indicates that you have a gleeful appreciation for your undead status. I am regretfully without any heirs to leave the title and estate to so I arranged for proper documentation to allow you to be 'found' as the long lost descendant to one William James Wordsworth.
Was this an unusual course of action? Yes, absolutely. Why would I give it all back to you when I could have given it to charity or otherwise disposed of the estate? The answer is very simple. You are unique. As I said, I have done extensive research on you and you impressed me with your loyalty to Drusilla. Surprised? I would assume so. I made a habit of frequenting demon bars. Yes, there are a few if you know where to look. Which, given your reputation, you know very well where each and every one of them is located. I also hired the occasional demon to investigate your activities. I was quite pleasantly surprised to find that not all demons hunger for human death. That they wish to merely exist within this world peacefully and prosperously.
If only the aforementioned Watcher's Council would have made the same discovery the world would be a much more peaceful place and the job done by the slayers would not be nearly as difficult. I mean really, I do know that you successfully fought and killed two slayers in your time. Such is the way between the vampire and the slayer. But I have wisely kept my opinions to myself, I don't wish to run afoul of the…what was it you call them in your atrocious accent? Oh, yes, Wanker's Council. How do I know about your accent? My boy, it is legendary. I have had many demons quote you and yes, they did know of the relationship. Oddly enough it afforded me a small measure of protection. The demon community seems to think that you are immensely loyal to family. Unusual reputation to have as a Master Vampire, I must say. It is a trait I believe we share which would explain why I chose to return your rightful title and estate to you.
Those who know of my research into you and your exploits believe that I am a certifiable crackpot. I have had more than one person threaten to lock me away in a padded cell, but then having the title and assets backing me, none of them succeeded.
I regret that I was unable to find you while I was alive, I would have given much to meet you. Enjoy your good fortune, my boy. It is long past due.
Sincerely,
Your cousin (several times removed of course)
Lord Colin Wordsworth.
Spike folded the letter in bemusement, sticking it back in the envelope. He'd show it to Faith later. In all of his long unlife, he'd never imagined anything like this happening. Apparently it was quite real. He buried his face in Faith's fragrant hair for a moment to gain control of his emotions.
"Tigger? You okay back there?" Faith murmured.
"Yeah, Robin. I'm great." Spike smiled. He raised his head and gazed around the room at the rapt faces of the young people gathered around the table. He couldn't believe his good fortune. It seemed that at long last he had everything he'd ever wanted. He had acceptance, love and, eccentric and eclectic as they were, a family. Unlife just didn't get any better.
Finis