Her Last One… Dance
Disclaimer: If I owned them….
Reviews: Yes please. Readers Rock but Reviewers RULE!
A/N: I realize that this pairing isn't to everyone's taste so I'll forgive the disappointing reviews. I'm truly happy that some of you have given this fic a chance and read it. Hope you're not too unhappy with the next couple of chapters. There's only one left after this one and the contest rules will be included after the end of chapter five.
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Spike gazed into her hazel eyes for a few tense seconds. "Yes, Ma'am." He tossed the cigarette down and held out his hand. He led her over to stand near the steps of the ruined building and placed his hand on her waist. She put her hand gently on his shoulder and he clasped their other hands together in a classic waltz position. As the music swelled, they began to sway. All his enforced dancing lessons came flooding back as he held her warm body in his arms. He forgot that the others were watching as he got lost in her loving gaze.
Joyce felt lighter than air as he led her into the classic steps of the dance. His grip was firm and she felt more secure than she'd ever felt in her life. It was easy to pretend they were alone as she gazed up into his sapphire eyes. Unconsciously, she let her feelings show in her face as they slowly spun around. He pulled her closer in response to the loving expression on her beautiful features as his own feelings were reflected on his handsome face.
The watching humans were stunned. Dawn sank down onto the pavement with her arms wrapped around herself. Her face had an expression of glee as she watched her mom dance in Spike's arms.
Buffy's face resembled a thundercloud. She seethed as Riley grasped her arm to hold her back. He could tell that she was mere seconds away from dusting the blond vampire.
Anya gave a happy sigh. "Aren't they sweet together?" She whispered to Xander.
"What? No!" He protested. "No sweetness between the Mom and the evil undead thing."
Giles frowned and vowed to look up the Watcher's diary that Spike had mentioned. There had to be something more than just having the right couple. It could not be a coincidence that Spike would be part of the couple that brought the barrier down in both instances. He watched as they moved gracefully to the music and saw that behind them the barrier was indeed dissipating.
Willow couldn't stop the tears from springing to her eyes when she saw the expression on Mrs. Summers' face. She'd never seen the older woman look so happy. Tara watched them dancing, wondering why she hadn't seen the way their auras matched before now. They were truly beautiful together and the blonde witch hoped with all her heart that the others wouldn't make things difficult for them.
The music slowed and stopped. Spike brought the dance to an end and glanced over his shoulder. "Barrier's down, Luv." He murmured.
She took a look and smiled gently. "So it is."
He let her out of his embrace but grabbed her hand. "Let's go." He'd listened and had caught the sound of laughter in the halls of the old high school. They heard Buffy shriek and Giles voice his own protest as they ran into the building. He stopped and listened for a moment. "This way."
The others followed what they thought was an insane vampire and his hostage. Riley and Buffy took the lead with their stakes ready. Giles was close behind with the others following.
Spike and Joyce stopped just outside the principal's office which was relatively undamaged. They could see a bright white glow casting its light into the hallway. "Come on out. I know you're in here." He called. Giggles answered his summons.
"They sound like little kids." Joyce whispered.
Spike chuckled. "They are little kids. Little demon kids." He told her. He pointed to the end of the hall. "Look."
They saw the little demons responsible for the barrier. They were about three feet tall. They had light blue skin with bright white hair. The taller one's hair reached to just past the back of the ears, the smaller one's hair was a smooth fall to the shoulders. Their eyes were dark purple and large for their small faces. Their ears were pointed and set close to their heads and they wore what looked like robes. Their tiny faces lit up with pleasure when they spotted Spike.
They ran full tilt at the vampire and nearly knocked him over in their rush to be first to give him a hug. The little demons giggled insanely as they climbed all over the laughing vampire.
Joyce laughed in delight over the adorable little creatures. She watched as Spike made them get off and stand back. He crouched down to eye level and tried to give them a stern look. Giles, Buffy and the others came into the hall and stopped at the unexpected sight that greeted them.
The taller of the two by a whopping two inches raised his hand and touched Spike's platinum hair. "Sssspike, you hair almosssst like ourssss." He giggled.
"So it is." The vampire agreed. "Where are your parents?"
The smaller one jumped up and down to get attention. "Where Drussssilla?" She lisped.
Spike ducked his head and counted to ten. "She's not here. Now, tell me where your parents are or I'll have to take drastic measures."
The children huddled together whispering for a minute before turning back to Spike. "Drasssstic meassssuressss." They chorused.
"So that's the way you want to do it, yeah?" Spike vamped out and used vampire speed to capture a demon under each arm. He held the younger one out for Joyce to take. "Hold this for me, Luv." She knelt down and gently grasped the wiggly demon around the waist.
"Are you going to talk?" He asked his captive. A vigorous head shake was his answer. "Don't say I didn't warn you." Shrieks filled the air as he began tickling the tiny demon.
Joyce cuddled her captive. "I think you should talk, unless you want the same treatment." She warned.
The little female giggled. "Ssssame treatment, pleasssse. Like Sssspike torture."
A deep rumbling voice called out from the principal's office. "Reekee! Tennon! Where you?"
Spike paused in his torture. "Here, Rygar!" He called. "Yup, you're in for it now." He told the wiggling bundle in his arms.
A demon, fully seven feet in height, entered the hallway. He looked like a giant economy size version of Spike's little friends. He tensed as he spotted the group of humans there. "Sssslayer." He hissed.
Spike stood with his captive hanging upside down. "Rygar, over here. Think I found something of yours."
The demon turned and spotted his offspring being held captive by the game-faced vampire. "Sssspike." He said. "How long ssssince lasssst time?"
"About seventy years here, Mate. How long has it been where you are? The bits don't look much bigger than they did then." He flipped the child over his shoulder so he could shake hands with his old friend. Tiny hands gripped the front of Spike's duster to keep his balance. Giggles continued to spill from the little ones.
"Only two yearssss." Rygar rumbled. "Hid book, but littlessss found. Opened portal to find playground. Giving 'Ssssspike torture'?" He smiled, revealing sharp teeth.
"Have to get them to talk somehow." Spike shrugged, the child on his shoulder wobbled causing him to giggle harder. He shifted out of his demon visage.
The huge demon looked over at Joyce who still held the smaller child in her loose grasp. "Reekee, get torture yet?" He asked his daughter. She shook her head vigorously.
"Pretty hold, wait turn." She giggled.
Rygar nodded wisely. "Ssssspike lady pretty. Tennon, let go Ssssspike, let Reekee take turn."
Spike twirled his captive in the air. "You heard your Dad, Mite. Let your sister come get her punishment." He handed the boy to his father and motioned for Joyce to hand him her little prisoner.
Her high pitched giggles echoed throughout the ruined building as Spike administered his particular brand of torture on the tiny body. He made sure he spent the exact same amount of time on the girl that he had on the boy. When he was finished he lifted her up and somersaulted her through the air to her dad. The large demon caught her effortlessly. He turned to his son standing nearby. "Tennon, go get book. Give Ssssspike. No make portal."
With a sulky look, the little boy ran off toward the abandoned office. He was back in a few short minutes with an ancient book clasped tightly in his small hands. He slowed as he neared Spike. With a frown, he looked up at the vampire. "No book? No portal? No playground?"
Spike crouched in front of the upset child. "No, Tennon. I'm sorry. Your parents promised that that portal would never be opened again. You and your sister broke that promise. I need to keep the book now. Maybe I can open the portal from this side and come visit like Dru and I did last time, yeah?"
The children began jumping in excitement. "Ssssoon, Ssssspike? Vissssit ssssoon?"
"I'll do my best." Spike solemnly promised.
Rygar looked around at the staring humans. "You friendssss Sssslayer? Friendssss other humanssss?"
"Yeah, I'm kinda friends with the slayer." Spike scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Don't spread it around. Ok, Mate?"
Rygar nodded, his face serious. "No blame. Bad for reputation."
The vampire chuckled at the outrage on some of the faces of the humans. "Right, bad for my rep."
Rygar looked at Joyce again. "Sssspike lady pretty. Good match."
Joyce was too bemused to answer but she allowed the large blue demon to take hold of her hand and bring it up to his face. A cool, gentle touch and the hand was released. She couldn't help but be utterly charmed by the gesture.
"Sssspike lady no sssscared. Very good." Rygar told Spike. "We go now, time dinner. Mother wait." He motioned to his children. "Reekee, Tennon, ssssay bye Sssspike, Sssspike lady."
The little ones clambered up Spike's legs in their eagerness to give him their goodbye hugs. The vampire motioned for Giles to come forward and take the book. The Watcher did so with curious caution. Then Spike allowed the children to drag him down to the floor for one more wrestle before they had to leave. All too soon, they were giving him one last hug around the neck.
"Bye Sssspike!" Reekee said, landing a smacking kiss on his cheek.
"Bye Sssspike!" Tennon backed up and stuck his hand out as if he were a lot older. Spike shook the tiny hand gravely, struggling to hold back a grin.
Reekee scampered over to Joyce and tugged at her hand, pulling her down. "Bye Sssspike lady!" She gave Joyce a smacking kiss on the cheek.
Tennon turned his attention to Joyce next. He held his hand out manfully. Joyce took it. "What, no kiss?" She asked daringly.
Tennon grinned, showing a miniature mouthful of teeth. He nodded emphatically. "Yessss, kissssss pretty Sssspike lady." He pulled her hand so that she leaned down and presented her cheek. He smooched it loudly and backed away, suddenly bashful.
Rygar gave each of his kids a light swat on their butts. They scrambled toward the principal's office waving as they ran. The large demon held his hand out to Spike. "Bye Sssspike. Ssssorry littlessss causssse problem."
"It's ok, Mate. No harm done. I've got the book now. Just tell the little ones I'll be around to visit in a while. Have things to deal with here but I'll try to make it soon." Spike shook hands with his friend.
Rygar turned to Joyce. "Pretty Sssspike lady, good meet you. Take good care Sssspike. Sssspike take good care you." The huge demon turned and left without acknowledging the other humans in the hallway. A few minutes later the bright light in the principal's office winked out.
There was complete silence for long minutes and then the babble broke out. Spike winced when the combined sounds reached his sensitive ears. He could see Giles trying to clean his glasses while holding onto the ancient spell book Tennon had returned. A litany of 'Dear Lords' spilled from the Watcher's mouth. Anya stood gaping. Spike knew that she knew just who and what Rygar was. He couldn't prevent the smirk that he sent her way. Willow and Xander were next to each other trying to outdo each other with their useless questions and Tara was just watching it all with amusement in her large smoky blue eyes.
He noticed with a subsonic growl that Buffy and Riley had managed to maneuver Joyce away and were checking her for injuries. He snorted. As if he'd hurt the lady or even put her into danger for that matter. With a surprised 'Ooommmf' he staggered when Dawn jumped on him, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. His attention had been so focused on the Slayer and her puppet that he hadn't noticed the teenager running up to him.
"Those little guys were sooo cute!" Dawn squealed. "What were they? Can they come back? Wish I could have played with them!"
Giles walked up to them while Spike was trying to de-cling Dawn. He succeeded in prying her arms from around his neck and stood her on her own two feet. He allowed his gaze to meet the Watcher's censorious stare.
"You have some explaining to do." Giles said seriously.
Spike nodded. "Fair enough but let's get out of here and back to the Slayer's place, yeah? Could go for a slice of pie and some coffee."
Joyce decided she'd had enough inspection and put her fists on her hips. Giving Buffy her best 'Mom' glare, she warned the couple to back off.
"That will be enough!" She declared. "You saw for yourself that those babies couldn't have hurt a fly. So this…" She waved her hand. "Whatever this is you think you're doing. Just stop."
Buffy and Riley just stared at her, shocked that she'd attack them that way. They were only trying to help. That big demon could have done anything while he'd had her hand in his.
"But, Mom, what about the big one? He did have your hand, did he hurt it? What did he do?" Buffy grabbed her mother's hand and pulled it up to inspect it.
Joyce pulled her hand back sharply, irritated beyond subtlety. "He kissed it." She waved the hand in question under her daughter's nose for a couple of seconds. "See? Just fine." She looked up as Spike, Giles and Dawn approached. She looked at Spike. "I'm ready to go home."
As they walked back up the hallway where Xander, Anya, Tara and Willow waited, Joyce shifted around so she was walking next to Spike. She slipped her hand into his. A slight tug on her part and they were a little behind the others. Tara gave them a serene smile when she noticed what Joyce had done. Willow glanced at her lover in puzzlement about the tiny smile. The blonde witch merely shrugged. The redhead glanced back wondering what Tara had found amusing in time to see Spike bend his head to listen to Joyce and then laugh at her comment. Willow watched as Spike brought his free hand up to gently brush a strand of hair from her face. The tenderness of the scene made the witch's heart melt. She looked around to see if any of the others had witnessed the interchange but they were all intent on getting to the cars and getting home.
TBC