Trouble

Chapter Two

Spike seemed to settle in to their routine. During the day, he slept as Marie did since they both stayed up at night patrolling, of course. Then he would get up and while Marie watched TV or read, he would help Gilda with whatever chores he could. The watcher was getting used to his presence, less uneasy about the vampire thing. Neither would be able to admit it, but Marie saw they did eye footsy now and then. Marie wouldn't say anything, though, since she herself had the hots for the sexy vampire.

By now, Spike had gotten a bit used to Marie's teasing and her flirting. He tried to make it clear he wasn't interested, but she didn't seem to care much. He wondered if she actually thought she had a chance with him if she flirted enough, or if it was a part of her usual teasing. Maybe it was time to show her that he had his sights set on someone else, in case she did want to start something.

He went to the study where Gilda was curled up in a chair reading a large and dusty book. What else did he expect a watcher to be doing with her free time? He gave a silent chuckle as he watched her from the doorway for a moment. She was pretty in an exotic way, what with her Asian features. She might not be a slayer or vampire like his past involvements, but she had her own inner strength. The way she had stood up to him when he first got here, most watchers he knew were spineless jellyfish. It also showed how caring she was that she had stood up for Marie and the way she had taken care of him since he got there.

They both had. Not many people had cared for him in his long life. Maybe that's because for a good part of it he was an evil bastard, but when he did his best to be a good man he was still treated badly. If it hadn't been more fun fighting for the good guys, he probably would have given up on trying to gain their trust and good will.

"Are you going to stand there gawking at me all day?"

He jerked out his thoughts and saw her looking up at him with brow raised. He blushed and shuffled his feet for a moment, embarrassed at being caught staring like some creepy pervert. After a moment, he regained his composure and walked the rest of the way into the room, closing the door behind him.

"I'm sorry, pet, I was thinkin'," he told her and dropped into the chair facing her.

"Oh, is that what they call it?" she grinned impishly.

"Ha bloody ha..."

"Well, you came looking for me for a reason. Did you need something? Has Marie become unbearable again?" She marked her page and closed the book, setting it aside before looking back towards him. She motioned towards the book, "I don't suppose you know Greek, do you?"

"Nope, sorry. An' just came t' talk t' you. Marie's out there watchin' some annoyin' foreign cartoon with subtitles..." he thumbed over his shoulder. "You're much better company anyway."

"You're so full of it," she blushed faintly and shook her head.

"I was thinkin'..." he looked down at his hands, trying to keep from looking like a right nervous ponce. "Tonight, instead of goin' out on patrol... I'd like t' take you out t' dinner." He swallowed and rushed the next bit, "Ifyouwanttoyouknow."

Her eyes widened for a moment in shock, that being the last thing she had expected him to say. Then next, she glanced away and her blush deepened. "Uh, sure, if you want to, then I would like that."

He grinned widely, so glad that she had accepted that he nearly smothered her in a hug. But it wouldn't do to scare her off before the actual date. Now he just had to go get ready and fend off Marie when she came looking for him to go patrol. He hoped that between his two theories on her flirting, that it was just part of her teasing so this wouldn't be a problem.

"Well, I'm goin' off t' get ready an' you should do the same, knowin' how you birds take forever t' make yourselves up," he smirked and stood, sauntering towards the door.

He grabbed his duster on his way to the front door, having to go out to make good with his plans for a nice night with the watcher girl. He was opening the door when Marie came out of the living room and spotted him.

"We goin' out on patrol already?" She stuffed her hands in her pockets and started towards him. "It's barely dark."

"No, luv," he shifted on his feet, "I, uh, got plans t' go out. With Gilda."

Her brows rose and she glanced towards the hallway then back at him. "Woah, okay. Well have fun then an' don' stay out all night, ya here?" She grinned and patted his arm before turning to head into the kitchen, calling from out of sight, "An' don' forget protection!"

If it was possible, Spike blushed as he hurried out the door.

There weren't any lights on when they returned to the apartment and Spike flicked one on as he led Gilda inside with his arm around her waist. Even without reaching out with his senses he knew that Marie wasn't back from patrol yet. He glanced at the clock and thought it was a bit late, but then maybe it was a busy night. He went to check for a note to see if maybe she had went out after patrol to find her own fun since they were gone.

Nothing.

He glanced at Gilda, "Is this normal for her t' be a little late?"

"A little," she nodded, "sometimes, but never really late without calling. We can give her another hour or two before worrying."

"Okay, pet," he gave a tight smile and followed her to the living room, settling down beside her on the couch to watch some old movie on television while they waited.

He tucked his arm around her shoulders and drew her to lean against him. This was nice and helped comfort the nervousness he was feeling over the missing slayer. The night had gone well enough, they had chatted shyly over dinner at an Italian place up the road that she had suggested and then he had spirited her away from some drinks. Once they had both relaxed a bit with some alcohol in them, he had pulled her out onto the dance floor. He had barely been able to get her off it hours later, her arms still clinging to him as he walked her to the car. But, he had to be responsible and make sure she got home at a suitable time so she could get some rest. He also had to check up on Marie, feeling protective of her even if he wasn't returning her flirtations.

Her eyes were drooping, but as the chimes sounded on the clock they flew open again. She looked at her watch then up at Spike, worry lines marring her forehead.

"She still isn't back," she said softly, "I think it's time to worry now."

"I'll go out an' look for her all I can before sunrise," he told her gently as he got up, "Of course you birds don' got her on a planned route for me to follow, can' make it easy for me, watcher, can you?"

He was smiling softly at her, no real hint of irritation there. He reached down to cup her cheek for a moment, "No problem, luv, I'll make due with the bloodhound scent trackin' us vampires got goin' for us. That's why I've got t' do it now even though the sun is nearly up, 'cause I'll have an easier time of it if the trail is fresh. An' it won' be the first time I've been out a bit longer than I should."

She was still looking at him with concern, but her worry over Marie's whereabouts overrode that and she nodded. "Just come back to me and hopefully with some good news."

"You know it," he gave her a cocky grin before heading out the door.

Gilda was pacing in front of the door when Spike slipped in with the first rays of the morning. He went to nurse his burnt hand under the cold tap water, glancing towards the watcher who was hovering closely as she waited for him to tell her what he found. If he found anything.

"Well?" she demanded softly.

"Found her trail an' it led me t' Centennial Olympic Park. She's got t' be in one of the buildings around there," he turned towards her and pulled her close, rubbing her back comfortingly. "That's a good thing. I know where t' go as soon as the sun goes back down, pet. I only came back 'cause I couldn' do much before the sun came up, an' as you saw I cut it close anyway."

"I'm going with you," she lifted her chin stubbornly. "She's my slayer and you're going to need all the help you can get, right? They're bound to be expecting someone to come to try to save her. They know she's a slayer and word has got to have spread that you've been seen running around with her."

"I really don' like the idea of you gettin' yourself in danger..." he sighed.

"Well, you're not my keeper, so I'm going whether you like it or not. So you might as well get over it."

"Fine, but I'm in charge of this little rescue mission. You take orders from me or I'll tie you t' your bed t' keep you safe," he pointed a finger under her nose while giving her a stern look.

"You think you look scary to me?" she snorted and walked around him towards her bedroom. "I'll see you tonight and don't even think of trying to sneak out without me. I guess you can sleep in Marie's bed tonight, unless you want to join me."

He froze, watching her retreating back as he let that invitation sink in. Did she just invite him to share her bed? She didn't say anything about doing anything beyond that and he wouldn't assume she was ready for that already, but still it was a big crumb in his book. No way was he going to question it or reject the offer. With a wide grin, he took off down the hall after her.

"So this is the place?" Gilda looked up at the building the next night, holding a blade a little over a foot long in one hand and a stake in the other, "You wouldn't guess that it was some sort of demon nest..."

"Yeah, pet," Spike looked down at her and chuckled in amusement before starting up the stairs to the front door. "Not sure if I'll need an invite, it might be public or not. Sometimes it's complicated."

"I understand and I'll go in first if you want, but then I know you don't want me to... so what, we wing it?" She arched a brow at him.

"Yup, I suppose so."

With that finally word on the matter, he started up towards the door with her trailing behind him. She was, in fact, nervous, but she just didn't like him thinking she was going to be some quaking female. There was a difference to her and so she lifted her chin as she followed behind him, determined to do her share of the damage. Besides, this was for Marie.

Spike was relieved that he didn't come up against a barrier after kicking the door in, waiting for the first wave of demons who would surely hear the crash. He tried his best to block Gilda as he fought off the demons that came as expected, trying to expose her to as little of the fight as he could. Gilda wasn't oblivious to the way he positioned himself between her and the demons while hogging all the action.

They disposed of the demons that came there way and started making their way through the building, using Spike's enhanced senses to track down where Marie was being kept. He could sense what the building was being used for and wasn't sure he should share with Gilda, but she would figure it out when they found Marie. He just hoped her treatment hadn't been too bad within only one day... Might as well soften the blow for the pretty watcher.

"Pet... there's somethin' I should tell you," he paused and looked back towards Gilda with tender eyes. "About what sort of place this is."

"When you say it like that you sort of worry me," her brows drew together.

"Considerin' what's goin' on, I can figure that she was kidnapped by the people that ran the whorehouse that she found me in. No doubt they were seriously pissed at what she did an' this has t' be their idea of payback. When we get t' her, you should let me go in first just in case she's in... well, just in case there's somethin' you shouldn' see."

Gilda swallowed, her eyes starting to fill with tears as she got what he was hinting at. For once, she just nodded and didn't argue with his order. He continued and she followed him after wiping at her eyes with renewed determination.

There were more demons and a handful of vampires on the way to the room Spike sensed Marie was in. He gave Gilda a reassuring look before turning towards the door to the room the slayer was in, sensing a vampire in there with her. He growled lowly at the gall of this wanker to keep up his rape while he knew that there was chaos going on around him. Perhaps he had a death wish.

Kicking that door in as well, he stepped into the room to find a male vamp with long black hair bending over Marie. The smell of his arousal and her blood was enough evidence for Spike as he charged forward snarling to rip the other vampire off her, tossing him into the wall.

"Are you okay, luv?" Spike asked the blonde, briefly taking his attention off the other guy.

"Get away from her!" the vampire roared, getting up to lunge towards Spike, "I'm taking her out of her and you'll dust trying to stop me!"

Spike held him at arm's length and shook his head. "What? You want t' take her out of here for what... a private session?"

The vamp slipped into game face before decking Spike. He stepped over him to get to Marie again, who looked just as confused as Spike. Her clothes from the night before were shredded, not really covering anything at all and showing off the cuts and bruises that littered her body. She was covered in blood and other fluids, her hair a tangled mess and her make-up smeared. Her wrists and ankles were chained to the bed and the new guy was making quick work of them.

"What the bloody hell?" Spike sat up and touched his broken nose, watching at he picked up Marie from the bed. "Who're you? We're supposed t' be the ones savin' the soddin' slayer!"

"Nikolai and can we get with the introductions after we get her to safety then?" Nikolai gave him a hard look while holding the tiny blonde protectively.

Both vampires were still confused about what had just happened, but both agreed they needed to get Marie to safety before sorting it all out. Back in the hallway, Gilda gasped at the sight of Marie and put her hand over her mouth as she took it all in, then glanced up at the stranger in confusion.

"What?" she blinked only to have Spike shake his head at her then pull her along back towards the door.

"Let's just get out of here before more of them come. The objective wasn' t' take them all out, just get Marie back safely," Spike told Gilda as they hurried towards the front door.

Spike knelt in front of Gilda, dabbing at a slash in her arm and trying not to give her a tongue lashing for getting her fool self cut up. Trying to take on a demon like that, what was she thinking? She was continuously rolling her eyes as he blew out air in exasperation to betray his annoyance.

It didn't help he was also tense knowing that the strange vampire was in Marie's room alone with her. As soon as he had bandaged Gilda's arm, he started to get up to hurry back there. A small hand stopped him, grabbing his wrist and tugging him back down next to her.

"You doted over me, now let me take care of your cuts," she took the rag from his hand and cupped his cheek with her other hand while wiping at a cut on his cheek.

"Vampire, luv, it'll be gone soon," he told her, but made no move to pull away.

"Why complain about me taking care of you, hmm?"

"Just worried, that's all. Want t' know what's up with this guy we found with Marie. Not sure we should be leavin' him with her alone for so long..."

"It'll be okay. I'm sure you'll sense it if he tries anything," she kissed his lips softly.

His brows went up in surprise then quickly pulled her close to deepen the kiss. She melted against him with a sigh. His hands rubbed soothing circles in her back before setting her away again.

"Let's go settle this then we can get t' showin' each other how grateful we are that the other one is still in one piece," he grinned and stood up, offering his hand to her to lead her from the room.

Nikolai looked up as Spike stepped through the doorway. He was sitting at the foot of the bed with Marie's feet in his lap. His hand stroked her calve, careful of the cuts and bruises.

"Okay, now can you kindly explain who the hell you are?" Spike pulled Gilda close as he gave the other vamp a hard look.

"I'm Nikolai and I... I was there last night when they brought her in. I pretended to be a patron to get in to see her, sensing she was a slayer. I saw what they were doing to her and I don't know... anyway, I came back tonight to get her out of there." He lifted a shoulder. "Now your turn."

"I'm the reason they took her," Spike sighed.

Gilda hit his shoulder. "Don't you dare say that! They're evil demons! They would have been mad at her anyway for destroying their bordello, just that you happened to be there when she did. You were lucky she didn't stake you along with the others, too."

He smiled down at the pretty watcher girl, giving her a squeeze before looking at Nikolai again.

"Surely you've heard of William the Bloody, mate."

Nikolai raised a brow.

"Well then..." he looked towards Marie. "Honey, if you want, I'll go, but I would love to stay and continue to looking after you. But, I understand if you're not sure about trusting me yet."

"Stay, please," Marie bit her lip. "Saving me, well that was good enough reason to trust you."

Nikolai was practically glowing if vampires could do that. Spike looked down at Gilda and kissed the top of her head, leading her back out of the room.

"Looks like we're goin' t' need a bigger apartment, Watcher," he winked and pulled her into her room then waggled his brows suggestively, "Well maybe not since I don' see us men needin' our own rooms."

La Fin.