A/N: This is a cross-over chapter! It's been mostly written for a while and I've recently edited it so I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did writing it! The song used at the start is Love Song by The Damned. I'd like to thank the lovely guest who commented such kind things on the last chapter - it really means a lot to me so thank you ! xo
Chapter 59:
Saffron and Spike were sat in the front of the Desoto. Saffron had offered to drive but Spike told her it's best if she relaxed, not mentioning she was a horrible driver. He didn't know if it was since she had died or what but she had suddenly lost all hand-eye coordination and had almost ripped the steering wheel clean off last time he had let her drive.
They were speeding down the highway, it was late at night. They had rolled the windows down, Saffron enjoying the cool wind running through the car. She closed her eyes, savouring the feeling. The feeling of being alive. Spike didn't really want to go, a part of him wanted to keep driving until they ran out of gas, he could protect her. They didn't need any outside help. He looked at her, really looked. She needed to get away. It was for her own piece of mind more than anything. He couldn't stop himself glancing at her, she was so beautiful to him, the way she closed her eyes and took exaggerated breathes of the night air, her silky hair whipping around her face.
She lit up a cigarette, lazily taking a drag as she relaxed into the passenger seat. Spike stared at her and the cigarette, before checking back to the road. She sensed his longing. Not just for her, but for the nicotine hit. She smiled, pulling a cigarette from the pack and lit up for him, passing over the small object. He smiled his thanks and they listened to their music and caught each other taking side glances at the other and trying to out-tease each other when they noticed the other looking.
They had been comfortably listening along to their music. Spike started to tap his thigh to the song, he leaned to turn it up and she opened her eyes at the increase in volume. She grinned when she recognised the song.
"I'll be the ticket if you're my collector, I've got the fare if you're my inspector
I'll be the luggage, if you'll be the porter, I'll be the parcel if you'll be my sorter"
Her head whipped towards Spike when she realised he was singing along. She loved hearing him sing, he didn't do it often enough. There was a glint in his eye as he sung to her now. He kept one eye on the road and clasped a hand firmly to hers, their fingers entwined. He held onto her hand tight, pressing their hands against his heart as he sung. She laughed and he grinned as he sung the words, bobbing his head about to the beat.
"Just for you here's a love song! Just for you here's a love song!
And it makes me glad to say, It's been a lovely day! And it's okay!"
He turned so that he was completely facing her, her hand still tightly clasped as if he could meld their bodies as one. She closed her eyes as she listened to the beat and the throaty sound his voice was making as he sang along at the top of his lungs, he was making sure she could feel every word. Both in voice and emotion. He took his hand from hers, his hand going behind her head, pulling her in for a kiss before she protested for him to actually look at the road. He winked, singing the lyrics and tapping the steering wheel. She joined in singing, enjoying the feeling. It was as if a weight was lifting as they drove out of Sunnydale.
"I'll be the mail, you'll be the guard, I'll be the ink on your season ticket card
I'll be the rubbish, you'll be the bin, I'll be the paint on the sign if you'll be the tin"
They looked at each other, wide smiles on each of their faces as they sang together. His voice was soothing when he spoke to her, but his singing voice was something else. They felt a happiness they hadn't felt for a while. That's what you get for living on the Hellmouth and barely leaving for more than a week at a time for so long. She leaned in, pulling the seatbelt that he insisted she wore, despite never wearing one himself, out of her way so that she could land a kiss on his cheek, whispering along to the words now with him. She trailed her hand along his cheek and leaned back into her seat as he continued to sing. He took her hand again, threading his fingers with hers and he kissed the back of her hand as the song started to come to its end. She cradled their entwined hands on her lap while Spike navigated the car one handed.
"Just for you here's a love song
Just for you…"
When they arrived at their destination, Spike seemed nervous to go in. Saff didn't see him like this too often and so influenced him a little to calm him down. She kissed his temple, whispering that it was her asking for the help, not him. He didn't need to feel like he wasn't supporting her enough, they just needed to get away from Sunnydale. He nodded, landing a kiss to her lips.
She always knew what he needed to hear and he appreciated the reassurance he felt from her trying to quell his insecurity. They held hands as they entered the hotel, looking around cautiously. Spike really didn't want to bloody see his grandsire.
A group of people were stood in the foyer and Spike walked up to the girl that, from centuries of experience, he had picked off as the weakest member and handed her the cat carrier that he had brought in that had housed Angelina during their journey in Spike's Desoto.
"Look after Angel. Likes to be scratched behind the ears. Rarely bathes" He winked and passed it to the thin brunette that Saff didn't recognise. The girl, out of instinct, reached her hands to take it from him before she questioned him.
"A-Angel…?" The girl asked, perplexed just as the man himself appeared in the doorway. His face set like stone when he saw the familiar bleach blonde.
"I mean the fleabag" Spike confirmed, realising he had actually referred to the evil little thing as Angel. He shuddered and then strode over to the real Angel, as if he was pleased to see him, "Be a good vamp and take our bags to our room" Spike smirked, waving his car keys in front of Angel.
"You're banned" Angel said angrily. Last time he had been there, Spike had tortured him. It had been very dark. Spike had warned Saffron, but he hadn't quite managed to explain all of the details.
"We're a package deal, me and Saff" Spike smirked at his grandsire. Cordelia took the crossbow from under the desk and aimed it at Spike. She wasn't taking any chances since the last time he was there.
"Uh, do you mind Angel? We won't stay long, just until things cool down back in Sunny D" Saff smiled sweetly, it only faltered slightly when she saw Cordelia, "Uh, he's not gonna hurt anyone I promise" she quickly stepped in front of Spike, leaning back into him to show that she wouldn't let him be harmed.
"I'm not bloody promising anything" Spike muttered as Saff rolled her eyes at him. He never could keep his mouth shut.
"Easy for you to say, you weren't here for Torturama '99" Cordelia pointed the bow firmer.
"Cordy, he's not a threat" Saffron repeated, standing firmly in place.
"Is that right?" Angel smiled at Spike who had started to protest. Cordelia lowered her bow reluctantly and Saff went and gave her a hug. They didn't usually greet each other this way, but she hadn't seen her since graduation. As soon as they touched they felt each other's situation instantly. Cordelia's visions and Saff's, well, everything.
"Woah, that was major" Cordelia said, rubbing her forehead.
"Don't even start, this vision thing? I could do without it"
"Try having a vision and a double strength headache" Cordy sighed but smiled at Saff.
"Believe me, been there"
"Did we miss something?" Wesley asked, looking between the women.
"Oh. It's you"
"Saffron" He replied shortly, dipping his head slightly.
"Traitor" She said, mimicking his action.
"Hey, man, why are you hating on English?" A man asked. He had dark skin and he was bald, his natural style was obvious and Saffron noted that he could give Oleander a tip or two on effortless cool.
"His nickname's English? Inventive" Saff replied, moving back to Spike's side as she explained, "He grassed me up to Daddy dearest and almost got me taken by the watcher's council"
"Oh, well, yes. But that wasn't intentional" There was an awkward silence at this.
"This is Fred and Gunn" Angel pointed at the man that had just spoken in defence of Wesley and the thin brunette that was holding Angelina's carry-case cautiously.
"So, what's the Sunnydale sitch?" Cordelia asked more for the others benefit. Saffron explained everything to the L.A. team, making sure to thank them a lot for putting themselves at risk for her.
"To be seen as the God he so wishes he was, the Hellmouth acts as a super-charged battery for the weird light-and-melty-faces-deal, so, um, yeah he has to stay in Sunnydale or lose his power…" Saff finished, not entirely sure how she knew some of the information she filled them in on. But it was a knowledge so obvious she knew it was fact. She took a breath, looking around the room and flashing a smile.
The smile dropped from her face just as quickly, a flash of terror, before she blacked out. She started to drop to the floor, dead weight. Spike managed to get to her in time and support her frame before she hit the floor. The others watched in shock.
"Yeah, she does that" Spike shrugged, looking around for a seat, "Can I just, uh, put her down here?" He gestured to one of the couches in the foyer. Angel nodded as his brows furrowed.
Saffron was in a blank black room, with Oleander standing over her, "You can take the girl out of the Hellmouth, but you can't take the Hellmouth out of the girl" He smiled cruelly, staring at her as she clutched her head in pain, proving he could still get to her wherever she was.
She woke up a while later, everyone had been concerned about the girl. She seemed to attract pain wherever she went. Angel rested a hand on her shoulder, to check if she was okay.
"Fucking hell" She groaned, sitting herself up, "Sorry" She said in the general direction of the room, clutching her head. She could feel their concern and it made her feel bad.
"You worried us. Do you need anything?" Angel asked from beside her.
"No, that's okay. I'll pop some tablets and the pain should go in an hour or two" She said, shakily standing up and rubbing the left side of her head. Angel stood up with her, keeping a hand on her shoulder for support and watching her in case he needed to hold her up. Spike sauntered in, a double take when he saw how close Angel was to his girl. He strode towards the pair.
"Hands to yourself" Spike directed at Angel, shoving him out of the way and standing to support Saff's weight. He didn't want anyone else to be taken away from him by Angel. Angel went to stand across from them. He watched them intently as he saw the way Spike supported her softly. The way his eyes couldn't move from her even when others in the room were talking.
He had seen him in love before, with Drusilla, but this was something completely different. It was so deep, Angel was almost drowning just by observing their affections.
Cordy came in, passing Saff a drink and the good meds she saved for vision-related headaches. She took it gratefully as conversation moved to Angel Investigation's current case. There was a powerful vampire they were tracking. This vampire was worse than most. Think: Angelus levels of destruction.
"Word on the street is that there's a new, powerful vamp in town" Gunn explained to the lovers as they started actually listening in to the conversation rather than staring longingly into the other's eyes as if they were the only people in the lobby.
"Reports of neck contusions have shot up and we are struggling to investigate" Wesley explained.
"We could do with your help. Both of your help" Angel added, demonstrating that he was being the 'better man'. Saffron stuck a finger up, indicating she would be a minute, at Angel and beckoned Spike to move in closer to her so she could whisper to him to figure out if they were going to help.
"What do you think? Should we help?" Saff asked in a loud whisper.
"I suppose it's cheaper than paying them to stay in this dump" Spike replied, shrugging, smiling at her. He enjoyed it when she did things like this, he could see the confused looks around the room from the others and had to stop himself actually grinning when he saw Angel rolling his eyes at the pair and waiting impatiently.
"Three square meals would be nice" she added in another loud whisper, both aware that everyone could hear. That was the point. They both nodded once and Spike turned back to the others.
"We'll do it. On the condition that you provide as much blood as I need, and some of that human stuff for my girl" Spike said louder now, directly to Angel. He offered his hand as if to shake Angel's. When Angel pulled a face but started to reach for his hand spike quickly stuck his two fingers up and smiled as if he had done the best trick ever. Saff rolled her eyes and confirmed that yes, they will help. Angel just passed them the police reports and told them to read up so they could start tracking when it turned dark again.
xoxoxo
Saff woke up in a tangle of sheets and limbs. Usually this would be a pleasant way to wake up, but she couldn't shift a horrible feeling. She felt weighed down to the bed, something was wrong. She had a restless sleep, Oleander's message was replaying in her mind. She had dreams where she was him, heading cult meetings and killing various people that annoyed him. Her headache was returning with vengeance and she reached to rub her face with her hands before extracting herself from the bed. When she looked down at her hands, they were red. She squealed in panic putting her hand back to her face. Nosebleed. Shit. She ran bare-foot to the bathroom down the hall (Angel's hotel was ancient and the room they had didn't have a working bathroom attached).
She saw herself in the mirror and she could have screamed the place down. The blood was now caked around her nose and mouth, running down her chin and neck. Her headache had gotten worse in her panicked run to the bathroom. She ran the tap, waiting for the hot water as she stripped her bloodstained clothes off. A flannel was the best she had right now, so she soaked it, trying her best to get rid of the congealing blood. Her whole face hurt. She felt rough, a hangover and a couple of rounds in a boxing ring didn't begin to cover it. She felt as if she was dying. This thought sent her suddenly falling to the ground, knocking herself out cold.
Saffron opened her eyes, she heard laughter all around her. She was confused, was she still naked? No, the laughter wasn't cruel. It was warm, friendly laughter. She realised that she was laughing too.
"I'm serious! That's what she said!" He clapped his hands together, before standing up, "Anyway, peach pie I need to leave, always good to meet another empath" The green demon smiled at Saffron, patting her hand. Saffron smiled, unsure who this demon was and how he knew she was an empath. He seemed kind, his intentions were good. He mimed for her to call him by putting his fingers in the shape of a phone to his ears and winked at her before leaving the hotel, shouting his goodbyes to Angel and the others. She looked at Spike, about to ask what the fuck that was about. But she stopped dead. He whistled a tune on the way out, one Saffron was all too familiar with. It made her gut churn.
We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when…
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day…
"I feel sick, Spike" she whispered, holding her head as the nausea lessened as the humming got further away.
"I've got you, love" He said, turning her head slowly to face him. The back of his hand ran softly over the side of her face, tucking some hair behind her ear before cupping her cheek. She melted into him, closing her eyes at his touch.
"What happened today?" she asked quietly, "Go on… tell me, about your day, like we used to when we never saw each other because of my shifts" She yawned, Spike leaned back in the chair so she could curl up and rest her head on his chest. She rested her ear over his heart, but she didn't hear it beating. She would be concerned if she did, although something about the position still brought comfort to her.
"We were together for most of it, love" She nodded, as if she knew that and encouraged him to tell her, as if it was a story, "We woke up together, that evil furball was kneading me like a sodding lump of dough, you did your sexy dance while you got dressed, can't say it was as fun as the one where you take the clothes off though…" He paused, not sure if she was still awake. He was rubbing up her back softly as he spoke and she nodded for him to carry on, "Dark and broody walked in and called a meeting, we took the piss out of them in the corner while the rest did jobs they get paid too much for, in my opinion. We slipped off for a cuddle, your head's been playing up. You sang a little ditty for that flamboyant empath-demon, can't say I was as enthralled as he was, not that you don't have the voice of an angel, love. And well, now we're in the foyer and you're… falling asleep aren't you?"
"No?" She mumbled into his chest as she fought to keep her eyes open. He smiled softly, weaving a hand between strands of her soft brunette hair. He had convinced her to wear it down. He loved it when it was down. He caught Angel's eye and couldn't help grinning smugly as he stared between them. Spike didn't need Saff's emotion-detector to know he was jealous of them, he gave him a look to say fuck off and kissed Saff's forehead, moving his eyes back to her and trying to block Angel's gaze out.
Saffron had woken from her nap slightly disorientated. She was still curled into Spike's lap, his head resting on top of hers, only moving now she appeared to be waking up. Spike was reading something intently while she slept, meaning his hands were looped around her, juggling her and the open book. Turning the pages had been a struggle but he wouldn't move her from his lap for anything. He felt her confusion and chucked his book on the seat next to them, stroking her and reassuring her that he was there with her. She visibly relaxed as she moved to sit up, still on his lap. He steadied her, she appeared to be a little shaky. Cordy, Fred and Gunn were in the same room, pretending to research the evil vamp that had been terrorising Downtown L.A.
Saff wrapped her arms around Spike's neck, hugging him as she got over her groggy state. Spike started to tell Saff a story. He was a good storyteller and she laughed softly as he spoke about a time where Angelus had trapped himself in a voodoo spell after pissing off an old Shaman. Spike was smug, seeing Angel's face through the glass of his office. He seemed annoyed at Spike bringing up the past. Saff moved, her thumb trailing over his jawline as trailed sweet kisses down his neck, towards his earlobe. She nibbled on it softly, still enjoying the story and she could feel he was enjoying her actions.
"That was well before the curse, stupid bugger didn't know when to walk away" Spike informed his girl, who was still listening intently from her position. He continued to explain that Angelus had spent a decade not able to 'get it up' which was Spike actually being polite, she knew he could be a lot crasser than that. He must be being his version of respectful in front of his employees, although he was definitely speaking loud enough for the rest of them to hear. They were all listening intently too, Angel wasn't one to start storytelling about his past. Saff could feel Angel's anger bubbling beneath the surface. He desperately wanted to come and set the record straight, but that would be playing into Spike's hands. The younger vampire would be like a dog with a bone. Saff could tell Spike had embellished the story slightly but she was enjoying listening to him talk. It soothed her. Plus, her lips were busy.
"Ow, Honeys-" He clutched his ear, "Bloody hell Saff!" He exclaimed, pulling her from her lazy spot against his side. She was confused, before she noticed. Her eyes widened, she hadn't realised she'd done that. She had bitten down too hard on his ear. Super-strength was a bitch.
"Shit, sorry babe…" She trailed off staring at the small beads of blood dripping down towards his neck. She didn't know her strength. She licked her lips before softly kissing his lobe better, whispering her apologies. Spike pulled her back onto his lap, making sure she knew there was no harm done. He sucked the blood from his fingers that had been left there when he checked the damage done to his ear, wiped his hand down his front and then swept her hair from her face, slipping his hand down her back once more. Both seemed to hum at their position, being curled up together was always bliss. They remembered there were other people in the room and Saff felt some of them were jealous and others were in awe at the pair and their affection. It wasn't their usual demeanour in public.
"Will the love-bats please extract themselves at the hip for a second while we discuss the case?" Wesley asked, gesturing between them with his file. Neither of them moved, they just looked up both affording him a glare.
"You did say you would help" Angel said walking in, his eyebrows raised, an edge to his voice that Saff knew was jealousy. Not jealousy of Spike for being with Saff, but jealousy that he couldn't have what they had with Buffy. He shoved some books into Saff's hand and Spike took from the top of the pile.
"Love-bats?" Saff questioned, looking between Angel's employees. She set the pile of books down next to her as Spike opened his book for them to share. Apparently there had been a consensus on what they would be referred to as their eyes scattered to the ground or to the computer screen. Nobody else wanted to be glared at by the pair. Except Cordy. She wasn't fazed by Saffron's glare and she definitely wasn't bothered by a neutered vampire's.
"You're too dark and creepy to be love-birds. Totally love-bats" Cordelia shrugged, this had her written all over it. You can take the Queen-B out of high school. Saff shrugged, resigning herself to the research, starting to skim the text.
Saffron looked up from the book in Spike's hand and found herself leaning against the wall of the hotel. She had a filter in her mouth and the warm LA air surrounded her. The sun was setting but bright and she looked around as if she had just landed on an alien planet. When had she got here? And since when was it late enough for the sun to set?
"They'll kill you" A voice told her and she couldn't help rolling her eyes. She'd heard that one before.
"Oh my god! Are you serious?! Somebody should warn everyone!"
"You have a light?" Gunn asked, amused with her attitude. She seemed cool enough, even if she was in love with that evil in the foyer. He lit up, taking a drag and watching the busy street in front of them. Saffron could feel that he was confused about something. He eventually asked, "What do you see in him?"
"Who? Spike? He's been with me through everything, the question you should be asking is what he sees in me"
"Nah, that's okay, I see what he sees in you"
"You got the memo then"
"Memo?"
"Flattery gets you everywhere" She smiled, as Gunn shook his head with a chuckle. She frowned lightly, she could almost hear his pulse speed up slightly at her words, but she shook that from her mind. They smoked together, continuing their pleasant conversation. The wind direction changed and she blinked as smoke started to billow into her eye. She flicked the end of her cigarette away and rubbed her eyes.
When she removed her hands, she was sat on the sofa next to Angel, everyone else seemed to be busy but they were in his office. It was pitch black outside and she wondered how long it had been since she last remembered anything. She stared into the distance, apparently having missed a large chunk of conversation with the ensouled vampire.
"He doesn't have a soul" Angel reminded her, as if they were in the middle of something. She had missed a full discussion about her prophecy and how everything had been going.
"Huh?"
"You say he's good to you, but he doesn't have a soul. He can't be good, he can't love"
"This is old news. Believe me. If Buffy, a slayer, can accept it then I mean no offence but it's got fuck all to do with you" Saff explained bluntly. Angel wasn't offended, he knew this was Saffron's way of warning him off. She could have said a lot worse, based on past experience.
"Hey, if you're happy..." He held his hands up in surrender.
"I am" she nodded.
"God knows why, he's an idiot" Angel couldn't help adding quietly.
"Look, stop being a nob alright? I appreciate you letting us stay, you've always been my favourite of Buffy's relationships although I can't say there's much competition" She said, patting him on the shoulder.
"Is she… seeing anyone new?"
"There, uh, was this one guy since Riley but he didn't last long" She said, referring to Richard, from the party who she had not been seeing in the slightest.
Saff knew the code though: don't make Buff look like she hadn't moved on and was desperately alone. She also forgot to mention her cousin had been paying to have vampires bite her. It wasn't her place, and she didn't need Buffy getting more upset.
xoxoxo
The morning sun filtered through the blinds. Spike and Angel were still asleep in their respective rooms and Saffron was too restless after another night of little sleep and strange, often violent dreams that culminated in a hell of a headache and a nosebleed that made her feel feint.
Saffron turned, realising she was now stood with Wesley who was pouring over texts and prophecies she was becoming far too familiar with.
"The True Sight, the only one that may defeat the Corrupted. They find only good in even the darkest soul. The only one that truly feels it all, willing hearts to beat. Minds to dream…"
He mused these words as she just stared in complete boredom. Wesley tried not to dwell too much on the fact that on the surface she appeared the very antithesis of this description. Again, she had never allowed him close enough to her to see what others did. But Wes trusted Giles' judgement and if he claimed it was undoubtedly Saffron he didn't disagree.
"Oh, I have super-strength now and I receive very loose visions that never make any sense until after the event" His eyes widened, she felt he was excited about this revelation and she rolled her eyes. Giles had failed to mention this. Good, she was pleased Giles had learnt not to reveal everything to Wesley.
She smiled, as if swatting him away and he caught it. The ring. His eyes widened and she frowned.
"That… ring"
"Before you ask, we're not getting married-" Saffron rolled her eyes but nonetheless showed it off to him. She loved it, the way it looked and what it meant to her. She couldn't help it.
"No. I, um, is it not the jewel of Aspectus? The mythical object that was said to be revealed by the knight which stood beside-"
"I don't think 'knight' is how anybody would begin to describe-"
"This is important, you truly are… The Sight"
"Slow on the uptake, but, again thanks for the approval I guess" She muttered and then remembered she was supposed to be being pleasant, "Uh, so it's helpful then…"
"It is written. May I- Just so I can study it?"
"Uh-"
"It may help you" He said and she squinted before twisting it off and warning him that he had better be careful with it. It was too special to her. But, she guessed if it would help she would have to. She wasn't to know she needed the ring's protection more than ever.
After a while of research that felt like a second to Saffron with all the time she was losing, Wesley found something. He made a sharp intake of breath and called Saff over.
"It, uh, says here that- that it appears to need to be said 'At the end time' which has widely been related to your prophecy,"
He passed her a small now translated scrap of paper. She looked down and scanned the page. With much less focus than Wes thought she ought to. She scanned it as if she was checking the back of a chocolate bar that she was just going to shrug and eat no matter what it said on it. She sighed and rolled her eyes, shoving the scrap of paper in her back pocket.
"This has fish-features written all over it. He loves a good rhyme – sometimes it borders on a crime…" She rolled her eyes at herself and the mysterious rhyming. Fuck, this so isn't the time… Shut up!
"Keep it safe" Wesley muttered and Saff could feel his usual disdain for her creeping in again. At her blasé attitude for
"You think this makes up for you being a prized-twat?"
"Saffron, I don't care if you don't like me but you really should take this more seriously. This is for the good of the world, goodness knows why you were gifted with such a sacred role" He muttered, more to himself at the end as he rifled through the papers making sure he had given her
"Gifted? Fucking gifted?" she erupted, "I've had to stake my best friend, watch my auntie who I saw as a second-mother die, feel everything to the point where I wanted to fucking die all before actually dying twice in one day to protect my cousin, I got sent to fuck-knows-where to stew while I was dead before being pulled back-"
"Saffron, I'm-"
"No, I'm not done! I've had to face my so-called-equal who seems to be one-hundred times stronger than me. I've been tortured more times than I can count, killed in any way you can imagine before being woken up with the shadow of pain clinging to my joints as I try to put one foot in front of the other as if nothing has happened! I've ruined and had to rebuild my closest relationships so many times whilst living on the fucking Hellmouth that seems to want me as dead as The Corrupted does! So, don't you fucking dare say that what I've gone through has been a gift!"
"But look at you. You're strong now, after all of that, you have proven yourself worthy of-"
"I shouldn't have to go through untold shit just to prove that I'm strong! I know I'm a strong person, I've always been a fucking strong person! People can be strong without their whole life threatening to implode on them month after month!" she shouted, slamming her hands on his desk before stalking off towards the room she was sharing with Spike.
She turned around to shout back at Wesley from the doorframe but found herself sat in the foyer. It was empty apart from her. She was so fucking sick of this. She looked outside, the orange sun was beating down and waves of heat were coming from the hot tarmac outside. Must be midday or later. She frowned, the light hurt her eyes and she blinked and looked away. Spike walked in, sitting himself down in an overexaggerated way almost catapulting Saff into the air with the force. He pulled her too him, before she could be flung up into the air and rubbed her shoulder softly.
"I wouldn't have apologised, love"
"What?"
"Wesley, he deserved it, you're too forgiving. Way I see it, the stupid bugger don't deserve the apology, Honey. I can put salt in his tea or something for you"
"I'm so glad I'm in love with an evil mastermind, what would I do without you?" she smiled weakly. This didn't escape his attention, so he tried to show her the most comfort he could.
"Your head still banging? You ought to sleep it off, we can go to bed - I can hold you if you like" He dropped his voice at the last part, not wanting people to know how soft he could be.
"I'd love that, but aren't we supposed to have some big meeting with Cordy?"
"Wasn't that yesterday, love?" Spike frowned at her, stroking her hair softly as she closed her eyes.
As he said that, Cordelia swept into the foyer with Fred trailing behind. Cordy threw a lemon-yellow sundress at her. The girl looked washed out and quite frankly, Cordelia was sick of seeing her in the same sweats and tank she'd been wearing since she got here. Saffron used to have a sense of style. It was definitely a lot darker with more faux leather and denim in the mix, but Cordelia respected it (She had definitely made negative comments while they were at school together though).
"Put this on, we need a major shopping spree to get your mind off the evil creep from that vision" Cordelia knew how it went in Sunnydale. Saffron must have felt trapped with the next big bad thing around the corner, she wanted to help the girl. Fred was in a blue dress with platforms as she timidly walked towards Cordelia. The thin brunette was excited, obviously didn't get out much.
Saffron looked outside, finding herself almost hissing at the sun, she wasn't sure if she could stand the harsh rays. Spike raised his eyes at the colour of the dress Cordy expected his girl to wear, he'd rather die again than let his girl walk around like a sodding canary. Usually Saff would have said something, but she seemed to be in her head a lot since she had been here.
"Not that I don't love retail therapy, but I'm not used the heat here" The girls (especially Fred) looked disappointed, but she quickly amended, "How about cocktails tonight instead?" Spike coughed and gave her a look as Saffron added, "Uh, mocktails for me"
Saff watched the people swaying and talking around her happily in the busy cocktail bar. It was expensive in here and Saff felt like she stuck out like a sore thumb, especially so when she looked down to find she was wearing a crime against fashion. If Buffy and Dawn were here they would have been unable to control their laughter.
"Did I- did I agree to wearing this?" She looked down at the hideous lemon-yellow dress she was wearing, still in her combat boots. Cordelia nodded, smiling brightly that she had managed to be the one person to finally transform Saff's look. The task had been near-impossible, but she knew she was the woman meant for the job. It's not as if the dress was cheap, it was the latest trend and Cordelia had bought it in several different colours.
"So, uh, how come you're on mocktails? Are you… are you pregnant!?" Cordy shout whispered as Fred looked at Saff's ring and then her belly with her eyes wide. A baby? With a vampire? That's got to be medically impossible. She had never thought as far as kids, she was barely keeping herself alive. She had enough on her plate.
"No, I'm, uh, recovering…" Saff said, tailing off slightly. She was a bit embarrassed in front of Cordy's scrutinising eye. She had known her since high school and didn't really want to be seen as a failure.
"Oh… Oh!" She said as it properly clicked, "Well, good for you!" Cordelia, tapped her hand in an encouraging way and Saff felt her shock, but she was being genuine. What had happened to Cordelia over here? She was almost more empathetic than her.
As pregnancy was mentioned, the girls turned to each other and started talking about another recent pregnancy. Mentioning the name Connor and their recent situation in LA. Saff watched as people happily started to feel the buzz of their drinks. Feeling their emotions always made it hard to stay away from alcohol, being a little tipsy seemed so fun when she felt it from other people. Often, it started to make her think that maybe she could try a little bit here and there before she shut herself down. Saffron had an addictive personality, once she started drinking again there would be no stopping her. What she didn't realise, was that since taking off her ring, the ring that protected her, she had sealed her fate. She was feeling more, including the buzz of alcohol, but assumed it was for the greater good.
"Who's Connor?" Saff asked as she zoned back into their conversation, distractedly looking towards the bar. Both girls look at each other and sighed, explaining the whole story between them. He was Angel's son, his mother was Darla who sacrificed herself to give birth to him. Unfortunately, in typical fashion, Connor had been taken to a hell-dimension by some creepy English guy who wanted to punish Angel. Saffron was snapped out of her longing for any alcohol and listened, her mouth agape in shock. She wasn't the only one facing untold horror at the moment. She wasn't sure that made her feel any better though.
"Man, LA and Sunnydale camps need to learn the word communication, huh?" Saffron commented finally, "Seeing as we're the good guys and all" There really wasn't much else she could say, but she now understood why the usual intense sorrow and guilt she felt from Angel was so much worse at the moment. She guessed she must have asked him about it, but she couldn't remember much from the last week.
Cordelia had left for the bathroom, or maybe to try to snare a man on her way to the bar. Saffron hadn't cared to watch her leave. She stared at Fred, she was interested in the girl. She seemed very smart and she talked like it was an Olympic event. She knew it was out of nerves and smiled that this was how she made her feel. Saff had been told before she came across as a little intimidating at times. The brunette leaned in closer to Fred, to hear what she was saying over the loud music. Fred turned to her and jumped slightly at the proximity. She hadn't noticed her move at all.
"Sorry" She smiled at Fred, who clutched her chest slightly when she jumped.
"No, that was me- my fault"
"Don't be so quick to blame yourself" She said smiling at her, before leaning to reach her ear adding, "Has anyone ever told you that you smell really good?" Saff whispered, lingering slightly, before moving back to sip on her mocktail, staring at the woman's reaction. She winked at her and Fred giggled nervously and played with her hair, brushing off the compliment. Saff hadn't noticed her hair though, she was staring at her hand that was now resting on the side of her neck. She moved her head to the side, staring intently but quickly snapped herself out of it and looked towards the happy crowd of people. She ran her hand through her hair and shook her head at herself. What is wrong with you?
xoxoxo
Sunnydale, California. One week earlier.
"So, this little thing is her… her life?" Oleander asked, shaking the orb next to his ear like a magic-8 ball as he sat on his intricate throne, his order members gathering around something in the far corner.
"Actually, it's-" Brother Thomas, his most recent second-in-command, explained his eyes widened at the lack of care he was taking with it.
"Respect me, darling, as your fearless saviour or take yourself to the highest cliff and fling yourself off it. Scream a little, so I know when it's happening… I'll want to feel it"
"Uh, O Leander, O Leander, I do apologise. The orb is her human experience, we have extracted it, she has been cursed before by magics. All that needs to be done now is to recite the rights. She shall want to help you save the world from their naivety, she shall join you, she shall want to return to the hellmouth by your side. It is a shame she must be a beast to join the righteous" He explained, bowing his head and holding the tome above his head.
"Yes, yes, fuck the corrupted she's a very bad girl, very good. Now, pass me that, let me read it, I want to taste the torment!" He snatched the tome and recited over the orb:
"The Sands of Time, The Orb of Life
When Ancient rite and last unite,
Let the spirit of All Hallow's eve be spilled anew
Drink long and deep from the crimson brew
The separation of life and death in otherworldly lore
Let her be… Vampyre once more"
"This had better work, darling, one more ritual I have to sit through that doesn't provide results – you will be the sacrifice" He added, after a dramatic pause for effect.
"We must chant, the power strengthens as we do!"
"O Leander, O Leander!" They continually chanted, moving from the corner, their faces lighting the room in the centre as they removed their hands from their eyes. They rocked back and forth, some crying with the sheer euphoria of it all. Oleander took the man his disciples had found, his sacrifice as he made sure the rites would be kept. He smeared the human blood on the orb, excited for what was to come. And, lucky him, he got a front row seat.
Los Angeles, CA. One week later (present events):
Angel Investigations were well onto tracking the mysterious vamp, Saffron had stayed at the hotel as she wasn't feeling well. Spike had pulled the sheets over her and left her sleeping, pressing a soft kiss to her head, inhaling the lavender scent that he loved so much. He was so lucky to be able to return to her at the end of a good fight. After a lot of going in circles, Spike, Angel and the gang had made it to an abandoned warehouse. Angel and Spike had caught the scent to the entrance as Fred worked with Wesley on the spell to pinpoint the vamp's exact whereabouts. The pair of vampires were unable to catch anything further due to the large volume of blood that was caked on the walls, ceiling and floor of the warehouse. They had seen some massacres, but never one vampire having inflicted this much destruction in such little time. There were a few bodies, still warm, slung in the corner as they no longer had any use for them when their blood ran out.
They turned the corner, Spike stared longingly at some of the bodies, he hadn't experienced something like this in a long time and he was almost envious. Angel was repulsed, set on his mission to stake this vampire as quickly as he could. They were in a large room, old machinery gathered dust and blood spatter licked at the edges of the structures. There were corpses at varying degrees of decay stacked on various surfaces with little care taken with them. Men and women of various ages were laying rigid, a look of horror painted on each of their faces. This was unusual, Angel noted, vampires like this usually had a type but this one was targeting anyone they could find. As if whoever was closest to them was fair game.
A horrible slurping sound echoed around them, making everyone whip around to the source in centre of the room, weapons raised. There was a woman hunched over someone, no taller than the nibblet, Spike observed. The vampire was gorging on the blood, not aware of her surroundings. She was in a frenzy. It was her eighth meal that night and she couldn't seem to stop. She was addicted.
The ends of her hair were crusted with matted dried blood and the rest of her hair was a chestnut brown. Her hair was down, just below her shoulders. She was hunched over the body, her black leather corset cinched her waist and a blood red vinyl skirt was hiked high up her thigh as she crouched in front of her prey. Her long, black painted fingernails could slice anything with ease but she instead used a nail to move the hair behind her victim's ear so that she could gain better access to their neck. She paused abruptly, finally sensing something behind her, she slowly turned and her eyes glistened in delight at the faces of horror from the group. Saffron smiled widely, her mouth dripping with fresh blood as she wiped the corner of her mouth with her thumb.