Sexual situation warning. Usual disclaimer applies. I know this chapter will leave you guys with a lot of questions, but I hope it's not confusing. Much will be answered in the next chapter or two.
Chapter 13
When Kara and Melissa sat down to join the team, Tara couldn't help noticing that the energy between them was different than it had been all day. She wondered what could have happened in the two minutes Melissa had been gone to the kitchen. Kara was wearing her 'I'm great because I'm in public' face, and as the group began to go through the trivia questions, she saw Melissa glancing repeatedly at her friend throughout the game. She was searching for a clue, that was apparent, but Tara was in the dark as to what it was.
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Spike and Sebastian came back to the living room a short time later. Spike handed Xander and Will a beer, as they'd requested, then took a seat behind Kara on the floor. It didn't take him long to figure out that Kara was purposefully not looking at Mel, though Mel kept glancing their way with an expression he couldn't read. He cocked a brow at Tara, the other most perceptive member of the group, in question. She shrugged slightly, shaking her head, and he frowned. What had he missed?
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The teams were pretty evenly matched, and it was obvious no one was going to be running off with the win for a quick game here. It was Giles vs. Willow vs. Kara vs. Sebastian, since the one thing the rest had agreed on right away was that no two bookworms could be on the same team. It would be totally unfair. When it came to the history questions, there was further competition, since Anya and Spike had lived through so much of it as well. Of course, no one was beating Lorne on pop culture, and Will the drama teacher knew movies and plays like the back of his hand. The only real anchor was Buffy, who couldn't seem to remember a correct name to save her life. You could figure out what she meant – most of the time.
Sebastian leaned over to the Slayer. "Buffy, it's not a time-sensitive question. When it is your turn, think about the answer, instead of blurting it out. You'll come up with the right answer if you relax, like I taught you for your tests," he encouraged quietly. She smiled at him, grateful he still didn't think she was stupid. She once again found herself calmed and thrilled in his presence at the same time. What was with that?
Kara had just gone, so she stood up. "I'm getting another soda. Anybody need anything?"
"I'll take a refill," Dawn replied.
"Some water for me, please, Kara," Joyce added.
"Another diet Coke?" Buffy asked. Willow and Anya piped up with the same.
"Let me give you a hand, sugar," Lorne offered. "I need to stretch my legs, anyway."
"Sure."
Kara collected the empty cups, happy that someone had the thought of leaving a marker next to the stack for people to write their names with. Lorne followed her to the kitchen.
"I'll be right back. The sodas are still in the ice chest outside. Everybody's gets ice except Dawn's." She came back with the cans and started pouring to her friend's tastes. "Can you fill Joyce's for me? From the fridge door is fine. It's filtered."
"I tell you, it's nice taking a Saturday night off from bartending on occasion. There are only so many times I can listen to some demon butchering the classics. And certain songbirds don't stop by anymore. What's a club owner to do?" he sighed.
"Funny. You're real subtle. Two propositions in one night. Must be my lucky day. Tell ya what: I'll work you in the same weekend I sing with Brian's band. That way, I only make one trip to L.A. Deal?"
"Works for me! You wouldn't happen to have the makings for a Seabreeze around here, would ya?"
"Maybe? Let's check in the basement."
Kara flipped on the light at the top of the stairs and started down. She hummed a few tuneless notes under her breath, but stopped about the same time Lorne exclaimed:
"Sweet moth -!" Her hand was on his mouth in an instant as she pulled him into the laundry room where they wouldn't be heard. He finished his sentence as soon as she moved her hand. "-er! Kara –"
"Don't say another word about it, okay? Yes, I know, but I don't want to know exactly what you saw. This is extremely private, Lorne. Breathe a word of it to anybody upstairs, and I'll…well, it won't be nice, okay? Promise me, please."
"Okay, Kara, but this really isn't that dire, sweetie-"
"Just drop it, okay? The future is always uncertain, including this, and I want to handle it my way." Her tone left no room for argument.
"Alright, I promise not to tell another soul, but honey, you don't have a lot of time to figure out what you want to do."
"Believe me, I know. I know all too well. Let's get your drink before they get worried."
"Just point me to the bar. Anyone ever tell you you're downright terrifying when you want to be?" His glamour was still holding, but Kara would've said he looked green around the gills.
"Once or twice. Thanks for understanding, Lorne. I'll be upstairs." She left him alone to regain his composure before joining the others.
"Oh, Kitty. What have you gotten yourself in to?"
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"Good timing, Kara. It's your turn."
"Where's Lorne?"
"Making himself a Seabreeze. He'll be up in a minute."
"I'm afraid this will be the last round for us," Xander announced. "It's after 10, and we've got a long drive still."
Willow and Buffy simultaneously moaned their disappointment.
"I know, but I've got to work tomorrow. We'll be up to Sunnydale next weekend."
"I should probably do the same," said Will. "I'm driving down to see my parents in the morning."
"You really have to go now?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah. I already promised them I'd be there."
"Okay. I'll walk you out then," she replied, her mood dampened some.
Hugs were exchanged, and "Happy Birthday" wishes again, Xander and Anya promising to call when they were coming next weekend. Kara walked out with them to see if Brian's car was still there. 'Yep, still here.' She had a really bad feeling that Yavanna was living out a fantasy of rolling in the hay, literally. She cringed at the thought, but she couldn't just leave them out there.
"Guys, I'm going to see if Yavanna and Brian are outside. I'll be right back."
Sure enough, her sensitive ears picked up moaning and giggling coming from inside the little barn. She walked over to the ladder to the hayloft, and called up:
"Do you guys mind? You're making my horse nervous, and it was rude to just disappear on us."
She heard some rustling, then Yavanna's head peered over the edge.
"Kara, darling! Best party I've been to in ages," she giggled.
"Are you drunk?"
"Only a little. Did William stock the basement, 'cause boy, does he have good taste."
"I can't believe you. You know alcohol effects you more than most people. I bet you can barely walk," Kara scolded.
"Pfft! Who needs to walk right now? Ooh, stop that, bad boy. I'm trying to talk to Kara, though she's not being any fun," Yavanna pouted.
Kara rolled her eyes. There was going to be no reasoning with Yavanna until she sobered up, and that would take a while. She took in a deep breath to power her scariest voice.
"BRIAN! Get your ass dressed and down here!" She heard the thud of someone jumping on the wood, and then a body scrambling around in the hay. Brian was dressed in a minute and flying down the ladder.
"Uh, Kara…"
"Just save it. Look, if you want to boff one of my friends, then ask her out and take her back to your place, but don't do it here. It's my birthday, and you two disappeared out here without so much as a by-your-leave. Do you get why I'm upset here?"
"Yes, you're right. I guess we just got caught up in the moment after hitting it off so well. I didn't mean to disrespect you, or hurt your feelings, Kara…"
"I know. You just weren't thinking with your brain. Yavanna has that effect on men. Would you please make sure she gets down from there safely? I need to get back inside."
"Sure. I'm sorry, Kara. We cool?"
She punched his arm a little hard. "Yeah. Don't take to long."
"Right." Good, he looked suitably scared.
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Kara was starting to feel like it had been a long day. She came back in the house through the kitchen door and rummaged around until she found the leftover chicken in the fridge. Since it was barbecued, not fried, she didn't mind eating it cold. Tara walked in and looked surprised to see her sitting there.
"Hey."
"Hey. Did you find them?"
"Yeah, they were in the hayloft."
"Oh!"
"Yeah, 'oh'. I chewed them both out, then came back in here to let them get…rearranged. Man, I knew she was going to do this! I love Yavanna like a sister, but she is such a slut sometimes! If he's handsome and young, she just can't keep her hands off. I've lost track of how many marriages she's had. I mean, I know she's a nymph, but even they can have monogamous relationships," Kara ranted.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm just frustrated they had to pull this crap tonight, on my property."
"That's not…quite what I meant. You, and Melissa, were in here for a few minutes earlier…and came back weird." Tara tried for a way that wouldn't make Kara defensive.
"Oh, that. We just do that sometimes. You know, a joke that falls flat. Since you're in here, is the game over?"
"Yeah, we decided to wrap it up, since people were moving around, and Giles started complaining about having to stretch his knees after sitting too long…Is there anything specific you want to do now? It's still you're birthday for a while," Tara replied.
"I don't know. I'm kinda tired. I took a long swim today and lost track of time, so I'm actually a bit sore. Thanks for helping Spike get everything done. It was a really fun party."
"I was glad to lend a hand."
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"Hey, everybody, I want to thank you for coming out today to celebrate my birthday. It's been one of the best on record, truly. If anyone wants to take some cake home, we still have plenty," Kara stated. Lorne signaled that he wanted a minute with her, so she said, "Tara, you know where everything is. I'm going to walk Lorne out."
Once they were outside next to Wesley's SUV, Lorne canceled the glamour spell. "Ah, that feels so much better. I wanted to give you your gift in private, Kara." He handed her a small box out of his coat pocket.
"What is it?"
"Just have a looksee." Inside the box was a small, round crystal of unusual color. "It's a centering stone. Just hold this baby in your hands while meditating, and you'll be able to reach and control your power center. Honey, your powers are connected to your emotions, too, which are a bit all over the place lately, hmm? This will help."
"How did you know I'd need it?"
"Last time you sang at the club, before you quit coming to L.A., I got a little peek into what I saw tonight. It was a hunch, and I was going to give you that next time I saw your pretty face, and here was my opportunity."
"Thanks. I promise I won't be such a stranger," she whispered, her voice starting to choke with tears. Lorne pulled her into a hug.
"Aww, don't cry, sweetie. You'll get all puffy, and your mascara will run…You've got a good bunch around you who care a lot, and they'll help if you ask, okay? Especially that delicious hunk of vampire currently glaring at me from the window…so I'm going to let go now."
That made her giggle, and Kara discreetly wiped the tears off her face. "How did you come to have such a big heart, in Pylea?" she asked, puzzled.
"Honey, I have no idea. I never fit there. Can you believe they have no music? You aren't allowed to sing. I found my way here, and the Hallelujah Chorus has been playin' ever since. Smile for me, baby girl. There you go. Now you're ready to go back inside. Oh, and here's the card from all of us. I better skedaddle before Wes starts bleeding from the ears worrying about his car."
Kara backed away from the vehicle and started back to the house, turning to wave, and cringing as Lorne almost swiped the gate on his way out. Spike was at the door waiting for her.
"Are you okay? What did he give you?" he asked, concerned. He could faintly smell the brief tears she had shed outside.
"I'm fine, worrywart. I'm a girl, we cry at thoughtful gifts." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Now, what say we shoo everybody out and go have some fun with cake and icing," she suggested huskily.
"Mmm, I like the way you think, kitten," he responded, grinding his hips into hers. One nip at his mark, and her eyes were dilating with desire.
"Okay, good night, guys. Ladies, don't forget your purses and such. Dawn, make sure you get your camera. I'll see all of you the next time I'm in Sunnydale." Kara tried to get them all out the door as fast as possible without pushing them. She did notice that Sebastian rode with Buffy this time, and Dawn was with Joyce. Giles was alone, since Willow was going home with Tara now. Yavanna and Brian had already mumbled a quiet goodbye, and she assumed Yavanna wasn't teleporting home tonight. That just left Melissa in the house.
"Go on upstairs, luv. I'll lock up and grab the cake." Kara hastily agreed and ran up the stairs. Spike whistled happily to himself as he crossed to the refrigerator and selected a big enough piece of cake for what he had in mind. He grabbed a spoon as an afterthought.
"Where's Kara?"
"She went up to bed. Are you staying up for a while, pet?"
"Not sure, yet. Tell her I said goodnight."
"Will do." Spike resumed his whistling as he took the stairs two at a time in a beeline for the bedroom. He locked the door behind him, just for peace of mind. "Kara…" he called.
"Just a sec!"
Spike set the plate on one of the bedside tables, then started undressing, placing the contents of his pockets on the table since his jeans needed to go in the wash. His clothes dropped to the floor. He could deal with them tomorrow. He'd just turned around to go find her, when he saw Kara leaning against the doorway. Her hair was down, and she was wearing a sheer, red wisp of a nightie.
"Wow," he gasped. "New?" he croaked.
"Yes and no. Bought a long time ago, but never worn." She walked, no, stalked toward him like a panther on the prowl, and he guessed she really was. He gulped at the hungry look in her eyes. She was throwing him for a complete loop, using all his moves.
One perfectly manicured nail traced down the side of his neck, over his chest, tracing his chiseled abs, and down so close to where he ached to have her hand – and she pulled it away, the look on her face showing she had a new idea. He stood in place and waited, holding his breath even though he didn't need to, as she turned and headed back for the closet. Spike whimpered when he saw the back view of her little outfit. The thing was only held on by one neck strap, and two that crossed her back at waist level, and she was wearing what he could only refer to as string for knickers. She never wore that kind. He didn't even know she owned any.
Kara finally came back out. She had silk scarves in her hands. Ah, so that's what she wanted to play. She stopped in front of him with that hungry look again.
"Trust me?"
"Always," he said emphatically. He let her lead him to where she wanted him, following her cues for how she wanted his body.
Kara had Spike kneel on a corner of the bed, at the foot, and tied one scarf around his wrists so that his arms were behind him around the bedpost. She did the same with his ankles. He realized it would be easy to slip off the corner of the bed and end up dangling from the post in a painful position, and he caught on to part of what she was aiming for. She wanted him to control himself enough so that he stayed safe where he was.
"Still trust me?"
"Yes, Kara. Always." She kissed him softly and slipped the last scarf around his eyes, so his balance would be solely off of instinct.
"There, all set. Hmm, where to start." He could hear her walking back and forth, looking him over, and god, was he hard right now. If she didn't touch him soon, he felt he would combust into a little dust pile.
He heard the scrape of the plate being picked up off the nightstand. Then, he felt cold icing being spread on his nipple, and then her hot tongue licking it off, and she moaned, like it was the best thing she'd ever tasted in her life. Bloody hell – she keeps this up, and he won't even need her to touch him to shoot off like a rocket. She blew on his damp nipple, and somehow, her breath was ice cold. He shivered from the wealth of sensation. Kara repeated the action on the other pec, being very careful not to even brush against his engorged member. Then she moved away, and he heard her feet padding on the carpet again.
The next thing he felt was an ice cube trailed down his spine and over one cheek, and then her mouth, sucking up every drop of water. He was panting by now; he couldn't help it. Then she was moving around again, and he couldn't wait to see what she would do next.
"Open your mouth, baby," she softly ordered.
He obeyed, and soon, the spoon was in his mouth with a portion of cake, and he savored the rich chocolate and oh – my – god.
"Kara…" he begged.
"Hmm?"
"I need you, now," he pleaded.
"I'll see what I can do for that," she replied in a calm, clinical voice, like when the friendly doctor says 'let's see what we can do about that cough'.
And then she was there, her hands on his shoulders, her mouth at his ear. "Don't move," she whispered. He felt heat rub against him, and moaned – finally a little friction for relief. She ground against him, slippery and scorching, but he still needed more, wanted more. Kara wasn't in the mood to indulge him, yet, and so she rubbed against him until she came with a sharp cry. Then she moved away again! He was so wound up by now that it was painful. He felt her undo the ankle tie, then the wrist, and he started to lift off the blindfold, but she stopped him with a hand to his arm.
"No, leave it. Come and find me." And this time, he didn't hear her move away. Kitten wants to be prey. Now, this I can work with.
She was using her own skills now, because he couldn't hear her footsteps or heartbeat. That didn't keep him from being able to smell her, though, and what an intoxicating little morsel she was. She better be prepared for fast and hard, 'cause that was all he was capable of at the moment.
Kara led him on a wild goose chase around her bedroom suite, using the height of her speed to shift somewhere else in a blink. When his demon started the frustrated growling, she finally decided to submit, and lay down on the bed. He heard the rustle of the comforter and pounced on her, sliding home at the same time he ripped the blindfold off. Spike was in game face, and she knew right away that this was going to be primal, even brutal, but that was the fun of having an animal inside that needed expression.
He pounded her into the mattress, slamming into her womb, and the pleasure-pain was building a powerful orgasm inside her. At the pace he was going, she knew he was going to use her for his own pleasure, like she had him, but he also would never leave her hanging indefinitely. The bed was slamming hard against the wall, and thank goodness the room was virtually soundproofed a long time ago. Kara thrashed underneath him, losing control on her own inner face, and he was soon looking into the silver, glowing eyes of a goddess. Her hair rippled to deep indigo, fangs descended, claws extended, shredding his back as she tried to gain purchase on the overwhelming rush flowing through her body. Her legs had been wrapped around him from the second he had started moving within her, and they tightened further and further as she neared her release.
Spike felt his own climax imminent, and struck fangs to her neck, triggering them both. Kara screamed and clenched her thighs hard, cracking one of his ribs. As her inner muscles strangled him to the point of pain, her blood healed his injuries. Her limbs going slack alerted him to regain control, and he licked the wounds closed. His hands caressed her face as she struggled with consciousness.
"Kara, luv? Look at me, come on, focus on me. That a girl. You okay?" God, he'd never forgive himself if he hurt her.
"Hmm?"
"Are you alright?"
She giggled. "Pretty stars." From orgasm, or blood loss?
"Kara, focus now. Take a bite of cake, okay?"
"Mmm, yummy," she said dazedly. "I'm sleepy."
"Eat some yummy cake, and then I'll let you sleep"
"Okaaaay," she pouted. Spike sat her up and started feeding her the strawberry slices from the middle of the cake. Kara soon perked up and took over feeding herself the rest of the slice. "There, all done. I need to brush my teeth now."
He kept his arm around her waist as she found her land legs again. By the time they reached the sink, she felt fine, just a little floaty, which was normal after an intense session of lovemaking. Spike hovered to the point of invading her personal space until she snapped at him.
"Spike, I'm fine! Go wait in the bedroom!"
"Well, excuse me for being worried I hurt you, Your Highness!" She heard the door slam a minute later, cringed,and sighed. He probably went downstairs to smoke.
She really had to gain a grip on her emotions. She hated being smothered, though, always had. Tight places didn't bother her, but people made her claustrophobic. Kara finished cleaning up, then found the stone Lorne had given her and locked herself in the toilet room. There was enough room for her to sit Indian style on the floor.
Okay. She took yoga once, so this should be a piece of cake. Tara would probably be proud of her for doing this naked, too. She focused on her breathing – in for 4, out for 4 – and then on the centering stone, and felt herself travel deep into her mind, her spirit. Kara found herself in a hallway of doors. They started out as memories. She quickly figured out that she would have to go to the end to access the deep essence of her being – those rooms where everything stemmed from, her most visceral reactions.
The doors at the end of the hallway were actually labeled – Emotion, Logic, Intuition, Spirit, Physical Response – weird. Well, it was her brain, so she shouldn't be that surprised. Now, how did she reconnect Logic with Emotion to restore balance? Was that even the problem? A door suddenly appeared at the end of the hall, and it was labeled Love. Well, at least she understood why that wasn't inside the Emotion room. Pure Love was action, choice, sacrifice, and completely selfless. Kara opened the door, and found Them.
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Ooooo, there's a "them"! Any ideas on what/who they might be? I'll let you know next chapter.
