Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. The characters all belong to their respective studios and creators. I am just borrowing them for my story.
Author's Note: This story is set after the end of season 2 of Roswell (after Tess has already left) and in the beginning of season 6 of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer- after Buffy and Spike have gotten together, but before Willow was addicted to magic and before Willow and Tara broke up. Also, Giles hasn't left yet. Sorry for the confusing time lines, but this worked best for my story.
A/N 2: Wow, it's been a long time since I have worked on this story. I've had some major writers block, which caused me to abandon it for a while, until I could get some plot ideas straightened out. I've recently changed direction with this story, which helped me get back into it. Hope that you like it and sorry for the extremely long wait. And thanks for the reviews! You all rock!
Chapter Twelve – Sweet Skin is So Tempting
Quite a little while had passed since that incident with Isabel and Spike in the back room. It was now well into the afternoon. The group had just decided to take a research break to get some things settled. This was of course after Anya had thrown her book down in disgust saying she wouldn't look at another 'moldy old page' until her eyes got a little rest. And, she had added, much to the group's chagrin, until she had gotten a little 'orgasm time' with Xander. The Scoobies, used to Anya's bluntness and turn of phrase, had just shaken their heads at the two, while the Roswellians had been very much startled and shocked. Xander had blushed again and pulled Anya aside, the two later 'mysteriously' disappearing for a while, not that anyone, ah, noticed, or at least they tried very hard not to. Anya's words had done the trick though, both groups glad to have a little research rest and time to get plans worked out.
It had been determined that the Roswellians would stay in one of the many lovely Sunnydale hotels for the duration of their stay. The group had called their parents and given them some story about their being on a summer exchange. Their parents had reluctantly agreed to let them stay, but only after Sheriff Valenti had assured them that he was with them and they were indeed on a bonafide exchange trip. When it was asked how long they were planning to say, they couldn't give a definitive answer and the parents weren't placated until the Roswellians had promised to keep in touch with them on a regular basis.
With that settled, both groups realized they had better get back to researching. It was around this point that Xander and Anya had appeared again, both looking a little worse for wear, but both wearing big grins. Those who saw them sneak back in just rolled their eyes.
It was at this point that Giles, after just having picked up his book, almost dropped it, with a loud "Good Lord!"
Everybody looked up at him, surprised.
Willow looking at his stunned face, asked him, "Giles, what's wrong?"
Giles was just muttering to himself, "Of course! Why didn't I think of that before? It could be the solution. I just need to-"
"Uh Giles," Willow tried again. "What's going on?"
"Oh, sorry, something just occurred to me" the ex-Watcher looked a little sheepish. "You remember when Buffy switched bodies with Faith?"
"Of course I do." Willow answered. "Oh!" Comprehension dawned in her eyes. "You mean…"
"Exactly."
"Wait a minute," Buffy started, but was cut off by Xander.
"Okay, care to explain for us mentally challenged folks here? I remember when they switched, but I still don't… wait a minute, that came out wrong!" Xander realized belatedly.
"No it didn't," Spike snickered, which earned him looks from the rest of the group, as this was very bizarre coming out of Michael's mouth, for the Scoobies.
"Hey!" Xander shot back, glaring at him.
"Anyway," Giles shot a reproving glance at Spike. "When Faith switched bodies with Buffy, Willow and Tara created a Katra to switch them back. It occurred to me, that another Katra might be able to do the same thing here. Though we don't know what switched them in the first place, we didn't then either, and the Katra worked well in that situation. There are no guarantees of course, but it is worth a try."
Willow grabbed Tara's hand, "We'll get right on that." She lead her out of the shop, both of them giggling and holding onto each other, as they knew what they would be spending the rest of the afternoon doing.
"Well that should take them a while," Giles continued. "In the meantime, I suggest we keep researching in case the Katra doesn't solve the problem." Turning to Michael, he asked, "Would you be willing to try the Katra to get yourself switched back? We're can't be sure of the risks of course, especially as it would involve switching a vampire and a mortal," The Roswellians shared a look at this, "But it would be worth a try, especially as it might switch you back. Katra's generally don't have any effect other than to switch the person back, but still…" he trailed off.
Michael glanced at the other Roswellians. "Sure, I'll try it. Anything to get back in my own body."
After that, they had separated again, into smaller groups and once again picked up their discarded books. It was looking like it was going to be a VERY long day.
As Michael and Maria sat researching, Michael couldn't help but be distracted. He was tired of researching. Sure it was to get him back in his own body, but his brain could only take so much at a time. He glanced around the room at the other people working. His glance fell on Max and Liz who were sitting in a corner talking quietly to each other. He had no idea what they were talking about, but from the pained expressions on their faces, he could only guess that it had something to do with the whole Tess chaos. He hoped that they could get it worked out. He liked Liz and knew that she and Max were good for each other, destiny or no.
He was just glad that he and Maria weren't going through that anymore. As he thought this, he looked at her. His girl. His love. He was finally able to admit it. He had loved her for a long time but had been too scared to say it until recently. He took in her face and smiled softly at how beautiful and wonderful she was. He was so lucky to have her, and he had been stupid to try to push her away out of fear. Good thing she was stubborn and hadn't listened to him.
His gaze moved down, to her neck, her smooth and creamy neck. As he stared at it, a small voice in the back of his mind came to life. Bite it. You know you want to bite that beautiful neck. Michael was shocked. Where had that voice come from? He loved Maria, he didn't want to- Oh but you do, the voice interrupted. You really do.
His mind was reeling. What was that voice saying? He couldn't bite her. Yes you can. You know you want to. Just look at that neck. Michael looked at her neck more closely. That smooooooooth creamy skin, the voice tantalized. You know what that skin tastes like. Doesn't it taste good? Michael could only agree with the voice in his mind. Yes, it does. That skin tastes wonderful, the voice continued. Just look at it. All that luscious skin, and all that blood pumping away underneath. The blood is just pumping and flowing, pumping and flowing… If the skin tastes that good, don't you think the blood must taste fantastic? Just imagine how sweet it would be. Rich and luxurious, flowing into your mouth, warm and tender. All you have to do is just bite into that delectable skin. Just reach over and bite…
Michael could feel himself morphing. His face was changing into that of an animal. He leaned closer into her neck, inhaling her scent as he went. That's it. It's so easy. Just bite and you will have the most wonderful taste in the world. It is ecstasy… and it is so easy… Just a little further now. You know you want to. Can't you just taste it?
Maria, who still had her eyes on her book, could feel Michael leaning into her. It felt like he was about to kiss her neck. Oh, so he wants to play? She would let him. She was really enjoying this new intimacy that they were sharing.
Buffy who had been across the room, happened to look over at Michael and Maria. She still couldn't believe that he and Spike had switched bodies, and the feelings that she had been having ever since that happened. When Spike got back into his own body, she was going to have to- It was then that she noticed that Michael had morphed out and was going in for the kill. Before she could do anything, however-
Michael, fangs bared, was about to bite, when suddenly he seemed to come back to himself. "NO!" he screamed, as he flung himself away. His face changed back instantly. What had come over him? What had possessed him to almost bite Maria? It had been seductive, alluring, and nearly impossible to resist. Oh, God, he would have hurt Maria!
Everybody had looked up at Michael's scream (except Buffy who was already looking at him that is), wondering what the hell was going on. At seeing his game face, the Scoobies all shared a worried look, Giles especially.
Giles now knew that since Michael had vamped out, the demon must still be in Spike's body with Michael. But where did that leave them? Michael had a soul, which must have some effect on the demon, as he had obviously just stopped himself from biting the girl. But how much? And where did this leave/ put Spike? And what about the chip? Had Michael stopped because he had some control from his soul? Or did he stop because of the chip? He hadn't seemed to be in pain, though, well, at least not physical pain, after he attempted to bite her. So once again, where did this leave them? This would bear more careful investigation.
Maria looked at Michael confused. Why had he suddenly stopped? She had been looking forward to a little fun with Michael. She then noticed his game face when she looked up startled. Oh God, he had been about to bite her. And the look he was giving her now was one of pure remorse, and incredulity, like he couldn't help himself. He had been about to bite her! But didn't he love her? Obviously not, was the thought in the back of her mind. Her more rational mind chose to ignore it. It had to have been the vampire in his new body. Maybe the demon in Spike's body had control of him. (She was fairly knowledgeable about vampires as they, and some other paranormal things had caught her interest before, and she had looked into them out of curiosity, never really believing them to be real, before all of this anyway). Oh, she hoped not. Otherwise who knew what would happen before they could get him back in his own body? But maybe it didn't. After all, he had stopped himself before he had actually bitten her. He probably still had some control left. But just how much did he have? Right now, the only thing she knew for sure was that, no matter how much she loved Michael, she couldn't trust him in that body, and she would therefore have to keep away from him. If the demon was controlling him, or could control him, even a little… Oh God.