Kat trudged down the stairs sleepily, rubbing her eyes with a yawn. When she'd woken up, Spike hadn't been in bed. She'd considered staying in bed a bit longer, having an hour before she had to get to work. But then she smelt the pancakes. Her stomach wouldn't allow her to go back to sleep so now she was on the search for the pancakes. When she got downstairs, she was surprised to see Spike in the kitchen, making the magic pancakes she was after.
"You made breakfast?" She asked softly, stifling another yawn with her hand.
"Tradition, right? Buffy told me. Figured she'd have my head if I broke tradition," he smirked teasingly as he plated up the pancakes. She should have known Buffy had something to do with this. She moved to sit down as he placed the plate in front of her, leaning in to place a firm kiss to her lips.
"Happy birthday, Kitten," he smiled softly, causing her to smile too. It was her first birthday in a relationship with him. Her first birthday in her new home.
"Thank you," she murmured, wasting no time in pouring an ungodly amount of syrup on her pancakes. Spike watched her from where he sat opposite, quirking a brow with an amused smile.
"What?" She asked, shoving a forkful of pancake into her mouth.
"Just wonderin' how you've got any teeth left," he murmured wryly. She lightly kicked him under the table and he chuckled at her.
It was weird having the pancake tradition done by someone else. She'd half expected Buffy to break in and make them for her. It was nice though. And she was sure Buffy had given Spike the famous Summers pancake recipe because they tasted just the same as they always did. When they finished their pancakes, Spike pouring blood on his and she wasn't sure if she should be worried about how little that freaked her out, Spike gathered the dishes as she sat there feeling content. When he came back to the table, he had a small wrapped package. It reminded her of the gift the previous year. Her tarot cards.
"I told you-" she started with a frown.
"Not to get you anything. Yeah, I know. Thing is, I don't bloody care. You're my girl and I got you a gift. Sue me," he remarked, flashing her a toothy grin as he sat next to her and handed her the box. She rolled her eyes with a snort, knowing she wasn't going to win this one. She took the gift, unwrapping it carefully as she wondered what it might be. It was a rectangular shaped box and when she opened it, her brows rose as she saw a silver necklace. The pendant was a large flower of life mandala. She'd never seen anything like it before and she was in awe as she picked it up from the box and examined it. It was real silver and all the points where the lines met had small amethyst crystals embedded.
"Do you like it?" He asked hesitantly after her just staring quietly at it for a long moment.
"I… it's… it's so beautiful. I don't even know what to say," she murmured, turning to look at him. He smiled at her, reaching out to stroke her cheek.
"When I saw it… thought of you," he explained. She couldn't help the smile on her face. He grabbed the necklace out of her hands, moving her hair so he could put it around her neck. The pendant was larger than what she was used to and it had a decent weight to it. It didn't feel annoying though. It felt comforting. Like it reminded her of Spike and now she'd always feel he was with her. When did she turn into such a sap? She looked down, gingerly touching it before looking back at him.
"You didn't need to do this," she said softly. She could only imagine how much this cost.
"I know. I wanted to," he grinned, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"It's pretty unfair. You haven't told me your birthday so I can't get you any gifts," she pouted.
"Always have Christmas," he teased with a shrug. She raised her brow at him, imagining Christmas at her home. Celebrating with a vampire. She wondered how he'd feel about decorations. Maybe even a few crosses. As if reading her thoughts, he groaned.
"Don't even think about it," he muttered, making her giggle as he kissed her roughly. He pulled her into his lap and she moaned as his hands started to wander, his tongue plundering her mouth. She knew she had to get to work soon but she figured Giles wouldn't mind her being a little late with it being her birthday and all.
Kat made her way down the pavement, her mood was pretty good. She'd had a good day at work and she was still feeling 'peppy' as Willow called it, after her morning with Spike. She was on her way to the Bronze to meet the others. Buffy had insisted they go out this year for her birthday but once again, Kat didn't want a big deal. So they settled on a chill night at the Bronze. She pulled her leather jacket tighter, the moon hanging overhead as she walked. As she padded past an alley, someone stepped out from the shadows. She was on high alert being out on her own in the dark and she yelped, her fist swinging wildly at the person and connecting with their face.
"Ow!" The person groaned, stumbling back.
"Angel? What the hell? You almost gave me a heart attack!" Kat huffed, holding her chest as her heart tried to burst from it.
"I didn't mean to scare you," he frowned as he rubbed his nose.
"Really? What did you think would happen when you jumped out of the shadows?" Kat asked dryly as she started to walk again. Angel fell into step beside her.
"Didn't really think about it," he admitted sheepishly.
"What brings you to Sunnydale?" She asked amicably as they walked.
"The Ethros demon. Giles called me. We dealt with one not too long ago so I thought I'd come and lend a hand," he shrugged. She nodded at him as she stuffed her hands in her pockets.
"Oh… and Happy birthday," he murmured, giving her a smile. They'd bonded when Buffy had died but things were still kind of weird with them. She snorted as she looked up at him.
"You remembered?" She asked incredulously.
"Of course I did. You're important to Buffy which makes you important to me," he said simply. It made her smile as she nudged his arm playfully.
"You smell like Spike," he blurted, making her squint at him.
"I don't mean… it's not a bad thing," he added quickly.
"You like the smell of Spike?" She snorted amused, making his mouth flounder for a moment.
"What?! No! I don't… I don't know why I said anything. It just caught me off guard. It's weird," he huffed.
"You're weird," she scoffed petulantly, earning a look off him.
"It's just… You and Spike are in a serious relationship. You guys have your own place… he has a soul," he muttered with a glower.
"Green isn't a good color on you," she teased.
"I'm not jealous! Why would I be jealous? I have a soul too," he asked as he gave her an offended look.
"Because you're not the only vampire with a soul now," she shrugged, giving him a playful smile.
"I'm not jealous," he scoffed quietly, shaking his head as if he was trying to convince himself.
"I'm heading to the Bronze. A little get together thing for my birthday. You should come," she offered with a smile.
"Oh… I don't know. I don't really do socializing so well. I'm not really a… people person," he frowned.
"Me neither. But it's gonna be low key. Come on, it'll be fun. And Buffy's gonna be there so…" she trailed off with a smile, looking at him.
"I guess I could stay a little," he shrugged, not being as cool as he thought he was.
When they got there and walked through the doors, there were far more people drinking and dancing than she'd anticipated. She groaned at the same time Angel did, the pair glancing at each other with a smirk.
"Thought this was low key," Angel murmured as they moved through a sea of people.
"They're not here for me. I didn't expect the place to be so busy," she shrugged. When they made their way to the table, everyone was already there.
"Angel!" Buffy murmured surprised, standing from her chair and looking at the man like he hung the moon.
"Peaches," Spike glowered, his eyes sweeping to Kat.
"Why'd you bring him here? On second thought, why are you with him at all?" He asked, practically whining.
"He's my secret lover," Kat smirked. Just because she cared about the man didn't mean she stopped enjoying annoying him. Spike's eyes narrowed even more, his head tilting as he looked between them both like he was actually halfway to believing her words. She snorted as she moved over to him, grabbing his hand.
"Let's dance," she grinned, tugging him along. When they weaved through the bodies to get to the dancefloor, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He was still pouting like a child not getting his own way.
"You two are ridiculous," she huffed, giving him a look.
"He's ridiculous," he muttered childishly. Nine Inch Nails, Closer, started playing and she raised a brow at him, pressing her body closer to his. His sulky face melted away, replaced with a devilish smile as his hands wound around her. She started moving her hips to the beat, feeling good and carefree. Spike actually moved with her, not resisting her as his body moved fluidly with hers.
You let me violate you,
You let me desecrate you,
You let me penetrate you,
You let me complicate you.
His hands slid down to her ass and she felt her cheeks heat up, looking into his bright blue eyes that darkened when he no doubt sensed her arousal. He leaned in, his lips brushing hers teasingly but not giving her the kiss she wanted. He chuckled as she chased his lips, a needy whine escaping her.
(Help me)
I broke apart my insides.
(Help me)
I've got no soul to sell.
(Help me)
The only thing that works for me,
Help me get away from myself.
He looked at her like she was the only person on the planet and it left her breathless. He nipped her lower lip, making her moan as he tugged on it a little before he let it go.
I wanna fuck you like an animal,
I wanna feel you from the inside.
I wanna fuck you like an animal,
My whole existence is flawed.
You get me closer to God.
His lips crashed to hers and she kissed him back desperately. The pull to him was intense, like two magnets snapping together. She felt like she was under his spell. She was happily making out with him in the middle of the dancefloor when all hell broke loose. The sound of gunshots filled the air as people started screaming. Kat didn't know what was happening but one minute she was kissing Spike, the next he'd flipped a table over and was hovering over her behind it to protect her.
"What...?" She muttered, her brain not catching up with what was going on. She peeped over the table and saw a guy with a gun, mowing people down. The crowd clambered over each other, screams of terror piercing her ears as they tried to get away. Spike grabbed her back behind the table, giving her a firm look to stay put.
"The demon?" She asked with a frown.
"Think so. I'm gonna try and tackle him or somethin'. Didn't really prepare for this but we need to get it out of him and exorcize it," he muttered, his face screwed up as the screaming continued. Her stomach tightened as she heard people dropping on the floor. It reminded her of Anna and the helpless feeling returned in spades. It was only then she noticed his arm was bleeding and she reached out hesitantly, her brows furrowed deeply.
"You've been shot," she said softly.
"Won't kill me. Just hurts a mite," he shrugged as he glanced around the table trying to figure out his next move. She had no idea where the others were or if they were safe and it made her feel sick.
"You need to find Buffy," Kat implored, giving him a desperate look.
"Kat…" he frowned, shaking his head. She knew he didn't want to leave her here.
"Please! You and Angel are the only ones who can stop him without getting killed," she begged. He gave her a look, making it clear he didn't want to leave her. He shook his head, kissing her quickly before he made a mad dash from the table.
The shooter was laughing as he terrorized people, shooting them down heartlessly. There was a young girl cowering near the stage that she could see and she heard the heavy footfalls coming near the table. The girl was sobbing and sounded like she was muttering some kind of prayer.
"Such a scared pathetic little human," the shooter laughed as he got closer. Kat's heart was thumping like a hummingbird's wings. She was so sick of all this needless death. All the people she couldn't help. She didn't think, she just reacted. She dived out from her hiding spot, jumping in front of the girl as the gun went off. The last thing she heard was Spike screaming her name before everything went black.