Kindred

By Sweetprincipale

Set in early Season Five. When Dracula called Buffy 'kindred'', he was doing a bit more than just saying they had a lot in common. Hungry for knowledge of herself and her power, Buffy didn't realize what kind of connection he had forged with her until he left town, and the damage was done. Hoping to break his hold over her, Buffy requests help from Spike. However, the way you break the hold of one vampire is to let another one possess you more fully. But, it'll only be temporary, right? Simple business, that's all…

Dedicated to: stuff'n'nonsense, kyanaM, sjwheelhan, Darkhrt101,Mother Willson, 666, pgoodrichboggs, jbu1810, Slayerette16, Pentastic, Jackiemack916,The Three March Hares, omslagspapper, Teatime Turbulence, Brokenblackrose89, subchan, squeeface, kitcat99, bellaruthless, lgpmomma, fieryscarlet, David Fishwick, DarkenedHrt101, TibiaOK, Kit-Cat 99, Cjtotts, .792, and the kind guest reviewers.

Part XIX

"Was your mother comin' home today?"

"It's not midnight-yet. It'll be tomorrow, late," Buffy made a futile attempt to tidy the bed. The bed that was now on the ground.

"You feelin' okay?"

"Wonderful."

"No dreams?"

"Not one. Too pooped, maybe. Or maybe he's getting the message. This brain is property of Buffy and Spike. Why twenty questions?"

He shrugged, feeling antsy again, the same way he'd felt when that bloke thanked him for saving his life. And what she'd just tacked on, like it was nothing- Her mind is ours? Well… yeah. Mine is hers, too. She's been in it for days, even longer if I'm honest. "I want to take care of you extra. Your family, too. Want 'em to know that I'm different than the others. Wouldn't use you or leave you, wouldn't change you or be unhappy with bits of you. Wouldn't take what I wanted and lock you away in some castle, either." Care what they think. No, not about everything, not about my past, not about my habits- only about how they see me with her. Worthy of her. Spike looked angry and bitter, a sudden scowl settling on his features.

"What?"

"Not used to carin' about what anyone thinks of me - except the one my heart wants. Feels odd. Bit sickenin'."

Buffy leaned against him, chin to his shoulder. "Hey."

"Hm?"

"I want to be with you as much as you want to be with me. I want anyone who knows you to know that I'm not like -" she hesitated. Spike loved Drusilla in some sort of compassionate, lingering way that made her jealous, but not angry. She chose her words carefully. "I want people to know I'm yours, just yours, and I'm not going anywhere. And… I don't want to go around being Ms. Big Bad, but I feel like- I want to be a credit to you- the awesome guy who helps me and understands me. Anyone who messes with you should think twice, because they have me to deal with, too. For the first time ever, I'm okay with being a badass. Like- it's not just an act, it's a part of me, and it's a good part. Powerful part. You make me comfy with myself- even the dark parts. Maybe you just need time to get comfy showing off the inner light in you?" She wound her her arms around him and he scooped her closer, sides and torsos pressing.

"My wife is smart."

"So's my husband."

"Ooooo. Husband. Always thought that was such a borin' word. Reserved for portly men with small mustaches and large mortgages."

"Really?"

Once upon a time, he'd been quite eager to have the title. Never thought he'd have the inkling again. "No, not always. Just in recent years, I s'pose."

"And now?"

"It's right up there with the most erotic words I've ever heard."

"Funny. I was just thinking that about wife," Buffy said with mock seriousness, a look of deep reflection on her face. "I can't wait to go out and signal for the check."

Spike raised his eyebrows. "Most folks like eatin' the meal more than payin' for it."

"I can't wait to show off my ring- oh." Buffy rubbed her finger with a frown. Spike's large, silver ring still sat on her forefinger, but she could've sworn she felt a slight pressure around her ring finger. She watched Spike suddenly examine his own finger. "The blood?"

"Well, it must've rubbed off. We were fairly busy. Sweat. Water. Other slick things. Somethin' must've rubbed it off," Spike consoled, still wearing a smirk. He chose not to mention the fact that he still felt it, a phantom under the skin. What if it's all in my head? She's marking me in all kinds of ways, visible and invisible...

Buffy finished putting on her shoes. "You feel it, too, don't you?" She didn't look up as she asked. Maybe it's only me. He's the vampire, his hold is "real", or at least more powerful.

He stroked her hair, watching her face tilt up, loved watching the smile that he instantly earned. "I feel it, I'd swear it was there, perched right on my ring finger. An' you know why it's called that? The left hand, fourth finger was s'posed to have a vein leadin' directly to your heart. Romans called it the vena amoris, vein of love. You got the direct line to my heart, Slayer."

"And you've got mine," she whispered, trying to sound less like a blushing lovesick girl. And then going with it. "I'll never lose it, huh?"

"Can't seem to take it off," he mimed pulling at his hand. "I'll get you one the world can see, Baby."

"I like this one for now," Buffy reassured, waving her silver-ringed finger in the air, snapping at an imaginary waiter. "Can't wait to show it off- but I kind of like having a little secret, too. Kind of like us." She took his arm. Secret wedding, secret love. Public friendship, public partnership, public bond.

"Some people find a little secret rather excitin'," Spike hissed as they exited the hotel room- fairly quickly lest anyone passing by get a glimpse of the passion-wrecked room.

"Secret, hm?"

"Little ones. Like… doing naughty things at your own reception."

She smirked back. Their "reception" would be a very late dinner at the local steakhouse. "Wait, we honestly can't do anything too exciting at a restaurant. We'll get kicked out."

"Then we'll wait until after we eat… wifey."

"Oooh, talk dirty to me," she laughed softly and leaned against him as they prowled down the hall together.


"You dare to disturb us to meddle in your sordid affairs? Be gone, Champion. You do not have our-"

"Silver, Italian, 1300s. Taken from the Siege of Caffa. I offer this to you, All-Seeing Ones," Angel made the flattering speech with barely held impatience. "I seek-"

"It is unseemly- taken from a place of much death. It is also unseemly to arrive during our dinner hour," the female oracle said haughtily.

Angel blinked. "Oracles eat?"

"We know why you have come. You seek one of your kind, long-lived and evil, torture and anger in your heart. This is unseemly for a Champion of the Powers That Be," Brother Oracle pompously stated while turning the silver object musingly in his hand.

Is unseemly their new favorite word? "It's to aid the Slayer!" Angel snapped, fists curling. Was it just him, or did the Oracles look surprised? Maybe they don't know everything, after all.

"She is happy and safe with her new lord and master, and he is equally devoted to her, fealty and heart freely given." Sister Oracle now joined in her brother's appraising stare.

Happy with Dracula? Dracula in love with- how?What? How? "It's a trick, a trap! I need to know how to kill Dracula or the Slayer will always be at risk, never mind her- happiness- with her lord and master!" I should be her lord and- no, not that. His heart and brain did a complicated twist in longing and pain.

Now the Oracles were the ones looking confused. "She is free in her choosing once again."

"Ugh- no! She can never really be free again, not until Dracula is dead! Do you know how to do it? Spill. If not, point me to someone who knows, like this Countess Ana-Maria Elena Daniela Dracul chick."

The male oracle seemed to relent, touching his golden-skinned sister on the shoulder. "Sister, the Slayer never wavers in her quest. She calls the most powerful allies to her side and turns them to the good. In recent days, she has brought the Powers' plans ahead by years, sparing many lives and much suffering. Perhaps we should help the vampire."

Angel wanted to yell "Well, DUH!" in exasperation, but instead he settled for rocking from side to side, tense ball of foot to tense heel.

Sister sighed disdainfully, "Very well. The Countess you seek indeed holds the knowledge you need. She resides in Paris, the Chalais D'Aumont. She lives quietly and without killing. She takes her lovers from eager men who do not tire of her youth and beauty and they willingly supply her needs. Her home is always in the name of one of her living relatives, so no vampires may enter the house without their consent."

"Living relatives? How can she have-"

"Not all vampires close themselves off from mortal ties. We have given you more than enough information. Be careful, Champion. Your heart wavers…" Brother and sister uttered these last words together, disappearing into a flash of blue as they departed.

Angel seethed. "Great. Paris. I need a plane ticket. Or a portal. Willow'd be helpful, right now. Maybe Wes…"


"Maybe they won't notice."

"I'm pretty sure they're going to notice," Buffy hissed. "The tablecloths aren't that long, Spike."

"The place is deserted!"

"All the more reason that the servers keep staring at us, waiting for us to finish so they can go home and go to bed."

"I wanna go to bed." Fingers tiptoed across her hand, over her wrist.

"I wanna eat my brownie!" Buffy felt ravenous. She supposed Spike must be all right in that regard. His energetic lovemaking came with a side of super-potent blood for him, and bursts of extreme pleasure for her. She took little swipes of his as a part of their bonding and lovemaking, loving marking him just as much, but it wasn't food to her. If she wanted to burn more calories later, she needed a top up.

"So, I'll just have to move my seat for dessert." Spike left his seat across from her and pulled his chair to the corner of the small table, sitting arm to arm with her. Then his hand slid down, past hers.

"They're going to notice anyway, because- oh- because people do not sound- oh God- this excited about brownie sundaes." Her face became flushed and voice went breathless. Spike's fingers pushed lightly between her thighs, but their strength managed to push past layers of fabric, making her feel like he was touching her skin directly. "Spike…" She wasn't even mad. Heck, she was rapidly passing even mildly, playfully annoyed and considering if anyone would notice if they left the table for a few minutes. But they might take away the sundae, so… She moved from savoring to scarfing.

"Mm, Slayer," he was just as breathless suddenly as her free hand found the hardness at his waist. "Consider it practice, Lover. The quiet game. After all, if I come to visit you at night, we'd best not wake up Joyce."

"Or she'll kill you?" Her hand froze. Uh. Yeah That could happen.

His hand lost its pulsing, rubbing action instantly. "I wouldn't want her to think I was ever-ever hurting you." Suddenly, awful images of Joyce attacking him in mid-Buffy were assailing him. She'd think he was assaulting her daughter, and he was the one trying to help her, who loved her like no one else ever had or ever would.

Buffy shook her head and kept his hand in her lap. "Boyfriends are permitted quiet snuggles of the bedroom variety. She'll know, Spike. I'll tell her. We'll tell all of them it's a relationship, more than a friendship. We'll just pace things for them."

"They'll think it's the bond."

"Then we'll brea- no. Then we'll just prove it over the years. Right? There will be years?" Hands locked and eyes were wide.

"Of course, Precious. And you're right. We'll prove it other ways." Can't break this. Don't want to. Not even if I want to. Die without her. Feel her when she's near me, in my head, in my heart.

"My sundae suddenly seems less yummy now."

"Sorry to spoil things, Pet."

"No, I mean it pales in comparison. I want my other dessert. Also pale. Potentially covered in whipped cream."

Spike's eyes lit up suddenly. "Meet me back at the car. Gonna swing through the kitchen."

"Spike! You can't!" Buffy admonished, eyes wide, but laughing slightly.

"Don't worry, Slayer, I'll leave enough in the tip to cover a can of whipped cream. I have to do somethin' a little naughty to keep my reputation up." He winked.


"I can never eat ice cream the same way again." Buffy playfully squirted rosettes of white onto him, down the ridges of muscle. Avoiding sparse hairs. Up the proud standing member and leaving a large whorl on his tip.

He groaned as her tongue and lips went happily across the trails she'd left. "I'll be keepin' cans of whipped cream in the minifridge. Does your dorm have one of those?"

"It will now. Blood bags. Whipped cream. Sodas."

"No stove?"

"No, but there's the cafeteria. I'll bring stuff home to eat." Her tongue darted over him as her eyes met his.

"No. I'll meet you there for dinner sometimes. Sometimes you'll wanna just be with your pals, I get that."

Her eyes scorched him. Angel barely wanted to be around any of her friends, could barely spend time with her, seeming to find it tortuous or tempting by turns. Riley couldn't bear to be apart. Lonely and questioning, or smothered and struggling. She completely ignored the idiocy of Parker. "Why are you so good at this?"

He knew what she meant. "Luv, Dru left me. Shagged people right in front of me. Tore my heart out. I can deal with a few hours apart. 'Specially when you're never really away from me." He pressed his hand over his heart, and she suddenly ignored the whipped cream in favor of diving up him.

"You remember what I told you the first night we tried to break this thing?"

"'Ow, you idiot'?" he hazarded.

"I like you." She smiled, pressing her lips to his.

"I like you, too, Luv."

"You're kinda weirdly perfect."

"Hark who's talking."

There was a giggle and slick slipping of bodies, little traces and splatters of whipped cream across bodies. He dove to lick her breast, she pushed his shoulders back and slipped her mouth over his torso, lapping her way down before engulfing him.

Spike sighed. "Just perfect…"


They left before dawn. "I'm sorry it was short, Slayer. One day, I can take us somewhere nicer. For longer."

"Spike, the last time I had a vacation, I got sucked into a portal and stuck in a demon sweatshop. No- wait, I got a couple weeks off to see my dad last summer. I got to see him for like 45 minutes before he remembered he had a conference in Seattle. I - never mind. The point is, I loved tonight. A little time with you goes a long way. That used to be something bad, like, uber annoyance,"she chuckled in a strained voice. "It's like us, Spike. Maybe we won't have a lot of time together, but what we do have is-"

"Shhh. I'm not goin' anywhere. An' you aren't, either. No one's gonna be able to touch you. You won't let 'em. I won't let 'em. Every Slayer has a death wish- but you're not like any other Slayer." Spike raised an eyebrow.

She felt his thoughts, not heard them. It was like understanding, knowing, instincts, like breathing and blinking.

Not like any other Slayer. Not like any other wish. Death wish. Not my death. "We kill Dracula."

"Give you that look of peace." At least for a while. 'Til the next big villain with an apocalypse in mind pops up- and then we'll kill that one, too.

"And I can make it happen." From the sudden brightening in his eyes, she knew she'd said the right thing- not only replied to his words, but replied to something else, something unspoken.

"Slayers always find it in the end- that wish."

"Yeah, well, I'll just find Dracula first. I'm gonna make our wishes come true, Spike."

"You already do. I'll help you, Baby."

"You already do," she echoed and grinned as they finally slid into the car. He started it, one hand on hers. The urge to ignore the soon-rising sun was swirling around them. One more time on this wedding night, wedding day.

I could make love with him over and over- I never felt that way with Riley. Once. Under a spell. Is this just a spell, magic, the old magic in bloods and bites? The sudden worry wended through her mind, and he blotted it out almost as soon as it peeked out. He didn't have to say anything, just squeezed his arm around her back.

Not just sex. Support. "Love you."

"Love you."

She sighed, all the good things don't have to end, but they might have to go on hiatus. "Would it be terribly unsexy to help me pack to move into the dorms and check in with Giles about that Countess ex-wife who might have some information?"

Spike pretended to consider. "Can there be nude packing?" Buffy bending. Preferably bending over, twisting and reaching and-

"You have a filthy mind."

"You share it now."

Spike. Lifting boxes. Shirtless. Bending. Stretching. Hefting. Minus clothing. The air was suddenly way too warm and her clothes were way too hot. "Sure. Until Mom gets home anyway. And um- y'know since we'll be in my room 'cause that's where my stuff is…"

"Such as a bed?"

"That we didn't break- or break in?"

"I love the way your mind works, Slayer."

"That's new."

"There's a lot that's new between us," he admitted. "But it'll last, Luv."

She agreed. She vowed. "It'll last."


At last! Riley coughed and wheezed as the tube came out, followed by fluids that nurses immediately suctioned and wiped away. "I need a phone." The pad and pen had been fine for short-term needs. "Has anyone called?"

"Uh- yes, your parents and one of your brothers called Ellis, your military point of contact. There's an Agent Brown-"

"Brown?" Riley asked hoarsely, throat sore and raw by default.

"He's actually waiting to see you. He's visiting your new roommate."

Riley managed a smile. Graham was in a regular room, a big step down post-heart surgery. That's where he was heading now. "My girlfriend?"

"She didn't have clearance. You didn't disclose your location-" the tone turned accusatory and Riley was quick to deny the nurse's suspicions.

"No. No, I didn't- it's just- you don't know my girlfriend. She can … do impossible things." Not your girlfriend, a nagging voice reminded. Not anymore. Not sure, are you? Don't want to believe. As for doing the impossible- then why does she need you?

"Heart rate is spiking again. Sir, you need to calm down. Here, we're going to get the phone and you can call your folks and anyone else you need to. Let's get you moved to your other room. You'll be more comfortable, less wires and tubes, right?"


"How was she?" Riley demanded after a perfunctory greeting.

"She was fine, how the hell are you?" Brown lightly pumped his friend's hand, afraid to dislocate IVs or anything else.

"I'm- sore. Pain meds are a beautiful thing." Riley had to laugh.

"Amen!" Graham, usually very serious, looked giggly and sipped on a smoothie as he clicked through sports channels.

"You'll be up in no time. Recuping in a cornfield, right?"

Home would be nice. "I called my parents. They'll have my room ready if I want it. I think I need to see what Buffy needs before I can ditch up there."

"Trust me, girl doesn't need any help. She'll be happy to have her man in one piece, heart pumping at the right speed!" Brown encouraged.

Every reassuring word somehow went wrong in his head. Hearts at her preferred speed don't effing beat, he smothered a rancorous snarl. "Was she patrolling?"

"Yep."

"She shouldn't be patrolling. She's - under his influence." If she's under his influence to the point I worry about her, she should be getting help. From someone. He blinked rapidly, pushing the fleeting thought away.

"She didn't seem influenced much. I talked to her."

"You were supposed to-"

"I know, I know, but she's the Slayer, Ry. You think she couldn't tell when one human dude was tailing her? She told me she was fine and she couldn't wait to talk to you. She also made it clear that she can't skip patrol too often. If she hadn't been on the streets, some guy with a brand new baby would be dead and that baby would have no daddy. I saw the whole thing. Touching. Slaying must be kind of nice. Hands on rescuing for the greater good, not just a broad knowledge of saving or serving a country…" Brown said thoughtfully.

Riley was not in the mood for introspection. "Was her Watcher with her?"

"What's a Watcher?" For all Brown's knowledge of the supernatural, it was still rather rudimentary.

"It's like a Slayer's guide. Although in Buffy's case, it turned out to be an older British guy, kind of hot in a creepy, cradle-robbing way, actually able to hold his own against the local demons, too."

Brown blinked. Wait, the HST was a Watcher? Well, the vampire he had heard and seen definitely was British, and older than the fresh-faced sophomore though he didn't think the age gap was too physically obvious. It would be the dead demon with a human thing that would turn heads- and stomachs. But it wasn't like a dating relationship if he was some kind of guide. Maybe that made sense. Who better to guide a vampire slayer than a vampire? The prey teaches the hunter exactly what works. Wow, the girl hadn't been kidding when she said he was saving lives. Brown felt guilt tingling at the base of his neck. He had been complicit in handicapping the Slayer, the "Chosen One."

"Riley's jealous," Graham giggled and slurped loudly before weakly putting his drink down. "The room is spinny. I'm gonna sleep now."

Brown was glad for the distraction from his discomfiture. "Graham's out. I'll have what he's having," he chuckled as the patient started to snore. "He must have just gotten his dose. I wonder what the great Agent Finn is like when he's drugged up on feel-good juice?" Brown teased.

Riley didn't laugh, nor would he be swayed. "I'm not jealous of him! Their relationship is just a bit… off-putting. He hangs around her a lot, patrolling or otherwise. Was he with her?"

"Well… I saw her with someone. He sounded British. They looked comfortable together and everything, but I'm not really - Riley! Finn, sit down!" Brown's quick thinking from years of battle were put to good use. He hit the call button instantly and held restraining hands on Riley's untethered arms. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"If she- can- rely- on that old man more than me-" he grunted, chest suddenly spasming in pain as he collapsed.

"Old man? Riley, the guy's a vampire! You know vamps are strong enough to-"

"What?" Riley gasped. "What did you say?"

"Her Watcher. He's a vampire."

His eyes narrowed. "What?"

"What, what?"

"What do you mean, her Watcher is a vampire"?

"I mean- he's a vampire. Pale. Pasty. Drinks blood- not that I saw him drinking blood, but-" At Riley's absolutely confused look, Brown became worried. "You do remember they're real, right?"

"Giles isn't a vampire! I've seen him in the daylight a hundred times!" Well, a dozen, anyway. "He's British! They're all pale and pasty!"

"Giles? Is that his name?"

"His last name."

"Oh. Right. William."

"William?"

"What's going on here?" A nurse raced in, white sneakers skidding, breathless and panicked.

"A little misunderstanding!" Brown placated. "I- uh- I bumped the button."

"I see. Nonetheless, I would have come in here. Agent Finn, your heart just went through a lot. Let's take it easy?"

You have no idea what my heart is going through, Riley wanted to shout, but he refrained.

The nurse continued, "I think visiting hours need to be cut short. One of the occupants of this room is asleep and resting and the other one should be." She gave Riley a pointed glare before her face softened into something maternal and gently scolding. "It's hard for you, you men of action, boys on the frontlines, but you need to rest if you want to go back to that life. I'm going to see your visitor out for now."

"Okay, okay," Riley refused to be beaten- but he knew when to call a tactical halt. "Thanks, Brown. I appreciate you keeping an eye on her while I was in surgery. I'll give her a call in a little bit, now that my voice is actually working."

"Any time. Finn, I know you're worried, not jealous, right? You don't have to be. It won't do your heart any good, man. Relax. She's got friends to help her, like you said. Even if they seem too close or something. She has a unit. You'll be back in it in no time." With a hearty handshake, Brown prepared to depart, almost eager, unsettled by something he could sense in Finn, sense but not define. Just the post-op. Just the months of adrenaline-hyping meds, that's all. "Get better, buddy."

Something Brown had said hadn't made sense, not by a long shot. Riley had a sudden wild thought. But was it so wild?

Josh said her Watcher was a vampire.

Buffy needs a vampire.

Giles will do whatever she needs.

Oh God. He couldn't have. What if he did?

"Are you sure the older British guy she was with was a vampire?" Riley whispered, retaining his grip on Brown's hand.

"I'm positive, Finn. But- but listen, he was a good guy. He was helping her. Saving people. I know for a fact he wouldn't hurt anyone." Because we chipped him. He's an HST.

How does Brown know that? Riley stared at Brown in consternation.

Brown returned the look. Something isn't right. Well, none of it is right, really. Riley isn't telling me something, or he didn't understand something, or I didn't understand something- God, I need a nap, too. "It's okay. You'll call her and get it straightened out."

Riley nodded, eyes closing against his will, feeling dizzy. He was too close to her. She went to him first. I wouldn't let her go see Angel, so he- That's sick.

That's extreme.

Live or die for her.

Riley watched Brown leave and even pretended to settle down so the nurse would stop hovering. As he fell asleep, Riley's hazy mind kept repeating one phrase, over and over.

He'd die for her.

He'd die for her.

Die for her.

Hm. I'm okay with that.

To be continued…

Author's End Note: Thank you so much for supporting my pieces, friends and readers. I have two new ones out which are free or 99 cents(Kindle Unlimited/Kindle). I hope you'll check out CrossRealms Encounters: A Helpful Gentleman and Vampire in Vegas: Quartet, both by S.C. Principale if you need something to read while you're cooped up at home. Stay well!