Fade Into You
Disclaimer: Not mine…
A/N: A little bit of possible X-Over set-up here in the first part of this chapter because I don't want to completely take that out of the question for maybe a one-shot story or something after this fic is done…and because it helps explain why/how Dr. Ludwig would even agree to operate on Spike in the first place and how/why Buffy knew about her.
Mating Marks
Buffy stared down into Spike's face, so sweet and innocent in his unnatural sleep. Dr. Ludwig turned out to possess the supernatural equivalent of elephant tranqs for knocking-out vampires. The ornery little woman-ish…creature had thoroughly grilled Buffy about the demonic vampires she dealt with before giving her the lowdown on the blood-magic type the doctor often treated. The similarities weren't nearly as fascinating as the differences, silver vs. holy relics etc. Willy's family owned chain of supe bars really were an excellent resource if you knew who to use them.
Like say if you're an errant Slayer that just got expelled from Heaven by her friends and the one person she wanted comfort from was too busy going on and on about Cordelia of all people to give a damn and you need to go on "walkabout" for a couple days. She really did go to LA like she told Willow and the others…it just wasn't in California.
Stroking one hand across Spike's smooth, untroubled brow, she wondered if her vampire would like Louisiana? She'd had a veritably magical time in NOLA…it'd be nice to visit with Spike there to enjoy the atmosphere and hunt with her.
Dr. Ludwig came highly recommended – and as promised was highly expensive. Good thing she never told the Scoobies about where she kept the other relics from the tomb that once held the Gem of Amara. The way they ran through the life insurance money from herself and her mom, she didn't even want to think about what they would've done with that literal treasure-trove. A gold bar or two and the little woman was knocking Spike out and digging in his skull.
Which contrary to common opinion wasn't made of nothing but solid rock.
The doctor was gone now, teleporting out as soon as the surgery was completed with the chip successfully removed and the incision site closed. Once the creature was gone Buffy cut a little slice on her index finger and rubbed her blood over the wound, making the exterior damage heal before her eyes. She might trust the doctor's professionalism and confidentiality – in theory – but she wasn't about to risk her finding out about the effect Slayer blood has on vampires.
Now all Spike has to do is wake up and take his "medicine" from her and the lingering worry that's plaguing her will go far, far away.
He has to wake up.
Has to.
She can't – won't – deal with any other outcome.
And agreement or not…
If Spike doesn't wake up there won't be a place in this dimension or any other that that little gnomey-woman will be able to hide from her.
In all the recorded history of the Slayers, none has ever taken a Mate and been Marked.
Never.
And as she has found out…for good reason.
Vampires are dangerous. Slayers even more so. The only thing that protects the "innocents" of the world from Slayers is the Slayer code. Kill evil, protect the innocent, save the world, yada yada yada. Buffy isn't bound by that code anymore. The only thing she follows anymore is her own heart and mind.
Her heart isn't her own anymore.
It's his.
And if he doesn't wake up, there will be nothing to save this world from the ocean of blood she will unleash upon it.
Watching him in his unnatural sleep, she can finally admit it.
She loves him.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is in love with William the Bloody.
God help them all.
They're going to need it.
oOoOoOo
"William, me boy." Angelus shook his head in mock-disappointment at the lean figure hanging from shackles on the dungeon wall. "I thought I taught you better, dear William."
"Angelus." Spike groaned opening his bruise-swollen eyes. "Figured I'd dream of you after that daft bint put me under."
"Ah not sweet William after all." The angelic face smirked at him as his eyes flashed amber-gold. "I'd begun to wonder, boyo. What with you sniffing after me Slayer." Angelus's voice was thick with the flavor of his native Ireland, a tell-tale sign that he was about to unleash bloody-hell on his latest victim.
Spike smirked in turn, ignoring the twinges it caused as he felt every bruise this apparition had apparently pounded into his face.
"Not yours any more, Sire." He sneered. "Your 'better half' right bollocksed you up there, mate. Abandoned your claim he did when 'e woke from 'is delirium. Drac knew it, bloody hell, everyone, knew that Peaches left 'is mate high an' dry. No one to blame for my claim on the Slayer but your own fucking soul."
"But William," Angelus mock-pouted at his Childe. "Me soul won't be about for me to punish once I wake. And I will wake. Sooner or later I always get what I want…"
oOoOoOo
He came awake to the best – or worst – bloody vision a vampire ever could see above him. His very own Slayer-nursemaid pettin' his forehead and watching him with loving eyes. Yeah, the Great Wanker can take a bloody fucking hike. For all his threats and warnings, he doesn't have a bleedin' leg to stand on when it comes to Spike's girl.
Soul or no soul, she was forsaken.
Any vampire could've claimed her. Drac sure as hell tried with 'is thrall an' all.
She's his now and he's never lettin' his Mate go.
Never.
Angelus can go bugger 'imself if 'e thinks he's gonna take 'er from 'im.
The Poof.
Buffy leaned down, baring her neck in a wordless command.
Grasping her by the nape of her neck, Spike went into his game face before biting down on his Mark, tapping her vein and drinking her down. No hesitation or discretion this time, just pure lust to possess her – all of her – including her rich, powerful blood. Anything to strengthen his claim.
Moaning, she arched her back forcing her body into sharp contact with his own. Letting her head fall back, she held onto him as she ground her aching clit onto his denim-covered leg, her hair brushing the bed as he continued to drink. With a groan, Spike pulled back licking the gash in her neck closed and sending another streak of heat through her already fevered system.
Impatient, he grabbed her hips and repositioned her, opening her legs until she straddled his lap completely. Biting her again, this time with his blunt human teeth, Spike growled a word, sending them both over the edge.
"Mine."
"Yours," she gasped as she tumbled into ecstasy. "Always yours."
oOoOoOo
"We need to go to the Magic Box." Buffy said, breaking the euphoric aftermath of completing their Mating. Lifting her head from its resting place on Spike's motionless chest she stared down at the vampire who just cracked an eye open bad-temperedly.
Sighing she get up from his bed and threw on her clothes, a simple pair of black leather pants, combat boots, and a blood-red turtleneck halter top that covered her Marks. Too many times she's had fangs buried in her neck and only half the time it was with her consent. She isn't ashamed of her mating marks…but she isn't proud of the history that mars her otherwise unblemished skin.
She was willing to die at the Master's hands.
And she did.
She was willing to die to save Angel.
Then he left.
Dracula put her under thrall to seduce her.
Only to be undone once she tasted his blood in turn.
The one mark she doesn't regret is Spike's.
And it's the one that isn't concealed by her top.
The one mark she's proud to bear made by the vampire she's proud to call her mate. Her inner-demon nearly purrs with every stroke of his hand and become delirious with pleasure when he buries his fangs in her neck, wanting to taste his blood in turn. A step she isn't quite reconciled with. She's adjusting to having a real, live demon in her…but there's still things…urges…she isn't comfortable with yet.
Blood play between mates being one of them.
Although tying Spike to their bed sounds like fun…or maybe handcuffs…
"Why're we meetin' the Scoobies then?" Spike asked as he pulled on his black jeans with a black T-shirt and his boots. "We're new mates and I just had me bloody head operated on, love. All we should be doin' is lolling about in bed."
Sending him a wistful glance over her shoulder she climbed up to the upper level of the crypt as he leered at the nice view of her ass she gave him in the process.
"Because if I keep avoiding them they're going to think something's up."
"I'd say that's an understatement of the situation, pet." Spike arched a brow as he joined her beside the sarcophagus. Moving to her side he entwined their hands as they ventured out into the night. He noticed something about her left hand as it was encompassed by his. "When did you stop wearing your ring, sweetheart?"
His voice was soft with understanding as he asked her the question. She got the undertones. What he really wanted to know was when she stopped considering herself Angel's property. After she left the ring at the Mansion and then recovered it upon Angel's return from his hell dimension she started wearing a plain silver band that covered her entire knuckle. A simple thing that had a world of meaning.
"When I had the first vision." She said as they neared the center of town, their walk having been silent as Spike waited patiently for her to answer his question. "When I found out how little value he placed on us."
When I found out how much one choice of his – made without any consultation or discussion – changed both our lives forever. When I found out the price of his arrogance.
Spike gave her hand a comforting squeeze, somehow knowing in that way he has that there was more to it than that but being willing to wait for her to tell him. Their mating being confirmed gave him a security about his place in her heart, bed, and life that allowed him a certain magnanimous attitude towards her former relationship with his Sire. He could afford to be patient and gracious.
He won.
The Poof lost.
Life – or rather undeath – is good.
Grabbing the door handle, he held it open for his lady, the gentleman that he once was rising to the fore with all the loyalty and devotion that he's always lavished on the female of…well…any species. He adores his womenfolk whether their human, demon, Slayer, or in the case of the Bit a "green glowing ball of power." His womenfolk are his womenfolk and are there for him to protect and adore.
Even if that makes him a bit too close to being a poofy ponce like Peaches…well…he'll bloody well deal with it. He can still enjoy a good slaughter or a bit of violence, he just likes having a soft, sweet-smelling Slayer to come home to.
Even better if that spot of violence includes watching her kick ass.
"What's Captain Peroxide doing here?" Xander asked absently as he munched on the contents of one of the several pizza boxes on the table.
Spike growled, his eyes flashing amber.
"What you gonna do?" Xander scoffed, ignoring the cautioning look from Buffy. "You can't touch me, fang boy. You're just a toothless, shock-collared puppy."
Groaning, Buffy buried her head in her hands as Spike vamped across the room. He's dealt with Xander and his bullshit for the last couple years nonstop. Her friend really should've stopped while he was ahead. It wasn't like Spike didn't warn him with that growl. Xander was just too complacent to know when to quit while he's ahead.
Grabbing Xander by the front of his shirt, Spike grinned as he lifted him off the ground and gave him a little shake. Xander felt himself turning purple as his air supply was cut off.
"What…" He gasped as Spike failed to fall to the ground in pain. What the fuck was going on? Did the chip fail?
Willow and Anya shouted questions at Buffy and Spike as the vampire held the struggling male in his iron-grip for a moment longer before launching him across the room like a Frisbee. Buffy just rolled her eyes and helped herself to some pizza while the other women including Dawn rushed to Xander's side, cooing over the slightly brainless carpenter.
"Spikey's not toothless anymore." The vampire growled, flashing his game-face at them before returning to his human mask and settling down next to his mate, reclaiming her hand. "This puppy went to a new vet and got his collar taken out."
"Buffy," Xander gasped, sitting up with effort as he felt woozy from both being held without air and from hitting his head after Spike tossed him. "Stake him."
"No."
The others watched her bug-eyed as with that idle refusal from the Slayer as she shot Spike a look from under her lashes and went back to her pizza. Spike just gave her a wink and grabbed a slice for himself, watching out of the corner of his eye to make sure no one suddenly found their balls and tried to stake him for themselves.
"What do you mean no?" Willow asked incredulously. "He just hurt Xander, he's chip-less, he's dangerous."
"So are you, Red." Spike shot her a nasty look. "Don't see anyone demanding your 'ead on a platter."
"That's ridiculous." Xander spluttered. "Will's nothing like the evil soulless undead eating my pizza."
"I think Tara would disagree." Buffy said, her voice and eyes ice-cold as she watched her long-time friends regrouping. Dawn looked back and forth between the two groups before edging over to stand on the other side of Spike, putting the vampire between herself and the rest of the Scoobies.
"What do you mean, Buffy?" Anya just canted her head to one side as she held a cloth to her fiance's head. Her voice was as detached as always with only a hint of curiosity.
"Yes, what do you mean Buffy?" Willow asked as her eyes flashed black a moment.
"Well…" Buffy drawled the word smirking a moment at Spike before she turned to face her friends, ignoring their gasps as they caught sight of the fresh mark on her neck. "You did a spell on Tara to make her forget that she wanted to cool things off with you while you were abusing magic…right?"
Buffy arched a brow as she waited for Willow to answer, which she did with her usual impatience.
"So what?"
"And then you had sex with her right?"
"And?"
"You raped her." Buffy delivered the coup with a nonchalance worthy of Angelus. Spike eyed his mate for a moment, recognizing the delivery.
She learned more than how to deal with mind-games while the Wanker was walking around. He realized. She learned to play them as well. Likely how she was able to beat the arsehole.
Slayer-demon-essence indeed. She could learn any weapon. Only know he knew that wasn't restricted to those weapons one can actually touch.
"What?! Buffy how can you saw that to Willow?!" Xander demanded, incredulous that she could accuse Willow of such a thing. She's…she's Willow.
Willow's eyes were the size of dinner-plates as she searched Buffy's face for the slightest hint of something, anything that would lessen or somehow contradict what the blonde said. There was nothing. Buffy's face was just…blank. Like she was discussing the weather instead of a massive violation of trust.
Tears filled the red-head's eyes as she gave a keening moan before rushing out of the shop, covering her crying eyes with her hands as she went.
"That was harsh, pet." Spike's soft voice cut through the tense silence of the shop following Willow's abrupt departure.
"Yes," Buffy looked into his eyes, showing him just how much doing what she just did cost her. "But it was necessary."
"How was that necessary?" Xander's voice was quietly furious at her behavior.
"Buffy's right." For the first time Dawn spoke. "We've all been falling apart, little by little. Especially Willow. Someone needed to make her take a hard look at herself before she hurt anyone for real."
"Willow wouldn't hurt anyone." The carpenter continued to insist as Anya tended to him. "She couldn't, she's not evil."
"You don't have to be evil to hurt someone." Buffy said quietly, turning her head to look at the dark-haired man. "Everyone is capable of hurting someone. Willow just has more power than most. If she let herself start down that path…she's already tiptoeing in that direction. She could get into something a lot worse than a memory spell. Hopefully now she won't."
Spike lifted her hand and gave her a kiss on her knuckles as the shop phone rang. Dawn hurried over to answer it, her head spinning from the heaviness that's swamped the room. She's just a kid for all that she's an immortal key-thing. She'll think about all of this stuff later. Right now all she wants to think about is this new development between Buffy and Spike that's flown right under the radar with all the other drama. And what it means for her.
"Hello, Magic Box." She chirped.
"Ah yes," Wesley tugged on his collar. "Is Buffy available?"
"Let me see." Turning to her sister she covered the phone's mouthpiece. "For you, some English dude."
"Giles?" Buffy cocked her head to one side.
"Nah, not stuffy enough." Spike chuckled at the Niblet's answer.
Intrigued Buffy took the phone.
"This is Buffy."
"Buffy, excellent." Wesley breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted to have to do was drive down to Sunnydale while Angelus is locked up in the basement.
"Wesley?"
"I'm afraid we have something of a situation…"
oOoOoOo
Buffy stared at the now-dead phone as she hung it back on the cradle. Turning she faced the implacable face of her mate.
"You know." She whispered, knowing he heard the whole conversation she just had with the former-Watcher. "There's some times I just hate being right…"
oOoOoOo
"Wesley me boy." Angelus greeted the man with false cheer as he came down the stairs. "How's that delicious little thing…Fred was it? Could smell the tension there…"
Wesley just gave him a haughty look as he kept well clear of the white "safe" zone line. They'd marked three zones on the concrete floor. White "safe", yellow "warning", and red "danger" zones for dealing with this…creature.
"I want my Slayer, Wesley." Angelus's voice was chilling when paired with the playful smirk on his mouth. "Where's my Slayer? Aren't you Watchers supposed to be able to control your Slayers? Oh that's right…" His tone was pure mocking now. "You're a failure as a Slayer. Couldn't even pretend to control my Buffy and that Faith…" He tsked. "A murderess. Such a proud legacy for your family's Watcher dynasty."
Angelus always did know where to turn the knife, preferring to use the truth to wound than any pretty lie. The pain is so much more exquisite that way. A veritable feast for his senses.
"She's coming." Was all he could say.
What else could he say?
All Wesley felt was shame but not for the reasons Angelus would think. For how he treated Buffy after he found out about her inability to kill Angelus. How was any seventeen year old girl supposed to face off against this creature? Especially when it wears the face of her first love? That she finally after months of his torment sent him to hell was nothing short of miraculous.
"Oh goody." The demon grinned, holding his arms behind his head. "I can't wait to see her. So much for use to talk about, you know."
"She's not the child you tormented." Wesley commented as he turned to leave. "Not anymore." Not for a long time.
"Wesley, Wesley." Angelus shook his head with a mocking sigh. "I am always here. Always watching. I know what Buffy has become."
"No you don't." The disgraced Watcher whispered almost too low for the vampire to hear. "Because Angel hasn't the foggiest notion of who she is. Not anymore. You don't have the slightest clue of who Buffy is. Not anymore."
