Chapter 16 - Safe
Patrol was not as fruitful as Dawn had hoped, being as it was her first outing. But she was still giddy about finally getting to be a part of a patrol. Spike found himself reiterating the lessons he thought he had already imparted when he'd brought Dawn's body out the previous nights. When they did come across a vamp in the graveyard, Dawn held back and simply watched her sister and sire harmoniously disposed of it. She had rarely been allowed to watch her sister actually fight, so being able to be this involved in a patrol was exciting in itself for her.
After a cloud of dust settled Spike looked to the littlest Summers, "What'd you pick up on?"
"That you two freakin' dance when you fight." Buffy rolled her eyes to her sister's comment. "No seriously, you're so fluid and you know what the other one is about to do next. Like for the actual stake, Spike punched the vamp to discombobulate him, then punched him to spin him around straight into the stake Buffy had poised and ready."
"That's what happens when ya fight with someone for years." Spike acknowledged, not even trying to cover their connection.
Then before Buffy could say or sense anything both vampire's perked their head to the direction behind Buffy. "What is it? More vamps?" Buffy questioned, ready to face the next demon.
Dawn merely looked confused, it didn't smell like the coppery-decay scent trademark to a vamp, but it definitely wasn't human. Spike smelled two different culprits, one fresh with blood and oddly familiar, the other completely new to his senses. Spike moved in front of Dawn, as a bluish demon came bounding toward them on all fours. Buffy recognized it as the same kind of demon they took out a few days ago at the entrance to the initiative.
"Oh, these guys are easy." Buffy smirked to the vampire, only to see him still concerned. "What?"
"Bugger's not alone." He nodded, not taking his eyes off the creature and what was flying up behind it.
"Shit!" Buffy saw the dragon flying into view. She turned back and grabbed Dawn darting behind a nearby crypt. Spike followed, keeping his eyes on the targets. "Don't complain, just stay here, and hoist me up on the crypt in a second." Dawn nodded compliantly. Then Buffy nudged Spike forward. He nodded, then ran out tackling the werewolf-ish demon into another crypt's wall. This caught both demons by surprise. As the dragon hovered over watching the fight between Spike and the demon, Buffy crept across the small building's roof and lept for the dragon's neck. She wrapped one arm around its neck and attempted to drive her stake in as high up on the neck as she could reach, but her stake splintered on impact with the beast's hard scales. Damnit... Buffy could swear she heard a familiar deep chuckle come from the dragon. Alright, plan B... Buffy swung her body up, kicking the dragon in the bottom of its jaw, then flipped herself to the ground. Upon her landing Spike had gained the upper hand on the demon, snapping its neck. Buffy gestured toward Dawn and the pair ducked behind the crypt again. The dragon was starting to settle when he looked down to see his attacker had vanished. He emitted a loud roar, causing the vampires to wince.
Buffy grabbed her sister's hand and started to dash away from the beast, Spike followed trying to keep one eye on the dragon. "We're just running?" Dawn asked quietly astonished as they ran.
Buffy tucked them into a small tomb she knew was unlocked. "All I have on me is a couple stakes, clearly not enough to kill a dragon."
"Buggars got hardy scales, heard your stake splinter."
"Inside of the jaw was a bit softer."
"Made the lizard squirm." Spike smirked.
"So what now? We just wait him out?" Dawn asked impatiently.
"We're too exposed here, too bad we're not in Restview..." Buffy noted.
"Bloody right, got a whole stash of axes at my crypt."
"That's what we'd need, a couple good axes..." She muttered to the vampire as the dragon circled over head. "Requests for a rocket launcher wouldn't be deemed crazy..."
Spike chuckled then added, "Suppose it didn't seem worth the trip home for a quick patrol."
"Suppose..." She trailed off… Home... did he mean my home or our home... does he know he's welcome there... wanted there... "Spike."
"Yeah luv?" He replied, still focused on the grated slats in the door.
"You know you don't have to go back to your crypt... I mean you could... I mean, if you want to... would you... I mean except for last night you pretty much have been..." Spike stopped her by grabbing the woman's hand causing her to stop fidgeting and look up to him. "Would you want to live with Dawnie and me?" Dawn threw a hand over her mouth to keep from squeaking.
"Kind of an odd time to bringin' that up luv."
"Well it's just... Dawn clearly needs your help still."
"Oh don't make this about me." Dawn whispered between her fingers. Buffy shot her a glare then took a breath and looked back to Spike.
"I like having you around, how you looked after me, made me feel... safe. I feel safe with you by my side."
Spike held back a laugh, "You know your sis said that about me a few months back, just about made me inhale a ciggy." His face settled to a soft smile as his other hand gently rubbed her arm. "Suppose now I'll take it as a compliment."
"I meant it as a good thing then."
Buffy ignored her sister's comment, feeling the need to clarify, "Not like I need you, or any guy to feel safe but..."
"Course not..." Spike stepped closer.
"Where was I going with this?" She asked looking up to a pair of piercing blue eyes.
"Think you were askin me to shack up with you luv." Spike leaned down ever so slightly, bringing his lips close to hers. Then they heard a mighty roar emanated around them. Spike's head shot up to the nostrils at the door and he quickly braced it again. "I'll dart out, get the bugger to chase me, you get the nibblit home safe." The dragon nosed at the door trying to get it to open, but Spike held it firm.
"Fine," Buffy looked to her sister, "You stay on my ass." Dawn nodded to the candid remark. "And you..." Buffy looked back to Spike as he struggled more to hold the door against the beast's increasing attempts. "Loose him and come home."
"Can't keep me away now luv." He smirked, then bared his fangs showing he was ready. Buffy motioned for Dawn to back against the wall behind her, then didn't even need to nod to Spike, he knew she was ready. He let the dragon bash through the door then put his vampire strength behind his elbow and drove it behind the beast's skull. The dragon shrieked and tried to snap back at the vampire but hit the inside wall of the tomb, then quickly backed out into the open cemetery. "Oh, shut up you baby!" Spike yelled as he strode out the tomb entrance. The irritated dragon bit at the bright blonde annoyance. Spike rolled out of the way and started to lead the beast away.
Buffy made her way out of the tomb with Dawn close behind, but the adolescent vampire tripped on a piece of rubble causing her to stumble and unintentionally growl. Which quickly drew the dragon's attention to the ladies on his flank, and he let out another deafening roar.
"Shit." Buffy wasn't sure what to do now. If we run, the dragon would definitely chase us, but we don't have the right weapons to fight... "Three way split, he can't chase us all." Buffy told her sister. "If he doesn't chase you, run for home. If he does, Spike and I will intervene."
"Got it. No being brave, play it safe."
Buffy smiled, then saw the beast flying toward them. "Go!" They split as the dragon swooped in snapping its teeth in the space they were just standing. "Come on you scaley buggerer!"
Spike was running toward them, having just caught what the blonde had yelled, he would have laughed but as the beast turned to face Buffy, his tail swiped Dawn to the ground, causing her to growl again. The dragon immediately turned his attention to the snarling vampire behind him. No! Buffy yelled in her head. Unable to spit the word out, she darted back looking for anything she could throw at the beast.
Before Dawn could stand the overgrown lizard was looming over her, teeth bared and snarling. Dawn matched his challenge, changing into her fangs and snapped back. Bloody hell don't challenge him! Spike argued in his head as he closed in. The dragon stood up on his hind legs and swiped his claw at the girl, she tried to scramble to her feet. But before the beast's claws made contact Spike was between them and took the hit, pinning him to the ground with 2 long claws into the vampire's chest.
"No!" Dawn screamed. The dragon swiped at her with his free hand but she was on her feet and dodged the attack.
"Get out of here!" Spike growled from the pinned position he was in.
"I'm not leaving you to get mauled by a dragon." She yelled, grabbing a rock and chucked it at the dragon's face. The beast didn't care for that, he snapped his fangs at the girl.
Then Buffy ran up the dragon's back, carrying a large tombstone and crashed it down over its skull before leaping down between Spike and Dawn. The beast whaled stepping backwards, releasing Spike in the process. As the dragon stumbled back it tripped over a large tombstone, collapsing it to the ground. Buffy and Dawn quickly helped the vampire up and Spike directed them toward the closest sewer access. They were down into the stench before the dragon had realized where they went. They heard him overhead for a bit, then the beast got further away, until Spike could no longer hear or smell him.
"Bugger scampered off." They all breathed a sigh of relief, then the wounded vampire looked to his charge. "What the bleeding hell did you think you were doing squaring up to that thing?"
"What squaring?" Dawn questioned not knowing what she'd done.
"Flashing your fangs, growling back..."
"He was on top of me, I was just trying to defend myself, and that's just what came out!" Dawn threw her hands up. "What was I supposed to do?"
"Run!" Buffy and Spike both insisted.
"I told you we'd run interference for you." Buffy reiterated.
"I'm sorry, okay!" Dawn crossed her arms and cried frustrated. "I'm sorry I'm not a sneaky vampire yet, I'm sorry I made things worse, and I'm sorry I got you hurt!"
Spike's look of anger softened, then he pulled the girl closer and kissed the top of her head. "I'll be fine Nibblit. You've just gotta be more careful, any fight could be your last."
"I know..." Dawn agreed as her sire released her. "So, what do we do now? Rally the troops, get bigger weapons?"
"Do you see the two gaping holes in Spike?" Buffy sassed, "I'm not going back after that thing without him, and he needs time to recover."
"Okay, geeze, I was just asking." Dawn threw her hand up in defense.
Then Buffy looked to Spike, "Let's just go home."
The trio made their way back to Revello Drive through the sewers. It took a bit longer than walking topside, but they didn't want to chance coming across the dragon again. Plus it got to be a good first exposure for the teen to see the sewers. As they made their way back to street level Spike looked to the sky, then to the littlest vamp.
"I know, I can smell it too. We ain't got long till sunrise."
"Good job Nibblit." He smirked then went to move the manhole back in place, but Dawn shooed him away as she moved instead.
"I couldn't really smell it in there though. Is that a bad thing?" She asked her mentor.
"No, there's a lot of smells going on down there. I can't always pick out the sunrise coming from that bloody cesspool."
Dawn acknowledged the information before the group made their way in the quiet house. The vampires could smell that the witches had made their way back, so the group remained quiet as they made their way to the kitchen to get a snack.
"What is it about fighting that makes ya so hungry?" Dawn questioned as she pulled two mugs from the microwave.
"I think it's the adrenaline you use up." Buffy proposed chomping on her bag of chips. "Body needs to refill its energy."
"That would be the mild answer." Spike chuckled into his mug.
"Spike..."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Dawn asked, a little excited.
"Nothing." Buffy glared to the pair.
"You do realize I'll just ask Spike later, when you're not around to get offended."
"And do you realize your still only 15?" She looked to her sister then to Spike. "And there are certain things that do not need to be taught to a 15 year old, even if she is a mini monster."
Spike threw a hand up in defense as he swallowed. "Just trying to protect the pigeon"
"By giving her R rated details?" Buffy raised a brow.
"Oh give him a break. He's doing a great job protecting me. He just got himself gourd for cripes sake." Dawn commented before she downed her snack. "And I don't got a scratch on me." Then she found herself staring at the wound he got for her, and heard her stomach gurgle. She got an odd look on her face, and looked to her sire.
Buffy started laughing a little. "That was a lesson you missed, any blood makes you hungry."
"Even my sires... ewww." Buffy looked to Spike remembering their moment in his crypt. I didn't think it was icky... that make me gross or…?
Spike just smirked, knowing exactly what the blonde was thinking. "Oh the innocent little creature of the night you are." Even inside Spike could notice the sun was starting to rise, he looked past Dawn to see the curtains were pulled then looked back to her. "Sun's commin up Nibblit, time for you to get to bed."
Dawn groaned but his point was quickly backed up by Buffy. "I think it's time we all went to bed."
"Fine." Dawn conceded and reached a hand out for Spike's empty mug, placing them in the dishwasher. "Goodnight... er well morning... um...?"
"Go to sleep Nibblit." Dawn waved off and headed for her room as Buffy tossed her empty bag of chips then looked back to the vampire.
"You umm..." Buffy started pointing to Spike's wound. "You want me to wrap that?" Spike shoved off the request, but Buffy insisted. "Just let me wrap it, I don't want you bleeding all over the place."
"I'm alright luv, I'll just sleep on the floor then." He nodded then headed for the basement door.
"Spike..." Buffy grabbed his arm. "I'm not gonna have you bleeding all over my sheets..."
"Ohh..." Spike was shocked by the forward proposal.
"Come on." Buffy stated quietly starting for the other stairs.
"Right." God if I had a heart it'd be pounding something fierce right now... Buffy grabbed some supplies from the bathroom then led them into her room. She set the bandaging on the bed as Spike closed the door behind them. Buffy stepped up to the window double checking the blanket Dawn had hung the night before. "You expecting to invite me to bed tonight luv?" He asked in a seductive whisper as he stepped up to the corner of the bed. "I have a slight hole in my chest but I suppose I could..."
Buffy rolled her eyes and shoved the vampire. "I wasn't... this was for Dawn, I had her hang in here with me last night, cause I wasn't ready to deal with you." Buffy turned to him. "Not after everything that was said, then Riley, then..." He was staring down at her with clear understanding, then placed a hand against her face, to which she instantly leaned into comforted by the cool feeling against her cheek. God... he really gets me... don't have to explain or... She opened her eyes, seeing his chest wound again. "Okay, coat and shirt off."
Spike raised an eyebrow at the command, then remembered his wound for himself as she turned to grab the padding off the bed. "Right." He shed his coat, tossing it over the foot of the bed, then pulled the shirt off with some discomfort and they both heard more ripping, then he looked the shirt over. "Think the smock's done for."
"We'll run and get ya some more tomorrow... or later today I guess." Buffy turned to him and was frozen, she'd never seen him shirtless before. I don't know what I expected... but not quite that... toned...
Spike grabbed her hand that was holding the pad. "You alright luv?" Buffy shook off her stare and looked up to him, but words didn't come out, only an odd syllable or two. Then Spike smirked and answered for her. "I've told ya about my hot tight little body Slayer." She remembered the line from the party he crashed a few months back. Didn't mention you looked like you were chiseled from marble... The girl's static expression made the vampire laugh. "Here." He started to take the pad from her, but she refused.
"No, I got it." She stated pulling the pad away from his hands and shoving it against his wound.
Spike's smile quickly changed to gritted teeth as he let a small growl escape. "Your bedside manner could use some work luv." She softened a little as she resituated the pad and grabbed the gauze.
"Sorry, just not used to... this."
"My delicate form?" he teased as she got closer and started to wrap the pad in place.
"No, the... wanting you around... and not for Dawn... or as back up... or..."
"Believe me luv, I understand." He acknowledged, then explained. "After you shut me out, I thought that was my last chance. That's why I made that wanker make me the stupid bot... so I could pretend to have you. Hell, I even knew you'd toss the thing the second you found out about it…"
"Well in all fairness, looking back, I did want you completely out at the time... I had just hoped you'd leave town." Buffy reached the end of the roll and tucked it into place, then placed her hands on his chest. "But I'm glad you didn't."
"Me too." He ran his fingers through her hair. Spike could smell the arousal on her but saw the uncertainty on her face. "Let's get you to bed, still got some healin' to get done."
Buffy nodded, turned, and stepped toward her bed. "Spike, do you expect... I mean, I know I said come to bed..."
"I'm not askin for anything your not ready to give pet."
Buffy looked over her shoulder and gave him an odd smirk. "You sure you didn't get a soul when Dawn did?"
"I'm sure." he wrapped his arms around her gently. "Now I'll do whatever you ask of me, I know you want me..." Buffy blushed, knowing he could smell her arousal the moment he took his shirt off. "But I think we'll both enjoy a first snog more when we've had a chance to heal up." Then his voice turned a bit more husky. "And have a bit more privacy."
"Suppose you do have your own place..." She matched his heated tone and pressed against him, feeling just how worked up he was getting as well. "With a rather cozy downstairs..."
"Oi... you keep that up I'm gonna throw you over my shoulder and take you there now."
"Little sunny out vampire." Buffy smirked turning to him. "And you're right, we're not ready for that yet... but I am ready for this..." She reached her lips up to his closing the little space between them. The kiss was soft yet fevered, and Spike could tell he wasn't the only one who had been longing for this. Buffy found herself doubting what she had just declared, as she felt her body aching for more, but she knew she had to be patient and give him time to heal. He has been beyond patient for me... and did all he could to help me heal... even when he didn't know he was helping me... I suppose there is an easy way I could help him heal...
After a good while, and yet not long enough, the pair pulled apart. "God... you'll kill me yet Slayer."
Her face was flushed from the kiss, but she managed to flub out. "Thought we settled that I couldn't do that..."
"You should know there's more than one way to slay a vamp."
"Oh, I do..." She smirked before going in for another kiss. Spike was not quite expecting a kiss again so soon, and he loosed a groan of pleasure in the back of his throat. A bit louder than either knew they should be. I hope everyone's asleep already... but I suppose everyone here is on team Spike... Buffy chuckled a little into his mouth which made him pull away with a quizzical look. One Buffy recognized from the first real kiss she gave him a few months back, after he'd protected Dawn's identity. "It's nothing, just... odd to think... everyone in the house likes you, and thinks you're good for me."
"You including yourself in that tally luv?" he asked somewhat genuinely.
"Maybe." she smirked coyly, mimicking a certain look he often gave.
"Oi, enough of that luv." He placed a hand on her cheek and drew his thumb to her lips. "You need your rest, and if you keep doing that I'm not gonna be able to let you..." he hovered his lips over hers.
"So what am I supposed to do when you give that look to me?"
"Feel free to maul me." She smirked, then added. "When you're feeling better." He managed to back off and guided the woman to her bed.
"Fine, but I'm not going to bed in my patrol get-up." Buffy huffed, and walked over to her closet, grabbing a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. "I'll be right back."
He nodded to her then she and quietly made her way to the bathroom to change and use the restroom before getting back to her vampire. When she stepped back into the room Spike had pulled back the sheets and was standing next to the bed. Buffy smiled to the care the half demon had taken to making her comfortable. She set the dirty clothes in her hamper then walked over to the waiting vampire, placing a hand on his bandage.
"How long does it take you to heal?"
"About the same as you I'd s'pect." He shrugged, running his fingers through her hair. "Should have some pretty scars in a week or so, ribs should heal up in a few days. Be a bit quicker if I get some good stuff from my hospital connection. I think there's a delivery this week."
"Human helps you heal quicker?" She looked up to him
"Hell yes." He pulled his hand from her hair and pointed to his eyebrow. "This was sealed and to a scar the next day after taking down that Chinese slayer."
"Really..." Buffy trailed off. "So if you drank from..."
"No." He stopped her in her tracks and took her hand in his. "I'll heal fine luv."
"But who knows when that dragon is gonna pop up again, and clearly I need your help to fight him." Buffy reasoned.
"I'll heal fine luv." He reiterated placing a hand on her cheek.
"But I'm impatient..." She started to lean closer to whisper. "I don't wanna wait longer than I have to for you to back me up... or for, us to..." she trailed off and exposed her neck to him.
"Bloody hell!" Spike groaned in the back of his throat. He was doing all he could to keep himself in check, that included not giving a good god damn about anything around him except the woman in front of him. "You'll be the death of me Slayer... asking me to drink from you so I can shag you proper..."
Buffy looked back to him with a familiar glint to her eyes. "I'm not seeing a downside for you..."
"Oh really, what happens when your mates see the fresh bite marks?" He pointed out, struggling to keep his demon in check. "And the chip luv..."
Buffy smiled evilly. "You managed to turn my sister... I think you can bite me if I let you, and I wanna let you..." Spike had an odd flash to his robot... and an eerily similar conversation he had programmed in. 'You know I can't bite you. I think you can, I think you can if I let you, and I wanna let you... Oh Spike devour me! Buffy could tell she lost him somewhere, then lifted up on her toes to whisper in his ear, "You gonna bite me or not...?"
Somehow Spike managed to growl and moan at the same time. He desperately wanted to give in and try, But the sodding chip misfired over a handshake, even if she wanted it, it'll still hurt... blasted thing will light me up... "Sorry luv, I'm not strong enough to fight off the chip..." He said with clear disappointment.
"Alright." She stated plainly before reaching behind him for her glass of water on the table. She finished its contents as she walked over to her vanity. Before Spike could put together just what she was doing, she had a knife out and cut into her palm.
"Buffy!" Spike scolded stepping up to her. She merely set the knife down and held her hand in a fist over the cup as her blood started to drip down. The scent filled his senses, he had to focus and force himself not to shift and take the girl's hand. "You shouldn't have done that."
"My hand will heal by morning."
"Not that, well yes that..." He started still trying not to fixate on the red liquid slowly draining into the cup. "I don't need your blood."
"But you want it... you always have." Buffy insisted. "I know slayer's blood has healing properties, you've said it, we've both seen it. And I'm not giving up much. So why are you denying yourself a willing taste?"
Spike stepped closer and placed his arms around her gently and kissed her head. After a minute the vampire finally spoke softly. "You remember what I told your sis about human blood." Buffy nodded against his face. "After my first slayer I was obsessed to find another... to match that rush I had found..."
"Then why didn't you feed on the New York slayer?"
"There've been nights I've regretted it, but she'd been a slayer for nearly 10 years, and never let a vamp bite her." He reasoned. "Dunno why but something didn't feel right about marring that." Buffy looked up to him questioning the reasoning. "Plus her watcher knew I was after her, if I bit her he would have known I was the one that offed her. Gave me time to get outta dodge."
"That sounds more likely." She smirked. "But Spike, this is totally different. You're not hunting me. We're not in some adrenaline-filled attack." She wanted to touch him but didn't have any hand free, so instead she leaned her head against his chest, making him hold her a little tighter. "This is me and you. You helped me heal, now please... let me return the favor."
She set down the half full cup then looked up to him again and unclenched her fist as she brought her hand to his mouth. Her fingertips and the center of her palm were coated in her blood. Spike slowly lowered his lips over her smallest digit, he took two deep breaths, then hesitantly closed his lips around it. The moment her essence touched his tongue they both shuddered. Spike sucked down on her finger, the sweet familiar taste in his mouth caused his demon to emerge. After her pinkie was licked clean, he moved to the next, then the next, until all her fingers were sucked clean. Then he glanced to her eyes that were intently watching him. "Too much?" He questioned, breathing heavy.
"No." Buffy replied without hesitation. "Just, taking it in. In the good way." He smiled to her through his bumpies, then leaned down licking her palm. Buffy couldn't help but chuckle.
Spike's yellow eyes flashed up to her. "What's so funny pet?" he asked between laps.
"Got you eating out of the palm of my hand."
He took one more long lick against her palm, then kissed it gently as his face morphed back to his more human impression. "I'll grovel at your bloody feet." he kissed her palm again, then flipped her hand over. "There is nothin' too grand you could ask of me." He kissed the top of her hand. "I'm yours."
Buffy exhaled the breath she didn't realize she was holding, raised her lips to his. She could still taste a slightly coppery presence in his mouth, but oddly enough, she didn't mind. I'm kissing a vampire, blood is what they do... If that weirded me out, I definitely shouldn't have one as a boyfriend... And if I'm being honest... with myself... in my own head... I kinda like it... The kiss lingered a while more until Buffy had to come up for air. Then before he could dive into her again she backed away slightly and grabbed the glass from her vanity, holding it up to the vampire. "Drink up, then we should probably get some sleep."
"Right." he glanced behind him where bright slivers of sunlight were hitting the ceiling. He accepted the cup from her and slowly drank the contents, trying to savor every drop. Of course he would lick the glass clean... Buffy smiled watching the appreciative vamp polish off her gift. Then he set the clear glass down and offered a hand to guide her to bed. After she was settled he pulled the blankets over her, then she looked up to him and tapped the otherside of the bed.
"Don't got to bloody ask me twice." he said almost giddy and settled himself into the bed, then opened his arm to her. "Com'er luv." She happily snuggled into his arms. The woman found something oddly comforting from his muscular cold arms. Spike kissed her on the head and whispered a sweet, "Sleep well luv." It didn't take long before the pair was fast asleep in each other's arms.