AU from Primeval, the story so far: As Buffy faces off with Adam, the spell is performed but the demons break through. Buffy gets distracted and tries to save her friends, but fails. Spike gets her out and they escape, parting ways. Years later they meet again, and travel together on their way to fight Adam in Washington and end the worldwide tyranny of the cyborgs. They meet a young couple who aide them in the fight...and emotions are stirring (although Spike would deny it if you asked)
DISCLAIMER: All BTVS characters belong to Joss, I'm just borrowing them. Couple of OC's in there that are mine.
It was probably late evening by now but she couldn't tell. The dank and dirty tunnels they were using for their travels looked the same, day or night, rain or shine. She didn't have the senses of a vampire and her body clock had been screwed since she'd been called. Late nights and early mornings had left her finding it difficult to tell what time it was roughly. But then, at least she didn't do that annoying thing where someone decided it felt like four in the afternoon when it was really twelve. Buffy had never figured out how you could tell what the time felt like.
She sighed as she trudged along behind Spike, water swirling around the worn boots adorning her feet. The rest of the tunnels they had traversed hadn't been this wet, and for all accounts, it didn't seem to be fazing the vampire ahead of her. But Buffy was bothered. Not by the water because it wasn't deep enough to drown in. No, what bothered her was crawling along by the wall.
Rats. Big ones. The size of a cat. And they kept looking at her with those beady little eyes, as if they were going to attack at any minute. Yeah, sure, she was the slayer. But they were very big rats and she was still a girl.
Spike stopped suddenly, and Buffy didn't notice. She walked right into the back of him and yelped in surprise. He turned, looking down at her with a raised eyebrow and an amused grin on his face. Buffy simply scowled back, pushing him away a little.
'Why'd ya stop?' She asked, her eyes darting nervously between him and the rats.
'Smelt something.' He tapped his nose, looking around. 'Keep quiet. I think we got company.'
'Probably just another demon kiddie.' She murmured, watching as he moved to the wall and got far too close to the rats for her liking. She shuddered as he motioned for her to conceal herself, and she looked around, looking for a place where there weren't any rats.
He frowned at her as splashing reached her hearing. Someone, or something, was running down the tunnels towards them. Buffy slipped straight into Slayer mode and darted behind Spike, kicking at a rat that got too close. They listened intently as the noise got closer.
'There are two of them. Not cyborgs.' Spike whispered. Buffy frowned.
'How do you know?' She asked.
'Footsteps are too light. The bastards can run, but they're not light footed in any sense of the word.' He stood straight. Buffy followed suit.
Gun fire suddenly exploded into the tunnels and a shriek followed. Heavier splashing joined the first set and Spike looked down at the blonde slayer. 'Those, however, would be the bad guys. Come on.' He grabbed her hand and pulled her back out into the tunnel. They began to run, heading away from the noise. Buffy almost tripped as they rounded a corner and Spike caught her quickly, holding her up. She looked at him briefly, before he pointed at a door in the tunnels. A battered maintenance sign hung from it, and they darted in as the noises drew closer.
Spike pressed up against the wall, watching Buffy as she nosed the door open, watching the outside to see what exactly was going on. She gasped as what looked like two teenagers rounded the same corner they had and glanced about wildly. Gun fire ricocheted off walls behind them and the boy shouted at the girl. Buffy looked up at Spike, who threw the door open and motioned to the two quickly. They spotted him and ran, jumping into the closet with the slayer and vampire, who slammed the door, throwing himself against it as heavy footsteps clunked around the corner and stopped.
The room filled with muffled breathing, and Spike prayed that the demonoids wouldn't hear it.
'Targets have disappeared.' One deep voice filtered through the darkness.
'Orders?' Another joined it.
'Separate. I shall pursue this course. You search the other tunnel and we shall reconvene back at the surface. Orders are to kill on sight if they will not join.' The voices stopped and Spike strained his hearing to make certain the enemy had departed. One set of heavy feet headed away from them in one direction, whilst the other demon headed in the opposite direction. The splashing receded and he looked around the darkened room. He knew for a certainty that he could only see because of his vampiric eyesight, and his sense of smell was telling him he wasn't the only demon in the room.
A hand on his shoulder reminded him of the slayer at his side and he turned to her.
'Any chance we could find a light in here?' She asked. 'I don't want to go outside and risk a run in with those things.' Spike nodded, even though the gesture was useless in the dark, and reached out into the darkness, looking for a light switch. He frowned as his hand connected with nothing.
'Can't find one pet.' He looked up at the ceiling, squinting and shifting into his vampire mask to see better. 'There isn't actually a light bulb in here.'
'Great.' Buffy murmured, folding her arms over her chest and scowling.
The female escapee cleared her throat. 'I can sort that out.' She clicked her fingers and a small light appeared, floating in front of them. Spike jumped back a little and Buffy grinned.
'We found a Willow.' She said and then the grin disappeared. She glanced at Spike, who smiled reassuringly, a gesture that always looked strangely disconcerting in his vampiric visage. His hand found hers again, and he squeezed it gently and she nodded, looking back to the two runaways they had rescued.
The boy was slightly taller than the girl, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt that had seen better days. Dirt covered the majority of his pale skin and dark blue eyes glanced nervously at Spike. He had brown hair with slight blonde streaks, which looked as if it had once been styled and cut professionally. But then again, nowadays it was hard to come across a barber.
The girl, on the other hand, didn't look quite as nervous as the boy did. She glared at Spike, obviously recognising him for the vampire he was. She had long black hair with red streaks and her clothes were equally as dirty as her companion's were. She also had jeans on and a camisole that bore a gaping hole in the side, showing a scarred torso. Buffy winced at the bloodstained clothing that had obviously gone through a lot with their owners. The addition to her outfit however, was the long coat that was draped over her shoulders. It seemed in fairly good condition, with a few holes in the worn fabric.
'You're a vampire.' The girl stated; a clear British twang to her accent. Buffy was once again reminded of her friends, and she bit back the choked sob forming in her throat. Spike glanced at her quickly, before slipping back to his human features and nodding.
'Yeah, pet, I am. But this here is the Slayer so you're in no danger. Plus, you're not entirely human yourself.' He threw comment at her so casually that the girl jumped a little, looking at the boy with something akin to worry. The boy shrugged; visibly relaxed now he knew the Slayer was in his presence.
'No.' she looked directly at the vampire, shrugging. 'But that doesn't matter to them.'
'Why were they chasing you?' Buffy asked.
'We broke into their headquarters.' The boy spoke up, his accent giving him away as an American. 'They keep hostages for spare parts.' The girl made a face.
'You didn't try to save them did you?' Buffy asked, trying to guess the duo's age.
'We tried. But we got caught and ran.' The girl said. Spike pointed at her.
'You're clearly not from around here.'
She looked at him defiantly. 'Neither are you. But I know who you are. William the Bloody. Or Spike.' She sighed. 'Word travels fast.'
'Okay, so you've heard of me. Not surprised.' The vamp narrowed his eyes. 'But who are you?'
The boy offered his hand. 'I'm Ryan. I'm from Toledo in Ohio. Or what used to be Ohio.' He shrugged. The girl looked at him and sighed, running a hand through her messy locks.
'I'm Tiree. And I'm from Portsmouth.' Buffy nodded.
'New Hampshire? I've been there, it used to be nice.' The slayer said, receiving a strange look from Tiree and Spike.
'England pet.' Spike squeezed her hand again and she looked down at the ground.
'Oh. Sorry.'
'S'okay. I forget you Americans think this continent is the world.' Buffy looked as if she was about to protest, when Spike cleared his throat.
'So why are you over here instead of safe in Merry Olde?' He asked and the girl shot him a scathing look. Ryan's hand came up to grab her forearm.
'They probably don't know.' He muttered. Buffy looked at him sharply.
'Know what?' She said.
'That the rest of the world is very quickly falling to the cyborgs. The last communication we had, Europe was overrun. For some reason the only country they are struggling with is Switzerland.' Tiree clarified. 'I came over here three years ago on gap year. And about a week before my flight was due, we hear screaming outside. Demons. Not a surprise for me since I already knew, but I wasn't exactly expecting a full on take over on my holiday.'
Silence befell the small room and Buffy once again felt overwhelming guilt. The majority of this situation was her fault for not stopping Adam when she had the chance. She felt Spike squeezing her hand again but this time it wasn't helping. She pulled away, opening the door behind him and barging out into the relative fresh air of the tunnels.
The world began to spin on her and she could feel the pressure in her chest erupt. Her senses told her Spike had embraced her, trying to protect her against the hysteria that was slowly engulfing her mind. Her Slayer sense tingled, telling her, no, screaming at her, that he was a vampire, that he was not to be trusted. That he had helped Adam.
But he hadn't. In the end he had saved her.
Like she couldn't do for her friends. Or the world.
This whole thing was her fault.
Her Slayer instincts took over and she pushed against the solid cold wall of his chest, sending him flying against the side of the tunnels. He hit with a dull thud and slid to the ground, his hand going to his head and a groan tearing from his lips. Buffy just stood and stared at him, tears rolling down her cheeks and her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides. Her whole body shook with tension as he stood and approached her again.
'Buffy…just calm down.' He said, bringing his hands up in a gesture of peace.
'Don't…' She raised a hand, her teeth gritted together as she spoke to him. 'Don't tell me what to do.'
He reeled back as if shot and dropped his arms, looking at her like a wounded puppy. He cocked his head to the side, studying her and she shuddered under his gaze. She barely noticed the two standing off to her side, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Spike narrowed his eyes at her.
'Fine, luv. Whatever you want. But you're being a stupid cow and you know it.' He pointed at her before she could spit something back at him. 'It wasn't your fault. If anyone is to blame it's the fucking government. Adam is unstoppable. So stop blaming yourself for this cause you did everything you could and lost half your world in the process!'
She charged forward and punched him solidly in the jaw. He went down, unprepared for the unexpected hit. She lunged for him on the ground, her fist reared back for another connection. Water splashed around them as they grappled in the water, his vampire face coming to the fore.
They went for each other, fists and fangs across the tunnel. Buffy snarled at him, feeling relief flood her system for the first time in months. This was better. This was how it should be between them. Fighting. No compassion. And certainly nothing of what she had been feeling recently. He was a vampire. She was the Slayer.
It wasn't that simple though and she knew it.
The fight ended abruptly as she collapsed into tears on top of his chest and his arms came up around her. They were both soaked and muddied, blood dripping from a cut on Spike's forehead. He pulled her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her protectively as she sobbed her soul away into his chest. The other two stepped forward; acutely aware that Buffy didn't care they were there.
No one really worried about stuff like that anymore. Not in this new world.
Spike looked at them sharply.
'We're headed to Washington. All the big guns are gathering for the last showdown. You seem to have some power so you're welcome to come along for the fight.' He waited for an answer. Ryan glanced at Tiree and nodded at her. The girl looked up at the vampire and smiled.
'We're in.'
The former blonde nodded, and grimaced, and then looked down at the sobbing slayer in his arms.
'Then we'd best get a move on.'
The door was a few metres away from them. They had made it to the outskirts of Trenton, and had spent the morning searching for the camp. After nearly a whole day of walking, running and no rest, all four were ready to collapse. All except Spike, who had insisted his vampire constitution allowed him to continue. Even if Buffy knew he was lying though his teeth. She'd seen him limping on his previously injured leg and felt bad for making it worse. If she hadn't of lost her head, he might not be hurt again.
Tiree stepped forward. 'Look if it's demons or humans, it's a camp and they'll help us, right?' She shrugged. 'We're all good guys here.'
Buffy watched the girl closely. She knew there was something that the brunette wasn't telling them, but she wasn't going to prod. She was headstrong and brave and Buffy couldn't fault her for that. But she would have to do some talking with the girl, suss her out better. The boy on the other hand, seemed like the talkative type and reminded her of Xander too much. He was nice enough and seemed besotted with Tiree, but his exact advantages remained to be seen.
Spike cleared his throat. 'Buffy, you should go. They'll have heard of you. We'll follow once you give the all clear.'
The slayer looked at him hard. Then stood up and nodded. 'Ok.' She stepped forward as Tiree melted back into the shadows with the others. Buffy moved to the door and raised a hand, knocking hard. Silence greeted her.
After a few seconds and click sounded from inside and the door opened a crack. A gun peeked out at her and she stepped to the side.
'Who's there?' A male voice filtered through and Buffy frowned as she recognised it.
'Oz?' She asked and the door opened fully, revealing the short blonde guitarist. He frowned at her and lowered the weapon.
'Buffy?' He asked and then smiled. 'Oh, thank god it's you. We've had so many attacks, I had to be sure.'
Buffy stepped forward and embraced him, smiling. 'I didn't know you made it. It's so nice to see someone familiar.' She motioned behind her as she stepped backwards out of the hug. 'I have some company. We're travelling to Washington to fight the good fight.' Oz brightened.
'Is Willow with you?' He asked and Buffy's face fell.
She choked back a cry and shook her head. 'No…err…' She didn't have time to finish as Spike stepped from the shadows, flanked by Tiree and Ryan. Oz raised the gun again as he registered Spike, who raised his hands in defence.
'White flag!' He said and Buffy placed her hand on the gun.
'It's ok, Oz. He's a good guy. Like Angel.'
'I'm nothing like Angel.' Spike snarled at her. Oz grinned.
'No, you have personality.' The werewolf smirked and Spike saluted him mockingly. Oz stepped back. 'You guys better come on in. Never know when something's gonna show up to make life interesting.' The foursome trudged into the corridor behind Oz and he shut the door, pulling a blast door closed after it. He pointed behind them as lights filtered through to the hallway.
The fivesome began walking, Oz and Buffy taking up the front. Spike lagged behind Tiree and Ryan, who walked in silence.
'So are you still a werewolf?' Buffy asked, twiddling her thumbs.
Oz shook his head. 'Shaman took care of that one. I'm all good now.' He sighed. 'Do you know where Willow is?'
Buffy bit her lip looking away. 'The thing of it is, Oz…Willow never made it out of Sunnydale.' Silence consumed them suddenly and Oz looked away, mimicking Buffy's previous movement.
'I thought so. I guess I knew but I kept hoping. Did the others…' he let the sentence hang.
'Anya and Tara made it out. Giles, Xander and Willow got trapped inside the Initiative when we were fighting Adam. I only got out cause of the peroxide pain…' Buffy trailed off and they fell in silence again. Spike either hadn't picked up on the jibe, or he'd chosen to ignore but either way, Buffy was somewhat grateful.
The silence lasted a few minutes until they ventured into the centre of the camp. There were few people scattered around, but then it was unlikely they would be out in the open. It wasn't the biggest camp Buffy had ever seen, but neither was it the smallest. The few families that did glance their way sent whispers flying and Buffy knew Oz would probably be answering questions about the newcomers.
'How long have you been here?' Spike asked suddenly, making his close presence to her known. He had moved quietly and quickly, once again reminding her that he was a vampire. It didn't creep her out, but it gave her a reality check every time.
Oz looked at the previously peroxide man and grimaced. 'Bout nine months. I got stranded here and helped some of the army guys set up a camp. They've got about thirty families sheltering here, as well as the odd loners. But they're moving on quickly. We keep getting attacked. The weapons we've got aren't going to last long now.' He sighed. 'This place will be empty before long. I've got half a mind to join you.'
Spike nodded and looked around as they came to a halt by another corridor. 'You're always welcome mate.'
Oz smiled gratefully and pointed down the hall. 'These rooms are all spare. They did belong to some families and the water supply is quite good. There's makeshift showers in each of them and blankets and everything. People just leave stuff behind. No heavy bulks and all that.' He looked curiously at the two Buffy and Spike had picked up on the way. 'Sorry I'm assuming here. You guys want separate rooms?'
Tiree shook her head and reached for Ryan's hand. He smiled warmly at her as she looked at Oz. 'No we're good.'
Buffy narrowed her eyes. She'd suspected as much, but the girl still had a quality that was bugging the hell out of her slayer sense. Tiree walked past her, dropping Ryan's hand as they moved into one of the rooms and shut the door. Spike glanced in their general direction and then looked at Buffy curiously.
'We're sharing a room then, pet?'
She looked sharply at him, ignoring the look from Oz. He turned and walked away. Buffy curled her hand around Spike's arm and nodded.
'I don't wanna be alone.'
-I-E-H-
The room was cold, but it didn't seem to bug Tiree all that much. Across the room from where she sat on the bed, Ryan was showering, cleaning the numerous cuts he had picked up on the journey. A long gash tainted his side, but she knew he'd be alright. He healed quickly.
She was glad that the vampire hadn't mentioned that. He'd picked up on the fact she wasn't completely human but he didn't seem to have noticed the difference in Ryan's blood which was surprising. Whilst he seemed like the loud confident guy from Ohio, he was far from it. The side he didn't usually show to others; the one only she saw. His vampire side.
He'd been born like it. He'd never known his parents, growing up in various foster homes. He'd met her shortly before the war had begun. Their meeting had been tumultuous, and sudden, but she couldn't for one moment say she'd regretted it. Even though they'd nearly killed each other.
The shower turned off and he turned to her, shaking the excess water out of his hair. She smiled at him, noticing he was shivering slightly. The blanket at her hand quickly flew across the room and he wrapped himself in it, moving slowly towards her. She leaned into his side as he sat beside her on the bed, wrapping one arm around her shoulders.
'Can we trust them?' he asked, speaking quietly.
'Yeah. She's the slayer and everything I knew she would be. She doesn't trust us right now but that is to be expected.' Tiree smiled. 'Just fortunate we ran into them when we did otherwise those demonoids would have had us.' They hadn't been lying. They had been on a mission to rescue victims of the cyborgs, but Tiree's aim all along was to find the slayer. She knew what had to be done to defeat Adam.
Ryan glanced down, running his free hand along her arm. 'Why don't you take that coat off?'
She grimaced. 'If someone knocks I don't want them seeing it.'
'Seeing what?' A voice echoed from the doorway and the two turned, shocked to see Spike emerging from the shadows. Tiree stood up and Ryan pulled the blanket over himself to cover his modesty. Spike chuckled. 'Don't worry boy, I don't swing that way. Even so, it ain't nothing I haven't seen before.' The vampire looked back to Tiree. 'But yours sounds as if it might be. And I won't have anyone travelling with us that can't be trusted.'
'We can be trusted.' Ryan said, gritting his teeth.
'Then it's time to bare all kiddies.'
Tiree nodded. 'It won't stay secret for long anyways.' She glanced at Ryan, then looked back to Spike. 'You were right when you said I wasn't human. Not completely anyway. But I'm here for a reason. So is Ryan.'
'But you're still not being completely truthful pet.' Spike stepped forward, the silver glint of his lighter in his hand. 'See, my nose tells me there's another vampire in the room. A half-breed at least.' Ryan's eyes widened and Spike chuckled again. 'Score one for the vamp.'
The girl frowned. 'I didn't think you'd noticed.'
'I can always tell when another of my kind is around. But he's definitely not full blood. For one, I can hear a heart beat. Coming from both of you.' He sniffed. 'But I didn't think there were many around.'
'There aren't.' Ryan clarified. 'We're a weakness. I'm only like this cause my mother got turned as she was full term. Her dying caused me to take on vampire blood.' He narrowed his eyes. 'I'm not evil.'
'No half-breed is unless they choose it.' Spike said, flicking the lighter open and shut again. He looked at Tiree again. 'But I'm more curious about you. You smell…other worldly.'
Tiree sighed and shrugged her coat off, removing the camisole with it, leaving a sports top to cover her. A harness was secured around her torso and she unclipped it, turning so she could show Spike what she had been trying to hide. The first thing he noticed was the scars that covered her pale skin and fresh cuts that had yet to heal. Then what he was supposed to be looking at took him by surprise.
From the shoulder blades down to the waist, thin translucent red material hung like wings. They were in fact wings, but so battered and torn they were barely recognisable. His eyes widened as he realised exactly what she was.
'You're a nymph.' He whispered.
She nodded. 'A witch nymph to be precise to species. And I'm only a half breed. These things have never worked. Mainly because they were damaged when I was a child.' Ryan's hand slipped into hers and she smiled at him. 'I've been this way my whole life. But I'm a good guy. I pull magic for the right side.'
'You need to tell Buffy.' Spike said, sternly, looking at Ryan. 'She'll be accepting of the nymph thing but vampires aren't her favourite people.'
Ryan frowned. 'She's gets on alright with you.'
'I'm a special case.'
The boy scoffed. 'She loves you, you dolt. And you probably love her back.'
The vampire stepped forward menacingly, before Tiree almost snarled at him. 'No fighting. We're here for a reason. I was supposed to find the slayer.'
'What for?' Spike asked, cocking his head to the side. Ryan smiled triumphantly.
'Because Tiree knows how to fight Adam.'
-I-E-H-
Ryan watched, concerned, as his girl explained everything to the tiny blond slayer. Looking at both of them, they didn't seem much, but he knew they were both powerful in their own right. Spike, as well, was a formidable opponent and whilst Ryan could fight as well as any of them, he didn't fancy them much as enemies. In fact, he'd only gone up against Tiree the once, when they had first met and it was a close draw then. Of course the after fight show was much better…
-I-E-H-
The cemetery was dark and cold, like it always was. There'd been faint rumblings lately of evil rising in California but Ryan wasn't paying much attention to rumours. He'd wait until it actually happened. He was nineteen now, living in his own flat, scraping enough of an earning to survive. All he wanted in life was to kill those that haunted him.
And possibly a good lay.
He grinned as he caught the scent of something that wasn't human and the sounds of a fight sprang to his ears. He crept forward, fists at the ready, his eyes attuned to the darkness.
Then he saw her.
A small girl, maybe his age, a long coat over her shoulders and some killer moves showing in her struggle against the vamp she was fighting. Moves that she'd probably spent years perfecting. But he didn't want to interrupt her. She moved like grace on the wind, and he felt himself wanting a taste.
The vampire didn't take long to dust, but Ryan sensed instantly that she knew he was there. He stood up, not bothering to conceal himself and she looked at him, a defensive stance adopted, her eyes making more than one sweep of him.
'You're pretty nice to look at for a soon to be pile of dust.' English. Interesting.
'You don't wanna fight me.' He said, moving forward.
She was in front of him suddenly, a fist coming from nowhere to land a punch on his chin. He hit the deck, rubbing the spot tenderly. She grinned down on him.
'Think you'll find I do.'
He jumped to his feet, avoiding blows. He'd always believed hitting girls was wrong, unless they were demons or vampires and about to take a bite out of some innocent mortal. And he wasn't gonna blow a chance by landing a hard hit on this beauty.
She'd whipped a stake out somewhere along the line and Ryan found himself wondering if he could actually dust in the grand scheme of things. But he wasn't keen to find out. He blocked the weapon, spinning her and holding her against his chest. Bare skin connected with bare skin and she jumped, relaxing in his grip. He let her go and she stared at him curiously.
'You're not evil.' She stated and he shook his head.
'No I'm not.'
A wicked grin crossed her face. 'And you're sexy.'
He didn't know whether to deny it or be cocky. He didn't seem to have a choice in whether he spoke as she jumped him again and this time they were kissing not fighting. Her lips were on his and now his body was on fire. Fighting always left him pumped up, but this was ridiculous. She was gonna kill him.
She hadn't and they'd spent the last two years trawling the country together. Whilst it was far from bliss in a war torn tyrannical demon state, he could say he was happy. She was different, but she was good different and he knew she felt the same about him. Two outcasts, surviving together in a place where neither should survive.
The explanations had stopped now. She was looking at him as Buffy and Spike talked. There was that look in her eyes and somehow he knew he wasn't going to get much sleep tonight.
'If what she says is true we need to start moving straight away.' Buffy was saying. Ryan looked at her, pulled out of the dirty thoughts his mind had been delving into.
'No, we need rest, Buffy.' Spike argued. 'You know that as well as I do.' The slayer looked at him with narrowed eyes, her mouth opening to protest. Spike raised a hand. 'No arguments, Buffy. You are going to get a couple of hours kip, as are these two. I don't care how supernatural this little soiree is, we still need rest.'
Buffy clamped her jaw shut, her mind wandering to how he had been injured a week before. She knew it hadn't healed properly; he'd been walking heavier on one leg. But he wouldn't ever admit the weakness; he wouldn't want to appear weak in front of her. So she nodded and sat down on the bed, pulling a blanket to herself as Ryan and Tiree stood, heading for the door.
'We'll meet back here at sundown. Get some sleep, eat something before we head out.' Spike ordered. The couple began to leave before Spike stopped Ryan in his tracks, holding his arm. 'You need any blood?' Ryan stared at him for a second before shaking his head. Spike narrowed his eyes, frowning deeply before Tiree smiled, pulling Ryan out of his grip. The vampire understood in a second and watched them depart. Ryan obviously got his blood from a source close to home. Spike would have to forage for his dinner tonight. He'd have to have a word with the wolf and find out if they actually had a medical bay in this camp.
Buffy cleared her throat.
'He didn't answer you.'
'He'll find some.' Spike said, sitting down on the bed, further away from her than he usually placed himself. Buffy inched closer.
'You're not being honest with me.' Buffy said, pulling the blanket around both of them. Spike stiffened and then relaxed as the tiny blonde slayer curled into his side. He was definitely gonna have to get used to this. 'Does Ryan drink from her?' The vampire glanced down at her and pulled an arm out from under the cover, draping it around her shoulders. She frowned as he nodded. 'Isn't that dangerous?'
Spike shook his head. 'No. Not if it's only small amounts. He's only a half blood as well, means he doesn't need much to keep him going.'
Buffy yawned, another question praying on her mind. Before she could express it, Spike pressed a finger to her lips, shushing her. She nodded sleepily, surprised at how worn out she really was. She closed her eyes, feeling the hard surface underneath her head shift as she drifted away. As slumber finally took her she was aware of Spike leaving the room, but she was so comfortable, she couldn't follow.
-I-E-H-
Spike walked down the corridor, his hands thrust deep into his pockets. The walls breathed around him; everyone else in the complex was asleep, save the guards. He could hear the mice crawling along the floor and briefly wondered if there were any rats around. They weren't the finest of culinary dishes but when food were scarce, he wasn't picky.
Movement caught his eye and he stilled, watching the large rodent crawl down the wall side, scampering along without noticing him. He trailed it down two corridors, slipping into game face. His stomach was almost growling; the one rat wouldn't sustain him.
A noise sent the animal running and Spike snarled, whirling round to face the object of the sound. Oz stood behind him, a bemused grin on his usually stoic face and the vampire frowned, slipping out of game face. He watched the former werewolf cautiously before the other spoke.
'You do that often? Cause I can't imagine rats being the tastiest of morsels.'
Spike grinned. 'Gotta eat.'
Oz nodded. 'I can help with that. We got a medical bay, and a fridge of blood bags. Just in case of transfusions. Lot of it's expired though so you can fill up on that.' He scrunched up his face. 'I can't believe you were going to eat a rat.'
The vampire shrugged and followed the other man along the corridors, passing back by his and Buffy's room. He could hear her softly breathing inside and it calmed him for some unexplained reason. The medical bay was only around the next corner and Oz opened the door with a key. He looked to Spike, who raised an eyebrow.
'Some people steal supplies. It's best to keep it locked.' He motioned for the vamp to go inside and then followed, shutting the door behind them. He pointed to a fridge in the corner, and the vampire smiled his thanks before opening it and grabbing a bag. Hunger overwhelmed him and Oz watched as he emptied a few. The guitarist didn't flinch, and started to talk.
'I knew someone had to have made it out of Sunnydale. Was really hoping Willow hadn't gotten caught up in all that. I know she was with someone else but…'
'You always care.' Spike finished for him, throwing an emptied bag into the trash can a few metres away. 'I still care about Dru. Hurt me right deep when I felt her die.' Upon Oz's strange look he clarified. 'Vampire thing. She was family. You can always feel it.'
Oz nodded, leaning against the solid metal table in the middle of the room. 'Changing the subject, how come you and Buffy ended up together?'
'We're not together.' Spike said, sharply, before coughing a little and shaking his head. 'I mean, we're not. She just needed someone. After I got her out we went our separate ways, threats and all.' He shrugged and shut the fridge, tucking a bag into his pocket for later consumption. 'Then about a week ago I stopped at a camp. I was heading for D.C anyway but I needed to inform the Slayer. Her mum told me where she was and it just so happened I picked the right camp after one of those cyborg bastards got me.' He motioned to his leg. 'I healed up, told her the plan and we just sort of fell into it. No doubt as soon as we get to the capital, she'll see Angel and be making moon eyes at him again.'
'So it bothers you that you're not together?' Oz asked and Spike scoffed at him, squaring his shoulders defensively.
'No. Course not. Want the bitch dead.' He waved a hand dismissively. 'Just handy to have her around until we get back to normal.'
'Right.' Oz said, rolling his eyes and turning back towards the door, a smile hitching the side of his mouth. 'You done?'
'Yeah, I'm full.' Spike followed the blonde out of the medical bay, watching as he locked the door behind him. Then he straightened and walked with the vampire as they headed back to his room. As Spike turned to go into the room he was sharing with the Slayer, Oz stopped him.
'That offer, for joining you?' Spike nodded as Oz bit his lip thoughtfully. 'I think I'm gonna take you up on it.'
'The help's appreciated.' Spike grinned and opened the door, leaving the ex-werewolf to his own devices. He shut the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment before casting a glance to the sleeping blonde on the bed. She had tangled the sheets around her legs, but for the most part, she seemed content. He grinned and moved over to her, pulling the sheets straight and laying down next to her. She responded by snuggling into his side and sighing softly, her arm snaking around him to pull him closer.
Spike smiled, closing his eyes, and letting the sound of her breathing lull him to sleep.
-I-E-H-
The camp was a few miles behind them and night had fallen, allowing the group to travel over ground for the time being. Buffy had insisted on it, saying she needed the fresh air and time away from the cramped spaces they had been travelling in. Spike had argued the point, but in the end, the slayer had won out, gaining the others' backup. Oz had pointed out that the above ground activity was less around Philadelphia, so it was probably okay to travel outside. Spike had grumbled, but followed willingly.
The sky was clouded over and they travelled in silence. Buffy was at the front, flanked by Tiree and Ryan. Oz hung back a bit, whilst the vampire took up the rear, all of them alert to any attack. They all carried a weapon each, mainly small hand pistols. Buffy still had her machete attached to her leg, and it had become Spike's opinion that she treated the weapon like a pet. She had merely replied with something about good weapons care, which sobered her immediately and he had not pressed the subject.
Tiree ventured off occasionally, which was making Buffy slightly nervous, but Ryan's indifference to the girl's frequent disappearances made her relax. If her boyfriend wasn't worried, Buffy wasn't going to stress herself over it. Particularly seeing as Tiree were perfectly capable of looking after herself. The revelation of the girl's true nature hadn't shocked Buffy; she'd seen so much as the Slayer it took a lot to extract that kind of reaction from her. She could honestly say she had never heard of anything quite like it before, but it was going to take something like Spike having a heartbeat again, combined with wings and a cameo in Harry Potter to make her raise her eyebrows.
The mere thought of Spike being in Harry Potter made her giggle and the vampire in question looked at her, one eyebrow higher than the other in an expression he had made all his own. Buffy stilled her giggles, but the smile remained and the vampire shared a look with the other males of the party. Oz shrugged at the Slayer's behaviour, and Ryan simply raised his eyebrows slightly before looking back ahead of them, where Tiree had returned from one of her mini expeditions with a worried look on her face.
Buffy immediately wiped the smile from her face and stopped, watching as the girl approached, her hand automatically reaching for the weapon at her side. Tiree glanced at each of them.
'There are bodies over there', she pointed in the direction which she had come. 'Civilians. Human. All gunshot wounds.'
'Cyborgs.' Oz said, hoisting his gun up higher. Spike looked to Buffy.
'We should go underground again.' Buffy said, looking around, concern flooding her face.
Tiree shook her head. 'They've been there a few days. But I think there may be one of their bases around here.'
'Would explain why we kept getting attacked.' Oz muttered, a look of anger crossing his face. Buffy looked at each of them and then Spike, watching him for a split second.
'Spike, what do you think?' The question seemed to catch him out and he stared at her for a moment.
'I think we should stay above ground. We'll move faster. But it's up to you, luv.' He waited for her response and she nodded, motioning in the direction they had been travelling.
'Right. We'll carry on up, but we need to be alert. I think it's best if you stop wandering off, Tiree.' The dark haired girl nodded and Buffy was grateful she didn't kick up a stink at the suggestion.
The group carried on for two more hours, occasionally passing bodies on their path. They weren't just humans; demons seemed to be as targeted as much as they were. And it wasn't just adults either. Buffy's heart could have broken when she saw the children. But she had no time for compassion. Maybe they were better off out of it.
Silence had befallen them, and no conversation swept through the group. Occasionally, Tiree would cross Ryan's path and reach out, making brief contact with him and Buffy had caught them a few times. She knew that she was reassuring both him and herself, and somehow found herself wishing she had someone like that. As the thought passed through her mind, she felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked back, finding the previously blonde vampire smiling slightly at her, his hand squeezing her ever so slightly. Then he dropped it and fell back to his own position and Buffy looked back ahead, a small smile uplifting the corner of her mouth.
Maybe she did have someone like that.