Chapter Seventeen – No Other Option

Spike led the way down the alley, followed closely by Anya. The rest of the vampires were hanging back to let the two newest family members get their feet wet, so to speak. Spike stopped and cocked his head. "Hear that, pet? Sounds like someone's crying."

Anya nodded. "Sounds like there's a few others with her and they're not crying."

"Let's go have a look, yeah?"

They crept into the building the crying was coming from, keeping close to the outer wall as they circled closer to the noise. They came upon a small knot of four men surrounding a crying blonde woman lying across a wooden crate. The skirt she'd been wearing was laying torn in an untidy pile of cloth on the floor behind one of the men. Three of them were watching as the fourth stepped between her spread legs and lined himself up. One of the watching men said, "Hurry it up. I want my turn."

Another man said, "You already had a turn."

"Yeah, but I want to flip her over and fuck her in the ass."

Spike growled low in his chest, scenes from his own rape at the hands of three homeless men flashing in his mind. He'd been bent over a similar crate in a similar building as they'd all taken turns, then they'd left him lying there with his blood and their spunk dripping down his legs. He sprang forward, not even letting Anya in on his plan, being that he didn't really have one. He slid to a halt behind Mr. Ass Fucker and reached out, snapping his neck with a vicious twist of his head. The man dropped to the floor and he turned to the next one, snarling as he fisted a hand in the man's shirt and dragged him to his fangs. Anya had cottoned on to the non-existent plan and she jerked the incipient rapist backwards by his shirt as Spike tore the throat out of the one he held. Anya reached up and twisted her victim's head clean off with a snarl that reverberated off the walls. The remaining man was frozen in place, his mouth agape as the two bloody vampires closed on him. He suddenly turned and darted into the darkness, shrieking at full volume as he ran.

Anya sighed and said, "I'll get him. You deal with her." She took off after the screaming man and Spike turned to the woman.

She'd slid off the crate and was huddled on the floor next to it. He dropped the demon and stepped carefully toward her, speaking in a low, calm voice, "Miss? I'm not going to hurt you. All right?"

She looked up at him with wild eyes and held her hands up in a pose similar to one Willow used when she was getting ready to throw fire. "Get back. I'll fry you, I swear."

Spike raised his hands and backed up a step. "Witch, yeah?" She nodded and he squatted down, putting his eyes on level with hers. "Not gonna hurt you, pet." He reached over slowly and picked up the torn remnants of her skirt then held it out to her. "You can use this to cover yourself until we can find something else."

She hesitantly reached out and took the cloth then spread it over her lap, leaving one hand raised in the fire-throwing pose. "Who are you?"

"Name's Spike. Figure you know what I am."

She nodded. "Yeah. You're a vampire." She looked around at the three dead men. "Why did you do that?"

Spike shrugged. "Same thing happened to me back when I was human. My sire got my revenge on those men. You don't have a sire to get your revenge, so I decided to help you out."

Her fire throwing hand was wavering and she finally dropped it to her lap. "What are you going to do now?"

"You're currently sleepin' rough, yeah? Livin' on the streets?" She nodded. "Then I'd like to take you home with me, if you're willing."

"To do what with me?"

"How much do you know about vampires? Do you know what a thrall is?"

She nodded. "Yes. You want me to be a thrall?"

"Yeah. You know the mansion on Crawford? That's where we live."

"The brothel? You want me to be a prostitute?" She started breathing fast and whipping her head from side to side in a negative gesture. "I can't do that. I can't let another man… I won't let another man…"

Spike raised a placating hand. "You don't have to, pet. Don't have to shag anyone ever again if you don't want to. Just want you to be safe."

She looked over at him, her eyes still a little wild, but also questioning. "Why? Why do you care what happens to me?"

"Because I was you, and my sire and her scourge saved me."

She barked an incredulous laugh, "By killing you?"

Spike shook his head. "Look, pet, that bit's complicated, and I'll explain it to you later if you like, but I'd like to get you out of here before the noise we made draws curious eyes."

She looked around then said, "If your curious eyes aren't here by now, they're not coming. That's why they brought me here. Nobody to hear me screaming, although I never did. Refused to give them that." She looked over at him, "Where's the other vampire?"

Spike cocked his head and listened. "She's on her way back and the rest of them will be here in a few minutes. They've just entered the building."

"How many others?"

"There's six of us out tonight."

"And you're not going to kill me, or… the other thing?"

"No, pet. Not going to harm you at all. None of us will."

Buffy stepped into the open space and said, "He's right, we won't. What's your name?"

The woman startled when Buffy spoke then stammered, "Tara. My name's Tara."

Buffy stepped close and reached a hand down. "I'm Buffy. Let's get you out of here." She pulled Tara to her feet and Spike stood and turned his back as Buffy helped Tara secure the skirt around her waist. When that was done, she wrapped her arm around Tara and started leading her out of the building, saying over her shoulder, "The others will help you clean this up. We'll meet you at the house."

Spike nodded and said, "Sorry about the mess, luv. Know this isn't what was supposed to happen."

Faith stepped out of the shadows. "We heard everything, Spike. It's a justifiable mess. Grab one of them and let's get moving."

Spike hiked one of the bodies over his shoulder then waited while the other two were picked up. Vi picked up the torn-off head and tucked it under her arm. Anya joined the group with the last man draped over her shoulders and said, "We need to move fast. This guy reeks."

Faith smirked at her. "Yeah, they usually do when you eviscerate them. Let's go."

They made sure Tara was a few blocks ahead of them as they made their way back to the mansion so she wouldn't have to see the dead men. Buffy led her in first, taking her upstairs, then the rest of them carried their burdens down to the basement and dropped them on the floor in front of the incinerator. Faith said, "I'll get it lit and toss them in. Based on what they were doing, I doubt they're upstanding citizens, so hopefully nobody will care that they're missing, but I'll have Amanda keep an eye on the police reports, just in case."

"Sorry about this. I just… I didn't even think. You and Buffy taught me defensive fighting, how to get someone down long enough to get away, but this wasn't defensive." Spike looked down at Mr. Ass Fucker and nudged him with the toe of his boot. "I just… snapped his neck. He didn't even know I was there."

"You get that vampires kill people, right?"

"Yeah, I know that, and I'm not upset that they're dead or that I killed them, it's just… I didn't make a conscious decision to do it. It basically happened without any thought at all. You never showed me how to snap someone's neck like that, but I did it like I've been doing it for years."

"Your demon doesn't need to be shown how to kill. If you let it out and give it free reign, you'll mow through a room full of people without even realizing it. Killing people is easy, and we won't have to show you how to do that, but we will have to train you to use your demon effectively in a fight so you're only killing people who need to be killed." She kicked at one of the bodies on the floor. "Like these fucks."

"Okay. I'm still sorry it turned out like this. I didn't mean to put the scourge in danger."

"We're not and if you hadn't killed them, the rest of us would have. I don't know how much of our histories you know, but almost all of us have been through what Tara just experienced. Maybe not to that extreme, but we've been there. In fact, it's why we wanted to be sired… to get revenge and take our power back. My rapists were the first people I killed when I woke. They didn't die quick, though. Took a while."

"Even Buffy?"

"Yeah, even Buffy, but it's not my place to tell you about it. You'll have to ask her yourself." She nodded toward the stairs. "Go on up. I've got this."

He nodded and headed upstairs to clean up, then remembered Buffy probably had Tara in their room and she likely didn't want to have to deal with anyone with a penis just now, so he turned around and went to shower in the training room. He didn't have any clothes in there, so when he was done showering, he went upstairs with a towel wrapped around his waist and listened outside his door. Buffy had Tara in the bathroom, so he slipped quietly into the room and grabbed some clothes out of the closet then went back downstairs.

He stepped into the quarters and set his clothes on the bed then loosed the towel and started getting dressed. Xander blinked over at him. "What's going on?"

Spike tugged a t-shirt over his head. "Went hunting and found a woman being raped. She's upstairs with Buffy getting cleaned up. Probably gonna be a new thrall, if she agrees."

Xander looked around the quarters. "Where's she gonna sleep? We still haven't gotten a bigger bed and if she was… She probably doesn't want to sleep with a couple of guys, even if one of them is gay."

Spike sighed, "I don't know, Xan. We'll sort it."

"What happened to the rapists?"

"I killed two and Anya killed the other two. Faith probably has them into the incinerator by now."

"How are you doing with that?"

Spike shrugged. "Fine. Doubt I'd be upset about it even if I was still human. They deserved what they got. Did you know almost all the vampires in the scourge were raped when they were human?"

Xander blinked. "Um… no."

"Faith said it's why most of them wanted to be sired. To get revenge."

"Did they?"

"Faith did. Not sure about the others, but I would assume so."

"Are they going to sire the woman? What's her name?"

"Tara and I don't know. I figured she'd make a good thrall and that's what we were hunting for, but maybe they'll ask if she wants to be sired. No idea." Spike smirked. "She's a witch, too. Made like she was gonna throw fire at me, but now that I'm thinking on it, I don't think she could have. I didn't feel her magic like I felt Willow's during that fight. I mean, I felt magic, but it didn't feel destructive. Felt… I don't know… soothing?"

"She's probably more of a lightweight, witchy-power wise. Miss Willow is really powerful, and Miss Amy can throw some heavy stuff, too, but it wipes her out. Maybe Tara's just not very strong, or she doesn't seem as strong because she doesn't have a demon backing up her power."

"Maybe. Might be because she just doesn't seem the type to throw destructive magic. If she could, then why didn't she flay the men who were raping her or make their todgers explode or something?" He pulled his jeans up and buttoned them then picked up the towel. "Speaking of witches, gonna go see how much longer Willow's going to be. Tara probably needs charms cast." He nodded at Andrew. "How's he doing?"

"He's not warm anymore and I noticed you laid him down instead of propping him up, so I guess he's breathing better."

Andrew mumbled, "I'm okay, Spike."

Spike dropped the towel on the floor and sat down on the bed, reaching out to touch Andrew's leg. "Arm still hurt?"

"A little, but it's not bad anymore. Just achy, mostly. I'm starving, though. Is there anything made?"

"Not at the mo', but I'll warm you some soup." He stood up and said over his shoulder, "See if you can get him sat up and I'll be right back."

Xander nodded and started piling the pillows against the wall, creating a wedge for Andrew to lean against then helped him scoot up. Spike returned several minutes later with a piping bowl of chicken soup on a tray. "Bon Appetit, Andy."

Xander took the tray and rested it across his legs then picked up the spoon and dipped it into the bowl, blowing on it to cool before he held the spoon out to Andrew. "Open up."

Andrew smirked. "I'm capable of feeding myself, Xan."

"And? Open up."

Andrew opened his mouth and slurped the soup off the spoon. Spike smiled. "Looks like you've got this sorted. I'm gonna go find Willow. I'll be back later to see how it went."

XXXX

"Willow?"

Willow turned from her door and looked at Spike. "Yes, Spike?"

"If you're done, I think Buffy will need you in our room. We found a woman while we were out hunting and she… she'll need charms, probably. She was being raped when we found her, and… She'll need you."

"Okay. I'll grab my stuff. Hang on."

Spike waited while Willow went into her room to gather what she'd need then he walked with her to his door. "I probably shouldn't go in. Not sure she needs to see any blokes just now."

"Hang out here for a second and I'll go see how she's doing and let you know."

"Thanks, pet." Spike leaned against the wall, sliding his hands into his pockets as he waited for Willow to come back.

Buffy opened the door instead and walked over to him. "She wants to see you, Spike."

"She does?" He pushed off the wall and stepped close to Buffy, asking quietly, "Are you going to sire her? Because of what happened to her?"

Buffy looked at him in surprise. "How do you know about that?"

"Faith told me most of you have experienced what Tara just went through."

"We all have, except Anya, as far as I know."

Spike wrapped her in a hug. "If you're able to talk about it, I'd like to hear your story sometime."

Buffy squeezed him. "I'll tell you anything you want to know, but right now let's deal with Tara, and no, I hadn't planned on siring her. Her rapists are already dead, so there's no revenge to be had. I think she just wants to get past it and live her life." She let him go and he followed her into the room. Tara was laying on the bed in his usual spot as Willow sat next to her explaining what she was going to do.

Spike stood quietly at the foot of the bed and waited until Willow was done explaining then said quietly, "How are you doing, pet?"

Tara smiled weakly. "I'm doing okay, Spike. Just wanted to thank you for what you did."

"You're welcome. Have you made a decision as to whether you want to stay here?"

"Yeah, I'm going to. Buffy's going to claim me as a thrall tomorrow and then I'll meet the boys."

He looked at Buffy. "Where are we gonna have her sleep, luv?"

Tara replied. "I'll live with the boys. I'll be a thrall, so that's where I'm supposed to be."

Spike frowned. "You sure? Will you be able to share living space with two blokes? After what happened?"

Tara nodded. "I'm sure. They're not responsible for what happened, and Buffy assures me that they'd never do anything like that anyway."

"No, they wouldn't, but… I sometimes go down there to hang out and… other things, and…"

"I don't care if you have sex with the boys, Spike, and I don't care if you sleep down there sometimes. I know you wouldn't do anything like that, either."

"I'm not the only one havin' sex down there, pet. Those two shag frequently. How's that going to set with you?"

"It'll probably be weird at first, but from what I understand, you got used to it enough to start doing it, even after what happened to you. I probably won't ever join in because I'm gay, but I'll get used to seeing it happen."

"You seem to be handling all this rather well, Tara."

"It's not my first traumatic experience. Not even my first rape. I was on the streets because I ran away from my abusive father and brother. Both of them have been raping me since I was ten."

"Bloody hell." He looked at Buffy. "Seems there may be some revenge to be had after all."

Tara shook her head. "No, I don't want to kill them or have them killed. I just want to never have to see them again."

"You're sure, pet? Could pay 'em a visit and stop just short of killin' 'em."

Tara smiled slightly. "No, but thanks for the offer. They'd heal from a beating eventually, and I want them to live the rest of their lives knowing that I'm safe and I'm happy and that they'll never get to touch me again."

"All right, luv. If that's what you want. And you'll be okay with all the shagging that happens here?"

"Seeing people have sex who actually want to be having sex and are enjoying the experience will be good for me. And maybe someday, I'll be able to enjoy it with someone."

Willow was eyeing her speculatively and reached out to rub her arm. "You're very brave, Tara."

Tara looked at her and smiled then laid her hand over Willow's. "Not brave so much as stubborn. I won't let this break me. I finally got away from my family and I survived those men and I will be okay. I will be. There's no other option."

XXXX

Tara had been awake for about an hour and was just lying there watching Spike and Buffy sleep. She'd tried to get them to put her somewhere else instead of kicking Spike out of his bed, but he'd insisted that she stay right where she was and he could find somewhere else to sleep. There had been so much arguing over it that Willow had gotten frustrated and had finally said that the bed was big enough for the entire scourge to sleep in, so could they just shut it and let her work already.

Tara smiled as Spike's arm hugged Buffy tighter to his chest then she closed her eyes most of the way and pretended to be asleep when his fingers started caressing Buffy's breast. She watched as his fingers trailed lower and settled between Buffy's legs. Buffy moaned quietly and lifted her top leg, creating more room for Spike's fingers to operate as she started moving her hips in response to his actions. She rolled onto her back and brought Spike's mouth down to hers for a kiss as he settled his hips between her legs and slowly pushed in. She wrapped her legs around his waist and tried to keep her moaning and gasping quiet as he thrust into her long and slow. He captured her moan of completion with a kiss then buried his face in her neck to muffle his own.

They laid there still joined as they kissed for several minutes then they parted and quietly got out of bed and walked into the bathroom with Spike's arm around Buffy's waist.

When the door closed behind them, Spike nodded over his shoulder. "She was awake, you know. Didn't realize until I was inside you."

Buffy nodded. "Yeah, I know. Why do you think I was being so quiet? Didn't want her to freak out at having two noisy vampires in bed with her."

Spike chuckled. "Think that's the quietest we've ever managed to be. The rest of the scourge is gonna think we're cross with each other since they didn't hear our usual wake-up shag."

Buffy smirked and stepped into the shower to turn it on. "They'll figure out we're not the next time you make me scream myself hoarse. Don't worry."

Spike quirked an eyebrow. "And when will that be, pet?"

Buffy stepped under the water and slid her hands over her breasts. "I was thinking now." She nodded toward the wall. "And I'm thinking against that wall. We have some time before your first appointment and I want to spend it riding your cock."

Spike stepped close and pulled her into a blistering kiss as he backed her up against the wall. He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist then he hooked his arms under her knees and planted his hands on the wall, pressing her tight against it as he slid into her. "How many screams does it take to make you hoarse, pet?"

He pulled out and thrust in hard as she gasped, "I don't know."

He thrust again then smiled and said, "Let's find out," before burying his face in her neck and sinking his fangs into her flesh.

Tara listened to the sounds coming from the bathroom and smiled. She was surprised that the two vampires were so considerate of her feelings and state of mind that they'd tried to keep their lovemaking quiet so as not to wake her. She'd heard that vampires were very sexual creatures and the sounds coming from the bathroom proved that to be true. She pictured Willow in her mind and her smile widened. She wondered what it would be like to have sex with Willow or even if Willow had sex with women. Spike swung both ways, so maybe Willow did too? Maybe she'd ask Buffy about it after she was claimed as a thrall. It would probably be a while before she'd feel comfortable enough to get that intimate with anyone, but she vowed that she would someday. She refused to let what had happened to her rob her of experiencing the sexual pleasure she could clearly hear being expressed from the two vampires in the bathroom.