[Reviews - 191]
-
Table of Contents [Report This]
Microsoft Word Chapter or Story | ePub eBook Chapter or Story | Printer Chapter or Story

Has been viewed 2775 times

- Text Size +




Escalation

Buffy had a headache by the time she finally headed home with Spike. He insisted on taking his car since her knee still burned like hell…even packed with ice. She looked just awful too. She'd managed to fix her hair but she had a big bruise coming in on her cheek and she walked with an awful limp. Not to mention the broken rib that made her breathe in funny little hitches. It hadn't been a good day.

Everything was piling up on her. She was being chased by assassins, apparently sent by a god. She needed to find a magic "key" that was being guarded by mysterious monks. Faith was loose and most likely plotting revenge of the most awful sort. And she was mated to an evil Vampire. Sadly the being mated part was the only source of comfort she had. She was being buried in baddies, but she wasn't alone. She knew Spike would be there for her. Not that it would do them any good if this Glory person, eh God, decided to send twenty Vampires instead of twelve. Spike wasn't doing so hot either. She tallied his injuries in her head. Two broken ribs, Sprained Wrist, Chest wound, Pierced lung, dislocated shoulder. She winced recalling the awful sound when she had helped him pull the damn thing into place. Even Xander had made a face.

What if this Glory decided to send an assassin to their home? She was in no condition to defend her mother and sister. And neither was Spike, though she wouldn't say anything. Spike helped her limp into the house and she leaned slightly on his strength even though he was hurting too. She scooped up the portable phone on the way to the couch. She dialed Giles's.

"Giles? I was just thinking, is there some sort of protection spell that Willow can do on the house? If were being hunted then that woman might send someone here." Giles agreed with her and said he would send Willow over first thing in the morning. Buffy fretted but agreed and hung up the phone.

Spike sat down next to her and checked the binding around her ribs. "Don't worry luv, I'll be able to sense any baddies before they get into the house."

"Like you sensed that assassin demon thingy?" She snapped at him.

He recoiled visibly. "You didn't sense it either little miss perfect Slayer." He growled at her and Buffy instantly felt contrite. She didn't mean to take this out on him she just felt so frustrated. She didn't even need to voice an apology; he could feel her remorse and pulled her into his arms. She winced when she had to reposition her body but she felt good pressed up against him and leaned into him. "What are you hungry for Buffy, I'll cook."

Buffy was too deep in thought to reply. If someone came to the house tonight at least one of them needed to be up to combat. She was out of commission for probably at least four days. She sat up and slid her left leg over Spike so that she was straddling him. She rested her head in the curve of his neck and brushed her hair to the side. She smiled faintly at the feel of the bulge in his pants. Even beaten and bloody he still wanted her. "What are you doing pet?" Spike's voice was low and strained. She knew he was hungry.

"Drink." She said simply. He kissed her neck, soft little butterfly kisses and nibbles from her ear to that wonderful spot where her neck met her shoulder. Abruptly he stood with her, turned around, and sat her on the couch.

"No" He said just as simply and walked into the kitchen. Buffy sat in her seat for a few, peeved. What kind of Vampire turned down blood? A brief memory of Angel hovering over her flashed in her head and she pushed it out of her mind. Spike was no Angel. What the hell was wrong with her blood? She attempted to storm into the kitchen but it was more like a moaning hobble.

Spike had his back to her, bent over rummaging in the fridge. His duster was laid over a kitchen chair so she got to get an eyeful of his nice tight behind wrapped in denim. "What sounds good to you?" He asked and Buffy bristled at his casual tone. He stood and turned, closing the fridge. Why did he have to be so good looking? She could hardly concentrate on how mad she was at him when he was in that tight black t-shirt and his muscles were all dancing under his skin. He was smirking. He knew it too. She sat down because she was tired, he had nothing to do with her suddenly unsteady legs.

"Soup, out of a can." She snapped. "What the hell is wrong with my blood?" Laughing at her like that was not going to get him into her good graces. Stupid Vampire. If he didn't stop it she was going to stake him proper and eliminate at least one of the problems on her growing list.

"Your blood is fucking marvelous. Nothing else like it pet. Bloody perfect." He smiled at her and suddenly he was on his knees in front of her, cupping her face in his strong hands. "Don't want to drain your batteries luv, can't heal up if I'm sucking out all your power now can you?"

His hands felt wonderful to her, lightly calloused and finely boned. He could crush her head between them if he wanted to. She knew that he did not. "I need one of us to be in fighting form Spike, we couldn't take on a housecat right now."

"Piffle," Spike exclaimed rising to his feet a little slower than normal. He liked to pretend he wasn't hurting but she could feel an echo of his pain. "No one's getting by us Buffy, you're mum and sis are going to be just fine." He dug in the cupboard for soup and Buffy frowned. It was unnerving how he just knew what she was thinking. That had nothing to do with the bond. Could he read mind's like Drusilla? She was his sire after all. Was that one of the powers that transferred? Buffy shrugged it off and limped to the fridge for blood. She got out three bags. If he wouldn't accept her blood she was going to make sure he had plenty.

They ate quickly, Spike stealing bites of her soup. She wanted a shower, her hair felt dirty. And there was blood under her nails. Spike was telling some bullshit story about chicken noodle soup and the sixty's. "Spike, where do you suppose Drusilla is?" He paused and than drained the last of his third glass thoughtfully.

"Don't rightly know Slayer. She could be anywhere."

"Do you," Buffy swallowed. "Do you want to look for her?" She didn't know why she should care but she knew that Spike cared about the Vampiress and if he needed to know where she was, Buffy understood.

"No, I'm good." He stood and took their dishes to the sink. She got the very distinct impression that he didn't want to talk about it. Surely he must feel the relief she was feeling. And she was also feeling quite sad for Spike cause she got a faint echo of grief from him. He felt Drusilla was gone from him forever. They hobbled up the stairs together. Spike didn't laugh at her or make snarky comments when she looked in on her mother and sister. She went to the bathroom and Spike followed her. She was alone in the mirror. She started trying to wiggle out of her top and Spike stopped her, pulling it over her head. She watched her expression change in the mirror, goose bumps breaking out over her arms and chest as Spike ran invisible hands over her shoulders and down her arms. She watched with fascination as her jeans seemed to unbutton themselves and slide down her hips. She wasn't quite able to suppress a wince when the rough fabric brushed over her sore knee.

She stepped out of her pants and smiled as Spike ran his hands over her hips and rested his head on her shoulder. It was nice that he still wanted to touch her even though she was black and blue. She turned to help him out of his clothes so he wouldn't have to strain his ribs. She pulled his t-shirt over his head, tossing the bloody ripped garment to the side. She let her hands run down his muscular chest. She loved touching him. She frowned when she reached the wide swath of bandage holding his broken ribs in place and lightly skimmed her hands to his jeans. She unbuttoned and unzipped them careful not to catch anything important in the zipper. Taking a deep breath, she boldly pushed them down his hips, he toed off his big black Doc's and stepped out of his jeans. As usual Spike was commando.

Spike reached around her and unhooked her bra, drawing the scrap of fabric down her arms. He hooked his hands in her panties and pulled them down carefully. He bent at the waist, careful to manipulate her silk underwear so they didn't touch her knee. He trailed her fingers up the back of her calves and the back of her thighs as he stood. He cupped her behind and kissed her softly. He carefully pulled her close to him, mindful of how sore she was. He rested his forehead on hers and flexed his hands on her bottom. They stood that way for a while before Spike finally spoke in a ragged whisper. "I thought that Vamp had you."

"Yeah." She whispered back. "Me too." She clutched his arms a little tighter as she thought about her most recent near death experience. The Vampire that had knocked her knee out had leaped on her, fangs bared for the kill. She had just barely brought her stake up but she hadn't been able to aim and had missed the heart. He'd exploded into dust in the split second before he killed her. Spike had been standing over her, stake in hand, eyes wide with shock. They had stared at each other for one breathless moment before he had been ambushed from the side by two of the remaining Vampires. She had had her own battle to fight. There had been no time to stop and recuperate.

"I'm going to rip this Glory bitch's bloody soddin head off." Spike growled and Buffy gave one of her small smiles.

"How do we kill a God Spike? Her power is unstoppable." Buffy didn't mind admitting her fear to Spike, he could feel it anyway.

"She wants us dead or captured for a reason sweets, she's just as afraid of us as we are of her." He took a deep unneeded breath and stood up strait. "Let's get washed up luv so you can get some sleep. You got classes tomorrow?"

"Yeah." How wonky was the world when a Vampire made the Slayer feel better?

They soaped each other carefully, mindful of sore spots and bloody gashes. They were quite the pair. Thank God for super fast healing because three months recuperating would so not be fun. "My dorm mate probably thinks I dropped off the face of the earth." Buffy said as she ran soap down Spike's powerful back than she gave extra attention to his tight muscled behind. She liked the way he quivered under her hands; it made her feel confident and powerful.

He turned suddenly and kissed her soundly, tongue sweeping in her mouth overwhelming all her senses. He pulled back and answered her. "She probably just figures you've got some hot new boyfriend." He carefully began to unwind her sopping wet bandages, first her knee than her ribs. She wasn't looking forward to washing those parts.

"Are you fishing for compliments?" Buffy teased and got one of his Trademark smirks in return. Buffy realized suddenly that it might have been construed that she had just sort of called him her boyfriend. She couldn't help the blush that stained her cheeks but she could change the subject. "So you were hanging with Dawnie today?"

Spike carefully wiped over her bruised skin. "I like your sis, she's feisty. Takes after the rest of the Summers women."

"She's a pain." Buffy whined. "She's always in my way and she is super annoying."

"Isn't that a sister's full time job?" Spike asked, running his hands up the insides of her thighs. Buffy caught her breath and tried to concentrate on the conversation. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of rendering her speechless. Even when he brushed his fingers over her damp curls.

"Did you have any siblings, I mean when you were alive?"

"Had a brother, he died of the pox when he was just a babe, mum took it hard." Buffy let the subject lie. Buffy carefully began to undo Spike's bandage around his taut waist. He winced slightly when she had to pull a bit and she cringed, hating hurting him. She carefully unwound the strip of cloth and than soaped his bruised and bloody skin. It looked like some Vamp had managed to get his fangs into Spike on his side. Buffy didn't examine the rage she felt on Spike's behalf too carefully. Best not to think about it. Buffy ghosted a soft kiss on the sensitive puckered skin where Spike had taken a stake, inches from his heart. She resisted the urge to clutch his body against her and cry. That would only hurt both of them. She took a deep breath and than let her hands travel lower, first to his hips and than she bit the bullet and let her hands close over Spike's erection.

He was hard and thick in her slippery hands. He made some incoherent sound that let her know how much he liked it and so she began to use one hand to stroke him slowly and the other to cup his balls. She brushed her lips across his throat and he let out a moan and whispered her name. She was startled when he stopped her, removing her hands. For a moment she was devastated, he didn't want her. He kissed her lips softly. "Lets bandage up these ribs before things get too serious, hmm Slayer." She smiled like a loon.

Spike bandaged her ribs tightly and fretted over her knee. He tried to talk her into taking some painkillers, but she insisted she needed to keep a clear head. She returned the favor, wrapping Spike's torso. She lightly brushed her fingers over the spot where he had been stabbed. He insisted it was on its way to healing and didn't need a bandage.

They made love with slow rocking motions that didn't jar their bodies too hard. Lying on their sides, Spike behind her buried to the hilt. They moved to the soft music of muffled moans and cries of pleasure. Buffy slept like the dead.

Morning came far too early. Buffy tried to sneak out of bed so as not to wake Spike but she found herself looking into cobalt eyes. "Sleep" She whispered and went to the bathroom. The sharp almost unbearable pain was fading as she began to heal. But she was sore in places she didn't know she had. There would be no sex today that was for sure. Buffy fretted about leaving her mom and sister as she dressed. Dawn had to go to school and her mom would go to the gallery. She couldn't put everyone's lives on hold because of some vague fear. Every instinct was telling her to hold them all close, not let them out of her sight.

Jeans, silk top, hair in a high ponytail. Makeup carefully concealing her already fading bruise and the deep dark circles under her eyes. She looked like your average teenage California girl. She sat on the toilet stool and carefully trimmed and painted her fingernails and toenails. She carried her open toed shoes down the stairs. Spike was making pancakes. It never failed to trip her out watching him cook. Her mother and sister sat at the bar, both looking highly amused as well. Her mom had been telling Spike how she couldn't remember the last time she didn't have to cook breakfast.

Buffy sat down and bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing at her sister. Hand on chin, head tilted, and dreamy expression 27. Dawn was definitely crushing on the undead. Buffy preferred her goofy crush on Xander, at least that wouldn't get her killed. Life would have been so much easier if her family had warmed to Angel this way but both mother and sister had never really liked him. It made no sense; at least Angel had been gentle and polite. At least Angel had a soul. Everything you would think a mother would want for her daughter. Of course she couldn't really blame her sister either; Spike was waltzing around in black leather pants that were painted on his body. And a faded black t-shirt that hugged every muscle. Barefoot.

Willow knocked cheerfully on the door before walking it, Spike dodged to the side to avoid a flash of sunlight. It was un-nervy when Spike moved so fast. He always came off so human. The way he swaggered around and his expressive eyes and face. Then he would move in a flash, vamp, or drink blood and she would be reminded. In a way it made her sad. She wondered what human William had been like. Was he just a tamer version of Spike? "Sorry Spike." Sang out Willow and sat at the table with Buffy. "Are those pancakes?"

The pancakes were really good, there was something about them that Buffy couldn't put her finger on. Finally Buffy's mom asked and Spike said "Honey and nutmeg." In between bites. Buffy tried not to wince when Spike first put peanut butter on his cakes, and then slathered on blood. Willow kept giving Spike sidelong looks which he ignored. She had ended up giving her best friend more detail than she probably should have about what was going on between them. By the time Buffy had realized that she was telling too much, Willows cheeks had been bright red and her eyes had expanded to twice their normal size. She especially remembered going on about the size of Spike's penis. Her poor friend.

Buffy got to her feet slowly. She really wanted to kiss Spike goodbye and that just disturbed her. So she ignored him instead. "Dawnie, you want a ride to school?" Her sister jumped up excited. Being seen with high school kids was good for her image. And bad for Buffy's, but at least she would know that her sister got to school safe. She gave her mom a small kiss on her cheek. "Please be careful today mom, something big is coming." She hesitated, wondering just how much to tell. She locked eyes with Spike for a moment. "If it's after dark when you're ready to leave the gallery, call Spike before you go outside…it's bad mom. I don't want anyone outside after dark alone."

Buffy wished she could have spared her mom that frightened look but she needed her to be careful. And she wouldn't be if she didn't know what was going on. She ran her fingers along Spike's shoulders when she walked past him, but she didn't kiss him. She was restraint girl.

Classes dragged by. Buffy had never been more assured that college was a waste of her time. She just wasn't book girl like Willow. She felt a strong sense of urgency to stop this Glory. She hadn't even met the God yet and had already almost died twice. They needed to find this "key" and destroy it or protect it or something. Not to mention the Faith problem. After her last class she was surprised by Riley in the hall. "Buffy, wait up." He called. She couldn't very well run because that would be beyond rude. So she stopped and smiled at him. Despite being in a big hurry.

He caught up to her, giving his charming boy next store smile that she liked so much. He really was very handsome in a wholesome sort of way. Kind of the Anti-Thesis of everything Spike. She imagined telling him that she spent her nights in cemeteries slaying demons and had to stop herself from laughing at Riley's imaginary look of shock. "Listen, uh Buffy, uhm I was wondering if maybe we could go out sometime. I have a car; we could go for a drive."

He was adorable, all stuttering on her behalf. She felt so bad. "Riley, I'm sorry. If you would have asked a few days ago I would have loved to but now I'm sorta seeing someone."

His face fell and Buffy just wanted to give him a hug. "Sorta? So it's not really serious then? You could surely go for a harmless little drive with me." He gave her puppy dog eyes and a smile and Buffy laughed.

"Riley, I really am sorry, but I just wouldn't feel right about that. Uhm, if things don't work out you'll be the first one I tell." Buffy gave into the impulse and leaned in, standing on her tip toes to give him a soft peck on the cheek. He looked amazed. He really was very cute. She turned and walked away. Buffy thought she handled that really well; maybe she was finally becoming a mature grown up like Giles was always going on about. She decided she wouldn't say anything to Giles, wouldn't want to give him false hope. Willow met her in front of the school.

The magic box was full of milling random customers so Buffy headed to the training room to work out a bit. She changed into sweats and a tank and tried to take out her frustrations on the punching bag. She found that far too painful so she decided to meditate instead. Giles was always going on about how she needed to be in tune with both her mind and body. She wasn't very good at meditating.

Finally Giles joined her. "I apologize, Buffy for keeping you. We actually have a rather urgent situation on our hands." Buffy followed him out into the main room and took a seat at one of the tables. Giles remained standing. That was never a good sign. "I just got off the phone with one of my contacts in Tibet. Apparently the monks that we believe were responsible for the "key" were slaughtered. The only remaining monk was on his way to Sunnydale. My contact believes that he may have taken shelter at the old monastery outside of town."

"Can it wait till sunset Giles? I'd like to take Spike with me." Giles made a face but didn't say anything bad about the Vampire.

"As much as I would like for you to have back up Buffy I'm afraid of Glory getting to the monk first. If she gets her hands on the "key" then we may have no course of stopping her."







You must login (register) to review.