Queen
Author: Dani Email: [email protected] Rating: PG Summary: Spike meets a soulmate but Dru returns Notes: Spike is a member of the scooby gang but has no chip! Him and Buffy have become good friends.
THE BRONZE: She'd been gazing at him for nearly 20 minutes. Hoping that he would glance her way. Maybe ask her to dance, but no such luck. Giving up, she glanced over at her bro and his girlfriend. She knew that they wouldn't even notice she was leaving, they were so engrossed in playing tonsil hockey. Sighing she stood to leave. It wasn't fair that they had moved to Sunnydale less than a week ago and her brother already had someone. There was no justice! Heading towards the door, she suddenly switched directions midstride and headed back the way she had come. Bypassing the table she had previously occupied, she decided it was now or never. She would make the first move. Afterall it was a new town, she could be bold if she wanted. Sort of re-invent herself. And her first task was to approach the bottled blonde with chisled features and a sinwey figure. Pausing a few feet away, she was besieged by doubts. She almost turned and fled. But a strange relaxing calm came over her and she straightened her shoulders. You can do this Darby!! she thought to herself and ran her fingers through her hair. ~ "Hi." Spike glanced over in suprise from where he was leaning against a pole. A pretty girl about 19 or 20 stood in front of him, awaiting a response. Looking her up and down, he liked what he saw. She was thin but curvy in all the right places. A short skirt revealed long legs, and a cropped sweater clung to her breasts. Short black hair was cut bluntly just below her ears and center parted. The two blonde streaks surrounding her face gave her a vixen look and bright sea green eyes gazed at him from beneath long lashes. A real beauty, this one. ~ "Well hello luv." Darby almost melted at his accent. "Would you like to dance?" her forwardness seemed to suprise him and she began to rethink her decision. Maybe this was a really bad idea. Rejection is so not good for the complexion. He didn't answer her, instead he held out a hand. When she placed her own small hand in his, he lead her out onto the dance floor. It was a slow song, and he pulled her close. Placing his hands low on her hips, they began to sway. He is so hot! Darby smiled, a look of bliss on her face. They didn't speak during the song, just danced. Arms wrapped around each other, her head on his chest and his chin resting on her head. ~ He glanced around the club, looking for the gang. Xander was dancing with Anya a few feet away, and Willow sat at a table talkign with Oz. Buffy was just coming through the door with Riley, but she spotted him right away. He saw the questioning look on her face and looked away. I don't know who she is either. ~ It was heaven to be held in his arms. She could sense the strength in his muscles. She sighed contentedly. So what if its only one dance. At least I got to have this night. It was a memory she would cherish as long as she lived. What made it even more special was that she had been the one to instigate it. Damn girl, but this was the best idea you've had. ~ When the song ended, Spike released his grip on the girl's waist and stepped back. "Would you like to get a drink?" he found himself asking, not really knowing why. When she looked at the ground and didnt answer right away, he almost panicked. But her head raised and she was smiling so he squashed the reaction. ~ He wanted her to get a drink with him. Darby was floating. Taking his hand, she didn't take much notice of her surroundings as he led her off the dance area. She instead focused on his ass, clothed in black jeans. SWEET! Blushing she prayed he wouldn't turn around and ask her what she was thinking. That would be sooooo embarassing. ~ What the hell am I doing? I don't even know the girl and yet here I am leading her over to be introduced to everyone. There's some sort of wierd conection between us, and I don't want to let her out of my sight. Linking his fingers snuggly with hers, he continued towards the gang, most of whom had conveined at the table Willow had saved. Buffy is gonna be asking too many questions. Questions I don't know the answers to. But I want them to meet her cause I have a feeling she's going to be a part of my life for awhile. ~ Glancing down at their entwined fingers, Darby bit her lip and smiled. Looking up she realized that they had arrived at a table. An occupied table. "So Spike. Who's your friend?" a petite blonde was glaring at him with an expression of dislike. His name is Spike. Odd! And what is this about? Are they an ex-couple? She was again ready to bolt when the gaze turned on her, but Spike's hand settled on her lower back, just below her sweater and she felt courage rise. "My name's Darby! And you are?" she almost giggled at the other girl's startled look. "Buf...Buffy." Darby offered her a smile. ~ Sensing the tension diffuse, Spike made introductions with the rest of the group. At least now I know her name. "What would you like to drink luv?" he inquired. "I WANT a tequila shot! But I'll settle for a coke." she grinned. I think I'm in love!! He headed for the counter, curiousity setting in. Who is she? Does she live here? And why haven't we met before if she does? Arriving at the counter he glanced back and saw her easily conversing with the group. Turning back he placed his order and waited. ~ "New in town?" the redhead asked. "Yeah! Just moved here 4 days ago." Darby answered smiling, thankful for a friendly face. "Why Sunnydale?" "It's kind of a stupid reason. I broke up with my boyfriend of two years, he was cheating..." she paused and recieved the expected murmurs of sympathy. "...decided I wanted a change. So I looked at a map and wrote down the names of a few smaller towns. Threw them in a jar and drew one. And here I am!" "Cool. I don't think I'd have the guts to move all by myself." "I didn't. I was going to, but my brother found out and tagged along. I hope he finds his own place soon, so I can keep my place neat for more than 10 minutes." she laughed. Just then another couple joined them, sitting in the empty seats between Riley and Oz. "Xander, Anya...this is Darby!" Buffy introduced them. ~ Spike strolled back towards the table, drinks in hand. He noticed Xander had joined the group and groaned. I don't want her thinking I hang with that ponce! Reaching them, he settled himself on the only empty stool beside Darby. "Here you go pet." he placed her coke in front of her. "Thanks!" she smiled at him and he felt the corners of his mouth go up in response, which shocked everone at the table but Oz. "Darby is new in town." Willow was telling Anya and Xander. "Just moved here a few days ago." "How'd you meet Spike?" Anya quiered, causing him to break eye contact and look around the table. Why is the slayer smiling at me? What is happening here? I am still a bad ass!! ~ "I asked him to dance. He said yes. Then he brought me over here to meet you all." Darby answered. I feel such a...a contection with him, like we've know each other all our lives. And every time our skin touches, I feel all tingly inside. She kept these thoughts to herslf, not sure how much she should reveal, unsure if he felt the same. After that the conversation flowed easily, and she made some new friends. Excusing herself an hour later, she stood up to head for the ladies room. "I'll join you." Buffy stood and led the way. Darby was expecting the questions friends normally gave about prospective others, so what Buffy said came as a complete shock. "Don't hurt him." "Sorry?" What does she mean by that? "Normally. I'd tell you to get as far as possible and stay there. Spike isn't the nicest guy. But I've gotten to know him fairly well over the last year and a half...He broke up with his girlfiend of a hun... er long time and he's just starting to recover. She hurt him pretty bad. So if you hurt him - I'll hurt you." There was no confusion. Darby had just been threatened. "I do like him. And if he has such good friends, then he can't be all that bad a guy." she tried to reassure Buffy. "He isn't now but he was. He's a vamp...eep! He's getting better." Buffy lamely finished, realizing that she had almost let the cat out of the bag. "Where you about to tell me he's a vampire?" "Vampire wanna-be." Buffy amended, causing Darby to giggle. "Cause I already knew." seeing the look of shock on the other girl's face, Darby elaborated. " I danced with him. My head on his chest." she looked confused. "No heartbeat!" "OH!" Buffy looked worried. She probably thinks I'm wanting to become a vamp or something. A vamp groupie! "I'm a witch. Pagean and all that mumbo jumbo!" no reaction. "I've know about vampires since I was 8. Killed a few myself. But how do you kow about them?" "I'm the slayer." Buffy's quiet revelation stunned the hell out of Darby, but only for a moment. "REALLY?!! That is so cool. I always wanted to meet a slayer. I figured my skills..." she wiggeld her fingers in a mock spell "...would come in handy sometime." Buffy laughed and offered to introduce Darby to her watcher sometime. She agreed and the girl's headed out of the restroom, chattering like old friends. I can't believer how cool this night has become. And here I wanted to stay home and mope. ~ When Spike caught sight of them heading back, he jumped off his stool and met them 1/2 way. "Let's dance." he held his hand out. "I'll talk to you in a few." Darby waved at Buffy and let him lead her back onto the dance floor. "You two seem to get along well." he wondered why they had taken so long, but was glad that Buffy accepted the girl. "I told her I was a witch and she told me you were a vamp and that she was the slayer." He froze. "WHAT?" he was incredulous. She told her I was vampire. Bloody hell, the stupid chit. "Relax, it's cool. I knew before she said anything." he smiled as he saw she was trying to keep the peace. "And what do you think about that fact?" "I'm ok with it. I know most vamp's are demons without souls, but you seem different. And the fact that you hang out with a slayer is neat!" Spike relaxed, not noticing that he had tensed waiting for her answer. ~ Darby danced the rest of the evening away, Spike holding her close. When the last song ended, they headed for the table to say goodbye. "Well kids, its time for bed. I'm gonna walk Darby home now so we'll see you all tommorrow." Spike wrapped his arms around her waist, and she snuggled closer to him. "Bye guys. It was nice meeting you." Darby grinned. "I'll call you ok Buffy?" "That would be of the good. Bye." she waved. Exiting the Bronze, Darby was glad she'd allowed her bro to drag her along tonight. I've met an incrediable guy and maybe made a few new friends. All in all, it was a perfect night. But that changed quickly when a female vampire stepped out of the shadows and grabbed her by the throat. ~ "DRU? What the hell are you doing?" Spike was suprised to see his ex-flame in Sunnyhell. But he was more worried about Darby, who was turning red from lack of oxygen. "The stars whispered to me. They said you'd be here, but they didn't mention they little treat you'd be having." she grinned evilly and shook the nearly unconcious girl. "Dru..." he growled in frustration, his eyes never leaving Darby. He looked for an opening to attack, refusing to lose her. I just found her! "What's the matter lover? Aren't you willing to share?" "NO! I won't share pet. I want this morsel all to myself." he spoke softly, hoping that Dru would hand the now unconcious girl to him. "Bad Spike." with that she threw Darby against the slayer and her friends who were just exiting. Gameface on, he leapt, wanting to to rip his ex-lover apart. Limb by limb. Bouncing off an invisble shield, Spike barely managed to land on his feet. "Naughty, Naughty. I knew you'd been a bad boy. So I came prepared." Dru waggled her finger under his nose and laughed hysterically. "But I will change that. Soon you'll be back at my side. Until then..." she faded back into the shadows. "Not gonna happen!" he didn't follow. "Spike?" whirling around he was relieved to find it was only Willow. Scanning the pavement behind her, not finding Darby. "Buffy took her to the hospital. I stayed to bring you along when you were done." Willow was unsure and looked down at her feet. "Thanks...I..." he wasn't sure what he wanted to say. But the redhead seemed to sense this and gave him a small smile before pulling away and leading the way to the hospital. Following Willow, he didn't pay any attention to what he passed. Instead he alternated between worrying about Darby and wanting to kill Druscilla. When they arrived at the ER, Buffy was at his side in an instant. The look on her face said it all. Darby was dead. "No...NO...NOOOOOOOOOOO!!" he was about to flee when she wrapped him in her arms. And that was all it took to cause him to burst into tears. Willow joined in the hug and they all mourned the loss of a new friend. And Spike swore revenge, no matter how long it took. Standing in the room, but invisible to them, were the Oracles. "I regret her death." the female said. "He isn't ready yet." the male replied. "But they are soul mates." "Her death will help him grow. Then he can make the commitment needed to the good side. Besides, she is not unhappy. She watches him even now, waiting 'till they can be together." She nods and they faded away. 10 YEARS LATER: Spike shoved the stake into Dru's heart and watched as she gaped in suprise. "Spike? I thought I was your black princess?" she accused even as she turned to dust. "You were. Until you killed Darby. She was a queen." He stood there watching her dust blow away in the wind. "She was MY queen!" The End
