Lovers Times Two
by Jerri
Willow sat up in bed. Something was different. She could feel the power rippling through her system, as clearly as if she had a part in the casting. She sent her perceptions seeking for the cause. Whatever the case, it was huge. As she swung her bare legs off the side of the bed, a finely drawn masculine hand grabbed her arm.
�Going somewhere pet?�
�Just to the living room, Spike. Someone is performing powerful magic, somewhere. Powerful enough that it woke me from a dead sleep. I need to figure it out. Who or what ever is doing this is strong. Dangerously so.�
�Okay pet,� Spike swung up to sit on the edge of the bed. �I�ll just check on the kitten, then join you in the kitchen I could use a mug of blood and I�d bet you wouldn�t say no to a cup of coffee.�
�You would win that bet.� The petite redhead stood and grabbed the ratty robe she refused to toss out because it had been a gift from her deceased best friend. As she wandered down the stairs in the house she and Spike were finally beginning to consider home, she thought back over the last months. The sheer heartbreak and terror the night her friend sacrificed herself. The tears that mingled with stunned emotions when they viewed the epithet, �She Saved The World, Alot� on her plain granite tombstone. The grief and puzzlement that overwhelmed her when Tara announced her plans to move to the East coast. She had been accepted to a good college there, and she couldn�t bear to remain in the Scoobie Gang following the damage done to her heart and mind by Glory. As she had reeled from that blow, they had learned that Buffy had left a will, it seemed that she had prepared for the possibility that she would die in the battle with Glory, while Dawn survived. Buffy had named Spike and herself as Dawn�s guardians.
There had been a battle royale over who was best suited to the task and what should be done regarding who Dawn lived with. Finally, Giles, with his unshakable British calm had pointed out that Dawn was still the key and would continue to be a target for anyone who discovered that little fact and that Spike and herself were the best suited to protect the girl from anyone seeking to use her. The two of them had then decided to move into the Summers home. Slowly, she and Spike had become friends, bound together by their mutual grief and fear. Finally, about three weeks ago, they had indulged in what Spike called a �flaming, bloody great row�, when Spike had shocked her silly and entertained Dawn thoroughly by kissing her in a futile atempt to shut her up. She was still hollering when he had sealed her lips again. That time however it was a searching effort. he tasted her and invited her to taste him in return. Dawn had finally ended that interlude with the comment, �This is as good as the premium channels, but could you do that again, I couldn�t see just what you did with your hands?�
She entered the kitchen automatically pouring a bag of blood into a mug and heating it in the microwave. Her spirit sought as her hands prepared a pot of coffee. Spike entered the kitchen as she sat the mugs on the table. he kissed her in appreciation and sat down, pulling her into his lap.
�Dawn is fine, sleeping like the innocent babe she isn�t. So pet, how do you want to go about this? Will I help or distract?� Spike cuddled her on his lap, sipping from his mug as he spoke to his lover.
�Spike I need to look at astral projection as a tool to discover what is happening. I haven�t been able to find out a thing otherwise. When I do it, I will need you to guard my body. Without you there, I would be totally helpless. Spike, I have to figure out what is happening. Cause until the next slayer arrives, it is up to you and me, to stop any big bads that come Sunnydale way.�
The blond vampire snuggled his lover close, holding her and protecting her. After Buffy had died, he had believed he would never love again, but time and Willow had shown him that he could. True, he didn�t love the redhead the same way he had loved the slayer, but his love was just as deep and just as true. In some ways deeper, because he knew he could never have owned the slayer, just as he knew he would always own Willow.
The petite wiccan lay on the floor. She arranged her limbs comfortably, then with one last smile for her snarky vampire, she closed her eyes and began her meditative trance. The deeper she sank into the comfortable blackness, the more the ambient sounds surrounding her became magnified. She geared up to loose her spitit from her body, when suddenly a thunderously loud banging on the door ripped her from her trance. She sat bolt upright, panting with shock as Spike entered the foyer to answer the door. She quickly stood and followed him, curious to see who would be banging on their door at three in the morning.
Spike glanced back at her, his eyes clearly asking if she was ready. She nodded and he pulled the door open to reveal, oh Goddess it couldn�t be. Her body folded into a graceful slump and she never knew that a shocked vampiric lover was all that kept her from hitting the floor.
Author: Jerri Cocke [email protected]
Title: Lovers Times Two 1B/? PG
Summary: Willow and Spike are moving on, after the battle with Glory.
Spoilers: Up to the end of season five.
Disclaimer: Joss owns all, I own none. I do try not to break them to badly before I return them.
Distribution: If you have, take. If not, ask. My site http://geocities.com/lochnoir Near Her Always, The Nekkid Shipper
Feedback: It gives me a happy.
Buffy:
The slayer looked at the key. The little sister she loved so dearly. The words ran through her head, �blood is blood� �death is your gift�. Suddenly it clicked. There was only one gift she could give Dawn. She could give her the gift of death. She looked into her sister�s pretty face, told her how much she loved her, then dived off the tower into the maelstrom.
Buffy looked around. It was the warehouse. The site of her climactic battle with Glory, but something was wrong. For starter�s where was her sister, Willow, Giles, or any of the other Scoobies. She could see no trace of any of the gang. Surely if Glory had won, there would be some evidence left. She sat up carefully. She didn�t understand, she should be dead, but apparently had suffered very little damage.
Okay something was big time making her wig. There, covered with warped old plywood was the hole the wrecking ball had made. She looked at the place where the tower should be. No tower.
Okay, she was officially wigged. This was the place, she recognized it, but it was different.
Wait a minute, a picture of her best friend in a leather bustier floated through ther mind. Well if she was in an alternate dimension. she could find out fast. All she had to do was go find her alternate self. She would go home.
She searched around until she found something she could use for a stake before starting the trek to Revello Drive. One semi-fierce battle with a really stupid vampire later, she was standing in front of her house. She considered just going through her window, but decided her alternate might not like that. She risigned herself , took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Okay, so maybe she knocked a little loudly, but still.
moments later the door flew open. She looked at Spike and Willow for a long moment. The silence was broken by a loud �Bloody hell� as the blond vampire leapt to catch the crumpled body of Willow Rosenberg. He looked at Buffy, the redhead clutched tightly in his wiry arms. �Well for fuck�s sake Slayer, you�re meant to be dead.�
Author: Jerri Cocke [email protected]
Title: Death, It�s Only A State Of Mind 1/1 PG
Summary: Willow and Spike are moving on, after the battle with Glory.
Spoilers: Up to the end of season five.
Disclaimer: Joss owns all, I own none. I do try not to break them to badly before I return them.
Distribution: If you have, take. If not, ask. My site http://geocities.com/lochnoir Near Her Always, The Nekkid Shipper
Feedback: It gives me a happy.
Spike stared at the woman framed in the doorway. He dropped his eyes to the woman in his arms, the one who wore his scent, his mark. Again, his eyes touched the blonde, �Buffy, what ... you�re dead, I saw you die, I watched them bury you. You are dead.� He extended one shaking hand, cringing slightly as he touched her warm, living flesh. Abruptly, he turned, carrying Willow into the living room and laying her on the couch.
His ears told him that Buffy had followed, closing the door behind her. Her soft voice spoke from behind him, �So the Buffy from this universe is dead? When did that happen? Although she must have done some good �cause hey, not as many vamps here as I thought there�d be.�
�Buffy, just hold that thought. Before my head spins anymore, I have to call the watcher. I don�t know where you came from, but our slayer is dead. She sacrificed herself to save the world. Maybe he can figure it out, I�m not brave enough to try.� The blond vampire snagged the phone and dialed, his hand never leaving his unconscious lover�s face.
�Watcher, get your arse over here.� The vampire listened to the sleepy protests from the newly awoken watcher, then responded impatiently. �Yes, I know it is three in the bleedin� morning, but you need to wake your backside up, and get it over here now.� Again a long pause as the blond growled low in his throat, �Giles, get your arse here now, it�s bloody vital.� Spike nodded and spoke once more, �Fine see you in ten minutes.� Then he hung up the phone with a decisive click.
Buffy looked on in confusion as the vampire who had loved her in her own dimension lovingly stroked the wiccan�s cheek and red hair. She was confused; the dimensions were so very different from what she had expected ... wait just a minute here. Willow in the alternate universe was a ... One faltering hand reached out and touched the warm hand of the unconscious woman. �Oh God!� She fell back into a chair, stunned. This was not the universe she thought it was. Where in the name of all that was holy was she?
Spike glanced up sharply as he heard the shocked statement from Buffy. His attention was drawn back to Willow as she began to stir beneath his caressing hand. He lightly tapped her cheek, drawing her attention as her jade eyes opened to stare into his blue ones. �Spike, I think I�m losing it. Just before I tried to enter the astral plane, I could have sworn I saw Buffy. Alive. Standing in our front hall. Goddess, Spike what�s wrong with me?�
Spike looked down at his lover helplessly. How did he tell her that she had seen Buffy alive? The problem was removed from his hands. Slutty just had to open her mouth now, didn�t she? �Willow, it is me. But why do you guys keep insisting that I�m dead. See? Not dead; breathing, walking, talking. I even slayed a vamp on the way over here. And what do you mean your home? This is where I live. At least in my own universe it is. I live here with Mom and Dawn, well until Mom died.�
Willow�s eyes slowly focused on the slayer, her expression a mixture of fear and excitement. She trembled as she took in the face and form of her best friend. She could see the blonde�s chest move as she drew in each breath. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Finally she was able to say, �Buffy?�
A pounding on the door announced the arrival of the watcher. Spike grimaced apologetically and went to let his fellow countryman in. He felt a certain amount of glee as he wondered if the watcher would pass out as his Willow had done. The disheveled watcher stalked past Spike and into the living room muttering the entire time about how this had better be damn good. As he entered the room, he froze, �Bleedin� �ell, Spike, what are you doin� with another one of those bloody bots?�
Author: Jerri Cocke [email protected]
Title: Times and Life 1/1 PG W/S
Series: Lovers Times Two
Summary: Willow and Spike are moving on, after the battle with Glory.
Spoilers: Up to the end of season five.
Disclaimer: Joss owns all, I own none. I do try not to break them to badly before I return them.
Distribution: If you have, take. If not, ask. My site http://geocities.com/lochnoir Near Her Always, The Nekkid Shipper
Feedback: It gives me a happy.
Buffy spun around to stare at her �watcher�, �What do you mean �bot, Giles? I�m no more of a �bot than you are.� She huffed in very real indignation.
�It is a simple equation to make, Buffy is dead, ergo the Buffy sitting in front of me is a robot, or a figment of my imagination. It would seem that everyone else in the room can see you, therefore you are most likely a robot. One which has no knowledge of the fact.�
Buffy stood and walked to the watcher, �Touch me Giles.� She stroked his hand with one warm, stake-calloused hand. �I am me, I promise.�
Giles looked at her, then looked at Spike, �Call Anya and Xander, I think we may need her assistance in working this conundrum out.� The Briton shifted his attention to Willow, �Have you ... � He appeared to realise that Willow was prone on the sofa for a good reason. He rushed to her side in a paroxysm of concern, �Willow, are you quite alright?�
The red head looked up at him from her position on the couch, �Giles, it was a shock, I mean I saw her die. I didn�t even think of the possibility that she might be a �bot. But if she is, she has more natural speech patterns than any other I have ever encountered.� The little witch perked up as her mind became engaged in the problem. �If she will agree to let me examine her, it will be easy enough to determine.�
Buffy looked at the hacker with serious trepidation on her face. She recognised that look in those jade eyes. The look that said what a fascinating question, who do I have to dissect to figure out the answer? She was deeply afraid of that look. �Now, Willow, can we discuss this, Slayer to best friend. �Cause I really don�t want you cutting into me to find out if I am real. Which I am, by the way.� She added hastily.
Willow smiled softly, then grinned, �Well, I don�t think vivisection will be needed, but I will have to prick your skin just a bit.� The grin on her face widened as she saw the slayer wince. �It won�t hurt silly, and if you are Buffy, you will heal in a few moments.�
�But, it will hurt,� whined the blonde.
�Well, yes, but only for a moment. I just have to check to see if you have circuits.�
�But, but ... �
�Now, no buts. Be a brave little slayer and let Willow find out if you are real.�
Buffy cast frightened eyes around the room looking for someone, anyone to help her, but found no help there. Spike looked amused and Giles, well Giles looked like someone had killed his Citroen again. She looked helplessly at her �friends�. What in the world did she do now? Her question was answered by a familiar scream from the entrance to the room. She spun around to see her little sister, standing and screaming at the top of her lungs. She did have a good set of pipes on her.
She stared in amazement as Dawn ran to the blond vampire and threw her arms around him. �Spike, what is going on here? Why does she look like Buffy?�
�Well Platelet, we are trying to figure that one out ourselves. All I know is she showed up at the door, and Willow fainted ... �
�Willow, are you okay?�
�Yes honey, I�m fine, and what are you doing up anyway? You have school tomorrow, and no, you are not gonna to use Buff ... well whoever she is as an excuse to skip school. I heard you and Spike studying for that lit test.�
Buffy�s face fell as Dawn looked at Willow and whined in her very best voice, �But moooom.�
�Well this is cosy. What the hell is going on in this universe? Dawn, what do you mean by calling Willow mom?�
The pretty teenager looked at the strange woman who looked so much like her sister, her dead sister. �Look, I don�t know who you are, or where you came from, but my sister is dead. I saw her die to save my life, and she left Spike and Willow to take care of me. They�re doing a great job, now butt out! �cause You have no right to question me. If anything it�s my right to question you. Like what are you doing in my house? And are you another robot, or just a demon dressed up to look like my sister?� Dawn burrowed under Spike�s arm and glared at the slayer from the protective comfort of his embrace.
Willlow looked at the tiny blonde and saw the sorrow and fear on her face. �Well Buffy, are you ready to let me prove that you aren�t a robot?�
The slayer looked at her best friend and saw both compassion and resolve on her face. �Oooh, resolve face. Yeah, I guess I�m ready to let you prick me.�
�Come with me then.� With a nod to Spike and a smile for Dawn, she led the way to the kitchen.
Spike quickly handed Dawn over to Giles and followed the pair. The vampire looked at his lover as she removed a knife from the knife block on the counter. �Luv, there is an easier way, you know.�
�What do you mean Spike?�
�I can belt her. If she doesn�t fall down she�s probably a �bot. If I fall down, she�s human.� He tapped his head. �Remember my useful human detector.�
The redhead looked slightly apprehensive, then a look of resignation crossed her face. She�d known this would happen sooner or later and now, everyone would know. She could hear the screams of rage and protest. �Spike I�m afraid that won�t work quite as well as you think it will.�
�I don�t see anything different happening, Red. I hit her, if she�s human I end up with a bleedin� headache. If she isn�t then I take her apart to see what she is.�
�Uh, Spike, I kind of did something that, well, I don�t know quite how to explain just what I did.� She cast a helpless look up at her lover.
The icy blue eyes warmed and his tone was both warm and commanding. �Girl. Tell me exactly what you�ve done.�
Jade eyes dropped respectfully. �Sir, I removed your chip. I felt it was prudent to do so for the protection of the key. But sir, I failed to inform you. So if you hit Buffy and she�s human, it wouldn�t matter.�
Spike stared down at the woman before him. Finally in a soft voice he said, �We�ll deal with this digression later, girl. For now we have to figure out how to prove one way or the other what this Buffy is.�
His eyes promised Willow that there would be a punishment for her misbehaviour, she quaked slightly knowing that she would be uncomfortable sitting for a few days over this. �It�s easy enough to do, Spike. All I have to do is to cut her hand slightly. It�ll prove one way or the other whether she�s human or a robot. But before I do that I need to examine the back of her neck and the small of her back. That could solve the problem by itself.�
�Alright Red, you do what you need to do. She�ll just have to put up with my being here, �cause I�m not leaving you alone with her.�
The little witch nodded her head in acquiescence, then turned to the blonde. �Please turn around and hold your hair up off your neck?� She carefully probed at the slayer�s neck with her fingers and her sharp eyes.
�Now raise your shirt and let me see the small of your back.� Buffy carefully lifted her shirt, trying to keep Spike from seeing anything. Again, Willow probed her with eyes and fingers. Finally she spoke, �Okay, now one little prick and I will be through.�
Spike smirked, �Well nothing new in that is there, Slayer?�
She held one of Buffy�s hands in her own. Taking a knife, she carefully pricked Buffy�s thumb with the tip of the knife in her steady hand. Blood welled red under the blade. She looked at her lover, then at Buffy. She dipped the tip of her finger into the small pool of blood and offered it to the vampire.
He gently took her hand in his, then licked the blood from the finger she extended to him. �There is no doubt about it. That�s slayer blood. The power sings in it. I don�t know who she is, but she is DEFINITELY a slayer.�
The strange combination of witch, vampire and slayer, entered the living room. Their faces bore conflicting looks of joy and puzzlement. Willow looked at the four people waiting for them. It was evident that neither Anya nor Xander had been told about the Buffy clone. Anya gasped sharply and slumped into Xander�s side. Xander stood, mouth agape as if unable to breath. A better reaction than anyone else had come up with. Xander�s lips moved slightly and Anya managed, �Buffy, is that Buffy?� She directed a sharp glare at Spike, �Or have you been threatening that poor, idiot Warren again? Besides, why do you need another Buffybot? Willow gives you orgasms now.�
Dawn giggled and wormed her way back into the vampire�s protective embrace. Her face was a picture of both fear and hope as she looked into the snarling blond�s face. �I didn�t make anyone make her, she�s the real thing. God alone knows where she came from, but she�s a slayer.� Spike threw a hard glance toward the watcher. �Until we do figure out who she is and where she�s from; she�s staying with you mate. Not having her here. Not �til I�m sure my girls�ll be safe.� He hugged Dawn to his side and slid his free arm around the redhead�s waist.
�Well, Spike while I concur with the sentiments, I hardly have the room to put her up. Should she stay with me ... �
�She can always occupy the palatial quarters, you so generously provided me with.� The blond smirked at the watcher as he remembered cold porcelain making his backside even colder than usual.
�But, Spike, you were chained in the bathtub. I so do not intend to sleep in Giles� tub.�
The group looked at her in amazement. �Buffy, what is the date today?� Anya asked with no preliminaries.
The blonde looked at her like she was nuts. �It is late May, why?� The Scoobies looked at one another with shock. Giles and Anya stepped to the front of the group, making hushing motions behind their backs at the rest.
�Buffy, what do you remember about the last year starting from, approximately 6 months ago?� Giles question was carefully phrased to give her no current information.
�Let�s see. Six months ago, that would be around the time I fought Glory for the first time. And found the Dagonsphere. I was still dating Riley then.�
She shot an amused smirk at Spike. �In my universe, Spike was living with this skanky ho� of a vampire.� Looking at Willow curled into Spike�s side, she grimaced apologetically, �I�m sorry, Willow, but he was living with one of Cordy�s sheep. Harmony Kendall. Who by the way sucks at the job of vampire. Mostly, she never got staked cause we all felt sorry for her.�
�Let me think, then I discovered that Dawn was a supernatural key and she was sent to me for protection. Mom got sick with some kind of brain cancer. They operated on her and it seemed to work but not really. She died not long after that. Just before she died, Riley took off for South America to be commando boy again.� She glanced at the watcher. �Well Giles, how am I doing so far?�
�I shall tell you when you are done, er ... Buffy. I shouldn�t want to influence you with erroneous data. Suffice it to say, you are making a reasonably clear report.�
�Well, Glory was a problem, but there were other little problems along the way. Harmony went to L.A. and nearly got Angel and the gang there killed. Some former schoolmate of ours made a robot and abandoned her. She came looking for him. It wasn�t fun. Spike got a crush on me.� She shot another apologetic glance at the red head. �He seemed to be obsessed. Even offered to stake Drusilla if I would give him a chance. All in all, the last six months have been really bad. As usual, my birthday sucked sour grapes. This year, Dawn ran away from home and with Spike�s help found out she was the key.�
�Finally, we went on the road with Spike to try to get away from Glory. We had a run in with these screwy knights and Giles got stabbed in the side. Glory came and took Dawn away. We managed to find her by following Tara. Glory had kinda sucked Tara�s brain out, and she went where Glory was automatically. We followed and with a lot of hard fighting and some really neat tricks we managed to beat her. But one of her followers had managed to cut Dawn. She was bleeding and the skies were strange. I realised the only way to stop it was for someone to die. I couldn�t kill my sister, so I jumped off this tower and into the light show. Then a few hours ago, I woke up on the floor of the warehouse that I had faced Glory in, but I realised I had to be in an alternate reality, �cause there was no tower and the place was way older than it was when we faced Glory.�
�I thought the thing to do was come to my double�s home. She would be able to help me. I had no idea that your Buffy was dead as well. So I came here. And ... well ... here we are.� She shrugged helplessly.
Giles looked around the room. He focused his gaze on the pretty brunette. �Well Anya, what do you think?�
�Giles, I don�t know what to think. I have some ideas, but we need to keep Buffy unaware until we can perform a divination spell. I can teach it to Willow and assist her with it, but that is the only way I can think of to find out what we need to know. It will take at least twenty-four hours to set up and prepare for the spell. She will have to be isolated until then.� She looked at the tiny blonde. �I�m sorry, but there is no other way.�
Giles gathered everyone with his eyes. �Are we all agreed that this is the way to deal with this dilemma?�
A chorus of nods came at him from all sides. �Then, that is what we shall do.�
The slayer looked around her. Nothing seemed to have changed. She pulled herself out of her introspection as the little red sports car pulled up in front of Giles� apartment. �So, Giles, how do we do this? You wouldn�t turn on the radio cause I might hear something. All of you have made it clear something is very wrong. When do I get to find out what?�
Giles set the brake on the little red tramp, as he considered how best to answer. �Buffy, there are some very ... intriguing questions that need to be answered before I can disclose what appears to have happened. And I am truly sorry for that, but we must be sure.� His fingertips pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to say enough to satisfy the girl in front of him, while not telling her that she might very well be their Buffy. He shook his head. Stranger things then this had happened. �Well, let�s get in and try to get you comfortable.� Suiting action to words he climbed out of the sports car and headed for his door.
Buffy followed him only to be stopped on the doorstep. �Er ... Buffy, I need to blindfold you for a few moments, while I deal with a couple of items.�
The blonde looked up at him, �What, left the centerfolds out where innocent slayers might see them?�
The Englishman blushed a painful red, �Er ... N no. I have to remove several pieces of information that are pertinent to the situation.� He left unsaid, that the information consisted of calendars and current newspapers. It wouldn�t do for her to realise that it was October and not May.
The Summers Home
Anya sat calmly while being barraged by questions from Xander and Dawn. Spike sat on the sofa, one arm wrapped around Willow and the other around Dawn. He listened quietly while the redhead by his side shivered.
�So, you think there is a chance, that this is the real Buffy, er our Buffy cause she came back convinced the fight happened yesterday?� Xander shook his head in confusion.
�So, like is this really my sister?� The pretty teenager was a mixture of emotions. Her moods appeared to fluctuate. Hope, fear, love, loss and need crossed her face in turn.
The ex-demon answered calmly, �We won�t know if she is our Buffy until after we do the divination spell. She has a working knowledge of the history of our universe, but there are a multitudes of universes out there. So one might be more closely intertwined with our own, than the other alternate we dealt with was. I think it is a strong possibility, but we have to be sure. The divination spell will tell us for certain. Willow, the spell is one that will tell us conclusively whether she was created in this world, in this universe.�
�What will I have to do to make this spell work correctly?�
�For the most part, it is a case of connecting with the energy flow of the universe and then comparing it to the slayer�s. If she is Buffy, they�ll match. You need to be calm and able to place yourself into a deep trance. That is the majority of it. I suggest that you start to meditate and begin to calm yourself for the whole experience. We need to get out of here, and go home and to bed, cause all of us need to be rested for this ritual tonight.� She looked at Xander, �Come Xander.�
One quick hug later they were gone. �Can you sleep, Platelet or will you need help?�
�I think I can sleep, I�m really tired and confused and I just don�t know what to think.� She hugged her care takers, then headed for bed.
Spike�s keen hearing heard the door shut, then he turned to face his Willow. �Girl, you have something to say to me, don�t you?�
The little redhead looked up at her master, one glance was enough to have her dropping to her knees. �Yes, Master, I must apologise for not telling you I had removed the chip.�
�Yes, girl, you must, the question now is what will be suitable for atonement. What do you think is appropriate for your punishment?�
Willow dropped her eyes to the floor as she considered the question. She felt horrible, she had lied to her Master. True it was a lie by omission, but still a lie. Finally she looked him in the eye. The vampire smiled as he recognised her �resolve face�. �Master, my punishment should be whatever you think suits what I have done.�
�I hope you remember your safe word. That�s the only limit tonight?�
�There are no limits on you, Master.�
�Al right girl, downstairs now.� As the redhead started to rise, he added, knowing that she had massive amounts of guilt to overcome, �Crawl girl.�
He followed behind her, admiring the view as she crawled to the basement door, then stopped her and helped her to stand for her descent. Once she was safely at the bottom of the stairs, he ordered her to resume crawling. Finally they reached the door that was kept locked. It wouldn�t do for Platelet to get into the play room. Spike unlocked the door and after she entered immediately relocked it. He fastened the heavy black leather collar around her neck, padlocking it in place. �Do you remember what you swore when you accepted my collar, girl?�
�Yes, Master, I remember, I promised to obey you and to always be honest with you. To honour the collar which marked me as yours. Yours to protect and yours to teach.� The redhead looked up at the vampire momentarily, her eyes reflecting her tormented heart. �I failed you, Master.�
�Strip!� The command caught Willow by surprise and she responded by frantically removing all her clothes.
�First position!� She responded to the instruction, her knees spread wide and her back straight, hands flat on her thighs. He examined her from the top of her head to the soles of her feet.
�Supplication pose.� She quickly lay prone on the cold floor, her body straight and her arms by her sides. While he considered what to do with her, Spike examined a rack with all manner of toys on it.
Finally he chose a slapper paddle. It was a pretty piece of work, two pieces of leather around a foot long, and a soft doeskin covered handle. He slapped it against his palm, smiling as his slave, his property shuddered at the sound.
Willow�s mind raced, torn between her fear of the slapper and the pleasure of having her guilt washed away by it�s cleansing pain. The pleasure won, as she knew it would. Goddess, she hated to admit it, but she was well aware Spike could smell her arousal. She could feel it rising even as she thought.
�Cross, NOW.� She scurried to the huge wooden X and stood before it waiting for further instructions. Large, pale hands grasped each wrist firmly, fastening leather cuffs around them. He fastened the cuffs to rings set in the cross, then did the same with her ankles. He looked but felt something more was needed. He found the leather belly band and secured her to the cross. She was pressed firmly into the cross, her stomach and breasts caressing the unyielding wood.
Two fingers dipped into her cunt from behind, finding it dripping with need. A smile crossed his face, she would be drenched before he was done with her. He stepped back and began to stroke her arse with the paddle, warming the muscles up for what was to come. Slowly as her butt turned a beautiful pink, he increased the force of the blows, never breaking his rhythm. Slowly her colo ring deepened to a bright red. He paused to admire his handiwork. Then released her from the cross, smiling as she winced when she moved.
Seating her on a hard bench, knowing how her bruised arse felt, he stood in front of her, blue eyes locked on green, �Do you understand the main reason that you have to be punished, girl?�
�Because I did something that affected you and didn�t tell you about it, Master.�
�That is part of it, but not the most important part. The main reason is that you are mine and by not telling me what you had done, you deprived me of the ability to mark you as mine. That was completely unacceptable.� Fingernails scraped over her shoulders, as he dragged the hair from the back of her neck. He unlocked the collar and removed it. �Normally this would be much more pleasant, but because of your omission it is going to hurt, not a lot, but you will remember it.� Spike bent her neck to the side, lapped at her jugular, then with one thought, vamped out and sank his fangs deeply into her flesh.
She whimpered and then screamed softly at the pain, but made no attempt to safe word. She felt a slight tugging as her blood was drawn from her, then a rough tongue licking the wound in her neck. Cool lips caressed her and hands softly stroked her hair.
�You are mine now, and no one can take you away from me. Now, get upstairs, I want you rested for the spell tonight. I will take care of Platelet, get her to school and all. You, my darling witch, will sleep.�
Giles Flat
Buffy sat up, dazed. Where was she? She looked around in confusion, before realising she had slept on the couch in Giles� living room. She growled a bit as she thought of her bed, in her room, in her house. The one she was denied because Spike wanted his girls to be safe. His girls. She thought indignantly, Willow was her best friend and Dawn was her sister. Hers, not Spike�s. Like the chipless wonder could protect her sister. Buffy�s stomach turned over as she remembered the events of last night. The scene ran through her head like a really bad film, �I removed your chip.� Oh my God, Spike didn�t have a chip. How in the world had she managed to miss that one? Giles had to be told at once. The vampire had invitations into all their homes. He lived with her little sister for crying out loud.
She bounced off the couch and ran up the stairs. As she pounded on Giles� door, she yelled at the top of her lungs. She had to get Dawn and Willow out of her house! It wasn�t safe for either of them. Giles� tousled head emerged through the slightly opened door. He shook his head, trying to clear it of sleep-induced fuzz, and to also absorb what the slayer was saying. Finally, he extended one hand in the gesture for stop that bobbies used so often.
He stepped through the door, clad in a white tee shirt and grey sweat pants. �Buffy, if you don�t stop yelling and calm down, I won�t be able to understand you. Now take a few deep breaths. Good, now what are you going on about?�
�I just remembered! Willow told Spike that she had removed his chip last night. She said she hadn�t told anyone and that it was so he could better protect the Key. Giles, my sister and my best friend are in a house with a vampire who can bite. We�ve got to get them out of there. NOW!�
�Spike�s chip has been removed? I wonder how Willow was able to effect that?�
�Does it really matter how? The point is he�s with Dawn and Willow and he can bite. They aren�t safe with him. We have to get them out of there.�
�Buffy, I tend to think you�re over reacting. Spike truly loves Willow and he�s wonderful with Dawn. I think if she wanted him to take up sun bathing, he would. I seriously doubt he would bite either of them. In fact, in some ways, it�s not a bad idea. I just wish she had told us, so we could have had some precautions in place.� The British shopkeeper looked thoughtful.
The slayer gaped at him in utter shock. �You trust that bleached blood sucker with Dawn and Willow? My Dawn and Willow? Have you gone completely nuts?�
�No, I haven�t er ... Buffy. I think I know my own universe and the people in it very well indeed. Please remember that I see the interaction between Spike and the girls on a regular basis, while you have memories and one short period of time observing them. What was Spike�s reaction to having you in the house?�
The tiny blonde indignantly snorted, �He acted like I�d hurt them. As if I would or could hurt Dawn. I was willing to die for her.�
�Yes, in your universe you were. Here, Buffy did die for her. But, we don�t know you. I, on the other hand do know, and to a certain extent trust, Spike. And in this case, I�m the better judge of the situation.�
�But Giles ... �
�No buts, I�m sure both Dawn and Willow are perfectly safe. Now, I�m going to get dressed and see about getting some breakfast ready. I suggest you calm down, and consider the reality as opposed to the way you remember things.� The door shut with a sharp click in the irate blonde�s face.
The Summers Home
Spike stood in front of the stove, competently flipping eggs with a spatula. The island in the kitchen was set for breakfast for two. Spike�s coffee mug flanked a larger mug of blood. The second place was set with a bowl of cereal and toast. He slid eggs onto a plate and put it in place, just as the tiny brunette sat down. �Oooh, Count Chocula, my favourite.�
The blond shook his head while reaching for his mug of blood. �If you don�t get a move on you�ll be late for school. If I let you be late for school, this�ll be the last time Willow trusts me to do it. You know what that means ... ?�
�Yes, Spike.� The teenager quoted, �It means that I will be forced to eat sticks and leaves and other disgusting forms of rabbit food for breakfast.� A smirk crossed her face, �And, that chocolate will no longer be considered a food group, cause Willow thinks we all eat too much of it.�
�Very good, Platelet, now get your arse in gear.�
�When is the wicked witch of the upstairs taking me to school anyway? I haven�t seen her yet.�
�The witch is sleeping in today. You get the Big Bad as chauffeur this morning.�
�Cool! Are you gonna leave black marks on the driveway again? You know, the way you did last time Willow trusted you to get me to school.�
�No. This time I�m gonna be the adult and get you to school safe and sound. If I do the tyre squeals again, Willow will kick my arse. She threatened to, last time. Now, eat your breakfast, and let�s go. If you�re late, I won�t have an unlife to worry about.�
The teen-ager smiled up at her undead guardian, stuck her tongue out at him, then applied herself to her breakfast.
Spike put the car in reverse and was backing out of the garage, when the driveway was blocked by the watcher�s little red convertible. �Bloody hell, what does the wanker want at this time of the morning?�
Dawn looked at him, amused by his reaction. She rolled her window down an inch or so, to allow them to talk without Spike being hit with sunlight. �Morning, Giles. What�s the problem? And is it gonna make me late for school?�
�No, Dawn, you won�t be late for school. I rather think that Willow might do dreadful things to me, should I delay you. And I shouldn�t want you to miss your test, this morning. Spike, I just needed to ask you to come in and talk with me, when you have taken Dawn to school. Ideally I need to talk to Willow as well. Is she able to come in with you?�
�Sorry, Rupes, old boy, but Willow�s in bed. She needs to sleep as much as possible before she does the spell tonight. I want her well rested and calm before she has to do that.� A sudden thought crossed the vampire�s mind. �Does this have to do with the conversation we had in the kitchen last night?�
�Er ... um ... yes, it does actually. But now isn�t the time to get into that discussion. I�ll see you in ... �
�Give me about half an hour to get Platelet to school, then I�ll be there. Good enough?�
�Er ... certainly.�
�Okay, have a good day. Don�t get caught by the guards, cause if you do, then Willow will have both our arses. I�ll pick you up at three.�
�Spike, you of all people should know, that I seldom get caught.� She shot a cheeky grin at him. Then with a quick hug and kiss on the forehead, he pulled slowly away from the curb. As he hit the street, he couldn�t resist the urge, and pushed both the brake and accelerator down in the Desoto, leaving black marks and smoke behind him.
The black Desota Fireflite pulled onto the curb in front of the Magic Box. Spike reached into the back seat and retrieved the latest in a long line of army surplus blankets. He wrapped the olive wool securely around him, than made the dash for the door. The bell hadn�t stopped tinkling before he was beating the smouldering blanket out.
�Anya, would you please take care of the customers? Spike and I have some business to discuss. I shouldn�t think it will take terribly long. Spike, if you will please come into the office?�
�Sure Rupes,� the vampire followed Giles into the office, before slouching into a chair comfortably.
�Buffy er ... um ... well, Buffy woke up, quite hysterical, this morning, actually she nearly screamed the flat down. She claims that Willow has in some way disabled your chip.�
�According to red, she did kill the chip. I don�t know how, but she said she did it, so I would be better at protecting Dawn. Haven�t really tested it yet, but if it�s true, she�s right. I can protect my girls better.� The blond crossed one ankle over his knee, forcing himself to appear relaxed. �So, is it stakes at sundown?�
�No, I think not. The fact that you haven�t gone on a killing spree speaks volumes. I believe that you will in no way harm Willow or Dawn, and I informed Buffy of my belief in you.� Giles sat in the comfortably, ratty chair behind the scarred desk. �The major question I have deals with Buffy. Her history seems remarkably like that of our own universe. I�ve the feeling that she is from our universe or one so like ours that the point might be moot. She could be a true blessing for us, or the greatest curse we have ever had to deal with. I�m not sure which she is, but either way, we need to be prepared to deal with her.�
�Hate to do it, but I�ve got to agree with you, Rupes. It�s hard looking at her, remembering how I felt, hells below, still feel about her. If it weren�t for Willow, I don�t know how I would handle it. As it stands now, I know that Red and platelet are my only priorities. I won�t let my feelings for the slayer stand in the way of my protecting either of them.�
�What shall we do tonight then? When we figure out just who this slayer is. If she is from another dimension, do we return her to her own place? Or do we attempt to convince her to stay and fight here?�
�I�ve tasted Buffy�s blood, and she tastes more powerful than our slayer. There is an element of strength to her that our slayer didn�t have, something darker. I�m not real sure how to describe it, but the silly bint has something, our Buffy didn�t.�
�I see. Well I think that some research will be in order, but it could be a result of her battle with Glory, or perhaps the result of the contact with whatever being resurrected her.�
�Always possible, watcher. The only thing I know, is she had better keep her hands off of my girls. Now I�m going to leave you with your research, and go home and make sure Willow is well rested for tonight. I�m not going to have her going into this thing unprepared.�
The Summers Home
Spike smiled, as he watched his redhead sleep. His mark was clear on her neck, stamping her as his. She had already submitted herself to him, but this was different. This was his mark, a tattoo or a brand could not be a clearer mark of his ownership.
She moaned as she turned in her sleep, landing on one of the bruises. He smiled slightly, he doubted she would ever again fail to tell him the truth. And it hadn�t been that bad, she would be able to sit comfortably in a few days. In the meantime the pain would remind her, never to lie to him again.
He stripped and slipped into bed with his witch, the woman he loved with all his unbeating heart. A dark shadow crossed his face as he thought of the slayer. He had loved her, but knew he could never have her, this was good enough for him, and he would make sure Willow never knew that he still had some unresolved feelings for the slayer.
Well maybe he would be able to resolve them after all, this new slayer was even bitchier than the old one. There was that to consider. A soft smile crossed his face as the witch cuddled up to him, using for him for a combination teddy bear and pillow. He could feel the heat coming off her back and cute arse from the flogging earlier. He wrapped her snugly in his arms and slept.
Later that evening at The Magic Box
�Willow removed Spike�s chip sometime ago apparently. She choose to tell none of us including Spike what she had done. She only told Spike and Buffy last night, because Spike proposed, er, hitting Buffy as a test of her humanity.� Giles calmly sipped his tea as he spoke.
The slayer looked at the Scoobies, confindently waiting for the outrage she was sure they would feel. To her shock and amazement, the reaction was far different from what she had expected. Anya nodded her head, then led Willow back into the practice room to prepare for the spell.
Xander surprised her the most with his nonchalant, �Cool, about time. Now maybe Spike can be useful when we have to deal with the belligerent humans.� He shot a glance at the shocked blonde, �After all, not all the baddies out there are of the supernatural.�
�But, he can bite people again. He�s a danger to Dawn and Willow.�
�Spike would no more bite me than he would take up sunbathing as a hobby, Buffy, or whoever you are.�
�And how can you be so sure of that, young lady?�
�Because he likes me.� Buffy could hear the �so there� in her little sister�s voice.
�But he�s a vampire.�
�So�s Angel, and you never worried about him biting me. Well except for the whole Angelus thing, but that didn�t really count, since it never happened.�
It took Buffy a moment to follow the teen-ager�s convoluted logic then she was forced to agree. �Yes, but Angel has a soul, Spike doesn�t, he likes killing things.�
�True, but he likes me to much to ever kill me, and he may not have a soul, but he has a Willow, and that will keep him on the straight and narrow.� The brunette stuck her tongue out at the slayer, grinning as she did. Just as Buffy prepared to respond to that comment, Anya called that they were ready to do the divination spell.
TBC...
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