Twining Vines (COMPLETE)

*~*Twining Vines*~* By Echidna

Part I - Introductions
The pale cloud of smoke spiralled around him, blurring his view of the house in front of him, but before it could fade away, the cigarette was already back in his mouth for another long drag. He stood, motionless, under the old tree, staring blindly at the window on the first floor; a stupid, dreamy look on his face.

He remembered the first time he had done it. Standing outside her house, fantasizing about being inside, in her room, with her. Though it had been little less than a year ago, that night seemed so far away, filed in the back of his mind, along with the memories of his wild and savage days with his Dark Princess.

A lot had happen that last year. He had come to win her trust, to be her ally against a goddess, her confident after her resurrection and ultimately her lover and now he was back here, where he had started – standing under a tree, gawking at her window like a nerdy teenage boy with a crush on the head cheerleader, patiently awaiting for his crumb.

“Hey…” a soft feminine whisper brought him back to reality.

He whirled around to see a tall, slender, young girl; her hands nervously hidden behind her.

“Hey.” He greeted with an unenthusiastic smile on his face, as he grounded the cigarette on the wet grass with the heel of his heavy boot.

“She’ll kill you if she finds out you’re spying on her.” The girl gave him a sympathetic snicker.

“I’m not spying on her.” He immediately replied defensively, but seeing her cock her eyebrow at him he bowed his head, his gaze planted over the crushed cigarette. “Ok, so I’m lurking. It’s what I do, remember…” he pointed at himself and added: “Vampire, evil crawling…”

“… creature of the nighthe che completed his sentence for him. “I know.”

“I just miss your big sis, Dawn.” He admitted open heartedly, looking up at her with huge puppy dog eyes as he shoved his hands deep into the side pockets of his duster.

Her reply was a soft smile as she leaned in to give him a hug. He wrapped his arms around her fragile form, bringing her as close to him as he possibly could without hurting her. The embrace lasted for a couple of minutes before he gently pushed away.

“I better get going. Don’t want the Slayer to know I’ve been around.” He explained starting to walk away.

“Hey!” she called out.

He came to a halt. Without turning around to face her, he twisted his head to his left, giving him a clear view of his profile.

“She might not want to see you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t accidentally be at the same place as she is. Say… tomorrow… ten pm, at the Bronze. Anya is having a pre-bachelor-party party, or something…”

She could hear him smile before he spoke. “A pre-bachelor-party party, huh?”

“Yeah, you know Anya. She’ll make up all the excuses she can to get more gifts out of this wedding thing. Even make up a new tradition.” Dawn smiled as she heard him chuckle back a laugh.

“Thanks, pet.”

“You’re welcome.” She said softly. She was sure he hadn’t heard her as he walked down the road.

***************************************************

Buffy let out a deep groan, tapping her nails on the kitchen counter.

“Dawn! Will you just get on with it? Anya will be pissed if we’re late.” Buffy protested as she watched her little sister walk into the kitchen. “I can understand Willow taking an eternity to get dressed, but you… Why?”

“Hey, it’s not every night I get to go to the Bronze.” Dawn smiled gingerly as she hopped onto the kitchen stool.

Buffy dismissed her little sister’s sudden burst of joy and concentrated on getting the other girl out of the house. She was about to shout when Willow finally walked into the room.

“D-Do I look ok?” the Wicca stuttered nervously as she whirled around to give both girls a 360 degree view of her long emerald green dress.

“You look amazing.” Buffy finally surrendered to the contagious good-mood everyone seemed to be in and smiled lovingly at her best friend.

“It-it’s green. It’s Tara’s favourite. Think she’ll like it?” Willow asked unsure of herself.

“She’ll love it, Will.” Dawn assured her. “Now let’s go it’s almost 10 o’clock.” She warned looking up at the kitchen clock as she opened the door and walked out closely followed by Willow.

“Oh, now you’re in a hurry…” Buffy sighed as she locked up the door behind her.

~**********************************************~

The incessant drumbeat seemed to dig into his skull as the cheerful bubble-gum pop filled the room. A multitude of young, energetic teenage kids banged their heads to the newest hit by the most recent copycat, corporately manufactured boyband to top the billboard charts “He “Hey, mate.” Spike called out to one of the many people that crowded the place.

A tall, skinny boy turned around to face the vampire, revealing his pimpled face. Spike twisted his mouth in disgust at the sight of it. He didn’t really remember his teen years, but he was pretty sure his skin complexion didn’t look like a vast wasteland, covered with a massive amount of volcanoes just about to burst. Nevertheless, he swallowed down and asked.

“What time is it?”

The boy pulled up his sleeve, glancing at his watch before answering: “Ten thirty.” and walking away.

The vampire let out an unneeded sigh, turning his head as he scanned the crowd. A sly smirk settled over his lips as his eyes found his target – a petite young blond girl.

She looked amazing. She wore a glittery black sleeveless top, which clung tightly against her skin, revealing her praised assets. Dropping from her waist to hover just over her knees was an equally black wrap around skirt. He wed hed her intensely as she strode towards a table in her ten-inch heels, which served to fool a stranger about her actual short stature.

He remained in the shadows, watching her surrounded by her girlfriends, occasionally laughing and he felt a sting in his heart. Maybe she didn’t belong in the darkness. She belonged out there, with them, centre stage, bright lights gleaming over every perfect curve of her body. His mind wandered as he stared into the crowd, at a group he had tried so hard to fit into, but couldn’t. He didn’t belong with them, he-

Suddenly, lights went out; total darkness and silence engulfing them. Instinctively, he morphed into his demon visage in order to see better. He was relieved to find the group was safe. They remained seated, Buffy had her arms around Dawn and was saying something to her, while the two Wiccas and the ex-vengeance demon held hands.

Within seconds a loud voice was heard in the room, over the incessant buzzing of the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing a minor technical problem, which will be fixed in just a few minutes. Please remain seated and don’t panic.”

Well, that was all he had to say. Immediately, the buzzing grew and an occasional squeal was heard from the middle of the crowd. People began to blindly try to find their way out of there, bumping into each other, pushing and pulling until someone screamed and that was it – total pandemonium.

Spike remained calm, feet firmly planted on the floor, his gaze frozen over the small group, which had held his attention through the entire night.

~************************************~

“Buffy? What do we do now?” Dawn asked, a hint of fear in her voice.

“Don’t worry, we’ll just sit here until the light go back on.” Buffy reassured her.

But the buzzing was getting louder and an instinctive anxiety took over her so she turned to Willow.

“Will, I think we better make our way out of here.”

The witch nodded, but realising the lack of lighting in the place she quickly added:

“Sure.”

“We’re pretty close to the door. Let’s try it. Everybody, hold hands and don’t let do.”

Dawn and Anya’s hands found each other as they stood up and began to push their way towards the nearest exit. Eventually, they made it.

“Uf.” Anya took a deep breath as she stepped out. “I was getting a little out of breath in there.”

“Me too.” Tara quickly agreed. “Is everyone ok?” she asked tenderly, but her gaze fell over one particular person.

Willow, smiled and nodded along with everyone else.

“Well, I better get back in there.” Buffy noted.

“You’re going back?” Dawn asked a little alarmed.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” She assured, then, turning to face Willow, she added: “Get everyone home safe.” Quickly, she weaselled her way back into the club against the tide as everyone rushed out.

~*********************************************~

Relief washed over him as he saw her exit the place safely, but it soon dried up as he saw her walk in once more. Without another thought, he began to pusrougrough the crowd careful not to lose her from his sight, but it was impossible. Soon, he found himself engulfed in a throng of limbs and sweaty bodies, tripping over hands and feet. Accidentally, he stepped on somebody and a sharp pain dilacerated its way from the back of his skull through his entire brain. He clutched the back of his head as he tried to bite back the howl that threatened to escape his o-shaped mouth. Losing his balance he tumbled, waiting for the pain of falling face down on a floor, probably covered with broken glasses. But it never came. As he opened his eyes two large ebony globes stared back at him.

As the chaos of people drifted hurriedly around them, it took a while for his brain to register the slender curves of the body laying under his, but he soon identified it as belonging to a member of the female gender. The woman gasped as she tried to breathe, but the burden of his heavy weight made it almost impossible to move her ribcage. Realising her shortness of breath, he prompted himself on his forearms, hissing as he felt a sharp piece of glass cut into his hand. As his gaze drifted back to the person beneath him he found her missing. She was gone. He didn’t even have time to question how that had happen as the light flickered and lit up the entire place.

As the confusion ceased, he found himself being pulled up, off the floor. Looking up, he gasped as he realised - it was she.

~**********************************************~

Buffy drifted in the crowd, looking for anyone who might be in trouble. A room filled with people, in the dark, one never knew what kind of creature might be taking advantage of that. They might-

Her trail of thought stopped as the room suddenly lit up and the same voice, which had been heard a few minutes before, spoke once again:

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m glad to announce that we have fixed the electrical problem. We are very sorry for the occurrence and, as such, the next round of drinks is on the house. Once more we apologise for your inconvenience and hope you enjoy your evening.”

She was about to leave when she noticed a small crowd that gathered in the middle of the dance floor. Skilfully pushing her way, she reached it and found him, laying face down on the floor.

“Spike…” she sighed as her strong hand reached down and yanked him up by his trademark duster.

He stared wide-eyed at her.

“Should have know you hadethiething to do with this.” She hissed.

He didn’t answer, he seemed a bit fazed out and he was bleeding from his right hand.

“Were you responsible for this?” she asked with a hint of superiority in her voice, but deep inside small butterflies crawled in her stomach from the anxiety that always seemed to find its way to her every time she saw him.

He shook his head, as if trying to get a grip on his mind and mumbled:

“Hum.. no, I was just…”

“Spike, stop following me around. I told you, it’s over.” She said, turning on her heels and leaving him there, in the middle of thewd. wd.

~*******************************************~

“Stupid twit.” He grumbled to himself as he dragged his feet across the wet grass of the graveyard. “Always thinks I’m after her… I wasn’t there because- Oh, who am I kidding-“

He stopped in mid sentence as a high pitch scream nearly pierced his eardrums. In seconds, he stood on the exact spot where he thought the sound had come from and found – nothing. Absolutely nothing. The only sound that reached him now was the light rustle of leafs and the distinct calling of dozens of crickets that hid motionless amidst the greenery, nothing more, nothing less. There was no sign of a struggle, as the grass remained unmarred, untouched. Everything was where it should be.

After a while, he gave up, shrugged and with slu sho shoulders found his way back home.

~*******************************************~

She sat in front of the mirror, her hands blindly hovering over the desk to find the old comb. With a featherlike touch, she made it brush along the back of her scalp, aligning millions of thin golden strings into place. Her eyes remained glued of the reflected image in the mirror.

“I don’t belong in the darkness. I don’t belong in the darkness.” The incessant mantra echoed in her mas sas she went through the nightly routine. The sound of a door being pushed open, snapped her out of her daze.

“Hey…” Willow greeted as her head peeked in. “ Can I come in?”

“Sure.” Buffy answered with a soft smile, putting down the hairbrush and turning on her seat to face the Wicca who now sat at the edge of the bed.

“Are you ok?” the redhead asked with unease.

“Of course I’m ok. Why wouldn’t I be?” Was the blond girl’s immediate response.

“It’s just that when you came back from the Bronze you were kind of… cranky. A-Actually you’ve been kind of cranky a lot lately. Ever since Riley left. Is this about him?”

Buffy stared at her friend and was amazed how in the midst of all the trouble she still had time to notice her mood changes.

“It’s nothing. I’m just tired; from work and slaying, all that stuff.” She lied.

“Are you sure?”

Buffy nodded. Slowly, Willow stood up and walked towards the door.

“Ok, if you say so. Good night, Buffy.” She said before closing the door.

As she heard the lock click, she returned her gaze to the mirror in front of her, suddenly she heard the door open again and the same head, which had popped in, second ago showed itself once more.

“Hey… Can I come in?”

“Sure…” Buffy said with a frown.

“Are you ok?”

Buffy stared at the girl sitting on her bed.

“Yes, Willow. I’ve told you, I’m fine.” She sighed.

“It’s just that when you came back from the Bronze you were kind of… cranky. A-Actually-“

“Look, Willow, I’m sorry that I’ve been cranky!” Buffy snapped at her, but seeing the hurt on her friend’s face she added in a softer tone: “I’ve told you, I’m just tired. I’ll try to get some rest, ok?”

Willow stood up and walked towards the door, much in the same way she had just minutes before.

“Ok, if you say so. Good night, Buffy.” And she was gone.

“Gee… what’s up with Willow?” she asked herself as she walked over to her bed and opened the sheets.

~****************************************~

“Welcome to the Magic Box!” Anya greeted with an automatic grin as she heard the delicious ringing sound which announced the arrival of a potential buyer to her humble store. It soon faded away as she recognised the familiar brunette. “Oh… it’s you.” She said with disdain as her gaze returned to the mass of papers she held in her hands.

“Glad to see you too.” Dawn replied with fake enthusiasm, walking towards the table in the middle of the shop and dropping her backpack before asking: “Is Buffy in the back?”

“No… She’s not here yet.” Anya answered, not bothering to look up from the sheets of paper.

“Heya slugger. Whatcha doin’?” Xander’s overly animated voice was heard just as he showed up from behind the bookshelves.

“Hey, yourself.” Dawn smiled as he sat down beside her. “Just finished classes, Buffy told me to meet up with her here. We’re going out on a shopping spree. Well, it’s more of a “going to the mall to stare intensely at beautiful things that we can’t afford” sorta spree. It’s almost the same thing, except we don’t get to come home with pretty new clothes and with maxed out credit cards.” The young girl grinned as she finished her sentence.

“But you still get the plus of spending quality time with your big sis, don’t ya?”

“Yep!”

~****************************************~

Spike mumbled in his sleep, tossing and turning as the Slayer plagued his dreams as usual. In shock, he found himself sitting up, his fingers tightly clenching the black silk sheets he lay on.

He violently shook his head, pushing back the images of her struggling and screaming under an attacker. Someone had been pushing and pulling at her, tearing the fragile fabric of her robe off of her as she scrambled away from her aggressor, clawing at the cold tiled floor.

Hurriedly he jogged up the stairs, practically throwing the refrigerator door open as he looked for something to clear the dry and acid taste in his mouth. As he gulped down a glass of freezing water he found the fear pool away with the liquid as it travelled in his body and turn into something else. A strange, sinking feeling of guilt, gut wrenching guilt and shame.

~**********************************************~

“Did you see that woman’s face when you told her you weren’t going to take any of those clothes with you?” Dawn asked as she remembered the angered expression on the shopkeeper’s face.

“I know. I actually felt bad about her. She had been helping us for hours, she deserved her commission.” Buffy said with a hint of guilt as the two walked home from the mall.

Suddenly, a loud crash was heard, not too far away. In seconds, Buffy’s mind raced, wondering what to do with her little sister.

“Hum… stay here.” She ordered starting to walk off to where the sound had come from.

“Stay here? In the middle of the night? Alone? Do you really think that’s a good idea?” Dawn shouted at her.

Buffy stopped dead in her tracks and rethinking her choice, she signalled her sister to join her. Cautiously, they neared they destination.

“That’s Spike’s car!” Dawn announced as she saw the old DeSoto. “I thought he’d finally gotten rid of that old thing?”

“Yeah… well apparently he now uses it for crash testing into the Sunnyvale welcoming sign.” Buffy sighed as she saw the completely destroyed wooden plaque under the wheels of the old car. A groan escaped her lips as she saw the familiar vampireoll oll out of his car, cigarette in hand and a smug look on his face.

“Well, are you going over to talk to him?” Dawn asked.

Buffy turned to face her, blocking the young girl’s view of the wrecked car and its driver.

“I don’t think so.” She grumbled.

“Oh, come on.” The younger girl insisted walking past her to meet up with the familiar vampire, only to find that he was gone. And so was the car. The two sisters gasped as they saw - in its place stood a perfectly built sign.

~*********************************************~

“What do you mean he was gone?” Willow asked confused.

“I mean gone, puff… gone. Like… magic.” Dawn described.

“I-I haven’t done anything.” The witch immediately defended herself.

“We know you didn’t. But I think maybe Spike did. He must be doing something and I’m going to find out about it…” Buffy started and looking up at the watch she added strutting out the door, stake in hand: “And it’s gonna be now.”