Family of Eternity

Chapter 9

Everyone sat in the dining room, passing plates around and talking animatedly. Every now and again, Buffy would look over at Spike who was unusually quiet. He wasn't even trying to get into the conversation and he was completely ignoring Xander's jabs. Plus the worrisome part was that he was barely eating, not a good sign. A quick glance at her mother confirmed that she wasn't the only one who'd noticed, "Buffy...the gift exchange is tomorrow night, correct?"

Smiling at her ex-watcher who always got excited this time of year, she nodded and noticed Spike becoming even more depressed. About to ask what was wrong and completely ignore the guests, she was distracted by something hitting her arm. She looked down and saw a small cutting of carrot lying on the table. A quick glance confirmed that it had been lobbed by an increasingly hyper Dawn who was giggling at her.

Pouting because she was considered too old to get into a food fight, she took another glance in Spike's direction. Surprise etched on her face to realize he had already left the table, “Perhaps we should hold the festivities at my apartment."

Joyce was already murmuring in approval but both Buffy and Willow shot Giles a look which he studiously ignored. The blond slayer cleared her throat but no one noticed. Well, she was sure Giles had but he was pretending not to. Buffy indicated slightly with her head to the next room. The two girls shared a look before standing together and walking into the living room, “Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Buffy started pacing, taking in Willow's question, “Yep. You just did a general de-invite like last year." Holding up her hands for air quotes, “Because he was uncomfortable about Angel having an invitation." Growling softly to herself in irritation, “It would be so embarrassing for Spike to have to beg passage back inside." Scowling, “He's doing this on purpose. Giles knows he=s forcing me to choose between him and Spike."

"Who's going to win?"

Not even hearing who had asked the question or hesitating for a moment, “Spike...hands down."

"Then...you'll want this."

She turned with surprise to see Spike standing in the doorway with a rather large book in his hands. Neither noticed Willow silently exiting, “What is it?"

He looked down a little, “Me."

Frowning at him, clearly not understanding, “Explain please."

Sighing softly, “I found it at the Watcher's shop. Thought it should come from me instead of him."
Looking back down at the book, her frown deepened but she stepped forward and gently took it from him. He shoved his hands into his pants pockets and looked down as she opened it. The script was a little messy and definitely done by several people but the title was a little hard to misinterpret. A Historical Following of William The Bloody. Without raising her head, “What's in here, Spike?"

He swallowed rather audibly, studying his feet. It’s not that he was remorseful. It was an impossibility because of what he was. It didn’t mean he was stupid enough to believe that she approved and her opinion of him meant the world, “Everything."

"So basically it's a how-to guide for being an evil vampire."

She didn't even have to look up to know that he was nodding or that his self esteem was taking a huge nose-dive. It also didn't take a genius to realize his guard was going back up again. She let the book drop and invaded his personal space. He was too shocked to react, at least until she started kissing him. Her hands gently cupped his face, keeping him still as she coaxed him to respond. When he started returning the kiss she broke it to breathe and looked intently into his eyes, arms wrapping around his neck so that he wouldn’t miss this and to pull him closer, “Lesson the first, never assume how I'm going to react."
He nodded, gaze shifting between her eyes and her lips. She smiled just a little, “I want to know one thing." She raised an eyebrow at the book to indicate she wanted to know about him and he nodded again, his expression resigned. She gave him a grin, “How did you get your nickname? The first one." His expression slid to one of a deer caught in headlights, looking like he wanted to run. She ran a hand through his hair, her other tracing his jaw. Both comfort and contact, “Come on William the Bloody, tell me?"

He wanted to tell her something cool or to keep from embarrassing himself hopelessly. But just as she’d promised no lies, he’d silently pledged the same to her. He closed his eyes, “My...my poetry..."

She didn't laugh and when she didn't he slowly opened his eyes. She seemed to be thoughtful for a moment before smiling at him, “Write me some?" He groaned softly and tilted his head down, “Come on... please...you know how much I love it.”

“It was bloody awful, luv. William the bloody...awful poet. That’s why I got the nickname.”

She shrugged, “Like I care. We are dating, hence you have to woo me. You owe me at least one sonnet, kay?” He blushed again, even his ears tinting and she kissed the tip of his nose, not saying anything further, her question handing in the air. He pulled in a breath, eyes not looking at her. Still, he couldn't help but nod in agreement, knowing he’d do anything she requested of him. Buffy's gaze darted from his obviously embarrassed form to the room which held a problem. A problem that needed fixing. Without saying another word she grabbed a tight hold of his wrist, snatched the book off the floor, and walked briskly into the dining room with him in tow where plates were just starting to get collected, “Is this something I need to know about?"

Giles froze, unsure what he should say. Her face was unreadable and a little conversation they’d held earlier that year still held sway on a lot of their confrontations together. From then on he’d always been cautious when dealing with her about Spike but this he couldn’t pass up on. He tried his best to down play it, not certain she'd read it but hoping she would. It was a very enlightening text, “It was going to be a Christmas present but since someone ruined the surprise..."

Everyone knew exactly who he was talking about with the way he was glaring but Spike ignored the man, focusing on Buffy. For her part her eyes were glued on her watcher, still holding his wrist firmly, “Heavy. Written by a bunch of spying Watcher types. Years of tracking Spike’s movements with Drusilla. Lots of history.” She’d been casual all of this time. Cluing everyone in as to what the book contained. “It's gotta be irreplaceable...right?"

At his nod she didn't hesitate further in using her strength, ripping the book in half from the spine to the edge. She did it twice more until the pages were little more than confetti. Then she tossed the pieces in the air, stepping out of the way as her watcher dived for the leftovers. Ignoring her sister's clapping, she went into the kitchen. Giles was speechless. Xander was impressed. The girls were shocked and giggling while Spike followed Buffy, “Buffy why...why did you..."

Any further conversation was cut off by a vicious kiss from his Slayer. She demanded with her lips and tongue and he submitted to her wishes. Anything for her. Relentlessly she plundered his mouth of any insecurities until he felt himself melting against her. Without pause she spun them around, his back pressed against the kitchen wall while she continued to ravage him.

He moaned happily, his hands rubbing her sides while her own wandered inside his coat and gripped his ass. That was a new move for her and he found himself mirroring her, smiling when she keened softly in his ear. Joyce was just making her way into the kitchen when she caught the barest hint of their make out session and promptly walked away in the opposite direction.

Buffy pulled back with a smile, her cheeks flushed, “I did it because the past doesn't matter. Anything I want to know I can learn by asking you. I don't need a book to tell me at one time you were violent."

"Evil, luv. I may be a bite-less wonder now but back then I did as much damage as Angelus..."

'And you never forgave him' was on the tip of his tongue but he didn't say it. Certainly he was afraid she would come to her good senses and leave him in the gutter where they’d found him. But he was just as curious why she didn't reject him but she rejected Angelus.

She already knew what he was thinking, "First of all...you never showed up on my door step and tried to kill me. You even had a free invite back then and you never abused it. You always met me on neutral territory and that means a lot. Secondly, Angel is the one striving for redemption, not his demon. Plus Angelus never loved me or wanted me. Well, except the wanting dead part."

He looked disturbed, “I’m not...redemp-“

He shut his trap quick, eyes averting from her own but she caught his face before he could succeed, “What I mean is that you’re not trying to become an evil vampire again. You’re trying to be my vampire...just like I’m trying to be your Slayer. Champion and Demon, fitting in the middle. Black on White just doesn’t work, but you and me, we’re the grey. We work.” She gave his chin a gentle stroke, “I don’t want you running out and getting a soul. I also don’t want you trying to be someone else. Just be Spike and I’ll be Buffy. Remember last week. It’s just like that talk we had. We both have bits of gray in us along with the black and white.”

She silently led him out onto the back porch and the two sat down together. He wanted to ask so much of her but he was too shy of rejection. Why did she continuously kiss him without taking that next step? Would she always stand up for him or would the novelty of it wear off? Would she ever love him? She already had his heart, though he’d kept that secret guarded closely. He was so vulnerable to her, he didn’t think he had the courage left in him to risk his heart.“Buffy...I want to ask you something...but...I'm a little nervous about it."

Taking his hand in her own, kissing the middle knuckle, “Ask me anything."

Pulling air into his lungs, “Do...do you think you could-..."

"Slayer!"

Spike and Buffy's head whipped around, in time to see a dart embed in her chest. Time seemed to slow down as the figures slowly ran forward. Buffy grimaced, feeling the drugs rush through her system while Spike jumped to his feet in front of her, ready to protect. She yanked the dart out, then fell to the side, unconscious. The blond snarled at the intruders covered in darkness. Time reasserted itself an instant later. With his golden eyes he spotted his targets, dismayed to realize they were humans. There was no way he could win.