Nocturnal Bravura

A Time To Dance

Author’s Note: Manipulated dialogue from Fool for Love

Dawnie looked up at William.

“William, do you think that you could ever forgive me?” Dawn asked.

William looked at her with shock. He was the one keeping secrets from her and she was asking his forgiveness. What was wrong with this picture?

“For what Bit?” William asked.

“Because I was always nicer to you than I was to Spike.” Dawn said with a hint of sadness showing through in her voice. William noticed that this was really the first time he has heard her talking like a child and not a young adult.

William shook his head.
“Nothing to forgive, Bit.” He said.

“I was mad at him for dying.” Dawn admitted.

“Why?” William asked.

“Because maybe if he had been here, so would Lizzie.” Tears started to form behind Dawn’s eyes as the memory of her sister invaded her mind.

William held Dawn again.

“My fault.” He thought

“My fault...”

FLASHBACK
__________________________________________________________________
William sat next to Joyce’s grave. He knew he would not have to worry about a hand clawing out but he guarded it making sure no other creatures of the night would come and defile it. He would ever let a filthy, soulless thing ever touch suck a pure woman like Joyce.

He was so angry. Even though William was The Slayer now all he could do was revert back to watching. Watching Dawnie cling to her sister as Lizzie tried to tell her everything would be turn out fine. Watching as the love of his life resided herself to her fate. Watch as that cold bitch Kroeger repeated over and over again that she felt Lizzie was an unstable and a dangerous influence to her younger sister. Watch as his father tried to do everything in his power to stop the removal of Lizzie from their home. Rupert called every person he could think of, including The Council demanding they help him bring Lizzie back. William had to watch as their broken family became even more fractured. Watching as Lizzie walked out the door...

Doris Kroeger, what did she know anyways?

William was afraid for Lizzie, he had no idea where she was. He hoped and prayed that his father would find away to bring her back.

William felt a tingling sensation go up his neck.

He gathered himself to his feet. Before he could stand upright he found himself pinned to the ground.

William looked up ready to stake the vampire in front of him.

“WHERE IS SHE!” It said obviously angry.

William lay there shocked. It was his face staring back at him. The mirror image of him.

“Spike?” William asked in shock.

Spike pulled him to his feet and threw him against a tree.

“I said WHERE IS SHE!” Spike yelled again.

William pushed his brother away.

“Spike?” He said again.

Spike began to pace.

“I went to see her after I saw this.” Spike said pointing at Joyce’s grave.

“All her stuff is packed in boxes and she’s not at Da’s what happened to her?” Spike demanded.

It hit William, and hit him hard. His brother was the sensation that he felt running up and down his neck. Spike was that unkind tingle, Spike was a vampire.

“Stay the fuck away from her!” William yelled now defensive for Lizzie’s safety from the man she had loved.

“Too late for that.” Spike smirked.

William lunged at his brother.

Spike laughed at him.

“Think you can take me, Little Brother? I don’t think so. Did I neglect to tell you I‘m the new Master Of the Hell Mouth?” Spike said kicking his brother off of him.

William digested his brother’s last bit of information.

He would deal with that later.

Spike and William circled each other.

William’s only concern was Lizzie.

“You’re lying. She would have told me if she saw you.” William said.

“Of course she would have you prissy Nancy Boy. That’s why I made sure she would never remember when I came to her. Cool Vampire trick, wanna see another?” Spike said jumping in the air and landing in front of William.

His face shifted before William’s eyes.

William stared at his brother’s demon visage.

“No.” William whispered.

“One more time before I tear you limb from limb. Where is Lizzie?” Spike said this time with a bit of primitive growl showing.

“Social Services took her away today said she was unstable. That it was unsafe for her to be around Dawn.” William said

“That’s bullshit. If it weren’t for The Bit I would have turned her bloody ages ago.” Spike said.

The very idea of Spike touching Lizzie filled William with rage.

He ran up to Spike connecting his fist to Spike’s chest several times, yet it did no good.

“You.”

THWACK

“WILL NOT”

THWACK

“GO NEAR.”

THWACK

“HER!”

Spike stuttered backward.

“Come on little Brother let’s dance.” Spike smirked.

“You think that’s what this is, a dance?” William asked.
Spike rolled his eyes.

“Of course it’s a dance you Wanker, don’t you feel it?” Spike asked with a smirk.
William threw blows with his brother as his brother continued to taunt him.
“This stupid Slayer role is nothing but one huge dance. And the thing about the dance is, you never get to stop. Every day you wake up, it's the same bloody question that haunts you: is today the day I die? Death is on your heels, brother, and sooner or later it's going to catch you. Just like it caught me.” Spike said.

William head butted his brother then flew in the air hitting him in the head.

Spike laughed.

“You don’t think I know what you feel like brother, being the Slayer? A part of you wants death... not only to stop the fear and uncertainty, but because you're just a little bit in love with it.” Spike said.

William let out a growl and pushed his brother back.

Spike swept William’s legs causing him to fall to the ground. William flipped back on his feet.

Spike stood there glaring at his brother.

“Death is your art. You make it with your hands, day after day. That final gasp. That look of peace. Part of you is desperate to know: What's it like? Where does it lead you? That's the secret. Every Slayer... has a death wish”

Spike said a look a pain flashed in his eyes before reverting back to his cold demeanor.

“Even you, Little Brother.” Spike said

“Sooner or later, you're going to want it. And the second, that one, brief second... it happens...

Someone will slip in... and have themselves a real good time.” Spike said.

William closed his eyes for a moment.

“You think you know me? You don’t, you don’t know a thing about what I am.” William said.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Spike smirked.

“Stay away from her Spike.” William warned.

Spike rushed his brother at full speed grabbing him by the throat.

“She’s mine. She’ll always be mine.” Spike growled.

“Then why haven’t you turned her?” William gasped.

William kicked Spike off him.

“Because you know your world is perverse. It’s dark and Lizzie would never be happy there. She belongs in the sun and with her sister. Face it Spike you were never good enough for her and you know it.” William said.

Spike stopped his attack his brother’s words stinging him.

“ You’re not even worth her time or her... memory. As you your self have proved true. She will never be able to be seductive in the dark, but to be innocent in the sun. The only thing the dark will do for her is tear her to bits till there‘s no more left. Now Spike, now you’re just beneath her. ” William spat out.

Spike began to take a step toward him continuing their “dance” when he heard Willow’s voice.

“We’ll continue this later, Little Brother.” Spike said disappearing into the darkness, pretending her hadn‘t heard the hurting word his brother had produced.

“Will!” Willow yelled running toward him.

“You sounded like you were taking to yourself.” Willow said.

“Come on Red let’s get out of here.” William said.

END OF FLASHBACK
_______________________________________________________________
William looked down at Dawnie.

“How about we get out of here for a tick Bit?” William suggested.

“Meet up with The Scoobies?” William offered.

“Oh! Go to the Bronze? Dance?” Dawn beamed.

William bit the inside of his cheek.

He was really beginning to hate that word.

Hiding his emotions, William smiled at Dawn and said

“Sure Bit. Let’s dance.”