Destiny's Guidance

The one whom so conveniently controls this worlds Destiny was awake and chattering in an annoying manner. Spike leaned back against the headrest while keeping his eyes on the road, the Slayer better bloody well appreciate what he was going through just to get back to her. He told himself, whatever he would have to go through to get into the Slayer’s heart was nothing compared to what was going on with him right then. Seriously why did he care about migrating habits in different breeds of one species? Demon, Human, or Animal, all migrated. So what the hell?

They were entering the city now; Spike couldn’t help but pray his thanks to whichever God granted that miracle for Rabekuh fell silent. They drove a couple miles before she spoke once more, “So do you want to see Buffy right away or settle in first?”

Hiding the surprise at the question he took the chance to look at the auburn haired girl next to him a moment before returning his gaze to the road causally looking at the afternoon sun as he did so. It was still quite early and his mind started to turn, finally, a slow grin crept onto his face. “Settle.”

The rest of the drive made Spike wish the annoying bint had gone back to yammering. Instead she’d changed the radio station and squealed in glee before singing along, with every song in fact. She did pause to give him directions as to where to get off the freeway and get to her two bedroom apartment.

“Be a doll and get my suitcase will you.” The words were given with a grin as they got out of the car. Spike found himself rather glad that he just had a duffle bag, albeit a decent sized one. As he did what had been asked he grumbled quietly to himself, yes he did the task but that didn’t mean he had to be happy about it. With luggage in hand the nightwalker followed the Goddess up the stairs. He had to admit the apartment was nice. He amended that either she had great taste or hired a decorator.

The couch and chairs were a deep lush red while the wood and metal furniture in the room stood black. The fixtures he noticed scattered about on the walls and surfaces were cast iron or a rustic gold or silver. The accents, such as pillows and some wall art brought with them a fair balance of color through splashes of blues, greens, and a decent yellow tastefully throughout the pieces.

Spike soon found himself in awe with the statues she had displayed in a hutch, an animal theme present with the pictures and paintings as well as what sat behind the glass doors. All of the creatures, he noticed, were majestic and yet powerful in their own right. Wolves, dragons, elephants, and various large cats; it didn’t escape the vampires notices that the elephant was the only one among them that was not a predator.
Hearing a door close the blonde shifted his focus, “Let me show you your room.”


^_^


She hadn’t just shown him the room he would be using; she’d given Spike the grand tour. “I don’t like to open the blinds. It allows more heat in and I do like it cool.”

“Right.”

“It also means you don’t have to wear the ring at all times.” The casualness in her tone was the perfect overlay for what he thought he heard.

Looking closely at the woman he laughed, “You worried I might abuse it? Go out and kill people durin’ the day?” Scoffing he turned towards the door. “News flash I don’t do that anymore. Or did you forget that I came to you asking for a Soul before being sent to Africa.”

Laughing caused the vamp to turn back around, “Oh, I know Spike. But that isn’t the reason. I only mean not to wear it out all the time. We don’t want you getting use to the privilege.”

“Right because once you get what you want you don’t need to give me the advantage anymore.” The blonde paused studying the woman casually perched on the couch as if trying to figure her out, he was after all. “Just what is it you do want?” It was a slow asked question chalk full of suspicion. He did her jobs for her sure, but for this she still had yet to say what she wanted. Instead she’d offered him the chance he wanted with – “The Slayer.” The growl that bubbled forth from the demons throat was more feral than a starved animal being mocked with food. “I won’t do it if –“

“No,” A bit more forceful then she had probably intended but forcefully said all the same, though she quickly pulled that forcefulness from her tone. “It doesn’t. Well you might be able to use her help. But it has nothing to do with her. I won’t bring her into it if you don’t want her to be.”

“She was just your bait then. To get me down here.” He was near yelling, trying hard not to but Spike was very well near failing at that. In fact if he had not paused for the air needed to create the sounds used for speech he wouldn’t have heard her next words.

“Not bait.” Her gaze was dipped down her hands in her lap, dare he say, fidgeting. “I thought you could use friends and I wanted to be as close to home as possible. At home is even nicer.”

For the first time since seeing her in that in Colorado Spike looked at her, really looking and seeing. Her hair wasn’t shining with health like it usually did, her eyes weren’t shining brightly rather they seemed dull even with the bright happy smile she had plastered on her face. But she’d dropped her mask just enough he could see, he could really see. It was the bags under her eyes, as well as they were concealed he still saw them, that made him speak.

“You look tired, pet.” Though it sounded causal there was a bit of concern. In the near hundred years he’s known her she’d never looked beaten look alone so worn down. But she did, looking as worn down as Buffy had been before the final battle at the Hellmouth.

“I’ve been working extremely long days with only a handful of hours of sleep. I’ll be alright though.” The defeat in the admission was clear, well before she perked up again, “What would you say to something to eat? I don’t have blood at the moment but some should be here soon –“

The door opened and whoever entered, Spike found himself not wanting to turn around, the presence was familiar, the scent a memory of sorts. “Oh Rabekuh, you’re home. I didn’t know. You did say just to come in, I brought you the blood you asked for me to get. I’m sorry I was – Spike.” The vampire had finally turned around, recognizing the pattern in speech, the voice, “Oh God Spike!” Quickly setting the cooler she’d been carrying aside the brunette darted forward and hugged the taller man. “Angel said you were alive again but we just thought you’d forgotten about us. He made it sound as if you were – But you’re here.” Pulling back she looked at him. “Why are you here? How do you know Rabekuh?”

“Calm down niblet. I could never forget about you.” Finally finding the ability to speak the vampire glanced at Rabekuh, apparently she’d not thought to say she knew the Summers girls; after all you didn’t know one and not the other. “Let’s take this one question at a time.”