Swan Song

Spike allowed himself to be dragged over to a more private booth, still in shock. This was absolutely impossible.

Gabriel gazed at him with curiosity in his eyes after Spike failed to respond to any of his questions and just stared with glassy eyes.

"What’s the matter? You look pale, even for one of us," he asked, his slight chuckle not masking his concern. Spike continued to stare for a few seconds before finding his voice.
9;&q9;"I-I… I didn’t think I’d ever see you again… Bloody hell, it’s been –"

"Too long. Far too long. I should never have left."

"You had to. He would have killed you…"

"Then I should have taken you with me."

"You know I couldn’t."

"I know, but…"

"Ooh, new toy? Haven’t seen him around before." They both looked up at a chirping female voice. It belonged to a tall, thin woman wrapped in somewhat revealing red leather. She played with a lock of her waist-length ebon hair, straight as the finest silk. Her slanted, golden eyes were rimmed with kohl, and when her ruby lips parted sharp canines flashed.

"I though you had a date…" Gabriel flashed the woman an annoyed smirk. She snuffed and bumped Spike over further into the booth as she sat down next to him.

"Flaked. Never trust an Wraith to be faithful to a commitment. I swear, it’s just Oni from now on." She rolled her eyes.

"That’s what you said last week… and the week before… and the week before…"

"Yeah, but this time I MEAN it!" She grinned, licking her teeth and looking at Spike in a way that made him feel a little uncomfortable, like he was meat on a tray, "So, who’s the lamb?"

"Hanako, this is William, Will, this is Hanako, my roommate." Gabriel smiled even as Spike raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, "JUST roommates."

"I don’t do vampires. But for you, I might make an exception…" she nuzzled his shoulder, and Spike looked to Gabriel with an expression that said "call her off!"

"Hana-chan…" Gabriel chastised her lightly, and she drew back with a little pout, "It’s been a long time, and I think my presence is enough of a shock to his system."

"Oh, you don’t mean this is *THAT* Will?" she chortled softly, draping an arm around Spike’s shoulder, "Well, now that you’re here, I won’t have to listen to him lament on and on about you."

Spike turned his head sharply to stare at Gabriel, who despite himself blushed a little. He was too surprised at this revelation to even correct that nobody called him William anymore. Instead he felt a slight rush of stolen blood to his own face. Hanako noticed the mutual unease and decided to play it to her amusement.

"Oh yes, Will this, William that. I swear, not a day goes by when he doesn’t bring up something. I feel as if I’ve known you as long as I’ve known Gabe… if everything he says is true. Did you two really –" she leaned over and whispered something in Spike’s ear. His eyes widened and he glared at Gabriel with more surprise and embarrassment than anger.

"You told her THAT?!"

"I was drunk." He grinned like a Cheshire cat. Spike groaned.

"If you two ever decide to try that again, I’d like to be there to watch. I can’t believe anyone could pull that off, demon or otherwise."

"It takes a special sort, love," Gabriel leered a bit at Spike.

"You should charge admission. I’d pay…" Spike pulled away as she began nibbling on his ear.

"Careful, dear. He bites. Hard." Gabriel warned her, hearing Spike’s soft growl.

"You’d know better than I would, hmm?" She quipped, bouncing away from Spike’s side as if she were suddenly uninterested and waving over a waiter, "Wasabi saki and JD." Gabriel chuckled under his nonexistent breath as Spike made a soft gagging sound. Hanako snorted and turned up her nose at him. "No taste, some people."

"Let’s not bicker, children. Two rum, brandy and scotch, no ice, lightly warmed." He gave Spike a gentle smile. When their drinks arrived, Spike took a large gulp. It went down like liquid fire and sat like a comforting stone in his belly. He felt an arm slide around his waist and looked up, meeting doe-gold irises. Gabriel and Hanako had switched places just that fast. He caught her gaze, wistful and romantic, like she was watching some fairytale unfold, and had to admit it was beginning to feel like that to him, too.