New beginnings

Chapter 4


At some point while they had been eating, a pianist had begun playing quiet background music to accompany the diners, but her talents went almost unnoticed. Their conversation during dinner had been practically non-existent. They had made quiet complimentary comments about the food and wine, and had extolled the beauty of the view, but both were very aware of their building mutual desire. By the time their plates were almost clear they were too anxious to get to somewhere a bit more private to worry about ordering a dessert.

The delicious tension mounting between them was rudely broken when a tall imposing figure approached their table and introduced himself. “Excuse me Ms Summers, my name is Jeff DuRose, I am the General Manager here at the Buena Vista. I hope everything is to your satisfaction?”

Buffy and Spike exchanged confused glances then Buffy answered, “Yes thank you, everything’s fine. Um... Is there something wrong?”

Mr DuRose held up a reassuring hand. “Oh no, absolutely nothing’s wrong, don’t worry Ms Summers. It’s just that when the purpose of your stay became clear… well… I just wanted to tender my congratulations and offer you the best wishes of the Buena Vista staff. If we had known…”

Buffy broke in anxiously, “What do you mean ‘the purpose of our stay’?” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Mr DuRose, just what do you think you know?”

The hotel manager chuckled nervously. “Oh dear…” He murmured hesitantly. “I really didn’t mean to… uh… Please, just let me explain.” He took a deep breath and smiled placatingly. “Ms Summers. One does not take a position such as mine in a town such as Sunnydale without first learning about the area and it’s potential… uh… hazards. I know it’s not customary for your… uh… endeavours to be publicly acknowledged, but I should make it clear that I know who you are, and that I am familiar with the nature of your… uh… Calling.”

Buffy warily asked, “Oh yes? My ‘Calling’? And what do you suppose my ‘Calling’ to be?”

More confidently Mr DuRose continued, “I think the easiest way to reassure you of my good intentions would be to tell you that several years ago you saved a good friend of mine from… uh... I believe the local euphemism is ‘a gang on PCP.’” He nodded cheerfully. “And also… earlier this week my daughter was in the local club, The Bronze, and witnessed you in action with your... uh... companion here.” He gestured towards Spike. “She was most impressed. And of course I’m fully aware of his… uh… nature.” At Buffy’s questioning look he explained. “The big mirror above the reception desk? We like to be sure our guests won’t become a danger to our staff, or for that matter our other guests.”

Suspicious, Spike quietly asked, “You know what I am and you still allowed us to check in?”

DuRose chuckled. “Oh yes, after all you were with the Slay… uh… Ms Summers. We knew she wouldn’t let you get out of hand.” He shrugged. “Besides we were keeping an eye on the cottage. Just in case, you understand. That’s how the nature of your… uh… relationship came to our attention. The night porter I had placed on watch noticed the flash of golden light and heard your possessive roar…” He very pointedly looked at each of their necks in turn.

Buffy turned to Spike in confusion. “Flash of golden light? I didn’t… Did you see…?

Spike shrugged. “Must have had my eyes closed darlin’…”

Buffy grinned and shrugged, “Me too…” She turned her attention back to the Manager. “Would you please explain? We weren’t aware of any lights, and I have to admit I am very curious as to how you know of vam… um… the ritual we performed.”

Quietly he explained, “Well confidentially I have to tell you that not all our staff, particularly our night staff, are… uh… completely human.” He quickly held up a reassuring hand. “Oh they’re all quite harmless I assure you, our head of staff recruitment is very experienced in researching their... uh… individual characteristics. It’s just that around here taking the night shift can be a bit… uh… hazardous for humans, and I don’t like losing trained staff…”

Buffy shook her head slowly as she chuckled helplessly, and murmured, “Only in Sunnydale…”

Nodding amiably he continued, “Anyway… I’d asked for anything out of the ordinary to be reported immediately, so when Eddie came and told me what he’d witnessed I made enquiries.” He looked around furtively to check they weren’t being overheard and his quiet tone became very intimate. “Were you aware that you aren’t the first Slayer and Master Vampire to initiate a Mating?”

Flatly, Buffy answered, “No. I really wasn’t.” She gestured to the empty chair at her side, took a deep breath, and using her ‘commanding Slayer’ tone of voice she ordered, “Tell us what you know.”

Spike sensed important revelations coming up and refilled his wineglass. He immediately took a healthy swig of the fruity Cabernet Sauvignon he had selected to go with their steaks, to fortify himself for the unexpected.

DuRose flushed slightly as he sat down and ran his finger around inside his collar nervously. “Uh… it’s not really my place… I’m sure your Watcher could tell you more…”

Buffy tried to put him at his ease. “My Watcher doesn’t know of any other Mated Slayers, I assure you. He only recently discovered that I wasn’t unique in having a relationship with a vampire.” She shrugged and nervously added, “We’d be very grateful for anything you can tell us, we’re really working almost blind here.”

Taking a deep breath DuRose admitted, “Well, you must understand that everything I’m about to tell you is what I’ve only learned tonight from a dem… uh… a member of our kitchen staff. She is very old and claims to know a lot of Slayer lore. I can’t guarantee that I’m recalling all the details accurately.” When Buffy and Spike both nodded their acknowledgement he continued, “She says she knows of two other Slayer/vampire Mated couples. In the first the pair were Mated for nearly a century. The Slayer performed her duties outstandingly with her Mate by her side until she felt her body failing her, and then on her hundredth birthday her Mate turned her to allow a new Slayer to be Called.” Buffy and Spike exchanged horrified glances but the Manager didn’t notice and carried on obliviously. “According to old Perpalla, the couple became a kind of freelance team, back-up for each subsequent Slayer. The Council moved them around, posting them to cover different emergency situations until the male vampire met his end at the hands of a particularly nasty demon clan. It would appear that his Slayer went out to greet the next sunrise. The second pair…”

Buffy broke in impatiently, “Just a minute! Are you telling me that after the Slayer was turned she continued Slaying?”

The man shrugged in bewilderment. “Well of course. Why wouldn’t she? She would have known nothing else. The ageing process would have been halted and her powers increased threefold. With her devoted Mate at her side I should imagine she thoroughly enjoyed herself.”

Spike stammered, “Her p-powers increased threefold?”

Totally dumbfounded, Buffy whispered, “She became a vampire and she didn’t start killing? And the Council knew both about the Mating and the turning and still supported her?” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

Spike handed Buffy her wineglass and encouraged her to take a few sips of the half-glass she’d allowed herself, to help her recover her composure while DuRose answered. He looked between them with a thoughtful frown. “Oh…you didn’t know…” He chuckled softly until he saw Spike’s eyes flash golden as he began to lose his patience. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry, it never occurred to me. Perpalla seemed to think it was common knowledge. You see, when the Slayer demon and the vampire demon merge at a Slayer’s turning they form a very powerful hybrid.” In a very matter of fact tone, as if he assumed he was repeating something he was certain they already knew he added, “And of course a turned Slayer will always retain her soul. She is a Champion of Light after all. If every time a Slayer was turned she became evil, every vampire on earth would be seeking out Slayers to turn. Imagine how powerful a vampire clan would become with an immortal evil Slayer vampire on their side. I should imagine that’s why whoever arranges these things made that impossible.”

Seeing that Buffy was totally speechless Spike quietly commented, “No, we didn’t know any of that.” He had noted which part of the explanation had caused her the most distress and asked, “You referred to the Slayer demon? What do you mean by that? The Slayer is completely human.”

DuRose held up a hand apologetically. “I’m sorry, I don’t know any details, although I should imagine it would have something to do with the source of the Slayer’s supernatural powers. Perpalla may know more, would you like me to ask her?” He looked at his watch. “Unfortunately she’s off duty now until tomorrow lunchtime. I know you’ll be anxious to be alone again as soon as you can, Perpalla made it very clear how critical the first twenty-four hours after the ritual are for the development of your Bond. Perhaps tomorrow I could get her to put everything she knows in writing for you? We could send the information straight to your Watcher.” He shrugged. “I can’t imagine why he wouldn’t already be aware of all this. After all, being Mated to a Master Vampire does enormously increase both a Slayer’s efficiency and her life expectancy. Perpalla told me the Council used to actively encourage the practice.” Thoughtfully he murmured, “Of course the examples she gave me were both from several centuries ago, perhaps attitudes have changed?”

Buffy and Spike spoke simultaneously. Buffy sighed and said, “Yes Mr DuRose. Please would you ask Perpalla to write down everything she can think of and send it to Mr Giles at the Magic Box. You know, the magic shop in town. Please try to persuade her to give us her contact details. I’m sure Giles will have many questions for her.”

Spike had raised his scarred eyebrow quizzically and asked, “The first twenty-four hours are critical? How?”

Holding a ‘wait a minute’ finger up to Spike, DuRose took a small notebook from his pocket and wrote down Giles’ details. “Of course Ms Summers. I’m sure Perpalla would be delighted to think she can help our current Slayer. I know she follows your... uh... exploits faithfully.” He turned to Spike and answered his question. “Perpalla was very excited when she learned of your performance of the ritual. She told me that the first twenty–four hours afterwards determine the quality of your Bond. The more blood you exchange and the more powerful emotions you share, the more profound the link will become.” He flushed noticeably as he added, “I gathered she was speaking both about the emotions you feel in combat and those experienced during your… uh... more enjoyable pastimes…”

Spike smirked wickedly. “So we should find ourselves a lovely little fight and then go back to the cottage and get busy fu…”

Buffy gasped, blushing furiously, and under the table kicked Spike in the shins. “Spike! Shush!” She giggled shyly and regarded the grinning man at her side apologetically, “I’m so sorry… I just can’t take him anywhere…”

As he stood up DuRose assured Buffy, “Oh don’t worry my dear, for one of his... uh… kind I can assure you your Mate is the very model of good manners. You wouldn’t believe some of the things I’ve witnessed since I took this position.” He shrugged. “On second thoughts perhaps you’d be the one person who would understand.” He pushed his chair under the table slightly and leaned on its back. “Now I really must get back to work. I only came over to congratulate you and to tell you I’ve arranged for a small celebratory gift to be delivered to your cottage.” Seeing Buffy about to protest he hurriedly added, “Compliments of the management, of course my dear. He winked conspiratorially, “You won’t need to order any dessert here in the restaurant.” As he went to leave he turned briefly and commented, “Oh yes, if you should care to visit us again we would be more than willing to cater to any special... uh… dietary requirements you may have. We would be honoured to see you both again whenever you should decide to take a break.”

When the tall, distinguished figure was out of sight Buffy sighed, “Ho… kay… so wasn’t expecting that!”

Spike tried to reassure her. “You know you really are completely human don’t you? If you weren’t I’d have still been able to hurt you after I got the chip.”

Buffy finished her wine, and waving her empty glass around airily she brightly announced, “I don’t want to think about any of this until Giles has sorted through whatever this demon lady can tell us. Until then I’m going for a nice cruise in Egypt.” She grinned slyly at him. “Now then, Mr The Bloody, would you care to join me in experiencing some strong emotions?” She looked down at herself. “This isn’t a fighty outfit so we’ll leave the combat emotions for now, but I’m sure we’ll be able to find something to kill if we go out later tonight.” She leaned over and pulled his head towards her whispering into his ear, “He said to make the Bond really strong we have to exchange lots of blood, so while we’re here I’m going to need you to use those fangs of yours whenever your demon feels like it. No bagged animal blood for you tonight or tomorrow Spikey, and I’m gonna be biting you too. And then, as Anya would say, we’re gonna have to have lots and lots and lots of spectacular orgasms. Sounds like it could be fun…” She nipped his earlobe sharply and breathed provocatively, “D’ya wanna make a start on that now?”

Spike closed his eyes and moaned, his half forgotten erection abruptly so hard it was painful. He whispered huskily, “You’re killing me, woman…” He took a deep breath, opened his eyes again and very deliberately drained his wineglass. He pushed his chair back slightly and stood up just as the pianist began the introduction to a new piece. He froze in place and looked down at Buffy asking, “You didn’t?”

Not understanding his question Buffy grunted, “Huh?”

Spike curled his tongue behind his teeth and smirked mischievously. Bowing slightly he asked, “May I have the pleasure of this dance, my beloved?”

Buffy’s eyes went wide in recognition. “Oh!” She caught up her little evening bag and as Spike pulled her chair out she stood and took his outstretched hand. She giggled, “I can’t believe it, it must be a sign!”

Spike led her out onto the tiny dance floor and spun her into his arms. As they slowly circled the floor Buffy whispered the words along to the music.

“You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strength.”

She went quiet when she couldn’t recall what came next, so Spike began murmuring the chorus into her ear,

“Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.”

He then went on very quietly to sing her the next verse,

“It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.”

Buffy stretched up to steal a quick kiss and whispered, “I can’t believe you know all the words…”

Aware that he was grinning like an idiot he answered, “My lady wanted the song for her wedding so of course I learned it.” He finally felt he could tell her one of his most deeply held secrets, “I never got over that spell you know. All the bad stuff I did to you and your mates for a while afterwards was because I was trying to convince myself I didn’t really want you, that I was still gonna kill you. I knew it was all wrong but I just couldn’t shake the feeling we’d be bloody magnificent together.” He chuckled softly. “Turns out I was right, wasn’t I?”

Buffy smiled into his chest. She whispered, “Yeah, you really, really were. I couldn’t shake it off either. I thought of getting Willow to do a forgetting spell for me, but I decided I wanted to remember those kisses, even though I knew we’d never really be together.” She grinned, “They were really very good kisses. And I kept your ring. I wore it on a chain under my clothes whenever I could for ages. I thought it was going to be the closest thing to an engagement ring I was ever going to get. I wove so many fantasies around that ugly skull ring.” She stroked his left hand. “I took it with me to order this one to make sure I got the right size. I’ll give it back to you when we get home. I don’t need the fantasies any more, I’ve got the real thing now.”

Spike squeezed her tightly. “Keep it Buffy, it’s yours. The promises I made with it still stand.”

The last notes of the song faded away and Buffy sighed in contentment. Leaning back slightly to meet his eyes she whispered, “Come on, time to go back to the cottage. Now I need Spikelips, lips of Spike… and all the rest of him of course.”

Spike slipped his arm around her waist and guided her towards the restaurant entrance, retrieving her shawl in passing. After he pressed the button to take them down he edged her into the corner of the elevator, slipped his hand into the split in her dress and began to explore her nylon-clad leg. He breathed into her ear, “God, I love this dress.” Buffy’s arms went up around his neck and their lips locked together. As their tongues began to dance his fingers reached the soft smooth skin of her inner thigh above the lacy border of her hold-up stocking. He edged a bit higher expecting to encounter a scrap of lace or cotton to play with, only to touch moist warm flesh… just as the elevator pinged and the doors opened on the hotel lobby.

Groaning in renewed frustration Spike wrapped the fluffy black shawl around Buffy’s shoulders and guided her out of the elevator towards the rear exit that led onto the walkway to the beachfront cottages. As soon as they emerged into the quiet of the cool moonlit night Buffy came to an abrupt halt and turned in his arms to look up at him. With a teasing smile she whispered, “As you seem to have noticed, I had a slight packing oversight. I didn’t bring any underwear.”

Spike lost his composure entirely. Growling impatiently, he swept his startled Mate up into his arms and strode off down the path. At the door to their cottage Spike had to set Buffy back on her feet and release his hold on her so he could retrieve the key card from his jacket pocket and figure out how to operate it. Placing her to one side of the entrance he murmured to her, “Wait just a second beloved, I need to open the door.”

Going past him into the room a few moments later she declared, “I like ‘darlin’’ and I like ‘sweetheart’. But this one… this ‘beloved’… this is the one you should save for those special moments. This is the one you should use when you want me to melt into a little puddle of Buffygoo.” She turned and looked at him, head tilted slightly to one side and a gentle smile tugging at her lips. She tossed her little bag aside and removed the comb from behind her ear, throwing it negligently after the bag and shaking her head to loosen her hair. She very quietly said, “Spike, my beautiful vampire. Have I made it quite clear to you that I’m absolutely and completely in love with you?”

Spike suddenly couldn’t breathe. She’d said it. She’d said it again, and this time not in the throes of passion or fear. She’d said it as if she just wanted to check he knew. It took him a moment to realise the pressure in his chest wasn’t caused by suffocation, it had temporarily escaped his notice that he didn’t actually need to breathe any more. The pressure turned out to be a sob trying to escape. The sob came out as, “God, Buffy…”

Buffy bent to unfasten her sandals. One by one she kicked them aside. Spike felt frozen to the spot. He couldn’t tear his eyes from the heavenly vision of the young woman who had said she was in love with… hang on... had she just called him beautiful? He opened his mouth to protest the use of such a feminine adjective to describe him, but when he saw that she was slowly undoing the little zip at the small of her back the words failed to come. Locking his eyes into her own she began to ease the tight sleeves of the sexy dress down her arms, somehow modestly clutching the bodice to her breasts at the same time.

Spike discovered he was panting. He could hear Buffy’s heart pounding and feel the heat from her body blasting across the room to him. Her scent flooded his senses and the sight of her slowly disrobing in front of him… for him… threatened to steal those senses away.

In a gently teasing tone she said, “One of us is wearing way too many clothes.” And then she allowed the dress to slide slowly to the floor. She stepped out of the black puddle of fabric, scooped it up and draped it over a chair. Still wearing the sheer black lace-topped hold-up stockings she walked over to the bed, which Spike now noticed had been freshly remade while they had been at dinner. She casually pulled back the covers and slid between the sheets.

As Buffy’s nude figure was partially covered Spike suddenly came to his senses. In less than a minute he was naked and climbing into bed beside his Slayer. They moved together eagerly, searching out welcoming mouths and reaching for the delightful sensation of cool white flesh against overheated golden skin that always seemed to result in them both becoming exactly the right temperature.

Freeing her mouth to breathe, Buffy whispered, “Make love to me, Spike.”

Spike smiled and breathed into her ear, “My pleasure…” He kissed her luscious lips once more, then began sliding down her body dropping wet open mouthed kisses on every inch of skin, until he reached a pretty pink nipple. He teased it for a moment with his tongue and teeth before latching on and suckling. His left hand continued exploring southwards across firm defined stomach muscles and soft belly while his right hand played with the other nipple.

Buffy’s hands clutched at his head and shoulder, and she began making the sexiest little noises he had ever heard as she pressed her breast up into his mouth. He could do this for the rest of his unlife just to hear those whimpers and moans. His left hand finally found its target and he began teasing the soft damp folds apart so he could play. Buffy gasped and shifted, rolling to lie flat on her back and spreading her legs to allow him easier access.

He continued playing, sliding first one then two fingers into her increasingly hot and wet channel while teasing the little bundle of nerves out of it’s nest with his thumb. He transferred his mouth’s attentions to the other nipple for a while, just so it didn’t get jealous, and lifted his head briefly to check they were equally aroused before beginning to slide further down Buffy’s body. He continued to kiss and lick and nibble all the way down, tasting her essence, sweet and salty and tangy and uniquely Buffy. Spike decided she tasted like sunshine… and then he absently wondered how he knew what sunshine tasted like.

As he slid down the bed Spike realised he was feeling something even smoother than his Slayer’s skin on his hip and his erection, and it felt wonderful. It wasn’t until he moved to lie between Buffy’s legs and began to rain kisses on her inner thighs that he found an obstruction and remembered the stockings. It had been so long since women wore them as a matter of course he’d forgotten how erotic the sensation of smooth stockings on a woman’s leg could be. It was just a shame that Buffy had selected prosaic nylon, when silk would have been so much more luxurious. He made a mental note to buy some silk stockings for his Slayer. And a lot more leather. If she was going to be buying her choice of clothes for him to wear he had every right to do the same thing for her… didn’t he? Unfortunately he’d have to wait until he got his hands on some of the cash Rupert was trying to get for him.

Spike mentally chastised himself for thinking of the Watcher while he was playing between his Slayer’s thighs. That was the sort of thing that tended to ruin the mood. On second thoughts nothing could ruin this mood. He regained focus by burying his tongue where his fingers had just been, prompting Buffy to groan and buck her hips into his face. He nudged his nose against the sensitive little node as he licked thoroughly around all the folds and creases of her moist centre. When he’d lapped up every drop of her moisture he could find, he plunged his fingers back in, curling them upwards to find the tiny spongy mass that would drive Buffy wild. He began to suck and nibble in time with the strokes of his fingers, while his right hand and his straining erection played up and down a slim stockinged leg.

It took mere seconds for Buffy’s little gasps and moans to become cries and wails as she bucked again and clamped her thighs around his head. Spike had to clutch her leg tight to his erection to prevent himself from spending too early as he rode out her pleasure. It felt so much clearer with the new Bond than it had before. Now he deliberately tried to think of the Watcher. Wearing the tweed he hadn’t worn for so long. Polishing his glasses. Giving him that familiar disapproving glare.

His fingers were being strangled and his tongue was busy lapping up all the moisture it could find. His newly improved sense of taste was a blessing. His Mate tasted of honey and melon and… home. Almost as heady and intoxicating as her blood.

At last Buffy’s wailing faded into panting and her legs released him. Immediately he surged up her body, burying himself in her still quivering heat. He paused for a few seconds to regain his composure and for her to accustom herself to the new position, then as he began slowly moving he bent to claim a kiss.

Buffy clutched at his shoulder with one hand, the other going to grasp him by the back of his neck and hold his mouth to hers as their kiss went on and on and on. Her legs went up so she could stroke the backs of his thighs with her stockinged feet. When she gripped his hair and lifted his head slightly to enable her to breathe she panted for a second and then gasped, “So you like the… stockings then?”

Spike could only grunt as he closed his eyes and lost himself in the wonderful sensations that were washing over him. Her hips were rising to meet his every thrust and it was becoming a challenge for him to bring his Mate to her pleasure again before he lost control. The matter was taken out of his hands when the hand she had tangled in his hair pulled his head to one side and she buried her teeth in her mark.

His demon was thrilled and stormed to the surface to respond in kind. With a soft snarl his fangs slid easily into his mark and his Mate’s blood flooded his mouth. He could feel Buffy drawing blood from him as she sucked, and both their bucking hips and his drinking demon adopted the same slow rhythm she had set. It seemed to Spike as if the power of their joining was circulating blood between them, and for a few seconds as the pressure built up in him he could have sworn he could feel his dead heart beating.

The dam burst and Buffy’s inner muscles began to flutter and pulsate around him as he finally let go. He raised his head growling, “Mine!”

Buffy released her deathgrip on her mark and yelled “Mine!” in her turn, and then there was nothing but wave after wave of pure euphoria.

Strangely Buffy appeared to catch her breath before Spike did. She drew his mouth back down to hers for a long slow kiss and then began whispering, “Yours… I’m yours…” between kisses.

Spike soon recovered enough to respond with his own, “Yours… I’m all yours Buffy…” He tenderly cleaned his blood from her lips and chin, and she did the same for him, his demon setting up a contented purr at the loving attention as it subsided.

The soft affectionate kisses continued as Spike shifted his weight off his Mate to one side, Buffy rolling with him to snuggle into his arms. She happily murmured, “This just keeps getting better and better.” Finding her position slightly awkward with her hair caught under Spike’s arm she raised up slightly to get more comfortable, and Spike saw her eyes go wide with surprise as she focussed on something behind his shoulder. She lifted her hand and pointed. “Oh look, where did that come from?”

Spike turned to look. He saw a wheeled trolley with two lower shelves of covered dishes and assorted bottles and jars. On the top there was an ice bucket containing a bottle of champagne, two champagne flutes, a crystal vase full of red roses and a large glass bowl containing an assortment of fresh fruit. He grinned. “Looks like Rosy’s little prezzy, sweetheart.”

Buffy raised a questioning eyebrow. “Rosy?” After a second she chuckled, “Oh you mean Mr DuRose! No wonder he said we wouldn’t need to order dessert…” A calculating expression crossed her face and she slyly asked, “I wonder if there’s any chocolate ice-cream there?”

Abruptly they were both laughing out loud and scrambling for the trolley, wrestling to get there first. They crashed to the floor on the large soft cotton rug set before the fireplace on the side wall of the cottage and got slightly distracted for a few seconds, before turning once more to the Manager’s gift. Buffy began peeking at the contents of all of the covered dishes while Spike investigated the fireplace which he saw was laid ready with kindling and logs. Seeing a few goosebumps appearing on Buffy’s warm skin as it reacted to the cool night air he took up the box of extra long matches on the pile of logs at the edge of the hearth and expertly set a flame to the kindling.

They decided not to open the champagne now, rather to take it home to share out among all the Scoobies in celebration, either of their Mating or the Portal trial run... or both. Soon they were stretched out on the rug before the crackling fire that was just beginning to warm the room, sampling the various sweet goodies that they’d been given. In addition to the bowl of fresh fruit there were several varieties of ice-cream in insulated dishes, gooey cream cakes and pastries, candied, brandied and chocolate covered fruits, assorted hot and cold fruity and chocolate flavoured sauces, an aerosol can of whipped cream and a huge flask of hot chocolate.

Feeling warm and comfortable and for the present at least sated, despite his ever-present erection, Spike gazed thoughtfully at his Mate who was dipping berries into a tub of chocolate-choc-chip ice-cream and eating them with relish. Buffy noticed his rapt focus on her and asked, “What?”

Spike frowned slightly and rather hesitantly asked, “Do you realise how much of my blood you just drank, my love? I wouldn’t have thought…”

Buffy’s hand paused half way to her mouth with a strawberry as she considered the question. Shrugging, she bit down into the juicy fruit and waved the remaining half in the air as she answered, “I thought it would be really gross, but it wasn’t. You taste good, you taste rich and sweet and… well… not quite as good as chocolate.” Cocking her head to one side she added, “You taste like home. How weird is that?” She leaned forward and popped the second half of the strawberry into his mouth and reached for a cherry.

Spike smiled around the sweetness and said, “Yeah, you too. Best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

It was Buffy’s turn to regard him thoughtfully, and his turn to be overcome with curiosity and ask, “What?”

Buffy sighed then said, “You’re not gonna like it…” Spike contented himself with a raised eyebrow as he waited. Buffy took a deep breath and said, “I’ve been thinking about what you said about not wanting to feed from me.”

Spike set his jaw and in an impatient tone growled, “Bloody hell, Slayer…”

Buffy held up a finger and defended herself. “I know I can’t just tell you to, so I’ve been trying to be logical. I wasn’t on the debating team, but I did learn how to organise my thoughts and present an argument. Please listen before you start getting all ‘grr aargh’?”

Spike nodded, “I’ll listen. I always owe you that much, Slayer. You’ll need to convince me.”

She put the lid back on the ice-cream and pushed herself up to sit cross legged. Spike forced himself to look away from her nude figure that literally glowed in the firelight, so he could think. He lay back and clasped his hands behind his head and concentrated on the dancing flames he could see past his toes.

Buffy began, “I know tonight’s bites haven’t been about feeding, they’ve been about sharing and connecting and forming the Bond. However they have proved to me how much you enjoy both biting and being bitten, and how much your demon instinctively needs to bite and be bitten. I felt what you felt, the pleasure and pure instinctive satisfaction of sinking your fangs into warm living flesh and drinking fresh blood as you felt my heart pumping it around to you. Then there’s the erotic satisfaction and reassuring feeling of belonging you get from having my teeth in your neck drawing your blood from you.” She shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t even begin to imagine how you’ve managed to survive for over two years without going completely insane while you’ve been unable to bite or be bitten by anyone at all. Then when you discovered you could hurt me... a Slayer no less… I was lost and unhappy and totally vulnerable and you could have fed on me so easily. I trusted you and let my guard down completely and slept beside you. You didn’t take advantage once, even that night in the collapsed building when I had scratches and cuts all over me. The scent of my blood must have been overpowering and you never even vamped out. The temptation must have been unbelievable. Then there was that time with Willow in LA when you stopped yourself. And I didn’t know that’s what it was at the time but I’ve figured it out now, I felt your struggle when you bit Xander. I’ve never eaten so much ice-cream at a single sitting before! Your self-control is astounding. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. I’m so proud of you!”

She paused for a few moments, resting her hand reassuringly on Spike’s arm. He was fully aware that his Mate could feel how profoundly her approving words had affected him, and he was grateful for her diplomatic gesture in giving him the chance to compose himself.

Continuing, Buffy quietly explained, “That’s the main vampiry reason why I think you should feed from me regularly. We have to keep your demon happy. On top of that, I know you want to keep off human blood altogether because of the temptation and I understand that, I really do, but if you get regular Slayer blood you should find ordinary human blood less attractive. That should make it easier to resist the urge to hunt. Let’s face it, now the chip is gone the less temptation you’re under the happier we’ll all be!” Spike couldn’t help nodding in acknowledgement of her logic.

Buffy sighed. “Now for the Slayery reasons…” She shifted closer and began to run her fingers through his tousled hair. “We’ve got these pesky prophecies to deal with. I need you strong to be Dawn’s Protector, and we’ve got a big apocalypse coming up at some point when we’ll probably have a huge battle to destroy the Hellmouth. We don’t know when that’s going to happen so we need to begin getting ready now. We both need to get up to the peak of condition and maintain it. You can’t pretend that Slayer blood doesn’t make you stronger, because I know it does. I’ve felt its effect on you for myself.”

She took his chin and gently turned his head so she could look him in the eye. “Spike, I’m gonna need you to feed from me at least once every day. Just a mouthful or two might be enough, but it has to be sufficient both to keep you strong and to keep your demon happy.” She smiled winsomely. “It could be a kinda dessert after you’ve had your animal blood. Just think of it as a treat to take the nasty taste away.” She froze for a second, frowning pensively. “Actually, I’ve just thought of another reason. You’re gonna need to feed from me to close portals, and we may have to do the portal thing at very short notice one day. If you’ve already got Slayer blood in your system, when the time comes you won’t need to take as much, so I’ll be left stronger and better able to defend Dawn and myself when you’ve jumped.”

Spike desperately tried to come up with something, anything that would refute even one of her arguments, and failed utterly. He sighed and asked, “You sure you weren’t on that debating team, Slayer?” Seeing her smug smile he shook his head in defeat. “Okay Slayer, you gotta deal. Just one condition though.” Buffy raised an eyebrow. “Not gonna feed from you when you’re injured, or when you’re bleeding.”

Buffy chewed her bottom lip in confusion. “But if I’m bleeding I’ll be injured…”

Spike shook his head. “Not what I meant Slayer. I meant when… that is… um… Bugger it. I mean I won’t feed from you when you’ve got your monthlies.”

Buffy’s eyes widened in recognition. “Oh you mean when I’ve got my period.” She nodded slowly. “Yeah, that makes sense. Okay.”

Hesitantly, Spike reminded her, “You know the Watcher’s not gonna be too happy…”

Buffy’s expression became very determined. “You let me worry about explaining it all to Giles. Don’t worry, I’ll make him understand.” Leaning over to kiss him she toppled over onto him, and the next few minutes were taken up with some very pleasant kisses and caresses until Buffy pulled away to take a breather. Panting slightly she turned back to the dessert trolley and murmured, “I wonder what I haven’t tried yet…” Spike took the opportunity to add a few more logs to the fire.


~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Interludes:
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~


“Fancy another strawberry, love?”

“Mmmm yeah. Hey! Where did you put it? You didn’t… Oh God, you really did! I’m not going to eat that now! Oh you wouldn’t… Oh God, you really did! Oh gross Spike!”

“How about this banana then? What about if I put it…”

“Gah! Oooh yes… yes… ungh! YES! Aaaaaaaah Oh God! You’re such a pervert Spike!”

“Yeah… I know… but you love me anyway dontcha?”

“I do... I really, really do… Now give me that chocolate fudge sauce…”

“Aaaaaaargh… Hey! That’s hot!”

“Oh you big baby… Come here there’s a bit trickling down... I’ll just lick it…”

“Oh God… yeah… just like that… Aaaaah…”

“Mmmmmm… My very own ChocoSpikeypop…”

“Aaaaaaaaaargh… Teeth! Teeth! Ooooooooh! Ooh, Slaaayer…”

“Oh mmmmmm yummy…”

“Oh look, you missed a bit, sweetheart…”

“That doesn’t look like chocolate fudge sauce to me… Nope doesn’t taste like chocolate fudge sauce either… Mmmmmmm.”

“Hey Buffy! Put that pineapple down… Right. Now.”

“Aaaw spoilsport… Here, have the whipped cream instead…”

“Oh yeah… D’you fancy some more sauce in the meantime then darlin’?”

“Oh you wish… Um okay… Pass it over then…”

“Aaaaargh… Bloody hell it’s still hot!”

“Yeah… Mmmmmmm… Eeep! Hooh God! That’s cold!”

“Ooooooooooh yeah… Mmmmmmm… Creamy…”

******


“The Big Bad does not do bubblebaths.”

“Well Buffybaths have bubbles. Deal with it.”

“No. Don’t wanna smell like a ponce.”

“Well it’s either bubbles with me, or no bath. You pick.”

“Ooohoo! That tickles. Give us the foamy stuff then.”

“What are you doing with that loofah?”

“What does it feel like I’m doing?”

“Ooooooh feels good…. Do it some more…”

“Whoops! Sorry darlin’, you’re all slippery.”

“Whoopth… Pthwap… Hey! I’ve drowned once, don’t really wanna do it again!”

“C’mere… gonna anchor you… Aaaaah there you are.”

“Mmmmmm yeah… slippery is of the good…”

“So soft… So smooth… Oh sweetheart… Ggggraaaaaaaargh!”

“Oooh love that growlyvamp… Um… ungh… Spike? You’re making… ungh… waves… ungh… Ooooooh yeah…”


******


“I didn’t know you were a cheerleader, Buffy?”

“Just for a little while. There was a witch... It was a thing...”

“Show us your pom-poms then.”

“Buffy! Not that I’m complainin’ you understand, but shouldn’t there be a pair of matching knickers to go with that outfit?”

“Um… I kinda lost them…”

“Ooh… Who’s a naughty li’l Slayer then?”

“Oooooh… Bad Spike! Stoppit! You’ll get me thrown off the squad!”

“You won’t need this any more then will you darlin’?”

“Oh bad bad Spike! Ungh! Ooooooooooohhhhh!


******


“Do it again!”

“Oh come on, Buffy. That’s not bleedin’ funny!”

“Oh go on, do it again… please? For me?”

“Oh no… not the lip… not the lip! That’s cheating, you know it is!”

“Pleeeeeease do it again?”

“Oh all right… bloody bossy chit…”

“Oooooh I was right! It does get bigger when you vamp out! Why did I never notice that before? That is so cool! Go on, do it again!”


******


“What’s in the bag then, Buffy?”

“Um… Well you know when I went shopping?”

“Ooooh look! We’ve got toys!”

“I thought that one looked interesting… I wasn’t sure what… Gah! Ooooooooh! Ungh! Oh! That’s what you do with it!”

“Oh baby… you’re in for it now!”

“Um Spike? Is it supposed to do that?”

“Only if you’re a very, very good girl…”

“What happens if I’m naughty then?”

“Ah well I don’t know if I should…”

“What do you mea... Gah! Aaaaaaaaaahhh!”

“Oh boy Spike, I’ve been so naughty… you wouldn’t believe how naughty I’ve been!”

“So… you like that then Buffy?”

“No! No! ungh! NO!… Aaaaaaaaaahhh! Oh God! Now do it again… but harder…”


******


“What do you mean you think you’ve left the bloody keys at home?”

“Um… Oops?”


******


“Um… Spike? That’s never going to fit in… Ooooooooh… Oh God, never mind… I take it all back… Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh Ooooooooohhhh”


******


“Mmmph Ummmph Phmmmmpt”

“What was that darlin’?”

“I phed I campt breeeeeph”

“Well breath through your nose then love.”

“Blmmmph Stuuumph Vammmph”

“Well now, that’s not very ladylike is it? Here… is that any better?”

“Oh God… yes… who put that stupid pillow there? Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh! Oooooooooohhhh!”

“You like it like this then Buffy?”

“Oh God, yes! Ungh! Harder! Ungh! Harder! Ungh! Aaaaaaaahhhh!!”

“Is everything all right in there, madam?”

“Yeah… Bloody brilliant thanks, mate!”

“Spiiike!! You evil vam… Gah! How could you? Oh God… Ungh! Give me that pillow… Mmmmmmpppppphhhhhh!”


******


“No I will not cut it, that’s one of my favourite silk scarves!”

“Well it’s not my soddin’ fault you tied it in a granny knot! Use your bloody teeth then, woman.”

“Don’t wriggle so much! I’m trying here! You’re only pulling it tighter!”

“Just lean this way a bit…”

“Oooooooooh! Gah! Yes… Yes… Ungh!… YES! Aaaaargh! Um… Spike? How did you do that without using your hands?”

“Magic sweetheart, just my own special Spikemagic.”


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


TBC


A/N:
Updates will be a bit fewer and further between for a while as my new Open University course has just started and I'll have far less time for writing. Don't worry though, I am still writing!