Future Written in Blood ((Complete))

Title: Future Written In Blood
Author: MadRog
Email: madrog@ev1.net
Rating: R
Category: Spike/Buffy (All the Way!!!)
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters, it's all owned by Joss Wheldon, and Mutant Enemy. Yada, Yada
Summary/Spoilers: Tainted blood sets off a chain reaction of events. Ready for a snarky Spike and spunky Slayer? This story includes ss 5 with a few of my own alterations and continues from there, no ss6 or 7 spoilers. (But, no, it is not the typical post-Gift fic.)
Status: Work in Progress. R & R please!
Distrubution: I would love it! Just please let me know where it goes. Thanks

A/N: This has been a very hard week for me for numerous reasons. As a result, I would really like to thank Isis, my beta and friend, for sticking in their with me and keep asking, “you’re going to post tomorrow, right?”
Thanks, Isis, you really helped.

And thanks to Meri Lee for her encouraging emails. Without those two, I think this story would have stopped by now. The same of that would be that this story is just getting to the good stuff: fun, action, snarky dialogue between our favorite two, and spuffiness.



Chapter 5: Deal Making 101

Buffy wasn’t exactly sure what woke her up. What she did know was that instead of a nice, fluffy bed, she was laying on a cold, hard floor. Her pillow wasn’t particularly soft, either. Feeling a weight across her stomach, she looked down her body at the hand lying across her stomach, and that pale hand certainly did not belong to her. Judging from the chipped, black nail polish, she knew exactly who the hand belonged to and thus what her head was lying on. The memories of the last few days came back in a flash, including falling asleep on Spike last night. Thinking the events through, Buffy now realized what had woken her up. He was completely still, not doing his usual imitation of breathing. Very Spike-like.

She rolled her head over to look at Spike, and was slightly startled to find him in his game face, all wrinkly and fangy. She guessed that he was still asleep since he was so perfectly still. Gently placing his hand on the floor, she sat up cross legged, facing him to look her fill, taking advantage that there were no blue, searching eyes to stare back at her. Even in vamped out, his looks were still fascinating and her fingers itched to touch, to explore. Holding her breath, Buffy reached out a hand and lightly ran her finger tips across the ridges on his forehead. His eyes flew open, yellow burning into her hazel ones.

As Spike took in the situation, the slayer’s hand poised above his face, his scarred eyebrow slowly rose in question and in a silent dare. Buffy gave him an impish half-smile and ran her fingertip across the raised eyebrow, following the path of the scar. Then her eyes were drawn to his tongue, which absently licked out across his teeth. Her fingers followed the path her attention had been drawn, tentatively running her index finger down his elongated canine. She had seen Angel in vamp face but never explored much. Unlike this bold vampire, Angel had tried to keep that side of himself hidden as much as possible. Looking back into Spike’s eyes, she answered his unspoken question, “Know thy enemy.” She knew he would appreciate that.

“To be sure, Slayer.” He agreed, but how his te loe longed to dart out and lick her finger tips. The contact would be so natural to do. Instead, not wanting to break the moment, he shared her half-smile and tried to relax, hoping she would continue. He didn’t have the foggiest where this was going, but he sure as hell wanted to find out, and the curve of his lips told her he did.

Buffy wanted to continue her exploration; however, her hand wanted to go on and trace his sharp cheekbones. Hold it, Buffy, that has nothing to do with him being a vampire. Those cheek bones were all Spike. Where did that urge come from?

But before she had to make a choice, Buffy heard movements from up above, breaking the moment. She nodded her head towards the noise coming from above. “How about a little captor or two with your breakfast, fang face?”

Spike gave a toothy grin as Buffy stood up and watched the grate in the ceiling move to the side. She heard Spike get up and stand behind her, his voice close to her ear. “Here we go, pet.”

*****

Climbing the rope ladder provided, Spike finally made it up and out of the pit that had been his cage for the last few days. Still in game face, Spike straightened up next to Buffy and surveyed their captors through golden eyes. Four to be exact with big muscles and undoubtedly small brains. All meaty thug-types that appeared to be human but were heavily armed. Spike downgraded his evaluation of them from captors to just guards. On the other hand, since two were carrying cross bows and two machine guns, they appeared quite capable to withstand an escape attempt by a slayer and a vampire. No doubt about it, whoever these buggers were, they weren’t taking any chances.

One finally spoke up, motioning down a side hallway with his weapon, “He would like to see you now. Move.”

Spike wondered if that was the sum total of language the Neanderthal ponce could string together. “Well, that clears everything up nicely, doesn’t it? After you, pet.” Spike made a sweeping motion with his arm and followed Buffy out the door with the guards quickly falling in behind.

As they reached the far end of the hall, a fifth guard opened a door, allowing Buffy and Spike to enter what surprisingly was a richly decorated dining room compared to the stripped down hallway. The table wasn’t very big but was finely crafted out of beautiful mahogany with a matching buffet to the side. The slayer and vampire took the seats pulled out for them by two servants as the four guards took up positions in the four corners of the room. One servant set a silver goblet in front of Spike as the other place a cheese and fruit tray, also wrought from silver, in front of Buffy.

Spike picked up the glass and tentatively smelled its contents. Much to his embarrassment, a low growl escaped him as the scrumptious smell of blood wafted up.

As Spike sipped the blood, testing for any foreign substances, a deep voice with smooth, cultured tones spoke from behind. “Good morning to you both. First, allow me to apologize for my employees’ behavior. They are loyal to a fault and a bit over zealous in some cases.”

Buffy figured he was four or five inches tall than herself, but old enough to be her grandfather. He had salt and pepper hair, and olive skin tone with refined aristocratic features. He moved with grace that was still masculine, moving as if he were on stage. But it was his clothing that Buffy admired. The French cuffed shirt, fine wool slacks, and a gorgeous deep red robe that almost reached the ground. The man exuded wealth and class.

“So we are free to go?” Buffy turned in her seat to face the man who had walked into the room.

“No, but I am sorry to have kept you waiting.” The newcomer gave a well-practiced smile.

“Twelve hours plus is *way* past waiting. More like shanghaiing.”

Spike thought the man resembled a Santa Claus, a very sophisticated St. Nick, including a red coat in lieu of a red suite.

“Again, my apologies. I arrived back late last night, and since I was not expecting you, I needed a little time to brush up on the facts. Or more specifically, your biographies.” Waving a well-manicured hand in Buffy’s direction, he began.
“You, I am told, are the Vampire Slayer. The Chosen One. Highly successful by all accounts and long lived for your calling. I was much impressed after reading my assistant’s research, and my congratulations to you.”

“Whatever,” Buffy replied, but her nonchalance was belied by the sound of her stomach growling. Rolling her eyes, she looked over at an apple on the tray in front of her.

Unperturbed by her coolness, the man placidly turned his gaze to Spike, who had finished his first goblet of blood and watched his server pour a second to the brim. “And you, sir, are Wil…”

“It’s Spike.”

“William the Bloody is how I found most of my information. An impressive history, needless to say. You blazed a path of death and destruction in Europe that will be hard to top.”

Before answering, Spike finished off his second serving and shifted back into his human face while he watched Buffy continue to longingly eye the fruit sitting in front of her, hunger evident in her eyes. Continuing to ignore their host with deliberate care, Spike reached over and picked up the apple off the platter. Using his vampiric senses, he intently smelled and then visually inspected the fruit before passing the apple to Buffy. “It’s smells and looks ok, luv. Not even a worm. Eat up.”

‘Let the bugger wait.’ Spike smiled as he watched Buffy inspect the fruit as if it were the apple from the Garden of Eden before shifting his attention back to their host. Lifting an insolent eyebrow, he shifted into his best Big Bad persona. “I know my history, and even though I love blowing my own horn, or even better, hearing others do so, get to the bloody point already.”

With fascination, their host mentally made note of the pair’s chummy interaction as he continued, unabated. He pulled a gold coin out of his pocket and twirled it through his fingers. “I did note that your nick name came from your perchance to use rail road spikes on your victims. Truly an impressive history by demon standards.”

“By any standards.”

Again, the man nodded his head regally in agreement. “I was also informed that your other nom de plume is the Slayer of Slayers. And to think my majordomo put you the two of you in the same holding area. I suppose I am lucky to have both of you still alive, or is it undead?”

“No big. Spike can’t hurt humans.” Shrugging, Buffy replied absently while still turned the apple over in her hand.
“Like he could kill me anyway.”

The movement of the coin stopped as the stranger raised delicately sculpted eyebrow while looking over at the vampire. His lips curved up at the corners, “She doesn’t know yet?”

Spike fought the urge to roll his eyes knowing that it really wouldn’t go with the current snark mode he was trying to project. “Bullocks! So, how the hell do you know?”

“Know what?” Appetite forgotten, Buffy was now looking between the two, totally at a loss. Waving the apple to gain their attention, “Hello, can I buy a vowel?”

Despite her efforts, their kep kept his attention focused on Spike. “Does it really matter how I found out? Do you want to tell her, or shall I?”

Giving into the overwhelming urge to sigh, Spike battened down the hatches for the coming slayer storm. “Slayer, my little trip to Vegas also included another trip to the vet. This time to take the soddin’ chip out. I get to play with the other puppies again.”

“Out? As in gone?” As Spike was trying to predict from which direction the Slayer’s first blow would come, Buffy’s mind shot in a different direction to memories of the previous night. Not only had she just spent the night with Spike, fallen asleep around Spike, but she had also slept *on* Spike. Head on his chest, neck exposed. On a chipless Spike. A non-zap to his head in full, game face Spike. Now Buffy knew how Xander felt, one single thought stuck in her head, playing over and over.

“Let’s go through the details later, luv.” Satisfied that he was safe from the slayer for the time being, Spike turned his attention back to the gentleman sitting at the head of the table.

“That’s all well and good, mate. But let’s have a little less ‘show’ on our part and od dod deal more ‘tell’ on your part now. Who the bloody hell are you?”

Finally flustered, the host looked somewhat embarrassed. “Please excuse my manners. I am Sebastian the Procurer.”

That got Buffy’s attention again. “You’re a pimp?”

Sebastian let out a deep, sophisticated laugh. “Coarsely put, but I admit, I do serve that function if called upon, and if the price is right. Mostly I procure oddities, delicacies and spectaculars for high paying clients. Very high paying.”

“So you are here to procure my sister.”

“In that, you are correct. I am here to pick up The Key and deliver her to one of my better clients.”

Placing a hand on her arm, Spike restrained Buffy as she bit out her next words through her anger. “Dawn. She has a name, Dawn, and she is my sister. Not some item needing a UPS delivery.”

Spike tried to take back the lead. “You say you have a client?”

“Yes, one I have filled orders for before. One whose business I want to keep.”

Spike tried to push a little further in the details department. “And what did he specifically ask for?”

“The request was to find the Key, if it still existed, and to deliver the item ASAP.”

For Spike, the proverbial light bulb finally blinked on, “So you are a business man.”

“Yes, above all.” Sebastian looked relieved to have finally reached an understanding or sorts.

“So you would be willing to make a deal if we could match your price tag?”

“If you beat the going rate, which in American money that would be approximately 12 million dollars.”

“Spike…!” was all Buffy could utter before her mouth dropped completely open.

“Give me a sec, luv.” Spike’s brain was frantically trying to come up with some options. Think, think, think. Red had his winnings. However, not only was it considerably short, but she could have already paid some of Buffy’s bills. There had to be another way. What did he or Buffy have to trade. Or a better question seemed to be, what could they *do* in trade? “How about we work out a deal?”

Thinking, Sebastian tapped the coin on the table. “I am always open to a better counter offer.”

“You’ve done you research. You know I can fight. Not just talking a squabble in the school yard, but full, no holds barred brawl.” Spike thought back to Vegas as he drank from his third cup. “You said you do spectaculars. What I propose is a prize fight with you as the promoter, and I will take on any opponent of your choosing. What is more spectacular than a Master Vampire taking on any bloke daring to step up to the mark?”

Sebastian was beginning to look intrigued, “And the point of this little proposal is?”

“Money, what else? You set up a fight and a crowd, charge a cover, people bet, I fight, you take the winnings. Do it up where Don King would be green with envy and make a bundle.”

“And your take?”

“Whether I win or lose, you tell your client or anyone else that asks that the Key is gone. No longer exists.”

Holding the coin, Sebastian steepled his hands in front of him, narrowing his eyes in thought. Spike suspected that if he looked hard enough, he would see calculations flashing across The Procurer’s pupils. “I might be tempted if you both fight. Twice the draw.”

Clasping the coin securely in his hand, Sebastian abruptly stood up. “As I said before, I like to do my research. Let me leave you to your repast while a consult with my accountant and run a few numbers. Please excuse me. I will be back momentarily.”

“Sure, mate. Take your guard dogs with you since you and I both know that it is not to our advantage to leave just yet. We’ll be here when you get back.”

After watching Sebastian and his trained gits exit the room, Spike reached over and plucked the apple out of Buffy’s hand. Using his fingernails, he pulled off a chunk, and with a cocky wink, he ate it. Speaking around the mouthful, Spike teased, “See, I told you. No poison, no drugs, pet.”

“Dead much? Like the poison would even hurt you.” Buffy snatched the apple back.

“Didn’t say it would kill me, but along with this enhanced sniffer comes enhanced taste buds. Nothing but sweet Washington apple juice in that treat.” So saying, Spike reached over her and snatched up a bunch of red grapes off the tray. Leaning back in his chair, he popped one in his mouth.

After giving the vamp an evil squinty-eyed look, Buffy took a bite and chewed. “I don’t like this. Not the apple…this Sebastian guy. Let’s just kill him and get out. I give two thumbs up for the simple, easy plan.”

“Fine, luv, but it doesn’t solve the problem.”

“Solves my problem.” Having quickly finishing the apple, Buffy held out a pear towards Spike, “Oh, food tester...”

Spike took it out of her hand, smelled it and nodded his approval. But when she went to grab it back, Spike held it out of her reach. With a smirk, the vampire deliberately took a bite before offering the pear back giving her a cocky I-dare-you grin.

Buffy rolled her eyes and snatched the pear back. Staring down at it for a second, studying Spike’s teeth marks, and looked back at him as she took a bite herself.

Spike hid a smile behind a mouth full of grapes, loving it when she took him up on a dare. “Actually, luv, there are two problems. First, he’s human, and remember you’re the one with the pesky no-killing-humans rule. Second, the Nibblet would still be in danger since there would be a paying customer out there that still wanted your little sis as his new toy.”

“Damn.”

“So you see, we need to make it beneficial for Sebastian to go back and tell his client there is no longer a Key.”

Both ate in silence for several long moments.

Conceding his point, Buffy spoke, “You don’t have to do this. I can do the fighting. Just go back and watch Dawn for me.”

“No, pet, I don’t have to. I want to. Besides, again two heads are better than one, or in this case, two sets of fists.

“Thanks.” God, why was that so hard to say? Because it’s Spike, Buffy answered herself. It was hard for her to thank the arrogant bastard even when he deserved it.

Sebastian came back in the room before Spike could answer. Hell, good thing since he didn’t know what to say. First Red thanking him and now the Slayer. Bugger it, what was the world coming to?

The guards followed Sebastian back into the room along with a tall redhead carrying file folders.

“Allow me to introduce my executive assistant, Clara. She is invaluable, not only in her service to me, but I also value her opinions. And she tells me this could be quite profitable. Now we need to iron out details.”

“And a bargaining we shall go.” Spike said in a sing-song voice, making himself comfortable at the table.

Over the course of the next hour, Buffy felt like she was watching a strategy and negotiation session with Vince McMahan of World Wrestling Entertainment instead of Don King. The vampire and the procurer didn’t just discuss the rules of the combat but also included pre- and post-fight details, and using the fact that they would both fight, Spike was able to bargain Sebastian from ten fights down to five.

After the details had been resolved, Spike and Sebastian chatted amicably as Clara wrote on the contract. When she was done, Sebastian took a knife from the guards and slit his palm. Letting the blood pool for a moment, he took a quill that Clara provided and signed his name using the blood as ink. After a servant cleaned the knife, Buffy followed suit.

Spike, however, had other plans and refused his turn with the blade. Giving Buffy a wink, “Remember, luv, I carry my weapons with me.” Shifting into game face, Spike ran his hand along one of his sharp fangs drawing blood.

As the vampire signed, Sebastian smiled his appreciation of Spike’s showmanship. Sebastian knew when he was looking at a gold mine, but he didn’t just suppose that the upcoming fights would be the most entertaining part. Watching the interplay between these two, sparks flying, Sebastian was sure that when the vampire and slayer finally connected, there would be quite an explosion. He only wished he could sell tickets to that.

Buffy stared down at the parchment. As she looked at her name signed next to that of William the Bloody, she wondered if that was how Spike had felt when he had seen the future. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they had just signed their future in blood.


***

If you liked this chapter or the previous ones, please let me know. I need all the encouragement I can get right now, after this sh**ty week.

Thanks so much!
Madrog@ev1.net