The White Hat

Consequences

“Oh….God what am I gonna do? I can’t be in love with a vampire.” Buffy said to herself as she threw herself down on her bed sobbing.

She cried herself to sleep and started dreaming.

++ She was in a lair of some kind. Buffy looked down and she was wearing a white evening gown. With a corsage. ~ Hm Strange, I don’t usually slay in formal wear. ~ Dream Buffy thought to herself.

Dream Buffy heard a scream and headed in that direction. She clutched her stake tightly in her hand, around the corner she saw him. The Master. Standing over the lifeless body of a girl barley more than fourteen.

“Welcome.” The Master said graciously

“Thanks for having me. Y'know, you really oughtta talk to your contractor. Looks like you got some water damage.” Buffy said perkily.

“Oh, good. The feeble banter portion of the fight. Why don't we just cut to the...”

Buffy threw a stake at him. The Master caught the stake in one hand.

“Nice throw.” He laughed “You're not going to kill me with that thing.”

“Don't be so sure.” Buffy said venomously.

“You still don't understand your part in all this, do you? You are not the hunter. You are the lamb.” The master said confidently.

“You know, for someone who's all powerful, you sure do like to hide.” Buffy smiled

“I'm waiting for you. I want this moment to last.” The Master sneered.

“Well, I don't.” Buffy said angrily. “I want you dead.”

“I understand.” He said as he grabbed her and pulled her towards himself.

Buffy startled awake at the sound of her alarm ~ Crap! I hope that wasn’t a slayer
Dream. ~ Buffy shuddered.
~~~~`

“…And then he grabbed me and started pulling me towards him.” Buffy said looking up at Giles. “Then my alarm clock went off.”

“Well Buffy…I will research this. Why don’t you go to class and drop by after school. I will let you know what I find out about the Master ok?”

Buffy looked down at her hands. “Yeah.” She said softly.

“Buffy don’t worry. He will not get to you.” Giles said sincerely.

“It’s not that I…Giles is it…possible for a vampire to…well to …have feelings? Could the council have been wrong about that?” ~ Please…I want to be with Spike so much, It hurts so badly. ~ Buffy thought tears welling in her eyes.

“I don’t think so Buffy, we have had generations to perfect our ideals on vampires and demons, you know this…do you think this Master fellow …has it in for you or something?” Giles questioned

“No…not him…another vampire…do you think they can…care? About people I mean?” Buffy whispered.

“Buffy we have been over this! Vampires are *ALL* evil soulless creatures who inhabit the body of the person they kill. They can not care they can not love, they hunt! They kill. End of story. If they had shinny happy feelings then why would we need a Slayer at all?” Giles asked getting angry. “Who is putting this nonsense in your head?”

“I…I just…I was just curious.” Buffy said letting the tears fall unabashedly down her face. “I’m sorry.” Buffy said getting to her feet and walking out of the library.
~~~~`

Buffy didn’t feel like facing Giles after school so she grabbed her homework and made her way home.
~~~~`

~ Mmmmm Buffy. ~ Spike thought inhaling deeply and catching her scent on his sheets and pillow. ~ Can’t wait to meet up with her on patrol. ~ Spike thought already becoming aroused. Spike grasped his shaft and stroked gently remembering the way she felt around him. ~ Yeah! ~ Spike thought about the vulnerability on her face when she told him she was a virgin. ~ God She is so sexy. Even when she’s shy about something. ~ Spike thought stroking faster and gripping tighter. ~ The way she thrust herself against me. ~ “Buffy” Spike cried out spilling his seed on his stomach. ~ Time to get ready for patrol with my little slayer. ~ Spike thought to himself entering the bathroom.
~~~~`

Buffy finished eating supper with Joyce “I have study group again tonight mom. I’ll see you at 11.” Buffy said giving Joyce a quick peck on the cheek.

“Ok honey. Have fun.” Joyce said watching Buffy leave the house. ~ I am so proud of her. She’s changed so much since we moved here. She is really making an effort to do better in school and not stay out all night. ~ Joyce sighed contentedly and picked up the dishes and began to wash them.
~~~~`

Buffy walked in the opposite direction of Spike’s house. ~ Since it is still light out Spike won’t be around. I’ll do a quick patrol at sunset and hopefully be home before I meet up with him. I couldn’t face him right now. ~ Buffy thought to herself.

Buffy sat down at a park bench that was across the street from the cemetery where she usually started her patrol. ~ I should get some homework done while It’s still light enough to see. ~
~~~~`

Spike was climbing the walls ~ Bloody sunset! I want to see my slayer. She left so fast this morning. ~ Spike opened the door and realized the sun had set far enough that he could leave the house. ~ Yes. A few minutes more and she will be in my arms. ~
~~~~~`

Buffy finished the first eight cemeteries without running into a single vampire. Entering the ninth cemetery she felt the familiar vampire tingle in the back of her neck.

Buffy continued to stroll casually trying to look like a victim.

She saw the vampire that was walking towards her. “You lost?” He called out. “I’ll help you find your way.” He said grinning at her as he approached.

“ I bet you say that to all the girls.” Buffy said smiling sweetly. She lunged and slammed the stake through his chest before he even realized she had moved.

“Didn’t your mother ever teach you to pick on someone your own size?” She asked the dust floating to the ground.

Buffy continued to stroll casually and felt the tingle again. She spotted the vampiress about 10 feet away from her, she was draining some young guy.

“Dressing like a school girl to attract the men? How cheesy is that you vapid ho!” Buffy said.

Darla turned around and dropped her meal. “Slayer!” Darla said smiling. “It’s gonna be my pleasure to…”

She was cut off as Buffy punched her in the face. Darla went flying and landed against a crypt. “Bitch!” She yelled running at Buffy.

Buffy side stepped and kicked Darla in the stomach. Darla doubled over in pain and Buffy slid the stake into her back. As Darla crumbled to dust Buffy heard an inhuman growl to her right.

She turned just in time to be punched in the face and knocked down. Buffy jumped to her feet and jump kicked the taller vampire in the face. “You are going to pay for that Slayer! Darla was my mate…and the Master’s favored childe.” Angelus said tears forming in his demon eyes.

“Too bad for you. You have no feelings why the hell do you care if she’s all dusty?” Buffy asked punching Angelus in the stomach. Angel bent over from the force of the blow and Buffy kicked him in the face. Hard. Angelus went flying into the door of a nearby crypt.

He growled menacingly and came at Buffy fangs bared. Buffy went at Angel with a flurry of punches and kicks pinning him against the crypt. Angel shoved her away and ran.

~ Crap! That was a great fight! Too bad it ended so quickly ~ She thought returning to patrol. She continued on un interupted until she reached her last stop. As soon as she entered the cemetery she felt Spike’s presence. It pulled her. It called to her blood and her body. Buffy groaned and left the cemetery. She ran home as if Lucifer himself was chasing her.

Buffy stood outside her house and took a few deep breaths. When she felt a little calmer she entered her house. “Mom? Mom…I’m home early.” Buffy shouted making her way to the kitchen. “I’m starving!” She said grabbing an apple and taking a bite.

“Do you want some coca? I can put your favorite marshmallows in it if you like?” Joyce offered.

~ Mmmm comfort food from Mom. ~ “Sure mom, Maybe we can watch some TV together too before I head to bed.” Buffy said yawning

“That would be great sweetheart.” Joyce said softly. ~ This town is really great for her. ~ Joyce thought happily. ~ Things at the gallery couldn’t be better. I’m glad we came to Sunnydale! ~
~~~~~`

Spike hit the sixth cemetery with no Buffy in sight. ~ Where the hell is she? If not for the night we shared last night I would think she was avoiding me. ~ Spike thought sullenly.

~ Maybe I should just wait for her at her last stop. Then we can get some quality snoggin’ in before she has to be home. ~ Spike thought happily making his way to the cemetery.

Spike walked the cemetery slowly. ~ Come on Baby I need to see you. ~ Spike thought. Spike felt her presence and closed his eyes. He was elated. He inhaled deeply. Spike could feel her body calling to him. He growled. Softly. He started of in her direction and caught sight of her as she started to run. ~ She knows. ~ He thought sadly. ~ Bloody hell, she knows I am a vampire. ~ Spike felt tears forming in his eyes.

He let them fall silently and hung his head. For the first time in his un-life Spike hated what he was. ~ Sodden monster, S’all I am. She would never want a monster. ~ Spike slowly made his way home.
~~~~`

Buffy and Joyce sat down on the couch. Joyce picked up the remote and started flipping channels. “Beauty and the beast? I love this movie!! Do you mind sweetie? I haven’t seen it in forever. I know you’re not a little kid but…”

“It’s fine mom, I love this movie too!.” Buffy replied.

“Too bad it’s almost over.” Joyce whispered.

“It’s ok mom. I’m pretty tired.” Buffy said sighing

They sat and watched in silence.

The movie ended, and before Joyce could even turn to Buffy to say anything Buffy was on her feet running for the stairs.

~ It’s so unfair! God damn it. There won’t be a happy ending for me…I’ll probably be dead in less than a year…slayer expiration date. ~ Buffy sobbed. ~ Why do I always want what I can’t have? ~ She thought to herself.

She heard a light tapping at her door. “What is it mom?” She asked through her tears.

“Could I come in for a second?” Joyce asked through the door.

“Mom I don’t really feel like company right now.” Buffy said trying not to let her voice break.

“Please Buffy…I …I need to talk to you.” She pleaded.

“Ok mom. Come on in.” Buffy said wiping her eyes.

“Why are you crying like that over a Disney movie honey?” Joyce smiled softly. “It’s not the end of the world you know?”

“Mom…It’s just that…what if the beast had stayed a beast?” Buffy asked an idea popping into her head.

“What do you mean sweetie?” Joyce asked unsure of what her daughter was trying to say.

“I mean if he stayed a beast instead of …changing into a prince? Would Belle have still loved him? Would she have stayed with him?” Buffy questioned

“Sweetie when you fall in love, the outside doesn’t matter…the beast loved her….he loved because of her. She was special. The Beast saw that. She was fearless, she didn’t back down from him even when she was scared. That’s why he started to fall in love with her.” Joyce said smiling at her daughter. “Is this about a boy Buffy?”

“I… What? No! I …that movie always makes me cry…and I think I’ve got PMS too. Disney and PMS un-mixy things mom.” Buffy said smiling softly at Joyce. “What you said really helped though. Thanks.” Buffy said getting up from the bed to give Joyce a hug.

“No problem honey.” Joyce said smiling. “Oh...Buffy don’t forget tomorrow night I’m leaving on that buying trip. I’ll be gone for two weeks. I’ll leave money, instructions, and my hotel number like I always do.”

“Ok Mom…night.” Buffy said snuggling down under her blanket.
~~~~~`

Spike let himself into his house soundlessly. He went down into his training room in the basement. Spike hit the heavy bag with all his strength. ~ Bloody hell I should have told her. ~ Punch. ~ I’m such a stupid git. ~ Punch. ~ I should have told her before we…~ Kick. ~ Why didn’t I ther?her? ~ Spike sobbed and fell to his knees. “Please tell me how to make this right.” He whispered sobs wracking his body.

Spike picked himself up and made his way to bed. He didn’t even bother getting undressed. He just climbed under the covers and pulled them over his head. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep dream filled sleep.

++ She was panting from exertion. “I told you to stay the hell away from me! I can not be with a vampire! There is nothing good or clean in you! I know you are undead but that’s no excuse.” She yelled punching him in the face.

“I never claimed to be good enough for you Buffy.” Spike said tears rolling down is face. “I’m sorry…I didn’t think. I should have told you.”

“Yes you should have!” She said punching him again. “You are an evil soulless monster. I could never love something like *you*” She shouted. Kicking him in the stomach.

“I’m sorry Buffy. I love you.” Spike said falling to his knees.

“No! You don’t! You don’t even know what love is! You disgust me!” Buffy said tears rolling down her face.

Buffy pulled a stake from the back of her pants and took a step closer. “You come near me again and I will dust you Spike. I promise you that!” Buffy said turning on her heal and running away.

Spike sobbed and fell to the ground. As he hit the bed he awoke. ~ I love her. ~ “I am in love with Buffy. The Vampire slayer.” Spike said softly to himself.
~~~~~`

Well whatyou you think? Should I continue with this story? Please review. (Notice the extra long chapter? It’s cause you guys are so sweet with your reviews!)