Beauty & the Beast

-the Carriage-

-Stroke of Five & Six-

 

AUTHORS : dru & Evil Willow  (Go worship the goddess that is EW!)

SERIES: Beauty & the Beast

PAIRINGS : Cordelia/Spike, and kissage/strokage of Spike/John

RATING : NC17 (highly smutty with plenty of delicious yums!)

WARNING: a little violence, bloodplay and death- as well mild female/female & spike/female

DISCLAIMER : We do not own these characters.

 

NOTE : We're on the plane heading for Monte Carlo with a quick stop in New York City. There is also some sexual innuendo and touching between Spike/John along with a bit of kissage/strokage

 

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THE CARRIAGE : STROKE OF FIVE

 

 

I smile and-

 

*knock, knock*

 

"Yeah?" I shout.

 

"Master," the door opens and John peaks his head in. He averts his eyes as soon as he realizes we're naked.

 

 

I would scream, but he *did* look away. Good. It just better *stay* that way.

 

 

I let her go and walk over to where he is. And no- I'm not really ashamed of being naked in front of people. I may not be able to look in a mirror, but I know what I'd see is damn good.

 

Of course it'd freak her out if I took his hand and placed it on my cock- or if I kissed him or came on to him... or made him suck me (which is what I *would* do) so...

 

I'll settle for taking his chin and making him look at me. "Shouldn't be embarrassed to see your Master... or want him," I tell him because I *know* he's hard- I can smell him.

 

 

Holy shit, did he just say what I think he said? Okay, duh, vampires there. I've already seen how sexual they are, because I *was* at the party last night. We didn't even stay for the orgies...

 

I wonder if Spike and John have... Oh god. Mental image, which is NOT turning me on.

 

Okay so maybe a little.

 

 

"Master- I..." I notice his eyes fly directly to her and mine do too- the rush of feminine arousal in the air just now...

 

"Isn't she beautiful?" I whisper before pulling his lips to mine for a deep kiss.

 

 

Oh... my.... god. He's... They're... And it's just... wow.

 

 

I'm a bit shocked when I feel his hands grasp my cock. Shit- I groan as he strokes me. I pull away from the kiss and smile. "What did you want?" I ask him and thrust my cock into his hands.

 

"Besides you, Master?" He asks quickly.

 

I just glance at him and cover his hands with my own. I haven't taken him yet- but this isn't the first time I've gotten *hints* that he might want that... and I've often noticed Anne's desire in the room with me. I'm not typically one who feels the need to demand loyalty by beating and raping my servants. *I* got enough of that and I know it's *not* the way to maintain control.

 

Pleasure can be incredibly motivating to servants who love their masters.

 

"We'll be landing soon," he says. "We'll have an hour layover in New York, Sir."

 

"Thank you," I tell before kissing him again. I always did love this as well... I've always been one to take advantage of both gender's qualities. Some vampires think it's disgusting... but I don't care. Either way I feel good. And since her desire just keeps getting heavier in the air... I don't think she minds my 'infidelity' too much. And I won't even care if she wants to watch or participate... all the better as far as I'm concerned.

 

I take his hands off my cock and kiss his palms. "You should go to your seat now," I tell him.

 

He whimpers, "Please, Master... let me please you..."

 

Gosh- I've never had *that* happen before... I rub the palm of my hand against his concealed cock and whisper "perhaps" against his lips. "Now go take your seat."

 

 

Holy shit. That was... I never thought I'd mind so little to see him kissing someone else. Of course, I didn't mind seeing him kiss Emily, but she's family. And I guess maybe John is too but... he's a guy. And I know, what the hell does that matter, when I was letting Emily touch me and kiss me and --

 

Spike's just bringing out all kinds of different sides of me I didn't even know existed.

 

I notice he's just standing there, smirking at me. And when did I decide to sit down? I don't remember that, must've been during the really hot five minutes when they were kissing and touching and ... Yes, I was so turned on. Still am.

 

But - "Why did you stop?" And I wasn't supposed to *ask* that, just wonder it to myself. Oops.

 

 

I take my seat next to her. "Because we're gonna land soon," I reply before slipping three fingers into her core. "And *someone* liked what she saw." I grin. "So... would you wanna see me fuck him? Watch my cock disappear into him as he screamed for his master and begged to come?"

 

 

I close my eyes and can just *picture* that, and "OHGOD!" I scream as I come, suddenly. Shit... How... Don't care. So good... fuck... "Spiiiiiike."

 

 

Wow. Wasn't expecting *that*... guess she really *did* like what she saw.

 

"Oh, Baby," I purr into her ear. "You came all over your seat. Guess you'll just have to share mine."

 

I grab her hips and pull her on top of me, impaling her on my cock. "There- that's better," I say before belting us both in for landing.

 

 

I moan as I feel him pull me on top of him, his cock inside me. God... I lean back against his chest and whimper as that change in angle just does wonderful things to press him right into my sweet spot.

 

I think about moving, because it's just too... much... "Ah... FUCK," I moan when he grabs my hips and thrusts up, jolting the spot harder.

 

Shit, I haven't even really recovered from my orgasm yet, and he's torturing me again. I mean still. And it would be easier to resist him if the torture didn't feel so damn good.

 

 

I yank her down onto me so my cock is directly pushing on her spot and then I hold her completely still, leaving the direct pressure on her little spot inside.

 

"So... what *I'm* wondering is..." I slide my three fingers back inside her and she screams her pleasure as she arches her body and takes them in, "if my baby could handle *two* cocks inside her. I bet you could handle it my queen- if we worked you up to it, gradually stretched you and then filled you to the max. Would you like that?"

 

Shit- I practically come just thinking about it. And we're gonna be in Monte Carlo- which is just a hop skip and a jump away from Italy. I wonder if we'll run in to Mia and Anton, because if we do... Shit- I'd *love* to see them again. Hell, besides Angelus, Anton is the *only* one I'll let fuck *me*.

 

 

"Two?" I squeak and hello, there's my very active imagination again. And FUCK! All I can do is whimper as another orgasm hits me again.

 

I buck against him, and try to find the strength to shift away so his cock isn't putting pressure on that spot. He won't have any part of that, he holds me tightly, not letting me move. I can hardly breathe, it feels so good.

 

 

"Yeah... two- stretching you to the point of making you *cry*... but I'm told it feels *amazing*. And of course you'd be gettin' these beautiful nipples sucked by a gorgeous woman," I say as I massage her breasts.

 

And that's true... Mia is a *gorgeous* woman and *very* sensual. I'd let Anton fuck me while Mia ate Cordelia out... SHIT.

 

I growl as my cock jerks and I explode- my cum shooting in jets right toward her spot.

 

Shit... I feel the plane come to a stop. When the hell did *that* happen?

 

 

I think the plane landed during that incredibly intense orgasm that went on forever. I moan and try to sit up, but he's still holding me tightly. "Spike, please," I say as I try to catch my breath. "I need a few ... hours... to recuperate, before I come again."

 

 

I growl in protest but still hold her tightly. "Then don't move and I won't get hard again."

 

Her elbows jabs me in the chest and I sigh. "Fine, fine, fine," I say as I unbuckle us. "Have it your way."

 

She stands up and I look out the window and see New York City. "We've got an hour, but no one ever leaves New York on time. We could go get you some pizza or something..." and come to think of it- I'm *really* hungry now.

 

"Or... we can stay here and have some delivered. Up to you, Luv."

 

 

"Well, I..." I turn and look at him. "If you're... hungry, maybe we could... I mean... there are probably a lot of ... not-so-nice people here in New York City... So... Maybe we could go for a walk or drive and... you could show me what it's like when you... hunt?" No, I haven't forgotten what I asked him last night. And I haven't had second thoughts about it either.

 

 

"If you're sure, Pet," I say. "I'll tell them that we're gonna stay for a few hou-"

 

*Knock, knock*

 

"Yeah, come in."

 

It's John again, *with* Anne.

 

"Yes?" I ask them and... oh yeah- they want me. I grin happily.

 

"We just- all flights are delayed right now due to a spill on the runway. We just got word that it'll be about three hours, maybe more, Master."

 

"And we wanted to know if we could... go... catch something for dinner," Anne asks.

 

"Two hours," I tell them and notice their glances and stares at Cordelia and myself before they scamper off. I took around with a grin and say, "I guess we're going hunting."

 

 

******

 

 

I look at the clock on the dash of the taxi, to find out what time it is. One a.m.? Wow. I don't feel like it's that late, but we were flying east so we've lost three hours. But it *is* New York, so I wouldn't be able to tell it's that late. It doesn't look like this city ever sleeps. Kinda like L.A.

 

We're getting close to downtown, now. I can tell that because the buildings are getting taller. I've never been here before; it's really pretty at night.

 

I sit back and lean against Spike, and slip an arm around his waist. "So... Now you know pretty much everything there is to know about me. Mind if I ask *you* a few questions?"

 

 

Feels good to be back in New York. Last time I was here, it was... a long time ago.

 

This was also where I killed my second slayer... Simone was her name.

 

I kiss Cordelia's forehead. I told her I'd take her to Rockefeller Center first. "Ask away," I reply.

 

 

"Well.... " So many questions, *so* little time. "Since you know how many serious relationships I've had... how about you? How many women... and men?"

 

 

Does she *honestly* expect a number?

 

I mean- in the last month alone I've had sex with about twenty different people.

 

I never bothered to count. I just go where feels good.

 

 

He doesn't reply for a while. Oh, yeah, it's probably a *lot* more than my twenty-two. "Let's narrow it down a little," I say. "Instead of how many you've been physical with... how about... how many you were physical with, and it meant something to you."

 

 

Well- that's a *bit* better.

 

However... "Define physical. And are you talking just after I became? Or are we talkin' my entire existence?"

 

 

Oh. I didn't even think about *that*... "Well, physical meaning... physical. Like...how did you put it?" I slip a hand up under his t-shirt to a nipple, rubbing and pinching it. "Groping..." I move the hand down to his jeans, unbuttoning them and slipping my hand inside, wrapping my fingers around his cock. "Heavy petting," I whisper as I nuzzle his throat..." Shit, I'm turning my*self* on. "Oral sex... or fucking..."

 

"And as for what time frame..." I say as I keep stroking him slowly. "Both as a human and a vampire, I guess. Or whatever you're comfortable with telling me."

 

 

Okay... I take a few seconds to think and then say, "Thirty-two. Well- thirty-*three* if I count a stolen kiss. And that's not including sexual *type* experiences."

 

 

"What do you mean, sexual type experiences?" I ask. And ... thirty-three? That's... a lot. Well, I guess not that many, considering how long he's been around. "And these were all experiences that... meant something more than just ... well, you know... coming?"

 

 

"Well..." I slide my hand down to massage her through her shirt. I lean down to whisper, "Blood play and hunting are *very* sexual in and of themselves... and occasionally, on a good hunt... I came. But there was no sexual touching in *our* definition."

 

I notice the cabbie is getting a *bit* too excited about watching us touch each other. "Here's good, Mate," I say. He stops and I throw him a twenty.

 

"C'mon, Luv. We'll walk the rest of the wa-" I look over and see the subway... *my* subway... "Wanna take a ride?"

 

 

"Sure," I shrug and take his hand as we walk to the subway tunnel. "So... okay, thirty-three." And I don't think I want to know about *all* of them. "Tell me about your first."

 

 

"My first, what?" I ask as we walk down the tunnel. I wonder if it's still here. Once we get to the platform, I start scanning the walls.

 

 

"Your first sexual experience. First time someone made you come." And I know from *my* life, those can be two different things. I wonder if I'll find out that was the case with him, too?

 

 

Okay... first sexual experience... "Well... my first kiss, with a female, was when I was thirteen. She lived across the street from us with her mum. We were at a party for Christmas and we were under mistletoe- so I kissed her. Paige, was her name.

 

"The first time I came... with someone else... was with a girl named Millie. I was fifteen. We'd been making-out a bit behind her father's barn and she took my hand and slipped it under her skirt and- I was only fifteen at the time and came in my pants."

 

 

I can't help smiling and when he gives me a questioning look, I shrug. "It just sounded familiar. I've had that effect on guys before. So... okay, what about the first time... first woman... you went all the way with?" God, I just sounded like Harmony, with that high school terminology.

 

 

"Her name was Brooke. I was to bring a book from mother to her. She was a bit older than me. She'd just come home from university. I was seventeen."

 

"AH HA!" I scream. There it is!

 

 

"What?" I ask. I wanted to hear more about Brooke. "What is it?"

 

 

I point to the bench where I carved a drawing that night. It's a crude picture of a slayer with a stake in her heart. Underneath I wrote, 'Spike- the slayer of 2!'

 

"HA!" I scream. "Bitch didn't stand a chance!" And she *was* a bitch!

 

I wouldn'ta killed her if she'd just given me the damn coat.

 

 

Oh. That's... lovely. "You killed a slayer here." I really hope he doesn't want me to hear about it. I'm not ready for that, yet. I have to start slow, by watching him kill someone who ... well, who I won't pity as much.

 

"You know... I was thinking," I say. And I can hear the subway coming. "Maybe I could play the bait for the ... whoever takes the bait?" I hold up my wrist, I'm still wearing the jewelry, and that would definitely attract someone who wanted to steal from me... or worse. And it wouldn't be the *first* time I put myself in a situation where I was trying to attract the big bad... well, human in this case. But I've been there before.

 

 

"You're really randy about this, huh?" I ask, glancing down at my drawing again. "I can't believe it's still here... wonder if I could find the car too..."

 

The subway stops and we hop in. "This isn't it," I say. "Not that it would still be the same cars they used back in '77. That was before we headed back to London for the last few Sex Pistols concerts, of course."

 

 

"Spike." I pull his head down for a kiss, hoping that will make him less upset by what I'm going to say. "I love you, but I'm not ready to hear about this kind of thing. Maybe some day... but not yet."

 

 

Oh... right. "Sorry," I say softly. "But those concerts were *amazing*. I'll have to dig out my CD's when we get home."

 

 

Oh good. He isn't mad. I know he's disappointed, but I can't just change my whole mindset about not liking it when innocent people get killed. "So... you were telling me about Brooke?"

 

 

"I was done," I say quickly.

 

I sit down in one of the seats and she sits down next to me. "Shoulda seen me that night," I say quietly. "I was pretty bloody hot, Meg said so herself."

 

 

"Meg?" I ask.

 

 

"Yeah... she was amazing. Very pretty too. We met on the boat over here and had a bloody good time in her suite."

 

 

What? "Okay, you lost me. Your first was Brooke... so then where did Meg come from and how did you end up on a boat with her. And when was Meg?"

 

 

"Meg and I hooked up when Dru was with Darla. I left them in Paris and came over *here* in the seventies 'cause I heard a slayer was in New York. Meg just happened to be on the same boat as me."

 

Ya know- someone should really write all this stuff down. I should call one of the watchers and see if they want a story... they could write a thesis about me.

 

That would be neat.

 

 

Okay, so ..he's just ... I think he's the first vampire I've ever met with ADD. Maybe his brain just works that way, jumping centuries... but it's confusing for us mortals. "I'm still not done with Brooke," I tell him. "All you're going to tell me is you were seventeen and you took her a book? Come on, I gave you... details."

 

 

"Well- what kinda bloody details do you want?"

 

I don't really wanna *talk* about her.

 

 

All right. I get it now. "Hey, nevermind. I didn't realize. If those are bad memories, then fine. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

 

"What about..." I take his hand and think. What else do I want to know? Oh. Well... "How about... the first man you were ever... with?"

 

 

"With willingly? Or just *with*? And with as in kissed or sex?" Damn my life in complicated. "And then I have to ask- the first that fucked *me*, or the first that *I* fucked?"

 

 

All right, I keep forgetting. I have to be careful what I ask him about his past. "Um... why don't we start with the first time you kissed a guy. Willingly."

 

 

Oh shit...

 

She had to bring *that* up!

 

"I was at university. My room mate and best mate were... well- back then they didn't really have a name for it except insane. But they were gay.

 

"One day, I walked in on them... shagging. They told me to come in and close the door before someone saw... I couldn't really move. Aidan, my best mate, got up and closed the door. And then... he kissed me. And I kissed him back."

 

 

"How did you react?" I ask. I can't help it, I'm curious. "I mean, it was ... well, if not illegal, not exactly approved, either. Didn't you freak out?"

 

 

"Of course I did. After about two seconds, I got hard and pushed him across the room. I quit university and went back home."

 

Only to fall desperately in love with someone even worse than Aidan!

 

"The next stop is Times Square. We'll start there," I say and stand up.

 

 

"Okay," I nod. I stand in front of him and pull his arms around my waist, leaning against his chest. "Do you mind talking about all of this?" I ask. "Tell me, if you do. I don't want to bring up things you don't feel comfortable talking about."

 

 

I shrug, "Don't care *too* much. But I assume guts and gore are to be left at the door?"

 

Just then, the subway doors open and we step out. Okay- what do I feel like tonight? Chinese? "Ever been to Chinatown?"

 

 

I shake my head. "I haven't ever been here, at all," I say. "And to answer your other question... I *am* curious about that part of your life. Otherwise I wouldn't be here. I just... no, I don't want to hear *all* the gory details."

 

 

"Well, why don't you just let me know when to stop then... if we get to any... *parts* that you don't wanna know. Okay?" I wrap my arm around her waist as we walk up the stairs. We'll just start walking and if we make it China Town, we'll make it. Perhaps we'll go through the park some time too... who knows? But John said he'd call when they gave a take off time."

 

 

"All right," I agree. "So tell me a story. Your first hunt? Your first slayer? Whatever you want to tell me about."

 

 

"Victoria," I say.

 

Bloody hell, I haven't said *that* name in a *long* time. I almost didn't *allow* myself to think about her too hard...

 

"Hungry?" I ask her, pointing to a pizza joint. "I hear New York has the best pizza in the world."

 

 

"Not *too* hungry; I ate on the plane," I reply. "Go on. What about Victoria?"

 

 

"She was a slayer with beautiful, long, curly red hair. She was... magnificent. Of course, at the time I didn't *know* I was stalking a slayer... because Peaches never bothered to explain that to me properly..."

 

Ooo... a dark alley... that's always got potential...

 

"C'mon," I say as I pull her toward the alley. I *do* smell... something...

 

 

Oh great. What is it with vampires and dark alleys? I grab his arm and stay close to him as we turn into the alley.

 

 

Oh, I *knew* I smelled that *rank* odor that is, "SPIKE!" He shouts and waves at me.

 

He rips her arm off before turning to me with slime dripping down his chin and blood on his lips.

 

He turns toward me and looks at Cordelia, "Been a while... but feel free to feed here- great place for it. It's certainly out of the way!"

 

He goes back to his meal and I growl. "You forgettin' something, *Mate*?"

 

 

I'm so glad I didn't take him up on his offer of eating. Because ... that's just disgusting. That poor girl.

 

Okay, just don't look at her. Don't breathe, because that smell is enough to make someone sick, too. Slime demons are just SO gross.

 

 

"Well, you can have some, Spike- but you've got your own!" He whines.

 

"Not what I was thinking," I say and he just looks at me stupidly. Slime demons are *not* the brightest bulbs in the batch. "My fifty million lire?"

 

"Lire?" He thinks a few minutes and then realization hits his face. And so do I.

 

"HEY!" He screams and spits a slime ball at me.

 

"WHERE'S MY MONEY?" I growl.

 

"I'm good for it!" He says before spitting another one at me.

 

That's it. "I'm gonna rip your tongue out!" I growl before grabbing him and throwing him against the wall.

 

 

THE CARRIAGE : STROKE OF SIX

 

 

Okay, this is not my idea of fun. I dodge out of the way when the demon does that obnoxious mucus/slime-spitting thing. I contemplate leaving the alley, but then decide otherwise. I don't know if this slime demon has friends nearby. And we've already established what happens when I leave Spike's protection.

 

So I'll just stay over here and try to dodge flying slime demon limbs. That's... just gross. But I know from experience that those things are pretty damn near impossible to kill. So I'm not going to criticize Spike's method of killing. I'll just try not to watch too much.

 

 

Good... I'm glad she turns away because *this* is gonna be gross.

 

And I've seen some pretty disgusting things in my life.

 

I manage to get the upper hand and throw him down to the ground. I put my foot in his throat, reach down, and yank out his tongue.

 

"Eeww... that is..." with the tongue comes his... 'slime sack' which is his life force. I throw them both on the ground and he disintegrates.

 

"Well- I guess I can say goodbye to that money," I say as I wipe slime from my forehead.

 

 

I'm amazed that he really didn't get much slime on him. I guess that comes from years - decades of practice. We walk out ontoo the street and keep walking.

 

"Hey, you never answered my offer to be the bait for your ... " All right, just call it what it is. "dinner. What do you think?"

 

 

"Nah... I don't think we'll need it," I say as I zero in on a man sitting across the street on the bench.

 

As soon as I pick... I can hear his heartbeat- mine starts to beat in tune with his. I can hear each and every one of his last breaths. I can practically *taste* his death on my tongue. Fuck- I'm hard.

 

 

Shit. "Spike... I can't... unless it's someone who obviously isn't innocent. Remember?"

 

 

"C'mon," I whisper as I take her hand and head across the street.

 

 

I pull my hand away. "No." Okay, this obviously wasn't a good idea. I thought he was okay with my conditions on this.

 

 

"Cordelia?!" I whine softly. "Do you trust me?"

 

 

"Of course I do," I say, not even needing to think about it. "But I don't understand what trust has to do with it..."

 

 

"Then *come* *on*!" I grab her hand again and look over... his heart's sped up quite a bit... we gotta go.

 

 

Shit. Okay... I'm still not sure about what we're doing here... but I just have to trust him not to push me too far. I get that.

 

 

Good. We run across the street and I pull her over to the bench. I sit not two feet away from him.

 

I slide my hand up her thigh and pull her toward me so she straddles me on the bench. "Kiss me, Gorgeous," I whisper.

 

I glance over at him and follow his line of vision... oh NICE! Yeah- I'd be going for her too... damn.

 

I turn back to Cordelia and pull her lips to mine in a searing kiss, all the while listening to his heart. I can smell his arousal and anticipation... the adrenaline in the air... fuck.

 

I'm so fuckin' hard.

 

He stands up *just* as I slip my hand under her tank top. Damn.

 

I kiss her for a few more seconds and then stop. "Get off, Luv," I say extremely softly in her ear.

 

 

I sigh but I'm pretty sure he has a plan having to do with this man. So I slide off Spike's lap, to sit next to him. Now what?

 

 

"Dinner time," I whisper while licking my lips. He'll taste pretty damn good and I'm *so* fuckin' hungry. I hold out my hand to her, "Up."

 

 

Okay, the guy's following some girl. Stalking, is more like it. So I guess he wasn't all that innocent, after all. I take Spike's hand as he pulls me to my feet.

 

 

I wrap my arm around her and kiss her cheek and neck every once in a while as we stay a good ten feet behind him.

 

They're heading into the park. I know that's where *I* would go this late at night. She walks through a couple bushes and he speeds up.

 

I don't. I just walk... biding my time. Once we're about ten feet away from where he *was*- I hear a shrill scream.

 

It *still* doesn't make me move any faster.

 

 

I know, he has no interest in saving the girl. But I can't just listen to those screams and not do something. I pull away from him and start toward the sound of the screaming.

 

 

I grab her arm, "Wait," I whisper.

 

 

"I will *not*," I say, trying to keep my voice down. I yank my arm away quickly, catching him by surprise and run toward where I think that creep and his victim are. If Spike wants to kill the guy, he's just going to have to get to him before *I* do.

 

 

DAMN IT!

 

I grab her again and yank her back, growling, "*Stop*."

 

I don't give her a choice in the matter but cut her off and step in front of her. Two seconds later, we've come across where the man has decided he's going to rape the woman.

 

Of course, I use the term 'woman' loosely- because she's got her fangs in his neck as we speak.

 

 

Oh. Well. I guess he got what he deserved.

 

I did *not* just think that!

 

I take Spike's hand and start to pull him away. We're going to have to find another ... meal?

 

 

I growl and she looks up and hisses.

 

Well- damn. I was kinda hoping... oh well.

 

Fine... I let her pull me away and this is *NOT* fair.

 

 

"Sorry I didn't realize, you knew she was a vamp, huh?" I ask. He just nods.

 

"But this is why it would be helpful to let *me* be the bait," I point out. He just looks at me. "Oh, come on. I've done it many, *many* times. And yes, it was to bait demons, but I'm sure I could manage to get the attention of some creep... It wouldn't be the first time," I say, thinking of my agent. "And it's not like anything is going to *happen* to me. You'll be nearby and can come to my rescue."

 

 

"Not gonna happen, Pet," I say.

 

Damn- I'm pissed. That's what's wrong with fledges these days! Time was, we'd share with anyone and usually end up fucking in the blood afterwards. Nowadays- it's as if they don't even wanna *think* there's another vampire in the world!

 

 

"Why?" I ask. "I lived on the Hellmouth all my life, Spike. And I've survived some of the sleaziest idiots in L.A. I *know* how to defend myself.

 

"And even if I didn't, I trust you with my life. I get that you don't want to put me in danger, but it's just a game. I *won't* be in *real* danger, because you can take out any human who so much as *tries* to do anything to me. And you will. So what's the problem?"

 

 

"Just let it go!" I growl. I get that she wants to be a part of this… but I'm not going there again.

 

I hear a scream from a few blocks down. "Let's go," I say as I grab her hand.

 

 

I sigh and follow him. Fine. But I'm beginning to wish John would hurry up and call us. Why am I even here with Spike, if he's not going to let me be any part of this? I'm not a helpless female and I *don't* like being treated like one.

 

"Has it occurred to you yet that you're not going to be around to protect me 24/7?" I say.

 

 

She's not gonna let this damn thing go, is she?

 

And this is *exactly* the reason why I'd sworn off women- until I saw her in that pool...

 

I mumble something similar to "be quiet so I can concentrate" and don't say much else.

 

 

Okay. This is ridiculous. If I stick around, we're just going to get into a stupid fight over something that *isn't* that important, but when I get mad, everything is important. "Fine. You don't need me here, so I'm taking a taxi back to the airport. I'll wait for you on the plane. Have fun hunting."

 

Oh good a taxi. My lucky night. I wave at him and he stops. "JFK International," I say as I dig through my pockets for some money. Yes, I still have a little of my own.

 

 

I watch her go.

 

I will *not* do this now while I'm hungry and we're pressed for time.

 

I watch her get in a cab and she'll be safe. She wants to be independent, fine. Let her go back to the airport by herself. That's fine.

 

 

When I get to the airport, Anne is waiting for me. I guess Spike called them. And I don't *need* protection.

 

But it's still sweet of him to worry.

 

 

There really is no sound quite like the beautiful snapping of necks... that little gasp and then *SNAP*.

 

That's the fifth one tonight… After having fed twice and... every demon likes a bit of fun every now and then.

 

*Ring, ring*

 

"'Lo?"

 

"Master- it's John. We've gotten clearance for an hour from now."

 

Perfect. Just in time for daybreak. "On my way. John- did she-"

 

"She's here."

 

"Alright."

 

I hang up the phone. I guess I'll get a cab.

 

 

I step out of the shower - that's something you don't see every day, a plane with a shower - and start to dry myself. And I'm less annoyed, now, that I've had time to just relax. I know he just didn't want to put me in danger. But I don't like *not* being a part of things. And he said he wanted me to be...

 

I will not let Penn be the reason we make any decisions, for the rest of our lives. That's just giving him too much power. And letting him screw with us, which is what he wanted in the first place.

 

*Knock, knock*

 

I grab a robe and pull it on. "Yeah?"

 

"Mistress..." It's Anne. She opens the door slightly. "The pilot got clearance for us to take off soon. The Master's on his way back."

 

"Okay, Anne. Thanks," I say. And I am glad that she told me they talked to Spike. You never know, something might have happened to him. The thought *did* occur to me a few (hundred) times in the past hour. So now I'm relieved.

 

"Can I - we - get you anything?" she asks.

 

"Yeah, the suitcase - the green one?" As I'm went through the other suitcase, I realized I had Anne pack all the new lingerie in the green one. And I'm not *that* mad at Spike right now.

 

"Of course. I'll have someone get it right away," she says, and then leaves. Hopefully I'll get that suitcase before Spike gets back.

 

 

I walk up the stairs and the door is closed and sealed behind me. "Nice hunt?" John asks, noting my shirt covered in blood.

 

"Yeah," I answer before taking it off and handing it to him. I *know* she wouldn't wanna see it.

 

I walk back to our chambers, just as Anne comes rushing out.

 

 

Okay, so I finally found my favorite piece of lingerie, with Anne's help. She wondered if I needed help getting changed, but with the way she was looking at me, that was a little too weird. I mean, I like her, but not *that* much. So I sent her on her way.

 

The nightgown was all the way in the bottom of the suitcase. But I really like it. It's a long, dark blue nightgown. The skirt-part is satin, and the bodice is sheer, with a v-neck that dips all the way to my waist, embroidered flowers on it. Spike *really * liked it when I tried it on, so I think it might help get us back in a good mood now. Hopefully.

 

 

I kick my Docs onto the floor. I notice my zippo on the couch and grab it. I walk over to the box.

 

I rummage through the damn thing and- there it is.

 

I haven't looked at this picture in *so* long… Dru thought I burned it. But I couldn't. My fingers run over the black tendrils that surround her face. I always loved that face… she has such beautiful features. Bright, big, brown eyes that seemed to look right through me the first night I saw her.

 

I walk back to the bedroom and she's sitting on the bed and *helloooo*. Damn, she's gorgeous laying all- spread out like that. But... I look down in my hand and place the picture in her lap and say, "Laura."

 

 

"Who's she?" I ask, holding my hand out to him. I just like it when he holds me when we talk.

 

 

"She's... *was*..." shit. I don't know *what* she's gonna do with this. "I was in love with her."

 

 

He looks like he's worried how I'll react. But why would I be upset? I was in love with a few men, before him, I would assume he was in love with a few women, himself. "Okay. So tell me about her," I say, patting the bed next to me.

 

 

I sit down on the bed since she seems pretty adamant to have me there.

 

"She's... dead now."

 

Because of *me*. Because *I* was stupid and dumb and...

 

Selfish.

 

Me.

 

I look at the black and white photo and even with the color missing- I can almost see the beauty of her flawless skin, the elegance of her beauty... she was definitely *untouchable*.

 

'Course, I didn't like playin' by the rules.

 

"I was..." I can't talk about this with her! I can't talk about this with *anyone*!

 

Forget it. I growl and stand up. "I'm takin' a shower before we take off."

 

 

What? Fine. I give up. "Whatever. But one of these days, you're going to have to figure out how to talk to me," I say as I pull on a blue satin robe and tie it shut. "Otherwise it's going to be impossible to do this." Then I turn and walk out of the bedroom.

 

I'll go talk to the servants. At least they'll talk to me, and act like they want to. So what if they're paid to do that? At this point, I just can't deal with the roller-coaster of being around Spike. I'm just too tired for it right now.

 

 

DAMN IT! I growl to myself and follow her. "She bloody DIED because of me! *I* killed her!"

 

Okaaaay… I wasn't really *intending* to say that.

 

Maybe I trust her a bit more than I thought... or maybe I'm finally ready to actually *talk* about some of this shit...

 

*Or* maybe I'm just a bloody stupid pillock.

 

 

Note to self: if I want to make Spike talk, make him mad. And that's not dysfunctional in the least.

 

Of course, dating a vampire, I'm hardly one to make judgments about whether or not *he's* dysfunctional.

 

I don't like that he doesn't trust me enough to talk to me, though. That really hurts. And just a few sentences -practically forced out of him - isn't going to convince me that I'm wrong about it, either. But I do turn back and look at him.

 

 

Well- at least she didn't gasp in horror or shock or...

 

But I can tell she's hurt and it isn't a good look for her.

 

"And that's why I don't want you baiting yourself," I say honestly.

 

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