Lost Soul. Chapter 1.

[elisi]

Since writing posts takes time (that I have very little of at the moment) and I don't have much to say anyway, I figured I could post my summer_of_spike fic. This is mostly for my own sake, but if anyone feels like reading (I'm still trying to catch up on the second half of s_o_s myself. *sigh*) you're very welcome. :)

Now this fic was supposed to be short... it was a tiny little neglected plot-bunny at the back of the cupboard. But when I started to pay attention to it, it grew quite considerably and became much more interesting than I could have imagined. So I decided to split the story up into 8 (fairly short) chapters.

Author: elisi
Summary: Spike loses his soul, AtS S5. Some wackiness ensues...
Setting: AU post-Smile Time. (Although the demon-bug hunt did take place.)
Rating: PG-13. Mostly because of the swearing.
Beta: The most wondrous and brilliant kathyh. She also made the banner and icon!
Genre: General, friendship, character-study.
Pairings: None really (except for those in canon at the time).
Disclaimer: I own nothing, Joss is the God-king of the Buffy-verse. Bow down before him!
Feedback: If you could find it in your hearts to bequeath me with such a gift I should dance with joy and forever treasure your name!

ETA: Total word count: 9000+ words.





Chapter 1

The words on the chart blurred together for the umpteenth time and Fred tiredly rubbed her eyes. She kept them closed for a moment, enjoying the blissful rest, but as she stood there an odd sort of feeling crept over her. Like someone was watching her. Looking around, she saw Spike hovering by the door.

He looked... strange somehow, as though unsure of something, wrapping his duster around himself protectively the way he’d done back in the early days. She frowned as she saw him, wondering what he was doing - usually he didn’t show up until the afternoon, spending the morning hours asleep. He smiled apologetically as he stuck his head round the corner and asked quietly: “Fred? Can I... talk to you?”

“Of course Spike! Just give me a moment. Would you like to sit in my office - it’s more comfortable than anything here,” she said, smiling, just before she heard her stomach growl. How long had it been since she’d eaten? She vaguely recalled having dinner the previous night, but it had been early since they were going bug-hunting.

He nodded and walked up the little stairs, and again she noted the lack of swagger. Seeing Spike so subdued worried her rather - he’d not acted like this since that time he’d been continually sucked into hell.

Staying up all night analysing the specimen they’d brought back had tired her out more than she thought, Fred realised, as she went up to the office a few minutes later, feeling strangely light-headed. She knew she should have left hours ago, and that Wesley would tell her off when he found out that she’d stayed up after sending everyone else home. But it was all just so fascinating... she rather wished that Spike hadn’t shown up, but he probably just thought that she’d come in early.

She found the vampire absentmindedly standing by the window, looking out over the city as the sun rose. It was an oddly haunting image, the night-creature watching the deadly day taking over his world. He seemed lost somehow, yet oddly enough she was more aware of him as a demon than she’d been for a long time. There was something uncompromising and feral in the way he stood and she felt a sudden pang of fear. What had happened?

He turned around when he heard her and did a not-quite smile. Trying to smile back she asked slightly nervously. “So... what’s the matter?”

He lowered his eyes, as though unsure, but after a small hesitation started talking. “Um - I suppose I’d better start from the beginning, right? ‘Cause it doesn’t make much sense. Last night... after the bug hunt... I went out to one of my favourite bars. Met this English bloke - right friendly fella and it’s always nice to hear a familiar accent, y’know? He got a bit spooked when I let slip that I was a vampire, so I told him about the soul. Not much, just that I was in that select group that broods instead of kills.” A wry smile, that vanished so quickly that she thought she might have imagined it.

A sigh and a shake of the head. “Things get hazy after that. Don’t remember much, until I woke up in my flat this morning - only...”

He took a deep breath and met her eyes for the first time. “When I woke up - there was something missing.”

Full of sympathy, she thought she understood: “You were burgled? How awful!”

He shook his head. “Oh, no love, got nothing there worth nicking. I don’t know how - I mean it shouldn’t be possible - but... the bloke took my soul!”

She stared at him horrified, as her mind was suddenly crowded with memories. Her friend - her saviour - locked in a cage. Attacking her. Threatening to rape and kill her...

The exhaustion, lack of food and sudden shock all combined in a flash and the world went black.

Chapter 2.

Comments

[jenjojen.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! I like this! I can't wait to see more of it. Keep up the great work, and also...I meant to leave a comment when little miss Elisi arrived, but I'm a terrible LJ friend. Congratulations! You must be so happy!

[elisi]

Thank you and thank you! :)

Glad you like the story - I had much fun writing it.

Yes, very happy - we've named her Eve (for its Biblical associations rather than AtS) and she's utterly adorable. There will be a pic spam at some point...

[speakr2customrs.livejournal.com]

Absolutely fantastic start!

I wonder if the "English bloke" was Ethan Rayne?

[elisi]

Absolutely fantastic start!
Squee! *Thank you* You wouldn't believe how long I had this scene sat in my head before I finally got round to writing it down... actually you probably would! ;)

Ethan Rayne?
::whistles innocently::

[bearfacedcheek.livejournal.com]

I've been trawling through SOS looking for this fic becuase I'm so desperate to find out what happens next but I can't find it. Is it posted up there already or did I misunderstand?

Great start and it looks like I'll have to be patient. Damn it, I hate being patient.

PS what was your sos posting date by the way? (sliped that in dead subtle like didn't I?)

[elisi]

Heh. For some reasons it's not in the memories of s_o_s (yet?), but you can find the story here. I put links all the way through for easy reading! *g* Enjoy!

[bearfacedcheek.livejournal.com]

Yay thanks! Although you probably shouldn't humour me. Like all children I need to be taught the serenity that comes with patient waiting. Ah screw that, I got it now yippee

[elisi]

the serenity that comes with patient waiting.
Well, Serenity the movie does... ;)

[bearfacedcheek.livejournal.com]

Just finished the story. Loved it, especially the ending, I like fics in which Angel is portrayed properly, as essentially a good man.

[elisi]

I like fics in which Angel is portrayed properly, as essentially a good man.
Oh me too! (Duh!) Angel is such a wonderful character - he has his flaws, but he tries so hard.

Very glad you liked the story. I had such a lot of fun writing it. :)

[spikereader.livejournal.com]

Nice to see you've started another fic - not read it yet, but have listed it in my Links so that I don't forget. I read all your other stories, and really enjoyed them, and one day when I've got a bit more time will comment properly.

[elisi]

Well it's all finished and everything, I just thought it'd be nice to post it in my own journal (it's on summer_of_spike, but that's not the same). I hope you like it, whenever you get round to reading. I'm currently catching up on all the fic I've missed in the last two months (it all went wrong after the holidays).

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

oh my! Beautiful beginning, very in-character, love your Fred, and Spike's reactions all make sense. What a way to be burgled!

[elisi]

Thank you! :) For a long time, all I had was this beginning which was wonderfully intriguing, and once I started writing what happened next took me by surprise! :)

Feedback from Edelweiss

[(Anonymous)]

she was more aware of him as a demon than she’d been for a long time Ha! Very nice foreshadowing :-)

English bloke? Hmmm! Damn! 'speakr2customrs' stole my line! Now why would you whistle innocently to that comment? :-)

Poor Fred; having visions of Angelus ... urghhhh!

A lovely start to the story ... I'm hooked

Edelweiss

Re: Feedback from Edelweiss

[elisi]

There are few things better in this world than surprise feedback! *cherishes* You have no idea how much this has brightened my day. I won't be able to reply to it all right away (pesky RL), but trust me that I'm devouring it all.

Ha! Very nice foreshadowing :-)
Thank you - I love foreshadowing (and continuity) and often wonder if other people notice at all. I just think it's neat. :)

Hmmm! Damn! 'speakr2customrs' stole my line! Now why would you whistle innocently to that comment? :-)
Well by now you know...

Poor Fred; having visions of Angelus ... urghhhh!
Angelus is a particularly nasty creature to have memories of.

A lovely start to the story ... I'm hooked
Thank you again - your feedback is wonderfully in-depth and detailed. I feel thoroughly spoiled.

Feedback

[(Anonymous)]

I'm glad that you liked my comments, but don't worry about replying to me, I well understand that RL issues must unfortunately take precedence :-( I'm only glad that you're still active in the fanfic field :-)

Re: Feedback

[elisi]

Oh I'll get there, don't worry. It's just that we're going away for a few days. Check again after the weekend. :)

I'm only glad that you're still active in the fanfic field :-)
Thank you. :) And I really can't help it - these stories just *demand* to be written, whether I like it or not...

Feedback

[(Anonymous)]

Hi sorry that it's taken so long to get back to you. I wasn't ignoring you; I had to go away too (relatives) ... honest! :-)

these stories just *demand* to be written, whether I like it or not
Good!!! :-)

Edelweiss

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

Poor fainting Fred! I hope Spikey caught her!

Yay! Glad you linked this story. I'm fond of soul-issues!

[elisi]

Soul issues are very interesting. Hence me writing. A lot. :)