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Not Quite a Christmas Carol. Part 3.
Finally here! It could probably be better, but I'd like to post before Easter, and overall I'm quite happy with it. Anyway, this really has nothing to do with Christmas - dunno why I'm writing Riley centric stuff, but I can only hope that it'll appeal to both those who like the character and those who do not - mostly I tried to tie up a few lose ends. ::crosses fingers::
If anyone wants to play catch-up, here's Part 1. (The story is set within my 'Maybe Someday' verse, but is pretty much a stand-alone. There is a second part, but it is an interlude full of Spuffy schmoop that isn't really important to the main story.)
As always many smooches to my ever fabulous beta![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kathyh!
Feedback makes me do the Snoopy dance. :)
The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come
‘Smile and the world smiles back’. That was a saying, right? And in some ways it worked, because Riley smiled and people smiled back. He smiled at Sam and she positively beamed back; the sun that kept him orbiting, even when he felt like spinning off into the void.
Christmas had been and gone and Sam had enjoyed it all to the full - even going to midnight mass at St Peter’s; a fact he’d better keep hidden from his grandma forever or she’d probably disown him. Demons would be an easier subject than the Catholic Church. But much as he tried to pretend, that wasn’t what had unsettled him. No, it was what he called ‘The Sunnydale Factor’, the embodiment of which was Buffy - golden haired, mysterious Buffy, whom he had once thought the love of his life. Although looking back, what had his life been then? He’d lost his mission, even lost himself to some degree. And he had clung to Buffy so fiercely, hoping against hope that one day she might need him; might love him; might be someone he could understand. Having ‘The Sunnydale Factor’ thrown into his life now was unsettling to say the least. He didn’t like chaos, didn’t cope well when the rules kept changing. And he really didn’t want to dwell on all the... things that had happened back then.
All he wanted to do was to enjoy this evening, sitting on this bench with an arm around his wife and the promise of an exciting mission starting in a few days. So it was a rude shock when out of the blue a very real bleached blond vampire appeared in front of them.
“Good evening!” the vampire smiled, as though they were all the best of friends.
Before either could reply, he continued swiftly: “Sorry to be rude, but I’m afraid I need to borrow your husband for a little while Sam. I’m in a bit of a rush or I’d love to have a chat!”
Slightly bewildered, but friendly, Sam replied. “Sure! Riley, I think I’ll go browse in that little fabric store we saw earlier - you can come and dig me out when you two are done!”
Riley wondered why he didn’t just say no, but instead he nodded, gave Sam a kiss and watched her walk off down the street. Leaving him alone with Spike...
Slowly he turned his head to take in Buffy’s ‘New Boyfriend’. No - he still didn’t get it. But then had he ever really understood her?
Without a word Spike started walking. Puzzled, but loath to start an argument already, Riley followed. After a short while they were in the back streets, the darkness more prevalent and making Riley tense, scanning the surroundings for possible danger.
A moment later Spike stopped and looked around. “This seems quiet enough,” he said, and jumped up on a dumpster, then searched through his pockets for a cigarette and lighter. Riley watched him carefully light up, the flame highlighting his chiselled features, before turning to look at the human. “Want a seat?”
Riley shook his head mutely. What was going on? Was it a trap? But Spike had a soul, so surely that meant he didn’t hurt people... although that hadn’t stopped Angel that time. He tightened his grip on the stake in his pocket, but Spike caught the tiny motion and chuckled.
“Oh please - don’t insult both of us by even pretending that you could take me on!”
Riley gritted his teeth and replied tersely: “I’ve killed a helluva lot of demons these last few years Spike-” but Spike cut him off with an authoritative wave of his hand.
“Listen boy, I killed my first Slayer before your grandfather was even born! I could break your neck before that thing was out of your pocket, understood? But..." a resigned sigh, " I didn’t bring you here for a fight, so just calm down.”
Riley took a deep breath and nearly turned to walk away, but then curiosity got the better of him.
“So - what do you want Spike?”
The vampire smiled one of those infuriatingly smug smiles, and then said the last thing Riley could ever have imagined.
“I wanted to thank you!”
He knew that he probably looked like a complete idiot, but Riley couldn’t help his jaw from dropping.
“You... wanted to thank me?” Even if he had wanted to, he couldn’t have kept the sarcasm out of his voice. “What for?”
“The chip!”
“Very funny Spike. Care to tell me when exactly you went insane?”
Spike chuckled. “Oh I’m not saying I liked it - or that it was fun having migraines from hell every time I looked at someone the wrong way. Or that I enjoyed it when it nearly blew up my head. But overall - looking back, right, seeing what happened because of it - it was a good thing! For a start, me and Buffy bein’ together wouldn’t ever have happened otherwise. Probably would have killed each other sooner or later. So, yeah, I felt like thanking someone. And since I only have a choice between The Initiative and The-Powers-That-Screw, you got to be a substitute for Maggie Walsh and her bunch of crazy doctors!”
Seeing that Riley was speechless, the vampire continued. “Now seein’ as I’m such a forgiving and caring sort of fella, I figured that one good turn deserves another, so I’m gonna try to do you a favour in return.”
Riley shook his head. This was ridiculous. He had no idea what Spike was playing at, and he really didn’t care. “You know what Spike? I think I’m just going to take off. It was...” he almost said ‘nice to see you’, but that would be such a gratuitous lie that he’d just make the vampire burst out laughing. As he was trying to come up with a suitable farewell, Spike took a long drag of his cigarette, then asked leisurely. “Tell me before you go - what was her name?”
OK, now the guy was being surreal. “What? Who?”
“The first vampire that bit you - what was her name?”
And although Riley had been certain that any such detail had been long since forgotten, he answered without thinking: “Sandy.”
Spike slowly nodded. “Look anything like Olivia Newton John?”
Riley shook his head and, for reasons that escaped him, felt compelled to explain. “No - quite petite and pretty with light brown hair. She was -” He managed to stop himself before he started relating the whole sorry story.
But Spike pressed on. “Where did you meet her?”
“Willy’s,” he answered curtly, slowly backing away. Why the hell am I still here?
Spike’s face turned thoughtful, then suddenly he smiled a little. “Yeah - I remember her. Never really got over being turned that one...” he stopped and shot Riley a dark look. “I suppose you staked her?”
Riley nodded, but before he could turn around and walk away, Spike started talking again. Softly, almost like he was talking to himself, and Riley found himself spellbound. Spike’s voice had become strangely soothing, as though reciting poetry or recalling long-gone memories...
“That first bite... funny how all the pain suddenly stops after a few seconds. It’s like everything crystallises and you know that this is... it. And you think ‘I’m going to die!’ and part of you just doesn’t care.”
Spike’s eyes were staring into the distance, lost to this world. There was a small smile on his lips as he continued, his words causing darkness to creep into Riley’s head one little step at a time.
“There is such a pull to the other side, like the sea draggin’ you down. It is such an incredible rush to stand on that edge and look into the abyss! Never knowing if this time maybe you’ll fall...”
Riley hadn’t even registered that Spike had jumped off his seat. The vampire was standing in front of him, eyes shining in the dull light and speaking words that Riley had never been able to formulate. He could feel his heart beating wildly, but seemed unable to move, as though he had grown roots through the pavement. And Spike kept talking...
“To be so wanted... needed... to know that something stronger than mere feelings are at work. Because you are life to a vampire - it cannot exist without you. What runs through your veins in the most important thing in their existence...”
Spike slowly reached out and almost touched Riley’s neck. “Riiight here is the spot. Mmm - little Sandy had good aim!”
Part of Riley was panicking wildly. What was happening? Why was he letting Spike so close?
It’s a thrall! It must be a thrall! There is no other explanation!
The vampire’s eyes suddenly shifted to bright amber and Riley tried to swallow, but his mouth had gone dry. He closed his eyes, waiting, wondering why he wasn’t running - only the anticipated move towards his neck never came.
Instead Spike stepped back abruptly, a leer on his face. “Shame of course for both of us that I wouldn’t touch you, even if you were the last person in this dimension or any other!”
As if suffering from vertigo, Riley swayed slightly on his feet. He stared at Spike, the last few moments replaying themselves as he gripped onto the stake tightly again. His mind was racing, and watching the vampire silently saunter back to his former seat and dig out another smoke, he was unable to hold back the accusation on his lips: “You did a thrall!”
Spike stopped trying to light his cigarette and laughed. “I knew you’d say that! So bloody predictable little farm boy. But no - that wasn’t a thrall. I believe the technical term is a mind fuck.”
Seeing Riley’s stunned face, he chuckled to himself. “Although you could say that I activated your chip - well sort of. You could have snapped out of it if you’d wanted!”
Then he looked up, eyes shrewd and calculating. “But you didn’t, did you? I could have drained you dry and your last words would probably have been ‘thank you’.”
Riley frowned. Surely the vampire was lying...
But Spike wasn’t finished. Gesturing with his free hand, he began explaining in earnest. “See you, Mr Finn, have what is called ‘an addiction’. Some people drink, some gamble, some put needles in themselves - you like to dance with death! And all these things are dangerous! Especially when you don’t deal with the problem, but just stick your tail between your legs and run away.”
He stopped for a moment to concentrate on his cigarette and Riley found himself asking. “But... how did you...?”
Spike took a deep satisfied drag and smiled smugly. “Ah! Now that was a little trick I learned from my grandsire. You might have heard that Angelus is the worst vampire on record. Now he isn’t as famous as Dracula or as old as The Prince of Lies was - and I’m sure The Master must have killed more people. Hell, I’ve probably killed more! But what Angelus did better than anyone else was destroy individuals. Screw with their heads until there was nothing left. Now me, I just like killing stuff, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t step into his shoes now and again. And you, my dear Commander Finn, were easy as pie! Problem is, one day a vamp will come along who’s not as thick as most of them and he’ll work you out too - and before you know it, you’ll be someone’s lunch.”
He sighed, and flicked the now-dead fag end away. “None of this really bothers me, except your wife seems like a very nice lady indeed, and she deserves better than some spineless junkie for a husband. Also Buffy used to have a thing for you. And, having walked much further than a bloody mile in your shoes... hm, more like crawling across broken glass actually - I might have found just the tiniest little dreg of sympathy for you.”
Riley silently shook his head. What the hell did Spike think he was doing?
Before he could say anything, Spike continued. “But to get back to the main point, consider this - what if I’d been soulless still and killed you? Or maybe turned you? Because if that happened it’s very likely that your dear wife would meet her death at your hands...”
Shocked, Riley didn’t know what to say, when a loud bleeping interrupted them. Swearing Spike pulled out a cellphone and answered, only to have whoever was on the other end yell so loudly that even Riley could hear. “Spike! Where are you? I told you to be on time!” Looking only vaguely concerned, Spike glanced at his wristwatch. “Hunh - didn’t realise it was this late. Have been a bit busy - I’ll head your way now.”
Then he frowned and listened, before sighing. “Fine - come and pick me up then! I’m...” He looked around, obviously trying to find a good way of explaining their whereabouts, when he half-smiled. “Hey, this is the alley where we killed that redhead prostitute in ‘94!”... “That’s it! See you in a minute!”
“You were here in ‘94?” Riley asked, catching onto the end of the conversation.
Spike smiled a little. “Eighteen-ninety four young padawan. But as I was saying - your wife deserves kiddies and one day grandchildren and you’d better be there for her! OK? So - sort yourself out and get some help! I might just come and check up on you in 50 years time!”
There was a sudden strange crackle and Riley turned his head to see a portal open up in mid-air at the end of the alley. His eyes opened wide as he saw Angel step out, followed by an odd blueish creature, all dressed in leather.
Angel looked pissed off and opened his mouth to say something, but then caught sight of Riley and faltered. Looking from him to Spike he frowned. “What’s going on?”
Spike shrugged. “Nothing much, I was just doing him a favour, since I owed him one... where are we going again?”
“To negotiate with the Ramulka-ha clan! Did someone extract your brain over Christmas?”
“Make haste, your insolence and tardiness is wearying!” the strange humanoid demon said and with a flick of her wrist opened another portal. Riley stared, remembering the card with ‘Illy-something, God-King of the Primordium.’ Could it really be true?
The odd companions stepped through one after the other, Spike being the last one. Mid-step he suddenly froze and looked over his shoulder.
“Ah what the hell!” he said, then before Riley had time to blink the vampire was in front of him.
“This,” Spike carefully explained, “is for staking me, blowing up my home and all the other crap!” And his fist flashed forward, connecting with Riley’s nose in a painful crunch.
His hand over his nose, Riley almost cried out loud, when he caught the very grim look that suddenly came over Spike’s face.
“And this is for leaving Buffy high and dry when she needed all the help she could get!” Spike’s fist connected with Riley again, but this time the punch landed on his chin and sent him flying backwards, hitting the wall.
When Riley managed to see through the pain, the vampire had vanished, the only proof that he hadn’t been a figment of Riley’s imagination the cigarette butts on the ground. He slowly got up in the darkened alley and tried to stop the bleeding from his nose, but he couldn’t help thinking. Maybe... maybe Spike was right? Riley carefully passed his fingers over the bite mark on his neck and could almost feel that invisible pull again...
A little later he caught up with Sam, now deeply imbedded in the small shop and with an ever growing pile of pretty fabrics. “Look honey - wouldn’t these make the most brilliant curtains?”
He was silent for so long, that she stopped her browsing. “What’s wrong? You look...” Her eyes widened, as she took in his face properly. “What happened to your nose?”
He took her hands, then asked her slowly, “Sam - do you love me? No matter what?”
“Of course.” she answered, her face beginning to look troubled.
“I... I need to tell you something. About my past - about Sunnydale.”
The End
('Verse continued in this Valentine's Fic, which also ties into the soon to be written sequel.)
If anyone wants to play catch-up, here's Part 1. (The story is set within my 'Maybe Someday' verse, but is pretty much a stand-alone. There is a second part, but it is an interlude full of Spuffy schmoop that isn't really important to the main story.)
As always many smooches to my ever fabulous beta
kathyh!Feedback makes me do the Snoopy dance. :)
‘Smile and the world smiles back’. That was a saying, right? And in some ways it worked, because Riley smiled and people smiled back. He smiled at Sam and she positively beamed back; the sun that kept him orbiting, even when he felt like spinning off into the void.
Christmas had been and gone and Sam had enjoyed it all to the full - even going to midnight mass at St Peter’s; a fact he’d better keep hidden from his grandma forever or she’d probably disown him. Demons would be an easier subject than the Catholic Church. But much as he tried to pretend, that wasn’t what had unsettled him. No, it was what he called ‘The Sunnydale Factor’, the embodiment of which was Buffy - golden haired, mysterious Buffy, whom he had once thought the love of his life. Although looking back, what had his life been then? He’d lost his mission, even lost himself to some degree. And he had clung to Buffy so fiercely, hoping against hope that one day she might need him; might love him; might be someone he could understand. Having ‘The Sunnydale Factor’ thrown into his life now was unsettling to say the least. He didn’t like chaos, didn’t cope well when the rules kept changing. And he really didn’t want to dwell on all the... things that had happened back then.
All he wanted to do was to enjoy this evening, sitting on this bench with an arm around his wife and the promise of an exciting mission starting in a few days. So it was a rude shock when out of the blue a very real bleached blond vampire appeared in front of them.
“Good evening!” the vampire smiled, as though they were all the best of friends.
Before either could reply, he continued swiftly: “Sorry to be rude, but I’m afraid I need to borrow your husband for a little while Sam. I’m in a bit of a rush or I’d love to have a chat!”
Slightly bewildered, but friendly, Sam replied. “Sure! Riley, I think I’ll go browse in that little fabric store we saw earlier - you can come and dig me out when you two are done!”
Riley wondered why he didn’t just say no, but instead he nodded, gave Sam a kiss and watched her walk off down the street. Leaving him alone with Spike...
Slowly he turned his head to take in Buffy’s ‘New Boyfriend’. No - he still didn’t get it. But then had he ever really understood her?
Without a word Spike started walking. Puzzled, but loath to start an argument already, Riley followed. After a short while they were in the back streets, the darkness more prevalent and making Riley tense, scanning the surroundings for possible danger.
A moment later Spike stopped and looked around. “This seems quiet enough,” he said, and jumped up on a dumpster, then searched through his pockets for a cigarette and lighter. Riley watched him carefully light up, the flame highlighting his chiselled features, before turning to look at the human. “Want a seat?”
Riley shook his head mutely. What was going on? Was it a trap? But Spike had a soul, so surely that meant he didn’t hurt people... although that hadn’t stopped Angel that time. He tightened his grip on the stake in his pocket, but Spike caught the tiny motion and chuckled.
“Oh please - don’t insult both of us by even pretending that you could take me on!”
Riley gritted his teeth and replied tersely: “I’ve killed a helluva lot of demons these last few years Spike-” but Spike cut him off with an authoritative wave of his hand.
“Listen boy, I killed my first Slayer before your grandfather was even born! I could break your neck before that thing was out of your pocket, understood? But..." a resigned sigh, " I didn’t bring you here for a fight, so just calm down.”
Riley took a deep breath and nearly turned to walk away, but then curiosity got the better of him.
“So - what do you want Spike?”
The vampire smiled one of those infuriatingly smug smiles, and then said the last thing Riley could ever have imagined.
“I wanted to thank you!”
He knew that he probably looked like a complete idiot, but Riley couldn’t help his jaw from dropping.
“You... wanted to thank me?” Even if he had wanted to, he couldn’t have kept the sarcasm out of his voice. “What for?”
“The chip!”
“Very funny Spike. Care to tell me when exactly you went insane?”
Spike chuckled. “Oh I’m not saying I liked it - or that it was fun having migraines from hell every time I looked at someone the wrong way. Or that I enjoyed it when it nearly blew up my head. But overall - looking back, right, seeing what happened because of it - it was a good thing! For a start, me and Buffy bein’ together wouldn’t ever have happened otherwise. Probably would have killed each other sooner or later. So, yeah, I felt like thanking someone. And since I only have a choice between The Initiative and The-Powers-That-Screw, you got to be a substitute for Maggie Walsh and her bunch of crazy doctors!”
Seeing that Riley was speechless, the vampire continued. “Now seein’ as I’m such a forgiving and caring sort of fella, I figured that one good turn deserves another, so I’m gonna try to do you a favour in return.”
Riley shook his head. This was ridiculous. He had no idea what Spike was playing at, and he really didn’t care. “You know what Spike? I think I’m just going to take off. It was...” he almost said ‘nice to see you’, but that would be such a gratuitous lie that he’d just make the vampire burst out laughing. As he was trying to come up with a suitable farewell, Spike took a long drag of his cigarette, then asked leisurely. “Tell me before you go - what was her name?”
OK, now the guy was being surreal. “What? Who?”
“The first vampire that bit you - what was her name?”
And although Riley had been certain that any such detail had been long since forgotten, he answered without thinking: “Sandy.”
Spike slowly nodded. “Look anything like Olivia Newton John?”
Riley shook his head and, for reasons that escaped him, felt compelled to explain. “No - quite petite and pretty with light brown hair. She was -” He managed to stop himself before he started relating the whole sorry story.
But Spike pressed on. “Where did you meet her?”
“Willy’s,” he answered curtly, slowly backing away. Why the hell am I still here?
Spike’s face turned thoughtful, then suddenly he smiled a little. “Yeah - I remember her. Never really got over being turned that one...” he stopped and shot Riley a dark look. “I suppose you staked her?”
Riley nodded, but before he could turn around and walk away, Spike started talking again. Softly, almost like he was talking to himself, and Riley found himself spellbound. Spike’s voice had become strangely soothing, as though reciting poetry or recalling long-gone memories...
“That first bite... funny how all the pain suddenly stops after a few seconds. It’s like everything crystallises and you know that this is... it. And you think ‘I’m going to die!’ and part of you just doesn’t care.”
Spike’s eyes were staring into the distance, lost to this world. There was a small smile on his lips as he continued, his words causing darkness to creep into Riley’s head one little step at a time.
“There is such a pull to the other side, like the sea draggin’ you down. It is such an incredible rush to stand on that edge and look into the abyss! Never knowing if this time maybe you’ll fall...”
Riley hadn’t even registered that Spike had jumped off his seat. The vampire was standing in front of him, eyes shining in the dull light and speaking words that Riley had never been able to formulate. He could feel his heart beating wildly, but seemed unable to move, as though he had grown roots through the pavement. And Spike kept talking...
“To be so wanted... needed... to know that something stronger than mere feelings are at work. Because you are life to a vampire - it cannot exist without you. What runs through your veins in the most important thing in their existence...”
Spike slowly reached out and almost touched Riley’s neck. “Riiight here is the spot. Mmm - little Sandy had good aim!”
Part of Riley was panicking wildly. What was happening? Why was he letting Spike so close?
It’s a thrall! It must be a thrall! There is no other explanation!
The vampire’s eyes suddenly shifted to bright amber and Riley tried to swallow, but his mouth had gone dry. He closed his eyes, waiting, wondering why he wasn’t running - only the anticipated move towards his neck never came.
Instead Spike stepped back abruptly, a leer on his face. “Shame of course for both of us that I wouldn’t touch you, even if you were the last person in this dimension or any other!”
As if suffering from vertigo, Riley swayed slightly on his feet. He stared at Spike, the last few moments replaying themselves as he gripped onto the stake tightly again. His mind was racing, and watching the vampire silently saunter back to his former seat and dig out another smoke, he was unable to hold back the accusation on his lips: “You did a thrall!”
Spike stopped trying to light his cigarette and laughed. “I knew you’d say that! So bloody predictable little farm boy. But no - that wasn’t a thrall. I believe the technical term is a mind fuck.”
Seeing Riley’s stunned face, he chuckled to himself. “Although you could say that I activated your chip - well sort of. You could have snapped out of it if you’d wanted!”
Then he looked up, eyes shrewd and calculating. “But you didn’t, did you? I could have drained you dry and your last words would probably have been ‘thank you’.”
Riley frowned. Surely the vampire was lying...
But Spike wasn’t finished. Gesturing with his free hand, he began explaining in earnest. “See you, Mr Finn, have what is called ‘an addiction’. Some people drink, some gamble, some put needles in themselves - you like to dance with death! And all these things are dangerous! Especially when you don’t deal with the problem, but just stick your tail between your legs and run away.”
He stopped for a moment to concentrate on his cigarette and Riley found himself asking. “But... how did you...?”
Spike took a deep satisfied drag and smiled smugly. “Ah! Now that was a little trick I learned from my grandsire. You might have heard that Angelus is the worst vampire on record. Now he isn’t as famous as Dracula or as old as The Prince of Lies was - and I’m sure The Master must have killed more people. Hell, I’ve probably killed more! But what Angelus did better than anyone else was destroy individuals. Screw with their heads until there was nothing left. Now me, I just like killing stuff, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t step into his shoes now and again. And you, my dear Commander Finn, were easy as pie! Problem is, one day a vamp will come along who’s not as thick as most of them and he’ll work you out too - and before you know it, you’ll be someone’s lunch.”
He sighed, and flicked the now-dead fag end away. “None of this really bothers me, except your wife seems like a very nice lady indeed, and she deserves better than some spineless junkie for a husband. Also Buffy used to have a thing for you. And, having walked much further than a bloody mile in your shoes... hm, more like crawling across broken glass actually - I might have found just the tiniest little dreg of sympathy for you.”
Riley silently shook his head. What the hell did Spike think he was doing?
Before he could say anything, Spike continued. “But to get back to the main point, consider this - what if I’d been soulless still and killed you? Or maybe turned you? Because if that happened it’s very likely that your dear wife would meet her death at your hands...”
Shocked, Riley didn’t know what to say, when a loud bleeping interrupted them. Swearing Spike pulled out a cellphone and answered, only to have whoever was on the other end yell so loudly that even Riley could hear. “Spike! Where are you? I told you to be on time!” Looking only vaguely concerned, Spike glanced at his wristwatch. “Hunh - didn’t realise it was this late. Have been a bit busy - I’ll head your way now.”
Then he frowned and listened, before sighing. “Fine - come and pick me up then! I’m...” He looked around, obviously trying to find a good way of explaining their whereabouts, when he half-smiled. “Hey, this is the alley where we killed that redhead prostitute in ‘94!”... “That’s it! See you in a minute!”
“You were here in ‘94?” Riley asked, catching onto the end of the conversation.
Spike smiled a little. “Eighteen-ninety four young padawan. But as I was saying - your wife deserves kiddies and one day grandchildren and you’d better be there for her! OK? So - sort yourself out and get some help! I might just come and check up on you in 50 years time!”
There was a sudden strange crackle and Riley turned his head to see a portal open up in mid-air at the end of the alley. His eyes opened wide as he saw Angel step out, followed by an odd blueish creature, all dressed in leather.
Angel looked pissed off and opened his mouth to say something, but then caught sight of Riley and faltered. Looking from him to Spike he frowned. “What’s going on?”
Spike shrugged. “Nothing much, I was just doing him a favour, since I owed him one... where are we going again?”
“To negotiate with the Ramulka-ha clan! Did someone extract your brain over Christmas?”
“Make haste, your insolence and tardiness is wearying!” the strange humanoid demon said and with a flick of her wrist opened another portal. Riley stared, remembering the card with ‘Illy-something, God-King of the Primordium.’ Could it really be true?
The odd companions stepped through one after the other, Spike being the last one. Mid-step he suddenly froze and looked over his shoulder.
“Ah what the hell!” he said, then before Riley had time to blink the vampire was in front of him.
“This,” Spike carefully explained, “is for staking me, blowing up my home and all the other crap!” And his fist flashed forward, connecting with Riley’s nose in a painful crunch.
His hand over his nose, Riley almost cried out loud, when he caught the very grim look that suddenly came over Spike’s face.
“And this is for leaving Buffy high and dry when she needed all the help she could get!” Spike’s fist connected with Riley again, but this time the punch landed on his chin and sent him flying backwards, hitting the wall.
When Riley managed to see through the pain, the vampire had vanished, the only proof that he hadn’t been a figment of Riley’s imagination the cigarette butts on the ground. He slowly got up in the darkened alley and tried to stop the bleeding from his nose, but he couldn’t help thinking. Maybe... maybe Spike was right? Riley carefully passed his fingers over the bite mark on his neck and could almost feel that invisible pull again...
A little later he caught up with Sam, now deeply imbedded in the small shop and with an ever growing pile of pretty fabrics. “Look honey - wouldn’t these make the most brilliant curtains?”
He was silent for so long, that she stopped her browsing. “What’s wrong? You look...” Her eyes widened, as she took in his face properly. “What happened to your nose?”
He took her hands, then asked her slowly, “Sam - do you love me? No matter what?”
“Of course.” she answered, her face beginning to look troubled.
“I... I need to tell you something. About my past - about Sunnydale.”
('Verse continued in this Valentine's Fic, which also ties into the soon to be written sequel.)
no subject
You might have heard that Angelus is the worst vampire on record. Now he isn’t as famous as Dracula or as old as The Prince of Lies was - and I’m sure The Master must have killed more people. Hell, I’ve probably killed more! But what Angelus did better than anyone else was destroy individuals. Screw with their heads until there was nothing left. Also very true, Angelus loved to play with his victims much like a cat with a mouse.
“This,” Spike carefully explained, “is for staking me, blowing up my home and all the other crap!” And his fist flashed forward, connecting with Riley’s nose in a painful crunch...
“And this is for leaving Buffy high and dry when she needed all the help she could get!” Hee! Always the nose.
no subject
It was what made the whole couple thing *possible* - that they could spend time together, getting to know each other.
Angelus loved to play with his victims much like a cat with a mouse.
Oh yeah. He'd have had a field-day with Riley!
Hee! Always the nose.
Had to go with the classics! :)
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! (And the unexpected prezzie - there will be a proper thank you at some point! Until then, many smooches.)
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even going to midnight mass at St Peter’s; a fact he’d better keep hidden from his grandma forever or she’d probably disown him. Demons would be an easier subject than the Catholic Church.
Hee!
I like your Reilly. Nicely done! And the part with Angel and Ilryia was perfect!
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Well if there's 'Spellcasters Anonymous'... ;)
I'm not sure exactly what branch of Christianity Riley is, but I'd guess Baptist or similar.
So glad you liked it - and I'm extra pleased that you like my Riley! :) Angel and Illyria just wrote themselves!
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Hey, my minister wears jeans and doc, and the worship band has a great base. All of which appalls my mother!
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Good points, I'd say you're probably right. :)
All of which appalls my mother!
Hee!
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Heh. Behold my superior writing skillz! ;)
And Riley was very easy to confuse indeed. I think I always saw him as something of an outsider in Buffy's world.
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I like your ongoing version of Riley and Sam, and really enjoyed Spike's confrontation with him at the end, made even better by the punches, just when I thought Spike was being too forbearant to be true.
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I never had a problem with Sam, and think that she was probably exactly what Riley needed. Not sure why I keep writing them though, I guess they provide an interesting perspective.
And the punches at the end just *had* to be there! *g*
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No chance we might follow the threesome and see what they get up to now? (wistfully)
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No chance we might follow the threesome
If they bother telling me, I'll happily relate. So far, not a peep. (Also I have soooo little time for writing!)
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Well, it felt like a fairly long time waiting for it!
Time for writing? All time is an illusion.
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Ptf! 'Twas nowt. I've had the idea for oh... a year?
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Oh, was that all? If felt longer.
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The icon is by
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And he had clung to Buffy so fiercely, hoping against hope that one day she might need him; might love him; might be someone he could understand.
Yeah, I really think that him not being able to understand Buffy was a serious problem for him. It seems that he thought if he could just find that missing piece to her puzzle that they would be able to fit together. Of course, I think that's what led him to his vamp whoring ways, and in turn lost her for good.
There was a small smile on his lips as he continued, his words causing darkness to creep into Riley’s head one little step at a time.
Ohhh, I like that line, the darkness creeping up one step at a time. Very chilling.
“There is such a pull to the other side, like the sea draggin’ you down. It is such an incredible rush to stand on that edge and look into the abyss! Never knowing if this time maybe you’ll fall...”
So eloquent! I love the way Spike messed with him here, drawing him in only to send him crashing back to reality. Very nice job with this chapter, I like how you let Spike get a couple of hits in too, although I did admire the maturity he showed in teaching Riley a lesson. *hugs*
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How well you put it. And thank you! :)
It seems that he thought if he could just find that missing piece to her puzzle that they would be able to fit together.
That's it. I think he really loved her, but (unlike Spike) wasn't prepared to wait for her.
Very chilling.
I'm so glad it worked! I though about that scene of Riley in the vamp brothel, saying 'bite harder'. He was heading down a very dark path!
I love the way Spike messed with him here
I can't tell you how glad I am. I've had these scenes playing out in my head for nearly a year now and of course putting them down 'on paper' wasn't quite the same. But I'm pleased that it came across the way I hoped. :)
*hugs you back*
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“Oh please - don’t insult both of us by even pretending that you could take me on!”
:D
and
Instead Spike stepped back abruptly, a leer on his face. “Shame of course for both of us that I wouldn’t touch you, even if you were the last person in this dimension or any other!”
Hehehehehehehe!
I thought the other person on the phone was going to be Buffy but it was much more satisfying that it was Angel. They’re like an old married couple somehow.
But what Angelus did better than anyone else was destroy individuals. Screw with their heads until there was nothing left. Now me, I just like killing stuff, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t step into his shoes now and again.
Very nice comparison between Angel and Spike there. Very nice.
And I loved Spike’s thrall-y speech – it was almost like a piece of poetry.
Just sad it’s all over now. Or will there be more?
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You can probably imagine how satisfying it was to write... *g* Glad you enjoyed and thank you for your amazing feedback! (And it was SO wonderful to finally put Spike in charge...)
it was much more satisfying that it was Angel.
Well it's supposed to be a little after Christmas - Spike had said goodbye to Buffy and was on his way to meet up with Angel when he saw Riley and Sam... and an idea was born. :)
Very nice comparison between Angel and Spike there.
Thank you!
I loved Spike’s thrall-y speech – it was almost like a piece of poetry.
I'm so glad it worked. I was worried that it was too poetic and not very Spike-like, but then he *did* use to be a poet... ;)
will there be more?
Um, maybe some day? [ducks] It depends on plot bunnies mostly. So far they've all been hiding. And I'd like to finish Spike/Dawn and 'Only a Girl' first! Gah! Need more time!
I *will* write you an e-mail soon, promise!
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My pleasure! :) I'm just glad it didn't come across as hopelessly pushy!
And I'm so glad you're liking my 'verse - it's a continual surprise and delight to find that others like the odd things that come out of my brain! Especially since I have this thing about teaching Riley a little lesson...
Oh, and since you don't seem to mind, there is a prequel to 'The Summer After' that you might have missed. The three heroes went to see someone else before Giles...
(the icon show my approximate reaction to all your wonderful feedback! *g*)
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I hope your dreams were pleasant! :)
I enjoyed the way this story turned out, and yeah, Riley deserved what he got. Thanks for sharing this.
My pleasure - trust me! And teaching Riley a lesson is too much fun not to! *grins*
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young padawan is priceless.
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You didn't find it unsettling? Ah well, charming will do just fine! :)
young padawan is priceless.
Spike does have this thing for Star Wars references...
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I love these little quirks, glimpses of 12-year old Spike with an urge to show off. I love the characters when they are less than perfect. It's the ultimate charm for me.
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I was a bit confused when I saw this comment - I've totally forgotten about my own! But I'm using the occasion to ask if CoE has changed your plans re: My Immortal and whether/when we should expect the next chapter. (I'm leaving for vacation in two weeks and I wonder how much good stuff I'll miss)...
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I was a bit confused when I saw this comment - I've totally forgotten about my own!
I'm not surprised! Someone else read the story, and I wondered why there was an odd number of comments (I *need* even numbers on posts, it's a thing) and saw yours.
But I'm using the occasion to ask if CoE has changed your plans re: My Immortal
Yes! Yes it has! That is... I know how to finish it for good. You would not *believe* the relief. When I say 'finish' btw, I mean the sequel - I've known how to finish the main story for ages. (If you want more clarification, just ask. I'm just worried that I'm boring you.)
and whether/when we should expect the next chapter.
Next chapter should be up this weekend or early next week. (It was SO EASY to write OMG. Esp after the last one which was a total drag. Yay for fluffiness.)
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I'm very curious - but I prefer to stay unspoiled. I just suspected that CoE changed the perception of Jack's persona for many ficwriters, including you.
You know what's funny? It feels like the old days, in 2002-2003, when you wrote a story and then a new episode of BtVS aired and your story became an AU (or, weirly enough, canon - like a story in which Buffy brings Spike at Casa Summers).
Next chapter should be up this weekend or early next week.
Yay!
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Oh that's not actually what I meant, but you should absolutely stay unspoiled. And then you should watch it because it is AWESOME.
I just suspected that CoE changed the perception of Jack's persona for many ficwriters, including you.
It... well it closes a chapter, and the way it does that will work very nicely with finishing My Immortal. I was beginning to worry that I'd be writing this thing forever, but now I can see the end. (Main fic: Two more chapters + epilogue. Then two FitB type stories, fitting the BtVS/Who canons together. And then the sequel which will have 4 interlinked but separate stories. See what I said about boring you? *g*)
You know what's funny? It feels like the old days, in 2002-2003, when you wrote a story and then a new episode of BtVS aired and your story became an AU (or, weirly enough, canon - like a story in which Buffy brings Spike at Casa Summers).
Oh absolutely. The amount of fic that's been jossed since CoE began... I can't begin to imagine how much it must be.
And I should be getting back to my writing right now, actually...
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I'm glad CoE corresponds with your own vision. My f-list was full of angry posts recently. :) I'm looking forward to the conclusion of My Immortal. *smoochies*
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*laughs* That also makes sense! (But you should watch CoE. Did I mention that it is AWESOME?)
I don't want to know your plot twists in advance.
Don't worry, I wouldn't dream of revealing them. *iz secretive*
I'm glad CoE corresponds with your own vision. My f-list was full of angry posts recently. :)
Well it BROKE MY HEART (more than anything else, ever, and I truly mean that), but it was still the best thing I've seen since... forever.
I'm looking forward to the conclusion of My Immortal. *smoochies*
So am I! *smoocies back*
Spike's Psychiatric Help -- Five Cents
Maybe Spike should add another line to his business card, after Full-Time Champion and Savior of the World? Perhaps "Death-Wish Recovery Coach"? After all, he was instrumental in helping Buffy confront and cope with hers, over the years, and now he seems to have done Riley a lot of good, if only out of concern for Sam.
Re: Spike's Psychiatric Help -- Five Cents
Thank you! *curtsies* I love it when Spike is devious, because others often underestimate him and then don't know what hit them. (Quite literally in this case. *g*)
As were the two well-deserved punches for past misdeeds!
I don't dislike Riley, but... there were some things that needed addressing there.
Maybe Spike should add another line to his business card, after Full-Time Champion and Savior of the World? Perhaps "Death-Wish Recovery Coach"?
Hee! I'm not sure he'd be a very good listener, although he'd be great at telling people that they don't know what pain is and to just get over it. ;)
After all, he was instrumental in helping Buffy confront and cope with hers, over the years, and now he seems to have done Riley a lot of good, if only out of concern for Sam.
Well he has a lot of insight into people, which really helps. Glad you enjoyed this btw!