Buffy The Vampire Slayer Fan Fiction ❯ Her New Family ❯ Setting The Clock ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I don't own. I don't.

A/N: This chapter saddened me to write.

Warning: This chapter has very strong elements of Spike/Willow

Smut Ahead

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“Can you believe that ve once feared him?” The vampire asked another, taking a chug of his pint of blood, German accent thick. “He vas once a legend, an example for us, and vhat does he do now? He disgraces our kind! He's a traitor! A lapdog to the Slayer!”

In the demon bar they frequented nightly, Spike and Willow flinched, though to their credit they hid it well. As did they hid their interest in the conversation taking place in the table a couple of tables away from theirs.

“Disgusting.” His friend responded in a French accent. “Zis is ze kind of zings zat make my borrow'd blud curl.”

“The Almighty Angelus, a pet.” The first concluded with distaste.

Spike placed a hand over Willow's trembling one, and she looked up, smiling weakly at him as their fingers interwove. Not for the first time this last year since Vicus had joined them, did Willow feel a little envious of Dru.

“Chin up, luv.” Her blonde vampire ordered softly, rewarding her with a smile when she did as commanded. Although in the vampiric hierarchy she was his superior in rank, he enjoyed how she could be submissive with him—especially when he knew that her powers had grown under Vicus' tutelage to awe-inspiring.

They'd made it a ritual to come to this demon bar twice a week, and spent time alone, away from the rest of the busy household. During the years they'd spent in France Willow's human scent had disappeared, completely overridden by the purely demonic smell that now surrounded her. Demons recognized her as one of theirs, yet none could claim what species she was.

A couple of drunk ones had asked her what she was the first night she'd come here, and while Willow had ignored them, Spike invented some horribly vicious sounding creature and claimed, quite seriously, that she was the last of said species. As soon as the drunk demons had stumbled away from the table, Willow and Spike shared looks before bursting into laughter and ordering more liquor.

Ever since that night they'd come back regularly. Sometimes the others accompanied them, but most of the time it was just Spike and her…Spike's insistence.

“Vhile the Sire turned out a disappointment, the rest of his family have turned out quite promising.” The first vampire informed the other. “Isn't that Villiam the Bloody right over there?”

Spike smirked, his back to the vampires, obviously smug at the fact that he was so notorious that even foreigners recognized him.

“Oui.” The French vampire nodded, licking the blood from his mug off of his lips. “And zat petite belle mademoiselle wit `im iz za Obscure Flamme.”

Spike's smirk grew even prouder as his grip on Willow's hand tightened, and he brought it to his mouth in an adoring kiss.

Willow smiled at him, feeling something fluttering in her stomach.

“Vhat?” The German vampire hissed, jerking his head to look at her in awe, eyes wide. He turned to his companion. “That veautiful little creatureis the Dark Flame?”

“Oui.” A wistful expression crossed the demonic face of his companion. “Lovely as she iz deadly.” He sighed. “In ze four years zay hav been livin' `ere zay hav' raised an army. She may be petite, but she iz powerful, za daughter of ze night itself, darker zan Angelus ever was.”

To say his friend looked impressed was an understatement. “An army, you say?”

“Oui.” He nodded. “At firs' zay were targeted by demons of every range, bu' once she showed `er power, zay have flocked around `er, joining `er rank. Not only vampires either.” He took another chug of his drink before continuing. “Before, France's underworld was divided mon amie. Vampires fought zemselves over territory, but zeez last two years ze Obscure Flamme an' `er army hav' taken out rival clans and joined zem under `er rule.”

“You don't say.”

“I do.” There was a chuckle. “She's established a monarchy. Out of za survivors of zeir conquests she elects a leader, a governor if you may. Za clans are allowed to continue with zeir lives, but zey respond to `er. But from what I `ear, no one haz made a complaint zeez last two years, on za contrary. Peace amongst our vampires brothers iz fortifying.”

“I vould imagine so.” The larger one agreed. “In Germany we continue to fight for supremacy, tearing each other apart.” He paused. “And how is the problem with verevolves?”

“We are at peace.” At the incredulous expression on the German's face, the Frenchman chuckled. “Oui. Zay too have joined `er ranks. One of `er generals iz a werewolf.” He paused. “And some demons have joined as well. All of France knows `er It iz only time before ze whole of Europe pledges zemselves to her.”

“I hear she killed a Slayer vho vas here on vacation.”

Spike tensed at the memory.

“Za girl came upon Drusilla, favored childe of za Obscure Flamme, while she fed upon a village wench.” The Frenchman explained. “Our Queen protected `er childe when ze Slayer attacked.”

“Vow. In three years she's become the Queen of France, has an army at her call, and has killed a Slayer!”

“We revere her. She's brought unity to us once more, brought us out of the Age of Chaos. There were a few insurrections during ze beginning of `er reign, some of `er conquered didn't want a woman who wasn't even fully vampire to rule zem—yet ze rebellions were short lived. Zey were killed by zere own clan members. Once loyalty is won zay will die for `er.” The vampire flashed the woman in question a timid look, not realizing that both Willow and Spike were listening to the conversation. “She's za Queen of the Damned, Mistress of the Damned, our Ruler.”

There was a pause as the elder vampire digested this. “Vait. You said that Drusilla vas the favored childe of the Dark Flame?”

“Oui.”

“But vasn't Drusilla the childe of Angelus?”

“You do not know?” The French vampire asked in surprise.

“Know vhat?”

“Ze Obscure Flamme was ze mate of Angelus.”

The vampire cursed in German. “Vhat?”

Willow's eyes widened. How had he known that?

“Not many know zis.” His friend continued in a hushed voice. “But when she first came `ere to France `is smell was all over `er.” There was a pause. “Now she iz za mate of William ze Bloody, his grandchilde.”

Spike smirked darker at the jealousy in the Frenchman's voice when he said the last part.

“You mean to tell me that Angelus left her for the Slayer?” The vampire squeaked before shaking his head. “He's a bigger fool than ve vere told of.”

Spike's grip on her hand tightened, bringing her attention back on him. Willow blushed at the expression on his face and looked away. These last two years things between them were changing, and everyone felt it, most of all the two people involved.

Maybe it was the fact that they weren't having sex with each other, and that they'd become close, intimate friends. That way the sexual part hadn't clouded over and ruined their relationship by passion, but the feelings they shared were growing stronger, as was the attraction and desire.

The redhead blushed scarlet and looked away. She was the new ruler of the French Underworld, she wasn't supposed to blush like a schoolgirl! In a couple of months she'd turn twenty for crying out loud!

Yet Spike, like Angelus, had a way of turning her into the stammering girl she used to be.

And she'd admitted it two years ago…it was only because of her loyalty to Dru that she hadn't returned to Spike's bed.

And your love for Angelus.

ANGELUS IS DEAD! Angel is in Sunnydale…and even if he looks like Angelus, and for some reason would want me, I don't want him. I want my Angelus. Her eyes misted suspiciously. Hells bells. I miss that bastard so much.

Sighing, she never noticed the look on Spike's face, the resentful glow in his eyes when he realized whom she was thinking of.

“Lets go back home, luv.” Spike told her, hating himself for the jealousy he felt directed towards his grandsire.

She looked up at him and smiled once more, letting him throw some French bills on the table before placing his hand on the small of his back possessively, giving a smug expression to all the demons eyeing him resentfully before leading her out of the bar.

The redhead kissed Spike's cheek as he slipped his arms around her waist and they made their way back home. On the way she wondered where Dru had had to go so on such a hurry the week before, and why she'd insisted on leaving alone, other than one of the minions she'd handpicked to take along with her.

She worried for her daughter, especially since she'd been acting weird lately.

“The stars told me last night that it is time.” The beautiful, dark haired vampiress had told them the night of her mysterious voyage. “It is time that I set the clock.” She'd made Spike and Willow promise to keep each other safe, she'd pulled each aside privately and spoken to them in incomprehensible verses, before disappearing into the night.

Neither Spike nor Willow suspected the reason to Dru's departure, or how it'd change their lives forever.

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In the Mansion on Crawford Street, Angel sat hunched in despair, tears of blood running down his cheeks, as his body trembled uncontrollably in tears. He didn't notice that the minion that'd come with Dru a week ago had disappeared, he couldn't care less.

All he knew was that Du was gone. Dead.

By Buffy's hands.

When his childe had arrived in Sunnydale a week ago he'd had a mixture of happiness and worry. Happiness to have a part of his family back with him, and worried because he knew that Drusilla wasn't the sanest of vampires, and mightn't listen to reason, and Buffy'd never liked Drusilla to begin with.

He'd taken Dru to live with him and had told the Scoobies not to come study at his house anymore. Of course, the day after he'd told them that Buffy appeared on his doorstep, trying to act casual, but he knew that she was there because she wanted to discover why he didn't want her over.

Buffy had discovered the truth and was furious with him. But he'd seen through her whole `she's an evil, insane blood-sucker' speech. She'd been jealous because she knew of Dru and his past together. He'd told her to leave, that Dru was his family and that he'd make sure that she didn't snack on any of the residents of Sunnydale—which she hadn't.

During that week he'd spent all of his time talking to Dru, and she'd responded with childlike happiness and cryptic rhymes. She'd even let it drop that she'd seen Willow while she and Spike were on their journeys.

Angel's heart had soared at news of the woman who reigned in his heart and dreams, the woman who'd seemed to drop out of the face of the earth—whom his investigators still couldn't find.

While Dru wouldn't tell him where she'd seen Willow, she'd told him that she was fine, and had made some other comments he hadn't understood.

The vampire had wanted to push the issue, force more information out of Dru, but he hadn't done so because he'd believed that they had time to get it out of her while he gained more of her trust. But he'd come home to find her gone, and a pile of dust in the room which she'd stayed in.

He'd known it was Buffy.

That hadn't surprised him.

What had surprised him was Cordelia.

The ex-cheerleader, who'd slowly groan apart from the Scoobies, as had he, had appeared in the mansion and told him, forth-right, that Buffy had killed Drusilla. The dark-haired woman had sneered in disgust that the Slayer had killed a vampire who hadn't given any problems since her return to Sunnydale, and while Cordelia wasn't fond of female vampires (due to Harmony's attack two years ago), she wasn't one to defend Buffy's every move—like the Watcher and the Moron.

“I mean, you two aren't even together anymore. Haven't been since you've been resouled.” She'd announced in disgust. “It's time she got over her obsession with you and realizes for once that you're in love with Willow.”

That'd surprised him stiff. Cordelia had noticed. The one he'd never given much thought to had noticed him whenever Willow's name was casually mentioned, and she'd connected the dots with surprisingly accuracy.

Willow.

Everyone believed that she'd left with Oz. And while her parents and others were worried for her at first, her parents got over it with their travels, and the Scoobies all seemed angry with her for abandoning them for Oz when `they needed her help researching because the world could end at any time'. They seemed to miss her doing their work more than miss her per se.

And while Cordelia had never been a fan of Willow, she seemed to view that with as much distaste as Angel did.

And so here he was, crying in Drusilla's room. His childe, his only link to his mate, had been killed. By Buffy.

Et tu Brutus?

That was it. He'd stayed helping Buffy for four years, just in case Willow got back into contact with her friends. But it ended here.

Angel, the soul who felt no remorse anymore, stood from Dru's bed and wiped the blood from his eyes. The little restraint he'd held throughout these last years was gone.

Buffy had cut the link.

He wasn't Angelus, but he wasn't the soulful, brooding Angel anymore.

He was Angel the Vampire. The Pissed Off Vampire with centuries worth of knowledge in torturing and all-round evil.

Yeah.

Buffy had no idea what her jealousy had let loose.

Spike clutched his unbeating heart and gasped for breath he didn't need. Pain throbbed through his body as he collapsed onto the ground.

“ Spike!” Willow screamed, hurrying to his side. They'd made it to the chateau and were having a glass of wine with Oz, Darius and Vicus, discussing plans for a trip to Germany.

Suddenly the pain was gone…as was her presence in the back of his mind. “No.” Spike cried out, tears of blood flowing from his eyes.

On her knees, Willow gave a cry of surprise when Spike suddenly grabbed her, shaking, burying his face in her chest, sobs of agony racking his body. “Spike? Spike! What's wrong?” She cooed, arms around him, rocking him softly, both kneeling on the carpet.

“Dru! I don't feel her anymore!”

“God, no.” Oz hissed, pain flaring in his eyes as he stood from the table, the goblet cracking and breaking in his death grip.

Her body stilled in mute horror. She understood vampires and their customs as if she were one. When one was sired a link was formed between one and the sire and his family. That link, that ability to sense each other only disappeared once one died.

Once one died…

Died…

“Dru…” She cried out, holding onto Spike as if she could hold Dru by just touching him.

Vicus stood, the demon turning to a worried Darius and a crying Oz. He motioned for them to follow him and to leave Spike and Willow to mourn in privacy. Both men hesitated yet followed the demon's lead, leaving Spike and Willow alone.

Although her heart was breaking, Willow knew that she had to be strong for Spike. He'd been with Drusilla for a century and had loved her for longer. The pain of her death was stronger to him than it was to her—and since her heart felt like it'd been ripped out of her chest and fried in boiling oil, she could only imagine the agony the British vampire was going through.

“Dru…Dru…” Spike cried, allowing her to rock him slowly, whisper soothing words to him.

Someone cleared his voice, and Willow recognized him by the scent of his fury. “Yes Oz?”

“We just got a phone call from Jack.”

Both Spike and Willow looked up at that. Jack was the minion Drusilla had picked to go with her on her mysterious trip. “What did he say?” Willow asked.

“What the bloody hell happened to my dark goddess?” Spike hissed, forcing himself to his feet and dragging Willow up with him, holding onto her as if frightened that if he let go she too would disappear. “Where were they?”

“Sunnydale.” The darkness in the werewolf's voice stunned them. They knew that he'd fallen in love with Dru, but they'd considered it more like Puppy-love—not the deep emotion his eyes showed. “Dru went to talk to Angel, to spend some time with him.

And while Angel was out doing something Buffy killed her.”

The same darkness in the werewolf entered the vampire and Willow.

Willow's eyes bled black, and for the first time, her hair completely changed to black as well. Her skin paled, and her fingers began to glow green and crackle dangerously. “That Slayer has taken the last person away from me!”

Spike nodded, jaw clenched, despair overridden by another emotion, hatred.

“Oz, round up Vicus and Darius.” Willow commanded. “You three will be staying here to take care of things. Spike and I are going to Sunnydale.”

The werewolf shook his head. “I'm coming too.”

She didn't argue. She could feel his need for revenge, she relished the taste of it in the air. “Very well. Go. Tell Vicus and Darius my wishes. And tell Jack to secure a place for us in Sunnydale, we leave as soon as I tidy things up here.”

“Yes mum.” Bowing his head stiffly, Oz left the room.

As soon as Oz was gone, Spike let go of Willow and went to the wall, kicking it with such fury that the wall cracked slightly.

“Spike…” She whispered, going towards him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. A cry of surprise left her lips when he twirled around, grabbed her arm cruelly, and threw her back against the wall, pinning her arms over her body, his demon face in place, growling at her.

“Everyone leaves me!” He snarled, eyes dangerous and amber. “First my father didn't care to stick around, and then my mother, and Cecily never gave a shit about me. Angelus left me, Darla left, and now Dru.” His grip on her wrists tightened as he cut off the blood flow to her hands. “I will not let you leave me too! Do you understand!?!?” Agony and fear flashed through those eyes, mixing with his anger.

“Of course.” She whispered reassuringly, heart breaking at the sight of his desperation. “I'm never leaving you Spike. Never. I'm here for eternity.”

“Angelus is in Sunnydale.” Came the growl.

“No.” She shook her head, understanding his fears. “Angel is in Sunnydale, and even if he were somehow Angelus once more, I would never leave you, not even for him.”

“You wouldn't?” He paused, uncertainty like a child crossing his features as they returned to human. “Swear it. Swear that no matter what we'll kill the bloody Slayer and you'll never leave me, not even for Angelus. Swear it Red!”

“I swear it on our love for Dru.” Her voice was soft yet determined. “I swear that we'll kill Buffy and anyone else who had something to do in Dru's death.” She paused, catching his eyes so he could see her sincerity. “And although I love Angelus, I swear that even if he somehow got rid of the soul, I'd never leave you for him. I'd never leave you for anyone. I swear it Spike. I swear it by our blood bond, by anything you wish me to swear it by.”

“Why?” His voice cracked, tears once more welling in his eyes, his grip on her wrists slackening.

“Because I love you Spike.” Her voice broke, and she cleared it before continuing. “And you're all I have left.”

“You're all I have, Red.” He whispered heartbrokenly before his mouth clashed down on hers viciously, his hands never leaving their grip on hers, leaving her immobile against him.

More vampire than human, Willow returned the fevered kiss, understanding his need. In vampiric society this was how a Sire comforted a heartbroken or hurt childe, and the fact that he once more submitted to her as if he were her childe, wishing to draw comfort from her, it broke her heart in two.

She suddenly understood Dru's last words to her.

“My dark knight's heart doesn't beat but it hurts and you need to heal it.”

Dru had known that she was going to die.

And she'd gone anyway, but not before making sure that the two she loved would be able to help, love and heal each other.

Heart paining even more at the revelation, Willow threw herself even deeper into the kiss, needing to be comforted just as much as Spike.

Groaning into the kiss, Spike removed his hands from hers and trailed them down the sides of her face, neck, chest, before grabbing the front of her sundress and ripping it off of her. The flimsy material fell to the ground around her feet, baring her to him.

There was no seduction as she threw her arms around him and pulled him near, deepening the kiss. The need was there, the desire to end the pain they both felt, to feel a moment of happiness to try and promise a new light. As if they sealed the deal, Spike unzipped his pants and shoved her against the wall harsher, keeping her pinned there with his body, tearing off her underwear, which was quite easily considering that it was a G-string.

When he hoisted her up she wrapped her legs around his waist and cried into his mouth as he entered her with one strong thrust, filling her to the hilt with his length. He kept himself still within her, concentrating on their kiss, before he pulled out halfway only to slam back in fiercely. She met his thrusts just as viciously, needing to feel him inside of her, taking away her pain if only for a second.

“Red…” He groaned, tearing his mouth from hers to nibble his way down her neck, biting her softly with his blunt teeth, his thrusts slowing in speed, yet growing in intensity.

Tilting her head to give him better access to her neck, she closed her eyes, enjoying his fullness in her. It'd been almost four years since she'd been taken, and while at first it'd been purely physical, Spike was obviously trying to give her as much as she was giving him.

That hot desire coiled in her stomach as he continued to plough into her, to nibble her neck in just the place that caused shivers to race throughout her body.

“Say you'll never leave me…” He whimpered against her skin, sounding like a frightened child.

“Spike…” She began to do so as the pleasure built at an alarmingly quick pace.

He thought she was about to take back her promise, the fear rolling off in him in waves was evidence enough. “Swear it on Dru's unlife, Red, swear it, please.”

Spike never said the word `please', smugly declaring that it wasn't in his vocabulary, so to hear him begging her, it broke her heart.

Angelus mightn't need her anymore, but Spike did, and he always would.

And at that time she realized that she did love him. She loved Angelus with all her heart, but she loved Spike too. She'd grown to love him through their friendship, through their trust, and now, through their heartache.

“I swear it Spike.” She promised. “I'll never leave you. I'm yours.”

“Red!” His thrusts grew urgent as he came inside of her at those words. His face shifted and the demon slipped his fangs into her neck, triggering her own orgasm.

Her canines grew into fangs and she bit into his neck as they rode their climax, slowing their thrusts until Spike slowly pulled out of her and zipped himself up. Pulling off his duster he covered her nakedness with it before picking her up and heading to her room.

Once in bed, Willow watched Spike as he lay curled up against her like a child with his mother after having had a terrifying nightmare. Silent tears made their way down her cheeks, and she didn't care that Darius (who'd slipped in moments after Spike fell asleep and took his place on the floor in front of the bed) was awake and could smell the salt in the air.

“Dru.” Spike whimpered in his sleep, unconsciously cuddling closer to Willow, seeking comfort even in his sleep.

Biting down on her bottom lip, Willow closed her puffy eyes, wiping her running nose with the back of her hand. While Spike wanted to go to Sunnydale, kill Buffy, and leave, Willow refused to do so.

No.

Dru's death called for a better thought plan. Buffy had dusted her daughter and souled her mate. Both called for a specially cruel revenge.

That's it!

Sudden inspiration hit, and Willow couldn't help but fall asleep with a smile on her face.

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I cried at the thought of killing Dru. I really loved the loony girl. But it had to be done (so did the Spike/Willow) for the plot to go and for the Dark Flame and her followers to head to Sunnydale.

NEXT CHAPTER will be in SUNNYDALE and THERE WILL BE an encounter of the Angel/Willow kind. FINALLY!