TITLE: Written in Blood
EMAIL: ophelia_rd@yahoo.com
DISCLAIMER: Joss, not I.
DISTRIBUTION: Let me know where it's going
RATING: M
PART: 1/?
FEEDBACK: Yes please!!!
VISIT ME: http://au.oocities.com/dra_gon_fly_er/
Written in Blood
Why was he coming back here - night after night?
She wasn't even his type…
He'd never intended this to drift into some permanent attachment.
She was far too tall, too skinny, too brunette - for his taste.
+Well maybe that's why.+
+She was nothing like Buffy.+
+Nothing like his tiny blonde slayer.+
They'd never as much as exchanged a word.
Although he'd instinctively felt she was different from the other vampires he'd allowed to feed from him.
She'd made him cum.
Something none of the other had managed.
Sometimes he was convinced she was feeding more from him than his blood.
None of what he had dared to approach him since his first encounter with the raven-haired girl.
He almost felt as though she'd marked him.
Announced him to all other vampires as hers and just hers.
He didn't know too much about vampire customs but for one to turn down a free meal occurred even to him as something rather unusual.
Forcing his drowsy eyes open he gave the girl a long questioning look.
But since she was lying snug across his chest her razor-sharp fangs buried in his forearm, lazily sucking the blood from his veins, she of course failed to acknowledge his troubled brown eyes.
He'd lied to Buffy.
Lied to himself, when he'd proclaimed to rejoin the 'Initiative' again.
Oh, it wasn't as though he hadn't tried.
He'd allowed them to drag him halfway across Chile and England even France for a couple of months.
But something in his heart, something imprinted in his very soul had slowly but surely forced him back here - back to Sunnnydale.
Before that he had met her one time only.
The very night he'd heartbrokenly left.
There had been nothing left for him to live, even die for after his golden girl had sent him away.
+Yeah, why not feed my addiction one more time?+
That in mind he had bumped into her.
The apparently frail, black-haired young girl.
She had appealed to his protective instincts immediately.
All alone in the middle of the night.
Dressed in that oh-so feminine yet strangely old-fashioned white gown.
She'd been waiting for him.
Oh, she'd never said so, but after almost six months of nightly visits he was almost certain about this.
He hadn't even suspected her to be a vampire.
Not when she'd accepted his big rough hand.
Not when she'd led him away from then main streets.
Not when she'd unbuttoned his shirt and quietly investigated the numerous crude bite-marks covering his back, arms shoulders and chest.
He had been strict about any vampire biting his throat.
He had felt too vulnerable, too much in a defensive position, to take this risk.
He had also felt that he couldn't trust them to stop and that he, drained like this, would be unable to escape.
However, with this skinny dark-haired girl it all had been different.
He had looked into that black, fathomless eyes and looked right into the abyss of his very soul.
He had seen Buffy and Angel.
Had seen Spike and Angelus and much to his surprise himself and the raven-haired girl.
He had never asked her about this.
About the people and faces he'd always see whenever she's touch him.
He really should have asked her for her name.
Should have asked her why she kept coming back to the abandoned old warehouse.
Something about her, about the whole thing scared him.
And not for the first time he thought about consulting Buffy or Giles.
They should be able to help.
They should know more about the beautiful strange stranger.
But then again, maybe he didn't really wanted to know…
Maybe his time with Buffy had spoilt him for all eternity.
Maybe the only kind of relationship he could, should indulge in were with something, someone who wasn't quite human.
At least with the girl here he knew where he was - what to expect.
She wanted him, wanted his blood.
And maybe, maybe sometime he could hold her like this and look at her without looking into Buffy's accusing hard eyes.
Although, maybe that was what he needed.
A permanent reminder about how much he'd failed.
Failed Buffy.
Failed the Initiative.
Failed his comrades and Dr. Walsh.
He was nothing better then the very creatures he'd sworn to fight.
How could he have hoped for a girl like Buffy, a girl as beautiful and full of light to seriously fall for such pathetic a failure as him?
No matter what - no matter how hard he tried…
He'd never manage to get things right.
Okay, this wasn't quite the truth, at least up to his 10th year he'd had a pretty normal childhood.
Parents that loved him.
His own little room overlooking acres and acres of endless green corn fields.
He sighed and squeezed his eyes shut.
Yes, if not for the fire…
If not for the fact that he'd stayed over at friends…
Maybe he would have been better off if he had been at home…
+Mommy, please, you have to believe me…!+
The fair-haired man almost jumped out of his skin.
Now he'd totally lost it.
Not only did he allow this vampiress to feed from him but also heard voices that most definitely weren't his.
+He's a monster - evil through and through.+
His eyes wide in shock Riley stared at the grey metal roof.
What the heck was wrong with him?
Something about the barely audible whisper inside his head scared him more than the deadly creature draped across his chest.
+Stop being selfish, Drusilla. Liam is a wealthy, an honourable man - he'll take good care about you from now on.+
Then everything went so fast.
Bodies.
Blood.
Tears.
Prayers.
Pain.
More bodies.
"Oh my God!"
Clutching his throat all the while drawing in big gulps of air, Riley leaned against a big pile of timber.
"W-w-what…???"
Fear, panic, utmost incomprehension all over his face the blonde ex-marine stared in the brunette girl's enigmatic black eyes.
"That's what my daddy did to them."
His mouth fell open.
+Drusilla…+
He'd heard the name before.
Hadn't "Hostile 17' cried out for her?
And hadn't Buffy mentioned that name in connection with raving-mad and insane…?
Black eyes drilled into hazel brown.
Nah, this couldn't be…
This heavenly creature…
She couldn't be…
Couldn't be…
"Drusilla?"
***
He was handsome.
Just as he Angel.
Tall.
Strong.
And all the pain.
All the beautiful sweet pain.
+Slayer's such an idiot!+
She still clearly remembered the very first thing to strike her mind at first sight of the tortured blonde boy.
It didn't appear all that often that the blood of a human sung out to her other than as a prospective meal.
In fact, in all her 189 years it only had happened exactly one time - William.
However, it… - he, had been a failure.
His innocence, his pureness fading the moment the demon took over.
Since then she learned to resist the urge to create other true childer.
Had learned to put up with the empty shell that once had contained beautiful Will.
Had learned not to look back at her vampire childe and weep over her loss.
She had sensed the same light in the slayer, just as her Angel must have.
But a slayer…
The mere thought still managed to set her nerves on edge.
And then, one lone Sunday night, she'd run into him - Riley.
Although at that time she hadn't had the slightest idea about the man behind the sweet blood calling out to her demon.
Given, his flame had been dull and his attitude suicidal - voluntarily wasting his precious life's essence at unworthy crude fledges…
How pointless!
On the other hand, the very same attitude had made him follow her inside the dark storage shed without a single word of protest.
***
There had been more than some awkwardness between them - although surprisingly Drusilla seemed to be the one mostly affected with Riley literally reeking of her gutter mouth nemesis.
This girl was like some fatal disease, leaving battered and broken bodies along her way.
She would have made a magnificent vampire with all that inborn sense for pain - one had to give her credit for that.
She had allowed the boy to look at her through his heart and out of curiosity had allowed herself the same luxury.
In this process she'd been given an interesting insight into herself, since it wasn't Angelus or Angel, not even Spike that her heart would reflect but the very boy clinging to her hand like a lifeline.
However, the moment the scent - the picture of the slayer had hit her she'd known she'd have to let him go.
If she seriously wanted him, she'd have to allow him to leave and return, eventually and on his own turns.
Which didn't mean she wouldn't try to manipulate him and push him in a certain direction, which included, of course, marking the boy to the vampire community and all the world as her very own, not to touch, chattle.
***
+Why does she come back?+
+Night after night?+
+Free meal deal, okay…+
+But…+
+Why would a creature as strong, as beautiful as her put up with such pathetic excuse for a man as him?+
He watched her withdraw her fangs from his forearm and immediately felt abandoned and declined.
+Drusilla…+
+Childe of Angelus…+
+Sire of William the Bloody - nowadays Spike…+
How could he possibly compete with such creatures?
Not that he was too fond of either one of them.
However, even in his deepest denial he couldn't gainsay their perfectly shaped bodies and almost physical sex appeal.
So why again did she put up with him, the dumb, gawky, unsophisticated Iowa farm boy?
***
Amazing.
One almost had to congratulate the slayer.
She'd done to Riley, what her Angel had done to her, although in a fracture of the time it had taken him.
And best of all, she hadn't applied a single cane, or knife, or bull whip or crop.
He hadn't as far retreated as Drusilla herself but the self-loath and self-disgust she'd imprinted upon him made her almost think that she'd gotten the better half of the deal.
She carefully peered up at the exhausted pale man.
His eyes were shut but this had never been an obstacle for the raven-haired woman.
He was awake - weak, but still there - his heart-beat and pulse gave him away.
Just as his face - his never relaxed, yet incredibly handsome soft features…
She didn't dare to touch him.
Didn't want to scare him away.
"Drusilla?"
For one second she'd been so much lost in the moment that the boy's full warm voice totally caught her off guard.
Their eyes met - one of the rare occasions Riley was looking - consciously looking - at her.
Looking at her, Drusilla, and not some fantasy image of the slaying brat.
"Why are you doing this?"
***
Yes, why?
Thinking about this, this wasn't a good thing.
It had been fun to begin with.
She had been lonely…
But why continue?
This was getting too hot, too intense.
And why would she want a frail human being round her anyway?
It wasn't as though she'd made any promises to him.
After all she'd never been into this long-term-relationship things.
Oh well, there had been Spike…
But she'd been weak then, besides he was her childe so he didn't really count anyway.
So back to the main feature - why was she doing this?
She gave the boy a long thoughtful look.
Maybe she should end it, before things got out of hand.
It wasn't like she depended on him.
Well, of course she still required blood, but it didn't necessarily had to be his.
Although…
She liked his taste.
But was it really worth it?
The answer was no!
Stupid boy, why couldn't he just be handsome and quiet?
Her body stiffened, when she felt a tentative hand feeling its way up the small of her back.
He was still watching her, she realized when she turned her attention back on him.
What was she supposed to say?
How told one one struggling with the very basics of day to day survival that he'd been used and distinguished?
She felt his hand in her hair, finger-combing her silky black locks.
Maybe all the others were right and she was far more beside herself than she thought.
She let her forehead lean against his chin, only for a second, only as long as it took her to realize what she was doing, then she pulled back, briskly and without an explanation.
"Drusilla?"
She couldn't get herself to meet his beautiful brown eyes, so she sat up instead.
"Listen, Riley…," she eventually managed in an even voice. "I think it's best if you left."
The vampiress gave him a moment for her words to sink in.
"…yes, leave - leave now and never come back!"
She hastily shook off his hands and turned around to pick up her cape.
***
"But…, but…?"
Riley helplessly watched the departing figure.
This couldn't be true!
This couldn't be happening again?
"Drusilla…?"
He couldn't fight back the tears any longer.
Why him?
Why did it always have to be him?
Wasn't he worth being loved?
If not loved, at least worth being tolerated?
Anything?
His knees gave in and he collapsed to the floor, hard, his big frame shaking with sobs.
+That's it, no more fighting.+
+I'm gonna do what I should have done a long time ago.+
The cold from the raw congret slowly seeped into his bones.
Yes, he'd just stay here.
He'd just stay here and wait.
Wait for the next hungry vampire to pass.
There wasn't a single bone in his body that didn't arch, not from physical pains, but plain mental exhaustion.
It almost seemed as though Drusilla had drained his life's energy along with his blood.
He felt so empty, so lonely and lost.
Maybe it was because of something he'd done - something he'd said?
Why couldn't he do anything right?
He had nowhere to go.
No friends, no family to turn to.
Nothing.
And it was killing him.
He needed to belong to somebody.
He just wasn't loner material.
So this was it then?
He figured yes.
He'd just sit here.
Sit here and wait.
***
"Idiot!"
Drusilla looked up, startled by the sound of her voice.
Although miles away, she didn't even have to concentrate on Riley to see him through her mind's eye.
"Where's the slayer, when one needs her?"
She growled at herself - sure, she'd been conversing with the stars for centuries but actually talking to herself - aloud… even to her this new habit seemed to be rather suspicious.
"I can't very well let him sit there all night."
She irresolutely tapped her shiny red nails on the smooth surface of what she by now considered her living-room window.
Of course, not just the window but the whole building it had come with.
She'd taken over Angelus' old mansion after her somewhat precipitous departure from LA.
There had been so many things on her mind that time, she still cringed by the mere thought of Darla, or Angel, or the stupid lawyer-goonies of Wolfram & Hart.
"Go home!"
She willed the boy to move.
But she already knew the result before the message even reached him.
"Do I really have to do everything by myself?"
She sighed, when there was no answer.
"Obviously yes."
With this she took off, steadily heading for the one place she'd usually try to avoid at all cost.
***
Knock.
Ding.
Knock.
Ding.
Knock.
…
+What the fuck???+
…
Ding.
Knock.
Ding.
Knock.
Ding.
…
+Somebody's throwing bloody pebbles - oh my God, I'm starting to sound like Spike - hang on, who'd throw bloody rocks at my bloody window at 4.00 o'clock at night?+
…
Knock.
Ding.
Knock.
Ding.
…
"Who ever you are, this better be… - DRUSILLA???"
Not bothering with trackies or shoes, the tiny slayer had just about the presence of mind to grab Mr. Pointy, before she was already out on the roof and after Drusilla.
"You stupid cow - you realize I'm gonna kill you for this!" She threatened thoroughly pissed off. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"
Cursing a blue streak Buffy dashed after the vampiress.
"I'm gonna get you, Drusilla," she huffed. "You can run, but you can't hide!"
The vampiress didn't react, which only fueled the slayers rage furthermore.
"I'm right behind you, you dimwit - you hear me - there's gonna be no escape!"
She followed the brunette through allies and yards, swearing.
Followed her over numerous fences and hedges, swearing even more.
How could she possibly keep up such speed, especially wearing such unstable high-heels?
"I'm right behind you, bitch!"
The slayer announced noisily and despite the late hour.
"You know what?"
Buffy almost tripped over her own feet, when all of a sudden Dru's child-like voice sounded right in her head.
"I'm counting on that, bitch!"
***
+Gosh, I hope he's still here.+
Although she didn't need to breathe and therefore wasn't really out of breath, Drusilla breathed a sigh of relief when she finally crashed through the doors of the storage shed.
How was she ever to get rid of the slayer if Riley should have decided to go for a wander?
Her feet hurt like hell.
And she'd probably have blisters for the rest of her unlife.
And her shoes…
She'd definitely have to replace them.
Although, how was one to get something replaced that had gone out of production several lifetimes ago?
Oh well, she'd have to have one of the minions to break into the British Museum.
"You came back…"
Drusilla winced at the hopeful expression on the boy's handsome face.
She was relieved though that he hadn't moved one tiny bit nor had he tried to get dressed.
So there was no way the slayer in could miss the vast number of bite marks.
Even Buffy in all of her ignorant glory couldn't be this blind?
Right?
***
"What the heck are you… - Riley???"
The little slayer came to a dead stop.
"Riley???"
Drawing in big gulps of air, she stared at the sickening pattern of bite marks peppering the boy's arms, neck and chest.
"Ohmigod, Riley, what the hell happened to you?"
***
"Buffy…?"
One word but o-so much pain.
However, surprisingly it wasn't directed towards the petite blonde.
+Why?+
Drusilla felt burning hot daggers of hurt and pain zooming her way.
She never should have allowed this to happen.
She should have learned her lesson with Spike.
Under Riley's bewildered hurt eyes, she ever so slowly held in.
What was she supposed to say?
Bringing the slayer along had been the right thing to do.
Buffy would look after him from now on, of this she was sure.
In this she was a lot like Angel - liked to have her ducks in a row, preferably somewhere close, somewhere within reach, somewhere she could see them - see and control!
+It was the right thing to do.+
Their eyes met for the briefest of seconds and although they were a good 10 yards apart she could still see the hurt tears glittering in his eyes.
Silly boy.
He'd seen her demon.
He'd seen her true face.
So how could he possibly cry over her?
Especially now, with the slayer back in the picture?
Wasn't this what he always wanted?
The slayer?
Feeling her blonde nemesis' attention ever so slowly shifting from Riley towards her, Drusilla immediately unfroze, spun on her heels and disappeared into the night.