Out of Series: Dark Love
Part: #1
Disclaimer: Spike and any other Buffy characters that are mentioned in this story are the sole property of Joss Whedon and WB and whoever else owns them, but all other charcters are mine so no stealing.
Rating: PG
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The girl in the nightclub wasn't having much fun. Sure she loved dancing and could do it with the best of them but it wasn't any fun when your friends had abandoned you for some guy and you'd just broken up with your boyfriend. Shannon sighed and looked around at all of the gyrating bodies, "Why did I bother coming tonight?" She asked herself, and answered just as quickly. "Because I didn't want to look like I was pining over that two-timer Michael." She started weaving her way towards the entrance thinking that talking to herself was a sure sign that she was going crazy and completely missed the admiring glances from all of the guys she passed. Once outside Shannon started walking in the direction of the nearest underground station, hoping that she wouldn't have to wait too long for the next train home. As she turned the corner her mind was preoccupied and she didn't see the man in front of her until she almost walked into him. Shannon looked up into the face of a very pale dark-haired man in his late 30's.
"Sorry I didn't see you there", she said as she went to move around him, but he blocked her move. She mved to the other side of him but he blocked that too. "Look mister, I don't know what your problem is but leave me alone because I'm not in the mood for it." Shannon was starting to get very annoyed now, would nothing go right for her tonight? The man just grinned and began to come towards her. Shannon went to move into a fighters stance then froze in shock as his face started to move about and change. She stood in a mixture of horror and disbelief as his brow became more pronounced, his eyes turned yellow and when he smiled she could see that some of his teeth had turned into fangs. She continued to stand in place as he kept moving towards her but was snapped out of her paralysis when he reached out for her. She backed off a couple of steps then remembered her kickboxing training and stood her ground ready to defend herself from whatever this man was. The only thing that Shannon hadn't noticed was the man lurking behind her in the shadows watching the drama unfold before him.
"Now this should be interesting", he thought as he watched the girl position herself to fight the thing that was slowly advancing towards her despite her fear.
"What the hell are you?" Shannon demanded of the thing in front of her, trying to keep it distracted while she looked for an opening to attack and also hoping for a clue as to what it was and how to get rid of it.
"The worst and last thing you'll ever see little girl", it snickered as it came in close to grab her.
"Sorry", she said as she blocked its arms and punched it in the head, "I've seen plenty of bad things in my life and I intend on sticking around to see a few more, so I'll pass on the offer but thanks anyway." As the fight heated up and the two combatants traded blows, Spike the lurker in the shadows watched on in amazement. It was almost like watching that damn Slayer back in Sunnyhell, with the smart-ass cracks that seemed almost mandatory in her continuous battle against evil. but there was one
fundamental difference between this brave girl and the Slayer, this girl had no idea what she was up against and she was quickly getting tired from the relentless blows from her opponent as she didn't have the supernatural strength or healing power that Slayers always possess. Spike figurred it was time he got in on the party. Just as the demon was about to land a final and telling blow on he girl Spike stepped out of the shadows putting himself between the girl and he demon, saying as he did so,
"Want to play with someone your own size?" The demon didn't say anything just lunged a Spike enraged that someone had dared to come between him and his designated meal for the night. As they began to fight Spike felt his own facial features begin to change and the demon inside him let loose. The fight was over in a few short minutes, with Spike emerging the victor and the demon having been reduced to a pile of ash thanks to the jagged piece of wood someone had tossed out into the sreet. Spike spun around to face the girl who was by now lying on the ground badly injured. When she whimpered and stared crawling backwards he realised that he still had his game face on. He made himself relax and felt his human features retake his face. He then knelt in front of the girl.
"G g go away, leave me alone, pplease", she whispered to Spike tears rolling down her face.
"Hey now pet, don't be like that I won't hur you. Not unless you ask me too anyway", he said with a cheeky grin.
"Bbut you're just like the other one", she retorted wih a bit of returning spunk.
"Well technically I suppose you could say that since I am a vampire like he used to be but in reality we're totally different. I mean there's just no comparison, I'm much better looking, and I have a lot better dress sense."
"You don't half love yourself either do you?" The girl gave a little laugh and Spike relaxed a bit.
"Look I'll explain it to you. My name's Spike, what's your's?"
"Shannon why?"
"Well it's like this Shannon, I'm a bloodsucking vampire and I used to be one of the most feared bad ass guys who was ever undead but one day, or I should say night, this group of pansy ass military boys captured me and put this chip into my head which means that now I can' hurt humans at all, only demons like myself. Every time I try to do something to a human I get this blinding pain in my head and I have to stop. so that's why I won't hurt you, because I can't."
"So why didn't you let the other guy kill me?" She asked doubtfully.
"Because I can kill demons and I have to have fun somehow." Shannon thought hat he looked like a cue little boy caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing, and of course he was gorgeous but she still just couldn't accept what he was saying and it must have shown on her face for he said, "You still don't belive me huh? Well hit me and see what happens then." That sounded like a good test so she balled up her fist and socked him one
right in the eye.
"Ow, you didn't have to hit me that hard. I'll probably have a black eye in the morning." He lifted his hand to hit her back but then his face scrunched up in an expression of excrutiating pain crossed his face and he lifted his hands to his head to stop the pain. His suffering looked real and Shannon decided to trust him since she needed help to walk and here was noone else around.
His pain sopped as he looked at her and said, "Do you trust me now?"
She said, "I suppose so, but if you try anything I'll kick your ass."
Spike laughed at that and said, "Shannon pet, you're in no condition to kick anything let alone me." With his help she managed to stand up but it took a lot of effort and she stood there sawing with the pain of many bruises, what felt like a broken arm and some cracked ribs.
"Hey are you alright?" Spike asked as he noiced her difficulty.
"Ow, ouch, no does it look like it? My wrist feels like it's broken, I think I have some cracked ribs and I hurt all over", she moaned as once again tears rolled down her face.
"Ok, hang on there's a hospital down the street, we'll go there and get you fixed up". They started very slowly towards the hospital but when they reached the entrance she stopped and looked over at Spike.
"What are we going to say happened, we can't tell them the truth"?
"Just tell them that you were mugged, I'm your friend and I found you on the street ok." They walked up to the admissions desk and told the nurse the situation and she led them down the hall to an exam room where a doctor would be with them soon.
After being examined and x-rayed shannon's fractured arm was plaastered, her bruised ribs taped and she was told that she was ready to go home as long as she got some rest. The unlikely couple left the hospital and continued on down the street with Spike once again helping Shannon walk. They walked in silence until Spike asked, "Where do you live pet?"
"In Greenfield, on the other side of town"
"Do you live with anyone, parents or a boyfriend?"
"No why do you ask?" she answered cautiously
"Well since you've got noone to worry I figure I can take you to my place since it's closer and keep an eye on you until you feel better", he said without looking at her.
"Why would you want to do that? And if you're thinking about putting the moves on me you can just forget about it!" She started to move away from him when he grabbed at her wrist then stopped as pain creased his face.
"Look you've just seen that I can't hurt you and I just want to make sure you recover," he answered annoyed now.
"Well ok, I guess I'm as safe with you as with anyone else. so where do you lve?"
"In the basement of an appartment building that I own."
"Great, why the basement?" Shannon asked sarcastically.
"You know that old fairy tale about vampires not being able to go out during the day?"
"Yeah what about it?"
"Well it's true, we burst into flames and goodbye vampire."
"Nice little trick. So what else is bad for your health?"
"Holy water, that burns, crosses they hurt, wooden stakes kill and if you get decapitated it's also one dead vampire. That pretty much sums it up. Oh and we have to be invited into places."
"So there's quite a few things that you have to be wary of", Shannon said with a grin.
"Yeah but don't even think about it kitten. Here we go, be careful going down the stairs with your ribs."
"Sure ok, oh owwww that hurts!"
"Oh bloody hell! Didn't I tell you to watch it?" Spike exclaimed as he swept her up into his arms and carried her down the stairs and into the basement living room. It was a nice feeling and Shannon was a little regretful that there weren't more stairs when Spike gently lowered her to the floor in the middle of the living room. She looked around the oom as best she could in the dark before looking up at Spike and trying to play it cool as she said,
"Thanks for the lift, not a bad place you have here but a little dark." Spike wento over to switch on the light and proceeded to give her the grand tour of the place, which consisted of "bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room".
"If that's the grand tour I'd hate to see the small tour", she said to him teasingly, while she checked out his fridge.
"There isn't one", he replied.
"Geez Spike don't you have anything other than blood?"
"Nah, but tell me what you want and I'll make a trip to the shop across the street, it's a 24 hour place.
"I'm really tired, I think I'll just go to sleep, where can I lay down?"
"Come on, you can take the bed and I'll sleep on the couch. Here you can take one of my shirts to sleep in."
"Thanks Spike, you're a real sweetie you know", she murmered before falling straight to sleep on the bed.
"Ah hell now I'm going to have to undress her, she'll probably kill me in the morning but oh well." Spike undressed Shannon to her underwear then put her into his old shirt all the while being careful of her injuries. When he finished he stood looking down at her, not failing to notice her beautiful long dark hair, remembering the gem-like quality of her green eyes, her tanned silky skin and her womanly curves. It was no surprise that he was attracted to her physically but he also found himself admiring her braveness in standing up to the vampire tonight and wanting to take the vulnerability that sometimes showed in her eyes despite her tough attitude.
"Spike you idiot, what are you thinking of? She's human and you're still a demon at heart! You've got no chance, better just to let it go." He muttered to himself as he walked out of the room. He checked the time before walking over to the shop, making sure he still had enough time before dawn. He had no idea what to buysince he hadn't eaten anything except blood for a while but he figured if he got some bread, butter and some jam, breakfast cereal and milk, he should be alright. If she wanted anything else he could come over later. By the time he got back it wasn't long until dawn and he put the food away and started making up the lounge to sleep on when he heard a scream come from the room where Shannon was sleeping. He raced down the hall thinking
that she was having a nightmare about the vampire attack earlier. But as he entered the room he found the problem was something else entirely.
"Shannon, Shannon, pet wake up! Come on, it's just a nightmare, noone will hurt you while I'm here, Shannon, wake up!" He called while trying to shake her awake.
"What, where am I? Spike?"
"Yeah pet it's alright, I'm here", he soothed as he pulled her into his arms trying to calm her down. When she finally stopped shaking and relaxed against him Spike dared to ask "want to tell me what that was all about luv?"
"Um, I'm sorry Spike I didn't mean to....."
"Do I look angry pet? I don't mind I was just wondering what the nightmare was about. Was it the attack earlier tonight?" He asked gently. Shannon took her face out of his shoulder and looked up at his face and saw by his expression and gentle, caring eyes that he was concerned. She wondered how he could be so sweet yet at the same time a vampire. It didn't make any sense. He kept looking at her and she realised that she hadn't answered his question.
"Not it was something that happened a couple of years ago. I don't usually dream about it but tonight must have triggered it." She replied.
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
"Well I um, I got raped two years ago", she blurted out.
"What?! The bloody bastard, I wish I could kill him for you! I'm sorry kitten, what happened?" How dare they, he thought. How could someone defile this poor, lovely girl? He tightened his arms around her as she recounted to him the events of that terrible night. Of how she felt terrified of what the man would do to her,the pain and shame of being raped, her determination to escape and her feelings of injustice when the rapist wasn't caught. He listened to the outpouring of words and emotions, all the while holding her tightly, stroking her silky hair and feeling a deep helplessness that he couldn't do something to erase the pain, which he expressed to her,
"I wish I could do somethng to make it all better luv."
"It's ok it helped just to talk about it, you're the first person I've told other than the police since it happened."
"But what about your friends or family? didn't you tell them?" He asked incredulously.
"I'd only just moved to New York so I didn't have any friends yet and I don't have any family", she explained.
"Oh you poor little thing, it must have been awful for you."
"I survived", she said shortly not wanting pity from him "and that's why I took up kickboxing. I can defend myself now and it's a great way of keeping fit." She said with a smile. Spike took that as a cue that she didn't want to discuss it anymore so he changed the subject.
"Well pet, why don't you see if you can get some more sleep and it's almost sunrise so I'll probably head off to bed as well." He said laying her back down on the bed.
"Spike?"
"Yeah luv", he turned back to look at her.
"Thankyou. For everything."
"Hey it's nothing. Oh by the way when you wake up there's some food in the fridge. I didn't know what to get but if you want anything else I'll leave some money on the table and the shop is right across the street ok?"
"Yep, g'night Spike."
"Sleep well pet."
Shannon laid down in the huge bed and thought about Spike. He was absolutely gorgeous! With that bleach blonde hair, strong but not too muscly body and that to-die for sexy British accent he was anything a girl could possibly want and she was afraid that already she was becoming too dependant upon him, but"I'll worry about that later" she thought to herself. Right now all she wanted was a nice long nights sleep. In the living room on the couch that was his bed for the moment Spike was thinking almost the same thing. He'd have a nice long sleep, followed by some blood and figure out what to do tomorrow.
Shannon woke up around 1:00 in the afternoon wondering where she was, but then she remembered the night before and realised she was at Spikes place. Why that made her feel happy she didn't want to think about soshe got dressed and ventured into the kitchen to see what Spike had bought. As she made herself a sandwich,with the meagre supplies Spike had gotten, she decided to make a trip to the shop to buy some essentials such as toothbrush, deoderant and more food.
"This guy musn't have many visitors" she tought to herself as she tidied up the kitchen without making too much noise so that she wouldn't wake Spike. She went into the living room to pick up the money spike had left for her and write him a note in case he woke while she was gone. Shannon looked over at him as she made her way up the stairs carefully, minding her ribs, and thought how there ought to be a law against one guy looking so gorgeous while he was sleeping. By the time she had finished shopping Shannon was feeling very weak and tired and her arm and ribs were hurting a lot. She paid for the items at the counter where the woman asked if she was feeling alright.
"I was in a bit of an accident last night and didn't realise what a little shopping would take out of me", she said to the kindly woman.
"Oh you poor dear, do you have far to carry the shopping?" She asked looking concerned.
"No I'm staying just across the street luckily enough."
"Well let me call my son and he can carry the bags over the street for you" she offered.
"That would be great, if its not too much trouble."
"Of course not. Miikeey! will you carry this lady's bags over the street for her? She's not feeling too well." The lady said to her son. Shannon and the young man crossed the street and walked into the building when Shannon suddenly felt very light-headed and stopped, swaying on her feet. The boy rushed back to her and gave her his free arm to support her as they slowly negotiated the stairs down to the apartment. Just as they neared the bottom the door flew open and Spike came out. He took in the situation
at a glance and scooped Shannoninto his arms for a second time and took her inside where he laid her down on the bed, leaving the shop boy to follow with the shopping.
"Um sir? Excuse me, but I've got your shopping", he called out. Spike strode out to the living room,
"Ah thanks mate, just leave it there, and here you go." He said giving the young man a $100 tip.
"Thanks mister. If you ever need anything elsse delivered just ring the shop and ask for Mikey. It's not that far." Offerred the astonished shop boy.
"Yeah sure I'll do that, bye now mate." Said spike, eager to get rid of the boy and back to Shannon.
"Alright, so what have you done to yourself now little one, hey?" He said as he walked back into the bedroom carrying the pain pills from the hospital last night.
"I was just shopping for some things", she explained slowly, asshe waited for the pain to subside. "I didn't realise it would take so much out of me."
"I'm sorry pet, I shouldn't have told you to go shopping. When I woke up and saw that you'd gone I was almost frantic thinking that you weren't well enough to be out by yourself, and I had no way of getting to you, since it's daylight. I'm not used to that feeling." Spike explained to her, looking like a worried and confused little boy.