TITLE: Dangerous Type
SERIES: Faithfully Departed, #3
BY: Zorya
EMAIL: lunarmyth@yahoo.com
DISCLAIMER: Don't own the characters ('cept Kiara). Everyone else is property of Joss and the WB and Mutant Enemy and all those rich execs. Thanks to The Cars for "Dangerous Type" (covered by Letters to Cleo).
RATING: R
CATEGORY: S/K, angst
SPOILERS: Takes place a few months after GD2. There are no real specifics. But in my world, the events of Band Candy don't take place until way later (or at least enough time so that by the time Buffy's in college, Joyce could have a bun in the oven and not have anyone be able to tell)
SUMMARY: Someone's been stalking Kiara, and it has something to do with Spike.


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Oh can I touch you, are you out of touch
I guess I never noticed that much
Geranium lover, I'm live on your wire
Oh come and take me whoever you are
She's a lot like you
The dangerous type
She's a lot like you
Come on and hold me tight


They sat in a corner of the Bronze watching the three girls on the dance floor. Just by looking on, it was obvious the girls were close. They had the same type of aura. Powerful. Strong. Willful. Chosen. And yet each had their own personal style. None of them were tall, but each commanded attention. The one in the middle was blonde and beautiful. Her green eyes danced as she swayed to the beat of the music. Her smile was bright enough to light the entire club. The girl to her left was a bit more contained. Though she smiled, in her dark eyes it was evident that a part of her was shut off from the rest of the world. Her dark chestnut hair glinted in the dim lighting and her slender form moved seductively in a rhythm that called out to every male in the vicinity. The third girl was not as young as the other two, yet she exuded a childlike happiness. Her body was hypnotic and her long black hair swirled around her like a silken veil. Her silver eyes were both innocent and wise -- a mixture of ingenue and temptress. Her pouty crimson lips curled into her trademark secretive smile as she glanced to where they were sitting.


Oh inside angel, always upset
Keeps on forgettin’ that we ever met
Can I bring you out in the light
My curiosity's got me tonight
She's a lot like you
The dangerous type
Oh she's a lot like you
Come on and hold me tight


"It's pretty amazing that only a week ago Faith was laid up in a coma. I mean, just look at her now. Almost as if the past year never happened." Willow said.

"I know. It surprises me that she and Buffy get along so well, you know, all things considered," Oz commented.

"Oh? You mean in the Buffy-tried-to-kill-her type of way?"

"Gee, Xander, you just don't change, do you?" Angel said, his gaze still avidly trained on Buffy.

"Until you stop your bloodsucking ways, I don't think you have any room to talk, Dead Boy."

Angel growled.

"Not that I have any certain affinity for the Great Poof, but I take exception to that comment, Boy Wonder. What's that you have against us bloodsuckers?" Spike grinned and morphed into and out of his game face in the blink of an eye.

Xander paled, but scoffed. "You don't scare me, Junior. I've dealt with worse than you and I'm still here."

"I could remedy that," Spike offered pleasantly.

"Come on, guys. Let's not fight," Willow pleaded. "I mean, we should be happy. Sure, the reason we're all together is kinda bad, but still. It's happy time. We should relax." She nodded to the three Slayers dancing in the center of the Bronze. "Look at them. If they can get along, can't we?"

"You've got a point, Wills. I may not like the walking dead, but that doesn't mean I can't accept them for who they are." Willow began to smile, until Xander finished his comment. "Sadistic creatures of the night who tend to feed off the only people who love them."

Angel's demeanor darkened but he ignored the comment. Spike had no such qualms. He picked the boy up by his throat and pulled him close. "I really shoulda killed you when I had the chance." He dropped the boy back into his chair. "As it stands, I doubt any of the Slayers would let me get away with it."

Xander smirked. "Afraid of a little Slayer, Spikey?"

"Three's a bit much, mate," he said nonplused. "Either way, I don't think Kiara'd stake me for it. I just don't relish the thought of sleeping on the couch again," he grinned.

"You two stop fighting," Willow ordered them.

"So what does bring you around these parts, Dead Boy? I was hoping we wouldn't get to see you again for a long time. In fact, any time before I reached my grave would have been to early."

"I offered," Spike sneaked in as Angel answered.

"Some abnormal vampiric activity, or rumors of," Angel said, directing his answer to Willow and Oz.

Willow frowned. "What do you mean? As far as I know, nothing's been overly bad. In fact, Buffy's been complaining that she hasn't seen much action since before LA"

Angel looked back at the dance floor, confused. "That's strange. I know my sources in LA, and they're never wrong. Maybe it has yet to hit."

"Or maybe you just needed an excuse to see Buffy again," Xander said.


Museum directors with high shaking heads
They kick white shadows until they play dead
They want to crack your crossword smile
Oh can I take you out for awhile, yeah
She's a lot like you
The dangerous type
She's a lot like you
Come on and hold me tight
She's a lot like you
The dangerous type
She's a lot like you
Come on and hold me tight
Tonight


"So what's the deal with you and Angel?" Faith called out over the loud music.

Buffy shrugged. "Not much to tell," she replied. "Tonight's the first night I've really seen him. Though Spike says he's been back for almost a week." She tried not to sound bitter about that, but the fact was it hurt. It hurt that Angel could have come back and not wanted to see her at all.

"Do we know the situation? Why he's back?" Kiara asked, her bright gaze sliding once again to the group. She smiled involuntarily as she watched Spike try to act menacing towards Xander. The boy did need to get the chip knocked off his shoulder, but Spike would never truly harm him. Not these days, anyway.

"You probably know more than I. My guess is that there's something going down and he heard about it and came to tell. That's the only real reason he'd show up."

"Or he could be lookin' for love, if ya catch my meaning," Faith said suggestively.

"I don't think he'd come all this way just to get laid. There are tons of whores in Los Angeles -- I'm sure he could take his pick," Buffy said angrily.

Faith writhed in-between Buffy and Kiara. "Oh come on, you're the only little slut that suits his tastes, B."

Buffy looked up, slightly offended. But she busted out laughing when she saw Faith's teasing grin. "Okay, okay. But still. I don't think he'd come all this way just to see me. He's got much more will power than that. He left. He wouldn't come back unless there was something up."

The girls tightened their little circle, their slender bodies moving together in an innocently erotic dance that made both the women and the men in the club envious.


She's a lot like you
The dangerous type
She's a lot like you
Come on and hold me tight
Tonight...


When the song ended, the Slayers made their way back to their friends. It had taken a few days for Buffy and Faith to get their differences settled. In fact, it had taken a few days and a lot of Kiara's mediation. But they had all come to terms and the gang had welcomed Faith back with hesitant, but open, arms. They figured if they could forgive a vampire, they could forgive a wayward Slayer.

"So, anyone up for some patrolling?" Kiara asked as she slipped easily into Spike's embrace.

The blonde vampire looked down at her and grinned lecherously. "Not exactly what I'm up for, but I guess it'll have to do."

"Damn skippy it will," Buffy said. "It's getting late and I've got a class in the morning. If something's going on," she glanced at Angel, "then we should all get out there and take a careful look around."

"I agree," Willow said. "So, should we spilt up or do the group thing?"

"Definitely split," Faith said. "We'll get more area covered that way."

"Fine. Angel, Spike, Kiara and I will hit the cemeteries. Willow and Oz - the park and the docks? Xander and Faith, can you handle the sewers?" The gang nodded and gathered their belongings. "So, we'll meet here tomorrow, same Bat time, same Bat channel? Kinda do the sharing thing and see what's up?" Buffy suggested.

"Sounds like a date, B."

"Good." Buffy turned to Angel, Spike and Kiara as the others left the Bronze. "Angel and I can take the North, you two can take the South." Kiara sent her a questioning look, but she nodded.

"Okay then. Sounds like we're all set. See you tomorrow, Buff. Bye Angel." Kiara tugged on Spike's hand and pulled him after her.

"Hey, what's the hurry, luv? Can't wait to get me alone?" he taunted her as he caught up and matched his stride to hers.

Kiara grinned and shoved him lightly. "Yeah. That way I don't have to worry about hiding the ashes...."

"You wouldn't stake me, mila. You'd miss me too much."

Kiara arched a dubious brow. Spike growled and hefted her over his shoulder, ignoring her protests. She tried too kick him but she was laughing too hard. "Put me down, you big oaf!"

"Now, is that any way to speak to your beloved?"

"Who said you're my beloved?" she asked sweetly.

Spike stalked into the grave yard and set her down. "Well, aren't I?"

Kiara pretended to think about it. "Well...."

Spike folded his arms over his chest and waited impatiently.

Kiara took a deep breath and looked at him. She could feel it in her bones that she was about to ask for trouble. "Am I yours?"

Spike's eyes widened, his expression dumbfounded. "How did this get turned on me?"

"C'mon," she chided softly. "You know how I feel about you. But, uhhmmm, how do you feel about me? I mean, if I wasn't around, would you even notice?"

The conversation he'd had with his sire came back to him and Spike knew what she was asking. He just...didn't have an answer for her. Not the one she was looking for, anyway. "Of course I'd notice," he said gruffly. "I'd be missing the bloody thorn in my side."

Kiara stared at him for a long time before laughing shortly and turning around. "I should have known you wouldn't give me a straight answer."

Spike looked at her back, seeing the rigid set of her shoulders and wanting to massage away every last remnant of tension there. "Kiara, you know I care about you," he said tightly.

Kiara closed her eyes. "Yes, Spike. I know you care about me," she admitted. "But maybe I'm not willing to settle for that anymore."

"So what are you saying? What do you want me to say?"

She shook her head and turned back to him. Her eyes were sad as she gazed up at him. "I'm saying I'm not willing to be the one you come home to every morning, the one you turn to when things aren't going your way...if I can't be the one in that undead heart you hide so well."

Spike clenched his jaw and tightened his balled fists. "Kiara, don't do this...."

"Don't do what?" Kiara asked. "Don't give up on you? Believe me, I don't want to. But Spike...I can't do this anymore. I won't do this. So until you make up your mind...whether you want me...or her...I just," She took another deep breath and turned her back on him. "I just think it'd be better if we didn't see each other."

"Fine," Spike bit out, his fury over being in a helpless situation overcoming his common sense. "Have it your way."

Kiara spun around, but he was gone. She pressed the heels of her palms into her eyes, fighting back the tears. "Spike..." she whispered hoarsely, but the only answer was the crinkle of dead leaves in the wind.


***


They walked in silence. Even their booted feet didn't make noise upon the dead leaves and twigs on the ground. Which didn't exactly lighten her spirits.

"So, you - "

"What exactly - "

"You go first," Angel told her.

"I, uhhh, was just wondering what exactly brought you back to Sunnydale," Buffy said, her eyes searching the shadows carefully.

"I just heard that something big was going down here. I...I didn't want you to face it alone."

Buffy smiled slightly and shot him a glance. "I'm not alone, Angel. I have Xander and Willow and Oz...and Spike and Kiara. Quite a lot of help, if you think about it."

"Yeah, well...." He didn't know what to say. Or how to say it.

"Sooo, do you have any idea what this big thing may be?"

"Not at all. I was hoping you might have some insight. Maybe you've seen something on patrol? Something unusual?"

Buffy shook her head. "Nope. Nothing of the unusual variety. If that makes any sense at all.... Actually, Kiara's been doing a lot of the patrolling. Sometimes I have to pull an all-nighter for class and...." She laughed slightly. "Okay, enough of the life story, huh? But, I think she would have mentioned it if anything was -" She stopped short.

Angel turned around, a few paces ahead of her. "What is it, Buffy?"

She was kneeling down and lifted her head, a worried look in her eyes. "I think I just figured out what we're up against," she told him, picking up the object to show him.

Angel cursed lowly under his breath. "How did I not see this coming?"

"Look," Buffy told him, glancing around cautiously. "Why don't you go tell Kiara and Spike what's up. Meantime, I'll take a look around here."

"Just be careful, okay? Please."

Buffy smiled. "I promise. I'll just take a quick patrol. We...I can always come back in the morning. When it's safe. Now go." She watched Angel's retreating form and tossed the doll from hand to hand.





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