For disclaimer, see Part 1.
Mail: LunarMyth
Once she left the hospital, Kiara was at a loss for something to do. She couldn't visit Buffy,
since she'd be heading to the hospital soon. Willow and Oz had taken a day off to be
together since Oz was leaving the next night to go on some Battle of the Bands tour. It was
beyond Kiara; she just knew not to intrude. There was always Xander, but...not. He'd been
a little unstable since they'd all returned from L.A. Kiara knew he missed Cordelia, but
there was more. He'd been absolutely wiggy the last time the Gang had gotten together.
*Wiggy* Kiara grinned at the thought. She was starting to sound like Buffy and her friends.
Four centuries and thirteen languages, and this is what she was reduced to.
When Kiara looked up, she realized she'd unconsciously reached a destination. Not
necessarily the place she wanted to be, but it would do. She gazed up at the large home and
smiled. It really was kinda funny when you thought about it.
Taking a deep breath, a habit
she'd gotten into even though she did not need the air, she walked up the walk way and the
steps to the porch. She saw the swing hanging from the ceiling and shook her head. Without
knocking she dug in her purse and pulled out a set of keys. She opened the door hesitantly
and shut it behind her quietly. Dropping her purse next to the door, Kiara looked around.
Though she'd been given a key, she'd never been here before. Only driven by a few times.
The foyer was nice and homey with polished hard wood floors. To her left was a doorway
into the den. Though the room was dark, she could see it had a gorgeous bay window that
overlooked the street and a large marble fireplace. The room was big and, if she could tell
correctly, a deep blue with ivory trim and carpeting. The decor almost reminded her of the
bitch chick's bedroom in that movie "Cruel Intentions" Buffy had rented a few weeks back
and made her watch. *Too bad she couldn't have slept with that hottie first* she thought
evilly. It was rich and elegant, yet it had a sweet feeling to it. *What a crock.*
Walking out
of the room, she investigated the room across the hall. It had been made to be either another,
smaller, sitting room or a library/study. At this time, however, a wall entertainment center,
complete with big screen TV, stereo and game unit, was against the far wall. The room
itself was "dark", but very masculine. The carpet was of a dark navy blue and what could be
seen of the walls was painted a lush forest green. The leather sofas and armchairs were a
deep, rich tan color. The rest of the room's furnishings were of polished mahogany wood
with hunter green, navy and burgundy accents. There was another fireplace and bay
window, and when she looked to her side she saw a bookcase full of books. Kiara was
tempted to look through the selection, but she had other things to do. As she turned, she saw
something out of the corner of her eye. She slowly made her way to the end table next to the
couch and picked up the object, grinning widely. She twirled the stake in her fingers and
walked back out into the hall. Though she considered seeing the back of the house, she opted
to go upstairs.
As she moved stealthily up the carpeted stairs, Kiara tapped the stake against her
thigh. She trailed her slender fingers over the smooth railing and tried to decide which way
to head. With a slight cock of her head, she moved swiftly down the left hallway. She
almost laughed out loud when she saw that the window at the end of the hall was uncovered,
the drapes pulled back to let the sunlight drift in. With yet another shake of her head, Kiara
walked to the end of the hall and placed her hand lightly on the doorknob of the last room.
With a silent twist, she let the door drift open. Kiara almost gasped as she looked over the
room. What she'd seen of the house so far had been beautiful, but this was grandiose.
However, looking more carefully, she wouldn't have changed a thing. With no surprise she
noted yet another large marble fireplace and hearth set up on the far left wall. It was quite
cozy with two obviously antique wingbacked chairs and a small oval end table between the
two. A small fire was crackling and spreading its golden glow over the black marble. A
large oil painting hung over the mantel and Kiara did laugh softly when she looked at it. On
the "wall" opposite of her was an opening to the master bath. She could see that is was quite
magnificent, done in pristine white and equipped with shower, tub and Jacuzzi. The Jacuzzi
was set against the farthest wall - or rather, the wall was a gigantic window done in the
"frosted" pattern as to maintain privacy. This was too weird for her. With a stunned gaze,
she looked to the right. There was an oversized armoire to her immediate right and she had
to lean forward to completely observe the rest of the room. What took up most of the space
was the gigantic four poster bed. It brought back a few memories, but she shoved them off.
Nightstands were on either side of the bed, their dark wood and carvings matching that of the
armoire and bed, she was sure. It was too much.
Kiara stepped forward, her feet sinking into the plush black carpet. As she neared
the bed, she saw it was made with a thick black satin bedspread and crimson satin sheets.
With a roll of hr silver eyes, Kiara walked softly over to the side of the bed. She grinned
and sat down on the edge, her black hair tumbling over her shoulder like a silken veil. She
pulled back the covers ever so slowly, and her mouth went dry.
His pale features contrasted starkly with that of the black and red satin. Even in
sleep he emanated sex and danger. Her gaze wandered over his well defined torso. She
was tempted to pull the sheets farther down and find out if he was clothed at all or not, but
thought better of it. The sight of him was too arousing already. Kiara swallowed the
sensation and looked to his face. She slumped when the sight made her melt. His long
lashes fanned against his cheek and he looked utterly vulnerable and adorable with none of
his emotions to shield him. In fact, without that icy blue stare, he appeared almost harmless.
A lock of bleached blonde hair fell over his forehead and she fought the urge to brush it
back.
With barely a movement she tossed the stake from her right hand to her left and
pressed it against his chest, its point scarcely breaking the skin above his undead heart.
Without warning Spike was awake and deeply aware of impending danger. Even
with his vampire senses, he was so hungover that he had to struggle to focus his vision.
"Careful, luv," she sighed. "Wouldn't wanna cause any violent mishaps. Jump and
you could be dust."
Spike growled uncomprehendingly. *Bloody hell. What is it this time? Did I forget
her birthday. Hell, I don't even know when her birthday is. Did I miss a date? No, she was
out with _Buffy_ and friends again last night.* Cor! He was becoming a bloody baby. He
couldn't even stand up to his own woman. *His woman?* he thought. Was that the way he
thought of her? *Bugger it!*
"Sweetie pie, I'd appreciate it if you'd remove the stake from my body," he gritted
out.
He snarled and morphed into his game face as she pressed the tip deeper into him. "I
thought we already discussed that name?" she asked sweetly.
Spike was ready to tear the bed apart. The pain was blinding, but his thoughts were
racing elsewhere. *Had to bloody interrupt me in _another_ dream. Dammit! The least she
could do is let me have my bloody dreams. S'not like she lets me anywhere near her body
outside of them.* The pain lessened and his hard-on returned as he thought of what he'd been
experiencing just moments before. In his dream, Kiara had been dancing with him. In a
flash they'd both been naked and he'd been lavishing her sweet body with kisses, tasting her
hot juices, when the real McCoy had woken him up so hatefully. It was enough to make him
want to throttle her...or at the least to kidnap her and tie her up and do everything he'd been
dreaming about for the past two months.
His thoughts were interrupted when she pressed ever so slightly against him, letting
the sharpened stake penetrate his flesh even more. *What the...! She really intends to dust
me! What in the bloody moon have I done wrong?!* Spike could feel himself slipping
away. His body felt like it was floating. *I'm dust* he thought. *I'm bloody fucking ashes
floating on a bloody fucking breeze. Who knew it could be so painless?*
That was, he thought that until he realized just *why* he was feeling so bloody jolly.
Kiara had tossed the stake away and now her body was pressed against him in a most
provocative manner. Her tongue was circling his rapidly healing wound, and just the feel of
her hot mouth upon him was driving him crazy. She threw her leg over him as she straddled
him, her body laying on top of his own. As Kiara meandered a path of kisses and teasing
bites down his hard chest, Spike wrapped his arms around her, his hands burying themselves
in the thick, satiny strands of her hair. He gasped as he felt her warm breath hover over his
rigid shaft.
"Kiara," he moaned.
With a grin, Kiara tossed her head up. She could see the pleasure yet anguish
evident on his face. With a sigh she climbed back up his body and rested her head on his
shoulder. She wanted to please him. But she knew he wasn't ready yet. Kiara felt as if all
the waiting was killing her. Shortly after they'd returned to Sunnydale, Spike had discovered
that she could read his every thought at will. She hadn't done it to embarrass him, but he
made her promise not to do it again. Kiara had complied, though she regretted it now.
Maybe it would be ok if she took one *tiny* peek into his thoughts....*No!* She'd promised
him. Kiara knew the soulless vampire wasn't over his other lady love yet. And she was
loathe to commit herself to someone who wasn't ready to be with her. Who was she
kidding? She'd already committed herself to him. It was obvious in everything she did.
These days she rarely even looked at another guy - none interested her. He didn't want her -
not like she wanted him. But she would wait it out...even if it killed her.
*I didn't want her to stop! Why did she stop?* Spike was quickly growing furious.
She'd marched into his house and had woken him from a *most* pleasant dream in a *most*
unpleasant way. Now she was sprawled out on top of him....doing nothing. But when Kiara
shifted her hips, his pleasure-pain turned vocal as he felt his erection nestled between her
soft thighs. Her heat was like a tidal wave as it rushed over him. The past couple of months
had been torment for Spike. They'd returned to Sunnyhell and he'd found out the little minx
could read his mind whenever she felt like it. That had been bloody embarrassing. He was
sure she knew every lusty thought about her that ran through his mind.
But Kiara said nothing. It bothered him that she didn't comment one way or the other.
It was like she was indifferent. Did she not care? Or was she embarrassed by the way he
thought of her? He'd quickly made her promise not to do it again and, though he wouldn't
have been able to tell if she had, he trusted her. But she didn't seem to want him. Oh, sure,
his kisses got to her, but the moment he made a move to go further, she resisted. So he
stopped. He stopped chasing after her when it was obvious she didn't want to be caught.
Besides, Spike hadn't forgotten just how much pain she could cause him if she so wished.
Kiara knew he wanted her. Could feel the evidence of it as she laid flush against
him. She wondered why he'd suddenly "lost interest", so to speak, when obviously she still
effected him. *Unless that's all it is* she thought warily. It dawned on her that maybe, just
maybe, Spike *had* made up his mind. And that he had decided he would never get over
Drusilla. Maybe Spike only wanted her for sex, but wouldn't risk cheating on Dru. The
thoughts caused a sinking feeling in her stomach and she lifted off of him slowly. After her
bold actions, Kiara was afraid to meet his gaze. What would he think of her? Was he
disgusted? Was he amused?
Spike had had about enough. What in the hell did she think she was doing? *She*
stalked into *his* room and proceeded to seduce *him* and now *she* was the one to look
violated? *Bloody Hell!!!* Spike's mind roared. Even now she refused to look at him and
probably wasn't even going to explain herself.
He was wrong. "I just wanted to stop by and remind you about tonight. And to wake
you up," she said, still averting her gaze from his nude form. She'd gotten her answer when
her mouth had so brazenly explored his body.
"Well you did a bloody fine job of that," Spike said crossly, pulling the sheet around
him as he stood up. If she hated the sight of him so much she could just go....something! He
was too flustered to even think straight.
Kiara turned, aware that the direction of his voice had changed. She almost giggled
when she saw the red sheet wrapped around his body as he flung his clothes up off the floor.
When he rose, though, she could see the evidence of his state of arousal jutting out under the
shiny satin. A blush spread over her cheeks, and Kiara jerked her gaze away.
"....the bloody hell did you think you were doing anyway?" she heard Spike say.
Spike kicked himself mentally as soon as the words slipped out. He wondered if
she'd notice if he searched the room for his stake and plunged it into his own heart.
"I...I...I don't know," she stuttered. "I just...just wanted...." What had she wanted?
"Just wanted what?" he asked accusingly as he turned to face her.
"I'm sorry," she breathed. "I...I shouldn't have come." Kiara turned and practically
fled out of his room.
Spike cursed lowly and ran after her. "Wait!" he called after her from the top of the
stairs. "Pet...." He almost died again. *Wrong thing to say, Spike old boy.*
Kiara skidded to a stop as she reached the door. Without even turning around, she
answered him, her voice calm and soft. "I'm not your Pet. I'm not *her*."
He'd lost it. "You know what? You're right. You're not my Pet. You're nothing to
me, are you? You come here and writhe your beautiful little body all over me and then it's
*my* fault? I don't think so, sweeting."
It took all of her strength to not rip the door off it's hinges. The name washed over
her and the thought flitted through her mind that she could have liked that one. But as he'd
said, she was nothing to him. So be it. She opened the door gently and walked out, throwing
one last comment over her shoulder. "Don't forget about tonight."
* * *
Though it was near the end of November and just a bit chilly, the gang gathered on
the beach to have their meeting. They sat in a circle, a small bonfire lit in the middle to keep
them warm. Xander was seated between Buffy and Willow - who was focusing all of her
attention on Oz. Next to Oz was Spike, and of course, the only spot left for her was next to
Spike. Kiara knew Buffy was trying to help by arranging things this way. Unfortunately she
hadn't had time enough to tell Buffy about what had happened earlier.
"So. Who brought the munchies?" Xander asked.
"Ooh, ooh. I've got jelly donuts," Willow said.
Buffy made a face as Xander grabbed for them. "Just when you thought it was safe to
call a meeting again." She held her hands against her stomach and looked to Spike and
Kiara. "Has there ever been a fat Slayer before? 'Cause I think there will be one soon if I
don't stop eating all this junk food."
As the others laughed, Kiara just smiled. For some odd reason, she wasn't in a
happy mood. Oh, she knew it was her own fault. Spike had been right. She shouldn't have
gone over there earlier. More specifically, she shouldn't have crawled all over him. But
she hadn't acted like it was *his fault*. She'd just been humiliated by her growing need for
him. But since he obviously thought she was nothing to him, Kiara thought she'd get over it
soon. At least, she hoped so.
"So," Buffy was saying. "Any ideas on how to do this? If we're gonna lick this, we
need to have a fool-proof plan."
"Guess that leaves Xander out if it then," Spike said sulkily.
"Hey, hey, hey," Xander interrupted. "I resemble that remark."
Spike shot him a withering glare and resumed staring at the fire.
"What bee flew up your bum?" Buffy asked him.
With a glance to Kiara, he replied, "Was more like a wasp, if you ask me."
Buffy looked at Kiara with concern, and shrugged when the older woman remained
silent. "O-kayyy. Anyway. Back to our biggest problem. What are we gonna do about this
turkey?"
Willow raised her hand, then dropped it back into her lap, smiling. "Sorry, bad
habit. I was thinking, I make a mean dressing...so I can have that covered. Ooh, and
cranberry sauce too."
Oz lifted his head. "Wait, we're talking Thanksgiving here?"
"That was the general idea, Oz-man," Xander said, a few donut crumbs flying from
his mouth.
Oz looked disappointedly at Willow. "Didn't I tell you? I'm not gonna be here. The
Battle of the Bands doesn't end until Saturday."
Willow looked crestfallen. "But...but Oz..."
"I'm sorry, baby," he told her gently.
Willow nodded. With a sudden thought, she turned to Xander and Buffy. "Umm...is.
Well, are... Have you... Are Angel and Cordy coming down?" she asked hesitantly.
Buffy bowed her head, pain and confusion written all over her face. Xander saw this
and put his arm around her, pulling her into a friendly hug. "Uhhh. No. I mean, Cordy hasn't
said anything about it. To me at least." He missed Cordy as much as Buffy missed Angel.
But he was moving on. Or was it moving back? Recently his emotions had done a complete
180 and his feelings for Buffy were growing every time he was around her. He hated to see
her hurting. He loved Cordelia. But in some part of his heart, Xander still loved Buffy too.
Always had. And that little part grew a little each time he saw her, hoping that sometime
soon it might have the chance to present itself.
The group sat in pensive silence, each thinking his or her own dismal thoughts about
the upcoming holiday.
"Well," Kiara said finally. "You said your mom was doing the turkey, right Buffy?
And Willow has dibbs on dressing and cranberry sauce. I'll bring dessert. Xander, I think,
can handle a vegetable or two. So that leaves you and Spike. I'm guessing Spike could be
counted on to bring the spirits. He's seems overly familiar with them."
Spike shot her a scathing glare and stormed off down the deserted beach.
"That was a little harsh," Buffy said.
Kiara sighed. "I know," she mumbled. "Let's just say we didn't have a great time
today."
Buffy nodded. "Well, I think I can come up with something. So is that it?" At their
nods, she stood up. "Mind taking a walk with me?" she asked Willow and Kiara. With a
parting wave to the two guys, the trio began their way down the surf in the opposite direction
of Spike.
"You wanna talk about it?" Willow asked Kiara.
She smiled at the red head. "It's just.... I don't think Spike and I want the same things
from a relationship," she said softly.
"Like you want a relationship and he wants sex?" Buffy asked.
"That about sums it up."
Willow furrowed her brow. "Are you sure, Kia? I mean, before we left L.A. I
would have bet that Spike's feeling for you ran...ran a whole lot deeper than just lust."
Kiara nodded. "I know that. And it's so hard staying away from him when all I want
to do is to succumb." She looked out over the black water. "But it's not just that. Even if he
does care for me....he's still in love with Drusilla. And I can't...won't...start something with
him until I know that there's at least some hope that he'll eventually get over her."
Willow frowned. "What if he never does?"
Kiara's smile was bittersweet. "Then he belongs with her and I hope he finds his
way back to her." She turned and resumed walking, Buffy and Willow trotting up behind her
to catch up.
"So anyway," Kiara continued. "How's home life?" she asked Buffy.
Buffy grimaced. "Well. I guess not much has changed. I can no longer walk around
in my underwear, my mom is getting bigger and bigger and there's always a man sitting in my
living room poring over books on demonology. I can't say I'm going to study with Giles
when I want to get out of the house. I can't tell Giles my mom wants me home when I don't
want to train." Buffy rolled her eyes. "On the bright side, neither of them pay much attention
to *anything* I do. As long as I come in at a late yet reasonable hour, both of them are
pleased. For different reasons, of course. They're so preoccupied with the baby coming, I'm
surprised they know I'm around at all." She looked at her friends. "Wow, I sound a bit
bitter, don't I?"
"Nothing that isn't expected," Willow said reassuringly.
Buffy smiled. "I'm actually looking forward to having a little baby brother or sister.
I mean, it's good cause I won't be home during the sleepless nights and all....but I'll still get
stuck with baby sitting and diaper duty. What a way to use a Slayer," she grinned.
"How're your mom and Giles getting along?" Kiara asked hesitantly.
Buffy sighed. "They act...it's disgusting guys. Ok, I admit I was super not crazy
about Ted. But this is just like....weird. And yet, I'm glad my mom has somebody that I
know is great. And he likes me, so that's in the plusses. I'm just so used to having them both
be *mine* you know....and now they're each other's. And they really get off on their
smoochies. It's like, a hundred times worse than when they were all high on chocolate. All
in all, though they haven't owned up to it yet, I think they've got a really big thing."
The girls turned and walked back in silence. Kiara was upset about Spike. Willow
was upset that she wouldn't be spending Thanksgiving with Oz. And Buffy was upset that
Angel hadn't even tried to get in touch with her since she left L.A. When they reached the
guys, Spike hadn't come back. Willow and Oz took off to spend more quality time together
before he left and Kiara told Buffy she'd take over patrolling for the night.
Buffy nodded to her appreciatively. Only she and Xander were left to put out the fire
and go home. Home was somewhere she didn't feel like being.
It seemed that Xander felt the same way. "Wanna go to the Bronze and get jiggy with
it? It's no cover night."
Buffy hugged him. "Thanks Xander. You always know what I need."
Xander blushed and led her to his car.
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