Taming the Muse Prompt 22, BoaS Part 7, The principle of the thing, BtVS, PG

[thismaz]

I now have a title for this series. Many thanks to swweeks and sparrow2000 for their ideas, but I eventually went with DJ's suggestion. So this series is now called 'Blood on a Sundial'.

Title: The principle of the thing
Part 7 of the Blood on a Sundial series. Previous parts, in reverse order, are here or in my memories.
Fandom: BtVS
Prompt: #22 - Squander
At: tamingthemuse
Disclaimer: here.
Rating: Pg
Note: Lots of dialogue taken wholesale from the episode 'Lie to me'.
Word Count: 1,657




7. The principle of the thing

Dru was dealing her cards on the table in the middle of the room when Spike came up behind her. Placing his hands on her shoulders he bent down and whispered in her ear, "Darling! I heard a funny thing just now. Lucius tells me that you went out on a hunt the other night."

Dru pouted down at her cards, refusing to look up at him. "My tummy was growly. And you were out."

Yes, he was out. Watching Xander. Waiting his chance to take his property back. It had become a matter of face, even if he was the only one who knew it, that he eat the boy. Twice he'd had his fangs on Xander's neck and twice the Slayer had got him away. It was getting old. He would retake his own.

For the last two weeks it had just been frustrating - the way Xander was never alone. If the watcher didn't drive him home, the Slayer escorted him. Spike was reduced to watching from a distance, and haunting the back garden of the boy's house, so he could watch him in his room. As meals went, this one was a lot of trouble, but it was the principle of the thing.

At the moment though, he had other concerns. Spike put his arms around Dru from behind, imprisoning her and holding her close. "Did you meet anyone? Anyone interesting?" he asked softly. "Like Angel, for instance?"

Drusilla squirmed in his grasp, peering down at the picture of a man on a horse with a goblet in his hand. "Angel?" she asked, distractedly.

She seemed to be listening, which was something to be grateful for. "Yeah. So..." He dropped a kiss on her temple. "What might you guys have talked about, then?" He thought about what Lucius had said about the encounter in the park. Angel had been gone by the time Lucius caught up with her and he had not been close enough to hear their conversation, but the description of their almost embrace was enough to irritate. "It's a bit off, you two so friendly, him being the enemy and all," Spike snapped as he pushed away from her.

Dru cowered in her chair and whined. Loud voices could do that to her, especially since she got so sick. Spike was immediately remorseful. "Oh, I'm sorry baby. I'm a bad, rude man." He came around to her side, where she could see him, kissed her forehead again and felt her immediately begin to relax - her alarm as short-lived as her attention. "I just don't like you goin' out, that's all. You are weak." He picked up one of her hands, kissed it and sucked a finger into his mouth. Looking down at her out of half closed eyes, he smiled. "Shall I let you tell my fortune?" he enticed.

Dru tilted her head and gazed up at him, her own eyes huge and trusting. "Will you cry, my sweet?" She asked, dreamily.

Spike was momentarily disconcerted, unsure if she wanted him to cry now, or was seeking clarification of some future event. "Why should I cry, love? What's going to happen, to make me sad?" he asked, hoping he'd guessed right. She was quite capable of flying into a sudden rage, if she thought he was wilfully misunderstanding her.

"My poor Spike. All the world's a game, until the kittens' claws get long and sharp." Her voice turned vicious. "They tear into your skin and they won't let you go! Not even a little bit!" She stopped and gazed up towards the ceiling and her voice took on a dreamy, sing-song tone. "Cry, cry, the hunter's going to cry." Damn! He'd lost her. He knew that lilt in her voice. It meant she was off in her own world again. She tapped the card. "You keep missing him. Squandering your chances for the promise of more." That almost sounded like sense. "But the purple tulips bloom at night and so must we." Unfortunately, that didn't.

Dru collapsed back in her chair, apparently exhausted. Spike stroked her hair back from her face and signalled Lucius. "Go fetch a nice tender one and bring it here. I don't want your mistress tiring herself on some thick skinned old man." He turned back to Dru. "Will you eat for me, love? If Lucius brings someone up for you." He stroked her hair. "Will you try?"

His ministrations were interrupted by an unexpected voice. "This is so cool!" Spike spun around. There was a boy standing as easy as you please in the middle of the room! "I would totally live here."

Instinctively Spike moved between the interloper and Drusilla, glancing around for any minions. Only Lucius was in sight, frozen by the door down to the store room. "Do I have anyone on watch here?" he shouted. "It's called security, people. Are you all asleep?" He stepped forward. "Or did we finally find a restaurant that delivers?" he asked.

The boy couldn't possibly know where he was. "I'm Ford. And I know who you are." Or maybe he did.

"Yeah, I know who I am, too." Spike said. "So what?"

The child smiled. "I came looking for you, Spike. You are Spike, right? William the Bloody?"

"You've got a real death wish. It's almost interesting." A movement to his right distracted Spike for a moment and Francine walked in, clutching a book. Spike took it from her and nodded to her to stand guard over Ford, as he leafed through it. What he saw looked very promising, although he only understood the chapter headings. "Oh, this is great. This'll be very useful." He looked up. "So, how did you find me?"

Ford grinned. "That doesn't matter. I've got something to offer you." He paused, expectantly. "I'm pretty sure this is the part where you take out a watch and say I've got thirty seconds to convince you not to kill me?" He smiled again, adding, "It's traditional."

Spike was less than impressed. He slammed the book shut and strode over to Ford. "Well, I don't go much for
tradition." Grabbing him by the ear, he pulled Ford forward, exposing his neck. His face shifted and his fangs were in the boy's throat, the blood just beginning to flow, when Drusilla spoke.

"Wait, love!" she cried, running over to them and placing a restraining hand on his shoulder.

Spike pulled back and looked round. "What?" he asked.

Any explanation she might have offered was interrupted by the meal. "Oh, c'mon! Say it! It's no fun if you don't say it."

Spike turned back to him. He must be mad. "What? Oh." Releasing the ear, he pushed the boy away and recited in a flat voice, "You've got thirty seconds to convince me not to kill you."

Ford gave a little bounce. "Yes! See, this is the best! I wanna be like you. A vampire."

For a moment Spike thought he was hearing things. "I've known you for two minutes, and I can't stand you. I don't really feature you livin' forever." He turned back to Dru. "Can I eat him now, love?" he begged.

Drusilla shook her head, a message he couldn't read in her eyes and Ford took advantage of the pause to speak quickly. "I'm offering you a trade. You make me a vampire, and I give you the Slayer."

Spike was suddenly intensely interested, but it wouldn't do to show his hand. "You can deliver the slayer, can you?" he mused "And why should I believe you?"

By the time the boy stopped talking, Spike did believe him. It was interesting, this one's desperate determination to cling to existence. Sickness hung over him like a subtle cloud. Didn't make any difference to the blood, but it didn't bode well for the boy himself. Of course, walking into Spike's lair was not usually a prelude to a long and healthy life.

Spike waited until the explanation petered into silence. He could feel Dru at his back - feel her excitement in the grip of her hands on his arms. He looked at Ford and held his gaze, as if considering the offer. After thirty seconds Ford began to fidget and Spike thought Dru was ready to vibrate apart. He shook his head. "No deal" he announced. Ford's eyes widened in surprise and Dru's fingernails cut into his biceps. Her gasp was followed by the sound of her teeth snapping together, all too close to his vulnerable ear. "You want this so much," he added, "you'll have to give me more than that." Dru let out a little moan, which morphed into a reedy chuckle. Ford's shoulders slumped with the relief.

"I want Angel, too," Spike informed him. "You know who Angel is, don't you?" Ford nodded. "Good." Spike stepped away from Dru and walked across to the table. He turned and leant back casually against the edge, arms braced behind him and ankles crossed. He looked up at Ford "You still here?" he asked, with deceptive mildness. "Get out! Tomorrow sunset is quite soon enough to see you again."

The boy opened his mouth, hesitated and Spike could tell he wanted to check the deal. "I keep my word, once I give it," Spike said sternly - a bit of reassurance to stiffen Ford's spine. Ford nodded warily, but had enough sense to accept that. He shrugged and backed out of the warehouse into the daylight.

Dru floated over to Spike. "My clever tiger," she crooned. "You want my Angel out of the way, so the doves are unprotected."

Spike laughed, standing up so he could take her hands. He raised them in turn to his mouth, dropping a kiss on each wrist. "Got that cage downstairs," he said, "and the shackles. You need a pet you won't kill through neglect, love. I reckon it won't matter if you forget to feed him once in a while. With the Slayer dead and Angelus safe, you can have your run of this town and we'll make you well again."

Next Part

Comments

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is so very, very cool. I can't wait until I see what twist you have for this episode.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*grins at you* Thanks. A 'very, very' makes my morning.

[lit-gal.livejournal.com]

Not my most articulate feedback, but my brain is burnt out, and that was the best I could do to express my love.

[thismaz.livejournal.com]

*Laughs* but my brain is burnt out I'm not surprised after that last chapter of Out of Tune. *g* Your inarticulate best, was lovely. Thank you. I feel loved.