Title: Afterglow 46/57 (not a WIP)

Author: T. Claybourne  (t.claybourne@yahoo.com)

Rating: Rated R most chapters for violence and Language, some are NC- 17 for sexual content

A/N I'd like to thank my Beta Reader Hawera And muses Michelle Branch, Robbie Williams and Evanescence

Afterglow Chapter 46 Trust NC-17

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Buffy held on to the door frame, slayer strength helping her to keep her balance as Spike moved inside her. The plan had been to head for the bed but they had only made it to the bedroom doorway. Her body moved towards the top of the frame with his every thrust. Buffy accidentally let go, causing Spike to carry her staggering forward to the bed. She laid on the edge while he stayed partially standing.

The phone rang.

They ignored it and continued. Buffy was having a hard time keeping her enthusiasm quiet and decided to quit trying. She let out a extremely loud moan followed by a series of Ohs.

Spike pulled one of her legs over his shoulder, and began moving his finger on her clit while his thrusts continued on. This put Buffy into a frenzy. She moved her head from side to side.

The phone rang and was ignored once again.

He kept at it until Buffy had her release. He picked her up and laid her on the pillows and began suckling her nipples as he slowly began the rhythm again.

"Oh, god… again? Spike I don't know if, I hardly…"

He kissed her and made her forget what she was saying. Kissing down her neck and shoulders he reached her breasts again; He placed his hand behind her back, pulled her up, arching her to him all the while keeping and increasing rhythm within her.

The phone rang again. Buffy giggled. "It's probably…"

"Don't even say her name." Spike growled.

"Checking if we are…Oooh, Spike, Spike S-P-I-K-E!" The phone quit as Buffy's reached climax again and Spike followed.

Buffy was trying to catch her breath as the phone began ringing again. Spike reached for it.

" Sod off, we're busy, call later."

Buffy was grinning at his tone.

"Spike, I'm sorry to interrupt but it's rather urgent."

"Giles?"

"They took Mia, Xander is in the Hospital, and Willow is there with him I'm on my way now and…."

"Wait, what the bloody hell are you talking about?"

"Ah…right, sorry, I believe I'm a bit flustered. It has been over a year since I've dealt with things of this type. Mot's creatures broke in and took Mia, Xander was injured, is unconscious and in hospital. Willow wasn't wounded but is with Xander at the hospital. I'm on my way; I'd like you and Buffy to meet me there, so we can talk to Willow."

"Where?"

"St. Mary's"

Spike got off the phone. "Get dressed." He turned towards the door.

"What is it?"

Spike didn't explain. He went to the front room and began dressing.

Buffy followed and stood naked in front of him. "What's going on?"

"Get dressed now." He threw her top and bra at her.

"Spike?"

"For sod sake, put your bleeding clothes on and I'll explain as we go. Do I sound like this is something you could just stand around for."

Buffy still stood there, naked. "No, you sound, I don't know… I've never seen you like this and…"

Spike wanted to strangle her. He was trying very hard not just to leave her there but Xander was involved so he wouldn't. Spike understood that she had questions but refusing to dress before she had them answered was too much right now. He put on his coat and checked the pockets for his fags and keys. He set his jaw, sat down, put his feet up on the coffee table crossing one ankle over the other as he did and stared at her.

"Fine then, since you sodding want to chat, let's chat. Seems that shortly before the time you were hanging from the doorframe the creatures we have been hunting broke into your friends' home. Harris was hurt badly enough to be in the hospital and the things took Mia with them. Willow is alright but sitting with Harris right now, and Giles wants us there."

"Xander? Is he going to be ok?"

"He didn't say, I thought we find that out when we got there. That's part of the reason I wanted you to dress."

Spike stared at her. He was willing her to ask about Mia. She stared at him and said nothing. How could she not even ask? She'd just blackmailed Mia into staying. He'd thought after that it was obvious to Buffy how much he cared for Mia, but this lack of concern or even any reaction bothered him. Even if she cared nothing for Mia she might acknowledge some worry for him and his feelings about the situation. He continued to watch and she still made no move.

"So, should I make tea? Are we going to talk more, or are you worried about the boy?" he asked through clenched teeth.

Buffy suddenly jerked a bit as if just waking then dressed quickly.

They were in the car when she spoke. "I'm sorry about the…"

"Not now, Buffy."

"It's just that you should understand…"

"What I understand is that if you had hung up the phone and told me get dressed, I would have. I trust you Buffy. I figure that if you say something like that there is a good reason."

"It was because we just, I was…"

"Even if it had been while we were doing that I would have, and you bloody well know it. No more on the subject. These things of the lord death have Mia. She has killed a good many of them and in their own words they are `those-that-cannot-die'. I'm thinking they are looking for pay back. She saw Xander hurt. If she thinks he's dead she may have given up already. She's done that before, remember. I want to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Right, I forgot about that. We'll get her back." Buffy looked at Spike's face and realized how very upset he was. "We'll all do whatever it takes to get her back." She placed her hand over his on the gear shift and squeezed.

She glanced at him and knew he was right. She had questioned him when he would never have questioned her. She wondered about it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Willow was holding Xander's hand. "This reminds me too much of two years ago, buster. It was your eye then, not your head but it still reminds me. I was the one in the group who got the head injury, remember? Well, me and Giles he got lots of them. Your head will feel huge when you wake up but don't let that stop you from doing it, you know the waking up. Besides Mia needs you to wake up and help look for her."

"Will?" Xander's one eye opened

"Xander?" Willow jumped up from her chair.

"Mia, they really…"

"Yes."

"I was hoping that had been a nightmare."

"Sorry."

He looked straight at Willow, "Did they?" His voice became strained and quiet. "Dust?"

" NO!, no, no, no." She shook her head adamantly.

"How bad was it, was there any blood?"

"Only yours."

"That's something. So, they just…. took… her?"

"Well, it is a positive thing to see that you are awake," said Giles as he came round the curtain.

"Giles, he just woke up."

"Buffy and Spike are on their way. Will you be up to it Xander, or should we meet elsewhere?"

"Here is fine, the sooner the better. We need to find her."

A nurse came by and looked in. "Mr. Harris, you are awake. I'll let the doctor know. Do you need any pain medication? We didn't want to give you anything while you were unconscious, and I imagine you are in some pain. You broke a few bones in that fall."

"Nope, I'm good, no pain."

"No pain?"

"No."

The nurse left but a doctor came back with her. He performed a series of neurological tests and a few mobility checks.

"Still no pain?" The doctor asked.

"No, I feel fine. Can I get out of here?"

"We have to keep you in overnight for observation. You can leave tomorrow but I think I'd like to do a cat scan in the morning."

"I thought you'd done one already," said Willow.

"I want to rule out any changes. I may even order an MRI. This no- pain situation is out of the ordinary."

The doctor walked away just as Buffy came around the curtain, followed by Spike.

"No pain, Harris?"

"How many times I have to say that? No pain."

"Did Mia look you in the eye and say anything?"

"I can't remember much." His brows furrowed together. "They were after Mia. She couldn't get to her sword."

"She looked me in the eye just before they came in," responded Willow, looking confused. "I don't remember what she said."

"What'd you do during the fight?

"I ran up to the attic, and put up a protection spell."

"Not your usual course of action during a fight, is it Red? You're a stay and make spell kind of girl."

"Yeah. Wait a minute, are you saying Mia made me run?"

"Yes, our Mia has the ability to do a little thrall and if Harris has no pain her powers may be stronger than even I thought."

"I've found that her capability is stronger when she is stressed," commented Giles

"Like the astral stuff, right?" asked Buffy

"Yes, exactly."

Buffy inquired, "So Giles, did you know about the thrall?

"No, I wasn't aware of it."

"Why wouldn't she tell us?" questioned Willow.

"That's rich!" Spike scoffed.

"Because she was afraid no one would trust her," said Xander.

"So, you knew?" Buffy asked.

"No," he replied, looking at the sheet.

"I told her not to tell any of you lot. She didn't tell you, Harris, so you wouldn't feel guilty keeping secrets. That was hard for her. It doesn't matter now. The only time she used it on you was to help."

"How are we going to get her back?" asked Xander.

"Any way we can," answered Giles. "We will get everyone we can to work on this."

"I'll call the coven and contact the cyber covens, and do any research you need, Giles."

"Wesley! We need to call him," exclaimed Buffy. "He has references and contacts we don't, Mia herself said so."

"And Angel," said Spike "He needs to know. I'll call and ask him to help."

"You are going to call Angel; I thought I was the one that got hit on the head," Came from Xander.

Every one gave a short laugh.

Xander added, "Spike, I should call him. He might fall over in an undead faint if you call and ask for help."

"You know, Harris, the thing about that `no pain' situation, it'll wear off eventually. I can keep testing it out for you, see when it does."

"You wouldn't hit a guy in a hospital bed, would you?"

"Just try me. I'm not in a good mood right now."

The nurse came around the corner. "Visiting time is over."

" Phew, saved by the nurse."

Everyone began to file out.

"Spike," Xander started. Spike stopped at the curtain and looked at him.

"All joking aside, you know that's my way to… you know I only…I only really. Oh…hell, Spike, please, just go bring our girl back."

"That's my only, and I mean one and only priority right now, Xander."

Xander relaxed against his pillows. "Some how I knew you'd say that. I just feel better now having heard you say it."

Spike tilted his head just slightly, " Its only a god of death. All of us, we've defeated a lot worse and she's much stronger than Buffy ever was. I'll find her and I'll bring her back Xander."

Xander sighed, "Some how hearing you say it Spike…." He gave a small smile. "Stronger than Buffy? She may kick its ass and come home on her own. We can hope can't we?"

Spike smiled, "Our Mia would do that just to spite me by stealing the hero bit from me. You may have something there. I better get busy and try to beat her to the….."

The nurse came around the curtain, "Time sir?" She pointed to her watch.

"You're right miss." Spike smiled at her. "I've got a damsel in distress needing rescuing. I'll leave you with this one. Now be gentle with the sponge bath, it'll be a treat. His girl is quite rough with him usually. Mind you he enjoys it but none the less..." He lifted an eyebrow. "One like yourself you'll be special pleasure."

She giggled then blushed. " He's only in overnight, and not immobile. There is no sponge bath."

Spike shrugged, "Pity."

"OK, one more minute." She turned,still blushing and went around the curtain.

He looked up at Harris. "Xander, be sure, I will go find our girl."