Subject: [BA_Gutter] Dream Once More 32
Date: Fri, 23 Apr 2004 03:37:47 -0000
From: "Tracy" <teaclaybourne@yahoo.com>


Dream Once More 32
Author: T. Claybourne
Rating: up to NC-17
Disclaimer:  20th Century Fox Film Corporation and Mutant Enemy own
all the characters except for my little Mary Sue named Emma.  I do
this for entertainment purposes not money.
Comments: Please pretty please!
 Summary/ Teaser: Buffy comes to LA but things are different.  Angel
is not as she remembers and Spike is with some one else.

The questions flowed around in the car on the way back from the
airport.  Emma and Spike answering them patiently.  Emma was in her
element.  Her email friends were finally there in person, and her
excitement seemed to reverberate in the car.  Spike smiled at her
joy.  It felt good to see her happiness.    The thought was shocking;
when did making others happy make him feel like this?  The changes in
him since he'd gotten the soul were quite overwhelming.  Of course,
he knew Emma had a lot to do with it too; her unconditional love had
given him a confidence in himself that he had never had before.

Spike watched the British invasion in the back seat in the rear view
mirror.  Yawns were abundant.  Emma had unbuckled her seatbelt and
was turned around in her seat, facing them.  Spike wanted to laugh at
Giles's reaction to her knowledge of the occult, as well as other
things she had read about while working for Wolfram and Hart.  Spike
knew Giles realized it was all stuff that only watchers and a few of
the Scoobies had known.  Suddenly, a motorcycle pulled in front of
them and Spike had to slam on the brakes.  Out of instinct, he held
Emma from falling into the windshield.

"Emma you daft bin…...  Pet, turn around and put your belt on!" Spike
snapped angrily.

The car fell silent for a moment, the quiet interrupted by Emma
buckling in, then bursting into laughter.

"'snot funny, you bloody well could have been killed and taken me
with you; broken windshield means sunlight."

Emma tried not to laugh but some giggles came forward. "Yes, Mom!"
she said, finally stifling her laughter.

The two in the back silently watched the scene in front.

Spike sent Emma a menacing glance but only managed to make her giggle.

Spike was ready to brood over it when Emma kissed him on the
cheek. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you.  Please don't go all Angel-
like."

"Woman, you know better than to mention that name during an
argument.  Besides, it's not possible now he's all evil again."

Emma answered him by grasping his hand.

"Any luck on destroying whatever part of the Master's bones he has
already ingested?" Giles asked in an attempt to change the subject,
which was touching but uncomfortable since it involved Spike.

* * * * *

Angel looked around, wondering how he had gotten here.  Then the
memories of the prior weeks came rushing back. The hunger he had was
a deserved pain.  He had to get back to the hotel, get the others to
help him.  Things were different since had he remembered about his
sister.  The First Evil was no longer present, and he wasn't
experiencing memory loss any longer.  He dressed and crept passed the
other vampires who were lounging in the living area.  He would have
to send a team in to dispose of them; he had had enough of this death
and destruction.  Thinking of the killing he had done, a power seemed
to run through him.  Why would he feel this if the First's influence
had been destroyed?  He wandered further back into the underground
dwelling, where he found the two slayers he'd killed and turned.
They would be waking soon.  In his heart he knew he should finish
them off now but something kept him from doing it.  Then he heard
something.  A familiar scent invaded his senses, and he mentally
pictured the vampire Jareth.  He saw him entering through the sewer.
When had he developed this psychic thing?  Wasn't that usually
Drusilla's gig?

* * * * *

Emma chatted with Willow and Giles while Spike thought about his
reaction in the car.  He had to do something different because being
a nag was not his thing.  As they pulled up to the hotel, he
overheard Emma telling Giles about one of the rare books Angel had
left hidden in the hotel's office.  It seemed as though Giles was
looking forward to reading the thing.  Glancing to the opposite side
of the back seat, he saw Willow sitting quietly.

Emma and Giles were deep in discussion as they entered the hotel.
They walked to the office and then back out, Emma with book in hand.
She grabbed Giles's room keys and headed up the stairs, carrying one
of Giles's larger bags.  Spike smiled as he watched them go.  His
Emma was surprising Rupert with her knowledge and brilliance and that
was enough for him.  Willow looked up at him.

"You look different, Spike."

"'S just the absence of the duster, and the clothes with colors
besides black," he smiled.

"No, I noticed that, but that isn't it.  Don't know how, but you
look… younger, maybe."

That made him chuckle.

"You act different too.  Why?" Willow asked.

Spike just glanced the direction Emma and Rupert had gone.  Willow
tilted her head a bit.
"Yeah, that's right, all lovey with our recently resurrected slayer.
That's two for you now, right?"

He saw her smile and didn't comment but asked, "Where's the bird I
saw you with last?"

"Kennedy?  We still see each other, just not often.  Seems being a
slayer kind of took her over; she said she had been waiting for it
all her life, yada yada."

"Sorry."

"No, I mean it's no big deal; I am busy, and besides, I always
thought it would end, the whole tragedy brings people together
thing.  Kind of like a shipboard romance without the fun in the sun
and the seasickness."

Spike grabbed her room keys and carried her bags up the stairs for
her.

"Red, I know this may sound crazy but, well, I am pretty sure Angel
turned those two slayers.  Why else would he have taken them? They
know a lot about your organization and ours so…"

"We need to dust them?"

"No…that's the soddin' crazy I mentioned.  You have put Angel's soul
back in him twice.  Was wondering, could you tweak that spell,
leavin' out the possibility of them losing theirs with the happiness
thing?  If you did it before it all breaks loose then, well…"

"They may help us from the inside?  That's not crazy, it's
brilliant.  Why didn't we think of that last year?  Of course you had
your soul, and you were really the only vampire we could tolerate
being around, but it might have come in handy.  I guess maybe when
Caleb showed up we kinda concentrated on him and the First. Let me
take a little nap and I'll check into it.  I'll need a couple of Orbs
of Thesula; can you get a hold of a them?"

"Sure, pet; it won't be too much mojo for you, will it?"

Both her eyebrows went up. "Witch here.  I changed the whole world
and filled it with slayers, remember?"

"Think I heard it took a lot out of ya though?"

"Pfft, the soul thing is nothing; don't worry about…wait a minute,
did you just worry about me?"

Spike looked off; the remainder of the Big Bad seemed to shrivel
right there in front of the littlest witch.

Willow cocked her head.  "It's a good thing, Spike.  I can't believe
I'm saying this, but I think I may be having feelings of like for
you."

"Bloody hell, witch, stop now before I get…" He opened the door and
dropped her bags inside.

"Get what?"

His eyebrow went up and Willow saw that familiar smirk.

"Hungry for a red-headed Wicca's blood."

Willow rolled her eyes and Spike slammed her door.

* * * * *

Jareth made his way stealthily to Drusilla's room.  Over a year ago
he had found her and enlisted her to help him with this project.  The
fact that he was employed by a powerful company that could actually
rule the world had inspired him.  The placement of Angelus as the CEO
was even better.  Soon the Master would emerge and, well, Jareth
would be at the Master's right hand, wouldn't he?  Drusilla could
keep Angelus's body happy in bed while Jareth practically ruled.
Thinking of the victims, the power, and vampires ruling over the cows
was exhilarating.

Once Jareth reached the room he saw that both Drusilla and Angel were
missing.

"Looking for me, Jareth?" Angel surprised him from behind.

"Yes, sir, I wanted to check that you were alright.  Harmony said you
haven't been in for the last two days."

"And you just happened to find me here by accident?"

Jareth looked up at the larger and much older vamp.  He had to choose
his words carefully or else the plan could fail.  He might even lose
his life.

"You know that isn't true.  Drusilla and I have been in contact.  We
are almost all that remains of the Aurelius family."

" I left that family- what a word to describe it!- over a hundred
years ago."

"Yes, I know.  It's just, well, when you got the job and I realized
who you were, I found Drusilla and…"

"And you are trying to bring me back to it?"

"No, well yes, sort of."

Angel placed his palms together and smiled.  "Actually, it is a good
idea."

Jareth looked surprised and relieved.  From his briefcase he pulled
several pints of blood.  "Are you hungry, sir?  This is a special
blend."

Angel smiled.  Good, he wouldn't have to worry about what Dru brought
back to him.

"I prefer it warm, but this will do for now."

Jareth's grinned twistedly as Angel finished off all the blood.

* * * * *

Wes awoke to the sound of the phone ringing.  It was Fred. She
quickly explained their progress and the need to test the Aurelian
line of blood.

"Spike should fit the bill there.  William the Bloody was sired by
Drusilla and Drusilla by Angel, Angel by Darla, and Darla by the
Master, so he is in the direct line."

"Right, I'll send someone to draw some of his blood now.  Thanks,
Wes."

"Fred, will it be ready for tonight?  The plan is to make our move
before sunset."

"I won't have any real proof it will work except for the lab tests,
but I think so.  I can meet you at the Hyperion when I have the final
results."

* * * * *

Spike had made his way back to his rooms.  Grabbing a beer and
sitting on the couch, he kicked back and lit a cigarette.  The
morning's happenings came back to him and he felt the strain in his
pants.  Emma had most likely ruined him.  He should never have given
in and tasted her.  The thought of her hot blood running down his
throat haunted him.  Trying to ignore the growing need for her, he
stretched out on the sofa.  In moments he had drifted off, leaving
his cigarette burning in the ashtray.

* * * * *

Emma watched as Giles's eyes drooped.  "Time for me to go; you're
feeling the jet lag."

Giles took his glasses off and began to clean them.  "I think you may
be right.  A short nap might help."

"Yeah, we need you all refreshed for this evening." She winked at
him.

Emma headed to the rooms she shared with Spike, thinking that a nap
sounded nice.  Seeing Spike asleep on the couch, she stood over him
for a moment.  Should she wake him or just curl up on the bed without
him?  Emma sighed and turned toward the bedroom.  Still seeming sound
asleep, Spike reached out and grasped her wrist.

"Where do you think you're going?"

The speed and unexpectedness of his move made Emma gasp in
surprise. "Spike, I thought you were asleep?"

"Was, love, but I woke up when I caught your scent."

Emma pulled at him and he stood.  "Want to take a short nap with me?"

Spike's smirk appeared.  "Depends, pet, are we to actually sleep?"

Emma turned slowly and with a languid grace walked to the bed. "At
first."

Spike followed, wondering how he would ever sleep with the tension in
his pants.

A knock at their door interrupted the moment.  Fred and a whitecoated
phlebotomist stood on the other side.  Fred explained the situation
and asked Spike if he would mind a blood draw.

"Bloody hell, you want me to give my blood up, and in such a damn
clinical way?"

Emma had made her way back in the room.  "Go on, Big Bad, be brave
I't's not like Fred is planning to use it like that military group
did.

He looked away.  Damn but that woman knew him too well.  Sure hot
branding Irons, Bugs under his skin, fire fisted Demons , Hell Gods
and the like no problem but ever since that Bloody trip to the vet he
had two years ago needles in his body were one thing Spike had a
problem with.

With out a word he sat down and bared the inner part of his fore
arm.."

The phlebotomist made preparations and wiped his arm with alcohol.
This made Emma giggle because it wasn't like Spike had to worry about
an infection.  The professional had drawn three tubes of blood and
was cleaning up before Spike realized it.  Spike sat with a cotton
ball held to his arm and Emma giggled again.

"Honey, the withdrawal point should be healed by now; you don't need
to keep that cotton ball there."

Spike shook his head at his automated response to everything.

Fred held up the dark fluid and looked at it.  "This will do."

"Bleeding better, `cause I'm not about to do that again," Spike
blustered, trying to save face for his earlier hesitation.

"Isn't it beautiful," smiled Emma, surprising both Spike and Fred. "I
mean, it seems a bit thicker than ours and when you held it to the
light it had this spectacular color to it."

Spike was starting to feel a bit hungry with all the blood talk, so
he excused himself and went to the fridge.  Fred and Emma chatted
briefly, then he heard the door close.

"What's it taste like?" asked Emma as he swallowed down the mug he'd
poured himself.

Spikes eyebrow went up.  "Pig's blood."

Emma rolled her eyes.  "No, I mean, blood?"

Spike shook his head.  "What's with all this blood fascination
suddenly?"

Emma shrugged.  "Just wondering what I tasted like."

"Oh, well, you were like an ambrosia; soft, smooth, hot, with a small
tang, like a merlot but with a hint of something spicier." Spike
smiled at the memory.

He watched her swallow almost as if he'd whet her appetite.

"Did Buffy taste like that?"

"Never tasted her, Emma.  What are you on about?"

"But I've seen her scars.  I figured…"

"Angel and Dracula."

Emma laughed.  "Dracula.  You're teasing, right?"

"'Fraid not; he is real and the poofter even owes me eleven quid."

Emma's eyebrows knit together.  "You know, for a slayer there is a
lot I don't know about vampires."

"Know me, love."

She beamed at him.  "Yeah, I do, don't I."

"Don't get cocky now, I still have secrets."

"Cocky.  What a strange word to use."

Spike grinned, then lifted her to his lips.  He carried her to the
bed while the kiss continued.

* * * * *

Buffy woke and panicked when she didn't find Wesley next to her.
Gathering the sheet around herself, she rushed from the bedroom.  She
berated herself after finding him reading a book.

Putting her hand on her hip and leaning a bit, she asked in mock
indignation, "Humph, a book is more interesting than waking me?"

"Just going over the ritual, seeing if we could try anything else."

"That's good; I know I was being selfish," Buffy grinned as she let
the sheet drop.

Wes's eyebrows went up.  "You appear to be a bit naked, Miss Summers."

"Oh, you noticed?"

"I noticed."

"Well, do we have time for you to do something about it?"

"I think so, since it is not yet noon."

"Well what are you waiting for?"

"Come here?" He smiled. "I'll show you."

* * * * *

Fred ran the test over and over again.  It worked perfectly.  The
final concoction involved an extract of garlic blossoms, a derivative
of silver nitrate, and saline to carry it.

Knox was always so amazed at her.  She was usually the lynch pin in
every plan the group made.

"Fred, honey, want to celebrate?"

"More like go to bed."

"I could go for that."

Fred looked at him as if he were crazy.  "Knox, our relationship is
nowhere near that."

"I know, I'm sorry.  It was a poorly spoken joke, from lack of sleep."

Fred smiled then, but still she felt strange.  She had felt… it
wasn't actually revulsion, more like distaste at the thought of being
with Knox like that.  And then why did it feel better when she
thought of Wes joking the same way?  Trying not to think about it any
more, she had the lab staff prepare the solution in several syringes
and a few darts for her dart gun.

TBC