Standing the Test of Time

Author: Erin-Starlight

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters nor am I making money off this. This is just for fun.

Summary: When captured in the aftermath of a battle Spike finds himself at the mercy of his old rival--Count Dracula. Will he be saved before it’s too late or will he be lulled into something even more dangerous than the Counts’ wrath?

Warning: This is slash. It will have some Spike/Dracula and Spike/Angel in it. This is a challenge I took up to do a Dracula slash fic with the guys. I'm not usually a slash writer but I did it for this challenge, where I had to set in up some in my last fic.

Authors Note: This story takes place after my one shot “William Restored.”

Spoilers: For the Peter David IDW comics Spike vs. Dracula 1-5.

Taking in the sight of this beauty--male beauty--panting for unneeded breath sorely tempted him to take the other man in his arms again. It had felt right to hold him, to have their bodies wrapped together where they fit so perfectly. Where Dracula now had no doubt that they belonged. One taste, one embrace would it never be enough? He had no idea what was beginning with them nor where it could lead. There had been honesty with Spike when he said that it was not simply a physical attraction. Finally admitting out loud had been the final step of accepting it. The other man was on his mind constantly, making matters that should be of the highest regard pale in comparison. To what end he still was not certain. Perhaps he would be done with Spike once and for all when they finally gave in to their urges. He could only hope at this point.

Spike was starting to return the attraction, he was sure of it. Towards the end the other vampire had been gripping him closer while struggling not to respond to the kiss. For the first time in their encounters Spike now was truly speechless, the thought brought a slight smile to the Counts' face. If that was what it took to keep him quiet Dracula would take great pleasure in silencing him in the future. His hand suddenly moved on it's on accord to trace the other's face. Spike trembled at the touch before jerking his head away.

Skittish as a newborn colt, Dracula mused.

Gently he cupped that beautiful face to turn towards him. More forcibly Spike fought against him hissing, "Let me go!" in a pained way that acted like a smack. Spike looked like a stranger then, because he had certainly never appeared that vulnerable in his presence previously. Stripped of his bravado, with no duster, or bleached hair hide behind he was not longer the rebellious devil may care brat the Count thought of him as. He was a man, perhaps who this William was as a human, maybe not. This passionate being that never gave up against impossible odds and common sense. Who could be as fierce as a lion one moment and tender with a child the next. Lived for the fight, adored poetry and was perhaps the crudest man Dracula had ever know.

A vampire that loved so deeply that he had done the unthinkable act of winning himself a soul. The same soul that Dracula could see shining in those expressive eyes. He knew he was doomed then. There was no escaping the inevitable and he had grown exceedingly tired of the constant struggle against it anyway. The rivalry, the long feud between them had shifted since taking Spike as his prisoner. He was not the annoying lesser vampire anymore, not a bargaining chip to ensure his revenge, not even a body to be used and to be rid of once his lust was sated. He shared Spikes' confusion yet he was adapting to these strange changes. Dracula now accepted the fate he knew he was doomed to, that any fool with eyes could see.

That he was in the process of falling deeply, madly in love with Spike and nothing could stop it. Part of him wanted to rally against it hating to be forced against his sanity to fall into such a thing. How could someone he used to disregard easily overtake his mind so completely? Spike was not the sort to be forgotten though. Loud, blunt, childish, brave, willful, caring...how could he resist? The schism of his character was alluring with it's complexities. A former feared scourge turned champion of the weak and yet...Dracula felt protective of him. The urge to take the frightened unsure man into his arms was overwhelming.

-- --

Spike shivered hating to know that it wasn't from the chill in the wind. His head had yet to come back down from the clouds leaving him reeling from the dizziness. Damn sell out, why did the poof have to kiss him? Why did he have to like it? Why did he now want to do things that Harris' crappy static set couldn't pick up with the dark tosser? This was bad, this was Illyria-found-out-you-killed-her-roses bad. A million thoughts ran through Spike head ranging from punches, fleeing over the hill to old fashion insults. However all these meaningless ideas fade when sharp fathomless eyes meet his before flickering to his kissed bruised mouth.

Sod it all if that wasn't the best kiss I had in--Dracula appears to be a mind reader as he ducked his head to descend upon Spike lips again. Resistance crumbled soon and Spike briefly wondered why his hands were tangled up in the Van Helsing rejects' hair. Oh right, they were snogging.

Nails scrapped against his skin alerting Spike that his shirt was being pulled up. Oddly the Count had managed to lay Spike on his back and was draped over him like a second skin. Stomach exposed eager fingers nimbly unbuttoned his shirt. It was all going too fast for his brain to catch up with. He just knew that he liked being treated like he was something to be treasured. That was too rare. He found that he craved it with an intensity that he never knew he possessed. Skilled hands drew the folds of his shirt apart to rain kisses from neck downwards. Spikes' eyes slipped open to watch Dracula treat his nipples to teasing nips. It was wrong, he knew it but hell if it didn't feel amazing.

Sensual licks were given slipping into his naval when the darker man met Spikes' stunned gaze. Without glancing away his fingers slid down to the fastening of the leather trousers.

"Master, you are needed!" Came a shriek jolting both vampires. Muttering about timing Dracula sighed, casted a regretful look at Spike and went to the woman who had called him.

Spike on the other hand didn't care what the big crisis was, he was relieved that things hadn't gotten further with Don Juan over there. That's what he told himself.

-- --

Dracula had been short with Madam Drake, informing her to escort Spike back to the castle and flying off without hearing her reply. He had not dared to glance back at Spike lest his temptation to ravish him take hold again. Hopefully whatever had upset Adela would be worth the interruption. He sincerely doubted it. Seeing the old woman waiting for him on the balcony in her robes looking haggard made him feel slightly ashamed for putting his love life in front of his people.

"Adela, what news do you bring?"

"Nothing good, it appears Mihai has used ancient magic and is opening a portal. I'm not worn out enough to miss the count of arrives though. We're lucky the numbers are so low. He could bring an army next."

"Can you--"

"I need to gather my strength which I might remind you is severally weakened at the moment." She glared pointedly. "I think it best if we discussed options now to prepare for the worst."

The Dark lord had to grace to appear humbled by her words. He should have been the one to think of their next move and would have been if not for more pleasant distractions.

"All in good time." Adela answered as if knowing what he was pondering. For the next three hours the pair made plans for the battles to come. Half an hour in Adela said that she felt out of sorts but insisted that it had to be pushed aside until they finished. Once done and satisfied with the results Dracula found a butler fidgeting in the hallway. Behind him stood his beloved brides all appearing rather nervous.

"Tell me." He immediately demanded.

"Sir, it seems that Spike...he..." The butlers' eyes refused to meet his. Growing impatient Dracula grabbed the man by his collar lifting him with one hand into the air.

"What about Spike?"

"He...he...he is no where to be found my lord!" The man cried out in blind panic. In his shock Dracula dropped the man causing a yelp to issue from him.

"That is not possible." The vampire lord whispered. "Search again!"

"This would explain the disturbance I felt if true." Adela remarked earning a harsh look from the dark man that made the others in the hallways recoil.

"You were suppose to keep Spike contained, Adela." He hissed dangerously advancing on her menacingly. "You claimed that you were up to the task!"

Obviously not liking his tone the Elder snorted, "IF Spike has broken the barrier that would mean that I did not have all the facts about him when I cast the spell. Which I recall mentioning to you."

"You never--" She cut off his denial with an annoyed jerk of her hand.

"I most certainly did. Did I or did I not ask you if he was Angelus? Did I not tell you that I worried about the enchantments I did not working? Did I not mention Spikes' aura bring off?" When he was unable to refute her questions she dared to come closer to him. "I cast a spell to enclose all vampires that were not part of your clan. A standard one that works within your borders since you have a home in one select location, otherwise my clan would cast it more often." The gypsy muttered the last part ruefully to herself.

"It should last, IF Spike is your average run of the mill vampire. The spell works for vampires you see because of what they lack, I had to do a slight revision to make sure your family wouldn't be affected. However the only one I knew of that it wouldn't affect entirely was Angelus. He has what would truly screw up this protection...tell me, does Spike have a soul?"

Dracula was speechless.

--

Hours ago Spike had fled what he liked to think of as "the scene of the crime" before Madam Drake had finished speaking with the wanker. After an half an hour of wandering he had ran smack into an invisible wall. Cursing his luck he punched his fists into it in frustration. It was the last straw in a truly fantastic day (he was being sarcastic, mind) and wanted nothing more than something to pound into. He had lost count of how many days he had been trapped within these walls. There had been no way out. To make matters worse his hope of being rescued was dashed everyday. Not that he didn't pride himself on being his own man but a bloke could use some assistance every now and then.

Angel didn't care, not that it was entirely surprising, it still hurt. Would have thought that he would have come with Blue, and Junior by now. Dracula had been putting the moves on Spike and the younger vampire had actually started to like it. A lot. This was very bad. It was badness, badness-y.

Good god, now I sound like a Scooby. He shuddered and hit harder, not caring that he had drawn blood. His wrists burned and cricked. With a punch that vibrated throughout his entire being he screamed as his first slipped through the barrier. The guards had discovered him, shouting but Spike was too busy searching for the crack he had created. Seizing the solid energy he could feel crackling between his fingers. He pushed throwing his whole weight behind it. The wall gave more room for him to slip through sending him crashing to the ground on the other side. The men raced after him failing to find the crack that Spike had created and slamming against it with a sickening crunch. Spike stood there for an uncertain moment then nodded as if he had beaten them himself.

"That's right." To himself Spike added, "Good plan." as if he had come up with the accident days ago.

Besides himself with giddiness at his new freedom Spike took no time rushing off into the unknown. It hadn't occurred to him that he simply didn't know North from South. He didn't have much in the ways of a plan though he never really did. Spike was more of a "making it up as I go along" sort. Plans were rubbish that could be thrown out anyway. At least that was what he believed. Two and a half hours had past before he started to doubt his philosophy.

The thrill of escape had worn off some and he was pretty sure he was going in circles. Stupid frilly shirt prat, it was all his fault for putting the make on him! Another half an hour later Spike had added Angel, the Scoobies, Buffy, Drusilla, Darla and countless others to his blame list. Not simply content to rage at his current plight he fumed added past wrongs too. He'd forgotten why exactly it was Angels' fault that he had ended up souled, a ghost, and now walking the Romanian country side--but he had no doubts Angel was to blame.

Stupid Pounce with his pointy stupid hair! Hi, I'm Angel the broody Avenger! Everyone likes me and praises me because I had everything given to me for being a good puppet! If I'm really good and don't kill too many people I'll be a real boy someday! Which means I'll get to look at me face in the mirror for hours and poof my hair longer.

Amused at his own thoughts Spike didn't hear them until it was too late. If he had he might have avoided the falling rocks. The last voice he heard was a gruff man telling them that they had one of Dracula's whores.

Son of a...