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.

"What does it do?"

Magic wasn't an area Carey had practiced in her studies. Her first watcher had thought that it would be wiser to have her learn another set of skills in case her "career" as a slayer fell through. They had never gotten the chance to get past the basics and Roger only seemed to care that she followed orders.

"I'm working on the spell that's going to break me free of the curse." Mihai confided. "Took awhile to gather everything I needed but once I get this done--whammo!"

"Whammo?"

"Yep!" He grinned back cheekily.

"This looks like an intense spell, you must have to channel it through yourself." Shut up already, Carey internally told herself. Babbling hadn't been her thing since before Mary died. Magic made her feel giddy though, in a way that most people felt about Christmas or so the Charlie Brown cartoon lead her to believe. "Nevermind, stupid question. Most magic has to be channeled through yourself to work."

"Not all though. Most seem to think it comes from a wand but in can be channeled through various mediums." Crouching in the center of his outlined circle he offered his hand. "Come on, I'll show you."

"Uh, no thanks. I sort of like the idea of not getting in the middle of a portal."

"No portal promise, I can give you an example. Come on, it'll be cool. Magics' fun not at all emo like the mass media wants you to think." Impishly he closed his hand opening it with a flourish to reveal a fresh lily.

Carey rolled her eyes suppressing the groan that welled up in her throat. "Yeah, it's more the cliche David Copperfield type of thing, huh?"

"Ouch, don't pull any punches do ya? Guess I'll take to up it a notch."

Flame bellowed up from the outline of the circle consuming his form. Nothing remained when the fire died leaving Carey a little bemused but far from impressed. Then little pinpoints of multicolored light was twirling around her almost like it was dancing to a special kind of music of it's own beat. Tentatively she touched a white burst of light compelled by curiosity perhaps to test for an illusion. Pure joy erupted from her fingertips spreading through her limps until it took her over completely. This wasn't a type of bottled drug that made her feel what someone else thought she should feel. It was innocent unbridled delight much like a child would find in discovering a new toy.

Somehow Carey knew that Mihai wasn't forcing her to feel this way it was more like an offer. Once accepted the emotions it invoked were taken from within her somewhere buried deep inside. Magic could be a dangerous thing but when used like this is was breathtaking. She forgotten how beautiful it was to witness it in person. How much it reminded her of Mary and her unflinching resolve to wield it responsibly. The connection Mihai had forged with her through her somewhat misguided curiosity showed her what he had meant by channeling power. This was what Mary felt every time she used a spell? God.

"Crap, I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you."

She hadn't noticed the tears until then. Tears of joy? Sorrow? Hell, she had felt something. "You didn't. I'm fine."

"I just wanted to show you."

"Why? What did you get out of it?" Everyone wanted something in her experience and they were strangers. Naturally there had to be some catch. Sure enough Mihai blushed guilty rubbing the back of his neck out of habit. "I knew it."

"It's not like that. You're different from the others, sadder and I wanted to see you happy."

"Why?" She asked again.

"Like I said you're different from them, you're not ready to hear the rest. Not yet." The mage wasn't being entirely forthright with her. Irksome? Yeah, still Carey thought that she would have been more troubled if he had been more up front with her. She would play along for now.

In the shadows out of the other slayers range Jane watched the scene with growing unease. Why they were still there didn't make any sense to her. Mihai had refused to help them capture Angelus and his minions yet he allowed them to remain at his lair. They should have been out stopping the demons from slaughtering the masses. Carey of all of them was letting her self be sidetracked by pretty lights.

With a small inaudible huff Jane fled back to their watcher needing some reassurance that they were not abandoning their mission. Back with that disgusting piece of demon filth he had taught her a valuable lesson. Carey had been right about Roger, he knew the score where else the rest of the Council were allowing themselves to be corrupted. Her faith had been with the power god had seen fit to give her. Turning away from the responsibility to protect the people from monsters did not sit well with her. Jane refused to let this stand.

Much to her displeasure Roger was sitting down at the only actual chair at the main table where Mihai had his tools of the trade scattered about. Examining the items he mumbled to himself as he categorized the pieces. "If you have something to say my girl then don't waste my time by hovering about. State your business."

"Sir, are we going to engage Angelus soon?"

He laughed giving Jane a rare look of fondness. "Eager to get back to work are we? One of the first things the Council impresses among it's trainees, at least in my day, was patience. There are elements that one has to excise this in especially when opportunities strike. Take this set up this boy has." Roger chuckled to himself raising a sharp looking dagger.

"This is a rare Coongasu blade. There's only five in existence with the ability to drain energy...he's using it as a letter opener. Not everything you see is what it seems. A watcher learns this very early on my dear. Now let me teach you another lesson."

Journal of Dracula,

I am given the opportunity to strike my enemy a deadlier blow. The irony of having to act now when my own desire is so close at hand is not lost on me. By leaving I am risking the chance had securing Spike as my consort. Angelus seeks to stop me from accomplishing this. For years we have taken no interest in each others' movements save for the dealings with a certain rebellious vampire. Fitting I think that this would spur him on so. No matter what name he goes by this Angel takes from me through some means. This will not go on any further.

I know that my mind must be on the battle ahead yet all I can think of is my stallion. Stubborn, beautiful and stronger than any being I have ever encountered. I have already made my plans for my return leaving instructions that Adela has chided me for. Yes, I confess it is a bit presumptuous of me and again it shows my lack of focus. It can not be helped, I am an utter fool with matters of the heart. This foolish? Not for an age. I feel young again, exhilarated, free.

"Hello Spike."

Seemed that Spike didn't have to search far for Angel. The brunet was sitting causally as you please at the window in Spikes' chambers. As pissed off as he had been the sight had startled him. While pleasant enough for the human senses the room reeked of sex to the vampires'. Vlad and him had been active not too long ago. Memory clicked into place reminding him of when Buffy had seen him shagging Anya.

Flustered Spike felt like a harlot though he knew that he shouldn't have. Angel and him weren't an item though his reason for confronting the older man was because of his possessive nature. Bloody typical this was. They never wanted him yet they always cried foul when he did move on. Dru, Buffy and now sodding Angel.

"Wot the hell are you doing Angel?" With Vlad leaving, and the flower exchange fresh in his mind Spike was itching for a fight. A means to vent all his frustration. Nothing had ever been as satisfying as Angel baiting.

"We need to talk. Sit down."

"Don't tell me wot to do! 'M not your kid and even he wouldn't listen t' you!"

"Spike...please sit down." Angel was obviously willing himself to keep his temper in check knowing that this could and likely would get out of their control. It always did with them. He didn't use 'please' often with Spike and it showed. The smaller vampire fell silent deciding to lean against the wall to half compromise without having to actually sit. Sighing Angel started again. "I realize that I don't have a say in what you do. I never did even when I was trying to teach you how to hunt. Though I'd like to think that we changed since then. I guess I wasn't the most understanding guy when you came back through the amulet--"

"Bloody understatement of the year."

"Hey, I'm trying! You got to admit that you don't make things easy either!" No longer calm enough to remain seated Angel rose to his feet slowly pacing the space between the window and Spike. "I went through a similar phase so I know--"

"Hold on a tick. You 'went through a similar phase'?"

"Didn't I just say that?" The brunet complained. "Stop interrupting me!"

"Wot the hell are you taking 'bout Angel? Don't rightly remember hearing this chapter of 'The Young and the great Forehead.' Did you meet a dashing bloke that gave you that special feeling down below? Did you touch Wes' no-no area? Be honest pet, I won't judge. I'll laugh but I won't judge."

"Wha--no! I'm talking about when I made the mistake of sleeping with a soulless vampire when I was in a depression! You know, Darla?" This was quickly getting away from him. This was supposed to be a serious conversation to help another champion get back on track. First he was too mean for neglecting Spike now Angel was going to be deemed as too nosy. What the hell?

"'Couse I know 'bout her. Wot's that got to do with anything? You seemed fine enough when I gave Harm a tumble." Aside from the eye rolls Angel hadn't even commented on the whole soulless bit.

"First of all you knew that it was a mistake when you did it! Repeatedly! Souled and unsouled!" Abruptly the pacing stopped as Angel backpedaled. Hands on his hips, eyes wide with annoyance and teeth gritted he swung around to move into Spikes' personal space. "Second of all you were never serious with her and third this is Harmony! She's not exactly an evil mastermind! She made little pink unicorn post-it notes to remind herself of her meetings with Hamilton when she betrayed us! They actually said 'super secret plotting against Angel with Hamilton'!"

Spike nodded solemnly. "Right. ...S'wot's this got t' do with me?"

Winding up the poof was shamelessly immature but it felt brilliant. Truth be told he missed it when they had been separated. The little banter they would engage in, getting Angel furious. He didn't care a wit that he was pushing the other vampire closer and closer to losing his temper.

"You're letting your dick do the thinking for you, brain trust! You're giving it up for a guy you claimed was your arch-enemy! The one that swore vengeance against all of us! So hey, call me a skeptic for thinking something else was going on!"

"Oi! Not giving it up to anyone!"

"So what he's rolling over for you?" Angel challenged.

"Why not? You did!"

Instantly Spike regretted what he said wishing he could take those words back. This was the most directly they had spoken of that night since it happened. The reminder of it only complicated an already complex situation. Angels' face closed off and Spike just knew they would go on ignoring the giant elephant in the room per usual. For once Angel surprised him.

"Yeah, I did. I never meant for--"

"Save it, alright Angel? Know it was a mistake." What he really didn't need was to hear how much someone had been horrified of sleeping with him once the lust wore off. Been there, still spotting the not so healed over bruises.

"No, listen I know I'm not good at this kind of thing. And I sort of liked what we had before that. I never had anyone that really got it, you know?" Irritated with his own inability to say anything emotional in non-awkward ways Angel sighed absently running a hand though his spiked hair. "Sure Darla kind of did at the end but not how you get it. There's always been this thing between us, sort of like a scale of how much of each other we can stand. We can only do so much until it all comes tumbling down. I knew that but I've always been weak and you were so..."

"I was what Angel? Available? Easy?" Spike bit out hating how much his hurt shone though.

"No! It wasn't like that!" He denied. With roughly a foot separating them Angels' big brown eyes bore into Spike as if searching for the answers there. "You were amazing." His voice was small, barely a whisper filled with awe like a little boy discovering snow for the first time. "I couldn't take my eyes off of you."

"I remember."

Heady images of that night replayed in both their minds. Caresses that touched further than mere flesh. Kisses that never seemed to end. Bodies that fit so perfectly together that they seemed to have been crafted for each other. "I never meant to..."

The fragile moment broke just like that. Spike smiled ruefully at himself for getting drawn in like that. "Never do."

"Hear me out Spike. This thing you have with him, you know it can't work out. Let's even forget about the whole revenge part. He's a soulless vampire that kills his prey. You're a champion with a soul. Can you really stay with him knowing what he does every night? "

For that Spike didn't have an answer.