V.I.S.S
by Lilithangel

4. Auctioning Spike

Spike stared out at the expectant crowd, his brain a complete blank. Up until this moment he had believed that facing hell and telling the slayer how he felt had been the most terrifying events in his unlife.

But facing this group of vampires all waiting to hang on his every word, this was the true meaning of fear.

People began to get restive as the silence lengthened. Spike cast a panicked glance at Harmony. Realising what was happening her eyes widened.

Quickly she stepped close to him.

"This is your fault," he hissed at her "get me out of this."

"Hang on, let me think," she whispered back. "Okay, just go with me, I've got an idea."

She turned to the crowd "Spike was not expecting to make a speech tonight so instead he has agreed to a special auction event."

Spike stared at Harmony, suddenly uncertain about what she was about to do, but it was too late.

"Tonight we are pleased to offer a one off opportunity to truly understand what it means to be a champion. Yes fellow VISS's, the successful bidder will get to spend a day with Spike!" She declared dramatically.

"Walk a day with Spike, see what he sees, do what he does. Learn first hand what it was like to regain his soul, see the inner workings of Wolfram & Hart. Ladies and Gentlemen what am I bid for this once in a unlifetime offer?"

"Harmony..." Spike began desperately as a flood of bids drowned him out.

"That's right...I have two hundred, three hundred..." Harmony ignored Spike as she continued to play the crowd, "come on folks, think of the opportunities. Who knows, you may get a chance to meet Angel and talk with both Champions. Five hundred...six hundred..."

Rapidly the bidding reached a thousand and kept on going. Spike's panic was tempered by a growing sense of pleasure as everyone tried to win the chance to be with him.

He began to scan the crowd determining who was making the bids and who seemed most likely to win.

Soon it became clear that the serious contenders were the two matronly women who had successfully bid for the autographs, the young male with the liking for leather and Kathy the vampire with the Soul Purpose T-shirt.

Spike was pretty sure he did not want the male to win; he was checking Spike out with far too much attention. And the Kathy woman was just too scary to even consider.

Spike found himself backing the two older ladies, he figured they would be easy to entertain and if they proved to be too much for him he could always palm them off on Angel. In fact the thought of Angel being backed into a corner by the two of them wanting to get his autograph and know all about his love life, brought a pleasant smile to his face.

The smile threw the two ladies into a complete dither and they almost lost track of the bidding with the young male in the lead.

Gathering themselves together, the two put their heads in close whispering quietly. One of them stood up and called out triumphantly, "Two thousand dollars!"

There was an awed silence and the other two bidders quickly shook their heads.

Harmony looked around and then declared "Sold, to Maud and Gladys for two thousand dollars!"

The crowd broke out into applause and everyone gathered around Maud and Gladys to congratulate them.

Spike turned to Harmony "I will get you for this Harm, I promise I will" he hissed between clenched teeth before turning to the crowd and taking a bow. He jumped off the stage and went over to the two lady vampires. Reaching out he gallantly bowed and kissed both ladies on the hand.

"Ladies, it will be an honour to spend the day with you both" he said, "Harmony will make all the arrangements and we will send a car to pick you up on a day that is convenient."

He turned to Harmony "I have to go now, Harmony I will speak to you later but now I have to go" ("and get drunk" he added in an undertone).

As he exited Spike was mobbed by excited VISS members who wanted to shake his hand and touch him. Finally breaking free and resisting the urge to go on a rampage Spike made it to the door.

Shutting it behind him he looked around in desperation, there must be a pub somewhere close. Quickly he headed off down the street, determined to get falling down drunk as quickly as possible and to think of a way out of the fix Harmony had got him into.
 

A/N: thanks for the idea Buffyfan (); it has opened a whole new avenue for this story.

Thanks to everyone who is reviewing this, I am loving the comments and suggestions they are giving me all sorts of evil ideas!

Next time, Spike finds alcohol and overhears Harmony getting him into more trouble.