Necessary Evil

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the bunny, Chuck and his friend.

Summary: Sometimes you just have to do stuff, evil or not some things are just necessary.

Reviews: Yes, please. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! Readers Rock but Reviewers RULE!

A/N: Yes, I know I have to update Silence but I've hit a block there. I know where I want it to go but the people have dug in their literary feet and refuse to cooperate. I think it's a conspiracy with the evil bunny responsible for this fic.

Many thanks and a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to WayWard Childe. You've been a tremendous help with this fic, you rock Partner! Hugs and kisses for your special day.

'I love you.' 'No, you don't... but thanks for saying it.' Spike rolled over restlessly as the words haunted his dreams.

Tap, tap, tap.

A hesitant knock on the door drew Spike from his sleep. His internal clock told him it was well past sundown, so he couldn't really get overly angry with the wake-up.

"Hold on a minute." The drowsy vampire called as he retrieved his filthy jeans from the bathroom floor. Decently covered, he pulled the door part-way open. Chuck stood there nervously.

"Hi. I just wanted to bring you this little fridge. And I got you something to eat. Looked like you hadn't had anything in a while so I thought I'd get you started." The clerk babbled a bit at Spike's not-so-happy countenance.

"Bloody Hell." Spike muttered. Nevertheless, he opened the door to allow the human to wheel the small square refrigerator into the room. It was quickly installed in a corner opposite the door that seemed to be there for just that purpose.

"We can't leave the fridges in the rooms when there's no one renting cause they get ripped off. I have a friend who works at the Red Cross blood bank. I asked her if there were any donations they couldn't use due to them being almost expired or something. I can set you up for regular deliveries if you want." Chuck continued. He picked up a paper bag filled with baggies that had the Red Cross emblem on them. Spike watched him plug in the refrigerator and fill it with bemused confusion.

"What do I owe you?" The vampire finally thought to ask.

"Nothing. I just don't want to be your dinner some night." Chuck finished his task and nervously began edging toward the door.

"Don't eat humans." Spike mumbled.

"Huh?" Chuck didn't believe he'd heard correctly.

"I said." Spike spoke up a little. "I don't eat humans. I have a soul." He mentally groaned as the confession slipped out.

A puzzle piece clicked into place. It had been nagging Chuck since the vampire had checked in and gave his name as 'Spike'. He'd heard some of his previous 'unusual customers' talking about a vampire who'd gotten a soul. That was why the vampire didn't seem as...well, he couldn't say dangerous because Spike definitely gave off dangerous vibes. Feral was probably the best adjective. Spike didn't seem as feral as others of his kind that had passed through. Chuck didn't feel the need to fiddle with the silver cross he'd taken to wearing a few years back.

Spike nodded distractedly. Scrubbing a hand down his face, he tried to think. His sleep fogged brain working sluggishly. He was missing something. It had been so long. Then realization hit. "I need a microwave and a large mug." He said.

The clerk blinked. "A microwave?"

"Yeah, need to heat the blood. Damned nasty cold." Spike answered with a grimace of distaste.

"Oh. Oh! Right. There's a spare in the storeroom. Give me ten minutes. I'll clean it up for you. We sell cups in the lobby. I'll get you one of those too." Chuck offered.

The blond nodded. "Good."

Half an hour later...

Spike finished his third mug of blood as he checked his pockets. Out of habit, he made sure he had smokes and at least one stake. He replaced the credit card he'd used to rent the room and tucked the wallet back in its pocket. Scanning the list of businesses, he made plans for his next move. He desperately wanted new clothes so the twenty-four hour Wal-Mart appeared to be the logical choice.

He closed the door and slipped the key into his jeans pocket. He stopped into the lobby for directions.

"It's quite a way to walk." Chuck observed as he ran a hand over his thinning hair. He considered for a moment before making a decision. "Want to borrow my car?'

Spike gaped at the human, astonished. "Do I want to what?"

Amusement flickered in the hazel eyes. "Borrow my car. That way you won't have to walk all that way and you can get what you need instead of just what you can carry."

The vampire leaned on the counter. "Why are you helping me?" He asked quietly.

To give him credit, Chuck seriously considered the question. Long moments passed as he thought about it. "You know, I really don't know." He admitted. "It just seems like the right thing to do."

Chuck was startled at the flash of pain and deep sorrow that darkened the sapphire eyes looking at him. Burning rage replaced the first two emotions so what he said next was low and bitter. "Be careful, Mate, sometimes doing the 'right thing' still comes back to bite you in the ass."

Ten minutes later, Spike was still shaking his head in bemusement as he parked the older model Ford in the vast lot in front of the huge discount store. He noted with immense relief that the place didn't seem to be very busy. He hated shopping and wished for the good old days when he just stole what he wanted and needed. The soul made that impossible. It wasn't that he couldn't steal; he just hated to listen to his inner voice telling him how wrong it was to do so. So, for the sake of mental peace, Spike braved the brightly lit aisles of Wal-Mart.

Inevitably, he found himself in electronics. He amused himself for a while by flipping through the selections of cds before deciding to see how much credit the manipulative bastards had allowed on the cards. With a distinctly smug smirk upwards, he chose close to a dozen of his favorites before moving over to the portable stereos. He placed the most expensive model on top of the music before moving on to the clothing section. A large package of batteries was quickly added.

He ignored the looks he received as he made straight for the black jeans, oblivious to the frankly admiring stares his lean, blond good looks were earning. He knew he was less than clean but it wasn't his fault. That's why he was there, damn it. Throwing several pair of his favorite button fly style into the cart, he shifted toward the t-shirts. Six shirts joined the jeans in the bottom of the cart. He chose a belt that was a near replica of the worn one around his waist. Socks were found in the same area as the belts so a package of black ones landed on top of the rest of the clothes. He paused in the dress shirt area, wondering whether or not to try to find any red silk button up shirts, but decided not to bother.

He flipped through the jackets, debating internally if he wanted to replace his duster with something with fewer memories attached. As much as he loved the old leather coat, it had seen much better days. Spotting a black leather biker-style jacket decided him. He slipped the duster from his shoulders and tried on the jacket. It settled into place perfectly, fitting loosely on his slim body and ending just at his hips. It felt nice, right somehow, so he pulled it off and added it to the rest of his new wardrobe. Putting the duster back on, it did hide the worst of the dirt at least, he wandered over to the grocery part of the store.

He loaded the cart with several cases of beer and his favorite chips. He grinned in delight when he found the Jack Daniel's. Who knew you could buy the good stuff there? His new clothes cushioned the two bottles he placed in with them. He cruised up and down the cereal aisle looking for something appetizing to add to his blood. He mumbled a few choice curses about 'sodding American stores that couldn't carry decent food like Wheatabix' before picking up some Lucky Charms – hey, marshmallows – and a couple of other kinds he remembered from his stays with Xander, one of them being a chocolate flavored brand with a little cartoon vampire on the front. Spike snorted. 'Count Chocula.' He thought. 'Freaking ridiculous name for a cereal, but look, its chocolate!'

The next aisle saw instant coffee, loose tea and hot chocolate mix landing in the rapidly filling cart. The tea required that he pass through housewares for a proper teapot and cup. That meant he had to pick up a hot plate and kettle to heat the water. He was still British after all.

It was frustration that forced him into asking a blue-smocked young girl where the mini-marshmallows were. He added several bags of the sweet snack to his ever-growing pile. He never noticed that she stood watching after him with star-struck eyes following his every move. A carton of cigarettes was next. The cart was getting rather full so he made a quick trip through the hair care department for some gel and a comb. He took his time selecting a toothbrush and paste before calling it quits.

The total made him smirk again and glance defiantly upwards as the cashier ran the card. Ignoring the frankly interested look he was receiving from the woman, Spike signed the slip and headed back out to Chuck's car.

Back at the motel...

It took three trips from the car to unload all his purchases. The first thing he unpacked was his new cd player and his music. He put the form-fitting earphones in and was soon blasting his eardrums with 'The Clash'. He pulled tags from clothes and put most of them in the cheaply made dresser. He left out one set of clothes and went in to start the shower. Emptying the pockets of the duster, he folded it carefully and placed it in the bottom drawer. He had enough drawer space on one side of the dresser to put his snacks out of sight before setting up the hot plate next to the small microwave Chuck had brought over. One case of beer joined the blood in the small refrigerator and the rest took up space on the floor next to the wall. The Jack Daniel's found a home behind the beer on the floor. Soon the room was organized to suit the vampire.

Seeing the steam begin to roll out of the bathroom, he carefully placed his new player and the cds in with his t-shirts. Stripping off the filthy clothes was an exercise in relief and he stepped under the scalding water. Not wishing to relive the empty self-disgust of the previous night, he wasted no time in getting clean and getting out.

A quick glance at his list assured Spike that the bar wasn't due to close for several hours. The shopping trip, while expensive, had not really lasted that long. It felt good to be clean and have new clothes to wear, he mused as he shrugged into his new jacket. He made sure he had his wallet, stake and cigarettes before he locked the door and headed toward the office to return Chuck's car keys.

"Nice jacket." The clerk complimented when Spike entered the lobby.

"Thanks." Spike smiled a little and held out the keys. "And thanks for the car. Bought more than I planned on but I think I got everything I need for a while."

Chuck returned the smile. "No problem. Going to the bar?"

Spike nodded. "For a bit. Was able to get beer and JD at Wal-Mart but sometimes it's just nice to be able to sit let someone else wait on you, yeah?"

"Cindy is a friend of mine. She works there. Tell her I sent you and she'll take real good care of you." Chuck winked bravely. He'd been feeling more at ease with Spike than he ever thought he would. The glimpse into the vampire's pain and rage had given the human a sense of compassion for the blond.

A wistful look appeared in Spike's blue eyes. "Do they serve Blooming Onions?"

Chuck's smile broadened. "Yeah, they do."

A brilliant smile transformed the vampire's face causing Chuck to blink in surprise. "I think I might like it here." Spike mused.

The clerk grinned. "I think that's great. Have a good time, now."

With a nod, Spike left the lobby and began the short walk up the street to the bar and grill he'd seen when he was leaving for his shopping trip. A bright neon sign lit up the night sky.

Macy's Bar and Grill.

Spike pulled open the door and went in. He liked the subdued lighting and the rock music blasting from the huge speakers in the far corners. Color televisions over the bar played several kinds of sports. He wondered briefly if they ever watched Manchester United. He found a secluded table away from the speakers where he could sit with his back to the wall and watch. A cute brunette sashayed over to take his order. Her sparkling brown eyes roamed over Spike's lean figure in frank appreciation.

"Hi, Handsome. What can I bring you tonight?" Her voice sounded as if she were constantly on the verge of giggles.

Spike leaned back and smiled up at her. "Are you Cindy?"

She nodded, her long curling ponytail bobbing with the motion. "Yup."

"I'm Spike. Chuck over at the motel said to tell you he sent me." The vampire explained.

"I guess this means I owe Chuck a big thank you, then." She laughed.

Spike inclined his head, peeking up through thick dark lashes. "Maybe. Can I get a beer and an order of the Blooming Onion?" He asked quietly.

Cindy was charmed by the apparent shyness of Chuck's latest project. She'd known him for a long time and knew that the gruff motel clerk was in the habit of adopting lost souls. He always sent them over for her to look over. She wondered why her friend had taken in this gorgeous guy. The thought occurred to her that his beautiful smile never reached his deep blue eyes. That pain lurked in their sapphire depths regardless of the expression on his face. She wondered why, wondered what had hurt this lovely man so much. She smiled warmly. "Sure, Honey. It'll be right up."

Earlier...

She was late, anxious to get home. Not that she had any reason to rush, she just hated being out so long after dark. Her self-rationalization for it was that living on the Hell Mouth had made her paranoid. She knew that evil lurked out there in the dark and didn't want anything to do with it. She was done fighting with it and wanted it to leave her alone. She turned her late model car down the main thoroughfare and cruised past the bars that preceded downtown. A flash of platinum hair caught her eye. Spike? No, it couldn't be. Spike was dust. Buried at the bottom of Sunnydale crater. The man pulled the door to Macy's open and disappeared inside. She shook her head, blonde hair brushing her shoulders softly. It couldn't be Spike. Spike would never give up his duster for a biker jacket.

"Spike is dead." She repeated aloud. She turned at the end of the block and drove sedately into the residential area where she'd bought a house. By the time the garage door closed behind her and she entered the lovely little home she owned, she'd forgotten about the Spike look-a-like she seen. He wasn't the first one and she was positive he wouldn't be the last.

TBC