Hasty Retreats

[buffys_bitch]

Percy urges us to leave without him and who am I to argue with the boss? I grab Fred by the arm and signal for us to move out. No sense in repeating the deaths we'd just lived through. Cordy looks reluctant but I call out to her

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[fredburkle]

I heard Spike stop and confront all those guys with guns. He really was a hero, but I couldn't leave him there...they'd kill him. I snuck behind the council guys and into the hotel without them seeing me. Being tiny had it's advantages. Wesley and Illyria were gone, so I grabbed a bucket and quickly filled it with water and ran outside fast. I stopped at the door and called to the bad guys, "This is a whole lot of sulphuric acid. And if you don't believe me, I'm a scientist...Winifred Burkle...you don't think I don't keep sulphuric acid handy for experiments?" I walked down the steps toward Spike and stood next to him.

I glared at them, "One wrong move and you're all gonna need lots of reconstructive surgery." We began moving slowly back and before they knew it I screamed, "VAMPIRE!!!" They all ducked and I tossed the water on them. They screamed as Spike and I turned and ran. I heard the guns firing as Spike shielded me with his body.

[buffys_bitch]

What is it with bullets and my back? They seem to keep meeting on a regular basis. Still, better my back than someone else's right?
I was a bit surprised at Fred's actions, I mean I was doing the whole 'bugger off' ploy to buy them some time to escape. Guess she had more fire in her than sense. Still, that acid fake out was pretty smart of her.

"The sewers!" I hiss at the others, trying not to grunt with pain as I retreat with Fred in front of me, steadying her when she almost stumbles on the steps back into the Hotel. "If we can get down there, I can lead us somewhere safe. Been down there a lot. It's our best bet."

[fredburkle]

Cordelia and Doyle went one way while Spike and I went the other. We ran through the lobby, down to the basement and headed into the sewers. Spike went in first and he led the way, quickly, through the tunnels. I was staring at his back where he took a load of bullets for me. We'd have to stop somewhere soon so we could look at his back. Vampire or no, he needed medical attention.

We'd been running for a while and I finally stopped, catching my breath, "Spike we have to stop and rest. Besides," I looked behind us, "I think we lost them."

[buffys_bitch]

"Alright." I nod, noticing that she's a little out of breath. "We can rest up a while. Typical. I told the others to follow and they go in the opposite bleedin' direction. Never listen to me. Seems we got a good head start on the council thugs though. No more dying tonight, eh? Maybe we managed to get them lost down here. That would be a giggle. Lead them on a merry chase till someone's pet alligator gets them. Ok, forget I said that."

I lean back against the dank wall, and then regret it when a new lance of pain shoots across my back. I wince and shift my position.

"What? What are you staring at?" I ask sharply, not wanting her to see how much it's hurting me.

[fredburkle]

I made a face at him, "I'm looking at a fool. A noble fool, but a fool all the same." I shook my head and then smiled a little, "Thank you, Spike, for taking bullets for me...again." I frowned at the blood pooling at his feet and then back up at him.

"Do you know of any good places for us to hide for a while? Somewhere I can take a look at your back and where the council won't find us?"

[buffys_bitch]

"Yeah, that's me. Once a fool always a fool." That came out more bitterly than I'd intended, I know Fred's only trying to compliment me. But it reminds me of Buffy. Of how she'd turned her back on us. I shake my head, clearing all thoughts about my former love from my mind. She was dead to me now.

"Uh, and you're welcome. No need to make a big deal out of it. That acid bluff was inspired by the way. Never knew you could lie so well."
I give her a smile, to make up for my earlier tone.

"Yeah, I know a place. A safehouse for vamps and demons who need to hide out for a few days. Bit of a dive and you'll have to do some more lying. But beggars can't be choosers, right?"

[fredburkle]

I nodded. I hadn't meant for the fool comment to be an insult, but that's how he must have taken it, considering the tone he used. I felt like apologizing, but he moved on, so I did too.

"So, I'm going to pretend to be a demon?" I looked down at myself, "I guess I'll have to be a vampire? Or do you know of another demon that looks human but isn't?" I wasn't well versed on the demon universe, so hopefully Spike could come up with something. "As long as you're there, it'll be fine....besides, I need to take a look at your back."

[buffys_bitch]

"Ahh, no. Not exactly, Fred. I was thinking more my 'girl', my bit for the night." I hurry on with my explanation, hoping she's not about to hit me with that floating piece of stray wood lying conveniently at her feet.

"Look, those kinds of places are a bit rough. Full of types who'd make a play for someone as cute as a button as you are. So I'm gonna have to pretend you're mine, it's safer. There's no way you could pass for a demon or a vampire in there, you smell like a human, you've got a pulse, it's too risky. You know that there are humans who trade in blood. Let vampires suck them for money and vice versa. Well, that what I want you to pretend to be. Think you can do it?"

[fredburkle]

Pretend to be his piece of...piece for the night? Pretend to not be able to resist him and want to have my hands all over him constantly? Pretend to want to feel his mouth on my neck? I swallowed and nodded, "I think I can manage that."

We started walking through the sewer system, both of us mostly quiet. I didn't know what he was thinking, but I was thinking about the act I was about to perform. I was going to have to hang all over him. I was going to have to make all those demons believe that I wanted him...bad. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and knew I'd have no problem with that at all.

We stopped at a ladder and Spike turned to me and just looked at me. I waited for him to say something and then I finally said, "What...?"

[buffys_bitch]

"Nothing, you just had this smile on your face. Never mind."

I go up the ladder first, checking for trouble. It seems clear enough. No council goons waiting to ambush us at least. I have the oddest feeling that Fred is actually enjoying herself. Being in mortal danger, having to skulk in the sewers and play at being a vampire's doxy. She was full of surprises tonight. The memory of my lips on hers is still strong. I wonder if I'll get a chance to do it again, but not when she's dying in my arms this time. I'd tasted her sweet blood too. Don't want to dwell on that part though. It didn't happen, I keep telling myself.

I extend my hand down to help her up.

"It's not far from here. You ready?" I grab her around the waist and pull her close so her hip is banging against mine. Then I vamp out and put a possessive leer on my face, leading the way towards the safehouse.

[fredburkle]

I slid my arm around Spike's waist and pressed close against him. I didn't look at his face, much, because it kind of creeped me out. But he was a vampire, and the creepy face was part of the whole blood-sucker package.

Either he was an excellent actor or he'd done this before. Not the pretending, but the leering, and the possessiveness and the scare tactics. It was terrifying and sexy all at the same time.

I'd left my outside arm to the side while we were walking, but when we turned into the building I slid it over his stomach and began caressing the muscles there. I licked my lips and began staring at Spike with adoration, lust, and fear. I didn't even have to act.

Spike ordered a room from the sleaziest man on the planet and we headed upstairs. We were rounding the banister to head to the third floor when another vampire stopped us and said, "Hey man, when you're done with her, let me have her. I like the tiny ones, they're easier to hold still while you kill 'em."

[buffys_bitch]

I snarl and grab at the bugger's throat with my free hand, shoving him hard against the wall. "She's mine, you idiot, I paid for her for the whole night, and I'm not sharing

[fredburkle]

As scared as I was, that was...fun. Spike kissed me and had his hands all over me and saved me. All at the same time. I had goose bumps all over and as he pushed me through the door, I was hoping he wouldn't let go of me.

But he did and asked me if I was alright. I stumbled back and sat down on the bed. I swallowed and tried to find my voice. "Yeah..." I squeaked out. Great, I squeaked. Hopefully he'd think I scared..or something. I looked at him, "Um, yeah I'm ok...and no you didn't hurt me."

I glanced at his mouth, licked my lips and then looked around the room quickly. It was a hole. It was dirty and sparsely furnished and...well, it was creepy. I'm glad Spike was going to be here with me. To get my mind off the surroundings I looked at him, "We should check out your back. See how bad the damage is. Sit down and take off your shirt. I'll see if I can find anything in the bathroom. If not, can you sufficiently care the crap out of some really small demon to go get us some medical supplies...?"

[buffys_bitch]

Nodding, I go to fling open the door again and stalk out into the hallway. I grab a snivelling demon and growl at it to find us some alchohol and bandages. It obliges cringingly and returns with the goods within a couple of minutes. I sneer and cuff at its head but it manages to duck in time and flee down the hall.

I go back inside with my booty. Fred comes out of the bathroom with her nose wrinkling in disgust. "The water is like brown and smells bad." She explains. "And I think one of the cockroaches made a pass at me."

I toss her the supplies and pull my shirt over my head. Wincing at the pain that flares through me, when the fabric tears away from the skin, the blood having clotted and stuck to me. She's staring at my naked chest and I flash her a grin of amusement.

"Alright love, you need to dig the bullets out. You're not squeamish are you?" I ask her, hand her the pocket knife from the back pocket of my jeans. It wasn't exactly sterile but it would do.

[fredburkle]

Wow...his chest was a lot nicer than I'd imagined. I took a breath and the knife he gave me and nodded, "I'll be fine." I hoped. I sat behind him on the bed and looked at the wounds.

He had nine bullet holes littering his back. I grimaced for him as I began digging out one of the bullets. I tried to go as fast and as painless as I could, but it didn't seem like 'fast' and 'painless' went hand in hand.

I was on the fourth bullet when I heard him take in a sharp breath. And since I knew vampires didn't breath, I decided to take a small break, but made sure he thought I needed it and not him. "I need to stop for a second, Spike..."

I picked up a bandage and began to gently clean one of the empty holes. I had my hand on his side, holding him still as I worked on him. I could feel his muscles clenching and unclenching under my fingers and I couldn't help but move my hand a little to get a better feel.

[buffys_bitch]

Ok, so it hurts like buggery. But on the plus side I have my shirt off and Fred is touching me. Touching my skin. Her fingertips on my bare flesh are leaving trails of fire that is not altogether unpleasant