Echoes of Darkness

Authors: Pet & Foxhunt2blue

Parts: 6 - 10

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~Part: 6~

The group had waited a few seconds for any kind of response from Spike a yes, a no, but nothing came. Curious as to what Spike was up to Liam poked his head inside the door.

"Spike?" He took in the boy’s face, the way his body was rigid, and he stepped inside. "Spike are ye okay?"

Jerking around Spike let out a wheezing breath, his eyes were so wide the whites showed, and his normally pale skin was even paler. "Bloody hell...did you..." he trailed off as he turned back to face the room.

There was nothing.

Not a sign of the shadow he'd seen seconds before and it was actually quite warm---almost stifling. He turned back to look at Liam and blinked. "Umm...I don't really like this one, pet. What else ya got?"

"Jus' one more place then ye can pick the spots ye want." Moving back out of the room Liam stepped into the hall.

Following Liam out Spike tried to reason out what had just happened. Maybe it'd been the lack of sleep or even the over indulgence in alcohol over the past couple of weeks. He paused and glanced back over his shoulder trying to assure himself that none of it had happened. What he hadn't expected was to discover confirmation behind him.

Standing in the doorway was a shadow, this time shaped like a man, or at least human. Where its eyes should have been were two pinpoints of scarlet and though there were no actually features Spike could almost image that expression---an expression of pure fury. Suddenly a blast of icy air swirled around him. He realized, that it wasn't him the thing was staring at so intently, it was Liam.

His gaze traveled from Liam back to the thing and he shook his head. "No..." he whispered, "...don't."

Just as he took a step forward, he heard a voice more inside his head than outside.

//James...//

Liam turned looking at Spike. "Spike? Ye coming then?"

"Yeah, come on Blondie if you don't like let's jet." Faith stretched her arms above her head.

"Yes…some of us have a ‘life’ to live." Xander snapped irritably as he headed down the hall avoiding touching anything.

Swallowing back the need to scream at the whole lot of them, Spike shook his head as if to clear away the apparition. It seemed to work, he thought, as the shadow slowly faded away.

"Yeah...right then." He moved closer to Liam. "So what's this next place? Hope it's a bit less claustrophobic." He chuckled, yet there wasn't an ounce of humor in it.

Oz glanced back at the room in question then glanced at Willow, who looked just a bit paler than usually, shrugging. "Too much Guinness?" He dared a guess.

"Daniel Osbourne!" Willow smacked the back of his head and giggled. "Be nice."

Another shrug and Oz raised one brow. "Nice is good." Turning he grabbed Willow's hand and drug her after Xander.

***

They’d made their way up another set of stairs then down a hall and around a corner. At the corner stood one more set of stairs, a narrow steep set that went up into a hole in the ceiling.

"Up here." Slowly Liam led the way up the stairs.

"Well his looks peachy." Xander swallowed hard glancing up.

"And it's not gonna look better anytime soon so up." Gunn pushed at Xander forcing him to start up the stairs. Fred, Faith, and he following close behind Xander.

A big almost perfectly round chunk of stone had crumbled away leaving only bits and pieces of jagged wood sticking out here and there. Nothing but the crisp clouds and Irish countryside could be seen beyond the hole. It was a mix of beauty and ugliness at its most divine.

"I give ye this."

Spike looked up at the sharp blue sky and sighed softly. Here in the crisp, salty air, and the bright light of day what had happened below seemed like a vague nightmare.

"It's beautiful." He leaned against Liam taking deep cleansing breaths of fresh air. "What do you think Oz?" He shifted his gaze to where Oz and Willow stood staring out across the land to the cliff side and towards the bay.

"Wicked." Oz grinned.

Nodding Willow began to bounce on her heels. "Definitely! Hey, Faith this is sooo...come here! Check out the view!!" She waved at Faith her eyes shining with awe then turned to Spike. "You to mister!"

"Oh...that's okay Red. Be there in a sec." He turned his gaze to Liam. "Incredible is right. Everything we need the dark and the light. Bet the view is even better at dusk---ain't it, luv."

"Aye I would think it is."

"Well I think it's a stellar choice Irish." Faith commented from beside Spike. "Got everything we need."

Xander nodded. "It's good. I have to admit it's real good."

"Well you can pick more than one spot. So muse it over and make up your mind. I'm figurin’ this one is a yes." Gunn walked around the room taking in everything.

"A big yes." Fred walked up to the edge looking outside. "It's so beautiful here."

"Yes, it is then." Spike grinned. "Can't see it bein' any other way. I think this is goin' to be the main photo. What do ya think Charlie? All us uglies up here in the crisp Irish air."

"Hell, I don't care as long as it sells records and gets me paid. I love ya Spike but I don't care if you shoot in a sewer. It's your band you look however you want to look." Gunn answered as he shoved his hands in his pockets, and rocked on his heels.

"Oh, sweet Gunn you have such a way with words man." Xander snorted.

"I speak how I am dog. I speak how I am. I care I do I love ya---all ya nasty little cretins. However, pictures, music videos I don't give a damn how you do them as long as results come out of it. Now we all can take a little break then re-group and shoot the shot."

"Sounds like a plan, Charlie." Spike paused chewing his lip thoughtfully. "Think I'll go do some more exploring..." he grinned giving Liam his patented 'sex kitten' eyes, "...wanna come, pet?"

"Dinna know I am gonna be awfully busy." Liam tapped the bottom of his chin.

Snorting softly Spike rolled his eyes. "Yeah...real busy..." his words rolled off his tongue in a soft seductive purr. "You can spare a moment to give a tour, luv---can't you?"

"I suppose." Liam's sighed with a fake ‘put upon’ tone.

Faith chuckled. "Damn I like him."

"I do, too." Fred bubbled happily.

"Yeah, he's a big ol' bag of sweet sexy Irish chips. Now come on I'm hungry." Xander groaned heading down the stairs.

"Food is good." Oz took off catching up with Xander. "What you got in mind?"

Willow was close behind as always. Young love could be disgusting sometimes, Spike thought. The two of them were so close together most days you couldn't slide a sheet of paper between them.

"So Liam...let's go do some exploring already." Spike bounded towards the stairs the distant sound of Xander, Oz, and Willow discussing lunch drifting up the stairs. "Of course we could just go see about a snack."

"Whatever is good wit' me. Dinna expect ta be this popular."

"Oh I'm sure you didn't." Faith replied with an air of disbelief as she hopped down the stairs. Without a care, she headed down the hall leaving the boys to their own devices.

"Now what do you suppose she meant by that?" Spike asked innocently as he started down the stairs.

Liam responded trying to keep the grin off his face."I am completely clueless meself."

As they hit the bottom of the stairs Spike turned facing Liam. "You know there's been something I've been wonderin' about since I met you, pet."

Arching a brow Liam smiled. "An' that is?"

He took a deep breath and locked eyes with Liam. "Are your lips as soft as they look?" Spike held his breath praying that he hadn't been wrong because if he had. Well, he thought, he was about to become road kill on a wall.

"If yer good ye'll find out someday." Liam’s voice was softly, seductive, and filled with endless promises of things to come.

"Someday is fine and dandy, pet. Course I was hoping for maybe today." Spike's eyes sparkled with suppressed desire as he stepped closer, yet not touching Liam.

"Ye are a eager beaver aren't ye?" Liam asked his mouth twitching up at the corner. "Ye get me alone which I have ta add was genius really. An' no more than a few seconds go by an' yer straight past flirtin' an' wantin ta jump in 'ta kissin'. I do believe I like yer style Spike."

"That so?" Spike grinned. "Well if you'd like a bit more flirtin' I could accommodate you, luv." He waggled his brows the faint light sparking of the ring in his brow.

"Nay I dinna need flirtin'. I jus' like the squirmin' ye surely go through waitin' fer me ta kiss ye." Liam remarked then stepped around Spike. "So what do ye want ta see then?"

Spike sighed through his nose in frustration. "Would it matter if I said what I want to see what your not about to show me?" He turned raising one dark brow to punctuate the question.

"Ye could always try me and see. Ye never know unless ye try. Isn't that how it goes?"

Stepping into Liam's space, Spike looked up into those seductive eyes and growled softly. "Want to see a lot..." he paused one hand reaching out, his fingers trailing down Liam's chest, "...'course it might be rude to say I want to see this." His hand settled over the bulge between Liam's legs. "Rude do you think?"

Pulling Spike closer with one arm, tight against his body, and trapping the hand against his crotch his cock swelling slightly Liam hissed. "Could be considered rude…aye." His free hand curled around one of the boy’s ass cheeks, nails digging into the skin delicious-ly. "But so could this."

A small yelp escaped Spike as Liam's hand massaged his ass cheek. He sucked in a breath as his eyes drifted shut, his jeans growing tighter as all the blood rushed from his head. "God..." he hissed softly feeling Liam's cock swell in the palm of his hand, "...bloody well could be."

Letting go completely Liam stood back. "Well, then we'll agree ta not get offended by each other…after all we both did a naughty dirty thing."

An exasperated groan escaped Spike. "Yeah...got it...naughty, dirty..." he opened his eyes and lunged forward capturing Liam's mouth for just a split second, then pulled back, "...thing." He whispered softly.

Liam licked his lips tasting the lingering taste of Spike in that quick kiss. "Indeed."

He stood staring at this boy, this enigma, who totally amazed him. He had been chased before---of course, he had. He had been obsessed over. But, this…this was different somehow. He felt it in his veins. This was a wanting found only in books or movies. This kind of craving would only be denied so long before something ‘or’ someone cracked. Liam wasn't exactly sure which one of them it would be, but he hoped they wouldn’t break anything when it did. On second thought, he mused, let them break things just not bones. Skin and reserves were another thing entirely.

Spike smiled up at Liam and knew what he saw in those dark eyes. His mum had talked about that look when she spoke of his father, but he'd never personally seen it himself. Every bone, muscle, and sinew in his body ached for this man in a way he'd never known before. He licked his lips, cocking his head as he studied Liam with sparkling eyes.

"You feel it too---don't you?" His voice lowered to soft purr. "What is it about you and me? Never felt like this about anyone. It's like you've crawled beneath my skin and no amount of scratching will get you out."

"Lust maybe?" Liam offered in way of explanation.

All this was starting to get to him. Not really making him uncomfortable but making him edgy. He wasn't one for love in relationships. Love tore you apart and he had few people he risked this emotion with. Any relationship he had outside of family and his few friends was just a ‘get what you want and get out’ kind of relationship. Never form an attachment and never fall in love it was too messy---he didn't have time for messy.

"So I should probably set up now. Ye should eat or get some air before ye ‘ave 'ta shoot."

"Yeah...whatever." Spike's lower lip pushed out in a pout. "Think I'll do some more explorin'. Who knows what I might discover." He threw a sexy grin over his shoulder and headed down the hall, his hips swaying seductively. "Give me a yelp when you're ready for me!"

Liam nodded though he was sure Spike didn’t see it and headed out of the ruins for his car. He needed to get the tripod, some various lenses, and one other camera he’d brought. It never failed to have more than one just in case the first didn't produce the results you wanted. Liam wanted these promo shots to be perfect.

***

Oz was sitting sprawled in a folding chair out in the courtyard, eyes closed, and his hand stroking through Willow's hair. A cool breeze was drifting through the ruins stirring pebbles and dried grass. Opening one eye he watched as Liam exited the ruins and headed for his car. He frowned as he shifted so he could see Faith.

"Where's Spike?" He asked with a note of confusion in his voice. "Thought him and the Irish boy were getting aquainted." Sighing he closed his eyes talking was exhausting.

Faith walked up to the pair frowning. "So did I and I don't know but I'm gonna find out. Here have the rest of my sandwich." Faith shoved her sandwich at Oz. "Something to do with your mouth besides sucking face." She started to head towards the ruins then looked over her shoulder with a grin.

"Not that I care but damn you two are like rabbits." Then she was off heading back into the ruins to find Spike.

***

Tromping through the crumbling halls, Spike sighed in frustration. He'd hoped that Liam would take a hint, but he hadn't and now he was wondering if maybe he'd come on to strong.

"Great you dumb arse..." he mumbled to himself, "...end it before anything bloody well starts."

Kicking a rock he watched it skid across the floor and let out another sigh. There were other fish in the sea, but as far as he was concerned, Liam was the best.

Swordfish.

He chuckled at the image that conjured. Liam naked and garnished on a silver platter being served with white wine. This was crazy, he thought to himself, he was tired and horny, but the horny part didn't explain what had happened in that cell. Glancing up he caught what he thought was movement just to his left.

"Faith?" He called out, his words echoing back at him. "Liam?"

He crept down to the end of the hall he'd been walking and glanced through the doorway where he'd thought he'd seen the movement. There was nothing, but a shadowy stairwell descending downward into the ground.

"Faith?" He called down focusing on the stairwell. "Is that you Faith?" Taking a step down he squinted his eyes. "Faith? Liam?"

"What?" Faith asked.

Spike nearly tumbled ass over apples at the sound of Faith behind him. Turning arms wheeling like a pinwheel Spike caught hold of the edge of the doorway. "Blimey!" He yelped.

"I'm right here. Damn you don't have to keep calling. Are you okay?"

"Way to go with giving a bloke a heart attack!"

Faith arched a brow her hands bracing on her hips. "Then maybe don't call for a chick and she won't come ass. Now what you screamin' about?"

"Nothin'..." Spike grumbled softly, "...just thought I saw somethin'. Thought it might be you or Liam." He stepped out of the stairwell and back into the hall. "Think I need to get some rest..." he trailed off as he headed back down the hall, poking at piles of rubble as he went.

"Speaking of tall dark and totally sexy where is he? And why aren't you two half-way to happy land by now?"

"Don't know?" Spike mumbled. "Guess he went to go check his bleedin' equipment before the shoot." Glancing up he noticed a small doorway with steps leading up. "Guess he didn't want to explore with me."

Elbowing Spike gently in the side Faith tried to lighten his mood. "Maybe he just has a lot of shit to do for the shoot. Doesn't mean he was dropping you cause he don't like you Blondie."

Raising an eyebrow, Spike rolled his eyes at Faith. "Never said he dropped me, luv." He stepped through the doorway, ducking cobwebs, and started up the stairs. "It's just...well I've never felt this way about anyone...not this soddin' quick. It's like some bleedin' Meg Ryan movie. Enough to make a guy toss his biscuits."

Faith chuckled she loved Spike's little sayings. "Maybe he has the same thing goin' on and just don't know how to deal with it. Not every guy dives headlong into shit like this. Shit like I've seen between you two. Plus he seems ‘really’ private and reserved. Like he's trying real hard to keep things at a distance."

Spike continued up the dust-coated steps with a faint snort. "So how do I deal, pet? Taking things slow and easy ain't me style. Never done it and don't know where to begin."

The stairs came to an abrupt stop after a few feet into a short narrow hall. Three doors opened off the hall, rotted remnants of doors clinging to rusted hinges. He paused studying the three doors, scratching the back of his neck as he continued musing about Liam.

"Do I romance him? Do I chase him? Or do I just set back and let him take the lead?"

"Personally I would jump him til he gives in. But, I told ya he's a one hundred percent top material so maybe let him lead ya about like a puppy. I mean don't stop being you for nobody but play his game too. Let him ‘think’ he has control but still play your games to get your way."

Turning he smiled at Faith. "A puppy? Now I've worn a few collars in me time Faith, but never thought of meself as a pup." With a chuckle he turned back to the doors and did a silent game of eeny, meeny, miney, mo. "Okay, pet.'' 'Nuf with the romance let's see what's behind door number one."

Stepping up to the door he leaned in and pushed it with his shoulder. There was a loud cracking and a century of dirt sifted down on Spike's head as the door gave.

"Bloody hell.." he groaned, "...guess I'll be dusty for the shoot." He shook the dust from his hair and stepped into the room beyond the door. "Wow..."

The room was fairly intact, four walls, ceiling, but the windows were shattered. Tiny slivers of ash streaked glass winked in the bright sunlight that streamed through the windows. It had once been an office, he imagined, with its view of the sea and a huge fireplace. The remnants of what had once been shelves lined with rotting books covered the north wall.

"So think we'll find anything of value here, pet?"

"Don't know and don't really care to. I think out of all the rooms of this big ol' ruin? This one creeps me out the most." Faith crossed her arms over her chest as she maneuvered around objects trying not to touch anything. "I mean why is this the most untouched place here? It's high up it should of just went up like the rest of the ruins shouldn't it of? Dude I mean I can still read titles off the books for fucks sake." She shivered. "I mean it Spike I'm getting a vibe."

"Quit being such a girl..." Spike snickered, "...maybe the fire wasn't as focused on this wing." He moved across the room, his fingers trailing along the warped top of the desk, leaving trails through the accumulated filth. "It's weird, but not unexplainable." Sighing he moved to the windows looking out at the bright sparks of sunlight dancing on the blue grey sea. "Can you imagine havin' an office up here...overlooking the sea. Must have been nice..." his words trailed off as he leaned out the window.

"Or power hungry. Or bat shit crazy. Or strangely sadistic. 'Please crazy person come into my office see the ocean you will never smell or be near again cause you’re nutso.'--whatever works. I mean it Spike. I'm not being a girl I just don't like this room. Sure the fire not totally decimating this room is possible but it did reach it. Look at the books the desk. When has a fire only half destroyed anything? It's fucking spooky I don't care if it's explainable."

Turning from the window Spike sighed. "Okay...okay. Let's go. Suppose Liam and the rest of the blokes are ready anyway." Moving to the door Spike bowed and winked at Faith. "Ladies first."

"Damn right." Faith bounded out of the room. She couldn't get out fast enough. She yelled over her shoulder as she headed for the stairs. "You have a dirt spot on your nose…Liam's gonna love that." Then she disappeared out of sight, her laughter drifting back behind her.

Reaching up Spike rubbed at his nose thoughtfully. Faith was right he thought to himself. This place was an oddity, but did that make it spooky? As he stepped out the door, he got the distinct impression there was someone watching him. Spinning on his heels, he looked back only to see an empty room.

"Bloody hell Faith..." he mumbled, "...got me imagination going full tilt." With a sigh, he shook his head and darted down the stairs after Faith.

~Part: 7~

"Alright ladies let’s do the shots. One shot with your instruments---one without. We already got the instruments set up so might as well do that first. Which by the way was a pain in the ass since most of you were conveniently missing when it came time to help." Gunn glared at Oz and Willow, then at Spike and Faith. "So up you bastards go. We still have a video to shoot and I'm already tired of this place."

"Calm down Charlie baby your gettin' paid." Faith rumbled with her smooth sexy voice as she jumped off her seat on a drum box.

"And it's sort of romantic to look out over the ocean around the ruins." Standing on her tiptoes Fred murmured as she kissed Gunn's cheek.

Xander shook his head, heading into the ruins. "Love sucks."

"That it does." Spike agreed as he climbed up on the wall. "How's this Charlie boy?"

He braced his arms against the jagged stone as if he were Samson trying to send the walls tumbling down. He lowered his head just enough so he had to glance up through his lashes, his cigarette dangling from his lips. Smirking he winked at Faith.

"Gonna send the walls tumbling down, pet."

Oz snorted. "Yeah...perfect."

Stopping Xander turned and looked at Spike, his expression unreadable. "Don't you try to agree with me Mr. Sex Fiend Monster, Mr. GOD, Mr...Mr....WOMAN STEALER." He gritted his teeth his fists shaking at his sides then blew a strand of hair out of his face, stomping into the ruins.

"Sometimes I hate you." Gunn groaned in exhaustion at Spike as he followed behind Xander.

"Well, I think it's cute Spike." Fred mused as she patted his arm. "Very funny."

"So do I." Willow grinned at Spike as he hoped down from the wall. Moving over to where he stood she looked up at him with twinkling green eyes. "You better make things right with Xander." She waggled her finger beneath his nose as he opened his mouth frowning. "Don't make me take out my resolve face."

Bouncing back to Oz she planted a kiss on his cheek, then threw Spike another look over her shoulder as they followed the others.

"Blimey..." Spike groaned, "...think none of them ever had a bit of fun with Harris."

"Not like we did." Faith sighed. "Not like we did at all. What we did was just vicious. Christ Spike Lindsey said it was brilliant."

Spike dropped down setting on a pile of rubble, his face in his palms, and his cigarette still dangling from his lips. "Jesus Christ on a three legged goat..." he mumbled, "...now I know I'm fucked. Lindsey? Lindsey 'Fucking' McDonald?!" Throwing back his head, he screamed in frustration.

"You call and I come." Lindsey purred walking up behind Spike his fingers curling in his hair. "Does someone want his sugar daddy?"

"Nay because if he did want him ye wouldn't be who he would be askin' fer I imagine. Do ye jus' touch whomever ye please when ye feel like it then?" Liam came out from the ruins, his gaze settling on Lindsey’s fingers and his expression was less than pleased.

Lindsey smirked. "I do when sugar here is just playing hard to get for me. He likes it when the big boys play for this attention---don't you sugar? He gets a thrill outta’ being chased. It's why he chose music girls and boys drooling over him, falling over their feet to get to our little hottie here."

"I dinna’ get that impression at all. I think he genuinely likes what he does. Fame is nice aye…but not why he does it. He does it cause he enjoys the passion and the art. He's like me."

"Well isn't that sweet." Lindsey lowered his mouth down to Spike's ear. "You got yourself a little...or wait ‘big’ admirer. You already wrap your little tentacles about him you little leach? Cause if ya did ya know why ya did it don't ya?" He licked the shell of Spike's ear. "Cause ya want ta make me jealous." A warm breath caressed Spike’s damp skin. "It worked." Pulling away Lindsey waved. "Ta…ta all I have to close up a few things before all ya pretty people come and shoot your wonderful video. Nice ta see ya Liam you’re looking might fine as usual."

Faith rubbed her hands all over her body as Lindsey walked away. "Anybody else get that slimy feeling every time he's near? Cause I sure in the hell do. Feel like I need a bath."

"You need a bath?" Spike stood shivering. "'M the bloody one he touched with his snaky tongue!" He lifted his hand scrubbing at his ear. "Is it possible for flesh to rot from the touch of inhuman saliva?" His face pruned as he continued scrubbing furiously at his ear.
"Bloody hell, but I think me ear is goin' to fall off."

"Nay…it will be fine." Walking up Liam took Spike’s hand drawing it away and rubbing his ear softly with the pad of his finger. "We jus' replace the feelin'?" Then he lowered his mouth sucking the tip of Spike's ear, lips covering the entire spot where Lindsey’s tongue had touched.

Faith watched in silent awe her hand raising slowly, then she whispered. "Did I mention I felt dirty."

Eyes rolling back in his head Spike leaned into Liam groaning softly. He gritted his teeth at the feel of Liam's lips suckling at his ear. "Faith..." he moaned, "...I got way more dirt on me than you do."

"Yeah…I know." Faith sighed, her breath catching in her throat as Liam's tongue moved down the shell of Spike's ear. "Okay…I'm goin' up don't be too long yeah?" Then she was gone.

Liam sucked the lobe of Spike's ear into his mouth for a second, then let it go stepping back. "Ye feel better?"

"Mmmm..." Spike whimpered softly all ability to speak torn from him. He could feel all the blood rush south and his jeans becoming far too tight. "...better...yeah..." he sighed.

"Tha's good cause I have photos ta shoot an' yer holdin' up me job. Now scoot." Liam swatted Spike's ass gently. "Up ye go."

Spike growled softly at Liam. "You can't keep getting me worked up like this, luv. Especially in these jeans...something might just escape." He trotted into the building and headed for the stairs throwing a sexy leer over his shoulder.

"Oh tha' would jus' be a shame." Liam purred naughtily as he followed.

***

When everyone was gathered Liam clapped his hands together. "Now jus' everyone take their spots an' stand or sit as relaxed as ye would when yer playing. When yer all ready I can start."

Smirking Spike picked up his guitar and sat down in front of the group, resting the guitar between his sprawled legs. He met Liam's gaze and his smile widened. "Like this?"

Plopping down next to Spike, Oz leaned his back against Spike's shoulder and whispered. "Maybe in the bedroom...it's all good though."

Behind them Willow had climbed onto a rubble pile and kicked her feet in time with a beat she could only hear. "Spike and Liam sitting in a tree..." she sang beneath her breath.

"Hey!" Spike snarled over his shoulder sending Willow into a fit of laughter.

"If ye normally sit when yer playin' then tha's fine aye. However, I meant mainly while in play. But if ye want ta sit in the second shoot wit' jus' the band without the instruments be me guest." Liam picked up his main camera with an amused expression

Faith kneed Spike's arm gently. "Get up you or your gonna start making a ass out of yourself soon."

She took her spot throwing the strap of her bass over her shoulder. Climbing behind the drums Xander picked up his sticks and started a soft rhythm against the metal rim as he waited. Snorting Spike got to his feet and glared at Faith. Shifting the guitar without a word, he began to play picking up Xander's soft rhythm. Behind him, Oz began playing as well and he could hear Faith join in.

Without a thought to where he was he allowed the music to engulf him, each note a soft swirl of emotion and color behind his eyes, then he began to sing.

"Walking these streets...lost in the shadows of so many feet..." his voice was soft at first, then rose another octave. "I never knew I could be so alone in a city full of souls just like my own..."

The deep sound of Faith's bass began to pick up and Spike growled softly. "You thought I was yours! You thought I was yours! You never knew I was my own! Until you wrapped my neck…with a chain of stone! Falling down beneath the waves...watching bubbles dance above my head...I feel the shadows closing in and I'll never walk these streets again!"

His voice flowed and wrapped around the music becoming one with it. This, Spike thought, was why he did this. The feeling of creation and the sound of his soul given a voice in the resonating notes.

"Jus' like tha'." Liam commented as he raised his camera. Fred and Willow took their spots gently swaying and humming their voices singing a note or two. "Now jus' keep doin' tha. " Liam snapped a shot. "Good, good dinna’ stop." He snapped another, then another. "Alright now everyone stay still."

Fred and Willow stopped moving and Faith and Xander stopped playing their instruments. Spike let out a soft sigh as the music faded, licking his lips, and his cheeks flushed.

His gaze met Liam's through the lens of the camera and although the music had stopped, he still heard each note resonating in his head. A frown creased his brow as he let his thoughts drift to why he'd written that particular song. He'd written it when he was nineteen and he and Faith had parted ways as lovers.

He'd felt disconnected and wanted to be reconnected desperately to life. One night he'd went out to a bar and met a girl who had been the total opposite of Faith.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, and all bubble gum girl next door. He'd tried to reconnect only to discover that the girl in question was using him to feel alive herself. His feelings hadn't mattered and he'd become a fuck toy for some little rich bitch that happened to be the American Ambassador's daughter. She'd been crude and twisted and when he'd tried to make her see that he loved her, she'd cried rape.

Next thing he knew he was in deep shit. Faith had dug him out by confronting the girl and demanding she drop the charges or Faith would tell daddy exactly where she was hanging out and how many different drugs she was shooting up. That moment was when he swore no one would ever use him again.

Buffy was the reason he'd decided true love didn't exist and now he was being confronted by that feeling again. He was being drawn into dark eyes that held far more promises than he'd ever hoped to find.

"Good jus' stay like tha' fer a bit." Liam snapped picture after picture, then walked to the reflective panels, turning on the lights behind them, and setting a light glow onto the group. "Now I'm goin' ta’ take some this way I want all yer features set off. So, I'm goin' ta’ go round and turn ye this way and tha'. I hope ye dinna’ mind."

"I don't mind." Fred piped up.

"I don't care. I've had worse done on photo shoots." Xander mused.

"I don't care." Faith grinned.

Oz shrugged casually as he glanced at Willow who leaned in whispering something in Fred's ear that set both girls laughing.

"Don't right matter..." Spike mumbled as he was drawn from his dark thoughts. "Harris is right...had worse than a little shifting done on photo shoots." He reached in his jeans pulling a smoke from his pocket. "Had worse things done to me in me life." He lit up, inhaling deeply as he tried to chase the last of his thoughts away.

"A'right then."

Liam moved to Fred and Willow combing their hair about with his fingers, turning them a bit back and forth, until he had the lighting on them like he wanted. Moving to Xander, he proceeded to do the same thing, just rotating him around in his seat and flipping his hair over his eyes. When he got to Faith he smirked.

"Yer goin' ta’ enjoy this far too much I imagine."

"Oh…I know I will." Faith replied as Liam began combing strands of her hair, tilting her face in all directions, and studying how the light hit with each angle.

"See yer eyes and yer lips they stand out so well jus' have ta get the right light...I think I've got ...AYE." He cried triumphantly.

Faith chuckled, but otherwise stayed just as Liam had positioned her. He moved to Oz and she watched him repeat the process.

From his spot Spike watched Liam move from one band mate to another. He found himself drawn to the way he moved. He sighed softly as Liam began to adjust Oz as he saw fit and Oz gave him one of his all-knowing glances over Liam's shoulder. Spike winked at Oz and mimed grabbing Liam's ass. The girls bit their lips as they tried to stay still and not ruin all the work Liam had already done.

"Okay…yer good." Liam backed up studying Spike.
"Yer turn now---ye ready?"

"'M always ready for you, pet." Spike waggled his eyebrows at Liam in a far to suggestive manner.

Chuckling Liam walked to Spike curling his fingers around Spike's chin, then tilted his face gently from side to side watching the light play across it. "Yer cheekbones are what I want ta center on. Cause once I have them lighted the right way everythin' else falls in ta’ place. Yer eyes stand out an' yer neck looks graceful as well as the rest of yer form. Ye move like liquid so this should na’ take long as long ye dinna fight wha' I'm tryin' ta do."

"I don't fight fate..." Spike whispered softly, "...figure she knows better than I bloody well do." He closed his eyes taking a deep breath enjoying the warmth of Liam's long, graceful fingers cupping his chin.

"Ye think this is fate then do ye?" Liam asked softly near Spike's ear as he turned his body a bit.

"What else could it be, luv? Never knew I could be obsessive about anything other than me music." He bit his lower lip as Liam's hands moved over him---warm, creative, hands. "'Sides I like it when you touch me...control me."

The hands stilled for a second, then tightened around Spike's waist. "Ye dinna like ta wait do ye? Ye get right in there and say wha' needs ta be said. An' ye always manage ta say jus' ta right thing." Liam's mouth moved to Spike’s other side, his lips lowering to his ear, and whispered softly. "Let me take ye out tonight. Jus' fer a drink then we'll go from there."

Spike smiled and almost giggled at the feel of Liam's warm breath tickling his ear. "Me mum always said to speak your mind...never back down. A drink would be good...a good start to something more I hope."

"A'right then. But fer now we work." Liam backed up and looked at Spike from head to toe. "Perfect." He breathed, then went for his camera. "Now jus' everyone freeze like tha'." He started snapping picture after picture, stopping every once in awhile to switch cameras or adjust his lens. A few minutes passed as Liam walked around them, then he lowered his camera. "An' yer done. Yer all free of me."

"Good job kiddies. Now we'll do the other spot ya'll picked tomorrow. Now go take a break before the video shoot starts." Pushing off the wall, Gunn spoke the first real words he’d spoken since arriving in the attic.

Willow let out a wild whoop as she grabbed Oz's hand and bounced down the stairs. Her laughter could be heard echoing back up the stairwell, but her words and Oz's were muffled.

"Probably going to go take a shag break." Spike chuckled as he watched the techs move in to start moving the equipment to the chapel downstairs. "Can't imagine when those two will cool down. Hey, Faith, luv! How long have those two been shagging?" He glanced over to where Liam was packing up his own equipment. "Not that there's anythin' wrong with shagging. Could use a bit of a tumble in the hay meself." His gaze settled on Liam's ass covered in snug denim. "Yeah...that would be nice." He mumbled to himself.

"Blondie." Faith murmured wrapping her arms over Spike’s shoulders. "He isn't going anywhere. Hell he didn't even do the shoot without the instruments yet. Spent too much time making us look pretty with light. So he has more work to do and it's already too late to do more tonight. So, that means he'll be here tomorrow and the next day. He digs you what with all the ear sucking and attention to your ‘form’." She ran her hands down Spike's side. "He wants you…he's just real good at hiding it."

"Not that good..." Spike whispered. "He's asked me out tonight for a drink. I think he's wantin' to romance me a bit...it's the artist in him. I just keep wantin' more though. I'm a greedy little wanker Faith." He pulled her around wrapping his arm around her shoulder and grinned. "So sweetcheeks...why don't we go get a bite before the fun starts with Lindsey the Weasel."

"Sounds good hot stuff." Pulling Spike towards the stairs, Faith turned them around so they were walking backwards then called out. "HEY LIAM?!"

Liam turned his head looking at the pair. "Aye?"

"This one's for you." Faith winked as she reached over grabbing the hem of Spike's shirt. With her other hand she grabbed her own and lifted them both, exposing their chests.

"Very nice." Liam’s laughter was deep.

Faith dropped their shirts, winked, and then laughed as she turned dragging Spike with her. Stumbling down the stairs behind Faith Spike couldn't help, but laugh at the entire scene.

"What the bloody hell was that?!" He chuckled. "Hoping for a threesome?"

Faith shook her head. "No I was just showing that sexy bastard something naked on me. Maybe someday, he'll return the favor. Plus, your nipples are hot. I was helping you there, too."

Rolling his eyes, he moved out the door weaving through the techs. "You always had a thing for me nipples didn't you, pet. Maybe that explains the set of silver loops you bought me for Christmas. Wantin' to add a little sparkle to your favorite part?" He chuckled as he headed to the bus and bounded up the steps heading to the back, ignoring the soft moans as he passed Willow and Oz going at it.

Finding the cooler he pulled out a couple of bottles of Guinness, retrieved a fresh pack of smokes, and headed out. Stepping off the bus, he grinned at Faith. "Drink and a smoke first?"

"Hell yes." Came Faith's satisfied reply as she took a Guinness off Spike's hands and popped it open. "I do tend to buy things that suit me and the people I'm buying presents for. Plus I firmly believe if you have something good to flaunt---flaunt it."

Popping the cap on his bottle Spike wandered along the outside wall of the building taking in the scenery. "Well then maybe I'll look into piercing my nipples when we get back to London."

"Why pay money when I'm right here?" Faith asked. "I got nice clean needles all wrapped up and in sterilized packages. You never know when someone wants a good piercing and I so love watching people squirm."

Raising a brow Spike turned back to Faith. "I always knew you were kinky. Maybe you can do them before Liam and I do the nasty? You think he'd like to see shiny baubles in me nipples?" He grinned and took a swig from his bottle.

Faith opened her mouth, but paused long enough to pull Spike towards her. Watching Liam walking to his car with some of his equipment, she pushed herself close to Spike's back. "Do you think anything about that guy really says vanilla?"

Considering the question Spike snorted. "No...not really, pet. So how's about a lovely piercing?" He watched as Liam packed away the equipment carefully in the trunk of his car. "You're right on all counts Faith---top and most definitely not vanilla."

"Of course I'm right Blondie. I'm always right. I'll pierce ya whenever you want." Faith answered as Xander walked up to the bus, glanced at the two of them, then his gaze darted away as he climbed inside. Faith sighed. "I'm talking to him tonight."

"You want me there, luv? After all it was me idea that started this shite." He pulled Faith into a brotherly hug. "Still can't believe it's more than a case of the chubbies." He shook his head. "Who would've thought."

"No Blondie I got it. I'm the one he has a crush on so I'm the one who will do the talking and groveling." Faith muttered, enjoying the hug although she would never admit it.

Pulling back Spike smiled, a genuine smile. "Just so you know 'm here if you need me, pet." He patted her on the back and winked. "So let's go see what that views like from the ground floor." Taking a quick pull on his drink, he headed around the corner of the build-ing whistling to himself.

"Cause we're like on the actual ‘ground’. You’re slick Spike…real slick." She followed Spike around the building.

Chuckling Spike finished off his Guinness and took in the western side of the ruins. There'd been a garden here at some point he imagined as he walked along the edge of a low stone wall. Leaping over the wall, he yelled over his shoulder.

"Faith check it out...garden therapy or maybe fresh air! Who the bloody hell knows!"

Most of the area was grass, but there was a small stone area like a patio that spread out from what had once been a set of double doors in a semi-circle. A few over grown stone pathways radiated out from the patio like the spokes of a wheel.

"Lots of grass...some rocks..." he mumbled as he lit up a cigarette, "...and one hell of a view." He stood at the back wall staring out at the sea as he waited for Faith to catch up with him.

Faith climbed over the wall then sat on the edge looking over where the garden had once been. "Or maybe another sadistic mind trick. The world may never know." Her attention returned to the sea and she took a deep breathe. "But that…that is totally and utterly awesome."

"Ain't it though?" Spike sat down on the wall next to Faith. "Smoke?" He grinned offering Faith the pack.

Faith took a cigarette, happily stealing Spike's lighter, and lighting up. Taking a deep drag, she looked over the sea. The sea was the most calming part about this place. It brought a sense of peacefulness to what must have been nothing, but madness---literally.

Leaning back against the wall on one hand, Spike closed his eyes as he smoked. It was peaceful here, he thought, as his boots tapped out a rhythm on the crumbling wall. Exhaling he opened his eyes and looked up at the towering ruins.

"Place is haunting..." he whispered, "...wonder how many blokes died here."

A sudden wind lifted Faith's hair, caressing her face, and she shut her eyes. Just listening to the silence, she answered Spike out of nowhere and for no particular reason.

"Way more than was supposed, too. Some for reasons beyond insanity. Some just for the fun of it." Faith paused, her eyes drifting open, then she murmured. "I'm just guessing… place is fucking spooky."

Raising a brow Spike turned to Faith. "Yeah...suppose so."

With a sigh he turned back to the ruins, his gaze traveling up the crumbling walls and that's when he saw it. Nothing more than a shadow, which was probably what it was, but it seemed more. It seemed three-dimensional and if he didn't know better he would have thought that it, whatever it was, had been watching him and Faith. He sat up looking at the window again, but now there was nothing.

"Come on, luv." He hopped down from the wall. "All this talk of nutters and death is a drag."

Faith nodded as she stood. At almost the exact same time, Fred came around the corner.

"Come on ya'll! We have a video to shoot!"

"You heard the tiny Texan let's go!" Faith yelled over her shoulder as she leaped the wall and followed Fred.

Giving the empty window one last glance Spike flicked his butt across the emptiness of the patio. "Tiny Texan...got ya."

Following Faith and Fred out of the garden he began psyching himself up for the video. He hated this part of the music biz, always had, but it was expected. He loved performing for real not play acting to a recording.

~Part: 8~

"Alright everyone take your spots. I'm doing the instrument takes first. So let's get moving." Lindsey called as he took his seat in the director's chair.

"You got it Hitler." Faith picked up her bass throwing it over her shoulder.

Fred and Willow took their spots behind the mics just behind Faith. Xander sat down behind his drum kit looking more bored than he had earlier at the photo shoot.

"I hate this shit. It's like playing house but more gay."

Snorting Spike took his mark and tugged off the blue button down he'd worn all day. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed it to the side. "Couldn't be more right, Harris. Don't like it much meself."

"Oz." Lindsey patiently growled. "We just need you darling."

Oz glanced up from where he was tying his over shirt around his waist and rolled his eyes. Grabbing his guitar he bounced onto the makeshift stage and came to a skidding halt on his mark. "Waiting no more your lordship."

"At least someone appreciates my importance here."

"Okay!" Gunn clapped loudly, cutting off any further retorts. "You know the drill we start the song he says action you guys mimic playing. I know no one likes it but we gotta do it. So just follow along simple as that."

Lindsey signaled all the camera operators, and then he sat up straight, cueing the group. "Action!"

The music started and Spike's voice came over the loud speaker.

You were everything a man could want.
Everything a good man should get.
If there was such a thing as perfect in this world...
Thought I found the magic lamp.
Rubbed it harder than I thought.
Until the night illusion shattered

As the first few verses rang out into the air, Liam walked up behind Lindsey. He watched as the group mimed playing, and Spike mimed singing. Nevertheless, it was still his voice over the loud speaker, still his words, and Liam listened.

Spike was a wild thing as he moved to the music, his lips in perfect sync to the tape. He could have done this in his sleep. Hips gyrating he darted behind Faith and mimed fucking her from behind, then pursed his lips blowing her a kiss before he was bounding over the rocks again, a sheen of perspiration glistening on his skin.

Holding her bass higher Faith smiled naughtily as she played it as hard as she did when they’d recorded the song. The girls mimed their own sounds and coos, swaying back and forth, as Xander did his thing on the drums the chorus drifting out into the air.

You were nothing but a lie.
Nothing, but a bad rhyme...
Bad Poetry...
In a world of good and bad...
You were evil's left hand.
Bad Poetry...In motion

Hands wrapped around the mike stand Spike lip synched to the softening tones of the song. He tilted his head just right so his eyes were locked on the main camera, his sapphire gaze glittering beneath dark lashes. He knew what the bints and the blokes liked. With the sway of his body and with the emotion in his eyes he made love to the camera.

"Good." Lindsey called as the music halted. "Now everyone we’re staying on this set but we’re changin’ some things up. Oz I want you to sit on the edge of the stage the guitar between your legs. Faith I want you to kneel down and sort of hug your bass. Make your patented facial expressions. Everybody loves the bad ass in you. Xander sit on the bass drum stuff your hands in your pockets--- look bored or uncaring---you’re stellar at that. Girls just wander around the stag dance or just kind of mosey as long as your moving and
Spike my sweet sugar throw the guitar around to your back and just do your thing---right?"

Spike rolled his eyes as he retrieved the guitar and slung it over his back. "When's the artistic side of you comin' out wanker?"

"I never once claimed to be artistic sugar. I claimed to bring in the money. Moreover, punk isn't artistic, just people bangin’ about and beatin’ each other up. Goth is artsy but we haven't gotten there yet." Lindsey sighed with an edge of boredom. "Now start the music back up and action."

You were supposed to be my angel.
Instead, you were my devil.
A swish of sensual hips...
A purse of honey sweetened lips.
I saw you in his arms.
Nothing mattered in that moment.
Anger took over my heart.
Pain became my god.
When illusion shattered like glass.

As Liam listened and he couldn't help to feel the song, wondering what it was about, and tried not to get excited when he heard the word angel. It certainly wasn't like the song was about him, but still he had been called a devil on more than one occasion.

Looking up from where he was standing over the mike Spike's gaze met Liam's and he flashed a predatory smile. He hadn't expected Liam to be here watching, but now that he was, he was going to give it his all. Fuck Lindsey, he thought, and not in the good way. His hands slid up and down the mike as he let the music flow over and through him. His hips swayed to the erotic, dark notes as he mimed the words, his eyes lowering and shifting to the camera seductively.

Liam grinned back with a knowing grin. He knew what Spike was up too. Darting his gaze to top of Lindsey’s head Liam lifted a finger to his head and mimed blowing his brains out. Apparently, Liam was as impressed with Lindsey as Spike was.

For a few more moments Lindsey let the band stay like that, then stood, clapping his hands as the music stopped again. "Good. Now hand over the instruments to the techs and I get to be ‘artsy’ just for sugar here."

"Name's Spike you bleedin' arsehole. Not sugar, not sweetcheeks, and definitely not honey." Spike snarked as he handed over his guitar to one of the techs.

"Anything you say sugar." Lindsey replied as he turned to give directions to an assistant beside him who ran outside.

Liam rolled his eyes as Faith and Oz handed over their instruments to the techs. Stretching Faith wondered what the final fiasco would in tale. Xander watched as each piece of his beloved drum set got carted away the same puppy look of loss on his face. He hated strange people handling his stuff and he hated the part of the video he had to work on without his beloved drums.

"Wanker..." Spike growled beneath his breath. Looking up he met Liam's gaze and blew a kiss at him. "So..." he drew out in an annoying parody of Lindsey's Texan drawl, "...what next?"

Suddenly a strobe light from outside flashed on, radiating light from beyond the window and through it. As it hit the red, white and black of the stained glass multi-colored spinning shards of light began to rain over them. With a flick of Lindsey’s wrist behind the stage, long white silk curtains flew down around the stage making a mini-tent around it.

"Ya'll might want to step back." Lindsey warned right before the whole front of the stage shifted. Some parts lowered other parts rose causing a ripple effect in the metal that the techs quickly covered with the long silk coverings that matched the curtains. With one final direction to a near-by tech a fan was placed under the stage, the silk starting to rise and fall accenting the coverings and the ripple effect making it seem like an ethereal ocean.

Lindsey looked up at Spike. "Artsy enough for ya my Prince?"

"Not bad for a horny, annoying Texan..." Spike took in the stage and had to admit Lindsey knew his shit. It was a shame though that he was such a bleedin' wanker. "Just might be 'artsy' enough." Then he turned to Liam. "What do you think, luv?"

Lindsey raised a brow at Liam. "Oh yeah enlighten us our local Irish artist. What do ya think of my work?"

Arching a brow right back Liam asked. "Honestly?"

"Honestly." Lindsey nodded crossing his arms over his chest.

Liam stopped an assistant with a water bottle, asking for it nicely, then he walked up to the stage. Wetting the bottom of the silk covering, he bent down grabbing handfuls of dirt, then walked along the stage. Smearing the dirt along the bottom of the coverings, he gave the silk a worn, dirty appearance. He moved to the windows pausing for a second, then shoved his elbow through the window in the corner. A tiny sliver of solid colored light sparked through and then he moved around doing the same to the other windows. Finally, he backed up taking in the results.

Beams of solid colored light spun outward onto the stained parts of the covering causing it to stand out against the perfect flowing effect of the remainder of the room.

"I think it looks perfect Lindsey jus' perfect."

Lindsey gritted his teeth. "Thanks."

"Now that's just soddin' perfect." Spike grinned. "Gives it that spooky feel."

"Yeah...excellent." Oz piped up cocking his head a bit as if he could get a better angle. "What do you think Willow?"

"Wow...just all with the wow..." Willow whispered in awe.

Spike snickered. "Yeah...understatement of the year Red."

"Righteous." Faith replied as she leaned over to get a better look. "I like having it a bit more…grungy."

Before Xander could even open his mouth Lindsey stepped forward and coughed loudly.

"Fine it's a glorious success don't everybody trip over their feet to praise me. Now for this do whatever you want…whatever feels natural. You have so much to play with. This is the chorus and then we’re done for the day." Lindsey stepped back with a yell. "Action!"

The music started the last chorus rolling through the air.

You were nothing but a lie.
Nothing, but a bad rhyme...
Bad Poetry...
In a world of good and bad...
You were evil's left hand.
Bad Poetry in motion...
Bad Poetry...

Wandering through the swirling silk, Spike flashed seductive gazes at the camera. His body took on the fluid motion of the silk, the lights flickering across his pale skin as he moved his lips to the recording. Slowly he moved his way along the stage sliding between Fred and Willow casting them gazes that promised dark, erotic pleasures, then he glanced back at Faith. Slowly he moved towards the stained glass window of St. Brigid and knelt as if in prayer. His upper body continued to writhe to the music as if he were caught in a religious rapture.

The rest of the group relaxed moving to the music across various spots of the stage or just stayed in place picking the pose that best suited them. Then the final strains of the song began to sound.

In a world of good and bad...
You were evil's left hand.
Bad Poetry...
Seductress of a thousand sins...
Bad Poetry...

As the music began to fade away, Spike stretched out on the floor his hands palm up in supplication. On either side of him Willow and Oz knelt their hands folded as if in prayer, heads bowed. They all waited a few beats as the final notes faded then Oz and Willow stood. Spike rolled over on his back and sighed as the cool air from the fans began to chill the perspiration on his skin.

"So how was that Weasel boy?" Spike asked as he propped one booted foot on his knee.

"It's good enough for today, but you got more to go sugar." Lindsey answered as he signed forms and pointed out a few final things he needed done before they packed up for the night. "This was just the main takes. Tomorrow we throw you about this set like a rag doll for special effects. Doesn't that sound fun?"

"Loads..."Oz mumbled as he took Willow by the hand and headed for the bus.

Spike stood slowly from his spot and stretched with a yawn. "Good meal and some rest then I suppose." He gave Lindsey a knowing look. "No shagging allowed I guess until all the work is done. Can't spare the energy---now can I?"

Lindsey glanced at Liam who was walking around the stage as techs packed things away. "Something tells me sugar your energy is always willing to be depleted and replenished. That is as long as ya find someone worth your time." Handing the clipboard back to his assistant he walked to the stage near Spike then whispered softly. "But word to the wise sugar? That boy is gonna eat you up and spit you out just as easily or faster than I ever would. I offer you at least something more than a little fling. That boy doesn't believe in anything steady or long term---ya mark my words."

A snort escaped Spike as he stood walking away from Lindsey. "Showing a bit of your nasty green through that white wash Lindsey. Green's not a good color for you." Hopping off the stage, Spike grabbed his discarded shirt and pulled out cigarette lighting up. Giving Lindsey a final glance, he shook his head sadly. "Not a good color at all, pet."

"Still doesn't make me wrong." Lindsey called after him then turned walking away.

Catching up to Spike, Faith wrapped her arm around his. "Places to be speed racer?"

"Naw...not really." Spike exhaled softly. "It's just that wanker drives me nuts. Do I look like a soddin' baby that needs a sugar daddy?"

"Maybe depends on the sugar daddy." At Spike's look, Faith held up her free hand. "Hear me out. I know you’re a big boy. I know you like to do your own thing. I know you’re not much for being told what to do. But you do show signs."

"Signs? SIGNS?!" Spike threw up his arms. "Jesus Faith...who's bleedin' side are you on?!"

Faith stopped giving Spike a look that spoke volumes. "Yours always yours…even when we almost fell apart. But, Spike when you’re in love you’re love's bitch---totally and utterly. You give yourself over pretty much completely. You crave love so much Blondie that you do just about everything, including lowering yourself to the depths of hell, to get a piece of that feelin’ back I remember ‘Buffy’ Spike. Everybody remembers Buffy. She ate you up Spike and not in a nice way. I don't think there's anything wrong with being taken care of as long as you find the right person to do it. You don't always have to be in complete control---give a little to get a little. Help others and let them help you." She shrugged. "That's all I'm sayin’."

"Yeah...yeah..." Spike mumbled, his face flushing pink in embarassment. "It's just who I am, luv. Can't seem to help meself." His shoulders slumped as he took a breath to calm himself. "Just don't want to be alone. Look I do this for a number of reasons---me mum is one." His voice began to tremble as he turned away. "She's all I got Faith 'sides you and I need...bloody hell I don't know what I need." He crossed his arms over his chest as he turned away, hugging himself.

Wrapping her arms around Spike from behind Faith whispered. "You just need the right person." She turned him until they were facing the back of the stage. "Look around the corner." Faith whispered in his ear. "What do you see?"

Sighing Spike lifted his gaze and focused on what he saw. "Liam..." he mumbled softly, swallowing back the tightness in his throat, "...I see Liam."

"You don't know if he's the right person yet you just met him---I get that. But with everything you feel deep down, with what happens every time he touches you, I think he's a pretty safe bet so far---don't you?"

Blinking against the tears that tried to well in his eyes Spike let out a soft breath. "Suppose so...don't know why though. It's like he's digging beneath me skin..."

Liam looked back towards the front of the stage, his deep brown eyes piercing, so full of life and promise.

"He just may be." Faith let Spike go to move around and wipe away the tears that had formed in his eyes. "He just might be. Don’t ever look gift horses in the mouth. I would beg for that man to dig anything into me."

Laughing softly Spike shook his head in disbelief. "You're the only one that can do that, pet. Get in me head. God I hope you're right---I do. I think I love him and I just don't want to be losing meself again. I can't lose meself. Not again, luv. Not like with her." He sniffed softly. "I just want him to love me, too. Is that to bleedin' much to ask?"

"No but don't start spittin’ the love until you get a kiss at least." Faith groaned ruffling Spike's hair. "Gotta know if he's as good at kissin’ with that tongue as he is at talkin’ with it. What if he just slobbers all over you? Then you’re gonna wish you’d never said you loved him." Faith shivered. "You remember Rick the biker?"

Spike pruned his face up. "Ewww..." he shook his head, "...kill me now if he kisses like that wanker. I remember that little hankie you carried in your back pocket. We nick-named it the Rick Wiper."

Faith burst out laughing as Gunn yelled for them.

"FAITH?! SPIKE?!"

Faith popped her head around the corner. "Yeah Boss?"

"Yeah, Charlie...we're here." Spike yelled, tears of laughter streaking his flushed face.

"Get your asses out here. I want to go the hell back to the tavern, get food in my belly, and then hit some sheets. Not all of us have child like blood running in our veins. Do you think you two can move your asses?"

"Coming Charlie-boy!" Spike grabbed Faith dragging her towards the bus. With a glance over his shoulder back at Liam, Spike called out again. "Raven's Wing Inn! See ya tonight!"

Liam waved as Faith and Spike disappeared out the door towards the bus.

***

Gunn threw his napkin onto the table and rubbed his belly. "Hot damn that's what a growing boy needs. Good stuff Ian my man."

"Thank ye me lad. So nice ta be cookin' for an appreciative lot." Ian leaned in close. "I imagine I've done spoiled the lot here. Never a word of thanks from the gluttons." He stood up laughing softly.

Spike burped as he lit a cigarette. "Right perfect it was to mate. Never knew the Irish could cook so soddin' well or I'd have come for a visit sooner."

Rolling his eyes, Oz snuggled into Willow taking a drink of his soda and snagging a fry from Spike's plate. Holding it up he grinned as Willow took a bite. "Good fries." He nodded.

"Real good." Willow agreed as she snagged another bite.

Faith grabbed a fry as well making an appreciative noise. "Hell yeah! This is good Ian. How do you feel about marrying a younger girl?"

Chuckling softly Ian shook his head. "I'd be feelin' fine with it, but me Mary would 'ave a fit she would. Been married for fifty years and she's done said I'll not leave her unless it would be in a pine box."

Spike snorted then choked on his Guinness.

"Why are all the good men gay or taken?" Faith pouted.

"Maybe because you’re being punished." Xander muttered, taking a sip of his soda.

Faith sighed, wiping her hands together, then stood up. "That's it come on."

"What?" Xander looked up stupidly at Faith. "You can't be serious? You want to kick my ass in a tavern?"

"No." Faith patiently spoke. "I want to ‘talk’ to you so come on."

"What if I don't want to talk to you."

"Oh that's it." Faith cried darting across the room and pulling Xander from his chair. "Let's go I can't take any more of this."

"HEY! HEY! Abuse I can cry abuse." Xander yelled, wiggling, but not nearly as much as he could have.

"If I abused you, you would like it! Now let's go don't make me force you out of here."

"Fine." Xander calmed his arms relaxing. "Fine."

Faith glanced around the table. "I'm just gonna take Xander here and have a little chat."

"Go…about damn time.” Gunn waved his hand. “If I had to hear him whine or bitch about one more thing I was goin ta’ kill him anyway."

Shaking with suppressed laughter Spike glanced over at Oz. "She's gonna make it cool, mate."

"Either that or give him the ultimate wedgie." Willow giggled softly, then clamped her mouth shut when Spike glared at her.

"Cool is good." Oz nodded.

Happy that everyone knew her intentions, Faith grabbed Xander’s hand and walked away yelling over her shoulder. "Spike ya better change for Liam. Want to look fresh for your date." Then she was gone tugging a half-scared, half-curious Xander behind her.

A bright blush rose in Spike's cheeks. "Uh...yeah...good idea, pet."

"Liam? Ye've got a date with Liam O' Brien?" Ian raised a brow at Spike.

"Uh...yeah." Spike squeaked out as Willow giggled. "Have a problem?"

"Nay...not at all. Just do na’ go breaking the boy's heart. Ye be kind ta’ him. Me and his father were the best of friends and I promised him I'd watch out fer his son."

"Did daddy know he swung all kinds of branches?" Gunn questioned as he took a drink of water.

"Aye...as a matter of fact he did." Ian frowned at Gunn. "That would be part of the reason he's not on speakin' terms with his brother. The boys never did see eye ta eye on things, but I'd held hope that they'd be comin’ to terms eventually." He sighed softly. "Anyway it's not me place to speak of such things. I've a bit of work ta do an' I'll be leavin' ye folks. Jus' do na' hurt me boy." He turned leavin' for the kitchen.

Spike cleared his throat. "Well I guess he told me right and proper---now didn't he?" Standing up he nodded to his band mates and headed out of the tavern. "I'm goin' up to have a shower. Been a long day."

Everyone waved back, getting up and heading back to their rooms as Gunn paid the bill. It’d been one long tiring day.

~Part: 9~

Liam ran his fingers through his wet hair nervously, then pulled on his Versace black button down with goldenrod pinstripes. As he buttoned it, a soft knock came from the door. "Come in."

The door slowly swung open and Drusilla peeked around the edge, her eyes wide as they settled on Liam.

"Hello me Princess. Do ye think blue jeans are alright wit' a nice shirt like this?" Liam turned displaying his worn washed blue jeans to Drusilla as he finished buttoning his shirt, leaving the top two unbuttoned.

A soft giggle escaped Drusilla's lips as she stepped around the door. She reached out her slender fingers tracing the golden pinstripes as she hummed to herself.

"Angel-face is going to meet his prince..." she smiled as her gaze lifted to Liam's face. "Miss Edith says you look handsome and the stars are singing softly." Her eyes sparkled as her hand lifted to cup Liam's jaw, her thumb caressing his lips every so softly. "Snow white hair...sea blue eyes..." she sang softly, "...he wants you to love him Angel-face." She swayed as her eyes drifted shut. "Love him...love him...the stars are whispering tonight."

Liam smiled at his sister, sighing softly as he turned back to the gigantic full-length mirror, checking over his appearance. "Ye know how I feel about love me Princess. I jus' dinna hand it away. It's precious jus' like ye." Walking to Drusilla, he leaned in kissing her softly on her forehead. "Ye want ta put the gel in me hair? Ye always like tha'."

Opening her eyes Drusilla giggled as she clapped her hands. "Spikey...spikey..." she sang as she danced to the dressing table. "Miss Edith says that I must make it extra pretty tonight. Make it pretty for Angel-face's prince."

"Well who am I ta argue wit' such divine advice. After all Miss Edith knows best." Liam grinned as he sat down on the edge of his huge four-poster bed.

Picking up the gel, Drusilla skipped to the bed and squirted a bit on her fingertips. Carefully sitting the tube aside she began stroking her fingers through Liam's hair humming a soft tune. "Pretty... pretty..." she whispered as her fingers massaged the gel through Liam's damp hair. "The jasmine is bloomin' in the garden tonight. Miss Edith says ye should show him the pretty blossoms..." she frowned as she stepped back cocking her head to the side. "A little here..." she tufted up the left side, then smiled. "All done me Angel-face. Pretty as the bloomin' jasmine. Spike will want to thread his fingers through it."

Shocked Liam reached out, grabbing her hand gently. "Wha' did ye jus' say? Tha' name wha' was the name ye jus' said again?"

Giggling Drusilla dropped her eyes to the floor. "Oops...Ms. Edith will be very angry with me now. She said I must na' tell ye that I knew the prince's name." She scuffed her slipper on the hardwood floor.

"An' why is tha' then?" Liam asked.

Dru looked up with wide dark eyes pressing her finger to her lips and making a soft hushing sound. "It was a secret...the stars tell me secrets sometimes. Sometimes they tell me things to keep, then some things to tell." She chewed her lower lip thoughtfully for a moment. "They said not to tell ye...they said ye would na' like it. Said that if I said it aloud that the bad things would hear it."

"Well we'll jus' have ta make sure bad things dinna do anythin' wit' the information---now will we?" Liam grinned, patting his lap. "Sit wit' me before I have ta finish gettin' ready."

Settling down on Liam's lap, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Promise Angel-face..." she whispered in his ear, "...I did na' mean, too." Tears welled along her lashes. "Ye'll protect him...take care of him like ye do with me and Miss Edith?"

"Hush now." Liam wiped at the forming tears in Drusilla’s eyes. "Ye dinna have ta worry about a thing. I'll take care of everythin'---ye know me. No harm will befall him as long as I'm wit' him ye know tha'. If anyone even thinks of hurtin' him an' I'll huff an' puff an' bite off their limbs." Liam snapped his jaws playfully.

Squealing in delight, Drusilla bounced out of Liam's lap and headed for the door. "Big bad wolf! Big bad wolf!" She giggled as she hid behind the bedroom door.

Liam chuckled and stood, play growling as he slowly tip toed along the floor. "I wonder where she is? Hmm...where oh where could me sister be?"

Hunching down behind the door, Drusilla giggled. "Not here ye big bad wolf!" She squealed.

"Oooh…wha' is tha' I hear? She must be close by." Liam tiptoed closer and closer to the door until he was on his knees in front of the door. "I smell perfume could it be?" His fingers crept around the door slowly.

Drusilla let out a high pitched squeal of laughter, smacking at Liam's fingers playfully. "No! No... nooo!"

At that moment, Doyle popped his head in the door. "Hmmm...big bad wolf again I see." He chuckled softly. "Now did na' the wolf 'ave a date tonight?"

"Aye he does." Liam growled softly as he slowly inched around the door. "But I ‘ave a lass ta’ catch first."

Another squeal erupted from behind the door and Drusilla slipped away from Liam's fingers darting across the room and bouncing on the bed. Her laughter echoed through the room as Liam turned towards the bed.

"Uncle Francis! Uncle Francis! Save me from the wolf!" She squealed her cheeks a glow with happiness.

"Nay...Uncle Francis would na' be a wolf hunter." Doyle chuckled as he leaned in the doorway.

"Good fer Uncle Francis cause the wolf likes ta eat little scared Irishmen best of all." Liam growled in a deep voice as he sprang to his feet, darting to the bed, and grabbing Drusilla around the waist before she had a chance to escape. Then he began tickling her unmercifully.

"Bad wolf! Bad wolf!!" Drusilla squealed and squirmed as Liam tickled her. "Bad wolf stop it!!!"

Doyle snorted. "Scared Irishman me arse! I'd be thinkin' you'll be scared if yer late." He tapped his
watch with a grin. "Ye need ta be goin' 'fore yer late."

"Wha' time is it then?" Liam laughed as he tickled Drusilla harder.

"It's coming up on eight ye annoying pest. I'd be sayin' yer boyo will be gettin' the jitters if yer late." Raising a brow, he turned to leave the room yelling over his shoulder. "Come on now Drusilla tell yer Angel-face bye and we can go watch yer favorite movie."

Drusilla sat up her eyes sparkling as she slapped at Liam's tickling fingers. "The Wizard of Oz?? Ohhh...I love the flying monkeys! I'd love ta 'ave one fer a pet."

Falling back on the bed Liam lifted his watch and sighed. He did really have to get going. "Well go on then Princess go watch the flyin' monkeys. Beg Uncle Francis fer one. After all yer birthday isn't far away."

Drusilla kissed Liam's cheek, giggled, and then bounced off the bed. "Would ye get me one Uncle
Francis?? A real flying monkey?"

From out in the hallway came a soft groan. "Well now isn't that just a bite in me arse. Thank ye sooo...much Liam! Where am I ta’ find a flying monkey?"

Soft giggling echoed back as Drusilla disappeared out the door. "In the zoo silly Uncle Francis!"

Liam laughed hard as he rolled off the bed and took a final look in the mirror at his appearance. Reaching over to the bedside table Liam grabbed his wallet and his car keys, then left his bedroom shutting the door behind him. As he passed the living room he heard Drusilla singing about flying monkeys and he laughed a full hearty laugh. He really had to stop torturing Doyle so.

***

Spike stood in front of the mirror staring at his reflection. Here it was almost eight and he was still
standing naked except for a towel in front of the mirror. He wanted to look hot for Liam, but he didn't want to do slutty. He sighed softly as he turned back to the bed where ninety nine percent of his wardrobe was scattered.

"Leather...slutty...fishnet...slutty..." he groaned as he began rooting through the clothes again. "Bloody hell...I am so screwed..." he mumbled.

A very soft tap echoed against the door.

"What the bloody hell now?!" Spike growled as he dropped the suede pants he'd been considering.
Stomping to the door he threw it open. "What?"

"OH!" Fred threw up her tiny hands, covering her eyes. "I…I...I'm sorry. I…I…I just...Faith…she just called me and she asked me to...I...I…" Fred peeked between her fingers, then quickly covered her eyes again. "Gee, golly whiz."

Staring at Fred for a moment in confusion suddenly Spike realized what he was wearing. "Shite! Sorry, luv..." he dove back into the room and grabbed the robe from behind the bathroom door. Pulling it on he yelled over his shoulder. "Come on in, pet. All covered up now."

He darted out of the bathroom clearing a spot on the bed. "What was that about Faith callin'?" He waved Fred into the room.

Fred tentatively inched into the room using one hand to feel around, the other firmly covering her eyes still. "Ya sure it's okay?" She questioned meekly.

"Yes...I swear, pet. All the dangly bits hidden and non-dangly as well." He chuckled softly. Considering she was a back up singer for the band she still had that shy country girl thing going for her, he thought.

Fred uncovered her eyes slowly, then took a deep shuddering breath of relief. "Thank goodness. I am sorry Spike. I didn't know you were…" She gestured with her hands. "Ya know. But, anyway Faith called and asked me to come over and check on you. See if you needed help. She said and I quote 'See if Blondie is knee deep in slutty apparel and if he is help the poor bastard---will you?'. So here I am." Fred smiled helpfully.

Flopping on the bed Spike let out a groan. He reached for his cigarettes and lit one up. "She soddin' well knows me to good." He sighed as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Yeah...hate to admit it, but I need help. Never knew just how slutty me wardrobe was until now." He stood and began pacing as he smoked. "Tell me what to do, luv. I have this date and the last thing I need is to be
lookin' like the poster child for slutdom."

Fred giggled then walked over studying the pile of clothes. "Well let’s see first---shall we?" She bent over demurely picking at the clothes. "Oh this is a...shirt?" She held up a tattered piece of material that looked more like a half-gone rag, than a shirt then put it down. "Never mind." Setting it back down she started to sort clothes into piles seemingly deep in thought.

Spike leaned against the bathroom door, banging his forehead against it in frustration. "Please tell me there's hope Fred..." he moaned.

Glancing at Spike, she smiled sweetly. "Of course there is Spike. There is always hope. Now let's see what we have." She straightened up grabbing the piles and setting them on the bed. "Come here."

Head hung low in embarassment; Spike shuffled to the bed with a sigh. "I feel bleedin' stupid. You'd think I could dress meself."

"Oh you can Spike I don't doubt that, but sometimes a man just needs a woman’s touch." Fred tilted Spike's face up to hers. "Now smile for me. No sad faces here."

Spike rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out. "How's that?" He chuckled as he mimed hanging himself.

Giggling Fred smacked Spike's arm lightly. "Now be good. Let's see then…"

Fred picked up two shirts and held them against Spike's chest looking for a few seconds, then tossing them aside. Picking up another two, she repeated the process. She tapped her jaw for a few seconds then set one shirt aside, tossing the other one, then grabbed another two.

Stretching Spike popped his neck and began humming as he ground out the butt in the ashtray and lit another. "You sure you can do this, pet? I mean..." he waved at the pile on the bed, "...ain't like you got much to work with here. I want to look sexy...just not slutty."

"Gunn hates suits and I help him with those. So does that qualify me?" Fred asked as she set both shirts into the keep pile and picked up the last two.

"Suppose so..." he chewed his lower lip nervously. "Should have known Charlie wasn't the suit type." He chuckled as he studied the shirts Fred had set to the side.

Fred threw the last two shirts to the floor and picked up the three she liked, holding them up in front of her. "These say sexy but not slutty. Pick the one ya like."

"Hmmm..." Spike sighed as he looked at the three in question.

He reached out and snatched the long sleeved tee that he'd picked up in London. It was soft to the touch, white body, and black sleeves emblazoned with tattoo like designs. He knew it fit him like a glove showing off his upper body without being to obvious. "Guess this one's my fav, pet."

Fred pushed the shirt towards Spike. "Now the pants." She bent back over, picking up a pile of pants and setting them on the bed. "Now we have blue jeans that are faded and dirty looking, blue jeans with many holes, just blue jeans, black jeans, leather pants, black cargo pants and a pair of dark blue pants with pockets near the knees. Feels nice. Which do you think would go good with your shirt?"

Tapping his chin Spike cocked his head to the side. Most of them were either slutty or close to slutty. He picked up the black cargo pants, then shook his head. All black was two bloody depressing, he thought. Tossing them to the side he picked up the dark blue pants and held them up to the shirt contemplating. He supposed they'd work.

"Okay...what do you think, luv?" He grinned around his smoldering cigarette.

Fred looked at the proposed outfit. "Very promising…I say ya." Then she grinned wide.

"Think me combat boots would go good with this?" Spike grinned as he hurried into the bathroom. He slipped off the robe sliding the shirt over his head, then pulled on the pants commando style.

"Ya I like your boots." Fred called after him sitting on the edge of Spike's bed, kicking her legs back and forth.

Wandering out of the bathroom he picked up his boots and stepped in front of Fred. Doing a sexy catwalk strut, he grinned at her. "So...what do ya think, pet? Am I hot or what?"

Clapping Fred nodded. "Very handsome so ya will match your handsome man."

"Doubt that, luv. Liam's pretty well put together."

He flopped in the chair next to the desk and pulled on his boots, lacing them tight, and tugging the pant legs down. Standing he moved to the mirror and studied his hair, then reached for the gel and began spiking the cottony white strands.

"So maybe some jewelry? Got a right nice silver chain bracelet I picked up in New York." He cocked his head tugging a few final strands.

"Yes!" Fred chirped as she stood, smoothing her skirt down. "And maybe a simple silver necklace too if ya want. Oh and a ring for your thumb! Rings draw attention to your hands. I imagine men who like other men like hands. Because well..." Fred blushed, then giggled, unable to finish the thought.

Spike raised an eyebrow at Fred as he dug out his jewelry case. "Hands? Never much thought of it before. Suppose some of them do...me well I have the whole package need. Don't just study the hands." He chuckled as he slipped a simple silver chain around his neck, the bracelet around his wrist, and then fished out a simple silver thumb ring with a Celtic pattern engraved in it. He imagined Liam would like that. With a finally peek in the mirror he turned back to Fred and did a twirl. "Will I knock his soddin' socks off?"

"Ya better believe it." Fred answered, running to Spike and throwing her arms around him in a hug. "Ya look great."

"Thanks Fred."

He hugged her back with genuine feeling. Fred was a sweetheart and sometimes he thought that under different circumstances maybe in another world he might have asked her out. However, this was his world and Fred deserved a man who treated her right. Gunn he grudgingly admitted was the right man. Pulling back, he smiled down into her dark eyes.

"Guess I better get hopping, luv. Tell Faith not to wait up." He grabbed his wallet from the dresser, stuffed it in his back pocket, and then grabbed his key card. Before he bounced out the door he turned back and blew Fred a kiss. "Thanks again."

"You’re welcome!!" Fred yelled with an enthusiastic wave, watching Spike disappear down the hall.

***

"No Ian for the fifth time he isn't gonna hurt me. I am after all a big boy." Liam groaned, fiddling with the bottle of Guinness in his hand as he sat at the bar.

Scrubbing the counter furiously for the bazillionth time, Ian sighed, his blue-grey eyes narrowing. "Now do na' be so sure of that boyo. I've known his type in me time...hell I was his type when I was a wee lad. Just out ta 'ave a good time."

"I do the same thing. I find it awfully lax of me ta judge Spike fer it. Now will ye jus' tell me if I look alright?"

Throwing his hands in the air Ian snorted. "An' fer the twentieth time...ye look as if ye walked off...what is tha' American magazine? Aye...GQ!"

Liam smiled broadly. "Thank ye Ian yer ta kind really, but I accept it."

Rolling his eyes Ian opened his mouth to snap a sassy comment back, then clamped it shut. A wide grin spread across his face as he whistled. "Seems someone is 'ere ta see ye lad. I'll just be cleanin' up in the kitchen then." Turning he headed into the kitchen whistling a jaunty little tune.

Liam turned and he was eternally grateful that his hands were firmly holding the beer bottle tight. Otherwise he imagined he’d have lost the beer altogether. Spike looked like the most edible thing next to food.

The shirt he wore clung to his chest so close you would think it was part of him. His muscles starkly defined no matter which way he turned. The pants a dark blue hung a little low but didn't give anything away and those as well were snug. His hair was it's usually mussy, spikey, masterpiece and ‘jewelry’, too.

A silver necklace accented his neck, a bracelet on his right wrist made Liam's eyes stick to his hand and wrist, and a ring encircled his thumb. That alone had Liam experiencing a sudden vision of sucking the thumb into his mouth. This boy was gorgeous and clothes just magnified the fact.

Glancing up from where he'd been fumbling for a cigarette Spike's gaze settled on Liam who sat at the bar. Suddenly there wasn't another soul in the bar despite the evening crowd. Liam was perfection, he thought, and as usual, he was takeout. Faded well-worn jeans a bit looser than the last pair, but they fit well and a black pinstripe button down the pinstripes flicking in the light with a golden sheen. The top two buttons had been left unbuttoned revealing a smooth line of sun-kissed skin stretched over a strong collarbone. The cigarette fell from his fingers forgotten as he moved across the room feeling stiff and awkward.

God he's bleedin' gorgeous, Spike thought.

Liam stood awkwardly reaching for the second beer he’d bought for Spike and just ‘waited’. Waited for that body and that voice to come to him.

"Liam...umm...sorry 'm late, pet." Spike could feel the heat rise in his face as he accepted the beer being offered. Suddenly he felt like a schoolboy again on his first date. He smiled nervously at Liam. "Just wanted to look good..." his voice trailed off as he fiddled with the label on the bottle.

"Ye…" Liam’s voice came out gravely, then he coughed and tried again. "Ye succeeded. Come on I have a table in the back where me paintings are. We can sit jus' the two of us if ye want or we can sit at the bar whatever ye like."

"Back room..." Spike whispered as he looked up his eyes shining. Suddenly realizing how that might sound he cleared his throat. "Ummm...I'd like to get to know ya better...ya know?"

Nodding Liam held out his hand. "After ye. I already know ye know where it is."

With a quick nod, Spike headed for the back room where Liam's paintings were kept. When he walked in the door he grinned and glanced back at Liam, then back to the room. A simple wooden table had been set up with two comfortable chairs making a cozy, but not too cozy space.

To the side was a large heavy plastic container filled with ice and numerous bottle of Guinness. On the table at each place sitting were platters of hot wings, seasoned fries, and in the middle the biggest bloomin' onion Spike had ever seen.

His eyes lit up as he licked his lips. "Got great taste mate." He grinned even wider. "Didn't know the Irish even knew what a bloomin' onion was much less how to make one."

Liam grinned. "Ye would be surprised wha' we can do." Then he brushed by Spike his hand caressing the boy’s lower back before he walked around, taking a seat a smug grin on his face. He lifted his beer up taking a slow sip.

A shiver traveled up Spike's spine at that subtle yet intimate touch. Taking a deep breathe he wandered over to the table dropping into his chair and took a deep pull off his beer, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"So who wants ta start?" Liam asked.

"Start...?" Spike mumbled, his cheeks flaming pink again. Directing his gaze on the onion, he shivered. "Start what?" He pulled a piece of the onion free and popped it between his lips chewing.

Liam chuckled softly. "Talkin' gettin' ta know one another. Who wants ta start?"

Swallowing hard Spike cheeks burned even brighter. What the bloody hell had he thought Liam was talking about, he wondered? Well now, there was a loaded question. "Mmm...what do ya want to know?" He took another drink of his beer wishing he could sink into the floor.

"Everythin'…anythin'. Here let me start ye seem ta havin' a bit of trouble jus' breathin. Ye know I'm an artist and a photographer. I told ye I have a brother his name is Ewan. But, I also have a younger sister her name is Drusilla. She's me Princess."

"A sister...how old is she?" Spike leaned closer as he began to babble. "'Cause me 'm an only child...just me and me mum."

"She's sixteen. Ye want ta see her---I ‘ave pictures."

Stuffing another piece of onion in his mouth to cut off any further babbling Spike nodded. With a quick swallow, he smiled. "Pictures are always good, luv. I bet she's a sweet one and pretty, too."

"Aye tha’ she is." Liam pulled out his wallet, opening it, and placed six pictures on the table. Some were professionally done and some were candid. "The professional ones I did. She likes ta’ create worlds an' I jus' help her---ye know? Anythin' ta make her happy."

Gazing down at the pictures Spike smiled. Drusilla was as he'd imagined---very beautiful. She was pale, with long dark hair and large innocent eyes to match. In the first photo she was dressed in a Victorian dress, all deep burgundy velvet, and ruffled silk. Her dark hair was piled up in elaborate curls and she was sitting on a swing, a china doll in her lap. He cocked his head as he studied the others and he noted that in the posed ones she always had the doll.

"So..." he paused as he sorted his thoughts, "...what's up with the doll? Family heirloom or something?"

"Oh tha' me boy is Miss Edith. She's like Drusilla's second skin, she goes no where wit’out her. Sometimes she doesn't make decisions wit’ out consulting her first."

Spike raised a brow at Liam's comment. He'd thought he'd seen something odd about the young girl even in the photos. "Can I ask...is Drusilla...well...ummm... special?" He decided that was the best way of putting it.

"Aye is a manner of speakin'. There was some trouble when she was born. We lost our mother tha' day." Liam whispered grazing his fingers along a picture of his sister. "I'm sad she'll never meet our mother. They would ‘ave made a great pair."

Reaching out Spike laid his hand over Liam's gently seeing the sadness in the other man's eyes. "I know how you must feel, pet." He whispered softly. "Me mum...she's all I got and she don't even know who I am anymore." His voice cracked as he spoke.

"Be glad ye got her though. Memories or no." Liam sat up straight, pulling his hand away. "Me da’ died eight years after ‘er of a heart attack leaving us completely alone. I was eighteen when I took over everythin' house, sister, expenses, and responsibilities. Growin' up is a harsh lesson when ye have ta speed up the process."

Honestly, Spike had no idea what to say to that. Liam was right, at least he still had his mum, but even that thought didn't comfort him much. It wasn't as if his life had been easy---it hadn't. However, compared to Liam's it'd been smooth sailing. He looked up at Liam studying
his face with different eyes now. He'd been eighteen, Spike thought, barely more than a child and suddenly he was the only thing his little sis had. How could a kid be mother, father, and brother to another child?

"'M sorry, luv." He whispered softly. "But we all have our crosses to bear." What else could he say, he wondered?

Suddenly feeling bad for being a bit too harsh, which Liam knew he had been, he sighed. "Nay… dinna be I'm fine. I love me sister truly it's never a hardship bein' there fer her. An' it's not as if I lack of money. Inheritance and me jobs keep me pretty well off. And me house is a historical landmark so if somethin' breaks I dinna have ta do everythin' by meself."

"That's good to know...that you have help." Spike leaned back grabbing two more bottles and set them down. "Me dad died right after I was born." He popped the cap taking a deep drink. "He was killed working on the docks. Mum and me we never had much, but what we had was ours. His life insurance paid off the funeral and the little house on the East End. Mum cleaned houses and did a bit of waitressing. We managed to squeak by."

He searched his pants pockets and pulled out his smokes. Shaking one free he lit it up and inhaled deeply trying to steady his nerves. He'd not spoke about his past in a long time and definitely not with any potential lovers. Faith was the only one who knew his secrets, every last one of them.

"Sounds like ye had as excitin' a life as me." Liam commented.

Chuckling Spike closed his eyes tilting the chair back on two legs and bouncing. "More than you know. When I was fourteen I got me a job down on the docks, unloading ships. Me mum was terrified, but by then she was already showing signs of being sick. I knew I had to help out and she tried her best to hide that she was sick." Tears welled up in his throat as he fought back the painful memories.

"Uhm…" Liam coughed. He didn't know what he would do if a grown man cried in front of him. His
sister he could deal with. Spike? He wasn't so sure. "Here." He held up a seasoned fry and directed it towards Spike's mouth. "Food cures all tha' ails ye."

Spike's chair hit the floor and he opened his eyes grinning at Liam as if to reassure him there wouldn't be tears. Frankly, from the terrified look in Liam's eyes that was exactly what he was thinking. He shouldn't have worried, Spike thought, he'd not cried since his mother had woke from surgery with no memory of him. At least he hadn't cried in front of anyone, not even Faith, his best friend until today out at the ruins.

"Food?" He smiled. "Is feedin' food to your date on the first date appropriate?" Leaning forward he took the tip of the fry between his lips, sucked it into his mouth, and then bit a chunk off.

"Aye…in Ireland it is we're hearty eaters here. We love our food." Liam said with a grin grabbing a fry for himself and popping it into his mouth chewing slowly enjoying the seasoning, the taste of the potato, even the grease. Liam loved Ian's seasoned fries.

"Food is good...we Brits like eating as well." Spike reached out grabbing another fry and waggling his brows suggestively.

"Is everythin' wit ye sexual?" Liam leaned back, picking up his beer, and balancing it on his stomach, his fingers interlaced around the cool glass.

"Sexual?" Popping the fry into his mouth Spike gave Liam his patented innocent puppy eyes. "Don't have a bloody clue what you're going on about."

"Of course ye don't." Liam popped another fry into his mouth grinning while he chewed. This one was tricky but Liam still knew Spike was full well aware of what he was talking about. The boy was literally a talking and walking innuendo.

"Nope...not a clue, pet." Spike's eyes twinkled with mischief as he reached for a hot wing and pulled it apart. Popping a piece of spicy chicken in his mouth, he licked his lips. "Ian's a right good cook mate. These wings rival anything back in the States. Back in California they look at you horrified if you want meat. Hell I'm a carnivore through and through..." he licked the sauce from his fingers, "...boy needs his protein---now don't he?"

Liam took a big gulp of his beer, then sat up, leaning over the table his body nearly encompassing it. "Ye like meat then do ye?" His eyes glowed softly with a wild lusty light, but other than that, Liam's face was as calm as could be.

"Yeah..." Spike purred softly, looking straight into Liam's eyes. "Give me a 'big' juicy T-bone any day over some fluffy salad."

Liam pushed back, unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt, and rolling the sleeves up his arms. "Big as well…ye are a trooper. Good ta know."

"Is it now?" Grabbing another hot wing, he sucked the dripping sauce off his eyes never leaving Liam's face. "I'm a definite advocate for red meat." The corner of his mouth twitched as he stripped the meat off the bone slowly eating each piece. "So...how'd you get into the art thing, luv?"

Expression becoming serious, Liam’s eyes lit up with a different kind of passion. "Since I can remember really. I would want ta describe things ta mother an' da’ but I could never find the words I needed most of the time---ta excited. So I would sketch it out fer them. Me mother always told me I had natural talent. Me da’ though he wanted me ta be serious, but he never tried ta stop me
either."

"Suppose I was the same way with me music." Spike leaned back again, taking a drink. "I remember being maybe five and me mum taking me to church. Was the first time I seen the choir perform...midnight mass I think…cause I remember it snowing. When I heard the singing, I ask me mum if the angels came down for Christmas. I remember her smile and she asked me afterward as we were walking home if I wanted sing with the other boys in the choir."

"Did ye?" Liam smiled. "Did ye sing in the choir?"

Cheeks flaming pink Spike ducked his head. "Yeah..." he mumbled softly, then looked up his eyes narrowing. "If you tell a soul I'll deny it though. Can't be having the 'big bad' lead singer known as a choirboy. Ain't right."

"Oh dinna worry…I won't tell a soul. But personally…" Liam paused picking up a wing, licked up the sauce with his tongue, then it disappeared into his mouth as he swallowed. "Imaginin' ye in a choir boy outfit does nice things ta me brain."

Spike's face flushed brighter and his eyes widened. "Mmm...nice things...?" He picked up his Guinness and took a deep drink trying not to think of exactly what kind of nice things Liam was talking about. His eyes drifted shut as he swallowed hard, but that did absolutely nothing for the images flashing through his brain.

"Aye very, ‘very’ nice things." Liam murmured his hand sliding over the table to rub over Spike's thumb ring. "Yer hands are so nice." He glanced up at Spike's face. "Yer face is so beautiful." Liam's head cocked as his gaze roamed over what little of Spike's form he could see. "Yer body…" he took a deep breath. "I find it hard ta imagine ye not bein' wit' anyone. How can ye not be chased and fought over?"

"Chased...yeah...fought over...yeah..." Spike whispered mesmerized by Liam's thumb stroking over his. "Just never for the right reasons. Never know if they want me for me...or they want the fantasy I create on stage. Used to enjoy it...the fantasy...'m tired of it now."

"An' what would ye like now then?"

Looking up with wide eyes, Spike swallowed at the expression on Liam's face. "More." His voice was soft and a bit hopeful. "I just want more than that."

"Well tha's a perfectly reasonable request." Liam looked down at the food. "How about I have Ian pack this up an' we do something' a bit different?"

Raising a brow Spike smiled. "Something different---huh? Sounds like me cuppa tea."

"Alright then wait here." Getting up Liam went out into the main tavern, returning a few minutes later with Ian, and a handful of take away boxes in tow.

"Takin' it to go then is it lads?" Ian smiled at Spike as he began packing up the food. He leaned in raising one brow at Spike. "Now do na' be lettin' that boyo convince you it's romantic ta 'ave a picnic in St. Brigid's at midnight." He chuckled softly as continued working.

"St. Brigid's?" Spike questioned. "And what in the bloody hell is a St. Brigid's?"

"It's the cemetery I'm famous fer hangin' out in it's what gets me most of me creepy reputation." Liam answered as he helped Ian.

"A cemetery? Now that is probably not as weird to me as you might think, Ian. After all..." Spike lit up a cigarette, "...lead singer in a Goth-Punk band." He chuckled at the expression that crossed Ian's face.

"What is it wit' ye young ones. Always obsessed wit' the darkness and the death." He shook his head in disbelief. "Death would na' be somethin' I'd be dallyin' wit' if I was ye."

Sighing Liam patted Ian's back. "Aye…Ian we've been through this before. Death is bad I should not pursue death. Death will come in all due time. Aye, I know an' I'm not tryin' ta die I'm jus' bankin' on a really good idea. Bein' fascinated by death dinna mean I'm chasin' it."

Ian snorted as he finished packing up the last of the food. "Aye...ye just keep tellin' yerself that. And ye..." he aimed a pointed glare at Spike, "...ye and yer fool music folks should na' be messin' about up in them ruins. Ye mark me words...death ain't always the end lads." He nodded a quick good-bye to the two of them and then headed back to work.

"Now what was all that boogity-boo about do you suppose, pet?" Spike watched Ian disappear around the corner muttering to himself.

"How many times do I need ta tell ye?" Liam tossed Spike a smirk. "Ruins are haunted... supposedly. Now come on."

"Haunted...yeah right." Spike snorted grabbing one of the bags. "Are all the folks in this town superstitious?"

"Pretty much." Liam picked up the left over bag and dropped the money for the bill on the table, then headed out towards the front door Spike close behind.

~Part: 10~

Outside ‘The Raven’s Wing’, Liam walked quickly to his Mustang, digging out his keys, then pushing the remote button to unlock the doors. "Get in."

"Nice car..." Spike purred as he opened the door and slid into the passenger side. "Very nice, mate. Tryin' to make an impression on the first date---are you?"

"Nay I jus' like ta have a nice car, but the fact ye like it is a definite plus. Aye, fer sure."

"Definitely like it, luv." He smirked at Liam. "I could get me a nice one, but 'm always on the bleedin' road. I'd never get a chance to really drive it. So what would the point be?"

Sliding into the driver’s side Liam nodded, revving up the engine. "It won't take long at all. We'll be there quick as a flash." Pulling out onto the street, he headed down to the main road.

***

Silence reigned in the car for the few minutes it took to arrive at what was apparently Liam's home. Spike's eyes grew wide as Liam turned the Mustang onto a narrow driveway that lead between to huge stone pillars.

The house was quiet old and made of the native stone, but an expansion had been added that was more modern, though he couldn't see most of it for the trees.

Apparently, Liam appreciated his privacy.

The drive made a complete circle around a small fountain, a stone sculpture of an angel with wide spread wings, then a small section cut off from the main drive to the garage. The garage had been altered but from the looks of it had once been the original carriage house.

The original portion of the house stood three stories, with large windows, the top sections done in stained glass that sparkled with the light from inside, and heavy ornate storm shutters. As Liam came to a stop Spike opened the door and stepped out taking in the neatly manicured lawn that spread out on either side of the front door. The door was heavy and dark with stained glass panels on either side. Spike just stood staring, taking in the exterior of the house. He couldn't even begin to imagine what it would look like inside, he knew it had to be even more beautiful.

"Wow...it's bleedin' huge..." he whispered in awe.

"I like big." Liam simply stated, shutting the car door, and hitting the remote to lock the doors. "Big an' extravagant suit me jus' fine."

"I'd say..." Spike felt like he'd just stepped into Wonderland. "Wonder when the soddin' White Rabbit's gonna run by." He mumbled as he followed Liam to the front door. In the distance, he could hear the waves crashing along the shore and the faint sound of gulls.

Holding the food boxes in one hand Liam unlocked the door with the other. Pushing the door open, he called out. "Anyone home?!" He knew there would be, but he loved to call silly things out for Drusilla to answer.

Soft laughter drifted out from the house as Spike hid behind Liam. Seconds later the young girl from the pictures Liam had shown him swirled out in a cloud of blue satin. Her long dark hair had been swept up and loose curls danced around her slender neck.

"Angel-face! Guess who I am?" Her voice was soft and musical as she twirled again, showing off her long satin gloves.

"I dinna know. Who are ye?" Liam asked as he ushered Spike inside, then shut the door behind him. He knew that of course he’d watched enough Disney movies with his sister to know. Drusilla liked to surprise him though so he always made out most of the time like he was clueless.

"Silly..." she giggled as she swirled across the polished hardwood floor as if she were dancing in someone’s arms. "'M Cinderella..." she paused as she suddenly noticed Spike, her dark eyes going wide, and her lips spreading in a child-like smile. "Oh Angel-face! You've brought yer pretty prince home!" She clapped her hands in delight, then lowered into a courtly curtsy. "So nice to meet you little prince. Me name is Drusilla." She glanced up at Spike with wide eyes.

"Mmm...nice to meet you Drusilla. Me name's Spike." He grinned as he took her offered hand and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles.

Giggling Drusilla blushed and disappeared down a long narrow hall in a flurry of silk. Leaving Spike standing in the center of what could have been the lobby of a ritzy hotel.

The hardwood floor was polished to a golden sheen and a staircase led up to the second floor where it split off in two directions. A huge window at the top of the stairs looked out onto what Spike assumed would be the sea if he'd not gotten his bearings confused. Two sets of double doors, one on his left and one on his right, sat in the stone walls made of the same heavy dark golden wood of the floor. A long narrow hall, the same Drusilla had disappeared down, led to the back of the original house and what he presumed would be the kitchen.

"And I got to say 'Wow!' again, pet. This is incredible." Spike glanced over at Liam with a childish smirk.

"An' ye haven't even seen me livin' room, me dining room, me bathroom, Drusilla's room or me bedroom. Ye might want ta prepare yerself." Liam answered with a smirk gesturing with his finger for Spike to follow as he went towards the kitchen.

As he walked, he glanced, left and right, every once in a while. He seemed to be searching for someone. "Now where did he go?"

"He?" Spike trotted along behind Liam down the narrow hall. "Who would be ‘he’?"

"That would be me 'm supposing now." A dark-haired slender, slight built man appeared from behind one of the doors. He grinned and nodded at Spike. "'M guessin' ye'd be Spike now. 'M Doyle...Allen Francis Doyle scourge of Connemarra and best friend to this scalawag." He playfully punched Liam in the arm. "Cinderella and Miss Edith were wantin' to play hide n' seek."

Pulling Doyle into a tight hug, Liam kissed the top of his head. "He thinks he's the scourge, but alas he is not fer tha' is me title." Pushing Doyle away with a tiny shove, he cocked a brow. "Ye will have ta play wit' her as ye can see I brought company home. I'm early anyway so no complainin' about Cordy."

Doyle rolled his eyes. "Aye...do na' be remindin' me of the ol' ball n' chain. It’ll be okay if I stay a wee bit longer though. Cordelia is off visitin' wit' some college room mate in Dublin fer the weekend. I 'ave the house ta meself fer a change." He chuckled softly as he disappeared back behind the door he'd popped from behind. "I'll keep the lass busy while ye keep yer guest busy!"

Shaking his head Spike smiled. "Seems like a nice chap." He mumbled as he continued following Liam up the hall.

"Me best friend in the whole wide world besides Wes." Liam pushed the door to the kitchen open, stepping inside. He sat the food boxes on the marble counter, then opened the fridge making room.

"So is it just you and Drusilla in this big house or does your brother live here, too?" Spike wandered around the kitchen taking in the marble counters, dark wood cabinets, and shiny chrome appliances. Wandering over to the breakfast nook, he slid by the table and chairs to stare out the big bay window at the starry night sky.

The sound of boxes hitting the floor was Spike's answer. Bending over Liam began picking them up and stood quickly, shoving them into the fridge. "We do na’ speak anymore." Liam said softly as he shut the door slowly.

"Oh..." Spike turned from the window, noting the stiffness in Liam's back. "Sorry, mate." He filed that away for future reference. "Mmm...so you gonna give me the guided tour?"

Liam nodded, relieved to get off the subject of his brother. "Wha’ would ye like ta’ see then?"

Spike leaned against the counter humming to himself. "You're an artist...don't they have studios or
somethin'?"

Walking over to Spike Liam nodded. "Aye…they do."

"So do ya think I could get a peek or is that private?" He reached up stroking Liam's shoulders.

"Nay, I can show ye, but ye have ta know the magic word. Do ye know the magic word?" Liam seductively purred, his fingers reaching down to Spike's hips, stroking gently with the tip of his fingers.

His eyes drifted shut as a smile curled his lips. "Please..." Spike purred softly.

"Nay…it's kiss." Liam's lips softly captured Spike's ghosting back and forth, barely touching one second, then pressing harder against them the next.

Moaning softly, Spike parted his lips his tongue flicking out for a second, then he whispered against
Liam's lips. "Kiss..."

Making a small noise of pleasure, Liam wrapped his arms around Spike's waist pulling him tight against his body. This time he took his mouth hard, kissing with teeth, tongue, and fiery passion. Spike's moans turned to growls as his arms curled around Liam, his hands playing up and down his spine. He nipped at Liam's lips and his mouth opened to his demanding tongue. Sliding his own tongue around Liam's he whimpered letting all the passion that had been building in his gut for two days flow into the kiss.

Fingers curling into Spike's shirt, Liam pulled him tighter against him, still suckling Spike’s tongue into his mouth. Only releasing it to bite or lick his lower lips, then suck it into his mouth all over again. He turned their bodies walking Spike backwards until he had him pressed against the marble counter in the center of the kitchen. Threading his fingers in Spike's hair he pulled his head back, stretching his throat, and kissed down his jaw. The entire way down he laved and bit gently.

"God...Liam..." Spike growled as the counter bit into the small of his back, Liam's fingers tightening even more in his hair, as he kissed down his throat. He could feel the pulse between his thighs speed up as his cock twitched and began to harden. "Bloody hell..." he panted writhing against Liam's firm solid body, "...want you...want you so bad."

Ghosting his lips over the boy’s ear Liam growled. "Ye never have any patience. Not a lick---ye know tha'?" Liam's free hand slid beneath Spike's shirt, his fingertips grazing the smooth silky skin. "Yer always so impatient." His fingers spread, his palm flattening as his pinkie dipped into Spike's belly button. "All good things come ta those who wait."

He grunted as Liam's pinkie caught against the ring in his belly button and tugged gently. "Bad me..." he whispered against the vee of Liam's throat.

Tugging a bit harder Liam bit Spike's ear lobe. "Aye." Sucking it into his warm mouth, his fingers rubbed and ghosted along Spike's chest, then he pulled himself away. Walking backwards, he didn’t stop until his back hit the counter behind him. "Yer doin' me head in and dinna even know ye tha' well."

"Never wanted someone like this, pet." Spike pressed his hips against Liam's feeling an answering erection twitch against his own. "Don't know what's goin' on...just know..." he began nipping at Liam's throat, "...that I'm goin' mad with want."

Liam’s chest reverberated with the rumble deep in his throat. He grabbed Spike's shoulders pulling him forward their bodies together so tight nothing could fit through. Their cocks pressed firmly against one another as he spoke. "Can ye feel wha' ye do ta me?"

"Yes..." Spike hissed his breath warm and moist against Liam's skin. Grinding his hips against Liam, he moaned softly, the friction exquisite. "Can you feel what you do to me, luv?"

"Aye." Liam breathed out as he let Spike go. "We have ta stop…fer now. I want nothin' more than ta jus' take ye ta me bedroom an fuck ye into the mattress." Liam lifted his hand, caressing Spike's cheek. "But I seem ta remember ye wanted more."

"Bugger..." Spike whimpered as Liam tried to pull away. He leaned his head against Liam's chest trying to catch his breath. "I know...it's just so soddin' hard...no pun intended." He began laughing as he lifted his gaze to Liam's face taking in the flush on his cheeks. "Now what was that about a studio, pet?"

"I believe I was goin' ta show ye it." Liam straightened his clothes, then ran his fingers through his hair. "Alright come on." He pushed off the counter heading to the door, and then he turned quickly, grabbing Spike. Molding their lips together for a rough kiss he released him, then went out the door without a word.

Spike stood there for a moment licking his lips and tasting Liam an orgasmic expression on his face. The taste caused his cock to twitch in his pants again. "Down boy..." he growled softly, then followed Liam out the door.

***

Heading back, the way they’d come, Liam led Spike towards the stairwell and up the stairs. At the top he turned left down the hall walking to the very end where he stopped, turning to face the last door. Grabbing the doorknob, Liam opened the door, and pushed through into a luxurious bed-room. As Spike followed him into the room he raised a brow, thinking maybe Liam had
decided fuck the 'more' idea.

The room was masculine and elegant at the same time, something out of a Bronte novel, he imagined.

A huge four-post bed took up the wall directly in front of him. The posts themselves were as big around as Spike was at the waist and soared upward towards the twelve foot ceiling. Their dark cherry wood surface shimmered, catching the light in its carved depths. Heavy midnight blue brocade drapes were drawn back revealing matching comforter and pillow shams. He imagined he could get lost in that bed for days perhaps even weeks. It sat so high up from the floor that there
were matching step stools on both sides of the bed.

On either side of the bed was matching night tables; a pair of art deco lamps of polished metallic ebony sat on the stands the set done as sculpture

Beautifully nude youths with their arms raised as if in worship, their hands cupping the frosted globes that held the bulb. Turning to his left Spike saw the entire wall along the hall was set with book-shelves. They rose to the ceiling and dark leather bound volumes filled the shelves. Set in the middle of the shelves was a computer desk made to look like an old-fashioned roll top done in the same dark cherry as the bed and a matching wing back chair in dark leather with wheels sat in front of it.

At the far wall was a stone fireplace with a polished dark wood mantle, framed photos, and small gothic sculptures scattered across it. A chaise lounge upholstered in the same midnight blue brocade sat to one side. A thick woolen afghan was tossed haphazardly over its curving back. At an angle a small dark-wood table sat flanked by a matching set of wing back chairs at either side also covered in the deep midnight blue, but this time in plush velvet.

On the same wall as the bed, but nearer the fireplace was a huge window with heavy drapes of midnight blue and a cream Irish lace under drape. The walls were dark cherry paneling then halfway up it was painted in the same cream as the under drapes at the window. Dark slender strips of wood ran up the wall breaking up the cream at intervals. As Spike turned in a complete circle,
he took in more furnishings; an armoire, a chest of draws, and a dressing table all of the same dark cherry wood.

"Bloody hell...this is as big as me whole apartment back in LA."

Smiling Liam leaned back against the door. "Aye like I said big an’ extravagant." He pointed to the right side of the room where two lone doors stood. "Tha' one." Liam motioned to the one that was centered closer to the bedroom entrance. "Is the bathroom have a look."

Glancing at Liam he walked to the door and opened it as if perhaps a monster would jump out. What was beyond the door was incredible.

The bathroom was done in black marble with silver fixtures. A tub big enough to hold at least four of Liam sat against the back wall with steps that led to it. A huge window looked out over the countryside. Black enameled shelves tucked in the window’s corners held a mix of miniature bonsai and orchids of every color imaginable, their blossoms tumbling down in cascades.

To the left of the tub was a wall that divided the tub from a huge marble shower stall with frosted glass doors emblazoned with Celtic braid-work. The wall actually turned out to be a closet that held thick towels and washcloths of the softest thickest pure white cotton that Spike had ever seen. An entire shelf was filled with shampoos, bath beads, bubble bath, and other items all in sculpted glass bottles. Even the toilet had it's own separate stall, he thought with amusement. Next to the stall was a double sink with a huge antique ornate silver mirror hanging above it.

"Jesus Liam..." Spike gasped, "...this is...I ain't got the words, pet."

Liam poked his head through the door smiling softly. "Ye like me room then?"

"Like it?" Spike turned around grinning at Liam. "It's bloody marvelous, pet. I've never seen anything so gorgeous..." he paused moving into the doorway licking his lips, "...well maybe one thing." His eyes sparkled as he reached up his fingertips gliding along the side of Liam's face.

Liam tilted his face into Spike’s touch as he traced along his face. "Yer somethin' else ye know tha'?" He enjoyed the feel of his touch for a few more moments then pulled away. "But I still have yet ta show ye wha' ye wanted ta see."

He headed out of the bathroom, disappearing back into his bedroom. Going to one of the bedside tables, he opened the drawer retrieving a key from within, then moved to the remaining door, and inserted the key. "Come on then."

Unlocking the door Liam turned took the key out and dropped it into his pocket. Opening the door, he started up the stairwell beyond it. Spike hummed softly to himself as he followed Liam up the narrow staircase. At least, he thought, he had a nice view on the way up. Watching Liam's ass was definitely not a hardship in the least.

"So your studio is way up here. Guess you like your peace and quiet...I get that." He was itching to light up a smoke, but he doubted Liam would like the idea of any kind of fire near his work.

"I do." Liam simply replied as they reached the top of the stairs. Reaching to his right Liam flicked a light switch, illuminating the large room.

It was open and airy. The only thing that seemed to close it in was the boxed-in area in the far corner. It had definitely been added on because the room itself had once been just a huge empty space. Maybe for storage or it had been the attic.

Liam walked into the room side stepping easels and small paint covered tables that took up most of the room. A sink stood beside the boxed-in area and a mirror hung behind it. Two open shelves set in the wall beside the mirror were lined with clean towels and rags. Towel wracks below the shelves for used to hold wet towels and rags. Nearly every inch of the walls was covered with sketches, paintings, or photos of ideas to come. It looked organized as well as haphazard all at once.

There were no windows along the walls, but in the ceiling above was a huge skylight with a pull cord that hung down from the ceiling. Liam pulled it and smiled at Spike, as the room slowly became a bit darker.

"This way if I want shadin’ I can jus' pull a cord an’ if I want light." He pulled the cord again washing the room in natural light. "I jus' have ta pull." He walked to the boxed-in area where an odd sliding door of silver popped out slightly. "This is me dark room where I develop me photos. It has ta slide so tha' when I open it the door keeps moving around enough fer me ta’ get in, but no light to get in---ye see?" Liam shifted the door demonstrating for Spike.

Spike silently took everything in. He wasn't even sure what he'd expected an artist's studio to look like since he'd never know an artist, a real artist, before. He walked along the walls studying the sketches, photos, and canvases intently. Every few seconds he would pause and reach out, his pale slender fingers skimming just above the surface of a piece.

"These are all yours? They’re very..." he paused in front of a particular pencil sketch eyeing it.

Another cemetery, but one that hadn't been used in quite some time. Headstones leaned wildly with faded lettering and creeping with moss. In the distance was a stone tower raising above the forgotten dead, its peaked roof reminded Spike of Sleeping Beauty's tower. All that was missing were the tangled masses of thorns.

"Glendalough Tower...we were there a few weeks back." He whispered softly.

"Aye all mine." Liam answered. "An' aye it's Glendalough. Come on in here I want ta show ye the
dark room." Liam slid the door slipping inside.

Crossing the room Spike slid through the small opening, bumping into Liam as his eyes adjusted to the dimness. "Sorry..." he grunted.

Liam laughed as he flicked on another light this one washing the room with a dim red light. "Not a
problem." He stretched out his hand. "An' this is me dark room."

Spike blinked a few times against the eerie redness, then glanced around. A long narrow table ran across the far wall, square metal vats of chemicals that made his nose twitch lined the table. Above the table was a large corkboard with finished photos pinned in a haphazard way along its surface. To the left were shelves, metal commercial storage shelves, lined with various bottles of chemicals, packages of film yet to be used, and a variety of photo equipment; lens, cameras, tripods, and
other things Spike would never hazard to guess.

To his right was what appeared to be clothesline strung between the back and front walls and a number of photos hanging from it like freshly laundered clothing. The room itself was a bit cooler than the studio outside and Spike imagined it was because of the equipment and film. He'd heard such things could be heat sensitive.

"Wow..." he muttered wandering to where the photos hung, "...this is..." he nibbled his lower lip, "...educational, pet." He leaned in closer to study the photos and realized they were of the ruins. At least some seemed to be he recognized them.

"Aye." Liam murmured from behind Spike, his hand darting out to quickly snatch a photo towards the end of the line. He quickly tucked it behind his back.

"What's that?" Spike turned looking up in Liam's dark eyes. "Been taking naked pics of your secret bint?" He stepped closer trying to wrap his arm around Liam to retrieve the photo in question.

"Tsk…tsk…" Liam whispered as he tried to keep it from Spike curious hands.

"Naw...can't be a bint..." Spike's brow raised as he fought to get the picture, "...can't be all that bad, luv. Let Spike have a look." He chuckled as Liam squirmed obviously uncomfortable with the idea of letting him see it.

"Nay it's nothin' really. I swear nothin' ta’ worry yer pretty wee head about."

Pouting Spike stepped back. "Nothin'? Then why are you tryin' to hide it?"

"Ye really want ta know?" Liam fiddled with the photo behind his back.

With a put upon sigh, Spike cocked his head studying Liam as if he were a bug beneath a microscope. "It's okay, pet...keep your secret. I don't need to know." He smiled trying to ease the pained expression in Liam's eyes. "We all have our secrets...even me."

"IT'S NOT…" Liam loudly started, then sighed pulling out the photo to reveal a picture of Spike from the ruins. The one he’d taken under the guise of taking a picture behind him. "I jus'…" he shrugged. "…I dinna’ want ye ta’ be freaked out or anythin'."

A tiny smirk curled Spike's lips as he raised a brow. "Why would I be freaked? You’re an artist, pet. You look through a lens..." he stepped in close taking the picture from Liam's hand, "...this is who you are." He pressed closer lifting his head so his lips were a breath away from touching Liam's. "I'm used to being in front of a camera. At least with you it was for the right reason." He closed the gap between them as the photo dropped from his fingers to the floor. His breath warm
and moist drifted across Liam's lips. "You want me for me...don't you?"

"What other reason would I want ye fer?" Liam whispered against Spike's lips, his fingers ghosting over Spike's ribcage.

"Don't right know, luv? Ain't a psycho perve are you? The evil maniacal creature who wants to trap me in his tower?" Spike smiled, his lips parting as he leaned closer, warm against Liam's chin. "Want to know who I am? Want to make me yours? 'Cause I want that...more than anything."

Liam’s hands settled on Spike's hipbones, rubbing gently. "Aye I want ta’ know who ye are, want ta’ make ye mine, want ta’ feel ye from the inside out. Jus'..." pausing his fingertips slid beneath Spike's shirt, stroking his silky soft skin. "Jus'…" He breathed shallowly as his mind shattered. God that's all it took, he thought, just to touch the boy, and he was losing all his intelligence. "Jus'…" he tried again.

"It's okay..." Spike whispered softly as his lips finally brushed against Liam's in a gentle kiss. "I'm yours Liam...I think I always have been. Think I loved you before I ever met you."

"Why do ye think tha'?" Liam found himself asking.

Spike glanced up into those beautiful mahogany eyes, his heart pounding in his chest, the wings of a bird trapped in a bone cage. "I don't know...I just do, luv."

"Love is a strong emotion. Maybe not one ye should be feelin' over someone ye've not known more than a few days, Spike. Love…it's very---tricky." Liam’s fingers caressed along Spike’s body tracing his stomach. "Ye let yerself fall too easily and yer bound ta’ be hurt."

Spike pulled away from Liam, turning his back. "Is that what you think? That I can't control myself? That I'm foolish for wanting this?" He swallowed hard taking a sharp breath through his nose. "How can you not feel it, pet? It feels like you're in me skin...like you've always been a part of me. I can't explain it...I don't understand it." He turned back to Liam, his gaze fixing on that beautiful face and his heart only swelled more. "I just know I feel this way and I won't apologize or act as if I don't. I want you Liam." He hugged himself a chill traveling down his spine as he waited to be told no.

Liam stayed quiet though for a few moments just studying Spike. What was he supposed to say, he
wondered? He wanted Spike more than he could ever remember wanting anyone. However, Liam still stood by his convictions. Love was a hard thing for him to just let through. Strings of endless short relationships or one-night stands attested to that. But this boy, this creature in front of him full of life and want and love and desires seemingly all for or pointed towards him made him feel things, want things he never really desired or wanted before.

He suddenly found himself wanting to love, needing to love, and wanting more than just empty but fulfilling sex. He wanted sex with his boy. Oh god, he thought, he wanted it more than anything. He wanted to take, to have, to posses, but he also wanted to feel for him, he wanted to feel with him. He wanted to eat breakfast with him in bed, he wanted to take him places show him things. He ‘wanted’ and that was telling enough.

"I dinna’ want ye ta’ apologize fer what ye feel. I jus' can't give it back right now. Not this quick not if I'm not sure. It isn't fair ta’ ye. I can only give ye what I have at this moment an' then we'll see."

Spike's lips trembled for a moment, then curled in a watery smile. "Okay...I'm willin' to wait. I just wanted you to know how much I want this." He flapped his hands nervously between them. "How much I want us...together. I have time, pet. All the time in the world."

Liam opened his mouth to say something, anything of comfort, when a wild resounding clap of thunder sounded overhead. It was followed by a streak of lighting, then pattering of rain on the roof. An incredible amount of rain.

"Shite."

The continuous rumble of distant thunder caused another shiver to travel through Spike as he glanced up at the frown on Liam's face. "What, pet? It's just a storm...nothin' to fuss about, but I'm thinkin'. I need to call Charlie boy let him know where I am. As much as that boy worries he's probably thinkin' I've been kidnapped." He chuckled as he turned for the door.

"But yer goin’ be stuck here wit' me. Ye dinna’ mind?"

"Stuck?" Spike squeezed through the door. "What? You Irish have an aversion to rain? That's kinda funny bein' as it rains so much." Spike's voice drifted back into the darkroom from the studio.

Liam pushed through the door, following Spike into the studio. "I dinna’ think yer understanding me." Just as Liam said that the sky erupted in louder thunder, more terrifyingly brilliant lighting and heavier rain. "Yer goin' ta’ be ‘stuck’ here wit' me."

Eyes wide Spike remembered the drive to Liam's house suddenly. They'd crossed over a small bridge, a bridge over a creek. "Bloody hell...the road. Are you telling me the road is going to wash out in this?" With a groan, Spike flopped down on the floor staring up at the skylight in the ceiling. Streams of water were swirling on the dark glass like tiny whirlpools. "Not that I mind bein' stuck with you, but Charlie is going to kick me arse."

Liam walked over, looking up as well. "It's not as if he can do anythin' either. No music video shoots in this shite. Dinna’ worry about it. But if ye want ta call ye better hurry phones lines will conk out soon I imagine fer a bit."

"You have a phone up here or do we need to go downstairs?" Spike sat up stretching. "Charlie will be hotter than a baked potato if I don't call."

Reaching into his pocket Liam handed his cell to Spike. "Here try this an' if it dinna’ work we'll go down ta’ me bedroom an' try there."

Accepting the phone, Spike dialed the inn and waited for a moment. There was nothing but a crackle of static and he sighed. Charlie was so going to kick his arse, he thought. "Well looks like it's downstairs, luv. Can't seem to catch a signal very well." He flipped the phone shut and got to his feet handing it to Liam. "Lead the way...I might get lost if you don't." He waggled his brows at Liam.

Snorting Liam took the phone back and headed towards the stairs. "If ye want ta’ look at me arse jus' say so don't fabricate a fib jus' so ye can."

"Hey!" Spike yelled. "What makes you think I'd fib about something like that? If 'm looking at your arse then may I be struck by lightening." At that exact moment, a burst of lightening caused the walls to vibrate. With a yelp, Spike scurried after Liam. "Okay fine I was looking at your arse!"

Liam let out a hearty laugh as he opened the door at the bottom of the stairs. "Good boy. Phone is there." He pointed to the table on other side of his bed.

Picking up the phone, Spike rolled his eyes at Liam with a genuine smile. "Yeah that's me...the good boy." Putting the phone to his ear Spike groaned. "Looks like I'm late as usual. No dial tone." He dropped the phone into the cradle.

"He'll be fine Spike. I'm sure he knows ye had a date wit' me doesn't he?"

"Yeah, but Charlie boy has a tendency to be a bit of a control freak. At least when it comes to his 'golden boy'." Laughing he turned to Liam. "So here we are stuck in the middle of a storm..." he hummed thoughtfully, "...what shall we do?"

Liam ignored that question in favor of the previous response. Walking around the bed slowly, his fingertips running along the dark wood of the posts and the frame of the bed, Liam murmured softly. "’His’ golden boy?"

"Yeah...line his pockets." Spike snorted. "Like Charlie boy and all, but he's all about the green."

Reaching Spike, Liam grabbed his wrist gently, pulling him towards him. "I don't like ye referring ta’ ye bein’ any other man’s anythin'. Even if it's jus' ye makin' him money. It unnerves me somethin' awful fer some reason."

Spike's eyes widened a bit as he glanced down at Liam's slender tanned fingers wrapped around his wrist like a manacle of flesh. "That so..." he purred, "...wouldn't be a particular reason---would there?"

Looking up at Spike, Liam's eyes filled with lust, fire, passion, and possessiveness. "Aye…I think there is a reason." Wrapping his other hand around Spike's other wrist Liam twisted them around until he had Spike pinned against one of the bedposts. "A very good reason indeed."

A soft moan rippled through Spike's body as his spine was pressed roughly against the thick wooden post. "Thought we were taking things slow..." he purred as his tongue flicked out to tease his lower lip, the tiny silver ball catching the light, and winking at Liam.

"We're gonna." Liam groaned as he leaned forward that ball calling to him like a beacon. "I swear we're gonna take it slow." His tongue snaked out licking the tip of the ball. "Jus' I can't seem ta’ help meself at the moment." He sucked the ball into his mouth.

Another groan rose in Spike's heaving chest as he let Liam tease him. Squirming against the post, he thrust his hips forward as all the blood in his body rushed south. "Liam..." he whined softly, "...Jesus." His eyes fluttered shut and he fought with Liam's grip playfully. "Psycho...kidnapper it is then. Have your wicked way with me..." he gasped softly as Liam sucked his tongue back into the warm cavern of his mouth.

Fingers tightening around Spike's wrists, Liam tossed Spike with almost no effort on top of his bed. Joining him a second later he draped himself over Spike, his arms on either side of his head, and looked down at him with an unreadable expression. "Ye like it don't ye? Ye like it when I play rough an' when I'm controllin'."

"Now what ever gave you that idea, pet?" Spike smirked.

"Yer tougher then this I can feel it. Ye could fight a hell of a lot more an' I know it. The fact ye do na’ jus' kinda gives it away." Liam flashed a smirk down at Spike as if he were a piece of meat he was about to devour.

"A fight---is that what you want?" Spike bucked beneath Liam as he twisted his wrists in Liam's grip. "'Cause not got a problem fighting a poncy Irishman." His lips curled in a smirk as he began twisting and writhing beneath Liam again.

Liam grinned, his laughter low and tinged with evil, as his grip tightened, and he shifted his weight down pinning Spike bit by bit to the bed. "Poncy Irishmen huh? What’s a matter me wee little English boy? Did I touch a nerve in yer tiny little luscious body?"

"What? Me? Never, luv." Spike licked his lips seductively. "You just have what---thirty pounds and
four inches on me? Might be a wee little English boy, but at least I'm not a fat arsed Mick bully. Now am I?" He grinned wider as he struggled against the slippery brocade.

"Ye think I'm a bully?" Liam whispered, his cheek ghosting over Spike's chin. "Ye think I'm fat?"

"Well..." Spike shivered, "...maybe not 'fat' just bloody heavy is all. And definitely a bully." He groaned as he thrust his hips up feeling something definitely large.

Liam pulled his hips back so Spike couldn't buck up into him. "Nay me little English lad ye have ta’ be good ta’ get somethin' good back." His fingers caressed the pale blue veins in Spike's wrist in a repetitive soothing pattern.

The storm continued to rage outside with no sign of stopping anytime soon.

"Tease..." Spike growled, then his lip pushed out in a pout. "You keep it up Liam and me balls will turn a nice shade of blue."

"Aww." Liam purred, leaning down to kiss Spike, then climbing off him. Leaning against the headboard of the bed, he smiled. "It's really na' tha' bad---now is it?"

"Might be." Spike huffed as he rolled up leaning against the post opposite of Liam. "Never had to work so hard..." he grumbled softly as he rooted in his pocket pulling out a crushed pack of cigarettes. "Mind if I have a smoke, pet. Least you can do after all that." He fished a smoke out and then pulled out his lighter.

Crossing his ankles Liam looked amused, more amused than he had all day or any other day, since Spike had met him. "Aye…ye can." He was silent for a few moments as he watched Spike light up and puff away as if his life depended on it. Then he finally spoke again, softly with a hint of eduction. "I really get ye this wound up?"

Spike peered at Liam through a cloud of smoke. "Naw...got an ashtray? Wouldn't want to mess up the floor." His cheeks began to pinken as Liam continued staring at him. "What? I...bloody hell...yeah you do. Been too damn long since I had me a good shaggin'."

Reaching over to the bedside table Liam opened it, taking out a clean pristine glass ash try. "I keep it around if I ever have a urge…which I sometimes do." Then he tossed it at Spike and leaned back. "Here I thought it was me an' not the fact ye were jus' horny."

"Bit of both, mate." He caught the ashtray with a smirk. "Course more you, than the horny. Fag?" Spike offered the crumpled pack.

Liam shook his head, closing his eyes, and interlaced his fingers against his chest. "There's a guest room across from mine ye can stay there tonight ta’ sleep."

Crushing the cigarette out in the ashtray, Spike slid to the floor with a thump. "Mind if I take this? Thinkin' I'll be needin' it." He pouted at Liam. "Bein' as I'm sleepin' by me lonesome tonight." Heading for the door, he paused. "Wouldn't happen to have any jammies for me to borrow would ya? Usually sleep in the buff, but thinkin' that's not a good idea tonight."

"Sleep in the buff no one is goin' ta bother ye." Liam yawned as he began unbuttoning his shirt. "I dinna plan ta’ wear anythin'---why should ye?"

Shrugging Spike headed for the door with a grin. "Just didn't want to tempt fate...that's all. Sweet Dreams, luv." He turned at the door and winked at Liam, then blew a kiss at him before he closed it behind him.

"Sweet dreams yerself." Liam replied as he slipped off his jeans, then threw everything to the floor. Pulling the covers back, he slipped beneath them, his eyes drifting shut. The echoes of thunder, lighting, and the rain, lulling him into sweet oblivion.

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