Carcass *Chapter 11 up on 3/01*
by DawnBTVS
Entrance
I quietly descend the stairs, taking them one at a time to try and calm myself before I open the door. I wonder if both of them even have an invite here? I'm technically considered a member of the household but would I be able to invite them? A grunt on the other side of the door breaks my momentary reverie. It's Angel and from what it sounds like, the tomb weighs a bit, even with their vampire strength. Spike doesn't seem to mind but Angel isn't happy waiting outside. Time to have a little fun.
"It's not that heavy. Maybe the added weight's getting to ya," Spike comments teasingly. Angel growls at him. I remain staring at the door, just smirking to myself. I can tell Angel's growing testy on the other side.
"Shut up, Spike" Angel answers.
"I'm just saying," Spike comments. I snicker softly to myself.
"Willow, I can sense your presence on the other side of the door. Open it," Angel growls at me, none too pleased at my innocent game of annoyance.
"Are you sure?" I call through the door. I get answered with a low growl.
"Open the door, Willow. I'm in no mood for your childish games," Angel retorts.
I'm not being childish, just merely entertaining myself at their expense. With a loud groan to make sure they both hear, I open the door, smirking at them both.
Angel stares expectantly at me, Spike pretty much staring at me with a bit of disinterest but I still catch the quick spark of sympathy before it's gone. I stare at Angel, pretending to be confused despite knowing what he wants.
"What?" I ask with an innocent expression on my face. Angel growls at me, a small smirk playing on Spike's face.
"I could get used to you, love," Spike remarks. I can see why he finds pissing Angel off to be so fun, although he does have that whole Sire-Childe thing too.
"Invite us in," Angel snaps at me. I frown at him, not happy with the fact that he's getting all bossy with me. Sure he may be like 250 years older than me but...whatever. I roll my eyes and step aside, pulling the door open as far as it can go before it snaps off it's hinges.
"Come in but be quiet, Buffy's sleeping upstairs. Dawn is probably working on homework what with the typing," I comment as Angel steps in backwards. He shuffles over the carpet, stumbling slightly. I let out a low growl, more annoyed that he could wake Buffy up than anything else. Spike snickers softly as Angel shoots him a glare. I point past Angel's right shoulder, steering the duo into the living room where they slowly lower the tomb onto the floor with a nice thump, even with a rug in place. I glare at Angel.
"Sorry," Angel whispers. I step forward into the living room as Spike steps aside, pulling a cigarette out. I let out a low growl in his direction. He gazes up at me, slightly surprised, but puts the cigarette away.
"What? A bloke can't even smoke anymore?" Spike grumbles at me.
"Vampires can't even smoke," I retort, hands resting on my hips.
Spike grins at me as Angel steps up next to me. I glance at him briefly out of the corner of my eye. "It's all for show, pet. 'Sides, it's not like the smoke will kill me," Spike remarks coolly. I ignore the baiting and look down at the tomb.
"It looks like a coffin," I comment, somewhat disappointed. I was expecting something a bit more extravagant although I don't recognize the symbols running up and down the top of the cover. I kneel down, running a finger over the surface. Aside from it being dusty, it has a metal feel to it.
"Seems somebody painted it to look like wood. Apparently, somebody skilled since it's a good rendition aside from the marks," Angel says. I nod my head, getting up out of my crouch.
"How did you guys get a hold of this?" I ask. Angel stays quiet. Spike shoots me a small grin as I turn my attention to him in hopes of an answer.
"Killed a few demons on a routine job. Lost a few human employees, thus the poofter's silence, but we found this in their lair," Spike says, looking down the tomb. I nod my head, wondering exactly how this thing opens. I didn't detect any latches.
"Anybody tried opening this puppy up yet?" I ask, glancing at Angel. He shakes his head as I give him a curious look.
"I was more concerned about the marks and what they could mean than trying to see what was inside. For all we know, it could be a virus or something," Angel whispers, evidently remembering a vivid instance of such a case happening. Even Spike lowers his head at Angel's reply.
I lean down over the tomb, trying to figure out if I've seen the marks anywhere. "Well, they aren't hieroglyphs-" I start but Spike cuts me off. I have to physically bite my tongue to avoid verbally lashing at him. I do enjoy the trickle of blood slinking down my throat...despite the cause of it.
"Already heard the speech. We used 30 blokes and none of 'em could give us an answer," Spike remarks. I rise to my feet, not happy at getting cut off one bit.
"Right," I mutter. "Should I get you guys settled downstairs or do you want to continue trying to crack this?" I ask. Spike frowns at me, glancing at Angel.
"You're not putting me in the same room with him," Spike grumbles, shooting a glare at Angel. Angel just ignores him, staring at me. I roll my eyes and look at Spike hard.
"This decision was made by Buffy. Just accept it," I state, stepping past Spike, and towards Angel. "Want to continue?" I ask, glancing at the tomb again. Spike lets out a huff but I ignore him.
"No, I think it's best if we confer alone until tomorrow night when we'll get everybody together at dusk," Angel remarks. I nod my head, stepping between them, and walking towards the basement. I open the door, descending with Spike, and Angel in tow. The basement's fairly large and two beds have been set up. Wooden planks, to allow them to take down and put up as they please, have covered the windows. It was my idea. They exchange a glance.
Spike steps forward and leans next to me so he's whispering in my ear, "I want the bed on the right."
I turn to him, arching an eyebrow. "You two can fight over it all you want. I'm going to bed," I answer him. I step past Angel, quickly moving up the stairs. I close the door, resting my head against the door for a minute. This is gonna suck, in the non-fatal blood drinking way. I move down the corridor, then take the steps two at a time. I enter the bedroom and smile, spotting Buffy sleeping in bed. I quickly strip and quietly slide in. Buffy gives a soft murmur as I wrap an arm over her stomach, feeling her press back into me. I smile, kissing the back of her neck as I let her sleep.
~~~BTVS~~~
I let out a low moan as I roll over, smiling at the presence of Buffy resting her chin on her palm while watching me. She smiles back at me.
"Night," I say with a small giggle. It takes a minute for my eyes to adjust but they quickly dart towards the exposed surface of Buffy's skin. "You're wearing a t-shirt? Uh...are you aware it exposes the bite mark?" I ask, getting confused as to what Buffy's doing. Maybe she doesn't realize it. She can be a little dumb sometimes.
"I'm fully aware," Buffy answers. I sit up straight, peering at her with a slight tinge of annoyance.
"I thought you were on the 'let's band everybody together' train?" I ask, leaning forward to stare at the mark I made. There's a bit of pride with making the mark but also a sense of belonging. The representation that Buffy belongs to me and not Spike or Angel.
"I am," Buffy protests feebly. I frown at her, pulling back so I can stare her in the eyes.
"Yeah, cause that bite mark definitely won't cause any friction," I reply. I glance at her curiously as she sighs, scooting up into a sitting position next to me. "Does anybody...has anybody seen it?" I ask, hoping nobody has yet before the realization that I'll be in the same vicinity of everybody when it comes out hits me. I let out a low growl at the thought of being set up a little by Buffy.
"Dawn saw the mark but she still likes you so it didn't scare her as much, I don't think at least. She didn't scream or threaten to stake you," Buffy answers.
I groan, tilting my head back against the headboard. I feel Buffy scooting closer to me, shoulder pressing into mine. She takes a hand in hers, squeezing gently to try and calm me of any fears I'm having right now. "Well, I guess that's of the good. Didn't want to stake me," comment.
"Everybody should be arriving shortly. I came up about an hour ago to avoid running into Spike or Angel before you woke up," Buffy says.
"Oh, goody. Wait till I'm there so I can have them bite my head off?"
"Will, come on. Don't be like this. It was an intimate experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat...uh, sorry."
"You're right. We did this and we should stand by it. I love you and it's a declaration of our love. Don't be sorry for the bad word choices either. I kinda find them cute in a way," I say, glad I can't blush anymore because I'd be exceeding the ten at the top of the meter right now. Buffy gives me a smirk.
"I miss the blush," Buffy whispers. I turn my head towards her, quickly kissing her on the lips.
"Yeah, but now you have a girl who can match your stamina," I answer, raising both eyebrows with an attempt at my best sexy grin. Buffy smiles as I scoot down so I'm lying flat on my back.
"Will," Buffy giggles, glancing over her shoulder at the door. I glance too but turn my eyes back to her.
"I'm giving you a formal invitation to straddle and go, Buffy," I say with a smile. Buffy straddles me but stays in that position as I watch her.
"Straddle..." Buffy says, trailing off. I frown, thinking I should start back tracking now.
"Hey, wait, not...hey!" I call out when Buffy gets up off me and bounces herself off the bed. She looks back, an innocent expression on her face.
"You did say straddle and go, Willow. I can't help how I interpret your words," Buffy says with a smile. I lift my head, trying to pout. "I'll see you downstairs, the sooner the better though before everybody freaks and I lose control," Buffy says as she opens the door. I let out a growl, thumping my head back against the pillow.
"Should've said straddle and fuck me," I mutter to myself as I force myself out of bed to find some clothes to wear. I quickly rifle around in the closet, wanting to go shopping soon so I can find some clothes that are more my style. I grab a pair of Buffy's black leather pants and a black scoop neck top. I exit the bedroom, taking the stairs in two leaps.
"In here, Will," Buffy calls out to me. I walk into the kitchen where Buffy's busy making three mugs of blood. I spot Angel and Spike standing side by side to my right. Spike lets out a low growl when he catches sight of me. I scowl at him as I step forward so I'm next to Buffy.
"They're awake," I whisper into her ear. She shoots me an exasperated look, causing me to back off slightly. I turn my attention back to Angel and Spike. Spike has both arms crossed and is clearly unhappy. Angel is stoic looking as usual but doesn't seem happy either.
"I gather you two saw it?" I ask, clasping both hands together. Angel nods his head while Spike leans forward. He's really not happy.
"Not that hard to miss," Spike grunts back at me. I stare at him, cocking my head ever so slightly.
"Are you jealous?" I ask, not that surprised but wanting a straight answer. I can feel Buffy turning to look at me.
"Please, me, jealous? I just expected somebody...more worthy giving her a present like that," Spike answers with a gleam in his eye. I step back beside Buffy but let out a low growl to let her know I'm losing my patience. Buffy sighs and turns around, staring hard at Spike and Angel.
"Look, both of you moved on...and you, Spike, didn't even tell me you were alive again. I love both of you but it's about time I moved on," Buffy states. I stare at her now. She glances at me, confusion crossing her face. "What?" she asks me. I cross my arms across my chest.
"Moved on? So, I'm just like a stepping stone to make you forget about them?" I ask, displeased at the notion that this is nothing more than nothing.
"Knew you couldn't hold her," Spike grumbles. I glare at him, feeling my face vamp out. Buffy places a hand on my shoulder to calm me while glaring at Spike.
"Spike, shut up. I didn't mean it like that, Will. I meant that I love you and-" Buffy starts.
I shake my head, just growing angry with her. "Yet, you love them too," I say, jabbing a finger towards them. Angel looks a little shameful at least but Spike is growing annoyed with me too.
"Can I help it if the bird loves me more than you?" Spike asks. I growl, stepping forward. It takes Buffy stepping in front of me and forcefully shoving me against the counter to stop me from attacking Spike.
"Buffy-" I snarl but she cuts me off with a forceful kiss against the lips. She breaks it off, just staring into my eyes. I stare back as she begins brushing an index finger against my ridges. I close my eyes, reverting back to my human guise.
"Taught her that," Spike taunts. I open my eyes, growling at him. I can feel my fangs unsheathe and lean forward, digging them in softly to Buffy's neck for no longer than two seconds. I pull out just as quickly as I went in, Buffy's eyes flickering to mine in question.
"Mine," I say, a small smile forming. I let out a growl as I glance at Spike and Angel. I pull Buffy against me, kissing her forehead. She squirms a little as I finally release her after the timer on the coffee machine starts beeping. She's looking slightly flushed and quite embarrassed at our actions in front of her ex-boyfriends. She gives me an accusatory look as I shrug my shoulders back at her.
"Enjoying the possessiveness there, Willow?" Dawn asks with a smirk. I look down, a little guiltily before spotting Xander, Giles, and Faith over her shoulder. I grab a book off the counter, some Stephen King novel, and bury my face in it to try and hide myself. I carefully peek my eyes over the top at Dawn who's still smirking and now has her arms crossed.
"I don't think they caught anything," Dawn says, turning to them, and leading them into the living room.
Spike begins to move, as does Angel. "Over possessive if ya ask me," Spike grumbles, receiving a growl from Angel. I toss the book back onto the counter.
"Spike, just let it go," Angel says, glancing back at me. I flash him an appreciative smile, earning a subtle nod back.
"She takes chocolate with her blood, Angel," Spike whines as the duo move into the living room.
Buffy turns and looks at me to help. "Which is mine?" I ask, glancing at each individual cup. Buffy points to the one sitting on the far left, then grabs the other two by the handles as I give her a pleased smile.
"Come on," Buffy says, leading us into the living room. I'm standing behind Buffy, giving her the chance to defend me should everybody try and attack me at once. It seems that Giles, Faith, and Xander all spot the mark at once as Buffy gives Spike and Angel their blood. Buffy stands up, stepping backing so she's side by side with me.
"You let her bite you?" Faith asks Buffy incredulously. Buffy and I exchange a glance. My expression is one of annoyance while Buffy is looking surprisingly angry. I glance back at Faith first with a small smirk starting, waiting.
"Faith, shut up. Willow and I are seeing each other now and that's just the way it is. If anybody else has a problem, don't bother airing it to us because neither Willow nor I care to hear it. Now what's up with this coffin?" Buffy asks. I grin, slipping an arm around hers, and clasping our hands together. Dawn gives us a knowing smile. Spike crosses his arms, scowling at the tomb, as does Faith.
"It's not a coffin, Buffy. It's been painted over to resemble one but the exterior is metal," Giles informs her. She frowns, stepping forward, and pressing a hand against the top of the cover. She glances back at me.
"Any recognition of the symbols?" Buffy asks. I shake my head.
Faith leans forward. "Can't we just use our strength to break it open?" she asks.
"We have no idea what we're dealing with. I'm in the camp of knowing what the inscription says first," I reply, earning a scowl from Faith.
"I wouldn't mind just opening the bloody thing. I seem to remember that all of us combined have faced some big nasties before and triumphed. Hell, we defeated a Hell God before, well, some of us did," Spike says, staring at Angel with a smug smile.
"How many languages have you looked at?" Dawn asks Angel. He turns his attention to her after glaring at Spike.
"We've had 30 specialists come in, ranging from languages that you know like English and Spanish to the lesser known languages that demons speak," Angel replies.
Buffy presses a hand against the top of the metal tomb. She glances at Giles who looks back at her with curiosity. "Should we start consulting the books?" Buffy asks. Giles nods his head. I smile, dashing into the kitchen to retrieve the scattered folders and books that had been moved to provide space for the tomb. Buffy and Dawn follow. We return shortly, all three of us making a second trip.
"Making your own little demon library, huh? Thought that was what the Watcher's Council was for," Spike remarks, eyes taking in the rows of books and volumes and various mystical texts spread out.
"Figured it would help give me a leg up when I go patrolling and face something new," Buffy replies. She begins handing books out as I grab one and settle next to Dawn on the couch. Buffy squeezes in next to me, separating Dawn and I while flipping through the pages of her book though I can tell she'd rather be prying the cover of the tomb open. She never was much for the book research. Faith and Xander are seated together on two chairs coupled together. Spike, Angel, and Giles are seated on the other couch.
~~~BTVS~~~
"I think I've read this already," I mutter, tossing the book back on the floor in disgust and weariness. We had been working for almost eight hours straight. Faith and Xander had left about three hours ago with Giles following suit an hour ago. Dawn had fallen asleep against Buffy's shoulder. I glance at Buffy who's looking back at me with a tired expression. She yawns, trying to stifle it but failing to do so. I give her a smile, grabbing the book out of her hand. I pull her against me, resting her head on my shoulder. She gives a small sigh as I begin to leaf through the pages of the book in hopes of finding anything that could relate to the marks on the tomb's cover. Buffy's breathing changes to one of sleep as I scan the pages not surprised to see the words and images starting to bleed together.
"Anything?" Angel whispers. I shake my head best I can given my condition.
"Nothing here, mate," Spike answers, clearly wanting to kick the tomb in anger but restraining himself.
"Whoever writes these things should create handbooks for them first," I mutter softly. I continue flipping; starting to skip pages but pause when something catches my eye. It's an inverted question mark however it contains a curve at the point of the top. I frown, quickly glancing at the tomb.
"What?" Angel asks me. I ignore his question though, brain trying to work its magic right now. I glance at Buffy, trying to ease her off me without waking her up. She lets out a groan but keeps her eyes closed as I shift myself towards the tomb, crouching next to it so I can get a good view of the top. I drag a finger over the marking, then flip a couple pages but sigh.
"Well, I seem to have found the first symbol but it's written in a language I haven't seen before. What looks to be a mixture of Latin and maybe...Gaelic or something?" I ask, handing the book to Angel. Spike peers over his shoulder at the page as well.
Angel rises from his seat, crouching next to the tomb as well. "It's a combination of Latin, Swahili, and Oneida, a piece of Native American language. Well, no wonder nobody could understand. I'll have to work out the individual pieces since they seem to be inserted somewhat randomly. We should take a break and continue tomorrow. I'll let you know if we come up with anything," Angel says. I nod my head, rising to my feet. I carefully ease Buffy into my arms. She instinctively wraps an arm around my back, curling against me so her head's resting against my left arm. I smile down at her.
"Can one of you make sure Dawn gets upstairs?" I ask. Spike nods his head, eyes narrowing slightly at the image of me holding Buffy. I turn and head upstairs, opening the door with a turn of my wrist. I close the door behind me with a kick. I walk to the bed, easing Buffy down. I quietly strip of her clothes, ignoring her mumbled protests. Her eyes flutter open for a few seconds and she gives me a brief smile before closing them again. I quickly strip and slide into bed, snuggling against her warmth.