There’s Always a Sneer in Vegas (83/?)

[stillrose]

Title: There’s Always a Sneer in Vegas (83/?)
Fandom: BTVS; Spike/Xander
Warnings: Slash,AU, Post Apocalyptic, violence,non-con, slavery, tentacles,
Rating: NC-17
Summary: It’s been seven years since Angelus killed Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Seven years after Angelus opened a portal to hell on Earth. Humans are food, slaves or on the run. There’s hope only in small band of resistance fighters. However, that’s a hope Xander Harris no longer has. It’s been six months since he was taken in a raid. At first Xander thought he was lucky the demons didn’t know who he was; but then that was before he became property to an Azora demon.

As always: Feedback makes my heart go pitter-patter.

UNBETAED

Previous parts here.

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“Vegas,” Spike said simply. “When this is all said and done, I still want Vegas. Oi, will still let humans visit, if they dare because it will be a demon run city with demon run rules but I don’t think most will really notice a difference.”

“And what makes you think we will agree to that?” Wesley asked.

“Because you are the good guys and you know it’s fair. Plus it won’t take too long for ya to see the advantages of it.”

“Advantages?” Faith snorted. “You know you’re seriously del…”

“Shh!” Oz hissed lifting his nose. “We’re getting close.”

Spike flashed a smile at Faith and fell silent. Xander’s mind whirled as he studied Spike in the dark, Vegas? A Demon city? What would that mean...for me?

*********************************************************************************

“You know it’s times like these I really miss Dru,” Angelus said as he spun Dawn around. She clung tight to his arms not because she wanted to be close but because she was afraid if she let go she fly off and hit the far wall.

“D..Dru?” She asked as Angelus continued to drag her around in pantomime of a dance.

“She was such a Daddy’s little girl too,” Angelus purred. “How ‘bout it, Sunrise? You a Daddy’s girl?”

“N..No,” Dawn sputter her eyes desperately searching out Willow and Tara. They were still standing eerily still on the south side of the room. Their eyes were unfocused and they were still enveloped in the glowing green spheres of energy.

“Not tempted just a little?” Angelus asked jerking her forward and plastering her body to his. Now Dawn’s eyes locked on Angelus. She could feel the hard length of him. She began to tremble. She was on her own trapped with the vampire who plunged the world into hell. He was in a torturing mood and it was more than just her blood he wanted.

What would Xander do? she wondered. What would Willow or Faith do?

She swallowed and forced herself to take a deep breath.

“Not even...a little,” she replied as coolly she could.

Maybe if I can get to Willow or Tara, she thought. Maybe snap them out of it?

Angelus’ eyes narrowed. His hold on her became bruising. He leaned forward then suddenly he released her.

“Oh but maybe there’s some life in ya yet!” he laughed.

Dawn stumbled away from him. Her mind desperately searching for a way to stall.

“And I plan to keep it that way for as long as I can,” she replied taking step back toward the ensorcelled witches.

“Well, gonna give ya the inside scoop,” Angelus said with a smile. “I wouldn’t be making in long term plans.”

She looked over at Lindsey. Cyvus was still working on him.

“You...you still don’t know what hell you are looking for,” she said.

“I will,” Angelus growled.

Don’t get him angry, she thought. Get him talking.

“Son? I didn’t think vampires...could...ya know..”

“Stalling. It doesn’t work and it just annoys me,” Angelus said as he began to move toward her.

“Doesn’t change the fact you don’t know the hell you are looking for and without it...killing me now might risk your chance of opening the portal to it once you know. I mean, do you even know how much of my blood you’ll need?”

“Probably most of it,” Angelus said pausing a moment to think. “But you do have a point. Don’t want to waste what I might need.”

“So it wouldn’t hurt answering my question,” Dawn asked risking another step back.

“You’re right. Vampires can’t reproduce the old..’vanilla’ way.”

“Then how?”

“Lawyers,” Angelus said waving his hands airly.

“Lawyers?” Dawn asked in confusion.

“Lindsey’s old bosses. Long story short they wanted a way to control me,” Angelus laughs. “So they tried to bring back my sire, Darla. Only, she didn’t come back quite the way they expected.”

“She...came back..?” Dawn still inching back.

“I staked her,” Angelus said shaking his head. “Was a little out of my mind then. We all make mistakes.”

He shrugs.

“Anyway, the lawyers brought her back but she wasn’t a vampire. She was human.”

Dawn paused.

“Human?”

“Yeah...back to her old human self. Syphilis and all. And that’s how old Lindsey got involved,” Angelus said casting a look to the lawyer.

Dawn slipped back.

Maybe if I can just knock them away from the demon and out of the light? she thinks.

“Long story short, lawyer boy lets his nads rule his brains falls for Darla. I admit, I played along enough to turn her again, because I mean hey! Darla! Good times, right! And I owed her. She was my sire after all,” Anglus said looking backing to Dawn.

“‘Cept whatever the magicks they were messing with had a side-effect no one could have predicted. Damn if Darla didn’t end up pregnant! Now I thought she’d be just as thrilled as I would. We could have debated for hours to rip the babe from the womb and drain it or wait until it finished cooking but Darla?”

Angelus sighed.

“Seems the baby infected her and suddenly she was just all soulful and I had enough of that. Still I thought I could have her back. Wait for the baby to be born and then...it would Daddy’s little girl and baby makes three. Or at least Daddy’s little girl and a baby sandwich.”

Angelus began to pace and Dawn shuffled back just a few more inches. She risked turning her head slightly to see what the Jhe was doing. The demoness was watching Angelus, not Dawn.

“Then Lindsey here and the soul stinking Darla interfered! Next thing I know Darla’s blowin’ in the wind and Lindsey’s on the run with the glimmer in my eye! I have to say that hurt. Ya know? I track Linds down in time just to see some blonde bint jump through a portal with my son! Managed to keep lawyer boy from going through but that’s it.”

Angelus stopped and stared at Lindsey.

“In all this time the only thing I’ve gotten out of him was the blonde’s name, Kate.”

“M’lord,” Cyvus interjected. “He is ready.”

“Great!” Angelus said suddenly sidling over to Dawn and grabbing hold of her arm. “Ready to have some fun? Or did ya want ta continue with your plan where ya try and free the witches and only succeed in pissin’ me off?”

“N..No. I,” Dawn tried to stammer an objection while Angelus dragged her back with him towards the rack.

“Tell you what? Why don’t I make you my assistant? Huh? You can pull the handle when I tell you..or you can start stripping the skin from his flesh..your choice!” he said shoving a blade into her hand.

“I don’t….” Dawn started to cry when suddenly Angelus stiffened beside her. His head turned.

“Spike!” he hissed. He then looked back to Cyvus. “Watch them!”

He made a quick gesture and the guards at the door followed him out of the room leaving the Jhe demon spelling the witches at Cyvus with Dawn and the now groaning Lindsey.

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The canoes slid silently up one the banks. Out in the deeper waters waves crashed.

Oni vs Usige cage match, Xander thought as he stumbled out of the boat. A strong hand gripping his bicep to study him saved him from falling face first into the shore. Xander didn’t even half to look to know who it was.

He clasped that hand and squeezed sending his thanks.

Spike longed to pull his Pet closer. Longed for more than just a steady hand or a gentle squeeze but it was approaching zero hour. He had no more moves. He had no more secrets. This was it. He spared one more moment to study the man he’d come to love.

Xander looked up. Their eyes met. Never in all his life or unlife had Spike wanted to just turn his back on everything as he did in that moment. Soul and demon alike wanted to just snatch Xander up and leave saving the world up to the rest of bloody ponces. Yet, neither soul or demon would because in the end it’s not what Xander would want.

I love you, Pet, Spike thought. Love ya enough ta let the world rot in hell and love ya enough ta try and save it for ya.

Xander’s heart beat a new rhythm at the look in Spike’s eye. Something scarred and mending inside of him healed a little more. It was strong and powerful and it scared Xander more than facing Angelus. Spike meant something to him. He meant something more than Xander dared to examine or to face. He meant something more than Xander dared to think or say.

I l… he started to think.

“We have to move, now!” Faith hissed breaking the moment between Master and Claimant.

Xander blushed and looked away. Spike growled then looked around the beach. All the canoes were docked. His army was assembled. Over the years he had assembled in through wheeling, dealing and just plain playing upon what he knew of demons.

The Oni were with him because under Angelus new world order there were very few pious souls. It was hard to corrupt the fallen. This world was almost as much as hell for them as it was for the all walking talking meat sacks.

The Voynok would do anything and go anywhere Spike commanded. A long time ago Spike had come up one their Queen. He’d hidden her clutch away automatically giving him an army in her brood who would do anything to ensure the safety of their next generation.

Spike grinned at the Mofo. He wished he could say he’d pulled one over on them in some way to as he had with the Voynok. Simple truth was though, they had fallen in with him due to Angelus.

Mofo take contracts very seriously and Peaches not so much, Spike thought. Never break a contract with a Mofo. They will collect one way or another.

He looked back to the shore where he’d left Lorne and the primals. The lions would serve him because of the old medicine man back in Africa. Lorne helped him because of Doyle. He could only assume Lorne had found angel with his fellow Pyleans.

Spike looked at what was left of the Scoobies. He had always known they could be counted on for the final fight.

Just a bloody matter of getting them here without getting staked first, he thought.

“Right then,” Spike finally ordered in a hush. “The poofter’s mansion should be up ahead. Mofos take point. Surround it and take who or whatever Angelus has guarding it. No one gets out of there and no one but us gets in. The rest of us follow me.”

“Where?” Faith asked.

“Ta storm the castle,” Spike said with a grin.”And remember we need Angelus alive...at least until we can get his blood on Acathla.”

“And where would he..it be?” Wesley asked.

“I know where,” Spike said as he released Xander and began to move out with the other demons.

“We don’t even have any weapons!” Faith hissed.

“Will soon enough,” Spike said with a grin. “Just gotta take ‘em off the ones we kill, yeah?”

That’s what I love about you, Spike, Xander thought. You’re all about the details.

“Tell me,” Wesley asked a bit breathlessly trying to keep  up with the swift pace of the demons. “Did Doyle actually see us succeed?”

“Well…” Spike began.

“That would be a ‘no,’” Xander explained.

“Oi! He saw an attack on Angelus’ mansion! He saw the statue of Acathla! He saw blood!” Spike said.

“Well that could have been our blood!” Faith argued.

“You know not to be critical,” Oz interjected. “But I think we really could work on the whole ‘sneak’ part of our sneak attack skills.”

Despite the circumstances Xander couldn’t help but giggle. Spike glowered. Faith smirked and Wesley nodded.

For a moment Xander almost felt like he really was back in Sunnydale back before it had all gone to hell before it had all caved in and become a lake. For a moment he felt like he had come home and it felt good.

As usual  with this world, the feeling didn’t last long. Suddenly the air was filled with the sounds of angry snarls.  Xander squinted trying to see up ahead. A strong arm shot out and pushed him back just as blue demoness pounced from the shadows to land on Spike.

Xander stumbled back and watched as all around him was an explosion of chaos. A red Kith’harn demon was trying to run Wesley through with a long curved blade. Faith was was ducking the arc of swinging blade wielded by another Jhe demon.

In the distance Xander could hear the sounds of more skirmishes. A low growl to his right drew Xander’s attention next. Oz was once again shifting into his wolf form.

“Bloody hell ya cacky tart!” Spike snarled as demoness tried to bite into his neck while bending over and grabbing at her dreadlocks. He slams her to the ground as she tumbles over the top of him.  “Ya ain’t my type!”

“A little help here!” Wesley squeaked as he twirled out of the way of the Kith’harn’s blade.

Xander looked around. The others were engaged in their own fights and no where close to helping the former watcher. Thinking quickly he bent down, grabbed a handful of sand and rushed forward.

If I die, Spike is so gonna kill me, Xander thought as he whistled to get the Kith’harn’s attention. It looked up just in time to get a faceful of sand. As the demon instinctively went to wipe it’s face Xander tucked dropped and rolled.

Not gutter balls! No gutter balls! Xander thought as he envisioned himself as a Xander bowling ball barreling into a demon shape bowling pin.

There was a loud roar as Xander connected with the Kith’harn’s knee.

Strike! Xander thought as the demon went down.

“Wes! Get the blade!” Xander cried as he quickly scrambled up the demon hoping to briefly pin it.

“Already done!” Wesley replied right before a cool spray erupted all over Xander’s face as the ex-Watcher shoved the demon’s own blade into it’s throat. The Kith’harn bucked once under Xander then went still.

It was Xander’s turn to wipe his eyes and face. Clearing the slimy demon blood from them he looked for Wesley.

“Sorry about that,” the man said. “Should have warned you first.”

“It’s ok, not the first time,” Xander replied getting to his feet. The battle was still raging but it was moving forward pressing closer to the mansion.

“Shall we?” Wesley said motioning with his blade. Xander nodded.

Together the two charged forward into the chaos around them.

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Dawn stood trembling over the unconscious Lindsey. Behind her Willow and Tara stood betwitched by the Jhe demoness. Across from her was the strange demon Cyvus. In her hand was the blade Angelus had shoved there before he had suddenly left. She swallowed.

Just then Lindsey began to convulse and cough. His limbs shaking violently against his restraints. The coughing grew labored as if his breathing was blocked. Dawn looked in panic at Cyvus.

“Do something!’

“Be quiet, slave!” Cyvus snapped back.

Lindsey spit up blood.

“He’s dying!” Dawn cried.

“He is not!

Suddenly Linday’s coughing stopped. His limbs locked up and his breathing ceased completely.

“Then what do you call that!” Dawn pointed at the dying man. “Do you think Angelus is going to pleased if he comes back to find the one person who can tell him where his son can be found is dead?”

“He...it’s not possible. I restored him!” Cyvus said leaning over Lindsey’s body.

“Well obviously it is possible!” snapped Dawn.

“You will cease your insolence!” Cyvus said moving around the rack to further examine Lindsey.

“Or what? You’ll kill me? You can’t do that! Angelus needs me…”

“He needs your blood!” Cyvus said turning back to look at Dawn.

“And none of this is helping him,” Dawn said pointing back to the lawyer who was now completely limp.

“I ...restored him,” insisted the confused Cyvus.

“Look, unchain him and I can do CPR,” Dawn argued.

“What?” Cyvus asked.

“It’s..it’s a human thing. But we only have a small window,” she pleaded moving closer to Cyvus. “I need you to unchain him and let me do CPR. I can get his hearted started...breathe for him.”

“I …”

“Do you want him to die? Do you want to tell Angelus I could have saved him..” Dawn continued stepping close to argue to his face.

“Very well!” Cyvus said waving his hands. Red energy shoots forth and the chain around Lindsey’s hands and wrists pop free. Cyvus turns back to look at Dawn. “Now, restore him!”

“Already done!” Lindsey snarls as he sits up and grabs Cyvus from behind.

Without giving herself time to think or question Dawn shoves the blade in her hand into Cyvus chest hoping she hits what passes for his heart. The demon sorcerer stiffens as green blood oozes out of his body and down her hand. He sags in Lindsey’s hands then collapses.

There is a snarl from behind them.  Dawn jerks the blade from Cyvus body and whirls around. The Jhe demon is staring at them her face twisted in rage.

“You move or drop that spell those witches are gonna be on you and I don’t think they’re gonna be too happy,” Lindsey says as he lowers himself from the table. He winces and balances the majority of his weight on his left leg. He looks at Dawn. “Good job. How’d you know I was faking it?”

“I didn’t..exactly,” Dawn confessed her eyes locked on the Jhe demon. “I kinda hoped you were. I mean, it’s what Xander would have done.”

“Fair enough. So, shall we?” Lindsey said as he began limping towards the exit.

“Wait! We can’t leave! What about Willow? What about Tara?”

Lindsey paused. He looked at the Jhe demon holding the two witches and then looked back at Dawn.

“Seems to me we have a bit of a stand-off,” Lindsey said. “You move forward the Jhe can kill the witches. If the Jhe moves to kill the witches you can kill her.”

“There has to be another way,” Dawn said.

“There is,” Lindsey replied as he began limping toward the exit again.

“I can’t just leave them!” Dawn cried.

“Well then that’s your choice then, darlin’” Lindsey said as he reached to the doorway before disappearing.

TBC