Dusting Duo Drabbles 51 - 80
Apr. 18th, 2010 07:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jadelyntateAuthor: Jaded
Story: Dusting Duo
Disclaimer: I do not own the fandoms here within. They are owned by Disney and Joss Whedon. I make no monetary profit. Though if someone were to give me Jason or Spike, I wouldn't be adverse...(cheeky grin)
Summary: Spike and Kimberly meet. The world will never be the same. 100, 100 word drabbles.
A/N: I...do not know where this came from. All I know is I was watching Buffy, laughing at Spike, debating on going back into PR fanfic and boom! Dusting Duo was born.
Should Know the Signs
Kimberly really should know the signs by now. Hell, she knew the signs of running first hand, she should recognize a former villain when she saw him. But does she? Noooo...
Spike being a redeemed vampire did make a certain amount of sense. It was just...why does she always end up with the bad boys? Tommy hadn't been really bad, just a bit rebellious (Rita's influence notwithstanding of course). Now she was tagging along, helping Spike fight demons when she could be building a gym.
If Jason and the others found out, she was never going to live it down.
Freaking Out
Every since he had told her his story, Kim had been muttering and grumbling something about bad boys and suckers and why can't she simply learn. Given that none of her ire seemed to be pointed at him, Spike suspected it was more of a her past kinda thing rather than his. It was also driving him absolutely completely insane.
“Why isn't she freaking out?!” Spike demanded, pacing in front of Oz. The werewolves eyes shifted and Spike didn't understand until her voice, sounding far too amused, came from the doorway.
“Because she is from Angel Grove, California.”
Sunnydale Syndrome, PR Style
Watching Spike freak out because she wasn't freaking out had been hilarious for a day. Then she just felt sorry for the guy because he had obviously been expecting another reaction.
Seeing their puzzled looks at her comment, she frowned. “Angel Grove, alien capital of the world?” Nada. “C'mon, you guys had to have heard of it. Monsters and 60 foot tall robots? Multi-colored spandexed heroes?” Nope. “Seriously, none of this is ringing a bell?”
“Spandex?”
“Robots?”
Kim mentally counted to ten in every language she knew.
“You've never heard of the Power Rangers?”
But...how?
Kimberly explained about her city and suddenly, Spike recalled the sporadic TV broadcasts about it. The supernatural tended to shy away from the city, ignoring it and all the nummy humans in favor of less crazy places. It all felt disturbingly like the Ben and Glory snafu back in Sunnyhell.
“So...they're real?” he asked again. Kimberly glared.
“Yes, as I have told you six times,” she scowled.
“But...how?”
Kimberly threw her hands in the air and stalked off, muttering obscenities under her breath. Grinning, Spike looked at Oz, who shrugged back with a smirk.
“Too easy.”
Visitor
“Hide.”
It was whispered at Spike, who was up and out of his seat instantly.
“Who's here?” she asked quietly, once the door to the hidden room latched shut. Oz went to the door and opened it, startling the one-eyed man about to knock.
“Willow sent you.”
“Yeah,” the guy answered, walking in without an invite. He stopped, eyes on Kimberly. She gave him a wave.
“Xander Harris, old friend,” he introduced himself.
“Kimberly Hart,” she said.
“Current girlfriend.” Oz added. Xander smirked as a thump came from the hidden room.
“Hi Spike!”
Understanding
“Girlfriend?!” Spike demanded as he scrambled out. Oz shrugged.
“Thought it might help.”
“It probably would have,” Xander said, eyes dancing as Spike rubbed his head. “If Peroxide hadn't blown it.”
“Yeah, well,” Spike shifted uncomfortably. “What do you want Chubs?”
“Be nice,” Kim scolded and Spike scowled at her. This was Chubs, best mate of Red. They were officially fucked.
“I'm not telling Willow you're here,” Xander said seriously. Spike stared, surprised.
“I spent a year running around Africa after Sunnydale sank,” he said wryly. “Trust me, I understand.”
Not a Slayer
“They think I'm a WHAT?!” Kimberly demanded, fork falling from suddenly numb fingers. Xander smiled at her, swallowing his food.
“A slayer,” he told her. “It's driving Willow's bonkers actually cause she can't get a read on you or Spike. Slayers normally can't hide from her.”
“But...why?” Kim asked, not going into the scrying thing. She had a feeling she knew where that came from.
“You two have everyone freaked,” he said. “Plus, you know, Spike and slayers...”
Kim's lips quirked at her companions' scowl. “Something you wanna tell me?”
“Bite me.”
Come home soon
“You might want to leave Tibet,” Xander was saying as he slung his duffel bag over his shoulder. “Willow may send someone else just in case. You have her really freaked.”
“Thanks,” Spike said because Chubs had given him far more than he had been expecting. Xander nodded and then paused in the doorway of Oz' house.
“Come home soon, though, kay?” he asked quietly. “Dawn and the girls aren't' the only ones who want you back. I need someone to torment Angel with.”
Then Xander was gone, leaving behind a thoroughly stunned former vampire.
States
“What about the states?” Oz broke. Kim and Spike had been arguing about where they should go for two hours. Kim figured he must be getting a headache—she certainly had one.
“They'll expect me to go hide in the states,” Spike argued.
“That's it,” Kim realized. Oz smiled and she smiled back.
“What?” Spike obviously didn't understand.
“They'll expect you to go to the states but they'll know you expect them to know so they'll expect you to..not...go to the states?” Kim frowned, having successfully managed to confuse herself.
“More or less,” Oz laughed.
Adam
Adam was on a layover in Lhanga when he thought he saw Kimberly. Not sure if it was really her, he didn't approach. She was talking with a guy in a black leather duster, hair dyed platinum blonde, and tight leather pants. Not the kind of guy Kim usually hung out with.
“We're gonna miss our flight, luv, if you don't find that bloody passport!”
“Found it!”
Adam promptly walked into a wall at the familiar voice. When he got his bearings back, however, the two had disappeared. He called Billy.
“What is Kimberly doing in Tibet?”
Cincinnati
Spike looked around, still not sure if this was a good idea. Especially given where Kimberly and Oz had decided would be the best place to fly to.
“Why are we in Cincinnati again?”
“Because the Slayer house is three hours away,” Kim repeated. “None of them will expect you to move so close. They think you're too smart for that.”
“Oy!” he exclaimed. “What do ya mean think?!”
“You know what I meant,” she said. “Besides, I have a friend who is teaching about two hours away.”
“Friend, huh?”
“Yup.”
Alarmingly Predictable
Kim looked up at the vampire currently leaning over her. “Ew, breath mint,” she pleaded. The vampire stopped, startled. “Bye now!”
Kim flipped to her feet, dusting herself off. Spike approached, shaking his head. “That was disgustingly easy,” he remarked. “Though I shouldn't be surprised. Marcus always was stupid. He passed it onto his fledges.”
“How do you know this vampire again?” Kim asked.
“He tried getting into Dru's dresses,” Spike scowled. “Daft bugger.”
“So...damsel ploy?” she suggested knowingly. He smirked and she shook her head, amused.
Spike could be alarmingly predictable.
Protection detail
“Why are we here again?” Spike asked Kimberly, who was looking around the karaoke club.
“Will's show choir is in town for competition,” she answered, eyes narrowing at a group in the corner. “They'll be staying out late.”
“You want to make sure none of em get eaten,” he nodded. Kimberly was protective like that. She'd followed two of her friends in Paris one night to make sure they got home safely.
“Will!” She suddenly bounced up, waving an arm. She dragged him over and Spike steeled himself for a night of babysitting musical teenagers.
My Duster
Kim stared at the tear in her duster, jaw hanging open. Slowly, she turned back to the demon who'd made it, eyes flashing. She plucked the sword from Spike's hands and charged.
Within minutes the demon was kibble. Panting and covered in goo, she scowled at the world at large.
“You alright there, luv?” Spike asked warily.
“My duster,” she said and he nodded, eying the sword.
“Can I have that back, now?” he asked and she allowed him to pluck it out of her fingers. He eyed her. “Let's go get you cleaned up, yeah?”
Worth it
Kimberly was sulking. The demon destroying her duster beyond even Spike's experience in fixing had really gotten to her for some reason. Despite the fact the Cincinnati demons were now running for their lives from the pissed off fashion obsessed woman, it was starting to depress him.
It was high time to suck it up and go and get her a new one. Six stores and much cursing later, he found an exact replica of her old one made from tougher material. Two hundred bucks later and he headed back to the hotel.
Her smile made the hassle worth it.
You and I Collide
Kim listened, a soft smile on her face at the song Spike was singing. She'd dragged him to a small club, complete with a live band and karaoke. You could borrow instruments or use the machine. He'd opted for live music.
She knew why he'd chosen this song, knew the message behind it.
I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find
You and I collide
I'm With You
“Alright, you're turn luv,” Spike told her once he hopped off-stage. She held out a hand.
“Guitar,” she demanded and he handed it over, surprised.
“Didn't know you played,” he said and Kimberly smirked at him.
“There's a lot you don't know about me.”
He swallowed. She moved to the stage and started strumming. Spike smiled at her song choice.
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you, take me by the hand, take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I, I'm with you
I'm with you
Kennedy
“Stay still, god damnit!”
“Not a chance,” Kim shot back, dodging another flurry of kicks and punches. “What are you?”
“Your death,” the girl shot back. “What are you? Obviously a human looking demon but what kind?”
Kim stopped mid-dodge, startled. “What?!” The girl took the opportunity to knock her on her back.
“Doesn't matter what you are, though,” she said, pulling a sword from...somewhere. “Most demons can't survive having their head cut off.”
“Kennedy, STOP!”
The girl froze, the sword centimeters from Kim's neck. Kennedy whipped around, staring.
“SPIKE?!”
Cleveland Home for Young Woman
“I blame you,” Spike muttered, eying the Cleveland Home for Young Woman. “You chose Cincinnati, said they wouldn't think we would go to their backyard.”
“Is it my fault we do good work?” Kimberly whispered back. He went to speak but she stopped him, making a face. “Don't answer that.”
Spike spotted a familiar bald head approaching them. “Ah hell,” he cursed. “Why did it have to be him?”
“Issues?”
“His mum was the slayer I killed in the seventies,” he told her. She winced.
“Have fun with that.”
“Traitor.”
Xander
The need to go away, to get your head back on straight before returning home. He'd done the same thing.
Willow couldn't see that though; she didn't trust someone who could completely hide both herself and Spike from scrying. So Giles, also nervous, had agreed to send Xander to see if Oz really was hiding their wayward fighting duo.
Xander knew Kim wasn't a threat. He suspected she was actually a blessing. He had protected them because he, of everyone, understood.
That was why, despite their current irritation at him, he didn't regret lying to Willow and Giles.
He understood.
Got to stop running sometime
“So...Why are we prisoners again?” Kim asked. They'd been pretty much under lock and key since they'd arrived at the home, dragged there by the irritated Slayer.
“Faith called Buffy, who called Willow, Giles, Dawn, and Xander,” Spike answered, picking at the bedspread. “They should all arrive tonight.”
Kim felt a pang of guilt. She'd honestly thought they'd be safe hiding out in the Hellmouth's backyard but she'd been wrong.
“I'm sorry,” she whispered.
“Not your fault,” he told her tiredly. “This would have happened sooner or later. I got to stop running sometime.”
Dawn
“William Spike Pratt, you asshole!”
Spike jumped to his feet as the door to his and Kim's room banged open, revealing one terribly pissed off Dawn Summers. “Hi, Niblet.”
“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!” she shouted. Out of the corner of his eye, Spike could see Kimberly's shoulders shaking with laughter.
“Around,” he told the other brunette. Dawn's eyes flashing was his only warning before her fist connected with his cheek.
“That's for not coming home when you became human!” she shouted and then rounded on a startled Kimberly. “And who are you?!”
Meetings
“Human,” was the first word out of Kimberly's mouth. Kennedy had assumed she wasn't and so far, most of the girls had been looking at her like she was a freak show. She didn't like the feeling.
Dawn eyed her and then turned to Spike.
“Everyone keeps assuming she's a demon cause of Kennedy,” he explained. The tall brunette frowned.
“Kennedy's an idiot,” she declared. “They should know not to listen to her talk. But that doesn't give me a name to call you.”
“Ya'know, I think I like you,” she smiled. “I'm Kimberly.”
Seeing Red
“Spike!”
Spike winced at how deadly Willow's voice was.
“Ello, Red. How's you?”
“How's me?” she asked, stalking forward. “Do you know how long I've been looking for you?”
“Er... is that a rhetorical question?” he asked warily. Kimberly snickered.
“And you,” Willow said, eyes flashing at her. “You're the one who's been hiding him from us.”
“No, she hasn't been,” Spike said firmly. “I wouldn't be here if not for her. If you start in on her, I'm leaving. She's safe. But more importantly, she's mine so back off, Red.”
Claim
“Yours, huh?”
Kim looked up, the warm feeling in her chest disappearing at the blonde woman staring at Spike. Her heart fell when Spike confirmed who she was.
“Buffy,” he breathed out. The redhead huffed, eying Kim warily.
“Hey, Spike,” Buffy smiled. “Who's your friend?”
To Kimberly's surprise, he reached over to pull her firmly to his side, not letting go of her wrist. “This is Kimberly Hart,” he introduced them. “My partner in hunting.”
“Partner, huh?” Buffy asked, eyebrow raised. Spike smirked.
“She kicks demon ass,” he said proudly. Kim blushed.
How?
“How have you been hiding him?”
Spike growled at the persistence of Willow. She was like a dog with a bone, completely unwilling to believe Kimberly hadn't been hiding him. He'd have known if she was; she was a horrible liar.
“I honestly don't know what you're talking about,” Kimberly told her softly. “Spike and I...”
Spike watched as she shrugged helplessly. Willow faltered slightly but then narrowed her eyes. “You'd have to be pretty powerful to hide him from me,” she noted. “And the Slayers all said you feel off.”
Kimberly went bone white.
Seeping magic
Kim didn't know what to do. On one hand, these people regularly saved the world. On the other...she'd promised Zordon.
“Angel Grove,” Spike said and Kim jerked to him, eyes widening. Did he know? Had he figured it out?
“What about it?” Willow asked, frowning.
“Well, that's where you're from, innit?” Spike asked and Kim nodded slowly, frowning.
“Spike has a point,” an older gentleman said, coming inside. “No wicca has ever been able to get a read on that city. Perhaps the magic seeped into her. It wouldn't be the first time.”
Willow flushed at his pointed look.
Confirmation
Willow and the watcher were talking magics but Spike didn't pay much attention to it—instead he focused on Kimberly and knew Buffy was doing the same.
Kimberly knew more than she was telling about everything. He and Oz had toyed with the possibility when they'd talked about Angel Grove the first time but her reaction to his bringing the city up now just confirmed it. It made her fighting abilities, her bow-work, her sword work, the pink, all make sense. Not to mention how accepting she was of the craziness that was demon hunting.
Kimberly had been a Power Ranger.
Mar(t)y
While fun, it'd been the two of them alone for so long that it was weird to be among so many people that knew Spike.
“So. What has Spike been up to?” Dawn asked curiously.
Kim smirked. “Mary!”
Xander burst out laughing—he'd heard this story in Tibet.
“Don't you dare, luv,” Spike glared. Kim smirked.
“Tourist guide,” she told the group. “Spike started chatting her up.”
“Oh?” Buffy asked, amused. Kim smirked.
“Mary was really Marty. Spike didn't find out till they got to the hotel room.”
Spike groaned as everyone cracked up.
Eric
Eric Myers had known the name Kimberly Hart had sounded familiar but it wasn't until he'd actually seen her that it all clicked.
“She kinda feels like you,” Alice whispered, coming to stand next to him. When his little bird-sitting neighbor had been Called, Eric had sworn to help her. He didn't regret his decision.
“She would,” he agreed dryly as Kimberly looked at him. There was recognition in her gaze, one ranger acknowledging another. Caution too. She was still anonymous. Just another former ranger turned demon hunter. He wondered if Tommy and Jason knew.
Somehow, he doubted it.
Story: Dusting Duo
Disclaimer: I do not own the fandoms here within. They are owned by Disney and Joss Whedon. I make no monetary profit. Though if someone were to give me Jason or Spike, I wouldn't be adverse...(cheeky grin)
Summary: Spike and Kimberly meet. The world will never be the same. 100, 100 word drabbles.
A/N: I...do not know where this came from. All I know is I was watching Buffy, laughing at Spike, debating on going back into PR fanfic and boom! Dusting Duo was born.
Should Know the Signs
Kimberly really should know the signs by now. Hell, she knew the signs of running first hand, she should recognize a former villain when she saw him. But does she? Noooo...
Spike being a redeemed vampire did make a certain amount of sense. It was just...why does she always end up with the bad boys? Tommy hadn't been really bad, just a bit rebellious (Rita's influence notwithstanding of course). Now she was tagging along, helping Spike fight demons when she could be building a gym.
If Jason and the others found out, she was never going to live it down.
Freaking Out
Every since he had told her his story, Kim had been muttering and grumbling something about bad boys and suckers and why can't she simply learn. Given that none of her ire seemed to be pointed at him, Spike suspected it was more of a her past kinda thing rather than his. It was also driving him absolutely completely insane.
“Why isn't she freaking out?!” Spike demanded, pacing in front of Oz. The werewolves eyes shifted and Spike didn't understand until her voice, sounding far too amused, came from the doorway.
“Because she is from Angel Grove, California.”
Sunnydale Syndrome, PR Style
Watching Spike freak out because she wasn't freaking out had been hilarious for a day. Then she just felt sorry for the guy because he had obviously been expecting another reaction.
Seeing their puzzled looks at her comment, she frowned. “Angel Grove, alien capital of the world?” Nada. “C'mon, you guys had to have heard of it. Monsters and 60 foot tall robots? Multi-colored spandexed heroes?” Nope. “Seriously, none of this is ringing a bell?”
“Spandex?”
“Robots?”
Kim mentally counted to ten in every language she knew.
“You've never heard of the Power Rangers?”
But...how?
Kimberly explained about her city and suddenly, Spike recalled the sporadic TV broadcasts about it. The supernatural tended to shy away from the city, ignoring it and all the nummy humans in favor of less crazy places. It all felt disturbingly like the Ben and Glory snafu back in Sunnyhell.
“So...they're real?” he asked again. Kimberly glared.
“Yes, as I have told you six times,” she scowled.
“But...how?”
Kimberly threw her hands in the air and stalked off, muttering obscenities under her breath. Grinning, Spike looked at Oz, who shrugged back with a smirk.
“Too easy.”
Visitor
“Hide.”
It was whispered at Spike, who was up and out of his seat instantly.
“Who's here?” she asked quietly, once the door to the hidden room latched shut. Oz went to the door and opened it, startling the one-eyed man about to knock.
“Willow sent you.”
“Yeah,” the guy answered, walking in without an invite. He stopped, eyes on Kimberly. She gave him a wave.
“Xander Harris, old friend,” he introduced himself.
“Kimberly Hart,” she said.
“Current girlfriend.” Oz added. Xander smirked as a thump came from the hidden room.
“Hi Spike!”
Understanding
“Girlfriend?!” Spike demanded as he scrambled out. Oz shrugged.
“Thought it might help.”
“It probably would have,” Xander said, eyes dancing as Spike rubbed his head. “If Peroxide hadn't blown it.”
“Yeah, well,” Spike shifted uncomfortably. “What do you want Chubs?”
“Be nice,” Kim scolded and Spike scowled at her. This was Chubs, best mate of Red. They were officially fucked.
“I'm not telling Willow you're here,” Xander said seriously. Spike stared, surprised.
“I spent a year running around Africa after Sunnydale sank,” he said wryly. “Trust me, I understand.”
Not a Slayer
“They think I'm a WHAT?!” Kimberly demanded, fork falling from suddenly numb fingers. Xander smiled at her, swallowing his food.
“A slayer,” he told her. “It's driving Willow's bonkers actually cause she can't get a read on you or Spike. Slayers normally can't hide from her.”
“But...why?” Kim asked, not going into the scrying thing. She had a feeling she knew where that came from.
“You two have everyone freaked,” he said. “Plus, you know, Spike and slayers...”
Kim's lips quirked at her companions' scowl. “Something you wanna tell me?”
“Bite me.”
Come home soon
“You might want to leave Tibet,” Xander was saying as he slung his duffel bag over his shoulder. “Willow may send someone else just in case. You have her really freaked.”
“Thanks,” Spike said because Chubs had given him far more than he had been expecting. Xander nodded and then paused in the doorway of Oz' house.
“Come home soon, though, kay?” he asked quietly. “Dawn and the girls aren't' the only ones who want you back. I need someone to torment Angel with.”
Then Xander was gone, leaving behind a thoroughly stunned former vampire.
States
“What about the states?” Oz broke. Kim and Spike had been arguing about where they should go for two hours. Kim figured he must be getting a headache—she certainly had one.
“They'll expect me to go hide in the states,” Spike argued.
“That's it,” Kim realized. Oz smiled and she smiled back.
“What?” Spike obviously didn't understand.
“They'll expect you to go to the states but they'll know you expect them to know so they'll expect you to..not...go to the states?” Kim frowned, having successfully managed to confuse herself.
“More or less,” Oz laughed.
Adam
Adam was on a layover in Lhanga when he thought he saw Kimberly. Not sure if it was really her, he didn't approach. She was talking with a guy in a black leather duster, hair dyed platinum blonde, and tight leather pants. Not the kind of guy Kim usually hung out with.
“We're gonna miss our flight, luv, if you don't find that bloody passport!”
“Found it!”
Adam promptly walked into a wall at the familiar voice. When he got his bearings back, however, the two had disappeared. He called Billy.
“What is Kimberly doing in Tibet?”
Cincinnati
Spike looked around, still not sure if this was a good idea. Especially given where Kimberly and Oz had decided would be the best place to fly to.
“Why are we in Cincinnati again?”
“Because the Slayer house is three hours away,” Kim repeated. “None of them will expect you to move so close. They think you're too smart for that.”
“Oy!” he exclaimed. “What do ya mean think?!”
“You know what I meant,” she said. “Besides, I have a friend who is teaching about two hours away.”
“Friend, huh?”
“Yup.”
Alarmingly Predictable
Kim looked up at the vampire currently leaning over her. “Ew, breath mint,” she pleaded. The vampire stopped, startled. “Bye now!”
Kim flipped to her feet, dusting herself off. Spike approached, shaking his head. “That was disgustingly easy,” he remarked. “Though I shouldn't be surprised. Marcus always was stupid. He passed it onto his fledges.”
“How do you know this vampire again?” Kim asked.
“He tried getting into Dru's dresses,” Spike scowled. “Daft bugger.”
“So...damsel ploy?” she suggested knowingly. He smirked and she shook her head, amused.
Spike could be alarmingly predictable.
Protection detail
“Why are we here again?” Spike asked Kimberly, who was looking around the karaoke club.
“Will's show choir is in town for competition,” she answered, eyes narrowing at a group in the corner. “They'll be staying out late.”
“You want to make sure none of em get eaten,” he nodded. Kimberly was protective like that. She'd followed two of her friends in Paris one night to make sure they got home safely.
“Will!” She suddenly bounced up, waving an arm. She dragged him over and Spike steeled himself for a night of babysitting musical teenagers.
My Duster
Kim stared at the tear in her duster, jaw hanging open. Slowly, she turned back to the demon who'd made it, eyes flashing. She plucked the sword from Spike's hands and charged.
Within minutes the demon was kibble. Panting and covered in goo, she scowled at the world at large.
“You alright there, luv?” Spike asked warily.
“My duster,” she said and he nodded, eying the sword.
“Can I have that back, now?” he asked and she allowed him to pluck it out of her fingers. He eyed her. “Let's go get you cleaned up, yeah?”
Worth it
Kimberly was sulking. The demon destroying her duster beyond even Spike's experience in fixing had really gotten to her for some reason. Despite the fact the Cincinnati demons were now running for their lives from the pissed off fashion obsessed woman, it was starting to depress him.
It was high time to suck it up and go and get her a new one. Six stores and much cursing later, he found an exact replica of her old one made from tougher material. Two hundred bucks later and he headed back to the hotel.
Her smile made the hassle worth it.
You and I Collide
Kim listened, a soft smile on her face at the song Spike was singing. She'd dragged him to a small club, complete with a live band and karaoke. You could borrow instruments or use the machine. He'd opted for live music.
She knew why he'd chosen this song, knew the message behind it.
I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again
Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find
You and I collide
I'm With You
“Alright, you're turn luv,” Spike told her once he hopped off-stage. She held out a hand.
“Guitar,” she demanded and he handed it over, surprised.
“Didn't know you played,” he said and Kimberly smirked at him.
“There's a lot you don't know about me.”
He swallowed. She moved to the stage and started strumming. Spike smiled at her song choice.
It's a damn cold night
Trying to figure out this life
Won't you, take me by the hand, take me somewhere new
I don't know who you are but I, I'm with you
I'm with you
Kennedy
“Stay still, god damnit!”
“Not a chance,” Kim shot back, dodging another flurry of kicks and punches. “What are you?”
“Your death,” the girl shot back. “What are you? Obviously a human looking demon but what kind?”
Kim stopped mid-dodge, startled. “What?!” The girl took the opportunity to knock her on her back.
“Doesn't matter what you are, though,” she said, pulling a sword from...somewhere. “Most demons can't survive having their head cut off.”
“Kennedy, STOP!”
The girl froze, the sword centimeters from Kim's neck. Kennedy whipped around, staring.
“SPIKE?!”
Cleveland Home for Young Woman
“I blame you,” Spike muttered, eying the Cleveland Home for Young Woman. “You chose Cincinnati, said they wouldn't think we would go to their backyard.”
“Is it my fault we do good work?” Kimberly whispered back. He went to speak but she stopped him, making a face. “Don't answer that.”
Spike spotted a familiar bald head approaching them. “Ah hell,” he cursed. “Why did it have to be him?”
“Issues?”
“His mum was the slayer I killed in the seventies,” he told her. She winced.
“Have fun with that.”
“Traitor.”
Xander
The need to go away, to get your head back on straight before returning home. He'd done the same thing.
Willow couldn't see that though; she didn't trust someone who could completely hide both herself and Spike from scrying. So Giles, also nervous, had agreed to send Xander to see if Oz really was hiding their wayward fighting duo.
Xander knew Kim wasn't a threat. He suspected she was actually a blessing. He had protected them because he, of everyone, understood.
That was why, despite their current irritation at him, he didn't regret lying to Willow and Giles.
He understood.
Got to stop running sometime
“So...Why are we prisoners again?” Kim asked. They'd been pretty much under lock and key since they'd arrived at the home, dragged there by the irritated Slayer.
“Faith called Buffy, who called Willow, Giles, Dawn, and Xander,” Spike answered, picking at the bedspread. “They should all arrive tonight.”
Kim felt a pang of guilt. She'd honestly thought they'd be safe hiding out in the Hellmouth's backyard but she'd been wrong.
“I'm sorry,” she whispered.
“Not your fault,” he told her tiredly. “This would have happened sooner or later. I got to stop running sometime.”
Dawn
“William Spike Pratt, you asshole!”
Spike jumped to his feet as the door to his and Kim's room banged open, revealing one terribly pissed off Dawn Summers. “Hi, Niblet.”
“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!” she shouted. Out of the corner of his eye, Spike could see Kimberly's shoulders shaking with laughter.
“Around,” he told the other brunette. Dawn's eyes flashing was his only warning before her fist connected with his cheek.
“That's for not coming home when you became human!” she shouted and then rounded on a startled Kimberly. “And who are you?!”
Meetings
“Human,” was the first word out of Kimberly's mouth. Kennedy had assumed she wasn't and so far, most of the girls had been looking at her like she was a freak show. She didn't like the feeling.
Dawn eyed her and then turned to Spike.
“Everyone keeps assuming she's a demon cause of Kennedy,” he explained. The tall brunette frowned.
“Kennedy's an idiot,” she declared. “They should know not to listen to her talk. But that doesn't give me a name to call you.”
“Ya'know, I think I like you,” she smiled. “I'm Kimberly.”
Seeing Red
“Spike!”
Spike winced at how deadly Willow's voice was.
“Ello, Red. How's you?”
“How's me?” she asked, stalking forward. “Do you know how long I've been looking for you?”
“Er... is that a rhetorical question?” he asked warily. Kimberly snickered.
“And you,” Willow said, eyes flashing at her. “You're the one who's been hiding him from us.”
“No, she hasn't been,” Spike said firmly. “I wouldn't be here if not for her. If you start in on her, I'm leaving. She's safe. But more importantly, she's mine so back off, Red.”
Claim
“Yours, huh?”
Kim looked up, the warm feeling in her chest disappearing at the blonde woman staring at Spike. Her heart fell when Spike confirmed who she was.
“Buffy,” he breathed out. The redhead huffed, eying Kim warily.
“Hey, Spike,” Buffy smiled. “Who's your friend?”
To Kimberly's surprise, he reached over to pull her firmly to his side, not letting go of her wrist. “This is Kimberly Hart,” he introduced them. “My partner in hunting.”
“Partner, huh?” Buffy asked, eyebrow raised. Spike smirked.
“She kicks demon ass,” he said proudly. Kim blushed.
How?
“How have you been hiding him?”
Spike growled at the persistence of Willow. She was like a dog with a bone, completely unwilling to believe Kimberly hadn't been hiding him. He'd have known if she was; she was a horrible liar.
“I honestly don't know what you're talking about,” Kimberly told her softly. “Spike and I...”
Spike watched as she shrugged helplessly. Willow faltered slightly but then narrowed her eyes. “You'd have to be pretty powerful to hide him from me,” she noted. “And the Slayers all said you feel off.”
Kimberly went bone white.
Seeping magic
Kim didn't know what to do. On one hand, these people regularly saved the world. On the other...she'd promised Zordon.
“Angel Grove,” Spike said and Kim jerked to him, eyes widening. Did he know? Had he figured it out?
“What about it?” Willow asked, frowning.
“Well, that's where you're from, innit?” Spike asked and Kim nodded slowly, frowning.
“Spike has a point,” an older gentleman said, coming inside. “No wicca has ever been able to get a read on that city. Perhaps the magic seeped into her. It wouldn't be the first time.”
Willow flushed at his pointed look.
Confirmation
Willow and the watcher were talking magics but Spike didn't pay much attention to it—instead he focused on Kimberly and knew Buffy was doing the same.
Kimberly knew more than she was telling about everything. He and Oz had toyed with the possibility when they'd talked about Angel Grove the first time but her reaction to his bringing the city up now just confirmed it. It made her fighting abilities, her bow-work, her sword work, the pink, all make sense. Not to mention how accepting she was of the craziness that was demon hunting.
Kimberly had been a Power Ranger.
Mar(t)y
While fun, it'd been the two of them alone for so long that it was weird to be among so many people that knew Spike.
“So. What has Spike been up to?” Dawn asked curiously.
Kim smirked. “Mary!”
Xander burst out laughing—he'd heard this story in Tibet.
“Don't you dare, luv,” Spike glared. Kim smirked.
“Tourist guide,” she told the group. “Spike started chatting her up.”
“Oh?” Buffy asked, amused. Kim smirked.
“Mary was really Marty. Spike didn't find out till they got to the hotel room.”
Spike groaned as everyone cracked up.
Eric
Eric Myers had known the name Kimberly Hart had sounded familiar but it wasn't until he'd actually seen her that it all clicked.
“She kinda feels like you,” Alice whispered, coming to stand next to him. When his little bird-sitting neighbor had been Called, Eric had sworn to help her. He didn't regret his decision.
“She would,” he agreed dryly as Kimberly looked at him. There was recognition in her gaze, one ranger acknowledging another. Caution too. She was still anonymous. Just another former ranger turned demon hunter. He wondered if Tommy and Jason knew.
Somehow, he doubted it.
