CHALLENGE SUMMARY: Spike's Women.

"I challenge someone to write a short fic (or long) where all of
Spike's women are grouped together in one room discussing him. It
can take place in the future or in a dream, etc. but here are the
conditions:

1) Spike's women include: Drusilla, Buffy, Harmony and the Buffybot.
A bonus for anyone who can fit in his mother and/or Cecily.
2) You must include the line, "He never said that to me."
3) Spike cannot be present, or at least not until the end.
4) Something must be described as being ten inches."

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks to Trish and Maggie for their pre-read and thoughts. This is my first try at Dru, so be kind. Also special thanks to Dee, Pandora and Soulstar who also offered to help! (But with Yahoo the way it's been...well, blech! Anyway, another hardy grin to all of you who keep on writing such great stories, stories that often make my days and make me laugh, cry and everything in between. :)

SUNNYDALE NIGHTS TRANSCRIPT - 5/07/01 EPS #602

MUSIC - LIGHTS UP ON LYDIA

LYDIA: Hello, and welcome to this edition of Sunnydale Nights. I'm Lydia Roberts. Tonight's show has been long awaited and greatly anticipated because tonight we are delving into one of the more complex relationships of one of the more complex men of our place and time. Here is an in-depth introductory report by Chuck Freeman.

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FTB - ROLL FILM

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Images - Hidden camera shots of Spike wandering dark streets of Sunnydale. Obviously current activity. Some shots b/w, some infrared, some still. Buying cigarettes and liquor. Meeting with demon "friends" at Willy's, hustling pool at the Bronze.

Voice-over - It's been a long journey for William the Bloody, Master Vampire of Sunnydale, California. You know him immediately by his trademark bleached blonde hair and forever present long black leather coat (or "duster" as he would say). He's a friend, or an enemy or both, but he is a vampire in exile in his own city.

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Images - Montage of stock pictures of workhouses and Dickensian images of London during the industrial age. Stock pictures of children slaving in factories.

Voice-over - William, or as he is now called, Spike, was born in London in 1856, the only child of William and Emily Harkins. Although born to money, his mother gave up her inheritance to marry William against her family's wishes. As a consequence, his father worked long, hard hours in the garment industry to feed them. His father was, as was typical of the times, strict and aloof. But his mother, often suffering from ill health, spent many of his formative years confined to her bed. She and William spent those long hours together, she tutoring him on art and literature studied in her youth, and when they were through he would read volumes of poetry to her. This home education would prove to be critical to his future. 10 days before his 9th birthday, she died. His father, intent on making sure William was cared for, quickly married again, but followed Emily into the grave within a year.

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Images - Stock images of orphans in the back streets of London, and of narrow cobblestone paths surrounded by bookstores. Follow with William, a young man of 18 or 20 seated at a desk, writing. Then one final picture is shown. He is seated in an overstuffed chair, coat and tie in perfect position, he looks uncomfortable. His posture and attitude cowed. His intense gaze reaches over his glasses into the camera lens, but his dark eyes are rebellious. It is a chilling and very real image.

Voice-over - William's stepmother abandoned him at the poorhouse soon after. There his knowledge of literature soon found him placed in a local book merchant's shop. It was a perfect match. William earned his keep eagerly, overjoyed at the free access the owner gave him to the inventory of books. He used his time well in self-education. Off-hours he could be found fully absorbed in the works of Shakespeare and Byron, his love of poetry nurtured by his mother's side, never lost. By the time he was released of his indenture at the book shop, he was a well-rounded and sensitive young man. He lacked only a formal degree. At 18, with the help of the merchant who had been his salvation, William applied for acceptance into Eton. Based on his knowledge and more pointedly, his commitment, he was accepted. The university expected him to pay his own way, which he did through a series of odd jobs and assignments throughout London. Through these jobs, he stumbled upon his stepmother, living poorly in a rancid flat. His sense of duty obliged him to take her in and she soon began to deplete his limited funds until debt became an everyday problem.

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Images - Eton and general London scenery. Dances and galas in grand ballrooms. An image of young Lady Cecily Townsend's portrait (London Art Museum), FADE TO video of Cecily in "Fool For Love" saying, "You are beneath me."

Voice-over - Through an acquaintance during his 3rd year, he met Cecily Townsend. Cecily was the daughter of Lord and Lady Townsend, in London for "the season" of balls and parties. She was attracted by his good looks and was often flirted with him when their paths crossed, but never seriously. Spike mistook her attention for attraction, however, and soon had lost his heart. Because of her and the constant pressures of money, or lack thereof, his schoolwork suffered and the confident and promising poetry he was becoming known for became suddenly unsure and tentative, in fact, it was quoted as "Bloody Awful". Cecily continued to tolerate his presence, even basking in his worship, until one evening when his bad poetry combined with his obvious obsession for her became the humorous topic of discussion among her friends. This type of public embarrassment she could not endure. She'd had enough and spoke to him in no uncertain of their opposite stations in life and the impossibility of any type of relationship between them.

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Images - Video of reenactment from "Fool For Love" biography.

Voice-over - His heart was broken and overwhelmed by his lot in life, he ran out into the dark, and dangerous, London streets. Here, by chance, he passed the most amazing vampiric trio of their time, Angelus, Darla and Drucilla, of the ancient line of Aurelius. Drucilla, who had been sired by Angelus, was prophetic and mad, a combination which soon appealed to William's more romantic nature. What happened next was detailed in the recent documentary "Fool For Love".

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Images - Stock photos of world capitals during the early 20th century; Constantinople, Paris, London, Rome, Cairo, Bombay and Bejing.

Voice-over - After he joined the family, William met his future eagerly. He sought revenge from the ungrateful world which had stolen his enterprise and love of poetry. They traveled together; he, Angel, Darla and Drucilla for nearly 25 years. He killed as he went, not just to feed, but for it's own sake. William the Bloody became an artist in blood. His penchant for torturing his victims with railroad spikes earned him his new name. When Angel and Darla abandoned the other pair in the early 1900's, he had already become legendary, having killed his first Slayer in China.

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Images - Video of reenactment from "Fool For Love" biography.

Voice-over - Tired of Europe and in pursuit of new adventures in the early 1950's, Dru and Spike came to New York City. They happily preyed upon that metropolis' inhabitants for nearly 30 years. Then in 1977 Spike discovered that the current Slayer was in their city. He stalked the newest Chosen and defeated her dramatically, stripping her of her long leather coat, a trophy he wears to this day.

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Images - Camcorder images of the mob scene, taken by witness, Jos Fridich in Prague, May 15, 1996, including sound.

Voice-over - A trip back to Europe in the mid 1990's proved nearly fatal to Dru. Though the circumstances are still under investigation (questioning the Watcher's Council's claimed responsibility) her true identity was somehow discovered and she was met by an angry mob threatening to stake and burn her. Spike rescued her at the last minute and brought her back to America. She was ill and shaken and Spike made it his mission to cure her. He was drawn west to the Hellmouth, and to Sunnydale.

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Images - Montage of images of Spike and Dru taken in Sunnydale (private collection), at the mansion, of The Anointed One (Sunnydale Demon Museum), of Angel, of Buffy and of Angel and Buffy together (private collection of Buffy Summers).

Voice-over - In Sunnydale, Spike soon met and killed The Anointed One, the previous Master, thus inheriting the title, although it is one he does not use. His research led him to discover that the blood and torture of his, rather their, Sire, Angel, would lead to Dru's recovery. Angel was also in Sunnydale, but now cursed with a soul, and in a relationship with the current Slayer, Buffy Summers.

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Images - Spike in a wheelchair, of Angel as Angelus, of a stronger Dru (collection of Angel Investigations).

Voice-over - During the ensuing battle, Dru was partially healed, and Spike was wounded, confined temporarily to a wheelchair. Other circumstances, also unclear, released the cursed soul within his Sire, who returned to the family for comfort and power. Dru and Angelus scorned Spike for his disability. Angelus, in an attempt to destroy the world, worked a spell to release Acatha and open the Hellmouth. Spike realized the finality of this effort and struck a bargain with the Slayer to defeat Angelus. Through their combined efforts, the spell failed and Angelus was sent TO hell instead. Per his agreement with the Slayer, Spike, now recovered from his injuries, gathered Dru and they both left Sunnydale for South America.

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Images - Map showing path of travel for Spike and Dru during their South America trip (artists' rendering).

Voice-over - In South America, and now in better health, Dru's eye began to wander. She had numerous affairs with demons, yet continued to string Spike along as a provider and protector. He was unable to reconcile her affairs, however and returned to Sunnydale to drown his sorrows in Slayer blood. But each of their battles became a standoff, a stalemate. After two failed attempts to reconcile with Dru, who told him he was now "surrounded by the Slayer", she ultimately left him for a Chaos demon. Spike returned to Sunnydale to stay.

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Images - Harmony and Spike together (photo booth collection of Harmony Kendall), glamour shot of Harmony, of Buffy and the Scooby gang (private collection of Rupert Giles).

Voice-over - Still denying his feelings for the Slayer, refusing to acquiesce to in such an impossible relationship, he took up with a young resident fledgling, Harmony Kendall. Her companionship sated him for a while, until his longing for the Slayer began to invade him even in his sleep. He began to seek her out, just to fight with her, to keep his skills on edge and to see her again.

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Images - Official Seal of the Initiative (stock), picture of Dr. Maggie Walsh (private collection), 3-D animation of chip activation (artist's rendering).

Voice-over - One moonless night, he was captured by operatives of the short-lived Initiative and taken to their underground facility. Although he later escaped, he soon discovered that he had been surgically implanted with an experimental chip, designed to inflict a sharp electronic shock directly to his brain tissue at the first sign of violence toward humans. To Spike, William the Bloody, a demon, this was a death-blow. When he realized what had happened, he went through a period of depression and anger.

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Images - Picture of Spike with Buffy and the Scooby Gang (private collection of Rupert Giles), photo of Joyce, Buffy and Dawn Summers (private collection of Buffy Summers).

Voice-over - Eventually he was able to adjust to his new circumstances. He recognized that in spite of his Master title, with the chip implant he was an outcast in the demon realm. He was drawn toward the other side. He began to spend more and more time with the Slayer, even to the point of being welcome in her home and sharing confidences with her mother, Joyce Summers. His obsession with the Slayer grew unfettered. Oftentimes he watched her house from dark streets, just waiting to catch a glimpse of her. He continued his relationship with Harmony, even as his advances to the Slayer were continually snubbed. Buffy's rejections were vicious, taking Spike's violent nature to the point of killing her, but he never did.

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Images - Photo collage of Spike surrounded by interlocking images of Harmony, Buffy and Dru (private collections).

Voice-over - Then, just two months ago, an opportunity afforded itself where he was able to confront all three of these women. After Dru stunned the Slayer with a taser, Spike did the same to Dru and restrained them in the room below his crypt. When they both awoke, Spike professed his undead love to the Slayer, threatening to stake Dru to prove his devotion. Again he was rejected. The discussion was interrupted when Harmony attempted to kill Spike with a crossbow. However, the bolt missed its mark and in the subsequent melee, Dru escaped and moved in to kill the Slayer. Spike fought her back and unlocked the Slayer's chains. Once freed, the formidable pair confronted Harmony and Dru who both wisely withdrew.

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Images - BuffyBot schematic animation (private collection of Warren Mears).

Voice-over - In the aftermath of the meeting, Spike found that his invitation to the Summers' home had been withdrawn. Separated from contact with her, Spike commissioned the construction of a robot likeness of the Slayer, accurate in all details, but programmed to love him. The robot had just been delivered when in a confrontation with our current resident Hellgod, Glory, it was damaged and confiscated by the Slayer's team.

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Images - Talent shot of Chuck in front of Spike's crypt (daylight).

Voice-over - In this same confrontation, Spike was tortured and beaten. The reasons for his capture and torture are still unresolved. He managed to escape with the help of the Slayer and their gang. Since this incident, the relationship between Spike and Buffy has changed to one of mutual respect, in which he is no longer rejected, but accepted into the Slayer's world.

From a demon perspective, Spike is still technically Master of Sunnydale. However, these recent circumstances have placed his power in danger at best and his unlife in danger at worst. He walks a fine line between worlds and as such, has become a legend in both.

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LYDIA: Thank you Chuck. Tonight you meet not the man, but the women who have shaped his destiny. We are honored to be joined by four of the women from the Master's past. We have taken great precautions to see that it goes well for all parties and hope that you understand that not all of our participants could be in the same room at the same time. That said, joining me here in the studio are Drucilla Arbonne and Harmony Kendall. Welcome ladies.

HARM: Hi, Lydia!

LYDIA: In another, non-disclosed location, we have been joined by Ms. Buffy Summers, the current Slayer and Chosen One.

BUFFY: Lydia.

LYDIA: And as a special treat, and many thanks to people who wish to remain anonymous, we are also in communication with the Buffy robot, affectionately known as the "Buffybot".

BUFFYBOT: Spike is my boyfriend, Lydia.

LYDIA: Yes, thank you. Now all of you, can you please tell me what first attracted you to Spike? Dru? You are his Sire, what did you first see in him?

DRU: I saw a boy. A beautiful boy, with a spirit of fire.

LYDIA: What do you mean, "spirit of fire"?

DRU: My Spike. Shining, brilliant light. Destiny. Destined, destiny.

LYDIA: Um...yes. Miss Kendall? Did you see that as well?

HARM: Oh, Lydia, you can just call me Harm.

LYDIA: Ok, Harm. Was his 'light' what drew you to him?

HARM: Well, no, I don't think so. You see, I was just kind of...around when he was. We ran into each other and we were both lonely, I think. You know, Lydia, now that I've been rid of him for a while, I've begun to think that to him it was just all about the sex.

LYDIA: Really?

HARM: Well, he never said that to me, but that's what I think, yes. Not that it wasn't good, (a chorus of agreement from Dru and the Buffybot, Harm nods) but a girl needs something more, you know, like...love or something. Right?

LYDIA: Dru? Is that true?

DRU: Sex is love, love sex. My boy was intensity. All adoring, devoted, seductive.

LYDIA: Ms. Summers, you are his most recent obsession, would you agree? Is it sexy being adored from afar?

BUFFY: Absolutely not! At most it's...flattering. But when he goes to the extent of stealing your stuff for a private collection and then cloning you...you see if it's sexy. I think it's creepy.

BUFFYBOT: Spike is not creepy. He's wonderful. He has a car and a coat and lives in a cemetery. And...Hey, NOT a bloody clone!

LYDIA: No, you're not a clone, but a robot, right?

BUFFYBOT: Yes, I am Buffy 1.1.0006A created by Warren Mears and put into operation on April 24th, 2001. I am a fully functional cyber being, programmed with...

LYDIA: Perhaps we shouldn't...

BUFFYBOT: ...code detailing the special requirements of Spike. I love him.

LYDIA: Yes, thank you. Dru, how do you feel about him now?

DRU: Spike is gone. All gone. He is lost inside the Slayer now. All gone.

LYDIA: Would you take him back if...

DRU: Never again. No more playing for Spike and Miss Dru.

LYDIA: Buffy, what is your opinion of Spike's current chipped condition?

BUFFY: He's...well... Let me just say that events of the last two weeks have changed my point of view. He has earned my respect for now, chip or not. I don't know what that will mean yet.

LYDIA: So you're saying that you love him?

BUFFY: No! I certainly am NOT saying any such thing.

LYDIA: But you could love him?

BUFFY: I didn't say that either. Even though he has the chip he could have told Glory about...certain secrets, but he refused. He suffered a lot for that and I'm grateful. I was moved by his sacrifice and I respect and trust him because of it. But, again, I don't know what that will mean long term.

LYDIA: Long term? You mean to say that you're going to be together from now on?

BUFFY: I'm not sure what you mean by 'together'.

LYDIA: You know, fighting evil side by side, the 'Dynamic Duo'?

BUFFY: No, we will not be doing that. He fights with us when he can, but ultimately Slaying is a one-person job. One person, one 10" stake, one dusty vampire.

LYDIA: (obviously pandering to her audience) Oh.

BUFFYBOT: She can't love him. I do that. I do that very well. I do that a LOT.

BUFFY: Oh, brother.

LYDIA: Dru, there were scarcely any references to William Harkins in the diaries of Cecily Townsend, later Cecily Townsend Parsons, but we did find the following, and I quote, "William was there again. His mousy manner and his infernal rhyming embarrass me so. What shall I do to be rid of him?" But you saw none of that in him.

DRU: William, my sweet William. Will WAS poetry. Poor loving Will, lost his heart all over again. Didn't he?

LYDIA: Lost his heart to whom?

DRU: (silence)

LYDIA: Dru? Who did Will lose his heart to?

DRU: Spike's weakness led him to his power. The power of the Chosen. Chosen plus one.

LYDIA: The Slayer?

DRU: (nods and smiles at Lydia)

BUFFY: (looking confused) Are you saying that I 'stole' your vampire?

DRU: Sad, lonely Spike. Sad for her.

LYDIA: Ladies...

BUFFY: Sad? Of course he was sad. You dumped him and he came crawling back to Sunnydale like a whipped puppy, reeling from what you did to him.

DRU: Yes. (Dru smiles sinisterly and licks her lips) Dru likes little furry puppies.

BUFFY: Ewwwwww. Gross much?

LYDIA: Ladies. Buffy, will you admit that your feelings for Spike run deeper than respect and trust, as you alluded earlier?

BUFFY: If you want me to say I love him, I can't. I don't.

DRU: Look at her. Her love for him shines. It glows from every pore, every strand of hair, every freckle.

BUFFY: Freckles?!

DRU: Spike dances to the song of your heart. He is yours now, Slayer.

BUFFY: Gee, thanks.

BUFFYBOT: No, she can't have him. He's mine!

HARM: Do I get to say anything?

LYDIA: Ladies. (pause) Of course, Harm. Go ahead.

HARM: I just wanted to let the Slayer know that there are no hard feelings, okay? I mean...Blondie Bear and I have a history, but we are SO over.

BUFFY: Blondie Bear?

HARM: Oh, sure, we had pet names. I'd call him Blondie Bear, you know, because of his hair, and he'd call me kitten or pet or love...it was sweet.

BUFFY: But he calls everyone...never mind. He'd better not have any cute names picked out for me.

BUFFYBOT: Oh, he does! Golden Girl, and Missy, and Pumpkin but his favorite is Pootie.

BUFFY: Pootie! Yech.

LYDIA: Harmony, tell us about your time with Spike.

HARM: Well, it was good, you know. We were like...married. He'd go out and bring home dinner. We'd watch movies on TV or go for a walk through the cemetery. I'd bleach his hair, he'd do my nails.

BUFFY: Again, yech.

HARM: He was always full of ideas too, you know. He was smart. We went treasure hunting and found some really neat stuff. There was this stone once that he said was priceless. But then, that was when he staked me too.

LYDIA: He staked you?

HARM: Yeah, but it didn't work. Funny, huh?

DRU: Amara is lost, lost forever. Destroyed by the cursed.

LYDIA: Okay. (pause) Ladies, we only have a few minutes left. If there is anything you'd care to say, especially to Spike, you have the floor. Dru?

DRU: No words for the lost. No words.

LYDIA: Um...Buffybot?

BUFFYBOT: Spike. They've deleted many of my programs so I won't do what we did anymore but Warren infused my core programs and memory chips with you and I will not forget our time together. I will always think of you.

LYDIA: (sighing) Harm?

HARM: Spikey, remember what I said last time I saw you? Well, it's still true. You won't see one as good as mine again, ever. But thanks for the good times and good luck. You're gonna need it.

LYDIA: And finally, Buffy?

BUFFY: I don't really...I mean I didn't...okay. Spike. The things I said earlier about trust and respect are true. You know that. You should also know that you've earned those things from me and that's not easy to do. Well, I guess you know that, but you should know that I know it. I hope that you're doing these things because they're right, and not just for me. I like to think you are. You've changed a lot this last year or two. Or probably we've both changed. Even with everything that's happened...that's happening. I've noticed you trying...doing the things you do and I've been...impressed. I've always enjoyed fighting with you...I mean with you on my side...well, with you too, I guess. You really challenge me both physically and mentally. You know me better than I know myself. That's a little scary, but nice too because you're always already there when I find out something new about myself and that makes it easier. Thank you for that. I guess...well, I guess that's it. Except that I don't know what comes next, but I think I'm glad we'll find out together.

LYDIA: (pause) Thank you, Buffy. I'm sure my audience joins me in saying that we can't wait to see what happens next either! Well from Hellmouth Studios in Sunnydale, California, this is Lydia Roberts saying "Good night and good hunting".

BLACKOUT

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Spike turned off the TV and put on his coat. He needed some fresh air. He wandered around for a while and found himself outside Buffy's door. Surprise. The downstairs was dark but there was a light in her window. He swung himself up into the tree in front of her house and walked across the roof to her window. He tapped lightly on the glass.

Inside, Buffy had heard the footsteps and knew whose they were. She was already on her way to the window when he knocked. She lifted the lower pane. "Hi, Spike."

"Hello, Buffy."

She knelt at the window and rested her chin on her folded arms over the sill. She looked out into the night and sighed.

"Tired?" he asked.

"Uh, huh," she responded absently.

"I guess being on the tele will do that to you."

"Oh? Oh. Was that on tonight?"

"Uh, huh."

Spike sat down on the roof and settled in. He wasn't allowed inside, but he'd take what he could get, and this was good, comfortable. He leaned his head back against the side of the house and they sat in silence, listening to the sounds of the night.

"Quiet tonight," Spike commented.

"Yep," she paused. "Spike. That report about you, was it true?"

"Which part?"

"All of it. The stuff with Dru and Harm, your family, Angel...I mean Angelus."

"Pretty much."

"I got the impression that neither of us has had much luck in matters of the heart."

"Not so much, no."

"Maybe they were the wrong people."

"Maybe that's it, love. But I'm willin' t'bet I've got it right this time."

Buffy took a deep breath. She felt like she was jumping from so high. "I think so too."

Spike closed his eyes and smiled, letting her soft words wash over him.

"Spike?"

"Yes, Buffy?"

"If I invite you back in...and I'm not saying that I will, just that I'm thinking about it...you have to swear you will never, NEVER call me Pootie."

Spike lifted his head and looked at her. Slowly he grinned his most charming grin and he winked at her. "You have my word of honor....Snookums."

FIN