This is based on a short story of mine that originally had nothing to do with the Buffyverse. But, as far as plot bunnies go, this one wouldn't leave me alone, and since the premise works easiest in the Buffyverse where the mythology is already established... voila. This fanfiction was born. Also, I just like Spike. I wanted him to have a happy ending. Which reminds me-
Disclaimer: I don't own any characters except the bounty hunter(s). Everyone else belongs to Joss Wheedon. If some of the dialogue sounds eerily familiar, it may also belong to Joss Wheedon. I have a freakishly good memory and a soft spot for some of these lines.
If Spike had been able to breathe, he would have been gasping for air. The hand yanked his head out of the water basin, twisting it violently to face the latest in a long line of apparitions.
"Spoike," Drusilla purred, reaching out and tracing the shape of his face, her fingers barely not touching his skin. Spike laughed.
"You're not Drusilla," he said, "she was crazier." Drusilla smiled, putting a finger to her lips. Her hair became lighter, her skin lush with life, and Spike found himself gazing into a pair of soft brown eyes, eyes that he had last seen staring lifelessly back at him.
"No," he choked out, trying to back away from the woman before him. "No!" The woman smiled sadly at him.
"William," she said, eyes searching his face, "aren't you glad to see me?" The well-loved voice was the last thing he heard before the roar of water came rushing past his ears.
"It's not working," Willow said hopelessly, looking over at Buffy. "I'm sorry Buffy." The Slayer nodded.
"It's all right, Will," she said softly, turning away from the table. "We'll find another way to find Spike."
"You're going to need a lot more than a locater spell if you want to find where the First is hiding out," Anya piped up. "You should hire a bounty hunter. I'd be happy to recommend a few."
"Like Dog the Bounty Hunter?" Dawn asked.
"I don't see how some Dog wanna be is going to be able to help us," Xander said, glancing at his ex-fiance. Before Anya could comment Giles spoke up.
"Anya's not talking about someone who hunts down bail jumpers," the Watcher said. "She's speaking of the Guild."
"The Guild?" Andrew said, fidgeting. "That doesn't sound very fearsome. They should have called it The Guild of Warriors or The Guild of Fear-Inspiring-"
"Andrew, shut up," Xander commanded. "It sounds mysterious and sketchy is what it sounds like," he said, facing Giles. "What do we know about them?"
"Not much," Giles said, folding his arms. "They're a very clandestine organization, composed of a variety of magical beings who offer their unique skill sets for hire."
"For hire," Buffy said slowly. "What kind of price tag are we looking at?"
"It depends on the bounty hunter," Anya said. "You have to negotiate with them. Haggle. I'll help!"
"We're doomed," Xander muttered.
"It's the only plan we've got," Buffy said. "How do we hire a bounty hunter?"
"Like this," Anya said, sitting up straight and pulling a pair of nail clippers from her pocket. "I wish-"
"Anya, wait!" Giles started, but it was too late.
"-to enter into accord with one of the Guild. By my blood I swear it." She took the clippers and nicked her finger, drawing a tiny drop of blood. The Scoobies looked around at each other, unsure of what to expect. Nothing happened.
"Nothing happened," Dawn said, disappointed.
"Are you sure you did it right?" Willow asked. "That can't be all there was too it."
"It was," Giles said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Thankfully no one was listening. We need time to think about this about first, to consider exactly what we want to say."
"Good, because I hate it when people waste my time."