Not mine-Joss Whedon & co. own everyone. I play with them when I
don't get caught.
Distribution-ask first, but I'll be pleasantly surprised and flattery will get you everywhere.
Feedback welcome. Flames already present.
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Coming back from a pre-New Year's party patrol, Buffy noticed flashing lights on Revello Drive. It wasn't the biggest fire Buffy had ever seen; it wasn't even close to the fire after the explosion during the Mayor's attempted ascension. The biggest difference was that this fire involved her home. As she approached, she tried to remember if anyone was still home. 'Okay, Dawn is with her friends from school for that stupid party she begged to go to; Willow is--where? Think Buffy, think. Willow is--'
"There's somebody still in there!" Buffy yelled as she neared her house. "Red hair, female, has anyone seen her?"
The scene commander glanced over at her "we just pulled someone out, I didn't get a chance to see if they were male or female; but they're stabilizing them in the ambulance before transport."
Buffy ran to the ambulance and peered in. It was Willow, and she didn't look good. "Hey, how is she?" she queried.
The paramedics shifted to let her see. "Are you family?"
"Um, no, but she's my roommate and I'm going with her to the hospital."
"We're getting ready to roll right now, get in and we'll take you in the ambulance."
"Buffy?" Willow whispered.
"I'm here, Wil."
"It was Rack. He wants me back. He wouldn't take no for an answer." Willow choked and passed out.
Buffy jumped from the back of the ambulance and headed towards Spike's crypt. She couldn't remember where Tara's new apartment was, and Spike was the only other one she trusted to actually look for Rack's place. Amy had been conspicuously absent recently, and Willow was in no condition to look for anything at the moment.
1 "SPIKE!" She crashed through his door and looked around.
"Slayer? What is it now? Lonely? Bored? Horny?"
"Ugh, no. I have to find Rack. Willow's on her way to the hospital and my house--my house is--" Suddenly it hit her that every thing she owned was in flames. "My house is on fire." She started shaking. Shucking his duster, Spike went to her and draped it over her shoulders. She clutched it to her, still shivering.
2 "Where's Nibblet?"
"Fine. She's at a New Year's overnight party with some friends."
"What's wrong with Red?"
"I-I don't know. They said they pulled her out of the house, but when she told me Rack did it-"
"So what are we going to do about it? You can't just go over there without a plan. Rack is bad news. There aren't too many that can take him on and live through the experience."
"Spike, he burned my house down and hurt Willow. I won't let him get away with that. Help me or not, I'm going over there and make him pay for it." Buffy headed towards the door.
Spike followed her out. "Slayer, I'm not saying revenge is wrong, I'd be the first to tell you how right it can feel. I'm just saying we need a plan before we go stomping into Rack's. He's not without defenses. Let's stop at the Magic Box and see what we can find in the way of protection first."
Buffy hesitated, then turned towards the Magic Box. She was glad Giles had given her a key so she could train after hours. She was also glad that Anya hadn't changed the locks as soon as Giles went back to England. "So, any ideas what we'll need for protection? Willow and Tara have.Oh, God, I'd better call Tara and tell her Willow's in the hospital. Oh, and Xander, too."
"We can phone from the shop, pet. I'm sure Anya updated everything the minute Tara moved out."
They arrived at the Magic Box and Buffy noticed that the door had been smashed open. Cautiously, she and Spike entered and discovered that the entire place had been trashed. "We'd better call. Anya is going to be so pissed" Buffy stated softly. "Do you think this was Rack's doing, too?"
"Not random, that's for sure. I know Giles and the witches put some pretty strong protection on this place after you, uh, after Glory, when-"
"You mean after I died. It's okay to say it, you know. I died. Dead, corpse, not living, expired, deceased--"
"Enough," Spike interrupted. "You call the Scoobies; I'll start looking for something useful against Rack."
"Spike?"
"Yeah, luv?"
"I just realized that I can't call Dawn. The phone number where she is.it's on the table by the telephone. She left another one in on the refrigerator because she knows I always head there after patrolling. They're not there anymore. I mean, they probably are there. But they're ashes now. I don't have a home anymore. What will she do when she gets a ride home and there's no home for her to-" Buffy buried her face in her hands and sighed deeply, trying to regain her composure.
Spike moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her. He murmured against her hair, "shhh, you'll get through this. You'll be fine."
Buffy stepped back, composure regained. "Start looking for spells, amulets, whatever. I'm gonna call everyone." Buffy started with Tara, she knew Willow wouldn't want to wake up alone in the hospital. Surprisingly, Tara was willing to Willow-sit. Buffy felt better, knowing that Tara would protect Willow while she was in the hospital.
Fortunately, Xander answered the phone next. Buffy wasn't sure she could deal with the ex-demon immediately. She promised to stay at the shop until they arrived. She also wanted to find out more information about Rack from Anya. She knew Anya tried to keep up on the gossip from her former demon buddies. Maybe Rack was bad enough to move in those circles, or at least be talked about in them.
"So, what'd you find for us to use, Spike?"
"Not sure what kind of demon he is. I've just heard rumors about him. Vampires don't have much use for the mojo. Never know, one of them might need a spare animated corpse and decide tag, you're it."
"Rack is a demon?"
"Not exactly sure what he is, pet. Maybe former human, like Anya. Maybe demon. Maybe something altogether different. Like I said, we don't mess too much with--"
"I thought he was a, you know, a warlock."
"I never said that. If Red said that she was mistaken or deceived. Or possibly lying. Look, all I know is that he's a very heavy hitter in the magic department. All dark stuff. And that he's made people disappear in a not pleasant way."
"Dead? Pieces?"
"No, as in disappear. Never heard from again. No bodies found, no traces of clothing, no piles of ash, nothing."
"So what do you have? Protection from warlocks who just might be demons amulets? Locate the moving magic pusher orbs? What is there that'll work?"
"Relax, pet. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, and he made a big mistake brassing off the Slayer. I've got two general protection amulets and the corrected demon invisibility spell Tara did. It'll make you invisible to demons instead of the other way around."
"Spike, how are you planning on seeing me, then?"
"Uh, hadn't thought about that, pet. I guess I'll just have to use my special where-is-the-Slayer senses." He took back his duster and smiled.
"You have got to be kidding. Besides, who is going to cast the spell, anyways? I can't, you just said you weren't into it, and in case you don't remember Tara and Willow are a little occupied at the moment."
"Anya used to do spells, maybe she could--"
"Yeah, spells a thousand years ago. I'm sure she remembers everything."
"I guess we'll go with the protection amulets and ask her if she can think of anything else that might be useful when she gets here."
Just then a shriek from the front of the shop announced that Anya had indeed arrived. "Oh! Somebody is going to pay for this! And the door! Who could have done this? Vandals? Mongols? Somebody is paying for the shelves, and the-"
"Anya, I think Rack did this. We're going looking for him tonight. Do you have any suggestions for protection against him?"
"And you're paying for everything you took, too! I'm tired of just handing out supplies to Willow and everyone. I have to pay for that inventory, not everything magical just grows on trees, you know."
Spike took Anya aside for a moment and explained something to her in a quiet voice for a while. She nodded, eyes growing wider by the second, and handed a couple of crystals over to him. "Here, these should help. Be careful, and at least get his address so I can bill him."
While they were talking Buffy asked Xander to go to her house and find out what was going on there and let them know that nobody else was in it. He agreed. "So, I guess this ruins the great Bronze New Year's bash we were planning, huh?"
"Yeah, Xander, I guess between my house, the shop, and Willow in the hospital, it's not going to be a very happy New Year."
"Gotta love living in a Hellmouth. Can't make any plans."
"Come on Spike, we're leaving. Guys, I have no idea how long we'll be looking for Rack because his place is cloaked and moves all over town. If I'm not back by tomorrow morning at ten, could you please meet Dawn at the remains of my house and let her know what's going on? Break it to her gently, please."
Anya smiled and said, "she can always help clean up, she's quite good at it."
Buffy and Spike left the shop. As they started looking for Rack's place, Buffy couldn't contain herself anymore. "Spike, what were you telling Anya about Rack that made her get so scared she actually forgot to charge you for the crystals?"
"It wasn't about Rack, pet, she just gave them to me out of the kindness of her heart."
"Yeah, I believe that. Now tell me another one."
He stopped and looked down, a bit embarrassed. "I also might've introduced her to the world of insurance fraud."
"What! Spike, you're incorrigible!" Buffy's laughter rang out.
Distribution-ask first, but I'll be pleasantly surprised and flattery will get you everywhere.
Feedback welcome. Flames already present.
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Coming back from a pre-New Year's party patrol, Buffy noticed flashing lights on Revello Drive. It wasn't the biggest fire Buffy had ever seen; it wasn't even close to the fire after the explosion during the Mayor's attempted ascension. The biggest difference was that this fire involved her home. As she approached, she tried to remember if anyone was still home. 'Okay, Dawn is with her friends from school for that stupid party she begged to go to; Willow is--where? Think Buffy, think. Willow is--'
"There's somebody still in there!" Buffy yelled as she neared her house. "Red hair, female, has anyone seen her?"
The scene commander glanced over at her "we just pulled someone out, I didn't get a chance to see if they were male or female; but they're stabilizing them in the ambulance before transport."
Buffy ran to the ambulance and peered in. It was Willow, and she didn't look good. "Hey, how is she?" she queried.
The paramedics shifted to let her see. "Are you family?"
"Um, no, but she's my roommate and I'm going with her to the hospital."
"We're getting ready to roll right now, get in and we'll take you in the ambulance."
"Buffy?" Willow whispered.
"I'm here, Wil."
"It was Rack. He wants me back. He wouldn't take no for an answer." Willow choked and passed out.
Buffy jumped from the back of the ambulance and headed towards Spike's crypt. She couldn't remember where Tara's new apartment was, and Spike was the only other one she trusted to actually look for Rack's place. Amy had been conspicuously absent recently, and Willow was in no condition to look for anything at the moment.
1 "SPIKE!" She crashed through his door and looked around.
"Slayer? What is it now? Lonely? Bored? Horny?"
"Ugh, no. I have to find Rack. Willow's on her way to the hospital and my house--my house is--" Suddenly it hit her that every thing she owned was in flames. "My house is on fire." She started shaking. Shucking his duster, Spike went to her and draped it over her shoulders. She clutched it to her, still shivering.
2 "Where's Nibblet?"
"Fine. She's at a New Year's overnight party with some friends."
"What's wrong with Red?"
"I-I don't know. They said they pulled her out of the house, but when she told me Rack did it-"
"So what are we going to do about it? You can't just go over there without a plan. Rack is bad news. There aren't too many that can take him on and live through the experience."
"Spike, he burned my house down and hurt Willow. I won't let him get away with that. Help me or not, I'm going over there and make him pay for it." Buffy headed towards the door.
Spike followed her out. "Slayer, I'm not saying revenge is wrong, I'd be the first to tell you how right it can feel. I'm just saying we need a plan before we go stomping into Rack's. He's not without defenses. Let's stop at the Magic Box and see what we can find in the way of protection first."
Buffy hesitated, then turned towards the Magic Box. She was glad Giles had given her a key so she could train after hours. She was also glad that Anya hadn't changed the locks as soon as Giles went back to England. "So, any ideas what we'll need for protection? Willow and Tara have.Oh, God, I'd better call Tara and tell her Willow's in the hospital. Oh, and Xander, too."
"We can phone from the shop, pet. I'm sure Anya updated everything the minute Tara moved out."
They arrived at the Magic Box and Buffy noticed that the door had been smashed open. Cautiously, she and Spike entered and discovered that the entire place had been trashed. "We'd better call. Anya is going to be so pissed" Buffy stated softly. "Do you think this was Rack's doing, too?"
"Not random, that's for sure. I know Giles and the witches put some pretty strong protection on this place after you, uh, after Glory, when-"
"You mean after I died. It's okay to say it, you know. I died. Dead, corpse, not living, expired, deceased--"
"Enough," Spike interrupted. "You call the Scoobies; I'll start looking for something useful against Rack."
"Spike?"
"Yeah, luv?"
"I just realized that I can't call Dawn. The phone number where she is.it's on the table by the telephone. She left another one in on the refrigerator because she knows I always head there after patrolling. They're not there anymore. I mean, they probably are there. But they're ashes now. I don't have a home anymore. What will she do when she gets a ride home and there's no home for her to-" Buffy buried her face in her hands and sighed deeply, trying to regain her composure.
Spike moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her. He murmured against her hair, "shhh, you'll get through this. You'll be fine."
Buffy stepped back, composure regained. "Start looking for spells, amulets, whatever. I'm gonna call everyone." Buffy started with Tara, she knew Willow wouldn't want to wake up alone in the hospital. Surprisingly, Tara was willing to Willow-sit. Buffy felt better, knowing that Tara would protect Willow while she was in the hospital.
Fortunately, Xander answered the phone next. Buffy wasn't sure she could deal with the ex-demon immediately. She promised to stay at the shop until they arrived. She also wanted to find out more information about Rack from Anya. She knew Anya tried to keep up on the gossip from her former demon buddies. Maybe Rack was bad enough to move in those circles, or at least be talked about in them.
"So, what'd you find for us to use, Spike?"
"Not sure what kind of demon he is. I've just heard rumors about him. Vampires don't have much use for the mojo. Never know, one of them might need a spare animated corpse and decide tag, you're it."
"Rack is a demon?"
"Not exactly sure what he is, pet. Maybe former human, like Anya. Maybe demon. Maybe something altogether different. Like I said, we don't mess too much with--"
"I thought he was a, you know, a warlock."
"I never said that. If Red said that she was mistaken or deceived. Or possibly lying. Look, all I know is that he's a very heavy hitter in the magic department. All dark stuff. And that he's made people disappear in a not pleasant way."
"Dead? Pieces?"
"No, as in disappear. Never heard from again. No bodies found, no traces of clothing, no piles of ash, nothing."
"So what do you have? Protection from warlocks who just might be demons amulets? Locate the moving magic pusher orbs? What is there that'll work?"
"Relax, pet. I have a few tricks up my sleeve, and he made a big mistake brassing off the Slayer. I've got two general protection amulets and the corrected demon invisibility spell Tara did. It'll make you invisible to demons instead of the other way around."
"Spike, how are you planning on seeing me, then?"
"Uh, hadn't thought about that, pet. I guess I'll just have to use my special where-is-the-Slayer senses." He took back his duster and smiled.
"You have got to be kidding. Besides, who is going to cast the spell, anyways? I can't, you just said you weren't into it, and in case you don't remember Tara and Willow are a little occupied at the moment."
"Anya used to do spells, maybe she could--"
"Yeah, spells a thousand years ago. I'm sure she remembers everything."
"I guess we'll go with the protection amulets and ask her if she can think of anything else that might be useful when she gets here."
Just then a shriek from the front of the shop announced that Anya had indeed arrived. "Oh! Somebody is going to pay for this! And the door! Who could have done this? Vandals? Mongols? Somebody is paying for the shelves, and the-"
"Anya, I think Rack did this. We're going looking for him tonight. Do you have any suggestions for protection against him?"
"And you're paying for everything you took, too! I'm tired of just handing out supplies to Willow and everyone. I have to pay for that inventory, not everything magical just grows on trees, you know."
Spike took Anya aside for a moment and explained something to her in a quiet voice for a while. She nodded, eyes growing wider by the second, and handed a couple of crystals over to him. "Here, these should help. Be careful, and at least get his address so I can bill him."
While they were talking Buffy asked Xander to go to her house and find out what was going on there and let them know that nobody else was in it. He agreed. "So, I guess this ruins the great Bronze New Year's bash we were planning, huh?"
"Yeah, Xander, I guess between my house, the shop, and Willow in the hospital, it's not going to be a very happy New Year."
"Gotta love living in a Hellmouth. Can't make any plans."
"Come on Spike, we're leaving. Guys, I have no idea how long we'll be looking for Rack because his place is cloaked and moves all over town. If I'm not back by tomorrow morning at ten, could you please meet Dawn at the remains of my house and let her know what's going on? Break it to her gently, please."
Anya smiled and said, "she can always help clean up, she's quite good at it."
Buffy and Spike left the shop. As they started looking for Rack's place, Buffy couldn't contain herself anymore. "Spike, what were you telling Anya about Rack that made her get so scared she actually forgot to charge you for the crystals?"
"It wasn't about Rack, pet, she just gave them to me out of the kindness of her heart."
"Yeah, I believe that. Now tell me another one."
He stopped and looked down, a bit embarrassed. "I also might've introduced her to the world of insurance fraud."
"What! Spike, you're incorrigible!" Buffy's laughter rang out.