For disclaimer see chapter one.
Spike walked into his basement apartment, shutting the door behind him. He thought back on what had happened, what the Master would need to know. The boy, the slayers friend, would be used as bait for his slayer. Wandering further into the dark apartment, he shed his signature black duster off, he hung the old coat on a chair he had found. Spike knew the boy was as good as dead, if he had been taken to the master but there was a chance that Luke had gotten distracted. Sitting down in his old chair, Spike removed his boots. First would be a shower, if the Master smelled the slayer on him, Spike wouldn't need to worry about the slayer's friend. Spike headed for the shower stripping as he went. He turned the hot water on full blast, searing the slayers scent off of him. Scrubbing his bleached hair, he thought that Dru's second sight would be helpful right about then. Granted she would've gone on about her, precious pixies, and what not. Still she was often clear enough for Spike, he could decipher his sires, mad rambling for what it was, she had been a seer. Spike had found his second slayer because of his princess, He thought turning the shower off. Grabbing a towel, he quickly dried off, and stepped into his room, turning on the light, he was met with another reminder of his princess. Her doll, Miss Edith was sitting on the bed blindfolded, waiting for her owner. Spike had snagged Miss Edith in the escape from Prague. He had ment to throw the doll away, but there she sat a constant reminder of his dark goddess. Dressing quickly Spike went in search of Luke, he would be the one with the boy. Leaving the apartment through the back door , he headed for the sewer entrance behind the apartment. Sliding down to the sewer, Spike started out for the Master's prison. He spotted Luke heading off in the same direction dragging the boy along.
"Luke mate, I've been looking for you, Darla was killed by the slayer. Dumb bint let slip about the harvest too." He told the oaf as he sized the boy up. He could tell the boy was still alive, though just barely. If he could, Spike planned to get out with the boy still alive. It would be tricky, but he might be able to pull it off. If not at least he could warn the slayer. Stepping away from the boy, Spike turned heading for the Masters lair. Luke was only steps behind him as they went deeper underground. He knew there was no way to get the boy out alive. He was to far gone, he would die or be turned. Spike figured it would be the latter, killing this child wouldn't help. Turning the boy would make the slayer weak, or the Master would think. Watching the boy, spike thought that the slayer would try to save this boy, more for the other two teens, than because she thought he would make it. Otherwise she would have come straight after him. Calculating the distance to the lair Spike turned to the other vampire. "Any news on Darla?" Spike asked in a casual tone. Luke glanced his way, "Darla chased after the slayer and her little friends. Last I heard she had walked into the alley, behind the slayer." Luke told him slowing as they came to a narrow area. Spike couldn't believe his luck they didn't know that she was dust.
"Darla didnt make it out of the alley then, the slayer came out alone." Spike informed the larger vampire. The boy, Jessie stumbled, catching the back of luke's shirt on his way down. Luke quickly shoved the boy off. Reaching down Spike snached a fistful of his shirt and lifted the teen up. "Oi mind the clothes, boy." He snarled pushing the kid ahead, out of Luke's reach. Turning Spike eyed the other vampire, who was watching the boy. If the Master didn't kill the boy, Luke would. Spike sighed to himself, today was going to be difficult.
Buffy woke just after sunrise, grabbing her jeans that were hanging on the side of her bed she jumped up tugging the jeans on she snagged a dark blue t-shirt. It reminded her of the color of Spike's eyes last night, she thought, as she pulled the shirt over her head. She grabbed a few stakes hidding them in different spots as she headed for her shoes. Buffy grabed a pair of black healed boots quickly putting them on she grabbed her bag, checking as she left the room, that she had all her supplies. She headed for the kitchen door grabbing her back pack on the way. Buffy and was on her way when she herd her mom say, " Buffy I can drop you off on my way to the gallery if you want." She quickly turned.
"That would be great thanks." They headed for the car. "Did you figure out what happened with that boy Jessie?" Joyce asked as they got into the car. "No I haven't had a chance, hopefully Giles will know something by now." Buffy said as they reached the school. Buffy jumped out of the car, waved to her mom, and made a bee line for the library. "Giles we have to do something about Jessie." She said marching in. Not surprisingly both Xander and Willow were only a few steps behind her.
"Is he still alive?" Willow asked, looking around sheepishly. Surprised by her own words.
"Of course he is, right Buffy?" Xander asked.
"I don't know guys I hope he is, but we should be ready in case he isn't." Buffy said sadly.
Giles broke in "Unfortunately Buffy is right we must prepare for the worst. For him to be gone this long he will at best be used as bait to lure the slayer to her death, at worst he has been turned."
Buffy headed for the doors "I'm going to find him one way or the other. I'll let you know what happens when I get back."
"No Buffy you can't, we know its a trap, we can't lose you too. Willow said.
"Buff you know Willow is right we don't want to lose you and Jessie." Xander told her.
"Guys I have to this is what I do." She raced out the door without another glance.
Giles turned to the two teens "Buffy is the slayer, this is her calling, she alone faces the darkness. If Jessie can be saved she will return him, if not we need to be here to help her."
"Why can't we do more to help her? Isn't there a way we can help her fight? Willow asked desperately.
Xander stood " yea we can be like modern day Van Helsing or something." He said heading for the weapons stash Giles had in the library.
"That won't work Xander the slayer has extra strength, speed, and healing. she isn't just an ordinary girl." Giles tried explaining to the pair. "you don't have the abilities the slayer does, going with her would only hinder her. Now you two should head to class." He said, heading for the stacks to do more research. Xander stormed out of the library, with Willow following along behind him.
"I think he's wrong we could help, we just need to train like Buffy does, we might not be as good, but we could still help." Willow said coming to a stop, at a nearby water fountain. Xander turned to her, hands in fists at his side.
"Right, pop culture is full of stuff on vampires, I bet a lot of its true. Holy water, crosses, sunlight, that kind of stuff." He said thinking of all the movies, and comics that had legions of vampires, and demons, it was common.
"We'll head to class for now and cover for Buffy, when she gets back, we can talk to Giles again." Willow said in her resolve voice as they started for next period. The teens knew they would have to do a lot of quick talking, to convince him. Willow knew that Buffy would be back, she hoped that Jessie would be with her.
Sneaking off campus Buffy ran for the cemetery, she had to find Jessie, she knew he was dead, probably turned. But she owed it to her friends to find out for sure. Buffy wished, not for the first time that she wasn't the only slayer. She could only do so much without help.
Slipping into the dark crypt, she spotted her tracks, in the dust on the ground. She didnt remember moving around so much in the small space around the stone. She was positive that the big vampire had come from behind her. Turning she quickly saw the locked gate that was deeper in the shadows, easily missed last night. She walked slowly closer, having the feeling someone was watching her. reaching for the gate, she was slightly surprised when she encountered, something hard, like a wall. Straining her eyes buffy could make out a shape, like a man. Snatching back her hand, Buffy did a quick roundhouse kick. Connecting with the solid object, she almost tripped when a hand latched on to her foot.
"Hello love, fancy meeting you here." She was relived, and annoyed to hear the silky english accent that could only be from one vampire. "Let go, Spike." Buffy said in annoyance.
Spike slid his hand higher up her leg. "Ta now slayer, play nice." Spike said with a dark little chuckle, as he slowly released her. Stepping to the left he slid down resting lightly on the edge of the tomb. "Took you long enough, was expecting you earlier pet." He told her.
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be asleep in your coffin, or whatever it is your kind does?" She asked, taking a step back from him.
"Now slayer thought you'd be glad to see me, and I sleep in a bed, pet." He chuckled.
"Truth is love, I was expecting you about fifteen minutes ago." He snipped at her. "Whatever Spike, I'd be glad to see you, if you had Jessie with you." She turned in a circle, looking for the missing boy. Spike jumped, landing steps from the slayer. "Right then, find em on your own slayer." Spike headed deeper into the shadows.
"Wait, I'm sorry alright, I'm just worried about Jessie." She said walking closer. Spike turned, searching her face.
"Better pet, now the boy, unfortunately he..." Trailing off at the look on her petit face, "Sorry slayer, I did my best, but there wasn't any way I could get him out." He told her, as he moved for the gate. Buffy sighed, "I knew, already, there was no way he would be alive." She said sadly, "but he could've been a friend." Walking closer, to the gate, She reached out, and snapped the lock.
" I can't bring him back, but I can make sure, that no one else gets hurt because of me." She said with resolve in her voice. Spike found his respect for this young girl growing, and was surprised.
"They turned him didn't they? To make me weak?" She asked him with a sidelong glance.
He almost lied to her, but it would be worse then.
"They did love, he's down there waiting for you." Spike knew this would either break this fragile seeming girl, or a warrior would emerge. Too many stories, I'm a demon, not a bloody writer !" He thought watching her slip farther into the darkness. Vampire was closer then he realized, Spike slid closer to the slayer. Lightly he whispered in her ear,
" vampire coming pet, round the corner." He slipped quickly back, as she turned. Her face was a pale pink in the light, making her look younger than her fifteen years. He saw the stake in her hand, wondering where she had it hidden. Moving forward on her toes, Buffy crept around the corner startling the fledgling vampire, giving her enough time to slam her stake through his heart. Before he could raise an alarm, the dust was settling around the blonds.
" Your down right handy sometimes, with the hearing thing. " She said turning slightly. Spike smirked, "With smelling, too love." He said tapping the side of his nose, and leaning in to smell her hair.
"Eww, your a pig Spike," She huffed, stepping away from him. He gave her a wolfish grin," you know it, baby. "The grin evident in his voice. Buffy spun on him, " what's with the pet names, Spike, Love, Pet, Baby?" She snapped." At least slayer, I understand. "
"It's a British thing Slayer, ask your watcher." He snarled pushing past her. Embarrassed she kept silent, he had been helping her, she shouldn't be so hard on him. Thinking about it, she called out. "What happened? Why couldn't you get Jessie out, Spike." She asked in a soft tone. Spike sent a glare over his shoulder, before answering.
"The master wanted to hurt you, after you staked Darla." He said, shooting her another glance. Her eyes emerald eyes clashed with his blue, he could see her thoughts, he was the reason Darla was dust, not her.
"Quiet slayer, we've got company." He said grabbing her arm, and pulling her to a stop.
"How many, Spike?" She asked adjusting her grip,on the stake. Tilting his head, he listened, "four" came the curt reply, as Buffy glanced back, she could only see a golden glow, he had vamped. Turning she was met by a slightly over weight, vampire that looked around thirty. Buffy quickly dispatched her opponents before searching for Spike, out of the darkness came his voice." Nicely done slayer, might want to work on the high kick though." He said stepping close enough to be seen.
"Where did you go?" She asked testily. Spike snagged her by the chin." Listen close, Buffy, if they catch me helping you, we both die. I don't know about you, Burt I have better things to do." He released her, spinning away he barely missed a punch on the nose.
"I didn't ask you to come with me, if its that important go." She snapped.
"Fair enough, you didn't ask for my help slayer. How do you find this boy without me though?" Spike asked her, tilting his head slightly, he reminded Buffy of a curious puppy. Shaking her head she spun back, looking ahead in the darkness.
"I will find him, with or without you." She started forward.
Spike chuckled, "left, slayer he,s left. Head that way and you'll meet the Master a lot sooner than you want." He turned to the left. "They set a trap down the next tunnel. She stepped around him, taking the lead. " would'nt want you spotted, keep the evil vampire safe." She muttered under her breath.
"S'right slayer, I can help you, boy's done anyway." Spike told her maliciously. This time her fist was her reply, straight to his nose. "You never told me, why couldn't you save Jessie?" She hissed at him. Spike kicked her in the stomach. Slamming her into the ground.
"Not dying for a worthless, boy slayer." Spike watched her stand. "Wasn't the one who left him. I could've tried to save him, and we both would've bitten the dust pet, you haven't seen the Master, I have, don't underestimate him." Spike told her stepping closer." Haven't lived this long by accident slayer, there are around fifteen vamps waiting on you, including the boy. I tried to get the Master to leave the boy alive, but he wasn't in the mood to miss a meal." Spike stepped back, waiting for her next move. Glaring daggers, she headed for the trap. Launching himself after her , Spike tried to explain. " Look slayer, I did what I could for the boy, I'm no saint though, remember pet, underneath what you see, I'm still all demon." She stared at him, before continuing.
"Are you going to help with these vamps, or are you going to leave it to me?" She asked coming to a stop just before they reached the corner.
Leaning in so the vampires wouldn't hear, Spike informed her that he had a plan. Listening closely, Buffy nodded. Spike left her there, in the shadows to watch. Approaching quickly Spike called. "Slayer's on the way mates, look sharp. Mad as hornets that one." The group of seven vampires, rushed to get into position. That's the problem with fledgling vampires, he thought, watching them race around. No discipline these days, would a been long dead, with my grandsire. Contemptuously he turned to the boy, Jessie, catching his forearm and spinning him slightly Spike told him, " the slayer is gonna head straight for you, remember she thinks your alive, and hurt. So act alive, and hurt." Shoving the pathetic vampire away, Spike turned to the others, growling,"the slayer is mine, get in my way, I'll dust you myself." They backed away, nodding in agreement. "Here she comes." One said. Ignoring him, Spike honed his senses for every trace of his slayer. She rounded the corner, Jessie stumbled to her. "Buffy thank God your here, I barely got away. This guy like bit me." He swayed on his feet, leaning away from her. Reaching out Buffy grabbed him, and brought the teen closer. "Don't worry we'll get out of here, Jessie. Do you know how they brought you here?" She asked. Shaking his head the fledge vampire, mentioned that he was unconscious at the time. Turning back, Buffy was taking him the way she had come. Spike stepped out, in front of the slayer. "Don't think so pet, you an the boy can't leave yet." He said grabbing the boy out of her hands, and sending him to the floor. The other vampires circled around her, as Spike lunged to her left. Dancing away she pulled a stake from her pocket, sliding it into the right. "One down, six left, how long can you last slayer? Why not give up now." One of the others taunted, his last mistake. Dust was her response, as it settled around them, Spike smirked. "Beautiful pet, might just be worth a go round." He snarked at her, she tossed her head " Is this the part where you send your flunkies after me and run?" She asked in true valley girl fashion. Another vampire broke for her, coming from behind Spike. Reaching out Spike caught the demons throat in his hand, "I warned you the slayer is mine." Spike said reaching around, and ripping his head off. Buffy attacked, dusting all but Spike and Jessie. "Ohh, all alone now slayer." He smirked at her. Looking up Buffy met his smirk, with one if her own. "Not yet Spike, one more detail left." Spike stepped back, reaching into his duster pocket, and slipped his stake into his hand. Buffy knelt down, next to the boy. "Sorry Jessie, we're not gonna get out of here." Buffy said, standing, she held her hand out for the boy. Grabbing her hand, Jessie stood.
"Sorry mate, can't leave you laying here." Spike slammed the stake into the boy's heart, while the dust settled, Spike turned to the slayer. "Go home, love you've done all you can." Spike told her, ready to sleep himself. Nodding the slayer turned, glancing up at Spike she quietly spoke. "Thanks Spike, I wouldn't have made it without you." She started away, he called out." Slayer, be careful. On the way out, be careful." She smiled at him, before heading for the light.