For disclaimer and general summary, please see chapter 1.
A/N: Sorry for the wait, I meant to update sooner, but RL been a little hectic recently. Thanks though to dancngurl153, Doni, Naeara and Beige Flicka for their reviews. It inspires me to keep writing :D
Chapter 4
"She never even had a chance, you were just like, 'So, what's a pretty girl like you doing out here this late at night?'" Buffy babbled, attempting to imitate Spike's accent. "And bam! One ticket to Dustville" she concluded with a nod.
Spike laughed and removed his arm from her shoulders to get his key from his duster pocket. "Glad you enjoyed the show, kitten. But please don' do that again"
"What?" Buffy asked, wide eyes gazing up at him in confusion.
"The accent, luv. That was just bloody atrocious"
"Yeah, like your American's any better" she retorted with a pout.
Spike grinned and turned the key, opening the door and stepping inside. "Never said... it... was" His voice faded as he looked up and saw Dawn on the sofa, her knees pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them and her head bowed. "Dawn?" he whispered worriedly. "Dawn?" he repeated louder, quickly going to her.
"Spike, what is it?" Buffy entered the house and shut the door, hearing his tone of voice. She gasped when she saw her sister and quickly joined her boyfriend by her side.
Dawn's breathing had increased again as she heard someone enter the apartment. She could hear a deep voice talking to her but she couldn't make out the words. She bowed her head and began shaking, fear filling her as the figures approached her. But then the words broke through.
"Nibblet, look at me" Spike kept his voice low and gently coaxed her head upright with his fingers.
The teen slowly lifted her head, glancing upwards through her lashes. When she saw Spike's concerned blue eyes gazing back at her, the dam broke. She flung herself into his arms and let the tears come. She let out everything the dark being had evoked in her, the fear, the despair and the uselessness poured out of her with her tears. God, why can't I just be strong like Buffy? She thought desperately as she clung to the solid form of her brother.
"Dawnie, what happened?" Buffy stroked her sister's hair and tried to get a response other than the deep sobs that wracked her body. "Dawnie, you're scaring us"
Dawn took a deep breath and tried to bring herself back under control. Her tears subsided and she sniffled, wiping her eyes with her hands. She sent and apologetic look at Spike as she sat back but he just smiled at her. "Th-there was something h-here" she stuttered.
"What was here, Bit?" Spike pushed gently.
"I-I-I don't know. It was umm... dark and... a shadow?" she said uncertainly, frowning in concentration.
"It's okay, Dawnie. If you don't think you could tell us now, then we can wait" Buffy told her softly. Dawn smiled but shook her head.
"I th-think I'm okay now" she said, taking a few more deep breaths until it returned to a normal rhythm. "I came here to watch a movie" she looked up. "cos Willow and Tara didn't wanna watch it and you said I could come here anytime"
"'S okay, Nibblet. You're welcome here whenever" Spike said, standing and taking the seat next to the girl, putting his arm around her in comfort. Dawn leaned into him gratefully and nodded. She tugged Buffy's hand until her sister sat on her other side.
Surrounded by the two strongest people she had ever known, Dawn continued. "Well, weird stuff started happening, like thumping and the door blowing open and stuff. Next thing I know, it turns into a scene from The Black Cauldron. Things started flying around everywhere" Buffy and Spike glanced around and noticed for the first time the destruction that had occurred. Many of their photographs had had their frames smashed, a few of the ornaments they had were also broken. Weapons lay on the floor, some of the blades digging into it and gouging holes in the wood. Everything was a mess.
"Then, there's like this... shadow. It sorta, grew until it was the shape of a man. But it's eyes..." Dawn shuddered and briefly closed her own, snapping them open again when all she could see behind her closed lids were the burning green of the intruder. "I, uh, asked who it was, and it said, umm..."
Dawn shook her head, trying to remember the words. "He said that he 'exists beyond names' or something like that. That he 'always had been and always would be'. God, I could feel the power he had, and the whole time he was here, I felt... cold, like the life was being sucked out of me" she gulped and her voice wavered, but she carried on steadily. "He said 'desolation shall reign', then he was a shadow again, and he, he left"
She tightened her grip on her sister's hand, which she had grasped and sometime during her account. "I was so scared" she admitted in a small voice, her eyes tearing up again. Buffy put her arms around Dawn as well and the two blondes attempted to make the teenager feel safe again.
"I know, Dawnie. But you were so brave"
"And you know Big Sis is always right" Spike supported Buffy with a grin, making Dawn laugh softly and nod slightly.
"It's been a long night, I think we should get some rest" Buffy said, standing and drawing Dawn up with her.
"Be right up, kitten" Spike said, turning to the destroyed objects on the floor. He began to gather weapons when he was stopped by a gentle hand on his arm. He turned towards Buffy and she smiled, shaking her head.
"We'll clean up in the morning"
Spike nodded and the two of them guided Dawn to her room. Once she was settled, Spike leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "G'night, Dawn" he whispered to her, receiving an unintelligible murmur in response. He grinned and moved back, watched as Buffy repeated his movement and stroked her sister's chestnut hair back from her face.
"We right down the hall if you need us" Buffy whispered, unsure if Dawn had heard but wanting to let her know that they were there for her.
Shutting the door to the room with a quiet click, Buffy sighed and turned to Spike, their arms automatically wrapping around the other's waist. She leaned her head on Spike's chest and closed her eyes. "Poor Dawnie, she's been through so much, and now this"
Spike ran his fingers through her blonde locks, pushing a few strands back behind her ears and taking her face in his hands. "We'll sort this out, Buffy. We always do" he reassured her softly, kissing her forehead, then her lips to reinforce his point and comfort the Slayer in his arms. They parted with a smile and Buffy nodded.
"You always seem to know just what to say"
"Hey, 'm not just a pretty face you know"
Buffy took his hand. "Doesn't hurt that you have a pretty face though" she said with a cheeky grin.
"'S bloody hard to be this gorgeous" he replied seriously.
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure it's a real burden"
"Well, we all have our crosses to bear" he said, shrugging. He brushed past her and entered their room.
Buffy stared after him. The nerve of him! She couldn't help the grin that spread across her lips as she shook her head and followed her lover.
About half an hour later, they heard a tiny knock on their door and it opened slightly. Dawn poked her head round the corner, keeping her eyes on the floor, looking... ashamed?
"Dawnie, what is it?" Buffy asked, sitting up and holding the sheet to her chest.
Dawn slowly edged further into the room before stopping and wringing her hands, one of her nervous signs. "I was just wondering... could I, uh, I dunno... umm... stay in here with you?" she asked hurriedly, glancing up with eyes that shone with vulnerability.
Spike glanced at Buffy but didn't hesitate in his answer. "Sure, Nibblet. Just, give us a sec, yeah?"
Dawn nodded and turned around. Buffy and Spike quickly slipped from the bed and grabbed their nearby pajamas. Boy am I glad I made Spike at least get some pants Buffy thought absently as she pulled on her matching black silk set that she wore around the house. Getting back into the bed, they called Dawn to let her know they were decent.
She turned slowly and sent them a weak smile as she walked towards them. She climbed onto the bed and settled in the space they had left in the middle for her. She closed her eyes as she felt two pairs of strong arms go around her and relaxed into the safety of their embrace.
"Love you guys" she said, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
"We love you too" Buffy replied, snuggling down beside her sister and closing her own eyes, falling asleep to the soothing motion of Spike's fingers on her arm.
Several hours later, a small sliver of light filtered through the curtains in the bedroom, casting one thin beam to fall on the sleeping occupants on the bed. Dawn screwed her eyes tighter closed and yawned, trying to bring a hand to her face to wipe away the sleep. She frowned and opened her eyes when she realised she couldn't move her arm. She looked down and saw two tanned arms linked together over her. She peeked upwards and let out the breath she didn't know she was hiding when she saw that she hadn't woken the other two.
Dawn smiled at her family, but her face fell as she recalled coming in here last night. How pathetic was that? I mean, running to your big sister's bed like you're five years old isn't exactly...
Her thoughts were cut off as both the blondes stirred simultaneously, stretching and blinking sleepily. Their gazes rested on her and they smiled. It was kind of eerie how in tune they were with one another, but at the same time, it was kind of cute. Dawn ducked her head with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry about last night" she mumbled.
Buffy pushed her hair back and smiled at the younger Summers. "Dawnie, it's really not a problem. We'll always be here for you. You know that, right?"
Spike frowned as her registered the emotions on Dawn's face. He was tired, and only just awake, but he wasn't slow. "There's no need to be ashamed o' comin' to us, Lil' Bit. 'The strong can support the weak and help them to be strong. But where do the strong go to be weak?'" he quoted. Buffy and Dawn stared at him. "What?"
"Where did you get that from?" Dawn asked him.
Spike shrugged. "Read it somewhere once, but that's not the point. Whenever you need to be weak, you've got us" he said, smiling at her. Dawn returned it and nodded.
"Well, I'm gonna go make us some breakfast" Dawn announced, sliding to the end of the bed and exiting the room with a little wave.
"You mean that?"
Spike pulled Buffy close to him and kissed the top of her head. "'M not goin' anywhere, kitten. If you need to be weak, I can be strong for you"
Buffy lifted her head and kissed him. "I know"
Spike leaned his forehead against hers and grinned. "So, should we go rescue breakfast before we end up with one of her 'creations'?"
Buffy's eyes widened and she nodded. "Definitely" she jumped up out of the bed and was gone in a flash. Spike chuckled as he heard them starting to argue downstairs about something. It was good that Dawn could have something normal after whatever had happened the previous night. He sat upright and swung his legs over the side, leaning forward on his knees with a sigh. He rubbed his eyes again and stood, making his way downstairs to find his girls.
The bell above the door of the shop rang as three people entered to find Xander, Tara and Willow already sat around the table whilst Anya stood behind the counter in her usual position. They all looked up at the sound and greeted their friends with waves and a chorus of 'hi's.
Buffy, Spike and Dawn had enjoyed a normal breakfast together and fussed over the baby for a while. They hadn't even begun to think of names but Dawn had had some ideas for the nursery. Buffy and Spike had then cleaned the living room whilst Dawn had used the shower before they all left and made their way to the Magic Box, where they joined the three others at the research table.
The blonde linked hands unconsciously, constantly seeking contact from the other. Dawn sat on Buffy's other side, keeping herself as close to her as possible without wanting to appear scared or nervous. She schooled her features into a smile and asked how everyone was.
After receiving vague answers, Buffy sighed and decided to get to the point. "We have a new Big Bad in town"
Everyone looked to her and those who didn't already know awaited the explanation. "Last night, Dawn was attacked by some sort of shadow man. There were some strange things happening when a guy appeared and seemed to be... made out of darkness" she glanced at Dawn for confirmation of the description and her response was a small nod.
Tara and Willow had gasped when they heard the news. They had gone to Dawn's room the night before to find her window open and no Dawn. However, they had found a note saying she was going to Buffy and Spike's, and when they had tried to phone, the line was engaged. When Tara cast a small locator spell, it showed that she had arrived there, so they had assumed she'd been alright. This is all our fault thought Tara sadly as she scooted around the table and hugged Dawn.
"We're so sorry, sweetie"
"It's fine, Tara. Really" Dawn said, proud when her voice didn't tremble and smiled bravely at the witches.
"Anyway, the guy said that 'desolation will reign' and that he 'exists beyond names'" Buffy finished.
"Oh, and that he 'always was and will be'"
"Always was and will be what?" Xander asked.
"Around, mate" Spike answered with a grin in his direction. Xander returned it sheepishly and nodded.
They all turned abruptly towards the counter at the sound of change falling to the floor. Anya's hand had dropped the change when a sort of numbness had spread through her. It was followed by sheer terror.
"The Nameless" she breathed inaudibly.
"What is it, honey?" asked Xander as he went to her side, worried about how pale she'd gone.
Her eyes remained focused on Dawn though. "Did he have glowing green eyes when in the form of a human?" she asked, her voice serious and startling everyone with her demanding tone.
"Y-yes" replied Dawn, nodding.
Anya's gaze shifted and she put a hand to her head. "Oh God"
"Anya?" encouraged Buffy.
"He's called The Nameless, because he doesn't have a name. He's existed as long as this world and was said to be here even before that. He feeds on powerful negative emotions"
"Like fear" Buffy contributed and Anya agreed.
"Fear, pain, heartbreak, despair, hopelessness... you name it"
Buffy blanched but her expression hardened as she went into Slayer Mode. "Just tell me how to kill him"
Anya looked at her with a mixture of the emotions she'd just described in her brown eyes. "You can't"
"That's what I was told about all the others, and I found a way. I just need to find it"
"Buffy, you can't kill him. He lives off of all the negative emotions of a person and slowly drains the life from them. It gives him power. When he attacked Dawn he'd have got a power boost. If you fight him, you won't be able to win, and when you start to lose hope, he'll feed off you"
Buffy put her head in her hands and Spike rubbed soothing circles on her back. "Okay, so why's he here?"
"He goes wherever he wants, but usually it's wherever he feels the biggest surge of negative energy. I'm a little surprised he didn't turn up last year actually"
No one argued with her comment and they all became sombre. Willow had stayed quiet for the entire exchange, a thoughtful frown on her face.
"What are you thinking, sweetie?" Tara asked the redhead.
Willow blinked and looked up. "You say he feeds off negative emotions?" She waited for Anya's nod before continuing. "So, what if we sorta, uh, isolate him?"
"He doesn't need it to survive, it just makes him powerful" Willow deflated at Anya's statement.
"How do you know all this?" Buffy asked the ex-demon.
"I was a vengeance demon for over 1000 years. I'm about 10 times Spike's age. I've seen a lot"
"So, you've seen The Nameless?"
"Yes, I saw him"
"What happened?" Anya shifted uncomfortably under the Slayer's gaze. "Anya, what happened?"
"Okay, well, umm, around 500 years ago I cast a wish for a woman whose husband had cheated on her. She wished that the people around her could feel how she felt. Of course, she felt like it was the end of the world, because it was the end of hers. So I granted the wish and 'Hey presto!' a whole village that feels like the Apocalypse is coming"
Anya looked around and saw that everyone was watching her, but none of their stares held hate or disgust. She took a breath and relaxed slightly. "I wasn't affected because I was a demon, not technically a person, if you define a person as a human. I think demons are still people, but for the sake of the wish I took certain liberties. Anyway, The Nameless shows up and starts sucking the life out of all the people in the village. The hate, the despair, the heartbreak, it all powered him. Next thing I know, the whole place is dead and he comes up to me. I was afraid, and that fed him too. I felt cold, and I could feel myself weakening. I managed to teleport but he did something to stop me, so I only got a short distance away from him. I asked him who he was – "
"And he told you the same thing he told Dawn" Buffy guessed.
Anya nodded. "Except for the 'desolation' part. Instead he warned me that he could not be defeated and that I was lucky that someone was protecting me"
"Protecting you?" asked Willow.
"He said there was some sort of barrier around me. I never found out who it was, but it wasn't D'Hoffryn or anyone I knew"
"B-but if the spell exists, we can do it again, r-right?" Tara proposed, glancing at Willow.
"Yeah, Wills and Tara can get with the spell making and everyone goes home happy" said Xander, clapping his hands once and grinning.
"We could, if we knew where and what it was, which we don't. But it would only shield us, and he never gives up. If he's picked you as his next victim, he won't stop. He'll just keep coming back, and the shield won't last forever. There is no way to stop him"
Buffy smiled at the other blonde girl. "But you said that about the Ascension" she said kindly.
"This is bigger than the Ascension. It's not just seeing him that told me he was bad news though. I've heard stories. Legends passed down by word of mouth. I think vampire lore refers to him being called El Alimentador" she said, casting a look at Spike.
"Oh Christ" cursed Spike, dropping his head to his hands as Buffy had earlier. Buffy rubbed his shoulders comfortingly. Everyone turned to him. He had been surprisingly silent and his voice had startled them slightly.
"Baby?" she asked quietly.
He raised his head and gave her a weak smile. He sighed and began to explain. "El Alimentador is thought to be a myth. It means 'The Feeder', and it's said that he caused mass destruction wherever he goes. I never really learned the whole story, but it basically says that wherever he is, be somewhere else. He's feared and revered by vampires" He rubbed his forehead and tried to organise his thoughts.
"'S not just that, kitten. 'S different from the Ascension, from Glory. Hell, it different from anythin' you've ever faced before. I don' mean to scare you, but this is serious" he paused. "'Ve seen 'im" he added gravely.
"You have?" Spike nodded to Dawn in response to her question.
"Just di'n't recognise the description. Di'n't even know it was him as such. I had an inklin' but it's somethin' I particularly wanted to think about" he sighed. "Uh, it was about 1943 and Dru got caught by some Nazi soldiers when we were in Germany. I was out huntin' 'n' she had a vision, so she couldn' fight back. Course I tore my way in 'n' got 'er back as soon as I found out, but as I was leavin' I saw..." Spike paused and ran a hand through his hair.
"I saw El Alimentador wanderin' 'round the camp. It was feedin' off the feelin's of the people kept there." Spike scoffed. "You know, I was an evil bastard, but the things I saw there..." he shook his head. "Made me glad I di'n't 'ave a soul"
"But what makes you think he's so dangerous?" asked Buffy, her tone soft and confused instead of the naivety that it implied.
"Could feel it, luv. Sent m' senses all wonky. 'N' Dru started wailin' 'bout the not havin' a name. I'd never seen 'er that scared, 'n' I always have trusted 'er visions. I got out o' there right quick, 'n' di'n't look back. Jus' hoped to Christ that I'd never see him again"
"Okay, I get that he's bad news, but if he didn't kill either of you, then, no offence, what's so hard about beating him?" asked Xander.
"We weren't his targets" Spike answered seriously, looking up at Xander before locking eyes with Buffy again. Anya nodded in agreement.
"He'll kill people if they're around, or, or in the way... but if you manage to find a way to get away from him and you're not the one he's after, you might live" Anya added.
The colour drained from Buffy's face as the implications hit her. "And if he's here..."
"He's chosen his next target" finished a fearful Anya.
"Seein' as he went for the Nibblet, it could be her" Spike said. Buffy put her arm around her little sister and pulled her close.
"No" said Anya, shaking her head. "He'd have killed her already. Either she's in the way, or it was sport while he was waiting for something. Did you two get there soon after he left?" Dawn nodded to her. "He probably sensed you coming and got out of there, which makes me think it's probably one of you two that he's chosen as his victim. You probably just interrupted"
"But why now, we're as happy as we've ever been right now" Buffy said, placing her hands on her stomach as one of Spike's moved to rest there as well.
"Well it's possible that he won't go somewhere immediately, I guess. If he senses the potential to hurt somebody more by waiting, he will"
No one knew what to say to that and the silence was heavy and oppressive, the feeling of doom creeping up on them. By the sounds of it, once this guy got you in his sights, you didn't get out alive.
"So, umm, what if we stay in groups at all times? Someone walks Dawn to and from school, Xander and Anya stay together, Wills and Tara and me and Spike?"
"Sorry, Buff, but I have work at the site. I can't lose this job. I'm actually good at it" Xander grinned, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Besides, I still think it's either you or Spike he's after. So as long as you two try and be as happy as possible, you should be okay"
"Anya? Y-you said he would usually go wherever h-he feels negative energy, so... what could have brought him here?"
"Well, he might not appear right away. It could be that something happened in the past couple of months or so"
"Buffy" muttered Dawn.
"Did you say something, Dawnie?" her elder sister asked.
"It's you, Buffy"
"Why'd you say that?"
"Think about it. It's probably you or Spike, and something that happened a few months ago attracted The Nameless here. When Spike was gone, you were heartbroken Buffy. Don't get me wrong, Spike, we knew why you'd gone and that you'd be back, but..." she dropped her gaze to the table in front of her.
Spike's head swung towards Buffy and he stared at her as she too ducked her head and wouldn't meet his eyes. He closed his eyes and swore softly, wrapping his arms around her and pulled her close.
"'M so sorry, kitten"
Buffy turned to him and returned his embrace, shaking her head. "It's okay. You're here now, and that's what matters"
Reluctant to break the blonde's moment after seeing how miserable Buffy had been those months and how happy they were together, and imagining their reaction to what he was about to say, Xander decided to speak up. "Spike, do you feel guilty? You know, for killing all those people over the years?"
Spike glared at him. "Of course I do. What of it?"
"Cos guilt? I think that's a negative emotion seeing as you have to have done something bad to feel it. So imagine that this Nameless guy shows up expecting a heartbroken Slayer, and instead finds a human full of remorse"
"He's after both of us" concluded Buffy, casting scared eyes at Spike. She fought back the fear and steeled herself once more. "We need Giles"
Buffy stood up, walked to the phone and dialled the number for Giles' home. When she heard him pick up the phone, she lurched straight into her explanation.
"Hey, Giles. It's me, Buffy. I'm really sorry for how we left things last time you were here but I need your help. Something called The Nameless has turned up and – "
She was cut off by unexpected laughter on the other end of the line. "Giles?" she asked uncertainly.
"Buffy, first of all, you have nothing to be sorry about. I feel I do owe you an apology however. As for helping you, my dear, I will always do what I can. But The Nameless? It's a myth, Buffy. He doesn't exist"
Buffy frowned. "Spike and Anya both said he did and it's him. He attacked Dawn"
Giles sobered and stopped laughing. "Buffy, are you quite sure? They could be mistaken"
"No, they're positive. Why, what do you know?"
"Umm..." She could hear him moving things about. Several minutes later, he cleared his throat. "'The Nameless is a detrimental force able to take both the corporeal form of a mane made of darkness and the incorporeal form of a shadow. He feeds off the negative emotions of others, giving him unparalleled strength. He chooses a victim and slowly drains them of their life energy through these feelings. His powers include telekinesis and some telepathy with possible mind control.' That's all it says, other than there is no known way to defeat him. But, Buffy, all the writings state that he doesn't exist"
"Well, he does, and he's in Sunnydale. We think he's chosen me and or Spike. Is there anything in those texts that say there might be a mythical weakness to this mythical guy?"
"The only reference I can find is to a prophecy I once read about. Let me see if I can find it and I'll call you back shortly"
"Okay, thanks Giles"
"You're very welcome, Buffy. I'll speak to you as soon as I've found something"
Buffy hung up the phone and turned to the group. "Giles says that he doesn't exist, but has found something that links to a prophecy. He's looking for it now and he's gonna call back" she informed them, walking back to the table and returning to her place next to Spike.
"Great, another prophecy. Cos we all know how good they turn out" Xander said sarcastically.
"I know" sighed Buffy.
Everyone was quiet again as they awaited the call from Giles. When the phone rang again almost fifteen minutes later, Buffy jumped out of her seat and flew to the phone.
"Magic Box"
"I've found something"
A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it :)
Just one note: I did read the quote by Spike about 'Where the strong go to be weak' but I really can't remember where :S It may have even been in another fanfic, in which case, I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to copy it. Just let me know and I'll make a note of it :)
Umm... other than that, I think it makes sense. I've tried to mesh the timelines with my previous story as best as possible, but there may be some glitches. If you spot anything major, feel free to review and let me know :)
Thanks again for reading, and please, please review, it makes me write and post faster ;D
