Footprints in the Sand
Faith blinked. She'd never met Spike but Buffy had told her he was a real piece of work. She wouldn't mind taking him on if she got the chance though. In spite of her lust for action, a part of her was telling her to let Giles and the others know. She opened her mouth to let Angel know when she realized he was no longer standing beside her. He'd already started off towards the science building.
"Hey! Wait up!" She tore after him, catching him just outside the building. "Maybe we should you know…let Giles and them know what's up."
"We don't have time."
She rolled her eyes. "I get you're worried about B but she can take care of herself. She's got skills."
"I know Spike, Faith. You don't. I know what he's capable of."
"Yeah? Well then why don't you fill me in and we'll take this son-of-a-bitch together."
"Weren't you listening? There isn't time." He could feel his emotions starting to broil to the surface. If he didn't do something soon, he was going to explode.
"Fine. Whatever. You go find him. I'll let the gang know." She started to turn away when she stopped. "Just don't kill him, ok? I want a round or two with him too."
"Yeah. Ok."
She smiled to herself as she ran back towards the main entrance to the school. She burst through the front doors, tearing through the halls at a breakneck speed. Moments later, she burst through the doors to the library to find the group sifting rather aimlessly through books.
"That was fast," Willow muttered.
"We got a little…distracted."
Giles raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Distracted by what exactly?"
"Spike."
Immediately, Willow and Xander found themselves occupied with their hands. Faith just shrugged the awkwardness off.
"Angel said he smelled him…gross I know but whatever. He's off all half cocked. But see I thought maybe…we bring him in for a little talking to. You guys get all…into the research…see what you can find on Spike and tall, dark and gorgeous and I will handle the ruff and tumble."
"Faith…I believe we know everything there is to know about Spike. We have had rather extensive dealings with him the past," Giles stated.
"Yeah…great. Just…do your thing…and we'll do ours." With that she took off, leaving the room in a state of disorientation.
"Did she just…I heard that wrong right? She didn't just call Angel…" Xander couldn't finish sentence. He shivered in disgust.
"Grow up, Xander. He's just trying to help find Buffy."
"I know but…does Faith have to…"
Willow just shook her head. Giles watched the exchange and let out a breath. He felt helpless, completely unsure of what to do and that scared him more than he wanted to admit.
"Willow…why don't you read up on Spike…perhaps we missed something last year."
"Like what?"
"Ties to this country…places he could have gone, taken Buffy."
"There's the warehouse."
"He wouldn't use that again," Oz interjected. He shrugged. "First place we'd look."
"I'll check again," Willow mumbled and pulled a book towards her.
--
Another day had gone by and Buffy's injuries continued to mend, much to William's disbelief. She was grateful that he didn't press the issue of calling the doctor. Buffy was still unsure how she fit into his life, this entire way of life.
She tried to hide her anxiety over the loss of the ring as best she could. Panicking wouldn't do any good anyways. After all, she had no clue whether the ring would get her back to Sunnydale or not. Presently, she sat by the window in her room, just watching the movements below. It reminded her of LA to an extent and that gave her some comfort. A soft knock on the doorframe drew her attention from her window gazing and her thoughts. She turned to see William standing in the doorway.
"You can come in."
He crossed the threshold and went to join her. "How are you this evening?"
"I'm good."
It was a lie. In all actuality, she felt listless, uneasy. She was the Slayer for God sake. She hadn't slain anything in days. She wanted to be out there, taking on the undead but she was too unfamiliar with the city. She didn't know their hiding places.
William watched as Buffy turned her gaze back to the street. He had yet to figure this young woman out. She was beautiful, and mysterious. He liked a good mystery.
"I am going to the tavern. Would you join me?"
"Oh I…" She paused. It might be a good idea. She could scope out the local scene, get a feel for the way society interacted. "That would be nice."
"Wonderful." He stood up and offered his arm. "We shall leave at once."
She rose from the seat and looped her arm through his. They left the house, his mother seated by the fire working on a cross-stitch. As they meandered through the streets, Buffy kept an eye and ear out, primed for a vampire to attack. A rather persistent voice in the back of her head kept telling her she needed to watch out for Angelus. As if she didn't know that already. She was not eager to face him again.
"It is a beautiful evening, isn't it?"
"Huh? Oh…yeah it's nice. You can see the stars."
"Their glow is dim and pale in comparison with your gentle beauty, Miss Summers."
Buffy couldn't help but snicker a little. It was a sweet gesture but she had to admit he wasn't all that skilled. Still, she leaned her head on his shoulder lightly. "Thank you."
They made their way to the tavern without incident. They walked in to find the establishment crowded and noisy. William led Buffy to a back table and they sat down. They received disapproving looks from several other patrons who walked by.
"What are they staring at?" Buffy asked.
William averted his gaze from her and cleared his throat. "I do not…generally come with a lady on my arm."
Buffy blinked. "Oh."
An awkward silence fell between them as they both sat, taking in the atmosphere of the room. Buffy kept glancing around, trying to see if she could spot any vampires but it was more difficult in this time. After a short time more she stood.
"I think I'm going to get some air."
"Let me accompany you. A young woman should not be out on her own."
She just nodded and they left the room, unaware of a man watching them from the shadows.
--
Faith arrived in the science building just in time to overhear the shouting coming from a nearby classroom. At least it sounded like Spike was still undead. She stopped a moment to compose herself before peeking into the room. Angel had Spike pinned to the teacher's desk.
"Where is she, Spike?"
Before Spike could answer, Angel slammed his fist against the other vampire's jaw. Faith couldn't help but interject.
"Hey, not to tell you how to kick his ass or anything but if you want him to answer, don't break his jaw."
Angel looked over his shoulder at her, giving Spike enough time to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Who the sodding hell are you?"
Faith raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You didn't hear? There are two Slayers in town these days."
"Two?"
"They aren't a complete set anymore. Where's Buffy?" Angel growled, ready to punch Spike again.
"Hell if I know. Last I knew you two were 'just friends' making moon eyes at each other. Fallen far you have."
"Is Drusilla around? She helping you?"
"Dru's not here. And I don't know where the Slayer went."
Faith moved into the room, just watching Spike's face change from confusion to outright anger. He managed to grab Angel by the arm and twist at such an angle that it let Spike free.
"And…just for the record, I wasn't the one trying to slice and dice her last year. Yeah…I wouldn't mind another dead Slayer…all the better for me but I didn't do anything to her. Find her yourself."
"Then what are you doing back here Spike?"
"Not your business." He started for the door when Faith blocked his way.
"This is my town. It's my business."
"Look, I'm sure you're all bad ass and what have you but stay out of it."
--
Buffy and William walked through the now vacant streets for a while. The air had begun to cool down and Buffy shivered slightly. Behind them, two women followed. They stopped a few pace behind Buffy, just close enough for her to sense them. She wrapped a hand around William's wrist to stay him.
"We're being followed," she hissed.
William turned his head just in time to collide with another person. "Pardon-" he began but stopped when he realized it was Angelus. Immediately, he tried to put himself in front of Buffy.
Buffy merely let out a groan. "Don't you ever give up?"
Angelus let out a laugh as Darla and Drusilla closed the gap behind them. "I see our last meeting was memorable. Don't worry, this time I promise I'll finish."
"A little cocky aren't you."
From behind, Drusilla snaked her arms around William's waist. "I want this one. Can I have him, Daddy?"
"Sure Dru."
Buffy's jaw dropped. It was beginning to make sense. She looked at William in profile and it clicked; Spike. Buffy tired to regain her composure before anything happened. She could stop Spike from ever being turned.
"Sorry. He's mine." She grabbed Drusilla by the hand and tore her from William. It was then that Buffy noticed the ornate ring adorning the vampire's hand.
"You little thief!"
Drusilla let out a hiccup of maniacal laughter, taking on her true form. William began to back away only to be caught by Darla and Angelus.
"Now, now my lad. You won't be going anywhere."
The two vampires watched as Buffy struggled with Drusilla, finally dislodging the ring from Drusilla's hand. Frantically, Buffy looked around for anything wooden she could use as a makeshift stake. She finally spotted a broken hay cart a few steps away. Half lunging, half dragging Drusilla with her, Buffy reached out and broke off a plank from the side.
"No!" Darla shouted, her grip on William's arm going lax.
"You don't think I will?" Buffy taunted.
"Silly girl. You don't know what you're doing," Angelus replied.
"Watch me."
She lifted the wood and jammed it through Drusilla's chest. Dru gave a soft cry of surprise and pain before turning to dust. Both Angelus and Darla nervously took a step backwards, letting William free.
"I've got news for you. There's a new Slayer in town. So I suggest you stay out of my way. Unless you want to die."
Without a word, Darla and Angelus took off.
Buffy smiled to herself. "Sometimes I just love my job."