"I don't like this." Spike sniffed the night air. "There aren't nearly enough people in there."
"Did he replace them with demons?" Tim asked, looking at the low, wide building.
The vampire shook his head. "I don't think so, if he did, it was only a few, they all smell the same."
Xander made a face, "I didn't know you could smell how many people were in a building."
"Well, yeah. I just don't bring it up. Don't want to asked to do it, I'm not a bloody party trick." Spike shot back.
The dark hair young man shrugged, "alright, I just won't invite you to any parties then. Not that I was planning to."
"Guys..." Willow chided them. "Would you stop for once?" She didn't bother glancing at the men, instead concentrating on the spell she was creating with Tara and Jayde.
"Can you still see Dawn?" Xander whispered nervously. "I don't like her out there by herself."
Spike scoffed, "she's safer than the lot of us, breaking in a place like this." He leaned forward into the darkness, letting his face vamp out. "Yeah, she's good."
"Does she still have the phone?" He asked, trying to see her.
Spike let out an annoyed sigh. "She isn't a toddler. Did you write the number for 911 on the back of her hand too?"
"Do you think I should?" Xander started to stand, Spike yanked him down with a jerk and glared at him. His yellow eyes glowed in the moonlight. "Right, sarcasm."
"Ok, we're ready, I just have to tell Lucas." Willow pushed by them with Jayde, hoisting a large kettle between them. "Spike, you need to throw this as far as you can as soon as you reach the door."
Spike nodded, and took the kettle from them, easily lifting it with one hand, and walked away. Willow sat on the ground and closed her eyes. Lucas? We're ready.
So am I. The image of the video game controller with a frayed end flitted through her mind. Once I hear the shouts, I'll plug it in and give you the visual.
Great, we'll get you out soon.
Y... yeah, great. Came his flickering reply, and Willow felt his panic rise.
Lucas... just stay calm.
Trying, get in here. I just want this to be over.
Lucas looked over his shoulder, "they're coming, sir."
Dr. Kertchum nodded, "good job, son."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Hook up your cord, I'm interested to see if it works."
Lucas climbed on top of the desk and rewired the security camera. He jumped down and opened a program he had quickly designed. A window popped up showing the rooms of the medical clinic. He turned completely to face him.
"Very good, I have to say I'm impressed. Who else would think to do that?" The doctor said in an smug but awed voice.
The teen blushed at the compliment. "Thank you, sir. Anything else I can do for you?"
"Yes, actually, stand up and turn around."
Lucas obeyed immediately and felt handcuffs close around his wrists. "Sir? What... did I do something wrong?"
He heard a chuckling behind him, and Dr. Kertchum patted him on the back, then turned him again. "No, just a little extra insurance if they managed to get past the guards."
"How? I can't fight like this." Lucas furrowed his brow trying to reason out what was planned. "I can't do anything to help you."
"You have helped me, Lucas. You told me they were coming and now you will be helping me this way. They won't dare to attack me if you are standing in front of me." Kertchum reassured him.
Something started to stir in Lucas' mind. "You... you mean like a human shield?"
"Lucas," he started slowly, anger evident in his voice. "I've kept you safe here, and I plan to continue doing so. Now it's your turn to do the same for me. Don't you think that's fair?"
"Ye... yes, sir, I'm sorry." He dropped his gaze at the rebuke.
Dr. Kertchum nodded, "watch the feed, give them what they ask. I'll send some one if the need arises."
Lucas dropped into the chair and stared at the screen intently, uncomfortably trying to adjust him with the cuffs behind him. Kertchum gave him one last look before wheeling away and locking the door. A guard was waiting for him as he left the room.
"Sir, we an issue."
"More than one." Kertchum snapped, annoyed that Lucas had questioned an order, however how briefly. "What is it?"
The guard saw the danger flashing in the doctor's eyes, and hesitated. "The vampire is back."
"I thought as much, they planned a distraction of some sort." He sighed, "send him in."
Spike strode in confidently and stopped in front of Dr. Kertchum. "I want to see him."
"It's late."
He snorted and rolled his eyes. "I wasn't aware he had a curfew. And when am I supposed to come? Not a fan of sunlight here."
"He's busy." Kertchum said firmly. "You can't visit right now."
"Part of the deal was that I could check on the kid when I wanted to." Spike said through his teeth. "Are you going back on that now?"
"No, the deal is done. I'm ready to take out your chip."
Spike's eyes opened wide, "what do you mean?"
Dr. Kertchum smiled, "you don't need to worry about him, I'll remove your... handicap, and you can leave. It's done."
Spike was nearly speechless when he thought of how things could change for him. He regarded the doctor intently and then finally nodded. "Right, we'll do it straight away then. But I want to see the kid first."
"Why? He's alive and you're getting your operation. He is no longer any concern to you." Kertchum growled, growing impatient with what he saw as an attempt to buy time.
He shrugged, "he makes me laugh, I should at least say goodbye. And thank him for being the reason I'll be back to my old self."
A few shouts from the hallway took their attention for a moment. "Fine," Dr. Kertchum nodded, "go see him one last time. I suppose it's safer than after I remove it. I don't want you eating what I worked to hard to achieve." He gestured to one of the guards to follow him and left the large room, following the sounds.
Spike smugly grinned as the remaining guard stepped away from the door. "I smell a little demon in you, mother or father?"
"Um, mother." He answered in surprise.
"Hm, there's something I want to try if you don't mind." Spike took a step closer and surveyed the guard.
His eyes darted around the room. "Dr. Kertchum will be back soon, if he thinks I'm neglecting my duties... He's not someone you want mad at you."
"Won't take a minute." Spike lashed out with a brutal right hook and the guard slumped where he was standing. "Or maybe less, thanks mate, wasn't sure if that would work."
He unlocked the door and pushed through. Lucas stood quickly and looked at him in surprise. "What are you doing here? Everyone else is still at the entrance." Spike saw the laptop screen displaying the group of friends fighting for their lives. Lucas nervously looked over the vampire's shoulder."You can't be here yet..."
"And here I thought you'd be happy to see me." Spike grumbled, Lucas stared him apprehensively. "Look, kid, I know you're freaked. And I'm sorry it took so long for me to speak up. I guess soul searching takes a little longer when you don't have one." He tried to smile, but seeing Lucas' doubtful face wiped it away. "Come on, we don't have much time."
Lucas shook his head and back away. "I... I have to stay and watch the screen for Willow."
Spike took hold of his arm, knowing something was very wrong with the youth, and deciding to take matters into his own hands. "She told me to get you if I could, she's seen as much as she needs. There are less people here than we thought, they're already half way through them judging from all the blood I'm smelling."
"But... what about..." Lucas couldn't think if a plausible argument and found himself being pulled out of the room.
Once he was behind Lucas, pushing him forward, Spike saw the handcuffs. "What are those for?"
"Oh, um, he started cuffing me after he locked me for the night." Lucas thought rapidly, hoping the vampire couldn't tell he was lying.
Spike stopped him with a tug and spun him around. "Then how did you hook up the computer to show Willow what was coming?"
"I... I..." Lucas started to gasp for breath, running out of arguments. He whipped his foot out, catching Spike in the shin and took off running. "Someone help me! He's in here!"
He stopped at the door, facing the incoming Dr. Kertchum. "Sir!"
Kertchum entered the room, forcing Lucas to slowly back up to the center. "You're ok, I'm here, he won't hurt you." He reached out and pulled on the cuffs with one hand, twisting Lucas around and dragging him tight against his legs.
Lucas relaxed when he felt the action, and sighed in relief. "Thank you, sir."
Spike watched in shock, not believing what he saw. "What did you do to him?"
"I told you he would be mine, and he is."