Disclaimer: The work contained within is merely my playtime with the characters created by Joss Whedon and I in no way own any of them, or anything like that. Unfortunately. It sucks. But I'll just continue my plot to kidnap and clone James Marsters for myself.
Rated NC-17. Just in case.

Author's Note: I do apologise. My holiday actually turned into a proper holiday but unfortunately returning to the real world was a bit of a shock. I've been trying to get this written for days! I hope you enjoy.

Si Primo Venit

Shot Through The Heart

It had been the hardest temptation he'd ever faced when Buffy had asked to come home with him after the prom. But as much as he wanted her in his bed, wanted to touch her and possess her...he couldn't. Not only was there the risk of losing his soul, there was the fact that what they had, had only really just begun, and he didn't want to ruin it by obeying his baser instincts. When he'd initially turned her down, she'd seemed so dejected, and when he'd explained his reasons, she'd accepted them, but had still been disappointed.

He was too, in a way. He wanted her with him. He never wanted to let her out of his sight. But he knew that the Slayer did not need mollycoddling; she was strong enough to beat his ass to hell and back, if the need arose. Not that he would ever give her cause.

The chaste kiss she'd given him when he saw her to her door, under the watchful eyes of Joyce, had left him burning with need. And he knew there was only one solution to the inevitable sleepless night he faced - alcohol.

So the vampire had headed for the school library, finding Giles alone, and buried in books. Beside the watcher at the main table, sat two glasses and a good bottle of scotch. He looked up and smiled as Spike entered.

'I think that's the first time I've pre-empted your arrival, Spike.'

The blond grinned, taking a seat next to his friend. 'You're catching on, old man.'

Giles scoffed. 'You are hardly in the position to call me old.' Spike just grinned wider and grabbed the bottle, pouring out two glasses of the amber liquid. Both men took a glass, holding them up in a silent toast.

'How you getting on?' Spike asked, after a few moments of silence. Giles smiled tightly, the lines around his eyes creasing. Spike noted that he looked very tired and drawn, more so these days.

'I am...surviving. It has been a difficult few weeks.'

'Buffy is worried about you.' The vampire said. She'd never actually said anything, but it didn't take a mind reader to figure out all of the children held concern for their father figure.

'I know. But I am bearing up. I truly loved her...but the world I live in was one she could not cope with. And I can't blame her. She almost died because of it.' The watched sighed, looking over at the books. 'At least I will always have my books.'

'And your hand.' Spike noted and Giles frowned at him.

'Is there a need to be so vulgar?'

The vampire chuckled. 'Sometimes.' He looked over at the passage Giles had been reading. 'And night shall cover the skies, hailing a dawn in which the two fight together.' He frowned. 'That doesn't sound like anything to do with the Ascension.'

Giles shook his head. 'No. This book pertains to prophecies laid down by a deranged monk in the 14th century. He spoke of lights, keys, coins and "the two". I have yet to figure out if they are fighting for evil or for good, or even who they are. I was researching the Mayor, but...I grew tired of it, as bad as that may sound. I do not believe I can get any more information from the pages Willow stole.'

Spike frowned. 'Light, keys and coins? Sounds like a right nut job. What else did he prophecies?'

'Funnily enough, he predicted the invention of the steam engine. And several other minor things that would have been understood as gibberish in the 14th century. So I am inclined to believe that he knew something at least.'

'The steam engine?' The vampire raised an eyebrow. Giles nodded.

'A beast of steel, a face of round with wheels that swallows water and gives way to cloud.' Giles quoted. 'He also predicted the internet as "a spider running it's home throughout the world" referring to the World Wide Web, I believe and electric as "the power of the sky grasped by men". A lot of them have already been translated, but this was read at gibberish.' He sighed. 'I suppose we should see what else we can dig up on the Mayor. Graduation is only a few days away.'

Spike nodded and looked over at the books they had relating to the Mayor's plans. 'And it looks like it's gonna be a hell of a party.'

The next afternoon, Spike found himself watching as Giles and Wesley fenced in the library. He was stifling chuckles as the elder man was clearly beating the younger without much effort. Wesley thrust and parried, and Giles merely swatted him like a bug. Even when Buffy walked in with a paper, the distraction did not deter him, and Wesley was almost pouring sweat with the effort of attacking.

Buffy held up the paper, showing the heading. "PROFESSOR FOUND MURDERED" She grimaced. 'Faith.' Spike stopped laughing as he read the paper from where he sitting. God bless vampire eyesight.

Giles looked over at his Slayer in concern. 'You sure? '

'One of her pieces. I recognize the brush work.' Buffy's grim expression said it all. Giles took the paper, holding it in one hand while he fended off Wesley's advances with the other hand holding the fencing sword.

'Brutally stabbed. Mr. Wirth, visiting professor of geology. There's nothing in here that bellows motive.'

Wesley frowned, as he lunged for Giles again, his breathing erratic. 'Random killing, perhaps? Fit of rage? Everybody does seem to be going a bit mad, lately. Faith has something of a head start.'

Buffy shook her head. 'Doesn't read. I think it's homework.'

Giles dropped his sword, holding up a hand to stop Wesley's attack. 'The Mayor wanted the good professor out of the way.'

'Which leads to the question, how come? I'm gonna destroy the entire city, but I take the time to kill harmless Lester first?'

'Tying up loose ends? Lester had something or knew something.' Spike pointed out. Buffy nodded at him.

'Then I wanna know too. The Mayor's trying to hide. I say we go seek.'

Wesley held his sword up. 'Ah. By attempting to keep a valuable clue from us, the Mayor may have inadvertently led us right to it.' He smiled triumphantly as Buffy regarded him with amusement.

'What page are you on, Wes, cause we already got there.'

The younger Englishman stood straight, a prim expression on his face. 'Yes, well. You will go tonight. Look over his apartment. Anything of note, report back here.'

Buffy rolled her eyes and grinned. 'I just love it when you take charge, you man, you.' Spike sniggered, earning himself a glare from Wesley, who then looked back to Buffy.

'Uh, we... was that a yes? I have trouble keeping track.' The Slayer rolled her eyes.

'I'll go.' The vampire at the table stood, intending on accompanying her.

'Be careful. If Faith should show up...' Giles warned, but Buffy shook her head.

'I don't think she'll show. Been there, killed that. She's not much for follow-up.'

'Nonetheless, keep watch. Faith has you at a disadvantage, Buffy.'

'Cause I'm not crazy or cause I don't kill people?'

A pause from the watcher. 'Both, actually.'

'I hear you. I can't kill her, fun as it may sound. I can make her cry uncle, though, and I mean to.' There was a steely edge to Buffy's voice as Wesley frowned at her.

'Don't let your feelings about Faith interfere with your work.'

'Stopping Faith is my work. Take a beat to love the synergy.' She looked over at Spike, who smiled in reassurance. Wesley cleared his throat.

'Faith is a footnote. Our priority is stopping the Ascension.' The watcher pointed out as the library doors swung open and Xander marched in, pulling Anya, his date from the prom by her arm. She didn't look happy about the turn of events, her face set in a scowl.

'Easier said than done, monkey boy.' Wesley sighed at the nickname.

'Xander, if you don't have something constructive to add?'

'You guys want to know about the Ascension? Well meet the only living person who's ever been to one.' All eyes turned to Anya, who shifted uncomfortably. Giles assessed her with interest, then gestured to the table.

'Take a seat, my dear.' She reluctantly moved to the table.

'So? Spill.' Buffy said, folding her arms as she moved to stand next to Spike.

'About eight hundred years ago in the Kastka Vallies above the Urals, there was a sorcerer there who achieved Ascension. Became the embodiment of the demon Lo-Hash. I was there cursing a shepherd who had been unfaithful.' Her voice took a slightly upbeat tone. 'His wife had wished that all his sheep would lie with...'

The Slayer interrupted. 'Can we get back to the chase?' Anya's face fell and she shrugged.

'Sorry. Lo-Hash was ... It-it decimated the village within hours. Maybe three people got out. I've seen some horrible things in my time. I've been the cause of most of them, actually, but this... '

'Ahem, I'm sorry, but Lo-Hash was a four-winged soul killer, am I right?' Wesley looked to Giles for confirmation, and the elder nodded in acknowledgement. 'I was given to understand that they're not that fierce. Of all the demons that we've faced...'

'You've never seen a demon.' Anya said abruptly.

Buffy raised her hand. 'Uh, excuse me? Kind of professionally, four years running.'

Anya shook her head. 'All the demons that walk the earth are tainted, are human hybrids like vampires.' She looked over at Spike. 'No offence.'

Spike raised a hand. 'None taken.'

'The Ascension means that a human becomes pure demon. They're different.' Anya finished and Giles raised an eyebrow.

'Different?' He asked.

'How?' Buffy looked at the girl in concern. Anya took a breath, paling a little as she recalled what she had seen so long ago.

'Well, for one thing, they're bigger.'

Spike smelt him before he entered the library. Anya was busy explaining why she thought the demon was different to the one she had seen, and Willow and Oz had just turned up. Spike couldn't hear any of what they were saying, all his attention focused on the approaching scent. It was overwhelming evil and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. He'd heard the rumours that the Mayor was giving the speeches at graduation, and apparently now he was lurking around the school aswell. So when he entered the library, Spike bristled, standing as he drew closer.

Buffy quickly moved the paper she'd brought in as the Mayor got closer, and he smiled at her.

So, this is the inner sanctum. Faith tells me this is where you folks like to hang out, concoct your little schemes. I tell you, it's just nice to see that some young people are still interested in reading in this modern era. So, what are kids reading nowadays?' He moved over to the table, seeing the books Giles had pulled out about the Ascension. '"The beast will walk upon the earth and darkness will follow. The several races of man will be as one in their terror and destruction." Aw, that's kind of sweet. Different races coming together.'

The Slayer scowled at him. 'You never get even a little tired of hearing yourself speak, do you?'

Wilkins chuckled, looking over to Giles. 'That's one spunky little girl you've raised.' He paused, his eyes gliding to Spike. 'I'm gonna eat her.' The vampire growled, and Giles moved to grab Wesley's sword and thrust it through the Mayor's chest. The man staggered backwards, but quickly regained his balance. Spike moved forward, only to be stopped by a hand from Buffy.

'Whoa! Well now, that was a little thoughtless.' Wilkins pulled the sword from his chest. 'Violent outbursts like that, in front of the children? You know, Mr. Giles, they look to you to see how to behave.'

'Get out.' Buffy snarled as the Mayor took a handkerchief and wiped the blood from the sword.

'I smell fear.' He paused. 'That's smart. Some of your deaths will be quick, if that's worth anything. Well, see you all at graduation.' He tossed the sword back to Giles, who caught it with ease. 'You don't want to miss my commencement address. It's going to be one heck of a speech.' He turned then, uncaring about showing his back to the enemy, and sauntered from the library.

A few seconds of silence passed, and then Anya bolted from the room. Xander looked apologetically to everyone and followed her. Buffy looked around, seeing the paleness of Willow, and how she clung to Oz's arm. Spike was struggling to maintain his human face, and she could feel him trembling as she kept her hand against his chest. Giles was also almost shaking with rage and Wesley looked like he may have just crapped his pants.

'Giles...we need more information. I need to know how to end him.' She sighed, dropping her hand from Spike's chest, then raising her eyes to his. 'We're going back to mine. I need to get my mom out of town, just in case. And then we'll go check out the murder scene.'

'Well this is...' Buffy surveyed the scene of the murder, her face screwed up at the obviousness of the incident. Faith had no care for finesse, that much was obvious.

'Gruesome?' Spike offered, picking through the books and knick-knacks the professor had owned. Buffy retrieved a box from the side and began to pick up papers and books, leafing through them. She paused at one, then put it in the box. 'What have you found?' He asked her, watching.

'Some report. Excavation of some old lava bed. Guy was a volcano-ologist or something.'

'Anything in there that connects him to the Mayor?' Spike asked, looking elsewhere in the apartment.

'The only thing I understand is the commas. Gonna bring it to Giles, see if he can do better.' She looked over at the vampire. 'Unless you care to?'

'No, tah, luv. Wanna get out of here as quickly as possible and go check your mum has done as she's told.'

It had taken some time to convince Joyce of the urgency to leave town. She hadn't wanted to abandon her daughter, and had made Spike promise several times not to let anything happen to her. She wanted notifying as soon as the fight was over so she could return to her home.

'Yeah, she can be a bit stubborn.'

'Like someone else I know.' He winked and Buffy poked her tongue out. She looked around as she finished filling up the box and sighed.

'I guess we'd better get this back to Giles.' He moved to her, taking the box from her grip. She smiled. 'Why thank you, kind sir.' He bowed gracefully and they exited the apartment, heading along Main Street in the direction of the school. 'So what are your plans after graduation?' She asked.

'I've got a flight booked. Gonna be tricky to get to, and not entirely sure where it is but at least I can travel during the day.'

'That's a bonus.' She remarked, then fell silent for a few seconds. 'I still don't want you to go.' He started to argue but she waved him off. 'I know, I know. The risk is too high, blah blah blah. I can't help it. I just got you, and now you're going. And I can't help but...' She trailed off.

'Can't help but what?' He asked, pausing in his walk. She turned to him, frowning.

'I blame Angel. Because if he was more like you and could control his demon, we wouldn't have this problem. I wouldn't have to spend my whole summer wondering if you're alive or if you've become a Spike-shishka-bob.'

Spike smiled, putting the box down on the ground as he reached out a hand to cradle her cheek. 'I'll keep in touch, kitten. And you know I'll come back. I'd fight my way through hell and beyond to be at your side. You should know this by now.'

'I do.' She smiled, leaning into his touch and covering his hand with her own. 'But I'm stubborn, like someone mentioned. And I worry.'

'You don't have to worry about me, pet.' He smiled again.

Something whizzed through the air and Spike's hand jolted against her face. She looked down, her eyes widening in horror as his did too, and both of them stared at the long crossbow bolt protruding from his chest. He stumbled forward as Buffy caught him, her gaze going up to the rooftops of the buildings around them, spotting Faith behind the Sun Cinema sign, a grin on her face and a cross bow in her hands.

'Spike!' Buffy cried as the vampire slumped in her arms, groaning.

'It's okay.' He ground out, holding the bolt that was sticking out from his front. 'I'm fine. She missed.'

'Let's get you back to the library.' Buffy said, suddenly terrified that the rogue Slayer would fire again. 'Come on.'

'I'm just glad Faith's such a suck shot.' Buffy said, her concerned gaze on the bandaging now covering Spike's chest. Giles looked up from where he was cutting away pieces of bolt from Spike's naked back. Normally her eyes would be roving over his perfectly chiselled abs, but right now she was just pissed that Faith had dare attack her boyfriend.

'You're sure it was her?' Giles asked and she nodded.

'Saw her on the rooftop. Had some henchman with her too.'

'I heal quick, I'll be fine.' Spike gave her a reassuring grin, but Buffy was still too pissed. Wesley took that moment to speak up from the main library table, where he had been filtering through the books Buffy had returned with.

'Fascinating.' All three turned their gazes to him.

'What?' Giles asked.

'It seems our Mr. Wirth headed an expedition in Hawaii, digging in old lava beds near a dormant volcano.'

Buffy folded her arms. 'I'm not fascinated yet.'

'He found something underneath. A carcass, buried by an eruption.' Wesley explained, looking down at the book he held.

'A carcass?' Giles surmised, and Wesley nodded, still not looking up.

'A very large one. Mr. Wirth posits that it might be some heretofore undiscovered dinosaur.'

'Demon?' Spike piped up, wincing as he attempted to get his ruined shirt back on.

Giles pulled his glasses off, tapping them against his chin. 'Yes, that would be something that the Mayor would want to keep a secret. If it's the same kind of demon he's turning into and it's dead, it means that, well, he's only impervious to harm until the Ascension. In his demon form, he can be killed.'

'Great. So all we need is a million tons of burning lava. We're saved.' Buffy commented sarcastically.

'Well, it's a start, kitten.' Spike said, attempting to get up from the chair. He stumbled a little and frowned. Buffy looked over at him.

'You're certainly graceful.' Spike looked up at the blonde with concern.

'Suddenly not feeling so wonderful.' He got out, before his eyes rolled back in his head and he hit the floor.

To Be Continued...