Part 6

With Dr Weirick out of the picture as he left Town after trying to steal Assata Abi's soul from the unworthy, but to find out that it was all in vain as taking the Hyena Spirit would not only die but also the Vessel would die too. If it was just the Vessel that died then something would be salvaged. Reading through the papers that were left behind Weirick's office was translations from an old text; reading through them the Watcher knew that he tried to take Assata's soul and she died then Xan would die with her- there was another way if he could merge the two entities together making Xan the one in control they could save the girl. There was one that could help and the Shrouded Man did owe him a debt as Giles had introduced this Shaman to his wife.

The only problem that Giles had was how to get Xan to him so the Shaman could work his magic and the only way was for everyone to work together to bring Assata Abi/Xan Harris into the Library. Willow on the other hand believed she was capable to do the spell as she was now coming into her magic and what wasn't helping was Buffy agreeing with her best friend- Oz loved Willow more than anything, but her magic was getting too much for him. The werewolf had seen Willow work with her spells and knew that she changed spells to suit her needs. The problem with this was that the spells even combined into one wasn't complete and with not being fluent in Latin was a word wrong from fixing a problem to ripping the person apart from the inside out and this was a dangerous thing.

Buffy was thinking about this Shaman who would be helping Xan and thought that this a chance to get Angel back, with the help of the Shoulder guy could give back Angel's soul and she didn't have to kill him and things can go back to the way things ought to be. Xan could be happy with Cordelia and be the happy lesbian couple without Willow interfering with her magic and she and Angel could be lovers once more, it was perfect and she needed to convince Giles that saving Angel by giving him back a permanent soul was a good thing after Jenny Calendar couldn't translate the original curse.

The Scoobies were thinking of ways to capture Xan and how long they could keep her locked till the Shaman arrived, Giles needed to save the girl that was one of his daughters but also to find out how many spells had been placed on Alexandra. The Watcher was blind when it came to the Slayer, but he wasn't blind when it came to souled vampire's interest and it wasn't Buffy; the Shaman was here not just to get rid of Assata Abi as he had told Willow and Buffy but also to cleanse the magic that Giles could sense was surrounding Alexandra. Giles just hoped that Willow could learn from her mistakes and if she couldn't then he had no choice but call in the big guns from the Devon Coven if things got out of hand- with the way Willow treated magic as a means to suit her needs it wouldn't be long before she uses darker spells and fall into the pits where there was no going back from.

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Spike listened to the sweet purring coming from his mate as she slept soundly after hours of having sex, finally he had someone who only wanted him and not as a substitute for his Grandsire like Drusilla had done through the years. Dru never really loved him and had proved it many times by hurting him by comparing him to her Sire and finding him lacking or finding her cheating on him with other demons, he had a taste of being the centre of his mate's attention who wanted only him and Spike wasn't letting go of his piece of paradise. For now Spike was watching his girl sleep basking in their mingled scent, pulling Xan close to him running his hands over her curved body in the sweetest of caresses marvelling at the warmth of her skin against him getting some sleep listening to the soothing sound of his Xan's heartbeat.

It wouldn't be long till Angelus found them, but Spike was going to fight to make sure that his Xan stayed his- he knew his Grandsire's plans of manipulations and was going to do his best of take Xan by either threatening the girl's friends and what was left of her family as Angel had already killed Xan's father by making it look like a suicide in his prison cell.

By Gad Spike loved Xan and he had won the right to his claim, but that didn't mean anything to Angelus and he would gladly get rid of him just to get a taste of the girl. Because of Harris choosing Spike over him Angelus would make her suffer torturing her to the brink of madness till she knew and with twisted love only for him- with thoughts of that Nonce touching his claimed he needed to assure himself as he peppered Xan's face with kisses to her now responding lips as she wrapped herself around her new Mahaba taking over their love making.

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While Willow and Oz were going to the nearest Magic Shop to get supplies for the location spell, it had taken Giles to give Willow a warning glare that he was going to do the spell after she stated that she had been practicing and had got better. Buffy had waited for a few minutes till the redhead left with her boyfriend before trying to convince her Watcher that bringing Angel back by given him back his soul was the right thing to do and that they could find another way to save Xan from the Hyena Spirit

Giles couldn't believe what he was hearing, not one of the girls were thinking of Alexandra's wellbeing, Willow was ready to gamble on Alexandra's life just to show she was more than a Nerdy Computer Hacker. What was worse was the callous way that Buffy was thinking more of her relationship with a vampire that used her for sex than her own best friend who was possessed by an animal spirit that would send her insane- didn't Buffy and Willow see that what they were doing to Xan and that their actions could eventually kill their friend.

"Xan's life is more important than your love for a vampire that isn't reciprocated, spells will eventually be translated but Xan's life is in the balance and I won't idly stand back when there is something I can do to prevent this occurrence."

Buffy just stood there in silence not believing that her Watcher was not on her side and didn't see her pain of losing the man she loved, Angel did love her and was just confused because of Xan's flirting. The Shadow Whatever was coming to the Library this evening and if she could just convince the Shaman that Angel's soul was more important as she couldn't bear the thought of staking the man she loved.

Several hours later the Shrouded Man came as promised and before Giles could ask for the favour Buffy had interrupted and said that Angelus needed his soul be given back to him as this would save many lives, Willow couldn't believe Buffy would be so selfish when Xan needed help- however this was a chance for Willow to cover her tracks as there were many spells she placed on her friend such as a small repulsion spell on Cordelia and several spells to bring Xan Harris back to the Scoobies side with manipulation making her forget arguments they had.

The Shaman wasn't impressed with the two girls especially the Slayer- rolling his eyes he used a simple spell to silence the pair and got to business in saving one Alexandra Harris.

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Angelus was pacing the floors snarling at his minions who were craving for his attention, how could that little bitch choose that piece of shit over someone like him. Wasn't he the one that taught Spike everything that he was, wasn't he the generous Sire for taking William under his wing to make that whiny mother's boy into something that was feared through all of Europe. He was the better vampire who protected, loved and even killed for Alexandra and she gave her heart to that Cheerleader while a soppy cow like Buffy believed that she and watered down version of himself were meant to be when he hinted that he didn't feel the same.

No that wasn't just the Slayer's fault, it was Angel's for not using his senses to know he was being duped and carried on fucking the girl after smelling her virgin blood. Angelus needed to get rid of Spike and the only way was through Spike's Sire Dru, she would do anything for him as that crazy weak creature believed that her daddy hang the stars in the sky and with the click of his fingers would bend over backwards for him even if that means demanding her Childe away from his latest conquest. Sometimes the best plans had a simple solution, Angelus can get rid of both Spike and Dru before they mess up anymore of his plans- while Buffy was having her sob story of star-crossed lovers the former souled vampire could swoop in and take back what was rightfully his and when those self centred bastards realised that their trophy human was gone it would be too late.

He waited long enough and he wanted Xan in his arms instead of that weakling, the only thing that would get William's attention was his Sire's stress and with the thought of Drusilla's torture would do anything to make sure she didn't get staked was for him to give up Alexandra and leave Sunnydale with his tail between his legs. Angelus had always been in control of the family and Spike would do whatever he said as head of the Order of Aurelius Clan. Setting his plan into action Angelus tracked Dru to the abandoned Warehouse where she was happily waiting for him, with a cold smirk that made Dru shiver was not a pleasurable one watching in fear as Daddy came closer.

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Assata Abi woken to her mate's soft touches that were arousing her as she purred with contentment, feeling Spike spooning against her playfully nipping at her pulse. As much as she wanted to feel her lover inside her she and Spike needed to feed;- she was thinking of who would be perfect meal for her mate. It came to her like a bolt of lightening of the perfect person who was close to being a psychopath that no one would miss. Jack O'Toole.

Spike felt his girl move from his arms and woke up to see her getting dressed, he was expecting another round and she was already to walk away. Standing up with nothing but a smirk on his face Spike wrapped his arms around Xan trying to convince her to stay with his caresses, she nearly caved till her stomach rumbled and twist of her hip got ready.

"Get dressed my Mahaba, we hunt we eat."-

"Oh I'll eat alright Luv n' we don't have to leave the room." Said Spike with a dirty grin on his face and a quirk of his eyebrow.

Spike thought he had his girl as her eyes darkened with arousal and Xan was ready, but Assata had other ideas as she wanted to hunt. Taking the hint and he was kind of peckish, reluctantly Spike got dressed and headed out from their nest of blankets and pillows.

Heading to sleazy part of Sunnydale, Spike and Assata watched Jack O'Toole was ready to leave the Bar with smirk on his face after threatening a guy with a knife- instead the guy was a Mercenary on temporary leave disarmed Jack and humiliated him in front of the other patrons. There was no way he was going to let this man get away with making a fool out of him as he waited in the shadows not knowing that he was being hunted, before the Merc left the Bar Jack was dragged into the alley and before he could make a sound Spike snapped his neck making his mate yip happily as she teared into Jack's flesh presenting her lover with the prey's heart.

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The Shadow Man had everything ready as Buffy, Giles and Oz left with tranquilizer guns starting their search for Xan- Buffy looked over to Willow with a small nod silently telling the redhead to convince the Shaman to save Angel back his soul and they would find a way to save Xan later, this way Angelus would be permanently have his soul and everything would go back to how things should be.

For the next several hours as the Scoobies were patrolling Assata Abi was wondering what was wrong with her mate, it was someone or something was calling him. Assata didn't know what was going on as she followed her mate, but she lost him through the cemeteries leading towards the woods and just as she was about to go into the edge of the woods she felt a sharp pain in her upper leg. The wild female's attentions turned from her mate to the three people that attacked her, snarling Assata was ready to kill as Xan in the back of her mind pleaded not to hurt her friends. Before Assata Abi could strike another dart hit her this time in the chest the drug in the darts took affect and the Hyena Queen landed on the ground in a heap.

Giles couldn't believe that his Slayer would shoot her best friend three times knowing the sedative was working, he was going to have words but right now they needed to get Alexandra back to the Library before the drug wore off. Picking up the girl Giles and the two teens headed back hoping that the Shaman didn't hex Willow, he cared for Willow and found her intelligence a breath of fresh air but sometimes Willow believed she was always right and knew better than anyone by lecturing her point when no one else agreed with her. Giles just hoped that his associate didn't cause any lingering damage to the redhead. When this is all over Giles was going to make sure that Buffy and Willow stay in line, the only one the Watcher was concerned about was Xan and how she was going to get through the memories when they get rid of the possession.

Once returning to the Library the trio stopped in their tracks to see Willow was unconscious and bounded in a magic bind, sitting down patiently getting ingredients ready was the Shadow Man. Buffy Summers was ready to attack the creature that hurt her best friend, that is till stopped when she heard that Willow didn't just cast spells on Alexandra as there were other spells, but all Buffy could hear was spell being placed on her behind her back. The Shadow Man smirked under his cowl watching Buffy storm off to clear her mind, in some cases magic wasn't necessary and humans assume so quickly and come to the wrong conclusion. Well the Shaman came here for a reason and now his debt is paid to Rupert as he got to work in helping the girl that the Watcher thought of his own child.

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Hours had past and Willow awoken to the sight of her best friend since Kindergarten staring down at with what she thought was concern, happy that Xan was back she sat up ready for a hug- what she didn't expect was a sharp slap across the face and the look of disgust. The redhead tried to pretend she didn't know what Xan was talking about as she only knew how to levitate pencils and didn't know any other spells, the more Willow tried to deny that she did anything wrong the more convinced Oz was of his girlfriend's guilt.

Willow explained her reasons for what she did and that Cordelia Chase was nothing but trouble, "have you forgotten what she did to us since first grade. I've haven't forgot how she called us names and humiliated me through..."

"I remember it all and with my understanding it was me that took the brunt of the bullying protecting you, as if I can forget Jessie's badge maker to make our 'WE HATE CHASE' badges. The problem I have is that we're grown ups and you're still holding those grudges and because of you I lost the girl I love."

Again Willow tried to get Xan to her way of thinking, but the influence spell was gone and this wasn't going her way.

"Shut the fuck up Rosenberg, I haven't finished talking. For years I stood by your side and defended you by putting my happiness to one side to make you happy, but as soon as I find my own happiness that doesn't include you, you try to destroy it by using your stupid spells by trying to turn me into your perfect straight friend- well no more as I won't be your or anyone else's Butt Monkey."

Alexandra Harris stormed out of the School Library needing to get away from her so-called friend, Willow shouted for Xan ready to chase after her but was stopped by Oz as he calmly told his girlfriend to leave Xan alone. Willow was about to protest, but there was something in Oz's stare that made her stop in her tracks and knew she had gone too far.

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All that Xan could think about was Spike as he was only thing she could clearly remember and the way he made her feel, she went to the abandoned house and found nothing before heading to the Mansion in Crawford Street Mansion ignoring the Minions that were growling at her not able to touch her as she was Spike's Pet. Heading into the main part of the Mansion she found a beaten Spike holding onto a badly injured Dru cradling her close as Angelus happily greeted Xan like she had come for tea. As soon as Xan Harris entered the room Spike didn't look at her as he picked up his Sire carrying her towards the door. "Deals a deal Peaches, this girl for my Dark Plum."

Xan couldn't believe this was happening as she went in front of Spike asking what was going on wanting this to be some kind of nightmare, instead of getting the answers she needed Spike growled and without warning kicked Xan to one side and walked away to his Desoto driving away from the Hellmouth leaving Xan behind to the pain of Angelus' wrath.

End of Part 6 (Mahaba means 'LOVE' that comes from Arabic and Swahili origin)