Me: Thanks JayeMaru for taking the time to review! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 2: The Deal
The next few days in SunnyDale passed with much less excitement compared to the previous days. Other than the occasional monster sighing reminding them of this Green Knight character, everything went back to normal and they were all settled in their routine search for information on their latest Big Bad.
''There was something up with that spell,'' Willow insisted. She was sitting at the table in the Magic Box, surrounded by books and her laptop. The inconspicuous items Wendy had used were with her. ''These aren't magical items, and they haven't been imbedded with magic.''
Jenny turned the jewelry box over in her hands. It was small and rectangular, made of dark wood with carved patterns on the lid. ''Sometimes spells can be tweaked to be about one person, just by using everyday objects from that person.''
''You think Wendy manipulated the spell to be about someone in particular?'' Buffy asked. ''Like instead of bring back the Oracle, she brought back the person who was the Oracle, when she died?''
''I'm telling you, that spell was dealing with some dark stuff,'' Anya insisted. ''If they were actually bringing back someone from the dead, that would explain it.''
''But it's not like any necromancy spell I've ever seen,'' Willow said. She looked guiltily at Buffy. ''And I studied a lot of them, believe you me…''
Buffy nodded. ''So, if it wasn't a necromancy spell, but it wasn't an energy….whatever spell, then what type of spell did Wendy preform?''
''Some sort of combination, I think. But unless we know the significance of these items-'' Willow gestured to the ribbon, broken mirror, and rag doll, ''-that's all I can say.''
Buffy sighed. She crossed her arms, feeling defiant. ''Well, you know, so far everything's been pretty calm. We're studying the signs of that book, and the Green Knight doesn't seem to be getting any closer, so that's good. As long as we keep our eyes out for any new monsters we should all be fine.'' The bell above the door rang as someone entered. ''…And that's probably Spike about to contradict what I'm saying right now, huh?''
Willow, Jenny, and Anya gave apologetic smiles. Buffy sighed again and turned on her heel to face the vampire. ''What?''
Spike raised an eyebrow. ''Ugly beast of a thing is making its way up Main Street,'' he said casually. ''But if it's all 'fine'-''
''I'm coming.'' Buffy grabbed her jacket off the chair and shrugged it on. ''When you get home, Will, let Dawn know where I am, please?''
''Need any help?'' She offered.
''No, we'll be fine.'' She grabbed her bag of weapons by the door. ''You coming Spike?''
''Oh, yeah, right behind you,'' he replied, with as little enthusiasm as possible.
…
''So, this Green Knight bloke is the reason for all these strange beasties?'' Spike asked nonchalantly as they dueled the 9ft green giant that was trying to step on a small neighborhood of houses.
''They're precursors to his arrival,'' Angel replied through gritted teeth, fighting back some smaller monsters, who seemed to have spawned with the big one. ''Basically…heralds to the Green Knight.''
''And the two hunters you were chatting with a few days ago, they left after screwing you over without helping?''
''They gave information.''
''Handy information? So much so Red Riding Hood and all her books need to double check everything?''
''Can this wait?''
''I don't know. No one ever tells me bloody anything.''
''Could it be because you are an annoying prick?''
''I swear to god, you two,'' Buffy shouted over her shoulder, pausing her attack on the monster's hand, ''don't make me come back there!''
Judging by the sudden silence and the fact Spike changed the course of his attacks to the monster's front, he made a face at Angel before running away. Buffy sighed wearily.
It didn't take too long to destroy the monster, and they did it with minimal damage to the neighborhood. Only one fire, and two houses totaled- that was a record. They were quiet as they slinked back through the woods to avoid getting caught in the post monster damage part of the evening, complete with interviews by news reporters and cops.
''So who were those two people?'' Spike continued their conversation as if nothing happened. ''What 'information' did they give?''
''About the Oracle,'' Buffy replied wearily. ''Apparently we need some prophetess to help locate and fight the Green Knight, otherwise he's just gonna keep sending monsters like the ones we've been fighting.''
''So you know where this Oracle is now?''
''Yes, which is why we're so happy and why Willow's been pouring over books.''
Spike made a tsk tsk noise. ''That attitude is hardly helpful.''
''They pulled some shady stuff with the spell,'' Angel explained. ''So we don't know if it worked, and if it didn't, why they seemed so pleased.''
''What were their names?''
''Sloan and Lane.''
''Hmm, thought they looked familiar,'' Spike mused.
''Wait, you know them?'' Buffy asked.
''You saw them?'' Angel questioned. ''Then why are you asking about them?''
''I like details.'' Spike brushed some dirt off his jacket. ''They looked familiar,'' he said to Buffy, ''well, the man did. I think I've run into him in the past. Shady alright, got some boring backstory, but then all these hunter types do. Doesn't surprise me he screwed you over. Demon hunters have their own agenda, and they'll sooner die than share it with anyone else.''
''I think he was telling the truth about hunting down the Green Knight,'' Buffy admitted, ''it was the reason for wanting the Oracle and us to do the spell that he was iffy about.''
''You haven't heard from him or Lane, have you?'' Angel asked. Buffy shook her head.
''Figures,'' Spike stated plainly. ''All well. Maybe next time you leave me in the loop and you don't waste your precious time.''
His pace quickened and he was a few feet in front of them. They were in the graveyard now, and would soon go their separate ways. Buffy heard Angel take a long breath, even if he did need to breath. ''Why do you let him bug you?''
''He always bugs me,'' Angel muttered. ''He bugs everyone. Darla used to say he was the reason she took up drinking.''
''You once told me Darla said you were the reason she took up drinking.''
''Darla had a lot of reasons to start drinking.''
''I can relate to that.'' They made their way slowly home.
…
You can't fix what's broken. What's broken is broken. You can't fix it. Never can you fix it. Broken means broken.
But something broken…can be more broken. Break it further. Break it further and then- and then it's still broken! A broken cup is still a broken cup. Chipped then cracked then smashed- a broken cup is still a broken cup!
Break it further, break it further…I'll break further. That will be alright. I'll be alright. A broken cup is still a broken cup. I'll break further… A broken cup is still a broken cup…
…
Angel hadn't returned to LA yet. Cordelia had agreed to go back, but he had stayed, uncomfortably certain that something big was about to happen. He was sure they hadn't heard the last of those demon hunters, and there would be some fallout from their hacked spell casting.
He trudged though the graveyard, the silence around him slightly unnerving. Since coming to help, he and Buffy had been taking turns patrolling in the night. It was easy work since many vampires had been laying low in light of the new monstrosities.
Angel knew he wasn't alone in the woods, but had attributed the noises around him to other creatures. He soon realized he was wrong; there were people nearby, and their voices sounded very familiar. He kept himself out of sight, listening.
''I can't believe you lost her,'' came David's voice. He was breathless, but his anger was clear.
''Will you relax?'' Wendy chided. ''We know she's here. All we have to do is find her.''
''What if they find her first? What then?'' David threw his hands up in the air. ''God, I knew everything was happening too perfectly…''
''Oh, shut up. She's a 230 year old nut job. We'll find her and finish her and we'll be back on track.''
''You better hope so. We only have so much time before the Knight comes.'' They kept walking, keeping an eye out for whomever they were looking for. ''You sure you did the spell right?''
''She's alive, isn't she?''
''But her gift-''
''When we catch her, we'll do the other spell,'' Wendy said. ''All we need is for her to die so I can get the power. Should be easy.''
''And yet here we are, back in Sunny Hell,'' David grumbled.
''Where else was she gonna run to? Just be happy she didn't jump on a plane to England.''
The two hunters' bickering ended there, and they were silent all throughout the rest of the time Angel tracked them through the woods. Whoever they were looking for, they didn't want her to know they were on to her. Eventually Angel let them walk out of sight furthering into the woods, bickering about giving up and trying somewhere else.
He debated what to do next. This couldn't wait. So much for giving Buffy a break…
…
''They found the Oracle…and she ditched them?'' Dawn summarized Angel's story. Buffy wasn't thrilled she was coming along on this trekking through the woods adventure, but there wasn't time to see her safely to Jenny's and Giles'. They had to find this Oracle person before Wendy and David did.
''Sounds like it,'' Angel answered, ''much to Wendy's disappointment.''
''Why does she want to be the Oracle?'' Buffy asked, pushing branches out of her way. ''It doesn't sound like a thrilling job.''
''They're demon hunters. Best case scenario, they probably hope to make their job easier.''
''Worst case?''
''Turn a profit.''
''Ah, just no work pride anymore, huh?'' They fell silent as they continued their trek. It wasn't hard to imagine Wendy and David seeking the Oracle out for their own betterment rather than their takedown of the Green Knight. No doubt it was just a pursuit of glory to them.
This part of the woods was very dense. Thick trees grew, but the beaten trails under their feet suggested it was walked often. They passed a few abandoned buildings; makeshift sheds and coverings for any lost hitchhikers, Buffy thought. She glanced at the sky above them. It was clear night with a bright moon. Hopefully that meant they wouldn't have to make use of such coverings, though with her luck, rain would no doubt come.
A roar to their left made them change course. Speaking of the Green Knight, there were more of the monsters.
''Stay here,'' Buffy ordered Dawn before rushing off with Angel. Sure enough, there were three monsters, each uglier than the last, in the clearing ahead of them. Why couldn't something cute and cuddly herald the coming of the Green Knight? Like puppies or seals?
Angel attacked one monster, Buffy lunged at another. This arrangement left one monster out, and it was having a grand time alternating between attacking Buffy and Angel, whoever happened to be too busy with their other opponent to notice.
Angel got the upper hand on his monster. He threw it against a tree when he heard Buffy shout. ''Buffy!''
One monster was on Buffy's back, the other at her front. By throwing herself against the side of a shack, the one on her back finally let go and disintegrated. The one at her front grabbed her throat.
Buffy saw spots dance in her vision. Just as she was trying to land a kick on the creature, he was ripped from her and tossed aside, setting her free. Buffy choked for breath, prepared to ask Angel if all three were now dead, only to realize it was not Angel who helped her. ''Drusilla?''
Drusilla grabbed her by the collar and threw her to the ground. Buffy was too stunned to stop her. ''What did you do?'' Drusilla screamed. ''What did you do?''
Angel was sharing in Buffy's shock and neither of them moved. The other monster came charging, but Drusilla grabbed it and snapped it's neck. It fell to dust at her feet.
Dawn came running. ''Are you guys okay-'' she stopped short at the sight of Drusilla.
Drusilla looked worse for wear. Her hair was a tangle of knots, her clothes stained, and not at all the usual tight fitting dresses Buffy had previously seen her in. She stared at Buffy, her chest heaving up and down for breath, rage on her face.
''We can't all come back from the dead,'' she yelled. ''We're not all you.''
Buffy got to her feet. ''Drusilla, what are you doing here?''
''We're not all you,'' she repeated. ''Put me back. Put me back!"
''Back where?'' Angel demanded. Drusilla rounded on him.
''Why do you do this?'' She demanded. ''Why- why do you hurt me?'' She furiously pointed to Dawn. ''Why not her? Why me? What's the difference? There is no difference, it's just…it's wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong! You made me wrong!''
''I don't understand. What are you talking about?''
''You torture me!'' Drusilla grabbed her hair, shaking her head. ''You did this! And now…now my…my heart beats, and my lungs ache… Put me back! Put me back!''
A glimmer out of the corner of her eye made Buffy turn her head. Drusilla was standing in front of the abandoned shed, right by the window. The light of the moon made her crazed, accusatory expression reflect in the glass.
Wait, reflection?
''Oh my god.'' Buffy stared at the deranged woman, her horror at the situation and its implications washing over her. ''You're human?''
''What?'' Dawn demanded.
''It's you.'' Buffy looked away from Drusilla to Angel, and could see him slowly coming to her conclusion. ''The Oracle.''
''She's…'' Angel stammered, ''She's the seer?''
''No!'' Drusilla looked petrified. She shook her finger at Buffy. ''No. No, no seer. No more seer. No more seeing. Dead, I'm dead. Put me back! You can't bring the dead back they don't come back right! You can't fix a broken cup. It's broken!''
''You're the Oracle, Drusilla,'' Angel said. ''The chosen seer.''
''No!'' Drusilla laughed, a shrill, panicked noise. ''No, no seer. Dead seer. Pretty pictures aren't so pretty when they're true. I'm not. Not not not.''
''Drusilla…''' Buffy wasn't even sure where to go with this. ''Look, let's- let's just take this conversation somewhere else.''
''You should know.'' Drusilla was looking at her straight in the eye, her stare piercing. ''I didn't get to choose. You should know. I didn't get to choose. Why can't I choose?''
''Look, we have to leave! David and Wendy are looking for you, and-''
Buffy realized too late it was the wrong thing to say. The petrified expression came back over Drusilla's face. ''Bad men, no more bad men. Have to get away from the bad men.'' Her hands were back in her hair, and she was shaking her head, looking as though she did not see them anymore. ''No more…he's coming. The Green Man's coming. So very angry. Want's a price the Slayer won't pay.''
''Drusilla!'' Angel tried to get her attention.
''Guys!'' Dawn shouted. She pointed behind her. More monsters were coming towards them in swarms. Buffy ran to Dawn to get her out of the way, and she and Angel were once again locked in combat.
The monsters were similar to the ones they had been fighting moments ago, but what startled Buffy was the sheer number of them. And they didn't seem all that interested in her or Angel, even though they were making quite the habit of kicking them in the head. Most tried to swerve past them, heading straight for Drusilla.
For all her ranting and hair pulling, Drusilla seemingly had enough presence of mind to fight off the demons. Her years as a vampire had not left her without fighting experience, and each monster that came at her she managed to fight off, flinging it away from her or snapping their necks.
''Buffy!''
Buffy turned sharply at Dawn's cry. Her little sister was on the ground, cornered by a monster. There were yards between them, but before Buffy could even start figuring out a way to get to her side, Drusilla lunged, knocking aside the monsters that were currently trying to scratch her face off, and throwing herself into combat with the one inches away from Dawn. She killed it, giving Dawn time to get to her feet and run.
Buffy had no time to process this completely uncharacteristic action of Drusilla's. She and Angel were back to back, fighting the hordes of the creatures. Angel had his vamp face on, and Buffy could hear him snarling in effort. Her muscles ached, she was down to her last knife- this wasn't going well.
The monsters must've had a similar thought about them, because after a few more minutes that seemed to last hours, many retreated, disappearing into the darkening wood to god only knew where. Buffy and Angel made quick work of the remaining ones, and when they had finally finished, the silent woods sounded deafening.
They panted for breath, even Angel, who did not need to. Dawn ran over. ''Are you okay?'' She asked, her hand on Buffy's shoulder.
Buffy needed a moment to respond. She wasn't at all surprised to see that Drusilla was gone. She turned to Dawn. ''Are you okay?'' Dawn nodded. ''You see which way she went?''
Dawn shook her head. ''We have to find her,'' Angel said. ''From what I heard earlier, they find her, they kill her. And as unfortunate the options are, between Wendy and Drusilla being the Oracle-''
''At least we know what we're getting with Drusilla.'' Buffy sheathed her knife, her mind racing, trying to get a handle on the situation. ''Where do we look? I mean, where is she gonna go-''
The answer to her question dawned on both her and Angel at the same time. What had Wendy said earlier? 'Where else was she gonna run to?' They had expected Drusilla to come here, to Sunnydale, because the vampire whose name was synonymous with her's throughout vampire records was here as well.
Buffy grabbed Dawn. ''Go to the Magic Shop,'' she instructed her. ''Go, lock it up once you're inside, and get everyone there. Fill them in so far. Now!''
''Where are you going?'' Dawn asked.
Angel was already walking away. ''Spike's,'' Buffy answered, hurrying after him.
…
When the crypt door opened, Spike half hoped it was Buffy telling him about another new monster that needed defeating. It was better than just sitting around doing nothing. He was disappointed when walking up the ladder that the Slayer was not present, and confused at the figure standing in the doorway. It wasn't like he got frequent visitors. ''Who's there?''
The person stepped into the crypt, and the torches Spike had lit illuminated her face, which only furthered his confusion. ''Dru? What the bloody hell-'' he took in her appearance. Never in 200 years of knowing her had he ever seen her so…disheveled. ''What the bloody hell happened to you?''
''Spike…'' she stepped closer, coming into further into the crypt. ''I need to ask you a favor.''
''Why are you here?'' Spike asked. He came stepped toward her, and was surprised when she froze, and actually shuffled a step back. ''What's wrong-''
But then he smelled it. Blood. Rushing, pumping blood. For a moment he thought someone else was in the crypt with them, and it was only when Drusilla took another terrified step backwards that he understood. ''You're human?''
She whimpered, her hands to her face. Spike felt dizzy as all the pieces fell into place, the snippets of information Buffy and Angel had given him, and those demon hunters. The bad men. Must get away from the bad men. That's where he'd seen them before. ''You're- you're the bloody seer-''
''Don't say that! Please don't say that!'' Drusilla pleaded.
Spike's skin crawled at the disgust of it all. She was human. Human. ''Oh, pet, I'm so sorry. What they've done to you…''
Drusilla lowered her hands. ''You- you can help me.'' She slowly began walking towards him again, no longer fearful of discovery. But there seemed to be something else in her step, a fear of a different kind. ''You can fix me. Put me back. Put me back as I was.''
''What, you mean turn you?''
''Yes.'' She was in front of him now, her eyes as wide as ever. This close, Spike could practically hear her heart beating in her chest. ''Put me back. I want to go back. Can't you put me back? Please?''
She looked so earnest, and even after everything that happened between them, Spike felt deep pain in having to tell her the truth. ''I can't, Dru,'' he said gently. ''Remember? The… the damn chip.''
''You could. I know you can. It would be quick, one quick little bite, that's all I need. You can do it for me, can't you Spike? Just one little bite.''
Spike lowered his eyes in shame. ''I can't, pet,'' he repeated. ''If I could, I would. But it won't let me.''
''Naughty Spike.'' Drusilla sounded close to tears. ''Naughty Spike, will kill with me for all those years but won't do one last thing. Why are you so far? Why must you be good? It's not fair! It's not fair!''
''Dru-''
Drusilla backed away from him, tears flying out of her eyes. ''You said I saved you! I killed you but you said I saved you! Why can't you do the same for me? Just one bite. Just one nick. I'll do the rest. It will be my sin, not yours!''
''I want to help you, I do, but I can't that way. Please-''
They both froze. A noise outside was getting closer, and judging by the look on Drusilla's face, she knew what it was. ''Dru-''
''No more.'' Drusilla looked out the open crypt door. ''No more seeing. No more living.''
''Is someone out there? Do you know who it is?'' Spike demanded. But Drusilla made no answer. She ran outside, and though she was no longer a vampire, she clearly retained her speed. ''Drusilla!''
…
Angel and Buffy could see Spike's crypt when they ran into him, heading away from the graveyard and down the street. ''What the hell is wrong with you?'' He demanded when he saw them. ''What the hell were you thinking?''
He was glaring at Angel, looking more angry than Buffy had seen in a long while. ''Did you see Drusilla?'' Angel asked.
''You made her human,'' Spike spat. ''Does your cruelty know no bounds?''
''Where did she go, Spike?'' Buffy questioned.
''Where do you get off-''
''She's the Oracle, Spike!'' Angel explained. ''We didn't know, but Wendy and David did and now they're looking for her so we better find her first. Where. Is. She?''
Spike glowered in anger at him, but continued running, leading the way to where he had seen Drusilla go.
Down the street from the graveyard was a marketplace, used for pop up shops that were frequent in the summer time. It was empty now, and it was here Spike led them. They made quick work of scaling the gate and circling to the back of the building. It was with a sinking heart Buffy noticed the car already parked. ''They're here.''
The boys took the news of meeting David and Wendy in silence, and with stealth they slunk into the building, ears pricked for any noise and movement.
Buffy was not expecting the smell. A sickly sweet order, one that she associated with the boxes in the closet of the Magic Shop Giles and Jenny would let no one else touch. Strong magic was being done here, and given their circumstances, Buffy knew what it was for.
''I would've thought you'd be happy,'' Wendy's voice came from around the corner, a haughty tone, one much different from the false sweet voice she had used when convincing them of the plan. ''After all, isn't this what you want? To be free of your 'burden'? Why seeing the future is something one would want to throw away, I have no idea, but to each his own, I suppose.''
''Pretty pictures aren't so pretty once they're true,'' Drusilla spat at her. Buffy recognized the phrase from when they saw her in the woods. Wendy laughed, and Buffy motioned for Spike and Angel to go in opposite directions, going up the halls to find other points of entrance and take them by surprise. She walked into the main room.
''What's so funny, Wendy?''
Wendy looked genuine surprised to see her. She flashed a smile regardless. ''There's the Challenger! We'll be working together real soon once I complete this summoning.''
Buffy looked warily at the circle on the floor. Drusilla was sat on the floor outside the circle, her legs and wrists bound. She didn't look too thrilled at the spell set up, either. ''What spell are we doing now, Wendy? Since you lied about the last one?''
''I didn't lie! I said we would bring back the Oracle, and we did!''
''You knew it was Drusilla. Why not tell us?''
Wendy scoffed. ''Yeah, cause you're so good at vampire slaying these days. What with your Soul Boy and Chip Head. I couldn't risk you coming up with some ridiculously reason why this one-'' she glared daggers at Drusilla ''-couldn't die. We need the Oracle back, Buffy, you need it. Not telling you just seemed…efficient.''
''Am I really supposed to believe you want to be the Oracle for some noble reason?'' Buffy challenged. ''Because I gotta say, I don't.''
''Sure, don't trust me, but trust these murderous vampires.'' Wendy rolled her eyes. ''Makes real sense, Slayer. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll finish this spell, that thing will be dead, and then we can tackle beating the Green Knight, m'kay?''
''Yeah, that plan doesn't work well for me.''
''Too bad. Nothing you can do about it.''
''Wanna bet?''
Angel entered from the left door, Spike jumped from the balcony above. Buffy swung at Wendy, and though the woman was expecting it, she dropped her spell book, and it went tumbling into the circle on the floor. Green smoke starting wafting towards the ceiling. ''Angel!''
Angel hurried to break the circle, Spike raced towards Drusilla, but the distinct sound of a gun's safety being lifted made everyone freeze.
David tisked at the sight of them all. ''Look at them, Drusilla,'' he said sadly. ''All these people fighting about you, but nobody asked you what you want, huh?''
He looked toward her, the gun pointed directly at her face. Drusilla didn't so much as flinch from her position on the floor. ''They don't get it, do they?'' David said, speaking only to her while everyone watched. Buffy got the sense even Wendy was shocked he was pointing the gun. She remembered they were demon hunters; they weren't used to killing humans.
''They don't get what it's like to be a demon,'' David went on, ''not even your sire there, huh? He's got a soul, but what does that mean to him? You though, you know. You know they weight of all the things you've done. You're human now, just like you were before, but you're so changed, aren't you? You can't live with it, the things you've done. Who could? Don't you, Drusilla, don't you want it to stop?''
Drusilla made no move. Buffy was't even sure she was breathing. ''Don't you want to make it all stop, Drusilla?'' David continued. ''Don't you want for it to be over?''
Her mouth barely moved. ''Yes.''
''I can make it stop.''
''…Promise?''
He nodded. ''I promise.''
A minuted passed. Then two. Drusilla nodded.
David raised the gun. ''Dru!'' Spike shouted.
Drusilla ducked. She swung her legs out from under her and kicked David to the ground. He fell, his gun shooting up in the air. Drusilla took the rope around her hands and wrapped it around his neck. She pulled.
Wendy screamed at the sight of David, blue on the ground. She turned from Buffy and lunged at Drusilla. Buffy grabbed her and punched her to shut her up, but not before the knife she was holding had lodged itself in Drusilla's side.
Angel dived for the circle, destroying the items set up so carefully inside and therefore stopping the spell. He tossed the book Wendy had been reading from to Spike, before turning his attention to Wendy and David.
Drusilla had moved away from David's body. Her hand was on her blood soaked side, the knife still embedded there, and she was shaking her head, tears on her face. ''No more sins,'' she scolded David's unconscious form. ''To want to die is a sin, no…more…sins.'' She sobbed at her own statement, and the noise seemed to echo more loudly than the gunshot had.
…
''So, your life depends on the information the evil nut job provides you?'' Xander said incredulously.
Buffy leaned weakly on the Magic Box's counter top. ''She's the Oracle. We need her to defeat the Green Knight.''
''Yes, and she seems most corporative,'' Giles said blandly. He tossed the remaining bandages on the table. They had come back to the Magic Box where Dawn had successfully gathered everyone, bringing with them a hysterical Drusilla. After restraining her in the basement, they had attempted to treat her injuries with no success. The vampire turned human didn't seem to mind her blood soaked side and dislocated bones.
''If she's human, why is she still so strong?'' Dawn asked. ''I mean, she took care of those monsters with no problem.''
''Human beings are naturally resilient. That's why there are stories of in times of crisis, people preforming superhuman feats such as lifting cars. I expect after being undead for so long, Drusilla is unable to gauge how much effort some actions can take.''
''So, what exactly happened?'' Willow asked. ''I mean, David and Wendy knew Drusilla was the Oracle?''
Buffy shrugged. ''I guess so. That's probably why they came to SunnyDale, because Angel- her sire- was here. I bet they needed him for the spell.''
''That would explain why it was so off.''
''Does this mean you have to work with Drusilla?'' Tara asked. ''If she's the Oracle and you're the Challenger, you're gonna need her, right?''
No more seer. Buffy took a deep breath. ''I guess,'' she said again.
The bell dinged as Spike and Angel walked in. ''Police got a nice anonymous tip about gunshots coming from the marketplace,'' Angel reported. ''Picked up Wendy and David and hauled them away.''
''Deals with them for now,'' Buffy commented.
Angel shrugged. He looked nervous. ''Where's Drusilla?''
''Downstairs. We have her tied up.''
''Oh, do you?'' Spike commented, seating himself upon the counter top. ''Well, that's nice of you.''
''You want her running away again?''
''Wouldn't you run away?''
''What would you have us do, Spike?'' Angel demanded. ''She's the Oracle. We need her.''
Buffy thought she knew Spike pretty well given their circumstances over the past couple years, but the way he was now looking at Angel, she couldn't even begin to describe. ''You know, for all your soul having annoyance, you really just don't get it, do you?'' He said. ''She's human now, you idiots. She's human, and you've locked her in the basement until what? She does what you want?''
''She's the Oracle, and Buffy needs her to fight the Green Knight,'' Xander reminded him. ''We're as thrilled about it as you are.''
Spike gave a mirthless laugh. ''And how thrilled is Dru about it, do you reckon?''
''We can help her, Spike,'' Angel said, ''We can help her and-''
''You're gonna help her? What are you gonna do, rape her again?'' The past crime of Angelus' hung in the air, washing over everyone in the shop. ''She's human now. You're not her sire anymore. You're just the demon that killed her family in front of her and has been chipping away at her remaining sanity for the past two centuries. Do you really think she wants your help, or to help you and your girlfriend?'' Spike shook his head. ''The only thing she wants from you, you won't give her.''
''What's that?'' Tara asked.
Spike and Angel glared at each other, ignoring everyone's questioning looks. ''I'm not turning her back,'' Angel said lowly.
''Wouldn't want to stain that precious soul of your's, hmm?'' Spike was seething hatred, but something must've gone through his head because he suddenly turned from Angel and looked to Willow and Giles. ''Bookworms, why don't you share with the class what happens to those who see too far into the future, especially those Oracle you've been researching?''
Buffy could tell by the look on Willow's face that she knew the answer, but was hesitant to say, which meant it wasn't cheery news. Giles gave a weary sigh. ''Seers in general…well, for all the futures they behold, they don't have much of ones for themselves.''
''What does that mean?'' Dawn asked.
''It means they die,'' Anya summed up. ''Seers don't live long as it is, and my guess is Oracles don't either.''
''The gift of prophecy is a heavy one, and slowly destroys the person who has it by…by rendering them…insane…''Giles looked uncomfortable.
Spike however, looked triumphant. ''And Dru's got so much sanity to spare,'' he said dryly.
''I can't turn her,'' Angel repeated.
''What does turning her back into a vamp have to do with anything?'' Xander demanded.
''He means in exchange,'' Buffy explained. She saw Spike's point clearly. ''Drusilla helps us, and Angel… 'puts her back'.''
Angel looked sadly at Buffy. ''I can't do that,'' he repeated to her. ''I can't…sire her again.''
''Oh, how it must hurt you,'' Spike mocked. He shook his head at the unconvinced people around him. ''How are you not getting this? It's a win-win! You offer to turn her in exchange for help with this Green Knight fellow, you actually stand a chance at beating him, and then everybody lives! Isn't that a Happily Ever After for you hero types?''
''She'll be dead,'' Anya pointed out.
''She'll be undead,'' Spike corrected. ''As opposed to Human Dead because of this goddamn seer business.''
''She might not agree to it,'' Buffy mentioned.
Spike rolled his eyes. ''Dru's insane,'' he admitted. ''She's insane, crazy, out of her mind- but she is not stupid. She's just like every other creature in the world. You want something from her? Offer her something in return. She won't refuse.''
…
Having shackles on hand to restrain any uncooperative monsters or vamps was just a precaution Buffy had developed in her years of living in SunnyDale. They were hung on the basement wall under a high window, dangling in Drusilla's lap where she was perched on a cot, leaning against the wall. Her face was blank, watching Buffy and Angel disinterestedly yet intently as the descended the stair and approached her. ''Drusilla?''
She waited. Somehow, even in her dirty and wild state, she maintained that air of importance that had made her equals with Spike when they took over the Anointed One's vampires. Her insanity should've made her less threatening, but it just made her that much more unpredictable.
Angel spoke. ''You're the Oracle, Drusilla.''
''Am not,'' she retorted.
''Yes, you are. You're the Oracle, and that's why you're human now, because of a spell we did to bring the Oracle back.''
''What's dead should stay dead.''
''Tell me about,'' Buffy muttered. ''Listen, we need to stop this creature called the Green Knight. He's coming to SunnyDale, and from what we can gather, he gets here, it will not be good.''
''You want to see the future.'' Drusilla's cold eyes bored into Buffy. ''You want to know what happens.''
Buffy wasn't really sure how the Oracle fit into the whole challenging the Green Knight, but she supposed it had something to do with predicting the future. ''Yeah, I guess so.''
''You want to know what happens?'' Drusilla leaned forward. She clapped her hands together hard. ''Death! Death happens. Everything dies and should stay dead.''
''Look.'' Buffy glanced hesitantly at Angel. He made no protest, so she continued. ''We're willing to make you a deal.''
Drusilla cocked her head to the side. Her lips twitched. ''If you help us,'' Angel said, forcing the words out, ''I'll…I'll turn you.''
''Haha.'' Drusilla drummed her fingers on her neck. She looked at Angel, her cold eyes gleaming. ''Promise?''
Angel took a moment to respond. ''I promise.''
''Your word…means nothing to me.'' She went very still, looking at him with such hatred in her eyes that Buffy had to remind herself she physically could't attack him, let alone win in her condition. ''You are a liar. Always lying to everyone. To yourself, to me, to friends- always lying. You need to swear it.''
She got on her knees, leaning towards them, teetering precariously on the edge of the cot. ''Swear on something important. Swear it on her.''
She pointed to Buffy, her gaze still fixated on Angel. She laughed. ''You…you strung up my uncle. Hung him in the hallway so I could see him first thing in the morning. I can't bite, but I can kill. Rope or gun…bang, bang, bang. If you lie to me, I will kill her. And I will succeed. My Angel taught me everything he knows, didn't he? So will you swear it, daddy? Will you swear on your girl's life? Are you more trustworthy to her than you are to me?''
Drusilla waited, watching Angel as eagerly as a snake watches a mouse. It was a silent standoff between them, one that Buffy saw no reason for. ''He swears,'' she answered.
Drusilla snapped her head to look at her. She laughed again. ''Buffy,'' Angel warned.
''Oh, the word of a lady is worth more in the hand than the bushel,'' Drusilla purred. ''It's a deal.''
Buffy's face was hot. She turned away from Drusilla and marched to the stairs. On the landing, Angel grabbed her arm. ''You shouldn't have done that,'' he said, quietly so neither Drusilla below them or the other's above them could hear. ''You don't know what she's capable of.''
I know what I'm capable of, Buffy thought angrily. But there was something else gnawing at her, something that after seeing Drusilla's actions and hearing her words, she needed to know the answer to. ''How old was she?''
''What?''
''When you- when Angelus- how old was she when he first saw her? When he picked her?''
Angel's face was a mixture of confusion at the question and complete hesitancy to answer it. ''Fifteen,'' he finally whispered.
''She was Dawn's age.'' The confirmation of her suspicion did nothing to help the sinking feeling in her chest. ''That's what she meant, back in the woods, when she was pointing at Dawn. 'There's no difference'. She was saying it could've just as easily been Dawn instead of her.''
The shame in Angel's face was prominent. ''Buffy-''
''Look, she's human now. She's screwed up, and unfortunately we need her for this Green Knight business. If she helps us in exchange for turning her back, fine. Or…''
''Or what?''
''You said you helped Darla, right? Now's your chance to help Drusilla.''
Angel closed his eyes at that. ''It's not that simple, Buffy.''
''It never is,'' she scoffed. ''But this is where we're at, Angel. We need her, and if promising to turn her makes her help us, then fine. It's up to you to keep that promise. Otherwise…'' Buffy continued to walk up the stairs, ''I'll have to kill her.''
…
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