"So this vampire we're going to talk to, who is he?" Brooke asked, sauntering along as though the conversation at Giles' house had never taken place.
"Spike," Buffy informed her shortly, she wasn't going to talk to her more than was necessary.
"As in railroad?" Brooke asked, raising her eyebrows and whistling softly in awe when Buffy nodded the affirmative. "Boy you sure get the best don't you? The scourge of Europe and William the bloody, that's quite a little collection, and did you really have the Master?"
Nodding her head with mild amusement Buffy realised it was going to be very difficult to ignore someone who talked as much as Brooke did. Swinging into the cemetery and heading straight for Spike's mausoleum they both fell silent. When they were no more than a few paces from Spike's humble abode, Buffy turned to Brooke.
"Violence isn't usually necessary with Spike, he had a chip put in his head that stops him from harming humans but he's usually more than mildly irritating so a few well timed punches can do him the power of good." She informed her, pulling open the door and breaking the lock easily.
"Wakey, wakey Spike," Buffy called out sweetly.
"Bloody hell," a muffled British voice came from the tomb as the lid was flung back. "Dammit!"
A loud curse echoed around the small room as the vampire's hand fell accidentally into a patch of sunlight causing the flesh to smoke slightly. Nursing his hand, and continuing to curse loudly, the amazingly good-looking vampire turned to glare at them with ice blue eyes.
"What the bloody hell do you want?" he asked pulling a shirt on and stepping carefully away from the tiny window.
"Spike," Buffy said, looking injured. "Why do you always assume I'm not just here for a friendly chat?"
"Because you generally come here bearing threats and usually violence," he sulked. "There's only so many times a man can be pummelled by a little girl before it starts to injure his pride."
"OK we don't have time to waste on discussions about how badly our relationship has broken down," Buffy said with a nod and smile so genuine that it had to be sarcastic. "We're looking for a vampire."
"What a shock," Spike said slapping his face in mock surprise. "And let me guess, you thought you'd come down here and, how is it you so charmingly put it, kick me 'til I bleed so that I give you information?"
"Yep, that's about it. We're looking for a vampire by the name of Luke. He's new here; Irish and leading some kind of group. Know who I'm talking about?"
"He's after some little slut, what was her name?" Spike contemplated, rubbing his chin. "Ah yes, Brooke."
The clear blue eyes rested on Brooke's face.
"And that would be you. Watch your back love, he's after you and what he wants he gets. Would've kicked his ass m'self but I've got this damn chip you see…"
"Leave it out Spike we aren't removing the chip, and it doesn't stop you hurting vampires, if Luke decides to kill you all we've lost is a source of information, we take that out and you'll double the damage he can do," Buffy cut in sounding bored. "Is that all you're going to tell us?"
As she finished her sentence she moved towards him threateningly.
"He's hiding out in one of the warehouses."
A few more paces.
"He's working with a vampire called Lazera."
A few more paces, Spike backed up against the wall looking uncomfortable.
"That's all I know I swear."
Buffy was standing so close to him now that their bodies were almost touching, shooting her hand up towards his head so fast and hard that he flinched physically she patted him on the head.
"Thank you William," she said in a sugary voice spinning on her heel and walking away.
* * *
"What did he do Brooke?" Buffy asked.
They were patrolling downtown Sunnydale but little was happening in the way of vampires, Angel had offered to accompany them but both had declined his offer.
"I've told you Buffy I don't want to talk about it. What he did is between me and him and its going to be me that stakes the son of a bitch if it kills me."
"Unless you tell me what happened so that I know what we're up against it probably will," Buffy was starting to sound pissed off. "I've had a vampire destroy every part of my life and kill people I knew, I know how you feel."
"Fine," Brooke said, raising her voice. "You know how I feel huh? You know how it feels to fall in love with someone and want them so much it physically hurts?"
"Yes," Buffy was shouting now too. "Been there, done that, moved on."
"To have that person come into your home and kill everyone you cared about? Family, friends, everyone? So you know how that feels? You think I should deal and move on?" Brooke continued shouting over Buffy, her voice coming in sobs. "So tell me how to deal, because I'd really love to know."
"Brooke I'm sorry. I had no idea," Buffy stood helplessly, not knowing how to comfort her. "And now he's after you?"
"Oh come on Buffy, you may be blonde but you're smarter than that. Of course he's after me, and this isn't going to end until one of us is dead."
"How bad is this?" Buffy asked.
Brooke raised her eyes to Buffy's.
"Be scared."
Those two words sent chills running up and down Buffy's spine. Leaning back against a wall she felt it's comforting solidity and pressed herself into that.
"Sounds like you could use some help," the voice caused Buffy to jump, it sounded familiar, and it set Buffy's blood boiling.
Stepping out of the alley she had been lurking in, Faith raised her chin and looked with cool detachment at Buffy.
Buffy didn't say a word, just launched herself at the dark haired girl with a string of martial arts moves, kicking and punching in complete blind rage.
Not once did Faith hit back, she defended herself against the onslaught of blows with effective blocking and used a lot of Buffy's anger against her. The rage had stopped her from thinking, had stopped her from planning her attacks which left them easy for Faith to dodge.
After her initial shock at the violent attack, Brooke recovered enough to drag Buffy away from Faith.
"For God's sake," she yelled. "What are you doing?"
"Bitch," Buffy hissed at Faith. "How dare you come back here? How the hell dare you?"
"B," Faith tried, swallowing hard. "We really don't have time for all of this, this guy you're after, he's dangerous and…"
"And you're not? Don't try telling me you've reformed, it worked on Angel but it won't work on me. You just can't wait to get back in on my life can you?"
"I'm not like that." Faith implored, locking her eyes on Buffy's. "Not anymore. Did I try to hit you once there? You gave me damn good reason to but did I? I asked Angel for help remember, he didn't force me, and it was always you that thought I could change. I regret what I did, more than you can imagine and I want to try and make it better."
"So go throw yourself in front of a train," Buffy said quietly, shrugging out of Brooke's grip.
"Please B, just give me a chance to earn your forgiveness, I asked for nothing from you before so give me this now."
"We really need the help Buffy," Booke cut in. "Luke's too much for one slayer to handle and with his gang he could probably take out two but if we have three and a vampire of our own maybe we can kill him, let her try,"
"You stay the hell away from me OK. We don't do anything other than train and patrol together. And we train my way not yours and the moment you do anything that leaves me remotely pissed, you're out of here."
"Whatever," Faith said. "Guess I'll see you later."