Rating: PG-13ish-maybe a little worse in the swearing dept than the show.
Credits: All disclaimers were made in parts 1, 2 & 3-so I think that suffices.
Feeback: welcome-please-pretty please! pm or email: jarment@us.ibm.com
Wake and Rise, part five
Just before sundown, Spike ducked through the sewers to Willy's bar. Some of the demon clientele stayed away from the vamps, hence getting their drink on in the daylight hours. Maybe, if Spike was lucky, some drunk demon would be in a 'spill-their-heart' mood and cough up the details about this Gnothos demon.
Spike walked in and the temperature drop immediately.
"You're not welcome here," a particularly nasty Fyarl demon snarled at Spike.
"Oh yeah? Why's that?" Spike challenged back.
"You keep company with The Slayer", the Fyarl demon spat, "and you kill our kind."
"Yea, that's true," Spike said, almost jovially, then deadly, "so maybe you don't want to piss me off."
Willy cleared his throat and spoke up, "Um, guys? Look, there really isn't supposed to be any fighting in here."
"Oh, I'm not about to break your rules," Spike said, punching the Fyarl demon squarely in the jaw, "well, okay. You got me. I am."
The Fyarl demon swung back at Spike, knocking him through two tables. Spike staggered as he got up, seeing the demon come lunging in Spike swerved to avoid being knocked senseless. Out of nowhere a second demon, much smaller than the Fyarl took something out of its coat and stabbed the Fyarl through the back. The Fyarl demon slumped to the floor, dead.
Spike looked on amazed. "You come prepared?" pointing to the knife.
"Yeah, I do." The demon said, putting back his silver knife. As he opened his coat to do so, Spike noticed the wooden stake. Spike uncomfortably took a couple of steps back.
The demon stared for a moment at Spike. His face was covered in what seemed like thousands of spines-or needles. Spike thought it looked like that guy from the Hellraiser movies.
"So, you gonna stand there, or you gonna help me move this guy?" the demon asked.
"Uh, you seemed to be doing fine there by yourself." Spike said, still unsure of him.
"Oh. See, I thought you were looking for someone. So I thought you might help me get this guy outa here, and you could tell me who you're looking for. Maybe could help."
Spike stared at the demon but nevertheless began moving the dead Fyarl out back, being careful to avoid the sunlight. "So you new in Sunnydale?" Spike asked.
"Just got here yesterday." The demon answered.
"Well, Sunnydale isn't exactly the happenin' spot, you know, for demons." Spike said.
"Really? There's a hellmouth. Figured all the demons would be campin' out, having tailgate parties." the demon answered.
"Yeah, well, true. That's what lured me. But the Slayer's here. Don't want to mess with her." Spike said.
"Nah, don't figure that I would. But then again, I don't think she'd want to mess with me, either." The demon answered.
"You threatening her?" Spike asked.
"So the Fyarl demon was right. You are hangin' with the Slayer. Huh. Don't hear that one much.vampire and a vampire slayer."
"No, you don't." Spike said.
"Anyways, wasn't a threat. I am assimilated. Don't pose a threat-to people that is. Fyarl demons, that's another story." The demon said.
"And so you're hanging at Willy's for the atmosphere?" Spike asked.
"No. Saw you in a vision. I get those. I guess I am supposed to help you. You are the one looking for the Gnothos demon, right?" the demon asked.
"Yeah-"
"Well, you don't need to look. He's coming here. He will be here much sooner than you expect." The demon said.
"Like in a week soon?" Spike asked.
"Yes. Oh, and by the way, the name's Alan." The demon said, extending his hand.
Spike shook it, "Spike. Well, thanks for the info. Gotta go."
The demon watched Spike leave and then morphed into human form, "Alan Francis Doyle," the man said.
*****
Angel, Cordy and Wes were loading the car when Lorne arrived.
"Caught you guys at a bad time?" the Host asked.
"Well, yes." Wesley said. "Cordelia had a vision."
"Well good for you!" the Host said, speaking to Cordelia, "I know how it was getting to you."
"Lorne, is there something you came to talk to us about?" Angel asked.
"No. Not unless you want to talk about the pain and anguish of having my bar in ruins. No? Didn't think so." The Host said. "No. I'm here for the ride."
"What?" Angel asked.
"Hey. I don't make the rules, I just see the writing on the wall. And this graffiti was definitely telling me that I should go along with you guys. 'Cause you know the last time we took a road trip, it was just so much fun."
"Lorne, I don't think this is a good idea." Angel argued.
"I agree," Wesley said, "This looks like it could be some serious trouble."
"Yeah," Cordelia added, "So serious that Angels Vampire-Slayer-girlfriend- come-back-from-the-grave can't handle it."
Angel and Wesley glared at Cordelia.
"Oh, honey!" the Host said, looking at Angel, "You are so going to need me along on this one."
Angel got in the driver's seat. "Hey guys?" he called out, "It's already past sunset and we were supposed to leave an hour ago-if someone hadn't taken so long to pack."
"I'm sorry! I don't know how long we'll be there." Wesley said.
Lorne and Cordelia sat down in the backseat. Lorne pulled out a thermos.
"Ooh. Coffee? I've been up all day." Angel said.
Lorne opened the thermos and poured some of the contents into a Martini glass, "Martini anyone?"
Gunn and Fred, back at the hotel, sat looking around at the empty lobby.
"It's kinda quiet with them gone." Fred said.
"Yeah." Gunn said.
"Do you think they'll be okay?"
"What you mean the 'Rogue Demon Slayer,' the demon, the vampire and not to mention the Vampire Slayer? Yeah. I think they'll be okay." Gunn said.
"Oh." Fred said.
Silence.
"You wanna get some tacos?" asked Gunn.
"Alright!"
*****
Spike got to Buffy's house a little after sunset. He knocked on the door. "Come in, Spike!" Dawn called out to him. Spike opened the door and walked in. Dawn and Buffy were in the living room. Dawn was holding a big bowl of buttered popcorn.
"We're going to watch videos and chill, sound good to you?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah sure. But in no way am I watching 'Beaches' with you again." Spike answered back.
"Beaches? This day just keeps getting better and better." Buffy said, laughing.
"Shut up, Slayer. Hey, L'il Bit, did I leave any of my videos here?" Dawn nodded back.
"Ewww!" Buffy cried.
"Not those kind of videos, please, L'il Bit's here," Spike said through clenched teeth. He walked over to Buffy and whispered in her ear, "Although, if you want, when she's gone to bed-OW!" he yelped as Buffy punched him in the arm.
"I know," Dawn interjected, "we can watch 'Bram Stoker's Dracula'."
"NO!" Spike and Buffy said simultaneously. "Besides," Buffy added, "He looks nothing like Gary Oldman."
"No, I got the video thing taken care of," Spike announced, popping in a tape.
Dawn and Spike sat down on the couch. Buffy sat on the floor,
"Yay! FBI warning screen," Dawn said, "What? I like the little things. Wait, [reading] 'The Decline and Fall of Western Civilization: The Punk Years?' Puh-lease."
"It's a classic!" Spike said.
Twenty minutes later, Buffy was out like a light and began snoring.
"Who'd a guessed? The Slayer snores!" Spike cried out gleefully.
"Yeah! Mom used to tease her about it, 'Vampires beware, or I'll suck the drapes in on you!'" Dawn giggled. Then she got quiet.
"You guys don't do that much do you, talk about Joyce?" Spike asked.
"No. And I understand that. Buffy hasn't had as much time to deal with everything as I have. But it feels good, laughing at things Mom used to say. It makes it a little easier, to remember her like that."
"I remember the first time I met Joyce."
"Really? When was that?"
"Parent/Teacher night. She hit me over the head with an axe and said, 'Get the hell away from my daughter!'" Dawn snorted with laughter. "Careful," Spike said, "you sound like big sis!"
"Next time I met your mom, she was a lot nicer."
"Really? Was that when you were good? I mean when you had gotten the chip in your head?"
"No. It was when Angel was bad. I struck a bargain with big sis to let Dru and me live if I helped her against Angel."
"Yeah? What did Mom say?"
"She said, 'So, do you live around here?'" Dawn and Spike both burst out laughing.
"And then what happened?" Dawn asked. Buffy never told her the story.
"Well see it went like this. Angel and Dru still thought I was stuck in that wheelchair. But when Buffy showed up I jumped out and just started pounding on Angel. But then Dru got pi-irked with me, so I had to put her in a choke hold-like this." Spike grabbed Dawn by the neck, half-nelson style and started giving her the 'dry shampoo.' Dawn started crying she was laughing outside.
Through the window, it looked very different.
"He's got Dawn!" Angel said, slamming the car to a stop running to the house with the others in tow. "Oh, God! Buffy's out cold!"
"So then I said, 'Look I don't want to hurt you love, doesn't mean that I won't' and she dropped to the ground." Dawn dropped to the ground, pretending to be Drusilla.
Spike said, "Watch this! I'm going to wake The Snorer-uh-I mean, The Slayer!" Spike bent over Buffy.
"He's trying to eat Buffy!" Cordy whispered. Angel ran to the door.
Spike made a huge snort, bringing Buffy nearly out of sleep. Spike turned to Dawn and said, "Not bad for a guy who can't breathe-"
Angel had flown through the door and grabbed Spike by the neck, pushing him and holding him against the wall. "I am really going to enjoy killing you, Spike."
"Angel! What the hell are you doing?" Buffy cried out.
"Buffy! You're alive!" Cordelia shouted.
"Yes. I understand why it's big news. But what's with the welcoming party? And Angel, again, what the hell are you doing?"
"Killing Spike for trying to kill Dawn and you." Angel said, looking at Buffy. When his attention drifted, Spike reached up with both fists and boxed Angel in the ears. The pain made Angel drop his grip on Spike. Spike took this opportunity to start pummeling Angel. Angel came back, a little fazed from the ear-boxing, and swung out, connecting with Spike's jaw. Buffy rushed in between them and caught Spike's fist as it almost made contact with Angel's stomach. Angel, still enraged from what he had seen, and from the fight, kept coming at Spike. Buffy pushed him back, and Angel staggered back a few steps.
"Boy, am I liking this Gal!" the Host said.
"All right, can we keep the testosterone down to a simmer here, guys?" Buffy asked.
"He started it!" Spike said, pointing at Angel.
"Did not! You were strangling Dawn and trying to bite Buffy!" Angel shot back.
"Sod off you bloody poofter!" Spike yelled.
"Make me!"
"Okay, guys? Enough with the schoolyard taunts!" Buffy shouted.
"Angel? Again, I am going to ask 'What are you doing here?'"
"Yeah! What exactly do you think you're-OW-Slayer that hurt." Spike grimaced having been punched in the chest by Buffy.
Lorne grabbed the bowl of popcorn and sat on the couch, enjoying the show. Cordelia sat next to him.
"I knew I wasn't wrong in coming here." The Host said quietly.
"Yeah. I just wish Fred was here to see the saga unfold in person. Guess Wes and I get to play-act it out for her when we get back to LA." Cordelia said back.
"I heard that, Cordelia." Angel growled. Cordelia made a face at Angel's back. "I saw that, Cordelia."
Wesley stepped forward, "Buffy, I think I can explain. You see, Cordelia had a vision about you."
"Yes. And Spike was in it." Cordelia added.
"Oh. So you just assumed I had gotten my chip out and went all bad-ass again?" Spike asked.
"And?" Angel retorted.
"No. Nothing. Kind of flattered actually." Spike said casually.
"Spike!" Buffy said, shooting him a look that silenced him. "Okay, you, you and you I know. You [pointing to Lorne] I don't know."
The Host stood up, wiping crumbs from his hands and then reached out to shake Buffy's hand, "I'm Lorne. I'm a friend of the crew, professionally speaking." He turned to Dawn and said, "And you must be Dawn."
Buffy, tensed and grabbed Lorne by his lapels and pushed him against the wall. "How do you know her name? What are you doing here?"
"Buffy," Wesley called out, "Lorne is a friend. He's anagogic."
"What-a-what-ic?" Buffy asked.
"He's psychic, Buffy," Cordelia answered, "he reads people's auras when they sing."
"Only in LA." Spike muttered. Angel took a menacing step towards him.
"Enough, guys. Jeez!" Cordelia called out.
"Yeah. Really. Cause I can explain everything!" Dawn said.
"Really? I'd like to hear that." Buffy said. "Angel, you sit over there. And Spike-other side of the room. I'll clock the first one who starts anything."
Spike and Angel sat down, still eyeing each other. Cordy, Wes and Lorne sat down on the couch. Dawn and Buffy stood.
"Okay, see Spike and I were talking about Mom. About how funny she was. And Spike told me about the first two times he met Mom. Then he told me about how he helped you fight Angel.uh..us. But Angel, I think what you saw was Spike and I playacting about him and Drusilla fighting. See he had me in a chokehold [noticing Buffy's look] but he wasn't hurting me! He was giving me noogies. You know when you rub someone's head? Noogies." Dawn gasped out in one breath. Even Cordelia was impressed.
"So Spike wasn't hurting you, but he was trying to bite Buffy!" Cordelia shouted.
"Um.in fact that would be a no." Spike answered.
"Well what were you doing?" Wesley asked.
"I was just having a go at her." Spike answered. Angel nearly jumped out of his chair. But Buffy strode over and pushed him back down, it didn't keep her from glaring at Spike.
"No really. Just a joke. I leaned over and snorted really loud to wake you up!" Spike said defensively.
"And you did this why?" Buffy asked.
"Because you were snoring, duh!" Dawn said, exasperated.
"Sounded like a leaf-blower, really," Spike added.
"Okay, can I say something here without getting manhandled? No offense sweetie, but if Cordy here got a vision, then something must be wrong. Now I think we should let Cordy tell us all about it." The Host said.
"I do not snore." Buffy said, pouting.
"Do too." Spike replied.
"You do, Buffy." Angel added.
Buffy threw up her hands in disgust. "No winning here. Anyone mind if I change first?" And Buffy went upstairs.
Angel looked around, "Man, nothing is like I remember it!"
"Few extra roommates will do that-also never comin' round to visit doesn't help much either, does it?" Spike said to Angel.
"Spike, enough. Or I'll stake you myself." Cordelia said.
"Ooh, singing the Slayer's tune. Remind me to be afraid." Spike said.
Just then a demon burst into the living room.
"Bloody hell. Does anyone knock?" Spike shouted, then looking at the demon, said: "You!"
"You!" the demon snarled. In one blindingly fast move he grabbed Dawn and carried her out of the house.
"Dawn!" Spike roared. In an instant he was in game-face and rushing out the door.
"Buffy!" Cordelia called, "A Demon took Dawn!"
Buffy came running down the stairs. "And you all are standing here? Where's Spike?"
"Buffy, he took off after the guy." Angel said.
"Guy?" Buffy interrupted, "I thought you said it was a demon?"
"It was, it is. But Buffy, we know him!" Angel said.
"Angel?" Buffy said, deadly, "next time one of your visions tells you to come here and rescue me, do me a favor. Don't!"
"Buffy-" Angel protested.
"Not now!"
Spike came running in through the front door.
"Spike, where is Dawn?" Buffy asked, frantically.
"I don't know, love. I gave chase for a few blocks, when that demon just vanished. I don't know many demons that can do that." Spike said.
"That's just it. He's only half demon." Cordelia said.
"Yeah? What's the other half? Samantha Stevens?" Spike asked.
"Human." Angel answered.
"Buffy-that's Doyle." Cordelia said, "But, Doyle's dead."
*****
At the Magic Box Giles and Willow and Tara were sitting at a table.
"For this to be done properly, all those present during the spell need to be involved." Giles said.
"Giles, this ritual. Does it pose any risk to the spell we did? I mean, is there a chance the spell will be reversed because of it?" Tara asked.
"No, Tara. This is only a cleansing ritual. If, and I do mean if, there are dark forces still present as a result of this spell, then the ritual will locate them and remove them, thereby purifying you."
"Great, here comes the 'but' part." Willow said.
"But, Willow, since you were the invoker of the spell you're at highest risk for channeling any of the dark forces. Again, if there are forces present then Willow, you will be tested in much the same way the spell tested you."
"Oh honey, you can't do that again. Giles, why does a cleansing ritual need to test her strength?" Tara asked.
"It's not her physical or magical strength that is tested, Tara. It's her strength of character, for lack of a better term. Again, I cannot stress enough that this only happens in the cases where forces have remained." Giles replied.
"You mean, I have this darkness in me?" Willow asked, aghast.
"Inside? No." Giles answered, "It's a possible lingering effect of the spell. However, it might be attracted to you because of your powers as a witch. There is an upside to this, though."
"Really? What is it?" Tara asked.
"Willow, when you performed the spell, you felt very isolated from the group when you were tested, correct?" Giles asked.
Willow nodded.
"Well, if you are tested during the cleansing ritual, the others will be able to lend you their strength, because any forces will have to attach themselves to one person. Namely, the invoker of the spell." Giles said.
Everyone sat quietly for a moment before the phone rang. "I'll get it," Giles said.
"Hello? Oh hello, Buffy. What? Oh dear Lord."
Willow and Tara exchanged glances, 'Oh dear Lord' was never good.
"Yes. Absolutely, I'll call them right over. Yes, we'll all be here." Giles hung up the phone.
"Giles, what is it?" Willow asked, frightened.
"Someone's taken Dawn." Giles answered. Tara and Willow paled. "I need to call Xander and Anya."
The phone rang again. "Maybe it's Buffy and they've found Dawn!" Willow said hopefully.
"Hello?" Giles said. Giles went deathly white as the conversation went on. "An hour? Yes. Well we'll be here." Again Giles hung up the phone.
"Giles, was it Buffy?" Willow asked, alarmed at Giles' demeanor.
"What? Oh, no. Willow, I need to take a few minutes before Buffy gets here. Would you call Xander and Anya and tell them to come over immediately."
Tara and Willow exchanged looks as Willow walked to the phone to call Xander and Anya.
Giles poured himself a scotch and walked into the back.
to be continued....
Credits: All disclaimers were made in parts 1, 2 & 3-so I think that suffices.
Feeback: welcome-please-pretty please! pm or email: jarment@us.ibm.com
Wake and Rise, part five
Just before sundown, Spike ducked through the sewers to Willy's bar. Some of the demon clientele stayed away from the vamps, hence getting their drink on in the daylight hours. Maybe, if Spike was lucky, some drunk demon would be in a 'spill-their-heart' mood and cough up the details about this Gnothos demon.
Spike walked in and the temperature drop immediately.
"You're not welcome here," a particularly nasty Fyarl demon snarled at Spike.
"Oh yeah? Why's that?" Spike challenged back.
"You keep company with The Slayer", the Fyarl demon spat, "and you kill our kind."
"Yea, that's true," Spike said, almost jovially, then deadly, "so maybe you don't want to piss me off."
Willy cleared his throat and spoke up, "Um, guys? Look, there really isn't supposed to be any fighting in here."
"Oh, I'm not about to break your rules," Spike said, punching the Fyarl demon squarely in the jaw, "well, okay. You got me. I am."
The Fyarl demon swung back at Spike, knocking him through two tables. Spike staggered as he got up, seeing the demon come lunging in Spike swerved to avoid being knocked senseless. Out of nowhere a second demon, much smaller than the Fyarl took something out of its coat and stabbed the Fyarl through the back. The Fyarl demon slumped to the floor, dead.
Spike looked on amazed. "You come prepared?" pointing to the knife.
"Yeah, I do." The demon said, putting back his silver knife. As he opened his coat to do so, Spike noticed the wooden stake. Spike uncomfortably took a couple of steps back.
The demon stared for a moment at Spike. His face was covered in what seemed like thousands of spines-or needles. Spike thought it looked like that guy from the Hellraiser movies.
"So, you gonna stand there, or you gonna help me move this guy?" the demon asked.
"Uh, you seemed to be doing fine there by yourself." Spike said, still unsure of him.
"Oh. See, I thought you were looking for someone. So I thought you might help me get this guy outa here, and you could tell me who you're looking for. Maybe could help."
Spike stared at the demon but nevertheless began moving the dead Fyarl out back, being careful to avoid the sunlight. "So you new in Sunnydale?" Spike asked.
"Just got here yesterday." The demon answered.
"Well, Sunnydale isn't exactly the happenin' spot, you know, for demons." Spike said.
"Really? There's a hellmouth. Figured all the demons would be campin' out, having tailgate parties." the demon answered.
"Yeah, well, true. That's what lured me. But the Slayer's here. Don't want to mess with her." Spike said.
"Nah, don't figure that I would. But then again, I don't think she'd want to mess with me, either." The demon answered.
"You threatening her?" Spike asked.
"So the Fyarl demon was right. You are hangin' with the Slayer. Huh. Don't hear that one much.vampire and a vampire slayer."
"No, you don't." Spike said.
"Anyways, wasn't a threat. I am assimilated. Don't pose a threat-to people that is. Fyarl demons, that's another story." The demon said.
"And so you're hanging at Willy's for the atmosphere?" Spike asked.
"No. Saw you in a vision. I get those. I guess I am supposed to help you. You are the one looking for the Gnothos demon, right?" the demon asked.
"Yeah-"
"Well, you don't need to look. He's coming here. He will be here much sooner than you expect." The demon said.
"Like in a week soon?" Spike asked.
"Yes. Oh, and by the way, the name's Alan." The demon said, extending his hand.
Spike shook it, "Spike. Well, thanks for the info. Gotta go."
The demon watched Spike leave and then morphed into human form, "Alan Francis Doyle," the man said.
*****
Angel, Cordy and Wes were loading the car when Lorne arrived.
"Caught you guys at a bad time?" the Host asked.
"Well, yes." Wesley said. "Cordelia had a vision."
"Well good for you!" the Host said, speaking to Cordelia, "I know how it was getting to you."
"Lorne, is there something you came to talk to us about?" Angel asked.
"No. Not unless you want to talk about the pain and anguish of having my bar in ruins. No? Didn't think so." The Host said. "No. I'm here for the ride."
"What?" Angel asked.
"Hey. I don't make the rules, I just see the writing on the wall. And this graffiti was definitely telling me that I should go along with you guys. 'Cause you know the last time we took a road trip, it was just so much fun."
"Lorne, I don't think this is a good idea." Angel argued.
"I agree," Wesley said, "This looks like it could be some serious trouble."
"Yeah," Cordelia added, "So serious that Angels Vampire-Slayer-girlfriend- come-back-from-the-grave can't handle it."
Angel and Wesley glared at Cordelia.
"Oh, honey!" the Host said, looking at Angel, "You are so going to need me along on this one."
Angel got in the driver's seat. "Hey guys?" he called out, "It's already past sunset and we were supposed to leave an hour ago-if someone hadn't taken so long to pack."
"I'm sorry! I don't know how long we'll be there." Wesley said.
Lorne and Cordelia sat down in the backseat. Lorne pulled out a thermos.
"Ooh. Coffee? I've been up all day." Angel said.
Lorne opened the thermos and poured some of the contents into a Martini glass, "Martini anyone?"
Gunn and Fred, back at the hotel, sat looking around at the empty lobby.
"It's kinda quiet with them gone." Fred said.
"Yeah." Gunn said.
"Do you think they'll be okay?"
"What you mean the 'Rogue Demon Slayer,' the demon, the vampire and not to mention the Vampire Slayer? Yeah. I think they'll be okay." Gunn said.
"Oh." Fred said.
Silence.
"You wanna get some tacos?" asked Gunn.
"Alright!"
*****
Spike got to Buffy's house a little after sunset. He knocked on the door. "Come in, Spike!" Dawn called out to him. Spike opened the door and walked in. Dawn and Buffy were in the living room. Dawn was holding a big bowl of buttered popcorn.
"We're going to watch videos and chill, sound good to you?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah sure. But in no way am I watching 'Beaches' with you again." Spike answered back.
"Beaches? This day just keeps getting better and better." Buffy said, laughing.
"Shut up, Slayer. Hey, L'il Bit, did I leave any of my videos here?" Dawn nodded back.
"Ewww!" Buffy cried.
"Not those kind of videos, please, L'il Bit's here," Spike said through clenched teeth. He walked over to Buffy and whispered in her ear, "Although, if you want, when she's gone to bed-OW!" he yelped as Buffy punched him in the arm.
"I know," Dawn interjected, "we can watch 'Bram Stoker's Dracula'."
"NO!" Spike and Buffy said simultaneously. "Besides," Buffy added, "He looks nothing like Gary Oldman."
"No, I got the video thing taken care of," Spike announced, popping in a tape.
Dawn and Spike sat down on the couch. Buffy sat on the floor,
"Yay! FBI warning screen," Dawn said, "What? I like the little things. Wait, [reading] 'The Decline and Fall of Western Civilization: The Punk Years?' Puh-lease."
"It's a classic!" Spike said.
Twenty minutes later, Buffy was out like a light and began snoring.
"Who'd a guessed? The Slayer snores!" Spike cried out gleefully.
"Yeah! Mom used to tease her about it, 'Vampires beware, or I'll suck the drapes in on you!'" Dawn giggled. Then she got quiet.
"You guys don't do that much do you, talk about Joyce?" Spike asked.
"No. And I understand that. Buffy hasn't had as much time to deal with everything as I have. But it feels good, laughing at things Mom used to say. It makes it a little easier, to remember her like that."
"I remember the first time I met Joyce."
"Really? When was that?"
"Parent/Teacher night. She hit me over the head with an axe and said, 'Get the hell away from my daughter!'" Dawn snorted with laughter. "Careful," Spike said, "you sound like big sis!"
"Next time I met your mom, she was a lot nicer."
"Really? Was that when you were good? I mean when you had gotten the chip in your head?"
"No. It was when Angel was bad. I struck a bargain with big sis to let Dru and me live if I helped her against Angel."
"Yeah? What did Mom say?"
"She said, 'So, do you live around here?'" Dawn and Spike both burst out laughing.
"And then what happened?" Dawn asked. Buffy never told her the story.
"Well see it went like this. Angel and Dru still thought I was stuck in that wheelchair. But when Buffy showed up I jumped out and just started pounding on Angel. But then Dru got pi-irked with me, so I had to put her in a choke hold-like this." Spike grabbed Dawn by the neck, half-nelson style and started giving her the 'dry shampoo.' Dawn started crying she was laughing outside.
Through the window, it looked very different.
"He's got Dawn!" Angel said, slamming the car to a stop running to the house with the others in tow. "Oh, God! Buffy's out cold!"
"So then I said, 'Look I don't want to hurt you love, doesn't mean that I won't' and she dropped to the ground." Dawn dropped to the ground, pretending to be Drusilla.
Spike said, "Watch this! I'm going to wake The Snorer-uh-I mean, The Slayer!" Spike bent over Buffy.
"He's trying to eat Buffy!" Cordy whispered. Angel ran to the door.
Spike made a huge snort, bringing Buffy nearly out of sleep. Spike turned to Dawn and said, "Not bad for a guy who can't breathe-"
Angel had flown through the door and grabbed Spike by the neck, pushing him and holding him against the wall. "I am really going to enjoy killing you, Spike."
"Angel! What the hell are you doing?" Buffy cried out.
"Buffy! You're alive!" Cordelia shouted.
"Yes. I understand why it's big news. But what's with the welcoming party? And Angel, again, what the hell are you doing?"
"Killing Spike for trying to kill Dawn and you." Angel said, looking at Buffy. When his attention drifted, Spike reached up with both fists and boxed Angel in the ears. The pain made Angel drop his grip on Spike. Spike took this opportunity to start pummeling Angel. Angel came back, a little fazed from the ear-boxing, and swung out, connecting with Spike's jaw. Buffy rushed in between them and caught Spike's fist as it almost made contact with Angel's stomach. Angel, still enraged from what he had seen, and from the fight, kept coming at Spike. Buffy pushed him back, and Angel staggered back a few steps.
"Boy, am I liking this Gal!" the Host said.
"All right, can we keep the testosterone down to a simmer here, guys?" Buffy asked.
"He started it!" Spike said, pointing at Angel.
"Did not! You were strangling Dawn and trying to bite Buffy!" Angel shot back.
"Sod off you bloody poofter!" Spike yelled.
"Make me!"
"Okay, guys? Enough with the schoolyard taunts!" Buffy shouted.
"Angel? Again, I am going to ask 'What are you doing here?'"
"Yeah! What exactly do you think you're-OW-Slayer that hurt." Spike grimaced having been punched in the chest by Buffy.
Lorne grabbed the bowl of popcorn and sat on the couch, enjoying the show. Cordelia sat next to him.
"I knew I wasn't wrong in coming here." The Host said quietly.
"Yeah. I just wish Fred was here to see the saga unfold in person. Guess Wes and I get to play-act it out for her when we get back to LA." Cordelia said back.
"I heard that, Cordelia." Angel growled. Cordelia made a face at Angel's back. "I saw that, Cordelia."
Wesley stepped forward, "Buffy, I think I can explain. You see, Cordelia had a vision about you."
"Yes. And Spike was in it." Cordelia added.
"Oh. So you just assumed I had gotten my chip out and went all bad-ass again?" Spike asked.
"And?" Angel retorted.
"No. Nothing. Kind of flattered actually." Spike said casually.
"Spike!" Buffy said, shooting him a look that silenced him. "Okay, you, you and you I know. You [pointing to Lorne] I don't know."
The Host stood up, wiping crumbs from his hands and then reached out to shake Buffy's hand, "I'm Lorne. I'm a friend of the crew, professionally speaking." He turned to Dawn and said, "And you must be Dawn."
Buffy, tensed and grabbed Lorne by his lapels and pushed him against the wall. "How do you know her name? What are you doing here?"
"Buffy," Wesley called out, "Lorne is a friend. He's anagogic."
"What-a-what-ic?" Buffy asked.
"He's psychic, Buffy," Cordelia answered, "he reads people's auras when they sing."
"Only in LA." Spike muttered. Angel took a menacing step towards him.
"Enough, guys. Jeez!" Cordelia called out.
"Yeah. Really. Cause I can explain everything!" Dawn said.
"Really? I'd like to hear that." Buffy said. "Angel, you sit over there. And Spike-other side of the room. I'll clock the first one who starts anything."
Spike and Angel sat down, still eyeing each other. Cordy, Wes and Lorne sat down on the couch. Dawn and Buffy stood.
"Okay, see Spike and I were talking about Mom. About how funny she was. And Spike told me about the first two times he met Mom. Then he told me about how he helped you fight Angel.uh..us. But Angel, I think what you saw was Spike and I playacting about him and Drusilla fighting. See he had me in a chokehold [noticing Buffy's look] but he wasn't hurting me! He was giving me noogies. You know when you rub someone's head? Noogies." Dawn gasped out in one breath. Even Cordelia was impressed.
"So Spike wasn't hurting you, but he was trying to bite Buffy!" Cordelia shouted.
"Um.in fact that would be a no." Spike answered.
"Well what were you doing?" Wesley asked.
"I was just having a go at her." Spike answered. Angel nearly jumped out of his chair. But Buffy strode over and pushed him back down, it didn't keep her from glaring at Spike.
"No really. Just a joke. I leaned over and snorted really loud to wake you up!" Spike said defensively.
"And you did this why?" Buffy asked.
"Because you were snoring, duh!" Dawn said, exasperated.
"Sounded like a leaf-blower, really," Spike added.
"Okay, can I say something here without getting manhandled? No offense sweetie, but if Cordy here got a vision, then something must be wrong. Now I think we should let Cordy tell us all about it." The Host said.
"I do not snore." Buffy said, pouting.
"Do too." Spike replied.
"You do, Buffy." Angel added.
Buffy threw up her hands in disgust. "No winning here. Anyone mind if I change first?" And Buffy went upstairs.
Angel looked around, "Man, nothing is like I remember it!"
"Few extra roommates will do that-also never comin' round to visit doesn't help much either, does it?" Spike said to Angel.
"Spike, enough. Or I'll stake you myself." Cordelia said.
"Ooh, singing the Slayer's tune. Remind me to be afraid." Spike said.
Just then a demon burst into the living room.
"Bloody hell. Does anyone knock?" Spike shouted, then looking at the demon, said: "You!"
"You!" the demon snarled. In one blindingly fast move he grabbed Dawn and carried her out of the house.
"Dawn!" Spike roared. In an instant he was in game-face and rushing out the door.
"Buffy!" Cordelia called, "A Demon took Dawn!"
Buffy came running down the stairs. "And you all are standing here? Where's Spike?"
"Buffy, he took off after the guy." Angel said.
"Guy?" Buffy interrupted, "I thought you said it was a demon?"
"It was, it is. But Buffy, we know him!" Angel said.
"Angel?" Buffy said, deadly, "next time one of your visions tells you to come here and rescue me, do me a favor. Don't!"
"Buffy-" Angel protested.
"Not now!"
Spike came running in through the front door.
"Spike, where is Dawn?" Buffy asked, frantically.
"I don't know, love. I gave chase for a few blocks, when that demon just vanished. I don't know many demons that can do that." Spike said.
"That's just it. He's only half demon." Cordelia said.
"Yeah? What's the other half? Samantha Stevens?" Spike asked.
"Human." Angel answered.
"Buffy-that's Doyle." Cordelia said, "But, Doyle's dead."
*****
At the Magic Box Giles and Willow and Tara were sitting at a table.
"For this to be done properly, all those present during the spell need to be involved." Giles said.
"Giles, this ritual. Does it pose any risk to the spell we did? I mean, is there a chance the spell will be reversed because of it?" Tara asked.
"No, Tara. This is only a cleansing ritual. If, and I do mean if, there are dark forces still present as a result of this spell, then the ritual will locate them and remove them, thereby purifying you."
"Great, here comes the 'but' part." Willow said.
"But, Willow, since you were the invoker of the spell you're at highest risk for channeling any of the dark forces. Again, if there are forces present then Willow, you will be tested in much the same way the spell tested you."
"Oh honey, you can't do that again. Giles, why does a cleansing ritual need to test her strength?" Tara asked.
"It's not her physical or magical strength that is tested, Tara. It's her strength of character, for lack of a better term. Again, I cannot stress enough that this only happens in the cases where forces have remained." Giles replied.
"You mean, I have this darkness in me?" Willow asked, aghast.
"Inside? No." Giles answered, "It's a possible lingering effect of the spell. However, it might be attracted to you because of your powers as a witch. There is an upside to this, though."
"Really? What is it?" Tara asked.
"Willow, when you performed the spell, you felt very isolated from the group when you were tested, correct?" Giles asked.
Willow nodded.
"Well, if you are tested during the cleansing ritual, the others will be able to lend you their strength, because any forces will have to attach themselves to one person. Namely, the invoker of the spell." Giles said.
Everyone sat quietly for a moment before the phone rang. "I'll get it," Giles said.
"Hello? Oh hello, Buffy. What? Oh dear Lord."
Willow and Tara exchanged glances, 'Oh dear Lord' was never good.
"Yes. Absolutely, I'll call them right over. Yes, we'll all be here." Giles hung up the phone.
"Giles, what is it?" Willow asked, frightened.
"Someone's taken Dawn." Giles answered. Tara and Willow paled. "I need to call Xander and Anya."
The phone rang again. "Maybe it's Buffy and they've found Dawn!" Willow said hopefully.
"Hello?" Giles said. Giles went deathly white as the conversation went on. "An hour? Yes. Well we'll be here." Again Giles hung up the phone.
"Giles, was it Buffy?" Willow asked, alarmed at Giles' demeanor.
"What? Oh, no. Willow, I need to take a few minutes before Buffy gets here. Would you call Xander and Anya and tell them to come over immediately."
Tara and Willow exchanged looks as Willow walked to the phone to call Xander and Anya.
Giles poured himself a scotch and walked into the back.
to be continued....
