By Night - Chapter Twelve

by Angel Eternal aka Angeline

email: spikes_angel01@yahoo.com.au

Website: In Dreams and Shadows
http://www.geocities.com/spikes_angel01/index.html

Rating: R

Pairings: Primarily S/B, but also has W/T and X/A

Summary: Secrets revealed have a disastrous aftermath, amidst all the hurt and confusion, a dark being roams,
finally freed from it's prison

Author's Notes: This is set S6, and is loosely based on spoilers concerning the season. I just want to point out
though that I haven't seen S6 and won't for a while, so if things aren't quite right, you'd know why. I also wanted
to thank all the people who've left me such awesome reviews! Thanks, you guys make it easier to write =D

Distribution: "In Dreams and Shadows", "Shadow Borne", "Shelby's and Erin's Place" and at FF.net but it you want to
archive it go ahead, but just let me know first - I kinda like to know where it's going, and plus I find out about more
S/B shipper sites! ::grins::

Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several companies and God knows who else.
One thing is certain - I don't own any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!






"Buffy! I'm back!" Willow set her box of things down on the floor, Spike closed the door behind her.

"Buffy?" she peered into the living room, "Hmm, she's probably asleep. Guess you were wrong about the
staying up bit huh?"

But Spike was frowning, his brow furrowed in concentration, his senses reaching out and searching the house.

Willow noticed his stillness. "Spike?"

His eyes snapped back to her, "She's not here."

Willow frowned, unsure if she heard him right. "What? Buffy's not here?"

Spike nodded, immediately concerned. He knew for a fact that Buffy would never willingly leave Dawn alone
in the house, even if the teen was asleep.

Willow had run up the stairs, and she now came back, panting, "You're right, she's not in her room."

Spike strode into the kitchen, eyes scanning the area and noting the cartoon of milk on the counter and the
still full glass of milk.

Willow walked over the door, immediately noting that it was slightly ajar.

She and Spike exchanged glances, both bolting into action.

Willow ran for the phone, quickly dialling Xander's number. Spike strode over the weapon's chest, pulling out
assorted weaponry.

Xander sleepily answered.

"Xander? Is Buffy there?"

Xander bolted upwards, immediately knowing something was wrong, "Buffy? No, she's not here. What's
happened Wills?"

Willow shook her head, now worried, "I don't know yet, you got her and Dawn home ok right?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"She's not here now." she shot a glance at Spike, who gestured for the phone, "Xander, here's Spike."

"Xander? Listen up, I'm gonna go do a quick patrol around the area, making sure that the Slayer hadn't just
wandered off, then I'll meet up with you at the cemetery alright?"

Xander was already struggling into clothing, and searching for shoes, "Sure, you got it - which cemetery?"

"My one, give me about an hour." With that he hung up and turned to Willow, "You gonna be ok here?"

Willow nodded, "Yeah, sure."

Hoping that Buffy was just taking a stroll, Spike strode out, nevertheless tucking a crossbow beneath his arm.


* * *


"I don't think you should do this."

One sleek eyebrow rose as she studied the blonde witch, "Me? When did this suddenly became a one-woman
gig? I thought you were in this as well Tara."

Tara fidgeted, "Listen to me Anya, yeah I'm angry, but anger passes. I still love Willow, I don't know if she still
feels the same about me, but I'd sure like to be reasonable. This," she gestured, indicating their surroundings.
"This isn't reasonable Anya."

Anya snorted, "When has life ever got to do with reason? You saw how they were Tara! All snuggling and happy.
They used us!" she studied Tara's face, "Ok fine, if you don't want in on it, that's fine. Go ahead. Run back to
Willow, just don't blame me if she turns you into a toad."

Tara sighed, and sat next to Anya, "You don't want to do this. You know you don't."

Anya's hands, which held a bilious green potion, stilled.

Taking her chance, Tara plunged ahead, "You loved Xander - you still love him. Can you look me in the eye and
tell me you want to hurt him?"

Keeping her head bent, Anya concentrated on her potion, "Yes."

But Tara wouldn't have any of that, "Look at me Anya."

Anya looked up, unwilling to show the tears glistening in her eyes or the quivering of her lower lip. "Yes."

She dropped the last ingredient in, relishing the bubbles that poured forth. She dipped one finger into the
concoction, slowly spreading the liquid on her lips. Once done, she quickly washed her finger.

Tara stood, watching her with sad eyes and unsure what to do.


* * *


Xander scanned the streets as he walked, intently looking for the petite Slayer. He tried telling himself that
Buffy could face anything, but he couldn't stop the ice-cold finger of fear from touching his heart.

His shoulders slumped within his jacket as he fought off the chills of the night. He saw a movement ahead of him,
and he slowed walking, instantly snapping to attention.

He reached the corner and peered around it cautiously, he let out his breath when he saw who was leaning on
the wall. "Anya."

Xander walked quickly to her side, "Anya, you haven't seen Buffy have you? What are you doing out here at this
time?"

Anya's eyes narrowed, not answering him, she reached upwards to clasp his neck and bring his head down.
She pressed her lips to his, not giving him a chance to pull away.

Xander's eyes widened, his arms instantly reaching out to envelop her before he slumped downwards.


* * *


Spike paced, there was no sign of Buffy anywhere near her house. As if it wasn't enough, he had been prowling
the cemetery for well over two hours now and there was also no sign of Xander.

The sun was beginning its daily crawl upwards, and Spike was going out of his mind. He couldn't stop to admire
a sight that he hadn't seen for over a century.

He had called Willow only ten minutes ago, and was tempted to call back again despite the sleepy witch's
assurances that she would call the second Buffy stepped through the door.

He was now beyond mere worry, he was damned near frantic. He kept trying to tell himself that the Slayer could
handle anything that was thrown at her, but he knew better then anyone else that the Slayer was not invincible.

Spike did one more lap of the cemetery, this one more uneventful then the last as the sun finally burst through
and shone it's first rays down on the earth, transforming the cemetery from a scene from a third-rate horror movie
to simple normality.

He headed back to the house, wanting to be there when Dawn awoke to find her sister missing.


* * *


Buffy awoke with a groan, every inch of her body feeling stiff and tense. Awareness crept in slowly, and it took
her a moment to realise that she was strapped to a cold wall.

With a gasp, her head jerked up as she tried in vain to pull free. Metal bit into her skin, the clank of chains
ringing in her ears. She took note of her surroundings, noting that she wasn't in a crypt. Probably in an abandoned
warehouse, she thought wryly. That was the thing about vampires. No originality.

From the sunlight creeping in from the windows, she knew that she spent sometime out of it.

Memories dimly returned, and her eyes frantically sought out her captor, hoping against hope that it was all a
dream. She couldn't believe that Spike would...

"Did you have a pleasant sleep, Slayer?"

He hung in the shadows, yellow eyes fixed intently on her. She would know that voice anywhere, she had
heard if often enough, whispering in her ear, awake or not. "Spike, what are you doing?"

Something was wrong - something she couldn't put her finger on.

He smiled, it sent chills down her spine, it was a smile that she had not seen in a long time. The feral twisting of
his lips, the hungry gleam in his eyes; was a sight that she had hoped never to see again. She couldn't help but
shrink against the wall.

"So Slayer..." his husky voice reverberated around the empty warehouse. "Wanna play?"


* * *


Dawn bounded down the stairs, "Morning Willow."

Willow, who had her head on table, suddenly jerked upright, "Dawn! Morning..."

Dawn frowned at her, noting the dark circles under Willow's eyes made more pronounced by the pasty
whiteness of her skin. She poured juice into a glass, "Are you ok Wills?"

Willow forced a smile, "Fine? Of course I'm fine! I mean, why wouldn't I be? Fine that is."

Dawn's eyebrow rose, "Whatever. Where's..."

Before she could finish the question, the backdoor swung open and Spike walked in. Dawn grinned, pleased to
see him. "Spike! Good morning!"

Spike grinned back at her, "Morning Bit."

Dawn leaned forward eagerly, "Spike, since Buffy won't tell me a thing, and Willow," she shot a glance at the
red-haired witch, who blinked at her in surprise, "Probably won't say anything too..." she trailed off, studying
Willow intently, "Then again, she might not be the best person to ask..."

Willow and Spike exchanged confused glances; Spike waved his hand in front of Dawn's face, snapping her
back to attention. "Ask me what sweet Bit?"

Dawn flashed him her most beguiling smile, "How do I kiss a boy?"

Spike's and Willow's jaw dropped open in surprise.

"Wh...wha...?" Spike stuttered, of all the questions that she could have asked, that was the very last one that Spike
ever expected to hear from her.

Dawn continued, seemingly oblivious to their flabbergasted expressions, "You know, how should I do it? The
finer points that is. How would I know if he likes it? And god! What do I do with my hands?"

Spike couldn't seem to do anything but stare at Dawn as if she had grown another head and said head was
sprouting gibberish.

Willow caught sight of his expression, and couldn't help but giggle at the sight of the blonde, completely
flattened by the eager teen, leaning over the counter with an avid expression.

Spike's eyes narrowed, "Are you asking me because of that ponce last night? Why the hell aren't you asking
big sis all this rot? And what the bloody hell do you mean 'do with your hands'???"

Willow burst out laughing, which earned her a glare from both Spike and Dawn.

Dawn transferred her glare from Willow to Spike, "He is not a ponce, his name is Robert, and he's perfect.
I told you, I'm not asking Buffy 'all this rot' because I already tried and she walloped me with a pillow."

Spike opened his mouth, but Dawn sensing she wouldn't get anything out of him, dismissed him and turned
to Willow, "That reminds me, where is that sister of mine anyway?

"Buffy?" Willow managed to squeak out of a throat that seemed to have closed in on her. She glanced at Spike.

Dawn rolled her eyes, "What? Did I have another one chained in the basement?"

Spike and Willow exchanged another series of glances, an action that didn't escape Dawn's notice.

Spike quickly answered, "She's still out pet, really messy demon slayage last night, slimy and all."

"Uh-huh." Dawn replied sceptically, "So where is she now?"

"Uh..." another exchange of glances, "Cleaning up at Xander's. Closet place and all."

Dawn's sceptic gaze flicked between Spike and Willow, noting the exhaustion on Willow's face and the uneasiness
in Spike's. "Whatever."

She picked up her bag and walked out.

The minute, she was sure that Dawn was out of earshot, Willow turned to Spike, "So? No sign of Buffy or
Xander?"

Spike shook his head.

Willow fidgeted, clearly worried. "Oh god Spike, what could have happened to them?"

Spike raked his hand through his hair, "I don't know Wills, but I think that other...thing has got something to do
with it."

Willow studied him, knowing immediately what he referred to. "You don't think it's a vampire? Or an imitor?"

"Hell no!" Spike started to pace the length of the kitchen. "There's something about it, trust me to know my own
kind Willow, and as for it being an imitor...nah, we kind of disproved that theory remember?"

"What now Spike?" she asked the question so quietly, that Spike almost didn't hear her.

He grimaced, "We keep looking."

Willow squared her shoulders, "I'll see what I can do."

Spike glanced at her, and saw the steely set of her jaw. He had seen that look of determination on her face
before, he knew he shouldn't encourage her in her use of magic, but didn't think that now was an appropriate
time to talk about it. He could only hope that Willow wouldn't succumb to the dark lure of magic.


* * *


Buffy sneered at her captor, everything clicking into place, "What's the matter Spikey? Afraid to play in the sun?"
She gasped, eyes wide, "But wait! Should I just call you Demon?"

He growled at her, restricted by the sunlight that poured in.

Buffy smiled sweetly at him, "Really, monster, after what? Centuries of existence, you can't even pick a good
lair?" she sniffed delicately, grimacing at her surroundings, "I mean really! For one, the decor...or should I say
lack of? The warehouse thing is just so last decade! What about all the sunlight? What about your allergy? Or
did you forget about it? Getting senile in your old age?"

He hissed at her, "Just you wait Slayer, the sun won't protect you for long."

A shrill scream pierced the air, Buffy's head snapped towards the direction of the sound.

He smiled at her nastily, "Hear that Slayer?"

"Buffy! Oh God...Help me! Buffy!" it was the broken sobbing of a voice that Buffy knew too well.

"Dawn?!" Buffy called out, then she glared at the creature lurking in the shadows, "It's a lie, an illusion. It's
not going to work."

"Oh you think so?" his malicious grin was punctured by another scream of a body in agony.

Buffy closed her eyes, but that just made it worse. She could almost see her sister, being tortured, blood dripping
from a lacerated wound. She snapped her eyes open again, and glared at the demon. "It's not going to work."

He chuckled, but there was no mirth in it, "Ah my dear, I have all day - do you?"

Buffy shuddered.



~To be continued~