By Night - Chapter Fourteen

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, that's my excuse.
This was a particularly difficult chapter for me to write as everything is coming together well...read on.

Distribution: If 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 consoled herself with the knowledge that her friends were coming - there was no way that they wouldn't
search for her. For weeks, she saw their paranoia - so unwilling were they to let her slip from their lives again.
They would come for her - Spike would come for her. Of that she was certain.

So where the hell were they?

She could see them bursting in, all heroic, and herself simply glaring at them, and yelling at them for taking so long.
The image almost made her giggle. She sensed the demon's presence in the room again, but before she could raise her own head, he grabbed her hair, and hauled her head up.

He leered down at her, and Buffy gritted her teeth, as he cruelly grasped her hair. She looked into his demonic
eyes, and clearly saw his intention.

Desperately, she tugged on the chains as a shaft of moonlight illuminated the monster as his fangs descended upon
her.

A cry of pain escaped her lips before she could stifle it.

Buffy was no stranger to a vampire's kiss - but this was different. Angel had drunk from her in desperate need,
yet it was coupled with halting gentleness. Dracula had her in his thrall, his intent to seduce. Both times had brought
Buffy shameful pleasure that she refused to think of. Both times had been erotic in their own fashion.

This was different.

This creature drunk from her heeding the animalistic call to feed. There was no love, or simple desire in the act,
but a gross violence. It was carnal lust that made the animal ground his hips into hers.

She was completely unaware of the hot tears that had sprung into her eyes and slid down her cheek.

She was unaware when the creature finally pulled away from her, but she dimly heard him whisper into the night,
calling to Spike.

Buffy mercifully slipped into unconsciousness, her last thought was of Spike...who would come, and ironically free
her from the darkness that engulfed her.


* * *


Willow stood in the deserted road, chilled to the bone, and fervently wishing that she hadn't turned down Spike's
offer of a ride. But this had to be done. There was no other way.

Willow gathered herself, and prepared for the jump.

Energy filled her as once more her head was thrown back, and the single word 'Jump' hissed from her mouth.

Willow teetered on her feet as soon as she touched down on the ground, but she quickly regrouped.

She scanned the scene before her, uncertainty, settling in.

Xander and Tara were imprisoned in separate cells, while Anya tended to something.

The stench of whatever she was making filled the small room. As the stench penetrated into her brain, the enormity
of the situation hit her. This was Anya.

Anya; who loved Xander completely and utterly. Anya; who had made Xander so happy. Anya; who was
to be Xander's wife.

Anya - who Willow had envied so fiercely.

But that jealousy which had consumed her, had long since passed as Willow accepted Anya's part in Xander's
life. Not even Buffy had threatened the bond between Willow and Xander as Anya had. That was how Willow
knew that Anya belonged to Xander, and Xander belonged to Anya.

Among the twisted love lives that she and her friends had lived, Willow had hoped that Xander at least would find
that happiness which seemed to have eluded all of them.

Now the happiness lay in tatters. Xander was in a cage while his ex attempted to recapture her demonic aspect.

"Anya!"

Anya spun around, eyes widening when she saw Willow. She shot an accusing glance towards Tara.
"You did this!"

Tara remained silent, but refused to meet Willow's probing gaze.

Willow attempted to appeal to Anya, not wanting this to go any further, "Anya just let them go..."

Anya's eyes narrowed, "You've got nothing to worry about Willow - I'm not going to hurt your lovers."

The implication of that comment, bowled Willow over - her lovers?

"Anya..."

Anya turned to Xander, "Advoco! Fumidus itaque solis! D'Hoffren, I call on you as witness!"

Smoke filled the room, and for a precious moment, Willow was blinded.

The smoke cleared, and Willow found herself wishing that it hadn't. She was uncomfortably familiar with
the demon that stood before them. He reminded her of one of her more embarrassing magical fiascos, which
until this day was still referred to as *that* time.

The demon D'Hoffren waved the lingering smoke out of his face, his gaze focusing on Anya. "Really Anyanka!
We could have done without the effects you know."

Anya shrugged, "I always liked the smoke, gives it that mystical appearance."

"Indeed." he drawled, then his eye fell on Willow, "Well, well, I remember you. Feisty little red-head with a
gift. Did you change your mind girl? I meant what I said last time you know. You have the right touch for the
vengeance business." his gaze slid back to appraise Anya. "Much better then some."

Willow's back snapped straight. "And like I told you before D'Hoffren, no deal."

D'Hoffren regarded her, "Oh my, you have grown into your powers haven't you? My dear, I can tell you've
tasted the heady potion known as power - I can give you more."

"Hey!" Anya snapped her fingers, calling attention to herself. "I called you Hoff - not her. Listen up."

The demon sighed, and turned to her, with the air of infinite patience. "What now Anyanka?"

Anya drew herself up to her full height, "I'm ready to resume my former life."

D'Hoffren stilled, "Anyanka, my darling. You were stripped of your powers; it wasn't your choice. What
makes you think I'll give them back to you willy-nilly?"

Anya stared into his eyes, "You're not fooling me Hoff. You've been watching. You've seen, my love and
devotion for a creature that I have a for a thousand years punished. A creature I had considered to be the
vilest of creations. I have fallen utterly in love with a man."

D'Hoffren nodded, acknowledging the truth in her words, and urging her to go on.

"Now, I ask for my powers back by wreaking vengeance on the man I loved."

D'Hoffren was silent for a moment, regarding to former vengeance demon. "Anyanka. This is a serious thing
you ask. I can only grant it, if you can prove that you are able to resume your duties. Mere warts won't
cut the job."

Anya drew in a deep breath, "I know, and that's why I prepared the Mortisento."

"You lied!" It was the first time Tara had spoken, and all eyes focused on her. "You lied Anya, you said
you wouldn't hurt him."

"And you said you wouldn't interfere!" Anya shot back.

Willow walked forward, "You don't think I'll let you do this do you Anya?"

Anya turned to stare at her, "You little conniving witch. Do you honestly think I can't match you?"

Willow's chin tilted upwards, "You never could."

D'Hoffren clapped his hands excitedly as he sidled up to Xander, "Oh, isn't this just exciting? A witch battle!
Doesn't get any better then this. Much more entertaining then spats between normal women. Personally my money's
on Anyanka."

Xander felt sick to his stomach, watching helplessly as Willow and Anya faced each other.


* * *


The motor hummed beneath him, rumbling like predatory cat. It was one of the reasons why he loved this bike,
it called to the hunger within him that had nothing to do with the demon, but everything to do with the man.

Spike wanted to slow down, take time to think. Everything was happening too fast for him to assimilate anything.

The knowledge that he was finally free, free from the demon that lurked within mad e him feel so light. The world
had suddenly seemed to radiate with a lustre that he remembered from a century before.

He could live again. Take back the life that he had so callously thrown aside in the throes of supposed grief. He
had accepted Drusilla's dark embrace, because at the time there was nothing else for him.

Life was his again.

But that life couldn't begin without a golden girl by his side.

A pain stabbed him deep in his gut; he almost lost control of the bike. Gathering himself, Spike regained control
of the bike.

He didn't know what the hell that was, but instinctively he knew it was Buffy.

His Buffy was hurting.

Spike gunned the motor, his desperation to get to Buffy mounting.

He wasn't lying when he told Willow that he knew precisely where his demon would take Buffy. That creature
was too predictable, and Spike wondered if the demon was counting on him to come.

Spike slowed as he reached the abandoned warehouse. How often had he prowled this very place with Drusilla,
loving it for the sheer ramshackle condition of the place. Drusilla had laughed and said it was a real fixer-upper,
she had gleefully spun around the room, pausing to examine a wall. Spike could still see Dru, spinning around,
and plastering herself on the wall, a beautiful smile making her look sweetly innocent. She had laughed and asked
him if she could have a baby girl tacked up on that very wall.

The memory made him shudder, as he dismounted, and silently made his way to a window.

The sight that greeted his gaze hit him straight in the gut, and he clutched at his stomach unconsciously as he stared.

At the very wall that Drusilla had so alluringly draped herself on, Buffy was chained.

The image hit him hard in the gut, and he didn't know how to take it.

He remembered drawing his dark princess away, whispering in her ear that they would chain another girl on
another wall, but not this one. He remembered vividly, Drusilla's knowing smile as she whispered in his ear
that a baby girl would be chained to this wall.

Buffy was unconscious, the chains cruelly holding her upright, her golden head bowed.

As Spike watched, he saw a shadowy figure walk towards her, reaching out to trace a finger down her cheek,
and blood trickled down her neck.

Fury unlike anything he had ever known filled him, and Spike did the only thing he could do. He crashed through
the window.

Glass tumbled off his shoulders in a gentle tinkling music as he rose to his full height. His blue eyes were
uncommonly bright as he stared at the demon.

"Get away from her." his voice shook with the fury that was consuming him.

The demon turned slowly, his lips stretching into a feral grin. "Spike - my better half, you finally made it."

All Spike could see was the blood trickling down Buffy's neck, to stain her once immaculately white blouse.
How could he have been so blind? "What did you do, you bastard?"

The demon smirked, "What you've wanted to do all this time and never had the balls to!" He leaned over to
wipe the blood off Buffy's neck. He stared at the blood that coated his finger, slowly, savouring the flavour he
licked off the heady elixir. "You really should've been there - when I finally made her mine."

The demon lifted her golden hair to reveal the two neat punctures on Buffy's neck, precisely covering any
previous marks. "She's mine Spike - never Angelus' or Dracula's. The taste of her, can you imagine..."
He paused, tearing his gaze from the limp Slayer. "No, I don't suppose you can't."

The sight of the thing touching Buffy enraged him, and without thinking, Spike launched himself at the demon.

Fists and legs flashed out as utter violence and rage dominated them.

Buffy lifted her head, her eyesight bleary as she peered at the battling figures before her.

From the beginning she could see it was a useless battle, with neither gaining ground. Spike lashed out with
a kick and the demon anticipated it, blocking the move and matching it with an uppercut, which Spike flawlessly
blocked and met.

It was like a dance, perfectly executed, for what else could it be when one was fighting with oneself?

Spike fought, the movements fluid and perfect, showing the fire that raged in his stomach in a way that words
can never accomplish.

"It's killing you isn't it? That I had her in a way you never could." the demon taunted Spike. "I had her hot
body, writhing beneath mine - something you will never feel. Because face it Spike." he grinned at him manically.
"The girl wants a little monster in her man, and you ain't got any anymore."

"You're a thing." Spike growled, "Take her blood - it's all you can have."

The demon laughed. "And it's all I ever wanted." He shook his head, blocking Spike's punch. "You're the one
who was all 'ooooh - she's so hot. Oh I want her. I love her' Rot. Delusions and rot." He laughed again. "You
should've taken what you could you ponce!"

The battle stopped as abruptly as it started as the demon stared levelly at Spike.

"You have no idea." Spike managed to rasp out.

The demon shook his head sadly, "You've wanted her from the very moment you saw her. We wanted her."
His yellow eyes focused on Buffy and saw that she was conscious. "That very first night, with the light clinging
to her, illuminating and hiding. We wanted her, in the most fundamental way. I wanted her blood coursing
beneath my veins and you wanted to be buried in her tight, hot pussy."

Spike's gaze slid over and his eyes met Buffy's, who still remained silent.

The demon snorted, "When did you fall in love with her? Of all the stupid things - even I don't know, and I
don't think you know either. But you did, far earlier then you or I would ever want to admit. You're weak,
Spike. You always were! You never told her did you?"

The demon spun to face Buffy. "He never told you the truth about his human past, sugar. All that rot about
always being the big bad? Fuck, pity you never got the chance to ask him about his worthless existence
as a human."

Slowly, as the demon rambled, it dawned on Spike what he had to do. The only thing he could do.


* * *


Anya sneered at Willow, starting to circle the witch. "You think you're so great, you're so perfect. Well, little
Miss Goody Two-Shoes finally had a taste of the bad side and you can't get enough of it!"

Willow shook her head, "This has got nothing to do with me and everything to do with you Anya."

Anya frowned, "No, that's where you got it wrong Willow. This has everything to do with you. You and Xander."

Willow sighed, "Anya, when are you going to grow up! Xander is my best friend. He's like my brother! I'm
a lesbian!"

Anya snorted and stopped her predatory stalking, "Recently gay Willow. For all we know blondie over there
is just a phase."

Willow's gaze snapped over to Tara, "That's not true Tara..."

While Willow was distracted, Anya swiftly conjured a ball of energy and sent it hurtling towards the witch.

"Willow watch out!" Tara cried out, but her warning was too late.

Willow looked up just as the sizzling energy blast hit her and sent her careening towards the wall.

D'Hoffren winced, "Ouch, and ex-demon Anyanka starts off with a mild energy blast and sends her opponent
right into the wall!"

With a dull thud, her body hit the wall, and she slid down to the ground, her head spinning from the impact.

Anya smirked down at her, and crossed her arms, "And I was just warming up."

Willow glared up at her; she extended one finger. "Igneous."

Fire hurtled from her fingertip towards Anya, who swiftly stepped aside, and raised her own hand. "Niveous!"

A blizzard of ice nullified Willow's fire.

D'Hoffren crowed, "And an excellent counter-spell by Anyanka!"

Willow thought for a moment, this sort of thing could go on forever. Then it occurred to her, her eyes blackened
as she summoned sufficient energy to her.

D'Hoffren whistled, "In an unprecedented move, the mortal witch calls upon the dark gods for assistance."

Willow was deaf to all around her, but everyone else stared at the demon in horror.

Something inside snapped, as power rushed through her veins. Willow's head snapped up. "Nullify."

Anya, unfazed held up her hand, "Congelo."

Willow screeched, as she was borne upwards. She felt as if every limb was frozen, as icy mist seized her body.
Her cry was cut off as the ice reached her throat.

Wildly, she attempted to move her limbs, in vain.

Just like that it was over.

Tara stared up at her lover, her heart breaking. This was the very thing she feared, and now, a demon had
confirmed her fears.

D'Hoffren sighed, and turned to Anya, softly clapping. "Well done Anyanka, well done. I didn't want to see
the match ended so soon, but I suppose you couldn't exactly allow that power to hit you."

He waved a hand over Anya's face, "I grant you your powers, to be unleashed when you turn upon your
lover." He bowed deeply to her. "I'll await your return." He turned to regard Willow. "That one has no need
of a demon's power."

With the cryptic statement, and a swish of his robes D'Hoffren was gone.

Anya closed her eyes, and allowed her face to ripple.

Xander watched in horror as Anya's beautiful face was changed into a mass of wrinkles, ridges and blue slashes.

She took in a deep breath, her eyes opening. Xander was surprised to find himself staring still into Anya's eyes,
unchanged. Then miserably he remembered that she wouldn't come into her full powers until she wreaked her
vengeance on him.

He wondered if he could appeal to her, remind her of the love that they shared. All the wonderful times they
had - in and out of bed. He wondered if he could, he needed to, not only for his own survival, but to preserve
Anya's own humanity.

He gazed up into Anya's changed face, "Anya..."

Anya gazed down at him, her expression carefully blank. She raised her hand once more, and Xander resisted
the strong urge to flinch.

"In life I loved, in death I hold. For this broken heart to mend, to darkness I shall send..." the simmering cauldron
hovered by her side.

"Anya, baby, look at me!" Xander gazed up at her passive face. It seemed to him as if Anya wasn't really looking
at him but rather through him.

"I give my life, and all to end this strife." She dipped one finger into the concoction, coating it with the greenish
potion.

"I love you Anya!"

Anya's head snapped up and she looked at him - really looked at him. He was gazing up at her with those large
chocolate-hued eyes, eyes pleading with her to see reason, to see his love for her.

Seizing the moment, he pressed on. "I love you Anya, that hasn't changed. That will never change. I'm
just..." he took a deep breath. "I'm just terrified that I'm going to take the wrong step and wake up one day
without you. Women and I don't mix very well you know."

Anya could feel herself crumbling, "Women and you mix very well Xander - I should know right?"

They stared into each other's eyes for a moment, then Anya shook her head, "This can't go on, I can't go on
Xander." She held up her finger again. "Mortis."

She reached out to touch her finger to his lips and though knowing that death lingered on that finger, Xander
didn't flinch away from the woman that he still loved.

Anya's finger paused, then her hand fell. She turned from him, not wanting him to see the tears that glistened
in her eyes.

"I love you Anya, the past doesn't matter." He didn't know what else to say to her.

"But what you said..." she didn't turn to face him as she spoke.

Xander took a deep breath, this was the moment he was dreading. How could he explain to her? "I was scared,
more scared then I thought I would ever be. I had so many doubts, so many fears." He reached out for her hand.
"But those fears disappear when I'm with you. You gotta forgive me, I've only started living one life. What do I
know?"

Anya finally turned, the tears flowing freely down her cheek, "Do you really mean that Xander? Do you want
to spend this life with me?"

"Without a doubt." He said without hesitation. "Hey, I can't promise you forever An, but I promise to try my
damndest."

"That's all I want." Anya hastily wiped off the poisonous distilment from her finger, and rushed to open
Xander's door.

Tara smiled at them through a misty haze of her own tears. She wondered if she and Willow still had a chance.

Her eyes snapped back to Willow.

Willow, oblivious to what was happening below her, had managed to free one hand.

Tara could see that she was muttering something beneath her breath. Heeding her instincts, Tara cried out.
"No Willow, don't!"

But she was too late as a black ball of energy hurtled through the air towards the unsuspecting couple.


~To be continued~