"Ok, first thing we do is check all the local hangouts. See if anyone knows anything." Spike said. He was eager to start looking for Dawn. He had made a promise to Buffy to protect Dawn and he was going to keep that promise.
"Maybe we should split up. That way we can cover more ground." Giles replied.
"We're dealing with a shape shifter here Giles. If we split up then he could take our form like he did with me. We wouldn't be able to trust each other." The vampire knew what he was talking about.
Giles thought about it for a few moments and nodded. "Yes I suppose you're right. But we must hurry. Dawn is in great danger."
"Wh....what are you going to do with me?" Dawn timidly asked. To her, it was still Spike who had her captive. "Spike I don't know why you're doing this but please let me go. Please?"
Dawn looked on.. Her eyes filling with tears. She knew she would not escape. Spike was evil again. He would torture her and then kill her, sending a message to the Slayer no doubt. She began to weep. Then slowly it turned into a sob. The shape shifter looked at her and grunted. He walked over to her and with a swing of his hand, Dawn was unconscious. Her limp body fell over as best it could as she was tied to a chair. She had tried to wriggle free earlier but it was no use. The ropes were too tight. They left scrapes on her arms and legs. The shape shifter laughed and began to transform. The transformation only took a moment and soon it was back in it's own form. A rather small demon, with blue reptilian-like skin. It bent down to Dawn's ear and gave a small growl. "You're going to bring me Ripper....."
"Shape shifter. You know the kind. Take any form." Spike asked a drunken vampire.
The vampire belched and looked at Spike. "No, haven't seen it." he began to laugh.
Spike suddenly became angry. He took the intoxicated vamp by the collar. "You think this is funny?! You think it's a bloody riot?!" He went to throw a punch but Giles restrained him by holding his arm.
"Spike this isn't helping. I checked around and some people told me what they knew but nothing substantial. Lets try another place." He said.
Spike pulled his arm away and gave the drunken vampire a little shove before finally deciding that Giles was right. "Yeah. Lets try another place."
A stinging pain was all that Dawn could feel as she slowly opened her eyes. She could feel that her left cheek was somewhat swollen due to the blow Spike had given her. She cautiously looked around, careful not to make a sound as to let her captor know she was awake. She was in some sort of warehouse, she thought. She tried once again to free herself from the ropes but was unsuccessful. "Don't panic Dawn. Giles will find you." she told herself over and over again. She tried once more to get free of her bindings but her attempt was interrupted by a slam of a distant door and she went limp, pretending to be unconscious.
It was a man Dawn noticed. She had never seen this man before. What was going on here she wondered. And where was Spike. This new man must be an accomplice she thought. Her thoughts suddenly stopped as she opened her eyes slightly to take another look. The man transformed before her very eyes and was now a blue icky demon. "Ew..." she said softly.
"Ahhh you're awake." the demon said. It never turned to face Dawn but kept talking. "Thought you'd never wake up."
Dawn realized it was no use pretending and sat up. "What do you want with me?"
The demon turned to face her and spoke again. "It's not you I want. It's your friend, Rupert Giles."
"What do you want with Mr. Giles?" Dawn asked. Now she seemed not to be afraid.
"Oh wouldn't you like to know," it began as it walked over to Dawn and rubbed her cheek with his grotesque hand. "You see child, I'm just a middle man. I'm just going to deliver your friend to my friend."
"Who's your friend? Spike?" the young girl asked.
"Spike?" the shape shifter laughed. "No no. Not that scum."
"Then who?" Dawn asked.
"Me........" came a voice.
As Dawn eyes strained to see in the darkness, a figure emerged. There standing before her was Ethan Rayne.
Dawn face went into a puzzled look. "Who are you?"
