They made their way through the sewers of Sunnydale once again. Dawn was
relating to Spike the disastrous story of Mom's first big show at the
gallery. Spike was adding occasional color commentary. Buffy was on her
guard due to all the squealing and giggling Dawn used for punctuation. "I
sure hope you two are having a good time. I can't hear a thing with you
two running your mouths. Something could've followed us all the way from
Spike's and I would never know it."
"Spoilsport. Don't pay any attention, Spike. She just doesn't want you to hear the end of this story. She ended up bright pink for a week. She had to wear long sleeves and long pants in the middle of the summer."
"How much did you spill on her?"
"The whole punchbowl. Even her hair had a pink tinge to it."
"Sorry I missed that. Big sis might be right, though. Maybe we should stop for a bit and make sure there isn't anything following us."
"Okay. But I'm only doing it because YOU asked."
Buffy looked over at Spike, who smiled and shrugged. He mouthed at her "later." She nodded.
"So, do you hear anything? How far are we from Giles' place? I'm starting to get hungry and I'm due for my pain pills."
"Don't hear a thing, Bit. But we're only a block away and you know you should never lead anything home."
"Yeah, yeah, I remember how many times you told me that all summer. Are you this careful when I'm not along? I bet Buffy..."
"The Slayer hasn't been around as long as I have." He lowered his voice into a menacing tone. "If I had my way, she'd be a sight more cautious, too."
They made their way up to the condo without difficulty. Buffy led, assisting Dawn up the ladder. She unlocked the door before Spike surfaced. He ran in and removed his smoking blanket. Buffy went back out and replaced the manhole cover. "Buffy, I know why Spike replaces them, he said it's a security thing. Why do you keep putting the lids back on the manholes?"
"I don't want somebody to accidentally fall in."
"Oh. Where am I going to sleep?"
"Same as me, in what used to be Giles' bedroom."
"I'll take the couch. You kick in your sleep. I think you fight monsters all night long."
"Spike's sleeping there."
"He's staying with us?"
"If you see his burns, you'll know why I decided nobody should be alone until this is over."
"Isn't there somewhere else I can sleep? I know Giles had a junk room. It was full of Watcher stuff. Maybe we can make me a bed in there?"
"Let's take a look and see. It'll be pretty cramped."
"I don't care. Last time we were stuck in the same bed together you left me black and blue for a month." Dawn then asked in a scared little voice "Buffy? Is this bad like Glory was? You're not going to die again are you?"
Buffy gathered her sister in a hug. "No Dawnie. This is serious, but nowhere near as bad as Glory. No Hellgods, I promise. Let's go get a look at the other room upstairs. If we're lucky, maybe there's a cot somewhere, too."
"I was just worried. I know you don't like Spike, so when I saw he was staying here I got scared. I know you asked him to protect me before you..."
"Spike and I are getting along a lot better. Now, upstairs and let's check out that room. Unless you want to get kicked all night."
Dawn bounded up the stairs. "I'll hit back. With my cast."
Buffy followed. "Hey, with all the Watcher stuff gone it's not as small as it looked. Look, there's a cot shoved in the closet. You've got your sleeping bag from last night, so now you have a bed. No dresser in here, but I can share. Not like either one of us has many clothes at the moment. Go get your stuff and pick a drawer. We'll get the cot set up, then I'm going downstairs and see how Spike's burns are healing."
The cot went up without much trouble, and Dawn seemed to be doing okay one handed, so Buffy went downstairs to check on Spike. He was sitting on the couch with the first aid kit next to him. "Okay, off with the shirt." He complied. "If nothing else, Spike, I'm grateful to you for teaching her a little caution. I don't know why she listens to you, but if it will keep her safe I'm all for it."
"She listens to me because I treat her like an adult. We got pretty close over the summer. I let her make her own mistakes and helped her figure out how to get herself out of them. I don't think she had me figured for the babysitting type, so if I came along I was extra firepower rather than someone to keep an eye on the brat."
Buffy continued dressing Spike's burns. "Don't know if I'll ever get used to how fast vamps heal. By the way, I don't know if I ever told you 'thank you' for protecting Dawn. You know, the more I find out about you, the more I like you. There, all done."
"Great. Now I get the 'let's be friends' speech." He began pulling on his shirt. "Just what I wanted, to be this close to you and have you put me in the 'safe' category."
"Actually, I was thinking more the 'don't touch him unless you mean it' category. I just want to make sure I'm ready for everyone's reaction. It's not like the Scoobies haven't been down the Slayer-in-love-with-a-vampire road before."
He bristled. "Oh I'm sure it was different with ANGEL. He has a SOUL." He got up and started pacing.
"Angelus tortured Giles, he killed Jenny, he almost killed Willow. I know Giles never forgave him, and I don't think my mom ever learned to like him. We won't even talk about Xander. Soul or no soul, Angel is still a vampire. At least with you I know that when we get pelvic you'll still be Spike afterwards. Stupid morning after comments and everything."
"Morning after what, Buffy?" Dawn asked. "I now have a bedroom and I'm starving and I can't take my pain pills without food, they make me feel all ooky."
"Let's get you some food then, Nibblet. My treat."
"Morning after what? Nobody answered my question."
"Ask your sis, it's her tale to tell."
"I'll explain tonight, when we get home. I promise. You'll be the first one I tell this particular secret to. I'm just not ready to tell anyone yet."
"How come you tell Spike everything first? He was the first one to know you were pulled out of Heaven instead of Glory's hell dimension."
"Because he wasn't involved in pulling me out of there. He listened. He never judged. He never pushed me to be happy when I didn't feel like it. He never had...expectations. He's always been the one person I could never lie to about anything. Even when I'm lying to myself, he knows it." Buffy got a stunned look on her face. "Spike? Would you tell me the truth about anything?"
"Pet, don't ask for the truth unless you're ready to hear it. I won't lie, not to spare your delicate feelings." Spike grabbed his blanket and wrapped himself up. "Let's go eat. Platelet probably needs her pain pills soon. Don't want her all cranky."
Dawn looked between the two of them; knowing something was going on, but puzzled as to what exactly that something was. She grabbed her purse, checked to make sure the pain pills were still in it, and headed outside. "Buffy, you have to get the manhole cover, I can't with one arm and Spike shouldn't be in the sun that long."
Buffy made sure she had her key, checked the lock, and went out. They headed for a little diner that she knew was close, fairly cheap and reasonably dark inside. "Spike, please tell me you have some money. I have exactly three dollars and forty-two cents to my name."
"Told you it was my treat. Rule number one, if you take out two beautiful ladies--don't ask them to pay for lunch."
Dawn giggled. "Doesn't he say the nicest things, Buffy?"
"Not always. He seems to be on his best behavior today, though. Must be your influence."
The diner wasn't busy. They got a table where they could see the front and back doors. As they were finishing lunch, Buffy looked at the front door. "That can't be Amy."
Dawn turned her head to see and said, "yeah, she looks bad. I've never seen her that grungy, even as a rat."
"We left her tied up at the Magic Box this morning. I'm gonna go see what's going on." Buffy got up and went to intercept her. Amy stood staring at her, blank faced. Buffy grabbed her arm and dragged her to their table. "So, Amy, how'd you get loose?" Amy just stared. "Earth to Amy, come in Amy." Buffy waved her hand in front of Amy's face. Amy looked straight ahead, unblinking. "I've got a bad feeling about this. Let's pay and get out of here. Spike, we're going aboveground, meet us there as soon as you can. I need to get to the Magic Box NOW."
She dragged an unresisting Amy by the arm, Dawn followed closely behind. They rushed through the streets of Sunnydale towards the Magic Box and burst through the door. Anya looked up, startled. "Oh, there's where she went. I put her in the training room while the police were here and when I remembered to check on her later, she was gone. She looks worse than she did, though. Why are her eyes all dark like that?"
Dawn looked at her closely. "Buffy, that's how Willow's eyes were after she came out of Rack's. Just before the demon attacked me."
Spike came upstairs from the basement of the store and looked around, obviously battle ready. "So, what happened?"
"We think Amy finally found Rack's. Look at her eyes."
"Dark magic. I think he's using her up like your playmates last night. She's not all here." He slapped her. "Didn't hurt me. Either she's not human, or she's not alive anymore."
"Hospital. I think she needs to be there and I want to check on Willow."
"Slayer, don't get the two of them too close. We don't know what Rack can do through someone else. He might be able to spy, he might be able to do spells. He might only be able to suck the life right out of them. No way of knowing."
"Aren't you coming with us?"
"No. I think we need someone to stay here and do research. I think you should leave Nibblet here, too. I could use a research partner, and she could be a *key* researcher. Wouldn't want all that brain *power* going to waste."
Dawn clued in quickly. "Besides, I'm still mad about my arm. I'd rather stay here with Spike. Just take Amy to the hospital and I'll stay right here, I promise."
Anya, however, did not seem to have a ride on the old clue bus. "I realize you're still mad at Willow, but shouldn't you try and make up? Not that I mind more help around the shop, but Buffy has never let you do research before, why would she consent now?"
Buffy grabbed Amy. "Back soon. I'll talk to everyone later. Stay here." As she led Amy through the streets of Sunnydale, Buffy noticed that Amy was getting clumsier and her arm seemed to be getting colder. As they entered the emergency room, Amy collapsed. "I need some help here," Buffy yelled. Evidently the ER staff thought the same thing. They placed Amy on a gurney and rushed into the back. Some woman was trying to get information from Buffy about Amy. "Her name is Amy Madison. I think she's on something. I came to visit my friend in the hospital and Amy ran into me in the parking lot and asked for help. That's all I know." Buffy ducked out to try to find Tara or Willow.
They both were in Willow's room. "How are you feeling, Wills?"
"Better. They think I can go home tomorrow or the next day. Anything I want to hear?"
"Do you know exactly what Rack can do? I just ran into Amy. She was almost catatonic. Nobody home upstairs, and dirty, too. Her eyes were black."
"Rack beat her up?"
"No, I mean her eyeballs were black. Dawn said her eyes looked like yours did the night of the accident."
"She must've gone back there. He makes you feel so good, invincible. After he sent me back home, I began to dream about going there again. I still dream about him...about power only he can show me how to raise...about dimensions he can show me the way into. Tara has helped me resist, but I think he still has a hold on my mind. Buffy, you have to find him. I don't know how long I can keep from crawling back. Every minute I'm awake..." She broke down, sobbing. Tara held her, rocking her and murmuring comforting nothings into her hair.
"Tara, do you know anything about him? He uses electricity as a defense, and drains people dry, so they look like raisins."
"I've never heard of him, or anything like him. But I've never explored the dark side of magic. I was afraid before that my demon nature would take over. Then I never really had any interest."
"Keep her safe. I'll let you know when it's safe to leave. Thank you for watching over her, I know you're not..."
"I love her, but she scared me with her dark magic. I wonder now what would've happened if I had stayed."
"No way of knowing. We can't live on 'what-if' because nothing would ever get done. Trust a full-time worrywart on that one."
Buffy went to check on Amy. After determining she wasn't family, nobody would even admit that Amy was there. After getting the runaround for about ten minutes, Buffy decided to leave. That's when the police showed up.
"Spoilsport. Don't pay any attention, Spike. She just doesn't want you to hear the end of this story. She ended up bright pink for a week. She had to wear long sleeves and long pants in the middle of the summer."
"How much did you spill on her?"
"The whole punchbowl. Even her hair had a pink tinge to it."
"Sorry I missed that. Big sis might be right, though. Maybe we should stop for a bit and make sure there isn't anything following us."
"Okay. But I'm only doing it because YOU asked."
Buffy looked over at Spike, who smiled and shrugged. He mouthed at her "later." She nodded.
"So, do you hear anything? How far are we from Giles' place? I'm starting to get hungry and I'm due for my pain pills."
"Don't hear a thing, Bit. But we're only a block away and you know you should never lead anything home."
"Yeah, yeah, I remember how many times you told me that all summer. Are you this careful when I'm not along? I bet Buffy..."
"The Slayer hasn't been around as long as I have." He lowered his voice into a menacing tone. "If I had my way, she'd be a sight more cautious, too."
They made their way up to the condo without difficulty. Buffy led, assisting Dawn up the ladder. She unlocked the door before Spike surfaced. He ran in and removed his smoking blanket. Buffy went back out and replaced the manhole cover. "Buffy, I know why Spike replaces them, he said it's a security thing. Why do you keep putting the lids back on the manholes?"
"I don't want somebody to accidentally fall in."
"Oh. Where am I going to sleep?"
"Same as me, in what used to be Giles' bedroom."
"I'll take the couch. You kick in your sleep. I think you fight monsters all night long."
"Spike's sleeping there."
"He's staying with us?"
"If you see his burns, you'll know why I decided nobody should be alone until this is over."
"Isn't there somewhere else I can sleep? I know Giles had a junk room. It was full of Watcher stuff. Maybe we can make me a bed in there?"
"Let's take a look and see. It'll be pretty cramped."
"I don't care. Last time we were stuck in the same bed together you left me black and blue for a month." Dawn then asked in a scared little voice "Buffy? Is this bad like Glory was? You're not going to die again are you?"
Buffy gathered her sister in a hug. "No Dawnie. This is serious, but nowhere near as bad as Glory. No Hellgods, I promise. Let's go get a look at the other room upstairs. If we're lucky, maybe there's a cot somewhere, too."
"I was just worried. I know you don't like Spike, so when I saw he was staying here I got scared. I know you asked him to protect me before you..."
"Spike and I are getting along a lot better. Now, upstairs and let's check out that room. Unless you want to get kicked all night."
Dawn bounded up the stairs. "I'll hit back. With my cast."
Buffy followed. "Hey, with all the Watcher stuff gone it's not as small as it looked. Look, there's a cot shoved in the closet. You've got your sleeping bag from last night, so now you have a bed. No dresser in here, but I can share. Not like either one of us has many clothes at the moment. Go get your stuff and pick a drawer. We'll get the cot set up, then I'm going downstairs and see how Spike's burns are healing."
The cot went up without much trouble, and Dawn seemed to be doing okay one handed, so Buffy went downstairs to check on Spike. He was sitting on the couch with the first aid kit next to him. "Okay, off with the shirt." He complied. "If nothing else, Spike, I'm grateful to you for teaching her a little caution. I don't know why she listens to you, but if it will keep her safe I'm all for it."
"She listens to me because I treat her like an adult. We got pretty close over the summer. I let her make her own mistakes and helped her figure out how to get herself out of them. I don't think she had me figured for the babysitting type, so if I came along I was extra firepower rather than someone to keep an eye on the brat."
Buffy continued dressing Spike's burns. "Don't know if I'll ever get used to how fast vamps heal. By the way, I don't know if I ever told you 'thank you' for protecting Dawn. You know, the more I find out about you, the more I like you. There, all done."
"Great. Now I get the 'let's be friends' speech." He began pulling on his shirt. "Just what I wanted, to be this close to you and have you put me in the 'safe' category."
"Actually, I was thinking more the 'don't touch him unless you mean it' category. I just want to make sure I'm ready for everyone's reaction. It's not like the Scoobies haven't been down the Slayer-in-love-with-a-vampire road before."
He bristled. "Oh I'm sure it was different with ANGEL. He has a SOUL." He got up and started pacing.
"Angelus tortured Giles, he killed Jenny, he almost killed Willow. I know Giles never forgave him, and I don't think my mom ever learned to like him. We won't even talk about Xander. Soul or no soul, Angel is still a vampire. At least with you I know that when we get pelvic you'll still be Spike afterwards. Stupid morning after comments and everything."
"Morning after what, Buffy?" Dawn asked. "I now have a bedroom and I'm starving and I can't take my pain pills without food, they make me feel all ooky."
"Let's get you some food then, Nibblet. My treat."
"Morning after what? Nobody answered my question."
"Ask your sis, it's her tale to tell."
"I'll explain tonight, when we get home. I promise. You'll be the first one I tell this particular secret to. I'm just not ready to tell anyone yet."
"How come you tell Spike everything first? He was the first one to know you were pulled out of Heaven instead of Glory's hell dimension."
"Because he wasn't involved in pulling me out of there. He listened. He never judged. He never pushed me to be happy when I didn't feel like it. He never had...expectations. He's always been the one person I could never lie to about anything. Even when I'm lying to myself, he knows it." Buffy got a stunned look on her face. "Spike? Would you tell me the truth about anything?"
"Pet, don't ask for the truth unless you're ready to hear it. I won't lie, not to spare your delicate feelings." Spike grabbed his blanket and wrapped himself up. "Let's go eat. Platelet probably needs her pain pills soon. Don't want her all cranky."
Dawn looked between the two of them; knowing something was going on, but puzzled as to what exactly that something was. She grabbed her purse, checked to make sure the pain pills were still in it, and headed outside. "Buffy, you have to get the manhole cover, I can't with one arm and Spike shouldn't be in the sun that long."
Buffy made sure she had her key, checked the lock, and went out. They headed for a little diner that she knew was close, fairly cheap and reasonably dark inside. "Spike, please tell me you have some money. I have exactly three dollars and forty-two cents to my name."
"Told you it was my treat. Rule number one, if you take out two beautiful ladies--don't ask them to pay for lunch."
Dawn giggled. "Doesn't he say the nicest things, Buffy?"
"Not always. He seems to be on his best behavior today, though. Must be your influence."
The diner wasn't busy. They got a table where they could see the front and back doors. As they were finishing lunch, Buffy looked at the front door. "That can't be Amy."
Dawn turned her head to see and said, "yeah, she looks bad. I've never seen her that grungy, even as a rat."
"We left her tied up at the Magic Box this morning. I'm gonna go see what's going on." Buffy got up and went to intercept her. Amy stood staring at her, blank faced. Buffy grabbed her arm and dragged her to their table. "So, Amy, how'd you get loose?" Amy just stared. "Earth to Amy, come in Amy." Buffy waved her hand in front of Amy's face. Amy looked straight ahead, unblinking. "I've got a bad feeling about this. Let's pay and get out of here. Spike, we're going aboveground, meet us there as soon as you can. I need to get to the Magic Box NOW."
She dragged an unresisting Amy by the arm, Dawn followed closely behind. They rushed through the streets of Sunnydale towards the Magic Box and burst through the door. Anya looked up, startled. "Oh, there's where she went. I put her in the training room while the police were here and when I remembered to check on her later, she was gone. She looks worse than she did, though. Why are her eyes all dark like that?"
Dawn looked at her closely. "Buffy, that's how Willow's eyes were after she came out of Rack's. Just before the demon attacked me."
Spike came upstairs from the basement of the store and looked around, obviously battle ready. "So, what happened?"
"We think Amy finally found Rack's. Look at her eyes."
"Dark magic. I think he's using her up like your playmates last night. She's not all here." He slapped her. "Didn't hurt me. Either she's not human, or she's not alive anymore."
"Hospital. I think she needs to be there and I want to check on Willow."
"Slayer, don't get the two of them too close. We don't know what Rack can do through someone else. He might be able to spy, he might be able to do spells. He might only be able to suck the life right out of them. No way of knowing."
"Aren't you coming with us?"
"No. I think we need someone to stay here and do research. I think you should leave Nibblet here, too. I could use a research partner, and she could be a *key* researcher. Wouldn't want all that brain *power* going to waste."
Dawn clued in quickly. "Besides, I'm still mad about my arm. I'd rather stay here with Spike. Just take Amy to the hospital and I'll stay right here, I promise."
Anya, however, did not seem to have a ride on the old clue bus. "I realize you're still mad at Willow, but shouldn't you try and make up? Not that I mind more help around the shop, but Buffy has never let you do research before, why would she consent now?"
Buffy grabbed Amy. "Back soon. I'll talk to everyone later. Stay here." As she led Amy through the streets of Sunnydale, Buffy noticed that Amy was getting clumsier and her arm seemed to be getting colder. As they entered the emergency room, Amy collapsed. "I need some help here," Buffy yelled. Evidently the ER staff thought the same thing. They placed Amy on a gurney and rushed into the back. Some woman was trying to get information from Buffy about Amy. "Her name is Amy Madison. I think she's on something. I came to visit my friend in the hospital and Amy ran into me in the parking lot and asked for help. That's all I know." Buffy ducked out to try to find Tara or Willow.
They both were in Willow's room. "How are you feeling, Wills?"
"Better. They think I can go home tomorrow or the next day. Anything I want to hear?"
"Do you know exactly what Rack can do? I just ran into Amy. She was almost catatonic. Nobody home upstairs, and dirty, too. Her eyes were black."
"Rack beat her up?"
"No, I mean her eyeballs were black. Dawn said her eyes looked like yours did the night of the accident."
"She must've gone back there. He makes you feel so good, invincible. After he sent me back home, I began to dream about going there again. I still dream about him...about power only he can show me how to raise...about dimensions he can show me the way into. Tara has helped me resist, but I think he still has a hold on my mind. Buffy, you have to find him. I don't know how long I can keep from crawling back. Every minute I'm awake..." She broke down, sobbing. Tara held her, rocking her and murmuring comforting nothings into her hair.
"Tara, do you know anything about him? He uses electricity as a defense, and drains people dry, so they look like raisins."
"I've never heard of him, or anything like him. But I've never explored the dark side of magic. I was afraid before that my demon nature would take over. Then I never really had any interest."
"Keep her safe. I'll let you know when it's safe to leave. Thank you for watching over her, I know you're not..."
"I love her, but she scared me with her dark magic. I wonder now what would've happened if I had stayed."
"No way of knowing. We can't live on 'what-if' because nothing would ever get done. Trust a full-time worrywart on that one."
Buffy went to check on Amy. After determining she wasn't family, nobody would even admit that Amy was there. After getting the runaround for about ten minutes, Buffy decided to leave. That's when the police showed up.