Disclaimer: My overwhelming sense of freedom is hindered when he grabs my
arm, pulling me back to him. "Please don't leave me," he begs, sadness in
his eyes. But no, the long road calls to me. "Let me go," I request,
shaking away from his grip. "No," he cries as I start to walk away, "I'm
sorry for what I did! I know that I took you for granted, and that I wasn't
there when you needed me. But I've changed, I'm a better person now." Guys
just don't get it. "Listen, Joss Whedon." I turn, looking at him for the
last time. "I know you created Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and I know that
you let me borrow your characters for my first fan fiction, but that
doesn't matter. You're still the same jerk I've known for years. You'll
never change. You want me badly because you cannot have me."
Rating: R- what would the world be like if there wasn't sin? Boring!
Summary: Buffy, after running away from Sunnydale, comes home six years later with a new identity. While searching for some mysterious evil threatening to destroy all, she begins to see how much she was missed.
Author's Notes: I know I've been really good about updating lately, but my inspiration left me, and I was lost. But, it found me. I'm ready to finish the story, and ready to start up the new one. Although I'll probably say this on the last chapter (three away!), I just wanted to thank you for all your support. I love reading fan fiction, and it makes me happy to know that some of you out their like my first attempt. Have a happy Massacre-the- Innocent-Turkey Day (thanksgiving). I know I will. I have Sum 41 tickets!
PS: I've got to find some new disclaimer subjects. I'm always stealing from Kevin Smith movies. Well, this one isn't from his movies. This one is my own interpretation of my favorite song, "Sunday Morning", from the greatest band in the world, No Doubt. I don't care if I'm lame.
Chapter Sixteen- Clearer View
"Shh, I think they're waking up."
"Go get the Leader."
Whispers. Whispers everywhere. Voices in his head talking. Pain. Pain everywhere. Every joint and muscle.
Spike opened his heavy eyelids, and was faced with a nightmare.
He was back in the Initiative. In the pit of the headquarters, in one of the demon containment cells.
It was all to familiar, the cold linoleum floor, the sterile white walls. The monsters that placed him in this cell years ago tinkered with his head, put the chip in. Were they back to play with more of his brain?
Looking around, his confused eyes started noticing the little things. Like the fact there was no electricity. The whole place was lit by torches. And the glass barrier that once held the demons in was gone, replaced by two Fleuruin demons guarding the doors. Something was off.
Suddenly, he remembered all. He had been with Buffy, searching for Pitatch. Then, something, or some things, snuck up behind them. He was hit by something hard, and Buffy started screaming.
Buffy!
Spike tried to leap up, but found himself restrained, his hands and feet bound together by silver chains. He tried to break them, but they held strong as he pulled.
"They've been put under an indestructibility spell," a low voice laughed, "Twenty vampires couldn't break they chains."
It was coming from the open area of the cell. Spike looked up and saw the owner of the voice, a tall, tan demon wearing a long, red cloak.
The demon started to laugh as Spike growled. "Isn't this a rather sad ending for a legend of the vampire world?" asked the demon, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Chained up like a wild animal."
Spike lunged at the demon, but two of the guards rushed forward and hit him back with their weapons, defective tazers used by the Initiative. Pain shot through his body, and he was on his side.
"Now," The tall demon walked forward and kicked the vampire in the stomach, laughing as he cried. "That's not a proper thing to do. You don't want to learn your lesson like the Slayer did, do you?"
Fear shot through Spike's stomach as the demon stepped aside, revealing a blood-soaked and bruised Buffy in the opposite cell. Her eyes met his, and she gave him a weak and tired smile.
"What do you want?" whispered the horrified vampire, his focus still on his love.
"I believe you already know that. The Watcher told you that yesterday."
Glancing up, Spike stared at the demon. "Who are you?" he asked, angrier. But he knew, and the demon knew, he had lost the will to fight.
"Again, you already know that."
He spit out the word, as if it were made of poison. "Pitatch."
"Correct." Sending the guards away, Pitatch bent down so that he could speak closely to the vampire. "I'm very surprised at you, William. You should have learned everything weeks ago. But from what I've heard, you've always been a slow study." He rubbed his nose in thought. "My men have been following you and your friends for months. We know where you live, what you eat, what you watch on TV. Everything."
"Why?"
"When I arrived here, I learned that you all were once allies of the Slayer. It was my theory that you might call on her if you knew my plans, which you did, only it's too late. The machine will be fully functional in a few days, and your attempts to, yet again, save the world have been in vain." He lifted his hand to pat Spike on the head, but it was immediately pushed away. "Have no fear," he said with a smile, "Your death will be quick. You have done nothing to harm me."
Smiling, he left the cell, then went into Buffy's. As he came in, she recoiled. For the past hour, the guards had beaten her for trying to break free.
Pitatch's attitude changed. He looked down on the blonde with a fierce air. "I can't say that your death will be as quick as your boyfriend's."
"What did I ever do to you?" she asked in a small voice filled with terror.
"It's not what you did. I have no problem with you personally. It's the Slayer I loathe." He kneeled next to Buffy, taking a lock of her hair in his hand. "Did you know that I was captured by a Slayer? Barely anyone living knows it. She hunted me down after my troops were defeated, and brought me to the warlocks. I spent seven centuries frozen due to your sisterhood," he growled, stroking her hair while talking, "And I have no worries about taking it out on her descendants." Quickly, he ripped the lock of hair out of her head. As she yelled in pain, he stood, approaching the door. "That was just the beginning. You can't imagine what you are going to suffer. See him," he pointed at Spike, "He's going to die in the same manner as your friends. But, you will be alive to witness all their deaths. Then I'll start with you."
Throwing her hair on the ground in disgust, he left the pit.
@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@
"Spike?" Buffy asked after a while.
"What?" He sounded far away, lost in thought.
Her back was hurting, so she scooted backwards to lean against the wall. "How did we screw up?"
Halfheartedly, he chuckled. "They followed us, the Fleuruin demons. We've been so preoccupied that we didn't sense them. They followed us into the cave, then attacked us when we least suspected it. Plain and simple."
It was all too unreal, like a bad dream.
"I'm not ready to die," she whispered.
Lifting his head, he stared at the woman he loved. "No one ever is, luv."
Shaking her head, she stood. "No, I'm NOT ready to die. It's not my time." Suddenly, she began to kick the wall as hard as she could. "I'm not ready!" she screamed, "I'm not fucking ready!"
"What are you doing pet?" asked an amazed Spike.
Ignoring him, she continued, screaming louder. "I'M NOT READY, YOU STUPID BASTARDS! I'M NOT GOD-DAMNED READY!"
A shorter, female Flueruin ran to her cell entrance, holding a broken tazer.
"Stop it, Slayer," she commanded, hitting the girl with all her force.
Buffy fell to the ground, her rib possibly broken. The demon turned to exit.
"Stop!" yelled the blonde, and the demon complied. "Please don't leave."
"What do you want?" asked the demon, turning.
An idea popped in her head. Clearing her throat, Buffy began to speak softly. "What's your name?"
Taking a step back, the demon eyed her suspiciously. "Is this some kind of joke?"
"No, it's not."
There was a pause. "Elyog. My name is Elyog."
"That's a nice name," said the Slayer genuinely. "Where did you live before your Leader came?"
She paused for a moment, assessing if this was a trick. "In the woods, right behind the big hill."
"Did you live with your family?"
"Yes, I did."
Buffy sat up, rubbing her side. "We're you happier?"
Elyog shook her head. "There was chaos before the Leader came." It was a programmed answer.
"No Elyog, truthfully. We're you happy?"
Searching for alternative words, Elyog could only say the truth. "Yes. My mother used to take my siblings and I out on clear nights to show us the stars. And, we would have these great feasts . . ." Her eyes wandered away.
Speaking louder, Buffy regained her focus. "Elyog, when I was the Slayer in Sunnydale, I knew all about your clan. I knew that they were peaceful and wouldn't harm anyone. But, your Leader came in and changed you. You fight, you kill, and right now, you're working to destroy an entire race."
"That's the way life is when you wage war," sighed Elyog, shrugging her shoulders.
"No," Buffy shook her head; "It's not. There is no war to wage. He's going to kill my friends, my family. And do you think he's going to stop there? When all of humanity is dead, he'll look for another food source. Who's to say it won't be you next? Your friends, your family." She looked away, a tear sprouting in her eyes. "I've missed my family. I just got back. I'm not ready to say goodbye."
The demon stood frozen, emotionless.
"Guards," she yelled at the two demons by the door.
Buffy's heart fell into her stomach.
"Remove the prisoners' chains."
Without another word, Elyog stepped back and let the guards come through. A chant was uttered, and her hands were free. Turning, they entered Spike's cell and did the same.
He leapt up, and Buffy ran to him. Like magnets, their lips found each other, and were soon in a passionate kiss.
As the two kissed, Elyog turned to the guards.
"Run, run to the forest," she commanded, "If you see anyone, tell them the Leader orders them to go home. Once you get there, wait for me." Obeying the orders of the highest-ranking Flueruin, the guards put down their weapons and ran.
She spun around to address the couple, interrupting their embrace.
"I'm going to send as many of the followers as I can back home. They'll do whatever I say. But some are with the Leader at this moment. You'll have to go through them to get the Leader."
"Where is he," asked Spike.
"Up through the main corridor, where the vehicles were once stored. It's where the machine is."
Reaching through her coat to pull out her battle-axe, Buffy discovered it was gone. "Where are our weapons?"
"On a table at the top of the steps." Giving the girl a quick handshake, Elyog began to run in another direction. She stopped at the bottom of the other stairs. "I hope you succeed."
"Thank you very much."
The two watched the demon run up the stairs, then disappear into the darkness. His hand finding hers, Spike began to feel his confidence rise. "Well luv, that was a bit of a obstacle, but now we're back on the case."
"Don't even start," warned the Slayer, "This is the point where everything is going to matter."
@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@
Chili from the can was not one of her favorite foods, but Gillian choked it down. It was her Daddy's favorite food, and Mommy was trying to make him comfortable.
After her Uncle Billy and new Auntie Buffy left, all her other Aunties and Uncles stayed until dinnertime, then went home. She could sense that they were all upset about something.
"Jilly, don't play with your food," ordered Anya, who was sitting next to Xander on the sofa. Dinner was in the living room because Daddy was too hurt to move.
She still couldn't get that picture out of her head. Daddy, on the ground, a lot of blood, Mommy crying.
Ryan started to fuss, so Anya took him out of his playpen to feed him. Gillian envied her little brother's sense of happiness. The baby had no idea what was going on.
For a four-year-old, she had thoughts that no child should have. She could tell whenever there wasn't something said. The auras of the people gave it away, as did the energy of the environment. And they all pretended everything was ok, just because of the children.
Xander started to rub Anya's leg sensuously. In a second, Gillian knew she would be having an early bedtime. This wasn't right. Her Daddy was hurting badly, but he was going to risk it all to "wrestle" with Mommy.
Sighing, Gillian stabbed her fork into the chili. Anya started to giggle, but when Gillian looked at her, the lights had gone dark. Her home disappeared, along with her dinner and family.
She was in a new place, a big warehouse. Funny creatures were all running to the exits.
The lights went out again, and she was in a smaller room in the warehouse. Two people ran by her, not noticing her. It was her Uncle Billy and Auntie Buffy. They were sneaking up behind a tall man with tan skin.
A flash filled the room. Auntie Buffy was fighting two of the funny looking creatures, while Uncle Billy was hitting the tall man.
Another flash. The tall man had her Uncle Billy pinned to the ground, but Auntie Buffy came up and threw the man to the ground.
The light began to fade again, but she could still hear everything. Kicking and punching and hitting. But the sounds stopped as Auntie Buffy screamed and Uncle Billy yelled.
With a jolt, Gillian opened her eyes. She was back home, lying on the ground, Anya shaking her as Xander watched with horror.
"Thank God," moaned her father, "She's come out of it." He crouched, ignoring the pain in his body. "What happened sweetie?"
Gillian started to cry. She was just too young to deal with this knowledge.
"Someone isn't coming home."
@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@
Sharp pieces of metal had always been a comfort to him. Hell, his love of them gave him his nickname. And once again, the cold steel felt like an old friend.
Things were starting to go right. He and Buffy were free, they had their weapons, and they were ready to kill Pitatch.
Careful as to not make the same mistake as earlier, they ran through the old Initiative. Buffy knew where the old auto storage was, and was leading the way. With every step, he knew she was planning what to do.
Seconds later, they stood in front of the door. Most of the Flueruin demons had fled, following the orders. But, peaking through the glass in the door, Spike could see that at least thirty remained.
"Got a lot to deal with luv," he commented, as Buffy got her axe out, swinging it for practice. He got out his knife, gripping it tightly in his hands.
"One of us will have to kill Pitatch, the other needs to destroy the machine so it can never be used." She spun in a small circle, swinging the axe over her head.
"I've got the demon, you've got the machine."
Stopping, she put her hands on her hips in defiance. "Like hell you do."
Grinning, he gave her a soft kiss. "If the bloody machine gets on fire, I'm a goner. You have the incredible ability to not die if fire touches you."
Laughing softly, Buffy hugged Spike.
This might be our last one.
"Alright, let's go."
Rating: R- what would the world be like if there wasn't sin? Boring!
Summary: Buffy, after running away from Sunnydale, comes home six years later with a new identity. While searching for some mysterious evil threatening to destroy all, she begins to see how much she was missed.
Author's Notes: I know I've been really good about updating lately, but my inspiration left me, and I was lost. But, it found me. I'm ready to finish the story, and ready to start up the new one. Although I'll probably say this on the last chapter (three away!), I just wanted to thank you for all your support. I love reading fan fiction, and it makes me happy to know that some of you out their like my first attempt. Have a happy Massacre-the- Innocent-Turkey Day (thanksgiving). I know I will. I have Sum 41 tickets!
PS: I've got to find some new disclaimer subjects. I'm always stealing from Kevin Smith movies. Well, this one isn't from his movies. This one is my own interpretation of my favorite song, "Sunday Morning", from the greatest band in the world, No Doubt. I don't care if I'm lame.
Chapter Sixteen- Clearer View
"Shh, I think they're waking up."
"Go get the Leader."
Whispers. Whispers everywhere. Voices in his head talking. Pain. Pain everywhere. Every joint and muscle.
Spike opened his heavy eyelids, and was faced with a nightmare.
He was back in the Initiative. In the pit of the headquarters, in one of the demon containment cells.
It was all to familiar, the cold linoleum floor, the sterile white walls. The monsters that placed him in this cell years ago tinkered with his head, put the chip in. Were they back to play with more of his brain?
Looking around, his confused eyes started noticing the little things. Like the fact there was no electricity. The whole place was lit by torches. And the glass barrier that once held the demons in was gone, replaced by two Fleuruin demons guarding the doors. Something was off.
Suddenly, he remembered all. He had been with Buffy, searching for Pitatch. Then, something, or some things, snuck up behind them. He was hit by something hard, and Buffy started screaming.
Buffy!
Spike tried to leap up, but found himself restrained, his hands and feet bound together by silver chains. He tried to break them, but they held strong as he pulled.
"They've been put under an indestructibility spell," a low voice laughed, "Twenty vampires couldn't break they chains."
It was coming from the open area of the cell. Spike looked up and saw the owner of the voice, a tall, tan demon wearing a long, red cloak.
The demon started to laugh as Spike growled. "Isn't this a rather sad ending for a legend of the vampire world?" asked the demon, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Chained up like a wild animal."
Spike lunged at the demon, but two of the guards rushed forward and hit him back with their weapons, defective tazers used by the Initiative. Pain shot through his body, and he was on his side.
"Now," The tall demon walked forward and kicked the vampire in the stomach, laughing as he cried. "That's not a proper thing to do. You don't want to learn your lesson like the Slayer did, do you?"
Fear shot through Spike's stomach as the demon stepped aside, revealing a blood-soaked and bruised Buffy in the opposite cell. Her eyes met his, and she gave him a weak and tired smile.
"What do you want?" whispered the horrified vampire, his focus still on his love.
"I believe you already know that. The Watcher told you that yesterday."
Glancing up, Spike stared at the demon. "Who are you?" he asked, angrier. But he knew, and the demon knew, he had lost the will to fight.
"Again, you already know that."
He spit out the word, as if it were made of poison. "Pitatch."
"Correct." Sending the guards away, Pitatch bent down so that he could speak closely to the vampire. "I'm very surprised at you, William. You should have learned everything weeks ago. But from what I've heard, you've always been a slow study." He rubbed his nose in thought. "My men have been following you and your friends for months. We know where you live, what you eat, what you watch on TV. Everything."
"Why?"
"When I arrived here, I learned that you all were once allies of the Slayer. It was my theory that you might call on her if you knew my plans, which you did, only it's too late. The machine will be fully functional in a few days, and your attempts to, yet again, save the world have been in vain." He lifted his hand to pat Spike on the head, but it was immediately pushed away. "Have no fear," he said with a smile, "Your death will be quick. You have done nothing to harm me."
Smiling, he left the cell, then went into Buffy's. As he came in, she recoiled. For the past hour, the guards had beaten her for trying to break free.
Pitatch's attitude changed. He looked down on the blonde with a fierce air. "I can't say that your death will be as quick as your boyfriend's."
"What did I ever do to you?" she asked in a small voice filled with terror.
"It's not what you did. I have no problem with you personally. It's the Slayer I loathe." He kneeled next to Buffy, taking a lock of her hair in his hand. "Did you know that I was captured by a Slayer? Barely anyone living knows it. She hunted me down after my troops were defeated, and brought me to the warlocks. I spent seven centuries frozen due to your sisterhood," he growled, stroking her hair while talking, "And I have no worries about taking it out on her descendants." Quickly, he ripped the lock of hair out of her head. As she yelled in pain, he stood, approaching the door. "That was just the beginning. You can't imagine what you are going to suffer. See him," he pointed at Spike, "He's going to die in the same manner as your friends. But, you will be alive to witness all their deaths. Then I'll start with you."
Throwing her hair on the ground in disgust, he left the pit.
@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@
"Spike?" Buffy asked after a while.
"What?" He sounded far away, lost in thought.
Her back was hurting, so she scooted backwards to lean against the wall. "How did we screw up?"
Halfheartedly, he chuckled. "They followed us, the Fleuruin demons. We've been so preoccupied that we didn't sense them. They followed us into the cave, then attacked us when we least suspected it. Plain and simple."
It was all too unreal, like a bad dream.
"I'm not ready to die," she whispered.
Lifting his head, he stared at the woman he loved. "No one ever is, luv."
Shaking her head, she stood. "No, I'm NOT ready to die. It's not my time." Suddenly, she began to kick the wall as hard as she could. "I'm not ready!" she screamed, "I'm not fucking ready!"
"What are you doing pet?" asked an amazed Spike.
Ignoring him, she continued, screaming louder. "I'M NOT READY, YOU STUPID BASTARDS! I'M NOT GOD-DAMNED READY!"
A shorter, female Flueruin ran to her cell entrance, holding a broken tazer.
"Stop it, Slayer," she commanded, hitting the girl with all her force.
Buffy fell to the ground, her rib possibly broken. The demon turned to exit.
"Stop!" yelled the blonde, and the demon complied. "Please don't leave."
"What do you want?" asked the demon, turning.
An idea popped in her head. Clearing her throat, Buffy began to speak softly. "What's your name?"
Taking a step back, the demon eyed her suspiciously. "Is this some kind of joke?"
"No, it's not."
There was a pause. "Elyog. My name is Elyog."
"That's a nice name," said the Slayer genuinely. "Where did you live before your Leader came?"
She paused for a moment, assessing if this was a trick. "In the woods, right behind the big hill."
"Did you live with your family?"
"Yes, I did."
Buffy sat up, rubbing her side. "We're you happier?"
Elyog shook her head. "There was chaos before the Leader came." It was a programmed answer.
"No Elyog, truthfully. We're you happy?"
Searching for alternative words, Elyog could only say the truth. "Yes. My mother used to take my siblings and I out on clear nights to show us the stars. And, we would have these great feasts . . ." Her eyes wandered away.
Speaking louder, Buffy regained her focus. "Elyog, when I was the Slayer in Sunnydale, I knew all about your clan. I knew that they were peaceful and wouldn't harm anyone. But, your Leader came in and changed you. You fight, you kill, and right now, you're working to destroy an entire race."
"That's the way life is when you wage war," sighed Elyog, shrugging her shoulders.
"No," Buffy shook her head; "It's not. There is no war to wage. He's going to kill my friends, my family. And do you think he's going to stop there? When all of humanity is dead, he'll look for another food source. Who's to say it won't be you next? Your friends, your family." She looked away, a tear sprouting in her eyes. "I've missed my family. I just got back. I'm not ready to say goodbye."
The demon stood frozen, emotionless.
"Guards," she yelled at the two demons by the door.
Buffy's heart fell into her stomach.
"Remove the prisoners' chains."
Without another word, Elyog stepped back and let the guards come through. A chant was uttered, and her hands were free. Turning, they entered Spike's cell and did the same.
He leapt up, and Buffy ran to him. Like magnets, their lips found each other, and were soon in a passionate kiss.
As the two kissed, Elyog turned to the guards.
"Run, run to the forest," she commanded, "If you see anyone, tell them the Leader orders them to go home. Once you get there, wait for me." Obeying the orders of the highest-ranking Flueruin, the guards put down their weapons and ran.
She spun around to address the couple, interrupting their embrace.
"I'm going to send as many of the followers as I can back home. They'll do whatever I say. But some are with the Leader at this moment. You'll have to go through them to get the Leader."
"Where is he," asked Spike.
"Up through the main corridor, where the vehicles were once stored. It's where the machine is."
Reaching through her coat to pull out her battle-axe, Buffy discovered it was gone. "Where are our weapons?"
"On a table at the top of the steps." Giving the girl a quick handshake, Elyog began to run in another direction. She stopped at the bottom of the other stairs. "I hope you succeed."
"Thank you very much."
The two watched the demon run up the stairs, then disappear into the darkness. His hand finding hers, Spike began to feel his confidence rise. "Well luv, that was a bit of a obstacle, but now we're back on the case."
"Don't even start," warned the Slayer, "This is the point where everything is going to matter."
@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@
Chili from the can was not one of her favorite foods, but Gillian choked it down. It was her Daddy's favorite food, and Mommy was trying to make him comfortable.
After her Uncle Billy and new Auntie Buffy left, all her other Aunties and Uncles stayed until dinnertime, then went home. She could sense that they were all upset about something.
"Jilly, don't play with your food," ordered Anya, who was sitting next to Xander on the sofa. Dinner was in the living room because Daddy was too hurt to move.
She still couldn't get that picture out of her head. Daddy, on the ground, a lot of blood, Mommy crying.
Ryan started to fuss, so Anya took him out of his playpen to feed him. Gillian envied her little brother's sense of happiness. The baby had no idea what was going on.
For a four-year-old, she had thoughts that no child should have. She could tell whenever there wasn't something said. The auras of the people gave it away, as did the energy of the environment. And they all pretended everything was ok, just because of the children.
Xander started to rub Anya's leg sensuously. In a second, Gillian knew she would be having an early bedtime. This wasn't right. Her Daddy was hurting badly, but he was going to risk it all to "wrestle" with Mommy.
Sighing, Gillian stabbed her fork into the chili. Anya started to giggle, but when Gillian looked at her, the lights had gone dark. Her home disappeared, along with her dinner and family.
She was in a new place, a big warehouse. Funny creatures were all running to the exits.
The lights went out again, and she was in a smaller room in the warehouse. Two people ran by her, not noticing her. It was her Uncle Billy and Auntie Buffy. They were sneaking up behind a tall man with tan skin.
A flash filled the room. Auntie Buffy was fighting two of the funny looking creatures, while Uncle Billy was hitting the tall man.
Another flash. The tall man had her Uncle Billy pinned to the ground, but Auntie Buffy came up and threw the man to the ground.
The light began to fade again, but she could still hear everything. Kicking and punching and hitting. But the sounds stopped as Auntie Buffy screamed and Uncle Billy yelled.
With a jolt, Gillian opened her eyes. She was back home, lying on the ground, Anya shaking her as Xander watched with horror.
"Thank God," moaned her father, "She's come out of it." He crouched, ignoring the pain in his body. "What happened sweetie?"
Gillian started to cry. She was just too young to deal with this knowledge.
"Someone isn't coming home."
@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@
Sharp pieces of metal had always been a comfort to him. Hell, his love of them gave him his nickname. And once again, the cold steel felt like an old friend.
Things were starting to go right. He and Buffy were free, they had their weapons, and they were ready to kill Pitatch.
Careful as to not make the same mistake as earlier, they ran through the old Initiative. Buffy knew where the old auto storage was, and was leading the way. With every step, he knew she was planning what to do.
Seconds later, they stood in front of the door. Most of the Flueruin demons had fled, following the orders. But, peaking through the glass in the door, Spike could see that at least thirty remained.
"Got a lot to deal with luv," he commented, as Buffy got her axe out, swinging it for practice. He got out his knife, gripping it tightly in his hands.
"One of us will have to kill Pitatch, the other needs to destroy the machine so it can never be used." She spun in a small circle, swinging the axe over her head.
"I've got the demon, you've got the machine."
Stopping, she put her hands on her hips in defiance. "Like hell you do."
Grinning, he gave her a soft kiss. "If the bloody machine gets on fire, I'm a goner. You have the incredible ability to not die if fire touches you."
Laughing softly, Buffy hugged Spike.
This might be our last one.
"Alright, let's go."