Some Kind of Wonderful:3
A/N: Hi all. So I see I've got ten reviews! This makes me extremely happy and I want to thank all who reviewed. I noticed a new reviewer Jewely, I want to say welcome and I hope you continue to enjoy this story. I've just gotten the ff.net support services and so I think if you put me in your author alert you'll know when I update. It will make it easier for me so that I don't have to spend all my time e-mailing all of you when I update. Also, I just wanted to say thanks Mel and Duster for reading some of my other stories and reviewing them! I really appreciate it. Okay I'm happy, since I have support services I have the power to see how many hits my stories get and boy do they get hits!!!!!! People actually read them, which surprised the hell out of me! I thought no one read my Thousand Years trilogy but they do! They read them but they don't review. This really makes me wonder. I'm glad people read my stories even if they don't review. I would recommend this to people who do not get that many reviews. You'll probably be surprised at how many people actually read your stuff but don't review. So enough of my ff.net endorsement! Thank you again for the reviews and keep 'em coming! Enjoy. Skyz.
Disclaimer: I don't own Btvs it belongs to Joss Whedon and co.
Chapter 3:
She had never in her life met a vampire like Angelus before. Wolfe had told her, of course what he was capable of but to see it..
Live it.
She was now hard pressed to find the fine line of Angel and Angelus. The Angel she had known, loved, was gone. Perhaps for good.
Buffy strode determinedly through the grocery store, pushing her cart hurriedly. She was restocking her supplies. A number of gallon jugs of water littered her cart as well as cloves of garlic.
She rolled her eyes as she thought of this. She'd become a regular pan handler, except instead of asking for money she handed out crosses, garlic, these soon to be blessed jugs of water.
At least the people in Sunnydale were not as stupid as she had once thought to disregard the proffered items. She had been running out almost immediately every time she was out, which was every Tuesday and Thursday. She was beginning to wonder why they didn't just go out and by their own. This technically was not part of the job description.
Her thoughts shifted abruptly back to Angelus. She had no idea what Angelus was up too and she was beyond worried.
These past weeks there had only been skirmishes between them. Nothing she hadn't come out of alive and now-now she was beginning to freak out.
Purchasing her items, she exited the store and glanced around for Oz's van. She was very much in Oz's debt. He had declined the invite to hit the road with the Scoobs and instead had stayed. To help he said. She would be forever grateful. She missed everyone---even Cordelia's snobby attitude. Much to her shock.
Oz had helped her patrol and watched her back. He was staying with her. He had been there when the body parts began to showing up.
Buffy shuddered as Oz's van pulled up beside her and she began loading the van. Oz hopped out glancing at her, shading his eyes from the suns glare with his hand.
"Got everything?" he asked jerking his head towards the entrance of the store.
"Yep, let's go," she said as she slid into the van. Oz nodded and followed suit.
He pulled out of the parking lot and her thoughts drifted once again to Angelus.
The bodies...
What he'd done to them..She'd been sick every single time she found the pieces he left on her door step. A hand here, a foot there. A head. Torso. Fingers. And once...God help her a brain! As of yet there hadn't been a heart, but she was sure she hadn't seen the last of internal organs.
She had notified the police of course. Wanting the victims families to be given the closure of knowing their loved ones weren't out there hurting or..worse than dead.
In retrospect, she thought maybe the not knowing would have been kinder. Angelus had not merely cut his victims to pieces, he had tortured them before hand. The evidence had been clearly visible.
Oz had commented after the third body part, that Angelus was like a cat, bringing his prey home to his master as some sort of gift. Showing off.
She had agreed.
In some sick way, he wanted a reaction from her; she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of one though.
The police after losing their third man on guard at her house had called off the surveillance altogether.
It had been a waste and she'd warned them, spoken to the chief himself. He had ignored her request to leave it be and had paid the price with his officers lives.
Oz helped her carry the groceries into the house and once everything was put away, Buffy fell onto the couch.
Oz headed directly to the computer.
"We got anything?" Buffy asked tiredly.
"Yeah. Hold on," he replied.
Buffy closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
"We've got two new e-mails since last week's. I'll read the first one. They sent it this morning. Here it is; 'We've been found. Followed, contact you later. Giles'."
Buffy sat up, eyes opening wide.
"Read the second one," she ordered.
Fear gnawed at her. She had sent them out alone and now---if anything happened to them! She would never forgive herself. Never!
"This second one is longer and sent an hour ago. They're on their way home. They should be here by tonight. Giles has found some startling information. They haven't found Spike yet. But they're tired of running and their place is here."
They sat in silence.
"This should be nice for you. Willow's coming home," Buffy said absently, her mind working furiously.
Oz shot her his patent steady eyed look. Which having spent so much time with him, she now understood.
"I'm scared. Oz this is nothing like I had anticipated. When we met Wolfe and he described Angelus, it was nothing like this. Now the gang wants to come home. I don't..I don't know if we can handle this. I feel...I know this is bigger than we could even imagine."
Oz nodded.
"But that's why they are coming back. They want to help and they have information. Don't you think its odd how no one has heard about Spike?" he asked suddenly.
Buffy looked up briefly.
"Yes. Usually the demon mill's pumpin' non-stop. Now...now it has run dry. This only adds to the list of things that don't add up here. I wish we knew what the hell is going on," she exclaimed as she jumped up abruptly.
Oz merely watched her as she paced.
"I gotta get some sleep. You should too Oz. We're gonna have a busy night."
She left the living room and headed for her room. She was exhausted. The non-stop method she was using didn't do her any good.
Undressing she slipped beneath her covers and tried to sleep.
But her mind kept moving around and around in circles. They finally focused on two things, Spike and Angel. She was afraid for them both. That dream...the first night had made very little sense to her. Even now, it still confused her. She had shared it with Giles and he had told her it was probably her sub conscious playing tricks with her torn feelings for the two vampires. She had readily agreed. Now she wasn't so sure.
Save me, they had cried. From what? She wondered. For Angel it was easy to guess. He needed to be saved from Angelus.
But Spike?
What could she save him from, why would he need rescuing?
Then there was the whole I love you, he'll kill you spiel. A true statement for both she assumed. Angel loved her, but Angelus wanted to kill her. Spike..showed signs of loving her and it was his nature and specialty to kill Slayers.
She was so confused. Angelus wasn't--- she could not comprehend how he had come back. The oddest and scariest thing was when Giles and Willow had insisted doing the spell to permanently replace his soul she'd happily agreed. She had thought they could nip Angelus in the bud so there would be less damage.
They had completed the spell, only to find his soul was gone. There were no remaining pieces; it was as if he had never had a soul. Giles had assumed the soul would have been pushed so far back the demon could easily over look it.
He had told them when you did a re-souling spell it was possible to pull back the soul from its hidden place. Pieces had remained making it easier to recall the soul.
This had been a sobering and upsetting experience. The Scoobies had all demanded to stay but she had gotten them all out of town as decided.
That was only one among many things that made no sense. She knew deep down that the news Giles carried could not be good.
Forcing her mind to a complete blank, she closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep.
~*~*~
Giles sat pensively facing the window of the Grey Hound bus the Scooby gang currently occupied.
"What did you find out that was so upsetting Rupert?" Joyce asked as she retook her seat next to him, after checking on the children.
Giles glanced up and debated whether to tell the truth or if it would be better to lie. As Buffy was her daughter, he knew she deserved a heads up.
"Buffy's life is in danger Joyce," he stated.
Joyce took a deep breath.
"From Angelus you mean?" she asked.
"He is the least of her problems at the moment. I don't know why it occurred to me so late, but I put a call into the Council. Spoke to a trusted friend of mine. I wanted to know who else could be after us. I thought to ask about Quentin Travers-"
"The man from the future? I thought he was dead?" Joyce cut in.
Giles nodded quickly.
"Precisely. He is. Here and in the future. When he died in the future, he died here as well. Since we've been on the move since returning, I gave it very little thought. A horrendous error on my part," Giles moaned.
Joyce frowned as she reached out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sure it can't be that bad Rupert. So this Travers is dead, that means he won't kill Buffy and...Spike like in the future!"
"He might not, but that doesn't mean his brother won't..."
~*~*~
"Did Giles tell you why we're going home?" Willow asked Xander.
Xander opened one eye.
"No," he answered shortly.
"I'm glad though! This means we can see Buffy again! Oh and Oz---I hope he's okay. Xander---what do you think is wrong with Angel?"
Xander sat up, all pretense of sleeping gone from his mind.
"Willow..you did the spell remember? Giles said Angel's soul is gone. No pieces left hanging around there. No siree! Angelus is here to stay," Xander growled.
Willow sighed.
"I hope not. I mean what's Buffy going to do? What if she has to kill him? She's in love with him. I'd never wish that on-"
"So she's still in love with him? Cuz really I was beginning to doubt that Wills. I mean the whole Spike thing...We've been on the road nearly a month looking for him, for no other reason than Buffy wants him there with her. You guys never did answer my question about Buffy and Spike. Are we going to let her be with him, if Angel never comes back?"
Willow was silent a moment.
"I...I guess. I mean you saw Wolfe. He was their son, he was really nice," Willow chirped happily.
"Yeh," Xander admitted grudgingly. "My future self said I had to put a stop to this prejudice. It almost ruined my life. I'm gonna try Wills. But this is Spike!"
Willow placed her head on his shoulder and smiled.
"Yeah. Spike who tried to kill us once and then not really. We have a chance to start much earlier than our future selves did! Even then, it was a struggle. Willow---how weird is that? Anyway, she said we alienated Buffy so much she felt the need to hide her relationship with Spike from us. Granted Buffy had been using and abusing Spike but still! We don't want that."
Xander nodded in agreement.
"Of course we don't. Xander told me that killing Angel made Buffy closed off emotionally. It took years for her to finally bring the walls down. I don't want that for Buffy. I want her to be happy you know? Killing Angel is going to destroy her."
"Maybe she won't have too. Maybe we-"
"Don't get your hopes up. If she kills him, we have to be there for her. We can't let her run off for the summer. She has to stay and deal! Okay?"
"Okay."
Xander shifted slightly
"Wills..I'm worried about this whole Cordelia thing," Xander finally admitted.
Willow lifted her head and glanced up at him curiously.
"Why?"
"Well...for one she ended up with Angel! I mean sure you and I had our little...thing but she ends up with Angel!"
"But you can change that! Don't you want to?"
Xander shrugged half-heartedly.
"I don't know. See, I was happy with this Anya woman. An ex-vengeance demon. Will I even be happy with Cordelia if I try? I mean I like her a lot but-"
"Why not try? Wasn't that your problem? You never tried to make things right? Never worked on th-"
"Okay! So you're saying I should try and make it work?"
"After all if you weren't with Cordelia you would never have met Anya, whom you married. Keep your options open. I'm not one of them mind you......but keep 'em open kay Xan."
Xander nodded and closed his eyes settling back down for his nap.
"So...we're really letting Buffy be with Spike?"
~*~*~
Buffy fell heavily to the ground a groan coming forth as she wrestled with the large vampire she was fighting. This was one of the first fights she'd actually had trouble with. Usually it was wham bam thank you ma'am. Angelus didn't count, they hadn't even fought more like a game of tag, she thought now as the vampire lowered his head and tried to get a piece of her neck.
The vamp froze as he neared her neck. She glanced up into his confused yellow eyes, arched a brow as she flipped him over her head, and staked him a second later. Rising to her feet, she rolled her shoulders, easing the kinks.
"What was that about?" she asked Oz who had been lounging near by watching her fight.
Oz smiled slightly as he fell in step with her. He jerked his head to her neck.
"It's the claim," he stated quietly.
Buffy's steps faltered.
"What?" she asked.
Oz stopped too as he glanced at her.
"Are you saying you didn't know?" he asked his brows rising in surprise.
"No! I mean I'm not stupid, contrary to popular opinion. Giles mentioned something or another but what does Spike's claim have to do with anything?"
Oz shrugged and tugged on her arm to get her moving again.
"Let's take this discussion home and I'll explain what I know."
Buffy nodded and she was extremely relieved to make it home without an incident with Angelus or any other vamps.
They settled comfortable in the living room and Buffy urged Oz to continue.
"So Spike's claim, what's up with that?" she asked.
"Buffy I don't know too much but I do know a little. Spike marked you as his own."
"Like property or something! I can't believe him," she yelled angrily.
"From what you said Spike accidentally bit you, it wasn't intentional. The claiming though was. He bit you and in the relatively short time, the space is open to lay a claim he did. It protects you, repels off the othe-"
Buffy sighed loudly and lowered her head to her hands.
"So..is this why Angelus hasn't come after me?"
Sagely Oz nodded.
"Yep. He can't. At least not yet."
That caught Buffy's attention.
"Not yet?"
"Not yet. The claim... When he bit you it was not a full on claim. The claim won't act fully or last forever. In fact it won't last for another week."
"What?! Okay so you're saying the claim is void after only a month?" she demanded.
"Well one that wasn't completed or reciprocated. Yours was not."
Buffy frowned.
"I'm not letting him bite me again!"
Oz just looked at her.
"Why do you want him with you Buffy? You said you told him to leave. Which means you don't want to be with him right?"
Buffy opened her mouth to agree but nothing came out. She didn't want to say yes. She wasn't sure. Confused wasn't even the right word to describe her state of mind. She swallowed and glanced away from Oz's perceptive gaze. She wanted Spike here with her; she knew he could help her get through this. She didn't question the knowledge but embraced it.
It was the only thing keeping her grounded. If Spike were here then she-
"Of course not! It would be wrong," she muttered.
"Would it?" Oz countered.
"Yes! Besides I'm in love with Angel," she mumbled unconvincingly.
"I think Angel ceased to exist the minute you found out about your life with Spike. About your son Wolfe. Saw that you could have that normal, or close to normal life, you dream about. It helps that if you ever sleep with Angel his demon will come out, that really isn't normal now is it?"
Buffy laughed a slight hysterical edge to it.
"That's ridiculous Oz! I mean Angel didn't cease to exist! He was there I mean okay so he was old. And bitter. And mean. And married to Cordelia!!! But he was there! Alive, human, in love with Cordelia! Can you believe that?! What the hell is up with that!!!!" she yelled jumping to her feet.
"Some one is upset," Oz announced with a small smile.
"No, I'm not. So Angel married Cordelia. I'm fine with that. I come back, send Spike away and Angel turns into Angelus. Okay with that too! But what I am not okay with is the fact I'm...I'm in..." she couldn't even say it. She collapsed next to Oz.
"Is that you're in love with Spike?" he prodded gently.
Buffy moaned into her hands.
"It's wrong."
"If it's how you feel it can't be wrong," Oz murmured comfortingly.
"You know they wouldn't let me be with him. Not now since Angel's all evil."
"Listen it's not all bad. So Spike's soulless, less soul to lose in my book. He's semi evil so how worse could he get? He turns out good in the end though. Now we all know he'll be good...at some point."
"But how can this be love? I don't understand! And if I don't understand, how am I supposed to explain myself? Not even a month ago I was all with the hate, now it's love! I d-"
"You don't have to understand Buffy. Just go with it."
She glanced up at him.
"So you really think they'd let me be with him?" she asked perking up.
"Sure, unless Angelus ends up killing you both first," he commented deadpan.
Buffy couldn't help herself, in some twisted way she found his words hilarious.
"That is highly probable! He'll kill Spike and me! Dance in our blood! But failing that?"
Oz joined her in her laughter as he answered.
"Yeah. They'll let you be with Spike Buffy."
~*~*~
"I told you. You don't understand what is going on," Delos snapped abruptly as he lifted himself to his feet and leaned over Spike.
Spike's shocked gaze followed his movements.
"Who told you about him?! How do you know about my son," he growled as he tried to rise but Delos pushed him back down. A hand firmly placed on his burned back.
Spike screamed as Delos twisted his hand into a fist and ground it into the burnt flesh.
"What the hell is this?!" he yelled as he gasped for unneeded breath.
"This? Well this is me making you listen William. I know all kinds of interesting tidbits. Really I do. But I'm sure none will interest you more than the one about your son huh?"
Spike gritted his teeth and managed a curt nod.
Delos lifted his hand from Spike's back and pulled out a silk handkerchief. He wiped off his bloody fist and retook his seat.
"Did you think things would remain the same?" he asked conversationally.
Spike declined to answer.
"I suppose you did. That you would return, home and things would be the same yes? Except that now you knew you had loved a Slayer and had a child with her. Is that the natural order of things William? But I suppose it is with you yes? You betray everyone in the end don't you?"
Delos studied Spike's lowered head with a look of barely contained glee. A smile tugged at the corner of his thin mouth. He leant back and extracted a thin cigar. Lighting it he inhaled deeply.
"Forgive my rudeness William. I mean you no harm. But I need you to see the truth."
Spike's head jerked up and he glared up at Delos.
"What truth?! What don't I know? I'm sick of this Delos. You say you know all kinds of rot but won't tell me what! You know about my son and it seems to amuse you. I want answers! NOW!!!!"
"We all want something William," Delos whispered as he leaned down and crushed out his cigar in Spike's back. Spike's howl was music to his ears.
"Have you not noticed it yet? Did it not register the minute you returned William? Set foot in Europe? Do you remember what I told you? Do you?"
"Yes," Spike gasped out.
"What did I tell you?"
"Never come back."
"See I knew you remembered! I see you just ignored it and thought I meant never come back to see me. Alas, that was not what I meant at all. I thought I had taught you a lesson with the mob in Prague. I see it failed to sink in. You came crawling back, only this time it was to dispose of Drusilla. I laughed aloud when I heard! Spike kill Drusilla?! The woman he loved more than anything in the world. More than family, more than blood. More than loyalty itself. I---"
"Look I don't see how you blubberin' on 'bout this shit that happened in the past Delos tells me a thing! It's history, I did what I had to do and I'd do it again! Shut the fuck up or get on to what you have to say you bloody pillock!!!"
"Such language William. You always had a mouth on you. You know what I asked Drusilla," Delos asked suddenly switching gears. He cupped Spike's head and looked him in the eyes. "I asked if she had seen her death. If she had known what was coming. She knew. She was always more sane than people gave her credit for really. Angelus made sure to ruin her for anyone else though didn't he? He always ruined people's plans. You know...before Dru turned you..I was in the process of doing it. As I was the elder of my line it was time I took a childe. Angelus ignored that you were mine and let Dru make you. He stole you from me! Just like, you stole my childer from me! An eye for an eye."
Spike's head jerked from Delos's grip and he struggled to get away from him.
"What are you doing?" Delos asked in amusement as he watched Spike scramble away.
"Stay away," Spike, mumbled as he managed to get to his feet. He swayed and almost fell down as he brought his hands up in front of him.
"Stay away? What is it you think I am going to do William?"
Spike looked around wildly, for any escape. His breathing was ragged a testament to how upset he was as he moved slowly along the wall. His eyes never left Delos as his hands clenched and his eyes flashed gold.
Spike closed his eyes and when he opened them, again Delos was in front of him.
He jumped and let out a muffled scream.
He had forgotten. God he had forgotten the most important thing about Delos! He wasn't to be trusted. He seemed so nice and friendly but underneath he was a demon. One of the worst. Spike had forgotten Delos was no ordinary vampire. Forgotten that he was at his deadliest when your guard was down.
"Don't be frightened," Delos whispered as he lifted Spike's face.
"M'not," Spike choked out as his jaw clenched and he blinked away his sudden tears. "Just don't...don't do this. Please."
"I never thought I'd see the day William the Bloody Awful poet would beg for mercy. Perhaps on his sire's life but his? How the mighty have fallen William. How the mighty have fallen...."
Spike trembled in fear as he tried to force himself away from Delos. However, Delos had a firm grip on him and he wasn't getting anywhere.
"Let me go.." he whispered.
"Let you go? Me thinks not," Delos purred as he smiled his game face falling on.
Spike twisted his head away, tried to wiggle away. All failed and Delos lowered his head.
"I think it only fitting don't you William that I shall be the one to take your life? That I shall be the one to take your child from you as well?"
Spike's body went if possible even more rigid.
"What?! You leave the Slayer alone," he screamed as a surge of power shot through him and he tossed Delos away from him.
"The Slayer? You mistook me William. I'm not concerned with her, as Mornay will dispose of her in due time. I said your child William. Wolfe. Quite the little half-breed you have there William. It will be a pleasure I can assure you. Now come here and-"
As the words left Delos's mouth Spike pounced jumping forward and taking them both down in the process. Spike pounded on Delos with a rage he had never known.
"You leave him alone Delos!! I'll hunt down Mornay and kill her too. How about that? First, born childe of Delos taken down by Spike, William the Bloody?! I'll do it I-"
Spike was so caught up in his speech he never noticed the stewardess sneak up behind him and knock him over the head with a silver tray. He slumped down on top of Delos.
"Thank you Mary," Delos said as he hefted Spike off him and Mary scurried out.
"Well...well..looks like we are back where we started huh? Have you realized it yet?" Delos asked as he lifted Spike so he lay across his lap. He lifted Spike's head and bared his neck.
"No..please. Don't...don't, don't," Spike whispered brokenly. "Don't hurt my son..."
"Awwwww... how pathetically sweet. Don't hurt your son...well first, to get to him we'll have to go on a little journey William. Not too far, mind you. But a little journey. Filled with perilous threats and death. Do you like the sound of that?"
"Please.."
"More begging...how appropriate. I'll never let you go William. Never let you go back," Delos growled as sunk his fangs into Spike's neck.
Spike's scream echoed loudly in the silence.
It took no time at all before Delos had nearly drained Spike dry. He placed him on the seat opposite him and licked his lips as he unbuttoned his cuff and bared his wrist.
"You only have so much time before I destroy them both Slayer. Your son and William..." He said as he looked up a smile firmly in place.
He placed his now open and bleeding wrist to Spike's mouth and his smile grew wider as Spike began to drink.
"Do you see? Don't you realize it yet? Angelus..you see I've taken them all from you. If you want William, you will have to come get him. Follow the yellow brick road...Follow the yellow brick road and you might just find us..."
"But let me warn you.. William is mine and I will not give him up without a fight. You have one month Slayer..Angelus. One month to save one or the other. Wolfe or William. Choose wisely."
~*~*~
Buffy woke screaming and crying. Things had just taken a turn for the worse and she wasn't sure if she could help Spike. If she could choose.
Buffy knew without a doubt now.
Knew she wasn't home. That they had never been home. Question was though just where the hell were they? And why?
How was she going to rescue two of the three men closest to her heart?
~*~*~
Angelus let out a howl of rage as he woke from his dream, which had not been a dream at all. He threw off the covers and jumped to his feet.
"How dare he?!" he screamed as he paced. How dare that bastard Delos betray the bond of blood and make Spike his?!!!
And Mornay. That little bitch thought she could kill Dru and he'd let her get away with it? He'd make her pay, make her bleed. Delos would pay for making this mistake. For taking what was rightfully his and marking it.
Anger raged through him. An anger that matched only his anger for Spike at daring to touch the Slayer. It mattered little that mere minutes ago he had been ready to kill Spike himself, now his only thought was of saving Spike and then killing him. No one else was going to take that from him, not even Delos!
The only way he knew to do this though was to get help. And the help he would need came from a place he was unlikely to get it. But he would make then listen and he would make them help him or else!
He would find Spike and kill him and then he might even kill the son Delos had harked on.
A/N: Hi all. So I see I've got ten reviews! This makes me extremely happy and I want to thank all who reviewed. I noticed a new reviewer Jewely, I want to say welcome and I hope you continue to enjoy this story. I've just gotten the ff.net support services and so I think if you put me in your author alert you'll know when I update. It will make it easier for me so that I don't have to spend all my time e-mailing all of you when I update. Also, I just wanted to say thanks Mel and Duster for reading some of my other stories and reviewing them! I really appreciate it. Okay I'm happy, since I have support services I have the power to see how many hits my stories get and boy do they get hits!!!!!! People actually read them, which surprised the hell out of me! I thought no one read my Thousand Years trilogy but they do! They read them but they don't review. This really makes me wonder. I'm glad people read my stories even if they don't review. I would recommend this to people who do not get that many reviews. You'll probably be surprised at how many people actually read your stuff but don't review. So enough of my ff.net endorsement! Thank you again for the reviews and keep 'em coming! Enjoy. Skyz.
Disclaimer: I don't own Btvs it belongs to Joss Whedon and co.
Chapter 3:
She had never in her life met a vampire like Angelus before. Wolfe had told her, of course what he was capable of but to see it..
Live it.
She was now hard pressed to find the fine line of Angel and Angelus. The Angel she had known, loved, was gone. Perhaps for good.
Buffy strode determinedly through the grocery store, pushing her cart hurriedly. She was restocking her supplies. A number of gallon jugs of water littered her cart as well as cloves of garlic.
She rolled her eyes as she thought of this. She'd become a regular pan handler, except instead of asking for money she handed out crosses, garlic, these soon to be blessed jugs of water.
At least the people in Sunnydale were not as stupid as she had once thought to disregard the proffered items. She had been running out almost immediately every time she was out, which was every Tuesday and Thursday. She was beginning to wonder why they didn't just go out and by their own. This technically was not part of the job description.
Her thoughts shifted abruptly back to Angelus. She had no idea what Angelus was up too and she was beyond worried.
These past weeks there had only been skirmishes between them. Nothing she hadn't come out of alive and now-now she was beginning to freak out.
Purchasing her items, she exited the store and glanced around for Oz's van. She was very much in Oz's debt. He had declined the invite to hit the road with the Scoobs and instead had stayed. To help he said. She would be forever grateful. She missed everyone---even Cordelia's snobby attitude. Much to her shock.
Oz had helped her patrol and watched her back. He was staying with her. He had been there when the body parts began to showing up.
Buffy shuddered as Oz's van pulled up beside her and she began loading the van. Oz hopped out glancing at her, shading his eyes from the suns glare with his hand.
"Got everything?" he asked jerking his head towards the entrance of the store.
"Yep, let's go," she said as she slid into the van. Oz nodded and followed suit.
He pulled out of the parking lot and her thoughts drifted once again to Angelus.
The bodies...
What he'd done to them..She'd been sick every single time she found the pieces he left on her door step. A hand here, a foot there. A head. Torso. Fingers. And once...God help her a brain! As of yet there hadn't been a heart, but she was sure she hadn't seen the last of internal organs.
She had notified the police of course. Wanting the victims families to be given the closure of knowing their loved ones weren't out there hurting or..worse than dead.
In retrospect, she thought maybe the not knowing would have been kinder. Angelus had not merely cut his victims to pieces, he had tortured them before hand. The evidence had been clearly visible.
Oz had commented after the third body part, that Angelus was like a cat, bringing his prey home to his master as some sort of gift. Showing off.
She had agreed.
In some sick way, he wanted a reaction from her; she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of one though.
The police after losing their third man on guard at her house had called off the surveillance altogether.
It had been a waste and she'd warned them, spoken to the chief himself. He had ignored her request to leave it be and had paid the price with his officers lives.
Oz helped her carry the groceries into the house and once everything was put away, Buffy fell onto the couch.
Oz headed directly to the computer.
"We got anything?" Buffy asked tiredly.
"Yeah. Hold on," he replied.
Buffy closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
"We've got two new e-mails since last week's. I'll read the first one. They sent it this morning. Here it is; 'We've been found. Followed, contact you later. Giles'."
Buffy sat up, eyes opening wide.
"Read the second one," she ordered.
Fear gnawed at her. She had sent them out alone and now---if anything happened to them! She would never forgive herself. Never!
"This second one is longer and sent an hour ago. They're on their way home. They should be here by tonight. Giles has found some startling information. They haven't found Spike yet. But they're tired of running and their place is here."
They sat in silence.
"This should be nice for you. Willow's coming home," Buffy said absently, her mind working furiously.
Oz shot her his patent steady eyed look. Which having spent so much time with him, she now understood.
"I'm scared. Oz this is nothing like I had anticipated. When we met Wolfe and he described Angelus, it was nothing like this. Now the gang wants to come home. I don't..I don't know if we can handle this. I feel...I know this is bigger than we could even imagine."
Oz nodded.
"But that's why they are coming back. They want to help and they have information. Don't you think its odd how no one has heard about Spike?" he asked suddenly.
Buffy looked up briefly.
"Yes. Usually the demon mill's pumpin' non-stop. Now...now it has run dry. This only adds to the list of things that don't add up here. I wish we knew what the hell is going on," she exclaimed as she jumped up abruptly.
Oz merely watched her as she paced.
"I gotta get some sleep. You should too Oz. We're gonna have a busy night."
She left the living room and headed for her room. She was exhausted. The non-stop method she was using didn't do her any good.
Undressing she slipped beneath her covers and tried to sleep.
But her mind kept moving around and around in circles. They finally focused on two things, Spike and Angel. She was afraid for them both. That dream...the first night had made very little sense to her. Even now, it still confused her. She had shared it with Giles and he had told her it was probably her sub conscious playing tricks with her torn feelings for the two vampires. She had readily agreed. Now she wasn't so sure.
Save me, they had cried. From what? She wondered. For Angel it was easy to guess. He needed to be saved from Angelus.
But Spike?
What could she save him from, why would he need rescuing?
Then there was the whole I love you, he'll kill you spiel. A true statement for both she assumed. Angel loved her, but Angelus wanted to kill her. Spike..showed signs of loving her and it was his nature and specialty to kill Slayers.
She was so confused. Angelus wasn't--- she could not comprehend how he had come back. The oddest and scariest thing was when Giles and Willow had insisted doing the spell to permanently replace his soul she'd happily agreed. She had thought they could nip Angelus in the bud so there would be less damage.
They had completed the spell, only to find his soul was gone. There were no remaining pieces; it was as if he had never had a soul. Giles had assumed the soul would have been pushed so far back the demon could easily over look it.
He had told them when you did a re-souling spell it was possible to pull back the soul from its hidden place. Pieces had remained making it easier to recall the soul.
This had been a sobering and upsetting experience. The Scoobies had all demanded to stay but she had gotten them all out of town as decided.
That was only one among many things that made no sense. She knew deep down that the news Giles carried could not be good.
Forcing her mind to a complete blank, she closed her eyes and was soon fast asleep.
~*~*~
Giles sat pensively facing the window of the Grey Hound bus the Scooby gang currently occupied.
"What did you find out that was so upsetting Rupert?" Joyce asked as she retook her seat next to him, after checking on the children.
Giles glanced up and debated whether to tell the truth or if it would be better to lie. As Buffy was her daughter, he knew she deserved a heads up.
"Buffy's life is in danger Joyce," he stated.
Joyce took a deep breath.
"From Angelus you mean?" she asked.
"He is the least of her problems at the moment. I don't know why it occurred to me so late, but I put a call into the Council. Spoke to a trusted friend of mine. I wanted to know who else could be after us. I thought to ask about Quentin Travers-"
"The man from the future? I thought he was dead?" Joyce cut in.
Giles nodded quickly.
"Precisely. He is. Here and in the future. When he died in the future, he died here as well. Since we've been on the move since returning, I gave it very little thought. A horrendous error on my part," Giles moaned.
Joyce frowned as she reached out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sure it can't be that bad Rupert. So this Travers is dead, that means he won't kill Buffy and...Spike like in the future!"
"He might not, but that doesn't mean his brother won't..."
~*~*~
"Did Giles tell you why we're going home?" Willow asked Xander.
Xander opened one eye.
"No," he answered shortly.
"I'm glad though! This means we can see Buffy again! Oh and Oz---I hope he's okay. Xander---what do you think is wrong with Angel?"
Xander sat up, all pretense of sleeping gone from his mind.
"Willow..you did the spell remember? Giles said Angel's soul is gone. No pieces left hanging around there. No siree! Angelus is here to stay," Xander growled.
Willow sighed.
"I hope not. I mean what's Buffy going to do? What if she has to kill him? She's in love with him. I'd never wish that on-"
"So she's still in love with him? Cuz really I was beginning to doubt that Wills. I mean the whole Spike thing...We've been on the road nearly a month looking for him, for no other reason than Buffy wants him there with her. You guys never did answer my question about Buffy and Spike. Are we going to let her be with him, if Angel never comes back?"
Willow was silent a moment.
"I...I guess. I mean you saw Wolfe. He was their son, he was really nice," Willow chirped happily.
"Yeh," Xander admitted grudgingly. "My future self said I had to put a stop to this prejudice. It almost ruined my life. I'm gonna try Wills. But this is Spike!"
Willow placed her head on his shoulder and smiled.
"Yeah. Spike who tried to kill us once and then not really. We have a chance to start much earlier than our future selves did! Even then, it was a struggle. Willow---how weird is that? Anyway, she said we alienated Buffy so much she felt the need to hide her relationship with Spike from us. Granted Buffy had been using and abusing Spike but still! We don't want that."
Xander nodded in agreement.
"Of course we don't. Xander told me that killing Angel made Buffy closed off emotionally. It took years for her to finally bring the walls down. I don't want that for Buffy. I want her to be happy you know? Killing Angel is going to destroy her."
"Maybe she won't have too. Maybe we-"
"Don't get your hopes up. If she kills him, we have to be there for her. We can't let her run off for the summer. She has to stay and deal! Okay?"
"Okay."
Xander shifted slightly
"Wills..I'm worried about this whole Cordelia thing," Xander finally admitted.
Willow lifted her head and glanced up at him curiously.
"Why?"
"Well...for one she ended up with Angel! I mean sure you and I had our little...thing but she ends up with Angel!"
"But you can change that! Don't you want to?"
Xander shrugged half-heartedly.
"I don't know. See, I was happy with this Anya woman. An ex-vengeance demon. Will I even be happy with Cordelia if I try? I mean I like her a lot but-"
"Why not try? Wasn't that your problem? You never tried to make things right? Never worked on th-"
"Okay! So you're saying I should try and make it work?"
"After all if you weren't with Cordelia you would never have met Anya, whom you married. Keep your options open. I'm not one of them mind you......but keep 'em open kay Xan."
Xander nodded and closed his eyes settling back down for his nap.
"So...we're really letting Buffy be with Spike?"
~*~*~
Buffy fell heavily to the ground a groan coming forth as she wrestled with the large vampire she was fighting. This was one of the first fights she'd actually had trouble with. Usually it was wham bam thank you ma'am. Angelus didn't count, they hadn't even fought more like a game of tag, she thought now as the vampire lowered his head and tried to get a piece of her neck.
The vamp froze as he neared her neck. She glanced up into his confused yellow eyes, arched a brow as she flipped him over her head, and staked him a second later. Rising to her feet, she rolled her shoulders, easing the kinks.
"What was that about?" she asked Oz who had been lounging near by watching her fight.
Oz smiled slightly as he fell in step with her. He jerked his head to her neck.
"It's the claim," he stated quietly.
Buffy's steps faltered.
"What?" she asked.
Oz stopped too as he glanced at her.
"Are you saying you didn't know?" he asked his brows rising in surprise.
"No! I mean I'm not stupid, contrary to popular opinion. Giles mentioned something or another but what does Spike's claim have to do with anything?"
Oz shrugged and tugged on her arm to get her moving again.
"Let's take this discussion home and I'll explain what I know."
Buffy nodded and she was extremely relieved to make it home without an incident with Angelus or any other vamps.
They settled comfortable in the living room and Buffy urged Oz to continue.
"So Spike's claim, what's up with that?" she asked.
"Buffy I don't know too much but I do know a little. Spike marked you as his own."
"Like property or something! I can't believe him," she yelled angrily.
"From what you said Spike accidentally bit you, it wasn't intentional. The claiming though was. He bit you and in the relatively short time, the space is open to lay a claim he did. It protects you, repels off the othe-"
Buffy sighed loudly and lowered her head to her hands.
"So..is this why Angelus hasn't come after me?"
Sagely Oz nodded.
"Yep. He can't. At least not yet."
That caught Buffy's attention.
"Not yet?"
"Not yet. The claim... When he bit you it was not a full on claim. The claim won't act fully or last forever. In fact it won't last for another week."
"What?! Okay so you're saying the claim is void after only a month?" she demanded.
"Well one that wasn't completed or reciprocated. Yours was not."
Buffy frowned.
"I'm not letting him bite me again!"
Oz just looked at her.
"Why do you want him with you Buffy? You said you told him to leave. Which means you don't want to be with him right?"
Buffy opened her mouth to agree but nothing came out. She didn't want to say yes. She wasn't sure. Confused wasn't even the right word to describe her state of mind. She swallowed and glanced away from Oz's perceptive gaze. She wanted Spike here with her; she knew he could help her get through this. She didn't question the knowledge but embraced it.
It was the only thing keeping her grounded. If Spike were here then she-
"Of course not! It would be wrong," she muttered.
"Would it?" Oz countered.
"Yes! Besides I'm in love with Angel," she mumbled unconvincingly.
"I think Angel ceased to exist the minute you found out about your life with Spike. About your son Wolfe. Saw that you could have that normal, or close to normal life, you dream about. It helps that if you ever sleep with Angel his demon will come out, that really isn't normal now is it?"
Buffy laughed a slight hysterical edge to it.
"That's ridiculous Oz! I mean Angel didn't cease to exist! He was there I mean okay so he was old. And bitter. And mean. And married to Cordelia!!! But he was there! Alive, human, in love with Cordelia! Can you believe that?! What the hell is up with that!!!!" she yelled jumping to her feet.
"Some one is upset," Oz announced with a small smile.
"No, I'm not. So Angel married Cordelia. I'm fine with that. I come back, send Spike away and Angel turns into Angelus. Okay with that too! But what I am not okay with is the fact I'm...I'm in..." she couldn't even say it. She collapsed next to Oz.
"Is that you're in love with Spike?" he prodded gently.
Buffy moaned into her hands.
"It's wrong."
"If it's how you feel it can't be wrong," Oz murmured comfortingly.
"You know they wouldn't let me be with him. Not now since Angel's all evil."
"Listen it's not all bad. So Spike's soulless, less soul to lose in my book. He's semi evil so how worse could he get? He turns out good in the end though. Now we all know he'll be good...at some point."
"But how can this be love? I don't understand! And if I don't understand, how am I supposed to explain myself? Not even a month ago I was all with the hate, now it's love! I d-"
"You don't have to understand Buffy. Just go with it."
She glanced up at him.
"So you really think they'd let me be with him?" she asked perking up.
"Sure, unless Angelus ends up killing you both first," he commented deadpan.
Buffy couldn't help herself, in some twisted way she found his words hilarious.
"That is highly probable! He'll kill Spike and me! Dance in our blood! But failing that?"
Oz joined her in her laughter as he answered.
"Yeah. They'll let you be with Spike Buffy."
~*~*~
"I told you. You don't understand what is going on," Delos snapped abruptly as he lifted himself to his feet and leaned over Spike.
Spike's shocked gaze followed his movements.
"Who told you about him?! How do you know about my son," he growled as he tried to rise but Delos pushed him back down. A hand firmly placed on his burned back.
Spike screamed as Delos twisted his hand into a fist and ground it into the burnt flesh.
"What the hell is this?!" he yelled as he gasped for unneeded breath.
"This? Well this is me making you listen William. I know all kinds of interesting tidbits. Really I do. But I'm sure none will interest you more than the one about your son huh?"
Spike gritted his teeth and managed a curt nod.
Delos lifted his hand from Spike's back and pulled out a silk handkerchief. He wiped off his bloody fist and retook his seat.
"Did you think things would remain the same?" he asked conversationally.
Spike declined to answer.
"I suppose you did. That you would return, home and things would be the same yes? Except that now you knew you had loved a Slayer and had a child with her. Is that the natural order of things William? But I suppose it is with you yes? You betray everyone in the end don't you?"
Delos studied Spike's lowered head with a look of barely contained glee. A smile tugged at the corner of his thin mouth. He leant back and extracted a thin cigar. Lighting it he inhaled deeply.
"Forgive my rudeness William. I mean you no harm. But I need you to see the truth."
Spike's head jerked up and he glared up at Delos.
"What truth?! What don't I know? I'm sick of this Delos. You say you know all kinds of rot but won't tell me what! You know about my son and it seems to amuse you. I want answers! NOW!!!!"
"We all want something William," Delos whispered as he leaned down and crushed out his cigar in Spike's back. Spike's howl was music to his ears.
"Have you not noticed it yet? Did it not register the minute you returned William? Set foot in Europe? Do you remember what I told you? Do you?"
"Yes," Spike gasped out.
"What did I tell you?"
"Never come back."
"See I knew you remembered! I see you just ignored it and thought I meant never come back to see me. Alas, that was not what I meant at all. I thought I had taught you a lesson with the mob in Prague. I see it failed to sink in. You came crawling back, only this time it was to dispose of Drusilla. I laughed aloud when I heard! Spike kill Drusilla?! The woman he loved more than anything in the world. More than family, more than blood. More than loyalty itself. I---"
"Look I don't see how you blubberin' on 'bout this shit that happened in the past Delos tells me a thing! It's history, I did what I had to do and I'd do it again! Shut the fuck up or get on to what you have to say you bloody pillock!!!"
"Such language William. You always had a mouth on you. You know what I asked Drusilla," Delos asked suddenly switching gears. He cupped Spike's head and looked him in the eyes. "I asked if she had seen her death. If she had known what was coming. She knew. She was always more sane than people gave her credit for really. Angelus made sure to ruin her for anyone else though didn't he? He always ruined people's plans. You know...before Dru turned you..I was in the process of doing it. As I was the elder of my line it was time I took a childe. Angelus ignored that you were mine and let Dru make you. He stole you from me! Just like, you stole my childer from me! An eye for an eye."
Spike's head jerked from Delos's grip and he struggled to get away from him.
"What are you doing?" Delos asked in amusement as he watched Spike scramble away.
"Stay away," Spike, mumbled as he managed to get to his feet. He swayed and almost fell down as he brought his hands up in front of him.
"Stay away? What is it you think I am going to do William?"
Spike looked around wildly, for any escape. His breathing was ragged a testament to how upset he was as he moved slowly along the wall. His eyes never left Delos as his hands clenched and his eyes flashed gold.
Spike closed his eyes and when he opened them, again Delos was in front of him.
He jumped and let out a muffled scream.
He had forgotten. God he had forgotten the most important thing about Delos! He wasn't to be trusted. He seemed so nice and friendly but underneath he was a demon. One of the worst. Spike had forgotten Delos was no ordinary vampire. Forgotten that he was at his deadliest when your guard was down.
"Don't be frightened," Delos whispered as he lifted Spike's face.
"M'not," Spike choked out as his jaw clenched and he blinked away his sudden tears. "Just don't...don't do this. Please."
"I never thought I'd see the day William the Bloody Awful poet would beg for mercy. Perhaps on his sire's life but his? How the mighty have fallen William. How the mighty have fallen...."
Spike trembled in fear as he tried to force himself away from Delos. However, Delos had a firm grip on him and he wasn't getting anywhere.
"Let me go.." he whispered.
"Let you go? Me thinks not," Delos purred as he smiled his game face falling on.
Spike twisted his head away, tried to wiggle away. All failed and Delos lowered his head.
"I think it only fitting don't you William that I shall be the one to take your life? That I shall be the one to take your child from you as well?"
Spike's body went if possible even more rigid.
"What?! You leave the Slayer alone," he screamed as a surge of power shot through him and he tossed Delos away from him.
"The Slayer? You mistook me William. I'm not concerned with her, as Mornay will dispose of her in due time. I said your child William. Wolfe. Quite the little half-breed you have there William. It will be a pleasure I can assure you. Now come here and-"
As the words left Delos's mouth Spike pounced jumping forward and taking them both down in the process. Spike pounded on Delos with a rage he had never known.
"You leave him alone Delos!! I'll hunt down Mornay and kill her too. How about that? First, born childe of Delos taken down by Spike, William the Bloody?! I'll do it I-"
Spike was so caught up in his speech he never noticed the stewardess sneak up behind him and knock him over the head with a silver tray. He slumped down on top of Delos.
"Thank you Mary," Delos said as he hefted Spike off him and Mary scurried out.
"Well...well..looks like we are back where we started huh? Have you realized it yet?" Delos asked as he lifted Spike so he lay across his lap. He lifted Spike's head and bared his neck.
"No..please. Don't...don't, don't," Spike whispered brokenly. "Don't hurt my son..."
"Awwwww... how pathetically sweet. Don't hurt your son...well first, to get to him we'll have to go on a little journey William. Not too far, mind you. But a little journey. Filled with perilous threats and death. Do you like the sound of that?"
"Please.."
"More begging...how appropriate. I'll never let you go William. Never let you go back," Delos growled as sunk his fangs into Spike's neck.
Spike's scream echoed loudly in the silence.
It took no time at all before Delos had nearly drained Spike dry. He placed him on the seat opposite him and licked his lips as he unbuttoned his cuff and bared his wrist.
"You only have so much time before I destroy them both Slayer. Your son and William..." He said as he looked up a smile firmly in place.
He placed his now open and bleeding wrist to Spike's mouth and his smile grew wider as Spike began to drink.
"Do you see? Don't you realize it yet? Angelus..you see I've taken them all from you. If you want William, you will have to come get him. Follow the yellow brick road...Follow the yellow brick road and you might just find us..."
"But let me warn you.. William is mine and I will not give him up without a fight. You have one month Slayer..Angelus. One month to save one or the other. Wolfe or William. Choose wisely."
~*~*~
Buffy woke screaming and crying. Things had just taken a turn for the worse and she wasn't sure if she could help Spike. If she could choose.
Buffy knew without a doubt now.
Knew she wasn't home. That they had never been home. Question was though just where the hell were they? And why?
How was she going to rescue two of the three men closest to her heart?
~*~*~
Angelus let out a howl of rage as he woke from his dream, which had not been a dream at all. He threw off the covers and jumped to his feet.
"How dare he?!" he screamed as he paced. How dare that bastard Delos betray the bond of blood and make Spike his?!!!
And Mornay. That little bitch thought she could kill Dru and he'd let her get away with it? He'd make her pay, make her bleed. Delos would pay for making this mistake. For taking what was rightfully his and marking it.
Anger raged through him. An anger that matched only his anger for Spike at daring to touch the Slayer. It mattered little that mere minutes ago he had been ready to kill Spike himself, now his only thought was of saving Spike and then killing him. No one else was going to take that from him, not even Delos!
The only way he knew to do this though was to get help. And the help he would need came from a place he was unlikely to get it. But he would make then listen and he would make them help him or else!
He would find Spike and kill him and then he might even kill the son Delos had harked on.