Against the odds

by Angel Jade1

When a demon is called, Xander is forced to choose between those he loves and those he must protect. *Kinda dark* (S/X, G/Ay, B/R, W/T, A/L)

1. Chapter 1

Title: Against the odds
Author: Angel Jade
Rating: R
Content: Slash, language, vague attempted non-consensual sex, violence and very likely to have character deaths.
Spoilers: Season five BtVS
Pairings: S/X (G/Ay, W/T, B/R, A/L)
Description: When a demon is called, Xander is forced to choose between those he loves and those he must protect.
Setting: Season 5. Spike and Xander got together in season 4 and Giles and Anya did in season 5. Lindsey still has his hand.
Feedback: angel-jade@buffyrocks.co.uk
Distribution: Ask first please.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of this innocent fic, that privilege belongs to Mr.Whedon and co, who do make money from them, unlike me. *g*
Dedication: Sofy who says 'I can do it.'



A black cloud covered the once clear cerulean sky, poisoning the air. Death spiked the atmosphere and no one could escape the torturous heat that had erupted only days ago.

Xander, his skin tinted black from the days of hard work, stood with Angel, sheltered under a half burnt tree. His eyes looked up accusingly at Angel.

"The two people I care most about in the world are at risk here." He yelled. "I know you won't let them die."

Angel looked down at the boy sadly, feeling the same pain at the thought of losing friends as Xander did. "You know I'll do anything to save them, but there's a lot more at stake here."

"If they die, I swear to God, so will you." Xander hissed, before walking away.

*****
Three weeks earlier
*****

"Wils, you're not playing it right!" Xander complained, as Willow made the board pieces move with magic.

"I am too!" Willow replied, sticking her tongue out playfully.

"How come I got stuck with three kids and you guys got away with none?" Buffy asked, placing yet another blue peg in the back seat of her car.

"Because that...is the game of life." Xander replied solemnly.

"Life sucks." Buffy said, sitting back into Riley's lap.

"Oooh, I win more money!" Anya cheered. "I'm getting good at this game."

Xander chuckled. "I'm broke."

"Nothing new there then, Pet." Spike grinned, sitting behind Xander in the chair.

"Hey...when did you get here?" Xander asked.

"Couple of hours ago."

"Liar. We've only been playing half an hour." Xander said, turning round and leaning up to kiss Spike.

"Half an hour?" Spike asked, breaking away. "Who's the sap with three kids?"

"That would be me." Buffy said, dryly.

"Hey, don't worry about it." Riley said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "At least we have a nice car...and you're getting close to the big mansion..."

"Yeah...big mansion. We can send the kids off to boarding school and have the whole place to ourselves."

"Back off, the mansions mine." Anya growled.

"Anya, remember what we discussed?" Giles asked from the kitchen.

Anya sighed. "It's only a game. It's not the winning; it's the playing and enjoying time with friends. Even if it does mean we can't have sex until they leave."

"Ew, bad picture, make it go away." Buffy squealed to Riley, who simply smiled and kissed her forehead. "Thank you."

"Here you go. Coffees, Teas, biscuits...and hot chocolate with marshmallows for the two children."

Spike and Xander grinned, grabbing their hot drinks off Giles' tray.

"Are you patrolling tonight?" Willow asked Buffy.

"Yeah, you still coming with?" Buffy asked.

" Uh...well, Tara and I kinda have a thing..."

"She means sex." Anya said bluntly.

"Not sex!" Willow protested. "It's kinda important. Is it okay if someone else goes with you?"

"I'll go with you, Buffy." Xander offered.

"You will not. We're busy too...and yes, it is sex." Spike told him.

"What's with the bad visuals today?" Buffy asked.

"Ah, come on slayer...ya know we turn you on." Spike grinned.

"Hey!" Riley warned.

"What's the matter, Finn? Never thought about an orgy before?" Spike teased.

"Riley, it's okay." Buffy said. "Xander, keep your pet under control."

"Pet!" Spike cried. "I'm not his sodding pet, he's mine, ain't ya, Pet?"

Xander grinned and kissed Spike playfully.

Giles cleared his throat. "Well, as...interesting as that is, I suggest we turn the conversation to something of more...use."

"Our cue to leave, luv." Spike whispered.

Xander gave his friends a wave as the horny vampire dragged him out.

"Bye Xander!" Willow called after him.

"Right, now they've gone, perhaps we can get down to some serious business." Giles said.

"Wait, I gotta take my kids to the doctors." Buffy said, moving her piece round the board. "Okay, carry on."

"Right...Buffy, did anything happen last night I should be made aware of?" Giles asked.

"Uh...nope." Buffy said, going slightly red when she thought of where she and Riley had had sex.

"Wait...there was that thing!" Riley argued.

"Thing?" Buffy asked. "Oh...thing! A vamp we dusted said something about the demon Malaka."

"Oh, we know her! Remember..." Willow grinned.

Buffy laughed. "Oh yeah! She was so evil..."

"You know her?" Giles asked, confused.

"Yeah, she thought she was all that and she was always sucking up to the teachers. She was such a bitch to you." Buffy said to Willow.

"I know! God...so she's really a demon, huh? Well, can't say I'm surprised." Willow said.

"What...?" Giles frowned.

"They're teasing you, honey, they don't know Malaka. Malaka isn't a physical being and there is no chance she's here on earth."

"See...she...must be her." Willow giggled.

"Will you two please stop confusing me and explain." Giles said impatiently.

Buffy sighed. "Okay, vamp we dusted said something like...'the demon Malaka shall rise and you will all suffer in hell.'"

"Oh dear Lord." Giles muttered.

"Oh...it's an 'Oh dear Lord' moment." Willow said. "Why do I get the feeling we'll be researching all day, all night for the next week?"

"Malaka...she was the creator..." Giles said softly.

"Creator? You mean God?" Buffy asked.

"No...the creator...of vampires. Very little is known about her...though I fear this can not be good news." Giles muttered.

"Good news, what's that?" Buffy asked sarcastically.

"I'm afraid this calls for a great deal or research." Giles said, ignoring the unanimous groan from the young adults.

"Bet ya anything this turns out to be a false alarm." Willow moaned.

*****

"Angel." Wesley called, snapping the thoughtful vampire from his daydream. "I have something rather important to tell you."

"Can't be as important as what I have to say." Cordelia said, grinning. "Interview...I'm this close to becoming the new face of Pepsi."

"Cordelia...this is rather...Pepsi?" Wesley asked.

"Well, not 'the' face, a background actress, but still a big part of it. Pepsi!" She shrieked.

Wesley shook his head and looked back at Angel. "What does the name Malaka mean to you?"

Angel's head shot up. "Malaka? Created vampires...banished along with the rest of the vampire demons."

"Not for long." Wesley argued. "Seems Malaka managed to transfer herself into energy and has since been looking for a way back into this realm. If she should return with the kind of power she's gained over the millions of years...we wouldn't stand a chance."

"So...why now? What does it say?" Angel asked.

"There's a prophecy." Wesley said, ignoring Cordelia's groan. "One week from now, she will rise through a gate of some sort...it doesn't specify. She'll possess the strongest human with in her reach and then slowly begin to destroy everything."

Angel swallowed. "Okay...a gate...we need more than that. Just a gate?"

"Like a metal gate or a portal gate?" Cordelia asked, trying to take notes.

Wesley read aloud from the book in his hands...

*****

"She shall rise through the closed gate and with her bring destruction and pain in the form of the strongest human." Giles read from the book.

"Closed gate?" Buffy asked. "That could be anywhere. It doesn't give a location?"

"No." Giles said, putting the book down. "It doesn't."

"Closed gate...you mean like the hellmouth? Is that a closed gate or are we talking invisible portal here. Tara and I could do a spell!" Willow offered.

"The hellmouth...off course." Giles said, reaching for another book.

Buffy ducked and looked at the title. "Living on the hellmouth." She began to laugh. "Living on the hellmouth? Was that a bestseller? Bet it was followed with a series...living in a volcano...living in the ocean..."

"Living in California." Willow offered. "Well, there could be one..."

"There is a reference to Malaka but it doesn't say much..." Giles flicked over the page. "Dear Lord."

"He says that a lot." Tara said quietly to Willow.

"I know, he's like the boy who cried wolf, no one takes it seriously anymore." Willow smiled.

"What, Giles?" Buffy asked.

*****

"The demons that once roamed the Earth were banished to another dimension. One, Malaka, managed to bite a human before passing. That human became infected and bit another and another..."

"We get the picture. What dimension?" Cordelia asked.

"Hell."

"For millions of years? Wow, and I thought I'd had it bad." Angel said.

"Angel, don't you understand?" Wesley asked.

"What?"

"They went to hell though a gate and now Malaka will return though the gate of hell." Wesley said.

*****

"The hellmouth." Willow muttered. "She's gonna come through the hellmouth? I thought we closed that thing."

"Guess she plans on opening it again." Buffy said. "Can I stop it?"

"Of course we can stop it." Riley jumped in. "We always do. I'll get anything you need, men, weapons..."

"Malaka is not physical anymore." Giles said, loudly. "Weapons are useless. We'll simply have to kill the being she possesses. If, of course, that is possible."

"So this is big then...bigger than the Master, bigger than the Mayor and bigger than anything we've faced?" Willow asked.

Giles sighed. "We don't know. Not until we get more information."

"Well, I think we better." Buffy said. "If we only have a week, I think we better get moving now."

Giles nodded. "Yes, of course. Willow and Tara, could you research possible spells to prevent the arrival? Anya and I will take care of the books. Buffy and Riley, will you perhaps take a look at the area...see if anything has shown up to facilitate Malaka's journey."

*****

Spike laughed as Xander fell out of the bed. "Told you not to go anywhere."

"It's your fault...did we have to do it in that position? I'm gonna be dizzy for days." Xander said, trying not to laugh too hard as he stood up.

"You enjoyed it...screamed bloody loudly!" Spike teased.

"I was in pain!" Xander protested.

"You usually scream 'fuck Spike, yeah...' when you're in pain?" Spike asked him, raising his eyebrows.

Xander smirked. "Yes...it's gotten me some weird looks from people over the years too."

Spike sighed and sat back, his hands behind his head. "You get the feeling something's coming?"

"Not again! You just came twice."

"Not that you stupid git. I mean...something. Got a bad feeling." Spike muttered.

"You're not Spiderman." Xander said. "Oooh, speaking of which...I saw this great costume in the mall...really kinky..."

"Pet, I'm serious. I feel...weird." Spike said, frowning.

"You just had sex...in a very unusual position...and you're hungry. That's all it is." Xander told him.

"Yeah...maybe." Spike whispered.

*****

"Do we have anymore information?" Angel asked desperately.

"I'm afraid not." Wesley said. "But I know someone who might." Wesley went to pick the phone up, but Angel stopped him.

"If this thing is rising in Sunnydale, I suggest we get down there and help them out." Angel told him. "Chances are they have no idea what's going to hit them."

"We're going home?" Cordelia asked. "Oh my God! Tell me this now why don't you. I have nothing to wear!"

Wesley and Angel looked at her blankly.

"No! I'm not that shallow...it's just, I'm going back to see my ex, who by the way has a girlfriend, so...I need to look good. It's a girl thing."

Angel frowned worriedly. "No, it's not."

"Oh for God's sake." Wesley complained. "They've moved on, why can't you two?"

"Excuse me, I have moved on. I just want to wear something that screams 'successful' rather than 'cleaner/secretary.' Is that okay with you?" Cordelia asked. "I'll go home now and pack...don't go with out me. Wait! Is Gunn going too?"

"We need someone to stay and hold things down here." Angel said. "Ask him if he minds."

"Okay...and Angel...wear something bright...something that says...'I get out and have a life'." She grinned and ran out.

Angel looked out after her. "I do get out."

*****

"There's nothing here...it's still exactly the same as it was before." Riley said, peering down the giant hole in what used to be the library.

Buffy pulled him back and gave him a look. "Then into town I guess, see what Willy knows."

"Yeah...Willy. You should go there...I'll check out some of my own contacts." Riley said awkwardly.

"Okay." Buffy said. "I'll see you back at Giles'."

Riley watched her walk away and frowned. What did it take to get a reaction out of her?

*****

"Change the station." Cordelia complained.

"I like this." Angel said back.

"It has no words." Cordelia moaned.

"That is the point. It's relaxing, something we all need right now." Wesley told her.

"Something we need? You're not going back to see your ex...in fact, the only one of them you ever got it on with...was me..." Cordelia said, smugly.

"And wasn't that the event of the year?" Wesley asked dryly.

"Not now, children." Angel complained. "We need to relax because whatever's going to happen in the next week, is not going to be fun. That, and if you put that head banging crap on again, I'll rip my own ears off."

Cordelia huffed and sat back. She attempted to sing along with her own lyrics to the strangely catchy tune, but it didn't quite work, so she tried to sleep.

Just as she closed her eyes, she caught the famous Sunnydale sign and groaned. "Guess there's no time to sleep then."

*****

"Spike?" Xander called quietly as he walked in the apartment door. He'd only gone to buy some cigarettes from the shop over the road and somehow, Spike had disappeared.

Xander looked in Spike's usual hiding places and then groaned. "Fine, jump out...scare me..." He waited. "Spike, stop pissing around. I brought your cigarettes. I'll rip 'em up!"

Xander finished looking and there was still no sign of Spike. Confused, he looked around one last time before running out the apartment door.

*****

Angel could sense the sun coming. There wasn't much time. He ran up to Buffy's front door and knocked.

The door swung open and Dawn stood there. Her eyes widened when she saw who it was. "Angel? Oh my God!"

Angel smiled. "Hey Dawn...is Buffy here?"

"No! She's never here. Always out with Riley...you knew about Riley, right?"

Angel nodded.

"Cool. They're probably round at Giles'...or the magic box...in fact, I don't really have a clue." Dawn grinned. "You got a girlfriend yet?"

Angel frowned awkwardly. "No."

"Ya know, I'm almost sixteen and I know you go for girls that age..." Dawn joked.

"I'll think about it." Angel said, winking and leaving the girl to run back to her diary. 'D.S 4 X.H' would be no more.

Angel jumped back into the car and sped of towards Giles' house. "She's not in. We have to hurry, if we can't find her soon, I'll have to stop off at the mansion and wait for the sun to set."

"Oh yeah, we have a whole week, what's a day?" Cordelia said sarcastically.

"This message is important, but I'm not planning on life as a pile of dust just to get it across." Angel shot back.

"Whatever. Where are we going now?" Cordelia asked, not having listened to a word he said.

"Giles'." Angel replied, turning down the watchers road.

"He still talk to you? Even after the whole 'kill his girlfriend and torture him' thing?" Cordelia enquired.

Angel ignored her.

*****

"Oooh, a spell to make cleaning easy!" Willow squealed.

Tara smiled. "Mickey mouse tried that one...didn't work out so well."

"That's what happens when you let a mouse borrow your magician's hat." Willow told her.

"Better not let Amy borrow yours." Tara giggled.

Giles ran his finger down the book, scanning for references on Malaka. So far they'd come up with nothing and none of them had had any sleep. It would be dawn soon and no doubt Xander would appear sooner or later. Giles couldn't say he approved of the relationship...blamed himself in fact...but at least Xander was happy. They all seemed happy in their relationships...he just got the feeling things weren't that simple on the hellmouth.

When the door knocked, Giles knew it wouldn't be Xander...it was too early in the morning. The person who stood there, however, was a complete shock.

"Giles."

"Angel."

"Is Buffy here?" Angel asked, his face still racked with guilt. It was hard to look the watcher in the eye after the things he'd done to him.

"Uh, no she and...she's out patrolling." Giles said carefully.

Angel frowned. "I have something extremely important to tell you all." Angel said. "She needs to be here to hear it."

Giles looked back at Willow and Tara who were looking less at the spell books and more at each other. Then at Anya, who seemed lost in another 'day dream', which she'd later tell him all about...

"I can't ask you in I'm afraid." Giles said. "You must understand..."

"Understand this Giles...I gotta pee." Cordelia said, running through the door and upstairs.

Angel gave an embarrassed look at Giles. "I had to bring her...sorry."

"It's no problem." Giles said, a little confused.

"Sorry Angel...I told her to wait, but...Giles...nice to see you again." Wesley said warmly.

Giles nodded. "You too. You've changed your look since I last saw you."

"Ah yes, us rogue demon hunters have to keep up appearances, you know." Wesley smiled.

"Can I come in now?" Angel asked.

Giles nodded. "Yes, of course...I actually forgot to uninvite you last time."

Angel smiled slightly and walked in.

"Giles, was that Cordelia?" Willow asked. She stood up as Angel and Wesley came in. "Hey!" She ran over and flung her arms around Angel. "Long time, no 'hear-from-ever.'" She teased.

"Hi Willow. It's nice to see you again." Angel said. He glanced over at the shy blonde in the corner and wondered if this was Willow's girlfriend. He'd spent hours listening to Cordelia go on about Willow's sexuality. Not the best spent hours of his life...but at least he kept up to date with what was going on with his old friends.

"And Wesley!" Willow grinned. "Wow, you got hot!"

Wesley smiled; glad he'd taken Cordelia's lead and worn something nice. To get a compliment from the people who once made him the butt of their jokes was a great feeling.

"This is Tara, my girlfriend." Willow introduced. "Tara, this is Angel, Cordelia and Wesley. You remember, I told you about them."

Tara nodded and smiled nervously.

"Angel, can I speak with you a moment?" Wesley asked, dragging Angel into the kitchen.

Giles watched them leave, frowning. Of all the times for a visit. He just hoped they be willing to help once he explained the situation.

Xander burst through the door suddenly and looked around briefly, before stalking up to Giles. "Is he here?"

"Who?"

"Spike!" Xander said. "He's gone. He just walked out and it's almost sunrise and he isn't home yet and I can't find him."

Buffy walked in and, like Xander, didn't even notice the two men in the kitchen. "I can hear you from outside. What's wrong?"

"Spike. Is. Missing." Xander said rudely. "And if you hadn't noticed, it's almost sunrise."

"He probably ran off." Buffy dismissed.

"He is not Angel...Spike doesn't run off after sex." Xander told her.

"Hello Xander." Angel said, stepping out the kitchen at the sound of his name.

Xander didn't turn around. He just stood there, an annoyed look on his face. "How am I supposed to insult him if he shows up every five minutes?"

"Calm down, this is Spike we're talking about. You know how he gets when you two argue." Giles said.

"We didn't argue." Xander protested. "He disappeared while I was getting his cigarettes. He was talking before he went...weird stuff...I thought it might be...what we...you know..."

"The sex." Anya offered, watching intently.

Xander glared at her.

"Oh my God."

Xander looked at the stairs and too his horror, saw his ex, looking at him with complete disgust. "Cordy!"

"Tell me it isn't true!" She begged.

"What's going on here?" Wesley asked.

"Angel...what are you doing here?" Buffy asked.

"Alright, alright." Giles yelled. "You're all talking at once. Angel, Wesley and Cordelia have just shown up for some unknown reason. Xander is upset because he's lost Spike...who is, by the way, his...boyfriend. Buffy..."

"I came back to report before stopping by Willy's." Buffy said softly.

"Now are we clear?" Giles asked them.

"Not in the slightest. This is William the bloody I presume...as in..."

"Spike?" Angel asked Xander.

Xander groaned. "Spike. Blond...loud...annoying but strangely sexy with a cool British accent and a dirty mouth."

"You...and...Spike?" Angel couldn't get his head round it.

"Like you never wanted to screw me." Xander retorted.

Angel went to say something back but the door opened and a very pale looking Spike staggered inside. He collapsed before he could get close to anyone and passed out.

*****

Xander crouched by Spike's side, as the vampire lay unconscious on Giles' couch. Spike's eyes flickered as he slept, the occasional moan and whimper followed by jerked hand movements.

"Is he going to be okay?" Willow asked, looking worriedly at Angel.

"I wouldn't know." Angel replied simply.

"You don't care you mean." Xander said quietly.

"Forgive me if I don't. Being tortured, courtesy of my not-so-favourite childe down there has kinda put me off him." Angel said, harshly.

"I apologise for interrupting, but isn't there something important we should discuss?" Wesley asked.

Giles nodded. "Yes, I actually have something I must discuss with you. Perhaps we should go to the kitchen."

Wesley and Giles slipped out, leaving the others to their argument.

"Spike's changed." Xander said. "A lot."

"I can see that." Angel said.

"Oh my God." Cordelia said suddenly.

"Is she still in shock?" Willow whispered to Angel.

"She'll get over it." Angel said, looking back at Xander. "Look, I'm sorry if I've offended you, but we didn't come here to fight."

"Well, why are you here? Did you do this to Spike?" Xander accused.

"No! We're here because of an important prophecy." Angel said.

"Ooh, just what we want to hear right in the middle of a crisis, more bad news." Buffy muttered.

"Uh, Buffy. Perhaps you should carry on with what you were doing...find Riley." Willow said. "Xander can stay with Spike. Tara, Anya and I will carry on with the research and Angel can talk to Giles and Wesley about this prophecy."

Buffy nodded. "Good idea. What about Cordelia?"

Willow placed a hand on Cordelia's shoulder and tried to wave her out of her trance. "Um, Cordelia? You okay in there?"

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" Cordelia demanded, suddenly looking angrily at Willow.

"Uh, well, it took us a long time to get over it...then it just wasn't a big deal." Willow replied.

"I'm gonna go. If anything happens, I've got my pager." Buffy told them.

"I'll go and see Giles and Wesley." Angel said, walking away.

Cordelia looked down at Xander. "Since when?"

"It's just Spike, Cordy. I can't explain..." Xander said.

"Not while we..."

"No! I loved you...like I love Spike now." Xander admitted. "Please don't look at me like that...I'm still me."

She nodded. "I know...I'm sorry. I just...it's kind of a shock."

Xander sighed. "Something's wrong here. Very wrong. First Spike starts babbling about something coming, now he looks as if he hasn't seen the sun in years...which he hasn't...but now he looks like it." Xander said.

"Something coming? Spike said something was coming?" Cordelia asked.

"Yeah...he said he felt weird and then he goes walking round Sunnydale and comes back looking like a zombie. Maybe something is coming." Xander said.

"Xander...something is coming." Willow told him. "Some kind of mega-vampire demon."

"Through the hellmouth." Cordelia added.

"How did you know?" Willow asked her.

*****

"I see you know as little as we do." Wesley said, disappointedly.

"We have the same resources, I'm hardly surprised. "Giles replied.

"And Buffy's patrolling now?" Angel asked.

"Uh...yes, she's probably gone to join up with Riley. They're checking for worshipers...demon activity...anything that might be here to help Malaka." Giles said.

"You mean vampires." Angel corrected. "Everything else will have left town."

"You think so?" Giles asked.

"Vampires don't work well with demons. I can't see that this Malaka will be any different. If she's as powerful as they say, it's possible she won't care to see the distinction between human and other breeds of demon." Wesley suggested.

"Each to their own." Angel said, thoughtfully.

*****

"I'm back here five minutes and you're already asking me to help with research. This is the part of being a Scooby I didn't enjoy." Cordelia told them.

"Once a Scooby, always a Scooby." Willow smiled.

"Spike?" Xander called as Spike's eyes began to open. "Spike! Giles, he's awake."

"Mmm...Xander...don't yell...good hearing...head hurts." Spike mumbled.

"Sorry." Xander replied, relieved Spike was looking a little better.

Spike groaned as he saw Angel come into view with Giles and a man he didn't recognise. "Oh great...headache giving me bad dreams..." He closed his eyes to block it out.

Xander looked behind him and saw Angel and smiled. "Sorry Spike, that's no nightmare."

"Vision?" Spike asked.

"Nope."

"Ah...the great poof is dead...he's a ghost...tell me it's a ghost." Spike begged.

"Spike, you're gonna have to open your eyes and apologise to him." Xander said.

Spike's eyes flew open and he growled at Xander. "I am not apologising."

"Forget it Xander...something's never change." Angel said.

Xander gave Spike a disappointed look.

"Don't you bloody blackmail me, whelp!" Spike said. His hand went up to his head and he moaned. "Ow...don't make me yell."

"Spike, what happened?" Xander asked.

"I yelled."

"Before...when you walked out. What happened?" Xander asked again.

"Walked out where?"

"The apartment." Xander said, patiently.

"Didn't walk out the apartment...wait, we're not at the apartment? What we doing here?" Spike asked.

Xander looked at Spike, trying to determine whether he was joking, lying or concussed. "You walked in here and collapsed, after having disappeared for hours while I was fetching your cigarettes for you."

"Ooh, where are they?" Spike asked excitedly.

"At home." Xander said. "But that's not the point. Where were you?"

"I'm telling ya, I didn't leave the sodding apartment. Must have been kidnapped by aliens or something." Spike began to laugh.

Xander sighed angrily and stood up. He walked over to Willow and sat next to her on the floor with the spell books.

"Look, Pet. I'm not lying to ya. I have no idea what you're going on about. Last thing I remember was you leaving. Next thing I know, I'm lying here, okay?" Spike asked, sitting up and looking over at the boy.

"This is odd." Giles exclaimed. "And chances are it's a result of the forthcoming arrival."

"Spike is a vampire, it would make sense." Wesley mentioned.

Xander looked at Spike, not sure what to think. He looked back at his feet and sighed. "You're saying some demon kidnapped him?"

"No...we're not sure what we're saying yet. As always, we're going to need to research this properly." Giles told him.

"We'll stay as long as you need us." Angel told them.

"Thank you." Giles said. "I have a feeling we'll need it."

******

"Hello Willy." Buffy greeted, as she sat down in the empty bar.

"Slayer. The place is closed...and I'm pretty sure the door was locked." Willy said nervously.

"It was." She said simply. "You own me information."

"I do?" Willy asked. "I always remember my debts...and I'm pretty sure I don't owe you anything."

"I figure since you've double crossed me a couple of times before, you'll owe me for the rest of your natural life." Buffy told him. "Now spill. Malaka...mean anything to you?"

Willy laughed nervously. "Not a thing."

Buffy edged forward and Willy jumped away. "Alright, alright...geez, you slayers are so violent. Now, don't go telling your vampire friends this...in fact, don't go telling any vamps this..."

"Friends?" Buffy asked. "What do you mean, friends?"

"Spike and Angel."

"How did you know...?"

"I know everything...but I know nothing if ya know what I mean." Willy winked. "Anyway, this Malaka chick is due here in just under a week...if I were you, I wouldn't be here when the time comes."

"Why do you mean?" Buffy asked.

"Go look around...ain't nothing but vampires left in this town. And humans of course, but even some of them are leaving...smart ones anyway." Willy explained.

"Is there any way to stop her from rising from the hellmouth?" Buffy asked.

"If there is, no one knows it." Willy replied. "Look, only thing I know, is that she's coming and anything that isn't a vampire's gonna die. Anything that is...is gonna have a field day."

"Spike disappeared earlier, does this have anything to do with Malaka?" Buffy asked.

"Ain't got a clue. What I do know is...my bar was full of vamps...and I mean nightclub full...I go out to fetch some more blood and when I get back, the place is empty. Word is that there are a lot of vamps who went for a walk and didn't come back last night. Ones who did, don't remember a thing."

"And no one knows anything about it?"

"Nope. Like I said, only vamps left here. And they're either missing or missing their memory. I'd get your chipped friend out of here. And Angel...it ain't safe for anyone here right now." Willy told them.

Buffy nodded and walked away.

"Oh and slayer..." Willy called out. "Remember what I said...don't go telling your vamp friends. Don't trust anything without a tan. Mixed loyalties, ya know?"

"I trust Angel more than you, Willy." Buffy said, smiling and walking off. "Hell, I trust Spike more than you."

*****

"Bad news." Buffy said, walking in Giles' house. She saw Willow, Tara, Anya and Cordelia asleep on the floor and smiled. She crept upstairs and saw Giles, Wesley and Angel talking, looking over books. "Hey."

"Buffy...any luck?" Giles asked.

Buffy looked at Angel for a moment and remembered Willy's warning. She quickly dismissed it and nodded. "Willy says there's nothing but vamps and humans left in town. That I should get out of here. And not to trust Angel and Spike."

Angel frowned. "Why me? I have a soul...Spike maybe but..."

"Well, that's not important." Giles interrupted. "How to stop it?"

"No one knows." Buffy said finally. "Looks like we have nothing to go on."

"Perhaps the only thing to do is to prepare...and to be there on the day to stop it somehow." Wesley said.

Buffy rolled her eyes. "A lot of use you guys are."

"Did you find Riley?" Giles asked.

"No...I thought he might be back here. I'm sure he's fine." Buffy said. "If he comes here, tell him I went home to bed."

Giles nodded. "Very well."

Angel looked away awkwardly.

"It was great to see you again." Buffy said softly to Angel.

"You too." Angel replied.

*****

Riley slammed against the door one last time, all his strength against it. It barely vibrated.

"I've already told you, there is no way out." One of the older men in the room explained.

Riley looked over the group of civilians again. There was no one he could use. All too young or too old...too skinny or too weak. "We have to find a way out of here or we're all lunch, understand me?" Riley said, angrily.

"But they...they have strange faces..." One woman said, as she cowered in the corner.

Riley sighed and leaned back against the wall. "How long have you all been here?"

"I was the first." One guys said, raising his hand. "There's three new people everyday. I think it's been about six days."

"Do I know you...?"

"Jonathan. We...met." Jonathan lowered his eyes. He really didn't want to remind Riley about his spell not so long ago.

"You know magic...can't you use it?" Riley asked him.

Jonathan shook his head. "I don't know enough...I tried to...but I don't work well under stress."

"Well try, dammit." Riley shouted. "You wanna be vamp food, fine. But I think I speak for everyone here when I say, we don't."

"I can't." Jonathan cried. "I tried already. I don't know the right spells. And I need ingredients...I can't just...Buffy will find us, right? She deals with this stuff all the time."

Riley hesitated. He wondered if she even knew he was missing. Even cared. "Yeah...she'll come."

*****

Xander watched Spike sleep through the day, too worried to go to work or even leave the vampire's side. It had been a close call last night...Spike had barely made it before the sun came up. And Xander really didn't wanna take the chance that Spike would go walkies again.

As Spike rolled over in his sleep, Xander noticed something on his shoulder. He looked closer at the bite mark. It was obviously new and didn't seem to be healing as it usually would have. He began to shake Spike awake.

"What?" Spike moaned.

"Where did you get this?" Xander asked, poking the wound.

"Ow! Bloody hell, I'm awake. Where did I get what?"

"This bite mark." Xander said.

"What mark?" Spike tried to turn his head round to get a better look. "Dunno...when did that happen?"

"I just found it, surely you remember it."

"No...ain't been bitten for a long time." Spike told him.

"Then where the hell did it come from?" Xander asked.

"Stop worrying so much." Spike said, noticing how tense Xander was becoming.

"First you disappear and return with amnesia, then you have a bite mark you don't remember..." Xander broke off. "I think we should leave."

"Leave where?"

"Sunnydale. Just until this blows over." Xander said. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"Sweet of ya, Pet, but I think I'm needed here." Spike replied. "Slayer ain't gonna let me run off. Not when me an' Peaches are the only ones who can fight well enough to help her out."

"I don't care what Buffy says, something bad's happening here and I don't want you in the middle of it." Xander told him.

"And your friends? Care if they die 'cause they didn't have enough help to stop the demon bint?"

Xander looked away.

"I'm not gonna disappear again, okay? Promise." Spike said. "Won't leave your side."

"You better not." Xander warned.

*****

Angel drove up to the mansion with Cordelia and Wesley in the back, both pretty tired. "Nice to see it's still unoccupied." He muttered, getting out and grabbing his things.

Cordelia and Wesley dragged themselves out of the car and followed Angel up the drive and inside.

"This place been cleaned out since you last used it?" Cordelia asked.

"Some of it. I'm not sure, but I'd stay out of some of the rooms. I don't know how much of Drusilla's stuff is still here." Angel warned.

"Then show me a safe room...I need to sleep." Cordelia said.

"I think it would be wise to sleep well tonight, after all...we're going to need it for all the research we'll be doing." Wesley pointed out.

"Alright, follow me." Angel led them to rooms not far from his own and then retired to his own room. He sat on the bed, looking round. So many bad memories of the place...

*****

"Angel?" Cordelia asked poking her head round the door.

The bed was unslept in and Angel was nowhere to be seen. It was daylight out, so she knew Angel had to be there somewhere.

"What's wrong?" Wesley asked, walking out his room.

"He's not in his room." Cordelia said.

"Well, I'm sure he's here somewhere." Wesley said. "You check downstairs, I'll check around here."

"But he said not to go into some rooms." Cordelia pointed out.

"I'm only going to look." Wesley said.

"Fine. But be careful." She warned, before making her way downstairs.

*****

"Anything?"

"Well..." Wesley began. "Lets just say I wish I'd taken his advice and kept out some of the rooms. But no Angel."

"Great. What a time to run off." Cordelia muttered. "You don't think he went to Buffy's do you?"

"Why would he do that?" Wesley asked.

Cordelia raised an eyebrow.

"No! Angel wouldn't." Wesley paused. "But I suppose we better check it out."

"Hey guys." Angel said, walking in from the basement door.

"Angel!"

"Cordelia, when I said check downstairs, I meant all of it." Wesley chastised.

"As if I was gonna go into an ex-evil vampire's basement alone." Cordelia rolled her eyes. "What were you doing down there?"

"I don't know." Angel said, rubbing his head. "I think I must have sleepwalked."

"Hard to do when you didn't sleep last night." Cordelia told him.

"I just woke up down there." Angel muttered.

"What happened to your neck?" Wesley asked.

Angel reached up and found a bite mark on his neck. "I...don't know."

Cordelia frowned. "Okay...now I'm freaked out. We're leaving...now. Angel, get a blanket or something...we're going to Giles'."

*****

Giles opened his door and moved back as a brown sheet pushed past him, steam rising from it. Xander walked in after it and Giles could see just how little sleep the boy had had.

As Giles tried to shut the door, a blue blanket pushed its way in, equally steamed. Cordelia and Wesley smiled as they walked in behind it.

"You know you don't have to come here...I'm sure there are other places we could meet up." Giles said. "I was trying to sleep."

Spike and Angel threw their covers off and looked at Giles, both wearing identical expressions.

"What happened?" Giles asked immediately.

"Spike got bit." Xander said quickly. "He doesn't even remember it."

"So did Angel." He went for a little walk to the mansion basement without realising it and woke up with that on his neck." Cordelia explained.

Giles frowned and studied Angel's bite. "And you don't remember?"

"Mine's worse than that." Spike said, pulling his t-shirt over his head and showing them his shoulder.

Giles looked it, before glancing at Wesley. "They're not healing as they should be."

Wesley walked over and looked with him. "I don't understand it...Angel's should be almost gone by now...it happened some time last night. Yours also Spike?"

"How am I supposed to know? Don't remember it, do I?" Spike asked, irritably.

"I noticed it during the day...we thought it'd get better over night, but if anything it's become worse." Xander explained.

Angel glanced at Spike's shoulder and frowned. He moved in closer to look at it.

"Oi! Get away." Spike complained.

"That...that bite..."

"Worse that yours...innit?" Spike said smugly.

"I did that." Angel said.

"You did what?" Xander demanded.

"That...that's exactly where I bit you Spike."

"You bit me?" Spike asked, angrily.

"It's not possible." Angel said.

"What isn't?" Giles asked.

"That's where I bit him. In 1880." Angel said quietly.

*****

Buffy watched over her mom as she packed a bag, with Dawn's help. She hated sending them away while her mom was sick, but for the time being, she needed them away from Sunnydale.

Her mom had been hard to convince, but nothing compared to Dawn. She'd screamed at Buffy...telling her she was ruining her life as always.

Buffy tried to say something to them, but nothing came out. Unnoticed, she slipped out to go to Riley's. She needed comfort.

"I haven't seen him for a while. I figured he was with you." A friend of Riley's said.

"Uh, no." Buffy said. "He's probably just busy. I'll look for him. Thanks."

She walked away, a choking feeling of dread taking over. Days? Riley had been missing since their trip to the hellmouth...

Determined not to worry, she made her way to Giles'. He'd know what to do. He always did.

*****


"You what?" Spike exclaimed.

"When I turned you...I swear...that's it's." Angel told him.

"And yours?" Giles asked. "Is from Darla I presume?"

Angel brought his hand up to the wound and tried hard to remember exactly where it had been. "She bit me here...I can't tell whether it's hers or not."

"Yeah...'tis. I remember the bitches mark." Spike said.

Angel unintentionally growled.

"Spike, do not mention the 'D' word around him...he's already brooding full time over her." Cordelia threatened.

"Darla? Why? She's been dead years...I thought..." Giles began, confused.

"Oh there's a whole lot you don't know." Cordelia told him. "Wes'll fill you in."

"But first, I think the origin of these marks may be significant. We should probably find out as much we can about it." Wesley said.

"Uh...right. Cordelia, could you perhaps go with Anya and Xander to Willy's. Try and find out if any other vampire's are experiencing similar events." Giles said. "Anya!"

Anya trudged downstairs still in her dressing gown and glared. "You bellowed?"

"I need you to go with Cordelia and Xander to Willy's for me." Giles said.

"Why me?" Anya whined.

"Anya...please. Wesley and I need to discuss something with Angel and Spike." Giles said.

"I'm not going anywhere without Spike." Xander said firmly.

"S'okay pet." Spike assured Xander. "They ain't gonna let me out of their sight, are ya watchers?"

"He'll be fine, Xander." Giles said.

Xander shook his head. "It doesn't need three of us to go."

"Xander's right, I can go back to bed." Anya said, walking up the stairs.

"Anya!" Giles said, warningly.

Reluctantly, Anya stormed off to get dressed.

"Xander, Spike's perfectly safe here. And you know Willy...he only responds to violence...and I think three of you will be a lot more threatening." Angel said.

"Don't you tell him what to do." Spike warned.

Angel ignored him.

"I don't have to go...come on, you're sending Sunnydale's most notorious girls here...they'll get it out of him."

"Alright..." Giles sighed. "But if any harm comes to them, it's on your head."

Xander frowned. "It won't."

Anya walked downstairs, dressed. Her hair was a mess and she hadn't bothered with make-up. She wanted Giles to know just how much she resented being bossed around.

She walked passed them all, not a word to anyone. Cordelia gave the group a look before following her out.

"Right." Giles said. "I think we need to address the Sire issue. Is it at all possible Darla did this to you?"

Angel shook his head. "She's human."

Saving his questions for later, Giles simply nodded.

"Human? That bint?" Spike snorted.

Angel lost his temper and his eyes flashed yellow as he moved towards Spike. "I'd watch my mouth if I were you, boy. It's been too long since you respected who I am."

"Who you are?" Spike jeered. "You're a ponce. You got a soul...you're not Angelus, don't even kid yourself that you are."

"Uh, guys..." Xander warned, worried about the fierce look in both their eyes.

"I'm your Sire and you need to remember that." Angel hissed. "Why can't you just stake yourself and put everyone out of their misery?"

Spike's expression wavered and became cold, as he spun round and smashed Giles' wooden chair against the wall. He picked up a piece of wood and held it, ready to plunge into his own chest.

*****

Angel reacted quickly, his hand flying out to grab the stake from Spike, not taking any chances that the blond wasn't joking.

No one spoke for a second, least of all Spike. He stared at his hand, as if it had betrayed him, before looking at Angel. "What the hell did you just do to me?"

"Spike!" Xander shoved the vampire hard. "That wasn't funny!"

Spike looked angrily at Xander. "Wasn't me. I didn't do anything."

"I was joking Spike...I didn't make you do anything." Angel told him.

"Yeah, because I usually do as I'm told!" Spike spat back.

Giles frowned. "This is odd."

"No kidding!" Spike said. "I get kidnapped by aliens, old bites coming back to haunt me and now I try and kill myself because Peaches here says so? I'm outta here."

Spike went to leave.

"Blanket, Spike." Xander reminded.

Spike turned round and went to grab his blanket.

"Give me the blanket, Spike." Angel tested.

Spike didn't notice, didn't change expression...did nothing but pass the blanket to Angel. As soon as it was in his hands, Spike frowned. "Hey...gimmie."

Angel smiles. "This is fun."

Giles rolled his eyes at the behaviour, before throwing a look at Wesley.

"It seems their behaviour is more complex than we thought. He's obeying Angel because he's his sire, I presume?" Wesley asked.

"No! I ain't obeying anyone." Spike protested, embarrassed with this new development.

"Can I call Cordelia's cell phone? I think it might be worth asking this snitch of yours for information on this development."

"Uh...yes of course." Giles said, passing the phone to Wesley.

"I want him out of here. He's dangerous." Xander demanded, glaring at Angel.

"I understand that Xander, but I'm afraid they'll just have to learn to get on for a while...this may be the key to understanding 'the coming'." Giles said, sternly.

"He's trying to kill me." Spike yelled.

"Just returning the favour." Angel said, turning away.

"Grow up the both of you!" Giles chastised. "Xander, you take Spike over there and Wesley will stay with Angel. I'm going to pick Buffy up, see what she has to say about all this."

"Don't you go tellin' her nothin', watcher!" Spike yelled. "Blonde bint won't know nothing."

"You can talk." Xander joked with him, leading him over the other side of the room.

"Spike, she needs to know what's going on." Giles said.

"I tell ya what, this demon chick's gonna pay when she rises. No one makes a prat of Spike."

"No, you can manage that all on your own." Angel muttered.

Spike managed to ignore him, smiling smugly as Xander sat on his lap in the far corner and kissed him. Spike felt Angel's eyes on them and deliberately let his hand slide up Xander's leg.

Wesley finished on the phone and nodded after Giles explained the situation. He sat beside Angel, watching the vampire stare at Xander and Spike.

*****

Riley sat against the wall, ignoring the pain in his stomach. Every time the door opened, another victim was thrown in. Some one was collecting humans.

Riley had grown tired of the new people whining and crying. He was past caring about saving the innocents and concentrated more on his girlfriend. The one who had yet to show up and save the day.

He wondered, with bitter amusement if his disappearance was even known yet. He doubted Buffy had had time to even look for him, let alone worry.

"...But when Captain Picard was taken by the Borg, Riker should have ordered the sensors reconfigured immediately." Jonathan babbled.

Riley closed his eyes in pain. The kid just wouldn't shut up. He wished for nothing more than for a vampire to come in and kill the little nerd. Better yet...kill him.

"Jonathan...please...I told you I only ever saw it the once." Riley groaned.

"Do you remember which one? We could talk about that one." He offered.

"Kill me please." Riley cried out to the ceiling.

Jonathan looked up to see who Riley might be talking to. "It's okay...Buffy's gonna rescue us."

Riley looked at him blankly.

*****

"So you and Giles, huh?" Cordelia asked.

"Yes...Giles is mine so don't even think about coming back here and..."

"Whoa. I never liked Giles. I'm gonna have to say 'ew' to that. It was Xander that I...but not anymore. Well obviously not anymore because he's gay." Cordelia babbled.

"Xander and Giles are alike, don't you think?" Anya asked.

"Uh...not really...or at all." Cordelia replied.

"Both handsome and male."

"A lot of guys fit that category. Especially here for some reason." Cordelia commented.

"Must be the hellmouth vibes...draws the sexy people here." Anya suggested.

"Shame I left then." Cordelia sighed.

"I don't know...you've got Angel with you...I wouldn't complain." Anya grinned.

"Oh my God...as if. Angel's like...old and weird and I so wouldn't...well, I mean, I would, but he's not boyfriend material." Cordelia looked away. "Besides, he's into someone else."

"Buffy?"

"Well, of course Buffy...always Buffy...but someone else too." Cordelia said cryptically.

"Ooohhh, gossip! Who?" Anya squealed.

"Promise you won't tell anyone?" Cordelia asked excitedly. As Anya went to promise, Cordelia butted in. "He's so totally hot for this guy in LA. I mean, he doesn't know it and I swear he'd never tell anyone, but this guy's like...his worst enemy. So good looking...sort of a bad guy with a conscience."

"Well, that's his problem. You can't have your worst enemy being attractive. Sooner or later you're gonna get physical."

"Ain't that the truth." Cordelia agreed.

"So he likes the bad guy...kinda like Xander and Spike...I mean, he was the bad guy... and Xander told me he's found Spike attractive since meeting him."

Cordelia gasped. "He said what?"

*****

Buffy walked in alone and called out to Giles. Angel, Wesley, Spike and Xander looked at her.

"He's gone to find you." Wesley told her.

Uncomfortable talking about Riley in front of Angel, she decided to wait...so she sat next to Angel on the sofa.

"What's going on here?" She asked, seeing the dirty looks being thrown from one side to the other.

"Spike..." Angel began.

"Shut your mouth, ponce." Spike warned.

"Angel, perhaps we should wait for Giles." Wesley suggested.

"I wanna know." Buffy frowned.

"It's nothing important." Angel said, dismissively.

"So, nothing new since I left?" She asked.

"Just a few things...developments if you will." Wesley said.

Xander whispered in Spike's ear and the vampire frowned.

"I gotta."

"You ain't leaving now."

"I have to. You made me take three days off last week for sex...I have to go in."

"My life's at stake here." Spike said. "Literally."

"I'll tell Buffy to watch out for you. Don't worry." Xander kissed his forehead and walked out, motioning to Buffy.

Buffy stood up and followed Xander out.

"I have to go to work now. Will you look after Spike, please?" He asked.

"What? Why?" She asked.

"Just watch him...you know what it'd do to me to lose him." Xander said.

She nodded. "Okay."

He smiled and left.

Wesley groaned, as another migraine hit him. He clasped his head and tried to breathe carefully.

"Wesley, you okay?" Angel asked, worried.

"Little headache...not enough sleep lately." He said, standing up. "I'll go raid Giles' medicine cabinet."

"Nothing decent in there!" Spike offered.

Wesley nodded and walked into the bathroom leaving Buffy, Angel and Spike alone together.

Spike tried to ignore them both, he didn't wanna risk Angel showing off his newfound game.

Buffy smiled at Angel awkwardly. "How you been?"

"Good." He replied. "You?"

"Good." Angel said back. "How's...uh..."

"Riley." She said, smiling. "He's...good."

Angel smiled. "Good."

Spike was dying over in the corner. Thousands of insults to throw and he couldn't in case he pissed his sire off. He finally gave in. "Oh listen to you two...you sound like divorcee's. You sure you two ever managed a conversation between you?"

Buffy frowned. "You're pathetic, Spike."

"Yeah? Maybe, but at least I'm with the man I love...you two are just kidding yourselves."

Angel glared at Spike. "Why don't you get on your knees and apologise to Buffy."

Buffy's eyes almost popped out of her head as Spike was on his knees before her in seconds, apologising.

She was speechless.

"Handy trick that." Angel smirked.

"Bastard!" Spike yelled.

"What the hell is going on?" She asked.

"Something to do with Sires...Spike here does anything I tell him to." Angel bragged.

"No way!" Buffy smiled. "God I love living here sometimes. Make him do something."

"Don't you dare!" Spike shouted.

"First of all, put your t-shirt back on...it's disturbing." Angel said, watching as Buffy laughed her ass off. Spike was doing everything Angel said.

"Now go and sit down and don't talk unless you're spoken to." Angel said, holding back his own laughter.

"Why couldn't this have happened back when he was actually a threat?" Buffy asked.

Spike just sat there, enraged, but biding his time (forcibly) until he could get his payback.

They turned to look at the door as Giles walked back in. He'd rushed to Buffy's house and back, only to find she wasn't there. He smiled as he saw her waiting for him.

"I need to talk to you Giles." Buffy said. "Firstly, what the hell is going on?"

"Cordelia and Anya are finding out from Willy as we speak...I'm afraid he seems to be the only source of knowledge we have." Giles replied.

"Great...we're all doomed." Spike said. He smirked as he realised he could talk again and stood up, his eyes burning with hate.

"Sit down Spike." Angel said quickly.

"Sod off." Spike replied. He grinned. "Guess all it takes is a little will power."

"It's worn off?" Giles asked, sounding disappointed.

"Sit down Spike." Angel ordered.

Spike simply gave him the finger.

Giles frowned trying to think why these events would come and go. It was then he noticed Angel's neck. He walked round to the other side to check. "The bite's gone."

"What?" Angel reached for his neck. "It has?"

"Take your shirt off Spike." Giles asked, walking over.

"I've only just put the bloody thing on." Spike muttered, taking it off and showing Giles his shoulder.

"Gone too. This is strange." He commented.

"This is ridiculous." Angel moaned. "There must be more information than this."

"Not here." Giles replied, annoyed at Angel's tone.

"Then perhaps it would be beneficial to go back to LA and find out all we can there." Wesley suggested, appearing from the bathroom with no headache in sight. "We can return just before the day she is predicted to arrive."

Giles nodded. "Perhaps it would be for the best. If only to keep these two from killing each other."

Spike sneered at Angel.

"Alright. Call if anything crops up." Angel said, standing up. "We'll go and find Cordelia and drop Anya back here."

Giles nodded. "Very well."

"Thank you for your kind hospitality." Wesley said, cheerily, before walking out.

"Thanks for the help. I don't doubt we will need it more when the time comes." Giles replied.

Angel smiled at Buffy. "Until next time."

"Yeah...be careful." She said.

"Shouldn't I say that to you?" He replied, smiling.

"Probably."

"Then look after yourself." He turned to walk away to sounds of Spike gagging. "You too, boy."

Spike smirked as his Sire left, under a blanket. "'Bout bloody time. Now about this research thing...I wanna know what the hell just happened because it is not happening again."

"Give it time, Spike. We'll find what we're looking for." Giles said.

*****

"Willy." Anya whined. "You let the others have information."

"Yeah...this is discrimination." Cordelia said, crossing her arms.

"No offence ladies...but I got a rep to keep here."

"As a snitch?" Cordelia asked.

"No...a man of his word." Willy replied.

"You need money?" Anya asked, shoving a hand full of bills in his face. "Money makes you talk."

Cordelia frowned. "This is stupid." She reached over and yanked Willy over the bar until their faces were up close. "Talk, little man or I'll make Buffy's persuasion look like a massage compared to what I'll do to you."

Willy laughed nervously and pulled away. "Well, why didn't you say so? Look, vamps disappearing is only the tip of the iceberg. Crazy bites appearing and disappearing...and some of them have been acting real weird. I don't know what's going on and I can't say I wanna. I'm leaving tomorrow. Getting out of here before I end up as food."

"Anything else?" Cordelia asked.

"Well...some people are going missing...uh, humans I mean. I'm not supposed to say anything...but as a favour to you...they're collecting humans for the rising. They wanna sire some more vampires...ya know, make more of them?"

"Oh great, that's all we need." Cordelia moaned.

"And this is all you know?" Anya asked.

"God's honest truth." Willy replied.

"Cordy, we're leaving." Wesley said, appearing from the stairs.

"So soon?" She asked.

"We're going to find more information back in LA." Wesley told her. "Anya...we can give you a lift back to Mr. Giles'."

"Nice seeing you again...uh..."

"Cordelia."

"Right, right...I remember now." Willy grinned.

*****

"It smells." Tara complained.

Willow giggled. "It's a burnt out library...of course it smells."

"No, I mean it smells bad...not bad...evil bad." Tara said.

"You can smell evil?" Willow asked doubtfully.

"No...it just smells evil, that's all." Tara replied, smiling.

"You think the spell will work?" She asked.

"I hope so." Tara said. "If not, we're in some big trouble."

"Do you think the room can take it?" Willow asked her.

"It should do...still, maybe we should wear hard hats just in case."

"I don't want helmet hair!" Willow replied. "We'll be fine, I'm sure of it. The others can wait outside and we'll do the spell. If that's okay with you."

"I'll be fine..." Tara smiled. "You'll be with me."

"Good. Now to tell Giles the plan." Willow said, excitedly. "We're gonna save the day."

*****

"It's almost time." The vampire said to the others. "We must begin the turning."

"Like...now? I just ate!" Harmony complained from the side. "If I have like...one, is that okay?"

The leader frowned at Harmony...if she hadn't been Spike's ex...there was no way she'd have been allowed there. He nodded.

"Ooh, thanks Benny!" She cooed.

"We'll open the door, let some of them flee for their lives...and then we'll take them as they try and escape." He grinned.

"Uh...Benny!" Harmony sang. "That sounds like hard work...can't we just knock them all out first or something?"

"Bitch...will you just call me Benjamin like everyone else?" He complained. "And you need the exercise babe."

Harmony's mouth dropped open. "You are so gonna regret that. I am never sleeping with you again."

A couple of the other vampire's laughed at their leader.

"Silence!" He looked at the door. "Lets have some fun."

The door was unlocked and opened and a vampire walked in. Screams of terror could be heard, before the games began.

*****

Anya walked in; wishing all of the trouble would go away. Since it had happened, Giles was never interested in sex and was happier to order her around than to talk to her. Angry and depressed, she slumped on the couch beside Buffy.

Spike had gone home the second the sun had gone down, wanting to talk to Xander about earlier events.

Giles walked downstairs and smiled as he saw Anya had returned. "Anything?" He asked, quickly.

"Not really. Bites appearing, vampires acting weird and disappearing...oh, and humans disappearing."

"Humans?" Giles questioned.

"Oh God...Riley!" Buffy yelled. "I forgot, I can't believe I forgot."

"Riley?"

"He's missing. No one's seen him for days...how could I forget?" Buffy asked herself.

"We have been under a lot of stress Buffy...don't worry." Giles replied. "He's been missing for days? And humans have been going missing? Does Willy know why?"

"For a turning...vampires making more vampires." Anya explained.

"We have to find him." Buffy said, worriedly.

"And we will." Giles said, comforting her.

*****

Xander returned after a hard days work and was angry to find Spike hadn't returned.

"Spike, if you're joking this time...I'm gonna withhold sex from you for ten minutes. You hear me?"

Nothing.

Panicking again, he picked the phone up and dialled Giles.

"Giles...is Spike there? How long ago? What? You let him walk home on his own? I'm going to look for him...what do you mean? Riley? Since when? Great...alright." Xander put the phone down and ran out the door.

*****

"I still don't see what we can do at home." Cordelia complained on the way home.

"What could we have done there?" Wesley asked. "They have it covered."

"Giles threw you out, didn't he?" Cordelia asked.

"No." Wesley replied. "Though someone's bickering didn't help."

Angel glanced at Wesley before returning his eyes to the road.

"So we're going back before the demon rises?" Cordelia asked.

"Yes...hopefully by then we'll have a way to stop it."

*****

"He's so pretty...can I have him, Benny?"

"He's all yours. Just make him strong." He said, walking away to watch over the other vampires. This was just one big orgy of death.

Harmony brushed back the dying boys hair and smiled. Parting his lips, she helped him drink from her. He would be strong and come in very useful...plus the idea of sleeping with him wasn't all that bad.

*****

"How's he holding up?" Angel asked, sadly.

"He's a mess, Angel...he won't stay put, every time we leave him he's out looking for Spike." Buffy said, over the phone.

"And there's been no sign?"

"None. I hope he's back by tomorrow morning. We're starting Willow's spell tonight, ready for the rising tomorrow." Buffy told him. "You're still coming?"

"Of course." Angel said.

"Your friends? Them too?" Buffy asked.

"All of them." Angel replied.

"I hope this spell is enough, I don't fancy our chances if it doesn't."

"We'll find a way." Angel told her. "Just make sure you're prepared and I'll be there."

"Okay, I'll see you in four hours." Buffy sighed.

"Was that Angel?" Xander asked, coldly.

Buffy nodded and turned away. Xander hadn't been himself since Spike disappeared a couple of days ago. He was so sure Spike was dust...but at the same time he refused to give up the search. He'd become withdrawn and quite often rude and short with everybody. He hadn't changed his clothes or even washed since. Buffy herself had been in quite a state over Riley and had been out with Xander quite often to search for him.

"He's coming, right? He'll find Spike...he should know where he is." Xander said.

"I hope so." Buffy replied.

"Okay, we're ready. We've gone over this spell a thousand times. Midnight tonight, that hellmouth is going bye bye and nothings coming through." Willow said, chirpily, walking downstairs with Tara close behind.

"They'll be here in four hours. We better rest before then. We don't know what's going to happen." Buffy told them.

"Giles and Anya are late." Tara said, a worried look on her face as she stood behind Willow.

"Yeah, well we all know what they're doing." Xander said, bitterly.

"Show me what you've got and what it's going to do." Buffy said to Willow. "I wanna know exactly how this is going to work."

She followed Willow and Tara back upstairs, leaving Xander on his own. He watched them leave before slipping outside. He had a gut feeling about tonight. After all, it was 'evil-vampire-demon-bitch-rising' eve.

*****

"Riiiillleeeeyyyy." Harmony sang as she slipped into her hideout on the edge of town.

An amused face peered out from the bedroom. "I've been waiting for you."

"Well of course you have!" Harmony grinned. "I got you a present."

"A present?" Riley's eyes lit up. "Food?"

"You're always so hungry...it's way better then food, trust me. And if you're real good...we can get back to bed before tonight. So many hours, so little time for sex."

Riley smirked. "What did you get me?"

Harmony pulled a leather jacket from behind her back. "Ta-da!"

Riley reached out to take it from her. "Wow...this must have cost you so much!"

"Yeah...because I pay for things now I'm dead." Harmony groaned. "I'm an *evil* vampire!"

Realisation dawned and he grinned goofily, before placing it on the bed and going to strip off.

"Wait...I want you to wear it." Harmony said.

"Now? But I thought we were gonna..."

"We are."

"We can't have sex with clothes on." Riley reminded her.

"I told you to wear that...nothing else." Harmony winked.

"Can Benny join in again?" Riley asked.

Harmony groaned. "Riley...pretend for one minute you don't like having sex with guys and get on with it. We don't have much time, the whole rising thing's going on later and we have to be there."

"Do we get to kill people?"

"Do I look like I have a clue?" Harmony asked. "And if you answer that I swear I'll kick your ass."

"I wanna kill Buffy."

"You better not be thinking about her when we make love." Harmony pouted.

"Buffy? No...not Buffy." Riley said, blocking images of the person he *really* thought about when having sex.

*****

Xander had been out for hours and was cold and hungry, but his search continued. For another night in a row, there were very few vampires about...which suited him just fine. He only needed one of them.

After checking cemeteries, crypts, abandoned buildings and the residential area, he decided to look round the town, alleys and bars...the kind Spike would like.

The one behind Willy's was empty for once and he was about to turn back when he ran into a tall figure.

"Spike?" Xander stepped back, shocked. "Oh my God, where have you been?" He threw his arms round the vampire, holding him tight, before pulling back and hitting him hard. "You better have a good excuse."

"You're damn right I have a good excuse...I been getting back into the swing of things." Spike said cockily. "Reminding myself of what I am."

"What you are? Spike...you know what you are..." Xander said hesitantly.

"Did I? I do now." Spike said, walking forward and feeling a rush of adrenaline as Xander stepped back. "I'm back in all kinds of ways. Now we have to work on getting you to understand what you are."

"Me?" Xander managed to squeak out. "Oh...you know me. I'm...Xander. Boyfriend, remember?"

"I'm thinking more along the lines of food." Spike said. "That's what you are."

"What's going on? Spike?" Xander called, praying the vampire wasn't serious.

"Shut your hole." Spike warned, smacking Xander hard, so the boy flew into the corner of the alley, no way out.

"Stop it!" Xander cried out from the floor. "What are you doing?"

"I'm doing what I should have done...what I would have done, if I hadn't had the damn chip."

"You've...got it out?" Xander stuttered.

Spike cocked his head and smirked again. "Something like that. Wanna see what I can do now?"

"Please...Spike, listen to me. Whatever you think you are, you're not...this is just this weird 'rising' thing...you're acting crazy." Xander shouted desperately.

"No...that's where you've got it wrong, whelp. I'm acting right again." Spike said, walking forward. "I'm me again."

"Spike please, snap out of it." Xander begged.

"No can do, whelp. The big bad's back and the whole town's gonna pay for what happened. Falling in love with a sodding human...that ain't me. This is me."

"No it's not. I know you!" Xander yelled, attempting to stand, still backed into the corner.

"That right?" Spike asked. "Know what I'm gonna do to ya then?"

Xander paled further and shook his head.

"Gonna beat and fuck ya 'til you beg for death...then I'm gonna make you mine. Fancy an eternity being my bitch, Harris?"

Xander struggled to breathe as he watched the man, who, only days ago had told him he loved him. "Don't..." He whispered.

"That's right, Pet...beg for me." Spike stood close now, his hand on Xander's cheek. "Ya gonna struggle or has the fight gone from ya?"

Xander looked away, before bringing his fist into Spike's stomach. "I don't want to hurt you..." He began, kicking Spike away, "But I won't let you make a mistake like that. This is only temporary."

Spike whirled round and caught Xander off guard, managing to manoeuvre him into the wall. He pressed against Xander's back, holding his arm up painfully. "That was stupid...'cause now I'm mad."

"Buffy's probably out looking for me." Xander threatened. "She'll kill you ...I don't want that, so please just let go."

"I'm touched." Spike smirked. "You're gonna be one hell of a vampire."

Spike yanked Xander away from the wall and went to drag him back to the opening of the alley, but Xander began to struggle. He threw the human against the wall, hoping to knock the fight out of him, but Xander bounced back, fist clenched and arm ready to use it.

Spike cried out as Xander hit him on a recent wound. He automatically hit back, disorientating the boy, before pushing Xander against the wall and digging his fangs into his neck.

*****

"Let him go, Spike." Cool, calm, collected...and dominant.

Xander vaguely realises Angel's here...telling Spike to let him go. He really can't make out much of anything else, because he feels too weak to move.

With a slightly blank look, Spike backed away from the wall...the boy...and Xander collapsed, unable to support himself.

"Stand against that wall and don't move." Angel demanded, shifting closer to Xander to help him up. "You alright?"

"Mmm...head hurts." Xander mumbled. "Spike...don't hurt him."

"I'm not going to." Angel whispered. "Come on, I have a car here, I'll get you back to Giles'."

"Spike." Xander mutters.

"Yeah, him too." Angel sighed, lifting Xander up and lowering him into the open top car.

He went to go back to the stationary Spike, but realised Spike had since gained company. Not wanting to risk losing Xander, Angel jumped into the car and took off.

Spike blinked and looked at the car drive away, pure venom filling his eyes. "Get after them."

"But Spike...Benjamin says..." One of the vampire's began.

"Who's in charge now?" Spike asked, grabbing the vampire and hoisting him up by his collar.

"You...Spike." He replied.

"Thought so." Spike muttered. "Do it."

The three vampire's who'd turned up to help out one of their own, ran off, having no idea where to go, but no desire to stay with their angry 'friend.'

*****

Angel burst through the door, Xander in his arms. He placed him on the couch as everyone quickly gathered round him.

"My God, Xander...is he okay?" Anya asked.

"What happened?" Giles asked.

"I found Spike." Angel said. "Xander was with him."

"Spike did this?" Anya asked.

"We should ring the others to let them know we've found him." Giles said, walking over to his desk.

"Tell them to stay away from Spike. I think he's got his chip out." Angel told him.

"Spike did this?" Anya asked, tears in her eyes. "No...Spike loves Xander, he wouldn't."

"I don't think he's himself." Angel told her.

Xander groaned and tried to get up, before realising he hurt too much and sank back down into the warm comfort of the couch. "Spike..."

"I had to leave without him, Xander. He's going to be fine though...don't worry." Angel promised.

"He didn't mean to...it's not his fault...tell Buffy not to...it was my fault, I shouldn't have...you didn't hurt him did you?" Xander babbled nervously.

"He's fine. And no one's going to hurt him." Angel said, uncertainly. "I'll make sure Buffy knows."

"Thanks." Xander said softly.

"Should we get him to a hospital? He needs blood." Anya pointed out.

"He's okay. Spike didn't take enough. He just needs time to rest." Angel said.

"But tonight...the spell." Anya said, worriedly.

"He'll have to stay here. Some one will have to look after him." Angel said.

"I can't stay...magic...Spike..."Xander muttered.

"We'll take care of it." Angel said, placing a hand on Xander's shoulder.

Xander shook him off, a wave of fear hitting him as he remembered what Spike had threatened him with. Spike was capable of that...so was Angel. He felt sick at the thought of what could have happened if Angel hadn't showed.

"Hey...what's wrong? Xander?" Angel called, smelling the change to his system.

"Spike...said things." Xander choked out. "Would he have...?"

Angel remained silent.

"He used to...? Before?"

"Sometimes...not much, it wasn't Spike's thing." Angel answered honestly.

"But he would have." Angel said.

"Maybe. But it's not Spike remember. It's this demon...every vampire in the area is acting strange." Angel reassured Xander.

"What if it isn't? What if he simply got his chip out and this is Spike? Like he's been waiting to get the chip out and kill us all, including me, the whole time. What if this is Spike now?"

"We'll find a way to get the chip back." Angel said, lamely, knowing full well that was no solution.

Xander wanted to scream and hit the vampire, but barely had the energy to move. "Just leave me alone...I wanna be on my own." Xander muttered.

Angel nodded and left his side, feeling terrible that he couldn't do more.

*****

"I hate it here! Why couldn't we stay at home? Everyone else has." Dawn complained. "I have to be somewhere tonight, you don't know how important this is to me."

"Dawn," Joyce sighed, exasperatedly. "This is not the time. Buffy said it was important..."

"Everything's important to Buffy. She tells us what to do and ends up ruining my life." Dawn said. "It's not fair."

"I know sweetie. It's not. It's not fair your sister has to give up her life to save the world. It's not fair that she can never have a job, a husband, children...because slaying is her life..."

"Oh, spare me." Dawn interrupted. "Buffy the saint? Heard it all before. How about Buffy the centre of the universe? Buffy the pain in my neck?"

"Dawn!" Joyce chastised. "I don't want to hear another word about this. Now go to sleep."

"Could you have picked a dumpier hotel?" Dawn asked.

"Sleep. Now."

"Whatever." Dawn slipped into the bathroom and stared at her image, watching the shapes disfigure and her eyes blur. She hated everyone staring at her sister all the time. At least with her friends, they noticed her. This party tonight was important...she'd promised Richard she'd be there and she hadn't even got to call him and tell him she wouldn't make it.

Unless she could be there. Smiling contently, Dawn got ready for bed and pretended to sleep soundly as her mother fell asleep. Soon after, she was outside, with all her money and some of her moms, flagging down a taxi to take her back to Sunnydale.

*****

"Did he say anything else?" Buffy asked Wesley when her ex-watcher put the phone down.

"Just that Xander had returned and to watch out for Spike as he was acting a little strange." Wesley reported.

"Well, I guess we don't have to look anymore." Cordelia said happily.

"I still have to find Riley." Buffy said. "I have to know he's okay."

"This Riley guy, he's been missing for days, right?" Gunn asked. "Chances are, he's with the vamps. Human's been disappearing, can only mean one thing. A sacrifice. He's probably being held somewhere."

"You need to find someone who might know." Cordelia pointed out.

"And I know just the vampire to ask." Buffy told them.

"Great...well, you go find your boyfriend, we'll head back." Cordelia grinned.

Buffy gave them a disappointed glance before nodding. "Whatever."

"I'll come with you. In the mood to be dusting vampires...can't stand all that book shit." Gunn grinned.

"Thanks." Buffy said, gratefully. "You two go back to Giles' and wait for Willow and Tara to turn up."

Wesley and Cordelia left Buffy and Gunn to search together and headed home.

*****

In a tall office building, a handsome lawyer picked up his phone and called upstairs. "Yes, he's left LA again...I'm sure he's going back...follow him? Me? Yes sir, I understand."

Lindsey slammed the phone down and cursed silently. "Follow him? Fuck. Don't they have goons for that kinda thing?"

He picked the phone up and called out to his secretary. "Yeah...cancel all my appointments for the next three days. I'm going on a business trip."

*****

"Nervous?" Xander asked Willow, still lying on the couch, with Anya looking after him.

"Shaking...but I know we can do this." Willow said, throwing Tara a smile. "We're ready."

"Are you positive you have all the equipment and ingredients?" Giles asked by the side, going over the book one last time with Wesley.

"Where's Buffy? It's getting late." Angel pointed out, standing with Cordelia by the kitchen.

"She'll be here." Giles said, certainly. "She's trying to locate Riley."

*****

Riley checked behind him several times...he couldn't have Harmony chasing after him, screaming his name out like an irate poodle.

He knew he looked good in the leather jacket she'd brought him, and now he was fully dressed with it on, he felt intimidating...and he looked it.

People began to give him a wide berth on the street, but he didn't seem to mind. He was after one girl and one girl only.

Slipping past the Bronze, he noticed a familiar figure. He stopped and walked over, tapping the girl on the shoulder.

A guilt stricken face spun round and focused on him. "Riley!"

"Dawn...you shouldn't be here." He said, looking the teen over.

"Don't tell Buffy I'm here, please! I'm just here for tonight, then I'm going back to the hotel with my mom...and are you wearing leather?"

Riley smiled. "Why don't you come with me?"

"No! I'm staying...I have to be here." She said, pulling her arm away as he tried to take it.

"Come with me and I can guarantee you'll have the time of your life." Riley said, staring at her with a cocky smile.

A little worried about Riley's behaviour, but flattered nevertheless, Dawn nodded. "Okay."

"So tell me, did you leave long after you last saw me? I haven't been around much and I wanna know what's going on."

*****

As soon as Lindsey had left the office, his angry scowl disappeared and he smiled. He gladly went home to fetch his truck and took off after Angel with the location details in his pocket.

He sang as he went, putting his good mood down to having a few days off work.

*****

Buffy and Gunn walked in, having had no luck.

"'Bout time." Cordelia muttered. "We're leaving now."

"No sign?" Giles asked.

"Where is he, Giles?" Buffy asked, worried sick now. "He's dead isn't he?"

"Not necessarily, Buffy. As soon as this ritual is over, we'll be able to concentrate more on his disappearance." Giles told her.

She nodded and walked into the centre of the room. "Angel and I are going into the library with Willow and Tara. Giles, Cordelia, Wesley, Gunn...Xander...are you fit to go?"

"He's staying here with me." Anya told her.

"Okay. So you guys are gonna wait outside for a signal." Buffy started.

"What's the signal?" Gunn asked.

"How about loud screaming and demon noises." Willow offered.

"Are we ready?" Buffy checked.

"Yeah." Willow replied.

"It's now or never." Wesley told them.

"Then lets go." Buffy said simply.

*****

"Where are we going?" Dawn asked Riley.

"Somewhere really cool." Riley replied. "You always say Buffy never lets you slay with her...I'm giving you a chance to prove how strong you really are."

"Um...I should probably get back to the hotel outta town...my Mom's gonna screw if she finds out what I did." Dawn said, slowing down.

"Come on, it's not far." Riley said, dragging Dawn by her arm.

"Riley, what's got into you?" Dawn asked, trying to pull away.

Riley turned round, fully vamped. He smirked as she screamed. "Just a little demon, that's all. I'm still me."

"Let go of me!" Dawn screeched, trying to yank her arm back, but Riley clutched it tightly.

"No way, little girl, I want to make it hurt for Buffy before I kill her. I'm going to do it...I'm gonna do what Angelus couldn't...that'll make me better then him. Who knows, maybe she'll even notice me then."

"She'll kill you." Dawn threatened.

"Not before I've made it hurt..." Riley smirked, pulling Dawn close. "Has anyone ever told you, you're real pretty?"

"Let go..."Dawn said, trying to hide the wavering voice.

"Just a shame you'll never reach eighteen." Riley muttered, before bending her neck and biting it.

"Riley Finn!" Harmony screeched.

Riley finished draining Dawn and let her fall to the ground, before turning to look at Harmony.

"I can't believe you left without me!"

"Sorry Harmony...I forgot...we have a thing, huh?" He asked, playing it dumb.

"You are such an embarrassment. I'm supposed to be a master vampire here...do they call female vampires, mistress vampires? 'Cause that's just 'ew.' But whatever it is...I'm important, I can't have my childe running off like that. Not that you're my son or anything, because I'm not old enough to have kids...and I'm dead...and the sex makes it illegal..."

Riley smirked and walked over. "You really like the sound of your own voice, don't you?"

"Don't be rude." Harmony chastised.

"Harmony...a master vampire? You're not even a minion." Riley said, grabbing her throat and slamming her into the nearest wall. "And by the way...I do prefer guys." He ripped her neck off her head and watched with a satisfied smile as the dust hit his shoes. "Dumb bitch."

*****

//Craft the spell,
In the fire;
Craft it well,
Weave it higher.
Build a wall,
Of shinning flame;
None shall come
To hurt or main;
None shall pass this fiery wall;
None shall pass
No none at all//

Willow and Tara chanted as the flames in the room began to dance, hauntingly. The rest of the team watched with fascination as the temperature seemed to rise, before turning back to normal.

"Was that it?" Cordelia asked, opening one eye. "Are we frogs?"

Willow frowned. "No! You're not frogs. That was a fire protection spell."

"Then why aren't we on fire?" Cordelia asked.

"Funny." Willow said, turning back to the others. "Did you all visualise it like I said?"

They nodded.

"Good. Now you guys better leave, Tara and I have to start the ritual." Willow said, ushering them out.

"You sure you're okay, Will?" Buffy asked.

"Trust me." Willow said, turning back to Tara.

"Should we cast the circle?" Tara asked, nervously.

"Is the alter prepared?" Willow asked.

"Yes."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Willow asked.

Both she and Tara extended their hands out from their body pointing north and began to visualise a white light emanating from them. They began to walk clockwise in a circle, chanting, "This circle is a positive field, a protective shield." On the second time round, they said, "This circle keeps me safe within, no harm can enter in." On the last walk round, they said together, "This circle will enhance our spell, ensuring that we cast it well."

Facing north again, they traced a pentacle in the air with one finger, before repeating the sign for east, south and west.

*****

The vampire's gathered outside the ruins of the school, waiting in complete silence. Riley waited with them, eager to discover the big secret. Spike was not far away, watching with an almost blank expression worn by every other vampire there. Like all of them, he had a bite that wasn't healing, though his was one of the oldest there.

The time had come.

*****

A blinding light passed from the library into the ruined halls and out into the dark. The vampire's scattered in fear at the light...leaving only a few remaining.

Tara and Willow stepped out of the library, barely holding each other up and looked at the startled faces of their almost blinded friends.

"Guess it was a little bright." Willow said, with a little laugh.

"Did it work?" Buffy asked, picking herself off the floor.

"I think so...we can't be sure though...only hope." Tara explained.

Buffy looked a little disappointed. "Maybe things will go back to normal now...and I can find Riley..."

Giles placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm sure he's fine. We'll all search for him immediately."

"How about us, Angel?" Cordelia asked.

"Us too. We'll give you any help we can Buffy." Angel said.

Buffy smiled. "Thanks."

"So now we search? Shouldn't we keep an eye on this thing...see it don't open anyway...there is a prophecy after all." Gunn pointed out.

"Gunn and I will stay here and watch it...the rest of you find your friend." Wesley suggested.

"Hey...just 'cause I said it, don't mean I wanna do it." Gunn complained. "I ain't watchin' no hellmouth. Leave that to someone who ain't got nothing better to do. I wanna kick some vampire ass."

"I'll stay, Wesley and I will guard the hellmouth and inform you if there are any changes." Giles offered.

"Honey, you okay? You're being kinda quiet." Tara asked, looking worriedly at Willow.

"Just a little shocked...the light was so bright..." Willow said, slightly dazed.

"What happened to your eyes?" Tara asked looking at them closely.

Giles peered over her shoulder. "I don't see anything."

"I think the light made your eyes go funny, Willow...they're lighter." Tara explained.

"Really? Cool..." Willow giggled.

Tara frowned. "You sure you're okay?"

"Light...scary...magic...power draining." Willow said simply. "I just need to lie down."

"Okay." Tara said. "Is it okay if Willow and I...?"

"Yes, go home. You two must need the rest. Buffy, Angel and uh..." Giles looked at Gunn blankly.

"Gunn."

"Gunn and Cordelia can search for Riley." He finished.

"Don't forget Spike." Willow said, firmly. When the others gave her another strange look, her face softened. "For Xander...must find Spike for Xander."

Buffy nodded. "I suppose so."

Giles and Wesley remained behind as the others left.

"Is she usually...different after magic?" Wesley asked.

"It's just the magnitude of the spell taking its toll. Rest should rectify it." Giles said, sounding a little uncertain himself.

*****

Riley staggered down the road, clutching his stomach in pain. He had run from the strange explosion of light at the school, but now he was barely able to move. He collapsed in a heap, screaming in agony as he felt his insides compress slowly.

*****

Lindsey walked out of the bar with a smile on his face. Yeah...this is why he was on vacation. He made his way back to the motel, attempting to walk in a straight line to prove he was sober...and failing miserably.

"Lindsey."

"Angel?"

"What's he doing here?" Cordelia demanded.

"Finally given up your job and turned stalker?" Angel asked, taking a step forward threateningly.

Lindsey smirked. "Only doing my job."

"Stalking me?"

"Watching you." Lindsey replied.

"Get out of Sunnydale now." Angel warned. "Tell your bosses I saved the day again and I'll be back to make their lives hell as soon as possible."

"I'll be sure to do that. I'll just swing by the motel to get my things...and leave." Lindsey said.

"Good."

Cordelia rolled her eyes. These two were so never gonna get a clue.

As Lindsey walked away, Buffy turned round to Angel. "*You* saved the day?"

*****

Lindsey waited for an hour before his door swung open and Angel stood there, a dark look on his face. He stormed in and grabbed Lindsey, pushing him against the wall. "Are you trying to make things hard on me?"

"Always." Lindsey replied.

"They really send you here?"

"Yep. Lucky me, huh?"

"I was thinking more a long the lines of, lucky me." Angel grinned, kissing the lawyer possessively and releasing his body pressure as Lindsey responded.

As they broke away, Lindsey began to pull his clothes off. "How did you get away?"

"We spilt up...I'm supposed to be searching for my ex's boyfriend...but I think I'd rather be here." Angel said, undressing him so as quick as he could.

"There's something I need to tell you." Lindsey said, as naked Angel pushed him onto the bed and climbed over him. "I actually have left my job to stalk you." He joked.

Angel cocked his head. "Works for me."

With an impassioned growl, Angel eased himself into the lawyer, pressing him down into the mattress as Lindsey groaned in appreciation. "You planning on telling your friends anytime soon?"

"Oh, I love it when you talk dirty." Angel mocked.

Lindsey just moaned as Angel began to thrust deeper. "Fuck!"

*****

With tears rolling down his dirty cheeks, Riley half walked, half crawled to Buffy's door, pounding on it with the little strength he had left.

After three minutes of knocking, he passed out against her door.

*****

"Riley!" Buffy cried out, running to her door the next evening when their search had been postponed for rest.

Cordelia and Gunn ran after Buffy, both relieved it was finally over.

Riley opened his eyes in panic. "The sun...can't breathe!"

"Riley..." Buffy called, holding his face as she cried. "I was so worried...where have you been?"

"Dawn...Dawn...Dawn..." Riley babbled.

"Dawn? What about Dawn...Riley...What. About. Dawn?" Buffy asked, trying to get him to look her in the eye.

"I'm sorry...can't remember...bright light, bright light...eyes hurt." Riley muttered.

"We should get him inside." Gunn said.

"God, Riley...you feel so cold...how long have you been here?" Buffy asked, as she helped him to his feet.

"Be here forever know what I know shouldn't have happened should have been more careful didn't want to please don't hate me..."

"Whoa...hey, come on, man. Take a breath." Gunn said, sitting on the other side of the jolty man, while Buffy helped him sit upright on her couch.

"He's sick...he has to be sick...I need Giles. Gunn, will you fetch Giles...and Cordelia...can you contact Angel? I need them all here. Including Willow...this might be something to do with the spell."

"What makes you think that?" Cordelia asked.

"He said something about a bright light...Willow's spell...I think maybe he saw the light." Buffy said, not sure she believed it herself.

"So did we...are we gonna turn insane because, no offence, but he looks like he just took a holiday in hell." Cordelia said.

"Please...just, find Angel, Willow and Giles...they might be able to help."

Cordelia went to the phone while Gunn went out the front door, heading to Giles' house. The two brits had headed home after activity at the hell mouth was completely dormant.

Cordelia picked the phone up and dialled Angel's cell phone. "Angel? Where are you?"

*****

"Uh...Cordelia...sorry, I was looking and I lost track of time..." Angel said, sitting up in bed, moving Lindsey's arm from around his waist.

"Mm...who's on the phone?" Lindsey mumbled, still half asleep.

"Who was that?" Cordelia asked.

"No one...nothing...I'll be right there...where are you?" Angel asked quickly.

"Buffy's...we found Riley...he's messed up." Cordelia explained.

"Okay, I'm on my way." He turned the phone off and looked outside. "Shit!"

"What? What's shit?" Lindsey asked.

"It's evening."

"So?"

"Next evening...as in, we just slept through a whole day!" Angel said, grabbing his clothes.

Lindsey smirked. "Told ya too much sex is a bad thing."

"You weren't complaining."

"But now you are...a very bad thing." Lindsey explained.

"Stay here." Angel said. "I'll be back before sunrise."

"Wow...you gonna leave me some cash on the dresser too?" Lindsey asked sarcastically.

"Don't be like that. You know I'll pay you at the end of the month." Angel replied, before leaving the motel room.

*****

"Uh...hello...Tara? This is Cordelia...Willow's friend."

"Oh...uh...hi." Tara said, her voice shaking.

"What's wrong? You sound...is everything okay?" Cordelia asked quickly. "Because there's a lot of freaky stuff going on here."

"T...there is? It's just, uh, because...Willow's acting kinda..." Tara broke off.

"Yeah...Willow's acting kinda...?"

"I have to go." Tara put the phone down.

"Rude much?" Cordelia muttered. She walked back into the room where Buffy was trying desperately to get Riley to talk sense. "Okay, Willow's girlfriend just hung up on me."

"Tara? No...she wouldn't...not Tara." Buffy argued.

"Well, she was saying Willow was acting weird...she sounded pretty scared too, then she said she had to go and hung up." Cordelia explained.

"It was the blood, it tasted wrong!" Riley yelled suddenly.

"Is he usually this...unbalanced?" Cordelia asked.

"Cordy...go...go to Willow's and just see what's going on...please?" Buffy begged. "I need to talk to Riley alone."

Cordelia nodded. "She live at home?"

"No, she'll be at the dorms...the address is with the dorm number in the address book." Buffy said.

"Okay." Cordelia walked out, annoyed at being bossed around. "Angel's on his way. And I'm sure Gunn will be back with Giles and Wesley soon."

"Alright...thanks Cordelia. Sorry...I'm just..."

"I know...it's okay. I'll go find Willow."

*****

"I don't understand...he's been missing all this time and appears on Buffy's doorstep muttering like a..." Wesley began as they drove to Buffy's.

"An idiot." Gunn explained. "Proper psycho...and God knows how long he was there, he was cold...and I mean, really cold."

"Good Lord." Giles said, speeding up.

"What?" Wesley asked, holding onto the car door a little tighter.

"Riley...cold...missing for a while..." Giles said, a little harsher than he meant.

"You don't think that..." Wesley began.

"This is Sunnydale. It'd be stupid not to."

*****

Angel appeared on the drive just as the car pulled up. Gunn, Wesley and Giles jumped out and all four men ran to the door. Giles pulled a crucifix out and held it ready, unintentionally waving it too near Angel.

Angel jumped back, growling.

"Sorry." Giles muttered.

"What's that for?" Angel asked.

"Riley."

Angel stared; a little shocked as the others walked in. Preparing himself for the worst, he walked in.

"Giles! What the hell are you doing?" Buffy asked, as Giles regarded the shaking vampire carefully.

"Stay back, Buffy. Are you sure he's not a...vampire?" Giles asked.

"It's Riley Giles...of course he..."

"Blood...her blood got everywhere and the sun came up and I wanted Buffy..." Riley said to himself.

Buffy stood there, her eyes searching for something...anything to tell her otherwise. "Riley?"

Angel looked away, the answer already known. He'd seen insane vampires before.

"Giles..." Buffy said, softly, her voice tinged with fear. "He was talking about Dawn."

"Dawn, bright light...school...vampires and blood...shouldn't have been out at night." Riley yelled, bolting off the couch and heading for the door.

Angel grabbed him before he got far and pulled a struggling Riley back to the couch. When Riley didn't stop fighting him, Angel vamped out and bit his neck.

Buffy's eyes widened and went to fight Angel off, but Giles grabbed her arm. "Leave it...Angel knows what he's doing."

Riley let out a startled cry before closing his eyes and allowing Angel to continue.

*****

"W...Willow...please...calm down." Tara stuttered nervously, backing away from her girlfriend.

Willow smirked. "But baby...dontcha wanna play?"

"C...Cordelia...s...she r...rang and they're...on their...way." Tara lied.

"Don't lie to me, Tara. You know I hate that." Willow said, smiling. "You smell so good...I can smell that fear."

"W...what's wrong with you?" Tara asked, desperately. "Is it the spell? Did something go wrong?"

Willow just smiled, amusedly. "Not gonna play?"

"I'm going to see Giles...j...just stay here." Tara said, nervously making her way to the door.

Willow was against it, staring cheerfully at Tara like it was one big game before Tara could get close to the doorknob.

*****

"Spike!" Xander called out suddenly, as his eyes flew open.

Anya was by his side in a second. "Shh, it's alright. I'm here."

Xander eyed her suspiciously. "Why?"

"You got bit, remember?" Anya asked. "I'm stuck babysitting..."

Xander relaxed and nodded. "I want Spike."

Anya sighed. "I know...but Spike's a little crazy right now so it'd be better all round if we just stayed put until Giles makes it all go away."

Xander closed his eyes to visions of Spike's face in the alley. "Why would he do that to me?"

"Giles?"

"Spike."

"Ohh...well, you know how vampire's are acting weird lately. I think maybe it's just...a phase. You know, remember, the phase thing you explained to me..."

Xander nodded. "A spell. It's just a spell, he'd never do that."

"Are you feeling any better?" Anya asked.

"Much actually." Xander replied.

"Good, then scoot over, the TV magazine's under you." Anya said, shoving her hand under the injured man's back.

"Ow...Anya!" Xander complained.

"What?" Anya asked. "My favourite soap is on."

"Not Passions!" Xander said, desperately.

"No...this is better. I'm waiting to see if Lindsey and Jesse escape the evil Vincent." Anya said, excitedly.

Xander smiled slightly. "Spike's always on about his soaps."

"Aw...sweetie, don't think about Spike...think about...me." She said, trying to be helpful.

"Did the others leave again?" Xander asked, looking around for other signs of life.

"Yes...they found Riley." Anya said, staring at the screen.

"What? Is he okay?" Xander asked.

"He's fine."

"Anya?"

"Hmm?"

"Turn of the damn TV and tell me exactly what went on. Did they mention Spike?" Xander asked, hopefully.

"No, just Riley. Gunn...that friend of Angel's came round and Wesley and Giles left with him. Talking about Riley going insane or something like that."

Xander paled. "Like Spike?"

"No, Spike went psychotic, Riley was more...babbling crazy man." Anya told him.

"Oh..." He lay back down.

"I'm sure Spike's fine. I bet he's recovering and thinking...'Oh no! Look what I did to Xander!' as we speak." Anya said.

Xander looked at her worriedly, before standing up and running to the door.

"Hey! You're not allowed to leave. You're injured!" Anya yelled after him. "I mention Spike and all of a sudden you're fine...miracle cure. So I'll just stay here by myself...waiting for evil to find me." Anya sat back and looked at the television. "I should probably call Giles."

*****

Xander felt his head spin and his legs fail but pushed onwards. Spike had promised him he'd never hurt him so often...the vampire seemed to need to tell Xander every so often to reassure them both. Xander couldn't imagine what Spike would do to himself if he came round and realised what he'd done.

Of course, finding him in the early hours of the morning wouldn't be easy.

*****

Angel helped the subdued Riley back onto the couch before standing back to assess the situation.

Buffy stormed forward and hit Angel hard. "Don't you ever touch him again."

Angel nursed his cheek. "I had to. He's a vampire Buffy...the only thing he understands fully is violence."

"Then understand this." Buffy said, hitting him again.

"Buffy!" Giles shouted. "Angel's right. Riley's...a little shocked right now...he seems to be..."

"Insane?" Gunn asked.

"He needed another vampire to calm him down. Maybe we can get some information from him now." Giles said softly.

Buffy stepped back, tears rolling down her cheeks. "He can't be dead..."

"He's a vampire Buffy...but..." Angel broke off.

"What?" Buffy demanded.

"I just feel strange around him...as if...I know him." Angel said carefully.

"You do!" Buffy said angrily.

"Exactly." Angel replied.

"Uh...Angel, perhaps if you could explain a little better?" Giles suggested.

Angel knelt beside Riley and forced the boy to look at him. "What happened?"

"Buffy!" Riley cried out, before breathing harshly. "What's wrong with me?"

Angel looked back at the others. "He called out for you. He's trying to breathe and he's confused and mixed up. I may not be right but...I think he has a soul."

Buffy just broke down, sobbing silently away from everyone else.

Giles looked at her helplessly. "You're sure?"

"No...he just feels wrong."

"And you're sure he's not...like Drusilla?"

"He's just confused, I'm sure. Now he's calmed down, he should be able to talk in proper sentences. But if he does have a soul...don't try to get much from him...I know from experience that the first few days are nothing but pain and confusion."

"As a vampire?" Giles asked.

"As a vampire with a soul." Angel corrected.

*****

Cordelia waited impatiently outside Willow's dorm room. After the third round of knocking, Willow finally answered.

Willow looked blankly at the girl. "...Cordelia."

"Hey..." Cordelia said, looking hesitantly a Willow. "Everything okay?"

"Sure. Just fine. You here for a reason?" Willow asked, smiling sweetly.

"Uh...yeah, Giles needs you. And Tara...is Tara here?" Cordelia asked, straining her neck to see round the door.

"No...she went out...to see someone. Only me here." Willow said, softly.

"Right..." Cordelia said, not too sure she bought that. "Well, we have to go to Buffy's house, all of us."

Willow grinned. "But Tara isn't here."

"Then I guess we could wait for her inside." Cordelia said, stepping forward.

"No, we'll go without her." Willow said, stepping out and shutting the door behind her. "Lets go."

Cordelia nodded, silently. Something was very wrong here.

"Wow, Cordelia, I love your outfit!" Willow said suddenly.

Something was definitely wrong.

*****

Spike watched from the shadows of the alley as Willow and Cordelia crossed the road. Smirking, he flicked his cigarette down and looked back at the cowering teenage girl. The blood trickling down her neck traced a path to her breasts and Spike growled appreciatively.

"Please...d...don't hurt me."

Spike just grabbed her by the throat, lifted her up and buried his fangs back in, draining the rest of the blood from her trembling body.

*****

"Riley, it's Giles. Are you alright?" Giles asked, kneeling down beside the worn out vampire.

"Giles..." Riley said softly. "I was going to...I wouldn't have but I wanted to so badly."

"What, Riley?" Giles asked, worriedly.

"I wanted to hurt you. And the others...I shouldn't..." Riley closed his eyes, feeling the threat of tears come back.

"It's okay, Riley. It's perfectly natural." Giles said, understandably. "But you have a soul now."

"We can't really be sure." Wesley interrupted.

"Shut up." Buffy barked at him.

Angel gave Buffy a sympathetic look, which was returned by a glare.

"Dawn..." Riley said suddenly.

Buffy tensed and pushed Giles out the way, kneeling beside Riley. "What about Dawn?"

Riley took one look at Buffy and began to sob uncontrollably. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"What about Dawn?" Buffy asked desperately. "Riley!"

"Shouldn't have been out so late, supposed to stay safe and I didn't mean to do it." Riley yelled.

Buffy stopped breathing. "What?"

"Her blood, oh God, her blood made my chest hurt." Riley said, looking away disgusted with himself. "What did it do to me?"

"Her blood?" Wesley said, interestedly.

Giles got up and ran to the phone. He saw the message bleeping and pressed it. Several frantic messages from Joyce about Dawn's disappearance followed by a final one.

"I'm coming home, she must be there. Buffy please, look for her."

After hearing her mother's voice, Buffy ran to the phone. "No..."

"Buffy..." Giles said, feeling so helpless right now.

"No! Riley...where's Dawn?" She screamed, running back in.

"I'm so sorry." Riley cried, burying his face in the couch.

Buffy stood there; not moving...only tears springing from frightened eyes.

"Buffy, we don't know that..." Angel began.

"She's dead, she's dead, she's dead." Riley muttered, as he continued crying.

Buffy broke down again, falling to her knees. "No!"

Angel threw Wes and Gunn a look and they all went into the kitchen, leaving Giles to comfort her.

Riley just curled into a ball and cried softly, trying to make sense of what was happening to him.

*****

"You're late!"

"M'not. Wasn't exactly given a written invitation ya know." Spike said, glaring at the vampire.

"You are the last." The vampire said. "Join the ranks and I shall address you all."

"Nah, sorry mate." Spike said, staking the vampire. "Here to run the show, not watch."

He made his way into the next room, surprised at the thousands of other vampires that stood waiting.

"Where's Benjamin?" One of them asked.

"New vamp in charge. Me. Name's Spike. Heard of me?" Spike asked. He saw the disgusted faces of the vampires and grinned. "See ya have. Now listen up and listen good...'cause I ain't repeating myself. I seen her."

A shocked silence fell upon the room.

"I seen her and I know where she is."

"Is she coming for us?" One of them asked.

"How am I supposed to know? Not a bleeding psychic." Spike snarled. "Only problem is, she's got humans protecting her...or guarding her."

"Humans?"

"The slayer."

"Your good friend, the slayer?" Another asked.

Spike snorted. "You're forgetting, dipshit. I have no chip to bother me now. Malaka saw to that. I'm fighting with her and I suggest you do too."

The vampire nodded, backing down.

"Now the plan's simple enough. Stay here, I'll go get her and then we take over the world. Questions?" Spike smiled at the silence. "Good."

*****

Anya pulled her car up on the sidewalk as Xander made his way down the street. As he saw her, he sighed.

"I have to find him."

"So he can try and kill you again?" Anya asked.

"No...he might be hurt." Xander said.

"And maybe not. Listen to me; we have to go to Buffy's. Now that Riley's safe, I'm sure Giles will make everyone look for Spike."

Xander shook his head. "What if he's dead?"

"Giles?"

"Spike!"

"Oh...I'm sure he's not. Come on. Car. Now." Anya commanded.

Xander gave in and took the passenger seat. "We have to hurry."

*****

Wesley opened the door and let Xander and Anya inside, closing it behind him. "Are you alright, Xander?"

Xander nodded. "Where's Buffy?"

As he went to go into the living room, Wesley stopped him. "Wait, there's something important we need to tell you. Come in the kitchen."

Xander and Anya followed Wesley into the kitchen where Gunn and Angel looked up at them, miserably.

"Who died?" Xander asked, seriously.

"Riley." Angel replied. "He's a vampire."

Xander stepped back as it sunk in. "What?"

"He has a soul...he's in there with Buffy and Giles." Angel said.

"Did...did Spike do it?" Xander asked, talking through the large lump that was forming in his throat.

"I don't think so. I didn't smell Spike on him. And I would know." Angel replied.

"This isn't fair." Xander said, "Everyone's dying or missing and I can't handle this."

"There's more." Wesley added. "Buffy's sister..."

"Dawn?" Xander looked up, his eyes wide. "She's okay isn't she?"

"She's dead, Xander." Wesley said, gently.

"Oh God..." Xander fell back against the wall and slid down to the floor. "No...she's with Joyce."

"I'm sorry." Wesley said, not knowing what to say. Angel watched Xander with great sympathy. It wasn't fair the boy had to go through with this...that any of them did.

"Who killed Dawn?" Anya asked, clutching her chest as it began to tighten.

"Riley."

With a fixated glare, Xander stood, grabbed the nearest wooden implement and stormed into the living room.

"Xander, no!" Angel and Wesley cried, running after him.

*****

Angel threw his arms round the livid human, holding him back. Xander screamed and struggled but it was no use.

"You bastard, you're going to die!" Xander yelled, trying to get away.

Buffy stopped crying and looked up at Xander, tearfully. "Xander, please..."

"Xander, calm down!" Giles said, his eyes red from tears he obviously could only show Buffy.

Riley just sat there, watching Xander sadly, wishing for nothing more than the death he deserved.

"He killed Dawn!" Xander yelled. "Let me go!"

Buffy started crying again, burying her head in Giles chest.

"Angel, please..." Giles begged.

Angel nodded, and dragged the boy into the hall and upstairs.

"No! Get off me! Let me go!" Xander screamed and kicked to no avail.

Angel threw Xander in Buffy's room and shut the door behind them.

"Get out my way!"

"Calm down!" Angel said, sternly.

"He killed Dawn!" Xander cried, hitting Angel as hard as he could.

Angel didn't react, he just watched Xander with pity, unable to help. When Xander tried to hit him again, he grabbed his arms and pulled him into an embrace. Xander sobbed, giving up the fight and saying nothing while he thought of Dawn, Riley...and Spike.

"Is he alive?" Xander whispered, quietly.

"Who?"

"Spike. You'd know right?"

"He's alive." Angel confirmed.

"Angel...?"

"Yeah?"

"You can let go of me now, you're kinda freaking me out."

Angel smiled and let him go. "Better?"

"Yeah. But still want to kill him..."

"So do I." Angel replied. "But you have to realise it wasn't his fault."

"I don't care." Xander hissed. "He did it."

"Just as someone did it to him." Angel added.

"Who? Who killed Riley?" Xander asked, suddenly. "You said it wasn't Spike."

"I'm pretty sure it wasn't. But as for who...I don't know."

Xander sat on Buffy's bed and buried his head in his hands.

"You're tired. Get some sleep." Angel suggested. "There's nothing we can do until the sun sets. As soon as it does, I'll go find Spike."

Xander looked up hopefully. "You will?"

"Yeah. But only if you rest, now." Angel demanded.

"That's blackmail." Xander said, smiling.

"But of the good kind." Angel laughed.

Xander lay on top of Buffy's bed, kicking his shoes off. "You'll stay?"

"If you want me to." Angel replied, slightly surprised.

Xander just nodded, closing his eyes and thinking about the things he and Spike would do once things got back to normal.

*****