Buffy turned over and reached out for Spike, but her hand felt nothing.
Quickly she opened her eyes and looked at the empty bedside. "Spike?" she
called. No answer came. With a frantic shake she scrambled out of the bed
and pulled a skirt and shirt on over her short gown.
Buffy flung open the door and ran into the hall. "Spike!" she called as she stopped at the stairs. "Spike!" Cordeilia leaned out of the office and looked up at the panicked slayer. "He went out!" she shouted. Buffy brushed her hair from her eyes and walked down the stairs. "What do you mean, he went out?" she asked with a point of her hand towards the window. "It's noon in LA. There's no way he could've gone out!"
Cordeilia pushed Buffy onto a chair and smiled in a soothing way. "Calm down Buffster. He's gone through some underground things and he'll be right back." The slayer sighed in relief and looked towards the front doors. "Sorry Cordi. It's just.just. I worry about him. I worry about lot's of stuff lately." Cordeilia nodded.
"Yeah. Vampires are hard companions. I understand why you were always looking for Angel back in high school now." She laughed. "He just slips away and you cant find him!" Both girls giggled as they thought of this. "So how long have you two been dating?" Buffy asked. "About 2 years."
Cordeilia turned quickly as Spike came into the lobby. Buffy glared at the blonde vampire and Cordi smiled weakly. "Uh I better go. you know how it is. research." a long pause filled the room. "What's that?" she called to no one. "I better leave? Wow. I think they're right. Eh he. bye!"
Angel brushed past Spike with a growl and stormed into the library. Both blondes cringed as the door slammed shut. "What's up with him?" Buffy asked. Spike shrugged and slumped onto a couch. "Who knows? I think he's mad I'm right." Buffy stared at him and crossed her arms. "Right about what?"
Spike looked away and gave a sigh. "Everything." Buffy laughed. "Yeah right." Both were quiet as Fred came out of the office, picked up a book and left the lobby again. "Ya know Spike. You could've told me you were leaving to go somewhere."
Spike's glance trailed from the ceiling back to the angry slayer. "You looked all sweet and cozy. I didn't want to wake you." Buffy clenched her fist, trying for all her will to be mad. But something wasn't letting her. Quietly she stood and kissed Spike on the forehead. "What was that for?" he asked as she headed towards the library. "That was for being you." she answered. Spike smirked. "Well maybe I should be me more often."
Buffy giggled at this thought and stepped into the library. "Angel?" she called. For a moment she saw no one but then she saw the scowling vampire hunched over a dark desk. "Angel?" she whispered as she walked to the desk. "He doesn't love you." he growled.
Buffy sat down in the chair across from the vampire and lifted his chin. "Who?" she asked softly. Angel sat up and sighed. Buffy waited but no answer came. "Angel. who doesn't love me?"
Angel closed his eyes as he repeated the painful memory. "I didn't figure it out until the night you got here." He finished. Angel opened his eyes and looked towards Buffy. Instead of the angry, vengeful slayer he had hoped to see, he saw her sitting looking at the desk. Her eyes were watching something carefully and she quickly turned her face from his sight. "He loves me Angel."
Her earrings swept forward quickly as she turned to look at him again. "I know you don't believe that. But I do. Please, Let's leave it like that." Angel felt as though his heart had just been shred. He had hoped with in all hope that somewhere deep inside her, she still loved him. "Buffy?" he asked softly. "Do you still love me?" A long pause filled the room and Buffy stood UN easily. "Let it go, Angel." She whispered as she strode towards the door.
Angel rose from the chair and called the Slayer's name again. "You didn't say yes or no." Buffy stopped as she opened the door and for a fleeting moment he thought she was going to say yes, but then as quick as she had come, she was gone.
Buffy walked back into the lobby and for one brief moment she stared at the vampire whom seemed to love her so much. Questions blurred over each other in her mind and for the first time in a long time she wondered if it all was a lie. A plan to be her downfall. But why would he marry her? Why would he give up being Spike for 12 years just to kill her? He always was evil. She knew that. A voice in the back of her mind always said to beware of that fact. But until now she had always doubted it to some extent. Now she wasn't sure.
Spike knew the look in her eyes. As soon as he saw her staring at him, he knew. She was torn. The thoughts in her head twisted together arguing one point to the other. He hadn't seen this look in a long time but he would know it anywhere. He stood in worry but she turned and left the room quickly. He would have followed. He would have calmed her fears. Whatever they were.
But obviously she wasn't ready to give him the chance. He knew when she wanted to tell him, she would. But until then he would have to wait.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~
Drusilla shoved the angry minion back and opened the crypt door. Light crept quickly across the floor and the minions tried desperately to scramble away. Dust filled the room and Drusilla slammed the door shut once again. "Oops." She giggled.
Emly looked up from the dark shadows and growled deeply. "You fool." Drusilla turned as she heard the threatening tone. "The king of cups told me to do it." she whispered. "I did it for his birthday." Emly stood and threw the blanket that had once held her childe onto the cold ground. "Forget the king of cups. Forget the fairies and think about our mission!!" a long pause filled the room and Emly threw a silver ring to Drusilla. "That. was my last remaining childe. He worked hard!! He believed in this cause you've started. Every vampire here believed in this killing!! You slaughtered them and condemned yourself to failure!!" Drusilla threw the ring onto the ground and smiled. "I didn't mean too. It was the pixies." Emly growled and grabbed Drusilla by her wrists. "Listen. I didn't lose my last childe to fail. Get more minions and we attack in three days!! If you don't have the team power by then. You're dead meat."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Joyce stared out at the sunny weather and sighed. Anya, Willow, and Tara refused to let her leave the house and this time they had sealed it magically. There was no chance she was getting out of this house or at least not until they thought it safe.
Michael had left yesterday with his parents and hadn't come back. He had said he would try to but Joyce knew he had probably chickened out. "Gr." She whispered. "Argh."
Clouds passed over the bright rays of light and darkened the cheery yard. Joyce sat up slowly as she felt a wave of terror creep down her spine. Something wasn't right. A growl of threat confirmed this fear.
Gulping she turned to find a tall metallic creature staring down at her. Red eyes stood out against his silver gray skin. Before thinking, Joyce screamed hoping for all the world that Tara would come to her rescue.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
The tall creature's fierce stare faded as soon as she collapsed against the wall heaving with an effort to stay standing. "Whoa kiddo, calm down. I'm not here to hurt you. I was just coming to see the slayer." The monster paused and looked around the room. "I guess I got my directions crossed. This is Sacramento, right?"
Joyce nodded. The demon looked around again. "Well the slayer's not anywhere near here though." Willow ran into the room and gasped as she saw the tall creature. Tara quickly ran in also bumping into Willow with a small squeak. Both Wicca's stared at the demonic figure.
Tara leaned over, never taking her eyes off the being and whispered into Willow's ear "Do a spell already!" The red haired Witch nodded hesitantly and raised her hand so the palm faced the monster. "Ell celilium minio." A screech of delight startled Willow into dropping her hand and turning. Anya ran into the creature's arms and smiled. "Skip! Where have you been? You weren't supposed to be here for weeks!" Skip smiled kindly. "Well Anyanka, My boss was telling me to get here quick because you guy's were going to need help." Anya shook her head giddily. "Now Skip, you know that they're always being way too paranoid."
Skip looked at the two Wicca's. "Where's the slayer?" Anya's smile dropped slightly and she looked away. "She's gone to LA~" "I have a good friend in LA." Skip cut in. "Cordeilia. Whippy girl with the attitude of a mule." Willow's silence broke as she heard the familiar name. "Cordeilia? Cordeilia Chase?" Skip nodded slightly and Willow broke into laughter. Shaking his head with a feeling of superiority he turned back to Anya. "So I'm gonna be helping you folks and not the slayer right?" Tara put her hand on Willow's shuddering shoulder and answered. "From what we know of her position, she's fine. We're the ones who need all the help we can get."
Skip's frown broke into a wide smile and he nodded. "Well here's your help."
TBC
Buffy flung open the door and ran into the hall. "Spike!" she called as she stopped at the stairs. "Spike!" Cordeilia leaned out of the office and looked up at the panicked slayer. "He went out!" she shouted. Buffy brushed her hair from her eyes and walked down the stairs. "What do you mean, he went out?" she asked with a point of her hand towards the window. "It's noon in LA. There's no way he could've gone out!"
Cordeilia pushed Buffy onto a chair and smiled in a soothing way. "Calm down Buffster. He's gone through some underground things and he'll be right back." The slayer sighed in relief and looked towards the front doors. "Sorry Cordi. It's just.just. I worry about him. I worry about lot's of stuff lately." Cordeilia nodded.
"Yeah. Vampires are hard companions. I understand why you were always looking for Angel back in high school now." She laughed. "He just slips away and you cant find him!" Both girls giggled as they thought of this. "So how long have you two been dating?" Buffy asked. "About 2 years."
Cordeilia turned quickly as Spike came into the lobby. Buffy glared at the blonde vampire and Cordi smiled weakly. "Uh I better go. you know how it is. research." a long pause filled the room. "What's that?" she called to no one. "I better leave? Wow. I think they're right. Eh he. bye!"
Angel brushed past Spike with a growl and stormed into the library. Both blondes cringed as the door slammed shut. "What's up with him?" Buffy asked. Spike shrugged and slumped onto a couch. "Who knows? I think he's mad I'm right." Buffy stared at him and crossed her arms. "Right about what?"
Spike looked away and gave a sigh. "Everything." Buffy laughed. "Yeah right." Both were quiet as Fred came out of the office, picked up a book and left the lobby again. "Ya know Spike. You could've told me you were leaving to go somewhere."
Spike's glance trailed from the ceiling back to the angry slayer. "You looked all sweet and cozy. I didn't want to wake you." Buffy clenched her fist, trying for all her will to be mad. But something wasn't letting her. Quietly she stood and kissed Spike on the forehead. "What was that for?" he asked as she headed towards the library. "That was for being you." she answered. Spike smirked. "Well maybe I should be me more often."
Buffy giggled at this thought and stepped into the library. "Angel?" she called. For a moment she saw no one but then she saw the scowling vampire hunched over a dark desk. "Angel?" she whispered as she walked to the desk. "He doesn't love you." he growled.
Buffy sat down in the chair across from the vampire and lifted his chin. "Who?" she asked softly. Angel sat up and sighed. Buffy waited but no answer came. "Angel. who doesn't love me?"
Angel closed his eyes as he repeated the painful memory. "I didn't figure it out until the night you got here." He finished. Angel opened his eyes and looked towards Buffy. Instead of the angry, vengeful slayer he had hoped to see, he saw her sitting looking at the desk. Her eyes were watching something carefully and she quickly turned her face from his sight. "He loves me Angel."
Her earrings swept forward quickly as she turned to look at him again. "I know you don't believe that. But I do. Please, Let's leave it like that." Angel felt as though his heart had just been shred. He had hoped with in all hope that somewhere deep inside her, she still loved him. "Buffy?" he asked softly. "Do you still love me?" A long pause filled the room and Buffy stood UN easily. "Let it go, Angel." She whispered as she strode towards the door.
Angel rose from the chair and called the Slayer's name again. "You didn't say yes or no." Buffy stopped as she opened the door and for a fleeting moment he thought she was going to say yes, but then as quick as she had come, she was gone.
Buffy walked back into the lobby and for one brief moment she stared at the vampire whom seemed to love her so much. Questions blurred over each other in her mind and for the first time in a long time she wondered if it all was a lie. A plan to be her downfall. But why would he marry her? Why would he give up being Spike for 12 years just to kill her? He always was evil. She knew that. A voice in the back of her mind always said to beware of that fact. But until now she had always doubted it to some extent. Now she wasn't sure.
Spike knew the look in her eyes. As soon as he saw her staring at him, he knew. She was torn. The thoughts in her head twisted together arguing one point to the other. He hadn't seen this look in a long time but he would know it anywhere. He stood in worry but she turned and left the room quickly. He would have followed. He would have calmed her fears. Whatever they were.
But obviously she wasn't ready to give him the chance. He knew when she wanted to tell him, she would. But until then he would have to wait.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*~*~
Drusilla shoved the angry minion back and opened the crypt door. Light crept quickly across the floor and the minions tried desperately to scramble away. Dust filled the room and Drusilla slammed the door shut once again. "Oops." She giggled.
Emly looked up from the dark shadows and growled deeply. "You fool." Drusilla turned as she heard the threatening tone. "The king of cups told me to do it." she whispered. "I did it for his birthday." Emly stood and threw the blanket that had once held her childe onto the cold ground. "Forget the king of cups. Forget the fairies and think about our mission!!" a long pause filled the room and Emly threw a silver ring to Drusilla. "That. was my last remaining childe. He worked hard!! He believed in this cause you've started. Every vampire here believed in this killing!! You slaughtered them and condemned yourself to failure!!" Drusilla threw the ring onto the ground and smiled. "I didn't mean too. It was the pixies." Emly growled and grabbed Drusilla by her wrists. "Listen. I didn't lose my last childe to fail. Get more minions and we attack in three days!! If you don't have the team power by then. You're dead meat."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
Joyce stared out at the sunny weather and sighed. Anya, Willow, and Tara refused to let her leave the house and this time they had sealed it magically. There was no chance she was getting out of this house or at least not until they thought it safe.
Michael had left yesterday with his parents and hadn't come back. He had said he would try to but Joyce knew he had probably chickened out. "Gr." She whispered. "Argh."
Clouds passed over the bright rays of light and darkened the cheery yard. Joyce sat up slowly as she felt a wave of terror creep down her spine. Something wasn't right. A growl of threat confirmed this fear.
Gulping she turned to find a tall metallic creature staring down at her. Red eyes stood out against his silver gray skin. Before thinking, Joyce screamed hoping for all the world that Tara would come to her rescue.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~
The tall creature's fierce stare faded as soon as she collapsed against the wall heaving with an effort to stay standing. "Whoa kiddo, calm down. I'm not here to hurt you. I was just coming to see the slayer." The monster paused and looked around the room. "I guess I got my directions crossed. This is Sacramento, right?"
Joyce nodded. The demon looked around again. "Well the slayer's not anywhere near here though." Willow ran into the room and gasped as she saw the tall creature. Tara quickly ran in also bumping into Willow with a small squeak. Both Wicca's stared at the demonic figure.
Tara leaned over, never taking her eyes off the being and whispered into Willow's ear "Do a spell already!" The red haired Witch nodded hesitantly and raised her hand so the palm faced the monster. "Ell celilium minio." A screech of delight startled Willow into dropping her hand and turning. Anya ran into the creature's arms and smiled. "Skip! Where have you been? You weren't supposed to be here for weeks!" Skip smiled kindly. "Well Anyanka, My boss was telling me to get here quick because you guy's were going to need help." Anya shook her head giddily. "Now Skip, you know that they're always being way too paranoid."
Skip looked at the two Wicca's. "Where's the slayer?" Anya's smile dropped slightly and she looked away. "She's gone to LA~" "I have a good friend in LA." Skip cut in. "Cordeilia. Whippy girl with the attitude of a mule." Willow's silence broke as she heard the familiar name. "Cordeilia? Cordeilia Chase?" Skip nodded slightly and Willow broke into laughter. Shaking his head with a feeling of superiority he turned back to Anya. "So I'm gonna be helping you folks and not the slayer right?" Tara put her hand on Willow's shuddering shoulder and answered. "From what we know of her position, she's fine. We're the ones who need all the help we can get."
Skip's frown broke into a wide smile and he nodded. "Well here's your help."
TBC