Tisiphone, Megaera and Alecto

So we laugh, and we smile
And we play our games of sweet denial
But don't tell me we're forgiven
If we hold, all our breath
If we kneel right down and just repent
You can't tell me we're forgiven
We're Forgiven' by The Calling

Buffy, please wait and listen for a minute.

No time, Giles, he could have changed hide-outs or something.

But Buffy, it would be better--

Giles. He attacked my mom. Spike, you're coming with me.

Look, Slayer, when did I become your bleedin' side-kick?

Buffy. You have every right to be angry, but Angelus is strong...

Giles, he attacked my mom!

AND HE KILLED MY GIRLFRIEND!

The Library grew silent, everyone pausing from what they were doing. Willow and Oz had been talking quietly in a corner while Xander and Cordelia tentatively packed weapons under the instruction of Buffy. Spike was leaning up against a wall, as usual, with the distinct expression on his face that he would rather be somewhere else.

Spike would rather be anywhere but here. One moment he was rushing to warn the Slayer for fear of getting staked, and the next he was part of their bloody Scooby gang. He found it disturbing even if none of them did. They should be afraid of him, instead all they did was taunt or ignore him. Made a bloke feel emasculated. It wasn't so long ago that he'd tried to kill them all.

Mmm, and it wasn't so long ago that you kissed the Slayer.

Was that what this was about? Kissing the Slayer? It should be in the bad-guy's handbook; kiss your nemesis and get invited into their life. He knew the thing that was really bugging him though. Not the fact that they hadn't killed him yet, but the fact that he hadn't killed them. Was he turning soft? Usually he'd have killed them all and sucked them dry. But then again.... Yeah, it was all about kissing the Slayer.

Giles and Buffy were in the weapon's cage, panting as they both tried to calm down. One was holding a short battle-axe and the other a bottle of holy water. All bets were that Buffy would win with the water if a fight broke out.

Its nice how tragedy brings us back together... To kill things.

All eyes turned to Xander, but he simply shrugged before going back to arguing with Cordelia as quietly as possible the correct way to pack a bag. It broke the silence again and shifted everyone back to their tasks.

Looks, Giles, I am not diminishing her death. But surely you want to get revenge for what he did.

Revenge, no. Justice, yes.

Same diff.

Revenge is something born out of passion and hatred, justice is ordered, it has rules.

Screw the rules.

If you knock down all the laws in the land chasing the devil then what is going to be there to protect you when the devil turns around? Giles paraphrased.

Giles, you know Vampire's can't be brought to any kind of normal justice. Its stake. Heart. Poof.

Take a few days, Buffy. Look after your mother, come up with a plan. Then attack. He'll be excepting this.

I don't have time to argue with you Giles. I'll kill him, not the other way around.

Buffy pushed past Giles and picked up the half-packed bag on the Library table. She motioned for Spike to follow her as she turned and walked towards the door.

Uh, Buffy, that bag--

It'll do.

Please be CAREFUL.. Giles shouted to the swinging doors of the Library, his Slayer already gone. He sighed and removed his glasses, cleaning them vigorously before a sudden thought caused him to turn around and address the group with disbelief.

Why was Spike here?

***

Slayer, why am I with you?

Great, cannon fodder.

No. Back-up.

You really think that if you can't take Angelus down I'd be able to?

Bloody hell...

Look, Spike, you're the one following me. Not the other way around.

No idea why I'm following you though.

Me neither.

Buffy glanced across at Spike. They were marching along a nondescript street, bags of weapons slung over their shoulders. Spike was indeed following a few steps behind, so as to look reluctant.

When are you planning on killing me?

Spike stared at the back of Buffy's head as she continued walking, I'm not..

Oh, please, Spike, as if you're coming along just to help' me. I'm just asking when you're planning on doing it so that I can be prepared.

Firstly, you think if I was going to kill you I'd warn you first? And secondly, I'm not.

Oh, very reassuring.

Get over yourself. I'm not going to kill you tonight, so lets just concentrate on the wanker in the mansion.

And your girl.

Drusilla. She's there as well... You can stake her?

...'Course I can.

All right..

The pair fell into silence, both dwelling on thoughts of killing lovers. Or trying not to. Spike refused to think about it, denying that the situation would crop up at all. Buffy was still filled with rage for Angelus, even if she was containing it better than before.

Why do you care, Slayer?

Because you frighten me.

Spike cocked an eyebrow and Buffy grinned,

Yeah, right.

Was worth a try.

***

She's coming then?

Like sunlight.

Mmm... Good.

Angelus continued his pacing. He'd been waiting for hours for the Slayer to turn up, and he was getting bored. But Dru said that she was coming, and she was rarely wrong about things like that. Impending doom and such.

Spike had wandered off earlier that night, and Angelus was sure that he had gone to show the Slayer his support. Or he'd killed her. Spike was ambiguous like that. But the blonde Vampire would be finding himself dead tonight if he'd done either. Betrayed or touched Angelus's possession.

He sensed them as soon as they entered the mansion, and perhaps a little time before that. It was an exciting thrill rushing through his body. Adrenaline just before a fight, and hunger, just before a kill. And that little thread of uncertainty about what was about to happen.

***

As ever.

All right, Buffy swallowed, I'll take Angelus, you take Dru, any other Vamps are fair game.

Dru... Right...

Fuck you.

That's the spirit.

Both warriors took deep breaths and stared at the door in front of them. On the other side a battle that would change their lives, or in one case unlife. The breathing seemed to go on forever, enough time for Buffy to wonder why Spike was breathing at all.

she asked again.

This time all she received was a nod, and that signal was enough to send her foot into the door. Which crashed open. Simultaneously they both ran forwards into the room, both gauging their surroundings quickly for escape routes, attackers and weapons.

Angelus paused mid-stride and turned to look at the both of them. He was perfectly calm, and smiling broadly. Only two attackers, and one was the dear-and-faithful Spike who would never hurt Dru. His ex looked pissed, but that wasn't a new look for her, and she'd been crying. Good.

Well, Buffy, I was expecting an army... And all I got was you and your spy. Kinda disappointing don't you think?

I'm sure we'll be fun enough for you.

Promise? Fighting and fun. What promises girls give.. Always pretending they're better at things when they're not. I get that vibe from you a lot, lover.

Takes two...

Sorry to ruin your ensemble then. Angelus said smoothly, before issuing a roundhouse to Spike's head. The bleached Vampire stumbled back, but did not fall.

Aww, Spike, play the game. You picked the losing team, so now you've gotta lose..

The Slayer and the Vampire exchanged glanced and nodded. While Spike darted off to the left Buffy advanced forward and punched a distracted Angelus in the face. Once one punch had been landed others came, building up a sickening rhythm of bone and flesh connecting continuously.

You attacked my mother! You son of a bitch!

You let me in...

Angelus caught her next punch and smacked her with the back of his elbow before shoving her to the floor. She flipped up to her feet easily enough but it had broken her flow for a second.

Don't you dare touch me!

They exchanged a volley of punches and blocks, high and low, neither gaining any ground.

Spike watched, wondering if he should help. But really he was just putting off the inevitable. He had been told to attack Dru. And so he should. But since when did he start taking orders?

Dru smacked him in the back of the head with a chair.

Since now.

Dru, honey, Angelus been keeping you so bored that you had to watch wrestling?

You left me Spike, alone in the earth.

You had him.

He was with her. Drusilla spat, then her face grew childlike and her voice mournful, And now, so are you..

Oh, Dru baby..

Drusilla launched herself at Spike, kicking an punching clumsily but with venom and strength, her nails slashing at his face. Spike was caught off guard by the first few blows, but then he pulled himself together. He had been ready to run right back to her then. At that moment. But now he saw that however far away he went, she would always mourn for Angelus more than him. Her plaything.

Angelus smashed Buffy's head down onto the table, splitting her eyebrow and causing her to reel for a second.

Face it, schoolgirl, you can't win.

Buffy straightened and punched him with the back of her fist, one step back was all she needed to force through a second punch and a kick to the stomach.

You think I'll hold back because I love you?

Angelus smirked and charged at her, she dodged to the side and turned quickly.

Well, guess what...

She ran forward and delivered two snap-kicks to his head.

Over it.

Spike pinned Dru's arms to her sides, and she struggled in his grip. She pouted, cried, flirted, and growled but he didn't let go. Something had changed between them. How stupid had he been? In love with a woman who did not love him back, and never would. To think that she could ever consider him...Ugh. He'd been with her for a hundred years, his only thought to make her happy in some hope that one day she might care just a little. It was stupid. And human. And... lame. Yeah, Sunnydale words did have some uses. It was lame. So incredibly lame.

I'm not letting you go baby... Spike pulled out a stake, Until you're dust...

He still didn't know if he'd be able to do it. But he didn't get a chance to find out--Was that good or bad?--At the very moment he raised the stake Buffy screamed. Not a very Slayer-like pastime. He twisted around, still holding on to one of Dru's arms, and saw the Slayer on the floor with Angelus sitting on her legs, cheerfully punching her sides and back as she squirmed.

She was the Slayer, so she'd get free eventually, but still...

Spike pushed Dru away and tackled Angelus, shoulder to shoulder. Angelus flew off the Slayer and into the wall. Vampire and Vampire stared at each other for a few moments before Slayer stood up between them. She was holding a hand to her side and blood seeped from the cut on her head, but other than that she looked perfectly deadly.

What a faithful dog you've got there, Buffy

He was yours before he was mine..

You think I'm gonna cry over you stealing my puppy? Grow up Buffy. I wanted to kill you tonight, but I've decided that... No. I wont. I want to kill your friends, one by one, and make you watch...

Can't always have what you want..

Yeah. Guess not... Which is why I'm settling for ending the world instead.

Spike murmured, his eyes darting to the Vampire's that were appearing all around Angelus.

Buffy said, ignoring Spike.

Ending the world. Your Watcher never tell you about a demon called Acathla? Angelus took in Buffy's blank look with a smirk. She was cute when she was stupid, Disappointing, must have been preoccupied... Well, you'll find out. If you live.

Buffy started forward, a stake in her hand, intent on beating Angelus to a pulp until he explained. Spike's hand grabbed her arm and he nodded towards the ten other Vampire's at Angelus's back. The Slayer shrugged off his grip, but knew that it was a futile gesture. Twelve Vampires vs. her were not good odds, even if Spike did decide to help out.

I'm going to kill you... KILL YOU! And you'll be alone! And afraid! And helpless! Forever! And it'll hurt, but I won't care! I WON'T CARE!

You think I feel, Buffy, you think I can touch even one of those emotions. You think I want to? Screwing you might have been the worse sexual experience of my unlife, but it was a true awakening. Have I ever thanked you... for doing this to me?

YOU F--

Spike pulled the Slayer back a few steps and gestured to the surrounding Vampire's loosely. He hoped to get through to her mightly-pissed brain that if they didn't leave now. They'd both be dead. After a few lingering seconds she seemed to catch on and along with him backed away towards the exit.

Going Buffy?

She didn't answer.

Well, that's rude..

Arches and crosses. Dru sidled up to Angelus's side, pouting.

Soon, Dru.

Buffy thrust the stake in her hand into a Vampire's chest. The faint satisfaction she felt was overshadowed by the hatred and anger that still filled her. She couldn't take them all. So she had to run. Again. Why was she always running from Vampire's? She was The Slayer. That meant something, right?

Spike pushed his way through the door, and immediately grabbed the Slayer's arm, he dragged her through the passages of the mansion with a surprising amount of moaning. None.

Dawn was just beginning to light the sky as they escaped outside. As soon as the morning air burned in her lungs the Slayer stopped and gasped. She doubled over and took in deep breaths until the spinning headache subsided.

Are you....okay?

Yeah I'm... Buffy stumbled again and Spike sighed.

Sure, Slayer, how many times did Angel-boy smack your head against that table? Until you lost all of your common sense?

Spike, shut-- Buffy doubled over again, retching but not being sick.

All right. But how about I take you to the hospital anyway?

Buffy stood up straight and glared at the Vampire, her eyes connected with his for a laboured second before she remembered.

The hospital. Mom!

Uh, yeah Slayer, lets go see your mom.

***

The unlikely couple stumbled in through the hospital doors and doctors stood in readiness. When one tried to rush over to them the man shooed him away angrily. They looked as if they had both been badly beaten, but instead of wanting to be seen they went to the reception desk and asked for a room number.

After a verbal battle with the secretary they got it and moved over to the elevator, which miraculously cleared when the bloodied couple walked in. As the elevator started moving up Buffy clutched her head again and gave a muted groan. Spike held her up gently, not saying a word as they had both worn out of good insults a couple of blocks away.

When the doors opened she had to try several times before being able to stand up straight without Spike's help. As much as she had leant on him in the past few days, she now detached from the Vampire and walked along the corridor alone. Mentally, because Spike still followed.

Reaching the right room she swallowed before opening the door, images of what her mother could look like flashing through her mind. Every child's nightmare. When finally she managed to enter, her mother was there, sitting up in bed.

she said weakly, taking the few steps to the bed before collapsing down on it. She wrapped her arms around the older woman and totally forgot that Spike was there at all. Joyce hugged back.

Honey, are you okay?

She wanted to say that she was sorry for her behaviour. For her secrecy. Sorry for letting Angel in, and not blocking Angelus out. She wanted to say she was sorry for trusting a Vampire, and for being the Slayer. For not being the daughter her mother wanted. She wanted to say she was sorry because she hadn't killed him. Because she couldn't kill him. She wanted to say she was sorry because she hadn't protected her. She wanted to say sorry until everything was better and the whole world was right again.

But she couldn't.

I'm sorry, mom.. I'm sorry...

Its okay honey...

I'm sorry... I'm sorry.... I'm sorry...

Tears fell from her eyes and she buried her head into her mom's shoulder. The older woman cradled her daughter, rubbing her back and trying desperately to comfort her. Between sobs she just kept saying that she was sorry. Joyce didn't know what for, and she couldn't make it better.

***

In the hallway Spike drifted away from the door. The whole reunion thing made him stomach go all queasy. He wasn't sure what to do now, where to go. He sure as hell couldn't go back to the mansion, and where else was there? Did the Slayer still want him around? Perhaps he should go and tell her mates that she was okay...

Nah. He didn't like them anyway.

Watching the mother and daughter embrace gave him that human-like feeling of loneliness that he should abhor. He did. But not for the right reasons. He hated this town... So why did he feel so bad about leaving it?

Spike shrugged and turned, pressing the elevator button with a strained patience. He'd figure it out on the road to LA.

(Author's Note: I know this chapter was a long time coming, but its here! And it has the F-word in it! Sorry... On a happier note; thanks to all of my reviewers, who keep me writing and in pink pills. More soon.. I hope)