Calling of Names

Buttercup: You mock my pain!
Wesley: Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.
From The Princess Bride'

Buffy sat up in her bed and wiped the sleep from her eyes. The room was still dark and it was probably some time in the early morning. With a yawn and a stretch she was more-or-less awake enough to see who was standing silhouetted in her doorway.

You did it, didn't you?

The figure of her mother walked into the room, she was dressed in a purple flannel dressing gown and was frowning. Buffy pulled back the covers cautiously and started forward.

You slept with him. Joyce accused.

Buffy glanced across at the other body in her bed and let out a sigh. The blonde Vampire was sleeping soundly beside her, chest rising and falling. She turned back to her mother with a smile.

No mom, I didn't sleep with Spike.

Not him. Saturday. He's right. Joyce said impatiently, waving a hand, You slept with Angelus.

He was asking for it.

You never gave it to him.

You slept with him and he hurt me. Why did you do that? Did you want to hurt me? Did you want to hurt your mother?

I didn't mean...I... Buffy gasped, tears already spotting the corners of her eyes.

Mean? Mean? When do you mean anything? No maps, no compass, no direction. You're lost.

Mommy, please...

You bitch! You did this to me! You bitch! You wh--

***

Buffy? Honey... Wake up.

Buffy's eyes snapped open. It was funny how people never woke up from nightmare's like they did in the movies. No springing up and screaming, just jolting awake and light and confusion.

After the voice the first thing that Buffy became aware of was her mother. Sitting at the end of her bed with a concerned expression. She pulled herself up and checked her hair self-consciously. Glancing about she noted; no Spike. Good.

Uh, What is it mom?

Willow's here to see you... Are you all right?

Yeah... Just bad dreams...

Her mother stood up, Should I tell Willow you'll be down in a minute..

What? Oh, yeah. Thanks mom.

As her mother left the room Buffy slumped back down into bed and pressed a hand to her face. What the hell had that dream been about? Sleeping with Spike? Ick, ew and gross in that order, possibly followed by vomiting and long prison showers. And being lost... Huh, it was strange, but probably not one of her Slayer dreams. Probably. It was just guilt or something psychological like that.

She racked her brain as she wondered why Willow was there. It wasn't as if she was adverse to her friend stopping by, but on a Saturday morning?

Slowly the events began to filter back into her conciseness and a resolved coldness forced her out of bed. How could she have been so wrapped up in her dream that she'd forgotten? And her mom... Oh God... what was she doing out of bed so soon?

Buffy climbed out of bed and got dressed in record time. And considering she was a Slayer that was pretty quick. Stumbling down the stairs she noted Willow sitting alone on the bottom step.

Hey Will, where's my mom?

Willow's welcoming smile turned into an unhappy shame-filled frown.

I didn't mean to get her out of bed... Its just that you, obviously, weren't up...

It's all right Will, Buffy comforted with a smile, and sat down next to her, Is that where she's gone now?

Buffy nodded and straightened her appearance self-consciously for a second. Tightening a hair grip, smoothing her shirt.

Maybe I shouldn't be here, you know...

Its okay Will, you're always perfectly welcome, and I need to make sure that he won't come back...

Willow smiled again and pulled a brown satchel out in front of her. She opened it and began rummaging around inside.

So... You know how to do it?

Yeah, Giles showed me the basic stuff... But you'd be surprised at how much of it was easy to guess...

Buffy said, unable to keep the indifference out of her voice. She loved Willow, but magic was just... creepy, and probably best left to Mother-Daughter-Cheerleaders and Psycho-Halloween-British guys.

Yeah. Lots of chemistry, math...

That ruled it out totally for Buffy, anything that was related to school gradually made her brain tune out and think of other stuff. Like demon's beginning with F' or fifty different ways to use an axe.

...And squaring the ingredients with--

Huh? What?

Sorry Buffy, babbling about math... You want to help me get this started?

Uh, no thanks, I'm sidelines-girl, magic all too complicated for me..

Willow looked as if she was about to protest. But decided against it. Trying to re-spark early-morning-Buffy's confidence while casting a de-invite spell was a little too much to take on. Besides, they had a whole day of plotting and planning to re-boost the Slayer. She pulled out the ingredients and began placing them around just as Giles had shown her. She'd been surprised at how interesting all this stuff was, perhaps she'd continue researching it after all this stuff had ended.

Doing the de-invite spell was a good way for Willow not to feel helpless. When Buffy's mom had been attacked, and everyone had been getting ready for battle, she felt like a seventh wheel. She wasn't a fighter, and she didn't have specialist knowledge of the occult or anything. But at least now she could be helpful.

Willow said, still spreading out a multitude of things on the floor, herbs, crosses, stones, ...What happened to Spike?

Buffy, who had been happily thinking about other things, jumped and her foot knocked over a bottle of holy water.

she said, her voice a little higher than usual.

Hey, sorry, forgot it was a touchy subject--without the touching, of course--was there touching?

I was just wondering if he was still being all strangely-nice or if he'd gone back to evil-fangy-kill-kill. Cause a girl likes to be warned.

To be honest, I don't know. But at least evil-fangy was easier to stake. He came with me to the hospital last night, but then I guess he just wandered off. Oh God, you don't think he went on a hospital killing spree do you?

Willow shook her head, and then off Buffy's sceptical look explained, It would've been on the news.

Oh. Then I don't know.

Willow nodded as she cracked a book open and began mouthing the words there, memorising. Buffy watched her for a second, pondering talking about her recent dream. But that would also probably involve talking about the second kiss.

So, how's things with Xander?

Oh... Usual, half the time making jokes, the other sticking his tongue down Cordelia's throat.

Nice imagery.

Believe me, the imagery is much better than seeing that actual thing.

Hmm, how's things between you and Oz?

What's that Willow, I heard you hesitate...

Its just... he's really freaked by Miss Calendar's murder. I know we all are, but he's taking it really badly.

But... he hardly knew her.

Its just the death thing, I think... Willow stood up, overtly trying to change the subject,

Right. Should I stand back or something? Buffy asked, rising as well.

Nope, few words, Latin, herbs, crosses... then he's gone from your life.

I wish.

***

Spike sat on the sarcophagus, staring at the wall. Bored out of his mind, would be a fair assessment of his temperament. Or perhaps just out of his mind'. He wasn't sure why he hadn't just left Sunnyhell that night, but he kept telling himself it was because dawn would have come before he could have gotten far enough away. So now he was stuck in a crypt, watching a line of sunlight move along the wall until night-time came.

Life as a Vampire was great. He was getting ready to leave his girlfriend of over a hundred years, who had never loved him, to wander the planet like some pale-Hulk. Great. On top of that he was turning soft, he had lost count of how many times he could have killed the Slayer and her pals but he didn't. And even innocent bystanders to his various wanderings were un-killed. What was wrong with him?

He still had a taste for blood. Killing. Screams of children. That sort of thing. But he provoked or got none of them. It was her fault. Drusilla. Ungrateful bitch. And the Bloody Slayer and her tears. And lips. And body. Ugh. He needed to be staked. Now. Because he was a disgrace to the Vampire race.

Then again, LA could be a new start for him. He'd get over Drusilla, maybe Sire himself some bints to take her place in his bed. Yeah, get a gang and wreak havoc among the pulse-endowed. Bloody up the whole fucking world, and then maybe she'd come back, begging on her hands and knees... Wishful thinking.

Fighting his Sire to help the Slayer? He was an f'ing freak. It had been fun. He'd found it fun. Did that make him more of a freak? Probably. Usually he liked to be alternative, but this was way over the bounds. And even if he did want to help the Slayer. WHICH HE BLOODY WELL DID NOT. Even if he did want to help her, she'd stake him on sight.

Maybe that would be better, get it all over with. Finished.

***

.... God, I wish they made nice men.

Xander's nice.. Willow pointed out.

Cordelia gave her a withering look and placed down the emery board she was holding. They were both sitting at the Library table while Giles flitted about among the stacks.

Yeah, nice, in a spineless way. Cordelia complained before quickly amending, Not that I'm not fond of him... He should just be... more assertive or something.

Uh huh, Willow agreed without really listening. They'd been sitting in the Library for a couple of hours and in that time Willow had perfected tuning out Cordelia's voice. The girl was constantly talking about something, or bitching. Usually as skilful mix of the two.

Giles clomped down the steps and placed another pile of books on the table, stopping all of Cordelia's chatter.

Do we know when Buffy will be arriving?

Willow glanced around at the clock, Some time soon.

Hmmm. I'm still not so sure we should be doing this so soon after--

Xander walked into the Library loudly, causing Giles to pause and glare. The younger man held up his hands defensively and slid into a seat next to Cordelia's, taking up her hand quickly. Giles continued.

I suppose I should just be glad that she was not hurt last night. And that her mother is okay..

Have you spoken to her at all today, Giles?

No, other than the phone call she was gracious enough to give us last night, I have not spoken to her since we were arming up.

Found anything out about this Acattle guy?

Acathla, and yes, quite a bit.

Big and evil?

Well.... I'll explain fully when Buffy arrives.

At that moment Buffy walked into the Library quietly, her clothes untidy but her face solemn.

Timing thy name is Buffy. Xander remarked, while Cordelia said sarcastically,

Its like a sitcom..

Buffy ignored both of their comments and strode towards Giles, she was clearly not in a joking mood. Willow noted that she looked less relaxed than she had that morning, but decided not to question.

So, Giles, what've we got..?

Ehem, well, Acathla. He pulled off his glasses and began polishing. Acathla was a demon who was brought forth to destroy the world. But he was slain by a knight before he could draw breath to commit the act. He was turned to stone and buried for all eternity.

Except that Angel must have found him somehow...

Yes. And my best bet would be that Angel plans to reawaken the demon so that he can complete his task.

..And then no more world. How do we stop him?

Well.... you would need to kill... Angel before he can cast the spell.

Hmm. Are you sure its that easy Giles? I mean... if that is all we have to do then why did Angel tell us about Acathla in the first place? Why not just do it?

I must confess I--

Its the Hitchcock factor. Xander said softly, then took in the blank looks and explained patiently, Alfred Hitchcock always said that the event itself wasn't that scary, it was the built up to it. The suspense. Knowledge of what was about to happen but no way to change it.

Great. Now Angel chooses to go all silver screen on us.

Huh. But slightly flawed by the fact that, hello, we figured it out already.. Cordelia pointed out.

Yes... Does seem careless.. Giles mused.

Well, whatever it is. We kill Angel and everything's good again. Buffy stated, before drawing breath to address another issue.

Uh, Buffy, you're forgetting our other problem.

What? What other problem?

Kakeaner. That other evil dude. Xander supplied as both Cordelia and Willow held up news articles noting seven other deaths.

Buffy sunk into a chair and Willow shot her an apologetic look. Giles, taking Buffy's stationary form as a sign to continue began to speak again.

We have located the necessary spell to make the abstract material, but... have no-one to cast it. And even than the beast will need a Slayer to destroy it, with probably all of our help as well.

Giles... We can't fight them both at the same time...

The group fell into silence. No-one had mentioned the absence of Oz, but it was becoming a regular thing. Not that he usually made his presence known anyway, he was usually quite silent.

Buffy stared down at the table in front of her. It had been hard to come here this afternoon, when the night before she was swearing to have Angelus's blood on her hands, and now she was here again having failed. Failed her mom, her friends, and now it seemed the world as well.

She should have known better than to date a Vampire, what good could have come of that? She kept saying that she wanted to be a normal girl and yet her boyfriend was undead. Former boyfriend. Because from now on things were really going to change. She looked around at her friends and felt the guilt stab her stomach again. Because she'd gotten them into this, she would have to get them out.

Buffy stood and all eyes turned to her,

Right. I've got a plan. Willow.. her gaze fixed on the redhead, You were pretty good with that magic stuff this morning, you can do the spell. Even as Willow started to protest Buffy continued, Giles, call Kendra and get her here, she can fight Angelus with you, Xander, Oz and Cordelia. More protesting, I will be fighting this bigger evil... All you guys have got to do is stake a Vamp.

A small voice in her head pointed out that she was actually getting them to fix her problem rather than doing it herself. So what? She'd had enough of fighting Angelus to last a lifetime, she just wanted him dead. Gone. Out of her life for real.

And you can't do it yourself, so you're making your friends. What a hero.

Buffy sighed and was half-way to withdrawing her orders before Xander spoke.

Uh, Buffster, this is a great plan and all... And we're all aboard... But you can't fight Kack-anna alone.

Thank God.

I won't.

Well, we're all accounted for, so who else is there?

Buffy didn't answer, instead she produced a stake from a pocket and examined it. The group stared at her for a long while before Xander, as usual, broke the silence,

Uh... Buffy...

Buffy finally seemed to snap out of it. Whatever it was. And said offhandedly, still staring at the stake.

Where's Spike?

(Author's Note: Yep. Its getting closer to that time. What time? You'll have to wait and see. I trust I'm being obscure. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far, it inspires me to write more.)