Title: Lessons to Learn Chapter Eight: Thrown to the Wolves

Author: SlayrGrl55 (aka Anna)

Rating: PG

Pairing: B/S

Spoilers: Lessons

Feedback: pretty please?

Disclaimer: I don't own 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'…yet ~laughs deviously~

Spike paced back and forth in his room. It was dark and gloomy, much like his crypt and the school basement were. He grew tired of pacing and unceremoniously dropped himself in the closest chair. Looking around the room he noticed the ripped tapestries and the clawed furniture. Finally his eyes settled on a small table at the center of the room. How did I not notice that before? He stood up and crossed the room, his eyes never leaving the object on the table. He carefully drew out a hand to touch it…

"Sir!" a tiny British voice called. "Come now, you must look presentable for dinner. Can't make the lady fall in love with you if you dress like a git." Spike only stared at the miniscule clock-shaped Giles.

"Bloody hell! Come on!" Giles turned in a huff and angrily bounced out of the room followed by a dazed and confused vampire.

"This is not happening. This is not happening. This is SO not happening." Buffy repeated quietly to herself. Willow hopped into the room followed by Dawn, and they stopped in front of Buffy.

"Wow! Xander was right…the girl is really pretty!" the small teacup stated. Buffy looked up upon hearing her sister's voice. "Ugh." Buffy groaned and leaned her head back down on her arms. She continued mumbling but a knock on the door interrupted her. The door squeaked open again and Xander popped his burning head into the room.

"Your presence is requested at dinner, milady." He said.

"I'm not going." Buffy was stubborn and there was no way she was leaving this room to go have dinner with that…monster. Xander and Willow tried to convince her that it would be best if she just went to dinner, but Buffy didn't budge and Xander was sent back downstairs with the message that Spike would be eating dinner alone. Minutes later a roar echoed throughout the castle and angry footsteps pounded up the stairs and down the hallway to Buffy's room.

*Bang*Bang*Bang* Spike pounded on the flimsy wooden door. "Master, you mustn't scare the girl. Remember your manners." Giles reminded him. Composing himself, he knocked softly on the door and called out to her.

"Buffy, will you please come to dinner."

"No!" came the angry reply.

"Come to dinner, now!" Patience was obviously not his forte. He went to slam the door again when he heard a feminine sigh from somewhere behind him. Curious, he stopped his assault and turned around.

Standing near Xander, but not close enough to catch fire, a black and white feather duster mumbled loudly enough for just about everyone to hear her. "Someone won't be getting any orgasms tonight."

"Anya, remember we talked about not being so blunt when we speak? It's kind of rude. And I don't need the mental image of…that." He motioned to Spike and then to the door.

Anya sighed again and turned to Spike. "Take it from me, if you ever want her to come out of that door willingly you have to be nice." and with that she sashayed down the hallway and disappeared into another room.

Xander shrugged as Giles rubbed his head and Spike turned back to the door. "Buffy, luv, I only want to have dinner with you. Please come out."

There was no answer so he tried again. "Pet, I'm sorry I threw your mum out. I-I don't know what came over me. It's like someone else is taking over my body. I know it keeps happening to you, too. Please, come out and lets figure out what the bloody hell is going on so we can get back home. I need your help. I need you."

He was leaning against the door with his left palm pressed against the woodwork, reaching out to her. Unbeknownst to him, she mirrored his position on the other side of the door. She wanted so badly to go to him. "Spike…"

He perked up. C'mon pet…open the door.

"Spike," she said more forcefully. "I would rather starve than eat a meal with you. Figure out a way home by yourself. I don't need you. I never need you! You're a disgusting evil thing. Soul or not, you still don't have a heart." Tears streamed down her eyes and she fell to the floor, willing her tears to be silent so he wouldn't know how much pain she was in. She didn't want to say those things. They weren't true. What was happening to her?

He flinched at her harsh words and lost his temper. Anger flaring, he shouted out orders. "Fine! But if you don't eat with me, you don't eat at all! Xander, guard the door and make sure she doesn't leave." He stormed off towards the West Wing kicking or smashing the occasional statue until he reached his room.

Hours later when the tears had stopped Buffy snuck out of her room and down the hallway, completely ignoring the candlestick and feather duster making out behind the curtain.

Spike sat quietly in his room. If he didn't move, if he didn't speak, whatever that thing was didn't-couldn't-take over his body. Suddenly the door creaked open and Buffy rushed inside. Closing the door behind her, she held her breath as the sound of small footsteps rushed by. The sound faded and she relaxed. Upon opening her eyes, her gaze met Spike's. She hesitated only a split second before rushing into his arms.

"Oh, Spike. We have to get out of here. Dawn must be so worried." She rested her head on his shoulder and he stroked her hair.

"Shh, luv. It'll be okay. We just have to figure out what's making us do these things. It's like we're following a storyline. I'm so scared that any second I'm gonna go all fangy and try to bite you." He admitted.

"I know, I know." She said. Stepping out of him embrace she looked at their surroundings. "What happened to this room?" she asked.

"No clue, pet. It was like this when I got here." He watched her as she explored the room, and finally she noticed the object that had held Spike's attention earlier that night.

It was a rose hovering in a glass encasement. It was beautiful. It sparkled in the moonlight that shown through the window and it took Buffy's breath away. She reached out to remove the glass container and Spike vamped out.

Oh no. Not again! "Get away from that!" he growled as he pushed her to the ground. She huddled in the corner, very un-slayer like, and he advanced on her. "I told you not to come here!" He snarled and went to grab her, but this time she rolled away and made a run for it. He crashed into a desk from his own momentum and she raced out of the room.

Grabbing a cloak from the coat holder by the door, she raced out into the cold night air. After a few hundred feet she was out of breath and slowed her speed to a mere stumble. I really took my super powers for granted. She leaned against a tree to rest but as soon as she had stopped a figure jumped out of the darkness at her. She screamed and tried to run but the creature grabbed her and pinned her to the ground. Then she realized it was a vampire.

Fully vamped out, his fangs descended on her neck and she whimpered helplessly. She closed her eyes, willing death to be quick and painless, but it didn't come. When she opened her eyes she saw that her attacker had been ripped off of her by…Spike? Yes, it was Spike.

She got to her feet and looked around. Even if she couldn't fight, she could still help. She snapped off a tree branch and ran back to the fight scene.

"Oh God…" she whispered. There were more now. At least five vampires were on Spike all at once and he didn't have a weapon. "Spike!" she called him. When he turned she tossed him the stake and he shouted back a 'thank you'.

Then she could do nothing more but await the outcome. She stepped back, out of view of the other vampires, and watched Spike fight. He was so graceful. Almost like a cat, she thought. With the stake as a weapon the fight was soon finished and Spike stood victorious, but barely. He was beaten and bruised and the front of his shirt was stained with blood. Buffy ran to him and put his arm around her shoulder to steady him. Slowly, she helped him back to the castle.

In a dark, smoky room just outside if the town three men sat at a table…

"Mr. Finn, I don't quite understand why you've called me here. How do my services appeal to you?" the short bald man asked. Riley leaned forward conspicuously.

"Well, Mr. Snyder, you run the Asylum in Sunnydale, am I correct?" Riley said.

"Yes, sir. You are correct." Mr. Snyder leaned in to meet Riley's gaze. Forrest sat back in his chair, watching for unwanted listeners.

"Well, you see, sir, I need you to take in another patient. The woman's name is Joyce Summers. She is, frankly, quite insane. She thinks her daughter was captured by some sort of beast."

"When will she be coming to me?" Snyder questioned.

"Soon. Very soon." Leaning back again, Riley let out an evil and malevolent laugh.

Author's Note: Haha, I couldn't help throwing Snyder in there. He's just too funny! Anyway, how are you all liking it? REVIEW and tell me, PLEASE! Sorry I can't update everyday but I'm occupied with homework. Not to worry, I already have the next chapter planned out. I hope to have it done soon…