Chapter 32:
The woman who had welcomed Spike and Buffy to the initiative, who they came to know as Professor Walsh, walked at a brisk pace, leading the pair through the corridors of the Initiative. Spike and Buffy struggled to keep up with her long strides, and to pay attention to what she was saying.
There was just so much to see. The cells were lined with creatures in all shapes and sizes. Mostly demons. However, a few of the cells contained humans. Humans were sunken in eyes that were filled with fear. As the slayer passed the cages filled with demons, several of them recognized her and jumped toward the glass doors, trying to attack. Buffy and Spike were surprised to see that when the demons hit the glass, they received a shock of electricity, and were immediately thrown backwards.
Professor Walsh stopped several cells in front of where Buffy and Spike stood. She looked behind her and noticed the slayer and vampire standing in front of a cell where a Chaos demon lived. The Professor doubled back and cleared her throat to gain the attention of the vampire and slayer.
"If you're interested in seeing your friend Mr. Giles I suggest you listen to what I have to say. You're going to be working with me and the mayor and it's important that you understand the initiative and it's goals," The professor reprimanded Buffy and Spike.
"Sorry," Buffy replied meekly. However, Spike didn't speak, he merely walked past the professor, brushing her shoulder as he went by. Professor Walsh narrowed her eyes in disgust before continuing the tour, filling in Spike and Buffy on all the rules of the initiative, as well as what their jobs would be.
The tour eventually looped back to the balcony where they had started. The mayor stood there, waiting for them.
"So, was your tour satisfactory?" He asked with a bright and nauseating smile plastered on his face.
"Where's Giles?" Buffy asked, vocalizing the question that had been plaguing her since she realized that Professor Walsh was not going to take her to see her watcher.
"Ahh, I expected that you'd want to see Mr. Giles. And you will. I'm just going to page a special agent, and he will take you and Spike to Rupert's cell," Mayor Wilkins explained. Buffy nodded, not pleased with the fact that she had yet to see Giles, but relieved that the mayor was going to let her see him today. Mayor Wilkins and Professor Walsh entered an office behind the balcony and reemerged a few minutes later. The mayor spoke at Buffy's questioning look.
"Special agent Riley Finn will arrive shortly to take you and Spike to Mr. Giles….quarters. You two will only have fifteen minutes to talk to Mr. Giles, but if you perform all your duties tomorrow you will be able to see him again. At the end of a week, if you've done everything correctly, you will be able to see Mr. Giles for half an hour."
"Does the time keep increasing?" Buffy asked hopefully.
"Sadly no." Mayor Wilkins said. "At the beginning of each week you will start again at fifteen minutes. I'm sorry, but I can't allow you and Rupert to speak for any longer than half an hour."
Buffy bit her lip angrily. However, when she met Spike's eyes he gave her an unspoken message not to argue. "Things are going to be OK," Buffy reminded herself, speaking softly so that only Spike could hear her. The vampire nodded at her and flashed her a smile. Things would be OK.
All I know of love is that love is all there is.
~Emily Dickinson~