Part 37:

"What's the next number?" Spike asked.

"Two, then star," Buffy said.

"Okay," Spike said, plugging in the last two numbers. The door to the Mayor's office slid open and Spike and Buffy slipped inside and then shut the door behind them. The Slayer slipped Willow's map into her pocket, folding it neatly first. Spike flipped on the light and he and Buffy immediately moved to the mayor's desk and began searching through drawers.

"Why didn't he lock his drawers?" Buffy asked.

"I guess he figured no one would manage to get in," Spike said. After a moment he spoke again, "Got it!"

"What?" Buffy asked.

"Security card. All access pass," Spike said, holding up Mayor Wilkins' ID card triumphantly.

"Did you find the folder?" The Slayer asked. Spike rummaged through the mayor's drawer for a moment before looking up smiling.

"Got it," He replied, tucking the folder into the inner pocket of his duster.

"Knew I loved you for a reason," The slayer said teasingly, leaning over and kissing Spike gently on the lips. The vampire attempted to deepen the kiss. However, Buffy pushed him gently away and gave him a look that reminded him of their goal…Giles.

"How should we get to the watcher?" Spike asked, as Buffy pulled out Willow's map.

"There are lots of different ways, through the ceiling vents, through corridors, or on the elevator," The slayer responded.

"Which way is safest?" Spike asked.

"I don't know, the elevator probably. Once we enter the number on the back of the ID card the elevator will take us exactly where we need to be."

"OK then….let's not take the elevator," Spike said, receiving a smack on the back of his head.

Moments later Spike and Buffy were crawling through the ceiling vents. They had decided that it was the best way to go. Not too safe, (as Spike was vehemently opposed to taking the easy way out), but not too dangerous, as the vampire was also concerned for the slayer's well being.

"Almost there," Buffy said, crawling the length of a few more paces and then motioning for Spike to stop behind her. The slayer pulled a flashlight from her waistband and shined it on Willow's map.

"We go to far?" Spike asked, concerned.

"Nope. We should be right in front of Giles cell," The petite blonde said. Without a moments hesitation she kicked down the ceiling panel next to her, causing a cloud of dust to fly up and assault both Spike and Buffy's faces. Before Spike could warn the Slayer that someone might be down there, Buffy had jumped through the hole and landed, feet first, on the ground of the Initiative corridor. The slayer tucked Willow's map into her pocket as Spike jumped down next to her. Both rose and smiled, realizing that they had made it. However, at that moment a light buzzing sound reached Spike's and Buffy's ears. Both turned and came face to face with no other but Agent Riley Finn, holding a stun gun in one hand.

Prince Henry: "And what happens if the person you're supposed to be with never happens, or she does, and you're too distracted to notice?"

Leonardo da Vinci: "You learn to pay attention!"

from Ever After