Chapter 8

"What's it do luv?"

Spike was sitting on the floor in his old room in the high school basement holding a glowing red crystal in his right hand.  Buffy was sitting in front of him.

"It's a binding crystal.  It will prevent my imposter from bringing direct harm to anyone.  I knew you were really worried about Dawn, so this will make sure it can't hurt her… or anyone else for that matter.  It won't prevent 'it' from carrying out its' plans but it will keep it from lashing out directly at people."

"What do I do with it?"

"You need to hide it in a place that 'it' frequents, otherwise it won't have a strong enough effect. The best place would be to hide it in her...I mean *my* bedroom."

"That should be cake, seein as how I'm so welcome in the Summers' home these days…especially Buffy's bedroom."

"You have to find a way Spike.  Just wait until nobody's home and sneak in, you've done it before."

"Hey how'd you know that?"

"Nevermind baby, just please don't get caught, otherwise it will know you're onto it and it might kill you, it might kill everybody and we'll all be ruined."

"Yes, pet.  I'm well aware of the gravity of the situation.  From beneath us it devours.. blah, blah."

"Spike!  This is serious!  Don't you believe me?"

Spike sighed and took Buffy's hand in his own, lightly tracing the lines on her palm with his index finger.

"I know it is Buffy.  I know.  I just can't stand this any longer.  When are we going to make our bloody move?!?  I'm going crazy in that crypt.  Things are so much worse when you're not near.  If I didn't get to see you for a few minutes every night I'd be completely crackers by now.  And her… it… it's good pet, it knows things.  If I didn't know better I'd swear…"

"Don't.  You know it's not real.  I told you it was good.  Just avoid it, avoid it and it won't be able to get to you."

"I know luv, I'm trying.  I haven't even been near it since I moved back to my crypt.  But I just don't understand why we're waiting when that thing is getting stronger every day."

"Soon baby.  It will all be over soon.  Trust me."

Buffy pressed her lips to Spike's and he was soon lost in her embrace.

**********

Spike was surprised at how easy it had been to hide the crystal in Buffy's room.  He'd done as she'd asked and waited until everyone had left for the day and then snuck inside.  He hid the crystal under Buffy's mattress.  Luckily it was small and flat enough that it didn't leave a lump for her to detect.  The accomplishment made him feel better than he had felt in days.  At least he had done something to protect the ones he loved.  He would just have to learn to be patient for the rest.

**********

Buffy barely made it to the bathroom before she threw up what little she had eaten the night before.  The flu was the last thing she needed right now.  She didn't exactly have benefits at any of her jobs so it wasn't like she could afford to be sick.  Besides, Xander had told her Giles was on his way in to town.  He apparently had some info about their current hell mouth problems and she had intended to be ready to use that info ASAP and put all the horrible dreams and sleepless nights behind her.  Somehow she doubted that the current big bad, whatever it was, would be willing to hold the apocalypse until she felt better.  She'd just have to tough it out.

The overwhelming nausea finally subsided enough for her to quit hugging the toilet and stand on her own two feet.  The room was still spinning a little but she thought she could manage as long as she didn't have to talk to anyone, or eat, or slay, or ….damn, this wasn't good.  She managed to take a shower and dress, her hair would just have to go in a ponytail and makeup wasn't even an option.  If things got much worse she wouldn't have the strength to even take a shower, then she'd be like Spike…stinky and insane.  Spike… never a good train of thought, she reminded herself.  He doesn't want your help and you're certainly not going to beg him, especially not right now when you can barely help yourself enough to walk across the room. 

Buffy finally managed to make it down the stairs into the kitchen.  She felt like her legs were made of lead and every step took all of her strength.

"Good morning Buffy."  Willow chirped.

Death to all annoying and cheery people, Buffy thought.

"Morning Will", she managed to grumble.

"Buffy, do you feel okay?  You're looking a little pale."

"I think I've got some kind of flu bug….just what every girl needs."

Willow was looking at Buffy oddly.  There was something about her that just wasn't right.  Her aura was off….scrambled somehow.  There was something going on that went beyond the usual 24 hour flu but Willow wasn't sure what.

"Why don't you stay home today Buffy?  I'm sure the principal at the school will understand and maybe you can ask that girl Sophie to pick up your shift at the Doublemeat tonight?"

"I guess, but what about slaying?  I can't exactly ask the vamps to take the night off can I?"

"Don't worry about it.  You'll probably feel like your old self by tonight with the slayer healing powers and all …and if not Xander and I will make a few rounds, keep the bad guys on their toes."

"I can't let you guys do that.  There's something bad out there and I don't want you guys patrolling without me."

"We'll ask Spike to help.  He's got the super power thing going on too."

Buffy snorted at the mention of Spike's name.

"Yeah, that ought to work out real well."

"Well, we'll figure out something.  If you're going to be stubborn, Xander and I can go out with you tonight.  But for now, I think you need to go back to bed before you pass out.  I'll take Dawn to school and she can talk to the principal for you."

Buffy started to argue, but didn't even have the strength to form the words.  Maybe she should at least take the day off from her job at the school, maybe she would feel better by evening and be able to go to her other jobs.

*********

After dropping of Dawn at the high school, Willow decided to take a short detour before heading to the UCSD campus.  She had another hour before her first class started and she decided that now was a good time to find out what was going on with Spike.  Something was up with him and she had a weird feeling that *something* was related to what was going on with Buffy.  It was time to find out what it was.