Sorry this has taken so long to get done, but what with the panto and then Christmas and New Year and I have an exam this month, I've been a bit busy.
New Buffy next week, so I'll find out how far off the mark I was with this and will re-label it AU.
A bit more Spuffy goodness this time – I'm even more of a romantic since my lovely wedding day last year.
Disclaimer: How I wish I owned these characters and could make money out of them, but I don't. Except for Jessica and Simon and one other character you'll be reading about soon. But I'm still not making any money out of them.
Insights
"Buffy!" Dawn raced up the stairs to her sister.
"I know. Giles, get as many weapons as we can carry. Spike, help me clear one of the windows." Buffy ran into her room and started dragging the furniture to the side. Spike helped her to clear the remaining barricade away, then started to shove the mattress through the window. He put his weight behind it, then leaned out to check it had fallen away from the flames. Buffy rejoined him, dragging another mattress from Dawn's room. Together, they threw it on top of the first.
"I'll get the last one."
"No time, pet."
The others joined them, tucking stakes into pockets and checking crossbows.
"I called 911. No point in escaping if the house burns down." Giles glanced out of the window, "Buffy, you go first. Then you, Spike. Try and hold them off."
Buffy nodded and took some weapons, "We'll try and make it to the park and get into the trees. The cover will make it more difficult for them." She swung out of the window, climbed down the trellis as far as she could before the fire got too close, then checked the position of the mattresses and jumped. She landed safely, dropped and rolled to her feet, stake in hand. Spike appeared next to her. So far, no vampires had attacked them.
Giles climbed down the trellis and waited until Xander joined him. Dawn followed. Giles jumped onto the mattresses and rolled to the side, turning to make sure Dawn landed safely. Xander was helping Willow to turn around on the trellis, holding her crossbow and throwing it after her. Simon was next, rolling awkwardly into Giles' legs as he landed. Xander joined them on the ground last of all. The vampires had still made no move on them. Buffy led them around the side of the house, Spike bringing up the rear. They paused as Buffy peered around the side of the house, her back pressed against the wall. She eased back again.
"About twenty," she told Giles. He nodded, gripping the stake tighter and turning to pass the information down the line.
"Buffy!"
Everyone spun around. Spike had pushed himself away from the wall. A vampire had him by the throat and he was struggling to break the hold, his stake lying useless on the ground. Silhouetted against the light from the fire were another twenty or so vampires, moving slowly towards them across the garden. Buffy heard a shout behind her. Dawn threw herself forward, hitting Spike's attacker hard and low. All three fell to the ground, Spike's duster billowing around them. Dawn's arm came up and she brought the stake down viciously. Spike scrambled to his feet as the vampire dusted and grabbed Dawn's arm, dragging her to her feet.
Giles touched Buffy's shoulder and she turned to see the vampires from the front of the house moving in slowly. Buffy and Giles backed up, meeting the others backing towards them. Automatically, they formed a ragged circle with Simon and Dawn in the middle. Buffy glanced up as she realized Spike was next to her. He reached out and touched her cheek gently.
"Hey, always knew I'd go out fightin'."
Buffy smiled, "See you later."
He nodded and they turned back to face the vampires. Who stopped. There was a long silence. The vampires waited about three yards away, watching the group closely.
"What's happening?" Simon's voice was trembling.
Giles glanced at Buffy and she shrugged in reply.
"Maybe we've broken them down. Maybe our cunning plan of hiding and not coming out got them scared." Xander looked down at Willow. She allowed herself a little smile.
Xander took her hand, "Will…"
"I know," she told him, squeezing his hand gently.
"Buffy?" Dawn sounded small and scared.
"It's okay, Dawnie. There's nothing to be afraid of. Believe me, I know." She raised her voice, "That goes for everyone. Don't be frightened; you'll like it there."
Giles cleared his throat. "Well, I for one don't want to stand here and wait. If we're going to die, it's going to be on our terms."
"Too right, Rupert. Let's do it." Spike aimed his crossbow and fired, hitting one of the nearest vampires. The rest just watched as she turned to dust. None of them moved. Spike shrugged and re-loaded, aiming at the other group. Another vamp dusted and still they didn't react.
"What's going on?" Willow whispered. Buffy threw herself at the vampires, quickly killing two before the group moved forward and surrounded her, hiding her from view for a moment. She was thrown back viciously, hitting Giles and knocking him to the ground. They scrambled to their feet.
"Are you OK?" Spike glanced around, trying to keep an eye on the vampires and check on Buffy at the same time.
"Yeah. It was weird. It was like they were trying not to hurt me."
Spike grinned, "Well, that's OK then. As long as no-one here has a problem with us hurting them?"
Buffy nodded, "You're right. Dawn, stay in the middle with Simon. Spike, cover our backs. Let's go."
"You're not going anywhere."
Jessica shoved her way through the vampires. Her dark hair shone in the light of the burning house. She watched them for a moment, a quiet smile on her lips, her head on one side, contemplating the sight. She moved forward, her hips swaying sensuously, a finger gently tapping her lower lip, "I think I'll take this one." Jessica reached forward and took Dawn by the arm, swiftly pushing Giles out of the way when he tried to stop her. "Stay calm, Watcher; I won't hurt her. I won't hurt any of you as long as you do as I say. He doesn't want you dead."
"Who?"
"I would have thought you could guess, brother. You called him" She brushed his check gently and smiled, "I have something special planned for you. Take them."
Jessica stood back, taking Dawn with her. Her hands rested softly on the girl's shoulders, ready to throttle her if anyone tried anything. The vampires moved in. Buffy could hear sirens approaching as a vamp tied her hands behind her back and forced a piece of rag into her mouth. They were dragged unceremoniously into the bushes at the back of the garden and thrown to the ground where two vampires lay on either side of each of them and held their arms. Jessica was lying next to Dawn, an arm around her shoulder, whispering in her ear. Two fire trucks pulled up. From their hiding place, they watched as the fireman put out the flames. It seemed to Spike an age since he had seen the fires lit, but they hadn't really had a chance to take hold and were put out in a short time. Some of the firemen broke through the barricade at the back door and checked through the house. One who seemed to be in charge waited impatiently in the garden, just a few yards from the captives. Spike shifted his weight a little, trying to get ready to raise the alarm, but the vampire on his left twisted his arm in warning. Jessica glanced over at him. She smiled and slid closer to Dawn, her arm slipping further around her neck. Spike relaxed.
The firemen emerged from the house.
"No-one inside," one reported, "They had the whole place sealed up."
The older man looked from the mattresses lying on the ground to the broken window above him, "They must've got out up there."
"Yeah. The whole town's gone crazy tonight; they could be anywhere."
"OK, let the cops know. They can solve the mystery; it's not our job. We've got another call." He took one more look at the house and turned away, his men following him around the side and back to the trucks. Jessica waited until the sirens had faded. Dragging Dawn to her feet, she motioned to the other vamps and started towards the back door, which the firemen had tried to wedge shut before they left. They were dragged through to the lounge and again thrown to the floor. One vampire went around and removed the makeshift gags.
Jessica stood in front of them. "Now, there are between thirty and forty vampires hanging out in this dump, so if anyone's thinking of doing anything stupid, think again. We're all gonna try and be good friends."
"What now?" One of the vamps asked.
"Now, we wait."
It was almost dawn when Jessica rose slowly to her feet. "He's here." She ripped the barricade out of the way and opened the front door, stepping back respectfully. The newcomer stepped into the room and looked at the captives. It was the young cop Xander had seen killed and he was in full vamp face. He took Jessica's hand.
"Well done."
Jessica smiled coyly. Simon flinched; she used to smile like that when she was a child and wanted something from him. He pushed the thought away, concentrating on the demon that had taken her. His hate of the creature would make him strong; he held onto the pain, let it fill his heart. When the time came, he would need it. Spike watched him, seeing the struggle, feeling the agony of the choice he had made. He turned away and tried to concentrate on the ropes that held him.
The new vampire stood before them, grinning. "My name is Joseph, but you can call me Death."
Buffy exchanged a look with Spike.
"I have chosen this place as my base of operations, if you will. You have stopped us from fulfilling our destiny, but thanks to young Jessica here, I have a new plan." He knelt by Simon, "Your sister really is very talented, you know."
Simon wrenched at his bonds. Joseph shoved him to the floor and aimed a kick at his stomach.
"You said you weren't going to hurt us, Jessica." Simon gazed at his sister.
"I'm sorry, Simon; I lied. Don't tell Mommy."
Joseph slipped his arm around her shoulders and led her out of the room.
Dawn leaned against her sister, "I'm sorry, Buffy. I should've fought back."
"It's okay. We couldn't take them all on, but now we've got a chance to get out of this alive."
"You call this a chance?" Xander laughed shortly, "I thought this was more certain doom."
Buffy looked over at Spike again, "Stay alert and look for an opening."
He nodded, testing his ropes again. Spike knew he could work them loose given time, but so did their captors and he wasn't sure how much time he would have.
Jessica sidled into the room again, smiled strangely. "Now, brother, I have something very special planned for you."
She moved to where he sat and knelt in front of him, caressing his cheek again. Leaning in, she licked his neck gently, slowly nuzzling against him, her hands on his arms preventing him from pulling away. She sat up again and moved her leg so that she was straddling him. Simon tried to lean away. With infinite care, Jessica opened his shirt a little and tucked the collar down, exposing his neck to her. Simon watched her face, his eyes turned up to her, open and warm.
"Jessica. Don't do this. Remember when you were my Jess; my daisy? Don't do this, Jess." He wasn't begging her; he was asking. A simple request born of love for her, not of his fear. Spike saw her hesitate for a moment, her brow furrowed and a glimmer of doubt in her mind, and to his surprise, he saw a tear fall down her cheek. She tilted her head and regarded her brother again, the damp trail of the tear glistening on her skin.
"I remember." Jessica put her mouth to Simon's ear, "I love you, Simon," she whispered.
For a moment, Spike saw a look of surprised joy and hope in Simon's eyes, cut short as Jessica sank her teeth into his neck. He screamed. His hands clutched at his sister, beating against her as she drained him slowly, drinking in every second, reveling in the power. Dawn turned away. Spike and Buffy pulled on their ropes desperately. Jessica pushed Simon away from her, throwing her head back and letting out a long sigh. She got to her feet and stood over him.
"I remember."
She left the room swiftly, pausing long enough to whisper an instruction to one of the vampires standing guard.
Spike let his head fall to his chest. He was breathing heavily from trying to free himself and there were tears falling freely down his cheeks. Willow shuffled over to Simon and leaned down next to him. She listened carefully to his breathing for a moment.
"He's alive. Just"
Spike nodded slowly. "It's an old trick. Keep 'em alive longer, cause more pain. You just gotta know when to stop." He looked revolted, "Jessica must be a natural; I didn't know about it till Angel taught me."
Buffy watched him for a moment. He was staring at Simon who was slumped on the floor, his breathing shallow and ragged, the marks on his neck still glistening wetly.
"Spike?"
He turned to her, drawing in a slow breath. "If they turn me again, I want you to kill me. Make it fast." He leaned closer to her, "Promise me, Buffy."
"I promise," Buffy shifted so that she could touch his hands tied behind him, "And if they turn me…"
"I swear," his eyes held hers. "I'd do it for any one of you."
They shared a small smile. Spike squeezed her fingers gently and turned back to Simon. Buffy watched him again. Her eyes traced over his pale skin, taking in the delicate eyelashes surrounding his deep blue eyes, full of feeling, full of passionate life. He had loved her without a soul; something Angel could not do. He had accepted what she was and never wanted her to be anything else; something Riley had never given her. Everything he was today was because he loved her. Buffy thought of what she had just promised and tried to imagine driving a stake through his heart, tried to see him bursting into dust before her eyes, tried to feel what it would be like without him. A dark hole opened inside her, black dread filling her. Her heart felt swollen and sore as it beat against her ribs.
"Oh wow; an epiphany," she muttered.
Spike turned to her again. "What?"
Buffy met his gaze and smiled, "I love you."
For a moment, he felt the utter peace overtake him again, then his face fell. "It's because of the soul, isn't it?"
Buffy laughed, "No. I don't know when it was, but it's been a while."
Spike stared at her. He had been waiting for years to hear her say it; he had heard her say it time and time again in his dreams. Now she was truly giving him everything she could give, everything he wanted and he didn't know what to do. Deep down, he had never really believed it possible.
"Spike?"
He shook his head and leaned closer again, resting his forehead against hers.
"I can't lose you now; not again."
"What can't we face if we're together?" Buffy asked with a grin.
Spike's brow furrowed for a moment, but he shrugged it off. It didn't matter what she was talking about; Buffy loved him. Even if he died, he would have that knowledge to the end, nestling in his soul like a diamond; comforting him and making him strong.
"I love you, Buffy."
Their lips met softly. The kiss wasn't born of desire or passion, but of the pain they had suffered, the danger they now faced and the love they had finally realized. It was almost chaste, but it lingered gently, their mouths slightly open, their lips caressing tenderly, drinking each other in.
"If you have quite finished."
They broke apart. Joseph was standing by the stairs regarding them, his arm thrown carelessly around Jessica's shoulders. She moved forward, bending slightly to check on her brother, then moving along the line, taking each face in her hand and inspecting them before moving on to the next. She moved back to Joseph.
"That one's different." Jessica pointed at Spike.
"He's one of us," one of the vampires volunteered, "I've seen him around town."
"Idiot. He's human; can't you smell it?" Joseph took a step towards Spike, "But there's something else. What are you?"
Spike grinned at him, "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Joseph kicked him brutally across the face. Spike hit the floor hard. He struggled to sit upright again and spat blood at the vampire.
"It doesn't matter. You'll be one of us soon enough." Joseph moved to Buffy and crouched in front of her. "You are the real prize, Slayer."
"Hurt her and I swear you'll die." Spike locked stares with Joseph. The vampire looked back to Buffy and laughed.
"No, I think you'll find you are going to die. All of you." He stood and straightened his jacket. "When Jessica and her brother here tried to end the world, they were sadly misguided. I have persuaded her to change her ways and join me. My plan will be far greater."
Jessica giggled, "Can I have the little girl?"
"You can have anyone you want, my love. Just not the Slayer."
"What on earth are you planning?" Giles had been leaning wearily against the wall, but now he was sitting up, his face pale.
Joseph draped an arm around Jessica's waist. "You expect me to tell you my plan? Just like that? Just like in the movies?"
"Why not? If you're going to kill us anyway."
Jessica whispered in Joseph's ear. He listened for a moment, a small smile on his lips. "All right; I think I will. If nothing else, it'll be amusing to see your faces." He went to Giles and stood over him. "Now, when a human becomes a vampire, they gain strength and speed and develop fast-healing abilities. What do you think will happen if the human in question already had those abilities?"
Giles met Buffy's eyes. Joseph crouched down in front of Giles. "No-one has ever tried turning a Slayer before, have they?"