Part Nine

Now I'm treading high water

To get back to you

Been looking for a low spot

Or something to cling to

There's too many bodies

There's not enough room

God help me

And God help you

~ 'Everybody Out of the Water' by The Wallflowers

"What?!" Buffy exclaimed, fear strangling her heart.

"I think he went after the Turok-Han by himself," Dawn said.

"What is he trying to do? Get himself killed?" Anya asked.

Buffy shook her head, "No. Spike's doing this for himself. He thinks he's responsible." She walked over to her weapon chest and grabbed a long sword.

"What are you doing?" Giles asked.

"I'm going after the Turok-Han. Then, I'm going to kick Spike's ass." She looked to the redhead, "Willow, I need you to try to do the spell."

Willow nodded, "But, Buffy, what are you going to tell Spike?"

She shrugged, "I'll deal with that later. I just hope we're not already too late."

Spike yelled in pain as he was thrown against the side of a mausoleum. He wiped the blood from his lips. The Turok-Han was on him in an instant. It picked him up and slammed his head against the stone wall. Spike's vision swam as he struggled to remain conscious.

He threw a weak punch that was easily deflected. The Turok-Han picked him up over its head and threw him into a nearby tombstone.

As Spike stumbled to his feet, he said, "Hey, I was hoping we could work this out."

The Turok-Han growled.

"Okay. Guess not." Spike launched himself at the ancient vampire. He unleashed a few punches and kicks. None of which made any contact. The thing moved faster than any vampire he'd seen before. Spike looked around frantically for the axe he had lost at the beginning of the fight. Where the hell was the bloody thing?

His eyes finally caught the glint of silver in the moonlight, a tell-tale sign it was there. He ran for it...

And found himself tackled to the ground by the vampire. Spike struggled to get free as the Turok-Han punched him in the face over and over.

He gasped suddenly when he felt the creature sink its fangs in his throat. He struggled against it as he felt his blood being drained from his body, weakening him.

Spike finally brought his hand up and literally poked the demon's eye out with his thumb. The Turok-Han let him go, howling in pain.

Spike rolled over and crawled the rest of the way to the axe, too weak to walk. He sighed in relief as he felt the handle in his palm.

The Turok-Han recovered slightly and was after him quickly. Spike rolled over on his back and swung just as the vampire reached him...

"Spike!" Buffy called out, looking around the cemetery. She could have sworn she head the sounds of fighting. So, where was he?

She prayed she wasn't too late. He couldn't be dead. She couldn't allow her mind to entertain that idea. It was too unfathomable.

So, where was he?

"Spike!" she called out again.

Suddenly, she stumbled. Looking down, she noticed an axe. She immediately recognized it was hers. The one Spike took from her weapon chest. Looking closer, she felt her legs give as she noticed what looked liked two piles of ashes next to the weapon.

"Spike...."

End Chapter Nine