Chapter 6
Three days had passed since Buffy and Spike had first spoken to the others. They
had not yet been disturbed by the First, only his followers visited daily to bring
nourishment. They had managed to sleep most of the time away in each other's arms, for
that was the only time they truly felt safe. Days of rest helped rejuvenate the two
warriors into some semblance of their normal capacity.
A small ray of light shone through a jagged crack near the top of the tunnel.
Buffy rolled over and gently woke Spike. "Spike? Wake up. The sun's coming in."
"Ummm?" the tired vampire murmured. "Five more minutes, Mum." Buffy
couldn't help but smile at the small reply that bared a resemblance of normalcy.
"Wake up Sleepy Head," she shook him. He shooed her arm away and rolled
over. A gleam lit in Buffy's eyes. "Oh, well. I got all naked for nothing," she sighed.
The vampire sprung into a sitting position with a speed Buffy had never seen
before. "Naked!!!" he yelled. A look of disappointment crossed his face as he pouted.
Buffy's giggle echoed off of the dirt walls. "No fair teasing, Slayer." He said as he
rubbed his eyes. "You know, one day you will be naked and I just won't care to look.
Like the boy who cried wolf."
"Whatever! I'm so sure!" she grinned. "You're the biggest pig I know. You'll
always look."
"Humph, seen it all before. Can't say I'll be missing much," he joked, sapphire
blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
Buffy shoved him with great force. "That is so mean!" she pouted. Spike's smile
dimmed when he recognized hurt in her eyes. He moved closer to put an arm around her.
"I was only kidding, Love," he soothed. "I had to get back at you, ya know." He
smoothed her hair out lovingly. "You're the most beautiful thing my eyes have ever set
on. Clothed or not," he winked. A smile spread across her face.
"Pig," she giggled.
Spike stretched his arms above his head and slowly began to rotate his shoulder
blades. Then he stood and began to stretch the rest of his body, as was his usual ritual.
Buffy watched as his muscles danced beneath his skin, ever appreciative of the view. He
shirt still lay rumpled in a ball where he had used it as a pillow all night. Reaching out a
hand, Buffy grasped Spike's strong grip as he pulled her up beside him. She too began
stretching out her sore muscles.
"So, you ready?" he asked as he rolled his neck twice then jumped lightly from
foot to foot.
"I think so. Ready as I'll ever be," she stated. "I can't stand being in the dark any
longer. Whatever the First had planned for us doesn't seem to be panning out."
"I just want to get out of here before I do something rash," he confided. Buffy
stopped mid stretch.
"What do you mean?"
Spike turned his head away from her. "What if the bugger starts singing a little
ditty again and I go all wonky and try to take a sip?"
Buffy reached out to him and lightly touched his shoulder. "Hey, look at me," she
commanded. He obliged. "That's not going to happen. You're strong, Spike; stronger
than you realize. He can't control you anymore. Honestly, I think he knows it and has
finally given up on you."
"Just like everyone else," he sighed.
Buffy stared deeply into his eyes. "Not everyone."
~*~*~*~
"And one, two and three," Giles counted as the young woman grunted and threw
her victim over her shoulder. A large thud filled the air as the body hit the blue mat.
"Excellent work, Molly," Giles congratulated. "Done quickly and precisely. Use your
legs a little more and you'll be tossing demons five times your weight in no time at all."
"Ugh," came a grumble from the form sprawled out on the floor. "How come I'm
always the dummy?" Xander questioned as he grabbed his back in pain.
"Do we really need to answer that?" Anya asked, eyebrows raised.
"Alright, Ladies," Giles announced after clearing his throat, "now let's try knife
throwing. This time we'll do it blindfolded. Xander, stand against the wall and hold the
apples."
"I hate my life," Xander groaned.
~*~*~*~
Buffy stared impatiently at her watch. "Ugh! What's taking so long? It's already
dark out," she grumbled.
Spike paced back and forth, trying to spend some of his nervous energy. "Dunno,
Love. Maybe they are running a little behind schedule today."
"Figures," she sighed, "the one day we need things to run like clock work."
"Don't rush it Buffy. Give it time. We don't want to be too hasty. If things aren't
perfect today… we try again tomorrow. I'd rather wait another day in this hole than be
placed in a worse situation."
Buffy sighed again deeply. "You're right. I know. It's just… I just can't figure
out why he's kept us here for so long and done nothing with us."
"Maybe he's just trying to throw our game off. Make us a little stir crazy."
"Or crazy in general," she added. Spike stared at her, confused look on his face.
"I've been worried about something since I woke up here with you," she admitted.
Leaning against the muddy wall, she slowly lowered herself in a sitting position.
Following her example, Spike sat down across from her. "Remember what I said about
the first time I met the First? You know, that whole ordeal with Angel?" Spike nodded,
curious as to where this conversation was going. He never liked a discussion that
included Angel. "Well," she continued, "the First had him convinced he was evil and
almost had him kill himself." She paused and then stared at him carefully. "What if he
does that to one of us?"
Spike could not cover the look of hurt on his face at her implication. "Oh, I see.
What you said before was a lie, was it? You still think I'm a threat!"
"No!!" she leapt up and sat by his side, "I'm not worried about you, Spike. I'm
worried what he'll do to me." Spike's face softened. "What if he gets in my head? What
if I hurt the people I love?"
Spike grabbed her shoulders and spoke softly to her, "That will never happen,
Buffy. You needn't worry. You're strong, the strongest person I've ever known. He
can't control you. You'll see. You'll kill the bad guy and save the day like always.
You're a hero," he added in a distant voice, "and that's what you hero types do."
Thankful for his support, she smiled. "Yes. That's exactly what we always do,
Spike. And we'll do it together."
~*~*~*~
Grimacing at the display before him, the First (still in the form of Angelus) waved
his hand in disgust and the sphere revealing the two blondes disappeared. Drusilla sat
happily in her chair, brushing her dolly's hair. She clicked her tongue loudly.
"Miss Edith thinks that her Spike has been a bad boy. He has feelings for that
dirty Slayer, all wriggling and writhing. When is Miss Edith's daddy going to take care
of the nasty girl?"
"Patience, my love. Patience." Angelus said as he began to pace to and fro. "I
don't understand what's happening. They should be at each other's throats by now."
His pace quickened. "They should have grown further apart, not closer together. I never
saw this coming," he mumbled.
"They love each other," Drusilla stated as she stood from her seat. Swaying side
to side she sang softly, "Love is patient. Love is kind…" she smiled wickedly as she
approached Angelus, "Love is also deaf, dumb and blind." The First stared at her,
puzzled. "My William has always loved to much. It's kept him from being the monster
he truly is. Love is what drives him," she whispered as if it were a secret, "it is his
weakness." She held her arms straight out and began to spin wildly in circles.
A cruel smile spread across his face. "You know something, my childe? You're
quite right!" He held out his hand to stop her from spinning and pulled her close
forcefully. Drusilla growled playfully at him. "Love is the biggest weakness of
mankind. It destroys lives and can make fools out of kings. I think you're onto
something Dru." He began to waltz with her across the dirt floor. "Their love for one
another is their Achilles' heel. It can only hold them down." He beamed as the dark
princess threw her head back and laughed psychotically. "We'll let them escape. Let
their feelings grow for one another, and then…"
Dru sang manically, "Ashes! Ashes! They all fall…"
~*~*~*~
"Down!" Buffy whispered to Spike as she heard footsteps approaching. The two
blondes squatted behind the large boulder where the guard always entered. Spike
whispered softy.
"Now remember. No heroic stuff. If I get caught or hurt, you high tail it out of
here. All that matters is that you get to the others."
"No," she said forcefully as she looked into his eyes. "It's both of us together.
One way or another." The heat between the two could have melted the very rock they
stooped beside. Spike's eyes darkened with passion and Buffy's heartbeat quickened.
As soon as she realized that she actually had the urge to kiss him, right then and there,
she shook her head and snapped herself out of it. "I need your strength. You're the only
one who can help me bring the First down." Spike's heart sank, but he knew she was
right.
"Alright then," he conceded, "just stick to the plan."
The footsteps grew increasingly loud and then stopped just outside of the room.
Buffy inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, as Spike cracked his knuckles, ready for a
fight. The grinding sound of the boulder being moved echoed throughout the small room
and soon the guard appeared on the other side. Looking around for his keep frantically,
he walked further into the room. Spike winked playfully at Buffy and then lunged at the
man. Food went flying in all directions as the two fell to the ground with a great thud.
Spike sat on top of him as he punched his face from left to right. When he was sure the
man was unconscious, he stood up and nodded at the slayer. "Let's go."
Long blonde hair was fluttering in his face from the speed of the small woman
running before him. Following the dim light that she could see ahead, Buffy picked up
her pace and raced full speed ahead. Lacking the need to breathe, Spike soon passed her
up and smiled in triumph as he grazed by. The two darted along the small couriers of the
tunnel, eyes posted for any signs of the enemy.
"Which way out?" Buffy questioned, breathing rapidly.
"Dunno, Love. I'm just following this hall."
"Why?"
"The air doesn't smell so rancid this way," he stated. Buffy smiled in spite of
herself at his rationality. They flew through the very small and muddy path a fast as their
legs could carry them.
"Something's wrong," Buffy stated as she stopped.
"Are you off your bird woman, why are you stopping?" Spike cried.
"You don't find it a little suspicious that we've only had to fight the one guard?"
she posed.
"Yes, but I'll count my blessings as soon as we get out of this sodding…" his
comment was cut short by the arm that was quickly around his throat.
"Spike!" Buffy yelled before she too was grabbed from behind. Pulling
frantically from her captor, yet not coming free, she kicked her leg above her head,
effectively stunning the Bringer. She then raced to Spike's aid as he struggled with his
attacker. Punching the creature with a right jab, he stumbled enough for Spike to free
himself and stare at the beauty that came to his defense.
"Bloody hell, woman!" he cried, "I can take care of myself! I had it all under
control!"
"I could tell you did by the way he was choking you."
"Well, ha then. The joke's on him. I don't breath," Spike grinned. Another
Bringer jumped on his back from behind and latched on. Spike threw him over his
shoulder, pulled him eye level, and then snapped his neck with a quick jerk.
Two Bringers attacking from both left and right ambushed Buffy. She struggled
to gain the upper hand of the fight for only a moment and was soon throwing punches
and kicks that the two could not block. Spike had his hands full with three more, but
seemed to have it under control. The two warriors battled on skillfully and bravely until
it was just the two of them standing again.
"Glad to see you haven't lost your touch, Soulman," Buffy panted.
"I'm still up for a decent spot of violence, so long as I'm fighting for the right
side," he said as he looked around carefully, waiting for another attack.
~*~*~*~
The First and Drusilla smiled as they watched the events unfold before them in
the small glowing sphere. A low rumble could be heard from the ancient vampire that
stood beside them.
"Easy now," said the First. "You'll get your turn, my Pet. All in good time," he
smiled. The ancient vampire roared at his master's restraint. "Well, okay then," the First
shrugged, "You can go and have a little fun, but don't kill them. Let them escape. In a
few days you'll be able to drink yourself silly on slayer and traitor blood."
~*~*~*~*~
Spike's hand gripped hers protectively as he started to pull her swiftly through the
maze of tunnels. Stopping only momentarily to punch a Bringer or two, the couple made
it to the small cavern where Buffy had fallen only days before. Spike felt her demeanor
stiffen at the sight of the troglodytes. Determined to get the woman he loved more than
anything in the world home safe, he gripped her hips, eliciting a small yelp from Buffy.
"What are you doing?" she asked as she felt him lifting her.
"Grab hold of that rock right there. Pull yourself up, Love. Nice and slow."
"What about you?"
"I think we'll be able to reach each other." A loud growl filled their ears.
"Quickly, Buffy!"
Her eyes widened and she began gripping the few protruding rocks she thought
would support her. Once she neared the top, she turned and looked down. "Spike! How
are you going to…?"
"Hurry, woman!" he commanded. "Something's coming." He could tell by the
look of fright on her face and the way that she blanched, that something wasn't coming…
it was already there. He turned around slowly to face the creature before him. The pale
blue moonlight reflected off the walls of he hole they stood in and illuminated it enough
for Spike to get a good look at his enemy.
Grey skin pulled tautly over a hairless skull, a mouth of fangs that glistened in the
moonlight, and eyes that radiated so much evil and hate peered at the brave combatant.
Drawing in an unnecessary breath, Spike tightened his muscles and braced himself for the
end.
"Argh!" sounded through the air as Spike witnessed the petite blonde lunge from
her perch above and land on the creature, sending them both rolling on the floor. Buffy
quickly leaped up and faced the demon, body set in her fighting stance. Spike was
immediately at her side doing the same.
"Get up," she commanded to the creature. It lifted its head slowly and grinned
menacingly at the girl. "I said, get up!" she stated, slightly louder than before. Spike
stared at her in amazement. He knew how frightened she must be, but admired her strong
will and courage. The vampire growled threatening again at the couple as it lifted itself
back to its feet. "Get this," Buffy bellowed at the vampire as she stared him down, "You
got the better of me last time, but now I've got a little help."
Spike's stance tightened, ready to do battle. Buffy continued as she puffed out
her chest. "The two of us have killed a hell god, stopped the earth from being destroyed
more times than we can count, and dusted more vamps than you can dream of. We
certainly are scared of some butt-ugly ubber-vamp." Spike knew it was all a front and
that on the inside she was screaming for them to run just as he was, but her belief in the
power of them both gave him a surge of strength. The vampire flashed its teeth and
Buffy smiled tauntingly, "Bring it on, Baldy."
The vamp was the first to attack. He headed straight for Buffy, allowing Spike to
knock him hard to the ground. Buffy ripped off a piece of already cracked rock and
tossed it to the blond vampire. Spike raised the stone to smash the creature's skull, when
his legs were pulled from under him. Falling ungracefully to the ground, Spike stared up
as the vampire smiled down at him. The vamp started to slash his long fingernails at
Spike but was stopped as Buffy jumped on his back.
Thrashing around wildly, the vampire did its best to throw Buffy off of him.
Spike charged full force at the creature only to be lifted and hurled at the solid wall.
Grabbing into Buffy's arm and drawing out a cry from the slayer, the ubber-vamp did the
same with her as well. It approached the two slowly, smiling all the while, as the couple
did their best to regain their composure. Grasping around her blindly on the floor, Buffy
looked for something to defend herself with. Her eyes lit up as she cut herself on a shard
of sharp and rugged rock that lie to her left. Spike bounded up from his position, hoping
to protect his love only to be thrown effortlessly against a wall again. The vampire
reached its wretched hand towards Buffy and grabbed a hold of her throat. It lifted her
off the ground and stared at her eyes and it leaned in to bite her neck.
"Buffy!" Spike yelled out at the scene before him as he tried to lift his broken
body off of the ground.
The demon began to lower its head even closer to the slayer but soon raised it
back to look at her face in shock. Its eyes flew open and it stared at the small woman
before in its grasp.
"I told you," she panted as she watched as the creature's head fell to the floor and
rolled until it hit a rock. The headless body loosened its grip and dropped at Buffy's feet.
Spike gathered his strength and ran to her. He held her in a firm embrace.
"That was bloody amazing!" he cried into her hair. "You're full of surprises," he
smiled.
"Uh, Spike," Buffy gasped. "Need air. Hug… too tight."
"Oh! I'm so sorry, Ducks," he smiled. He stared down at the decapitated figure.
"Let's see him try and get up from that."
"I hope it did the trick," Buffy admitted. "It's like I always say, if all else fails,
off with their head." The two looked at each other and smiled.
"Ready to blow this popsicle stand?" she asked.
"After you, my dearest," he bowed. The two soon climbed to safety and were on
their way home.
~*~*~*~
"NO!!!" he First screamed at the top of his lungs. "It can't be! How could she
have killed him?"
"The little slayer had magic up her sleeve. Little bunnies with big, pointy teeth
everywhere," Drusilla mused. "Don't cry, Daddy. You'll have plenty more dollies to
play with."
"I can't believe he's dead. No one has ever killed a Turuk-Han before. That bitch
is going to pay," he growled, teeth clenched. "Bring me the body!"
Drusilla jumped up and down for joy. "Time for biscuits and tea! I always love a
good party!" she giggled.
"No, Dru, this isn't for you," he said as two Bringers carried in the dead body of
Annabell and placed her on top of the seal. "We need all of her blood."
"Not even a little sip for Princess?"
"No my dear. Not now," he said as he ripped the dead slayer's throat and blood
began to run through the veins of the seal. Grumbling could be heard as two more
ancient vampires rose from the ground. Dru began to cry at his statement. "No tears,
Drusilla. I promise Princess will have plenty of slayer blood soon enough."
~*~*~*~
Moments later the doorbell rang at the Summers' home. "I'll get it!" Dawn yelled
as she got up from the couch. "Anyone got change so I can give the pizza guy a tip?"
"Tips are not necessary," Anya said from the kitchen. "It's a waste of money."
"Anya!" Xander scolded.
"Fine, here's a tip you can give him. Don't brush your teeth with a brick," she
stated.
Dawn rolled her eyes and the bell rang once more. "I'm coming. I'm coming.
Hold your…" she froze at the sight on the other side of the door, "horses."
"Hey, everyone. Sorry we're late," Buffy said casually and Spike smiled at the
brunette before him. Buffy looked at the shocked faces before her. "Did I hear pizza?"
TBC
Thanks for all of the feedback! The next chapter will be up much sooner then this one.
Please keep the comments coming!
Three days had passed since Buffy and Spike had first spoken to the others. They
had not yet been disturbed by the First, only his followers visited daily to bring
nourishment. They had managed to sleep most of the time away in each other's arms, for
that was the only time they truly felt safe. Days of rest helped rejuvenate the two
warriors into some semblance of their normal capacity.
A small ray of light shone through a jagged crack near the top of the tunnel.
Buffy rolled over and gently woke Spike. "Spike? Wake up. The sun's coming in."
"Ummm?" the tired vampire murmured. "Five more minutes, Mum." Buffy
couldn't help but smile at the small reply that bared a resemblance of normalcy.
"Wake up Sleepy Head," she shook him. He shooed her arm away and rolled
over. A gleam lit in Buffy's eyes. "Oh, well. I got all naked for nothing," she sighed.
The vampire sprung into a sitting position with a speed Buffy had never seen
before. "Naked!!!" he yelled. A look of disappointment crossed his face as he pouted.
Buffy's giggle echoed off of the dirt walls. "No fair teasing, Slayer." He said as he
rubbed his eyes. "You know, one day you will be naked and I just won't care to look.
Like the boy who cried wolf."
"Whatever! I'm so sure!" she grinned. "You're the biggest pig I know. You'll
always look."
"Humph, seen it all before. Can't say I'll be missing much," he joked, sapphire
blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
Buffy shoved him with great force. "That is so mean!" she pouted. Spike's smile
dimmed when he recognized hurt in her eyes. He moved closer to put an arm around her.
"I was only kidding, Love," he soothed. "I had to get back at you, ya know." He
smoothed her hair out lovingly. "You're the most beautiful thing my eyes have ever set
on. Clothed or not," he winked. A smile spread across her face.
"Pig," she giggled.
Spike stretched his arms above his head and slowly began to rotate his shoulder
blades. Then he stood and began to stretch the rest of his body, as was his usual ritual.
Buffy watched as his muscles danced beneath his skin, ever appreciative of the view. He
shirt still lay rumpled in a ball where he had used it as a pillow all night. Reaching out a
hand, Buffy grasped Spike's strong grip as he pulled her up beside him. She too began
stretching out her sore muscles.
"So, you ready?" he asked as he rolled his neck twice then jumped lightly from
foot to foot.
"I think so. Ready as I'll ever be," she stated. "I can't stand being in the dark any
longer. Whatever the First had planned for us doesn't seem to be panning out."
"I just want to get out of here before I do something rash," he confided. Buffy
stopped mid stretch.
"What do you mean?"
Spike turned his head away from her. "What if the bugger starts singing a little
ditty again and I go all wonky and try to take a sip?"
Buffy reached out to him and lightly touched his shoulder. "Hey, look at me," she
commanded. He obliged. "That's not going to happen. You're strong, Spike; stronger
than you realize. He can't control you anymore. Honestly, I think he knows it and has
finally given up on you."
"Just like everyone else," he sighed.
Buffy stared deeply into his eyes. "Not everyone."
~*~*~*~
"And one, two and three," Giles counted as the young woman grunted and threw
her victim over her shoulder. A large thud filled the air as the body hit the blue mat.
"Excellent work, Molly," Giles congratulated. "Done quickly and precisely. Use your
legs a little more and you'll be tossing demons five times your weight in no time at all."
"Ugh," came a grumble from the form sprawled out on the floor. "How come I'm
always the dummy?" Xander questioned as he grabbed his back in pain.
"Do we really need to answer that?" Anya asked, eyebrows raised.
"Alright, Ladies," Giles announced after clearing his throat, "now let's try knife
throwing. This time we'll do it blindfolded. Xander, stand against the wall and hold the
apples."
"I hate my life," Xander groaned.
~*~*~*~
Buffy stared impatiently at her watch. "Ugh! What's taking so long? It's already
dark out," she grumbled.
Spike paced back and forth, trying to spend some of his nervous energy. "Dunno,
Love. Maybe they are running a little behind schedule today."
"Figures," she sighed, "the one day we need things to run like clock work."
"Don't rush it Buffy. Give it time. We don't want to be too hasty. If things aren't
perfect today… we try again tomorrow. I'd rather wait another day in this hole than be
placed in a worse situation."
Buffy sighed again deeply. "You're right. I know. It's just… I just can't figure
out why he's kept us here for so long and done nothing with us."
"Maybe he's just trying to throw our game off. Make us a little stir crazy."
"Or crazy in general," she added. Spike stared at her, confused look on his face.
"I've been worried about something since I woke up here with you," she admitted.
Leaning against the muddy wall, she slowly lowered herself in a sitting position.
Following her example, Spike sat down across from her. "Remember what I said about
the first time I met the First? You know, that whole ordeal with Angel?" Spike nodded,
curious as to where this conversation was going. He never liked a discussion that
included Angel. "Well," she continued, "the First had him convinced he was evil and
almost had him kill himself." She paused and then stared at him carefully. "What if he
does that to one of us?"
Spike could not cover the look of hurt on his face at her implication. "Oh, I see.
What you said before was a lie, was it? You still think I'm a threat!"
"No!!" she leapt up and sat by his side, "I'm not worried about you, Spike. I'm
worried what he'll do to me." Spike's face softened. "What if he gets in my head? What
if I hurt the people I love?"
Spike grabbed her shoulders and spoke softly to her, "That will never happen,
Buffy. You needn't worry. You're strong, the strongest person I've ever known. He
can't control you. You'll see. You'll kill the bad guy and save the day like always.
You're a hero," he added in a distant voice, "and that's what you hero types do."
Thankful for his support, she smiled. "Yes. That's exactly what we always do,
Spike. And we'll do it together."
~*~*~*~
Grimacing at the display before him, the First (still in the form of Angelus) waved
his hand in disgust and the sphere revealing the two blondes disappeared. Drusilla sat
happily in her chair, brushing her dolly's hair. She clicked her tongue loudly.
"Miss Edith thinks that her Spike has been a bad boy. He has feelings for that
dirty Slayer, all wriggling and writhing. When is Miss Edith's daddy going to take care
of the nasty girl?"
"Patience, my love. Patience." Angelus said as he began to pace to and fro. "I
don't understand what's happening. They should be at each other's throats by now."
His pace quickened. "They should have grown further apart, not closer together. I never
saw this coming," he mumbled.
"They love each other," Drusilla stated as she stood from her seat. Swaying side
to side she sang softly, "Love is patient. Love is kind…" she smiled wickedly as she
approached Angelus, "Love is also deaf, dumb and blind." The First stared at her,
puzzled. "My William has always loved to much. It's kept him from being the monster
he truly is. Love is what drives him," she whispered as if it were a secret, "it is his
weakness." She held her arms straight out and began to spin wildly in circles.
A cruel smile spread across his face. "You know something, my childe? You're
quite right!" He held out his hand to stop her from spinning and pulled her close
forcefully. Drusilla growled playfully at him. "Love is the biggest weakness of
mankind. It destroys lives and can make fools out of kings. I think you're onto
something Dru." He began to waltz with her across the dirt floor. "Their love for one
another is their Achilles' heel. It can only hold them down." He beamed as the dark
princess threw her head back and laughed psychotically. "We'll let them escape. Let
their feelings grow for one another, and then…"
Dru sang manically, "Ashes! Ashes! They all fall…"
~*~*~*~
"Down!" Buffy whispered to Spike as she heard footsteps approaching. The two
blondes squatted behind the large boulder where the guard always entered. Spike
whispered softy.
"Now remember. No heroic stuff. If I get caught or hurt, you high tail it out of
here. All that matters is that you get to the others."
"No," she said forcefully as she looked into his eyes. "It's both of us together.
One way or another." The heat between the two could have melted the very rock they
stooped beside. Spike's eyes darkened with passion and Buffy's heartbeat quickened.
As soon as she realized that she actually had the urge to kiss him, right then and there,
she shook her head and snapped herself out of it. "I need your strength. You're the only
one who can help me bring the First down." Spike's heart sank, but he knew she was
right.
"Alright then," he conceded, "just stick to the plan."
The footsteps grew increasingly loud and then stopped just outside of the room.
Buffy inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, as Spike cracked his knuckles, ready for a
fight. The grinding sound of the boulder being moved echoed throughout the small room
and soon the guard appeared on the other side. Looking around for his keep frantically,
he walked further into the room. Spike winked playfully at Buffy and then lunged at the
man. Food went flying in all directions as the two fell to the ground with a great thud.
Spike sat on top of him as he punched his face from left to right. When he was sure the
man was unconscious, he stood up and nodded at the slayer. "Let's go."
Long blonde hair was fluttering in his face from the speed of the small woman
running before him. Following the dim light that she could see ahead, Buffy picked up
her pace and raced full speed ahead. Lacking the need to breathe, Spike soon passed her
up and smiled in triumph as he grazed by. The two darted along the small couriers of the
tunnel, eyes posted for any signs of the enemy.
"Which way out?" Buffy questioned, breathing rapidly.
"Dunno, Love. I'm just following this hall."
"Why?"
"The air doesn't smell so rancid this way," he stated. Buffy smiled in spite of
herself at his rationality. They flew through the very small and muddy path a fast as their
legs could carry them.
"Something's wrong," Buffy stated as she stopped.
"Are you off your bird woman, why are you stopping?" Spike cried.
"You don't find it a little suspicious that we've only had to fight the one guard?"
she posed.
"Yes, but I'll count my blessings as soon as we get out of this sodding…" his
comment was cut short by the arm that was quickly around his throat.
"Spike!" Buffy yelled before she too was grabbed from behind. Pulling
frantically from her captor, yet not coming free, she kicked her leg above her head,
effectively stunning the Bringer. She then raced to Spike's aid as he struggled with his
attacker. Punching the creature with a right jab, he stumbled enough for Spike to free
himself and stare at the beauty that came to his defense.
"Bloody hell, woman!" he cried, "I can take care of myself! I had it all under
control!"
"I could tell you did by the way he was choking you."
"Well, ha then. The joke's on him. I don't breath," Spike grinned. Another
Bringer jumped on his back from behind and latched on. Spike threw him over his
shoulder, pulled him eye level, and then snapped his neck with a quick jerk.
Two Bringers attacking from both left and right ambushed Buffy. She struggled
to gain the upper hand of the fight for only a moment and was soon throwing punches
and kicks that the two could not block. Spike had his hands full with three more, but
seemed to have it under control. The two warriors battled on skillfully and bravely until
it was just the two of them standing again.
"Glad to see you haven't lost your touch, Soulman," Buffy panted.
"I'm still up for a decent spot of violence, so long as I'm fighting for the right
side," he said as he looked around carefully, waiting for another attack.
~*~*~*~
The First and Drusilla smiled as they watched the events unfold before them in
the small glowing sphere. A low rumble could be heard from the ancient vampire that
stood beside them.
"Easy now," said the First. "You'll get your turn, my Pet. All in good time," he
smiled. The ancient vampire roared at his master's restraint. "Well, okay then," the First
shrugged, "You can go and have a little fun, but don't kill them. Let them escape. In a
few days you'll be able to drink yourself silly on slayer and traitor blood."
~*~*~*~*~
Spike's hand gripped hers protectively as he started to pull her swiftly through the
maze of tunnels. Stopping only momentarily to punch a Bringer or two, the couple made
it to the small cavern where Buffy had fallen only days before. Spike felt her demeanor
stiffen at the sight of the troglodytes. Determined to get the woman he loved more than
anything in the world home safe, he gripped her hips, eliciting a small yelp from Buffy.
"What are you doing?" she asked as she felt him lifting her.
"Grab hold of that rock right there. Pull yourself up, Love. Nice and slow."
"What about you?"
"I think we'll be able to reach each other." A loud growl filled their ears.
"Quickly, Buffy!"
Her eyes widened and she began gripping the few protruding rocks she thought
would support her. Once she neared the top, she turned and looked down. "Spike! How
are you going to…?"
"Hurry, woman!" he commanded. "Something's coming." He could tell by the
look of fright on her face and the way that she blanched, that something wasn't coming…
it was already there. He turned around slowly to face the creature before him. The pale
blue moonlight reflected off the walls of he hole they stood in and illuminated it enough
for Spike to get a good look at his enemy.
Grey skin pulled tautly over a hairless skull, a mouth of fangs that glistened in the
moonlight, and eyes that radiated so much evil and hate peered at the brave combatant.
Drawing in an unnecessary breath, Spike tightened his muscles and braced himself for the
end.
"Argh!" sounded through the air as Spike witnessed the petite blonde lunge from
her perch above and land on the creature, sending them both rolling on the floor. Buffy
quickly leaped up and faced the demon, body set in her fighting stance. Spike was
immediately at her side doing the same.
"Get up," she commanded to the creature. It lifted its head slowly and grinned
menacingly at the girl. "I said, get up!" she stated, slightly louder than before. Spike
stared at her in amazement. He knew how frightened she must be, but admired her strong
will and courage. The vampire growled threatening again at the couple as it lifted itself
back to its feet. "Get this," Buffy bellowed at the vampire as she stared him down, "You
got the better of me last time, but now I've got a little help."
Spike's stance tightened, ready to do battle. Buffy continued as she puffed out
her chest. "The two of us have killed a hell god, stopped the earth from being destroyed
more times than we can count, and dusted more vamps than you can dream of. We
certainly are scared of some butt-ugly ubber-vamp." Spike knew it was all a front and
that on the inside she was screaming for them to run just as he was, but her belief in the
power of them both gave him a surge of strength. The vampire flashed its teeth and
Buffy smiled tauntingly, "Bring it on, Baldy."
The vamp was the first to attack. He headed straight for Buffy, allowing Spike to
knock him hard to the ground. Buffy ripped off a piece of already cracked rock and
tossed it to the blond vampire. Spike raised the stone to smash the creature's skull, when
his legs were pulled from under him. Falling ungracefully to the ground, Spike stared up
as the vampire smiled down at him. The vamp started to slash his long fingernails at
Spike but was stopped as Buffy jumped on his back.
Thrashing around wildly, the vampire did its best to throw Buffy off of him.
Spike charged full force at the creature only to be lifted and hurled at the solid wall.
Grabbing into Buffy's arm and drawing out a cry from the slayer, the ubber-vamp did the
same with her as well. It approached the two slowly, smiling all the while, as the couple
did their best to regain their composure. Grasping around her blindly on the floor, Buffy
looked for something to defend herself with. Her eyes lit up as she cut herself on a shard
of sharp and rugged rock that lie to her left. Spike bounded up from his position, hoping
to protect his love only to be thrown effortlessly against a wall again. The vampire
reached its wretched hand towards Buffy and grabbed a hold of her throat. It lifted her
off the ground and stared at her eyes and it leaned in to bite her neck.
"Buffy!" Spike yelled out at the scene before him as he tried to lift his broken
body off of the ground.
The demon began to lower its head even closer to the slayer but soon raised it
back to look at her face in shock. Its eyes flew open and it stared at the small woman
before in its grasp.
"I told you," she panted as she watched as the creature's head fell to the floor and
rolled until it hit a rock. The headless body loosened its grip and dropped at Buffy's feet.
Spike gathered his strength and ran to her. He held her in a firm embrace.
"That was bloody amazing!" he cried into her hair. "You're full of surprises," he
smiled.
"Uh, Spike," Buffy gasped. "Need air. Hug… too tight."
"Oh! I'm so sorry, Ducks," he smiled. He stared down at the decapitated figure.
"Let's see him try and get up from that."
"I hope it did the trick," Buffy admitted. "It's like I always say, if all else fails,
off with their head." The two looked at each other and smiled.
"Ready to blow this popsicle stand?" she asked.
"After you, my dearest," he bowed. The two soon climbed to safety and were on
their way home.
~*~*~*~
"NO!!!" he First screamed at the top of his lungs. "It can't be! How could she
have killed him?"
"The little slayer had magic up her sleeve. Little bunnies with big, pointy teeth
everywhere," Drusilla mused. "Don't cry, Daddy. You'll have plenty more dollies to
play with."
"I can't believe he's dead. No one has ever killed a Turuk-Han before. That bitch
is going to pay," he growled, teeth clenched. "Bring me the body!"
Drusilla jumped up and down for joy. "Time for biscuits and tea! I always love a
good party!" she giggled.
"No, Dru, this isn't for you," he said as two Bringers carried in the dead body of
Annabell and placed her on top of the seal. "We need all of her blood."
"Not even a little sip for Princess?"
"No my dear. Not now," he said as he ripped the dead slayer's throat and blood
began to run through the veins of the seal. Grumbling could be heard as two more
ancient vampires rose from the ground. Dru began to cry at his statement. "No tears,
Drusilla. I promise Princess will have plenty of slayer blood soon enough."
~*~*~*~
Moments later the doorbell rang at the Summers' home. "I'll get it!" Dawn yelled
as she got up from the couch. "Anyone got change so I can give the pizza guy a tip?"
"Tips are not necessary," Anya said from the kitchen. "It's a waste of money."
"Anya!" Xander scolded.
"Fine, here's a tip you can give him. Don't brush your teeth with a brick," she
stated.
Dawn rolled her eyes and the bell rang once more. "I'm coming. I'm coming.
Hold your…" she froze at the sight on the other side of the door, "horses."
"Hey, everyone. Sorry we're late," Buffy said casually and Spike smiled at the
brunette before him. Buffy looked at the shocked faces before her. "Did I hear pizza?"
TBC
Thanks for all of the feedback! The next chapter will be up much sooner then this one.
Please keep the comments coming!