I don't know how I lost him. How could I have not heard him leave? Buffy sat on a stool in the kitchen and stared at nothing in particular. "And why would he leave without his boots?

Maybe he went back to the school basement, barefoot. He's gone barefoot before, remember? Willow poured some coffee into a mug and set it down in front of Buffy who just stared at it.

Buffy shook her head. He's not at the school. I checked.

Ooh! Maybe he went back to his crypt! Maybe he woke up and thought, Gee. I feel better now. I think I'll go back to my place.' Or maybe he just went to visit a friend. Willow tried.

Buffy sighed impatiently. Spike doesn't have any friends.

What about Clem?

Buffy sighed. I checked everywhere, Will! Nobody's even seen him since he got back from----from wherever he went! Spike is nowhere! It's as if he just va--! Buffy suddenly looked as if she was going to throw up. Willow stared shockingly at Buffy and nodded as she understood. Now they were getting somewhere.

Xander and Dawn waltzed into the kitchen, literally, and giggled. Mid-giggle they realized Buffy and Willow staring at each other in intense silence.

Whoa! Did we miss something? Please tell me you're not fighting cuz I don't think I want to witness another apocalypse any time around the now.

Buffy looked at Xander who was eyeing Willow nervously. Oh--no. Will and I just figured out what could have happened to Spike.

Dawn stopped dancing with Xander and faced Buffy, What do you mean? What happened to Spike? Where is he?

Willow and Buffy answered in unison, He vanished.

What? He took off? After all Buffy's done for him. That son of a bi---!

No, Xander. Buffy cut him off. It's nothing like that. Buffy looked at Willow who continued.

He vanished...completely. The demons we're looking for must know how to teleport.

And Buffy didn't hear a bunch of demons enter her house and vampire-nap Spike----who, by the way, gets major cranky when someone tries to snatch him! How could she not have heard a big scuffle? Xander waved his finger in the air at Buffy who moaned and sat down again to stare into her coffee.

She wouldn't hear demons teleporting and Spike was probably still unconscious. Willow spoke more for Buffy's benefit than Xander, but she shrugged at him. It's not her fault.

Abruptly Buffy stood up. We need a plan. We have to find Spike before they start the ritual. I am not going to stand by and let these demons---If they want him for some stupid ritual, then they'll get him over my dead body! Everyone stood in nervous silence around Buffy. She continued without hesitation. Will, we need to find out who these teleporting demons are and where they are planning to do the ritual. I also need to know how to stop it in case we're too late. Buffy glanced sideways at Dawn for a split second before continuing. Xander and I are going to go ask around and see if anyone knows about a power letting ritual taking place sometime soon. Something like this probably wouldn't be kept quiet for long. Someone has to brag. Buffy walked into the living room with purpose and grabbed her jacket while opening the front door.

What about me? Dawn asked meekly.

Buffy turned and gave Willow a sympathetic look. You can help Willow with the research. Without another word she stepped outside. It was morning, but it was still too early for the sun to be up. Buffy hoped there would still be some demons or vampires around to question.

Xander grabbed his coat and walked briskly after Buffy. He knew what was coming and he wasn't looking forward to it. However, Buffy was his friend and he was there to help. Right now she needed him probably more than she ever had or ever would. He couldn't let her down...not this time.

***

Spike awoke to a steady pounding inside his head. He tried to open his eyes but it only make his head pound harder. The vampire groaned and quickly shut his eyes. His head hurt, his body ached, and his muscles were beyond sore. Spike didn't know where he was or what was happening. The last thing he remembered was Buffy holding his hand in the furnace room. A coarse voice stung Spike's brain and penetrated his thoughts.

I see you have finally decided to join us. Would you mind opening your eyes? I want to make sure you are still awake when I am speaking to you. I do not want you to miss anything important I say and I do not enjoy wasting my precious time repeating myself.

Spike slowly opened his eyes halfway in an effort to see who was speaking to him. At first things were fuzzy but they cleared soon enough to allow Spike to see a blue, wrinkly demon in front on him. The demon wore a tiny pair of glasses and was dressed like a prep student at a private school. Oh bloody hell, Spike murmured.

With a quick reflex, the blue demon hit spike hard in the stomach with his fist, knocking the air out of the vampire. It took Spike a few minutes to recover from the fierce blow and he was glad vampires didn't need air. The demon didn't look very strong but Spike's stomach told him otherwise.

Spike moaned in gasps. His own reflexes in action, Spike tried to lunge at the blue demon. Pain ripped through his arms and wrists stopping him. Spike slowly opened his eyes all the way and this time he took in everything.

He was in a cave of some sort. There were no candles lit or any other sources of light that Spike could see, yet a reddish glow lit the cave dimly. There was a small selection of sharp, pointy objects lying neatly on a rock just out of Spike's reach. What caught his eye was a large knife with a smooth steel blade and a jade handle.


The pain in his wrists came from shackles attached to the cave walls by large rusty chains. The chains were attached to large metal rings pinned into the rock. Spike knew he could have torn the chains out of the wall easily, on any of his good days. Today wasn't a good day.

I assume you would like to know what is going on, yes? The blue demon was watching Spike's expressions while the vampire noticed his surroundings for the first time. It's quite simply really. You have power. We want it. We are going to kill you to get it. Now if you excuse me, I must get ready for the ceremony. The blue demon turned to leave but stopped and added a few words. By the way, you have a few hours to live. I suggest you enjoy them.

Go to hell, you bluish twit. I don't have any power. Spike's words were slurred as it pained him to speak, but he kept his eyes on his captor.

The demon smiled and turned to face Spike again. Where are my manners? My name is Row'thsa. The demon bowed lowly to the ground then without warning stood up and punched the vampire once in the face and again in the stomach.

Spike grunted and slumped in his chains. Blood dribbled from his split lip.

Oh, we can't have that now, can we? Row'thsa took a kerchief out of his pocket and dapped the vampire's lip. We musn't waste your precious blood. Every drop is needed. The demon placed the bloody kerchief back into his pocket and, smiling viciously, left Spike alone to his pain.