The Turning - March 2009
Chapter Twenty-One
The sense of power that Spike felt was all consuming. He felt as if he were on top of the world. He was high, on so many things, so many forgotten emotions that came flooding to the surface. He glanced over at Nick, who looked a bit afraid.
"What's wrong with you?" Spike sneered.
"Hey, I'm your sire. I'll not have you talk to me like that." Nick said, attempting miserably at an heir of authority.
"That's a good one mate. I guess since you're my sire, I won't kill you. So what's the plan for tonight? I want to see this town burn. I want it burnt to ashes for my black goddess. Where is she by the way?"
"Uh, Dru. She's in China right now. She said you have to pass some tests for her before she'll come back." Nick said, fidgeting with his hands, willing himself not to look at the vampire.
"She did, did she? Well, pussy whipped, nancy boy William is gone. You find her and tell her to get her ass back here. I'm through being the whipping boy. And you need to go spread it around the underground that Spike's back. I need a good number of minions, and anyone else that wants to see the Slayer burn is more than welcome to join. God I miss this. I must have been insane to think I could ever be 'good.' Now, Nickie don't go getting all big headed, but thanks. Thanks for releasing me from that hell."
"Sure, no problem Spike. Uh, do you need anything? Clothes? Car? Ummm - maybe a nice lady vamp, to you know, let off some steam."
"Clothes, yeah. Where'd I put that damn duster? Oh bloody hell. Going to have to go back to the poofter's apartment and get it, as well as some other supplies. I like this place. It's dark and isolated. You did a good job in picking this place out. As of now, you're my right hand man Nickie. Well, as long as you find some new clothes. Preferably dark, and made within the last decade or so."
"No problem boss." Nickie replied. This was not how he expected things to go. But it would do for now. Being at Spike's side was better than being on no side.
Spike reached into his pant pockets for his lighter and smokes.
"Bugger." Was all he could manage when he realized that soul boy didn't smoke.
******************************
The gang was all at the Hyperion by the next night. It took a few credit cards, and some bribing, but even Giles had managed to make it there in time for their meeting.
"Thanks for coming guys. I know some of you don't like Spike, but he is one of us. And we would be doing the same thing if any of you turned up missing. I don't know what's going on, but Cordelia had a vision while we were in bed last night." Angel began.
"Yeah. It was so strange. I mean The Powers had been avoiding the cryptic route for quite awhile, but neither me or Angel could make head or tails out of the vision. I saw Spike. He was bleeding, a lot. Like unnaturally, no way he could survive kind of bleeding. The there was a girl, it looked like she was dead. And then Spike was talking to a man. I have no clue what it means."
"I think I do." Buffy piped in, trying to fight back the tears already building.
"What is it." Willow asked, concerned for her friend.
"I think that Spike's been turned." Buffy muttered.
The group looked back and forth to one another. No one wanted to say anything. Actually they all wanted to deny it. But none of them could, it was a possibility.
"Why would someone want to turn Spike?" Xander asked.
"Most of the demon population around here doesn't know that Spike was ever humanized. We all thought it was better to let them think that Spike was out of the country. We never set the record straight." Wesley explained.
"So the vamp that turned Spike, thought that he was getting a good ally or something?" Fred piped in.
"Come on guys, we don't even know if Spike has been turned. We can't just throw a stake through his chest when we see him. What if we're wrong. What if we kill an innocent human?" Gunn added.
"Yes, Gunn has a point. And even if Spike has been turned, we have no clue what he's like. He might be like how he was before he became human. We have no idea what his demon is like, or if he maintained his soul during the turning. We have to research this. We can't just jump to conclusions." Giles said.
"What if Spike is all about the Big Bad evil again. Do we try to detain him, stake him, what?" Cordelia asked.
"I'd say it's up to Buffy. He is her daughter's father." Conner added, speaking for the first time since the meeting began.
"Detain him if you can. Dust him if you have no choice. I would rather have Spike be gone, than have to sacrifice any of you." Buffy managed.
Angel and Giles looked upon the brave, but crying girl. They both had the paternal instinct to go to her and hug her, but they knew she wanted to appear strong at that moment.
"I think it's best if you all stay here until we figure out what's going on. If Spike is up to his old tricks, he has invites to all of our homes, and we have no clue if he can come in or not. An, Giles, do you think you can rig an un-invite spell around the entire hotel? Someone will just have to invite me and Lorne in if we leave." Angel stated
"Yeah, no problem. Me and Giles will get right on that." Anya said, happy that she had been included for once, and she appeared to actually be an important part of the plan.
"Guys, I feel a research party coming on." Willow said, trying to keep things light hearted.
She had only been out for a little over two years and things on the hellmouth had been pretty quiet. She, like Anya, was secretly relieved that she would be needed.
"Oh my God." Buffy suddenly started.
"What is it Buffy?" Lorne and Angel said at the same time.
"Dawn, she's alone with Julia at Spike's apartment. What if he decides to go back there?" Buffy frantically asked.
"We'll call Dawn and explain that she's not to let Spike in under any circumstances. There's a good chance he won't go back there. I remember when Dru sired Spike. He didn't want to go anywhere near what reminded him of being human. *If* Spike is now, well Spike again then he won't want to go within a hundred feet of that place. He was always a strange duck. Could be cruel as a snake, but he always stunk of humanity. It'll be OK Buffy, just breath." Angel stated coolly, trying to calm Buffy down.
"You're right Angel. I just need to get a grip." Buffy said with a weak smile.
"Angel and I will swing by my place and get some books. Then we'll go over and get Dawn and Jules." Wesley said.
"Make sure you get Spike's dog too. No telling what perverted things he'd do it if he found it." Buffy called.
"Huh, Buffy - that was Angelus that liked to torture the puppies." Xander quipped.
"Oh yeah, right." Buffy said quietly.
Xander helped Buffy to her room so she could take a nap. He yelled down to Willow to call Dawn, but she was so wrapped up in conversation with Fred that she didn't hear him.
***********************************
Spike took a deep breath before he knocked on the door. He knew that Dawn was still here. He could smell her. He could almost taste her. His mouth curled into an unnatural grin while he waited for his unsuspecting "little sister" to answer the door.
"Oh Spike, you're alive. I can't believe it." Dawn squealed when she opened the door.
"Yeah, luv. Good old Spike here. Seemed to forgot my key. Actually I'm amazed I still have both my arms."
"Well are you going to come in or are you going to stand there all gross and icky like that." Dawn said impatiently.
Spike smile got even larger. Easier than I thought, mate, he thought to himself as he walked into his apartment. He wasn't sure if he needed the invite or not. He wasn't clear on the rules. But Dawn had lived here a couple years ago, so he supposed that she still qualified to invite him in. And he sure as hell didn't want any attention called to himself when he tried to enter and was bounced back against the hallway walls. Dawn wrapped her arms tightly around her Spike. He calmly patted her on the back a couple of times before he released her. Something felt wrong to Dawn, but she shrugged it off, was probably just from all the panicking.
"So what happened? You totally kicked ass didn't you? I knew you would. Buffy was always telling me what a wuss you were, but I knew better. I bet that vamp was sorry he decided to have you for dinner, huh."
"Yeah, right. Well, I promise to tell you *everything* after I take a shower, kay pigeon?" Spike replied, slipping into his infamous sexy grin.
Spike went to take a shower while Dawn went into check on Julia. She settled herself on the couch while she waited for Spike to finish his shower.
The sense of power that Spike felt was all consuming. He felt as if he were on top of the world. He was high, on so many things, so many forgotten emotions that came flooding to the surface. He glanced over at Nick, who looked a bit afraid.
"What's wrong with you?" Spike sneered.
"Hey, I'm your sire. I'll not have you talk to me like that." Nick said, attempting miserably at an heir of authority.
"That's a good one mate. I guess since you're my sire, I won't kill you. So what's the plan for tonight? I want to see this town burn. I want it burnt to ashes for my black goddess. Where is she by the way?"
"Uh, Dru. She's in China right now. She said you have to pass some tests for her before she'll come back." Nick said, fidgeting with his hands, willing himself not to look at the vampire.
"She did, did she? Well, pussy whipped, nancy boy William is gone. You find her and tell her to get her ass back here. I'm through being the whipping boy. And you need to go spread it around the underground that Spike's back. I need a good number of minions, and anyone else that wants to see the Slayer burn is more than welcome to join. God I miss this. I must have been insane to think I could ever be 'good.' Now, Nickie don't go getting all big headed, but thanks. Thanks for releasing me from that hell."
"Sure, no problem Spike. Uh, do you need anything? Clothes? Car? Ummm - maybe a nice lady vamp, to you know, let off some steam."
"Clothes, yeah. Where'd I put that damn duster? Oh bloody hell. Going to have to go back to the poofter's apartment and get it, as well as some other supplies. I like this place. It's dark and isolated. You did a good job in picking this place out. As of now, you're my right hand man Nickie. Well, as long as you find some new clothes. Preferably dark, and made within the last decade or so."
"No problem boss." Nickie replied. This was not how he expected things to go. But it would do for now. Being at Spike's side was better than being on no side.
Spike reached into his pant pockets for his lighter and smokes.
"Bugger." Was all he could manage when he realized that soul boy didn't smoke.
******************************
The gang was all at the Hyperion by the next night. It took a few credit cards, and some bribing, but even Giles had managed to make it there in time for their meeting.
"Thanks for coming guys. I know some of you don't like Spike, but he is one of us. And we would be doing the same thing if any of you turned up missing. I don't know what's going on, but Cordelia had a vision while we were in bed last night." Angel began.
"Yeah. It was so strange. I mean The Powers had been avoiding the cryptic route for quite awhile, but neither me or Angel could make head or tails out of the vision. I saw Spike. He was bleeding, a lot. Like unnaturally, no way he could survive kind of bleeding. The there was a girl, it looked like she was dead. And then Spike was talking to a man. I have no clue what it means."
"I think I do." Buffy piped in, trying to fight back the tears already building.
"What is it." Willow asked, concerned for her friend.
"I think that Spike's been turned." Buffy muttered.
The group looked back and forth to one another. No one wanted to say anything. Actually they all wanted to deny it. But none of them could, it was a possibility.
"Why would someone want to turn Spike?" Xander asked.
"Most of the demon population around here doesn't know that Spike was ever humanized. We all thought it was better to let them think that Spike was out of the country. We never set the record straight." Wesley explained.
"So the vamp that turned Spike, thought that he was getting a good ally or something?" Fred piped in.
"Come on guys, we don't even know if Spike has been turned. We can't just throw a stake through his chest when we see him. What if we're wrong. What if we kill an innocent human?" Gunn added.
"Yes, Gunn has a point. And even if Spike has been turned, we have no clue what he's like. He might be like how he was before he became human. We have no idea what his demon is like, or if he maintained his soul during the turning. We have to research this. We can't just jump to conclusions." Giles said.
"What if Spike is all about the Big Bad evil again. Do we try to detain him, stake him, what?" Cordelia asked.
"I'd say it's up to Buffy. He is her daughter's father." Conner added, speaking for the first time since the meeting began.
"Detain him if you can. Dust him if you have no choice. I would rather have Spike be gone, than have to sacrifice any of you." Buffy managed.
Angel and Giles looked upon the brave, but crying girl. They both had the paternal instinct to go to her and hug her, but they knew she wanted to appear strong at that moment.
"I think it's best if you all stay here until we figure out what's going on. If Spike is up to his old tricks, he has invites to all of our homes, and we have no clue if he can come in or not. An, Giles, do you think you can rig an un-invite spell around the entire hotel? Someone will just have to invite me and Lorne in if we leave." Angel stated
"Yeah, no problem. Me and Giles will get right on that." Anya said, happy that she had been included for once, and she appeared to actually be an important part of the plan.
"Guys, I feel a research party coming on." Willow said, trying to keep things light hearted.
She had only been out for a little over two years and things on the hellmouth had been pretty quiet. She, like Anya, was secretly relieved that she would be needed.
"Oh my God." Buffy suddenly started.
"What is it Buffy?" Lorne and Angel said at the same time.
"Dawn, she's alone with Julia at Spike's apartment. What if he decides to go back there?" Buffy frantically asked.
"We'll call Dawn and explain that she's not to let Spike in under any circumstances. There's a good chance he won't go back there. I remember when Dru sired Spike. He didn't want to go anywhere near what reminded him of being human. *If* Spike is now, well Spike again then he won't want to go within a hundred feet of that place. He was always a strange duck. Could be cruel as a snake, but he always stunk of humanity. It'll be OK Buffy, just breath." Angel stated coolly, trying to calm Buffy down.
"You're right Angel. I just need to get a grip." Buffy said with a weak smile.
"Angel and I will swing by my place and get some books. Then we'll go over and get Dawn and Jules." Wesley said.
"Make sure you get Spike's dog too. No telling what perverted things he'd do it if he found it." Buffy called.
"Huh, Buffy - that was Angelus that liked to torture the puppies." Xander quipped.
"Oh yeah, right." Buffy said quietly.
Xander helped Buffy to her room so she could take a nap. He yelled down to Willow to call Dawn, but she was so wrapped up in conversation with Fred that she didn't hear him.
***********************************
Spike took a deep breath before he knocked on the door. He knew that Dawn was still here. He could smell her. He could almost taste her. His mouth curled into an unnatural grin while he waited for his unsuspecting "little sister" to answer the door.
"Oh Spike, you're alive. I can't believe it." Dawn squealed when she opened the door.
"Yeah, luv. Good old Spike here. Seemed to forgot my key. Actually I'm amazed I still have both my arms."
"Well are you going to come in or are you going to stand there all gross and icky like that." Dawn said impatiently.
Spike smile got even larger. Easier than I thought, mate, he thought to himself as he walked into his apartment. He wasn't sure if he needed the invite or not. He wasn't clear on the rules. But Dawn had lived here a couple years ago, so he supposed that she still qualified to invite him in. And he sure as hell didn't want any attention called to himself when he tried to enter and was bounced back against the hallway walls. Dawn wrapped her arms tightly around her Spike. He calmly patted her on the back a couple of times before he released her. Something felt wrong to Dawn, but she shrugged it off, was probably just from all the panicking.
"So what happened? You totally kicked ass didn't you? I knew you would. Buffy was always telling me what a wuss you were, but I knew better. I bet that vamp was sorry he decided to have you for dinner, huh."
"Yeah, right. Well, I promise to tell you *everything* after I take a shower, kay pigeon?" Spike replied, slipping into his infamous sexy grin.
Spike went to take a shower while Dawn went into check on Julia. She settled herself on the couch while she waited for Spike to finish his shower.