Things He Has Heard Before - March 2009
Chapter Forty-Five
Clem and Lorne walked in the room with Angel. Buffy was still sitting on the bed. She looked like she was deep in thought. They sat on the couch and chair in the corner of the room, waiting for Buffy to say something. Buffy finally snapped out of her day dream and looked at the guys.
"Oh hey." Buffy said.
"So what's this about?" Angel asked.
"Clem, did Spike tell you exactly how he got to Africa?"
"Well, he drove up to LA and found a sorceress that teleported him there." Clem replied.
"Is that the only way to get there?"
"I'm pretty sure. I don't know Buffy, it was a pretty hectic night. He was talking like a crazy person. He kept talking about wires and chips and wondering if that was what was making him love you. He just said he had to go to LA. He never said what the name of the witch was, but he said that was the only way he could get to where he needed to go." Clem said, worried about where the conversation was heading.
"Lorne, do you know much about the shaman that performed Spike's trials?" Buffy pressed.
"His name's Bob, pretty decent as far as demons go. He does have a tendency to give people what he thinks they want instead of what they ask for though. He knew that Spike wanted to be with you, wanted a soul, he didn't really care about the chip." Lorne said.
"Will he only perform trials for demons?" Buffy asked.
"No, but I can't name a single human that ever passed the trials. I'm telling you right now sweetie, Spike almost literally went through hell to become human. And please don't tell me your thinking about doing what I think your thinking about doing." Lorne answered.
A look of guilt washed over Buffy's face. She had never taken the time to really talk to Spike about what had happened in Africa, she had just been glad he was back. She never really wanted to know the means of him being back. *selfish bitch* she thought to herself.
"I think the Powers have been trying to tell me something. I think that they played a part in Spike becoming human and I think that they want me to put things right. Me, and me alone. I have to go to Africa, it's the only way." Buffy said.
"And what do you plan on asking this Bob demon when you get there?" Angel asked, speaking for the first time.
"I'm going to ask him to make him what he once was. I trust that the Shaman will know what I'm asking for." Buffy said.
"No way Buff. I am not letting you go half way across the globe just so you can get Spike back. These trials are difficult to say the best. This demon is going to test you mentally and physically. I'm pissed that we've lost Spike, but I'm not going to lose you too. If someone has to go, let it be me." Angel huffed.
Before Buffy could speak, Lorne piped in again.
"It's not just that Buffy. Bob isn't going to like the idea of the Slayer dropping by. Most likely he'll turn you away. Angel's right. You can't just quit these trials if they're too difficult for you. The shaman has the right to kill you if you give up. This is some serious dark world stuff that you want to get yourself into."
"You guys don't get it. I have to do this, for him. Look at all he has done for me. He's already given up so much for me. I have to save him. I have to do this. Now you can either help me or get the hell out of my way. Angel, I've never even gotten to tell him how much I love him." Buffy pleaded with her friends.
"We'll do what we can do Buffy. What about what Lorne said though, what if the Shaman turns you away? How are we going to find this sorceress to transport you?" Angel asked admitting defeat.
"Lorne, is there anyway I can bring a peace offering, so he knows that I'm not there to slay?" Buffy asked.
"Well, I know of a few things that Bob really likes. He's a pretty fair demon. I think if you explain to him why your there and your honest that he'll let participate in the tests." Lorne answered honestly.
"Clem, are you sure that you don't know how to contact this demon? I know you want to keep me safe, but if you know just tell me. It will make things a lot easier for everyone involved." Buffy asked.
"Fine, I mean if you're really sure you want to do this. Spike drove up to LA, but I know a small incantation that will summon her here. Anya should be able to perform it. It's a pretty simple ritual."
"Good. Now we just have to tell the others. And then we have to figure out a way to stall Spike and get Giles back." Buffy said.
***********************
"Come on Rupes, it's no fun unless you scream." Spike said impatiently.
Rupert Giles was covered from head to toe with tiny abrasions, made with Buffy's little love letter. Spike then took turns poring salt and lemon juice over the tiny wounds. Spike didn't want to kill Giles yet. He wanted to kill him in front of Buffy, so she would know he wasn't fucking around this time. He was however, becoming extremely pissed that the watcher wouldn't make so much as a squeak. It really was taking all of the fun out of the torture. Spike finally stopped what he was doing and made the watcher look him the eyes.
"I'm going to kill you, you know that don't you?" Spike asked his former friend.
"Angelus said the exact same thing." Giles said, pretending not to care.
"I see what you're trying to do, clever watcher. You want me to kill you quick so I can't use you against Buffy. Well old man, guess I'm getting a little more patient in my old age." Spike said triumphantly.
"You've only been a vampire for three days." Giles responded dryly.
"I'm counting it all together you ponce. I feel strong, stronger than I ever felt before. And after that bitch is dead and I use her bones to kill the rest of her friends, nothing is going to stop me."
"Why is it that I've heard that somewhere before?" Giles responded cynically.
"Funny watcher. Maybe I'll just keep you alive so you can watch me kill your precious Buffy, along with the rest of her friends. Then we'll see how witty and clever you are." Spike spat angrily.
"What are you going to do Spike? Take over the world? End it? Do think it was an accident that you were turned?" Giles asked venomously.
Spike stared at the watcher. He had thought it was strange that Nick knew to follow him in particular. How did Nick even find out that he had become human. Worry washed over Spike's face and he began to pace back on forth over the length of the warehouse. He wasn't sure who to believe. His demon didn't trust any of them and it was screaming for him to kill them all. Blood and anguish, that's what the demon wanted to feel, wanted to see. It wanted to sever all of Spike's ties to the human world, but more importantly it wanted to see death and chaos. Spike's humanity wanted to break free. It was screaming for him to let his friend go. If nothing else what was left that was human in Spike wanted it to be over with. The struggle within Spike reached a compromise and decided to uncomfortably question his 'sire.'
"Where the hell is that twit Nick?" Spike fumed.
"He left quite awhile ago. Said he was going to go to the hotel." One of the minions answered.
Spike screamed. The little fucker was going to go nark on him. Spike then turned on the watcher.
"What the hell did you bloody say to him?" Spike screamed.
"I simply told him it wasn't too late to make things right." Giles replied curtly.
"See that's where you're wrong. It's way too late to put things right. The only way to do that would be if I had never met that sodding arrogant bitch. Then I'd still be with Dru and maybe Angelus would have killed her eventually."
"You wouldn't have Julia then." Giles replied.
Spike stopped and glared at the watcher. He had forgotten all about the small girl until then. Giles thought he saw sadness in the vampire's eyes, but didn't want to get the hope.
"The kid has nothing to do with this." Spike fumed.
"Are you going to kill her?" Giles asked quietly.
"If I have to. If I have to mate, I will." Spike responded shortly.
Spike then decided that Giles was simply trying to stall him. He looked around the room, his minions didn't look as confident in their leader as they had the day before. Spike sighed. This had to end now, there was no way around it.
"Mates, get everything ready. We're going in tomorrow after sunset. And we're not leaving until that bitch and her poofter pet vampire are dead." Spike glowered.
Giles looked at Spike with a mourned expression on his face. Spike responded by knocking the watcher unconscious.
**************************
"No way am I going to let you do this Buffy." Xander screamed at his friend.
"I have to." Was all Buffy said.
"Why? Why do you have to do this? I like Spike. He was a swell human, but we all know what he was like as a demon. He was a selfish prick and there is no way we are going to get him back like he was Buffy. Just dust him and let this go." Xander said.
"Still on the 'vampires are bad' trip I see Xander." Cordelia said, sighing.
"Hey, I know that you're a vampire groupie now, so I don't think you're opinion counts for much." Xander spat at his ex-girlfriend.
Angel then was out of his seat with preternatural reflexes and had Xander by the collar of his shirt, growling at him in a threatening predatory voice.
"Honey, just put him down. He's just angry. You know Xander, he never thinks before he speaks. Are sure there isn't any other way Buffy?" Cordelia asked worriedly.
"No, this is what the powers are telling me to do. I have to do this." Buffy said.
"What are we going to do about Spike and Giles in the mean time?" Willow asked.
"Spikes probably figured out that his right hand man is missing. He'll probably be here by sunset tomorrow. Do not dust him. Detain him, beat the hell out of him, just don't kill him." Buffy said firmly.
"What about Giles?" Dawn asked.
"He's a grown-up, Dawn. He's very good at mind games if nothing else. I'm sure he's handling Spike in his own way right now. So are we ready to do this An?" Buffy asked.
"No, but I will." Anya said huffily.
It was times like these when she really wished Willow could still do magic. Anya started her incantation, lighting a few candles and sprinkling some herbs in a circle. She continues the chant faster and a green ball of light began to glow bigger and bigger. Finally a tall woman with strawberry blonde hair and a dark robe appeared. She looked extremely irritated.
"Who summoned me?" She asked angrily, searching the room.
"Cale?" Lorne asked in disbelief.
"Lorne, sweetie, how are you?" Cale asked, her demeanor doing a one-eighty in seconds.
The two demons hugged, grateful to see one another.
"So what am I doing here? I was in the middle of cursing Brittany Spears for a disgruntled fan." Cale said.
"We need you to pop a friend over to Africa for us, she wants to see a Shaman." Lorne said.
"I'm taking it's not a social visit to Bob."
"No the Slayer wants to go through the trials." Lorne said humbly.
"That should be a sight." Cale said laughingly. "Oh, you're serious." She then said nervously when she realized that no one in the room was laughing with her.
"Very well. I just need someone to sign my death clause and I'll pop her on over there."
"What death clause?" Fred asked nervously.
"It just says that you guys can't sue me if she dies. It's nothing personal, but I hope you've made funeral arrangements because no human has ever survived the trials." Cale replied.
"Cale, sweetie, we summoned you to transport, not to hand out free advice." Lorne said, sensing the tension in the room.
"Fine it's her funeral." She answered simply.
Cale then focused on the Slayer and muttered some words in Latin. Buffy's body rose a few inches from the ground and then it was gone.
"Will it put her by the cave?" Angel asked.
"More or less." Cale said and then she disappeared.
The gang stared at the place where Buffy's body had one been and for the first time in three days they were all honestly afraid. The gang then made their way back to their separate rooms, each saying a silent prayer for Buffy, Giles, and Spike.
Clem and Lorne walked in the room with Angel. Buffy was still sitting on the bed. She looked like she was deep in thought. They sat on the couch and chair in the corner of the room, waiting for Buffy to say something. Buffy finally snapped out of her day dream and looked at the guys.
"Oh hey." Buffy said.
"So what's this about?" Angel asked.
"Clem, did Spike tell you exactly how he got to Africa?"
"Well, he drove up to LA and found a sorceress that teleported him there." Clem replied.
"Is that the only way to get there?"
"I'm pretty sure. I don't know Buffy, it was a pretty hectic night. He was talking like a crazy person. He kept talking about wires and chips and wondering if that was what was making him love you. He just said he had to go to LA. He never said what the name of the witch was, but he said that was the only way he could get to where he needed to go." Clem said, worried about where the conversation was heading.
"Lorne, do you know much about the shaman that performed Spike's trials?" Buffy pressed.
"His name's Bob, pretty decent as far as demons go. He does have a tendency to give people what he thinks they want instead of what they ask for though. He knew that Spike wanted to be with you, wanted a soul, he didn't really care about the chip." Lorne said.
"Will he only perform trials for demons?" Buffy asked.
"No, but I can't name a single human that ever passed the trials. I'm telling you right now sweetie, Spike almost literally went through hell to become human. And please don't tell me your thinking about doing what I think your thinking about doing." Lorne answered.
A look of guilt washed over Buffy's face. She had never taken the time to really talk to Spike about what had happened in Africa, she had just been glad he was back. She never really wanted to know the means of him being back. *selfish bitch* she thought to herself.
"I think the Powers have been trying to tell me something. I think that they played a part in Spike becoming human and I think that they want me to put things right. Me, and me alone. I have to go to Africa, it's the only way." Buffy said.
"And what do you plan on asking this Bob demon when you get there?" Angel asked, speaking for the first time.
"I'm going to ask him to make him what he once was. I trust that the Shaman will know what I'm asking for." Buffy said.
"No way Buff. I am not letting you go half way across the globe just so you can get Spike back. These trials are difficult to say the best. This demon is going to test you mentally and physically. I'm pissed that we've lost Spike, but I'm not going to lose you too. If someone has to go, let it be me." Angel huffed.
Before Buffy could speak, Lorne piped in again.
"It's not just that Buffy. Bob isn't going to like the idea of the Slayer dropping by. Most likely he'll turn you away. Angel's right. You can't just quit these trials if they're too difficult for you. The shaman has the right to kill you if you give up. This is some serious dark world stuff that you want to get yourself into."
"You guys don't get it. I have to do this, for him. Look at all he has done for me. He's already given up so much for me. I have to save him. I have to do this. Now you can either help me or get the hell out of my way. Angel, I've never even gotten to tell him how much I love him." Buffy pleaded with her friends.
"We'll do what we can do Buffy. What about what Lorne said though, what if the Shaman turns you away? How are we going to find this sorceress to transport you?" Angel asked admitting defeat.
"Lorne, is there anyway I can bring a peace offering, so he knows that I'm not there to slay?" Buffy asked.
"Well, I know of a few things that Bob really likes. He's a pretty fair demon. I think if you explain to him why your there and your honest that he'll let participate in the tests." Lorne answered honestly.
"Clem, are you sure that you don't know how to contact this demon? I know you want to keep me safe, but if you know just tell me. It will make things a lot easier for everyone involved." Buffy asked.
"Fine, I mean if you're really sure you want to do this. Spike drove up to LA, but I know a small incantation that will summon her here. Anya should be able to perform it. It's a pretty simple ritual."
"Good. Now we just have to tell the others. And then we have to figure out a way to stall Spike and get Giles back." Buffy said.
***********************
"Come on Rupes, it's no fun unless you scream." Spike said impatiently.
Rupert Giles was covered from head to toe with tiny abrasions, made with Buffy's little love letter. Spike then took turns poring salt and lemon juice over the tiny wounds. Spike didn't want to kill Giles yet. He wanted to kill him in front of Buffy, so she would know he wasn't fucking around this time. He was however, becoming extremely pissed that the watcher wouldn't make so much as a squeak. It really was taking all of the fun out of the torture. Spike finally stopped what he was doing and made the watcher look him the eyes.
"I'm going to kill you, you know that don't you?" Spike asked his former friend.
"Angelus said the exact same thing." Giles said, pretending not to care.
"I see what you're trying to do, clever watcher. You want me to kill you quick so I can't use you against Buffy. Well old man, guess I'm getting a little more patient in my old age." Spike said triumphantly.
"You've only been a vampire for three days." Giles responded dryly.
"I'm counting it all together you ponce. I feel strong, stronger than I ever felt before. And after that bitch is dead and I use her bones to kill the rest of her friends, nothing is going to stop me."
"Why is it that I've heard that somewhere before?" Giles responded cynically.
"Funny watcher. Maybe I'll just keep you alive so you can watch me kill your precious Buffy, along with the rest of her friends. Then we'll see how witty and clever you are." Spike spat angrily.
"What are you going to do Spike? Take over the world? End it? Do think it was an accident that you were turned?" Giles asked venomously.
Spike stared at the watcher. He had thought it was strange that Nick knew to follow him in particular. How did Nick even find out that he had become human. Worry washed over Spike's face and he began to pace back on forth over the length of the warehouse. He wasn't sure who to believe. His demon didn't trust any of them and it was screaming for him to kill them all. Blood and anguish, that's what the demon wanted to feel, wanted to see. It wanted to sever all of Spike's ties to the human world, but more importantly it wanted to see death and chaos. Spike's humanity wanted to break free. It was screaming for him to let his friend go. If nothing else what was left that was human in Spike wanted it to be over with. The struggle within Spike reached a compromise and decided to uncomfortably question his 'sire.'
"Where the hell is that twit Nick?" Spike fumed.
"He left quite awhile ago. Said he was going to go to the hotel." One of the minions answered.
Spike screamed. The little fucker was going to go nark on him. Spike then turned on the watcher.
"What the hell did you bloody say to him?" Spike screamed.
"I simply told him it wasn't too late to make things right." Giles replied curtly.
"See that's where you're wrong. It's way too late to put things right. The only way to do that would be if I had never met that sodding arrogant bitch. Then I'd still be with Dru and maybe Angelus would have killed her eventually."
"You wouldn't have Julia then." Giles replied.
Spike stopped and glared at the watcher. He had forgotten all about the small girl until then. Giles thought he saw sadness in the vampire's eyes, but didn't want to get the hope.
"The kid has nothing to do with this." Spike fumed.
"Are you going to kill her?" Giles asked quietly.
"If I have to. If I have to mate, I will." Spike responded shortly.
Spike then decided that Giles was simply trying to stall him. He looked around the room, his minions didn't look as confident in their leader as they had the day before. Spike sighed. This had to end now, there was no way around it.
"Mates, get everything ready. We're going in tomorrow after sunset. And we're not leaving until that bitch and her poofter pet vampire are dead." Spike glowered.
Giles looked at Spike with a mourned expression on his face. Spike responded by knocking the watcher unconscious.
**************************
"No way am I going to let you do this Buffy." Xander screamed at his friend.
"I have to." Was all Buffy said.
"Why? Why do you have to do this? I like Spike. He was a swell human, but we all know what he was like as a demon. He was a selfish prick and there is no way we are going to get him back like he was Buffy. Just dust him and let this go." Xander said.
"Still on the 'vampires are bad' trip I see Xander." Cordelia said, sighing.
"Hey, I know that you're a vampire groupie now, so I don't think you're opinion counts for much." Xander spat at his ex-girlfriend.
Angel then was out of his seat with preternatural reflexes and had Xander by the collar of his shirt, growling at him in a threatening predatory voice.
"Honey, just put him down. He's just angry. You know Xander, he never thinks before he speaks. Are sure there isn't any other way Buffy?" Cordelia asked worriedly.
"No, this is what the powers are telling me to do. I have to do this." Buffy said.
"What are we going to do about Spike and Giles in the mean time?" Willow asked.
"Spikes probably figured out that his right hand man is missing. He'll probably be here by sunset tomorrow. Do not dust him. Detain him, beat the hell out of him, just don't kill him." Buffy said firmly.
"What about Giles?" Dawn asked.
"He's a grown-up, Dawn. He's very good at mind games if nothing else. I'm sure he's handling Spike in his own way right now. So are we ready to do this An?" Buffy asked.
"No, but I will." Anya said huffily.
It was times like these when she really wished Willow could still do magic. Anya started her incantation, lighting a few candles and sprinkling some herbs in a circle. She continues the chant faster and a green ball of light began to glow bigger and bigger. Finally a tall woman with strawberry blonde hair and a dark robe appeared. She looked extremely irritated.
"Who summoned me?" She asked angrily, searching the room.
"Cale?" Lorne asked in disbelief.
"Lorne, sweetie, how are you?" Cale asked, her demeanor doing a one-eighty in seconds.
The two demons hugged, grateful to see one another.
"So what am I doing here? I was in the middle of cursing Brittany Spears for a disgruntled fan." Cale said.
"We need you to pop a friend over to Africa for us, she wants to see a Shaman." Lorne said.
"I'm taking it's not a social visit to Bob."
"No the Slayer wants to go through the trials." Lorne said humbly.
"That should be a sight." Cale said laughingly. "Oh, you're serious." She then said nervously when she realized that no one in the room was laughing with her.
"Very well. I just need someone to sign my death clause and I'll pop her on over there."
"What death clause?" Fred asked nervously.
"It just says that you guys can't sue me if she dies. It's nothing personal, but I hope you've made funeral arrangements because no human has ever survived the trials." Cale replied.
"Cale, sweetie, we summoned you to transport, not to hand out free advice." Lorne said, sensing the tension in the room.
"Fine it's her funeral." She answered simply.
Cale then focused on the Slayer and muttered some words in Latin. Buffy's body rose a few inches from the ground and then it was gone.
"Will it put her by the cave?" Angel asked.
"More or less." Cale said and then she disappeared.
The gang stared at the place where Buffy's body had one been and for the first time in three days they were all honestly afraid. The gang then made their way back to their separate rooms, each saying a silent prayer for Buffy, Giles, and Spike.