Chapter 10

Initiative headquarters 11:23pm

Xander watched attentively as his team checked their gear. Although the Initiative techs kept everything in perfect working order, it was regulation to check every weapon and gadget before going out into the field.

The team he had assembled consisted of the standard six members. All highly trained and experienced in covert assignments. Each member carried the latest in surveillance equipment as well as electrified prods and other weaponry. As team leader, Xander was responsible for every member of his group. He waited patiently for their self-inspection to be done before he conducted his own. Once certain that everything was in order he led them outside to the awaiting black surveillance van.

It was routine for agents to be sent on assessment missions whenever they received information about new hostiles in the area. They would then report back their findings and formulate a plan of capture based on them. It was a very efficient system and kept human casualties at a minimum. The renowned ex-Captain Riley Finn had devised it.

Xander believed in the system and he believed in the Initiative. As much as he admired his friend Buffy, he was well aware that she couldn't possibly handle the demon threat by herself. The concept of the sole "Chosen one" was archaic and impractical. Granted, Buffy defeated the Master single-handedly but the Initiative kept the denizens from the Hellmouth from wrecking havoc on Sunnydale.

What he did not agree on was the quick classification of all demons as hostile. Demons, like humans, came with very different dispositions and it was irresponsible and callous to label them all as evil. His future wife had been a demon but she was capable of love and other human emotions. And according to Buffy, Spike had also been capable of falling in love with his prime enemy. Instances like these put into question the Initiative's guiding principle.

The van pulled in a few yards from their target point. Xander used the concealed exterior cameras to access the area around. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he motioned for the team to move out. Two members remained in the van and would radio any outside threats directly into the earpieces of the other four members.

Soldiers took on their assigned positions. As team leader, Xander would be first while he second-in-command stayed within close range so he could provide needed backup. Xander counted to ten and peered inside through a narrow mesh covered window.

There were two vampires inside. A male and a female. The female was lying in a bed while the male seemed to be getting ready to go out. He was searching for something lying on the floor. Xander adjusted the focus on his high powered binoculars and saw the vampire pick up a cigarette box. He raised his head and Xander almost dropped the binoculars.

SPIKE

Xander had never seen Hostile number seventeen but he had seen his file plenty of times and knew without a doubt that it was he. He moved the binoculars towards the bed to confirm his suspicions. Drusilla's well-known face came into view. The beautiful vampiress had been portrayed more than once and the Initiative had one of the paintings in their possession.

Drusilla and Spike, two of the most vicious vampires in history had come to the Hellmouth.

Xander felt a sinking feeling in the pit on his stomach when he realized that he was partially responsible for Spike. He had given Buffy directions that allowed her to deactivate the inhibitor chip. The condition was that the vampire would leave Sunnydale permanently but here he was and Xander's position was in danger. Also, Spike was consorting with Drusilla and Buffy was still holding a candle out for him.

Xander felt angry and cornered. He wanted to order his team to enter the lair and destroy both hostiles but it went against his orders. He took a deep breath and tried to control his emotions. After a minute or so he motioned for his second-in-command to advance to the window and confirm Xander's observations. After a while both soldiers withdrew and went back into their van. The other two members soon followed.

"Who was that Griffin?" Xander asked his second.

"Hostile number seventeen and the vampire Drusilla, sir"
Xander nodded. He was doomed but he was taking Spike with him. Buffy deserved to know the truth.

***

Buffy's eyes trailed from the television screen to the window. He said he was coming but did not give her a specific time and she'd been lady-in-waiting since sunset.

A loud tire screech startled her and she immediately went to the door. The black DeSoto pulled up beside the house as Buffy stepped out of the threshold. A few seconds later the black clad figure made his way towards her, his hair silver in the moonlight.

TBC. Will Xander tell Buffy? How will she react? And how will her reaction unleash the greatest evil Sunnydale has ever faced? Stay tuned and please review.