Chapter 36 - Choosing Sides

When I'm sure Buffy's safely back in their room, I walk towards Westgate's office. I'm not surprised to hear that Simon's busy, and I can hear the raised voices. As I'm talking to Westgate's secretary, Jameson comes storming out of the office, and he's still yelling.

"You haven't heard the last of this. That specimen is unique. If she gives birth to live young, it could be the start of a complete breeding programme. It's too important for humanitarian feelings - even if she were human. And, don't think about moving her." This last is a warning, delivered with a menace that's hard to miss.

He almost walks into me as he leaves, he's so intent on Westgate. As soon as the path is clear, I go into Westgate's office. He's looking worried.

"He'll get the ok, won't he?" I ask.

"For what he wants? Yes, he will. And, once he's got control, I dread to think what else he'll do. He's ambitious. Technically, he's brilliant, but, from what I've heard, his rather abrasive manner meant he wasn't successful with human patients. He sees this programme as his chance to prove his brilliance, without having to worry about the niceties involved in treating humans."

"So, what do we do?" I demand.

"There's nothing I can do. I'd guess, she's only got hours before he's back with the authorisation to do exactly what he wants, and I'd bet that's a lot more than he's admitted so far."

He's looking at me, and the expression is a challenge. He's made his meaning clear. There's nothing he can do. He's a family man, I know that. Three kids of his own. I can see his point. He might have sympathy for Buffy, but he's got to consider his own family, their future. I have no one to consider, not any more. So, maybe, there's something I can do. I decide to take the chance.

"Sir, I'd like to request a leave of absence. Twenty-four hours should be enough, there're some things I need to sort out - some paperwork to finalise everything after Sam's death."

"Of course, of course," he answers.

I almost feel bad using Sam as an excuse like that, but I know she'd approve. She couldn't understand my pre-occupation with splitting up Buffy and Spike, and she'd want me to try to make up for it.

I leave the office, and start to plan. I might have Westgate's tacit approval, but that doesn't mean it's risk-free. The first step is a phone call. Willow sounds dubious at first, but it doesn't take too long to persuade her that I'm serious. Then I go and pick up a couple of uniforms. I've got to guess at Spike's size, but I'm pretty confident about that. Buffy's harder. She's so short, and with the added difficulty of the bump, I end up having to compromise.

I stash the uniforms in my room, and head for the equipment stores. I'm interested to note that security seems to have been reduced. It's still there, but there seem to be gaps. Westgate's obviously done what he can, without taking too many personal risks.

I pick up a couple of things that might be useful, and return to my room. Next comes the bit I'm not really looking forward to. I knock quietly on the door which interconnects with theirs. Spike answers, and his face shows his disapproval. Still, he walks away from me, returning to sit on the bed where Buffy's lying, propped on pillows. It could be my imagination, but I could swear that her bump is bigger than a short while ago. Still, despite everything, she looks beautiful. My mom always said that pregnancy gives women a dignity they don't have otherwise, but I couldn't see it before. Looking at Buffy, I know exactly what she meant.

I hold up an electronic device. "This will interfere with the surveillance equipment," I explain, before telling them what I've got planned.

"It's only a matter of time before Jameson's back, with whatever authority he needs to do just what he wants. You've got to get out of here."

Buffy nods. Spike looks disbelieving. Well, I guess I would too in his shoes.

"You're helping us?"

"Look," I try to explain. "I don't like you. Never have, and I don't reckon I ever will. I know you don't deserve Buffy. But, for some reason, Buffy's chosen you, and you're the father of her child. And, I just can't let Jameson get his hands on Buffy. So, I'm going to help. I've spoken to Willow, and she's going to make sure you're met when you get to ground level. Until then, we've got to be careful."

I thrust the uniforms at him. "Get changed, and then come into my room. We've got to avoid security."

"And that," Spike points to the jammer in my hand, "means no one heard any of that?"

"Yes. It'll sound as though you've just stopped talking for a while, and so long as the listener doesn't know you too well, it should be believeable for a while." I know it's petty, but I just can't resist the dig.

He's about to make some snarky comment about that, then thinks better of it. He nods, and pulls the pile of uniform from me, grimacing in distaste.

"Yeah, well, I'm not too happy about you disgracing the uniform either, but unless you've got a better idea ..?"

He shrugs, and I turn to go. I get half way to the door, when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around to find Buffy there. She holds out her arms to me, and I return the gesture, the resulting hug being awkward both emotionally and physically due to the bump.

"Thanks," she says, quietly. I just nod.

*-*-*

I was surprised when I got the call. We'd been working flat out to find a way of getting them out of that place, but we'd come up with exactly nothing of use. Getting transport to the area was simple in comparison to the other possibilities we'd considered.

Xander came up with the ideal vehicle. He seems to have a knack of having friends who have friends who can lay their hands on just about anything. The van's not too unusual, I suppose, but it can hold our whole party without difficulty, and it has the advantage of four wheel drive in case the road doesn't seem like the best way back to town. Riley seems confident that all we need to do is be there, but I've got to say that just seems too easy.

Anya's been keeping an eye on the area anyway, but she hasn't been able to do much more, and her other duties mean she's been absent a lot of the time too.

It's obvious that Jacob and Rebecca won't be much help in the rescue, so I persuade them to get back to research. Anything, from either their world or ours, that gives us an advantage over whatever group has been masterminding the attacks on Dawn, is going to be needed.

We spend the little time we've got available stocking up on weapons and supplies for any magic Jenna and I might have to use. Between us we've got a pretty fair arsenal of possibilities, and I'm feeling quietly confident.

Riley's specified where we should wait, out of range of the local surveillance, and he's told us to listen for a small explosion. He hasn't told us any more about what he's got in mind. Well, we can do that. But we can do more. Once we're in position we can keep trying to trace Buffy. The place she's in seems to be heavily shielded, but, once she's outside …

In many respects, it's once she's outside that the problems really start. I contacted Dr. Chan. I don't know what's happened to Buffy while she's been held, but I know Buffy will want to be checked over as soon as possible. To my surprise, Dr. Chan has what seems like the ideal place for us to go to after we've got Buffy. I must remember to ask Anya if she knew Dr. Chan was so busy.