Chapter 2

What's going on over there? Spike heard the struggle and ran over to find half a dozen fang-boys attacking the Slayer. What's more, she was bleeding. He could smell her blood all around him. Now he was mad. How dare they attack MY Slayer. He took a running start and leapt into the fray.

He easily dusted two within seconds. There go two more. Suddenly, he found some energy that he never knew he possessed. He was faster and quicker than the enemy, his fellow vampires. Only two left now.—Oops, make that one.

The last vampire stood over the now unconscious Slayer holding the bloody knife, oblivious to the fighting around him. He leaned over to gut her in the stomach when he was pounced on. The knife missed its target and only lightly grazed the skin on her left side instead.

The vampire flipped his attacker off of his back and whipped around only to come face-to-face with one very ticked-off blonde vampire. He looked him up and down, taking in his clothing and appearance, then snorted.

"Sorry. This kill is mine. I worked too hard for this to give her up to a wannabe master."

"Wannabe? Sorry, Mate. I AM the Master." Pretending to think about it. "For that, you die."

"I know who she is. I WILL kill the Slayer. She's almost there now. Just let me finish her off, then I'll fight you."

The vampire turns back to Buffy and picks the knife back up. His biggest mistake being that he turned his back on the enemy. His second biggest being that the move was made to injure said enemy's love interest. Before he can do anything, Spike kicks the knife from his hand, which goes flying into a near-by bush, and produces a stake. His eyes flash a brighter gold.

"Sorry, mate. She's mine. NO ONE kills MY Slayer. NO ONE! Understood?"

The vampire nods in understanding, suddenly afraid for his un-life.

"That's not good enough."

Spike stakes him in one swift movement and, not even waiting for the dust to settle, runs over to Buffy.

"Come on Slayer. Don't die on me now. You can't leave after just a few little scrapes. Don't let that poofer be right."

He checks for a pulse. After finding a very faint one, he sighs relieved. But not for long. She won't stay that way unless I get her patched up. And quick. Then he stands and lifts her up. She was surprisingly light for all the strength and power she held. He couldn't help but like the feel of her in his arms, but he had to concentrate on keeping her alive. No time for his imagination to wander.

"Come on, pet. Let's go."

Now, where to take her. He can't go to Giles, he'll think that it was all Spike's fault. If only he got there sooner, maybe he could have stopped it before it started. No, don't think like that. There was nothing you could have done differently. Stop blaming yourself. Now, where to take her? Not her precious Scoobies, they can't help with anything. Her pulse starts to fade more. Get a grip Spike. Just get her inside. Then worry about what to do. That left his crypt. Besides it was the closest place and she needed to be bandaged. So off they went. Vampire and Slayer.