Chapter 10: Tabula Rasa Part 3

Willow and Xander appeared in the room again. They quickly explained that they'd found a trap door in the basement, and Anya took on an excited look.

"Let's go then," she said. The group moved toward the basement door as the window shattered and the door flew open with a loud bang. Clearly not having a clue what to do, the terrified group backed into the front corner of the shop. Xander comically fell to his knees and began to pray to the ceiling.

"Now I'm not sure what I am, so bear with me here, okay? Um, Now I lay me down to sleep... Shema Israel...uh, Ohm, Ohm."

One of the violent monsters roughly shoved Spike against the wall.

"You owe us," he spat. Spike quickly reached into his pocket and tossed the handful of stakes to the floor at the vampire's feet.

"Fine. Take your damn spikes!" He looked shocked for a moment.

"Don't be stupid." The other vampire grabbed Buffy from behind, holding her in the air. She wriggled frantically, kicking her legs out.

"Let go 'a me, you son of a -" The rest of her demand was cut off when the vamp clamped a hand over her mouth.

"I said, you owe us," the vampire repeated to Spike.

"Who, me?"

"You got the boss's kittens." The statement caused Spike to stare incredulously at the demon that had him pinned to the Magic shop's wall.

"Kittens?" he repeated.

Buffy's teeth sunk into her captor's hand and he cursed before she kicked him in the groin. He automatically dropped the tiny woman. The vampire dealing with Spike had evidently become fed up and attempted to attack. Buffy instinctively grabbed a stake.

"Stay away from Randy!" she yelled, plunging the wooden stick into the vamp's chest. Her expression was shocked when he turned to dust and poofed onto the floor.

"Whoa," Dawn exclaimed.

"What did you just do?" Willow asked.

"I don't know." She grinned. "But it was cool." The remaining vampire leapt out the broken window. Spike moved to the front door, sliding the security gate across the window to prevent another attack. Then he turned back to Buffy, protectively sliding his arm around his 'fiancée's' waist.

"You okay, love?" he asked tenderly. Andie and April's amused smirks went unnoticed. Buffy ignored him, still in awe of her own strength.

"I think I know why Joan's the boss. I'm like a super hero or something." Spike grinned proudly and hugged her closer. "Mmm. You smell nice, Randy."

"I've got a plan," Andie interrupted, eager for the 'episode' to continue.

"All ears," Xander said.

"They seem to want Randy. And Joan seems to be pretty strong. Wicked strong. So, while you all go through the sewer and find the hospital, Randy and Joan'll give the monsters a run for their money." April gaped at her. Acting was fun.

"That's your plan?" she asked.

"Yes, Jan." April shrugged.

"Right."

"I'm not leaving the shop," Anya insisted. "I need to protect the cash register and... do spells."

"Perhaps magic can help us. It's worth a shot," Giles agreed.

"Alright. You two work on that then. We gotta go. Ready Randy?" Buffy asked. He nodded, aware of the danger.

"Ready Joan," Spike assured. This earned snorts from Andie and April. He frowned at them. "You two okay?"

"Yeah, we're good." Buffy and Spike then headed for the door, but were stopped by an inquiry from Giles.

"Son?" he said to Spike. He turned. "Come here please." He embraced Spike, who stiffened uncomfortably and they clapped each other on the back.

"Right," Spike muttered when he pulled away.

"Good then," Giles mumbled softly.

Spike and Buffy threw open the door and ran straight into the waiting pack of vampires. Catching the four vampires off guard, Buffy and Spike were able to get by them. But not for long, the vampires gave chase. Teeth (A/N: That's the shark demon) watched as they ran, taking a drag from his cigarette. Within a few seconds, the gang was upon Spike and Buffy. One of the vampires grabbed Spike. "Randy!" Buffy yelled. Spike threw a punch at the vamp and as he did, he accidentally morphed into vampface. The vamp went flying, totally airborne. Spike turned to Buffy, delighted at his unexpected display of super strength. "Hey! I'm a superhero, too!" Buffy spotted Spike's vamped-out state. She froze for a stunned second at discovering her fiancé was in fact a demon -- then quickly turned and took off running. Spike looked very confused. "Joan! Where ya goin'?" Spike fought the four vampires. He threw a few punches, then, he grabbed two of them, and slammed them together; their skulls colliding audibly. He tossed them at the remaining two vamps, knocking the whole snarling mess to the ground. Spike took off running after Buffy. "Hey Joan, wait up!"