Savage the Hunt

Disclaimer: Joss owns Btvs

A/N: Hi all. Sorry for the delay. Thank you for the reviews. Now I know I've made some of you upset with how Spike's dealing with this but… I really didn't want Spike being all rational and sane about this. I think it's true to the character. Not to say he's gonna continue on like this in the fic cuz he's so not. But to have Spike just accept things so soon wouldn't be much of a story now would it? I'm going to make sure Spike comes to realize just how wrong he is at approaching things like this. And yes I do hear your suggestions. I put some one into the story special just for you Imzadi. I'll be getting to how everyone's connected to the Savages' in the next few chapters. But rest assured Spike won't be an ass for the entire fic so don't get discouraged. Enjoy. Skyz.

~*~

Chapter Five-

There were a number of reasons why Ethan Savage did things himself. He didn't trust that others would understand the importance of what he asked of them. No one who didn't have a personal connection to Buffy's disappearance could understand what he or his sons were feeling. When he had assured William that he would take care of the police he knew no one would do it but him.

Tia and Rafe were two tenacious people and wouldn't stop until they'd proved that William had indeed killed Buffy and disposed of her body. It hadn't been as non stop as it had been in the past, but the police always made their presence felt. They were always watching, seeing if they could get a glimpse of William at a weak moment. Finally find the evidence of his dirty secret.

Ethan knew all about dirty secrets, it was no secret that he'd done what he had to in order to gain the power and position he now held. He'd stepped on a lot of people to achieve his success and enemies lined up at the gates to get to him.

He still to this day felt a sense of guilt for what happened to William and Buffy. It was hard to say whether he was the cause of this mess or if one of William's enemies had come after him. All the same it ate at Ethan the knowledge that his past sins would haunt him and his family until the day he died.

Ethan rested his forearms on the Formica table top and gave the pretty waitress a charming smile; she took his order of a cup of coffee black with cream, no sugar. He let his eyes scan the diner and knew with a glance at his watch his appointments for the day would run over since the person he was meeting was late. Tapping his fingers in a loose rhythm he wondered again if this was the right way.

He knew that if William ever learned of this he would no doubt be beyond angry. The boy did have a temper on him, he mused with a shake of his head. He would rant and rave and scream and finally, without a scrape of dignity, accept the help. All he would get from William would be a very reluctant thank you.

His coffee arrived and he took a sip and let the low buzz of activity and conversation wash over him.

"Excuse me, Mr. Savage?"

Glancing up he gave a slight nod and slid from his stool at the counter.

"Let's take a seat," he suggested and strode to an empty booth and took a seat. He waited for his companion to do the same.

"I'm sorry I was late," came the contrite apology. "I ran into traffic."

Ethan merely inclined his head and studied the woman across from him.

"Your name was suggested to me and I wasn't quite sure you would be up to this task, after all I've heard about your past…" he let his voice trail off and his words linger between them for a moment. He knew in polite society that peoples notorious past activities remained unspoken. But he'd never been one for civility or polite politically correctness. He cut through the hassle of small talk and clamped his teeth into the real issues.

He watched her blush whether in shame or embarrassment he wasn't certain. A small sense of satisfaction filled him; he now knew he had the power to play with her emotions. It was always wise to know what weapon was needed to wield power over an opponent.

Kate Lockley was no different.

"I've no doubt you know all about my past," Kate stated stiffly unwilling to let him get to her any more. "While I can't escape it I have successfully moved on from it. That period in my life…is over."

Ethan leaned back and nodded.

"So you aren't still involved with Angel O'Connor?" he asked curiously already knowing the answer, but wanting to hear it from her lips. He wanted to see how she would react to Angel's name. The man had played a big part in her life falling apart. Not directly responsible but still…

Kate clenched her jaw and met his eyes.

"What the hell are you playing at here Savage?" she demanded angrily. "You wanna play games then I'm out of here. I won't put up with your-"

"Forgive me," Ethan murmured quickly. "I'm sorry. I'm used to dealing with cut throats. I'm not one to give into to civility or even politeness. I strike before I can be struck down. You're very good. You've rebuilt your reputation and I respect that. I know it must have been quite trying at times with all the speculation… I shouldn't have brought it up, but I had to see if you could cope with me mentioning it."

Finishing he waited for her to speak. It was as much as she would get from him. He played his games as much as anyone, but he didn't want to push her so far away that she wouldn't do as he asked.

"What do you want? You made it sound rather urgent on the phone," Kate stated as she let her tense muscles relax slightly. She wasn't sure going toe to toe with Ethan was wise. As he'd said before he was used to going at it with the cut throats of the business world and she handled lowlife's. Now that she thought about it there wasn't much of a difference between them…

"You've worked on the police force. You know their methods and I'm sure you know Tia Fletcher and Rafe Trouville quite well. At the moment they're-"

"The lead detectives on your son's case. The son who allegedly killed his wife. Well, I certainly wasn't expecting a gossip session with you Savage. That is what you want isn't it? To know all the deep dark secrets of Tia and Rafe?" Kate asked with a thoughtful look on her face.

Ethan smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"That's not it at all. In fact I know all there is to know about those two. But you see as much as I know, it still doesn't help that they're hell bent on getting my son sent to prison. I have found their detecting skills wanting, and have come to the grave conclusion I must do this on my own. This is where you come in Ms. Lockley. There are certain facts and things I want you to look into. But before I discuss this I need to know whether or not you're interested."

Kate Lockley didn't have much in life besides work. Her last attempt at a relationship had failed miserably and brought about the end of her career as a police officer. She didn't like to think back to that time, a time where she'd felt as if she were losing her mind. If she thought about it then she'd see her colleagues' wary and distrustful faces, the whispers that had followed her around, the cold unflinching stares…

She shuddered just thinking back to that time in her life.

"I'm a private investigator and have no friends on the force left," she spoke lowly cringing internally at her words. Once she'd thought she had the best friends in the world, who worked beside her day in day out. How wrong she'd been.

"Friends? Who said anything about friends? I'll tell you something Kate, may I call you Kate?" at her small nod he continued, "Friends are overrated. Look at me. I've built myself an empire; I came from nothing and am now one of the richest men in the world. Do you think I have any friends? Truth is I don't, but do I care? No. Why? Because I can buy anything and anyone I want. Besides I've yet to find anyone strong or loyal enough to brace the gates and stand by me. Now my sons, they've got friends, great friends. Loyal friends. What I'm saying here is that what I want you to do has nothing to do with friends or the lack thereof. Bloody hell if you accept my offer you'll have money enough to buy new friends!"

Kate frowned at him and tried to decipher his meaning. She didn't regret having no friends on the force, because not one of her so called friends had stuck by her in her time of need. She didn't need them. But money wasn't something she was after either, and she didn't want to buy friends. She liked her life as it was and was content helping people. He had to give her something more to make her take his case on.

"Why should I help you? Money isn't a motivator for me. It never has been and never will be Savage. I want justice, I fight for justice in my small way, and I want a good reason why I should help you."

Ethan leaned forward.

"My son is innocent," he stated fiercely. "You know what it's like to be labeled and blasted by the media as something you're not. He's been through a rough time and I'll be damned if those bloody detectives try and pin Buffy's death on him. Not when she's alive and living ninety miles south."

Kate's eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me?" she asked shaking her head, wondering if she had heard correctly.

"Say you'll take this case and I'll explain everything to you," Ethan answered immediately.

Kate hesitated a moment. Wondered what she was getting herself into even as she nodded.

"I'll take the case," she told him with a small worried frown.

Ethan nodded.

"Shall we shake on it?"

Hesitatingly Kate brought forth her hand and Ethan enveloped it in his own.

~*~

Spike ignored Gunn.

"I want those hospital records on her. I want to know everything there is to know about her diagnosis. I want files on her husband too. What's his name? I have to call Dad. I need to get his opinion on how I should do this."

"Don't you think it's wrong Spike? Taking her from the only thing she's known in the past three years?" Gunn asked as Spike wandered to the phone.

"Don't you think it's wrong she was taken from me in the first place? That she has children by some other man? That I've spent the past three years wondering if she were dead or alive? Wrong and right don't have a say in this. I can't think about that or I won't be able to go through with this. And I need her back. I'll get her anyway I can," he vowed.

"What? What did you say his name was?" Spike called out a few moments later to Gunn as he spoke to his father.

"Carlton Perkins. A computer software expert, he's been out of town recently," Gunn called out as he dialed up Willow who was going to help him hack into Sunnydale's hospital records.

"You get that Dad? Yeah, I know what a bloody ridiculous name. Carlton Perkins, bloody bastard. I told you I was going to stay here for awhile and I meant it. What's the situation in L.A.?"

Ethan sighed on the other end of the phone and ran a hand through his hair. Kate didn't even try to pretend she wasn't listening as she gazed at him from across the table.

"The police are looking into things and I'll deal with them as I promised. William I want you to understand what you're getting yourself into there. I've the feeling this is dangerous, and if something were to happen to Buffy because you've come to investigate…You'd never forgive yourself."

"I can't wait that long. I know you're skeptical but I feel it. I know I can make her remember, and once she does I'll finally know what happened to her. I'll be able to make whoever did this to us pay."

Ethan gave a humorless laugh.

"You've never been quite this ruthless before William. I'm not sure I like it."

Spike grimaced.

"Well that's what having your wife stolen will do to a fellow. I'm sorry you don't agree with my way of handling things but…I've waited three years and one minute more is too much. Thanks for checking out this Carlton Perkins for me Dad. I'll speak to you later. Goodbye," disconnecting Spike tossed the cell onto his bed and grabbed his jacket.

"Where're you going?" Gunn asked as he lifted his head from his lap top.

"Out. I'll be back," Spike told him as he hurried out of his motel room.

Taking his keys from his coat pocket he headed for his rental. As he slipped into the compact, he mused that he really needed to have his own car dropped off down here. Driving around in this thing wasn't something he fancied doing for a long while. Starting the car he pulled out of the motel parking lot, and headed for Main Street.

He cruised down Revello Drive and studied the house he'd purchased so he could hire Buffy. It was a nice enough house, for a modest middle class family. He'd seen the way Buffy had looked as she'd been led through the house. Wistful and wary. She wanted a house like that, he thought with a slight frown. This wasn't surprising because she'd grown up in a house similar in the suburbs.

He cruised past stores as he returned back the way he'd come, headed for the richer side of Sunnydale.

His thoughts drifted to the boy who'd been with her.

Andrew…

He recalled speaking to him earlier in the week and hadn't been surprised when he'd met the boy either. He was gay and happy and happened to be his wife's bestfriend. He shook his head at that thought. He'd never pictured Buffy friends with such a boy, but then he reckoned this new Buffy wasn't anything like his wife. He would have to see for himself and gauge how much she'd changed in the years. He was certain though that some things just couldn't be forgotten.

He hadn't missed the way she'd reacted to him.

Their attraction to one another wasn't something that had been lost along with her memories, and he was extremely glad for that. In fact he'd use it and enjoy it. She wanted him and she may not know it, but she'd given him the clue to get close to her.

He slowed his car as he reached Trinton Ave and his eyes swept up the large apartment building on the corner. Sunnydale Commons was the most expensive and luxurious apartments the town had to offer. There was one penthouse apartment that took up the entire top two floors, and the rest were large spacious condos. It just so happened Spike had, just this afternoon purchased after much persuasion, the penthouse suite.

A grin emerged as he studied the building.

It was one thing to have her working for him at the house on Revello, but another to have her within touching distance. With the plan he had, the penthouse was just what he needed to insinuate himself into her life.

Rolling down his window he lit a cigarette and watched the building.

He was confident soon he would have his wife back.

Very soon…

~*~

Tapping her fingers in time with her thoughts Lilah Morgan-Savage rested comfortable in her plush chair behind her large glass desk. Her eyes were distant as they looked out the L.A. skyline that was barely discernable through the haze. It wasn't often she allowed herself time to think and reflect on things. Her job was one that instincts went hand in hand with the law. She didn't have the luxury of thinking things through.

But today… Well today was certainly different wasn't it? It wasn't everyday your suspected murderer sister-in-law came up alive and well. And having no memory of her past life. Never had to remember her mistakes, regrets, would never remember her childhood. It was a sobering thought. She couldn't imagine not knowing who she was, how she'd gotten to be the person she was today.

With an abrupt sigh she stilled her fingers and swiveled her chair all the way around to fac e her desk.

Her eyes flickered to the man sprawled on her couch.

"Talk to me," she ordered running a hand through her hair. She tried to shake off lingering thoughts of discomfort. She couldn't dwell on what was happening with Buffy and still do her job.

"About what? We both know the only thing worth talking about is something we don't want to talk about," Lindsey muttered as he draped an arm over his eyes. He pointed his Gucci clad feet forward as he threw his legs over the arm of the couch. Relaxed he didn't feel like moving much less talking. He was tired. Exhausted and he knew he wasn't the only one who hadn't slept these past few days.

"Listen. We've got to discuss the Barrington case Linds. I'm here to work and I suggest that's what we talk about," she told him sharply, more sharply than she'd intended.

It was a wonder she could even remain civil, because the way she was feeling, all she wanted to do was get rid of the ball of restless anger in the pit of her stomach. She'd had it ever since she'd learned Buffy was alive.

"Go ahead. I'm all ears."

She gritted her teeth at Lindsey's easy response. He hardly ever got rattled, she thought resentfully.

Reaching out she grabbed the Barrington file off her desk and flicked it open. Her eyes scanned the papers and saw nothing. Her mind was drifting once more. It wouldn't have mattered so much if Buffy had left Spike, she mused. Just left and filed for a divorce. And disappeared afterwards.

But it hadn't happened like that. Buffy and Spike were one of the happiest couples she'd ever seen. Not to say they were always happy, no they weren't, they had problems like any other couple. They fought like cats and dogs. But underneath their combative attitudes there had always been love. She'd scorned it when she'd first seen it. Love to her back then hadn't meant a thing. It was something men said to get into your pants, and something she said to get what she wanted from a man.

That's why the news they'd gotten two days ago was so upsetting. Wasn't it enough that Buffy had been missing for the past three years? But add the fact that she had no memory was a harsh and cruel thing. She couldn't even begin to grasp what Spike was feeling.

She shuddered lightly.

"Stop. I can hear you thinking Lilah, it's making my head hurt. I-"Lindsey began disgruntled.

Lilah's door was shoved open and Lindsey cut himself off abruptly and swung his legs over to rest on the ground. Lilah tossed the file back onto her desk, and regarded the man who'd so rudely barged into her office.

"What do you want Gavin?" she asked coolly sitting up straighter.

Gavin's smile was sly as his gaze flickered to Lilah then rested on Lindsey.

"I just came to talk," he told them as he took a seat in one of the chairs that faced Lilah's desk. He crossed his leg and rested his ankle on his knee. He gave the vibes of someone who was extremely smug with himself.

"Well talk," Lindsey said impatiently. He couldn't stand the little ass kisser, and didn't have Lilah's penchant for amusement where Gavin was concerned. He glared openly at the smaller man.

"Yes Gavin talk to us. What's on your mind?" Lilah asked amusement sprinkling her words.

Gavin remained silent for a moment longer.

"I hear things you know," he told them. "Interesting things. Things I'm not supposed to hear. In fact I heard just yesterday a conversation between certain-"

"Cut to the chase. I don't have all day for your games Gavin," Lilah snapped as she rose from her chair.

Gavin rose too.

Reluctantly Lindsey stood as well and stepped so he was at Lilah's side, presenting a united front.

"If you'd join me for lunch I'd like to talk," Gavin stated all cockiness cast aside as he met Lilah's gaze, his face earnest and serious.

Lilah weighed her schedule and reluctantly she shook her head. She wasn't sure what Gavin had to share, but she wouldn't be able to hear it today. She was booked solid all afternoon with appointments.

"I can't today Gavin," she told him as she headed for the door.

Gavin followed behind and Lindsey took up the rear.

"I figured you'd say that," Gavin mused as he brushed past Lilah bumping into her as he went. "Forget it," he snapped as he strode quickly away.

"What was that about?" Lindsey asked curiously.

Lilah gave a shrug and thrust her hands into her suit's pockets looking for her palm pilot. Her hands folded around a small mini disc and she frowned. She knew it hadn't been there before, and her mind immediately flashed to Gavin bumping into her. Her frown grew deeper as she wondered what he'd put in her pocket and why.

"Let's go. We've got the Carson meeting in ten Lilah," Lindsey stated all business as he straightened his tie and smoothed his shirt front.

Lilah's fingers clenched on the disc and she shook her head. Whatever it was could wait, she thought. She had a job to do after all, and couldn't worry about Gavin's odd behavior.

"I'm coming," she muttered and followed Lindsey.