Chapter 13 -Sunday Evening

Even at six o'clock, the sun was still up. Spike was awake and waiting on me, casually sitting cross-legged atop a granite bier.

So, get anywhere with demon-girl? he asked, his clever eyes gleaming with humor. I could feel a blush rise in my face.

Yeah, somewhere, I guess. She says she'll work with us, but I think she's got her own agenda. She's really got some kinda mad-on about Giles.

He nodded and bounced to his feet from his dusty perch. A'right then, He said, slinging a companiable arm around my shoulders, Let's go.

But it's still daylight, I said,How can we leave when you're so...flammable.

He chuckled and made a flying leap for the shadows outside the door, into the open door of the DeSoto. Then I noticed that the windows had beed spray-painted dead black.
My car! You painted my car! He ignored my rant and turned on the ignition.

You coming, Harris, or are you going to hang out here all day?

I got in and slammed the door, You take far too much for granted.

he smirked, Eeeevil, remember?

I finally answered his grin with one of my own.


Sometime later, we found ourselves back at 1630 Revello Drive. The more I thought about the situation, the more I wish some big old box of tricks would fall out of the sky and solve all my problems. It just didn't seem likely that me, one vampire and his gang and a girl, no matter how powerful had much of a chance. Even if Anyanka threw in with us, I wasn't sure I could trust her. Look where that got Oz.
Spike was slung sideways in a big comfy chair in Buffy's living room flipping through an old issue of . He looked very much at home, like someone's naughty brother, playful and lighthearted. Like nothing bothered him.

Oi, Harris. Check out this article! Says here they're going to remake The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. I'd like to be AngelEyes, cept they'd have to change the name. Maybe DevilEyes. Or Spike, heh.

He kept on babbling, juggling a lit cigarette in one hand deftly. I wondered if all vampires were like him---playing with fire and the sun, flirting with the very things that would destroy them. I heard a faint sound from the upstairs and looked up from my gloomy station near the front windows.
Buffy was coming down the stairs with a frail brunette girl clutched close to her side. The younger one looked about seventeen or so, dressed in a cream-colored sweater and blue jeans. Her hair was long and straight, but dull. Like she'd been sick for a long time.

This is my sister, Dawn, she told me softly. Dawn didn't look quite... right. She had a kind of spacey, doped-up look. Spike gave me a fierce glare, so I kept my trap shut. I had to wonder why she was dragging this poor kid along with us.
The girl ran to Spike and flung herself into his arms like a tiny child. He patted her head and held her hands, whispering nonsense to her in a soft, patient voice. Buffy came over imperiously, her eyes daring me to mention the sister.

Mr. Harris, we need to talk. She drew me into the kitchen. Will you take orders from me? No matter what?

I want to live and I'll do whatever it takes. I'm your man, Mrs. Giles. She grimaced at that.

Call me Buffy.

Okay, Buffy. All I want is to make sure Giles pays for what he did to my partner.

Then we agree about that. He will pay. Her severe eyes looked into the other room where her sister still shivered in the vampire's embrace. The harsh lines of her face softened.

Look, Buffy, It's none of my business, I said, But, can you really trust him?

She looked back at me and I saw worlds of pain in her eyes. My sister isn't human, really, anymore than I guess I am. She's a Key, a kind of dimensional prybar. Created by some mysterious force and sent to me for safekeeping. But she's my sister, now. 01 The thing is, she was... hurt by a Hellgoddess who tried to use her blood to open a portal. She's been different since then.

She poured out three glasses of juice and one of what was no doubt blood and placed them on a wooden tray. She indicated the vampire, He's been watching overf her ever since. Now I'm afraid Giles may want to use Dawn in this ritual.

The Scroll of Chaos?

She nodded. I'll never allow that to happen. She is my sister and I love her. She's the only thing I care about. The only reason I'm getting involved in this showdown with Giles.

I felt for her, I really did. She stared out the window into the gathering darkness, then shook off the sadness that was engulfing her. What about Anyanka? Can she be trusted?

Best I can tell, she really wants Giles dead, but, I looked out to see Dawn and Spike looking at pictures in the magazine, she is a demon, too.

You'll have to handle her. Spike and I can take care of Dawn. We'll have to find some way to get a grip on Willow.

Willow's powerful.

I can handle it.

Just then we heard Dawn crying, big racking sobs. What is it? We ran into the other room. Dawn was huddled in the floor and Spike had one arm around her. Buffy knelt down and pulled him away from the girl. What's wrong?

She heard you talking. You said Willow and she said something--a name--Terra or Tara, he told her, looking up into her alarmed face.

Tara? What does that have to do with WIllow?

Spike looked up into her eyes. I don't know, but I think it's important.

tbc