Chapter 18
"So what did you guys find out while we were gone?" asked Buffy.
Willow looked up at Buffy and Spike, his duster looked exactly that, dusty.
"You have some trouble while you were gone?" asked Willow.
Buffy frowned.
"No, why?" asked Buffy.
The others looked at them, noting their dishevelled appearance; Dawn had a knowing smirk on her face.
"Never mind, Dawn and I found out some stuff about W&H buying up Sunnydale, they managed to buy it only a matter of days after the 'freak earthquake' Well that was the mayor's official line on the disaster," said Willow.
"I've been called a lot of things in my time, but never a freak earthquake," said Spike.
"Oh very funny," said Buffy recalling what he'd once said about being called a champion.
"So did you hear from Angel at all?" asked Willow.
"Yeah, he got back to me, he's gonna help us, although not in person, seems his time is too full running his shiny new law firm, he says he is going to send some security related stuff to get us into the site so we can do a recon of the area from the inside, some of us will be posing as a team of inspectors from W&H, he could only drum up four security passes, without it looking suspicious," said Buffy.
"Let me guess, I won't be one of the four," said Dawn.
Buffy looked at her sister.
"You guessed right, but there's also the fact that you don't look old enough to be a lawyer type," said Buffy.
"Face it kid, you're just along for the ride, like me," said Andrew.
"I am not a kid," said Dawn angrily.
"Spike and I are going, Xander you have a knowledge of construction or whatever, it might help if we actually sound like we know what we are talking about, and Giles you look like a lawyer more than any of us, are you in?" asked Buffy.
"I'll take the lawyer remark as a compliment, I think," said Giles.
"Count me in," said Xander.
"Right that's sorted, I think we should get the vehicles off the road, don't want anyone asking questions as to why we are here," said Buffy.
"Well who's gonna tell Faith and Wood?" asked Dawn
All eyes turned to Andrew.
"Why do I always get the crappy jobs? I'll have you know that I was once part of an evil plan for global domination, that deserves a little respect," said Andrew.
They all groaned,
"Respect this," said Dawn as she threw a cushion at Andrew's head.
Giles shook his head, why did it sometimes feel like they were in a big playpen, with him as appointed babysitter. Spike appeared to be feeling the same way, if his expression was anything to go by, thought Giles. He had to admit to himself, that souled Spike had a much higher level of maturity that the unsouled version.
"I'll go tell them," said Spike.
He gave Buffy a quick kiss and got out of the RV.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike walked the few paces to the school bus; he listened carefully before banging on the doors. He didn't want to be the means of ruining their wedded bliss. It was several moments before any one came to answer; Faith pulled back the curtain, wrapped in nothing more than a sheet. She looked at Spike bleary eyed, before opening the doors.
"What can I do you for Spike?" she asked in her husky voice.
"Buffy needs you to move the bus off the main road, for all we know come daybreak this area could be swarming with W&H employees," said Spike.
Faith brushed her hair out of her face and sat down on the steps of the school bus.
"Now you've disappointed me, I thought you were here to at least suggest a threesome," she grinned at him.
Spike looked at her slightly shocked, he opened his mouth to speak.
"Got a smoke, I'm all out and there's not exactly a 711 around here," said Faith
"Sorry kinda quit," said Spike.
"Oh well, but nice to see you kept your biggest vice," said Faith.
Spike looked puzzled.
"B," she said.
Spike smiled fondly.
"Yeah she is a hard habit to break," said Spike.
The engine of the RV in front of them, fired into life.
"That's my cue to be getting back in the fold," sighed Spike.
"Not much fun touring with Buffy's nearest and dearest?" asked Faith.
"You could say that," said Spike.
He walked off and got back into the RV and Faith went to wake Robin.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was 6:00am, everyone was asleep except for Buffy and Spike; they were crouched down, partially concealed by a large Joshua tree.
"What exactly are we waiting for?" asked Spike.
"We'll know when it arrives, besides we have to be here to meet who or what ever, as our location that I gave to Angel has changed since we moved the vans," said Buffy.
They could both hear the distant approach of a vehicle, Buffy stepped out, but Spike pulled her back.
"Better not reveal ourselves before we know who it is," said Spike.
A Fed-Ex van came over the horizon, a cloud of dust billowing up behind it, it parked a few feet away from them. A large man got out of the van; he took his baseball cap off and scratched his head, looking in all directions.
"Buffy Summer?" he said hopefully to the empty road.
Buffy popped up from behind the tree.
"That would be me," she said awkwardly.
The deliveryman looked surprised, he hadn't really expected an answer, he'd had the thought in the back of his mind that this whole job was a wind up; it wouldn't be the first time. Any way he shrugged and went around to the back of the van, extracting a large box. Spike came from behind the tree at that moment; the guy raised his eyebrows at the new addition. He placed the package on the ground and hastily thrust the clipboard at Buffy to get her signature, eager to be off.
"Thanks, have a nice day," he said before scurrying off in his van and driving away as if chased by the hounds of hell.
"Think you kinda scared him," smiled Buffy, as she picked the box up off the ground.
"Probably thought we were gonna murder him or something, must have looked weird, us both popping up from behind a tree," chuckled Spike.
Buffy laughed seeing the funny side of it. They started back to the vehicles, Spike tried to take the box from her.
"Spike, this isn't the 1880's I think I can manage a box," said Buffy.
He looked hurt and she wished she had not uttered her thoughtless words. It was only his William side, surfacing as it sometimes did, but then his expression changed. He scooped her into his arms package and all.
"Spike!" she exclaimed as he hauled her into his arms,
He just grinned at her and carried on walking.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
By the time they got back to the van, nearly everyone else was awake; Dawn was in the kitchen cooking up breakfast. Andrew was still fast asleep. Buffy looked at her sister in surprise.
"Thought I'd give him a break, besides I have to have something to do in this hell on wheels," said Dawn.
Buffy put the box on the kitchen counter, Robin and Faith joined them a few minutes later. Faith eyed the box on the table.
"Hey did I miss someone's birthday?" asked Faith.
"Anyone got a knife?" asked Buffy.
Faith pulled an evil looking bowie knife from her back pocket and placed it on the table. Buffy looked at her.
"You gotta be prepared at all times B, you know that, besides it was a wedding gift," she said, smiling at Robin.
"Yeah, I know the way to my girl's heart," said Robin.
Faith smiled at him.
"So what's in the box?" asked Faith
"That's what I am trying to find out," said Buffy,
She unsheathed the knife and cut across the top of the box. There were four security passes as well as four lab style coats in a uninteresting grey as well as four red hard hats with the W&H logo on them.
"Grey is definatley not my colour," said Buffy.
She looked in the box again, there was a red shiny box in the bottom, covered with silver ribbons. Buffy took it out, looking at it puzzled.
"Guess it was someone's birthday after all," said Robin.
Dawn came over and looked into the big box.
"Oh look there's a card with it," she said picking it up.
"I believe that's for me," said Buffy taking it from her sister before she tried to open it.
"Something smells nice," said Xander.
"Open the box, for God's sake," said Giles, feeling less than happy, he'd never been a morning person.
Buffy pulled open the bright coloured box, inside was a large assortment of freshly baked cookies. Her face flushed bright red, she put them down on the table. And opened the envelope, she read the few lines that Angel had scribbled inside.
It read: Dear Buffy, hope these things have been some help to you, good luck with your mission. If you need any more assistance, just call, I hope you and Spike enjoy the cookies, they should still be warm. Take care of yourself, I wish you both happy, really I do, well you more than Spike maybe. ANGEL
Buffy handed the card to Spike, he read it and laughed wryly.
"What I don't get love, why cookies?" asked Spike.
"Never mind I'll explain it to you one day," said Buffy.
"Can we have some Buffy?" asked Dawn.
"Sure help yourselves," she shrugged.
Xander got himself two large double choc chip cookies, Andrew chose to awake at that moment, and he frowned at Xander.
"What about that low fat diet, I am trying to help you with?" asked Andrew.
Xander flushed.
"A couple of cookies won't kill me," said Xander.
"Yeah until you are that guy who got so fat, that when they wanted to get him out of his own home, they had to knock the wall down," said Andrew.
Dawn and Willow laughed, Xander suddenly didn't feel so hungry. He put the cookies backing the box.
"All the more for me," said Dawn.
"Right lets get breakfast over and head up toward Sunnydale," said Buffy.
"As you don't need my and Robin's help this morning, okay if we find a town where we can get some supplies, kinda running low," said Faith.
"Sure," said Buffy.
"Oh can I come with you?" asked Dawn.
"Any other takers?" asked Faith.
"I think I'll stay here," said Willow.
"I'll come," said Andrew.
"Fine, but you'd better behave yourself," said Faith
"Or you'll have me to deal with," said Robin, putting on his best School principle look.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An hour later, they were all ready to go their separate ways, Buffy had put her hair up under the red hard hat, and had donned the grey lab coat. Spike came out of the bathroom dressed the same.
"Anyone dare laugh," warned Spike
"I think you look great, but that's just me," said Buffy.
She leaned in to kiss him, they bumped hard hats before they even got close. Buffy giggled. They watched the school bus drive off, Willow sat at the table furiously tapping away at the keyboard of her laptop,
"You gonna be okay here on your own Will?" asked Buffy.
"I think the Goddess will be safe for a while," said Spike.
Giles emptied out his leather briefcase and filled it up with a few blank sheets of paper. He added a few smaller weapons for good measure. A small battle-axe and a couple of knives.
Xander joined them, dressed in an identical outfit.
"Let's mount up," said Xander, anxious to be on his way, it was just like old times and he was loving it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Half an hour later they were at the security gates of the place they once called home. Spike could feel Buffy's tension and fear, he squeezed her hand reassuringly. It was not fear of the mission, it was just the bad memories of what had happened here.
"It's okay Buffy, I am with you," said Spike
"Thanks," she said returning the pressure of his hand.
"Now let Giles and I do the talking, we are the brains of this operation," said Xander.
"Yeah right," said Spike sarcastically.
They came to the main gate, a security guard eyed them suspiciously.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
Giles adjusted his glasses.
"We're from the LA branch of W&H, Mr Angel asked us to oversee your progress here,," said Giles.
The security guard disappeared back inside his booth, returning with a clipboard. He went down the list of scheduled visitors, stopping at a name.
"Rupert Giles?" asked the guard.
"Yes that's me," he said
He went back to his booth, a buzzer sounded as the large steel gates slowly opened.
"If you go and wait over there, the site manager will be out to deal with you," said the guard.
They walked over to a small block of portable buildings.
"So far, so easy," said Xander, letting out a sigh of relief.
The roar of the diggers, made it difficult for normal conversation, they stood around and waited for several minutes. Finally a young man in an Armani suit came out of one of the makeshift buildings.
"Sorry to keep you, I'm John Richards, I was on the phone with Mr Angel, I will admit, I was surprised to hear of your visit, especially as this is project is being handled by our Reno branch, anyway do you want the full tour?" asked John.
"That's what we're here for," said Xander.
A vehicle came around the corner, it was a small open topped army style jeep, it stopped a few feet from them. He looked at their surprised faces.
"It's pretty big site, we can go on foot if you want, but it might take all day," said John.
"No this will be fine," said Buffy, getting in the vehicle,
Spike sat next to her, still silent.
"You okay?" asked Buffy, at his continued silence.
"Yeah, I think so," said Spike.
As they neared the crater, they were surprised to see it wasn't really a crater anymore, if anything W&H were efficient. They had managed to carve out rough dirt roads, so that they could get their digging equipment in. They had gone a way in, so far there had been very little to see. Buffy had at least expected to see broken remains of all the homes and lives that the hell mouth had taken with it. They came to a stop.
"Sorry this is the end of the road, it's an elevator ride the rest of the way down," said John.
TBC
"So what did you guys find out while we were gone?" asked Buffy.
Willow looked up at Buffy and Spike, his duster looked exactly that, dusty.
"You have some trouble while you were gone?" asked Willow.
Buffy frowned.
"No, why?" asked Buffy.
The others looked at them, noting their dishevelled appearance; Dawn had a knowing smirk on her face.
"Never mind, Dawn and I found out some stuff about W&H buying up Sunnydale, they managed to buy it only a matter of days after the 'freak earthquake' Well that was the mayor's official line on the disaster," said Willow.
"I've been called a lot of things in my time, but never a freak earthquake," said Spike.
"Oh very funny," said Buffy recalling what he'd once said about being called a champion.
"So did you hear from Angel at all?" asked Willow.
"Yeah, he got back to me, he's gonna help us, although not in person, seems his time is too full running his shiny new law firm, he says he is going to send some security related stuff to get us into the site so we can do a recon of the area from the inside, some of us will be posing as a team of inspectors from W&H, he could only drum up four security passes, without it looking suspicious," said Buffy.
"Let me guess, I won't be one of the four," said Dawn.
Buffy looked at her sister.
"You guessed right, but there's also the fact that you don't look old enough to be a lawyer type," said Buffy.
"Face it kid, you're just along for the ride, like me," said Andrew.
"I am not a kid," said Dawn angrily.
"Spike and I are going, Xander you have a knowledge of construction or whatever, it might help if we actually sound like we know what we are talking about, and Giles you look like a lawyer more than any of us, are you in?" asked Buffy.
"I'll take the lawyer remark as a compliment, I think," said Giles.
"Count me in," said Xander.
"Right that's sorted, I think we should get the vehicles off the road, don't want anyone asking questions as to why we are here," said Buffy.
"Well who's gonna tell Faith and Wood?" asked Dawn
All eyes turned to Andrew.
"Why do I always get the crappy jobs? I'll have you know that I was once part of an evil plan for global domination, that deserves a little respect," said Andrew.
They all groaned,
"Respect this," said Dawn as she threw a cushion at Andrew's head.
Giles shook his head, why did it sometimes feel like they were in a big playpen, with him as appointed babysitter. Spike appeared to be feeling the same way, if his expression was anything to go by, thought Giles. He had to admit to himself, that souled Spike had a much higher level of maturity that the unsouled version.
"I'll go tell them," said Spike.
He gave Buffy a quick kiss and got out of the RV.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike walked the few paces to the school bus; he listened carefully before banging on the doors. He didn't want to be the means of ruining their wedded bliss. It was several moments before any one came to answer; Faith pulled back the curtain, wrapped in nothing more than a sheet. She looked at Spike bleary eyed, before opening the doors.
"What can I do you for Spike?" she asked in her husky voice.
"Buffy needs you to move the bus off the main road, for all we know come daybreak this area could be swarming with W&H employees," said Spike.
Faith brushed her hair out of her face and sat down on the steps of the school bus.
"Now you've disappointed me, I thought you were here to at least suggest a threesome," she grinned at him.
Spike looked at her slightly shocked, he opened his mouth to speak.
"Got a smoke, I'm all out and there's not exactly a 711 around here," said Faith
"Sorry kinda quit," said Spike.
"Oh well, but nice to see you kept your biggest vice," said Faith.
Spike looked puzzled.
"B," she said.
Spike smiled fondly.
"Yeah she is a hard habit to break," said Spike.
The engine of the RV in front of them, fired into life.
"That's my cue to be getting back in the fold," sighed Spike.
"Not much fun touring with Buffy's nearest and dearest?" asked Faith.
"You could say that," said Spike.
He walked off and got back into the RV and Faith went to wake Robin.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was 6:00am, everyone was asleep except for Buffy and Spike; they were crouched down, partially concealed by a large Joshua tree.
"What exactly are we waiting for?" asked Spike.
"We'll know when it arrives, besides we have to be here to meet who or what ever, as our location that I gave to Angel has changed since we moved the vans," said Buffy.
They could both hear the distant approach of a vehicle, Buffy stepped out, but Spike pulled her back.
"Better not reveal ourselves before we know who it is," said Spike.
A Fed-Ex van came over the horizon, a cloud of dust billowing up behind it, it parked a few feet away from them. A large man got out of the van; he took his baseball cap off and scratched his head, looking in all directions.
"Buffy Summer?" he said hopefully to the empty road.
Buffy popped up from behind the tree.
"That would be me," she said awkwardly.
The deliveryman looked surprised, he hadn't really expected an answer, he'd had the thought in the back of his mind that this whole job was a wind up; it wouldn't be the first time. Any way he shrugged and went around to the back of the van, extracting a large box. Spike came from behind the tree at that moment; the guy raised his eyebrows at the new addition. He placed the package on the ground and hastily thrust the clipboard at Buffy to get her signature, eager to be off.
"Thanks, have a nice day," he said before scurrying off in his van and driving away as if chased by the hounds of hell.
"Think you kinda scared him," smiled Buffy, as she picked the box up off the ground.
"Probably thought we were gonna murder him or something, must have looked weird, us both popping up from behind a tree," chuckled Spike.
Buffy laughed seeing the funny side of it. They started back to the vehicles, Spike tried to take the box from her.
"Spike, this isn't the 1880's I think I can manage a box," said Buffy.
He looked hurt and she wished she had not uttered her thoughtless words. It was only his William side, surfacing as it sometimes did, but then his expression changed. He scooped her into his arms package and all.
"Spike!" she exclaimed as he hauled her into his arms,
He just grinned at her and carried on walking.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
By the time they got back to the van, nearly everyone else was awake; Dawn was in the kitchen cooking up breakfast. Andrew was still fast asleep. Buffy looked at her sister in surprise.
"Thought I'd give him a break, besides I have to have something to do in this hell on wheels," said Dawn.
Buffy put the box on the kitchen counter, Robin and Faith joined them a few minutes later. Faith eyed the box on the table.
"Hey did I miss someone's birthday?" asked Faith.
"Anyone got a knife?" asked Buffy.
Faith pulled an evil looking bowie knife from her back pocket and placed it on the table. Buffy looked at her.
"You gotta be prepared at all times B, you know that, besides it was a wedding gift," she said, smiling at Robin.
"Yeah, I know the way to my girl's heart," said Robin.
Faith smiled at him.
"So what's in the box?" asked Faith
"That's what I am trying to find out," said Buffy,
She unsheathed the knife and cut across the top of the box. There were four security passes as well as four lab style coats in a uninteresting grey as well as four red hard hats with the W&H logo on them.
"Grey is definatley not my colour," said Buffy.
She looked in the box again, there was a red shiny box in the bottom, covered with silver ribbons. Buffy took it out, looking at it puzzled.
"Guess it was someone's birthday after all," said Robin.
Dawn came over and looked into the big box.
"Oh look there's a card with it," she said picking it up.
"I believe that's for me," said Buffy taking it from her sister before she tried to open it.
"Something smells nice," said Xander.
"Open the box, for God's sake," said Giles, feeling less than happy, he'd never been a morning person.
Buffy pulled open the bright coloured box, inside was a large assortment of freshly baked cookies. Her face flushed bright red, she put them down on the table. And opened the envelope, she read the few lines that Angel had scribbled inside.
It read: Dear Buffy, hope these things have been some help to you, good luck with your mission. If you need any more assistance, just call, I hope you and Spike enjoy the cookies, they should still be warm. Take care of yourself, I wish you both happy, really I do, well you more than Spike maybe. ANGEL
Buffy handed the card to Spike, he read it and laughed wryly.
"What I don't get love, why cookies?" asked Spike.
"Never mind I'll explain it to you one day," said Buffy.
"Can we have some Buffy?" asked Dawn.
"Sure help yourselves," she shrugged.
Xander got himself two large double choc chip cookies, Andrew chose to awake at that moment, and he frowned at Xander.
"What about that low fat diet, I am trying to help you with?" asked Andrew.
Xander flushed.
"A couple of cookies won't kill me," said Xander.
"Yeah until you are that guy who got so fat, that when they wanted to get him out of his own home, they had to knock the wall down," said Andrew.
Dawn and Willow laughed, Xander suddenly didn't feel so hungry. He put the cookies backing the box.
"All the more for me," said Dawn.
"Right lets get breakfast over and head up toward Sunnydale," said Buffy.
"As you don't need my and Robin's help this morning, okay if we find a town where we can get some supplies, kinda running low," said Faith.
"Sure," said Buffy.
"Oh can I come with you?" asked Dawn.
"Any other takers?" asked Faith.
"I think I'll stay here," said Willow.
"I'll come," said Andrew.
"Fine, but you'd better behave yourself," said Faith
"Or you'll have me to deal with," said Robin, putting on his best School principle look.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An hour later, they were all ready to go their separate ways, Buffy had put her hair up under the red hard hat, and had donned the grey lab coat. Spike came out of the bathroom dressed the same.
"Anyone dare laugh," warned Spike
"I think you look great, but that's just me," said Buffy.
She leaned in to kiss him, they bumped hard hats before they even got close. Buffy giggled. They watched the school bus drive off, Willow sat at the table furiously tapping away at the keyboard of her laptop,
"You gonna be okay here on your own Will?" asked Buffy.
"I think the Goddess will be safe for a while," said Spike.
Giles emptied out his leather briefcase and filled it up with a few blank sheets of paper. He added a few smaller weapons for good measure. A small battle-axe and a couple of knives.
Xander joined them, dressed in an identical outfit.
"Let's mount up," said Xander, anxious to be on his way, it was just like old times and he was loving it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Half an hour later they were at the security gates of the place they once called home. Spike could feel Buffy's tension and fear, he squeezed her hand reassuringly. It was not fear of the mission, it was just the bad memories of what had happened here.
"It's okay Buffy, I am with you," said Spike
"Thanks," she said returning the pressure of his hand.
"Now let Giles and I do the talking, we are the brains of this operation," said Xander.
"Yeah right," said Spike sarcastically.
They came to the main gate, a security guard eyed them suspiciously.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
Giles adjusted his glasses.
"We're from the LA branch of W&H, Mr Angel asked us to oversee your progress here,," said Giles.
The security guard disappeared back inside his booth, returning with a clipboard. He went down the list of scheduled visitors, stopping at a name.
"Rupert Giles?" asked the guard.
"Yes that's me," he said
He went back to his booth, a buzzer sounded as the large steel gates slowly opened.
"If you go and wait over there, the site manager will be out to deal with you," said the guard.
They walked over to a small block of portable buildings.
"So far, so easy," said Xander, letting out a sigh of relief.
The roar of the diggers, made it difficult for normal conversation, they stood around and waited for several minutes. Finally a young man in an Armani suit came out of one of the makeshift buildings.
"Sorry to keep you, I'm John Richards, I was on the phone with Mr Angel, I will admit, I was surprised to hear of your visit, especially as this is project is being handled by our Reno branch, anyway do you want the full tour?" asked John.
"That's what we're here for," said Xander.
A vehicle came around the corner, it was a small open topped army style jeep, it stopped a few feet from them. He looked at their surprised faces.
"It's pretty big site, we can go on foot if you want, but it might take all day," said John.
"No this will be fine," said Buffy, getting in the vehicle,
Spike sat next to her, still silent.
"You okay?" asked Buffy, at his continued silence.
"Yeah, I think so," said Spike.
As they neared the crater, they were surprised to see it wasn't really a crater anymore, if anything W&H were efficient. They had managed to carve out rough dirt roads, so that they could get their digging equipment in. They had gone a way in, so far there had been very little to see. Buffy had at least expected to see broken remains of all the homes and lives that the hell mouth had taken with it. They came to a stop.
"Sorry this is the end of the road, it's an elevator ride the rest of the way down," said John.
TBC