A/N I really want to thank everyone who has reviewed the story so far, you
have kept me going and helped me to write faster too!
Chapter 20
When Buffy and Spike and Giles and Xander arrived back at the parked vehicles, they were greeted by Faith, who was leaning against the RV, dragging on cigarette.
"Took ya time didn't you, so how did your little field trip go?" Asked Faith.
"Really don't want to talk about it right now," said Buffy.
Buffy and Giles and Xander got back in the RV, but Spike hung back. He looked at Faith's cigarette.
"Got a spare one of those?" He asked.
"Thought you'd quit," she said, handing him one.
"Yeah, well I guess old habits really do die hard," said Spike, lighting up a smoke with his newly returned lighter.
Faith looked at Spike, still wearing the W&H hardhat and grey overall, she smirked.
"Now there's a new look for you," she grinned.
"I appreciate the humour Faith, but it's been a bit of a bad day all round," said Spike.
"Why don't you tell me about it, dammit I am starting to sound like B, never mind, if you wanna talk it out," she offered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Xander was lying on one of the beds, staring at the walls of the van. Willow sat next to him, stroking his hair.
"If there's anything you need Xander?" she asked.
"A little time alone, but thanks for the offer, or as much alone time as one can get in this thing," he replied.
Willow kissed him on the cheek and got up from the bed to join the others. She sighed sadly, he hadn't been this down in a while, and Buffy had told her what had happened at the site, it must have reopened all Xander's wounds where Anya was concerned.
"Is he okay?" asked Dawn.
"I think so he just needs a little time," said Willow.
"Speaking of time, we need to get everyone together to plan how we are going to get the amulet back," said Buffy.
"Fine, I'll go get that missing wife of mine," said Robin.
"Oh, she's outside talking to Spike," Giles informed him.
Buffy didn't miss the tightening of Robin's lips. It must be hard for him, having to see the instrument of his mother's death like this, even if Spike was no longer the mindless demon that had slaughtered her. But at least there was an unspoken truce between them, which right now, was better than nothing. Robin, Spike and Faith returned moments later.
"What about Xander?" asked Andrew.
They all looked over to where Xander was lying down.
"Leave the poor bugger, he's asleep, he could do with the rest," said Spike.
"Right, so that you are all up to speed, we have located, or should I say, Spike has located the resting place of the amulet," said Buffy.
"Well why didn't you bring it back with you?" asked Dawn.
"It was buried in a solid dirt wall," said Buffy.
"Oh," said Dawn.
"How did you find it?" Andrew asked Spike interestedly.
Buffy answered before Spike had a chance.
"He sensed it," said Buffy.
"Cool, like the ring, in Lord of the Rings, precious," said Andrew trying to do his best Gollum impression, and failing badly.
"Yes, well moving swiftly along," said Giles.
"The plan is simple, they have the amulet, and we need it, so tonight we breech the perimeter fence and go and get it," said Buffy.
"All of us?" asked Dawn, hopefully.
Buffy looked at her sister, as if seeing her for the first time in a really long time. It suddenly occurred to her, what Dawn had been trying to tell her forever. She was no longer a child, but a young woman, a sometimes annoying young woman granted, but one all the same. Buffy smiled at her sister.
"Everyone, even you Andrew, I am sorry I can't go into one of my motivational speeches right now, kinda run out of those, but I need everyone's help for this plan to be a success," said Buffy, looking around the room at all their faces.
She took the silence as their agreement. After the disaster, while Faith had reined slayer supreme, it had taught them all valuable lessons, as much as they hadn't liked it at the time. Buffy really was a born leader, even if at times she didn't wish it so herself. Andrew looked utterly contented, he was going to be allowed to tag along, even if he did end up with a lot of the unpleasant jobs, it was still an improvement on being left behind.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy and Spike walked along the road, the sun was setting. The fading light shed an orange glow on everything, if only they didn't have this night to get through, it would have been the perfect romantic setting. Spike had suggested they go for this walk together, he knew Buffy well enough to know when she needed a time out. He'd literally had to drag her out of the RV, but she'd seen things his way in the end.
Buffy sighed, looking up into Spike's face.
"I have to admit, this is one of your better ideas," said Buffy.
Spike stopped walking, and took Buffy in his arms.
"Ah, but why do you think I had it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She loved it when he looked at her like that, His eyes travelled up her body, the tip of his tongue poking out of his mouth. She leaned into kiss him, capturing his tongue, gently between her teeth, before allowing it entry to her mouth. Their passion fired out of control as it always did when they touched, but there was a new kind of desperation to their touch. The fear that the next time they made love would be the last time. Something neither of them wanted to voice, Buffy unbuttoned his navy blue shirt, placing her hand on his chest, forgetting the raw wound on its surface. Spike drew back and hissed in pain.
"Oh Spike I'm sorry, I forgot," said Buffy.
"It's alright, it's just a bit tender, feels like half a gallon of holy water got tipped on me," said Spike.
"Maybe we'd better stop," said Buffy.
"Well I might still be able to manage it, if you were on top," he grinned.
"Your wish is my command," she giggled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was midnight; the 'gang' for want of a better word were assembled in the darkness of the RV. Their only source of light was cast by the moonlight
"Now is everyone clear on what they have to do?" asked Giles.
"We're only gonna get past a few guards, it's not exactly the first is it," said Faith.
"No, but that sign they have up, 'Trespassers will be dealt with" hardly inspires confidence, does it," asked Spike.
"We have to remember W&H are powerful and they dabble in who knows what," warned Buffy.
Andrew looked nervous.
"We are taking weapons right?" asked Andrew.
"Sure, Faith and I have a few kicking around, we might lend you one if you ask nicely " said Robin.
"Take no notice Andrew, he's just playing with ya," grinned Faith.
"Let's be on our merry way then," said Spike
Xander and Willow smiled at each other; they were both the last out of the Van. They trailed behind the others; it seemed the most natural thing in the world, when he slipped his hand in hers.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They were almost there; the lights were not as bright as the previous night. Andrew looked at the sight before him, awed by the size of the site.
"Size really does matter," said Andrew.
Dawn giggled,
"Could you make anymore noise?" whispered Buffy angrily.
Dawn and Andrew looked instantly repentant. Dawn made a zipping motion across her mouth.
"Dawn, Andrew, you two are the lookouts okay, If it looks dangerous, make for the RV," said Buffy.
Buffy looked at Andrew
"Andrew, I am trusting you to look out for my sister," she said.
Andrew's expression changed, he beamed at Buffy,
"With my life," he said sincerely.
"Yeah, I get the short end of the straw, hiding in bushes with responsibility boy," said Dawn.
"And don't you two get any ideas while we're gone," grinned Faith.
"One more remark like that and I'm going back," said Dawn.
Dawn and Andrew found a place to hide, they watched the others walk off to the main perimeter fence.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The others made their way to the fence, finding the darkest area, Robin was about to touch the fence, wire cutters in his hand.
"Now be on your guard, we don't know what to expect," said Buffy.
Wood started cutting through the fence.
"Chill out B, we're not exactly new to the game," said Faith.
Spike squeezed Buffy's hand.
"Good advice pet," said Spike.
Robin made quick work of the fence; they all squeezed through the small opening. Xander's shirt snagged on the sides of the fence and there was a ripping sound.
"Couldn't you have made it just a little bigger?" asked Xander.
"Yeah let's leave a big gaping hole, so they know we're all here," Said Spike sarcastically.
Willow put out her hand to help Xander up.
"Come on, I'll buy you a new shirt," she grinned.
They kept low to the ground.
"Willow, Xander you search the offices see what you can come up with," okay?" asked Buffy.
"Sure, right on it," said Xander.
He knew Buffy had given him this responsibility, because she had worried there might be danger of some kind, if only she had witnessed him fighting at the school that day, he thought to himself. And Willow wasn't much for fighting unless she was being all veiny and evil.
The group parted again and the remainder, Spike, Buffy, Wood & Faith and Giles headed off for the main entrance to the Sunnydale crater.
"This place is huge," said Faith.
"How are we going to get down there, today?" asked Robin sarcastically.
"Ah well, this is the risky part of the plan, we are gonna have to use one of their vehicles," said Giles.
"We'll have to take it slow and with the lights off, I'd better drive as I am the only one with good night vision," said Spike.
They all climbed into one of the parked jeeps. And pulled away.
"Never thought I'd be visiting this dive again," said Faith.
"You can take the girl out of Sunnydale, but you can't take Sunnydale out of the girl," said Buffy.
"True," Spike replied.
After that none of them spoke until they reached the elevator shaft, not wanting to distract Spike from having to drive in almost total darkness. Spike switched off the engine and they got out and entered the elevator.
"This is easy," said Faith.
"Yeah too easy," Wood replied.
"What's the matter Wood, afraid you'll end up the way of the other principles?" asked Spike.
"No one's snacking on my man, well except me," grinned Faith.
"Robin does have a point," said Giles.
They reached the bottom a few moments later. Spike pulled back the cage door.
"Wow!" said Faith.
The crater wasn't so brightly lit has it had been on their earlier visit. There were many dark corners and shadows.
"What?" asked Spike.
"This place gives me the creeps," said Faith
Buffy looked at Spike.
"You okay?" she asked him
"You mean am I going to collapse like last time? I'll get back to you on that one," said Spike rubbing at his chest.
Buffy wasn't taking any chances. She put an arm around his waist, he led the group forward. They were all surprised, so far they had not encountered so much as a security guard.
"I don't like this, Wolfram and hart don't strike me as the sort of firm to be so lax in their security," said Giles.
"Stay alert people, that's when they are most likely to strike, their guards may not be of the human variety," said Buffy.
Spike carried on leading them toward the place he'd sensed the amulet. They came to the dead end several minutes later. Giles removed a flashlight from his holdall, the tunnel was bathed in light.
"Dammit they've already started digging here, I knew that guy had overheard our conversation, it is still here isn't Spike?" asked Buffy.
Spike put out his hand and smiled.
"They haven't found it," said Spike letting out a sigh of relief.
"Well they've left their tools here, that has to be a bonus," said Buffy.
She bent down and picked up a shovel, throwing at Faith.
"How's your digging skills?" asked Buffy.
"Five by five," grinned Faith.
"How's your fighting skills?" asked Robin.
"Why?" asked Spike.
"Because we have company," said Robin.
They turned to see a large group of vamps in game face. Giles scrabbled around inside his holdall, pulling out several stakes.
"Stakes all round then Giles? Good job you brought the party pack," said Spike
TBC
Chapter 20
When Buffy and Spike and Giles and Xander arrived back at the parked vehicles, they were greeted by Faith, who was leaning against the RV, dragging on cigarette.
"Took ya time didn't you, so how did your little field trip go?" Asked Faith.
"Really don't want to talk about it right now," said Buffy.
Buffy and Giles and Xander got back in the RV, but Spike hung back. He looked at Faith's cigarette.
"Got a spare one of those?" He asked.
"Thought you'd quit," she said, handing him one.
"Yeah, well I guess old habits really do die hard," said Spike, lighting up a smoke with his newly returned lighter.
Faith looked at Spike, still wearing the W&H hardhat and grey overall, she smirked.
"Now there's a new look for you," she grinned.
"I appreciate the humour Faith, but it's been a bit of a bad day all round," said Spike.
"Why don't you tell me about it, dammit I am starting to sound like B, never mind, if you wanna talk it out," she offered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Xander was lying on one of the beds, staring at the walls of the van. Willow sat next to him, stroking his hair.
"If there's anything you need Xander?" she asked.
"A little time alone, but thanks for the offer, or as much alone time as one can get in this thing," he replied.
Willow kissed him on the cheek and got up from the bed to join the others. She sighed sadly, he hadn't been this down in a while, and Buffy had told her what had happened at the site, it must have reopened all Xander's wounds where Anya was concerned.
"Is he okay?" asked Dawn.
"I think so he just needs a little time," said Willow.
"Speaking of time, we need to get everyone together to plan how we are going to get the amulet back," said Buffy.
"Fine, I'll go get that missing wife of mine," said Robin.
"Oh, she's outside talking to Spike," Giles informed him.
Buffy didn't miss the tightening of Robin's lips. It must be hard for him, having to see the instrument of his mother's death like this, even if Spike was no longer the mindless demon that had slaughtered her. But at least there was an unspoken truce between them, which right now, was better than nothing. Robin, Spike and Faith returned moments later.
"What about Xander?" asked Andrew.
They all looked over to where Xander was lying down.
"Leave the poor bugger, he's asleep, he could do with the rest," said Spike.
"Right, so that you are all up to speed, we have located, or should I say, Spike has located the resting place of the amulet," said Buffy.
"Well why didn't you bring it back with you?" asked Dawn.
"It was buried in a solid dirt wall," said Buffy.
"Oh," said Dawn.
"How did you find it?" Andrew asked Spike interestedly.
Buffy answered before Spike had a chance.
"He sensed it," said Buffy.
"Cool, like the ring, in Lord of the Rings, precious," said Andrew trying to do his best Gollum impression, and failing badly.
"Yes, well moving swiftly along," said Giles.
"The plan is simple, they have the amulet, and we need it, so tonight we breech the perimeter fence and go and get it," said Buffy.
"All of us?" asked Dawn, hopefully.
Buffy looked at her sister, as if seeing her for the first time in a really long time. It suddenly occurred to her, what Dawn had been trying to tell her forever. She was no longer a child, but a young woman, a sometimes annoying young woman granted, but one all the same. Buffy smiled at her sister.
"Everyone, even you Andrew, I am sorry I can't go into one of my motivational speeches right now, kinda run out of those, but I need everyone's help for this plan to be a success," said Buffy, looking around the room at all their faces.
She took the silence as their agreement. After the disaster, while Faith had reined slayer supreme, it had taught them all valuable lessons, as much as they hadn't liked it at the time. Buffy really was a born leader, even if at times she didn't wish it so herself. Andrew looked utterly contented, he was going to be allowed to tag along, even if he did end up with a lot of the unpleasant jobs, it was still an improvement on being left behind.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy and Spike walked along the road, the sun was setting. The fading light shed an orange glow on everything, if only they didn't have this night to get through, it would have been the perfect romantic setting. Spike had suggested they go for this walk together, he knew Buffy well enough to know when she needed a time out. He'd literally had to drag her out of the RV, but she'd seen things his way in the end.
Buffy sighed, looking up into Spike's face.
"I have to admit, this is one of your better ideas," said Buffy.
Spike stopped walking, and took Buffy in his arms.
"Ah, but why do you think I had it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
She loved it when he looked at her like that, His eyes travelled up her body, the tip of his tongue poking out of his mouth. She leaned into kiss him, capturing his tongue, gently between her teeth, before allowing it entry to her mouth. Their passion fired out of control as it always did when they touched, but there was a new kind of desperation to their touch. The fear that the next time they made love would be the last time. Something neither of them wanted to voice, Buffy unbuttoned his navy blue shirt, placing her hand on his chest, forgetting the raw wound on its surface. Spike drew back and hissed in pain.
"Oh Spike I'm sorry, I forgot," said Buffy.
"It's alright, it's just a bit tender, feels like half a gallon of holy water got tipped on me," said Spike.
"Maybe we'd better stop," said Buffy.
"Well I might still be able to manage it, if you were on top," he grinned.
"Your wish is my command," she giggled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was midnight; the 'gang' for want of a better word were assembled in the darkness of the RV. Their only source of light was cast by the moonlight
"Now is everyone clear on what they have to do?" asked Giles.
"We're only gonna get past a few guards, it's not exactly the first is it," said Faith.
"No, but that sign they have up, 'Trespassers will be dealt with" hardly inspires confidence, does it," asked Spike.
"We have to remember W&H are powerful and they dabble in who knows what," warned Buffy.
Andrew looked nervous.
"We are taking weapons right?" asked Andrew.
"Sure, Faith and I have a few kicking around, we might lend you one if you ask nicely " said Robin.
"Take no notice Andrew, he's just playing with ya," grinned Faith.
"Let's be on our merry way then," said Spike
Xander and Willow smiled at each other; they were both the last out of the Van. They trailed behind the others; it seemed the most natural thing in the world, when he slipped his hand in hers.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
They were almost there; the lights were not as bright as the previous night. Andrew looked at the sight before him, awed by the size of the site.
"Size really does matter," said Andrew.
Dawn giggled,
"Could you make anymore noise?" whispered Buffy angrily.
Dawn and Andrew looked instantly repentant. Dawn made a zipping motion across her mouth.
"Dawn, Andrew, you two are the lookouts okay, If it looks dangerous, make for the RV," said Buffy.
Buffy looked at Andrew
"Andrew, I am trusting you to look out for my sister," she said.
Andrew's expression changed, he beamed at Buffy,
"With my life," he said sincerely.
"Yeah, I get the short end of the straw, hiding in bushes with responsibility boy," said Dawn.
"And don't you two get any ideas while we're gone," grinned Faith.
"One more remark like that and I'm going back," said Dawn.
Dawn and Andrew found a place to hide, they watched the others walk off to the main perimeter fence.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The others made their way to the fence, finding the darkest area, Robin was about to touch the fence, wire cutters in his hand.
"Now be on your guard, we don't know what to expect," said Buffy.
Wood started cutting through the fence.
"Chill out B, we're not exactly new to the game," said Faith.
Spike squeezed Buffy's hand.
"Good advice pet," said Spike.
Robin made quick work of the fence; they all squeezed through the small opening. Xander's shirt snagged on the sides of the fence and there was a ripping sound.
"Couldn't you have made it just a little bigger?" asked Xander.
"Yeah let's leave a big gaping hole, so they know we're all here," Said Spike sarcastically.
Willow put out her hand to help Xander up.
"Come on, I'll buy you a new shirt," she grinned.
They kept low to the ground.
"Willow, Xander you search the offices see what you can come up with," okay?" asked Buffy.
"Sure, right on it," said Xander.
He knew Buffy had given him this responsibility, because she had worried there might be danger of some kind, if only she had witnessed him fighting at the school that day, he thought to himself. And Willow wasn't much for fighting unless she was being all veiny and evil.
The group parted again and the remainder, Spike, Buffy, Wood & Faith and Giles headed off for the main entrance to the Sunnydale crater.
"This place is huge," said Faith.
"How are we going to get down there, today?" asked Robin sarcastically.
"Ah well, this is the risky part of the plan, we are gonna have to use one of their vehicles," said Giles.
"We'll have to take it slow and with the lights off, I'd better drive as I am the only one with good night vision," said Spike.
They all climbed into one of the parked jeeps. And pulled away.
"Never thought I'd be visiting this dive again," said Faith.
"You can take the girl out of Sunnydale, but you can't take Sunnydale out of the girl," said Buffy.
"True," Spike replied.
After that none of them spoke until they reached the elevator shaft, not wanting to distract Spike from having to drive in almost total darkness. Spike switched off the engine and they got out and entered the elevator.
"This is easy," said Faith.
"Yeah too easy," Wood replied.
"What's the matter Wood, afraid you'll end up the way of the other principles?" asked Spike.
"No one's snacking on my man, well except me," grinned Faith.
"Robin does have a point," said Giles.
They reached the bottom a few moments later. Spike pulled back the cage door.
"Wow!" said Faith.
The crater wasn't so brightly lit has it had been on their earlier visit. There were many dark corners and shadows.
"What?" asked Spike.
"This place gives me the creeps," said Faith
Buffy looked at Spike.
"You okay?" she asked him
"You mean am I going to collapse like last time? I'll get back to you on that one," said Spike rubbing at his chest.
Buffy wasn't taking any chances. She put an arm around his waist, he led the group forward. They were all surprised, so far they had not encountered so much as a security guard.
"I don't like this, Wolfram and hart don't strike me as the sort of firm to be so lax in their security," said Giles.
"Stay alert people, that's when they are most likely to strike, their guards may not be of the human variety," said Buffy.
Spike carried on leading them toward the place he'd sensed the amulet. They came to the dead end several minutes later. Giles removed a flashlight from his holdall, the tunnel was bathed in light.
"Dammit they've already started digging here, I knew that guy had overheard our conversation, it is still here isn't Spike?" asked Buffy.
Spike put out his hand and smiled.
"They haven't found it," said Spike letting out a sigh of relief.
"Well they've left their tools here, that has to be a bonus," said Buffy.
She bent down and picked up a shovel, throwing at Faith.
"How's your digging skills?" asked Buffy.
"Five by five," grinned Faith.
"How's your fighting skills?" asked Robin.
"Why?" asked Spike.
"Because we have company," said Robin.
They turned to see a large group of vamps in game face. Giles scrabbled around inside his holdall, pulling out several stakes.
"Stakes all round then Giles? Good job you brought the party pack," said Spike
TBC