Magic Box

Saturday, October 25th

8:05pm

"So, everyone here?" Willow asked as she glanced around the shop.

"Spike isn't here" Replied Dawn.

"He isn't coming" came Buffys whispered reply as all heads turned to her.

"Look, I'm the leader of the 'Hate-Spike-Club' but couldn't he like, help us out or something? He's been doin a lot of that lately" Buffy glared at Xander and then stood up, taking her position once more as the leader as she indicated for everyone to take a seat around the table.

"They have him" she spoke, almost un-audible.

"Who has who?" asked Mulder.

"Spike, the initiative has him." Everyone except agents Mulder and Scully gave a slight gasp at this announcement.

"How, how do you know?" asked Dawn as her eyes began to fill with tears.

"I found his lighter" she said as she tossed it over to Dawn who almost immediately started to cry. Xander was about to say something when Buffy stopped him.

"I also found Riley in his crypt. Said he was just stopping by to check on Spikes chip but he was decked out in his army gear. He said that initiative was different, under a new leader, had new goals etc" she said waving her hand in the air.

"But how do you know they have got Spike. Maybe he just…went to Clems or something. He could have dropped the lighter in a fight or something," said Willow trying to look at all the possible options.

"No Will, I know they have him, I just…I just know"

"Who's Spike?" Was the first thing Scully had said since she had arrived at the Magic Box. Everyone except Mulder glared at her in disbelief, forgetting that she had only been here a day and still didn't know everything.

"Spike was the vampire who made you faint last night" Came Dawns innocent answer.

"He's a vampire?"

"I think you should be taking notes" Came Anyas reply. Everyone just looked at her then focused the attention back to the red haired agent.

"Yes, he's a vampire. A good vampire. See the last time the Initiative were here they put a chip in his head which stops him from attacking humans." Said Dawn. Scully just looked at her, mouth agape.

"Agent Scully?"

"It's just, this all so, well it's just all so weird"

"Trust me Agent Scully it will get a lot weirder" replied Giles as he took off his glasses and started to clean them.

"So, is this a rescue mission?" Asked Mulder. Everyone turned to Buffy awaiting her answer even though they all knew what it was.

"Yes" she whispered.

"Why Buff? Why are we riskin are necks by goin into that building again. I understand that you wanna save him an all but we don't even know if they have him. We shouldn't go in until we know they've got him." Buffy stared at him. She knew he was right. They had no proof they had him.

Mulder sat and watched the scene unfold and he saw the hurt upon Buffys face when Xander had spoken up. This young girl looked so devastated but she quickly put a mask of understanding on and turned away from the group. Everyone was sat in silence when Mulder spoke up,

"I think I can get you your proof"

"Mulder?" asked Scully.

"I have friends back in DC. When it comes to computers and hacking they know their stuff. I can give them a call, see what they can do."

"Agent Mulder I've tried to hack into the Initiative already since they came back, it's impossible" said Willow.

"It's worth a try," Buffy said as she turned back to the group. "Will, I know you've tried a thousand times and your really good with computers but lets give someone else a chance." She looked towards agent Mulder with hope in her eyes and he smiled at her as he walked out the shop to call the Gunmen.

Willow just looked at Buffy with a hurt expression on her face. "I...I gotta go" she quickly said as she got up to get her coat.

"Were not finished here Will"

"You can fill me in tomorrow, I need to go." She looked at Tara who stood up and moved to the witches' side.

"Umm, ok Will see you later then yea?"

"Sure Buffy" she whispered as she took Tara's hand and left.

"What was all that about?" asked a confused Xander.

"She feels rejected because Buffy is asking the FBI man to do Willows Job. Relied Anya bluntly.

"Rejected? No, I…I was just using a different option. She already tried and she couldn't get in I just thought…"

"It's ok Buffy, I'm sure she isn't feeling rejected." Said Giles in an attempt to comfort her. It was at this point Mulder chose to walk back into the store.

"Have you got a laptop Rupert? One with a web cam?"

"Umm, I have a laptop in the back, not sure about a web cam tho. I'll take a look"

"Thanks" he said as he took his place next to Scully.

"What did they say?" she asked him quietly.

"There gonna look into it. Said they can send the files straight over if we can get access to a laptop with the Internet."

"Well we have one back at the hotel" she told him softly.

"Do we? I didn't bring one."

"No but I did" His mouthed formed a perfect 'o'.

"Found one!" exclaimed Giles as he walked in holding a laptop.

After setting everything up and assuring Anya that Mulder would pay the phone bill from using the Internet the Scoobies and Agents were face to face (so to speak) with the Gunmen.

"Mulder, we have managed to get into their CCTV system but can only gain access to one camera," explained Byers.

"Something shut us down but we managed to keep one camera up. If they know we have access to it they might switch it off" added Langly as a window appeared on the screen.

"It's a corridor"

"Well observed Scully, we've been watching for about 20 minutes and seen nothing."

"Are you recording it?"

"Yes" the three chimed in union.

"Good work boys, keep recording it from your end and try and get us another camera"

"Sure thing Mulder" and with that they clicked off and everyone was left staring at an empty corridor on the screen.

"Well, I don't see how this is going t help us Fox" said Giles.

"No, Look" Buffy said pointing to the screen.

"Buffy it's a door"

"I know but there's something written on it"

"Let me see" Scully said a she sat infont of the laptop. "She's right, looks like numbers."

"Can you zoom in?" asked Mulder.

"I…I think so" she said as she started to click the mouse. All the Scoobies came closer to the screen as Scully worked on zooming in.

"1013" said Xander as it became clearer. 

"Don't tell me they are doing demon jigsaws again," said Buffy s she moved away from the group.

"Demon jigsaws?" asked Mulder. 

"When the were last in town they created something call Adam. It was made of lots of different deamony bits."

"Oh" was all he managed to say.

"Sir they have access to one of our CCTV cameras, the one on the entrance to 1013"

"You know what to do soldier. Remember I don't want them harmed."

"Shall I bring them to the base sir?"

" No, take them to the warehouse"

"Yes sir"

"Oh and soldier?"

"Yes sir?"

"Don't hurt them, especially the slayer. Make sure you keep them all apart until I get there"

"Yes Sir" replied the solder as he clicked the phone down. "You heard him men, move out! We want no casualties and remember, there's a Slayer in there so be careful. Harrison do you have the stunners ready?"

"Yes Sir"

"Good, Move out!" and on that command all the soldiers headed towards the magic box.

~*~*~Please review. I start back at school on Monday so the next update might not be until Tuesday night (sorry).~*~*~

ProphecyGirl87