The Way We Were

Chapter 3

They awoke to Drusilla's screams the next night. Darla opened her eyes and felt her face gingerly, satisfied that it, along with the stab wound in her shoulder were healing well. "Angelus, go see why Dru's making all that racket" she ordered, propping herself up on one arm to look at him.

"The boy can look after her" Angelus replied, rolling over and cradling Darla in his arms, kissing her neck.

Darla pulled away and sat up, "Angelus" she said in a stern tone.

He swore under his breath and got out of bed, pulling on a pair of trousers and walking out of the room to see what was causing Drusilla to make so much noise.

Spike sat up in bed, his eyes adjusting to the dark as he heard screeching, and it took him only a moment to realize Dru wasn't in bed beside him. "Oh bloody hell" he muttered getting out of bed and pulling a shirt on, buttoning his trousers and tucking his shirt in before he walked out of the bedroom and following the screaming down the stairs and into the main room of their home.

Drusilla was curled into a ball near the door, her fingers frantically clawing at it like a forlorn kitten, "She nears" Dru wailed, clutching her head and screaming.

"Dru, shhhh" Will tried to comfort her, taking her in his arms but she shoved him away roughly and curled her arms around herself again, staring to rock back and forth, her screams echoing through out the room.

"Drusilla" Angelus barked, walking down the stairs, glaring at the couple huddled on the floor.

Will stood up immediately, "I-I tried to get her to quiet down, I don't know what's wrong wit her, she just won't calm down." Will sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets, "I fear she's finally gone over the edge."

Angelus held up a hand to quiet Will and stared intently at Dru who was still writhing on the floor. "Drusilla" he said in a measured tone, "Drusilla, stop making that noise this instant, what has gotten into you?"

Dru didn't answer she just continued to pull at her hair and rock on the floor moaning, "She's almost here, we're like defenseless lambs. Jump and catch, jump and catch, the lamb is caught in the blackberry patch…oh it's awful."

"Damn it" Angelus swore, pulling her to her feet by her hair and slapping her hard across the face."

Drusilla whimpered as her lip erupted in red where Angelus struck her and she started to shake, keening quietly like a frighten animal.

"Dru, darling"

The trio turned to see Darla at the foot of the stairs, a hand still placed on the banister, her white dressing gown flowing around her with the pale bloom of blood still staining the cloth near her shoulder making her look like a fallen angel. Her face had healed considerably from the night before and all that was left of her earlier run-in with the slayer was a pale white line from her ear to her jaw line and a faded yellow bruise around it, both of which would be gone by the next nightfall.

She smiled wanly and walked toward Drusilla, looking more like she was floating with perfect grace and caressed Dru's face slightly and frowning, "Drusilla, what did you see?" she asked softly.

"It's all black and wrong. Naughty Spike will get us all skewered, Ooh!" she yelled, closing her eyes and swaying back and forth, tears brimming in her large eyes.

Darla set her jaw in annoyance for a moment and turned to Angelus, "What's she talking about?"

Angelus shrugged, "She's just babbling, I don't know what about. Go and rest darling, I'll quiet her."

"No Angelus, this might be important" Darla argued, taking Drusilla's hands in hers and looking into her eyes, "Drusilla, you will tell me what this is about, in words that make sense and then you will go up stairs and help me with my corset. Understand?"

Drusilla looked fearfully at her, "We're in the blackberry patch and the wolf's approaching" she said shaking her head and then looked puzzled, "Or, rather the wolf's wolf. You broke the little one's neck last night."

"The little one?" Darla asked, puzzled and then nodded, "The slayer" she said, addressing the group, "the wolf's wolf…is the slayer's watcher here?"

Drusilla nodded looking towards the door, "There here and getting ever closer."

Darla broke into a smile clasping Drusilla's hands together in hers, "Splendid" she said and turned around to Angelus, "Angelus, check the perimeters, find out how many watchers are there, William stroke the fire, and Dru, come help me with my corset. I need to look presentable if we're going to face a crowd.

Angelus's smile matched hers as he rushed to obey Darla's command, giving his childer a little shove to get them into action too.

Will looked nervous as he added logs to the fire, "Why are we going to meet them? A watcher never just comes alone, they come in force. We could get dusted, if it's enough to scare Dru, it must be something"

"Will, don't argue" Angelus said, looking out the window, his eyes piercing the darkness, "There's three watchers, possibly more"

Dru bounded down the stairs again fully dressed with the shine of excitement in her eyes, "The lamb is going to fight; Grandmum is ready" she said looked towards the stairs as Darla emerged in a glittering green dress, her hair pulled up in a cream colored broach.

She tossed a shirt and vest to Angelus and paused, smoothing down her skirts and walking towards the door, "I'll be back, stay here childer" she said decisively opening the door and walking out, her hands clasp in front of her demurely.

"What is she going to do?" Will asked again, unable to keep the concern from his voice, "We could get killed."

Drusilla curled her arms around his neck and nibbled at it, "Naughty boy" she whispered in his ear, "We're already dead."

Angelus finished buttoning his vest over his shirt and pulled his hair back into a ponytail, sitting down on the couch and stretching his legs in front of him looking unconcerned.

"Angelus-" Will said helplessly again, wondering why everyone seemed so complacent about it.

"Hush, boy" Angelus ordered, "Sit and wait. Darla can handle herself, you shouldn't question her."

Will frowned and nodded, sitting on the brick fire place, pulling Dru into his lap, "Yes Sir" he said obediently knowing better than to question further.

"Hello boys" Darla said with a smile as she walked out onto the porch, spotting the watchers crouched in the bushes surrounding their home with their stakes and crossbows ready, "I've been expecting you lot to show up."

A/N: Don't forget to review! The next chapter: The watchers attack them and William disobeys Angelus's orders.