As always – thanks to all the great reviewers out there! Sorry it took so long; more soon…as long as get those yummy reviews!!!
Part Eleven:
Giles stared sightlessly into his cup of tea, barely aware of the dark-haired boy pacing the room in front of him. Anya sat silently on the couch, trying not to let the immense pain bother her as her boyfriend made her dizzy with his pacing. She'd discharged herself earlier; the staff had been bound by law to suggest against it at least once but had been glad to see the mouthy patient go, especially in the face of such a particularly violent evening.
Outside, the wind blew a loose garden gate open; forcing it to crash against the rusty bolt that should have held it, causing the Watcher to jump from shock. Tea spilled down his shirt, but he didn't even notice as his eyes were riveted on his front door; willing it to open and for the blonde witch to walk in; safe.
"She should have been back by now..." Xander muttered, resuming his pace as soon as it had been clarified that the noise had not been Tara.
"I'm sure she's f-fine." The Watcher stuttered, scarcely able to convince himself, never mind the others over whom he was supposed to be watching.
"Would you both stop it?" Anya's grating voice cut through the pained silence. "It's obvious that either Willow or Buffy or Spike has turned Tara."
"Anya!" Xander admonished, wide eyed and indignant. Giles, however, sat back, allowing the truth of the ex-demoness' words to wash over him.
"Just accept it Xander. Just because they didn't want you-" She began.
"I think that's enough." Giles hastily cut in.
"I was just saying." Anya muttered petulantly.
Xander glared at his girlfriend, then turned his puppy-dog eyes to Giles. The older man sighed, attempting to think how to answer the distressed boys' plea.
"Why, Giles?"
He took in a deep breath and let it out just as slowly. "For vampire's, the lines between sex and friendship are...blurred at best. You must remember that these are not your friends in spirit; just in body and as such-"
This time it was the Watcher who was cut off mid-flow: "If I was turned, I would turn you, Xander."
"Um.." Giles was at a loss as to where to go next as the irregular statement seemed to hang in the air.
"For sex." She stated, then after a moments thought, added. "And orgasms."
"Thanks, Ahn." Xander muttered, strangely calmed by her declaration.
"You're welcome." She stated matter-of-factly.
Giles cleared his throat, his face a-blush. "Well...."
When he didn't go on, Anya stepped in once more. "We need to decide what we are going to do about all the vampires."
"Uh, right, yes....something needs to be done." Giles reiterated.
The group thought for a moment.
The problem was....no-one was quite sure what.
---
"Well, where are you taking me?" Buffy purred, draping herself over her casually reclined lover, as he attempted to continue the pretence of reading.
"When, ducks?"
"Tonight, silly!" She playfully slapped his chest with a giggle, which turned into a squeal when he suddenly rolled them over until she was trapped firmly beneath him.
He swooped down, pressing a chaste kiss against her parted lips. "Where would you like to go? We can paint the town red." He smirked at the phrase.
Buffy got a starry, glazed look in her eyes. "Oooh, dinner....mmmm, and dancing."
"Anywhere in mind?"
"There's this new place on the edge of town; Chez Luis, I remember someone telling me they had the best spiral pasta around."
Spike smiled, kissing her again. "Your wish is my command, my love."
Buffy sighed, contently, pulling him down once more.
---
Outside the plush room, Angelus attempted to control his anger over what he could hear, smell and sense going on beyond the closed door with the knowledge that tonight, he would have her.
He turned sharply, storming from the house. He flipped his mobile phone open, quickly dialling the number. In curt, harsh tones he informed Prof. Walsh where the Vampires would be later that night, then ended the call without saying goodbye.
Angelus smirked at what he knew was to come; him, Buffy, chains...
With a spring in his step he popped a 'Happy Pill' and left the mansion's grounds.
---
"The two vampires will be alone. One male, one female. They are both to be considered highly dangerous. Do not get close."
Walsh turned from the line she was walking, only to walk back; her eyes never leaving her platoon.
"No stakes, no concentrated holy water. Guns set to stun only. I hope that's clear agents."
"Yes, ma'am." Came the monotonic response.
"Finally, the female is our target. The male is of no interest to our observation.....yet."
She glanced sharply at her watch, then back to the group of soldiers, "I expect you back in two hours."
Walsh's statement was greeted with sharp nods.
"Good. Make me proud." She finished with a cold smile that shook even her most loyal of men. But without a word the group dispersed to do her bidding.
As they always would.
TBC
A/N: Wantin' more? You know what you have to do….REVIEW!!!