By PassionFish
Thank you for all the reviews – I really enjoyed getting them!
And to Brutal2003…I'd really appreciate it that if you are going to review that your review actually be about my fiction, rather than anything else; that's what the review system is there for…But to answer your points anyway: I'm not sure why people like Spike. Could be the utter hotness, or it could be the bad-ass look. As far as being from Washington State, I think you have your men mixed up. James Marsters is who I'm assuming you're talking about…and that is certainly *not* who I'm writing about. My Buffy history knowledge isn't great – which is why I have a beta…but even I can just about remember that Joss said Spike was born in England. And the accent thing – I'm from England, and it's more to do with the tone of his voice then the accent he's sporting.
To everyone else – sorry for the moan, but it's irritating to receive a message that has absolutely nothing to do with my fiction…and no return address! Right, on to the fiction…
A/N: Thank-you to Lady Brandywyne, for all her support on the past few chapters!
Part Fourteen:
Giles absently rubbed the worn piece of cloth across the aging glass of his spectacles, unknowingly satisfying the nervous habit.
Lilith Bradshaw had yet to return.
Though he hated to admit it, it was not that he had formed some sort of attachment to the young woman...but an extra person on their side was something they couldn't do without, not now that-
He drew in a deep breath. He could think about it - couldn't afford to think about it. Not yet; maybe when it was all over.
If it was ever over.
If they made it.
"Has anyone noticed that the female Hitler hasn't returned?" Anya broke into his thoughts, her brazen voice grating on his last nerves.
Giles pressed his forefinger and thumb to the upper bridge of his nose, before slowly replacing his glasses; while Xander answered.
"Hey - did anyone actually see her leave?" The young man looked at the three other occupants.
Anya looked about contemplatively. "You think she's still here?"
"She's left." Giles quickly declared before another pointless discussion could ensue.
"Probably dead then." Anya decided. "Right," She briskly moved on. "We need to find a way to stop Buffy and Willow and Tara and Spike...and Angelus. Unless they've killed him."
"U-uhh, yes." Giles cleared his throat, trying to ignore the flash of pain in Joyce's eyes...trying to ignore the flash of pain in his heart - knowing that he had to be strong. Had to form a plan...had to save the world.
"We need to save my daughter." Joyce spoke for the first time in almost two hours. Her voice was strong, the words didn't waver, but there were tears in her eyes.
"We will make every effort to save Buffy, Joyce - please believe that. But if we do not stop her in time..." He left that sentence trailing. "The prophecy is already in motion and though we are unsure of the precise results, once thing is certain; they will be dire."
"I know this will be hard for all of us." He continued. "More than one person that we love is out there."
He looked around the room at the small band of helpers and would-be warriors. People who were here with the knowledge, be it conscious or unconscious, that their loved-ones may have to be at the other end of their sword.
If they made it at all.
"But we must be strong - the world and all its many wonders are counting on us. Once more, we are the last line of defence against an impending apocalypse."
There was complete silence as the room and its occupants absorbed the Watchers' sober words.
"I will not believe that nothing can be done. I'll find something to take her back if it's the last thing I do."
---
The ground shook violently, and birds flew from the trees; the squirrels, rats and rabbits from the bushes. The sky cracked and the air crackled with magical electricity.
Their eyes were as black as the night, their hair flung back from their faces, their skin lined with ropy veins. As they grew closer to their quarry, drawn by the tips of their toes, the floor
erupted sending streams of raw earth up beside the spot where they glided.
In duet, their mouths opened and from deep within the Witches, a cold battle-cry sounded.
Below them the ground screamed, and before their eyes the surface of the earth exploded off to reveal the layout of the Initiative headquarters.
Without a word passing between them, Willow and Tara separated allowing their Grand Sire straight passage in front of them. With a roar, he stormed passed, knowing the two dutiful Childer would follow.
With twin growls, Willow and Tara began to mutter the ancient incantation. Around the three Vampires sprung a shiny green bubble, protecting all those within. Nothing could penetrate it; not of human, demonic or magical making.
Soldiers flew at them from all angles the second they set foot on Initiative soil, all to no avail. Everything bounced off the shield, deflecting back into the unsuspecting attackers.
Suddenly, Spike came to a stop, scent the air. With a short growl to the Witches, he turned so sharply the bubble came in to contact with the wall behind them; smashing through.
With another defiant growl to the incoming soldiers, he ploughed through the wall, pulling the witches with him.
His Mate was close.
---
She could hear the walls crashing further down the corridor. If they kept coming in the same direction they would find her soon...then all would be lost.
But then the noises changed direction, the violent din began to move away.
Lilith let out a sigh of relief, before quickly going back to her plan. She moved stealthily, moving through door after door, checking over and over that she wasn't being followed - not that anyone was, until finally she reached her destination.
The perfect destination - the centre of the underground maze.
With careful hands she lifted her briefcase up upon the cold, metal table. After another anxious glance around the empty room, she un-clicked the double lock with steady fingers. The old case creaked open revealing....
Papers there, and nothing more.
With a flick of her wrist, Bradshaw sprinkled some powder over the case and began to mutter under her breath. As the Latin was uttered the papers began to shimmer away revealing something quite different indeed.
As she gazed down at the true contents of her case a slow, satisfied smile spread over her face.
TBC
A/N: Wantin' more? You know what you have to do….REVIEW!!!