A/N please forgive if the editing is a little off, I have been so busy in
the run up to the silly season, it's been hard to find the time to write.
Thanks for the reviews all, they were great and appreciated.
Chapter 8
Buffy scrambled up, off the sofa, and knelt down beside Spike.
"Spike, Spike, are you okay? Answer me," demanded Buffy, as she shook him none too gently.
Buffy looked at the empty glass that lay on the floor next to him. A few crimson drops had spilled onto the creamy white carpet. *That's going to stain* She thought hysterically.
Buffy tried not to panic. How did you check for signs of life in a person, who was already technically dead. She picked him up and carried him over to the sofa. He couldn't be dead. Otherwise, he would have dusted, she reasoned with herself.
She sat on the floor, next to the sofa. Buffy waited for some sign from him that he would be okay. Several minutes had passed and still nothing had happened.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," She said aloud.
Buffy ran to the bathroom, finding a glass by the sink, she filled it with cold water. Taking it with her to the lounge, Buffy threw it all over the unconscious Spike.
Spike regained consciousness, the icy cold water, bringing him round. He turned to look at Buffy; she was still standing there, holding the empty glass in her hand.
"What the bleeding hell did you do that for? And how did I end up on the sofa?" He asked.
Buffy let out a deep breath. He was okay, or it seemed he was okay. Well, as okay as Spike was ever going to be. She was truly relieved. Buffy didn't want to think about that now, and instead filed it away for future reference.
"You really don't remember?" asked Buffy.
Spike frowned, wiping his face with the sleeve of his shirt.
"One minute I was having a drink, and then the next thing I know, I'm lying on the sofa, getting a face full of cold water," He replied.
"You passed out, I think it may be something to do with that blood you were drinking. You said it tasted funny," Buffy, reminded him.
"You think?" He asked sarcastically.
Spike tried to sit up, he clutched his head as another wave of dizziness washed over him.
"Hey, take it easy. Just sit there for a moment," said Buffy.
She put out a hand to steady him. Realising what she had done, she snatched it away, as if burned. Buffy looked at him to see if he had noticed, but he had closed his eyes again.
"Spike?" she asked, worried that he had fallen unconscious again.
"I'm still here, stop fussing woman," he groaned.
Buffy was stung by his words, but she tried to ignore it, knowing he was probably feeling unwell. She went over to the mini fridge, where the discarded blood bag rested. Picking it up, she sniffed at it cautiously.
"Doesn't smell any different, maybe I should ring Giles. He'll know what to do," said Buffy.
"What ever you do, could you do it in the bedroom? My head hurts," admitted Spike.
Buffy looked at him.
"You'll be okay for five minutes?" she asked.
"I'll be fine. All this concern for my welfare is scaring me. Are you sure they didn't swap you for a new Buffy while I was out of it?" asked Spike.
"Fine, rot for all I care," Buffy lied, as she picked up the handset and marched off into the bedroom.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy returned to the lounge several minutes later, Spike was sitting up watching the TV.
"You seem a little brighter," said Buffy.
"I feel a little better, what did the old git have to say about it all then?" asked Spike.
"Giles thinks it's more than a little suspicious. He wasn't too pleased by the early morning wakeup call either. Seem to be making a habit of that. Look, I have to go out for a moment, are there any post offices near here?" She asked.
"How should I know? If you have some holiday postcards to send, give them to the desk," grumbled Spike.
Buffy frowned.
"Don't be a dumb ass Spike, Giles wants me to send him a sample of that blood you drank," She said.
"It must be those bastards at the council that did it. Thought that Quentin guy was a little too good to be true, but messing with a vamps food supply, that's a bit below the belt," He growled.
"Well the sooner I send this off, the sooner we will know. And don't say anything about what happened when we see him either," said Buffy.
"My lips are sealed," he said.
Buffy looked at his mouth, wondering with a perverse sense of curiosity, what she had allowed those very lips to do to her only last night. Heat flooded her body at the thought. She couldn't let personal feelings get in the way right now, not that Buffy would admit to having any, where Spike was concerned.
"Yes, well I'd better get going," said Buffy.
She picked up the empty blood bag and wrapped it a plastic bag. Buffy grabbed her coat from a nearby chair and quickly shrugged into it.
"Sure you won't get lost? It's a big city out there. Bigger than Sunnydale," He stated.
"I came from a big city, I used to live in LA once," she informed him.
"Don't be long, and you'll need some money," Spike replied, as he reached in his jeans pocket.
Buffy took the money, and grinned at him saucily.
"Why will you miss me? Not!" Buffy said, before she left.
Buffy was gone, and he was left alone with the TV and his thoughts.
"Maybe just a little," He replied, to the empty room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike's eyes kept wandering to the clock on the wall; Buffy had been gone for over two hours. He just hoped the silly bint hadn't gone and gotten herself lost. It wouldn't start to get dark for at least another hour and a half, and that was the time, when the car would be arriving to take them to the watchers council. He got up from his seat, and starting pacing the room like a caged tiger.
Buffy turned the door handle, drawing back in surprise as it was wrenched out of her grasp. Spike stood there, looking furious.
"What sort of time do you call this? I thought you were lost or worse," said Spike, accusingly.
"I am the slayer, I think I can handle a couple of hours on my own. Stop acting like my mom, Spike. Besides, I can't always rely on you to show me around. Especially in emergency situations that require, my going out during daylight hours," She said airly.
"So, did you get the deed done?" He asked.
"Of course, the package is winging its way to Sunnydale as we speak. I also stopped off at a butchers to get you some fresh blood, we don't want a repeat performance of earlier," Buffy replied.
"Thanks gorgeous, does this mean you are getting a little sweet on Spike?" He asked.
Buffy clenched her fists, keeping them pinned to her side.
"Never, we may have made love...er had sex last night, but it changes nothing," She said.
"For some one who didn't want to hear another word about it, you seem to like bringing it up a lot. Feel up for another round? We have a little time to kill before the car comes for us," said Spike, touching his lower teeth with the tip of his tongue.
Buffy flushed uncomfortably, if she was honest with herself, she had thought about little else while out. If only she could remember exactly what had happened. Surely, it was better this way, Buffy reasoned with herself.
"I have to go and get ready, you can put these in the fridge. You're a big boy," said Buffy, as she handed him the bag with the blood in it.
"I'll take that as a no then," he said, as she walked off, slamming the bedroom door behind her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Limo turned into Exhibition Road. The prestigious Watcher's Council was situated in Knightsbridge, Harrods was just around the corner. The car had just driven past it. Buffy sighed longingly; she had always wanted to visit the world famous store. It probably had a wicked shoe department.
Spike had watched the expressions flit across her face, interpreting them correctly.
"Maybe another time slayer," He whispered in her ear.
Buffy looked at him in surprise, not even aware that he had been observing her.
The car came to a stop and the chauffeur opened the door for Buffy to get out. The building that housed the watchers council was every bit as imposing as Buffy had thought it would be.
Spike got out of the other side and walked over to Buffy.
"Would you look at that? A building full of anally retentive English guys," said Spike.
"You are English too don't forget, so does that make you one?" asked Buffy, innocently.
"There are two hundred and fifty employees of the watchers council to be exact," the chauffeur informed them.
"Gee, thanks for the infomercial," said Buffy, sardonically.
"Well in for a penny, in for a pound. Well actually two million pounds, but who's counting," said Spike.
They entered the main doors; Mr Travers was waiting for them in the lobby.
"Good evening, I trust everything is well with you?" asked Quentin.
Spike frowned.
"Actually there is something.Ouch!" said Spike, as Buffy elbowed him in the ribs.
"Shall we do the grand tour?" He asked them both.
Quentin walked off on the direction of the elevator doors; he took a gold key from his waistcoat, and turned it in a panel on the wall. He stepped into the elevator, waiting for Buffy and Spike to do the same.
Spike looked at Buffy, she nodded at him almost imperceptibly. She entered the elevator and he followed, hoping they were not about to fall in to some elaborate trap.
They were both surprised as the elevator started travelling downwards. To all intense purposes, the façade of the building didn't look like the kind to have a basement level.
Quentin looked at them and smiled.
"Most of what we do, goes on below ground level, all the high security operations, anyway. Underneath this building is an abandoned underground station that we have made our own," He informed them both.
Spike shrugged indifferently.
"Sorry if the history lesson doesn't give me a happy mate, let's just get down to business," said Spike.
The elevator doors opened on to a poorly lit, underground platform. The air was colder, below street level. Buffy shivered against the drop in temperature. Spike slipped off his leather duster and placed it around her shoulders. To his surprise, she accepted it gratefully.
"All in good time William," said Quentin, pompously.
"If this is the heart of the watchers council, then it looks like it's had a coronary to me," said Buffy, as she eyed the dusty neglect of her surroundings.
"Never judge a book by its cover, Miss Summers," said Quentin.
"Hmmm, does that apply to you too?" asked Buffy.
"Touché," Smiled Quentin.
Quentin leaned forward to press a broken tile on the wall. The whole surface of the wall slid back to reveal a solid steel door, which then proceeded to open inwardly. It opened on a huge operations room. Many people, both male and female were scurrying around in white lab coats.
"This looks a little too familiar for my liking," said Spike, uncomfortably.
"This is our genetics department. We have a big project we are working on at this very moment," said Quentin, proudly.
"And what does that entail? Genetics makes me nervous," said Buffy.
"The project that our team of scientists are working on, will insure the survival of the human race. We are safeguarding the future," said Quentin, gravely.
"What's it called?" asked Buffy.
"Project Re-Birth, I will acquaint you with it during your stay here, just so you know it's all above board," said Quentin.
"Great, science my favourite," said Buffy, feigning a yawn.
"William, there are some scientists here, that are very eager to talk to you about your experiences during your captivity," said Quentin.
"That's easy, got zapped and woke up a nancy boy who can't fight a fly off a rice pudding, end of story," Spike replied.
"Yes, I am sure there's more to it than that, I have to introduce Buffy to some trainee watchers, if you go over to that woman in the brown suit, her name is Miss Davies, she will show you where to go," said Quentin, dismissively.
He walked off, leaving Spike to make his own way. Buffy turned towards Spike, her look serious.
"Be careful, don't take any chances. There's something about this place that gives me the creeps," said Buffy.
Spike smiled at her warmly.
"You too," he said, as he strode off.
Buffy's heart beat a little erratically in her chest, as she watched him go.
"Miss Summers?" asked Quentin, impatiently.
"Sorry kinda got lost there for a moment," Buffy sighed, as she followed him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Well that certainly rated as one of the most boring afternoons of my life, and believe me, I have a lot of room for comparison," said Spike.
"It was kinda like watching paint dry, no wonder they want to pay us so much, it's danger money just in case they bore us to death," said Buffy.
"You know what Summers, you're not too bad when you drop the holier than thou act," said Spike.
She yawned tiredly.
" Thanks for the compliment, I think. Now if you don't mind, I am gonna hit the sack. It's been a long day," said Buffy.
Spike was a little disappointed, but he hid it well.
"No, you go ahead love, I'll just sit here and see what fine programmes England has to offer. Can't be any worse than last time I was here," he said.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Quentin, sat reading Lavinia's daily report on Buffy and Spike's movements of the day. Buffy had been to a post office and had posted a small package to Mr Giles around 1pm. Another operative had reported that one of the blood bags had been missing from the mini fridge also. Time was running out, he was going to have to bring things forward a little, if this was going to succeed. He knew Rupert was not a stupid man, once he had analysed that blood, the game was going to be up.
He had infected Spike's blood bags with the blood of the of the Lazarus demon, the last of his demonic kind. Moreover, if Spike had indeed ingested the blood, then things were going very well indeed.
TBC
A/N For those of you not sure of the meaning or importance of the name "Lazarus" He was a guy in the bible, who died and was brought back to life again," Think about that one. Lol, My daughter gave me the idea for the name of the demon, as I hate trying to make up names. If it has been used in any other eps or show, please forgive, it was unintentional. The reason I say this, is after I wrote it, she said it might have been used else where. If it has, my Lazarus demon wouldn't be the same any way. I think?
Chapter 8
Buffy scrambled up, off the sofa, and knelt down beside Spike.
"Spike, Spike, are you okay? Answer me," demanded Buffy, as she shook him none too gently.
Buffy looked at the empty glass that lay on the floor next to him. A few crimson drops had spilled onto the creamy white carpet. *That's going to stain* She thought hysterically.
Buffy tried not to panic. How did you check for signs of life in a person, who was already technically dead. She picked him up and carried him over to the sofa. He couldn't be dead. Otherwise, he would have dusted, she reasoned with herself.
She sat on the floor, next to the sofa. Buffy waited for some sign from him that he would be okay. Several minutes had passed and still nothing had happened.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," She said aloud.
Buffy ran to the bathroom, finding a glass by the sink, she filled it with cold water. Taking it with her to the lounge, Buffy threw it all over the unconscious Spike.
Spike regained consciousness, the icy cold water, bringing him round. He turned to look at Buffy; she was still standing there, holding the empty glass in her hand.
"What the bleeding hell did you do that for? And how did I end up on the sofa?" He asked.
Buffy let out a deep breath. He was okay, or it seemed he was okay. Well, as okay as Spike was ever going to be. She was truly relieved. Buffy didn't want to think about that now, and instead filed it away for future reference.
"You really don't remember?" asked Buffy.
Spike frowned, wiping his face with the sleeve of his shirt.
"One minute I was having a drink, and then the next thing I know, I'm lying on the sofa, getting a face full of cold water," He replied.
"You passed out, I think it may be something to do with that blood you were drinking. You said it tasted funny," Buffy, reminded him.
"You think?" He asked sarcastically.
Spike tried to sit up, he clutched his head as another wave of dizziness washed over him.
"Hey, take it easy. Just sit there for a moment," said Buffy.
She put out a hand to steady him. Realising what she had done, she snatched it away, as if burned. Buffy looked at him to see if he had noticed, but he had closed his eyes again.
"Spike?" she asked, worried that he had fallen unconscious again.
"I'm still here, stop fussing woman," he groaned.
Buffy was stung by his words, but she tried to ignore it, knowing he was probably feeling unwell. She went over to the mini fridge, where the discarded blood bag rested. Picking it up, she sniffed at it cautiously.
"Doesn't smell any different, maybe I should ring Giles. He'll know what to do," said Buffy.
"What ever you do, could you do it in the bedroom? My head hurts," admitted Spike.
Buffy looked at him.
"You'll be okay for five minutes?" she asked.
"I'll be fine. All this concern for my welfare is scaring me. Are you sure they didn't swap you for a new Buffy while I was out of it?" asked Spike.
"Fine, rot for all I care," Buffy lied, as she picked up the handset and marched off into the bedroom.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Buffy returned to the lounge several minutes later, Spike was sitting up watching the TV.
"You seem a little brighter," said Buffy.
"I feel a little better, what did the old git have to say about it all then?" asked Spike.
"Giles thinks it's more than a little suspicious. He wasn't too pleased by the early morning wakeup call either. Seem to be making a habit of that. Look, I have to go out for a moment, are there any post offices near here?" She asked.
"How should I know? If you have some holiday postcards to send, give them to the desk," grumbled Spike.
Buffy frowned.
"Don't be a dumb ass Spike, Giles wants me to send him a sample of that blood you drank," She said.
"It must be those bastards at the council that did it. Thought that Quentin guy was a little too good to be true, but messing with a vamps food supply, that's a bit below the belt," He growled.
"Well the sooner I send this off, the sooner we will know. And don't say anything about what happened when we see him either," said Buffy.
"My lips are sealed," he said.
Buffy looked at his mouth, wondering with a perverse sense of curiosity, what she had allowed those very lips to do to her only last night. Heat flooded her body at the thought. She couldn't let personal feelings get in the way right now, not that Buffy would admit to having any, where Spike was concerned.
"Yes, well I'd better get going," said Buffy.
She picked up the empty blood bag and wrapped it a plastic bag. Buffy grabbed her coat from a nearby chair and quickly shrugged into it.
"Sure you won't get lost? It's a big city out there. Bigger than Sunnydale," He stated.
"I came from a big city, I used to live in LA once," she informed him.
"Don't be long, and you'll need some money," Spike replied, as he reached in his jeans pocket.
Buffy took the money, and grinned at him saucily.
"Why will you miss me? Not!" Buffy said, before she left.
Buffy was gone, and he was left alone with the TV and his thoughts.
"Maybe just a little," He replied, to the empty room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike's eyes kept wandering to the clock on the wall; Buffy had been gone for over two hours. He just hoped the silly bint hadn't gone and gotten herself lost. It wouldn't start to get dark for at least another hour and a half, and that was the time, when the car would be arriving to take them to the watchers council. He got up from his seat, and starting pacing the room like a caged tiger.
Buffy turned the door handle, drawing back in surprise as it was wrenched out of her grasp. Spike stood there, looking furious.
"What sort of time do you call this? I thought you were lost or worse," said Spike, accusingly.
"I am the slayer, I think I can handle a couple of hours on my own. Stop acting like my mom, Spike. Besides, I can't always rely on you to show me around. Especially in emergency situations that require, my going out during daylight hours," She said airly.
"So, did you get the deed done?" He asked.
"Of course, the package is winging its way to Sunnydale as we speak. I also stopped off at a butchers to get you some fresh blood, we don't want a repeat performance of earlier," Buffy replied.
"Thanks gorgeous, does this mean you are getting a little sweet on Spike?" He asked.
Buffy clenched her fists, keeping them pinned to her side.
"Never, we may have made love...er had sex last night, but it changes nothing," She said.
"For some one who didn't want to hear another word about it, you seem to like bringing it up a lot. Feel up for another round? We have a little time to kill before the car comes for us," said Spike, touching his lower teeth with the tip of his tongue.
Buffy flushed uncomfortably, if she was honest with herself, she had thought about little else while out. If only she could remember exactly what had happened. Surely, it was better this way, Buffy reasoned with herself.
"I have to go and get ready, you can put these in the fridge. You're a big boy," said Buffy, as she handed him the bag with the blood in it.
"I'll take that as a no then," he said, as she walked off, slamming the bedroom door behind her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Limo turned into Exhibition Road. The prestigious Watcher's Council was situated in Knightsbridge, Harrods was just around the corner. The car had just driven past it. Buffy sighed longingly; she had always wanted to visit the world famous store. It probably had a wicked shoe department.
Spike had watched the expressions flit across her face, interpreting them correctly.
"Maybe another time slayer," He whispered in her ear.
Buffy looked at him in surprise, not even aware that he had been observing her.
The car came to a stop and the chauffeur opened the door for Buffy to get out. The building that housed the watchers council was every bit as imposing as Buffy had thought it would be.
Spike got out of the other side and walked over to Buffy.
"Would you look at that? A building full of anally retentive English guys," said Spike.
"You are English too don't forget, so does that make you one?" asked Buffy, innocently.
"There are two hundred and fifty employees of the watchers council to be exact," the chauffeur informed them.
"Gee, thanks for the infomercial," said Buffy, sardonically.
"Well in for a penny, in for a pound. Well actually two million pounds, but who's counting," said Spike.
They entered the main doors; Mr Travers was waiting for them in the lobby.
"Good evening, I trust everything is well with you?" asked Quentin.
Spike frowned.
"Actually there is something.Ouch!" said Spike, as Buffy elbowed him in the ribs.
"Shall we do the grand tour?" He asked them both.
Quentin walked off on the direction of the elevator doors; he took a gold key from his waistcoat, and turned it in a panel on the wall. He stepped into the elevator, waiting for Buffy and Spike to do the same.
Spike looked at Buffy, she nodded at him almost imperceptibly. She entered the elevator and he followed, hoping they were not about to fall in to some elaborate trap.
They were both surprised as the elevator started travelling downwards. To all intense purposes, the façade of the building didn't look like the kind to have a basement level.
Quentin looked at them and smiled.
"Most of what we do, goes on below ground level, all the high security operations, anyway. Underneath this building is an abandoned underground station that we have made our own," He informed them both.
Spike shrugged indifferently.
"Sorry if the history lesson doesn't give me a happy mate, let's just get down to business," said Spike.
The elevator doors opened on to a poorly lit, underground platform. The air was colder, below street level. Buffy shivered against the drop in temperature. Spike slipped off his leather duster and placed it around her shoulders. To his surprise, she accepted it gratefully.
"All in good time William," said Quentin, pompously.
"If this is the heart of the watchers council, then it looks like it's had a coronary to me," said Buffy, as she eyed the dusty neglect of her surroundings.
"Never judge a book by its cover, Miss Summers," said Quentin.
"Hmmm, does that apply to you too?" asked Buffy.
"Touché," Smiled Quentin.
Quentin leaned forward to press a broken tile on the wall. The whole surface of the wall slid back to reveal a solid steel door, which then proceeded to open inwardly. It opened on a huge operations room. Many people, both male and female were scurrying around in white lab coats.
"This looks a little too familiar for my liking," said Spike, uncomfortably.
"This is our genetics department. We have a big project we are working on at this very moment," said Quentin, proudly.
"And what does that entail? Genetics makes me nervous," said Buffy.
"The project that our team of scientists are working on, will insure the survival of the human race. We are safeguarding the future," said Quentin, gravely.
"What's it called?" asked Buffy.
"Project Re-Birth, I will acquaint you with it during your stay here, just so you know it's all above board," said Quentin.
"Great, science my favourite," said Buffy, feigning a yawn.
"William, there are some scientists here, that are very eager to talk to you about your experiences during your captivity," said Quentin.
"That's easy, got zapped and woke up a nancy boy who can't fight a fly off a rice pudding, end of story," Spike replied.
"Yes, I am sure there's more to it than that, I have to introduce Buffy to some trainee watchers, if you go over to that woman in the brown suit, her name is Miss Davies, she will show you where to go," said Quentin, dismissively.
He walked off, leaving Spike to make his own way. Buffy turned towards Spike, her look serious.
"Be careful, don't take any chances. There's something about this place that gives me the creeps," said Buffy.
Spike smiled at her warmly.
"You too," he said, as he strode off.
Buffy's heart beat a little erratically in her chest, as she watched him go.
"Miss Summers?" asked Quentin, impatiently.
"Sorry kinda got lost there for a moment," Buffy sighed, as she followed him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Well that certainly rated as one of the most boring afternoons of my life, and believe me, I have a lot of room for comparison," said Spike.
"It was kinda like watching paint dry, no wonder they want to pay us so much, it's danger money just in case they bore us to death," said Buffy.
"You know what Summers, you're not too bad when you drop the holier than thou act," said Spike.
She yawned tiredly.
" Thanks for the compliment, I think. Now if you don't mind, I am gonna hit the sack. It's been a long day," said Buffy.
Spike was a little disappointed, but he hid it well.
"No, you go ahead love, I'll just sit here and see what fine programmes England has to offer. Can't be any worse than last time I was here," he said.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Quentin, sat reading Lavinia's daily report on Buffy and Spike's movements of the day. Buffy had been to a post office and had posted a small package to Mr Giles around 1pm. Another operative had reported that one of the blood bags had been missing from the mini fridge also. Time was running out, he was going to have to bring things forward a little, if this was going to succeed. He knew Rupert was not a stupid man, once he had analysed that blood, the game was going to be up.
He had infected Spike's blood bags with the blood of the of the Lazarus demon, the last of his demonic kind. Moreover, if Spike had indeed ingested the blood, then things were going very well indeed.
TBC
A/N For those of you not sure of the meaning or importance of the name "Lazarus" He was a guy in the bible, who died and was brought back to life again," Think about that one. Lol, My daughter gave me the idea for the name of the demon, as I hate trying to make up names. If it has been used in any other eps or show, please forgive, it was unintentional. The reason I say this, is after I wrote it, she said it might have been used else where. If it has, my Lazarus demon wouldn't be the same any way. I think?