Salvage
by Red Wolf
Spike and Wesley entered the building and took the stairs to the basement.
Finding Angelus had been easier than Spike had expected. Once they knew what to look for, Wesley's department came through with the goods in no time. It was such a fast turn around that Wesley made a mental note to check if the Senior Partners had fitted Angel with a tracking device.
At the bottom of the stairs, Spike turned to the left and checked the first door. He shook his head, heading for the next apartment, but smelled blood before he reached it.
Wesley prepared his weapons at Spike's alert, not fully appreciating the look of recognition and horror that crossed the other man's face.
At Wesley's nod, Spike kicked the door open and saw Angelus on the bed, a comatose woman beneath him. Angelus had barely enough time to look up before Spike tackled him to the ground, where they crashed into the wall in a tangle of limbs.
Angelus recovered first and lunged for the knife at the foot of the bed. Spike shadowed the dive, but wasn't quick enough to avoid a slash across his chest. He rolled to the side, making a wild swing that connected with flesh. The cosh in Spike's fist lent enough to the blow to smash Angelus' head into the bed frame.
"Spike, clear." Spike jumped out of the way as Wesley shot Angelus in the chest. The vampire slumped to the floor, the tips of two darts protruding from his shirt like colourful party favours.
Spike gave the downed vampire a vicious kick to the ribs, only partly to see if Angelus was faking, he didn't move.
Wesley radioed for a retrieval team, leaving Spike to check the woman on the bed. Her clothes had been ripped open, Angelus always was one for the dramatic, and she had sustained several serious cuts that were still oozing blood, making it difficult to ascertain the extent of her injuries.
Quickly untying her hands, Spike scooped her into his arms, remnants of her clothing trailing behind. The movement was enough to rouse the woman and she struggled until Spike gently set her on her feet and wrapped his coat around her shoulders.
She walked unsteadily towards Angelus, staring at him with a blank expression before spitting, her blood-streaked saliva staining his cheek. Then she collapsed.
Spike caught her easily and cradled her against his chest, whispering endearments into her hair.
Wesley wondered at Spike's attachment to the victim, at the silent tears coursing down his cheeks, when he was hit by a shock of recognition. "Is that Dawn?"
Spike nodded. Wesley radioed the ambulance, notifying them that Spike would be travelling with them to the hospital.