Disclaimer: Mutant Enemy, the great and powerful spreader of good things,
owns them: I don't.
--
Giles glared at Andrew. "You know, I really think this is a bad idea."
"What?" Asked Andrew, his thumbs dancing over the game controller.
"Introducing a vampire to vicarious and bloody violence through a gamestation."
"Hey, it seemed like a good idea—aw, man!" His character once again fell to the ground, dead.
"That's two rounds to me." Said Giles in satisfaction. "Your turn, Anya."
"Vampire reflexes are SO much better, I am so gonna whip your butt!" Said Anya, snatching the game controller from Andrew.
"That's what you said last time." Said Giles smugly.
Buffy walked in just as Anya let out a shriek. "You tore off my arm!" She bellowed. "How could you do that? Show me? Please? What was that?"
Buffy groaned. "We're back." She told the gathered humans. It was wasn't really aimed at the vampire, but Anya nodded anyway.
Willow walked in. "What's this message?" She asked,
"Oh, it's the coven." Said Giles. "They rang while you were out, said something about a mystical convergence."
Spike and Angel stepped inside, followed by Dawn and Riley.
"You're back, Spike!" Squealed Anya, jumping up and abandoning the controller. She rushed over. "I didn't kill any of them!"
"That's great." He said.
" Oh, Spike, you're here. Xander's trying to lure you into a demon bar by wearing your coat, and he knows all about your lack of soul." Said Giles.
"What? My coat?" Said Spike. He glanced at Angel and Riley.
"I should talk to him." Sighed Riley.
"I should, actually." Said Angel. "A demon bar, you'd be ripped to shreds. Besides, I know him better."
The two of them glared at each other.
"Quit swaggering." Said Buffy. "This is my job. You know, part of the best friend thing, not the whole Slayer thing."
"No." Said Spike firmly. "It's me that's got his back up, isn't it? I'll go talk to him." He glanced at Anya. "Anya, drink some pigs blood. Now. Grand- Sire, this is your Great-grand-childe. Have fun."
With that he turned, stalking out of the room.
--
Xander was waiting, pool cue in hand. "I see you're finally here." He said. "I expected you sooner. Didn't think you'd run off to LA without seeing me first." He chuckled, shaking his head.
"What?" Asked Spike, looking around the bar, taking in the demons. He glanced back to Xander.
"Willow was called off to England, wasn't she?" Asked Xander.
"Yes." Said Spike.
"You know why? Because she would have insisted on being here." Said Xander. "You can be very devious, can't you?"
"What are you talking about?" Asked Spike in an angry growl.
"At the same time, so very naïve." Sighed Xander.
Spike shook his head, glancing around the smoky bar. "This isn't your sort of place usually, is it?" He asked.
"No. Not usually." Agreed Xander. He nodded at the pool table where two demons were playing pool. "I've never been very good at pool, but recently I've been very, very good at pool. It's an interesting change."
"What caused the change?" Asked Spike impatiently.
"You did." Said Xander. "The root of all troubles. All my troubles, anyway. You, you, you."
"Care to explain?" Asked Spike, his lazy drawl lowering even further, so that Xander had to strain to understand him.
"Sure. I would. How much do you know about Angel's arrangement with the PTB?"
"The Powers That Be? Not much." Said Spike. "He does his bloody good deeds for them."
"Yeah, yeah. Champion, blah blah, Seer." Said Xander. "Are you a Champion, Spike? You never would have broken out of the Hell dimension you were in without William, would you?"
"I suppose not." Said Spike.
"Who sent William? Or do you think he came of his own accord?" Asked Xander.
Spike growled. "How do you know about William?" He demanded, stepping closer.
Xander didn't answer for a minute. His face tensed slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Every night for the past six months, ever since you died, I've been having the same dream." He said.
"With me in it? I'm touched." Said Spike sarcastically.
"Yes, you're in it." Said Xander. "You're in hell, Spike. In hell. It's not a nice dream. In fact, it's a nightmare. And it was a new part of hell every night. I could see you. In hell. It wasn't till I saw William for the first time that I realized this wasn't just my subconscious finally getting revenge—I was seeing you as you were. In hell."
Spike raised an eyebrow slowly. "What did you see after I left?"
"I watched you and Anya while I slept for a while. Interspersed with other visions." Said Xander. "Every time I close my eyes I'm somewhere else, watching something."
Spike absorbed the information slowly. "You've got a sixth sense, and it's tuned in on me?"
Xander laughed. "Ironic, isn't it?" He asked.
Spike moved closer. "Who knows about these visions?" He asked.
"Nobody." Replied Xander. "After a while, I understood what it was. Caleb said I was the one who saw everything, but he wasn't right. Now I see everything. And it scares me."
"What are you talking about? You're a bloody seer now?" Asked Spike.
"The PTB sent you William. Your jailbreak would never have worked without his help." Said Xander. "You couldn't break out of hell. They gave you a deal."
Spike's stomach churned. "No." He said.
"Yes." Mocked Xander. "How would you have escaped without William? He came to you, and he broke you out."
Spike absorbed this. "They're trying to make me their divine sock puppet, like Angel." He said.
"Exactly!" Said Xander. "Sock Puppet Spike!"
Spike hesitated. "You're driving towards something. Why don't you just spit it out?"
"There's always a price." Said Xander. "Always. And it's William who's exacting the price. Do you really know your former soul, Spike?"
"Why?" Asked Spike sharply.
"Because sometimes, when he's not with you, he goes places." Said Xander. "Like Africa, where he lured the Slayers. Or England, where he lured Willow. He's taking all the other players out of the picture. Can you guess why?"
"Not really." Growled Spike.
"You should understand." Said Xander. "Think back to hell, Spike."
"You've gone crazy as Drusilla." Growled Spike.
"Have I really?" Asked Xander. "With the Slayers around, it could take years for the world to be ending and you to be in a position to save it. But William can't wait that long. He's moved it around so that you, and you alone, will be our only hope."
Spike frowned. "Why would he want me to save the world?"
"Redemption, Spike!" Snapped Xander. "You think I'm enjoying this? I've been in my own personal hell ever since these dreams started, and I've spent every hour asleep watching you!" He growled the last word. "They're jerking you around in a little game over your soul, where little things like the woman I love coming back as a vampire and me becoming your personal TV, these things are just pawns in their game!!"
Spike rolled his shoulders, his face morphing, revealing his demon visage. "This is madness." He snarled.
"This is your life!" Snapped Xander. "William plans for you to die saving the world. Against Dru."
"Maybe he doesn't want me dead." Said Spike flatly.
"Maybe. But then, have you seen what's coming?" Asked Xander. "I've seen what's coming. And it's not pretty."
"William's trying to end the world?" Asked Spike.
"No." Said Xander. "Maybe. I don't know. He wants you to save it, that's all I know. You, and nobody else. So he's stripped away the rest of the earth's defenses, leaving you. And, by the way, can I just be first to vote that I have NO CONFIDENCE in your skills at this job?"
"Thanks." Growled Spike. "Good to know I haven't lost my first and best fan."
Xander giggled, still holding the pool cue. Spike moved forward, taking from him quickly. "I'm not a hero." Said Spike. "I mean, I'm supposed to be, but what kind of hero have I ever been? I don't want to do this."
"You were just planning to work quietly around Cleveland, right? Work with Buffy." Spat Xander. "Patrol with Buffy, kill other vampires with Buffy—you basically wanted the easy job. The basically useless sidekick and dangerous love interest. Back to your good old chip days, only without the chip?"
Spike looked troubled. "You're not—what kind of crap is this?" He asked.
"You can't!" Growled Xander. "You're here, and you have to be the hero!"
"What do you care?" Demanded Spike.
"I don't particularly care about you, no." Replied Xander. "But I don't trust you to stay good. And I don't trust that you can save the world alone."
"More of your visions?" Asked Spike.
Xander glared at him. "Think about it. Who is getting all set up for an Apocalypse?"
"Dru." Said Spike, his stomach sinking.
"Very good." Smirked Xander. "Yeah. Why her?"
"A test." Said Spike. "Bloody ponces are testing me!"
"And what happens when you fail?" Asked Xander.
"People die." Said Spike, staring at Xander. "How did you piece this all together?"
Xander shook his head. "I didn't need to piece it together." He said unhappily. "Somebody spelled it out for me in my dreams."
--
Drusilla examined the wounds cut through her captive's abdomen. "Your blood is tainted." She murmured. "Do I dare to drink? Or would it destroy me?"
The scrawny body chained to the wall gave a twitch, but the man didn't have an answer for her.
Drusilla sighed. "So many things whirling through the night. The stars give me promises, but then the bright golden girl spoiled my plans, and my dark knight is soiled, soiled by goodness and light."
She thought about it for a moment. "I don't want a daughter." Pouted Drusilla. "I want a son! A bright golden boy with dark wings, a dark angel of fire who kills! One who can destroy and tear and . . . that'll tear our bad boy's heart out, won't it?"
--
Riley and Angel sat alone together in the kitchen, eating their respective meals. Breakfast for Angel was dinner for Riley. "So." Said Riley.
"So." Said Angel. "How's life post-Buffy for you?"
"Good. I got married." Said Riley.
"Oh." Said Angel.
"You?"
"I had a son. He hated me, and I had to give him up for adoption." Said Angel.
Riley thought about that for a minute. "That is, without a doubt, the weirdest thing I've ever heard."
"And I just gave you the short version." Sighed Angel. "There's more. Like his...daughter, who I had to kill."
Riley considered that. "Why?"
"She was going to enslave the human race and end free will." Replied Angel.
"Oh. Bummer."
"Yeah. I have the worst luck in grandchildren. First Spike, then Jasmine. And my children aren't much better."
Giles entered the room. "Well, something's wrong." Said Giles tightly.
"Besides Anya and Andrew playing Mortal Kombat?" Suggested Angel.
"Yes." Said Giles. "Buffy and Dawn wanted to go after Spike, to see Xander. But before they left Willow called on the phone and spoke to Buffy."
"What did she say?" Asked Angel.
"I don't know." Said Giles. "But afterwards Buffy went up to her room with Dawn, and then they left."
"Left?" Said Riley, standing up. "What do you mean, left?"
"I mean, they left the mansion and started walking." Said Giles, giving Riley a look that clearly said he thought the other man was thick.
"No!" Said Riley. "I mean, did they take suitcases? Money? Are they coming back?"
Giles frowned. "Er—?"
Angel frowned, looking up the stairs. "Why would they leave without talking to us? I thought she wanted to watch Spike."
"I know she did." Said Giles, flipping a radio out of his pocket. "Finn to base. We have a level two alert. See if you can't locate Buffy and Dawn Summers."
Angel shook his head, glancing out the window into the twilight. "A mysterious mystical convergence that required Willow's immediate attention in London. That's too convenient." He said.
"What?" Asked Giles.
"Do you have a report back from Africa yet?" Asked Angel.
"Yes." Said Giles. "It wasn't a true Ascension, as we had feared, just a minor one. Faith the rest of the Slayers took care of it. Robin said it was much bigger in his initial reports, though."
"Somebody scattered the troops." Replied Angel, musing. "Took out the big guns. But why would Buffy leave, then? Shouldn't she have stayed?" He hesitated, glancing at Riley.
Riley shrugged. "Don't ask me."
Spike burst in the back door, a blanket over his shoulders. "Where's Buffy?!" He demanded. Xander came in behind him.
"She just left." Said Angel.
Spike scowled at Angel, then at Riley. Xander, standing there looking ridiculous in Spike's duster, also scowled. "Splitting us up even further." Said Xander.
"Uh, what?" Said Riley. "What are you talking about?"
"How'd she leave?" Asked Xander.
"They were on foot." Said Giles. "Xander, what's going on?"
"Bus stop at the end of the street." Said Xander. "I'm pretty sure that's where Buffy would go."
"Why'd she leave?" Asked Buffy.
"Willow called from England." Said Giles.
Spike scowled. "Willow wouldn't." He said dubiously. "Would she?"
"Haven't we learned anything from the First?" Asked Xander. He adjusted his eye patch, rubbing at his face. "It probably wasn't Willow."
Spike frowned. "But that makes no sense—unless of course—?" He and Xander shared a look.
Xander leveled a glare at Riley. "You have troops nearby, right?"
"Yeah." Said Riley. He flipped out his cell phone, punching buttons. "This is Finn. I have a—say again? What? All of them? To where? Why did they do that? Was it confirmed? Blast it, I need men now!"
Spike and Xander exchanged a glance. "Of course. Next Angel."
"Next Angel what?" Asked Angel.
"Angel, you're going to get a call. It'll be urgent." Said Xander.
"Don't listen." Said Spike. "It's a lie. A distraction. Where's Anya?"
"Front room with Andrew, playing video games." Said Giles. "What's happening? Why are the troops being scattered?"
"The end of the world is here. Again." Said Spike. "And it wants a one-on- one. Anya!" He yelled.
Anya came running, Andrew right behind her. "A fight?" She asked eagerly.
Xander stared poisonously at the two of them, and Anya wilted under his gaze. He didn't say anything, turning away. Noticing this, Spike changed his mind. "Not for you. You stay here with Andrew. Keep him safe." Said Spike.
"We have cars out front." Said Xander coldly, keeping his back turned to Anya and Andrew. "Come on."
The five of them descended the front steps into the night, identical scowls on their faces. As they started to pile into the mini-van Angel moved for the driver's seat. Spike cut him off.
"I'll drive." He said.
Angel growled, noting that Xander had already taken shotgun, but acquiesced. The pattern he'd seen in recent events left him no choice but to do it.
Riley moved to argue, but Angel gave him a quick look, and he climbed into the back seat with Giles. Angel got in after him, leaving the soldier in the middle.
As they sped out, Xander began shaking his head. "She's been finding people." He said.
Spike shook his head. "What do you mean, finding people?" He asked.
"I mean in my..." He glanced into the backseat. "I saw Oz." He said finally. "I saw her stalk Oz through New York and capture him. Then I saw her again, in South America."
"How did she get there so fast?" Asked Spike.
Xander rolled his eyes. "I never said it was all in order, did I?"
Giles leaned forward. "What are we talking about?" He asked.
--
Buffy woke up to an incessant dripping. She moaned, trying to roll away from the damp splattering against her face, then her eyes widened at the familiar smell.
Blood.
She rolled back, choking back her gag reflex. A dead body was splayed across the table in front of her, and Drusilla's head was buried in the crook between the body's shoulder and head. As she watched the insane vampire's head came up with a snap, a smile on her blood-stained lips.
"Good morning." Said Drusilla.
"Ah!" Said Buffy, arching backward. Pain ignited in her wrists. She was chained to the floor, she realized. She rolled sideways, alleviating the pressure on her arms and giving herself as much slack as possible.
Dawn was lying beside her, fully awake. The younger, taller girl was watching Drusilla, her eyes glassy. "Dawn!" Yelled Buffy.
"She's in me." Said Drusilla simply, and Buffy shuddered.
"Stop it!" She yelled at the vampire.
"No. No, no, no." Sing-songed Drusilla. "You were naughty. Took my bright boy away. Now it's my turn. To take away your girl. And you." She giggled. "The taste of blood is sweet, and I will teach you all about tasting it."
Buffy took a deep breath, testing the strength of her bonds. They were strong. Big, thick steel bands, meant to hold something about her size, and very strong. Had they been designed for her? She doubted it, but it wouldn't surprise her greatly.
Drusilla stalked over to her. "I drained him first so I could have lots of blood to give you." She murmured.
Buffy's stomach dropped out from under her, leaving an empty feeling. "No." She whispered.
"Yes." Said Drusilla. "But first, we wait. My dark prince is coming, and he must choose one of us." She giggled. "He chose you before, but now he'll choose me."
Buffy stared at Drusilla. "You're insane." She said.
Drusilla nodded. "I know." She said. "Now, be in me; we must have a proper surprise for our dark prince." She giggled. "So that he can never choose right again."
--
Spike watched Xander drive, feeling the familiar blood lust rising. No chip, no soul, he reminded himself. He could just kill Xander, drain his blood and leave the nuisance behind forever. Buffy would never know. She would probably be dead soon anyway.
He could sense the life-giving food pumping away beneath Xander's veins.
He could also remember the way Xander's heart had been broken by his own stupidity when he'd left Anya at the altar. He could remember Xander's insecurities. And finally, the way Xander had allowed him into his house when he'd been crazy.
And he didn't care one whit. No matter how much good Xander had ever done for him, he was a selfish, soulless beast.
And now was not the time to get into that.
He'd come back a hero, for his own selfish reasons, to get close to Buffy. And now it looked like he'd once again put Buffy in harms way.
Well, sod it. If he was a hero, he'd care. Not before.
"And, there's a clue." Said Xander.
Spike stared at the bus, up on one side with smoking holes in it.
He really didn't like this hero gig very much.
--
Giles glared at Andrew. "You know, I really think this is a bad idea."
"What?" Asked Andrew, his thumbs dancing over the game controller.
"Introducing a vampire to vicarious and bloody violence through a gamestation."
"Hey, it seemed like a good idea—aw, man!" His character once again fell to the ground, dead.
"That's two rounds to me." Said Giles in satisfaction. "Your turn, Anya."
"Vampire reflexes are SO much better, I am so gonna whip your butt!" Said Anya, snatching the game controller from Andrew.
"That's what you said last time." Said Giles smugly.
Buffy walked in just as Anya let out a shriek. "You tore off my arm!" She bellowed. "How could you do that? Show me? Please? What was that?"
Buffy groaned. "We're back." She told the gathered humans. It was wasn't really aimed at the vampire, but Anya nodded anyway.
Willow walked in. "What's this message?" She asked,
"Oh, it's the coven." Said Giles. "They rang while you were out, said something about a mystical convergence."
Spike and Angel stepped inside, followed by Dawn and Riley.
"You're back, Spike!" Squealed Anya, jumping up and abandoning the controller. She rushed over. "I didn't kill any of them!"
"That's great." He said.
" Oh, Spike, you're here. Xander's trying to lure you into a demon bar by wearing your coat, and he knows all about your lack of soul." Said Giles.
"What? My coat?" Said Spike. He glanced at Angel and Riley.
"I should talk to him." Sighed Riley.
"I should, actually." Said Angel. "A demon bar, you'd be ripped to shreds. Besides, I know him better."
The two of them glared at each other.
"Quit swaggering." Said Buffy. "This is my job. You know, part of the best friend thing, not the whole Slayer thing."
"No." Said Spike firmly. "It's me that's got his back up, isn't it? I'll go talk to him." He glanced at Anya. "Anya, drink some pigs blood. Now. Grand- Sire, this is your Great-grand-childe. Have fun."
With that he turned, stalking out of the room.
--
Xander was waiting, pool cue in hand. "I see you're finally here." He said. "I expected you sooner. Didn't think you'd run off to LA without seeing me first." He chuckled, shaking his head.
"What?" Asked Spike, looking around the bar, taking in the demons. He glanced back to Xander.
"Willow was called off to England, wasn't she?" Asked Xander.
"Yes." Said Spike.
"You know why? Because she would have insisted on being here." Said Xander. "You can be very devious, can't you?"
"What are you talking about?" Asked Spike in an angry growl.
"At the same time, so very naïve." Sighed Xander.
Spike shook his head, glancing around the smoky bar. "This isn't your sort of place usually, is it?" He asked.
"No. Not usually." Agreed Xander. He nodded at the pool table where two demons were playing pool. "I've never been very good at pool, but recently I've been very, very good at pool. It's an interesting change."
"What caused the change?" Asked Spike impatiently.
"You did." Said Xander. "The root of all troubles. All my troubles, anyway. You, you, you."
"Care to explain?" Asked Spike, his lazy drawl lowering even further, so that Xander had to strain to understand him.
"Sure. I would. How much do you know about Angel's arrangement with the PTB?"
"The Powers That Be? Not much." Said Spike. "He does his bloody good deeds for them."
"Yeah, yeah. Champion, blah blah, Seer." Said Xander. "Are you a Champion, Spike? You never would have broken out of the Hell dimension you were in without William, would you?"
"I suppose not." Said Spike.
"Who sent William? Or do you think he came of his own accord?" Asked Xander.
Spike growled. "How do you know about William?" He demanded, stepping closer.
Xander didn't answer for a minute. His face tensed slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Every night for the past six months, ever since you died, I've been having the same dream." He said.
"With me in it? I'm touched." Said Spike sarcastically.
"Yes, you're in it." Said Xander. "You're in hell, Spike. In hell. It's not a nice dream. In fact, it's a nightmare. And it was a new part of hell every night. I could see you. In hell. It wasn't till I saw William for the first time that I realized this wasn't just my subconscious finally getting revenge—I was seeing you as you were. In hell."
Spike raised an eyebrow slowly. "What did you see after I left?"
"I watched you and Anya while I slept for a while. Interspersed with other visions." Said Xander. "Every time I close my eyes I'm somewhere else, watching something."
Spike absorbed the information slowly. "You've got a sixth sense, and it's tuned in on me?"
Xander laughed. "Ironic, isn't it?" He asked.
Spike moved closer. "Who knows about these visions?" He asked.
"Nobody." Replied Xander. "After a while, I understood what it was. Caleb said I was the one who saw everything, but he wasn't right. Now I see everything. And it scares me."
"What are you talking about? You're a bloody seer now?" Asked Spike.
"The PTB sent you William. Your jailbreak would never have worked without his help." Said Xander. "You couldn't break out of hell. They gave you a deal."
Spike's stomach churned. "No." He said.
"Yes." Mocked Xander. "How would you have escaped without William? He came to you, and he broke you out."
Spike absorbed this. "They're trying to make me their divine sock puppet, like Angel." He said.
"Exactly!" Said Xander. "Sock Puppet Spike!"
Spike hesitated. "You're driving towards something. Why don't you just spit it out?"
"There's always a price." Said Xander. "Always. And it's William who's exacting the price. Do you really know your former soul, Spike?"
"Why?" Asked Spike sharply.
"Because sometimes, when he's not with you, he goes places." Said Xander. "Like Africa, where he lured the Slayers. Or England, where he lured Willow. He's taking all the other players out of the picture. Can you guess why?"
"Not really." Growled Spike.
"You should understand." Said Xander. "Think back to hell, Spike."
"You've gone crazy as Drusilla." Growled Spike.
"Have I really?" Asked Xander. "With the Slayers around, it could take years for the world to be ending and you to be in a position to save it. But William can't wait that long. He's moved it around so that you, and you alone, will be our only hope."
Spike frowned. "Why would he want me to save the world?"
"Redemption, Spike!" Snapped Xander. "You think I'm enjoying this? I've been in my own personal hell ever since these dreams started, and I've spent every hour asleep watching you!" He growled the last word. "They're jerking you around in a little game over your soul, where little things like the woman I love coming back as a vampire and me becoming your personal TV, these things are just pawns in their game!!"
Spike rolled his shoulders, his face morphing, revealing his demon visage. "This is madness." He snarled.
"This is your life!" Snapped Xander. "William plans for you to die saving the world. Against Dru."
"Maybe he doesn't want me dead." Said Spike flatly.
"Maybe. But then, have you seen what's coming?" Asked Xander. "I've seen what's coming. And it's not pretty."
"William's trying to end the world?" Asked Spike.
"No." Said Xander. "Maybe. I don't know. He wants you to save it, that's all I know. You, and nobody else. So he's stripped away the rest of the earth's defenses, leaving you. And, by the way, can I just be first to vote that I have NO CONFIDENCE in your skills at this job?"
"Thanks." Growled Spike. "Good to know I haven't lost my first and best fan."
Xander giggled, still holding the pool cue. Spike moved forward, taking from him quickly. "I'm not a hero." Said Spike. "I mean, I'm supposed to be, but what kind of hero have I ever been? I don't want to do this."
"You were just planning to work quietly around Cleveland, right? Work with Buffy." Spat Xander. "Patrol with Buffy, kill other vampires with Buffy—you basically wanted the easy job. The basically useless sidekick and dangerous love interest. Back to your good old chip days, only without the chip?"
Spike looked troubled. "You're not—what kind of crap is this?" He asked.
"You can't!" Growled Xander. "You're here, and you have to be the hero!"
"What do you care?" Demanded Spike.
"I don't particularly care about you, no." Replied Xander. "But I don't trust you to stay good. And I don't trust that you can save the world alone."
"More of your visions?" Asked Spike.
Xander glared at him. "Think about it. Who is getting all set up for an Apocalypse?"
"Dru." Said Spike, his stomach sinking.
"Very good." Smirked Xander. "Yeah. Why her?"
"A test." Said Spike. "Bloody ponces are testing me!"
"And what happens when you fail?" Asked Xander.
"People die." Said Spike, staring at Xander. "How did you piece this all together?"
Xander shook his head. "I didn't need to piece it together." He said unhappily. "Somebody spelled it out for me in my dreams."
--
Drusilla examined the wounds cut through her captive's abdomen. "Your blood is tainted." She murmured. "Do I dare to drink? Or would it destroy me?"
The scrawny body chained to the wall gave a twitch, but the man didn't have an answer for her.
Drusilla sighed. "So many things whirling through the night. The stars give me promises, but then the bright golden girl spoiled my plans, and my dark knight is soiled, soiled by goodness and light."
She thought about it for a moment. "I don't want a daughter." Pouted Drusilla. "I want a son! A bright golden boy with dark wings, a dark angel of fire who kills! One who can destroy and tear and . . . that'll tear our bad boy's heart out, won't it?"
--
Riley and Angel sat alone together in the kitchen, eating their respective meals. Breakfast for Angel was dinner for Riley. "So." Said Riley.
"So." Said Angel. "How's life post-Buffy for you?"
"Good. I got married." Said Riley.
"Oh." Said Angel.
"You?"
"I had a son. He hated me, and I had to give him up for adoption." Said Angel.
Riley thought about that for a minute. "That is, without a doubt, the weirdest thing I've ever heard."
"And I just gave you the short version." Sighed Angel. "There's more. Like his...daughter, who I had to kill."
Riley considered that. "Why?"
"She was going to enslave the human race and end free will." Replied Angel.
"Oh. Bummer."
"Yeah. I have the worst luck in grandchildren. First Spike, then Jasmine. And my children aren't much better."
Giles entered the room. "Well, something's wrong." Said Giles tightly.
"Besides Anya and Andrew playing Mortal Kombat?" Suggested Angel.
"Yes." Said Giles. "Buffy and Dawn wanted to go after Spike, to see Xander. But before they left Willow called on the phone and spoke to Buffy."
"What did she say?" Asked Angel.
"I don't know." Said Giles. "But afterwards Buffy went up to her room with Dawn, and then they left."
"Left?" Said Riley, standing up. "What do you mean, left?"
"I mean, they left the mansion and started walking." Said Giles, giving Riley a look that clearly said he thought the other man was thick.
"No!" Said Riley. "I mean, did they take suitcases? Money? Are they coming back?"
Giles frowned. "Er—?"
Angel frowned, looking up the stairs. "Why would they leave without talking to us? I thought she wanted to watch Spike."
"I know she did." Said Giles, flipping a radio out of his pocket. "Finn to base. We have a level two alert. See if you can't locate Buffy and Dawn Summers."
Angel shook his head, glancing out the window into the twilight. "A mysterious mystical convergence that required Willow's immediate attention in London. That's too convenient." He said.
"What?" Asked Giles.
"Do you have a report back from Africa yet?" Asked Angel.
"Yes." Said Giles. "It wasn't a true Ascension, as we had feared, just a minor one. Faith the rest of the Slayers took care of it. Robin said it was much bigger in his initial reports, though."
"Somebody scattered the troops." Replied Angel, musing. "Took out the big guns. But why would Buffy leave, then? Shouldn't she have stayed?" He hesitated, glancing at Riley.
Riley shrugged. "Don't ask me."
Spike burst in the back door, a blanket over his shoulders. "Where's Buffy?!" He demanded. Xander came in behind him.
"She just left." Said Angel.
Spike scowled at Angel, then at Riley. Xander, standing there looking ridiculous in Spike's duster, also scowled. "Splitting us up even further." Said Xander.
"Uh, what?" Said Riley. "What are you talking about?"
"How'd she leave?" Asked Xander.
"They were on foot." Said Giles. "Xander, what's going on?"
"Bus stop at the end of the street." Said Xander. "I'm pretty sure that's where Buffy would go."
"Why'd she leave?" Asked Buffy.
"Willow called from England." Said Giles.
Spike scowled. "Willow wouldn't." He said dubiously. "Would she?"
"Haven't we learned anything from the First?" Asked Xander. He adjusted his eye patch, rubbing at his face. "It probably wasn't Willow."
Spike frowned. "But that makes no sense—unless of course—?" He and Xander shared a look.
Xander leveled a glare at Riley. "You have troops nearby, right?"
"Yeah." Said Riley. He flipped out his cell phone, punching buttons. "This is Finn. I have a—say again? What? All of them? To where? Why did they do that? Was it confirmed? Blast it, I need men now!"
Spike and Xander exchanged a glance. "Of course. Next Angel."
"Next Angel what?" Asked Angel.
"Angel, you're going to get a call. It'll be urgent." Said Xander.
"Don't listen." Said Spike. "It's a lie. A distraction. Where's Anya?"
"Front room with Andrew, playing video games." Said Giles. "What's happening? Why are the troops being scattered?"
"The end of the world is here. Again." Said Spike. "And it wants a one-on- one. Anya!" He yelled.
Anya came running, Andrew right behind her. "A fight?" She asked eagerly.
Xander stared poisonously at the two of them, and Anya wilted under his gaze. He didn't say anything, turning away. Noticing this, Spike changed his mind. "Not for you. You stay here with Andrew. Keep him safe." Said Spike.
"We have cars out front." Said Xander coldly, keeping his back turned to Anya and Andrew. "Come on."
The five of them descended the front steps into the night, identical scowls on their faces. As they started to pile into the mini-van Angel moved for the driver's seat. Spike cut him off.
"I'll drive." He said.
Angel growled, noting that Xander had already taken shotgun, but acquiesced. The pattern he'd seen in recent events left him no choice but to do it.
Riley moved to argue, but Angel gave him a quick look, and he climbed into the back seat with Giles. Angel got in after him, leaving the soldier in the middle.
As they sped out, Xander began shaking his head. "She's been finding people." He said.
Spike shook his head. "What do you mean, finding people?" He asked.
"I mean in my..." He glanced into the backseat. "I saw Oz." He said finally. "I saw her stalk Oz through New York and capture him. Then I saw her again, in South America."
"How did she get there so fast?" Asked Spike.
Xander rolled his eyes. "I never said it was all in order, did I?"
Giles leaned forward. "What are we talking about?" He asked.
--
Buffy woke up to an incessant dripping. She moaned, trying to roll away from the damp splattering against her face, then her eyes widened at the familiar smell.
Blood.
She rolled back, choking back her gag reflex. A dead body was splayed across the table in front of her, and Drusilla's head was buried in the crook between the body's shoulder and head. As she watched the insane vampire's head came up with a snap, a smile on her blood-stained lips.
"Good morning." Said Drusilla.
"Ah!" Said Buffy, arching backward. Pain ignited in her wrists. She was chained to the floor, she realized. She rolled sideways, alleviating the pressure on her arms and giving herself as much slack as possible.
Dawn was lying beside her, fully awake. The younger, taller girl was watching Drusilla, her eyes glassy. "Dawn!" Yelled Buffy.
"She's in me." Said Drusilla simply, and Buffy shuddered.
"Stop it!" She yelled at the vampire.
"No. No, no, no." Sing-songed Drusilla. "You were naughty. Took my bright boy away. Now it's my turn. To take away your girl. And you." She giggled. "The taste of blood is sweet, and I will teach you all about tasting it."
Buffy took a deep breath, testing the strength of her bonds. They were strong. Big, thick steel bands, meant to hold something about her size, and very strong. Had they been designed for her? She doubted it, but it wouldn't surprise her greatly.
Drusilla stalked over to her. "I drained him first so I could have lots of blood to give you." She murmured.
Buffy's stomach dropped out from under her, leaving an empty feeling. "No." She whispered.
"Yes." Said Drusilla. "But first, we wait. My dark prince is coming, and he must choose one of us." She giggled. "He chose you before, but now he'll choose me."
Buffy stared at Drusilla. "You're insane." She said.
Drusilla nodded. "I know." She said. "Now, be in me; we must have a proper surprise for our dark prince." She giggled. "So that he can never choose right again."
--
Spike watched Xander drive, feeling the familiar blood lust rising. No chip, no soul, he reminded himself. He could just kill Xander, drain his blood and leave the nuisance behind forever. Buffy would never know. She would probably be dead soon anyway.
He could sense the life-giving food pumping away beneath Xander's veins.
He could also remember the way Xander's heart had been broken by his own stupidity when he'd left Anya at the altar. He could remember Xander's insecurities. And finally, the way Xander had allowed him into his house when he'd been crazy.
And he didn't care one whit. No matter how much good Xander had ever done for him, he was a selfish, soulless beast.
And now was not the time to get into that.
He'd come back a hero, for his own selfish reasons, to get close to Buffy. And now it looked like he'd once again put Buffy in harms way.
Well, sod it. If he was a hero, he'd care. Not before.
"And, there's a clue." Said Xander.
Spike stared at the bus, up on one side with smoking holes in it.
He really didn't like this hero gig very much.