Chapter Two

He looked up at the sky . It was littered with stars. The sea calmed him - but only slightly. He raised his cigarette to his lips and inhaled slowly.

Looking out at the vastness around him, he realised for the first time just how much he didn't matter. Not in the big picture of things. He had always prided himself on being the best. He was tired of living in the shadows of others and he thought he had proven that with a well known reputation of his own.

But in the end - no matter how many people he maimed and slaughtered - it wouldn't add up. He would never be good enough. It wasn't like he was a master. He wasn't the first evil. He should have known that nothing less then that would even have a shot of getting her back. Getting her to even notice him again. Even after a whole year, he still heard her words in his mind. "Spike, when I look at you, all I see is the slayer!"

Oh Dru, he thought in despair, loneliness once more overwhelming him. I did it all for you you know. Teaming up with the slayer, turning against Angelus. It was only to get you back. It was only to save you. You were so bloody infatuated with him you couldn't see what was right in front of you. You think all I see is the slayer? Well he was even worse! He was just using you. He lit another fag and longed for some alcohol. He thought he had been a damned fine actor. Double betrayal. In fact it had been pure genius getting Buffy to trust him and then….well the rest was history. Dru - anyone - should have been impressed.

But no…she had left him anyway. And why? He had spent hours, days analysing those last words. They still made no sense to him. Of course all he thought of was the slayer - because he had wanted to kill her. She had always been in his way, spoiling all his plans - all his fun.

So what if he had been a bit possessed by the idea? He was supposed to be evil. And now, here he was, once more a shadow of his former self, forgotten by the world. He had spent a century building himself up as the big bad, and now all that was lost.

The way Dru had looked at him when she spoke of the slayer, she had seemed hurt. No - it was almost like she had been jealous! He didn't get it!

Sunnydale

Oh it was awkward.

Buffy grimaced slightly as she bought out the tea and biscuits her mother had insisted on making. "You know who this man is right mum?" she had hissed angrily in the kitchen. "He put me through that insane test on my birthday? Almost got me killed? He fired Giles for no reason? Ringing any bells?"

"We never have guests Buffy," her mother had interrupted. "Be a good girl. Even if he did do all those things, I hope you're all going to be reasonable about this. There will be no raised voices or fist fights understand? I can't keep replacing the windows of this place - or keep explaining to the neighbours why it sounds like world war three is starting in here all the time!"

Screw that, thought Buffy and she practically threw the tea on the table. "Lets skip the formalities and get to the point. I guess there is a point, right? May I remind you that I walked out on the council, remember? You're not…"

"Welcome here. I know. If you'd sit down I'll explain myself," he gestured to a nearby chair. "I'll stand thanks," she snapped.

Quentin Travers sighed and helped himself to a biscuit. "I am angry," he started. "Excuse me?" asked Giles in surprise.

"I'm angry at all of you," the watcher continued. "You have all been so incredibly foolish. You have no idea of the damage you have caused!"

That received blank stairs from everyone. "What are you talking about?" asked Xander.

Quentin narrowed his eyes. "you'll find out soon enough. Lets call it another test…"

"No way!" spat Buffy. "I am not going through another of your tests. You have no right anymore to put me through that again!"

"You see my dear," he continued. "You really have no choice in the matter. It is something that is out of my hands. But it is something the council knew might happen one day if the slayer was careless, and so we have started the actions that are required".

"I would have thought you'd be grateful for what we did to the mayor," said Buffy.

"Indeed we are forever in your debt. Had things gone on the way they were with the mayor and faith…..but that's besides the point. The point is you're plan to defeat him was both reckless and well... it was stupid".

There was a silence. Buffy looked away.

"Turn on the TV if you would....Joyce is it?" he said calmly.

Joyce hesitated. "Now look," started Giles. "You can't just go ordering us about any…." his voice trailed off as he saw the latest news story.

"This just in," said the reporter. "Is this a practical joke? Is it special effects? Or could it really be footage of the end of the world? Could this be what actually happened at Sunnydale high school on the class of 99's graduation day?"

They all stared in shock as the scenes from graduation day played out before them. The mayor turning into the demon. The students armed with weapons. The whole battle played out on screen for millions to see.

"Oh my god," whispered Willow in shock.

"How….why….how…." sputtered Xander.

"That's what you went through?" said Joyce, staring at her daughter in shock and amazement. "You never told me that's what actually happened…."

Quentin leaned over and turned off the TV. "So now you know what you're up against," he finished, a slight smile on his face. "I'll be leaving now".

"Wait," fumed Buffy, turning to face him. "You can't just dump this on us and then disappear. The whole world knows now, don't they?"

He nodded. "Yes I'm afraid they do. And they know about you. There was enough footage on that video to confirm you were the leader of the…attack."

"So, what steps have you taken to prevent this from getting any worse?" asked Oz, startling them all. The leader of the watcher's council looked at them grimly. " There is someone who can help you."

………………………………............................................................................................................................

Spike turned away from the ocean, new determination in his eyes. Maybe he should go back to Sunnydale. Maybe killing the slayer would get him everything he wanted. Or maybe it was a suicide mission . At this point he didn't care.

Suddenly he felt pain shooting all through him. He saw a bright light all around him, and then he remembered nothing more.