Chapter Eight

There was a storm on the horizon, Buffy could feel it. It had been building up for the last two weeks since they had finished school - since the heat wave had begun.

This was getting stupid. She had looked everywhere she could think of, but had found nothing. She paused then as she felt herself being watched. She knew instantly who it was. "This is a little too easy isn't it?" she asked him as she turned round. Spike shook his head. "Not really. The easy parts over with now".

"So this is the Council's idea of a joke, right? That whole - it's out of my hands speech from Quentin was a load of crap?"

"Actually just the opposite," Spike answered, taking a couple of steps forward. "It really is out of his hands. They're looking for a spell that only I know of - but I don't remember what the hell they're talking about". Buffy rolled her eyes. "So the test he was talking about that I have to pass to solve this mess is working with you. Great. I just thought that you'd been cursed with a soul to help us through the test and then you'd be on your way back to whatever hole it was you crawled out of!"

Spike narrowed his eyes. "Careful slayer," he warned. She ignored him completely. "Aren't you supposed to be all weak and kittenish?" she continued. "You know - oh, the guilt, I killed so many people so I deserve to die routine? Thought it was supposed to last longer then a couple of nights. If it's real".

"You know It is," he answered her coldly. " Maybe this finally proves that I'm stronger then Angel. And is that how you like it slayer? So you can be in control all the time? Been thinking about me a lot have you?" She looked away from him. "Only because I have to," she murmured.

Spike looked at her, really looked. He'd spent the last two nights thinking of nothing but this moment. It had been all that was keeping him going. Finally seeing her, trying to figure out just what in the hell was wrong with him for thinking this way about her. Asking her forgiveness. Letting her make the pain go away. Why was he acting this way? How was it helping him?

"You're supposed to help us," she was saying. "So help already so my life can go back to sort of normal." he shook his head. "I'm really sorry pet. I can't. haven't you been listening to a damn thing I've said? I can't remember anything. Quentin said something about The Spell Of Illusions. But I'd remember something like that wouldn't I?"

Buffy sighed. "We need to get to Giles, this is more his area of expertise. That's if they're still talking to me!" Spike frowned at this piece of news. "What, the fabulous Scooby gang has fallen apart? Didn't think it was possible". She looked at him seriously. "It does happen. It has happened. We just don't let evil see our weakness that's all. First role of staying alive".

"You've got me there slayer, I have to admit it. I get the point".

"Something's different about you," she said frowning. "It's called a soul love".

"Yes, but I've never really believed it until now. I guess a part of me still doesn't. I mean - I haven't seen any proof". they stared each other, trying to understand what was happening. Buffy, so used to always arguing and fighting with the vampire, had nothing left to say. So they shared the quiet. "You do know," said Spike finally, "that we won't be going anywhere because we're surrounded, don't you?"

Buffy looked around, annoyed that he had noticed and she hadn't.

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"I can't believe that she would say something like that to us," Xander was fuming. "We're supposed to be her friends right?"

"It's ok Xander," said Willow softly. "She just has to get through this on her own. She'll figure it out one of these days that she needs us. That we give her half of her strength. That we can't help it that she was chosen and we were not, but we'll always be in the fight anyway because we love and care about her".

Joyce looked at Willow in amazement. "I couldn't have said it any better myself," she agreed. "We just have to give her some space that's all. If anyone should know that about Buffy it's me. I am her mother".

"Well, I just wish she'd hurry up and realise it sooner. You realise we've been giving her space all summer? I know it's only been two weeks, but still. She never talks to us. I say we go after her…."

"And how do you propose we do that?" pointed out Giles. "We're surrounded by the press. I'm thinking that they'll be out there all night - for as long as it takes to get more proof about this. It's a big story".

There's nothing we can do at the moment," said Oz, coming over to take Willow's hand. "We just have to wait for her to call with any news".

………………………………............................................................................................................................. The vampires looked at her, no expression at all on their faces. "So what's up guys," she asked them, falling into a fighter's stance, Spike following suite. "Where's the witty comebacks? The taunts? What's with the silent act?" Although she would never admit it, these guys were starting to get under her skin. They weren't like normal vampires that she came up against on her nightly patrols. She could tell, just by the look in their eyes that they had been around along time. There was too much knowledge in them.

"Careful slayer," said Spike again. "These guys are serious".

"Think I don't know that? But come on, there's only ten of them. We can take ten between us". He shook his head. "Look around us love. There's more then ten". And she did look. And she saw, with growing horror, that there was maybe 30 odd vamps surrounding her, and God knew how many more in hiding.

"I still say we try and take them," she said stubbornly, not wanting him to see that she was afraid. "I didn't take down the mayor just to be killed by a bunch of lowlife's who think they're the next best thing. Or bad thing I should say".

"Our Queen is angry that you have exposed our world," said one, stepping forward, elected the leader. "It has ruined our way of life. Humans will now know what to expect from us and will be ready for our attacks".

"Yeah well, she's not the only one," muttered Buffy. "Wait a minute - Queen? That's a new one. Isn't it mostly Master's with you guys?"

Buffy didn't wait for an answer as she launched the first attack. As she fought, she realised with amazement that she and Spike actually made a pretty good team. Their fight moves complimented each other, and they were breathtaking to watch. Every movement fast and deadly. But no matter how many they killed, more still seemed to appear before them. Buffy was getting tired. "We can't keep this up," she called to Spike. "I did warn you!" he yelled back. "Kind of busy at the moment for small talk slayer".

"Spike we have to make a run for it….." she was cut of when a new movement caught her eye. The vampire that Spike was fighting produced a sword as if from no where. The weapon seemed to crackle with energy as it sliced through the air. She noticed the other's had swords all exactly alike. "Spike…." she tried to warn him, but Spike didn't see the sword until it was to late. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion as Buffy watched the sword descending through the air and make contact with Spikes chest. Metal pierced flesh and Spike collapsed to the ground.